The Childhood of Distinguished WomenBower, Selina A.
History
The Childhood of Distinguished Women
Bower, Selina A.
Women -- Biography
However, probably partly owing to all this torture, Lady Jane derived
her pleasures from far higher sources than her years warranted.
Her tutor, Mr. Elmer, unlike her parents, was extremely gentle and kind;
and when with him the child became perfectly free and happy, learning
her lessons with great patience, care, and interest, and enjoying that
true cultivation of mind, which is the result of all study that is
rendered attractive.
Mr. Elmer had abundant reward for his toil, in winning and retaining the
affection and respect of his young pupil; and also in the rapidity with
which she mastered, not only the usual routine of general knowledge, but
the higher forms of classical learning. In Greek especially she was
proficient, and Plato was to her more interesting than any story book.
When her father, who was at this time made a Duke, was out with the
Duchess and friends, hunting in the park, Lady Jane preferred remaining
in her bedroom with her books, and, on being questioned why she did not
join the party in their sport in the park, she replied that such
amusements were but "shadow."
The surroundings of her home life were not congenial to the natural
gentleness and sweetness of her disposition, and this, with perhaps also
her love of the Greek language, led the young girl to study deeply, and
to love God's Holy Word, and very shortly before her sorrowful death,
she sent her Greek Testament to her sister Katherine, as the most
precious gift which she could offer. The truths of that Word fell softly
into the heart that yearned for love, and the salvation and sympathy of
the Saviour seems to have been accepted by Lady Jane in her earliest
years, and evidently proved her support and consolation in the tragedy
that closed her young life here, as well as during the six months'
previous imprisonment in the Tower.
Born, as she was, in transition times, Lady Jane quickly formed her own
judgment, and was thoroughly Protestant in her faith. She was often with
her cousin, Edward VI., and her decided opinions upon the Reformation,
together with her arguments in its support, and her dislike to the
Romish errors which they both condemned, made the boy-monarch respect
her highly, and there was a warm attachment between the youthful
cousins.
Her childhood had scarcely faded into early girlhood, when Lady Jane
became the bride of Lord Guildford Dudley, fourth son of the Duke of
Northumberland. There was a treble marriage; Lady Jane and her two
sisters were married at the same time at Durham House, Lady Jane, the
eldest, being only fifteen years of age!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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