THE Journal of COUNTESS FRANÇOISE KRASINSKA great grandmother of victor emmanuel
translated from the polish
by
KASIMIR DZIEKONSKA
eighth edition
CHICAGO
A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1907
Copyright,
By A. C. McClurg & Co.
A.D. 1895.
THE JOURNAL
of
COUNTESS FRANÇOISE KRASINSKA
in the eighteenth century.
In the Castle of Maleszow,
Monday, January 1, 1759.
One week ago—it was Christmas day—myhonored Father ordered to be broughtto him a huge book, in which for manyyears he has written with his own hand allthe important things which have happenedin our country; also copies of the notablepamphlets, speeches, manifestoes, publicand private letters, occasional poems, etc.,and having placed everything in the orderof its date, he showed us this precious collectionand read to us some extracts. Iwas much pleased with his idea of recordinginteresting facts and circumstances;and as I know how to write pretty well in[Pg 7]Polish and in French, and have heard thatin France some women have written theirmemoirs, I thought, "Why should not I tryto do something of the kind?"
So I have made a big copy-book by fasteningtogether many sheets of paper, andI shall note down, as accurately as I amable, everything which may happen to meand to my family, and I shall also mentionpublic affairs as they happen, as far as Imay be acquainted with them.
To-day is New Year's Day and Monday,a very proper season to begin somethingnew. I am at leisure; the morning Serviceis finished, I am dressed and my hair iscurled; ten is just striking on the castleclock, so I have two hours till dinner time.Well, I begin.
I was born in 1742, so I am just pastmy sixteenth birthday. I received at thechristening the name of Françoise. I haveheard more than once that I am pretty,and sometimes looking in the mirror, Ithink so myself. "One has to thank God,and not to boast," says my gracious[Pg 8]Mother;"it is He that hath made us andnot we ourselves." I have black hair andeyes, a fair complexion and rosy cheeks.I should like to be a little taller, but theyfrighten me by saying I shall not grow anymore. I am descended from the not onlynoble, but very old and illustrious family ofKorwin Krasinski. God forbid I shouldever tarnish the glorious name I am fortunateenough to bear! on the contrary Ishould like much to add to its fame, and Iam often sorry I am not a man, as I shouldthen have more opportunities.
The Count, my honored Father, and theCountess, are so sensible of the grandeurof the Korwin Krasinski family, and theyso often speak of it,—not only they, but ourcourtiers and our