16 ALD1NK EDITION. 



MARY. 



I did, mamma; but Henrietta could not tell me. 



MRS. F. 



Then, as she has been this morning in the library, she 

 doubtless will have referred to the Biographical Dictionary, 

 and be able now to give you all the information you require. 



HENRIETTA. 



No, indeed, I have not, aunt. I did not know where to 

 find it. 



MRS. F. 



Then why did you not ask me 1 ? 

 Henrietta was silent. 



FREDERICK. 



Because, aunt, she does not like you to think her so igno- 

 rant as not to know. 



MRS. F. 



And, therefore, Henrietta, you are so proud as to prefer 

 going without information rather than confess your ignorance. 

 This is, indeed, my dear, a false shame, and a feeling which 

 will prove the greatest bar to your improvement. Believe 

 me, there is no disgrace in confessing your ignorance, but 

 there is great disgrace in remaining in it, when the means of 

 knowledge lie in your power. Recollect the answer of the 

 ancient philosopher, who, when asked how he had acquired 

 such a fund of knowledge, replied, " By inquiring every 

 thing which I did not know, and leaving nothing unsearched 

 until I had found it out." Follow his example, and you will 

 be surprised at how much you will daily learn. Whenever 

 you meet with any thing in the course of your reading which 

 you do not comprehend, you should not proceed with your 

 book until you have consulted works of reference, and gained 

 the desired information. 



