turn addle and die before it
cheeps, is one of those considerations that are but dimly revealed by
the oracles of futurity. Now, don't be nonplussed by all this
metaphorical mystery. I talk of a plain and everyday occurrence,
though, in Delphic style, I wrap up the information in figures of
speech concerning eggs, chickens etceatera, etcaeterorum. To come to
the point: Papa and aunt talk, by fits and starts, of our--id est,
Emily, Anne, and myself--commencing a school! I have often, you know,
said how much I wished such a thing; but I never could conceive where
the capital was to come from for making such a speculation. I was
well aware, indeed, that aunt had money, but I always considered that
she was the last person who would offer a loan for the purpose in
question. A loan, however, she _has_ offered, or rather intimates
that she perhaps _will_ offer in case pupils can be secured, an
eligible situation obtained, &c. This sounds very fair, but still
there are matters to be considered which throw something of a damp
upon the scheme. I do not expect that aunt will sink more than
150_l_. in such a venture; and would it be possible to establish a
respectable (not by any means a _showy_) school, and to commence
housekeeping with a capital of only that amount? Propound the
question to your sister, if you think she can answer it; if not, don't
say a word on the subject. As to getting into debt, that is a thing
we could none of us reconcile our mind to for a moment. We do not
care how modest, how humble our commencement be, so it be made on sure
grounds, and have a safe foundation. In thinking of all possible and
impossible places where we could establish a school, I have thought of
Burlington, or rather of the neighbourhood of Burlington. Do you
remember whether there was any other school there besides that of Miss
---? This is, of course, a perfectly crude and random idea. There
are a hundred reasons why it should be an impracticable one. We have
no connections, no acquaintances there; it is far from home, &c.
Still, I fancy the ground in the East Riding is less fully occupied
than in the West. Much inquiry and consideration will be necessary,
of course, before any place is decided on; and I fear much time will
elapse before any plan is executed . . . Write as soon as you can. I
shall not leave my present