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This is one of Mrs. Sherwood's Moral and family tales, fervently religious and moral short stories written for children, in which their own innate sinfulness is emphasised, as well as the dire consequences which will befall them if they slip from the path of rigorous Christian virtue. The Tales sold in large numbers, and were extremely popular (among well-meaning adults) as Sunday school prizes and Sunday reading in God-fearing households.
The full text can be read online or downloaded free of charge. It is in XHTML format, like this page. Please note the file size is 71kb and it may take some time to open-up if you choose to read it online. Downloading for reading later may be the preferred option and this can be typically achieved by calling up an option box. If you have a mouse and it is configured for left click to select, right clicking the link may give you this option. Link to the full text of The old woman's tale from Moral and family tales.
..the great error into which I fell, was the love that I had for forming intimacies with strangers. With these, I suppose that I felt myself more easy than with my brothers and sisters; because these last were accustomed to tell me of my faults
By forming friendships with unsuitable people, Isabella progresses from gossip and vanity to deceit, lying, and reading novels. Eventually, though, she learns the folly of her ways, and realises that her worthy and virtuous brothers and sisters are the best friends she can have.
Page created 26 November 2002 and last
updated 26 November 2002
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