The Journal of Countess Françoise Krasinska, Great Grandmother of Victor EmmanuelTańska-Hoffmanowa, Klementyna
History
The Journal of Countess Françoise Krasinska, Great Grandmother of Victor Emmanuel
Tańska-Hoffmanowa, Klementyna
Diary fiction; Franciszka Krasińska, Countess, consort of Charles, Duke of Courland, 1743-1796 -- Fiction
This day begins a new life for me. In the morning the Princess
Woivodine came to take me away, and in her presence I said
good-bye to Madame Strumle and my school-mates. I could not help
crying, although I have been wishing so long for that moment. On
our way we stopped at church, but I could not pray; my thoughts
were too wandering.
I am settled now. My relations live on the street called the
"Faubourg de Cracovie." Their palace is not very large, but
extremely handsome and elegant; from the rear the view extends
over a large garden to the river Vistula. I am occupying a
pretty room which must be especially agreeable in summer,
because there is a balcony leading into a little garden; on one
side are the apartments of the princess, on the other is my
maid's room.
A tailor has already been to take my measure and he seemed
surprised at the smallness of my waist. He will make several
dresses for me, but I do not know what they will be; the
princess ordered them herself, and she inspires me with such
awe, not to say fear, that I do not dare to ask her about
anything. The Prince Woivode intimidates me less, although he is
a man; he has gentle manners and seems to like me. I regret that
he is not here at present; he went to meet the Duke of Courland
at the frontier.
To-morrow we are going to pay visits. The princess will
introduce me to all the first families here. I feel a little
afraid and nervous.
_Sunday_, December 29.
I have three good things to write to-day. The Duke of Courland
arrived yesterday; the Prince Woivode returned with him and
greeted me as if I were his own daughter, and the visits are
over. In some houses such as the primate's, the French and
Spanish envoys', and some others, the princess only left small
cards with her name and title on them.
Among the visits I remember best was the one to the Princess
Lubomirska, _née_ Princess Czartoryska, the sister-in-law of the
Woivode. She is the leading woman among the young set, and
affects everything French. I observe that here the more
fashionable the house, and the younger the hostess, the more one
hears French; as the old men sprinkle their conversation with
Latin, so the young do with French. But in the salon of Madame
Woivodine of Russ, the conversation was only in Polish. She is
an elderly and very stately lady, and she pleased me immensely.
I met there her only son, a fine cavalier, who paid me many
agreeable compliments, and I think I enjoyed that visit most.
I enjoyed also the visit at Madame Poniatowska's, the widow of
the Castellan of Cracow. She is a very remarkable woman and
talks with great eloquence. She was giving a reception on that
day, in honor of her son Stanislaus who had returned from St.
Petersburg, and of whom it is said secretly that he may become
King of Poland. I watched him intently, but I cannot say that he
pleased me, although I acknowledge that he is handsome, and has
grand manners, I should say royal.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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