Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-11-22
THE DIARY OF MARGARET READE;
AFTERWARDS MRS. LAKE, OF NEW LONDON, IN
HIS MAJ'rY'S COLONY OF CONNECTICUT
EDITED BY MARTHA RUSSELL.

Lty"t-oHutj <lF't NCH, IVpG " tHlIlS lIS
Leaves of this Diarie, which aunte gave me
last Night, 1 found written on the first Page
these Words: When ,cas CAHde / spate
as Childe, l thought $ Chiide, but ,ohen be-
came man, PIT Gcay childish Things to-
gether with much seemlie advice on womanlie
behavior. These last are what the Puritans
would call the improvement, / suppose and
most kindlie meant, butt have sometimes
queried if Aunte ever had any childish Things
to put away, seeing her SO Discreet and Pro-
per. used to think gravite did come with
yeares; that l should be as sober and seenlie
as Aunte when was as tall, but, deare Hearte,
was eighteen yesterday, and am a whole
inch the talest, but not whit wiser or more
thoughtful than ever
Yet almoste everie Morninge rise with ale
my 'haviour for the daye marked out as
neatlie as the flowers on my tambour.worke
but some how the sight of little Mols rosie
face, or Guys crokng voice, whispering, eye
ponies are ready, cousin Meg" with a hint
that my Daisie is no match in speede, for his
Starr-or, even the long nose of old Triton
laid on my knee or hunched under my Arme
brngeth sore confusion among them and | go
to rest at Night, the same Child Peggy" as
vexation and trouble to be looked for in this
World, but save the great Affection that be-
fell me in my Infance in the death of my Pa
rents, L have seen none, and having minded
that one can find black spots in the brighte
Sunne itself, by looking at it too long and too
curiousy, am advised not to look for any,"
81 have a most hartie love of allie things
brighte and cheerful which, if it some time
over.runneth untimlie in merre qups and
laughter, like the little Beck, yonder, leaves
onle a greater quiet behind, and allie attempts
to amende the Eaulte SCENE very like little
MolPs etfortes to stop the flood of water with
her TIME Handes-it will break forth some
where, allie the more perverslie for the OBJ
struction. But, mayhap, if | keepe this
Diarie as Aunte desireth, it will help me to
the ende, for | have always heard that
scholars and studious people are more grave
and sedate than other folkes, though woulde
fin not be as darke and sour and gloomie
looknge as that Mr.. st. John whom [ saw,
when | went with uncle to Otes Sir. William
Masham's place, in Essex.
Cousin Dick Knyoett, who was here then
did call him Puritanic knave and spoke
slightinglie of his defence of Mr. John Hamp-
den in the Symphonic Trial which has raised
such Tumult in the Land for soc long for
which, my uncle did reprove him, sayinge,
"No one can deny that Mr.. st. John is very
learned man and his defense very able piece Of
lawlogic, though, to his minde, the whole
affair would have been better let alone, and
so thinke I, for if the King may not tax
whom and what he pleases, where is the use
in being King
May Day.
Squire Haughton, his wife and daughter Sa-
rah, dined here to-day, as well as Dick Kny-
vett and young Nicholas Hallam of Ely, who
rode up Just as the dinner was served. We
had roast Mutton, veal Outlets, with Turnips
and Spinach, pickles and pudding. Mem. The
Pudding was better than the last we had
must praise Audrey who had the making of it,
There was much Talk at Table of his Maj 'sty's
Affaires,-he having gone North to settle the
troubles among the wild Scots, anent the Arch
Bishops New Liturgy and the wearing of Sur.
plices and the prospect of his Maj'sty's calling
a new Parliament. Squire Haughton and Dick
Knyvett were for carrying it with high hand
against all rebels whether North or South
while young Halam and uncle, who loveth
Peace, inclined to the calling of Parliament,
as most contormable to the usages of the Land.
This gave cousin Dick occasion to have a fling
at me, who sat next him, at the Peters influence
in the House which did resent as discourteous
to uncle and myself and was greatly minded
to tell him he had best keep on making eyes at
Sarah Haughton his opposite, business better
suited to him and very pleasing to her as was
quite plain. She is soc pretty it's pitie she
has not more sense. | sometimes do thinke
myself that uncle incneth somewhat to favor
the Puritans, which is not strange, seeing our
Essex cousins are all soc sett that way, though
he was soc much put out, as Dick knew, when
uncle Edwards widow did marie the sayd
Jealous Puritan minister, Mr.. Hugh Peters,
that we have had no knowledge of them since,
until cousin Elizabeth did write 10 him such a
beautiful letter. saying she was about TO mar.
RE the son of his old friend, John Winthrop,
Esq, once of Groton, but now Governor of the
Settlement of Massachusetts Bay in his Maj
'sty's New England Plantations, and did beg his
consent and presence at her marriage. Iknew
uncle could not deny Elizabeth for her fathers
sake, and l was so glad, for | did long to see
her agayn. She was ever my best Friende,
when | was chidden in her presence, which to
says trulie was often enough, and often enough
deserved, she always sayd stoutly-"Peggy
didn't think, Peggyll be a woman one Of these
dayes and astonish us allep Part of her say
ing had come true when she was married for
l was almost as tall as herself but it was her
that did astonish me, for l could never leave
wondering how she could leave her home and
friends to go among the wild Beastes and
heather Savages, for any man living! Not
that disparage Mr. Winthrop who is a gem
teman of right noble Presence and courtlie
Manner, highly spoken of by all Parties, hav-
ing served under the unfortunate Duke OF
Buckln8Illl, Ill HIS idtc cAPSuieiVu III
France, but for woman like her to leave
not one the pleasant home of her child
hood, the faces of her friends, but even
civilization itself, to suffer the peril of the
seas, the peril Of the wilderness, the peril
among wild beasts, and, most terrible of ale,
the peril from the deadly weapon Of the salv-
age-s, indeed, enough TO astonish any one !!
Yet, when in the fulness Of my heart, did
speak to her of this, she did not answer at first
fnrf ,,ll nf ~
throp, who stood talking on the far side of the
room; then as il the fact must needs settle
all doubt, turned aud answered.
"My husband will be with me, Peggy"
And she again turned to him and safe with
fol led Hands, looking at him with that strange
new Light in her Eyes | never saw the like
of it, save that on the Faces of the holy Saints
in painting | once did see--that had belong
ed TO the monks Of Ely. Itpasseth my COM
prehension But how | have strayed from
MayDay sports, thinking of Elizabeth, who, |
dare say, would by this Time, relish right well
the May Day merry makings, such as we had
to Day on the Green, for seeing the sports flag
inthe presence of MS Gentlefolks, Uncle pro-
posed we should take part in them, so cousin
Dick took out the prcttie May Queen, old
Saunders granddaughter, Sarah danced with
Robin Hay the King, gave my favorite little
Marian TO Mr.. IIallow, and suited myself with
blind Alck the Cobbler's Son. 1t is so dread
full to be blind, but when said as much to
Alick he made answer SO patiently es,
Mistress, but it might have been worse.
,o,, hoor uuirfur than onv lad in the cOuntrV