The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-03-30
"A LADY OF FASHION OF THREE
 CENTURIES AGO

Three hundred and six years ago today March 30. 1909. Sir John Spencer, then the richest man in the world died in London. of which city he had been lord mayor. His daugh ter had married. against his will, a young nobleInan named Lord Comp ton, but the pIutocrat was eventually reconciled to the match, and when he died. Lord and Lady Compton found themselves in possession of a, fortune of eight hundred thousand pounds about $4.000. 900 v which was considered fabulous in those days. A letter written by Lady Compton to her husband at this pe- riDds which is still preserved. throws an Interesting light upon the condi- lions surrounding a lady Of fashion Of three centuries ago. The letter begins with the saIutation, My sweet Life.p but Lady Compton vast ed no more words upon affectionate topics, but plunged at once into the business arrangements incidental to her fath hers great estate.
 1T pray and beseeeh you to grante me, your Tnost kind and loving wife,, the sum of sixteen hundred pounds 1$3s 000l per annum quarterIy to be paid, she Wrote- But that was only 3 beginning. Also :. she would have many other favors, which she emu nerated as follows:
 Also, for myself. T would have be- sides my yearly allowance twenty gowns of apparel; six of them excel lent good ones, eight of them for the country, and six others of them ex- ceIIent good ones.
 tsAIso, besides my allowance and my apparel. I would. have six hun dreds pounds added yearly for the perforTnance5 of charitable works, and those things T. would not. neither will. be aecountable for
 Also, would have put into my, purse two thousand pounds and also two hundred pounds, and you to pay
 Also, will have all my houses furntshe eds and all my Iodging-chaIn- bers to. be suited with such furniture as is fit; as beds, stools, chairs, suit able cushions. carpets. silver warm ing pans, cupboards of plates fair hangings, and such like.
 ssAIso, would have six thousand pounds to buy me jewels and $4.oOO to buy me 3. pearl chain.
 sAlso, I will have three horses for my own saddle, that none shall dare to lend or borrow; none lend but [; none borrow but you.
 Also, [ would have two gentIewo- men. lest one Should be sick. or have some other lett. Also, believe that it is an indescent thing for a. gentle
  when God Ylnath blessed their lord and lady with a great estate
 s.Also, I will have six or eight gen. t1emen; and I will have my two coaches-one lined with velvet to myself with four very fair horses, and a coach for my women, lined with cloth; one laced with gold, the other with scarlet, and laced with watch1ace and silver, with four good horses
 ssAlso, for Iaundr esses, when I travel, I will have them sent away with the carriages, to see all safe; aud the chanb ermaiis T will have go before with the grooms,A that the chambers may be ready. sweet and clean
 Many other things Lady Compton also expressed a desire to have, and that you defray all charges" And she added
 Now seeing I have. been and am so reasonable unto you, pray you do find my children apparel, and their schooling; and all my servants, men and women, their wages
 History does not record whether or not all of Lady Compton's re- guests were granted; but, judging from the tone of her letter, it is safe to assume that they were.
 An exchange prints a political edi- toriaI entitled Grave Danger in Die tatfon' Many people find that out when they fail to read stenogra ph- CTS copy before mailing.
 When the business man goes back to the country to- make his living or the farm, the first purchase is usual veT uo1Io1xy T,7 1V7