Cruel As The Grave

Thus the literary training of the heiress had been carried on in the

most capricious, fitful and irregular manner, the worst suited to her,

who more than most girls required the discipline of a firm and steady

rule.

The educational result to her was a very superficial knowledge of

literature, arts, and sciences, and a very imperfect acquaintance with

ancient and modern languages.

She was in the habit of saying sarcastically, that "she had an utter

confusion of ideas on the subjects of algebra, astronomy, and all the

other branches of a polite education;" that, for instance, she never

could remember whether the "Pons Asinorum" were a plant or a problem, or

if it was Napoleon Bonaparte that discovered America and Christopher

Columbus who lost the battle of Waterloo, or vice versa.

And after all, this was but a trifling exaggeration of the neglected

condition of her mind.