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 the uniformity of my life, these monotonous hours, all passed in the constant repetition of the same occupations, afford no matter for interesting details or descriptions.

At this very moment, when I hold the pen in my hand, I am ready to lay it down, so great is the poverty of my observations.

My parents will soon leave.  The princess palatiness has honored me with a visit; she remarked that my carriage was much improved.  My masters are all satisfied with the closeness of my application.  Madame is especially kind to me, and my companions are polite and friendly....  But is all this worth the trouble of writing?

I sometimes fancy that I am not really in Warsaw, so ignorant am I with regard to all political events.  I have seen neither the king nor the royal family.  At Maleszow we at least hear the news, and occasionally see Borne distinguished men.

The Duke of Courland is absent, and will not return for some time.

Sunday, June 9th

If I were to live forever in this school, I should give up writing in my journal, and it really serves one very valuable purpose; for I find I am in great danger of forgetting Polish.  With the exception of the letters I write to my parents, and the few words I say to my maid, I always write and speak French.

I progress in all my studies, and if I am sometimes melancholy, at least my time is not lost.

The princess palatiness has again been to see me.  A month had passed since her last visit; she found me considerably taller, and was kind enough to praise my manners and bearing.