Jacob Abbott

Queen Elizabeth Jacob Abbott

Elizabeth's condition at the death of her mother. Elizabeth was about three years old at the death of her mother. She was a princess, but she was leftin a very forlorn and desolate condition. She was not, however, entirely abandoned. Her claims toinherit the crown had been set aside, but then she was, as all admitted, the daughter of the king, andshe must, of course, be the object of a certain degree of consideration and ceremony. It would beentirely inconsistent with the notions of royal dignity which then prevailed to have her treated likean ordinary child. Her residence. She had a residence assigned her at a place called Hunsdon, and was put under the charge of agoverness whose name was Lady Bryan. There is an ancient letter from Lady Bryan, still extant, which was written to one of the king's officers about Elizabeth, explaining her destitute condition, and asking for a more suitable supply for her wants. It may entertain the reader to see this relic, which not only illustrates our little heroine's condition, but also shows how great the changes arewhich our language has undergone within the last three hundred years. The letter, as here given, isabridged a little from the origin