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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 18:38:14 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 18:38:14 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/44264-0.txt b/44264-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..14724a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/44264-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3931 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44264 *** + + 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 futuræ + Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis! + ........................... tempus erit, + ............. et quum spolia ista diemque + Oderit! + + VIRGILIUS, Æ. x.I. 501. + + + VOL. III. + + + LONDON: + + FOR G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE. + + 1825. + + + + + THE EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Upon your art, Sir, and your faith to assist it, + Shall I believe you, then, his wound's not mortal? + + LOVE'S PILGRIMAGE. + + +The banditti who made the fierce and fiery attack, as recounted in our +last chapter, a few days subsequent to that sad event were arrested +by the _Gens d'Armes_ in Soignies wood. They had been composed, it +appeared upon examination, of the daring and desperate of different +nations, and that their leader was a Spaniard. + +But it is indeed full time that we should return to the mansion of +Tyrconnel, where all was distress and dismay. But amid all this +incidental confusion and alarm no time whatever had been lost in +calling in surgical assistance; two surgeons of reputed eminence being +instantly summoned--an English practitioner of the name of Leach, who +long had been a resident at Brussels, and a Monsieur Bourreau, a French +surgeon in considerable practice, likewise a resident of this ancient +city, who immediately obeyed the summons. + +Monsieur Bourreau was the first to arrive, who had a conference with +Sir Patricius Placebo, understanding that he was a medical gentleman. + + MONSIEUR BOURREAU.--"_Ah! serviteur, Monsieur._--_Mais je demand + votre pardon! car je pourrois dire_, LE CHEVALIER _Aussi-bon_!" + + SIR PATRICIUS PLACEBO.--"Hem, hem! Placebo, _je dis_ + Placebo!--_Prononces comme il faut, si vous plais, Monsieur + Chirurgien!_" + + MONSIEUR BOURREAU.--"_Oh, pardon encore, je demand tres humblement + de votre mains. Je dis, Chevalier Placebo, que les blesseurs + portées de les fusils sont toujours trop dangereux; et pour moi, + Chevalier Assebo, je prefere dix blesseurs de l'epée partout, à une + diable blesseure de portée de fusil!--Mais, neanmoins, toujours + chacun à son goût!_" + + SIR PATRICIUS.--"_Cette remarque, Monsieur Chirurgien, est trop + vrai; et vous-avez sans doute beaucoup de raison certainment; car + comme ils ont dit autrefois_, + + 'De gustibus non disputandum!' + +Hem, hem, ahem!"--having immediate recourse to his Carolus' snuff-box, +which in the first instance he most politely handed to Monsieur +Bourreau. And here the name of Surgeon Leach being announced, the two +surgeons with due formality were conducted by the medical baronet to +the sick man's chamber. + +They found their patient suffering under much bodily pain, attended +also with inflammation and a considerable degree of fever. They +alternately felt his pulse, holding forth their watches, upon which +they intently gazed; then looked at each other grave and portentous as +the visages of two undertakers in their vocation, and most sadly shook +their sapient sconces. + +However, it was not long before a very decided difference of opinion +arose between the knights of the lance--to wit, M. Bourreau was for the +immediate extraction of the ball, insisting most strenuously that such +an operation was unavoidably necessary, thus to effect the enlargement +of the wound, in order finally to extract the ball, which was the +immediate and important consideration of the case, and thus finally to +facilitate the cure; but at the same time with candour he acknowledged +that the operation would not be unattended with pain. Meanwhile Mr. +Leach was for leaving the bullet gradually to work out its own tranquil +way in the quiet lapse of years and time, which result, he insisted +pertinaciously, he had known to be the case in numerous instances, +where bullets have remained innocuously lodged in several parts of the +human body, until eventually, after a long lapse of years, they have +worked forth a passage to the surface, and have been easily extracted. +And other cases he knew, where individuals have retained with impunity +bullets within their bodies, from a gun-shot or pistol wound, even to +the closing hour of a protracted life. + +Mr. Leach was likewise too of opinion that, as the wound was placed +upon a joint, assuredly, that both knife and forceps should be put +under due restraint, nor should any more opening be made than what was +quite absolutely and imperatively necessary to meet the circumstances +of the case. + +It was considered incumbent by the duke, from this most serious +difference of opinion, that a third surgeon should instantly be called +in as umpire, and that his opinion in this intended consultation should +be absolute. + +Accordingly a Dutch surgeon, _cognomine_ Mynheer Van Phlebodem, a +practitioner of considerable repute, was called in, who, in conferring +with his learned brethren, after a minute examination of the patient, +whom he found labouring under a restless accession of fever, and having +understood that Sir David Bruce had not sustained any loss of blood +worth noticing, as issuing from the wound, the sage Mynheer considered +it advisable to open a vein immediately, as he was decidedly of +opinion, from a course of long established practice, that repeated +and copious bleedings, promptly and immediately adopted in the +commencement, seldom or never fail of being attended with success. They +prevented too, he said, much pain; kept down likewise inflammation, +and diminished the assaults of fever, &c. &c.--This determination was +accordingly carried into effect. + +At one time, from long continued pain and continued loss of sleep, it +was found necessary liberally to administer opium; at another period +the medical attendants, fearing symptoms of mortification to appear, +were not sparing in administering doses of Peruvian bark, with which +they drenched their victim. + +For the first fifteen or twenty days considerable apprehensions +were entertained for the safety of the patient's life. We feel, +however, most happy to state that none of those predicted evils +ensued, although certainly circumstances existed to call forth such +apprehensions--namely, the violent heat of summer, the deadly pain +of the wound, the irritation caused by fever, the inflamed state of +the patient's blood; these certainly were conducive in exciting those +melancholy forebodings. A constantly cooling regimen was rigidly +enforced, and the patient kept quiet, free from noise or irritation. At +another stage of the patient's confinement gangrene was again seriously +indeed apprehended; however, from the external application of warm +emolients, &c. &c., this apprehended danger was completely obviated, +suppuration was successfully brought on, and the learned triumvirate +freely acknowledged that the patient might now be pronounced as +nearly out of danger; and in about ten days, or longer, the ball was +cautiously and safely extracted, and with no other ill result, we are +happy to state, than the operation having caused a considerable degree +of torture in the shoulder of our wounded hero. + +Nothing could exceed the manifold attentions which were shown, and the +intense interest that was felt by every individual in the family of +Tyrconnel, and that innumerable kindnesses were fully manifested from +a certain quarter our readers will not be at a loss to guess, during +the illness and progress of recovery of the wounded patient, whose +convalescence, we are happy to state, had so far advanced that he was +daily permitted to walk for an hour in the garden pertaining to the +mansion of Tyrconnel. + +One afternoon the dinner cloth had been just removed; and the family +were seated at their wine, when lo! to the great amazement of the duke +and duchess, a king's messenger was announced, bearing a despatch from +the King of England, which, under envelope and direction of the Lord +Privy Seal, was duly directed "For his Grace the Duke of Tyrconnel, +these--Lonsdale P. S." + +Upon opening and reading the contents of the despatch, the astonishment +of the duke was no way abated. It contained the following:-- + + "I revoke the edict of your banishment; your attainture is taken + off; your honours are restored; and you may now return in safety to + your native land! _You are a man of honour--I will not desire + you to act against your principle. Disturb not the government, and + we shall be very good friends._ + + (L. S.) W. R." + +This important and quite unexpected change in the mind of the English +monarch, which now called forth in return the immediate gratitude +and acknowledgments of him upon whom these favours had so graciously +been bestowed, had happily been effected through the interest and +intercession of the Elector Palatine, the firm friend and patron of Sir +David Bruce; thus no doubt could possibly exist but that through the +earnest representations, and at the especial request of the latter, +this important and conciliatory measure was effectuated. Indeed this +was fully corroborated by the same messenger bearing a despatch from +the Elector Palatine, addressed to Sir David Bruce, which stated that +the Elector felt most happy in having to acquaint him of the complete +success of his interference with the King of England in the behalf of +Sir David's exiled friends. + +The immediate departure of the Duke and Duchess of Tyrconnel from +Brussels, so soon as circumstances would permit, was fully determined +upon. No obstacle, therefore, to preclude the union of Sir David Bruce +and the Lady Adelaide remained, save the delay of their voyage and +journey to Ireland, where, upon the event of their return to Tyrconnel +Castle, it was agreed that the marriage was duly to be solemnized. + +The day previous to their final departure from Brussels Adelaide +devoted in bidding a fond and final farewell to those she sincerely +regarded, and from whom were received numberless attentions during her +sojourn. Adelaide took a parting look at scenes that were endeared to +her by past associations and pleasing recollections. + +"Farewell!" she mentally said, "thou fair and flourishing +city!--patroness of the arts, the mistress of painting--thou queen +of fountains, farewell! Ever rich and luxuriant be thy valleys, thy +gardens, and thy groves; and long may the olive on thy undulating hills +shadow this happy realm in peace!" + +Then, with her accustomed enthusiasm, Adelaide wrote the following + + +FAREWELL TO BELGIUM! + + Farewell, blest land! I leave the while + Serene and social spot; + Ne'er winding Scheldt, nor devious Dyle, + By mem'ry be forgot! + + Dear peaceful scenes for many a year, + While shaded from the foe, + Which oft aroused the filial fear, + Hence far from thee I go! + + If not ungrateful 'twould appear, + I'd ne'er review thy shore; + Yet still through each revolving year + I'd think on thee the more! + + Farewell, fair Belgium! fertile land, + On thee may freedom ever smile; + While commerce courts thy happy strand! + I seek mine own, lov'd, native isle! + +The Duchess of Tyrconnel wrote, according to promise, to Mrs. +Cartwright, duly recording to her the happy turn that fortune had taken +in their favour. A copy of this epistle now lies before us; but as we +are no admirers of unnecessary repetition, we must take the liberty of +wholly suppressing the letter of her Grace. + +Before we close this short, but eventful chapter, we have to observe +that the Soignies banditti, who had been arrested, were tried, +identified, and executed. + +Not once nor twice was Sir Patricius Placebo overheard soliloquizing +to himself thus: "I am," quoth the knight, "in sooth no longer a +philosopher, who is desirous _inter silvas foresti (non academi) +quærere verum_--no, no--_horribile dictu!_ After this confounded +_rencontre_ in cursed Soignies wood, I shall for ever forego and +forswear the eating of Ortolan or Perigord pies, while I live--ahem! +except--that is to say, unless I can eat them with safety in the city! +for there is no general rule or law without an exception; and indeed +the long-robed gentry say as much--_exceptio probat regulam_--ahem! + + "DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!" + +It was at the close of the last week in August, which had now arrived, +when the duke and family took their departure from Brussels, on their +route for Ireland; and while they are on their way we shall conduct our +readers in their transit to the succeeding chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + ---- In the turmoils of our lives, + Men are like politic states, or troubled seas, + Toss'd up and down, with several storms and tempests, + Change and variety of wrecks and fortunes; + Till labouring to the havens of our homes, + We struggle for the calm that crowns our ends. + + FORDE'S "_Lover's Melancholy_." + + +About two months had now passed over, which had been occupied in +travelling to their long-wished for home, since the departure of the +duke and his family from Brussels, the journey having commenced towards +the close of August, and now had arrived the last week in October, +which witnessed the due accomplishment and end of their travels, by +their welcome return to their ancient and magnificent castle. + +No occurrences whatever worthy of record having happened during the +continental journey, the passage of two seas, or while occupied in +their travels through England, Wales, and Ireland, all of which +were performed in perfect safety; and moreover, the weather proved +propitiously mild and serene. + +While the travellers continued their route homeward, the duke thus +expressed his sentiments to the duchess:--"My love, I am fully resolved +for ever to abandon politics and party, to burn my grey goose quill +of diplomacy; I am determined too to relinquish the ways and woes +of war for the cultivation of the happy arts of peace; to desert a +city life for a country life; to arise with the lark, and plough my +paternal lands; to transmute my sword into a ploughshare, and my spear +into a reaping-hook. My firm, fixed intention being decided for ever +tranquilly to abide within my own domains, to pass our time in classic +ease within the venerable towers of Tyrconnel Castle, and there eke out +the remnant of my days until summoned by the cold and chilling call of +death!" + +The duchess said: "My Lord, I most highly approve of your wise +determination, and trust that we yet have many years of happiness +before us." + +With these fixed resolves impressed upon his mind, the duke proceeded +on his way. His journey was now nearly at an end, when the towers of +his lordly, but long unfrequented castle, which bounded the horizon, +arose to view, rich and red, glowing beneath the brilliant beams of the +setting sun, and struck his vision with delight as gladly he approached +his long deserted hereditary halls. + +This long wished return was joyously and generously hailed by all +ranks and descriptions of persons, from the proud peer down to the +lowly peasant; bonfires crowned every surrounding mountain height, +hill, peninsula, and promontory, while they beamed forth a brilliant +welcome to the returned wanderer; the lofty windows of the wealthy, and +the lowly lattices of the cottier, in the town of Tyrconnel, bespoke +the general joy that burst around, and conjointly the wax taper and +rush-light commingled their rays to manifest the heart-yearning +welcome that the duke's happy return had inspired. + +The welcoming notes of the merry pipe and the national harp resounded +blithely over hill and vale. Meanwhile the peasantry were all +collected, and clad in their best and gayest attire; their honest, +grateful, and joyful countenances bearing the impress of their +gladdened hearts, told forth a welcome that was not to be mistaken nor +misunderstood, for it affectionately hailed the much desired return +of their beloved and long exiled benefactor! It was evening when this +interesting scene took place, but all meet preparation had previously +been arranged,--torch, flambeau, and fire-works, had been prepared, and +blazed forth in all becoming brilliancy. + +A triumphal arch, tastefully adorned with appropriate armorial +escutcheons, emblems, and trophies, and crowned with wreaths and +festoons of living shrubs and flowers, adorned the pass which led to +the castellated gateway. Bouquets and coronals of flowers were flung +along the way, while grateful shouts made the welkin ring as the ducal +train passed along. Groups of lovely damsels united their welcome +song, and soon joined hands with the manly peasants in the national +Irish dance of the _Rinceadh-Fada_.[1] + +Once more the ducal standard floated on "the Raven Tower," the cannon +on the terrace thundered forth a princely _salvo_, which boomed upon +the buoyant waves of the deep Atlantic, and was re-echoed by the castle +walls, while the loud continued shouts of a grateful and happy tenantry +bore burden to the burst of joy. + +It would be difficult to express the exultation and gladness that +pervaded all ranks, and which the old domestics in particular displayed +in no common way; Mrs. Judith Brangwain, the venerable old nurse of +Lady Adelaide, seemed nearly crazed with joy at the long wished, +but unhoped return of her dear Mavourneen, her best beloved young +lady:--"Oh," she exclaimed, "at last have I survived, with these mine +aged eyes, to witness this happy, happy day! Oh, never, never, did I +expect so great a blessing; I am stricken in years, and nearly blind, +yet the Lord be praised for these and all his mercies!" + + [Footnote 1: This dance has been already described in note to + chapter xv. vol. I. It only is necessary here to observe, that the + popular dance at present prevalent in Ireland is called the _long + dance_; it is similar to that of the Danes in Holstein, and other + parts of Denmark, which they term _de lange danz_, or "the long + dance." This dance still continues up to the present period to be + performed in the country parts of Ireland, upon the occurrence of + a young heir arriving at the bright and sunny epoch of twenty-one; + and likewise upon the event of his marriage, or upon any other + happy and unexpected occasion of rejoicing.] + +Next the old crone sung with joy and delight, held up her garments in +jig attitude, and capered about as if actually bitten by a tarantula; +then seized and led out, _per_ force, old Sandy Rakeweel, the Scotch +gardener, with whom she danced an Irish reel, and that too with so +much _qui vive_, as to demonstrate that the joys of her dancing days +had not passed over. This frolic was performed on the green sward, and +honest old Sandy, when the reel was completed, which, sooth to say, +he had undertaken _nolens volens_, vehemently exclaimed, "'Fore Saint +Aundrewe, Mrs. Judith, wi' a' her whigmaleeries was ower pauky, to hap, +step, an' loup wi' me; the gude woman is a' fou' and sae daft she ha' +geck'd a' her wits into a creel, aiblins she hae been bit by a bogle. +Ise naer be so jundied in a jig again; yet I'm not meikle fashed--nae, +nae!" + +There was, exclusive of the ancient Mrs. Judith, another venerable +follower of this noble family, in whom the general joy, so conspicuous +amongst all ranks, was not the less sincere and ardent, and this was +the aged and sightless minstrel, old Cormac, whose best suit was duly +assumed upon this happy occasion, to welcome home his kind and generous +master; his harp was newly strung, and carefully tuned aright; and +patiently, but anxiously, in the baronial hall he awaited the entrance +of the duke and family, upon whose welcome approach he thus poured +forth his strains of gratitude and affection upon his noble Lord's +return. + + +OLD CORMAC'S WELCOME. + + Returned once more from foreign lands, + Behold the noble exile stands + Within his lordly hall! + + His faulchion smote his country's foes, + His king's defeat hath caused these woes, + Which his brave breast inthrall. + + Oh, welcome to thy lordly towers, + Thy princely seat, thy happy bowers, + A grateful welcome all! + + Now never more to roam afar, + Nor plunge 'mid tide of crimson war, + Shall fate thy arms recall! + + But here in tranquil rural ease, + Such as a soul like thine can please, + May never grief appal! + + In virtue long, and years to shine, + Be each domestic blessing thine! + And ev'ry boon that heaven can give, + When thy poor bard hath ceased to live! + +When the ancient and sightless bard had concluded this, his _improviso_ +welcome, he appeared absolutely overpowered, and shed a copious +torrent of tears, which flowed from eyes long indeed closed to the +light, but not to intensity of feeling! But these were not tears of +sorrow, they were effusions of grateful affection, that often speak the +joyful feelings of the heart, while the tongue remains wholly silent. +His was the unspeakable joy at his noble benefactor's happy return in +health and peace, after so long an absence, to his ancient towers. The +duke, duchess, Lady Adelaide, &c. &c. &c. in succession approached the +aged minstrel to express severally their approbation of his song, and +thanks for the feeling manner in which his welcome had been expressed. +The duke obligingly and condescendingly said to him:--"My friend +Cormac, although thy locks are more blenched and snowy than they were +when last we parted, yet I am glad to find that your heart is not +chilled by the frost of age, and that the chords of thy harp so sweetly +still respond to a master's touch!" + +Then addressing one of his pages, his Grace said, "Fill, fill the +goblet high to the very brim, and present it to the bard!" + +In sooth we need not say that sightless, honest Cormac retired to rest +that night the happiest old man in the province of Ulster; his slumbers +were sound and serene, and his dreams flattering as ever youthful poet +dreamt. + +The next morning, when breakfast was concluded, the duke said in a +lively way:--"Come, come, Sir David, you have not travelled here for +nothing, we must e'en show you the curiosities of the country. There +lives, or rather vegetates, not far hence, a wight, the most eccentric +being perhaps that ever existed--I pray you go see him. This personage +is Squire Cornelius Kiltipper, of Crownagalera Castle, once the mighty +Nimrod of these parts. You must, moreover, know, that from Squire +Kiltipper's determined addiction to strong liquors, and likewise +from the fatal consequence of a far-bruited boozing bout, in which +he actually out-drank and out-lived his opponent in a long continued +contest; (the defunct had been a gauger who thus succumbed in death, +even at the base of the Squire's dinner-table;) in consequence of which +Kiltipper was ever afterwards called, in popular parlance, _Squire +Kil-Toper_! For, Sir David, you must know that the lower class of my +countrymen are feelingly sensible of the ridiculous, and extremely fond +of _soubriquets_, or nick-names.--Indeed they are curious bodies! So +I pray you proceed to see this curiosity, and my kind Sir Patricius +Placebo shall, upon this occasion, be your _conduttóre_." + +Acceding to this recommendation of the duke, Sir David Bruce, +accompanied by Sir Patricius Placebo, proceeded onward in their +walk; and, as a _prétexte par hazard_, they carried with them their +fowling-pieces, and were accompanied with a couple of pointers, and an +attendant terrier. They set out, and walked across the field-paths, in +due direction for the castle of Crownagela, which was distant about two +miles. + +Upon their arrival they stoutly knocked at the hall-door, but the +servant refused admittance. However, after some parlance, and the rank +of the visitors having been announced, they were admitted. Here a loud +and general exclamation vociferated from the parlour, struck the ears +of the visitors--"A song, a song!" The servant upon this observed, +"Gentlemen, yees must have the goodness to wait just a bit till this +same song is over, and then I will show yees to my master. If I dare +go in now, to transdispose their musicals, the penalty would be, that +I should be flung flat out of the window, and that, I am sartin, would +not quite plaze yees." + +While the visitors waited with what patience they might, before they +were admitted to an audience with the original whom they had come +to visit, the following bacchanalian song was conjointly sung; and +which rumour likewise reported to have been composed by the vocal +triumvirate, namely, Mr. Barrabbas Tithestang, the proctor, Mr. Simon +Swigg, the gauger, and Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, the parish clerk and +sexton: but the latter personage was strongly suspected to have had the +principal hand, or pen, in the precious composition. + + +SONG. + +I. + + When first the day-star gems the sky, + When flickering swallows upward fly; + While shrill the matin-herald crows, + And thrifty Joan to spin hath rose, + Then only, brave boys, it is day! + +II. + + Our cup let's drink, we will not slink, + We leave to those, who wish, to think! + Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round? + Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground! + And drink on, brave boys, until day! + +III. + + Who joins not in our jovial bout, + Drink, meat, and fire, should do without; + Soon let this stout _magnum_ be quaffed, + He says nay, shall surely be laughed. + Then only, brave boys, it will be day! + +IV. + + The dawn hath past, the sun at last + Round our revels his beams has cast; + Yet ere we go a parting glass, + Our toast a sprightly, buxom lass. + My brave boys only now it is day! + Only now, my brave boys, it is day! + +Squire Kiltipper, somewhat pleased, sung a semi-stave of the song:-- + + "Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round? + Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground! + Ha, ha, ha! + +A very plain and palpable alternative truly, the drunkard fairly caught +on the horns of the mathematician's dire dilemma, and then to flounder +on the floor--ha, ha! Oh, lame and lamentable conclusion! Come lads, +the health of the composer; hip, hip,--hurrah!" + +This toast drank at mid-noon, however strange to tell, was loudly +chorussed, with various manual accompaniments inflicted on the table, +until the window panes and the very drinking-glasses again returned +the echo; and amid this uproar the door was opened, and the visitors +introduced, their names being duly announced. Squire Kiltipper was +discovered seated in his bed, holding in his hand the MS. of the +precious rant which had just been sung; he wore spectacles; his dark +beard was unshorn; he wore on his head a cap made of otter skin; he was +habited in a scarlet waistcoat trimmed with rabbit skin, over which +he wore a dressing-gown of purple camlet; his small clothes, which had +been once white, but now stained with claret, reminded one rudely of +the union of the rival roses of York and Lancaster! The Squire arose +to receive his guests, but was preceded by his prime minister, Bounce, +his favourite greyhound, who had been also snugly reposing under cover +of the counterpane, which now rising to a portentous height, he and +his master were safely delivered from the thraldom of the bed-clothes, +and the Squire politely advancing, paid obeisance to his visitors, and +invited them to luncheon. + +The guests were, Mr. Simon Swigg, the gauger, Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, +the parish clerk and sexton, and Mr. Barabbas Tithestang, the +proctor, who began the world a beggar's brat, and barefooted withal; +_sans_ shoe, _sans_ stocking, _sans_ every thing, save a large and +inexhaustible stock of confidence; but was now metamorphosed into a +country justice; and this squire of mean degree enjoying the _otium cum +dignitate_ of four hundred pounds per annum, besides the important +privilege of daily _entrè_ to the dinner-table of Squire Kiltipper, +_alias_ Kill-Toper! + +These gentry were the squire's led captains, his most abject vassals, +whose presence at his table contributed, by their native gross humour, +to divert the tedious hours of the squire, and whose society had now +become quite necessary to his existence. He had been well educated, +and was not deficient in mental ability; but his sad propensity to the +worship of Bacchus had nearly hebetated the powers of his mind, and +had nearly likewise debilitated his powers of loco-motion by frequent +confirmed attacks of gout, which had much undermined his constitution. + +In the centre of the room was stationed a table, on which still stood +some stout cheer, the remains of last night's banquet; here were to +be seen the remnant of a huge venison pasty, cold roast beef, pickled +oysters, cold roasted fowls, tongues, &c., and relics of exhausted +bottles reposing like dead men upon the carpet. Upon the approach +of the strangers, Vulcan and Hecate, his two favourite cats, that +had been busily employed in subdividing the venison pasty, at sight +of the visitor's dogs most incontinently abandoned their plunder, +loudly yelling, and retreating with precipitation, they scampered up +the chimney; while the general panic, with effect of electricity, +communicating its fearful effects to his favourite pigeons, who had +been peaceably reposing, with their gentle heads under their wings, +upon the tester of the bed; but now they sprang up in affright, as if +pursued by falcon or eagle, and dashed themselves suddenly against the +window-casement; the poor pigeons received some slight hurts, and the +Squire was evidently discomfited. "D----n, I say, to Vulcan and Hecate; +but I am indeed sorry for my pretty pets--my dear pigeons. You know, my +worthy and venerated Sir Patricius, how much I am obligated to my late +dear, dear, dear uncle Commodore Pigeon, of Capstern Hall in Yorkshire, +who bequeathed me an estate to the tune of nearly two thousand pounds +per annum; and therefore you can fully account for my warm attachment +to the pretty bird that bears his honoured name! I am now waxing old, +and peradventure am not exempt from the follies of old age; I have +long since become tired of the chace, my bugle-horn hangs silent in my +hall, and my unkennelled hounds wander forth, to my cost, committing +petty larcenies amid the peaceably disposed ducks and turkeys of the +vicinage; my hunters I have turned abroad to increase and multiply +exceedingly, and cats daily kitten in my quondam boots of the chase! +But I have dwelt too long on myself and mine own concern--I give you a +hearty congratulation upon your safe return to these parts, and also at +the happy return of the duke to his ancient towers. I pray you that you +both stop and dine with me; I can only promise you a yeoman's fare, but +indeed you shall likewise have a friend's welcome! For, Sir Patricius, +I do esteem thee, and I do consider thee, by yea and nay, a man of the +most recondite taste and parlous judgment that I ever have encountered; +withal resembling, methinks, most accurately what old Flaccus terms +'_Homo ad unguem factus_.'" + +Sir Patricius politely thanked him for his too good opinion of him, +which he feared was rather overrated, and apologized for the next +to impossibility of accepting of his friendly invitation, which +they begged to postpone to some more opportune time. And now having +quite sufficiently amused themselves with the eccentric Squire of +Crownagelera Castle, Sir David Bruce and Sir Patricius Placebo again +returned thanks for the proffered hospitality of Squire Kiltoper, and +having bade him good morning, set out on their return, "_Non sine multo +risu_," as Sir Patricius expressed himself, for Tyrconnel Castle. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Now go with me, and with this holy man, + Into the chauntry by: there before him, + And underneath that consecrated roof, + Plight me the full assurance of your faith! + + TWELFTH NIGHT. + + +The thirty-first day of October, sixteen hundred ninety and ----, +being the birth-day of our heroine, was the morning appointed for +the solemnization of the nuptials of Sir David Bruce and the Lady +Adelaide Raymond. The young lady's consent, and that of her noble +parents, having been previously obtained, and also that _sine qua non_ +preliminary of nuptial happiness--to wit, a marriage license, having +been duly and properly procured, no obstacle to their happy union now +remained. Preparations upon a grand scale had been in a progressive +state of forwardness for some weeks at Tyrconnel Castle, to crown the +nuptial banquet, and every delicacy and luxury that taste could select, +or that money could procure, were not wanting to furnish forth the +splendid marriage feast. The Duke of Tyrconnel, in order to add to the +pomp and circumstance of the event, had a new state coach built for the +happy bridal day, _selon des reglès_, as then the fashion of the day +controlled. The carriage was connected by massive crane necks, which in +our modern days of fashion have crept down and shrunk into a slender +perch; these were richly carved and gilt. The wheels were of a very +circumscribed orbit; and the naves were gilt, as well as the spokes. +The springs likewise were of burnished gold; while the ponderous +massive body, with shape (if it could so be called) which much more, +in sooth, resembled a city barge abducted from its natural element, +and aided by wheels in its terrestrial progressions; or perhaps as +cumbersome, although not as unsightly, as a French diligence--but +assuredly not to be compared with the present modern _turn-out_ of a +nobleman. Ducal coronets of brass, richly embossed and gilt, adorned +and surrounded the four angles of the roof of the state carriage. +A splendidly embroidered hammer-cloth mantled the coach-box, which +was destined to glitter in the last rays of a brilliant October sun, +upon this ever-memorable day, and to glance forth the rich emblazoned +quarterings of the noble houses of Tyrconnel and O'Nial. The superb +liveries of the domestics were neither overlooked nor forgotten upon +this happy occasion; they were indeed truly magnificent; they were of +rich green cloth, with gold embroidery and trimming. + +Sir David Bruce had also duly in readiness a very handsome town +chariot, which he had caused to be built for the occasion. This was +drawn by four handsome horses, and guided by two postillions, preceded +by two outriders, and in the rere followed by two footmen on horseback, +their housings ornamented with the Bruce crest in embroidery, and +from each holster peeped forth travelling pistols, mounted in chased +silver, and richly ornamented. The outriders had the additional +appendage of belts slung from their shoulders, to each of which were +attached small silver powder flasks, or priming horns. The same state +attended upon the duke and duchess. Six running footmen, (the fashion +of the day,) with ribbons streaming at their knees, and with long +white walking-poles, entwined with ribbon and surmounted with favours, +preceded the carriage of the duke, and as many were the precursors of +the carriage in which were seated the duchess and the beauteous bride. +Such was to be the pomp and procession destined for this illustrious +bridal. + +Old Cormac seemed resolutely determined that he at least should not +be omitted in the _dramatis personæ_ of this most memorable day. At +an early hour, therefore, with due intention of the full performance +of his resolve, he was seen flitting from alley green to the dark +embowered wood, bearing his constant companion, his harp; and as the +old gardener somewhat quaintly expressed it, "he was for a' the warld +like a hen on a het girdle!" + +Old honest Cormac's intention could not long be mistaken or +misunderstood; for soon with right shoulder forward, and strong +intuitive confidence, he stoutly marched onward, nor did the veteran +halt until he had reached Lady Adelaide's flower garden, where he +was often accustomed to sit and play; where having arrived, he soon +seated himself upon a rustic chair, beneath the casement of the Lady +Adelaide's chamber, where anon he began to strum and tune his harp. +The moment that the sightless bard had begun his minstrelsy, vocal +and instrumental, it was with considerable delight and joy that he +distinctly heard the casement window of Lady Adelaide to be thrown +open. Meanwhile the lovely fair (in whose honest praise the poetic +raptures of the ancient minstrel were composed) looked down upon +her old, faithful, and favourite bard, while mirthfully he sung and +accompanied the following:-- + + +NUPTIAL SONG. + + Sweet Robin, perch'd on yonder spray, + So sweetly sings his matin lay, + To welcome forth this brilliant day, + And greet the Bruce and Adelaide! + + Behold the sun with genial gleam, + O'er the lofty mountain beam, + Dispelling mist like nightly dream, + To cheer the Bruce and Adelaide! + + Arise fair lady!--Love, perchance, + Hath pow'r to wake thee from this trance, + And hail the matin hour's advance, + So dear to Bruce and Adelaide! + + O'er him, the fond, the gen'rous youth, + O'er her who gave her plighted truth-- + On both may bliss each treasure shed, + While children crown the bridal bed + Of noble Bruce and Adelaide! + + And oh! until their final hour, + May friendship cheer, and love have pow'r + To spread each charm amid their bow'r, + And bless the Bruce and Adelaide! + +Here ceased the old sightless Cormac, while tears of deep and intense +feeling and affection trickled down his venerable, time-furrowed +cheeks. + +Adelaide descended from her chamber, and entering the garden, with +great sweetness and condescension approached the old minstrel: "Thanks, +many thanks, my kind and ancient bard, for this thy matin lay; and here +too is a boon withal for the minstrel."--At the same time placing a +gold doubloon in his hand. + +"Oh, receive my warm, grateful thanks, my dear, kind--my noble young +mistress--_Cead millia failtha_! May the benison of the sightless bard +bless you and yours for ever and ever! Indeed I dare not refuse the +bridal present, for it carries luck and happiness, and every thing that +is kind, and noble, and good, along with it. God bless you, young lady, +and may you be as happy as you deserve; this, young lady, is the warm +and fervent prayer of poor blind old Cormac!" + +The Lady Adelaide felt much affected with the respect and affection +manifested by the ancient minstrel, and once more thanking him for his +verses, adjourned to the breakfast-room. While on her way she was met +by Sir David Bruce at the garden door, and according to the fashion +and reserve of that day, he ceremoniously led by the hand his lovely +mistress. They now entered the breakfast parlour, where they found the +duke with the family assembled, to whom they kindly bade good morrow. + +The worthy and venerable Bishop Bonhomme and his lady had arrived, +as also the bride's-maids, and the whole of the company who had been +invited to the wedding. And the bridal breakfast having begun and +ended, the splendid equipages of the noble party were ordered to +approach the grand porch of the castle. And here that our fair readers +may not "burst in ignorance" of the mode and manner in which a marriage +in high life was conducted in those times by the _gens de condition_, +we shall endeavour to give a report, albeit not copied _verbatim_ from +the court gazette of the day. + +Bishop Bonhomme and his lady first departed from the castle, ascending +their state chariot, if indeed it could be called ascending a vehicle, +the body of which was barely raised some inches above the carriage +part, and which was all richly carved and gilt, and also attached by +low massive crane-necks. The single step by which the ascent into the +chariot was accomplished, was fastened perpendicularly at the outside: +it was finely carved and gilt, and of the shape and form of the escalop +shell, and two golden keys, interlaced and embossed, adorned its +centre. In lieu of leather pannels at the sides and back, the body was +ornamented all around with windows of rich plate glass, from the royal +factory of Saint Idelphonso, by means of which a full view was clearly +presented to the spectator of those within. + +The bishop wore a full-dress orthodox peruke; he was arrayed in his +robes and lawn sleeves; his white bridal gloves were trimmed with gold. +He looked very episcopal and dignified. The pannels of the chariot +were emblazoned with their due quantity of mitres; a rich _bordure_ of +the crozier, interlaced with foliations of the shamrock, adorned the +sides and angles. The state chariot was drawn by six sleek, stately, +coalblack steeds, whose long and bushy tails nearly swept the ground. +It was driven by an old, fat, jolly-looking coachman, who displayed +fully to every beholder that he was not stinted in his meals at the +palace, to which his portentous paunch bore full attestation. He was +assisted by two postillions, arrayed in rich purple jackets and purple +velvet caps. Six footmen, in their episcopal state liveries, stood +behind. Next in the procession came on the state coach and six of the +duke, in which were seated his Grace and two of his Reverend chaplains. +Then followed the state coach and six which contained the duchess and +her lovely daughter, and Lady Adelaide's two bride's-maids. Next came +on the chariot and four of Sir David Bruce, which contained the Baronet +and Sir Patricius Placebo. These were followed by numerous carriages of +the surrounding nobility and gentry; the servants all decorated with +silver favours; while numerous parties of the tenants and peasants, +"dressed in all their best," some on horseback and others on foot, +closed the extended cavalcade. + +The joyful pealing of the sacred chimes now cheerily rang forth from +the cathedral tower, to salute the natal morn of Lady Adelaide. + +Meanwhile a number of female peasants were seen advancing, arrayed in +white, their heads garlanded with living flowers. They danced before +the bride's carriage; and so soon as the cavalcade had reached the +cathedral porch, as the bride entered, they strewed the way before with +rosemary, gilliflowers, and marygolds; the mystery and signification +of which was this--the first stood for remembrance, the second for +gentleness, and the last for marriage, being an alliteration between +the name of the flower and that of the thing signified. + +Old Bellrope, the sexton and verger, who, "man and boy," had witnessed +many nuptials celebrated in the venerable cathedral, solemnly +asseverated that he had never before set eye upon so beautiful a +couple! To do due honours to the ceremony, he had newly purchased +a verger's gown, and wore a purple cloth coat, waistcoat, and +indispensables, which had appertained in the olden time to some pious +bishop of defunct celebrity. His wig was very commendably frizzed, +thanks to the skill and indefatigability of Madam Bellrope, and looked +unusually gay, from a judicious distribution of a successful foray made +upon the drudging-box by the said thrifty dame, so that it provoked a +remark from Sandy Rakeweel, the gardener at the castle, an honest old +Caledonian devoid of guile:--"That indeed auld Bellrope's peruke for a' +the warld remeended him o' aine of his awn kale plants in fu' flower in +the middle o' August." + +The noble procession entered the cathedral porch, where being duly +marshalled in meet heraldic pomp, rank, and file, the distinguished +persons proceeded along the venerable nave. Lady Adelaide was +arrayed in a silver tissue, a splendid tiara of pearls, in form of a +shamrock-wreath, encircled her noble brow, with ear-rings of the same, +and on her lovely neck she wore "a rich and orient carcanet."[2] + +Sir David Bruce, with firm and dignified step and gesture, advanced, +leading onward by the hand to the bridal altar the lovely Lady +Adelaide, her eye beaming with all the radiance of intelligence and +of genius, while the deep glow of health and the blush of modesty +mantled her beauteous cheek as she approached the sacred altar, the +gaze, delight, and admiration of all, high and low, who beheld her. Her +graceful, but bashful step, and her modest mien, reminded the spectator +of Milton's fine description of Eve, when + + "Onward she came, led by her heav'nly Maker," &c. + + [Footnote 2: Carcanet, the diminutive of _carcan_, a chain;--it + means a necklace.] + +As pure and spotless Adelaide stepped to the holy altar. But it was +impossible to withhold the veneration and admiration called forth +by the appearance, voice, manner, and noble countenance of the good +bishop, who, indeed, more than seemed "the beauty of holiness," while +with a clear, distinct, and dignified intonation of voice, he read the +sacred service. + +The ceremony concluded, the bridal party went forth in the same order +in which it had commenced, save that Sir David Bruce and his fair +bride rode in the same carriage from the cathedral. Sir Patricius +Placebo returned in the duke's carriage. The remainder of the morning +was occupied until dinner time in various rides and drives to view +the beauties of the surrounding country; some went out on a boating +excursion on the beautiful lake of Loch-Neagh, others drove out in low +phaetons, or cabriolets; and some went on a walking excursion to view +the lawns and woods of Tyrconnel, thus to occupy the time until dinner. +The elder folks sat down to the green field of the card-table, playing +at primero, cribbage, ombre, &c., _jusque à diner_. + +The dinner was splendidly superb. The services of richly chased and +embossed plate which this day decorated the nuptial table, were truly +magnificent. One service was of gold, two others were of silver. + +In the evening there was a grand ball, which was opened by Sir David +Bruce and his beauteous bride; they were followed by the Duke and +Duchess of Tyrconnel, who, (ah, good old-fashioned times!) upon this +occasion, tripped it on the light fantastic toe; they were soon +followed by a large group, who danced down the _contrè-danse_ with +great spirit; a smile of joy was evidently seen in the benevolent face +of Bishop Bonhomme, and he was even seen to beat time with his head and +foot. + +Brilliant illuminations were observable throughout the domain, various +coloured lamps were garlanded from tree to tree, and likewise across +different avenues in the lawn. + +A banquet was spread for the duke's tenantry, where most excellent +and substantial fare was presented in abundance to all; and there was +no lack of strong beer, which flowed forth in streams. Fire-works of +various kinds were played off. And the duke's band of French horns, +stationed in different parts of the park, played various tunes, which +were sweetly echoed by the adjoining woods, and the responding waters +of the Eske. + +The tenants and peasantry did not omit the Irish dance, the +_Rinceadh-Fada_, which was danced with great spirit and grace in front +of the windows of the baronial hall. Old Cormac was now summoned to +assist at the ceremonies and the gaiety of the hall. Upon command to +attend, his remark was--"Weel, weel, 'twas anely as I expected!" He +immediately hastened to the festive scene, and brought with him a +Scotch harper, old Donald, who had been a retainer in the family of +Bruce, and whom the intelligence of the nuptials that were that day +to be solemnized had brought into the neighbourhood. Here a polite +and courteous contest arose between the minstrels, each standing +upon etiquette, and quite ready to award to the other the right of +precedence; however, this posing point, _d'embarras_, was at length +finally settled by Donald's declaring, that "he wad na pla' at a' afore +maister Cormac." So, _volens, nolens_, old Cormac seized his harp, and +thus began, accompanying his instrument with the following verses:-- + + May plenty, peace, long bless the isle + Where pity's tear can woe beguile! + Erin! the nations envy thee, + From scorpion, snake, and viper free; + Thy sacred saint's high potency! + + Where beauty with Hygeia dwells, + Fell Discord flies these happy dells; + Where plaintive thrills thy island lyre, + Where kindling glows the social fire; + And jocund Hymen crowns the scene, + While pipes the shepherd's tuneful reed, + From his straw cottage on the mead, + And smiles each valley green! + +Cormac sung the foregoing simple lines in order that he might be +entitled to call upon old Donald; who now being left without an +apology, and endeavouring to recollect a song, after a short pause the +Scottish minstrel struck his harp, and thus began:-- + + +I THOUGHT ON DISTANT HAME! + + Ah! while I saftly tuned my sang, + The hawthorn's hoary bloom amang, + I thought on friends I lov'd sae lang; + I thought on distant hame! + + I thought on those I lov'd when young, + Of those wha died the wars amang, + Of those for whom the knell had rang, + Far frae their happy home! + + I thought of those on foreign shore, + Beneath the tempest's dreadful roar, + Wha sank frae waves to rise nae mo', + To hail their distant hame! + + I thought on the auld parent's smart, + Sorrowing his anely bairn to part, + Whase face nae mair shall cheer his heart, + Nor joy the parent's hame! + + I thought on the hapless maiden's woe, + Her true-love doom'd to see nae mo', + Her reason tint beneath the blow, + And desolate her hame! + + Then through this warld where e'er I stray, + In winter's gloam, or simmer's ray; + I'll sigh for a' wha far awa' + Like me regret their hame! + +Donald received applause upon the conclusion of his pathetic song; +who, in return, bowed low and respectfully to the company. Here the +minstrels tuned their pipes with a refreshing draught of Innishowen and +water, of which commixture the first ingredient was, doubtless, the +most predominant. + +It now came to Cormac's turn to strike his harp. When about to proceed +the duke observed: "I fear, old friend Cormac, that it now waxes late, +and we shall not have much time for any lengthened production, for you +are aware that when the great hall-clock shall strike the ninth hour +we proceed to supper. This rule at our castle is as peremptory and +inviolable as the ancient laws of the Medes and Persians; so remember, +good Cormac!" + +"Never fear, your Grace's honour, I shall not fail to obey you." + +Then turning to Lady Adelaide Bruce, he said: "I will sing the loves +of Sir Trystan and the beautiful Isoud! they were young and noble; +they were likewise comely too, lovely lady: but they were unfortunate +in their loves. Grant, O heaven, that such a fate may never betide the +Lady Adelaide or Sir David!" He then commenced-- + + +THE ROMAUNT + +OF SIR TRYSTAN AND LA BELLE ISOUD. + + Arouse thee, old Cormac! recite the fond tale + Of Isoud La Belle of renowned Innisfail,[3] + Beauty's bright paragon; of chivalry tell + Sir Trystan the valiant, and Isoud La Belle. + A daughter of Erin, of Aöngus proud king + No story more noble a minstrel might sing! + Let the pioba[4] and harp triumphantly tell + Of Trystan the valiant and Isoud La Belle! + Aloud to fair Christendom, in numbers proclaim, + With voice of the trumpet, the chosen of fame! + + Nor ever be _Arthur_ the noble forgot! + The prince and his friend, who _were_, and _are not_! + For long since, with valour and chivalry crown'd, + A tomb piled by heroes these heroes have found; + Not envy, malice, nor time, shall be able + To shadow a chief of Arthur's round table! + + O long shall the lily,[5] the ivy, and bay, + Frame a wreath round the hero, the pride of his day; + And now bursting forth from cearment and gloom, + Once more shall the victor arise from his tomb. + + He comes, the proud chieftain, to Cornwall's steep coast, + Sir Trystan the valiant, high chivalry's boast; + The friend of Prince Arthur descended in line + From heroes whose glory 'tis his to enshrine: + + Still nobly look up to their banner so proud, + The forfeit, dishonour, disgrace, and the shroud! + 'Aye, ever his honour Sir Trystan shall cherish, + When it shall be lost his wish is to perish! + And shrink mid the ignoble, worthless, and dead, + When the halo of glory shall wane on his head!' + + [Footnote 3: Innisfail is one of the ancient names of Ireland;--it + means the isle of fate or destiny. It was so called from possessing + an ancient stone chair, on which was sculptured in Gaelic, + + Or fate is false, or where this stone shall be + The Scots shall reign a powerful monarchy. + + It was afterwards removed to Scotland, and subsequently to England. + It is now placed under the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey.] + + [Footnote 4: Mala-pioba--the bagpipes. The late Mr. Cooper Walker + in his "Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards," in a note at + foot of page 81, speaking on the subject of the Irish bagpipes, + (which, by the way, are played upon by the finger, and not like + the Scotch pipes, which are played by the lips,) he makes the + following remark:--"I have been informed that George II. was so + much delighted with the performance of an Irish gentleman on the + bagpipes, that he ordered a medal to be struck for him."] + + [Footnote 5: Sir Trystrem was entitled to the lily, being a royal + son of France; he was designated Sir Trystrem of Lyons. He was + nephew to Mark, king of Cornwall. His name really was _Tristrem_, + but we suppose, for sake of euphony, old Cormac thought he was + privileged to change it.] + + * * * * * + +Just at the conclusion of the above, to the horror, confusion, and +surprise of old Cormac, the German clock in the baronial hall chimed +musically forth the ninth hour. But it was no music to the ear of +Cormac, who in dumb despair somewhat sullenly laid down his harp, +knowing that remonstrance would not be heard, and that solicitation was +all in vain. But the duke was loud in his commendations, in which he +was duly echoed by his guests, and Cormac was assured that the company +should certainly be gratified upon the succeeding night, and at an +earlier hour, with the remainder of the Romaunt of Trystan and Isoud. + +The company now descended to the great supper-room, where a most superb +banquet was spread for the noble guests. The wassail-bowl was duly +and meetly placed in the centre of the table upon a magnificent gold +plateau. The bowl was decorated with artificial flowers, festoons of +"true-lover's knots," "rose-buds," "heart's-ease," "forget me not," and +the bow and arrow of Cupid were not omitted. + +"The spiced wassail-bowl,"[6] duly impregnated with love philtres, +was composed of Muscadel,[7] principally, in which, _inter alia_, +the following ingredients were mixed in this mystic beverage: namely, +angelica, adianthum, eggs, eringo, orchis, &c. The concoction was +made with great caution, measure, and propriety, according to the +_avoirdupois_ weight, as duly laid down in the family receipt book. +The bride and bridegroom, of course, were the first to quaff from this +charmed potion, and then those who chose to follow their example. + + [Footnote 6: "The spiced wassail-bowl."--See Fletcher's "Faithful + Shepherdess," act V. p. 108. Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, vol. + IV. The efficacy of love philtres was credited from the days of + Pliny even down to the seventeenth century! See Sir Walter Scott's + "Sir Tristrem," p. 298; and also Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. III. + p. 459.] + + [Footnote 7: Muscadel.--This species of wine was a common + ingredient in the wassail-bowls, which were peculiarly in favour at + Christmas.--_Note to "the Pilgrim," by Beaumont and Fletcher_, vol. + V. p. 429. Muscadel is likewise noticed in the same volume in the + play called "The Woman's Prize," p. 263. + + "Sweet gentleman with muscadel." + + Mr. Weber adds in a note, "This passage, perhaps, explains the + reason why wine was offered immediately after the marriage ceremony + to the bride and bridegroom generally before they left the church." + The following passage occurs in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew:" + + "After many ceremonies done, + He calls for _wine_. 'A health,' quoth he, as if + He had been abroad carousing to his mates + After a storm.---- Quaffed off the _muscadel_, + And threw the sops all in the sexton's face.] + +The song, the jest, and the cup, detained the company until the +eleventh hour, a time in that primitive period which was considered +late; when mutually pleasing and pleased, the noble guests arose to +separate; and all retired to their respective chambers to repose, +pleased and delighted with the hospitalities of this happy and most +memorable day. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + The bridegroom may forget the bride + Was made his wedded wife yestreen. + + BURNS. + + +It was on a serene autumnal morning succeeding the day of Lady +Adelaide's nuptials, the sun had brilliantly arisen, dispelling the +misty gloom and dews of night, and shed around his broad refracted +rays; unruffled by a passing cloud, a clear and lofty sky spread forth +its mighty canopy of mild aërial blue; the twittering swallows hovered +around, and circled in mid-air, while clustering, they chattered their +parting lullaby. The solitary redbreast too joined in nature's chorus, +and thrilled forth his matin song. Every mountain lake shone forth a +glassy mirror, and the waves of the mighty Atlantic hushed to repose, +slumbered amid their coral caves; what time the minister of the gospel +of peace, the Reverend Doctor M'Kenzie, returned to the castle of his +noble and generous patron, after a long protracted absence of many +years. + +His return had been provokingly delayed by long continued ill health, +and besides by various vexatious detainers, such as bad roads, bad +drivers, the cumbersome, ill-constructed vehicles of those days, +and having encountered various disastrous chances of many "moving +accidents" by sea and land, which had all concurred with direful +combination to retard his journey, and prevent his being present upon +the auspicious day when the lovely heiress of the noble duke was to +bestow her hand in marriage. + +His Reverence received a kind and hearty welcome from the duke and +duchess, and all the inmates of the castle were rejoiced to behold his +return, and to find that his health was quite re-established, so as to +have permitted him to undertake such a long and fatiguing journey. His +health and spirits were indeed much recruited through the beneficial +effects of the waters of Pyrmont, which, like those of fabled Lethe, +seemed to cause a total oblivion of all the perils inflicted amid the +deep, and the dangers and difficulties sustained upon land. + +Matters went on at the castle this day pretty much alike to what they +had upon the preceding ever memorable yesterday, which witnessed the +happy union of Sir David Bruce and the Lady Adelaide. A large company +assembled at the castle, and sat down to a splendid dinner in the great +hall of state. The desert could boast fruits collected from every +quarter of the globe, and every rich, rare, and generous wine, sparkled +on the board, and were poured forth in hospitable libations-- + + "The mellow-tinted Burgundy; and quick + As is the wit it gives, the brisk Champaign." + +In the evening there was a concert of instrumental music, which was +performed on the terrace; cards and supper succeeded; every thing was +conducted and served up in a style at once splendid and superb. + +The company had all departed to their homes, and the guests had +retired to their chambers; but the duke and duchess, and the bride +and bridegroom, still tarried, engaged in pleasant discourse; when +at length the noble host and hostess also took leave, and embracing +their beloved daughter, and cordially shaking Sir David by the hand, +they bade good night, and ascended to their chamber. The bridal pair +now also remained some few moments engaged in sweet converse, when he +said:--"My love, retire to your chamber, and soon I shall follow thee; +I have a letter or two to write, and despatch by the messenger, who at +dawn of day departs to deposit them in the general post. I have too a +few letters to read; these being despatched, quickly I shall retire +anon to our chamber. The night is a cold autumnal one, but I know that +I shall find a blazing fire--a heart still warmer than that fire, and +sweet smiles withal, to welcome me when I shall rejoin thee.--Go, go, +my love!" he said, and affectionately embraced her. + +He sat for some time reading and writing, for the papers were of +importance. He now arose from his chair, and was about to retire to his +happy chamber, when a loud and hollow knock was heard at the portal +gates; the watch dogs were aroused, and loudly and deeply barked. The +old porter cautiously and slowly opened the lattice peep-hole of the +gate to ask, who at this unseasonable hour of the night it was that +would fain demand admittance? The answer given was, that he was a +king's messenger bearing despatches of importance for Sir David Bruce, +and as the glimmering lamp was held forth, he showed the silver badge, +the insignia of his office. The wicket-gate was instantly unbarred, and +he was accordingly admitted. The messenger was shown into the servants' +hall, where supper and refreshments were immediately brought him; and +while he was regaling upon the hospitable cheer of the castle, a bed +was put in readiness for him. Sir David Bruce having seen that all was +as it should be, retired to his chamber. + +It was midnight, the fire in the bridal chamber brightly blazed, and +the wax-lights shot forth their brilliant beams. Sir David seated +himself on a chair beside the bed, and having gently drawn aside the +curtain, he affectionately embraced his bride, while he kindly said, +"My dear Adelaide, I always have been of opinion that no secret nor +mystery should ever exist between man and wife. I know, my love, that +your understanding ranks too high, your love for me is too great, +and your opinion of my character is too elevated ever to induce you, +in any shape or form, to pry into what I may not think necessary to +disclose. For indeed _you_ do not aspire to that _superior wisdom_ +which some of your sex rather somewhat too confidently and arrogantly +assume; the true term and appellation of which properly should be +called _not_ wisdom, but _superior curiosity_! But, my dear love, in +strictest verity I may say of thee, before our happy union, in foreign +realms, and in perilous tracts over land and ocean, that I have ever +witnessed thy equanimity of temper, and always have found thee one and +the same;--ever unchanged and unchangeable! and indeed I know no one +(not even your noble and highly gifted mother) who could, with more +propriety than yourself, assume the motto of the virgin queen-- + + 'Semper eadem!'" + +"Oh, my dear husband!" rejoined Adelaide, "although delighted ever +to hear _your_ praise, yet when you would overstep the due and meet +boundaries of discretion, and, forsooth, make of me an ideal goddess, +it is meet and due time, that stepping down from the lofty pedestal +whereon thou hast been graciously pleased to rear thy fond idol, +for me to intrude a word or two, if it were but to dispel the charm +which fascinates thee, recall thy wandering thoughts from paradise +to earth, and convince thee, at least, that I am but a mere mortal; +and, moreover, a woman to boot, with all a woman's faults--yea, too, +my love, with all a woman's fondness, and the love that no tongue can +utter; and thus I swear it upon thy beloved lips, my first, my only +love!" + +"Oh, my adorable Adelaide," he said, while he met the fond embrace, +"let this blessed moment be ever sacred in our recollection! dawning +with hope and promised joy on all our future days. Oh, my Adelaide, +imperishable let this happy, too happy hour remain, and ever marked +and stamped by a holy communion of heart and mind! Your taste shall +be mine, your liking shall be my liking, your joy be my joy, and your +sorrows (if ever they come) shall be all mine own!--thy disgrace would +become my disgrace, and mine would be attended with yours! But now I +only look upon the happy obverse of the medal, when I pause on your +beauty, your accomplishments, your virtue, and your religion! for +without the latter a woman is a monster, and man little less than a +demon. You must now permit me to say, that you are the theme of every +tongue, the charm of every eye, the idol of every heart, and the bright +ornament of every circle, that might fairly, at thy throne, + + 'Bid kings come bow to it!'" + +"Oh, my dear Bruce, you will turn my brain--no more of hyperbole!" + +"Nay, Adelaide, nay! can I think on all these, and yet not feel the +thrill of transport throbbing at my heart?--quite impossible!--it +could not be so, my love! Between us then let there ever exist a holy +communion of soul that shall support and bear us onward throughout the +trials of this stormy world, gilding the days of health and happiness, +and not deserting us when years increase, and health declines; for +even then the Hymenial torch shall brightly burn, although it may be +with a mild, yet steady light, and only expire upon the tomb! Believe +me the true and indissoluble bond of conjugal affection is no other +than an unreserved and reciprocal interchange of every thought, plan, +purpose, and design. Enduring, meanwhile, a contented participation +of fortune, whether it be prosperous or adverse; possessing only _one +will_, _one mind_, and _one heart_, thus harmoniously resembling a +finely performed air of music, where three voices melodiously melt +into one, and close in full and perfect diapason. Oh, my dear love, if +this conjugal--this perfect harmony, were, as it ought to be, always +preserved, what follies might not be avoided!--what heart-burnings +would ever exist!--what horrible vice might not be shunned!--and what +dread and horrid disgrace might not be prevented! When oft, my love, at +evening time retired in our tranquil solitude, I shall there retrace +the events and transactions of the day that has gone by, then, then, +shall I tell thee of aught perchance which I may have observed in thy +conduct or deportment to censure or to praise. Oh, with what delight +I shall dwell upon all that I approve, while with gentleness I pass +over what I may discommend. And the same sincerity, sweet love, I shall +expect from thee; thou shalt, as in a tablet, set down all my faults +and misdemeanors. It is thus that we shall best fulfil the holy compact +which we entered into yesterday--of abiding by each other in sickness, +sorrow, or in health, in adversity, or in prosperity! And now let me +seal this sacred bond by this warm pressure on thy lips. Thus, my +Adelaide, we ratify this deed of co-partnership!" + +He then added playfully, "Certes I ever have been of opinion that, +although corporeally speaking, man and wife are two bodies, yet am I +at the same time of opinion that they should have between them but one +mind. However, I am altogether not unreasonable withal, and therefore +feel not disinclined to allow them _the firm_ of TWO hearts; +but I ever must protest against dissolution of partnership!" + +Then sweetly smiling, he said, "Here, my love, I bear in my hand +despatches of high importance, and brought by a king's messenger; I +needs must cut their silken tressure ere I can peruse the contents +thereof; pray you therefore direct me, my dearest love, where I may +find your _etui_, or work-box, as I now stand in need of a penknife, or +your ladyship's shears, to cut the silky-gordian knot of this important +packet?" + +Adelaide replied, "Truly, my dearest love, I do not know where to +direct you, the events of yesterday have quite caused me to forget; +but open yonder cabinet of ebon, inlaid with ivory, which stands in +yonder recess, search it, perhaps there a penknife or shears may be +found." + +"_May_ find! Adelaide, nay now, thou art what truly I did not suspect +that thou wert, a most unthrifty housewife!" + +Sir David Bruce approached the cabinet; it contained many curious +and secret drawers; at length sprung forth one opened by a spring, +which unconsciously he had touched, when the drawer fell from the +cabinet, and lo! forth was flung from it, and, to his infinite horror +and surprise, he saw, and scarce could believe his eyes, a whinger! +[_i. e._ a Scottish knife or poniard, answering for both purposes,] +which trundled on the floor with a foreboding sound. The handle was of +silver, richly wrought; it bore the crest of Bruce, namely, a dexter +hand and arm cased in armour, wielding a royal sceptre, and supported +on a cap of maintenance; and beneath was engraved the motto of The +Bruce, FUIMUS! While, oh! horrible to tell, deeply were +imprinted "on the blade and dudgeon gouts of blood," and which seemed +to have been there "long before," rusted and corroded as they were by +time. Oh, when this was done it was + + "In human guilt a portent and an era! + 'Tis of those crimes whose eminent fame hell joys at; + And the celestial angels that look on it + Wish their keen airy vision dim and narrow!" + +Maddened with furious rage, he frantic raised the gory poniard from +the ground, and rushing with dreadful impetuosity to the bed-side, he +presented the fatal dagger at Adelaide's heart. + +"Oh strike--strike Sir David, and by _thy_ hand let me die! But indeed, +indeed, I am innocent!" + +"Thou, innocent!--hah, hah, hah!" with a violent hysteric expression he +repeated--"_Innocent!_--thou witch, fiend, sorceress, devil!---- _Thou_ +innocent!--no, no!--thou hast held unholy converse and communion with +the arch-fiend, and with all the demons of darkness and of hell! But +tell!--come, this instant tell! or on this spot--aye, thy bridal bed, +thou surely shalt die--this moment thou shalt die! Tell at once then, +how, where, and when, from whom didst thou receive?--No, no deceit, no +prevarication will be allowed nor tolerated. Tell, oh tell, thou devil, +although moulded in an angel's form! Tell, I conjure thee tell!" + +"Oh, spare--spare me, and I shall tell thee all!--each particular shalt +thou know. It---- It was upon the _Eve of All-Hallows_, some ten years +ago--I forget the year--when foolishly, with some young friends, upon +my birth-day, of which it was the fatal anniversary, I impiously dared +to tempt my fate, or try my fortune, by one of those mystic accursed +tricks that are too oft resorted to--" + +"Come, come, less words, lady, and more facts! I demand expedition, +for my impatience cannot brook delay; so come, continue thy accursed +tale----quickly proceed!" + +"Oh, terrible to recollect, and still more terrible to tell. It was +midnight! and, true to his compact, the phantom, whom I had charmed, +appeared in my chamber at the same time of night as now. I had caused +a collation to be served, consisting of viands, fruits, confections, +and wine; which were placed upon a table in the centre of the room; +a chair was placed near it, between the table and the fire; upon +another table was displayed the toilette, where were placed a silver +basin, napkin, and a golden ewer, which was filled with rose-water, +and bestrewed with flowers. The fire blazed brilliantly bright, and +wax-lights shed their lustre on the collation. Meanwhile, trembling +fearfully, I lay in my bed, with my back to the light; upon the +counterpane I had stationed a large mirror, (with a trembling hand and +a palpitating heart,) in order that I might behold distinctly reflected +on its polished surface the image of whatever object might place itself +at either of the tables, which, from the position in which I was +placed, I could not fail to see. Thus stationed, was heard a fearful +rumbling sound, as if issuing down the chamber chimney; then followed +a noise, loud and like to the electric shock of a thunderbolt, which +sounded as if it had burst through the chimney-flue, and from whence +was forcibly flung, with an astounding crash, upon the hearth-stone +of this very chamber, that same dread and fearful instrument which +you now uphold! Sad, sorrowful, and dreadful is the recollection. Yet +still I had the courage to look upon the mirror which I held, when I +instantly and fearfully saw reflected in it a cloud of blue flame, +which illuminated within its cloud of fire, exposed suddenly a tall +and manly chieftain, whose figure boldly emanating from the mist which +surrounded it, seemed clad in a Tartan plaid; his head was covered, or +crowned, with a Scottish bonnet, adorned with plumes, and surmounted by +the Scottish thistle, which sparkled in gold embroidery. The figure, +or spectre, or whatever that unsightly vision might be, held forth to +me his hands, which were bloody; he then sat down to the banquet; he +tasted, but eat not; sipped, but he did not drink: and then on the +sudden arose from his seat, slightly dipped his hands in rose-water, +and applied the napkin. This at the time did virtually all appear a +vision, dreadfully reflected within the glass which I held on my +couch. Yea, you look amazed! but I did see it all, and am too well +convinced it was _no vision_!--for still horribly, even now through the +lapse of years, I see it still! fresh in my memory, and never, never to +be forgotten! While thus, all terrified and petrified, I looked upon +the awful form, or spectre; frightfully and passionately it grinned +upon me a demon's smile, and said in deep sepulchral voice: + + With this red hand, thou Adelaide shalt wed, + And keep this trophy for our bridal bed! + +The phantom then, or whatever it was, fiercely took up the dagger, +and dashed it horribly against the mirror I held, which it shivered +into pieces. Then the bloody instrument fell upon the floor, and the +spectre vanished: while I fell into a dreadful trance, which lasted +for hours, and from which I grieve that ever I did waken to witness +this most wretched night! While the phantom vanished, the heavens +loudly thundered, and the vivid lightning illumed this fatal chamber. +Oh, the crash of the mirror I never can forget, nor the ominous fall +of the blood-stained dagger as it fearfully trundled upon the oaken +floor!--these two ominous circumstances too surely manifested that this +was _no dream_! Oh no, they pierced my heart to conviction! That dread +and awful moment of my life I never can forget!--only to be equalled, +and only to be outdone, by the agonies which now I so severely undergo +in this unhappy hour! Oh, Sir David, in pity at once kill me, and end +my sorrow and my suffering together!--you hold the bloody instrument, +oh then strike!--strike, there's my bosom!--I fear not to die--oh +kill me, I beseech thee!--in mercy, at once destroy me! But, oh, do +not--do not look thus again!--It was thus the awful spectre looked, +while thus the fire flashed from his visage!--Thus! it was _thus_ he +frowned! and like thee he spoke! Oh--oh, I never saw thee look thus +before!--never, never! _Ah!_ THOU!--_thou!_ THYSELF _wert_ THAT +_spectre_!!" + +"No, no, Adelaide, no! I looked not thus; it was the infernal fiend, +from the lowest depth of hell, that looked thus, and then assumed my +shape and form! At that moment I was on ship-board, Dr. M'Kenzie was +my fellow-voyager, who can vouch for the same; we had then left the +Scottish shore, and the destination of the vessel was for Ireland. +This weapon, which now I hold, I then flung into the hissing waves, +when unearthly voices and unearthly music met mine ear, and smote my +heart!--Oh, it was then that I suffered the deep-thrilling agonizing +horrors of the damned. The arch-fiend, I felt, was working in my bosom; +and strongly, desperately, was I tempted to fling myself into the +same remorseless element into which I had flung this blood-besprent +instrument--the damned testimony of my crime; and by so doing end +at once my earthly misery! But even then I lifted up my humble +supplication to heaven, although with crimsoned hands! I fell into a +trance, and lay to all appearance lifeless upon the deck.---- You seem +to doubt!" + +"Oh, yes, yes; I see it all!--that frown--that look! Oh, thou, thou, +wert that horrible spectre!" + +Having thus replied, poor Adelaide, with a piteous, heart-rending +scream, and to all appearance as if life had fled, sunk down, pale and +ghastly as a corse, upon her pillow. It was indeed some time before Sir +David could bring her to herself. When the hapless Adelaide recovered +from her faint, he said: "My reproaches now are at an end. For you now +are the object of my compassion and of my pity, not of my wrath. It is +however true, that although infernal agents have given you a husband, +yet know they have not the power to cause me to remain with you one +hour more!--There I am a free agent. No, no!--not Lucifer himself shall +detain me here!--no, nor all thy witchery! Within a short hour, or +less, I depart from hence, and never, never more to return; and I shall +be no more seen!" + +With a desperate grasp, then stooping, he seized and held up the +fatal dagger, the deadly record of his grief--the _sævi monumentum +doloris_--the bloody pledge of his crime--the avengeful instrument of +his rage, stamped with the crimsoned tears of unabated and unabatable +grief!... "Yet before I go, look, lady, upon that dagger!--whose +blood, think you, it is with which it is imbued?--You shall hear!... +That once was noble blood--it was valiant blood--the proudest blood of +Caledon--the blood of her royal race of kings! And, oh, wretch that +I am!--it was the blood of my brother--my only brother!--yea, and my +elder born! rashly, madly, wickedly shed by me!--yes!... Oh, still +gaze upon it--turn not thine eyes away. It was blood nearly, deeply, +none nearer, allied to me, and beloved. But, but this--all this was +forgot in the moment of delirium--of madness! It was the blood of my +elder brother--yea, an only brother!... Oh, Adelaide, look not thus +again!--my weary, sickening heart, condemns me enough---- enough. Well, +well, we lived in the same home, we partook of the same board, we slept +in the same bed.... Oh, oh my brain, how it maddens! and my heart would +fain burst!... Yet, yet, yet I slew him--in rage, madness, I did!--I +did, I did--monster that I am!... Lady, behold I weep!--Ah, I did +not weep when my poor brother died!--and when this I plunged into his +beloved breast!--No, no, no! But it is just, it is truly just, that +heaven's vengeance should make this base instrument of my crime, this +fratricidal dagger, the fatal cause which now separates me from all +happiness upon earth; and divorces me, body and soul, from thee--oh, +whom I loved better--yea, beyond life itself! But time advances, and I +must depart from hence--oh, and for ever! One parting look, and then +I am gone. Oh, thou precious mischief!--so young, so fascinating, so +beautiful! Oh, my very heart shall burst!... Yet, yet--oh, must it +be!--and must we part?... Lady, from hence I go, and shall be no more +seen; peradventure too no more be remembered. Well, well, let justice +have its vengeance and its victim too! Yes, yes, let it be so." + +Here, pallid as death, and woe-stricken, he gave one sad, one last, +agonizing look upon that face that he had so well beloved--the face +of one with whom to part were worse than death itself. Then sad and +sorrowful, in a dejected tone, he said:--"Oh, Adelaide, we have loved +as others yet have never loved; now heart-broken and sorrow-stricken I +here must bid a sad and solemn farewell. Yet, oh, must we part?--Yes, +we _must_ part--oh, and for _ever_! Never, never again in this wide +world to meet!--again, never! Oh, farewell--one sad, one sorrowful +farewell, and hence I go.... Farewell! forgive and forget, if thou +canst forget (to forgive were impossible) that such a wretched outcast +exists as David Bruce!" + +Here he sobbed like a child, while he slowly and silently withdrew, +gently closing after him the chamber door. But suddenly he returned, +and approaching the bed-side, he thus addressed Adelaide: "It were best +that the mournful tale which now I have disclosed to thee, as well too +as thine own, should be kept inviolably secret, and remain for ever +unknown. Divulge not then thine own criminal weakness; neither expose +the enormity of my guilt. Oh, how often and often have I wished, have I +longed for, aye, and have courted death;--yea often too have I keenly +sought him in flood and field. But in vain. It almost seemed as if I +had borne a charmed life. Often I + + "Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; + And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open + The breast of heaven, I did present myself + Even in the aim and very flash of it," + +in anxious hope that it might strike a guilty fratricide dead!---- Now, +now, you must say, and swear too, upon this blood-stained +poniard!--swear never--no, never! to reveal what this sad and eventful +night has developed; save it be upon your death-bed alone that you may +divulge it. Come, I demand thy oath; I must have thy solemn oath--thy +sanctified oath of secrecy! But I will not place that horrid instrument +to thy lips, to swear by! No, no! I could not do it--I would not. +Oh, no--if even past joys and hopes again were to return--no! But +there--there, place thy hand upon that horrible instrument of my deep +damnation! Swear upon it!--solemnly swear upon that blood-besprent +dagger. Swear!--I charge thee, swear!---- Oh, yet weep not, my poor +Adelaide! Oh, no!--weep not thus, my Adelaide, or I forego my purpose; +and soon, then, this dagger shall be plunged into mine own guilty +bosom!---- Thou hast heard me---- my love! Oh, yes, yes, my love; for +still, oh, still art thou dear to me--dearer than life--ay, or even the +blessed hopes of ******!--although we never may meet again!---- There, +I beseech thee! yet there place thy hand upon that instrument +of my torture--of my unspeakable woe--and of my deep and deadly +crime.--Swear! + +Adelaide firmly clasped the fatal instrument, and then exclaimed: "I +swear, I solemnly swear, to observe to the very letter all thou hast +now enjoined!" + +"Oh," replied he, dejected and overcome, "how cold, how deadly cold, +is thy hand, my poor, poor Adelaide!--frozen as are all my hopes, +and chilled, chilled--deadly chilled as is my own wretched heart's +blood. Oh, I shall lose my reason! Oh God, what an hour is this? But +pardon me, thou Almighty power. It was I, the impassioned wretch, +that flew forth in thy defiance, like another branded criminal--the +blood-besprinkled Cain, whose mark, I fear, is stamped upon my forehead +and in my heart. But, oh, great and dread Omnipotent, thou art truly +just--and I am guilty. Most justly do I confess that I am punished +as I ought to be, by thy retributive justice, even upon earth--the +irreparable loss of her whom no earthly power upon this habitable spot +of earth can ever alleviate or redeem!--never, never, never!" + +While Sir David Bruce impassionately and woefully said this, he fell +prostrate, and cold, and lifeless, upon the floor of the bridal chamber. + +To describe the emotions of Adelaide, would be to attempt indeed an +impracticable task. It was so truly horrifying and affecting, that it +must wholly be left to the imagination of the feeling reader. It was +some time before Sir David recovered from this overpowering blow of +affliction. When he did recover, he said mournfully:-- + +"Sorrow has paralyzed me; and I who often have cleft in twain the +helmet of the foeman, now shrink and bend before thee, my much-injured +love. A guilty conscience hath unmanned me quite. But oh, my poor +Adelaide, time presses onward; the night wears apace, and I must now +conclude the few words which I have to say to thee. You must tell the +duke and duchess--boldly, as it is true, to account for the rapidity +of my departure--that the import of the despatches received, which are +from the Elector Palatine of Brandenburgh, in whose service I fought +at the battle of the Boyne, bear with them life or death, and I must +instantly depart. Thus summoned so suddenly, say to them, and kindly +say, that I could not await their arising for the slow ceremony of +leave-taking, but that I was forced to hasten forthwith, even amidst +the cold and darkness of midnight, with all the expedition I might. +And ... when hence I am gone, and thou shalt silently sit in judgment +on my passion, and upon my crime, and shalt pronounce condemnation on +the destroyer of a brother's life, and of a wife's happiness--oh, even +then still think how fervently, how affectionately, how devotedly, I +loved thee;--yea, and in _my very heart's core_!... And now a long +farewell--for ever farewell. Mayst thou obtain that peace that is to me +denied and lost in this world for ever!" + +Having thus said, sad, sorrowful, and slow, he descended from the +bridal chamber, the tears streaming adown his manly cheeks. Meantime +he had lighted a lamp which lay in the recess, and bearing it in his +hand, with cautious and silent step, he descended the staircase; and +having gone out at the postern, he proceeded to the stables, where, +having called up his faithful servant, he ordered his horses instantly +to be saddled, and in less than half an hour all was in readiness for +his departure,--servant, horses, travelling valise, &c. &c. And now +Sir David, and his faithful servant Malcolm, who had attended him +at the battle of the Boyne, proceeded beneath the embattled portal +of Tyrconnel Castle, never again to return. The solitary bittern +mournfully boomed as they rode along the lonely marsh, and the +startled eagle from his lofty eirie-crag loudly shrieked, awakened by +the tramp of the horse-hoofs, which were deeply re-echoed through this +stilly solitude, in the dark and dismal hour of midnight. + +Oh, what pen can write, what tongue can tell, what heart can feel, save +the heart which deeply hath felt it, how bitter are the pangs of a +wounded spirit, when love becomes horribly transformed into rancorous +and deadly hate! Oh, happy it were then that "the silver cord were +loosened, and the golden bowl were broken," what time the sweet bond of +harmony snapt suddenly in twain, dissevered by a rude and discordant +crash, when two fond, faithful, and affectionate hearts, are changed +in one short, sad, and eventful moment--becoming, alas, fatally and +irrevocably estranged and separated for ever. + + "Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure, + Thrill the deepest notes of woe!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + And tell me, I charge you---- + Why fold ye your mantles, why cloud ye your brows? + So spake the stern chieftain.--No answer is made; + But each mantle unfolding, a dagger display'd. + + CAMPBELL. + + +We must now go still further back into our history, and give some +account of Sir David Bruce, and the unhappy causes that led to so +unexpected and so speedy a termination of a connexion honourable and +enviable in every respect, and indeed every way deserving of happier +results. + +In the parish of Kirkoswald, in Ayrshire, is situated the ancient and +the celebrated castle of Turnberry, stationed upon the north-west point +of a rocky angle of the coast, extending towards Girvan. This castle +belonged to Sir Robert Bruce, Laird of Annandale. The situation of the +castle of Turnberry is extremely delightful, commanding a full view +of the Frith of Clyde, and its indented shores. Upon the land side it +overlooks a richly extended plain, bounded by distant hills, which rise +around in gradual and beautiful undulations, and adorned to their very +summits with woods of mountain-ash, oak, and the most graceful of all +trees, in glen, plain, valley, or mountain, the weeping birch. + +The lord of this castle--we should say "the laird"--was Sir Robert +Bruce, and with him resided his twin-brother, Sir David Bruce, the +hero of this eventful tale. This castle had belonged in the olden time +to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died nobly fighting, as a true and +valiant Red-Cross Knight, in the Holy Land; who left an only daughter, +named Martha Countess of Carrick. This noble lady having accidentally +met Robert Bruce, (the ancestor of our hero,) Laird of Annandale in +Scotland, and Baron Cleveland in England, while he was occupied in a +hunting party near her castle, his manners, deportment, and person, +pleased the countess; she invited him to the castle of Turnberry, and +they were speedily married. + +From this illustrious marriage sprung the kings of Scotland of the +royal race of Stuart;--and hence the successors of Bruce, until they +ascended the throne of Scotland, were styled _Earls of Carrick_; +and this title still appertains to the heir apparent to the throne +of England, one of the titles of the Prince of Wales being "Earl of +Carrick and Lord of the Isles." + +Robert was the ancestor of David, who married a lady of the noble +house of Moray. Sir David Bruce, Laird of Annandale, died when young, +leaving two sons, Robert and David, (the latter the subject of these +memoirs,) and appointing, by his last will and testament, his lady and +the Reverend George Wardlaw, D. D., as guardians to his sons. His death +was soon followed by that of his lady. And the young men, now grown up, +having received a due preparatory education from the Reverend Doctor, +whilom fellow of St. Andrew's College, were there shortly matriculated +as students. But Robert soon got tired of his Reverend tutor and the +grave and ponderous tomes of Saint Andrew's, which were soon exchanged +for the academy of nature, the wooded banks of the Doon, and the rocky, +romantic shores of Ayrshire. + +David, on the contrary, pursued his academic studies with much +perseverance, and with very considerable credit, calling forth the +approbation and praise of his Reverend tutor and the heads of that +learned seminary. + +While in the university he formed an intimacy with Thomas Lord Maxwell, +which was soon cemented into friendship. They were chums; their +studies, pursuits, and tastes coincided, and they were inseparable +companions. + +Upon one occasion Lord Maxwell saved the life of Sir David Bruce. They +were one day, during college vacation, amusing themselves in fishing +for pike and perch in a small row-boat on the Loch of Lindores; when +suddenly a squall of wind coming on, the boat overset. Bruce, not +knowing how to swim, would certainly have been drowned; but Lord +Maxwell said: "Be calm, and I will save you;--be firm, and fear +not!--Closely lock your arms around my waist; but do not by any means +impede my exertions, and trust me I shall bring you safe to shore." + +Lord Maxwell faithfully fulfilled his promise, by conducting his friend +with the utmost safety to land, which they at length providentially +reached, both much wearied and exhausted, having had a considerable +distance to swim. + +This adventure still further increased that mutual regard and +friendship which had long existed between them. Danger, like death, is +a leveller of all distinctions; it places those mutually encountering +it on an equality, and forms a bond of union not easy to be broken. It +can then be well imagined how much this event tended to strengthen and +confirm a friendship that was not of hasty growth. + +The terms necessary to be kept at the university having now expired. +Lord Maxwell and Sir David Bruce took their departure from it, with the +regard and regret of all who knew them;--the former returning to his +ancient and magnificent castle of Caerlaverock,[8] in Dumfrieshire; +when Sir David Bruce retired to his brother's residence at Turnberry +Castle, in Ayrshire. + + [Footnote 8: This castle and its fortifications were demolished + by Sir Eustace Maxwell, (the steady, warm-hearted friend of King + Robert Bruce,) lest it should fall into the hands of the enemy: + and for which generous action lands were given to him, the tenure + by which he held them being thus noticed:--"_Pro fractione et + prostratione castri de Caerlaverock_," &c. &c.] + +David was truly glad to meet his brother after so long an absence, +and Robert kindly received him. Here the brothers passed their time +in rural sports and pastimes, enjoying the sun and summer months in +admiring the views of nature; never within the castle during the +day-time, often wandering even at night in the open air, among the +mountains and the woods. The winter they spent in the chase, while the +sun was up;[9] or in practising the broad sword, at which David was +particularly expert. For + + "The sword that seem'd fit for archangel to wield, + Was light in his terrible hand." + + [Footnote 9: Dalrymple's Memoirs.] + +In archery, and in wielding the Lochabor axe, they were both equally +skilled. Their evenings they passed in assembling, with their +surrounding neighbours, around the social fire in the great baronial +hall, or entertaining themselves with the song, the tale, and the dance. + +To the pleasures arising from the perusal of history and poetry, David +united a fine taste for music; and to these were added an ardent love +of classical learning, and an enthusiastic admiration of the scenery of +nature. Every day witnessed him to wander abroad and gaze with rapture +on the expanded lake, the lofty mountain, the frowning rock, and the +thundering cataract. These extended and elevated his strong mind, on +which was stamped the impress and originality of thought, an unshaken +independence of mind, emanating from Nature herself.--Refinement in +sentiment was contrasted to strength and hardiness of body. His manners +were polite and endearing, as his deportment was simple and unassuming: + + "He bloom'd the pride of Caledonia's youth, + In virtue, valour, and external grace." + +He was warm and cordial in his affections; he was modest as he was +brave. His character was that of much decision--a proud, independent, +and a lofty spirit. He could forgive injuries against himself; and he +could do more--he could also forget them. + +But the character of Robert was stamped in a different mould. He +was enterprising, artful, bold, boisterous, treacherous, cruel, +unforgiving, and suspicious withal: possessing too a strong portion in +his disposition of that + + "Pale envy, which withers at another's joy, + And hates the excellence which it cannot reach," + +Robert looked with a jealous and a jaundiced eye on the superior +accomplishments and attainments of his brother; and he heard with +strong, unmixed, and undisguised hatred and disgust, all the praises +that were daily lavished on the worth, generosity, and humanity of +David, whom Robert considered in every respect as his inferior. Hence +arose daily reproaches between the brothers, which necessarily and +inevitably went to dissolve that unity in which brethren ever should +delight to dwell. + +There were at this time two rival and hostile clans in their vicinity, +the Maxwells of Nithisdale, and the Johnstones of Annandale. The chief +of the former clan was Lord Maxwell, the college chum and friend of Sir +David Bruce; and the chief of the Johnstones was Sir Eustace Johnstone, +the friend of Sir Robert. This opposition of clanship, and the brothers +espousing different sides, added still further to increase the growing +ill-will which now existed between the twin brothers. + +It will now be necessary to revert to the original feud between the +Maxwells and the Johnstones,[10] or, as it was emphatically called, +"The foul debate," one indeed of the most remarkable feuds upon the +western marches. This feud occurred between John Lord Maxwell, the +father of the friend of Sir David Bruce (John Lord Maxwell), and the +Laird of Johnstone. Two bands of mercenaries, commanded by Captains +Cranstoun and Larie, were sent from Edinburgh to support Johnstone, who +were attacked and cut to pieces at Crawford-muir, by Robert Maxwell, +natural brother to the chieftain, who following up his advantages, +burned Johnstone's castle of Lockwood. The Johnstones soon appearing +with only forty horsemen, engaged double that number of the enemy, put +them to flight, and pursuing a certain length, and through deep design +then as suddenly retreated. They were soon followed by the whole body +of the enemy, with Lord Maxwell at their head, until they came to +the Torwood, on the south-east side of the Dryfe Sands, from whence +instantly four hundred of the Annandale men sprung up, flew upon the +surprised enemy, and after a short but bloody struggle, put them into +confusion; and being joined by a few Scots from Eskdale, under the +Laird of Buccleugh, completed their victory, killing upwards of seven +hundred of the Nithsdale men. The Annandale men being now reinforced, +routed their enemy; the Maxwells drove them to the Gotterbury Ford of +the river Annan, where many were drowned. + + [Footnote 10: _Vide_ "Minstrelsy of the Scottish + border."--"Beauties of Scotland."] + +Lockwood Castle, the residence of the family of Annandale, was very +beautifully situated, and commanded a very extensive prospect. It must +have been a place of great strength, having had prodigiously thick +walls, and being surrounded with impassable bogs and morasses. It was +this circumstance that made James the sixth to say, that "The man who +built Lockwood, though outwardly honest, must have been a knave in his +heart." + +"This fatal battle," which we have now detailed, "was followed by a +long feud, attended with all the circumstances of horror proper to a +barbarous age."[11] + + [Footnote 11: "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border," vol. I. p. 218.] + +One day David having returned from an excursion on horseback, he said +to his brother, who had declined riding out with him, "The weather has +proved very favourable, though the morning lowered." + +"Have you rode far?" inquired Robert. + +"I have been with old Davie Maxwell, not farther." + +"Ay," rejoined Robert, "but far enough, I dare swear, to relieve the +needy carl's wants." + +"I did so, certainly," said David--"what then?" + +"And more the fool you for doing so," remonstrated Robert. "Now," added +he, "there is not a man in Scotland, from Skye to Solway Firth, that +would have done so but yourself!" + +"And that," rejoined David, "was the very reason that I did it!" + +"A kindness conferred on one of a hostile clan, was held as an +offence, if not an affront to the chieftain: + + ----"What tie so sacred + As those that to his name and kindred vassals + The noble chieftain bind?"[12] + + [Footnote 12: Joanna Baillie's "_Family Legend_."] + +"An injury done to one of a clan was always considered an injury +done to all, on account of the common relation of blood.--Hence the +Highlanders were in the habitual practice of war: and hence their +attachment to their chieftain and to each other was founded upon two of +the most active principles of human nature, love of their friends, and +resentment against their enemies."[13] + + [Footnote 13: Dalrymple's Memoirs.] + +They went always completely armed.--Their arms were a broad sword, a +dagger (called a dirk), a target, a musket, and a brace of pistols. +It was a principle deeply imbibed by them, to die with pleasure to +revenge affronts offered to their clan or to their country. + +To put an end to this terrible feud, a bond of alliance was subscribed +by Lord Maxwell and Sir Eustace Johnstone, and the two clans for some +time lived together in harmony. + +To celebrate this reconciliation between the late hostile clans, Sir +Robert Bruce determined upon giving a splendid banquet, to which +were invited Lord Maxwell and his clan of Nithsdale, and Sir Eustace +Johnstone and the clan of Annandale. The day of the grand fete arrived; +it was the thirty-first of October, 1600 and---- (a memorable day). +The choicest wines and the richest foreign fruits crowned the festive +board; the forest, the muir, the lake, and the sea, yielded their +treasures of flesh, fowl, and fish, to furnish forth the lordly +banquet. An immense fire blazed forth to warm the baronial hall, and +the fine gothic chandelier, which hung from the oaken and richly-carved +ceiling, threw an imposing light around. + +In this highly decorated hall the walls were covered with gorgeous +tapestry from the splendidly brilliant looms of Arras, and which +presented to the delighted eye various patriotic stories from Scottish +as well as from Roman history. Here the feats of Wallace, there the +victories of the Bruce; here were seen Marcus Curtius plunging with +his charger into the yawning gulf, who nobly devoted his life for his +country! Next frowned Brutus on the banished Tarquins; and next were +portrayed the glorious achievements of the Decii and Fabii. + +The guests in due order arrived; and good-humour and hilarity shed +their social charms. The harp and the bagpipe were alternately played +during dinner. The cloth being removed, the song and the tale passed +round. One of the Annandale clan sung the following song:-- + + +THE LASS OF YARROW. + + O! the lovely lass of Yarrow, + Nane is like the lass of Yarrow; + The sedge grows green by Gala's stream; + Her name I'll carve upon the willow. + + I've roam'd the sunny braes of Ayr, + Hae ranged the bonnie banks of Doon; + Beheld the winsome lassies there, + In vernal morn and simmer's noon. + But the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c. + + I've sail'd on Katrine's leesome lake, + Hae climb'd the lofty Lomond's brow; + Fair nymphs hae seen o' heav'nly make-- + So sweet a form yet ne'er till now, + Like the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c. + +This song was well received. The goblet having opened their hearts, +prevented them from being too fastidious in their criticism. A song was +now loudly called for from the Nithsdale clan, when auld Davie Maxwell, +with much feeling sung the following: + + +I WINNA TELL, HER HEART 'TWAD BREAK. + + I winna tell my Jeanie dear + Our bairn's to battle gane; + Her heart wad break, unshed a tear, + For him, our anely wean. + + I mauna tell--I dare nae speak + The direful words accurst; + The tale my Jeanie's heart wad break, + And then my ane wad burst! + + I'll say that to the Hielands flane, + Or to the village fair, + Our manly, darling bairn's gane; + But nae ane ward o' war! + + Or thae amid the birken shaw, + Or in the Rowan-Bower, + Or wand'ring o'er the heathry haugh, + To while awa the hour. + + But ah! nae mair I'll Jeanie tell, + Nor word of battle speak, + Nor at Kil'kranky's pass he fell, + For then her heart wad break! + +This pathetic little production produced much applause. And now +stoups of claret circled round the table, certainly in an increased +ratio of rapidity. Nor was the native Fairntosh neglected; for some, +who complained that claret was too cold for a Caledonian stomach, +accordingly fortified the same with some simple potations of their +native spirit. + +The wish of the company now seemed to be for a song that partook of +a martial nature; and the following was sung by one of the clan of +Johnstone:-- + + +WAR SONG. + + Health to the chieftain on hill or in hall, + Whose front no foeman could ever appal! + The first and foremost his foes to attack, + His face they all know--they ne'er saw his back! + The targe his pillow, his couch the heather, + Defying claymore, dirk, and the weather. + Down with all foemen!--What clanship shall sever + Our bond of alliance? Never--oh, never! + Never--oh, never! + +This song was loudly applauded by a grand chorus, which was performed +by the company striking the handles of their daggers on the finely +carved table, on which were emblazoned the arms and achievements of the +house of Bruce; and the song was loudly encored. + +The clan of Maxwell now in their turn were called upon for a martial +song, when one of the officers sung, in a measure _presto et +furioso_:-- + + +LORD MAXWELL'S SLOGAN. + +I. + + I have deepen'd my phalanx, and call'd forth my clan; + They are true unto death, from the rear to the van! + Their broad targes are tough, and their claymores are sharp, + Shrill symphony meet for the wild war-pipe and harp; + Their firm hands they hold ready; their bold hearts beat strong; + Their dirks are stout steel-proof, and their pole-axes long. + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + For their prowess was proved by banner and claymore. + Huzza, huzza! + +II. + + To encounter for kindred, our clan, and our name, + To a Lowlander these are far dearer than fame; + To avenge the bold insult, dare glance at our clan, + And die for our country, is to die like a man! + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + We'll die as we ought, by our banner and claymore! + Huzza, huzza! + +III. + + Huzza!--how we'll shriek on the day of the battle, + In collision broad-sword and bay'net shall rattle, + Our fierce foemen astound in the terrible charge, + While death boldly strikes home thro' tartan and targe. + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + We'll conquer, or die by our banner and claymore! + Huzza, huzza! + +This slogan was chorussed by several hundreds of dirks, which, now +unscabbarded, were loudly thundered on the hospitable board, and which +glittered ominously in the reflected light of the blazing chandelier. + +The men of Annandale now started up; when claymore, dirk, and whinger, +flew forth from their scabbards. The men of Nithsdale rose too at the +same instant, and all was uproar, madness, riot, and inebriation; and +the fierce and implacable hatred of the two clans, which, not extinct, +had secretly lurked in their veins, now blazed forth with increased +fury. It seemed as if fate had pronounced, + + "Let the loud trumpet far and near proclaim + Our bloody feast, and at the rousing sound + Let every clansman of the hated name + His vengeful weapon clench." + +Malcolm, a faithful and affectionate follower and foster-brother of Sir +David Bruce, foreseeing that the fete would end in a renewal of the old +feud, took his own measures accordingly for his master's safety, and +lost no time in pre-arranging his plans, and these he put in train, +while all was noise and uproar at the banquet. He saw not unobserved +how rapidly stoup of claret succeeded stoup, without any _interregnum_, +and glasses of Fairntosh were dashed down in never-ending repetition. +The war songs seemed too surely to strike the key of discord; passion +begun to explode; word brought on word, and blow brought on blow. Then +rung claymore upon iron breastplate, and upon leathern target. The +scream of maddened wrath mingled with the groan of death. + +The combatants next deeply closed their ranks. Broad-swords were +trundled down upon the floor; and dirk and whinger madly shook, and +thrust home the murderous stab from vengeful hands, prompt to execute +bloody retaliation at this fatal banquet. + +Whether from premeditated, dark, and long-purposed design, or whether +in the impulse of sudden and infuriated passion, or merely arising +from the confusion and collision of crossing weapons and tumultuous +struggles, it is impossible to decide;--but the fatal result of the +bloody affray was; that Sir Robert Bruce stabbed Lord Maxwell, who, it +will be recollected, had saved the life of his brother David. + +Upon this attempt, and before it could be executed, David endeavoured +to save his friend, but in vain; his brother Robert exclaiming with a +furious air and voice, "What! dare my dependants beard me in my own +hall!" + +Lord Maxwell now fell lifeless on the ground. David, as he beheld the +preserver of his life perish by the hand of his brother, in a paroxysm +of rage and infuriated madness, drew forth his dirk, and rushed +forward. The other combatants, horror-struck at the direful conflict +that arose between the twin brothers, suspended their own to interpose. +But this interposition served only to aggravate the violence it was +intended to suppress. The brothers now struggled less because they +were incensed than because they were withheld; and when they furiously +burst from the arms that held them, rushed against each other with a +blind and staggering shock. The impulse was unintentional, but the +result was fatal. The weapon of David, held in an unconscious hand, +pierced him to whom he was opposed. He saw not whom it was--he drew his +weapon back--it was reeking with a brother's blood![14] + + [Footnote 14: This bloody deed, it must be confessed, was a + dereliction and violation of all the strict laws of hospitality, + which were so duly enforced in Scotland--which forbad a host to + murder his guest. But we have detailed the savage character of Sir + Robert Bruce, the hostility of the two clans, and the barbarism of + the times; and have only to say, that "_Exceptio probat regulam_."] + +Here Malcolm caught the eye and seized the arm of Bruce. No time was +to be lost. The general confusion aided the attempt.--Seizing with +a Goliath grasp upon Bruce's arm, he dragged him on, while David's +retainers rushed between their chieftain and immediate death, the +punishment of his involuntary fratricide. Malcolm next suddenly raised +up the arras, which with as much haste and promptitude he let fall +behind him and Bruce. Next pushing open a small narrow door, which was +secreted behind the tapestry, they swiftly passed through it, which was +on the instant closed by Malcolm, who quickly flung home its massive +bolts and bars at the inner side, which necessarily fully prevented all +attack or pursuit. They were now safe from their enemies so far, at +least. The bugle-horn they heard rung lustily from the warder's tower; +distinctly, too, they heard the rattling chain of the draw-bridge, +as it was hastily raised to prevent the flight of David. The cavalry +were now ordered to horse, and to pursue;--the hackbutteers mounted +the battlements, and peeped from the embrasures; while bugle, bagpipe, +drum, and trumpet, sounded pursuit. The commingled and discordant +sounds were heard floating over tower, parapet, and battlement, and +were deeply re-echoed by rock, islet, and promontory, and hoarsely +answered by the storm-beat wave tiding to the shore. + +Meanwhile the faithful Malcolm led on Bruce through several intricate +winding passages, until they reached a sallyport which opened on the +margin of the sea, where they were for the present removed from the +scene of danger. The mode by which they had escaped was quite unknown +to their enemies; and now they paused to inhale the breeze of heaven, +and cool their wearied brows from the fatigue and horrors which they +had encountered. + +Here Bruce said:--"Thanks, my dear and faithful follower, my honest +Malcolm, for thy brave and powerful arm, and wondrous foresight. We are +now safe from mortal men and mortal measures, at least for the moment." + +Then he mournfully mused to himself:--"But what arm has the nerve +that might, that may shield me from myself? What potent anodyne can +tranquilize a guilty conscience? What untold charm can lull a mind +ill at ease, and abhorring and abjuring itself?--Yes, yes! there is, +there is an omnipotent and a redeeming power!--there is an atoning +spirit, that can pardon, pity, and absolve the guilty, when the heart +shall truly repent: and although my crime be dyed and encrimsoned deep +in guilt, I yet may obtain mercy!--a truly penitent and contrite soul +may yet blanch this deed pure and spotless as the untrodden snow which +crests the lofty mountain-peak. This is consolatory. But hour, and day, +and year still succeeding year, must pass over in sad and sorrowful +contrition, before this foul and atrocious guilt, the result of one +depraved moment of furious passion, can be washed away and effaced from +the calendar of dark human crime, and deep ingratitude to high heaven!" + +Here a dreadful storm of hail coming on, the weary fugitives gladly +entered a spacious cavern which propitiously and opportunely opened +wide "its ponderous jaws" to receive them; and which timely afforded +them a respite from the storm, and a refuge from pursuit. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Inter utramque viam, lethi discrimine parvo, + Ni teneant cursus. + + VIRGIL, _Æneid III_. + + Sæpe dolis, interit ista: Time! + + C. WEIGELIUS, NORIMBERGÆ. + + +The fugitives had now proceeded upon a long and wearisome journey after +their departure from the cavern, which had so opportunely afforded +them shelter and protection. Lonely, depressed, and overpowered by +overwhelming grief, self-accusation, and great bodily exertion, +solitary stood the noble, but unhappy Bruce, on the desolate shores +of his native land; while close stationed by him stood his brave and +faithful preserver, his sturdy and affectionate foster-brother, the +intrepid, the honest, the disinterested Malcolm. + +It was night,--an autumnal storm loudly raged, the clouds darkly were +drifted onward with increased rapidity through a perturbed sky; the +roaring waves of a tumultuous sea mounted upwards in alpine altitude +and curvature, as they dashed and foamed along; whose mournful, sullen +scream, responded not to mortal voice, although the sad measure seemed +to partake both of sorrow and of woe; if indeed that human suffering +and mortal woe could be supposed as associated with that treacherous +and tempestuous element. + +In the distance distinctly were heard the report of various musket +shots, discharged by the hackbutteers,[15] but at intervals only they +were heard. Whether these explosions were intended as a military +tribute of a faithful clan over the body of a fallen chieftain, or +whether they were intended as an excitement to pursuit, (probably the +latter,) could not with any positive certainty be ascertained. However, +the continued clangor of pursuing cavalry, and the loud, incessant +tramping of foot soldiers, who had proceeded with precipitance over +crags and rocks, and still unwearied in their pursuit, were audibly +heard to approach. It was too evident that all this loud uproar and +wild halloo which had prevailed, arose from the violent voice and shout +of those who pertinaciously pursued, and who were still pressing upon +the flight of the unhappy fugitive. + + [Footnote 15: Harquebuss, in the ancient statutes, is called also + Arquebuse, Haquebut, or Hagbut; it is a _hand-gun_, or a fire-arm + of a proper length to be borne in the arm. The word is formed of + the French _arquebuse_, and that from the Italian, _arcobusio_, or + _arco abuso_, of _arco_ a bow, and _busio_, a hole; on account of + the touch-hole in which the powder is put to prime it; and it is + likewise so called because it succeeded the bows of the ancients. + + The _harquebuss_ is properly a fire-arm, of the ordinary length + of a musket or fowling-piece, cocked usually with a wheel. Its + length is forty calibers; and the weight of its ball one ounce + seven-eighths; its charge of powder as much. + + There is also a larger kind, called _harquebuss a croc_, used in + war for the defence of places. The first time these instruments + were seen was in the imperial army of Bourbon, when Bonnivet was + driven out of the state of Milan. They are heavy and cumbersome.] + + +However, in another direction came on, yet with silent, cautious tread, +several faithful adherents, armed with dirk, targe, and claymore, who +advanced to the beach, not as blood-hounds to pursue, but as friends +to assist; not basely to track the steps of the noble fugitive, but +with might and with main to protect him, and cover his flight. This +faithful, small, but boldly determined clan, bore lanterns to assist +the projects which they had planned, which dimly flung a flickering +reddish light around. + +This gallant band came on fully resolved to save their chieftain--to +rescue him from surrounding perils, or to die! Sir David looked wildly +and inquisitively at them; but by no interrogatory he dared to break +the more than mortal silence which seemed to seal their lips. No, he +shrunk back in despair, fearing to question them; he too justly dreaded +_that to be_, which he would have forfeited his own life _not to have +been_! Dread despair palsied his voice, and held him back from what he +fain would ask--"Was his brother among the dead or the living?" The +dreadful response that might be returned, made him forego his purpose. +He could not--would not--dared not to inquire; it was not to be +attempted; and his brain seemed maddened when he thought thereon. His +heart was chilled, and his blood slowly pulsated; his lip quivered, and +his tongue was silent. However with a silent, but inquisitive gaze and +gesture, he sought that fearful information which he dared not--could +not ask; these, however, were appeals that could be neither mistaken +nor misunderstood. He sought the fearful answer from the plaided clan, +whose tall and commanding figures, although dimly and indistinctly seen +beneath the pale moon-beams of a stormy sky, and whatever illumination +their lanterns afforded, yet observed the earnest appeal: and he is +answered as he sought it, in awful silence and impressive dumb show, +each of the clan slowly folding around him his plaid, and then one +and all in the same moment joining in united action of a mournful +and impressive motion of the head. When all rapidly dashing aside +their plaids, with fierce and impressive energy they point their +out-stretched hands to the foaming waves, intimating thereby that there +alone safety was to be found. + +Now near, and still more near, too audibly are heard the renewed sounds +of advancing foes; the breeze wafting on the appalling and yelling +shouts of pursuit; and next followed the loud and deafening tramps +of the pursuers. No time--not a moment--was to be lost---- death or +immediate flight was the alternative!--Some bold, decisive act, was now +to be dared, and on the instant done! + +The stormy clouds, which in rapid succession hitherto had thrown their +dark floating shadows over the disk of an autumnal moon, at this +instant favourably dispersed, and the "pale queen of night" burst forth +in pearly radiance, glancing her friendly beams upon a fishing bark +which lay at anchor beneath an indented shelve of rocks, close by to +where the fugitives stood; and at no remote distance a small cottage +stood close to the beach, to the owner of which, in all probability, +the boat belonged. This seemed most likely to be the fact, from their +observation of the fishing-nets, gear, and tackle, all elucidatory of +a fisherman's pursuits, which lay outspread upon the shore, clearly +designating the uncertain and perilous occupation of the lonely +proprietor of this humble dwelling. Upon this discovery the vassals +proposed to their chieftain to knock at the door of the cottage, and +awake the fisherman. But to this suggestion the generous Bruce would +not hearken; he would not endanger the life of a poor and innocent man, +probably the sole supporter of his family, in the dread and desperate +fortunes of a fugitive--and alas, more than too probably a fratricide! + +Thus having impetuously and decisively spoken, David Bruce having flung +his purse into a broken aperture of the lattice window, sprung manfully +into the fishing bark, and the faithful Malcolm instantly sprang in +after his master. Next with fatal, feudal attachment, the vassals +advanced, and crowded into the boat, regardless of all remonstrance +and reproof, and seemingly insensible of the peril occasioned by thus +overloading the fishing skiff. + +The storm had for the present abated; which cessation, however, was +but of temporary duration. The pursuers meanwhile advanced, with +loud and appalling screams, and formed their ranks in martial array +upon the beach, the war-pipes loudly pealing forth a pibroch; they +next proceeded, having piled their arms, to light their torches from +lanterns which, with due precaution, they had borne with them; and soon +their ignited torches were applied, which after some little delay, +occasioned by the moisture of the storm, the ignition took effect, when +brilliantly blazed forth, in crackling flames, the extended ridges +of furze, fern, bent-grass, &c., that crowned the lofty links which +girdled the undulating summits of the shore. The different plants had +been dried up by a summer sun, and parched and ripened by the autumnal +blast; and the ignition soon extended along the entire line of the +coast. The central part of the conflagration flamed in the distance +like to some lofty castle on fire, and flanked, as the deception +would represent, by two large towers, which were in effect two large +flaming masses of furze and other various shrubs, which, now with a +flaming--now with a flickering corruscation, actually seemed like two +bale-fires blazing on the headlands. The whole mass having become one +continued conflagration, assumed an awfully grand appearance; the ruddy +sky brilliantly flamed above, the waves returned the fiery flash below, +as the waves undulated to and fro. The fugitives but too distinctly saw +the weapons raised in their offence boldly brandishing on the shore, +and vengefully flashing forth their quivering gleams, accompanied +with loud, fierce, and appalling shouts of vengeance from the bold, +determined band, who occupied the shore. + +Meanwhile these threatening tones of discord and defiance were +resolutely answered by a long continuous scream of triumph from the +fugitives, who fled from premeditated treachery, and whose parting +shouts were deeply chorussed by the symphony of their accompanying oars +that wafted them onward in safety. + +Now verging toward the distant horizon, the retreating boat was +distinctly seen slowly cutting its watery course, overladen although +it might be with an extra weight of living cargo. Availing themselves +of the breeze, they raised their little sail, and soon expedited their +course, wafted onward by the wild and dreary blast. + +The moon occasionally at intervals, as the stormy night-clouds cleared +away, streamed her radiance on the rippling bosom of the undulating +wave, which threw a brilliant line of light across the heaving billows; +and showed to those who might wish to observe the progress of the +fugitives, that in sooth they made but little way; which was not to be +wondered at, considering how incautiously crowded the boat had been +through the obstinacy of the too inconsiderate followers. Another +danger, superadded to the former, it but too fully appeared to the crew +arose from the frailty of the bark itself, that had soon to contend +with the approach, or rather with the return, of the tempest. + +The impressive scene that we have attempted to describe, was, it must +be allowed, altogether out of the usual course of ordinary events, +and partook of a high and extraordinary degree of interest. To behold +a wild, desolate, and romantic shore, lined and occupied as it had +been, at such an hour, by a military band of pursuers, and illuminated +by the blazing fires, which broadly glanced on spear, axe, target, +and claymore; whose ruddy contrasting light served but to cause that +the dark impending rocks above, and the indented caverns below, +should appear more savage, and their dense darkness the more visible! +Meanwhile, to witness the dumb, but expressive gesticulation of the +heads and hands, and indignant and angry step, of the enraged vassals +on the beach, appearing to the distant beholder all of a deep, glaring, +fiery red, fierce as the impetuous motives which led them onward to the +bloody track. Rage, and all the varied manifestations of the fierce +passions of wrath and revenge, were but too visible, from the broad and +brilliant glare of light that flashed upon them. It was such a scene as +would have charmed the creative imagination of Michael Angelo to have +dwelt upon and portrayed, and might have even given additional sketches +of horror for his "Day of Judgment." And, oh! how would the poetic +pencil of the solitary Salvator Rosa have managed this scene!--how his +pencil would have sported with it, and his genius have rejoiced!--here +he might have conjured up and enlivened his landscape with a bold, +determined, band of pirates, soldiers, or banditti, surrounded by +dark and frowning precipices. For such was the wild and savage scene +so lately before the reader's eye. Rocks frowning in deep darkness, +indented with frequent hollow caverns below, the midnight retreat of +the otter and porpoise; while from the higher caverned cliffs above, +awakened and aroused from their quarry, sprung forth the osprey, the +vulture, and cormorant, all loudly screaming, and joining in one +continued dissonant chorus, deeming that the returning morn had arrived! + +The fishing bark having been found no longer sea-worthy, the fugitives +were compelled to seek the shore; in which act the boat heaved against +a rock, but it did no material injury to the bark. Strange to say, +however, the shock awakened within the little cabin (if cabin it could +be called) of the stern, an inmate, that until that moment the trusty +followers did not know, nor even suspect, that such an individual +they had on board. This fellow was a tall, athletic figure, whether +fisherman or smuggler was doubtful, who must have been, consequently, +hitherto profoundly asleep, deeply fatigued, it was supposed, by having +been out all the previous night at sea, either fishing or plundering, +possibly occupied in one or other--probably in both of these perilous +pursuits. + +This desperate and daring mariner, rapidly bouncing on deck, said, or +rather screamed forth, with denouncing haste and rage: "Ye a' maun +perish, a' are tint! and ken ye weel a Johnstone had his revenge!" + +Then, with face and the fury of a maniac, and a horrific laugh, he +instantly sprang into the waves, plunging like a water-fowl; he sunk, +but soon arose again. Malcolm was prepared for this, having previously +seized a carabine from one of the Bruce's followers; and soon as the +ruffian again arose, Malcolm took determined aim, his carabine exploded +its contents, having duly hit the destined mark. The victim of his just +revenge loudly screamed, plunged, floundered, and sunk,--but he rose no +more! + +The crew of the fishing boat meanwhile, or those who acted in that +capacity, had timely and providentially discovered and frustrated the +treacherous fate which seemed so certainly to await them, and which was +so darkly hinted at by this desperate partisan of the Johnstone clan. +The pumps were set instantly and incessantly at work, while the leak +was timeously stopped, and every precaution adopted to insure and make +"surety doubly sure." + +It would appear that this desperate follower of the Johnstones had +somehow discovered, or overheard, from the followers of the Bruce, +the fatal scene that had taken place at Turnberry Castle, the tragical +compotation, the bloody fray, between the Maxwells and the Johnstones, +and of the fatal death of Sir Robert Bruce. And hence, therefore, it +was concluded, that he had come to the desperate determination of +destroying, by one daring, decisive act, the number of the enemies of +his clan who occupied the bark; and with this fixed resolution, it +would appear he had sprung a leak, thinking thereby at once to send so +many souls to a watery grave. In which base and treacherous attempt he +had been nearly too successful, but for the prompt and active aid that +was given by all hands on board; and it was with great difficulty that +with unabated effort and energy they ultimately happily succeeded in +accomplishing their safety. + +The boat was not far distant from the shore, when several of Bruce's +followers, at length made sensible of their impropriety and obstinacy +in overloading the vessel, which caused such as could best swim soon to +spring from the bark, and swim for the shore, having had previously +affixed a cable to the prow, which they succeeded in safely towing the +extreme end of the rope, and landing it on the beach, where "with a +long and a strong pull, and a pull altogether," they hauled the leaky +and fragile bark to shore, and landed their noble chieftain in perfect +safety. + +Upon debarking they fortunately encountered some of David's followers, +who were in anxious search of him, and had long been on the look out, +expecting his approach. They met him with his horse ready caparisoned +for a journey, his arms and accoutrements all duly arranged; besides a +horse with a small valise, containing clothes and linen, and holsters +containing long barrelled pistols, according to the fashion of the age, +&c. &c. From these attendants Bruce obtained information that "The +William Wallace" was about to sail from the port of Ayr. Sir David and +Malcolm, promptly mounting their gallant steeds, proceeded in full +gallop for the port of Ayr. + +The pursuers had retired from the beach, and immediately all around the +point of debarkation it was pitchy darkness, save that in the distant +horizon the flickering blaze of the late conflagration about to expire, +flashed a ruddy tinge upon the passing clouds. Long since the voice of +vengeance had died on the ear, and the loud tramping of the pursuer was +heard no more in the breeze. + +Bruce determined, while in his flight to Ayr, upon changing his name, +and assumed that of Colonel Davidson, Brandenburgh Hussars. + +The travellers having proceeded with the utmost speed, soon reached +the port of Ayr before curfew-time, but much overpowered by mental +feelings, and overcome by great bodily exertion. + +The perilous result and shipwreck of the ill-fated "William Wallace of +Ayr," has been already fully detailed in the first chapter of the first +volume of this work, which doubtless is still fresh in the reader's +recollection. + +But it is full time to return to Tyrconnel Castle, and revisit the +noble inmates, overcome by grief and dismay at the sudden, unexpected, +and unaccountable departure of the noble, generous, but unhappy Bruce. +To fulfil which intent we proceed onward to the next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Unus, et alter, sed idem. + + +Gentle Reader, hitherto thou hast been addressed by us in the plural +number, now, for the first and last time, thou wilt not surely grudge +that the author should for once in _propria persona_ address thee. + +I confess that I am in the habit of looking upon the division of +a story into chapters, as similar to the subdivision of a journey +into miles: by the aggregate of the one the length of the story is +ascertained, by the aggregate of the other the distance of the journey +is distinctly known. Nor does the similarity terminate here; the +heading or motto of each chapter points out to the reader what kind +of "entertainment" he may expect, just as a sign hung out at the door +of an inn indicates; and in the same way too the milestone points out +to the wearied traveller the proximities to his inn, as the "_carte du +jour_" apprises him of the dinner with which he may be regaled. The +heading of the chapter also tells whether it is by land or by sea the +reader is to travel; the heading of a milestone whether by mountain, +moor, morass, valley, town, or city, the traveller has to steer. These +said chapters were, no doubt, a truly commendable invention, which give +a kind of _carte du pays_, as they show and point out to the reader how +the land lies, in the same manner that those communicative milestones +and signposts point out to the traveller the distance of town from +town. Both in their way are extremely useful indeed, combining the +_utile_ with the _dulci_. But it is imagined that both reader and +traveller little take into account that it was not without some toil +and labour these respective accommodations were completed for their use +and convenience. After this sage remark, be it known, gentle reader, +that this story now rapidly draws to a close, and that the next mile +(to carry on the simile) thy journey will end. The best indeed that +the case would admit of has been done for thy "entertainment," and it +is hoped that, thy journey concluded, thou shalt have found the roads +to have been not wholly intolerable, the fare not indifferent, and the +journey not wholly unprofitable! + +Now, resuming the plural, we will venture to say, that "if it be true +that _good wine needs no bush_, it is true that a good play needs no +epilogue." However, whether, and in what degree, this may be applicable +to us, oh, courteous reader, is not for us, but for thee, to determine +and adjudge in the chapter which succeeds. + +From this long digression it is time to resume our eventful story. The +consternation occasioned by the sudden and unaccountable departure of +Sir David Bruce from Tyrconnel Castle, can better be imagined than told. + +The duke arose at an early hour, as he was wont, and took his +constitutional walk before breakfast. Upon his return it was with no +small astonishment he heard that Sir David Bruce had departed at deep +midnight, and on horseback, not having taken with him a travelling +carriage, nor luggage, save a small valise, as preparatory to a +journey. He immediately communicated it, with as much due precaution +as the time would admit of, to the duchess, who had now entered the +breakfast parlour. + +Her Grace turned pale, and seemed nigh fainting. As soon as she could +recover from her surprise and trepidation, she said: "All, my dear, is +not well, I fear; I will go up and question Adelaide." + +Here, as the duchess had gone out of one door, the Reverend chaplain, +Doctor M'Kenzie, entered at another. The chaplain wished his Grace good +morrow, and spoke of the weather, expatiating upon the beauties of +Nature. + + "'Tis morning; and the sun, with ruddy orb + Ascending, fires th' horizon.---- + + The season smiles, resigning all its rage, + And has the warmth of May. The vault is blue + Without a cloud, and white without a speck." + +The duke looked--but he saw not, he spoke not, he heard not. No!--the +serenity of the season was not in accordance with the sorrow of his +heart. At once the chaplain saw it all, for the duke was deadly pale; +but the cause of this despondence he did not know, nor did he dare to +inquire. + +But while he was about to ask the duke if he was unwell, the door +opened, and the duchess re-entered; and bursting into a flood of tears, +she flung herself into a chair. In so doing, a dagger fell from her +apron on the ground. She fainted, and it was some time before she +came to herself. When she did, she then said: "It is all involved in +darkness and mystery; I cannot unravel the clue. Adelaide cannot--will +not tell. She has sworn on the dagger's point never to reveal it until +placed upon her death-bed. She has sworn upon this." + +Here the chaplain took up the dagger; it was incrusted with blood. +He examined the handle; it was of silver, and upon it was engraved +FUIMUS. It likewise fell from his hand, and trundled on +the ground. Here he fearfully and involuntarily repeated, and in a +sepulchral tone, + + "FUIMUS NON SUMUS!" + +The duke sternly said: "In the name of heaven, I charge you, Reverend +Sir, that you will forthwith explain what all this may mean? Although +the days of superstition still exist, yet nevertheless I must protest +against supernatural agency." + +Doctor M'Kenzie said: "Permit me to ask one question of the duchess, +and then I will, as far at least as I can, throw some light on this +dark mystery. May I be permitted to ask your Grace, if Sir David Bruce +will return?" + +"Never--oh, never! Reverend Sir," was the reply; "I just have heard so +from my daughter." + +"Then," said the chaplain, "I am at liberty to explain, without any +violation of promise. I have no doubt that your Graces both recollect +the narrative of my voyage from Scotland, from the port of Ayr, and of +my having been shipwrecked on the coast of Austrian Flanders." + +The duke and duchess nodded assent. + +"You may also recollect the mysterious passenger who appeared so deeply +overpowered by grief--Colonel Davidson." + +They both remembered. + +"You may also doubtless recollect the words of that terrific song--that +was pronounced by no earthly voice--that was sung to no earthly sound! +To the last solemn hour of my existence I never can forget it. The +words and tune are in my ears when I awaken in the morn--they ring +their horrid vespers in my ears at night, and dirge me in my sleep. Can +your Graces remember some of the words?--namely the voice of the Spirit +of the Storm, and + + +THE AWFUL DIRGE. + + Once we held fair Scotland's throne, + Ay, once we claimed that realm our own, + _Fuimus non sumus_! + + * * * * * + * * * * * + + We were--have been--were crown'd--are not; + Dispers'd, forsaken, and forgot! + _Fuimus non sumus_! + + * * * * * + * * * * * + + Behold! the last of all our race + Is forced to fly his natal place!-- + He bears the vengeful, fatal knife, + Deep stain'd by bloody feudal strife! + _Fuimus non sumus_! + +"Know then, may it please your Graces, that when I was introduced by +the duke to Sir David Bruce, I recognised him at once to be----" + +"Colonel Davidson!!" vociferated the duke in a tremendous voice, +without waiting for the chaplain to finish. + +"Yes, my lord," replied the chaplain, "another, and yet the same." + +The duchess fell back in her chair, overpowered with grief. + +When the duchess had become somewhat calm, after a pause the chaplain +continued: "Little indeed at that time did I ever dream that my +fellow-passenger was destined at a future day to become your Graces' +son-in-law, and under such unhappy auspices. But the will of heaven +must be done, and it is for some wise purpose it is done, although not +revealed to mortal eyes." + +The duchess now returned to the unhappy Adelaide, in every respect, +from her virtues, talents, and accomplishments, worthy far of a better +fate. + +The duke, when breakfast was taken away--for the duke eat not--proposed +to the chaplain to proceed to the little room which had been occupied +by Sir David Bruce as his library during his stay at Tyrconnel Castle, +in order to ascertain if there had been left there any letter or +document explanatory of his very sudden and unaccountable departure. +The duke, accompanied by his chaplain, entered Sir David's little +library, taking a melancholy survey of the chamber. They at last, +upon approaching a writing-table, found thereon the following song in +manuscript:-- + + +SONG, + +WRITTEN ON MY BRIDAL-DAY--TO AN OLD IRISH AIR. + + I ask'd my Adelaide what was her wish? + She replied, "Oh, ever love me kindly!" + Again I ask'd my love what was her wish? + She answer'd, "Oh, ever love me kindly!" + Again I ask'd my love what was her wish? + And she said, "Oh, love me not too blindly!" + + My love I ask'd once more what was her wish? + (While her fond, lovely arms, did entwine me, + And down trickling tears rapidly did gush,) + "'Tis--may my husband's dear hands yet enshrine me, + And to the silent grave, with sad and solemn stave, + He in years far remote may consign me!" + + D. B. + +The duke felt extremely affected. The pathos of the Irish air, the +feeling expressed in the song, and the mournful moment in which it was +perused, all most powerfully conspired to operate upon those noble +feelings which he too acutely possessed. And as he brought away the +MS. the chaplain observed that the duke secretly brushed away the +silent tear which trickled down his manly cheek. + +The surprise occasioned by the very sudden and extraordinary +departure of Sir David Bruce, afforded a topic of conversation and +altercation among the gossips and _quid nuncs_ of the vicinage, for +at least a fortnight.--By that time the novelty appeared to melt +away; but while it lasted all various changes were rung with endless +interpolations, until they could not possibly be interpreted.--Some +were inclined to throw the entire blame to the account of Adelaide, +as the sole cause of her husband's departure. But others, both male +and female recriminators, would entirely (if in their power) fling +the whole balance of censure against Sir David Bruce. At length the +parish and the county became quite sick and weary of such peevish +conjectures;--until "cormorant-devouring Time" put an end to them, at +least fulfilling his part, inasmuch showing that he is the destroyer +of prejudice and of party, and of all sublunary things:-- + + "Tempus edax rerum." + +But it is in vain to disguise, and it would be highly culpable, if it +were within the power of human ingenuity, to deny it, that often, too +often, _human passion_, or it should be called brutal rage, assails the +noblest minds and the most generous dispositions; those who are but too +inflammably alive to whatever they conceive to be base, grovelling, +or unjust--such are probably the most liable to "the sin that easily +besets them." It is indeed to be lamented how suddenly passion in +the moral, like the whirlwind in the physical world, can rend up by +the roots all that graced and adorned human life, boldly and rudely +usurping the seat of reason, and leaving only to cool and repentant +reflection the unavailing sighs and sorrowing tears of self-crimination! + +The foregoing story, tragical as it is true, incontestibly proves that +"trifles light as air" assumed in the commencement, subsequently, if +encouraged, increase and multiply in a _ratio_ and amount of accession +and aggression, until recrimination is produced; then follow mutual +hatreds, quarrels, and bickerings, until awakened and aroused at a +fatal moment and at a savage period, as we have described, all these +bad passions burst forth resistless into a fatal blaze, which was only +to be quenched by the shedding of fraternal blood! + +A dramatic poet has so beautifully expressed our meaning, that we +cannot resist quoting his language, and with the passage concluding +this chapter:-- + + ----"O, be obstinately just! + Indulge no passion, and betray no trust; + Let not man be bold enough to say, + Thus, and no farther, shall my passion stray! + The first crime past, compels us on to more, + And guilt proves fate, that was but choice before!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +CONCLUSION. + + Oh, thou wert lovely!--lovely was thy frame, + And pure thy spirit as from heaven it came! + And when recalled to join the blest above, + Thou diedst a victim to exceeding love! + + HUMAN LIFE. + + +Our story rapidly hastens to a close, parts whereof had hitherto been +purposely thrown into the back ground of our painting,--or, to _use_ +another simile, adopting the policy of a wary general, who makes a +feint retreat with the intent of concentrating his forces, next to +return with renovated vigour and alacrity to the charge; thus sagely +saving his videts from being shot, his cannon from being spiked, and +his reinforcements from being killed off. In like manner too, most +gentle reader, we have adopted the "_parva componere magnis_;" and +accordingly, as we felt it incumbent upon us, have hitherto thrown +some facts and events, since developed, and deeply connected with our +story, into the back ground of our picture, with the hope that aught +of circumstance or of interest that we hitherto fain would hide in the +shade, and cloak under the veil or umbrage of mystery and obscurity, +might chance to escape the penetration of the reviewing critic, and +of thee too, reviewing reader! until we found it sage and pertinently +expedient to develope the same. + +However we may have failed or succeeded in this attempt, we have +nevertheless endeavoured, with all our means, to give a faithful +and impartial portraiture of the different events as they actually +occurred, and of the various characters presented in our tale, as they +severally made "their exits and their entrances," and "bustled their +busy hour" in "this strange and eventful history." And now, courteous +reader, we gratefully take leave, and greet thee with our _ultimum +vale_, for we shall never meet again!--then accept our last adieu! + +Of the future fate and fortunes of Sir David Bruce, nothing, with any +certain portion of historic authenticity, could for a vast length +of time be traced or ascertained. It is true, however, as usually +consequatory upon such doubtful occasions, that rumour, with her +hundred tongues, was not found sleeping at her post, but was, on this +occurrence, alert and busy as the tattling goddess is ever wont to be, +in spreading and disseminating through the oracular organs of all the +gossiping old women in, about, and around all the adjoining baronies, +various, yet contradictory reports. One story-teller reported that +Sir David had retired to the continent, and had once more visited his +favourite Brussels, and had there taken up his abode. But that city, +instead of yielding all its former charms, when hope was buoyant, and +love successful, only served to demonstrate the mournful contrast, +and recall more potently his misery! He too well remembered what he +had been, and what the treasure was that he had for ever lost! He +felt but too well that "such things had been, and were most dear to +him." But alas, then he knew, and most acutely felt too, the wretched +man he was! What was he now?--a forlorn fugitive--a self-outcast--his +peace destroyed--his hopes decayed--and in a word, a wretch, by his +own condemnation! Unhappy man! he knew but too well what he _had_ +been--what he _might_ have been--what he _ought_ to have been--and, oh! +what _then_ he was! These were no consoling reflections to an acute and +sensitive mind like his. The rumour then concluded by asserting, that +finding only aggravated sorrow, vexation, and a painful recollection of +that happiness that he had lost for ever, in his former once favourite +city of Brussels, that Sir David had thence retired, in complete +disgust with all the world, where "man delighted him not, nor woman +neither," into the Monastery of _Sancta Maria de Camberone_, near to +Mons, where he became a Carthusian friar; long continued to lead a life +of piety and peace; died a beatified saint, and bequeathed all his +worldly estate to the holy brethren of that pious establishment. + +This idle and unfounded rumour was, however, at variance completely +with positive and stubborn facts; and truth was clearly elicited from +the high and honourable testimony of Lord Glandarah, who had been +engaged in a tour upon the continent; and while occupied in visiting +foreign courts, among others had sojourned at the court of the Elector +Palatine, to whom, upon his arrival at Berlin, he was presented; and +in the suite and service of this prince he recognized Sir David Bruce. +Both were mutually rejoiced at the meeting, but remained wholly silent +as to the events that had passed at Tyrconnel Castle. + +Sir David Bruce was habited in a black hussar uniform; much changed +in appearance, and his spirits completely broken down; his manly form +and figure were sadly altered. However mournful and depressed appeared +the Bruce, yet the story of his life, from the time of his departure +from Tyrconnel Castle, was well told in the scar on his manly cheek, +and the still deeper one which he bore upon his noble brow; while the +brilliant star of Brandenburgh that sparkled on his breast, and the +cross which hung appendant to his neck, gave proofs that his deeds of +valour had not passed by unregarded and unrewarded by the grateful +prince he served. + +In the course of some few years subsequent to the period which we +notice, the Berlin Gazette, in giving an account of the siege of +Namur in the year 1690 and----, thus notices the death of this truly +valiant hero. After a long military detail the statement ran to this +effect:--"That in boldly attempting to carry the fort of Coehorn by a +_l'epee à la main_, the gallant Sir David Bruce had fallen, overpowered +by wounds; when his lamented remains were borne from the trenches by +his brave Brandenburghers, whom he had so often led on to victory; and +were by them most honourably interred, with all the pomp and regret +that await the brave." + +Such was the gallant termination of the brilliant, transient, and +unhappy career of the valiant Bruce. His amiable lady, the poor, +disconsolate Adelaide, did not long survive her lord, who in every +respect was deserving of a happier fate than that sad one which +unhappily fell to her lot. She died, as she had lived, a Protestant, +although the duke and duchess were strict Catholics; a striking +proof of the superiority of her understanding, considering all local +circumstances, and the tone and temper of the times with which she +had to contend; living under a Catholic king, whose whole conduct and +administration were arbitrary--whose royal career propitiously set out +with the title of "James the Just," but fatally terminated in that +of "James the Tyrannical;" oppressing both the consciences and the +personal liberty of his subjects, whom he only considered as his slaves. + +But let it be understood, and handed down to posterity, that Lady +Adelaide was no bigot, her feelings and her religion were by far too +Christian to permit her to be one. Piety, charity, toleration, and +benevolence, accompanied withal a mild, gentle, and conciliatory +temper, adorned her character; and with a truly devout feeling +softened the asperities and disappointments which she had to encounter +in her mournful passage and pilgrimage through the thorny vale of life. +Pure, unaffected piety, and the slow hand of time, united to the kind +attentions of her relatives, especially of her mother the duchess, and +Lady Lucy, gradually succeeded in mitigating her grief. While humbly +and cheerfully submitting to the will of heaven, and occupied in the +exercise of the mild and tolerant spirit of the Christian faith, she +found that internal comfort and consolation that was denied her in the +world. + +Adelaide did not long survive her husband, and upon her death-bed made +a confession, previous to which disclosure none but the confidential +ear of her beloved mother had heard. In this she disclosed all those +events which have been already developed by the extraordinary and +affecting interview and separation which we witnessed to have passed +between Bruce and Adelaide. Having received the last rites of the +church, Adelaide surrendered her last breath, with hope and humble +resignation, to Him who gave it! + +Lady Adelaide Bruce was born the 31st of October, 1600 and----, upon +_the Eve of All-Hallows_; was married the 31st of October, 1600 and +----; and died the 31st of October, 1600 and----, upon the _Eve of +All-Hallows_! + +Upon the demise of the Lady Adelaide the following verses were found in +her escritoir by her afflicted mother, which had been written evidently +subsequent to the death of Bruce: + + He is gone!---- I'm ne'er to behold him! + And, oh! never more to enfold him + Within these widowed arms! + + The spring shall bloom, the summer glow + With all their brilliant charms; + For my poor heart, too well, I trow, + No peace nor pleasure waits below; + But cold neglect, like winter snow! + Each blast my breast alarms! + + My soul is sad, my spirits fail, + It much relieves me to bewail! + My only rest lies in HIS tomb!-- + My hope--a better world to come! + + When wafted to blest realms on high, + Where pain and sorrow come not nigh; + May thus a contrite Christian die! + + (_Signed_) ADELAIDE. + +It had been inadvisedly reported that our early acquaintance, Captain +Heaviside, had fallen _cum multis aliis ignotis_, at the battle of +the Boyne. However, the last accounts from the pump-room at Bath put +it beyond all dispute that the gallant captain was still in the land +of the living; and whether at the card-table or in the ball-room, +the ladies actually considered Captain Heaviside as the very cream +of gentility, and the flower of ceremony; and he very soon set his +affections on a prudent spinster, who had arrived at a discreet age, +a Miss Barbara Golightly. And the mutual attentions of these worthies +to each other, reminded the gossipers in the pump-room of the deep +affection which Cid Hamet records to have existed betwixt those sage +personages, Sancho and Dapple; of whom it was difficult to pronounce +whether Sancho loved Dapple, or Dapple loved Sancho, the best!--_Sic +itur ad astra_! + +The arrival some weeks after of "The London Intelligencer"[16] set +this matter completely at rest, and plainly told the _quid-nuncs_ +their _erratum_, that for "killed" they ought to have read "married." +The paragraph in the Intelligencer was worded to the following +effect:--"Married, at the Abbey church of Bath, on Thursday last, by +the Honourable and very Reverend Dean P--l--y, Captain Harry Heaviside, +late of the---- regiment of foot, to the amiable and affable Miss +Barbara Golightly of that city, whose merits will not be diminished by +bestowing upon the brave captain, in conjunction with her fair hand, a +fortune of ten thousand pounds!" + + [Footnote 16: The "Mercurius Civicus, London's Intelligencer, or + Truth impartially related from thence to the Kingdom, to prevent + Misinformation." This public print, with the foregoing quaint + title, was first published in 1643. Printed for Thomas Bates on + Snow-hill.] + +Lady Lucy had several proposals of marriage made to her by persons of +high rank and fortune, but she invariably refused them all; whether +it was that Lady Lucy was fastidious in her choice of a companion +for life, or that she preferred a state of "single blessedness" to +the marriage state, we shall not aver, but simply state her amiable, +and disinterested, and generous conduct, to her unhappy niece, to +whom she was indeed most unremitting in her attentions; and seemed +most assiduous and well pleased in dispensing those nameless acts of +kindness to her niece, in thought, in deed--nay, in her very looks, a +countenance beaming with goodness and philanthropy; all of which were +gratefully and duly acknowledged on the part of Adelaide. + +Lady Letitia, after a long continued siege of courtship, took final +compassion on Sir Patricius Placebo; whom she was now not unwilling +to admit as her true knight, and actually gave him her noble hand as +his _guerdon_; for inasmuch that during the continuation of a long +acquaintance, and that too under the same roof withal, yet that her +ladyship had never, in any one recorded instance, heard the baronet to +pronounce the truly portentous word--PERHAPS! No, never, in +that long continued course. + +It was, however, it must be confessed, maliciously asserted by some, +yet still contradicted by others, that this being leap year that +the lady availed herself of acknowledged privileges belonging and +immemorially pertaining to this gifted year. But this we shall not +vouch for. + + "Non nostrum inter tantas componere lites." + +We merely state the fact that her Ladyship duly and legally became Lady +Letitia Placebo. Upon the consummation of the marriage Sir Patricius +sported a handsome new chariot, with the arms of Placebo quartered +agreeably to all the tenor of the rules and laws of arms and blazonry, +in the same shield with those of the noble house of Tyrconnel; and he +did not forget his own motto, which was a kind of pun (at that time in +vogue) upon his own name-- + + PLACEBO, SEMPERQUE PLACEBO! + +From which said motto one may fairly infer that the baronet's opinion +of himself was by very many degrees removed above mediocrity! + +Mrs. Judith Brangwain, now far advanced in years, and somewhat +splenetic in her remarks, expressed much serious displeasure and +vexation at this matrimonial event; she said: "It truly calls forth +my marvel and wonderment. For surely my Lady Letitia must have been +bewitched, any how; and that is faith, sure enough, the only razonable +way for counting it. And, in troth, any how my lady is a deal too good +for the ould midwife, to be sure, that is sartain. Who, after all +in all, is the very Carrick on Suir [caricature] of a defunct fop! +Better--aye, far better, would it have been for Lady Letitia to have +eloped with her riding switch to the continent; aye, and to have passed +seven long years and a day in taking the tower of Europa in search of a +husband, sooner nor domain herself by giving the hand of a princess of +a right ould Irish stock to an upstart quack doctor!" + +The duke and duchess, although they did not encourage, much less +approve of the match, yet they did not prevent the solemnization of +the marriage. Lady Letitia had indeed arrived at the due years of +discretion, that is to say, if ever they were to arrive; and Sir +Patricius Placebo, with all his peculiarities and eccentricities, was, +in the main point, a man of worth and respectability. + +Upon the event of the marriage the duke presented Sir Patricius and his +sister with the gift of Lætely Lodge, where the happy, happy pair, soon +departed for, intending there, without a dissentient "perhaps," to pass +the honey-moon. + +In little more than the space of nine months Lady Letitia presented the +doctor with a chubby male _Placebo_. This proved very agreeable to Sir +Patricius, who really had, or affected to have, a rooted dislike to all +children of the feminine gender. + +And here it must be incontinently confessed, that this event took place +to the no small astonishment and disappointment of all the surrounding +gossips in the adjoining parishes and baronies, as these sapient folks +had somewhat too hastily assumed the fact that Lady Letitia Placebo had +passed by the time and season when ladies wish, and may expect to be in +_that state_, "who love their lords!" They, in sooth, considered her +ladyship too ancient to prove _enceinte_. + +Sir Patricius, upon this most desired and happy event, raised his +stately head somewhat higher than he was wont to do; and with all +due discretion, gravity, emphasis, and mellow intonation of voice, +addressed his auditory--his countenance, meanwhile, as he spoke, +being lighted up by the important smile of self-applause, and having +consequentially put his Carolus snuff-box in requisition--"I did," said +he, "it must be confessed, form some hopes and expectations upon this +much wished for occasion, which have been now so happily realized; as +verily, my Lady Letitia Placebo hath not disappointed me. For as the +learned and justly celebrated Archimedes was accustomed to observe-- + + "[GREEK: DThS MThI TEN STIGMÊN]," &c. &c. + +It now becomes our melancholy duty to record that the noble and highly +gifted Duchess of Tyrconnel did not many years survive the deplored +death of her deeply beloved daughter--her adored Adelaide; and ere +long was followed to the grave by her brave and illustrious duke, who +directed that the following inscription should be placed upon his +tomb:-- + + PATRIÆ INFELICI, FIDELIS. + + "Faithful to the last to his unhappy country!" + + + + +NOTES, + +&c. &c. + + In which are given four original Letters of King James II. never + before published; accompanied with fac-similes of his royal + Signet and Signature. Likewise, an original Letter from the Duke + of Berwick; the fac-simile of the Duke's Seal and Signature are + also given, copied critically from the original Letters in the + Manuscript Closet of Trinity College, Dublin. + + +CHAPTER I.--VOL. I., p. 17. + +"Ailsa, about fifteen miles from the coast, [of Ayrshire,] is a vast +rock of a conical form, 940 feet in height, two miles in circumference, +accessible only on the north-east, and uninhabited. Its summit is +covered with heath and a little grass. It is the property of the +Earl of Casilis, who obtains a rent from it, paid from the sale of +feathers, Solan geese, and rabbit-skins. On its acclivity are the +ruins of a chapel and fort, and near these there is a spring of fresh +water."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland_, vol. I. p. 179. + +In the summer of 1811, and likewise in that of 1824, the author of +these volumes sailed past this stupendous rock, and the Scotch sailors +on board informed him, that the rent received from the produce of this +rock by Lord Cassilis, amounted to upwards of £30 per annum. + + +CHAPTER VII.--VOL. I., p. 169. + +Grace O'Malley, formerly better known in Ireland by the name (in +popular parlance) of Grana Uile; and so called from the Castle of +Carrick Uley, the ruins of which are stationed at the extremity of an +inlet in the bay of Newport, in the county of Mayo. The proper name +is _Carrick a Uile_, or, "the rock in the elbow;" in allusion to the +impending mountain which crowns it, the strength of the castle, and the +recess in which it is situated. + +In this castle resided Grace O'Malley. Her family were from time +immemorial considerable on the north-west coast of Ireland, their +principality extending from the lake called Lough Corrib, in the +county of Galway, to Croagh Patrick, in the county of Mayo, and from +thence to the borders of the town of Sligo, a considerable tract +of which is still called "the Uisles of O'Malley;" a fine fertile +country, chiefly skirted by the sea; the bays and harbours excellent, +and beautifully interspersed with verdant islands, many of which are +inhabited. For aptness of local situation for maritime affairs and +naval exploits, the lords of the territory became early conspicuous; in +attestation of which the motto to the family name is, "_Terra marique +potens_,"--Powerful alike by land and sea. + +Grace O'Malley was daughter of Owen O'Malley, and widow of O'Flaherty, +two Irish chieftains who flourished in that country. Upon the death of +O'Flaherty Grace married Sir Richard Bourke, who died in 1585, leaving +three sons and one daughter the fruits of this marriage. Upon the +death of her husband and of her father, from necessity Grace O'Malley +(then Bourke) undertook the management of family concerns, acting with +firmness and resolution, keeping up her fleet for the protection of her +castles and estates, so essentially necessary in stormy and turbulent +times, and from this circumstance many considered her, and in popular +belief to this day she is still considered, as a pirate! + +Grace, or Grana Uile, was a high-spirited lady, and became fond at an +early age of the watery element, accompanying her father and his sept, +or clan, in many naval exploits. The coast was plundered of cattle +and other property, and many people were murdered in these predatory +expeditions. + +Grana was ever foremost in danger. Courage and conduct secured her +success; and the affrighted natives along the north-west shore trembled +at her name.--Many hardy and daring mariners from distant parts +sought her service, attracted by her fame. Her vessels of the largest +description were kept moored in Clare Island, where she possessed a +large castle, and her smaller craft were kept stationed at Carrick a +Uile. + +Tradition relates that her piracies became so notorious, and her power +so dangerous, that Grana was proclaimed, and a reward of five hundred +pounds offered for her apprehension. Resolving to make her peace with +England's Queen, she attended the court of Elizabeth, accompanied with +a large retinue, a guard of gallo-glasses bearing partisans, and clad +in saffron robes, who attracted great and universal attention. + +The Queen received her in great state. Grana was arrayed in the costume +of her country:--a long Irish mantle covered her head and person; her +hair gathered _à la Grecque_, and fastened with a gold bodkin inlaid +with jewels; her bosom was bare; and her dress a yellow silk boddice +and petticoat. The court were struck with infinite surprise at her +singular appearance. However, Grana succeeded in the object of her +visit, and having made her peace with Elizabeth, returned to Ireland. + +The castle belonging to Grana in the island of Clare, which boasts a +fine harbour and quay, was so much considered by Oliver Cromwell, that +he there erected a fort and barrack, in which he maintained a garrison. + +Grana endowed a monastery on it, in which she lies interred; her arms +and motto, carved on the tomb with those of her husband, are still +to be seen. This island still continues an estate in the family who +bear the name of O'Malley; and until of late years had been the family +burial place. + +The celebrity of Grana Uile has been the theme of bards for many years. +In the year 1753, during the political contests which occurred in the +administration of the Duke of Dorset, a very popular song appeared, to +an old Irish air, and the burden of the song was Grana Uile. It is too +long for insertion in this work. + + +CHAPTER VIII.--VOL. I., p. 195. + +_Pastry Fortifications._ + + ----"I have framed a fortification + Out of rye paste, which is impregnable;[17] + And against that for two long hours together, + Two dozen of marrow-bones shall play continually. + For fish I'll make you a standing lake of white broth, + And pikes come ploughing up the plums before them, + Arion-like, on a dolphin, playing Lachrymæ; + And brave king herring, with his oil and onion, + Crown'd with a lemon peel, his way prepared + With his strong guard of pilchers." + + [_The Bloody Brothers, or Rollo Duke of Normandy_, by BEAUMONT and + FLETCHER, vol. VII. act II. scene II. p. 151.] + + [Footnote 17: At the splendid entertainments of those days the + confectioners were very solicitous to present these and similar + fopperies on the tables of the great. Furnace the cook says, in + MASSINGER'S "_New Way to pay old Debts_," + + ----"Since our master, noble Allworth, died, + Though I crack my brain to find out tempting sauces, + And raise _fortifications in the pastry_, + Such as might serve for models in the Low Countries; + Which, if they had been practised at Breda, + Spinola might have thrown his cap at it, and ne'er took it." + + And again, in the Prologue to "_A Wife for a Month_," which was the + sole production of FLETCHER, we have the following lines on the + same subject-- + + "Our noble friend, who writ this, bid me say, + He had rather dress upon a triumph day + My Lord Mayor's feast, and make him sauces too, + Sauce for each several month; nay, further go, + He had rather build up those invincible pies + And castle custards,[18] that affright all eyes, + Nay, eat 'em and their artillery-- + Than dress for such a curious company + One single dish."---- + + BEAUMONT and FLETCHER--Vol. VIII. p. 137.] + + [Footnote 18: The ingenuity of ancient cooks in raising pastry + fortifications has been already noticed. In the text we have not + only fortresses of paste, but castles made of custards, furnished + with eatable artillery, on a triumph-day, that is one of the + greatest festivities at the Mansion-house. Another similar device + of march-pane is mentioned in "Witts and Fancies"--1595, 4to.: "At + a nobleman's banquet a ship of march-pane stuff was set upon the + board, wherein was all manner of fishes of the like stuff." + + At a banquet given by Cardinal Birague to Henry III. King of + France, his queen, and mother, "A collation was there served upon + two long tables, consisting of between eleven and twelve hundred + dishes composed of confectionary and dried sweetmeats of various + kinds, constructed in the form of castles, pyramids, and other + elegant figures."--WRAXALL'S "_History of France_," vol. II. 449.] + + +CHAPTER VIII.--VOL. I., p. 200. + +"_Primero._" + +This game is noticed by SHAKESPEARE, in "_The Merry Wives of +Windsor_:"-- + + "I never prospered since I foreswore myself at primero." + +And likewise in Henry VIII.:-- + + "And left him at primero, with the Duke of Suffolk." + +In BEAUMONT and FLETCHER also, mention is made of this celebrated and +once fashionable game--in vol. II. p. 185, in "_The Scornful Lady_," +and likewise in "_The nice Valour_," in vol. IV. p. 273. + +Primero too is noticed in STRUTT'S "_Sports and Pastimes of the People +of England_," p. 291. There is a poem by the celebrated Sir John +Harrington, the translator of _Ariosto_, which affords an admirable +illustration of the game: it is entitled, "_The Story of Marcus' Life +at Primero_." But as it amounts to upwards of forty lines, it is +considered as too long for insertion here. + + +CHAPTER XII.--VOL. I., p. 287. + +"_Riding the Franchises._" + +Extract from Harris's "_History of the City of Dublin_," (now become a +very scarce work,) chap. VI. p. 114:-- + +"We shall have little here to do but barely to transcribe the several +forms used by the citizens in riding their franchises at different +periods, as the same has been transmitted to posterity either by +authentic records or ancient manuscripts, whose evidence is not to be +controverted at this day; more especially as the reader will readily +perceive, by comparing each form, how little variance there has been +therein from the beginning to the present times, except in the names +of places, which yet are but few. It would indeed be a difficult task +for the citizens to have at any time stretched their rights beyond the +just limits within the city or suburbs, as they were surrounded on most +parts by vigilant neighbours, namely, the ecclesiastics of St. Mary's +Abbey, Kilmainham, Thomas-court, and St. Sepulchre's, or the liberties +of the Archbishop of Dublin, who were upon all occasions ready to +procure papal anathemas and censures against those who offended them +in less momentous matters than the loss of their lands. Several of the +instruments we shall have occasion to cite are written in Latin; but to +show our fidelity, we shall transcribe them verbatim, and for the sake +of the English reader, translate them literally into our own language. + +"The earliest instrument that occurs is one of John Earl of Morton, and +Lord of Ireland, dated at London, the 14th day of May, in the third +year of the reign of his brother, King Richard I. (A. D. 1192,) which +refers to a former charter of local franchises, granted by King Henry +II., now lost. The charter of King John is to be seen in the black +book of the Archbishops of Dublin, called "_Alan's Register_," being +collected by Archbishop Alan, in the reign of Henry VIII., and as it +containeth other liberties besides their metes and bounds, we shall +here give only so much thereof as is pertinent to the subject before +the reader:-- + + +"'CHARTA JOHANNIS, + + "'Domini Hiberniæ, de metis et franchesiis civitatis Dublin, et de + libertatibus concessis. + +"'Johannes dominus Hiberniæ, Comes Morton, omnibus hominibus et amicis +suis, Francis et Anglis, Hiberniensibus et Wallensibis, præsentibus et +futuris salutem. + +"'Sciatis nos dedisse et concessisse, et hâc mêa chartâ confirmasse +civibus meis de Dublin, tam extra muros, quam infra muros manentibus, +usque admetas villæ quod habeant metas suas sicut probatæ fuerant +per sacramentum bonorum virorum de civitate istâ per præceptum regis +Henrici, patris mei; scilicet, ex parte orientale de Dublin, et +australi parte, pasturam quæ ducit usque ad portam ecclesiæ sancti +Keivini, et sic per viam usque ad Kylmerckargan, et sic per divisam +terræ de Donenobroogi usque ad Doder, et de Doder usque ad mare +scilicet at Clarade juxta mare, et de Clarade usque ad Ramynelan. Et in +occidentale parte de Dublin ab ecclesia S. Patricii per Wallam usque ad +Farnan-Clenegimethe et deinde usque ad divisam terræ de Kylmainam et +ultra aquam de Kylmainam juxta Aven-Liffey usque ad vada de Kilmastan +et ultra aquam de Aven-Liffey versus boream per Cnocknogannoc et deinde +usque ad horrea S. Trinitatis, et de horreis illis usque ad furcas, +et sic per divisam inter Clonlic et Crynan usque ad Tolecan et deinde +usque ad ecclesiam sanctæ Mariæ de Ostmanby. Hæc etiam eis concessi, +salvis tenuris et terrâ omni eorum, qui terras et tenures habent, et +chartam meam inde extra muros usque ad prædictas metas; et quod non +possit civitas de terris illis, sicut de aliis disponere, sed faciant +communes consuetudines civitatis, sicut alii cives. De illis autem dico +hoc, qui chartam meam habuerunt de aliquibus terris infra easdem metas +extra muros antequam civitati prædictas libertates, et hanc chartam +concesserim.' + + +TRANSLATION. + + "The Charter of JOHN, Lord of Ireland, concerning the + bounds and franchises of the City of Dublin, and of the liberties + granted thereto. + +"John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton, to all his subjects and +friends, French, English, Irish, and Welch, present and to come, +greeting.--Know ye, that I have given and granted, and by this my +charter confirmed, to my citizens of Dublin, as well those who inhabit +without the walls, as to those who dwell within them, as far as the +boundary of the town, that they may have their limits as they were +perambulated, by the oaths of the honest men of the city itself, in +pursuance of a precept sent to them by King Henry, my father; namely, +on the east and south sides of Dublin, by the pasture-grounds which +lead as far as the port of St. Keivin's church, and so along the +road as far as Kylemerekangan, and from thence, as they are divided +from the lands of Donenobroogi,[19] as far as the Doder, and from +the Doder to the sea, namely, to Clarade, close to the sea, and from +Clarade as far as Ramynelan. And on the west side of Dublin, from St. +Patrick's church, through the valley as far as Farnan-Clenegimethe; +and from thence, as they are divided from the lands of Kylmainam, near +Aven-Liffey, as far as the ford of Kilmastan; and beyond the water +of Aven-Liffey, towards the north by Cnocknogannoc; and from thence +as far as the Barns of the Holy Trinity; and from those Barns to the +gallows; and so as the division runs between Cloulic and Crynan, as +far as Tolecan, and afterwards to the church of St. Mary of Ostmanby. +These things we have also granted to them, that their tenures and land +be secure who have any granted to them in our charter; from thence +without the walls, as far as the before-mentioned limits; that the +city may not dispose of those lands as of other lands, but that they +observe the common customs of the city, as other citizens do. But this +we declare of those who have had our charter of certain lands, within +the said limits, without the walls, before we had granted the aforesaid +liberties and this charter."--_The History of the City of Dublin_, by +WALTER HARRIS, 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 118, 119, 120. + + [Footnote 19: Donenobroogi--Hodie--Donnybrook. The fame of its fair + is well known.] + +The franchises of the city of Cork, according to Doctor Smith, in his +celebrated _History of Cork_, vol. I. p. 49, were perambulated in "an +handsome manner" [he says no more] on October 20, 1714; and the night +concluded with fire-works and illuminations in honour of his Majesty +King George I., whose coronation was that day celebrated in the city. +By an order of the D'oyer Hundred, the Mayor was ordered to ride round +the liberties and franchises of the city of Cork every third year. + +Mr. Hardiman, in his _History of Galway_, mentions a similar +procession at Galway. And something similar occurred in the town of +Drogheda; but wholly divested of the splendid pomp and display which +shed such a lustre on the Dublin pageant. + +The ceremony of riding the franchises in the city of Dublin was +one so peculiar and remarkable, that it certainly appeared to the +author worthy of being handed down as a curious historical record, +no similar ceremony of such pomp, circumstance, and pageantry, was +known in Britain. There was, no doubt, something extremely oriental in +this splendid pageant, which, if the reader will take the trouble to +peruse the Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montague, from Adrianople, he +will find a striking similarity between the spectacle of riding the +Dublin franchises and the grand pageant which takes place when the +Grand-Signior leads his army in person. The account is as follows:-- + +"I took the pains of rising at six in the morning to see the ceremony, +which did not, however, begin till eight. The Grand-Signior was at +the Seraglio window to see the procession, which passed through the +principal streets. It was preceded by an _Effendi_, mounted on a camel +richly furnished, reading aloud the Alcoran, finely bound, laid upon a +cushion. He was surrounded by a parcel of boys in white, singing some +verses of it, followed by a man dressed in green boughs, representing a +clean husbandman sowing seed. After him several reapers with garlands +of ears of corn, as Ceres is pictured, with scythes in their hands, +seeming to mow. Then a little machine drawn by oxen, in which was a +windmill, and boys employed in grinding corn, followed by another +machine drawn by buffaloes, carrying an oven and two more boys, one +employed in kneading bread, and another in drawing it out of the oven. +These boys threw little cakes on both sides among the crowd, and were +followed by the whole company of bakers, marching on foot two by two, +in their best clothes, with cakes, loaves, pasties, and pies of all +sorts, on their heads; and after them two buffoons, or jack-puddings, +with their faces and clothes smeared with meal, who diverted the +mob with their antic gestures. In the same manner followed all the +companies of trade in the empire; the noble sort, such as jewellers, +mercers, &c., finely mounted, and many of the pageants that represent +their trades perfectly magnificent; among which that of the furriers +made one of the best figures, being a large machine, set round with the +skins of ermines, foxes, &c., so well stuffed, that the animals seemed +to be alive; and followed by music and dancers," &c. _Works of Lady +Wortley Montague_, London, 1805, vol. II. pp. 181, 182. + +The Chief Magistrate of Dublin was formerly called Provost, and the +Sheriffs were styled Bailiffs, from the year 1308 until the year 1409, +when the title of Mayor was given. In the year 1547 the name of Bailiff +was changed into that of Sheriff. And in the year 1665 the title of +Mayor was elevated to the rank of Lord Mayor, Sir David Bellingham +being the first appointed.--See HARRIS'S _History of Dublin_, +Appendix, pp. 491 to 506. + +"The city of Dublin anciently consisted," says Harris, "of twenty +corporations, to which five have been in latter times added. + +"An ancient custom prevailed for a long time in the city of Dublin, +always against the great festivals of the year, to invite the Lord +Deputy, the nobility, and other persons of quality and rank, to an +entertainment, in which they first diverted them with stage plays, and +then regaled them with a splendid banquet. The several corporations +also, upon their patron's days, held themselves obliged to the like +observances, which were for a long time very strictly kept up and +practised. + +"Thomas Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in +the year 1528, was invited to a new play every day in Christmas; Arland +Usher being then Mayor, and Francis Herbert and John Squire Bailiffs; +wherein the Taylors acted the part of Adam and Eve; the Shoemakers +represented the story of Crispin and Crispianus; the Vintners acted +Bacchus and his story; the Carpenters that of Joseph and Mary; Vulcan, +and what related to him, was acted by the Smiths; and the comedy of +Ceres, the goddess of Corn, by the Bakers. Their stage was erected on +Hoggin-Green, now called College-Green, and on it the priors of Saint +John of Jerusalem, of the blessed Trinity, and of All-Hallows, caused +two plays to be acted, the one representing the Passion of our Saviour, +and the other the several deaths which the apostles suffered." + +It is stated in a manuscript in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, +"That in the parliament of 1541, wherein Henry VIII. was declared +king of Ireland, there were present the Earls of Ormond and Desmond, +the Lord Barry, Mac-Gilla-Phadrig Chieftaine of Ossory, the sons +of O'Brien, Mac-Carthy-More, with many Irish lords; and on Corpus +Christi Day they rode about the streets with the procession in their +parliament robes; and the nine worthies was played, and the Mayor bore +the mace before them on horseback. The Sunday following King Henry was +proclaimed king of Ireland in Saint Patrick's church; and the next +Sunday they had tournaments on horseback, and running at the ring with +spears on horseback." + +Sir James Ware briefly alludes to these entertainments in the following +words: "_Epulas comædias, et certamina ludicra, quæ sequebantur, +quid attinet dicere?_" "It is needless," he remarks, "to relate what +banquets, comedies, and sports followed." + +We now return to Harris's History of the City of Dublin. + +"Among other days of solemnity the festival of Saint George was +celebrated with high veneration. In the choir-book of the city of +Dublin are several entries to that effect: + +I.--It was ordered, in maintenance of the pageant of Saint George, that +the Mayor of the foregoing year should find the emperor and empress, +with their train and followers well apparelled and accoutered; that is +to say, the emperor attended with two doctors, and the empress with two +knights, and two maidens, richly apparelled, to bear up the train of +her gown. + +II. _Item._--The Mayor, for the time being, was to find Saint George a +horse, and the Wardens to pay 3_s._ 4_d._ for his wages that day. The +Bailiffs; for the time being were to find four horses, with men mounted +on them well apparelled, to bear the pole-axe, the standard, and the +several swords of the emperor, and Saint George. + +III. _Item._--The elder Master of the guild was to find a maiden well +attired, to load the dragon, and the clerk of the market was to find a +golden line for the dragon. + +IV. _Item._--The elder Warden to find for Saint George four trumpets; +but Saint George himself was to pay their wages. + +V. _Item._--The younger Warden was obliged to find the king of Dele +and the queen of Dele, as also two knights to lead the queen of Dele, +and two maidens to bear the train of her gown, all being entirely clad +in black apparel. Moreover, he was to cause Saint George's chapel to +be well hung in black, and completely apparelled to every purpose; and +was to provide it with cushions, rushes, and other necessaries, for the +festivity of that day. + +No less was the preparation of pageants for the procession of Corpus +Christi Day, on which the Glovers were to represent Adam and Eve, with +an angel bearing a sword before them. + +The Curriers were to represent Cain and Abel, with an altar, and their +offering. + +Mariners and Vintners, Noah, and the persons in the Ark, apparelled in +the habits of Carpenters and Salmon-takers. + +The Weavers personated Abraham and Isaac, with their offering and altar. + +The Smiths represented Pharoah with his host. + +The Skinners the camel with the children of Israel. + +The Goldsmiths were to find the king of Cullen. + +The Coopers were to find the Shepherds, with an angel singing _Gloria +in excelsis Deo_. + +Corpus Christi guild was to find Christ in his passion, with the Marys +and Angels. + +The Taylors were to find Pilate with his fellowship and his wife, +clothed accordingly. + +The Barbers, Ann and Caiaphas. + +The Fishers, the Apostles. + +The Merchants, the Prophets. + +And the Butchers, the Tormentors. + +These interludes and representations carried with them the appearance +of the superstition of the times, which John Bale, Bishop of Ossory, +afterwards laboured to reform, by writing, with more sobriety, several +comedies and tragedies in the reign of King Edward VI., and, during his +banishment, in that of Queen Mary, upon religious subjects. Several +of those pieces are yet extant, printed in black letter; and though +they show the taste of the age, they would by no means please the +present."--_The History of the City of Dublin_, by WALTER HARRIS, +ESQ. 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 142, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. + + +CHAPTER III.--VOL. III., p. 36. + +"_Running Footmen._" + +MR. WEBER, in a note to "The Knight of the Burning Pestle," +in his edition of the works of Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. I. +p. 194, Edinburgh, 1812, observes, that "the running footmen were a +fashionable piece of splendid folly prevalent at that time. They were +still kept by some noblemen in Scotland about the middle of the last +century, and are yet to be met with occasionally upon the continent. +Like the jockeys, they are put upon a particular diet; and in order to +prevent cramps, the calves of their legs are greased." + + +CHAPTER V.--VOL. III., p. 87. + +"_Turnberry Castle._" + +"The ruins of Turnberry Castle are on a promontory of the sea coast, +two miles west of Kirkoswald, and five south-west of Maybole. This +castle belonged to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died in the +Holy Land, and left an only daughter, named Martha, who married +Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale. In the expedition of Edward I. the +English were in possession of this castle. At present nothing more +than the foundation of the building, and some vaults beneath it, +remain."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland_, vol. I. pp. 178, 179. + + +CHAPTER V.--VOL. III., p. 92. + +"_Caerlaverock Castle._" + +"_Caerlaverock Castle_ was founded in the sixth century by the son of +Lewarch Hen, a famous British poet; it was the chief seat of the family +of Maxwell in the days of King Malcolm Canmore. It stood on the north +shore of Solway Firth, nine miles from Dumfries, between the Nith and +Locher; and was deemed impregnable before the use of fire-arms. In the +reign of King Robert Bruce the proprietor of it demolished all its +fortifications, lest it should fall into the hands of the English. It +was, however, again fortified, for in 1355 it was taken by Sir Roger +Kirkpatrick, and levelled with the ground. Its materials were employed +to erect a new building, which was demolished by the Earl of Essex, +A. D. 1570. The fortifications of this place were once more renewed +by Robert, the first Earl of Nithisdale, in 1638, who nobly supported +the cause of Charles I., and maintained a considerable garrison at +his own expense."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical +Description of Scotland_, vol. I. pp. 107, 108. + + * * * * * + +In closing the notes to the foregoing volumes, we are here desirous of +presenting the reader with a few historical documents of King James II. +who has stood forth so prominent a figure in the foregoing wild story, +as well as four original letters of that monarch, which heretofore have +never yet met the public eye. + +In a small curious volume, which was published at Paris soon after the +decease of the Duke of York, then James II., edited by _Father Francis +Sanders, of the Society of Jesus, and Confessor to his late Majesty_, +the following passage occurs:-- + +"This exiled prince made several campaigns under the Marshal de +Turenne, and he showed every where so much courage and bravery, that +he gained mighty commendations from that general. The testimonies of +the Prince de Condé were no less glorious, who was often heard to say, +that if ever there was a man without fear, it was the Duke of York; +and he kept his character for intrepidity at all times, and upon all +occasions." + +Lord Clarendon too in his "History of the Civil Wars in England," +vol. III. p. 370, thus speaks of King James II. when Duke of +York, and engaged at the battle of Dunkirk: "There was a rumour spread +in the _French_ army that the Duke of York was taken prisoner by the +_English_, some men undertaking to say that they saw him in their +hands. Whereupon many of the _French_ officers and gentlemen resolved +to set him at liberty, and rode up to the body of _English_, and looked +upon their prisoners, and found they were misinformed; which if they +had not been, they would undoubtedly, at any hazard or danger, have +enlarged him. So great an affection that nation owned to have for His +Highness." + +It is worthy of observation to mark the manner in which King James +expressed himself respecting the Abbé de Rancé, during his residence in +France; and likewise the Abbé's opinion of the abdicated monarch: + +"I really think nothing has afforded me so much consolation since my +misfortunes, as the conversation of that venerable saint, the Abbé of +La Trappé. When I first arrived in France I had but a very superficial +view of religion; if, indeed, I might be said to have any thing +deserving that name. The Abbé de La Trappé was the first person who +gave me any solid instruction with respect to genuine Christianity. + +"I formerly looked upon God as an omnipotent Creator, and as an +arbitrary governor; I knew his power to be irresistible, I therefore +thought his decrees must be submitted to, because they could not be +withstood. Now my whole view is changed: the Abbé de La Trappé has +taught me to consider this great God as my father, and to view myself +as adopted into his family. I now can look upon myself as become his +son, through the merits of my Saviour, applied to my heart by his +holy Spirit. I am now convinced, not only that we ought to receive +misfortunes with patience, because they are inevitable, but I also +feel assured that death, which rends the veil from all things, will +probably discover to us many new secrets of love and mercy in the +economy of God's providence, as in that of his grace. God, who gave up +his only Son to an accursed death for us, must surely have ordered all +inferior things by the same spirit of love."[20] + +Such were King James's sentiments respecting M. de Rance. The Abbé, on +the other hand, entertained as high an opinion of him. The following +passage, concerning the unfortunate king of England, occurs in one of +M. de La Trappé's Letters to a Friend:-- + +"I will now speak to you concerning the king of England. I never saw +any thing more striking than the whole of his conduct; nor have I ever +seen any person more elevated above the transitory objects of time and +sense. His tranquillity and submission to the divine will are truly +marvellous. He really equals some of the most holy men of old, if +indeed he may not be rather said to surpass them. + +"He has suffered the loss of three kingdoms; yet his equanimity and +peace of mind are undisturbed. He speaks of his bitterest enemies +without warmth; nor does he ever indulge in those insinuations which +even good men are too apt to fall into when speaking of their enemies. +He knows the meaning of two texts of Scripture which are too much +neglected: 'It is given you to suffer,' and, 'Despise not the gift of +God.' He therefore praises God for every persecution and humiliation +which he endures. He could not be in a more equable state of mind even +if he were in the meridian of temporal prosperity. + + [Footnote 20: A Tour to Alet and La Grand Chartreuse, vol. II. pp. + 335-6.] + +"His time is always judiciously and regularly appropriated. His day is +filled up in so exact a manner, that nothing can be well either added +or retrenched from his occupations. + +"All his pursuits tend to the love of God and man. He appears uniformly +to feel the divine presence. This is, perhaps, the first and most +important step in the divine life.--It is the foundation of all which +follow. + +"The queen is in every respect influenced by the same holy desires. + +"The union of these two excellent persons is founded on the love of God. + +"It may be truly termed an holy and a sacred one." + +"Such were M. de Rance's opinions of King James. It is impossible to +doubt but that the venerable Abbé de La Trappe was sincere in his +expressions."[21] + + [Footnote 21: A Tour to Alet and La Grande Chartreuse, 8vo. London, + 1816, vol. II. pp. 336, 337.] + + +FOUR + +ORIGINAL LETTERS OF KING JAMES II. + +DEPOSITED IN THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, NEVER BEFORE +PUBLISHED, IN WHICH THE ORTHOGRAPHY IS PRESERVED. + + +LETTER I. + +ADDREESSED, "FOR L: GEN: HAMILTON.§." + + _Dublin May 1: 1689_: + +I am sorry to find by yours of the 27: that Luisignan is so ill hurt +lett him know how much I am troubled at it, and make a complyment +to Pointz upon his being hurt also, you do very well to precaution +yourself against sallys, from a towne where there is so many men, and +pray let the Gen: officers who remaine not expose themselves to much, +I have sent you a power to pardon such as will accept of it, L^{d.} +Melfort shall give you an account of the troops I am a sending down +to you, as also of what cannon and mortars are a preparing with all +possible deligence, you shall have all I can send you to enable you +to reduce that rebellious towne, and to make the more noyse the D: of +Tyrconnel is a preparing to go downe to you, it being, as you well +observe, of the last consequence to master it, I expect to have an +account every moment of the arrival of the French fleett, for Besides +that the wind has been so many days faire for them, letters from +Kinsale say they were left but fifteen leagues from that port, you will +before this getts to you have been informed of Bohan's having entirely +beaten the rebels w^{ch.} were gott together in the County of Downe, at +least five thousand in number, and killed several hundreds of them on +the place, I hope the advice you had from Mrs. Lundy, will prove but a +story, if what a Sergeant w^{ch.} came from Leverpoole but last weeke +says be true, w^{ch.} you will know by this. §. + + J. R. + +I am a sending Dorrington downe to you. §. + + +LETTER II. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin May 10: 1689_: + +I am sorry for the losse of Ramsay, such accidents will happen, and one +must not be discouraged, I am sensible you have a hard worke on your +hands, but at last will I hope be able to overcome it, I am sending +downe one great mortar and two pieces of battery by land, and the same +number of both by sea, 'twas actually impossible to dispatch them +sooner, ten Comp: of Eustach will be soon with you, all well armed, +and clothed, and five Comp: of the same Reg: are to march downe, what +other I send, shall be well armed, I send you downe with this a paper +concerning Derry, you will see whether it be practicable or no, of +w^{ch.} none can judg, but you that are on the place, I am sending +downe, S^{r.} Ne: O Neal's Reg: of Dragoons into the Countys of Downe +and Antrim w^{ch.} will be the more necessary since you have ordered +Gen: Maj: Bohan to you, I thinke it absolutely necessary you should +not lett any more men come out of Derry, but for intelligence, or some +extraordinary occasion, for they may want provisions, and would be glad +to rid themselves of useless mouths,§ + + JAMES R. + + +LETTER III. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin May 20: 1689_: + +You will before this, have had an account from L^{d.} Melfort, of what +men, arms, and stors, have been sent you, and are designed for you, I +now send back to you this bearer L^{d.} Dungan to lett you know that +this day I have been informed by one who came from Chester on Wednesday +last, that Kirke was to sett saile with the first fair wind from thence +with fower reg^{s.} of foott, to endeavour to relieve Derry, I have +ordered a copy of the information to be sent you, I know you will do +your part to hinder if you can, their getting into that towne, for +should once more those English succors be obliged to return againe, +that rebelious towne could not hold out long with the force I send you, +but if you cannot hinder their getting into the towne you must then +take care to secure your retreat as well as you can, on your side, +and to take care also of the cannon, mortars and men, w^{ch.} are on +the east side of the river of Derry, for no doubt they will presse +you, when you draw off, in case you should be obliged to do it, what +I propose is that you should endeavour to keep Castlefin, Cladyford +bridg, and Strabane to hinder them from coming over those waters, this +I thinke may be easily done considering tho' they may be strong in +foott, they can have but few and bad horse, and that I designe to go +about to reduce Eniskilling, in the mean tyme I am thinkind of sending +some more troups towards Charlemont which will be ready to look toward +you, or Carrickfergus as occasion shall offer, lett Castlederg, be well +provided, I have sent some horse and dragoons to reinforce Sarsfield +at Sligo, and have ordered Pursell's dragoons to Belturbet, what els I +have to say, I refer to this bearer L^{d.} Dungan,§. + + JAMES R. + + +LETTER IV. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin July 8th. 1689_: + +I do not find by what I heare from you and others that those in Derry +are so prest for want of victuals as once was believed, so that if +they could be prest otherways, it would do well, I am sensible you are +but ill furnished with wherewithal to carry on your trenches, and to +attaque them vigorously, but however I am sure you will do what is to +be done, I am afraide your French enginers tho very able men in their +trade may have been so used to have all things necessary provided for +them, and to want nothing, that they are not so industrious as others +lesse knowing men might be, and that they do not push on their worke as +they might do, having so much to say for themselves, upon the account +of their being so ill provided, however methinks they might have gott +Maderiers ready in all this tyme, to have lodged the miners w^{ch.} I +have seen done to a stronger towne than Derry, and where we wanted +cannon to mine their defences, I only hint this to you, not pretending +at this distance to judg whether it be practicable or no, and for +making of Maderiers, I am sure tis but the puling downe some house _in_ +[_this word is partly erased in the original, but substituted by the +following_] neare Derry, or at Lifford or Strabane, where one may find +beams strong enough to make them, and tho Lattin be not to be gott, +new hids will do as well to preserve them from fire, this is only for +yourself, you have another letter from me about what had been reported +here, of some proposals made to you by those of Derry, to which I refer +you:§. + + J. R. + + + [FROM THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.] + + ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE DUKE OF BERWICK, + + NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED, + + ADDRESSED "TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL HAMILTON, AT THE CAMP BEFORE DERRY." + + _Trelick the 5th July_: + +I received just now the honour of yours, and I will write to Carills +aboute Cap^{t.} Manus Odonnell. There is an escorte sent to meet the +amunition coming from Charlemont who is likewise guarded by a regiment +of foot. + +I marched yesterday morning from Newtown-Stewart, and joyning Coll. +Sunderland at Omah I marched hither; my advance guard cutt off several +of their sentries, and a great many of the rebells party, with such +vigour, as they beat with 30 dragoons three troops of horse of theirs, +which were drawn up at a distance from us. Cap Patrick Bellue and Major +Magdonnel commanded the van-guard. There was eight or nine of the +enemy killed but none of ours. I went with my horse and dragoons within +four miles of Inniskiling and drove a great deale of cattle back to +Trelick where I am now and which is nine mile from Enniskiling. I am +sure no considerable party dearest stirr out from that towne for feare +of my being upon their backs, so that all backwards is secure. The +party of two hundred foot and fifty horse and dragoons that were left +at Belturbet under the command of L. Coll. Scott, are taken prisoners +officers and all. I can assure you that all the inhabitants of this +countrye are universally rebells. my humble service to Mareschall Rozen +and believe me, your most humble and obedient servant + + BERWICK. + +I forgot to tell you that our vanguard pursued so close three companies +of foot that they took one of their colours and two drumms within four +miles of Inniskiling, before I was come upp, this has entred[22] Coll: +Purcell's dragoons very well. + + [Footnote 22: The orthography of the original is strictly preserved + throughout the above letter.] + +[Illustration: _Fac-Simile of the Autograph and signet of King James +II._] + +[Illustration: _Fac-Simile of the Autograph and Seal of the Duke of +Berwick._] + + _T. Badge. sculpsit._ + + + THE END. + + + + +☞ THE BOOK-BINDER will take care to place the Engraving, which presents +fac-similes of the hand-writing and seals of King James II. and the +Duke of Berwick, at the opposite page. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +A number of minor punctuation issues were resolved. Missing accents +have not been inserted. The orthography of correspondence has been +retained. The following changes in spelling were made in the narrative. + + Page 4 inocuously is now innocuously + Page 16 promontary is now promontory + Page 25 guager is now gauger + Page 69 forboding is now foreboding + Page 83 wofully is now woefully + Page 90 martriculated is now matriculated + Page 93 cateract is now cataract + Page 102 fellowing is now following + Page 154 paragragh is now paragraph + Page 172 dispouere is now disponere + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, Vol. 3 (of 3), by +Matthew Weld Hartstonge + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44264 *** diff --git a/44264-h/44264-h.htm b/44264-h/44264-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..af3489e --- /dev/null +++ b/44264-h/44264-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4569 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/coverpage.jpg" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, Vol 3, by Matthew Weld Hartstonge. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%;} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both;} + +p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.5em; + margin-bottom: .75em;} + +hr.tb {width: 45%;} + +hr.chap {width: 65%} + +hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +hr.r10 {width: 10%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +hr.r15 {width: 15%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto;} + +table {border-collapse: collapse;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; + margin: 0.25em 0;} + +.center {text-align: center; + text-indent: 0em;} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; + right: 84%; + font-weight: normal; + text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none;} + +.label{text-align: center; + font-weight: bold; + text-indent: 0em; + font-variant: small-caps; + line-height: 1.2;} + +.left {text-align:left;} + +.hindent {text-indent: -2em;} + +.no-indent {text-indent: 0em;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right;} + +.poetry-container { + text-align: center;} + +.poetry { + text-align: left; + display:inline-block;} + +.poetry .verse { + text-indent: -3em; + padding-left: 3em;} + +.poetry .stanza { + margin: 1em auto;} + +.poetry .indent2 { + text-indent: -2em;} + +.poetry .indent4 { + text-indent: 4em;} + +.poetry .indent6{ + text-indent: 6em;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.small {font-size: 80%; + text-align: center;} + +.smaller {font-size: 60%; + text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.space {padding-left: 8em;} + +.space-above{ + margin-top: 3em;} + +.space-below{ + margin-bottom: 3em;} + +.title {text-align: center; + font-size: large; + font-weight: bold; + text-indent: 0em; + line-height: 1.6;} + +#toc td.right { + text-align: right; + padding-left: 3em; + vertical-align: bottom;} + +#toc td.chapnum { + text-align: left; + padding-right: 0.5em;} + +.transnote {background-color: #CCDBDC; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44264 ***</div> + +<h1><span class="smaller">THE<br /></span> + +EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS;<br /> + +<span class="smaller">OR,</span><br /> + +<span class="space-above"><small>ADELAIDE OF TYRCONNEL;</small><br /></span> + +<span class="smaller">A ROMANCE.</span><br /></h1> + +<p class="center space-below"><small><i>IN THREE VOLUMES.</i></small><br /></p> + +<hr class="r10" /> +<p class="center">By MATTHEW WELD HARTSTONGE, <span class="smcap">Esq. M. R. I. A.</span><br /></p> +<hr class="r10" /> +<p><br /></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Nescia mens hominum, fati sortisque futuræ</div> + <div class="verse">Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis!</div> + <div class="verse">* * * * * * * * * tempus erit,</div> + <div class="verse">* * * * * et quum spolia ista diemque</div> + <div class="verse">Oderit!</div> + <div class="verse"><span class="space"> </span><span class="smcap">Virgilius</span>, Æ. x. I. 501.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> +<hr class="r10" /> +<p class="center">VOL. III.<br /></p> +<hr class="r10" /> + + +<p class="center">LONDON:</p> + +<p class="center"><small>FOR G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE.</small></p> +<hr class="r10" /> +<p class="center">1825.<br /></p> +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p class="center">CONTENTS<br /></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table id="toc" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <th> </th> + <th class="center"><small>CHAPTER</small></th> + <th><span class="space"><small>PAGE</small></span></th> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">15</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">87</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">113</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">131</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">144</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#NOTES">NOTES</a></td> + <td> </td> + <td class="right"><a href="#NOTES">161</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum" colspan="2"><a href="#ORIGINAL_LETTERS_OF_KING_JAMES_II">ORIGINAL LETTERS OF KING JAMES II.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" colspan="2"><a href="#ORIGINAL_LETTER_OF_THE_DUKE_OF_BERWICK">ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE DUKE OF BERWICK</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<p class="center">THE</p> +<h2><a name="THE_EVE_OF_ALL-HALLOWS" id="THE_EVE_OF_ALL-HALLOWS">EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS.</a></h2> + + + + +<hr class="r10" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Upon your art, Sir, and your faith to assist it,</div> + <div class="verse">Shall I believe you, then, his wound's not mortal?</div> +<br /> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Love's Pilgrimage.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>The banditti who made the fierce and fiery attack, as recounted in our +last chapter, a few days subsequent to that sad event were arrested +by the <i>Gens d'Armes</i> in Soignies wood. They had been composed, it +appeared upon examination, of the daring and desperate of different +nations, and that their leader was a Spaniard.</p> + +<p>But it is indeed full time that we should return to the mansion of +Tyrconnel, where <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>all was distress and dismay. But amid all this +incidental confusion and alarm no time whatever had been lost in +calling in surgical assistance; two surgeons of reputed eminence being +instantly summoned—an English practitioner of the name of Leach, who +long had been a resident at Brussels, and a Monsieur Bourreau, a French +surgeon in considerable practice, likewise a resident of this ancient +city, who immediately obeyed the summons.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Bourreau was the first to arrive, who had a conference with +Sir Patricius Placebo, understanding that he was a medical gentleman.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Monsieur Bourreau.</span>—"<i>Ah! serviteur, Monsieur.</i>—<i>Mais je +demand votre pardon! car je pourrois dire</i>, <span class="smcap">le Chevalier</span> +<i>Aussi-bon</i>!"</p> + +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Sir Patricius Placebo.</span>—"Hem, hem! Placebo, <i>je dis</i> +Placebo!—<i>Prononces comme il faut, si vous plais, Monsieur +Chirurgien!</i>"</p> + +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Monsieur Bourreau.</span>—"<i>Oh, pardon encore, je demand tres +humblement de votre mains. Je dis, Chevalier Placebo, que les +blesseurs portées de les fusils sont toujours trop</i> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span><i>dangereux; +et pour moi, Chevalier Assebo, je prefere dix blesseurs de l'epée +partout, à une diable blesseure de portée de fusil!—Mais, +neanmoins, toujours chacun à son goût!</i>"</p> + +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Sir Patricius.</span>—"<i>Cette remarque, Monsieur Chirurgien, est +trop vrai; et vous-avez sans doute beaucoup de raison certainment; +car comme ils ont dit autrefois</i>,</p></blockquote> + +<p class="center">'De gustibus non disputandum!'</p> + +<p>Hem, hem, ahem!"—having immediate recourse to his Carolus' snuff-box, +which in the first instance he most politely handed to Monsieur +Bourreau. And here the name of Surgeon Leach being announced, the two +surgeons with due formality were conducted by the medical baronet to +the sick man's chamber.</p> + +<p>They found their patient suffering under much bodily pain, attended +also with inflammation and a considerable degree of fever. They +alternately felt his pulse, holding forth their watches, upon which +they intently gazed; then looked at each other grave and portentous as +the visages of two undertakers in their <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>vocation, and most sadly shook +their sapient sconces.</p> + +<p>However, it was not long before a very decided difference of opinion +arose between the knights of the lance—to wit, M. Bourreau was for the +immediate extraction of the ball, insisting most strenuously that such +an operation was unavoidably necessary, thus to effect the enlargement +of the wound, in order finally to extract the ball, which was the +immediate and important consideration of the case, and thus finally to +facilitate the cure; but at the same time with candour he acknowledged +that the operation would not be unattended with pain. Meanwhile Mr. +Leach was for leaving the bullet gradually to work out its own tranquil +way in the quiet lapse of years and time, which result, he insisted +pertinaciously, he had known to be the case in numerous instances, +where bullets have remained innocuously lodged in several parts of the +human body, until eventually, after a long lapse of years, they have +worked forth a passage to the surface, and have been easily extracted. +And other cases he knew, where individuals have retained with impu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>nity +bullets within their bodies, from a gun-shot or pistol wound, even to +the closing hour of a protracted life.</p> + +<p>Mr. Leach was likewise too of opinion that, as the wound was placed +upon a joint, assuredly, that both knife and forceps should be put +under due restraint, nor should any more opening be made than what was +quite absolutely and imperatively necessary to meet the circumstances +of the case.</p> + +<p>It was considered incumbent by the duke, from this most serious +difference of opinion, that a third surgeon should instantly be called +in as umpire, and that his opinion in this intended consultation should +be absolute.</p> + +<p>Accordingly a Dutch surgeon, <i>cognomine</i> Mynheer Van Phlebodem, a +practitioner of considerable repute, was called in, who, in conferring +with his learned brethren, after a minute examination of the patient, +whom he found labouring under a restless accession of fever, and having +understood that Sir David Bruce had not sustained any loss of blood +worth noticing, as issuing from the wound, the sage Mynheer considered +it advisable to open a vein immediately, as he <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>was decidedly of +opinion, from a course of long established practice, that repeated +and copious bleedings, promptly and immediately adopted in the +commencement, seldom or never fail of being attended with success. They +prevented too, he said, much pain; kept down likewise inflammation, +and diminished the assaults of fever, &c. &c.—This determination was +accordingly carried into effect.</p> + +<p>At one time, from long continued pain and continued loss of sleep, it +was found necessary liberally to administer opium; at another period +the medical attendants, fearing symptoms of mortification to appear, +were not sparing in administering doses of Peruvian bark, with which +they drenched their victim.</p> + +<p>For the first fifteen or twenty days considerable apprehensions +were entertained for the safety of the patient's life. We feel, +however, most happy to state that none of those predicted evils +ensued, although certainly circumstances existed to call forth such +apprehensions—namely, the violent heat of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>summer, the deadly pain +of the wound, the irritation caused by fever, the inflamed state of +the patient's blood; these certainly were conducive in exciting those +melancholy forebodings. A constantly cooling regimen was rigidly +enforced, and the patient kept quiet, free from noise or irritation. At +another stage of the patient's confinement gangrene was again seriously +indeed apprehended; however, from the external application of warm +emolients, &c. &c., this apprehended danger was completely obviated, +suppuration was successfully brought on, and the learned triumvirate +freely acknowledged that the patient might now be pronounced as +nearly out of danger; and in about ten days, or longer, the ball was +cautiously and safely extracted, and with no other ill result, we are +happy to state, than the operation having caused a considerable degree +of torture in the shoulder of our wounded hero.</p> + +<p>Nothing could exceed the manifold attentions which were shown, and the +intense interest that was felt by every individual in the family of +Tyrconnel, and that innumera<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>ble kindnesses were fully manifested from +a certain quarter our readers will not be at a loss to guess, during +the illness and progress of recovery of the wounded patient, whose +convalescence, we are happy to state, had so far advanced that he was +daily permitted to walk for an hour in the garden pertaining to the +mansion of Tyrconnel.</p> + +<p>One afternoon the dinner cloth had been just removed; and the family +were seated at their wine, when lo! to the great amazement of the duke +and duchess, a king's messenger was announced, bearing a despatch from +the King of England, which, under envelope and direction of the Lord +Privy Seal, was duly directed "For his Grace the Duke of Tyrconnel, +these—Lonsdale P. S."</p> + +<p>Upon opening and reading the contents of the despatch, the astonishment +of the duke was no way abated. It contained the following:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"I revoke the edict of your banishment; your attainture is taken +off; your honours are restored; and you may now return in safety to +your native land! <i>You are a man</i> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span><i>of honour—I will not desire +you to act against your principle. Disturb not the government, and +we shall be very good friends.</i></p> + +<p class="right">(<span class="smcap">l. s.</span>) W. R."<br /></p></blockquote> + +<p>This important and quite unexpected change in the mind of the English +monarch, which now called forth in return the immediate gratitude +and acknowledgments of him upon whom these favours had so graciously +been bestowed, had happily been effected through the interest and +intercession of the Elector Palatine, the firm friend and patron of Sir +David Bruce; thus no doubt could possibly exist but that through the +earnest representations, and at the especial request of the latter, +this important and conciliatory measure was effectuated. Indeed this +was fully corroborated by the same messenger bearing a despatch from +the Elector Palatine, addressed to Sir David Bruce, which stated that +the Elector felt most happy in having to acquaint him of the complete +success of his interference with the King of England in the behalf of +Sir David's exiled friends.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> +<p>The immediate departure of the Duke and Duchess of Tyrconnel from +Brussels, so soon as circumstances would permit, was fully determined +upon. No obstacle, therefore, to preclude the union of Sir David Bruce +and the Lady Adelaide remained, save the delay of their voyage and +journey to Ireland, where, upon the event of their return to Tyrconnel +Castle, it was agreed that the marriage was duly to be solemnized.</p> + +<p>The day previous to their final departure from Brussels Adelaide +devoted in bidding a fond and final farewell to those she sincerely +regarded, and from whom were received numberless attentions during her +sojourn. Adelaide took a parting look at scenes that were endeared to +her by past associations and pleasing recollections.</p> + +<p>"Farewell!" she mentally said, "thou fair and flourishing +city!—patroness of the arts, the mistress of painting—thou queen +of fountains, farewell! Ever rich and luxuriant be thy valleys, thy +gardens, and thy groves; and long may the olive on thy undulating hills +shadow this happy realm in peace!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> +<p>Then, with her accustomed enthusiasm, Adelaide wrote the following<br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="label">farewell to belgium!<br /></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Farewell, blest land! I leave the while</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Serene and social spot;</div> + <div class="verse">Ne'er winding Scheldt, nor devious Dyle,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">By mem'ry be forgot!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Dear peaceful scenes for many a year,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">While shaded from the foe,</div> + <div class="verse">Which oft aroused the filial fear,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Hence far from thee I go!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">If not ungrateful 'twould appear,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I'd ne'er review thy shore;</div> + <div class="verse">Yet still through each revolving year</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I'd think on thee the more!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Farewell, fair Belgium! fertile land,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">On thee may freedom ever smile;</div> + <div class="verse">While commerce courts thy happy strand!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I seek mine own, lov'd, native isle!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>The Duchess of Tyrconnel wrote, according to promise, to Mrs. +Cartwright, duly recording to her the happy turn that fortune had taken +in their favour. A copy of this <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>epistle now lies before us; but as we +are no admirers of unnecessary repetition, we must take the liberty of +wholly suppressing the letter of her Grace.</p> + +<p>Before we close this short, but eventful chapter, we have to observe +that the Soignies banditti, who had been arrested, were tried, +identified, and executed.</p> + +<p>Not once nor twice was Sir Patricius Placebo overheard soliloquizing +to himself thus: "I am," quoth the knight, "in sooth no longer a +philosopher, who is desirous <i>inter silvas foresti (non academi) +quærere verum</i>—no, no—<i>horribile dictu!</i> After this confounded +<i>rencontre</i> in cursed Soignies wood, I shall for ever forego and +forswear the eating of Ortolan or Perigord pies, while I live—ahem! +except—that is to say, unless I can eat them with safety in the city! +for there is no general rule or law without an exception; and indeed +the long-robed gentry say as much—<i>exceptio probat regulam</i>—ahem!</p> + +<p class="center">"DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!"</p> + +<p>It was at the close of the last week in <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>August, which had now arrived, +when the duke and family took their departure from Brussels, on their +route for Ireland; and while they are on their way we shall conduct our +readers in their transit to the succeeding chapter.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">——In the turmoils of our lives,</div> + <div class="verse">Men are like politic states, or troubled seas,</div> + <div class="verse">Toss'd up and down, with several storms and tempests,</div> + <div class="verse">Change and variety of wrecks and fortunes;</div> + <div class="verse">Till labouring to the havens of our homes,</div> + <div class="verse">We struggle for the calm that crowns our ends.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Forde's</span> "<i>Lover's Melancholy</i>."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>About two months had now passed over, which had been occupied in +travelling to their long-wished for home, since the departure of the +duke and his family from Brussels, the journey having commenced towards +the close of August, and now had arrived the last week in October, +which witnessed the due accomplishment and end of their travels, by +their welcome return to their ancient and magnificent castle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> +<p>No occurrences whatever worthy of record having happened during the +continental journey, the passage of two seas, or while occupied in +their travels through England, Wales, and Ireland, all of which +were performed in perfect safety; and moreover, the weather proved +propitiously mild and serene.</p> + +<p>While the travellers continued their route homeward, the duke thus +expressed his sentiments to the duchess:—"My love, I am fully resolved +for ever to abandon politics and party, to burn my grey goose quill +of diplomacy; I am determined too to relinquish the ways and woes +of war for the cultivation of the happy arts of peace; to desert a +city life for a country life; to arise with the lark, and plough my +paternal lands; to transmute my sword into a ploughshare, and my spear +into a reaping-hook. My firm, fixed intention being decided for ever +tranquilly to abide within my own domains, to pass our time in classic +ease within the venerable towers of Tyrconnel Castle, and there eke out +the remnant of my days until summoned by the cold and chilling call of +death!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> +<p>The duchess said: "My Lord, I most highly approve of your wise +determination, and trust that we yet have many years of happiness +before us."</p> + +<p>With these fixed resolves impressed upon his mind, the duke proceeded +on his way. His journey was now nearly at an end, when the towers of +his lordly, but long unfrequented castle, which bounded the horizon, +arose to view, rich and red, glowing beneath the brilliant beams of the +setting sun, and struck his vision with delight as gladly he approached +his long deserted hereditary halls.</p> + +<p>This long wished return was joyously and generously hailed by all +ranks and descriptions of persons, from the proud peer down to the +lowly peasant; bonfires crowned every surrounding mountain height, +hill, peninsula, and promontory, while they beamed forth a brilliant +welcome to the returned wanderer; the lofty windows of the wealthy, and +the lowly lattices of the cottier, in the town of Tyrconnel, bespoke +the general joy that burst around, and conjointly the wax taper and +rush-light commingled their rays to manifest <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>the heart-yearning +welcome that the duke's happy return had inspired.</p> + +<p>The welcoming notes of the merry pipe and the national harp resounded +blithely over hill and vale. Meanwhile the peasantry were all +collected, and clad in their best and gayest attire; their honest, +grateful, and joyful countenances bearing the impress of their +gladdened hearts, told forth a welcome that was not to be mistaken nor +misunderstood, for it affectionately hailed the much desired return +of their beloved and long exiled benefactor! It was evening when this +interesting scene took place, but all meet preparation had previously +been arranged,—torch, flambeau, and fire-works, had been prepared, and +blazed forth in all becoming brilliancy.</p> + +<p>A triumphal arch, tastefully adorned with appropriate armorial +escutcheons, emblems, and trophies, and crowned with wreaths and +festoons of living shrubs and flowers, adorned the pass which led to +the castellated gateway. Bouquets and coronals of flowers were flung +along the way, while grateful shouts made the welkin ring as the ducal +train <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>passed along. Groups of lovely damsels united their welcome +song, and soon joined hands with the manly peasants in the national +Irish dance of the <i>Rinceadh-Fada</i>.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<p>Once more the ducal standard floated on "the Raven Tower," the cannon +on the terrace thundered forth a princely <i>salvo</i>, which boomed upon +the buoyant waves of the deep Atlantic, and was re-echoed by the castle +walls, while the loud continued shouts of a grateful and happy tenantry +bore burden to the burst of joy.</p> + +<p>It would be difficult to express the exul<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>tation and gladness that +pervaded all ranks, and which the old domestics in particular displayed +in no common way; Mrs. Judith Brangwain, the venerable old nurse of +Lady Adelaide, seemed nearly crazed with joy at the long wished, +but unhoped return of her dear Mavourneen, her best beloved young +lady:—"Oh," she exclaimed, "at last have I survived, with these mine +aged eyes, to witness this happy, happy day! Oh, never, never, did I +expect so great a blessing; I am stricken in years, and nearly blind, +yet the Lord be praised for these and all his mercies!"</p> + +<p>Next the old crone sung with joy and delight, held up her garments in +jig attitude, and capered about as if actually bitten by a tarantula; +then seized and led out, <i>per</i> force, old Sandy Rakeweel, the Scotch +gardener, with whom she danced an Irish reel, and that too with so +much <i>qui vive</i>, as to demonstrate that the joys of her dancing days +had not passed over. This frolic was performed on the green sward, and +honest old Sandy, when the reel was completed, which, sooth <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>to say, +he had undertaken <i>nolens volens</i>, vehemently exclaimed, "'Fore Saint +Aundrewe, Mrs. Judith, wi' a' her whigmaleeries was ower pauky, to hap, +step, an' loup wi' me; the gude woman is a' fou' and sae daft she ha' +geck'd a' her wits into a creel, aiblins she hae been bit by a bogle. +Ise naer be so jundied in a jig again; yet I'm not meikle fashed—nae, +nae!"</p> + +<p>There was, exclusive of the ancient Mrs. Judith, another venerable +follower of this noble family, in whom the general joy, so conspicuous +amongst all ranks, was not the less sincere and ardent, and this was +the aged and sightless minstrel, old Cormac, whose best suit was duly +assumed upon this happy occasion, to welcome home his kind and generous +master; his harp was newly strung, and carefully tuned aright; and +patiently, but anxiously, in the baronial hall he awaited the entrance +of the duke and family, upon whose welcome approach he thus poured +forth his strains of gratitude and affection upon his noble Lord's +return.<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">old cormac's welcome.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Returned once more from foreign lands,</div> + <div class="verse">Behold the noble exile stands</div> + <div class="verse">Within his lordly hall!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">His faulchion smote his country's foes,</div> + <div class="verse">His king's defeat hath caused these woes,</div> + <div class="verse">Which his brave breast inthrall.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Oh, welcome to thy lordly towers,</div> + <div class="verse">Thy princely seat, thy happy bowers,</div> + <div class="verse">A grateful welcome all!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Now never more to roam afar,</div> + <div class="verse">Nor plunge 'mid tide of crimson war,</div> + <div class="verse">Shall fate thy arms recall!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">But here in tranquil rural ease,</div> + <div class="verse">Such as a soul like thine can please,</div> + <div class="verse">May never grief appal!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">In virtue long, and years to shine,</div> + <div class="verse">Be each domestic blessing thine!</div> + <div class="verse">And ev'ry boon that heaven can give,</div> + <div class="verse">When thy poor bard hath ceased to live!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>When the ancient and sightless bard had concluded this, his <i>improviso</i> +welcome, he <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>appeared absolutely overpowered, and shed a copious +torrent of tears, which flowed from eyes long indeed closed to the +light, but not to intensity of feeling! But these were not tears of +sorrow, they were effusions of grateful affection, that often speak the +joyful feelings of the heart, while the tongue remains wholly silent. +His was the unspeakable joy at his noble benefactor's happy return in +health and peace, after so long an absence, to his ancient towers. The +duke, duchess, Lady Adelaide, &c. &c. &c. in succession approached the +aged minstrel to express severally their approbation of his song, and +thanks for the feeling manner in which his welcome had been expressed. +The duke obligingly and condescendingly said to him:—"My friend +Cormac, although thy locks are more blenched and snowy than they were +when last we parted, yet I am glad to find that your heart is not +chilled by the frost of age, and that the chords of thy harp so sweetly +still respond to a master's touch!"</p> + +<p>Then addressing one of his pages, his Grace said, "Fill, fill the +goblet high to the very brim, and present it to the bard!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>In sooth we need not say that sightless, honest Cormac retired to rest +that night the happiest old man in the province of Ulster; his slumbers +were sound and serene, and his dreams flattering as ever youthful poet +dreamt.</p> + +<p>The next morning, when breakfast was concluded, the duke said in a +lively way:—"Come, come, Sir David, you have not travelled here for +nothing, we must e'en show you the curiosities of the country. There +lives, or rather vegetates, not far hence, a wight, the most eccentric +being perhaps that ever existed—I pray you go see him. This personage +is Squire Cornelius Kiltipper, of Crownagalera Castle, once the mighty +Nimrod of these parts. You must, moreover, know, that from Squire +Kiltipper's determined addiction to strong liquors, and likewise +from the fatal consequence of a far-bruited boozing bout, in which +he actually out-drank and out-lived his opponent in a long continued +contest; (the defunct had been a gauger who thus succumbed in death, +even at the base of the Squire's dinner-table;) in consequence of which +Kiltipper was ever <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>afterwards called, in popular parlance, <i>Squire +Kil-Toper</i>! For, Sir David, you must know that the lower class of my +countrymen are feelingly sensible of the ridiculous, and extremely fond +of <i>soubriquets</i>, or nick-names.—Indeed they are curious bodies! So +I pray you proceed to see this curiosity, and my kind Sir Patricius +Placebo shall, upon this occasion, be your <i>conduttóre</i>."</p> + +<p>Acceding to this recommendation of the duke, Sir David Bruce, +accompanied by Sir Patricius Placebo, proceeded onward in their +walk; and, as a <i>prétexte par hazard</i>, they carried with them their +fowling-pieces, and were accompanied with a couple of pointers, and an +attendant terrier. They set out, and walked across the field-paths, in +due direction for the castle of Crownagela, which was distant about two +miles.</p> + +<p>Upon their arrival they stoutly knocked at the hall-door, but the +servant refused admittance. However, after some parlance, and the rank +of the visitors having been announced, they were admitted. Here a loud +and general exclamation vociferated from the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>parlour, struck the ears +of the visitors—"A song, a song!" The servant upon this observed, +"Gentlemen, yees must have the goodness to wait just a bit till this +same song is over, and then I will show yees to my master. If I dare +go in now, to transdispose their musicals, the penalty would be, that +I should be flung flat out of the window, and that, I am sartin, would +not quite plaze yees."</p> + +<p>While the visitors waited with what patience they might, before they +were admitted to an audience with the original whom they had come +to visit, the following bacchanalian song was conjointly sung; and +which rumour likewise reported to have been composed by the vocal +triumvirate, namely, Mr. Barrabbas Tithestang, the proctor, Mr. Simon +Swigg, the gauger, and Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, the parish clerk and +sexton: but the latter personage was strongly suspected to have had the +principal hand, or pen, in the precious composition.<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">song.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">i.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">When first the day-star gems the sky,</div> + <div class="verse">When flickering swallows upward fly;</div> + <div class="verse">While shrill the matin-herald crows,</div> + <div class="verse">And thrifty Joan to spin hath rose,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Then only, brave boys, it is day!</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">ii.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Our cup let's drink, we will not slink,</div> + <div class="verse">We leave to those, who wish, to think!</div> + <div class="verse">Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round?</div> + <div class="verse">Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground!</div> + <div class="verse indent4">And drink on, brave boys, until day!</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">iii.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Who joins not in our jovial bout,</div> + <div class="verse">Drink, meat, and fire, should do without;</div> + <div class="verse">Soon let this stout <i>magnum</i> be quaffed,</div> + <div class="verse">He says nay, shall surely be laughed.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Then only, brave boys, it will be day!</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">iv.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">The dawn hath past, the sun at last</div> + <div class="verse">Round our revels his beams has cast;</div> + <div class="verse">Yet ere we go a parting glass,</div> + <div class="verse">Our toast a sprightly, buxom lass.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">My brave boys only now it is day!</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Only now, my brave boys, it is day!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> +<p class="no-indent">Squire Kiltipper, somewhat pleased, sung a semi-stave of the song:—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round?</div> + <div class="verse">Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground!</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Ha, ha, ha!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>A very plain and palpable alternative truly, the drunkard fairly caught +on the horns of the mathematician's dire dilemma, and then to flounder +on the floor—ha, ha! Oh, lame and lamentable conclusion! Come lads, +the health of the composer; hip, hip,—hurrah!"</p> + +<p>This toast drank at mid-noon, however strange to tell, was loudly +chorussed, with various manual accompaniments inflicted on the table, +until the window panes and the very drinking-glasses again returned +the echo; and amid this uproar the door was opened, and the visitors +introduced, their names being duly announced. Squire Kiltipper was +discovered seated in his bed, holding in his hand the MS. of the +precious rant which had just been sung; he wore spectacles; his dark +beard was unshorn; he wore on his head a cap made of otter skin; he was +habited in a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>scarlet waistcoat trimmed with rabbit skin, over which +he wore a dressing-gown of purple camlet; his small clothes, which had +been once white, but now stained with claret, reminded one rudely of +the union of the rival roses of York and Lancaster! The Squire arose +to receive his guests, but was preceded by his prime minister, Bounce, +his favourite greyhound, who had been also snugly reposing under cover +of the counterpane, which now rising to a portentous height, he and +his master were safely delivered from the thraldom of the bed-clothes, +and the Squire politely advancing, paid obeisance to his visitors, and +invited them to luncheon.</p> + +<p>The guests were, Mr. Simon Swigg, the gauger, Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, +the parish clerk and sexton, and Mr. Barabbas Tithestang, the +proctor, who began the world a beggar's brat, and barefooted withal; +<i>sans</i> shoe, <i>sans</i> stocking, <i>sans</i> every thing, save a large and +inexhaustible stock of confidence; but was now metamorphosed into a +country justice; and this squire of mean degree enjoying the <i>otium cum +dignitate</i> of four hundred pounds <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>per annum, besides the important +privilege of daily <i>entrè</i> to the dinner-table of Squire Kiltipper, +<i>alias</i> Kill-Toper!</p> + +<p>These gentry were the squire's led captains, his most abject vassals, +whose presence at his table contributed, by their native gross humour, +to divert the tedious hours of the squire, and whose society had now +become quite necessary to his existence. He had been well educated, +and was not deficient in mental ability; but his sad propensity to the +worship of Bacchus had nearly hebetated the powers of his mind, and +had nearly likewise debilitated his powers of loco-motion by frequent +confirmed attacks of gout, which had much undermined his constitution.</p> + +<p>In the centre of the room was stationed a table, on which still stood +some stout cheer, the remains of last night's banquet; here were to +be seen the remnant of a huge venison pasty, cold roast beef, pickled +oysters, cold roasted fowls, tongues, &c., and relics of exhausted +bottles reposing like dead men upon the carpet. Upon the approach +of the strangers, Vulcan and Hecate, his two fa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>vourite cats, that +had been busily employed in subdividing the venison pasty, at sight +of the visitor's dogs most incontinently abandoned their plunder, +loudly yelling, and retreating with precipitation, they scampered up +the chimney; while the general panic, with effect of electricity, +communicating its fearful effects to his favourite pigeons, who had +been peaceably reposing, with their gentle heads under their wings, +upon the tester of the bed; but now they sprang up in affright, as if +pursued by falcon or eagle, and dashed themselves suddenly against the +window-casement; the poor pigeons received some slight hurts, and the +Squire was evidently discomfited. "D——n, I say, to Vulcan and Hecate; +but I am indeed sorry for my pretty pets—my dear pigeons. You know, my +worthy and venerated Sir Patricius, how much I am obligated to my late +dear, dear, dear uncle Commodore Pigeon, of Capstern Hall in Yorkshire, +who bequeathed me an estate to the tune of nearly two thousand pounds +per annum; and therefore you can fully account for my warm attachment +to the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>pretty bird that bears his honoured name! I am now waxing old, +and peradventure am not exempt from the follies of old age; I have +long since become tired of the chace, my bugle-horn hangs silent in my +hall, and my unkennelled hounds wander forth, to my cost, committing +petty larcenies amid the peaceably disposed ducks and turkeys of the +vicinage; my hunters I have turned abroad to increase and multiply +exceedingly, and cats daily kitten in my quondam boots of the chase! +But I have dwelt too long on myself and mine own concern—I give you a +hearty congratulation upon your safe return to these parts, and also at +the happy return of the duke to his ancient towers. I pray you that you +both stop and dine with me; I can only promise you a yeoman's fare, but +indeed you shall likewise have a friend's welcome! For, Sir Patricius, +I do esteem thee, and I do consider thee, by yea and nay, a man of the +most recondite taste and parlous judgment that I ever have encountered; +withal resembling, methinks, most accurately what old Flaccus terms +'<i>Homo ad unguem factus</i>.'"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sir Patricius politely thanked him for his too good opinion of him, +which he feared was rather overrated, and apologized for the next +to impossibility of accepting of his friendly invitation, which +they begged to postpone to some more opportune time. And now having +quite sufficiently amused themselves with the eccentric Squire of +Crownagelera Castle, Sir David Bruce and Sir Patricius Placebo again +returned thanks for the proffered hospitality of Squire Kiltoper, and +having bade him good morning, set out on their return, "<i>Non sine multo +risu</i>," as Sir Patricius expressed himself, for Tyrconnel Castle.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Now go with me, and with this holy man,</div> + <div class="verse">Into the chauntry by: there before him,</div> + <div class="verse">And underneath that consecrated roof,</div> + <div class="verse">Plight me the full assurance of your faith!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Twelfth Night.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>The thirty-first day of October, sixteen hundred ninety and ——, +being the birth-day of our heroine, was the morning appointed for +the solemnization of the nuptials of Sir David Bruce and the Lady +Adelaide Raymond. The young lady's consent, and that of her noble +parents, having been previously obtained, and also that <i>sine qua non</i> +preliminary of nuptial happiness—to wit, a marriage license, having +been duly and properly procured, no obstacle to their happy union now +remained. Preparations upon a grand <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>scale had been in a progressive +state of forwardness for some weeks at Tyrconnel Castle, to crown the +nuptial banquet, and every delicacy and luxury that taste could select, +or that money could procure, were not wanting to furnish forth the +splendid marriage feast. The Duke of Tyrconnel, in order to add to the +pomp and circumstance of the event, had a new state coach built for the +happy bridal day, <i>selon des reglès</i>, as then the fashion of the day +controlled. The carriage was connected by massive crane necks, which in +our modern days of fashion have crept down and shrunk into a slender +perch; these were richly carved and gilt. The wheels were of a very +circumscribed orbit; and the naves were gilt, as well as the spokes. +The springs likewise were of burnished gold; while the ponderous +massive body, with shape (if it could so be called) which much more, +in sooth, resembled a city barge abducted from its natural element, +and aided by wheels in its terrestrial progressions; or perhaps as +cumbersome, although not as unsightly, as a French diligence—but +assuredly not to be compared with the present modern <i>turn-out</i> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>of a +nobleman. Ducal coronets of brass, richly embossed and gilt, adorned +and surrounded the four angles of the roof of the state carriage. +A splendidly embroidered hammer-cloth mantled the coach-box, which +was destined to glitter in the last rays of a brilliant October sun, +upon this ever-memorable day, and to glance forth the rich emblazoned +quarterings of the noble houses of Tyrconnel and O'Nial. The superb +liveries of the domestics were neither overlooked nor forgotten upon +this happy occasion; they were indeed truly magnificent; they were of +rich green cloth, with gold embroidery and trimming.</p> + +<p>Sir David Bruce had also duly in readiness a very handsome town +chariot, which he had caused to be built for the occasion. This was +drawn by four handsome horses, and guided by two postillions, preceded +by two outriders, and in the rere followed by two footmen on horseback, +their housings ornamented with the Bruce crest in embroidery, and +from each holster peeped forth travelling pistols, mounted in chased +silver, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>and richly ornamented. The outriders had the additional +appendage of belts slung from their shoulders, to each of which were +attached small silver powder flasks, or priming horns. The same state +attended upon the duke and duchess. Six running footmen, (the fashion +of the day,) with ribbons streaming at their knees, and with long +white walking-poles, entwined with ribbon and surmounted with favours, +preceded the carriage of the duke, and as many were the precursors of +the carriage in which were seated the duchess and the beauteous bride. +Such was to be the pomp and procession destined for this illustrious +bridal.</p> + +<p>Old Cormac seemed resolutely determined that he at least should not +be omitted in the <i>dramatis personæ</i> of this most memorable day. At +an early hour, therefore, with due intention of the full performance +of his resolve, he was seen flitting from alley green to the dark +embowered wood, bearing his constant companion, his harp; and as the +old gardener somewhat quaintly expressed <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>it, "he was for a' the warld +like a hen on a het girdle!"</p> + +<p>Old honest Cormac's intention could not long be mistaken or +misunderstood; for soon with right shoulder forward, and strong +intuitive confidence, he stoutly marched onward, nor did the veteran +halt until he had reached Lady Adelaide's flower garden, where he +was often accustomed to sit and play; where having arrived, he soon +seated himself upon a rustic chair, beneath the casement of the Lady +Adelaide's chamber, where anon he began to strum and tune his harp. +The moment that the sightless bard had begun his minstrelsy, vocal +and instrumental, it was with considerable delight and joy that he +distinctly heard the casement window of Lady Adelaide to be thrown +open. Meanwhile the lovely fair (in whose honest praise the poetic +raptures of the ancient minstrel were composed) looked down upon +her old, faithful, and favourite bard, while mirthfully he sung and +accompanied the following:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">nuptial song.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Sweet Robin, perch'd on yonder spray,</div> + <div class="verse">So sweetly sings his matin lay,</div> + <div class="verse">To welcome forth this brilliant day,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">And greet the Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Behold the sun with genial gleam,</div> + <div class="verse">O'er the lofty mountain beam,</div> + <div class="verse">Dispelling mist like nightly dream,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">To cheer the Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Arise fair lady!—Love, perchance,</div> + <div class="verse">Hath pow'r to wake thee from this trance,</div> + <div class="verse">And hail the matin hour's advance,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">So dear to Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">O'er him, the fond, the gen'rous youth,</div> + <div class="verse">O'er her who gave her plighted truth—</div> + <div class="verse">On both may bliss each treasure shed,</div> + <div class="verse">While children crown the bridal bed</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Of noble Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">And oh! until their final hour,</div> + <div class="verse">May friendship cheer, and love have pow'r</div> + <div class="verse">To spread each charm amid their bow'r,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">And bless the Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>Here ceased the old sightless Cormac, while tears of deep and intense +feeling and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>affection trickled down his venerable, time-furrowed +cheeks.</p> + +<p>Adelaide descended from her chamber, and entering the garden, with +great sweetness and condescension approached the old minstrel: "Thanks, +many thanks, my kind and ancient bard, for this thy matin lay; and here +too is a boon withal for the minstrel."—At the same time placing a +gold doubloon in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, receive my warm, grateful thanks, my dear, kind—my noble young +mistress—<i>Cead millia failtha</i>! May the benison of the sightless bard +bless you and yours for ever and ever! Indeed I dare not refuse the +bridal present, for it carries luck and happiness, and every thing that +is kind, and noble, and good, along with it. God bless you, young lady, +and may you be as happy as you deserve; this, young lady, is the warm +and fervent prayer of poor blind old Cormac!"</p> + +<p>The Lady Adelaide felt much affected with the respect and affection +manifested by the ancient minstrel, and once more thanking him <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>for his +verses, adjourned to the breakfast-room. While on her way she was met +by Sir David Bruce at the garden door, and according to the fashion +and reserve of that day, he ceremoniously led by the hand his lovely +mistress. They now entered the breakfast parlour, where they found the +duke with the family assembled, to whom they kindly bade good morrow.</p> + +<p>The worthy and venerable Bishop Bonhomme and his lady had arrived, +as also the bride's-maids, and the whole of the company who had been +invited to the wedding. And the bridal breakfast having begun and +ended, the splendid equipages of the noble party were ordered to +approach the grand porch of the castle. And here that our fair readers +may not "burst in ignorance" of the mode and manner in which a marriage +in high life was conducted in those times by the <i>gens de condition</i>, +we shall endeavour to give a report, albeit not copied <i>verbatim</i> from +the court gazette of the day.</p> + +<p>Bishop Bonhomme and his lady first departed from the castle, ascending +their state <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>chariot, if indeed it could be called ascending a vehicle, +the body of which was barely raised some inches above the carriage +part, and which was all richly carved and gilt, and also attached by +low massive crane-necks. The single step by which the ascent into the +chariot was accomplished, was fastened perpendicularly at the outside: +it was finely carved and gilt, and of the shape and form of the escalop +shell, and two golden keys, interlaced and embossed, adorned its +centre. In lieu of leather pannels at the sides and back, the body was +ornamented all around with windows of rich plate glass, from the royal +factory of Saint Idelphonso, by means of which a full view was clearly +presented to the spectator of those within.</p> + +<p>The bishop wore a full-dress orthodox peruke; he was arrayed in his +robes and lawn sleeves; his white bridal gloves were trimmed with gold. +He looked very episcopal and dignified. The pannels of the chariot +were emblazoned with their due quantity of mitres; a rich <i>bordure</i> of +the crozier, interlaced with foliations of the shamrock, adorn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>ed the +sides and angles. The state chariot was drawn by six sleek, stately, +coalblack steeds, whose long and bushy tails nearly swept the ground. +It was driven by an old, fat, jolly-looking coachman, who displayed +fully to every beholder that he was not stinted in his meals at the +palace, to which his portentous paunch bore full attestation. He was +assisted by two postillions, arrayed in rich purple jackets and purple +velvet caps. Six footmen, in their episcopal state liveries, stood +behind. Next in the procession came on the state coach and six of the +duke, in which were seated his Grace and two of his Reverend chaplains. +Then followed the state coach and six which contained the duchess and +her lovely daughter, and Lady Adelaide's two bride's-maids. Next came +on the chariot and four of Sir David Bruce, which contained the Baronet +and Sir Patricius Placebo. These were followed by numerous carriages of +the surrounding nobility and gentry; the servants all decorated with +silver favours; while numerous parties of the tenants and peasants, +"dressed in all their best," some <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>on horseback and others on foot, +closed the extended cavalcade.</p> + +<p>The joyful pealing of the sacred chimes now cheerily rang forth from +the cathedral tower, to salute the natal morn of Lady Adelaide.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile a number of female peasants were seen advancing, arrayed in +white, their heads garlanded with living flowers. They danced before +the bride's carriage; and so soon as the cavalcade had reached the +cathedral porch, as the bride entered, they strewed the way before with +rosemary, gilliflowers, and marygolds; the mystery and signification +of which was this—the first stood for remembrance, the second for +gentleness, and the last for marriage, being an alliteration between +the name of the flower and that of the thing signified.</p> + +<p>Old Bellrope, the sexton and verger, who, "man and boy," had witnessed +many nuptials celebrated in the venerable cathedral, solemnly +asseverated that he had never before set eye upon so beautiful a +couple! To do due honours to the ceremony, he had <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>newly purchased +a verger's gown, and wore a purple cloth coat, waistcoat, and +indispensables, which had appertained in the olden time to some pious +bishop of defunct celebrity. His wig was very commendably frizzed, +thanks to the skill and indefatigability of Madam Bellrope, and looked +unusually gay, from a judicious distribution of a successful foray made +upon the drudging-box by the said thrifty dame, so that it provoked a +remark from Sandy Rakeweel, the gardener at the castle, an honest old +Caledonian devoid of guile:—"That indeed auld Bellrope's peruke for a' +the warld remeended him o' aine of his awn kale plants in fu' flower in +the middle o' August."</p> + +<p>The noble procession entered the cathedral porch, where being duly +marshalled in meet heraldic pomp, rank, and file, the distinguished +persons proceeded along the venerable nave. Lady Adelaide was +arrayed in a silver tissue, a splendid tiara of pearls, in form of a +shamrock-wreath, encircled her noble brow, with ear-rings of the same, +and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>on her lovely neck she wore "a rich and orient carcanet."<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>Sir David Bruce, with firm and dignified step and gesture, advanced, +leading onward by the hand to the bridal altar the lovely Lady +Adelaide, her eye beaming with all the radiance of intelligence and +of genius, while the deep glow of health and the blush of modesty +mantled her beauteous cheek as she approached the sacred altar, the +gaze, delight, and admiration of all, high and low, who beheld her. Her +graceful, but bashful step, and her modest mien, reminded the spectator +of Milton's fine description of Eve, when</p> + +<p class="center">"Onward she came, led by her heav'nly Maker," &c.</p> + +<p>As pure and spotless Adelaide stepped to the holy altar. But it was +impossible to withhold the veneration and admiration called forth +by the appearance, voice, manner, and noble countenance of the good +bishop, who, indeed, more than seemed "the beauty of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>holiness," while +with a clear, distinct, and dignified intonation of voice, he read the +sacred service.</p> + +<p>The ceremony concluded, the bridal party went forth in the same order +in which it had commenced, save that Sir David Bruce and his fair +bride rode in the same carriage from the cathedral. Sir Patricius +Placebo returned in the duke's carriage. The remainder of the morning +was occupied until dinner time in various rides and drives to view +the beauties of the surrounding country; some went out on a boating +excursion on the beautiful lake of Loch-Neagh, others drove out in low +phaetons, or cabriolets; and some went on a walking excursion to view +the lawns and woods of Tyrconnel, thus to occupy the time until dinner. +The elder folks sat down to the green field of the card-table, playing +at primero, cribbage, ombre, &c., <i>jusque à diner</i>.</p> + +<p>The dinner was splendidly superb. The services of richly chased and +embossed plate which this day decorated the nuptial table, were truly +magnificent. One service was of gold, two others were of silver.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> +<p>In the evening there was a grand ball, which was opened by Sir David +Bruce and his beauteous bride; they were followed by the Duke and +Duchess of Tyrconnel, who, (ah, good old-fashioned times!) upon this +occasion, tripped it on the light fantastic toe; they were soon +followed by a large group, who danced down the <i>contrè-danse</i> with +great spirit; a smile of joy was evidently seen in the benevolent face +of Bishop Bonhomme, and he was even seen to beat time with his head and +foot.</p> + +<p>Brilliant illuminations were observable throughout the domain, various +coloured lamps were garlanded from tree to tree, and likewise across +different avenues in the lawn.</p> + +<p>A banquet was spread for the duke's tenantry, where most excellent +and substantial fare was presented in abundance to all; and there was +no lack of strong beer, which flowed forth in streams. Fire-works of +various kinds were played off. And the duke's band of French horns, +stationed in different parts of the park, played various tunes, which +were sweetly echoed by the adjoining woods, and the responding waters +of the Eske.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> +<p>The tenants and peasantry did not omit the Irish dance, the +<i>Rinceadh-Fada</i>, which was danced with great spirit and grace in front +of the windows of the baronial hall. Old Cormac was now summoned to +assist at the ceremonies and the gaiety of the hall. Upon command to +attend, his remark was—"Weel, weel, 'twas anely as I expected!" He +immediately hastened to the festive scene, and brought with him a +Scotch harper, old Donald, who had been a retainer in the family of +Bruce, and whom the intelligence of the nuptials that were that day +to be solemnized had brought into the neighbourhood. Here a polite +and courteous contest arose between the minstrels, each standing +upon etiquette, and quite ready to award to the other the right of +precedence; however, this posing point, <i>d'embarras</i>, was at length +finally settled by Donald's declaring, that "he wad na pla' at a' afore +maister Cormac." So, <i>volens, nolens</i>, old Cormac seized his harp, and +thus began, accompanying his instrument with the following verses:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">May plenty, peace, long bless the isle</div> + <div class="verse">Where pity's tear can woe beguile!</div> + <div class="verse">Erin! the nations envy thee,</div> + <div class="verse">From scorpion, snake, and viper free;</div> + <div class="verse">Thy sacred saint's high potency!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Where beauty with Hygeia dwells,</div> + <div class="verse">Fell Discord flies these happy dells;</div> + <div class="verse">Where plaintive thrills thy island lyre,</div> + <div class="verse">Where kindling glows the social fire;</div> + <div class="verse">And jocund Hymen crowns the scene,</div> + <div class="verse">While pipes the shepherd's tuneful reed,</div> + <div class="verse">From his straw cottage on the mead,</div> + <div class="verse">And smiles each valley green!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>Cormac sung the foregoing simple lines in order that he might be +entitled to call upon old Donald; who now being left without an +apology, and endeavouring to recollect a song, after a short pause the +Scottish minstrel struck his harp, and thus began:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="label">i thought on distant hame!</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Ah! while I saftly tuned my sang,</div> + <div class="verse">The hawthorn's hoary bloom amang,</div> + <div class="verse">I thought on friends I lov'd sae lang;</div> + <div class="verse indent4">I thought on distant hame!</div> +</div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I thought on those I lov'd when young,</div> + <div class="verse">Of those wha died the wars amang,</div> + <div class="verse">Of those for whom the knell had rang,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Far frae their happy home!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I thought of those on foreign shore,</div> + <div class="verse">Beneath the tempest's dreadful roar,</div> + <div class="verse">Wha sank frae waves to rise nae mo',</div> + <div class="verse indent4">To hail their distant hame!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I thought on the auld parent's smart,</div> + <div class="verse">Sorrowing his anely bairn to part,</div> + <div class="verse">Whase face nae mair shall cheer his heart,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Nor joy the parent's hame!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I thought on the hapless maiden's woe,</div> + <div class="verse">Her true-love doom'd to see nae mo',</div> + <div class="verse">Her reason tint beneath the blow,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">And desolate her hame!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Then through this warld where e'er I stray,</div> + <div class="verse">In winter's gloam, or simmer's ray;</div> + <div class="verse">I'll sigh for a' wha far awa'</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Like me regret their hame!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>Donald received applause upon the conclusion of his pathetic song; +who, in return, bowed low and respectfully to the company. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>Here the +minstrels tuned their pipes with a refreshing draught of Innishowen and +water, of which commixture the first ingredient was, doubtless, the +most predominant.</p> + +<p>It now came to Cormac's turn to strike his harp. When about to proceed +the duke observed: "I fear, old friend Cormac, that it now waxes late, +and we shall not have much time for any lengthened production, for you +are aware that when the great hall-clock shall strike the ninth hour +we proceed to supper. This rule at our castle is as peremptory and +inviolable as the ancient laws of the Medes and Persians; so remember, +good Cormac!"</p> + +<p>"Never fear, your Grace's honour, I shall not fail to obey you."</p> + +<p>Then turning to Lady Adelaide Bruce, he said: "I will sing the loves +of Sir Trystan and the beautiful Isoud! they were young and noble; +they were likewise comely too, lovely lady: but they were unfortunate +in their loves. Grant, O heaven, that such a fate may never betide the +Lady Adelaide or Sir David!" He then commenced—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">the romaunt</p> + +<p class="center"><small>OF SIR TRYSTAN AND LA BELLE ISOUD.</small></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Arouse thee, old Cormac! recite the fond tale</div> + <div class="verse">Of Isoud La Belle of renowned Innisfail,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></div> + <div class="verse">Beauty's bright paragon; of chivalry tell</div> + <div class="verse">Sir Trystan the valiant, and Isoud La Belle.</div> + <div class="verse">A daughter of Erin, of Aöngus proud king</div> + <div class="verse">No story more noble a minstrel might sing!</div> + <div class="verse">Let the pioba<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> and harp triumphantly tell</div> + <div class="verse">Of Trystan the valiant and Isoud La Belle!</div> + <div class="verse">Aloud to fair Christendom, in numbers proclaim,</div> + <div class="verse">With voice of the trumpet, the chosen of fame!</div> +</div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Nor ever be <i>Arthur</i> the noble forgot!</div> + <div class="verse">The prince and his friend, who <i>were</i>, and <i>are not</i>!</div> + <div class="verse">For long since, with valour and chivalry crown'd,</div> + <div class="verse">A tomb piled by heroes these heroes have found;</div> + <div class="verse">Not envy, malice, nor time, shall be able</div> + <div class="verse">To shadow a chief of Arthur's round table!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">O long shall the lily,<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> the ivy, and bay,</div> + <div class="verse">Frame a wreath round the hero, the pride of his day;</div> + <div class="verse">And now bursting forth from cearment and gloom,</div> + <div class="verse">Once more shall the victor arise from his tomb.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">He comes, the proud chieftain, to Cornwall's steep coast,</div> + <div class="verse">Sir Trystan the valiant, high chivalry's boast;</div> + <div class="verse">The friend of Prince Arthur descended in line</div> + <div class="verse">From heroes whose glory 'tis his to enshrine:</div> +</div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Still nobly look up to their banner so proud,</div> + <div class="verse">The forfeit, dishonour, disgrace, and the shroud!</div> + <div class="verse">'Aye, ever his honour Sir Trystan shall cherish,</div> + <div class="verse">When it shall be lost his wish is to perish!</div> + <div class="verse">And shrink mid the ignoble, worthless, and dead,</div> + <div class="verse">When the halo of glory shall wane on his head!'</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p>Just at the conclusion of the above, to the horror, confusion, and +surprise of old Cormac, the German clock in the baronial hall chimed +musically forth the ninth hour. But it was no music to the ear of +Cormac, who in dumb despair somewhat sullenly laid down his harp, +knowing that remonstrance would not be heard, and that solicitation was +all in vain. But the duke was loud in his commendations, in which he +was duly echoed by his guests, and Cormac was assured that the company +should certainly be gratified upon the succeeding night, and at an +earlier hour, with the remainder of the Romaunt of Trystan and Isoud.</p> + +<p>The company now descended to the great supper-room, where a most superb +banquet was spread for the noble guests. The wassail-bowl was duly +and meetly placed in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>centre of the table upon a magnificent gold +plateau. The bowl was decorated with artificial flowers, festoons of +"true-lover's knots," "rose-buds," "heart's-ease," "forget me not," and +the bow and arrow of Cupid were not omitted.</p> + +<p>"The spiced wassail-bowl,"<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> duly impregnated with love philtres, +was composed of Muscadel,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> principally, in which, <i>inter</i> <i>alia</i>, +the following ingredients were mixed in this mystic beverage: namely, +angelica, adianthum, eggs, eringo, orchis, &c. The concoction was +made with great caution, measure, and propriety, according to the +<i>avoirdupois</i> weight, as duly laid down in the family receipt book. +The bride and bridegroom, of course, were the first to quaff from this +charmed potion, and then those who chose to follow their example.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> +<p>The song, the jest, and the cup, detained the company until the +eleventh hour, a time in that primitive period which was considered +late; when mutually pleasing and pleased, the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>noble guests arose to +separate; and all retired to their respective chambers to repose, +pleased and delighted with the hospitalities of this happy and most +memorable day.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">The bridegroom may forget the bride</div> + <div class="verse">Was made his wedded wife yestreen.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> +<div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Burns.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>It was on a serene autumnal morning succeeding the day of Lady +Adelaide's nuptials, the sun had brilliantly arisen, dispelling the +misty gloom and dews of night, and shed around his broad refracted +rays; unruffled by a passing cloud, a clear and lofty sky spread forth +its mighty canopy of mild aërial blue; the twittering swallows hovered +around, and circled in mid-air, while clustering, they chattered their +parting lullaby. The solitary redbreast too joined in nature's chorus, +and thrilled forth his matin song. Every mountain lake shone forth a +glassy mirror, and the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>waves of the mighty Atlantic hushed to repose, +slumbered amid their coral caves; what time the minister of the gospel +of peace, the Reverend Doctor M'Kenzie, returned to the castle of his +noble and generous patron, after a long protracted absence of many +years.</p> + +<p>His return had been provokingly delayed by long continued ill health, +and besides by various vexatious detainers, such as bad roads, bad +drivers, the cumbersome, ill-constructed vehicles of those days, +and having encountered various disastrous chances of many "moving +accidents" by sea and land, which had all concurred with direful +combination to retard his journey, and prevent his being present upon +the auspicious day when the lovely heiress of the noble duke was to +bestow her hand in marriage.</p> + +<p>His Reverence received a kind and hearty welcome from the duke and +duchess, and all the inmates of the castle were rejoiced to behold his +return, and to find that his health was quite re-established, so as to +have permitted him to undertake such a long and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>fatiguing journey. His +health and spirits were indeed much recruited through the beneficial +effects of the waters of Pyrmont, which, like those of fabled Lethe, +seemed to cause a total oblivion of all the perils inflicted amid the +deep, and the dangers and difficulties sustained upon land.</p> + +<p>Matters went on at the castle this day pretty much alike to what they +had upon the preceding ever memorable yesterday, which witnessed the +happy union of Sir David Bruce and the Lady Adelaide. A large company +assembled at the castle, and sat down to a splendid dinner in the great +hall of state. The desert could boast fruits collected from every +quarter of the globe, and every rich, rare, and generous wine, sparkled +on the board, and were poured forth in hospitable libations—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"The mellow-tinted Burgundy; and quick</div> + <div class="verse">As is the wit it gives, the brisk Champaign."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>In the evening there was a concert of instrumental music, which was +performed on the terrace; cards and supper succeeded; every <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>thing was +conducted and served up in a style at once splendid and superb.</p> + +<p>The company had all departed to their homes, and the guests had +retired to their chambers; but the duke and duchess, and the bride +and bridegroom, still tarried, engaged in pleasant discourse; when +at length the noble host and hostess also took leave, and embracing +their beloved daughter, and cordially shaking Sir David by the hand, +they bade good night, and ascended to their chamber. The bridal pair +now also remained some few moments engaged in sweet converse, when he +said:—"My love, retire to your chamber, and soon I shall follow thee; +I have a letter or two to write, and despatch by the messenger, who at +dawn of day departs to deposit them in the general post. I have too a +few letters to read; these being despatched, quickly I shall retire +anon to our chamber. The night is a cold autumnal one, but I know that +I shall find a blazing fire—a heart still warmer than that fire, and +sweet smiles withal, to welcome me when I shall <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>rejoin thee.—Go, go, +my love!" he said, and affectionately embraced her.</p> + +<p>He sat for some time reading and writing, for the papers were of +importance. He now arose from his chair, and was about to retire to his +happy chamber, when a loud and hollow knock was heard at the portal +gates; the watch dogs were aroused, and loudly and deeply barked. The +old porter cautiously and slowly opened the lattice peep-hole of the +gate to ask, who at this unseasonable hour of the night it was that +would fain demand admittance? The answer given was, that he was a +king's messenger bearing despatches of importance for Sir David Bruce, +and as the glimmering lamp was held forth, he showed the silver badge, +the insignia of his office. The wicket-gate was instantly unbarred, and +he was accordingly admitted. The messenger was shown into the servants' +hall, where supper and refreshments were immediately brought him; and +while he was regaling upon the hospitable cheer of the castle, a bed +was put in readiness for him. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>Sir David Bruce having seen that all was +as it should be, retired to his chamber.</p> + +<p>It was midnight, the fire in the bridal chamber brightly blazed, and +the wax-lights shot forth their brilliant beams. Sir David seated +himself on a chair beside the bed, and having gently drawn aside the +curtain, he affectionately embraced his bride, while he kindly said, +"My dear Adelaide, I always have been of opinion that no secret nor +mystery should ever exist between man and wife. I know, my love, that +your understanding ranks too high, your love for me is too great, +and your opinion of my character is too elevated ever to induce you, +in any shape or form, to pry into what I may not think necessary to +disclose. For indeed <i>you</i> do not aspire to that <i>superior wisdom</i> +which some of your sex rather somewhat too confidently and arrogantly +assume; the true term and appellation of which properly should be +called <i>not</i> wisdom, but <i>superior curiosity</i>! But, my dear love, in +strictest verity I may say of thee, before our happy union, in foreign +realms, and in perilous tracts over land and ocean, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>that I have ever +witnessed thy equanimity of temper, and always have found thee one and +the same;—ever unchanged and unchangeable! and indeed I know no one +(not even your noble and highly gifted mother) who could, with more +propriety than yourself, assume the motto of the virgin queen—</p> + +<p class="center">'Semper eadem!'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear husband!" rejoined Adelaide, "although delighted ever +to hear <i>your</i> praise, yet when you would overstep the due and meet +boundaries of discretion, and, forsooth, make of me an ideal goddess, +it is meet and due time, that stepping down from the lofty pedestal +whereon thou hast been graciously pleased to rear thy fond idol, +for me to intrude a word or two, if it were but to dispel the charm +which fascinates thee, recall thy wandering thoughts from paradise +to earth, and convince thee, at least, that I am but a mere mortal; +and, moreover, a woman to boot, with all a woman's faults—yea, too, +my love, with all a woman's fondness, and the love that no tongue can +utter; and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>thus I swear it upon thy beloved lips, my first, my only +love!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my adorable Adelaide," he said, while he met the fond embrace, +"let this blessed moment be ever sacred in our recollection! dawning +with hope and promised joy on all our future days. Oh, my Adelaide, +imperishable let this happy, too happy hour remain, and ever marked +and stamped by a holy communion of heart and mind! Your taste shall +be mine, your liking shall be my liking, your joy be my joy, and your +sorrows (if ever they come) shall be all mine own!—thy disgrace would +become my disgrace, and mine would be attended with yours! But now I +only look upon the happy obverse of the medal, when I pause on your +beauty, your accomplishments, your virtue, and your religion! for +without the latter a woman is a monster, and man little less than a +demon. You must now permit me to say, that you are the theme of every +tongue, the charm of every eye, the idol of every heart, and the bright +ornament of every circle, that might fairly, at thy throne,</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> +<p class="center">'Bid kings come bow to it!'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear Bruce, you will turn my brain—no more of hyperbole!"</p> + +<p>"Nay, Adelaide, nay! can I think on all these, and yet not feel the +thrill of transport throbbing at my heart?—quite impossible!—it +could not be so, my love! Between us then let there ever exist a holy +communion of soul that shall support and bear us onward throughout the +trials of this stormy world, gilding the days of health and happiness, +and not deserting us when years increase, and health declines; for +even then the Hymenial torch shall brightly burn, although it may be +with a mild, yet steady light, and only expire upon the tomb! Believe +me the true and indissoluble bond of conjugal affection is no other +than an unreserved and reciprocal interchange of every thought, plan, +purpose, and design. Enduring, meanwhile, a contented participation +of fortune, whether it be prosperous or adverse; possessing only <i>one +will</i>, <i>one mind</i>, and <i>one heart</i>, thus harmoniously resembling a +finely performed air of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>music, where three voices melodiously melt +into one, and close in full and perfect diapason. Oh, my dear love, if +this conjugal—this perfect harmony, were, as it ought to be, always +preserved, what follies might not be avoided!—what heart-burnings +would ever exist!—what horrible vice might not be shunned!—and what +dread and horrid disgrace might not be prevented! When oft, my love, at +evening time retired in our tranquil solitude, I shall there retrace +the events and transactions of the day that has gone by, then, then, +shall I tell thee of aught perchance which I may have observed in thy +conduct or deportment to censure or to praise. Oh, with what delight +I shall dwell upon all that I approve, while with gentleness I pass +over what I may discommend. And the same sincerity, sweet love, I shall +expect from thee; thou shalt, as in a tablet, set down all my faults +and misdemeanors. It is thus that we shall best fulfil the holy compact +which we entered into yesterday—of abiding by each other in sickness, +sorrow, or in health, in adversity, or in prosperity! And now let me +seal this sa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>cred bond by this warm pressure on thy lips. Thus, my +Adelaide, we ratify this deed of co-partnership!"</p> + +<p>He then added playfully, "Certes I ever have been of opinion that, +although corporeally speaking, man and wife are two bodies, yet am I +at the same time of opinion that they should have between them but one +mind. However, I am altogether not unreasonable withal, and therefore +feel not disinclined to allow them <i>the firm</i> of <span class="smcap">TWO</span> hearts; +but I ever must protest against dissolution of partnership!"</p> + +<p>Then sweetly smiling, he said, "Here, my love, I bear in my hand +despatches of high importance, and brought by a king's messenger; I +needs must cut their silken tressure ere I can peruse the contents +thereof; pray you therefore direct me, my dearest love, where I may +find your <i>etui</i>, or work-box, as I now stand in need of a penknife, or +your ladyship's shears, to cut the silky-gordian knot of this important +packet?"</p> + +<p>Adelaide replied, "Truly, my dearest love, I do not know where to +direct you, the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>events of yesterday have quite caused me to forget; +but open yonder cabinet of ebon, inlaid with ivory, which stands in +yonder recess, search it, perhaps there a penknife or shears may be +found."</p> + +<p>"<i>May</i> find! Adelaide, nay now, thou art what truly I did not suspect +that thou wert, a most unthrifty housewife!"</p> + +<p>Sir David Bruce approached the cabinet; it contained many curious +and secret drawers; at length sprung forth one opened by a spring, +which unconsciously he had touched, when the drawer fell from the +cabinet, and lo! forth was flung from it, and, to his infinite horror +and surprise, he saw, and scarce could believe his eyes, a whinger! +[<i>i. e.</i> a Scottish knife or poniard, answering for both purposes,] +which trundled on the floor with a foreboding sound. The handle was of +silver, richly wrought; it bore the crest of Bruce, namely, a dexter +hand and arm cased in armour, wielding a royal sceptre, and supported +on a cap of maintenance; and beneath was engraved the motto of The +Bruce, <span class="smcap">Fuimus</span>! While, oh! horrible to tell, deeply were +im<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>printed "on the blade and dudgeon gouts of blood," and which seemed +to have been there "long before," rusted and corroded as they were by +time. Oh, when this was done it was</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"In human guilt a portent and an era!</div> + <div class="verse">'Tis of those crimes whose eminent fame hell joys at;</div> + <div class="verse">And the celestial angels that look on it</div> + <div class="verse">Wish their keen airy vision dim and narrow!"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>Maddened with furious rage, he frantic raised the gory poniard from +the ground, and rushing with dreadful impetuosity to the bed-side, he +presented the fatal dagger at Adelaide's heart.</p> + +<p>"Oh strike—strike Sir David, and by <i>thy</i> hand let me die! But indeed, +indeed, I am innocent!"</p> + +<p>"Thou, innocent!—hah, hah, hah!" with a violent hysteric expression he +repeated—"<i>Innocent!</i>—thou witch, fiend, sorceress, devil!——<i>Thou</i> +innocent!—no, no!—thou hast held unholy converse and communion with +the arch-fiend, and with all the demons of darkness and of hell! But +tell!—come, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>this instant tell! or on this spot—aye, thy bridal bed, +thou surely shalt die—this moment thou shalt die! Tell at once then, +how, where, and when, from whom didst thou receive?—No, no deceit, no +prevarication will be allowed nor tolerated. Tell, oh tell, thou devil, +although moulded in an angel's form! Tell, I conjure thee tell!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, spare—spare me, and I shall tell thee all!—each particular shalt +thou know. It——It was upon the <i>Eve of All-Hallows</i>, some ten years +ago—I forget the year—when foolishly, with some young friends, upon +my birth-day, of which it was the fatal anniversary, I impiously dared +to tempt my fate, or try my fortune, by one of those mystic accursed +tricks that are too oft resorted to—"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, less words, lady, and more facts! I demand expedition, +for my impatience cannot brook delay; so come, continue thy accursed +tale——quickly proceed!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, terrible to recollect, and still more terrible to tell. It was +midnight! and, true to his compact, the phantom, whom I had charmed, +appeared in my chamber at the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>same time of night as now. I had caused +a collation to be served, consisting of viands, fruits, confections, +and wine; which were placed upon a table in the centre of the room; +a chair was placed near it, between the table and the fire; upon +another table was displayed the toilette, where were placed a silver +basin, napkin, and a golden ewer, which was filled with rose-water, +and bestrewed with flowers. The fire blazed brilliantly bright, and +wax-lights shed their lustre on the collation. Meanwhile, trembling +fearfully, I lay in my bed, with my back to the light; upon the +counterpane I had stationed a large mirror, (with a trembling hand and +a palpitating heart,) in order that I might behold distinctly reflected +on its polished surface the image of whatever object might place itself +at either of the tables, which, from the position in which I was +placed, I could not fail to see. Thus stationed, was heard a fearful +rumbling sound, as if issuing down the chamber chimney; then followed +a noise, loud and like to the electric shock of a thunderbolt, which +sounded as if it had burst through the chim<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>ney-flue, and from whence +was forcibly flung, with an astounding crash, upon the hearth-stone +of this very chamber, that same dread and fearful instrument which +you now uphold! Sad, sorrowful, and dreadful is the recollection. Yet +still I had the courage to look upon the mirror which I held, when I +instantly and fearfully saw reflected in it a cloud of blue flame, +which illuminated within its cloud of fire, exposed suddenly a tall +and manly chieftain, whose figure boldly emanating from the mist which +surrounded it, seemed clad in a Tartan plaid; his head was covered, or +crowned, with a Scottish bonnet, adorned with plumes, and surmounted by +the Scottish thistle, which sparkled in gold embroidery. The figure, +or spectre, or whatever that unsightly vision might be, held forth to +me his hands, which were bloody; he then sat down to the banquet; he +tasted, but eat not; sipped, but he did not drink: and then on the +sudden arose from his seat, slightly dipped his hands in rose-water, +and applied the napkin. This at the time did virtually all appear a +vision, dreadfully reflected within <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>the glass which I held on my +couch. Yea, you look amazed! but I did see it all, and am too well +convinced it was <i>no vision</i>!—for still horribly, even now through the +lapse of years, I see it still! fresh in my memory, and never, never to +be forgotten! While thus, all terrified and petrified, I looked upon +the awful form, or spectre; frightfully and passionately it grinned +upon me a demon's smile, and said in deep sepulchral voice:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">With this red hand, thou Adelaide shalt wed,</div> + <div class="verse">And keep this trophy for our bridal bed!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>The phantom then, or whatever it was, fiercely took up the dagger, +and dashed it horribly against the mirror I held, which it shivered +into pieces. Then the bloody instrument fell upon the floor, and the +spectre vanished: while I fell into a dreadful trance, which lasted +for hours, and from which I grieve that ever I did waken to witness +this most wretched night! While the phantom vanished, the heavens +loudly thundered, and the vivid lightning illumed this fatal chamber. +Oh, the crash of the mirror I never <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>can forget, nor the ominous fall +of the blood-stained dagger as it fearfully trundled upon the oaken +floor!—these two ominous circumstances too surely manifested that this +was <i>no dream</i>! Oh no, they pierced my heart to conviction! That dread +and awful moment of my life I never can forget!—only to be equalled, +and only to be outdone, by the agonies which now I so severely undergo +in this unhappy hour! Oh, Sir David, in pity at once kill me, and end +my sorrow and my suffering together!—you hold the bloody instrument, +oh then strike!—strike, there's my bosom!—I fear not to die—oh +kill me, I beseech thee!—in mercy, at once destroy me! But, oh, do +not—do not look thus again!—It was thus the awful spectre looked, +while thus the fire flashed from his visage!—Thus! it was <i>thus</i> he +frowned! and like thee he spoke! Oh—oh, I never saw thee look thus +before!—never, never! <i>Ah!</i> <span class="smcap">THOU</span>!—<i>thou!</i> <span class="smcap">thyself</span> +<i>wert</i> <span class="smcap">that</span> <i>spectre</i>!!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Adelaide, no! I looked not thus; it was the infernal fiend, +from the lowest depth of hell, that looked thus, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>then assumed my +shape and form! At that moment I was on ship-board, Dr. M'Kenzie was +my fellow-voyager, who can vouch for the same; we had then left the +Scottish shore, and the destination of the vessel was for Ireland. +This weapon, which now I hold, I then flung into the hissing waves, +when unearthly voices and unearthly music met mine ear, and smote my +heart!—Oh, it was then that I suffered the deep-thrilling agonizing +horrors of the damned. The arch-fiend, I felt, was working in my bosom; +and strongly, desperately, was I tempted to fling myself into the +same remorseless element into which I had flung this blood-besprent +instrument—the damned testimony of my crime; and by so doing end +at once my earthly misery! But even then I lifted up my humble +supplication to heaven, although with crimsoned hands! I fell into a +trance, and lay to all appearance lifeless upon the deck.——You seem +to doubt!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, yes; I see it all!—that frown—that look! Oh, thou, thou, +wert that horrible spectre!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> +<p>Having thus replied, poor Adelaide, with a piteous, heart-rending +scream, and to all appearance as if life had fled, sunk down, pale and +ghastly as a corse, upon her pillow. It was indeed some time before Sir +David could bring her to herself. When the hapless Adelaide recovered +from her faint, he said: "My reproaches now are at an end. For you now +are the object of my compassion and of my pity, not of my wrath. It is +however true, that although infernal agents have given you a husband, +yet know they have not the power to cause me to remain with you one +hour more!—There I am a free agent. No, no!—not Lucifer himself shall +detain me here!—no, nor all thy witchery! Within a short hour, or +less, I depart from hence, and never, never more to return; and I shall +be no more seen!"</p> + +<p>With a desperate grasp, then stooping, he seized and held up the +fatal dagger, the deadly record of his grief—the <i>sævi monumentum +doloris</i>—the bloody pledge of his crime—the avengeful instrument of +his rage, stamped with the crimsoned tears of unabated <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>and unabatable +grief!... "Yet before I go, look, lady, upon that dagger!—whose +blood, think you, it is with which it is imbued?—You shall hear!... +That once was noble blood—it was valiant blood—the proudest blood of +Caledon—the blood of her royal race of kings! And, oh, wretch that +I am!—it was the blood of my brother—my only brother!—yea, and my +elder born! rashly, madly, wickedly shed by me!—yes!... Oh, still +gaze upon it—turn not thine eyes away. It was blood nearly, deeply, +none nearer, allied to me, and beloved. But, but this—all this was +forgot in the moment of delirium—of madness! It was the blood of my +elder brother—yea, an only brother!... Oh, Adelaide, look not thus +again!—my weary, sickening heart, condemns me enough——enough. Well, +well, we lived in the same home, we partook of the same board, we slept +in the same bed.... Oh, oh my brain, how it maddens! and my heart would +fain burst!... Yet, yet, yet I slew him—in rage, madness, I did!—I +did, I did—monster that I am!... Lady, be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>hold I weep!—Ah, I did +not weep when my poor brother died!—and when this I plunged into his +beloved breast!—No, no, no! But it is just, it is truly just, that +heaven's vengeance should make this base instrument of my crime, this +fratricidal dagger, the fatal cause which now separates me from all +happiness upon earth; and divorces me, body and soul, from thee—oh, +whom I loved better—yea, beyond life itself! But time advances, and I +must depart from hence—oh, and for ever! One parting look, and then +I am gone. Oh, thou precious mischief!—so young, so fascinating, so +beautiful! Oh, my very heart shall burst!... Yet, yet—oh, must it +be!—and must we part?... Lady, from hence I go, and shall be no more +seen; peradventure too no more be remembered. Well, well, let justice +have its vengeance and its victim too! Yes, yes, let it be so."</p> + +<p>Here, pallid as death, and woe-stricken, he gave one sad, one last, +agonizing look upon that face that he had so well beloved—the face +of one with whom to part were <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>worse than death itself. Then sad and +sorrowful, in a dejected tone, he said:—"Oh, Adelaide, we have loved +as others yet have never loved; now heart-broken and sorrow-stricken I +here must bid a sad and solemn farewell. Yet, oh, must we part?—Yes, +we <i>must</i> part—oh, and for <i>ever</i>! Never, never again in this wide +world to meet!—again, never! Oh, farewell—one sad, one sorrowful +farewell, and hence I go.... Farewell! forgive and forget, if thou +canst forget (to forgive were impossible) that such a wretched outcast +exists as David Bruce!"</p> + +<p>Here he sobbed like a child, while he slowly and silently withdrew, +gently closing after him the chamber door. But suddenly he returned, +and approaching the bed-side, he thus addressed Adelaide: "It were best +that the mournful tale which now I have disclosed to thee, as well too +as thine own, should be kept inviolably secret, and remain for ever +unknown. Divulge not then thine own criminal weakness; neither expose +the enormity of my guilt. Oh, how often and often have I wished, have I +longed for, aye, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>and have courted death;—yea often too have I keenly +sought him in flood and field. But in vain. It almost seemed as if I +had borne a charmed life. Often I</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone;</div> + <div class="verse">And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open</div> + <div class="verse">The breast of heaven, I did present myself</div> + <div class="verse">Even in the aim and very flash of it,"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p class="no-indent">in anxious hope that it might strike a guilty fratricide dead!——Now, +now, you must say, and swear too, upon this blood-stained +poniard!—swear never—no, never! to reveal what this sad and eventful +night has developed; save it be upon your death-bed alone that you may +divulge it. Come, I demand thy oath; I must have thy solemn oath—thy +sanctified oath of secrecy! But I will not place that horrid instrument +to thy lips, to swear by! No, no! I could not do it—I would not. +Oh, no—if even past joys and hopes again were to return—no! But +there—there, place thy hand upon that horrible instrument of my deep +damnation! Swear upon it!—solemnly swear upon that blood-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>besprent +dagger. Swear!—I charge thee, swear!——Oh, yet weep not, my poor +Adelaide! Oh, no!—weep not thus, my Adelaide, or I forego my purpose; +and soon, then, this dagger shall be plunged into mine own guilty +bosom!——Thou hast heard me——my love! Oh, yes, yes, my love; for +still, oh, still art thou dear to me—dearer than life—ay, or even the +blessed hopes of ******!—although we never may meet again!——There, +I beseech thee! yet there place thy hand upon that instrument +of my torture—of my unspeakable woe—and of my deep and deadly +crime.—Swear!</p> + +<p>Adelaide firmly clasped the fatal instrument, and then exclaimed: "I +swear, I solemnly swear, to observe to the very letter all thou hast +now enjoined!"</p> + +<p>"Oh," replied he, dejected and overcome, "how cold, how deadly cold, +is thy hand, my poor, poor Adelaide!—frozen as are all my hopes, +and chilled, chilled—deadly chilled as is my own wretched heart's +blood. Oh, I shall lose my reason! Oh God, what an hour is this? But +pardon me, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>thou Almighty power. It was I, the impassioned wretch, +that flew forth in thy defiance, like another branded criminal—the +blood-besprinkled Cain, whose mark, I fear, is stamped upon my forehead +and in my heart. But, oh, great and dread Omnipotent, thou art truly +just—and I am guilty. Most justly do I confess that I am punished +as I ought to be, by thy retributive justice, even upon earth—the +irreparable loss of her whom no earthly power upon this habitable spot +of earth can ever alleviate or redeem!—never, never, never!"</p> + +<p>While Sir David Bruce impassionately and woefully said this, he fell +prostrate, and cold, and lifeless, upon the floor of the bridal chamber.</p> + +<p>To describe the emotions of Adelaide, would be to attempt indeed an +impracticable task. It was so truly horrifying and affecting, that it +must wholly be left to the imagination of the feeling reader. It was +some time before Sir David recovered from this overpowering blow of +affliction. When he did recover, he said mournfully:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> +<p>"Sorrow has paralyzed me; and I who often have cleft in twain the +helmet of the foeman, now shrink and bend before thee, my much-injured +love. A guilty conscience hath unmanned me quite. But oh, my poor +Adelaide, time presses onward; the night wears apace, and I must now +conclude the few words which I have to say to thee. You must tell the +duke and duchess—boldly, as it is true, to account for the rapidity +of my departure—that the import of the despatches received, which are +from the Elector Palatine of Brandenburgh, in whose service I fought +at the battle of the Boyne, bear with them life or death, and I must +instantly depart. Thus summoned so suddenly, say to them, and kindly +say, that I could not await their arising for the slow ceremony of +leave-taking, but that I was forced to hasten forthwith, even amidst +the cold and darkness of midnight, with all the expedition I might. +And ... when hence I am gone, and thou shalt silently sit in judgment +on my passion, and upon my crime, and shalt pronounce condemnation on +the destroyer of a brother's <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>life, and of a wife's happiness—oh, even +then still think how fervently, how affectionately, how devotedly, I +loved thee;—yea, and in <i>my very heart's core</i>!... And now a long +farewell—for ever farewell. Mayst thou obtain that peace that is to me +denied and lost in this world for ever!"</p> + +<p>Having thus said, sad, sorrowful, and slow, he descended from the +bridal chamber, the tears streaming adown his manly cheeks. Meantime +he had lighted a lamp which lay in the recess, and bearing it in his +hand, with cautious and silent step, he descended the staircase; and +having gone out at the postern, he proceeded to the stables, where, +having called up his faithful servant, he ordered his horses instantly +to be saddled, and in less than half an hour all was in readiness for +his departure,—servant, horses, travelling valise, &c. &c. And now +Sir David, and his faithful servant Malcolm, who had attended him +at the battle of the Boyne, proceeded beneath the embattled portal +of Tyrconnel Castle, never again to return. The solitary bittern +mournfully boomed as they rode <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>along the lonely marsh, and the +startled eagle from his lofty eirie-crag loudly shrieked, awakened by +the tramp of the horse-hoofs, which were deeply re-echoed through this +stilly solitude, in the dark and dismal hour of midnight.</p> + +<p>Oh, what pen can write, what tongue can tell, what heart can feel, save +the heart which deeply hath felt it, how bitter are the pangs of a +wounded spirit, when love becomes horribly transformed into rancorous +and deadly hate! Oh, happy it were then that "the silver cord were +loosened, and the golden bowl were broken," what time the sweet bond of +harmony snapt suddenly in twain, dissevered by a rude and discordant +crash, when two fond, faithful, and affectionate hearts, are changed +in one short, sad, and eventful moment—becoming, alas, fatally and +irrevocably estranged and separated for ever.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure,</div> + <div class="verse">Thrill the deepest notes of woe!"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">And tell me, I charge you——</div> + <div class="verse">Why fold ye your mantles, why cloud ye your brows?</div> + <div class="verse">So spake the stern chieftain.—No answer is made;</div> + <div class="verse">But each mantle unfolding, a dagger display'd.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Campbell.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>We must now go still further back into our history, and give some +account of Sir David Bruce, and the unhappy causes that led to so +unexpected and so speedy a termination of a connexion honourable and +enviable in every respect, and indeed every way deserving of happier +results.</p> + +<p>In the parish of Kirkoswald, in Ayrshire, is situated the ancient and +the celebrated castle of Turnberry, stationed upon the north-west point +of a rocky angle of the coast, extending towards Girvan. This cas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>tle +belonged to Sir Robert Bruce, Laird of Annandale. The situation of the +castle of Turnberry is extremely delightful, commanding a full view +of the Frith of Clyde, and its indented shores. Upon the land side it +overlooks a richly extended plain, bounded by distant hills, which rise +around in gradual and beautiful undulations, and adorned to their very +summits with woods of mountain-ash, oak, and the most graceful of all +trees, in glen, plain, valley, or mountain, the weeping birch.</p> + +<p>The lord of this castle—we should say "the laird"—was Sir Robert +Bruce, and with him resided his twin-brother, Sir David Bruce, the +hero of this eventful tale. This castle had belonged in the olden time +to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died nobly fighting, as a true and +valiant Red-Cross Knight, in the Holy Land; who left an only daughter, +named Martha Countess of Carrick. This noble lady having accidentally +met Robert Bruce, (the ancestor of our hero,) Laird of Annandale in +Scotland, and Baron Cleveland in England, while he was occu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>pied in a +hunting party near her castle, his manners, deportment, and person, +pleased the countess; she invited him to the castle of Turnberry, and +they were speedily married.</p> + +<p>From this illustrious marriage sprung the kings of Scotland of the +royal race of Stuart;—and hence the successors of Bruce, until they +ascended the throne of Scotland, were styled <i>Earls of Carrick</i>; +and this title still appertains to the heir apparent to the throne +of England, one of the titles of the Prince of Wales being "Earl of +Carrick and Lord of the Isles."</p> + +<p>Robert was the ancestor of David, who married a lady of the noble +house of Moray. Sir David Bruce, Laird of Annandale, died when young, +leaving two sons, Robert and David, (the latter the subject of these +memoirs,) and appointing, by his last will and testament, his lady and +the Reverend George Wardlaw, D. D., as guardians to his sons. His death +was soon followed by that of his lady. And the young men, now grown up, +having received a due preparatory education <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>from the Reverend Doctor, +whilom fellow of St. Andrew's College, were there shortly matriculated +as students. But Robert soon got tired of his Reverend tutor and the +grave and ponderous tomes of Saint Andrew's, which were soon exchanged +for the academy of nature, the wooded banks of the Doon, and the rocky, +romantic shores of Ayrshire.</p> + +<p>David, on the contrary, pursued his academic studies with much +perseverance, and with very considerable credit, calling forth the +approbation and praise of his Reverend tutor and the heads of that +learned seminary.</p> + +<p>While in the university he formed an intimacy with Thomas Lord Maxwell, +which was soon cemented into friendship. They were chums; their +studies, pursuits, and tastes coincided, and they were inseparable +companions.</p> + +<p>Upon one occasion Lord Maxwell saved the life of Sir David Bruce. They +were one day, during college vacation, amusing themselves in fishing +for pike and perch in a small row-boat on the Loch of Lindores; when +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>suddenly a squall of wind coming on, the boat overset. Bruce, not +knowing how to swim, would certainly have been drowned; but Lord +Maxwell said: "Be calm, and I will save you;—be firm, and fear +not!—Closely lock your arms around my waist; but do not by any means +impede my exertions, and trust me I shall bring you safe to shore."</p> + +<p>Lord Maxwell faithfully fulfilled his promise, by conducting his friend +with the utmost safety to land, which they at length providentially +reached, both much wearied and exhausted, having had a considerable +distance to swim.</p> + +<p>This adventure still further increased that mutual regard and +friendship which had long existed between them. Danger, like death, is +a leveller of all distinctions; it places those mutually encountering +it on an equality, and forms a bond of union not easy to be broken. It +can then be well imagined how much this event tended to strengthen and +confirm a friendship that was not of hasty growth.</p> + +<p>The terms necessary to be kept at the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>university having now expired. +Lord Maxwell and Sir David Bruce took their departure from it, with the +regard and regret of all who knew them;—the former returning to his +ancient and magnificent castle of Caerlaverock,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> in Dumfrieshire; +when Sir David Bruce retired to his brother's residence at Turnberry +Castle, in Ayrshire.</p> + +<p>David was truly glad to meet his brother after so long an absence, +and Robert kindly received him. Here the brothers passed their time +in rural sports and pastimes, enjoying the sun and summer months in +admiring the views of nature; never within the castle during the +day-time, often wandering even at night in the open air, among the +mountains and the woods. The winter they spent in the chase, while the +sun was up;<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> or in practising the broad sword, at which David was +particularly expert. For</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"The sword that seem'd fit for archangel to wield,</div> + <div class="verse">Was light in his terrible hand."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> +<p>In archery, and in wielding the Lochabor axe, they were both equally +skilled. Their evenings they passed in assembling, with their +surrounding neighbours, around the social fire in the great baronial +hall, or entertaining themselves with the song, the tale, and the dance.</p> + +<p>To the pleasures arising from the perusal of history and poetry, David +united a fine taste for music; and to these were added an ardent love +of classical learning, and an enthusiastic admiration of the scenery of +nature. Every day witnessed him to wander abroad and gaze with rapture +on the expanded lake, the lofty mountain, the frowning rock, and the +thundering cataract. These <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>extended and elevated his strong mind, on +which was stamped the impress and originality of thought, an unshaken +independence of mind, emanating from Nature herself.—Refinement in +sentiment was contrasted to strength and hardiness of body. His manners +were polite and endearing, as his deportment was simple and unassuming:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"He bloom'd the pride of Caledonia's youth,</div> + <div class="verse">In virtue, valour, and external grace."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>He was warm and cordial in his affections; he was modest as he was +brave. His character was that of much decision—a proud, independent, +and a lofty spirit. He could forgive injuries against himself; and he +could do more—he could also forget them.</p> + +<p>But the character of Robert was stamped in a different mould. He +was enterprising, artful, bold, boisterous, treacherous, cruel, +unforgiving, and suspicious withal: possessing too a strong portion in +his disposition of that</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Pale envy, which withers at another's joy,</div> + <div class="verse">And hates the excellence which it cannot reach,"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> +<p>Robert looked with a jealous and a jaundiced eye on the superior +accomplishments and attainments of his brother; and he heard with +strong, unmixed, and undisguised hatred and disgust, all the praises +that were daily lavished on the worth, generosity, and humanity of +David, whom Robert considered in every respect as his inferior. Hence +arose daily reproaches between the brothers, which necessarily and +inevitably went to dissolve that unity in which brethren ever should +delight to dwell.</p> + +<p>There were at this time two rival and hostile clans in their vicinity, +the Maxwells of Nithisdale, and the Johnstones of Annandale. The chief +of the former clan was Lord Maxwell, the college chum and friend of Sir +David Bruce; and the chief of the Johnstones was Sir Eustace Johnstone, +the friend of Sir Robert. This opposition of clanship, and the brothers +espousing different sides, added still further to increase the growing +ill-will which now existed between the twin brothers.</p> + +<p>It will now be necessary to revert to the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>original feud between the +Maxwells and the Johnstones,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> or, as it was emphatically called, +"The foul debate," one indeed of the most remarkable feuds upon the +western marches. This feud occurred between John Lord Maxwell, the +father of the friend of Sir David Bruce (John Lord Maxwell), and the +Laird of Johnstone. Two bands of mercenaries, commanded by Captains +Cranstoun and Larie, were sent from Edinburgh to support Johnstone, who +were attacked and cut to pieces at Crawford-muir, by Robert Maxwell, +natural brother to the chieftain, who following up his advantages, +burned Johnstone's castle of Lockwood. The Johnstones soon appearing +with only forty horsemen, engaged double that number of the enemy, put +them to flight, and pursuing a certain length, and through deep design +then as suddenly retreated. They were soon followed by the whole body +of the enemy, with Lord Maxwell at their head, until they came to +the Torwood, on the south-east side of the Dryfe Sands, from whence +instantly four hundred of the Annandale men sprung up, flew upon the +surprised enemy, and after a short but bloody struggle, put them into +confusion; and being joined by a few Scots from Eskdale, under the +Laird of Buccleugh, completed their victory, killing upwards of seven +hundred of the Nithsdale men. The Annandale men being now reinforced, +routed their enemy; the Maxwells drove them to the Gotterbury Ford of +the river Annan, where many were drowned.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> +<p>Lockwood Castle, the residence of the family of Annandale, was very +beautifully situated, and commanded a very extensive prospect. It must +have been a place of great strength, having had prodigiously thick +walls, and being surrounded with impassable bogs and morasses. It was +this circumstance that made James the sixth to say, that "The man who +built Lockwood, though outwardly honest, must have been a knave in his +heart."</p> + +<p>"This fatal battle," which we have now <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>detailed, "was followed by a +long feud, attended with all the circumstances of horror proper to a +barbarous age."<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p> + +<p>One day David having returned from an excursion on horseback, he said +to his brother, who had declined riding out with him, "The weather has +proved very favourable, though the morning lowered."</p> + +<p>"Have you rode far?" inquired Robert.</p> + +<p>"I have been with old Davie Maxwell, not farther."</p> + +<p>"Ay," rejoined Robert, "but far enough, I dare swear, to relieve the +needy carl's wants."</p> + +<p>"I did so, certainly," said David—"what then?"</p> + +<p>"And more the fool you for doing so," remonstrated Robert. "Now," added +he, "there is not a man in Scotland, from Skye to Solway Firth, that +would have done so but yourself!"</p> + +<p>"And that," rejoined David, "was the very reason that I did it!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A kindness conferred on one of a hostile clan, was held as an +offence, if not an affront to the chieftain:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">——"What tie so sacred</div> + <div class="verse">As those that to his name and kindred vassals</div> + <div class="verse">The noble chieftain bind?"<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>"An injury done to one of a clan was always considered an injury +done to all, on account of the common relation of blood.—Hence the +Highlanders were in the habitual practice of war: and hence their +attachment to their chieftain and to each other was founded upon two of +the most active principles of human nature, love of their friends, and +resentment against their enemies."<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> + +<p>They went always completely armed.—Their arms were a broad sword, a +dagger (called a dirk), a target, a musket, and a brace of pistols. +It was a principle deeply imbibed by them, to die with pleasure to +re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>venge affronts offered to their clan or to their country.</p> + +<p>To put an end to this terrible feud, a bond of alliance was subscribed +by Lord Maxwell and Sir Eustace Johnstone, and the two clans for some +time lived together in harmony.</p> + +<p>To celebrate this reconciliation between the late hostile clans, Sir +Robert Bruce determined upon giving a splendid banquet, to which +were invited Lord Maxwell and his clan of Nithsdale, and Sir Eustace +Johnstone and the clan of Annandale. The day of the grand fete arrived; +it was the thirty-first of October, 1600 and —— (a memorable day). +The choicest wines and the richest foreign fruits crowned the festive +board; the forest, the muir, the lake, and the sea, yielded their +treasures of flesh, fowl, and fish, to furnish forth the lordly +banquet. An immense fire blazed forth to warm the baronial hall, and +the fine gothic chandelier, which hung from the oaken and richly-carved +ceiling, threw an imposing light around.</p> + +<p>In this highly decorated hall the walls <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>were covered with gorgeous +tapestry from the splendidly brilliant looms of Arras, and which +presented to the delighted eye various patriotic stories from Scottish +as well as from Roman history. Here the feats of Wallace, there the +victories of the Bruce; here were seen Marcus Curtius plunging with +his charger into the yawning gulf, who nobly devoted his life for his +country! Next frowned Brutus on the banished Tarquins; and next were +portrayed the glorious achievements of the Decii and Fabii.</p> + +<p>The guests in due order arrived; and good-humour and hilarity shed +their social charms. The harp and the bagpipe were alternately played +during dinner. The cloth being removed, the song and the tale passed +round. One of the Annandale clan sung the following song:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="label">the lass of yarrow.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">O! the lovely lass of Yarrow,</div> + <div class="verse">Nane is like the lass of Yarrow;</div> + <div class="verse">The sedge grows green by Gala's stream;</div> + <div class="verse">Her name I'll carve upon the willow.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> + <div class="verse">I've roam'd the sunny braes of Ayr,</div> + <div class="verse">Hae ranged the bonnie banks of Doon;</div> + <div class="verse">Beheld the winsome lassies there,</div> + <div class="verse">In vernal morn and simmer's noon.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">But the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I've sail'd on Katrine's leesome lake,</div> + <div class="verse">Hae climb'd the lofty Lomond's brow;</div> + <div class="verse">Fair nymphs hae seen o' heav'nly make—</div> + <div class="verse">So sweet a form yet ne'er till now,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Like the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c.</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>This song was well received. The goblet having opened their hearts, +prevented them from being too fastidious in their criticism. A song was +now loudly called for from the Nithsdale clan, when auld Davie Maxwell, +with much feeling sung the following:<br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="label">i winna tell, her heart 'twad break.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I winna tell my Jeanie dear</div> + <div class="verse">Our bairn's to battle gane;</div> + <div class="verse">Her heart wad break, unshed a tear,</div> + <div class="verse">For him, our anely wean.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I mauna tell—I dare nae speak</div> + <div class="verse">The direful words accurst;</div> + <div class="verse">The tale my Jeanie's heart wad break,</div> + <div class="verse">And then my ane wad burst!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> + <div class="verse">I'll say that to the Hielands flane,</div> + <div class="verse">Or to the village fair,</div> + <div class="verse">Our manly, darling bairn's gane;</div> + <div class="verse">But nae ane ward o' war!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Or thae amid the birken shaw,</div> + <div class="verse">Or in the Rowan-Bower,</div> + <div class="verse">Or wand'ring o'er the heathry haugh,</div> + <div class="verse">To while awa the hour.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">But ah! nae mair I'll Jeanie tell,</div> + <div class="verse">Nor word of battle speak,</div> + <div class="verse">Nor at Kil'kranky's pass he fell,</div> + <div class="verse">For then her heart wad break!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>This pathetic little production produced much applause. And now +stoups of claret circled round the table, certainly in an increased +ratio of rapidity. Nor was the native Fairntosh neglected; for some, +who complained that claret was too cold for a Caledonian stomach, +accordingly fortified the same with some simple potations of their +native spirit.</p> + +<p>The wish of the company now seemed to be for a song that partook of +a martial nature; and the following was sung by one of the clan of +Johnstone:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">war song.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Health to the chieftain on hill or in hall,</div> + <div class="verse">Whose front no foeman could ever appal!</div> + <div class="verse">The first and foremost his foes to attack,</div> + <div class="verse">His face they all know—they ne'er saw his back!</div> + <div class="verse">The targe his pillow, his couch the heather,</div> + <div class="verse">Defying claymore, dirk, and the weather.</div> + <div class="verse">Down with all foemen!—What clanship shall sever</div> + <div class="verse">Our bond of alliance? Never—oh, never!</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Never—oh, never!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>This song was loudly applauded by a grand chorus, which was performed +by the company striking the handles of their daggers on the finely +carved table, on which were emblazoned the arms and achievements of the +house of Bruce; and the song was loudly encored.</p> + +<p>The clan of Maxwell now in their turn were called upon for a martial +song, when one of the officers sung, in a measure <i>presto et +furioso</i>:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">LORD MAXWELL'S SLOGAN.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">i.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I have deepen'd my phalanx, and call'd forth my clan;</div> + <div class="verse">They are true unto death, from the rear to the van!</div> + <div class="verse">Their broad targes are tough, and their claymores are sharp,</div> + <div class="verse">Shrill symphony meet for the wild war-pipe and harp;</div> + <div class="verse">Their firm hands they hold ready; their bold hearts beat strong;</div> + <div class="verse">Their dirks are stout steel-proof, and their pole-axes long.</div> + <div class="verse">Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more;</div> + <div class="verse">For their prowess was proved by banner and claymore.</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Huzza, huzza!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">ii.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">To encounter for kindred, our clan, and our name,</div> + <div class="verse">To a Lowlander these are far dearer than fame;</div> + <div class="verse">To avenge the bold insult, dare glance at our clan,</div> + <div class="verse">And die for our country, is to die like a man!</div> + <div class="verse">Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more;</div> + <div class="verse">We'll die as we ought, by our banner and claymore!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Huzza, huzza!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">iii.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Huzza!—how we'll shriek on the day of the battle,</div> + <div class="verse">In collision broad-sword and bay'net shall rattle,</div> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span><div class="verse">Our fierce foemen astound in the terrible charge,</div> + <div class="verse">While death boldly strikes home thro' tartan and targe.</div> + <div class="verse">Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more;</div> + <div class="verse">We'll conquer, or die by our banner and claymore!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Huzza, huzza!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>This slogan was chorussed by several hundreds of dirks, which, now +unscabbarded, were loudly thundered on the hospitable board, and which +glittered ominously in the reflected light of the blazing chandelier.</p> + +<p>The men of Annandale now started up; when claymore, dirk, and whinger, +flew forth from their scabbards. The men of Nithsdale rose too at the +same instant, and all was uproar, madness, riot, and inebriation; and +the fierce and implacable hatred of the two clans, which, not extinct, +had secretly lurked in their veins, now blazed forth with increased +fury. It seemed as if fate had pronounced,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Let the loud trumpet far and near proclaim</div> + <div class="verse">Our bloody feast, and at the rousing sound</div> + <div class="verse">Let every clansman of the hated name</div> + <div class="verse">His vengeful weapon clench."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> +<p>Malcolm, a faithful and affectionate follower and foster-brother of Sir +David Bruce, foreseeing that the fete would end in a renewal of the old +feud, took his own measures accordingly for his master's safety, and +lost no time in pre-arranging his plans, and these he put in train, +while all was noise and uproar at the banquet. He saw not unobserved +how rapidly stoup of claret succeeded stoup, without any <i>interregnum</i>, +and glasses of Fairntosh were dashed down in never-ending repetition. +The war songs seemed too surely to strike the key of discord; passion +begun to explode; word brought on word, and blow brought on blow. Then +rung claymore upon iron breastplate, and upon leathern target. The +scream of maddened wrath mingled with the groan of death.</p> + +<p>The combatants next deeply closed their ranks. Broad-swords were +trundled down upon the floor; and dirk and whinger madly shook, and +thrust home the murderous stab from vengeful hands, prompt to execute +bloody retaliation at this fatal banquet.</p> + +<p>Whether from premeditated, dark, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>long-purposed design, or whether +in the impulse of sudden and infuriated passion, or merely arising +from the confusion and collision of crossing weapons and tumultuous +struggles, it is impossible to decide;—but the fatal result of the +bloody affray was; that Sir Robert Bruce stabbed Lord Maxwell, who, it +will be recollected, had saved the life of his brother David.</p> + +<p>Upon this attempt, and before it could be executed, David endeavoured +to save his friend, but in vain; his brother Robert exclaiming with a +furious air and voice, "What! dare my dependants beard me in my own +hall!"</p> + +<p>Lord Maxwell now fell lifeless on the ground. David, as he beheld the +preserver of his life perish by the hand of his brother, in a paroxysm +of rage and infuriated madness, drew forth his dirk, and rushed +forward. The other combatants, horror-struck at the direful conflict +that arose between the twin brothers, suspended their own to interpose. +But this interposition served only to aggravate the violence it was +intended to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>suppress. The brothers now struggled less because they +were incensed than because they were withheld; and when they furiously +burst from the arms that held them, rushed against each other with a +blind and staggering shock. The impulse was unintentional, but the +result was fatal. The weapon of David, held in an unconscious hand, +pierced him to whom he was opposed. He saw not whom it was—he drew his +weapon back—it was reeking with a brother's blood!<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<p>Here Malcolm caught the eye and seized the arm of Bruce. No time was +to be lost. The general confusion aided the attempt.—Seizing with +a Goliath grasp upon Bruce's arm, he dragged him on, while David's +re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>tainers rushed between their chieftain and immediate death, the +punishment of his involuntary fratricide. Malcolm next suddenly raised +up the arras, which with as much haste and promptitude he let fall +behind him and Bruce. Next pushing open a small narrow door, which was +secreted behind the tapestry, they swiftly passed through it, which was +on the instant closed by Malcolm, who quickly flung home its massive +bolts and bars at the inner side, which necessarily fully prevented all +attack or pursuit. They were now safe from their enemies so far, at +least. The bugle-horn they heard rung lustily from the warder's tower; +distinctly, too, they heard the rattling chain of the draw-bridge, +as it was hastily raised to prevent the flight of David. The cavalry +were now ordered to horse, and to pursue;—the hackbutteers mounted +the battlements, and peeped from the embrasures; while bugle, bagpipe, +drum, and trumpet, sounded pursuit. The commingled and discordant +sounds were heard floating over tower, parapet, and battlement, and +were <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>deeply re-echoed by rock, islet, and promontory, and hoarsely +answered by the storm-beat wave tiding to the shore.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the faithful Malcolm led on Bruce through several intricate +winding passages, until they reached a sallyport which opened on the +margin of the sea, where they were for the present removed from the +scene of danger. The mode by which they had escaped was quite unknown +to their enemies; and now they paused to inhale the breeze of heaven, +and cool their wearied brows from the fatigue and horrors which they +had encountered.</p> + +<p>Here Bruce said:—"Thanks, my dear and faithful follower, my honest +Malcolm, for thy brave and powerful arm, and wondrous foresight. We are +now safe from mortal men and mortal measures, at least for the moment."</p> + +<p>Then he mournfully mused to himself:—"But what arm has the nerve +that might, that may shield me from myself? What potent anodyne can +tranquilize a guilty conscience? What untold charm can lull a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>mind +ill at ease, and abhorring and abjuring itself?—Yes, yes! there is, +there is an omnipotent and a redeeming power!—there is an atoning +spirit, that can pardon, pity, and absolve the guilty, when the heart +shall truly repent: and although my crime be dyed and encrimsoned deep +in guilt, I yet may obtain mercy!—a truly penitent and contrite soul +may yet blanch this deed pure and spotless as the untrodden snow which +crests the lofty mountain-peak. This is consolatory. But hour, and day, +and year still succeeding year, must pass over in sad and sorrowful +contrition, before this foul and atrocious guilt, the result of one +depraved moment of furious passion, can be washed away and effaced from +the calendar of dark human crime, and deep ingratitude to high heaven!"</p> + +<p>Here a dreadful storm of hail coming on, the weary fugitives gladly +entered a spacious cavern which propitiously and opportunely opened +wide "its ponderous jaws" to receive them; and which timely afforded +them a respite from the storm, and a refuge from pursuit.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Inter utramque viam, lethi discrimine parvo,</div> + <div class="verse">Ni teneant cursus.</div> +</div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Virgil</span>, <i>Æneid III</i>.</div> +</div> +<hr class="r5" /> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Sæpe dolis, interit ista: Time!</div> +</div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">C. Weigelius, Norimbergæ</span>.</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>The fugitives had now proceeded upon a long and wearisome journey after +their departure from the cavern, which had so opportunely afforded +them shelter and protection. Lonely, depressed, and overpowered by +overwhelming grief, self-accusation, and great bodily exertion, +solitary stood the noble, but unhappy Bruce, on the desolate shores +of his native land; while close stationed by him stood his brave and +faithful preserver, his sturdy and affectionate foster-brother, the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>intrepid, the honest, the disinterested Malcolm.</p> + +<p>It was night,—an autumnal storm loudly raged, the clouds darkly were +drifted onward with increased rapidity through a perturbed sky; the +roaring waves of a tumultuous sea mounted upwards in alpine altitude +and curvature, as they dashed and foamed along; whose mournful, sullen +scream, responded not to mortal voice, although the sad measure seemed +to partake both of sorrow and of woe; if indeed that human suffering +and mortal woe could be supposed as associated with that treacherous +and tempestuous element.</p> + +<p>In the distance distinctly were heard the report of various musket +shots, discharged by the hackbutteers,<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> but at intervals only they +were heard. Whether these explosions were intended as a military +tribute of a faithful clan over the body of a fallen chieftain, or +whether they were intended as an excitement to pursuit, (probably the +latter,) could not with any positive certainty be ascertained. However, +the continued clangor of pursuing cavalry, and the loud, incessant +tramping of foot soldiers, who had proceeded with precipitance over +crags and rocks, and still unwearied in their pursuit, were audibly +heard to approach. It was too evident that all this loud uproar and +wild halloo which had prevailed, arose from the violent voice and shout +of those who pertinaciously pursued, and who were still pressing upon +the flight of the unhappy fugitive.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> +<p>However, in another direction came on, yet with silent, cautious tread, +several faithful adherents, armed with dirk, targe, and claymore, who +advanced to the beach, not as blood-hounds to pursue, but as friends +to assist; not basely to track the steps of the noble fugitive, but +with might and with main to protect him, and cover his flight. This +faithful, small, but boldly determined clan, bore lanterns to assist +the projects which they had planned, which dimly flung a flickering +reddish light around.</p> + +<p>This gallant band came on fully resolved to save their chieftain—to +rescue him from surrounding perils, or to die! Sir David looked wildly +and inquisitively at them; but by no interrogatory he dared to break +the more than mortal silence which seemed to seal their lips. No, he +shrunk back in despair, fearing to question them; he too justly dreaded +<i>that to be</i>, which he would have for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>feited his own life <i>not to have +been</i>! Dread despair palsied his voice, and held him back from what he +fain would ask—"Was his brother among the dead or the living?" The +dreadful response that might be returned, made him forego his purpose. +He could not—would not—dared not to inquire; it was not to be +attempted; and his brain seemed maddened when he thought thereon. His +heart was chilled, and his blood slowly pulsated; his lip quivered, and +his tongue was silent. However with a silent, but inquisitive gaze and +gesture, he sought that fearful information which he dared not—could +not ask; these, however, were appeals that could be neither mistaken +nor misunderstood. He sought the fearful answer from the plaided clan, +whose tall and commanding figures, although dimly and indistinctly seen +beneath the pale moon-beams of a stormy sky, and whatever illumination +their lanterns afforded, yet observed the earnest appeal: and he is +answered as he sought it, in awful silence and impressive dumb show, +each of the clan slowly folding around him his plaid, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>and then one +and all in the same moment joining in united action of a mournful +and impressive motion of the head. When all rapidly dashing aside +their plaids, with fierce and impressive energy they point their +out-stretched hands to the foaming waves, intimating thereby that there +alone safety was to be found.</p> + +<p>Now near, and still more near, too audibly are heard the renewed sounds +of advancing foes; the breeze wafting on the appalling and yelling +shouts of pursuit; and next followed the loud and deafening tramps +of the pursuers. No time—not a moment—was to be lost——death or +immediate flight was the alternative!—Some bold, decisive act, was now +to be dared, and on the instant done!</p> + +<p>The stormy clouds, which in rapid succession hitherto had thrown their +dark floating shadows over the disk of an autumnal moon, at this +instant favourably dispersed, and the "pale queen of night" burst forth +in pearly radiance, glancing her friendly beams upon a fishing bark +which lay at anchor beneath an indented shelve of rocks, close by <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>to +where the fugitives stood; and at no remote distance a small cottage +stood close to the beach, to the owner of which, in all probability, +the boat belonged. This seemed most likely to be the fact, from their +observation of the fishing-nets, gear, and tackle, all elucidatory of +a fisherman's pursuits, which lay outspread upon the shore, clearly +designating the uncertain and perilous occupation of the lonely +proprietor of this humble dwelling. Upon this discovery the vassals +proposed to their chieftain to knock at the door of the cottage, and +awake the fisherman. But to this suggestion the generous Bruce would +not hearken; he would not endanger the life of a poor and innocent man, +probably the sole supporter of his family, in the dread and desperate +fortunes of a fugitive—and alas, more than too probably a fratricide!</p> + +<p>Thus having impetuously and decisively spoken, David Bruce having flung +his purse into a broken aperture of the lattice window, sprung manfully +into the fishing bark, and the faithful Malcolm instantly sprang in +after his master. Next with fatal, feudal attachment, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>the vassals +advanced, and crowded into the boat, regardless of all remonstrance +and reproof, and seemingly insensible of the peril occasioned by thus +overloading the fishing skiff.</p> + +<p>The storm had for the present abated; which cessation, however, was +but of temporary duration. The pursuers meanwhile advanced, with +loud and appalling screams, and formed their ranks in martial array +upon the beach, the war-pipes loudly pealing forth a pibroch; they +next proceeded, having piled their arms, to light their torches from +lanterns which, with due precaution, they had borne with them; and soon +their ignited torches were applied, which after some little delay, +occasioned by the moisture of the storm, the ignition took effect, when +brilliantly blazed forth, in crackling flames, the extended ridges +of furze, fern, bent-grass, &c., that crowned the lofty links which +girdled the undulating summits of the shore. The different plants had +been dried up by a summer sun, and parched and ripened by the autumnal +blast; and the ignition soon extended along the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>entire line of the +coast. The central part of the conflagration flamed in the distance +like to some lofty castle on fire, and flanked, as the deception +would represent, by two large towers, which were in effect two large +flaming masses of furze and other various shrubs, which, now with a +flaming—now with a flickering corruscation, actually seemed like two +bale-fires blazing on the headlands. The whole mass having become one +continued conflagration, assumed an awfully grand appearance; the ruddy +sky brilliantly flamed above, the waves returned the fiery flash below, +as the waves undulated to and fro. The fugitives but too distinctly saw +the weapons raised in their offence boldly brandishing on the shore, +and vengefully flashing forth their quivering gleams, accompanied +with loud, fierce, and appalling shouts of vengeance from the bold, +determined band, who occupied the shore.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile these threatening tones of discord and defiance were +resolutely answered by a long continuous scream of triumph from the +fugitives, who fled from premeditated <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>treachery, and whose parting +shouts were deeply chorussed by the symphony of their accompanying oars +that wafted them onward in safety.</p> + +<p>Now verging toward the distant horizon, the retreating boat was +distinctly seen slowly cutting its watery course, overladen although +it might be with an extra weight of living cargo. Availing themselves +of the breeze, they raised their little sail, and soon expedited their +course, wafted onward by the wild and dreary blast.</p> + +<p>The moon occasionally at intervals, as the stormy night-clouds cleared +away, streamed her radiance on the rippling bosom of the undulating +wave, which threw a brilliant line of light across the heaving billows; +and showed to those who might wish to observe the progress of the +fugitives, that in sooth they made but little way; which was not to be +wondered at, considering how incautiously crowded the boat had been +through the obstinacy of the too inconsiderate followers. Another +danger, superadded to the former, it but too fully appeared to the crew +arose from <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>the frailty of the bark itself, that had soon to contend +with the approach, or rather with the return, of the tempest.</p> + +<p>The impressive scene that we have attempted to describe, was, it must +be allowed, altogether out of the usual course of ordinary events, +and partook of a high and extraordinary degree of interest. To behold +a wild, desolate, and romantic shore, lined and occupied as it had +been, at such an hour, by a military band of pursuers, and illuminated +by the blazing fires, which broadly glanced on spear, axe, target, +and claymore; whose ruddy contrasting light served but to cause that +the dark impending rocks above, and the indented caverns below, +should appear more savage, and their dense darkness the more visible! +Meanwhile, to witness the dumb, but expressive gesticulation of the +heads and hands, and indignant and angry step, of the enraged vassals +on the beach, appearing to the distant beholder all of a deep, glaring, +fiery red, fierce as the impetuous motives which led them onward to the +bloody track. Rage, and all the varied manifestations <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>of the fierce +passions of wrath and revenge, were but too visible, from the broad and +brilliant glare of light that flashed upon them. It was such a scene as +would have charmed the creative imagination of Michael Angelo to have +dwelt upon and portrayed, and might have even given additional sketches +of horror for his "Day of Judgment." And, oh! how would the poetic +pencil of the solitary Salvator Rosa have managed this scene!—how his +pencil would have sported with it, and his genius have rejoiced!—here +he might have conjured up and enlivened his landscape with a bold, +determined, band of pirates, soldiers, or banditti, surrounded by +dark and frowning precipices. For such was the wild and savage scene +so lately before the reader's eye. Rocks frowning in deep darkness, +indented with frequent hollow caverns below, the midnight retreat of +the otter and porpoise; while from the higher caverned cliffs above, +awakened and aroused from their quarry, sprung forth the osprey, the +vulture, and cormorant, all loudly screaming, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>joining in one +continued dissonant chorus, deeming that the returning morn had arrived!</p> + +<p>The fishing bark having been found no longer sea-worthy, the fugitives +were compelled to seek the shore; in which act the boat heaved against +a rock, but it did no material injury to the bark. Strange to say, +however, the shock awakened within the little cabin (if cabin it could +be called) of the stern, an inmate, that until that moment the trusty +followers did not know, nor even suspect, that such an individual +they had on board. This fellow was a tall, athletic figure, whether +fisherman or smuggler was doubtful, who must have been, consequently, +hitherto profoundly asleep, deeply fatigued, it was supposed, by having +been out all the previous night at sea, either fishing or plundering, +possibly occupied in one or other—probably in both of these perilous +pursuits.</p> + +<p>This desperate and daring mariner, rapidly bouncing on deck, said, or +rather screamed forth, with denouncing haste and rage: "Ye a' maun +perish, a' are tint! and ken ye weel a Johnstone had his revenge!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> +<p>Then, with face and the fury of a maniac, and a horrific laugh, he +instantly sprang into the waves, plunging like a water-fowl; he sunk, +but soon arose again. Malcolm was prepared for this, having previously +seized a carabine from one of the Bruce's followers; and soon as the +ruffian again arose, Malcolm took determined aim, his carabine exploded +its contents, having duly hit the destined mark. The victim of his just +revenge loudly screamed, plunged, floundered, and sunk,—but he rose no +more!</p> + +<p>The crew of the fishing boat meanwhile, or those who acted in that +capacity, had timely and providentially discovered and frustrated the +treacherous fate which seemed so certainly to await them, and which was +so darkly hinted at by this desperate partisan of the Johnstone clan. +The pumps were set instantly and incessantly at work, while the leak +was timeously stopped, and every precaution adopted to insure and make +"surety doubly sure."</p> + +<p>It would appear that this desperate follower of the Johnstones had +somehow dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>covered, or overheard, from the followers of the Bruce, +the fatal scene that had taken place at Turnberry Castle, the tragical +compotation, the bloody fray, between the Maxwells and the Johnstones, +and of the fatal death of Sir Robert Bruce. And hence, therefore, it +was concluded, that he had come to the desperate determination of +destroying, by one daring, decisive act, the number of the enemies of +his clan who occupied the bark; and with this fixed resolution, it +would appear he had sprung a leak, thinking thereby at once to send so +many souls to a watery grave. In which base and treacherous attempt he +had been nearly too successful, but for the prompt and active aid that +was given by all hands on board; and it was with great difficulty that +with unabated effort and energy they ultimately happily succeeded in +accomplishing their safety.</p> + +<p>The boat was not far distant from the shore, when several of Bruce's +followers, at length made sensible of their impropriety and obstinacy +in overloading the vessel, which caused such as could best swim soon to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>spring from the bark, and swim for the shore, having had previously +affixed a cable to the prow, which they succeeded in safely towing the +extreme end of the rope, and landing it on the beach, where "with a +long and a strong pull, and a pull altogether," they hauled the leaky +and fragile bark to shore, and landed their noble chieftain in perfect +safety.</p> + +<p>Upon debarking they fortunately encountered some of David's followers, +who were in anxious search of him, and had long been on the look out, +expecting his approach. They met him with his horse ready caparisoned +for a journey, his arms and accoutrements all duly arranged; besides a +horse with a small valise, containing clothes and linen, and holsters +containing long barrelled pistols, according to the fashion of the age, +&c. &c. From these attendants Bruce obtained information that "The +William Wallace" was about to sail from the port of Ayr. Sir David and +Malcolm, promptly mounting their gallant steeds, proceeded in full +gallop for the port of Ayr.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> +<p>The pursuers had retired from the beach, and immediately all around the +point of debarkation it was pitchy darkness, save that in the distant +horizon the flickering blaze of the late conflagration about to expire, +flashed a ruddy tinge upon the passing clouds. Long since the voice of +vengeance had died on the ear, and the loud tramping of the pursuer was +heard no more in the breeze.</p> + +<p>Bruce determined, while in his flight to Ayr, upon changing his name, +and assumed that of Colonel Davidson, Brandenburgh Hussars.</p> + +<p>The travellers having proceeded with the utmost speed, soon reached +the port of Ayr before curfew-time, but much overpowered by mental +feelings, and overcome by great bodily exertion.</p> + +<p>The perilous result and shipwreck of the ill-fated "William Wallace of +Ayr," has been already fully detailed in the first chapter of the first +volume of this work, which doubtless is still fresh in the reader's +recollection.</p> + +<p>But it is full time to return to Tyrconnel Castle, and revisit the +noble inmates, over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>come by grief and dismay at the sudden, unexpected, +and unaccountable departure of the noble, generous, but unhappy Bruce. +To fulfil which intent we proceed onward to the next chapter.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<p class="center">Unus, et alter, sed idem.</p> + + +<p>Gentle Reader, hitherto thou hast been addressed by us in the plural +number, now, for the first and last time, thou wilt not surely grudge +that the author should for once in <i>propria persona</i> address thee.</p> + +<p>I confess that I am in the habit of looking upon the division of +a story into chapters, as similar to the subdivision of a journey +into miles: by the aggregate of the one the length of the story is +ascertained, by the aggregate of the other the distance of the journey +is distinctly known. Nor does the similarity terminate here; the +heading or motto of each chapter points out to the reader what <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>kind +of "entertainment" he may expect, just as a sign hung out at the door +of an inn indicates; and in the same way too the milestone points out +to the wearied traveller the proximities to his inn, as the "<i>carte du +jour</i>" apprises him of the dinner with which he may be regaled. The +heading of the chapter also tells whether it is by land or by sea the +reader is to travel; the heading of a milestone whether by mountain, +moor, morass, valley, town, or city, the traveller has to steer. These +said chapters were, no doubt, a truly commendable invention, which give +a kind of <i>carte du pays</i>, as they show and point out to the reader how +the land lies, in the same manner that those communicative milestones +and signposts point out to the traveller the distance of town from +town. Both in their way are extremely useful indeed, combining the +<i>utile</i> with the <i>dulci</i>. But it is imagined that both reader and +traveller little take into account that it was not without some toil +and labour these respective accommodations were completed for their use +and convenience. After this sage remark, be it <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>known, gentle reader, +that this story now rapidly draws to a close, and that the next mile +(to carry on the simile) thy journey will end. The best indeed that +the case would admit of has been done for thy "entertainment," and it +is hoped that, thy journey concluded, thou shalt have found the roads +to have been not wholly intolerable, the fare not indifferent, and the +journey not wholly unprofitable!</p> + +<p>Now, resuming the plural, we will venture to say, that "if it be true +that <i>good wine needs no bush</i>, it is true that a good play needs no +epilogue." However, whether, and in what degree, this may be applicable +to us, oh, courteous reader, is not for us, but for thee, to determine +and adjudge in the chapter which succeeds.</p> + +<p>From this long digression it is time to resume our eventful story. The +consternation occasioned by the sudden and unaccountable departure of +Sir David Bruce from Tyrconnel Castle, can better be imagined than told.</p> + +<p>The duke arose at an early hour, as he <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>was wont, and took his +constitutional walk before breakfast. Upon his return it was with no +small astonishment he heard that Sir David Bruce had departed at deep +midnight, and on horseback, not having taken with him a travelling +carriage, nor luggage, save a small valise, as preparatory to a +journey. He immediately communicated it, with as much due precaution +as the time would admit of, to the duchess, who had now entered the +breakfast parlour.</p> + +<p>Her Grace turned pale, and seemed nigh fainting. As soon as she could +recover from her surprise and trepidation, she said: "All, my dear, is +not well, I fear; I will go up and question Adelaide."</p> + +<p>Here, as the duchess had gone out of one door, the Reverend chaplain, +Doctor M'Kenzie, entered at another. The chaplain wished his Grace good +morrow, and spoke of the weather, expatiating upon the beauties of +Nature.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"'Tis morning; and the sun, with ruddy orb</div> + <div class="verse">Ascending, fires th' horizon.——</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> + <div class="verse">The season smiles, resigning all its rage,</div> + <div class="verse">And has the warmth of May. The vault is blue</div> + <div class="verse">Without a cloud, and white without a speck."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>The duke looked—but he saw not, he spoke not, he heard not. No!—the +serenity of the season was not in accordance with the sorrow of his +heart. At once the chaplain saw it all, for the duke was deadly pale; +but the cause of this despondence he did not know, nor did he dare to +inquire.</p> + +<p>But while he was about to ask the duke if he was unwell, the door +opened, and the duchess re-entered; and bursting into a flood of tears, +she flung herself into a chair. In so doing, a dagger fell from her +apron on the ground. She fainted, and it was some time before she +came to herself. When she did, she then said: "It is all involved in +darkness and mystery; I cannot unravel the clue. Adelaide cannot—will +not tell. She has sworn on the dagger's point never to reveal it until +placed upon her death-bed. She has sworn upon this."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> +<p>Here the chaplain took up the dagger; it was incrusted with blood. +He examined the handle; it was of silver, and upon it was engraved +<span class="smcap">Fuimus</span>. It likewise fell from his hand, and trundled on +the ground. Here he fearfully and involuntarily repeated, and in a +sepulchral tone,</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">"fuimus non sumus!"</span></p> + +<p>The duke sternly said: "In the name of heaven, I charge you, Reverend +Sir, that you will forthwith explain what all this may mean? Although +the days of superstition still exist, yet nevertheless I must protest +against supernatural agency."</p> + +<p>Doctor M'Kenzie said: "Permit me to ask one question of the duchess, +and then I will, as far at least as I can, throw some light on this +dark mystery. May I be permitted to ask your Grace, if Sir David Bruce +will return?"</p> + +<p>"Never—oh, never! Reverend Sir," was the reply; "I just have heard so +from my daughter."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then," said the chaplain, "I am at liberty to explain, without any +violation of promise. I have no doubt that your Graces both recollect +the narrative of my voyage from Scotland, from the port of Ayr, and of +my having been shipwrecked on the coast of Austrian Flanders."</p> + +<p>The duke and duchess nodded assent.</p> + +<p>"You may also recollect the mysterious passenger who appeared so deeply +overpowered by grief—Colonel Davidson."</p> + +<p>They both remembered.</p> + +<p>"You may also doubtless recollect the words of that terrific song—that +was pronounced by no earthly voice—that was sung to no earthly sound! +To the last solemn hour of my existence I never can forget it. The +words and tune are in my ears when I awaken in the morn—they ring +their horrid vespers in my ears at night, and dirge me in my sleep. Can +your Graces remember some of the words?—namely the voice of the Spirit +of the Storm, and<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">the awful dirge.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Once we held fair Scotland's throne,</div> + <div class="verse">Ay, once we claimed that realm our own,</div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>Fuimus non sumus</i>!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">We were—have been—were crown'd—are not;</div> + <div class="verse">Dispers'd, forsaken, and forgot!</div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>Fuimus non sumus</i>!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Behold! the last of all our race</div> + <div class="verse">Is forced to fly his natal place!—</div> + <div class="verse">He bears the vengeful, fatal knife,</div> + <div class="verse">Deep stain'd by bloody feudal strife!</div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>Fuimus non sumus</i>!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>"Know then, may it please your Graces, that when I was introduced by +the duke to Sir David Bruce, I recognised him at once to be——"</p> + +<p>"Colonel Davidson!!" vociferated the duke in a tremendous voice, +without waiting for the chaplain to finish.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lord," replied the chaplain, "another, and yet the same."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>The duchess fell back in her chair, overpowered with grief.</p> + +<p>When the duchess had become somewhat calm, after a pause the chaplain +continued: "Little indeed at that time did I ever dream that my +fellow-passenger was destined at a future day to become your Graces' +son-in-law, and under such unhappy auspices. But the will of heaven +must be done, and it is for some wise purpose it is done, although not +revealed to mortal eyes."</p> + +<p>The duchess now returned to the unhappy Adelaide, in every respect, +from her virtues, talents, and accomplishments, worthy far of a better +fate.</p> + +<p>The duke, when breakfast was taken away—for the duke eat +not—-proposed to the chaplain to proceed to the little room which had +been occupied by Sir David Bruce as his library during his stay at +Tyrconnel Castle, in order to ascertain if there had been left there +any letter or document explanatory of his very sudden and unaccountable +departure. The duke, accompanied by his chaplain, entered Sir David's +little library, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>taking a melancholy survey of the chamber. They at +last, upon approaching a writing-table, found thereon the following +song in manuscript:—<br /><br /></p> + +<p class="label">song,</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">written on my bridal-day—to an old irish air.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I ask'd my Adelaide what was her wish?</div> + <div class="verse">She replied, "Oh, ever love me kindly!"</div> + <div class="verse">Again I ask'd my love what was her wish?</div> + <div class="verse">She answer'd, "Oh, ever love me kindly!"</div> + <div class="verse">Again I ask'd my love what was her wish?</div> + <div class="verse">And she said, "Oh, love me not too blindly!"</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">My love I ask'd once more what was her wish?</div> + <div class="verse">(While her fond, lovely arms, did entwine me,</div> + <div class="verse">And down trickling tears rapidly did gush,)</div> + <div class="verse">"'Tis—may my husband's dear hands yet enshrine me,</div> + <div class="verse">And to the silent grave, with sad and solemn stave,</div> + <div class="verse">He in years far remote may consign me!"</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">D. B.</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>The duke felt extremely affected. The pathos of the Irish air, the +feeling expressed in the song, and the mournful moment in which it was +perused, all most powerfully conspired to operate upon those noble +feel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>ings which he too acutely possessed. And as he brought away the +MS. the chaplain observed that the duke secretly brushed away the +silent tear which trickled down his manly cheek.</p> + +<p>The surprise occasioned by the very sudden and extraordinary +departure of Sir David Bruce, afforded a topic of conversation and +altercation among the gossips and <i>quid nuncs</i> of the vicinage, for +at least a fortnight.—By that time the novelty appeared to melt +away; but while it lasted all various changes were rung with endless +interpolations, until they could not possibly be interpreted.—Some +were inclined to throw the entire blame to the account of Adelaide, +as the sole cause of her husband's departure. But others, both male +and female recriminators, would entirely (if in their power) fling +the whole balance of censure against Sir David Bruce. At length the +parish and the county became quite sick and weary of such peevish +conjectures;—until "cormorant-devouring Time" put an end to them, at +least fulfilling his part, inasmuch showing that he is <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>the destroyer +of prejudice and of party, and of all sublunary things:—</p> + +<p class="center">"Tempus edax rerum."</p> + +<p>But it is in vain to disguise, and it would be highly culpable, if it +were within the power of human ingenuity, to deny it, that often, too +often, <i>human passion</i>, or it should be called brutal rage, assails the +noblest minds and the most generous dispositions; those who are but too +inflammably alive to whatever they conceive to be base, grovelling, +or unjust—such are probably the most liable to "the sin that easily +besets them." It is indeed to be lamented how suddenly passion in +the moral, like the whirlwind in the physical world, can rend up by +the roots all that graced and adorned human life, boldly and rudely +usurping the seat of reason, and leaving only to cool and repentant +reflection the unavailing sighs and sorrowing tears of self-crimination!</p> + +<p>The foregoing story, tragical as it is true, incontestibly proves that +"trifles light as air" assumed in the commencement, subsequent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>ly, if +encouraged, increase and multiply in a <i>ratio</i> and amount of accession +and aggression, until recrimination is produced; then follow mutual +hatreds, quarrels, and bickerings, until awakened and aroused at a +fatal moment and at a savage period, as we have described, all these +bad passions burst forth resistless into a fatal blaze, which was only +to be quenched by the shedding of fraternal blood!</p> + +<p>A dramatic poet has so beautifully expressed our meaning, that we +cannot resist quoting his language, and with the passage concluding +this chapter:—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">——"O, be obstinately just!</div> + <div class="verse">Indulge no passion, and betray no trust;</div> + <div class="verse">Let not man be bold enough to say,</div> + <div class="verse">Thus, and no farther, shall my passion stray!</div> + <div class="verse">The first crime past, compels us on to more,</div> + <div class="verse">And guilt proves fate, that was but choice before!"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<p class="title">CONCLUSION.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Oh, thou wert lovely!—lovely was thy frame,</div> + <div class="verse">And pure thy spirit as from heaven it came!</div> + <div class="verse">And when recalled to join the blest above,</div> + <div class="verse">Thou diedst a victim to exceeding love!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Human life.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>Our story rapidly hastens to a close, parts whereof had hitherto been +purposely thrown into the back ground of our painting,—or, to <i>use</i> +another simile, adopting the policy of a wary general, who makes a +feint retreat with the intent of concentrating his forces, next to +return with renovated vigour and alacrity to the charge; thus sagely +saving his videts from being shot, his cannon from being spiked, and +his reinforcements from being <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>killed off. In like manner too, most +gentle reader, we have adopted the "<i>parva componere magnis</i>;" and +accordingly, as we felt it incumbent upon us, have hitherto thrown +some facts and events, since developed, and deeply connected with our +story, into the back ground of our picture, with the hope that aught +of circumstance or of interest that we hitherto fain would hide in the +shade, and cloak under the veil or umbrage of mystery and obscurity, +might chance to escape the penetration of the reviewing critic, and +of thee too, reviewing reader! until we found it sage and pertinently +expedient to develope the same.</p> + +<p>However we may have failed or succeeded in this attempt, we have +nevertheless endeavoured, with all our means, to give a faithful +and impartial portraiture of the different events as they actually +occurred, and of the various characters presented in our tale, as they +severally made "their exits and their entrances," and "bustled their +busy hour" in "this strange and eventful history." And now, courteous +reader, we gratefully take <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>leave, and greet thee with our <i>ultimum +vale</i>, for we shall never meet again!—then accept our last adieu!</p> + +<p>Of the future fate and fortunes of Sir David Bruce, nothing, with any +certain portion of historic authenticity, could for a vast length +of time be traced or ascertained. It is true, however, as usually +consequatory upon such doubtful occasions, that rumour, with her +hundred tongues, was not found sleeping at her post, but was, on this +occurrence, alert and busy as the tattling goddess is ever wont to be, +in spreading and disseminating through the oracular organs of all the +gossiping old women in, about, and around all the adjoining baronies, +various, yet contradictory reports. One story-teller reported that +Sir David had retired to the continent, and had once more visited his +favourite Brussels, and had there taken up his abode. But that city, +instead of yielding all its former charms, when hope was buoyant, and +love successful, only served to demonstrate the mournful contrast, +and recall more potently his misery! He too well remembered <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>what he +had been, and what the treasure was that he had for ever lost! He +felt but too well that "such things had been, and were most dear to +him." But alas, then he knew, and most acutely felt too, the wretched +man he was! What was he now?—a forlorn fugitive—a self-outcast—his +peace destroyed—his hopes decayed—and in a word, a wretch, by his +own condemnation! Unhappy man! he knew but too well what he <i>had</i> +been—what he <i>might</i> have been—what he <i>ought</i> to have been—and, oh! +what <i>then</i> he was! These were no consoling reflections to an acute and +sensitive mind like his. The rumour then concluded by asserting, that +finding only aggravated sorrow, vexation, and a painful recollection of +that happiness that he had lost for ever, in his former once favourite +city of Brussels, that Sir David had thence retired, in complete +disgust with all the world, where "man delighted him not, nor woman +neither," into the Monastery of <i>Sancta Maria de Camberone</i>, near to +Mons, where he became a Carthusian friar; long continued to lead a life +of piety and peace; <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>died a beatified saint, and bequeathed all his +worldly estate to the holy brethren of that pious establishment.</p> + +<p>This idle and unfounded rumour was, however, at variance completely +with positive and stubborn facts; and truth was clearly elicited from +the high and honourable testimony of Lord Glandarah, who had been +engaged in a tour upon the continent; and while occupied in visiting +foreign courts, among others had sojourned at the court of the Elector +Palatine, to whom, upon his arrival at Berlin, he was presented; and +in the suite and service of this prince he recognized Sir David Bruce. +Both were mutually rejoiced at the meeting, but remained wholly silent +as to the events that had passed at Tyrconnel Castle.</p> + +<p>Sir David Bruce was habited in a black hussar uniform; much changed +in appearance, and his spirits completely broken down; his manly form +and figure were sadly altered. However mournful and depressed appeared +the Bruce, yet the story of his life, from the time of his departure +from Tyrconnel Castle, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>was well told in the scar on his manly cheek, +and the still deeper one which he bore upon his noble brow; while the +brilliant star of Brandenburgh that sparkled on his breast, and the +cross which hung appendant to his neck, gave proofs that his deeds of +valour had not passed by unregarded and unrewarded by the grateful +prince he served.</p> + +<p>In the course of some few years subsequent to the period which we +notice, the Berlin Gazette, in giving an account of the siege of +Namur in the year 1690 and ——, thus notices the death of this truly +valiant hero. After a long military detail the statement ran to this +effect:—"That in boldly attempting to carry the fort of Coehorn by a +<i>l'epee à la main</i>, the gallant Sir David Bruce had fallen, overpowered +by wounds; when his lamented remains were borne from the trenches by +his brave Brandenburghers, whom he had so often led on to victory; and +were by them most honourably interred, with all the pomp and regret +that await the brave."</p> + +<p>Such was the gallant termination of the brilliant, transient, and +unhappy career of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>valiant Bruce. His amiable lady, the poor, +disconsolate Adelaide, did not long survive her lord, who in every +respect was deserving of a happier fate than that sad one which +unhappily fell to her lot. She died, as she had lived, a Protestant, +although the duke and duchess were strict Catholics; a striking +proof of the superiority of her understanding, considering all local +circumstances, and the tone and temper of the times with which she +had to contend; living under a Catholic king, whose whole conduct and +administration were arbitrary—whose royal career propitiously set out +with the title of "James the Just," but fatally terminated in that +of "James the Tyrannical;" oppressing both the consciences and the +personal liberty of his subjects, whom he only considered as his slaves.</p> + +<p>But let it be understood, and handed down to posterity, that Lady +Adelaide was no bigot, her feelings and her religion were by far too +Christian to permit her to be one. Piety, charity, toleration, and +benevolence, accompanied withal a mild, gentle, and conciliatory +temper, adorned her character; and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>with a truly devout feeling +softened the asperities and disappointments which she had to encounter +in her mournful passage and pilgrimage through the thorny vale of life. +Pure, unaffected piety, and the slow hand of time, united to the kind +attentions of her relatives, especially of her mother the duchess, and +Lady Lucy, gradually succeeded in mitigating her grief. While humbly +and cheerfully submitting to the will of heaven, and occupied in the +exercise of the mild and tolerant spirit of the Christian faith, she +found that internal comfort and consolation that was denied her in the +world.</p> + +<p>Adelaide did not long survive her husband, and upon her death-bed made +a confession, previous to which disclosure none but the confidential +ear of her beloved mother had heard. In this she disclosed all those +events which have been already developed by the extraordinary and +affecting interview and separation which we witnessed to have passed +between Bruce and Adelaide. Having received the last rites of the +church, Adelaide surrendered her last breath, with <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>hope and humble +resignation, to Him who gave it!</p> + +<p>Lady Adelaide Bruce was born the 31st of October, 1600 and ——, upon +<i>the Eve of All-Hallows</i>; was married the 31st of October, 1600 and +——; and died the 31st of October, 1600 and ——, upon the <i>Eve of +All-Hallows</i>!</p> + +<p>Upon the demise of the Lady Adelaide the following verses were found in +her escritoir by her afflicted mother, which had been written evidently +subsequent to the death of Bruce:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">He is gone!——I'm ne'er to behold him!</div> + <div class="verse">And, oh! never more to enfold him</div> + <div class="verse">Within these widowed arms!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">The spring shall bloom, the summer glow</div> + <div class="verse">With all their brilliant charms;</div> + <div class="verse">For my poor heart, too well, I trow,</div> + <div class="verse">No peace nor pleasure waits below;</div> + <div class="verse">But cold neglect, like winter snow!</div> + <div class="verse">Each blast my breast alarms!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">My soul is sad, my spirits fail,</div> + <div class="verse">It much relieves me to bewail!</div> + <div class="verse">My only rest lies in <span class="smcap">HIS</span> tomb!—</div> + <div class="verse">My hope—a better world to come!</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> + <div class="verse">When wafted to blest realms on high,</div> + <div class="verse">Where pain and sorrow come not nigh;</div> + <div class="verse">May thus a contrite Christian die!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>(Signed)</i> <span class="smcap">Adelaide</span>.</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>It had been inadvisedly reported that our early acquaintance, Captain +Heaviside, had fallen <i>cum multis aliis ignotis</i>, at the battle of +the Boyne. However, the last accounts from the pump-room at Bath put +it beyond all dispute that the gallant captain was still in the land +of the living; and whether at the card-table or in the ball-room, +the ladies actually considered Captain Heaviside as the very cream +of gentility, and the flower of ceremony; and he very soon set his +affections on a prudent spinster, who had arrived at a discreet age, +a Miss Barbara Golightly. And the mutual attentions of these worthies +to each other, reminded the gossipers in the pump-room of the deep +affection which Cid Hamet records to have existed betwixt those sage +personages, Sancho and Dapple; of whom it was difficult to pronounce +whether Sancho <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>loved Dapple, or Dapple loved Sancho, the best!—<i>Sic +itur ad astra</i>!</p> + +<p>The arrival some weeks after of "The London Intelligencer"<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> set +this matter completely at rest, and plainly told the <i>quid-nuncs</i> +their <i>erratum</i>, that for "killed" they ought to have read "married." +The paragraph in the Intelligencer was worded to the following +effect:—"Married, at the Abbey church of Bath, on Thursday last, by +the Honourable and very Reverend Dean P—l—y, Captain Harry Heaviside, +late of the —— regiment of foot, to the amiable and affable Miss +Barbara Golightly of that city, whose merits will not be diminished by +bestowing upon the brave captain, in conjunction with her fair hand, a +fortune of ten thousand pounds!"</p> + +<p>Lady Lucy had several proposals of marriage made to her by persons of +high rank <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>and fortune, but she invariably refused them all; whether +it was that Lady Lucy was fastidious in her choice of a companion +for life, or that she preferred a state of "single blessedness" to +the marriage state, we shall not aver, but simply state her amiable, +and disinterested, and generous conduct, to her unhappy niece, to +whom she was indeed most unremitting in her attentions; and seemed +most assiduous and well pleased in dispensing those nameless acts of +kindness to her niece, in thought, in deed—nay, in her very looks, a +countenance beaming with goodness and philanthropy; all of which were +gratefully and duly acknowledged on the part of Adelaide.</p> + +<p>Lady Letitia, after a long continued siege of courtship, took final +compassion on Sir Patricius Placebo; whom she was now not unwilling +to admit as her true knight, and actually gave him her noble hand as +his <i>guerdon</i>; for inasmuch that during the continuation of a long +acquaintance, and that too under the same roof withal, yet that her +ladyship had never, in any one recorded in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>stance, heard the baronet to +pronounce the truly portentous word—<span class="smcap">perhaps</span>! No, never, in +that long continued course.</p> + +<p>It was, however, it must be confessed, maliciously asserted by some, +yet still contradicted by others, that this being leap year that +the lady availed herself of acknowledged privileges belonging and +immemorially pertaining to this gifted year. But this we shall not +vouch for.</p> + +<p class="center">"Non nostrum inter tantas componere lites."</p> + +<p>We merely state the fact that her Ladyship duly and legally became Lady +Letitia Placebo. Upon the consummation of the marriage Sir Patricius +sported a handsome new chariot, with the arms of Placebo quartered +agreeably to all the tenor of the rules and laws of arms and blazonry, +in the same shield with those of the noble house of Tyrconnel; and he +did not forget his own motto, which was a kind of pun (at that time in +vogue) upon his own name—</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">placebo, semperque placebo!</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> +<p>From which said motto one may fairly infer that the baronet's opinion +of himself was by very many degrees removed above mediocrity!</p> + +<p>Mrs. Judith Brangwain, now far advanced in years, and somewhat +splenetic in her remarks, expressed much serious displeasure and +vexation at this matrimonial event; she said: "It truly calls forth +my marvel and wonderment. For surely my Lady Letitia must have been +bewitched, any how; and that is faith, sure enough, the only razonable +way for counting it. And, in troth, any how my lady is a deal too good +for the ould midwife, to be sure, that is sartain. Who, after all +in all, is the very Carrick on Suir [caricature] of a defunct fop! +Better—aye, far better, would it have been for Lady Letitia to have +eloped with her riding switch to the continent; aye, and to have passed +seven long years and a day in taking the tower of Europa in search of a +husband, sooner nor domain herself by giving the hand of a princess of +a right ould Irish stock to an upstart quack doctor!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> +<p>The duke and duchess, although they did not encourage, much less +approve of the match, yet they did not prevent the solemnization of +the marriage. Lady Letitia had indeed arrived at the due years of +discretion, that is to say, if ever they were to arrive; and Sir +Patricius Placebo, with all his peculiarities and eccentricities, was, +in the main point, a man of worth and respectability.</p> + +<p>Upon the event of the marriage the duke presented Sir Patricius and his +sister with the gift of Lætely Lodge, where the happy, happy pair, soon +departed for, intending there, without a dissentient "perhaps," to pass +the honey-moon.</p> + +<p>In little more than the space of nine months Lady Letitia presented the +doctor with a chubby male <i>Placebo</i>. This proved very agreeable to Sir +Patricius, who really had, or affected to have, a rooted dislike to all +children of the feminine gender.</p> + +<p>And here it must be incontinently confessed, that this event took place +to the no small astonishment and disappointment of all the surrounding +gossips in the adjoining pa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>rishes and baronies, as these sapient folks +had somewhat too hastily assumed the fact that Lady Letitia Placebo had +passed by the time and season when ladies wish, and may expect to be in +<i>that state</i>, "who love their lords!" They, in sooth, considered her +ladyship too ancient to prove <i>enceinte</i>.</p> + +<p>Sir Patricius, upon this most desired and happy event, raised his +stately head somewhat higher than he was wont to do; and with all +due discretion, gravity, emphasis, and mellow intonation of voice, +addressed his auditory—his countenance, meanwhile, as he spoke, +being lighted up by the important smile of self-applause, and having +consequentially put his Carolus snuff-box in requisition—"I did," said +he, "it must be confessed, form some hopes and expectations upon this +much wished for occasion, which have been now so happily realized; as +verily, my Lady Letitia Placebo hath not disappointed me. For as the +learned and justly celebrated Archimedes was accustomed to observe—</p> + +<p class="center">"ΔΟΣ ΜΟΙ ΤΕΝ ΣΤΙΤΜΗΝ," &c. &c.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> +<p>It now becomes our melancholy duty to record that the noble and highly +gifted Duchess of Tyrconnel did not many years survive the deplored +death of her deeply beloved daughter—her adored Adelaide; and ere +long was followed to the grave by her brave and illustrious duke, who +directed that the following inscription should be placed upon his +tomb:—</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">patriæ infelici, fidelis.</span></p> + +<p class="center">"Faithful to the last to his unhappy country!"</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="NOTES" id="NOTES">NOTES,</a></h2> + +<p class="center">&c. &c.</p> +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<blockquote><p class="hindent">In which are given four original Letters of King James II. never +before published; accompanied with fac-similes of his royal +Signet and Signature. Likewise, an original Letter from the Duke +of Berwick; the fac-simile of the Duke's Seal and Signature are +also given, copied critically from the original Letters in the +Manuscript Closet of Trinity College, Dublin.</p></blockquote> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER I.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 17.</p> + +<p>"Ailsa, about fifteen miles from the coast, [of Ayrshire,] is a vast +rock of a conical form, 940 feet in height, two miles in circumference, +accessible only on the north-east, and uninhabited. Its summit is +covered with heath and a little grass. It is the property of the +Earl of Casilis, who obtains a rent from it, paid <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>from the sale of +feathers, Solan geese, and rabbit-skins. On its acclivity are the +ruins of a chapel and fort, and near these there is a spring of fresh +water."—<span class="smcap">Playfair's</span> <i>Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">I</span>. p. 179.</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1811, and likewise in that of 1824, the author of +these volumes sailed past this stupendous rock, and the Scotch sailors +on board informed him, that the rent received from the produce of this +rock by Lord Cassilis, amounted to upwards of £30 per annum.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER VII.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 169.</p> + +<p>Grace O'Malley, formerly better known in Ireland by the name (in +popular parlance) of Grana Uile; and so called from the Castle of +Carrick Uley, the ruins of which are stationed at the extremity of an +inlet in the bay of Newport, in the county of Mayo. The proper name +is <i>Carrick a Uile</i>, or, "the rock in the elbow;" in allusion to the +impending mountain which crowns it, the strength of the castle, and the +recess in which it is situated.</p> + +<p>In this castle resided Grace O'Malley. Her fa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>mily were from time +immemorial considerable on the north-west coast of Ireland, their +principality extending from the lake called Lough Corrib, in the +county of Galway, to Croagh Patrick, in the county of Mayo, and from +thence to the borders of the town of Sligo, a considerable tract +of which is still called "the Uisles of O'Malley;" a fine fertile +country, chiefly skirted by the sea; the bays and harbours excellent, +and beautifully interspersed with verdant islands, many of which are +inhabited. For aptness of local situation for maritime affairs and +naval exploits, the lords of the territory became early conspicuous; in +attestation of which the motto to the family name is, "<i>Terra marique +potens</i>,"—Powerful alike by land and sea.</p> + +<p>Grace O'Malley was daughter of Owen O'Malley, and widow of O'Flaherty, +two Irish chieftains who flourished in that country. Upon the death of +O'Flaherty Grace married Sir Richard Bourke, who died in 1585, leaving +three sons and one daughter the fruits of this marriage. Upon the +death of her husband and of her father, from necessity Grace O'Malley +(then Bourke) undertook the management of family concerns, acting with +firmness and resolution, keeping up her fleet for the protection of her +castles and estates, so essentially necessary in stormy and turbulent +times, and from this <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>circumstance many considered her, and in popular +belief to this day she is still considered, as a pirate!</p> + +<p>Grace, or Grana Uile, was a high-spirited lady, and became fond at an +early age of the watery element, accompanying her father and his sept, +or clan, in many naval exploits. The coast was plundered of cattle +and other property, and many people were murdered in these predatory +expeditions.</p> + +<p>Grana was ever foremost in danger. Courage and conduct secured her +success; and the affrighted natives along the north-west shore trembled +at her name.—Many hardy and daring mariners from distant parts +sought her service, attracted by her fame. Her vessels of the largest +description were kept moored in Clare Island, where she possessed a +large castle, and her smaller craft were kept stationed at Carrick a +Uile.</p> + +<p>Tradition relates that her piracies became so notorious, and her power +so dangerous, that Grana was proclaimed, and a reward of five hundred +pounds offered for her apprehension. Resolving to make her peace with +England's Queen, she attended the court of Elizabeth, accompanied with +a large retinue, a guard of gallo-glasses bearing partisans, and clad +in saffron robes, who attracted great and universal attention.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> +<p>The Queen received her in great state. Grana was arrayed in the costume +of her country:—a long Irish mantle covered her head and person; her +hair gathered <i>à la Grecque</i>, and fastened with a gold bodkin inlaid +with jewels; her bosom was bare; and her dress a yellow silk boddice +and petticoat. The court were struck with infinite surprise at her +singular appearance. However, Grana succeeded in the object of her +visit, and having made her peace with Elizabeth, returned to Ireland.</p> + +<p>The castle belonging to Grana in the island of Clare, which boasts a +fine harbour and quay, was so much considered by Oliver Cromwell, that +he there erected a fort and barrack, in which he maintained a garrison.</p> + +<p>Grana endowed a monastery on it, in which she lies interred; her arms +and motto, carved on the tomb with those of her husband, are still +to be seen. This island still continues an estate in the family who +bear the name of O'Malley; and until of late years had been the family +burial place.</p> + +<p>The celebrity of Grana Uile has been the theme of bards for many years. +In the year 1753, during the political contests which occurred in the +administration of the Duke of Dorset, a very popular song ap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>peared, to +an old Irish air, and the burden of the song was Grana Uile. It is too +long for insertion in this work.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER VIII.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 195.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Pastry Fortifications.</i></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> +<div class="verse">——"I have framed a fortification</div> +<div class="verse">Out of rye paste, which is impregnable;<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +<div class="verse">And against that for two long hours together,</div> +<div class="verse">Two dozen of marrow-bones shall play continually.</div> +<div class="verse">For fish I'll make you a standing lake of white broth,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +<div class="verse">And pikes come ploughing up the plums before them,</div> +<div class="verse">Arion-like, on a dolphin, playing Lachrymæ;</div> +<div class="verse">And brave king herring, with his oil and onion,</div> +<div class="verse">Crown'd with a lemon peel, his way prepared</div> +<div class="verse">With his strong guard of pilchers."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<blockquote><p class="hindent">[<i>The Bloody Brothers, or Rollo Duke of Normandy</i>, by +<span class="smcap">Beaumont</span> and <span class="smcap">Fletcher</span>, vol. <span class="smcap">VII</span>. act +<span class="smcap">II</span>. scene <span class="smcap">II</span>. p. 151.]</p></blockquote> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER VIII.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 200.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Primero.</i>"</p> + +<p>This game is noticed by <span class="smcap">Shakespeare</span>, in "<i>The Merry Wives of +Windsor</i>:"—</p> + +<p class="no-indent">"I never prospered since I foreswore myself at primero."</p> + +<p>And likewise in Henry VIII.:—</p> + +<p class="no-indent">"And left him at primero, with the Duke of Suffolk."</p> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">Beaumont</span> and <span class="smcap">Fletcher</span> also, mention is made of +this celebrated and once fashionable game—in vol. <span class="smcap">ii</span>. p. 185, +in "<i>The Scornful Lady</i>," and likewise in "<i>The nice Valour</i>," in vol. +<span class="smcap">iv</span>. p. 273.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> +<p>Primero too is noticed in <span class="smcap">Strutt's</span> "<i>Sports and Pastimes of +the People of England</i>," p. 291. There is a poem by the celebrated +Sir John Harrington, the translator of <i>Ariosto</i>, which affords an +admirable illustration of the game: it is entitled, "<i>The Story of +Marcus' Life at Primero</i>." But as it amounts to upwards of forty lines, +it is considered as too long for insertion here.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER XII.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 287.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Riding the Franchises.</i>"</p> + +<p>Extract from Harris's "<i>History of the City of Dublin</i>," (now become a +very scarce work,) chap. <span class="smcap">vi</span>. p. 114:—</p> + +<p>"We shall have little here to do but barely to transcribe the several +forms used by the citizens in riding their franchises at different +periods, as the same has been transmitted to posterity either by +authentic records or ancient manuscripts, whose evidence is not to be +controverted at this day; more especially as the reader will readily +perceive, by comparing each form, how little variance there has been +therein from the be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>ginning to the present times, except in the names +of places, which yet are but few. It would indeed be a difficult task +for the citizens to have at any time stretched their rights beyond the +just limits within the city or suburbs, as they were surrounded on most +parts by vigilant neighbours, namely, the ecclesiastics of St. Mary's +Abbey, Kilmainham, Thomas-court, and St. Sepulchre's, or the liberties +of the Archbishop of Dublin, who were upon all occasions ready to +procure papal anathemas and censures against those who offended them +in less momentous matters than the loss of their lands. Several of the +instruments we shall have occasion to cite are written in Latin; but to +show our fidelity, we shall transcribe them verbatim, and for the sake +of the English reader, translate them literally into our own language.</p> + +<p>"The earliest instrument that occurs is one of John Earl of Morton, and +Lord of Ireland, dated at London, the 14th day of May, in the third +year of the reign of his brother, King Richard I. (A. D. 1192,) which +refers to a former charter of local franchises, granted by King Henry +II., now lost. The charter of King John is to be seen in the black +book of the Archbishops of Dublin, called "<i>Alan's Register</i>," being +collected by Archbishop Alan, in the reign of Henry VIII., <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>and as it +containeth other liberties besides their metes and bounds, we shall +here give only so much thereof as is pertinent to the subject before +the reader:—</p> + +<p class="center">"'CHARTA JOHANNIS,</p> + +<blockquote><p class="center no-indent">"'Domini Hiberniæ, de metis et franchesiis civitatis Dublin, et de +libertatibus concessis.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"'Johannes dominus Hiberniæ, Comes Morton, omnibus hominibus et amicis +suis, Francis et Anglis, Hiberniensibus et Wallensibis, præsentibus et +futuris salutem.</p> + +<p>"'Sciatis nos dedisse et concessisse, et hâc mêa chartâ confirmasse +civibus meis de Dublin, tam extra muros, quam infra muros manentibus, +usque admetas villæ quod habeant metas suas sicut probatæ fuerant +per sacramentum bonorum virorum de civitate istâ per præceptum regis +Henrici, patris mei; scilicet, ex parte orientale de Dublin, et +australi parte, pasturam quæ ducit usque ad portam ecclesiæ sancti +Keivini, et sic per viam usque ad Kylmerckargan, et sic per divisam +terræ de Donenobroogi usque ad Doder, et de Doder usque ad mare +scilicet at Clarade juxta mare, et de Clarade usque ad Ramynelan. Et in +occidentale parte de Dublin ab ecclesia S. Patricii per Wallam usque ad +Farnan-Clenegimethe et deinde usque ad di<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>visam terræ de Kylmainam et +ultra aquam de Kylmainam juxta Aven-Liffey usque ad vada de Kilmastan +et ultra aquam de Aven-Liffey versus boream per Cnocknogannoc et deinde +usque ad horrea S. Trinitatis, et de horreis illis usque ad furcas, +et sic per divisam inter Clonlic et Crynan usque ad Tolecan et deinde +usque ad ecclesiam sanctæ Mariæ de Ostmanby. Hæc etiam eis concessi, +salvis tenuris et terrâ omni eorum, qui terras et tenures habent, et +chartam meam inde extra muros usque ad prædictas metas; et quod non +possit civitas de terris illis, sicut de aliis disponere, sed faciant +communes consuetudines civitatis, sicut alii cives. De illis autem dico +hoc, qui chartam meam habuerunt de aliquibus terris infra easdem metas +extra muros antequam civitati prædictas libertates, et hanc chartam +concesserim.'</p> + + +<p class="center">TRANSLATION.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="hindent">"The Charter of <span class="smcap">John</span>, Lord of Ireland, concerning the +bounds and franchises of the City of Dublin, and of the liberties +granted thereto.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton, to all his subjects and +friends, French, English, Irish, and Welch, present and to come, +greeting.—Know ye, that I have given and granted, and by this my +charter <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>confirmed, to my citizens of Dublin, as well those who inhabit +without the walls, as to those who dwell within them, as far as the +boundary of the town, that they may have their limits as they were +perambulated, by the oaths of the honest men of the city itself, in +pursuance of a precept sent to them by King Henry, my father; namely, +on the east and south sides of Dublin, by the pasture-grounds which +lead as far as the port of St. Keivin's church, and so along the +road as far as Kylemerekangan, and from thence, as they are divided +from the lands of Donenobroogi,<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> as far as the Doder, and from +the Doder to the sea, namely, to Clarade, close to the sea, and from +Clarade as far as Ramynelan. And on the west side of Dublin, from St. +Patrick's church, through the valley as far as Farnan-Clenegimethe; +and from thence, as they are divided from the lands of Kylmainam, near +Aven-Liffey, as far as the ford of Kilmastan; and beyond the water +of Aven-Liffey, towards the north by Cnocknogannoc; and from thence +as far as the Barns of the Holy Trinity; and from those Barns to the +gallows; and so as <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>the division runs between Cloulic and Crynan, as +far as Tolecan, and afterwards to the church of St. Mary of Ostmanby. +These things we have also granted to them, that their tenures and land +be secure who have any granted to them in our charter; from thence +without the walls, as far as the before-mentioned limits; that the +city may not dispose of those lands as of other lands, but that they +observe the common customs of the city, as other citizens do. But this +we declare of those who have had our charter of certain lands, within +the said limits, without the walls, before we had granted the aforesaid +liberties and this charter."—<i>The History of the City of Dublin</i>, by +<span class="smcap">Walter Harris</span>, 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 118, 119, 120.</p> + +<p>The franchises of the city of Cork, according to Doctor Smith, in his +celebrated <i>History of Cork</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">i</span>. p. 49, were perambulated in "an +handsome manner" [he says no more] on October 20, 1714; and the night +concluded with fire-works and illuminations in honour of his Majesty +King George I., whose coronation was that day celebrated in the city. +By an order of the D'oyer Hundred, the Mayor was ordered to ride round +the liberties and franchises of the city of Cork every third year.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hardiman, in his <i>History of Galway</i>, men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>tions a similar +procession at Galway. And something similar occurred in the town of +Drogheda; but wholly divested of the splendid pomp and display which +shed such a lustre on the Dublin pageant.</p> + +<p>The ceremony of riding the franchises in the city of Dublin was +one so peculiar and remarkable, that it certainly appeared to the +author worthy of being handed down as a curious historical record, +no similar ceremony of such pomp, circumstance, and pageantry, was +known in Britain. There was, no doubt, something extremely oriental in +this splendid pageant, which, if the reader will take the trouble to +peruse the Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montague, from Adrianople, he +will find a striking similarity between the spectacle of riding the +Dublin franchises and the grand pageant which takes place when the +Grand-Signior leads his army in person. The account is as follows:—</p> + +<p>"I took the pains of rising at six in the morning to see the ceremony, +which did not, however, begin till eight. The Grand-Signior was at +the Seraglio window to see the procession, which passed through the +principal streets. It was preceded by an <i>Effendi</i>, mounted on a camel +richly furnished, reading aloud the Alcoran, finely bound, laid upon a +cushion. He <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>was surrounded by a parcel of boys in white, singing some +verses of it, followed by a man dressed in green boughs, representing a +clean husbandman sowing seed. After him several reapers with garlands +of ears of corn, as Ceres is pictured, with scythes in their hands, +seeming to mow. Then a little machine drawn by oxen, in which was a +windmill, and boys employed in grinding corn, followed by another +machine drawn by buffaloes, carrying an oven and two more boys, one +employed in kneading bread, and another in drawing it out of the oven. +These boys threw little cakes on both sides among the crowd, and were +followed by the whole company of bakers, marching on foot two by two, +in their best clothes, with cakes, loaves, pasties, and pies of all +sorts, on their heads; and after them two buffoons, or jack-puddings, +with their faces and clothes smeared with meal, who diverted the +mob with their antic gestures. In the same manner followed all the +companies of trade in the empire; the noble sort, such as jewellers, +mercers, &c., finely mounted, and many of the pageants that represent +their trades perfectly magnificent; among which that of the furriers +made one of the best figures, being a large machine, set round with the +skins of ermines, foxes, &c., so well stuffed, that the animals seemed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>to be alive; and followed by music and dancers," &c. <i>Works of Lady +Wortley Montague</i>, London, 1805, vol. <span class="smcap">ii.</span> pp. 181, 182.</p> + +<p>The Chief Magistrate of Dublin was formerly called Provost, and the +Sheriffs were styled Bailiffs, from the year 1308 until the year 1409, +when the title of Mayor was given. In the year 1547 the name of Bailiff +was changed into that of Sheriff. And in the year 1665 the title of +Mayor was elevated to the rank of Lord Mayor, Sir David Bellingham +being the first appointed.—See <span class="smcap">Harris's</span> <i>History of Dublin</i>, +Appendix, pp. 491 to 506.</p> + +<p>"The city of Dublin anciently consisted," says Harris, "of twenty +corporations, to which five have been in latter times added.</p> + +<p>"An ancient custom prevailed for a long time in the city of Dublin, +always against the great festivals of the year, to invite the Lord +Deputy, the nobility, and other persons of quality and rank, to an +entertainment, in which they first diverted them with stage plays, and +then regaled them with a splendid banquet. The several corporations +also, upon their patron's days, held themselves obliged to the like +observances, which were for a long time very strictly kept up and +practised.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> +<p>"Thomas Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in +the year 1528, was invited to a new play every day in Christmas; Arland +Usher being then Mayor, and Francis Herbert and John Squire Bailiffs; +wherein the Taylors acted the part of Adam and Eve; the Shoemakers +represented the story of Crispin and Crispianus; the Vintners acted +Bacchus and his story; the Carpenters that of Joseph and Mary; Vulcan, +and what related to him, was acted by the Smiths; and the comedy of +Ceres, the goddess of Corn, by the Bakers. Their stage was erected on +Hoggin-Green, now called College-Green, and on it the priors of Saint +John of Jerusalem, of the blessed Trinity, and of All-Hallows, caused +two plays to be acted, the one representing the Passion of our Saviour, +and the other the several deaths which the apostles suffered."</p> + +<p>It is stated in a manuscript in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, +"That in the parliament of 1541, wherein Henry VIII. was declared +king of Ireland, there were present the Earls of Ormond and Desmond, +the Lord Barry, Mac-Gilla-Phadrig Chieftaine of Ossory, the sons +of O'Brien, Mac-Carthy-More, with many Irish lords; and on Corpus +Christi Day they rode about the streets with the procession in their +parlia<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>ment robes; and the nine worthies was played, and the Mayor bore +the mace before them on horseback. The Sunday following King Henry was +proclaimed king of Ireland in Saint Patrick's church; and the next +Sunday they had tournaments on horseback, and running at the ring with +spears on horseback."</p> + +<p>Sir James Ware briefly alludes to these entertainments in the following +words: "<i>Epulas comædias, et certamina ludicra, quæ sequebantur, +quid attinet dicere?</i>" "It is needless," he remarks, "to relate what +banquets, comedies, and sports followed."</p> + +<p>We now return to Harris's History of the City of Dublin.</p> + +<p>"Among other days of solemnity the festival of Saint George was +celebrated with high veneration. In the choir-book of the city of +Dublin are several entries to that effect:</p> + +<p>I.—It was ordered, in maintenance of the pageant of Saint George, that +the Mayor of the foregoing year should find the emperor and empress, +with their train and followers well apparelled and accoutered; that is +to say, the emperor attended with two doctors, and the empress with two +knights, and two maidens, richly apparelled, to bear up the train of +her gown.</p> + +<p>II. <i>Item.</i>—The Mayor, for the time being, was to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>find Saint George a +horse, and the Wardens to pay 3<i>s.</i> 4<i>d.</i> for his wages that day. The +Bailiffs; for the time being were to find four horses, with men mounted +on them well apparelled, to bear the pole-axe, the standard, and the +several swords of the emperor, and Saint George.</p> + +<p>III. <i>Item.</i>—The elder Master of the guild was to find a maiden well +attired, to load the dragon, and the clerk of the market was to find a +golden line for the dragon.</p> + +<p>IV. <i>Item.</i>—The elder Warden to find for Saint George four trumpets; +but Saint George himself was to pay their wages.</p> + +<p>V. <i>Item.</i>—The younger Warden was obliged to find the king of Dele +and the queen of Dele, as also two knights to lead the queen of Dele, +and two maidens to bear the train of her gown, all being entirely clad +in black apparel. Moreover, he was to cause Saint George's chapel to +be well hung in black, and completely apparelled to every purpose; and +was to provide it with cushions, rushes, and other necessaries, for the +festivity of that day.</p> + +<p>No less was the preparation of pageants for the procession of Corpus +Christi Day, on which the Glovers <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>were to represent Adam and Eve, with +an angel bearing a sword before them.</p> + +<p>The Curriers were to represent Cain and Abel, with an altar, and their +offering.</p> + +<p>Mariners and Vintners, Noah, and the persons in the Ark, apparelled in +the habits of Carpenters and Salmon-takers.</p> + +<p>The Weavers personated Abraham and Isaac, with their offering and altar.</p> + +<p>The Smiths represented Pharoah with his host.</p> + +<p>The Skinners the camel with the children of Israel.</p> + +<p>The Goldsmiths were to find the king of Cullen.</p> + +<p>The Coopers were to find the Shepherds, with an angel singing <i>Gloria +in excelsis Deo</i>.</p> + +<p>Corpus Christi guild was to find Christ in his passion, with the Marys +and Angels.</p> + +<p>The Taylors were to find Pilate with his fellowship and his wife, +clothed accordingly.</p> + +<p>The Barbers, Ann and Caiaphas.</p> + +<p>The Fishers, the Apostles.</p> + +<p>The Merchants, the Prophets.</p> + +<p>And the Butchers, the Tormentors.</p> + +<p>These interludes and representations carried with them the appearance +of the superstition of the times, which John Bale, Bishop of Ossory, +afterwards la<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>boured to reform, by writing, with more sobriety, several +comedies and tragedies in the reign of King Edward VI., and, during his +banishment, in that of Queen Mary, upon religious subjects. Several +of those pieces are yet extant, printed in black letter; and though +they show the taste of the age, they would by no means please the +present."—<i>The History of the City of Dublin</i>, by <span class="smcap">Walter Harris, +Esq.</span> 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 142, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER III.—<span class="smcap">Vol. iii.</span>, p. 36.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Running Footmen.</i>"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Weber</span>, in a note to "The Knight of the Burning Pestle," +in his edition of the works of Beaumont and Fletcher, <span class="smcap">Vol. i</span>. +p. 194, Edinburgh, 1812, observes, that "the running footmen were a +fashionable piece of splendid folly prevalent at that time. They were +still kept by some noblemen in Scotland about the middle of the last +century, and are yet to be met with occasionally upon the continent. +Like the jockeys, they are put upon a particular diet; and in order to +prevent cramps, the calves of their legs are greased."</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">CHAPTER V.—<span class="smcap">Vol. iii.</span>, p. 87.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Turnberry Castle.</i>"</p> + +<p>"The ruins of Turnberry Castle are on a promontory of the sea coast, +two miles west of Kirkoswald, and five south-west of Maybole. This +castle belonged to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died in the +Holy Land, and left an only daughter, named Martha, who married +Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale. In the expedition of Edward I. the +English were in possession of this castle. At present nothing more +than the foundation of the building, and some vaults beneath it, +remain."—<span class="smcap">Playfair's</span> <i>Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">i.</span> pp. 178, 179.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER V.—<span class="smcap">Vol. iii.</span>, p. 92.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Caerlaverock Castle.</i>"</p> + +<p>"<i>Caerlaverock Castle</i> was founded in the sixth century by the son of +Lewarch Hen, a famous British poet; it was the chief seat of the family +of Maxwell in the days of King Malcolm Canmore. It stood on the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>north +shore of Solway Firth, nine miles from Dumfries, between the Nith and +Locher; and was deemed impregnable before the use of fire-arms. In the +reign of King Robert Bruce the proprietor of it demolished all its +fortifications, lest it should fall into the hands of the English. It +was, however, again fortified, for in 1355 it was taken by Sir Roger +Kirkpatrick, and levelled with the ground. Its materials were employed +to erect a new building, which was demolished by the Earl of Essex, +A. D. 1570. The fortifications of this place were once more renewed +by Robert, the first Earl of Nithisdale, in 1638, who nobly supported +the cause of Charles I., and maintained a considerable garrison at +his own expense."—<span class="smcap">Playfair's</span> <i>Geographical and Statistical +Description of Scotland</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">i.</span> pp. 107, 108.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p>In closing the notes to the foregoing volumes, we are here desirous of +presenting the reader with a few historical documents of King James II. +who has stood forth so prominent a figure in the foregoing wild story, +as well as four original letters of that monarch, which heretofore have +never yet met the public eye.</p> + +<p>In a small curious volume, which was published at Paris soon after the +decease of the Duke of York, then <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>James II., edited by <i>Father Francis +Sanders, of the Society of Jesus, and Confessor to his late Majesty</i>, +the following passage occurs:—</p> + +<p>"This exiled prince made several campaigns under the Marshal de +Turenne, and he showed every where so much courage and bravery, that +he gained mighty commendations from that general. The testimonies of +the Prince de Condé were no less glorious, who was often heard to say, +that if ever there was a man without fear, it was the Duke of York; +and he kept his character for intrepidity at all times, and upon all +occasions."</p> + +<p>Lord Clarendon too in his "History of the Civil Wars in England," +vol. <span class="smcap">iii.</span> p. 370, thus speaks of King James II. when Duke of +York, and engaged at the battle of Dunkirk: "There was a rumour spread +in the <i>French</i> army that the Duke of York was taken prisoner by the +<i>English</i>, some men undertaking to say that they saw him in their +hands. Whereupon many of the <i>French</i> officers and gentlemen resolved +to set him at liberty, and rode up to the body of <i>English</i>, and looked +upon their prisoners, and found they were misinformed; which if they +had not been, they would undoubtedly, at any hazard or danger, have +enlarged <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>him. So great an affection that nation owned to have for His +Highness."</p> + +<p>It is worthy of observation to mark the manner in which King James +expressed himself respecting the Abbé de Rancé, during his residence in +France; and likewise the Abbé's opinion of the abdicated monarch:</p> + +<p>"I really think nothing has afforded me so much consolation since my +misfortunes, as the conversation of that venerable saint, the Abbé of +La Trappé. When I first arrived in France I had but a very superficial +view of religion; if, indeed, I might be said to have any thing +deserving that name. The Abbé de La Trappé was the first person who +gave me any solid instruction with respect to genuine Christianity.</p> + +<p>"I formerly looked upon God as an omnipotent Creator, and as an +arbitrary governor; I knew his power to be irresistible, I therefore +thought his decrees must be submitted to, because they could not be +withstood. Now my whole view is changed: the Abbé de La Trappé has +taught me to consider this great God as my father, and to view myself +as adopted into his family. I now can look upon myself as become his +son, through the merits of my Saviour, applied to my heart by his +holy Spirit. I am now convinced, not only that we ought to receive +misfortunes with patience, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>because they are inevitable, but I also +feel assured that death, which rends the veil from all things, will +probably discover to us many new secrets of love and mercy in the +economy of God's providence, as in that of his grace. God, who gave up +his only Son to an accursed death for us, must surely have ordered all +inferior things by the same spirit of love."<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> + +<p>Such were King James's sentiments respecting M. de Rance. The Abbé, on +the other hand, entertained as high an opinion of him. The following +passage, concerning the unfortunate king of England, occurs in one of +M. de La Trappé's Letters to a Friend:—</p> + +<p>"I will now speak to you concerning the king of England. I never saw +any thing more striking than the whole of his conduct; nor have I ever +seen any person more elevated above the transitory objects of time and +sense. His tranquillity and submission to the divine will are truly +marvellous. He really equals some of the most holy men of old, if +indeed he may not be rather said to surpass them.</p> + +<p>"He has suffered the loss of three kingdoms; yet <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>his equanimity and +peace of mind are undisturbed. He speaks of his bitterest enemies +without warmth; nor does he ever indulge in those insinuations which +even good men are too apt to fall into when speaking of their enemies. +He knows the meaning of two texts of Scripture which are too much +neglected: 'It is given you to suffer,' and, 'Despise not the gift of +God.' He therefore praises God for every persecution and humiliation +which he endures. He could not be in a more equable state of mind even +if he were in the meridian of temporal prosperity.</p> + +<p>"His time is always judiciously and regularly appropriated. His day is +filled up in so exact a manner, that nothing can be well either added +or retrenched from his occupations.</p> + +<p>"All his pursuits tend to the love of God and man. He appears uniformly +to feel the divine presence. This is, perhaps, the first and most +important step in the divine life.—It is the foundation of all which +follow.</p> + +<p>"The queen is in every respect influenced by the same holy desires.</p> + +<p>"The union of these two excellent persons is founded on the love of God.</p> + +<p>"It may be truly termed an holy and a sacred one."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Such were M. de Rance's opinions of King James. It is impossible to +doubt but that the venerable Abbé de La Trappe was sincere in his +expressions."<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">FOUR</p> + +<h2><a id="ORIGINAL_LETTERS_OF_KING_JAMES_II"></a>ORIGINAL LETTERS OF KING JAMES II.</h2> + +<p class="small">DEPOSITED IN THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, NEVER BEFORE +PUBLISHED, IN WHICH THE ORTHOGRAPHY IS PRESERVED.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">LETTER I.</p> + +<p class="center">ADDREESSED, "FOR L: GEN: HAMILTON.§."</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Dublin May 1: 1689</i>:</p> + +<p>I am sorry to find by yours of the 27: that Luisignan is so ill hurt +lett him know how much I am troubled at it, and make a complyment +to Pointz upon his being hurt also, you do very well to precaution +yourself against sallys, from a towne where there is so many men, and +pray let the Gen: officers who remaine not expose themselves to much, +I have sent you a power to pardon such as will accept of it, L<sup>d.</sup> +Melfort shall give you an account of the troops I am a sending <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>down +to you, as also of what cannon and mortars are a preparing with all +possible deligence, you shall have all I can send you to enable you +to reduce that rebellious towne, and to make the more noyse the D: of +Tyrconnel is a preparing to go downe to you, it being, as you well +observe, of the last consequence to master it, I expect to have an +account every moment of the arrival of the French fleett, for Besides +that the wind has been so many days faire for them, letters from +Kinsale say they were left but fifteen leagues from that port, you will +before this getts to you have been informed of Bohan's having entirely +beaten the rebels w<sup>ch.</sup> were gott together in the County of Downe, at +least five thousand in number, and killed several hundreds of them on +the place, I hope the advice you had from Mrs. Lundy, will prove but a +story, if what a Sergeant w<sup>ch.</sup> came from Leverpoole but last weeke +says be true, w<sup>ch.</sup> you will know by this. §.</p> + +<p class="right">J. R.<br /></p> + +<p>I am a sending Dorrington downe to you. §.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">LETTER II.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">TO THE SAME.</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Dublin May 10: 1689</i>:</p> + +<p>I am sorry for the losse of Ramsay, such accidents will happen, and one +must not be discouraged, I am sensible you have a hard worke on your +hands, but at last will I hope be able to overcome it, I am sending +downe one great mortar and two pieces of battery by land, and the same +number of both by sea, 'twas actually impossible to dispatch them +sooner, ten Comp: of Eustach will be soon with you, all well armed, +and clothed, and five Comp: of the same Reg: are to march downe, what +other I send, shall be well armed, I send you downe with this a paper +concerning Derry, you will see whether it be practicable or no, of +w<sup>ch.</sup> none can judg, but you that are on the place, I am sending +downe, S<sup>r.</sup> Ne: O Neal's Reg: of Dragoons into the Countys of Downe +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>and Antrim w<sup>ch.</sup> will be the more necessary since you have ordered +Gen: Maj: Bohan to you, I thinke it absolutely necessary you should +not lett any more men come out of Derry, but for intelligence, or some +extraordinary occasion, for they may want provisions, and would be glad +to rid themselves of useless mouths,§</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">James R.</span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">LETTER III.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">TO THE SAME.</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Dublin May 20: 1689</i>:</p> + +<p>You will before this, have had an account from L<sup>d.</sup> Melfort, of what +men, arms, and stors, have been sent you, and are designed for you, I +now send back to you this bearer L<sup>d.</sup> Dungan to lett you know that +this day I have been informed by one who came from Chester on Wednesday +last, that Kirke was to sett saile with the first fair wind from thence +with fower reg<sup>s.</sup> of foott, to endeavour to relieve Derry, I have +ordered a copy of the information to be sent you, I know you will do +your part to hinder if you can, their getting into that towne, for +should once more those English succors be obliged to return againe, +that rebelious towne could not hold out long with the force I send you, +but if you cannot hinder their getting into the towne you must then +take care to secure your retreat as well as you can, on your side, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>and to take care also of the cannon, mortars and men, w<sup>ch.</sup> are on +the east side of the river of Derry, for no doubt they will presse +you, when you draw off, in case you should be obliged to do it, what +I propose is that you should endeavour to keep Castlefin, Cladyford +bridg, and Strabane to hinder them from coming over those waters, this +I thinke may be easily done considering tho' they may be strong in +foott, they can have but few and bad horse, and that I designe to go +about to reduce Eniskilling, in the mean tyme I am thinkind of sending +some more troups towards Charlemont which will be ready to look toward +you, or Carrickfergus as occasion shall offer, lett Castlederg, be well +provided, I have sent some horse and dragoons to reinforce Sarsfield +at Sligo, and have ordered Pursell's dragoons to Belturbet, what els I +have to say, I refer to this bearer L<sup>d.</sup> Dungan,§.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">James R.</span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">LETTER IV.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">TO THE SAME.</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Dublin July 8th. 1689</i>:</p> + +<p>I do not find by what I heare from you and others that those in Derry +are so prest for want of victuals as once was believed, so that if +they could be prest otherways, it would do well, I am sensible you are +but ill furnished with wherewithal to carry on your trenches, and to +attaque them vigorously, but however I am sure you will do what is to +be done, I am afraide your French enginers tho very able men in their +trade may have been so used to have all things necessary provided for +them, and to want nothing, that they are not so industrious as others +lesse knowing men might be, and that they do not push on their worke as +they might do, having so much to say for themselves, upon the account +of their being so ill provided, however methinks they might have gott +Maderiers ready in all this tyme, to have lodged the miners w<sup>ch.</sup> I +have <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>seen done to a stronger towne than Derry, and where we wanted +cannon to mine their defences, I only hint this to you, not pretending +at this distance to judg whether it be practicable or no, and for +making of Maderiers, I am sure tis but the puling downe some house <i>in</i> +[<i>this word is partly erased in the original, but substituted by the +following</i>] neare Derry, or at Lifford or Strabane, where one may find +beams strong enough to make them, and tho Lattin be not to be gott, +new hids will do as well to preserve them from fire, this is only for +yourself, you have another letter from me about what had been reported +here, of some proposals made to you by those of Derry, to which I refer +you:§.</p> + +<p class="right">J. R.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> +<p class="center small"><span class="smcap">[from the mss. closet of trinity college, dublin.]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5" /> + +<p class="label"><a id="ORIGINAL_LETTER_OF_THE_DUKE_OF_BERWICK"></a>ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE DUKE OF BERWICK,</p> + +<p class="center small"><span class="smcap">never before published,</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">addressed "to lieutenant-general hamilton, at the camp before derry."</span></p> + +<p class="right"><i>Trelick the 5th July</i>:</p> + +<p>I received just now the honour of yours, and I will write to Carills +aboute Cap<sup>t.</sup> Manus Odonnell. There is an escorte sent to meet the +amunition coming from Charlemont who is likewise guarded by a regiment +of foot.</p> + +<p>I marched yesterday morning from Newtown-Stewart, and joyning Coll. +Sunderland at Omah I marched hither; my advance guard cutt off several +of their sentries, and a great many of the rebells party, with such +vigour, as they beat with 30 dragoons three troops of horse of theirs, +which were drawn up at a distance from us. Cap Patrick Bellue and Major +Magdonnel commanded the van-guard. There was eight or nine of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +enemy killed but none of ours. I went with my horse and dragoons within +four miles of Inniskiling and drove a great deale of cattle back to +Trelick where I am now and which is nine mile from Enniskiling. I am +sure no considerable party dearest stirr out from that towne for feare +of my being upon their backs, so that all backwards is secure. The +party of two hundred foot and fifty horse and dragoons that were left +at Belturbet under the command of L. Coll. Scott, are taken prisoners +officers and all. I can assure you that all the inhabitants of this +countrye are universally rebells. my humble service to Mareschall Rozen +and believe me, your most humble and obedient servant</p> + + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Berwick.</span></p> + +<p>I forgot to tell you that our vanguard pursued so close three companies +of foot that they took one of their colours and two drumms within four +miles of Inniskiling, before I was come upp, this has entred<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> Coll: +Purcell's dragoons very well.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/i198.jpg" width="398" height="400" alt="" /> +<div class="caption"><p class="center"><i>Fac-Simile of the Autograph and signet of King James +II.</i><br /> +<i>Fac-Simile of the Autograph and Seal of the Duke of Berwick.</i><br /> +<i>T. Badge. sculpsit.</i><br /></p></div></div> + + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p class="title">FOOTNOTES</p> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> This dance has been already described in note to chapter +<span class="smcap">xv</span>. vol. <span class="smcap">i</span>. It only is necessary here to observe, that the popular dance +at present prevalent in Ireland is called the <i>long dance</i>; it is +similar to that of the Danes in Holstein, and other parts of Denmark, +which they term <i>de lange danz</i>, or "the long dance." This dance still +continues up to the present period to be performed in the country parts +of Ireland, upon the occurrence of a young heir arriving at the bright +and sunny epoch of twenty-one; and likewise upon the event of his +marriage, or upon any other happy and unexpected occasion of rejoicing.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Carcanet, the diminutive of <i>carcan</i>, a chain;—it means a +necklace.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Innisfail is one of the ancient names of Ireland;—it means +the isle of fate or destiny. It was so called from possessing an ancient +stone chair, on which was sculptured in Gaelic,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Or fate is false, or where this stone shall be<br /></div> + <div class="verse">The Scots shall reign a powerful monarchy.<br /></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>It was afterwards removed to Scotland, and subsequently to England. It +is now placed under the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> + Mala-pioba—the bagpipes. The late Mr. Cooper Walker in his +"Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards," in a note at foot of page 81, +speaking on the subject of the Irish bagpipes, (which, by the way, are +played upon by the finger, and not like the Scotch pipes, which are +played by the lips,) he makes the following remark:—"I have been +informed that George II. was so much delighted with the performance of +an Irish gentleman on the bagpipes, that he ordered a medal to be struck +for him."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Sir Trystrem was entitled to the lily, being a royal son of +France; he was designated Sir Trystrem of Lyons. He was nephew to Mark, +king of Cornwall. His name really was <i>Tristrem</i>, but we suppose, for +sake of euphony, old Cormac thought he was privileged to change it.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> "The spiced wassail-bowl."—See Fletcher's "Faithful +Shepherdess," act <span class="smcap">V</span>. p. 108. Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, vol. <span class="smcap">IV</span>. The +efficacy of love philtres was credited from the days of Pliny even down +to the seventeenth century! See Sir Walter Scott's "Sir Tristrem," p. +298; and also Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. <span class="smcap">III</span>. p. 459.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Muscadel.—This species of wine was a common ingredient in +the wassail-bowls, which were peculiarly in favour at Christmas.—<i>Note +to "the Pilgrim," by Beaumont and Fletcher</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">V</span>. p. 429. Muscadel is +likewise noticed in the same volume in the play called "The Woman's +Prize," p. 263.</p> + +<p class="center">"Sweet gentleman with muscadel."</p> + +<p>Mr. Weber adds in a note, "This passage, perhaps, explains the reason +why wine was offered immediately after the marriage ceremony to the +bride and bridegroom generally before they left the church." The +following passage occurs in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew:"</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"After many ceremonies done,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">He calls for <i>wine</i>. 'A health,' quoth he, as if<br /></div> + <div class="verse">He had been abroad carousing to his mates<br /></div> + <div class="verse">After a storm.——Quaffed off the <i>muscadel</i>,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">And threw the sops all in the sexton's face."<br /></div> + </div> + </div> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> This castle and its fortifications were demolished by Sir +Eustace Maxwell, (the steady, warm-hearted friend of King Robert Bruce,) +lest it should fall into the hands of the enemy: and for which generous +action lands were given to him, the tenure by which he held them being +thus noticed:—"<i>Pro fractione et prostratione castri de Caerlaverock</i>," +&c. &c.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Dalrymple's Memoirs.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> <i>Vide</i> "Minstrelsy of the Scottish border."—"Beauties +of Scotland."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border," vol. <span class="smcap">I</span>. p. 218.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Joanna Baillie's "<i>Family Legend</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Dalrymple's Memoirs.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> This bloody deed, it must be confessed, was a dereliction +and violation of all the strict laws of hospitality, which were so duly +enforced in Scotland—which forbad a host to murder his guest. But we +have detailed the savage character of Sir Robert Bruce, the hostility of +the two clans, and the barbarism of the times; and have only to say, +that "<i>Exceptio probat regulam</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Harquebuss, in the ancient statutes, is called also +Arquebuse, Haquebut, or Hagbut; it is a <i>hand-gun</i>, or a fire-arm of a +proper length to be borne in the arm. The word is formed of the French +<i>arquebuse</i>, and that from the Italian, <i>arcobusio</i>, or <i>arco abuso</i>, of +<i>arco</i> a bow, and <i>busio</i>, a hole; on account of the touch-hole in which +the powder is put to prime it; and it is likewise so called because it +succeeded the bows of the ancients.</p> + +<p>The <i>harquebuss</i> is properly a fire-arm, of the ordinary length of a +musket or fowling-piece, cocked usually with a wheel. Its length is +forty calibers; and the weight of its ball one ounce seven-eighths; its +charge of powder as much.</p> + +<p>There is also a larger kind, called <i>harquebuss a croc</i>, used in war for +the defence of places. The first time these instruments were seen was in +the imperial army of Bourbon, when Bonnivet was driven out of the state +of Milan. They are heavy and cumbersome.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> The "Mercurius Civicus, London's Intelligencer, or Truth +impartially related from thence to the Kingdom, to prevent +Misinformation." This public print, with the foregoing quaint title, was +first published in 1643. Printed for Thomas Bates on Snow-hill.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> At the splendid entertainments of those days the +confectioners were very solicitous to present these and similar +fopperies on the tables of the great. Furnace the cook says, in +<span class="smcap">Massinger's</span> "<i>New Way to pay old Debts</i>,"</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">——"Since our master, noble Allworth, died,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Though I crack my brain to find out tempting sauces,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">And raise <i>fortifications in the pastry</i>,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Such as might serve for models in the Low Countries;<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Which, if they had been practised at Breda,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Spinola might have thrown his cap at it, and ne'er took it."<br /></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>And again, in the Prologue to "<i>A Wife for a Month</i>," which was the sole +production of <span class="smcap">Fletcher</span>, we have the following lines on the same +subject—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Our noble friend, who writ this, bid me say,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">He had rather dress upon a triumph day<br /></div> + <div class="verse">My Lord Mayor's feast, and make him sauces too,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Sauce for each several month; nay, further go,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">He had rather build up those invincible pies<br /></div> + <div class="verse">And castle custards,<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> that affright all eyes,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Nay, eat 'em and their artillery—<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Than dress for such a curious company<br /></div> + <div class="verse">One single dish."——-<br /></div> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2"><span class="smcap">Beaumont</span> and <span class="smcap">Fletcher<br /></span>—Vol. <span class="smcap">VIII</span>. p. 137.<br /></div> + </div> + </div> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> The ingenuity of ancient cooks in raising pastry +fortifications has been already noticed. In the text we have not only +fortresses of paste, but castles made of custards, furnished with +eatable artillery, on a triumph-day, that is one of the greatest +festivities at the Mansion-house. Another similar device of march-pane +is mentioned in "Witts and Fancies"—1595, 4to.: "At a nobleman's +banquet a ship of march-pane stuff was set upon the board, wherein was +all manner of fishes of the like stuff."</p> + +<p>At a banquet given by Cardinal Birague to Henry III. King of France, his +queen, and mother, "A collation was there served upon two long tables, +consisting of between eleven and twelve hundred dishes composed of +confectionary and dried sweetmeats of various kinds, constructed in the +form of castles, pyramids, and other elegant figures."—<span class="smcap">Wraxall's</span> +"<i>History of France</i>," vol. <span class="smcap">II</span>. 449.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Donenobroogi—Hodie—Donnybrook. The fame of its fair is +well known.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> A Tour to Alet and La Grand Chartreuse, vol. <span class="smcap">II.</span> pp. 335-6.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> A Tour to Alet and La Grande Chartreuse, 8vo. London, 1816, +vol. <span class="smcap">II.</span> pp. 336, 337.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> The orthography of the original is strictly preserved +throughout the above letter.</p></div> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p>☛ <span class="smcap">The Book-binder</span> will take care to place the Engraving, which +presents fac-similes of the hand-writing and seals of King James II. and +the Duke of Berwick, at the opposite page.</p> + + + + +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="label">Transcriber's Notes:</p> + +<p class="no-indent">A number of minor punctuation issues were +resolved. Missing accents have not been inserted. The orthography of +correspondence has been retained. The following changes in spelling +were made in the narrative.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="no-indent">Page 4 inocuously is now innocuously<br /> +Page 16 promontary is now promontory<br /> +Page 25 guager is now gauger<br /> +Page 69 forboding is now foreboding<br /> +Page 83 wofully is now woefully<br /> +Page 90 martriculated is now matriculated<br /> +Page 93 cateract is now cataract<br /> +Page 102 fellowing is now following<br /> +Page 154 paragragh is now paragraph<br /> +Page 172 dispouere is now disponere<br /> + +The cover is placed in the public domain.</p></blockquote></div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44264 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/44264-h/images/coverpage.jpg b/44264-h/images/coverpage.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4f17190 --- /dev/null +++ b/44264-h/images/coverpage.jpg diff --git a/44264-h/images/i198.jpg b/44264-h/images/i198.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7121d38 --- /dev/null +++ b/44264-h/images/i198.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b311893 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #44264 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44264) diff --git a/old/44264-0.txt b/old/44264-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..73eeaa9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44264-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4325 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, Vol. 3 (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, Vol. 3 (of 3) + Adelaide of Tyrconnel + +Author: Matthew Weld Hartstonge + +Release Date: November 23, 2013 [EBook #44264] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS *** + + + + +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 futuræ + Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis! + ........................... tempus erit, + ............. et quum spolia ista diemque + Oderit! + + VIRGILIUS, Æ. x.I. 501. + + + VOL. III. + + + LONDON: + + FOR G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE. + + 1825. + + + + + THE EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Upon your art, Sir, and your faith to assist it, + Shall I believe you, then, his wound's not mortal? + + LOVE'S PILGRIMAGE. + + +The banditti who made the fierce and fiery attack, as recounted in our +last chapter, a few days subsequent to that sad event were arrested +by the _Gens d'Armes_ in Soignies wood. They had been composed, it +appeared upon examination, of the daring and desperate of different +nations, and that their leader was a Spaniard. + +But it is indeed full time that we should return to the mansion of +Tyrconnel, where all was distress and dismay. But amid all this +incidental confusion and alarm no time whatever had been lost in +calling in surgical assistance; two surgeons of reputed eminence being +instantly summoned--an English practitioner of the name of Leach, who +long had been a resident at Brussels, and a Monsieur Bourreau, a French +surgeon in considerable practice, likewise a resident of this ancient +city, who immediately obeyed the summons. + +Monsieur Bourreau was the first to arrive, who had a conference with +Sir Patricius Placebo, understanding that he was a medical gentleman. + + MONSIEUR BOURREAU.--"_Ah! serviteur, Monsieur._--_Mais je demand + votre pardon! car je pourrois dire_, LE CHEVALIER _Aussi-bon_!" + + SIR PATRICIUS PLACEBO.--"Hem, hem! Placebo, _je dis_ + Placebo!--_Prononces comme il faut, si vous plais, Monsieur + Chirurgien!_" + + MONSIEUR BOURREAU.--"_Oh, pardon encore, je demand tres humblement + de votre mains. Je dis, Chevalier Placebo, que les blesseurs + portées de les fusils sont toujours trop dangereux; et pour moi, + Chevalier Assebo, je prefere dix blesseurs de l'epée partout, à une + diable blesseure de portée de fusil!--Mais, neanmoins, toujours + chacun à son goût!_" + + SIR PATRICIUS.--"_Cette remarque, Monsieur Chirurgien, est trop + vrai; et vous-avez sans doute beaucoup de raison certainment; car + comme ils ont dit autrefois_, + + 'De gustibus non disputandum!' + +Hem, hem, ahem!"--having immediate recourse to his Carolus' snuff-box, +which in the first instance he most politely handed to Monsieur +Bourreau. And here the name of Surgeon Leach being announced, the two +surgeons with due formality were conducted by the medical baronet to +the sick man's chamber. + +They found their patient suffering under much bodily pain, attended +also with inflammation and a considerable degree of fever. They +alternately felt his pulse, holding forth their watches, upon which +they intently gazed; then looked at each other grave and portentous as +the visages of two undertakers in their vocation, and most sadly shook +their sapient sconces. + +However, it was not long before a very decided difference of opinion +arose between the knights of the lance--to wit, M. Bourreau was for the +immediate extraction of the ball, insisting most strenuously that such +an operation was unavoidably necessary, thus to effect the enlargement +of the wound, in order finally to extract the ball, which was the +immediate and important consideration of the case, and thus finally to +facilitate the cure; but at the same time with candour he acknowledged +that the operation would not be unattended with pain. Meanwhile Mr. +Leach was for leaving the bullet gradually to work out its own tranquil +way in the quiet lapse of years and time, which result, he insisted +pertinaciously, he had known to be the case in numerous instances, +where bullets have remained innocuously lodged in several parts of the +human body, until eventually, after a long lapse of years, they have +worked forth a passage to the surface, and have been easily extracted. +And other cases he knew, where individuals have retained with impunity +bullets within their bodies, from a gun-shot or pistol wound, even to +the closing hour of a protracted life. + +Mr. Leach was likewise too of opinion that, as the wound was placed +upon a joint, assuredly, that both knife and forceps should be put +under due restraint, nor should any more opening be made than what was +quite absolutely and imperatively necessary to meet the circumstances +of the case. + +It was considered incumbent by the duke, from this most serious +difference of opinion, that a third surgeon should instantly be called +in as umpire, and that his opinion in this intended consultation should +be absolute. + +Accordingly a Dutch surgeon, _cognomine_ Mynheer Van Phlebodem, a +practitioner of considerable repute, was called in, who, in conferring +with his learned brethren, after a minute examination of the patient, +whom he found labouring under a restless accession of fever, and having +understood that Sir David Bruce had not sustained any loss of blood +worth noticing, as issuing from the wound, the sage Mynheer considered +it advisable to open a vein immediately, as he was decidedly of +opinion, from a course of long established practice, that repeated +and copious bleedings, promptly and immediately adopted in the +commencement, seldom or never fail of being attended with success. They +prevented too, he said, much pain; kept down likewise inflammation, +and diminished the assaults of fever, &c. &c.--This determination was +accordingly carried into effect. + +At one time, from long continued pain and continued loss of sleep, it +was found necessary liberally to administer opium; at another period +the medical attendants, fearing symptoms of mortification to appear, +were not sparing in administering doses of Peruvian bark, with which +they drenched their victim. + +For the first fifteen or twenty days considerable apprehensions +were entertained for the safety of the patient's life. We feel, +however, most happy to state that none of those predicted evils +ensued, although certainly circumstances existed to call forth such +apprehensions--namely, the violent heat of summer, the deadly pain +of the wound, the irritation caused by fever, the inflamed state of +the patient's blood; these certainly were conducive in exciting those +melancholy forebodings. A constantly cooling regimen was rigidly +enforced, and the patient kept quiet, free from noise or irritation. At +another stage of the patient's confinement gangrene was again seriously +indeed apprehended; however, from the external application of warm +emolients, &c. &c., this apprehended danger was completely obviated, +suppuration was successfully brought on, and the learned triumvirate +freely acknowledged that the patient might now be pronounced as +nearly out of danger; and in about ten days, or longer, the ball was +cautiously and safely extracted, and with no other ill result, we are +happy to state, than the operation having caused a considerable degree +of torture in the shoulder of our wounded hero. + +Nothing could exceed the manifold attentions which were shown, and the +intense interest that was felt by every individual in the family of +Tyrconnel, and that innumerable kindnesses were fully manifested from +a certain quarter our readers will not be at a loss to guess, during +the illness and progress of recovery of the wounded patient, whose +convalescence, we are happy to state, had so far advanced that he was +daily permitted to walk for an hour in the garden pertaining to the +mansion of Tyrconnel. + +One afternoon the dinner cloth had been just removed; and the family +were seated at their wine, when lo! to the great amazement of the duke +and duchess, a king's messenger was announced, bearing a despatch from +the King of England, which, under envelope and direction of the Lord +Privy Seal, was duly directed "For his Grace the Duke of Tyrconnel, +these--Lonsdale P. S." + +Upon opening and reading the contents of the despatch, the astonishment +of the duke was no way abated. It contained the following:-- + + "I revoke the edict of your banishment; your attainture is taken + off; your honours are restored; and you may now return in safety to + your native land! _You are a man of honour--I will not desire + you to act against your principle. Disturb not the government, and + we shall be very good friends._ + + (L. S.) W. R." + +This important and quite unexpected change in the mind of the English +monarch, which now called forth in return the immediate gratitude +and acknowledgments of him upon whom these favours had so graciously +been bestowed, had happily been effected through the interest and +intercession of the Elector Palatine, the firm friend and patron of Sir +David Bruce; thus no doubt could possibly exist but that through the +earnest representations, and at the especial request of the latter, +this important and conciliatory measure was effectuated. Indeed this +was fully corroborated by the same messenger bearing a despatch from +the Elector Palatine, addressed to Sir David Bruce, which stated that +the Elector felt most happy in having to acquaint him of the complete +success of his interference with the King of England in the behalf of +Sir David's exiled friends. + +The immediate departure of the Duke and Duchess of Tyrconnel from +Brussels, so soon as circumstances would permit, was fully determined +upon. No obstacle, therefore, to preclude the union of Sir David Bruce +and the Lady Adelaide remained, save the delay of their voyage and +journey to Ireland, where, upon the event of their return to Tyrconnel +Castle, it was agreed that the marriage was duly to be solemnized. + +The day previous to their final departure from Brussels Adelaide +devoted in bidding a fond and final farewell to those she sincerely +regarded, and from whom were received numberless attentions during her +sojourn. Adelaide took a parting look at scenes that were endeared to +her by past associations and pleasing recollections. + +"Farewell!" she mentally said, "thou fair and flourishing +city!--patroness of the arts, the mistress of painting--thou queen +of fountains, farewell! Ever rich and luxuriant be thy valleys, thy +gardens, and thy groves; and long may the olive on thy undulating hills +shadow this happy realm in peace!" + +Then, with her accustomed enthusiasm, Adelaide wrote the following + + +FAREWELL TO BELGIUM! + + Farewell, blest land! I leave the while + Serene and social spot; + Ne'er winding Scheldt, nor devious Dyle, + By mem'ry be forgot! + + Dear peaceful scenes for many a year, + While shaded from the foe, + Which oft aroused the filial fear, + Hence far from thee I go! + + If not ungrateful 'twould appear, + I'd ne'er review thy shore; + Yet still through each revolving year + I'd think on thee the more! + + Farewell, fair Belgium! fertile land, + On thee may freedom ever smile; + While commerce courts thy happy strand! + I seek mine own, lov'd, native isle! + +The Duchess of Tyrconnel wrote, according to promise, to Mrs. +Cartwright, duly recording to her the happy turn that fortune had taken +in their favour. A copy of this epistle now lies before us; but as we +are no admirers of unnecessary repetition, we must take the liberty of +wholly suppressing the letter of her Grace. + +Before we close this short, but eventful chapter, we have to observe +that the Soignies banditti, who had been arrested, were tried, +identified, and executed. + +Not once nor twice was Sir Patricius Placebo overheard soliloquizing +to himself thus: "I am," quoth the knight, "in sooth no longer a +philosopher, who is desirous _inter silvas foresti (non academi) +quærere verum_--no, no--_horribile dictu!_ After this confounded +_rencontre_ in cursed Soignies wood, I shall for ever forego and +forswear the eating of Ortolan or Perigord pies, while I live--ahem! +except--that is to say, unless I can eat them with safety in the city! +for there is no general rule or law without an exception; and indeed +the long-robed gentry say as much--_exceptio probat regulam_--ahem! + + "DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!" + +It was at the close of the last week in August, which had now arrived, +when the duke and family took their departure from Brussels, on their +route for Ireland; and while they are on their way we shall conduct our +readers in their transit to the succeeding chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + ---- In the turmoils of our lives, + Men are like politic states, or troubled seas, + Toss'd up and down, with several storms and tempests, + Change and variety of wrecks and fortunes; + Till labouring to the havens of our homes, + We struggle for the calm that crowns our ends. + + FORDE'S "_Lover's Melancholy_." + + +About two months had now passed over, which had been occupied in +travelling to their long-wished for home, since the departure of the +duke and his family from Brussels, the journey having commenced towards +the close of August, and now had arrived the last week in October, +which witnessed the due accomplishment and end of their travels, by +their welcome return to their ancient and magnificent castle. + +No occurrences whatever worthy of record having happened during the +continental journey, the passage of two seas, or while occupied in +their travels through England, Wales, and Ireland, all of which +were performed in perfect safety; and moreover, the weather proved +propitiously mild and serene. + +While the travellers continued their route homeward, the duke thus +expressed his sentiments to the duchess:--"My love, I am fully resolved +for ever to abandon politics and party, to burn my grey goose quill +of diplomacy; I am determined too to relinquish the ways and woes +of war for the cultivation of the happy arts of peace; to desert a +city life for a country life; to arise with the lark, and plough my +paternal lands; to transmute my sword into a ploughshare, and my spear +into a reaping-hook. My firm, fixed intention being decided for ever +tranquilly to abide within my own domains, to pass our time in classic +ease within the venerable towers of Tyrconnel Castle, and there eke out +the remnant of my days until summoned by the cold and chilling call of +death!" + +The duchess said: "My Lord, I most highly approve of your wise +determination, and trust that we yet have many years of happiness +before us." + +With these fixed resolves impressed upon his mind, the duke proceeded +on his way. His journey was now nearly at an end, when the towers of +his lordly, but long unfrequented castle, which bounded the horizon, +arose to view, rich and red, glowing beneath the brilliant beams of the +setting sun, and struck his vision with delight as gladly he approached +his long deserted hereditary halls. + +This long wished return was joyously and generously hailed by all +ranks and descriptions of persons, from the proud peer down to the +lowly peasant; bonfires crowned every surrounding mountain height, +hill, peninsula, and promontory, while they beamed forth a brilliant +welcome to the returned wanderer; the lofty windows of the wealthy, and +the lowly lattices of the cottier, in the town of Tyrconnel, bespoke +the general joy that burst around, and conjointly the wax taper and +rush-light commingled their rays to manifest the heart-yearning +welcome that the duke's happy return had inspired. + +The welcoming notes of the merry pipe and the national harp resounded +blithely over hill and vale. Meanwhile the peasantry were all +collected, and clad in their best and gayest attire; their honest, +grateful, and joyful countenances bearing the impress of their +gladdened hearts, told forth a welcome that was not to be mistaken nor +misunderstood, for it affectionately hailed the much desired return +of their beloved and long exiled benefactor! It was evening when this +interesting scene took place, but all meet preparation had previously +been arranged,--torch, flambeau, and fire-works, had been prepared, and +blazed forth in all becoming brilliancy. + +A triumphal arch, tastefully adorned with appropriate armorial +escutcheons, emblems, and trophies, and crowned with wreaths and +festoons of living shrubs and flowers, adorned the pass which led to +the castellated gateway. Bouquets and coronals of flowers were flung +along the way, while grateful shouts made the welkin ring as the ducal +train passed along. Groups of lovely damsels united their welcome +song, and soon joined hands with the manly peasants in the national +Irish dance of the _Rinceadh-Fada_.[1] + +Once more the ducal standard floated on "the Raven Tower," the cannon +on the terrace thundered forth a princely _salvo_, which boomed upon +the buoyant waves of the deep Atlantic, and was re-echoed by the castle +walls, while the loud continued shouts of a grateful and happy tenantry +bore burden to the burst of joy. + +It would be difficult to express the exultation and gladness that +pervaded all ranks, and which the old domestics in particular displayed +in no common way; Mrs. Judith Brangwain, the venerable old nurse of +Lady Adelaide, seemed nearly crazed with joy at the long wished, +but unhoped return of her dear Mavourneen, her best beloved young +lady:--"Oh," she exclaimed, "at last have I survived, with these mine +aged eyes, to witness this happy, happy day! Oh, never, never, did I +expect so great a blessing; I am stricken in years, and nearly blind, +yet the Lord be praised for these and all his mercies!" + + [Footnote 1: This dance has been already described in note to + chapter xv. vol. I. It only is necessary here to observe, that the + popular dance at present prevalent in Ireland is called the _long + dance_; it is similar to that of the Danes in Holstein, and other + parts of Denmark, which they term _de lange danz_, or "the long + dance." This dance still continues up to the present period to be + performed in the country parts of Ireland, upon the occurrence of + a young heir arriving at the bright and sunny epoch of twenty-one; + and likewise upon the event of his marriage, or upon any other + happy and unexpected occasion of rejoicing.] + +Next the old crone sung with joy and delight, held up her garments in +jig attitude, and capered about as if actually bitten by a tarantula; +then seized and led out, _per_ force, old Sandy Rakeweel, the Scotch +gardener, with whom she danced an Irish reel, and that too with so +much _qui vive_, as to demonstrate that the joys of her dancing days +had not passed over. This frolic was performed on the green sward, and +honest old Sandy, when the reel was completed, which, sooth to say, +he had undertaken _nolens volens_, vehemently exclaimed, "'Fore Saint +Aundrewe, Mrs. Judith, wi' a' her whigmaleeries was ower pauky, to hap, +step, an' loup wi' me; the gude woman is a' fou' and sae daft she ha' +geck'd a' her wits into a creel, aiblins she hae been bit by a bogle. +Ise naer be so jundied in a jig again; yet I'm not meikle fashed--nae, +nae!" + +There was, exclusive of the ancient Mrs. Judith, another venerable +follower of this noble family, in whom the general joy, so conspicuous +amongst all ranks, was not the less sincere and ardent, and this was +the aged and sightless minstrel, old Cormac, whose best suit was duly +assumed upon this happy occasion, to welcome home his kind and generous +master; his harp was newly strung, and carefully tuned aright; and +patiently, but anxiously, in the baronial hall he awaited the entrance +of the duke and family, upon whose welcome approach he thus poured +forth his strains of gratitude and affection upon his noble Lord's +return. + + +OLD CORMAC'S WELCOME. + + Returned once more from foreign lands, + Behold the noble exile stands + Within his lordly hall! + + His faulchion smote his country's foes, + His king's defeat hath caused these woes, + Which his brave breast inthrall. + + Oh, welcome to thy lordly towers, + Thy princely seat, thy happy bowers, + A grateful welcome all! + + Now never more to roam afar, + Nor plunge 'mid tide of crimson war, + Shall fate thy arms recall! + + But here in tranquil rural ease, + Such as a soul like thine can please, + May never grief appal! + + In virtue long, and years to shine, + Be each domestic blessing thine! + And ev'ry boon that heaven can give, + When thy poor bard hath ceased to live! + +When the ancient and sightless bard had concluded this, his _improviso_ +welcome, he appeared absolutely overpowered, and shed a copious +torrent of tears, which flowed from eyes long indeed closed to the +light, but not to intensity of feeling! But these were not tears of +sorrow, they were effusions of grateful affection, that often speak the +joyful feelings of the heart, while the tongue remains wholly silent. +His was the unspeakable joy at his noble benefactor's happy return in +health and peace, after so long an absence, to his ancient towers. The +duke, duchess, Lady Adelaide, &c. &c. &c. in succession approached the +aged minstrel to express severally their approbation of his song, and +thanks for the feeling manner in which his welcome had been expressed. +The duke obligingly and condescendingly said to him:--"My friend +Cormac, although thy locks are more blenched and snowy than they were +when last we parted, yet I am glad to find that your heart is not +chilled by the frost of age, and that the chords of thy harp so sweetly +still respond to a master's touch!" + +Then addressing one of his pages, his Grace said, "Fill, fill the +goblet high to the very brim, and present it to the bard!" + +In sooth we need not say that sightless, honest Cormac retired to rest +that night the happiest old man in the province of Ulster; his slumbers +were sound and serene, and his dreams flattering as ever youthful poet +dreamt. + +The next morning, when breakfast was concluded, the duke said in a +lively way:--"Come, come, Sir David, you have not travelled here for +nothing, we must e'en show you the curiosities of the country. There +lives, or rather vegetates, not far hence, a wight, the most eccentric +being perhaps that ever existed--I pray you go see him. This personage +is Squire Cornelius Kiltipper, of Crownagalera Castle, once the mighty +Nimrod of these parts. You must, moreover, know, that from Squire +Kiltipper's determined addiction to strong liquors, and likewise +from the fatal consequence of a far-bruited boozing bout, in which +he actually out-drank and out-lived his opponent in a long continued +contest; (the defunct had been a gauger who thus succumbed in death, +even at the base of the Squire's dinner-table;) in consequence of which +Kiltipper was ever afterwards called, in popular parlance, _Squire +Kil-Toper_! For, Sir David, you must know that the lower class of my +countrymen are feelingly sensible of the ridiculous, and extremely fond +of _soubriquets_, or nick-names.--Indeed they are curious bodies! So +I pray you proceed to see this curiosity, and my kind Sir Patricius +Placebo shall, upon this occasion, be your _conduttóre_." + +Acceding to this recommendation of the duke, Sir David Bruce, +accompanied by Sir Patricius Placebo, proceeded onward in their +walk; and, as a _prétexte par hazard_, they carried with them their +fowling-pieces, and were accompanied with a couple of pointers, and an +attendant terrier. They set out, and walked across the field-paths, in +due direction for the castle of Crownagela, which was distant about two +miles. + +Upon their arrival they stoutly knocked at the hall-door, but the +servant refused admittance. However, after some parlance, and the rank +of the visitors having been announced, they were admitted. Here a loud +and general exclamation vociferated from the parlour, struck the ears +of the visitors--"A song, a song!" The servant upon this observed, +"Gentlemen, yees must have the goodness to wait just a bit till this +same song is over, and then I will show yees to my master. If I dare +go in now, to transdispose their musicals, the penalty would be, that +I should be flung flat out of the window, and that, I am sartin, would +not quite plaze yees." + +While the visitors waited with what patience they might, before they +were admitted to an audience with the original whom they had come +to visit, the following bacchanalian song was conjointly sung; and +which rumour likewise reported to have been composed by the vocal +triumvirate, namely, Mr. Barrabbas Tithestang, the proctor, Mr. Simon +Swigg, the gauger, and Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, the parish clerk and +sexton: but the latter personage was strongly suspected to have had the +principal hand, or pen, in the precious composition. + + +SONG. + +I. + + When first the day-star gems the sky, + When flickering swallows upward fly; + While shrill the matin-herald crows, + And thrifty Joan to spin hath rose, + Then only, brave boys, it is day! + +II. + + Our cup let's drink, we will not slink, + We leave to those, who wish, to think! + Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round? + Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground! + And drink on, brave boys, until day! + +III. + + Who joins not in our jovial bout, + Drink, meat, and fire, should do without; + Soon let this stout _magnum_ be quaffed, + He says nay, shall surely be laughed. + Then only, brave boys, it will be day! + +IV. + + The dawn hath past, the sun at last + Round our revels his beams has cast; + Yet ere we go a parting glass, + Our toast a sprightly, buxom lass. + My brave boys only now it is day! + Only now, my brave boys, it is day! + +Squire Kiltipper, somewhat pleased, sung a semi-stave of the song:-- + + "Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round? + Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground! + Ha, ha, ha! + +A very plain and palpable alternative truly, the drunkard fairly caught +on the horns of the mathematician's dire dilemma, and then to flounder +on the floor--ha, ha! Oh, lame and lamentable conclusion! Come lads, +the health of the composer; hip, hip,--hurrah!" + +This toast drank at mid-noon, however strange to tell, was loudly +chorussed, with various manual accompaniments inflicted on the table, +until the window panes and the very drinking-glasses again returned +the echo; and amid this uproar the door was opened, and the visitors +introduced, their names being duly announced. Squire Kiltipper was +discovered seated in his bed, holding in his hand the MS. of the +precious rant which had just been sung; he wore spectacles; his dark +beard was unshorn; he wore on his head a cap made of otter skin; he was +habited in a scarlet waistcoat trimmed with rabbit skin, over which +he wore a dressing-gown of purple camlet; his small clothes, which had +been once white, but now stained with claret, reminded one rudely of +the union of the rival roses of York and Lancaster! The Squire arose +to receive his guests, but was preceded by his prime minister, Bounce, +his favourite greyhound, who had been also snugly reposing under cover +of the counterpane, which now rising to a portentous height, he and +his master were safely delivered from the thraldom of the bed-clothes, +and the Squire politely advancing, paid obeisance to his visitors, and +invited them to luncheon. + +The guests were, Mr. Simon Swigg, the gauger, Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, +the parish clerk and sexton, and Mr. Barabbas Tithestang, the +proctor, who began the world a beggar's brat, and barefooted withal; +_sans_ shoe, _sans_ stocking, _sans_ every thing, save a large and +inexhaustible stock of confidence; but was now metamorphosed into a +country justice; and this squire of mean degree enjoying the _otium cum +dignitate_ of four hundred pounds per annum, besides the important +privilege of daily _entrè_ to the dinner-table of Squire Kiltipper, +_alias_ Kill-Toper! + +These gentry were the squire's led captains, his most abject vassals, +whose presence at his table contributed, by their native gross humour, +to divert the tedious hours of the squire, and whose society had now +become quite necessary to his existence. He had been well educated, +and was not deficient in mental ability; but his sad propensity to the +worship of Bacchus had nearly hebetated the powers of his mind, and +had nearly likewise debilitated his powers of loco-motion by frequent +confirmed attacks of gout, which had much undermined his constitution. + +In the centre of the room was stationed a table, on which still stood +some stout cheer, the remains of last night's banquet; here were to +be seen the remnant of a huge venison pasty, cold roast beef, pickled +oysters, cold roasted fowls, tongues, &c., and relics of exhausted +bottles reposing like dead men upon the carpet. Upon the approach +of the strangers, Vulcan and Hecate, his two favourite cats, that +had been busily employed in subdividing the venison pasty, at sight +of the visitor's dogs most incontinently abandoned their plunder, +loudly yelling, and retreating with precipitation, they scampered up +the chimney; while the general panic, with effect of electricity, +communicating its fearful effects to his favourite pigeons, who had +been peaceably reposing, with their gentle heads under their wings, +upon the tester of the bed; but now they sprang up in affright, as if +pursued by falcon or eagle, and dashed themselves suddenly against the +window-casement; the poor pigeons received some slight hurts, and the +Squire was evidently discomfited. "D----n, I say, to Vulcan and Hecate; +but I am indeed sorry for my pretty pets--my dear pigeons. You know, my +worthy and venerated Sir Patricius, how much I am obligated to my late +dear, dear, dear uncle Commodore Pigeon, of Capstern Hall in Yorkshire, +who bequeathed me an estate to the tune of nearly two thousand pounds +per annum; and therefore you can fully account for my warm attachment +to the pretty bird that bears his honoured name! I am now waxing old, +and peradventure am not exempt from the follies of old age; I have +long since become tired of the chace, my bugle-horn hangs silent in my +hall, and my unkennelled hounds wander forth, to my cost, committing +petty larcenies amid the peaceably disposed ducks and turkeys of the +vicinage; my hunters I have turned abroad to increase and multiply +exceedingly, and cats daily kitten in my quondam boots of the chase! +But I have dwelt too long on myself and mine own concern--I give you a +hearty congratulation upon your safe return to these parts, and also at +the happy return of the duke to his ancient towers. I pray you that you +both stop and dine with me; I can only promise you a yeoman's fare, but +indeed you shall likewise have a friend's welcome! For, Sir Patricius, +I do esteem thee, and I do consider thee, by yea and nay, a man of the +most recondite taste and parlous judgment that I ever have encountered; +withal resembling, methinks, most accurately what old Flaccus terms +'_Homo ad unguem factus_.'" + +Sir Patricius politely thanked him for his too good opinion of him, +which he feared was rather overrated, and apologized for the next +to impossibility of accepting of his friendly invitation, which +they begged to postpone to some more opportune time. And now having +quite sufficiently amused themselves with the eccentric Squire of +Crownagelera Castle, Sir David Bruce and Sir Patricius Placebo again +returned thanks for the proffered hospitality of Squire Kiltoper, and +having bade him good morning, set out on their return, "_Non sine multo +risu_," as Sir Patricius expressed himself, for Tyrconnel Castle. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Now go with me, and with this holy man, + Into the chauntry by: there before him, + And underneath that consecrated roof, + Plight me the full assurance of your faith! + + TWELFTH NIGHT. + + +The thirty-first day of October, sixteen hundred ninety and ----, +being the birth-day of our heroine, was the morning appointed for +the solemnization of the nuptials of Sir David Bruce and the Lady +Adelaide Raymond. The young lady's consent, and that of her noble +parents, having been previously obtained, and also that _sine qua non_ +preliminary of nuptial happiness--to wit, a marriage license, having +been duly and properly procured, no obstacle to their happy union now +remained. Preparations upon a grand scale had been in a progressive +state of forwardness for some weeks at Tyrconnel Castle, to crown the +nuptial banquet, and every delicacy and luxury that taste could select, +or that money could procure, were not wanting to furnish forth the +splendid marriage feast. The Duke of Tyrconnel, in order to add to the +pomp and circumstance of the event, had a new state coach built for the +happy bridal day, _selon des reglès_, as then the fashion of the day +controlled. The carriage was connected by massive crane necks, which in +our modern days of fashion have crept down and shrunk into a slender +perch; these were richly carved and gilt. The wheels were of a very +circumscribed orbit; and the naves were gilt, as well as the spokes. +The springs likewise were of burnished gold; while the ponderous +massive body, with shape (if it could so be called) which much more, +in sooth, resembled a city barge abducted from its natural element, +and aided by wheels in its terrestrial progressions; or perhaps as +cumbersome, although not as unsightly, as a French diligence--but +assuredly not to be compared with the present modern _turn-out_ of a +nobleman. Ducal coronets of brass, richly embossed and gilt, adorned +and surrounded the four angles of the roof of the state carriage. +A splendidly embroidered hammer-cloth mantled the coach-box, which +was destined to glitter in the last rays of a brilliant October sun, +upon this ever-memorable day, and to glance forth the rich emblazoned +quarterings of the noble houses of Tyrconnel and O'Nial. The superb +liveries of the domestics were neither overlooked nor forgotten upon +this happy occasion; they were indeed truly magnificent; they were of +rich green cloth, with gold embroidery and trimming. + +Sir David Bruce had also duly in readiness a very handsome town +chariot, which he had caused to be built for the occasion. This was +drawn by four handsome horses, and guided by two postillions, preceded +by two outriders, and in the rere followed by two footmen on horseback, +their housings ornamented with the Bruce crest in embroidery, and +from each holster peeped forth travelling pistols, mounted in chased +silver, and richly ornamented. The outriders had the additional +appendage of belts slung from their shoulders, to each of which were +attached small silver powder flasks, or priming horns. The same state +attended upon the duke and duchess. Six running footmen, (the fashion +of the day,) with ribbons streaming at their knees, and with long +white walking-poles, entwined with ribbon and surmounted with favours, +preceded the carriage of the duke, and as many were the precursors of +the carriage in which were seated the duchess and the beauteous bride. +Such was to be the pomp and procession destined for this illustrious +bridal. + +Old Cormac seemed resolutely determined that he at least should not +be omitted in the _dramatis personæ_ of this most memorable day. At +an early hour, therefore, with due intention of the full performance +of his resolve, he was seen flitting from alley green to the dark +embowered wood, bearing his constant companion, his harp; and as the +old gardener somewhat quaintly expressed it, "he was for a' the warld +like a hen on a het girdle!" + +Old honest Cormac's intention could not long be mistaken or +misunderstood; for soon with right shoulder forward, and strong +intuitive confidence, he stoutly marched onward, nor did the veteran +halt until he had reached Lady Adelaide's flower garden, where he +was often accustomed to sit and play; where having arrived, he soon +seated himself upon a rustic chair, beneath the casement of the Lady +Adelaide's chamber, where anon he began to strum and tune his harp. +The moment that the sightless bard had begun his minstrelsy, vocal +and instrumental, it was with considerable delight and joy that he +distinctly heard the casement window of Lady Adelaide to be thrown +open. Meanwhile the lovely fair (in whose honest praise the poetic +raptures of the ancient minstrel were composed) looked down upon +her old, faithful, and favourite bard, while mirthfully he sung and +accompanied the following:-- + + +NUPTIAL SONG. + + Sweet Robin, perch'd on yonder spray, + So sweetly sings his matin lay, + To welcome forth this brilliant day, + And greet the Bruce and Adelaide! + + Behold the sun with genial gleam, + O'er the lofty mountain beam, + Dispelling mist like nightly dream, + To cheer the Bruce and Adelaide! + + Arise fair lady!--Love, perchance, + Hath pow'r to wake thee from this trance, + And hail the matin hour's advance, + So dear to Bruce and Adelaide! + + O'er him, the fond, the gen'rous youth, + O'er her who gave her plighted truth-- + On both may bliss each treasure shed, + While children crown the bridal bed + Of noble Bruce and Adelaide! + + And oh! until their final hour, + May friendship cheer, and love have pow'r + To spread each charm amid their bow'r, + And bless the Bruce and Adelaide! + +Here ceased the old sightless Cormac, while tears of deep and intense +feeling and affection trickled down his venerable, time-furrowed +cheeks. + +Adelaide descended from her chamber, and entering the garden, with +great sweetness and condescension approached the old minstrel: "Thanks, +many thanks, my kind and ancient bard, for this thy matin lay; and here +too is a boon withal for the minstrel."--At the same time placing a +gold doubloon in his hand. + +"Oh, receive my warm, grateful thanks, my dear, kind--my noble young +mistress--_Cead millia failtha_! May the benison of the sightless bard +bless you and yours for ever and ever! Indeed I dare not refuse the +bridal present, for it carries luck and happiness, and every thing that +is kind, and noble, and good, along with it. God bless you, young lady, +and may you be as happy as you deserve; this, young lady, is the warm +and fervent prayer of poor blind old Cormac!" + +The Lady Adelaide felt much affected with the respect and affection +manifested by the ancient minstrel, and once more thanking him for his +verses, adjourned to the breakfast-room. While on her way she was met +by Sir David Bruce at the garden door, and according to the fashion +and reserve of that day, he ceremoniously led by the hand his lovely +mistress. They now entered the breakfast parlour, where they found the +duke with the family assembled, to whom they kindly bade good morrow. + +The worthy and venerable Bishop Bonhomme and his lady had arrived, +as also the bride's-maids, and the whole of the company who had been +invited to the wedding. And the bridal breakfast having begun and +ended, the splendid equipages of the noble party were ordered to +approach the grand porch of the castle. And here that our fair readers +may not "burst in ignorance" of the mode and manner in which a marriage +in high life was conducted in those times by the _gens de condition_, +we shall endeavour to give a report, albeit not copied _verbatim_ from +the court gazette of the day. + +Bishop Bonhomme and his lady first departed from the castle, ascending +their state chariot, if indeed it could be called ascending a vehicle, +the body of which was barely raised some inches above the carriage +part, and which was all richly carved and gilt, and also attached by +low massive crane-necks. The single step by which the ascent into the +chariot was accomplished, was fastened perpendicularly at the outside: +it was finely carved and gilt, and of the shape and form of the escalop +shell, and two golden keys, interlaced and embossed, adorned its +centre. In lieu of leather pannels at the sides and back, the body was +ornamented all around with windows of rich plate glass, from the royal +factory of Saint Idelphonso, by means of which a full view was clearly +presented to the spectator of those within. + +The bishop wore a full-dress orthodox peruke; he was arrayed in his +robes and lawn sleeves; his white bridal gloves were trimmed with gold. +He looked very episcopal and dignified. The pannels of the chariot +were emblazoned with their due quantity of mitres; a rich _bordure_ of +the crozier, interlaced with foliations of the shamrock, adorned the +sides and angles. The state chariot was drawn by six sleek, stately, +coalblack steeds, whose long and bushy tails nearly swept the ground. +It was driven by an old, fat, jolly-looking coachman, who displayed +fully to every beholder that he was not stinted in his meals at the +palace, to which his portentous paunch bore full attestation. He was +assisted by two postillions, arrayed in rich purple jackets and purple +velvet caps. Six footmen, in their episcopal state liveries, stood +behind. Next in the procession came on the state coach and six of the +duke, in which were seated his Grace and two of his Reverend chaplains. +Then followed the state coach and six which contained the duchess and +her lovely daughter, and Lady Adelaide's two bride's-maids. Next came +on the chariot and four of Sir David Bruce, which contained the Baronet +and Sir Patricius Placebo. These were followed by numerous carriages of +the surrounding nobility and gentry; the servants all decorated with +silver favours; while numerous parties of the tenants and peasants, +"dressed in all their best," some on horseback and others on foot, +closed the extended cavalcade. + +The joyful pealing of the sacred chimes now cheerily rang forth from +the cathedral tower, to salute the natal morn of Lady Adelaide. + +Meanwhile a number of female peasants were seen advancing, arrayed in +white, their heads garlanded with living flowers. They danced before +the bride's carriage; and so soon as the cavalcade had reached the +cathedral porch, as the bride entered, they strewed the way before with +rosemary, gilliflowers, and marygolds; the mystery and signification +of which was this--the first stood for remembrance, the second for +gentleness, and the last for marriage, being an alliteration between +the name of the flower and that of the thing signified. + +Old Bellrope, the sexton and verger, who, "man and boy," had witnessed +many nuptials celebrated in the venerable cathedral, solemnly +asseverated that he had never before set eye upon so beautiful a +couple! To do due honours to the ceremony, he had newly purchased +a verger's gown, and wore a purple cloth coat, waistcoat, and +indispensables, which had appertained in the olden time to some pious +bishop of defunct celebrity. His wig was very commendably frizzed, +thanks to the skill and indefatigability of Madam Bellrope, and looked +unusually gay, from a judicious distribution of a successful foray made +upon the drudging-box by the said thrifty dame, so that it provoked a +remark from Sandy Rakeweel, the gardener at the castle, an honest old +Caledonian devoid of guile:--"That indeed auld Bellrope's peruke for a' +the warld remeended him o' aine of his awn kale plants in fu' flower in +the middle o' August." + +The noble procession entered the cathedral porch, where being duly +marshalled in meet heraldic pomp, rank, and file, the distinguished +persons proceeded along the venerable nave. Lady Adelaide was +arrayed in a silver tissue, a splendid tiara of pearls, in form of a +shamrock-wreath, encircled her noble brow, with ear-rings of the same, +and on her lovely neck she wore "a rich and orient carcanet."[2] + +Sir David Bruce, with firm and dignified step and gesture, advanced, +leading onward by the hand to the bridal altar the lovely Lady +Adelaide, her eye beaming with all the radiance of intelligence and +of genius, while the deep glow of health and the blush of modesty +mantled her beauteous cheek as she approached the sacred altar, the +gaze, delight, and admiration of all, high and low, who beheld her. Her +graceful, but bashful step, and her modest mien, reminded the spectator +of Milton's fine description of Eve, when + + "Onward she came, led by her heav'nly Maker," &c. + + [Footnote 2: Carcanet, the diminutive of _carcan_, a chain;--it + means a necklace.] + +As pure and spotless Adelaide stepped to the holy altar. But it was +impossible to withhold the veneration and admiration called forth +by the appearance, voice, manner, and noble countenance of the good +bishop, who, indeed, more than seemed "the beauty of holiness," while +with a clear, distinct, and dignified intonation of voice, he read the +sacred service. + +The ceremony concluded, the bridal party went forth in the same order +in which it had commenced, save that Sir David Bruce and his fair +bride rode in the same carriage from the cathedral. Sir Patricius +Placebo returned in the duke's carriage. The remainder of the morning +was occupied until dinner time in various rides and drives to view +the beauties of the surrounding country; some went out on a boating +excursion on the beautiful lake of Loch-Neagh, others drove out in low +phaetons, or cabriolets; and some went on a walking excursion to view +the lawns and woods of Tyrconnel, thus to occupy the time until dinner. +The elder folks sat down to the green field of the card-table, playing +at primero, cribbage, ombre, &c., _jusque à diner_. + +The dinner was splendidly superb. The services of richly chased and +embossed plate which this day decorated the nuptial table, were truly +magnificent. One service was of gold, two others were of silver. + +In the evening there was a grand ball, which was opened by Sir David +Bruce and his beauteous bride; they were followed by the Duke and +Duchess of Tyrconnel, who, (ah, good old-fashioned times!) upon this +occasion, tripped it on the light fantastic toe; they were soon +followed by a large group, who danced down the _contrè-danse_ with +great spirit; a smile of joy was evidently seen in the benevolent face +of Bishop Bonhomme, and he was even seen to beat time with his head and +foot. + +Brilliant illuminations were observable throughout the domain, various +coloured lamps were garlanded from tree to tree, and likewise across +different avenues in the lawn. + +A banquet was spread for the duke's tenantry, where most excellent +and substantial fare was presented in abundance to all; and there was +no lack of strong beer, which flowed forth in streams. Fire-works of +various kinds were played off. And the duke's band of French horns, +stationed in different parts of the park, played various tunes, which +were sweetly echoed by the adjoining woods, and the responding waters +of the Eske. + +The tenants and peasantry did not omit the Irish dance, the +_Rinceadh-Fada_, which was danced with great spirit and grace in front +of the windows of the baronial hall. Old Cormac was now summoned to +assist at the ceremonies and the gaiety of the hall. Upon command to +attend, his remark was--"Weel, weel, 'twas anely as I expected!" He +immediately hastened to the festive scene, and brought with him a +Scotch harper, old Donald, who had been a retainer in the family of +Bruce, and whom the intelligence of the nuptials that were that day +to be solemnized had brought into the neighbourhood. Here a polite +and courteous contest arose between the minstrels, each standing +upon etiquette, and quite ready to award to the other the right of +precedence; however, this posing point, _d'embarras_, was at length +finally settled by Donald's declaring, that "he wad na pla' at a' afore +maister Cormac." So, _volens, nolens_, old Cormac seized his harp, and +thus began, accompanying his instrument with the following verses:-- + + May plenty, peace, long bless the isle + Where pity's tear can woe beguile! + Erin! the nations envy thee, + From scorpion, snake, and viper free; + Thy sacred saint's high potency! + + Where beauty with Hygeia dwells, + Fell Discord flies these happy dells; + Where plaintive thrills thy island lyre, + Where kindling glows the social fire; + And jocund Hymen crowns the scene, + While pipes the shepherd's tuneful reed, + From his straw cottage on the mead, + And smiles each valley green! + +Cormac sung the foregoing simple lines in order that he might be +entitled to call upon old Donald; who now being left without an +apology, and endeavouring to recollect a song, after a short pause the +Scottish minstrel struck his harp, and thus began:-- + + +I THOUGHT ON DISTANT HAME! + + Ah! while I saftly tuned my sang, + The hawthorn's hoary bloom amang, + I thought on friends I lov'd sae lang; + I thought on distant hame! + + I thought on those I lov'd when young, + Of those wha died the wars amang, + Of those for whom the knell had rang, + Far frae their happy home! + + I thought of those on foreign shore, + Beneath the tempest's dreadful roar, + Wha sank frae waves to rise nae mo', + To hail their distant hame! + + I thought on the auld parent's smart, + Sorrowing his anely bairn to part, + Whase face nae mair shall cheer his heart, + Nor joy the parent's hame! + + I thought on the hapless maiden's woe, + Her true-love doom'd to see nae mo', + Her reason tint beneath the blow, + And desolate her hame! + + Then through this warld where e'er I stray, + In winter's gloam, or simmer's ray; + I'll sigh for a' wha far awa' + Like me regret their hame! + +Donald received applause upon the conclusion of his pathetic song; +who, in return, bowed low and respectfully to the company. Here the +minstrels tuned their pipes with a refreshing draught of Innishowen and +water, of which commixture the first ingredient was, doubtless, the +most predominant. + +It now came to Cormac's turn to strike his harp. When about to proceed +the duke observed: "I fear, old friend Cormac, that it now waxes late, +and we shall not have much time for any lengthened production, for you +are aware that when the great hall-clock shall strike the ninth hour +we proceed to supper. This rule at our castle is as peremptory and +inviolable as the ancient laws of the Medes and Persians; so remember, +good Cormac!" + +"Never fear, your Grace's honour, I shall not fail to obey you." + +Then turning to Lady Adelaide Bruce, he said: "I will sing the loves +of Sir Trystan and the beautiful Isoud! they were young and noble; +they were likewise comely too, lovely lady: but they were unfortunate +in their loves. Grant, O heaven, that such a fate may never betide the +Lady Adelaide or Sir David!" He then commenced-- + + +THE ROMAUNT + +OF SIR TRYSTAN AND LA BELLE ISOUD. + + Arouse thee, old Cormac! recite the fond tale + Of Isoud La Belle of renowned Innisfail,[3] + Beauty's bright paragon; of chivalry tell + Sir Trystan the valiant, and Isoud La Belle. + A daughter of Erin, of Aöngus proud king + No story more noble a minstrel might sing! + Let the pioba[4] and harp triumphantly tell + Of Trystan the valiant and Isoud La Belle! + Aloud to fair Christendom, in numbers proclaim, + With voice of the trumpet, the chosen of fame! + + Nor ever be _Arthur_ the noble forgot! + The prince and his friend, who _were_, and _are not_! + For long since, with valour and chivalry crown'd, + A tomb piled by heroes these heroes have found; + Not envy, malice, nor time, shall be able + To shadow a chief of Arthur's round table! + + O long shall the lily,[5] the ivy, and bay, + Frame a wreath round the hero, the pride of his day; + And now bursting forth from cearment and gloom, + Once more shall the victor arise from his tomb. + + He comes, the proud chieftain, to Cornwall's steep coast, + Sir Trystan the valiant, high chivalry's boast; + The friend of Prince Arthur descended in line + From heroes whose glory 'tis his to enshrine: + + Still nobly look up to their banner so proud, + The forfeit, dishonour, disgrace, and the shroud! + 'Aye, ever his honour Sir Trystan shall cherish, + When it shall be lost his wish is to perish! + And shrink mid the ignoble, worthless, and dead, + When the halo of glory shall wane on his head!' + + [Footnote 3: Innisfail is one of the ancient names of Ireland;--it + means the isle of fate or destiny. It was so called from possessing + an ancient stone chair, on which was sculptured in Gaelic, + + Or fate is false, or where this stone shall be + The Scots shall reign a powerful monarchy. + + It was afterwards removed to Scotland, and subsequently to England. + It is now placed under the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey.] + + [Footnote 4: Mala-pioba--the bagpipes. The late Mr. Cooper Walker + in his "Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards," in a note at + foot of page 81, speaking on the subject of the Irish bagpipes, + (which, by the way, are played upon by the finger, and not like + the Scotch pipes, which are played by the lips,) he makes the + following remark:--"I have been informed that George II. was so + much delighted with the performance of an Irish gentleman on the + bagpipes, that he ordered a medal to be struck for him."] + + [Footnote 5: Sir Trystrem was entitled to the lily, being a royal + son of France; he was designated Sir Trystrem of Lyons. He was + nephew to Mark, king of Cornwall. His name really was _Tristrem_, + but we suppose, for sake of euphony, old Cormac thought he was + privileged to change it.] + + * * * * * + +Just at the conclusion of the above, to the horror, confusion, and +surprise of old Cormac, the German clock in the baronial hall chimed +musically forth the ninth hour. But it was no music to the ear of +Cormac, who in dumb despair somewhat sullenly laid down his harp, +knowing that remonstrance would not be heard, and that solicitation was +all in vain. But the duke was loud in his commendations, in which he +was duly echoed by his guests, and Cormac was assured that the company +should certainly be gratified upon the succeeding night, and at an +earlier hour, with the remainder of the Romaunt of Trystan and Isoud. + +The company now descended to the great supper-room, where a most superb +banquet was spread for the noble guests. The wassail-bowl was duly +and meetly placed in the centre of the table upon a magnificent gold +plateau. The bowl was decorated with artificial flowers, festoons of +"true-lover's knots," "rose-buds," "heart's-ease," "forget me not," and +the bow and arrow of Cupid were not omitted. + +"The spiced wassail-bowl,"[6] duly impregnated with love philtres, +was composed of Muscadel,[7] principally, in which, _inter alia_, +the following ingredients were mixed in this mystic beverage: namely, +angelica, adianthum, eggs, eringo, orchis, &c. The concoction was +made with great caution, measure, and propriety, according to the +_avoirdupois_ weight, as duly laid down in the family receipt book. +The bride and bridegroom, of course, were the first to quaff from this +charmed potion, and then those who chose to follow their example. + + [Footnote 6: "The spiced wassail-bowl."--See Fletcher's "Faithful + Shepherdess," act V. p. 108. Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, vol. + IV. The efficacy of love philtres was credited from the days of + Pliny even down to the seventeenth century! See Sir Walter Scott's + "Sir Tristrem," p. 298; and also Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. III. + p. 459.] + + [Footnote 7: Muscadel.--This species of wine was a common + ingredient in the wassail-bowls, which were peculiarly in favour at + Christmas.--_Note to "the Pilgrim," by Beaumont and Fletcher_, vol. + V. p. 429. Muscadel is likewise noticed in the same volume in the + play called "The Woman's Prize," p. 263. + + "Sweet gentleman with muscadel." + + Mr. Weber adds in a note, "This passage, perhaps, explains the + reason why wine was offered immediately after the marriage ceremony + to the bride and bridegroom generally before they left the church." + The following passage occurs in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew:" + + "After many ceremonies done, + He calls for _wine_. 'A health,' quoth he, as if + He had been abroad carousing to his mates + After a storm.---- Quaffed off the _muscadel_, + And threw the sops all in the sexton's face.] + +The song, the jest, and the cup, detained the company until the +eleventh hour, a time in that primitive period which was considered +late; when mutually pleasing and pleased, the noble guests arose to +separate; and all retired to their respective chambers to repose, +pleased and delighted with the hospitalities of this happy and most +memorable day. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + The bridegroom may forget the bride + Was made his wedded wife yestreen. + + BURNS. + + +It was on a serene autumnal morning succeeding the day of Lady +Adelaide's nuptials, the sun had brilliantly arisen, dispelling the +misty gloom and dews of night, and shed around his broad refracted +rays; unruffled by a passing cloud, a clear and lofty sky spread forth +its mighty canopy of mild aërial blue; the twittering swallows hovered +around, and circled in mid-air, while clustering, they chattered their +parting lullaby. The solitary redbreast too joined in nature's chorus, +and thrilled forth his matin song. Every mountain lake shone forth a +glassy mirror, and the waves of the mighty Atlantic hushed to repose, +slumbered amid their coral caves; what time the minister of the gospel +of peace, the Reverend Doctor M'Kenzie, returned to the castle of his +noble and generous patron, after a long protracted absence of many +years. + +His return had been provokingly delayed by long continued ill health, +and besides by various vexatious detainers, such as bad roads, bad +drivers, the cumbersome, ill-constructed vehicles of those days, +and having encountered various disastrous chances of many "moving +accidents" by sea and land, which had all concurred with direful +combination to retard his journey, and prevent his being present upon +the auspicious day when the lovely heiress of the noble duke was to +bestow her hand in marriage. + +His Reverence received a kind and hearty welcome from the duke and +duchess, and all the inmates of the castle were rejoiced to behold his +return, and to find that his health was quite re-established, so as to +have permitted him to undertake such a long and fatiguing journey. His +health and spirits were indeed much recruited through the beneficial +effects of the waters of Pyrmont, which, like those of fabled Lethe, +seemed to cause a total oblivion of all the perils inflicted amid the +deep, and the dangers and difficulties sustained upon land. + +Matters went on at the castle this day pretty much alike to what they +had upon the preceding ever memorable yesterday, which witnessed the +happy union of Sir David Bruce and the Lady Adelaide. A large company +assembled at the castle, and sat down to a splendid dinner in the great +hall of state. The desert could boast fruits collected from every +quarter of the globe, and every rich, rare, and generous wine, sparkled +on the board, and were poured forth in hospitable libations-- + + "The mellow-tinted Burgundy; and quick + As is the wit it gives, the brisk Champaign." + +In the evening there was a concert of instrumental music, which was +performed on the terrace; cards and supper succeeded; every thing was +conducted and served up in a style at once splendid and superb. + +The company had all departed to their homes, and the guests had +retired to their chambers; but the duke and duchess, and the bride +and bridegroom, still tarried, engaged in pleasant discourse; when +at length the noble host and hostess also took leave, and embracing +their beloved daughter, and cordially shaking Sir David by the hand, +they bade good night, and ascended to their chamber. The bridal pair +now also remained some few moments engaged in sweet converse, when he +said:--"My love, retire to your chamber, and soon I shall follow thee; +I have a letter or two to write, and despatch by the messenger, who at +dawn of day departs to deposit them in the general post. I have too a +few letters to read; these being despatched, quickly I shall retire +anon to our chamber. The night is a cold autumnal one, but I know that +I shall find a blazing fire--a heart still warmer than that fire, and +sweet smiles withal, to welcome me when I shall rejoin thee.--Go, go, +my love!" he said, and affectionately embraced her. + +He sat for some time reading and writing, for the papers were of +importance. He now arose from his chair, and was about to retire to his +happy chamber, when a loud and hollow knock was heard at the portal +gates; the watch dogs were aroused, and loudly and deeply barked. The +old porter cautiously and slowly opened the lattice peep-hole of the +gate to ask, who at this unseasonable hour of the night it was that +would fain demand admittance? The answer given was, that he was a +king's messenger bearing despatches of importance for Sir David Bruce, +and as the glimmering lamp was held forth, he showed the silver badge, +the insignia of his office. The wicket-gate was instantly unbarred, and +he was accordingly admitted. The messenger was shown into the servants' +hall, where supper and refreshments were immediately brought him; and +while he was regaling upon the hospitable cheer of the castle, a bed +was put in readiness for him. Sir David Bruce having seen that all was +as it should be, retired to his chamber. + +It was midnight, the fire in the bridal chamber brightly blazed, and +the wax-lights shot forth their brilliant beams. Sir David seated +himself on a chair beside the bed, and having gently drawn aside the +curtain, he affectionately embraced his bride, while he kindly said, +"My dear Adelaide, I always have been of opinion that no secret nor +mystery should ever exist between man and wife. I know, my love, that +your understanding ranks too high, your love for me is too great, +and your opinion of my character is too elevated ever to induce you, +in any shape or form, to pry into what I may not think necessary to +disclose. For indeed _you_ do not aspire to that _superior wisdom_ +which some of your sex rather somewhat too confidently and arrogantly +assume; the true term and appellation of which properly should be +called _not_ wisdom, but _superior curiosity_! But, my dear love, in +strictest verity I may say of thee, before our happy union, in foreign +realms, and in perilous tracts over land and ocean, that I have ever +witnessed thy equanimity of temper, and always have found thee one and +the same;--ever unchanged and unchangeable! and indeed I know no one +(not even your noble and highly gifted mother) who could, with more +propriety than yourself, assume the motto of the virgin queen-- + + 'Semper eadem!'" + +"Oh, my dear husband!" rejoined Adelaide, "although delighted ever +to hear _your_ praise, yet when you would overstep the due and meet +boundaries of discretion, and, forsooth, make of me an ideal goddess, +it is meet and due time, that stepping down from the lofty pedestal +whereon thou hast been graciously pleased to rear thy fond idol, +for me to intrude a word or two, if it were but to dispel the charm +which fascinates thee, recall thy wandering thoughts from paradise +to earth, and convince thee, at least, that I am but a mere mortal; +and, moreover, a woman to boot, with all a woman's faults--yea, too, +my love, with all a woman's fondness, and the love that no tongue can +utter; and thus I swear it upon thy beloved lips, my first, my only +love!" + +"Oh, my adorable Adelaide," he said, while he met the fond embrace, +"let this blessed moment be ever sacred in our recollection! dawning +with hope and promised joy on all our future days. Oh, my Adelaide, +imperishable let this happy, too happy hour remain, and ever marked +and stamped by a holy communion of heart and mind! Your taste shall +be mine, your liking shall be my liking, your joy be my joy, and your +sorrows (if ever they come) shall be all mine own!--thy disgrace would +become my disgrace, and mine would be attended with yours! But now I +only look upon the happy obverse of the medal, when I pause on your +beauty, your accomplishments, your virtue, and your religion! for +without the latter a woman is a monster, and man little less than a +demon. You must now permit me to say, that you are the theme of every +tongue, the charm of every eye, the idol of every heart, and the bright +ornament of every circle, that might fairly, at thy throne, + + 'Bid kings come bow to it!'" + +"Oh, my dear Bruce, you will turn my brain--no more of hyperbole!" + +"Nay, Adelaide, nay! can I think on all these, and yet not feel the +thrill of transport throbbing at my heart?--quite impossible!--it +could not be so, my love! Between us then let there ever exist a holy +communion of soul that shall support and bear us onward throughout the +trials of this stormy world, gilding the days of health and happiness, +and not deserting us when years increase, and health declines; for +even then the Hymenial torch shall brightly burn, although it may be +with a mild, yet steady light, and only expire upon the tomb! Believe +me the true and indissoluble bond of conjugal affection is no other +than an unreserved and reciprocal interchange of every thought, plan, +purpose, and design. Enduring, meanwhile, a contented participation +of fortune, whether it be prosperous or adverse; possessing only _one +will_, _one mind_, and _one heart_, thus harmoniously resembling a +finely performed air of music, where three voices melodiously melt +into one, and close in full and perfect diapason. Oh, my dear love, if +this conjugal--this perfect harmony, were, as it ought to be, always +preserved, what follies might not be avoided!--what heart-burnings +would ever exist!--what horrible vice might not be shunned!--and what +dread and horrid disgrace might not be prevented! When oft, my love, at +evening time retired in our tranquil solitude, I shall there retrace +the events and transactions of the day that has gone by, then, then, +shall I tell thee of aught perchance which I may have observed in thy +conduct or deportment to censure or to praise. Oh, with what delight +I shall dwell upon all that I approve, while with gentleness I pass +over what I may discommend. And the same sincerity, sweet love, I shall +expect from thee; thou shalt, as in a tablet, set down all my faults +and misdemeanors. It is thus that we shall best fulfil the holy compact +which we entered into yesterday--of abiding by each other in sickness, +sorrow, or in health, in adversity, or in prosperity! And now let me +seal this sacred bond by this warm pressure on thy lips. Thus, my +Adelaide, we ratify this deed of co-partnership!" + +He then added playfully, "Certes I ever have been of opinion that, +although corporeally speaking, man and wife are two bodies, yet am I +at the same time of opinion that they should have between them but one +mind. However, I am altogether not unreasonable withal, and therefore +feel not disinclined to allow them _the firm_ of TWO hearts; +but I ever must protest against dissolution of partnership!" + +Then sweetly smiling, he said, "Here, my love, I bear in my hand +despatches of high importance, and brought by a king's messenger; I +needs must cut their silken tressure ere I can peruse the contents +thereof; pray you therefore direct me, my dearest love, where I may +find your _etui_, or work-box, as I now stand in need of a penknife, or +your ladyship's shears, to cut the silky-gordian knot of this important +packet?" + +Adelaide replied, "Truly, my dearest love, I do not know where to +direct you, the events of yesterday have quite caused me to forget; +but open yonder cabinet of ebon, inlaid with ivory, which stands in +yonder recess, search it, perhaps there a penknife or shears may be +found." + +"_May_ find! Adelaide, nay now, thou art what truly I did not suspect +that thou wert, a most unthrifty housewife!" + +Sir David Bruce approached the cabinet; it contained many curious +and secret drawers; at length sprung forth one opened by a spring, +which unconsciously he had touched, when the drawer fell from the +cabinet, and lo! forth was flung from it, and, to his infinite horror +and surprise, he saw, and scarce could believe his eyes, a whinger! +[_i. e._ a Scottish knife or poniard, answering for both purposes,] +which trundled on the floor with a foreboding sound. The handle was of +silver, richly wrought; it bore the crest of Bruce, namely, a dexter +hand and arm cased in armour, wielding a royal sceptre, and supported +on a cap of maintenance; and beneath was engraved the motto of The +Bruce, FUIMUS! While, oh! horrible to tell, deeply were +imprinted "on the blade and dudgeon gouts of blood," and which seemed +to have been there "long before," rusted and corroded as they were by +time. Oh, when this was done it was + + "In human guilt a portent and an era! + 'Tis of those crimes whose eminent fame hell joys at; + And the celestial angels that look on it + Wish their keen airy vision dim and narrow!" + +Maddened with furious rage, he frantic raised the gory poniard from +the ground, and rushing with dreadful impetuosity to the bed-side, he +presented the fatal dagger at Adelaide's heart. + +"Oh strike--strike Sir David, and by _thy_ hand let me die! But indeed, +indeed, I am innocent!" + +"Thou, innocent!--hah, hah, hah!" with a violent hysteric expression he +repeated--"_Innocent!_--thou witch, fiend, sorceress, devil!---- _Thou_ +innocent!--no, no!--thou hast held unholy converse and communion with +the arch-fiend, and with all the demons of darkness and of hell! But +tell!--come, this instant tell! or on this spot--aye, thy bridal bed, +thou surely shalt die--this moment thou shalt die! Tell at once then, +how, where, and when, from whom didst thou receive?--No, no deceit, no +prevarication will be allowed nor tolerated. Tell, oh tell, thou devil, +although moulded in an angel's form! Tell, I conjure thee tell!" + +"Oh, spare--spare me, and I shall tell thee all!--each particular shalt +thou know. It---- It was upon the _Eve of All-Hallows_, some ten years +ago--I forget the year--when foolishly, with some young friends, upon +my birth-day, of which it was the fatal anniversary, I impiously dared +to tempt my fate, or try my fortune, by one of those mystic accursed +tricks that are too oft resorted to--" + +"Come, come, less words, lady, and more facts! I demand expedition, +for my impatience cannot brook delay; so come, continue thy accursed +tale----quickly proceed!" + +"Oh, terrible to recollect, and still more terrible to tell. It was +midnight! and, true to his compact, the phantom, whom I had charmed, +appeared in my chamber at the same time of night as now. I had caused +a collation to be served, consisting of viands, fruits, confections, +and wine; which were placed upon a table in the centre of the room; +a chair was placed near it, between the table and the fire; upon +another table was displayed the toilette, where were placed a silver +basin, napkin, and a golden ewer, which was filled with rose-water, +and bestrewed with flowers. The fire blazed brilliantly bright, and +wax-lights shed their lustre on the collation. Meanwhile, trembling +fearfully, I lay in my bed, with my back to the light; upon the +counterpane I had stationed a large mirror, (with a trembling hand and +a palpitating heart,) in order that I might behold distinctly reflected +on its polished surface the image of whatever object might place itself +at either of the tables, which, from the position in which I was +placed, I could not fail to see. Thus stationed, was heard a fearful +rumbling sound, as if issuing down the chamber chimney; then followed +a noise, loud and like to the electric shock of a thunderbolt, which +sounded as if it had burst through the chimney-flue, and from whence +was forcibly flung, with an astounding crash, upon the hearth-stone +of this very chamber, that same dread and fearful instrument which +you now uphold! Sad, sorrowful, and dreadful is the recollection. Yet +still I had the courage to look upon the mirror which I held, when I +instantly and fearfully saw reflected in it a cloud of blue flame, +which illuminated within its cloud of fire, exposed suddenly a tall +and manly chieftain, whose figure boldly emanating from the mist which +surrounded it, seemed clad in a Tartan plaid; his head was covered, or +crowned, with a Scottish bonnet, adorned with plumes, and surmounted by +the Scottish thistle, which sparkled in gold embroidery. The figure, +or spectre, or whatever that unsightly vision might be, held forth to +me his hands, which were bloody; he then sat down to the banquet; he +tasted, but eat not; sipped, but he did not drink: and then on the +sudden arose from his seat, slightly dipped his hands in rose-water, +and applied the napkin. This at the time did virtually all appear a +vision, dreadfully reflected within the glass which I held on my +couch. Yea, you look amazed! but I did see it all, and am too well +convinced it was _no vision_!--for still horribly, even now through the +lapse of years, I see it still! fresh in my memory, and never, never to +be forgotten! While thus, all terrified and petrified, I looked upon +the awful form, or spectre; frightfully and passionately it grinned +upon me a demon's smile, and said in deep sepulchral voice: + + With this red hand, thou Adelaide shalt wed, + And keep this trophy for our bridal bed! + +The phantom then, or whatever it was, fiercely took up the dagger, +and dashed it horribly against the mirror I held, which it shivered +into pieces. Then the bloody instrument fell upon the floor, and the +spectre vanished: while I fell into a dreadful trance, which lasted +for hours, and from which I grieve that ever I did waken to witness +this most wretched night! While the phantom vanished, the heavens +loudly thundered, and the vivid lightning illumed this fatal chamber. +Oh, the crash of the mirror I never can forget, nor the ominous fall +of the blood-stained dagger as it fearfully trundled upon the oaken +floor!--these two ominous circumstances too surely manifested that this +was _no dream_! Oh no, they pierced my heart to conviction! That dread +and awful moment of my life I never can forget!--only to be equalled, +and only to be outdone, by the agonies which now I so severely undergo +in this unhappy hour! Oh, Sir David, in pity at once kill me, and end +my sorrow and my suffering together!--you hold the bloody instrument, +oh then strike!--strike, there's my bosom!--I fear not to die--oh +kill me, I beseech thee!--in mercy, at once destroy me! But, oh, do +not--do not look thus again!--It was thus the awful spectre looked, +while thus the fire flashed from his visage!--Thus! it was _thus_ he +frowned! and like thee he spoke! Oh--oh, I never saw thee look thus +before!--never, never! _Ah!_ THOU!--_thou!_ THYSELF _wert_ THAT +_spectre_!!" + +"No, no, Adelaide, no! I looked not thus; it was the infernal fiend, +from the lowest depth of hell, that looked thus, and then assumed my +shape and form! At that moment I was on ship-board, Dr. M'Kenzie was +my fellow-voyager, who can vouch for the same; we had then left the +Scottish shore, and the destination of the vessel was for Ireland. +This weapon, which now I hold, I then flung into the hissing waves, +when unearthly voices and unearthly music met mine ear, and smote my +heart!--Oh, it was then that I suffered the deep-thrilling agonizing +horrors of the damned. The arch-fiend, I felt, was working in my bosom; +and strongly, desperately, was I tempted to fling myself into the +same remorseless element into which I had flung this blood-besprent +instrument--the damned testimony of my crime; and by so doing end +at once my earthly misery! But even then I lifted up my humble +supplication to heaven, although with crimsoned hands! I fell into a +trance, and lay to all appearance lifeless upon the deck.---- You seem +to doubt!" + +"Oh, yes, yes; I see it all!--that frown--that look! Oh, thou, thou, +wert that horrible spectre!" + +Having thus replied, poor Adelaide, with a piteous, heart-rending +scream, and to all appearance as if life had fled, sunk down, pale and +ghastly as a corse, upon her pillow. It was indeed some time before Sir +David could bring her to herself. When the hapless Adelaide recovered +from her faint, he said: "My reproaches now are at an end. For you now +are the object of my compassion and of my pity, not of my wrath. It is +however true, that although infernal agents have given you a husband, +yet know they have not the power to cause me to remain with you one +hour more!--There I am a free agent. No, no!--not Lucifer himself shall +detain me here!--no, nor all thy witchery! Within a short hour, or +less, I depart from hence, and never, never more to return; and I shall +be no more seen!" + +With a desperate grasp, then stooping, he seized and held up the +fatal dagger, the deadly record of his grief--the _sævi monumentum +doloris_--the bloody pledge of his crime--the avengeful instrument of +his rage, stamped with the crimsoned tears of unabated and unabatable +grief!... "Yet before I go, look, lady, upon that dagger!--whose +blood, think you, it is with which it is imbued?--You shall hear!... +That once was noble blood--it was valiant blood--the proudest blood of +Caledon--the blood of her royal race of kings! And, oh, wretch that +I am!--it was the blood of my brother--my only brother!--yea, and my +elder born! rashly, madly, wickedly shed by me!--yes!... Oh, still +gaze upon it--turn not thine eyes away. It was blood nearly, deeply, +none nearer, allied to me, and beloved. But, but this--all this was +forgot in the moment of delirium--of madness! It was the blood of my +elder brother--yea, an only brother!... Oh, Adelaide, look not thus +again!--my weary, sickening heart, condemns me enough---- enough. Well, +well, we lived in the same home, we partook of the same board, we slept +in the same bed.... Oh, oh my brain, how it maddens! and my heart would +fain burst!... Yet, yet, yet I slew him--in rage, madness, I did!--I +did, I did--monster that I am!... Lady, behold I weep!--Ah, I did +not weep when my poor brother died!--and when this I plunged into his +beloved breast!--No, no, no! But it is just, it is truly just, that +heaven's vengeance should make this base instrument of my crime, this +fratricidal dagger, the fatal cause which now separates me from all +happiness upon earth; and divorces me, body and soul, from thee--oh, +whom I loved better--yea, beyond life itself! But time advances, and I +must depart from hence--oh, and for ever! One parting look, and then +I am gone. Oh, thou precious mischief!--so young, so fascinating, so +beautiful! Oh, my very heart shall burst!... Yet, yet--oh, must it +be!--and must we part?... Lady, from hence I go, and shall be no more +seen; peradventure too no more be remembered. Well, well, let justice +have its vengeance and its victim too! Yes, yes, let it be so." + +Here, pallid as death, and woe-stricken, he gave one sad, one last, +agonizing look upon that face that he had so well beloved--the face +of one with whom to part were worse than death itself. Then sad and +sorrowful, in a dejected tone, he said:--"Oh, Adelaide, we have loved +as others yet have never loved; now heart-broken and sorrow-stricken I +here must bid a sad and solemn farewell. Yet, oh, must we part?--Yes, +we _must_ part--oh, and for _ever_! Never, never again in this wide +world to meet!--again, never! Oh, farewell--one sad, one sorrowful +farewell, and hence I go.... Farewell! forgive and forget, if thou +canst forget (to forgive were impossible) that such a wretched outcast +exists as David Bruce!" + +Here he sobbed like a child, while he slowly and silently withdrew, +gently closing after him the chamber door. But suddenly he returned, +and approaching the bed-side, he thus addressed Adelaide: "It were best +that the mournful tale which now I have disclosed to thee, as well too +as thine own, should be kept inviolably secret, and remain for ever +unknown. Divulge not then thine own criminal weakness; neither expose +the enormity of my guilt. Oh, how often and often have I wished, have I +longed for, aye, and have courted death;--yea often too have I keenly +sought him in flood and field. But in vain. It almost seemed as if I +had borne a charmed life. Often I + + "Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; + And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open + The breast of heaven, I did present myself + Even in the aim and very flash of it," + +in anxious hope that it might strike a guilty fratricide dead!---- Now, +now, you must say, and swear too, upon this blood-stained +poniard!--swear never--no, never! to reveal what this sad and eventful +night has developed; save it be upon your death-bed alone that you may +divulge it. Come, I demand thy oath; I must have thy solemn oath--thy +sanctified oath of secrecy! But I will not place that horrid instrument +to thy lips, to swear by! No, no! I could not do it--I would not. +Oh, no--if even past joys and hopes again were to return--no! But +there--there, place thy hand upon that horrible instrument of my deep +damnation! Swear upon it!--solemnly swear upon that blood-besprent +dagger. Swear!--I charge thee, swear!---- Oh, yet weep not, my poor +Adelaide! Oh, no!--weep not thus, my Adelaide, or I forego my purpose; +and soon, then, this dagger shall be plunged into mine own guilty +bosom!---- Thou hast heard me---- my love! Oh, yes, yes, my love; for +still, oh, still art thou dear to me--dearer than life--ay, or even the +blessed hopes of ******!--although we never may meet again!---- There, +I beseech thee! yet there place thy hand upon that instrument +of my torture--of my unspeakable woe--and of my deep and deadly +crime.--Swear! + +Adelaide firmly clasped the fatal instrument, and then exclaimed: "I +swear, I solemnly swear, to observe to the very letter all thou hast +now enjoined!" + +"Oh," replied he, dejected and overcome, "how cold, how deadly cold, +is thy hand, my poor, poor Adelaide!--frozen as are all my hopes, +and chilled, chilled--deadly chilled as is my own wretched heart's +blood. Oh, I shall lose my reason! Oh God, what an hour is this? But +pardon me, thou Almighty power. It was I, the impassioned wretch, +that flew forth in thy defiance, like another branded criminal--the +blood-besprinkled Cain, whose mark, I fear, is stamped upon my forehead +and in my heart. But, oh, great and dread Omnipotent, thou art truly +just--and I am guilty. Most justly do I confess that I am punished +as I ought to be, by thy retributive justice, even upon earth--the +irreparable loss of her whom no earthly power upon this habitable spot +of earth can ever alleviate or redeem!--never, never, never!" + +While Sir David Bruce impassionately and woefully said this, he fell +prostrate, and cold, and lifeless, upon the floor of the bridal chamber. + +To describe the emotions of Adelaide, would be to attempt indeed an +impracticable task. It was so truly horrifying and affecting, that it +must wholly be left to the imagination of the feeling reader. It was +some time before Sir David recovered from this overpowering blow of +affliction. When he did recover, he said mournfully:-- + +"Sorrow has paralyzed me; and I who often have cleft in twain the +helmet of the foeman, now shrink and bend before thee, my much-injured +love. A guilty conscience hath unmanned me quite. But oh, my poor +Adelaide, time presses onward; the night wears apace, and I must now +conclude the few words which I have to say to thee. You must tell the +duke and duchess--boldly, as it is true, to account for the rapidity +of my departure--that the import of the despatches received, which are +from the Elector Palatine of Brandenburgh, in whose service I fought +at the battle of the Boyne, bear with them life or death, and I must +instantly depart. Thus summoned so suddenly, say to them, and kindly +say, that I could not await their arising for the slow ceremony of +leave-taking, but that I was forced to hasten forthwith, even amidst +the cold and darkness of midnight, with all the expedition I might. +And ... when hence I am gone, and thou shalt silently sit in judgment +on my passion, and upon my crime, and shalt pronounce condemnation on +the destroyer of a brother's life, and of a wife's happiness--oh, even +then still think how fervently, how affectionately, how devotedly, I +loved thee;--yea, and in _my very heart's core_!... And now a long +farewell--for ever farewell. Mayst thou obtain that peace that is to me +denied and lost in this world for ever!" + +Having thus said, sad, sorrowful, and slow, he descended from the +bridal chamber, the tears streaming adown his manly cheeks. Meantime +he had lighted a lamp which lay in the recess, and bearing it in his +hand, with cautious and silent step, he descended the staircase; and +having gone out at the postern, he proceeded to the stables, where, +having called up his faithful servant, he ordered his horses instantly +to be saddled, and in less than half an hour all was in readiness for +his departure,--servant, horses, travelling valise, &c. &c. And now +Sir David, and his faithful servant Malcolm, who had attended him +at the battle of the Boyne, proceeded beneath the embattled portal +of Tyrconnel Castle, never again to return. The solitary bittern +mournfully boomed as they rode along the lonely marsh, and the +startled eagle from his lofty eirie-crag loudly shrieked, awakened by +the tramp of the horse-hoofs, which were deeply re-echoed through this +stilly solitude, in the dark and dismal hour of midnight. + +Oh, what pen can write, what tongue can tell, what heart can feel, save +the heart which deeply hath felt it, how bitter are the pangs of a +wounded spirit, when love becomes horribly transformed into rancorous +and deadly hate! Oh, happy it were then that "the silver cord were +loosened, and the golden bowl were broken," what time the sweet bond of +harmony snapt suddenly in twain, dissevered by a rude and discordant +crash, when two fond, faithful, and affectionate hearts, are changed +in one short, sad, and eventful moment--becoming, alas, fatally and +irrevocably estranged and separated for ever. + + "Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure, + Thrill the deepest notes of woe!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + And tell me, I charge you---- + Why fold ye your mantles, why cloud ye your brows? + So spake the stern chieftain.--No answer is made; + But each mantle unfolding, a dagger display'd. + + CAMPBELL. + + +We must now go still further back into our history, and give some +account of Sir David Bruce, and the unhappy causes that led to so +unexpected and so speedy a termination of a connexion honourable and +enviable in every respect, and indeed every way deserving of happier +results. + +In the parish of Kirkoswald, in Ayrshire, is situated the ancient and +the celebrated castle of Turnberry, stationed upon the north-west point +of a rocky angle of the coast, extending towards Girvan. This castle +belonged to Sir Robert Bruce, Laird of Annandale. The situation of the +castle of Turnberry is extremely delightful, commanding a full view +of the Frith of Clyde, and its indented shores. Upon the land side it +overlooks a richly extended plain, bounded by distant hills, which rise +around in gradual and beautiful undulations, and adorned to their very +summits with woods of mountain-ash, oak, and the most graceful of all +trees, in glen, plain, valley, or mountain, the weeping birch. + +The lord of this castle--we should say "the laird"--was Sir Robert +Bruce, and with him resided his twin-brother, Sir David Bruce, the +hero of this eventful tale. This castle had belonged in the olden time +to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died nobly fighting, as a true and +valiant Red-Cross Knight, in the Holy Land; who left an only daughter, +named Martha Countess of Carrick. This noble lady having accidentally +met Robert Bruce, (the ancestor of our hero,) Laird of Annandale in +Scotland, and Baron Cleveland in England, while he was occupied in a +hunting party near her castle, his manners, deportment, and person, +pleased the countess; she invited him to the castle of Turnberry, and +they were speedily married. + +From this illustrious marriage sprung the kings of Scotland of the +royal race of Stuart;--and hence the successors of Bruce, until they +ascended the throne of Scotland, were styled _Earls of Carrick_; +and this title still appertains to the heir apparent to the throne +of England, one of the titles of the Prince of Wales being "Earl of +Carrick and Lord of the Isles." + +Robert was the ancestor of David, who married a lady of the noble +house of Moray. Sir David Bruce, Laird of Annandale, died when young, +leaving two sons, Robert and David, (the latter the subject of these +memoirs,) and appointing, by his last will and testament, his lady and +the Reverend George Wardlaw, D. D., as guardians to his sons. His death +was soon followed by that of his lady. And the young men, now grown up, +having received a due preparatory education from the Reverend Doctor, +whilom fellow of St. Andrew's College, were there shortly matriculated +as students. But Robert soon got tired of his Reverend tutor and the +grave and ponderous tomes of Saint Andrew's, which were soon exchanged +for the academy of nature, the wooded banks of the Doon, and the rocky, +romantic shores of Ayrshire. + +David, on the contrary, pursued his academic studies with much +perseverance, and with very considerable credit, calling forth the +approbation and praise of his Reverend tutor and the heads of that +learned seminary. + +While in the university he formed an intimacy with Thomas Lord Maxwell, +which was soon cemented into friendship. They were chums; their +studies, pursuits, and tastes coincided, and they were inseparable +companions. + +Upon one occasion Lord Maxwell saved the life of Sir David Bruce. They +were one day, during college vacation, amusing themselves in fishing +for pike and perch in a small row-boat on the Loch of Lindores; when +suddenly a squall of wind coming on, the boat overset. Bruce, not +knowing how to swim, would certainly have been drowned; but Lord +Maxwell said: "Be calm, and I will save you;--be firm, and fear +not!--Closely lock your arms around my waist; but do not by any means +impede my exertions, and trust me I shall bring you safe to shore." + +Lord Maxwell faithfully fulfilled his promise, by conducting his friend +with the utmost safety to land, which they at length providentially +reached, both much wearied and exhausted, having had a considerable +distance to swim. + +This adventure still further increased that mutual regard and +friendship which had long existed between them. Danger, like death, is +a leveller of all distinctions; it places those mutually encountering +it on an equality, and forms a bond of union not easy to be broken. It +can then be well imagined how much this event tended to strengthen and +confirm a friendship that was not of hasty growth. + +The terms necessary to be kept at the university having now expired. +Lord Maxwell and Sir David Bruce took their departure from it, with the +regard and regret of all who knew them;--the former returning to his +ancient and magnificent castle of Caerlaverock,[8] in Dumfrieshire; +when Sir David Bruce retired to his brother's residence at Turnberry +Castle, in Ayrshire. + + [Footnote 8: This castle and its fortifications were demolished + by Sir Eustace Maxwell, (the steady, warm-hearted friend of King + Robert Bruce,) lest it should fall into the hands of the enemy: + and for which generous action lands were given to him, the tenure + by which he held them being thus noticed:--"_Pro fractione et + prostratione castri de Caerlaverock_," &c. &c.] + +David was truly glad to meet his brother after so long an absence, +and Robert kindly received him. Here the brothers passed their time +in rural sports and pastimes, enjoying the sun and summer months in +admiring the views of nature; never within the castle during the +day-time, often wandering even at night in the open air, among the +mountains and the woods. The winter they spent in the chase, while the +sun was up;[9] or in practising the broad sword, at which David was +particularly expert. For + + "The sword that seem'd fit for archangel to wield, + Was light in his terrible hand." + + [Footnote 9: Dalrymple's Memoirs.] + +In archery, and in wielding the Lochabor axe, they were both equally +skilled. Their evenings they passed in assembling, with their +surrounding neighbours, around the social fire in the great baronial +hall, or entertaining themselves with the song, the tale, and the dance. + +To the pleasures arising from the perusal of history and poetry, David +united a fine taste for music; and to these were added an ardent love +of classical learning, and an enthusiastic admiration of the scenery of +nature. Every day witnessed him to wander abroad and gaze with rapture +on the expanded lake, the lofty mountain, the frowning rock, and the +thundering cataract. These extended and elevated his strong mind, on +which was stamped the impress and originality of thought, an unshaken +independence of mind, emanating from Nature herself.--Refinement in +sentiment was contrasted to strength and hardiness of body. His manners +were polite and endearing, as his deportment was simple and unassuming: + + "He bloom'd the pride of Caledonia's youth, + In virtue, valour, and external grace." + +He was warm and cordial in his affections; he was modest as he was +brave. His character was that of much decision--a proud, independent, +and a lofty spirit. He could forgive injuries against himself; and he +could do more--he could also forget them. + +But the character of Robert was stamped in a different mould. He +was enterprising, artful, bold, boisterous, treacherous, cruel, +unforgiving, and suspicious withal: possessing too a strong portion in +his disposition of that + + "Pale envy, which withers at another's joy, + And hates the excellence which it cannot reach," + +Robert looked with a jealous and a jaundiced eye on the superior +accomplishments and attainments of his brother; and he heard with +strong, unmixed, and undisguised hatred and disgust, all the praises +that were daily lavished on the worth, generosity, and humanity of +David, whom Robert considered in every respect as his inferior. Hence +arose daily reproaches between the brothers, which necessarily and +inevitably went to dissolve that unity in which brethren ever should +delight to dwell. + +There were at this time two rival and hostile clans in their vicinity, +the Maxwells of Nithisdale, and the Johnstones of Annandale. The chief +of the former clan was Lord Maxwell, the college chum and friend of Sir +David Bruce; and the chief of the Johnstones was Sir Eustace Johnstone, +the friend of Sir Robert. This opposition of clanship, and the brothers +espousing different sides, added still further to increase the growing +ill-will which now existed between the twin brothers. + +It will now be necessary to revert to the original feud between the +Maxwells and the Johnstones,[10] or, as it was emphatically called, +"The foul debate," one indeed of the most remarkable feuds upon the +western marches. This feud occurred between John Lord Maxwell, the +father of the friend of Sir David Bruce (John Lord Maxwell), and the +Laird of Johnstone. Two bands of mercenaries, commanded by Captains +Cranstoun and Larie, were sent from Edinburgh to support Johnstone, who +were attacked and cut to pieces at Crawford-muir, by Robert Maxwell, +natural brother to the chieftain, who following up his advantages, +burned Johnstone's castle of Lockwood. The Johnstones soon appearing +with only forty horsemen, engaged double that number of the enemy, put +them to flight, and pursuing a certain length, and through deep design +then as suddenly retreated. They were soon followed by the whole body +of the enemy, with Lord Maxwell at their head, until they came to +the Torwood, on the south-east side of the Dryfe Sands, from whence +instantly four hundred of the Annandale men sprung up, flew upon the +surprised enemy, and after a short but bloody struggle, put them into +confusion; and being joined by a few Scots from Eskdale, under the +Laird of Buccleugh, completed their victory, killing upwards of seven +hundred of the Nithsdale men. The Annandale men being now reinforced, +routed their enemy; the Maxwells drove them to the Gotterbury Ford of +the river Annan, where many were drowned. + + [Footnote 10: _Vide_ "Minstrelsy of the Scottish + border."--"Beauties of Scotland."] + +Lockwood Castle, the residence of the family of Annandale, was very +beautifully situated, and commanded a very extensive prospect. It must +have been a place of great strength, having had prodigiously thick +walls, and being surrounded with impassable bogs and morasses. It was +this circumstance that made James the sixth to say, that "The man who +built Lockwood, though outwardly honest, must have been a knave in his +heart." + +"This fatal battle," which we have now detailed, "was followed by a +long feud, attended with all the circumstances of horror proper to a +barbarous age."[11] + + [Footnote 11: "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border," vol. I. p. 218.] + +One day David having returned from an excursion on horseback, he said +to his brother, who had declined riding out with him, "The weather has +proved very favourable, though the morning lowered." + +"Have you rode far?" inquired Robert. + +"I have been with old Davie Maxwell, not farther." + +"Ay," rejoined Robert, "but far enough, I dare swear, to relieve the +needy carl's wants." + +"I did so, certainly," said David--"what then?" + +"And more the fool you for doing so," remonstrated Robert. "Now," added +he, "there is not a man in Scotland, from Skye to Solway Firth, that +would have done so but yourself!" + +"And that," rejoined David, "was the very reason that I did it!" + +"A kindness conferred on one of a hostile clan, was held as an +offence, if not an affront to the chieftain: + + ----"What tie so sacred + As those that to his name and kindred vassals + The noble chieftain bind?"[12] + + [Footnote 12: Joanna Baillie's "_Family Legend_."] + +"An injury done to one of a clan was always considered an injury +done to all, on account of the common relation of blood.--Hence the +Highlanders were in the habitual practice of war: and hence their +attachment to their chieftain and to each other was founded upon two of +the most active principles of human nature, love of their friends, and +resentment against their enemies."[13] + + [Footnote 13: Dalrymple's Memoirs.] + +They went always completely armed.--Their arms were a broad sword, a +dagger (called a dirk), a target, a musket, and a brace of pistols. +It was a principle deeply imbibed by them, to die with pleasure to +revenge affronts offered to their clan or to their country. + +To put an end to this terrible feud, a bond of alliance was subscribed +by Lord Maxwell and Sir Eustace Johnstone, and the two clans for some +time lived together in harmony. + +To celebrate this reconciliation between the late hostile clans, Sir +Robert Bruce determined upon giving a splendid banquet, to which +were invited Lord Maxwell and his clan of Nithsdale, and Sir Eustace +Johnstone and the clan of Annandale. The day of the grand fete arrived; +it was the thirty-first of October, 1600 and---- (a memorable day). +The choicest wines and the richest foreign fruits crowned the festive +board; the forest, the muir, the lake, and the sea, yielded their +treasures of flesh, fowl, and fish, to furnish forth the lordly +banquet. An immense fire blazed forth to warm the baronial hall, and +the fine gothic chandelier, which hung from the oaken and richly-carved +ceiling, threw an imposing light around. + +In this highly decorated hall the walls were covered with gorgeous +tapestry from the splendidly brilliant looms of Arras, and which +presented to the delighted eye various patriotic stories from Scottish +as well as from Roman history. Here the feats of Wallace, there the +victories of the Bruce; here were seen Marcus Curtius plunging with +his charger into the yawning gulf, who nobly devoted his life for his +country! Next frowned Brutus on the banished Tarquins; and next were +portrayed the glorious achievements of the Decii and Fabii. + +The guests in due order arrived; and good-humour and hilarity shed +their social charms. The harp and the bagpipe were alternately played +during dinner. The cloth being removed, the song and the tale passed +round. One of the Annandale clan sung the following song:-- + + +THE LASS OF YARROW. + + O! the lovely lass of Yarrow, + Nane is like the lass of Yarrow; + The sedge grows green by Gala's stream; + Her name I'll carve upon the willow. + + I've roam'd the sunny braes of Ayr, + Hae ranged the bonnie banks of Doon; + Beheld the winsome lassies there, + In vernal morn and simmer's noon. + But the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c. + + I've sail'd on Katrine's leesome lake, + Hae climb'd the lofty Lomond's brow; + Fair nymphs hae seen o' heav'nly make-- + So sweet a form yet ne'er till now, + Like the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c. + +This song was well received. The goblet having opened their hearts, +prevented them from being too fastidious in their criticism. A song was +now loudly called for from the Nithsdale clan, when auld Davie Maxwell, +with much feeling sung the following: + + +I WINNA TELL, HER HEART 'TWAD BREAK. + + I winna tell my Jeanie dear + Our bairn's to battle gane; + Her heart wad break, unshed a tear, + For him, our anely wean. + + I mauna tell--I dare nae speak + The direful words accurst; + The tale my Jeanie's heart wad break, + And then my ane wad burst! + + I'll say that to the Hielands flane, + Or to the village fair, + Our manly, darling bairn's gane; + But nae ane ward o' war! + + Or thae amid the birken shaw, + Or in the Rowan-Bower, + Or wand'ring o'er the heathry haugh, + To while awa the hour. + + But ah! nae mair I'll Jeanie tell, + Nor word of battle speak, + Nor at Kil'kranky's pass he fell, + For then her heart wad break! + +This pathetic little production produced much applause. And now +stoups of claret circled round the table, certainly in an increased +ratio of rapidity. Nor was the native Fairntosh neglected; for some, +who complained that claret was too cold for a Caledonian stomach, +accordingly fortified the same with some simple potations of their +native spirit. + +The wish of the company now seemed to be for a song that partook of +a martial nature; and the following was sung by one of the clan of +Johnstone:-- + + +WAR SONG. + + Health to the chieftain on hill or in hall, + Whose front no foeman could ever appal! + The first and foremost his foes to attack, + His face they all know--they ne'er saw his back! + The targe his pillow, his couch the heather, + Defying claymore, dirk, and the weather. + Down with all foemen!--What clanship shall sever + Our bond of alliance? Never--oh, never! + Never--oh, never! + +This song was loudly applauded by a grand chorus, which was performed +by the company striking the handles of their daggers on the finely +carved table, on which were emblazoned the arms and achievements of the +house of Bruce; and the song was loudly encored. + +The clan of Maxwell now in their turn were called upon for a martial +song, when one of the officers sung, in a measure _presto et +furioso_:-- + + +LORD MAXWELL'S SLOGAN. + +I. + + I have deepen'd my phalanx, and call'd forth my clan; + They are true unto death, from the rear to the van! + Their broad targes are tough, and their claymores are sharp, + Shrill symphony meet for the wild war-pipe and harp; + Their firm hands they hold ready; their bold hearts beat strong; + Their dirks are stout steel-proof, and their pole-axes long. + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + For their prowess was proved by banner and claymore. + Huzza, huzza! + +II. + + To encounter for kindred, our clan, and our name, + To a Lowlander these are far dearer than fame; + To avenge the bold insult, dare glance at our clan, + And die for our country, is to die like a man! + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + We'll die as we ought, by our banner and claymore! + Huzza, huzza! + +III. + + Huzza!--how we'll shriek on the day of the battle, + In collision broad-sword and bay'net shall rattle, + Our fierce foemen astound in the terrible charge, + While death boldly strikes home thro' tartan and targe. + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + We'll conquer, or die by our banner and claymore! + Huzza, huzza! + +This slogan was chorussed by several hundreds of dirks, which, now +unscabbarded, were loudly thundered on the hospitable board, and which +glittered ominously in the reflected light of the blazing chandelier. + +The men of Annandale now started up; when claymore, dirk, and whinger, +flew forth from their scabbards. The men of Nithsdale rose too at the +same instant, and all was uproar, madness, riot, and inebriation; and +the fierce and implacable hatred of the two clans, which, not extinct, +had secretly lurked in their veins, now blazed forth with increased +fury. It seemed as if fate had pronounced, + + "Let the loud trumpet far and near proclaim + Our bloody feast, and at the rousing sound + Let every clansman of the hated name + His vengeful weapon clench." + +Malcolm, a faithful and affectionate follower and foster-brother of Sir +David Bruce, foreseeing that the fete would end in a renewal of the old +feud, took his own measures accordingly for his master's safety, and +lost no time in pre-arranging his plans, and these he put in train, +while all was noise and uproar at the banquet. He saw not unobserved +how rapidly stoup of claret succeeded stoup, without any _interregnum_, +and glasses of Fairntosh were dashed down in never-ending repetition. +The war songs seemed too surely to strike the key of discord; passion +begun to explode; word brought on word, and blow brought on blow. Then +rung claymore upon iron breastplate, and upon leathern target. The +scream of maddened wrath mingled with the groan of death. + +The combatants next deeply closed their ranks. Broad-swords were +trundled down upon the floor; and dirk and whinger madly shook, and +thrust home the murderous stab from vengeful hands, prompt to execute +bloody retaliation at this fatal banquet. + +Whether from premeditated, dark, and long-purposed design, or whether +in the impulse of sudden and infuriated passion, or merely arising +from the confusion and collision of crossing weapons and tumultuous +struggles, it is impossible to decide;--but the fatal result of the +bloody affray was; that Sir Robert Bruce stabbed Lord Maxwell, who, it +will be recollected, had saved the life of his brother David. + +Upon this attempt, and before it could be executed, David endeavoured +to save his friend, but in vain; his brother Robert exclaiming with a +furious air and voice, "What! dare my dependants beard me in my own +hall!" + +Lord Maxwell now fell lifeless on the ground. David, as he beheld the +preserver of his life perish by the hand of his brother, in a paroxysm +of rage and infuriated madness, drew forth his dirk, and rushed +forward. The other combatants, horror-struck at the direful conflict +that arose between the twin brothers, suspended their own to interpose. +But this interposition served only to aggravate the violence it was +intended to suppress. The brothers now struggled less because they +were incensed than because they were withheld; and when they furiously +burst from the arms that held them, rushed against each other with a +blind and staggering shock. The impulse was unintentional, but the +result was fatal. The weapon of David, held in an unconscious hand, +pierced him to whom he was opposed. He saw not whom it was--he drew his +weapon back--it was reeking with a brother's blood![14] + + [Footnote 14: This bloody deed, it must be confessed, was a + dereliction and violation of all the strict laws of hospitality, + which were so duly enforced in Scotland--which forbad a host to + murder his guest. But we have detailed the savage character of Sir + Robert Bruce, the hostility of the two clans, and the barbarism of + the times; and have only to say, that "_Exceptio probat regulam_."] + +Here Malcolm caught the eye and seized the arm of Bruce. No time was +to be lost. The general confusion aided the attempt.--Seizing with +a Goliath grasp upon Bruce's arm, he dragged him on, while David's +retainers rushed between their chieftain and immediate death, the +punishment of his involuntary fratricide. Malcolm next suddenly raised +up the arras, which with as much haste and promptitude he let fall +behind him and Bruce. Next pushing open a small narrow door, which was +secreted behind the tapestry, they swiftly passed through it, which was +on the instant closed by Malcolm, who quickly flung home its massive +bolts and bars at the inner side, which necessarily fully prevented all +attack or pursuit. They were now safe from their enemies so far, at +least. The bugle-horn they heard rung lustily from the warder's tower; +distinctly, too, they heard the rattling chain of the draw-bridge, +as it was hastily raised to prevent the flight of David. The cavalry +were now ordered to horse, and to pursue;--the hackbutteers mounted +the battlements, and peeped from the embrasures; while bugle, bagpipe, +drum, and trumpet, sounded pursuit. The commingled and discordant +sounds were heard floating over tower, parapet, and battlement, and +were deeply re-echoed by rock, islet, and promontory, and hoarsely +answered by the storm-beat wave tiding to the shore. + +Meanwhile the faithful Malcolm led on Bruce through several intricate +winding passages, until they reached a sallyport which opened on the +margin of the sea, where they were for the present removed from the +scene of danger. The mode by which they had escaped was quite unknown +to their enemies; and now they paused to inhale the breeze of heaven, +and cool their wearied brows from the fatigue and horrors which they +had encountered. + +Here Bruce said:--"Thanks, my dear and faithful follower, my honest +Malcolm, for thy brave and powerful arm, and wondrous foresight. We are +now safe from mortal men and mortal measures, at least for the moment." + +Then he mournfully mused to himself:--"But what arm has the nerve +that might, that may shield me from myself? What potent anodyne can +tranquilize a guilty conscience? What untold charm can lull a mind +ill at ease, and abhorring and abjuring itself?--Yes, yes! there is, +there is an omnipotent and a redeeming power!--there is an atoning +spirit, that can pardon, pity, and absolve the guilty, when the heart +shall truly repent: and although my crime be dyed and encrimsoned deep +in guilt, I yet may obtain mercy!--a truly penitent and contrite soul +may yet blanch this deed pure and spotless as the untrodden snow which +crests the lofty mountain-peak. This is consolatory. But hour, and day, +and year still succeeding year, must pass over in sad and sorrowful +contrition, before this foul and atrocious guilt, the result of one +depraved moment of furious passion, can be washed away and effaced from +the calendar of dark human crime, and deep ingratitude to high heaven!" + +Here a dreadful storm of hail coming on, the weary fugitives gladly +entered a spacious cavern which propitiously and opportunely opened +wide "its ponderous jaws" to receive them; and which timely afforded +them a respite from the storm, and a refuge from pursuit. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Inter utramque viam, lethi discrimine parvo, + Ni teneant cursus. + + VIRGIL, _Æneid III_. + + Sæpe dolis, interit ista: Time! + + C. WEIGELIUS, NORIMBERGÆ. + + +The fugitives had now proceeded upon a long and wearisome journey after +their departure from the cavern, which had so opportunely afforded +them shelter and protection. Lonely, depressed, and overpowered by +overwhelming grief, self-accusation, and great bodily exertion, +solitary stood the noble, but unhappy Bruce, on the desolate shores +of his native land; while close stationed by him stood his brave and +faithful preserver, his sturdy and affectionate foster-brother, the +intrepid, the honest, the disinterested Malcolm. + +It was night,--an autumnal storm loudly raged, the clouds darkly were +drifted onward with increased rapidity through a perturbed sky; the +roaring waves of a tumultuous sea mounted upwards in alpine altitude +and curvature, as they dashed and foamed along; whose mournful, sullen +scream, responded not to mortal voice, although the sad measure seemed +to partake both of sorrow and of woe; if indeed that human suffering +and mortal woe could be supposed as associated with that treacherous +and tempestuous element. + +In the distance distinctly were heard the report of various musket +shots, discharged by the hackbutteers,[15] but at intervals only they +were heard. Whether these explosions were intended as a military +tribute of a faithful clan over the body of a fallen chieftain, or +whether they were intended as an excitement to pursuit, (probably the +latter,) could not with any positive certainty be ascertained. However, +the continued clangor of pursuing cavalry, and the loud, incessant +tramping of foot soldiers, who had proceeded with precipitance over +crags and rocks, and still unwearied in their pursuit, were audibly +heard to approach. It was too evident that all this loud uproar and +wild halloo which had prevailed, arose from the violent voice and shout +of those who pertinaciously pursued, and who were still pressing upon +the flight of the unhappy fugitive. + + [Footnote 15: Harquebuss, in the ancient statutes, is called also + Arquebuse, Haquebut, or Hagbut; it is a _hand-gun_, or a fire-arm + of a proper length to be borne in the arm. The word is formed of + the French _arquebuse_, and that from the Italian, _arcobusio_, or + _arco abuso_, of _arco_ a bow, and _busio_, a hole; on account of + the touch-hole in which the powder is put to prime it; and it is + likewise so called because it succeeded the bows of the ancients. + + The _harquebuss_ is properly a fire-arm, of the ordinary length + of a musket or fowling-piece, cocked usually with a wheel. Its + length is forty calibers; and the weight of its ball one ounce + seven-eighths; its charge of powder as much. + + There is also a larger kind, called _harquebuss a croc_, used in + war for the defence of places. The first time these instruments + were seen was in the imperial army of Bourbon, when Bonnivet was + driven out of the state of Milan. They are heavy and cumbersome.] + + +However, in another direction came on, yet with silent, cautious tread, +several faithful adherents, armed with dirk, targe, and claymore, who +advanced to the beach, not as blood-hounds to pursue, but as friends +to assist; not basely to track the steps of the noble fugitive, but +with might and with main to protect him, and cover his flight. This +faithful, small, but boldly determined clan, bore lanterns to assist +the projects which they had planned, which dimly flung a flickering +reddish light around. + +This gallant band came on fully resolved to save their chieftain--to +rescue him from surrounding perils, or to die! Sir David looked wildly +and inquisitively at them; but by no interrogatory he dared to break +the more than mortal silence which seemed to seal their lips. No, he +shrunk back in despair, fearing to question them; he too justly dreaded +_that to be_, which he would have forfeited his own life _not to have +been_! Dread despair palsied his voice, and held him back from what he +fain would ask--"Was his brother among the dead or the living?" The +dreadful response that might be returned, made him forego his purpose. +He could not--would not--dared not to inquire; it was not to be +attempted; and his brain seemed maddened when he thought thereon. His +heart was chilled, and his blood slowly pulsated; his lip quivered, and +his tongue was silent. However with a silent, but inquisitive gaze and +gesture, he sought that fearful information which he dared not--could +not ask; these, however, were appeals that could be neither mistaken +nor misunderstood. He sought the fearful answer from the plaided clan, +whose tall and commanding figures, although dimly and indistinctly seen +beneath the pale moon-beams of a stormy sky, and whatever illumination +their lanterns afforded, yet observed the earnest appeal: and he is +answered as he sought it, in awful silence and impressive dumb show, +each of the clan slowly folding around him his plaid, and then one +and all in the same moment joining in united action of a mournful +and impressive motion of the head. When all rapidly dashing aside +their plaids, with fierce and impressive energy they point their +out-stretched hands to the foaming waves, intimating thereby that there +alone safety was to be found. + +Now near, and still more near, too audibly are heard the renewed sounds +of advancing foes; the breeze wafting on the appalling and yelling +shouts of pursuit; and next followed the loud and deafening tramps +of the pursuers. No time--not a moment--was to be lost---- death or +immediate flight was the alternative!--Some bold, decisive act, was now +to be dared, and on the instant done! + +The stormy clouds, which in rapid succession hitherto had thrown their +dark floating shadows over the disk of an autumnal moon, at this +instant favourably dispersed, and the "pale queen of night" burst forth +in pearly radiance, glancing her friendly beams upon a fishing bark +which lay at anchor beneath an indented shelve of rocks, close by to +where the fugitives stood; and at no remote distance a small cottage +stood close to the beach, to the owner of which, in all probability, +the boat belonged. This seemed most likely to be the fact, from their +observation of the fishing-nets, gear, and tackle, all elucidatory of +a fisherman's pursuits, which lay outspread upon the shore, clearly +designating the uncertain and perilous occupation of the lonely +proprietor of this humble dwelling. Upon this discovery the vassals +proposed to their chieftain to knock at the door of the cottage, and +awake the fisherman. But to this suggestion the generous Bruce would +not hearken; he would not endanger the life of a poor and innocent man, +probably the sole supporter of his family, in the dread and desperate +fortunes of a fugitive--and alas, more than too probably a fratricide! + +Thus having impetuously and decisively spoken, David Bruce having flung +his purse into a broken aperture of the lattice window, sprung manfully +into the fishing bark, and the faithful Malcolm instantly sprang in +after his master. Next with fatal, feudal attachment, the vassals +advanced, and crowded into the boat, regardless of all remonstrance +and reproof, and seemingly insensible of the peril occasioned by thus +overloading the fishing skiff. + +The storm had for the present abated; which cessation, however, was +but of temporary duration. The pursuers meanwhile advanced, with +loud and appalling screams, and formed their ranks in martial array +upon the beach, the war-pipes loudly pealing forth a pibroch; they +next proceeded, having piled their arms, to light their torches from +lanterns which, with due precaution, they had borne with them; and soon +their ignited torches were applied, which after some little delay, +occasioned by the moisture of the storm, the ignition took effect, when +brilliantly blazed forth, in crackling flames, the extended ridges +of furze, fern, bent-grass, &c., that crowned the lofty links which +girdled the undulating summits of the shore. The different plants had +been dried up by a summer sun, and parched and ripened by the autumnal +blast; and the ignition soon extended along the entire line of the +coast. The central part of the conflagration flamed in the distance +like to some lofty castle on fire, and flanked, as the deception +would represent, by two large towers, which were in effect two large +flaming masses of furze and other various shrubs, which, now with a +flaming--now with a flickering corruscation, actually seemed like two +bale-fires blazing on the headlands. The whole mass having become one +continued conflagration, assumed an awfully grand appearance; the ruddy +sky brilliantly flamed above, the waves returned the fiery flash below, +as the waves undulated to and fro. The fugitives but too distinctly saw +the weapons raised in their offence boldly brandishing on the shore, +and vengefully flashing forth their quivering gleams, accompanied +with loud, fierce, and appalling shouts of vengeance from the bold, +determined band, who occupied the shore. + +Meanwhile these threatening tones of discord and defiance were +resolutely answered by a long continuous scream of triumph from the +fugitives, who fled from premeditated treachery, and whose parting +shouts were deeply chorussed by the symphony of their accompanying oars +that wafted them onward in safety. + +Now verging toward the distant horizon, the retreating boat was +distinctly seen slowly cutting its watery course, overladen although +it might be with an extra weight of living cargo. Availing themselves +of the breeze, they raised their little sail, and soon expedited their +course, wafted onward by the wild and dreary blast. + +The moon occasionally at intervals, as the stormy night-clouds cleared +away, streamed her radiance on the rippling bosom of the undulating +wave, which threw a brilliant line of light across the heaving billows; +and showed to those who might wish to observe the progress of the +fugitives, that in sooth they made but little way; which was not to be +wondered at, considering how incautiously crowded the boat had been +through the obstinacy of the too inconsiderate followers. Another +danger, superadded to the former, it but too fully appeared to the crew +arose from the frailty of the bark itself, that had soon to contend +with the approach, or rather with the return, of the tempest. + +The impressive scene that we have attempted to describe, was, it must +be allowed, altogether out of the usual course of ordinary events, +and partook of a high and extraordinary degree of interest. To behold +a wild, desolate, and romantic shore, lined and occupied as it had +been, at such an hour, by a military band of pursuers, and illuminated +by the blazing fires, which broadly glanced on spear, axe, target, +and claymore; whose ruddy contrasting light served but to cause that +the dark impending rocks above, and the indented caverns below, +should appear more savage, and their dense darkness the more visible! +Meanwhile, to witness the dumb, but expressive gesticulation of the +heads and hands, and indignant and angry step, of the enraged vassals +on the beach, appearing to the distant beholder all of a deep, glaring, +fiery red, fierce as the impetuous motives which led them onward to the +bloody track. Rage, and all the varied manifestations of the fierce +passions of wrath and revenge, were but too visible, from the broad and +brilliant glare of light that flashed upon them. It was such a scene as +would have charmed the creative imagination of Michael Angelo to have +dwelt upon and portrayed, and might have even given additional sketches +of horror for his "Day of Judgment." And, oh! how would the poetic +pencil of the solitary Salvator Rosa have managed this scene!--how his +pencil would have sported with it, and his genius have rejoiced!--here +he might have conjured up and enlivened his landscape with a bold, +determined, band of pirates, soldiers, or banditti, surrounded by +dark and frowning precipices. For such was the wild and savage scene +so lately before the reader's eye. Rocks frowning in deep darkness, +indented with frequent hollow caverns below, the midnight retreat of +the otter and porpoise; while from the higher caverned cliffs above, +awakened and aroused from their quarry, sprung forth the osprey, the +vulture, and cormorant, all loudly screaming, and joining in one +continued dissonant chorus, deeming that the returning morn had arrived! + +The fishing bark having been found no longer sea-worthy, the fugitives +were compelled to seek the shore; in which act the boat heaved against +a rock, but it did no material injury to the bark. Strange to say, +however, the shock awakened within the little cabin (if cabin it could +be called) of the stern, an inmate, that until that moment the trusty +followers did not know, nor even suspect, that such an individual +they had on board. This fellow was a tall, athletic figure, whether +fisherman or smuggler was doubtful, who must have been, consequently, +hitherto profoundly asleep, deeply fatigued, it was supposed, by having +been out all the previous night at sea, either fishing or plundering, +possibly occupied in one or other--probably in both of these perilous +pursuits. + +This desperate and daring mariner, rapidly bouncing on deck, said, or +rather screamed forth, with denouncing haste and rage: "Ye a' maun +perish, a' are tint! and ken ye weel a Johnstone had his revenge!" + +Then, with face and the fury of a maniac, and a horrific laugh, he +instantly sprang into the waves, plunging like a water-fowl; he sunk, +but soon arose again. Malcolm was prepared for this, having previously +seized a carabine from one of the Bruce's followers; and soon as the +ruffian again arose, Malcolm took determined aim, his carabine exploded +its contents, having duly hit the destined mark. The victim of his just +revenge loudly screamed, plunged, floundered, and sunk,--but he rose no +more! + +The crew of the fishing boat meanwhile, or those who acted in that +capacity, had timely and providentially discovered and frustrated the +treacherous fate which seemed so certainly to await them, and which was +so darkly hinted at by this desperate partisan of the Johnstone clan. +The pumps were set instantly and incessantly at work, while the leak +was timeously stopped, and every precaution adopted to insure and make +"surety doubly sure." + +It would appear that this desperate follower of the Johnstones had +somehow discovered, or overheard, from the followers of the Bruce, +the fatal scene that had taken place at Turnberry Castle, the tragical +compotation, the bloody fray, between the Maxwells and the Johnstones, +and of the fatal death of Sir Robert Bruce. And hence, therefore, it +was concluded, that he had come to the desperate determination of +destroying, by one daring, decisive act, the number of the enemies of +his clan who occupied the bark; and with this fixed resolution, it +would appear he had sprung a leak, thinking thereby at once to send so +many souls to a watery grave. In which base and treacherous attempt he +had been nearly too successful, but for the prompt and active aid that +was given by all hands on board; and it was with great difficulty that +with unabated effort and energy they ultimately happily succeeded in +accomplishing their safety. + +The boat was not far distant from the shore, when several of Bruce's +followers, at length made sensible of their impropriety and obstinacy +in overloading the vessel, which caused such as could best swim soon to +spring from the bark, and swim for the shore, having had previously +affixed a cable to the prow, which they succeeded in safely towing the +extreme end of the rope, and landing it on the beach, where "with a +long and a strong pull, and a pull altogether," they hauled the leaky +and fragile bark to shore, and landed their noble chieftain in perfect +safety. + +Upon debarking they fortunately encountered some of David's followers, +who were in anxious search of him, and had long been on the look out, +expecting his approach. They met him with his horse ready caparisoned +for a journey, his arms and accoutrements all duly arranged; besides a +horse with a small valise, containing clothes and linen, and holsters +containing long barrelled pistols, according to the fashion of the age, +&c. &c. From these attendants Bruce obtained information that "The +William Wallace" was about to sail from the port of Ayr. Sir David and +Malcolm, promptly mounting their gallant steeds, proceeded in full +gallop for the port of Ayr. + +The pursuers had retired from the beach, and immediately all around the +point of debarkation it was pitchy darkness, save that in the distant +horizon the flickering blaze of the late conflagration about to expire, +flashed a ruddy tinge upon the passing clouds. Long since the voice of +vengeance had died on the ear, and the loud tramping of the pursuer was +heard no more in the breeze. + +Bruce determined, while in his flight to Ayr, upon changing his name, +and assumed that of Colonel Davidson, Brandenburgh Hussars. + +The travellers having proceeded with the utmost speed, soon reached +the port of Ayr before curfew-time, but much overpowered by mental +feelings, and overcome by great bodily exertion. + +The perilous result and shipwreck of the ill-fated "William Wallace of +Ayr," has been already fully detailed in the first chapter of the first +volume of this work, which doubtless is still fresh in the reader's +recollection. + +But it is full time to return to Tyrconnel Castle, and revisit the +noble inmates, overcome by grief and dismay at the sudden, unexpected, +and unaccountable departure of the noble, generous, but unhappy Bruce. +To fulfil which intent we proceed onward to the next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Unus, et alter, sed idem. + + +Gentle Reader, hitherto thou hast been addressed by us in the plural +number, now, for the first and last time, thou wilt not surely grudge +that the author should for once in _propria persona_ address thee. + +I confess that I am in the habit of looking upon the division of +a story into chapters, as similar to the subdivision of a journey +into miles: by the aggregate of the one the length of the story is +ascertained, by the aggregate of the other the distance of the journey +is distinctly known. Nor does the similarity terminate here; the +heading or motto of each chapter points out to the reader what kind +of "entertainment" he may expect, just as a sign hung out at the door +of an inn indicates; and in the same way too the milestone points out +to the wearied traveller the proximities to his inn, as the "_carte du +jour_" apprises him of the dinner with which he may be regaled. The +heading of the chapter also tells whether it is by land or by sea the +reader is to travel; the heading of a milestone whether by mountain, +moor, morass, valley, town, or city, the traveller has to steer. These +said chapters were, no doubt, a truly commendable invention, which give +a kind of _carte du pays_, as they show and point out to the reader how +the land lies, in the same manner that those communicative milestones +and signposts point out to the traveller the distance of town from +town. Both in their way are extremely useful indeed, combining the +_utile_ with the _dulci_. But it is imagined that both reader and +traveller little take into account that it was not without some toil +and labour these respective accommodations were completed for their use +and convenience. After this sage remark, be it known, gentle reader, +that this story now rapidly draws to a close, and that the next mile +(to carry on the simile) thy journey will end. The best indeed that +the case would admit of has been done for thy "entertainment," and it +is hoped that, thy journey concluded, thou shalt have found the roads +to have been not wholly intolerable, the fare not indifferent, and the +journey not wholly unprofitable! + +Now, resuming the plural, we will venture to say, that "if it be true +that _good wine needs no bush_, it is true that a good play needs no +epilogue." However, whether, and in what degree, this may be applicable +to us, oh, courteous reader, is not for us, but for thee, to determine +and adjudge in the chapter which succeeds. + +From this long digression it is time to resume our eventful story. The +consternation occasioned by the sudden and unaccountable departure of +Sir David Bruce from Tyrconnel Castle, can better be imagined than told. + +The duke arose at an early hour, as he was wont, and took his +constitutional walk before breakfast. Upon his return it was with no +small astonishment he heard that Sir David Bruce had departed at deep +midnight, and on horseback, not having taken with him a travelling +carriage, nor luggage, save a small valise, as preparatory to a +journey. He immediately communicated it, with as much due precaution +as the time would admit of, to the duchess, who had now entered the +breakfast parlour. + +Her Grace turned pale, and seemed nigh fainting. As soon as she could +recover from her surprise and trepidation, she said: "All, my dear, is +not well, I fear; I will go up and question Adelaide." + +Here, as the duchess had gone out of one door, the Reverend chaplain, +Doctor M'Kenzie, entered at another. The chaplain wished his Grace good +morrow, and spoke of the weather, expatiating upon the beauties of +Nature. + + "'Tis morning; and the sun, with ruddy orb + Ascending, fires th' horizon.---- + + The season smiles, resigning all its rage, + And has the warmth of May. The vault is blue + Without a cloud, and white without a speck." + +The duke looked--but he saw not, he spoke not, he heard not. No!--the +serenity of the season was not in accordance with the sorrow of his +heart. At once the chaplain saw it all, for the duke was deadly pale; +but the cause of this despondence he did not know, nor did he dare to +inquire. + +But while he was about to ask the duke if he was unwell, the door +opened, and the duchess re-entered; and bursting into a flood of tears, +she flung herself into a chair. In so doing, a dagger fell from her +apron on the ground. She fainted, and it was some time before she +came to herself. When she did, she then said: "It is all involved in +darkness and mystery; I cannot unravel the clue. Adelaide cannot--will +not tell. She has sworn on the dagger's point never to reveal it until +placed upon her death-bed. She has sworn upon this." + +Here the chaplain took up the dagger; it was incrusted with blood. +He examined the handle; it was of silver, and upon it was engraved +FUIMUS. It likewise fell from his hand, and trundled on +the ground. Here he fearfully and involuntarily repeated, and in a +sepulchral tone, + + "FUIMUS NON SUMUS!" + +The duke sternly said: "In the name of heaven, I charge you, Reverend +Sir, that you will forthwith explain what all this may mean? Although +the days of superstition still exist, yet nevertheless I must protest +against supernatural agency." + +Doctor M'Kenzie said: "Permit me to ask one question of the duchess, +and then I will, as far at least as I can, throw some light on this +dark mystery. May I be permitted to ask your Grace, if Sir David Bruce +will return?" + +"Never--oh, never! Reverend Sir," was the reply; "I just have heard so +from my daughter." + +"Then," said the chaplain, "I am at liberty to explain, without any +violation of promise. I have no doubt that your Graces both recollect +the narrative of my voyage from Scotland, from the port of Ayr, and of +my having been shipwrecked on the coast of Austrian Flanders." + +The duke and duchess nodded assent. + +"You may also recollect the mysterious passenger who appeared so deeply +overpowered by grief--Colonel Davidson." + +They both remembered. + +"You may also doubtless recollect the words of that terrific song--that +was pronounced by no earthly voice--that was sung to no earthly sound! +To the last solemn hour of my existence I never can forget it. The +words and tune are in my ears when I awaken in the morn--they ring +their horrid vespers in my ears at night, and dirge me in my sleep. Can +your Graces remember some of the words?--namely the voice of the Spirit +of the Storm, and + + +THE AWFUL DIRGE. + + Once we held fair Scotland's throne, + Ay, once we claimed that realm our own, + _Fuimus non sumus_! + + * * * * * + * * * * * + + We were--have been--were crown'd--are not; + Dispers'd, forsaken, and forgot! + _Fuimus non sumus_! + + * * * * * + * * * * * + + Behold! the last of all our race + Is forced to fly his natal place!-- + He bears the vengeful, fatal knife, + Deep stain'd by bloody feudal strife! + _Fuimus non sumus_! + +"Know then, may it please your Graces, that when I was introduced by +the duke to Sir David Bruce, I recognised him at once to be----" + +"Colonel Davidson!!" vociferated the duke in a tremendous voice, +without waiting for the chaplain to finish. + +"Yes, my lord," replied the chaplain, "another, and yet the same." + +The duchess fell back in her chair, overpowered with grief. + +When the duchess had become somewhat calm, after a pause the chaplain +continued: "Little indeed at that time did I ever dream that my +fellow-passenger was destined at a future day to become your Graces' +son-in-law, and under such unhappy auspices. But the will of heaven +must be done, and it is for some wise purpose it is done, although not +revealed to mortal eyes." + +The duchess now returned to the unhappy Adelaide, in every respect, +from her virtues, talents, and accomplishments, worthy far of a better +fate. + +The duke, when breakfast was taken away--for the duke eat not--proposed +to the chaplain to proceed to the little room which had been occupied +by Sir David Bruce as his library during his stay at Tyrconnel Castle, +in order to ascertain if there had been left there any letter or +document explanatory of his very sudden and unaccountable departure. +The duke, accompanied by his chaplain, entered Sir David's little +library, taking a melancholy survey of the chamber. They at last, +upon approaching a writing-table, found thereon the following song in +manuscript:-- + + +SONG, + +WRITTEN ON MY BRIDAL-DAY--TO AN OLD IRISH AIR. + + I ask'd my Adelaide what was her wish? + She replied, "Oh, ever love me kindly!" + Again I ask'd my love what was her wish? + She answer'd, "Oh, ever love me kindly!" + Again I ask'd my love what was her wish? + And she said, "Oh, love me not too blindly!" + + My love I ask'd once more what was her wish? + (While her fond, lovely arms, did entwine me, + And down trickling tears rapidly did gush,) + "'Tis--may my husband's dear hands yet enshrine me, + And to the silent grave, with sad and solemn stave, + He in years far remote may consign me!" + + D. B. + +The duke felt extremely affected. The pathos of the Irish air, the +feeling expressed in the song, and the mournful moment in which it was +perused, all most powerfully conspired to operate upon those noble +feelings which he too acutely possessed. And as he brought away the +MS. the chaplain observed that the duke secretly brushed away the +silent tear which trickled down his manly cheek. + +The surprise occasioned by the very sudden and extraordinary +departure of Sir David Bruce, afforded a topic of conversation and +altercation among the gossips and _quid nuncs_ of the vicinage, for +at least a fortnight.--By that time the novelty appeared to melt +away; but while it lasted all various changes were rung with endless +interpolations, until they could not possibly be interpreted.--Some +were inclined to throw the entire blame to the account of Adelaide, +as the sole cause of her husband's departure. But others, both male +and female recriminators, would entirely (if in their power) fling +the whole balance of censure against Sir David Bruce. At length the +parish and the county became quite sick and weary of such peevish +conjectures;--until "cormorant-devouring Time" put an end to them, at +least fulfilling his part, inasmuch showing that he is the destroyer +of prejudice and of party, and of all sublunary things:-- + + "Tempus edax rerum." + +But it is in vain to disguise, and it would be highly culpable, if it +were within the power of human ingenuity, to deny it, that often, too +often, _human passion_, or it should be called brutal rage, assails the +noblest minds and the most generous dispositions; those who are but too +inflammably alive to whatever they conceive to be base, grovelling, +or unjust--such are probably the most liable to "the sin that easily +besets them." It is indeed to be lamented how suddenly passion in +the moral, like the whirlwind in the physical world, can rend up by +the roots all that graced and adorned human life, boldly and rudely +usurping the seat of reason, and leaving only to cool and repentant +reflection the unavailing sighs and sorrowing tears of self-crimination! + +The foregoing story, tragical as it is true, incontestibly proves that +"trifles light as air" assumed in the commencement, subsequently, if +encouraged, increase and multiply in a _ratio_ and amount of accession +and aggression, until recrimination is produced; then follow mutual +hatreds, quarrels, and bickerings, until awakened and aroused at a +fatal moment and at a savage period, as we have described, all these +bad passions burst forth resistless into a fatal blaze, which was only +to be quenched by the shedding of fraternal blood! + +A dramatic poet has so beautifully expressed our meaning, that we +cannot resist quoting his language, and with the passage concluding +this chapter:-- + + ----"O, be obstinately just! + Indulge no passion, and betray no trust; + Let not man be bold enough to say, + Thus, and no farther, shall my passion stray! + The first crime past, compels us on to more, + And guilt proves fate, that was but choice before!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +CONCLUSION. + + Oh, thou wert lovely!--lovely was thy frame, + And pure thy spirit as from heaven it came! + And when recalled to join the blest above, + Thou diedst a victim to exceeding love! + + HUMAN LIFE. + + +Our story rapidly hastens to a close, parts whereof had hitherto been +purposely thrown into the back ground of our painting,--or, to _use_ +another simile, adopting the policy of a wary general, who makes a +feint retreat with the intent of concentrating his forces, next to +return with renovated vigour and alacrity to the charge; thus sagely +saving his videts from being shot, his cannon from being spiked, and +his reinforcements from being killed off. In like manner too, most +gentle reader, we have adopted the "_parva componere magnis_;" and +accordingly, as we felt it incumbent upon us, have hitherto thrown +some facts and events, since developed, and deeply connected with our +story, into the back ground of our picture, with the hope that aught +of circumstance or of interest that we hitherto fain would hide in the +shade, and cloak under the veil or umbrage of mystery and obscurity, +might chance to escape the penetration of the reviewing critic, and +of thee too, reviewing reader! until we found it sage and pertinently +expedient to develope the same. + +However we may have failed or succeeded in this attempt, we have +nevertheless endeavoured, with all our means, to give a faithful +and impartial portraiture of the different events as they actually +occurred, and of the various characters presented in our tale, as they +severally made "their exits and their entrances," and "bustled their +busy hour" in "this strange and eventful history." And now, courteous +reader, we gratefully take leave, and greet thee with our _ultimum +vale_, for we shall never meet again!--then accept our last adieu! + +Of the future fate and fortunes of Sir David Bruce, nothing, with any +certain portion of historic authenticity, could for a vast length +of time be traced or ascertained. It is true, however, as usually +consequatory upon such doubtful occasions, that rumour, with her +hundred tongues, was not found sleeping at her post, but was, on this +occurrence, alert and busy as the tattling goddess is ever wont to be, +in spreading and disseminating through the oracular organs of all the +gossiping old women in, about, and around all the adjoining baronies, +various, yet contradictory reports. One story-teller reported that +Sir David had retired to the continent, and had once more visited his +favourite Brussels, and had there taken up his abode. But that city, +instead of yielding all its former charms, when hope was buoyant, and +love successful, only served to demonstrate the mournful contrast, +and recall more potently his misery! He too well remembered what he +had been, and what the treasure was that he had for ever lost! He +felt but too well that "such things had been, and were most dear to +him." But alas, then he knew, and most acutely felt too, the wretched +man he was! What was he now?--a forlorn fugitive--a self-outcast--his +peace destroyed--his hopes decayed--and in a word, a wretch, by his +own condemnation! Unhappy man! he knew but too well what he _had_ +been--what he _might_ have been--what he _ought_ to have been--and, oh! +what _then_ he was! These were no consoling reflections to an acute and +sensitive mind like his. The rumour then concluded by asserting, that +finding only aggravated sorrow, vexation, and a painful recollection of +that happiness that he had lost for ever, in his former once favourite +city of Brussels, that Sir David had thence retired, in complete +disgust with all the world, where "man delighted him not, nor woman +neither," into the Monastery of _Sancta Maria de Camberone_, near to +Mons, where he became a Carthusian friar; long continued to lead a life +of piety and peace; died a beatified saint, and bequeathed all his +worldly estate to the holy brethren of that pious establishment. + +This idle and unfounded rumour was, however, at variance completely +with positive and stubborn facts; and truth was clearly elicited from +the high and honourable testimony of Lord Glandarah, who had been +engaged in a tour upon the continent; and while occupied in visiting +foreign courts, among others had sojourned at the court of the Elector +Palatine, to whom, upon his arrival at Berlin, he was presented; and +in the suite and service of this prince he recognized Sir David Bruce. +Both were mutually rejoiced at the meeting, but remained wholly silent +as to the events that had passed at Tyrconnel Castle. + +Sir David Bruce was habited in a black hussar uniform; much changed +in appearance, and his spirits completely broken down; his manly form +and figure were sadly altered. However mournful and depressed appeared +the Bruce, yet the story of his life, from the time of his departure +from Tyrconnel Castle, was well told in the scar on his manly cheek, +and the still deeper one which he bore upon his noble brow; while the +brilliant star of Brandenburgh that sparkled on his breast, and the +cross which hung appendant to his neck, gave proofs that his deeds of +valour had not passed by unregarded and unrewarded by the grateful +prince he served. + +In the course of some few years subsequent to the period which we +notice, the Berlin Gazette, in giving an account of the siege of +Namur in the year 1690 and----, thus notices the death of this truly +valiant hero. After a long military detail the statement ran to this +effect:--"That in boldly attempting to carry the fort of Coehorn by a +_l'epee à la main_, the gallant Sir David Bruce had fallen, overpowered +by wounds; when his lamented remains were borne from the trenches by +his brave Brandenburghers, whom he had so often led on to victory; and +were by them most honourably interred, with all the pomp and regret +that await the brave." + +Such was the gallant termination of the brilliant, transient, and +unhappy career of the valiant Bruce. His amiable lady, the poor, +disconsolate Adelaide, did not long survive her lord, who in every +respect was deserving of a happier fate than that sad one which +unhappily fell to her lot. She died, as she had lived, a Protestant, +although the duke and duchess were strict Catholics; a striking +proof of the superiority of her understanding, considering all local +circumstances, and the tone and temper of the times with which she +had to contend; living under a Catholic king, whose whole conduct and +administration were arbitrary--whose royal career propitiously set out +with the title of "James the Just," but fatally terminated in that +of "James the Tyrannical;" oppressing both the consciences and the +personal liberty of his subjects, whom he only considered as his slaves. + +But let it be understood, and handed down to posterity, that Lady +Adelaide was no bigot, her feelings and her religion were by far too +Christian to permit her to be one. Piety, charity, toleration, and +benevolence, accompanied withal a mild, gentle, and conciliatory +temper, adorned her character; and with a truly devout feeling +softened the asperities and disappointments which she had to encounter +in her mournful passage and pilgrimage through the thorny vale of life. +Pure, unaffected piety, and the slow hand of time, united to the kind +attentions of her relatives, especially of her mother the duchess, and +Lady Lucy, gradually succeeded in mitigating her grief. While humbly +and cheerfully submitting to the will of heaven, and occupied in the +exercise of the mild and tolerant spirit of the Christian faith, she +found that internal comfort and consolation that was denied her in the +world. + +Adelaide did not long survive her husband, and upon her death-bed made +a confession, previous to which disclosure none but the confidential +ear of her beloved mother had heard. In this she disclosed all those +events which have been already developed by the extraordinary and +affecting interview and separation which we witnessed to have passed +between Bruce and Adelaide. Having received the last rites of the +church, Adelaide surrendered her last breath, with hope and humble +resignation, to Him who gave it! + +Lady Adelaide Bruce was born the 31st of October, 1600 and----, upon +_the Eve of All-Hallows_; was married the 31st of October, 1600 and +----; and died the 31st of October, 1600 and----, upon the _Eve of +All-Hallows_! + +Upon the demise of the Lady Adelaide the following verses were found in +her escritoir by her afflicted mother, which had been written evidently +subsequent to the death of Bruce: + + He is gone!---- I'm ne'er to behold him! + And, oh! never more to enfold him + Within these widowed arms! + + The spring shall bloom, the summer glow + With all their brilliant charms; + For my poor heart, too well, I trow, + No peace nor pleasure waits below; + But cold neglect, like winter snow! + Each blast my breast alarms! + + My soul is sad, my spirits fail, + It much relieves me to bewail! + My only rest lies in HIS tomb!-- + My hope--a better world to come! + + When wafted to blest realms on high, + Where pain and sorrow come not nigh; + May thus a contrite Christian die! + + (_Signed_) ADELAIDE. + +It had been inadvisedly reported that our early acquaintance, Captain +Heaviside, had fallen _cum multis aliis ignotis_, at the battle of +the Boyne. However, the last accounts from the pump-room at Bath put +it beyond all dispute that the gallant captain was still in the land +of the living; and whether at the card-table or in the ball-room, +the ladies actually considered Captain Heaviside as the very cream +of gentility, and the flower of ceremony; and he very soon set his +affections on a prudent spinster, who had arrived at a discreet age, +a Miss Barbara Golightly. And the mutual attentions of these worthies +to each other, reminded the gossipers in the pump-room of the deep +affection which Cid Hamet records to have existed betwixt those sage +personages, Sancho and Dapple; of whom it was difficult to pronounce +whether Sancho loved Dapple, or Dapple loved Sancho, the best!--_Sic +itur ad astra_! + +The arrival some weeks after of "The London Intelligencer"[16] set +this matter completely at rest, and plainly told the _quid-nuncs_ +their _erratum_, that for "killed" they ought to have read "married." +The paragraph in the Intelligencer was worded to the following +effect:--"Married, at the Abbey church of Bath, on Thursday last, by +the Honourable and very Reverend Dean P--l--y, Captain Harry Heaviside, +late of the---- regiment of foot, to the amiable and affable Miss +Barbara Golightly of that city, whose merits will not be diminished by +bestowing upon the brave captain, in conjunction with her fair hand, a +fortune of ten thousand pounds!" + + [Footnote 16: The "Mercurius Civicus, London's Intelligencer, or + Truth impartially related from thence to the Kingdom, to prevent + Misinformation." This public print, with the foregoing quaint + title, was first published in 1643. Printed for Thomas Bates on + Snow-hill.] + +Lady Lucy had several proposals of marriage made to her by persons of +high rank and fortune, but she invariably refused them all; whether +it was that Lady Lucy was fastidious in her choice of a companion +for life, or that she preferred a state of "single blessedness" to +the marriage state, we shall not aver, but simply state her amiable, +and disinterested, and generous conduct, to her unhappy niece, to +whom she was indeed most unremitting in her attentions; and seemed +most assiduous and well pleased in dispensing those nameless acts of +kindness to her niece, in thought, in deed--nay, in her very looks, a +countenance beaming with goodness and philanthropy; all of which were +gratefully and duly acknowledged on the part of Adelaide. + +Lady Letitia, after a long continued siege of courtship, took final +compassion on Sir Patricius Placebo; whom she was now not unwilling +to admit as her true knight, and actually gave him her noble hand as +his _guerdon_; for inasmuch that during the continuation of a long +acquaintance, and that too under the same roof withal, yet that her +ladyship had never, in any one recorded instance, heard the baronet to +pronounce the truly portentous word--PERHAPS! No, never, in +that long continued course. + +It was, however, it must be confessed, maliciously asserted by some, +yet still contradicted by others, that this being leap year that +the lady availed herself of acknowledged privileges belonging and +immemorially pertaining to this gifted year. But this we shall not +vouch for. + + "Non nostrum inter tantas componere lites." + +We merely state the fact that her Ladyship duly and legally became Lady +Letitia Placebo. Upon the consummation of the marriage Sir Patricius +sported a handsome new chariot, with the arms of Placebo quartered +agreeably to all the tenor of the rules and laws of arms and blazonry, +in the same shield with those of the noble house of Tyrconnel; and he +did not forget his own motto, which was a kind of pun (at that time in +vogue) upon his own name-- + + PLACEBO, SEMPERQUE PLACEBO! + +From which said motto one may fairly infer that the baronet's opinion +of himself was by very many degrees removed above mediocrity! + +Mrs. Judith Brangwain, now far advanced in years, and somewhat +splenetic in her remarks, expressed much serious displeasure and +vexation at this matrimonial event; she said: "It truly calls forth +my marvel and wonderment. For surely my Lady Letitia must have been +bewitched, any how; and that is faith, sure enough, the only razonable +way for counting it. And, in troth, any how my lady is a deal too good +for the ould midwife, to be sure, that is sartain. Who, after all +in all, is the very Carrick on Suir [caricature] of a defunct fop! +Better--aye, far better, would it have been for Lady Letitia to have +eloped with her riding switch to the continent; aye, and to have passed +seven long years and a day in taking the tower of Europa in search of a +husband, sooner nor domain herself by giving the hand of a princess of +a right ould Irish stock to an upstart quack doctor!" + +The duke and duchess, although they did not encourage, much less +approve of the match, yet they did not prevent the solemnization of +the marriage. Lady Letitia had indeed arrived at the due years of +discretion, that is to say, if ever they were to arrive; and Sir +Patricius Placebo, with all his peculiarities and eccentricities, was, +in the main point, a man of worth and respectability. + +Upon the event of the marriage the duke presented Sir Patricius and his +sister with the gift of Lætely Lodge, where the happy, happy pair, soon +departed for, intending there, without a dissentient "perhaps," to pass +the honey-moon. + +In little more than the space of nine months Lady Letitia presented the +doctor with a chubby male _Placebo_. This proved very agreeable to Sir +Patricius, who really had, or affected to have, a rooted dislike to all +children of the feminine gender. + +And here it must be incontinently confessed, that this event took place +to the no small astonishment and disappointment of all the surrounding +gossips in the adjoining parishes and baronies, as these sapient folks +had somewhat too hastily assumed the fact that Lady Letitia Placebo had +passed by the time and season when ladies wish, and may expect to be in +_that state_, "who love their lords!" They, in sooth, considered her +ladyship too ancient to prove _enceinte_. + +Sir Patricius, upon this most desired and happy event, raised his +stately head somewhat higher than he was wont to do; and with all +due discretion, gravity, emphasis, and mellow intonation of voice, +addressed his auditory--his countenance, meanwhile, as he spoke, +being lighted up by the important smile of self-applause, and having +consequentially put his Carolus snuff-box in requisition--"I did," said +he, "it must be confessed, form some hopes and expectations upon this +much wished for occasion, which have been now so happily realized; as +verily, my Lady Letitia Placebo hath not disappointed me. For as the +learned and justly celebrated Archimedes was accustomed to observe-- + + "[GREEK: DThS MThI TEN STIGMÊN]," &c. &c. + +It now becomes our melancholy duty to record that the noble and highly +gifted Duchess of Tyrconnel did not many years survive the deplored +death of her deeply beloved daughter--her adored Adelaide; and ere +long was followed to the grave by her brave and illustrious duke, who +directed that the following inscription should be placed upon his +tomb:-- + + PATRIÆ INFELICI, FIDELIS. + + "Faithful to the last to his unhappy country!" + + + + +NOTES, + +&c. &c. + + In which are given four original Letters of King James II. never + before published; accompanied with fac-similes of his royal + Signet and Signature. Likewise, an original Letter from the Duke + of Berwick; the fac-simile of the Duke's Seal and Signature are + also given, copied critically from the original Letters in the + Manuscript Closet of Trinity College, Dublin. + + +CHAPTER I.--VOL. I., p. 17. + +"Ailsa, about fifteen miles from the coast, [of Ayrshire,] is a vast +rock of a conical form, 940 feet in height, two miles in circumference, +accessible only on the north-east, and uninhabited. Its summit is +covered with heath and a little grass. It is the property of the +Earl of Casilis, who obtains a rent from it, paid from the sale of +feathers, Solan geese, and rabbit-skins. On its acclivity are the +ruins of a chapel and fort, and near these there is a spring of fresh +water."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland_, vol. I. p. 179. + +In the summer of 1811, and likewise in that of 1824, the author of +these volumes sailed past this stupendous rock, and the Scotch sailors +on board informed him, that the rent received from the produce of this +rock by Lord Cassilis, amounted to upwards of £30 per annum. + + +CHAPTER VII.--VOL. I., p. 169. + +Grace O'Malley, formerly better known in Ireland by the name (in +popular parlance) of Grana Uile; and so called from the Castle of +Carrick Uley, the ruins of which are stationed at the extremity of an +inlet in the bay of Newport, in the county of Mayo. The proper name +is _Carrick a Uile_, or, "the rock in the elbow;" in allusion to the +impending mountain which crowns it, the strength of the castle, and the +recess in which it is situated. + +In this castle resided Grace O'Malley. Her family were from time +immemorial considerable on the north-west coast of Ireland, their +principality extending from the lake called Lough Corrib, in the +county of Galway, to Croagh Patrick, in the county of Mayo, and from +thence to the borders of the town of Sligo, a considerable tract +of which is still called "the Uisles of O'Malley;" a fine fertile +country, chiefly skirted by the sea; the bays and harbours excellent, +and beautifully interspersed with verdant islands, many of which are +inhabited. For aptness of local situation for maritime affairs and +naval exploits, the lords of the territory became early conspicuous; in +attestation of which the motto to the family name is, "_Terra marique +potens_,"--Powerful alike by land and sea. + +Grace O'Malley was daughter of Owen O'Malley, and widow of O'Flaherty, +two Irish chieftains who flourished in that country. Upon the death of +O'Flaherty Grace married Sir Richard Bourke, who died in 1585, leaving +three sons and one daughter the fruits of this marriage. Upon the +death of her husband and of her father, from necessity Grace O'Malley +(then Bourke) undertook the management of family concerns, acting with +firmness and resolution, keeping up her fleet for the protection of her +castles and estates, so essentially necessary in stormy and turbulent +times, and from this circumstance many considered her, and in popular +belief to this day she is still considered, as a pirate! + +Grace, or Grana Uile, was a high-spirited lady, and became fond at an +early age of the watery element, accompanying her father and his sept, +or clan, in many naval exploits. The coast was plundered of cattle +and other property, and many people were murdered in these predatory +expeditions. + +Grana was ever foremost in danger. Courage and conduct secured her +success; and the affrighted natives along the north-west shore trembled +at her name.--Many hardy and daring mariners from distant parts +sought her service, attracted by her fame. Her vessels of the largest +description were kept moored in Clare Island, where she possessed a +large castle, and her smaller craft were kept stationed at Carrick a +Uile. + +Tradition relates that her piracies became so notorious, and her power +so dangerous, that Grana was proclaimed, and a reward of five hundred +pounds offered for her apprehension. Resolving to make her peace with +England's Queen, she attended the court of Elizabeth, accompanied with +a large retinue, a guard of gallo-glasses bearing partisans, and clad +in saffron robes, who attracted great and universal attention. + +The Queen received her in great state. Grana was arrayed in the costume +of her country:--a long Irish mantle covered her head and person; her +hair gathered _à la Grecque_, and fastened with a gold bodkin inlaid +with jewels; her bosom was bare; and her dress a yellow silk boddice +and petticoat. The court were struck with infinite surprise at her +singular appearance. However, Grana succeeded in the object of her +visit, and having made her peace with Elizabeth, returned to Ireland. + +The castle belonging to Grana in the island of Clare, which boasts a +fine harbour and quay, was so much considered by Oliver Cromwell, that +he there erected a fort and barrack, in which he maintained a garrison. + +Grana endowed a monastery on it, in which she lies interred; her arms +and motto, carved on the tomb with those of her husband, are still +to be seen. This island still continues an estate in the family who +bear the name of O'Malley; and until of late years had been the family +burial place. + +The celebrity of Grana Uile has been the theme of bards for many years. +In the year 1753, during the political contests which occurred in the +administration of the Duke of Dorset, a very popular song appeared, to +an old Irish air, and the burden of the song was Grana Uile. It is too +long for insertion in this work. + + +CHAPTER VIII.--VOL. I., p. 195. + +_Pastry Fortifications._ + + ----"I have framed a fortification + Out of rye paste, which is impregnable;[17] + And against that for two long hours together, + Two dozen of marrow-bones shall play continually. + For fish I'll make you a standing lake of white broth, + And pikes come ploughing up the plums before them, + Arion-like, on a dolphin, playing Lachrymæ; + And brave king herring, with his oil and onion, + Crown'd with a lemon peel, his way prepared + With his strong guard of pilchers." + + [_The Bloody Brothers, or Rollo Duke of Normandy_, by BEAUMONT and + FLETCHER, vol. VII. act II. scene II. p. 151.] + + [Footnote 17: At the splendid entertainments of those days the + confectioners were very solicitous to present these and similar + fopperies on the tables of the great. Furnace the cook says, in + MASSINGER'S "_New Way to pay old Debts_," + + ----"Since our master, noble Allworth, died, + Though I crack my brain to find out tempting sauces, + And raise _fortifications in the pastry_, + Such as might serve for models in the Low Countries; + Which, if they had been practised at Breda, + Spinola might have thrown his cap at it, and ne'er took it." + + And again, in the Prologue to "_A Wife for a Month_," which was the + sole production of FLETCHER, we have the following lines on the + same subject-- + + "Our noble friend, who writ this, bid me say, + He had rather dress upon a triumph day + My Lord Mayor's feast, and make him sauces too, + Sauce for each several month; nay, further go, + He had rather build up those invincible pies + And castle custards,[18] that affright all eyes, + Nay, eat 'em and their artillery-- + Than dress for such a curious company + One single dish."---- + + BEAUMONT and FLETCHER--Vol. VIII. p. 137.] + + [Footnote 18: The ingenuity of ancient cooks in raising pastry + fortifications has been already noticed. In the text we have not + only fortresses of paste, but castles made of custards, furnished + with eatable artillery, on a triumph-day, that is one of the + greatest festivities at the Mansion-house. Another similar device + of march-pane is mentioned in "Witts and Fancies"--1595, 4to.: "At + a nobleman's banquet a ship of march-pane stuff was set upon the + board, wherein was all manner of fishes of the like stuff." + + At a banquet given by Cardinal Birague to Henry III. King of + France, his queen, and mother, "A collation was there served upon + two long tables, consisting of between eleven and twelve hundred + dishes composed of confectionary and dried sweetmeats of various + kinds, constructed in the form of castles, pyramids, and other + elegant figures."--WRAXALL'S "_History of France_," vol. II. 449.] + + +CHAPTER VIII.--VOL. I., p. 200. + +"_Primero._" + +This game is noticed by SHAKESPEARE, in "_The Merry Wives of +Windsor_:"-- + + "I never prospered since I foreswore myself at primero." + +And likewise in Henry VIII.:-- + + "And left him at primero, with the Duke of Suffolk." + +In BEAUMONT and FLETCHER also, mention is made of this celebrated and +once fashionable game--in vol. II. p. 185, in "_The Scornful Lady_," +and likewise in "_The nice Valour_," in vol. IV. p. 273. + +Primero too is noticed in STRUTT'S "_Sports and Pastimes of the People +of England_," p. 291. There is a poem by the celebrated Sir John +Harrington, the translator of _Ariosto_, which affords an admirable +illustration of the game: it is entitled, "_The Story of Marcus' Life +at Primero_." But as it amounts to upwards of forty lines, it is +considered as too long for insertion here. + + +CHAPTER XII.--VOL. I., p. 287. + +"_Riding the Franchises._" + +Extract from Harris's "_History of the City of Dublin_," (now become a +very scarce work,) chap. VI. p. 114:-- + +"We shall have little here to do but barely to transcribe the several +forms used by the citizens in riding their franchises at different +periods, as the same has been transmitted to posterity either by +authentic records or ancient manuscripts, whose evidence is not to be +controverted at this day; more especially as the reader will readily +perceive, by comparing each form, how little variance there has been +therein from the beginning to the present times, except in the names +of places, which yet are but few. It would indeed be a difficult task +for the citizens to have at any time stretched their rights beyond the +just limits within the city or suburbs, as they were surrounded on most +parts by vigilant neighbours, namely, the ecclesiastics of St. Mary's +Abbey, Kilmainham, Thomas-court, and St. Sepulchre's, or the liberties +of the Archbishop of Dublin, who were upon all occasions ready to +procure papal anathemas and censures against those who offended them +in less momentous matters than the loss of their lands. Several of the +instruments we shall have occasion to cite are written in Latin; but to +show our fidelity, we shall transcribe them verbatim, and for the sake +of the English reader, translate them literally into our own language. + +"The earliest instrument that occurs is one of John Earl of Morton, and +Lord of Ireland, dated at London, the 14th day of May, in the third +year of the reign of his brother, King Richard I. (A. D. 1192,) which +refers to a former charter of local franchises, granted by King Henry +II., now lost. The charter of King John is to be seen in the black +book of the Archbishops of Dublin, called "_Alan's Register_," being +collected by Archbishop Alan, in the reign of Henry VIII., and as it +containeth other liberties besides their metes and bounds, we shall +here give only so much thereof as is pertinent to the subject before +the reader:-- + + +"'CHARTA JOHANNIS, + + "'Domini Hiberniæ, de metis et franchesiis civitatis Dublin, et de + libertatibus concessis. + +"'Johannes dominus Hiberniæ, Comes Morton, omnibus hominibus et amicis +suis, Francis et Anglis, Hiberniensibus et Wallensibis, præsentibus et +futuris salutem. + +"'Sciatis nos dedisse et concessisse, et hâc mêa chartâ confirmasse +civibus meis de Dublin, tam extra muros, quam infra muros manentibus, +usque admetas villæ quod habeant metas suas sicut probatæ fuerant +per sacramentum bonorum virorum de civitate istâ per præceptum regis +Henrici, patris mei; scilicet, ex parte orientale de Dublin, et +australi parte, pasturam quæ ducit usque ad portam ecclesiæ sancti +Keivini, et sic per viam usque ad Kylmerckargan, et sic per divisam +terræ de Donenobroogi usque ad Doder, et de Doder usque ad mare +scilicet at Clarade juxta mare, et de Clarade usque ad Ramynelan. Et in +occidentale parte de Dublin ab ecclesia S. Patricii per Wallam usque ad +Farnan-Clenegimethe et deinde usque ad divisam terræ de Kylmainam et +ultra aquam de Kylmainam juxta Aven-Liffey usque ad vada de Kilmastan +et ultra aquam de Aven-Liffey versus boream per Cnocknogannoc et deinde +usque ad horrea S. Trinitatis, et de horreis illis usque ad furcas, +et sic per divisam inter Clonlic et Crynan usque ad Tolecan et deinde +usque ad ecclesiam sanctæ Mariæ de Ostmanby. Hæc etiam eis concessi, +salvis tenuris et terrâ omni eorum, qui terras et tenures habent, et +chartam meam inde extra muros usque ad prædictas metas; et quod non +possit civitas de terris illis, sicut de aliis disponere, sed faciant +communes consuetudines civitatis, sicut alii cives. De illis autem dico +hoc, qui chartam meam habuerunt de aliquibus terris infra easdem metas +extra muros antequam civitati prædictas libertates, et hanc chartam +concesserim.' + + +TRANSLATION. + + "The Charter of JOHN, Lord of Ireland, concerning the + bounds and franchises of the City of Dublin, and of the liberties + granted thereto. + +"John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton, to all his subjects and +friends, French, English, Irish, and Welch, present and to come, +greeting.--Know ye, that I have given and granted, and by this my +charter confirmed, to my citizens of Dublin, as well those who inhabit +without the walls, as to those who dwell within them, as far as the +boundary of the town, that they may have their limits as they were +perambulated, by the oaths of the honest men of the city itself, in +pursuance of a precept sent to them by King Henry, my father; namely, +on the east and south sides of Dublin, by the pasture-grounds which +lead as far as the port of St. Keivin's church, and so along the +road as far as Kylemerekangan, and from thence, as they are divided +from the lands of Donenobroogi,[19] as far as the Doder, and from +the Doder to the sea, namely, to Clarade, close to the sea, and from +Clarade as far as Ramynelan. And on the west side of Dublin, from St. +Patrick's church, through the valley as far as Farnan-Clenegimethe; +and from thence, as they are divided from the lands of Kylmainam, near +Aven-Liffey, as far as the ford of Kilmastan; and beyond the water +of Aven-Liffey, towards the north by Cnocknogannoc; and from thence +as far as the Barns of the Holy Trinity; and from those Barns to the +gallows; and so as the division runs between Cloulic and Crynan, as +far as Tolecan, and afterwards to the church of St. Mary of Ostmanby. +These things we have also granted to them, that their tenures and land +be secure who have any granted to them in our charter; from thence +without the walls, as far as the before-mentioned limits; that the +city may not dispose of those lands as of other lands, but that they +observe the common customs of the city, as other citizens do. But this +we declare of those who have had our charter of certain lands, within +the said limits, without the walls, before we had granted the aforesaid +liberties and this charter."--_The History of the City of Dublin_, by +WALTER HARRIS, 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 118, 119, 120. + + [Footnote 19: Donenobroogi--Hodie--Donnybrook. The fame of its fair + is well known.] + +The franchises of the city of Cork, according to Doctor Smith, in his +celebrated _History of Cork_, vol. I. p. 49, were perambulated in "an +handsome manner" [he says no more] on October 20, 1714; and the night +concluded with fire-works and illuminations in honour of his Majesty +King George I., whose coronation was that day celebrated in the city. +By an order of the D'oyer Hundred, the Mayor was ordered to ride round +the liberties and franchises of the city of Cork every third year. + +Mr. Hardiman, in his _History of Galway_, mentions a similar +procession at Galway. And something similar occurred in the town of +Drogheda; but wholly divested of the splendid pomp and display which +shed such a lustre on the Dublin pageant. + +The ceremony of riding the franchises in the city of Dublin was +one so peculiar and remarkable, that it certainly appeared to the +author worthy of being handed down as a curious historical record, +no similar ceremony of such pomp, circumstance, and pageantry, was +known in Britain. There was, no doubt, something extremely oriental in +this splendid pageant, which, if the reader will take the trouble to +peruse the Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montague, from Adrianople, he +will find a striking similarity between the spectacle of riding the +Dublin franchises and the grand pageant which takes place when the +Grand-Signior leads his army in person. The account is as follows:-- + +"I took the pains of rising at six in the morning to see the ceremony, +which did not, however, begin till eight. The Grand-Signior was at +the Seraglio window to see the procession, which passed through the +principal streets. It was preceded by an _Effendi_, mounted on a camel +richly furnished, reading aloud the Alcoran, finely bound, laid upon a +cushion. He was surrounded by a parcel of boys in white, singing some +verses of it, followed by a man dressed in green boughs, representing a +clean husbandman sowing seed. After him several reapers with garlands +of ears of corn, as Ceres is pictured, with scythes in their hands, +seeming to mow. Then a little machine drawn by oxen, in which was a +windmill, and boys employed in grinding corn, followed by another +machine drawn by buffaloes, carrying an oven and two more boys, one +employed in kneading bread, and another in drawing it out of the oven. +These boys threw little cakes on both sides among the crowd, and were +followed by the whole company of bakers, marching on foot two by two, +in their best clothes, with cakes, loaves, pasties, and pies of all +sorts, on their heads; and after them two buffoons, or jack-puddings, +with their faces and clothes smeared with meal, who diverted the +mob with their antic gestures. In the same manner followed all the +companies of trade in the empire; the noble sort, such as jewellers, +mercers, &c., finely mounted, and many of the pageants that represent +their trades perfectly magnificent; among which that of the furriers +made one of the best figures, being a large machine, set round with the +skins of ermines, foxes, &c., so well stuffed, that the animals seemed +to be alive; and followed by music and dancers," &c. _Works of Lady +Wortley Montague_, London, 1805, vol. II. pp. 181, 182. + +The Chief Magistrate of Dublin was formerly called Provost, and the +Sheriffs were styled Bailiffs, from the year 1308 until the year 1409, +when the title of Mayor was given. In the year 1547 the name of Bailiff +was changed into that of Sheriff. And in the year 1665 the title of +Mayor was elevated to the rank of Lord Mayor, Sir David Bellingham +being the first appointed.--See HARRIS'S _History of Dublin_, +Appendix, pp. 491 to 506. + +"The city of Dublin anciently consisted," says Harris, "of twenty +corporations, to which five have been in latter times added. + +"An ancient custom prevailed for a long time in the city of Dublin, +always against the great festivals of the year, to invite the Lord +Deputy, the nobility, and other persons of quality and rank, to an +entertainment, in which they first diverted them with stage plays, and +then regaled them with a splendid banquet. The several corporations +also, upon their patron's days, held themselves obliged to the like +observances, which were for a long time very strictly kept up and +practised. + +"Thomas Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in +the year 1528, was invited to a new play every day in Christmas; Arland +Usher being then Mayor, and Francis Herbert and John Squire Bailiffs; +wherein the Taylors acted the part of Adam and Eve; the Shoemakers +represented the story of Crispin and Crispianus; the Vintners acted +Bacchus and his story; the Carpenters that of Joseph and Mary; Vulcan, +and what related to him, was acted by the Smiths; and the comedy of +Ceres, the goddess of Corn, by the Bakers. Their stage was erected on +Hoggin-Green, now called College-Green, and on it the priors of Saint +John of Jerusalem, of the blessed Trinity, and of All-Hallows, caused +two plays to be acted, the one representing the Passion of our Saviour, +and the other the several deaths which the apostles suffered." + +It is stated in a manuscript in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, +"That in the parliament of 1541, wherein Henry VIII. was declared +king of Ireland, there were present the Earls of Ormond and Desmond, +the Lord Barry, Mac-Gilla-Phadrig Chieftaine of Ossory, the sons +of O'Brien, Mac-Carthy-More, with many Irish lords; and on Corpus +Christi Day they rode about the streets with the procession in their +parliament robes; and the nine worthies was played, and the Mayor bore +the mace before them on horseback. The Sunday following King Henry was +proclaimed king of Ireland in Saint Patrick's church; and the next +Sunday they had tournaments on horseback, and running at the ring with +spears on horseback." + +Sir James Ware briefly alludes to these entertainments in the following +words: "_Epulas comædias, et certamina ludicra, quæ sequebantur, +quid attinet dicere?_" "It is needless," he remarks, "to relate what +banquets, comedies, and sports followed." + +We now return to Harris's History of the City of Dublin. + +"Among other days of solemnity the festival of Saint George was +celebrated with high veneration. In the choir-book of the city of +Dublin are several entries to that effect: + +I.--It was ordered, in maintenance of the pageant of Saint George, that +the Mayor of the foregoing year should find the emperor and empress, +with their train and followers well apparelled and accoutered; that is +to say, the emperor attended with two doctors, and the empress with two +knights, and two maidens, richly apparelled, to bear up the train of +her gown. + +II. _Item._--The Mayor, for the time being, was to find Saint George a +horse, and the Wardens to pay 3_s._ 4_d._ for his wages that day. The +Bailiffs; for the time being were to find four horses, with men mounted +on them well apparelled, to bear the pole-axe, the standard, and the +several swords of the emperor, and Saint George. + +III. _Item._--The elder Master of the guild was to find a maiden well +attired, to load the dragon, and the clerk of the market was to find a +golden line for the dragon. + +IV. _Item._--The elder Warden to find for Saint George four trumpets; +but Saint George himself was to pay their wages. + +V. _Item._--The younger Warden was obliged to find the king of Dele +and the queen of Dele, as also two knights to lead the queen of Dele, +and two maidens to bear the train of her gown, all being entirely clad +in black apparel. Moreover, he was to cause Saint George's chapel to +be well hung in black, and completely apparelled to every purpose; and +was to provide it with cushions, rushes, and other necessaries, for the +festivity of that day. + +No less was the preparation of pageants for the procession of Corpus +Christi Day, on which the Glovers were to represent Adam and Eve, with +an angel bearing a sword before them. + +The Curriers were to represent Cain and Abel, with an altar, and their +offering. + +Mariners and Vintners, Noah, and the persons in the Ark, apparelled in +the habits of Carpenters and Salmon-takers. + +The Weavers personated Abraham and Isaac, with their offering and altar. + +The Smiths represented Pharoah with his host. + +The Skinners the camel with the children of Israel. + +The Goldsmiths were to find the king of Cullen. + +The Coopers were to find the Shepherds, with an angel singing _Gloria +in excelsis Deo_. + +Corpus Christi guild was to find Christ in his passion, with the Marys +and Angels. + +The Taylors were to find Pilate with his fellowship and his wife, +clothed accordingly. + +The Barbers, Ann and Caiaphas. + +The Fishers, the Apostles. + +The Merchants, the Prophets. + +And the Butchers, the Tormentors. + +These interludes and representations carried with them the appearance +of the superstition of the times, which John Bale, Bishop of Ossory, +afterwards laboured to reform, by writing, with more sobriety, several +comedies and tragedies in the reign of King Edward VI., and, during his +banishment, in that of Queen Mary, upon religious subjects. Several +of those pieces are yet extant, printed in black letter; and though +they show the taste of the age, they would by no means please the +present."--_The History of the City of Dublin_, by WALTER HARRIS, +ESQ. 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 142, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. + + +CHAPTER III.--VOL. III., p. 36. + +"_Running Footmen._" + +MR. WEBER, in a note to "The Knight of the Burning Pestle," +in his edition of the works of Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. I. +p. 194, Edinburgh, 1812, observes, that "the running footmen were a +fashionable piece of splendid folly prevalent at that time. They were +still kept by some noblemen in Scotland about the middle of the last +century, and are yet to be met with occasionally upon the continent. +Like the jockeys, they are put upon a particular diet; and in order to +prevent cramps, the calves of their legs are greased." + + +CHAPTER V.--VOL. III., p. 87. + +"_Turnberry Castle._" + +"The ruins of Turnberry Castle are on a promontory of the sea coast, +two miles west of Kirkoswald, and five south-west of Maybole. This +castle belonged to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died in the +Holy Land, and left an only daughter, named Martha, who married +Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale. In the expedition of Edward I. the +English were in possession of this castle. At present nothing more +than the foundation of the building, and some vaults beneath it, +remain."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland_, vol. I. pp. 178, 179. + + +CHAPTER V.--VOL. III., p. 92. + +"_Caerlaverock Castle._" + +"_Caerlaverock Castle_ was founded in the sixth century by the son of +Lewarch Hen, a famous British poet; it was the chief seat of the family +of Maxwell in the days of King Malcolm Canmore. It stood on the north +shore of Solway Firth, nine miles from Dumfries, between the Nith and +Locher; and was deemed impregnable before the use of fire-arms. In the +reign of King Robert Bruce the proprietor of it demolished all its +fortifications, lest it should fall into the hands of the English. It +was, however, again fortified, for in 1355 it was taken by Sir Roger +Kirkpatrick, and levelled with the ground. Its materials were employed +to erect a new building, which was demolished by the Earl of Essex, +A. D. 1570. The fortifications of this place were once more renewed +by Robert, the first Earl of Nithisdale, in 1638, who nobly supported +the cause of Charles I., and maintained a considerable garrison at +his own expense."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical +Description of Scotland_, vol. I. pp. 107, 108. + + * * * * * + +In closing the notes to the foregoing volumes, we are here desirous of +presenting the reader with a few historical documents of King James II. +who has stood forth so prominent a figure in the foregoing wild story, +as well as four original letters of that monarch, which heretofore have +never yet met the public eye. + +In a small curious volume, which was published at Paris soon after the +decease of the Duke of York, then James II., edited by _Father Francis +Sanders, of the Society of Jesus, and Confessor to his late Majesty_, +the following passage occurs:-- + +"This exiled prince made several campaigns under the Marshal de +Turenne, and he showed every where so much courage and bravery, that +he gained mighty commendations from that general. The testimonies of +the Prince de Condé were no less glorious, who was often heard to say, +that if ever there was a man without fear, it was the Duke of York; +and he kept his character for intrepidity at all times, and upon all +occasions." + +Lord Clarendon too in his "History of the Civil Wars in England," +vol. III. p. 370, thus speaks of King James II. when Duke of +York, and engaged at the battle of Dunkirk: "There was a rumour spread +in the _French_ army that the Duke of York was taken prisoner by the +_English_, some men undertaking to say that they saw him in their +hands. Whereupon many of the _French_ officers and gentlemen resolved +to set him at liberty, and rode up to the body of _English_, and looked +upon their prisoners, and found they were misinformed; which if they +had not been, they would undoubtedly, at any hazard or danger, have +enlarged him. So great an affection that nation owned to have for His +Highness." + +It is worthy of observation to mark the manner in which King James +expressed himself respecting the Abbé de Rancé, during his residence in +France; and likewise the Abbé's opinion of the abdicated monarch: + +"I really think nothing has afforded me so much consolation since my +misfortunes, as the conversation of that venerable saint, the Abbé of +La Trappé. When I first arrived in France I had but a very superficial +view of religion; if, indeed, I might be said to have any thing +deserving that name. The Abbé de La Trappé was the first person who +gave me any solid instruction with respect to genuine Christianity. + +"I formerly looked upon God as an omnipotent Creator, and as an +arbitrary governor; I knew his power to be irresistible, I therefore +thought his decrees must be submitted to, because they could not be +withstood. Now my whole view is changed: the Abbé de La Trappé has +taught me to consider this great God as my father, and to view myself +as adopted into his family. I now can look upon myself as become his +son, through the merits of my Saviour, applied to my heart by his +holy Spirit. I am now convinced, not only that we ought to receive +misfortunes with patience, because they are inevitable, but I also +feel assured that death, which rends the veil from all things, will +probably discover to us many new secrets of love and mercy in the +economy of God's providence, as in that of his grace. God, who gave up +his only Son to an accursed death for us, must surely have ordered all +inferior things by the same spirit of love."[20] + +Such were King James's sentiments respecting M. de Rance. The Abbé, on +the other hand, entertained as high an opinion of him. The following +passage, concerning the unfortunate king of England, occurs in one of +M. de La Trappé's Letters to a Friend:-- + +"I will now speak to you concerning the king of England. I never saw +any thing more striking than the whole of his conduct; nor have I ever +seen any person more elevated above the transitory objects of time and +sense. His tranquillity and submission to the divine will are truly +marvellous. He really equals some of the most holy men of old, if +indeed he may not be rather said to surpass them. + +"He has suffered the loss of three kingdoms; yet his equanimity and +peace of mind are undisturbed. He speaks of his bitterest enemies +without warmth; nor does he ever indulge in those insinuations which +even good men are too apt to fall into when speaking of their enemies. +He knows the meaning of two texts of Scripture which are too much +neglected: 'It is given you to suffer,' and, 'Despise not the gift of +God.' He therefore praises God for every persecution and humiliation +which he endures. He could not be in a more equable state of mind even +if he were in the meridian of temporal prosperity. + + [Footnote 20: A Tour to Alet and La Grand Chartreuse, vol. II. pp. + 335-6.] + +"His time is always judiciously and regularly appropriated. His day is +filled up in so exact a manner, that nothing can be well either added +or retrenched from his occupations. + +"All his pursuits tend to the love of God and man. He appears uniformly +to feel the divine presence. This is, perhaps, the first and most +important step in the divine life.--It is the foundation of all which +follow. + +"The queen is in every respect influenced by the same holy desires. + +"The union of these two excellent persons is founded on the love of God. + +"It may be truly termed an holy and a sacred one." + +"Such were M. de Rance's opinions of King James. It is impossible to +doubt but that the venerable Abbé de La Trappe was sincere in his +expressions."[21] + + [Footnote 21: A Tour to Alet and La Grande Chartreuse, 8vo. London, + 1816, vol. II. pp. 336, 337.] + + +FOUR + +ORIGINAL LETTERS OF KING JAMES II. + +DEPOSITED IN THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, NEVER BEFORE +PUBLISHED, IN WHICH THE ORTHOGRAPHY IS PRESERVED. + + +LETTER I. + +ADDREESSED, "FOR L: GEN: HAMILTON.§." + + _Dublin May 1: 1689_: + +I am sorry to find by yours of the 27: that Luisignan is so ill hurt +lett him know how much I am troubled at it, and make a complyment +to Pointz upon his being hurt also, you do very well to precaution +yourself against sallys, from a towne where there is so many men, and +pray let the Gen: officers who remaine not expose themselves to much, +I have sent you a power to pardon such as will accept of it, L^{d.} +Melfort shall give you an account of the troops I am a sending down +to you, as also of what cannon and mortars are a preparing with all +possible deligence, you shall have all I can send you to enable you +to reduce that rebellious towne, and to make the more noyse the D: of +Tyrconnel is a preparing to go downe to you, it being, as you well +observe, of the last consequence to master it, I expect to have an +account every moment of the arrival of the French fleett, for Besides +that the wind has been so many days faire for them, letters from +Kinsale say they were left but fifteen leagues from that port, you will +before this getts to you have been informed of Bohan's having entirely +beaten the rebels w^{ch.} were gott together in the County of Downe, at +least five thousand in number, and killed several hundreds of them on +the place, I hope the advice you had from Mrs. Lundy, will prove but a +story, if what a Sergeant w^{ch.} came from Leverpoole but last weeke +says be true, w^{ch.} you will know by this. §. + + J. R. + +I am a sending Dorrington downe to you. §. + + +LETTER II. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin May 10: 1689_: + +I am sorry for the losse of Ramsay, such accidents will happen, and one +must not be discouraged, I am sensible you have a hard worke on your +hands, but at last will I hope be able to overcome it, I am sending +downe one great mortar and two pieces of battery by land, and the same +number of both by sea, 'twas actually impossible to dispatch them +sooner, ten Comp: of Eustach will be soon with you, all well armed, +and clothed, and five Comp: of the same Reg: are to march downe, what +other I send, shall be well armed, I send you downe with this a paper +concerning Derry, you will see whether it be practicable or no, of +w^{ch.} none can judg, but you that are on the place, I am sending +downe, S^{r.} Ne: O Neal's Reg: of Dragoons into the Countys of Downe +and Antrim w^{ch.} will be the more necessary since you have ordered +Gen: Maj: Bohan to you, I thinke it absolutely necessary you should +not lett any more men come out of Derry, but for intelligence, or some +extraordinary occasion, for they may want provisions, and would be glad +to rid themselves of useless mouths,§ + + JAMES R. + + +LETTER III. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin May 20: 1689_: + +You will before this, have had an account from L^{d.} Melfort, of what +men, arms, and stors, have been sent you, and are designed for you, I +now send back to you this bearer L^{d.} Dungan to lett you know that +this day I have been informed by one who came from Chester on Wednesday +last, that Kirke was to sett saile with the first fair wind from thence +with fower reg^{s.} of foott, to endeavour to relieve Derry, I have +ordered a copy of the information to be sent you, I know you will do +your part to hinder if you can, their getting into that towne, for +should once more those English succors be obliged to return againe, +that rebelious towne could not hold out long with the force I send you, +but if you cannot hinder their getting into the towne you must then +take care to secure your retreat as well as you can, on your side, +and to take care also of the cannon, mortars and men, w^{ch.} are on +the east side of the river of Derry, for no doubt they will presse +you, when you draw off, in case you should be obliged to do it, what +I propose is that you should endeavour to keep Castlefin, Cladyford +bridg, and Strabane to hinder them from coming over those waters, this +I thinke may be easily done considering tho' they may be strong in +foott, they can have but few and bad horse, and that I designe to go +about to reduce Eniskilling, in the mean tyme I am thinkind of sending +some more troups towards Charlemont which will be ready to look toward +you, or Carrickfergus as occasion shall offer, lett Castlederg, be well +provided, I have sent some horse and dragoons to reinforce Sarsfield +at Sligo, and have ordered Pursell's dragoons to Belturbet, what els I +have to say, I refer to this bearer L^{d.} Dungan,§. + + JAMES R. + + +LETTER IV. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin July 8th. 1689_: + +I do not find by what I heare from you and others that those in Derry +are so prest for want of victuals as once was believed, so that if +they could be prest otherways, it would do well, I am sensible you are +but ill furnished with wherewithal to carry on your trenches, and to +attaque them vigorously, but however I am sure you will do what is to +be done, I am afraide your French enginers tho very able men in their +trade may have been so used to have all things necessary provided for +them, and to want nothing, that they are not so industrious as others +lesse knowing men might be, and that they do not push on their worke as +they might do, having so much to say for themselves, upon the account +of their being so ill provided, however methinks they might have gott +Maderiers ready in all this tyme, to have lodged the miners w^{ch.} I +have seen done to a stronger towne than Derry, and where we wanted +cannon to mine their defences, I only hint this to you, not pretending +at this distance to judg whether it be practicable or no, and for +making of Maderiers, I am sure tis but the puling downe some house _in_ +[_this word is partly erased in the original, but substituted by the +following_] neare Derry, or at Lifford or Strabane, where one may find +beams strong enough to make them, and tho Lattin be not to be gott, +new hids will do as well to preserve them from fire, this is only for +yourself, you have another letter from me about what had been reported +here, of some proposals made to you by those of Derry, to which I refer +you:§. + + J. R. + + + [FROM THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.] + + ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE DUKE OF BERWICK, + + NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED, + + ADDRESSED "TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL HAMILTON, AT THE CAMP BEFORE DERRY." + + _Trelick the 5th July_: + +I received just now the honour of yours, and I will write to Carills +aboute Cap^{t.} Manus Odonnell. There is an escorte sent to meet the +amunition coming from Charlemont who is likewise guarded by a regiment +of foot. + +I marched yesterday morning from Newtown-Stewart, and joyning Coll. +Sunderland at Omah I marched hither; my advance guard cutt off several +of their sentries, and a great many of the rebells party, with such +vigour, as they beat with 30 dragoons three troops of horse of theirs, +which were drawn up at a distance from us. Cap Patrick Bellue and Major +Magdonnel commanded the van-guard. There was eight or nine of the +enemy killed but none of ours. I went with my horse and dragoons within +four miles of Inniskiling and drove a great deale of cattle back to +Trelick where I am now and which is nine mile from Enniskiling. I am +sure no considerable party dearest stirr out from that towne for feare +of my being upon their backs, so that all backwards is secure. The +party of two hundred foot and fifty horse and dragoons that were left +at Belturbet under the command of L. Coll. Scott, are taken prisoners +officers and all. I can assure you that all the inhabitants of this +countrye are universally rebells. my humble service to Mareschall Rozen +and believe me, your most humble and obedient servant + + BERWICK. + +I forgot to tell you that our vanguard pursued so close three companies +of foot that they took one of their colours and two drumms within four +miles of Inniskiling, before I was come upp, this has entred[22] Coll: +Purcell's dragoons very well. + + [Footnote 22: The orthography of the original is strictly preserved + throughout the above letter.] + +[Illustration: _Fac-Simile of the Autograph and signet of King James +II._] + +[Illustration: _Fac-Simile of the Autograph and Seal of the Duke of +Berwick._] + + _T. Badge. sculpsit._ + + + THE END. + + + + +☞ THE BOOK-BINDER will take care to place the Engraving, which presents +fac-similes of the hand-writing and seals of King James II. and the +Duke of Berwick, at the opposite page. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +A number of minor punctuation issues were resolved. Missing accents +have not been inserted. The orthography of correspondence has been +retained. The following changes in spelling were made in the narrative. + + Page 4 inocuously is now innocuously + Page 16 promontary is now promontory + Page 25 guager is now gauger + Page 69 forboding is now foreboding + Page 83 wofully is now woefully + Page 90 martriculated is now matriculated + Page 93 cateract is now cataract + Page 102 fellowing is now following + Page 154 paragragh is now paragraph + Page 172 dispouere is now disponere + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, Vol. 3 (of 3), by +Matthew Weld Hartstonge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS *** + +***** This file should be named 44264-0.txt or 44264-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/2/6/44264/ + +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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Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/old/44264-0.zip b/old/44264-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..39d7110 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44264-0.zip diff --git a/old/44264-8.txt b/old/44264-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..46400c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44264-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4325 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, Vol. 3 (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, Vol. 3 (of 3) + Adelaide of Tyrconnel + +Author: Matthew Weld Hartstonge + +Release Date: November 23, 2013 [EBook #44264] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS *** + + + + +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 futuræ + Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis! + ........................... tempus erit, + ............. et quum spolia ista diemque + Oderit! + + VIRGILIUS, Æ. x.I. 501. + + + VOL. III. + + + LONDON: + + FOR G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE. + + 1825. + + + + + THE EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Upon your art, Sir, and your faith to assist it, + Shall I believe you, then, his wound's not mortal? + + LOVE'S PILGRIMAGE. + + +The banditti who made the fierce and fiery attack, as recounted in our +last chapter, a few days subsequent to that sad event were arrested +by the _Gens d'Armes_ in Soignies wood. They had been composed, it +appeared upon examination, of the daring and desperate of different +nations, and that their leader was a Spaniard. + +But it is indeed full time that we should return to the mansion of +Tyrconnel, where all was distress and dismay. But amid all this +incidental confusion and alarm no time whatever had been lost in +calling in surgical assistance; two surgeons of reputed eminence being +instantly summoned--an English practitioner of the name of Leach, who +long had been a resident at Brussels, and a Monsieur Bourreau, a French +surgeon in considerable practice, likewise a resident of this ancient +city, who immediately obeyed the summons. + +Monsieur Bourreau was the first to arrive, who had a conference with +Sir Patricius Placebo, understanding that he was a medical gentleman. + + MONSIEUR BOURREAU.--"_Ah! serviteur, Monsieur._--_Mais je demand + votre pardon! car je pourrois dire_, LE CHEVALIER _Aussi-bon_!" + + SIR PATRICIUS PLACEBO.--"Hem, hem! Placebo, _je dis_ + Placebo!--_Prononces comme il faut, si vous plais, Monsieur + Chirurgien!_" + + MONSIEUR BOURREAU.--"_Oh, pardon encore, je demand tres humblement + de votre mains. Je dis, Chevalier Placebo, que les blesseurs + portées de les fusils sont toujours trop dangereux; et pour moi, + Chevalier Assebo, je prefere dix blesseurs de l'epée partout, à une + diable blesseure de portée de fusil!--Mais, neanmoins, toujours + chacun à son goût!_" + + SIR PATRICIUS.--"_Cette remarque, Monsieur Chirurgien, est trop + vrai; et vous-avez sans doute beaucoup de raison certainment; car + comme ils ont dit autrefois_, + + 'De gustibus non disputandum!' + +Hem, hem, ahem!"--having immediate recourse to his Carolus' snuff-box, +which in the first instance he most politely handed to Monsieur +Bourreau. And here the name of Surgeon Leach being announced, the two +surgeons with due formality were conducted by the medical baronet to +the sick man's chamber. + +They found their patient suffering under much bodily pain, attended +also with inflammation and a considerable degree of fever. They +alternately felt his pulse, holding forth their watches, upon which +they intently gazed; then looked at each other grave and portentous as +the visages of two undertakers in their vocation, and most sadly shook +their sapient sconces. + +However, it was not long before a very decided difference of opinion +arose between the knights of the lance--to wit, M. Bourreau was for the +immediate extraction of the ball, insisting most strenuously that such +an operation was unavoidably necessary, thus to effect the enlargement +of the wound, in order finally to extract the ball, which was the +immediate and important consideration of the case, and thus finally to +facilitate the cure; but at the same time with candour he acknowledged +that the operation would not be unattended with pain. Meanwhile Mr. +Leach was for leaving the bullet gradually to work out its own tranquil +way in the quiet lapse of years and time, which result, he insisted +pertinaciously, he had known to be the case in numerous instances, +where bullets have remained innocuously lodged in several parts of the +human body, until eventually, after a long lapse of years, they have +worked forth a passage to the surface, and have been easily extracted. +And other cases he knew, where individuals have retained with impunity +bullets within their bodies, from a gun-shot or pistol wound, even to +the closing hour of a protracted life. + +Mr. Leach was likewise too of opinion that, as the wound was placed +upon a joint, assuredly, that both knife and forceps should be put +under due restraint, nor should any more opening be made than what was +quite absolutely and imperatively necessary to meet the circumstances +of the case. + +It was considered incumbent by the duke, from this most serious +difference of opinion, that a third surgeon should instantly be called +in as umpire, and that his opinion in this intended consultation should +be absolute. + +Accordingly a Dutch surgeon, _cognomine_ Mynheer Van Phlebodem, a +practitioner of considerable repute, was called in, who, in conferring +with his learned brethren, after a minute examination of the patient, +whom he found labouring under a restless accession of fever, and having +understood that Sir David Bruce had not sustained any loss of blood +worth noticing, as issuing from the wound, the sage Mynheer considered +it advisable to open a vein immediately, as he was decidedly of +opinion, from a course of long established practice, that repeated +and copious bleedings, promptly and immediately adopted in the +commencement, seldom or never fail of being attended with success. They +prevented too, he said, much pain; kept down likewise inflammation, +and diminished the assaults of fever, &c. &c.--This determination was +accordingly carried into effect. + +At one time, from long continued pain and continued loss of sleep, it +was found necessary liberally to administer opium; at another period +the medical attendants, fearing symptoms of mortification to appear, +were not sparing in administering doses of Peruvian bark, with which +they drenched their victim. + +For the first fifteen or twenty days considerable apprehensions +were entertained for the safety of the patient's life. We feel, +however, most happy to state that none of those predicted evils +ensued, although certainly circumstances existed to call forth such +apprehensions--namely, the violent heat of summer, the deadly pain +of the wound, the irritation caused by fever, the inflamed state of +the patient's blood; these certainly were conducive in exciting those +melancholy forebodings. A constantly cooling regimen was rigidly +enforced, and the patient kept quiet, free from noise or irritation. At +another stage of the patient's confinement gangrene was again seriously +indeed apprehended; however, from the external application of warm +emolients, &c. &c., this apprehended danger was completely obviated, +suppuration was successfully brought on, and the learned triumvirate +freely acknowledged that the patient might now be pronounced as +nearly out of danger; and in about ten days, or longer, the ball was +cautiously and safely extracted, and with no other ill result, we are +happy to state, than the operation having caused a considerable degree +of torture in the shoulder of our wounded hero. + +Nothing could exceed the manifold attentions which were shown, and the +intense interest that was felt by every individual in the family of +Tyrconnel, and that innumerable kindnesses were fully manifested from +a certain quarter our readers will not be at a loss to guess, during +the illness and progress of recovery of the wounded patient, whose +convalescence, we are happy to state, had so far advanced that he was +daily permitted to walk for an hour in the garden pertaining to the +mansion of Tyrconnel. + +One afternoon the dinner cloth had been just removed; and the family +were seated at their wine, when lo! to the great amazement of the duke +and duchess, a king's messenger was announced, bearing a despatch from +the King of England, which, under envelope and direction of the Lord +Privy Seal, was duly directed "For his Grace the Duke of Tyrconnel, +these--Lonsdale P. S." + +Upon opening and reading the contents of the despatch, the astonishment +of the duke was no way abated. It contained the following:-- + + "I revoke the edict of your banishment; your attainture is taken + off; your honours are restored; and you may now return in safety to + your native land! _You are a man of honour--I will not desire + you to act against your principle. Disturb not the government, and + we shall be very good friends._ + + (L. S.) W. R." + +This important and quite unexpected change in the mind of the English +monarch, which now called forth in return the immediate gratitude +and acknowledgments of him upon whom these favours had so graciously +been bestowed, had happily been effected through the interest and +intercession of the Elector Palatine, the firm friend and patron of Sir +David Bruce; thus no doubt could possibly exist but that through the +earnest representations, and at the especial request of the latter, +this important and conciliatory measure was effectuated. Indeed this +was fully corroborated by the same messenger bearing a despatch from +the Elector Palatine, addressed to Sir David Bruce, which stated that +the Elector felt most happy in having to acquaint him of the complete +success of his interference with the King of England in the behalf of +Sir David's exiled friends. + +The immediate departure of the Duke and Duchess of Tyrconnel from +Brussels, so soon as circumstances would permit, was fully determined +upon. No obstacle, therefore, to preclude the union of Sir David Bruce +and the Lady Adelaide remained, save the delay of their voyage and +journey to Ireland, where, upon the event of their return to Tyrconnel +Castle, it was agreed that the marriage was duly to be solemnized. + +The day previous to their final departure from Brussels Adelaide +devoted in bidding a fond and final farewell to those she sincerely +regarded, and from whom were received numberless attentions during her +sojourn. Adelaide took a parting look at scenes that were endeared to +her by past associations and pleasing recollections. + +"Farewell!" she mentally said, "thou fair and flourishing +city!--patroness of the arts, the mistress of painting--thou queen +of fountains, farewell! Ever rich and luxuriant be thy valleys, thy +gardens, and thy groves; and long may the olive on thy undulating hills +shadow this happy realm in peace!" + +Then, with her accustomed enthusiasm, Adelaide wrote the following + + +FAREWELL TO BELGIUM! + + Farewell, blest land! I leave the while + Serene and social spot; + Ne'er winding Scheldt, nor devious Dyle, + By mem'ry be forgot! + + Dear peaceful scenes for many a year, + While shaded from the foe, + Which oft aroused the filial fear, + Hence far from thee I go! + + If not ungrateful 'twould appear, + I'd ne'er review thy shore; + Yet still through each revolving year + I'd think on thee the more! + + Farewell, fair Belgium! fertile land, + On thee may freedom ever smile; + While commerce courts thy happy strand! + I seek mine own, lov'd, native isle! + +The Duchess of Tyrconnel wrote, according to promise, to Mrs. +Cartwright, duly recording to her the happy turn that fortune had taken +in their favour. A copy of this epistle now lies before us; but as we +are no admirers of unnecessary repetition, we must take the liberty of +wholly suppressing the letter of her Grace. + +Before we close this short, but eventful chapter, we have to observe +that the Soignies banditti, who had been arrested, were tried, +identified, and executed. + +Not once nor twice was Sir Patricius Placebo overheard soliloquizing +to himself thus: "I am," quoth the knight, "in sooth no longer a +philosopher, who is desirous _inter silvas foresti (non academi) +quærere verum_--no, no--_horribile dictu!_ After this confounded +_rencontre_ in cursed Soignies wood, I shall for ever forego and +forswear the eating of Ortolan or Perigord pies, while I live--ahem! +except--that is to say, unless I can eat them with safety in the city! +for there is no general rule or law without an exception; and indeed +the long-robed gentry say as much--_exceptio probat regulam_--ahem! + + "DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!" + +It was at the close of the last week in August, which had now arrived, +when the duke and family took their departure from Brussels, on their +route for Ireland; and while they are on their way we shall conduct our +readers in their transit to the succeeding chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + ---- In the turmoils of our lives, + Men are like politic states, or troubled seas, + Toss'd up and down, with several storms and tempests, + Change and variety of wrecks and fortunes; + Till labouring to the havens of our homes, + We struggle for the calm that crowns our ends. + + FORDE'S "_Lover's Melancholy_." + + +About two months had now passed over, which had been occupied in +travelling to their long-wished for home, since the departure of the +duke and his family from Brussels, the journey having commenced towards +the close of August, and now had arrived the last week in October, +which witnessed the due accomplishment and end of their travels, by +their welcome return to their ancient and magnificent castle. + +No occurrences whatever worthy of record having happened during the +continental journey, the passage of two seas, or while occupied in +their travels through England, Wales, and Ireland, all of which +were performed in perfect safety; and moreover, the weather proved +propitiously mild and serene. + +While the travellers continued their route homeward, the duke thus +expressed his sentiments to the duchess:--"My love, I am fully resolved +for ever to abandon politics and party, to burn my grey goose quill +of diplomacy; I am determined too to relinquish the ways and woes +of war for the cultivation of the happy arts of peace; to desert a +city life for a country life; to arise with the lark, and plough my +paternal lands; to transmute my sword into a ploughshare, and my spear +into a reaping-hook. My firm, fixed intention being decided for ever +tranquilly to abide within my own domains, to pass our time in classic +ease within the venerable towers of Tyrconnel Castle, and there eke out +the remnant of my days until summoned by the cold and chilling call of +death!" + +The duchess said: "My Lord, I most highly approve of your wise +determination, and trust that we yet have many years of happiness +before us." + +With these fixed resolves impressed upon his mind, the duke proceeded +on his way. His journey was now nearly at an end, when the towers of +his lordly, but long unfrequented castle, which bounded the horizon, +arose to view, rich and red, glowing beneath the brilliant beams of the +setting sun, and struck his vision with delight as gladly he approached +his long deserted hereditary halls. + +This long wished return was joyously and generously hailed by all +ranks and descriptions of persons, from the proud peer down to the +lowly peasant; bonfires crowned every surrounding mountain height, +hill, peninsula, and promontory, while they beamed forth a brilliant +welcome to the returned wanderer; the lofty windows of the wealthy, and +the lowly lattices of the cottier, in the town of Tyrconnel, bespoke +the general joy that burst around, and conjointly the wax taper and +rush-light commingled their rays to manifest the heart-yearning +welcome that the duke's happy return had inspired. + +The welcoming notes of the merry pipe and the national harp resounded +blithely over hill and vale. Meanwhile the peasantry were all +collected, and clad in their best and gayest attire; their honest, +grateful, and joyful countenances bearing the impress of their +gladdened hearts, told forth a welcome that was not to be mistaken nor +misunderstood, for it affectionately hailed the much desired return +of their beloved and long exiled benefactor! It was evening when this +interesting scene took place, but all meet preparation had previously +been arranged,--torch, flambeau, and fire-works, had been prepared, and +blazed forth in all becoming brilliancy. + +A triumphal arch, tastefully adorned with appropriate armorial +escutcheons, emblems, and trophies, and crowned with wreaths and +festoons of living shrubs and flowers, adorned the pass which led to +the castellated gateway. Bouquets and coronals of flowers were flung +along the way, while grateful shouts made the welkin ring as the ducal +train passed along. Groups of lovely damsels united their welcome +song, and soon joined hands with the manly peasants in the national +Irish dance of the _Rinceadh-Fada_.[1] + +Once more the ducal standard floated on "the Raven Tower," the cannon +on the terrace thundered forth a princely _salvo_, which boomed upon +the buoyant waves of the deep Atlantic, and was re-echoed by the castle +walls, while the loud continued shouts of a grateful and happy tenantry +bore burden to the burst of joy. + +It would be difficult to express the exultation and gladness that +pervaded all ranks, and which the old domestics in particular displayed +in no common way; Mrs. Judith Brangwain, the venerable old nurse of +Lady Adelaide, seemed nearly crazed with joy at the long wished, +but unhoped return of her dear Mavourneen, her best beloved young +lady:--"Oh," she exclaimed, "at last have I survived, with these mine +aged eyes, to witness this happy, happy day! Oh, never, never, did I +expect so great a blessing; I am stricken in years, and nearly blind, +yet the Lord be praised for these and all his mercies!" + + [Footnote 1: This dance has been already described in note to + chapter xv. vol. I. It only is necessary here to observe, that the + popular dance at present prevalent in Ireland is called the _long + dance_; it is similar to that of the Danes in Holstein, and other + parts of Denmark, which they term _de lange danz_, or "the long + dance." This dance still continues up to the present period to be + performed in the country parts of Ireland, upon the occurrence of + a young heir arriving at the bright and sunny epoch of twenty-one; + and likewise upon the event of his marriage, or upon any other + happy and unexpected occasion of rejoicing.] + +Next the old crone sung with joy and delight, held up her garments in +jig attitude, and capered about as if actually bitten by a tarantula; +then seized and led out, _per_ force, old Sandy Rakeweel, the Scotch +gardener, with whom she danced an Irish reel, and that too with so +much _qui vive_, as to demonstrate that the joys of her dancing days +had not passed over. This frolic was performed on the green sward, and +honest old Sandy, when the reel was completed, which, sooth to say, +he had undertaken _nolens volens_, vehemently exclaimed, "'Fore Saint +Aundrewe, Mrs. Judith, wi' a' her whigmaleeries was ower pauky, to hap, +step, an' loup wi' me; the gude woman is a' fou' and sae daft she ha' +geck'd a' her wits into a creel, aiblins she hae been bit by a bogle. +Ise naer be so jundied in a jig again; yet I'm not meikle fashed--nae, +nae!" + +There was, exclusive of the ancient Mrs. Judith, another venerable +follower of this noble family, in whom the general joy, so conspicuous +amongst all ranks, was not the less sincere and ardent, and this was +the aged and sightless minstrel, old Cormac, whose best suit was duly +assumed upon this happy occasion, to welcome home his kind and generous +master; his harp was newly strung, and carefully tuned aright; and +patiently, but anxiously, in the baronial hall he awaited the entrance +of the duke and family, upon whose welcome approach he thus poured +forth his strains of gratitude and affection upon his noble Lord's +return. + + +OLD CORMAC'S WELCOME. + + Returned once more from foreign lands, + Behold the noble exile stands + Within his lordly hall! + + His faulchion smote his country's foes, + His king's defeat hath caused these woes, + Which his brave breast inthrall. + + Oh, welcome to thy lordly towers, + Thy princely seat, thy happy bowers, + A grateful welcome all! + + Now never more to roam afar, + Nor plunge 'mid tide of crimson war, + Shall fate thy arms recall! + + But here in tranquil rural ease, + Such as a soul like thine can please, + May never grief appal! + + In virtue long, and years to shine, + Be each domestic blessing thine! + And ev'ry boon that heaven can give, + When thy poor bard hath ceased to live! + +When the ancient and sightless bard had concluded this, his _improviso_ +welcome, he appeared absolutely overpowered, and shed a copious +torrent of tears, which flowed from eyes long indeed closed to the +light, but not to intensity of feeling! But these were not tears of +sorrow, they were effusions of grateful affection, that often speak the +joyful feelings of the heart, while the tongue remains wholly silent. +His was the unspeakable joy at his noble benefactor's happy return in +health and peace, after so long an absence, to his ancient towers. The +duke, duchess, Lady Adelaide, &c. &c. &c. in succession approached the +aged minstrel to express severally their approbation of his song, and +thanks for the feeling manner in which his welcome had been expressed. +The duke obligingly and condescendingly said to him:--"My friend +Cormac, although thy locks are more blenched and snowy than they were +when last we parted, yet I am glad to find that your heart is not +chilled by the frost of age, and that the chords of thy harp so sweetly +still respond to a master's touch!" + +Then addressing one of his pages, his Grace said, "Fill, fill the +goblet high to the very brim, and present it to the bard!" + +In sooth we need not say that sightless, honest Cormac retired to rest +that night the happiest old man in the province of Ulster; his slumbers +were sound and serene, and his dreams flattering as ever youthful poet +dreamt. + +The next morning, when breakfast was concluded, the duke said in a +lively way:--"Come, come, Sir David, you have not travelled here for +nothing, we must e'en show you the curiosities of the country. There +lives, or rather vegetates, not far hence, a wight, the most eccentric +being perhaps that ever existed--I pray you go see him. This personage +is Squire Cornelius Kiltipper, of Crownagalera Castle, once the mighty +Nimrod of these parts. You must, moreover, know, that from Squire +Kiltipper's determined addiction to strong liquors, and likewise +from the fatal consequence of a far-bruited boozing bout, in which +he actually out-drank and out-lived his opponent in a long continued +contest; (the defunct had been a gauger who thus succumbed in death, +even at the base of the Squire's dinner-table;) in consequence of which +Kiltipper was ever afterwards called, in popular parlance, _Squire +Kil-Toper_! For, Sir David, you must know that the lower class of my +countrymen are feelingly sensible of the ridiculous, and extremely fond +of _soubriquets_, or nick-names.--Indeed they are curious bodies! So +I pray you proceed to see this curiosity, and my kind Sir Patricius +Placebo shall, upon this occasion, be your _conduttóre_." + +Acceding to this recommendation of the duke, Sir David Bruce, +accompanied by Sir Patricius Placebo, proceeded onward in their +walk; and, as a _prétexte par hazard_, they carried with them their +fowling-pieces, and were accompanied with a couple of pointers, and an +attendant terrier. They set out, and walked across the field-paths, in +due direction for the castle of Crownagela, which was distant about two +miles. + +Upon their arrival they stoutly knocked at the hall-door, but the +servant refused admittance. However, after some parlance, and the rank +of the visitors having been announced, they were admitted. Here a loud +and general exclamation vociferated from the parlour, struck the ears +of the visitors--"A song, a song!" The servant upon this observed, +"Gentlemen, yees must have the goodness to wait just a bit till this +same song is over, and then I will show yees to my master. If I dare +go in now, to transdispose their musicals, the penalty would be, that +I should be flung flat out of the window, and that, I am sartin, would +not quite plaze yees." + +While the visitors waited with what patience they might, before they +were admitted to an audience with the original whom they had come +to visit, the following bacchanalian song was conjointly sung; and +which rumour likewise reported to have been composed by the vocal +triumvirate, namely, Mr. Barrabbas Tithestang, the proctor, Mr. Simon +Swigg, the gauger, and Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, the parish clerk and +sexton: but the latter personage was strongly suspected to have had the +principal hand, or pen, in the precious composition. + + +SONG. + +I. + + When first the day-star gems the sky, + When flickering swallows upward fly; + While shrill the matin-herald crows, + And thrifty Joan to spin hath rose, + Then only, brave boys, it is day! + +II. + + Our cup let's drink, we will not slink, + We leave to those, who wish, to think! + Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round? + Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground! + And drink on, brave boys, until day! + +III. + + Who joins not in our jovial bout, + Drink, meat, and fire, should do without; + Soon let this stout _magnum_ be quaffed, + He says nay, shall surely be laughed. + Then only, brave boys, it will be day! + +IV. + + The dawn hath past, the sun at last + Round our revels his beams has cast; + Yet ere we go a parting glass, + Our toast a sprightly, buxom lass. + My brave boys only now it is day! + Only now, my brave boys, it is day! + +Squire Kiltipper, somewhat pleased, sung a semi-stave of the song:-- + + "Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round? + Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground! + Ha, ha, ha! + +A very plain and palpable alternative truly, the drunkard fairly caught +on the horns of the mathematician's dire dilemma, and then to flounder +on the floor--ha, ha! Oh, lame and lamentable conclusion! Come lads, +the health of the composer; hip, hip,--hurrah!" + +This toast drank at mid-noon, however strange to tell, was loudly +chorussed, with various manual accompaniments inflicted on the table, +until the window panes and the very drinking-glasses again returned +the echo; and amid this uproar the door was opened, and the visitors +introduced, their names being duly announced. Squire Kiltipper was +discovered seated in his bed, holding in his hand the MS. of the +precious rant which had just been sung; he wore spectacles; his dark +beard was unshorn; he wore on his head a cap made of otter skin; he was +habited in a scarlet waistcoat trimmed with rabbit skin, over which +he wore a dressing-gown of purple camlet; his small clothes, which had +been once white, but now stained with claret, reminded one rudely of +the union of the rival roses of York and Lancaster! The Squire arose +to receive his guests, but was preceded by his prime minister, Bounce, +his favourite greyhound, who had been also snugly reposing under cover +of the counterpane, which now rising to a portentous height, he and +his master were safely delivered from the thraldom of the bed-clothes, +and the Squire politely advancing, paid obeisance to his visitors, and +invited them to luncheon. + +The guests were, Mr. Simon Swigg, the gauger, Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, +the parish clerk and sexton, and Mr. Barabbas Tithestang, the +proctor, who began the world a beggar's brat, and barefooted withal; +_sans_ shoe, _sans_ stocking, _sans_ every thing, save a large and +inexhaustible stock of confidence; but was now metamorphosed into a +country justice; and this squire of mean degree enjoying the _otium cum +dignitate_ of four hundred pounds per annum, besides the important +privilege of daily _entrè_ to the dinner-table of Squire Kiltipper, +_alias_ Kill-Toper! + +These gentry were the squire's led captains, his most abject vassals, +whose presence at his table contributed, by their native gross humour, +to divert the tedious hours of the squire, and whose society had now +become quite necessary to his existence. He had been well educated, +and was not deficient in mental ability; but his sad propensity to the +worship of Bacchus had nearly hebetated the powers of his mind, and +had nearly likewise debilitated his powers of loco-motion by frequent +confirmed attacks of gout, which had much undermined his constitution. + +In the centre of the room was stationed a table, on which still stood +some stout cheer, the remains of last night's banquet; here were to +be seen the remnant of a huge venison pasty, cold roast beef, pickled +oysters, cold roasted fowls, tongues, &c., and relics of exhausted +bottles reposing like dead men upon the carpet. Upon the approach +of the strangers, Vulcan and Hecate, his two favourite cats, that +had been busily employed in subdividing the venison pasty, at sight +of the visitor's dogs most incontinently abandoned their plunder, +loudly yelling, and retreating with precipitation, they scampered up +the chimney; while the general panic, with effect of electricity, +communicating its fearful effects to his favourite pigeons, who had +been peaceably reposing, with their gentle heads under their wings, +upon the tester of the bed; but now they sprang up in affright, as if +pursued by falcon or eagle, and dashed themselves suddenly against the +window-casement; the poor pigeons received some slight hurts, and the +Squire was evidently discomfited. "D---- n, I say, to Vulcan and Hecate; +but I am indeed sorry for my pretty pets--my dear pigeons. You know, my +worthy and venerated Sir Patricius, how much I am obligated to my late +dear, dear, dear uncle Commodore Pigeon, of Capstern Hall in Yorkshire, +who bequeathed me an estate to the tune of nearly two thousand pounds +per annum; and therefore you can fully account for my warm attachment +to the pretty bird that bears his honoured name! I am now waxing old, +and peradventure am not exempt from the follies of old age; I have +long since become tired of the chace, my bugle-horn hangs silent in my +hall, and my unkennelled hounds wander forth, to my cost, committing +petty larcenies amid the peaceably disposed ducks and turkeys of the +vicinage; my hunters I have turned abroad to increase and multiply +exceedingly, and cats daily kitten in my quondam boots of the chase! +But I have dwelt too long on myself and mine own concern--I give you a +hearty congratulation upon your safe return to these parts, and also at +the happy return of the duke to his ancient towers. I pray you that you +both stop and dine with me; I can only promise you a yeoman's fare, but +indeed you shall likewise have a friend's welcome! For, Sir Patricius, +I do esteem thee, and I do consider thee, by yea and nay, a man of the +most recondite taste and parlous judgment that I ever have encountered; +withal resembling, methinks, most accurately what old Flaccus terms +'_Homo ad unguem factus_.'" + +Sir Patricius politely thanked him for his too good opinion of him, +which he feared was rather overrated, and apologized for the next +to impossibility of accepting of his friendly invitation, which +they begged to postpone to some more opportune time. And now having +quite sufficiently amused themselves with the eccentric Squire of +Crownagelera Castle, Sir David Bruce and Sir Patricius Placebo again +returned thanks for the proffered hospitality of Squire Kiltoper, and +having bade him good morning, set out on their return, "_Non sine multo +risu_," as Sir Patricius expressed himself, for Tyrconnel Castle. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Now go with me, and with this holy man, + Into the chauntry by: there before him, + And underneath that consecrated roof, + Plight me the full assurance of your faith! + + TWELFTH NIGHT. + + +The thirty-first day of October, sixteen hundred ninety and----, +being the birth-day of our heroine, was the morning appointed for +the solemnization of the nuptials of Sir David Bruce and the Lady +Adelaide Raymond. The young lady's consent, and that of her noble +parents, having been previously obtained, and also that _sine qua non_ +preliminary of nuptial happiness--to wit, a marriage license, having +been duly and properly procured, no obstacle to their happy union now +remained. Preparations upon a grand scale had been in a progressive +state of forwardness for some weeks at Tyrconnel Castle, to crown the +nuptial banquet, and every delicacy and luxury that taste could select, +or that money could procure, were not wanting to furnish forth the +splendid marriage feast. The Duke of Tyrconnel, in order to add to the +pomp and circumstance of the event, had a new state coach built for the +happy bridal day, _selon des reglès_, as then the fashion of the day +controlled. The carriage was connected by massive crane necks, which in +our modern days of fashion have crept down and shrunk into a slender +perch; these were richly carved and gilt. The wheels were of a very +circumscribed orbit; and the naves were gilt, as well as the spokes. +The springs likewise were of burnished gold; while the ponderous +massive body, with shape (if it could so be called) which much more, +in sooth, resembled a city barge abducted from its natural element, +and aided by wheels in its terrestrial progressions; or perhaps as +cumbersome, although not as unsightly, as a French diligence--but +assuredly not to be compared with the present modern _turn-out_ of a +nobleman. Ducal coronets of brass, richly embossed and gilt, adorned +and surrounded the four angles of the roof of the state carriage. +A splendidly embroidered hammer-cloth mantled the coach-box, which +was destined to glitter in the last rays of a brilliant October sun, +upon this ever-memorable day, and to glance forth the rich emblazoned +quarterings of the noble houses of Tyrconnel and O'Nial. The superb +liveries of the domestics were neither overlooked nor forgotten upon +this happy occasion; they were indeed truly magnificent; they were of +rich green cloth, with gold embroidery and trimming. + +Sir David Bruce had also duly in readiness a very handsome town +chariot, which he had caused to be built for the occasion. This was +drawn by four handsome horses, and guided by two postillions, preceded +by two outriders, and in the rere followed by two footmen on horseback, +their housings ornamented with the Bruce crest in embroidery, and +from each holster peeped forth travelling pistols, mounted in chased +silver, and richly ornamented. The outriders had the additional +appendage of belts slung from their shoulders, to each of which were +attached small silver powder flasks, or priming horns. The same state +attended upon the duke and duchess. Six running footmen, (the fashion +of the day,) with ribbons streaming at their knees, and with long +white walking-poles, entwined with ribbon and surmounted with favours, +preceded the carriage of the duke, and as many were the precursors of +the carriage in which were seated the duchess and the beauteous bride. +Such was to be the pomp and procession destined for this illustrious +bridal. + +Old Cormac seemed resolutely determined that he at least should not +be omitted in the _dramatis personæ_ of this most memorable day. At +an early hour, therefore, with due intention of the full performance +of his resolve, he was seen flitting from alley green to the dark +embowered wood, bearing his constant companion, his harp; and as the +old gardener somewhat quaintly expressed it, "he was for a' the warld +like a hen on a het girdle!" + +Old honest Cormac's intention could not long be mistaken or +misunderstood; for soon with right shoulder forward, and strong +intuitive confidence, he stoutly marched onward, nor did the veteran +halt until he had reached Lady Adelaide's flower garden, where he +was often accustomed to sit and play; where having arrived, he soon +seated himself upon a rustic chair, beneath the casement of the Lady +Adelaide's chamber, where anon he began to strum and tune his harp. +The moment that the sightless bard had begun his minstrelsy, vocal +and instrumental, it was with considerable delight and joy that he +distinctly heard the casement window of Lady Adelaide to be thrown +open. Meanwhile the lovely fair (in whose honest praise the poetic +raptures of the ancient minstrel were composed) looked down upon +her old, faithful, and favourite bard, while mirthfully he sung and +accompanied the following:-- + + +NUPTIAL SONG. + + Sweet Robin, perch'd on yonder spray, + So sweetly sings his matin lay, + To welcome forth this brilliant day, + And greet the Bruce and Adelaide! + + Behold the sun with genial gleam, + O'er the lofty mountain beam, + Dispelling mist like nightly dream, + To cheer the Bruce and Adelaide! + + Arise fair lady!--Love, perchance, + Hath pow'r to wake thee from this trance, + And hail the matin hour's advance, + So dear to Bruce and Adelaide! + + O'er him, the fond, the gen'rous youth, + O'er her who gave her plighted truth-- + On both may bliss each treasure shed, + While children crown the bridal bed + Of noble Bruce and Adelaide! + + And oh! until their final hour, + May friendship cheer, and love have pow'r + To spread each charm amid their bow'r, + And bless the Bruce and Adelaide! + +Here ceased the old sightless Cormac, while tears of deep and intense +feeling and affection trickled down his venerable, time-furrowed +cheeks. + +Adelaide descended from her chamber, and entering the garden, with +great sweetness and condescension approached the old minstrel: "Thanks, +many thanks, my kind and ancient bard, for this thy matin lay; and here +too is a boon withal for the minstrel."--At the same time placing a +gold doubloon in his hand. + +"Oh, receive my warm, grateful thanks, my dear, kind--my noble young +mistress--_Cead millia failtha_! May the benison of the sightless bard +bless you and yours for ever and ever! Indeed I dare not refuse the +bridal present, for it carries luck and happiness, and every thing that +is kind, and noble, and good, along with it. God bless you, young lady, +and may you be as happy as you deserve; this, young lady, is the warm +and fervent prayer of poor blind old Cormac!" + +The Lady Adelaide felt much affected with the respect and affection +manifested by the ancient minstrel, and once more thanking him for his +verses, adjourned to the breakfast-room. While on her way she was met +by Sir David Bruce at the garden door, and according to the fashion +and reserve of that day, he ceremoniously led by the hand his lovely +mistress. They now entered the breakfast parlour, where they found the +duke with the family assembled, to whom they kindly bade good morrow. + +The worthy and venerable Bishop Bonhomme and his lady had arrived, +as also the bride's-maids, and the whole of the company who had been +invited to the wedding. And the bridal breakfast having begun and +ended, the splendid equipages of the noble party were ordered to +approach the grand porch of the castle. And here that our fair readers +may not "burst in ignorance" of the mode and manner in which a marriage +in high life was conducted in those times by the _gens de condition_, +we shall endeavour to give a report, albeit not copied _verbatim_ from +the court gazette of the day. + +Bishop Bonhomme and his lady first departed from the castle, ascending +their state chariot, if indeed it could be called ascending a vehicle, +the body of which was barely raised some inches above the carriage +part, and which was all richly carved and gilt, and also attached by +low massive crane-necks. The single step by which the ascent into the +chariot was accomplished, was fastened perpendicularly at the outside: +it was finely carved and gilt, and of the shape and form of the escalop +shell, and two golden keys, interlaced and embossed, adorned its +centre. In lieu of leather pannels at the sides and back, the body was +ornamented all around with windows of rich plate glass, from the royal +factory of Saint Idelphonso, by means of which a full view was clearly +presented to the spectator of those within. + +The bishop wore a full-dress orthodox peruke; he was arrayed in his +robes and lawn sleeves; his white bridal gloves were trimmed with gold. +He looked very episcopal and dignified. The pannels of the chariot +were emblazoned with their due quantity of mitres; a rich _bordure_ of +the crozier, interlaced with foliations of the shamrock, adorned the +sides and angles. The state chariot was drawn by six sleek, stately, +coalblack steeds, whose long and bushy tails nearly swept the ground. +It was driven by an old, fat, jolly-looking coachman, who displayed +fully to every beholder that he was not stinted in his meals at the +palace, to which his portentous paunch bore full attestation. He was +assisted by two postillions, arrayed in rich purple jackets and purple +velvet caps. Six footmen, in their episcopal state liveries, stood +behind. Next in the procession came on the state coach and six of the +duke, in which were seated his Grace and two of his Reverend chaplains. +Then followed the state coach and six which contained the duchess and +her lovely daughter, and Lady Adelaide's two bride's-maids. Next came +on the chariot and four of Sir David Bruce, which contained the Baronet +and Sir Patricius Placebo. These were followed by numerous carriages of +the surrounding nobility and gentry; the servants all decorated with +silver favours; while numerous parties of the tenants and peasants, +"dressed in all their best," some on horseback and others on foot, +closed the extended cavalcade. + +The joyful pealing of the sacred chimes now cheerily rang forth from +the cathedral tower, to salute the natal morn of Lady Adelaide. + +Meanwhile a number of female peasants were seen advancing, arrayed in +white, their heads garlanded with living flowers. They danced before +the bride's carriage; and so soon as the cavalcade had reached the +cathedral porch, as the bride entered, they strewed the way before with +rosemary, gilliflowers, and marygolds; the mystery and signification +of which was this--the first stood for remembrance, the second for +gentleness, and the last for marriage, being an alliteration between +the name of the flower and that of the thing signified. + +Old Bellrope, the sexton and verger, who, "man and boy," had witnessed +many nuptials celebrated in the venerable cathedral, solemnly +asseverated that he had never before set eye upon so beautiful a +couple! To do due honours to the ceremony, he had newly purchased +a verger's gown, and wore a purple cloth coat, waistcoat, and +indispensables, which had appertained in the olden time to some pious +bishop of defunct celebrity. His wig was very commendably frizzed, +thanks to the skill and indefatigability of Madam Bellrope, and looked +unusually gay, from a judicious distribution of a successful foray made +upon the drudging-box by the said thrifty dame, so that it provoked a +remark from Sandy Rakeweel, the gardener at the castle, an honest old +Caledonian devoid of guile:--"That indeed auld Bellrope's peruke for a' +the warld remeended him o' aine of his awn kale plants in fu' flower in +the middle o' August." + +The noble procession entered the cathedral porch, where being duly +marshalled in meet heraldic pomp, rank, and file, the distinguished +persons proceeded along the venerable nave. Lady Adelaide was +arrayed in a silver tissue, a splendid tiara of pearls, in form of a +shamrock-wreath, encircled her noble brow, with ear-rings of the same, +and on her lovely neck she wore "a rich and orient carcanet."[2] + +Sir David Bruce, with firm and dignified step and gesture, advanced, +leading onward by the hand to the bridal altar the lovely Lady +Adelaide, her eye beaming with all the radiance of intelligence and +of genius, while the deep glow of health and the blush of modesty +mantled her beauteous cheek as she approached the sacred altar, the +gaze, delight, and admiration of all, high and low, who beheld her. Her +graceful, but bashful step, and her modest mien, reminded the spectator +of Milton's fine description of Eve, when + + "Onward she came, led by her heav'nly Maker," &c. + + [Footnote 2: Carcanet, the diminutive of _carcan_, a chain;--it + means a necklace.] + +As pure and spotless Adelaide stepped to the holy altar. But it was +impossible to withhold the veneration and admiration called forth +by the appearance, voice, manner, and noble countenance of the good +bishop, who, indeed, more than seemed "the beauty of holiness," while +with a clear, distinct, and dignified intonation of voice, he read the +sacred service. + +The ceremony concluded, the bridal party went forth in the same order +in which it had commenced, save that Sir David Bruce and his fair +bride rode in the same carriage from the cathedral. Sir Patricius +Placebo returned in the duke's carriage. The remainder of the morning +was occupied until dinner time in various rides and drives to view +the beauties of the surrounding country; some went out on a boating +excursion on the beautiful lake of Loch-Neagh, others drove out in low +phaetons, or cabriolets; and some went on a walking excursion to view +the lawns and woods of Tyrconnel, thus to occupy the time until dinner. +The elder folks sat down to the green field of the card-table, playing +at primero, cribbage, ombre, &c., _jusque à diner_. + +The dinner was splendidly superb. The services of richly chased and +embossed plate which this day decorated the nuptial table, were truly +magnificent. One service was of gold, two others were of silver. + +In the evening there was a grand ball, which was opened by Sir David +Bruce and his beauteous bride; they were followed by the Duke and +Duchess of Tyrconnel, who, (ah, good old-fashioned times!) upon this +occasion, tripped it on the light fantastic toe; they were soon +followed by a large group, who danced down the _contrè-danse_ with +great spirit; a smile of joy was evidently seen in the benevolent face +of Bishop Bonhomme, and he was even seen to beat time with his head and +foot. + +Brilliant illuminations were observable throughout the domain, various +coloured lamps were garlanded from tree to tree, and likewise across +different avenues in the lawn. + +A banquet was spread for the duke's tenantry, where most excellent +and substantial fare was presented in abundance to all; and there was +no lack of strong beer, which flowed forth in streams. Fire-works of +various kinds were played off. And the duke's band of French horns, +stationed in different parts of the park, played various tunes, which +were sweetly echoed by the adjoining woods, and the responding waters +of the Eske. + +The tenants and peasantry did not omit the Irish dance, the +_Rinceadh-Fada_, which was danced with great spirit and grace in front +of the windows of the baronial hall. Old Cormac was now summoned to +assist at the ceremonies and the gaiety of the hall. Upon command to +attend, his remark was--"Weel, weel, 'twas anely as I expected!" He +immediately hastened to the festive scene, and brought with him a +Scotch harper, old Donald, who had been a retainer in the family of +Bruce, and whom the intelligence of the nuptials that were that day +to be solemnized had brought into the neighbourhood. Here a polite +and courteous contest arose between the minstrels, each standing +upon etiquette, and quite ready to award to the other the right of +precedence; however, this posing point, _d'embarras_, was at length +finally settled by Donald's declaring, that "he wad na pla' at a' afore +maister Cormac." So, _volens, nolens_, old Cormac seized his harp, and +thus began, accompanying his instrument with the following verses:-- + + May plenty, peace, long bless the isle + Where pity's tear can woe beguile! + Erin! the nations envy thee, + From scorpion, snake, and viper free; + Thy sacred saint's high potency! + + Where beauty with Hygeia dwells, + Fell Discord flies these happy dells; + Where plaintive thrills thy island lyre, + Where kindling glows the social fire; + And jocund Hymen crowns the scene, + While pipes the shepherd's tuneful reed, + From his straw cottage on the mead, + And smiles each valley green! + +Cormac sung the foregoing simple lines in order that he might be +entitled to call upon old Donald; who now being left without an +apology, and endeavouring to recollect a song, after a short pause the +Scottish minstrel struck his harp, and thus began:-- + + +I THOUGHT ON DISTANT HAME! + + Ah! while I saftly tuned my sang, + The hawthorn's hoary bloom amang, + I thought on friends I lov'd sae lang; + I thought on distant hame! + + I thought on those I lov'd when young, + Of those wha died the wars amang, + Of those for whom the knell had rang, + Far frae their happy home! + + I thought of those on foreign shore, + Beneath the tempest's dreadful roar, + Wha sank frae waves to rise nae mo', + To hail their distant hame! + + I thought on the auld parent's smart, + Sorrowing his anely bairn to part, + Whase face nae mair shall cheer his heart, + Nor joy the parent's hame! + + I thought on the hapless maiden's woe, + Her true-love doom'd to see nae mo', + Her reason tint beneath the blow, + And desolate her hame! + + Then through this warld where e'er I stray, + In winter's gloam, or simmer's ray; + I'll sigh for a' wha far awa' + Like me regret their hame! + +Donald received applause upon the conclusion of his pathetic song; +who, in return, bowed low and respectfully to the company. Here the +minstrels tuned their pipes with a refreshing draught of Innishowen and +water, of which commixture the first ingredient was, doubtless, the +most predominant. + +It now came to Cormac's turn to strike his harp. When about to proceed +the duke observed: "I fear, old friend Cormac, that it now waxes late, +and we shall not have much time for any lengthened production, for you +are aware that when the great hall-clock shall strike the ninth hour +we proceed to supper. This rule at our castle is as peremptory and +inviolable as the ancient laws of the Medes and Persians; so remember, +good Cormac!" + +"Never fear, your Grace's honour, I shall not fail to obey you." + +Then turning to Lady Adelaide Bruce, he said: "I will sing the loves +of Sir Trystan and the beautiful Isoud! they were young and noble; +they were likewise comely too, lovely lady: but they were unfortunate +in their loves. Grant, O heaven, that such a fate may never betide the +Lady Adelaide or Sir David!" He then commenced-- + + +THE ROMAUNT + +OF SIR TRYSTAN AND LA BELLE ISOUD. + + Arouse thee, old Cormac! recite the fond tale + Of Isoud La Belle of renowned Innisfail,[3] + Beauty's bright paragon; of chivalry tell + Sir Trystan the valiant, and Isoud La Belle. + A daughter of Erin, of Aöngus proud king + No story more noble a minstrel might sing! + Let the pioba[4] and harp triumphantly tell + Of Trystan the valiant and Isoud La Belle! + Aloud to fair Christendom, in numbers proclaim, + With voice of the trumpet, the chosen of fame! + + Nor ever be _Arthur_ the noble forgot! + The prince and his friend, who _were_, and _are not_! + For long since, with valour and chivalry crown'd, + A tomb piled by heroes these heroes have found; + Not envy, malice, nor time, shall be able + To shadow a chief of Arthur's round table! + + O long shall the lily,[5] the ivy, and bay, + Frame a wreath round the hero, the pride of his day; + And now bursting forth from cearment and gloom, + Once more shall the victor arise from his tomb. + + He comes, the proud chieftain, to Cornwall's steep coast, + Sir Trystan the valiant, high chivalry's boast; + The friend of Prince Arthur descended in line + From heroes whose glory 'tis his to enshrine: + + Still nobly look up to their banner so proud, + The forfeit, dishonour, disgrace, and the shroud! + 'Aye, ever his honour Sir Trystan shall cherish, + When it shall be lost his wish is to perish! + And shrink mid the ignoble, worthless, and dead, + When the halo of glory shall wane on his head!' + + [Footnote 3: Innisfail is one of the ancient names of Ireland;--it + means the isle of fate or destiny. It was so called from possessing + an ancient stone chair, on which was sculptured in Gaelic, + + Or fate is false, or where this stone shall be + The Scots shall reign a powerful monarchy. + + It was afterwards removed to Scotland, and subsequently to England. + It is now placed under the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey.] + + [Footnote 4: Mala-pioba--the bagpipes. The late Mr. Cooper Walker + in his "Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards," in a note at + foot of page 81, speaking on the subject of the Irish bagpipes, + (which, by the way, are played upon by the finger, and not like + the Scotch pipes, which are played by the lips,) he makes the + following remark:--"I have been informed that George II. was so + much delighted with the performance of an Irish gentleman on the + bagpipes, that he ordered a medal to be struck for him."] + + [Footnote 5: Sir Trystrem was entitled to the lily, being a royal + son of France; he was designated Sir Trystrem of Lyons. He was + nephew to Mark, king of Cornwall. His name really was _Tristrem_, + but we suppose, for sake of euphony, old Cormac thought he was + privileged to change it.] + + + +Just at the conclusion of the above, to the horror, confusion, and +surprise of old Cormac, the German clock in the baronial hall chimed +musically forth the ninth hour. But it was no music to the ear of +Cormac, who in dumb despair somewhat sullenly laid down his harp, +knowing that remonstrance would not be heard, and that solicitation was +all in vain. But the duke was loud in his commendations, in which he +was duly echoed by his guests, and Cormac was assured that the company +should certainly be gratified upon the succeeding night, and at an +earlier hour, with the remainder of the Romaunt of Trystan and Isoud. + +The company now descended to the great supper-room, where a most superb +banquet was spread for the noble guests. The wassail-bowl was duly +and meetly placed in the centre of the table upon a magnificent gold +plateau. The bowl was decorated with artificial flowers, festoons of +"true-lover's knots," "rose-buds," "heart's-ease," "forget me not," and +the bow and arrow of Cupid were not omitted. + +"The spiced wassail-bowl,"[6] duly impregnated with love philtres, +was composed of Muscadel,[7] principally, in which, _inter alia_, +the following ingredients were mixed in this mystic beverage: namely, +angelica, adianthum, eggs, eringo, orchis, &c. The concoction was +made with great caution, measure, and propriety, according to the +_avoirdupois_ weight, as duly laid down in the family receipt book. +The bride and bridegroom, of course, were the first to quaff from this +charmed potion, and then those who chose to follow their example. + + [Footnote 6: "The spiced wassail-bowl."--See Fletcher's "Faithful + Shepherdess," act V. p. 108. Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, vol. + IV. The efficacy of love philtres was credited from the days of + Pliny even down to the seventeenth century! See Sir Walter Scott's + "Sir Tristrem," p. 298; and also Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. III. + p. 459.] + + [Footnote 7: Muscadel.--This species of wine was a common + ingredient in the wassail-bowls, which were peculiarly in favour at + Christmas.--_Note to "the Pilgrim," by Beaumont and Fletcher_, vol. + V. p. 429. Muscadel is likewise noticed in the same volume in the + play called "The Woman's Prize," p. 263. + + "Sweet gentleman with muscadel." + + Mr. Weber adds in a note, "This passage, perhaps, explains the + reason why wine was offered immediately after the marriage ceremony + to the bride and bridegroom generally before they left the church." + The following passage occurs in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew:" + + "After many ceremonies done, + He calls for _wine_. 'A health,' quoth he, as if + He had been abroad carousing to his mates + After a storm.---- Quaffed off the _muscadel_, + And threw the sops all in the sexton's face.] + +The song, the jest, and the cup, detained the company until the +eleventh hour, a time in that primitive period which was considered +late; when mutually pleasing and pleased, the noble guests arose to +separate; and all retired to their respective chambers to repose, +pleased and delighted with the hospitalities of this happy and most +memorable day. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + The bridegroom may forget the bride + Was made his wedded wife yestreen. + + BURNS. + + +It was on a serene autumnal morning succeeding the day of Lady +Adelaide's nuptials, the sun had brilliantly arisen, dispelling the +misty gloom and dews of night, and shed around his broad refracted +rays; unruffled by a passing cloud, a clear and lofty sky spread forth +its mighty canopy of mild aërial blue; the twittering swallows hovered +around, and circled in mid-air, while clustering, they chattered their +parting lullaby. The solitary redbreast too joined in nature's chorus, +and thrilled forth his matin song. Every mountain lake shone forth a +glassy mirror, and the waves of the mighty Atlantic hushed to repose, +slumbered amid their coral caves; what time the minister of the gospel +of peace, the Reverend Doctor M'Kenzie, returned to the castle of his +noble and generous patron, after a long protracted absence of many +years. + +His return had been provokingly delayed by long continued ill health, +and besides by various vexatious detainers, such as bad roads, bad +drivers, the cumbersome, ill-constructed vehicles of those days, +and having encountered various disastrous chances of many "moving +accidents" by sea and land, which had all concurred with direful +combination to retard his journey, and prevent his being present upon +the auspicious day when the lovely heiress of the noble duke was to +bestow her hand in marriage. + +His Reverence received a kind and hearty welcome from the duke and +duchess, and all the inmates of the castle were rejoiced to behold his +return, and to find that his health was quite re-established, so as to +have permitted him to undertake such a long and fatiguing journey. His +health and spirits were indeed much recruited through the beneficial +effects of the waters of Pyrmont, which, like those of fabled Lethe, +seemed to cause a total oblivion of all the perils inflicted amid the +deep, and the dangers and difficulties sustained upon land. + +Matters went on at the castle this day pretty much alike to what they +had upon the preceding ever memorable yesterday, which witnessed the +happy union of Sir David Bruce and the Lady Adelaide. A large company +assembled at the castle, and sat down to a splendid dinner in the great +hall of state. The desert could boast fruits collected from every +quarter of the globe, and every rich, rare, and generous wine, sparkled +on the board, and were poured forth in hospitable libations-- + + "The mellow-tinted Burgundy; and quick + As is the wit it gives, the brisk Champaign." + +In the evening there was a concert of instrumental music, which was +performed on the terrace; cards and supper succeeded; every thing was +conducted and served up in a style at once splendid and superb. + +The company had all departed to their homes, and the guests had +retired to their chambers; but the duke and duchess, and the bride +and bridegroom, still tarried, engaged in pleasant discourse; when +at length the noble host and hostess also took leave, and embracing +their beloved daughter, and cordially shaking Sir David by the hand, +they bade good night, and ascended to their chamber. The bridal pair +now also remained some few moments engaged in sweet converse, when he +said:--"My love, retire to your chamber, and soon I shall follow thee; +I have a letter or two to write, and despatch by the messenger, who at +dawn of day departs to deposit them in the general post. I have too a +few letters to read; these being despatched, quickly I shall retire +anon to our chamber. The night is a cold autumnal one, but I know that +I shall find a blazing fire--a heart still warmer than that fire, and +sweet smiles withal, to welcome me when I shall rejoin thee.--Go, go, +my love!" he said, and affectionately embraced her. + +He sat for some time reading and writing, for the papers were of +importance. He now arose from his chair, and was about to retire to his +happy chamber, when a loud and hollow knock was heard at the portal +gates; the watch dogs were aroused, and loudly and deeply barked. The +old porter cautiously and slowly opened the lattice peep-hole of the +gate to ask, who at this unseasonable hour of the night it was that +would fain demand admittance? The answer given was, that he was a +king's messenger bearing despatches of importance for Sir David Bruce, +and as the glimmering lamp was held forth, he showed the silver badge, +the insignia of his office. The wicket-gate was instantly unbarred, and +he was accordingly admitted. The messenger was shown into the servants' +hall, where supper and refreshments were immediately brought him; and +while he was regaling upon the hospitable cheer of the castle, a bed +was put in readiness for him. Sir David Bruce having seen that all was +as it should be, retired to his chamber. + +It was midnight, the fire in the bridal chamber brightly blazed, and +the wax-lights shot forth their brilliant beams. Sir David seated +himself on a chair beside the bed, and having gently drawn aside the +curtain, he affectionately embraced his bride, while he kindly said, +"My dear Adelaide, I always have been of opinion that no secret nor +mystery should ever exist between man and wife. I know, my love, that +your understanding ranks too high, your love for me is too great, +and your opinion of my character is too elevated ever to induce you, +in any shape or form, to pry into what I may not think necessary to +disclose. For indeed _you_ do not aspire to that _superior wisdom_ +which some of your sex rather somewhat too confidently and arrogantly +assume; the true term and appellation of which properly should be +called _not_ wisdom, but _superior curiosity_! But, my dear love, in +strictest verity I may say of thee, before our happy union, in foreign +realms, and in perilous tracts over land and ocean, that I have ever +witnessed thy equanimity of temper, and always have found thee one and +the same;--ever unchanged and unchangeable! and indeed I know no one +(not even your noble and highly gifted mother) who could, with more +propriety than yourself, assume the motto of the virgin queen-- + + 'Semper eadem!'" + +"Oh, my dear husband!" rejoined Adelaide, "although delighted ever +to hear _your_ praise, yet when you would overstep the due and meet +boundaries of discretion, and, forsooth, make of me an ideal goddess, +it is meet and due time, that stepping down from the lofty pedestal +whereon thou hast been graciously pleased to rear thy fond idol, +for me to intrude a word or two, if it were but to dispel the charm +which fascinates thee, recall thy wandering thoughts from paradise +to earth, and convince thee, at least, that I am but a mere mortal; +and, moreover, a woman to boot, with all a woman's faults--yea, too, +my love, with all a woman's fondness, and the love that no tongue can +utter; and thus I swear it upon thy beloved lips, my first, my only +love!" + +"Oh, my adorable Adelaide," he said, while he met the fond embrace, +"let this blessed moment be ever sacred in our recollection! dawning +with hope and promised joy on all our future days. Oh, my Adelaide, +imperishable let this happy, too happy hour remain, and ever marked +and stamped by a holy communion of heart and mind! Your taste shall +be mine, your liking shall be my liking, your joy be my joy, and your +sorrows (if ever they come) shall be all mine own!--thy disgrace would +become my disgrace, and mine would be attended with yours! But now I +only look upon the happy obverse of the medal, when I pause on your +beauty, your accomplishments, your virtue, and your religion! for +without the latter a woman is a monster, and man little less than a +demon. You must now permit me to say, that you are the theme of every +tongue, the charm of every eye, the idol of every heart, and the bright +ornament of every circle, that might fairly, at thy throne, + + 'Bid kings come bow to it!'" + +"Oh, my dear Bruce, you will turn my brain--no more of hyperbole!" + +"Nay, Adelaide, nay! can I think on all these, and yet not feel the +thrill of transport throbbing at my heart?--quite impossible!--it +could not be so, my love! Between us then let there ever exist a holy +communion of soul that shall support and bear us onward throughout the +trials of this stormy world, gilding the days of health and happiness, +and not deserting us when years increase, and health declines; for +even then the Hymenial torch shall brightly burn, although it may be +with a mild, yet steady light, and only expire upon the tomb! Believe +me the true and indissoluble bond of conjugal affection is no other +than an unreserved and reciprocal interchange of every thought, plan, +purpose, and design. Enduring, meanwhile, a contented participation +of fortune, whether it be prosperous or adverse; possessing only _one +will_, _one mind_, and _one heart_, thus harmoniously resembling a +finely performed air of music, where three voices melodiously melt +into one, and close in full and perfect diapason. Oh, my dear love, if +this conjugal--this perfect harmony, were, as it ought to be, always +preserved, what follies might not be avoided!--what heart-burnings +would ever exist!--what horrible vice might not be shunned!--and what +dread and horrid disgrace might not be prevented! When oft, my love, at +evening time retired in our tranquil solitude, I shall there retrace +the events and transactions of the day that has gone by, then, then, +shall I tell thee of aught perchance which I may have observed in thy +conduct or deportment to censure or to praise. Oh, with what delight +I shall dwell upon all that I approve, while with gentleness I pass +over what I may discommend. And the same sincerity, sweet love, I shall +expect from thee; thou shalt, as in a tablet, set down all my faults +and misdemeanors. It is thus that we shall best fulfil the holy compact +which we entered into yesterday--of abiding by each other in sickness, +sorrow, or in health, in adversity, or in prosperity! And now let me +seal this sacred bond by this warm pressure on thy lips. Thus, my +Adelaide, we ratify this deed of co-partnership!" + +He then added playfully, "Certes I ever have been of opinion that, +although corporeally speaking, man and wife are two bodies, yet am I +at the same time of opinion that they should have between them but one +mind. However, I am altogether not unreasonable withal, and therefore +feel not disinclined to allow them _the firm_ of TWO hearts; +but I ever must protest against dissolution of partnership!" + +Then sweetly smiling, he said, "Here, my love, I bear in my hand +despatches of high importance, and brought by a king's messenger; I +needs must cut their silken tressure ere I can peruse the contents +thereof; pray you therefore direct me, my dearest love, where I may +find your _etui_, or work-box, as I now stand in need of a penknife, or +your ladyship's shears, to cut the silky-gordian knot of this important +packet?" + +Adelaide replied, "Truly, my dearest love, I do not know where to +direct you, the events of yesterday have quite caused me to forget; +but open yonder cabinet of ebon, inlaid with ivory, which stands in +yonder recess, search it, perhaps there a penknife or shears may be +found." + +"_May_ find! Adelaide, nay now, thou art what truly I did not suspect +that thou wert, a most unthrifty housewife!" + +Sir David Bruce approached the cabinet; it contained many curious +and secret drawers; at length sprung forth one opened by a spring, +which unconsciously he had touched, when the drawer fell from the +cabinet, and lo! forth was flung from it, and, to his infinite horror +and surprise, he saw, and scarce could believe his eyes, a whinger! +[_i. e._ a Scottish knife or poniard, answering for both purposes,] +which trundled on the floor with a foreboding sound. The handle was of +silver, richly wrought; it bore the crest of Bruce, namely, a dexter +hand and arm cased in armour, wielding a royal sceptre, and supported +on a cap of maintenance; and beneath was engraved the motto of The +Bruce, FUIMUS! While, oh! horrible to tell, deeply were +imprinted "on the blade and dudgeon gouts of blood," and which seemed +to have been there "long before," rusted and corroded as they were by +time. Oh, when this was done it was + + "In human guilt a portent and an era! + 'Tis of those crimes whose eminent fame hell joys at; + And the celestial angels that look on it + Wish their keen airy vision dim and narrow!" + +Maddened with furious rage, he frantic raised the gory poniard from +the ground, and rushing with dreadful impetuosity to the bed-side, he +presented the fatal dagger at Adelaide's heart. + +"Oh strike--strike Sir David, and by _thy_ hand let me die! But indeed, +indeed, I am innocent!" + +"Thou, innocent!--hah, hah, hah!" with a violent hysteric expression he +repeated--"_Innocent!_--thou witch, fiend, sorceress, devil!---- _Thou_ +innocent!--no, no!--thou hast held unholy converse and communion with +the arch-fiend, and with all the demons of darkness and of hell! But +tell!--come, this instant tell! or on this spot--aye, thy bridal bed, +thou surely shalt die--this moment thou shalt die! Tell at once then, +how, where, and when, from whom didst thou receive?--No, no deceit, no +prevarication will be allowed nor tolerated. Tell, oh tell, thou devil, +although moulded in an angel's form! Tell, I conjure thee tell!" + +"Oh, spare--spare me, and I shall tell thee all!--each particular shalt +thou know. It---- It was upon the _Eve of All-Hallows_, some ten years +ago--I forget the year--when foolishly, with some young friends, upon +my birth-day, of which it was the fatal anniversary, I impiously dared +to tempt my fate, or try my fortune, by one of those mystic accursed +tricks that are too oft resorted to--" + +"Come, come, less words, lady, and more facts! I demand expedition, +for my impatience cannot brook delay; so come, continue thy accursed +tale----quickly proceed!" + +"Oh, terrible to recollect, and still more terrible to tell. It was +midnight! and, true to his compact, the phantom, whom I had charmed, +appeared in my chamber at the same time of night as now. I had caused +a collation to be served, consisting of viands, fruits, confections, +and wine; which were placed upon a table in the centre of the room; +a chair was placed near it, between the table and the fire; upon +another table was displayed the toilette, where were placed a silver +basin, napkin, and a golden ewer, which was filled with rose-water, +and bestrewed with flowers. The fire blazed brilliantly bright, and +wax-lights shed their lustre on the collation. Meanwhile, trembling +fearfully, I lay in my bed, with my back to the light; upon the +counterpane I had stationed a large mirror, (with a trembling hand and +a palpitating heart,) in order that I might behold distinctly reflected +on its polished surface the image of whatever object might place itself +at either of the tables, which, from the position in which I was +placed, I could not fail to see. Thus stationed, was heard a fearful +rumbling sound, as if issuing down the chamber chimney; then followed +a noise, loud and like to the electric shock of a thunderbolt, which +sounded as if it had burst through the chimney-flue, and from whence +was forcibly flung, with an astounding crash, upon the hearth-stone +of this very chamber, that same dread and fearful instrument which +you now uphold! Sad, sorrowful, and dreadful is the recollection. Yet +still I had the courage to look upon the mirror which I held, when I +instantly and fearfully saw reflected in it a cloud of blue flame, +which illuminated within its cloud of fire, exposed suddenly a tall +and manly chieftain, whose figure boldly emanating from the mist which +surrounded it, seemed clad in a Tartan plaid; his head was covered, or +crowned, with a Scottish bonnet, adorned with plumes, and surmounted by +the Scottish thistle, which sparkled in gold embroidery. The figure, +or spectre, or whatever that unsightly vision might be, held forth to +me his hands, which were bloody; he then sat down to the banquet; he +tasted, but eat not; sipped, but he did not drink: and then on the +sudden arose from his seat, slightly dipped his hands in rose-water, +and applied the napkin. This at the time did virtually all appear a +vision, dreadfully reflected within the glass which I held on my +couch. Yea, you look amazed! but I did see it all, and am too well +convinced it was _no vision_!--for still horribly, even now through the +lapse of years, I see it still! fresh in my memory, and never, never to +be forgotten! While thus, all terrified and petrified, I looked upon +the awful form, or spectre; frightfully and passionately it grinned +upon me a demon's smile, and said in deep sepulchral voice: + + With this red hand, thou Adelaide shalt wed, + And keep this trophy for our bridal bed! + +The phantom then, or whatever it was, fiercely took up the dagger, +and dashed it horribly against the mirror I held, which it shivered +into pieces. Then the bloody instrument fell upon the floor, and the +spectre vanished: while I fell into a dreadful trance, which lasted +for hours, and from which I grieve that ever I did waken to witness +this most wretched night! While the phantom vanished, the heavens +loudly thundered, and the vivid lightning illumed this fatal chamber. +Oh, the crash of the mirror I never can forget, nor the ominous fall +of the blood-stained dagger as it fearfully trundled upon the oaken +floor!--these two ominous circumstances too surely manifested that this +was _no dream_! Oh no, they pierced my heart to conviction! That dread +and awful moment of my life I never can forget!--only to be equalled, +and only to be outdone, by the agonies which now I so severely undergo +in this unhappy hour! Oh, Sir David, in pity at once kill me, and end +my sorrow and my suffering together!--you hold the bloody instrument, +oh then strike!--strike, there's my bosom!--I fear not to die--oh +kill me, I beseech thee!--in mercy, at once destroy me! But, oh, do +not--do not look thus again!--It was thus the awful spectre looked, +while thus the fire flashed from his visage!--Thus! it was _thus_ he +frowned! and like thee he spoke! Oh--oh, I never saw thee look thus +before!--never, never! _Ah!_ THOU!--_thou!_ THYSELF _wert_ THAT +_spectre_!!" + +"No, no, Adelaide, no! I looked not thus; it was the infernal fiend, +from the lowest depth of hell, that looked thus, and then assumed my +shape and form! At that moment I was on ship-board, Dr. M'Kenzie was +my fellow-voyager, who can vouch for the same; we had then left the +Scottish shore, and the destination of the vessel was for Ireland. +This weapon, which now I hold, I then flung into the hissing waves, +when unearthly voices and unearthly music met mine ear, and smote my +heart!--Oh, it was then that I suffered the deep-thrilling agonizing +horrors of the damned. The arch-fiend, I felt, was working in my bosom; +and strongly, desperately, was I tempted to fling myself into the +same remorseless element into which I had flung this blood-besprent +instrument--the damned testimony of my crime; and by so doing end +at once my earthly misery! But even then I lifted up my humble +supplication to heaven, although with crimsoned hands! I fell into a +trance, and lay to all appearance lifeless upon the deck.---- You seem +to doubt!" + +"Oh, yes, yes; I see it all!--that frown--that look! Oh, thou, thou, +wert that horrible spectre!" + +Having thus replied, poor Adelaide, with a piteous, heart-rending +scream, and to all appearance as if life had fled, sunk down, pale and +ghastly as a corse, upon her pillow. It was indeed some time before Sir +David could bring her to herself. When the hapless Adelaide recovered +from her faint, he said: "My reproaches now are at an end. For you now +are the object of my compassion and of my pity, not of my wrath. It is +however true, that although infernal agents have given you a husband, +yet know they have not the power to cause me to remain with you one +hour more!--There I am a free agent. No, no!--not Lucifer himself shall +detain me here!--no, nor all thy witchery! Within a short hour, or +less, I depart from hence, and never, never more to return; and I shall +be no more seen!" + +With a desperate grasp, then stooping, he seized and held up the +fatal dagger, the deadly record of his grief--the _sævi monumentum +doloris_--the bloody pledge of his crime--the avengeful instrument of +his rage, stamped with the crimsoned tears of unabated and unabatable +grief!... "Yet before I go, look, lady, upon that dagger!--whose +blood, think you, it is with which it is imbued?--You shall hear!... +That once was noble blood--it was valiant blood--the proudest blood of +Caledon--the blood of her royal race of kings! And, oh, wretch that +I am!--it was the blood of my brother--my only brother!--yea, and my +elder born! rashly, madly, wickedly shed by me!--yes!... Oh, still +gaze upon it--turn not thine eyes away. It was blood nearly, deeply, +none nearer, allied to me, and beloved. But, but this--all this was +forgot in the moment of delirium--of madness! It was the blood of my +elder brother--yea, an only brother!... Oh, Adelaide, look not thus +again!--my weary, sickening heart, condemns me enough---- enough. Well, +well, we lived in the same home, we partook of the same board, we slept +in the same bed.... Oh, oh my brain, how it maddens! and my heart would +fain burst!... Yet, yet, yet I slew him--in rage, madness, I did!--I +did, I did--monster that I am!... Lady, behold I weep!--Ah, I did +not weep when my poor brother died!--and when this I plunged into his +beloved breast!--No, no, no! But it is just, it is truly just, that +heaven's vengeance should make this base instrument of my crime, this +fratricidal dagger, the fatal cause which now separates me from all +happiness upon earth; and divorces me, body and soul, from thee--oh, +whom I loved better--yea, beyond life itself! But time advances, and I +must depart from hence--oh, and for ever! One parting look, and then +I am gone. Oh, thou precious mischief!--so young, so fascinating, so +beautiful! Oh, my very heart shall burst!... Yet, yet--oh, must it +be!--and must we part?... Lady, from hence I go, and shall be no more +seen; peradventure too no more be remembered. Well, well, let justice +have its vengeance and its victim too! Yes, yes, let it be so." + +Here, pallid as death, and woe-stricken, he gave one sad, one last, +agonizing look upon that face that he had so well beloved--the face +of one with whom to part were worse than death itself. Then sad and +sorrowful, in a dejected tone, he said:--"Oh, Adelaide, we have loved +as others yet have never loved; now heart-broken and sorrow-stricken I +here must bid a sad and solemn farewell. Yet, oh, must we part?--Yes, +we _must_ part--oh, and for _ever_! Never, never again in this wide +world to meet!--again, never! Oh, farewell--one sad, one sorrowful +farewell, and hence I go.... Farewell! forgive and forget, if thou +canst forget (to forgive were impossible) that such a wretched outcast +exists as David Bruce!" + +Here he sobbed like a child, while he slowly and silently withdrew, +gently closing after him the chamber door. But suddenly he returned, +and approaching the bed-side, he thus addressed Adelaide: "It were best +that the mournful tale which now I have disclosed to thee, as well too +as thine own, should be kept inviolably secret, and remain for ever +unknown. Divulge not then thine own criminal weakness; neither expose +the enormity of my guilt. Oh, how often and often have I wished, have I +longed for, aye, and have courted death;--yea often too have I keenly +sought him in flood and field. But in vain. It almost seemed as if I +had borne a charmed life. Often I + + "Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; + And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open + The breast of heaven, I did present myself + Even in the aim and very flash of it," + +in anxious hope that it might strike a guilty fratricide dead!---- Now, +now, you must say, and swear too, upon this blood-stained +poniard!--swear never--no, never! to reveal what this sad and eventful +night has developed; save it be upon your death-bed alone that you may +divulge it. Come, I demand thy oath; I must have thy solemn oath--thy +sanctified oath of secrecy! But I will not place that horrid instrument +to thy lips, to swear by! No, no! I could not do it--I would not. +Oh, no--if even past joys and hopes again were to return--no! But +there--there, place thy hand upon that horrible instrument of my deep +damnation! Swear upon it!--solemnly swear upon that blood-besprent +dagger. Swear!--I charge thee, swear!---- Oh, yet weep not, my poor +Adelaide! Oh, no!--weep not thus, my Adelaide, or I forego my purpose; +and soon, then, this dagger shall be plunged into mine own guilty +bosom!---- Thou hast heard me---- my love! Oh, yes, yes, my love; for +still, oh, still art thou dear to me--dearer than life--ay, or even the +blessed hopes of ******!--although we never may meet again!---- There, +I beseech thee! yet there place thy hand upon that instrument +of my torture--of my unspeakable woe--and of my deep and deadly +crime.--Swear! + +Adelaide firmly clasped the fatal instrument, and then exclaimed: "I +swear, I solemnly swear, to observe to the very letter all thou hast +now enjoined!" + +"Oh," replied he, dejected and overcome, "how cold, how deadly cold, +is thy hand, my poor, poor Adelaide!--frozen as are all my hopes, +and chilled, chilled--deadly chilled as is my own wretched heart's +blood. Oh, I shall lose my reason! Oh God, what an hour is this? But +pardon me, thou Almighty power. It was I, the impassioned wretch, +that flew forth in thy defiance, like another branded criminal--the +blood-besprinkled Cain, whose mark, I fear, is stamped upon my forehead +and in my heart. But, oh, great and dread Omnipotent, thou art truly +just--and I am guilty. Most justly do I confess that I am punished +as I ought to be, by thy retributive justice, even upon earth--the +irreparable loss of her whom no earthly power upon this habitable spot +of earth can ever alleviate or redeem!--never, never, never!" + +While Sir David Bruce impassionately and woefully said this, he fell +prostrate, and cold, and lifeless, upon the floor of the bridal chamber. + +To describe the emotions of Adelaide, would be to attempt indeed an +impracticable task. It was so truly horrifying and affecting, that it +must wholly be left to the imagination of the feeling reader. It was +some time before Sir David recovered from this overpowering blow of +affliction. When he did recover, he said mournfully:-- + +"Sorrow has paralyzed me; and I who often have cleft in twain the +helmet of the foeman, now shrink and bend before thee, my much-injured +love. A guilty conscience hath unmanned me quite. But oh, my poor +Adelaide, time presses onward; the night wears apace, and I must now +conclude the few words which I have to say to thee. You must tell the +duke and duchess--boldly, as it is true, to account for the rapidity +of my departure--that the import of the despatches received, which are +from the Elector Palatine of Brandenburgh, in whose service I fought +at the battle of the Boyne, bear with them life or death, and I must +instantly depart. Thus summoned so suddenly, say to them, and kindly +say, that I could not await their arising for the slow ceremony of +leave-taking, but that I was forced to hasten forthwith, even amidst +the cold and darkness of midnight, with all the expedition I might. +And ... when hence I am gone, and thou shalt silently sit in judgment +on my passion, and upon my crime, and shalt pronounce condemnation on +the destroyer of a brother's life, and of a wife's happiness--oh, even +then still think how fervently, how affectionately, how devotedly, I +loved thee;--yea, and in _my very heart's core_!... And now a long +farewell--for ever farewell. Mayst thou obtain that peace that is to me +denied and lost in this world for ever!" + +Having thus said, sad, sorrowful, and slow, he descended from the +bridal chamber, the tears streaming adown his manly cheeks. Meantime +he had lighted a lamp which lay in the recess, and bearing it in his +hand, with cautious and silent step, he descended the staircase; and +having gone out at the postern, he proceeded to the stables, where, +having called up his faithful servant, he ordered his horses instantly +to be saddled, and in less than half an hour all was in readiness for +his departure,--servant, horses, travelling valise, &c. &c. And now +Sir David, and his faithful servant Malcolm, who had attended him +at the battle of the Boyne, proceeded beneath the embattled portal +of Tyrconnel Castle, never again to return. The solitary bittern +mournfully boomed as they rode along the lonely marsh, and the +startled eagle from his lofty eirie-crag loudly shrieked, awakened by +the tramp of the horse-hoofs, which were deeply re-echoed through this +stilly solitude, in the dark and dismal hour of midnight. + +Oh, what pen can write, what tongue can tell, what heart can feel, save +the heart which deeply hath felt it, how bitter are the pangs of a +wounded spirit, when love becomes horribly transformed into rancorous +and deadly hate! Oh, happy it were then that "the silver cord were +loosened, and the golden bowl were broken," what time the sweet bond of +harmony snapt suddenly in twain, dissevered by a rude and discordant +crash, when two fond, faithful, and affectionate hearts, are changed +in one short, sad, and eventful moment--becoming, alas, fatally and +irrevocably estranged and separated for ever. + + "Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure, + Thrill the deepest notes of woe!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + And tell me, I charge you---- + Why fold ye your mantles, why cloud ye your brows? + So spake the stern chieftain.--No answer is made; + But each mantle unfolding, a dagger display'd. + + CAMPBELL. + + +We must now go still further back into our history, and give some +account of Sir David Bruce, and the unhappy causes that led to so +unexpected and so speedy a termination of a connexion honourable and +enviable in every respect, and indeed every way deserving of happier +results. + +In the parish of Kirkoswald, in Ayrshire, is situated the ancient and +the celebrated castle of Turnberry, stationed upon the north-west point +of a rocky angle of the coast, extending towards Girvan. This castle +belonged to Sir Robert Bruce, Laird of Annandale. The situation of the +castle of Turnberry is extremely delightful, commanding a full view +of the Frith of Clyde, and its indented shores. Upon the land side it +overlooks a richly extended plain, bounded by distant hills, which rise +around in gradual and beautiful undulations, and adorned to their very +summits with woods of mountain-ash, oak, and the most graceful of all +trees, in glen, plain, valley, or mountain, the weeping birch. + +The lord of this castle--we should say "the laird"--was Sir Robert +Bruce, and with him resided his twin-brother, Sir David Bruce, the +hero of this eventful tale. This castle had belonged in the olden time +to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died nobly fighting, as a true and +valiant Red-Cross Knight, in the Holy Land; who left an only daughter, +named Martha Countess of Carrick. This noble lady having accidentally +met Robert Bruce, (the ancestor of our hero,) Laird of Annandale in +Scotland, and Baron Cleveland in England, while he was occupied in a +hunting party near her castle, his manners, deportment, and person, +pleased the countess; she invited him to the castle of Turnberry, and +they were speedily married. + +From this illustrious marriage sprung the kings of Scotland of the +royal race of Stuart;--and hence the successors of Bruce, until they +ascended the throne of Scotland, were styled _Earls of Carrick_; +and this title still appertains to the heir apparent to the throne +of England, one of the titles of the Prince of Wales being "Earl of +Carrick and Lord of the Isles." + +Robert was the ancestor of David, who married a lady of the noble +house of Moray. Sir David Bruce, Laird of Annandale, died when young, +leaving two sons, Robert and David, (the latter the subject of these +memoirs,) and appointing, by his last will and testament, his lady and +the Reverend George Wardlaw, D. D., as guardians to his sons. His death +was soon followed by that of his lady. And the young men, now grown up, +having received a due preparatory education from the Reverend Doctor, +whilom fellow of St. Andrew's College, were there shortly matriculated +as students. But Robert soon got tired of his Reverend tutor and the +grave and ponderous tomes of Saint Andrew's, which were soon exchanged +for the academy of nature, the wooded banks of the Doon, and the rocky, +romantic shores of Ayrshire. + +David, on the contrary, pursued his academic studies with much +perseverance, and with very considerable credit, calling forth the +approbation and praise of his Reverend tutor and the heads of that +learned seminary. + +While in the university he formed an intimacy with Thomas Lord Maxwell, +which was soon cemented into friendship. They were chums; their +studies, pursuits, and tastes coincided, and they were inseparable +companions. + +Upon one occasion Lord Maxwell saved the life of Sir David Bruce. They +were one day, during college vacation, amusing themselves in fishing +for pike and perch in a small row-boat on the Loch of Lindores; when +suddenly a squall of wind coming on, the boat overset. Bruce, not +knowing how to swim, would certainly have been drowned; but Lord +Maxwell said: "Be calm, and I will save you;--be firm, and fear +not!--Closely lock your arms around my waist; but do not by any means +impede my exertions, and trust me I shall bring you safe to shore." + +Lord Maxwell faithfully fulfilled his promise, by conducting his friend +with the utmost safety to land, which they at length providentially +reached, both much wearied and exhausted, having had a considerable +distance to swim. + +This adventure still further increased that mutual regard and +friendship which had long existed between them. Danger, like death, is +a leveller of all distinctions; it places those mutually encountering +it on an equality, and forms a bond of union not easy to be broken. It +can then be well imagined how much this event tended to strengthen and +confirm a friendship that was not of hasty growth. + +The terms necessary to be kept at the university having now expired. +Lord Maxwell and Sir David Bruce took their departure from it, with the +regard and regret of all who knew them;--the former returning to his +ancient and magnificent castle of Caerlaverock,[8] in Dumfrieshire; +when Sir David Bruce retired to his brother's residence at Turnberry +Castle, in Ayrshire. + + [Footnote 8: This castle and its fortifications were demolished + by Sir Eustace Maxwell, (the steady, warm-hearted friend of King + Robert Bruce,) lest it should fall into the hands of the enemy: + and for which generous action lands were given to him, the tenure + by which he held them being thus noticed:--"_Pro fractione et + prostratione castri de Caerlaverock_," &c. &c.] + +David was truly glad to meet his brother after so long an absence, +and Robert kindly received him. Here the brothers passed their time +in rural sports and pastimes, enjoying the sun and summer months in +admiring the views of nature; never within the castle during the +day-time, often wandering even at night in the open air, among the +mountains and the woods. The winter they spent in the chase, while the +sun was up;[9] or in practising the broad sword, at which David was +particularly expert. For + + "The sword that seem'd fit for archangel to wield, + Was light in his terrible hand." + + [Footnote 9: Dalrymple's Memoirs.] + +In archery, and in wielding the Lochabor axe, they were both equally +skilled. Their evenings they passed in assembling, with their +surrounding neighbours, around the social fire in the great baronial +hall, or entertaining themselves with the song, the tale, and the dance. + +To the pleasures arising from the perusal of history and poetry, David +united a fine taste for music; and to these were added an ardent love +of classical learning, and an enthusiastic admiration of the scenery of +nature. Every day witnessed him to wander abroad and gaze with rapture +on the expanded lake, the lofty mountain, the frowning rock, and the +thundering cataract. These extended and elevated his strong mind, on +which was stamped the impress and originality of thought, an unshaken +independence of mind, emanating from Nature herself.--Refinement in +sentiment was contrasted to strength and hardiness of body. His manners +were polite and endearing, as his deportment was simple and unassuming: + + "He bloom'd the pride of Caledonia's youth, + In virtue, valour, and external grace." + +He was warm and cordial in his affections; he was modest as he was +brave. His character was that of much decision--a proud, independent, +and a lofty spirit. He could forgive injuries against himself; and he +could do more--he could also forget them. + +But the character of Robert was stamped in a different mould. He +was enterprising, artful, bold, boisterous, treacherous, cruel, +unforgiving, and suspicious withal: possessing too a strong portion in +his disposition of that + + "Pale envy, which withers at another's joy, + And hates the excellence which it cannot reach," + +Robert looked with a jealous and a jaundiced eye on the superior +accomplishments and attainments of his brother; and he heard with +strong, unmixed, and undisguised hatred and disgust, all the praises +that were daily lavished on the worth, generosity, and humanity of +David, whom Robert considered in every respect as his inferior. Hence +arose daily reproaches between the brothers, which necessarily and +inevitably went to dissolve that unity in which brethren ever should +delight to dwell. + +There were at this time two rival and hostile clans in their vicinity, +the Maxwells of Nithisdale, and the Johnstones of Annandale. The chief +of the former clan was Lord Maxwell, the college chum and friend of Sir +David Bruce; and the chief of the Johnstones was Sir Eustace Johnstone, +the friend of Sir Robert. This opposition of clanship, and the brothers +espousing different sides, added still further to increase the growing +ill-will which now existed between the twin brothers. + +It will now be necessary to revert to the original feud between the +Maxwells and the Johnstones,[10] or, as it was emphatically called, +"The foul debate," one indeed of the most remarkable feuds upon the +western marches. This feud occurred between John Lord Maxwell, the +father of the friend of Sir David Bruce (John Lord Maxwell), and the +Laird of Johnstone. Two bands of mercenaries, commanded by Captains +Cranstoun and Larie, were sent from Edinburgh to support Johnstone, who +were attacked and cut to pieces at Crawford-muir, by Robert Maxwell, +natural brother to the chieftain, who following up his advantages, +burned Johnstone's castle of Lockwood. The Johnstones soon appearing +with only forty horsemen, engaged double that number of the enemy, put +them to flight, and pursuing a certain length, and through deep design +then as suddenly retreated. They were soon followed by the whole body +of the enemy, with Lord Maxwell at their head, until they came to +the Torwood, on the south-east side of the Dryfe Sands, from whence +instantly four hundred of the Annandale men sprung up, flew upon the +surprised enemy, and after a short but bloody struggle, put them into +confusion; and being joined by a few Scots from Eskdale, under the +Laird of Buccleugh, completed their victory, killing upwards of seven +hundred of the Nithsdale men. The Annandale men being now reinforced, +routed their enemy; the Maxwells drove them to the Gotterbury Ford of +the river Annan, where many were drowned. + + [Footnote 10: _Vide_ "Minstrelsy of the Scottish + border."--"Beauties of Scotland."] + +Lockwood Castle, the residence of the family of Annandale, was very +beautifully situated, and commanded a very extensive prospect. It must +have been a place of great strength, having had prodigiously thick +walls, and being surrounded with impassable bogs and morasses. It was +this circumstance that made James the sixth to say, that "The man who +built Lockwood, though outwardly honest, must have been a knave in his +heart." + +"This fatal battle," which we have now detailed, "was followed by a +long feud, attended with all the circumstances of horror proper to a +barbarous age."[11] + + [Footnote 11: "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border," vol. I. p. 218.] + +One day David having returned from an excursion on horseback, he said +to his brother, who had declined riding out with him, "The weather has +proved very favourable, though the morning lowered." + +"Have you rode far?" inquired Robert. + +"I have been with old Davie Maxwell, not farther." + +"Ay," rejoined Robert, "but far enough, I dare swear, to relieve the +needy carl's wants." + +"I did so, certainly," said David--"what then?" + +"And more the fool you for doing so," remonstrated Robert. "Now," added +he, "there is not a man in Scotland, from Skye to Solway Firth, that +would have done so but yourself!" + +"And that," rejoined David, "was the very reason that I did it!" + +"A kindness conferred on one of a hostile clan, was held as an +offence, if not an affront to the chieftain: + + ----"What tie so sacred + As those that to his name and kindred vassals + The noble chieftain bind?"[12] + + [Footnote 12: Joanna Baillie's "_Family Legend_."] + +"An injury done to one of a clan was always considered an injury +done to all, on account of the common relation of blood.--Hence the +Highlanders were in the habitual practice of war: and hence their +attachment to their chieftain and to each other was founded upon two of +the most active principles of human nature, love of their friends, and +resentment against their enemies."[13] + + [Footnote 13: Dalrymple's Memoirs.] + +They went always completely armed.--Their arms were a broad sword, a +dagger (called a dirk), a target, a musket, and a brace of pistols. +It was a principle deeply imbibed by them, to die with pleasure to +revenge affronts offered to their clan or to their country. + +To put an end to this terrible feud, a bond of alliance was subscribed +by Lord Maxwell and Sir Eustace Johnstone, and the two clans for some +time lived together in harmony. + +To celebrate this reconciliation between the late hostile clans, Sir +Robert Bruce determined upon giving a splendid banquet, to which +were invited Lord Maxwell and his clan of Nithsdale, and Sir Eustace +Johnstone and the clan of Annandale. The day of the grand fete arrived; +it was the thirty-first of October, 1600 and---- (a memorable day). +The choicest wines and the richest foreign fruits crowned the festive +board; the forest, the muir, the lake, and the sea, yielded their +treasures of flesh, fowl, and fish, to furnish forth the lordly +banquet. An immense fire blazed forth to warm the baronial hall, and +the fine gothic chandelier, which hung from the oaken and richly-carved +ceiling, threw an imposing light around. + +In this highly decorated hall the walls were covered with gorgeous +tapestry from the splendidly brilliant looms of Arras, and which +presented to the delighted eye various patriotic stories from Scottish +as well as from Roman history. Here the feats of Wallace, there the +victories of the Bruce; here were seen Marcus Curtius plunging with +his charger into the yawning gulf, who nobly devoted his life for his +country! Next frowned Brutus on the banished Tarquins; and next were +portrayed the glorious achievements of the Decii and Fabii. + +The guests in due order arrived; and good-humour and hilarity shed +their social charms. The harp and the bagpipe were alternately played +during dinner. The cloth being removed, the song and the tale passed +round. One of the Annandale clan sung the following song:-- + + +THE LASS OF YARROW. + + O! the lovely lass of Yarrow, + Nane is like the lass of Yarrow; + The sedge grows green by Gala's stream; + Her name I'll carve upon the willow. + + I've roam'd the sunny braes of Ayr, + Hae ranged the bonnie banks of Doon; + Beheld the winsome lassies there, + In vernal morn and simmer's noon. + But the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c. + + I've sail'd on Katrine's leesome lake, + Hae climb'd the lofty Lomond's brow; + Fair nymphs hae seen o' heav'nly make-- + So sweet a form yet ne'er till now, + Like the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c. + +This song was well received. The goblet having opened their hearts, +prevented them from being too fastidious in their criticism. A song was +now loudly called for from the Nithsdale clan, when auld Davie Maxwell, +with much feeling sung the following: + + +I WINNA TELL, HER HEART 'TWAD BREAK. + + I winna tell my Jeanie dear + Our bairn's to battle gane; + Her heart wad break, unshed a tear, + For him, our anely wean. + + I mauna tell--I dare nae speak + The direful words accurst; + The tale my Jeanie's heart wad break, + And then my ane wad burst! + + I'll say that to the Hielands flane, + Or to the village fair, + Our manly, darling bairn's gane; + But nae ane ward o' war! + + Or thae amid the birken shaw, + Or in the Rowan-Bower, + Or wand'ring o'er the heathry haugh, + To while awa the hour. + + But ah! nae mair I'll Jeanie tell, + Nor word of battle speak, + Nor at Kil'kranky's pass he fell, + For then her heart wad break! + +This pathetic little production produced much applause. And now +stoups of claret circled round the table, certainly in an increased +ratio of rapidity. Nor was the native Fairntosh neglected; for some, +who complained that claret was too cold for a Caledonian stomach, +accordingly fortified the same with some simple potations of their +native spirit. + +The wish of the company now seemed to be for a song that partook of +a martial nature; and the following was sung by one of the clan of +Johnstone:-- + + +WAR SONG. + + Health to the chieftain on hill or in hall, + Whose front no foeman could ever appal! + The first and foremost his foes to attack, + His face they all know--they ne'er saw his back! + The targe his pillow, his couch the heather, + Defying claymore, dirk, and the weather. + Down with all foemen!--What clanship shall sever + Our bond of alliance? Never--oh, never! + Never--oh, never! + +This song was loudly applauded by a grand chorus, which was performed +by the company striking the handles of their daggers on the finely +carved table, on which were emblazoned the arms and achievements of the +house of Bruce; and the song was loudly encored. + +The clan of Maxwell now in their turn were called upon for a martial +song, when one of the officers sung, in a measure _presto et +furioso_:-- + + +LORD MAXWELL'S SLOGAN. + +I. + + I have deepen'd my phalanx, and call'd forth my clan; + They are true unto death, from the rear to the van! + Their broad targes are tough, and their claymores are sharp, + Shrill symphony meet for the wild war-pipe and harp; + Their firm hands they hold ready; their bold hearts beat strong; + Their dirks are stout steel-proof, and their pole-axes long. + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + For their prowess was proved by banner and claymore. + Huzza, huzza! + +II. + + To encounter for kindred, our clan, and our name, + To a Lowlander these are far dearer than fame; + To avenge the bold insult, dare glance at our clan, + And die for our country, is to die like a man! + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + We'll die as we ought, by our banner and claymore! + Huzza, huzza! + +III. + + Huzza!--how we'll shriek on the day of the battle, + In collision broad-sword and bay'net shall rattle, + Our fierce foemen astound in the terrible charge, + While death boldly strikes home thro' tartan and targe. + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + We'll conquer, or die by our banner and claymore! + Huzza, huzza! + +This slogan was chorussed by several hundreds of dirks, which, now +unscabbarded, were loudly thundered on the hospitable board, and which +glittered ominously in the reflected light of the blazing chandelier. + +The men of Annandale now started up; when claymore, dirk, and whinger, +flew forth from their scabbards. The men of Nithsdale rose too at the +same instant, and all was uproar, madness, riot, and inebriation; and +the fierce and implacable hatred of the two clans, which, not extinct, +had secretly lurked in their veins, now blazed forth with increased +fury. It seemed as if fate had pronounced, + + "Let the loud trumpet far and near proclaim + Our bloody feast, and at the rousing sound + Let every clansman of the hated name + His vengeful weapon clench." + +Malcolm, a faithful and affectionate follower and foster-brother of Sir +David Bruce, foreseeing that the fete would end in a renewal of the old +feud, took his own measures accordingly for his master's safety, and +lost no time in pre-arranging his plans, and these he put in train, +while all was noise and uproar at the banquet. He saw not unobserved +how rapidly stoup of claret succeeded stoup, without any _interregnum_, +and glasses of Fairntosh were dashed down in never-ending repetition. +The war songs seemed too surely to strike the key of discord; passion +begun to explode; word brought on word, and blow brought on blow. Then +rung claymore upon iron breastplate, and upon leathern target. The +scream of maddened wrath mingled with the groan of death. + +The combatants next deeply closed their ranks. Broad-swords were +trundled down upon the floor; and dirk and whinger madly shook, and +thrust home the murderous stab from vengeful hands, prompt to execute +bloody retaliation at this fatal banquet. + +Whether from premeditated, dark, and long-purposed design, or whether +in the impulse of sudden and infuriated passion, or merely arising +from the confusion and collision of crossing weapons and tumultuous +struggles, it is impossible to decide;--but the fatal result of the +bloody affray was; that Sir Robert Bruce stabbed Lord Maxwell, who, it +will be recollected, had saved the life of his brother David. + +Upon this attempt, and before it could be executed, David endeavoured +to save his friend, but in vain; his brother Robert exclaiming with a +furious air and voice, "What! dare my dependants beard me in my own +hall!" + +Lord Maxwell now fell lifeless on the ground. David, as he beheld the +preserver of his life perish by the hand of his brother, in a paroxysm +of rage and infuriated madness, drew forth his dirk, and rushed +forward. The other combatants, horror-struck at the direful conflict +that arose between the twin brothers, suspended their own to interpose. +But this interposition served only to aggravate the violence it was +intended to suppress. The brothers now struggled less because they +were incensed than because they were withheld; and when they furiously +burst from the arms that held them, rushed against each other with a +blind and staggering shock. The impulse was unintentional, but the +result was fatal. The weapon of David, held in an unconscious hand, +pierced him to whom he was opposed. He saw not whom it was--he drew his +weapon back--it was reeking with a brother's blood![14] + + [Footnote 14: This bloody deed, it must be confessed, was a + dereliction and violation of all the strict laws of hospitality, + which were so duly enforced in Scotland--which forbad a host to + murder his guest. But we have detailed the savage character of Sir + Robert Bruce, the hostility of the two clans, and the barbarism of + the times; and have only to say, that "_Exceptio probat regulam_."] + +Here Malcolm caught the eye and seized the arm of Bruce. No time was +to be lost. The general confusion aided the attempt.--Seizing with +a Goliath grasp upon Bruce's arm, he dragged him on, while David's +retainers rushed between their chieftain and immediate death, the +punishment of his involuntary fratricide. Malcolm next suddenly raised +up the arras, which with as much haste and promptitude he let fall +behind him and Bruce. Next pushing open a small narrow door, which was +secreted behind the tapestry, they swiftly passed through it, which was +on the instant closed by Malcolm, who quickly flung home its massive +bolts and bars at the inner side, which necessarily fully prevented all +attack or pursuit. They were now safe from their enemies so far, at +least. The bugle-horn they heard rung lustily from the warder's tower; +distinctly, too, they heard the rattling chain of the draw-bridge, +as it was hastily raised to prevent the flight of David. The cavalry +were now ordered to horse, and to pursue;--the hackbutteers mounted +the battlements, and peeped from the embrasures; while bugle, bagpipe, +drum, and trumpet, sounded pursuit. The commingled and discordant +sounds were heard floating over tower, parapet, and battlement, and +were deeply re-echoed by rock, islet, and promontory, and hoarsely +answered by the storm-beat wave tiding to the shore. + +Meanwhile the faithful Malcolm led on Bruce through several intricate +winding passages, until they reached a sallyport which opened on the +margin of the sea, where they were for the present removed from the +scene of danger. The mode by which they had escaped was quite unknown +to their enemies; and now they paused to inhale the breeze of heaven, +and cool their wearied brows from the fatigue and horrors which they +had encountered. + +Here Bruce said:--"Thanks, my dear and faithful follower, my honest +Malcolm, for thy brave and powerful arm, and wondrous foresight. We are +now safe from mortal men and mortal measures, at least for the moment." + +Then he mournfully mused to himself:--"But what arm has the nerve +that might, that may shield me from myself? What potent anodyne can +tranquilize a guilty conscience? What untold charm can lull a mind +ill at ease, and abhorring and abjuring itself?--Yes, yes! there is, +there is an omnipotent and a redeeming power!--there is an atoning +spirit, that can pardon, pity, and absolve the guilty, when the heart +shall truly repent: and although my crime be dyed and encrimsoned deep +in guilt, I yet may obtain mercy!--a truly penitent and contrite soul +may yet blanch this deed pure and spotless as the untrodden snow which +crests the lofty mountain-peak. This is consolatory. But hour, and day, +and year still succeeding year, must pass over in sad and sorrowful +contrition, before this foul and atrocious guilt, the result of one +depraved moment of furious passion, can be washed away and effaced from +the calendar of dark human crime, and deep ingratitude to high heaven!" + +Here a dreadful storm of hail coming on, the weary fugitives gladly +entered a spacious cavern which propitiously and opportunely opened +wide "its ponderous jaws" to receive them; and which timely afforded +them a respite from the storm, and a refuge from pursuit. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Inter utramque viam, lethi discrimine parvo, + Ni teneant cursus. + + VIRGIL, _Æneid III_. + + Sæpe dolis, interit ista: Time! + + C. WEIGELIUS, NORIMBERGÆ. + + +The fugitives had now proceeded upon a long and wearisome journey after +their departure from the cavern, which had so opportunely afforded +them shelter and protection. Lonely, depressed, and overpowered by +overwhelming grief, self-accusation, and great bodily exertion, +solitary stood the noble, but unhappy Bruce, on the desolate shores +of his native land; while close stationed by him stood his brave and +faithful preserver, his sturdy and affectionate foster-brother, the +intrepid, the honest, the disinterested Malcolm. + +It was night,--an autumnal storm loudly raged, the clouds darkly were +drifted onward with increased rapidity through a perturbed sky; the +roaring waves of a tumultuous sea mounted upwards in alpine altitude +and curvature, as they dashed and foamed along; whose mournful, sullen +scream, responded not to mortal voice, although the sad measure seemed +to partake both of sorrow and of woe; if indeed that human suffering +and mortal woe could be supposed as associated with that treacherous +and tempestuous element. + +In the distance distinctly were heard the report of various musket +shots, discharged by the hackbutteers,[15] but at intervals only they +were heard. Whether these explosions were intended as a military +tribute of a faithful clan over the body of a fallen chieftain, or +whether they were intended as an excitement to pursuit, (probably the +latter,) could not with any positive certainty be ascertained. However, +the continued clangor of pursuing cavalry, and the loud, incessant +tramping of foot soldiers, who had proceeded with precipitance over +crags and rocks, and still unwearied in their pursuit, were audibly +heard to approach. It was too evident that all this loud uproar and +wild halloo which had prevailed, arose from the violent voice and shout +of those who pertinaciously pursued, and who were still pressing upon +the flight of the unhappy fugitive. + + [Footnote 15: Harquebuss, in the ancient statutes, is called also + Arquebuse, Haquebut, or Hagbut; it is a _hand-gun_, or a fire-arm + of a proper length to be borne in the arm. The word is formed of + the French _arquebuse_, and that from the Italian, _arcobusio_, or + _arco abuso_, of _arco_ a bow, and _busio_, a hole; on account of + the touch-hole in which the powder is put to prime it; and it is + likewise so called because it succeeded the bows of the ancients. + + The _harquebuss_ is properly a fire-arm, of the ordinary length + of a musket or fowling-piece, cocked usually with a wheel. Its + length is forty calibers; and the weight of its ball one ounce + seven-eighths; its charge of powder as much. + + There is also a larger kind, called _harquebuss a croc_, used in + war for the defence of places. The first time these instruments + were seen was in the imperial army of Bourbon, when Bonnivet was + driven out of the state of Milan. They are heavy and cumbersome.] + + +However, in another direction came on, yet with silent, cautious tread, +several faithful adherents, armed with dirk, targe, and claymore, who +advanced to the beach, not as blood-hounds to pursue, but as friends +to assist; not basely to track the steps of the noble fugitive, but +with might and with main to protect him, and cover his flight. This +faithful, small, but boldly determined clan, bore lanterns to assist +the projects which they had planned, which dimly flung a flickering +reddish light around. + +This gallant band came on fully resolved to save their chieftain--to +rescue him from surrounding perils, or to die! Sir David looked wildly +and inquisitively at them; but by no interrogatory he dared to break +the more than mortal silence which seemed to seal their lips. No, he +shrunk back in despair, fearing to question them; he too justly dreaded +_that to be_, which he would have forfeited his own life _not to have +been_! Dread despair palsied his voice, and held him back from what he +fain would ask--"Was his brother among the dead or the living?" The +dreadful response that might be returned, made him forego his purpose. +He could not--would not--dared not to inquire; it was not to be +attempted; and his brain seemed maddened when he thought thereon. His +heart was chilled, and his blood slowly pulsated; his lip quivered, and +his tongue was silent. However with a silent, but inquisitive gaze and +gesture, he sought that fearful information which he dared not--could +not ask; these, however, were appeals that could be neither mistaken +nor misunderstood. He sought the fearful answer from the plaided clan, +whose tall and commanding figures, although dimly and indistinctly seen +beneath the pale moon-beams of a stormy sky, and whatever illumination +their lanterns afforded, yet observed the earnest appeal: and he is +answered as he sought it, in awful silence and impressive dumb show, +each of the clan slowly folding around him his plaid, and then one +and all in the same moment joining in united action of a mournful +and impressive motion of the head. When all rapidly dashing aside +their plaids, with fierce and impressive energy they point their +out-stretched hands to the foaming waves, intimating thereby that there +alone safety was to be found. + +Now near, and still more near, too audibly are heard the renewed sounds +of advancing foes; the breeze wafting on the appalling and yelling +shouts of pursuit; and next followed the loud and deafening tramps +of the pursuers. No time--not a moment--was to be lost---- death or +immediate flight was the alternative!--Some bold, decisive act, was now +to be dared, and on the instant done! + +The stormy clouds, which in rapid succession hitherto had thrown their +dark floating shadows over the disk of an autumnal moon, at this +instant favourably dispersed, and the "pale queen of night" burst forth +in pearly radiance, glancing her friendly beams upon a fishing bark +which lay at anchor beneath an indented shelve of rocks, close by to +where the fugitives stood; and at no remote distance a small cottage +stood close to the beach, to the owner of which, in all probability, +the boat belonged. This seemed most likely to be the fact, from their +observation of the fishing-nets, gear, and tackle, all elucidatory of +a fisherman's pursuits, which lay outspread upon the shore, clearly +designating the uncertain and perilous occupation of the lonely +proprietor of this humble dwelling. Upon this discovery the vassals +proposed to their chieftain to knock at the door of the cottage, and +awake the fisherman. But to this suggestion the generous Bruce would +not hearken; he would not endanger the life of a poor and innocent man, +probably the sole supporter of his family, in the dread and desperate +fortunes of a fugitive--and alas, more than too probably a fratricide! + +Thus having impetuously and decisively spoken, David Bruce having flung +his purse into a broken aperture of the lattice window, sprung manfully +into the fishing bark, and the faithful Malcolm instantly sprang in +after his master. Next with fatal, feudal attachment, the vassals +advanced, and crowded into the boat, regardless of all remonstrance +and reproof, and seemingly insensible of the peril occasioned by thus +overloading the fishing skiff. + +The storm had for the present abated; which cessation, however, was +but of temporary duration. The pursuers meanwhile advanced, with +loud and appalling screams, and formed their ranks in martial array +upon the beach, the war-pipes loudly pealing forth a pibroch; they +next proceeded, having piled their arms, to light their torches from +lanterns which, with due precaution, they had borne with them; and soon +their ignited torches were applied, which after some little delay, +occasioned by the moisture of the storm, the ignition took effect, when +brilliantly blazed forth, in crackling flames, the extended ridges +of furze, fern, bent-grass, &c., that crowned the lofty links which +girdled the undulating summits of the shore. The different plants had +been dried up by a summer sun, and parched and ripened by the autumnal +blast; and the ignition soon extended along the entire line of the +coast. The central part of the conflagration flamed in the distance +like to some lofty castle on fire, and flanked, as the deception +would represent, by two large towers, which were in effect two large +flaming masses of furze and other various shrubs, which, now with a +flaming--now with a flickering corruscation, actually seemed like two +bale-fires blazing on the headlands. The whole mass having become one +continued conflagration, assumed an awfully grand appearance; the ruddy +sky brilliantly flamed above, the waves returned the fiery flash below, +as the waves undulated to and fro. The fugitives but too distinctly saw +the weapons raised in their offence boldly brandishing on the shore, +and vengefully flashing forth their quivering gleams, accompanied +with loud, fierce, and appalling shouts of vengeance from the bold, +determined band, who occupied the shore. + +Meanwhile these threatening tones of discord and defiance were +resolutely answered by a long continuous scream of triumph from the +fugitives, who fled from premeditated treachery, and whose parting +shouts were deeply chorussed by the symphony of their accompanying oars +that wafted them onward in safety. + +Now verging toward the distant horizon, the retreating boat was +distinctly seen slowly cutting its watery course, overladen although +it might be with an extra weight of living cargo. Availing themselves +of the breeze, they raised their little sail, and soon expedited their +course, wafted onward by the wild and dreary blast. + +The moon occasionally at intervals, as the stormy night-clouds cleared +away, streamed her radiance on the rippling bosom of the undulating +wave, which threw a brilliant line of light across the heaving billows; +and showed to those who might wish to observe the progress of the +fugitives, that in sooth they made but little way; which was not to be +wondered at, considering how incautiously crowded the boat had been +through the obstinacy of the too inconsiderate followers. Another +danger, superadded to the former, it but too fully appeared to the crew +arose from the frailty of the bark itself, that had soon to contend +with the approach, or rather with the return, of the tempest. + +The impressive scene that we have attempted to describe, was, it must +be allowed, altogether out of the usual course of ordinary events, +and partook of a high and extraordinary degree of interest. To behold +a wild, desolate, and romantic shore, lined and occupied as it had +been, at such an hour, by a military band of pursuers, and illuminated +by the blazing fires, which broadly glanced on spear, axe, target, +and claymore; whose ruddy contrasting light served but to cause that +the dark impending rocks above, and the indented caverns below, +should appear more savage, and their dense darkness the more visible! +Meanwhile, to witness the dumb, but expressive gesticulation of the +heads and hands, and indignant and angry step, of the enraged vassals +on the beach, appearing to the distant beholder all of a deep, glaring, +fiery red, fierce as the impetuous motives which led them onward to the +bloody track. Rage, and all the varied manifestations of the fierce +passions of wrath and revenge, were but too visible, from the broad and +brilliant glare of light that flashed upon them. It was such a scene as +would have charmed the creative imagination of Michael Angelo to have +dwelt upon and portrayed, and might have even given additional sketches +of horror for his "Day of Judgment." And, oh! how would the poetic +pencil of the solitary Salvator Rosa have managed this scene!--how his +pencil would have sported with it, and his genius have rejoiced!--here +he might have conjured up and enlivened his landscape with a bold, +determined, band of pirates, soldiers, or banditti, surrounded by +dark and frowning precipices. For such was the wild and savage scene +so lately before the reader's eye. Rocks frowning in deep darkness, +indented with frequent hollow caverns below, the midnight retreat of +the otter and porpoise; while from the higher caverned cliffs above, +awakened and aroused from their quarry, sprung forth the osprey, the +vulture, and cormorant, all loudly screaming, and joining in one +continued dissonant chorus, deeming that the returning morn had arrived! + +The fishing bark having been found no longer sea-worthy, the fugitives +were compelled to seek the shore; in which act the boat heaved against +a rock, but it did no material injury to the bark. Strange to say, +however, the shock awakened within the little cabin (if cabin it could +be called) of the stern, an inmate, that until that moment the trusty +followers did not know, nor even suspect, that such an individual +they had on board. This fellow was a tall, athletic figure, whether +fisherman or smuggler was doubtful, who must have been, consequently, +hitherto profoundly asleep, deeply fatigued, it was supposed, by having +been out all the previous night at sea, either fishing or plundering, +possibly occupied in one or other--probably in both of these perilous +pursuits. + +This desperate and daring mariner, rapidly bouncing on deck, said, or +rather screamed forth, with denouncing haste and rage: "Ye a' maun +perish, a' are tint! and ken ye weel a Johnstone had his revenge!" + +Then, with face and the fury of a maniac, and a horrific laugh, he +instantly sprang into the waves, plunging like a water-fowl; he sunk, +but soon arose again. Malcolm was prepared for this, having previously +seized a carabine from one of the Bruce's followers; and soon as the +ruffian again arose, Malcolm took determined aim, his carabine exploded +its contents, having duly hit the destined mark. The victim of his just +revenge loudly screamed, plunged, floundered, and sunk,--but he rose no +more! + +The crew of the fishing boat meanwhile, or those who acted in that +capacity, had timely and providentially discovered and frustrated the +treacherous fate which seemed so certainly to await them, and which was +so darkly hinted at by this desperate partisan of the Johnstone clan. +The pumps were set instantly and incessantly at work, while the leak +was timeously stopped, and every precaution adopted to insure and make +"surety doubly sure." + +It would appear that this desperate follower of the Johnstones had +somehow discovered, or overheard, from the followers of the Bruce, +the fatal scene that had taken place at Turnberry Castle, the tragical +compotation, the bloody fray, between the Maxwells and the Johnstones, +and of the fatal death of Sir Robert Bruce. And hence, therefore, it +was concluded, that he had come to the desperate determination of +destroying, by one daring, decisive act, the number of the enemies of +his clan who occupied the bark; and with this fixed resolution, it +would appear he had sprung a leak, thinking thereby at once to send so +many souls to a watery grave. In which base and treacherous attempt he +had been nearly too successful, but for the prompt and active aid that +was given by all hands on board; and it was with great difficulty that +with unabated effort and energy they ultimately happily succeeded in +accomplishing their safety. + +The boat was not far distant from the shore, when several of Bruce's +followers, at length made sensible of their impropriety and obstinacy +in overloading the vessel, which caused such as could best swim soon to +spring from the bark, and swim for the shore, having had previously +affixed a cable to the prow, which they succeeded in safely towing the +extreme end of the rope, and landing it on the beach, where "with a +long and a strong pull, and a pull altogether," they hauled the leaky +and fragile bark to shore, and landed their noble chieftain in perfect +safety. + +Upon debarking they fortunately encountered some of David's followers, +who were in anxious search of him, and had long been on the look out, +expecting his approach. They met him with his horse ready caparisoned +for a journey, his arms and accoutrements all duly arranged; besides a +horse with a small valise, containing clothes and linen, and holsters +containing long barrelled pistols, according to the fashion of the age, +&c. &c. From these attendants Bruce obtained information that "The +William Wallace" was about to sail from the port of Ayr. Sir David and +Malcolm, promptly mounting their gallant steeds, proceeded in full +gallop for the port of Ayr. + +The pursuers had retired from the beach, and immediately all around the +point of debarkation it was pitchy darkness, save that in the distant +horizon the flickering blaze of the late conflagration about to expire, +flashed a ruddy tinge upon the passing clouds. Long since the voice of +vengeance had died on the ear, and the loud tramping of the pursuer was +heard no more in the breeze. + +Bruce determined, while in his flight to Ayr, upon changing his name, +and assumed that of Colonel Davidson, Brandenburgh Hussars. + +The travellers having proceeded with the utmost speed, soon reached +the port of Ayr before curfew-time, but much overpowered by mental +feelings, and overcome by great bodily exertion. + +The perilous result and shipwreck of the ill-fated "William Wallace of +Ayr," has been already fully detailed in the first chapter of the first +volume of this work, which doubtless is still fresh in the reader's +recollection. + +But it is full time to return to Tyrconnel Castle, and revisit the +noble inmates, overcome by grief and dismay at the sudden, unexpected, +and unaccountable departure of the noble, generous, but unhappy Bruce. +To fulfil which intent we proceed onward to the next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Unus, et alter, sed idem. + + +Gentle Reader, hitherto thou hast been addressed by us in the plural +number, now, for the first and last time, thou wilt not surely grudge +that the author should for once in _propria persona_ address thee. + +I confess that I am in the habit of looking upon the division of +a story into chapters, as similar to the subdivision of a journey +into miles: by the aggregate of the one the length of the story is +ascertained, by the aggregate of the other the distance of the journey +is distinctly known. Nor does the similarity terminate here; the +heading or motto of each chapter points out to the reader what kind +of "entertainment" he may expect, just as a sign hung out at the door +of an inn indicates; and in the same way too the milestone points out +to the wearied traveller the proximities to his inn, as the "_carte du +jour_" apprises him of the dinner with which he may be regaled. The +heading of the chapter also tells whether it is by land or by sea the +reader is to travel; the heading of a milestone whether by mountain, +moor, morass, valley, town, or city, the traveller has to steer. These +said chapters were, no doubt, a truly commendable invention, which give +a kind of _carte du pays_, as they show and point out to the reader how +the land lies, in the same manner that those communicative milestones +and signposts point out to the traveller the distance of town from +town. Both in their way are extremely useful indeed, combining the +_utile_ with the _dulci_. But it is imagined that both reader and +traveller little take into account that it was not without some toil +and labour these respective accommodations were completed for their use +and convenience. After this sage remark, be it known, gentle reader, +that this story now rapidly draws to a close, and that the next mile +(to carry on the simile) thy journey will end. The best indeed that +the case would admit of has been done for thy "entertainment," and it +is hoped that, thy journey concluded, thou shalt have found the roads +to have been not wholly intolerable, the fare not indifferent, and the +journey not wholly unprofitable! + +Now, resuming the plural, we will venture to say, that "if it be true +that _good wine needs no bush_, it is true that a good play needs no +epilogue." However, whether, and in what degree, this may be applicable +to us, oh, courteous reader, is not for us, but for thee, to determine +and adjudge in the chapter which succeeds. + +From this long digression it is time to resume our eventful story. The +consternation occasioned by the sudden and unaccountable departure of +Sir David Bruce from Tyrconnel Castle, can better be imagined than told. + +The duke arose at an early hour, as he was wont, and took his +constitutional walk before breakfast. Upon his return it was with no +small astonishment he heard that Sir David Bruce had departed at deep +midnight, and on horseback, not having taken with him a travelling +carriage, nor luggage, save a small valise, as preparatory to a +journey. He immediately communicated it, with as much due precaution +as the time would admit of, to the duchess, who had now entered the +breakfast parlour. + +Her Grace turned pale, and seemed nigh fainting. As soon as she could +recover from her surprise and trepidation, she said: "All, my dear, is +not well, I fear; I will go up and question Adelaide." + +Here, as the duchess had gone out of one door, the Reverend chaplain, +Doctor M'Kenzie, entered at another. The chaplain wished his Grace good +morrow, and spoke of the weather, expatiating upon the beauties of +Nature. + + "'Tis morning; and the sun, with ruddy orb + Ascending, fires th' horizon.---- + + The season smiles, resigning all its rage, + And has the warmth of May. The vault is blue + Without a cloud, and white without a speck." + +The duke looked--but he saw not, he spoke not, he heard not. No!--the +serenity of the season was not in accordance with the sorrow of his +heart. At once the chaplain saw it all, for the duke was deadly pale; +but the cause of this despondence he did not know, nor did he dare to +inquire. + +But while he was about to ask the duke if he was unwell, the door +opened, and the duchess re-entered; and bursting into a flood of tears, +she flung herself into a chair. In so doing, a dagger fell from her +apron on the ground. She fainted, and it was some time before she +came to herself. When she did, she then said: "It is all involved in +darkness and mystery; I cannot unravel the clue. Adelaide cannot--will +not tell. She has sworn on the dagger's point never to reveal it until +placed upon her death-bed. She has sworn upon this." + +Here the chaplain took up the dagger; it was incrusted with blood. +He examined the handle; it was of silver, and upon it was engraved +FUIMUS. It likewise fell from his hand, and trundled on +the ground. Here he fearfully and involuntarily repeated, and in a +sepulchral tone, + + "FUIMUS NON SUMUS!" + +The duke sternly said: "In the name of heaven, I charge you, Reverend +Sir, that you will forthwith explain what all this may mean? Although +the days of superstition still exist, yet nevertheless I must protest +against supernatural agency." + +Doctor M'Kenzie said: "Permit me to ask one question of the duchess, +and then I will, as far at least as I can, throw some light on this +dark mystery. May I be permitted to ask your Grace, if Sir David Bruce +will return?" + +"Never--oh, never! Reverend Sir," was the reply; "I just have heard so +from my daughter." + +"Then," said the chaplain, "I am at liberty to explain, without any +violation of promise. I have no doubt that your Graces both recollect +the narrative of my voyage from Scotland, from the port of Ayr, and of +my having been shipwrecked on the coast of Austrian Flanders." + +The duke and duchess nodded assent. + +"You may also recollect the mysterious passenger who appeared so deeply +overpowered by grief--Colonel Davidson." + +They both remembered. + +"You may also doubtless recollect the words of that terrific song--that +was pronounced by no earthly voice--that was sung to no earthly sound! +To the last solemn hour of my existence I never can forget it. The +words and tune are in my ears when I awaken in the morn--they ring +their horrid vespers in my ears at night, and dirge me in my sleep. Can +your Graces remember some of the words?--namely the voice of the Spirit +of the Storm, and + + +THE AWFUL DIRGE. + + Once we held fair Scotland's throne, + Ay, once we claimed that realm our own, + _Fuimus non sumus_! + + + + + We were--have been--were crown'd--are not; + Dispers'd, forsaken, and forgot! + _Fuimus non sumus_! + + + + + Behold! the last of all our race + Is forced to fly his natal place!-- + He bears the vengeful, fatal knife, + Deep stain'd by bloody feudal strife! + _Fuimus non sumus_! + +"Know then, may it please your Graces, that when I was introduced by +the duke to Sir David Bruce, I recognised him at once to be----" + +"Colonel Davidson!!" vociferated the duke in a tremendous voice, +without waiting for the chaplain to finish. + +"Yes, my lord," replied the chaplain, "another, and yet the same." + +The duchess fell back in her chair, overpowered with grief. + +When the duchess had become somewhat calm, after a pause the chaplain +continued: "Little indeed at that time did I ever dream that my +fellow-passenger was destined at a future day to become your Graces' +son-in-law, and under such unhappy auspices. But the will of heaven +must be done, and it is for some wise purpose it is done, although not +revealed to mortal eyes." + +The duchess now returned to the unhappy Adelaide, in every respect, +from her virtues, talents, and accomplishments, worthy far of a better +fate. + +The duke, when breakfast was taken away--for the duke eat +not--- proposed to the chaplain to proceed to the little room which had +been occupied by Sir David Bruce as his library during his stay at +Tyrconnel Castle, in order to ascertain if there had been left there +any letter or document explanatory of his very sudden and unaccountable +departure. The duke, accompanied by his chaplain, entered Sir David's +little library, taking a melancholy survey of the chamber. They at +last, upon approaching a writing-table, found thereon the following +song in manuscript:-- + + +SONG, + +WRITTEN ON MY BRIDAL-DAY--TO AN OLD IRISH AIR. + + I ask'd my Adelaide what was her wish? + She replied, "Oh, ever love me kindly!" + Again I ask'd my love what was her wish? + She answer'd, "Oh, ever love me kindly!" + Again I ask'd my love what was her wish? + And she said, "Oh, love me not too blindly!" + + My love I ask'd once more what was her wish? + (While her fond, lovely arms, did entwine me, + And down trickling tears rapidly did gush,) + "'Tis--may my husband's dear hands yet enshrine me, + And to the silent grave, with sad and solemn stave, + He in years far remote may consign me!" + + D. B. + +The duke felt extremely affected. The pathos of the Irish air, the +feeling expressed in the song, and the mournful moment in which it was +perused, all most powerfully conspired to operate upon those noble +feelings which he too acutely possessed. And as he brought away the +MS. the chaplain observed that the duke secretly brushed away the +silent tear which trickled down his manly cheek. + +The surprise occasioned by the very sudden and extraordinary +departure of Sir David Bruce, afforded a topic of conversation and +altercation among the gossips and _quid nuncs_ of the vicinage, for +at least a fortnight.--By that time the novelty appeared to melt +away; but while it lasted all various changes were rung with endless +interpolations, until they could not possibly be interpreted.--Some +were inclined to throw the entire blame to the account of Adelaide, +as the sole cause of her husband's departure. But others, both male +and female recriminators, would entirely (if in their power) fling +the whole balance of censure against Sir David Bruce. At length the +parish and the county became quite sick and weary of such peevish +conjectures;--until "cormorant-devouring Time" put an end to them, at +least fulfilling his part, inasmuch showing that he is the destroyer +of prejudice and of party, and of all sublunary things:-- + + "Tempus edax rerum." + +But it is in vain to disguise, and it would be highly culpable, if it +were within the power of human ingenuity, to deny it, that often, too +often, _human passion_, or it should be called brutal rage, assails the +noblest minds and the most generous dispositions; those who are but too +inflammably alive to whatever they conceive to be base, grovelling, +or unjust--such are probably the most liable to "the sin that easily +besets them." It is indeed to be lamented how suddenly passion in +the moral, like the whirlwind in the physical world, can rend up by +the roots all that graced and adorned human life, boldly and rudely +usurping the seat of reason, and leaving only to cool and repentant +reflection the unavailing sighs and sorrowing tears of self-crimination! + +The foregoing story, tragical as it is true, incontestibly proves that +"trifles light as air" assumed in the commencement, subsequently, if +encouraged, increase and multiply in a _ratio_ and amount of accession +and aggression, until recrimination is produced; then follow mutual +hatreds, quarrels, and bickerings, until awakened and aroused at a +fatal moment and at a savage period, as we have described, all these +bad passions burst forth resistless into a fatal blaze, which was only +to be quenched by the shedding of fraternal blood! + +A dramatic poet has so beautifully expressed our meaning, that we +cannot resist quoting his language, and with the passage concluding +this chapter:-- + + ----"O, be obstinately just! + Indulge no passion, and betray no trust; + Let not man be bold enough to say, + Thus, and no farther, shall my passion stray! + The first crime past, compels us on to more, + And guilt proves fate, that was but choice before!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +CONCLUSION. + + Oh, thou wert lovely!--lovely was thy frame, + And pure thy spirit as from heaven it came! + And when recalled to join the blest above, + Thou diedst a victim to exceeding love! + + HUMAN LIFE. + + +Our story rapidly hastens to a close, parts whereof had hitherto been +purposely thrown into the back ground of our painting,--or, to _use_ +another simile, adopting the policy of a wary general, who makes a +feint retreat with the intent of concentrating his forces, next to +return with renovated vigour and alacrity to the charge; thus sagely +saving his videts from being shot, his cannon from being spiked, and +his reinforcements from being killed off. In like manner too, most +gentle reader, we have adopted the "_parva componere magnis_;" and +accordingly, as we felt it incumbent upon us, have hitherto thrown +some facts and events, since developed, and deeply connected with our +story, into the back ground of our picture, with the hope that aught +of circumstance or of interest that we hitherto fain would hide in the +shade, and cloak under the veil or umbrage of mystery and obscurity, +might chance to escape the penetration of the reviewing critic, and +of thee too, reviewing reader! until we found it sage and pertinently +expedient to develope the same. + +However we may have failed or succeeded in this attempt, we have +nevertheless endeavoured, with all our means, to give a faithful +and impartial portraiture of the different events as they actually +occurred, and of the various characters presented in our tale, as they +severally made "their exits and their entrances," and "bustled their +busy hour" in "this strange and eventful history." And now, courteous +reader, we gratefully take leave, and greet thee with our _ultimum +vale_, for we shall never meet again!--then accept our last adieu! + +Of the future fate and fortunes of Sir David Bruce, nothing, with any +certain portion of historic authenticity, could for a vast length +of time be traced or ascertained. It is true, however, as usually +consequatory upon such doubtful occasions, that rumour, with her +hundred tongues, was not found sleeping at her post, but was, on this +occurrence, alert and busy as the tattling goddess is ever wont to be, +in spreading and disseminating through the oracular organs of all the +gossiping old women in, about, and around all the adjoining baronies, +various, yet contradictory reports. One story-teller reported that +Sir David had retired to the continent, and had once more visited his +favourite Brussels, and had there taken up his abode. But that city, +instead of yielding all its former charms, when hope was buoyant, and +love successful, only served to demonstrate the mournful contrast, +and recall more potently his misery! He too well remembered what he +had been, and what the treasure was that he had for ever lost! He +felt but too well that "such things had been, and were most dear to +him." But alas, then he knew, and most acutely felt too, the wretched +man he was! What was he now?--a forlorn fugitive--a self-outcast--his +peace destroyed--his hopes decayed--and in a word, a wretch, by his +own condemnation! Unhappy man! he knew but too well what he _had_ +been--what he _might_ have been--what he _ought_ to have been--and, oh! +what _then_ he was! These were no consoling reflections to an acute and +sensitive mind like his. The rumour then concluded by asserting, that +finding only aggravated sorrow, vexation, and a painful recollection of +that happiness that he had lost for ever, in his former once favourite +city of Brussels, that Sir David had thence retired, in complete +disgust with all the world, where "man delighted him not, nor woman +neither," into the Monastery of _Sancta Maria de Camberone_, near to +Mons, where he became a Carthusian friar; long continued to lead a life +of piety and peace; died a beatified saint, and bequeathed all his +worldly estate to the holy brethren of that pious establishment. + +This idle and unfounded rumour was, however, at variance completely +with positive and stubborn facts; and truth was clearly elicited from +the high and honourable testimony of Lord Glandarah, who had been +engaged in a tour upon the continent; and while occupied in visiting +foreign courts, among others had sojourned at the court of the Elector +Palatine, to whom, upon his arrival at Berlin, he was presented; and +in the suite and service of this prince he recognized Sir David Bruce. +Both were mutually rejoiced at the meeting, but remained wholly silent +as to the events that had passed at Tyrconnel Castle. + +Sir David Bruce was habited in a black hussar uniform; much changed +in appearance, and his spirits completely broken down; his manly form +and figure were sadly altered. However mournful and depressed appeared +the Bruce, yet the story of his life, from the time of his departure +from Tyrconnel Castle, was well told in the scar on his manly cheek, +and the still deeper one which he bore upon his noble brow; while the +brilliant star of Brandenburgh that sparkled on his breast, and the +cross which hung appendant to his neck, gave proofs that his deeds of +valour had not passed by unregarded and unrewarded by the grateful +prince he served. + +In the course of some few years subsequent to the period which we +notice, the Berlin Gazette, in giving an account of the siege of +Namur in the year 1690 and----, thus notices the death of this truly +valiant hero. After a long military detail the statement ran to this +effect:--"That in boldly attempting to carry the fort of Coehorn by a +_l'epee à la main_, the gallant Sir David Bruce had fallen, overpowered +by wounds; when his lamented remains were borne from the trenches by +his brave Brandenburghers, whom he had so often led on to victory; and +were by them most honourably interred, with all the pomp and regret +that await the brave." + +Such was the gallant termination of the brilliant, transient, and +unhappy career of the valiant Bruce. His amiable lady, the poor, +disconsolate Adelaide, did not long survive her lord, who in every +respect was deserving of a happier fate than that sad one which +unhappily fell to her lot. She died, as she had lived, a Protestant, +although the duke and duchess were strict Catholics; a striking +proof of the superiority of her understanding, considering all local +circumstances, and the tone and temper of the times with which she +had to contend; living under a Catholic king, whose whole conduct and +administration were arbitrary--whose royal career propitiously set out +with the title of "James the Just," but fatally terminated in that +of "James the Tyrannical;" oppressing both the consciences and the +personal liberty of his subjects, whom he only considered as his slaves. + +But let it be understood, and handed down to posterity, that Lady +Adelaide was no bigot, her feelings and her religion were by far too +Christian to permit her to be one. Piety, charity, toleration, and +benevolence, accompanied withal a mild, gentle, and conciliatory +temper, adorned her character; and with a truly devout feeling +softened the asperities and disappointments which she had to encounter +in her mournful passage and pilgrimage through the thorny vale of life. +Pure, unaffected piety, and the slow hand of time, united to the kind +attentions of her relatives, especially of her mother the duchess, and +Lady Lucy, gradually succeeded in mitigating her grief. While humbly +and cheerfully submitting to the will of heaven, and occupied in the +exercise of the mild and tolerant spirit of the Christian faith, she +found that internal comfort and consolation that was denied her in the +world. + +Adelaide did not long survive her husband, and upon her death-bed made +a confession, previous to which disclosure none but the confidential +ear of her beloved mother had heard. In this she disclosed all those +events which have been already developed by the extraordinary and +affecting interview and separation which we witnessed to have passed +between Bruce and Adelaide. Having received the last rites of the +church, Adelaide surrendered her last breath, with hope and humble +resignation, to Him who gave it! + +Lady Adelaide Bruce was born the 31st of October, 1600 and----, upon +_the Eve of All-Hallows_; was married the 31st of October, 1600 and +----; and died the 31st of October, 1600 and----, upon the _Eve of +All-Hallows_! + +Upon the demise of the Lady Adelaide the following verses were found in +her escritoir by her afflicted mother, which had been written evidently +subsequent to the death of Bruce: + + He is gone!---- I'm ne'er to behold him! + And, oh! never more to enfold him + Within these widowed arms! + + The spring shall bloom, the summer glow + With all their brilliant charms; + For my poor heart, too well, I trow, + No peace nor pleasure waits below; + But cold neglect, like winter snow! + Each blast my breast alarms! + + My soul is sad, my spirits fail, + It much relieves me to bewail! + My only rest lies in HIS tomb!-- + My hope--a better world to come! + + When wafted to blest realms on high, + Where pain and sorrow come not nigh; + May thus a contrite Christian die! + + (_Signed_) ADELAIDE. + +It had been inadvisedly reported that our early acquaintance, Captain +Heaviside, had fallen _cum multis aliis ignotis_, at the battle of +the Boyne. However, the last accounts from the pump-room at Bath put +it beyond all dispute that the gallant captain was still in the land +of the living; and whether at the card-table or in the ball-room, +the ladies actually considered Captain Heaviside as the very cream +of gentility, and the flower of ceremony; and he very soon set his +affections on a prudent spinster, who had arrived at a discreet age, +a Miss Barbara Golightly. And the mutual attentions of these worthies +to each other, reminded the gossipers in the pump-room of the deep +affection which Cid Hamet records to have existed betwixt those sage +personages, Sancho and Dapple; of whom it was difficult to pronounce +whether Sancho loved Dapple, or Dapple loved Sancho, the best!--_Sic +itur ad astra_! + +The arrival some weeks after of "The London Intelligencer"[16] set +this matter completely at rest, and plainly told the _quid-nuncs_ +their _erratum_, that for "killed" they ought to have read "married." +The paragraph in the Intelligencer was worded to the following +effect:--"Married, at the Abbey church of Bath, on Thursday last, by +the Honourable and very Reverend Dean P--l--y, Captain Harry Heaviside, +late of the---- regiment of foot, to the amiable and affable Miss +Barbara Golightly of that city, whose merits will not be diminished by +bestowing upon the brave captain, in conjunction with her fair hand, a +fortune of ten thousand pounds!" + + [Footnote 16: The "Mercurius Civicus, London's Intelligencer, or + Truth impartially related from thence to the Kingdom, to prevent + Misinformation." This public print, with the foregoing quaint + title, was first published in 1643. Printed for Thomas Bates on + Snow-hill.] + +Lady Lucy had several proposals of marriage made to her by persons of +high rank and fortune, but she invariably refused them all; whether +it was that Lady Lucy was fastidious in her choice of a companion +for life, or that she preferred a state of "single blessedness" to +the marriage state, we shall not aver, but simply state her amiable, +and disinterested, and generous conduct, to her unhappy niece, to +whom she was indeed most unremitting in her attentions; and seemed +most assiduous and well pleased in dispensing those nameless acts of +kindness to her niece, in thought, in deed--nay, in her very looks, a +countenance beaming with goodness and philanthropy; all of which were +gratefully and duly acknowledged on the part of Adelaide. + +Lady Letitia, after a long continued siege of courtship, took final +compassion on Sir Patricius Placebo; whom she was now not unwilling +to admit as her true knight, and actually gave him her noble hand as +his _guerdon_; for inasmuch that during the continuation of a long +acquaintance, and that too under the same roof withal, yet that her +ladyship had never, in any one recorded instance, heard the baronet to +pronounce the truly portentous word--PERHAPS! No, never, in +that long continued course. + +It was, however, it must be confessed, maliciously asserted by some, +yet still contradicted by others, that this being leap year that +the lady availed herself of acknowledged privileges belonging and +immemorially pertaining to this gifted year. But this we shall not +vouch for. + + "Non nostrum inter tantas componere lites." + +We merely state the fact that her Ladyship duly and legally became Lady +Letitia Placebo. Upon the consummation of the marriage Sir Patricius +sported a handsome new chariot, with the arms of Placebo quartered +agreeably to all the tenor of the rules and laws of arms and blazonry, +in the same shield with those of the noble house of Tyrconnel; and he +did not forget his own motto, which was a kind of pun (at that time in +vogue) upon his own name-- + + PLACEBO, SEMPERQUE PLACEBO! + +From which said motto one may fairly infer that the baronet's opinion +of himself was by very many degrees removed above mediocrity! + +Mrs. Judith Brangwain, now far advanced in years, and somewhat +splenetic in her remarks, expressed much serious displeasure and +vexation at this matrimonial event; she said: "It truly calls forth +my marvel and wonderment. For surely my Lady Letitia must have been +bewitched, any how; and that is faith, sure enough, the only razonable +way for counting it. And, in troth, any how my lady is a deal too good +for the ould midwife, to be sure, that is sartain. Who, after all +in all, is the very Carrick on Suir [caricature] of a defunct fop! +Better--aye, far better, would it have been for Lady Letitia to have +eloped with her riding switch to the continent; aye, and to have passed +seven long years and a day in taking the tower of Europa in search of a +husband, sooner nor domain herself by giving the hand of a princess of +a right ould Irish stock to an upstart quack doctor!" + +The duke and duchess, although they did not encourage, much less +approve of the match, yet they did not prevent the solemnization of +the marriage. Lady Letitia had indeed arrived at the due years of +discretion, that is to say, if ever they were to arrive; and Sir +Patricius Placebo, with all his peculiarities and eccentricities, was, +in the main point, a man of worth and respectability. + +Upon the event of the marriage the duke presented Sir Patricius and his +sister with the gift of Lætely Lodge, where the happy, happy pair, soon +departed for, intending there, without a dissentient "perhaps," to pass +the honey-moon. + +In little more than the space of nine months Lady Letitia presented the +doctor with a chubby male _Placebo_. This proved very agreeable to Sir +Patricius, who really had, or affected to have, a rooted dislike to all +children of the feminine gender. + +And here it must be incontinently confessed, that this event took place +to the no small astonishment and disappointment of all the surrounding +gossips in the adjoining parishes and baronies, as these sapient folks +had somewhat too hastily assumed the fact that Lady Letitia Placebo had +passed by the time and season when ladies wish, and may expect to be in +_that state_, "who love their lords!" They, in sooth, considered her +ladyship too ancient to prove _enceinte_. + +Sir Patricius, upon this most desired and happy event, raised his +stately head somewhat higher than he was wont to do; and with all +due discretion, gravity, emphasis, and mellow intonation of voice, +addressed his auditory--his countenance, meanwhile, as he spoke, +being lighted up by the important smile of self-applause, and having +consequentially put his Carolus snuff-box in requisition--"I did," said +he, "it must be confessed, form some hopes and expectations upon this +much wished for occasion, which have been now so happily realized; as +verily, my Lady Letitia Placebo hath not disappointed me. For as the +learned and justly celebrated Archimedes was accustomed to observe-- + + "[GREEK: DThS MThI TEN STIGMÊN]," &c. &c. + +It now becomes our melancholy duty to record that the noble and highly +gifted Duchess of Tyrconnel did not many years survive the deplored +death of her deeply beloved daughter--her adored Adelaide; and ere +long was followed to the grave by her brave and illustrious duke, who +directed that the following inscription should be placed upon his +tomb:-- + + PATRIÆ INFELICI, FIDELIS. + + "Faithful to the last to his unhappy country!" + + + + +NOTES, + +&c. &c. + + In which are given four original Letters of King James II. never + before published; accompanied with fac-similes of his royal + Signet and Signature. Likewise, an original Letter from the Duke + of Berwick; the fac-simile of the Duke's Seal and Signature are + also given, copied critically from the original Letters in the + Manuscript Closet of Trinity College, Dublin. + + +CHAPTER I.--VOL. I., p. 17. + +"Ailsa, about fifteen miles from the coast, [of Ayrshire,] is a vast +rock of a conical form, 940 feet in height, two miles in circumference, +accessible only on the north-east, and uninhabited. Its summit is +covered with heath and a little grass. It is the property of the +Earl of Casilis, who obtains a rent from it, paid from the sale of +feathers, Solan geese, and rabbit-skins. On its acclivity are the +ruins of a chapel and fort, and near these there is a spring of fresh +water."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland_, vol. I. p. 179. + +In the summer of 1811, and likewise in that of 1824, the author of +these volumes sailed past this stupendous rock, and the Scotch sailors +on board informed him, that the rent received from the produce of this +rock by Lord Cassilis, amounted to upwards of £30 per annum. + + +CHAPTER VII.--VOL. I., p. 169. + +Grace O'Malley, formerly better known in Ireland by the name (in +popular parlance) of Grana Uile; and so called from the Castle of +Carrick Uley, the ruins of which are stationed at the extremity of an +inlet in the bay of Newport, in the county of Mayo. The proper name +is _Carrick a Uile_, or, "the rock in the elbow;" in allusion to the +impending mountain which crowns it, the strength of the castle, and the +recess in which it is situated. + +In this castle resided Grace O'Malley. Her family were from time +immemorial considerable on the north-west coast of Ireland, their +principality extending from the lake called Lough Corrib, in the +county of Galway, to Croagh Patrick, in the county of Mayo, and from +thence to the borders of the town of Sligo, a considerable tract +of which is still called "the Uisles of O'Malley;" a fine fertile +country, chiefly skirted by the sea; the bays and harbours excellent, +and beautifully interspersed with verdant islands, many of which are +inhabited. For aptness of local situation for maritime affairs and +naval exploits, the lords of the territory became early conspicuous; in +attestation of which the motto to the family name is, "_Terra marique +potens_,"--Powerful alike by land and sea. + +Grace O'Malley was daughter of Owen O'Malley, and widow of O'Flaherty, +two Irish chieftains who flourished in that country. Upon the death of +O'Flaherty Grace married Sir Richard Bourke, who died in 1585, leaving +three sons and one daughter the fruits of this marriage. Upon the +death of her husband and of her father, from necessity Grace O'Malley +(then Bourke) undertook the management of family concerns, acting with +firmness and resolution, keeping up her fleet for the protection of her +castles and estates, so essentially necessary in stormy and turbulent +times, and from this circumstance many considered her, and in popular +belief to this day she is still considered, as a pirate! + +Grace, or Grana Uile, was a high-spirited lady, and became fond at an +early age of the watery element, accompanying her father and his sept, +or clan, in many naval exploits. The coast was plundered of cattle +and other property, and many people were murdered in these predatory +expeditions. + +Grana was ever foremost in danger. Courage and conduct secured her +success; and the affrighted natives along the north-west shore trembled +at her name.--Many hardy and daring mariners from distant parts +sought her service, attracted by her fame. Her vessels of the largest +description were kept moored in Clare Island, where she possessed a +large castle, and her smaller craft were kept stationed at Carrick a +Uile. + +Tradition relates that her piracies became so notorious, and her power +so dangerous, that Grana was proclaimed, and a reward of five hundred +pounds offered for her apprehension. Resolving to make her peace with +England's Queen, she attended the court of Elizabeth, accompanied with +a large retinue, a guard of gallo-glasses bearing partisans, and clad +in saffron robes, who attracted great and universal attention. + +The Queen received her in great state. Grana was arrayed in the costume +of her country:--a long Irish mantle covered her head and person; her +hair gathered _à la Grecque_, and fastened with a gold bodkin inlaid +with jewels; her bosom was bare; and her dress a yellow silk boddice +and petticoat. The court were struck with infinite surprise at her +singular appearance. However, Grana succeeded in the object of her +visit, and having made her peace with Elizabeth, returned to Ireland. + +The castle belonging to Grana in the island of Clare, which boasts a +fine harbour and quay, was so much considered by Oliver Cromwell, that +he there erected a fort and barrack, in which he maintained a garrison. + +Grana endowed a monastery on it, in which she lies interred; her arms +and motto, carved on the tomb with those of her husband, are still +to be seen. This island still continues an estate in the family who +bear the name of O'Malley; and until of late years had been the family +burial place. + +The celebrity of Grana Uile has been the theme of bards for many years. +In the year 1753, during the political contests which occurred in the +administration of the Duke of Dorset, a very popular song appeared, to +an old Irish air, and the burden of the song was Grana Uile. It is too +long for insertion in this work. + + +CHAPTER VIII.--VOL. I., p. 195. + +_Pastry Fortifications._ + + ----"I have framed a fortification + Out of rye paste, which is impregnable;[17] + And against that for two long hours together, + Two dozen of marrow-bones shall play continually. + For fish I'll make you a standing lake of white broth, + And pikes come ploughing up the plums before them, + Arion-like, on a dolphin, playing Lachrymæ; + And brave king herring, with his oil and onion, + Crown'd with a lemon peel, his way prepared + With his strong guard of pilchers." + + [_The Bloody Brothers, or Rollo Duke of Normandy_, by BEAUMONT and + FLETCHER, vol. VII. act II. scene II. p. 151.] + + [Footnote 17: At the splendid entertainments of those days the + confectioners were very solicitous to present these and similar + fopperies on the tables of the great. Furnace the cook says, in + MASSINGER'S "_New Way to pay old Debts_," + + ----"Since our master, noble Allworth, died, + Though I crack my brain to find out tempting sauces, + And raise _fortifications in the pastry_, + Such as might serve for models in the Low Countries; + Which, if they had been practised at Breda, + Spinola might have thrown his cap at it, and ne'er took it." + + And again, in the Prologue to "_A Wife for a Month_," which was the + sole production of FLETCHER, we have the following lines on the + same subject-- + + "Our noble friend, who writ this, bid me say, + He had rather dress upon a triumph day + My Lord Mayor's feast, and make him sauces too, + Sauce for each several month; nay, further go, + He had rather build up those invincible pies + And castle custards,[18] that affright all eyes, + Nay, eat 'em and their artillery-- + Than dress for such a curious company + One single dish."----- + + BEAUMONT and FLETCHER--Vol. VIII. p. 137.] + + [Footnote 18: The ingenuity of ancient cooks in raising pastry + fortifications has been already noticed. In the text we have not + only fortresses of paste, but castles made of custards, furnished + with eatable artillery, on a triumph-day, that is one of the + greatest festivities at the Mansion-house. Another similar device + of march-pane is mentioned in "Witts and Fancies"--1595, 4to.: "At + a nobleman's banquet a ship of march-pane stuff was set upon the + board, wherein was all manner of fishes of the like stuff." + + At a banquet given by Cardinal Birague to Henry III. King of + France, his queen, and mother, "A collation was there served upon + two long tables, consisting of between eleven and twelve hundred + dishes composed of confectionary and dried sweetmeats of various + kinds, constructed in the form of castles, pyramids, and other + elegant figures."--WRAXALL'S "_History of France_," vol. II. 449.] + + +CHAPTER VIII.--VOL. I., p. 200. + +"_Primero._" + +This game is noticed by SHAKESPEARE, in "_The Merry Wives of +Windsor_:"-- + + "I never prospered since I foreswore myself at primero." + +And likewise in Henry VIII.:-- + + "And left him at primero, with the Duke of Suffolk." + +In BEAUMONT and FLETCHER also, mention is made of this celebrated and +once fashionable game--in vol. II. p. 185, in "_The Scornful Lady_," +and likewise in "_The nice Valour_," in vol. IV. p. 273. + +Primero too is noticed in STRUTT'S "_Sports and Pastimes of the People +of England_," p. 291. There is a poem by the celebrated Sir John +Harrington, the translator of _Ariosto_, which affords an admirable +illustration of the game: it is entitled, "_The Story of Marcus' Life +at Primero_." But as it amounts to upwards of forty lines, it is +considered as too long for insertion here. + + +CHAPTER XII.--VOL. I., p. 287. + +"_Riding the Franchises._" + +Extract from Harris's "_History of the City of Dublin_," (now become a +very scarce work,) chap. VI. p. 114:-- + +"We shall have little here to do but barely to transcribe the several +forms used by the citizens in riding their franchises at different +periods, as the same has been transmitted to posterity either by +authentic records or ancient manuscripts, whose evidence is not to be +controverted at this day; more especially as the reader will readily +perceive, by comparing each form, how little variance there has been +therein from the beginning to the present times, except in the names +of places, which yet are but few. It would indeed be a difficult task +for the citizens to have at any time stretched their rights beyond the +just limits within the city or suburbs, as they were surrounded on most +parts by vigilant neighbours, namely, the ecclesiastics of St. Mary's +Abbey, Kilmainham, Thomas-court, and St. Sepulchre's, or the liberties +of the Archbishop of Dublin, who were upon all occasions ready to +procure papal anathemas and censures against those who offended them +in less momentous matters than the loss of their lands. Several of the +instruments we shall have occasion to cite are written in Latin; but to +show our fidelity, we shall transcribe them verbatim, and for the sake +of the English reader, translate them literally into our own language. + +"The earliest instrument that occurs is one of John Earl of Morton, and +Lord of Ireland, dated at London, the 14th day of May, in the third +year of the reign of his brother, King Richard I. (A. D. 1192,) which +refers to a former charter of local franchises, granted by King Henry +II., now lost. The charter of King John is to be seen in the black +book of the Archbishops of Dublin, called "_Alan's Register_," being +collected by Archbishop Alan, in the reign of Henry VIII., and as it +containeth other liberties besides their metes and bounds, we shall +here give only so much thereof as is pertinent to the subject before +the reader:-- + + +"'CHARTA JOHANNIS, + + "'Domini Hiberniæ, de metis et franchesiis civitatis Dublin, et de + libertatibus concessis. + +"'Johannes dominus Hiberniæ, Comes Morton, omnibus hominibus et amicis +suis, Francis et Anglis, Hiberniensibus et Wallensibis, præsentibus et +futuris salutem. + +"'Sciatis nos dedisse et concessisse, et hâc mêa chartâ confirmasse +civibus meis de Dublin, tam extra muros, quam infra muros manentibus, +usque admetas villæ quod habeant metas suas sicut probatæ fuerant +per sacramentum bonorum virorum de civitate istâ per præceptum regis +Henrici, patris mei; scilicet, ex parte orientale de Dublin, et +australi parte, pasturam quæ ducit usque ad portam ecclesiæ sancti +Keivini, et sic per viam usque ad Kylmerckargan, et sic per divisam +terræ de Donenobroogi usque ad Doder, et de Doder usque ad mare +scilicet at Clarade juxta mare, et de Clarade usque ad Ramynelan. Et in +occidentale parte de Dublin ab ecclesia S. Patricii per Wallam usque ad +Farnan-Clenegimethe et deinde usque ad divisam terræ de Kylmainam et +ultra aquam de Kylmainam juxta Aven-Liffey usque ad vada de Kilmastan +et ultra aquam de Aven-Liffey versus boream per Cnocknogannoc et deinde +usque ad horrea S. Trinitatis, et de horreis illis usque ad furcas, +et sic per divisam inter Clonlic et Crynan usque ad Tolecan et deinde +usque ad ecclesiam sanctæ Mariæ de Ostmanby. Hæc etiam eis concessi, +salvis tenuris et terrâ omni eorum, qui terras et tenures habent, et +chartam meam inde extra muros usque ad prædictas metas; et quod non +possit civitas de terris illis, sicut de aliis disponere, sed faciant +communes consuetudines civitatis, sicut alii cives. De illis autem dico +hoc, qui chartam meam habuerunt de aliquibus terris infra easdem metas +extra muros antequam civitati prædictas libertates, et hanc chartam +concesserim.' + + +TRANSLATION. + + "The Charter of JOHN, Lord of Ireland, concerning the + bounds and franchises of the City of Dublin, and of the liberties + granted thereto. + +"John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton, to all his subjects and +friends, French, English, Irish, and Welch, present and to come, +greeting.--Know ye, that I have given and granted, and by this my +charter confirmed, to my citizens of Dublin, as well those who inhabit +without the walls, as to those who dwell within them, as far as the +boundary of the town, that they may have their limits as they were +perambulated, by the oaths of the honest men of the city itself, in +pursuance of a precept sent to them by King Henry, my father; namely, +on the east and south sides of Dublin, by the pasture-grounds which +lead as far as the port of St. Keivin's church, and so along the +road as far as Kylemerekangan, and from thence, as they are divided +from the lands of Donenobroogi,[19] as far as the Doder, and from +the Doder to the sea, namely, to Clarade, close to the sea, and from +Clarade as far as Ramynelan. And on the west side of Dublin, from St. +Patrick's church, through the valley as far as Farnan-Clenegimethe; +and from thence, as they are divided from the lands of Kylmainam, near +Aven-Liffey, as far as the ford of Kilmastan; and beyond the water +of Aven-Liffey, towards the north by Cnocknogannoc; and from thence +as far as the Barns of the Holy Trinity; and from those Barns to the +gallows; and so as the division runs between Cloulic and Crynan, as +far as Tolecan, and afterwards to the church of St. Mary of Ostmanby. +These things we have also granted to them, that their tenures and land +be secure who have any granted to them in our charter; from thence +without the walls, as far as the before-mentioned limits; that the +city may not dispose of those lands as of other lands, but that they +observe the common customs of the city, as other citizens do. But this +we declare of those who have had our charter of certain lands, within +the said limits, without the walls, before we had granted the aforesaid +liberties and this charter."--_The History of the City of Dublin_, by +WALTER HARRIS, 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 118, 119, 120. + + [Footnote 19: Donenobroogi--Hodie--Donnybrook. The fame of its fair + is well known.] + +The franchises of the city of Cork, according to Doctor Smith, in his +celebrated _History of Cork_, vol. I. p. 49, were perambulated in "an +handsome manner" [he says no more] on October 20, 1714; and the night +concluded with fire-works and illuminations in honour of his Majesty +King George I., whose coronation was that day celebrated in the city. +By an order of the D'oyer Hundred, the Mayor was ordered to ride round +the liberties and franchises of the city of Cork every third year. + +Mr. Hardiman, in his _History of Galway_, mentions a similar +procession at Galway. And something similar occurred in the town of +Drogheda; but wholly divested of the splendid pomp and display which +shed such a lustre on the Dublin pageant. + +The ceremony of riding the franchises in the city of Dublin was +one so peculiar and remarkable, that it certainly appeared to the +author worthy of being handed down as a curious historical record, +no similar ceremony of such pomp, circumstance, and pageantry, was +known in Britain. There was, no doubt, something extremely oriental in +this splendid pageant, which, if the reader will take the trouble to +peruse the Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montague, from Adrianople, he +will find a striking similarity between the spectacle of riding the +Dublin franchises and the grand pageant which takes place when the +Grand-Signior leads his army in person. The account is as follows:-- + +"I took the pains of rising at six in the morning to see the ceremony, +which did not, however, begin till eight. The Grand-Signior was at +the Seraglio window to see the procession, which passed through the +principal streets. It was preceded by an _Effendi_, mounted on a camel +richly furnished, reading aloud the Alcoran, finely bound, laid upon a +cushion. He was surrounded by a parcel of boys in white, singing some +verses of it, followed by a man dressed in green boughs, representing a +clean husbandman sowing seed. After him several reapers with garlands +of ears of corn, as Ceres is pictured, with scythes in their hands, +seeming to mow. Then a little machine drawn by oxen, in which was a +windmill, and boys employed in grinding corn, followed by another +machine drawn by buffaloes, carrying an oven and two more boys, one +employed in kneading bread, and another in drawing it out of the oven. +These boys threw little cakes on both sides among the crowd, and were +followed by the whole company of bakers, marching on foot two by two, +in their best clothes, with cakes, loaves, pasties, and pies of all +sorts, on their heads; and after them two buffoons, or jack-puddings, +with their faces and clothes smeared with meal, who diverted the +mob with their antic gestures. In the same manner followed all the +companies of trade in the empire; the noble sort, such as jewellers, +mercers, &c., finely mounted, and many of the pageants that represent +their trades perfectly magnificent; among which that of the furriers +made one of the best figures, being a large machine, set round with the +skins of ermines, foxes, &c., so well stuffed, that the animals seemed +to be alive; and followed by music and dancers," &c. _Works of Lady +Wortley Montague_, London, 1805, vol. II. pp. 181, 182. + +The Chief Magistrate of Dublin was formerly called Provost, and the +Sheriffs were styled Bailiffs, from the year 1308 until the year 1409, +when the title of Mayor was given. In the year 1547 the name of Bailiff +was changed into that of Sheriff. And in the year 1665 the title of +Mayor was elevated to the rank of Lord Mayor, Sir David Bellingham +being the first appointed.--See HARRIS'S _History of Dublin_, +Appendix, pp. 491 to 506. + +"The city of Dublin anciently consisted," says Harris, "of twenty +corporations, to which five have been in latter times added. + +"An ancient custom prevailed for a long time in the city of Dublin, +always against the great festivals of the year, to invite the Lord +Deputy, the nobility, and other persons of quality and rank, to an +entertainment, in which they first diverted them with stage plays, and +then regaled them with a splendid banquet. The several corporations +also, upon their patron's days, held themselves obliged to the like +observances, which were for a long time very strictly kept up and +practised. + +"Thomas Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in +the year 1528, was invited to a new play every day in Christmas; Arland +Usher being then Mayor, and Francis Herbert and John Squire Bailiffs; +wherein the Taylors acted the part of Adam and Eve; the Shoemakers +represented the story of Crispin and Crispianus; the Vintners acted +Bacchus and his story; the Carpenters that of Joseph and Mary; Vulcan, +and what related to him, was acted by the Smiths; and the comedy of +Ceres, the goddess of Corn, by the Bakers. Their stage was erected on +Hoggin-Green, now called College-Green, and on it the priors of Saint +John of Jerusalem, of the blessed Trinity, and of All-Hallows, caused +two plays to be acted, the one representing the Passion of our Saviour, +and the other the several deaths which the apostles suffered." + +It is stated in a manuscript in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, +"That in the parliament of 1541, wherein Henry VIII. was declared +king of Ireland, there were present the Earls of Ormond and Desmond, +the Lord Barry, Mac-Gilla-Phadrig Chieftaine of Ossory, the sons +of O'Brien, Mac-Carthy-More, with many Irish lords; and on Corpus +Christi Day they rode about the streets with the procession in their +parliament robes; and the nine worthies was played, and the Mayor bore +the mace before them on horseback. The Sunday following King Henry was +proclaimed king of Ireland in Saint Patrick's church; and the next +Sunday they had tournaments on horseback, and running at the ring with +spears on horseback." + +Sir James Ware briefly alludes to these entertainments in the following +words: "_Epulas comædias, et certamina ludicra, quæ sequebantur, +quid attinet dicere?_" "It is needless," he remarks, "to relate what +banquets, comedies, and sports followed." + +We now return to Harris's History of the City of Dublin. + +"Among other days of solemnity the festival of Saint George was +celebrated with high veneration. In the choir-book of the city of +Dublin are several entries to that effect: + +I.--It was ordered, in maintenance of the pageant of Saint George, that +the Mayor of the foregoing year should find the emperor and empress, +with their train and followers well apparelled and accoutered; that is +to say, the emperor attended with two doctors, and the empress with two +knights, and two maidens, richly apparelled, to bear up the train of +her gown. + +II. _Item._--The Mayor, for the time being, was to find Saint George a +horse, and the Wardens to pay 3_s._ 4_d._ for his wages that day. The +Bailiffs; for the time being were to find four horses, with men mounted +on them well apparelled, to bear the pole-axe, the standard, and the +several swords of the emperor, and Saint George. + +III. _Item._--The elder Master of the guild was to find a maiden well +attired, to load the dragon, and the clerk of the market was to find a +golden line for the dragon. + +IV. _Item._--The elder Warden to find for Saint George four trumpets; +but Saint George himself was to pay their wages. + +V. _Item._--The younger Warden was obliged to find the king of Dele +and the queen of Dele, as also two knights to lead the queen of Dele, +and two maidens to bear the train of her gown, all being entirely clad +in black apparel. Moreover, he was to cause Saint George's chapel to +be well hung in black, and completely apparelled to every purpose; and +was to provide it with cushions, rushes, and other necessaries, for the +festivity of that day. + +No less was the preparation of pageants for the procession of Corpus +Christi Day, on which the Glovers were to represent Adam and Eve, with +an angel bearing a sword before them. + +The Curriers were to represent Cain and Abel, with an altar, and their +offering. + +Mariners and Vintners, Noah, and the persons in the Ark, apparelled in +the habits of Carpenters and Salmon-takers. + +The Weavers personated Abraham and Isaac, with their offering and altar. + +The Smiths represented Pharoah with his host. + +The Skinners the camel with the children of Israel. + +The Goldsmiths were to find the king of Cullen. + +The Coopers were to find the Shepherds, with an angel singing _Gloria +in excelsis Deo_. + +Corpus Christi guild was to find Christ in his passion, with the Marys +and Angels. + +The Taylors were to find Pilate with his fellowship and his wife, +clothed accordingly. + +The Barbers, Ann and Caiaphas. + +The Fishers, the Apostles. + +The Merchants, the Prophets. + +And the Butchers, the Tormentors. + +These interludes and representations carried with them the appearance +of the superstition of the times, which John Bale, Bishop of Ossory, +afterwards laboured to reform, by writing, with more sobriety, several +comedies and tragedies in the reign of King Edward VI., and, during his +banishment, in that of Queen Mary, upon religious subjects. Several +of those pieces are yet extant, printed in black letter; and though +they show the taste of the age, they would by no means please the +present."--_The History of the City of Dublin_, by WALTER HARRIS, +ESQ. 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 142, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. + + +CHAPTER III.--VOL. III., p. 36. + +"_Running Footmen._" + +MR. WEBER, in a note to "The Knight of the Burning Pestle," +in his edition of the works of Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. I. +p. 194, Edinburgh, 1812, observes, that "the running footmen were a +fashionable piece of splendid folly prevalent at that time. They were +still kept by some noblemen in Scotland about the middle of the last +century, and are yet to be met with occasionally upon the continent. +Like the jockeys, they are put upon a particular diet; and in order to +prevent cramps, the calves of their legs are greased." + + +CHAPTER V.--VOL. III., p. 87. + +"_Turnberry Castle._" + +"The ruins of Turnberry Castle are on a promontory of the sea coast, +two miles west of Kirkoswald, and five south-west of Maybole. This +castle belonged to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died in the +Holy Land, and left an only daughter, named Martha, who married +Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale. In the expedition of Edward I. the +English were in possession of this castle. At present nothing more +than the foundation of the building, and some vaults beneath it, +remain."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland_, vol. I. pp. 178, 179. + + +CHAPTER V.--VOL. III., p. 92. + +"_Caerlaverock Castle._" + +"_Caerlaverock Castle_ was founded in the sixth century by the son of +Lewarch Hen, a famous British poet; it was the chief seat of the family +of Maxwell in the days of King Malcolm Canmore. It stood on the north +shore of Solway Firth, nine miles from Dumfries, between the Nith and +Locher; and was deemed impregnable before the use of fire-arms. In the +reign of King Robert Bruce the proprietor of it demolished all its +fortifications, lest it should fall into the hands of the English. It +was, however, again fortified, for in 1355 it was taken by Sir Roger +Kirkpatrick, and levelled with the ground. Its materials were employed +to erect a new building, which was demolished by the Earl of Essex, +A. D. 1570. The fortifications of this place were once more renewed +by Robert, the first Earl of Nithisdale, in 1638, who nobly supported +the cause of Charles I., and maintained a considerable garrison at +his own expense."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical +Description of Scotland_, vol. I. pp. 107, 108. + + + +In closing the notes to the foregoing volumes, we are here desirous of +presenting the reader with a few historical documents of King James II. +who has stood forth so prominent a figure in the foregoing wild story, +as well as four original letters of that monarch, which heretofore have +never yet met the public eye. + +In a small curious volume, which was published at Paris soon after the +decease of the Duke of York, then James II., edited by _Father Francis +Sanders, of the Society of Jesus, and Confessor to his late Majesty_, +the following passage occurs:-- + +"This exiled prince made several campaigns under the Marshal de +Turenne, and he showed every where so much courage and bravery, that +he gained mighty commendations from that general. The testimonies of +the Prince de Condé were no less glorious, who was often heard to say, +that if ever there was a man without fear, it was the Duke of York; +and he kept his character for intrepidity at all times, and upon all +occasions." + +Lord Clarendon too in his "History of the Civil Wars in England," +vol. III. p. 370, thus speaks of King James II. when Duke of +York, and engaged at the battle of Dunkirk: "There was a rumour spread +in the _French_ army that the Duke of York was taken prisoner by the +_English_, some men undertaking to say that they saw him in their +hands. Whereupon many of the _French_ officers and gentlemen resolved +to set him at liberty, and rode up to the body of _English_, and looked +upon their prisoners, and found they were misinformed; which if they +had not been, they would undoubtedly, at any hazard or danger, have +enlarged him. So great an affection that nation owned to have for His +Highness." + +It is worthy of observation to mark the manner in which King James +expressed himself respecting the Abbé de Rancé, during his residence in +France; and likewise the Abbé's opinion of the abdicated monarch: + +"I really think nothing has afforded me so much consolation since my +misfortunes, as the conversation of that venerable saint, the Abbé of +La Trappé. When I first arrived in France I had but a very superficial +view of religion; if, indeed, I might be said to have any thing +deserving that name. The Abbé de La Trappé was the first person who +gave me any solid instruction with respect to genuine Christianity. + +"I formerly looked upon God as an omnipotent Creator, and as an +arbitrary governor; I knew his power to be irresistible, I therefore +thought his decrees must be submitted to, because they could not be +withstood. Now my whole view is changed: the Abbé de La Trappé has +taught me to consider this great God as my father, and to view myself +as adopted into his family. I now can look upon myself as become his +son, through the merits of my Saviour, applied to my heart by his +holy Spirit. I am now convinced, not only that we ought to receive +misfortunes with patience, because they are inevitable, but I also +feel assured that death, which rends the veil from all things, will +probably discover to us many new secrets of love and mercy in the +economy of God's providence, as in that of his grace. God, who gave up +his only Son to an accursed death for us, must surely have ordered all +inferior things by the same spirit of love."[20] + +Such were King James's sentiments respecting M. de Rance. The Abbé, on +the other hand, entertained as high an opinion of him. The following +passage, concerning the unfortunate king of England, occurs in one of +M. de La Trappé's Letters to a Friend:-- + +"I will now speak to you concerning the king of England. I never saw +any thing more striking than the whole of his conduct; nor have I ever +seen any person more elevated above the transitory objects of time and +sense. His tranquillity and submission to the divine will are truly +marvellous. He really equals some of the most holy men of old, if +indeed he may not be rather said to surpass them. + +"He has suffered the loss of three kingdoms; yet his equanimity and +peace of mind are undisturbed. He speaks of his bitterest enemies +without warmth; nor does he ever indulge in those insinuations which +even good men are too apt to fall into when speaking of their enemies. +He knows the meaning of two texts of Scripture which are too much +neglected: 'It is given you to suffer,' and, 'Despise not the gift of +God.' He therefore praises God for every persecution and humiliation +which he endures. He could not be in a more equable state of mind even +if he were in the meridian of temporal prosperity. + + [Footnote 20: A Tour to Alet and La Grand Chartreuse, vol. II. pp. + 335-6.] + +"His time is always judiciously and regularly appropriated. His day is +filled up in so exact a manner, that nothing can be well either added +or retrenched from his occupations. + +"All his pursuits tend to the love of God and man. He appears uniformly +to feel the divine presence. This is, perhaps, the first and most +important step in the divine life.--It is the foundation of all which +follow. + +"The queen is in every respect influenced by the same holy desires. + +"The union of these two excellent persons is founded on the love of God. + +"It may be truly termed an holy and a sacred one." + +"Such were M. de Rance's opinions of King James. It is impossible to +doubt but that the venerable Abbé de La Trappe was sincere in his +expressions."[21] + + [Footnote 21: A Tour to Alet and La Grande Chartreuse, 8vo. London, + 1816, vol. II. pp. 336, 337.] + + +FOUR + +ORIGINAL LETTERS OF KING JAMES II. + +DEPOSITED IN THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, NEVER BEFORE +PUBLISHED, IN WHICH THE ORTHOGRAPHY IS PRESERVED. + + +LETTER I. + +ADDREESSED, "FOR L: GEN: HAMILTON.§." + + _Dublin May 1: 1689_: + +I am sorry to find by yours of the 27: that Luisignan is so ill hurt +lett him know how much I am troubled at it, and make a complyment +to Pointz upon his being hurt also, you do very well to precaution +yourself against sallys, from a towne where there is so many men, and +pray let the Gen: officers who remaine not expose themselves to much, +I have sent you a power to pardon such as will accept of it, L^{d.} +Melfort shall give you an account of the troops I am a sending down +to you, as also of what cannon and mortars are a preparing with all +possible deligence, you shall have all I can send you to enable you +to reduce that rebellious towne, and to make the more noyse the D: of +Tyrconnel is a preparing to go downe to you, it being, as you well +observe, of the last consequence to master it, I expect to have an +account every moment of the arrival of the French fleett, for Besides +that the wind has been so many days faire for them, letters from +Kinsale say they were left but fifteen leagues from that port, you will +before this getts to you have been informed of Bohan's having entirely +beaten the rebels w^{ch.} were gott together in the County of Downe, at +least five thousand in number, and killed several hundreds of them on +the place, I hope the advice you had from Mrs. Lundy, will prove but a +story, if what a Sergeant w^{ch.} came from Leverpoole but last weeke +says be true, w^{ch.} you will know by this. §. + + J. R. + +I am a sending Dorrington downe to you. §. + + +LETTER II. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin May 10: 1689_: + +I am sorry for the losse of Ramsay, such accidents will happen, and one +must not be discouraged, I am sensible you have a hard worke on your +hands, but at last will I hope be able to overcome it, I am sending +downe one great mortar and two pieces of battery by land, and the same +number of both by sea, 'twas actually impossible to dispatch them +sooner, ten Comp: of Eustach will be soon with you, all well armed, +and clothed, and five Comp: of the same Reg: are to march downe, what +other I send, shall be well armed, I send you downe with this a paper +concerning Derry, you will see whether it be practicable or no, of +w^{ch.} none can judg, but you that are on the place, I am sending +downe, S^{r.} Ne: O Neal's Reg: of Dragoons into the Countys of Downe +and Antrim w^{ch.} will be the more necessary since you have ordered +Gen: Maj: Bohan to you, I thinke it absolutely necessary you should +not lett any more men come out of Derry, but for intelligence, or some +extraordinary occasion, for they may want provisions, and would be glad +to rid themselves of useless mouths,§ + + JAMES R. + + +LETTER III. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin May 20: 1689_: + +You will before this, have had an account from L^{d.} Melfort, of what +men, arms, and stors, have been sent you, and are designed for you, I +now send back to you this bearer L^{d.} Dungan to lett you know that +this day I have been informed by one who came from Chester on Wednesday +last, that Kirke was to sett saile with the first fair wind from thence +with fower reg^{s.} of foott, to endeavour to relieve Derry, I have +ordered a copy of the information to be sent you, I know you will do +your part to hinder if you can, their getting into that towne, for +should once more those English succors be obliged to return againe, +that rebelious towne could not hold out long with the force I send you, +but if you cannot hinder their getting into the towne you must then +take care to secure your retreat as well as you can, on your side, +and to take care also of the cannon, mortars and men, w^{ch.} are on +the east side of the river of Derry, for no doubt they will presse +you, when you draw off, in case you should be obliged to do it, what +I propose is that you should endeavour to keep Castlefin, Cladyford +bridg, and Strabane to hinder them from coming over those waters, this +I thinke may be easily done considering tho' they may be strong in +foott, they can have but few and bad horse, and that I designe to go +about to reduce Eniskilling, in the mean tyme I am thinkind of sending +some more troups towards Charlemont which will be ready to look toward +you, or Carrickfergus as occasion shall offer, lett Castlederg, be well +provided, I have sent some horse and dragoons to reinforce Sarsfield +at Sligo, and have ordered Pursell's dragoons to Belturbet, what els I +have to say, I refer to this bearer L^{d.} Dungan,§. + + JAMES R. + + +LETTER IV. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin July 8th. 1689_: + +I do not find by what I heare from you and others that those in Derry +are so prest for want of victuals as once was believed, so that if +they could be prest otherways, it would do well, I am sensible you are +but ill furnished with wherewithal to carry on your trenches, and to +attaque them vigorously, but however I am sure you will do what is to +be done, I am afraide your French enginers tho very able men in their +trade may have been so used to have all things necessary provided for +them, and to want nothing, that they are not so industrious as others +lesse knowing men might be, and that they do not push on their worke as +they might do, having so much to say for themselves, upon the account +of their being so ill provided, however methinks they might have gott +Maderiers ready in all this tyme, to have lodged the miners w^{ch.} I +have seen done to a stronger towne than Derry, and where we wanted +cannon to mine their defences, I only hint this to you, not pretending +at this distance to judg whether it be practicable or no, and for +making of Maderiers, I am sure tis but the puling downe some house _in_ +[_this word is partly erased in the original, but substituted by the +following_] neare Derry, or at Lifford or Strabane, where one may find +beams strong enough to make them, and tho Lattin be not to be gott, +new hids will do as well to preserve them from fire, this is only for +yourself, you have another letter from me about what had been reported +here, of some proposals made to you by those of Derry, to which I refer +you:§. + + J. R. + + + [FROM THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.] + + ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE DUKE OF BERWICK, + + NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED, + + ADDRESSED "TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL HAMILTON, AT THE CAMP BEFORE DERRY." + + _Trelick the 5th July_: + +I received just now the honour of yours, and I will write to Carills +aboute Cap^{t.} Manus Odonnell. There is an escorte sent to meet the +amunition coming from Charlemont who is likewise guarded by a regiment +of foot. + +I marched yesterday morning from Newtown-Stewart, and joyning Coll. +Sunderland at Omah I marched hither; my advance guard cutt off several +of their sentries, and a great many of the rebells party, with such +vigour, as they beat with 30 dragoons three troops of horse of theirs, +which were drawn up at a distance from us. Cap Patrick Bellue and Major +Magdonnel commanded the van-guard. There was eight or nine of the +enemy killed but none of ours. I went with my horse and dragoons within +four miles of Inniskiling and drove a great deale of cattle back to +Trelick where I am now and which is nine mile from Enniskiling. I am +sure no considerable party dearest stirr out from that towne for feare +of my being upon their backs, so that all backwards is secure. The +party of two hundred foot and fifty horse and dragoons that were left +at Belturbet under the command of L. Coll. Scott, are taken prisoners +officers and all. I can assure you that all the inhabitants of this +countrye are universally rebells. my humble service to Mareschall Rozen +and believe me, your most humble and obedient servant + + BERWICK. + +I forgot to tell you that our vanguard pursued so close three companies +of foot that they took one of their colours and two drumms within four +miles of Inniskiling, before I was come upp, this has entred[22] Coll: +Purcell's dragoons very well. + + [Footnote 22: The orthography of the original is strictly preserved + throughout the above letter.] + +[Illustration: _Fac-Simile of the Autograph and signet of King James +II._] + +[Illustration: _Fac-Simile of the Autograph and Seal of the Duke of +Berwick._] + + _T. Badge. sculpsit._ + + + THE END. + + + + +[Symbol: Hand]THE BOOK-BINDER will take care to place the Engraving, +which presents fac-similes of the hand-writing and seals of King James +II. and the Duke of Berwick, at the opposite page. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +A number of minor punctuation issues were resolved. Missing accents +have not been inserted. The orthography of correspondence has been +retained. The following changes in spelling were made in the narrative. + + Page 4 inocuously is now innocuously + Page 16 promontary is now promontory + Page 25 guager is now gauger + Page 69 forboding is now foreboding + Page 83 wofully is now woefully + Page 90 martriculated is now matriculated + Page 93 cateract is now cataract + Page 102 fellowing is now following + Page 154 paragragh is now paragraph + Page 172 dispouere is now disponere + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, Vol. 3 (of 3), by +Matthew Weld Hartstonge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS *** + +***** This file should be named 44264-8.txt or 44264-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/2/6/44264/ + +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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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, Vol. 3 (of 3) + Adelaide of Tyrconnel + +Author: Matthew Weld Hartstonge + +Release Date: November 23, 2013 [EBook #44264] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS *** + + + + +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.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1><span class="smaller">THE<br /></span> + +EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS;<br /> + +<span class="smaller">OR,</span><br /> + +<span class="space-above"><small>ADELAIDE OF TYRCONNEL;</small><br /></span> + +<span class="smaller">A ROMANCE.</span><br /></h1> + +<p class="center space-below"><small><i>IN THREE VOLUMES.</i></small><br /></p> + +<hr class="r10" /> +<p class="center">By MATTHEW WELD HARTSTONGE, <span class="smcap">Esq. M. R. I. A.</span><br /></p> +<hr class="r10" /> +<p><br /></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Nescia mens hominum, fati sortisque futuræ</div> + <div class="verse">Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis!</div> + <div class="verse">* * * * * * * * * tempus erit,</div> + <div class="verse">* * * * * et quum spolia ista diemque</div> + <div class="verse">Oderit!</div> + <div class="verse"><span class="space"> </span><span class="smcap">Virgilius</span>, Æ. x. I. 501.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> +<hr class="r10" /> +<p class="center">VOL. III.<br /></p> +<hr class="r10" /> + + +<p class="center">LONDON:</p> + +<p class="center"><small>FOR G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE.</small></p> +<hr class="r10" /> +<p class="center">1825.<br /></p> +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p class="center">CONTENTS<br /></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table id="toc" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <th> </th> + <th class="center"><small>CHAPTER</small></th> + <th><span class="space"><small>PAGE</small></span></th> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">15</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">87</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">113</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">131</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER</a></td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">144</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum"><a href="#NOTES">NOTES</a></td> + <td> </td> + <td class="right"><a href="#NOTES">161</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="chapnum" colspan="2"><a href="#ORIGINAL_LETTERS_OF_KING_JAMES_II">ORIGINAL LETTERS OF KING JAMES II.</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" colspan="2"><a href="#ORIGINAL_LETTER_OF_THE_DUKE_OF_BERWICK">ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE DUKE OF BERWICK</a></td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + + + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<p class="center">THE</p> +<h2><a name="THE_EVE_OF_ALL-HALLOWS" id="THE_EVE_OF_ALL-HALLOWS">EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS.</a></h2> + + + + +<hr class="r10" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Upon your art, Sir, and your faith to assist it,</div> + <div class="verse">Shall I believe you, then, his wound's not mortal?</div> +<br /> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Love's Pilgrimage.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>The banditti who made the fierce and fiery attack, as recounted in our +last chapter, a few days subsequent to that sad event were arrested +by the <i>Gens d'Armes</i> in Soignies wood. They had been composed, it +appeared upon examination, of the daring and desperate of different +nations, and that their leader was a Spaniard.</p> + +<p>But it is indeed full time that we should return to the mansion of +Tyrconnel, where <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>all was distress and dismay. But amid all this +incidental confusion and alarm no time whatever had been lost in +calling in surgical assistance; two surgeons of reputed eminence being +instantly summoned—an English practitioner of the name of Leach, who +long had been a resident at Brussels, and a Monsieur Bourreau, a French +surgeon in considerable practice, likewise a resident of this ancient +city, who immediately obeyed the summons.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Bourreau was the first to arrive, who had a conference with +Sir Patricius Placebo, understanding that he was a medical gentleman.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Monsieur Bourreau.</span>—"<i>Ah! serviteur, Monsieur.</i>—<i>Mais je +demand votre pardon! car je pourrois dire</i>, <span class="smcap">le Chevalier</span> +<i>Aussi-bon</i>!"</p> + +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Sir Patricius Placebo.</span>—"Hem, hem! Placebo, <i>je dis</i> +Placebo!—<i>Prononces comme il faut, si vous plais, Monsieur +Chirurgien!</i>"</p> + +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Monsieur Bourreau.</span>—"<i>Oh, pardon encore, je demand tres +humblement de votre mains. Je dis, Chevalier Placebo, que les +blesseurs portées de les fusils sont toujours trop</i> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span><i>dangereux; +et pour moi, Chevalier Assebo, je prefere dix blesseurs de l'epée +partout, à une diable blesseure de portée de fusil!—Mais, +neanmoins, toujours chacun à son goût!</i>"</p> + +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Sir Patricius.</span>—"<i>Cette remarque, Monsieur Chirurgien, est +trop vrai; et vous-avez sans doute beaucoup de raison certainment; +car comme ils ont dit autrefois</i>,</p></blockquote> + +<p class="center">'De gustibus non disputandum!'</p> + +<p>Hem, hem, ahem!"—having immediate recourse to his Carolus' snuff-box, +which in the first instance he most politely handed to Monsieur +Bourreau. And here the name of Surgeon Leach being announced, the two +surgeons with due formality were conducted by the medical baronet to +the sick man's chamber.</p> + +<p>They found their patient suffering under much bodily pain, attended +also with inflammation and a considerable degree of fever. They +alternately felt his pulse, holding forth their watches, upon which +they intently gazed; then looked at each other grave and portentous as +the visages of two undertakers in their <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>vocation, and most sadly shook +their sapient sconces.</p> + +<p>However, it was not long before a very decided difference of opinion +arose between the knights of the lance—to wit, M. Bourreau was for the +immediate extraction of the ball, insisting most strenuously that such +an operation was unavoidably necessary, thus to effect the enlargement +of the wound, in order finally to extract the ball, which was the +immediate and important consideration of the case, and thus finally to +facilitate the cure; but at the same time with candour he acknowledged +that the operation would not be unattended with pain. Meanwhile Mr. +Leach was for leaving the bullet gradually to work out its own tranquil +way in the quiet lapse of years and time, which result, he insisted +pertinaciously, he had known to be the case in numerous instances, +where bullets have remained innocuously lodged in several parts of the +human body, until eventually, after a long lapse of years, they have +worked forth a passage to the surface, and have been easily extracted. +And other cases he knew, where individuals have retained with impu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>nity +bullets within their bodies, from a gun-shot or pistol wound, even to +the closing hour of a protracted life.</p> + +<p>Mr. Leach was likewise too of opinion that, as the wound was placed +upon a joint, assuredly, that both knife and forceps should be put +under due restraint, nor should any more opening be made than what was +quite absolutely and imperatively necessary to meet the circumstances +of the case.</p> + +<p>It was considered incumbent by the duke, from this most serious +difference of opinion, that a third surgeon should instantly be called +in as umpire, and that his opinion in this intended consultation should +be absolute.</p> + +<p>Accordingly a Dutch surgeon, <i>cognomine</i> Mynheer Van Phlebodem, a +practitioner of considerable repute, was called in, who, in conferring +with his learned brethren, after a minute examination of the patient, +whom he found labouring under a restless accession of fever, and having +understood that Sir David Bruce had not sustained any loss of blood +worth noticing, as issuing from the wound, the sage Mynheer considered +it advisable to open a vein immediately, as he <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>was decidedly of +opinion, from a course of long established practice, that repeated +and copious bleedings, promptly and immediately adopted in the +commencement, seldom or never fail of being attended with success. They +prevented too, he said, much pain; kept down likewise inflammation, +and diminished the assaults of fever, &c. &c.—This determination was +accordingly carried into effect.</p> + +<p>At one time, from long continued pain and continued loss of sleep, it +was found necessary liberally to administer opium; at another period +the medical attendants, fearing symptoms of mortification to appear, +were not sparing in administering doses of Peruvian bark, with which +they drenched their victim.</p> + +<p>For the first fifteen or twenty days considerable apprehensions +were entertained for the safety of the patient's life. We feel, +however, most happy to state that none of those predicted evils +ensued, although certainly circumstances existed to call forth such +apprehensions—namely, the violent heat of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>summer, the deadly pain +of the wound, the irritation caused by fever, the inflamed state of +the patient's blood; these certainly were conducive in exciting those +melancholy forebodings. A constantly cooling regimen was rigidly +enforced, and the patient kept quiet, free from noise or irritation. At +another stage of the patient's confinement gangrene was again seriously +indeed apprehended; however, from the external application of warm +emolients, &c. &c., this apprehended danger was completely obviated, +suppuration was successfully brought on, and the learned triumvirate +freely acknowledged that the patient might now be pronounced as +nearly out of danger; and in about ten days, or longer, the ball was +cautiously and safely extracted, and with no other ill result, we are +happy to state, than the operation having caused a considerable degree +of torture in the shoulder of our wounded hero.</p> + +<p>Nothing could exceed the manifold attentions which were shown, and the +intense interest that was felt by every individual in the family of +Tyrconnel, and that innumera<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>ble kindnesses were fully manifested from +a certain quarter our readers will not be at a loss to guess, during +the illness and progress of recovery of the wounded patient, whose +convalescence, we are happy to state, had so far advanced that he was +daily permitted to walk for an hour in the garden pertaining to the +mansion of Tyrconnel.</p> + +<p>One afternoon the dinner cloth had been just removed; and the family +were seated at their wine, when lo! to the great amazement of the duke +and duchess, a king's messenger was announced, bearing a despatch from +the King of England, which, under envelope and direction of the Lord +Privy Seal, was duly directed "For his Grace the Duke of Tyrconnel, +these—Lonsdale P. S."</p> + +<p>Upon opening and reading the contents of the despatch, the astonishment +of the duke was no way abated. It contained the following:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"I revoke the edict of your banishment; your attainture is taken +off; your honours are restored; and you may now return in safety to +your native land! <i>You are a man</i> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span><i>of honour—I will not desire +you to act against your principle. Disturb not the government, and +we shall be very good friends.</i></p> + +<p class="right">(<span class="smcap">l. s.</span>) W. R."<br /></p></blockquote> + +<p>This important and quite unexpected change in the mind of the English +monarch, which now called forth in return the immediate gratitude +and acknowledgments of him upon whom these favours had so graciously +been bestowed, had happily been effected through the interest and +intercession of the Elector Palatine, the firm friend and patron of Sir +David Bruce; thus no doubt could possibly exist but that through the +earnest representations, and at the especial request of the latter, +this important and conciliatory measure was effectuated. Indeed this +was fully corroborated by the same messenger bearing a despatch from +the Elector Palatine, addressed to Sir David Bruce, which stated that +the Elector felt most happy in having to acquaint him of the complete +success of his interference with the King of England in the behalf of +Sir David's exiled friends.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> +<p>The immediate departure of the Duke and Duchess of Tyrconnel from +Brussels, so soon as circumstances would permit, was fully determined +upon. No obstacle, therefore, to preclude the union of Sir David Bruce +and the Lady Adelaide remained, save the delay of their voyage and +journey to Ireland, where, upon the event of their return to Tyrconnel +Castle, it was agreed that the marriage was duly to be solemnized.</p> + +<p>The day previous to their final departure from Brussels Adelaide +devoted in bidding a fond and final farewell to those she sincerely +regarded, and from whom were received numberless attentions during her +sojourn. Adelaide took a parting look at scenes that were endeared to +her by past associations and pleasing recollections.</p> + +<p>"Farewell!" she mentally said, "thou fair and flourishing +city!—patroness of the arts, the mistress of painting—thou queen +of fountains, farewell! Ever rich and luxuriant be thy valleys, thy +gardens, and thy groves; and long may the olive on thy undulating hills +shadow this happy realm in peace!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> +<p>Then, with her accustomed enthusiasm, Adelaide wrote the following<br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="label">farewell to belgium!<br /></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Farewell, blest land! I leave the while</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Serene and social spot;</div> + <div class="verse">Ne'er winding Scheldt, nor devious Dyle,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">By mem'ry be forgot!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Dear peaceful scenes for many a year,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">While shaded from the foe,</div> + <div class="verse">Which oft aroused the filial fear,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Hence far from thee I go!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">If not ungrateful 'twould appear,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I'd ne'er review thy shore;</div> + <div class="verse">Yet still through each revolving year</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I'd think on thee the more!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Farewell, fair Belgium! fertile land,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">On thee may freedom ever smile;</div> + <div class="verse">While commerce courts thy happy strand!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">I seek mine own, lov'd, native isle!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>The Duchess of Tyrconnel wrote, according to promise, to Mrs. +Cartwright, duly recording to her the happy turn that fortune had taken +in their favour. A copy of this <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>epistle now lies before us; but as we +are no admirers of unnecessary repetition, we must take the liberty of +wholly suppressing the letter of her Grace.</p> + +<p>Before we close this short, but eventful chapter, we have to observe +that the Soignies banditti, who had been arrested, were tried, +identified, and executed.</p> + +<p>Not once nor twice was Sir Patricius Placebo overheard soliloquizing +to himself thus: "I am," quoth the knight, "in sooth no longer a +philosopher, who is desirous <i>inter silvas foresti (non academi) +quærere verum</i>—no, no—<i>horribile dictu!</i> After this confounded +<i>rencontre</i> in cursed Soignies wood, I shall for ever forego and +forswear the eating of Ortolan or Perigord pies, while I live—ahem! +except—that is to say, unless I can eat them with safety in the city! +for there is no general rule or law without an exception; and indeed +the long-robed gentry say as much—<i>exceptio probat regulam</i>—ahem!</p> + +<p class="center">"DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!"</p> + +<p>It was at the close of the last week in <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>August, which had now arrived, +when the duke and family took their departure from Brussels, on their +route for Ireland; and while they are on their way we shall conduct our +readers in their transit to the succeeding chapter.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">——In the turmoils of our lives,</div> + <div class="verse">Men are like politic states, or troubled seas,</div> + <div class="verse">Toss'd up and down, with several storms and tempests,</div> + <div class="verse">Change and variety of wrecks and fortunes;</div> + <div class="verse">Till labouring to the havens of our homes,</div> + <div class="verse">We struggle for the calm that crowns our ends.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Forde's</span> "<i>Lover's Melancholy</i>."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>About two months had now passed over, which had been occupied in +travelling to their long-wished for home, since the departure of the +duke and his family from Brussels, the journey having commenced towards +the close of August, and now had arrived the last week in October, +which witnessed the due accomplishment and end of their travels, by +their welcome return to their ancient and magnificent castle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> +<p>No occurrences whatever worthy of record having happened during the +continental journey, the passage of two seas, or while occupied in +their travels through England, Wales, and Ireland, all of which +were performed in perfect safety; and moreover, the weather proved +propitiously mild and serene.</p> + +<p>While the travellers continued their route homeward, the duke thus +expressed his sentiments to the duchess:—"My love, I am fully resolved +for ever to abandon politics and party, to burn my grey goose quill +of diplomacy; I am determined too to relinquish the ways and woes +of war for the cultivation of the happy arts of peace; to desert a +city life for a country life; to arise with the lark, and plough my +paternal lands; to transmute my sword into a ploughshare, and my spear +into a reaping-hook. My firm, fixed intention being decided for ever +tranquilly to abide within my own domains, to pass our time in classic +ease within the venerable towers of Tyrconnel Castle, and there eke out +the remnant of my days until summoned by the cold and chilling call of +death!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> +<p>The duchess said: "My Lord, I most highly approve of your wise +determination, and trust that we yet have many years of happiness +before us."</p> + +<p>With these fixed resolves impressed upon his mind, the duke proceeded +on his way. His journey was now nearly at an end, when the towers of +his lordly, but long unfrequented castle, which bounded the horizon, +arose to view, rich and red, glowing beneath the brilliant beams of the +setting sun, and struck his vision with delight as gladly he approached +his long deserted hereditary halls.</p> + +<p>This long wished return was joyously and generously hailed by all +ranks and descriptions of persons, from the proud peer down to the +lowly peasant; bonfires crowned every surrounding mountain height, +hill, peninsula, and promontory, while they beamed forth a brilliant +welcome to the returned wanderer; the lofty windows of the wealthy, and +the lowly lattices of the cottier, in the town of Tyrconnel, bespoke +the general joy that burst around, and conjointly the wax taper and +rush-light commingled their rays to manifest <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>the heart-yearning +welcome that the duke's happy return had inspired.</p> + +<p>The welcoming notes of the merry pipe and the national harp resounded +blithely over hill and vale. Meanwhile the peasantry were all +collected, and clad in their best and gayest attire; their honest, +grateful, and joyful countenances bearing the impress of their +gladdened hearts, told forth a welcome that was not to be mistaken nor +misunderstood, for it affectionately hailed the much desired return +of their beloved and long exiled benefactor! It was evening when this +interesting scene took place, but all meet preparation had previously +been arranged,—torch, flambeau, and fire-works, had been prepared, and +blazed forth in all becoming brilliancy.</p> + +<p>A triumphal arch, tastefully adorned with appropriate armorial +escutcheons, emblems, and trophies, and crowned with wreaths and +festoons of living shrubs and flowers, adorned the pass which led to +the castellated gateway. Bouquets and coronals of flowers were flung +along the way, while grateful shouts made the welkin ring as the ducal +train <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>passed along. Groups of lovely damsels united their welcome +song, and soon joined hands with the manly peasants in the national +Irish dance of the <i>Rinceadh-Fada</i>.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<p>Once more the ducal standard floated on "the Raven Tower," the cannon +on the terrace thundered forth a princely <i>salvo</i>, which boomed upon +the buoyant waves of the deep Atlantic, and was re-echoed by the castle +walls, while the loud continued shouts of a grateful and happy tenantry +bore burden to the burst of joy.</p> + +<p>It would be difficult to express the exul<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>tation and gladness that +pervaded all ranks, and which the old domestics in particular displayed +in no common way; Mrs. Judith Brangwain, the venerable old nurse of +Lady Adelaide, seemed nearly crazed with joy at the long wished, +but unhoped return of her dear Mavourneen, her best beloved young +lady:—"Oh," she exclaimed, "at last have I survived, with these mine +aged eyes, to witness this happy, happy day! Oh, never, never, did I +expect so great a blessing; I am stricken in years, and nearly blind, +yet the Lord be praised for these and all his mercies!"</p> + +<p>Next the old crone sung with joy and delight, held up her garments in +jig attitude, and capered about as if actually bitten by a tarantula; +then seized and led out, <i>per</i> force, old Sandy Rakeweel, the Scotch +gardener, with whom she danced an Irish reel, and that too with so +much <i>qui vive</i>, as to demonstrate that the joys of her dancing days +had not passed over. This frolic was performed on the green sward, and +honest old Sandy, when the reel was completed, which, sooth <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>to say, +he had undertaken <i>nolens volens</i>, vehemently exclaimed, "'Fore Saint +Aundrewe, Mrs. Judith, wi' a' her whigmaleeries was ower pauky, to hap, +step, an' loup wi' me; the gude woman is a' fou' and sae daft she ha' +geck'd a' her wits into a creel, aiblins she hae been bit by a bogle. +Ise naer be so jundied in a jig again; yet I'm not meikle fashed—nae, +nae!"</p> + +<p>There was, exclusive of the ancient Mrs. Judith, another venerable +follower of this noble family, in whom the general joy, so conspicuous +amongst all ranks, was not the less sincere and ardent, and this was +the aged and sightless minstrel, old Cormac, whose best suit was duly +assumed upon this happy occasion, to welcome home his kind and generous +master; his harp was newly strung, and carefully tuned aright; and +patiently, but anxiously, in the baronial hall he awaited the entrance +of the duke and family, upon whose welcome approach he thus poured +forth his strains of gratitude and affection upon his noble Lord's +return.<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">old cormac's welcome.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Returned once more from foreign lands,</div> + <div class="verse">Behold the noble exile stands</div> + <div class="verse">Within his lordly hall!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">His faulchion smote his country's foes,</div> + <div class="verse">His king's defeat hath caused these woes,</div> + <div class="verse">Which his brave breast inthrall.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Oh, welcome to thy lordly towers,</div> + <div class="verse">Thy princely seat, thy happy bowers,</div> + <div class="verse">A grateful welcome all!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Now never more to roam afar,</div> + <div class="verse">Nor plunge 'mid tide of crimson war,</div> + <div class="verse">Shall fate thy arms recall!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">But here in tranquil rural ease,</div> + <div class="verse">Such as a soul like thine can please,</div> + <div class="verse">May never grief appal!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">In virtue long, and years to shine,</div> + <div class="verse">Be each domestic blessing thine!</div> + <div class="verse">And ev'ry boon that heaven can give,</div> + <div class="verse">When thy poor bard hath ceased to live!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>When the ancient and sightless bard had concluded this, his <i>improviso</i> +welcome, he <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>appeared absolutely overpowered, and shed a copious +torrent of tears, which flowed from eyes long indeed closed to the +light, but not to intensity of feeling! But these were not tears of +sorrow, they were effusions of grateful affection, that often speak the +joyful feelings of the heart, while the tongue remains wholly silent. +His was the unspeakable joy at his noble benefactor's happy return in +health and peace, after so long an absence, to his ancient towers. The +duke, duchess, Lady Adelaide, &c. &c. &c. in succession approached the +aged minstrel to express severally their approbation of his song, and +thanks for the feeling manner in which his welcome had been expressed. +The duke obligingly and condescendingly said to him:—"My friend +Cormac, although thy locks are more blenched and snowy than they were +when last we parted, yet I am glad to find that your heart is not +chilled by the frost of age, and that the chords of thy harp so sweetly +still respond to a master's touch!"</p> + +<p>Then addressing one of his pages, his Grace said, "Fill, fill the +goblet high to the very brim, and present it to the bard!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>In sooth we need not say that sightless, honest Cormac retired to rest +that night the happiest old man in the province of Ulster; his slumbers +were sound and serene, and his dreams flattering as ever youthful poet +dreamt.</p> + +<p>The next morning, when breakfast was concluded, the duke said in a +lively way:—"Come, come, Sir David, you have not travelled here for +nothing, we must e'en show you the curiosities of the country. There +lives, or rather vegetates, not far hence, a wight, the most eccentric +being perhaps that ever existed—I pray you go see him. This personage +is Squire Cornelius Kiltipper, of Crownagalera Castle, once the mighty +Nimrod of these parts. You must, moreover, know, that from Squire +Kiltipper's determined addiction to strong liquors, and likewise +from the fatal consequence of a far-bruited boozing bout, in which +he actually out-drank and out-lived his opponent in a long continued +contest; (the defunct had been a gauger who thus succumbed in death, +even at the base of the Squire's dinner-table;) in consequence of which +Kiltipper was ever <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>afterwards called, in popular parlance, <i>Squire +Kil-Toper</i>! For, Sir David, you must know that the lower class of my +countrymen are feelingly sensible of the ridiculous, and extremely fond +of <i>soubriquets</i>, or nick-names.—Indeed they are curious bodies! So +I pray you proceed to see this curiosity, and my kind Sir Patricius +Placebo shall, upon this occasion, be your <i>conduttóre</i>."</p> + +<p>Acceding to this recommendation of the duke, Sir David Bruce, +accompanied by Sir Patricius Placebo, proceeded onward in their +walk; and, as a <i>prétexte par hazard</i>, they carried with them their +fowling-pieces, and were accompanied with a couple of pointers, and an +attendant terrier. They set out, and walked across the field-paths, in +due direction for the castle of Crownagela, which was distant about two +miles.</p> + +<p>Upon their arrival they stoutly knocked at the hall-door, but the +servant refused admittance. However, after some parlance, and the rank +of the visitors having been announced, they were admitted. Here a loud +and general exclamation vociferated from the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>parlour, struck the ears +of the visitors—"A song, a song!" The servant upon this observed, +"Gentlemen, yees must have the goodness to wait just a bit till this +same song is over, and then I will show yees to my master. If I dare +go in now, to transdispose their musicals, the penalty would be, that +I should be flung flat out of the window, and that, I am sartin, would +not quite plaze yees."</p> + +<p>While the visitors waited with what patience they might, before they +were admitted to an audience with the original whom they had come +to visit, the following bacchanalian song was conjointly sung; and +which rumour likewise reported to have been composed by the vocal +triumvirate, namely, Mr. Barrabbas Tithestang, the proctor, Mr. Simon +Swigg, the gauger, and Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, the parish clerk and +sexton: but the latter personage was strongly suspected to have had the +principal hand, or pen, in the precious composition.<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">song.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">i.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">When first the day-star gems the sky,</div> + <div class="verse">When flickering swallows upward fly;</div> + <div class="verse">While shrill the matin-herald crows,</div> + <div class="verse">And thrifty Joan to spin hath rose,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Then only, brave boys, it is day!</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">ii.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Our cup let's drink, we will not slink,</div> + <div class="verse">We leave to those, who wish, to think!</div> + <div class="verse">Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round?</div> + <div class="verse">Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground!</div> + <div class="verse indent4">And drink on, brave boys, until day!</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">iii.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Who joins not in our jovial bout,</div> + <div class="verse">Drink, meat, and fire, should do without;</div> + <div class="verse">Soon let this stout <i>magnum</i> be quaffed,</div> + <div class="verse">He says nay, shall surely be laughed.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Then only, brave boys, it will be day!</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">iv.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">The dawn hath past, the sun at last</div> + <div class="verse">Round our revels his beams has cast;</div> + <div class="verse">Yet ere we go a parting glass,</div> + <div class="verse">Our toast a sprightly, buxom lass.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">My brave boys only now it is day!</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Only now, my brave boys, it is day!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> +<p class="no-indent">Squire Kiltipper, somewhat pleased, sung a semi-stave of the song:—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round?</div> + <div class="verse">Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground!</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Ha, ha, ha!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>A very plain and palpable alternative truly, the drunkard fairly caught +on the horns of the mathematician's dire dilemma, and then to flounder +on the floor—ha, ha! Oh, lame and lamentable conclusion! Come lads, +the health of the composer; hip, hip,—hurrah!"</p> + +<p>This toast drank at mid-noon, however strange to tell, was loudly +chorussed, with various manual accompaniments inflicted on the table, +until the window panes and the very drinking-glasses again returned +the echo; and amid this uproar the door was opened, and the visitors +introduced, their names being duly announced. Squire Kiltipper was +discovered seated in his bed, holding in his hand the MS. of the +precious rant which had just been sung; he wore spectacles; his dark +beard was unshorn; he wore on his head a cap made of otter skin; he was +habited in a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>scarlet waistcoat trimmed with rabbit skin, over which +he wore a dressing-gown of purple camlet; his small clothes, which had +been once white, but now stained with claret, reminded one rudely of +the union of the rival roses of York and Lancaster! The Squire arose +to receive his guests, but was preceded by his prime minister, Bounce, +his favourite greyhound, who had been also snugly reposing under cover +of the counterpane, which now rising to a portentous height, he and +his master were safely delivered from the thraldom of the bed-clothes, +and the Squire politely advancing, paid obeisance to his visitors, and +invited them to luncheon.</p> + +<p>The guests were, Mr. Simon Swigg, the gauger, Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, +the parish clerk and sexton, and Mr. Barabbas Tithestang, the +proctor, who began the world a beggar's brat, and barefooted withal; +<i>sans</i> shoe, <i>sans</i> stocking, <i>sans</i> every thing, save a large and +inexhaustible stock of confidence; but was now metamorphosed into a +country justice; and this squire of mean degree enjoying the <i>otium cum +dignitate</i> of four hundred pounds <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>per annum, besides the important +privilege of daily <i>entrè</i> to the dinner-table of Squire Kiltipper, +<i>alias</i> Kill-Toper!</p> + +<p>These gentry were the squire's led captains, his most abject vassals, +whose presence at his table contributed, by their native gross humour, +to divert the tedious hours of the squire, and whose society had now +become quite necessary to his existence. He had been well educated, +and was not deficient in mental ability; but his sad propensity to the +worship of Bacchus had nearly hebetated the powers of his mind, and +had nearly likewise debilitated his powers of loco-motion by frequent +confirmed attacks of gout, which had much undermined his constitution.</p> + +<p>In the centre of the room was stationed a table, on which still stood +some stout cheer, the remains of last night's banquet; here were to +be seen the remnant of a huge venison pasty, cold roast beef, pickled +oysters, cold roasted fowls, tongues, &c., and relics of exhausted +bottles reposing like dead men upon the carpet. Upon the approach +of the strangers, Vulcan and Hecate, his two fa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>vourite cats, that +had been busily employed in subdividing the venison pasty, at sight +of the visitor's dogs most incontinently abandoned their plunder, +loudly yelling, and retreating with precipitation, they scampered up +the chimney; while the general panic, with effect of electricity, +communicating its fearful effects to his favourite pigeons, who had +been peaceably reposing, with their gentle heads under their wings, +upon the tester of the bed; but now they sprang up in affright, as if +pursued by falcon or eagle, and dashed themselves suddenly against the +window-casement; the poor pigeons received some slight hurts, and the +Squire was evidently discomfited. "D——n, I say, to Vulcan and Hecate; +but I am indeed sorry for my pretty pets—my dear pigeons. You know, my +worthy and venerated Sir Patricius, how much I am obligated to my late +dear, dear, dear uncle Commodore Pigeon, of Capstern Hall in Yorkshire, +who bequeathed me an estate to the tune of nearly two thousand pounds +per annum; and therefore you can fully account for my warm attachment +to the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>pretty bird that bears his honoured name! I am now waxing old, +and peradventure am not exempt from the follies of old age; I have +long since become tired of the chace, my bugle-horn hangs silent in my +hall, and my unkennelled hounds wander forth, to my cost, committing +petty larcenies amid the peaceably disposed ducks and turkeys of the +vicinage; my hunters I have turned abroad to increase and multiply +exceedingly, and cats daily kitten in my quondam boots of the chase! +But I have dwelt too long on myself and mine own concern—I give you a +hearty congratulation upon your safe return to these parts, and also at +the happy return of the duke to his ancient towers. I pray you that you +both stop and dine with me; I can only promise you a yeoman's fare, but +indeed you shall likewise have a friend's welcome! For, Sir Patricius, +I do esteem thee, and I do consider thee, by yea and nay, a man of the +most recondite taste and parlous judgment that I ever have encountered; +withal resembling, methinks, most accurately what old Flaccus terms +'<i>Homo ad unguem factus</i>.'"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sir Patricius politely thanked him for his too good opinion of him, +which he feared was rather overrated, and apologized for the next +to impossibility of accepting of his friendly invitation, which +they begged to postpone to some more opportune time. And now having +quite sufficiently amused themselves with the eccentric Squire of +Crownagelera Castle, Sir David Bruce and Sir Patricius Placebo again +returned thanks for the proffered hospitality of Squire Kiltoper, and +having bade him good morning, set out on their return, "<i>Non sine multo +risu</i>," as Sir Patricius expressed himself, for Tyrconnel Castle.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Now go with me, and with this holy man,</div> + <div class="verse">Into the chauntry by: there before him,</div> + <div class="verse">And underneath that consecrated roof,</div> + <div class="verse">Plight me the full assurance of your faith!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Twelfth Night.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>The thirty-first day of October, sixteen hundred ninety and ——, +being the birth-day of our heroine, was the morning appointed for +the solemnization of the nuptials of Sir David Bruce and the Lady +Adelaide Raymond. The young lady's consent, and that of her noble +parents, having been previously obtained, and also that <i>sine qua non</i> +preliminary of nuptial happiness—to wit, a marriage license, having +been duly and properly procured, no obstacle to their happy union now +remained. Preparations upon a grand <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>scale had been in a progressive +state of forwardness for some weeks at Tyrconnel Castle, to crown the +nuptial banquet, and every delicacy and luxury that taste could select, +or that money could procure, were not wanting to furnish forth the +splendid marriage feast. The Duke of Tyrconnel, in order to add to the +pomp and circumstance of the event, had a new state coach built for the +happy bridal day, <i>selon des reglès</i>, as then the fashion of the day +controlled. The carriage was connected by massive crane necks, which in +our modern days of fashion have crept down and shrunk into a slender +perch; these were richly carved and gilt. The wheels were of a very +circumscribed orbit; and the naves were gilt, as well as the spokes. +The springs likewise were of burnished gold; while the ponderous +massive body, with shape (if it could so be called) which much more, +in sooth, resembled a city barge abducted from its natural element, +and aided by wheels in its terrestrial progressions; or perhaps as +cumbersome, although not as unsightly, as a French diligence—but +assuredly not to be compared with the present modern <i>turn-out</i> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>of a +nobleman. Ducal coronets of brass, richly embossed and gilt, adorned +and surrounded the four angles of the roof of the state carriage. +A splendidly embroidered hammer-cloth mantled the coach-box, which +was destined to glitter in the last rays of a brilliant October sun, +upon this ever-memorable day, and to glance forth the rich emblazoned +quarterings of the noble houses of Tyrconnel and O'Nial. The superb +liveries of the domestics were neither overlooked nor forgotten upon +this happy occasion; they were indeed truly magnificent; they were of +rich green cloth, with gold embroidery and trimming.</p> + +<p>Sir David Bruce had also duly in readiness a very handsome town +chariot, which he had caused to be built for the occasion. This was +drawn by four handsome horses, and guided by two postillions, preceded +by two outriders, and in the rere followed by two footmen on horseback, +their housings ornamented with the Bruce crest in embroidery, and +from each holster peeped forth travelling pistols, mounted in chased +silver, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>and richly ornamented. The outriders had the additional +appendage of belts slung from their shoulders, to each of which were +attached small silver powder flasks, or priming horns. The same state +attended upon the duke and duchess. Six running footmen, (the fashion +of the day,) with ribbons streaming at their knees, and with long +white walking-poles, entwined with ribbon and surmounted with favours, +preceded the carriage of the duke, and as many were the precursors of +the carriage in which were seated the duchess and the beauteous bride. +Such was to be the pomp and procession destined for this illustrious +bridal.</p> + +<p>Old Cormac seemed resolutely determined that he at least should not +be omitted in the <i>dramatis personæ</i> of this most memorable day. At +an early hour, therefore, with due intention of the full performance +of his resolve, he was seen flitting from alley green to the dark +embowered wood, bearing his constant companion, his harp; and as the +old gardener somewhat quaintly expressed <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>it, "he was for a' the warld +like a hen on a het girdle!"</p> + +<p>Old honest Cormac's intention could not long be mistaken or +misunderstood; for soon with right shoulder forward, and strong +intuitive confidence, he stoutly marched onward, nor did the veteran +halt until he had reached Lady Adelaide's flower garden, where he +was often accustomed to sit and play; where having arrived, he soon +seated himself upon a rustic chair, beneath the casement of the Lady +Adelaide's chamber, where anon he began to strum and tune his harp. +The moment that the sightless bard had begun his minstrelsy, vocal +and instrumental, it was with considerable delight and joy that he +distinctly heard the casement window of Lady Adelaide to be thrown +open. Meanwhile the lovely fair (in whose honest praise the poetic +raptures of the ancient minstrel were composed) looked down upon +her old, faithful, and favourite bard, while mirthfully he sung and +accompanied the following:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">nuptial song.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Sweet Robin, perch'd on yonder spray,</div> + <div class="verse">So sweetly sings his matin lay,</div> + <div class="verse">To welcome forth this brilliant day,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">And greet the Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Behold the sun with genial gleam,</div> + <div class="verse">O'er the lofty mountain beam,</div> + <div class="verse">Dispelling mist like nightly dream,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">To cheer the Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Arise fair lady!—Love, perchance,</div> + <div class="verse">Hath pow'r to wake thee from this trance,</div> + <div class="verse">And hail the matin hour's advance,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">So dear to Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">O'er him, the fond, the gen'rous youth,</div> + <div class="verse">O'er her who gave her plighted truth—</div> + <div class="verse">On both may bliss each treasure shed,</div> + <div class="verse">While children crown the bridal bed</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Of noble Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">And oh! until their final hour,</div> + <div class="verse">May friendship cheer, and love have pow'r</div> + <div class="verse">To spread each charm amid their bow'r,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">And bless the Bruce and Adelaide!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>Here ceased the old sightless Cormac, while tears of deep and intense +feeling and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>affection trickled down his venerable, time-furrowed +cheeks.</p> + +<p>Adelaide descended from her chamber, and entering the garden, with +great sweetness and condescension approached the old minstrel: "Thanks, +many thanks, my kind and ancient bard, for this thy matin lay; and here +too is a boon withal for the minstrel."—At the same time placing a +gold doubloon in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, receive my warm, grateful thanks, my dear, kind—my noble young +mistress—<i>Cead millia failtha</i>! May the benison of the sightless bard +bless you and yours for ever and ever! Indeed I dare not refuse the +bridal present, for it carries luck and happiness, and every thing that +is kind, and noble, and good, along with it. God bless you, young lady, +and may you be as happy as you deserve; this, young lady, is the warm +and fervent prayer of poor blind old Cormac!"</p> + +<p>The Lady Adelaide felt much affected with the respect and affection +manifested by the ancient minstrel, and once more thanking him <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>for his +verses, adjourned to the breakfast-room. While on her way she was met +by Sir David Bruce at the garden door, and according to the fashion +and reserve of that day, he ceremoniously led by the hand his lovely +mistress. They now entered the breakfast parlour, where they found the +duke with the family assembled, to whom they kindly bade good morrow.</p> + +<p>The worthy and venerable Bishop Bonhomme and his lady had arrived, +as also the bride's-maids, and the whole of the company who had been +invited to the wedding. And the bridal breakfast having begun and +ended, the splendid equipages of the noble party were ordered to +approach the grand porch of the castle. And here that our fair readers +may not "burst in ignorance" of the mode and manner in which a marriage +in high life was conducted in those times by the <i>gens de condition</i>, +we shall endeavour to give a report, albeit not copied <i>verbatim</i> from +the court gazette of the day.</p> + +<p>Bishop Bonhomme and his lady first departed from the castle, ascending +their state <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>chariot, if indeed it could be called ascending a vehicle, +the body of which was barely raised some inches above the carriage +part, and which was all richly carved and gilt, and also attached by +low massive crane-necks. The single step by which the ascent into the +chariot was accomplished, was fastened perpendicularly at the outside: +it was finely carved and gilt, and of the shape and form of the escalop +shell, and two golden keys, interlaced and embossed, adorned its +centre. In lieu of leather pannels at the sides and back, the body was +ornamented all around with windows of rich plate glass, from the royal +factory of Saint Idelphonso, by means of which a full view was clearly +presented to the spectator of those within.</p> + +<p>The bishop wore a full-dress orthodox peruke; he was arrayed in his +robes and lawn sleeves; his white bridal gloves were trimmed with gold. +He looked very episcopal and dignified. The pannels of the chariot +were emblazoned with their due quantity of mitres; a rich <i>bordure</i> of +the crozier, interlaced with foliations of the shamrock, adorn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>ed the +sides and angles. The state chariot was drawn by six sleek, stately, +coalblack steeds, whose long and bushy tails nearly swept the ground. +It was driven by an old, fat, jolly-looking coachman, who displayed +fully to every beholder that he was not stinted in his meals at the +palace, to which his portentous paunch bore full attestation. He was +assisted by two postillions, arrayed in rich purple jackets and purple +velvet caps. Six footmen, in their episcopal state liveries, stood +behind. Next in the procession came on the state coach and six of the +duke, in which were seated his Grace and two of his Reverend chaplains. +Then followed the state coach and six which contained the duchess and +her lovely daughter, and Lady Adelaide's two bride's-maids. Next came +on the chariot and four of Sir David Bruce, which contained the Baronet +and Sir Patricius Placebo. These were followed by numerous carriages of +the surrounding nobility and gentry; the servants all decorated with +silver favours; while numerous parties of the tenants and peasants, +"dressed in all their best," some <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>on horseback and others on foot, +closed the extended cavalcade.</p> + +<p>The joyful pealing of the sacred chimes now cheerily rang forth from +the cathedral tower, to salute the natal morn of Lady Adelaide.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile a number of female peasants were seen advancing, arrayed in +white, their heads garlanded with living flowers. They danced before +the bride's carriage; and so soon as the cavalcade had reached the +cathedral porch, as the bride entered, they strewed the way before with +rosemary, gilliflowers, and marygolds; the mystery and signification +of which was this—the first stood for remembrance, the second for +gentleness, and the last for marriage, being an alliteration between +the name of the flower and that of the thing signified.</p> + +<p>Old Bellrope, the sexton and verger, who, "man and boy," had witnessed +many nuptials celebrated in the venerable cathedral, solemnly +asseverated that he had never before set eye upon so beautiful a +couple! To do due honours to the ceremony, he had <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>newly purchased +a verger's gown, and wore a purple cloth coat, waistcoat, and +indispensables, which had appertained in the olden time to some pious +bishop of defunct celebrity. His wig was very commendably frizzed, +thanks to the skill and indefatigability of Madam Bellrope, and looked +unusually gay, from a judicious distribution of a successful foray made +upon the drudging-box by the said thrifty dame, so that it provoked a +remark from Sandy Rakeweel, the gardener at the castle, an honest old +Caledonian devoid of guile:—"That indeed auld Bellrope's peruke for a' +the warld remeended him o' aine of his awn kale plants in fu' flower in +the middle o' August."</p> + +<p>The noble procession entered the cathedral porch, where being duly +marshalled in meet heraldic pomp, rank, and file, the distinguished +persons proceeded along the venerable nave. Lady Adelaide was +arrayed in a silver tissue, a splendid tiara of pearls, in form of a +shamrock-wreath, encircled her noble brow, with ear-rings of the same, +and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>on her lovely neck she wore "a rich and orient carcanet."<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>Sir David Bruce, with firm and dignified step and gesture, advanced, +leading onward by the hand to the bridal altar the lovely Lady +Adelaide, her eye beaming with all the radiance of intelligence and +of genius, while the deep glow of health and the blush of modesty +mantled her beauteous cheek as she approached the sacred altar, the +gaze, delight, and admiration of all, high and low, who beheld her. Her +graceful, but bashful step, and her modest mien, reminded the spectator +of Milton's fine description of Eve, when</p> + +<p class="center">"Onward she came, led by her heav'nly Maker," &c.</p> + +<p>As pure and spotless Adelaide stepped to the holy altar. But it was +impossible to withhold the veneration and admiration called forth +by the appearance, voice, manner, and noble countenance of the good +bishop, who, indeed, more than seemed "the beauty of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>holiness," while +with a clear, distinct, and dignified intonation of voice, he read the +sacred service.</p> + +<p>The ceremony concluded, the bridal party went forth in the same order +in which it had commenced, save that Sir David Bruce and his fair +bride rode in the same carriage from the cathedral. Sir Patricius +Placebo returned in the duke's carriage. The remainder of the morning +was occupied until dinner time in various rides and drives to view +the beauties of the surrounding country; some went out on a boating +excursion on the beautiful lake of Loch-Neagh, others drove out in low +phaetons, or cabriolets; and some went on a walking excursion to view +the lawns and woods of Tyrconnel, thus to occupy the time until dinner. +The elder folks sat down to the green field of the card-table, playing +at primero, cribbage, ombre, &c., <i>jusque à diner</i>.</p> + +<p>The dinner was splendidly superb. The services of richly chased and +embossed plate which this day decorated the nuptial table, were truly +magnificent. One service was of gold, two others were of silver.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> +<p>In the evening there was a grand ball, which was opened by Sir David +Bruce and his beauteous bride; they were followed by the Duke and +Duchess of Tyrconnel, who, (ah, good old-fashioned times!) upon this +occasion, tripped it on the light fantastic toe; they were soon +followed by a large group, who danced down the <i>contrè-danse</i> with +great spirit; a smile of joy was evidently seen in the benevolent face +of Bishop Bonhomme, and he was even seen to beat time with his head and +foot.</p> + +<p>Brilliant illuminations were observable throughout the domain, various +coloured lamps were garlanded from tree to tree, and likewise across +different avenues in the lawn.</p> + +<p>A banquet was spread for the duke's tenantry, where most excellent +and substantial fare was presented in abundance to all; and there was +no lack of strong beer, which flowed forth in streams. Fire-works of +various kinds were played off. And the duke's band of French horns, +stationed in different parts of the park, played various tunes, which +were sweetly echoed by the adjoining woods, and the responding waters +of the Eske.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> +<p>The tenants and peasantry did not omit the Irish dance, the +<i>Rinceadh-Fada</i>, which was danced with great spirit and grace in front +of the windows of the baronial hall. Old Cormac was now summoned to +assist at the ceremonies and the gaiety of the hall. Upon command to +attend, his remark was—"Weel, weel, 'twas anely as I expected!" He +immediately hastened to the festive scene, and brought with him a +Scotch harper, old Donald, who had been a retainer in the family of +Bruce, and whom the intelligence of the nuptials that were that day +to be solemnized had brought into the neighbourhood. Here a polite +and courteous contest arose between the minstrels, each standing +upon etiquette, and quite ready to award to the other the right of +precedence; however, this posing point, <i>d'embarras</i>, was at length +finally settled by Donald's declaring, that "he wad na pla' at a' afore +maister Cormac." So, <i>volens, nolens</i>, old Cormac seized his harp, and +thus began, accompanying his instrument with the following verses:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">May plenty, peace, long bless the isle</div> + <div class="verse">Where pity's tear can woe beguile!</div> + <div class="verse">Erin! the nations envy thee,</div> + <div class="verse">From scorpion, snake, and viper free;</div> + <div class="verse">Thy sacred saint's high potency!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Where beauty with Hygeia dwells,</div> + <div class="verse">Fell Discord flies these happy dells;</div> + <div class="verse">Where plaintive thrills thy island lyre,</div> + <div class="verse">Where kindling glows the social fire;</div> + <div class="verse">And jocund Hymen crowns the scene,</div> + <div class="verse">While pipes the shepherd's tuneful reed,</div> + <div class="verse">From his straw cottage on the mead,</div> + <div class="verse">And smiles each valley green!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>Cormac sung the foregoing simple lines in order that he might be +entitled to call upon old Donald; who now being left without an +apology, and endeavouring to recollect a song, after a short pause the +Scottish minstrel struck his harp, and thus began:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="label">i thought on distant hame!</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Ah! while I saftly tuned my sang,</div> + <div class="verse">The hawthorn's hoary bloom amang,</div> + <div class="verse">I thought on friends I lov'd sae lang;</div> + <div class="verse indent4">I thought on distant hame!</div> +</div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I thought on those I lov'd when young,</div> + <div class="verse">Of those wha died the wars amang,</div> + <div class="verse">Of those for whom the knell had rang,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Far frae their happy home!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I thought of those on foreign shore,</div> + <div class="verse">Beneath the tempest's dreadful roar,</div> + <div class="verse">Wha sank frae waves to rise nae mo',</div> + <div class="verse indent4">To hail their distant hame!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I thought on the auld parent's smart,</div> + <div class="verse">Sorrowing his anely bairn to part,</div> + <div class="verse">Whase face nae mair shall cheer his heart,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Nor joy the parent's hame!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I thought on the hapless maiden's woe,</div> + <div class="verse">Her true-love doom'd to see nae mo',</div> + <div class="verse">Her reason tint beneath the blow,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">And desolate her hame!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Then through this warld where e'er I stray,</div> + <div class="verse">In winter's gloam, or simmer's ray;</div> + <div class="verse">I'll sigh for a' wha far awa'</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Like me regret their hame!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>Donald received applause upon the conclusion of his pathetic song; +who, in return, bowed low and respectfully to the company. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>Here the +minstrels tuned their pipes with a refreshing draught of Innishowen and +water, of which commixture the first ingredient was, doubtless, the +most predominant.</p> + +<p>It now came to Cormac's turn to strike his harp. When about to proceed +the duke observed: "I fear, old friend Cormac, that it now waxes late, +and we shall not have much time for any lengthened production, for you +are aware that when the great hall-clock shall strike the ninth hour +we proceed to supper. This rule at our castle is as peremptory and +inviolable as the ancient laws of the Medes and Persians; so remember, +good Cormac!"</p> + +<p>"Never fear, your Grace's honour, I shall not fail to obey you."</p> + +<p>Then turning to Lady Adelaide Bruce, he said: "I will sing the loves +of Sir Trystan and the beautiful Isoud! they were young and noble; +they were likewise comely too, lovely lady: but they were unfortunate +in their loves. Grant, O heaven, that such a fate may never betide the +Lady Adelaide or Sir David!" He then commenced—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">the romaunt</p> + +<p class="center"><small>OF SIR TRYSTAN AND LA BELLE ISOUD.</small></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Arouse thee, old Cormac! recite the fond tale</div> + <div class="verse">Of Isoud La Belle of renowned Innisfail,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></div> + <div class="verse">Beauty's bright paragon; of chivalry tell</div> + <div class="verse">Sir Trystan the valiant, and Isoud La Belle.</div> + <div class="verse">A daughter of Erin, of Aöngus proud king</div> + <div class="verse">No story more noble a minstrel might sing!</div> + <div class="verse">Let the pioba<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> and harp triumphantly tell</div> + <div class="verse">Of Trystan the valiant and Isoud La Belle!</div> + <div class="verse">Aloud to fair Christendom, in numbers proclaim,</div> + <div class="verse">With voice of the trumpet, the chosen of fame!</div> +</div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Nor ever be <i>Arthur</i> the noble forgot!</div> + <div class="verse">The prince and his friend, who <i>were</i>, and <i>are not</i>!</div> + <div class="verse">For long since, with valour and chivalry crown'd,</div> + <div class="verse">A tomb piled by heroes these heroes have found;</div> + <div class="verse">Not envy, malice, nor time, shall be able</div> + <div class="verse">To shadow a chief of Arthur's round table!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">O long shall the lily,<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> the ivy, and bay,</div> + <div class="verse">Frame a wreath round the hero, the pride of his day;</div> + <div class="verse">And now bursting forth from cearment and gloom,</div> + <div class="verse">Once more shall the victor arise from his tomb.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">He comes, the proud chieftain, to Cornwall's steep coast,</div> + <div class="verse">Sir Trystan the valiant, high chivalry's boast;</div> + <div class="verse">The friend of Prince Arthur descended in line</div> + <div class="verse">From heroes whose glory 'tis his to enshrine:</div> +</div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Still nobly look up to their banner so proud,</div> + <div class="verse">The forfeit, dishonour, disgrace, and the shroud!</div> + <div class="verse">'Aye, ever his honour Sir Trystan shall cherish,</div> + <div class="verse">When it shall be lost his wish is to perish!</div> + <div class="verse">And shrink mid the ignoble, worthless, and dead,</div> + <div class="verse">When the halo of glory shall wane on his head!'</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p>Just at the conclusion of the above, to the horror, confusion, and +surprise of old Cormac, the German clock in the baronial hall chimed +musically forth the ninth hour. But it was no music to the ear of +Cormac, who in dumb despair somewhat sullenly laid down his harp, +knowing that remonstrance would not be heard, and that solicitation was +all in vain. But the duke was loud in his commendations, in which he +was duly echoed by his guests, and Cormac was assured that the company +should certainly be gratified upon the succeeding night, and at an +earlier hour, with the remainder of the Romaunt of Trystan and Isoud.</p> + +<p>The company now descended to the great supper-room, where a most superb +banquet was spread for the noble guests. The wassail-bowl was duly +and meetly placed in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>centre of the table upon a magnificent gold +plateau. The bowl was decorated with artificial flowers, festoons of +"true-lover's knots," "rose-buds," "heart's-ease," "forget me not," and +the bow and arrow of Cupid were not omitted.</p> + +<p>"The spiced wassail-bowl,"<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> duly impregnated with love philtres, +was composed of Muscadel,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> principally, in which, <i>inter</i> <i>alia</i>, +the following ingredients were mixed in this mystic beverage: namely, +angelica, adianthum, eggs, eringo, orchis, &c. The concoction was +made with great caution, measure, and propriety, according to the +<i>avoirdupois</i> weight, as duly laid down in the family receipt book. +The bride and bridegroom, of course, were the first to quaff from this +charmed potion, and then those who chose to follow their example.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> +<p>The song, the jest, and the cup, detained the company until the +eleventh hour, a time in that primitive period which was considered +late; when mutually pleasing and pleased, the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>noble guests arose to +separate; and all retired to their respective chambers to repose, +pleased and delighted with the hospitalities of this happy and most +memorable day.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">The bridegroom may forget the bride</div> + <div class="verse">Was made his wedded wife yestreen.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> +<div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Burns.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>It was on a serene autumnal morning succeeding the day of Lady +Adelaide's nuptials, the sun had brilliantly arisen, dispelling the +misty gloom and dews of night, and shed around his broad refracted +rays; unruffled by a passing cloud, a clear and lofty sky spread forth +its mighty canopy of mild aërial blue; the twittering swallows hovered +around, and circled in mid-air, while clustering, they chattered their +parting lullaby. The solitary redbreast too joined in nature's chorus, +and thrilled forth his matin song. Every mountain lake shone forth a +glassy mirror, and the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>waves of the mighty Atlantic hushed to repose, +slumbered amid their coral caves; what time the minister of the gospel +of peace, the Reverend Doctor M'Kenzie, returned to the castle of his +noble and generous patron, after a long protracted absence of many +years.</p> + +<p>His return had been provokingly delayed by long continued ill health, +and besides by various vexatious detainers, such as bad roads, bad +drivers, the cumbersome, ill-constructed vehicles of those days, +and having encountered various disastrous chances of many "moving +accidents" by sea and land, which had all concurred with direful +combination to retard his journey, and prevent his being present upon +the auspicious day when the lovely heiress of the noble duke was to +bestow her hand in marriage.</p> + +<p>His Reverence received a kind and hearty welcome from the duke and +duchess, and all the inmates of the castle were rejoiced to behold his +return, and to find that his health was quite re-established, so as to +have permitted him to undertake such a long and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>fatiguing journey. His +health and spirits were indeed much recruited through the beneficial +effects of the waters of Pyrmont, which, like those of fabled Lethe, +seemed to cause a total oblivion of all the perils inflicted amid the +deep, and the dangers and difficulties sustained upon land.</p> + +<p>Matters went on at the castle this day pretty much alike to what they +had upon the preceding ever memorable yesterday, which witnessed the +happy union of Sir David Bruce and the Lady Adelaide. A large company +assembled at the castle, and sat down to a splendid dinner in the great +hall of state. The desert could boast fruits collected from every +quarter of the globe, and every rich, rare, and generous wine, sparkled +on the board, and were poured forth in hospitable libations—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"The mellow-tinted Burgundy; and quick</div> + <div class="verse">As is the wit it gives, the brisk Champaign."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>In the evening there was a concert of instrumental music, which was +performed on the terrace; cards and supper succeeded; every <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>thing was +conducted and served up in a style at once splendid and superb.</p> + +<p>The company had all departed to their homes, and the guests had +retired to their chambers; but the duke and duchess, and the bride +and bridegroom, still tarried, engaged in pleasant discourse; when +at length the noble host and hostess also took leave, and embracing +their beloved daughter, and cordially shaking Sir David by the hand, +they bade good night, and ascended to their chamber. The bridal pair +now also remained some few moments engaged in sweet converse, when he +said:—"My love, retire to your chamber, and soon I shall follow thee; +I have a letter or two to write, and despatch by the messenger, who at +dawn of day departs to deposit them in the general post. I have too a +few letters to read; these being despatched, quickly I shall retire +anon to our chamber. The night is a cold autumnal one, but I know that +I shall find a blazing fire—a heart still warmer than that fire, and +sweet smiles withal, to welcome me when I shall <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>rejoin thee.—Go, go, +my love!" he said, and affectionately embraced her.</p> + +<p>He sat for some time reading and writing, for the papers were of +importance. He now arose from his chair, and was about to retire to his +happy chamber, when a loud and hollow knock was heard at the portal +gates; the watch dogs were aroused, and loudly and deeply barked. The +old porter cautiously and slowly opened the lattice peep-hole of the +gate to ask, who at this unseasonable hour of the night it was that +would fain demand admittance? The answer given was, that he was a +king's messenger bearing despatches of importance for Sir David Bruce, +and as the glimmering lamp was held forth, he showed the silver badge, +the insignia of his office. The wicket-gate was instantly unbarred, and +he was accordingly admitted. The messenger was shown into the servants' +hall, where supper and refreshments were immediately brought him; and +while he was regaling upon the hospitable cheer of the castle, a bed +was put in readiness for him. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>Sir David Bruce having seen that all was +as it should be, retired to his chamber.</p> + +<p>It was midnight, the fire in the bridal chamber brightly blazed, and +the wax-lights shot forth their brilliant beams. Sir David seated +himself on a chair beside the bed, and having gently drawn aside the +curtain, he affectionately embraced his bride, while he kindly said, +"My dear Adelaide, I always have been of opinion that no secret nor +mystery should ever exist between man and wife. I know, my love, that +your understanding ranks too high, your love for me is too great, +and your opinion of my character is too elevated ever to induce you, +in any shape or form, to pry into what I may not think necessary to +disclose. For indeed <i>you</i> do not aspire to that <i>superior wisdom</i> +which some of your sex rather somewhat too confidently and arrogantly +assume; the true term and appellation of which properly should be +called <i>not</i> wisdom, but <i>superior curiosity</i>! But, my dear love, in +strictest verity I may say of thee, before our happy union, in foreign +realms, and in perilous tracts over land and ocean, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>that I have ever +witnessed thy equanimity of temper, and always have found thee one and +the same;—ever unchanged and unchangeable! and indeed I know no one +(not even your noble and highly gifted mother) who could, with more +propriety than yourself, assume the motto of the virgin queen—</p> + +<p class="center">'Semper eadem!'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear husband!" rejoined Adelaide, "although delighted ever +to hear <i>your</i> praise, yet when you would overstep the due and meet +boundaries of discretion, and, forsooth, make of me an ideal goddess, +it is meet and due time, that stepping down from the lofty pedestal +whereon thou hast been graciously pleased to rear thy fond idol, +for me to intrude a word or two, if it were but to dispel the charm +which fascinates thee, recall thy wandering thoughts from paradise +to earth, and convince thee, at least, that I am but a mere mortal; +and, moreover, a woman to boot, with all a woman's faults—yea, too, +my love, with all a woman's fondness, and the love that no tongue can +utter; and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>thus I swear it upon thy beloved lips, my first, my only +love!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my adorable Adelaide," he said, while he met the fond embrace, +"let this blessed moment be ever sacred in our recollection! dawning +with hope and promised joy on all our future days. Oh, my Adelaide, +imperishable let this happy, too happy hour remain, and ever marked +and stamped by a holy communion of heart and mind! Your taste shall +be mine, your liking shall be my liking, your joy be my joy, and your +sorrows (if ever they come) shall be all mine own!—thy disgrace would +become my disgrace, and mine would be attended with yours! But now I +only look upon the happy obverse of the medal, when I pause on your +beauty, your accomplishments, your virtue, and your religion! for +without the latter a woman is a monster, and man little less than a +demon. You must now permit me to say, that you are the theme of every +tongue, the charm of every eye, the idol of every heart, and the bright +ornament of every circle, that might fairly, at thy throne,</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> +<p class="center">'Bid kings come bow to it!'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear Bruce, you will turn my brain—no more of hyperbole!"</p> + +<p>"Nay, Adelaide, nay! can I think on all these, and yet not feel the +thrill of transport throbbing at my heart?—quite impossible!—it +could not be so, my love! Between us then let there ever exist a holy +communion of soul that shall support and bear us onward throughout the +trials of this stormy world, gilding the days of health and happiness, +and not deserting us when years increase, and health declines; for +even then the Hymenial torch shall brightly burn, although it may be +with a mild, yet steady light, and only expire upon the tomb! Believe +me the true and indissoluble bond of conjugal affection is no other +than an unreserved and reciprocal interchange of every thought, plan, +purpose, and design. Enduring, meanwhile, a contented participation +of fortune, whether it be prosperous or adverse; possessing only <i>one +will</i>, <i>one mind</i>, and <i>one heart</i>, thus harmoniously resembling a +finely performed air of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>music, where three voices melodiously melt +into one, and close in full and perfect diapason. Oh, my dear love, if +this conjugal—this perfect harmony, were, as it ought to be, always +preserved, what follies might not be avoided!—what heart-burnings +would ever exist!—what horrible vice might not be shunned!—and what +dread and horrid disgrace might not be prevented! When oft, my love, at +evening time retired in our tranquil solitude, I shall there retrace +the events and transactions of the day that has gone by, then, then, +shall I tell thee of aught perchance which I may have observed in thy +conduct or deportment to censure or to praise. Oh, with what delight +I shall dwell upon all that I approve, while with gentleness I pass +over what I may discommend. And the same sincerity, sweet love, I shall +expect from thee; thou shalt, as in a tablet, set down all my faults +and misdemeanors. It is thus that we shall best fulfil the holy compact +which we entered into yesterday—of abiding by each other in sickness, +sorrow, or in health, in adversity, or in prosperity! And now let me +seal this sa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>cred bond by this warm pressure on thy lips. Thus, my +Adelaide, we ratify this deed of co-partnership!"</p> + +<p>He then added playfully, "Certes I ever have been of opinion that, +although corporeally speaking, man and wife are two bodies, yet am I +at the same time of opinion that they should have between them but one +mind. However, I am altogether not unreasonable withal, and therefore +feel not disinclined to allow them <i>the firm</i> of <span class="smcap">TWO</span> hearts; +but I ever must protest against dissolution of partnership!"</p> + +<p>Then sweetly smiling, he said, "Here, my love, I bear in my hand +despatches of high importance, and brought by a king's messenger; I +needs must cut their silken tressure ere I can peruse the contents +thereof; pray you therefore direct me, my dearest love, where I may +find your <i>etui</i>, or work-box, as I now stand in need of a penknife, or +your ladyship's shears, to cut the silky-gordian knot of this important +packet?"</p> + +<p>Adelaide replied, "Truly, my dearest love, I do not know where to +direct you, the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>events of yesterday have quite caused me to forget; +but open yonder cabinet of ebon, inlaid with ivory, which stands in +yonder recess, search it, perhaps there a penknife or shears may be +found."</p> + +<p>"<i>May</i> find! Adelaide, nay now, thou art what truly I did not suspect +that thou wert, a most unthrifty housewife!"</p> + +<p>Sir David Bruce approached the cabinet; it contained many curious +and secret drawers; at length sprung forth one opened by a spring, +which unconsciously he had touched, when the drawer fell from the +cabinet, and lo! forth was flung from it, and, to his infinite horror +and surprise, he saw, and scarce could believe his eyes, a whinger! +[<i>i. e.</i> a Scottish knife or poniard, answering for both purposes,] +which trundled on the floor with a foreboding sound. The handle was of +silver, richly wrought; it bore the crest of Bruce, namely, a dexter +hand and arm cased in armour, wielding a royal sceptre, and supported +on a cap of maintenance; and beneath was engraved the motto of The +Bruce, <span class="smcap">Fuimus</span>! While, oh! horrible to tell, deeply were +im<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>printed "on the blade and dudgeon gouts of blood," and which seemed +to have been there "long before," rusted and corroded as they were by +time. Oh, when this was done it was</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"In human guilt a portent and an era!</div> + <div class="verse">'Tis of those crimes whose eminent fame hell joys at;</div> + <div class="verse">And the celestial angels that look on it</div> + <div class="verse">Wish their keen airy vision dim and narrow!"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>Maddened with furious rage, he frantic raised the gory poniard from +the ground, and rushing with dreadful impetuosity to the bed-side, he +presented the fatal dagger at Adelaide's heart.</p> + +<p>"Oh strike—strike Sir David, and by <i>thy</i> hand let me die! But indeed, +indeed, I am innocent!"</p> + +<p>"Thou, innocent!—hah, hah, hah!" with a violent hysteric expression he +repeated—"<i>Innocent!</i>—thou witch, fiend, sorceress, devil!——<i>Thou</i> +innocent!—no, no!—thou hast held unholy converse and communion with +the arch-fiend, and with all the demons of darkness and of hell! But +tell!—come, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>this instant tell! or on this spot—aye, thy bridal bed, +thou surely shalt die—this moment thou shalt die! Tell at once then, +how, where, and when, from whom didst thou receive?—No, no deceit, no +prevarication will be allowed nor tolerated. Tell, oh tell, thou devil, +although moulded in an angel's form! Tell, I conjure thee tell!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, spare—spare me, and I shall tell thee all!—each particular shalt +thou know. It——It was upon the <i>Eve of All-Hallows</i>, some ten years +ago—I forget the year—when foolishly, with some young friends, upon +my birth-day, of which it was the fatal anniversary, I impiously dared +to tempt my fate, or try my fortune, by one of those mystic accursed +tricks that are too oft resorted to—"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, less words, lady, and more facts! I demand expedition, +for my impatience cannot brook delay; so come, continue thy accursed +tale——quickly proceed!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, terrible to recollect, and still more terrible to tell. It was +midnight! and, true to his compact, the phantom, whom I had charmed, +appeared in my chamber at the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>same time of night as now. I had caused +a collation to be served, consisting of viands, fruits, confections, +and wine; which were placed upon a table in the centre of the room; +a chair was placed near it, between the table and the fire; upon +another table was displayed the toilette, where were placed a silver +basin, napkin, and a golden ewer, which was filled with rose-water, +and bestrewed with flowers. The fire blazed brilliantly bright, and +wax-lights shed their lustre on the collation. Meanwhile, trembling +fearfully, I lay in my bed, with my back to the light; upon the +counterpane I had stationed a large mirror, (with a trembling hand and +a palpitating heart,) in order that I might behold distinctly reflected +on its polished surface the image of whatever object might place itself +at either of the tables, which, from the position in which I was +placed, I could not fail to see. Thus stationed, was heard a fearful +rumbling sound, as if issuing down the chamber chimney; then followed +a noise, loud and like to the electric shock of a thunderbolt, which +sounded as if it had burst through the chim<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>ney-flue, and from whence +was forcibly flung, with an astounding crash, upon the hearth-stone +of this very chamber, that same dread and fearful instrument which +you now uphold! Sad, sorrowful, and dreadful is the recollection. Yet +still I had the courage to look upon the mirror which I held, when I +instantly and fearfully saw reflected in it a cloud of blue flame, +which illuminated within its cloud of fire, exposed suddenly a tall +and manly chieftain, whose figure boldly emanating from the mist which +surrounded it, seemed clad in a Tartan plaid; his head was covered, or +crowned, with a Scottish bonnet, adorned with plumes, and surmounted by +the Scottish thistle, which sparkled in gold embroidery. The figure, +or spectre, or whatever that unsightly vision might be, held forth to +me his hands, which were bloody; he then sat down to the banquet; he +tasted, but eat not; sipped, but he did not drink: and then on the +sudden arose from his seat, slightly dipped his hands in rose-water, +and applied the napkin. This at the time did virtually all appear a +vision, dreadfully reflected within <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>the glass which I held on my +couch. Yea, you look amazed! but I did see it all, and am too well +convinced it was <i>no vision</i>!—for still horribly, even now through the +lapse of years, I see it still! fresh in my memory, and never, never to +be forgotten! While thus, all terrified and petrified, I looked upon +the awful form, or spectre; frightfully and passionately it grinned +upon me a demon's smile, and said in deep sepulchral voice:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">With this red hand, thou Adelaide shalt wed,</div> + <div class="verse">And keep this trophy for our bridal bed!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>The phantom then, or whatever it was, fiercely took up the dagger, +and dashed it horribly against the mirror I held, which it shivered +into pieces. Then the bloody instrument fell upon the floor, and the +spectre vanished: while I fell into a dreadful trance, which lasted +for hours, and from which I grieve that ever I did waken to witness +this most wretched night! While the phantom vanished, the heavens +loudly thundered, and the vivid lightning illumed this fatal chamber. +Oh, the crash of the mirror I never <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>can forget, nor the ominous fall +of the blood-stained dagger as it fearfully trundled upon the oaken +floor!—these two ominous circumstances too surely manifested that this +was <i>no dream</i>! Oh no, they pierced my heart to conviction! That dread +and awful moment of my life I never can forget!—only to be equalled, +and only to be outdone, by the agonies which now I so severely undergo +in this unhappy hour! Oh, Sir David, in pity at once kill me, and end +my sorrow and my suffering together!—you hold the bloody instrument, +oh then strike!—strike, there's my bosom!—I fear not to die—oh +kill me, I beseech thee!—in mercy, at once destroy me! But, oh, do +not—do not look thus again!—It was thus the awful spectre looked, +while thus the fire flashed from his visage!—Thus! it was <i>thus</i> he +frowned! and like thee he spoke! Oh—oh, I never saw thee look thus +before!—never, never! <i>Ah!</i> <span class="smcap">THOU</span>!—<i>thou!</i> <span class="smcap">thyself</span> +<i>wert</i> <span class="smcap">that</span> <i>spectre</i>!!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Adelaide, no! I looked not thus; it was the infernal fiend, +from the lowest depth of hell, that looked thus, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>then assumed my +shape and form! At that moment I was on ship-board, Dr. M'Kenzie was +my fellow-voyager, who can vouch for the same; we had then left the +Scottish shore, and the destination of the vessel was for Ireland. +This weapon, which now I hold, I then flung into the hissing waves, +when unearthly voices and unearthly music met mine ear, and smote my +heart!—Oh, it was then that I suffered the deep-thrilling agonizing +horrors of the damned. The arch-fiend, I felt, was working in my bosom; +and strongly, desperately, was I tempted to fling myself into the +same remorseless element into which I had flung this blood-besprent +instrument—the damned testimony of my crime; and by so doing end +at once my earthly misery! But even then I lifted up my humble +supplication to heaven, although with crimsoned hands! I fell into a +trance, and lay to all appearance lifeless upon the deck.——You seem +to doubt!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, yes; I see it all!—that frown—that look! Oh, thou, thou, +wert that horrible spectre!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> +<p>Having thus replied, poor Adelaide, with a piteous, heart-rending +scream, and to all appearance as if life had fled, sunk down, pale and +ghastly as a corse, upon her pillow. It was indeed some time before Sir +David could bring her to herself. When the hapless Adelaide recovered +from her faint, he said: "My reproaches now are at an end. For you now +are the object of my compassion and of my pity, not of my wrath. It is +however true, that although infernal agents have given you a husband, +yet know they have not the power to cause me to remain with you one +hour more!—There I am a free agent. No, no!—not Lucifer himself shall +detain me here!—no, nor all thy witchery! Within a short hour, or +less, I depart from hence, and never, never more to return; and I shall +be no more seen!"</p> + +<p>With a desperate grasp, then stooping, he seized and held up the +fatal dagger, the deadly record of his grief—the <i>sævi monumentum +doloris</i>—the bloody pledge of his crime—the avengeful instrument of +his rage, stamped with the crimsoned tears of unabated <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>and unabatable +grief!... "Yet before I go, look, lady, upon that dagger!—whose +blood, think you, it is with which it is imbued?—You shall hear!... +That once was noble blood—it was valiant blood—the proudest blood of +Caledon—the blood of her royal race of kings! And, oh, wretch that +I am!—it was the blood of my brother—my only brother!—yea, and my +elder born! rashly, madly, wickedly shed by me!—yes!... Oh, still +gaze upon it—turn not thine eyes away. It was blood nearly, deeply, +none nearer, allied to me, and beloved. But, but this—all this was +forgot in the moment of delirium—of madness! It was the blood of my +elder brother—yea, an only brother!... Oh, Adelaide, look not thus +again!—my weary, sickening heart, condemns me enough——enough. Well, +well, we lived in the same home, we partook of the same board, we slept +in the same bed.... Oh, oh my brain, how it maddens! and my heart would +fain burst!... Yet, yet, yet I slew him—in rage, madness, I did!—I +did, I did—monster that I am!... Lady, be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>hold I weep!—Ah, I did +not weep when my poor brother died!—and when this I plunged into his +beloved breast!—No, no, no! But it is just, it is truly just, that +heaven's vengeance should make this base instrument of my crime, this +fratricidal dagger, the fatal cause which now separates me from all +happiness upon earth; and divorces me, body and soul, from thee—oh, +whom I loved better—yea, beyond life itself! But time advances, and I +must depart from hence—oh, and for ever! One parting look, and then +I am gone. Oh, thou precious mischief!—so young, so fascinating, so +beautiful! Oh, my very heart shall burst!... Yet, yet—oh, must it +be!—and must we part?... Lady, from hence I go, and shall be no more +seen; peradventure too no more be remembered. Well, well, let justice +have its vengeance and its victim too! Yes, yes, let it be so."</p> + +<p>Here, pallid as death, and woe-stricken, he gave one sad, one last, +agonizing look upon that face that he had so well beloved—the face +of one with whom to part were <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>worse than death itself. Then sad and +sorrowful, in a dejected tone, he said:—"Oh, Adelaide, we have loved +as others yet have never loved; now heart-broken and sorrow-stricken I +here must bid a sad and solemn farewell. Yet, oh, must we part?—Yes, +we <i>must</i> part—oh, and for <i>ever</i>! Never, never again in this wide +world to meet!—again, never! Oh, farewell—one sad, one sorrowful +farewell, and hence I go.... Farewell! forgive and forget, if thou +canst forget (to forgive were impossible) that such a wretched outcast +exists as David Bruce!"</p> + +<p>Here he sobbed like a child, while he slowly and silently withdrew, +gently closing after him the chamber door. But suddenly he returned, +and approaching the bed-side, he thus addressed Adelaide: "It were best +that the mournful tale which now I have disclosed to thee, as well too +as thine own, should be kept inviolably secret, and remain for ever +unknown. Divulge not then thine own criminal weakness; neither expose +the enormity of my guilt. Oh, how often and often have I wished, have I +longed for, aye, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>and have courted death;—yea often too have I keenly +sought him in flood and field. But in vain. It almost seemed as if I +had borne a charmed life. Often I</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone;</div> + <div class="verse">And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open</div> + <div class="verse">The breast of heaven, I did present myself</div> + <div class="verse">Even in the aim and very flash of it,"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p class="no-indent">in anxious hope that it might strike a guilty fratricide dead!——Now, +now, you must say, and swear too, upon this blood-stained +poniard!—swear never—no, never! to reveal what this sad and eventful +night has developed; save it be upon your death-bed alone that you may +divulge it. Come, I demand thy oath; I must have thy solemn oath—thy +sanctified oath of secrecy! But I will not place that horrid instrument +to thy lips, to swear by! No, no! I could not do it—I would not. +Oh, no—if even past joys and hopes again were to return—no! But +there—there, place thy hand upon that horrible instrument of my deep +damnation! Swear upon it!—solemnly swear upon that blood-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>besprent +dagger. Swear!—I charge thee, swear!——Oh, yet weep not, my poor +Adelaide! Oh, no!—weep not thus, my Adelaide, or I forego my purpose; +and soon, then, this dagger shall be plunged into mine own guilty +bosom!——Thou hast heard me——my love! Oh, yes, yes, my love; for +still, oh, still art thou dear to me—dearer than life—ay, or even the +blessed hopes of ******!—although we never may meet again!——There, +I beseech thee! yet there place thy hand upon that instrument +of my torture—of my unspeakable woe—and of my deep and deadly +crime.—Swear!</p> + +<p>Adelaide firmly clasped the fatal instrument, and then exclaimed: "I +swear, I solemnly swear, to observe to the very letter all thou hast +now enjoined!"</p> + +<p>"Oh," replied he, dejected and overcome, "how cold, how deadly cold, +is thy hand, my poor, poor Adelaide!—frozen as are all my hopes, +and chilled, chilled—deadly chilled as is my own wretched heart's +blood. Oh, I shall lose my reason! Oh God, what an hour is this? But +pardon me, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>thou Almighty power. It was I, the impassioned wretch, +that flew forth in thy defiance, like another branded criminal—the +blood-besprinkled Cain, whose mark, I fear, is stamped upon my forehead +and in my heart. But, oh, great and dread Omnipotent, thou art truly +just—and I am guilty. Most justly do I confess that I am punished +as I ought to be, by thy retributive justice, even upon earth—the +irreparable loss of her whom no earthly power upon this habitable spot +of earth can ever alleviate or redeem!—never, never, never!"</p> + +<p>While Sir David Bruce impassionately and woefully said this, he fell +prostrate, and cold, and lifeless, upon the floor of the bridal chamber.</p> + +<p>To describe the emotions of Adelaide, would be to attempt indeed an +impracticable task. It was so truly horrifying and affecting, that it +must wholly be left to the imagination of the feeling reader. It was +some time before Sir David recovered from this overpowering blow of +affliction. When he did recover, he said mournfully:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> +<p>"Sorrow has paralyzed me; and I who often have cleft in twain the +helmet of the foeman, now shrink and bend before thee, my much-injured +love. A guilty conscience hath unmanned me quite. But oh, my poor +Adelaide, time presses onward; the night wears apace, and I must now +conclude the few words which I have to say to thee. You must tell the +duke and duchess—boldly, as it is true, to account for the rapidity +of my departure—that the import of the despatches received, which are +from the Elector Palatine of Brandenburgh, in whose service I fought +at the battle of the Boyne, bear with them life or death, and I must +instantly depart. Thus summoned so suddenly, say to them, and kindly +say, that I could not await their arising for the slow ceremony of +leave-taking, but that I was forced to hasten forthwith, even amidst +the cold and darkness of midnight, with all the expedition I might. +And ... when hence I am gone, and thou shalt silently sit in judgment +on my passion, and upon my crime, and shalt pronounce condemnation on +the destroyer of a brother's <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>life, and of a wife's happiness—oh, even +then still think how fervently, how affectionately, how devotedly, I +loved thee;—yea, and in <i>my very heart's core</i>!... And now a long +farewell—for ever farewell. Mayst thou obtain that peace that is to me +denied and lost in this world for ever!"</p> + +<p>Having thus said, sad, sorrowful, and slow, he descended from the +bridal chamber, the tears streaming adown his manly cheeks. Meantime +he had lighted a lamp which lay in the recess, and bearing it in his +hand, with cautious and silent step, he descended the staircase; and +having gone out at the postern, he proceeded to the stables, where, +having called up his faithful servant, he ordered his horses instantly +to be saddled, and in less than half an hour all was in readiness for +his departure,—servant, horses, travelling valise, &c. &c. And now +Sir David, and his faithful servant Malcolm, who had attended him +at the battle of the Boyne, proceeded beneath the embattled portal +of Tyrconnel Castle, never again to return. The solitary bittern +mournfully boomed as they rode <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>along the lonely marsh, and the +startled eagle from his lofty eirie-crag loudly shrieked, awakened by +the tramp of the horse-hoofs, which were deeply re-echoed through this +stilly solitude, in the dark and dismal hour of midnight.</p> + +<p>Oh, what pen can write, what tongue can tell, what heart can feel, save +the heart which deeply hath felt it, how bitter are the pangs of a +wounded spirit, when love becomes horribly transformed into rancorous +and deadly hate! Oh, happy it were then that "the silver cord were +loosened, and the golden bowl were broken," what time the sweet bond of +harmony snapt suddenly in twain, dissevered by a rude and discordant +crash, when two fond, faithful, and affectionate hearts, are changed +in one short, sad, and eventful moment—becoming, alas, fatally and +irrevocably estranged and separated for ever.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure,</div> + <div class="verse">Thrill the deepest notes of woe!"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">And tell me, I charge you——</div> + <div class="verse">Why fold ye your mantles, why cloud ye your brows?</div> + <div class="verse">So spake the stern chieftain.—No answer is made;</div> + <div class="verse">But each mantle unfolding, a dagger display'd.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Campbell.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>We must now go still further back into our history, and give some +account of Sir David Bruce, and the unhappy causes that led to so +unexpected and so speedy a termination of a connexion honourable and +enviable in every respect, and indeed every way deserving of happier +results.</p> + +<p>In the parish of Kirkoswald, in Ayrshire, is situated the ancient and +the celebrated castle of Turnberry, stationed upon the north-west point +of a rocky angle of the coast, extending towards Girvan. This cas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>tle +belonged to Sir Robert Bruce, Laird of Annandale. The situation of the +castle of Turnberry is extremely delightful, commanding a full view +of the Frith of Clyde, and its indented shores. Upon the land side it +overlooks a richly extended plain, bounded by distant hills, which rise +around in gradual and beautiful undulations, and adorned to their very +summits with woods of mountain-ash, oak, and the most graceful of all +trees, in glen, plain, valley, or mountain, the weeping birch.</p> + +<p>The lord of this castle—we should say "the laird"—was Sir Robert +Bruce, and with him resided his twin-brother, Sir David Bruce, the +hero of this eventful tale. This castle had belonged in the olden time +to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died nobly fighting, as a true and +valiant Red-Cross Knight, in the Holy Land; who left an only daughter, +named Martha Countess of Carrick. This noble lady having accidentally +met Robert Bruce, (the ancestor of our hero,) Laird of Annandale in +Scotland, and Baron Cleveland in England, while he was occu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>pied in a +hunting party near her castle, his manners, deportment, and person, +pleased the countess; she invited him to the castle of Turnberry, and +they were speedily married.</p> + +<p>From this illustrious marriage sprung the kings of Scotland of the +royal race of Stuart;—and hence the successors of Bruce, until they +ascended the throne of Scotland, were styled <i>Earls of Carrick</i>; +and this title still appertains to the heir apparent to the throne +of England, one of the titles of the Prince of Wales being "Earl of +Carrick and Lord of the Isles."</p> + +<p>Robert was the ancestor of David, who married a lady of the noble +house of Moray. Sir David Bruce, Laird of Annandale, died when young, +leaving two sons, Robert and David, (the latter the subject of these +memoirs,) and appointing, by his last will and testament, his lady and +the Reverend George Wardlaw, D. D., as guardians to his sons. His death +was soon followed by that of his lady. And the young men, now grown up, +having received a due preparatory education <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>from the Reverend Doctor, +whilom fellow of St. Andrew's College, were there shortly matriculated +as students. But Robert soon got tired of his Reverend tutor and the +grave and ponderous tomes of Saint Andrew's, which were soon exchanged +for the academy of nature, the wooded banks of the Doon, and the rocky, +romantic shores of Ayrshire.</p> + +<p>David, on the contrary, pursued his academic studies with much +perseverance, and with very considerable credit, calling forth the +approbation and praise of his Reverend tutor and the heads of that +learned seminary.</p> + +<p>While in the university he formed an intimacy with Thomas Lord Maxwell, +which was soon cemented into friendship. They were chums; their +studies, pursuits, and tastes coincided, and they were inseparable +companions.</p> + +<p>Upon one occasion Lord Maxwell saved the life of Sir David Bruce. They +were one day, during college vacation, amusing themselves in fishing +for pike and perch in a small row-boat on the Loch of Lindores; when +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>suddenly a squall of wind coming on, the boat overset. Bruce, not +knowing how to swim, would certainly have been drowned; but Lord +Maxwell said: "Be calm, and I will save you;—be firm, and fear +not!—Closely lock your arms around my waist; but do not by any means +impede my exertions, and trust me I shall bring you safe to shore."</p> + +<p>Lord Maxwell faithfully fulfilled his promise, by conducting his friend +with the utmost safety to land, which they at length providentially +reached, both much wearied and exhausted, having had a considerable +distance to swim.</p> + +<p>This adventure still further increased that mutual regard and +friendship which had long existed between them. Danger, like death, is +a leveller of all distinctions; it places those mutually encountering +it on an equality, and forms a bond of union not easy to be broken. It +can then be well imagined how much this event tended to strengthen and +confirm a friendship that was not of hasty growth.</p> + +<p>The terms necessary to be kept at the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>university having now expired. +Lord Maxwell and Sir David Bruce took their departure from it, with the +regard and regret of all who knew them;—the former returning to his +ancient and magnificent castle of Caerlaverock,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> in Dumfrieshire; +when Sir David Bruce retired to his brother's residence at Turnberry +Castle, in Ayrshire.</p> + +<p>David was truly glad to meet his brother after so long an absence, +and Robert kindly received him. Here the brothers passed their time +in rural sports and pastimes, enjoying the sun and summer months in +admiring the views of nature; never within the castle during the +day-time, often wandering even at night in the open air, among the +mountains and the woods. The winter they spent in the chase, while the +sun was up;<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> or in practising the broad sword, at which David was +particularly expert. For</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"The sword that seem'd fit for archangel to wield,</div> + <div class="verse">Was light in his terrible hand."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> +<p>In archery, and in wielding the Lochabor axe, they were both equally +skilled. Their evenings they passed in assembling, with their +surrounding neighbours, around the social fire in the great baronial +hall, or entertaining themselves with the song, the tale, and the dance.</p> + +<p>To the pleasures arising from the perusal of history and poetry, David +united a fine taste for music; and to these were added an ardent love +of classical learning, and an enthusiastic admiration of the scenery of +nature. Every day witnessed him to wander abroad and gaze with rapture +on the expanded lake, the lofty mountain, the frowning rock, and the +thundering cataract. These <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>extended and elevated his strong mind, on +which was stamped the impress and originality of thought, an unshaken +independence of mind, emanating from Nature herself.—Refinement in +sentiment was contrasted to strength and hardiness of body. His manners +were polite and endearing, as his deportment was simple and unassuming:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"He bloom'd the pride of Caledonia's youth,</div> + <div class="verse">In virtue, valour, and external grace."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>He was warm and cordial in his affections; he was modest as he was +brave. His character was that of much decision—a proud, independent, +and a lofty spirit. He could forgive injuries against himself; and he +could do more—he could also forget them.</p> + +<p>But the character of Robert was stamped in a different mould. He +was enterprising, artful, bold, boisterous, treacherous, cruel, +unforgiving, and suspicious withal: possessing too a strong portion in +his disposition of that</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Pale envy, which withers at another's joy,</div> + <div class="verse">And hates the excellence which it cannot reach,"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> +<p>Robert looked with a jealous and a jaundiced eye on the superior +accomplishments and attainments of his brother; and he heard with +strong, unmixed, and undisguised hatred and disgust, all the praises +that were daily lavished on the worth, generosity, and humanity of +David, whom Robert considered in every respect as his inferior. Hence +arose daily reproaches between the brothers, which necessarily and +inevitably went to dissolve that unity in which brethren ever should +delight to dwell.</p> + +<p>There were at this time two rival and hostile clans in their vicinity, +the Maxwells of Nithisdale, and the Johnstones of Annandale. The chief +of the former clan was Lord Maxwell, the college chum and friend of Sir +David Bruce; and the chief of the Johnstones was Sir Eustace Johnstone, +the friend of Sir Robert. This opposition of clanship, and the brothers +espousing different sides, added still further to increase the growing +ill-will which now existed between the twin brothers.</p> + +<p>It will now be necessary to revert to the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>original feud between the +Maxwells and the Johnstones,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> or, as it was emphatically called, +"The foul debate," one indeed of the most remarkable feuds upon the +western marches. This feud occurred between John Lord Maxwell, the +father of the friend of Sir David Bruce (John Lord Maxwell), and the +Laird of Johnstone. Two bands of mercenaries, commanded by Captains +Cranstoun and Larie, were sent from Edinburgh to support Johnstone, who +were attacked and cut to pieces at Crawford-muir, by Robert Maxwell, +natural brother to the chieftain, who following up his advantages, +burned Johnstone's castle of Lockwood. The Johnstones soon appearing +with only forty horsemen, engaged double that number of the enemy, put +them to flight, and pursuing a certain length, and through deep design +then as suddenly retreated. They were soon followed by the whole body +of the enemy, with Lord Maxwell at their head, until they came to +the Torwood, on the south-east side of the Dryfe Sands, from whence +instantly four hundred of the Annandale men sprung up, flew upon the +surprised enemy, and after a short but bloody struggle, put them into +confusion; and being joined by a few Scots from Eskdale, under the +Laird of Buccleugh, completed their victory, killing upwards of seven +hundred of the Nithsdale men. The Annandale men being now reinforced, +routed their enemy; the Maxwells drove them to the Gotterbury Ford of +the river Annan, where many were drowned.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> +<p>Lockwood Castle, the residence of the family of Annandale, was very +beautifully situated, and commanded a very extensive prospect. It must +have been a place of great strength, having had prodigiously thick +walls, and being surrounded with impassable bogs and morasses. It was +this circumstance that made James the sixth to say, that "The man who +built Lockwood, though outwardly honest, must have been a knave in his +heart."</p> + +<p>"This fatal battle," which we have now <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>detailed, "was followed by a +long feud, attended with all the circumstances of horror proper to a +barbarous age."<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p> + +<p>One day David having returned from an excursion on horseback, he said +to his brother, who had declined riding out with him, "The weather has +proved very favourable, though the morning lowered."</p> + +<p>"Have you rode far?" inquired Robert.</p> + +<p>"I have been with old Davie Maxwell, not farther."</p> + +<p>"Ay," rejoined Robert, "but far enough, I dare swear, to relieve the +needy carl's wants."</p> + +<p>"I did so, certainly," said David—"what then?"</p> + +<p>"And more the fool you for doing so," remonstrated Robert. "Now," added +he, "there is not a man in Scotland, from Skye to Solway Firth, that +would have done so but yourself!"</p> + +<p>"And that," rejoined David, "was the very reason that I did it!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A kindness conferred on one of a hostile clan, was held as an +offence, if not an affront to the chieftain:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">——"What tie so sacred</div> + <div class="verse">As those that to his name and kindred vassals</div> + <div class="verse">The noble chieftain bind?"<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>"An injury done to one of a clan was always considered an injury +done to all, on account of the common relation of blood.—Hence the +Highlanders were in the habitual practice of war: and hence their +attachment to their chieftain and to each other was founded upon two of +the most active principles of human nature, love of their friends, and +resentment against their enemies."<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> + +<p>They went always completely armed.—Their arms were a broad sword, a +dagger (called a dirk), a target, a musket, and a brace of pistols. +It was a principle deeply imbibed by them, to die with pleasure to +re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>venge affronts offered to their clan or to their country.</p> + +<p>To put an end to this terrible feud, a bond of alliance was subscribed +by Lord Maxwell and Sir Eustace Johnstone, and the two clans for some +time lived together in harmony.</p> + +<p>To celebrate this reconciliation between the late hostile clans, Sir +Robert Bruce determined upon giving a splendid banquet, to which +were invited Lord Maxwell and his clan of Nithsdale, and Sir Eustace +Johnstone and the clan of Annandale. The day of the grand fete arrived; +it was the thirty-first of October, 1600 and —— (a memorable day). +The choicest wines and the richest foreign fruits crowned the festive +board; the forest, the muir, the lake, and the sea, yielded their +treasures of flesh, fowl, and fish, to furnish forth the lordly +banquet. An immense fire blazed forth to warm the baronial hall, and +the fine gothic chandelier, which hung from the oaken and richly-carved +ceiling, threw an imposing light around.</p> + +<p>In this highly decorated hall the walls <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>were covered with gorgeous +tapestry from the splendidly brilliant looms of Arras, and which +presented to the delighted eye various patriotic stories from Scottish +as well as from Roman history. Here the feats of Wallace, there the +victories of the Bruce; here were seen Marcus Curtius plunging with +his charger into the yawning gulf, who nobly devoted his life for his +country! Next frowned Brutus on the banished Tarquins; and next were +portrayed the glorious achievements of the Decii and Fabii.</p> + +<p>The guests in due order arrived; and good-humour and hilarity shed +their social charms. The harp and the bagpipe were alternately played +during dinner. The cloth being removed, the song and the tale passed +round. One of the Annandale clan sung the following song:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="label">the lass of yarrow.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">O! the lovely lass of Yarrow,</div> + <div class="verse">Nane is like the lass of Yarrow;</div> + <div class="verse">The sedge grows green by Gala's stream;</div> + <div class="verse">Her name I'll carve upon the willow.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> + <div class="verse">I've roam'd the sunny braes of Ayr,</div> + <div class="verse">Hae ranged the bonnie banks of Doon;</div> + <div class="verse">Beheld the winsome lassies there,</div> + <div class="verse">In vernal morn and simmer's noon.</div> + <div class="verse indent4">But the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I've sail'd on Katrine's leesome lake,</div> + <div class="verse">Hae climb'd the lofty Lomond's brow;</div> + <div class="verse">Fair nymphs hae seen o' heav'nly make—</div> + <div class="verse">So sweet a form yet ne'er till now,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Like the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c.</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>This song was well received. The goblet having opened their hearts, +prevented them from being too fastidious in their criticism. A song was +now loudly called for from the Nithsdale clan, when auld Davie Maxwell, +with much feeling sung the following:<br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="label">i winna tell, her heart 'twad break.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I winna tell my Jeanie dear</div> + <div class="verse">Our bairn's to battle gane;</div> + <div class="verse">Her heart wad break, unshed a tear,</div> + <div class="verse">For him, our anely wean.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I mauna tell—I dare nae speak</div> + <div class="verse">The direful words accurst;</div> + <div class="verse">The tale my Jeanie's heart wad break,</div> + <div class="verse">And then my ane wad burst!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> + <div class="verse">I'll say that to the Hielands flane,</div> + <div class="verse">Or to the village fair,</div> + <div class="verse">Our manly, darling bairn's gane;</div> + <div class="verse">But nae ane ward o' war!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Or thae amid the birken shaw,</div> + <div class="verse">Or in the Rowan-Bower,</div> + <div class="verse">Or wand'ring o'er the heathry haugh,</div> + <div class="verse">To while awa the hour.</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">But ah! nae mair I'll Jeanie tell,</div> + <div class="verse">Nor word of battle speak,</div> + <div class="verse">Nor at Kil'kranky's pass he fell,</div> + <div class="verse">For then her heart wad break!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>This pathetic little production produced much applause. And now +stoups of claret circled round the table, certainly in an increased +ratio of rapidity. Nor was the native Fairntosh neglected; for some, +who complained that claret was too cold for a Caledonian stomach, +accordingly fortified the same with some simple potations of their +native spirit.</p> + +<p>The wish of the company now seemed to be for a song that partook of +a martial nature; and the following was sung by one of the clan of +Johnstone:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">war song.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Health to the chieftain on hill or in hall,</div> + <div class="verse">Whose front no foeman could ever appal!</div> + <div class="verse">The first and foremost his foes to attack,</div> + <div class="verse">His face they all know—they ne'er saw his back!</div> + <div class="verse">The targe his pillow, his couch the heather,</div> + <div class="verse">Defying claymore, dirk, and the weather.</div> + <div class="verse">Down with all foemen!—What clanship shall sever</div> + <div class="verse">Our bond of alliance? Never—oh, never!</div> + <div class="verse indent4">Never—oh, never!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>This song was loudly applauded by a grand chorus, which was performed +by the company striking the handles of their daggers on the finely +carved table, on which were emblazoned the arms and achievements of the +house of Bruce; and the song was loudly encored.</p> + +<p>The clan of Maxwell now in their turn were called upon for a martial +song, when one of the officers sung, in a measure <i>presto et +furioso</i>:—<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">LORD MAXWELL'S SLOGAN.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">i.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I have deepen'd my phalanx, and call'd forth my clan;</div> + <div class="verse">They are true unto death, from the rear to the van!</div> + <div class="verse">Their broad targes are tough, and their claymores are sharp,</div> + <div class="verse">Shrill symphony meet for the wild war-pipe and harp;</div> + <div class="verse">Their firm hands they hold ready; their bold hearts beat strong;</div> + <div class="verse">Their dirks are stout steel-proof, and their pole-axes long.</div> + <div class="verse">Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more;</div> + <div class="verse">For their prowess was proved by banner and claymore.</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Huzza, huzza!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">ii.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">To encounter for kindred, our clan, and our name,</div> + <div class="verse">To a Lowlander these are far dearer than fame;</div> + <div class="verse">To avenge the bold insult, dare glance at our clan,</div> + <div class="verse">And die for our country, is to die like a man!</div> + <div class="verse">Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more;</div> + <div class="verse">We'll die as we ought, by our banner and claymore!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Huzza, huzza!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">iii.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Huzza!—how we'll shriek on the day of the battle,</div> + <div class="verse">In collision broad-sword and bay'net shall rattle,</div> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span><div class="verse">Our fierce foemen astound in the terrible charge,</div> + <div class="verse">While death boldly strikes home thro' tartan and targe.</div> + <div class="verse">Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more;</div> + <div class="verse">We'll conquer, or die by our banner and claymore!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Huzza, huzza!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>This slogan was chorussed by several hundreds of dirks, which, now +unscabbarded, were loudly thundered on the hospitable board, and which +glittered ominously in the reflected light of the blazing chandelier.</p> + +<p>The men of Annandale now started up; when claymore, dirk, and whinger, +flew forth from their scabbards. The men of Nithsdale rose too at the +same instant, and all was uproar, madness, riot, and inebriation; and +the fierce and implacable hatred of the two clans, which, not extinct, +had secretly lurked in their veins, now blazed forth with increased +fury. It seemed as if fate had pronounced,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Let the loud trumpet far and near proclaim</div> + <div class="verse">Our bloody feast, and at the rousing sound</div> + <div class="verse">Let every clansman of the hated name</div> + <div class="verse">His vengeful weapon clench."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> +<p>Malcolm, a faithful and affectionate follower and foster-brother of Sir +David Bruce, foreseeing that the fete would end in a renewal of the old +feud, took his own measures accordingly for his master's safety, and +lost no time in pre-arranging his plans, and these he put in train, +while all was noise and uproar at the banquet. He saw not unobserved +how rapidly stoup of claret succeeded stoup, without any <i>interregnum</i>, +and glasses of Fairntosh were dashed down in never-ending repetition. +The war songs seemed too surely to strike the key of discord; passion +begun to explode; word brought on word, and blow brought on blow. Then +rung claymore upon iron breastplate, and upon leathern target. The +scream of maddened wrath mingled with the groan of death.</p> + +<p>The combatants next deeply closed their ranks. Broad-swords were +trundled down upon the floor; and dirk and whinger madly shook, and +thrust home the murderous stab from vengeful hands, prompt to execute +bloody retaliation at this fatal banquet.</p> + +<p>Whether from premeditated, dark, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>long-purposed design, or whether +in the impulse of sudden and infuriated passion, or merely arising +from the confusion and collision of crossing weapons and tumultuous +struggles, it is impossible to decide;—but the fatal result of the +bloody affray was; that Sir Robert Bruce stabbed Lord Maxwell, who, it +will be recollected, had saved the life of his brother David.</p> + +<p>Upon this attempt, and before it could be executed, David endeavoured +to save his friend, but in vain; his brother Robert exclaiming with a +furious air and voice, "What! dare my dependants beard me in my own +hall!"</p> + +<p>Lord Maxwell now fell lifeless on the ground. David, as he beheld the +preserver of his life perish by the hand of his brother, in a paroxysm +of rage and infuriated madness, drew forth his dirk, and rushed +forward. The other combatants, horror-struck at the direful conflict +that arose between the twin brothers, suspended their own to interpose. +But this interposition served only to aggravate the violence it was +intended to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>suppress. The brothers now struggled less because they +were incensed than because they were withheld; and when they furiously +burst from the arms that held them, rushed against each other with a +blind and staggering shock. The impulse was unintentional, but the +result was fatal. The weapon of David, held in an unconscious hand, +pierced him to whom he was opposed. He saw not whom it was—he drew his +weapon back—it was reeking with a brother's blood!<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<p>Here Malcolm caught the eye and seized the arm of Bruce. No time was +to be lost. The general confusion aided the attempt.—Seizing with +a Goliath grasp upon Bruce's arm, he dragged him on, while David's +re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>tainers rushed between their chieftain and immediate death, the +punishment of his involuntary fratricide. Malcolm next suddenly raised +up the arras, which with as much haste and promptitude he let fall +behind him and Bruce. Next pushing open a small narrow door, which was +secreted behind the tapestry, they swiftly passed through it, which was +on the instant closed by Malcolm, who quickly flung home its massive +bolts and bars at the inner side, which necessarily fully prevented all +attack or pursuit. They were now safe from their enemies so far, at +least. The bugle-horn they heard rung lustily from the warder's tower; +distinctly, too, they heard the rattling chain of the draw-bridge, +as it was hastily raised to prevent the flight of David. The cavalry +were now ordered to horse, and to pursue;—the hackbutteers mounted +the battlements, and peeped from the embrasures; while bugle, bagpipe, +drum, and trumpet, sounded pursuit. The commingled and discordant +sounds were heard floating over tower, parapet, and battlement, and +were <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>deeply re-echoed by rock, islet, and promontory, and hoarsely +answered by the storm-beat wave tiding to the shore.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the faithful Malcolm led on Bruce through several intricate +winding passages, until they reached a sallyport which opened on the +margin of the sea, where they were for the present removed from the +scene of danger. The mode by which they had escaped was quite unknown +to their enemies; and now they paused to inhale the breeze of heaven, +and cool their wearied brows from the fatigue and horrors which they +had encountered.</p> + +<p>Here Bruce said:—"Thanks, my dear and faithful follower, my honest +Malcolm, for thy brave and powerful arm, and wondrous foresight. We are +now safe from mortal men and mortal measures, at least for the moment."</p> + +<p>Then he mournfully mused to himself:—"But what arm has the nerve +that might, that may shield me from myself? What potent anodyne can +tranquilize a guilty conscience? What untold charm can lull a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>mind +ill at ease, and abhorring and abjuring itself?—Yes, yes! there is, +there is an omnipotent and a redeeming power!—there is an atoning +spirit, that can pardon, pity, and absolve the guilty, when the heart +shall truly repent: and although my crime be dyed and encrimsoned deep +in guilt, I yet may obtain mercy!—a truly penitent and contrite soul +may yet blanch this deed pure and spotless as the untrodden snow which +crests the lofty mountain-peak. This is consolatory. But hour, and day, +and year still succeeding year, must pass over in sad and sorrowful +contrition, before this foul and atrocious guilt, the result of one +depraved moment of furious passion, can be washed away and effaced from +the calendar of dark human crime, and deep ingratitude to high heaven!"</p> + +<p>Here a dreadful storm of hail coming on, the weary fugitives gladly +entered a spacious cavern which propitiously and opportunely opened +wide "its ponderous jaws" to receive them; and which timely afforded +them a respite from the storm, and a refuge from pursuit.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Inter utramque viam, lethi discrimine parvo,</div> + <div class="verse">Ni teneant cursus.</div> +</div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Virgil</span>, <i>Æneid III</i>.</div> +</div> +<hr class="r5" /> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Sæpe dolis, interit ista: Time!</div> +</div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">C. Weigelius, Norimbergæ</span>.</div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>The fugitives had now proceeded upon a long and wearisome journey after +their departure from the cavern, which had so opportunely afforded +them shelter and protection. Lonely, depressed, and overpowered by +overwhelming grief, self-accusation, and great bodily exertion, +solitary stood the noble, but unhappy Bruce, on the desolate shores +of his native land; while close stationed by him stood his brave and +faithful preserver, his sturdy and affectionate foster-brother, the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>intrepid, the honest, the disinterested Malcolm.</p> + +<p>It was night,—an autumnal storm loudly raged, the clouds darkly were +drifted onward with increased rapidity through a perturbed sky; the +roaring waves of a tumultuous sea mounted upwards in alpine altitude +and curvature, as they dashed and foamed along; whose mournful, sullen +scream, responded not to mortal voice, although the sad measure seemed +to partake both of sorrow and of woe; if indeed that human suffering +and mortal woe could be supposed as associated with that treacherous +and tempestuous element.</p> + +<p>In the distance distinctly were heard the report of various musket +shots, discharged by the hackbutteers,<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> but at intervals only they +were heard. Whether these explosions were intended as a military +tribute of a faithful clan over the body of a fallen chieftain, or +whether they were intended as an excitement to pursuit, (probably the +latter,) could not with any positive certainty be ascertained. However, +the continued clangor of pursuing cavalry, and the loud, incessant +tramping of foot soldiers, who had proceeded with precipitance over +crags and rocks, and still unwearied in their pursuit, were audibly +heard to approach. It was too evident that all this loud uproar and +wild halloo which had prevailed, arose from the violent voice and shout +of those who pertinaciously pursued, and who were still pressing upon +the flight of the unhappy fugitive.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> +<p>However, in another direction came on, yet with silent, cautious tread, +several faithful adherents, armed with dirk, targe, and claymore, who +advanced to the beach, not as blood-hounds to pursue, but as friends +to assist; not basely to track the steps of the noble fugitive, but +with might and with main to protect him, and cover his flight. This +faithful, small, but boldly determined clan, bore lanterns to assist +the projects which they had planned, which dimly flung a flickering +reddish light around.</p> + +<p>This gallant band came on fully resolved to save their chieftain—to +rescue him from surrounding perils, or to die! Sir David looked wildly +and inquisitively at them; but by no interrogatory he dared to break +the more than mortal silence which seemed to seal their lips. No, he +shrunk back in despair, fearing to question them; he too justly dreaded +<i>that to be</i>, which he would have for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>feited his own life <i>not to have +been</i>! Dread despair palsied his voice, and held him back from what he +fain would ask—"Was his brother among the dead or the living?" The +dreadful response that might be returned, made him forego his purpose. +He could not—would not—dared not to inquire; it was not to be +attempted; and his brain seemed maddened when he thought thereon. His +heart was chilled, and his blood slowly pulsated; his lip quivered, and +his tongue was silent. However with a silent, but inquisitive gaze and +gesture, he sought that fearful information which he dared not—could +not ask; these, however, were appeals that could be neither mistaken +nor misunderstood. He sought the fearful answer from the plaided clan, +whose tall and commanding figures, although dimly and indistinctly seen +beneath the pale moon-beams of a stormy sky, and whatever illumination +their lanterns afforded, yet observed the earnest appeal: and he is +answered as he sought it, in awful silence and impressive dumb show, +each of the clan slowly folding around him his plaid, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>and then one +and all in the same moment joining in united action of a mournful +and impressive motion of the head. When all rapidly dashing aside +their plaids, with fierce and impressive energy they point their +out-stretched hands to the foaming waves, intimating thereby that there +alone safety was to be found.</p> + +<p>Now near, and still more near, too audibly are heard the renewed sounds +of advancing foes; the breeze wafting on the appalling and yelling +shouts of pursuit; and next followed the loud and deafening tramps +of the pursuers. No time—not a moment—was to be lost——death or +immediate flight was the alternative!—Some bold, decisive act, was now +to be dared, and on the instant done!</p> + +<p>The stormy clouds, which in rapid succession hitherto had thrown their +dark floating shadows over the disk of an autumnal moon, at this +instant favourably dispersed, and the "pale queen of night" burst forth +in pearly radiance, glancing her friendly beams upon a fishing bark +which lay at anchor beneath an indented shelve of rocks, close by <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>to +where the fugitives stood; and at no remote distance a small cottage +stood close to the beach, to the owner of which, in all probability, +the boat belonged. This seemed most likely to be the fact, from their +observation of the fishing-nets, gear, and tackle, all elucidatory of +a fisherman's pursuits, which lay outspread upon the shore, clearly +designating the uncertain and perilous occupation of the lonely +proprietor of this humble dwelling. Upon this discovery the vassals +proposed to their chieftain to knock at the door of the cottage, and +awake the fisherman. But to this suggestion the generous Bruce would +not hearken; he would not endanger the life of a poor and innocent man, +probably the sole supporter of his family, in the dread and desperate +fortunes of a fugitive—and alas, more than too probably a fratricide!</p> + +<p>Thus having impetuously and decisively spoken, David Bruce having flung +his purse into a broken aperture of the lattice window, sprung manfully +into the fishing bark, and the faithful Malcolm instantly sprang in +after his master. Next with fatal, feudal attachment, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>the vassals +advanced, and crowded into the boat, regardless of all remonstrance +and reproof, and seemingly insensible of the peril occasioned by thus +overloading the fishing skiff.</p> + +<p>The storm had for the present abated; which cessation, however, was +but of temporary duration. The pursuers meanwhile advanced, with +loud and appalling screams, and formed their ranks in martial array +upon the beach, the war-pipes loudly pealing forth a pibroch; they +next proceeded, having piled their arms, to light their torches from +lanterns which, with due precaution, they had borne with them; and soon +their ignited torches were applied, which after some little delay, +occasioned by the moisture of the storm, the ignition took effect, when +brilliantly blazed forth, in crackling flames, the extended ridges +of furze, fern, bent-grass, &c., that crowned the lofty links which +girdled the undulating summits of the shore. The different plants had +been dried up by a summer sun, and parched and ripened by the autumnal +blast; and the ignition soon extended along the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>entire line of the +coast. The central part of the conflagration flamed in the distance +like to some lofty castle on fire, and flanked, as the deception +would represent, by two large towers, which were in effect two large +flaming masses of furze and other various shrubs, which, now with a +flaming—now with a flickering corruscation, actually seemed like two +bale-fires blazing on the headlands. The whole mass having become one +continued conflagration, assumed an awfully grand appearance; the ruddy +sky brilliantly flamed above, the waves returned the fiery flash below, +as the waves undulated to and fro. The fugitives but too distinctly saw +the weapons raised in their offence boldly brandishing on the shore, +and vengefully flashing forth their quivering gleams, accompanied +with loud, fierce, and appalling shouts of vengeance from the bold, +determined band, who occupied the shore.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile these threatening tones of discord and defiance were +resolutely answered by a long continuous scream of triumph from the +fugitives, who fled from premeditated <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>treachery, and whose parting +shouts were deeply chorussed by the symphony of their accompanying oars +that wafted them onward in safety.</p> + +<p>Now verging toward the distant horizon, the retreating boat was +distinctly seen slowly cutting its watery course, overladen although +it might be with an extra weight of living cargo. Availing themselves +of the breeze, they raised their little sail, and soon expedited their +course, wafted onward by the wild and dreary blast.</p> + +<p>The moon occasionally at intervals, as the stormy night-clouds cleared +away, streamed her radiance on the rippling bosom of the undulating +wave, which threw a brilliant line of light across the heaving billows; +and showed to those who might wish to observe the progress of the +fugitives, that in sooth they made but little way; which was not to be +wondered at, considering how incautiously crowded the boat had been +through the obstinacy of the too inconsiderate followers. Another +danger, superadded to the former, it but too fully appeared to the crew +arose from <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>the frailty of the bark itself, that had soon to contend +with the approach, or rather with the return, of the tempest.</p> + +<p>The impressive scene that we have attempted to describe, was, it must +be allowed, altogether out of the usual course of ordinary events, +and partook of a high and extraordinary degree of interest. To behold +a wild, desolate, and romantic shore, lined and occupied as it had +been, at such an hour, by a military band of pursuers, and illuminated +by the blazing fires, which broadly glanced on spear, axe, target, +and claymore; whose ruddy contrasting light served but to cause that +the dark impending rocks above, and the indented caverns below, +should appear more savage, and their dense darkness the more visible! +Meanwhile, to witness the dumb, but expressive gesticulation of the +heads and hands, and indignant and angry step, of the enraged vassals +on the beach, appearing to the distant beholder all of a deep, glaring, +fiery red, fierce as the impetuous motives which led them onward to the +bloody track. Rage, and all the varied manifestations <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>of the fierce +passions of wrath and revenge, were but too visible, from the broad and +brilliant glare of light that flashed upon them. It was such a scene as +would have charmed the creative imagination of Michael Angelo to have +dwelt upon and portrayed, and might have even given additional sketches +of horror for his "Day of Judgment." And, oh! how would the poetic +pencil of the solitary Salvator Rosa have managed this scene!—how his +pencil would have sported with it, and his genius have rejoiced!—here +he might have conjured up and enlivened his landscape with a bold, +determined, band of pirates, soldiers, or banditti, surrounded by +dark and frowning precipices. For such was the wild and savage scene +so lately before the reader's eye. Rocks frowning in deep darkness, +indented with frequent hollow caverns below, the midnight retreat of +the otter and porpoise; while from the higher caverned cliffs above, +awakened and aroused from their quarry, sprung forth the osprey, the +vulture, and cormorant, all loudly screaming, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>joining in one +continued dissonant chorus, deeming that the returning morn had arrived!</p> + +<p>The fishing bark having been found no longer sea-worthy, the fugitives +were compelled to seek the shore; in which act the boat heaved against +a rock, but it did no material injury to the bark. Strange to say, +however, the shock awakened within the little cabin (if cabin it could +be called) of the stern, an inmate, that until that moment the trusty +followers did not know, nor even suspect, that such an individual +they had on board. This fellow was a tall, athletic figure, whether +fisherman or smuggler was doubtful, who must have been, consequently, +hitherto profoundly asleep, deeply fatigued, it was supposed, by having +been out all the previous night at sea, either fishing or plundering, +possibly occupied in one or other—probably in both of these perilous +pursuits.</p> + +<p>This desperate and daring mariner, rapidly bouncing on deck, said, or +rather screamed forth, with denouncing haste and rage: "Ye a' maun +perish, a' are tint! and ken ye weel a Johnstone had his revenge!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> +<p>Then, with face and the fury of a maniac, and a horrific laugh, he +instantly sprang into the waves, plunging like a water-fowl; he sunk, +but soon arose again. Malcolm was prepared for this, having previously +seized a carabine from one of the Bruce's followers; and soon as the +ruffian again arose, Malcolm took determined aim, his carabine exploded +its contents, having duly hit the destined mark. The victim of his just +revenge loudly screamed, plunged, floundered, and sunk,—but he rose no +more!</p> + +<p>The crew of the fishing boat meanwhile, or those who acted in that +capacity, had timely and providentially discovered and frustrated the +treacherous fate which seemed so certainly to await them, and which was +so darkly hinted at by this desperate partisan of the Johnstone clan. +The pumps were set instantly and incessantly at work, while the leak +was timeously stopped, and every precaution adopted to insure and make +"surety doubly sure."</p> + +<p>It would appear that this desperate follower of the Johnstones had +somehow dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>covered, or overheard, from the followers of the Bruce, +the fatal scene that had taken place at Turnberry Castle, the tragical +compotation, the bloody fray, between the Maxwells and the Johnstones, +and of the fatal death of Sir Robert Bruce. And hence, therefore, it +was concluded, that he had come to the desperate determination of +destroying, by one daring, decisive act, the number of the enemies of +his clan who occupied the bark; and with this fixed resolution, it +would appear he had sprung a leak, thinking thereby at once to send so +many souls to a watery grave. In which base and treacherous attempt he +had been nearly too successful, but for the prompt and active aid that +was given by all hands on board; and it was with great difficulty that +with unabated effort and energy they ultimately happily succeeded in +accomplishing their safety.</p> + +<p>The boat was not far distant from the shore, when several of Bruce's +followers, at length made sensible of their impropriety and obstinacy +in overloading the vessel, which caused such as could best swim soon to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>spring from the bark, and swim for the shore, having had previously +affixed a cable to the prow, which they succeeded in safely towing the +extreme end of the rope, and landing it on the beach, where "with a +long and a strong pull, and a pull altogether," they hauled the leaky +and fragile bark to shore, and landed their noble chieftain in perfect +safety.</p> + +<p>Upon debarking they fortunately encountered some of David's followers, +who were in anxious search of him, and had long been on the look out, +expecting his approach. They met him with his horse ready caparisoned +for a journey, his arms and accoutrements all duly arranged; besides a +horse with a small valise, containing clothes and linen, and holsters +containing long barrelled pistols, according to the fashion of the age, +&c. &c. From these attendants Bruce obtained information that "The +William Wallace" was about to sail from the port of Ayr. Sir David and +Malcolm, promptly mounting their gallant steeds, proceeded in full +gallop for the port of Ayr.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> +<p>The pursuers had retired from the beach, and immediately all around the +point of debarkation it was pitchy darkness, save that in the distant +horizon the flickering blaze of the late conflagration about to expire, +flashed a ruddy tinge upon the passing clouds. Long since the voice of +vengeance had died on the ear, and the loud tramping of the pursuer was +heard no more in the breeze.</p> + +<p>Bruce determined, while in his flight to Ayr, upon changing his name, +and assumed that of Colonel Davidson, Brandenburgh Hussars.</p> + +<p>The travellers having proceeded with the utmost speed, soon reached +the port of Ayr before curfew-time, but much overpowered by mental +feelings, and overcome by great bodily exertion.</p> + +<p>The perilous result and shipwreck of the ill-fated "William Wallace of +Ayr," has been already fully detailed in the first chapter of the first +volume of this work, which doubtless is still fresh in the reader's +recollection.</p> + +<p>But it is full time to return to Tyrconnel Castle, and revisit the +noble inmates, over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>come by grief and dismay at the sudden, unexpected, +and unaccountable departure of the noble, generous, but unhappy Bruce. +To fulfil which intent we proceed onward to the next chapter.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<p class="center">Unus, et alter, sed idem.</p> + + +<p>Gentle Reader, hitherto thou hast been addressed by us in the plural +number, now, for the first and last time, thou wilt not surely grudge +that the author should for once in <i>propria persona</i> address thee.</p> + +<p>I confess that I am in the habit of looking upon the division of +a story into chapters, as similar to the subdivision of a journey +into miles: by the aggregate of the one the length of the story is +ascertained, by the aggregate of the other the distance of the journey +is distinctly known. Nor does the similarity terminate here; the +heading or motto of each chapter points out to the reader what <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>kind +of "entertainment" he may expect, just as a sign hung out at the door +of an inn indicates; and in the same way too the milestone points out +to the wearied traveller the proximities to his inn, as the "<i>carte du +jour</i>" apprises him of the dinner with which he may be regaled. The +heading of the chapter also tells whether it is by land or by sea the +reader is to travel; the heading of a milestone whether by mountain, +moor, morass, valley, town, or city, the traveller has to steer. These +said chapters were, no doubt, a truly commendable invention, which give +a kind of <i>carte du pays</i>, as they show and point out to the reader how +the land lies, in the same manner that those communicative milestones +and signposts point out to the traveller the distance of town from +town. Both in their way are extremely useful indeed, combining the +<i>utile</i> with the <i>dulci</i>. But it is imagined that both reader and +traveller little take into account that it was not without some toil +and labour these respective accommodations were completed for their use +and convenience. After this sage remark, be it <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>known, gentle reader, +that this story now rapidly draws to a close, and that the next mile +(to carry on the simile) thy journey will end. The best indeed that +the case would admit of has been done for thy "entertainment," and it +is hoped that, thy journey concluded, thou shalt have found the roads +to have been not wholly intolerable, the fare not indifferent, and the +journey not wholly unprofitable!</p> + +<p>Now, resuming the plural, we will venture to say, that "if it be true +that <i>good wine needs no bush</i>, it is true that a good play needs no +epilogue." However, whether, and in what degree, this may be applicable +to us, oh, courteous reader, is not for us, but for thee, to determine +and adjudge in the chapter which succeeds.</p> + +<p>From this long digression it is time to resume our eventful story. The +consternation occasioned by the sudden and unaccountable departure of +Sir David Bruce from Tyrconnel Castle, can better be imagined than told.</p> + +<p>The duke arose at an early hour, as he <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>was wont, and took his +constitutional walk before breakfast. Upon his return it was with no +small astonishment he heard that Sir David Bruce had departed at deep +midnight, and on horseback, not having taken with him a travelling +carriage, nor luggage, save a small valise, as preparatory to a +journey. He immediately communicated it, with as much due precaution +as the time would admit of, to the duchess, who had now entered the +breakfast parlour.</p> + +<p>Her Grace turned pale, and seemed nigh fainting. As soon as she could +recover from her surprise and trepidation, she said: "All, my dear, is +not well, I fear; I will go up and question Adelaide."</p> + +<p>Here, as the duchess had gone out of one door, the Reverend chaplain, +Doctor M'Kenzie, entered at another. The chaplain wished his Grace good +morrow, and spoke of the weather, expatiating upon the beauties of +Nature.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"'Tis morning; and the sun, with ruddy orb</div> + <div class="verse">Ascending, fires th' horizon.——</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> + <div class="verse">The season smiles, resigning all its rage,</div> + <div class="verse">And has the warmth of May. The vault is blue</div> + <div class="verse">Without a cloud, and white without a speck."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>The duke looked—but he saw not, he spoke not, he heard not. No!—the +serenity of the season was not in accordance with the sorrow of his +heart. At once the chaplain saw it all, for the duke was deadly pale; +but the cause of this despondence he did not know, nor did he dare to +inquire.</p> + +<p>But while he was about to ask the duke if he was unwell, the door +opened, and the duchess re-entered; and bursting into a flood of tears, +she flung herself into a chair. In so doing, a dagger fell from her +apron on the ground. She fainted, and it was some time before she +came to herself. When she did, she then said: "It is all involved in +darkness and mystery; I cannot unravel the clue. Adelaide cannot—will +not tell. She has sworn on the dagger's point never to reveal it until +placed upon her death-bed. She has sworn upon this."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> +<p>Here the chaplain took up the dagger; it was incrusted with blood. +He examined the handle; it was of silver, and upon it was engraved +<span class="smcap">Fuimus</span>. It likewise fell from his hand, and trundled on +the ground. Here he fearfully and involuntarily repeated, and in a +sepulchral tone,</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">"fuimus non sumus!"</span></p> + +<p>The duke sternly said: "In the name of heaven, I charge you, Reverend +Sir, that you will forthwith explain what all this may mean? Although +the days of superstition still exist, yet nevertheless I must protest +against supernatural agency."</p> + +<p>Doctor M'Kenzie said: "Permit me to ask one question of the duchess, +and then I will, as far at least as I can, throw some light on this +dark mystery. May I be permitted to ask your Grace, if Sir David Bruce +will return?"</p> + +<p>"Never—oh, never! Reverend Sir," was the reply; "I just have heard so +from my daughter."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then," said the chaplain, "I am at liberty to explain, without any +violation of promise. I have no doubt that your Graces both recollect +the narrative of my voyage from Scotland, from the port of Ayr, and of +my having been shipwrecked on the coast of Austrian Flanders."</p> + +<p>The duke and duchess nodded assent.</p> + +<p>"You may also recollect the mysterious passenger who appeared so deeply +overpowered by grief—Colonel Davidson."</p> + +<p>They both remembered.</p> + +<p>"You may also doubtless recollect the words of that terrific song—that +was pronounced by no earthly voice—that was sung to no earthly sound! +To the last solemn hour of my existence I never can forget it. The +words and tune are in my ears when I awaken in the morn—they ring +their horrid vespers in my ears at night, and dirge me in my sleep. Can +your Graces remember some of the words?—namely the voice of the Spirit +of the Storm, and<br /><br /></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">the awful dirge.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Once we held fair Scotland's throne,</div> + <div class="verse">Ay, once we claimed that realm our own,</div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>Fuimus non sumus</i>!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">We were—have been—were crown'd—are not;</div> + <div class="verse">Dispers'd, forsaken, and forgot!</div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>Fuimus non sumus</i>!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Behold! the last of all our race</div> + <div class="verse">Is forced to fly his natal place!—</div> + <div class="verse">He bears the vengeful, fatal knife,</div> + <div class="verse">Deep stain'd by bloody feudal strife!</div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>Fuimus non sumus</i>!</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>"Know then, may it please your Graces, that when I was introduced by +the duke to Sir David Bruce, I recognised him at once to be——"</p> + +<p>"Colonel Davidson!!" vociferated the duke in a tremendous voice, +without waiting for the chaplain to finish.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lord," replied the chaplain, "another, and yet the same."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>The duchess fell back in her chair, overpowered with grief.</p> + +<p>When the duchess had become somewhat calm, after a pause the chaplain +continued: "Little indeed at that time did I ever dream that my +fellow-passenger was destined at a future day to become your Graces' +son-in-law, and under such unhappy auspices. But the will of heaven +must be done, and it is for some wise purpose it is done, although not +revealed to mortal eyes."</p> + +<p>The duchess now returned to the unhappy Adelaide, in every respect, +from her virtues, talents, and accomplishments, worthy far of a better +fate.</p> + +<p>The duke, when breakfast was taken away—for the duke eat +not—-proposed to the chaplain to proceed to the little room which had +been occupied by Sir David Bruce as his library during his stay at +Tyrconnel Castle, in order to ascertain if there had been left there +any letter or document explanatory of his very sudden and unaccountable +departure. The duke, accompanied by his chaplain, entered Sir David's +little library, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>taking a melancholy survey of the chamber. They at +last, upon approaching a writing-table, found thereon the following +song in manuscript:—<br /><br /></p> + +<p class="label">song,</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">written on my bridal-day—to an old irish air.</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">I ask'd my Adelaide what was her wish?</div> + <div class="verse">She replied, "Oh, ever love me kindly!"</div> + <div class="verse">Again I ask'd my love what was her wish?</div> + <div class="verse">She answer'd, "Oh, ever love me kindly!"</div> + <div class="verse">Again I ask'd my love what was her wish?</div> + <div class="verse">And she said, "Oh, love me not too blindly!"</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">My love I ask'd once more what was her wish?</div> + <div class="verse">(While her fond, lovely arms, did entwine me,</div> + <div class="verse">And down trickling tears rapidly did gush,)</div> + <div class="verse">"'Tis—may my husband's dear hands yet enshrine me,</div> + <div class="verse">And to the silent grave, with sad and solemn stave,</div> + <div class="verse">He in years far remote may consign me!"</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">D. B.</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>The duke felt extremely affected. The pathos of the Irish air, the +feeling expressed in the song, and the mournful moment in which it was +perused, all most powerfully conspired to operate upon those noble +feel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>ings which he too acutely possessed. And as he brought away the +MS. the chaplain observed that the duke secretly brushed away the +silent tear which trickled down his manly cheek.</p> + +<p>The surprise occasioned by the very sudden and extraordinary +departure of Sir David Bruce, afforded a topic of conversation and +altercation among the gossips and <i>quid nuncs</i> of the vicinage, for +at least a fortnight.—By that time the novelty appeared to melt +away; but while it lasted all various changes were rung with endless +interpolations, until they could not possibly be interpreted.—Some +were inclined to throw the entire blame to the account of Adelaide, +as the sole cause of her husband's departure. But others, both male +and female recriminators, would entirely (if in their power) fling +the whole balance of censure against Sir David Bruce. At length the +parish and the county became quite sick and weary of such peevish +conjectures;—until "cormorant-devouring Time" put an end to them, at +least fulfilling his part, inasmuch showing that he is <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>the destroyer +of prejudice and of party, and of all sublunary things:—</p> + +<p class="center">"Tempus edax rerum."</p> + +<p>But it is in vain to disguise, and it would be highly culpable, if it +were within the power of human ingenuity, to deny it, that often, too +often, <i>human passion</i>, or it should be called brutal rage, assails the +noblest minds and the most generous dispositions; those who are but too +inflammably alive to whatever they conceive to be base, grovelling, +or unjust—such are probably the most liable to "the sin that easily +besets them." It is indeed to be lamented how suddenly passion in +the moral, like the whirlwind in the physical world, can rend up by +the roots all that graced and adorned human life, boldly and rudely +usurping the seat of reason, and leaving only to cool and repentant +reflection the unavailing sighs and sorrowing tears of self-crimination!</p> + +<p>The foregoing story, tragical as it is true, incontestibly proves that +"trifles light as air" assumed in the commencement, subsequent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>ly, if +encouraged, increase and multiply in a <i>ratio</i> and amount of accession +and aggression, until recrimination is produced; then follow mutual +hatreds, quarrels, and bickerings, until awakened and aroused at a +fatal moment and at a savage period, as we have described, all these +bad passions burst forth resistless into a fatal blaze, which was only +to be quenched by the shedding of fraternal blood!</p> + +<p>A dramatic poet has so beautifully expressed our meaning, that we +cannot resist quoting his language, and with the passage concluding +this chapter:—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">——"O, be obstinately just!</div> + <div class="verse">Indulge no passion, and betray no trust;</div> + <div class="verse">Let not man be bold enough to say,</div> + <div class="verse">Thus, and no farther, shall my passion stray!</div> + <div class="verse">The first crime past, compels us on to more,</div> + <div class="verse">And guilt proves fate, that was but choice before!"</div> +</div></div></div> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> +<hr class="r10" /> + +<p class="title">CONCLUSION.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Oh, thou wert lovely!—lovely was thy frame,</div> + <div class="verse">And pure thy spirit as from heaven it came!</div> + <div class="verse">And when recalled to join the blest above,</div> + <div class="verse">Thou diedst a victim to exceeding love!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Human life.</span></div> +</div></div></div> + + +<p>Our story rapidly hastens to a close, parts whereof had hitherto been +purposely thrown into the back ground of our painting,—or, to <i>use</i> +another simile, adopting the policy of a wary general, who makes a +feint retreat with the intent of concentrating his forces, next to +return with renovated vigour and alacrity to the charge; thus sagely +saving his videts from being shot, his cannon from being spiked, and +his reinforcements from being <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>killed off. In like manner too, most +gentle reader, we have adopted the "<i>parva componere magnis</i>;" and +accordingly, as we felt it incumbent upon us, have hitherto thrown +some facts and events, since developed, and deeply connected with our +story, into the back ground of our picture, with the hope that aught +of circumstance or of interest that we hitherto fain would hide in the +shade, and cloak under the veil or umbrage of mystery and obscurity, +might chance to escape the penetration of the reviewing critic, and +of thee too, reviewing reader! until we found it sage and pertinently +expedient to develope the same.</p> + +<p>However we may have failed or succeeded in this attempt, we have +nevertheless endeavoured, with all our means, to give a faithful +and impartial portraiture of the different events as they actually +occurred, and of the various characters presented in our tale, as they +severally made "their exits and their entrances," and "bustled their +busy hour" in "this strange and eventful history." And now, courteous +reader, we gratefully take <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>leave, and greet thee with our <i>ultimum +vale</i>, for we shall never meet again!—then accept our last adieu!</p> + +<p>Of the future fate and fortunes of Sir David Bruce, nothing, with any +certain portion of historic authenticity, could for a vast length +of time be traced or ascertained. It is true, however, as usually +consequatory upon such doubtful occasions, that rumour, with her +hundred tongues, was not found sleeping at her post, but was, on this +occurrence, alert and busy as the tattling goddess is ever wont to be, +in spreading and disseminating through the oracular organs of all the +gossiping old women in, about, and around all the adjoining baronies, +various, yet contradictory reports. One story-teller reported that +Sir David had retired to the continent, and had once more visited his +favourite Brussels, and had there taken up his abode. But that city, +instead of yielding all its former charms, when hope was buoyant, and +love successful, only served to demonstrate the mournful contrast, +and recall more potently his misery! He too well remembered <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>what he +had been, and what the treasure was that he had for ever lost! He +felt but too well that "such things had been, and were most dear to +him." But alas, then he knew, and most acutely felt too, the wretched +man he was! What was he now?—a forlorn fugitive—a self-outcast—his +peace destroyed—his hopes decayed—and in a word, a wretch, by his +own condemnation! Unhappy man! he knew but too well what he <i>had</i> +been—what he <i>might</i> have been—what he <i>ought</i> to have been—and, oh! +what <i>then</i> he was! These were no consoling reflections to an acute and +sensitive mind like his. The rumour then concluded by asserting, that +finding only aggravated sorrow, vexation, and a painful recollection of +that happiness that he had lost for ever, in his former once favourite +city of Brussels, that Sir David had thence retired, in complete +disgust with all the world, where "man delighted him not, nor woman +neither," into the Monastery of <i>Sancta Maria de Camberone</i>, near to +Mons, where he became a Carthusian friar; long continued to lead a life +of piety and peace; <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>died a beatified saint, and bequeathed all his +worldly estate to the holy brethren of that pious establishment.</p> + +<p>This idle and unfounded rumour was, however, at variance completely +with positive and stubborn facts; and truth was clearly elicited from +the high and honourable testimony of Lord Glandarah, who had been +engaged in a tour upon the continent; and while occupied in visiting +foreign courts, among others had sojourned at the court of the Elector +Palatine, to whom, upon his arrival at Berlin, he was presented; and +in the suite and service of this prince he recognized Sir David Bruce. +Both were mutually rejoiced at the meeting, but remained wholly silent +as to the events that had passed at Tyrconnel Castle.</p> + +<p>Sir David Bruce was habited in a black hussar uniform; much changed +in appearance, and his spirits completely broken down; his manly form +and figure were sadly altered. However mournful and depressed appeared +the Bruce, yet the story of his life, from the time of his departure +from Tyrconnel Castle, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>was well told in the scar on his manly cheek, +and the still deeper one which he bore upon his noble brow; while the +brilliant star of Brandenburgh that sparkled on his breast, and the +cross which hung appendant to his neck, gave proofs that his deeds of +valour had not passed by unregarded and unrewarded by the grateful +prince he served.</p> + +<p>In the course of some few years subsequent to the period which we +notice, the Berlin Gazette, in giving an account of the siege of +Namur in the year 1690 and ——, thus notices the death of this truly +valiant hero. After a long military detail the statement ran to this +effect:—"That in boldly attempting to carry the fort of Coehorn by a +<i>l'epee à la main</i>, the gallant Sir David Bruce had fallen, overpowered +by wounds; when his lamented remains were borne from the trenches by +his brave Brandenburghers, whom he had so often led on to victory; and +were by them most honourably interred, with all the pomp and regret +that await the brave."</p> + +<p>Such was the gallant termination of the brilliant, transient, and +unhappy career of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>valiant Bruce. His amiable lady, the poor, +disconsolate Adelaide, did not long survive her lord, who in every +respect was deserving of a happier fate than that sad one which +unhappily fell to her lot. She died, as she had lived, a Protestant, +although the duke and duchess were strict Catholics; a striking +proof of the superiority of her understanding, considering all local +circumstances, and the tone and temper of the times with which she +had to contend; living under a Catholic king, whose whole conduct and +administration were arbitrary—whose royal career propitiously set out +with the title of "James the Just," but fatally terminated in that +of "James the Tyrannical;" oppressing both the consciences and the +personal liberty of his subjects, whom he only considered as his slaves.</p> + +<p>But let it be understood, and handed down to posterity, that Lady +Adelaide was no bigot, her feelings and her religion were by far too +Christian to permit her to be one. Piety, charity, toleration, and +benevolence, accompanied withal a mild, gentle, and conciliatory +temper, adorned her character; and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>with a truly devout feeling +softened the asperities and disappointments which she had to encounter +in her mournful passage and pilgrimage through the thorny vale of life. +Pure, unaffected piety, and the slow hand of time, united to the kind +attentions of her relatives, especially of her mother the duchess, and +Lady Lucy, gradually succeeded in mitigating her grief. While humbly +and cheerfully submitting to the will of heaven, and occupied in the +exercise of the mild and tolerant spirit of the Christian faith, she +found that internal comfort and consolation that was denied her in the +world.</p> + +<p>Adelaide did not long survive her husband, and upon her death-bed made +a confession, previous to which disclosure none but the confidential +ear of her beloved mother had heard. In this she disclosed all those +events which have been already developed by the extraordinary and +affecting interview and separation which we witnessed to have passed +between Bruce and Adelaide. Having received the last rites of the +church, Adelaide surrendered her last breath, with <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>hope and humble +resignation, to Him who gave it!</p> + +<p>Lady Adelaide Bruce was born the 31st of October, 1600 and ——, upon +<i>the Eve of All-Hallows</i>; was married the 31st of October, 1600 and +——; and died the 31st of October, 1600 and ——, upon the <i>Eve of +All-Hallows</i>!</p> + +<p>Upon the demise of the Lady Adelaide the following verses were found in +her escritoir by her afflicted mother, which had been written evidently +subsequent to the death of Bruce:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">He is gone!——I'm ne'er to behold him!</div> + <div class="verse">And, oh! never more to enfold him</div> + <div class="verse">Within these widowed arms!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">The spring shall bloom, the summer glow</div> + <div class="verse">With all their brilliant charms;</div> + <div class="verse">For my poor heart, too well, I trow,</div> + <div class="verse">No peace nor pleasure waits below;</div> + <div class="verse">But cold neglect, like winter snow!</div> + <div class="verse">Each blast my breast alarms!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">My soul is sad, my spirits fail,</div> + <div class="verse">It much relieves me to bewail!</div> + <div class="verse">My only rest lies in <span class="smcap">HIS</span> tomb!—</div> + <div class="verse">My hope—a better world to come!</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> + <div class="verse">When wafted to blest realms on high,</div> + <div class="verse">Where pain and sorrow come not nigh;</div> + <div class="verse">May thus a contrite Christian die!</div> +</div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>(Signed)</i> <span class="smcap">Adelaide</span>.</div> +</div></div></div> + +<p>It had been inadvisedly reported that our early acquaintance, Captain +Heaviside, had fallen <i>cum multis aliis ignotis</i>, at the battle of +the Boyne. However, the last accounts from the pump-room at Bath put +it beyond all dispute that the gallant captain was still in the land +of the living; and whether at the card-table or in the ball-room, +the ladies actually considered Captain Heaviside as the very cream +of gentility, and the flower of ceremony; and he very soon set his +affections on a prudent spinster, who had arrived at a discreet age, +a Miss Barbara Golightly. And the mutual attentions of these worthies +to each other, reminded the gossipers in the pump-room of the deep +affection which Cid Hamet records to have existed betwixt those sage +personages, Sancho and Dapple; of whom it was difficult to pronounce +whether Sancho <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>loved Dapple, or Dapple loved Sancho, the best!—<i>Sic +itur ad astra</i>!</p> + +<p>The arrival some weeks after of "The London Intelligencer"<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> set +this matter completely at rest, and plainly told the <i>quid-nuncs</i> +their <i>erratum</i>, that for "killed" they ought to have read "married." +The paragraph in the Intelligencer was worded to the following +effect:—"Married, at the Abbey church of Bath, on Thursday last, by +the Honourable and very Reverend Dean P—l—y, Captain Harry Heaviside, +late of the —— regiment of foot, to the amiable and affable Miss +Barbara Golightly of that city, whose merits will not be diminished by +bestowing upon the brave captain, in conjunction with her fair hand, a +fortune of ten thousand pounds!"</p> + +<p>Lady Lucy had several proposals of marriage made to her by persons of +high rank <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>and fortune, but she invariably refused them all; whether +it was that Lady Lucy was fastidious in her choice of a companion +for life, or that she preferred a state of "single blessedness" to +the marriage state, we shall not aver, but simply state her amiable, +and disinterested, and generous conduct, to her unhappy niece, to +whom she was indeed most unremitting in her attentions; and seemed +most assiduous and well pleased in dispensing those nameless acts of +kindness to her niece, in thought, in deed—nay, in her very looks, a +countenance beaming with goodness and philanthropy; all of which were +gratefully and duly acknowledged on the part of Adelaide.</p> + +<p>Lady Letitia, after a long continued siege of courtship, took final +compassion on Sir Patricius Placebo; whom she was now not unwilling +to admit as her true knight, and actually gave him her noble hand as +his <i>guerdon</i>; for inasmuch that during the continuation of a long +acquaintance, and that too under the same roof withal, yet that her +ladyship had never, in any one recorded in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>stance, heard the baronet to +pronounce the truly portentous word—<span class="smcap">perhaps</span>! No, never, in +that long continued course.</p> + +<p>It was, however, it must be confessed, maliciously asserted by some, +yet still contradicted by others, that this being leap year that +the lady availed herself of acknowledged privileges belonging and +immemorially pertaining to this gifted year. But this we shall not +vouch for.</p> + +<p class="center">"Non nostrum inter tantas componere lites."</p> + +<p>We merely state the fact that her Ladyship duly and legally became Lady +Letitia Placebo. Upon the consummation of the marriage Sir Patricius +sported a handsome new chariot, with the arms of Placebo quartered +agreeably to all the tenor of the rules and laws of arms and blazonry, +in the same shield with those of the noble house of Tyrconnel; and he +did not forget his own motto, which was a kind of pun (at that time in +vogue) upon his own name—</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">placebo, semperque placebo!</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> +<p>From which said motto one may fairly infer that the baronet's opinion +of himself was by very many degrees removed above mediocrity!</p> + +<p>Mrs. Judith Brangwain, now far advanced in years, and somewhat +splenetic in her remarks, expressed much serious displeasure and +vexation at this matrimonial event; she said: "It truly calls forth +my marvel and wonderment. For surely my Lady Letitia must have been +bewitched, any how; and that is faith, sure enough, the only razonable +way for counting it. And, in troth, any how my lady is a deal too good +for the ould midwife, to be sure, that is sartain. Who, after all +in all, is the very Carrick on Suir [caricature] of a defunct fop! +Better—aye, far better, would it have been for Lady Letitia to have +eloped with her riding switch to the continent; aye, and to have passed +seven long years and a day in taking the tower of Europa in search of a +husband, sooner nor domain herself by giving the hand of a princess of +a right ould Irish stock to an upstart quack doctor!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> +<p>The duke and duchess, although they did not encourage, much less +approve of the match, yet they did not prevent the solemnization of +the marriage. Lady Letitia had indeed arrived at the due years of +discretion, that is to say, if ever they were to arrive; and Sir +Patricius Placebo, with all his peculiarities and eccentricities, was, +in the main point, a man of worth and respectability.</p> + +<p>Upon the event of the marriage the duke presented Sir Patricius and his +sister with the gift of Lætely Lodge, where the happy, happy pair, soon +departed for, intending there, without a dissentient "perhaps," to pass +the honey-moon.</p> + +<p>In little more than the space of nine months Lady Letitia presented the +doctor with a chubby male <i>Placebo</i>. This proved very agreeable to Sir +Patricius, who really had, or affected to have, a rooted dislike to all +children of the feminine gender.</p> + +<p>And here it must be incontinently confessed, that this event took place +to the no small astonishment and disappointment of all the surrounding +gossips in the adjoining pa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>rishes and baronies, as these sapient folks +had somewhat too hastily assumed the fact that Lady Letitia Placebo had +passed by the time and season when ladies wish, and may expect to be in +<i>that state</i>, "who love their lords!" They, in sooth, considered her +ladyship too ancient to prove <i>enceinte</i>.</p> + +<p>Sir Patricius, upon this most desired and happy event, raised his +stately head somewhat higher than he was wont to do; and with all +due discretion, gravity, emphasis, and mellow intonation of voice, +addressed his auditory—his countenance, meanwhile, as he spoke, +being lighted up by the important smile of self-applause, and having +consequentially put his Carolus snuff-box in requisition—"I did," said +he, "it must be confessed, form some hopes and expectations upon this +much wished for occasion, which have been now so happily realized; as +verily, my Lady Letitia Placebo hath not disappointed me. For as the +learned and justly celebrated Archimedes was accustomed to observe—</p> + +<p class="center">"ΔΟΣ ΜΟΙ ΤΕΝ ΣΤΙΤΜΗΝ," &c. &c.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> +<p>It now becomes our melancholy duty to record that the noble and highly +gifted Duchess of Tyrconnel did not many years survive the deplored +death of her deeply beloved daughter—her adored Adelaide; and ere +long was followed to the grave by her brave and illustrious duke, who +directed that the following inscription should be placed upon his +tomb:—</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">patriæ infelici, fidelis.</span></p> + +<p class="center">"Faithful to the last to his unhappy country!"</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="NOTES" id="NOTES">NOTES,</a></h2> + +<p class="center">&c. &c.</p> +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<blockquote><p class="hindent">In which are given four original Letters of King James II. never +before published; accompanied with fac-similes of his royal +Signet and Signature. Likewise, an original Letter from the Duke +of Berwick; the fac-simile of the Duke's Seal and Signature are +also given, copied critically from the original Letters in the +Manuscript Closet of Trinity College, Dublin.</p></blockquote> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER I.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 17.</p> + +<p>"Ailsa, about fifteen miles from the coast, [of Ayrshire,] is a vast +rock of a conical form, 940 feet in height, two miles in circumference, +accessible only on the north-east, and uninhabited. Its summit is +covered with heath and a little grass. It is the property of the +Earl of Casilis, who obtains a rent from it, paid <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>from the sale of +feathers, Solan geese, and rabbit-skins. On its acclivity are the +ruins of a chapel and fort, and near these there is a spring of fresh +water."—<span class="smcap">Playfair's</span> <i>Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">I</span>. p. 179.</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1811, and likewise in that of 1824, the author of +these volumes sailed past this stupendous rock, and the Scotch sailors +on board informed him, that the rent received from the produce of this +rock by Lord Cassilis, amounted to upwards of £30 per annum.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER VII.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 169.</p> + +<p>Grace O'Malley, formerly better known in Ireland by the name (in +popular parlance) of Grana Uile; and so called from the Castle of +Carrick Uley, the ruins of which are stationed at the extremity of an +inlet in the bay of Newport, in the county of Mayo. The proper name +is <i>Carrick a Uile</i>, or, "the rock in the elbow;" in allusion to the +impending mountain which crowns it, the strength of the castle, and the +recess in which it is situated.</p> + +<p>In this castle resided Grace O'Malley. Her fa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>mily were from time +immemorial considerable on the north-west coast of Ireland, their +principality extending from the lake called Lough Corrib, in the +county of Galway, to Croagh Patrick, in the county of Mayo, and from +thence to the borders of the town of Sligo, a considerable tract +of which is still called "the Uisles of O'Malley;" a fine fertile +country, chiefly skirted by the sea; the bays and harbours excellent, +and beautifully interspersed with verdant islands, many of which are +inhabited. For aptness of local situation for maritime affairs and +naval exploits, the lords of the territory became early conspicuous; in +attestation of which the motto to the family name is, "<i>Terra marique +potens</i>,"—Powerful alike by land and sea.</p> + +<p>Grace O'Malley was daughter of Owen O'Malley, and widow of O'Flaherty, +two Irish chieftains who flourished in that country. Upon the death of +O'Flaherty Grace married Sir Richard Bourke, who died in 1585, leaving +three sons and one daughter the fruits of this marriage. Upon the +death of her husband and of her father, from necessity Grace O'Malley +(then Bourke) undertook the management of family concerns, acting with +firmness and resolution, keeping up her fleet for the protection of her +castles and estates, so essentially necessary in stormy and turbulent +times, and from this <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>circumstance many considered her, and in popular +belief to this day she is still considered, as a pirate!</p> + +<p>Grace, or Grana Uile, was a high-spirited lady, and became fond at an +early age of the watery element, accompanying her father and his sept, +or clan, in many naval exploits. The coast was plundered of cattle +and other property, and many people were murdered in these predatory +expeditions.</p> + +<p>Grana was ever foremost in danger. Courage and conduct secured her +success; and the affrighted natives along the north-west shore trembled +at her name.—Many hardy and daring mariners from distant parts +sought her service, attracted by her fame. Her vessels of the largest +description were kept moored in Clare Island, where she possessed a +large castle, and her smaller craft were kept stationed at Carrick a +Uile.</p> + +<p>Tradition relates that her piracies became so notorious, and her power +so dangerous, that Grana was proclaimed, and a reward of five hundred +pounds offered for her apprehension. Resolving to make her peace with +England's Queen, she attended the court of Elizabeth, accompanied with +a large retinue, a guard of gallo-glasses bearing partisans, and clad +in saffron robes, who attracted great and universal attention.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> +<p>The Queen received her in great state. Grana was arrayed in the costume +of her country:—a long Irish mantle covered her head and person; her +hair gathered <i>à la Grecque</i>, and fastened with a gold bodkin inlaid +with jewels; her bosom was bare; and her dress a yellow silk boddice +and petticoat. The court were struck with infinite surprise at her +singular appearance. However, Grana succeeded in the object of her +visit, and having made her peace with Elizabeth, returned to Ireland.</p> + +<p>The castle belonging to Grana in the island of Clare, which boasts a +fine harbour and quay, was so much considered by Oliver Cromwell, that +he there erected a fort and barrack, in which he maintained a garrison.</p> + +<p>Grana endowed a monastery on it, in which she lies interred; her arms +and motto, carved on the tomb with those of her husband, are still +to be seen. This island still continues an estate in the family who +bear the name of O'Malley; and until of late years had been the family +burial place.</p> + +<p>The celebrity of Grana Uile has been the theme of bards for many years. +In the year 1753, during the political contests which occurred in the +administration of the Duke of Dorset, a very popular song ap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>peared, to +an old Irish air, and the burden of the song was Grana Uile. It is too +long for insertion in this work.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER VIII.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 195.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Pastry Fortifications.</i></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> +<div class="verse">——"I have framed a fortification</div> +<div class="verse">Out of rye paste, which is impregnable;<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +<div class="verse">And against that for two long hours together,</div> +<div class="verse">Two dozen of marrow-bones shall play continually.</div> +<div class="verse">For fish I'll make you a standing lake of white broth,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +<div class="verse">And pikes come ploughing up the plums before them,</div> +<div class="verse">Arion-like, on a dolphin, playing Lachrymæ;</div> +<div class="verse">And brave king herring, with his oil and onion,</div> +<div class="verse">Crown'd with a lemon peel, his way prepared</div> +<div class="verse">With his strong guard of pilchers."</div> +</div></div></div> + +<blockquote><p class="hindent">[<i>The Bloody Brothers, or Rollo Duke of Normandy</i>, by +<span class="smcap">Beaumont</span> and <span class="smcap">Fletcher</span>, vol. <span class="smcap">VII</span>. act +<span class="smcap">II</span>. scene <span class="smcap">II</span>. p. 151.]</p></blockquote> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER VIII.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 200.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Primero.</i>"</p> + +<p>This game is noticed by <span class="smcap">Shakespeare</span>, in "<i>The Merry Wives of +Windsor</i>:"—</p> + +<p class="no-indent">"I never prospered since I foreswore myself at primero."</p> + +<p>And likewise in Henry VIII.:—</p> + +<p class="no-indent">"And left him at primero, with the Duke of Suffolk."</p> + +<p>In <span class="smcap">Beaumont</span> and <span class="smcap">Fletcher</span> also, mention is made of +this celebrated and once fashionable game—in vol. <span class="smcap">ii</span>. p. 185, +in "<i>The Scornful Lady</i>," and likewise in "<i>The nice Valour</i>," in vol. +<span class="smcap">iv</span>. p. 273.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> +<p>Primero too is noticed in <span class="smcap">Strutt's</span> "<i>Sports and Pastimes of +the People of England</i>," p. 291. There is a poem by the celebrated +Sir John Harrington, the translator of <i>Ariosto</i>, which affords an +admirable illustration of the game: it is entitled, "<i>The Story of +Marcus' Life at Primero</i>." But as it amounts to upwards of forty lines, +it is considered as too long for insertion here.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER XII.—<span class="smcap">Vol. i.</span>, p. 287.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Riding the Franchises.</i>"</p> + +<p>Extract from Harris's "<i>History of the City of Dublin</i>," (now become a +very scarce work,) chap. <span class="smcap">vi</span>. p. 114:—</p> + +<p>"We shall have little here to do but barely to transcribe the several +forms used by the citizens in riding their franchises at different +periods, as the same has been transmitted to posterity either by +authentic records or ancient manuscripts, whose evidence is not to be +controverted at this day; more especially as the reader will readily +perceive, by comparing each form, how little variance there has been +therein from the be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>ginning to the present times, except in the names +of places, which yet are but few. It would indeed be a difficult task +for the citizens to have at any time stretched their rights beyond the +just limits within the city or suburbs, as they were surrounded on most +parts by vigilant neighbours, namely, the ecclesiastics of St. Mary's +Abbey, Kilmainham, Thomas-court, and St. Sepulchre's, or the liberties +of the Archbishop of Dublin, who were upon all occasions ready to +procure papal anathemas and censures against those who offended them +in less momentous matters than the loss of their lands. Several of the +instruments we shall have occasion to cite are written in Latin; but to +show our fidelity, we shall transcribe them verbatim, and for the sake +of the English reader, translate them literally into our own language.</p> + +<p>"The earliest instrument that occurs is one of John Earl of Morton, and +Lord of Ireland, dated at London, the 14th day of May, in the third +year of the reign of his brother, King Richard I. (A. D. 1192,) which +refers to a former charter of local franchises, granted by King Henry +II., now lost. The charter of King John is to be seen in the black +book of the Archbishops of Dublin, called "<i>Alan's Register</i>," being +collected by Archbishop Alan, in the reign of Henry VIII., <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>and as it +containeth other liberties besides their metes and bounds, we shall +here give only so much thereof as is pertinent to the subject before +the reader:—</p> + +<p class="center">"'CHARTA JOHANNIS,</p> + +<blockquote><p class="center no-indent">"'Domini Hiberniæ, de metis et franchesiis civitatis Dublin, et de +libertatibus concessis.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"'Johannes dominus Hiberniæ, Comes Morton, omnibus hominibus et amicis +suis, Francis et Anglis, Hiberniensibus et Wallensibis, præsentibus et +futuris salutem.</p> + +<p>"'Sciatis nos dedisse et concessisse, et hâc mêa chartâ confirmasse +civibus meis de Dublin, tam extra muros, quam infra muros manentibus, +usque admetas villæ quod habeant metas suas sicut probatæ fuerant +per sacramentum bonorum virorum de civitate istâ per præceptum regis +Henrici, patris mei; scilicet, ex parte orientale de Dublin, et +australi parte, pasturam quæ ducit usque ad portam ecclesiæ sancti +Keivini, et sic per viam usque ad Kylmerckargan, et sic per divisam +terræ de Donenobroogi usque ad Doder, et de Doder usque ad mare +scilicet at Clarade juxta mare, et de Clarade usque ad Ramynelan. Et in +occidentale parte de Dublin ab ecclesia S. Patricii per Wallam usque ad +Farnan-Clenegimethe et deinde usque ad di<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>visam terræ de Kylmainam et +ultra aquam de Kylmainam juxta Aven-Liffey usque ad vada de Kilmastan +et ultra aquam de Aven-Liffey versus boream per Cnocknogannoc et deinde +usque ad horrea S. Trinitatis, et de horreis illis usque ad furcas, +et sic per divisam inter Clonlic et Crynan usque ad Tolecan et deinde +usque ad ecclesiam sanctæ Mariæ de Ostmanby. Hæc etiam eis concessi, +salvis tenuris et terrâ omni eorum, qui terras et tenures habent, et +chartam meam inde extra muros usque ad prædictas metas; et quod non +possit civitas de terris illis, sicut de aliis disponere, sed faciant +communes consuetudines civitatis, sicut alii cives. De illis autem dico +hoc, qui chartam meam habuerunt de aliquibus terris infra easdem metas +extra muros antequam civitati prædictas libertates, et hanc chartam +concesserim.'</p> + + +<p class="center">TRANSLATION.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="hindent">"The Charter of <span class="smcap">John</span>, Lord of Ireland, concerning the +bounds and franchises of the City of Dublin, and of the liberties +granted thereto.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton, to all his subjects and +friends, French, English, Irish, and Welch, present and to come, +greeting.—Know ye, that I have given and granted, and by this my +charter <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>confirmed, to my citizens of Dublin, as well those who inhabit +without the walls, as to those who dwell within them, as far as the +boundary of the town, that they may have their limits as they were +perambulated, by the oaths of the honest men of the city itself, in +pursuance of a precept sent to them by King Henry, my father; namely, +on the east and south sides of Dublin, by the pasture-grounds which +lead as far as the port of St. Keivin's church, and so along the +road as far as Kylemerekangan, and from thence, as they are divided +from the lands of Donenobroogi,<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> as far as the Doder, and from +the Doder to the sea, namely, to Clarade, close to the sea, and from +Clarade as far as Ramynelan. And on the west side of Dublin, from St. +Patrick's church, through the valley as far as Farnan-Clenegimethe; +and from thence, as they are divided from the lands of Kylmainam, near +Aven-Liffey, as far as the ford of Kilmastan; and beyond the water +of Aven-Liffey, towards the north by Cnocknogannoc; and from thence +as far as the Barns of the Holy Trinity; and from those Barns to the +gallows; and so as <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>the division runs between Cloulic and Crynan, as +far as Tolecan, and afterwards to the church of St. Mary of Ostmanby. +These things we have also granted to them, that their tenures and land +be secure who have any granted to them in our charter; from thence +without the walls, as far as the before-mentioned limits; that the +city may not dispose of those lands as of other lands, but that they +observe the common customs of the city, as other citizens do. But this +we declare of those who have had our charter of certain lands, within +the said limits, without the walls, before we had granted the aforesaid +liberties and this charter."—<i>The History of the City of Dublin</i>, by +<span class="smcap">Walter Harris</span>, 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 118, 119, 120.</p> + +<p>The franchises of the city of Cork, according to Doctor Smith, in his +celebrated <i>History of Cork</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">i</span>. p. 49, were perambulated in "an +handsome manner" [he says no more] on October 20, 1714; and the night +concluded with fire-works and illuminations in honour of his Majesty +King George I., whose coronation was that day celebrated in the city. +By an order of the D'oyer Hundred, the Mayor was ordered to ride round +the liberties and franchises of the city of Cork every third year.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hardiman, in his <i>History of Galway</i>, men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>tions a similar +procession at Galway. And something similar occurred in the town of +Drogheda; but wholly divested of the splendid pomp and display which +shed such a lustre on the Dublin pageant.</p> + +<p>The ceremony of riding the franchises in the city of Dublin was +one so peculiar and remarkable, that it certainly appeared to the +author worthy of being handed down as a curious historical record, +no similar ceremony of such pomp, circumstance, and pageantry, was +known in Britain. There was, no doubt, something extremely oriental in +this splendid pageant, which, if the reader will take the trouble to +peruse the Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montague, from Adrianople, he +will find a striking similarity between the spectacle of riding the +Dublin franchises and the grand pageant which takes place when the +Grand-Signior leads his army in person. The account is as follows:—</p> + +<p>"I took the pains of rising at six in the morning to see the ceremony, +which did not, however, begin till eight. The Grand-Signior was at +the Seraglio window to see the procession, which passed through the +principal streets. It was preceded by an <i>Effendi</i>, mounted on a camel +richly furnished, reading aloud the Alcoran, finely bound, laid upon a +cushion. He <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>was surrounded by a parcel of boys in white, singing some +verses of it, followed by a man dressed in green boughs, representing a +clean husbandman sowing seed. After him several reapers with garlands +of ears of corn, as Ceres is pictured, with scythes in their hands, +seeming to mow. Then a little machine drawn by oxen, in which was a +windmill, and boys employed in grinding corn, followed by another +machine drawn by buffaloes, carrying an oven and two more boys, one +employed in kneading bread, and another in drawing it out of the oven. +These boys threw little cakes on both sides among the crowd, and were +followed by the whole company of bakers, marching on foot two by two, +in their best clothes, with cakes, loaves, pasties, and pies of all +sorts, on their heads; and after them two buffoons, or jack-puddings, +with their faces and clothes smeared with meal, who diverted the +mob with their antic gestures. In the same manner followed all the +companies of trade in the empire; the noble sort, such as jewellers, +mercers, &c., finely mounted, and many of the pageants that represent +their trades perfectly magnificent; among which that of the furriers +made one of the best figures, being a large machine, set round with the +skins of ermines, foxes, &c., so well stuffed, that the animals seemed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>to be alive; and followed by music and dancers," &c. <i>Works of Lady +Wortley Montague</i>, London, 1805, vol. <span class="smcap">ii.</span> pp. 181, 182.</p> + +<p>The Chief Magistrate of Dublin was formerly called Provost, and the +Sheriffs were styled Bailiffs, from the year 1308 until the year 1409, +when the title of Mayor was given. In the year 1547 the name of Bailiff +was changed into that of Sheriff. And in the year 1665 the title of +Mayor was elevated to the rank of Lord Mayor, Sir David Bellingham +being the first appointed.—See <span class="smcap">Harris's</span> <i>History of Dublin</i>, +Appendix, pp. 491 to 506.</p> + +<p>"The city of Dublin anciently consisted," says Harris, "of twenty +corporations, to which five have been in latter times added.</p> + +<p>"An ancient custom prevailed for a long time in the city of Dublin, +always against the great festivals of the year, to invite the Lord +Deputy, the nobility, and other persons of quality and rank, to an +entertainment, in which they first diverted them with stage plays, and +then regaled them with a splendid banquet. The several corporations +also, upon their patron's days, held themselves obliged to the like +observances, which were for a long time very strictly kept up and +practised.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> +<p>"Thomas Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in +the year 1528, was invited to a new play every day in Christmas; Arland +Usher being then Mayor, and Francis Herbert and John Squire Bailiffs; +wherein the Taylors acted the part of Adam and Eve; the Shoemakers +represented the story of Crispin and Crispianus; the Vintners acted +Bacchus and his story; the Carpenters that of Joseph and Mary; Vulcan, +and what related to him, was acted by the Smiths; and the comedy of +Ceres, the goddess of Corn, by the Bakers. Their stage was erected on +Hoggin-Green, now called College-Green, and on it the priors of Saint +John of Jerusalem, of the blessed Trinity, and of All-Hallows, caused +two plays to be acted, the one representing the Passion of our Saviour, +and the other the several deaths which the apostles suffered."</p> + +<p>It is stated in a manuscript in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, +"That in the parliament of 1541, wherein Henry VIII. was declared +king of Ireland, there were present the Earls of Ormond and Desmond, +the Lord Barry, Mac-Gilla-Phadrig Chieftaine of Ossory, the sons +of O'Brien, Mac-Carthy-More, with many Irish lords; and on Corpus +Christi Day they rode about the streets with the procession in their +parlia<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>ment robes; and the nine worthies was played, and the Mayor bore +the mace before them on horseback. The Sunday following King Henry was +proclaimed king of Ireland in Saint Patrick's church; and the next +Sunday they had tournaments on horseback, and running at the ring with +spears on horseback."</p> + +<p>Sir James Ware briefly alludes to these entertainments in the following +words: "<i>Epulas comædias, et certamina ludicra, quæ sequebantur, +quid attinet dicere?</i>" "It is needless," he remarks, "to relate what +banquets, comedies, and sports followed."</p> + +<p>We now return to Harris's History of the City of Dublin.</p> + +<p>"Among other days of solemnity the festival of Saint George was +celebrated with high veneration. In the choir-book of the city of +Dublin are several entries to that effect:</p> + +<p>I.—It was ordered, in maintenance of the pageant of Saint George, that +the Mayor of the foregoing year should find the emperor and empress, +with their train and followers well apparelled and accoutered; that is +to say, the emperor attended with two doctors, and the empress with two +knights, and two maidens, richly apparelled, to bear up the train of +her gown.</p> + +<p>II. <i>Item.</i>—The Mayor, for the time being, was to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>find Saint George a +horse, and the Wardens to pay 3<i>s.</i> 4<i>d.</i> for his wages that day. The +Bailiffs; for the time being were to find four horses, with men mounted +on them well apparelled, to bear the pole-axe, the standard, and the +several swords of the emperor, and Saint George.</p> + +<p>III. <i>Item.</i>—The elder Master of the guild was to find a maiden well +attired, to load the dragon, and the clerk of the market was to find a +golden line for the dragon.</p> + +<p>IV. <i>Item.</i>—The elder Warden to find for Saint George four trumpets; +but Saint George himself was to pay their wages.</p> + +<p>V. <i>Item.</i>—The younger Warden was obliged to find the king of Dele +and the queen of Dele, as also two knights to lead the queen of Dele, +and two maidens to bear the train of her gown, all being entirely clad +in black apparel. Moreover, he was to cause Saint George's chapel to +be well hung in black, and completely apparelled to every purpose; and +was to provide it with cushions, rushes, and other necessaries, for the +festivity of that day.</p> + +<p>No less was the preparation of pageants for the procession of Corpus +Christi Day, on which the Glovers <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>were to represent Adam and Eve, with +an angel bearing a sword before them.</p> + +<p>The Curriers were to represent Cain and Abel, with an altar, and their +offering.</p> + +<p>Mariners and Vintners, Noah, and the persons in the Ark, apparelled in +the habits of Carpenters and Salmon-takers.</p> + +<p>The Weavers personated Abraham and Isaac, with their offering and altar.</p> + +<p>The Smiths represented Pharoah with his host.</p> + +<p>The Skinners the camel with the children of Israel.</p> + +<p>The Goldsmiths were to find the king of Cullen.</p> + +<p>The Coopers were to find the Shepherds, with an angel singing <i>Gloria +in excelsis Deo</i>.</p> + +<p>Corpus Christi guild was to find Christ in his passion, with the Marys +and Angels.</p> + +<p>The Taylors were to find Pilate with his fellowship and his wife, +clothed accordingly.</p> + +<p>The Barbers, Ann and Caiaphas.</p> + +<p>The Fishers, the Apostles.</p> + +<p>The Merchants, the Prophets.</p> + +<p>And the Butchers, the Tormentors.</p> + +<p>These interludes and representations carried with them the appearance +of the superstition of the times, which John Bale, Bishop of Ossory, +afterwards la<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>boured to reform, by writing, with more sobriety, several +comedies and tragedies in the reign of King Edward VI., and, during his +banishment, in that of Queen Mary, upon religious subjects. Several +of those pieces are yet extant, printed in black letter; and though +they show the taste of the age, they would by no means please the +present."—<i>The History of the City of Dublin</i>, by <span class="smcap">Walter Harris, +Esq.</span> 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 142, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER III.—<span class="smcap">Vol. iii.</span>, p. 36.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Running Footmen.</i>"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Weber</span>, in a note to "The Knight of the Burning Pestle," +in his edition of the works of Beaumont and Fletcher, <span class="smcap">Vol. i</span>. +p. 194, Edinburgh, 1812, observes, that "the running footmen were a +fashionable piece of splendid folly prevalent at that time. They were +still kept by some noblemen in Scotland about the middle of the last +century, and are yet to be met with occasionally upon the continent. +Like the jockeys, they are put upon a particular diet; and in order to +prevent cramps, the calves of their legs are greased."</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">CHAPTER V.—<span class="smcap">Vol. iii.</span>, p. 87.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Turnberry Castle.</i>"</p> + +<p>"The ruins of Turnberry Castle are on a promontory of the sea coast, +two miles west of Kirkoswald, and five south-west of Maybole. This +castle belonged to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died in the +Holy Land, and left an only daughter, named Martha, who married +Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale. In the expedition of Edward I. the +English were in possession of this castle. At present nothing more +than the foundation of the building, and some vaults beneath it, +remain."—<span class="smcap">Playfair's</span> <i>Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">i.</span> pp. 178, 179.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">CHAPTER V.—<span class="smcap">Vol. iii.</span>, p. 92.</p> + +<p class="center">"<i>Caerlaverock Castle.</i>"</p> + +<p>"<i>Caerlaverock Castle</i> was founded in the sixth century by the son of +Lewarch Hen, a famous British poet; it was the chief seat of the family +of Maxwell in the days of King Malcolm Canmore. It stood on the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>north +shore of Solway Firth, nine miles from Dumfries, between the Nith and +Locher; and was deemed impregnable before the use of fire-arms. In the +reign of King Robert Bruce the proprietor of it demolished all its +fortifications, lest it should fall into the hands of the English. It +was, however, again fortified, for in 1355 it was taken by Sir Roger +Kirkpatrick, and levelled with the ground. Its materials were employed +to erect a new building, which was demolished by the Earl of Essex, +A. D. 1570. The fortifications of this place were once more renewed +by Robert, the first Earl of Nithisdale, in 1638, who nobly supported +the cause of Charles I., and maintained a considerable garrison at +his own expense."—<span class="smcap">Playfair's</span> <i>Geographical and Statistical +Description of Scotland</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">i.</span> pp. 107, 108.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p>In closing the notes to the foregoing volumes, we are here desirous of +presenting the reader with a few historical documents of King James II. +who has stood forth so prominent a figure in the foregoing wild story, +as well as four original letters of that monarch, which heretofore have +never yet met the public eye.</p> + +<p>In a small curious volume, which was published at Paris soon after the +decease of the Duke of York, then <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>James II., edited by <i>Father Francis +Sanders, of the Society of Jesus, and Confessor to his late Majesty</i>, +the following passage occurs:—</p> + +<p>"This exiled prince made several campaigns under the Marshal de +Turenne, and he showed every where so much courage and bravery, that +he gained mighty commendations from that general. The testimonies of +the Prince de Condé were no less glorious, who was often heard to say, +that if ever there was a man without fear, it was the Duke of York; +and he kept his character for intrepidity at all times, and upon all +occasions."</p> + +<p>Lord Clarendon too in his "History of the Civil Wars in England," +vol. <span class="smcap">iii.</span> p. 370, thus speaks of King James II. when Duke of +York, and engaged at the battle of Dunkirk: "There was a rumour spread +in the <i>French</i> army that the Duke of York was taken prisoner by the +<i>English</i>, some men undertaking to say that they saw him in their +hands. Whereupon many of the <i>French</i> officers and gentlemen resolved +to set him at liberty, and rode up to the body of <i>English</i>, and looked +upon their prisoners, and found they were misinformed; which if they +had not been, they would undoubtedly, at any hazard or danger, have +enlarged <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>him. So great an affection that nation owned to have for His +Highness."</p> + +<p>It is worthy of observation to mark the manner in which King James +expressed himself respecting the Abbé de Rancé, during his residence in +France; and likewise the Abbé's opinion of the abdicated monarch:</p> + +<p>"I really think nothing has afforded me so much consolation since my +misfortunes, as the conversation of that venerable saint, the Abbé of +La Trappé. When I first arrived in France I had but a very superficial +view of religion; if, indeed, I might be said to have any thing +deserving that name. The Abbé de La Trappé was the first person who +gave me any solid instruction with respect to genuine Christianity.</p> + +<p>"I formerly looked upon God as an omnipotent Creator, and as an +arbitrary governor; I knew his power to be irresistible, I therefore +thought his decrees must be submitted to, because they could not be +withstood. Now my whole view is changed: the Abbé de La Trappé has +taught me to consider this great God as my father, and to view myself +as adopted into his family. I now can look upon myself as become his +son, through the merits of my Saviour, applied to my heart by his +holy Spirit. I am now convinced, not only that we ought to receive +misfortunes with patience, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>because they are inevitable, but I also +feel assured that death, which rends the veil from all things, will +probably discover to us many new secrets of love and mercy in the +economy of God's providence, as in that of his grace. God, who gave up +his only Son to an accursed death for us, must surely have ordered all +inferior things by the same spirit of love."<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> + +<p>Such were King James's sentiments respecting M. de Rance. The Abbé, on +the other hand, entertained as high an opinion of him. The following +passage, concerning the unfortunate king of England, occurs in one of +M. de La Trappé's Letters to a Friend:—</p> + +<p>"I will now speak to you concerning the king of England. I never saw +any thing more striking than the whole of his conduct; nor have I ever +seen any person more elevated above the transitory objects of time and +sense. His tranquillity and submission to the divine will are truly +marvellous. He really equals some of the most holy men of old, if +indeed he may not be rather said to surpass them.</p> + +<p>"He has suffered the loss of three kingdoms; yet <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>his equanimity and +peace of mind are undisturbed. He speaks of his bitterest enemies +without warmth; nor does he ever indulge in those insinuations which +even good men are too apt to fall into when speaking of their enemies. +He knows the meaning of two texts of Scripture which are too much +neglected: 'It is given you to suffer,' and, 'Despise not the gift of +God.' He therefore praises God for every persecution and humiliation +which he endures. He could not be in a more equable state of mind even +if he were in the meridian of temporal prosperity.</p> + +<p>"His time is always judiciously and regularly appropriated. His day is +filled up in so exact a manner, that nothing can be well either added +or retrenched from his occupations.</p> + +<p>"All his pursuits tend to the love of God and man. He appears uniformly +to feel the divine presence. This is, perhaps, the first and most +important step in the divine life.—It is the foundation of all which +follow.</p> + +<p>"The queen is in every respect influenced by the same holy desires.</p> + +<p>"The union of these two excellent persons is founded on the love of God.</p> + +<p>"It may be truly termed an holy and a sacred one."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Such were M. de Rance's opinions of King James. It is impossible to +doubt but that the venerable Abbé de La Trappe was sincere in his +expressions."<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">FOUR</p> + +<h2><a id="ORIGINAL_LETTERS_OF_KING_JAMES_II"></a>ORIGINAL LETTERS OF KING JAMES II.</h2> + +<p class="small">DEPOSITED IN THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, NEVER BEFORE +PUBLISHED, IN WHICH THE ORTHOGRAPHY IS PRESERVED.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + + +<p class="label">LETTER I.</p> + +<p class="center">ADDREESSED, "FOR L: GEN: HAMILTON.§."</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Dublin May 1: 1689</i>:</p> + +<p>I am sorry to find by yours of the 27: that Luisignan is so ill hurt +lett him know how much I am troubled at it, and make a complyment +to Pointz upon his being hurt also, you do very well to precaution +yourself against sallys, from a towne where there is so many men, and +pray let the Gen: officers who remaine not expose themselves to much, +I have sent you a power to pardon such as will accept of it, L<sup>d.</sup> +Melfort shall give you an account of the troops I am a sending <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>down +to you, as also of what cannon and mortars are a preparing with all +possible deligence, you shall have all I can send you to enable you +to reduce that rebellious towne, and to make the more noyse the D: of +Tyrconnel is a preparing to go downe to you, it being, as you well +observe, of the last consequence to master it, I expect to have an +account every moment of the arrival of the French fleett, for Besides +that the wind has been so many days faire for them, letters from +Kinsale say they were left but fifteen leagues from that port, you will +before this getts to you have been informed of Bohan's having entirely +beaten the rebels w<sup>ch.</sup> were gott together in the County of Downe, at +least five thousand in number, and killed several hundreds of them on +the place, I hope the advice you had from Mrs. Lundy, will prove but a +story, if what a Sergeant w<sup>ch.</sup> came from Leverpoole but last weeke +says be true, w<sup>ch.</sup> you will know by this. §.</p> + +<p class="right">J. R.<br /></p> + +<p>I am a sending Dorrington downe to you. §.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">LETTER II.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">TO THE SAME.</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Dublin May 10: 1689</i>:</p> + +<p>I am sorry for the losse of Ramsay, such accidents will happen, and one +must not be discouraged, I am sensible you have a hard worke on your +hands, but at last will I hope be able to overcome it, I am sending +downe one great mortar and two pieces of battery by land, and the same +number of both by sea, 'twas actually impossible to dispatch them +sooner, ten Comp: of Eustach will be soon with you, all well armed, +and clothed, and five Comp: of the same Reg: are to march downe, what +other I send, shall be well armed, I send you downe with this a paper +concerning Derry, you will see whether it be practicable or no, of +w<sup>ch.</sup> none can judg, but you that are on the place, I am sending +downe, S<sup>r.</sup> Ne: O Neal's Reg: of Dragoons into the Countys of Downe +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>and Antrim w<sup>ch.</sup> will be the more necessary since you have ordered +Gen: Maj: Bohan to you, I thinke it absolutely necessary you should +not lett any more men come out of Derry, but for intelligence, or some +extraordinary occasion, for they may want provisions, and would be glad +to rid themselves of useless mouths,§</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">James R.</span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">LETTER III.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">TO THE SAME.</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Dublin May 20: 1689</i>:</p> + +<p>You will before this, have had an account from L<sup>d.</sup> Melfort, of what +men, arms, and stors, have been sent you, and are designed for you, I +now send back to you this bearer L<sup>d.</sup> Dungan to lett you know that +this day I have been informed by one who came from Chester on Wednesday +last, that Kirke was to sett saile with the first fair wind from thence +with fower reg<sup>s.</sup> of foott, to endeavour to relieve Derry, I have +ordered a copy of the information to be sent you, I know you will do +your part to hinder if you can, their getting into that towne, for +should once more those English succors be obliged to return againe, +that rebelious towne could not hold out long with the force I send you, +but if you cannot hinder their getting into the towne you must then +take care to secure your retreat as well as you can, on your side, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>and to take care also of the cannon, mortars and men, w<sup>ch.</sup> are on +the east side of the river of Derry, for no doubt they will presse +you, when you draw off, in case you should be obliged to do it, what +I propose is that you should endeavour to keep Castlefin, Cladyford +bridg, and Strabane to hinder them from coming over those waters, this +I thinke may be easily done considering tho' they may be strong in +foott, they can have but few and bad horse, and that I designe to go +about to reduce Eniskilling, in the mean tyme I am thinkind of sending +some more troups towards Charlemont which will be ready to look toward +you, or Carrickfergus as occasion shall offer, lett Castlederg, be well +provided, I have sent some horse and dragoons to reinforce Sarsfield +at Sligo, and have ordered Pursell's dragoons to Belturbet, what els I +have to say, I refer to this bearer L<sup>d.</sup> Dungan,§.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">James R.</span></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> +<p class="label">LETTER IV.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">TO THE SAME.</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Dublin July 8th. 1689</i>:</p> + +<p>I do not find by what I heare from you and others that those in Derry +are so prest for want of victuals as once was believed, so that if +they could be prest otherways, it would do well, I am sensible you are +but ill furnished with wherewithal to carry on your trenches, and to +attaque them vigorously, but however I am sure you will do what is to +be done, I am afraide your French enginers tho very able men in their +trade may have been so used to have all things necessary provided for +them, and to want nothing, that they are not so industrious as others +lesse knowing men might be, and that they do not push on their worke as +they might do, having so much to say for themselves, upon the account +of their being so ill provided, however methinks they might have gott +Maderiers ready in all this tyme, to have lodged the miners w<sup>ch.</sup> I +have <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>seen done to a stronger towne than Derry, and where we wanted +cannon to mine their defences, I only hint this to you, not pretending +at this distance to judg whether it be practicable or no, and for +making of Maderiers, I am sure tis but the puling downe some house <i>in</i> +[<i>this word is partly erased in the original, but substituted by the +following</i>] neare Derry, or at Lifford or Strabane, where one may find +beams strong enough to make them, and tho Lattin be not to be gott, +new hids will do as well to preserve them from fire, this is only for +yourself, you have another letter from me about what had been reported +here, of some proposals made to you by those of Derry, to which I refer +you:§.</p> + +<p class="right">J. R.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> +<p class="center small"><span class="smcap">[from the mss. closet of trinity college, dublin.]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5" /> + +<p class="label"><a id="ORIGINAL_LETTER_OF_THE_DUKE_OF_BERWICK"></a>ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE DUKE OF BERWICK,</p> + +<p class="center small"><span class="smcap">never before published,</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">addressed "to lieutenant-general hamilton, at the camp before derry."</span></p> + +<p class="right"><i>Trelick the 5th July</i>:</p> + +<p>I received just now the honour of yours, and I will write to Carills +aboute Cap<sup>t.</sup> Manus Odonnell. There is an escorte sent to meet the +amunition coming from Charlemont who is likewise guarded by a regiment +of foot.</p> + +<p>I marched yesterday morning from Newtown-Stewart, and joyning Coll. +Sunderland at Omah I marched hither; my advance guard cutt off several +of their sentries, and a great many of the rebells party, with such +vigour, as they beat with 30 dragoons three troops of horse of theirs, +which were drawn up at a distance from us. Cap Patrick Bellue and Major +Magdonnel commanded the van-guard. There was eight or nine of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +enemy killed but none of ours. I went with my horse and dragoons within +four miles of Inniskiling and drove a great deale of cattle back to +Trelick where I am now and which is nine mile from Enniskiling. I am +sure no considerable party dearest stirr out from that towne for feare +of my being upon their backs, so that all backwards is secure. The +party of two hundred foot and fifty horse and dragoons that were left +at Belturbet under the command of L. Coll. Scott, are taken prisoners +officers and all. I can assure you that all the inhabitants of this +countrye are universally rebells. my humble service to Mareschall Rozen +and believe me, your most humble and obedient servant</p> + + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Berwick.</span></p> + +<p>I forgot to tell you that our vanguard pursued so close three companies +of foot that they took one of their colours and two drumms within four +miles of Inniskiling, before I was come upp, this has entred<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> Coll: +Purcell's dragoons very well.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/i198.jpg" width="398" height="400" alt="" /> +<div class="caption"><p class="center"><i>Fac-Simile of the Autograph and signet of King James +II.</i><br /> +<i>Fac-Simile of the Autograph and Seal of the Duke of Berwick.</i><br /> +<i>T. Badge. sculpsit.</i><br /></p></div></div> + + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p class="title">FOOTNOTES</p> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> This dance has been already described in note to chapter +<span class="smcap">xv</span>. vol. <span class="smcap">i</span>. It only is necessary here to observe, that the popular dance +at present prevalent in Ireland is called the <i>long dance</i>; it is +similar to that of the Danes in Holstein, and other parts of Denmark, +which they term <i>de lange danz</i>, or "the long dance." This dance still +continues up to the present period to be performed in the country parts +of Ireland, upon the occurrence of a young heir arriving at the bright +and sunny epoch of twenty-one; and likewise upon the event of his +marriage, or upon any other happy and unexpected occasion of rejoicing.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Carcanet, the diminutive of <i>carcan</i>, a chain;—it means a +necklace.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Innisfail is one of the ancient names of Ireland;—it means +the isle of fate or destiny. It was so called from possessing an ancient +stone chair, on which was sculptured in Gaelic,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">Or fate is false, or where this stone shall be<br /></div> + <div class="verse">The Scots shall reign a powerful monarchy.<br /></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>It was afterwards removed to Scotland, and subsequently to England. It +is now placed under the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> + Mala-pioba—the bagpipes. The late Mr. Cooper Walker in his +"Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards," in a note at foot of page 81, +speaking on the subject of the Irish bagpipes, (which, by the way, are +played upon by the finger, and not like the Scotch pipes, which are +played by the lips,) he makes the following remark:—"I have been +informed that George II. was so much delighted with the performance of +an Irish gentleman on the bagpipes, that he ordered a medal to be struck +for him."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Sir Trystrem was entitled to the lily, being a royal son of +France; he was designated Sir Trystrem of Lyons. He was nephew to Mark, +king of Cornwall. His name really was <i>Tristrem</i>, but we suppose, for +sake of euphony, old Cormac thought he was privileged to change it.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> "The spiced wassail-bowl."—See Fletcher's "Faithful +Shepherdess," act <span class="smcap">V</span>. p. 108. Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, vol. <span class="smcap">IV</span>. The +efficacy of love philtres was credited from the days of Pliny even down +to the seventeenth century! See Sir Walter Scott's "Sir Tristrem," p. +298; and also Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. <span class="smcap">III</span>. p. 459.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Muscadel.—This species of wine was a common ingredient in +the wassail-bowls, which were peculiarly in favour at Christmas.—<i>Note +to "the Pilgrim," by Beaumont and Fletcher</i>, vol. <span class="smcap">V</span>. p. 429. Muscadel is +likewise noticed in the same volume in the play called "The Woman's +Prize," p. 263.</p> + +<p class="center">"Sweet gentleman with muscadel."</p> + +<p>Mr. Weber adds in a note, "This passage, perhaps, explains the reason +why wine was offered immediately after the marriage ceremony to the +bride and bridegroom generally before they left the church." The +following passage occurs in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew:"</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"After many ceremonies done,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">He calls for <i>wine</i>. 'A health,' quoth he, as if<br /></div> + <div class="verse">He had been abroad carousing to his mates<br /></div> + <div class="verse">After a storm.——Quaffed off the <i>muscadel</i>,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">And threw the sops all in the sexton's face."<br /></div> + </div> + </div> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> This castle and its fortifications were demolished by Sir +Eustace Maxwell, (the steady, warm-hearted friend of King Robert Bruce,) +lest it should fall into the hands of the enemy: and for which generous +action lands were given to him, the tenure by which he held them being +thus noticed:—"<i>Pro fractione et prostratione castri de Caerlaverock</i>," +&c. &c.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Dalrymple's Memoirs.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> <i>Vide</i> "Minstrelsy of the Scottish border."—"Beauties +of Scotland."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border," vol. <span class="smcap">I</span>. p. 218.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Joanna Baillie's "<i>Family Legend</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Dalrymple's Memoirs.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> This bloody deed, it must be confessed, was a dereliction +and violation of all the strict laws of hospitality, which were so duly +enforced in Scotland—which forbad a host to murder his guest. But we +have detailed the savage character of Sir Robert Bruce, the hostility of +the two clans, and the barbarism of the times; and have only to say, +that "<i>Exceptio probat regulam</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Harquebuss, in the ancient statutes, is called also +Arquebuse, Haquebut, or Hagbut; it is a <i>hand-gun</i>, or a fire-arm of a +proper length to be borne in the arm. The word is formed of the French +<i>arquebuse</i>, and that from the Italian, <i>arcobusio</i>, or <i>arco abuso</i>, of +<i>arco</i> a bow, and <i>busio</i>, a hole; on account of the touch-hole in which +the powder is put to prime it; and it is likewise so called because it +succeeded the bows of the ancients.</p> + +<p>The <i>harquebuss</i> is properly a fire-arm, of the ordinary length of a +musket or fowling-piece, cocked usually with a wheel. Its length is +forty calibers; and the weight of its ball one ounce seven-eighths; its +charge of powder as much.</p> + +<p>There is also a larger kind, called <i>harquebuss a croc</i>, used in war for +the defence of places. The first time these instruments were seen was in +the imperial army of Bourbon, when Bonnivet was driven out of the state +of Milan. They are heavy and cumbersome.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> The "Mercurius Civicus, London's Intelligencer, or Truth +impartially related from thence to the Kingdom, to prevent +Misinformation." This public print, with the foregoing quaint title, was +first published in 1643. Printed for Thomas Bates on Snow-hill.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> At the splendid entertainments of those days the +confectioners were very solicitous to present these and similar +fopperies on the tables of the great. Furnace the cook says, in +<span class="smcap">Massinger's</span> "<i>New Way to pay old Debts</i>,"</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">——"Since our master, noble Allworth, died,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Though I crack my brain to find out tempting sauces,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">And raise <i>fortifications in the pastry</i>,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Such as might serve for models in the Low Countries;<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Which, if they had been practised at Breda,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Spinola might have thrown his cap at it, and ne'er took it."<br /></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>And again, in the Prologue to "<i>A Wife for a Month</i>," which was the sole +production of <span class="smcap">Fletcher</span>, we have the following lines on the same +subject—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse">"Our noble friend, who writ this, bid me say,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">He had rather dress upon a triumph day<br /></div> + <div class="verse">My Lord Mayor's feast, and make him sauces too,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Sauce for each several month; nay, further go,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">He had rather build up those invincible pies<br /></div> + <div class="verse">And castle custards,<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> that affright all eyes,<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Nay, eat 'em and their artillery—<br /></div> + <div class="verse">Than dress for such a curious company<br /></div> + <div class="verse">One single dish."——-<br /></div> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2"><span class="smcap">Beaumont</span> and <span class="smcap">Fletcher<br /></span>—Vol. <span class="smcap">VIII</span>. p. 137.<br /></div> + </div> + </div> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> The ingenuity of ancient cooks in raising pastry +fortifications has been already noticed. In the text we have not only +fortresses of paste, but castles made of custards, furnished with +eatable artillery, on a triumph-day, that is one of the greatest +festivities at the Mansion-house. Another similar device of march-pane +is mentioned in "Witts and Fancies"—1595, 4to.: "At a nobleman's +banquet a ship of march-pane stuff was set upon the board, wherein was +all manner of fishes of the like stuff."</p> + +<p>At a banquet given by Cardinal Birague to Henry III. King of France, his +queen, and mother, "A collation was there served upon two long tables, +consisting of between eleven and twelve hundred dishes composed of +confectionary and dried sweetmeats of various kinds, constructed in the +form of castles, pyramids, and other elegant figures."—<span class="smcap">Wraxall's</span> +"<i>History of France</i>," vol. <span class="smcap">II</span>. 449.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Donenobroogi—Hodie—Donnybrook. The fame of its fair is +well known.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> A Tour to Alet and La Grand Chartreuse, vol. <span class="smcap">II.</span> pp. 335-6.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> A Tour to Alet and La Grande Chartreuse, 8vo. London, 1816, +vol. <span class="smcap">II.</span> pp. 336, 337.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> The orthography of the original is strictly preserved +throughout the above letter.</p></div> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p>☛ <span class="smcap">The Book-binder</span> will take care to place the Engraving, which +presents fac-similes of the hand-writing and seals of King James II. and +the Duke of Berwick, at the opposite page.</p> + + + + +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="label">Transcriber's Notes:</p> + +<p class="no-indent">A number of minor punctuation issues were +resolved. Missing accents have not been inserted. The orthography of +correspondence has been retained. The following changes in spelling +were made in the narrative.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="no-indent">Page 4 inocuously is now innocuously<br /> +Page 16 promontary is now promontory<br /> +Page 25 guager is now gauger<br /> +Page 69 forboding is now foreboding<br /> +Page 83 wofully is now woefully<br /> +Page 90 martriculated is now matriculated<br /> +Page 93 cateract is now cataract<br /> +Page 102 fellowing is now following<br /> +Page 154 paragragh is now paragraph<br /> +Page 172 dispouere is now disponere<br /> + +The cover is placed in the public domain.</p></blockquote></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, Vol. 3 (of 3), by +Matthew Weld Hartstonge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS *** + +***** This file should be named 44264-h.htm or 44264-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/2/6/44264/ + +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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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, Vol. 3 (of 3) + Adelaide of Tyrconnel + +Author: Matthew Weld Hartstonge + +Release Date: November 23, 2013 [EBook #44264] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS *** + + + + +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. III. + + + LONDON: + + FOR G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE. + + 1825. + + + + + THE EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Upon your art, Sir, and your faith to assist it, + Shall I believe you, then, his wound's not mortal? + + LOVE'S PILGRIMAGE. + + +The banditti who made the fierce and fiery attack, as recounted in our +last chapter, a few days subsequent to that sad event were arrested +by the _Gens d'Armes_ in Soignies wood. They had been composed, it +appeared upon examination, of the daring and desperate of different +nations, and that their leader was a Spaniard. + +But it is indeed full time that we should return to the mansion of +Tyrconnel, where all was distress and dismay. But amid all this +incidental confusion and alarm no time whatever had been lost in +calling in surgical assistance; two surgeons of reputed eminence being +instantly summoned--an English practitioner of the name of Leach, who +long had been a resident at Brussels, and a Monsieur Bourreau, a French +surgeon in considerable practice, likewise a resident of this ancient +city, who immediately obeyed the summons. + +Monsieur Bourreau was the first to arrive, who had a conference with +Sir Patricius Placebo, understanding that he was a medical gentleman. + + MONSIEUR BOURREAU.--"_Ah! serviteur, Monsieur._--_Mais je demand + votre pardon! car je pourrois dire_, LE CHEVALIER _Aussi-bon_!" + + SIR PATRICIUS PLACEBO.--"Hem, hem! Placebo, _je dis_ + Placebo!--_Prononces comme il faut, si vous plais, Monsieur + Chirurgien!_" + + MONSIEUR BOURREAU.--"_Oh, pardon encore, je demand tres humblement + de votre mains. Je dis, Chevalier Placebo, que les blesseurs + portees de les fusils sont toujours trop dangereux; et pour moi, + Chevalier Assebo, je prefere dix blesseurs de l'epee partout, a une + diable blesseure de portee de fusil!--Mais, neanmoins, toujours + chacun a son gout!_" + + SIR PATRICIUS.--"_Cette remarque, Monsieur Chirurgien, est trop + vrai; et vous-avez sans doute beaucoup de raison certainment; car + comme ils ont dit autrefois_, + + 'De gustibus non disputandum!' + +Hem, hem, ahem!"--having immediate recourse to his Carolus' snuff-box, +which in the first instance he most politely handed to Monsieur +Bourreau. And here the name of Surgeon Leach being announced, the two +surgeons with due formality were conducted by the medical baronet to +the sick man's chamber. + +They found their patient suffering under much bodily pain, attended +also with inflammation and a considerable degree of fever. They +alternately felt his pulse, holding forth their watches, upon which +they intently gazed; then looked at each other grave and portentous as +the visages of two undertakers in their vocation, and most sadly shook +their sapient sconces. + +However, it was not long before a very decided difference of opinion +arose between the knights of the lance--to wit, M. Bourreau was for the +immediate extraction of the ball, insisting most strenuously that such +an operation was unavoidably necessary, thus to effect the enlargement +of the wound, in order finally to extract the ball, which was the +immediate and important consideration of the case, and thus finally to +facilitate the cure; but at the same time with candour he acknowledged +that the operation would not be unattended with pain. Meanwhile Mr. +Leach was for leaving the bullet gradually to work out its own tranquil +way in the quiet lapse of years and time, which result, he insisted +pertinaciously, he had known to be the case in numerous instances, +where bullets have remained innocuously lodged in several parts of the +human body, until eventually, after a long lapse of years, they have +worked forth a passage to the surface, and have been easily extracted. +And other cases he knew, where individuals have retained with impunity +bullets within their bodies, from a gun-shot or pistol wound, even to +the closing hour of a protracted life. + +Mr. Leach was likewise too of opinion that, as the wound was placed +upon a joint, assuredly, that both knife and forceps should be put +under due restraint, nor should any more opening be made than what was +quite absolutely and imperatively necessary to meet the circumstances +of the case. + +It was considered incumbent by the duke, from this most serious +difference of opinion, that a third surgeon should instantly be called +in as umpire, and that his opinion in this intended consultation should +be absolute. + +Accordingly a Dutch surgeon, _cognomine_ Mynheer Van Phlebodem, a +practitioner of considerable repute, was called in, who, in conferring +with his learned brethren, after a minute examination of the patient, +whom he found labouring under a restless accession of fever, and having +understood that Sir David Bruce had not sustained any loss of blood +worth noticing, as issuing from the wound, the sage Mynheer considered +it advisable to open a vein immediately, as he was decidedly of +opinion, from a course of long established practice, that repeated +and copious bleedings, promptly and immediately adopted in the +commencement, seldom or never fail of being attended with success. They +prevented too, he said, much pain; kept down likewise inflammation, +and diminished the assaults of fever, &c. &c.--This determination was +accordingly carried into effect. + +At one time, from long continued pain and continued loss of sleep, it +was found necessary liberally to administer opium; at another period +the medical attendants, fearing symptoms of mortification to appear, +were not sparing in administering doses of Peruvian bark, with which +they drenched their victim. + +For the first fifteen or twenty days considerable apprehensions +were entertained for the safety of the patient's life. We feel, +however, most happy to state that none of those predicted evils +ensued, although certainly circumstances existed to call forth such +apprehensions--namely, the violent heat of summer, the deadly pain +of the wound, the irritation caused by fever, the inflamed state of +the patient's blood; these certainly were conducive in exciting those +melancholy forebodings. A constantly cooling regimen was rigidly +enforced, and the patient kept quiet, free from noise or irritation. At +another stage of the patient's confinement gangrene was again seriously +indeed apprehended; however, from the external application of warm +emolients, &c. &c., this apprehended danger was completely obviated, +suppuration was successfully brought on, and the learned triumvirate +freely acknowledged that the patient might now be pronounced as +nearly out of danger; and in about ten days, or longer, the ball was +cautiously and safely extracted, and with no other ill result, we are +happy to state, than the operation having caused a considerable degree +of torture in the shoulder of our wounded hero. + +Nothing could exceed the manifold attentions which were shown, and the +intense interest that was felt by every individual in the family of +Tyrconnel, and that innumerable kindnesses were fully manifested from +a certain quarter our readers will not be at a loss to guess, during +the illness and progress of recovery of the wounded patient, whose +convalescence, we are happy to state, had so far advanced that he was +daily permitted to walk for an hour in the garden pertaining to the +mansion of Tyrconnel. + +One afternoon the dinner cloth had been just removed; and the family +were seated at their wine, when lo! to the great amazement of the duke +and duchess, a king's messenger was announced, bearing a despatch from +the King of England, which, under envelope and direction of the Lord +Privy Seal, was duly directed "For his Grace the Duke of Tyrconnel, +these--Lonsdale P. S." + +Upon opening and reading the contents of the despatch, the astonishment +of the duke was no way abated. It contained the following:-- + + "I revoke the edict of your banishment; your attainture is taken + off; your honours are restored; and you may now return in safety to + your native land! _You are a man of honour--I will not desire + you to act against your principle. Disturb not the government, and + we shall be very good friends._ + + (L. S.) W. R." + +This important and quite unexpected change in the mind of the English +monarch, which now called forth in return the immediate gratitude +and acknowledgments of him upon whom these favours had so graciously +been bestowed, had happily been effected through the interest and +intercession of the Elector Palatine, the firm friend and patron of Sir +David Bruce; thus no doubt could possibly exist but that through the +earnest representations, and at the especial request of the latter, +this important and conciliatory measure was effectuated. Indeed this +was fully corroborated by the same messenger bearing a despatch from +the Elector Palatine, addressed to Sir David Bruce, which stated that +the Elector felt most happy in having to acquaint him of the complete +success of his interference with the King of England in the behalf of +Sir David's exiled friends. + +The immediate departure of the Duke and Duchess of Tyrconnel from +Brussels, so soon as circumstances would permit, was fully determined +upon. No obstacle, therefore, to preclude the union of Sir David Bruce +and the Lady Adelaide remained, save the delay of their voyage and +journey to Ireland, where, upon the event of their return to Tyrconnel +Castle, it was agreed that the marriage was duly to be solemnized. + +The day previous to their final departure from Brussels Adelaide +devoted in bidding a fond and final farewell to those she sincerely +regarded, and from whom were received numberless attentions during her +sojourn. Adelaide took a parting look at scenes that were endeared to +her by past associations and pleasing recollections. + +"Farewell!" she mentally said, "thou fair and flourishing +city!--patroness of the arts, the mistress of painting--thou queen +of fountains, farewell! Ever rich and luxuriant be thy valleys, thy +gardens, and thy groves; and long may the olive on thy undulating hills +shadow this happy realm in peace!" + +Then, with her accustomed enthusiasm, Adelaide wrote the following + + +FAREWELL TO BELGIUM! + + Farewell, blest land! I leave the while + Serene and social spot; + Ne'er winding Scheldt, nor devious Dyle, + By mem'ry be forgot! + + Dear peaceful scenes for many a year, + While shaded from the foe, + Which oft aroused the filial fear, + Hence far from thee I go! + + If not ungrateful 'twould appear, + I'd ne'er review thy shore; + Yet still through each revolving year + I'd think on thee the more! + + Farewell, fair Belgium! fertile land, + On thee may freedom ever smile; + While commerce courts thy happy strand! + I seek mine own, lov'd, native isle! + +The Duchess of Tyrconnel wrote, according to promise, to Mrs. +Cartwright, duly recording to her the happy turn that fortune had taken +in their favour. A copy of this epistle now lies before us; but as we +are no admirers of unnecessary repetition, we must take the liberty of +wholly suppressing the letter of her Grace. + +Before we close this short, but eventful chapter, we have to observe +that the Soignies banditti, who had been arrested, were tried, +identified, and executed. + +Not once nor twice was Sir Patricius Placebo overheard soliloquizing +to himself thus: "I am," quoth the knight, "in sooth no longer a +philosopher, who is desirous _inter silvas foresti (non academi) +quaerere verum_--no, no--_horribile dictu!_ After this confounded +_rencontre_ in cursed Soignies wood, I shall for ever forego and +forswear the eating of Ortolan or Perigord pies, while I live--ahem! +except--that is to say, unless I can eat them with safety in the city! +for there is no general rule or law without an exception; and indeed +the long-robed gentry say as much--_exceptio probat regulam_--ahem! + + "DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!" + +It was at the close of the last week in August, which had now arrived, +when the duke and family took their departure from Brussels, on their +route for Ireland; and while they are on their way we shall conduct our +readers in their transit to the succeeding chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + ---- In the turmoils of our lives, + Men are like politic states, or troubled seas, + Toss'd up and down, with several storms and tempests, + Change and variety of wrecks and fortunes; + Till labouring to the havens of our homes, + We struggle for the calm that crowns our ends. + + FORDE'S "_Lover's Melancholy_." + + +About two months had now passed over, which had been occupied in +travelling to their long-wished for home, since the departure of the +duke and his family from Brussels, the journey having commenced towards +the close of August, and now had arrived the last week in October, +which witnessed the due accomplishment and end of their travels, by +their welcome return to their ancient and magnificent castle. + +No occurrences whatever worthy of record having happened during the +continental journey, the passage of two seas, or while occupied in +their travels through England, Wales, and Ireland, all of which +were performed in perfect safety; and moreover, the weather proved +propitiously mild and serene. + +While the travellers continued their route homeward, the duke thus +expressed his sentiments to the duchess:--"My love, I am fully resolved +for ever to abandon politics and party, to burn my grey goose quill +of diplomacy; I am determined too to relinquish the ways and woes +of war for the cultivation of the happy arts of peace; to desert a +city life for a country life; to arise with the lark, and plough my +paternal lands; to transmute my sword into a ploughshare, and my spear +into a reaping-hook. My firm, fixed intention being decided for ever +tranquilly to abide within my own domains, to pass our time in classic +ease within the venerable towers of Tyrconnel Castle, and there eke out +the remnant of my days until summoned by the cold and chilling call of +death!" + +The duchess said: "My Lord, I most highly approve of your wise +determination, and trust that we yet have many years of happiness +before us." + +With these fixed resolves impressed upon his mind, the duke proceeded +on his way. His journey was now nearly at an end, when the towers of +his lordly, but long unfrequented castle, which bounded the horizon, +arose to view, rich and red, glowing beneath the brilliant beams of the +setting sun, and struck his vision with delight as gladly he approached +his long deserted hereditary halls. + +This long wished return was joyously and generously hailed by all +ranks and descriptions of persons, from the proud peer down to the +lowly peasant; bonfires crowned every surrounding mountain height, +hill, peninsula, and promontory, while they beamed forth a brilliant +welcome to the returned wanderer; the lofty windows of the wealthy, and +the lowly lattices of the cottier, in the town of Tyrconnel, bespoke +the general joy that burst around, and conjointly the wax taper and +rush-light commingled their rays to manifest the heart-yearning +welcome that the duke's happy return had inspired. + +The welcoming notes of the merry pipe and the national harp resounded +blithely over hill and vale. Meanwhile the peasantry were all +collected, and clad in their best and gayest attire; their honest, +grateful, and joyful countenances bearing the impress of their +gladdened hearts, told forth a welcome that was not to be mistaken nor +misunderstood, for it affectionately hailed the much desired return +of their beloved and long exiled benefactor! It was evening when this +interesting scene took place, but all meet preparation had previously +been arranged,--torch, flambeau, and fire-works, had been prepared, and +blazed forth in all becoming brilliancy. + +A triumphal arch, tastefully adorned with appropriate armorial +escutcheons, emblems, and trophies, and crowned with wreaths and +festoons of living shrubs and flowers, adorned the pass which led to +the castellated gateway. Bouquets and coronals of flowers were flung +along the way, while grateful shouts made the welkin ring as the ducal +train passed along. Groups of lovely damsels united their welcome +song, and soon joined hands with the manly peasants in the national +Irish dance of the _Rinceadh-Fada_.[1] + +Once more the ducal standard floated on "the Raven Tower," the cannon +on the terrace thundered forth a princely _salvo_, which boomed upon +the buoyant waves of the deep Atlantic, and was re-echoed by the castle +walls, while the loud continued shouts of a grateful and happy tenantry +bore burden to the burst of joy. + +It would be difficult to express the exultation and gladness that +pervaded all ranks, and which the old domestics in particular displayed +in no common way; Mrs. Judith Brangwain, the venerable old nurse of +Lady Adelaide, seemed nearly crazed with joy at the long wished, +but unhoped return of her dear Mavourneen, her best beloved young +lady:--"Oh," she exclaimed, "at last have I survived, with these mine +aged eyes, to witness this happy, happy day! Oh, never, never, did I +expect so great a blessing; I am stricken in years, and nearly blind, +yet the Lord be praised for these and all his mercies!" + + [Footnote 1: This dance has been already described in note to + chapter xv. vol. I. It only is necessary here to observe, that the + popular dance at present prevalent in Ireland is called the _long + dance_; it is similar to that of the Danes in Holstein, and other + parts of Denmark, which they term _de lange danz_, or "the long + dance." This dance still continues up to the present period to be + performed in the country parts of Ireland, upon the occurrence of + a young heir arriving at the bright and sunny epoch of twenty-one; + and likewise upon the event of his marriage, or upon any other + happy and unexpected occasion of rejoicing.] + +Next the old crone sung with joy and delight, held up her garments in +jig attitude, and capered about as if actually bitten by a tarantula; +then seized and led out, _per_ force, old Sandy Rakeweel, the Scotch +gardener, with whom she danced an Irish reel, and that too with so +much _qui vive_, as to demonstrate that the joys of her dancing days +had not passed over. This frolic was performed on the green sward, and +honest old Sandy, when the reel was completed, which, sooth to say, +he had undertaken _nolens volens_, vehemently exclaimed, "'Fore Saint +Aundrewe, Mrs. Judith, wi' a' her whigmaleeries was ower pauky, to hap, +step, an' loup wi' me; the gude woman is a' fou' and sae daft she ha' +geck'd a' her wits into a creel, aiblins she hae been bit by a bogle. +Ise naer be so jundied in a jig again; yet I'm not meikle fashed--nae, +nae!" + +There was, exclusive of the ancient Mrs. Judith, another venerable +follower of this noble family, in whom the general joy, so conspicuous +amongst all ranks, was not the less sincere and ardent, and this was +the aged and sightless minstrel, old Cormac, whose best suit was duly +assumed upon this happy occasion, to welcome home his kind and generous +master; his harp was newly strung, and carefully tuned aright; and +patiently, but anxiously, in the baronial hall he awaited the entrance +of the duke and family, upon whose welcome approach he thus poured +forth his strains of gratitude and affection upon his noble Lord's +return. + + +OLD CORMAC'S WELCOME. + + Returned once more from foreign lands, + Behold the noble exile stands + Within his lordly hall! + + His faulchion smote his country's foes, + His king's defeat hath caused these woes, + Which his brave breast inthrall. + + Oh, welcome to thy lordly towers, + Thy princely seat, thy happy bowers, + A grateful welcome all! + + Now never more to roam afar, + Nor plunge 'mid tide of crimson war, + Shall fate thy arms recall! + + But here in tranquil rural ease, + Such as a soul like thine can please, + May never grief appal! + + In virtue long, and years to shine, + Be each domestic blessing thine! + And ev'ry boon that heaven can give, + When thy poor bard hath ceased to live! + +When the ancient and sightless bard had concluded this, his _improviso_ +welcome, he appeared absolutely overpowered, and shed a copious +torrent of tears, which flowed from eyes long indeed closed to the +light, but not to intensity of feeling! But these were not tears of +sorrow, they were effusions of grateful affection, that often speak the +joyful feelings of the heart, while the tongue remains wholly silent. +His was the unspeakable joy at his noble benefactor's happy return in +health and peace, after so long an absence, to his ancient towers. The +duke, duchess, Lady Adelaide, &c. &c. &c. in succession approached the +aged minstrel to express severally their approbation of his song, and +thanks for the feeling manner in which his welcome had been expressed. +The duke obligingly and condescendingly said to him:--"My friend +Cormac, although thy locks are more blenched and snowy than they were +when last we parted, yet I am glad to find that your heart is not +chilled by the frost of age, and that the chords of thy harp so sweetly +still respond to a master's touch!" + +Then addressing one of his pages, his Grace said, "Fill, fill the +goblet high to the very brim, and present it to the bard!" + +In sooth we need not say that sightless, honest Cormac retired to rest +that night the happiest old man in the province of Ulster; his slumbers +were sound and serene, and his dreams flattering as ever youthful poet +dreamt. + +The next morning, when breakfast was concluded, the duke said in a +lively way:--"Come, come, Sir David, you have not travelled here for +nothing, we must e'en show you the curiosities of the country. There +lives, or rather vegetates, not far hence, a wight, the most eccentric +being perhaps that ever existed--I pray you go see him. This personage +is Squire Cornelius Kiltipper, of Crownagalera Castle, once the mighty +Nimrod of these parts. You must, moreover, know, that from Squire +Kiltipper's determined addiction to strong liquors, and likewise +from the fatal consequence of a far-bruited boozing bout, in which +he actually out-drank and out-lived his opponent in a long continued +contest; (the defunct had been a gauger who thus succumbed in death, +even at the base of the Squire's dinner-table;) in consequence of which +Kiltipper was ever afterwards called, in popular parlance, _Squire +Kil-Toper_! For, Sir David, you must know that the lower class of my +countrymen are feelingly sensible of the ridiculous, and extremely fond +of _soubriquets_, or nick-names.--Indeed they are curious bodies! So +I pray you proceed to see this curiosity, and my kind Sir Patricius +Placebo shall, upon this occasion, be your _conduttore_." + +Acceding to this recommendation of the duke, Sir David Bruce, +accompanied by Sir Patricius Placebo, proceeded onward in their +walk; and, as a _pretexte par hazard_, they carried with them their +fowling-pieces, and were accompanied with a couple of pointers, and an +attendant terrier. They set out, and walked across the field-paths, in +due direction for the castle of Crownagela, which was distant about two +miles. + +Upon their arrival they stoutly knocked at the hall-door, but the +servant refused admittance. However, after some parlance, and the rank +of the visitors having been announced, they were admitted. Here a loud +and general exclamation vociferated from the parlour, struck the ears +of the visitors--"A song, a song!" The servant upon this observed, +"Gentlemen, yees must have the goodness to wait just a bit till this +same song is over, and then I will show yees to my master. If I dare +go in now, to transdispose their musicals, the penalty would be, that +I should be flung flat out of the window, and that, I am sartin, would +not quite plaze yees." + +While the visitors waited with what patience they might, before they +were admitted to an audience with the original whom they had come +to visit, the following bacchanalian song was conjointly sung; and +which rumour likewise reported to have been composed by the vocal +triumvirate, namely, Mr. Barrabbas Tithestang, the proctor, Mr. Simon +Swigg, the gauger, and Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, the parish clerk and +sexton: but the latter personage was strongly suspected to have had the +principal hand, or pen, in the precious composition. + + +SONG. + +I. + + When first the day-star gems the sky, + When flickering swallows upward fly; + While shrill the matin-herald crows, + And thrifty Joan to spin hath rose, + Then only, brave boys, it is day! + +II. + + Our cup let's drink, we will not slink, + We leave to those, who wish, to think! + Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round? + Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground! + And drink on, brave boys, until day! + +III. + + Who joins not in our jovial bout, + Drink, meat, and fire, should do without; + Soon let this stout _magnum_ be quaffed, + He says nay, shall surely be laughed. + Then only, brave boys, it will be day! + +IV. + + The dawn hath past, the sun at last + Round our revels his beams has cast; + Yet ere we go a parting glass, + Our toast a sprightly, buxom lass. + My brave boys only now it is day! + Only now, my brave boys, it is day! + +Squire Kiltipper, somewhat pleased, sung a semi-stave of the song:-- + + "Can't ye stand, while the world rolls round? + Then, merry blades, sprawl on the ground! + Ha, ha, ha! + +A very plain and palpable alternative truly, the drunkard fairly caught +on the horns of the mathematician's dire dilemma, and then to flounder +on the floor--ha, ha! Oh, lame and lamentable conclusion! Come lads, +the health of the composer; hip, hip,--hurrah!" + +This toast drank at mid-noon, however strange to tell, was loudly +chorussed, with various manual accompaniments inflicted on the table, +until the window panes and the very drinking-glasses again returned +the echo; and amid this uproar the door was opened, and the visitors +introduced, their names being duly announced. Squire Kiltipper was +discovered seated in his bed, holding in his hand the MS. of the +precious rant which had just been sung; he wore spectacles; his dark +beard was unshorn; he wore on his head a cap made of otter skin; he was +habited in a scarlet waistcoat trimmed with rabbit skin, over which +he wore a dressing-gown of purple camlet; his small clothes, which had +been once white, but now stained with claret, reminded one rudely of +the union of the rival roses of York and Lancaster! The Squire arose +to receive his guests, but was preceded by his prime minister, Bounce, +his favourite greyhound, who had been also snugly reposing under cover +of the counterpane, which now rising to a portentous height, he and +his master were safely delivered from the thraldom of the bed-clothes, +and the Squire politely advancing, paid obeisance to his visitors, and +invited them to luncheon. + +The guests were, Mr. Simon Swigg, the gauger, Mr. Stephen Stavespoil, +the parish clerk and sexton, and Mr. Barabbas Tithestang, the +proctor, who began the world a beggar's brat, and barefooted withal; +_sans_ shoe, _sans_ stocking, _sans_ every thing, save a large and +inexhaustible stock of confidence; but was now metamorphosed into a +country justice; and this squire of mean degree enjoying the _otium cum +dignitate_ of four hundred pounds per annum, besides the important +privilege of daily _entre_ to the dinner-table of Squire Kiltipper, +_alias_ Kill-Toper! + +These gentry were the squire's led captains, his most abject vassals, +whose presence at his table contributed, by their native gross humour, +to divert the tedious hours of the squire, and whose society had now +become quite necessary to his existence. He had been well educated, +and was not deficient in mental ability; but his sad propensity to the +worship of Bacchus had nearly hebetated the powers of his mind, and +had nearly likewise debilitated his powers of loco-motion by frequent +confirmed attacks of gout, which had much undermined his constitution. + +In the centre of the room was stationed a table, on which still stood +some stout cheer, the remains of last night's banquet; here were to +be seen the remnant of a huge venison pasty, cold roast beef, pickled +oysters, cold roasted fowls, tongues, &c., and relics of exhausted +bottles reposing like dead men upon the carpet. Upon the approach +of the strangers, Vulcan and Hecate, his two favourite cats, that +had been busily employed in subdividing the venison pasty, at sight +of the visitor's dogs most incontinently abandoned their plunder, +loudly yelling, and retreating with precipitation, they scampered up +the chimney; while the general panic, with effect of electricity, +communicating its fearful effects to his favourite pigeons, who had +been peaceably reposing, with their gentle heads under their wings, +upon the tester of the bed; but now they sprang up in affright, as if +pursued by falcon or eagle, and dashed themselves suddenly against the +window-casement; the poor pigeons received some slight hurts, and the +Squire was evidently discomfited. "D---- n, I say, to Vulcan and Hecate; +but I am indeed sorry for my pretty pets--my dear pigeons. You know, my +worthy and venerated Sir Patricius, how much I am obligated to my late +dear, dear, dear uncle Commodore Pigeon, of Capstern Hall in Yorkshire, +who bequeathed me an estate to the tune of nearly two thousand pounds +per annum; and therefore you can fully account for my warm attachment +to the pretty bird that bears his honoured name! I am now waxing old, +and peradventure am not exempt from the follies of old age; I have +long since become tired of the chace, my bugle-horn hangs silent in my +hall, and my unkennelled hounds wander forth, to my cost, committing +petty larcenies amid the peaceably disposed ducks and turkeys of the +vicinage; my hunters I have turned abroad to increase and multiply +exceedingly, and cats daily kitten in my quondam boots of the chase! +But I have dwelt too long on myself and mine own concern--I give you a +hearty congratulation upon your safe return to these parts, and also at +the happy return of the duke to his ancient towers. I pray you that you +both stop and dine with me; I can only promise you a yeoman's fare, but +indeed you shall likewise have a friend's welcome! For, Sir Patricius, +I do esteem thee, and I do consider thee, by yea and nay, a man of the +most recondite taste and parlous judgment that I ever have encountered; +withal resembling, methinks, most accurately what old Flaccus terms +'_Homo ad unguem factus_.'" + +Sir Patricius politely thanked him for his too good opinion of him, +which he feared was rather overrated, and apologized for the next +to impossibility of accepting of his friendly invitation, which +they begged to postpone to some more opportune time. And now having +quite sufficiently amused themselves with the eccentric Squire of +Crownagelera Castle, Sir David Bruce and Sir Patricius Placebo again +returned thanks for the proffered hospitality of Squire Kiltoper, and +having bade him good morning, set out on their return, "_Non sine multo +risu_," as Sir Patricius expressed himself, for Tyrconnel Castle. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Now go with me, and with this holy man, + Into the chauntry by: there before him, + And underneath that consecrated roof, + Plight me the full assurance of your faith! + + TWELFTH NIGHT. + + +The thirty-first day of October, sixteen hundred ninety and----, +being the birth-day of our heroine, was the morning appointed for +the solemnization of the nuptials of Sir David Bruce and the Lady +Adelaide Raymond. The young lady's consent, and that of her noble +parents, having been previously obtained, and also that _sine qua non_ +preliminary of nuptial happiness--to wit, a marriage license, having +been duly and properly procured, no obstacle to their happy union now +remained. Preparations upon a grand scale had been in a progressive +state of forwardness for some weeks at Tyrconnel Castle, to crown the +nuptial banquet, and every delicacy and luxury that taste could select, +or that money could procure, were not wanting to furnish forth the +splendid marriage feast. The Duke of Tyrconnel, in order to add to the +pomp and circumstance of the event, had a new state coach built for the +happy bridal day, _selon des regles_, as then the fashion of the day +controlled. The carriage was connected by massive crane necks, which in +our modern days of fashion have crept down and shrunk into a slender +perch; these were richly carved and gilt. The wheels were of a very +circumscribed orbit; and the naves were gilt, as well as the spokes. +The springs likewise were of burnished gold; while the ponderous +massive body, with shape (if it could so be called) which much more, +in sooth, resembled a city barge abducted from its natural element, +and aided by wheels in its terrestrial progressions; or perhaps as +cumbersome, although not as unsightly, as a French diligence--but +assuredly not to be compared with the present modern _turn-out_ of a +nobleman. Ducal coronets of brass, richly embossed and gilt, adorned +and surrounded the four angles of the roof of the state carriage. +A splendidly embroidered hammer-cloth mantled the coach-box, which +was destined to glitter in the last rays of a brilliant October sun, +upon this ever-memorable day, and to glance forth the rich emblazoned +quarterings of the noble houses of Tyrconnel and O'Nial. The superb +liveries of the domestics were neither overlooked nor forgotten upon +this happy occasion; they were indeed truly magnificent; they were of +rich green cloth, with gold embroidery and trimming. + +Sir David Bruce had also duly in readiness a very handsome town +chariot, which he had caused to be built for the occasion. This was +drawn by four handsome horses, and guided by two postillions, preceded +by two outriders, and in the rere followed by two footmen on horseback, +their housings ornamented with the Bruce crest in embroidery, and +from each holster peeped forth travelling pistols, mounted in chased +silver, and richly ornamented. The outriders had the additional +appendage of belts slung from their shoulders, to each of which were +attached small silver powder flasks, or priming horns. The same state +attended upon the duke and duchess. Six running footmen, (the fashion +of the day,) with ribbons streaming at their knees, and with long +white walking-poles, entwined with ribbon and surmounted with favours, +preceded the carriage of the duke, and as many were the precursors of +the carriage in which were seated the duchess and the beauteous bride. +Such was to be the pomp and procession destined for this illustrious +bridal. + +Old Cormac seemed resolutely determined that he at least should not +be omitted in the _dramatis personae_ of this most memorable day. At +an early hour, therefore, with due intention of the full performance +of his resolve, he was seen flitting from alley green to the dark +embowered wood, bearing his constant companion, his harp; and as the +old gardener somewhat quaintly expressed it, "he was for a' the warld +like a hen on a het girdle!" + +Old honest Cormac's intention could not long be mistaken or +misunderstood; for soon with right shoulder forward, and strong +intuitive confidence, he stoutly marched onward, nor did the veteran +halt until he had reached Lady Adelaide's flower garden, where he +was often accustomed to sit and play; where having arrived, he soon +seated himself upon a rustic chair, beneath the casement of the Lady +Adelaide's chamber, where anon he began to strum and tune his harp. +The moment that the sightless bard had begun his minstrelsy, vocal +and instrumental, it was with considerable delight and joy that he +distinctly heard the casement window of Lady Adelaide to be thrown +open. Meanwhile the lovely fair (in whose honest praise the poetic +raptures of the ancient minstrel were composed) looked down upon +her old, faithful, and favourite bard, while mirthfully he sung and +accompanied the following:-- + + +NUPTIAL SONG. + + Sweet Robin, perch'd on yonder spray, + So sweetly sings his matin lay, + To welcome forth this brilliant day, + And greet the Bruce and Adelaide! + + Behold the sun with genial gleam, + O'er the lofty mountain beam, + Dispelling mist like nightly dream, + To cheer the Bruce and Adelaide! + + Arise fair lady!--Love, perchance, + Hath pow'r to wake thee from this trance, + And hail the matin hour's advance, + So dear to Bruce and Adelaide! + + O'er him, the fond, the gen'rous youth, + O'er her who gave her plighted truth-- + On both may bliss each treasure shed, + While children crown the bridal bed + Of noble Bruce and Adelaide! + + And oh! until their final hour, + May friendship cheer, and love have pow'r + To spread each charm amid their bow'r, + And bless the Bruce and Adelaide! + +Here ceased the old sightless Cormac, while tears of deep and intense +feeling and affection trickled down his venerable, time-furrowed +cheeks. + +Adelaide descended from her chamber, and entering the garden, with +great sweetness and condescension approached the old minstrel: "Thanks, +many thanks, my kind and ancient bard, for this thy matin lay; and here +too is a boon withal for the minstrel."--At the same time placing a +gold doubloon in his hand. + +"Oh, receive my warm, grateful thanks, my dear, kind--my noble young +mistress--_Cead millia failtha_! May the benison of the sightless bard +bless you and yours for ever and ever! Indeed I dare not refuse the +bridal present, for it carries luck and happiness, and every thing that +is kind, and noble, and good, along with it. God bless you, young lady, +and may you be as happy as you deserve; this, young lady, is the warm +and fervent prayer of poor blind old Cormac!" + +The Lady Adelaide felt much affected with the respect and affection +manifested by the ancient minstrel, and once more thanking him for his +verses, adjourned to the breakfast-room. While on her way she was met +by Sir David Bruce at the garden door, and according to the fashion +and reserve of that day, he ceremoniously led by the hand his lovely +mistress. They now entered the breakfast parlour, where they found the +duke with the family assembled, to whom they kindly bade good morrow. + +The worthy and venerable Bishop Bonhomme and his lady had arrived, +as also the bride's-maids, and the whole of the company who had been +invited to the wedding. And the bridal breakfast having begun and +ended, the splendid equipages of the noble party were ordered to +approach the grand porch of the castle. And here that our fair readers +may not "burst in ignorance" of the mode and manner in which a marriage +in high life was conducted in those times by the _gens de condition_, +we shall endeavour to give a report, albeit not copied _verbatim_ from +the court gazette of the day. + +Bishop Bonhomme and his lady first departed from the castle, ascending +their state chariot, if indeed it could be called ascending a vehicle, +the body of which was barely raised some inches above the carriage +part, and which was all richly carved and gilt, and also attached by +low massive crane-necks. The single step by which the ascent into the +chariot was accomplished, was fastened perpendicularly at the outside: +it was finely carved and gilt, and of the shape and form of the escalop +shell, and two golden keys, interlaced and embossed, adorned its +centre. In lieu of leather pannels at the sides and back, the body was +ornamented all around with windows of rich plate glass, from the royal +factory of Saint Idelphonso, by means of which a full view was clearly +presented to the spectator of those within. + +The bishop wore a full-dress orthodox peruke; he was arrayed in his +robes and lawn sleeves; his white bridal gloves were trimmed with gold. +He looked very episcopal and dignified. The pannels of the chariot +were emblazoned with their due quantity of mitres; a rich _bordure_ of +the crozier, interlaced with foliations of the shamrock, adorned the +sides and angles. The state chariot was drawn by six sleek, stately, +coalblack steeds, whose long and bushy tails nearly swept the ground. +It was driven by an old, fat, jolly-looking coachman, who displayed +fully to every beholder that he was not stinted in his meals at the +palace, to which his portentous paunch bore full attestation. He was +assisted by two postillions, arrayed in rich purple jackets and purple +velvet caps. Six footmen, in their episcopal state liveries, stood +behind. Next in the procession came on the state coach and six of the +duke, in which were seated his Grace and two of his Reverend chaplains. +Then followed the state coach and six which contained the duchess and +her lovely daughter, and Lady Adelaide's two bride's-maids. Next came +on the chariot and four of Sir David Bruce, which contained the Baronet +and Sir Patricius Placebo. These were followed by numerous carriages of +the surrounding nobility and gentry; the servants all decorated with +silver favours; while numerous parties of the tenants and peasants, +"dressed in all their best," some on horseback and others on foot, +closed the extended cavalcade. + +The joyful pealing of the sacred chimes now cheerily rang forth from +the cathedral tower, to salute the natal morn of Lady Adelaide. + +Meanwhile a number of female peasants were seen advancing, arrayed in +white, their heads garlanded with living flowers. They danced before +the bride's carriage; and so soon as the cavalcade had reached the +cathedral porch, as the bride entered, they strewed the way before with +rosemary, gilliflowers, and marygolds; the mystery and signification +of which was this--the first stood for remembrance, the second for +gentleness, and the last for marriage, being an alliteration between +the name of the flower and that of the thing signified. + +Old Bellrope, the sexton and verger, who, "man and boy," had witnessed +many nuptials celebrated in the venerable cathedral, solemnly +asseverated that he had never before set eye upon so beautiful a +couple! To do due honours to the ceremony, he had newly purchased +a verger's gown, and wore a purple cloth coat, waistcoat, and +indispensables, which had appertained in the olden time to some pious +bishop of defunct celebrity. His wig was very commendably frizzed, +thanks to the skill and indefatigability of Madam Bellrope, and looked +unusually gay, from a judicious distribution of a successful foray made +upon the drudging-box by the said thrifty dame, so that it provoked a +remark from Sandy Rakeweel, the gardener at the castle, an honest old +Caledonian devoid of guile:--"That indeed auld Bellrope's peruke for a' +the warld remeended him o' aine of his awn kale plants in fu' flower in +the middle o' August." + +The noble procession entered the cathedral porch, where being duly +marshalled in meet heraldic pomp, rank, and file, the distinguished +persons proceeded along the venerable nave. Lady Adelaide was +arrayed in a silver tissue, a splendid tiara of pearls, in form of a +shamrock-wreath, encircled her noble brow, with ear-rings of the same, +and on her lovely neck she wore "a rich and orient carcanet."[2] + +Sir David Bruce, with firm and dignified step and gesture, advanced, +leading onward by the hand to the bridal altar the lovely Lady +Adelaide, her eye beaming with all the radiance of intelligence and +of genius, while the deep glow of health and the blush of modesty +mantled her beauteous cheek as she approached the sacred altar, the +gaze, delight, and admiration of all, high and low, who beheld her. Her +graceful, but bashful step, and her modest mien, reminded the spectator +of Milton's fine description of Eve, when + + "Onward she came, led by her heav'nly Maker," &c. + + [Footnote 2: Carcanet, the diminutive of _carcan_, a chain;--it + means a necklace.] + +As pure and spotless Adelaide stepped to the holy altar. But it was +impossible to withhold the veneration and admiration called forth +by the appearance, voice, manner, and noble countenance of the good +bishop, who, indeed, more than seemed "the beauty of holiness," while +with a clear, distinct, and dignified intonation of voice, he read the +sacred service. + +The ceremony concluded, the bridal party went forth in the same order +in which it had commenced, save that Sir David Bruce and his fair +bride rode in the same carriage from the cathedral. Sir Patricius +Placebo returned in the duke's carriage. The remainder of the morning +was occupied until dinner time in various rides and drives to view +the beauties of the surrounding country; some went out on a boating +excursion on the beautiful lake of Loch-Neagh, others drove out in low +phaetons, or cabriolets; and some went on a walking excursion to view +the lawns and woods of Tyrconnel, thus to occupy the time until dinner. +The elder folks sat down to the green field of the card-table, playing +at primero, cribbage, ombre, &c., _jusque a diner_. + +The dinner was splendidly superb. The services of richly chased and +embossed plate which this day decorated the nuptial table, were truly +magnificent. One service was of gold, two others were of silver. + +In the evening there was a grand ball, which was opened by Sir David +Bruce and his beauteous bride; they were followed by the Duke and +Duchess of Tyrconnel, who, (ah, good old-fashioned times!) upon this +occasion, tripped it on the light fantastic toe; they were soon +followed by a large group, who danced down the _contre-danse_ with +great spirit; a smile of joy was evidently seen in the benevolent face +of Bishop Bonhomme, and he was even seen to beat time with his head and +foot. + +Brilliant illuminations were observable throughout the domain, various +coloured lamps were garlanded from tree to tree, and likewise across +different avenues in the lawn. + +A banquet was spread for the duke's tenantry, where most excellent +and substantial fare was presented in abundance to all; and there was +no lack of strong beer, which flowed forth in streams. Fire-works of +various kinds were played off. And the duke's band of French horns, +stationed in different parts of the park, played various tunes, which +were sweetly echoed by the adjoining woods, and the responding waters +of the Eske. + +The tenants and peasantry did not omit the Irish dance, the +_Rinceadh-Fada_, which was danced with great spirit and grace in front +of the windows of the baronial hall. Old Cormac was now summoned to +assist at the ceremonies and the gaiety of the hall. Upon command to +attend, his remark was--"Weel, weel, 'twas anely as I expected!" He +immediately hastened to the festive scene, and brought with him a +Scotch harper, old Donald, who had been a retainer in the family of +Bruce, and whom the intelligence of the nuptials that were that day +to be solemnized had brought into the neighbourhood. Here a polite +and courteous contest arose between the minstrels, each standing +upon etiquette, and quite ready to award to the other the right of +precedence; however, this posing point, _d'embarras_, was at length +finally settled by Donald's declaring, that "he wad na pla' at a' afore +maister Cormac." So, _volens, nolens_, old Cormac seized his harp, and +thus began, accompanying his instrument with the following verses:-- + + May plenty, peace, long bless the isle + Where pity's tear can woe beguile! + Erin! the nations envy thee, + From scorpion, snake, and viper free; + Thy sacred saint's high potency! + + Where beauty with Hygeia dwells, + Fell Discord flies these happy dells; + Where plaintive thrills thy island lyre, + Where kindling glows the social fire; + And jocund Hymen crowns the scene, + While pipes the shepherd's tuneful reed, + From his straw cottage on the mead, + And smiles each valley green! + +Cormac sung the foregoing simple lines in order that he might be +entitled to call upon old Donald; who now being left without an +apology, and endeavouring to recollect a song, after a short pause the +Scottish minstrel struck his harp, and thus began:-- + + +I THOUGHT ON DISTANT HAME! + + Ah! while I saftly tuned my sang, + The hawthorn's hoary bloom amang, + I thought on friends I lov'd sae lang; + I thought on distant hame! + + I thought on those I lov'd when young, + Of those wha died the wars amang, + Of those for whom the knell had rang, + Far frae their happy home! + + I thought of those on foreign shore, + Beneath the tempest's dreadful roar, + Wha sank frae waves to rise nae mo', + To hail their distant hame! + + I thought on the auld parent's smart, + Sorrowing his anely bairn to part, + Whase face nae mair shall cheer his heart, + Nor joy the parent's hame! + + I thought on the hapless maiden's woe, + Her true-love doom'd to see nae mo', + Her reason tint beneath the blow, + And desolate her hame! + + Then through this warld where e'er I stray, + In winter's gloam, or simmer's ray; + I'll sigh for a' wha far awa' + Like me regret their hame! + +Donald received applause upon the conclusion of his pathetic song; +who, in return, bowed low and respectfully to the company. Here the +minstrels tuned their pipes with a refreshing draught of Innishowen and +water, of which commixture the first ingredient was, doubtless, the +most predominant. + +It now came to Cormac's turn to strike his harp. When about to proceed +the duke observed: "I fear, old friend Cormac, that it now waxes late, +and we shall not have much time for any lengthened production, for you +are aware that when the great hall-clock shall strike the ninth hour +we proceed to supper. This rule at our castle is as peremptory and +inviolable as the ancient laws of the Medes and Persians; so remember, +good Cormac!" + +"Never fear, your Grace's honour, I shall not fail to obey you." + +Then turning to Lady Adelaide Bruce, he said: "I will sing the loves +of Sir Trystan and the beautiful Isoud! they were young and noble; +they were likewise comely too, lovely lady: but they were unfortunate +in their loves. Grant, O heaven, that such a fate may never betide the +Lady Adelaide or Sir David!" He then commenced-- + + +THE ROMAUNT + +OF SIR TRYSTAN AND LA BELLE ISOUD. + + Arouse thee, old Cormac! recite the fond tale + Of Isoud La Belle of renowned Innisfail,[3] + Beauty's bright paragon; of chivalry tell + Sir Trystan the valiant, and Isoud La Belle. + A daughter of Erin, of Aoengus proud king + No story more noble a minstrel might sing! + Let the pioba[4] and harp triumphantly tell + Of Trystan the valiant and Isoud La Belle! + Aloud to fair Christendom, in numbers proclaim, + With voice of the trumpet, the chosen of fame! + + Nor ever be _Arthur_ the noble forgot! + The prince and his friend, who _were_, and _are not_! + For long since, with valour and chivalry crown'd, + A tomb piled by heroes these heroes have found; + Not envy, malice, nor time, shall be able + To shadow a chief of Arthur's round table! + + O long shall the lily,[5] the ivy, and bay, + Frame a wreath round the hero, the pride of his day; + And now bursting forth from cearment and gloom, + Once more shall the victor arise from his tomb. + + He comes, the proud chieftain, to Cornwall's steep coast, + Sir Trystan the valiant, high chivalry's boast; + The friend of Prince Arthur descended in line + From heroes whose glory 'tis his to enshrine: + + Still nobly look up to their banner so proud, + The forfeit, dishonour, disgrace, and the shroud! + 'Aye, ever his honour Sir Trystan shall cherish, + When it shall be lost his wish is to perish! + And shrink mid the ignoble, worthless, and dead, + When the halo of glory shall wane on his head!' + + [Footnote 3: Innisfail is one of the ancient names of Ireland;--it + means the isle of fate or destiny. It was so called from possessing + an ancient stone chair, on which was sculptured in Gaelic, + + Or fate is false, or where this stone shall be + The Scots shall reign a powerful monarchy. + + It was afterwards removed to Scotland, and subsequently to England. + It is now placed under the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey.] + + [Footnote 4: Mala-pioba--the bagpipes. The late Mr. Cooper Walker + in his "Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards," in a note at + foot of page 81, speaking on the subject of the Irish bagpipes, + (which, by the way, are played upon by the finger, and not like + the Scotch pipes, which are played by the lips,) he makes the + following remark:--"I have been informed that George II. was so + much delighted with the performance of an Irish gentleman on the + bagpipes, that he ordered a medal to be struck for him."] + + [Footnote 5: Sir Trystrem was entitled to the lily, being a royal + son of France; he was designated Sir Trystrem of Lyons. He was + nephew to Mark, king of Cornwall. His name really was _Tristrem_, + but we suppose, for sake of euphony, old Cormac thought he was + privileged to change it.] + + + +Just at the conclusion of the above, to the horror, confusion, and +surprise of old Cormac, the German clock in the baronial hall chimed +musically forth the ninth hour. But it was no music to the ear of +Cormac, who in dumb despair somewhat sullenly laid down his harp, +knowing that remonstrance would not be heard, and that solicitation was +all in vain. But the duke was loud in his commendations, in which he +was duly echoed by his guests, and Cormac was assured that the company +should certainly be gratified upon the succeeding night, and at an +earlier hour, with the remainder of the Romaunt of Trystan and Isoud. + +The company now descended to the great supper-room, where a most superb +banquet was spread for the noble guests. The wassail-bowl was duly +and meetly placed in the centre of the table upon a magnificent gold +plateau. The bowl was decorated with artificial flowers, festoons of +"true-lover's knots," "rose-buds," "heart's-ease," "forget me not," and +the bow and arrow of Cupid were not omitted. + +"The spiced wassail-bowl,"[6] duly impregnated with love philtres, +was composed of Muscadel,[7] principally, in which, _inter alia_, +the following ingredients were mixed in this mystic beverage: namely, +angelica, adianthum, eggs, eringo, orchis, &c. The concoction was +made with great caution, measure, and propriety, according to the +_avoirdupois_ weight, as duly laid down in the family receipt book. +The bride and bridegroom, of course, were the first to quaff from this +charmed potion, and then those who chose to follow their example. + + [Footnote 6: "The spiced wassail-bowl."--See Fletcher's "Faithful + Shepherdess," act V. p. 108. Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, vol. + IV. The efficacy of love philtres was credited from the days of + Pliny even down to the seventeenth century! See Sir Walter Scott's + "Sir Tristrem," p. 298; and also Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. III. + p. 459.] + + [Footnote 7: Muscadel.--This species of wine was a common + ingredient in the wassail-bowls, which were peculiarly in favour at + Christmas.--_Note to "the Pilgrim," by Beaumont and Fletcher_, vol. + V. p. 429. Muscadel is likewise noticed in the same volume in the + play called "The Woman's Prize," p. 263. + + "Sweet gentleman with muscadel." + + Mr. Weber adds in a note, "This passage, perhaps, explains the + reason why wine was offered immediately after the marriage ceremony + to the bride and bridegroom generally before they left the church." + The following passage occurs in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew:" + + "After many ceremonies done, + He calls for _wine_. 'A health,' quoth he, as if + He had been abroad carousing to his mates + After a storm.---- Quaffed off the _muscadel_, + And threw the sops all in the sexton's face.] + +The song, the jest, and the cup, detained the company until the +eleventh hour, a time in that primitive period which was considered +late; when mutually pleasing and pleased, the noble guests arose to +separate; and all retired to their respective chambers to repose, +pleased and delighted with the hospitalities of this happy and most +memorable day. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + The bridegroom may forget the bride + Was made his wedded wife yestreen. + + BURNS. + + +It was on a serene autumnal morning succeeding the day of Lady +Adelaide's nuptials, the sun had brilliantly arisen, dispelling the +misty gloom and dews of night, and shed around his broad refracted +rays; unruffled by a passing cloud, a clear and lofty sky spread forth +its mighty canopy of mild aerial blue; the twittering swallows hovered +around, and circled in mid-air, while clustering, they chattered their +parting lullaby. The solitary redbreast too joined in nature's chorus, +and thrilled forth his matin song. Every mountain lake shone forth a +glassy mirror, and the waves of the mighty Atlantic hushed to repose, +slumbered amid their coral caves; what time the minister of the gospel +of peace, the Reverend Doctor M'Kenzie, returned to the castle of his +noble and generous patron, after a long protracted absence of many +years. + +His return had been provokingly delayed by long continued ill health, +and besides by various vexatious detainers, such as bad roads, bad +drivers, the cumbersome, ill-constructed vehicles of those days, +and having encountered various disastrous chances of many "moving +accidents" by sea and land, which had all concurred with direful +combination to retard his journey, and prevent his being present upon +the auspicious day when the lovely heiress of the noble duke was to +bestow her hand in marriage. + +His Reverence received a kind and hearty welcome from the duke and +duchess, and all the inmates of the castle were rejoiced to behold his +return, and to find that his health was quite re-established, so as to +have permitted him to undertake such a long and fatiguing journey. His +health and spirits were indeed much recruited through the beneficial +effects of the waters of Pyrmont, which, like those of fabled Lethe, +seemed to cause a total oblivion of all the perils inflicted amid the +deep, and the dangers and difficulties sustained upon land. + +Matters went on at the castle this day pretty much alike to what they +had upon the preceding ever memorable yesterday, which witnessed the +happy union of Sir David Bruce and the Lady Adelaide. A large company +assembled at the castle, and sat down to a splendid dinner in the great +hall of state. The desert could boast fruits collected from every +quarter of the globe, and every rich, rare, and generous wine, sparkled +on the board, and were poured forth in hospitable libations-- + + "The mellow-tinted Burgundy; and quick + As is the wit it gives, the brisk Champaign." + +In the evening there was a concert of instrumental music, which was +performed on the terrace; cards and supper succeeded; every thing was +conducted and served up in a style at once splendid and superb. + +The company had all departed to their homes, and the guests had +retired to their chambers; but the duke and duchess, and the bride +and bridegroom, still tarried, engaged in pleasant discourse; when +at length the noble host and hostess also took leave, and embracing +their beloved daughter, and cordially shaking Sir David by the hand, +they bade good night, and ascended to their chamber. The bridal pair +now also remained some few moments engaged in sweet converse, when he +said:--"My love, retire to your chamber, and soon I shall follow thee; +I have a letter or two to write, and despatch by the messenger, who at +dawn of day departs to deposit them in the general post. I have too a +few letters to read; these being despatched, quickly I shall retire +anon to our chamber. The night is a cold autumnal one, but I know that +I shall find a blazing fire--a heart still warmer than that fire, and +sweet smiles withal, to welcome me when I shall rejoin thee.--Go, go, +my love!" he said, and affectionately embraced her. + +He sat for some time reading and writing, for the papers were of +importance. He now arose from his chair, and was about to retire to his +happy chamber, when a loud and hollow knock was heard at the portal +gates; the watch dogs were aroused, and loudly and deeply barked. The +old porter cautiously and slowly opened the lattice peep-hole of the +gate to ask, who at this unseasonable hour of the night it was that +would fain demand admittance? The answer given was, that he was a +king's messenger bearing despatches of importance for Sir David Bruce, +and as the glimmering lamp was held forth, he showed the silver badge, +the insignia of his office. The wicket-gate was instantly unbarred, and +he was accordingly admitted. The messenger was shown into the servants' +hall, where supper and refreshments were immediately brought him; and +while he was regaling upon the hospitable cheer of the castle, a bed +was put in readiness for him. Sir David Bruce having seen that all was +as it should be, retired to his chamber. + +It was midnight, the fire in the bridal chamber brightly blazed, and +the wax-lights shot forth their brilliant beams. Sir David seated +himself on a chair beside the bed, and having gently drawn aside the +curtain, he affectionately embraced his bride, while he kindly said, +"My dear Adelaide, I always have been of opinion that no secret nor +mystery should ever exist between man and wife. I know, my love, that +your understanding ranks too high, your love for me is too great, +and your opinion of my character is too elevated ever to induce you, +in any shape or form, to pry into what I may not think necessary to +disclose. For indeed _you_ do not aspire to that _superior wisdom_ +which some of your sex rather somewhat too confidently and arrogantly +assume; the true term and appellation of which properly should be +called _not_ wisdom, but _superior curiosity_! But, my dear love, in +strictest verity I may say of thee, before our happy union, in foreign +realms, and in perilous tracts over land and ocean, that I have ever +witnessed thy equanimity of temper, and always have found thee one and +the same;--ever unchanged and unchangeable! and indeed I know no one +(not even your noble and highly gifted mother) who could, with more +propriety than yourself, assume the motto of the virgin queen-- + + 'Semper eadem!'" + +"Oh, my dear husband!" rejoined Adelaide, "although delighted ever +to hear _your_ praise, yet when you would overstep the due and meet +boundaries of discretion, and, forsooth, make of me an ideal goddess, +it is meet and due time, that stepping down from the lofty pedestal +whereon thou hast been graciously pleased to rear thy fond idol, +for me to intrude a word or two, if it were but to dispel the charm +which fascinates thee, recall thy wandering thoughts from paradise +to earth, and convince thee, at least, that I am but a mere mortal; +and, moreover, a woman to boot, with all a woman's faults--yea, too, +my love, with all a woman's fondness, and the love that no tongue can +utter; and thus I swear it upon thy beloved lips, my first, my only +love!" + +"Oh, my adorable Adelaide," he said, while he met the fond embrace, +"let this blessed moment be ever sacred in our recollection! dawning +with hope and promised joy on all our future days. Oh, my Adelaide, +imperishable let this happy, too happy hour remain, and ever marked +and stamped by a holy communion of heart and mind! Your taste shall +be mine, your liking shall be my liking, your joy be my joy, and your +sorrows (if ever they come) shall be all mine own!--thy disgrace would +become my disgrace, and mine would be attended with yours! But now I +only look upon the happy obverse of the medal, when I pause on your +beauty, your accomplishments, your virtue, and your religion! for +without the latter a woman is a monster, and man little less than a +demon. You must now permit me to say, that you are the theme of every +tongue, the charm of every eye, the idol of every heart, and the bright +ornament of every circle, that might fairly, at thy throne, + + 'Bid kings come bow to it!'" + +"Oh, my dear Bruce, you will turn my brain--no more of hyperbole!" + +"Nay, Adelaide, nay! can I think on all these, and yet not feel the +thrill of transport throbbing at my heart?--quite impossible!--it +could not be so, my love! Between us then let there ever exist a holy +communion of soul that shall support and bear us onward throughout the +trials of this stormy world, gilding the days of health and happiness, +and not deserting us when years increase, and health declines; for +even then the Hymenial torch shall brightly burn, although it may be +with a mild, yet steady light, and only expire upon the tomb! Believe +me the true and indissoluble bond of conjugal affection is no other +than an unreserved and reciprocal interchange of every thought, plan, +purpose, and design. Enduring, meanwhile, a contented participation +of fortune, whether it be prosperous or adverse; possessing only _one +will_, _one mind_, and _one heart_, thus harmoniously resembling a +finely performed air of music, where three voices melodiously melt +into one, and close in full and perfect diapason. Oh, my dear love, if +this conjugal--this perfect harmony, were, as it ought to be, always +preserved, what follies might not be avoided!--what heart-burnings +would ever exist!--what horrible vice might not be shunned!--and what +dread and horrid disgrace might not be prevented! When oft, my love, at +evening time retired in our tranquil solitude, I shall there retrace +the events and transactions of the day that has gone by, then, then, +shall I tell thee of aught perchance which I may have observed in thy +conduct or deportment to censure or to praise. Oh, with what delight +I shall dwell upon all that I approve, while with gentleness I pass +over what I may discommend. And the same sincerity, sweet love, I shall +expect from thee; thou shalt, as in a tablet, set down all my faults +and misdemeanors. It is thus that we shall best fulfil the holy compact +which we entered into yesterday--of abiding by each other in sickness, +sorrow, or in health, in adversity, or in prosperity! And now let me +seal this sacred bond by this warm pressure on thy lips. Thus, my +Adelaide, we ratify this deed of co-partnership!" + +He then added playfully, "Certes I ever have been of opinion that, +although corporeally speaking, man and wife are two bodies, yet am I +at the same time of opinion that they should have between them but one +mind. However, I am altogether not unreasonable withal, and therefore +feel not disinclined to allow them _the firm_ of TWO hearts; +but I ever must protest against dissolution of partnership!" + +Then sweetly smiling, he said, "Here, my love, I bear in my hand +despatches of high importance, and brought by a king's messenger; I +needs must cut their silken tressure ere I can peruse the contents +thereof; pray you therefore direct me, my dearest love, where I may +find your _etui_, or work-box, as I now stand in need of a penknife, or +your ladyship's shears, to cut the silky-gordian knot of this important +packet?" + +Adelaide replied, "Truly, my dearest love, I do not know where to +direct you, the events of yesterday have quite caused me to forget; +but open yonder cabinet of ebon, inlaid with ivory, which stands in +yonder recess, search it, perhaps there a penknife or shears may be +found." + +"_May_ find! Adelaide, nay now, thou art what truly I did not suspect +that thou wert, a most unthrifty housewife!" + +Sir David Bruce approached the cabinet; it contained many curious +and secret drawers; at length sprung forth one opened by a spring, +which unconsciously he had touched, when the drawer fell from the +cabinet, and lo! forth was flung from it, and, to his infinite horror +and surprise, he saw, and scarce could believe his eyes, a whinger! +[_i. e._ a Scottish knife or poniard, answering for both purposes,] +which trundled on the floor with a foreboding sound. The handle was of +silver, richly wrought; it bore the crest of Bruce, namely, a dexter +hand and arm cased in armour, wielding a royal sceptre, and supported +on a cap of maintenance; and beneath was engraved the motto of The +Bruce, FUIMUS! While, oh! horrible to tell, deeply were +imprinted "on the blade and dudgeon gouts of blood," and which seemed +to have been there "long before," rusted and corroded as they were by +time. Oh, when this was done it was + + "In human guilt a portent and an era! + 'Tis of those crimes whose eminent fame hell joys at; + And the celestial angels that look on it + Wish their keen airy vision dim and narrow!" + +Maddened with furious rage, he frantic raised the gory poniard from +the ground, and rushing with dreadful impetuosity to the bed-side, he +presented the fatal dagger at Adelaide's heart. + +"Oh strike--strike Sir David, and by _thy_ hand let me die! But indeed, +indeed, I am innocent!" + +"Thou, innocent!--hah, hah, hah!" with a violent hysteric expression he +repeated--"_Innocent!_--thou witch, fiend, sorceress, devil!---- _Thou_ +innocent!--no, no!--thou hast held unholy converse and communion with +the arch-fiend, and with all the demons of darkness and of hell! But +tell!--come, this instant tell! or on this spot--aye, thy bridal bed, +thou surely shalt die--this moment thou shalt die! Tell at once then, +how, where, and when, from whom didst thou receive?--No, no deceit, no +prevarication will be allowed nor tolerated. Tell, oh tell, thou devil, +although moulded in an angel's form! Tell, I conjure thee tell!" + +"Oh, spare--spare me, and I shall tell thee all!--each particular shalt +thou know. It---- It was upon the _Eve of All-Hallows_, some ten years +ago--I forget the year--when foolishly, with some young friends, upon +my birth-day, of which it was the fatal anniversary, I impiously dared +to tempt my fate, or try my fortune, by one of those mystic accursed +tricks that are too oft resorted to--" + +"Come, come, less words, lady, and more facts! I demand expedition, +for my impatience cannot brook delay; so come, continue thy accursed +tale----quickly proceed!" + +"Oh, terrible to recollect, and still more terrible to tell. It was +midnight! and, true to his compact, the phantom, whom I had charmed, +appeared in my chamber at the same time of night as now. I had caused +a collation to be served, consisting of viands, fruits, confections, +and wine; which were placed upon a table in the centre of the room; +a chair was placed near it, between the table and the fire; upon +another table was displayed the toilette, where were placed a silver +basin, napkin, and a golden ewer, which was filled with rose-water, +and bestrewed with flowers. The fire blazed brilliantly bright, and +wax-lights shed their lustre on the collation. Meanwhile, trembling +fearfully, I lay in my bed, with my back to the light; upon the +counterpane I had stationed a large mirror, (with a trembling hand and +a palpitating heart,) in order that I might behold distinctly reflected +on its polished surface the image of whatever object might place itself +at either of the tables, which, from the position in which I was +placed, I could not fail to see. Thus stationed, was heard a fearful +rumbling sound, as if issuing down the chamber chimney; then followed +a noise, loud and like to the electric shock of a thunderbolt, which +sounded as if it had burst through the chimney-flue, and from whence +was forcibly flung, with an astounding crash, upon the hearth-stone +of this very chamber, that same dread and fearful instrument which +you now uphold! Sad, sorrowful, and dreadful is the recollection. Yet +still I had the courage to look upon the mirror which I held, when I +instantly and fearfully saw reflected in it a cloud of blue flame, +which illuminated within its cloud of fire, exposed suddenly a tall +and manly chieftain, whose figure boldly emanating from the mist which +surrounded it, seemed clad in a Tartan plaid; his head was covered, or +crowned, with a Scottish bonnet, adorned with plumes, and surmounted by +the Scottish thistle, which sparkled in gold embroidery. The figure, +or spectre, or whatever that unsightly vision might be, held forth to +me his hands, which were bloody; he then sat down to the banquet; he +tasted, but eat not; sipped, but he did not drink: and then on the +sudden arose from his seat, slightly dipped his hands in rose-water, +and applied the napkin. This at the time did virtually all appear a +vision, dreadfully reflected within the glass which I held on my +couch. Yea, you look amazed! but I did see it all, and am too well +convinced it was _no vision_!--for still horribly, even now through the +lapse of years, I see it still! fresh in my memory, and never, never to +be forgotten! While thus, all terrified and petrified, I looked upon +the awful form, or spectre; frightfully and passionately it grinned +upon me a demon's smile, and said in deep sepulchral voice: + + With this red hand, thou Adelaide shalt wed, + And keep this trophy for our bridal bed! + +The phantom then, or whatever it was, fiercely took up the dagger, +and dashed it horribly against the mirror I held, which it shivered +into pieces. Then the bloody instrument fell upon the floor, and the +spectre vanished: while I fell into a dreadful trance, which lasted +for hours, and from which I grieve that ever I did waken to witness +this most wretched night! While the phantom vanished, the heavens +loudly thundered, and the vivid lightning illumed this fatal chamber. +Oh, the crash of the mirror I never can forget, nor the ominous fall +of the blood-stained dagger as it fearfully trundled upon the oaken +floor!--these two ominous circumstances too surely manifested that this +was _no dream_! Oh no, they pierced my heart to conviction! That dread +and awful moment of my life I never can forget!--only to be equalled, +and only to be outdone, by the agonies which now I so severely undergo +in this unhappy hour! Oh, Sir David, in pity at once kill me, and end +my sorrow and my suffering together!--you hold the bloody instrument, +oh then strike!--strike, there's my bosom!--I fear not to die--oh +kill me, I beseech thee!--in mercy, at once destroy me! But, oh, do +not--do not look thus again!--It was thus the awful spectre looked, +while thus the fire flashed from his visage!--Thus! it was _thus_ he +frowned! and like thee he spoke! Oh--oh, I never saw thee look thus +before!--never, never! _Ah!_ THOU!--_thou!_ THYSELF _wert_ THAT +_spectre_!!" + +"No, no, Adelaide, no! I looked not thus; it was the infernal fiend, +from the lowest depth of hell, that looked thus, and then assumed my +shape and form! At that moment I was on ship-board, Dr. M'Kenzie was +my fellow-voyager, who can vouch for the same; we had then left the +Scottish shore, and the destination of the vessel was for Ireland. +This weapon, which now I hold, I then flung into the hissing waves, +when unearthly voices and unearthly music met mine ear, and smote my +heart!--Oh, it was then that I suffered the deep-thrilling agonizing +horrors of the damned. The arch-fiend, I felt, was working in my bosom; +and strongly, desperately, was I tempted to fling myself into the +same remorseless element into which I had flung this blood-besprent +instrument--the damned testimony of my crime; and by so doing end +at once my earthly misery! But even then I lifted up my humble +supplication to heaven, although with crimsoned hands! I fell into a +trance, and lay to all appearance lifeless upon the deck.---- You seem +to doubt!" + +"Oh, yes, yes; I see it all!--that frown--that look! Oh, thou, thou, +wert that horrible spectre!" + +Having thus replied, poor Adelaide, with a piteous, heart-rending +scream, and to all appearance as if life had fled, sunk down, pale and +ghastly as a corse, upon her pillow. It was indeed some time before Sir +David could bring her to herself. When the hapless Adelaide recovered +from her faint, he said: "My reproaches now are at an end. For you now +are the object of my compassion and of my pity, not of my wrath. It is +however true, that although infernal agents have given you a husband, +yet know they have not the power to cause me to remain with you one +hour more!--There I am a free agent. No, no!--not Lucifer himself shall +detain me here!--no, nor all thy witchery! Within a short hour, or +less, I depart from hence, and never, never more to return; and I shall +be no more seen!" + +With a desperate grasp, then stooping, he seized and held up the +fatal dagger, the deadly record of his grief--the _saevi monumentum +doloris_--the bloody pledge of his crime--the avengeful instrument of +his rage, stamped with the crimsoned tears of unabated and unabatable +grief!... "Yet before I go, look, lady, upon that dagger!--whose +blood, think you, it is with which it is imbued?--You shall hear!... +That once was noble blood--it was valiant blood--the proudest blood of +Caledon--the blood of her royal race of kings! And, oh, wretch that +I am!--it was the blood of my brother--my only brother!--yea, and my +elder born! rashly, madly, wickedly shed by me!--yes!... Oh, still +gaze upon it--turn not thine eyes away. It was blood nearly, deeply, +none nearer, allied to me, and beloved. But, but this--all this was +forgot in the moment of delirium--of madness! It was the blood of my +elder brother--yea, an only brother!... Oh, Adelaide, look not thus +again!--my weary, sickening heart, condemns me enough---- enough. Well, +well, we lived in the same home, we partook of the same board, we slept +in the same bed.... Oh, oh my brain, how it maddens! and my heart would +fain burst!... Yet, yet, yet I slew him--in rage, madness, I did!--I +did, I did--monster that I am!... Lady, behold I weep!--Ah, I did +not weep when my poor brother died!--and when this I plunged into his +beloved breast!--No, no, no! But it is just, it is truly just, that +heaven's vengeance should make this base instrument of my crime, this +fratricidal dagger, the fatal cause which now separates me from all +happiness upon earth; and divorces me, body and soul, from thee--oh, +whom I loved better--yea, beyond life itself! But time advances, and I +must depart from hence--oh, and for ever! One parting look, and then +I am gone. Oh, thou precious mischief!--so young, so fascinating, so +beautiful! Oh, my very heart shall burst!... Yet, yet--oh, must it +be!--and must we part?... Lady, from hence I go, and shall be no more +seen; peradventure too no more be remembered. Well, well, let justice +have its vengeance and its victim too! Yes, yes, let it be so." + +Here, pallid as death, and woe-stricken, he gave one sad, one last, +agonizing look upon that face that he had so well beloved--the face +of one with whom to part were worse than death itself. Then sad and +sorrowful, in a dejected tone, he said:--"Oh, Adelaide, we have loved +as others yet have never loved; now heart-broken and sorrow-stricken I +here must bid a sad and solemn farewell. Yet, oh, must we part?--Yes, +we _must_ part--oh, and for _ever_! Never, never again in this wide +world to meet!--again, never! Oh, farewell--one sad, one sorrowful +farewell, and hence I go.... Farewell! forgive and forget, if thou +canst forget (to forgive were impossible) that such a wretched outcast +exists as David Bruce!" + +Here he sobbed like a child, while he slowly and silently withdrew, +gently closing after him the chamber door. But suddenly he returned, +and approaching the bed-side, he thus addressed Adelaide: "It were best +that the mournful tale which now I have disclosed to thee, as well too +as thine own, should be kept inviolably secret, and remain for ever +unknown. Divulge not then thine own criminal weakness; neither expose +the enormity of my guilt. Oh, how often and often have I wished, have I +longed for, aye, and have courted death;--yea often too have I keenly +sought him in flood and field. But in vain. It almost seemed as if I +had borne a charmed life. Often I + + "Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; + And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open + The breast of heaven, I did present myself + Even in the aim and very flash of it," + +in anxious hope that it might strike a guilty fratricide dead!---- Now, +now, you must say, and swear too, upon this blood-stained +poniard!--swear never--no, never! to reveal what this sad and eventful +night has developed; save it be upon your death-bed alone that you may +divulge it. Come, I demand thy oath; I must have thy solemn oath--thy +sanctified oath of secrecy! But I will not place that horrid instrument +to thy lips, to swear by! No, no! I could not do it--I would not. +Oh, no--if even past joys and hopes again were to return--no! But +there--there, place thy hand upon that horrible instrument of my deep +damnation! Swear upon it!--solemnly swear upon that blood-besprent +dagger. Swear!--I charge thee, swear!---- Oh, yet weep not, my poor +Adelaide! Oh, no!--weep not thus, my Adelaide, or I forego my purpose; +and soon, then, this dagger shall be plunged into mine own guilty +bosom!---- Thou hast heard me---- my love! Oh, yes, yes, my love; for +still, oh, still art thou dear to me--dearer than life--ay, or even the +blessed hopes of ******!--although we never may meet again!---- There, +I beseech thee! yet there place thy hand upon that instrument +of my torture--of my unspeakable woe--and of my deep and deadly +crime.--Swear! + +Adelaide firmly clasped the fatal instrument, and then exclaimed: "I +swear, I solemnly swear, to observe to the very letter all thou hast +now enjoined!" + +"Oh," replied he, dejected and overcome, "how cold, how deadly cold, +is thy hand, my poor, poor Adelaide!--frozen as are all my hopes, +and chilled, chilled--deadly chilled as is my own wretched heart's +blood. Oh, I shall lose my reason! Oh God, what an hour is this? But +pardon me, thou Almighty power. It was I, the impassioned wretch, +that flew forth in thy defiance, like another branded criminal--the +blood-besprinkled Cain, whose mark, I fear, is stamped upon my forehead +and in my heart. But, oh, great and dread Omnipotent, thou art truly +just--and I am guilty. Most justly do I confess that I am punished +as I ought to be, by thy retributive justice, even upon earth--the +irreparable loss of her whom no earthly power upon this habitable spot +of earth can ever alleviate or redeem!--never, never, never!" + +While Sir David Bruce impassionately and woefully said this, he fell +prostrate, and cold, and lifeless, upon the floor of the bridal chamber. + +To describe the emotions of Adelaide, would be to attempt indeed an +impracticable task. It was so truly horrifying and affecting, that it +must wholly be left to the imagination of the feeling reader. It was +some time before Sir David recovered from this overpowering blow of +affliction. When he did recover, he said mournfully:-- + +"Sorrow has paralyzed me; and I who often have cleft in twain the +helmet of the foeman, now shrink and bend before thee, my much-injured +love. A guilty conscience hath unmanned me quite. But oh, my poor +Adelaide, time presses onward; the night wears apace, and I must now +conclude the few words which I have to say to thee. You must tell the +duke and duchess--boldly, as it is true, to account for the rapidity +of my departure--that the import of the despatches received, which are +from the Elector Palatine of Brandenburgh, in whose service I fought +at the battle of the Boyne, bear with them life or death, and I must +instantly depart. Thus summoned so suddenly, say to them, and kindly +say, that I could not await their arising for the slow ceremony of +leave-taking, but that I was forced to hasten forthwith, even amidst +the cold and darkness of midnight, with all the expedition I might. +And ... when hence I am gone, and thou shalt silently sit in judgment +on my passion, and upon my crime, and shalt pronounce condemnation on +the destroyer of a brother's life, and of a wife's happiness--oh, even +then still think how fervently, how affectionately, how devotedly, I +loved thee;--yea, and in _my very heart's core_!... And now a long +farewell--for ever farewell. Mayst thou obtain that peace that is to me +denied and lost in this world for ever!" + +Having thus said, sad, sorrowful, and slow, he descended from the +bridal chamber, the tears streaming adown his manly cheeks. Meantime +he had lighted a lamp which lay in the recess, and bearing it in his +hand, with cautious and silent step, he descended the staircase; and +having gone out at the postern, he proceeded to the stables, where, +having called up his faithful servant, he ordered his horses instantly +to be saddled, and in less than half an hour all was in readiness for +his departure,--servant, horses, travelling valise, &c. &c. And now +Sir David, and his faithful servant Malcolm, who had attended him +at the battle of the Boyne, proceeded beneath the embattled portal +of Tyrconnel Castle, never again to return. The solitary bittern +mournfully boomed as they rode along the lonely marsh, and the +startled eagle from his lofty eirie-crag loudly shrieked, awakened by +the tramp of the horse-hoofs, which were deeply re-echoed through this +stilly solitude, in the dark and dismal hour of midnight. + +Oh, what pen can write, what tongue can tell, what heart can feel, save +the heart which deeply hath felt it, how bitter are the pangs of a +wounded spirit, when love becomes horribly transformed into rancorous +and deadly hate! Oh, happy it were then that "the silver cord were +loosened, and the golden bowl were broken," what time the sweet bond of +harmony snapt suddenly in twain, dissevered by a rude and discordant +crash, when two fond, faithful, and affectionate hearts, are changed +in one short, sad, and eventful moment--becoming, alas, fatally and +irrevocably estranged and separated for ever. + + "Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure, + Thrill the deepest notes of woe!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + And tell me, I charge you---- + Why fold ye your mantles, why cloud ye your brows? + So spake the stern chieftain.--No answer is made; + But each mantle unfolding, a dagger display'd. + + CAMPBELL. + + +We must now go still further back into our history, and give some +account of Sir David Bruce, and the unhappy causes that led to so +unexpected and so speedy a termination of a connexion honourable and +enviable in every respect, and indeed every way deserving of happier +results. + +In the parish of Kirkoswald, in Ayrshire, is situated the ancient and +the celebrated castle of Turnberry, stationed upon the north-west point +of a rocky angle of the coast, extending towards Girvan. This castle +belonged to Sir Robert Bruce, Laird of Annandale. The situation of the +castle of Turnberry is extremely delightful, commanding a full view +of the Frith of Clyde, and its indented shores. Upon the land side it +overlooks a richly extended plain, bounded by distant hills, which rise +around in gradual and beautiful undulations, and adorned to their very +summits with woods of mountain-ash, oak, and the most graceful of all +trees, in glen, plain, valley, or mountain, the weeping birch. + +The lord of this castle--we should say "the laird"--was Sir Robert +Bruce, and with him resided his twin-brother, Sir David Bruce, the +hero of this eventful tale. This castle had belonged in the olden time +to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died nobly fighting, as a true and +valiant Red-Cross Knight, in the Holy Land; who left an only daughter, +named Martha Countess of Carrick. This noble lady having accidentally +met Robert Bruce, (the ancestor of our hero,) Laird of Annandale in +Scotland, and Baron Cleveland in England, while he was occupied in a +hunting party near her castle, his manners, deportment, and person, +pleased the countess; she invited him to the castle of Turnberry, and +they were speedily married. + +From this illustrious marriage sprung the kings of Scotland of the +royal race of Stuart;--and hence the successors of Bruce, until they +ascended the throne of Scotland, were styled _Earls of Carrick_; +and this title still appertains to the heir apparent to the throne +of England, one of the titles of the Prince of Wales being "Earl of +Carrick and Lord of the Isles." + +Robert was the ancestor of David, who married a lady of the noble +house of Moray. Sir David Bruce, Laird of Annandale, died when young, +leaving two sons, Robert and David, (the latter the subject of these +memoirs,) and appointing, by his last will and testament, his lady and +the Reverend George Wardlaw, D. D., as guardians to his sons. His death +was soon followed by that of his lady. And the young men, now grown up, +having received a due preparatory education from the Reverend Doctor, +whilom fellow of St. Andrew's College, were there shortly matriculated +as students. But Robert soon got tired of his Reverend tutor and the +grave and ponderous tomes of Saint Andrew's, which were soon exchanged +for the academy of nature, the wooded banks of the Doon, and the rocky, +romantic shores of Ayrshire. + +David, on the contrary, pursued his academic studies with much +perseverance, and with very considerable credit, calling forth the +approbation and praise of his Reverend tutor and the heads of that +learned seminary. + +While in the university he formed an intimacy with Thomas Lord Maxwell, +which was soon cemented into friendship. They were chums; their +studies, pursuits, and tastes coincided, and they were inseparable +companions. + +Upon one occasion Lord Maxwell saved the life of Sir David Bruce. They +were one day, during college vacation, amusing themselves in fishing +for pike and perch in a small row-boat on the Loch of Lindores; when +suddenly a squall of wind coming on, the boat overset. Bruce, not +knowing how to swim, would certainly have been drowned; but Lord +Maxwell said: "Be calm, and I will save you;--be firm, and fear +not!--Closely lock your arms around my waist; but do not by any means +impede my exertions, and trust me I shall bring you safe to shore." + +Lord Maxwell faithfully fulfilled his promise, by conducting his friend +with the utmost safety to land, which they at length providentially +reached, both much wearied and exhausted, having had a considerable +distance to swim. + +This adventure still further increased that mutual regard and +friendship which had long existed between them. Danger, like death, is +a leveller of all distinctions; it places those mutually encountering +it on an equality, and forms a bond of union not easy to be broken. It +can then be well imagined how much this event tended to strengthen and +confirm a friendship that was not of hasty growth. + +The terms necessary to be kept at the university having now expired. +Lord Maxwell and Sir David Bruce took their departure from it, with the +regard and regret of all who knew them;--the former returning to his +ancient and magnificent castle of Caerlaverock,[8] in Dumfrieshire; +when Sir David Bruce retired to his brother's residence at Turnberry +Castle, in Ayrshire. + + [Footnote 8: This castle and its fortifications were demolished + by Sir Eustace Maxwell, (the steady, warm-hearted friend of King + Robert Bruce,) lest it should fall into the hands of the enemy: + and for which generous action lands were given to him, the tenure + by which he held them being thus noticed:--"_Pro fractione et + prostratione castri de Caerlaverock_," &c. &c.] + +David was truly glad to meet his brother after so long an absence, +and Robert kindly received him. Here the brothers passed their time +in rural sports and pastimes, enjoying the sun and summer months in +admiring the views of nature; never within the castle during the +day-time, often wandering even at night in the open air, among the +mountains and the woods. The winter they spent in the chase, while the +sun was up;[9] or in practising the broad sword, at which David was +particularly expert. For + + "The sword that seem'd fit for archangel to wield, + Was light in his terrible hand." + + [Footnote 9: Dalrymple's Memoirs.] + +In archery, and in wielding the Lochabor axe, they were both equally +skilled. Their evenings they passed in assembling, with their +surrounding neighbours, around the social fire in the great baronial +hall, or entertaining themselves with the song, the tale, and the dance. + +To the pleasures arising from the perusal of history and poetry, David +united a fine taste for music; and to these were added an ardent love +of classical learning, and an enthusiastic admiration of the scenery of +nature. Every day witnessed him to wander abroad and gaze with rapture +on the expanded lake, the lofty mountain, the frowning rock, and the +thundering cataract. These extended and elevated his strong mind, on +which was stamped the impress and originality of thought, an unshaken +independence of mind, emanating from Nature herself.--Refinement in +sentiment was contrasted to strength and hardiness of body. His manners +were polite and endearing, as his deportment was simple and unassuming: + + "He bloom'd the pride of Caledonia's youth, + In virtue, valour, and external grace." + +He was warm and cordial in his affections; he was modest as he was +brave. His character was that of much decision--a proud, independent, +and a lofty spirit. He could forgive injuries against himself; and he +could do more--he could also forget them. + +But the character of Robert was stamped in a different mould. He +was enterprising, artful, bold, boisterous, treacherous, cruel, +unforgiving, and suspicious withal: possessing too a strong portion in +his disposition of that + + "Pale envy, which withers at another's joy, + And hates the excellence which it cannot reach," + +Robert looked with a jealous and a jaundiced eye on the superior +accomplishments and attainments of his brother; and he heard with +strong, unmixed, and undisguised hatred and disgust, all the praises +that were daily lavished on the worth, generosity, and humanity of +David, whom Robert considered in every respect as his inferior. Hence +arose daily reproaches between the brothers, which necessarily and +inevitably went to dissolve that unity in which brethren ever should +delight to dwell. + +There were at this time two rival and hostile clans in their vicinity, +the Maxwells of Nithisdale, and the Johnstones of Annandale. The chief +of the former clan was Lord Maxwell, the college chum and friend of Sir +David Bruce; and the chief of the Johnstones was Sir Eustace Johnstone, +the friend of Sir Robert. This opposition of clanship, and the brothers +espousing different sides, added still further to increase the growing +ill-will which now existed between the twin brothers. + +It will now be necessary to revert to the original feud between the +Maxwells and the Johnstones,[10] or, as it was emphatically called, +"The foul debate," one indeed of the most remarkable feuds upon the +western marches. This feud occurred between John Lord Maxwell, the +father of the friend of Sir David Bruce (John Lord Maxwell), and the +Laird of Johnstone. Two bands of mercenaries, commanded by Captains +Cranstoun and Larie, were sent from Edinburgh to support Johnstone, who +were attacked and cut to pieces at Crawford-muir, by Robert Maxwell, +natural brother to the chieftain, who following up his advantages, +burned Johnstone's castle of Lockwood. The Johnstones soon appearing +with only forty horsemen, engaged double that number of the enemy, put +them to flight, and pursuing a certain length, and through deep design +then as suddenly retreated. They were soon followed by the whole body +of the enemy, with Lord Maxwell at their head, until they came to +the Torwood, on the south-east side of the Dryfe Sands, from whence +instantly four hundred of the Annandale men sprung up, flew upon the +surprised enemy, and after a short but bloody struggle, put them into +confusion; and being joined by a few Scots from Eskdale, under the +Laird of Buccleugh, completed their victory, killing upwards of seven +hundred of the Nithsdale men. The Annandale men being now reinforced, +routed their enemy; the Maxwells drove them to the Gotterbury Ford of +the river Annan, where many were drowned. + + [Footnote 10: _Vide_ "Minstrelsy of the Scottish + border."--"Beauties of Scotland."] + +Lockwood Castle, the residence of the family of Annandale, was very +beautifully situated, and commanded a very extensive prospect. It must +have been a place of great strength, having had prodigiously thick +walls, and being surrounded with impassable bogs and morasses. It was +this circumstance that made James the sixth to say, that "The man who +built Lockwood, though outwardly honest, must have been a knave in his +heart." + +"This fatal battle," which we have now detailed, "was followed by a +long feud, attended with all the circumstances of horror proper to a +barbarous age."[11] + + [Footnote 11: "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border," vol. I. p. 218.] + +One day David having returned from an excursion on horseback, he said +to his brother, who had declined riding out with him, "The weather has +proved very favourable, though the morning lowered." + +"Have you rode far?" inquired Robert. + +"I have been with old Davie Maxwell, not farther." + +"Ay," rejoined Robert, "but far enough, I dare swear, to relieve the +needy carl's wants." + +"I did so, certainly," said David--"what then?" + +"And more the fool you for doing so," remonstrated Robert. "Now," added +he, "there is not a man in Scotland, from Skye to Solway Firth, that +would have done so but yourself!" + +"And that," rejoined David, "was the very reason that I did it!" + +"A kindness conferred on one of a hostile clan, was held as an +offence, if not an affront to the chieftain: + + ----"What tie so sacred + As those that to his name and kindred vassals + The noble chieftain bind?"[12] + + [Footnote 12: Joanna Baillie's "_Family Legend_."] + +"An injury done to one of a clan was always considered an injury +done to all, on account of the common relation of blood.--Hence the +Highlanders were in the habitual practice of war: and hence their +attachment to their chieftain and to each other was founded upon two of +the most active principles of human nature, love of their friends, and +resentment against their enemies."[13] + + [Footnote 13: Dalrymple's Memoirs.] + +They went always completely armed.--Their arms were a broad sword, a +dagger (called a dirk), a target, a musket, and a brace of pistols. +It was a principle deeply imbibed by them, to die with pleasure to +revenge affronts offered to their clan or to their country. + +To put an end to this terrible feud, a bond of alliance was subscribed +by Lord Maxwell and Sir Eustace Johnstone, and the two clans for some +time lived together in harmony. + +To celebrate this reconciliation between the late hostile clans, Sir +Robert Bruce determined upon giving a splendid banquet, to which +were invited Lord Maxwell and his clan of Nithsdale, and Sir Eustace +Johnstone and the clan of Annandale. The day of the grand fete arrived; +it was the thirty-first of October, 1600 and---- (a memorable day). +The choicest wines and the richest foreign fruits crowned the festive +board; the forest, the muir, the lake, and the sea, yielded their +treasures of flesh, fowl, and fish, to furnish forth the lordly +banquet. An immense fire blazed forth to warm the baronial hall, and +the fine gothic chandelier, which hung from the oaken and richly-carved +ceiling, threw an imposing light around. + +In this highly decorated hall the walls were covered with gorgeous +tapestry from the splendidly brilliant looms of Arras, and which +presented to the delighted eye various patriotic stories from Scottish +as well as from Roman history. Here the feats of Wallace, there the +victories of the Bruce; here were seen Marcus Curtius plunging with +his charger into the yawning gulf, who nobly devoted his life for his +country! Next frowned Brutus on the banished Tarquins; and next were +portrayed the glorious achievements of the Decii and Fabii. + +The guests in due order arrived; and good-humour and hilarity shed +their social charms. The harp and the bagpipe were alternately played +during dinner. The cloth being removed, the song and the tale passed +round. One of the Annandale clan sung the following song:-- + + +THE LASS OF YARROW. + + O! the lovely lass of Yarrow, + Nane is like the lass of Yarrow; + The sedge grows green by Gala's stream; + Her name I'll carve upon the willow. + + I've roam'd the sunny braes of Ayr, + Hae ranged the bonnie banks of Doon; + Beheld the winsome lassies there, + In vernal morn and simmer's noon. + But the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c. + + I've sail'd on Katrine's leesome lake, + Hae climb'd the lofty Lomond's brow; + Fair nymphs hae seen o' heav'nly make-- + So sweet a form yet ne'er till now, + Like the lovely lass of Yarrow, &c. &c. + +This song was well received. The goblet having opened their hearts, +prevented them from being too fastidious in their criticism. A song was +now loudly called for from the Nithsdale clan, when auld Davie Maxwell, +with much feeling sung the following: + + +I WINNA TELL, HER HEART 'TWAD BREAK. + + I winna tell my Jeanie dear + Our bairn's to battle gane; + Her heart wad break, unshed a tear, + For him, our anely wean. + + I mauna tell--I dare nae speak + The direful words accurst; + The tale my Jeanie's heart wad break, + And then my ane wad burst! + + I'll say that to the Hielands flane, + Or to the village fair, + Our manly, darling bairn's gane; + But nae ane ward o' war! + + Or thae amid the birken shaw, + Or in the Rowan-Bower, + Or wand'ring o'er the heathry haugh, + To while awa the hour. + + But ah! nae mair I'll Jeanie tell, + Nor word of battle speak, + Nor at Kil'kranky's pass he fell, + For then her heart wad break! + +This pathetic little production produced much applause. And now +stoups of claret circled round the table, certainly in an increased +ratio of rapidity. Nor was the native Fairntosh neglected; for some, +who complained that claret was too cold for a Caledonian stomach, +accordingly fortified the same with some simple potations of their +native spirit. + +The wish of the company now seemed to be for a song that partook of +a martial nature; and the following was sung by one of the clan of +Johnstone:-- + + +WAR SONG. + + Health to the chieftain on hill or in hall, + Whose front no foeman could ever appal! + The first and foremost his foes to attack, + His face they all know--they ne'er saw his back! + The targe his pillow, his couch the heather, + Defying claymore, dirk, and the weather. + Down with all foemen!--What clanship shall sever + Our bond of alliance? Never--oh, never! + Never--oh, never! + +This song was loudly applauded by a grand chorus, which was performed +by the company striking the handles of their daggers on the finely +carved table, on which were emblazoned the arms and achievements of the +house of Bruce; and the song was loudly encored. + +The clan of Maxwell now in their turn were called upon for a martial +song, when one of the officers sung, in a measure _presto et +furioso_:-- + + +LORD MAXWELL'S SLOGAN. + +I. + + I have deepen'd my phalanx, and call'd forth my clan; + They are true unto death, from the rear to the van! + Their broad targes are tough, and their claymores are sharp, + Shrill symphony meet for the wild war-pipe and harp; + Their firm hands they hold ready; their bold hearts beat strong; + Their dirks are stout steel-proof, and their pole-axes long. + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + For their prowess was proved by banner and claymore. + Huzza, huzza! + +II. + + To encounter for kindred, our clan, and our name, + To a Lowlander these are far dearer than fame; + To avenge the bold insult, dare glance at our clan, + And die for our country, is to die like a man! + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + We'll die as we ought, by our banner and claymore! + Huzza, huzza! + +III. + + Huzza!--how we'll shriek on the day of the battle, + In collision broad-sword and bay'net shall rattle, + Our fierce foemen astound in the terrible charge, + While death boldly strikes home thro' tartan and targe. + Then up with the Maxwells! not valour need say more; + We'll conquer, or die by our banner and claymore! + Huzza, huzza! + +This slogan was chorussed by several hundreds of dirks, which, now +unscabbarded, were loudly thundered on the hospitable board, and which +glittered ominously in the reflected light of the blazing chandelier. + +The men of Annandale now started up; when claymore, dirk, and whinger, +flew forth from their scabbards. The men of Nithsdale rose too at the +same instant, and all was uproar, madness, riot, and inebriation; and +the fierce and implacable hatred of the two clans, which, not extinct, +had secretly lurked in their veins, now blazed forth with increased +fury. It seemed as if fate had pronounced, + + "Let the loud trumpet far and near proclaim + Our bloody feast, and at the rousing sound + Let every clansman of the hated name + His vengeful weapon clench." + +Malcolm, a faithful and affectionate follower and foster-brother of Sir +David Bruce, foreseeing that the fete would end in a renewal of the old +feud, took his own measures accordingly for his master's safety, and +lost no time in pre-arranging his plans, and these he put in train, +while all was noise and uproar at the banquet. He saw not unobserved +how rapidly stoup of claret succeeded stoup, without any _interregnum_, +and glasses of Fairntosh were dashed down in never-ending repetition. +The war songs seemed too surely to strike the key of discord; passion +begun to explode; word brought on word, and blow brought on blow. Then +rung claymore upon iron breastplate, and upon leathern target. The +scream of maddened wrath mingled with the groan of death. + +The combatants next deeply closed their ranks. Broad-swords were +trundled down upon the floor; and dirk and whinger madly shook, and +thrust home the murderous stab from vengeful hands, prompt to execute +bloody retaliation at this fatal banquet. + +Whether from premeditated, dark, and long-purposed design, or whether +in the impulse of sudden and infuriated passion, or merely arising +from the confusion and collision of crossing weapons and tumultuous +struggles, it is impossible to decide;--but the fatal result of the +bloody affray was; that Sir Robert Bruce stabbed Lord Maxwell, who, it +will be recollected, had saved the life of his brother David. + +Upon this attempt, and before it could be executed, David endeavoured +to save his friend, but in vain; his brother Robert exclaiming with a +furious air and voice, "What! dare my dependants beard me in my own +hall!" + +Lord Maxwell now fell lifeless on the ground. David, as he beheld the +preserver of his life perish by the hand of his brother, in a paroxysm +of rage and infuriated madness, drew forth his dirk, and rushed +forward. The other combatants, horror-struck at the direful conflict +that arose between the twin brothers, suspended their own to interpose. +But this interposition served only to aggravate the violence it was +intended to suppress. The brothers now struggled less because they +were incensed than because they were withheld; and when they furiously +burst from the arms that held them, rushed against each other with a +blind and staggering shock. The impulse was unintentional, but the +result was fatal. The weapon of David, held in an unconscious hand, +pierced him to whom he was opposed. He saw not whom it was--he drew his +weapon back--it was reeking with a brother's blood![14] + + [Footnote 14: This bloody deed, it must be confessed, was a + dereliction and violation of all the strict laws of hospitality, + which were so duly enforced in Scotland--which forbad a host to + murder his guest. But we have detailed the savage character of Sir + Robert Bruce, the hostility of the two clans, and the barbarism of + the times; and have only to say, that "_Exceptio probat regulam_."] + +Here Malcolm caught the eye and seized the arm of Bruce. No time was +to be lost. The general confusion aided the attempt.--Seizing with +a Goliath grasp upon Bruce's arm, he dragged him on, while David's +retainers rushed between their chieftain and immediate death, the +punishment of his involuntary fratricide. Malcolm next suddenly raised +up the arras, which with as much haste and promptitude he let fall +behind him and Bruce. Next pushing open a small narrow door, which was +secreted behind the tapestry, they swiftly passed through it, which was +on the instant closed by Malcolm, who quickly flung home its massive +bolts and bars at the inner side, which necessarily fully prevented all +attack or pursuit. They were now safe from their enemies so far, at +least. The bugle-horn they heard rung lustily from the warder's tower; +distinctly, too, they heard the rattling chain of the draw-bridge, +as it was hastily raised to prevent the flight of David. The cavalry +were now ordered to horse, and to pursue;--the hackbutteers mounted +the battlements, and peeped from the embrasures; while bugle, bagpipe, +drum, and trumpet, sounded pursuit. The commingled and discordant +sounds were heard floating over tower, parapet, and battlement, and +were deeply re-echoed by rock, islet, and promontory, and hoarsely +answered by the storm-beat wave tiding to the shore. + +Meanwhile the faithful Malcolm led on Bruce through several intricate +winding passages, until they reached a sallyport which opened on the +margin of the sea, where they were for the present removed from the +scene of danger. The mode by which they had escaped was quite unknown +to their enemies; and now they paused to inhale the breeze of heaven, +and cool their wearied brows from the fatigue and horrors which they +had encountered. + +Here Bruce said:--"Thanks, my dear and faithful follower, my honest +Malcolm, for thy brave and powerful arm, and wondrous foresight. We are +now safe from mortal men and mortal measures, at least for the moment." + +Then he mournfully mused to himself:--"But what arm has the nerve +that might, that may shield me from myself? What potent anodyne can +tranquilize a guilty conscience? What untold charm can lull a mind +ill at ease, and abhorring and abjuring itself?--Yes, yes! there is, +there is an omnipotent and a redeeming power!--there is an atoning +spirit, that can pardon, pity, and absolve the guilty, when the heart +shall truly repent: and although my crime be dyed and encrimsoned deep +in guilt, I yet may obtain mercy!--a truly penitent and contrite soul +may yet blanch this deed pure and spotless as the untrodden snow which +crests the lofty mountain-peak. This is consolatory. But hour, and day, +and year still succeeding year, must pass over in sad and sorrowful +contrition, before this foul and atrocious guilt, the result of one +depraved moment of furious passion, can be washed away and effaced from +the calendar of dark human crime, and deep ingratitude to high heaven!" + +Here a dreadful storm of hail coming on, the weary fugitives gladly +entered a spacious cavern which propitiously and opportunely opened +wide "its ponderous jaws" to receive them; and which timely afforded +them a respite from the storm, and a refuge from pursuit. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Inter utramque viam, lethi discrimine parvo, + Ni teneant cursus. + + VIRGIL, _AEneid III_. + + Saepe dolis, interit ista: Time! + + C. WEIGELIUS, NORIMBERGAE. + + +The fugitives had now proceeded upon a long and wearisome journey after +their departure from the cavern, which had so opportunely afforded +them shelter and protection. Lonely, depressed, and overpowered by +overwhelming grief, self-accusation, and great bodily exertion, +solitary stood the noble, but unhappy Bruce, on the desolate shores +of his native land; while close stationed by him stood his brave and +faithful preserver, his sturdy and affectionate foster-brother, the +intrepid, the honest, the disinterested Malcolm. + +It was night,--an autumnal storm loudly raged, the clouds darkly were +drifted onward with increased rapidity through a perturbed sky; the +roaring waves of a tumultuous sea mounted upwards in alpine altitude +and curvature, as they dashed and foamed along; whose mournful, sullen +scream, responded not to mortal voice, although the sad measure seemed +to partake both of sorrow and of woe; if indeed that human suffering +and mortal woe could be supposed as associated with that treacherous +and tempestuous element. + +In the distance distinctly were heard the report of various musket +shots, discharged by the hackbutteers,[15] but at intervals only they +were heard. Whether these explosions were intended as a military +tribute of a faithful clan over the body of a fallen chieftain, or +whether they were intended as an excitement to pursuit, (probably the +latter,) could not with any positive certainty be ascertained. However, +the continued clangor of pursuing cavalry, and the loud, incessant +tramping of foot soldiers, who had proceeded with precipitance over +crags and rocks, and still unwearied in their pursuit, were audibly +heard to approach. It was too evident that all this loud uproar and +wild halloo which had prevailed, arose from the violent voice and shout +of those who pertinaciously pursued, and who were still pressing upon +the flight of the unhappy fugitive. + + [Footnote 15: Harquebuss, in the ancient statutes, is called also + Arquebuse, Haquebut, or Hagbut; it is a _hand-gun_, or a fire-arm + of a proper length to be borne in the arm. The word is formed of + the French _arquebuse_, and that from the Italian, _arcobusio_, or + _arco abuso_, of _arco_ a bow, and _busio_, a hole; on account of + the touch-hole in which the powder is put to prime it; and it is + likewise so called because it succeeded the bows of the ancients. + + The _harquebuss_ is properly a fire-arm, of the ordinary length + of a musket or fowling-piece, cocked usually with a wheel. Its + length is forty calibers; and the weight of its ball one ounce + seven-eighths; its charge of powder as much. + + There is also a larger kind, called _harquebuss a croc_, used in + war for the defence of places. The first time these instruments + were seen was in the imperial army of Bourbon, when Bonnivet was + driven out of the state of Milan. They are heavy and cumbersome.] + + +However, in another direction came on, yet with silent, cautious tread, +several faithful adherents, armed with dirk, targe, and claymore, who +advanced to the beach, not as blood-hounds to pursue, but as friends +to assist; not basely to track the steps of the noble fugitive, but +with might and with main to protect him, and cover his flight. This +faithful, small, but boldly determined clan, bore lanterns to assist +the projects which they had planned, which dimly flung a flickering +reddish light around. + +This gallant band came on fully resolved to save their chieftain--to +rescue him from surrounding perils, or to die! Sir David looked wildly +and inquisitively at them; but by no interrogatory he dared to break +the more than mortal silence which seemed to seal their lips. No, he +shrunk back in despair, fearing to question them; he too justly dreaded +_that to be_, which he would have forfeited his own life _not to have +been_! Dread despair palsied his voice, and held him back from what he +fain would ask--"Was his brother among the dead or the living?" The +dreadful response that might be returned, made him forego his purpose. +He could not--would not--dared not to inquire; it was not to be +attempted; and his brain seemed maddened when he thought thereon. His +heart was chilled, and his blood slowly pulsated; his lip quivered, and +his tongue was silent. However with a silent, but inquisitive gaze and +gesture, he sought that fearful information which he dared not--could +not ask; these, however, were appeals that could be neither mistaken +nor misunderstood. He sought the fearful answer from the plaided clan, +whose tall and commanding figures, although dimly and indistinctly seen +beneath the pale moon-beams of a stormy sky, and whatever illumination +their lanterns afforded, yet observed the earnest appeal: and he is +answered as he sought it, in awful silence and impressive dumb show, +each of the clan slowly folding around him his plaid, and then one +and all in the same moment joining in united action of a mournful +and impressive motion of the head. When all rapidly dashing aside +their plaids, with fierce and impressive energy they point their +out-stretched hands to the foaming waves, intimating thereby that there +alone safety was to be found. + +Now near, and still more near, too audibly are heard the renewed sounds +of advancing foes; the breeze wafting on the appalling and yelling +shouts of pursuit; and next followed the loud and deafening tramps +of the pursuers. No time--not a moment--was to be lost---- death or +immediate flight was the alternative!--Some bold, decisive act, was now +to be dared, and on the instant done! + +The stormy clouds, which in rapid succession hitherto had thrown their +dark floating shadows over the disk of an autumnal moon, at this +instant favourably dispersed, and the "pale queen of night" burst forth +in pearly radiance, glancing her friendly beams upon a fishing bark +which lay at anchor beneath an indented shelve of rocks, close by to +where the fugitives stood; and at no remote distance a small cottage +stood close to the beach, to the owner of which, in all probability, +the boat belonged. This seemed most likely to be the fact, from their +observation of the fishing-nets, gear, and tackle, all elucidatory of +a fisherman's pursuits, which lay outspread upon the shore, clearly +designating the uncertain and perilous occupation of the lonely +proprietor of this humble dwelling. Upon this discovery the vassals +proposed to their chieftain to knock at the door of the cottage, and +awake the fisherman. But to this suggestion the generous Bruce would +not hearken; he would not endanger the life of a poor and innocent man, +probably the sole supporter of his family, in the dread and desperate +fortunes of a fugitive--and alas, more than too probably a fratricide! + +Thus having impetuously and decisively spoken, David Bruce having flung +his purse into a broken aperture of the lattice window, sprung manfully +into the fishing bark, and the faithful Malcolm instantly sprang in +after his master. Next with fatal, feudal attachment, the vassals +advanced, and crowded into the boat, regardless of all remonstrance +and reproof, and seemingly insensible of the peril occasioned by thus +overloading the fishing skiff. + +The storm had for the present abated; which cessation, however, was +but of temporary duration. The pursuers meanwhile advanced, with +loud and appalling screams, and formed their ranks in martial array +upon the beach, the war-pipes loudly pealing forth a pibroch; they +next proceeded, having piled their arms, to light their torches from +lanterns which, with due precaution, they had borne with them; and soon +their ignited torches were applied, which after some little delay, +occasioned by the moisture of the storm, the ignition took effect, when +brilliantly blazed forth, in crackling flames, the extended ridges +of furze, fern, bent-grass, &c., that crowned the lofty links which +girdled the undulating summits of the shore. The different plants had +been dried up by a summer sun, and parched and ripened by the autumnal +blast; and the ignition soon extended along the entire line of the +coast. The central part of the conflagration flamed in the distance +like to some lofty castle on fire, and flanked, as the deception +would represent, by two large towers, which were in effect two large +flaming masses of furze and other various shrubs, which, now with a +flaming--now with a flickering corruscation, actually seemed like two +bale-fires blazing on the headlands. The whole mass having become one +continued conflagration, assumed an awfully grand appearance; the ruddy +sky brilliantly flamed above, the waves returned the fiery flash below, +as the waves undulated to and fro. The fugitives but too distinctly saw +the weapons raised in their offence boldly brandishing on the shore, +and vengefully flashing forth their quivering gleams, accompanied +with loud, fierce, and appalling shouts of vengeance from the bold, +determined band, who occupied the shore. + +Meanwhile these threatening tones of discord and defiance were +resolutely answered by a long continuous scream of triumph from the +fugitives, who fled from premeditated treachery, and whose parting +shouts were deeply chorussed by the symphony of their accompanying oars +that wafted them onward in safety. + +Now verging toward the distant horizon, the retreating boat was +distinctly seen slowly cutting its watery course, overladen although +it might be with an extra weight of living cargo. Availing themselves +of the breeze, they raised their little sail, and soon expedited their +course, wafted onward by the wild and dreary blast. + +The moon occasionally at intervals, as the stormy night-clouds cleared +away, streamed her radiance on the rippling bosom of the undulating +wave, which threw a brilliant line of light across the heaving billows; +and showed to those who might wish to observe the progress of the +fugitives, that in sooth they made but little way; which was not to be +wondered at, considering how incautiously crowded the boat had been +through the obstinacy of the too inconsiderate followers. Another +danger, superadded to the former, it but too fully appeared to the crew +arose from the frailty of the bark itself, that had soon to contend +with the approach, or rather with the return, of the tempest. + +The impressive scene that we have attempted to describe, was, it must +be allowed, altogether out of the usual course of ordinary events, +and partook of a high and extraordinary degree of interest. To behold +a wild, desolate, and romantic shore, lined and occupied as it had +been, at such an hour, by a military band of pursuers, and illuminated +by the blazing fires, which broadly glanced on spear, axe, target, +and claymore; whose ruddy contrasting light served but to cause that +the dark impending rocks above, and the indented caverns below, +should appear more savage, and their dense darkness the more visible! +Meanwhile, to witness the dumb, but expressive gesticulation of the +heads and hands, and indignant and angry step, of the enraged vassals +on the beach, appearing to the distant beholder all of a deep, glaring, +fiery red, fierce as the impetuous motives which led them onward to the +bloody track. Rage, and all the varied manifestations of the fierce +passions of wrath and revenge, were but too visible, from the broad and +brilliant glare of light that flashed upon them. It was such a scene as +would have charmed the creative imagination of Michael Angelo to have +dwelt upon and portrayed, and might have even given additional sketches +of horror for his "Day of Judgment." And, oh! how would the poetic +pencil of the solitary Salvator Rosa have managed this scene!--how his +pencil would have sported with it, and his genius have rejoiced!--here +he might have conjured up and enlivened his landscape with a bold, +determined, band of pirates, soldiers, or banditti, surrounded by +dark and frowning precipices. For such was the wild and savage scene +so lately before the reader's eye. Rocks frowning in deep darkness, +indented with frequent hollow caverns below, the midnight retreat of +the otter and porpoise; while from the higher caverned cliffs above, +awakened and aroused from their quarry, sprung forth the osprey, the +vulture, and cormorant, all loudly screaming, and joining in one +continued dissonant chorus, deeming that the returning morn had arrived! + +The fishing bark having been found no longer sea-worthy, the fugitives +were compelled to seek the shore; in which act the boat heaved against +a rock, but it did no material injury to the bark. Strange to say, +however, the shock awakened within the little cabin (if cabin it could +be called) of the stern, an inmate, that until that moment the trusty +followers did not know, nor even suspect, that such an individual +they had on board. This fellow was a tall, athletic figure, whether +fisherman or smuggler was doubtful, who must have been, consequently, +hitherto profoundly asleep, deeply fatigued, it was supposed, by having +been out all the previous night at sea, either fishing or plundering, +possibly occupied in one or other--probably in both of these perilous +pursuits. + +This desperate and daring mariner, rapidly bouncing on deck, said, or +rather screamed forth, with denouncing haste and rage: "Ye a' maun +perish, a' are tint! and ken ye weel a Johnstone had his revenge!" + +Then, with face and the fury of a maniac, and a horrific laugh, he +instantly sprang into the waves, plunging like a water-fowl; he sunk, +but soon arose again. Malcolm was prepared for this, having previously +seized a carabine from one of the Bruce's followers; and soon as the +ruffian again arose, Malcolm took determined aim, his carabine exploded +its contents, having duly hit the destined mark. The victim of his just +revenge loudly screamed, plunged, floundered, and sunk,--but he rose no +more! + +The crew of the fishing boat meanwhile, or those who acted in that +capacity, had timely and providentially discovered and frustrated the +treacherous fate which seemed so certainly to await them, and which was +so darkly hinted at by this desperate partisan of the Johnstone clan. +The pumps were set instantly and incessantly at work, while the leak +was timeously stopped, and every precaution adopted to insure and make +"surety doubly sure." + +It would appear that this desperate follower of the Johnstones had +somehow discovered, or overheard, from the followers of the Bruce, +the fatal scene that had taken place at Turnberry Castle, the tragical +compotation, the bloody fray, between the Maxwells and the Johnstones, +and of the fatal death of Sir Robert Bruce. And hence, therefore, it +was concluded, that he had come to the desperate determination of +destroying, by one daring, decisive act, the number of the enemies of +his clan who occupied the bark; and with this fixed resolution, it +would appear he had sprung a leak, thinking thereby at once to send so +many souls to a watery grave. In which base and treacherous attempt he +had been nearly too successful, but for the prompt and active aid that +was given by all hands on board; and it was with great difficulty that +with unabated effort and energy they ultimately happily succeeded in +accomplishing their safety. + +The boat was not far distant from the shore, when several of Bruce's +followers, at length made sensible of their impropriety and obstinacy +in overloading the vessel, which caused such as could best swim soon to +spring from the bark, and swim for the shore, having had previously +affixed a cable to the prow, which they succeeded in safely towing the +extreme end of the rope, and landing it on the beach, where "with a +long and a strong pull, and a pull altogether," they hauled the leaky +and fragile bark to shore, and landed their noble chieftain in perfect +safety. + +Upon debarking they fortunately encountered some of David's followers, +who were in anxious search of him, and had long been on the look out, +expecting his approach. They met him with his horse ready caparisoned +for a journey, his arms and accoutrements all duly arranged; besides a +horse with a small valise, containing clothes and linen, and holsters +containing long barrelled pistols, according to the fashion of the age, +&c. &c. From these attendants Bruce obtained information that "The +William Wallace" was about to sail from the port of Ayr. Sir David and +Malcolm, promptly mounting their gallant steeds, proceeded in full +gallop for the port of Ayr. + +The pursuers had retired from the beach, and immediately all around the +point of debarkation it was pitchy darkness, save that in the distant +horizon the flickering blaze of the late conflagration about to expire, +flashed a ruddy tinge upon the passing clouds. Long since the voice of +vengeance had died on the ear, and the loud tramping of the pursuer was +heard no more in the breeze. + +Bruce determined, while in his flight to Ayr, upon changing his name, +and assumed that of Colonel Davidson, Brandenburgh Hussars. + +The travellers having proceeded with the utmost speed, soon reached +the port of Ayr before curfew-time, but much overpowered by mental +feelings, and overcome by great bodily exertion. + +The perilous result and shipwreck of the ill-fated "William Wallace of +Ayr," has been already fully detailed in the first chapter of the first +volume of this work, which doubtless is still fresh in the reader's +recollection. + +But it is full time to return to Tyrconnel Castle, and revisit the +noble inmates, overcome by grief and dismay at the sudden, unexpected, +and unaccountable departure of the noble, generous, but unhappy Bruce. +To fulfil which intent we proceed onward to the next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Unus, et alter, sed idem. + + +Gentle Reader, hitherto thou hast been addressed by us in the plural +number, now, for the first and last time, thou wilt not surely grudge +that the author should for once in _propria persona_ address thee. + +I confess that I am in the habit of looking upon the division of +a story into chapters, as similar to the subdivision of a journey +into miles: by the aggregate of the one the length of the story is +ascertained, by the aggregate of the other the distance of the journey +is distinctly known. Nor does the similarity terminate here; the +heading or motto of each chapter points out to the reader what kind +of "entertainment" he may expect, just as a sign hung out at the door +of an inn indicates; and in the same way too the milestone points out +to the wearied traveller the proximities to his inn, as the "_carte du +jour_" apprises him of the dinner with which he may be regaled. The +heading of the chapter also tells whether it is by land or by sea the +reader is to travel; the heading of a milestone whether by mountain, +moor, morass, valley, town, or city, the traveller has to steer. These +said chapters were, no doubt, a truly commendable invention, which give +a kind of _carte du pays_, as they show and point out to the reader how +the land lies, in the same manner that those communicative milestones +and signposts point out to the traveller the distance of town from +town. Both in their way are extremely useful indeed, combining the +_utile_ with the _dulci_. But it is imagined that both reader and +traveller little take into account that it was not without some toil +and labour these respective accommodations were completed for their use +and convenience. After this sage remark, be it known, gentle reader, +that this story now rapidly draws to a close, and that the next mile +(to carry on the simile) thy journey will end. The best indeed that +the case would admit of has been done for thy "entertainment," and it +is hoped that, thy journey concluded, thou shalt have found the roads +to have been not wholly intolerable, the fare not indifferent, and the +journey not wholly unprofitable! + +Now, resuming the plural, we will venture to say, that "if it be true +that _good wine needs no bush_, it is true that a good play needs no +epilogue." However, whether, and in what degree, this may be applicable +to us, oh, courteous reader, is not for us, but for thee, to determine +and adjudge in the chapter which succeeds. + +From this long digression it is time to resume our eventful story. The +consternation occasioned by the sudden and unaccountable departure of +Sir David Bruce from Tyrconnel Castle, can better be imagined than told. + +The duke arose at an early hour, as he was wont, and took his +constitutional walk before breakfast. Upon his return it was with no +small astonishment he heard that Sir David Bruce had departed at deep +midnight, and on horseback, not having taken with him a travelling +carriage, nor luggage, save a small valise, as preparatory to a +journey. He immediately communicated it, with as much due precaution +as the time would admit of, to the duchess, who had now entered the +breakfast parlour. + +Her Grace turned pale, and seemed nigh fainting. As soon as she could +recover from her surprise and trepidation, she said: "All, my dear, is +not well, I fear; I will go up and question Adelaide." + +Here, as the duchess had gone out of one door, the Reverend chaplain, +Doctor M'Kenzie, entered at another. The chaplain wished his Grace good +morrow, and spoke of the weather, expatiating upon the beauties of +Nature. + + "'Tis morning; and the sun, with ruddy orb + Ascending, fires th' horizon.---- + + The season smiles, resigning all its rage, + And has the warmth of May. The vault is blue + Without a cloud, and white without a speck." + +The duke looked--but he saw not, he spoke not, he heard not. No!--the +serenity of the season was not in accordance with the sorrow of his +heart. At once the chaplain saw it all, for the duke was deadly pale; +but the cause of this despondence he did not know, nor did he dare to +inquire. + +But while he was about to ask the duke if he was unwell, the door +opened, and the duchess re-entered; and bursting into a flood of tears, +she flung herself into a chair. In so doing, a dagger fell from her +apron on the ground. She fainted, and it was some time before she +came to herself. When she did, she then said: "It is all involved in +darkness and mystery; I cannot unravel the clue. Adelaide cannot--will +not tell. She has sworn on the dagger's point never to reveal it until +placed upon her death-bed. She has sworn upon this." + +Here the chaplain took up the dagger; it was incrusted with blood. +He examined the handle; it was of silver, and upon it was engraved +FUIMUS. It likewise fell from his hand, and trundled on +the ground. Here he fearfully and involuntarily repeated, and in a +sepulchral tone, + + "FUIMUS NON SUMUS!" + +The duke sternly said: "In the name of heaven, I charge you, Reverend +Sir, that you will forthwith explain what all this may mean? Although +the days of superstition still exist, yet nevertheless I must protest +against supernatural agency." + +Doctor M'Kenzie said: "Permit me to ask one question of the duchess, +and then I will, as far at least as I can, throw some light on this +dark mystery. May I be permitted to ask your Grace, if Sir David Bruce +will return?" + +"Never--oh, never! Reverend Sir," was the reply; "I just have heard so +from my daughter." + +"Then," said the chaplain, "I am at liberty to explain, without any +violation of promise. I have no doubt that your Graces both recollect +the narrative of my voyage from Scotland, from the port of Ayr, and of +my having been shipwrecked on the coast of Austrian Flanders." + +The duke and duchess nodded assent. + +"You may also recollect the mysterious passenger who appeared so deeply +overpowered by grief--Colonel Davidson." + +They both remembered. + +"You may also doubtless recollect the words of that terrific song--that +was pronounced by no earthly voice--that was sung to no earthly sound! +To the last solemn hour of my existence I never can forget it. The +words and tune are in my ears when I awaken in the morn--they ring +their horrid vespers in my ears at night, and dirge me in my sleep. Can +your Graces remember some of the words?--namely the voice of the Spirit +of the Storm, and + + +THE AWFUL DIRGE. + + Once we held fair Scotland's throne, + Ay, once we claimed that realm our own, + _Fuimus non sumus_! + + + + + We were--have been--were crown'd--are not; + Dispers'd, forsaken, and forgot! + _Fuimus non sumus_! + + + + + Behold! the last of all our race + Is forced to fly his natal place!-- + He bears the vengeful, fatal knife, + Deep stain'd by bloody feudal strife! + _Fuimus non sumus_! + +"Know then, may it please your Graces, that when I was introduced by +the duke to Sir David Bruce, I recognised him at once to be----" + +"Colonel Davidson!!" vociferated the duke in a tremendous voice, +without waiting for the chaplain to finish. + +"Yes, my lord," replied the chaplain, "another, and yet the same." + +The duchess fell back in her chair, overpowered with grief. + +When the duchess had become somewhat calm, after a pause the chaplain +continued: "Little indeed at that time did I ever dream that my +fellow-passenger was destined at a future day to become your Graces' +son-in-law, and under such unhappy auspices. But the will of heaven +must be done, and it is for some wise purpose it is done, although not +revealed to mortal eyes." + +The duchess now returned to the unhappy Adelaide, in every respect, +from her virtues, talents, and accomplishments, worthy far of a better +fate. + +The duke, when breakfast was taken away--for the duke eat +not--- proposed to the chaplain to proceed to the little room which had +been occupied by Sir David Bruce as his library during his stay at +Tyrconnel Castle, in order to ascertain if there had been left there +any letter or document explanatory of his very sudden and unaccountable +departure. The duke, accompanied by his chaplain, entered Sir David's +little library, taking a melancholy survey of the chamber. They at +last, upon approaching a writing-table, found thereon the following +song in manuscript:-- + + +SONG, + +WRITTEN ON MY BRIDAL-DAY--TO AN OLD IRISH AIR. + + I ask'd my Adelaide what was her wish? + She replied, "Oh, ever love me kindly!" + Again I ask'd my love what was her wish? + She answer'd, "Oh, ever love me kindly!" + Again I ask'd my love what was her wish? + And she said, "Oh, love me not too blindly!" + + My love I ask'd once more what was her wish? + (While her fond, lovely arms, did entwine me, + And down trickling tears rapidly did gush,) + "'Tis--may my husband's dear hands yet enshrine me, + And to the silent grave, with sad and solemn stave, + He in years far remote may consign me!" + + D. B. + +The duke felt extremely affected. The pathos of the Irish air, the +feeling expressed in the song, and the mournful moment in which it was +perused, all most powerfully conspired to operate upon those noble +feelings which he too acutely possessed. And as he brought away the +MS. the chaplain observed that the duke secretly brushed away the +silent tear which trickled down his manly cheek. + +The surprise occasioned by the very sudden and extraordinary +departure of Sir David Bruce, afforded a topic of conversation and +altercation among the gossips and _quid nuncs_ of the vicinage, for +at least a fortnight.--By that time the novelty appeared to melt +away; but while it lasted all various changes were rung with endless +interpolations, until they could not possibly be interpreted.--Some +were inclined to throw the entire blame to the account of Adelaide, +as the sole cause of her husband's departure. But others, both male +and female recriminators, would entirely (if in their power) fling +the whole balance of censure against Sir David Bruce. At length the +parish and the county became quite sick and weary of such peevish +conjectures;--until "cormorant-devouring Time" put an end to them, at +least fulfilling his part, inasmuch showing that he is the destroyer +of prejudice and of party, and of all sublunary things:-- + + "Tempus edax rerum." + +But it is in vain to disguise, and it would be highly culpable, if it +were within the power of human ingenuity, to deny it, that often, too +often, _human passion_, or it should be called brutal rage, assails the +noblest minds and the most generous dispositions; those who are but too +inflammably alive to whatever they conceive to be base, grovelling, +or unjust--such are probably the most liable to "the sin that easily +besets them." It is indeed to be lamented how suddenly passion in +the moral, like the whirlwind in the physical world, can rend up by +the roots all that graced and adorned human life, boldly and rudely +usurping the seat of reason, and leaving only to cool and repentant +reflection the unavailing sighs and sorrowing tears of self-crimination! + +The foregoing story, tragical as it is true, incontestibly proves that +"trifles light as air" assumed in the commencement, subsequently, if +encouraged, increase and multiply in a _ratio_ and amount of accession +and aggression, until recrimination is produced; then follow mutual +hatreds, quarrels, and bickerings, until awakened and aroused at a +fatal moment and at a savage period, as we have described, all these +bad passions burst forth resistless into a fatal blaze, which was only +to be quenched by the shedding of fraternal blood! + +A dramatic poet has so beautifully expressed our meaning, that we +cannot resist quoting his language, and with the passage concluding +this chapter:-- + + ----"O, be obstinately just! + Indulge no passion, and betray no trust; + Let not man be bold enough to say, + Thus, and no farther, shall my passion stray! + The first crime past, compels us on to more, + And guilt proves fate, that was but choice before!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +CONCLUSION. + + Oh, thou wert lovely!--lovely was thy frame, + And pure thy spirit as from heaven it came! + And when recalled to join the blest above, + Thou diedst a victim to exceeding love! + + HUMAN LIFE. + + +Our story rapidly hastens to a close, parts whereof had hitherto been +purposely thrown into the back ground of our painting,--or, to _use_ +another simile, adopting the policy of a wary general, who makes a +feint retreat with the intent of concentrating his forces, next to +return with renovated vigour and alacrity to the charge; thus sagely +saving his videts from being shot, his cannon from being spiked, and +his reinforcements from being killed off. In like manner too, most +gentle reader, we have adopted the "_parva componere magnis_;" and +accordingly, as we felt it incumbent upon us, have hitherto thrown +some facts and events, since developed, and deeply connected with our +story, into the back ground of our picture, with the hope that aught +of circumstance or of interest that we hitherto fain would hide in the +shade, and cloak under the veil or umbrage of mystery and obscurity, +might chance to escape the penetration of the reviewing critic, and +of thee too, reviewing reader! until we found it sage and pertinently +expedient to develope the same. + +However we may have failed or succeeded in this attempt, we have +nevertheless endeavoured, with all our means, to give a faithful +and impartial portraiture of the different events as they actually +occurred, and of the various characters presented in our tale, as they +severally made "their exits and their entrances," and "bustled their +busy hour" in "this strange and eventful history." And now, courteous +reader, we gratefully take leave, and greet thee with our _ultimum +vale_, for we shall never meet again!--then accept our last adieu! + +Of the future fate and fortunes of Sir David Bruce, nothing, with any +certain portion of historic authenticity, could for a vast length +of time be traced or ascertained. It is true, however, as usually +consequatory upon such doubtful occasions, that rumour, with her +hundred tongues, was not found sleeping at her post, but was, on this +occurrence, alert and busy as the tattling goddess is ever wont to be, +in spreading and disseminating through the oracular organs of all the +gossiping old women in, about, and around all the adjoining baronies, +various, yet contradictory reports. One story-teller reported that +Sir David had retired to the continent, and had once more visited his +favourite Brussels, and had there taken up his abode. But that city, +instead of yielding all its former charms, when hope was buoyant, and +love successful, only served to demonstrate the mournful contrast, +and recall more potently his misery! He too well remembered what he +had been, and what the treasure was that he had for ever lost! He +felt but too well that "such things had been, and were most dear to +him." But alas, then he knew, and most acutely felt too, the wretched +man he was! What was he now?--a forlorn fugitive--a self-outcast--his +peace destroyed--his hopes decayed--and in a word, a wretch, by his +own condemnation! Unhappy man! he knew but too well what he _had_ +been--what he _might_ have been--what he _ought_ to have been--and, oh! +what _then_ he was! These were no consoling reflections to an acute and +sensitive mind like his. The rumour then concluded by asserting, that +finding only aggravated sorrow, vexation, and a painful recollection of +that happiness that he had lost for ever, in his former once favourite +city of Brussels, that Sir David had thence retired, in complete +disgust with all the world, where "man delighted him not, nor woman +neither," into the Monastery of _Sancta Maria de Camberone_, near to +Mons, where he became a Carthusian friar; long continued to lead a life +of piety and peace; died a beatified saint, and bequeathed all his +worldly estate to the holy brethren of that pious establishment. + +This idle and unfounded rumour was, however, at variance completely +with positive and stubborn facts; and truth was clearly elicited from +the high and honourable testimony of Lord Glandarah, who had been +engaged in a tour upon the continent; and while occupied in visiting +foreign courts, among others had sojourned at the court of the Elector +Palatine, to whom, upon his arrival at Berlin, he was presented; and +in the suite and service of this prince he recognized Sir David Bruce. +Both were mutually rejoiced at the meeting, but remained wholly silent +as to the events that had passed at Tyrconnel Castle. + +Sir David Bruce was habited in a black hussar uniform; much changed +in appearance, and his spirits completely broken down; his manly form +and figure were sadly altered. However mournful and depressed appeared +the Bruce, yet the story of his life, from the time of his departure +from Tyrconnel Castle, was well told in the scar on his manly cheek, +and the still deeper one which he bore upon his noble brow; while the +brilliant star of Brandenburgh that sparkled on his breast, and the +cross which hung appendant to his neck, gave proofs that his deeds of +valour had not passed by unregarded and unrewarded by the grateful +prince he served. + +In the course of some few years subsequent to the period which we +notice, the Berlin Gazette, in giving an account of the siege of +Namur in the year 1690 and----, thus notices the death of this truly +valiant hero. After a long military detail the statement ran to this +effect:--"That in boldly attempting to carry the fort of Coehorn by a +_l'epee a la main_, the gallant Sir David Bruce had fallen, overpowered +by wounds; when his lamented remains were borne from the trenches by +his brave Brandenburghers, whom he had so often led on to victory; and +were by them most honourably interred, with all the pomp and regret +that await the brave." + +Such was the gallant termination of the brilliant, transient, and +unhappy career of the valiant Bruce. His amiable lady, the poor, +disconsolate Adelaide, did not long survive her lord, who in every +respect was deserving of a happier fate than that sad one which +unhappily fell to her lot. She died, as she had lived, a Protestant, +although the duke and duchess were strict Catholics; a striking +proof of the superiority of her understanding, considering all local +circumstances, and the tone and temper of the times with which she +had to contend; living under a Catholic king, whose whole conduct and +administration were arbitrary--whose royal career propitiously set out +with the title of "James the Just," but fatally terminated in that +of "James the Tyrannical;" oppressing both the consciences and the +personal liberty of his subjects, whom he only considered as his slaves. + +But let it be understood, and handed down to posterity, that Lady +Adelaide was no bigot, her feelings and her religion were by far too +Christian to permit her to be one. Piety, charity, toleration, and +benevolence, accompanied withal a mild, gentle, and conciliatory +temper, adorned her character; and with a truly devout feeling +softened the asperities and disappointments which she had to encounter +in her mournful passage and pilgrimage through the thorny vale of life. +Pure, unaffected piety, and the slow hand of time, united to the kind +attentions of her relatives, especially of her mother the duchess, and +Lady Lucy, gradually succeeded in mitigating her grief. While humbly +and cheerfully submitting to the will of heaven, and occupied in the +exercise of the mild and tolerant spirit of the Christian faith, she +found that internal comfort and consolation that was denied her in the +world. + +Adelaide did not long survive her husband, and upon her death-bed made +a confession, previous to which disclosure none but the confidential +ear of her beloved mother had heard. In this she disclosed all those +events which have been already developed by the extraordinary and +affecting interview and separation which we witnessed to have passed +between Bruce and Adelaide. Having received the last rites of the +church, Adelaide surrendered her last breath, with hope and humble +resignation, to Him who gave it! + +Lady Adelaide Bruce was born the 31st of October, 1600 and----, upon +_the Eve of All-Hallows_; was married the 31st of October, 1600 and +----; and died the 31st of October, 1600 and----, upon the _Eve of +All-Hallows_! + +Upon the demise of the Lady Adelaide the following verses were found in +her escritoir by her afflicted mother, which had been written evidently +subsequent to the death of Bruce: + + He is gone!---- I'm ne'er to behold him! + And, oh! never more to enfold him + Within these widowed arms! + + The spring shall bloom, the summer glow + With all their brilliant charms; + For my poor heart, too well, I trow, + No peace nor pleasure waits below; + But cold neglect, like winter snow! + Each blast my breast alarms! + + My soul is sad, my spirits fail, + It much relieves me to bewail! + My only rest lies in HIS tomb!-- + My hope--a better world to come! + + When wafted to blest realms on high, + Where pain and sorrow come not nigh; + May thus a contrite Christian die! + + (_Signed_) ADELAIDE. + +It had been inadvisedly reported that our early acquaintance, Captain +Heaviside, had fallen _cum multis aliis ignotis_, at the battle of +the Boyne. However, the last accounts from the pump-room at Bath put +it beyond all dispute that the gallant captain was still in the land +of the living; and whether at the card-table or in the ball-room, +the ladies actually considered Captain Heaviside as the very cream +of gentility, and the flower of ceremony; and he very soon set his +affections on a prudent spinster, who had arrived at a discreet age, +a Miss Barbara Golightly. And the mutual attentions of these worthies +to each other, reminded the gossipers in the pump-room of the deep +affection which Cid Hamet records to have existed betwixt those sage +personages, Sancho and Dapple; of whom it was difficult to pronounce +whether Sancho loved Dapple, or Dapple loved Sancho, the best!--_Sic +itur ad astra_! + +The arrival some weeks after of "The London Intelligencer"[16] set +this matter completely at rest, and plainly told the _quid-nuncs_ +their _erratum_, that for "killed" they ought to have read "married." +The paragraph in the Intelligencer was worded to the following +effect:--"Married, at the Abbey church of Bath, on Thursday last, by +the Honourable and very Reverend Dean P--l--y, Captain Harry Heaviside, +late of the---- regiment of foot, to the amiable and affable Miss +Barbara Golightly of that city, whose merits will not be diminished by +bestowing upon the brave captain, in conjunction with her fair hand, a +fortune of ten thousand pounds!" + + [Footnote 16: The "Mercurius Civicus, London's Intelligencer, or + Truth impartially related from thence to the Kingdom, to prevent + Misinformation." This public print, with the foregoing quaint + title, was first published in 1643. Printed for Thomas Bates on + Snow-hill.] + +Lady Lucy had several proposals of marriage made to her by persons of +high rank and fortune, but she invariably refused them all; whether +it was that Lady Lucy was fastidious in her choice of a companion +for life, or that she preferred a state of "single blessedness" to +the marriage state, we shall not aver, but simply state her amiable, +and disinterested, and generous conduct, to her unhappy niece, to +whom she was indeed most unremitting in her attentions; and seemed +most assiduous and well pleased in dispensing those nameless acts of +kindness to her niece, in thought, in deed--nay, in her very looks, a +countenance beaming with goodness and philanthropy; all of which were +gratefully and duly acknowledged on the part of Adelaide. + +Lady Letitia, after a long continued siege of courtship, took final +compassion on Sir Patricius Placebo; whom she was now not unwilling +to admit as her true knight, and actually gave him her noble hand as +his _guerdon_; for inasmuch that during the continuation of a long +acquaintance, and that too under the same roof withal, yet that her +ladyship had never, in any one recorded instance, heard the baronet to +pronounce the truly portentous word--PERHAPS! No, never, in +that long continued course. + +It was, however, it must be confessed, maliciously asserted by some, +yet still contradicted by others, that this being leap year that +the lady availed herself of acknowledged privileges belonging and +immemorially pertaining to this gifted year. But this we shall not +vouch for. + + "Non nostrum inter tantas componere lites." + +We merely state the fact that her Ladyship duly and legally became Lady +Letitia Placebo. Upon the consummation of the marriage Sir Patricius +sported a handsome new chariot, with the arms of Placebo quartered +agreeably to all the tenor of the rules and laws of arms and blazonry, +in the same shield with those of the noble house of Tyrconnel; and he +did not forget his own motto, which was a kind of pun (at that time in +vogue) upon his own name-- + + PLACEBO, SEMPERQUE PLACEBO! + +From which said motto one may fairly infer that the baronet's opinion +of himself was by very many degrees removed above mediocrity! + +Mrs. Judith Brangwain, now far advanced in years, and somewhat +splenetic in her remarks, expressed much serious displeasure and +vexation at this matrimonial event; she said: "It truly calls forth +my marvel and wonderment. For surely my Lady Letitia must have been +bewitched, any how; and that is faith, sure enough, the only razonable +way for counting it. And, in troth, any how my lady is a deal too good +for the ould midwife, to be sure, that is sartain. Who, after all +in all, is the very Carrick on Suir [caricature] of a defunct fop! +Better--aye, far better, would it have been for Lady Letitia to have +eloped with her riding switch to the continent; aye, and to have passed +seven long years and a day in taking the tower of Europa in search of a +husband, sooner nor domain herself by giving the hand of a princess of +a right ould Irish stock to an upstart quack doctor!" + +The duke and duchess, although they did not encourage, much less +approve of the match, yet they did not prevent the solemnization of +the marriage. Lady Letitia had indeed arrived at the due years of +discretion, that is to say, if ever they were to arrive; and Sir +Patricius Placebo, with all his peculiarities and eccentricities, was, +in the main point, a man of worth and respectability. + +Upon the event of the marriage the duke presented Sir Patricius and his +sister with the gift of Laetely Lodge, where the happy, happy pair, soon +departed for, intending there, without a dissentient "perhaps," to pass +the honey-moon. + +In little more than the space of nine months Lady Letitia presented the +doctor with a chubby male _Placebo_. This proved very agreeable to Sir +Patricius, who really had, or affected to have, a rooted dislike to all +children of the feminine gender. + +And here it must be incontinently confessed, that this event took place +to the no small astonishment and disappointment of all the surrounding +gossips in the adjoining parishes and baronies, as these sapient folks +had somewhat too hastily assumed the fact that Lady Letitia Placebo had +passed by the time and season when ladies wish, and may expect to be in +_that state_, "who love their lords!" They, in sooth, considered her +ladyship too ancient to prove _enceinte_. + +Sir Patricius, upon this most desired and happy event, raised his +stately head somewhat higher than he was wont to do; and with all +due discretion, gravity, emphasis, and mellow intonation of voice, +addressed his auditory--his countenance, meanwhile, as he spoke, +being lighted up by the important smile of self-applause, and having +consequentially put his Carolus snuff-box in requisition--"I did," said +he, "it must be confessed, form some hopes and expectations upon this +much wished for occasion, which have been now so happily realized; as +verily, my Lady Letitia Placebo hath not disappointed me. For as the +learned and justly celebrated Archimedes was accustomed to observe-- + + "[GREEK: DThS MThI TEN STIGMEN]," &c. &c. + +It now becomes our melancholy duty to record that the noble and highly +gifted Duchess of Tyrconnel did not many years survive the deplored +death of her deeply beloved daughter--her adored Adelaide; and ere +long was followed to the grave by her brave and illustrious duke, who +directed that the following inscription should be placed upon his +tomb:-- + + PATRIAE INFELICI, FIDELIS. + + "Faithful to the last to his unhappy country!" + + + + +NOTES, + +&c. &c. + + In which are given four original Letters of King James II. never + before published; accompanied with fac-similes of his royal + Signet and Signature. Likewise, an original Letter from the Duke + of Berwick; the fac-simile of the Duke's Seal and Signature are + also given, copied critically from the original Letters in the + Manuscript Closet of Trinity College, Dublin. + + +CHAPTER I.--VOL. I., p. 17. + +"Ailsa, about fifteen miles from the coast, [of Ayrshire,] is a vast +rock of a conical form, 940 feet in height, two miles in circumference, +accessible only on the north-east, and uninhabited. Its summit is +covered with heath and a little grass. It is the property of the +Earl of Casilis, who obtains a rent from it, paid from the sale of +feathers, Solan geese, and rabbit-skins. On its acclivity are the +ruins of a chapel and fort, and near these there is a spring of fresh +water."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland_, vol. I. p. 179. + +In the summer of 1811, and likewise in that of 1824, the author of +these volumes sailed past this stupendous rock, and the Scotch sailors +on board informed him, that the rent received from the produce of this +rock by Lord Cassilis, amounted to upwards of L30 per annum. + + +CHAPTER VII.--VOL. I., p. 169. + +Grace O'Malley, formerly better known in Ireland by the name (in +popular parlance) of Grana Uile; and so called from the Castle of +Carrick Uley, the ruins of which are stationed at the extremity of an +inlet in the bay of Newport, in the county of Mayo. The proper name +is _Carrick a Uile_, or, "the rock in the elbow;" in allusion to the +impending mountain which crowns it, the strength of the castle, and the +recess in which it is situated. + +In this castle resided Grace O'Malley. Her family were from time +immemorial considerable on the north-west coast of Ireland, their +principality extending from the lake called Lough Corrib, in the +county of Galway, to Croagh Patrick, in the county of Mayo, and from +thence to the borders of the town of Sligo, a considerable tract +of which is still called "the Uisles of O'Malley;" a fine fertile +country, chiefly skirted by the sea; the bays and harbours excellent, +and beautifully interspersed with verdant islands, many of which are +inhabited. For aptness of local situation for maritime affairs and +naval exploits, the lords of the territory became early conspicuous; in +attestation of which the motto to the family name is, "_Terra marique +potens_,"--Powerful alike by land and sea. + +Grace O'Malley was daughter of Owen O'Malley, and widow of O'Flaherty, +two Irish chieftains who flourished in that country. Upon the death of +O'Flaherty Grace married Sir Richard Bourke, who died in 1585, leaving +three sons and one daughter the fruits of this marriage. Upon the +death of her husband and of her father, from necessity Grace O'Malley +(then Bourke) undertook the management of family concerns, acting with +firmness and resolution, keeping up her fleet for the protection of her +castles and estates, so essentially necessary in stormy and turbulent +times, and from this circumstance many considered her, and in popular +belief to this day she is still considered, as a pirate! + +Grace, or Grana Uile, was a high-spirited lady, and became fond at an +early age of the watery element, accompanying her father and his sept, +or clan, in many naval exploits. The coast was plundered of cattle +and other property, and many people were murdered in these predatory +expeditions. + +Grana was ever foremost in danger. Courage and conduct secured her +success; and the affrighted natives along the north-west shore trembled +at her name.--Many hardy and daring mariners from distant parts +sought her service, attracted by her fame. Her vessels of the largest +description were kept moored in Clare Island, where she possessed a +large castle, and her smaller craft were kept stationed at Carrick a +Uile. + +Tradition relates that her piracies became so notorious, and her power +so dangerous, that Grana was proclaimed, and a reward of five hundred +pounds offered for her apprehension. Resolving to make her peace with +England's Queen, she attended the court of Elizabeth, accompanied with +a large retinue, a guard of gallo-glasses bearing partisans, and clad +in saffron robes, who attracted great and universal attention. + +The Queen received her in great state. Grana was arrayed in the costume +of her country:--a long Irish mantle covered her head and person; her +hair gathered _a la Grecque_, and fastened with a gold bodkin inlaid +with jewels; her bosom was bare; and her dress a yellow silk boddice +and petticoat. The court were struck with infinite surprise at her +singular appearance. However, Grana succeeded in the object of her +visit, and having made her peace with Elizabeth, returned to Ireland. + +The castle belonging to Grana in the island of Clare, which boasts a +fine harbour and quay, was so much considered by Oliver Cromwell, that +he there erected a fort and barrack, in which he maintained a garrison. + +Grana endowed a monastery on it, in which she lies interred; her arms +and motto, carved on the tomb with those of her husband, are still +to be seen. This island still continues an estate in the family who +bear the name of O'Malley; and until of late years had been the family +burial place. + +The celebrity of Grana Uile has been the theme of bards for many years. +In the year 1753, during the political contests which occurred in the +administration of the Duke of Dorset, a very popular song appeared, to +an old Irish air, and the burden of the song was Grana Uile. It is too +long for insertion in this work. + + +CHAPTER VIII.--VOL. I., p. 195. + +_Pastry Fortifications._ + + ----"I have framed a fortification + Out of rye paste, which is impregnable;[17] + And against that for two long hours together, + Two dozen of marrow-bones shall play continually. + For fish I'll make you a standing lake of white broth, + And pikes come ploughing up the plums before them, + Arion-like, on a dolphin, playing Lachrymae; + And brave king herring, with his oil and onion, + Crown'd with a lemon peel, his way prepared + With his strong guard of pilchers." + + [_The Bloody Brothers, or Rollo Duke of Normandy_, by BEAUMONT and + FLETCHER, vol. VII. act II. scene II. p. 151.] + + [Footnote 17: At the splendid entertainments of those days the + confectioners were very solicitous to present these and similar + fopperies on the tables of the great. Furnace the cook says, in + MASSINGER'S "_New Way to pay old Debts_," + + ----"Since our master, noble Allworth, died, + Though I crack my brain to find out tempting sauces, + And raise _fortifications in the pastry_, + Such as might serve for models in the Low Countries; + Which, if they had been practised at Breda, + Spinola might have thrown his cap at it, and ne'er took it." + + And again, in the Prologue to "_A Wife for a Month_," which was the + sole production of FLETCHER, we have the following lines on the + same subject-- + + "Our noble friend, who writ this, bid me say, + He had rather dress upon a triumph day + My Lord Mayor's feast, and make him sauces too, + Sauce for each several month; nay, further go, + He had rather build up those invincible pies + And castle custards,[18] that affright all eyes, + Nay, eat 'em and their artillery-- + Than dress for such a curious company + One single dish."----- + + BEAUMONT and FLETCHER--Vol. VIII. p. 137.] + + [Footnote 18: The ingenuity of ancient cooks in raising pastry + fortifications has been already noticed. In the text we have not + only fortresses of paste, but castles made of custards, furnished + with eatable artillery, on a triumph-day, that is one of the + greatest festivities at the Mansion-house. Another similar device + of march-pane is mentioned in "Witts and Fancies"--1595, 4to.: "At + a nobleman's banquet a ship of march-pane stuff was set upon the + board, wherein was all manner of fishes of the like stuff." + + At a banquet given by Cardinal Birague to Henry III. King of + France, his queen, and mother, "A collation was there served upon + two long tables, consisting of between eleven and twelve hundred + dishes composed of confectionary and dried sweetmeats of various + kinds, constructed in the form of castles, pyramids, and other + elegant figures."--WRAXALL'S "_History of France_," vol. II. 449.] + + +CHAPTER VIII.--VOL. I., p. 200. + +"_Primero._" + +This game is noticed by SHAKESPEARE, in "_The Merry Wives of +Windsor_:"-- + + "I never prospered since I foreswore myself at primero." + +And likewise in Henry VIII.:-- + + "And left him at primero, with the Duke of Suffolk." + +In BEAUMONT and FLETCHER also, mention is made of this celebrated and +once fashionable game--in vol. II. p. 185, in "_The Scornful Lady_," +and likewise in "_The nice Valour_," in vol. IV. p. 273. + +Primero too is noticed in STRUTT'S "_Sports and Pastimes of the People +of England_," p. 291. There is a poem by the celebrated Sir John +Harrington, the translator of _Ariosto_, which affords an admirable +illustration of the game: it is entitled, "_The Story of Marcus' Life +at Primero_." But as it amounts to upwards of forty lines, it is +considered as too long for insertion here. + + +CHAPTER XII.--VOL. I., p. 287. + +"_Riding the Franchises._" + +Extract from Harris's "_History of the City of Dublin_," (now become a +very scarce work,) chap. VI. p. 114:-- + +"We shall have little here to do but barely to transcribe the several +forms used by the citizens in riding their franchises at different +periods, as the same has been transmitted to posterity either by +authentic records or ancient manuscripts, whose evidence is not to be +controverted at this day; more especially as the reader will readily +perceive, by comparing each form, how little variance there has been +therein from the beginning to the present times, except in the names +of places, which yet are but few. It would indeed be a difficult task +for the citizens to have at any time stretched their rights beyond the +just limits within the city or suburbs, as they were surrounded on most +parts by vigilant neighbours, namely, the ecclesiastics of St. Mary's +Abbey, Kilmainham, Thomas-court, and St. Sepulchre's, or the liberties +of the Archbishop of Dublin, who were upon all occasions ready to +procure papal anathemas and censures against those who offended them +in less momentous matters than the loss of their lands. Several of the +instruments we shall have occasion to cite are written in Latin; but to +show our fidelity, we shall transcribe them verbatim, and for the sake +of the English reader, translate them literally into our own language. + +"The earliest instrument that occurs is one of John Earl of Morton, and +Lord of Ireland, dated at London, the 14th day of May, in the third +year of the reign of his brother, King Richard I. (A. D. 1192,) which +refers to a former charter of local franchises, granted by King Henry +II., now lost. The charter of King John is to be seen in the black +book of the Archbishops of Dublin, called "_Alan's Register_," being +collected by Archbishop Alan, in the reign of Henry VIII., and as it +containeth other liberties besides their metes and bounds, we shall +here give only so much thereof as is pertinent to the subject before +the reader:-- + + +"'CHARTA JOHANNIS, + + "'Domini Hiberniae, de metis et franchesiis civitatis Dublin, et de + libertatibus concessis. + +"'Johannes dominus Hiberniae, Comes Morton, omnibus hominibus et amicis +suis, Francis et Anglis, Hiberniensibus et Wallensibis, praesentibus et +futuris salutem. + +"'Sciatis nos dedisse et concessisse, et hac mea charta confirmasse +civibus meis de Dublin, tam extra muros, quam infra muros manentibus, +usque admetas villae quod habeant metas suas sicut probatae fuerant +per sacramentum bonorum virorum de civitate ista per praeceptum regis +Henrici, patris mei; scilicet, ex parte orientale de Dublin, et +australi parte, pasturam quae ducit usque ad portam ecclesiae sancti +Keivini, et sic per viam usque ad Kylmerckargan, et sic per divisam +terrae de Donenobroogi usque ad Doder, et de Doder usque ad mare +scilicet at Clarade juxta mare, et de Clarade usque ad Ramynelan. Et in +occidentale parte de Dublin ab ecclesia S. Patricii per Wallam usque ad +Farnan-Clenegimethe et deinde usque ad divisam terrae de Kylmainam et +ultra aquam de Kylmainam juxta Aven-Liffey usque ad vada de Kilmastan +et ultra aquam de Aven-Liffey versus boream per Cnocknogannoc et deinde +usque ad horrea S. Trinitatis, et de horreis illis usque ad furcas, +et sic per divisam inter Clonlic et Crynan usque ad Tolecan et deinde +usque ad ecclesiam sanctae Mariae de Ostmanby. Haec etiam eis concessi, +salvis tenuris et terra omni eorum, qui terras et tenures habent, et +chartam meam inde extra muros usque ad praedictas metas; et quod non +possit civitas de terris illis, sicut de aliis disponere, sed faciant +communes consuetudines civitatis, sicut alii cives. De illis autem dico +hoc, qui chartam meam habuerunt de aliquibus terris infra easdem metas +extra muros antequam civitati praedictas libertates, et hanc chartam +concesserim.' + + +TRANSLATION. + + "The Charter of JOHN, Lord of Ireland, concerning the + bounds and franchises of the City of Dublin, and of the liberties + granted thereto. + +"John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton, to all his subjects and +friends, French, English, Irish, and Welch, present and to come, +greeting.--Know ye, that I have given and granted, and by this my +charter confirmed, to my citizens of Dublin, as well those who inhabit +without the walls, as to those who dwell within them, as far as the +boundary of the town, that they may have their limits as they were +perambulated, by the oaths of the honest men of the city itself, in +pursuance of a precept sent to them by King Henry, my father; namely, +on the east and south sides of Dublin, by the pasture-grounds which +lead as far as the port of St. Keivin's church, and so along the +road as far as Kylemerekangan, and from thence, as they are divided +from the lands of Donenobroogi,[19] as far as the Doder, and from +the Doder to the sea, namely, to Clarade, close to the sea, and from +Clarade as far as Ramynelan. And on the west side of Dublin, from St. +Patrick's church, through the valley as far as Farnan-Clenegimethe; +and from thence, as they are divided from the lands of Kylmainam, near +Aven-Liffey, as far as the ford of Kilmastan; and beyond the water +of Aven-Liffey, towards the north by Cnocknogannoc; and from thence +as far as the Barns of the Holy Trinity; and from those Barns to the +gallows; and so as the division runs between Cloulic and Crynan, as +far as Tolecan, and afterwards to the church of St. Mary of Ostmanby. +These things we have also granted to them, that their tenures and land +be secure who have any granted to them in our charter; from thence +without the walls, as far as the before-mentioned limits; that the +city may not dispose of those lands as of other lands, but that they +observe the common customs of the city, as other citizens do. But this +we declare of those who have had our charter of certain lands, within +the said limits, without the walls, before we had granted the aforesaid +liberties and this charter."--_The History of the City of Dublin_, by +WALTER HARRIS, 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 118, 119, 120. + + [Footnote 19: Donenobroogi--Hodie--Donnybrook. The fame of its fair + is well known.] + +The franchises of the city of Cork, according to Doctor Smith, in his +celebrated _History of Cork_, vol. I. p. 49, were perambulated in "an +handsome manner" [he says no more] on October 20, 1714; and the night +concluded with fire-works and illuminations in honour of his Majesty +King George I., whose coronation was that day celebrated in the city. +By an order of the D'oyer Hundred, the Mayor was ordered to ride round +the liberties and franchises of the city of Cork every third year. + +Mr. Hardiman, in his _History of Galway_, mentions a similar +procession at Galway. And something similar occurred in the town of +Drogheda; but wholly divested of the splendid pomp and display which +shed such a lustre on the Dublin pageant. + +The ceremony of riding the franchises in the city of Dublin was +one so peculiar and remarkable, that it certainly appeared to the +author worthy of being handed down as a curious historical record, +no similar ceremony of such pomp, circumstance, and pageantry, was +known in Britain. There was, no doubt, something extremely oriental in +this splendid pageant, which, if the reader will take the trouble to +peruse the Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montague, from Adrianople, he +will find a striking similarity between the spectacle of riding the +Dublin franchises and the grand pageant which takes place when the +Grand-Signior leads his army in person. The account is as follows:-- + +"I took the pains of rising at six in the morning to see the ceremony, +which did not, however, begin till eight. The Grand-Signior was at +the Seraglio window to see the procession, which passed through the +principal streets. It was preceded by an _Effendi_, mounted on a camel +richly furnished, reading aloud the Alcoran, finely bound, laid upon a +cushion. He was surrounded by a parcel of boys in white, singing some +verses of it, followed by a man dressed in green boughs, representing a +clean husbandman sowing seed. After him several reapers with garlands +of ears of corn, as Ceres is pictured, with scythes in their hands, +seeming to mow. Then a little machine drawn by oxen, in which was a +windmill, and boys employed in grinding corn, followed by another +machine drawn by buffaloes, carrying an oven and two more boys, one +employed in kneading bread, and another in drawing it out of the oven. +These boys threw little cakes on both sides among the crowd, and were +followed by the whole company of bakers, marching on foot two by two, +in their best clothes, with cakes, loaves, pasties, and pies of all +sorts, on their heads; and after them two buffoons, or jack-puddings, +with their faces and clothes smeared with meal, who diverted the +mob with their antic gestures. In the same manner followed all the +companies of trade in the empire; the noble sort, such as jewellers, +mercers, &c., finely mounted, and many of the pageants that represent +their trades perfectly magnificent; among which that of the furriers +made one of the best figures, being a large machine, set round with the +skins of ermines, foxes, &c., so well stuffed, that the animals seemed +to be alive; and followed by music and dancers," &c. _Works of Lady +Wortley Montague_, London, 1805, vol. II. pp. 181, 182. + +The Chief Magistrate of Dublin was formerly called Provost, and the +Sheriffs were styled Bailiffs, from the year 1308 until the year 1409, +when the title of Mayor was given. In the year 1547 the name of Bailiff +was changed into that of Sheriff. And in the year 1665 the title of +Mayor was elevated to the rank of Lord Mayor, Sir David Bellingham +being the first appointed.--See HARRIS'S _History of Dublin_, +Appendix, pp. 491 to 506. + +"The city of Dublin anciently consisted," says Harris, "of twenty +corporations, to which five have been in latter times added. + +"An ancient custom prevailed for a long time in the city of Dublin, +always against the great festivals of the year, to invite the Lord +Deputy, the nobility, and other persons of quality and rank, to an +entertainment, in which they first diverted them with stage plays, and +then regaled them with a splendid banquet. The several corporations +also, upon their patron's days, held themselves obliged to the like +observances, which were for a long time very strictly kept up and +practised. + +"Thomas Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in +the year 1528, was invited to a new play every day in Christmas; Arland +Usher being then Mayor, and Francis Herbert and John Squire Bailiffs; +wherein the Taylors acted the part of Adam and Eve; the Shoemakers +represented the story of Crispin and Crispianus; the Vintners acted +Bacchus and his story; the Carpenters that of Joseph and Mary; Vulcan, +and what related to him, was acted by the Smiths; and the comedy of +Ceres, the goddess of Corn, by the Bakers. Their stage was erected on +Hoggin-Green, now called College-Green, and on it the priors of Saint +John of Jerusalem, of the blessed Trinity, and of All-Hallows, caused +two plays to be acted, the one representing the Passion of our Saviour, +and the other the several deaths which the apostles suffered." + +It is stated in a manuscript in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, +"That in the parliament of 1541, wherein Henry VIII. was declared +king of Ireland, there were present the Earls of Ormond and Desmond, +the Lord Barry, Mac-Gilla-Phadrig Chieftaine of Ossory, the sons +of O'Brien, Mac-Carthy-More, with many Irish lords; and on Corpus +Christi Day they rode about the streets with the procession in their +parliament robes; and the nine worthies was played, and the Mayor bore +the mace before them on horseback. The Sunday following King Henry was +proclaimed king of Ireland in Saint Patrick's church; and the next +Sunday they had tournaments on horseback, and running at the ring with +spears on horseback." + +Sir James Ware briefly alludes to these entertainments in the following +words: "_Epulas comaedias, et certamina ludicra, quae sequebantur, +quid attinet dicere?_" "It is needless," he remarks, "to relate what +banquets, comedies, and sports followed." + +We now return to Harris's History of the City of Dublin. + +"Among other days of solemnity the festival of Saint George was +celebrated with high veneration. In the choir-book of the city of +Dublin are several entries to that effect: + +I.--It was ordered, in maintenance of the pageant of Saint George, that +the Mayor of the foregoing year should find the emperor and empress, +with their train and followers well apparelled and accoutered; that is +to say, the emperor attended with two doctors, and the empress with two +knights, and two maidens, richly apparelled, to bear up the train of +her gown. + +II. _Item._--The Mayor, for the time being, was to find Saint George a +horse, and the Wardens to pay 3_s._ 4_d._ for his wages that day. The +Bailiffs; for the time being were to find four horses, with men mounted +on them well apparelled, to bear the pole-axe, the standard, and the +several swords of the emperor, and Saint George. + +III. _Item._--The elder Master of the guild was to find a maiden well +attired, to load the dragon, and the clerk of the market was to find a +golden line for the dragon. + +IV. _Item._--The elder Warden to find for Saint George four trumpets; +but Saint George himself was to pay their wages. + +V. _Item._--The younger Warden was obliged to find the king of Dele +and the queen of Dele, as also two knights to lead the queen of Dele, +and two maidens to bear the train of her gown, all being entirely clad +in black apparel. Moreover, he was to cause Saint George's chapel to +be well hung in black, and completely apparelled to every purpose; and +was to provide it with cushions, rushes, and other necessaries, for the +festivity of that day. + +No less was the preparation of pageants for the procession of Corpus +Christi Day, on which the Glovers were to represent Adam and Eve, with +an angel bearing a sword before them. + +The Curriers were to represent Cain and Abel, with an altar, and their +offering. + +Mariners and Vintners, Noah, and the persons in the Ark, apparelled in +the habits of Carpenters and Salmon-takers. + +The Weavers personated Abraham and Isaac, with their offering and altar. + +The Smiths represented Pharoah with his host. + +The Skinners the camel with the children of Israel. + +The Goldsmiths were to find the king of Cullen. + +The Coopers were to find the Shepherds, with an angel singing _Gloria +in excelsis Deo_. + +Corpus Christi guild was to find Christ in his passion, with the Marys +and Angels. + +The Taylors were to find Pilate with his fellowship and his wife, +clothed accordingly. + +The Barbers, Ann and Caiaphas. + +The Fishers, the Apostles. + +The Merchants, the Prophets. + +And the Butchers, the Tormentors. + +These interludes and representations carried with them the appearance +of the superstition of the times, which John Bale, Bishop of Ossory, +afterwards laboured to reform, by writing, with more sobriety, several +comedies and tragedies in the reign of King Edward VI., and, during his +banishment, in that of Queen Mary, upon religious subjects. Several +of those pieces are yet extant, printed in black letter; and though +they show the taste of the age, they would by no means please the +present."--_The History of the City of Dublin_, by WALTER HARRIS, +ESQ. 8vo. Dublin, 1766, pp. 142, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. + + +CHAPTER III.--VOL. III., p. 36. + +"_Running Footmen._" + +MR. WEBER, in a note to "The Knight of the Burning Pestle," +in his edition of the works of Beaumont and Fletcher, vol. I. +p. 194, Edinburgh, 1812, observes, that "the running footmen were a +fashionable piece of splendid folly prevalent at that time. They were +still kept by some noblemen in Scotland about the middle of the last +century, and are yet to be met with occasionally upon the continent. +Like the jockeys, they are put upon a particular diet; and in order to +prevent cramps, the calves of their legs are greased." + + +CHAPTER V.--VOL. III., p. 87. + +"_Turnberry Castle._" + +"The ruins of Turnberry Castle are on a promontory of the sea coast, +two miles west of Kirkoswald, and five south-west of Maybole. This +castle belonged to Alexander Earl of Carrick, who died in the +Holy Land, and left an only daughter, named Martha, who married +Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale. In the expedition of Edward I. the +English were in possession of this castle. At present nothing more +than the foundation of the building, and some vaults beneath it, +remain."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical Description +of Scotland_, vol. I. pp. 178, 179. + + +CHAPTER V.--VOL. III., p. 92. + +"_Caerlaverock Castle._" + +"_Caerlaverock Castle_ was founded in the sixth century by the son of +Lewarch Hen, a famous British poet; it was the chief seat of the family +of Maxwell in the days of King Malcolm Canmore. It stood on the north +shore of Solway Firth, nine miles from Dumfries, between the Nith and +Locher; and was deemed impregnable before the use of fire-arms. In the +reign of King Robert Bruce the proprietor of it demolished all its +fortifications, lest it should fall into the hands of the English. It +was, however, again fortified, for in 1355 it was taken by Sir Roger +Kirkpatrick, and levelled with the ground. Its materials were employed +to erect a new building, which was demolished by the Earl of Essex, +A. D. 1570. The fortifications of this place were once more renewed +by Robert, the first Earl of Nithisdale, in 1638, who nobly supported +the cause of Charles I., and maintained a considerable garrison at +his own expense."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical +Description of Scotland_, vol. I. pp. 107, 108. + + + +In closing the notes to the foregoing volumes, we are here desirous of +presenting the reader with a few historical documents of King James II. +who has stood forth so prominent a figure in the foregoing wild story, +as well as four original letters of that monarch, which heretofore have +never yet met the public eye. + +In a small curious volume, which was published at Paris soon after the +decease of the Duke of York, then James II., edited by _Father Francis +Sanders, of the Society of Jesus, and Confessor to his late Majesty_, +the following passage occurs:-- + +"This exiled prince made several campaigns under the Marshal de +Turenne, and he showed every where so much courage and bravery, that +he gained mighty commendations from that general. The testimonies of +the Prince de Conde were no less glorious, who was often heard to say, +that if ever there was a man without fear, it was the Duke of York; +and he kept his character for intrepidity at all times, and upon all +occasions." + +Lord Clarendon too in his "History of the Civil Wars in England," +vol. III. p. 370, thus speaks of King James II. when Duke of +York, and engaged at the battle of Dunkirk: "There was a rumour spread +in the _French_ army that the Duke of York was taken prisoner by the +_English_, some men undertaking to say that they saw him in their +hands. Whereupon many of the _French_ officers and gentlemen resolved +to set him at liberty, and rode up to the body of _English_, and looked +upon their prisoners, and found they were misinformed; which if they +had not been, they would undoubtedly, at any hazard or danger, have +enlarged him. So great an affection that nation owned to have for His +Highness." + +It is worthy of observation to mark the manner in which King James +expressed himself respecting the Abbe de Rance, during his residence in +France; and likewise the Abbe's opinion of the abdicated monarch: + +"I really think nothing has afforded me so much consolation since my +misfortunes, as the conversation of that venerable saint, the Abbe of +La Trappe. When I first arrived in France I had but a very superficial +view of religion; if, indeed, I might be said to have any thing +deserving that name. The Abbe de La Trappe was the first person who +gave me any solid instruction with respect to genuine Christianity. + +"I formerly looked upon God as an omnipotent Creator, and as an +arbitrary governor; I knew his power to be irresistible, I therefore +thought his decrees must be submitted to, because they could not be +withstood. Now my whole view is changed: the Abbe de La Trappe has +taught me to consider this great God as my father, and to view myself +as adopted into his family. I now can look upon myself as become his +son, through the merits of my Saviour, applied to my heart by his +holy Spirit. I am now convinced, not only that we ought to receive +misfortunes with patience, because they are inevitable, but I also +feel assured that death, which rends the veil from all things, will +probably discover to us many new secrets of love and mercy in the +economy of God's providence, as in that of his grace. God, who gave up +his only Son to an accursed death for us, must surely have ordered all +inferior things by the same spirit of love."[20] + +Such were King James's sentiments respecting M. de Rance. The Abbe, on +the other hand, entertained as high an opinion of him. The following +passage, concerning the unfortunate king of England, occurs in one of +M. de La Trappe's Letters to a Friend:-- + +"I will now speak to you concerning the king of England. I never saw +any thing more striking than the whole of his conduct; nor have I ever +seen any person more elevated above the transitory objects of time and +sense. His tranquillity and submission to the divine will are truly +marvellous. He really equals some of the most holy men of old, if +indeed he may not be rather said to surpass them. + +"He has suffered the loss of three kingdoms; yet his equanimity and +peace of mind are undisturbed. He speaks of his bitterest enemies +without warmth; nor does he ever indulge in those insinuations which +even good men are too apt to fall into when speaking of their enemies. +He knows the meaning of two texts of Scripture which are too much +neglected: 'It is given you to suffer,' and, 'Despise not the gift of +God.' He therefore praises God for every persecution and humiliation +which he endures. He could not be in a more equable state of mind even +if he were in the meridian of temporal prosperity. + + [Footnote 20: A Tour to Alet and La Grand Chartreuse, vol. II. pp. + 335-6.] + +"His time is always judiciously and regularly appropriated. His day is +filled up in so exact a manner, that nothing can be well either added +or retrenched from his occupations. + +"All his pursuits tend to the love of God and man. He appears uniformly +to feel the divine presence. This is, perhaps, the first and most +important step in the divine life.--It is the foundation of all which +follow. + +"The queen is in every respect influenced by the same holy desires. + +"The union of these two excellent persons is founded on the love of God. + +"It may be truly termed an holy and a sacred one." + +"Such were M. de Rance's opinions of King James. It is impossible to +doubt but that the venerable Abbe de La Trappe was sincere in his +expressions."[21] + + [Footnote 21: A Tour to Alet and La Grande Chartreuse, 8vo. London, + 1816, vol. II. pp. 336, 337.] + + +FOUR + +ORIGINAL LETTERS OF KING JAMES II. + +DEPOSITED IN THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, NEVER BEFORE +PUBLISHED, IN WHICH THE ORTHOGRAPHY IS PRESERVED. + + +LETTER I. + +ADDREESSED, "FOR L: GEN: HAMILTON.Sec.." + + _Dublin May 1: 1689_: + +I am sorry to find by yours of the 27: that Luisignan is so ill hurt +lett him know how much I am troubled at it, and make a complyment +to Pointz upon his being hurt also, you do very well to precaution +yourself against sallys, from a towne where there is so many men, and +pray let the Gen: officers who remaine not expose themselves to much, +I have sent you a power to pardon such as will accept of it, L^{d.} +Melfort shall give you an account of the troops I am a sending down +to you, as also of what cannon and mortars are a preparing with all +possible deligence, you shall have all I can send you to enable you +to reduce that rebellious towne, and to make the more noyse the D: of +Tyrconnel is a preparing to go downe to you, it being, as you well +observe, of the last consequence to master it, I expect to have an +account every moment of the arrival of the French fleett, for Besides +that the wind has been so many days faire for them, letters from +Kinsale say they were left but fifteen leagues from that port, you will +before this getts to you have been informed of Bohan's having entirely +beaten the rebels w^{ch.} were gott together in the County of Downe, at +least five thousand in number, and killed several hundreds of them on +the place, I hope the advice you had from Mrs. Lundy, will prove but a +story, if what a Sergeant w^{ch.} came from Leverpoole but last weeke +says be true, w^{ch.} you will know by this. Sec.. + + J. R. + +I am a sending Dorrington downe to you. Sec.. + + +LETTER II. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin May 10: 1689_: + +I am sorry for the losse of Ramsay, such accidents will happen, and one +must not be discouraged, I am sensible you have a hard worke on your +hands, but at last will I hope be able to overcome it, I am sending +downe one great mortar and two pieces of battery by land, and the same +number of both by sea, 'twas actually impossible to dispatch them +sooner, ten Comp: of Eustach will be soon with you, all well armed, +and clothed, and five Comp: of the same Reg: are to march downe, what +other I send, shall be well armed, I send you downe with this a paper +concerning Derry, you will see whether it be practicable or no, of +w^{ch.} none can judg, but you that are on the place, I am sending +downe, S^{r.} Ne: O Neal's Reg: of Dragoons into the Countys of Downe +and Antrim w^{ch.} will be the more necessary since you have ordered +Gen: Maj: Bohan to you, I thinke it absolutely necessary you should +not lett any more men come out of Derry, but for intelligence, or some +extraordinary occasion, for they may want provisions, and would be glad +to rid themselves of useless mouths,Sec. + + JAMES R. + + +LETTER III. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin May 20: 1689_: + +You will before this, have had an account from L^{d.} Melfort, of what +men, arms, and stors, have been sent you, and are designed for you, I +now send back to you this bearer L^{d.} Dungan to lett you know that +this day I have been informed by one who came from Chester on Wednesday +last, that Kirke was to sett saile with the first fair wind from thence +with fower reg^{s.} of foott, to endeavour to relieve Derry, I have +ordered a copy of the information to be sent you, I know you will do +your part to hinder if you can, their getting into that towne, for +should once more those English succors be obliged to return againe, +that rebelious towne could not hold out long with the force I send you, +but if you cannot hinder their getting into the towne you must then +take care to secure your retreat as well as you can, on your side, +and to take care also of the cannon, mortars and men, w^{ch.} are on +the east side of the river of Derry, for no doubt they will presse +you, when you draw off, in case you should be obliged to do it, what +I propose is that you should endeavour to keep Castlefin, Cladyford +bridg, and Strabane to hinder them from coming over those waters, this +I thinke may be easily done considering tho' they may be strong in +foott, they can have but few and bad horse, and that I designe to go +about to reduce Eniskilling, in the mean tyme I am thinkind of sending +some more troups towards Charlemont which will be ready to look toward +you, or Carrickfergus as occasion shall offer, lett Castlederg, be well +provided, I have sent some horse and dragoons to reinforce Sarsfield +at Sligo, and have ordered Pursell's dragoons to Belturbet, what els I +have to say, I refer to this bearer L^{d.} Dungan,Sec.. + + JAMES R. + + +LETTER IV. + +TO THE SAME. + + _Dublin July 8th. 1689_: + +I do not find by what I heare from you and others that those in Derry +are so prest for want of victuals as once was believed, so that if +they could be prest otherways, it would do well, I am sensible you are +but ill furnished with wherewithal to carry on your trenches, and to +attaque them vigorously, but however I am sure you will do what is to +be done, I am afraide your French enginers tho very able men in their +trade may have been so used to have all things necessary provided for +them, and to want nothing, that they are not so industrious as others +lesse knowing men might be, and that they do not push on their worke as +they might do, having so much to say for themselves, upon the account +of their being so ill provided, however methinks they might have gott +Maderiers ready in all this tyme, to have lodged the miners w^{ch.} I +have seen done to a stronger towne than Derry, and where we wanted +cannon to mine their defences, I only hint this to you, not pretending +at this distance to judg whether it be practicable or no, and for +making of Maderiers, I am sure tis but the puling downe some house _in_ +[_this word is partly erased in the original, but substituted by the +following_] neare Derry, or at Lifford or Strabane, where one may find +beams strong enough to make them, and tho Lattin be not to be gott, +new hids will do as well to preserve them from fire, this is only for +yourself, you have another letter from me about what had been reported +here, of some proposals made to you by those of Derry, to which I refer +you:Sec.. + + J. R. + + + [FROM THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.] + + ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE DUKE OF BERWICK, + + NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED, + + ADDRESSED "TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL HAMILTON, AT THE CAMP BEFORE DERRY." + + _Trelick the 5th July_: + +I received just now the honour of yours, and I will write to Carills +aboute Cap^{t.} Manus Odonnell. There is an escorte sent to meet the +amunition coming from Charlemont who is likewise guarded by a regiment +of foot. + +I marched yesterday morning from Newtown-Stewart, and joyning Coll. +Sunderland at Omah I marched hither; my advance guard cutt off several +of their sentries, and a great many of the rebells party, with such +vigour, as they beat with 30 dragoons three troops of horse of theirs, +which were drawn up at a distance from us. Cap Patrick Bellue and Major +Magdonnel commanded the van-guard. There was eight or nine of the +enemy killed but none of ours. I went with my horse and dragoons within +four miles of Inniskiling and drove a great deale of cattle back to +Trelick where I am now and which is nine mile from Enniskiling. I am +sure no considerable party dearest stirr out from that towne for feare +of my being upon their backs, so that all backwards is secure. The +party of two hundred foot and fifty horse and dragoons that were left +at Belturbet under the command of L. Coll. Scott, are taken prisoners +officers and all. I can assure you that all the inhabitants of this +countrye are universally rebells. my humble service to Mareschall Rozen +and believe me, your most humble and obedient servant + + BERWICK. + +I forgot to tell you that our vanguard pursued so close three companies +of foot that they took one of their colours and two drumms within four +miles of Inniskiling, before I was come upp, this has entred[22] Coll: +Purcell's dragoons very well. + + [Footnote 22: The orthography of the original is strictly preserved + throughout the above letter.] + +[Illustration: _Fac-Simile of the Autograph and signet of King James +II._] + +[Illustration: _Fac-Simile of the Autograph and Seal of the Duke of +Berwick._] + + _T. Badge. sculpsit._ + + + THE END. + + + + +[Symbol: Hand]THE BOOK-BINDER will take care to place the Engraving, +which presents fac-similes of the hand-writing and seals of King James +II. and the Duke of Berwick, at the opposite page. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +A number of minor punctuation issues were resolved. Missing accents +have not been inserted. The orthography of correspondence has been +retained. The following changes in spelling were made in the narrative. + + Page 4 inocuously is now innocuously + Page 16 promontary is now promontory + Page 25 guager is now gauger + Page 69 forboding is now foreboding + Page 83 wofully is now woefully + Page 90 martriculated is now matriculated + Page 93 cateract is now cataract + Page 102 fellowing is now following + Page 154 paragragh is now paragraph + Page 172 dispouere is now disponere + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eve of All-Hallows, Vol. 3 (of 3), by +Matthew Weld Hartstonge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVE OF ALL-HALLOWS *** + +***** This file should be named 44264.txt or 44264.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/2/6/44264/ + +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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