erviews,--I have at
length succeeded, and am fairly established in my new place.

* * * * *

"The house is not very large, but exceedingly comfortable and well
regulated; the grounds are fine and extensive. In taking the place, I
have made a large sacrifice in the way of salary, in the hope of
securing comfort,--by which word I do not mean to express good eating
and drinking, or warm fire, or a soft bed, but the society of cheerful
faces, and minds and hearts not dug out of a lead-mine, or cut from a
marble quarry. My salary is not really more than 16_l_. per annum,
though it is nominally 20_l_., but the expense of washing will be
deducted therefrom. My pupils are two in number, a girl of eight, and
a boy of six. As to my employers, you will not expect me to say much
about their characters when I tell you that I only arrived here
yesterday. I have not the faculty of telling an individual's
disposition at first sight. Before I can venture to pronounce on a
character, I must see it first under various lights and from various
points of view. All I can say therefore is, both Mr. and Mrs. ---
seem to me good sort of people. I have as yet had no cause to
complain of want of considerateness or civility. My pupils are wild
and unbroken, but apparently well-disposed. I wish I may be able to
say as much next time I write to you. My earnest wish and endeavour
will be to please them. If I can but feel that I am giving
satisfaction, and if at the same time I can keep my health, I shall, I
hope, be moderately happy. But no one but myself can tell how hard a
governess's work is to me--for no one but myself is aware how utterly
averse my whole mind and nature are for the employment. Do not think
that I fail to blame myself for this, or that I leave any means
unemployed to conquer this feeling. Some of my greatest difficulties
lie in things that would appear to you comparatively trivial. I find
it so hard to repel the rude familiarity of children. I find it so
difficult to ask either servants or mistress for anything I want,
however much I want it. It is less pain for me to endure the greatest
inconvenience than to go into the kitchen to request its removal. I
am a fool. Heaven knows I cannot help it!

"Now can you tell me whether it is considered improper for governesses
to ask their friends to come and see the