SOME ACCOUNT

OF

THE LIFE AND WRITINGS

OF

MRS. TRIMMER, &c.

SARAHI, the daughter of Joshua and Sarah Kirby, was born at Ipswich, on the 6th of January, 1741. Her father was a man of an excellent understanding, and of great piety; and so high was his reputation for knowledge of divinity, and so exemplary his moral conduct, that, as an exception to their general rule, which admitted no layman, he was chosen member of a clerical club in the town in which he resided*.

From him she imbibed the purest sentiments of religion and virtue, and learnt betimes the fundamental principles of Christianity. At how early a period he began to lay this foundation, cannot now be exactly ascertained, but probably with the

* Mr. Kirby was the author of two works, which did him great credit. The one was entitled "Dr. Brooke Taylor's Method of Perspective made Easy," and the other (published in 1761, under the munificent patronage of his present Ma jesty) "The Perspective of Architecture."

very first dawn of reason, since she always consi dered it as one of the greatest blessings of her life, that she could never remember the time when she dith not look up with gratitude to the with gratitude to the great Author of her being, and pay him the willing tribute of prayer and thanksgiving

When old enough to acquire the usual female accomplishments, she was sent, for some hours every day, to a boarding school in Ipswich, kept by Mrs. Justinier. This lady was a woman of elegant manners and refined sentiments, and had in early life moved in the circle of fashion; but an imprudent marriage had cut her off from her family connections, and obliged her, in order to proeure a respectable maintenance, to undertake the education of young ladies. Mrs. Trimmer always spoke of Mrs. Justinier with regard, and considered her as well qualified for the office she had undertaken.

At this school, her studies were chiefly directed to English and French; she had great pleasure in translating from the latter language, which she did with readiness and accuracy; and she frequently. said it was that practice, which, by giving her choice of words, and facility of expression, led the way to her becoming an author. She likewise acquired a very good hand-writing, which was afterwards improved by an excellent master in London.

Whether it was from Mrs. Justinier, or from her father, that she learnt her graceful manner of

reading English, is not known, but in this she excelled; and even to the end of her life, retained the faculty of reading aloud for a greater length of time than most people are capable of.

To those who are fond of tracing the writings of an author to their first beginning, it may be interesting to peruse the following letter, written by Mrs. Trimmer, when she was between ten and eleven years of age. Something of her future turn of mind may be observed in it, and the early impressions of piety, which she had imbibed, may be plainly perceived. The letter was addressed to her maternal grandfather and grandmother.

TO MR. AND MRS. BULL.

Ipswich, Dec. 4, 1751.

Dear Grandpapa and Grandmama,

As I now think myself capable of writing a letter, I do not know of any to whom I can address myself with more justness and propriety than yourselves; for you are my parents in a double capacity, and therefore may reasonably claim my utmost duty and gratitude. By your indulgent care and tenderness, under the gracious hand of Providence, you have blest me with the best of mothers. Let me therefore beg a tontinuance of your blessings and prayers; to enable me to set a right value upon all the privileges I enjoy, by hav

ng a rational being, and to put in practice the duties I owe to God, my neighbour, and myself; and it shall be my daily prayer to the Almighty, that he will make the remainder of your lives happy, and receive you at last into everlasting felicity. My Grandpapa and Grandmama Kirby, and all my papa's family, join in suitable commendations, with

Your most obedient

And dutiful Grand-daughter,

SARAH KIRBY.

It has already been said that Mrs. Trimmer was greatly indebted to her father for giving her a religious education, and the fruits of it may be perceived in the above letter. It is hoped the reader will not think it irrelative to the subject if a letter be here introduced from her Grandfather Kirby, to his son, Mr. Joshua Kirby. The motive for inserting it is to show, that as she was indebted to her excellent father for religious impressions, so he also imbibed the same from his own worthy parent. How encouraging is this to those who take pains to implant betimes in the minds of their infant race sentiments of piety and morality! Who can say how far these sentiments may reach, and how many yet unborn may be benefited by such precepts and example! But to return to the letter alluded to, which was written upon the death of a much loved son, to another