Leigh of Addlestrop in 1698. When a girl she had received a curious
letter of advice and reproof, written by her mother from Constantinople.
Mary, or 'Poll,' was remaining in England with her grandmother, Lady
Bernard, who seems to have been wealthy and inclined to be too indulgent
to her granddaughter. This letter is given. Any such authentic
document, two hundred years old, dealing with domestic details, must
possess some interest. This is remarkable, not only as a specimen of the
homely language in which ladies of rank then expressed themselves, but
from the sound sense which it contains. Forms of expression vary, but
good sense and right principles are the same in the nineteenth that they
were in the seventeenth century.

'MY DEARES POLL,

'Yr letters by Cousin Robbert Serle arrived here not before the 27th
of Aprill, yett were they hartily wellcome to us, bringing ye joyful
news which a great while we had longed for of my most dear Mother &
all other relations & friends good health which I beseech God continue
to you all, & as I observe in yrs to yr Sister Betty ye extraordinary
kindness of (as I may truly say) the best Mothr & Gnd Mothr in the
world in pinching herself to make you fine, so I cannot but admire her
great good Housewifry in affording you so very plentifull an
allowance, & yett to increase her Stock at the rate I find she hath
done; & think I can never sufficiently mind you how very much it is yr
duty on all occasions to pay her yr gratitude in all humble submission
& obedience to all her commands soe long as you live. I must tell you
'tis to her bounty & care in ye greatest measure you are like to owe
yr well living in this world, & as you cannot but be very sensible you
are an extra-ordinary charge to her so it behoves you to take
particular heed tht in ye whole course of yr life, you render her a