He saw how ill he had judged, in expecting to counteract
what was wrong in Mrs. Norris by its reverse in himself;
clearly saw that he had but increased the evil by teaching
them to repress their spirits in his presence so as to make
their real disposition unknown to him, and sending them
for all their indulgences to a person who had been able
to attach them only by the blindness of her affection,
and the excess of her praise.
Here had been grievous mismanagement; but, bad as it was,
he gradually grew to feel that it had not been the most
direful mistake in his plan of education. Something must
have been wanting _within_, or time would have worn
away much of its ill effect. He feared that principle,
active principle, had been wanting; that they had never
been properly taught to govern their inclinations and
tempers by that sense of duty which can alone suffice.
They had been instructed theoretically in their religion,
but never required to bring it into daily practice.
To be distinguished for elegance and accomplishments,
the authorised object of their youth, could have had no
useful influence that way, no moral effect on the mind.
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