n I already had some ideas of music when I came.

I draw quite well from the patterns set before me, but ere I proceed any
further, I wish to paint a tree in oil colors. On one of the branches I
will hang a garland of flowers, encircling the cypher of my parents, and
will thus testify to them my gratitude for all they have done for me,
and especially for the care they have bestowed upon my education.

The young Princess Sapieha, who has been here a year, is at present
employed upon such a picture, and I envy her her pleasure every time my
eyes fall upon the work.

What a fine effect my picture will make in our hall at Maleszow, beneath
the portrait of our good uncle, the Bishop of Kamieniec!

Our dancing master, besides the minuet and quadrilles, teaches us to
walk and courtesy gracefully. To tell the truth, I was so ignorant when
I came, that I knew but one mode of making a salutation; but there are
several kinds, which must be employed toward personages of different
ranks; one for the king, another for the princes of the blood, and still
another for lords and ladies of rank.

I learned first how to salute the prince royal, and succeeded quite
well; some day, perhaps, this knowledge may be useful to me.

My lessons follow one another regularly, and I am so anxious to learn
that the time passes rapidly and agreeably.

My mother is very much occupied with family affairs, and has been only
once to see me.

When I first entered the school, everything surprised me, but what
seemed to me most strange was that I was continually reproved, and even
obliged to undergo real penance. An iron cross was placed at my back to
make me hold myself upright, and my limbs were enclosed in a kind of
wooden box, to straighten them. I must however think that they were
already quite straight enough. All that was not very amusing for me, who
thought myself already a young lady. Since Barbara's marriage I had
myself been asked in marriage, and the prince palatine had not treated
me as if I were a child!

Madame Strumle has commanded me to omit in future these words from my
prayers: 'O my God, give me a good husband,' and to say instead, 'Give
me the grace to profit by the good education I am receiving.'

One must here work continually, or think of one's work, and of nothing
else.

Sunday, _April 28th_.

I have been nearly three weeks at Madame Strumle's school, and my poor
journal has been quite neglected during all that time; but