THE DESCRIPTION OF MISS
JENNY PEACE.
Miss Jenny Peace was just turned of fourteen, and could be called
neither tall nor short of her age; but her whole person was the most
agreeable that can be imagined. She had an exceeding fine complexion,
with as much colour in her cheeks as is the natural effect of perfect health.
Her hair was light brown, and curled in so regular and yet easy a manner,
as never to want any assistance from art. Her eyebrows (which were not
of that correct turn as to look as if they were drawn with a pencil) and her
eyelashes were both darker than her hair; and the latter being very long,
gave such a shade to her eyes as made them often mistaken for black,
though they were only a dark hazel. To give any description of her eyes
beyond the colour and size, which was perfectly the medium, would be
impossible; except by saying they were expressive of everything that is
amiable and good; for through them might be read every single thought of
the mind; from whence they had such a brightness and cheerfulness, as
seemed to cast a lustre over her whole face. She had fine teeth, and a
mouth answering to the most correct rules of beauty; and when she spoke
(though you were at too great a distance to hear what she said) there
appeared so much sweetness, mildness, modesty and good nature, that you
found yourself filled more with pleasure than admiration in beholding her.
The delight which everyone took in looking on Miss Jenny was evident in
this, that though Miss Sukey Jennett and Miss Patty Lockit were both what
may be called handsomer girls (and if you asked any persons in company
their opinion, they would tell you so) yet their eyes were a direct
contradiction to their tongues, by being continually fixed on Miss Jenny;
for, while she was in the room, it was impossible to fix them anywhere
else. She had a natural ease and gentility in her shape; and all her
motions were more pleasing, though less striking than what is commonly
acquired by the instruction of dancing masters.