Memoirs of the Life of the Late Mrs Catharine Cappe

d of the delinquent. CHAPTER V. The Author sent to school....First reception by her grandmother....Sketch of the old lady's character; the evident result of peculiar circumstances, and early strong associations....Infectious fever at Catterick....Fortitude of the Author's parents....Their preservation....Beneficial effects ef a father's praise....Contrary effects of unreasonable severity. In June, 1754, when I was ten years of age, I was sent to York for the purpose of attending the dancing school, and of learning the sort of ornamental needle-work then in fashion. I was boarded with a person, who had two nieces, whom I accompanied to the different schools for these purposes, and who was well-meaning, but illiterate, vulgar, and of an uncontrolled temper. It was the first time I had ever been from home with strangers; and the contrast between her manners and those of my old friend Mrs. Maurice, although I did not exactly know the reason, impressed my mind very painfully. I consoled myself, however, with the frequent visits I should doubtless make to my maternal grandmother, who had lately resigned the family mansion to her son, just returned from the continent; and with her daughters, my two maiden aunts, had come to reside in this city. Ibad never seen her, but I had pleased myself with anticipating how well I would behave, and how delighted she would be to receive me. She was a very stately old lady, between seventy and eighty years of age, a complete aristoc...