I commenced my education at a very select young Ladies seminary, presided over by Miss Sarah and Miss Mary Shirley – I remember being decorated with a fool’s cap, holding a blackboard at the back of my shoulders while my feet were firmly fixed in a piece of board in one position. Still those were happy days & especially the breaking up days when the Boarders had Private Theatricals & I did enjoy kissing the girls. I sang in the Church when I was about seven, which very much improved my voice. My dear Mother had a splendid voice & so had my eldest sister but my Father tho' having a good knowledge of music and possessing a good ear for it had only a moderate voice tho' in duets with my Mother it sounded very well.