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A TALE
FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF
JUVENILE READERS.
Ornamented with Elegant Engravings.
by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont
[Illustration: FRONTISPIECE The Beast Attacking the Merchant]
BEAUTY
AND
THE BEAST.
* * * * *
There was once a very rich merchant, who had six children, three sons,and three daughters; being a man of sense, he spared no cost for theireducation, but gave them all kinds of masters. His daughters wereextremely handsome, especially the youngest; when she was little, everybody admired her, and called her The little Beauty; so that, asshe grew up, she still went by the name of Beauty, which made hersisters very jealous. The youngest, as she was handsome, was alsobetter than her sisters. The two eldest had a great deal of pride,because they were rich. They gave themselves ridiculous airs, and wouldnot visit other merchants' daughters, nor keep company with any butpersons of quality. They went out every day upon parties of pleasure,balls, plays, concerts, etc. and laughed at their youngest sister,because she spent the greatest part of her time in reading good books.As it was known that they were to have great fortunes, several eminentmerchants made their addresses to them; but the two eldest said theywould never marry, unless they could meet with a Duke, or an Earl atleast. Beauty very civilly thanked them that courted her, and told themshe was too young yet to marry, but chose to stay with her father a fewyears longer.
All at once the merchant lost his whole fortune, excepting a smallcountry-house at a great distance from town, and told his children, withtears in his eyes, they most go there and work for their living. Thetwo eldest answered, that they would not leave the town, for they hadseveral lovers, who they were sure would be glad to have them, thoughthey had no fortune; but in this they were mistaken, for their loversslighted and forsook them in their poverty. As they were not beloved onaccount of their pride, every body said, "they do not deserve to bepitied, we are glad to see their pride humbled, let them go and givethemselves quality airs in milking the cows and minding their dairy.But, (added they,) we are extremely concerned for Beauty, she was such acharming, sweet-tempered creature, spoke so kindly to poor people, andwas of such an affable, obliging disposition." Nay, several gentlemenwould have married her, though they knew she had not a penny; but shetold them she could not think of leaving her poor father in hismisfortunes, but was determined to go along with him into the country tocomfort and attend him. Poor Beauty at first was sadly grieved at theloss of her fortune; "but, (she said to herself,) were I to cr