The Governess; or, The Little Female Academy facts for kids

Title page from the first edition of The Governess

The Governess; or, The Little Female Academy (published in 1749) by Sarah Fielding is a very important book. It was the first full-length novel written just for children. It's a big part of children's books from the 1700s.

About the Story

Frontispiece to Mrs Sherwood's 1820 revised edition of The Governess

The Governess tells the story of a boarding school run by Mrs Teachum. The main part of the story happens over ten days. Each day, except the first, one of the students, Miss Jenny Peace, reads a story aloud. After the story, the girls talk about what they learned. Mrs Teachum then helps them understand the important lessons. The book teaches that reading should be fun, not like work. It uses fairy tales and everyday events to show how to live a happy life.

In 1820, Mary Martha Sherwood made a new version of the book. She changed some stories and removed others.

Key Lessons and Adventures

Why We Read Books

The author, Sarah Fielding, starts by explaining why reading is important. She says that books should make you "wiser and better." If you remember this, you will enjoy reading and learn a lot. She warns against thinking you already know everything. This is like birds who thought they knew how to build a nest, but only built half of one. They were too proud to truly learn. She also warns against being too lazy to try and understand.

The book wants young readers to see that bad feelings like pride, stubbornness, and envy are foolish. It teaches that being kind and loving to each other makes everyone happier.

How the School Began

Mrs Teachum was a very smart lady. Her husband loved teaching her new things, and she loved to learn. After her husband and children sadly passed away, she lost her money. So, her friends told her to open a school. She was great at teaching children.

One day, Mrs Teachum brought a basket of apples for her nine students. She left them with Miss Jenny Peace, the oldest student, to share them fairly. But one apple was much bigger! The girls started fighting over it. Miss Jenny threw the big apple away, but the fight got worse. The girls kicked, bit, and pulled hair. Mrs Teachum returned to a messy scene. She gave them a "severe punishment" to help them calm down.

After their punishment, Miss Jenny helped the girls understand that they were all a little bit at fault. Miss Sukey, one of the girls, apologized first. This helped everyone else become friends. Miss Jenny even bought more apples with her own money to share.

Sharing Our Stories

Miss Jenny then suggested that each girl tell her life story. This would help them understand each other better. They all agreed. Each girl's story was different, but they all learned that their past behavior wasn't good. They promised to be better friends.

Miss Jenny's Story

Miss Jenny's father died when she was very young. Her mother taught her that being good and happy go together. She had a brother, Harry, and they sometimes argued. But their mother taught them to get along. Jenny learned to obey her mother right away. This quick obedience once saved her brother's life.

Jenny also learned to control her feelings. When her beloved cat died, she was very sad. Her mother told her she could choose to be happy. Jenny realized she could control her sadness and be a better person for those around her.

Monday's Tale: Giants and Friendship

On Monday, Jenny read a story about two giants, Barbarico and Benefico, and a dwarf named Mignon. Barbarico was an evil giant who liked to hurt people. Benefico was his good brother. Barbarico captured two young lovers, Fidus and Amata. He planned to starve Fidus.

But Mignon, Barbarico's slave, felt sorry for Fidus. He secretly gave Fidus good food and water. They became friends. Mignon helped Fidus escape. They went to Benefico, who then fought and defeated his evil brother. Fidus and Amata were reunited. Mignon turned out to be Amata's long-lost brother. Everyone in the kingdom became happy and peaceful.

After the story, Mrs Teachum explained that the giant story was a fantasy. She taught the girls to look for the moral, or lesson, in every story. The important thing is how you think about what you read.

Tuesday's Lessons: Honesty and Loyalty

On Tuesday, the girls talked about the giant story. Miss Jenny reminded them to think about the moral. She said they should use any power they have to do good. And when things are hard, they should be patient until they find a solution.

Miss Sukey's Story

Miss Sukey's mother died when she was little. Her father remarried, and his new wife didn't want Sukey around. So, an old servant raised Sukey. The servant spoiled her, and Sukey became very mean to other children. She always thought she was right. But at Mrs Teachum's school, the girls treated her as an equal. She realized being mean didn't make her happy.

Mrs Teachum asked Miss Jenny to write down the girls' stories. This would help her understand them better. Later, the girls heard a child crying. It was a girl being punished for lying. Miss Jenny said she hated lying. Miss Dolly Friendly then bravely said she used to lie a lot.

Miss Dolly's Story

Miss Dolly had an older sister, Molly, whom she loved very much. Dolly would do anything for Molly, even lie or fight for her. She thought she was defending her sister. Molly got sick and died before Dolly came to the school. Dolly still felt very loyal to her friends, which is why she joined the apple fight.

Wednesday's Wisdom: Envy and Forgiveness

On Wednesday, the girls were eager to hear Miss Dolly's story. Mrs Teachum let them finish their lessons early as a reward for being flexible.

The Story of Caelia and Chloe

Caelia and Chloe were cousins who became orphans. They lived with their rich aunt, Amanda, who educated them well. They were expected to inherit her wealth. Both girls liked a soldier named Sempronius. He liked both of them too.

Sempronius tested them. He asked Chloe if Caelia had any faults. Chloe, feeling jealous, said Caelia had a bad temper from envy. Then he asked Caelia about Chloe. Caelia refused to say anything bad, even when he pressed her. Sempronius was so impressed by Caelia's honesty that he asked her to marry him. Chloe overheard and felt terrible. She became very sick from guilt. Caelia forgave her, and Chloe got better. They all learned about the dangers of envy and the power of forgiveness.

Miss Lucy Sly's Story

Miss Lucy's governess always blamed others for Lucy's mistakes. So, Lucy grew up thinking she was never at fault. She even hid a broken cup in a servant's room. She thought being cunning was good. But at Mrs Teachum's school, she learned that her actions had consequences.

Thursday's Reflections: Gossip and Charity

On Thursday, Miss Sukey shared a letter from her cousin, Peggy Smith.

Peggy Smith's Letter

Peggy wrote about an old woman named Dison who was always sad. Dison confessed on her deathbed that her sadness came from being jealous of her two sisters. They had married well, but Dison waited too long for a "better" suitor and missed her chance. She warned Peggy about the dangers of envy.

Miss Patty Lockit's Story

Patty came from a big family. When she was six, her grandmother took her in to be a friend to another girl, Molly Bradley. Molly was older and very smart. Patty felt ignored and became jealous of Molly. She refused to learn from Molly. This made her problems worse when she came to the school, as she became jealous of many girls.

That day, Mrs Teachum encouraged the girls to get some exercise. They walked to a dairy house and met an old woman with a shake. The girls were curious but polite. On the way home, they met a homeless man. They quickly offered him help. Mrs Teachum warned them to be careful, as some people might lie to get money.

Friday's Choices: Truth and Temptation

On Friday, Miss Jenny asked Mrs Teachum if she could read a certain story. Mrs Teachum was happy Jenny was thinking carefully about what to read. Miss Polly Suckling wondered if a true history might be better than a fairy tale. Jenny told a story about how she once refused to see a "curiosity" because she thought it was beneath her. Her mother taught her not to be stuck-up. Polly understood and agreed to hear the fairy tale.

The Princess Hebe

This story is about Princess Hebe, whose mother, the Queen, had to escape after the King died. They hid in a magical forest with a fairy named Sybella. Sybella told her own story. Her father, a magician, gave her the gift of a strong mind to endure hardships. He gave her a magic wand before he died. Sybella's evil sister, Brunetta, tricked people and chased Sybella from their kingdom.

Sybella offered to bless Princess Hebe. The Queen asked for Hebe to have wisdom and always follow goodness. Sybella warned them not to trust the shepherdesses in the forest, as they worked for Brunetta.

Saturday's Consequences: Disobedience and Redemption

On Saturday, Mrs Teachum listened to the end of the Princess Hebe story.

The Story of Hebe (continued)

Hebe met a shepherdess named Rozella, who was one of Brunetta's agents. Hebe invited Rozella into Sybella's magical grove, even though her mother had warned her not to bring anyone in. Rozella tried to trick Hebe into disobeying her mother. Hebe struggled with keeping secrets and doing what was right. One day, a snake scared Hebe, and she ran home. She confessed her intentions to disobey. Her mother showed her that Rozella was not a true friend.

Hebe was sad but wanted to prove she could resist temptation. She walked alone and met Florimel, who was tied to a tree. Florimel was also wicked and stole Hebe's necklace. Hebe chased her to Brunetta's castle. At first, Brunetta was kind, and Hebe enjoyed many pleasures. But after three days, everyone became cruel. Hebe was teased and ridiculed.

Sybella returned to the grove and found the Queen grieving. Sybella knew what had happened. Hebe was eventually overwhelmed by guilt and ran from the castle. Sybella found her and brought her home. Hebe lived a quiet life for three years. Then, Hebe's uncle wanted her to become queen. Hebe was scared of public life, but Sybella told her that her doubt was good. Hebe agreed to be queen and ruled well.

After the story, the girls noticed how much nicer they were to each other. Mrs Teachum told them to think seriously about the story's lessons. She explained how the story was put together, with its setting, plot, and moral.

Sunday's Self-Reflection: Vanity and Insecurity

On Sunday, Mrs Teachum took the girls to church. They met Miss Jenny's friends, Lady Caroline and Lady Fanny. These girls were very vain about their clothes. Miss Jenny subtly made fun of Lady Caroline, but Caroline didn't even notice. Lady Fanny was always looking at herself in the mirror. After they left, Miss Nanny Spruce said she was glad to see them. It helped her realize how silly she used to be.

Miss Nanny Spruce's Story

Miss Nanny loved fancy clothes. She lived in a poor area, and her father was the only gentleman. So, she had much nicer things than other girls. She would only play with well-dressed children. She felt superior until she came to the school. She tried to make the other girls look bad, but it never worked. Now, she is much happier being friends.

Miss Betty Ford's Story

Miss Betty Ford had a much prettier sister, Miss Kitty. Everyone paid more attention to Kitty. Even though Kitty was kind, Betty couldn't love her and sometimes lied about her. When Kitty died, Betty cried more for company than for grief. When Betty came to school, she was jealous of all the pretty girls. She now realizes that her problem is her own insecurity, not the beauty of others. Miss Jenny reminded her that true beauty comes from within.

Monday's Play: Understanding Characters

The next Monday, Miss Dolly was sad after reading a play called "Funeral, or Grief A-la-mode." Mrs Teachum was happy they were reading a play. She tested their understanding. Miss Sukey summarized the play, describing the characters and their plans. Mrs Teachum praised her memory. She then asked Miss Jenny about the play's moral. Jenny thought carefully and gave the correct answer.

Miss Henny Frett's Story

Miss Henny had a brother, George. Unlike Jenny and Harry, Henny and George were not friends. Henny was always compared to George. If she did poorly, she was told George would never do that. She would gloat when she did better than him. She learned things just to show off, not to truly understand. The play helped her see this.

Miss Polly Suckling's Story

Miss Polly was afraid she wouldn't get to tell her story. She was the smallest girl and always tried to be agreeable. She used to just follow what the other girls did. She was also afraid they would take advantage of her size. Now that they are all friends, she is much happier.

Tuesday's Farewell: Cherished Memories

On Tuesday morning, Miss Jenny gave all the girls' stories to Mrs Teachum. Mrs Teachum was very impressed. She said the girls had confessed their faults honestly and had tried to write like Miss Jenny. She allowed them to take another afternoon walk. They decided to visit the old lady at the dairy house again.

At the dairy house, Mrs Nelly, the old woman's daughter, wondered if the girls would be wild without their governess. Miss Jenny promised they would behave, and they did. On the way back, they saw a nobleman's house. The maid invited them in for a tour. They were amazed by the beautiful things inside.

When they returned, they asked why the owners were separated. Mrs Teachum explained that the couple had married only for money. Even though they had everything, they were unhappy and often fought. This showed that "grandeur and happiness do not always go together."

Mrs Teachum then had Jenny read a story called "The Assembly of the Birds."

The Assembly of the Birds

Long ago, different birds argued about who was best. They asked the eagle to decide. The parrot boasted about talking like humans and living in a golden cage. The eagle said his voice was weak, and his cage was like a prison. The Daw wore stolen feathers, but the other birds plucked them off. The peacock showed off his beauty, but the nightingale's beautiful song made him ashamed. The nightingale was too proud and was caught by a hawk. The eagle said pride can lead to accidents. The owl claimed to be the wisest, but the other birds said he just called himself wise. Finally, the eagle found the dove singing to her children. He declared her the happiest bird because of her true love for her mate.

Miss Jenny Gets a Letter

After the story, a letter arrived for Miss Jenny. Her aunt had found a place to live and wanted Jenny to come live with her. Jenny was to leave the next morning. The other girls were very sad. Mrs Teachum told them not to grieve, but to cherish their happy memories of Miss Jenny.

The End of the School Year

Miss Jenny Peace never returned to the school. But even years later, Mrs Teachum loved to tell stories about Miss Jenny Peace. She was a wonderful example for all her schoolmates.

Meet the Characters

Mrs Teachum is about 40 years old. She is tall and graceful, with a lively and commanding eye. When she smiles, she looks very kind.

Miss Jenny Peace is 14. She is the oldest student and acts as the leader of the group. She is average height but very pleasant to look at. Everyone looks up to her.

Miss Sukey Jennet is almost 12. She is tall and thin. She looks very confident. She used to have a fierce look in her eyes when she argued.

Miss Dolly Friendly is 11. She is neither plain nor very pretty, but her face is pleasant.

Miss Lucy Sly is the same age as Dolly but shorter. She is pretty with "fine black Eyes" that give her a cunning look.

Miss Patty Lockit is 10. She is tall and a bit plump. She has handsome features, with large brown eyes and rosy cheeks.

Miss Nanny Spruce is 9. She is small and compact. She has a slight limp but moves well.

Miss Betty Ford is also 9. She is about the same size as Nanny. She is considered the plainest girl, with a broad, freckled face and red hair.

Miss Henny Frett is 9 and very pretty. She used to show her upper teeth when she felt threatened, but now that the girls are friends, her beauty shines.

Miss Polly Suckling has just turned 8. She is very small, often mistaken for a 5-year-old. She looks like a cute little angel.

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