198 KILWORTHY. 



pearance and elegance of diction is studied, rather 

 than depth of thought or far fetched research. 



The following quaint story prepared for " the 

 Mercury/' connected as it is with the subject of the 

 frontispiece, may prove interesting. 



"THE LADYE WINIFRED." 



Now it happened in the 9th year of the reign of 

 good King James, of " happie memorie,'' that a 

 great feast was holden at Kilworthy, a pleasant and 

 genteel house, belonging to that worthy knight, Sir 

 John Glanville : and there were invited his neigh- 

 bours both of high and low degree to take part in 

 the games and sports of the day. Many and griev- 

 ous were the troubles of the Lady Winifred Glan- 

 ville in catering for the goodly entertainment of her 

 guests ; and in hastening the labours of her hand- 

 maidens, who truly (as hand-maidens have been 

 and ever will be) were sad plagues to the ever busy 

 and ever anxious house-wife. Dame Winni was 

 well instructed in every gentle craft of that time ; 

 the delicate drapery grew beneath her pliant fingers ; 

 her skill in cross stitch, and back stitch, hem stitch, 

 and side stitch, could not be denied ; her knowledge 

 of herbs and simples was admirable ; besides which 

 she at times dabbled in chirurgery, as may be 

 known from an ancient, well favoured portrait, 

 which exhibits our notable dame operating with 

 careful attention on the bare head of some rustic, 

 sorely troubled with aches and pains in that quarter ; 

 and if in the book-learning of Lady Winifred there 

 were many deficiencies, assuredly it was made up 

 by the deep love of her husband ; and if she did 

 show a little pride in being the mistress of so fair 

 a manor, it was counterbalanced by the admirable 

 humility of her worthy spouse. " Remember sweet- 

 heart,'' would he say, ^^ we are but stewards of a 

 great master. It is our part to make a careful min- 

 istration of his many gifts, and to him be all honour 

 due." 



