cherry blossom image © Abi Gee 2007; cover images © Harlequin Mills & Boon 2010; web site © Emily Gee 2010
The following excerpt comes from Sermon XII, Sermons to Young Women, by James Fordyce, published in the 1700s. Jane Austen was familiar with these sermons, and in Pride and Prejudice the worthy Mr Collins read aloud from them to his cousins while staying with at Longbourn. Imagine the Bennett sisters listening to this...
...it is certain that the wisest parents may be mistaken about the man with whom they wish a daughter to be connected. But she that marries with the sanction of their countenance, from that, and from their continued or even augmented kindness, derives in the case of disappointment a consolation which she could not enjoy, had she brought it on herself by her own indiscretion and obstinacy.
One thing here must not be forgotten; that the reflexion of having acted undutifully, in this or any other instance of importance, to those who gave you birth, were alone sufficient to poison the whole pleasure of life; that is, if you be not lost to every ingenious impression; but especially if their death should put it forever out of your power to make atonement. The horrors of guilt that in such a circumstance are apt to haunt and distract the mind, more particularly if the parents were uncommonly worthy, I have had repeated opportunities of observing, but have no adequate language to express; so profound is the conviction implanted by nature of the sacredness of filial piety!-Need I add that this extends so far as to demand submission in every case, where your duty of God or your peace of mind does not interfere?
