56 PAPfiRS, ETC. 



trifling and unf'requent iaterruptions, or termiuated by the 

 end tliat comes alike to all. We may be well assured that 

 tlie House was one of those, where, with all the religion, 

 all the education of the age was encouraged, and where 

 both religion and education yielded to the fiiU their refined 

 and refining influences. It was no doubt also a noted 

 seminary for the daughters of the great neighbouring 

 families. The Berkeleys, Erleghs, Montacutes, Wrothams, 

 Bouchers and others were quite at home at Buckland, and 

 learned frora the good Sisters all the mental accomplish- 

 ments which they in after life possessed. Readlng, writing, 

 some knowledge of accounts, the art of embroidery, music, 

 and French, " aftur the scole of Stratford atte Bowe," was 

 tlie recognised course of study ; and we should wrong alike 

 the teachers and the taught if we regarded the rcsult as 

 unfavourable. The life of intellectuality and reiigious quiet 

 had many charms ; and the pupil was doubtless so frequently 

 enamoured of the contrast between it and that with which 

 she was brought in contact elsewhere, that instances were 

 not wanting of a resignation of all the worldly advantages 

 that high birth and powerful connexions could impart to 

 their possessor, and of a permanent abode as Sistcr or as 

 Prioress within the venerable and well beloved walls of her 

 early and holy home. 



We have already noticed that, in the return made to the 

 Grand Master of the Order in 1338, the Sisters are described 

 as wearing the habit of the Hospital. The chief peculiarity 

 of this consisted of a black mantle with a white cross 

 in the front. In other respects the general attire of the 

 ladies was, I presume, that of the members of Augustinian 

 Sisterhoods — a bUck cloak with a long cowl, a short upper 

 white tunic over a longer black one, and a whimple which 

 covcred tlic bosom and ascendcd in many folds to the chin. 



