I might be allowed to mention that, remembering this touching story of fidelity and loyalty as it was told me by the Earl himself years ago, I have searched through many volumes of the history of this great family for further details of the time and place, but in vain, so I must leave the little history as I heard it from the chief’s own lips.
In writing of servants, an anecdote of Lord Shaftesbury, mentioned in a recent work—Collections and Recollections—is worth remembering.
“Speaking of his early and troubled childhood, he said, one only element of joy he recognised in looking back to those dark days, and that was the devotion of an old maid-servant, who comforted him in his childish sorrows and taught him the rudiments of the Christian faith. In all the struggles and distresses of boyhood and manhood, he used the words of prayer which he had learned from the good woman before he was seven years old. And of a keepsake which she left him—the gold watch which he wore to the last day of his life—he used to say, ‘That was given to me by the best friend I ever had in the world.’”
(To be continued.)
[“IN MINE HOUSE.”]
By LINA ORMAN COOPER, Author of “The King’s Daughters,” etc.
PART II.
ITS INGLE-NOOKS AND HOW TO ECONOMISE THEM.
In olden days the ingle-nook was the centre of the home. Built in a deep recess of the wall, with its copper or brazen cupola, it had benches fitted into its chimney corner on each side. Here, after a day’s work was done, assembled the mistress with her distaff, maidens with their lovers, sons with their netting, and the father with his book. Here chat and song and sacred lore flowed freely and fast. On its wide breast lay large logs of hazel and oak, beechen boughs and green ashwood. Bit by bit as they smouldered away fresh limbs were added, keeping up a crimson glow on the wide hearth.