The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-08-22
MISCELLANY.
SENSE AND sENSIBILITY,
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TFrops the Etonian.1

FrOps the Etonian.
SIN visit which we paid some time
ago to our worthy contributor, Morris
Gowan, we became acquainted with two
characters; upon whom, as they afford
aperfect counterpart to Messrs. " Rhyme
and Reason" recorded in No. /, we
have bestowed the names of Sense and
Sensibility.
sThe Misses Lowrie, of whom we
are about TO give our readers an account,
are both young, both handsome, both
amiable: nature made the outline of
their characters the same; but educa-
tion has varied the colouring Their
mother died almost before they were
able to profit by her example or in
struction. Emily, the eldest of the sis
tiers, was brought up under the immedi-
ate care of her father. He was man
of strong and temperate judgment, oblig-
ing to bis neighbours, and affectionate
TO his children but certainly rather cal
culated to educate son than daugh-
ter. Emily profted abundantly by his
assistance, as far as moral duties or lit
erary accomplishments were concerned !;
but for all the lesser dgremens of society,
she had nothing to depend npon but the
suggestions of a kind heart and quiet
temper. Matilda, on the contrary,
spent her childhood in England, at the
house of relation; who, having imbib-
ed her notions of propriety at fashion
able boarding-school, and made love-
match very early in life, was but ill
prepared to regulate a warm disposition,
and check a natural tendency to ro-
nance. The consequence has been
such as might have been expected. Ma
tilda pities the distressed, and Emily re-
lieyes them; Matilda has more of the
love of the neighbourhood, although
Emily is more entitled to its gratitude !;
Matilda is very agreeable, while Emily
is very useful; and two or three old Ia
dies, who talk scandal over their tea,
and murder grammar and regulations
together, consider Matilda a practised
heroine, and laugh at Emily as an in
yetePate blue.
"The incident which first introduced
Us to them afforded US tolerable speci-
men of their different qualities. While
on long pedestrian excursion with
Morris, we met two ladies returning
from their walk; and, as our companion
had already the privileges of an intimate
acquaintance, we became their compan-
ions. An accurate observer of human
manners knows well how dccisively
character is marked by trifes, and how
wide is the distinction which is fire.
quently made by circumstances appar-
entity the most insignificant.
In spite, therefore, of the similarity
ofage and person which existed between
the two sisters, the first glance at their
dress and manner, the first tones of their
voice, were sufficient to distinguish the
one from the other. 1t was whimsical
enough to observe how every object
which attracted our attention exhibited
their respective peculiarities in new
and entertaining light. Sense entered
into learned discussion on the nature
of plant; while Sensibility talked en-
chantingly of the fading Of its flower.
From Matilda we had rapturous eulo-
GUM upon the surrounding scenery ;
from Emily we derived much informa-
ton relative to the state Of its cultiya-
ton. When we listened to the one, we
seemed to be reading a novel, but a
clever and an interesting novel; when
we turned to the other, we found only
real life, but real life in its most pleas.
ant and engaging form.
Suddenly one of those rapid storm.
which SO frequently disturb for time
the tranquility Of the finest weather
appeared to be gathering over oul
heads. Dark clouds were driven i'm.
petuously over the clear sky, and the