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diff --git a/42095.txt b/42095.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7f1cb75..0000000 --- a/42095.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5941 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, v. 2 of 3, by -Matthew Weld Hartstonge - -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 Eve of All-Hallows, v. 2 of 3 - Adelaide of Tyrconnel - -Author: Matthew Weld Hartstonge - -Release Date: February 15, 2013 [EBook #42095] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS, V. 2 OF 3 *** - - - - -Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Sue Fleming and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - THE - - EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS; - - OR, - - ADELAIDE OF TYRCONNEL; - - A ROMANCE. - - _IN THREE VOLUMES._ - - BY MATTHEW WELD HARTSTONGE, ESQ. M. R. I. A. - - Nescia mens hominum, fati sortisque futurae - Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis! - . . . . . . . . . . tempus erit, - . . . . . et quum spolia ista diemque - Oderit! - - VIRGILIUS, AE. x.I.501. - - VOL. II. - - LONDON: - - FOR G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE. - - 1825. - - - - - THE - - EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - ----------------------------I have marshalled my men, - Their swords are a thousand, their bosoms are one. - They are true to the last, of their blood and their breath; - And like reapers descend to the harvest of death. - - CAMPBELL. - - -Many a trumpet sounded forth the bold advance, and many a drum beat to -arms, and full many a heart throbbed high, upon the morning of the ever -memorable first of July, 1690. Then burst forth the signal-gun that -loudly pealed forth the approach of day, re-echoed by the woods and -waters of the Boyne. This signal was to announce to the troops of the -Prince of Orange instantly to commence their march as soon as summoned -by the cannon's roar. Their march was about three miles distant from the -margin of that stream which on this day was destined to become the -rubicon of empire! - -The plan of attack, upon the part of the Prince of Orange, consisted of -three parts. We shall now begin with the first:--Count Menard Schomberg -(the son of Field Marshal Duke of Schomberg, and Commander-in-Chief -under the Prince of Orange) was to lead on the right wing towards the -westward of some fords which adjoined the bridge of Slane; the force -consisted chiefly of cavalry, and amounted to ten thousand men; Count -Schomberg commanded the cavalry, and Lieutenant General Douglas the -infantry. Their route to the ford, which it had been determined they -were to pass, lay through an unenclosed country, the grounds of which -were partly covered with low brush-wood, over which the horses sprung -with delight; and had the soldiers been clad in green a spectator might -have imagined he looked down on a hunting party, instead of beholding -an army upon the burst of battle; for, startled and roused from their -peaceful lair, numerous rabbits and hares were seen to jump forth from -beneath underwood, furze, fern, and heath; which soon set the soldiery -at fault, and who for the moment gave up (tumultuously dashing into the -merry greenwood) the hunting of men for chase of the leporine tribe; and -they were not brought back to a sense of duty until thrice the bugle of -recall had sounded; when having knocked on the head some hundreds of -these peaceful, harmless animals, the troops gave up the chase, which is -the symbol, for the dire reality of war. - -They had now arrived on the margin of the Boyne, and upon the opposite -banks were entrenched King James and his army, consisting of English, -Scotch, Irish, and French troops. The latter were the experienced -veterans of Louis the Fourteenth, who had toiled and conquered in many a -desperate conflict. - -The camp of King James was stationed thus:--On its right was the city of -Drogheda, filled with Irish soldiers: upon the further banks of the -Boyne, and to the eastward, their tents were extended in two parallel -lines, and protected by a deep morass, and on the left it was difficult -to be passed. In front of the camp were the fords of the Boyne deep and -dangerous, protected by rugged banks, and defended by some breast-works; -while the huts and hedges were lined with infantry on the rere; and at -some distance arose the church and village of Donore, upon whose -commanding heights King James in person was stationed. Three miles -further onward was the pass of Duleek, on which King James firmly -depended for a retreat, if such should be found wanting. The works -thrown up for the defence of the camp were strong, and well fortified in -front by the broad and deep waters of the Boyne; while the ditch, or -fosse, defending this position, was deep, and flanked with redoubts, -batteries, and pallisadoes. - -The batteries of James kept up a brisk fire, pouring forth cannon-shot -upon the assailants, and not without due effect. This was to awe the -troops of Count Menard Schomberg, and incapacitate them from fording the -river. But it was not long erewhile that this deep salutation from the -cannon's mouth was duly responded to, and with correspondent effect, by -Count Schomberg, who, advancing to the margin of the ford, planted on -the spot three twenty-four pounders, which instantly commenced to fire -upon the enemy's intrenchments. This was soon again answered on their -part by five field-pieces returning the cannonade, which General -Sarsfield had mounted on his batteries. However, after an hour's heavy -and destructive cannonade, the superior weight of metal and calibre -irresistibly carried its expected success. Several of the French and -Irish artillery were killed; guns might then be seen dismounted, some -with their wheels broken, and others hurled from their carriages, all -thus rendered useless. Count Schomberg thus witnessing their batteries -to be effectually silenced, gave the signal for fording the Boyne; and -boldly and promptly dashed first onward at the head of his squadron, the -trumpets, drums, and kettle-drums, and all the accompanying bands, -striking forth their martial music, to which the waters of the Boyne -re-echoed. This was of course to encourage and arouse the ardour of his -troops, who, with a firm unbroken front, dashed impetuously into the -stream, as though it had been their natural element. The waters were -indeed deep, the infantry found them breast-high, and were compelled to -carry their muskets above their heads, to preserve them dry and fit for -service; while the horses of the cavalry were forced in many instances -to swim, the current of the river having been stopped by this sudden and -mighty influx of men and horses, which, as might have been expected, -raised the waters of the Boyne to an unusual height. In the mean time a -large squadron of infantry arrived on the opposite bank, who kept up a -galling fire, at which time some of the cavalry of King James plunged -into the stream to oppose the landing of the troops of the Prince of -Orange. It then became uproar, noise, and confusion, all the while -death was busy on the Boyne, and upon its opposite banks. - - "Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan!" - -With the loss of many wounded, and in a greater ratio of others who were -slain, Count Menard Schomberg effected the landing of his troops; at -which time the dragoons of King James began incontinently to retreat -towards the main body, which was attended with very considerable loss. -The main body of King James's infantry was extended in two parallel -lines. Lieutenant General Douglas finding how matters stood, sent -promptly for a reinforcement of foot to extend his lines in a similar -manner; but this intention was impeded by the intervention of an -extensive bog to his left, which rendered it quite impossible for his -cavalry to pass; he therefore ordered them to defile to the right, and -the infantry to march in open column to the left, and then to pass the -bog, or morass, in single files. This passage of the troops was effected -below the bridge of Slane. And having now dispersed the troops which -opposed him, his object was to force his way to the ford of Duleek, so -that at once he might attack the enemy from behind, and totally cut off -his retreat at the same moment. King James perceiving Count Schomberg to -march for Slane, and great bodies of troops moving with him, concluded -that the whole army were taking the same route; and that the English and -Dutch troops, conscious of the difficulty of forcing the fords between -the camps, would not, thus circumstanced, dare to attempt them, -discouraged, as well they might be, from an expected attack on their -flank, in such an enterprise. However, should they attempt, and succeed, -he apprehended that his communication with Duleek might in the mean time -be cut off. Accordingly, under this full impression, King James sent -forward a great force to watch Count Schomberg, and by his doing so he -weakened his principal force. The Count Schomberg, in consequence of -these improvident movements of his opponent, found but little opposition -to his ulterior passage of the ford, soon dispersing the few troops -which had soonest arrived to oppose him; and then he dashed on with his -infantry, and boldly floundered through the bog; while he sent his -cavalry round over a narrow tract of firm ground. The boldness of which -action completely discouraged his opponents; in consequence of which -they rapidly retreated to Duleek. - -We are now come to the _second_ part of the attack, as devised and -planned by the Prince of Orange. The moment that the prince was informed -that Count Schomberg had passed the ford, and had accomplished the -landing of his troops, although his Highness had long been quite -prepared to ford the river, yet the information which he received of the -complete success of Count Schomberg increased his desire to commence the -march, which he instantly began. He was attended by Duke Schomberg, who -was to command the centre of the army. The Dutch Guards, in their blue -jackets and orange facings, first plunged into the waters of the Boyne. -The Brandenburghers at the same instant, impelled by national -competition, dashed also simultaneously into the stream, led on by -their gallant colonel. - -The Dutch Guards, who thus led on the van of battle, were broadly -exposed to the fire of their enemies, whose lines were intrenched along -the opposite heights of the Boyne, and also by several battalions -stationed upon the banks beneath. These troops of King James not only -resisted on the banks, but plunging into the stream, manfully opposed -the approach of the infantry of the Prince of Orange. But the troops of -his Highness, even while in the river, fired a grand discharge of -musketry, which instantaneously checked their opponents. Here a -chivalrous combat for the standard of green Erin, fought for in the very -bosom of the Boyne, is worthy of being recorded, while - - "Advanced--forced back, now low, now high, - The pennon sunk and rose."[1] - - [1] Marmion. - -The standard of the golden harp was borne by Cornet Hamilton, nephew to -Major General Hamilton, and an officer in the General's regiment of -horse. The combat for the armorial banner was sustained by a brave -officer of the Brandenburghers, who seemed determined at every risk to -possess the standard, and place it as a trophy at the feet of the Prince -of Orange. The conflict was fought with desperate fury; they fought in -the flood--they fought at the ford; they next landed on the banks, and -fought upon the verdant shores of the Boyne. Here Hamilton, dreading to -lose the banner he had so gallantly defended, tore the banner from the -standard-staff, (it was the work of only a moment,) and instantly -wrapped the banner around his body, while with earnest enthusiasm he -exclaimed:-- - - By death alone shall Erin's harp be won, - And through the life-blood of her faithful son! - -The dreadful personal combat now recommenced, and in the fierce and -astounding shock of the charge, the sword of Hamilton was shivered in -twain; and within the same moment, from the overpowering shock and -impetus of the charge, both the combatants instantaneously were flung, -horse and rider, to the ground. They now arose upon equal terms, for -both were disarmed; but still they met, while each with daring -desperation contended for the prize; foot opposed to foot, knee to knee, -and arm to arm! For some time they strenuously contended with doubtful -success; but soon the Brandenburgh officer was upon the point of -success, when Cornet Hamilton, with deep determined desperation, aided -by bodily strength, instantly seized upon the Brandenburgher, and with -all resistless force plunged himself and his adversary into the waters -of the Boyne, from whence neither ever more were seen to rise! And it -was horrifying to hear the splash of the gurgling waters into which the -brave combatants, fighting with an unsubduable valour, sunk entombed, -never more to rise! and this amid the applauding shouts, or rather -shrieks, of either contending army, who had meantime given a pause to -the battle; while intently gazed both friend and foe, with wonder, awe, -and admiration, upon such a determined deadly feat of chivalry! seldom -equalled, and probably never surpassed, neither in the annals of war, -nor amid the feats and fictions of chivalry! - -The Duke of Tyrconnel gallantly headed and led on his own regiment of -dragoon guards in headlong charge, with signal bravery, and not without -due effect. At length, however, the duke was repulsed, and his charger -which he rode was shot dead, and fell with his manly master to the -ground. However, he was soon seen mounted again, having arisen without -hurt from the earth, and briskly vaulted on a led horse of his own, -which was conducted instantly to him by his groom from the rere of the -regiment. The Irish troops were, at this period of the battle, thrown -into some confusion, and compelled unwillingly to retire. But the duke -conducted the retreat in a masterly and gallant manner. Soon after this -the English and Danish troops, with the brigades of Sir John Hanmer and -Melionere, immediately followed, and passed the ford without -opposition. The cause assigned for this disposition of the forces was -this:--that the Prince of Orange well knew that both the Dutch and -Brandenburghers were warmly attached to his person, and he felt -convinced that the Huguenots and Enniskilliners were as deeply attached -to their religion. But the Danes at that time he did not as yet -sufficiently know; and much he feared to oppose the English forces who -now supported the princely James, their lawful sovereign, and who had -formerly commanded them, as now he did, in person. - -Field Marshal Duke of Schomberg, who was most anxious, yet at the same -time doubtful of success, thinking the attempt a desperate one, still -firmly retained his station, surrounded by a strong body of troops, in -order to yield assistance wherever most it was wanted. The French troops -of King James now seemed to start from the earth, for hitherto they had -remained undiscovered; but now they arose upon the sight from among the -little hills, appearing far more numerous than what they really were. -This deception arose from the circumstance of their gradually, and at -intervals, arising to view from the brush-wood, thickets, and ditches, -where they lay stationed; and furthermore from the extension of their -ranks, from the interposition of trees, walls, and hedges, and the -intervention of houses, hamlets, and other objects, which had hitherto -obscured them. - -Major General Hamilton, at the head of his own regiment of dragoons, -made a truly gallant charge, while fiercely he attacked the squadron of -the Danes, and withal with such vigour and success, that they soon fled -back incontinently through the river. Hamilton's cavalry, and that of -the Count de Lauzun, meanwhile pursued them, and having briskly chased -them, but without effect, as soon they returned, and then fell furiously -upon the French Huguenots, who having no pikes to sustain the dreadful -charge, their ranks of infantry were instantly broken through. Here -suddenly the cry arising of "_horse! horse!_" (of which to support them -they were in great want) having been mistaken for "_halt! halt!_" still -further threw the centre of the squadron of the Prince of Orange into -great disorder. The Dutch?--They _halted_ indeed, and with a vengeance. -The Huguenot ranks were broken through, while slowly the English succour -advanced; and the Danes, without even waiting to be attacked, wheeled -somewhat precipitately "right about," then fled panic-struck, and -plunged into the Boyne to effect a retreat. Not slow, however, were some -companies of Hamilton's dragoons to pursue, who promptly dashed into the -river to cut off a retreat. - -At this point of the battle, the brave, the intrepid Callimote, who in -person commanded his valiant corps of Huguenots--he who had been the -faithful partner of the toils and victories, and partaker of the glories -of Schomberg in former battles--at this moment was cut down by one of -Hamilton's horse. He had indeed received a mortal wound! He fell, but -was soon upraised by his brave soldiers; and while they bore him away, -bleeding even to death, in their arms, still strong and deep in agony -was heard the hero's voice. He called aloud to his brave companions in -the battle, "_A la gloire, mes enfans--a la gloire!_" and while thus -exclaiming, he died in the arms of his valiant comrades! Thus nobly sunk -this valiant man. He died a hero, and fell as the brave should fall, -shouting even in death the cry of victory! Meanwhile Duke Schomberg was -distinctly seen spurring onward his noble charger even in the deepest -part of the Boyne, encouraging and calling aloud upon the Huguenots to -rally, and accompanying this with his gesture, his voice, and his sword. -His strenuous and manly exertions were beheld and heard in vain, for no -succour advanced! - -Hamilton's cavalry, a second time breaking through the ranks of the -flying Huguenots, wounded Duke Schomberg in the engagement, and hurried -him along; when his own troops firing at the duke through mistake, he -fell lifeless from his war-horse. - -Hamilton's terrific charge on the part of the Irish, and the relief -brought to reinforce the Duke of Schomberg's squadron, on the other, -gave time to both sides to rally, and prepare for a renewed engagement. -The Duke of Tyrconnel performed prodigies of valour. He here had a -second horse shot under him while sustaining this dreadful conflict. - -We must now come to the _third_ part of the battle, as it was arranged -(as we have before premised) by the Prince of Orange. - -During the two former attacks every where was to be seen the blue and -orange plumes of Nassau waving over flood and field! Now also every -where was he to be seen quickly to rush into danger, riding rapidly from -place to place, examining every regiment and troop, exhorting and -inspiring them by look, gesture, and action. The soldiers were well -pleased at this attention; they were flattered and animated, every man -considering himself under the immediate inspection of his royal leader, -while every motion and manoeuvre his counsel, conduct, and courage -directed. - -The Prince of Orange led on the left wing of the army, accompanied by -Prince George of Denmark, and they passed the Boyne at the ford of Old -Bridge, between the army of James and the town of Drogheda; and it was -not without difficulty that this measure was accomplished. Here the -charger of the Prince of Orange got entangled in a bog or morass at the -other side of the river, where he had landed, and where he was forced to -alight until one of the royal attendants succeeded in extricating -"Sorrel" (for so was the royal charger named) from his entanglement in -the morass, and assisted the prince to remount. - -As soon as all the troops had passed over the Boyne water, and were put -in some order, the Prince of Orange commanded them to march; and -constantly was he seen upon the alert, with his large conspicuous -triangular hat and nodding plumes, urging "Sorrel" in full gallop at the -head of his cavalry, his sword drawn, and his wounded arm freed from the -scarf which had supported it. He waved his sword on high, and encouraged -and inflamed the soldiery to battle. - -At this sight the troops of King James manifested a disposition to -retreat. King James, however, endeavoured by every method and persuasion -he could use to rally his men, while loudly he repeatedly called out to -them, - - "On, on ye brave!" - -while to his general officers he expressed his fixed determination "to -make a bold and resolute effort for the recovery of his throne; for -_that all the hopes of his restoration depended upon the result of that -day_!" - -The Prince of Orange now despatched twelve battalions and nine squadrons -to strengthen his right wing, and placed himself at the head of the left -wing of his army. The right, as we have before observed, was commanded -by Count Menard Schomberg; the centre by Field-Marshal Duke of -Schomberg, and the left by William. - -In the meantime all the forces of King James, except the detachment -which had retired to Duleek, promptly gathered from all quarters, and -formed a firm and formidable phalanx around their king. Here the battle -raged loud and stormy, but with various success, for about an hour, -representing both to the eye and ear all the horrors of civil and -foreign war commingled. Here waved in the breeze the silver lilies of -France; there undulated the silver harp of Erin, the golden lion of old -merry England; and the Scottish unicorn, with the bordure of the -thistle; next the Belgic lion in refulgent gold; then the dark, black -eagle of Brandenburgh, with the ominous raven of Denmark, all waving in -the morning breeze, and in the fierce discordant attack shaken to and -fro, like the woods of some ancient forest. Here, and every where, -resounded the languages of France, England, Holland, Denmark, Germany, -and Ireland--all spoken promiscuously. May we then not observe, what a -scene was there combined! withal the various and varied nations, their -troops' uniforms consisting of various and discordant hues, all -combining and forming the different tints of the rainbow, including many -_ultra_ and even _plus-ultra_ dyes of the arc of heaven!--green, blue, -black, yellow, scarlet, and some undefinable colours. The varied look -that caught the eye, and the varied language that irresistibly reached -the ear, rendered this ever most remarkable battle-scene truly another -Babel! While Frenchmen fought against their fellow-subjects in some -quarters of the field--while in others brave Britons contended against -Britons--and, alas! the sons of unhappy Ireland fought against each -other in opposing ranks!--Oh, the reflection was dreadful! - -At this period of the battle Tyrconnel defeated the English, who were -commanded by General De Ginckle, and who thereupon suddenly retreated. -The Prince of Orange, perceiving what Tyrconnel had done, rallied the -English cavalry, and remonstrated with them upon their flight. When thus -urged, they rushed again upon the charge, and not without some success. - -The Prince of Orange brought up his Dutch cavalry and the Enniskilliners -to support the charge; his Highness then wheeled to the left, and the -Enniskilliners, through mistake, did the same. Upon this the prince -galloped furiously to the right, and drew up his Dutch troops. The -Enniskilliners upon this became conscious of the mistake which they -involuntarily had committed, and they instantly reoccupied their ground, -and fought resolutely. - -At this momentous crisis of the battle, the brave Tyrconnel strained -every nerve to support the troops under his command. He galloped in -front, and from flank to rere, while every where he exhorted, -encouraged, and animated the troops, as onward he galloped through the -ranks. - - "Rise, might of Erin, rise! - Now on the foes' astonish'd eyes - Let thy proud ensigns wave dismay! - Here let the thunder of thy battle roll, - And bear the palm of strength and victory away!" - -Here Tyrconnel encountered the Brandenburgh cavalry, with their gallant -colonel at their head, who, not unobserved by Tyrconnel, throughout that -well-fought field performed prodigies of valour. The duke and colonel -met, and closed in single combat, managing the broad sword with -equal--nay, with consummate skill; when a private of the -Brandenburghers, perceiving that the duke had the advantage of his -leader, presently levelling his carbine, and aiming at Tyrconnel, he -suddenly fired it off. The duke escaped, but his noble charger fell, and -flung with tremendous force to the earth the hero whom he had borne. In -an instant the colonel was on his feet, and raised his gallant opponent -in his arms. - -"Brave and truly noble colonel! accept my warm and grateful thanks for -this truly generous and heroic act; and permit me, at the same time, to -know to whom I am so much, so highly indebted?" - -"Noble duke," rejoined the valiant stranger, "for such I know you to be, -indeed you much overrate my service. However, at some future time, more -propitious than the present, my name shall be divulged to you; at the -present moment I have reasons quite sufficient to cause me to decline -the explanation which you require. But you shall have two pledges, and -from a true knight, for the fulfilment of my promise, solemnly made in -the battle-field!" - -He then loudly called to his equerry: "Ho! Malcolm, bring Fergus from -the rere!" While on the instant the equerry advanced, bringing a noble -Hanoverian charger of a beautiful cream colour, who loudly snorted, -neighed, and proudly pawed the ground. The stately animal was ready -caparisoned for the field. - -The colonel next took a ring from off his finger; it was an antique -cameo, exquisitely sculptured; the gem was a ruby of immense value; the -subject was the genius of Victory crowning Hercules. - -"This," said the colonel, "you must permit me to place on your hand, as -an humble mark of my esteem and admiration of the brave who belong to -every country. This and my trusty charger are the gages for the -fulfilment of my promise." - -"In return," replied the duke, "noble and generous stranger," at the -same moment taking from out his bosom a diamond star, which was appended -to a chain of gold, "receive this diamond star!" And flinging it with -much grace around the colonel's neck, he added: "Wear this for sake of -me! This morning it was given me by my king, who commanded me to place -it around the bravest neck and the boldest heart I should this day meet -in the field." - -"Then," rejoined the stranger, "you should have reserved it for your -own, and have allowed it to remain; for where it _was_ placed it best -became!" - -"Not so, gallant Sir," resumed the duke, "my beloved sovereign's -mandates I have now faithfully fulfilled." - -Here the bugles of the contending squadrons pealed forth "a recall," and -the duke of Tyrconnel and the Colonel of the Brandenburghers parted, -highly and mutually pleased, and earnestly hoping yet to meet. Having -warmly shaken hands, the duke adroitly vaulted on the Hanoverian -steed--it was the third which he had mounted on that bloody day! And -when both were on horseback, they once more cordially shook hands, -while each with much regret bade the other adieu! - -Throughout this momentous battle Tyrconnel had performed prodigies of -valour: he was every where to be seen, every where to be heard; his -rallying voice and look remonstrating with and encouraging the timid and -wavering, while gallantly he led on the brave to the charge. During this -deadly fight he lost three horses, which were shot beneath him, as has -been already mentioned. But still undismayed, he each time returned to -the charge; and if the crown of King James possibly could have been -preserved by the talents, loyalty, affection, and invincible courage of -an individual, it would have been fully secured by the firmness and -fidelity of Tyrconnel. - - --------------------"Si Pergama dextra - Defendi possent, etiam hac defensa fuissent!" - -During the heat of the action at Old Bridge one of the Dutch dragoons of -the Prince of Orange rode up, and not knowing his person, clapped a -pistol to his head. "What!" calmly observed the prince, and with much -presence of mind, "what! do you not know your friends?" - -The Count de Lauzun held firm for a considerable time in the village of -Old Bridge, although his troops were severely galled with the shells -which were incessantly poured against them from the mortars which the -Prince of Orange had planted at the entrance of the village. The count's -force was principally composed of French troops. At length, being -overpowered, he was reluctantly compelled to yield; however, he retired -in good order, leaving numbers of his opponents dead upon the field of -battle. - -Major-General Hamilton, of whose exploits we have already made -honourable mention, was certainly, it must be allowed by all, an -experienced commander, and a brave soldier. He headed his cavalry in -conjunction with the Irish infantry, who were allotted to protect the -ford of Duleek. Several attempts hitherto, but in vain, were made upon -the enemy's post to force the ford; but now they were compelled to yield -to superior numbers. General Hamilton, upon finding that matters stood -thus, placed himself at the head of the cavalry who were to cooperate -with his infantry, fought with fierce and obstinate courage in repelling -the assailants; but being wounded in the head by a sabre blow, he was -taken prisoner. The right wing of the Irish upon this event gave way, -and they retired from the hedges and ditches, &c. where they had been -intrenched, and retreated across a bog to Duleek, where they attempted -to rally. But upon hearing that the left wing of their army was defeated -at Old Bridge, they gave way, and again retreated, leaving the pass at -Duleek undefended. Upon this, without losing the moment of advantage, -the Prince of Orange placed his troops in order, and directed a general -pursuit from all quarters. The close pressure of the enemy, the -consequent hurry of the flight, and the determination of the pursuers, -prevented the troops of King James from defending the pass at Duleek, -and the victory became complete and decided upon the part of King -William--which title he had now obtained by the sword; and then -tumultuous cries were heard shouting through the air, of "Nassau and -victory!--_Vive le Roy Guillaume!--Vive le heros Guillaume!--Orange -Boven!--Een overwinnaar Boven al!_" &c. &c. - -King William pursued with promptitude the flying troops of James, and -committed slaughter, chasing them four miles beyond Duleek. Night coming -on put a termination to the pursuit, and the pursuers were ordered to -return. They took possession of booty to a large amount, an extensive -train of baggage, chariots, waggons, horses, arms, and ammunition. All -the night the army of William stood to their arms. In this well fought -battle the Irish lost three thousand men; King William lost about one -thousand. The persons of note who were killed among the former army were -the Marquis d'Hackinkourt, Lord Dungannon, Lord Carlingford, and Sir -Neal O'Neal. Upon the part of King William was slain Field Marshal the -Duke of Schomberg, the wisest, bravest, and the greatest captain of the -age, and at the advanced age of seventy years this brave and valiant -hero fell! The brave Callimote also was killed, and gloriously at the -head of his regiment, as has been already observed. At this battle also -was slain the celebrated and Reverend George Walker, who had so -gallantly defended Derry; he was killed a few steps behind King William. -When the account of his death was brought to the king, His Majesty said, -"Fool that he was, what had he to do here?" "Words," as Sir John -Dalrymple justly remarks, "which dishonoured the living, not the dead!" - -The passage of the Boyne by King William was an enterprise certainly the -most courageous that history can attest; and however great and glorious -was that day's victory, yet, nevertheless, dearly was it purchased in -having cost the life of Field Marshal Schomberg. Throughout this arduous -and bloody day King William received no manner of hurt, although he was -actively engaged in the height of the action. However, a cannon ball -carried away a piece of his coat; but he received no wound in -consequence. Throughout this eventful fight he was seen to chase the -field, to dispose and arrange every attack, and several times to lead on -the charge; and whenever his troops began to shrink, he was instantly -observed to rally and support them, displaying upon every occasion firm -conduct, courage, and determined resolution. - -King James had been often heard to declare, that "he was born to be the -sport of fortune!" But had he acted differently from what he did at the -battle of the Boyne, he would have placed himself above the reach of -fortune; had he determinedly mingled in the fight, and had he animated -his troops every where and upon all occasions by his presence and -example, instead of looking on, as latterly he did, a tame and timid -spectator from the church of Donore; in a word, had his nerves been as -firm as the hands and hearts of his Irish subjects were true, then -indeed all his hopes and fondest expectations of his restoration might -have been fully realized. - -King William (in historic truth we must admit) did all that man, -statesman, or general, could do, to win over to his cause the Duke of -Tyrconnel. But the duke was too true, too just, too firm, and too -loyally fond of his royal master, to be tampered with, or even to give -an ear to the proffered corruption. No! "he was true to the last." - -The fate of this important battle was decided in a great degree by its -locality; for, however strange it may appear, both parties had neglected -to occupy the pass or ford of Slane. King William advanced in three -columns to the opposite banks of the river, reconnoitred, and adjusted -his plan of operation, determining to attack by the right and centre. - -On the morning of the battle, in pursuance of this determination, he -detached a corps to pass by Slane. This force arrived sooner at its -destination than that sent by King James, who quickly saw his error when -it was too late to counteract it. The curve of the river there forced -the troops of James to make a considerable _detour_, whereby time was -given to William's detachment to arrive and seize the pass before they -could effect it; which having forded, and then formed, they advanced on -the left of the army of James, and extending their lines to the right, -they turned it, notwithstanding a morass in its front, by which -manoeuvre it was compelled to fall back in confusion towards Duleek. -William so judiciously had combined his attack, that his centre was to -pass precisely at the time that his right should completely have engaged -the left of the army of King James. When that took place, his centre -column advanced against Old Bridge, and his left proceeded to the -fordes, which having passed, they obtained the opposite banks at the -projecting curve of the Boyne; they then formed at that point, and -received an attack from the right and centre of James, which having -fully repulsed, they advanced. In consequence of which movement the army -of James fell back in the distance of two miles to the heights of -Donore, where they formed, and then they again advanced to the charge; -but the cavalry of William having, in obedience to his orders, -completely turned their left, the fortune of the day was irretrievable, -and they were thus compelled to fall back with considerable loss to -Duleek, behind which station once more they rallied. - -We certainly think that too much praise cannot indeed be possibly given -to the brave and faithful Irish who so manfully supported King James, -however undeserving he might have been of that support. They acted -according to their conscience--according to their religion--and devoted -to their sovereign, as they were, by their sworn allegiance. Their -lawful, but unfortunate king, threw himself into the arms of his Irish -subjects for protection and a restoration to his rights; they instantly -thronged around the royal standard. Although certainly James was wholly -undeserving of this support, from his tyranny and oppression--"not fit" -indeed "to govern," but we cannot say "not fit to live;" yet still his -various arbitrary measures--his confinement of the seven bishops in the -tower of London--his cruel and ill advised Bill of Attainder in the -Irish Parliament--his reversal of the Act of Settlement, and various -other despotic acts, which impartial justice must ever assuredly -condemn;--yet still let History inscribe on the bright margin of her -page, and record down to the remotest point of time, the love, -affection, fidelity, and allegiance of a nation (but too often rashly -and unjustly condemned) upon whom the royal exile had flung himself, as -on a dear but desperate hope--a _dernier resort_--and upon whose hearts -and arms he relied as the forlorn hope of his crown, dignity, and -restoration! - -Let history hand down this, while it must not be denied that of this -protection and support James was in every respect wholly undeserving; -for in two words his character may be told--he was a bigot and a tyrant! - -James having ungenerously, as unjustly, thrown some reflections on the -courage of his Irish troops, observing to some of his general officers, -"that he would never again trust his cause to an Irish army;" with much -spirit they replied: "That throughout the fight their troops had acted -no inglorious part, though unanimated by a princely leader; that while -William shared danger in common with his army, encouraging them with his -presence, by his voice, and by his example, yet that King James stood -aloof at a secure distance, the quiet spectator of a contest on the -result of which depended his crown and realms!" And then, with deep and -wounded indignation at such ingratitude, they nobly exclaimed: -"_Exchange kings! and once more we shall fight the battle again!_" A -more noble burst of deeply taunted feelings and justly aroused -indignation than this cannot be found in history. - -The title of King William to the throne of these realms was the choice -of the people, from whom the sovereign power emanated: and in whatever -point of view the Revolution of 1688 may be considered, it cannot be, -however, denied, so long as truth exists, that it was most important to -the religious and civil liberty of three kingdoms; and, moreover, it -established an important _dictum_, or principle, in the Constitution, -then hitherto unknown, defining the duties of the monarch and of the -subject, and holding forth to both prince and people the immutable and -immortal truth, THAT ALLEGIANCE AND PROTECTION ARE RECIPROCAL -OBLIGATIONS! - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - -------------------------Dread echoes shall ring - With the blood-hounds that bark for thy fugitive king; - Anointed by heav'n with the vials of wrath, - Behold where he flies on his desolate path. - - CAMPBELL. - - -Throughout the entire night previous to the battle of the Boyne, fearful -forebodings and dismal auguries preyed upon the superstitious mind of -King James. An owl had perched upon the apex of the royal pretorium, or -pavilion, which incessantly hooted mournfully throughout the live-long -night; and at break of day, when the army commenced its march, a flight -of ravens, the ill-omened birds of augury, accompanied and every where -pursued the royal standard, cawing, and wheeling around it in -continuous circles; and whenever it became stationary, they winged their -hovering flight above it in mid-air, while it waved in the breeze. The -same night the royal standard which streamed at Dublin Castle, from -Birmingham Tower, and which had been neglected in not having been taken -down at the royal departure, was rent in shivers from the force of the -storm which that night raged impetuously; and the gilt crown, which had -blazed on the top of the standard-staff, was hurled off into an -adjoining cemetery. Strange and unearthly noises were heard; and the -mournful wail of the banshee was distinctly heard, even amid the howling -of the storm; for such were the superstitions of those days, and in -which even many of the wise believed! - -The troops of King James returned back to the Irish capital, but not, as -they had gone forth to battle, elate with hope, and flushed with the -expectance of victory. No, they returned with the hurried haste of a -rapid rout; while the crimsoned blush of indignant shame and defeat in -each visage as it passed, was too fully apparent to the scrutinizing -spectator. Fatigue and lassitude seemed somewhat, however, to retard, if -not paralize, the return of the troops; while vexation and -disappointment were deeply impressed in every look and motion, from the -general to the private soldier, which too manifestly told that they had -returned covered with defeat, not crowned with victory! - -With all the rancour of fanatic rage, and all the ferocity of atrocious -civil war, the troops of King William pursued the royal fugitive. And -history is wholly silent as to whether any royal mandate was issued to -spare the life of King James, the father of Mary, who was the wife of -William! - -For upwards of four hours, like a pack of ravening hounds tracking the -scent of blood, the soldiery continued to pursue at the heels of the -fugitives; and not satiated with the carnage of the victory which they -had achieved, having strewed the field of battle with three thousand -slain, and with which slaughter they might have been fully satiated. -However, when the army ceased to pursue the fugitives, it was not from -a desire to desist, but from a physical inability to proceed, having -become wholly exhausted from the toil of battle, and fatigue of pursuit. -And under this conviction, King William gave the troops an entire day to -recover from the hardships which they had undergone. - -King James, as he retired from the defeat, broke down all the bridges in -his rere; which act arose from the suggestions of the French -officers,[2] who, impatient to revisit their own country, hurried him -from Ireland, and added wings to his fears. As soon as King James had -returned to the Castle of Dublin, a letter awaited him from Louis the -Fourteenth's own hand, in which the French monarch informed James of the -victory of Fleurus, which had put it in his power to draw his garrisons -from Flanders to the coast; and also told of the station which his fleet -had taken, and prevented his enemies from succouring each other. In this -letter Louis urged him instantly to sail for France, and to leave the -conduct of the war to his generals, with direct orders to protract it; -and promised to land him in England with thirty thousand men. A letter -which, while it filled James with hopes, covered him at the same time -with mortification, when he reflected upon the contrast between his own -situation and that of his ally. - - [2] Sir John Dalrymple's Memoirs of England, Scotland, and - Ireland. - -It is a curious, but undoubted circumstance, that all the dispositions -made at the battle of the Boyne by King James, were counting upon -defeat, not on victory; for with a presaging mind he reflected that all -the precautions which he had taken were contrived to make retreat less -dangerous, but not to improve on victory. It was with the same -melancholy and ominous foreboding, that previous to the battle he -thought proper to despatch Sir Patrick Trant, a commissioner of the -Irish revenue, to prepare for him a ship at Waterford, that in case of -defeat he might secure his retreat to France![3] - - [3] Rapin's History of England. - -The Duke of Tyrconnel, who had fully resolved not to abandon the fallen -fortunes of his generous, but unfortunate king, made immediate and -prompt preparation for accompanying his sovereign into exile; and he -proceeded with this intent accordingly to take a tender farewell of his -duchess, his beloved daughter, and his sisters. He determined that the -duchess, Adelaide, and his sisters, should immediately depart from -Ireland, and proceed to the continent; and he recommended that Brussels -should be the city where, ultimately, they were to sojourn until more -propitious and peaceful times should arrive. To Sir Patricius Placebo, -upon whose known fidelity and prudence he felt every reliance, he -intrusted these dear pledges to his guidance and protection, and -strongly advised and urged their immediate departure for Parkgate, in -one of the royal yachts; they were to travel in as private a manner as -might be; and having staid a few days with their friends the Bishop of -Chester and Mrs. Cartwright, in the ancient city of _Deva_,[4] (as -Chester was called when in possession of the Romans,) in order to -recover from the fatigue of their voyage; and then they were to proceed -to the most convenient and safe port in England, from whence they were -to embark for the Netherlands. - - [4] Chester was also called _Devana_ by the Romans, and here the - "_legio vicessima victrix_" was stationed. - -The time of departure now approached, King James's saddle-horses, -travelling carriages, his suite and servants, &c. were now all in -readiness in the upper castle-yard. The duke, who had been some time -sitting with his family, now arose to attend a council, and then to -depart with his royal master. He looked mournful and desponding, while -cordially and affectionately he bade farewell to his beloved family. - -"Go!" said the duchess, in a melancholy accent, but accompanied with a -fixed and determined look; "Go, my dear lord, where duty, allegiance, -and affection call you, and where your king may well command your -presence. Go, and may the same Almighty power that so often hath saved -thy life in battle, still guide, protect, and guard thee upon the seas, -and in distant lands! But the wife of Tyrconnel breathes no sigh!--the -wife of Tyrconnel shall shed no tear at her loved lord's departure! Now -a fallen and hapless sovereign well may claim thy presence, for in the -summer and sunshine of his fortune he forgot thee not! Indeed hadst -thou, my lord, neglected to depart, and to have remained here -ingloriously at home, then assuredly there would have been too meet -occasion for a wife's sorrow, to witness a husband's shame! But no;--the -soul of Tyrconnel shrinks from the touch or thought of aught that is -base and ignoble. I will only therefore say, (while she fondly embraced -the duke,) my dearest lord--farewell, and still remember me, and mine, -and thine!" - -The duchess supported this affecting scene with much calmness--nay, with -firmness; however, it was apparent that she forcibly subdued, and had -conquered her feelings on the occasion. - -But it was not so with Adelaide, who wept bitterly while her parents -vainly endeavoured to repress those tears which then deeply burst forth, -which made her beauteous face more lovely still. Adelaide affectionately -doated upon both her parents, who were all tenderness and affection to -her: but particularly she loved her father; she was his daily companion -in his rides and in his walks. No wonder then, indeed, that Adelaide -should be the delight of his eye, and the pride and the happiness of his -heart! - -The parting of friends is proverbially ever more or less affecting; our -minds misgive us, for we know not but this departure of those we love -may prove the last. And thus indelibly is associated the feeling and -apprehension, that _in this world_ we _may_ not ever meet again! - -Immediately previous to the departure of King James from Dublin, on his -route for Waterford to embark for France, the king held a council, when -the Duke of Tyrconnel formally surrendered to him his patent as chief -governor of Ireland, which King James graciously accepted of. The -magistracy and common council of the city of Dublin were then -introduced, and presented agreeably to the royal command, when King -James stated to them, "That he had caused their attendance upon that -day, previous to his departure, in consequence of its having been -reported to him that upon the event of his departure from the city, and -upon King William's approach, it was intended that the city should be -given up to plunder, and destroyed by fire." - -Among other matters his concluding words were: "I do therefore charge -you, by your allegiance, that you neither rifle the city by plunder, nor -destroy it by fire; but to your best preserve the peace and tranquillity -of this great city." - -Having said this, he bowed most affably and king-like to all, and then -retired. - -Without any further delay King James instantly ordered his suite to draw -up at the grand portal of the castle-hall; and this being obeyed, he -descended the great stair-case. He was attired in a round beaver hat, -surmounted by a large waving plume of ostrich feathers, which were dyed -of a crimson colour; he wore a flowing peruke; a leather doublet, richly -gilt and embossed, was his dress. The ribbon of the garter flowed -gracefully from the right shoulder, while on his left breast sparkled a -small embroidered star of the garter; his flowing neck-handkerchief, of -rich lace, was tucked under the front of the doublet. He wore large -military gloves, with the Vandyke termination. His small-clothes -corresponded with the doublet, terminating with castellated trappings at -the knees; and on his feet he wore sandals, or royal _talaria_, richly -laced, with the Vandyke point; nearly a fac-simile of which may be seen -in an engraving of Le-Bas, from the celebrated painting of _l'Enfant -Prodigue_ of Teniers: while over his majestic shoulders was flung a -royal roquelaire of rich crimson velvet, lined with ermine, and clasped -in front with a gold fibula, richly studded with diamonds. - -The unfortunate James forthwith approached his Normandy charger, which -having borne him from defeat, was now destined to bear him on his way -to exile from the throne of his fathers! He now with great grace and -facility adroitly and majestically mounted his steed, and uncovering his -head, and gracefully bowing to all, set out on his melancholy way, -surrounded by his general officers and staff, proceeding on his return -to France, a second time to seek an asylum at St. Germains. - -He had just passed through Dame-gate, (now no more existing,) and which -led into the present crowded thoroughfare of Dame-street--at least such -it had been previous to the fatal and destructive union of the two -legislatures of Great Britain and Ireland--when two men of the vulgar -description of lounging blackguards that formerly infested the streets -of Dublin, (whose number fortunately has decreased, is hourly -decreasing, and is at the present point of time duly diminished, if not -wholly eradicated,) impudently here advanced, and were of that -description which might be called half wits and whole knaves, with a -tongue glib at joke or slander, and a hand alert and adroit in cleaning -a shoe, as it was prompt and tricky in picking a pocket. These fellows -now commenced whistling, tenor and counter-tenor, but in a subdued -measure, the tune of "Lilli burlero."[5] This was evidently not music to -the royal ear, for it was quite fully apparent that it deeply annoyed -the royal James. The Duke of Tyrconnel immediately intimated to the -officer of dragoons who rode with him, to order the trumpets to peal -forth a loyal note; which was instantly done, and "Lilli burlero" soon -was silenced. The reader may possibly recollect that this song attached -a large portion of unpopularity and ridicule to the cause of King James, -against whom and the Duke of Tyrconnel this lampoon was written. It has -been attributed to Lord Wharton, but we are rather inclined to ascribe -this satirical song to Lord Bath. - - [5] This ballad will be found in the second volume of "Bishop - Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, page 405." And it will - no doubt be recollected by the reader that the celebrated Sterne - makes this tune to be the favourite air of Uncle Toby in "Tristram - Shandy." In speaking of this ballad, Bishop Percy remarks, that - "the following rhymes, slight and insignificant as they now may - seem, had once a more powerful effect than either the Philippic of - Demosthenes or Cicero; and contributed not a little towards the - great revolution in 1688." - -As the unfortunate monarch rode along, the tradesmen in the principal -streets through which he was to pass, had caused all their shop windows -to be closed; a silent, but impressive and delicate, tribute to fallen -greatness! James deeply felt it. "Generous nation!" thought he, "much -have I wronged you, but now you forget it all. You have indeed shed your -best and bravest blood in my defence; and now on my fall, and my final -departure, you pay me this last, silent, but sincere, tribute of regret -at my departure. Oh, indeed I never shall--never can forget you!" - -Having passed through the city of Dublin and the adjoining villages, the -royal fugitive proceeded in his flight, and soon reached the borders of -the county of Dublin. Here, beneath a vast cromlech, was seen seated an -ancient harper, his long thin grey locks streaming in the breeze; he -heeded not the royal cavalcade as they were passing along, but still -continued playing on his harp a mournful melody, sad and solemn as the -_Cath Eachroma_. Meanwhile King James had reined in his Normandy steed -to listen to the song. The bard again commenced in a measure, _dolce ed -affettuoso_, the following - - BALLAD. - - I heard them repining for Erin declining, - Her shamrock entwining the conqueror's sword; - Misfortune combining, his crown James resigning, - His laurels all blasted at Boyne's fatal ford! - - Lo! neglected her lyre, whose magical fire - Rous'd princes and chieftains in battle array; - Erin's minstrels and bards indignant expire, - They saw not, survived not, their country's decay! - - Wherever I wander I mournful ponder, - Lamenting the issue of Boyne's woful fray; - O Erin, my country! no lover loved fonder, - Tho' fame with thy freedom have parted asunder; - Like summer clouds fleeting at close of the day, - Their glories fast fading in twilight away! - -King James did not appear, in sooth, to be overcharmed with this -mournful ditty; and having hasty recourse to his spur, he pressed onward -his gallant courser; when dropping one of his stirrups, like Jason of -yore, of Argonautic fame; in this expedition the king lost one of his -sandals, or royal _talaria_. So far the mishap differed from Jason's -case, that it fell not into a stream, but upon dry ground; and -tradition, to the present hour, points out the place, or, as the -gentlemen of the long robe would express it, "lays the venue" at Red -Gap, where this occurrence took place. - -Whether the royal sandal was, or was not, made of _red_ Morocco, or -Turkey leather, which thus may have happily given an _agnomen_ to the -gap, seems such a dilemma, that we shall not rashly venture to pronounce -upon so knotty and important a point as it appears, but leave the -discussion to learned antiquaries, and the exposition to profound -etymologists, more conversant with such grave and consequential matters -than we can possibly presume to be acquainted withal. - -At this place King James alighted from his horse, and accompanied by the -Duke of Tyrconnel, entered the royal travelling carriage. No occurrence -worthy of notice took place during the remainder of the journey; and the -same evening the royal cavalcade reached Waterford in perfect safety. -There Sir Nicholas Porter, the mayor of Waterford, and the corporation, -respectfully waited upon King James; and the mayor had a grand banquet -most hospitably prepared at Reginald's Tower, where the king dined and -slept. - -The Duke of Tyrconnel expressed his ardent wishes and determination to -accompany his royal master to France, which King James said he would not -hear of, nor admit. The king then took a valuable diamond ring from his -royal hand, and placing it on Tyrconnel's, he said, with much feeling -and emphasis, while he warmly pressed the hand upon which he placed it, -"Tyrconnel, I well know that you _will_ remember me!" - -"Yes, my beneficent Sire, I shall beyond all possibility of doubt; when -I shall forget my beloved king, then may heaven for ever forget and -forsake me!" - -Here Tyrconnel knelt, and with warm affectionate zeal and affection -kissed the hand of the royal exile. - -"Wear that, Tyrconnel, as a pledge of my unaltered and unalterable -affection. I am at present, from the cogency and crisis that my fortunes -have assumed, necessitated to yield to superior force; but I shall never -cease to labour for the deliverance of my faithful Irish subjects so -long as I shall live." - -He then added in a slow, solemn, and affecting tone: "I charge you, -Tyrconnel, upon your allegiance, and by your love for me, to hasten, so -soon as you shall witness my embarkation, to return back to the bosom of -your family; restore a husband to your wife, and, to _my_ Adelaide--my -beauteous god-child, a father. Hasten to go! and the most affectionate -regards of your faithful sovereign and friend attend you! I say prepare -to go!" - -"Please your Majesty," the duke replied, "I most respectfully obey; but -surely your Highness will not, cannot, I humbly hope, refuse me a boon, -and that which I respectfully conceive to be merely the duty of a loyal -subject to claim, and that is, my liege, to witness your safe return to -Saint Germains; and then I will return to my family." - -This request was at once acceded to by King James; who concluded by -saying, "I was indeed born to be the sport of fortune!" This he had -often said before; and now he repeated his favourite apothegm. - -King James withdrew to repose at an early hour; and Tyrconnel, who slept -in the outward room, adjoining his sovereign, was in attendance. The -Duke of Tyrconnel retired to bed, but not to repose. He now rapidly -retraced in mental review the occurrences of years, and the still more -surprising events, the fatal result of a very few days, that had so -rapidly succeeded each other in a fatally consecutive train. "Oh, what a -contrast," he thought, "there is between the triumphant landing some -months before at Kinsale, and the deeply humiliating departure that upon -the following day shall take place on the royal embarkation from -Waterford!" - -Oppressed more by mental than bodily fatigue, at length Tyrconnel -insensibly sunk into a profound sleep; but it was unaccompanied with -that refreshment which the balmy sleep of health ought to bestow. It was -restless and disturbed. The vision of his beloved monarch's landing at -Kinsale floated in vivid colours before him, and once more presented in -detail the event as it had happened; once more he stood uncovered upon -the beech of Kinsale, anxiously awaiting the landing of his sovereign, -and to pay his dutiful homage; once more he heard the loud exultant -exclamations of congregated thousands; once more he witnessed the rapid -flash, and heard the succeeding thunder of deep-toned salutation - - "From the loud cannons' mouth." - -Again standards waved in the air, and were lowered to the earth, to hail -the sovereign's auspicious approach; the military presented arms; the -burst of harmony from the various regimental bands, and the universal -shouts of joy made the welkin ring. The entire body of the Roman -ecclesiastics, all habited in their meet and proper costume, assembled, -and kneeled upon the beach, while the host was borne in high and solemn -procession. The congregated nobles and gentry were all duly marshalled -upon the strand, in meet accordance to their rank and dignity, loyally -and affectionately to receive, and congratulate the arrival of their -beloved monarch, while "every inch a king," and right royally arrayed, -standing erect in the royal pinnace which rowed him to the Irish shore; -while the royal standard floated at the stern, and the stately pinnace, -decked and emblazoned with all the circumstance, pride, and splendour of -heraldic pomp, blazed forth richly illumined by a vernal sun, and seemed -at once to diffuse hope, joy, and confidence around. - -Here, upon his landing, King James was welcomed by a number of young -persons of both sexes--the one remarkable for their manly graces, as the -other for their lovely faces and forms--who joined hands in the -celebrated _Rinceadh-Fada_,[6] or Irish dance, which pleased the monarch -exceeding well, who often afterwards spoke of it, saying how highly he -had been delighted with it. King James now approached Tyrconnel, whom he -warmly grasped. Upon this "the fabric of his vision" was completely -dissolved; for Tyrconnel was now broad awake. He took off the diamond -ring which his royal master had given him the night before, devoutly -pressed it to his lips, and arose, for it was now day, feverish and -unrefreshed from his couch. - - [6] The _Rinceadh-Fada_, or Irish dance, is thus described by the - late Mr. Cooper Walker: "When that unfortunate Prince, James II., - landed at Kinsale, his friends who awaited his arrival on the sea - shore received him with the _Rinceadh-Fada_, or Irish dance, the - figure and execution of which delighted him exceedingly. This was - the figure: Three persons abreast, each holding a corner of a - white handkerchief, first moved forward a few paces to slow music; - the rest of the dancers followed two and two, a white handkerchief - held between each. Then the dance began, the music suddenly - changing to brisk time; the dancers then passed with a quick step - under the handkerchief of the three in front; they wheeled round - in semi-circles, forming a variety of pleasing and animating - evolutions, interspersed at intervals with _entre chants_, or - cuts; they then united, and fell back again in their original - places behind, and paused. Perhaps the classical reader will - find--and we think he may--a similarity between our - _Rinceadh-Fada_ and the festal dance of the Greeks."--_Historical - Memoirs of the Irish Bards_, 4to., Dublin, 1786, pp. 151, 152, - 154. - - Mr. Walker adds in a note, "Before we adopted the French style of - dancing, our public and private balls used always to conclude with - the _Rinceadh-Fada_." - -He opened the casement of his window to admit the balmy breeze of the -morning, and taking from his finger the diamond ring, he cut with its -sharp and brilliant point the following lines on a pane of the -lattice:-- - - When Boyne ran red with human gore, - And royal Stuart fled Donore; - While William seiz'd King James's throne, - A people's voice had made his own; - This tow'r did friendly refuge give - To James, the royal fugitive; - And loyal love had here the pow'r - Awhile to cheer misfortune's hour! - - Oh, then for aye this antique tow'r be blest, - Which succour gave to royalty opprest! - -King James and his suite having breakfasted, and all matters being in -readiness, the embarkation commenced. Gloom, silence, and despondence -seemed every where to prevail. The king, in ascending the vessel -prepared for him, and which was called "the Count de Lauzun," was -assisted by the Duke of Berwick, the Duke of Tyrconnel, Marquis Powis, -the Marquis d'Avaux, ambassador of France, &c. &c. &c. But it was amid -universal silence they embarked! No shout, cheer, or exclamation, was -heard; no pomp, no parade, was exhibited; not even a royal salute from -the guns in the harbour! - -However, amongst the populace there was, or seemed to be, a feeling of -pity, but somewhat allied to contempt, and more approaching anger rather -than sorrow. Thus the royal exile departed from the shores of Ireland, -without a single cap having been flung up, or an individual voice to -exclaim, - - "God save King James!" - -Such ever is the fate of fallen greatness! King James now spread full -sail for the coast of France, and was the first who brought tidings of -his own dreadful defeat.[7] All the French court appeared to be much -affected, and sorrow was manifested throughout the entire realm. But one -piece of news so sad for France, was immediately followed by another, -which produced a general joy,[8] although, however, it was of short -duration in the hearts of all those who were interested in the disgrace -of that fugitive prince.[9] A _valet de chambre_ of King James, who -preceded his master, returning from Ireland to Paris, related as a fact -that the Prince of Orange was killed by a cannon shot, which he had -received on the day of the battle. - - [7] Rapin's History of England. - - [8] Histoire de Guillaume III.--Tom. II. p. 87, 88. - - [9] Ibid.--Tom. II. p. 88, 89. Histoire du Pays Bas. Tom. III. - -The prince was considered dead throughout all France; and as one -believes with facility what they are desirous should happen, people did -not wish to stop or examine if that news should prove false. The -report, as circulated, was, that the Prince of Orange had been killed by -a cannon shot in fording the river Boyne. The first account which they -had at Paris arrived at midnight; and all the commissioners of the wards -were despatched, by order of Louis XIVth, to knock at the doors of the -citizens, and to tell them in a triumphant tone that the Prince of -Orange was dead, and that they must arise and rejoice! At the expiration -of a few moments the whole city appeared illuminated. Drums and trumpets -were heard in all directions, nor was there to be seen a single street -where they had not lighted fires. Never, even at the birth of princes, -had been displayed so many attestations of joy as then blazed abroad in -France, at the account of the pretended death of the Prince of Orange. -The populace hastily made effigies of King William and Queen Mary, which -they drew through the dirt, treated with every indignity, and afterwards -burned them. The bells of _Notre Dame_, and many other churches rang -peals of joy, and the cannon of the Bastile were fired. Finally, -nothing was forgotten which was customary to be done on the most solemn -occasions. These rejoicings lasted for many days, which were celebrated -in feasts and all other kinds of diversions. - -The public joy spread itself from Paris to all the other cities, -accompanied with the news of the death which was the cause of it. But it -was more astonishing, and what, perhaps, no prince ever before did for -the death of an enemy, the King of France gave orders to all the -garrisons of provinces to cause to be fired _feux de joie_ in all places -of public resort!--and, finally, to crown all, (what horrid impiety!) -even religion was called in and made a partaker of the public joy! - -_Te Deum_ was chanted in the cathedral church of _Notre Dame_, where -members of the parliament assisted, clad in their red robes, to return -thanks to heaven for the death of the Prince of Orange!!![10] - - [10] Histoire de Roy Guillaume III. Tom, II. p. 89.--Amsterdam, - 1703. - -For the present we must proceed to other matters, while the Duke of -Tyrconnel is employed in attending his unfortunate sovereign[11] to the -court of Saint Germains, and while the duchess and her family, escorted -by Sir Patricius Placebo, are performing their voyage to Parkgate, we -must, in the mean time, advert to our shipwrecked voyagers, who were -very early noticed in our history, and whom, with very little -consideration indeed upon our part, we have allowed so long to remain at -Ostend, and in durance vile. - - [11] The great and prominent fault of King James II., and which - formed the head and front of his political offences, was no doubt - his arbitrary government, and the decided preference which he gave - to Catholics in preference--nay, to the total exclusion of - Protestants from all emoluments in the State, and furthermore - enforced by bills of pains and penalties, and attainders! Upon - this fatal rock his fortunes were wrecked, and he lost his throne. - Since this time the converse of the proposition has been unhappily - and unwisely but too often acted upon. But let the past be buried - in oblivion, and mutual animosities be forgiven and forgotten! A - bright and happy period seems now about to arise to give peace and - tranquillity to a country too long depressed by civil and - irreligious jars; the sun of peace seems, with bland promise, - about to illumine the horizon of hitherto distracted Erin, by - snapping asunder the bonds which have for ages manacled a brave - and noble people; and it is fondly believed and hoped that a long - desired great and liberal measure shall in no long space of time - be effected by the "_Roy le veult_" of a great and mighty king, - the most generous, enlightened, and accomplished prince, who ever - adorned the throne of Britain, and who well indeed may be called - PATER PATRIAE, the father and the benefactor of ALL his people! - - "It was omitted to mention in the foregoing chapter that King - James, in his passage to France, met with the French fleet of - frigates which M. Seignelai had originally intended to burn the - English shipping on the coast of England, and which subsequently - was destined to burn William's transports upon the coast of - Ireland;--but communicating to other nations the bad fortune which - attended himself, he carried it back to France with him for the - security of his person."--_Rapin's History of England._ - - * * * * * - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - Incidit in Scyllam, cupiens vitare Charybdim. - - LATIN PROVERB. - - Ostendam metiri ulnis pedibusque necesse est; - Quemque premas, dubia morte parare locum. - - URBIUM BELGICARUM CENTURIA. - - -It is incumbent here that we should again return to Ostend, and attend -our shipwrecked voyagers, who have been left so long in durance vile, as -contained in the first chapter of our first volume; and advert to other -notable accidents worthy to be known, related, and recorded. - -Our readers then will vouchsafe to recollect of what importance, as a -seaport, Ostend is, and ever has been considered, being only second in -rank to Dunkirk. Indeed the possession of Ostend in every war has been -always accounted of the highest consequence by every belligerent power, -as well as by the sovereigns too of the Low Countries. The oriental -situation of Ostend has given to it its name, by which one might express -_a port which looks to the east_; and its armorial bearing[12] implies -that it is one of the principal keys of Austrian Flanders. - - [12] "The armorial escutcheon of Ostend bears a chevron sable on a - gold ground, charged with three keys, sable blazoned on the dexter - and sinister chiefs, and on the middle base point of the shield. - The supporters a seaman and a mermaid."--_Les Delices des Pays - Bas._ - -Ostend had formerly been the simple station of fishermen, established -between Nieuport and Helvoetsluys; but, increasing from various -combining events, it gradually arose to consequence, numerous causes -having co-operated to its enlargement. The origin of the civil wars--the -fears created by the numerous pirates throughout the entire provinces of -the Low Countries, &c., these gradually led to its increase, and Ostend -became a place of strength and importance; her port enriching her trade -and revenue by bringing home the merchandize of Europe; while her strong -fortifications protected and secured the inhabitants from the -machinations of their enemies; and, finally, the peace of Ghent having -completely established the power of the confederated states. - -At the period of which we speak Ostend was progressively recovering from -the fatal effects of a protracted siege, conducted by the Spaniards -under Spinola, which had lasted for the space of three years; and upon -the last day of the siege it was as uncertain as upon the first whether -it would be captured by the Spaniards or not; or to which side victory -finally would belong. The account of the loss of lives on the part of -the besiegers and the besieged in this disastrous siege, is truly most -formidable; it is computed that fifteen thousand of the latter perished; -some slain by the sword of war, others fell by pestilence, and others -perished the victims of the marshy climate of Ostend, from fatigue of -the siege, the sorties, engagements, and fire of the enemy; while the -Spaniards suffered the severe loss of upwards of seventy-eight thousand -men.[13] - - [13] See "Grotius Annales et Histoires des Troubles du Pays Bas," - lib. X. p. 491. See also the "Cardinal Bentivoglio," lib. III. p. - 6. And see "Histoire des Provinces Unies, par M. Le Clerc," vol. - I. p. 215, 229, Amsterdam, folio, 1723. In these three works will - be found a full account of Spinola's attempt on Ostend, and the - reader will be tempted to exclaim:--Unhappy Belgium! whose - beauteous domains have been doomed to blaze beneath the torch of - war, from the days of Tiberius down to those of Napoleon! - -But we must now return to the detail of our voyagers, who having ate a -hearty supper at their hotel, soon retired to repose in their respective -chambers. Oh, how refreshing to the wearied spirit is the renovating -balm of sleep; and how invigorating is a night's undisturbed repose! And -how great, how unspeakable the change, and how joyful the contrast, from -the almost certain expectancy of death by a watery grave, it is upon the -succeeding morning to awake, as if from the tomb, upon a bed of down, -and to hail the blessed cheering light of morning! Who could forbear to -raise the adoring eye and the grateful heart to heaven, for an escape so -unexpected and providential! All this they deeply and devoutly felt. - -The morning succeeding their preservation, while they were actively and -busily occupied in the important despatch of an incomparable breakfast, -and the fellow-sufferers were passing a high and well deserved eulogium -on some excellent Malines ham, to their great surprise and dismay a -party of _Gens d'Armes_, as has been before remarked, arrived at their -hotel, when (the three of them) the colonel, his servant, and Doctor -M'Kenzie, were arrested under suspicion of being spies, and were thrown -into prison. - -"This is somewhat too hard," observed Doctor M'Kenzie, "not to be -allowed to swallow our rations of excellent ham! A few hours ago to have -escaped the whirlpool of Charybdis, and this morn to be shipwrecked on -the rock of Scylla! The sea was well nigh swallowing us yesterday, and -to-day we are to be immured in prison on suspicion of being spies; - - 'Dextrum Scylla latus, laevum implacata Charybdis Obsidet.'" - -"Yes, my Reverend Friend," replied the colonel, "this is all but too -true, we have had our share of suffering indeed; but while we feel it as -men, let us also bear it like men, and hope the best! For my own lot I -care not; to me death, not captivity, would be welcome!" - -To account for this arrest we must apprise our readers that Marshal de -Rantzau had made a desperate attempt with only two thousand French -troops, a very few years previous to the period of which we now speak. -But eventually the French force was put to flight, with the loss of -twelve hundred brave and gallant men, who fatally fell in this rash -attempt. And this event it was which caused such alertness and suspicion -regarding strangers to be adopted by the government and garrison of -Ostend. - -The prisoners were marched along under a strong escort of the _Gens -d'Armes_, and were conducted to the chief prison, and handed over to the -surveillance of the head gaoler, Mr. Phelim O'Neale, who, by the way, -happened to be a countryman of the Reverend Doctor M'Kenzie. At that -period the janitor of a gaol did not enjoy the present high diplomatique -distinction of being termed the _governor_ or _warder_ of a -grated citadel. - -While Mr. Phelim O'Neale was showing his prisoners the apartments -allotted to them, he said, addressing the Reverend Clerk:--"I know that -your Riverence is my countryman, and perhaps I know still more; I -therefore feel all the respect and affection which I ought to do for a -countryman in a foreign land. My life has been a varied and changeable -one, and it may perchance beguile away an hour of captivity, that you -should deign to listen to my story. Och, I was once a roving and -untamable bird, wild as the haggard-hawk[14] of my native hills, that is -ever on the excursive wing; and like to it, I was not to be tamed at -all; but now, in troth, I am tame enough, any how! For the present I -shall only say, that from peculiar and urgent circumstances I was -compelled to leave my native land. I embarked from the bay of Tyrconnel -in Ireland, in a vessel bound for Virginia; at sea I was taken prisoner -by the fleet and squadron of Marshal de Rantzau; and with the force of -his Highness I was landed at this good city, ould Ostind. Well here I -was a wandering raw recruit on Flemish ground, an unknown exile and -outcast, forsaken by all, from Dan to Beersheba! Howsomdever, I was -shortly thrown in the way of my brave countryman, Count Dillon, whom I -knew when I was a gossoon. He was a lieutenant curnell, sarving under -the marshal; and he was not slow in discovering that I possessed both -cuteness and genus.--_Vous avez razon mun infant!_ he would often say to -me, (he had lived for years in France,) and yit, by my blessed sowl, I -often thought that his honourable worship himself had no razon at all, -at all!" - - [14] Haggard, in falconry, means a hawk or falcon not taken in the - nest, but after she had been inured to liberty, and preying for - herself. Haggard-hawks are hard to be tamed and brought under - discipline. The haggard-falcon is also called _Peregrine-falcon_, - passenger and traveller, from its wandering more than any other - sort of its kind; it is strong, courageous, hardy, and - persevering. This bird is distinguished from the common falcon as - being larger, &c. &c. The haggard-falcon, when wild and - unreclaimed, takes the greatest liberty of all other birds, living - either by land or sea; and formed of such absolute power, that - wherever she comes all flying fowl stoop under her subjection. - -"Fie, fie! Mr. Phelim O'Neale; swear not at all! it is a work of -supererogation for selling yourself, both body and soul, gratis to the -infernal power! Let me hear no more of it." - -"Well, your Riverence, no sooner said than done," says poor Phelim -O'Neale; "by ---- I will swear no more!" - -"There again!--swearing an oath that you will not swear! Who ever heard -the like before;--what impious inconsistency!" - -"Your pardon, Riverend Father, for this time, and you shall no more -catch me tripping, nor stumbling, nor swearing. Och, murder! although I -have endured enough to make any feeling Christian swear hard enough--at -times, any how, to be sure! by ---- I mean maybe through a thick deal -board itself! Well, your Riverence, to continue the thrid of my -story:--Count Dillon one day took me aside, and said, 'Phelim, I clearly -persave that you are a quick, cute lad, and you must assist me in a plan -which I have in disjunction joined with the Marshal Rantzau, for -suddenly surprising Ostind, and taking it by a parabolous stratagism, -the most admirable and intripid that was ever known, thought of, or yet -imagined by any bould pioneer,' as your Riverence shall hear anon. It -was in the month of June, and upon the memorable fifteenth day thereof, -in the year 1600 and--though I can't precisely recollect the date upon -which we resolved for the execution of this intended daring and glorious -enterprise, for our attacking force consisted of but two thousand men. -Our stratigismus was to surprise Ostind by the gate of Nieuport, which -lay upon the land side, and next to the town of Nieuport. We hoped that -by the introduction of a large body of men we might possibly, perhaps -certainly, possess ourselves of the town and citadel of ould Ostind. -Accordingly, to be sure, with this intint, we well surveyed the gate; -and before that we had geoggraphyz'd the intire country, and all the -roads and passes disjacent, whersomby that by every measure and means, -and all due secrecy, that our attacking force might be intraducted, and -back our noble and elegant enterprise. Accordingly some half dozen -soldiers, clad in garb of Flemish peasants, in their blue caps and blue -frocks; and wherewithal supporting upon their backs sacks well stored -with chesnuts, walnuts, &c., were to seem as if they had brought them -for sale into town; and thin, upon an appointed signal, (the sacks -loosely tied,) the pretinded peasants were to let them fall, (accidently -on purpose no doubt,) and scatter their contints around upon the ground, -which was to cause a general scramble, and take off the attention of the -guard from the object which we had in view. This having taken place, the -fore-said soldiers, or disguised peasants, were to rally around a -waggon, or, as they call it here, a charabbon, under the same pretence, -laden with baskets of fruit and vegetables, strawberries, cherries, -peas, beans, &c. &c. The thing was so managed that within the waggon -there were concealed about thirty soldiers. As being the chief -projector, the honourable post of heading this desperate attempt, -(which, if it succeeded, was soon to be followed by a powerful force,) -was consigned, gentle Sirs, to your intripid and very devoted sarvant, -Phelim O'Neale." - -"And pray, Mr. Phelim O'Neale, if it be not taking too great a liberty, -may I inquire what induced Count Dillon to place such confidence in -_you_, and make _you_ the head of the pioneers, or of this stratagem, -upon the success of which, it would appear, turned the entire success of -the attack?" - -"Och, botheration! and that too I will confiss to your Riverence. 'I -think,' says I, Curnell, plaze your worthy honour's worship, that I -could suggist a matter to your grace's judgment that would, all in all, -carry the day, and, in troth, we should soon be in possession of ould -Ostind!' - -"'Indeed! Mr. Phelim O'Neale; pray tell, are you on the staff?--I -suppose a general at least!' said he. - -"'Not I, by my own sowl!' says I. 'No, not even a corporal! But then -your noble and valiant worship knows, howsomdever, that there is a -little fish, not larger than four inches in lingth, and about one in -bridth, that pilots and leads on the great commodore of the ocean; I -mean, plaze your most noble worship, the pilot fish,[15] that steers -onward the mighty shark, the goliathan of the ocean, to the wictims of -his prey! What do you think now, noble commander, of this apt -dissimilitude?' - - [15] The pilot fish, called in ichthyology, _Gasterosteus Ductor_. - -"'Oh, pardon, good honest friend O'Neale, _vous este une bon garcon_!' - -"Upon my own conscience we call this better in ould Ireland by the name -of gossoon!--but no matter as to that. He then axed me if I had any -patience; 'for,' said he, 'you Irish have no patience at all;' and then -talked to himself, that the Irish were like one fiery hot Harry Hotspur, -an Hottentot I suppose, that had no forbearance nor patience at all, at -all! - -"'Och, then, noble commander,' said I, 'I am the patient, enduring boy -after all; I am stationary as an owl at mid-day within an ivy bush! and -as patient and forbearing (baring till the time comes) as a heron -perched upon the brink of a fish-brook! Och, then, by my own sowl, 'tis -I am the lad that will wait for you till the very cows come -home!--troth, sure enough, I would at any hop of the ball!' - -"'Bravo, bravo! my bould boy;' replied Count Dillon, 'you are the very -boy for my business and project--all shall go on well!' He then -ejoculated, '_vous avez razon, vous avez razon_,' until I fairly thought -that he would have lost his own razon all out and out, any how!" - -"But pray proceed, Mr. Phelim O'Neale, with your narrative, in which I -begin to take some little interest." - -"Thus emboldened, your Riverence, as I was by my commander's lave, I up -and tould him, as I till you and your friend, all my plan, of which he -highly approbated. Every matter being duly prepared, a time for making -the grand attack was appointed. The soldiers who were to make the -attempt, as I have already tould your Riverence, were all disguised as -Flemish peasants, in their blue caps and blue frocks, and were each man -to have a Flanders' pipe stuck in his jaw, and smoking away briskly, as -much as to say, _the devil may care for yeez all_! I will now till the -whole of my contrivance, as plotted and planned from the first to the -last, without any deviation or prevarication from the truth at all, at -all! To go on then with my story:--the charabbon, or waggon, contained, -as already I have said, thirty soldiers, who upon this occasion were to -be headed by me; in the cart we had several stout planks of oak, which -were destinated for a treble purpose: firstly, to hide us who were -packed beneath, but whose hearts were strong and unbending as the -planks over our heads; and secondly, to support some baskets of fruit -and vegetables, for which this country is most remarkable." - -"Yes," said Doctor M'Kenzie, addressing Colonel Davidson, "it is -recorded that when Anne of Cleves, the queen consort of King Henry -VIII., wanted a sallad, she used to despatch a messenger to Flanders to -procure one." - -The colonel nodded his assent, and requested Mr. Phelim O'Neale to -proceed onward with his tale. - -"Well the planks were, as I said, destinated for a treble purpose, I -have tould two of these; the third was, in the last place, to erect them -as uprights, to prevent the falling of the portcullis upon our skulls -who were to make the attack. And the charabban was intentionally, on -purpose to be sure, to be overturned at the door of the guard-house to -block up the guard while cracking their walnuts, &c. If this attempt of -gaining the Nieuport-gate had succeeded, a carabine was to have been -fired to give a signal to the Marshal de Rantzau, who was stationed with -the remainder of our force, which, as I have already obsarved, amounted -to two thousand men; and upon their coming up in time, in obedience to -the signal, we were sure and sartin of the capture of Ostind. - -"We had thus anxiously planned, and with strong grounds and hopes of -success, this elegant enterprise, which was to burst forth upon the -fifteenth day of June; whether the termination was fortunate or the -reverse will soon be tould yeez. The military gait and air of the -supposed peasants it is thought led to suspicion, and seemed to awaken -the attention of the garrison. Just when the charabbonier[16] drove up -his wehicle in which I was, and approached to the Nieuport-gate of -Ostind, forward advanced the damniers, (douaniers,[17] or custom-house -officers,) and with their accustomed agility forth flew their rapiers, -flashing in the bright summer glow of the harvest moon; they cut, and -thrust, and terced, prodding the contints of the waggon without any -distinction or respect of persons or property, whether dead or alive -stock, but according to custom, searching for counter-brand goods and -chattels. At length a sharp Toledo of one of these damned damniers stuck -in one of my ribs, and sure enough the blood began to leak. 'Arah,' -roared I, 'what the d--l are you perpetrating; and would you be after -murdering me, you Flanders' boucher!' - - [16] Charabbonier means the driver, or waggoner, of a Flemish - waggon. - - [17] It is usual for the douaniers, or custom-house officers, of - Flanders, to attend at the gates of the different cities, who - search, by means of prodding with a foil, all merchandize coming - into or out of town, in order to detect any goods that may prove - to be contraband, or smuggled. - -"'Ah, hah!--_Jean Bull!_--_Jean diable!_' cried he aloud, '_emportez -soldats! ca herse--bas--bas--ouvrez le fenetre!_' Which every body knows -is 'shut the gate!' And sure enough bang down went the portcullis, up -leapt the draw-bridge; and closed and securely bolted and barred in no -time were the gates. And, oh, 'tis true enough, poor Phelim O'Neale had -got sartain and sure at the wrong side of the gate, where he was soon -made prisoner, and all his brave plans completely dumb-foundered and -knocked upon the head in one short and sad moment. I with several -others, thus caught in this Flemish trap, were made prisoners; while -suspicion being aroused, and all our resources having been cut off, -outnumbered as Marshal Rantzau was by the enemy, it was only left him to -sound a retreat, and retire to his chaloupes, (large boats.) - -"After having remained for a long period in prison, I at last caught the -attention of the head gaoler, who taking a fancy to me, made me his -under gaoler; and some years after, (seven I think,) upon his death, I -was constatuted head gaoler. And here I am; I have a good salary, a good -roomy house, and with the allowance of coals and candles. I am married -to a pretty, and what is far better, to a good Flemish lass; and we have -already four childer in the space of three years, and the Lord be -praised they are all the right sort--they are all of the emasculate -ginder! So that I am, in troth, in some sort of mizzure indamnified for -my losses and sufferings by the post which I here hould." - -Mr. Phelim O'Neale, the head gaoler, or, in phrase modern, -_diplomatique_, the head governor of the citadel, paid the most marked -attention to his prisoners; and said, that before the morning's dawn he -would think of something that would ixtrickate them from their prison. -"For when a man gets into a scrape or difficulty, Riverend Father, he -has only to consult an Irishman, who will be sure and sartain to get him -safely and genteely out of it." - -"Ay, the Nieuport-gate of Ostend and the Spanish Toledo to wit," thought -Doctor M'Kenzie to himself, "is a full elucidation of the truth of this -proposition!" - -Now having left them a most comfortable dinner, or supper, and which -answered for both; with a bottle or two of _vin du pays_, and some true -and veritable Rhenish wine, the warder of the citadel wished his inmates -a good night. But before he departed he took Doctor M'Kenzie aside, and -whispered him--"I have so managed it that by to-morrow you and your -friend shall have separate apartments at night; to-morrow the -arrangement shall take place, and I have much to say to you, holy -Father, in secret, and to make many confissions when we shall meet alone -on the morrow." - -The next morning by times the warder arrived, and introduced a plentiful -and excellent breakfast, not forgetting some excellent Malines ham, in -the digestion of which they had been so rudely interrupted at the inn of -the old Saint Michael. When breakfast was over he again returned; when -opening his cloak, he produced a violin and clarionet. "Do any of you -play upon these instruments?" said Phelim O'Neale. - -"Yes," rejoined Doctor M'Kenzie, "I was wont in happier days than these -to play for my pastime upon the violin. But such a question now in such -a place--say to what can it tend? I have no such fancy indeed at -present, I can assure you, my good and kind Mr. Phelim O'Neale." Who, -however, proceeded, quite unrestrained by his Reverence's rebuke--"Can -nobody play upon the clarionet?" - -After some delay and hesitation, at length with diffidence the colonel's -servant said, "Yes, Sir, I once could play upon it when I was----" - -"Oh, that," said Phelim, "will do capitally! excellent! quite enough! -strim-stram--drimendreuch! All will now, in troth, go on quite well, and -with grate success, any how!" - -He then laid down the musical instruments, and putting his hands in his -pocket, produced several files and saws of various forms and sizes, and -then produced a bottle of vitriol. "My plan," added he, "is now fully -ripening for the liberation of yeez three; these instruments and -implements are intinded to saw asunder the prison bars of your dungeon -window, which being within a short distance from the ground, your -freedom easily can be afficted without either damage or difficulty, or -even resaving a slight prod in the small ribs, when you shall have duly -accomplished the nibbling asunder of the meshes which confine yeez! And -the Rev. Doctor with his fiddle, and this honest-faced lad with his -clarionet--och, och, it will all do bravely and rarely to murder and -drown, aye, and bother, that brave and grave gentleman's operatusses in -sawing the bars; och, by my sowl, the filing will be fairly bothered. -And troth yeez shant want for paper and paste to hide and cover your -dainty devices in caase any body should come in, he must needs admire -the nateness of your apartment." - -"Sawing iron! ah," said Doctor M'Kenzie, "that is a harsh and grating -amusement!" And then turning to the man of war, he said: - - "They little know what ills environ - The man who meddles with cold iron!" - -The colonel frowned, and seemed displeased. - -The honest-hearted Phelim O'Neale, for such he was with all his faults -and transgressions to boot, now bade a good night to his imprisoned -friends, as he called them; and then whispered aside, that on the -ensuing morow he would beg the favour to make his confessions to the -Reverend Clerk what time the apartment should be ready for his gallant -friend, which was under preparation, and would be ready to receive him -early upon the following morning. He then bowed, and wished them all "a -very good night's repose." - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - --------In brief, he is a rogue of six reprieves, four pardons of - course; thrice pilloried, twice sung _Lachrymae_ to the virginals - of a cat's tail; he has been five times in the galleys, and will - never truly run himself out of breath till he comes to the - gallows. - - THE FAIR MAID OF THE INN. - - -"Now, holy and most Riverend Sir, that my eyes are blessed with seeing -your benevolent visage once more," said Phelim O'Neale, "and that I -behold you in these sad towers, the abode of crime and of guilt, which -indeed never belonged to you, and that we are in private, with your -riverend permission, I will make my confission unto you. Don't your -reverence remember me?" - -"Not I, in sooth." - -"What! not remember Phelim O'Neale?" - -"Not I, in sooth, honest Mr. Phelim O'Neale." - -"Oh, baring (excepting) _honest_; that any how for the present we will -pass by. But, holy Father, if you knew but all, you have far too many -reasons not to forget me! Do you not remember that you stood by me -during my last moments, and gave me the holy ritals of the church?" - -"What do I hear! Stood by you in your last moments, and gave you the -holy rituals of the church! and here you are!! The poor man is -deranged--quite crazed. You are beside yourself, Mr. Phelim (without -_honest_) O'Neale!" - -"Nay, nay, Riverend Father, I am _beside you_, or rather forenent you. -Do you not remember, your Riverence, that some tin years ago (small -blame howsomdever to your Riverence any how, for grate razon you have, -in troth, to remember Phelim O'Neale, if you knew but all!)--well, as I -said, some tin years ago you attended me at the gaol of Tyrconnel in my -last moments; you were present when I was hanged--ay, regularly -hanged!!" - -"Hanged! hanged!" ejaculated Doctor M'Kenzie; "and yet you are -here!--You speak, you address me! How is this? It is madness all!" - -"Not so neither, craving your excellent Riverence's pardon; I was tried -for high-way robbery at the assizes of Tyrconnel;[18] I then most justly -was found guilty, and condamnified by the circuit-going judge, Justice -Jocum, to be hanged. And sure enough, by my sowl, hanged I fairly -was--no doubt whatever of it! That is to say the hangman did his part, -as the judge and jury had before done theirs; and my friends did the -rest. Och, they did their part, sure enough--long life to them for the -same! At that most memorable 'pocha of my life--or death! as it was by -all supposed, thought, and credited, your worthy and excellent Riverence -attended me in my last sad and awful moments. Thin you saw me mount the -fatal ladder; the hangman gave me a hempen cravat, which, in troth, I -but too well desarved! and the ladder having been suddenly taken away, -I made a spring, and, as all thought, I jumpt into itirnity. But you -remimber, or might remimber, that before I was launched from the fatal -tree, I bouldly kicked off my brogues, and died true game. And och, may -be I didn't kick them off in stylo! as much as to indiccate to my -commeradoes, 'Yeez see, jewels, that I die true game; and moreover, none -shall suffer in the dead man's shoes--not one of yeez! This plainly -tould them all a true tale, that I had not confissed, or betrayed any of -them by a cowardly disacknowledgment." - - [18] Now, anno salutis 1822, called Donegal. - -"Oh, shame, shame!" rejoined Doctor M'Kenzie, "kicking off your brogues -upon the scaffold, on the confines of eternity, in the sad and solemn -hour of death and suffering for crime! Oh, shame, shame! What -blasphemy--what hardness of heart, and perversity of head! Detestable -and abominable folly and wickedness. Why, I say, man, if you were upon -the stage of a mountebank, performing pantomime tricks, to please and -gull the stupid populace, such a proceeding would be indecent, -indecorous, and irreligious; how much more so then, when parting from -the stage of human life, branded with crime, and condemned by the -voice of justice and the offended laws of your country! I cry shame upon -such indecency, such horrible levity, upon so solemn and so awful an -occasion as the departure of a guilty culprit (and guilty too by his own -confession) from life to eternity, to answer in another world, before an -offended God, for the crimes committed in this!" - -"So may it plaze your Riverence, troth it was no livity at all, at all; -but merely a sort of sharp signal or freemason's sign to my comrades -that I had died intripid, and true to them, not having betrayed one of -the gang, or club, as we called it. And now once more I am alive again, -to repint anew of the same, which I most sartinly do." - -"Ay, indeed!--Are you sure of that, Mr. Phelim O'Neale? Can I depend -upon your living word, when your dying one was false? A proof, a proof; -give me a proof, and then I shall give credence to you." - -Phelim slowly drawing forth a watch from his fob: "It is here, holy -Father! this is my proof. This watch was yours, became mine by the -chance of war, or rapine, and now I restore it--it is yours again! Your -Riverence will examine it: the maker's name, your chain, your seals--you -cannot forget them any how?" - -"Yes, yes, I must confess that is, or was my watch; the identity of that -I cannot possibly gainsay. And if you can make out that it was you who -deprived me of it, and that now again restore it, why assuredly I shall -then confess that you are _certes_ the honestest man in your calling -that I have ever met with. But, Mr. Phelim O'Neale, I have a question to -propose, and upon your answer to it will depend my credence of what now -you say. Pray, _if_ (I say _if_) hanged, how were you restored to life. -A watch may be found, and a watch can be wound--may be stolen, and may -be restored, but the vital spring of life is not so easily -renovated.--Come, to the point." - -"Your Riverence must then know, that I was cut down by my friends, and -through their means restored to life, after having, to all appearance, -fallen a forfeit to the law." - -"As how--as how? Mr. Phelim O'Neale! explain." - -"By means of hemlock juice infused by well intentioned friends into my -throat and lungs. Oh, but too well I remember that, and but too well -they succeeded; for after the means they used for sussicitation I -recovered; but the pains which I endured were beyond those upon the -fatal tree, the punishment I had endured, and the shame I had borne, for -my family were indeed respectable. Upon my restoration to life, my -friends disguised me in female attire, and hurried me off in a merchant -vessel then in the bay, ready to slip her cables, and bound for -Virginia. So away I went in the same vessel. Och, may be it was not -without a sad and sorrowing heart that I left my mountain shores; for, -sweet Ireland, still, with all thy faults, art thou dear to me; and with -all my own too, with filial love yet do I adore thee, _mavourneen_, my -early loved, my dear natal isle!" - -Phelim O'Neale continued: "Your Riverence knows the rest of my story. A -cannon shot of Marshal Rantzau's squadron soon compelled the vessel in -which I was bound for Virginia[19] immediately to strike her flag; and -the result of the Marshal's attack upon Ostind you are in full -possession of already. Here then my story ends, but not my gratitude to -you, of which, before we part, I shall endeavour to convince you of with -sincerity, marked by more than mere words." - - [19] Virginia is noticed in "_The Noble Gentleman_" of Fletcher:-- - - "CLERIMONT.--Sir, I had rather send her to Virginia, to help to - propagate the English nation."--_Weber's Edition of the Works of - Beaumont and Fletcher_, v. VII. p. 442. - - Mention is likewise made of it in Massinger's "_City Madam_":-- - - ----------------------"How! Virginia! - High heaven forbid! Remember, Sir, I beseech you, - What creatures are shipp'd thither---- - --------------Condemned wretches, - Forfeited to the law." - - _Gifford's Edit. of Massinger_, vol. IV. p. 103. - -"Why, Mr. Phelim O'Neale, you have really become eloquent, and have -astonished me quite by your display of words." - -"No, no, Riverend Sir, they only burst forth from the heart with a full -tide of over-flowing gratitude to you, and with deep contrition to -myself, for all the past!" - -"This my friend, my _honest_ friend, (for such I now must call you, -Phelim, for the restitution which you have made by words as well as in -deeds, and I needs now must prize thee,) yes, this promises good; and -sooth to say, I am pleased withal right well. There, take my hand, and -along with it my best benison on you, your wife, and children." - -Phelim knelt down, kissed his hand, and prayed that heaven might shower -down its choicest blessings upon his reverend head. - -Three entire days subsequent to this confession soon passed over, and -were occupied only at intervals, in order to obviate detection, in -sawing _per diem_ a bar. Each bar was cut slanting, or diagonally, so as -to be readily re-adjusted as if it had not been severed; and then the -entire bar, when replaced, was covered over by means of paper, which -was neatly pasted thereon, as if no undermining operations had been -sapping the grated barriers of their prison-house.--Meanwhile the -Reverend Chaplain was on the alert, scraping his old Cremona, and the -colonel's servant thundering forth the bass tones of his clarionet, to -serve as masqued batteries to drown the more subtle operations of the -saw and file of the son of Mars. - -Upon the evening of the third day Phelim O'Neale came into their cell -just as the last bar to their enlargement was severed in twain. Suddenly -then all filing and fiddling, and piping and papering, at once ceased. - -"All is right," exclaimed he, "and all is well. Before two days more -shall dawn you must away from this. I shall manage matters thus: I have -got disguises for yeez three; you, Riverend Sir, are (in the time of -travel) to be a midwife, going on a job to the town of Nieuport, three -leagues from this, where I have a friend, to whom I will address a -letter in behalf of all. In the furtherance of this my deep design, you -shall have a silk gown, cap, rich gilt ear-rings, necklace, with a -large cross--all, moreover, right tawdry enough; and a Flemish hood -thrown over all, to protect Madam Needful from being sun-burnt. And, sir -soldier, there shall be a lackey's dress for you; and, to boot, I have -likewise got a horse, which your worship is to bestride, and which is to -be mounted withal with saddle and pillion, upon which latter my -lady-in-need is to ride.--And as for you, sir lackey, you shall be -caparisoned in a blue check frock of true Flanders make and hue; for -thou art to be a Flemish peasant riding withal in such brave company. -But mind, my youth, I warn thee, that with all meet, becoming respect, -thou shalt demean thyself, and ride in the rere of these gallant -personages. Three horses and a guide, when we shall fix the day and -hour, shall be found waiting at the _porte de Nieuport_." - -Many hearty thanks were returned for the ingenious stratagem of Mr. -Phelim O'Neale, which met with the cordial concurrence and approbation -of the prisoners. - -Here Mr. Phelim O'Neale resumed his speech: "It must appear that yeez -all have broken prison at the time that yeez depart, so down with all -the bars when yeez go, that it may fully and fidentively appear that it -was any how without my will, knowledge, aid, abettance, or assistance, -whatsomdever, any thing at all to the contrairy notwithstanding, that -yeez fled from prison, in order that I may not suffer pains, -punishments, and penalties, from these Bellawagians, who, after all, to -do them justice, are fond of the English nation; and I verily and -fidentially believe that the craturs would sooner again fight with -Spinola Rantzau, or the d--l, nor with John Bull!" - -"Yes," rejoined Doctor M'Kenzie, "that I believe to be an undoubted -fact, inasmuch that the united states of Flanders ever have wished, if -possible, to preserve peace and amity with England, and ever sorely have -they rued the day whenever they have been forced into a war against -England." - -"That is most true," added Colonel Davidson, "for, Reverend Sir, you -recollect the favourite saying, or apothegm, of the Emperor Charles -V.:-- - - '_Con todo el mundo guerra, - Y puz con Ingalat jerra!_' - - 'With all the world have war, - But with England do not jar!' - -And while speaking of Charles, who had the magnanimity to relinquish a -throne and to retire into the monastery of Saint Juest, it must not be -forgotten the memorable declaration which he then made. While in the -monastery he employed his leisure time in works of mechanism, such as -clock-work, &c.; he then exclaimed, "_Oh, what a fool I have -been!--during my whole reign I have endeavoured to make all my subjects -think alike in religious matters_, AND YET I CANNOT CAUSE TWO WATCHES TO -KEEP TIME TOGETHER!" - -"Yes, noble colonel, there is my hand for that remark, and with it is -accompanied my heart! You are a Protestant and I am a Catholic, yet do I -regard you and revere you, although we differ in tenets." - -"And there is my hand and heart in return," said the valiant -colonel; and would to God that this could be a lesson to all the bigots -of the wide world, who, however, appear, I must needs confess, alas! -more zealous to frame sectarian systems, or incontinently to wage -doctrinal disputes and controversies, than meekly to disseminate _peace -and good will upon earth_! and inculcate the mild, forbearing doctrines -of Christianity, the two principal virtues of which are _charity_ and -_humility_." - -The evening of the day which succeeded that of the developement of the -projected plan of escaping from prison had arrived, when, as soon as it -had become dark, Mr. Phelim O'Neale commenced his operations by bringing -in the different dresses in which his captives were to be disguised to -facilitate their elopement; this he did gradually and cautiously, -bringing sundry articles of attire at different times, so as to escape -suspicion. Mr. Phelim recommended that when all were duly clad in their -costume of disguise, that their own clothes and changes of linen, &c. -should be carefully packed up in two valises, one of which was to be -carried by the colonel's servant, and the other to be borne by the -guide. "And then," he added, yeez can throw off your disguises at my -friend Malone's house, in the suburbs of Nieuport, and to whom yeez bear -a letter from me." - -This arrangement was assented to and resolved to be acted upon _nemine -con_. - -The trio felt exceedingly grateful to Mr. Phelim O'Neale for all the -kindness which they had received, and especially for this last very -strong proof of his great generosity. Dr. M'Kenzie especially felt -obliged to him, as he was fully sensible that it was on his account -expressly that freedom was likewise given to his fellow-sufferers. - -"Many, very many thanks, kind-hearted Mr. Phelim, for all the favours -which you have bestowed upon us, and most particularly for this last -evincing proof. But, in sooth, we must remunerate thee for all the -expense which thou hast put thyself to upon our account." - -Here Phelim O'Neale whispered the Reverend chaplain: "Holy Father, -I tell thee nay; for always remember that once upon a time I robbed your -Riverence upon the high-way of tin times the value of which I now -poorly endeavour to repay you, so that I must beg to hear no more at -least upon this score. I am your debtor still! Silence, firmness, and -obedience to my commands, (who am, by the powers placed in me, -commandant and generalissimo of these dark towers,) are all the -conditions that I now require or impose at your hands, and those of your -fellow-sufferers." - -"Well, well, Phelim, I suppose it all must be so as you have advised, -and I do not gainsay it. But, I must indeed acknowledge that you are, -beyond all doubt, hesitation, or even comparison, the most honest man -whom I have ever yet met in your calling." - -The prisoners now anxiously lay down to take some repose upon their -beds, the sheets of which had been purposely broken up, and formed into -ropes, to facilitate their descent from the gaol window, and permit -their _exeunt_ to liberty. - -On the following morning the prisoners were called up at a very early -hour by this kind-hearted gaoler, when they found themselves duly -invigorated and refreshed by a night's sound repose. And now they -hastened to put on the disguises in which they were to pursue their -journey, in the adjustment of which no great time was lost. They then -proceeded to dismantle the bars of the prison window, while the door and -outer door, upon the retirement of the gaoler, were to remain doubly -locked. - -"Come, pray come, my gentle masters;" said Phelim O'Neale, "is all -ready?" - -Being answered in the affirmative, he said: "Well then, any how, small -blame to me, I must give precedence to the church, then shall the sword -support the cross, and the servant attend on his master. Come, Riverend -Sir, we must now despatch--so we now proceed to business; thus before -you can patter two _Credos_ or an _Ave_ I will have you dangling at the -rope's end. Och, then, may be, any how, that wont be turning the tables -upon your Riverence!--ha, ha, ha! But sure, any how, nothing can be -more true nor one good turn desarves another." - -Mr. Phelim O'Neale now proceeded to lower the Reverend Chaplain by means -of the rope. Having duly adjusted all, he observed, "I say, your -Riverence, I am now paying you off in kind." - -"Marry, Phelim, a truce now to your joke-cracking, for which, by my -halidam, I have neither will nor leisure at present to mind. So I say, -prithee, a truce to the explosion of thy witticisms, which are, -methinks, immeasurably ill-timed and chosen; so I pray reserve them for -some meeter occasion of merriment." - -"Your Riverence, in troth, only speaks in razon; but you know, your -Riverence, that Pat can no more forego his joke at all, at all, let bide -what may, than can Justice Jokum his pun, which he cracks while the rope -is fairly cracking the neck of the victim to the laws." - -"Well, well, Mr. Phelim, having cracked your joke, pray spare my neck -from the same, and likewise my ribs from carte and tierce, for at this -present moment I see before me, with terror in my mind's eye, the -retrospect of the Nieuport-gate of Ostend, and all that you have told me -thereof. So have pity upon our nerves and necks while pending in air, -and _depending_ upon _you_!" - -The Reverend Doctor was now safely landed upon _terra firma_, and he in -a subdued tone gave his hearty thanks and farewell to Mr. Phelim -O'Neale, who prayed that the blessings of the poor and distressed might -ever be showered upon, and protect the Reverend Chaplain. - -Colonel Davidson's turn now came of being manumitted from the prison -window, and while adjusting the linen cord to the lower fragment of the -window bar--"Oh, Sir Soldier! how much you remind me of a print which I -have seen at Tyrconnel Castle of the famous Hungry Kat, [Henri Quatre,] -the famous king of France; and, och, long life to you, may you have, -like him, an angel Gabriel [meaning Gabriella d'Estrees] for a wife; -och, and your worthy honour, may she be as kind, and good, and true, as -my own humble Justine; and moreover, besides, may you have a whole house -full of childer!" - -Colonel Davidson, laughing, good humouredly protested against this part -of the benison, as he smilingly observed, that if a soldier could manage -his military baggage, he had enough to do, without being encumbered with -live stock. - -Our adventurers having all most kindly bade adieu to Mr. Phelim O'Neale, -proceeded onwards, attended by their guide; and in about a quarter of an -hour, or so, they came up with the attendant, who was in due waiting -with the horses. Colonel Davidson most respectfully lifted up the -Reverend Chaplain, now appropriately dressed in the assumed disguise, -and who looked withal most right, grave, and matron-like, duly seated -upon the pillion destined for the journey; and fully equipped as a -livery servant the colonel mounted the saddle, and was followed by his -attending servant disguised as a Flemish peasant, who most respectfully -kept his distance in the rere, while the guide led on the van. And at a -gentle and sober trot they proceeded for the Nieuport gate, where having -arrived, and being challenged by the sentinel, and the guide giving the -countersign, they were allowed to proceed; the draw-bridge was let down, -and onward they wended their peaceful way. Mr. Phelim O'Neale, with his -usual dexterity, had caused their horses to be shod with the shoes -turned the contrary way, with the intent thereby to prevent pursuit; by -thus puzzling the pursuers, if such should follow, that thus deceived by -the shoe-track, they should be like hounds at fault, and thus in despair -give over the pursuit. - -Nieuport had been formerly only a hamlet, called Sandeshove, but upon -the destruction of the neighbouring port of Lombarsyde, being choked up -by the sands, a new port was constructed at Sandeshove, which caused the -town to assume the name of Nieuport, (in Latin, _Novus-portus_, or -_Neoportum_.) Lombarsyde, in consequence, was changed from a town into a -village, and Nieuport from a village into a town. It is regularly -fortified, distant about two leagues from _Furnes_,[20] three from -Ostend, four from Dunkirk, and seven from Bruges and Ypres. The air of -this town is so unhealthy that the garrison do not long remain without -being relieved. It is remarkable that Nieuport is the only place -throughout Flanders that has never been taken or retaken.--"_Urbs -intacta manet._" - - [20] This city is called in the Flemish tongue _Veuren_. - -The weather proved somewhat unpropitious to our travellers, as several -very heavy showers of rain fell during their route from Ostend to -Nieuport, the weather in Flanders being generally moist. Doctor M'Kenzie -fortunately recollected, during their progress on the road, that there -was a convent of English Carthusians established at Nieuport. This body -had been instituted in 1415, at Sheen, in England, by King Henry V.; but -in consequence of the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth, they were -compelled to depart their country; and having remained some time at -Malines and at Bruges, they finally established themselves, _anno -salutis 1626_, at Nieuport. The monastery was situated at the western -extremity of the main street of the town, called _Rue de Porte -l'Orient_. Dr. M'Kenzie had heard much praise bestowed upon the present -learned and worthy abbot, Father Philip de Comines, he resolved -therefore to make his way to the abbey, and consult with him upon the -best mode of returning to his native land. Pursuant to this -determination the wearied travellers now approached Nieuport, severely -drenched by the showers which fell during their journey. The Reverend -Gentleman threw off his female attire, and resumed his own, which was -done at a house where they halted, and situated in the suburbs of the -town, belonging to Malone, the friend of Mr. Phelim O'Neale, (to whom it -may be recollected that the latter had addressed a few lines;) at the -same time the colonel and his servant having also resumed their proper -costume, forthwith attended Doctor M'Kenzie, who proceeded to the abbey, - - --------------------"where the Reverend Abbot - With all his convent honourably received him." - -And not only the Reverend Clerk, but Colonel Davidson and his servant -likewise were hospitably received, and kindly entertained by the -good-natured monks. - -The next day Doctor M'Kenzie was so severely indisposed from the wetting -which he received during his journey, that it was found necessary to -call in medical aid. A slight fever seized him, which confined him for -two weeks to his bed; and when he arose he found himself so weak and -debilitated, that the physician strenuously recommended him to try the -waters of Pyrmont so soon as he should be sufficiently recovered to -undertake the journey. Finding his fellow-voyager and sufferer now -somewhat recovered, Colonel Davidson prepared to take his departure, and -having affectionately embraced the Rev. Gentleman, and cordially shaken -hands with the good abbot and his hospitable brethren, the colonel, -accompanied by his servant, proceeded to Dunkirk, where he safely -arrived after a few hours travel, and from thence it was his intention -to proceed for Holland by way of Rotterdam. - -After a few weeks' sojourn at the Carthusian convent, where the Reverend -Chaplain received every hospitality, kindness, and attention, that it -was in the power of the reverend brotherhood to bestow, with many a kind -_valete et benedicite_ he departed, finding himself sufficiently strong -to endure the fatigues of a land journey. The doctor set out for -Westphalia to benefit his health by using the mineral waters of Pyrmont, -and after several days, having travelled by slow stages, he safely -reached his destination. - -But it is now full time, indeed, that we should return to the Duchess of -Tyrconnel, and accompany that amiable lady and her highly gifted -daughter, the lovely Adelaide, in their voyage and journey; from whom -the occurrences of important political events and the fatal scenes of -war, have too long detained us, but of whom an account may be found in -the succeeding chapter. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - Nos patriae fines, et dulcia linquimus arva; - Nos patriam fugimus. - - VIRGIL. - - Round the wide world in banishment we roam, - Forc'd from our pleasing fields and happy home. - - DRYDEN'S TRANSLATION. - - -Sad and sorrowful ever is the parting hour when beloved friends -separate, perchance never more to meet again! But oh, how sad must that -separation prove if not accompanied with the consoling hope--"we yet -shall meet again!" The Duke of Tyrconnel was then departing from his -beloved wife and darling daughter, yet no enlivening hope allayed the -feverish throbbing of his heart, with the bland promise, "we yet shall -meet again!" Deep, bitter, and gloomy were the parting pangs and -presages when these affectionate friends separated, destined, perchance, -never more to meet! Still manfully the duke concealed the wound which -rankled in his breast, and with promptitude made ready to follow the -fallen fortune of his fallen master. He recommended that the duchess -should, without procrastination, depart for England, and retire thence -to the continent, until such time as the political tempest which was -raging should subside. It was also proposed that the duke and duchess -should at the same time depart for their respective destinations, and -the determination, upon the same day it was resolved on, was carried -into effect. The plan was, that the duchess, Lady Adelaide, Ladies -Letitia and Lucy, escorted by Sir Patricius Placebo, should proceed to -England, _via_, or rather _mari_, to Parkgate, thence journey onward to -Chester, only twelve miles distant, remain there a few days with their -kind friends Doctor Cartwright, bishop of Chester, and his lady; and -next set off for the most convenient port to embark for France. Thence -make a _detour_ to the Netherlands, and take up their residence in the -city of Brussels, where the Duchess d'Aremberg, Adelaide's godmother, -resided. - -The duke accompanied his family to the packet which was to convey them -from their native shores, possibly for ever! The parting scene was -exceedingly affecting, the duchess, rallying all her fortitude, was -enabled to address the duke ere they fondly embraced and parted, in -these empassioned words:--"Go forth, my dear lord!" said the duchess. -"Go, my beloved lord, where every filial tie calls your attendance, -where glory, your country, and your king, demand your presence. Go, and -the god of battles be your guide and guard! But the wife of Tyrconnel -breathes no sigh--the wife of Tyrconnel sheds no tear at her loved -lord's departure. Had he remained ingloriously at home then there would -have been too ample cause for lamentation; the blush of every feeling -cheek, and the throb of every manly heart, would have revolted at -conduct so base and selfish. But, thank heaven, this is not--it could -not be! Go forth then, my dearest lord, and the blessings of a wife and -of a mother ever attend thee!" - -Adelaide, however, could not command those feelings which were -instinctive to her sensitive feelings, she sobbed and wept deep and -bitterly; she endeavoured to check the rooted sorrow which was preying -on her heart, but the attempt was all in vain, her affection burst forth -more strongly from her endeavour to counteract it; and tears of sorrow -for her father's departure flowed in deep succession. The duke was -highly affected with this parting scene; yet sternly checking himself, -he said:--"My dearest Adelaide this must not be; virtue carried to -excess--honour carried to excess, lose all their original intrinsic -worth. Nay, even religion may be transmuted into persecution; and -eternal silence and seclusion from the world be considered as its divine -attributes, so that each shall lose all the original stamp of their -native worth. I therefore tell you, my dearest daughter, that this must -not be; I shall, with the permission of divine providence, so soon as it -shall be in my power, rejoin you all in a foreign land upon my return -from attending my revered monarch to Saint Germains. And, my beloved, -although we shall have lost our rank, and reside as persons quite -unknown--perhaps wholly unnoticed; yet, my dearest Adelaide, we shall -nevertheless retain that which is much dearer to the human breast, -self-esteem, and social love, and social leisure, and these undisturbed -by courtly crowds, unchanged by time or circumstance, or loss of power. -These social ties too well I know, my dearest child, are dearer to thee -than wealth, rank, pomp, and power; and believe me truly we shall feel -far happier than ever we felt before. So I pray thee, dearest Adelaide, -that we may have no more of sorrow or repining, for all will yet be -well!" - -The duke affectionately embraced his duchess, Adelaide, and his sisters, -and cordially shook hands with Sir Patricius Placebo; when having -descended the side of the vessel, his Grace jumpt into the boat which -conveyed him to the shore, and entered his carriage which waited for -him, to attend upon the fallen fortunes of his fallen master. When -intimation was given to Sir Patricius that he was to proceed to England, -and take charge of the duchess and family, _certes_ he received the -communication not without some portion of surprise, and of pleasure too -we must admit: "_Jacta est alea, jacta est alea!_" he exclaimed: "The -dye is thrown, so now 'For England Ho!' ha, ha, ha! As Prince Hamlet -says in the play, 'For England Ho!' ehem!-- - - DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!" - -The packet, with all her canvass unfurled, and proudly swelling before a -brisk and favouring breeze, promptly set sail onward in her direct -course for the seaport of Parkgate,[21] in Cheshire. The day was -uncommonly fine, and a warm exhilarating summer sun refulgently shone -forth, richly gilding the expanding sails of the vessel, and with its -genial enlivening rays cheering the voyagers, who sat beneath an awning -upon the deck. By this time Adelaide, pursuant to the monitory parting -injunctions of her father, had become tranquil and composed. While -receding from the beloved shores of her native land, Adelaide was -particularly struck with the romantic headlands and mountains that, -south and north, bounded the horizon--the romantic peninsula of Howth, -the hoary promontory of Wicklow-head, the conic hills "the -Sugar-loaves," so denominated from their peculiar conformation; the long -continuous chain of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains which adorned the -southern point of the horizon, while anon they melted into distant -aerial perspective. Adelaide was at once charmed and delighted with the -scene, which called forth from her pen the following effusion:-- - - [21] Parkgate _had been_ a seaport of Cheshire for several years; - it is situated at the mouth of the river Dee, ten miles distant - from Chester, and one hundred and ninety-four from London. It has - _now_ ceased to be a port, the entrance to the harbour being - choked by sand banks. - - TO HOPE. - - Hope dispels the mists of woe, - And with the sun's resplendent glow - Illumes poor wand'rers on their way; - Like polar star, whose argent light - Gems the dark diadem of night, - And sheds a heav'nly guiding ray. - - Hope helms the bark mid these wild seas, - Where the white swelling billows roar; - The seaman cheers, to brave the breeze, - And steer the prow for Albion's shore. - - The sun illumes yon mountain's brow-- - 'Tis gone, and all's in shadow now! - So flits the vision of the past - Joy's sunny beam is soon o'ercast! - - Happy my days while yet a child, - When blandly hope my hours beguiled; - Like green Oaesis on the sun-burnt plain, - And Hope doth still her syren charms retain! - -Little of interest, and still less of variety, the reader can reasonably -expect to have narrated in a short sea-voyage from the shores of Erin to -those of Albion; but on the contrary, much tameness, much sameness, and -much monotony, must necessarily be encountered by the voyager. - -However, the breeze blew propitious, the weather smiled a settled and -serene summer day; the resplendent azure of the sky was unruffled by a -cloud, the sun was warm, and the scene proved genial and exhilarating, -as onward the gallant bark ploughed her watery way. - -A numerous host of seagulls circled in many a merry gambol around the -vessel, then right-joyously plunged into the water, and boomed upon the -billow, while they seemed to rejoice in the summer sun, and sport on -halcyon tide; while ever and anon the Diver (_Colymbus Troile_) plunged -beneath the glassy surface of the sea; a large flock of _Terns_, or -sea-swallows (_sterna hirundo_) congregated about the vessel, flying -around in quick and circling evolutions; now rising from, now sinking in -the deep, in frolic play, then gliding along close to the surface of the -sea; sometimes snapping at the insects in their way, or then suddenly -checking their course, they were seen to dart down upon their finny -prey, which was swallowed in the ascent, without the operation by any -means retarding the progress of their flight. - -The gallant vessel throughout the entire day had joyously scudded onward -in a prosperous course before the favouring breeze, and in no longer -space than fifteen hours from her departure from the port of Dublin, had -arrived at the mouth of the river Dee. But the tide was at this time at -ebb, which of necessity retarded the landing of the passengers, as -likewise from other co-operating difficulties, the dangerous sand-banks -which blockade this harbour, and above all, the total _deficit_ of deep -water, a difficulty not to be surmounted, left no choice whatever to the -captain but to cast anchor, and cause the packet to remain at her -moorings to await the morning tide, which, consequently, put the -patience of the voyagers much to task. - -The passengers paced the deck to and fro, while they amused themselves -with whatever object caught their eye, ear, or fancy; the operations of -the crew, the passing sail, the darkening cloud, the sea-fowl retiring -to rest, or the slow and hollow murmurs of the receding wave as it -foamed, while it retreated, from the adjoining sands of the winding Dee. - -At this time the passengers became highly and deeply interested by -seeing, or imagining that they saw, human beings upon one of the distant -sand-banks, whom the returning tide inevitably would destroy. The -telescope was put in requisition, and this only confirmed their fears; -for in the days we mention, no Dollond, no Ramsden, was in existence; of -course the lenses were dim and defective, and objects, instead of being -duly reflected, were misrepresented to the eye. From the repeated -remonstrances and apprehensions of the passengers the jolly-boat was -lowered into the water, the boatmen briskly plyed the oar, and soon -reached Dee's yellow sands. When lo! those whom they had come to rescue, -as they imagined, from a watery grave, suddenly took wing, and flew -away![22] Yes, gentle reader, too true it is; for the objects which had -attracted the attention and the sympathy of the passengers were no more -nor less than a large company of cormorants,[23] who somewhat hungry no -doubt, had been busily fishing for their supper, and were at the moment -they were disturbed by the approach of the boat, in the very overt act -of despatching their meal upon the banks of the Dee, who thus suddenly -took flight, croaking in hoarse, hollow, and discordant shrieks, their -disappointment at being interrupted from their evening banquet; for -these stern, sullen, and circumspect plunderers, are most greedy and -insatiate gluttons. The great Milton, in his immortal poem, finishes the -sketch of this unrelenting tyrant, by causing Satan to personate the -corvorant,[24] while envying the happiness of our first parents, as -undelighted he surveyed the beauties of Paradise. - - "Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life, - The middle tree, and highest there that grew, - Sat like a cormorant; yet not true life - Thereby regain'd, but sat devising death - To them who lived."[25] - - [22] This circumstance, as detailed above, actually occurred at - Parkgate several years ago. - - [23] Or Corvorant, the _Pelicanus Carbo_ of Linneus. - - [24] "In England (according to Willoughby) the cormorants were - hood-winked in the manner of the falcons, until they were let off - to fish, and a leather thong was tied round the lower part of - their necks in order to prevent them swallowing the fish." - Whitlock also mentions, that he had a cast of them _manned_ like - hawks, which would come to hand. He took much pleasure in them, - and observes, "that the best he had was one presented to him by - Mr. Wood, Master of the Corvorants to King Charles I." - - [25] Paradise Lost, Book IV. - -But it is now full time to say that a calm night succeeded the tranquil -day of our fair heroine's voyage, that the duchess and all the party -enjoyed a most refreshing night's repose. Upon the return of the tide -the raising of the anchors and unfurling of the sails awoke the -passengers, who accordingly arose, and ascended the deck. The morning -was most lovely; it was then between seven and eight o'clock, the tide -was full in, and brilliantly shone forth a July sun, whose cheering -beams illumined the sea and all the surrounding scenery. The vessel was -once more under weigh, they crossed the bar of Chester; and in less than -an hour and a half they were at anchor off Parkgate. The long boat was -put out, and our heroine for the first time trod upon English ground. An -excellent breakfast was prepared for the voyagers at "The Welch Harp," -and very soon smoked upon the board. The carriages and horses of the -noble personages were landed in the space of about two hours' time, in -perfect safety; for at this period seamen were not so experienced in the -tackle and machinery necessary for this purpose as they are in our own -days. - -When breakfast was concluded the noble party sauntered along the -sea-shore, and Sir Patricius having proposed to them a walk along the -pathway to the very beautifully situated and retired village of Neston, -and the proposal having met with universal approbation, was soon carried -into effect. And upon return the thanks of the noble party were voted, -_viva voce_, to Sir Patricius, without one dissentient _no!_ - -Upon their return the travelling carriages were all duly paraded in -harnessed array before the door of the inn, and ready for the road, -which however, by the bye, proved to be none of the best. In a short -time the distinguished travellers started, but the journey, although in -distance not more than ten miles, ended in a long and fatiguing one from -the badness of the road, and the delay consequent thereon; the first -three or four miles were over deep sands, and the remainder of the way -was over a rough and badly paved road, which continued without -intermission until they reached the gates of ancient Chester. Sir -Patricius stoutly insisted that this road had been paved by the Romans, -and reminded him, he observed, strongly of the _Via Appia_[26] which is -noticed by Horace. "Ah!" said he, "in achieving victories, in forming -camps, and making of roads and cheese, the Romans were a great people -indeed!" - - [26] The _Via Appia_ which is noticed by Horace in his journey to - Brundusium, "_Minus est gravis Appia tardis_." - -The ladies complained of fatigue, having been much shaken and jolted on -their tiresome journey; but Sir Patricius Placebo solemnly averred, that -the only effect which he had experienced was, that it had strongly -created in him a most immoderate hunger, excited, no doubt, as he -supposed it had been, by the heat and action of shaking, jolting, &c.; -all which keenly operating upon the gastric juice, withal had acted with -such an impetus and energy, to which, in sooth, he was wholly -unaccustomed, had, he was free and honest to confess, called forth so -very unexpected a craving for food! But Sir Patricius was ever upon the -_qui vive_, and was sure warily to be provided with a pretext, like -proverb-loving Sancho, whenever he wished that a _dejeune a la -fourchette_, or a collation, should be put in requisition. - -The noble party were set down at the noted and far-famed "White Lion," -where compassionating the _fames Canina_ under which poor Sir Patricius -languished, a cold collation was called for, where, amid various meats -and pastries, a cold and excellent pigeon-pie attracted his hungry -attention, and ere long the contents thereof suddenly disappeared, and -then he seemed to be relieved from the evident distress under which he -had incontinently laboured. This operation was promptly succeeded by a -liberal libation (as a salutary condiment to the pigeon-pie) of some -excellent old Hock, the _anno domini_ of which was unknown to honest -Boniface of "the White Lion." - -The ladies too were induced to take some slight refreshment; when the -baronet, who now seemed himself again, proposed a walk to the ladies, -which he thought would both please and refresh them; and that which he -selected was around the walls of this ancient and singular city. This -proposition being readily acceded to, the party set forth upon their -intended peregrination. - -Sir Patricius seemed to be more inclined to the talking mood than he had -been disposed to previous to the collation; and made several very -apposite remarks during the progress of their walk, which were -particularly addressed to the duchess. - -"This truly ancient, venerable city, was called by the Romans, _Colonia -Deva_, or _Devana_, from its having been the station of the XXth -Victorious Legion. It is evident that _Deva_ means - - "The ancient hallow'd Dee." - -"_This city without parallel_ is of Roman origin, as is fully evinced by -the form of the city, which is completely Roman, being constructed in -the peculiar figure which the Romans always preserved in their stations -or castrametations, wheresoever the nature of the ground would permit. -The plan or figure of this city is a peculiar one; in shape it is -quadrangular, with four principal gates leading to the four principal -streets, which run directly from east to west, and north to south; -besides a variety of lesser ones, all crossing each other at right -angles, so as to divide the whole into lesser squares. The form likewise -of the walls is also Roman, which are the only entire specimen of -ancient fortification now in great Britain. The walls, as you may -perceive, are in many parts, especially on the north and east sides, -guarded by towers placed in such a position as not to be beyond bow-shot -of one another, in order that the archers might reach the enemy who -attempted to attack the intervals. They also are mostly of a round form, -as was recommended by the Roman architects, in order the better to elude -the force of catapulta and battering-rams." - -Here Sir Patricius (in which we shall not follow him) delivered a very -erudite antiquarian lecture upon salient angles, action and reaction, -salient towers, _propugnaculi_, and the whole range of Roman military -architecture. - -He next observed: "Chester is a city and county of itself; the Dee river -half encircles it by a winding curve, flowing from east to west, where, -nearly at about twenty miles distance in its course, it empties itself -into the Irish channel. Look down, my lady Duchess, from these walls, -upon the objects below, and you will then appreciate their great -height. Originally they were constructed for defence, but they are now -converted into a promenade for the health and recreation of the -inhabitants; and indeed I must do them the justice to say, that they -keep them in excellent repair. The walls are so narrow in some -particular places that only two persons, as you must observe, can walk -abreast. The circumference of the walls extends to one mile -three-quarters, and a hundred and one yards, ehem! _be the same more or -less_, as the gentlemen of the long robe might express it." - -In their progress around the walls, the ladies all were highly pleased -by the surrounding scenery, and none more so than the Lady Adelaide:-- - -"How beautiful are the views from several parts of these venerable -walls! How luxuriantly green the pastures that margin these walls, and -that beautiful spot, the race-course!" - -"Which, my lady," rejoined Sir Patricius, "they now call popularly -Roodee, but the orthography is Rood-eye.[27] This beautiful pasture -ground belongs to the corporation, and comprises eighty-four acres. -Yonder are the mountains of Flintshire and Derbyshire; there the hills -of Broxton; while the insulated rock of Beeston, crowned with its -romantic castle, forms the back-ground of the picture upon which your -Ladyship seems to gaze with such delight; while the landscape is still -further enlivened by the devious winding of the Dee, in its majestic -circling course to Boughton." - - [27] "The piece of ground without the walls, on which the annual - horse-races of Chester are run, cannot well be passed over in - silence. The Dee, after quitting the contracted pass at the - bridge, flows beneath an incurvated clayey cliff, and washes on - the right a fine and extensive meadow, long since protected - against its ravages by a lofty dike: it is called Rood-eye. - - "The name of this spot is taken from _Eye_, its watery situation, - and _Rood_, the cross which stood there, whose base is still to be - seen. On this place the lusty youth of former days exercised - themselves in the manly sports of the age, in archery, running, - leaping, and wrestling; in mock fights, and gallant and romantic - triumphs. - - "A _standard_ was the prize of emulation in the sports celebrated - on the _Rood-eye_. But in the year 1609 the amusements took a new - form; and under the reign of the peaceful JAMES the youthful - cavaliers laid aside their mimic war, and horse-racing commenced. - - "The first prizes we hear of after the suppression of the - triumph, were a bell and bowl to be run for on Saint George's day, - which were provided in 1609 by Mr. Robert Amery, formerly Sheriff - of the city, and were brought down to the _Rood-eye_ with great - solemnity. This seems to have been the origin of the plate given - by the city, and annually ran for on the same day to the present - time. A bell was a common prize. A little golden bell was the - reward of victory in 1607 at the races near York; whence came the - proverb, for success of any kind, _to bear the bell_."--_Pennant's - Tour through Wales_, vol. I. pp. 253, 254, 255, 256, 257. - -While walking around the walls of Chester, the duchess and her party -encountered a handsome young stranger, who was also promenading this -frequented walk.--We have already premised the narrowness of the walls, -that they in some parts only admitted two persons to walk abreast.--The -stranger, to make way, retired to a small recess nigh one of the towers, -and courteously bowed as the party passed onward. - -His eyes were deeply rivetted upon the Lady Adelaide, while her's -seemed as intently fixed upon him. Thrice during their walk, in a -similar manner, they encountered the stranger; at the last meeting it so -happened that Adelaide (accidentally, no doubt,) dropped her glove just -as the stranger met her; he raised it from the ground, and in the most -courteous and graceful manner restored it. While in the act of returning -the glove to its fair owner, it so happened that his hand touched her's; -instantly the blood mounted to her cheek, and she deeply blushed; but -sweetly smiling, she politely thanked him, made her obeisance, and -passed on. - -"Who can this stranger be?" thought Adelaide to herself. "He is surely -no ordinary being--none of the common-place creatures of this earth. And -oh, his fine manly beautiful countenance that seems born to command!" - -Then, with a sigh, "she thought too that he looked likewise as if born -to love. Oh, what I would give (just from mere curiosity!) to know his -name and rank;--there can be no doubt but that he must be a person of -distinction." - -After this mental soliloquy she hastened to rejoin the duchess and her -aunts. They all now returned to "the White Lion;" and the next day was -to be devoted to their visit to the episcopal palace, to pay their -respects to the Bishop of Chester and Mrs. Cartwright. The evening -proving remarkably fine, Sir Patricius ventured to propose a walk to the -ladies, to view the interior of the city, the shops, "the rows," &c. As -they passed along, they observed that many of the houses were of wood, -and most of them built of brick, and wooden frame-work, alternately -painted black and white, in certainly a most coffin-like fashion. The -pinnacles and gables, they observed, were adorned with various curious -and grotesque carvings. Sir Patricius seemed now very anxious to display -all his gothic lore. - -"This, my Lady Duchess," he observed, "is in verity a most ancient, -venerable city; and perhaps the most striking of the many peculiarities -in which it abounds are these remarkable covered galleries, or, as they -are ycleped, 'Rows,' which extend the entire length on each side of many -of the streets in front of the range of shops, which are covered over -head, and you ascend them from the four principal streets by flights of -stairs. The effect is as if the front room in every first floor was -scooped out, and the upper stories of the premises supported on pillars, -while the lower tier of rooms, thus purloined, are occupied as shops. -The space thus scooped out forms a covered gallery on each side of the -street, with a ballustrade or railing in front, over which various goods -are flung for exposure to the public--namely, silks, stuffs, shawls, &c. -This ballustrade faces the street; the back parlours of each house thus -circumstanced are converted into rows of shops, and are a great -convenience to the public, from the facility of passing from street to -street, effectually secured from rain or heat, affording a sheltered -walk in winter and a shady one in summer to both inhabitants and -strangers. The streets had been excavated out of the earth, and are in -many places several feet below the surface. The carriages drive far -below the levels of the kitchens, on a line with the range of shops. - -"There can be no question, my Lady, whatever," added Sir Patricius, -looking very knowingly, and taking with much gravity a pinch of snuff -from his Carolus snuff-box, "there can be no doubt," said he, "but that -these 'rows' are precisely the same as the ancient _vestibules_, and -appear evidently to have been a form of building preserved from the time -that this city was possessed by the Romans. These _vestibules_ were -built before the doors, midway between the streets and the houses, and -were the places where dependants waited for the coming forth of their -patrons, and under which they might walk, and pass away the tedious -minutes of expectation. Plautus, in the third act of his _Mostellaria_, -describes both their situation and their use,[28] namely, that the -vestibule in front of the house answered the purpose of a piazza, or -covered gallery. The shops beneath these 'rows' were certainly the -_cryptae_ and _apothecae_, the magazines and repositories for the various -necessaries of the owners of the houses." - - [28] 'Viden' vestibulum ante aedes, et ambulacrum ejusmodi? - -The party had now descended from the rows, and pursued their route under -one of the arched gateways ascending from the walls, when who should at -this time be seen but the youthful stranger whom they had encountered in -their morning walk. He took off his hat and lowly bowed. Adelaide, -blushing, returned the salute, being the only one of the party who had -caught a glimpse of him--the duchess and her sisters listening in -wonderment at the learned lore which Sir Patricius had displayed and -poured forth with such wondrous volubility; and he was himself, in -sooth, too much occupied by his own eloquence, to see, to hear, to think -of ought but old Plautus, the _Colonia Devana_, and the Roman -centurions! - -The duchess and her party having returned to "the White Lion," tea was -immediately ordered; and as Sir Patricius had most ably done his part -at the morning collation as well as at dinner, he thought it only -decorous to go supperless to bed, which deficit he was, however, -resolved to make up from the supplies of the tea-table. They all shortly -retired to rest, the ladies complaining that they had not as yet got the -tossing of the vessel from their heads, nor the shaking of the Roman -paved way from their shoulders. - -"After all," said Sir Patricius, "however, commend me the Romans, -whether for their armies, their victories, for making roads, or -manufacturing cheese!" - -The duchess took this as the signal for departing, aware that if this -topic were once begun, it would prove no easy matter to stop Sir -Patricius in his eulogium on the Romans. - -The next day, at meet season and time, the duchess, attended by her -party, drove to the episcopal palace, and found the bishop and his lady -at home, expecting their arrival. But it is necessary that the reader -should be previously introduced to the bishop and his lady. - -The Right Reverend Doctor Cartwright, Lord Bishop of Chester, was in the -sixty-first or second year of his age, and having passed by the sunny -side of his sexagesimal year, was verging fast to his grand climacteric; -he enjoyed a strong and healthy old age. Piety was stamped on his fine -expanded brow, and benevolence and good-humour sparkled in his eyes, and -played upon his lips; his eyes were hazel, large and intelligent, -beaming beneath his deep black eye-brows; his nose was aquiline; his -figure tall and graceful. He wore a black camlet riding-coat; his hat -was of the episcopal fashion; his peruke was bushy and well powdered; -and in his right hand he carried an ivory-headed cane, not from -necessity, but from choice. - -Mrs. Cartwright was somewhat further advanced in years than her Right -Reverend Lord. She had never, even in youth, been accounted handsome; -however, the expression of her countenance was pleasing, and accompanied -withal by a liveliness and good-humour, approaching somewhat the _vis -comica_, but in no way allied to the satirical. Mrs. Cartwright was a -plain, honest, excellent woman, possessed of a good understanding, and -considered in those times as being well informed. No heart was ever -found more fond of doing a kind, generous, and benevolent act, many of -which are on record; but this was none of her seeking, as no one -disliked ostentation more than what she did; her desire was to do good -without its being promulgated. The bishop and his lady never had any -children, but they were too wise and grateful to make themselves -miserable upon this account, and lived contented and happy upon those -blessings which providence had bounteously bestowed, without vainly and -impiously repining for what they never had possessed. Loving and -beloved, this couple lived mated and matched, regarded and respected by -all ranks and conditions in society. They were never weary of -well-doing; daily acts of charity, hospitality, generosity, and -kindness, emanated from the kind and excellent feelings congenial to -them both; indeed they fully verified the words of the inspired -Psalmist: "The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the -righteous." - -Such were the Bishop of Chester and his lady, to whom the duchess and -her train now presented themselves, and by whom they were most warmly -and affectionately received. - -"Welcome! most heartily welcome, my good, excellent, worthy Lady -Duchess," exclaimed the bishop, warmly taking her Grace by the hand; at -the same moment almost she was cordially embraced by Mrs. Cartwright. - -"A kind and warm welcome to you and yours," continued the bishop. Then -looking intently at Adelaide, he pressed warmly her hand, saying to the -duchess, "Beshrew my heart, but, lady, thy daughter is most passing -fair, exceeding fair; nor hath fame in aught out-heralded the Lady -Adelaide's beauty!" - -The duchess made a low courtesy, and thanked his lordship for his polite -gallantry. "But," said the duchess in an under tone, "when, my Lord, you -shall know more of my daughter, I trust that you will like her mind -better then than now you like her visage." Next, aloud, her Grace said, -"My daughter has reason, my lord, to be proud of your praise, for -_laudari a laudato_--your lordship knows the rest." - -"No, my Lady Duchess, no! I am no orator, and, I thank God, no -politician! I am no great man, albeit I am a peer spiritual, and so -forth; therefore my praise on that score can be of but little value -indeed!" - -"Not so, my Lord, the praise of a good man ever is of value." - -The bishop bowed. His Lordship next proposed a walk in his garden; and -then they adjourned to Chester walls, which closely adjoin the palace, -to promenade until dinner. Adelaide looked to the left and right, but -"the unknown knight of Chester walls" was not to be seen. Upon their -return to the episcopal palace dinner was ready, and soon smoked upon -the hospitable board. It was a sumptuous entertainment. The bishop -having helped the ladies, soon discovered that Sir Patricius was in -complete possession of the _scavoir vivre_. - -"I warmly recommend you; Sir Placebo--Sir Patricius, I beg your -pardon--to have some Severn salmon, or some choice dories, caught in the -Llyn; and I do think, above all, that I can speak in positive -commendation of some stewed carp, which is truly delicious. I saw them -caught yesterday (for I am fond of fishing) in that _Piscosus amnis_, -which we call the Vyrnyn." - -"No, my Lord, I thank you, I have just made a grand assault, _vi et -furca_, upon your venison, which is actually the finest I have ever -enjoyed. The lean is so ruddy and the fat is so white, that I think, my -Lord, I shall just try a _modicum_ more, [the fourth time he was -helped!] and some sweet sauce withal!" - -Indeed the opinion and "great capabilities," to use his own phrase, of -Sir Patricius Placebo, at a well-chosen dinner, were never yet, even by -his enemies, considered as apocryphal; and in the culinary calendar this -notable day was deserving of a mark of approbation, and should be held -in savoury remembrance by every follower of Epicurus. The first and -second course removed, cheese was put down, to which Sir Patricius -helped himself liberally. - -"My Lord, your Cheshire is positively excellent. We are indebted to the -victorious _Colonia Devana_ for it. To these same Roman centurions who -introduced the art of cheese-making, until then unknown in England, into -Cheshire; and for my part, my Lord; to adventure upon a pun, I would -call this admirable cheese _divina_.--Ha, ha, ha! It is every way -deserving of the _Creta notanda_ of Horace, or the _Creta notare_ of -Persius: it should truly be marked with white chalk in the calendar!" - -"It seems, Sir Patricius, that you are disposed to _chalk your cheese_ -with a note of admiration!--eh? Ha, ha, ha. However, I certainly agree -with you that the art of cheese-making to be the most valuable memorial -which the Romans have left us, and in an especial manner to this -country. Indeed so extensively was cheese-making carried on that these -cohorts exported large quantities of cheese, not only to the distant -colonies, but even to imperial Rome herself!" - -"Most true, my Lord; and to such perfection has it been brought, that it -is now (_me judice_) far superior to any imported from classic Italy, or -dull, plodding Batavia. Centuries have passed by, and Rome's centurions -have mixed their dust with the defunct Caesars, but Cheshire cheese still -holds its high estimation; and long may it do so, while British palates, -teeth, and taste remain--_Semperque manebit!_" - -A magnificent dessert, crowned with the oldest and choicest wines, -concluded this princely banquet, and each day's entertainment, although -varied, was equally as splendid as the feast we have recorded. - -The next day being the sabbath day, all the guests accompanied Mrs. -Cartwright to the cathedral, (where the bishop was to preach) and sat in -that lady's seat in the gallery. As soon as the service was over the -party proceeded to inspect this grand and venerable pile. - -"The cathedral of Chester was built," as the bishop informed the -duchess, "during the reigns of Henry VI., VII., VIII." He observed that -there was much to admire in the beautiful west end of the nave. "The -window over the door is richly adorned with much tasteful tracery, and -architrave of the door enriched with figures and other subjects in -sculpture. The choir is considered handsome, and the gothic tabernacle -work over the stalls is carved in a light and elegant manner. The arches -in the galleries are divided by slender pillars of admirable -conformation." - -His Lordship then came to the bishop's throne, which he pointed out as -standing on a stone base; and he observed that the form was an oblong -square, or parallelogram, which was remarkable for its sculpture, each -side being richly ornamented with gothic carvings, with arches and -pinnacles. Around the upper part of the canopy stands a range of little -images, designed to represent the kings and saints of the Mercian -kingdom. The party now advanced to the chancel, where there are four -stone stalls for the officiating priests, richly ornamented above with -carved gothic work. The duchess and Lady Adelaide particularly admired -the magnificent piece of tapestry which adorns the altar; it represents -Elmias the sorcerer struck blind by Saint Paul. The design is taken from -one of the cartoons of Raffaelle, and the execution is truly admirable. - -The bishop and his noble guests returned to the palace, where a -magnificent dinner was prepared for them, and the bishop entertained Sir -Patricius Placebo, so soon as the ladies retired, with "_A brief and -succinct account_," as his lordship termed it, "of the ecclesiastical -state of the ancient city of Chester." But as two flasks of old Burgundy -disappeared during the narration, we are somewhat apprehensive that it -would prove rather heavy on our reader's hands, and therefore we shall -in _toto_ decline the discussion. - -The duchess and her family having very pleasantly passed a week at the -palace, now prepared for their regretted departure, and next sadly to -bid an affectionate farewell. Mrs. Cartwright obtained a promise from -the duchess of writing to her as soon as her Grace should reach either -Amiens or Lille. They proceeded to the town of Tarporly, and thence to -Wrexam, where they stopped to change horses and to take some -refreshment. - -Wrexam is the largest town in North Wales, and its parish the most -numerous; it is the principal town of Denbighshire. Struck by the beauty -and airy lightness of the lofty tower of Wrexam church, the duchess and -Lady Adelaide resolved, while the necessary operations at the inn were -going forward, to wend their way to visit this fine gothic pile; and Sir -Patricius, "albeit," as he said himself pleasantly enough upon the -occasion, "although he was much more addicted, he must needs confess, to -the _memento vivere_ than the _memento mori_" yet, nevertheless, right -gallantly esquired the ladies. - -"The church of Wrexam is the glory not only of the place, but of North -Wales." The inside of the church is very spacious, and consists of a -nave, two aisles, and a chancel. Much grotesque carving surmounts the -capitals of the various pillars in the nave, and within the arches are -placed many armorial bearings of the ancient British and Saxon princes. -Many of the monuments which adorn the nave and the aisles are admirably -designed, and the sculpture exceedingly fine. The epitaphs are numerous -and curious: many a "_hic jacet_ Ap-Howel--Ap-Morgan--Ap-Jhones," may be -found in the church and in the church-yard. On the outside of the church -is placed a great variety of ludicrous and grotesque sculpture. The -steeple is an extremely handsome tower, richly ornamented on three sides -with rows of saints placed in rich gothic niches. Among the group is -that of Saint Giles, the patron saint of the church, with the hind that -so miraculously nourished him in the desert, as monkish legends tell. At -every angle of the church tower is a light turret, with a winding -stair-case, twenty-four feet high. The entire height of the church -tower, which is seen to a considerable distance, is one hundred and -twenty-five feet. The church was built in the reign of Henry VIII., and -is in the florid style of gothic architecture. - -Know, gentle reader, that there occurred a little incident in Wrexam -church, which must needs have the additament of being known unto thee. -When the noble travellers entered the nave they were much struck by -beholding a robin perched upon a brass chandelier, which was suspended -from the ceiling in the nave, opposite to the reading-desk. The minister -was engaged in reading the Psalms, the clerk the responses; and the -robin expanding his wings, and straining his little throat, as if to -overpower and surpass their voices conjoined. The congregation consisted -of but three elderly ladies. It was of a week day, to which -circumstance, in all probability, was to be attributed the paucity of -the congregation. - -This little occurrence produced the following lines from the pen of Lady -Adelaide:-- - - THE RED-BREAST, - - IN WREXAM CHURCH, DENBIGHSHIRE, - - I roam'd on a cheerful bright summer morning, - The sun, unclouded, the hills was adorning; - My heart beat in transport, but brief was the hour, - When onward I hasten'd for Wrexam's famed tow'r, - A feeling I have--and that feeling it led, - For pensive the pleasure to muse o'er the dead; - And ponder o'er graves where the good are at rest; - Who no son of sorrow yet ever oppress'd. - "Glad tidings and peace" are of heavenly birth; - Fulfil them, frail mortals, by kindness on earth! - Oh, still the wise counsel, "Bear yet, and forbear!" - We daily from wisdom sublunar may hear. - The blest precept, "Forgive, and then be forgiv'n!" - Is written alone in the records of heav'n. - - The church door I enter'd.--The morning was young; - Delighted I heard a sweet Redbreast who sung: - The notes were seraphic, distinct, shrill, and clear, - Sweet Robin the choirist on high chandelier! - Oft quiver'd his bosom, and flutter'd his wing, - While matins he chanted to heaven's high King! - The hour was early;--and time swiftly soon fled - When Robin allur'd me from tombs of the dead. - - That space then sufficient I might not well spare - An hour to devote in the temple of prayer. - - Farewell, tuneful warbler, farewell to thy lay, - Which fondly I'll cherish for many a day! - Far hence, all unwilling, from thee I depart; - Impress'd be thy memory still on my heart! - -The duchess and Lady Adelaide felt with much sensibility the contrariety -between the notes of the tuneful Redbreast and the nasal base of the -veteran clerk slowly drawling forth the responses. Lady Adelaide -compared the one to the other as the silvery tone of the Welch harp, -contrasted with the wintry gale that sweeps o'er Snowden. - -From Wrexam, where the horses were baited, and our noble travellers -refreshed, they onward pursued their journey, passing through -Llangollen, and visiting its lovely vale. Highly pleased was every one -with the beautiful scenery through which they had passed, the course of -the Dee, and the windings of the Severn; while with gratified -recollections they thought on the very kind and hospitable reception -which they had experienced at Chester palace. They proceeded next by -way of Oswestry and Shrewsbury, on their route for Bristol; in the -performance of which journey, for the present, we must leave our -distinguished travellers. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - To kinder skies, where gentler manners reign, - I turn; and France displays her bright domain. - Gay, sprightly land of mirth and social ease, - Pleased with thyself, whom all the world can please. - - GOLDSMITH. - - - LETTER FROM THE DUCHESS OF TYRCONNEL, - - ADDRESSED - - "TO MY DEAR AND INTRINSICALLY ESTEEMED FRIEND, MRS. CARTWRIGHT, AT - THE EPISCOPAL PALACE OF CHESTER." - - _Dated_, Lille, _August 12th_, 169-- - -"I now most willingly take up my pen to give you, my dear Madam, some -account of our voyage, and also of our journey, in fulfilment of the -promise which I made in parting from you and the worthy prelate at -Chester palace:-- - -"Well, we proceeded on our route to Bristol, where, you are aware, it -was our intention to have embarked for some safe port in France; at -Bristol in due course we arrived, _sans_ accident and _sans_ adventure -of any kind. But, lo and behold, we could find no vessel destined for -the fair shores of France! What was next to be done? why we set off, _au -desespoir_, for Dover. When we arrived at that seaport Sir Patricius -made instant inquiries for a packet, and was told that there was then -only one on the station, and that too was engaged. As he was retiring -from the beach who should he meet, think you? why none other than 'the -unknown knight' whom we had so often encountered on the walls of -Chester; this, you will freely admit, was rather somewhat extraordinary, -if not marvellous, certainly. Well, my dear Mrs. Cartwright, an -explanation took place, when this singular 'knight unknown' informed Sir -Patricius that he himself had engaged the packet, but that it was -exclusively at our service; and in the politest and most obliging manner -he relinquished it to us, and was so truly chivalrous as wholly to -decline a passage for himself. - -"This was indeed nobly kind and generous, and we all felt it as such. At -our embarkation the graceful, interesting 'knight unknown' was on the -pier of Dover, and you never saw, my dear friend, with what a dignified -grace this _preux_ chevalier handed us all on board, and how graciously -he bade us 'adieu.' My dear enthusiastic Adelaide is still further -convinced that he must be a prince _incognito_. He said, as we were -about to part, 'I understand that your Grace and family are now -departing on your way to Brussels.' - -"I nodded assent. 'Shall we, pray, stand any chance,' I inquired, 'of -seeing you, Sir, in that ancient city?' - -"The stranger hesitated. '_Perhaps_,' quoth he, 'my Lady Duchess.' - -"Oh, if then you were to have seen the indignant glance that Lady -Letitia flung on the courteous stranger, while it would seem -involuntarily she echoed, or rather screamed, '_perhaps!_' For you must -know that to this adverb the Lady Letitia hath, and entertains an -entire, instinctive, and unconquerable detestation, to the very -extinction, I verily credit, of every other given adverb in English -grammar, be it _aye_, or be it _no_. - -"'But,' continued the gallant stranger, 'I yet may speak in more decided -terms. It is my full determination to proceed to Brussels, unless ought -unforeseen and unexpected should arise to prevent it. I most -respectfully and sincerely wish your Grace and friends every prosperity, -a safe and expeditious voyage, and a pleasant journey.' - -"Then bowing with all the grace of one who had been familiar with -courts, he took off his hat, which he several times waved on high, until -the packet got under weigh. I could not but observe that when he took -Adelaide by the hand to lead her on board, that my daughter coloured -most deeply. Indeed I cannot but apprehend that an _impression_ has been -made on her young and feeling heart. But this is _entre nous_. Is it not -most strange, and does it not look exceedingly like _love at first -sight_? But who can be 'the _unknown_ knight' of Chester walls? I can -form no opinion, but I am not certainly inclined to agree with Adelaide -that he is a prince _incognito_. - -"But to resume my narrative:--We embarked at Dover on Friday morning, at -eight o'clock, on board a neutral vessel bound for Calais; it was a -Flemish packet, named _De Zee-Schilpad_, Captain Bulderende master. The -weather when we left Dover was fine, but the breeze soon became squally, -attended with heavy rain, and a rough and swelling sea; but in the event -our passage proved a good one. Many of the sailors were Flemish, and -some were French; and, I must say, the most lubberly and awkward I had -ever beheld, _par example_, one of them sat down to haul a rope! So that -really we felt far more indebted to the wind and waves than to the -nautical skill of either French or Flemish sailors. And I must own, and -am quite free to confess, that their inferiority to our own gallant -tars, in verity, did not displease me. - -"Calais, as we approached it, is seen to much advantage, the spire of -_Notre Dame_, and the turrets of the _Maison de Ville_ nobly arising -over the waves, have certainly a fine and imposing effect; it is indeed -a neat and handsome town; the harbour presents a pleasant and enlivening -scene, and is defended by many forts. The citadel is strongly fortified, -and the city surrounded with walls, gates, &c. The parish church was -built by the English, and has been much admired for its architecture. -The fishery here for herrings and mackerel is considerable, and of both -kinds we partook with much _gout_ during our short sojourn in that -ancient city. - -"You know what an incurable enthusiast my Adelaide is. During the entire -progress of our voyage, which occupied some five hours, the whole way -from Dover to Calais Adelaide sat on deck, and could not be prevailed -upon, by any persuasion or entreaty whatever, to descend into our cabin, -although the wind, which was fair, blew also fresh, and accompanied with -some showers; still stationed on deck sat Adelaide, intently gazing upon -the Shakespeare-cliffs, - - "From the dread summit of this chalky bourn; - Look up a height ... the shrill gorg'd lark so far - Cannot be seen or heard:--do but look up!" - -"So intently did Adelaide gaze, that one would have thought that the -spell-bound charm that fascinated her looks to those lofty cliffs, could -only be broken and dispelled by the wand of the enchanter. The following -quatrain is my Adelaide's:-- - - Ye chalky cliffs! unchang'd ye stand, - As pencil'd by great Shakespeare's hand; - Still to the clouds your summits rise, - Nor perish until nature dies! - -"Never once changing her position on deck sat the fair enthusiast, until -cliff and sky became commingled in one dark-blue mass, and soon -completely lost in aerial distance. - -"We viewed the church of _Notre Dame_ at Calais, where there is an -ill-executed, clumsy statue of the Virgin and Child in statuary marble; -the walls are surrounded with paintings of Scriptural subjects, but the -design and the execution are very _mediocre_. As we walked around the -walls of this memorable town, we could not but recollect, with the -deepest interest, that this city had for upwards of two hundred years -appertained to the crown of Britain;--that here had been manifested the -most generous and devoted love of country;--that here our own Edward -triumphed over the arms, as the benevolent Emma did over the hearts, of -the patriot citizens of Calais. - -"Once more I tread the sunny region of merry France, endeared from -youthful recollection; once more too I tread the same soil that holds -him I love the best!--no, _not_ the BEST!--in this earthly globe, and no -longer two seas separate me from him whom I acknowledge by the two most -endearing titles of my husband, and my Adelaide's father. Yes, dearest -friend, this is consoling, and it is balm to the wearied heart of a poor -exile roaming in a far and foreign land! - -"But I must continue our route:--From Calais we proceeded by -Boulogne-Sur-Mer of which I shall just observe, _en passant_, that it is -a handsome town, it is said of great antiquity, and is very remarkable -from the circumstance of its having been selected as the port from which -the Romans embarked when they invaded Britain; and here still remain the -fragments of a Roman tower built during the reign of Caligula. From -Boulogne we proceeded to Amiens, where we remained for a couple of days -to repose from the fatigues of our journey, and if it will not _fatigue_ -you, you shall have a very brief sketch of that fine city. - -"Amiens is a city of great antiquity, it was called _Ambianum_ by the -Romans, and is noticed by Caesar in his Commentaries.--Amiens is the -capital of Picardy, and an episcopal See; it is the _Samaro-Briva_ of -the ancients. This city is situated on the navigable river Somme, which -traverses it in three branches, all which unite below the town, beneath -the bridge of St. Michael. - -"Amiens is a rich and flourishing city, and abounds with numerous -manufactories; it is very pleasantly situated in a fertile and well -cultivated country. It is the residence of the governor of Picardy.[29] - - [29] Since the Revolution Amiens has become the capital of the - department of the Somme, and there is no longer a governor of - Picardy. Amiens has been remarkable in our days for the definitive - treaty of peace signed in that city, 25th of March, 1802. The room - where it was signed is shown to strangers. - -"Amiens is encompassed by a wall and other fortifications, the ramparts -are planted with trees, which form an agreeable walk; the mall, called -_l'Autoy_, is also much admired as a delightful promenade. The houses -are well built, the streets are spacious, and the town is embellished -with regular handsome squares and public buildings; namely, the palace -of the Bailiwick, where the governor of Picardy resides, the _maison de -ville_, or town-hall, the citadel, the square, or _place des fleurs_, -and the great market square, all which are well deserving the attention -of the traveller. There are ten churches in this city, independent of -the great cathedral of _Notre Dame_, which is a truly sumptuous and most -magnificent pile, it is built in the florid style of gothic -architecture, and is accounted one of the finest cathedrals in France. -The nave of the church is greatly and deservedly admired. The building -contains numerous aisles, chapels, and altars, all gorgeously decorated -with shrines, statues, paintings, and monuments. Many of the statues are -of marble, as also the monuments; some others, for instance that of the -Bishop of Amiens, (whose name unluckily I have forgotten,) who founded -the cathedral, are of bronze. There are some oil paintings in the nave, -the subjects taken from Holy Writ, but the execution is very -indifferent. - -"As we entered this venerable pile the priests and choir were chanting -the high mass, while the loud, solemn, pealing of the organ's swell -echoed from aisle to altar, wafted the soul beyond the narrow confines -of mortality. The grand altar was brilliantly lighted up, the perfumed -incense arose in clouds to the fretted ceiling, the congregation seemed -sunk in deep and dumb devotion; the service was enchantingly performed, -some exquisite voices assisted; and the scene was truly captivating and -impressive, much to charm the eye and move the heart. - -"We have been at this place (Lille)[30] now for four days, but depart on -the morrow for Brussels; and indeed it is with regret that we leave this -delightful city, of which I adventure to give you a brief historical -detail: - -"Lisle, or Lille, is a large and strongly fortified city in the -north-east of France, and the capital of French Flanders; it is situated -on the navigable river Deule. The origin of this town is ascribed by -tradition to Julius Caesar, who is said to have built a castle on an -island in the Deule, whence it derived the name of Insula, Isla, and -eventually of Lisle; the Flemish name is Ryssel; the Latin, _Insula -Flandrorum_; it is now called Lille. - - [30] Since the French Revolution Lille has become the capital of - the department of the north. - -"Lille is situated in a dead flat, the soil whereof is rich and fertile, -and the people industrious. The Deule, although a small river, yet is -navigable, and is divided into several branches, parts of which supply -the moats of the citadel, and the fosses of the town; while one branch -of this river, called _La Basse Deule_, intersects the city. The form of -Lille is that of an irregular oval; it is a large and handsome town, its -appearance is imposing from its extent, its fortifications, its canals, -its bridges, its squares, and public buildings. It is assuredly one of -the handsomest cities of France; much architectural elegance is -displayed not only in private edifices, but particularly in the public -buildings, viz. _la bourse_, or the exchange, crowned with its cupola -and minaret, the barracks, the corn market, the theatre, five principal -hospitals, besides others. _La maison de ville_,[31] or town-hall, -adjoins the grand place, or square; it formerly had been the palace of -the Dukes of Burgundy; it was built in the year 1430 by Duke Philip the -Good. - - [31] The _Maison de Ville_ was destroyed by fire, November 17, - A.D. 1700. - -"Lille had been formerly the residence of the Foresters and Counts of -Flanders; it was founded by Baudouin, surnamed _Le Belle Barbe_, Count -of Flanders, so early as 1007. His son Baudouin Le Debonaire surrounded -the city with walls, and built the magnificent church of Saint Peter, -where he was interred; and in the middle of the nave of this cathedral -may be seen the tomb of its founder, who was also called by another -designation, _Baudouin of Lille_. Two Chapters of the order of the -Golden Fleece were held in this collegiate church of Saint Peter, the -first in 1431, the latter in 1436. - -"There is in this church a beautiful chapel of our Lady of Treille, -which was built by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in which is to be -seen a beautiful _mausoleum_ of Bronze, where is represented the Count -Lewis de Male, Count of Flanders, placed between his wife Margaret and -his daughter. - -"The other parish churches in this city are, St. Stephen, St. Maurice, -St. Saviour, St. Catherine, St. Andrew, and La Magdelaine. Lille has -seven gates:--1. Porte de La Barne. 2. De Notre Dame. 3. Des Malades. 4. -De Fives. 5. Saint Maurice. 6. Magdelaine. 7. Saint Andrew. - -"This city, as, my dear friend, I have before observed to you, is the -capital of French Flanders, as it was anciently called _Flandria -Gallica_; and is one of the most populous, rich, and magnificent cities -in the entire circle of French Flanders. - -"You will here, no doubt, my dear Madam, pause, and naturally enough -inquire why I should make this long _detour_, when my ultimate -destination is Brussels;--what necessity should urge me to visit -Amiens?--why should I proceed to Lille?--why not start straight forward -at once for Brussels? I shall explain to you the cause, my dear friend, -as I hate mysteries, and prefer being candid in preference of appearing -absurd or inconsistent. There have been for these many years some near -and dear female connexions of mine, and likewise of the duke, who long -since have forsook the world, and who are abiding in this country, all -of whom have taken the veil; two sisters are stationed at Amiens within -the convent, or _Abbaye de St. Sepulchre_; and two other relatives have -retired here into the convent _des Soeurs Noires_. These ladies are now -far advanced in years, and fast approaching that goal that one day we -all must ultimately reach. Could I then, my dear Madam, remain in the -same country, inhale the same air, and withal placed within a reasonable -distance, and it resting wholly in my power and inclination whether I -should see them for once, and perhaps for ever! or decline doing so? I -could not--I would not decline it! No earthly consideration could warp -or cause me to forego this duty! I have seen these venerable saints, for -such I believe them to be, and I am gratified that they are happy; at -least to me they appeared to be so, as they did to my daughter and -sisters. This must be the last time probably that I shall ever see them -imprisoned within those sad monastic walls, the world forgetting, and by -the world forgot! and the leave which I took of them resembled that sad, -solemn, and final farewell, which we receive from the departing voice of -those we regard at the close of their earthly pilgrimage! - -"You shall hear from me again so soon as I am established at Brussels, -where I purpose to remain for a year certainly, and for which city we -start on the morrow. Until then, dearest friend, adieu. - - (_Signed_) KATHERINE TYRCONNEL." - -"P. S.--Please, my dear, most kindly to present all our united -remembrances to your truly worthy lord and prelate. Once more farewell." - - * * * * * - -The day subsequent to the writing of the foregoing epistle, as has been -determined upon, the duchess and Adelaide, the Ladies Letitia and Lucy, -escorted by Sir Patricius Placebo, departed from Lille on their route to -Brussels. The journey occupied the space of nearly three days; at the -expiration of which the illustrious _voyageurs_ safely arrived at the -noble, the ancient city of Brussels; the drivers were directed to stop -at the hotel _Du Flanders_, in preference to the hotel _d'Angleterre_, -as it was the wish of the duchess to remain retired from any observance -or unnecessary intercourse with her countrymen; and instructed by the -political tone and temper of the times, courted privacy, not publicity; -and this was now the more necessary, as acts of attainder had been -proclaimed by King William against all the adherents and partisans of -King James the Second. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - Erin my country! though sad and forsaken, - In dreams I revisit thy sea-beaten shore; - But, alas! in a far, foreign land I waken, - And sigh for the friends who can meet me no more! - - CAMPBELL. - - -The apartments at the hotel _Du Flanders_ were not only roomy and -commodious, but were likewise fitted up with a considerable degree of -elegance. However, depressed by fatigue of body, as likewise overpowered -by anxiety of mind, the duchess and her fair and lovely daughter retired -at an early hour to repose, which example was as immediately followed by -the retiring of Ladies Letitia and Lucy, and Sir Patricius Placebo, to -their respective dormitories. - -The duchess and Lady Adelaide had two beds stationed in the same -chamber, which always, during the absence of the duke, was invariably -the custom; and in the adjoining bed-chamber reposed the Ladies Letitia -and Lucy. - -Sir Patricius was not neglectful of his personal comforts upon any -occasion, at least that has been recorded, and happy to find himself -once more stationary for a determinate time at Brussels, he emphatically -ejaculated his favourite sentence-- - - DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN! - -and soon was enfolded in the silken fetters of Morpheus. - -The duchess usually sat up an hour or two in her chamber previous to her -retiring to repose, her time being occupied in reading, writing, or -entering memoranda in her common-place book; but her Grace always -finished with her devotions. When these were duly performed, slowly -advancing to the bedside of her beloved daughter, she already beheld -her in a profound sleep. "Happy state of youth!" thought the duchess, - - "Thou hast no figures, nor no fantasies, - Which busy care draws in the brains of men: - Therefore thou sleep'st so sound." - -"Oh, my darling daughter, may care, anxiety, and sorrow, ever be -strangers to thy dwelling! and, oh heaven grant, that thy bosom, and thy -peace of mind, may be ever calm and serene as at this present moment -they are!" - -Having mentally expressed this fervent prayer, the duchess retired to -her pillow, mournfully revolving upon the past, and deeply meditating -upon the future; much wearied both from mental, as well as bodily -fatigue, she fell into a deep slumber. But her sleep was restless and -perturbed, she went back to the days of her youth. For as Milton finely -expresses, - - "When nature rests, - Oft in her absence mimic fancy wakes, - To imitate her." - -The duchess again beheld her early friends, once more she partook of -their juvenile pastimes. Time advances--her courtship with the duke -proceeds--her consent to the marriage given--the wedding takes -place--the birth of Adelaide--the duke's increased favour with his -sovereign--his several appointments--his promotion--the introduction of -the duchess at court--the duke presented with the order of the garter, -and appointed viceroy of Ireland--the scenes attendant thereon--Adelaide -the admiration of every eye, and the praise of every tongue. All these -events, conjured up by deceptive vision, passed in rapid succession, -seen through the _camera obscura_ of the past. Now floats before her -tortured fancy the obverse of the medal:--The battle of the Boyne is -fought and lost--King James is forced to make a precipitate flight--the -Duke of Tyrconnel accompanies his deposed sovereign--the duke is -outlawed by King William, who passes an act of attainder against -him--the duchess is compelled to depart from Ireland--Adelaide -accompanies her mother in her voyage. The dream continues:--The duchess -much perturbed--at sea they encounter a violent storm--she and Adelaide -are about to perish in a watery grave. The duchess moans, and becomes -deeply depressed, which awakened Adelaide, who arose, and gently opening -the shutter, the rays of a summer sun glanced in at the casement. Then -putting on her attire with great caution and silence Adelaide seated -herself by her mother's side. The duchess greatly disturbed in her -sleep, with a deep moan and restless motion turned around in the bed; in -doing so her arm fell next Adelaide; who gently, but affectionately, -kissed her mother's hand, and while in the act the duchess awoke. - -"Oh! _this_, at least, is no vision to mock my misery!--I am -awake--_this_ is no dream! Oh, my dear, dear Adelaide!--my darling child -is it you?" - -The duchess sat up in her bed, and warmly embracing Adelaide, while the -fond, maternal tear moistened as it fell upon her daughter's cheek, she -said:--"May heaven ever bless and protect thee, my dear and duteous -daughter, and its gracious mercy be always thine! for thou hast ever -been dutiful to thy parents, and obedient to thy Creator!" - -The duchess now arose, and as neither her Grace nor Adelaide expended -any unnecessary waste of time at their toilette, they were soon at their -post at the breakfast table. Sir Patricius rung, and desired the waiter -to place a Malines ham and a bottle of Louvain beer on the side-table, -both of which he declared were excellent in their kind; some of the -ladies tasted the ham, but the Louvain beer remained untasted except by -the provident Baronet himself, who smacked his lips, and observed that -it was passing good; and then noticed that there were three kinds of it, -that which lay upon the table was of the weakest sort; the next was -called Caniac, which was to be met with at the tables of the noblesse -and the wealthier bourgeois; the strongest kind is called Peterman, -which, he observed, was sold at the coffee-houses in the evening; and in -such repute is Louvain beer held, he said, that annually one hundred and -fifty thousand tuns are brewed for exportation; "but for my poor part," -next continued Sir Patricius, (filling out a second glass,) "I have -slight objection to quaff it at the fountain head!--"_Satius est petere -fontes, quam sectari rivulos._"--Ha, ha, ha! - -Breakfast having terminated, and the practical panegyric of Sir -Patricius on Louvain beer and Malines ham being duly exemplified and -concluded, the duchess sallied forth in search of a furnished house, -which her Grace intended to engage for a term not less than that of a -year. Three or four houses were inspected, but they were found not to -answer; one was too small to accommodate the family, another was -indifferently furnished, a third was objected to from its unpleasantness -of situation; a fourth was examined, which was agreeably situated in the -Rue Ducale, opposite to the park; this seemed to promise well, Sir -Patricius rang the hall bell, and a tall, meagre figure, in a rich -flowered silk robe _de chambre_, and his head enveloped in a red -night-cap, opened the door; it was Monsieur Passemier, the proprietor of -the house, who grinned and bowed most obsequiously; he was about -sixty-five years of age, but seemed in spirits, and also in activity, to -enjoy all the vigour of youth. He now proceeded to show the house: the -hall, or vestibule, was spacious, and very handsomely ornamented with -marble tables, bronze busts on brackets, and a statue of white marble of -the god of silence. The garden, which adjoined the hall, was very -tastefully laid out; a corridore of trellis work, entwined with parasite -plants, led from the hall to the garden, where several walks, arched -above, formed pleasant arbours, through and around which the clustering -vines had entwined themselves, and now displayed their luxuriant bunches -of red and white grapes. - -The duchess ascended to the drawing-rooms, which were hung with rich -Brussels' tapestry, and hangings of Arras; the subjects represented were -woven from designs of Teniers, Snyders, and Rubens; the different -compartments represented village fairs, rural merry-makings, and boar -hunts. - -The sofas, or settees rather we should say, the rude, gothic -predecessors of the present modern sofa, were extremely long and -extremely low, and yet withal of an enormous size; they were covered -with blue velvet, and fringed with gold lace; the chairs, which -corresponded, were on castors, and were of that formidable space and -magnitude to have afforded seats to the two redoubtable city giants of -Guild-Hall, Messieurs Gog and Magog, who, if hither transported, might -have held thereon a seeming _tete-a-tete_, without any diminution or -disparagement of their gravity and greatness. - -Monsieur Passemier, (for to the lank gentleman in the red night-cap the -said mansion appertained,) ever and anon was restlessly employed in -raising or lowering the red cap on his forehead, and with continued and -extravagant grin, grimace, and gesticulation, became exceedingly -loquacious, his teeth chattering most monkey-like. He dwelt much on the -commodiousness of his house, the fine view of the park which it -commanded, the fashionableness of the situation, the salubrity of the -air, the convenience of his _jardin orne_; and rung various changes on -the fine furniture of his mansion, so superior, he insisted, to _les -miserables meubles garnis_ of Paris; he once indeed (_malheureux!_) had, -in an evil hour, let lodgings, but he would never do so again--_jamais!_ -He once, _pardie_, had set these apartments (_en haut_) to Monsieur Le -Compte d'Egmont and Madame la Comptesse, _et quatres petites diables des -enfants_; the lower (_en bas_) apartments were set to le bon Eveque de -Bruges. But, _une jour_, Le Compte et Madam la Comptesse were abroad -_pour faire visite_, when _les quatres petites diables des enfants_ -made, _mon Dieu!_ such a _grand bouleversement_, you never did hear--no -persone did ever see de like. - -Here Monsieur Passemier acted to the life _encore le tres grande -bouleversement_, flinging down, with great force, fire, fury, and -energy, stool, tripod, candelabra, chairs, &c., and scattering around -the broken fragments of marble tables. He then, with the agility of a -Shamois goat, bounded from stool to chair and settee, indeed he seemed -as if recently escaped from Bedlam; he jumped, he stamped, he danced, -he laughed, he chattered, racing round the room, jumping on chairs and -settees, and violently stamping and kicking thereon, and by practical -illustrations demonstrating how _les quatres petites diables des enfants -d'Egmont_ had accomplished _cet horrible bouleversement_! and all dat in -defiance of _le petite dieu de silence, dans le grande vestibule_, who, -_avec le main droite_, to his lip does (_tout le gentilhomme_) impose -silence, and _avec le main gauche_, does vid _beaucoup de politesse_ -point de way _en haut! pour vous montez. Le bon Eveque de Bruges_ left -me _au desespoir! pauvre homme, car, malheureux_, - - _Il ne pouvoit pas_, - _ni lire_, - _ni dire_, - _ni rire_, - _ni prier_, - _ni ecrire_, - -_et mon Dieu! quelle horrible, il ne pouvoit pas dormire!_ - -The duchess came in for more of the _bouleversement_ than her Grace had -calculated upon; and having concluded her bargain, hastened to depart -before the lank landlord in the red night-cap could, by possibility, be -seized with another fit of _la malade du bouleversement_. - -Sir Patricius was extremely diverted with the eccentricities of this -original, and declared that the Monsieur was wondrous comical--most -amusingly facetious. - -The duchess and Lady Adelaide, &c. drove through the squares and -principal streets of Brussels, they visited the park l'Alle Verte, &c.; -and then drove to Soignies Forest: Adelaide was highly delighted, and -with much liveliness and enthusiasm, she said:--"Fair Brussels! renowned -in days of ancient chivalry, aye, full many a joust, tilt, and -tournament, hast thou witnessed within thine princely walls, when kings -and mighty paladines sought valour's prize and beauty's smile, while -trumpets brayed the victor's fame, and damsels gave the guerdon to the -brave! Nor, Soignies, ever be thy dark forest forgot, here many a chase -has re-echoed throughout thy woodland waste, led on by prince and peer, -what time the savage boar of the forest, roused from his lair, started -forth on the hunter's path, and sunk beneath his valiant spear, while -blithely the bugle reckless rung his requiem!" - -"My dear daughter, you are the child of romance, and you should have -been born in the days of chivalry, for our own days are too tame and -common-place for thee withal!" - -"I do commend, my lady duchess," said Sir Patricius, "the enthusiasm of -the Lady Adelaide; and I must take occasion to observe, that although -there is much liveliness, there is likewise much historical truth in the -young lady's remarks. _Certes_ Brussels is a fine city; in many respects -it may vie with Paris. Look at the park, at the promenades, the palaces, -the mansions, churches, fountains, &c.; and I will be bold to say that -in healthfulness of its climate, the beauty of its local situation, the -spaciousness of its streets, the abundance and cheapness of its -provisions, that at this period Brussels is probably second to no city -in Europe. It is proverbial for the luxuriance of its fruits and -vegetables.--And now, my Lady Duchess, I do remember me that Anne of -Cleves, the consort of King Henry VIII. of England, whom he somewhat -ungallantly called a Flanders mare"---- - -"It was indeed," observed the duchess, "not only an uncourtly, but it -was an unkinglike phrase!" - -"I was about to observe, my Lady Duchess, that Anne of Cleves used -frequently to send to the _Pays Bas_ for a sallad! and I dare be sworn, -my lady, that if her Majesty had only known what a luxurious fruit -Flemish cherries and strawberries were, which latter they call here -_fraises l'Anglaises_, and in size are as large as the largest walnut, -and their exquisite flavour quite unparalleled--no doubt, I think, but -that the queen would have despatched a special messenger to procure a -dessert of those delicious fruits of Flanders, provided they would have -borne the carriage. Ay, though even her royal head were to pay the -forfeit I' faith!--ha, ha, ha!" - -"To lose one's head were rather an unseemly joke for a bunch of Flemish -fruit; besides, methinks it were rather too dear a purchase even in the -decapitating days of bluff Harry Tudor!" observed Lady Adelaide. - -"Commend me the spirit," said her Grace, "of the Duchess of Milan, who, -when Henry had sent an ambassador demanding her hand in marriage, she -boldly desired the ambassador to tell his master that she must decline -the honour which his Majesty had so graciously intended, as she had but -one head: if she had had two indeed, one of them should certainly be at -the disposal of his Majesty of England!" - -"Ha, ha, ha,--'fore Jupiter," exclaimed Sir Patricius, "her Highness was -as witty as she was spirited!--Ha, ha, ha." - -The duchess now deemed it full time for her Grace to send a despatch to -the palace of d'Aremberg, addressed to her old friend,--her once -youthful, lovely friend--the kind associate of her early years, the -Duchess d'Aremberg, notifying her arrival at Brussels, and likewise, -meanwhile, expressing the cogent reasons which had rendered such a step -necessary, if not imperative; at the same time also intimating her -intention of calling upon the following day at an early hour specified, -to pay her demonstrations of love, regard, and respect. - -Accordingly, upon the following day, and at the appointed time, the -duchess, accompanied solely by Lady Adelaide, waited upon her Grace -d'Aremberg at the ducal palace. - -Our readers no doubt possibly may recollect the relationship in which -the Duchess d'Aremberg stood to the Lady Adelaide, that her Grace was -Lady Adelaide's _marraine_, or godmother. They too may perchance -recollect the princely baptismal presents given on the august occasion, -and long since narrated in our story, all of which have been duly -detailed in the second chapter of the first volume of this romance. - -The meeting was of the tenderest and most affecting description. The -Duchess d'Aremberg had been for some years a widow, but she was not -childless, she had an only son, the present Duke d'Aremberg. Her sight -was much impaired, being obliged to wear spectacles; but notwithstanding -this, her countenance still bore striking traits that she had once been -beautiful. Her constitution had been so much impaired by ill-health, -caused by paralysis, and not by years, that her Grace had nearly lost -the powers of locomotion: she moved on crutches. But still her brilliant -eye beamed forth intelligence; and still warm and true to all its fires, -her generous and expanded heart was alive to every social tie, to every -noble impulse, and every endearing feeling. While, meantime, every -object around bore strong indications of mortality; in one station was -placed her once favourite paroquet, that had gaily talked in its cage, -and had each successive morning duly greeted its mistress's -approach.--There now it stood a stiff and motionless mummy, a mere -mockery of what it once had been! The cherished and favourite lapdog too -had undergone a similar transformation, and starchly stuffed, and -studded with its glaring eye-balls, unspeculatingly stared from its -glassy cabinet. - -The Duchess of Tyrconnel warmly embraced with tender and intense -affection her old, her once young, her still kind-hearted friend, while -their tears, united, trickled down in comminglement on the cheeks of -each beloved friend; while Adelaide, whose heart was ever responsive to -every impulse of affection or affliction, wept a flood of tears. This -transport of joy and tears having passed the Duchess d'Aremberg strongly -pressed, with the kindest and most affectionate solicitation, that her -early friend and her goddaughter should, during their sojourn at -Brussels, make the palace d'Aremberg their home, where they would be as -free from restraint as if the residence were their own. But the Duchess -of Tyrconnel declined in terms of the deepest gratitude, at the same -time in the tone of firm determination. Her Grace said that they should -be often together, and that every day, if possible, during her stay, -accompanied by Adelaide, they would have the pleasure of passing a large -portion of their time with the Duchess d'Aremberg. - -Upon being made acquainted that the duchess had taken a house in the -_Rue Ducale_, and that the Ladies Letitia and Lucy, and Sir Patricius -Placebo, had accompanied her in her journey, matters were so far -compromised by an invitation being made and accepted of, that on that -same day the entire party should dine within the hospitable walls of the -palace d'Aremberg. - -While the two old friends were in deep converse the young Duke -d'Aremberg entered the apartment, and was formally introduced by his -amiable mother to the Duchess of Tyrconnel and to Lady Adelaide. - -The Duke d'Aremberg was a few years elder than our heroine. He was -remarkably handsome, tall in person, and martial in appearance, well -made, and much admired for the symmetry of his form. His deportment was -dignified and graceful, as free from _hauteur_ as it was devoid of -conceit and affectation. His eye-brows were dark, his eyes hazel, which -sparkled with intelligence. His complexion was, however, rather -saturnine; and in person as well as in visage, he much resembled the -portrait of his illustrious grandfather, which hung in the d'Aremberg -palace, as drawn by the inimitable hand of Vandyke, of which a fine -engraving by Earlom has been handed down to posterity. The same -characteristic melancholy too which had predominated in the expression -of countenance in his grandsire prevailed likewise in the lineaments of -the grandson; but withal mildness and intelligence of expression gave an -intense tone of interest to the manly and open expression of his visage, -which was in sooth the index of his truly noble heart. He was generous, -he was brave, and accomplished as he was learned: hence it is -unnecessary to say that he was most agreeable and affable in his -manners. He was truly beloved by all his dependants, as he was courted -by his associates, and respected and adored by his friends. - -The duchess and Lady Adelaide remained about two hours at the palace -d'Aremberg, and then returned to their house in the _Rue Ducale_ to -attire for dinner. At a few moments before three o'clock punctually they -returned to the palace. Two, or even so early as one o'clock, was then -the usual hour of dinner upon the continent; but in compliment to her -friends it was postponed until the third hour. The Earl of Aylesbury and -his countess, who was his second wife, and his son, Lord Eyrecourt, were -the only guests invited, and they had first arrived. - -We must here trespass a few words on our reader, briefly to say what he -may perchance not be already acquainted with. The noble peer here -noticed was Thomas, the second Earl of Aylesbury. He had rallied around -King James upon the event of the Prince of Orange having embarked troops -for England. But when King James withdrew himself from Whitehall, in -order to embark for France, Lord Aylesbury was one of the twenty-five -peers who signed the declaration applying to the Prince of Orange to -rescue the country from "popery and slavery." He subsequently, however, -took a different part, having been implicated or accused in an attempt -to restore the abdicated monarch to his throne and realm, in consequence -of which accusation his Lordship was committed a prisoner to the tower -of London by order of Queen Mary, the consort of William III., at the -time that William was in Ireland. The charge or accusation was for -having consulted and conspired how to restore King James. His countess, -the Lady Elizabeth, was so afflicted at her lord's confinement, that she -died in childbirth, when the month following her husband, the Earl, was -admitted to bail. - -His Lordship afterwards obtained leave of King William to reside at -Brussels; and a year or two previous to this period he secondly married -Charlotte, Countess of Sannue, of the ancient and noble house of -Argenteau, in the Duchy of Brabant, by whom he had a daughter, Charlotte -Maria,[32] an infant at this time of about twelve months old. - - [32] Lady Charlotte Maria Bruce was married to the Prince of - Houre, one of the princes of the empire, by whom she had a large - progeny. - -The Earl of Aylesbury[33] was a nobleman _de La Vieille cour_ of the -most polished manners. Every thing he said or did was done with a -peculiar grace and ease. He had read much, and remembered with judicious -advantage what he had read. He abounded in amusing anecdotes, had seen -much of the world, and had read men as well as books. - - [33] One of the handsomest fountains in Brussels, which stands in - _le grand Sablon_, was erected by the munificence of the - above-mentioned Earl of Aylesbury. Its appearance is that of a - Sarcophagus, ascended by three steps; the water flows from a - brazen head, surmounted by the arms and coronet, into a marble - bason beneath. It is surmounted by a figure of Minerva, bearing a - medallion containing the busts of Lord Aylesbury and his countess, - with three figures, one supporting the medallion, one as a river - god, and the third blowing the trumpet of fame. The following is - the inscription:--"_Cette fontaine a ete construite par les - liberalites du Comte d'Aylesbury, pair de la Grande Bretagne, et - reconnoissance du long et agreable sejour qu'il a fit dans cette - ville_," &c. The figures are executed by Jacques Berge, a - celebrated sculptor. - -However, it cannot be denied that he was at times stately in his -deportment; and he never appeared at his own dinner-table, even when -none were present but his own family, unless in a full court-dress -costume, with the appendices of star and ribbon, which made many to -suspect that a deep affection for aristocracy was rooted in his breast. - -The countess was low in stature as she was in mind. Her figure, however, -though small, was passing well; her complexion sallow; her eyes dark and -lively. She possessed more envy than good-nature, more passion than -sense, and more pertness than pride. Her chief, and probably only -recommendations, were the ancient nobility of her family and the -largeness of her fortune, two qualifications that rarely, if ever, -bestow happiness upon the marriage state. - -Lord Eyrecourt was the only surviving offspring of the deceased -countess, and heir apparent to the earldom of Aylesbury. He was -confessedly a finished _petite maitre_--the daily slave of his barber, -perfumer, tailor, and looking-glass. To Monsieur Jasmin, his perfumer, -in the _Rue Madelaine_, he had lately paid the enormous sum of six -hundred ducats, being his bill for the last year for lotions, perfumes, -cosmetics, &c. - -His Lordship never appeared abroad until close upon the hour of dinner, -"for," he averred, "it would be vastly supersingular, and besides -extremely vulgar in him, to be seen abroad before the sun had fully -mounted the meridian, and the world had become well warmed!" - -Lord Eyrecourt was, in verity, a strange and singular model of a man, -and, to use his own favourite expression--"Odds my life, my person and -accomplishments are supersingular, and not to be matched!" His Lordship -was in height about five feet five, with brawny shoulders and arms, a -bronzed visage, that seemed resolved to outstare the world in -confidence; his cheeks were meantime of that roseate hue that the -scandalous chronicle of the times reported that they fully owed their -blooming radiance to the cosmetics of Monsieur Jasmin. His neck was -short, and bull-modelled; and this self-supposed Adonis finished his -form by thighs and legs of elephantine shape and form. In London he had -obtained the _soubriquet_, or nick-name, of "The Pocket Hercules," which -title followed him to Brussels. "_Voila, mi Lor Hercule, de la -poche!--bah! ha, ha!_" has been often repeated within his Lordship's -hearing. - -When this _great_ man in his own eyes, did condescend to speak, he -lisped most miraculously; and his whole mien and manner were in complete -variance with nature and simplicity. - -It was marvellous strange, but true, that this misshapen model of -mortality in his own eyes really fancied himself the handsomest man of -the day, whether in England, France, or Belgium, the true and most -redoubtable Antinous of the age! and he fondly fancied that every dame -who set eye upon his irresistible charms, immediately became -irretrievably enamoured! so prepossessing and fascinating did he behold -himself reflected in the mirror of egotism and vanity. His lordship was -peculiarly fond of repeating this, his much favourite passage, from -Massinger: - - "I re-refine the court, and civilize - Their barbarous natures. I have in a table, - With curious punctuality set down, - To a hair's breadth, how low a new stamped courtier - May vail[34] to a country gentleman, and by - Gradation, to his merchant, mercer, draper, &c." - - [34] "May vail," that is, "May bow." - -The dinner at the palace d'Aremberg was magnificent, and passed off with -a good deal of good-humour, and some laughter at the expense of Lord -Eyrecourt. The Lady Adelaide this day made a double conquest,--of the -Duke d'Aremberg, who became deeply captivated with her beauty and -accomplishments; and of Lord Eyrecourt, who declared that it was vastly -supersingular that at last the barb of Cupid rankled in his bosom, and -that he was in a fair way of being caught in the toils of matrimony! - -The ensuing morning, at an early hour, Lord Eyrecourt presented himself -in the _Rue Ducale_, where the love-struck Lord loud and lustily rang at -the door of the palace of Tyrconnel. The duchess happened at the time to -be looking out from the front window, and observed to Lady Adelaide, -"See, my love, who now approaches this mansion; I foresaw, my dear -daughter, all this, and that during his presence the last evening, that -you had made a deep and firm impression, aye, and conquest to boot, of -this self-sick Adonis. So I pray that you see him, and hearken to his -most precious proposals, for such you will find to be the object of this -his matutinal visit; which said intended proposals I know to a certainty -thou wilt reject. Hence I entertain no apprehensions whatever, sweet -daughter of mine, in this perilous _rencontre_," said the duchess, -smiling; "for I well know that all his matrimonial propositions thou -wilt firmly reject. I shall just in due and stately form receive him, -and then retire to my cabinet, whence I can with facility overhear all -the ridiculous rhapsodical speeches of this painted popinjay. Do you, -notwithstanding, my dear daughter, hear him with a sufficient sum of due -patience, meet respect, and with all becoming attention and gratitude; -for any man offering his hand to a fair lady is entitled, by all the -rules and achievements of the courts of chivalry, love, and courtesy, to -a meet and becoming audience. But be brief as thou canst; and the -sooner that with due distant and becoming politeness, he were despatched -it were all so much the better, and then we shall fully have an end to -all his _fariboles mal appliques_." - -"Fear not," said the Lady Adelaide, "my dearest mother, my fullest -obedience." - -Here another loud and lusty pull at the hall-bell announced an arrival, -when almost immediately Lord Eyrecourt was announced, and ushered in by -the footman in waiting. His Lordship, with much grimace, and a smirking -visage withal, made two low bows on his _entre_, and advanced with a -gait which was a halting attempt between a _chasse_ and a _pirouette_. -But although this was all self sufficiently done, it was truly and -practically the tramp and gait of an elephant, if indeed we could for a -moment suppose that mighty creature could stalk on his hind legs; but in -other respects "the half-reasoning" quadruped of Africa was every way -the superior of the animal who now made his approach. - -"Good-morrow to your Grace," lisped forth this conceited popinjay. -"Good-morrow too, sweet and most lovely Lady Adelaide; permit, fairest -lady, your lowly servant a _beso las manos_!" - -Here the duchess thought it decorous to withdraw, and her Grace retired -to her cabinet. - -"Hail, fairest gem of Erin, bright star of Belgium, and the brilliant -sun of Brussels! at sight of thee every eye is enamoured, and every -heart takes fire; in witness whereof behold me your lowly servant abroad -at this most unfashionable hour, thus prevailing upon myself to come -forth and throw my person and my fortunes at your feet, even before that -Phoebus hath mounted his meridian car, and the world has become well -warmed, to place myself and coronet thus lowly at your feet!" - -"Oh rise, my Lord, from that----what, kneel to a mere mortal! I pray -you be seated, and I shall endeavour to reply to all the compliments -with which your Lordship is so prodigally pleased to overpower me. I -must, my Lord, acknowledge, that your Lordship indulges somewhat too -freely in mixed metaphor; and I must needs add, you deal somewhat too -superabundantly in rhapsodies.--Well, my Lord, let us see what I am like -unto? 'A gem of Erin!' pray what is that? Oh, no doubt whatever but it -must mean a simple piece of Kerry crystal!--oh, vastly pretty indeed; -and almost as nearly transparent as your Lordship's flattery. Well, -good, my Lord! what comparison comes next?--Oh, I am 'a Star!' in this I -cannot confess that your Lordship's wit shines superlatively.--Pshaw, my -Lord, a star is merely a minor light, and visible only at night! Nay -now, after all, this simile is only but just so, so. However, I am amply -repaid by that which so brilliantly succeeds, 'the Sun of Brussels!' -Well, come, that I must needs admit is a resplendent metaphor; but the -sun of Brussels I must fain likewise confess I have found too often to -my cost, to be a very warm and burning sun. What comes next?--Oh, quite -portentous!--I blaze, burn, and destroy, setting eyes in a flame, and -hearts on fire, and so forth, in a most formidable comet-like fashion! -What this can actually mean, unless it prove a sort of periphrasis, and -be slyly intended for a Salamander, I cannot indeed divine. Then if my -conjectures prove correct, only think, O glorious Apollo, after the -complete extinction of all the tropes, figures, flowers, and poesies, -culled from amid the verdant valleys of thine own lofty Parnassus, for -thy votary-like Icarus to tumble from the Olympian sky, and to suffer -his divine goddess, the object of his idolatrous veneration, to -degenerate into a fire-loving earthly Salamander! Oh, by prose and -verse, but this is vastly funny!" - -"Ah, cruel, cruel, remorseless Lady Adelaide, is it thus you sportively -jest at my pains, and mock my misery!--I die for you!" - -"Really, my Lord, this is all so very sudden--the symptoms too so very -alarming, I feel quite agitated--dejected! Pray, let me advise you, my -Lord, to call in the advice of Sir Patricius Placebo, whose skill is -undisputed!" - -"No, fair torturer! you, Lady, and you alone, who caused the malady, can -cure it!" - -"My Lord, seek out one more deserving of the honour which you so nobly -proffer me, but I never can be yours; nor shall I ever give my hand -unless I also can give my heart. And now, my Lord, farewell, accept my -humble gratitude and sincerest thanks for the high distinction which you -have so graciously paid me, and which I shall ever remember with the -utmost respect and gratitude." - -Having so said, Lady Adelaide deeply courtesied, and withdrew. - -"Odds my life now," exclaimed the disappointed peer, "but this is most -passing strange, supersingular, and not to be matched! What, refuse the -heir apparent of an earldom, (and with modesty let me express it,) with -my person and qualifications! Insufferable! It is not to be endured!" - -As Lord Eyrecourt, much discomfitted, departed from the _Rue Ducale_, he -met the Duke d'Aremberg going in that direction; they saluted as they -passed, while he continued his sorrowful soliloquy:-- - -"The Lady Adelaide is downright mad to refuse me; but it seems she -soars at higher game, and looks to 'the pride of place.' She said she -would never give her hand without bestowing her heart, doubtless then -this honour she has already conferred upon the youthful d'Aremberg.--It -is but too fatally evident! Oh, woe is me to come out in the cold air of -the morn, before the world had become well warmed; and finally thus to -be so totally eclipsed! Oh, some ominous morning I shall be found -hanging from the top of Saint Michael's Tower, or my unfortunate corpse -be seen floating in the Antwerp canal! - - Ne'er gallant peer more miserable was undone, - Like extinguish'd star I set 'fore the rise of sun!" - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Aligera BRUXELLA volans super aethera fama, - In laudes solui non petit ora novas. - Cerne urbis faciem; cultasque Heroibus aulas: - Non est invidiam dignior ulla pati. - Cerne hortos, fontesque, et priscis aemula Tempe: - Elysium Credas te peragrare nemus. - - JACOBUS EYCKIUS. - - - LETTER II. - - THE DUCHESS OF TYRCONNEL TO MRS. CARTWRIGHT. - - _Dated_, Brussels, _September_, 169-- - - MY DEAR MADAM, - - "Oh, give me joy! - for yesterday my beloved husband, to our unexpected happiness, - returned to my arms! Oh, how it delights me he has returned; and - has received permission from the higher powers to remain at - Brussels. My Adelaide is wild with joy, and so am I. - - "Yes, the duke has returned, and I behold every object with - redoubled interest--with renewed delight; all seems to me to be - newly created. The climate is more charming, the air is more - sweetly perfumed with aromatic gales, the melody of the birds is - more harmonious; every sky which I see is a Breughel sky. And - _now_ I behold daily illustrations of the old masters, which I did - not observe before, in the scenery which surrounds me, the various - buildings, manners, customs, and costume, and all so faithfully - portrayed to the life, in the performances of Berghem, Breughel, - Rubens, and Teniers. - - "Sweeter too, to me, at eve, is the song of the nightingale: our - house fronts the park, which is the favourite retreat of this - sweetest of warblers; and night after night, long after Saint - Gudule hath tolled the midnight hour, have I sat stationed at my - latticed casement, the breeze of heaven blowing on my brow, and - the cold moon-beam gleaming on my cheek, while I listened with - mute delight to the melancholy songster of the night. And often - while the bitter tear fast trickled down my cheek, methought--I - acknowledge my weakness--methought that I had listened to some - poor widowed bird who mourned her absent mate, singing, as the old - proverb runs, with a thorn wounding her breast! But oh, _now_ I - think quite differently; for _now_ it is quite clear to me that - the warbling of the nightingale is more musical than melancholy; - for surely, after all, it sweetly trills the notes of love, and - not the strains of sorrow! - - "You are pleased, my dear Mrs. Cartwright, to express so much - satisfaction, in verity, more than its deserts, of my poor account - of Lille; and at the same time expressing your desire that I - should write to you from this truly delightful city, and give you - a true and distinct account of Brussels, that I am flattered, and - even tempted to take you at your word, and I shall do my best, to - the fullest to gratify your wishes. - - "And now, my dear friend, _pour commencer avec le commencement_, as - they say in France, and why not in Belgium? The appellation of - PAYS-BAS, or the Low Country, is given to the seventeen provinces - of Belgium, from the circumstance that in many places the ground - is lower than the level of the sea. The sovereign princes of this - realm were at first styled Foresters of Flanders, afterwards they - were designated Counts, and then Dukes of Brabant. If you should - wish to learn the portrait of a Forester of Flanders, here it - is:--Behold him arrayed in ducal bonnet and hunting gear, armed - with sabre, dirk, and hunting spear, at the same time accompanied - and surrounded by all the _accessoires_ of the chase; his hawk, or - falcon, resting upon his hand, and his greyhounds and spaniels - following at his heels; meanwhile attended by his jager and his - jongeling.[35] Thus accompanied and equipped for the chase, - sallied forth the manly Prince Forester of Flanders in the olden - time. - - [35] Jager and jongeling, _i. e._ huntsman and page of honour. - - "The etymon of Brussels is uncertain; however it is not for me to - hazard an opinion upon the subject, which I freely leave to the - more solemn adjudication of learned linguists, pertinent - philologists, and sapient scholiasts. I shall merely observe, that - some pretend that it is derived from a neighbouring marsh, which - is called Brocksel; while others more strenuously contend that the - name springs from the word _Broussailes_, (Brambles,) because the - town, say they, had been built upon a spot which had formerly been - covered with brambles. The foundation of Brussels is counted from - the year, _anno salutis_, 900. But it did not rank as a city until - 1040. - - "The city of Brussels, says Guicciardini, the celebrated historian - of Italy and of Belgium, (or the _Pays-Bas_,) resembles in its - conformation, or outline, the form of the human heart, and the - similitude certainly is striking and correct. - - "Puteanus, the historian, observes, that every thing is - _septenary_ at Brussels; which made many to consider the number - _seven_ as completely of cabalistic import in this fair and - renowned city. - - "The circumference of Brussels is _seven_ miles in extent. - Anciently _seven_ different noble families held their several - castles within the city, from whom sprung the _seven_ Patrician - families, from whose numbers the magistrates were annually chosen. - - "This city, under the reign of Charles V., boasted at one time of - having _seven_ sovereigns residing within its walls; namely, the - Emperor Charles V.; his son Philip, then king of Naples; - Maximilian, king of Bohemia, and his consort, the queen of - Hungary, who was regent of the _Pays-Bas_; the king of Tunis, in - Africa, named Muley Hassan; the Duke of Savoy; the king of Cyprus; - and the Duchess of Lorraine, who was queen of Jerusalem. - - "There are _seven_ large squares:--1. The great market. 2. Le - grande sablon. 3. The fish market. 4. The corn market. 5. The wood - market. 6. Le Place Louvaine. 7. The beef market. - - "There are _seven_ fountains which ornament this city.[36] - - [36] Twenty-one fountains decorate this fine city at the present - period, 1821. - - "The gates of the city are _seven_ in number:--1. The porte of - Louvaine. 2. Of Namur. 3. Of Halle. 4. Of Anderlecht. 5. Of - Flanders. 6. Of Lacken. 7. Of Cologne.[37] - - [37] The gate of Cologne is at the present day called _Porte de - Scarebeeck_. Napoleon Buonaparte, during his occupation of - Brussels, added another gate, which he called _Porte de Napoleon_. - - "The principal churches of the city are likewise _seven_ in - number:--1. Saint Gudule. 2. Our Lady of the Chapel. 3. Saint - Gery. 4. Saint Nicholas. 5. Saint Catherine. 6. Saint James of - Caudenberg, (this is the chapel of the court.) 7. Our Lady _de - finis Terrae_. - - "Brussels, so justly celebrated, is a large, populous, and - magnificent city, of considerable extent and beauty; adorned with - magnificent squares, sumptuous palaces, public buildings, public - walks, public fountains, and venerable gothic structures. It is - partly built on the winding banks of the river Senne, and partly - upon a hill, which commands an extended view of the rich valleys - which surround it, producing fruits and vegetables of the best and - most luxuriant kind; indeed tillage in no country whatever is - better understood and practised than it is in the _Pays Bas_. This - city had been the capital of the Spanish, it has now, since change - of masters, become the capital of the Austrian Netherlands. - - "Brussels once afforded an asylum to Charles II. of England, - brother to our gentle, but unfortunate, James II. It was here that - the emperor Charles V. resigned his dominions to his son Philip in - 1535; and the chair upon which he sat during the performance of - the abdication, is religiously preserved in the cathedral of - Sainte Gudule. And here too Christiana, Queen of Sweden, - voluntarily abdicated her crown in 1654. - - "The lower part of the city is crowned with that noble pile of - florid gothic architecture, called _La Maison de Ville_, or - town-hall of Brussels, which is situated in the grand - market-place; its noble steeple, from its great elevation, is a - most conspicuous object in, every direction, and is seen at a - great distance; it rises to the height of three hundred and - sixty-four feet, and is surmounted by a colossal bronze statue, - (which is gilt,) and seventeen feet high, of Saint Michael the - Archangel, to which I fear I must somewhat profanely add the - _soubriquet_ of 'weathercock,' or vane; for to such vile use have - they turned the saint, and this too, credit me, in a Catholic - country! This is wondrous strange. Saint Michael is represented - brandishing his sword to the winds of heaven; and from this dizzy - and elevated height the reeling saint wheels to and fro as the - wind doth blow. But be it known to you, that Michael the Archangel - is the patron saint of the city. This fine structure, although - irregularly built, (for the steeple is not in the centre of the - building,) is nevertheless a noble specimen of gothic-florid - architecture. The building _La Maison de Ville_ occupied a space - of forty years before its completion. One hundred niches are - occupied by statues[38] of saints. The rooms in the interior, - where the estates of Brabant assemble, abound and are adorned with - beautiful specimens of the ancient Gobelin tapestry; they are - principally historical, three are after Janssens, the history of - Clovis; the inauguration of Philip the Good; and the abdication of - Charles V. in favour of his son Philip. - - [38] These statues were destroyed in 1793. - - "Opposite to the town-hall of Brussels stands a remarkable - structure, called _La Maison du Roi_, built by order of the - Archduke Albert and his Duchess Isabella; her Highness conceiving - that '_Notre Dame de Wavre_' had not only most graciously - delivered the good and royal city of Brussels from the plague, but - also had most humanely vouchsafed the blessings of peace, erected - in front of this mansion an image of the Virgin, and placed - underneath an inscription, which is as follows, and the good - prelate will translate it for you:-- - - 'A Peste, Fame, et Bello, libera nos Maria Pacis; hic votum pacis - publicae, Isabella consecravit.'[39] - - [39] The statue of the Virgin hath long since evanished, but the - inscription remains to the present day. - - "The collegiate church, or cathedral, of Sainte Gudule,[40] is a - venerable and interesting pile, presenting a fine specimen of - gothic architecture. It was built about the year 1047, by Lambert, - surnamed Balderic, Duke of Brabant. - - [40] This church had been dedicated to Saint Michael, but upon - Charles Duke of Lorraine having removed the relicks of his mother - Sainte Gudule, and placed them in this church, it is, in - consequence, now called Sainte Gudule. - - "The choir contains many fine paintings by Rubens, Vandyke, Philip - of Champagne, Artois de Haese, Mille, Janssens, and others. The - sculpture is also fine, produced by the chisels of Vervoont, Van - Nerven, P. Danckers, Van Delen, Henry du Quesnoy, Voorspoel, and - others. The windows of the chapel of the miraculous host, which is - within the aisles of Sainte Gudule, are formed of stained glass, - and are exceedingly fine; they were executed by Diepenbeke, - Rogiers, De Vrint, and C. Floris. Many of them were presents from - crowned heads, from John XI. king of Portugal, Maria III. queen - of Hungary, Francis I. king of France, and the emperor Charles V.; - the window presented by Charles is behind the altar of the - miraculous Host. - - "Many sovereign princes are interred within the walls of Saint - Gudule, among others the Archduke Albert, sovereign of the _Pays - Bas_, and his Duchess Isabella Clara Eugenia, Infanta of Spain. - Here is the mausoleum of Ernest, Archduke of Austria. John II. - Duke of Brabant, and his wife Margaret, daughter of Edward King of - England, lie here interred. The tomb is in the choir, it is of - black marble, a lion of bronze, weighing six thousand pounds, - couches on the monument; the lion is the well-known heraldic - emblazonment of the house of Brabant. - - "In the nave of Sainte Gudule are fourteen admirable statues - carved in stone, which are upwards of ten feet in height; they - represent our Saviour, the Virgin, and twelve apostles. Four of - them are readily distinguished as having been executed by the - admirable skill of a first-rate artist--they are the productions - of Quesnoy. The altar of the choir is exceedingly fine, and is - principally composed of white marble. Within the same choir - formerly were held two chapters of the order of the Golden Fleece, - one was in 1435, and the other in 1516. Here Charles V. conferred - that order on Francis I. King of France. - - "In nearly the centre of the choir stands that splendid and - exquisite specimen of sculpture in wood, the celebrated pulpit, - which formerly had belonged to the Jesuits of Lovaine. It is of - carved oak, and was executed by Henry Verbrugger of Antwerp. The - subject is the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise by the - Archangel, who in so doing extends the flaming sword. The grief - and compunction of our first parents is finely conceived: while - the angel expels Adam and Eve, his left hand gracefully extended, - with the right he smites with his sword the head of the serpent, - which is represented as eagerly devouring the apple. In front, and - on the convexity of the pulpit, an angel upholds a medallion of - the Virgin and the Child; and in the concavity within is the - station of the preacher. Behind the pulpit arises the tree of - life, two boughs of which, curving right and left, support a - circular canopy, which is formed to represent clouds. The dove, as - typical of the Holy Spirit, is observed hovering over the - preacher's head; groups of cherubim are wreathed around, and the - canopy is crested by upright figures of the Virgin, the Saviour, - and St. John. I have been thus minute, my dear friend, as it would - indeed be difficult to speak of this noble piece of carving in - sufficient terms of adequate praise. - - "The governor's palace, the ancient residence of kings, who were - sovereigns of the _Pays Bas_, is situated in the park. It is an - old and venerable pile, with large gothic windows and various - grotesque decorations. It is called _La Palais de la Cour_.[41] - The building was begun in 1300 by John II. Duke of Brabant; in - 1452 it was enlarged by Philip the Good, and completed by his - successors. - - [41] This grand and venerable pile was destroyed by fire 4th - February, 1731, which raged with such violence and rapidity that - in a few hours the whole pile was entirely consumed. It was with - the greatest difficulty that the Archduchess of Austria, Maria - Elizabeth, eldest sister of Charles VI., and _gouvernante_ of the - _Pays Bas_, escaped with her life, having only had time to draw on - one stocking and to fling her robe around her. The young and - beautiful Countess of Vlefeld, one of her ladies of honour, - perished in the flames. - - "On entering the palace one beholds a saloon of extraordinary - grandeur, from whence a gallery leads to the chapel, the - architecture of which is extremely fine, and of admirable - symmetry. The other apartments in the palace are extremely - spacious, and of corresponding magnificence. The exterior of the - building is adorned with cupolas, towers, pinnacles, &c. A large - area presents itself in front of the palace, which is handsomely - enclosed by ornamented ballustrades of stone, in good taste, and - at intervals columns arise, which are surmounted by statues of - various illustrious characters, viz.--Charles V., his son Philip, - the Duke of Burgundy, &c. &c. At the extremity of the park, near - to the gate of Louvaine, stands a handsome house, which the - Emperor Charles V. caused to be built subsequent to his - abdication. - - "The park, which presents an agreeable and fashionable promenade, - is laid out as a large garden with the greatest taste, intersected - in every direction by wide and handsome walks, on each side - adorned with lofty overshadowing lindens. The grounds are - interspersed with numerous sunny lawns, ornamented with fountains - and numerous busts and statues, some of which are exquisitely - sculptured. There is a Magdalen by Quesnoy--the statues of Diana - and Narcissus by Gripelo--Venus and her doves by Ollivier, &c. In - the centre of the park stands a magnificent marble basin, well - stocked with gold and silver fish. On either side of the principal - walk, which is a fashionable promenade, extend deep valleys, - shaded by noble lime trees, which afford a cool and agreeable - retreat from the summer's sun. - - "There is another promenade which is fully as frequented as the - park, called '_l'Alle Verte_.' It is situated on the right bank of - the canal, which communicates with Antwerp, &c. This walk and - drive extend a mile and half from the walls or ramparts of the - city. The view from the canal bridge is exceedingly beautiful. - This public walk is delightfully shaded by a triple row of trees - planted on the banks of the canal. The scene is rendered - peculiarly delightful by the prospect which is presented to the - spectator's eye, the numerous villas in the vicinity, the passing - and repassing of boats on their way to the cities of the _Pays - Bas_ and of Holland. These objects cannot fail to please, seen - through the extensive vista of the lofty limes, which opportunely - afford a cool and covered shade to the merry groups assembled in - this favourite spot. Here crowds of fashionables assemble before - dinner, and revisit its walks in the cool of the summer evenings. - The _boulevards_, or ramparts, which are planted with rows of - trees on each side, also form an agreeable walk or ride. - - "The halls of _La Palais de la Cour_ are adorned with a valuable - and select collection of paintings by the most celebrated and - first-rate Flemish masters. The library, which is open to the - public, is placed in the same building, and contains one hundred - and twenty thousand volumes. Among the manuscripts are a Greek - Bible, a Terence, a Virgil, and a Cicero. - - "There are many handsome palaces in Brussels: one belongs to the - house of Orange, another to the Countess de Soissons, Prince - Vaudement, Prince de la Tour et Taxis; palace de Berghem, de - Ligne, d'Epinoy, de Rubempre, d'Aremberg, &c., &c. Some beautiful - gardens--de Croy, de Hornes, de Westerloo, &c. &c. - - "Many of the streets are of considerable extent, containing lofty - houses of handsome appearance, and withal having curiously - decorated grotesque gables. The exterior of some of the houses are - plastered or painted white, some are coloured yellow, and others a - pale green colour. - - "I must yet revert to the great market-place to observe (for I was - too much absorbed in my account of _La Maison de Ville_ to do so - before) that it is one of the most remarkable in Europe. It is a - regular parallelogram of great dimensions. Although the four sides - differ extremely in form and architecture, yet, nevertheless, they - unite to form a noble _coup d'oeil_. Some inimitable, pieces of - sculpture adorn it.[42] - - [42] These fine pieces of sculpture were destroyed by the - revolutionary Goths and Vandals, in 1793-4. - - "The number of churches, chapels, convents, and monasteries in - Brussels, is very considerable. _Le grand Beguinage_, which is the - most remarkable, is a nunnery which was founded by _Sainte Begge_, - daughter of Pepin of Landen, from which lady it derives its name. - This institution resembles a small village; it is surrounded with - walls, and enclosed with a fosse. It contains a number of handsome - streets, where every nun has allotted her own dwelling. The usual - number of the sisterhood is from seven to eight hundred, and - sometimes more. Every one takes charge of her own property. The - vow of chastity is taken during the time of their residence in the - Beguinage; and when they leave the nunnery they are free to marry. - They are governed by four superiors chosen from their own body, - and a curate chosen by the Bishop of Antwerp. - - "The territory of Brussels includes a number of abbeys, convents, - and priories, of different religious orders. All these monasteries - are magnificently built, and their churches are very fine. - - "The forest of Soignies contains three priories of regular canons - of the order of Saint Augustin:--1. The monastery of Groendal. 2. - The priory of Rouge Cloitre: in the library of this priory there - is a considerable collection of ancient manuscripts.--3. The - priory of the Seven Fountains. - - "The beautiful forest of Soignies extends almost to the very gates - of Brussels. It contains sixteen thousand five hundred and - twenty-six acres. It is stored with abundance of game, and princes - have often within its extended wilds partaken the divertisements - of the chase. This noble forest belongs to the corporation of - Brussels. It supplies wood in very great abundance as well for - timber as for fuel. - - "The principal commerce of Brussels consists in camlets, fine - lace, and tapestry. The population is estimated at about fifty - thousand inhabitants.[43] The ordinary language spoken here is - either Flemish or French; and indeed I may observe that the French - spoken here (always, of course, excepting _les gens de condition_) - is, in sooth, ordinary enough. - - [43] The population of Brussels at the present day is estimated at - 80,000. - - "I have observed some curious customs here, which according as - they recur to my recollection I shall detail to you, without - assuming any regular mode or form. - - "In Brussels, and in other Belgic towns, I have seen dogs of the - wolf species or breed harnessed to small carriages, sometimes - three abreast; to others four, or even five abreast, and drawing - very considerable burdens. I have often seen baskets of fish, &c. - thus conveyed. - - "The kermise, or village-fair, is maintained with full as much - _esprit_ as ever it had been in the days of Teniers, Ostade, or - Van Bredaeel. Music and dancing are the favourite pastimes of the - Belgians of all classes and descriptions; and indeed such is the - extreme infatuation for dancing that it is pursued more as a - passion than sought as an amusement. The lower class of the - Belgians are extremely partial to garlands of living flowers. - Often these are suspended on a pole or tree, around which they - dance; and often are garlands to be seen suspended on cords across - a street, in the manner that lamps are hung in the good city of - Paris. - - "The Belgic brazen pitcher is still to be seen either bearing home - milk to the dairy, or drawing water from the numerous wells in the - vicinity of this capital. The shape and form of this aforesaid - pitcher is familiar to those conversant with the paintings of - Rubens, Cuyp,[44] Jourdaens, and Equilinus, in many of which it is - introduced. - - [44] Jacob Gerritze was called Kuyp, or Cuyp. - - "The Brussellois dames wear the wedding ring in different guise - from what we do. We wear it on the third finger of the _left_ - hand, because it is said, or sung, or supposed to communicate with - the human heart by means of some nerve or vein unseen; and the - idea is not devoid of prettiness. Here, however, the wedding ring - is worn on the third finger of the _right hand_, without any - reason whatever being assigned for the custom that I could ever - hear or learn. Rings, it seems, here constitute a favourite - article in the dress of our sex, the fingers being often covered - with them. The lower class of females, citizens' daughters and - wives, and servant-maids, wear long, heavy pendants, or ear-rings, - made of some yellow metal to resemble gold, and so weighty that - one's pity is ever on the stretch, lest the patient's ears should - succumb under the burden. Large heavy crosses are likewise worn of - the same kind of metal, probably gilt brass, and suspended from a - chain of the same _materiel_.--Their peripatetic dress too is - somewhat curious. They wear a veil, or mantle rather, of black - stuff or silk, which head habiliment had been introduced by the - Spaniards. It is called '_La faille_,' and is worn like the - _coiffeure_ placed on the Madona heads of Carlo Dolce, Trevisano, - Caracci, and Raffaele. - - "The walking dress of the _bourgeois_ is curious in its way, but - not so remarkable as the dress of the female as before described. - His head is enveloped in a hat of a size somewhat so cumbersome - that it resembles the kaplaken of a Dutch schipper, save and - except with this essential difference, that it is encompassed by a - yellow tinsel band, and turned up in front _a la coutume - Espagnole_. Around the neck and shoulders is flung a large cloak, - somewhat resembling, and evidently borrowed from the _capa ropa - larga_ of the Spaniard. A Flemish pipe, with its numerous circling - curves, is stuck in his lips, from whence clouds of smoke are - whiffed forth as he onward wends his way. The cloak reaches to the - knee; thence downward leather gaiters make their appearance; and a - cane obtruded from the dexter arm completes the walking - habiliments of the Brussels' _bourgeois_ of the present day. - - "With almost unspeakable delight I told you of my dear Lord's - return. But now, my dear, pray prepare for more wonders still! - Know then that at length we have ascertained who 'the unknown - knight of Chester walls' proves to be. Oh, it is, my dear, - positively a tale of romance--an incident in chivalry. He is - indeed, I do assure you, - - ----"'No carpet knight - That spent his youth in groves or pleasant bowers.' - - No! there is the spirit of romance with the truth of history - commingled in his story. - - "But, my dear, the post is going off. The duke, who has only just - returned home, has but within these few moments communicated this - passing strange event, which you shall have positively and - particularly detailed in my next. - - "In great haste, ever, my dearest Madam, I remain most cordially - and affectionately thine, - - (_Signed_) KATHERINE TYRCONNEL." - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - Quanta vis amicitiae sit, ex hoc intelligi maxime - Potest: quod ex infinita societate generis humani, - Quam conciliavit ipsa natura, ita contracta res - Est, et adducta in angustum, ut omnis caritas - Aut inter duos, aut inter paucos jungeretur. - - CICERO DE AMICITIA. - - TRANSLATION. - - How great the powerful influence of friendship is may chiefly be - understood from this, that throughout the numerous society of the - human race, which nature herself hath knitted together, yet still - so contracted is the space and narrowed into so small a compass, - that all friendship rests entirely associated either between two - individuals, or solely amid the few. - - CICERO ON FRIENDSHIP. - - -The Duke of Tyrconnel set forth from his splendid mansion in the _Rue -Ducale_, one sunny afternoon to take his usual equestrian exercise; and -while riding onward upon the _boulevards_, or ramparts of Brussels, -which are so delightfully shaded by trees, and enjoying the beautiful -scenery that surrounded him, his horse was rapidly pacing in a full -trot, and his Grace was proceeding without any attendant; when it so -chanced that his horse picked up a stone in one of the fore-feet. The -duke on the instant sprang from his saddle to free the horse's hoof from -this impediment; and while employed in the act, a stranger of noble -deportment and appearance advanced, who had been also enjoying the -fineness of the day in promenading this shady avenue. He most -courteously advanced, and tendered with peculiar politeness, and all the -meet grace and due courtesy of chivalry, to assist the duke by holding -the check-rein of the bridle. When, surprising to behold, the horse -almost instantly loudly neighed, and joyfully licked the stranger's -hand! Our readers will readily guess that this distinguished stranger, -whom this noble animal so instinctively recognised, was no other than -his late valiant master, the truly gallant colonel of the brave -Brandenburgh hussars, who had presented, upon their parting on the -plain of battle, this noble charger to the illustrious duke. The duke -and the stranger had met each other as deadly foes in the direful day of -civil war; and in the dreadful onset of personal combat, performing each -prodigies of valour, they encountered as foes, yet they parted as -friends!--respect, admiration, and love occupying those hearts so lately -swollen by hostile passions. They now were both mutually rejoiced once -more to meet, and soon were locked in a cordial embrace. - -"This," said the duke, "certainly, gallant friend unknown, was wholly -unexpected--unhoped for quite!" - -"Indeed," rejoined the stranger, "so may it please your Grace, it was -entirely as unexpected as it is now hailed and welcomed by me! And most -happy too am I to remark that no change, no vicissitude of war, nor -variance of politics, nor all the fleeting circumstances of these most -eventful times, have had effect or influence upon your Grace, whom I am -truly happy to observe are still the same, unchanged by circumstance or -time--another Aristippus, whom every situation becomes and every -fortune adorns, be it prosperous or adverse!" - -"With equal joy," replied the duke, "I behold thee too unchanged--the -same. Welcome, thrice welcome! my friend, my preserver! Although when -first we met it was the meeting of foes upon the hostile plain, I -wearing the badge of green, and thou the orange scarf of William. We met -as direful foes, but we parted with mutual regard and veneration. The -bow of heaven, which the Creator hath placed on high, is formed of those -glorious tints. It was in the shades of colour only in which we -differed. Ere long may the glorious bow of promise, of hope, and of -peace, irradiate Erin's western sky, until the glowing orange and the -glaring green shall melt and blend, and the primitive colours of the arc -of promise be softened down and subdued into the arc of peace!"[45] - - [45] - "Till, like the rainbow's light, - Thy various tints unite, - And form in heaven's sight - One arch of peace!" - - THOMAS MOORE. - -"Amen, my lord, I say and repeat it most fervently from my heart; and -may heaven yet, in its kindest mercy, grant that some future great, -wise, and liberally-minded monarch of England, forsaking his ease and -quiet, may yet graciously visit the shores of your noble island, as the -harbinger of peace, crowned with the olive and the bay; and without the -aid of the _camera-obscura_ of his courtiers, view with his own royal -eye the wants and sufferings of your poor islanders; and may his royal -and munificent heart heal the wounds and redress the sufferings of those -who can never cease to love him!--for the hearts of your countrymen are -grateful as they are brave. May they yet be placed within the pale of -that Constitution from which they are now debarred!" - -"That, gallant Sir, indeed I devoutly wish; and most fully join and -concur in your philanthropic prayer! Wherever a contrary tendency to -what you assert has occurred in Ireland, it has arisen from oppression, -distress, and poverty. For wherever there is no home to be found there -can be no happiness; and it will be too surely found that an oppressed -and starving population are ever fatally prompt to join the standard of -rebellion; for surely the noise and bustle of a camp and the -soul-stirring trumpet are less appalling than the cries of starving -infants in their parent's wretched hovel, open and exposed to all the -winds of heaven, where can be found nor raiment, nor fuel, nor food! But -come, let us change to a more pleasing subject. There," holding up his -hand, "there, noble stranger, is your parting present which you gave me, -your ruby cameo ring of victory. By night and by day, I have never since -ceased to wear it in remembrance of him who gave it." - -"And see," said the gallant stranger, (opening his waistcoat,) there is -the diamond star with which you so graciously presented me. It has never -been taken from my heart, where I placed it at the moment when you gave -it me!" - -"I feel with force and with gratitude this kind expression of your -feeling; and now I needs must insist that you take back your own noble -steed--he is yours again! He has become, I fain must own, like myself, -somewhat older--I will not say how long!--since last we parted, but it -is no matter! However the noble animal is still in his prime; he is -spirited, and you may observe he looks sleek, his coat is smooth, and -withal in good condition. Meantime, from this you may safely infer that -he hath had no severe master in me; and now I justly restore him to his -rightful owner." - -"Nay, nay, my Lord Duke, that cannot be! What once I have presented I -never can consent to receive back again--never! My Lord, it is utterly -impossible! But still I am not unwilling to compromise this mooted point -between us. If so your Grace be inclined, I shall feel much pleasure in -accompanying you occasionally in your equestrian excursions, and then I -will mount once more my _quondam_ war-horse." - -"With all my heart, most gracious Sir! And now, gallant and courteous -stranger, having redeemed my gage, I must, without further parley, -beseech to know thy name and rank, for such I am assured belongs to -thee, to learn the name of him to whom I am so vastly--so deeply -indebted, and one whom I so duly estimate and honour!" - -"That, my Lord Duke, is easily told, and in a very few words, if worthy -the inquiry.--My name is David Bruce, of Turnberry Castle, in Ayrshire, -a Baronet of Nova-Scotia, whom chance, or fate, or circumstances, all -combined, placed me a volunteer in the Brandenburgh hussars, where I -arose from that humble station to command the regiment, by merits not my -own." - -"Pardon my interruption, Sir David Bruce," rejoined the duke, "that is, -in sooth, the only part of thy reply upon which I must put a decided -negative!" - -"Well," replied the baronet, with a cheering smile, "your too favourable -construction, my Lord Duke, I may not be prepared to gainsay." - -"No, no;" continued the Duke of Tyrconnel, "you could not--you -cannot--it is too palpable--it is too self-evident! Your courage and -powerful arm in the day of battle are strong as your lofty adamantine -mountains, while in peace your heart is soft and tender as the -thistle-down of your own dear native land! Come, come, no reply, young -baronet, you must needs gang with me, as you say in Scotland; and we -must indeed be better acquainted!--You surely will not refuse to dine -with me to-day, when I shall have great pleasure to present you to my -duchess and my daughter as my friend, and the gallant preserver of my -life! Come, Sir David, no ambages, no circumlocution, no apology will I -take! Nay, nay, you must not hide behind the screen of modesty, and -denied or refused I must not be!--So I shall certainly expect you." - -"Your Grace's invitation carries with it so much of interest and of -kindness, that it is not for me to refuse such inducements, and I -gratefully and willingly accede to it. My Lord Duke, I shall duly obey -your kind and hospitable summons." - -"At three o'clock then," added the duke, "I shall hope for the pleasure -of seeing you at my mansion in the _Rue Ducale_." - -Here the duke and the baronet cordially shook hands, and parted; the -duke to resume his ride, and Sir David Bruce to complete his morning's -promenade. - -Sir David Bruce, punctual to the hospitable summons, was the first guest -to arrive in due time at the _Maison de Tyrconnel_. As he entered the -drawing-room--"The knight of Chester walls, _le chevalier inconnu_," was -inadvertently vociferated by the duchess, accompanied by the all -wondering chorus of all that were present--"It is astonishing----indeed -it is most astonishing!" - -"Amazing, and quite surpassingly strange!" exclaimed Sir Patricius -Placebo, aided with one or two plentiful accompaniments of his -accustomed _recipe_ from his magnificent Carolus snuff-box, which we -often noticed before. - - "DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN! - -A hem!--Indeed quite astonishing!--most surpassingly strange!" - -Most true it is that Sir David Bruce was the unknown stranger who -encountered the Duchess of Tyrconnel and family while promenading the -walls of Chester; and he it was who so generously and disinterestedly -had relinquished the packet-boat which had conveyed them to Calais. - -The duke said, introducing Sir David Bruce to his duchess, "permit me, -my dear, to present to you and the circle of my family, the noble -gentleman who now stands before you, Sir David Bruce of Turnberry Castle -in Ayrshire, to whose noble courage and generosity of heart I am -indebted for my life in the fatal battle of the Boyne, for such _I_ must -ever consider it. Greet, then, I beseech you, and welcome him! in him -you behold the gallant preserver of my life, and him I hold and shall -reverence as my sincere friend so long as I shall exist!" - -"My Lord Duke, I shall most faithfully obey your injunctions," added the -duchess; "but there I must not pause--there remains yet another account -of gratitude beside.--For exclusive of being the protector, my Lord, of -your life, to which, in the first instance, we all owe and duly feel the -deepest gratitude, yet still another debt of obligation remains to be -discharged--I speak of the truly generous relinquishment of the packet -which had been engaged by Sir David Bruce to convey him to Calais, and -which he so nobly and generously relinquished to us! This can never be -forgotten, at least by us, although it possibly may not be so accounted -by Sir David Bruce." - -"I really can see no very great merit, my Lady Duchess, in all this; I -conceive I only did what I ought to do, and that any one would have done -for ladies placed under similar embarrassments as you all were -circumstanced. Permit me to inquire how your Grace likes Brussels?" - -"Why, well, Sir David, passing well, it is sometimes just a little -_triste_, and the atmosphere, to be sure, is somewhat humid, but----" - -"And yet," said Lady Aylesbury, (who had just then arrived,) with a -malicious smile, rudely interrupting her; "and yet, Madam, it has, -methinks, proved a very convenient _sejour_ for some _gens de -condition_, who have for some years availed themselves of the -privilege, when it would not have proved altogether so prudent----yes, -Madam; altogether so prudent, to have ventured elsewhere!" - -"Oh, true, quite true, Lady Aylesbury, I had nearly forgotten it quite; -but for the verity of your remark, _your_ spouse, as well as my own, can -fully attest, as both are placed in the same state of periclitation!" - -Lady Aylesbury looked extremely awkward and mortified at this just -rebuke; she bit her nether lip, and hung down her silly head, writhing -under the deserved lash which her malicious remark had provoked. - -Sir David Bruce, who happened to be at the other end of the room, and -seated next to Lady Adelaide, said to her in an under tone, "Lady -Aylesbury is so spiteful and malicious, that I am certain she must be -nearly related to Euryale, one of the Gorgons, own-sister to Medusa, who -was subject neither to old age nor death!" - -"It would indeed appear so, Sir David," said Lady Adelaide, with a -sportive smile. - -The Duke of d'Aremberg at this moment entered the room, who was -introduced in due form to Sir David Bruce; they conversed together, and -seemed mutually pleased with each other. - -The Duke d'Aremberg now approached the Duchess of Tyrconnel: "Pray, has -your Grace read the last essay from the pen of----, and what does your -Grace think of its merits?" - -"As I do, my Lord Duke, of all his writings, which are only calculated -to produce mischief, deep, dark, and dangerous; every parent should -dread him and his insidious pen--he is the high-priest of infidelity!" - -"I knew and anticipated this, for I am always certain to obtain a -satisfactory and a decided opinion from your Grace, whose just judgment -I can so fully rely upon." - -When this praise, so deservedly awarded to the duchess, met the ear of -Lady Aylesbury, with a malicious smile she turned her malignant, envious -eye on the duchess, to observe if her Grace was elated by this praise: -but she looked in vain. But these looks passed not unobserved by the -duchess, who deeply blushed, conscious of the mal-motives which -directed them; and conscious too that she every way merited the praise -which was so justly bestowed: she felt pleased, but not elated; she felt -conscious of the talent she possessed, but both her judgment and her -modesty prevented her overrating them. - -The dinner passed over pleasantly enough, and the gentlemen not tarrying -long over their glass, soon joined the ladies in the drawing-room. Lady -Adelaide was solicited to play and sing, and complied by seating herself -at the harpsichord, supported on the one side by the Duke d'Aremberg, -and on the other by Sir David Bruce, who was most attentive in turning -over the leaves of the music book, and he seemed quite charmed and -entranced with Lady Adelaide's singing. Indeed it was not difficult to a -bye-stander to discover that this day the Lady Adelaide had achieved a -double conquest, and that she held captive the hearts of the duke and -the baronet. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - I know it well, my Lord--and sure the match - Were rich and honourable. Besides, the gentleman - Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities, - Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter. - Cannot your Grace win her to fancy him?" - - TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. - - -A constant round of dinner parties in quick succession was briskly kept -up between d'Aremberg palace and Tyrconnel house. The anxiety of the -dowager duchess for the union of her son with the Lady Adelaide was -exceedingly great, and unremitting were her attentions and exertions for -its accomplishment. - -"She would, upon that event," she often declared, "contentedly depart -from life, resigned in peace, when once her aged eyes had beheld what -her soul had so often longed for, the union of an only son with the -lovely and transcendently accomplished daughter of the dear and early -friend of her youth." And the fact was, that the Duke and Duchess of -Tyrconnel were equally as anxious in their wishes for the union of their -daughter with the Duke d'Aremberg, as his noble and venerable mother, -looking upon the marriage as "a consummation devoutly to be wished!" - -One morning, at an early hour, the Duchess d'Aremberg despatched a note -to Lady Adelaide, requesting that she would favour her godmother with a -visit, so soon as might prove convenient, at the conclusion of -breakfast, to the Lady Adelaide. "She was desirous," as her Grace -expressed herself, to speak to her dear god-child upon a subject which -was important to her happiness. She requested, therefore, that so soon -as it might prove convenient Lady Adelaide would have the goodness to -call upon her old friend and godmother." - -An answer acquiescive to the above request was returned, and at the -appointed time Adelaide waited upon the Duchess d'Aremberg, whom she -found seated on a low settee, that which, now varying in shape and -elevation, is in our modern days 'yclept a sofa. Before her Grace was -placed a small walnut spider-table. Her occupation was knitting a silk -purse: for even with the assistance of spectacles, she found it -difficult to read. At her feet reposed upon a velvet cushion her blind -and favourite lapdog Fidelle, who, hearing a stranger's steps to enter -the chamber, awoke from her slumbers, and saluted Adelaide with a volley -of barking, as loudly as age and infirmities permitted. - -"Welcome, my dear Adelaide, my dearest god-child, whom I now gladly -embrace; and happy, too happy should I be to call thee by yet still a -dearer name than god-child: I would like to hear thee called daughter -and my son's duchess, while I the world forgetting, shall long by the -world be forgot. Yes, my dearest child, I fain would call thee by the -still fonder name of daughter, the wife of my beloved son, who from the -first moment in which he beheld thee, my dear Adelaide, could no longer -call his heart his own!" - -Adelaide felt dreadfully embarrassed. She reddened, and blushed up to -the very eyes; and indeed some time had elapsed before she could muster -up resolution enough to speak her sentiments. - -As soon as she recovered her presence of mind, she replied: "How deeply -grateful to the duchess she felt for her numerous attentions and -kindnesses, and above all for the high honour which her Grace had -intended for her, but which she must most gratefully, respectfully, but -yet most decidedly, decline. She could never--she would never, give her -hand, without at the same time that it was in her power to bestow her -heart, and that she candidly acknowledged it was not now in her power to -give." - -The duchess again, however, ineffectually renewed her solicitations, yet -with no more success than before, and concluded, as she thought, with -the unanswerable climax of her appeal: "Oh, think, my dearest Adelaide, -how very agreeable the union would prove to the wishes and desires of -the Duke and Duchess of Tyrconnel, which so fully respond to my own!" - -Adelaide, as soon as an opportunity presented, promptly availed herself -of it, arose, bade the duchess farewell, and departed homeward. - -Upon her return she was met by her father, who conducted her into his -library, and addressed her thus:-- - -"D'Aremberg has been here this morning while you were absent, my love, -with his mother, and he has made a proposition to us that has met with -decided approbation from both your mother and from me. The duke has -offered you his hand, and places his coronet and estates, which are -princely, Adelaide, at your feet! He is in every respect worthy of you, -descended as he is from a brave and noble race of ancestry, from which -indeed he has not degenerated. Young, valiant, generous, and noble--and -although bred in the camp, yet is his mind stored with the learning of -ancient Greece and Rome; he is an adept in modern languages; and as to -his personal accomplishments and appearance, fame hath bruited it afar, -that fair ladies fully feel their force wherever d'Aremberg presents -himself. What says my Adelaide to this proposal?" - -"Often and often, my dear father, have I heard you, and my mother -likewise, say, 'let no young woman ever give her hand in holy wedlock -who cannot also give her heart; if she gives her hand unaccompanied with -her heart, from that moment let her date the commencement of a wretched -life.' Now, dearest father, I cannot give my heart to the duke, and -therefore I consider that it would be dishonourable in me to give my -hand alone! I know well that it may be urged against me what and how -much I relinquish by this refusal--the elevated rank of a duchess, a -splendid fortune, and all the _accessoires_ of high rank. Yes, I abandon -all these, most willingly relinquish them all!" - -"Ay, sage Adelaide," severely said the duke, "_all_ for a stranger!" - -"Not so, my dear father! the Bruce is no stranger. His rank?--he who -preserved my father's life amid the rage of battle, surely cannot be a -stranger! Gratitude and honour forbid it!--it is impossible. He too is -descended from a brave and royal race--the blood of kings pulsates in -his veins. I shall be silent on all the noble qualifications he -possesses; those that run may read them. And I will not, I confess, -blush when I say that I love the man who preserved your valuable life, -and that upon him my hopes, my happiness, my future fortune in life -depend! I feel, most duly and deeply feel, honoured by the duke's -proposal; however, I respectfully, yet decidedly decline it." - -"Indeed!!--So young, yet so determined too!" - -"I would not, my Lord, be the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of -Tyrconnel were I to waver, or act irresolutely." - -"I see most clearly, Adelaide, how matters stand--'_All for love, or the -world well lost!_' In a word, your heart is pre-engaged. The Bruce!" - -"I will not, my dearest father, deceive you. I cannot, I shall not deny -it. My heart is truly engaged; and my affections are placed upon one -who is every way deserving of them, even were my rank higher than it -is." - -"Have you ever, my child, observed a settled gloom which at times damps -the lustre of the Bruce's eye, and desolates his noble features? This -your mother and I have at times observed. You, doubtless, saw it not, -too much enamoured to make the discovery. But I have no manner of -hesitation in thinking, and declaring as my opinion, that Bruce has a -secret sorrow at heart;--and one day indeed, I must observe to you, that -your mother discovered him in tears." - -"Oh, my dear father, it was only love--retired, sincere, and -unpretending love!--Surely I have wept often myself. But then they were -rather tears of joy to reflect, when finally your objections and mamma's -were overcome, how blest, how happy I should be, united to the Bruce!" - -"I perceive, Adelaide, when it is too late, that I have only to condemn -myself for the incautious and imprudent introduction of Sir David -Bruce." - -"Not so, my dear father, I saw and loved him before your -introduction--loved him at first sight! The declaration is strange, but -it is true. I know not how it was, but yet I know so it is, and I -honestly confess my weakness." - -"And for this thy love at first sight!--this childish offspring of an -enthusiast's brain!--you seem fully resolved to relinquish the noblest -connexion in Belgium, of which princesses might be proud--a warrior -duke, descended from a long ennobled line of ancestry, his suit denied, -and the preference given to a stranger! Monstrous!--not to be endured. -Oh, such a damning fact ought not to have been disclosed to a father's -ear!" - -"Oh, dear Sir, say not so. Not to be disclosed to a father's ear!--Oh, -then, pray Sir, to whom should I disclose it, if not to the ear of my -parent? Ought I not hope to find in his bosom a friend, a counsellor, -adviser, and protector; in a word, a father! You saw, Sir--you must have -seen, that I was beloved by the Bruce; and I had not the art to -disguise that I met, that I returned his love. Time was, when a child, -as I well remember, when you oft carried me on your shoulder, and took -me upon your lap: 'My Adelaide,' you then were wont to say, 'you should -ever consider your parents as your best friends, the most interested in -your welfare beyond all the world besides. Oh, never look upon them as -tyrants or oppressors; the tie of affection between a child and its -parents, from continued affection, is stronger even than the filial -bonds of nature herself. In doubt or distress, therefore, ever look up -to and consult your mother and me as your natural protectors and -advisers, in weal or in woe, as your sincerest friends, rest you -convinced, that you have upon earth; and be sure to take no decided step -whatever without consulting us, as you shall ever most cordially -receive, and candidly too, the best advice of your mother and me, and -always be assured of the warmth of the affection of both your parents.' -Now, my dear father, have I forgotten this advice? say rather intently -I have treasured up all these sayings in my heart, freshly stamped and -impressed, as if it were only yesterday that you had pronounced them. -Rest assured, dearest Sir, of this, that I shall never do a clandestine -act; and when thus I solemnly pledge myself to my parents never to marry -without _their consent_, oh, surely they will not--they could not be so -severe or so unjust as to require me to submit without my own!--more -especially when my heart is wholly disinclined--nay, and more, dislikes, -and wholly refuses assent. Say, should I hold forth my hand, dear and -honoured father, when my heart rejects, if not hates! Oh, say would it -not be most base and dishonourable; nay, more--it would be--(horrible to -reflect on!) it would be lying and prevaricating at the altar of God; -and there solemnly, but falsely, declaring that I would 'love, honour, -and obey' a man, however high his rank and great his worth, still that I -never loved, nor ever can love! No, no--a lie pronounced at the altar of -heaven!----I cannot do it!" - -"Oh, my dearest Adelaide, indeed thou art my child--flesh of my flesh, -and blood of my blood. Believe me then, and despond not, my dearest -daughter, no aspiration to add to your rank or to increase your fortune -against your consent, shall ever again influence your mother or me. Come -then, my beloved, to thy father's arms, and never again shall our -opinions clash in collision. I glory in the name of father, when I count -that Adelaide is mine own dearest daughter; yea my only one! think then -no more, my dearest child, of what has gone past. I promise you solemnly -that you shall never again be teased or solicited upon this topic, so -think of what has passed but as the idle fantasy of a frightful dream!" - -This eventful day appeared to the much-dejected Adelaide as the longest -and most wearisome she had witnessed in the annals of her life. Although -still she deeply suffered, and succumbed beneath the ban of exile from -her native land and home, Adelaide likewise had deeply felt her pride -wounded to the very core at the outlawry and attainder of her parents. -More perplexing still yet seemed those moments of trial which now had -arrived, when Adelaide had to encounter and oppose the opinions of a -parent, in which, although completely triumphant, yet still her success -gave her pain, but not joy. And although the day ended, as happily it -did, in reconciliation, yet it had commenced in the not-to-be-mistaken -tone of high and angry displeasure. - -Quite overcome, from thus differing so widely in opinion from those she -deeply regarded, oppressed with a quick and fevered pulse, and a frame -sadly exhausted, Adelaide gladly retired to repose, mentally exclaiming, -as she departed to her chamber, - - - ----"Husband! wife! - There is some holy mystery in those names, - That sure the unmarried cannot understand." - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - At tibi inesse videns cunctarum ANTVERPIA, dotes, - Atque alias decoris parte vigere tui; - Jam Famae Credo, nec Credo; protinus inquit, - Praesens quam Specto, dixerat illa minus. - Ergo tu Belgis, quod Vasta Lutetia Gallis, - Anglis Londinum, Roma quod est Italis." - - JACOBUS EYCKIUS. - - - LETTER III. - - THE DUCHESS OF TYRCONNEL TO MRS. CARTWRIGHT. - - _Dated_, Antwerp, _June, 169_-- - - MY DEAR MADAM, - - "Here we are at length arrived; we have been in this city a week, - and keep our head quarters at the Golden Lion, one of their - principal inns, where we are most agreeably and comfortably - accommodated. - - "Long since, indeed, had we planned and intended visiting this - former capital of Flanders, 'the Merchant City,' whose wealth once - resembled ancient Tyre, 'whose merchants were princes, whose - traffickers were the honourable of the earth!'[46] But alas, how - fallen is this even still magnificent city from its pristine state - of grandeur, opulence, and population! that I should be inclined - to apostrophize it in the words of Jeremiah, 'How doth the city - sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become a - widow!--she that was great among the nations, and princess among - the provinces!' - - [46] Isaiah, chap. 23, ver. 8. - - "We had indeed long intended and projected a visit to this - ancient, interesting, and magnificent city; but that which is of - easy performance, what is in our daily power to execute, how often - do we delay and procrastinate to perform? So that too frequently - in human life such intentions are rarely or never accomplished! - - "Our mode of travelling from Brussels to this city was by the - Trekschuit, (_literally draw-boat_,) or passage boat, which is - drawn by two horses; it was, in sooth, a most stately and - magnificent barge which conveyed us, with a handsomely furnished - cabin beneath; the upper part of the deck, appropriated for the - _gens de condition_, was ornamented with a tasteful awning of - white and gold trellice work; the canopy which surrounded it - intended alike to keep aloof rain or sunshine. The whole of this - splendid barge was gilt, and most tastefully decorated; while at - the prow the Belgic lion (the armorial bearing of Flanders) blazed - forth in burnished gold, flinging its splendid image upon the - bosom of the waters as majestically it moved along its watery way. - I must indeed say that it strongly reminded me of the beautiful - passage in our immortal bard of Avon, where he describes, with so - much poetic force and fire, the progress of Cleopatra sailing down - the river Cydnus. But pray, I beseech you, do not think that I - conceive the duke to be Marc Antony, no more than I compare myself - to Cleopatra, although our stately barge reminded me of hers! - - 'The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne, - Burn'd on the water; the poop was beaten gold! &c.' - - At the further end of the vessel, from the awning of the - Trekschuit, were stationed a band of minstrels, who, upon the bell - having been rung to announce our departure, right merrily - commenced the harmony of sweet sounds, repeating songs and glees, - accompanied by musical instruments, every half hour, which fully - broke the monotony of our voyage, rendered so agreeable by such - sweet melody as to shorten apparently the distance from Brussels - to Antwerp. And as to our dinner, which we had piping hot and - excellent, in the cabin below, Sir Patricius Placebo, who is quite - _au fait_ on such occasions, loudly exclaimed, (and he is indeed, - accredit me, my good friend, by no means an indifferent judge,) 'I - vow, 'fore Jove,' said he, 'the dinner was excellent, every thing - in its kind was good, the wines excellent, and saving and except - at the duke's mansion in the _Rue Ducale_, he had,' he avowed, - 'not partaken of so delicious a dinner since his _sejour_ in - Flanders!' - - "This he concluded, of course, with his never failing favourite - Greek quotation-- - - 'DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!' - - and his accustomed chorus: 'Ha, humph!--Ha, hum!' - - "Although diminished in her population, and depressed in her - commerce, Antwerp is still a noble city. You need not, however, my - dear friend, apprehend that I shall enter into a critical detail, - which fault I am rather apprehensive (although your kindness - expresses the contrary) I have already committed in my two former - letters, which have engrossed too much of your time and attention, - by my elaborate description of other cities; but believe me truly - that in what now I write, I shall be both brief and sententious in - this rapid sketch which I am about to undertake:-- - - "The view of Antwerp, seen by the intervention of the river - Scheldt, is extremely imposing and magnificent, its numerous - domes, cupolas, palaces, and spires, and towering above all, over - town and tide, the exalted spire of _Notre Dame_, the finest in - the world, strikes the spectator with awe and admiration. This - venerable city was once the emporium and the envy of all Europe; - but now, alas! solemn, gloomy silence, pervades her splendid, - spacious, but unfrequented streets; the busy hum of men no more is - heard amid her deserted stately palaces, and silent and solitary - that noble exchange,[47] where once were congregated the most - wealthy merchants of the world! - - [47] Sir Thomas Gresham took the model, or plan, of the Royal - Exchange, London, from _La Bourse_ of Antwerp. - - "You may possibly have heard of the well known and authenticated - fact of a wealthy merchant of this city, by name Jean Deans, who - nobly supplied the emperor Charles V. with the immense loan of two - millions of money; the merchant then prepared a magnificent - banquet, which he gave upon the emperor's self-invitation; when - the magnificent merchant, at the termination of the repast, - flinging the bond into a spicy conflagration of cinnamon, - exclaimed the meanwhile--'I feel, Sire, sufficiently repaid by the - honour which your Majesty has so graciously this day conferred - upon me; fire has cancelled the imperial obligation. However, - Sire, I am _your_ debtor now, which I ever shall remain, for the - honour which your Majesty has this day conferred on me!' - - "Antwerp has produced such an host of illustrious men, that to - enumerate all would truly prove a tiresome task. The names of - Bomberg, Plantin, and Moretus, are identified with the art of - printing. Antwerp also gave birth to Grammaye, the historian; to - Teniers, the Proteus of his art; to Sneyders; and likewise to - Jordaens; while the mighty names of Rubens[48] and Vandyke fling a - halo of glory around the ancient city of Antwerp. - - [48] Rubens was born at Cologne, but his parents were natives of - Antwerp, whom civil war had caused to retire from Brabant to - Cologne. - - "Already we have visited every place worthy of been seen, have - viewed every object of curiosity: museums, libraries, cabinets, - galleries, and collections of paintings: have inspected palaces, - monasteries, churches, and cathedrals, where are to be seen many - fine paintings of the first class of excellence. Yesterday we - visited the royal academy of paintings, and in the chamber where - the professors assemble, is placed the memorable chair that had - once belonged to 'the prince of painters,' to the great and - unequalled Rubens; it is formed of carved wood, surmounted with - lions' heads, and covered with red Morocco leather, with the - initials of his illustrious name, and his armorial bearings placed - on the back of it. My enthusiastic Adelaide fairly enthroned - herself therein, and there she sat, and would still have sat, and - how long the genii of poesy and painting can only tell, until I - had to give my dear daughter a most maternal tap upon the shoulder - to admonish that we were waiting for her. - - "Next we visited the altar and tomb of Rubens, which is placed in - the church of Saint James; here my enwrapt enthusiastic Adelaide - was so delighted, that I really expected every moment to see her - doff her sandals, and, bare-kneed, advance a pilgrim of genius to - do homage at the shrine of this mighty man. The tomb and altar are - highly and richly decorated with marble. A splendid painting from - his own inimitable pencil adorns the altar, which forms the - central compartment; it represents the infant Saviour placed on - the knees of his mother; Saint Jerome is stationed on the right of - the Virgin; two female figures, which are portraits of the two - wives of Rubens, Elizabeth Brants and Helena Forman, are placed - before the principal figure, which represents the painter himself - in armour, personifying Saint George; the dragon, pierced to - death, lies at his feet, while, with much dignity and the triumph - of victory, he holds erect to heaven his triumphant banner. In a - niche, crowning the monument, is placed a marble statue of the - Virgin, looking up in the ardent act of devotion, and holding with - fervour to her breast a crucifix. This famous statue was - sculptured by Francis Flamand, and brought from Rome by Rubens - himself; it is a work of great excellence, but placed quite too - high for the eye sufficiently to appreciate its superior merit. - - "But, my dear friend, were I to dwell upon and detail all the - various and excellent specimens of the works of art to be - witnessed in this ancient and venerable city, I should fill - volumes, and weary you to death. A few more 'last words' - concerning Rubens, and I have done. - - "To-day we visited the site of the palace which had belonged to - this most distinguished and accomplished character. The palace no - more exists, but some few shattered arches and architectural - remains in his garden are still to be seen, and upon these we - gazed, as on holy relics, with awe and respect. - - "This prince of painters was a learned scholar, artist, - politician, and a finished gentleman; ennobled by genius, birth, - and rank, this distinguished man was selected as the ambassador of - renowned kings, and decorated by them with honours, well and - deservedly bestowed; he returned at the conclusion of his embassy - to his native land. His education had been liberal, and his - erudition was great, he could fluently speak six different - languages; his manners, habits, and modes of life, were those of a - prince. His admiration of men of talent was as unbounded as was - his generosity manifested to them;--his friendship for the great - Vandyke is well known. - - "This poor tribute I could not but pay to the illustrious Rubens, - whose virtues and whose genius must ever elicit the praise and the - admiration of this and every succeeding age! - - "I had the pleasure to receive your very kind and friendly letter - from Bath, but grieve to find that the good bishop has had so - severe a visitation from his old inveterate tormentor, the gout; - however, I trust that the healing waters and springs of Baiae may - fully aid his recovery, and renovate his health. - - "You must know that my Adelaide has received proposals in - marriage from no less than three personages: from the eldest son - of the Earl of Aylesbury, which she instantly very properly - declined, for he was a prating coxcomb, a painted popinjay. The - next matrimonial proposition came from the Duke d'Aremberg, a most - amiable young nobleman, an alliance, in every respect, 'most - devoutly' to be wished for, and gladly accepted. But so thought - not Adelaide. Her father and I, without forcing her inclinations, - were most desirous that this union should take place; we - considered his elevated rank, the first duke in Brabant, his - lordly fortune, his great personal worth, added to his numerous - accomplishments. But strange and unaccountable to relate, without - hesitation, my Adelaide refused him! The third matrimonial - proposal came from 'the knight of Chester walls,' '_le chevalier - inconnu_,' but now well known as Sir David Bruce, a baronet of - Nova-Scotia; and which offer, it appears, was most graciously - accepted by Adelaide, but under correction and approbation of her - parents. Which said match is most likely never to be - accomplished, inasmuch that the Duke of Tyrconnel has solemnly - declared, that until his attainder is rescinded, and a free and - unqualified permission given him by the higher powers to return to - his native country and his paternal towers, he is determined never - to give his assent to the union of Sir David Bruce with the Lady - Adelaide. Thus I fear that the lovers have placed themselves in a - very awkward and distressing predicament, as no two events can - possibly be more distant, and hardly ever expected to be - attainable! - - "It is impossible that I should not look up with the highest - respect to the character and the noble qualities of the Duke of - Tyrconnel, the unshaken friend of his sovereign, whether seated on - his throne, or an exile from his realms; uncorrupted by - prosperity, unshaken and unchanged by adversity; comporting - himself with that equanimity of temper, that what Horace[49] says - of Aristippus would apply to him--one whom every change, whom - every station, and every event became! - - [49] "Omnis Aristippum, decuit color, et status et res."--HORACE. - - "How days, and months, and years, my friend, advance, proceed, and - are gone like the track of an arrow through the buoyant air, or a - keel cutting its foaming course through the vasty deep! Alas, my - dear, - - 'We take no note of time but by its loss.' - - Seven years have passed by since our sojourn in Brabant--sad and - solitary;--oh no, I cannot be so wicked--so ungrateful, as to - assert it has been; that portion of time having fled in the happy - home of my beloved Lord, and along with my _alter idem_, my second - self, as Cicero expresses it, my adored Adelaide. Oh, unjust - indeed I should be to complain; however, I may confess, _en - passant_, that the climate of Brussels is somewhat humid, - especially during the autumnal months; and the society somewhat - _triste_, with a notable lack of public amusements; but believe me - I truly feel no loss in the deprivation of the latter. Oh, my - friend, once more freely to breathe my native mountain air!--once - more to reach the verdant isle, and again to inhabit the towers of - Tyrconnel! then were my Adelaide suitably mated and matched, my - sum of human happiness would be consummated. We purpose staying - here a few days longer, and then set out on our return, by land, - to our mansion in the _Rue Ducale_ at Brussels. - - "I know well, my dear and kind friend, how warmly interested you - and the good bishop are in every thing regarding or connected with - our interest and happiness, and whenever I can write to you upon - the subject, although poor exiles as we are, I feel not very - sanguine in my hopes of having cause of speedily so doing; yet - should a change in our fortunes occur, write I shall - assuredly--you may depend upon it! - - "Having now, I fear, fairly tormented you with this long and - tiresome epistle, I shall not add another word but what I know you - will readily believe, which is, that wherever I am, wherever I - go, be assured that I remain - - Your constant and truly - Affectionate Friend, - (_Signed_) KATHERINE TYRCONNEL." - - * * * * * - - "P.S.--The duke, Adelaide, and my sisters, desire their kindest - remembrance to you and your excellent prelate." - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - Sweet are the uses of adversity; - Which, like the toad, ugly and venemous, - Wears yet a precious jewel in his head: - And this our life, exempt from public haunt, - Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, - Sermons in stones, and good in every thing. - - AS YOU LIKE IT. - - -The Duke of Tyrconnel and his family, and particularly the lovely -Adelaide, were delighted with the tranquillity of Brussels, and often, -accompanied by Sir David Bruce, they gladly sojourned at the ancient -chateau of Tervuren, about three leagues distant from Brussels, and -situated in the forest of Soignies, where a cold collation was -frequently prepared for them, and which they not only seemed to relish, -but were happier in its enjoyment than although it had been served to -them on golden plate in palaces of kings. - -Upon one of these pleasant excursions the duke, who was riding next Sir -Patricius Placebo, while passing through the forest his Grace said: "I -never, Sir Patricius, felt so happy--so far, at least, as regards my own -personal feelings--as now I do, and always feel upon these our little -expeditions, if I could forget--if indeed I ever could forget that my -royal master is an exile from his dominions! Save this consideration, I -repine not for myself, nor would I exchange social leisure and rural -retirement for all the pomp of camps and courts, and power political." - -"I fully concur," rejoined Sir Patricius, "in your Grace's sentiments, -and in the words of a true AMICUS I may thus reply:-- - - "I would not change it: happy is your Grace - That can translate the stubbornness of fortune - Into so quiet and so sweet a style." - -The duke now rode up to the side of the carriage to make some -observations to the duchess, when Sir David said:-- - -"I think, nevertheless, good Sir Patricius, with old truth-telling -Persius, - - 'At pulchrum est digito monstrari, et dicier HIC EST!' - -that it could not surely have been altogether so very disagreeable to be -pointed out as a distinguished person of rank, who was respected by the -multitude, and one every way so deserving of it; and to hear their -hoarse, but gladdened voices exclaim, 'make way there! room, room for -the duke!" - -"Certainly, Sir David, I entirely concur in this opinion with you; for -methinks my good and kind master is somewhat too soon disposed to retire -from this most wicked, sinister, and abominable world, and to be as -sick, forsooth, of pomp and praise as ever _Henri Quatre_ was of a -partridge!" - -The pleasure party for Tervuren Castle and park was thus arranged:--The -duke, Sir Patricius, and Sir David, were on horseback, and led the van. -Then followed one of the duke's carriages, with outriders, in which were -the duke's sisters, the Ladies Letitia and Lucy, accompanied by two -grand nieces of the Duchess Dowager d'Aremberg. Then came on another -coach of the duke's, in which were seated the duchess and Lady Adelaide. -Footmen, mounted, closed the cavalcade. The Duke d'Aremberg had been -invited to the collation; but it appeared that he was gone into Holland, -on a visit at the Hague, for which he had immediately departed, upon his -proposals having been rejected by the Lady Adelaide. - -The ancient chateau of Tervuren[50] had been built by the dukes of -Brabant. It was situated in the forest of Soignies, and distant two -leagues and a half from Brussels. It was remarkable for its antiquity, -and all that sombrous magnificence which pertained to those castles, -whose foundations were laid in the days of chivalry. It was -circumvallated by a deep and extensive fosse, broad and deep enough -almost indeed to be dignified with the name of lake. Four several -draw-bridges connected the castle with the park, and pleasure-boats were -stationed on the water. Here too was seen, sailing majestically along, -the mild and gentle swan, the peaceful king of water birds, guarding his -watery realm in tranquil peace, unawed by the bird of Jove, with whom he -dares to combat, and even to conquer, although seeking not the -conflict.[51] - - [50] This ancient castle was destroyed in 1784. - - [51] See Buffon, vol. IX. p. 1. - -Indeed the swans constituted the chief ornament of the artificial lakes -that were dispersed through the park and pleasure-grounds, and besides -animated and adorned the gloomy fosse that sullenly surrounded Tervuren -Castle. - -The grand saloon of this once royal residence was of an extraordinary -size and dimensions. The ceiling and wainscot were formed of rich and -beautifully carved oak, which attracted much admiration. There were also -two other state apartments, the walls of which were decorated with -tapestry from designs of Rubens and the younger Teniers. And exclusive -of these three large state apartments, this once royal chateau could -boast of no other internal splendour or decoration. The park, however, -was fine, crowned with lofty woods, and the pleasure grounds adorned -with the united efforts of taste and art, which failed not to yield -delight to the spectator. Here, during the summer months, the duke and -duchess and family, with parties of their friends, frequently visited; -and having partaken of a cold dinner previously prepared, have strolled -forth in the calm of evening, and lingered until a late hour amid the -groves and pleasure grounds, listening with much delight to the warbling -of the nightingale. - -The entertainment given this day was at the sole expense of Sir -Patricius Placebo, who felt exceedingly gratified thereat, as he -expressed himself, for the permission thus granted him by his noble -patron, and said: - -"Accredit me, noble Sir, under your sage decidement, I flatter myself -that this day's entertainment will sufficiently prove that there are -those living who fully understand the _scavoir vivre_--ay, critically -well as ever Lucullus or Apicius did; for, ahem, - - DOSS MOI TANE STIGMEN! - -as doubtless, when the important hour of dinner arrives, I trust that -your Grace will be free to----But _tempus et hora_--let the time and -season tell! I shall not boast too soon, but leave it to your Grace's -discreet arbitrament! That will be, my Lord, the _tempus opportunum_ -perfectly to illustrate _the noble theory of luxury_! at which methinks -your Grace shall marvel much." - -"For me to dissent," rejoined the duke, "my good Sir Patricius, from the -two high authorities whom you have cited, would be somewhat too like -Diogenes, surrounded with sunshine, yet growling in his tub; and treason -prepense _certes_ against the noble culinary art!--besides ingratitude -to mine honoured host of Tervuren! - -"I know full well that Apicius Caelius, whom you quote as an authority, -Sir Patricius, wrote a learned essay, _de Arte Coquinaria_--a treatise -on the culinary art; and that he may well be considered as the _Pontifex -maximus Epicuri_. But respecting and regarding the great Lucullus, -whose distinction arose from a higher flight than a mere knowledge of -the culinary art, I must observe, _en passant_, that I flatter myself I -do somewhat resemble that great character, namely, in my fondness for -retirement, which I only regret I had not sooner cultivated, as it would -have placed me above the reach of ambition, and beyond the pangs of -care! - -"Indeed had I been born in Belgium, I am tolerably certain that my past -life, instead of being occupied and engrossed in the turmoil of courts -and camps, would tranquilly have passed over in pastoral seclusion; for -man, Sir Patricius, say what we may, - - 'Proud man! though dressed in little brief authority,' - -is after all but at best the poor and passive creature of time, place, -period, and circumstance!--and, under this firm conviction, I know I -should have wielded the shepherd's crook, and not the marshal's -truncheon!" - -"My Lord Duke, there is no gainsaying your Grace's _dictum_, which, in -sooth, is fully illustrated by the beautiful lines of gentle Master -Waller:-- - - 'Great Julius on the mountains bred, - His flocks, perhaps, or herds had led; - And he who subdued the world had been - But the best wrestler on the green!'" - -The shaft duly struck its intended mark, and the duke evidently seemed -pleased, for flattery, although, generally speaking, it is often rather -coarsely served up, - - "Yet oft we find that men of wit - still condescend to pick a bit." - -The moment so important to Sir Patricius had now arrived--the time of -dinner. The castle clock chimed forth the second hour, the baronet's eye -sparkling with delight as he beheld the long extended commissary train -of eatable artillery enter the _salle de manger_; many an ahem! and - - DOSS MOI TANE STIGMEN! - -were exultingly ejaculated forth when the dinner was duly arranged; and -with delight he beheld the delicious banquet that lay before him, while -gladly he observed the numerous delicacies which were duly recorded in -his _carte du jour_, along with the choicest wines, from _Malvoisie de -Madere_ to "imperial Tokay." Various choice _hors d'oeuvres_ were -served up, and succeeded by a splendid course of _entremets_, which -concluded with a grand dessert. - -Since the royal times of the Dukes of Brabant such an entertainment had -not been witnessed in Tervuren Castle. - -But there were luxuries this day produced which are not to be found in -the _carte du jour_ of either the famous _restaurateurs_ Very, or -Beauvillier, or at the celebrated _Rocher de Cancale_ of modern Paris: -_videlicet_--ortolan pies, the celebrated _pates des foies gross_[52] of -Strasburgh, and the no less famed _pates a croute de seigle des -perdreaux rouges aux truffes_, the far-famed Perigord pies, made of the -red-legged partridge, and constructed by the confectionary skill and -tact of the scientific _pattissiers_ of Perigeux, the capital of the -province of Perigord, in France,[53] a luxury well known, and often sent -as acceptable presents to peers and princes. - - [52] These pies are made from the large liver of a goose. The - means taken to cause the enlargement of the liver of the victim - are too cruel and horribly disgusting to detail. - - [53] Now in the department of Dordogne. - -The worthy baronet paid every attention and respect to his honoured -guests, and received much praise for a banquet so _recherche_, but it -was the opinion of all that it was quite too _magnifique_, and totally -out of character both with time and place. - -The repast concluded, the ducal party sallied forth to enjoy their -favourite walk in the delightful groves and gardens of Tervuren; and -entering a summer-house they were agreeably surprised once more with the -unceasing attention of Sir Patricius, for they here found tea, coffee, -refreshments, fruits, liqueurs, &c., all ready for their acceptance. So -soon as tea was over they again resumed their promenade. It was a -charming summer evening in the beginning of June, the sky was clear and -serene, the leaves of the surrounding forest were unruffled by a breath -of air, the very zephyrs seemed at rest; the silent lake lulled to -repose, presented, as in a mirror, each object deeply and distinctly -reflected on its glassy surface; it seemed great Nature's holiday; while -enraptured with delight they listened to the shrill mellow warbling of -the nightingale, increased by the silence of the scene, and the -tranquillity of the evening. - -Upon this happy afternoon, enjoyed so rationally amid the tranquil -secluded grounds and pleasure parks of the once royal castle of -Tervuren, Lady Adelaide and Sir David Bruce, having been left aloof from -the party, had taken a seat in one of the numerous summer-bowers which -adorned the grounds, and in the day-time afforded shelter from the -burning blaze of a Belgic sun, where, while the nightingale sweetly -sung, Adelaide said, with a cheerful smile, "My dearest Bruce will not -surely prove jealous if for a moment forgetting him, (for it could only -be for a moment,") she added, with emphasis, "that here I pay the homage -of _my_ song to the sweet nightingale, the nightly songster of the -grove; the lark is the sunny bird of morn, but the sweetly plaintive -nightingale is exclusively the minstrel of the night!" - -"Oh, no--oh, no, my dearest, my beloved Adelaide! come, pray, produce -thy tablets, for I too am as much enraptured as thou canst be, with this -sweet vocal minstrel of the night!" - -"As soon done as said;--see, here they are, and accept them, for they -are yours;--if they should please my dearest Bruce, I am fully repaid!" - - ADDRESS TO THE NIGHTINGALE. - - I. - - Welcome, melodious nightingale! - Whose warbling thrills thro' wood and dale; - Still lonely songster of the night, - Thy enchanted strains delight - Every list'ner's charmed ear, - Melodious minstrel, thee to hear! - - II. - - Again repeat thy vesper song, - Echoed these silent woods among; - For ever here I'd fondly stay, - And gladly listen to thy lay. - Is it the force of love so strong - That pours thy woodland notes along? - Or say, the thrill of lost delight - That swells thy song at dismal night! - Whate'er, or grief, or love, be giv'n, - It sounds like choral peal from heav'n. - - III. - - Sing on, then sweetest songster dear, - Oh still arrest the charmed ear! - Through Soignies' wood Tervuren's grove, - Still chant the elegies of love! - -"Thanks, my Adelaide, for thy sweet verses, I like them much, very much -indeed, with the exception, perhaps, of the last line, _the elegies of -love_; pray, my dear, you leave such _larmoyante_ lucubrations to the -Hero and Leander of romance, or to their own Ovid; but, oh, let all -_his_ 'FASTI' [i. e. festivals] be thine! while succeeding years shall -be noted with chalk in the bright calendar of thy days! _Felices ter et -amplius essint!_--'The elegies of love!' Why thou fain then believest, -my Adelaide, that poor Philomela, as the tuneful Maro wrote,[54] pours -forth her nightly plaint, and although she so sweetly sings, yet still -thou fanciest the thorn of the rose rankles in her breast, while she -renews at eve her melancholy song!" - - [54] Qualis populea moerens Philomela, &c. - VIRG. GEOR. 1. IV. - -"Such, at least, was the opinion of the poets. But come, Sir David, let -us hasten to join our friends, who will wonder what hath become of us." - -They now rejoined the duke and duchess, and the carriages and horses -having been brought out, they set forth on their return to fair -Brussels. - -But, alas! according to the Flemish proverb, - - "Alle wereldsch Goedaardig is Vergankelyk!" - -All worldly good is fleeting and transitory! as we now have but too just -occasion to illustrate by facts. The ducal party had scarcely entered -upon the road, which is flanked by the thickest and most densely wooded -part of Soignies forest, the stillness of the solitude disturbed only by -the horse tramps, and the rolling of the duke's carriages, when, upon -the sudden, a shrill and loud re-echoing whistle issued from the forest, -and was instantly chorused by a number of harsh voices fiercely crying -_hui, hieu, huit_; when, almost instantly, a troop of armed horsemen, -unquestionably banditti, collecting from different points, thundered in -full gallop to where the signal was sounded. The banditti amounted in -number to about eleven or twelve, so far indeed as observation could be -made amid the darkness of the night, which was then setting in, and -increased by the deep and gloomy shadows of the surrounding forest; the -confusion too and terror caused by this unexpected appearance, increased -by the clamorous screams, and the many females who fainted, at the -approaching conflict, which was now beyond a doubt. The banditti came up -in full gallop, and forming into ranks, advanced within a few paces of -the cavalcade, and intercepting its progress, presented their -petronels[55] full-cocked; and one, the leader no doubt, meanwhile -fiercely exclaiming in Stentorian voice, '_Basta senors, basta senors!_' -then pulling the triggers, discharged their petronels. Opposed to them -were the noble company on horseback, and the attending footmen and -outriders; these were only armed with long horse-pistols, which, -however, told full well, for Sir David Bruce valiantly brought down a -brace of the banditti, who soon cowered to earth. The duke wounded two -others, who were with difficulty removed. Sir Patricius, albeit, who -would have preferred an old acquaintanceship with his Carolus' snuff-box -at this hour, was equally as successful. - - [55] Petronel was a small gun used by the cavalry. - -However, we are indeed sorry to narrate that Sir David Bruce was thrown -from his horse in consequence of excessive pain which he suffered from a -wound received in his right shoulder from a ball fired from one of the -petronels of the banditti. - -It was all a dreadful scene of noise, darkness, confusion, and -distress! The duchess, Adelaide, and the Ladies Letitia and Lucy, were -infinitely alarmed; but the nieces of the Duchess d'Aremberg fainted, -and it was some time before they could be restored to animation. - -Fortunately at this critical point of time a patrole of _Gens -d'Armes_ approached, who had been for some days in search of the said -banditti, when instantly applying their rowels, with small ceremony, to -the ribs of their steeds, the banditti fled, dispersing in every -direction throughout the entanglements of the forest. - -Sir David Bruce, who had received a severe gun-shot wound, was, without -delay, placed in the same carriage with the duchess and Lady Adelaide; -every remedy that could on the instant be procured having been applied -as styptics to stop the flowing of blood, and contrary to all his warm -remonstrances; but we will not undertake to say that it was contrary to -his inclination he was placed within the same carriage with Adelaide; -the coachman was enjoined to proceed at a slow pace, the _Gens d'Armes_ -meanwhile escorting them, nor quitted the cavalcade until they safely -had entered Brussels by the Namur gate; whence ten minutes, or so, -brought the ducal party, who had so lately enjoyed a scene of pleasure, -so suddenly transmuted into a scene of woe, to Tyrconnel house in the -_Rue Ducale_. - - - END OF VOL. II. - - - - - Transcriber's Note: Most of the apparent printers' errors in spelling - and punctuation have been retained. A few have been changed, including - those listed below. The oe ligature has been expanded. - - Line 610 Extra a deleted - Line 1233 Extra " deleted. - Line 1782 Extra " deleted. - Footnote 13 Replaced Poys with Pays and La Clerc with Le Clerc. - Line 2751 Replaced desert with dessert. - Line 2994 Replaced robe with rope. - Line 3473 Replaced desert with dessert. - Line 3491 Replaced l'Angloises with l'Anglaises. - Line 3797 Replaced fell with feel. - Line 5051 Replaced nich with niche. - Line 5343 Replaced desert with dessert. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, v. 2 of 3, by -Matthew Weld Hartstonge - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS, V. 2 OF 3 *** - -***** This file should be named 42095.txt or 42095.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/0/9/42095/ - -Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Sue Fleming and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -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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