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the death of her father, just thirteen, a tall and very fine girl, of amiable disposition, and excellent understanding. The second was a son, named Edmund, a twelvemonth younger, who was heir to a noble estate; he was eager and ardent in his temper, yet easily persuaded by his mother's arguments, though not so easily would. he yield to the commands of his tutor. The third was a girl, named Anna; and the fourth Eliza: these two were twinsisters, and so alike, both in person and disposition, that it would have been difficult indeed to distinguish one from the other, had it not been for a small

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small mole near the right eye of Eliza: they were mild, beautiful, and

fondly attached to their mother and family, docile, attentive, and sensible. The fifth, George, was a bold fine boy of nine, with first-rate understanding and warm heart, but with very many faults, that needed a careful hand to correct them. The youngest, Laura, was a perfect cherub; she was only four years old, and though a universal favourite, gave promise of every endearing quality of the head and heart.

It is necessary to speak also of other parts of this family, and two principal persons must be mentioned with great

respect,

respect, for their worth and talents demand much deference-Mr. Churchill, a worthy clergyman, about fifty years

of age, who had met with many misfortunes in life, and his amiable and accomplished wife: they had lost their only child, a daughter, in a most melancholy way. From a principle of gratitude and attachment to a family from whom they had received the kindest attentions and most liberal assistance in the day of need, this excellent couple, with pleasure, undertook to assist, in the pleasing, but arduous task of education, their friend and their benefactress; and with her and B 2

her

her charming family, bent their way

for Belfield.

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Without any material accident they arrived at Bath, and some of her young people being of an age to partake of a few of the amusements that place affords; and Mr. and Mrs. Churchill having a near relation, a very respectable merchant then there, Mrs. Belfield agreed to remain a week, with a view to satisfy Edmund's eager desire of seeing every thing, as he termed it; and they were soon settled in elegant lodgings.

This amiable family spent their time in seeing whatever was worthy of their notice

notice in that gay city. Elinor and Edmund, with Mr. and Mrs. Churchill, went twice to the Theatre; and Anna, Eliza, and George, were permitted to see a favourite pantomime. Mrs. Belfield had now no pleasure in any amusments of this kind, yet was she cheerful, resigned, and grateful.

When the time arrived for leaving Bath, not one of the party felt the smallest regret the young folks skipped into the carriage with the utmost glee, enquiring if indeed they should be at dear Belfield the next day. Mr. Churchill bad with him an excellent book of roads and descriptions of every gentleman's

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