The Childhood of the Influential Women from the Past

Оглавление

Rupert Sargent Holland. The Childhood of the Influential Women from the Past

The Childhood of the Influential Women from the Past

Table of Contents

I. St. Catherine. The Girl of Siena: 1347–1380

II. Joan of Arc. The Girl of Domremy: 1412–1431

III. Vittoria Colonna. The Girl of Ischia: 1490–1547

IV. Catherine de' Medici. The Girl of Mediæval Italy: 1519–1589

V. Lady Jane Grey. The Girl of Tudor England: 1537–1554

VI. Mary Queen of Scots. The Girl of the French Court: 1542–1587

VII. Pocahontas. The Girl of the Virginia Woods: 1595–1617

VIII. Priscilla Alden. The Girl of Plymouth: About 1604—after 1680

IX. Catherine the Great. The Girl of Stettin: 1729–1796

X. Fanny Burney. The Girl of London: 1752–1840

Отрывок из книги

Rupert Sargent Holland

OK Publishing, 2020

.....

In that age hardship and privation were usually considered necessary to goodness. Catherine was so intent on meriting the virtue which her visions had seemed to predict for her that she allowed herself no comforts. More than that she made herself endure many hardships. She took for her room a small cell under her father's house, lighted by only one window. Her bed was made of a few planks with a log of wood for a pillow. Here she felt herself to be as much alone as though she were a hermit in the woods, and here she spent hours in meditation and in reciting long prayers. She wore rough clothes and she gradually trained herself to do with very little sleep and almost no food. She got to the point where she allowed herself only a half hour's sleep at a time and could live on a little bread, some raw herbs, and a cup of water. She had been very strong, but this severe way of living told greatly on her health.

Her mother, however, was much disturbed at these hardships which Catherine insisted on imposing upon herself, and tried to win her to a more healthful life. She begged her to give up her hard wood bed and sleep with her. Catherine did not want to vex her by refusing, and agreed to this, but as soon as her mother was asleep she slipped out of bed and stole down-stairs to her own chamber. She was back again before her mother woke. After a night or two of this Madame Lapa discovered the ruse, and begged Catherine to stay in bed with her. Thereupon the girl arranged two pieces of wood under the sheet so that she would have to lie on them, thinking she would discipline herself in this way. It was evident that she would have her own will, and so at last her mother gave in. "Daughter," she said, "I see well it boots not for me to strive with you any longer. It is but time wasted. Go your way and rest at whatever times and in what manner you will."

.....