CHAPTER I. Childhood (1689-1703)

CHILDHOOD (1689-1703)

Birth of Mary Pierrepont, after Lady Mary Wortley Montagu--Account of the Pierrepont family--Lady Mary's immediate ancestors--Her father, Evelyn Pierrepont, succeeds to the Earldom of Kingston in 1790--The extinct marquisate of Dorchester revived in his favour--His marriage--Issue of the marriage--Death of his wife--Lady Mary stays with her grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Pierrepont--Her early taste for reading--She learns Latin, and, presently, Italian--Encouraged in her literary ambitions by her uncle, William Feilding, and Bishop Burnet--Submits to the Bishop a translation of "Encheiridion" of Epictetus--An attractive child--A "toast" at the Kit-Cat Club--Acts as hostess to her father