Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 7.djvu/193

ns. vii. mar. s, i9i3.] NOTES AND QUERIES. 185 failings of a fellow creature would be propagated with avidity—how then, could i be prepared to defend myself from unfounded calumnies; i had not then learnt that,—

Little did i suspect that the fearlessness of innocence would ever be constructed into unfeminine boldness: little did i dream that i was doomd to be made the sport of party, and have every action of my life publickly discussed, and praised or censured, as best suited the views and interests of opposite factions. How then, could i, stranger and a female, guard against the poisoned shafts of Calumny, when neither, strength, dexterity nor the most cautious prudence can enable a man to protect himself if so assaild. Had i known my secret enemies, perhaps i might have avoided them and exposed their wiles! but i was surrounded and flatterd by them, and taught to confide in them as my most devoted friends!

It was my peculiar misfortune to form a wrong estimate of the Necessary qualifications for a female of my distinguishd rank to possess; had i exchanged my natural candour, openness, and love of innocent pastimes for formal resune [?] courtly etiquette, and dissimulation, those actions which resulted from an exuberance of sensibility, would, never have appeard; and the Malignant would have had no oppertunity of torturing them into what they first term levities but which afterwards assumed the appelation of indiscretions; and at length were calld criminal indulgences till i was in the end denounced a traitor to my Sovreign and faithless to my husbands bed;— Great, however, as my wrongs are: mercilessly as i have been persecuted; held up as i still am for the finger of scorn to point at, i forbear to recriminate, and would be content, were merely my own happiness concernd to quit this world of sorrow without giving utterance to one word of reproach, gladly consigning the recolection of all my injuries to oblivion. But oh my husband! when i reflect on the depth of Misery in which i have been plunged, and contrast it with the innocent employments of my youth, or the high expectations i formd of happiness in becoming the wife of an enlightened and accomplished Prince...."

I do not know whether or not the foregoing is to be accounted the copy of a genuine letter, and should be glad of the opinion of your readers on the subject.

list was made in September, 1912, by the kind permission of the Rector, the Rev. Joseph McCormick, who desired me to say, when publishing it, that "the list is only for genealogical purposes."

The churchyard consists of a large, nagged court, many of the stones bearing inscriptions, and a garden planted with trees on a higher level than the rest, with flagged footpaths, some of the stones being inscribed. Round the walls of the court are numerous headstones and tablets.