Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/55

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Introduction
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The facts in this notice and in parts its phraseology are identical with a brief statement in Lord Winchilsea's journal, from which I have already freely quoted. The authorship of the little sketch is left doubtful, but the fact that Lord Winchilsea preserved it shows that it was satisfactory to him. There is, perhaps, no more fitting way to close this outline of Ardelia's life than by quoting the exact words recorded in her husband's private journal:

My Dear Wife's just character finely drawn by ——— and published in the publick prints after her Decease.

On Friday the fifth instant died at her own house in Cleaveland Row the Rt Honourable Anne Countess of Winchilsea and was on Tuesday following (privately according to her own desire) carried down to Eastwell in Kent, the ancient seat of that noble Family, and Interred there. She was a Daughter of Sr Wm Kingsmill of Sidmonton, a very ancient Family in Hampshire, and had been Maid of Honour to her late Majesty Queen Mary when Dutchess of York, till married to the Honble Coll. Heneage Finch who on the death of his Nephew the late Earl of Winchelsea succeeded to that Honour: To draw her Ldysp's just character requires a masterly pen like her own. We shall only presume to say she was the most faithfull servant to her Royall Mistresse, the best wife to her noble Lord, and in every other relation public and private so illustrious an example of all moral and divine virtues: in one word a Person of such extraordinary endowments both of Body and Mind that the Court of England never bred a more accomplished Lady nor the Church of England a better Christian.

II

THE PROGRESS OF LADY WINCHILSEA'S FAME

The relation between Ardelia and contemporary poets is a matter of considerable interest. Early TributesShe early received an enthusiastic welcome into the guild from subordinate craftsmen. In a package of manuscript poems in the possession of the Duke of Marlborough

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