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.