The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII, No. 372, February 12, 1887

A vivid glimpse into the turmoil of the French Revolution, this edition opens with “A Daughter of Sorrows,” a first‑hand journal that follows the tragic days of the royal family confined in the Temple. Through the tender eyes of a young princess, listeners hear the stark contrast between regal routines—lessons in geography, embroidery, and prayer—and the relentless intrusion of guards, raids, and the ever‑looming threat of the guillotine. The narrative conveys the intimate moments of fear, devotion, and the fragile hope that sustains a mother and her children amid relentless hardship.

The prose, simple yet haunting, captures the daily indignities endured by the dauphin and his sisters, from sleepless nights under the watchful eyes of drunken officials to the heartbreaking separation decreed by the Convention. It offers a poignant portrait of a family stripped of power, clinging to humanity as they navigate a world turned upside down. Listeners will be drawn into the emotional resonance of this historical testimony, feeling the weight of sorrow and resilience that defines the era.