Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-06
noteworthy in that famous collection,

noteworthy In that famous coiiectioh'
1.-THE Pastor Letters" which reveal so
many secrets OF bygonc statecraft, put'
what Is Of more worth to US now, giving
glimpses of household economy, and' ~
clear connotation, the inner life OF the
woman OF the period. Margaret PASTOR
appears as an active, prudent mousse
wife. looking into every detail OF her
large establishment and. from her hus-
bands prolonged absences, forced 10 as
sumo many masculine cares. Sne
managed the several farms Of their es-
tate in the Hundred OF Tunstead. Nor
fokshire; she planned new buildings,
armed and defended her besieged hall.
conducted lawsuits, and arranged the
marriages OF her children and grandchll-
dren. But, withal. she was a very wo-
man. and It is interesting to note tho
'ewig weibliche' running like thread
of gold through long series OF letters.
The orders sent to her husband, or son,
who we're usually in London, for various
articles OF apparel are curious 10 eN-
anime. That I'm her youth she was fond
of all gauds may be guessed from a let
ter written not long after her marriage
when. nquiring minutely Oh ner nus
bands health during some shght iiieiS-
positIon, she had lever tnan new
gowne. though 1t were or scarlet, ,l ,I.
he recover. Her commissions are usually
80, moderate and limited to the plain
necessities of everyday wear, as ior CA
ample: ,,o
II pray you that We would vouchsaie
"a hrva me some frieze to make your
| children's gowns. Ye should nave pest
| CHEAP and best choice OF Hays wiie' as
| II IL told me- And that ye wouid puy
| yard Of broadcloth of black. Tor one
| hood for me. of Aid. or shilings yard.
| for their is neither good clotn nor soou
| freze In this town. 49, 40.
| Yet this town was Norwich, the eeas
| Of woolen factories from the time VI
| Henry l., their crude work later in-
| proved by the skill! OF Philippa fIem.
ings II was evidently the nearest
erkot and the source of ordinary sup
nIias for Dame PASTOR had but JUS.
written: MAY it please you 10 VIII,
| n,,a M Norwich this week 10 pursey
such things as needeth me against this
| winter" 1yo-sev
Worsted in its neighboring kersey'
-, oava their names to the fabrics
there made, were in the east Oh NoriolN
| Tn reference to the products OF tne
former Sir John writes from LONDON "
"mine own dear sovereign Lazy
| 81 pray we you VIII senu me n''Hol
two ellis of worsted for doublet5 10 nappo
Ne ,his cold winter, and that we inquire
| where William PASTOR pousht ms 'ip i,,.
" c. u,orsted which Is almost like silk.
ond ~ that be much finer, than that we
ebo,cd buy me after or shillinSs, theil
buv me n quarter and the nall thereoi
Cor collars. though il be dearer IMAM the
| other for I would make my doupiel All
vorsted for the worship of Norfolk.
Sometimes a bit of feminine vanity Is
seen. as when Lady Pastor writes he'
husband: - .,
"T nrav YOU that we would do your cost
IN me against Whitsuntide. that may
have something for my neck. Nneh 'ne
| Oueen was here | borrowed my couSi'
| Elizabeth Clere's device Tor uareu "o'
for shame go with my beads among 81
many fresh gentlewomen as were mere
at that time r.. so,,,os,,r
,o,nyrissions was like other mems foi
In The next letter his wife prays him tha'
he .youchsafe to remember to purVey
ming for my neck and to do make nay
girdle" and I'm still another, Il thahh
Won that We vouchsafe to remember my
girdle." ana ,hs
ossurance of her absent HUSBAND III
terest in every side OF her tile, that sn'
writes him infinitely OF her plans II
making her gowns, saying: Il pray yo'
that We would vouchsafe to buy piece
of black buckram for to line WIN
gown for me. i should buy me murrel
gown TO go in this summer, and. lay II
the collar the satin that we gave me 10
a hood. and | can get none good pucAfah
tn thts town to line 1t with.
Tho letter of her son Wihiam, WRITER
in 1g9, gives an idea Of the outht LOT
J boy at Eaton: o.,,
, II beseech you send me nose cioln
one for the holy days, of some color, am
one for the working days thow coafs
, soever It be maketh no matter. ana
; stomacher and two shirts and pair
slippers" from
, This masculine stomacher seems iron
other scant mention thereof In carr
, writings to have been a sort OF skeie
: ton inner waistcoat, perhaps not nue.
more than the chest-protector OF To-Day
There is no more vivid appreciation o
existing conditions of society than ina
/ which springs from their comparison WIZ
3 | life relatively of the same degree
) another age and environment. AS sue
gestion of such fruitful study Is TN
glimpse of the shopping of Margaret
- later Lady Pastor OF Castor Manor.