are slowly eradicated, and it by no means
follows that even the error we have lamented and acknowledged should be so
torn from the heart that no traces remain, so it would happen, from time to
time, that Matilda would fly into violent passions with the servants around
her, as with her young companions; and even when these were suppressed, she
was apt to give herself airs of importance, and descant on the privileges
she enjoyed in her own country, where she was fanned when she was hot, by
slaves upon their knees, and borne about in a stately palanquin; where the
most exquisite fruits were continually presented to court her palate, and
the most costly dresses that money could procure purchased to please her;
where every slave trembled at her anger, or rejoiced in her smile; and
where she would one day return to reign as absolute as an empress.

"Well," said Ellen, one night, as this conversation took place in the
play-room, "I must own I should like to live at Barbadoes for one thing--I
should like to set all the slaves at liberty, and dress their little
children, and make all happy; as to all the other _good_ things and _grand_
things, I really think we have quite sufficient of them at home; for I
suppose there are no more books nor charities in your country than ours,
Matilda; and surely there can be no greater pleasure in this world, than
reading the 'Parent's Assistant,' and giving clothes and food to poor
children when they are really hungry and starving?"

"Certainly not," cried Charles; "depend upon it, Ellen, England is the
finest land in the world; and though I should like to see oranges and
pine-apples grow, I confess, and the poor slaves at their merry meeting,
all dancing away, with their woolly heads and white teeth, as happy as
princes, yet, depend upon it, there is nothing else half so beautiful as
with us. England is unquestionably the most beautiful, excellent, rich,
delightful country upon the globe."

As Charles spoke, he fixed his eyes upon Edmund; for although the ardour of
his spirits rendered him a great dealer in positive assertions, he was yet
so conscious of his inferiority in knowledge to his eldest brother, that he
seldom felt satisfied with them, unless they were stamped by his brother's
approbation.

Edmund, in answer to his appealing eye, said--"I am as well convinced as
you can be, Charles, that England combines more advantages than any other
country, and that we either have in ourselves,