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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1668-0.txt b/1668-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a098ed --- /dev/null +++ b/1668-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1201 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tapestried Chamber, and Death of the +Laird’s Jock, by Sir Walter Scott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Tapestried Chamber, and Death of the Laird’s Jock + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + +Posting Date: November 17, 2008 [EBook #1668] +Release Date: March, 1999 +Last Updated: August 31, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer + + + + + +THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER + +by Sir Walter Scott + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + +This is another little story from The Keepsake of 1828. It was told +to me many years ago by the late Miss Anna Seward, who, among other +accomplishments that rendered her an amusing inmate in a country house, +had that of recounting narratives of this sort with very considerable +effect--much greater, indeed, than any one would be apt to guess from +the style of her written performances. There are hours and moods when +most people are not displeased to listen to such things; and I have +heard some of the greatest and wisest of my contemporaries take their +share in telling them. + +AUGUST 1831 + + + + +THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER; + +OR, + +THE LADY IN THE SACQUE. + +The following narrative is given from the pen, so far as memory permits, +in the same character in which it was presented to the author’s ear; nor +has he claim to further praise, or to be more deeply censured, than +in proportion to the good or bad judgment which he has employed in +selecting his materials, as he has studiously avoided any attempt at +ornament which might interfere with the simplicity of the tale. + +At the same time, it must be admitted that the particular class of +stories which turns on the marvellous possesses a stronger influence +when told than when committed to print. The volume taken up at noonday, +though rehearsing the same incidents, conveys a much more feeble +impression than is achieved by the voice of the speaker on a circle of +fireside auditors, who hang upon the narrative as the narrator details +the minute incidents which serve to give it authenticity, and lowers his +voice with an affectation of mystery while he approaches the fearful +and wonderful part. It was with such advantages that the present writer +heard the following events related, more than twenty years since, by +the celebrated Miss Seward of Litchfield, who, to her numerous +accomplishments, added, in a remarkable degree, the power of narrative +in private conversation. In its present form the tale must necessarily +lose all the interest which was attached to it by the flexible voice and +intelligent features of the gifted narrator. Yet still, read aloud to an +undoubting audience by the doubtful light of the closing evening, or in +silence by a decaying taper, and amidst the solitude of a half-lighted +apartment, it may redeem its character as a good ghost story. Miss +Seward always affirmed that she had derived her information from an +authentic source, although she suppressed the names of the two persons +chiefly concerned. I will not avail myself of any particulars I may have +since received concerning the localities of the detail, but suffer them +to rest under the same general description in which they were first +related to me; and for the same reason I will not add to or diminish the +narrative by any circumstance, whether more or less material, but simply +rehearse, as I heard it, a story of supernatural terror. + +About the end of the American war, when the officers of Lord +Cornwallis’s army, which surrendered at Yorktown, and others, who had +been made prisoners during the impolitic and ill-fated controversy, were +returning to their own country, to relate their adventures, and repose +themselves after their fatigues, there was amongst them a general +officer, to whom Miss S. gave the name of Browne, but merely, as I +understood, to save the inconvenience of introducing a nameless agent +in the narrative. He was an officer of merit, as well as a gentleman of +high consideration for family and attainments. + +Some business had carried General Browne upon a tour through the western +counties, when, in the conclusion of a morning stage, he found himself +in the vicinity of a small country town, which presented a scene of +uncommon beauty, and of a character peculiarly English. + +The little town, with its stately old church, whose tower bore testimony +to the devotion of ages long past, lay amidst pastures and cornfields of +small extent, but bounded and divided with hedgerow timber of great age +and size. There were few marks of modern improvement. The environs of +the place intimated neither the solitude of decay nor the bustle of +novelty; the houses were old, but in good repair; and the beautiful +little river murmured freely on its way to the left of the town, neither +restrained by a dam nor bordered by a towing-path. + +Upon a gentle eminence, nearly a mile to the southward of the town, were +seen, amongst many venerable oaks and tangled thickets, the turrets of +a castle as old as the walls of York and Lancaster, but which seemed to +have received important alterations during the age of Elizabeth and +her successor, It had not been a place of great size; but whatever +accommodation it formerly afforded was, it must be supposed, still to +be obtained within its walls. At least, such was the inference which +General Browne drew from observing the smoke arise merrily from several +of the ancient wreathed and carved chimney-stalks. The wall of the park +ran alongside of the highway for two or three hundred yards; and through +the different points by which the eye found glimpses into the woodland +scenery, it seemed to be well stocked. Other points of view opened in +succession--now a full one of the front of the old castle, and now +a side glimpse at its particular towers, the former rich in all the +bizarrerie of the Elizabethan school, while the simple and solid +strength of other parts of the building seemed to show that they had +been raised more for defence than ostentation. + +Delighted with the partial glimpses which he obtained of the castle +through the woods and glades by which this ancient feudal fortress was +surrounded, our military traveller was determined to inquire whether +it might not deserve a nearer view, and whether it contained family +pictures or other objects of curiosity worthy of a stranger’s visit, +when, leaving the vicinity of the park, he rolled through a clean and +well-paved street, and stopped at the door of a well-frequented inn. + +Before ordering horses, to proceed on his journey, General Browne +made inquiries concerning the proprietor of the chateau which had so +attracted his admiration, and was equally surprised and pleased at +hearing in reply a nobleman named, whom we shall call Lord Woodville. +How fortunate! Much of Browne’s early recollections, both at school +and at college, had been connected with young Woodville, whom, by a few +questions, he now ascertained to be the same with the owner of this fair +domain. He had been raised to the peerage by the decease of his father +a few months before, and, as the General learned from the landlord, the +term of mourning being ended, was now taking possession of his paternal +estate in the jovial season of merry, autumn, accompanied by a select +party of friends, to enjoy the sports of a country famous for game. + +This was delightful news to our traveller. Frank Woodville had been +Richard Browne’s fag at Eton, and his chosen intimate at Christ Church; +their pleasures and their tasks had been the same; and the honest +soldier’s heart warmed to find his early friend in possession of so +delightful a residence, and of an estate, as the landlord assured +him with a nod and a wink, fully adequate to maintain and add to his +dignity. Nothing was more natural than that the traveller should suspend +a journey, which there was nothing to render hurried, to pay a visit to +an old friend under such agreeable circumstances. + +The fresh horses, therefore, had only the brief task of conveying the +General’s travelling carriage to Woodville Castle. A porter admitted +them at a modern Gothic lodge, built in that style to correspond with +the castle itself, and at the same time rang a bell to give warning of +the approach of visitors. Apparently the sound of the bell had suspended +the separation of the company, bent on the various amusements of the +morning; for, on entering the court of the chateau, several young +men were lounging about in their sporting dresses, looking at and +criticizing the dogs which the keepers held in readiness to attend their +pastime. As General Browne alighted, the young lord came to the gate +of the hall, and for an instant gazed, as at a stranger, upon the +countenance of his friend, on which war, with its fatigues and its +wounds, had made a great alteration. But the uncertainty lasted no +longer than till the visitor had spoken, and the hearty greeting which +followed was such as can only be exchanged betwixt those who have passed +together the merry days of careless boyhood or early youth. + +“If I could have formed a wish, my dear Browne,” said Lord Woodville, +“it would have been to have you here, of all men, upon this occasion, +which my friends are good enough to hold as a sort of holiday. Do not +think you have been unwatched during the years you have been absent +from us. I have traced you through your dangers, your triumphs, your +misfortunes, and was delighted to see that, whether in victory or +defeat, the name of my old friend was always distinguished with +applause.” + +The General made a suitable reply, and congratulated his friend on his +new dignities, and the possession of a place and domain so beautiful. + +“Nay, you have seen nothing of it as yet,” said Lord Woodville, “and I +trust you do not mean to leave us till you are better acquainted with +it. It is true, I confess, that my present party is pretty large, and +the old house, like other places of the kind, does not possess so much +accommodation as the extent of the outward walls appears to promise. +But we can give you a comfortable old-fashioned room, and I venture +to suppose that your campaigns have taught you to be glad of worse +quarters.” + +The General shrugged his shoulders, and laughed. “I presume,” he said, +“the worst apartment in your chateau is considerably superior to the old +tobacco-cask in which I was fain to take up my night’s lodging when I +was in the Bush, as the Virginians call it, with the light corps. There +I lay, like Diogenes himself, so delighted with my covering from the +elements, that I made a vain attempt to have it rolled on to my next +quarters; but my commander for the time would give way to no such +luxurious provision, and I took farewell of my beloved cask with tears +in my eyes.” + +“Well, then, since you do not fear your quarters,” said Lord Woodville, +“you will stay with me a week at least. Of guns, dogs, fishing-rods, +flies, and means of sport by sea and land, we have enough and to +spare--you cannot pitch on an amusement but we will find the means of +pursuing it. But if you prefer the gun and pointers, I will go with you +myself, and see whether you have mended your shooting since you have +been amongst the Indians of the back settlements.” + +The General gladly accepted his friendly host’s proposal in all its +points. After a morning of manly exercise, the company met at dinner, +where it was the delight of Lord Woodville to conduce to the display of +the high properties of his recovered friend, so as to recommend him to +his guests, most of whom were persons of distinction. He led General +Browne to speak of the scenes he had witnessed; and as every word marked +alike the brave officer and the sensible man, who retained possession +of his cool judgment under the most imminent dangers, the company looked +upon the soldier with general respect, as on one who had proved himself +possessed of an uncommon portion of personal courage--that attribute of +all others of which everybody desires to be thought possessed. + +The day at Woodville Castle ended as usual in such mansions. The +hospitality stopped within the limits of good order. Music, in which the +young lord was a proficient, succeeded to the circulation of the bottle; +cards and billiards, for those who preferred such amusements, were in +readiness; but the exercise of the morning required early hours, and not +long after eleven o’clock the guests began to retire to their several +apartments. + +The young lord himself conducted his friend, General Browne, to the +chamber destined for him, which answered the description he had given +of it, being comfortable, but old-fashioned, The bed was of the massive +form used in the end of the seventeenth century, and the curtains of +faded silk, heavily trimmed with tarnished gold. But then the sheets, +pillows, and blankets looked delightful to the campaigner, when he +thought of his “mansion, the cask.” There was an air of gloom in the +tapestry hangings, which, with their worn-out graces, curtained the +walls of the little chamber, and gently undulated as the autumnal breeze +found its way through the ancient lattice window, which pattered and +whistled as the air gained entrance. The toilet, too, with its mirror, +turbaned after the manner of the beginning of the century, with a +coiffure of murrey-coloured silk, and its hundred strange-shaped boxes, +providing for arrangements which had been obsolete for more than fifty +years, had an antique, and in so far a melancholy, aspect. But nothing +could blaze more brightly and cheerfully than the two large wax candles; +or if aught could rival them, it was the flaming, bickering fagots in +the chimney, that sent at once their gleam and their warmth through +the snug apartment, which, notwithstanding the general antiquity of its +appearance, was not wanting in the least convenience that modern habits +rendered either necessary or desirable. + +“This is an old-fashioned sleeping apartment, General,” said the +young lord; “but I hope you find nothing that makes you envy your old +tobacco-cask.” + +“I am not particular respecting my lodgings,” replied the General; “yet +were I to make any choice, I would prefer this chamber by many degrees +to the gayer and more modern rooms of your family mansion. Believe +me that, when I unite its modern air of comfort with its venerable +antiquity, and recollect that it is your lordship’s property, I shall +feel in better quarters here than if I were in the best hotel London +could afford.” + +“I trust--I have no doubt--that you will find yourself as comfortable +as I wish you, my dear General,” said the young nobleman; and once more +bidding his guest good-night, he shook him by the hand, and withdrew. + +The General once more looked round him, and internally congratulating +himself on his return to peaceful life, the comforts of which were +endeared by the recollection of the hardships and dangers he had lately +sustained, undressed himself, and prepared for a luxurious night’s rest. + +Here, contrary to the custom of this species of tale, we leave the +General in possession of his apartment until the next morning. + +The company assembled for breakfast at an early hour, but without the +appearance of General Browne, who seemed the guest that Lord Woodville +was desirous of honouring above all whom his hospitality had assembled +around him. He more than once expressed surprise at the General’s +absence, and at length sent a servant to make inquiry after him. The +man brought back information that General Browne had been walking abroad +since an early hour of the morning, in defiance of the weather, which +was misty and ungenial. + +“The custom of a soldier,” said the young nobleman to his friends. “Many +of them acquire habitual vigilance, and cannot sleep after the early +hour at which their duty usually commands them to be alert.” + +Yet the explanation which Lord Woodville thus offered to the company +seemed hardly satisfactory to his own mind, and it was in a fit of +silence and abstraction that he waited the return of the General. It +took place near an hour after the breakfast bell had rung. He looked +fatigued and feverish. His hair, the powdering and arrangement of which +was at this time one of the most important occupations of a man’s whole +day, and marked his fashion as much as in the present time the tying of +a cravat, or the want of one, was dishevelled, uncurled, void of +powder, and dank with dew. His clothes were huddled on with a careless +negligence, remarkable in a military man, whose real or supposed duties +are usually held to include some attention to the toilet; and his looks +were haggard and ghastly in a peculiar degree. + +“So you have stolen a march upon us this morning, my dear General,” said +Lord Woodville; “or you have not found your bed so much to your mind as +I had hoped and you seemed to expect. How did you rest last night?” + +“Oh, excellently well! remarkably well! never better in my life,” said +General Browne rapidly, and yet with an air of embarrassment which +was obvious to his friend. He then hastily swallowed a cup of tea, and +neglecting or refusing whatever else was offered, seemed to fall into a +fit of abstraction. + +“You will take the gun to-day, General?” said his friend and host, but +had to repeat the question twice ere he received the abrupt answer, “No, +my lord; I am sorry I cannot have the opportunity of spending another +day with your lordship; my post horses are ordered, and will be here +directly.” + +All who were present showed surprise, and Lord Woodville immediately +replied “Post horses, my good friend! What can you possibly want with +them when you promised to stay with me quietly for at least a week?” + +“I believe,” said the General, obviously much embarrassed, “that I +might, in the pleasure of my first meeting with your lordship, have +said something about stopping here a few days; but I have since found it +altogether impossible.” + +“That is very extraordinary,” answered the young nobleman. “You seemed +quite disengaged yesterday, and you cannot have had a summons to-day, +for our post has not come up from the town, and therefore you cannot +have received any letters.” + +General Browne, without giving any further explanation, muttered +something about indispensable business, and insisted on the absolute +necessity of his departure in a manner which silenced all opposition on +the part of his host, who saw that his resolution was taken, and forbore +all further importunity. + +“At least, however,” he said, “permit me, my dear Browne, since go you +will or must, to show you the view from the terrace, which the mist, +that is now rising, will soon display.” + +He threw open a sash-window, and stepped down upon the terrace as he +spoke. The General followed him mechanically, but seemed little to +attend to what his host was saying, as, looking across an extended +and rich prospect, he pointed out the different objects worthy of +observation. Thus they moved on till Lord Woodville had attained +his purpose of drawing his guest entirely apart from the rest of the +company, when, turning round upon him with an air of great solemnity, he +addressed him thus:-- + +“Richard Browne, my old and very dear friend, we are now alone. Let me +conjure you to answer me upon the word of a friend, and the honour of a +soldier. How did you in reality rest during last night?” + +“Most wretchedly indeed, my lord,” answered the General, in the same +tone of solemnity--“so miserably, that I would not run the risk of such +a second night, not only for all the lands belonging to this castle, but +for all the country which I see from this elevated point of view.” + +“This is most extraordinary,” said the young lord, as if speaking to +himself; “then there must be something in the reports concerning that +apartment.” Again turning to the General, he said, “For God’s sake, +my dear friend, be candid with me, and let me know the disagreeable +particulars which have befallen you under a roof, where, with consent of +the owner, you should have met nothing save comfort.” + +The General seemed distressed by this appeal, and paused a moment before +he replied. “My dear lord,” he at length said, “what happened to me last +night is of a nature so peculiar and so unpleasant, that I could hardly +bring myself to detail it even to your lordship, were it not that, +independent of my wish to gratify any request of yours, I think that +sincerity on my part may lead to some explanation about a circumstance +equally painful and mysterious. To others, the communication I am about +to make, might place me in the light of a weak-minded, superstitious +fool, who suffered his own imagination to delude and bewilder him; but +you have known me in childhood and youth, and will not suspect me of +having adopted in manhood the feelings and frailties from which my early +years were free.” Here he paused, and his friend replied,-- + +“Do not doubt my perfect confidence in the truth of your communication, +however strange it may be,” replied Lord Woodville. “I know your +firmness of disposition too well, to suspect you could be made the +object of imposition, and am aware that your honour and your friendship +will equally deter you from exaggerating whatever you may have +witnessed.” + +“Well, then,” said the General, “I will proceed with my story as well +as I can, relying upon your candour, and yet distinctly feeling that +I would rather face a battery than recall to my mind the odious +recollections of last night.” + +He paused a second time, and then perceiving that Lord Woodville +remained silent and in an attitude of attention, he commenced, though +not without obvious reluctance, the history of his night’s adventures in +the Tapestried Chamber. + +“I undressed and went to bed so soon as your lordship left me yesterday +evening; but the wood in the chimney, which nearly fronted my bed, +blazed brightly and cheerfully, and, aided by a hundred exciting +recollections of my childhood and youth, which had been recalled by the +unexpected pleasure of meeting your lordship, prevented me from falling +immediately asleep. I ought, however, to say that these reflections were +all of a pleasant and agreeable kind, grounded on a sense of having for +a time exchanged the labour, fatigues, and dangers of my profession for +the enjoyments of a peaceful life, and the reunion of those friendly and +affectionate ties which I had torn asunder at the rude summons of war. + +“While such pleasing reflections were stealing over my mind, and +gradually lulling me to slumber, I was suddenly aroused by a sound like +that of the rustling of a silken gown, and the tapping of a pair of +high-heeled shoes, as if a woman were walking in the apartment. Ere +I could draw the curtain to see what the matter was, the figure of a +little woman passed between the bed and the fire. The back of this form +was turned to me, and I could observe, from the shoulders and neck, it +was that of an old woman, whose dress was an old-fashioned gown, which I +think ladies call a sacque--that is, a sort of robe completely loose in +the body, but gathered into broad plaits upon the neck and shoulders, +which fall down to the ground, and terminate in a species of train. + +“I thought the intrusion singular enough, but never harboured for a +moment the idea that what I saw was anything more than the mortal form +of some old woman about the establishment, who had a fancy to dress like +her grandmother, and who, having perhaps (as your lordship mentioned +that you were rather straitened for room) been dislodged from her +chamber for my accommodation, had forgotten the circumstance, and +returned by twelve to her old haunt. Under this persuasion I moved +myself in bed and coughed a little, to make the intruder sensible of +my being in possession of the premises. She turned slowly round, but, +gracious Heaven! my lord, what a countenance did she display to me! +There was no longer any question what she was, or any thought of her +being a living being. Upon a face which wore the fixed features of a +corpse were imprinted the traces of the vilest and most hideous passions +which had animated her while she lived. The body of some atrocious +criminal seemed to have been given up from the grave, and the soul +restored from the penal fire, in order to form for a space a union +with the ancient accomplice of its guilt. I started up in bed, and sat +upright, supporting myself on my palms, as I gazed on this horrible +spectre. The hag made, as it seemed, a single and swift stride to the +bed where I lay, and squatted herself down upon it, in precisely the +same attitude which I had assumed in the extremity of horror, advancing +her diabolical countenance within half a yard of mine, with a grin which +seemed to intimate the malice and the derision of an incarnate fiend.” + +Here General Browne stopped, and wiped from his brow the cold +perspiration with which the recollection of his horrible vision had +covered it. + +“My lord,” he said, “I am no coward, I have been in all the mortal +dangers incidental to my profession, and I may truly boast that no man +ever knew Richard Browne dishonour the sword he wears; but in these +horrible circumstances, under the eyes, and, as it seemed, almost in the +grasp of an incarnation of an evil spirit, all firmness forsook me, +all manhood melted from me like wax in the furnace, and I felt my hair +individually bristle. The current of my life-blood ceased to flow, and +I sank back in a swoon, as very a victim to panic terror as ever was +a village girl, or a child of ten years old. How long I lay in this +condition I cannot pretend to guess. + +“But I was roused by the castle clock striking one, so loud that it +seemed as if it were in the very room. It was some time before I dared +open my eyes, lest they should again encounter the horrible spectacle. +When, however, I summoned courage to look up, she was no longer visible. +My first idea was to pull my bell, wake the servants, and remove to a +garret or a hay-loft, to be ensured against a second visitation. Nay, I +will confess the truth that my resolution was altered, not by the shame +of exposing myself, but by the fear that, as the bell-cord hung by +the chimney, I might, in making my way to it, be again crossed by the +fiendish hag, who, I figured to myself, might be still lurking about +some corner of the apartment. + +“I will not pretend to describe what hot and cold fever-fits tormented +me for the rest of the night, through broken sleep, weary vigils, +and that dubious state which forms the neutral ground between them. A +hundred terrible objects appeared to haunt me; but there was the great +difference betwixt the vision which I have described, and those which +followed, that I knew the last to be deceptions of my own fancy and +over-excited nerves. + +“Day at last appeared, and I rose from my bed ill in health and +humiliated in mind. I was ashamed of myself as a man and a soldier, +and still more so at feeling my own extreme desire to escape from the +haunted apartment, which, however, conquered all other considerations; +so that, huddling on my clothes with the most careless haste, I made my +escape from your lordship’s mansion, to seek in the open air some relief +to my nervous system, shaken as it was by this horrible rencounter with +a visitant, for such I must believe her, from the other world. Your +lordship has now heard the cause of my discomposure, and of my sudden +desire to leave your hospitable castle. In other places I trust we may +often meet, but God protect me from ever spending a second night under +that roof!” + +Strange as the General’s tale was, he spoke with such a deep air of +conviction that it cut short all the usual commentaries which are made +on such stories. Lord Woodville never once asked him if he was sure he +did not dream of the apparition, or suggested any of the possibilities +by which it is fashionable to explain supernatural appearances as +wild vagaries of the fancy, or deceptions of the optic nerves, On the +contrary, he seemed deeply impressed with the truth and reality of +what he had heard; and, after a considerable pause regretted, with much +appearance of sincerity, that his early friend should in his house have +suffered so severely. + +“I am the more sorry for your pain, my dear Browne,” he continued, “that +it is the unhappy, though most unexpected, result of an experiment of my +own. You must know that, for my father and grandfather’s time, at least, +the apartment which was assigned to you last night had been shut on +account of reports that it was disturbed by supernatural sights and +noises. When I came, a few weeks since, into possession of the estate, +I thought the accommodation which the castle afforded for my friends was +not extensive enough to permit the inhabitants of the invisible world +to retain possession of a comfortable sleeping apartment. I therefore +caused the Tapestried Chamber, as we call it, to be opened, and, without +destroying its air of antiquity, I had such new articles of furniture +placed in it as became the modern times. Yet, as the opinion that the +room was haunted very strongly prevailed among the domestics, and was +also known in the neighbourhood and to many of my friends, I feared some +prejudice might be entertained by the first occupant of the Tapestried +Chamber, which might tend to revive the evil report which it had +laboured under, and so disappoint my purpose of rendering it a useful +part or the house. I must confess, my dear Browne, that your arrival +yesterday, agreeable to me for a thousand reasons besides, seemed the +most favourable opportunity of removing the unpleasant rumours which +attached to the room, since your courage was indubitable, and your mind +free of any preoccupation on the subject. I could not, therefore, have +chosen a more fitting subject for my experiment.” + +“Upon my life,” said General Browne, somewhat hastily, “I am infinitely +obliged to your lordship--very particularly indebted indeed. I am likely +to remember for some time the consequences of the experiment, as your +lordship is pleased to call it.” + +“Nay, now you are unjust, my dear friend,” said Lord Woodville. “You +have only to reflect for a single moment, in order to be convinced that +I could not augur the possibility of the pain to which you have been +so unhappily exposed. I was yesterday morning a complete sceptic on the +subject of supernatural appearances. Nay, I am sure that, had I told +you what was said about that room, those very reports would have induced +you, by your own choice, to select it for your accommodation. It was my +misfortune, perhaps my error, but really cannot be termed my fault, that +you have been afflicted so strangely.” + +“Strangely indeed!” said the General, resuming his good temper; “and I +acknowledge that I have no right to be offended with your lordship for +treating me like what I used to think myself--a man of some firmness +and courage. But I see my post horses are arrived, and I must not detain +your lordship from your amusement.” + +“Nay, my old friend,” said Lord Woodville, “since you cannot stay with +us another day--which, indeed, I can no longer urge--give me at least +half an hour more. You used to love pictures, and I have a gallery of +portraits, some of them by Vandyke, representing ancestry to whom this +property and castle formerly belonged. I think that several of them will +strike you as possessing merit.” + +General Browne accepted the invitation, though somewhat unwillingly. +It was evident he was not to breathe freely or at ease till he left +Woodville Castle far behind him. He could not refuse his friend’s +invitation, however; and the less so, that he was a little ashamed +of the peevishness which he had displayed towards his well-meaning +entertainer. + +The General, therefore, followed Lord Woodville through several rooms +into a long gallery hung with pictures, which the latter pointed out to +his guest, telling the names, and giving some account of the personages +whose portraits presented themselves in progression. General Browne was +but little interested in the details which these accounts conveyed to +him. They were, indeed, of the kind which are usually found in an old +family gallery. Here was a Cavalier who had ruined the estate in the +royal cause; there a fine lady who had reinstated it by contracting a +match with a wealthy Roundhead. There hung a gallant who had been in +danger for corresponding with the exiled Court at Saint Germain’s; here +one who had taken arms for William at the Revolution; and there a third +that had thrown his weight alternately into the scale of Whig and Tory. + +While lord Woodville was cramming these words into his guest’s ear, +“against the stomach of his sense,” they gained the middle of the +gallery, when he beheld General Browne suddenly start, and assume an +attitude of the utmost surprise, not unmixed with fear, as his eyes were +suddenly caught and riveted by a portrait of an old lady in a sacque, +the fashionable dress of the end of the seventeenth century. + +“There she is!” he exclaimed--“there she is, in form and features, +though Inferior in demoniac expression to the accursed hag who visited +me last night!” + +“If that be the case,” said the young nobleman, “there can remain no +longer any doubt of the horrible reality of your apparition. That is the +picture of a wretched ancestress of mine, of whose crimes a black and +fearful catalogue is recorded in a family history in my charter-chest. +The recital of them would be too horrible; it is enough to say, that in +yon fatal apartment incest and unnatural murder were committed. I will +restore it to the solitude to which the better judgment of those who +preceded me had consigned it; and never shall any one, so long as I can +prevent it, be exposed to a repetition of the supernatural horrors which +could shake such courage as yours.” + +Thus the friends, who had met with such glee, parted in a very different +mood--Lord Woodville to command the Tapestried Chamber to be unmantled, +and the door built up; and General Browne to seek in some less beautiful +country, and with some less dignified friend, forgetfulness of the +painful night which he had passed in Woodville Castle. + +END OF THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER. + + +***** + + + + +DEATH OF THE LAIRD’S JOCK + +by Sir Walter Scott. + + +[The manner in which this trifle was introduced at the time to Mr. F. +M. Reynolds, editor of The Keepsake of 1828, leaves no occasion for a +preface.] + +AUGUST 1831. + + +TO THE EDITOR OF THE KEEPSAKE. + +You have asked me, sir, to point out a subject for the pencil, and I +feel the difficulty of complying with your request, although I am not +certainly unaccustomed to literary composition, or a total stranger to +the stores of history and tradition, which afford the best copies for +the painter’s art. But although SICUT PICTURA POESIS is an ancient and +undisputed axiom--although poetry and painting both address themselves +to the same object of exciting the human imagination, by presenting to +it pleasing or sublime images of ideal scenes--yet the one conveying +itself through the ears to the understanding, and the other applying +itself only to the eyes, the subjects which are best suited to the bard +or tale-teller are often totally unfit for painting, where the artist +must present in a single glance all that his art has power to tell us. +The artist can neither recapitulate the past nor intimate the future. +The single NOW is all which he can present; and hence, unquestionably, +many subjects which delight us in poetry or in narrative, whether real +or fictitious, cannot with advantage be transferred to the canvas. + +Being in some degree aware of these difficulties, though doubtless +unacquainted both with their extent and the means by which they may be +modified or surmounted, I have, nevertheless, ventured to draw up the +following traditional narrative as a story in which, when the general +details are known, the interest is so much concentrated in one strong +moment of agonizing passion, that it can be understood and sympathized +with at a single glance. I therefore presume that it may be acceptable +as a hint to some one among the numerous artists who have of late +years distinguished themselves as rearing up and supporting the British +school. + +Enough has been said and sung about + + “The well-contested ground, + The warlike Border-land,” + +to render the habits of the tribes who inhabited it before the union of +England and Scotland familiar to most of your readers. The rougher and +sterner features of their character were softened by their attachment +to the fine arts, from which has arisen the saying that on the frontiers +every dale had its battle, and every river its song. A rude species of +chivalry was in constant use, and single combats were practised as the +amusement of the few intervals of truce which suspended the exercise of +war. The inveteracy of this custom may be inferred from the following +incident:-- + +Bernard Gilpin, the apostle of the north, the first who undertook to +preach the Protestant doctrines to the Border dalesmen, was surprised, +on entering one of their churches, to see a gauntlet or mail-glove +hanging above the altar. Upon inquiring; the meaning of a symbol so +indecorous being displayed in that sacred place, he was informed by the +clerk that the glove was that of a famous swordsman, who hung it there +as an emblem of a general challenge and gage of battle to any who should +dare to take the fatal token down. “Reach it to me,” said the reverend +churchman. The clerk and the sexton equally declined the perilous +office, and the good Bernard Gilpin was obliged to remove the glove with +his own hands, desiring those who were present to inform the champion +that he, and no other, had possessed himself of the gage of defiance. +But the champion was as much ashamed to face Bernard Gilpin as the +officials of the church had been to displace his pledge of combat. + +The date of the following story is about the latter years of Queen +Elizabeth’s reign; and the events took place in Liddesdale, a hilly and +pastoral district of Roxburghshire, which, on a part of its boundary, is +divided from England only by a small river. + +During the good old times of RUGGING AND RIVING--that is, tugging and +tearing--under which term the disorderly doings of the warlike age are +affectionately remembered, this valley was principally cultivated by the +sept or clan of the Armstrongs. The chief of this warlike race was +the Laird of Mangerton. At the period of which I speak, the estate of +Mangerton, with the power and dignity of chief, was possessed by John +Armstrong, a man of great size, strength, and courage. While his father +was alive, he was distinguished from others of his clan who bore the +same name, by the epithet of the LAIRD’S JOCK--that is to say, the +Laird’s son Jock, or Jack. This name he distinguished by so many bold +and desperate achievements, that he retained it even after his father’s +death, and is mentioned under it both in authentic records and in +tradition. Some of his feats are recorded in the minstrelsy of the +Scottish Border, and others are mentioned in contemporary chronicles. + +At the species of singular combat which we have described the Laird’s +Jock was unrivalled, and no champion of Cumberland, Westmoreland, or +Northumberland could endure the sway of the huge two-handed sword which +he wielded, and which few others could even lift. This “awful sword,” as +the common people term it, was as dear to him as Durindana or Fushberta +to their respective masters, and was nearly as formidable to his enemies +as those renowned falchions proved to the foes of Christendom. The +weapon had been bequeathed to him by a celebrated English outlaw named +Hobbie Noble, who, having committed some deed for which he was in danger +from justice, fled to Liddesdale, and became a follower, or rather a +brother-in-arms, to the renowned Laird’s Jock; till, venturing into +England with a small escort, a faithless guide, and with a light +single-handed sword instead of his ponderous brand, Hobbie Noble, +attacked by superior numbers, was made prisoner and executed. + +With this weapon, and by means of his own strength and address, the +Laird’s Jock maintained the reputation of the best swordsman on the +Border side, and defeated or slew many who ventured to dispute with him +the formidable title. + +But years pass on with the strong and the brave as with the feeble +and the timid. In process of time the Laird’s Jock grew incapable of +wielding his weapons, and finally of all active exertion, even of the +most ordinary kind. The disabled champion became at length totally +bedridden, and entirely dependent for his comfort on the pious duties of +an only daughter, his perpetual attendant and companion. + +Besides this dutiful child, the Laird’s Jock had an only son, upon +whom devolved the perilous task of leading the clan to battle, and +maintaining the warlike renown of his native country, which was now +disputed by the English upon many occasions. The young Armstrong was +active, brave, and strong, and brought home from dangerous adventures +many tokens of decided success. Still, the ancient chief conceived, +as it would seem, that his son was scarce yet entitled by age and +experience to be entrusted with the two-handed sword, by the use of +which he had himself been so dreadfully distinguished. + +At length an English champion, one of the name of Foster (if I rightly +recollect), had the audacity to send a challenge to the best swordsman +in Liddesdale; and young Armstrong, burning for chivalrous distinction, +accepted the challenge. + +The heart of the disabled old man swelled with joy when he heard that +the challenge was passed and accepted, and the meeting fixed at a +neutral spot, used as the place of rencontre upon such occasions, and +which he himself had distinguished by numerous victories. He exulted +so much in the conquest which he anticipated, that, to nerve his son to +still bolder exertions, he conferred upon him, as champion of his clan +and province, the celebrated weapon which he had hitherto retained in +his own custody. + +This was not all. When the day of combat arrived, the Laird’s Jock, in +spite of his daughter’s affectionate remonstrances, determined, though +he had not left his bed for two years, to be a personal witness of the +duel. His will was still a law to his people, who bore him on their +shoulders, wrapped in plaids and blankets, to the spot where the combat +was to take place, and seated him on a fragment of rock, which is still +called the Laird’s Jock’s stone. There he remained with eyes fixed on +the lists or barrier, within which the champions were about to meet. +His daughter, having done all she could for his accommodation, stood +motionless beside him, divided between anxiety for his health, and for +the event of the combat to her beloved brother. Ere yet the fight began, +the old men gazed on their chief, now seen for the first time after +several years, and sadly compared his altered features and wasted +frame with the paragon of strength and manly beauty which they once +remembered. The young men gazed on his large form and powerful make as +upon some antediluvian giant who had survived the destruction of the +Flood. + +But the sound of the trumpets on both sides recalled the attention +of every one to the lists, surrounded as they were by numbers of both +nations eager to witness the event of the day. The combatants met in the +lists. It is needless to describe the struggle: the Scottish champion +fell. Foster, placing his foot on his antagonist, seized on the +redoubted sword, so precious in the eyes of its aged owner, and +brandished it over his head as a trophy of his conquest. The English +shouted in triumph. But the despairing cry of the aged champion, who saw +his country dishonoured, and his sword, long the terror of their +race, in the possession of an Englishman, was heard high above the +acclamations of victory. He seemed for an instant animated by all his +wonted power; for he started from the rock on which he sat, and while +the garments with which he had been invested fell from his wasted frame, +and showed the ruins of his strength, he tossed his arms wildly to +heaven, and uttered a cry of indignation, horror, and despair, which, +tradition says, was heard to a preternatural distance, and resembled the +cry of a dying lion more than a human sound. + +His friends received him in their arms as he sank utterly exhausted by +the effort, and bore him back to his castle in mute sorrow; while his +daughter at once wept for her brother, and endeavoured to mitigate and +soothe the despair of her father. But this was impossible; the old man’s +only tie to life was rent rudely asunder, and his heart had broken with +it. The death of his son had no part in his sorrow. If he thought of +him at all, it was as the degenerate boy through whom the honour of his +country and clan had been lost; and he died in the course of three +days, never even mentioning his name, but pouring out unintermitted +lamentations for the loss of his noble sword. + +I conceive that the moment when the disabled chief was roused into a +last exertion by the agony of the moment is favourable to the object of +a painter. He might obtain the full advantage of contrasting the form +of the rugged old man, in the extremity of furious despair, with the +softness and beauty of the female form. The fatal field might be thrown +into perspective, so as to give full effect to these two principal +figures, and with the single explanation that the piece represented a +soldier beholding his son slain, and the honour of his country lost, the +picture would be sufficiently intelligible at the first glance. If it +was thought necessary to show more clearly the nature of the conflict, +it might be indicated by the pennon of Saint George being displayed at +one end of the lists, and that of Saint Andrew at the other. + +I remain, sir, + +Your obedient servant, + +THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tapestried Chamber, and Death of +the Laird’s Jock, by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER *** + +***** This file should be named 1668-0.txt or 1668-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1668/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/1668-0.zip b/1668-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9e30c04 --- /dev/null +++ b/1668-0.zip diff --git a/1668-h.zip b/1668-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c102778 --- /dev/null +++ b/1668-h.zip diff --git a/1668-h/1668-h.htm b/1668-h/1668-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e993bf --- /dev/null +++ b/1668-h/1668-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1357 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Tapestried Chamber, by Sir Walter Scott + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tapestried Chamber, and Death of the +Laird's Jock, by Sir Walter Scott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Tapestried Chamber, and Death of the Laird's Jock + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + +Release Date: November 17, 2008 [EBook #1668] +Last Updated: August 31, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Sir Walter Scott + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER; </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> DEATH OF THE LAIRD’S JOCK </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <p> + This is another little story from The Keepsake of 1828. It was told to me + many years ago by the late Miss Anna Seward, who, among other + accomplishments that rendered her an amusing inmate in a country house, + had that of recounting narratives of this sort with very considerable + effect—much greater, indeed, than any one would be apt to guess from + the style of her written performances. There are hours and moods when most + people are not displeased to listen to such things; and I have heard some + of the greatest and wisest of my contemporaries take their share in + telling them. + </p> + <p> + AUGUST 1831 <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER; + </h1> + <h3> + OR, + </h3> + <h2> + THE LADY IN THE SACQUE. + </h2> + <p> + The following narrative is given from the pen, so far as memory permits, + in the same character in which it was presented to the author’s ear; nor + has he claim to further praise, or to be more deeply censured, than in + proportion to the good or bad judgment which he has employed in selecting + his materials, as he has studiously avoided any attempt at ornament which + might interfere with the simplicity of the tale. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, it must be admitted that the particular class of stories + which turns on the marvellous possesses a stronger influence when told + than when committed to print. The volume taken up at noonday, though + rehearsing the same incidents, conveys a much more feeble impression than + is achieved by the voice of the speaker on a circle of fireside auditors, + who hang upon the narrative as the narrator details the minute incidents + which serve to give it authenticity, and lowers his voice with an + affectation of mystery while he approaches the fearful and wonderful part. + It was with such advantages that the present writer heard the following + events related, more than twenty years since, by the celebrated Miss + Seward of Litchfield, who, to her numerous accomplishments, added, in a + remarkable degree, the power of narrative in private conversation. In its + present form the tale must necessarily lose all the interest which was + attached to it by the flexible voice and intelligent features of the + gifted narrator. Yet still, read aloud to an undoubting audience by the + doubtful light of the closing evening, or in silence by a decaying taper, + and amidst the solitude of a half-lighted apartment, it may redeem its + character as a good ghost story. Miss Seward always affirmed that she had + derived her information from an authentic source, although she suppressed + the names of the two persons chiefly concerned. I will not avail myself of + any particulars I may have since received concerning the localities of the + detail, but suffer them to rest under the same general description in + which they were first related to me; and for the same reason I will not + add to or diminish the narrative by any circumstance, whether more or less + material, but simply rehearse, as I heard it, a story of supernatural + terror. + </p> + <p> + About the end of the American war, when the officers of Lord Cornwallis’s + army, which surrendered at Yorktown, and others, who had been made + prisoners during the impolitic and ill-fated controversy, were returning + to their own country, to relate their adventures, and repose themselves + after their fatigues, there was amongst them a general officer, to whom + Miss S. gave the name of Browne, but merely, as I understood, to save the + inconvenience of introducing a nameless agent in the narrative. He was an + officer of merit, as well as a gentleman of high consideration for family + and attainments. + </p> + <p> + Some business had carried General Browne upon a tour through the western + counties, when, in the conclusion of a morning stage, he found himself in + the vicinity of a small country town, which presented a scene of uncommon + beauty, and of a character peculiarly English. + </p> + <p> + The little town, with its stately old church, whose tower bore testimony + to the devotion of ages long past, lay amidst pastures and cornfields of + small extent, but bounded and divided with hedgerow timber of great age + and size. There were few marks of modern improvement. The environs of the + place intimated neither the solitude of decay nor the bustle of novelty; + the houses were old, but in good repair; and the beautiful little river + murmured freely on its way to the left of the town, neither restrained by + a dam nor bordered by a towing-path. + </p> + <p> + Upon a gentle eminence, nearly a mile to the southward of the town, were + seen, amongst many venerable oaks and tangled thickets, the turrets of a + castle as old as the walls of York and Lancaster, but which seemed to have + received important alterations during the age of Elizabeth and her + successor, It had not been a place of great size; but whatever + accommodation it formerly afforded was, it must be supposed, still to be + obtained within its walls. At least, such was the inference which General + Browne drew from observing the smoke arise merrily from several of the + ancient wreathed and carved chimney-stalks. The wall of the park ran + alongside of the highway for two or three hundred yards; and through the + different points by which the eye found glimpses into the woodland + scenery, it seemed to be well stocked. Other points of view opened in + succession—now a full one of the front of the old castle, and now a + side glimpse at its particular towers, the former rich in all the + bizarrerie of the Elizabethan school, while the simple and solid strength + of other parts of the building seemed to show that they had been raised + more for defence than ostentation. + </p> + <p> + Delighted with the partial glimpses which he obtained of the castle + through the woods and glades by which this ancient feudal fortress was + surrounded, our military traveller was determined to inquire whether it + might not deserve a nearer view, and whether it contained family pictures + or other objects of curiosity worthy of a stranger’s visit, when, leaving + the vicinity of the park, he rolled through a clean and well-paved street, + and stopped at the door of a well-frequented inn. + </p> + <p> + Before ordering horses, to proceed on his journey, General Browne made + inquiries concerning the proprietor of the chateau which had so attracted + his admiration, and was equally surprised and pleased at hearing in reply + a nobleman named, whom we shall call Lord Woodville. How fortunate! Much + of Browne’s early recollections, both at school and at college, had been + connected with young Woodville, whom, by a few questions, he now + ascertained to be the same with the owner of this fair domain. He had been + raised to the peerage by the decease of his father a few months before, + and, as the General learned from the landlord, the term of mourning being + ended, was now taking possession of his paternal estate in the jovial + season of merry, autumn, accompanied by a select party of friends, to + enjoy the sports of a country famous for game. + </p> + <p> + This was delightful news to our traveller. Frank Woodville had been + Richard Browne’s fag at Eton, and his chosen intimate at Christ Church; + their pleasures and their tasks had been the same; and the honest + soldier’s heart warmed to find his early friend in possession of so + delightful a residence, and of an estate, as the landlord assured him with + a nod and a wink, fully adequate to maintain and add to his dignity. + Nothing was more natural than that the traveller should suspend a journey, + which there was nothing to render hurried, to pay a visit to an old friend + under such agreeable circumstances. + </p> + <p> + The fresh horses, therefore, had only the brief task of conveying the + General’s travelling carriage to Woodville Castle. A porter admitted them + at a modern Gothic lodge, built in that style to correspond with the + castle itself, and at the same time rang a bell to give warning of the + approach of visitors. Apparently the sound of the bell had suspended the + separation of the company, bent on the various amusements of the morning; + for, on entering the court of the chateau, several young men were lounging + about in their sporting dresses, looking at and criticizing the dogs which + the keepers held in readiness to attend their pastime. As General Browne + alighted, the young lord came to the gate of the hall, and for an instant + gazed, as at a stranger, upon the countenance of his friend, on which war, + with its fatigues and its wounds, had made a great alteration. But the + uncertainty lasted no longer than till the visitor had spoken, and the + hearty greeting which followed was such as can only be exchanged betwixt + those who have passed together the merry days of careless boyhood or early + youth. + </p> + <p> + “If I could have formed a wish, my dear Browne,” said Lord Woodville, “it + would have been to have you here, of all men, upon this occasion, which my + friends are good enough to hold as a sort of holiday. Do not think you + have been unwatched during the years you have been absent from us. I have + traced you through your dangers, your triumphs, your misfortunes, and was + delighted to see that, whether in victory or defeat, the name of my old + friend was always distinguished with applause.” + </p> + <p> + The General made a suitable reply, and congratulated his friend on his new + dignities, and the possession of a place and domain so beautiful. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, you have seen nothing of it as yet,” said Lord Woodville, “and I + trust you do not mean to leave us till you are better acquainted with it. + It is true, I confess, that my present party is pretty large, and the old + house, like other places of the kind, does not possess so much + accommodation as the extent of the outward walls appears to promise. But + we can give you a comfortable old-fashioned room, and I venture to suppose + that your campaigns have taught you to be glad of worse quarters.” + </p> + <p> + The General shrugged his shoulders, and laughed. “I presume,” he said, + “the worst apartment in your chateau is considerably superior to the old + tobacco-cask in which I was fain to take up my night’s lodging when I was + in the Bush, as the Virginians call it, with the light corps. There I lay, + like Diogenes himself, so delighted with my covering from the elements, + that I made a vain attempt to have it rolled on to my next quarters; but + my commander for the time would give way to no such luxurious provision, + and I took farewell of my beloved cask with tears in my eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, since you do not fear your quarters,” said Lord Woodville, + “you will stay with me a week at least. Of guns, dogs, fishing-rods, + flies, and means of sport by sea and land, we have enough and to spare—you + cannot pitch on an amusement but we will find the means of pursuing it. + But if you prefer the gun and pointers, I will go with you myself, and see + whether you have mended your shooting since you have been amongst the + Indians of the back settlements.” + </p> + <p> + The General gladly accepted his friendly host’s proposal in all its + points. After a morning of manly exercise, the company met at dinner, + where it was the delight of Lord Woodville to conduce to the display of + the high properties of his recovered friend, so as to recommend him to his + guests, most of whom were persons of distinction. He led General Browne to + speak of the scenes he had witnessed; and as every word marked alike the + brave officer and the sensible man, who retained possession of his cool + judgment under the most imminent dangers, the company looked upon the + soldier with general respect, as on one who had proved himself possessed + of an uncommon portion of personal courage—that attribute of all + others of which everybody desires to be thought possessed. + </p> + <p> + The day at Woodville Castle ended as usual in such mansions. The + hospitality stopped within the limits of good order. Music, in which the + young lord was a proficient, succeeded to the circulation of the bottle; + cards and billiards, for those who preferred such amusements, were in + readiness; but the exercise of the morning required early hours, and not + long after eleven o’clock the guests began to retire to their several + apartments. + </p> + <p> + The young lord himself conducted his friend, General Browne, to the + chamber destined for him, which answered the description he had given of + it, being comfortable, but old-fashioned, The bed was of the massive form + used in the end of the seventeenth century, and the curtains of faded + silk, heavily trimmed with tarnished gold. But then the sheets, pillows, + and blankets looked delightful to the campaigner, when he thought of his + “mansion, the cask.” There was an air of gloom in the tapestry hangings, + which, with their worn-out graces, curtained the walls of the little + chamber, and gently undulated as the autumnal breeze found its way through + the ancient lattice window, which pattered and whistled as the air gained + entrance. The toilet, too, with its mirror, turbaned after the manner of + the beginning of the century, with a coiffure of murrey-coloured silk, and + its hundred strange-shaped boxes, providing for arrangements which had + been obsolete for more than fifty years, had an antique, and in so far a + melancholy, aspect. But nothing could blaze more brightly and cheerfully + than the two large wax candles; or if aught could rival them, it was the + flaming, bickering fagots in the chimney, that sent at once their gleam + and their warmth through the snug apartment, which, notwithstanding the + general antiquity of its appearance, was not wanting in the least + convenience that modern habits rendered either necessary or desirable. + </p> + <p> + “This is an old-fashioned sleeping apartment, General,” said the young + lord; “but I hope you find nothing that makes you envy your old + tobacco-cask.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not particular respecting my lodgings,” replied the General; “yet + were I to make any choice, I would prefer this chamber by many degrees to + the gayer and more modern rooms of your family mansion. Believe me that, + when I unite its modern air of comfort with its venerable antiquity, and + recollect that it is your lordship’s property, I shall feel in better + quarters here than if I were in the best hotel London could afford.” + </p> + <p> + “I trust—I have no doubt—that you will find yourself as + comfortable as I wish you, my dear General,” said the young nobleman; and + once more bidding his guest good-night, he shook him by the hand, and + withdrew. + </p> + <p> + The General once more looked round him, and internally congratulating + himself on his return to peaceful life, the comforts of which were + endeared by the recollection of the hardships and dangers he had lately + sustained, undressed himself, and prepared for a luxurious night’s rest. + </p> + <p> + Here, contrary to the custom of this species of tale, we leave the General + in possession of his apartment until the next morning. + </p> + <p> + The company assembled for breakfast at an early hour, but without the + appearance of General Browne, who seemed the guest that Lord Woodville was + desirous of honouring above all whom his hospitality had assembled around + him. He more than once expressed surprise at the General’s absence, and at + length sent a servant to make inquiry after him. The man brought back + information that General Browne had been walking abroad since an early + hour of the morning, in defiance of the weather, which was misty and + ungenial. + </p> + <p> + “The custom of a soldier,” said the young nobleman to his friends. “Many + of them acquire habitual vigilance, and cannot sleep after the early hour + at which their duty usually commands them to be alert.” + </p> + <p> + Yet the explanation which Lord Woodville thus offered to the company + seemed hardly satisfactory to his own mind, and it was in a fit of silence + and abstraction that he waited the return of the General. It took place + near an hour after the breakfast bell had rung. He looked fatigued and + feverish. His hair, the powdering and arrangement of which was at this + time one of the most important occupations of a man’s whole day, and + marked his fashion as much as in the present time the tying of a cravat, + or the want of one, was dishevelled, uncurled, void of powder, and dank + with dew. His clothes were huddled on with a careless negligence, + remarkable in a military man, whose real or supposed duties are usually + held to include some attention to the toilet; and his looks were haggard + and ghastly in a peculiar degree. + </p> + <p> + “So you have stolen a march upon us this morning, my dear General,” said + Lord Woodville; “or you have not found your bed so much to your mind as I + had hoped and you seemed to expect. How did you rest last night?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, excellently well! remarkably well! never better in my life,” said + General Browne rapidly, and yet with an air of embarrassment which was + obvious to his friend. He then hastily swallowed a cup of tea, and + neglecting or refusing whatever else was offered, seemed to fall into a + fit of abstraction. + </p> + <p> + “You will take the gun to-day, General?” said his friend and host, but had + to repeat the question twice ere he received the abrupt answer, “No, my + lord; I am sorry I cannot have the opportunity of spending another day + with your lordship; my post horses are ordered, and will be here + directly.” + </p> + <p> + All who were present showed surprise, and Lord Woodville immediately + replied “Post horses, my good friend! What can you possibly want with them + when you promised to stay with me quietly for at least a week?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe,” said the General, obviously much embarrassed, “that I might, + in the pleasure of my first meeting with your lordship, have said + something about stopping here a few days; but I have since found it + altogether impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “That is very extraordinary,” answered the young nobleman. “You seemed + quite disengaged yesterday, and you cannot have had a summons to-day, for + our post has not come up from the town, and therefore you cannot have + received any letters.” + </p> + <p> + General Browne, without giving any further explanation, muttered something + about indispensable business, and insisted on the absolute necessity of + his departure in a manner which silenced all opposition on the part of his + host, who saw that his resolution was taken, and forbore all further + importunity. + </p> + <p> + “At least, however,” he said, “permit me, my dear Browne, since go you + will or must, to show you the view from the terrace, which the mist, that + is now rising, will soon display.” + </p> + <p> + He threw open a sash-window, and stepped down upon the terrace as he + spoke. The General followed him mechanically, but seemed little to attend + to what his host was saying, as, looking across an extended and rich + prospect, he pointed out the different objects worthy of observation. Thus + they moved on till Lord Woodville had attained his purpose of drawing his + guest entirely apart from the rest of the company, when, turning round + upon him with an air of great solemnity, he addressed him thus:— + </p> + <p> + “Richard Browne, my old and very dear friend, we are now alone. Let me + conjure you to answer me upon the word of a friend, and the honour of a + soldier. How did you in reality rest during last night?” + </p> + <p> + “Most wretchedly indeed, my lord,” answered the General, in the same tone + of solemnity—“so miserably, that I would not run the risk of such a + second night, not only for all the lands belonging to this castle, but for + all the country which I see from this elevated point of view.” + </p> + <p> + “This is most extraordinary,” said the young lord, as if speaking to + himself; “then there must be something in the reports concerning that + apartment.” Again turning to the General, he said, “For God’s sake, my + dear friend, be candid with me, and let me know the disagreeable + particulars which have befallen you under a roof, where, with consent of + the owner, you should have met nothing save comfort.” + </p> + <p> + The General seemed distressed by this appeal, and paused a moment before + he replied. “My dear lord,” he at length said, “what happened to me last + night is of a nature so peculiar and so unpleasant, that I could hardly + bring myself to detail it even to your lordship, were it not that, + independent of my wish to gratify any request of yours, I think that + sincerity on my part may lead to some explanation about a circumstance + equally painful and mysterious. To others, the communication I am about to + make, might place me in the light of a weak-minded, superstitious fool, + who suffered his own imagination to delude and bewilder him; but you have + known me in childhood and youth, and will not suspect me of having adopted + in manhood the feelings and frailties from which my early years were + free.” Here he paused, and his friend replied,— + </p> + <p> + “Do not doubt my perfect confidence in the truth of your communication, + however strange it may be,” replied Lord Woodville. “I know your firmness + of disposition too well, to suspect you could be made the object of + imposition, and am aware that your honour and your friendship will equally + deter you from exaggerating whatever you may have witnessed.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” said the General, “I will proceed with my story as well as I + can, relying upon your candour, and yet distinctly feeling that I would + rather face a battery than recall to my mind the odious recollections of + last night.” + </p> + <p> + He paused a second time, and then perceiving that Lord Woodville remained + silent and in an attitude of attention, he commenced, though not without + obvious reluctance, the history of his night’s adventures in the + Tapestried Chamber. + </p> + <p> + “I undressed and went to bed so soon as your lordship left me yesterday + evening; but the wood in the chimney, which nearly fronted my bed, blazed + brightly and cheerfully, and, aided by a hundred exciting recollections of + my childhood and youth, which had been recalled by the unexpected pleasure + of meeting your lordship, prevented me from falling immediately asleep. I + ought, however, to say that these reflections were all of a pleasant and + agreeable kind, grounded on a sense of having for a time exchanged the + labour, fatigues, and dangers of my profession for the enjoyments of a + peaceful life, and the reunion of those friendly and affectionate ties + which I had torn asunder at the rude summons of war. + </p> + <p> + “While such pleasing reflections were stealing over my mind, and gradually + lulling me to slumber, I was suddenly aroused by a sound like that of the + rustling of a silken gown, and the tapping of a pair of high-heeled shoes, + as if a woman were walking in the apartment. Ere I could draw the curtain + to see what the matter was, the figure of a little woman passed between + the bed and the fire. The back of this form was turned to me, and I could + observe, from the shoulders and neck, it was that of an old woman, whose + dress was an old-fashioned gown, which I think ladies call a sacque—that + is, a sort of robe completely loose in the body, but gathered into broad + plaits upon the neck and shoulders, which fall down to the ground, and + terminate in a species of train. + </p> + <p> + “I thought the intrusion singular enough, but never harboured for a moment + the idea that what I saw was anything more than the mortal form of some + old woman about the establishment, who had a fancy to dress like her + grandmother, and who, having perhaps (as your lordship mentioned that you + were rather straitened for room) been dislodged from her chamber for my + accommodation, had forgotten the circumstance, and returned by twelve to + her old haunt. Under this persuasion I moved myself in bed and coughed a + little, to make the intruder sensible of my being in possession of the + premises. She turned slowly round, but, gracious Heaven! my lord, what a + countenance did she display to me! There was no longer any question what + she was, or any thought of her being a living being. Upon a face which + wore the fixed features of a corpse were imprinted the traces of the + vilest and most hideous passions which had animated her while she lived. + The body of some atrocious criminal seemed to have been given up from the + grave, and the soul restored from the penal fire, in order to form for a + space a union with the ancient accomplice of its guilt. I started up in + bed, and sat upright, supporting myself on my palms, as I gazed on this + horrible spectre. The hag made, as it seemed, a single and swift stride to + the bed where I lay, and squatted herself down upon it, in precisely the + same attitude which I had assumed in the extremity of horror, advancing + her diabolical countenance within half a yard of mine, with a grin which + seemed to intimate the malice and the derision of an incarnate fiend.” + </p> + <p> + Here General Browne stopped, and wiped from his brow the cold perspiration + with which the recollection of his horrible vision had covered it. + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” he said, “I am no coward, I have been in all the mortal dangers + incidental to my profession, and I may truly boast that no man ever knew + Richard Browne dishonour the sword he wears; but in these horrible + circumstances, under the eyes, and, as it seemed, almost in the grasp of + an incarnation of an evil spirit, all firmness forsook me, all manhood + melted from me like wax in the furnace, and I felt my hair individually + bristle. The current of my life-blood ceased to flow, and I sank back in a + swoon, as very a victim to panic terror as ever was a village girl, or a + child of ten years old. How long I lay in this condition I cannot pretend + to guess. + </p> + <p> + “But I was roused by the castle clock striking one, so loud that it seemed + as if it were in the very room. It was some time before I dared open my + eyes, lest they should again encounter the horrible spectacle. When, + however, I summoned courage to look up, she was no longer visible. My + first idea was to pull my bell, wake the servants, and remove to a garret + or a hay-loft, to be ensured against a second visitation. Nay, I will + confess the truth that my resolution was altered, not by the shame of + exposing myself, but by the fear that, as the bell-cord hung by the + chimney, I might, in making my way to it, be again crossed by the fiendish + hag, who, I figured to myself, might be still lurking about some corner of + the apartment. + </p> + <p> + “I will not pretend to describe what hot and cold fever-fits tormented me + for the rest of the night, through broken sleep, weary vigils, and that + dubious state which forms the neutral ground between them. A hundred + terrible objects appeared to haunt me; but there was the great difference + betwixt the vision which I have described, and those which followed, that + I knew the last to be deceptions of my own fancy and over-excited nerves. + </p> + <p> + “Day at last appeared, and I rose from my bed ill in health and humiliated + in mind. I was ashamed of myself as a man and a soldier, and still more so + at feeling my own extreme desire to escape from the haunted apartment, + which, however, conquered all other considerations; so that, huddling on + my clothes with the most careless haste, I made my escape from your + lordship’s mansion, to seek in the open air some relief to my nervous + system, shaken as it was by this horrible rencounter with a visitant, for + such I must believe her, from the other world. Your lordship has now heard + the cause of my discomposure, and of my sudden desire to leave your + hospitable castle. In other places I trust we may often meet, but God + protect me from ever spending a second night under that roof!” + </p> + <p> + Strange as the General’s tale was, he spoke with such a deep air of + conviction that it cut short all the usual commentaries which are made on + such stories. Lord Woodville never once asked him if he was sure he did + not dream of the apparition, or suggested any of the possibilities by + which it is fashionable to explain supernatural appearances as wild + vagaries of the fancy, or deceptions of the optic nerves, On the contrary, + he seemed deeply impressed with the truth and reality of what he had + heard; and, after a considerable pause regretted, with much appearance of + sincerity, that his early friend should in his house have suffered so + severely. + </p> + <p> + “I am the more sorry for your pain, my dear Browne,” he continued, “that + it is the unhappy, though most unexpected, result of an experiment of my + own. You must know that, for my father and grandfather’s time, at least, + the apartment which was assigned to you last night had been shut on + account of reports that it was disturbed by supernatural sights and + noises. When I came, a few weeks since, into possession of the estate, I + thought the accommodation which the castle afforded for my friends was not + extensive enough to permit the inhabitants of the invisible world to + retain possession of a comfortable sleeping apartment. I therefore caused + the Tapestried Chamber, as we call it, to be opened, and, without + destroying its air of antiquity, I had such new articles of furniture + placed in it as became the modern times. Yet, as the opinion that the room + was haunted very strongly prevailed among the domestics, and was also + known in the neighbourhood and to many of my friends, I feared some + prejudice might be entertained by the first occupant of the Tapestried + Chamber, which might tend to revive the evil report which it had laboured + under, and so disappoint my purpose of rendering it a useful part or the + house. I must confess, my dear Browne, that your arrival yesterday, + agreeable to me for a thousand reasons besides, seemed the most favourable + opportunity of removing the unpleasant rumours which attached to the room, + since your courage was indubitable, and your mind free of any + preoccupation on the subject. I could not, therefore, have chosen a more + fitting subject for my experiment.” + </p> + <p> + “Upon my life,” said General Browne, somewhat hastily, “I am infinitely + obliged to your lordship—very particularly indebted indeed. I am + likely to remember for some time the consequences of the experiment, as + your lordship is pleased to call it.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, now you are unjust, my dear friend,” said Lord Woodville. “You have + only to reflect for a single moment, in order to be convinced that I could + not augur the possibility of the pain to which you have been so unhappily + exposed. I was yesterday morning a complete sceptic on the subject of + supernatural appearances. Nay, I am sure that, had I told you what was + said about that room, those very reports would have induced you, by your + own choice, to select it for your accommodation. It was my misfortune, + perhaps my error, but really cannot be termed my fault, that you have been + afflicted so strangely.” + </p> + <p> + “Strangely indeed!” said the General, resuming his good temper; “and I + acknowledge that I have no right to be offended with your lordship for + treating me like what I used to think myself—a man of some firmness + and courage. But I see my post horses are arrived, and I must not detain + your lordship from your amusement.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my old friend,” said Lord Woodville, “since you cannot stay with us + another day—which, indeed, I can no longer urge—give me at + least half an hour more. You used to love pictures, and I have a gallery + of portraits, some of them by Vandyke, representing ancestry to whom this + property and castle formerly belonged. I think that several of them will + strike you as possessing merit.” + </p> + <p> + General Browne accepted the invitation, though somewhat unwillingly. It + was evident he was not to breathe freely or at ease till he left Woodville + Castle far behind him. He could not refuse his friend’s invitation, + however; and the less so, that he was a little ashamed of the peevishness + which he had displayed towards his well-meaning entertainer. + </p> + <p> + The General, therefore, followed Lord Woodville through several rooms into + a long gallery hung with pictures, which the latter pointed out to his + guest, telling the names, and giving some account of the personages whose + portraits presented themselves in progression. General Browne was but + little interested in the details which these accounts conveyed to him. + They were, indeed, of the kind which are usually found in an old family + gallery. Here was a Cavalier who had ruined the estate in the royal cause; + there a fine lady who had reinstated it by contracting a match with a + wealthy Roundhead. There hung a gallant who had been in danger for + corresponding with the exiled Court at Saint Germain’s; here one who had + taken arms for William at the Revolution; and there a third that had + thrown his weight alternately into the scale of Whig and Tory. + </p> + <p> + While lord Woodville was cramming these words into his guest’s ear, + “against the stomach of his sense,” they gained the middle of the gallery, + when he beheld General Browne suddenly start, and assume an attitude of + the utmost surprise, not unmixed with fear, as his eyes were suddenly + caught and riveted by a portrait of an old lady in a sacque, the + fashionable dress of the end of the seventeenth century. + </p> + <p> + “There she is!” he exclaimed—“there she is, in form and features, + though Inferior in demoniac expression to the accursed hag who visited me + last night!” + </p> + <p> + “If that be the case,” said the young nobleman, “there can remain no + longer any doubt of the horrible reality of your apparition. That is the + picture of a wretched ancestress of mine, of whose crimes a black and + fearful catalogue is recorded in a family history in my charter-chest. The + recital of them would be too horrible; it is enough to say, that in yon + fatal apartment incest and unnatural murder were committed. I will restore + it to the solitude to which the better judgment of those who preceded me + had consigned it; and never shall any one, so long as I can prevent it, be + exposed to a repetition of the supernatural horrors which could shake such + courage as yours.” + </p> + <p> + Thus the friends, who had met with such glee, parted in a very different + mood—Lord Woodville to command the Tapestried Chamber to be + unmantled, and the door built up; and General Browne to seek in some less + beautiful country, and with some less dignified friend, forgetfulness of + the painful night which he had passed in Woodville Castle. + </p> + <p> + END OF THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DEATH OF THE LAIRD’S JOCK + </h2> + <h3> + by Sir Walter Scott. + </h3> + <p> + [The manner in which this trifle was introduced at the time to Mr. F. M. + Reynolds, editor of The Keepsake of 1828, leaves no occasion for a + preface.] + </p> + <p> + AUGUST 1831. TO THE EDITOR OF THE KEEPSAKE. + </p> + <p> + You have asked me, sir, to point out a subject for the pencil, and I feel + the difficulty of complying with your request, although I am not certainly + unaccustomed to literary composition, or a total stranger to the stores of + history and tradition, which afford the best copies for the painter’s art. + But although SICUT PICTURA POESIS is an ancient and undisputed axiom—although + poetry and painting both address themselves to the same object of exciting + the human imagination, by presenting to it pleasing or sublime images of + ideal scenes—yet the one conveying itself through the ears to the + understanding, and the other applying itself only to the eyes, the + subjects which are best suited to the bard or tale-teller are often + totally unfit for painting, where the artist must present in a single + glance all that his art has power to tell us. The artist can neither + recapitulate the past nor intimate the future. The single NOW is all which + he can present; and hence, unquestionably, many subjects which delight us + in poetry or in narrative, whether real or fictitious, cannot with + advantage be transferred to the canvas. + </p> + <p> + Being in some degree aware of these difficulties, though doubtless + unacquainted both with their extent and the means by which they may be + modified or surmounted, I have, nevertheless, ventured to draw up the + following traditional narrative as a story in which, when the general + details are known, the interest is so much concentrated in one strong + moment of agonizing passion, that it can be understood and sympathized + with at a single glance. I therefore presume that it may be acceptable as + a hint to some one among the numerous artists who have of late years + distinguished themselves as rearing up and supporting the British school. + </p> + <p> + Enough has been said and sung about + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The well-contested ground, + The warlike Border-land,” + </pre> + <p> + to render the habits of the tribes who inhabited it before the union of + England and Scotland familiar to most of your readers. The rougher and + sterner features of their character were softened by their attachment to + the fine arts, from which has arisen the saying that on the frontiers + every dale had its battle, and every river its song. A rude species of + chivalry was in constant use, and single combats were practised as the + amusement of the few intervals of truce which suspended the exercise of + war. The inveteracy of this custom may be inferred from the following + incident:— + </p> + <p> + Bernard Gilpin, the apostle of the north, the first who undertook to + preach the Protestant doctrines to the Border dalesmen, was surprised, on + entering one of their churches, to see a gauntlet or mail-glove hanging + above the altar. Upon inquiring; the meaning of a symbol so indecorous + being displayed in that sacred place, he was informed by the clerk that + the glove was that of a famous swordsman, who hung it there as an emblem + of a general challenge and gage of battle to any who should dare to take + the fatal token down. “Reach it to me,” said the reverend churchman. The + clerk and the sexton equally declined the perilous office, and the good + Bernard Gilpin was obliged to remove the glove with his own hands, + desiring those who were present to inform the champion that he, and no + other, had possessed himself of the gage of defiance. But the champion was + as much ashamed to face Bernard Gilpin as the officials of the church had + been to displace his pledge of combat. + </p> + <p> + The date of the following story is about the latter years of Queen + Elizabeth’s reign; and the events took place in Liddesdale, a hilly and + pastoral district of Roxburghshire, which, on a part of its boundary, is + divided from England only by a small river. + </p> + <p> + During the good old times of RUGGING AND RIVING—that is, tugging and + tearing—under which term the disorderly doings of the warlike age + are affectionately remembered, this valley was principally cultivated by + the sept or clan of the Armstrongs. The chief of this warlike race was the + Laird of Mangerton. At the period of which I speak, the estate of + Mangerton, with the power and dignity of chief, was possessed by John + Armstrong, a man of great size, strength, and courage. While his father + was alive, he was distinguished from others of his clan who bore the same + name, by the epithet of the LAIRD’S JOCK—that is to say, the Laird’s + son Jock, or Jack. This name he distinguished by so many bold and + desperate achievements, that he retained it even after his father’s death, + and is mentioned under it both in authentic records and in tradition. Some + of his feats are recorded in the minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, and + others are mentioned in contemporary chronicles. + </p> + <p> + At the species of singular combat which we have described the Laird’s Jock + was unrivalled, and no champion of Cumberland, Westmoreland, or + Northumberland could endure the sway of the huge two-handed sword which he + wielded, and which few others could even lift. This “awful sword,” as the + common people term it, was as dear to him as Durindana or Fushberta to + their respective masters, and was nearly as formidable to his enemies as + those renowned falchions proved to the foes of Christendom. The weapon had + been bequeathed to him by a celebrated English outlaw named Hobbie Noble, + who, having committed some deed for which he was in danger from justice, + fled to Liddesdale, and became a follower, or rather a brother-in-arms, to + the renowned Laird’s Jock; till, venturing into England with a small + escort, a faithless guide, and with a light single-handed sword instead of + his ponderous brand, Hobbie Noble, attacked by superior numbers, was made + prisoner and executed. + </p> + <p> + With this weapon, and by means of his own strength and address, the + Laird’s Jock maintained the reputation of the best swordsman on the Border + side, and defeated or slew many who ventured to dispute with him the + formidable title. + </p> + <p> + But years pass on with the strong and the brave as with the feeble and the + timid. In process of time the Laird’s Jock grew incapable of wielding his + weapons, and finally of all active exertion, even of the most ordinary + kind. The disabled champion became at length totally bedridden, and + entirely dependent for his comfort on the pious duties of an only + daughter, his perpetual attendant and companion. + </p> + <p> + Besides this dutiful child, the Laird’s Jock had an only son, upon whom + devolved the perilous task of leading the clan to battle, and maintaining + the warlike renown of his native country, which was now disputed by the + English upon many occasions. The young Armstrong was active, brave, and + strong, and brought home from dangerous adventures many tokens of decided + success. Still, the ancient chief conceived, as it would seem, that his + son was scarce yet entitled by age and experience to be entrusted with the + two-handed sword, by the use of which he had himself been so dreadfully + distinguished. + </p> + <p> + At length an English champion, one of the name of Foster (if I rightly + recollect), had the audacity to send a challenge to the best swordsman in + Liddesdale; and young Armstrong, burning for chivalrous distinction, + accepted the challenge. + </p> + <p> + The heart of the disabled old man swelled with joy when he heard that the + challenge was passed and accepted, and the meeting fixed at a neutral + spot, used as the place of rencontre upon such occasions, and which he + himself had distinguished by numerous victories. He exulted so much in the + conquest which he anticipated, that, to nerve his son to still bolder + exertions, he conferred upon him, as champion of his clan and province, + the celebrated weapon which he had hitherto retained in his own custody. + </p> + <p> + This was not all. When the day of combat arrived, the Laird’s Jock, in + spite of his daughter’s affectionate remonstrances, determined, though he + had not left his bed for two years, to be a personal witness of the duel. + His will was still a law to his people, who bore him on their shoulders, + wrapped in plaids and blankets, to the spot where the combat was to take + place, and seated him on a fragment of rock, which is still called the + Laird’s Jock’s stone. There he remained with eyes fixed on the lists or + barrier, within which the champions were about to meet. His daughter, + having done all she could for his accommodation, stood motionless beside + him, divided between anxiety for his health, and for the event of the + combat to her beloved brother. Ere yet the fight began, the old men gazed + on their chief, now seen for the first time after several years, and sadly + compared his altered features and wasted frame with the paragon of + strength and manly beauty which they once remembered. The young men gazed + on his large form and powerful make as upon some antediluvian giant who + had survived the destruction of the Flood. + </p> + <p> + But the sound of the trumpets on both sides recalled the attention of + every one to the lists, surrounded as they were by numbers of both nations + eager to witness the event of the day. The combatants met in the lists. It + is needless to describe the struggle: the Scottish champion fell. Foster, + placing his foot on his antagonist, seized on the redoubted sword, so + precious in the eyes of its aged owner, and brandished it over his head as + a trophy of his conquest. The English shouted in triumph. But the + despairing cry of the aged champion, who saw his country dishonoured, and + his sword, long the terror of their race, in the possession of an + Englishman, was heard high above the acclamations of victory. He seemed + for an instant animated by all his wonted power; for he started from the + rock on which he sat, and while the garments with which he had been + invested fell from his wasted frame, and showed the ruins of his strength, + he tossed his arms wildly to heaven, and uttered a cry of indignation, + horror, and despair, which, tradition says, was heard to a preternatural + distance, and resembled the cry of a dying lion more than a human sound. + </p> + <p> + His friends received him in their arms as he sank utterly exhausted by the + effort, and bore him back to his castle in mute sorrow; while his daughter + at once wept for her brother, and endeavoured to mitigate and soothe the + despair of her father. But this was impossible; the old man’s only tie to + life was rent rudely asunder, and his heart had broken with it. The death + of his son had no part in his sorrow. If he thought of him at all, it was + as the degenerate boy through whom the honour of his country and clan had + been lost; and he died in the course of three days, never even mentioning + his name, but pouring out unintermitted lamentations for the loss of his + noble sword. + </p> + <p> + I conceive that the moment when the disabled chief was roused into a last + exertion by the agony of the moment is favourable to the object of a + painter. He might obtain the full advantage of contrasting the form of the + rugged old man, in the extremity of furious despair, with the softness and + beauty of the female form. The fatal field might be thrown into + perspective, so as to give full effect to these two principal figures, and + with the single explanation that the piece represented a soldier beholding + his son slain, and the honour of his country lost, the picture would be + sufficiently intelligible at the first glance. If it was thought necessary + to show more clearly the nature of the conflict, it might be indicated by + the pennon of Saint George being displayed at one end of the lists, and + that of Saint Andrew at the other. + </p> + <p> + I remain, sir, + </p> + <p> + Your obedient servant, + </p> + <p> + THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY. <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tapestried Chamber, and Death of +the Laird’s Jock, by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER *** + +***** This file should be named 1668-h.htm or 1668-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1668/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Tapestried Chamber, and Death of the Laird's Jock + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + +Posting Date: November 17, 2008 [EBook #1668] +Release Date: March, 1999 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer + + + + + +THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER + +by Sir Walter Scott + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + +This is another little story from The Keepsake of 1828. It was told +to me many years ago by the late Miss Anna Seward, who, among other +accomplishments that rendered her an amusing inmate in a country house, +had that of recounting narratives of this sort with very considerable +effect--much greater, indeed, than any one would be apt to guess from +the style of her written performances. There are hours and moods when +most people are not displeased to listen to such things; and I have +heard some of the greatest and wisest of my contemporaries take their +share in telling them. + +AUGUST 1831 + + + + +THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER; + +OR, + +THE LADY IN THE SACQUE. + +The following narrative is given from the pen, so far as memory permits, +in the same character in which it was presented to the author's ear; nor +has he claim to further praise, or to be more deeply censured, than +in proportion to the good or bad judgment which he has employed in +selecting his materials, as he has studiously avoided any attempt at +ornament which might interfere with the simplicity of the tale. + +At the same time, it must be admitted that the particular class of +stories which turns on the marvellous possesses a stronger influence +when told than when committed to print. The volume taken up at noonday, +though rehearsing the same incidents, conveys a much more feeble +impression than is achieved by the voice of the speaker on a circle of +fireside auditors, who hang upon the narrative as the narrator details +the minute incidents which serve to give it authenticity, and lowers his +voice with an affectation of mystery while he approaches the fearful +and wonderful part. It was with such advantages that the present writer +heard the following events related, more than twenty years since, by +the celebrated Miss Seward of Litchfield, who, to her numerous +accomplishments, added, in a remarkable degree, the power of narrative +in private conversation. In its present form the tale must necessarily +lose all the interest which was attached to it by the flexible voice and +intelligent features of the gifted narrator. Yet still, read aloud to an +undoubting audience by the doubtful light of the closing evening, or in +silence by a decaying taper, and amidst the solitude of a half-lighted +apartment, it may redeem its character as a good ghost story. Miss +Seward always affirmed that she had derived her information from an +authentic source, although she suppressed the names of the two persons +chiefly concerned. I will not avail myself of any particulars I may have +since received concerning the localities of the detail, but suffer them +to rest under the same general description in which they were first +related to me; and for the same reason I will not add to or diminish the +narrative by any circumstance, whether more or less material, but simply +rehearse, as I heard it, a story of supernatural terror. + +About the end of the American war, when the officers of Lord +Cornwallis's army, which surrendered at Yorktown, and others, who had +been made prisoners during the impolitic and ill-fated controversy, were +returning to their own country, to relate their adventures, and repose +themselves after their fatigues, there was amongst them a general +officer, to whom Miss S. gave the name of Browne, but merely, as I +understood, to save the inconvenience of introducing a nameless agent +in the narrative. He was an officer of merit, as well as a gentleman of +high consideration for family and attainments. + +Some business had carried General Browne upon a tour through the western +counties, when, in the conclusion of a morning stage, he found himself +in the vicinity of a small country town, which presented a scene of +uncommon beauty, and of a character peculiarly English. + +The little town, with its stately old church, whose tower bore testimony +to the devotion of ages long past, lay amidst pastures and cornfields of +small extent, but bounded and divided with hedgerow timber of great age +and size. There were few marks of modern improvement. The environs of +the place intimated neither the solitude of decay nor the bustle of +novelty; the houses were old, but in good repair; and the beautiful +little river murmured freely on its way to the left of the town, neither +restrained by a dam nor bordered by a towing-path. + +Upon a gentle eminence, nearly a mile to the southward of the town, were +seen, amongst many venerable oaks and tangled thickets, the turrets of +a castle as old as the walls of York and Lancaster, but which seemed to +have received important alterations during the age of Elizabeth and +her successor, It had not been a place of great size; but whatever +accommodation it formerly afforded was, it must be supposed, still to +be obtained within its walls. At least, such was the inference which +General Browne drew from observing the smoke arise merrily from several +of the ancient wreathed and carved chimney-stalks. The wall of the park +ran alongside of the highway for two or three hundred yards; and through +the different points by which the eye found glimpses into the woodland +scenery, it seemed to be well stocked. Other points of view opened in +succession--now a full one of the front of the old castle, and now +a side glimpse at its particular towers, the former rich in all the +bizarrerie of the Elizabethan school, while the simple and solid +strength of other parts of the building seemed to show that they had +been raised more for defence than ostentation. + +Delighted with the partial glimpses which he obtained of the castle +through the woods and glades by which this ancient feudal fortress was +surrounded, our military traveller was determined to inquire whether +it might not deserve a nearer view, and whether it contained family +pictures or other objects of curiosity worthy of a stranger's visit, +when, leaving the vicinity of the park, he rolled through a clean and +well-paved street, and stopped at the door of a well-frequented inn. + +Before ordering horses, to proceed on his journey, General Browne +made inquiries concerning the proprietor of the chateau which had so +attracted his admiration, and was equally surprised and pleased at +hearing in reply a nobleman named, whom we shall call Lord Woodville. +How fortunate! Much of Browne's early recollections, both at school +and at college, had been connected with young Woodville, whom, by a few +questions, he now ascertained to be the same with the owner of this fair +domain. He had been raised to the peerage by the decease of his father +a few months before, and, as the General learned from the landlord, the +term of mourning being ended, was now taking possession of his paternal +estate in the jovial season of merry, autumn, accompanied by a select +party of friends, to enjoy the sports of a country famous for game. + +This was delightful news to our traveller. Frank Woodville had been +Richard Browne's fag at Eton, and his chosen intimate at Christ Church; +their pleasures and their tasks had been the same; and the honest +soldier's heart warmed to find his early friend in possession of so +delightful a residence, and of an estate, as the landlord assured +him with a nod and a wink, fully adequate to maintain and add to his +dignity. Nothing was more natural than that the traveller should suspend +a journey, which there was nothing to render hurried, to pay a visit to +an old friend under such agreeable circumstances. + +The fresh horses, therefore, had only the brief task of conveying the +General's travelling carriage to Woodville Castle. A porter admitted +them at a modern Gothic lodge, built in that style to correspond with +the castle itself, and at the same time rang a bell to give warning of +the approach of visitors. Apparently the sound of the bell had suspended +the separation of the company, bent on the various amusements of the +morning; for, on entering the court of the chateau, several young +men were lounging about in their sporting dresses, looking at and +criticizing the dogs which the keepers held in readiness to attend their +pastime. As General Browne alighted, the young lord came to the gate +of the hall, and for an instant gazed, as at a stranger, upon the +countenance of his friend, on which war, with its fatigues and its +wounds, had made a great alteration. But the uncertainty lasted no +longer than till the visitor had spoken, and the hearty greeting which +followed was such as can only be exchanged betwixt those who have passed +together the merry days of careless boyhood or early youth. + +"If I could have formed a wish, my dear Browne," said Lord Woodville, +"it would have been to have you here, of all men, upon this occasion, +which my friends are good enough to hold as a sort of holiday. Do not +think you have been unwatched during the years you have been absent +from us. I have traced you through your dangers, your triumphs, your +misfortunes, and was delighted to see that, whether in victory or +defeat, the name of my old friend was always distinguished with +applause." + +The General made a suitable reply, and congratulated his friend on his +new dignities, and the possession of a place and domain so beautiful. + +"Nay, you have seen nothing of it as yet," said Lord Woodville, "and I +trust you do not mean to leave us till you are better acquainted with +it. It is true, I confess, that my present party is pretty large, and +the old house, like other places of the kind, does not possess so much +accommodation as the extent of the outward walls appears to promise. +But we can give you a comfortable old-fashioned room, and I venture +to suppose that your campaigns have taught you to be glad of worse +quarters." + +The General shrugged his shoulders, and laughed. "I presume," he said, +"the worst apartment in your chateau is considerably superior to the old +tobacco-cask in which I was fain to take up my night's lodging when I +was in the Bush, as the Virginians call it, with the light corps. There +I lay, like Diogenes himself, so delighted with my covering from the +elements, that I made a vain attempt to have it rolled on to my next +quarters; but my commander for the time would give way to no such +luxurious provision, and I took farewell of my beloved cask with tears +in my eyes." + +"Well, then, since you do not fear your quarters," said Lord Woodville, +"you will stay with me a week at least. Of guns, dogs, fishing-rods, +flies, and means of sport by sea and land, we have enough and to +spare--you cannot pitch on an amusement but we will find the means of +pursuing it. But if you prefer the gun and pointers, I will go with you +myself, and see whether you have mended your shooting since you have +been amongst the Indians of the back settlements." + +The General gladly accepted his friendly host's proposal in all its +points. After a morning of manly exercise, the company met at dinner, +where it was the delight of Lord Woodville to conduce to the display of +the high properties of his recovered friend, so as to recommend him to +his guests, most of whom were persons of distinction. He led General +Browne to speak of the scenes he had witnessed; and as every word marked +alike the brave officer and the sensible man, who retained possession +of his cool judgment under the most imminent dangers, the company looked +upon the soldier with general respect, as on one who had proved himself +possessed of an uncommon portion of personal courage--that attribute of +all others of which everybody desires to be thought possessed. + +The day at Woodville Castle ended as usual in such mansions. The +hospitality stopped within the limits of good order. Music, in which the +young lord was a proficient, succeeded to the circulation of the bottle; +cards and billiards, for those who preferred such amusements, were in +readiness; but the exercise of the morning required early hours, and not +long after eleven o'clock the guests began to retire to their several +apartments. + +The young lord himself conducted his friend, General Browne, to the +chamber destined for him, which answered the description he had given +of it, being comfortable, but old-fashioned, The bed was of the massive +form used in the end of the seventeenth century, and the curtains of +faded silk, heavily trimmed with tarnished gold. But then the sheets, +pillows, and blankets looked delightful to the campaigner, when he +thought of his "mansion, the cask." There was an air of gloom in the +tapestry hangings, which, with their worn-out graces, curtained the +walls of the little chamber, and gently undulated as the autumnal breeze +found its way through the ancient lattice window, which pattered and +whistled as the air gained entrance. The toilet, too, with its mirror, +turbaned after the manner of the beginning of the century, with a +coiffure of murrey-coloured silk, and its hundred strange-shaped boxes, +providing for arrangements which had been obsolete for more than fifty +years, had an antique, and in so far a melancholy, aspect. But nothing +could blaze more brightly and cheerfully than the two large wax candles; +or if aught could rival them, it was the flaming, bickering fagots in +the chimney, that sent at once their gleam and their warmth through +the snug apartment, which, notwithstanding the general antiquity of its +appearance, was not wanting in the least convenience that modern habits +rendered either necessary or desirable. + +"This is an old-fashioned sleeping apartment, General," said the +young lord; "but I hope you find nothing that makes you envy your old +tobacco-cask." + +"I am not particular respecting my lodgings," replied the General; "yet +were I to make any choice, I would prefer this chamber by many degrees +to the gayer and more modern rooms of your family mansion. Believe +me that, when I unite its modern air of comfort with its venerable +antiquity, and recollect that it is your lordship's property, I shall +feel in better quarters here than if I were in the best hotel London +could afford." + +"I trust--I have no doubt--that you will find yourself as comfortable +as I wish you, my dear General," said the young nobleman; and once more +bidding his guest good-night, he shook him by the hand, and withdrew. + +The General once more looked round him, and internally congratulating +himself on his return to peaceful life, the comforts of which were +endeared by the recollection of the hardships and dangers he had lately +sustained, undressed himself, and prepared for a luxurious night's rest. + +Here, contrary to the custom of this species of tale, we leave the +General in possession of his apartment until the next morning. + +The company assembled for breakfast at an early hour, but without the +appearance of General Browne, who seemed the guest that Lord Woodville +was desirous of honouring above all whom his hospitality had assembled +around him. He more than once expressed surprise at the General's +absence, and at length sent a servant to make inquiry after him. The +man brought back information that General Browne had been walking abroad +since an early hour of the morning, in defiance of the weather, which +was misty and ungenial. + +"The custom of a soldier," said the young nobleman to his friends. "Many +of them acquire habitual vigilance, and cannot sleep after the early +hour at which their duty usually commands them to be alert." + +Yet the explanation which Lord Woodville thus offered to the company +seemed hardly satisfactory to his own mind, and it was in a fit of +silence and abstraction that he waited the return of the General. It +took place near an hour after the breakfast bell had rung. He looked +fatigued and feverish. His hair, the powdering and arrangement of which +was at this time one of the most important occupations of a man's whole +day, and marked his fashion as much as in the present time the tying of +a cravat, or the want of one, was dishevelled, uncurled, void of +powder, and dank with dew. His clothes were huddled on with a careless +negligence, remarkable in a military man, whose real or supposed duties +are usually held to include some attention to the toilet; and his looks +were haggard and ghastly in a peculiar degree. + +"So you have stolen a march upon us this morning, my dear General," said +Lord Woodville; "or you have not found your bed so much to your mind as +I had hoped and you seemed to expect. How did you rest last night?" + +"Oh, excellently well! remarkably well! never better in my life," said +General Browne rapidly, and yet with an air of embarrassment which +was obvious to his friend. He then hastily swallowed a cup of tea, and +neglecting or refusing whatever else was offered, seemed to fall into a +fit of abstraction. + +"You will take the gun to-day, General?" said his friend and host, but +had to repeat the question twice ere he received the abrupt answer, "No, +my lord; I am sorry I cannot have the opportunity of spending another +day with your lordship; my post horses are ordered, and will be here +directly." + +All who were present showed surprise, and Lord Woodville immediately +replied "Post horses, my good friend! What can you possibly want with +them when you promised to stay with me quietly for at least a week?" + +"I believe," said the General, obviously much embarrassed, "that I +might, in the pleasure of my first meeting with your lordship, have +said something about stopping here a few days; but I have since found it +altogether impossible." + +"That is very extraordinary," answered the young nobleman. "You seemed +quite disengaged yesterday, and you cannot have had a summons to-day, +for our post has not come up from the town, and therefore you cannot +have received any letters." + +General Browne, without giving any further explanation, muttered +something about indispensable business, and insisted on the absolute +necessity of his departure in a manner which silenced all opposition on +the part of his host, who saw that his resolution was taken, and forbore +all further importunity. + +"At least, however," he said, "permit me, my dear Browne, since go you +will or must, to show you the view from the terrace, which the mist, +that is now rising, will soon display." + +He threw open a sash-window, and stepped down upon the terrace as he +spoke. The General followed him mechanically, but seemed little to +attend to what his host was saying, as, looking across an extended +and rich prospect, he pointed out the different objects worthy of +observation. Thus they moved on till Lord Woodville had attained +his purpose of drawing his guest entirely apart from the rest of the +company, when, turning round upon him with an air of great solemnity, he +addressed him thus:-- + +"Richard Browne, my old and very dear friend, we are now alone. Let me +conjure you to answer me upon the word of a friend, and the honour of a +soldier. How did you in reality rest during last night?" + +"Most wretchedly indeed, my lord," answered the General, in the same +tone of solemnity--"so miserably, that I would not run the risk of such +a second night, not only for all the lands belonging to this castle, but +for all the country which I see from this elevated point of view." + +"This is most extraordinary," said the young lord, as if speaking to +himself; "then there must be something in the reports concerning that +apartment." Again turning to the General, he said, "For God's sake, +my dear friend, be candid with me, and let me know the disagreeable +particulars which have befallen you under a roof, where, with consent of +the owner, you should have met nothing save comfort." + +The General seemed distressed by this appeal, and paused a moment before +he replied. "My dear lord," he at length said, "what happened to me last +night is of a nature so peculiar and so unpleasant, that I could hardly +bring myself to detail it even to your lordship, were it not that, +independent of my wish to gratify any request of yours, I think that +sincerity on my part may lead to some explanation about a circumstance +equally painful and mysterious. To others, the communication I am about +to make, might place me in the light of a weak-minded, superstitious +fool, who suffered his own imagination to delude and bewilder him; but +you have known me in childhood and youth, and will not suspect me of +having adopted in manhood the feelings and frailties from which my early +years were free." Here he paused, and his friend replied,-- + +"Do not doubt my perfect confidence in the truth of your communication, +however strange it may be," replied Lord Woodville. "I know your +firmness of disposition too well, to suspect you could be made the +object of imposition, and am aware that your honour and your friendship +will equally deter you from exaggerating whatever you may have +witnessed." + +"Well, then," said the General, "I will proceed with my story as well +as I can, relying upon your candour, and yet distinctly feeling that +I would rather face a battery than recall to my mind the odious +recollections of last night." + +He paused a second time, and then perceiving that Lord Woodville +remained silent and in an attitude of attention, he commenced, though +not without obvious reluctance, the history of his night's adventures in +the Tapestried Chamber. + +"I undressed and went to bed so soon as your lordship left me yesterday +evening; but the wood in the chimney, which nearly fronted my bed, +blazed brightly and cheerfully, and, aided by a hundred exciting +recollections of my childhood and youth, which had been recalled by the +unexpected pleasure of meeting your lordship, prevented me from falling +immediately asleep. I ought, however, to say that these reflections were +all of a pleasant and agreeable kind, grounded on a sense of having for +a time exchanged the labour, fatigues, and dangers of my profession for +the enjoyments of a peaceful life, and the reunion of those friendly and +affectionate ties which I had torn asunder at the rude summons of war. + +"While such pleasing reflections were stealing over my mind, and +gradually lulling me to slumber, I was suddenly aroused by a sound like +that of the rustling of a silken gown, and the tapping of a pair of +high-heeled shoes, as if a woman were walking in the apartment. Ere +I could draw the curtain to see what the matter was, the figure of a +little woman passed between the bed and the fire. The back of this form +was turned to me, and I could observe, from the shoulders and neck, it +was that of an old woman, whose dress was an old-fashioned gown, which I +think ladies call a sacque--that is, a sort of robe completely loose in +the body, but gathered into broad plaits upon the neck and shoulders, +which fall down to the ground, and terminate in a species of train. + +"I thought the intrusion singular enough, but never harboured for a +moment the idea that what I saw was anything more than the mortal form +of some old woman about the establishment, who had a fancy to dress like +her grandmother, and who, having perhaps (as your lordship mentioned +that you were rather straitened for room) been dislodged from her +chamber for my accommodation, had forgotten the circumstance, and +returned by twelve to her old haunt. Under this persuasion I moved +myself in bed and coughed a little, to make the intruder sensible of +my being in possession of the premises. She turned slowly round, but, +gracious Heaven! my lord, what a countenance did she display to me! +There was no longer any question what she was, or any thought of her +being a living being. Upon a face which wore the fixed features of a +corpse were imprinted the traces of the vilest and most hideous passions +which had animated her while she lived. The body of some atrocious +criminal seemed to have been given up from the grave, and the soul +restored from the penal fire, in order to form for a space a union +with the ancient accomplice of its guilt. I started up in bed, and sat +upright, supporting myself on my palms, as I gazed on this horrible +spectre. The hag made, as it seemed, a single and swift stride to the +bed where I lay, and squatted herself down upon it, in precisely the +same attitude which I had assumed in the extremity of horror, advancing +her diabolical countenance within half a yard of mine, with a grin which +seemed to intimate the malice and the derision of an incarnate fiend." + +Here General Browne stopped, and wiped from his brow the cold +perspiration with which the recollection of his horrible vision had +covered it. + +"My lord," he said, "I am no coward, I have been in all the mortal +dangers incidental to my profession, and I may truly boast that no man +ever knew Richard Browne dishonour the sword he wears; but in these +horrible circumstances, under the eyes, and, as it seemed, almost in the +grasp of an incarnation of an evil spirit, all firmness forsook me, +all manhood melted from me like wax in the furnace, and I felt my hair +individually bristle. The current of my life-blood ceased to flow, and +I sank back in a swoon, as very a victim to panic terror as ever was +a village girl, or a child of ten years old. How long I lay in this +condition I cannot pretend to guess. + +"But I was roused by the castle clock striking one, so loud that it +seemed as if it were in the very room. It was some time before I dared +open my eyes, lest they should again encounter the horrible spectacle. +When, however, I summoned courage to look up, she was no longer visible. +My first idea was to pull my bell, wake the servants, and remove to a +garret or a hay-loft, to be ensured against a second visitation. Nay, I +will confess the truth that my resolution was altered, not by the shame +of exposing myself, but by the fear that, as the bell-cord hung by +the chimney, I might, in making my way to it, be again crossed by the +fiendish hag, who, I figured to myself, might be still lurking about +some corner of the apartment. + +"I will not pretend to describe what hot and cold fever-fits tormented +me for the rest of the night, through broken sleep, weary vigils, +and that dubious state which forms the neutral ground between them. A +hundred terrible objects appeared to haunt me; but there was the great +difference betwixt the vision which I have described, and those which +followed, that I knew the last to be deceptions of my own fancy and +over-excited nerves. + +"Day at last appeared, and I rose from my bed ill in health and +humiliated in mind. I was ashamed of myself as a man and a soldier, +and still more so at feeling my own extreme desire to escape from the +haunted apartment, which, however, conquered all other considerations; +so that, huddling on my clothes with the most careless haste, I made my +escape from your lordship's mansion, to seek in the open air some relief +to my nervous system, shaken as it was by this horrible rencounter with +a visitant, for such I must believe her, from the other world. Your +lordship has now heard the cause of my discomposure, and of my sudden +desire to leave your hospitable castle. In other places I trust we may +often meet, but God protect me from ever spending a second night under +that roof!" + +Strange as the General's tale was, he spoke with such a deep air of +conviction that it cut short all the usual commentaries which are made +on such stories. Lord Woodville never once asked him if he was sure he +did not dream of the apparition, or suggested any of the possibilities +by which it is fashionable to explain supernatural appearances as +wild vagaries of the fancy, or deceptions of the optic nerves, On the +contrary, he seemed deeply impressed with the truth and reality of +what he had heard; and, after a considerable pause regretted, with much +appearance of sincerity, that his early friend should in his house have +suffered so severely. + +"I am the more sorry for your pain, my dear Browne," he continued, "that +it is the unhappy, though most unexpected, result of an experiment of my +own. You must know that, for my father and grandfather's time, at least, +the apartment which was assigned to you last night had been shut on +account of reports that it was disturbed by supernatural sights and +noises. When I came, a few weeks since, into possession of the estate, +I thought the accommodation which the castle afforded for my friends was +not extensive enough to permit the inhabitants of the invisible world +to retain possession of a comfortable sleeping apartment. I therefore +caused the Tapestried Chamber, as we call it, to be opened, and, without +destroying its air of antiquity, I had such new articles of furniture +placed in it as became the modern times. Yet, as the opinion that the +room was haunted very strongly prevailed among the domestics, and was +also known in the neighbourhood and to many of my friends, I feared some +prejudice might be entertained by the first occupant of the Tapestried +Chamber, which might tend to revive the evil report which it had +laboured under, and so disappoint my purpose of rendering it a useful +part or the house. I must confess, my dear Browne, that your arrival +yesterday, agreeable to me for a thousand reasons besides, seemed the +most favourable opportunity of removing the unpleasant rumours which +attached to the room, since your courage was indubitable, and your mind +free of any preoccupation on the subject. I could not, therefore, have +chosen a more fitting subject for my experiment." + +"Upon my life," said General Browne, somewhat hastily, "I am infinitely +obliged to your lordship--very particularly indebted indeed. I am likely +to remember for some time the consequences of the experiment, as your +lordship is pleased to call it." + +"Nay, now you are unjust, my dear friend," said Lord Woodville. "You +have only to reflect for a single moment, in order to be convinced that +I could not augur the possibility of the pain to which you have been +so unhappily exposed. I was yesterday morning a complete sceptic on the +subject of supernatural appearances. Nay, I am sure that, had I told +you what was said about that room, those very reports would have induced +you, by your own choice, to select it for your accommodation. It was my +misfortune, perhaps my error, but really cannot be termed my fault, that +you have been afflicted so strangely." + +"Strangely indeed!" said the General, resuming his good temper; "and I +acknowledge that I have no right to be offended with your lordship for +treating me like what I used to think myself--a man of some firmness +and courage. But I see my post horses are arrived, and I must not detain +your lordship from your amusement." + +"Nay, my old friend," said Lord Woodville, "since you cannot stay with +us another day--which, indeed, I can no longer urge--give me at least +half an hour more. You used to love pictures, and I have a gallery of +portraits, some of them by Vandyke, representing ancestry to whom this +property and castle formerly belonged. I think that several of them will +strike you as possessing merit." + +General Browne accepted the invitation, though somewhat unwillingly. +It was evident he was not to breathe freely or at ease till he left +Woodville Castle far behind him. He could not refuse his friend's +invitation, however; and the less so, that he was a little ashamed +of the peevishness which he had displayed towards his well-meaning +entertainer. + +The General, therefore, followed Lord Woodville through several rooms +into a long gallery hung with pictures, which the latter pointed out to +his guest, telling the names, and giving some account of the personages +whose portraits presented themselves in progression. General Browne was +but little interested in the details which these accounts conveyed to +him. They were, indeed, of the kind which are usually found in an old +family gallery. Here was a Cavalier who had ruined the estate in the +royal cause; there a fine lady who had reinstated it by contracting a +match with a wealthy Roundhead. There hung a gallant who had been in +danger for corresponding with the exiled Court at Saint Germain's; here +one who had taken arms for William at the Revolution; and there a third +that had thrown his weight alternately into the scale of Whig and Tory. + +While lord Woodville was cramming these words into his guest's ear, +"against the stomach of his sense," they gained the middle of the +gallery, when he beheld General Browne suddenly start, and assume an +attitude of the utmost surprise, not unmixed with fear, as his eyes were +suddenly caught and riveted by a portrait of an old lady in a sacque, +the fashionable dress of the end of the seventeenth century. + +"There she is!" he exclaimed--"there she is, in form and features, +though Inferior in demoniac expression to the accursed hag who visited +me last night!" + +"If that be the case," said the young nobleman, "there can remain no +longer any doubt of the horrible reality of your apparition. That is the +picture of a wretched ancestress of mine, of whose crimes a black and +fearful catalogue is recorded in a family history in my charter-chest. +The recital of them would be too horrible; it is enough to say, that in +yon fatal apartment incest and unnatural murder were committed. I will +restore it to the solitude to which the better judgment of those who +preceded me had consigned it; and never shall any one, so long as I can +prevent it, be exposed to a repetition of the supernatural horrors which +could shake such courage as yours." + +Thus the friends, who had met with such glee, parted in a very different +mood--Lord Woodville to command the Tapestried Chamber to be unmantled, +and the door built up; and General Browne to seek in some less beautiful +country, and with some less dignified friend, forgetfulness of the +painful night which he had passed in Woodville Castle. + +END OF THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER. + + +***** + + + + +DEATH OF THE LAIRD'S JOCK + +by Sir Walter Scott. + + +[The manner in which this trifle was introduced at the time to Mr. F. +M. Reynolds, editor of The Keepsake of 1828, leaves no occasion for a +preface.] + +AUGUST 1831. + + +TO THE EDITOR OF THE KEEPSAKE. + +You have asked me, sir, to point out a subject for the pencil, and I +feel the difficulty of complying with your request, although I am not +certainly unaccustomed to literary composition, or a total stranger to +the stores of history and tradition, which afford the best copies for +the painter's art. But although SICUT PICTURA POESIS is an ancient and +undisputed axiom--although poetry and painting both address themselves +to the same object of exciting the human imagination, by presenting to +it pleasing or sublime images of ideal scenes--yet the one conveying +itself through the ears to the understanding, and the other applying +itself only to the eyes, the subjects which are best suited to the bard +or tale-teller are often totally unfit for painting, where the artist +must present in a single glance all that his art has power to tell us. +The artist can neither recapitulate the past nor intimate the future. +The single NOW is all which he can present; and hence, unquestionably, +many subjects which delight us in poetry or in narrative, whether real +or fictitious, cannot with advantage be transferred to the canvas. + +Being in some degree aware of these difficulties, though doubtless +unacquainted both with their extent and the means by which they may be +modified or surmounted, I have, nevertheless, ventured to draw up the +following traditional narrative as a story in which, when the general +details are known, the interest is so much concentrated in one strong +moment of agonizing passion, that it can be understood and sympathized +with at a single glance. I therefore presume that it may be acceptable +as a hint to some one among the numerous artists who have of late +years distinguished themselves as rearing up and supporting the British +school. + +Enough has been said and sung about + + "The well-contested ground, + The warlike Border-land," + +to render the habits of the tribes who inhabited it before the union of +England and Scotland familiar to most of your readers. The rougher and +sterner features of their character were softened by their attachment +to the fine arts, from which has arisen the saying that on the frontiers +every dale had its battle, and every river its song. A rude species of +chivalry was in constant use, and single combats were practised as the +amusement of the few intervals of truce which suspended the exercise of +war. The inveteracy of this custom may be inferred from the following +incident:-- + +Bernard Gilpin, the apostle of the north, the first who undertook to +preach the Protestant doctrines to the Border dalesmen, was surprised, +on entering one of their churches, to see a gauntlet or mail-glove +hanging above the altar. Upon inquiring; the meaning of a symbol so +indecorous being displayed in that sacred place, he was informed by the +clerk that the glove was that of a famous swordsman, who hung it there +as an emblem of a general challenge and gage of battle to any who should +dare to take the fatal token down. "Reach it to me," said the reverend +churchman. The clerk and the sexton equally declined the perilous +office, and the good Bernard Gilpin was obliged to remove the glove with +his own hands, desiring those who were present to inform the champion +that he, and no other, had possessed himself of the gage of defiance. +But the champion was as much ashamed to face Bernard Gilpin as the +officials of the church had been to displace his pledge of combat. + +The date of the following story is about the latter years of Queen +Elizabeth's reign; and the events took place in Liddesdale, a hilly and +pastoral district of Roxburghshire, which, on a part of its boundary, is +divided from England only by a small river. + +During the good old times of RUGGING AND RIVING--that is, tugging and +tearing--under which term the disorderly doings of the warlike age are +affectionately remembered, this valley was principally cultivated by the +sept or clan of the Armstrongs. The chief of this warlike race was +the Laird of Mangerton. At the period of which I speak, the estate of +Mangerton, with the power and dignity of chief, was possessed by John +Armstrong, a man of great size, strength, and courage. While his father +was alive, he was distinguished from others of his clan who bore the +same name, by the epithet of the LAIRD'S JOCK--that is to say, the +Laird's son Jock, or Jack. This name he distinguished by so many bold +and desperate achievements, that he retained it even after his father's +death, and is mentioned under it both in authentic records and in +tradition. Some of his feats are recorded in the minstrelsy of the +Scottish Border, and others are mentioned in contemporary chronicles. + +At the species of singular combat which we have described the Laird's +Jock was unrivalled, and no champion of Cumberland, Westmoreland, or +Northumberland could endure the sway of the huge two-handed sword which +he wielded, and which few others could even lift. This "awful sword," as +the common people term it, was as dear to him as Durindana or Fushberta +to their respective masters, and was nearly as formidable to his enemies +as those renowned falchions proved to the foes of Christendom. The +weapon had been bequeathed to him by a celebrated English outlaw named +Hobbie Noble, who, having committed some deed for which he was in danger +from justice, fled to Liddesdale, and became a follower, or rather a +brother-in-arms, to the renowned Laird's Jock; till, venturing into +England with a small escort, a faithless guide, and with a light +single-handed sword instead of his ponderous brand, Hobbie Noble, +attacked by superior numbers, was made prisoner and executed. + +With this weapon, and by means of his own strength and address, the +Laird's Jock maintained the reputation of the best swordsman on the +Border side, and defeated or slew many who ventured to dispute with him +the formidable title. + +But years pass on with the strong and the brave as with the feeble +and the timid. In process of time the Laird's Jock grew incapable of +wielding his weapons, and finally of all active exertion, even of the +most ordinary kind. The disabled champion became at length totally +bedridden, and entirely dependent for his comfort on the pious duties of +an only daughter, his perpetual attendant and companion. + +Besides this dutiful child, the Laird's Jock had an only son, upon +whom devolved the perilous task of leading the clan to battle, and +maintaining the warlike renown of his native country, which was now +disputed by the English upon many occasions. The young Armstrong was +active, brave, and strong, and brought home from dangerous adventures +many tokens of decided success. Still, the ancient chief conceived, +as it would seem, that his son was scarce yet entitled by age and +experience to be entrusted with the two-handed sword, by the use of +which he had himself been so dreadfully distinguished. + +At length an English champion, one of the name of Foster (if I rightly +recollect), had the audacity to send a challenge to the best swordsman +in Liddesdale; and young Armstrong, burning for chivalrous distinction, +accepted the challenge. + +The heart of the disabled old man swelled with joy when he heard that +the challenge was passed and accepted, and the meeting fixed at a +neutral spot, used as the place of rencontre upon such occasions, and +which he himself had distinguished by numerous victories. He exulted +so much in the conquest which he anticipated, that, to nerve his son to +still bolder exertions, he conferred upon him, as champion of his clan +and province, the celebrated weapon which he had hitherto retained in +his own custody. + +This was not all. When the day of combat arrived, the Laird's Jock, in +spite of his daughter's affectionate remonstrances, determined, though +he had not left his bed for two years, to be a personal witness of the +duel. His will was still a law to his people, who bore him on their +shoulders, wrapped in plaids and blankets, to the spot where the combat +was to take place, and seated him on a fragment of rock, which is still +called the Laird's Jock's stone. There he remained with eyes fixed on +the lists or barrier, within which the champions were about to meet. +His daughter, having done all she could for his accommodation, stood +motionless beside him, divided between anxiety for his health, and for +the event of the combat to her beloved brother. Ere yet the fight began, +the old men gazed on their chief, now seen for the first time after +several years, and sadly compared his altered features and wasted +frame with the paragon of strength and manly beauty which they once +remembered. The young men gazed on his large form and powerful make as +upon some antediluvian giant who had survived the destruction of the +Flood. + +But the sound of the trumpets on both sides recalled the attention +of every one to the lists, surrounded as they were by numbers of both +nations eager to witness the event of the day. The combatants met in the +lists. It is needless to describe the struggle: the Scottish champion +fell. Foster, placing his foot on his antagonist, seized on the +redoubted sword, so precious in the eyes of its aged owner, and +brandished it over his head as a trophy of his conquest. The English +shouted in triumph. But the despairing cry of the aged champion, who saw +his country dishonoured, and his sword, long the terror of their +race, in the possession of an Englishman, was heard high above the +acclamations of victory. He seemed for an instant animated by all his +wonted power; for he started from the rock on which he sat, and while +the garments with which he had been invested fell from his wasted frame, +and showed the ruins of his strength, he tossed his arms wildly to +heaven, and uttered a cry of indignation, horror, and despair, which, +tradition says, was heard to a preternatural distance, and resembled the +cry of a dying lion more than a human sound. + +His friends received him in their arms as he sank utterly exhausted by +the effort, and bore him back to his castle in mute sorrow; while his +daughter at once wept for her brother, and endeavoured to mitigate and +soothe the despair of her father. But this was impossible; the old man's +only tie to life was rent rudely asunder, and his heart had broken with +it. The death of his son had no part in his sorrow. If he thought of +him at all, it was as the degenerate boy through whom the honour of his +country and clan had been lost; and he died in the course of three +days, never even mentioning his name, but pouring out unintermitted +lamentations for the loss of his noble sword. + +I conceive that the moment when the disabled chief was roused into a +last exertion by the agony of the moment is favourable to the object of +a painter. He might obtain the full advantage of contrasting the form +of the rugged old man, in the extremity of furious despair, with the +softness and beauty of the female form. The fatal field might be thrown +into perspective, so as to give full effect to these two principal +figures, and with the single explanation that the piece represented a +soldier beholding his son slain, and the honour of his country lost, the +picture would be sufficiently intelligible at the first glance. If it +was thought necessary to show more clearly the nature of the conflict, +it might be indicated by the pennon of Saint George being displayed at +one end of the lists, and that of Saint Andrew at the other. + +I remain, sir, + +Your obedient servant, + +THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tapestried Chamber, and Death of +the Laird's Jock, by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER *** + +***** This file should be named 1668.txt or 1668.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1668/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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It was +told to me many years ago by the late Miss Anna Seward, who, +among other accomplishments that rendered her an amusing inmate +in a country house, had that of recounting narratives of this +sort with very considerable effect--much greater, indeed, than +any one would be apt to guess from the style of her written +performances. There are hours and moods when most people are not +displeased to listen to such things; and I have heard some of the +greatest and wisest of my contemporaries take their share in +telling them. + +AUGUST 1831 + +* + +THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER; + +OR, + +THE LADY IN THE SACQUE. + +The following narrative is given from the pen, so far as memory +permits, in the same character in which it was presented to the +author's ear; nor has he claim to further praise, or to be more +deeply censured, than in proportion to the good or bad judgment +which he has employed in selecting his materials, as he has +studiously avoided any attempt at ornament which might interfere +with the simplicity of the tale. + +At the same time, it must be admitted that the particular class +of stories which turns on the marvellous possesses a stronger +influence when told than when committed to print. The volume +taken up at noonday, though rehearsing the same incidents, +conveys a much more feeble impression than is achieved by the +voice of the speaker on a circle of fireside auditors, who hang +upon the narrative as the narrator details the minute incidents +which serve to give it authenticity, and lowers his voice with an +affectation of mystery while he approaches the fearful and +wonderful part. It was with such advantages that the present +writer heard the following events related, more than twenty years +since, by the celebrated Miss Seward of Litchfield, who, to her +numerous accomplishments, added, in a remarkable degree, the +power of narrative in private conversation. In its present form +the tale must necessarily lose all the interest which was +attached to it by the flexible voice and intelligent features of +the gifted narrator. Yet still, read aloud to an undoubting +audience by the doubtful light of the closing evening, or in +silence by a decaying taper, and amidst the solitude of a half- +lighted apartment, it may redeem its character as a good ghost +story. Miss Seward always affirmed that she had derived her +information from an authentic source, although she suppressed the +names of the two persons chiefly concerned. I will not avail +myself of any particulars I may have since received concerning +the localities of the detail, but suffer them to rest under the +same general description in which they were first related to me; +and for the same reason I will not add to or diminish the +narrative by any circumstance, whether more or less material, but +simply rehearse, as I heard it, a story of supernatural terror. + +About the end of the American war, when the officers of Lord +Cornwallis's army, which surrendered at Yorktown, and others, who +had been made prisoners during the impolitic and ill-fated +controversy, were returning to their own country, to relate their +adventures, and repose themselves after their fatigues, there was +amongst them a general officer, to whom Miss S. gave the name of +Browne, but merely, as I understood, to save the inconvenience of +introducing a nameless agent in the narrative. He was an officer +of merit, as well as a gentleman of high consideration for family +and attainments. + +Some business had carried General Browne upon a tour through the +western counties, when, in the conclusion of a morning stage, he +found himself in the vicinity of a small country town, which +presented a scene of uncommon beauty, and of a character +peculiarly English. + +The little town, with its stately old church, whose tower bore +testimony to the devotion of ages long past, lay amidst pastures +and cornfields of small extent, but bounded and divided with +hedgerow timber of great age and size. There were few marks of +modern improvement. The environs of the place intimated neither +the solitude of decay nor the bustle of novelty; the houses were +old, but in good repair; and the beautiful little river murmured +freely on its way to the left of the town, neither restrained by +a dam nor bordered by a towing-path. + +Upon a gentle eminence, nearly a mile to the southward of the +town, were seen, amongst many venerable oaks and tangled +thickets, the turrets of a castle as old as the walls of York and +Lancaster, but which seemed to have received important +alterations during the age of Elizabeth and her successor, It had +not been a place of great size; but whatever accommodation it +formerly afforded was, it must be supposed, still to be obtained +within its walls. At least, such was the inference which General +Browne drew from observing the smoke arise merrily from several +of the ancient wreathed and carved chimney-stalks. The wall of +the park ran alongside of the highway for two or three hundred +yards; and through the different points by which the eye found +glimpses into the woodland scenery, it seemed to be well stocked. +Other points of view opened in succession--now a full one of the +front of the old castle, and now a side glimpse at its particular +towers, the former rich in all the bizarrerie of the Elizabethan +school, while the simple and solid strength of other parts of the +building seemed to show that they had been raised more for +defence than ostentation. + +Delighted with the partial glimpses which he obtained of the +castle through the woods and glades by which this ancient feudal +fortress was surrounded, our military traveller was determined to +inquire whether it might not deserve a nearer view, and whether +it contained family pictures or other objects of curiosity worthy +of a stranger's visit, when, leaving the vicinity of the park, he +rolled through a clean and well-paved street, and stopped at the +door of a well-frequented inn. + +Before ordering horses, to proceed on his journey, General Browne +made inquiries concerning the proprietor of the chateau which had +so attracted his admiration, and was equally surprised and +pleased at hearing in reply a nobleman named, whom we shall call +Lord Woodville. How fortunate! Much of Browne's early +recollections, both at school and at college, had been connected +with young Woodville, whom, by a few questions, he now +ascertained to be the same with the owner of this fair domain. +He had been raised to the peerage by the decease of his father a +few months before, and, as the General learned from the landlord, +the term of mourning being ended, was now taking possession of +his paternal estate in the jovial season of merry, autumn, +accompanied by a select party of friends, to enjoy the sports of +a country famous for game. + +This was delightful news to our traveller. Frank Woodville had +been Richard Browne's fag at Eton, and his chosen intimate at +Christ Church; their pleasures and their tasks had been the same; +and the honest soldier's heart warmed to find his early friend in +possession of so delightful a residence, and of an estate, as the +landlord assured him with a nod and a wink, fully adequate to +maintain and add to his dignity. Nothing was more natural than +that the traveller should suspend a journey, which there was +nothing to render hurried, to pay a visit to an old friend under +such agreeable circumstances. + +The fresh horses, therefore, had only the brief task of conveying +the General's travelling carriage to Woodville Castle. A porter +admitted them at a modern Gothic lodge, built in that style to +correspond with the castle itself, and at the same time rang a +bell to give warning of the approach of visitors. Apparently the +sound of the bell had suspended the separation of the company, +bent on the various amusements of the morning; for, on entering +the court of the chateau, several young men were lounging about +in their sporting dresses, looking at and criticizing the dogs +which the keepers held in readiness to attend their pastime. As +General Browne alighted, the young lord came to the gate of the +hall, and for an instant gazed, as at a stranger, upon the +countenance of his friend, on which war, with its fatigues and +its wounds, had made a great alteration. But the uncertainty +lasted no longer than till the visitor had spoken, and the hearty +greeting which followed was such as can only be exchanged betwixt +those who have passed together the merry days of careless boyhood +or early youth. + +"If I could have formed a wish, my dear Browne," said Lord +Woodville, "it would have been to have you here, of all men, upon +this occasion, which my friends are good enough to hold as a sort +of holiday. Do not think you have been unwatched during the +years you have been absent from us. I have traced you through +your dangers, your triumphs, your misfortunes, and was delighted +to see that, whether in victory or defeat, the name of my old +friend was always distinguished with applause." + +The General made a suitable reply, and congratulated his friend +on his new dignities, and the possession of a place and domain so +beautiful. + +"Nay, you have seen nothing of it as yet," said Lord Woodville, +"and I trust you do not mean to leave us till you are better +acquainted with it. It is true, I confess, that my present party +is pretty large, and the old house, like other places of the +kind, does not possess so much accommodation as the extent of the +outward walls appears to promise. But we can give you a +comfortable old-fashioned room, and I venture to suppose that +your campaigns have taught you to be glad of worse quarters." + +The General shrugged his shoulders, and laughed. "I presume," he +said, "the worst apartment in your chateau is considerably +superior to the old tobacco-cask in which I was fain to take up +my night's lodging when I was in the Bush, as the Virginians call +it, with the light corps. There I lay, like Diogenes himself, so +delighted with my covering from the elements, that I made a vain +attempt to have it rolled on to my next quarters; but my +commander for the time would give way to no such luxurious +provision, and I took farewell of my beloved cask with tears in +my eyes." + +"Well, then, since you do not fear your quarters," said Lord +Woodville, "you will stay with me a week at least. Of guns, +dogs, fishing-rods, flies, and means of sport by sea and land, we +have enough and to spare--you cannot pitch on an amusement but we +will find the means of pursuing it. But if you prefer the gun +and pointers, I will go with you myself, and see whether you have +mended your shooting since you have been amongst the Indians of +the back settlements." + +The General gladly accepted his friendly host's proposal in all +its points. After a morning of manly exercise, the company met +at dinner, where it was the delight of Lord Woodville to conduce +to the display of the high properties of his recovered friend, so +as to recommend him to his guests, most of whom were persons of +distinction. He led General Browne to speak of the scenes he had +witnessed; and as every word marked alike the brave officer and +the sensible man, who retained possession of his cool judgment +under the most imminent dangers, the company looked upon the +soldier with general respect, as on one who had proved himself +possessed of an uncommon portion of personal courage--that +attribute of all others of which everybody desires to be thought +possessed. + +The day at Woodville Castle ended as usual in such mansions. The +hospitality stopped within the limits of good order. Music, in +which the young lord was a proficient, succeeded to the +circulation of the bottle; cards and billiards, for those who +preferred such amusements, were in readiness; but the exercise of +the morning required early hours, and not long after eleven +o'clock the guests began to retire to their several apartments. + +The young lord himself conducted his friend, General Browne, to +the chamber destined for him, which answered the description he +had given of it, being comfortable, but old-fashioned, The bed +was of the massive form used in the end of the seventeenth +century, and the curtains of faded silk, heavily trimmed with +tarnished gold. But then the sheets, pillows, and blankets +looked delightful to the campaigner, when he thought of his +"mansion, the cask." There was an air of gloom in the tapestry +hangings, which, with their worn-out graces, curtained the walls +of the little chamber, and gently undulated as the autumnal +breeze found its way through the ancient lattice window, which +pattered and whistled as the air gained entrance. The toilet, +too, with its mirror, turbaned after the manner of the beginning +of the century, with a coiffure of murrey-coloured silk, and its +hundred strange-shaped boxes, providing for arrangements which +had been obsolete for more than fifty years, had an antique, and +in so far a melancholy, aspect. But nothing could blaze more +brightly and cheerfully than the two large wax candles; or if +aught could rival them, it was the flaming, bickering fagots in +the chimney, that sent at once their gleam and their warmth +through the snug apartment, which, notwithstanding the general +antiquity of its appearance, was not wanting in the least +convenience that modern habits rendered either necessary or +desirable. + +"This is an old-fashioned sleeping apartment, General," said the +young lord; "but I hope you find nothing that makes you envy your +old tobacco-cask." + +"I am not particular respecting my lodgings," replied the +General; "yet were I to make any choice, I would prefer this +chamber by many degrees to the gayer and more modern rooms of +your family mansion. Believe me that, when I unite its modern +air of comfort with its venerable antiquity, and recollect that +it is your lordship's property, I shall feel in better quarters +here than if I were in the best hotel London could afford." + +"I trust--I have no doubt--that you will find yourself as +comfortable as I wish you, my dear General," said the young +nobleman; and once more bidding his guest good-night, he shook +him by the hand, and withdrew. + +The General once more looked round him, and internally +congratulating himself on his return to peaceful life, the +comforts of which were endeared by the recollection of the +hardships and dangers he had lately sustained, undressed himself, +and prepared for a luxurious night's rest. + +Here, contrary to the custom of this species of tale, we leave +the General in possession of his apartment until the next +morning. + +The company assembled for breakfast at an early hour, but without +the appearance of General Browne, who seemed the guest that Lord +Woodville was desirous of honouring above all whom his +hospitality had assembled around him. He more than once +expressed surprise at the General's absence, and at length sent a +servant to make inquiry after him. The man brought back +information that General Browne had been walking abroad since an +early hour of the morning, in defiance of the weather, which was +misty and ungenial. + +"The custom of a soldier," said the young nobleman to his +friends. "Many of them acquire habitual vigilance, and cannot +sleep after the early hour at which their duty usually commands +them to be alert." + +Yet the explanation which Lord Woodville thus offered to the +company seemed hardly satisfactory to his own mind, and it was in +a fit of silence and abstraction that he waited the return of the +General. It took place near an hour after the breakfast bell had +rung. He looked fatigued and feverish. His hair, the powdering +and arrangement of which was at this time one of the most +important occupations of a man's whole day, and marked his +fashion as much as in the present time the tying of a cravat, or +the want of one, was dishevelled, uncurled, void of powder, and +dank with dew. His clothes were huddled on with a careless +negligence, remarkable in a military man, whose real or supposed +duties are usually held to include some attention to the toilet; +and his looks were haggard and ghastly in a peculiar degree. + +"So you have stolen a march upon us this morning, my dear +General," said Lord Woodville; "or you have not found your bed so +much to your mind as I had hoped and you seemed to expect. How +did you rest last night?" + +"Oh, excellently well! remarkably well! never better in my +life," said General Browne rapidly, and yet with an air of +embarrassment which was obvious to his friend. He then hastily +swallowed a cup of tea, and neglecting or refusing whatever else +was offered, seemed to fall into a fit of abstraction. + +"You will take the gun to-day, General?" said his friend and +host, but had to repeat the question twice ere he received the +abrupt answer, "No, my lord; I am sorry I cannot have the +opportunity of spending another day with your lordship; my post +horses are ordered, and will be here directly." + +All who were present showed surprise, and Lord Woodville +immediately replied "Post horses, my good friend! What can you +possibly want with them when you promised to stay with me quietly +for at least a week?" + +"I believe," said the General, obviously much embarrassed, "that +I might, in the pleasure of my first meeting with your lordship, +have said something about stopping here a few days; but I have +since found it altogether impossible." + +"That is very extraordinary," answered the young nobleman. "You +seemed quite disengaged yesterday, and you cannot have had a +summons to-day, for our post has not come up from the town, and +therefore you cannot have received any letters." + +General Browne, without giving any further explanation, muttered +something about indispensable business, and insisted on the +absolute necessity of his departure in a manner which silenced +all opposition on the part of his host, who saw that his +resolution was taken, and forbore all further importunity. + +"At least, however," he said, "permit me, my dear Browne, since +go you will or must, to show you the view from the terrace, which +the mist, that is now rising, will soon display." + +He threw open a sash-window, and stepped down upon the terrace as +he spoke. The General followed him mechanically, but seemed +little to attend to what his host was saying, as, looking across +an extended and rich prospect, he pointed out the different +objects worthy of observation. Thus they moved on till Lord +Woodville had attained his purpose of drawing his guest entirely +apart from the rest of the company, when, turning round upon him +with an air of great solemnity, he addressed him thus:-- + +"Richard Browne, my old and very dear friend, we are now alone. +Let me conjure you to answer me upon the word of a friend, and +the honour of a soldier. How did you in reality rest during last +night?" + +"Most wretchedly indeed, my lord," answered the General, in the +same tone of solemnity--"so miserably, that I would not run the +risk of such a second night, not only for all the lands +belonging to this castle, but for all the country which I see +from this elevated point of view." + +"This is most extraordinary," said the young lord, as if speaking +to himself; "then there must be something in the reports +concerning that apartment." Again turning to the General, he +said, "For God's sake, my dear friend, be candid with me, and let +me know the disagreeable particulars which have befallen you +under a roof, where, with consent of the owner, you should have +met nothing save comfort." + +The General seemed distressed by this appeal, and paused a moment +before he replied. "My dear lord," he at length said, "what +happened to me last night is of a nature so peculiar and so +unpleasant, that I could hardly bring myself to detail it even to +your lordship, were it not that, independent of my wish to +gratify any request of yours, I think that sincerity on my part +may lead to some explanation about a circumstance equally painful +and mysterious. To others, the communication I am about to make, +might place me in the light of a weak-minded, superstitious fool, +who suffered his own imagination to delude and bewilder him; but +you have known me in childhood and youth, and will not suspect me +of having adopted in manhood the feelings and frailties from +which my early years were free." Here he paused, and his friend +replied,-- + +"Do not doubt my perfect confidence in the truth of your +communication, however strange it may be," replied Lord +Woodville. "I know your firmness of disposition too well, to +suspect you could be made the object of imposition, and am aware +that your honour and your friendship will equally deter you from +exaggerating whatever you may have witnessed." + +"Well, then," said the General, "I will proceed with my story as +well as I can, relying upon your candour, and yet distinctly +feeling that I would rather face a battery than recall to my mind +the odious recollections of last night." + +He paused a second time, and then perceiving that Lord Woodville +remained silent and in an attitude of attention, he commenced, +though not without obvious reluctance, the history of his night's +adventures in the Tapestried Chamber. + +"I undressed and went to bed so soon as your lordship left me +yesterday evening; but the wood in the chimney, which nearly +fronted my bed, blazed brightly and cheerfully, and, aided by a +hundred exciting recollections of my childhood and youth, which +had been recalled by the unexpected pleasure of meeting your +lordship, prevented me from falling immediately asleep. I ought, +however, to say that these reflections were all of a pleasant and +agreeable kind, grounded on a sense of having for a time +exchanged the labour, fatigues, and dangers of my profession for +the enjoyments of a peaceful life, and the reunion of those +friendly and affectionate ties which I had torn asunder at the +rude summons of war. + +"While such pleasing reflections were stealing over my mind, and +gradually lulling me to slumber, I was suddenly aroused by a +sound like that of the rustling of a silken gown, and the tapping +of a pair of high-heeled shoes, as if a woman were walking in the +apartment. Ere I could draw the curtain to see what the matter +was, the figure of a little woman passed between the bed and the +fire. The back of this form was turned to me, and I could +observe, from the shoulders and neck, it was that of an old +woman, whose dress was an old-fashioned gown, which I think +ladies call a sacque--that is, a sort of robe completely loose in +the body, but gathered into broad plaits upon the neck and +shoulders, which fall down to the ground, and terminate in a +species of train. + +"I thought the intrusion singular enough, but never harboured for +a moment the idea that what I saw was anything more than the +mortal form of some old woman about the establishment, who had a +fancy to dress like her grandmother, and who, having perhaps (as +your lordship mentioned that you were rather straitened for room) +been dislodged from her chamber for my accommodation, had +forgotten the circumstance, and returned by twelve to her old +haunt. Under this persuasion I moved myself in bed and coughed a +little, to make the intruder sensible of my being in possession +of the premises. She turned slowly round, but, gracious Heaven! +my lord, what a countenance did she display to me! There was no +longer any question what she was, or any thought of her being a +living being. Upon a face which wore the fixed features of a +corpse were imprinted the traces of the vilest and most hideous +passions which had animated her while she lived. The body of +some atrocious criminal seemed to have been given up from the +grave, and the soul restored from the penal fire, in order to +form for a space a union with the ancient accomplice of its +guilt. I started up in bed, and sat upright, supporting myself +on my palms, as I gazed on this horrible spectre. The hag made, +as it seemed, a single and swift stride to the bed where I lay, +and squatted herself down upon it, in precisely the same attitude +which I had assumed in the extremity of horror, advancing her +diabolical countenance within half a yard of mine, with a grin +which seemed to intimate the malice and the derision of an +incarnate fiend." + +Here General Browne stopped, and wiped from his brow the cold +perspiration with which the recollection of his horrible vision +had covered it. + +"My lord," he said, "I am no coward, I have been in all the +mortal dangers incidental to my profession, and I may truly boast +that no man ever knew Richard Browne dishonour the sword he +wears; but in these horrible circumstances, under the eyes, and, +as it seemed, almost in the grasp of an incarnation of an evil +spirit, all firmness forsook me, all manhood melted from me like +wax in the furnace, and I felt my hair individually bristle. The +current of my life-blood ceased to flow, and I sank back in a +swoon, as very a victim to panic terror as ever was a village +girl, or a child of ten years old. How long I lay in this +condition I cannot pretend to guess. + +"But I was roused by the castle clock striking one, so loud that +it seemed as if it were in the very room. It was some time +before I dared open my eyes, lest they should again encounter the +horrible spectacle. When, however, I summoned courage to look +up, she was no longer visible. My first idea was to pull my +bell, wake the servants, and remove to a garret or a hay-loft, to +be ensured against a second visitation. Nay, I will confess the +truth that my resolution was altered, not by the shame of +exposing myself, but by the fear that, as the bell-cord hung by +the chimney, I might, in making my way to it, be again crossed by +the fiendish hag, who, I figured to myself, might be still +lurking about some corner of the apartment. + +"I will not pretend to describe what hot and cold fever-fits +tormented me for the rest of the night, through broken sleep, +weary vigils, and that dubious state which forms the neutral +ground between them. A hundred terrible objects appeared to +haunt me; but there was the great difference betwixt the vision +which I have described, and those which followed, that I knew the +last to be deceptions of my own fancy and over-excited nerves. + +"Day at last appeared, and I rose from my bed ill in health and +humiliated in mind. I was ashamed of myself as a man and a +soldier, and still more so at feeling my own extreme desire to +escape from the haunted apartment, which, however, conquered all +other considerations; so that, huddling on my clothes with the +most careless haste, I made my escape from your lordship's +mansion, to seek in the open air some relief to my nervous +system, shaken as it was by this horrible rencounter with a +visitant, for such I must believe her, from the other world. +Your lordship has now heard the cause of my discomposure, and of +my sudden desire to leave your hospitable castle. In other +places I trust we may often meet, but God protect me from ever +spending a second night under that roof!" + +Strange as the General's tale was, he spoke with such a deep air +of conviction that it cut short all the usual commentaries which +are made on such stories. Lord Woodville never once asked him if +he was sure he did not dream of the apparition, or suggested any +of the possibilities by which it is fashionable to explain +supernatural appearances as wild vagaries of the fancy, or +deceptions of the optic nerves, On the contrary, he seemed deeply +impressed with the truth and reality of what he had heard; and, +after a considerable pause regretted, with much appearance of +sincerity, that his early friend should in his house have +suffered so severely. + +"I am the more sorry for your pain, my dear Browne," he +continued, "that it is the unhappy, though most unexpected, +result of an experiment of my own. You must know that, for my +father and grandfather's time, at least, the apartment which was +assigned to you last night had been shut on account of reports +that it was disturbed by supernatural sights and noises. When I +came, a few weeks since, into possession of the estate, I thought +the accommodation which the castle afforded for my friends was +not extensive enough to permit the inhabitants of the invisible +world to retain possession of a comfortable sleeping apartment. +I therefore caused the Tapestried Chamber, as we call it, to be +opened, and, without destroying its air of antiquity, I had such +new articles of furniture placed in it as became the modern +times. Yet, as the opinion that the room was haunted very +strongly prevailed among the domestics, and was also known in the +neighbourhood and to many of my friends, I feared some prejudice +might be entertained by the first occupant of the Tapestried +Chamber, which might tend to revive the evil report which it had +laboured under, and so disappoint my purpose of rendering it a +useful part or the house. I must confess, my dear Browne, that +your arrival yesterday, agreeable to me for a thousand reasons +besides, seemed the most favourable opportunity of removing the +unpleasant rumours which attached to the room, since your courage +was indubitable, and your mind free of any preoccupation on the +subject. I could not, therefore, have chosen a more fitting +subject for my experiment." + +"Upon my life," said General Browne, somewhat hastily, "I am +infinitely obliged to your lordship--very particularly indebted +indeed. I am likely to remember for some time the consequences +of the experiment, as your lordship is pleased to call it." + +"Nay, now you are unjust, my dear friend," said Lord Woodville. +"You have only to reflect for a single moment, in order to be +convinced that I could not augur the possibility of the pain to +which you have been so unhappily exposed. I was yesterday +morning a complete sceptic on the subject of supernatural +appearances. Nay, I am sure that, had I told you what was said +about that room, those very reports would have induced you, by +your own choice, to select it for your accommodation. It was my +misfortune, perhaps my error, but really cannot be termed my +fault, that you have been afflicted so strangely." + +"Strangely indeed!" said the General, resuming his good temper; +"and I acknowledge that I have no right to be offended with your +lordship for treating me like what I used to think myself--a man +of some firmness and courage. But I see my post horses are +arrived, and I must not detain your lordship from your +amusement." + +"Nay, my old friend," said Lord Woodville, "since you cannot stay +with us another day--which, indeed, I can no longer urge--give me +at least half an hour more. You used to love pictures, and I +have a gallery of portraits, some of them by Vandyke, +representing ancestry to whom this property and castle formerly +belonged. I think that several of them will strike you as +possessing merit." + +General Browne accepted the invitation, though somewhat +unwillingly. It was evident he was not to breathe freely or at +ease till he left Woodville Castle far behind him. He could not +refuse his friend's invitation, however; and the less so, that he +was a little ashamed of the peevishness which he had displayed +towards his well-meaning entertainer. + +The General, therefore, followed Lord Woodville through several +rooms into a long gallery hung with pictures, which the latter +pointed out to his guest, telling the names, and giving some +account of the personages whose portraits presented themselves in +progression. General Browne was but little interested in the +details which these accounts conveyed to him. They were, indeed, +of the kind which are usually found in an old family gallery. +Here was a Cavalier who had ruined the estate in the royal cause; +there a fine lady who had reinstated it by contracting a match +with a wealthy Roundhead. There hung a gallant who had been in +danger for corresponding with the exiled Court at Saint +Germain's; here one who had taken arms for William at the +Revolution; and there a third that had thrown his weight +alternately into the scale of Whig and Tory. + +While lord Woodville was cramming these words into his guest's +ear, "against the stomach of his sense," they gained the middle +of the gallery, when he beheld General Browne suddenly start, and +assume an attitude of the utmost surprise, not unmixed with fear, +as his eyes were suddenly caught and riveted by a portrait of an +old lady in a sacque, the fashionable dress of the end of the +seventeenth century. + +"There she is!" he exclaimed--"there she is, in form and +features, though Inferior in demoniac expression to the accursed +hag who visited me last night!" + +"If that be the case," said the young nobleman, "there can remain +no longer any doubt of the horrible reality of your apparition. +That is the picture of a wretched ancestress of mine, of whose +crimes a black and fearful catalogue is recorded in a family +history in my charter-chest. The recital of them would be too +horrible; it is enough to say, that in yon fatal apartment incest +and unnatural murder were committed. I will restore it to the +solitude to which the better judgment of those who preceded me +had consigned it; and never shall any one, so long as I can +prevent it, be exposed to a repetition of the supernatural +horrors which could shake such courage as yours." + +Thus the friends, who had met with such glee, parted in a very +different mood--Lord Woodville to command the Tapestried Chamber +to be unmantled, and the door built up; and General Browne to +seek in some less beautiful country, and with some less dignified +friend, forgetfulness of the painful night which he had passed in +Woodville Castle. + +END OF THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER. + + +* + + +DEATH OF THE LAIRD'S JOCK by Sir Walter Scott. + + +[The manner in which this trifle was introduced at the time to +Mr. F. M. Reynolds, editor of The Keepsake of 1828, leaves no +occasion for a preface.] + +AUGUST 1831. + + +TO THE EDITOR OF THE KEEPSAKE. + +You have asked me, sir, to point out a subject for the pencil, +and I feel the difficulty of complying with your request, +although I am not certainly unaccustomed to literary composition, +or a total stranger to the stores of history and tradition, which +afford the best copies for the painter's art. But although SICUT +PICTURA POESIS is an ancient and undisputed axiom--although +poetry and painting both address themselves to the same object of +exciting the human imagination, by presenting to it pleasing or +sublime images of ideal scenes--yet the one conveying itself +through the ears to the understanding, and the other applying +itself only to the eyes, the subjects which are best suited to +the bard or tale-teller are often totally unfit for painting, +where the artist must present in a single glance all that his art +has power to tell us. The artist can neither recapitulate the +past nor intimate the future. The single NOW is all which he can +present; and hence, unquestionably, many subjects which delight +us in poetry or in narrative, whether real or fictitious, cannot +with advantage be transferred to the canvas. + +Being in some degree aware of these difficulties, though +doubtless unacquainted both with their extent and the means by +which they may be modified or surmounted, I have, nevertheless, +ventured to draw up the following traditional narrative as a +story in which, when the general details are known, the interest +is so much concentrated in one strong moment of agonizing +passion, that it can be understood and sympathized with at a +single glance. I therefore presume that it may be acceptable as +a hint to some one among the numerous artists who have of late +years distinguished themselves as rearing up and supporting the +British school. + +Enough has been said and sung about + + "The well-contested ground, + The warlike Border-land," + +to render the habits of the tribes who inhabited it before the +union of England and Scotland familiar to most of your readers. +The rougher and sterner features of their character were softened +by their attachment to the fine arts, from which has arisen the +saying that on the frontiers every dale had its battle, and every +river its song. A rude species of chivalry was in constant use, +and single combats were practised as the amusement of the few +intervals of truce which suspended the exercise of war. The +inveteracy of this custom may be inferred from the following +incident:-- + +Bernard Gilpin, the apostle of the north, the first who undertook +to preach the Protestant doctrines to the Border dalesmen, was +surprised, on entering one of their churches, to see a gauntlet +or mail-glove hanging above the altar. Upon inquiring; the +meaning of a symbol so indecorous being displayed in that sacred +place, he was informed by the clerk that the glove was that of a +famous swordsman, who hung it there as an emblem of a general +challenge and gage of battle to any who should dare to take the +fatal token down. "Reach it to me," said the reverend churchman. +The clerk and the sexton equally declined the perilous office, +and the good Bernard Gilpin was obliged to remove the glove with +his own hands, desiring those who were present to inform the +champion that he, and no other, had possessed himself of the gage +of defiance. But the champion was as much ashamed to face +Bernard Gilpin as the officials of the church had been to +displace his pledge of combat. + +The date of the following story is about the latter years of +Queen Elizabeth's reign; and the events took place in Liddesdale, +a hilly and pastoral district of Roxburghshire, which, on a part +of its boundary, is divided from England only by a small river. + +During the good old times of RUGGING AND RIVING--that is, tugging +and tearing--under which term the disorderly doings of the +warlike age are affectionately remembered, this valley was +principally cultivated by the sept or clan of the Armstrongs. +The chief of this warlike race was the Laird of Mangerton. At +the period of which I speak, the estate of Mangerton, with the +power and dignity of chief, was possessed by John Armstrong, a +man of great size, strength, and courage. While his father was +alive, he was distinguished from others of his clan who bore the +same name, by the epithet of the LAIRD'S JOCK--that is to say, +the Laird's son Jock, or Jack. This name he distinguished by so +many bold and desperate achievements, that he retained it even +after his father's death, and is mentioned under it both in +authentic records and in tradition. Some of his feats are +recorded in the minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, and others are +mentioned in contemporary chronicles. + +At the species of singular combat which we have described the +Laird's Jock was unrivalled, and no champion of Cumberland, +Westmoreland, or Northumberland could endure the sway of the huge +two-handed sword which he wielded, and which few others could +even lift. This "awful sword," as the common people term it, was +as dear to him as Durindana or Fushberta to their respective +masters, and was nearly as formidable to his enemies as those +renowned falchions proved to the foes of Christendom. The weapon +had been bequeathed to him by a celebrated English outlaw named +Hobbie Noble, who, having committed some deed for which he was in +danger from justice, fled to Liddesdale, and became a follower, +or rather a brother-in-arms, to the renowned Laird's Jock; till, +venturing into England with a small escort, a faithless guide, +and with a light single-handed sword instead of his ponderous +brand, Hobbie Noble, attacked by superior numbers, was made +prisoner and executed. + +With this weapon, and by means of his own strength and address, +the Laird's Jock maintained the reputation of the best swordsman +on the Border side, and defeated or slew many who ventured to +dispute with him the formidable title. + +But years pass on with the strong and the brave as with the +feeble and the timid. In process of time the Laird's Jock grew +incapable of wielding his weapons, and finally of all active +exertion, even of the most ordinary kind. The disabled champion +became at length totally bedridden, and entirely dependent for +his comfort on the pious duties of an only daughter, his +perpetual attendant and companion. + +Besides this dutiful child, the Laird's Jock had an only son, +upon whom devolved the perilous task of leading the clan to +battle, and maintaining the warlike renown of his native country, +which was now disputed by the English upon many occasions. The +young Armstrong was active, brave, and strong, and brought home +from dangerous adventures many tokens of decided success. Still, +the ancient chief conceived, as it would seem, that his son was +scarce yet entitled by age and experience to be entrusted with +the two-handed sword, by the use of which he had himself been so +dreadfully distinguished. + +At length an English champion, one of the name of Foster (if I +rightly recollect), had the audacity to send a challenge to the +best swordsman in Liddesdale; and young Armstrong, burning for +chivalrous distinction, accepted the challenge. + +The heart of the disabled old man swelled with joy when he heard +that the challenge was passed and accepted, and the meeting fixed +at a neutral spot, used as the place of rencontre upon such +occasions, and which he himself had distinguished by numerous +victories. He exulted so much in the conquest which he +anticipated, that, to nerve his son to still bolder exertions, he +conferred upon him, as champion of his clan and province, the +celebrated weapon which he had hitherto retained in his own +custody. + +This was not all. When the day of combat arrived, the Laird's +Jock, in spite of his daughter's affectionate remonstrances, +determined, though he had not left his bed for two years, to be a +personal witness of the duel. His will was still a law to his +people, who bore him on their shoulders, wrapped in plaids and +blankets, to the spot where the combat was to take place, and +seated him on a fragment of rock, which is still called the +Laird's Jock's stone. There he remained with eyes fixed on the +lists or barrier, within which the champions were about to meet. +His daughter, having done all she could for his accommodation, +stood motionless beside him, divided between anxiety for his +health, and for the event of the combat to her beloved brother. +Ere yet the fight began, the old men gazed on their chief, now +seen for the first time after several years, and sadly compared +his altered features and wasted frame with the paragon of +strength and manly beauty which they once remembered. The young +men gazed on his large form and powerful make as upon some +antediluvian giant who had survived the destruction of the Flood. + +But the sound of the trumpets on both sides recalled the +attention of every one to the lists, surrounded as they were by +numbers of both nations eager to witness the event of the day. +The combatants met in the lists. It is needless to describe the +struggle: the Scottish champion fell. Foster, placing his foot +on his antagonist, seized on the redoubted sword, so precious in +the eyes of its aged owner, and brandished it over his head as a +trophy of his conquest. The English shouted in triumph. But the +despairing cry of the aged champion, who saw his country +dishonoured, and his sword, long the terror of their race, in the +possession of an Englishman, was heard high above the +acclamations of victory. He seemed for an instant animated by +all his wonted power; for he started from the rock on which he +sat, and while the garments with which he had been invested fell +from his wasted frame, and showed the ruins of his strength, he +tossed his arms wildly to heaven, and uttered a cry of +indignation, horror, and despair, which, tradition says, was +heard to a preternatural distance, and resembled the cry of a +dying lion more than a human sound. + +His friends received him in their arms as he sank utterly +exhausted by the effort, and bore him back to his castle in mute +sorrow; while his daughter at once wept for her brother, and +endeavoured to mitigate and soothe the despair of her father. +But this was impossible; the old man's only tie to life was rent +rudely asunder, and his heart had broken with it. The death of +his son had no part in his sorrow. If he thought of him at all, +it was as the degenerate boy through whom the honour of his +country and clan had been lost; and he died in the course of +three days, never even mentioning his name, but pouring out +unintermitted lamentations for the loss of his noble sword. + +I conceive that the moment when the disabled chief was roused +into a last exertion by the agony of the moment is favourable to +the object of a painter. He might obtain the full advantage of +contrasting the form of the rugged old man, in the extremity of +furious despair, with the softness and beauty of the female form. +The fatal field might be thrown into perspective, so as to give +full effect to these two principal figures, and with the single +explanation that the piece represented a soldier beholding his +son slain, and the honour of his country lost, the picture would +be sufficiently intelligible at the first glance. If it was +thought necessary to show more clearly the nature of the +conflict, it might be indicated by the pennon of Saint George +being displayed at one end of the lists, and that of Saint Andrew +at the other. + +I remain, sir, + +Your obedient servant, + +THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY. + + + + + +End of +*The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Tapestried Chamber, by Scott* +and +The Project Gutenberg Etext of Death of the Laird's Jock by Scott + diff --git a/old/tpsch10.zip b/old/tpsch10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5dc0fbc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/tpsch10.zip |