Page:Sarah Sheppard - L. E. L.pdf/92

 self-indulgence in its true light. But mental suffering and excitement have destroyed her health, and she returns with Beatrice to England, only to die. The comparison, most skilfully drawn, between the characters of Emily and Beatrice, is in itself a practical illustration of some of the highest principles of mental and ethical philosophy. "With Emily, early solitude had increased the power of imagination, early indulgence had weakened her moral as much as delicate health had relaxed her physical energy."****"The keen feeling, the high-toned romance of her character, had she been more accustomed to the harsh realities of life, or been placed in circumstances where exertion was a necessity, would have been kindly guards against the selfishness contracted in the world; but, left to be that character's sole ' materiel ', there was no strength to meet sorrow, no reality to ballast romance. A chain of small events had brought her into continual contact with Lorraine; daily intercourse first gave attachment all the force of habit; loneliness next gave all the exaggeration of unemployed fancy; and love had become to Emily an imaginary world, where thoughts, hopes, feelings, were all gathered and confided. The wreck was total; as total as that ever is which trusts its all to one argosy." "Beatrice, on the other hand, had been forced into a wholesome course of active exertion. Obliged to think and act for herself, to have others dependent on her efforts, to know that each day brought its employment, her mind strengthened with its discipline. The duties that excited, also invigorated. The keen feeling, the delicate taste, were accustomed to subjection, and romance refined without weakening"