r old bedridden maid, to
minister to her in things both temporal and spiritual. At noon she had a
daily reading of the Bible in her room. The reading was interspersed
with conversation, and followed by prayer. She seemed to be never tired
of these spiritual exercises. The later hours of the day were occupied
with reading and other pursuits until five o'clock, when she would again
visit her invalid maid. In dealing with the poor the duchess was not
only generous but discriminating. She spared no trouble in inquiring
into the eases of distress before her. We are told that the list of two
hundred persons whose families she regularly relieved had before her
death increased to three hundred. The post was also often used as the
means of dispensing her anonymous charity. One reason why she was so
anxious to have a thoroughly capable chaplain was that he might
thoroughly examine into the deserts of applicants for help. It was not
pecuniary assistance only that was sought from the duchess. Her kindly
counsel was much valued. To quote her own words, "Though I do so need
advice and wisdom in my own matters, the most extraordinary people think
proper to consult me about the most extraordinary things, and I cannot
lose the opportunity of giving the only Christian advice they may be in
the way of receiving. May the Lord help me; oh, how constantly do I
need help!"

The Sabbath day was indeed a holy day at Huntly Lodge. Everything that
could be done the day before was done. No fire was lighted in the
drawing-room on the Sunday, with, as we are informed, the double object
of saving unnecessary labour, and "to present no inducement for visitors
to meet together for idle conversation." The doors of the house were
locked during the hours of service, one, or at most two, servants
staying at home. No letters were received or posted on the Sabbath.
There were no arrivals nor departures of guests on that day. On a
certain Sunday morning at breakfast the duchess was surprised to hear a
carriage-and-four brought round to the door. Her immediate "What is
that?" was answered by the appearance of a young English nobleman who
had come to bid her good-bye. "Oh no," she said, "not on the Sabbath."
Affectionately she persuaded him to remain until the next day. Away from
home, on the Continent and elsewhere, she was careful that the day
should be strictly observed. So great was her interest in Sabbath
observance that she wrote a little tract on the sub