"It is," said Isabel; "she has related many incidents to me that are very amusing, and some pathetic. I will ask her to tell you about them some time. This she wrote for me to correct some very foolish notions I had acquired at Mrs. W.'s school. Who would think, after seeing mother, that work must necessarily degrade any one? You know Burritt says: 'If a man thinks at his work, his thoughts are strong,' and mother exemplifies it; her thoughts are also gentle." Again Isabel resorted to the piano, but this time it was accompanied by a gentle evening hymn. [Illustration] TIME'S CHANGES; OR, FASHIONS IN THE OLDEN TIMES. JULY, 1730. _Extracts from the Diary of my Greatgrand-mother._ _Five o'clock._--Got up an hour before my usual time to distil surfeit-water. Said my prayers. Finished one of my father's new shirts. Mem. To send to town for some currants, raisins, and ratafia water. _Six._--Some poor women came for medicine to my mother; gave out of the store-room several doses, and a pint of sack. Mem. To carry two shillings to Tom, the carpenter's wife, who is ill. _Seven._--Breakfasted. A card has come from Mr. Jenkins, to let us know he will do himself the pleasure of dining with us. The match debated during breakfast. My father says, if he finds him a man of good morals, he'll not differ as to the settlements. I am ordered never to be alone with Mr. J. until all the writings are drawn. _Eight._--Read the Psalms and chapters for the day. Taught little Jemmy his catechism. Mem. Betsey has marked J. in her sampler to-day: that stands for _Jenkins_. _Nine._--Darn some old point-lace tuckers. Do some clear-starching and ironing for next week. _Ten._--Go see the carpenter's wife. Her family in very great want. Give them a shilling from my own pocket-money. _Eleven._--Sit down to my cross-stitch. A shepherdess the subject, for an urn-rug. _Twelve._--My mother orders me to make a custard-pudding, to show Mr. Jenkins what I can do. Orders me to wear my best gown at dinner, and only two patches. Mem. I mean to appear in my new hoop and laced stomacher. Mr. J. is a man of figure, so will look to my appearance. _One._--Too much ratafia water in the pudding. Mr. J. praised some hare of my potting. I begin to like him vastly well, but must not let him perceive it. Mem. Our currant wine just out. Mislaid the key of the corner-cupboard. Thinking of Mr. J. _Two._--Miss T. and her lover stepped in to tea. Promise her receipt for pickling mushrooms. Mem. Mrs. Hart's receipt for burns very good. Must have it in the house. Garlick syrup excellent for coughs. _Eight._--Supper. My brother tells me Mr. Jenkins is very wild. Mem. Never to see his face again! SATURDAY, MARCH, 1778. _Notes from my Grandmother's Pocket Diary._