The Portland daily press., 1882-03-27
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Thomas Day, the author of "Sandford and
Merton" made experiments in wife training
which are among the drollest things on record,
but they were failures OF a kind to wake up
even the creator of the portentous Mr.. Barlow
to the presence in life of factors too high for
him. 1t was I'll very well for Mr.. Barlow to
discourse to Mr.. Merton of '.Polemo, who,
from a debauched young man, became cels-
brated philosopher and model of virtue, only
by attending single moral lectures" but when
it came to two skittish lasses Mr.. Day discover.
ed that many moral lectures were needed, and
that he was not the right lecturer for the desk
Mr.. Day was man of true humanity, magnan
unity and earnestness, and perhaps the most
simple hearted optimist that ever ived.c BE
fourished within the fifty years preceding the
great French revolution, and eudeavored to
model his own life and that OF others upon ths
example of ''the most virtuous Greeks and
Romsns.' He was most generous with his
money, but had "a greatscontempt fer polished
society, and for the existing systems of female
education" He resolved to find young
woman who should have, or should have In
stilled into her, all manner of Literature and
science, moral and patriotic philosophy" and
then to marry hsr She would then be ct
mother for such children as he felt he had
right to lock for, and would assist him in bring
ing them up ''feariess and intrepid as Spartan
woman," and otherwise fitted for stubborn
virtue and high exertion." Having procured
testimonials to character, Mr.. Day proceeded
to the foundling hospital at Shrewsbury and
fixed npon two girls, one fair and one dark,
which he named Lucretia and Sabrina respect
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optical Mr.. Day kresolve1 to make Roman or
Greek heroines, and having thus secured two
strings to his bow, to marry one Of them, He
entered into heavy money bonds for their
education, apprenticeship, etc., and for provid-
ing one or both with marriage portion.
Mr. Days next step was to take Lucretia and
Sabrina to France, and in order that they
might imbibe mo ideas bnt such at he chose
to communicate" he travelled alone, except for
Philosophy. who was, of course, with him.
The two misses, however, "harasssd and per-
picked him not little," pulled each others
hair, and took the smallpox both at once.
This was awkward, even for philosopher,
especially as the girls screamed and cried IL
any human being came to their bedside who
could not speak English. To be menial nurse
to two such girls was an uneasy task; but Mr.
Day was equal to 1t, and also to saving both
their lives, when they were upset in a boat on
the Rhone. Sabrina being felt to be the favor
ite, after this short trial, Lucretia was hand
somely lapprenticed; and Mr.. Day now bent all
his energies to the purpose OF training the
brunette in "the characteristic virtues of ARIA,
Portia and Cornelia' He tested her truthful
ness and discretion by confdiDg secrets to her,
but she Immediately passed these on to the
servants. This would never do. She would
not study but preferred skipping and jumping
about or even less profitable idleness. Neither
would she acquire fortitude. When Day, with
smile, dropped melting sealiBg-wax on her
arm, she screeched and wept; and when he
surreptitously let off pistols under the table.
she ran to the window and cried ''Murderi"
This was neither Sparta, Athens nor Rome,
and Mr.. Day decided to drop 1t. He placed
Sabrina at school and began to seek a wife al
ready trained. Being rejected by one accom-
plished and excellent lady, on account OF his
''austere singulsrites," he went to Paris to
learn dancing and department, and returning
in high feather, paid fresh court to this dame.
To his immense grief she was thrown into fits
of horror by his elegant contortions, and told
him she preferred Thomas Day, blackguard,
to Thomas Day, fine gentleman" With an
other lady he was more successful, AID passed
with her few years of Happiness" Yet it
is not SO encouraging to read that he made
"experiments" even on her, and that, in de-
ference to Mr.. Days dislike of music. she put
away her harpsehord and many innocent lux
uries This incurable philosopher fell victim
to one of his own experiments" in mounting
horse of his own training; the animal resent
ed an "austere singularity'' on his masters
part, threw him and kicked him fatally on the
head. He died childless.