Nicola tells us: "Nine-year-old Elizabeth Harding finished her sampler on March 11th in 1791 during the reign of George III. Sadly, we have been unable to trace Elizabeth, as there are many Elizabeth Hardings born around 1782. However, we do know that the Harding name has its origins in Scandinavia and Germany. It appears to be an old Nordic/Teutonic term for “tough guy”, and is still used as such in Sweden and the Hardanger Fjord in Norway, where people are still called “Hardings” or “Hardinger”.

A Georgian red brick mansion house with checkerboard steps proudly takes centre stage and is guarded on either side by pine and apple trees. The doves in flight and the dovecote are a charming feature. Elizabeth filled the four sections of her sampler with parrots, squirrels, birds, a small black dog and flowers.

There are two verses. The first is based on the Biblical parable of the Prodigal Son.

Christs Arms do still stand open to receive

All weary Prodigals that Sin do leave

For them he left his Fathers blest Abode

Made Son of Man to make Man Son of God

To cure their Wounds he Life s Elixir bled

And dyd a Death to raise them from the Dead

The second verse is a poem attributed to John Dryden (1631-1700).

Fragrant the Rose is but it fades in Time

The Violet sweet but quickly past the Prime

White Lillies hang their Heads and soon decay

And whiter Snow in Minutes melts away

Such and so with ring are our early Joys

Which Time or Sickness speedily destroys."

The stitch count is 367w x 425h.

The model was stitched on 40 count hand dyed Vintage Sand Dune from Lakeside Linens using Au Ver à Soie d’Alger silk floss. A DMC conversion is included.

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