PART OF THE JOURNAL OF THE CELEBRATED ELIZABETH WOODVILLE (afterwards Queen of Edward IV.) previous to her first marriage with Sir John Grey. Extracted from an ancient MS. preserved in Drummond Castle. _Monday morning._ Rose at four o'clock & helped Catherine to milk the cows, Rachael, the other Dairy Maid having scalded her hands the night before. Made a Poultice for Rachael & gave Robin a penny to get something comfortable from the Apothecary's. _6 o'clock._ The Bullock of Beef rather too much boiled & the beer rather stale. Mem: to talk to the Cook about the first fault & to mend the second myself by tapping a fresh barrell. _7 o'clock._ Went to walk with the Lady Duchess, my Mother, [37] in the Courtyard. Fed 25 Men & Women. Chid Roger severely for expressing some ill words at attending us with the broken Meat. _8 o'clock._ Went into the Paddock behind the house with my maid Dorothy, & caught Thump the black Poney & rode a matter of six miles without either Saddle or Bridle. _10 o'clock._ Went to dinner. John Grey [38] a most comely Youth,--but what is that to me? a Virtuous Maiden should be entirely under the guidance of her Parents--John ate but little and stole a great many looks at me; said "Women could never be handsome in his opinion that were not good temper'd." I think my temper is not bad. No one finds fault with it but Roger, & he is the most disorderly serving man in our Family. John Grey likes white Teeth. My Teeth are of a pretty good colour, I think, & my hair is as black as Jet. John Grey, if I mistake not, is of the same opinion. _11 o'clock._ Rose from table, the Company all desiring a walk in the Fields. John Grey would help me over every stile & twice he squeezed my hand. I can't say I have any great objections to John Grey. He plays at Prison Bars as well as any Country Gentleman; is remarkably dutiful to his Parents, my Lord and Lady; & never misses Church on a Sunday. _3 o'clock._ Poor Robinson's house burnt down by accident. John Grey proposed a subscription among the Company for the relief of the Farmer & gave no less than 4£ himself. Mem: Never saw him look so comely as at that Moment. _4 o'clock._ Went to Prayers. _6 o'clock._ Fed the Pigs and Poultry. _7 o'clock._ Supper on Table, delayed to that hour on account of Robinson's misfortune. Mem: the Goose Pie too much baked & the Pork roasted to rags. _9 o'clock._ The Company fast asleep. These late hours very disagreeable. Said my Prayers a second time, John Grey distracting my thoughts too much the first. Fell asleep at ten. Dreamed that John Grey had demanded me of my Father. [39] CHAPTER IV 1808-1810 ON DITS FROM GROSVENOR SQUARE AND CANNON HALL _Marianne Spencer-Stanhope to John Spencer-Stanhope._ GROSVENOR SQUARE, _Jan 27th, 1808._