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Literary
April 14, 1818
Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A wealthy Lyon trader divides his fortune between his two daughters, alternating residences seasonally, but they grow inhospitable. He tests their ingratitude with a ruse involving borrowed money at a dinner, then dies leaving a note justifying self-preservation over blind affection.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Miscellany.
THE PUNISHMENT OF INGRATITUDE.
A French writer relates the following remarkable instance of ingratitude in children:
An eminent trader at Lyons, who had acquired an easy fortune, had two handsome daughters, between whom, on their marriage, he divided all his property, on condition that he should pass the summer with one, and the winter with the other. Before the end of the first year, he found sufficient ground to conclude, that he was not a very acceptable guest to either; of which he however took no notice, but hired a handsome lodging in which he resided a few weeks—he then applied to a friend and told him the truth of the matter, desiring the gift of two hundred livres, and the loan of fifty thousand in ready money for a few hours. His friend very readily complied with this request: and the next day the old gentleman made a very splendid entertainment, to which his daughters and their husbands were invited. Just as dinner was over, his friend came in a great hurry; told him of an unexpected demand upon him, and desired to know whether he could lend him fifty thousand livres. The old man told him without any emotion that twice as much was at his service, if he wanted it; and going into the neighboring room brought him the money. After this, he was not suffered to stay any longer in lodgings: his daughters were jealous, if he stayed a day more in one house than the other; and after three or four years spent with them, he died: when upon examining his cabinet, instead of livres, there was found a note containing these words:--
"He who has suffered by his virtues has a right to avail himself of the vices of those by whom he has been injured: and a father ought never to be so fond of his children, as to forget what is due to himself."
THE PUNISHMENT OF INGRATITUDE.
A French writer relates the following remarkable instance of ingratitude in children:
An eminent trader at Lyons, who had acquired an easy fortune, had two handsome daughters, between whom, on their marriage, he divided all his property, on condition that he should pass the summer with one, and the winter with the other. Before the end of the first year, he found sufficient ground to conclude, that he was not a very acceptable guest to either; of which he however took no notice, but hired a handsome lodging in which he resided a few weeks—he then applied to a friend and told him the truth of the matter, desiring the gift of two hundred livres, and the loan of fifty thousand in ready money for a few hours. His friend very readily complied with this request: and the next day the old gentleman made a very splendid entertainment, to which his daughters and their husbands were invited. Just as dinner was over, his friend came in a great hurry; told him of an unexpected demand upon him, and desired to know whether he could lend him fifty thousand livres. The old man told him without any emotion that twice as much was at his service, if he wanted it; and going into the neighboring room brought him the money. After this, he was not suffered to stay any longer in lodgings: his daughters were jealous, if he stayed a day more in one house than the other; and after three or four years spent with them, he died: when upon examining his cabinet, instead of livres, there was found a note containing these words:--
"He who has suffered by his virtues has a right to avail himself of the vices of those by whom he has been injured: and a father ought never to be so fond of his children, as to forget what is due to himself."
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Ingratitude
Family
Moral Tale
Father Daughters
Lyons Trader
What entities or persons were involved?
A French Writer
Literary Details
Title
The Punishment Of Ingratitude.
Author
A French Writer
Subject
Instance Of Ingratitude In Children
Key Lines
"He Who Has Suffered By His Virtues Has A Right To Avail Himself Of The Vices Of Those By Whom He Has Been Injured: And A Father Ought Never To Be So Fond Of His Children, As To Forget What Is Due To Himself."