Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/65

 task to perform, and which, sick or well, must be accomplished; but servants to attend her, and fine rooms to sit in, and plenty of fine clothes to wear, and the niceties of a plentiful table to eat. Alas! I soon learned, from closer observation, how little these things tend to happiness; and that peace of mind, the only happiness to be had on earth, is distributed by Providence with an equal hand among all the various classes in society.

The kind manner in which Miss Osburne spoke to me, made me take such pleasure in serving her, as made all my work seem light. My attention did not escape her notice, and O how richly did she repay it! Finding that I read indifferently, and not so as to understand what I read, she proposed giving me a daily lesson, which I thankfully accepted, and, that "it might not interfere with my work, I got up an hour earlier every morning, which I employed so diligently, that even Mrs Jackson was fully satisfied.