Oh my - I'm having such an enjoyable time!! That lovely scion of a 'notable' house - and he IS a Rashleigh - has attended our dancing; my, he cuts a lovely figure. As they say, he knows how to show a leg. I've had at least 2 dances with Cornish Hobbits - or was one Ed? Both had gorgeous vests, full of colour and pattern. I believe one WAS Ed - he kept looking toward the guarded food room, paying more attention to the guardian warder and his keys than to me!! Of all things. Sir Peter (my sweet Peety) and I just finished a quadrille, and his wife, in her fine striped silk gown, has been visiting with all the ladies; she's keeping up to date with the latest gossip, you may rest assured. Sir Peter is planning to meet with the men in the smoking room; perhaps he'll see our Albert there. Jayne, in all her top-heavy glamour, has been seen with our ever-present hairy guard - the helpful one, who first cast Joan into the dungeon - who seems to be giving her a personal guided tour. Breathe, Jayne, breathe!! Emidy's band has taken a 'break', and are relaxing just outside, while we're serenaded by the Cornish Choir; such voices!! Makes one pine for a live concert, where one can experience the entire performance. Someday, perhaps, it will happen. Isn't this boom-box idea rather marvelous? People will continue this entertainment for centuries, surely. I've lost my fan; 'tis somewhere around here. Oh, do excuse me Joan, Mr. Warder. Oh, there it is! Koko, get my fan! Koko, the fan! Thank you, darling; you're a good dog. (She's so handy in snow; always bringing my gloves, should I drop one. Saves me from tromping over ice, and into snow...it's also good for lost keys.) The girls are waiting to go on; they've been busy teaching Ed's skinny rats - alias the "Kick-line Kickers" how to dance to "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life..." by Monty Python. Lorna's parrots are a bit loopy, but they've agreed to 'bookend' the rats, as they have Fred Astaire-debonair looks, top hats and canes. Two, three, Ohhhh, Always look on the bright siiiide of life, dum dum dum dum de de de dum.... Have promised the next dance to a rather shy yeoman farmer, who has attended on his own. One polka, and his shyness shall be conquered! But as the girls, rats, and parrots are providing entertainment just now, that pleasure might be put off a bit. Have checked, and he's NOT wearing hob-nailed boots. (One can't be too careful; Joan trod on her Warder's foot, and now he's sitting in the corner! With her on his lap!! Oh My!!! hope the pain isn't too great.... Am off to see what else is happening throughout the gaol; perhaps I'll catch a glimpse of Albert!! Later, my dears... Julianna and the girls

What a party indeed, Julia! I've attended many Cornish Christmas parties over the years and this I think will be known as the wildest one of all! I used to spend them mostly sitting in a corner knitting but, my goodness, that Mistress Agnes and Mrs. Pepys have really led me astray. Did Mrs. P. bring husband Samuel with her? If so, I'd love to whirl him around in a dance, though I must confess my stays are killing me, whether laced criss-cross or straight up! Oh my, is that John O. I see over there? Best wishes, Duchess Daft