There are few establishments where all care and responsibil-
ity devolves on the master, and even then the superintendence
of a large domestic circle, and the rites of hospitality, demand
so large a portion of the mistress's time, as leaves her but little
opportunity for systematic teaching in her family. In this case
she is wise to seek an efficient tutor, still appropriating those
opportunities which perpetually arise under the same roof to
improve their moral and religious culture, and cultivate those
sympathies which exalt these precious beings from children to
friends.
The young, conscientious, ardent mother must be taught this
by experience. She hafe a jealousy at first of any instruction
that shall come between their dawning minds and her own ; and
is only taught by the constantly thwarted recitation, that in this
country, at least, good housekeeping and good teaching cannot
be combined.
But to return to my narrative. The morning after mamma's
order, we assembled at ten o'clock. There was a little trepida-
tion in her manner, but we loved her too well to annoy her by
noticing it. Her education had been confined to mere rudi-
ments, and her good sense led her only to conduct our reading,
writing, and spelling.
We stood in a line.
52 RECOLLECTIONS OF A

" Spell irrigate^' said she. Just then the coachman entered,
and bowing, said,

" Maussa send me for de key for get four quart o' corn for
him bay horse.''

The key was given.
" Spell imitate" said mamma.
" We did not spell irrigate,^' we all exclaimed.
" Oh, no," said she, 'Hrrigate.^'

By the time the two words were well through, Chloe, the
most refined of our colored circle, appeared.
