worse, rather than
better, for what you have heard. Pray observe, that Benefico's happiness
arose entirely from his goodness: he had less strength, and less riches,
than the cruel monster; and yet, by the good use he made of what he
possessed, you see how he turned all things to his advantage. But
particularly remember, that the good little Mignon, in the moment
that he was patiently submitting to his sufferings, found a method of
relieving himself from them, and of overcoming a barbarous monster, who
had so cruelly abused him.

'Our good governess last night not only instructed me in this moral I
am now communicating to you, but likewise bid me warn you by no means
to let the notion of giants or magic to dwell upon your minds; for by a
giant is meant no more than a man of great power; and the magic fillet
round the head of the statue was only intended to teach you, that by the
assistance of patience you may overcome all difficulties.

'In order therefore to make what you read of any use to you, you must
not only think of it thus in general, but make the application to
yourselves. For when (as now) instead of improving yourselves by
reading, you make what you read a subject to quarrel about, what is this
less than being like the monster Barbarico, who turned his very riches
to a curse? I am sure it is not following the example of Benefico, who
made everything a blessing to him. Remember, if you pinch and abuse a
dog or cat, because it is in your power, you are like the cruel Monster,
when he abused the little Mignon, and said,

I am a giant, and I can eat thee;
Thou art a dwarf, and thou canst not eat me.

'In short, if you will reap any benefit from this story towards
rendering you happy, whenever you have any power, you must follow the
example of the giant Benefico, and do good with it: and when you are
under any sufferings, like Mignon, you must patiently endure them till
you can find a remedy: then, in one case, like Benefico, you will enjoy
what you possess; and, in the other, you will in time, like Mignon,
overcome your sufferings: for the natural consequence of indulging
cruelty and revenge in the mind, even where there is the highest power
to gratify it, is misery.'

Here Miss Sukey Jennet interrupted Miss Jenny, saying, that she herself
had experienced the truth of that observation in the former part of her
life: for she never had known either peace or pleasure, till she had
conquered in her mi