an autobiography-第12节
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ave been comparatively little pleasure。 The visitor came in with his 〃Good e'en〃； and seated himself。 The family went on with their work as before。 The girls were usually busy with their needles； and others with pen and pencil。 My father would go on with the artistic work he had in hand； for his industry was incessant。 He would model a castle or a tree； or proceed with some proposed improvement of the streets or approaches of the rapidly expanding city。 Among the most agreeable visitors were Professor Leslie； James Jardine； C。E。； and Dr。 Brewster。 Their conversation was specially interesting。 They brought up the last new thing in science； in discovery； in history； or in campaigning； for the war was then raging throughout Europe。
The artists were a most welcome addition to the family group。 Many a time did they set the table in a roar with their quaint and droll delineations of character。 These unostentatious gatherings of friends about our fireside were a delightful social institution。 The remembrance of them lights up my recollection of the happiest period of a generally happy life。 Could I have been able to set forth the brightness and cheerfulness of these happy evenings at my father's house； I am fain to think that my description might have been well worth reading。 But all the record of them that remains is a most cherished recollection of their genial tone and harmony； which makes me think that； although in these days of rapid transit over earth and ocean； and surrounded as we are with the results of applied scientific knowledge； we are not a bit more happy than when all the vaunted triumphs of science and so…called education were in embryo。
The supper usually followed； for my father would not allow his visitors to go away supperless。 The meal did not amount to much。 Rizard or Finnan harddies； or a dish of oysters； with a glass of Edinburgh ale； and a rummer of toddy； concluded these friendly evenings。 The cry of 〃Caller Aou〃 was constantly heard in the streets below of an evening。 When the letter r was in the name of the month； the supply of oysters was abundant。 The freshest oysters； of the most glorious quality； were to be had at 2s。 6d。 the hundred！ And what could be more refreshing food for my father's guests？ These unostentatious and inexpensive gatherings of friends were a most delightful social institution among the best middle…class people of Edinburgh some sixty or seventy years ago。 What they are now I cannot tell。 But I fear they have disappeared in the more showy and costly tastes that have sprung up in the progress of what is called 〃modern society。〃
No part of my father's character was more admirable than his utter unselfishness。 He denied himself many things； that he might give the greater pleasure to his wife and children。 He would scarcely take part in any enjoyment； unless they could have their fair share of it。 In all this he was faithfully followed by my mother。 The admirable example of well…sustained industry that was always before her； sustained her in her efforts for the good of her family。 She was intelligently interested in all that related to her husband's business and interests； as well as in his recreative enjoyments。 The household affairs were under her skilful guidance。 She conducted them with economy； and yet with generous liberality； free from the least taint of ostentation or extravagance。 The home fireside was a scene of cheerfulness。 And most of our family have been blest with this sunny gift。 Indeed； a merrier family circle I have never seen。 There were twelve persons round the table to be provided for； besides two servants。 This required； on my mother's part； a great deal of management； as every housekeeper will know。 Yet everything was provided and paid for within the year's income。
The family result of my father and mother's happy marriage was four sons and seven daughters。 Patrick； the eldest； was born in 1787。 He was called after my father's dear and constant friend； Patrick Miller of Dalswinton。 I will speak by and by of his artistic reputation。 Then followed a long succession of daughters Jane； the eldest'； was born in 1788； Barbara 1790； Margaret in 1791； Elizabeth in 1793； Anne in 1798； Charlotte in 1804。 Then came a succession of three sonsAlexander； George；and James。 There followed another daughter； Mary； but as she only lived for about eighteen months； I remained the youngest of the family。
My sisters all possessed； in a greater or less degree； an innate love of art； and by their diligent application they acquired the practice of painting landscape in oils。 My father's admirable system and method of teaching rendered them expert in making accurate sketches from nature； which； as will afterwards be seen； they turned to good account。 My eldest sister； Jane； was in all respects a most estimable character； and a great help to my mother in the upbringing of the children。 Jane was full of sound common sense； her judgment seemed to be beyond her years。 Because of this the younger members of the family jokingly nicknamed her 〃Old Solid〃！Even my father consulted her in every case of importance in reference to domestic and financial affairs。 I had the great good fortune； when a child； to be placed under her special protection； and I have reason to be thankful for the affectionate care which she took of me during the first six years of my life。
Besides their early education in art； my mother was equally earnest in her desire to give her daughters a thorough practical knowledge in every department and detail of household management。 When they had attained a suitable age they were in succession put in charge of all the household duties for two weeks at a time。 The keys were given over to them； together with the household books； and at the end of their time their books were balanced to a farthing。 They were then passed on to the next in succession。 One of the most important branches of female educationthe management of the domestic affairs of a family； the superintendence of the cooking so as to avoid waste of food； the regularity of the meals； and the general cleaning up of the rooms was thus thoroughly attained in its best and most practical forms。 And under the admirable superintendence of my mother everything in our family went on like clockwork。
My father's object was to render each and all of his children whether boys or girlsindependent on their arrival at mature years。 Accordingly； he sedulously kept up the attention of his daughters to fine art。 By this means he enabled them to assist in the maintenance of the family while at home； and afterwards to maintain themselves by the exercise of their own abilities and industry after they had left。 To accomplish this object； as already described； he set on foot drawing classes； which were managed by his six daughters； superintended by himself。
Edinburgh was at that time the resort of many county families。 The war which raged abroad prevented their going to the Continent。 They therefore remained at home； and the Scotch families for the most part took up their residence in Edinburgh。 There were many young ladies desiring to complete their accomplishments； and hence the establishment of my sisters' art class。 It was held in the large painting…room in the upper part of the house。 It soon became one of the most successful institutions in Edinburgh。 When not engaged in drawing and oil painting； the young ladies were occupied in sketching from nature； under the superintendence of my sisters； in the outskirts of Edinburgh。 This was one of the most delightful exercises in which they could be engaged； and it also formed the foundation for many friendships which only terminated with life。
My father increased the interest of the classes by giving little art lectures。 They were familiar but practical。 He never gave lectures as such； but rather demonstrations。 It was only when a pupil encountered some technical difficulty； or was adopting some wrong method of proceeding； that he undertook to guide them by his words and practical illustrations。 His object was to embue the minds of the pupils with high principles of art。 He would take up their brushes and show by his dexterous and effective touches how to bring out； with marvellous ease； the right effects of the landscape。 The other pupils would come and stand behind him； to see and hear his clear instructions carried into actual practice on the work before him。 He often illustrated his little special lessons by his stores of instructive and interesting anecdotes； which no doubt helped to rivet his practice all the deeper into their minds。 Thus the Nasmyth classes soon became the fashion。 In many cases both mothers and daughters might be seen at work together in that delightful painting…room。 I have occasionally met with some of them in after years； who referred to those pleasant hours as among the most delightful they had ever spent。
These classes were continued for many years。 In the meantime my sisters' diligence and constant practice enabled them in course of time to exhibit their works in the fine art exhibitions of Edinburgh。 Each had her own individuality of style and manner； by which their several works were easily distinguis
