Best seen with Notes about this site This is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me. I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol. The Twelve Days of Christmas On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven pipers piping Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the twelveth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming Eleven pipers piping Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. Huntingtion Hall December 25th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How delighted I was to receive that dear little partridge in the pear tree. Whenever I look at him I shall remember you, but he does look rather lonely and cold. Maybe he would be better off with a muffler! Oh, thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift. Yours Lovingly, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 26th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, The two turtledoves arrived safely and are cooing in the pear tree with the partridge. My head gardener is building a new dove cote, as the old one is not quite suitable for them. The partridge still looks lonely, though I cannot think why! Yours Thankfully, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 27th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How enchanting the three French hens are! Do they really come from France? The turtledoves are quite happy in their dove cote, and I think I will put the French hens with them. My dear little partridge looks even more unhappy and I cannot think what to do. Greatfully yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 28th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How did you know I would like four calling birds. They simply delight me with their singing, although they can be rather noisy. They are quite friendly with my darling partridge, so I cannot imagine why he looks so sad. The French hens and the turtledoves are cooing in the dove cote. I wonder if I can introduce them to the calling birds? Yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 29th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, Oh, I cannot express my thanks for those lovely golden rings. I cannot possibly think how you knew the sizes. They fit perfectly! They will match my new satin dress that I will wear tonight to Lady Wentworth's ball. This evening I will wear my sapphire chain to match the rings. I simply cannot stop looking at them. You are so thoughtful. My little partridge is shivering with cold. I think I'll make him a woolen suit. Thank you many times over. Yours forever, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 30th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, Thank you for your unusual gift of six laying geese. My big problem is where to put them. They are, at the moment, ruining my new croquet lawn and hissing. Can you tell me what to do with their eggs? No one seems to want to buy them. I dare not keep them, for six geese are quite enough. The partridge is now warm in his new black and yellow suit. Sincerely yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 31st, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, We had to put the seven swans in my lily pond. They are a bit cramped there, and my lily pond is now an absolute wreck. Also I do not know what to feed them. I think my partridge is afraid of them, and that just will not do. ...................... Lady Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 1st, 1837 Lord Gilbert, Eight cows give so much milk that soon we shall have to put the swans to swim in it. The cows made such a noise last night that I could hardly sleep. I also now have to pay eight milking maids. My partridge has a cold from drinking so much milk. ...................... Lady Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 2nd, 1837 Lord Gilbert, Nine ladies dancing are quite outrageous. They make me quite ill. ...................... Lady K Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 3rd, 1837 Lord G. Faraday, Your gift of ten lords a leaping is quite unwelcome. They are making me mad. ...................... Lady K Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 4st, 1837 Lord Faraday, One of the eleven pipers seems to be out of tune. What with their scraping, the cows mooing, pails clanking, honking, hissing and cooing, I have a slight headache. My partridge does not like it at all. ...................... Hon. Lady Huntington Huntingtion Hall 5th January 1837 Dear Lord Faraday, Lady Huntington has retired to her London home with the partridge. She is suffering from a nervous breakdown. She requested me to return these gifts to you: Twelve Drummers Eleven Pipers Ten Leaping Lords Nine Dancing Ladies Eight milking maids and their cows Seven swans Six laying geese Four Calling birds Three French hens Two turtledoves and a pear tree She wishes to keep the partridge and rings Margaret A E Bowes Secretary to Lady Huntington back to The Innkeeper turn page Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer for more Christmas pages To write to the TinChicken Click on the chick Take out the words, "NoSpam" Join the Mailing List Enter your name and email address below: Name: Email: Subscribe Unsubscribe
This is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me. I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.
The Twelve Days of Christmas On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven pipers piping Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the twelveth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming Eleven pipers piping Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. Huntingtion Hall December 25th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How delighted I was to receive that dear little partridge in the pear tree. Whenever I look at him I shall remember you, but he does look rather lonely and cold. Maybe he would be better off with a muffler! Oh, thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift. Yours Lovingly, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 26th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, The two turtledoves arrived safely and are cooing in the pear tree with the partridge. My head gardener is building a new dove cote, as the old one is not quite suitable for them. The partridge still looks lonely, though I cannot think why! Yours Thankfully, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 27th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How enchanting the three French hens are! Do they really come from France? The turtledoves are quite happy in their dove cote, and I think I will put the French hens with them. My dear little partridge looks even more unhappy and I cannot think what to do. Greatfully yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 28th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How did you know I would like four calling birds. They simply delight me with their singing, although they can be rather noisy. They are quite friendly with my darling partridge, so I cannot imagine why he looks so sad. The French hens and the turtledoves are cooing in the dove cote. I wonder if I can introduce them to the calling birds? Yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 29th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, Oh, I cannot express my thanks for those lovely golden rings. I cannot possibly think how you knew the sizes. They fit perfectly! They will match my new satin dress that I will wear tonight to Lady Wentworth's ball. This evening I will wear my sapphire chain to match the rings. I simply cannot stop looking at them. You are so thoughtful. My little partridge is shivering with cold. I think I'll make him a woolen suit. Thank you many times over. Yours forever, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 30th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, Thank you for your unusual gift of six laying geese. My big problem is where to put them. They are, at the moment, ruining my new croquet lawn and hissing. Can you tell me what to do with their eggs? No one seems to want to buy them. I dare not keep them, for six geese are quite enough. The partridge is now warm in his new black and yellow suit. Sincerely yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 31st, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, We had to put the seven swans in my lily pond. They are a bit cramped there, and my lily pond is now an absolute wreck. Also I do not know what to feed them. I think my partridge is afraid of them, and that just will not do. ...................... Lady Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 1st, 1837 Lord Gilbert, Eight cows give so much milk that soon we shall have to put the swans to swim in it. The cows made such a noise last night that I could hardly sleep. I also now have to pay eight milking maids. My partridge has a cold from drinking so much milk. ...................... Lady Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 2nd, 1837 Lord Gilbert, Nine ladies dancing are quite outrageous. They make me quite ill. ...................... Lady K Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 3rd, 1837 Lord G. Faraday, Your gift of ten lords a leaping is quite unwelcome. They are making me mad. ...................... Lady K Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 4st, 1837 Lord Faraday, One of the eleven pipers seems to be out of tune. What with their scraping, the cows mooing, pails clanking, honking, hissing and cooing, I have a slight headache. My partridge does not like it at all. ...................... Hon. Lady Huntington Huntingtion Hall 5th January 1837 Dear Lord Faraday, Lady Huntington has retired to her London home with the partridge. She is suffering from a nervous breakdown. She requested me to return these gifts to you: Twelve Drummers Eleven Pipers Ten Leaping Lords Nine Dancing Ladies Eight milking maids and their cows Seven swans Six laying geese Four Calling birds Three French hens Two turtledoves and a pear tree She wishes to keep the partridge and rings Margaret A E Bowes Secretary to Lady Huntington back to The Innkeeper turn page Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer for more Christmas pages To write to the TinChicken Click on the chick Take out the words, "NoSpam" Join the Mailing List Enter your name and email address below: Name: Email: Subscribe Unsubscribe
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven pipers piping Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the twelveth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming Eleven pipers piping Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. Huntingtion Hall December 25th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How delighted I was to receive that dear little partridge in the pear tree. Whenever I look at him I shall remember you, but he does look rather lonely and cold. Maybe he would be better off with a muffler! Oh, thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift. Yours Lovingly, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 26th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, The two turtledoves arrived safely and are cooing in the pear tree with the partridge. My head gardener is building a new dove cote, as the old one is not quite suitable for them. The partridge still looks lonely, though I cannot think why! Yours Thankfully, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 27th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How enchanting the three French hens are! Do they really come from France? The turtledoves are quite happy in their dove cote, and I think I will put the French hens with them. My dear little partridge looks even more unhappy and I cannot think what to do. Greatfully yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 28th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How did you know I would like four calling birds. They simply delight me with their singing, although they can be rather noisy. They are quite friendly with my darling partridge, so I cannot imagine why he looks so sad. The French hens and the turtledoves are cooing in the dove cote. I wonder if I can introduce them to the calling birds? Yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 29th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, Oh, I cannot express my thanks for those lovely golden rings. I cannot possibly think how you knew the sizes. They fit perfectly! They will match my new satin dress that I will wear tonight to Lady Wentworth's ball. This evening I will wear my sapphire chain to match the rings. I simply cannot stop looking at them. You are so thoughtful. My little partridge is shivering with cold. I think I'll make him a woolen suit. Thank you many times over. Yours forever, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 30th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, Thank you for your unusual gift of six laying geese. My big problem is where to put them. They are, at the moment, ruining my new croquet lawn and hissing. Can you tell me what to do with their eggs? No one seems to want to buy them. I dare not keep them, for six geese are quite enough. The partridge is now warm in his new black and yellow suit. Sincerely yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall December 31st, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, We had to put the seven swans in my lily pond. They are a bit cramped there, and my lily pond is now an absolute wreck. Also I do not know what to feed them. I think my partridge is afraid of them, and that just will not do. ...................... Lady Katherine Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 1st, 1837 Lord Gilbert, Eight cows give so much milk that soon we shall have to put the swans to swim in it. The cows made such a noise last night that I could hardly sleep. I also now have to pay eight milking maids. My partridge has a cold from drinking so much milk. ...................... Lady Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 2nd, 1837 Lord Gilbert, Nine ladies dancing are quite outrageous. They make me quite ill. ...................... Lady K Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 3rd, 1837 Lord G. Faraday, Your gift of ten lords a leaping is quite unwelcome. They are making me mad. ...................... Lady K Huntington Huntingtion Hall January 4st, 1837 Lord Faraday, One of the eleven pipers seems to be out of tune. What with their scraping, the cows mooing, pails clanking, honking, hissing and cooing, I have a slight headache. My partridge does not like it at all. ...................... Hon. Lady Huntington Huntingtion Hall 5th January 1837 Dear Lord Faraday, Lady Huntington has retired to her London home with the partridge. She is suffering from a nervous breakdown. She requested me to return these gifts to you: Twelve Drummers Eleven Pipers Ten Leaping Lords Nine Dancing Ladies Eight milking maids and their cows Seven swans Six laying geese Four Calling birds Three French hens Two turtledoves and a pear tree She wishes to keep the partridge and rings Margaret A E Bowes Secretary to Lady Huntington back to The Innkeeper turn page Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer for more Christmas pages To write to the TinChicken Click on the chick Take out the words, "NoSpam" Join the Mailing List Enter your name and email address below: Name: Email: Subscribe Unsubscribe
Huntingtion Hall December 25th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How delighted I was to receive that dear little partridge in the pear tree. Whenever I look at him I shall remember you, but he does look rather lonely and cold. Maybe he would be better off with a muffler! Oh, thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift. Yours Lovingly, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Dear Lord Gilbert, How delighted I was to receive that dear little partridge in the pear tree. Whenever I look at him I shall remember you, but he does look rather lonely and cold. Maybe he would be better off with a muffler! Oh, thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift. Yours Lovingly, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Yours Lovingly,
...................... Katherine Huntington
Huntingtion Hall December 26th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, The two turtledoves arrived safely and are cooing in the pear tree with the partridge. My head gardener is building a new dove cote, as the old one is not quite suitable for them. The partridge still looks lonely, though I cannot think why! Yours Thankfully, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Dear Lord Gilbert, The two turtledoves arrived safely and are cooing in the pear tree with the partridge. My head gardener is building a new dove cote, as the old one is not quite suitable for them. The partridge still looks lonely, though I cannot think why! Yours Thankfully, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Yours Thankfully,
Huntingtion Hall December 27th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How enchanting the three French hens are! Do they really come from France? The turtledoves are quite happy in their dove cote, and I think I will put the French hens with them. My dear little partridge looks even more unhappy and I cannot think what to do. Greatfully yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Dear Lord Gilbert, How enchanting the three French hens are! Do they really come from France? The turtledoves are quite happy in their dove cote, and I think I will put the French hens with them. My dear little partridge looks even more unhappy and I cannot think what to do. Greatfully yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Greatfully yours,
Huntingtion Hall December 28th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, How did you know I would like four calling birds. They simply delight me with their singing, although they can be rather noisy. They are quite friendly with my darling partridge, so I cannot imagine why he looks so sad. The French hens and the turtledoves are cooing in the dove cote. I wonder if I can introduce them to the calling birds? Yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Dear Lord Gilbert, How did you know I would like four calling birds. They simply delight me with their singing, although they can be rather noisy. They are quite friendly with my darling partridge, so I cannot imagine why he looks so sad. The French hens and the turtledoves are cooing in the dove cote. I wonder if I can introduce them to the calling birds? Yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Yours,
Huntingtion Hall December 29th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, Oh, I cannot express my thanks for those lovely golden rings. I cannot possibly think how you knew the sizes. They fit perfectly! They will match my new satin dress that I will wear tonight to Lady Wentworth's ball. This evening I will wear my sapphire chain to match the rings. I simply cannot stop looking at them. You are so thoughtful. My little partridge is shivering with cold. I think I'll make him a woolen suit. Thank you many times over. Yours forever, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Dear Lord Gilbert, Oh, I cannot express my thanks for those lovely golden rings. I cannot possibly think how you knew the sizes. They fit perfectly! They will match my new satin dress that I will wear tonight to Lady Wentworth's ball. This evening I will wear my sapphire chain to match the rings. I simply cannot stop looking at them. You are so thoughtful. My little partridge is shivering with cold. I think I'll make him a woolen suit. Thank you many times over. Yours forever, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Yours forever,
Huntingtion Hall December 30th, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, Thank you for your unusual gift of six laying geese. My big problem is where to put them. They are, at the moment, ruining my new croquet lawn and hissing. Can you tell me what to do with their eggs? No one seems to want to buy them. I dare not keep them, for six geese are quite enough. The partridge is now warm in his new black and yellow suit. Sincerely yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Dear Lord Gilbert, Thank you for your unusual gift of six laying geese. My big problem is where to put them. They are, at the moment, ruining my new croquet lawn and hissing. Can you tell me what to do with their eggs? No one seems to want to buy them. I dare not keep them, for six geese are quite enough. The partridge is now warm in his new black and yellow suit. Sincerely yours, ...................... Katherine Huntington
Sincerely yours,
Huntingtion Hall December 31st, 1836 Dear Lord Gilbert, We had to put the seven swans in my lily pond. They are a bit cramped there, and my lily pond is now an absolute wreck. Also I do not know what to feed them. I think my partridge is afraid of them, and that just will not do. ...................... Lady Katherine Huntington
Dear Lord Gilbert, We had to put the seven swans in my lily pond. They are a bit cramped there, and my lily pond is now an absolute wreck. Also I do not know what to feed them. I think my partridge is afraid of them, and that just will not do. ...................... Lady Katherine Huntington
...................... Lady Katherine Huntington
Huntingtion Hall January 1st, 1837 Lord Gilbert, Eight cows give so much milk that soon we shall have to put the swans to swim in it. The cows made such a noise last night that I could hardly sleep. I also now have to pay eight milking maids. My partridge has a cold from drinking so much milk. ...................... Lady Huntington
Lord Gilbert, Eight cows give so much milk that soon we shall have to put the swans to swim in it. The cows made such a noise last night that I could hardly sleep. I also now have to pay eight milking maids. My partridge has a cold from drinking so much milk. ...................... Lady Huntington
...................... Lady Huntington
Huntingtion Hall January 2nd, 1837 Lord Gilbert, Nine ladies dancing are quite outrageous. They make me quite ill. ...................... Lady K Huntington
Lord Gilbert, Nine ladies dancing are quite outrageous. They make me quite ill. ...................... Lady K Huntington
...................... Lady K Huntington
Huntingtion Hall January 3rd, 1837 Lord G. Faraday, Your gift of ten lords a leaping is quite unwelcome. They are making me mad. ...................... Lady K Huntington
Lord G. Faraday, Your gift of ten lords a leaping is quite unwelcome. They are making me mad.
Huntingtion Hall January 4st, 1837 Lord Faraday, One of the eleven pipers seems to be out of tune. What with their scraping, the cows mooing, pails clanking, honking, hissing and cooing, I have a slight headache. My partridge does not like it at all. ...................... Hon. Lady Huntington
Lord Faraday, One of the eleven pipers seems to be out of tune. What with their scraping, the cows mooing, pails clanking, honking, hissing and cooing, I have a slight headache. My partridge does not like it at all. ...................... Hon. Lady Huntington
...................... Hon. Lady Huntington
Huntingtion Hall 5th January 1837 Dear Lord Faraday, Lady Huntington has retired to her London home with the partridge. She is suffering from a nervous breakdown. She requested me to return these gifts to you: Twelve Drummers Eleven Pipers Ten Leaping Lords Nine Dancing Ladies Eight milking maids and their cows Seven swans Six laying geese Four Calling birds Three French hens Two turtledoves and a pear tree She wishes to keep the partridge and rings Margaret A E Bowes Secretary to Lady Huntington
Dear Lord Faraday, Lady Huntington has retired to her London home with the partridge. She is suffering from a nervous breakdown. She requested me to return these gifts to you: Twelve Drummers Eleven Pipers Ten Leaping Lords Nine Dancing Ladies Eight milking maids and their cows Seven swans Six laying geese Four Calling birds Three French hens Two turtledoves and a pear tree She wishes to keep the partridge and rings Margaret A E Bowes Secretary to Lady Huntington
back to The Innkeeper turn page Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer for more Christmas pages To write to the TinChicken Click on the chick Take out the words, "NoSpam" Join the Mailing List Enter your name and email address below: Name: Email: Subscribe Unsubscribe
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