reminiscences of captain gronow by gronow, r. h. (rees howell), 1794-1865

8/14/2019 Reminiscences of Captain Gronow by Gronow, R. H. (Rees Howell), 1794-1865

1/89

TheProjectGutenbergEtextofReminiscencesofCaptainGronowbyCaptainReesHowellGronow

Copyrightlawsarechangingallovertheworld,besuretocheckthelawsforyourcountrybeforeredistributingthesefiles!!!

Pleasetakealookattheimportantinformationinthisheader.Weencourageyoutokeepthisfileonyourowndisk,keepinganelectronicpathopenforthenextreaders.

Pleasedonotremovethis.

Thisshouldbethefirstthingseenwhenanyoneopensthebook.Donotchangeoredititwithoutwrittenpermission.Thewordsarecarefullychosentoprovideuserswiththeinformationtheyneedaboutwhattheycanlegallydowiththetexts.

**WelcomeToTheWorldofFreePlainVanillaElectronicTexts**

**EtextsReadableByBothHumansandByComputers,Since1971**

*****TheseEtextsArePreparedByThousandsofVolunteers!*****

InformationoncontactingProjectGutenbergtogetEtexts,andfurtherinformationisincludedbelow,includingfordonations.

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-6221541

Title:TheProjectGutenbergEtextofReminiscencesofCaptainGronow

Author:CaptainReesHowellGronow

ReleaseDate:February,2003[Etext#3798]

[Yes,weareaboutoneyearaheadofschedule][Theactualdatethisfilefirstposted=09/13/01]

Edition:10

Language:English

TheProjectGutenbergEtextofReminiscencesofCaptainGronow*****Thisfileshouldbenamedgrnow10.txtorgrnow10.zip*****

CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER,grnow11.txtVERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER,grnow10a.txt

[email protected]

ProjectGutenbergEtextsareusuallycreatedfrommultipleeditions,allofwhichareinthePublicDomainintheUnitedStates,unlessacopyrightnoticeisincluded.Therefore,weusuallydoNOTkeepanyofthesebooksincompliancewithanyparticularpaperedition.

Wearenowtryingtoreleaseallourbooksoneyearinadvanceoftheofficialreleasedates,leavingtimeforbetterediting.


2/89

Pleasebeencouragedtosenduserrormessagesevenyearsaftertheofficialpublicationdate.

Pleasenoteneitherthislistingnoritscontentsarefinaltilmidnightofthelastdayofthemonthofanysuchannouncement.TheofficialreleasedateofallProjectGutenbergEtextsisatMidnight,CentralTime,ofthelastdayofthestatedmonth.Apreliminaryversionmayoftenbepostedforsuggestion,commentandeditingbythosewhowishtodoso.

Mostpeoplestartatoursitesat:http://gutenberg.nethttp://promo.net/pg

ThoseofyouwhowanttodownloadanyEtextbeforeannouncementcansurftothemasfollows,andjustdownloadbydate;thisisalsoagoodwaytogettheminstantlyuponannouncement,astheindexesourcataloguersproduceobviouslytakeawhileafteranannouncementgoesoutintheProjectGutenbergNewsletter.

http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03orftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03

Or/etext02,01,00,99,98,97,96,95,94,93,92,92,91or90

Justsearchbythefirstfivelettersofthefilenameyouwant,asitappearsinourNewsletters.

InformationaboutProjectGutenberg(onepage)

Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework.Thetimeittakesus,aratherconservativeestimate,isfiftyhourstogetanyetextselected,entered,proofread,edited,copyrightsearchedandanalyzed,thecopyrightletterswritten,etc.This

projectedaudienceisonehundredmillionreaders.Ifourvaluepertextisnominallyestimatedatonedollarthenweproduce$2milliondollarsperhourthisyearaswereleasefiftynewEtextfilespermonth,or500moreEtextsin2000foratotalof3000+Iftheyreachjust1-2%oftheworld'spopulationthenthetotalshouldreachover300billionEtextsgivenawaybyyear'send.

TheGoalofProjectGutenbergistoGiveAwayOneTrillionEtextFilesbyDecember31,2001.[10,000x100,000,000=1Trillion]Thisistenthousandtitleseachtoonehundredmillionreaders,whichisonlyabout4%ofthepresentnumberofcomputerusers.

Atourrevisedratesofproduction,wewillreachonlyone-third

ofthatgoalbytheendof2001,orabout4,000Etextsunlesswemanagetogetsomerealfunding.

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationhasbeencreatedtosecureafutureforProjectGutenbergintothenextmillennium.

Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!

AsofJuly12,2001contributionsareonlybeingsolicitedfrompeoplein:Arkansas,Colorado,Connecticut,Delaware,Florida,Georgia,Hawaii,Idaho,


3/89

Illinois,Indiana,Iowa,Kansas,Louisiana,Maine,Massachusetts,Minnesota,Missouri,Montana,Nebraska,NewMexico,Nevada,NewJersey,NewYork,NorthCarolina,Ohio,Oklahoma,Oregon,RhodeIsland,SouthCarolina,SouthDakota,Tennessee,Texas,Utah,Vermont,Virginia,Washington,WestVirginia,Wisconsin,andWyoming.

Wehavefiledinabout45statesnow,butthesearetheonlyonesthathaveresponded.

Astherequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.Pleasefeelfreetoasktocheckthestatusofyourstate.

Inanswertovariousquestionswehavereceivedonthis:

Weareconstantlyworkingonfinishingthepaperworktolegallyrequestdonationsinall50states.Ifyourstateisnotlistedandyouwouldliketoknowifwehaveaddeditsincethelistyouhave,justask.

Whilewecannotsolicitdonationsfrompeopleinstateswherewearenotyetregistered,weknowofnoprohibitionagainstacceptingdonations

fromdonorsinthesestateswhoapproachuswithanoffertodonate.

Internationaldonationsareaccepted,butwedon'tknowANYTHINGabouthowtomakethemtax-deductible,oreveniftheyCANbemadedeductible,anddon'thavethestafftohandleitevenifthereareways.

Alldonationsshouldbemadeto:

ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationPMB1131739UniversityAve.Oxford,MS38655-4109

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-6221541,andhasbeenapprovedasa501(c)(3)organizationbytheUSInternalRevenueService(IRS).Donationsaretax-deductibletothemaximumextentpermittedbylaw.Astherequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.

Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!

Youcangetuptodatedonationinformationat:

http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html

***


4/89

Ifyoucan'treachProjectGutenberg,youcanalwaysemaildirectlyto:

MichaelS.Hart

[email protected]@prairienet.organdarchive.orgifyourmailbouncesfromarchive.org,Iwillstillseeit,ifitbouncesfromprairienet.org,betterresendlateron....

Prof.Hartwillanswerorforwardyourmessage.

Wewouldprefertosendyouinformationbyemail.

***

Examplecommand-lineFTPsession:

ftpftp.ibiblio.orglogin:anonymouspassword:your@logincdpub/docs/books/gutenbergcdetext90throughetext99oretext00throughetext02,etc.

dir[toseefiles]getormget[togetfiles...setbinforzipfiles]GETGUTINDEX.??[togetayear'slistingofbooks,e.g.,GUTINDEX.99]GETGUTINDEX.ALL[togetalistingofALLbooks]

**TheLegalSmallPrint**

(ThreePages)

***START**THESMALLPRINT!**FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS**START***Whyisthis"SmallPrint!"statementhere?Youknow:lawyers.

Theytellusyoumightsueusifthereissomethingwrongwithyourcopyofthisetext,evenifyougotitforfreefromsomeoneotherthanus,andevenifwhat'swrongisnotourfault.So,amongotherthings,this"SmallPrint!"statementdisclaimsmostofourliabilitytoyou.Italsotellsyouhowyoumaydistributecopiesofthisetextifyouwantto.

*BEFORE!*YOUUSEORREADTHISETEXTByusingorreadinganypartofthisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,youindicatethatyouunderstand,agreetoandacceptthis"SmallPrint!"statement.Ifyoudonot,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforthisetextbysendingarequestwithin30daysofreceivingittotheperson

yougotitfrom.Ifyoureceivedthisetextonaphysicalmedium(suchasadisk),youmustreturnitwithyourrequest.

ABOUTPROJECTGUTENBERG-TMETEXTSThisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,likemostPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetexts,isa"publicdomain"workdistributedbyProfessorMichaelS.HartthroughtheProjectGutenbergAssociation(the"Project").Amongotherthings,thismeansthatnooneownsaUnitedStatescopyrightonorforthiswork,sotheProject(andyou!)cancopyanddistributeitintheUnitedStateswithoutpermissionand


5/89

withoutpayingcopyrightroyalties.Specialrules,setforthbelow,applyifyouwishtocopyanddistributethisetextunderthe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademark.

Pleasedonotusethe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademarktomarketanycommercialproductswithoutpermission.

Tocreatetheseetexts,theProjectexpendsconsiderableeffortstoidentify,transcribeandproofreadpublicdomainworks.Despitetheseefforts,theProject'setextsandanymediumtheymaybeonmaycontain"Defects".Amongotherthings,Defectsmaytaketheformofincomplete,inaccurateorcorruptdata,transcriptionerrors,acopyrightorotherintellectualpropertyinfringement,adefectiveordamageddiskorotheretextmedium,acomputervirus,orcomputercodesthatdamageorcannotbereadbyyourequipment.

LIMITEDWARRANTY;DISCLAIMEROFDAMAGESButforthe"RightofReplacementorRefund"describedbelow,[1]MichaelHartandtheFoundation(andanyotherpartyyoumayreceivethisetextfromasaPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext)disclaimsallliabilitytoyoufordamages,costsandexpenses,includinglegalfees,and[2]YOUHAVENOREMEDIESFORNEGLIGENCEORUNDERSTRICTLIABILITY,ORFORBREACHOFWARRANTYORCONTRACT,

INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOINDIRECT,CONSEQUENTIAL,PUNITIVEORINCIDENTALDAMAGES,EVENIFYOUGIVENOTICEOFTHEPOSSIBILITYOFSUCHDAMAGES.

IfyoudiscoveraDefectinthisetextwithin90daysofreceivingit,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforitbysendinganexplanatorynotewithinthattimetothepersonyoureceiveditfrom.Ifyoureceiveditonaphysicalmedium,youmustreturnitwithyournote,andsuchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouareplacementcopy.Ifyoureceiveditelectronically,suchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouasecondopportunitytoreceiveitelectronically.

THISETEXTISOTHERWISEPROVIDEDTOYOU"AS-IS".NOOTHERWARRANTIESOFANYKIND,EXPRESSORIMPLIED,AREMADETOYOUASTOTHEETEXTORANYMEDIUMITMAYBEON,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.

Somestatesdonotallowdisclaimersofimpliedwarrantiesortheexclusionorlimitationofconsequentialdamages,sotheabovedisclaimersandexclusionsmaynotapplytoyou,andyoumayhaveotherlegalrights.

INDEMNITY

YouwillindemnifyandholdMichaelHart,theFoundation,anditstrusteesandagents,andanyvolunteersassociatedwiththeproductionanddistributionofProjectGutenberg-tmtextsharmless,fromallliability,costandexpense,includinglegalfees,thatarisedirectlyorindirectlyfromanyofthefollowingthatyoudoorcause:[1]distributionofthisetext,[2]alteration,modification,oradditiontotheetext,or[3]anyDefect.

DISTRIBUTIONUNDER"PROJECTGUTENBERG-tm"


6/89

Youmaydistributecopiesofthisetextelectronically,orbydisk,bookoranyothermediumifyoueitherdeletethis"SmallPrint!"andallotherreferencestoProjectGutenberg,or:

[1]Onlygiveexactcopiesofit.Amongotherthings,thisrequiresthatyoudonotremove,alterormodifytheetextorthis"smallprint!"statement.Youmayhowever,ifyouwish,distributethisetextinmachinereadablebinary,compressed,mark-up,orproprietaryform,includinganyformresultingfromconversionbywordprocessingorhypertextsoftware,butonlysolongas*EITHER*:

[*]Theetext,whendisplayed,isclearlyreadable,anddoes*not*containcharactersotherthanthoseintendedbytheauthorofthework,althoughtilde(~),asterisk(*)andunderline(_)charactersmaybeusedtoconveypunctuationintendedbytheauthor,andadditionalcharactersmaybeusedtoindicatehypertextlinks;OR

[*]TheetextmaybereadilyconvertedbythereaderatnoexpenseintoplainASCII,EBCDICorequivalent

formbytheprogramthatdisplaystheetext(asisthecase,forinstance,withmostwordprocessors);OR

[*]Youprovide,oragreetoalsoprovideonrequestatnoadditionalcost,feeorexpense,acopyoftheetextinitsoriginalplainASCIIform(orinEBCDICorotherequivalentproprietaryform).

[2]Honortheetextrefundandreplacementprovisionsofthis"SmallPrint!"statement.

[3]PayatrademarklicensefeetotheFoundationof20%ofthe

grossprofitsyouderivecalculatedusingthemethodyoualreadyusetocalculateyourapplicabletaxes.Ifyoudon'tderiveprofits,noroyaltyisdue.Royaltiesarepayableto"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation"the60daysfollowingeachdateyouprepare(orwerelegallyrequiredtoprepare)yourannual(orequivalentperiodic)taxreturn.Pleasecontactusbeforehandtoletusknowyourplansandtoworkoutthedetails.

WHATIFYOU*WANT*TOSENDMONEYEVENIFYOUDON'THAVETO?ProjectGutenbergisdedicatedtoincreasingthenumberofpublicdomainandlicensedworksthatcanbefreelydistributedinmachinereadableform.

TheProjectgratefullyacceptscontributionsofmoney,time,publicdomainmaterials,orroyaltyfreecopyrightlicenses.Moneyshouldbepaidtothe:"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation."

Ifyouareinterestedincontributingscanningequipmentorsoftwareorotheritems,pleasecontactMichaelHartat:[email protected]


7/89

[Portionsofthisheaderarecopyright(C)2001byMichaelS.HartandmaybereprintedonlywhentheseEtextsarefreeofallfees.][ProjectGutenbergisaTradeMarkandmaynotbeusedinanysalesofProjectGutenbergEtextsorothermaterialsbetheyhardwareorsoftwareoranyotherrelatedproductwithoutexpresspermission.]

*ENDTHESMALLPRINT!FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS*Ver.07/27/01*END*

[email protected]

TheProjectGutenbergEtextofReminiscencesofCaptainGronow

byCaptainReesHowellGronow

EDITOR'SNOTE

Thespellinginthisbookisrathercreative(includingtheoccasionalspellingof"ankle"as"ancle"),andthepunctuationisremarkablyvaried.Ihavetriedtopreserveboth,exceptthatthespacesbetweenawordandthefollowingcolonorsemicolonhavebeenremoved.TherearealsomanyFrenchwordsandphrases,whosemeaningwillusuallybeobviousassoonasyourealisetheyareFrench.OfcourseIapologizeforanygenuineerrorsinspellingandpunctuationthathavecreptintothisfile.

CaptainGronowisanentertainingraconteurwhobringshisownexperiencesintheRegencyperiodandthewarswithFrancedelightfullytolife.Gronowpublishedseveralsetsofmemoirs.Thisfilecoversthefirsthalfofwhathepublished.Searchthewebfor"CaptainGronow"tolearnmoreaboutthisinterestinggentleman.

Thetextisarrangedasaseriesoftopics,eachwithatitleincapitalletters.Sometimesthereiscontinuityinthisarrangement,sometimesthereisnot.Thereisnootherstructuretothetext.

Ihaveusedthecharacterfor"pounds"(money)inthistext:''.Ifthecharacternsinglequotesdoesnotlooklikeapoundsigntoyou,well,atleastyouknowwhatisintended.Thebooktextusesalowercase'l'

forthispurpose,butincomputerfontsthe'l',lookingjustlikea'1'whenfollowingastringofdigits,isconfusing.

ManythankstoPamWisniewskiforprofreadingthistext.

-TobiasD.Robison,September,[email protected]


8/89

ReminiscencesofCaptainGronow

FormerlyoftheGrenadierGuards,andM.P.forStafford:

being

Anecdotesofthecamp,thecourt,andtheclubs,atthecloseofthelastwarwithFrance.

Relatedbyhimself.

"Ofriendsregretted,scenesforeverdear!

Remembrancehailsyouwithherwarmesttear!Droopingshebendso'erpensivefancy'surn,Totracethehourswhichnevercanreturn."

London:

Smith,ElderandCo.,65,Cornhill.

M.DCCC.LXII.

AFEWWORDSTOTHEREADER

IthasbeenmylottohavelivedthroughthegreaterpartofoneofthemosteventfulcenturiesofEngland'shistory,andIhavebeenthrownamongstmostoftheremarkablemenofmyday;whethersoldiers,statesman,menofletters,theatricalpeople,orthosewhosebirthandfortune-rather,perhaps,thantheirvirtuesortalents-havecausedthemtobeconspicuousinsocietyathomeorabroad.Naturehavingendowedmewithastrongmemory,Icanrecallwithalltheiroriginalvividnessscenesthattookplacefiftyyearsago,anddistinctlyrecollecttheface,walk,andvoice,aswellasthedressandgeneralmanner,ofeveryonewhomIhaveknown.IhavefrequentlyrepeatedtomyfriendswhatIhave

seenandheardsincetheyearthatIjoinedtheGuards(1813),andhavebeenurgedtocommittopapermyanecdotesandreminiscences.

Unfortunately,Ihavenotthepowerofefficientlydescribinginwordsthepicturesthatarehungupinthelonggalleryofmymemory:amanmayseeverydistinctlythelandscapebeforehim,yethemaybeunabletodelineatethatwhichhegazesuponandisintimatelyacquaintedwith.Avivavocenarrativeofanincidenttoldtoafriendinconversationmaypassmuster,andoneisabletofillupanygapsinanimperfectdescription;butitalwaysoccurredtomethatIhadnorighttotask


9/89

areader'stimeandpatienceunlessIcouldputbeforehimwhatIhadtosayinalucidandcompleteform;Ithereforerefrainedfromcommittingmyselftoprint.Ihaveatlength,however,yieldedtothesuggestionoffriends,andwrittendownsomeanecdotesinthebestwayIcould.Soldiersarenotgenerallyfamousforliteraryexcellence,andwhenIwasyoung,themilitarymanwas,perhaps,muchlessascholarthanheisatthepresentday;butIhopethattheinterestofthematterwillmakeupforanydeficiencyofstyle.

Ingoingovermorethanhalfacentury,andtreatingofmen,womenandevents,itwasnecessarytoleaveoutmanyanecdoteswhichwould,perhaps,havebeenmoreinterestingthanmostofthosethatIhavegiven;forIwouldnotwillinglyoffend,orhurtthefeelingsofanyone,andIwishtorespectthememoryofthedead,aswellastotakeintoconsiderationthesensitivenessoftheliving.MyReminiscences,itwillbeseen,arenothingmorethanminiatureillustrationsofcontemporaryhistory;andthoughthereadermayfindhereandtherescrapsofbiographicalmatter,IconfinemyselftofactsandcharacteristicswhichwerefamiliartothecircleinwhichImoved,andperhapsareasmuchpublicpropertyasthepaintedportraitsofcelebrities.

Shouldthisworkmeetwiththeapprobationofthepublic,Ihopeatafuturetimetopublishanadditionalone,asmymemorystillservesmewithsufficientmaterialsforanothervolumeofasimilarkind.

R.H.Gronow.

MYENTRANCEINTOTHEARMY

AfterleavingEton,IreceivedanEnsign'scommissionintheFirstGuardsduringthemonthofDecember,1812.Thoughmanyyearshaveelapsed,Istillremembermyboyishdelightatbeingnamedtosodistinguished

aregiment,andattheprospectofsoontakingapartinthegloriousdeedsofourarmyinSpain.IjoinedinFebruary1813,andcannotbutrecollectwithastonishmenthowlimitedandimperfectwastheinstructionwhichanofficerreceivedatthattime:heabsolutelyenteredthearmywithoutanymilitaryeducationwhatever.Weweresodefectiveinourdrill,evenafterwehadpassedoutofthehandsofthesergeant,thattheexcellenceofournon-commissionedofficersalonepreventedusfrommeetingwiththemostfataldisastersinthefaceoftheenemy.Physicalforceandourbull-dogenergycarriedmanyahard-foughtfield.Luckily,nousavonschangetoutcela,andourofficersmaynowviewiththoseofanyotherarmyinanagewhenthegreatimprovementsinmusketry,inartillerypractice,andinthegreaterrapidityofmanoeuvring,haveentirelychangedtheartofwar,andrenderedtheindividualeducation

ofthoseineverygradeofcommandanabsolutenecessity.

AfterpassingthroughthehandsofthedrillsergeantwithmyfriendsDashwood,Batty,Browne,Lascelles,Hume,andMasters,andmountingguardatSt.James'sforafewmonths,wewerehurriedoff,onefinemorning,inchargeofasplendiddetachmentoffivehundredmentojoinLordWellingtoninSpain.MacadamhadjustbeguntodoforEnglandwhatMarshalWadedidinScotlandseventyyearsbefore;andwewereabletomarchtwentymilesadaywitheaseuntilwereachedPortsmouth.Therewefoundtransportsreadytoconveyalargereinforcement,of


10/89


11/89

theAdourwithprovisionsandammunition.Shewaschasedbythebrig,andbroughttoaction.Thenightwassufficientlycleartoenableustodiscoverdistinctlythepositionofthevesselsandthemeasuredflashoftheirguns.Theywereatclosequarters,andinlessthanhalfanhourwediscoveredthecrewofthecorvettetakingtotheirboats.Shortlyafterwardsthevesselblewupwithaloudexplosion.Wecametotheconclusionthatsea-fightingwasmoreagreeablethanland-fighting,asthecrewsofthevesselsengagedwithoutpreviousheavymarching,andwithlooselightclothing;therewasnomanoeuvringorstandingforhoursonthedefensive;thewoundedwereimmediatelytakenbelowandattendedto,andthewholeaffairwasoverinapleasinglybriefperiod.

THEUNIFORMANDBEARINGOFTHEFRENCHSOLDIER

TheFrenchinfantrysoldieraveragedaboutfivefeetfiveorsixinheight;inbuildtheyweremuchaboutwhattheyarenow,perhapsalittlebroaderovertheshoulder.Theyweresmart,active,handyfellows,andmuchmoreabletolookaftertheirpersonalcomfortsthanBritishsoldiers,astheircampsindicated.Theuniformofthosedaysconsistedinaschako,whichspreadoutatthetop;ashort-waisted,swallow-tailed

coat;andlarge,baggytrousersandgaiters.TheclothingoftheFrenchsoldierwasroomy,andenabledhimtomarchandmoveaboutatease:nopipeclayaccessoriesoccupiedtheirattention;inaword,theiruniformsandaccoutrementswereinfinitelysuperiortoourown,takingintoconsiderationthepracticalnecessitiesofwarfare.Theirmusketswereinferiortoours,andtheirfiringlessdeadly.TheFrenchcavalrywethoughtbadlyhorsed;buttheiruniforms,thoughshowy,were,likethoseoftheinfantry,comfortablylargeandroomy.

Ihavefrequentlyremarkedthatfirearmsareoflittleusetothemountedsoldier,andoftenanincumbrancetomanandhorse.Cavalrywantonlyonearm-thesabre.Letthemenbewellmountedandathomeinthesaddle.ItrequiresgreatknowledgeinaCommander-in-chieftoknow

whenandhowtousehiscavalry.Ithasbeenmymisfortunetowitnessoft-repeatedblundersintheemploymentofthebest-mountedregimentsintheworld.IconsidertheFrenchgeneralshadmoreknowledgeoftheuseofcavalrythanourown,whenagreatbattlewastobefought.

MAJOR-GENERALSTEWARTANDLORDWELLINGTON

IfthepresentgenerationofEnglishmenwouldtakethetroubleoflookingatthenewspaperwhichfiftyyearsagoinformedtheBritishpublicof

passingeventsbothathomeandabroad,theywould,doubtless,marvelattheverylimitedandimperfectamountofintelligencewhichthebestjournalswereenabledtoplacebeforetheirreaders.TheprogressofthePeninsularcampaignwasveryimperfectlychronicled;itwill,therefore,beeasilyimaginedwhatinterestwasattachedtocertainlettersthatappearedintheMorningChroniclewhichcriticisedwithmuchseverity,andfrequentlywithconsiderableinjustice,themilitarymovementsofLordWellington'sSpanishcampaign.

TheattentionoftheCommander-in-Chiefbeingdrawntotheseperiodical


12/89

andpersonalcommentsonhisconductofthewar,hislordshipatonceperceivedfromtheinformationwhichtheycontainedthattheymusthavebeenwrittenbyanofficerholdingahighcommandunderhim.Determinedtoascertaintheauthor-who,inaddressingapublicjournal,wasviolatingtheArticlesofWar,and,itmightbe,assistingtheenemy-meanswereemployedinLondontoidentifythewriter.Theresultwas,thatLordWellingtondiscoveredtheauthoroftheletterstobenootherthanSirCharlesStewart,thelateLordLondonderry.AssoonasLordWellingtonhadmadehimselfmasterofthisfact,hesummonedSirCharlesStewarttohead-quartersatTorresVedras;andonhisappearance,he,withouttheleastpreface,addressedhimthus:-

"CharlesStewart,IhaveascertainedwithdeepregretthatyouaretheauthoroftheletterswhichappearedintheMorningChronicleabusingmeandfindingfaultwithmymilitaryplans."

LordWellingtonpausedhereforamoment,andthencontinued:

"Now,Stewart,youknowyourbrotherCastlereaghismybestfriend,towhomIoweeverything;nevertheless,ifyoucontinuetowriteletterstotheChronicle,oranyothernewspaper,byGod,Iwillsendyouhome."

SirCharlesStewartwassoaffectedatthisrebukethatheshedtears,andexpressedhimselfdeeplypenitentforthebreachofconfidenceand

wantofrespectfortheArticlesofWar.Theyimmediatelyshookhandsandpartedfriends.Ithappened,however,thatSirCharlesStewartdidnotremainlonginthecavalry,ofwhichhewasAdjutant-General.WithinafewweekshewasnamedoneoftheCommissionersdeputedtoproceedtotheAlliedArmies,wheretheSovereignswerethencompletingtheirplanstocrushNapoleon.

ST.JEANDELUZ

Duringthewinterof1813,theGuardswerestationedwithhead-quartersatStJeandeLuz,andmostcomfortablewemanagedtomakethem.For

someshorttimepreviouslywehadbeenonscantycommons,andhadundergoneconsiderableprivation:indeedwemighthavesaid,liketheColoneltoJohnnyNewcomeonhisarrivaltojoinhisregiment,"WesonsofMarshavelongbeenfedonbrandyandcigars."Ihadnocausetocomplainpersonally;formyservant,aSicilian,wasoneofthemostaccomplishedforagers(ill-naturedpersonsmightgivehimaworsename)inthewholearmy;andwhenotherswerenearlystarving,healwaysmanagedtoprovidemeatorpoultry.Herodeonhismulesometimesfromtwentytothirtymiles,oftenrunningthegreatestdangers,toprocuremeagoodmeal;ofwhichhetookcaretohave,veryjustly,alargeshareforhimself.

AtStJeandeLuz,weweremoreattentivetoourdevotionsthanwehadbeenforsometime.DivineservicewasperformedpunctuallyeverySunday

onthesand-hillsnearthetown;LordWellingtonandhisnumerousStaffplacedthemselvesinthemidstofoursquare,andhislordship'schaplainreadtheservice,towhichLordWellingtonalwaysappearedtolistenwithgreatattention.

Themayorofthetown,thinkingtoplease"thegreatEnglishlord,"gaveaballattheHoteldeVille:ourCommander-in-ChiefdidnotgobutwasrepresentedbyWaters.Iwasthere,andexpectedtoseesomeoftheyoungladiesofthecountrysofamedfortheirbeauty;theywere,however,fartoopatriotictoappear,andtheonlyladypresentwas


13/89

LadyWaldegrave,thenlivingwithherhusbandathead-quarters.Whatwasonepartneramongsomany?Theballwasadeadfailure,inspiteoftheeffortsofthemayor,whodanced,toourintenseamusement,anEnglishhornpipe,whichhehadlearntinnotaveryagreeablemanner,viz.whenaprisonerofwarinthehulksatPlymouth.

ThereweretwopacksofhoundsatStJeandeLuz;onekeptbyLordWellington,theotherbyMarsden,oftheCommissariat:ourofficerswentuncommonlystraight.Perhapsourbestmanacrosscountry(thoughsometimessomewhatagainsthiswill)wasthelateColonelLascellesofmyregiment,then,likemyself,amerelad.Herodeahorseseventeenhandshigh,calledBucephalus,whichinvariablyranawaywithhim,andmorethanoncehadnearlycapsizedLordWellington.ThegoodlivingatStJeandeLuzagreedsowellwithmyfriendthathewaxedfat,andfromthatperiodtohisdeathwasknowntotheworldbythejovialappellationofBacchusLascelles.

ShortlybeforeweleftStJeandeLuz,wetookourturnofoutpostsintheneighbourhoodofBidart,alargevillage,abouttenmilesfromBayonne.EarlyonefrostymorninginDecember,anordercame,thatifwesawtheenemyadvancing,wewerenottofireorgivethealarm.Aboutfive,weperceivedtwobattalionswearinggrenadiercapscomingon.TheyturnedouttobelongtoaNassauregimentwhichhadoccupiedtheadvancedpostoftheenemy,and,hearingthatNapoleonhadmetwith

greatreversesinGermany,signifiedtoustheirintentiontodesert.Theywereafine-lookingbodyofmen,andappeared,Ithought,ratherashamedofthesteptheyhadtaken.Onthesameday,wewererelieved,andonourwaybackmetLordWellingtonwithhishounds.Hewasdressedinalightbluefrockcoat(thecolouroftheHatfieldhunt)whichhadbeensentouttohimasapresentfromLadySalisbury,thenoneoftheleadersofthefashionableworld,andanenthusiasticadmirerofhislordship.

Here,Irememberseeingforthefirsttimeaveryremarkablecharacter,theHon.W.Dawson,ofmyregiment.Hewassurroundedbymuleteers,withwhomhewasbargainingtoprovidecarriageforinnumerablehampersofwine,liqueurs,hams,pottedmeat,andothergoodthings,whichhehadbroughtfromEngland.Hewasaparticularlygentlemanlyandamiable

man,muchbelovedbytheregiment:noonewassohospitableorlivedsomagnificently.Hiscookswerethebestinthearmy,andhe,besides,hadahostofservantsofallnations-Spaniards,French,Portuguese,Italians-whowereemployedinscouringthecountryforprovisions.LordWellingtononcehonouredhimwithhiscompany;andonenteringtheensign'stent,foundhimaloneattable,withadinnerfitforaking,hisplateandlineningoodkeeping,andhiswinesperfect.LordWellingtonwasaccompaniedonthisoccasionbySirEdwardPakenhamandColonelduBurgh,afterwardsLordDownes.Itfelltomylottopartakeofhisprincelyhospitalityanddinewithhimathisquarters,afarmhouseinavillageontheBidassoa,andIneversawabetterdinnerputupontable.ThecareerofthisamiableAmphitryon,toourgreatregret,wascutshort,afterexercisingforaboutayearasplendidbutnotvery

wisehospitality.Hehadonlyayoungerbrother'sfortune;hisdebtsbecameveryconsiderable,andhewasobligedtoquittheGuards.Heandhisfriendshadliterallyeatenuphislittlefortune.

FOOLHARDINESS

Imayhererecountaninstanceofthefollyandfoolhardinessofyouth,andtherecklessnesstowhichalongcourseofexposuretodangerproduces.


14/89

WhenBayonnewasinvested,Iwasonenightondutyontheouterpicket.ThegroundinsidethebreastworkwhichhadbeenthrownupforourprotectionbyBurgoynewasinamostdisagreeablestateforanyonewhowishedtoreposeafterthefatiguesoftheday,beingknee-deepinmudofaremarkablyplasticnature.Iwasdeadtired,anddeterminedtogetalittlerestinsomemoreagreeablespot;socallingmysergeant,Itoldhimtogivemehisknapsackforapillow;Iwouldmakeacomfortablenightofitonthetopofthebreastwork,asitwasaninvitinglydryplace."Forheaven'ssaketakecare,sir,"saidhe;"you'llhavefiftybulletsinyou:youwillbekilledtoacertainty.""Pooh,nonsense,"saidI,andclimbingup,Iwraptmyselfinmycloak,laidmyheadontheknapsack,andsoonfellintoasoundsleep.

BythemercyofProvidenceIremainedinawholeskin,eitherfromtheFrenchimmediatelyunderneathnotperceivingme,ornotthinkingmeworthashot;butwhenGeneralStopfordcameupwithLordJamesHay(whonotlongsinceremindedmeofthisyouthfulescapade)Ireceivedaseverewigging,andwastoldtoconsidermyselfluckythatIwasnotputunderarrestforexposingmylifeinsofoolishamanner.

AmongthemanyofficersoftheGuardswhoweretakenprisonersintheunfortunatesortiefromBayonne,wastheHon.H.Townshend,commonlycalledBullTownshend.Hewascelebratedasabonvivant,andinconsequenceofhistoogreatindulgenceinthepleasuresofthetable,hadbecome

veryunwieldyandcouldnotmovequickenoughtopleasehisnimblecaptors,sohereceivedmanyprodsinthebackfromasharpbayonet.Afterrepeatedthreats,however,hewasdismissedwithwhatourAmericanfriendswouldbepleasedtodesignate"aseverebooting."ThelateSirWilloughbyCottonwasalsoaprisoner.Itreallyseemedasiftheenemyhadmadechoiceofourfattestofficers.SirWilloughbyescapedbygivinguphiswatchandallthemoneywhichhehadinhispockets;butthisconsistingofaSpanishdollaronly,thesmallnessofthesumsubjectedhimtothesameignominioustreatmentashadbeenexperiencedbyTownshend.

Amongthenumerousbadcharactersinourranks,severalwerecoiners,orutterersofbadmoney.InthesecondbrigadeofGuards,justbeforewearrivedatSt.JeandeLuz,asoldierwasconvictedofthisoffence,

andwassentencedtoreceive800lashes.ThismanmadeshamSpanishdollarsoutofthepewterspoonsoftheregiment.Ashehadbeforebeenconvictedandflogged,hereceivedthisterriblesentence,anddiedunderthelash.Woulditnothavebeenbettertohavecondemnedhimtobeshot?-Itwouldhavebeenmorehumane,certainlymoremilitary,andfarlessbrutal.

DISCIPLINE

WhentheheadquartersofthearmywereatStJeandeLuz,Soultmadeamovementinfrontofourrightcentre,whichtheEnglishgeneraltook

forareconnaissance.AstheFrenchgeneralperceivedthatwehadorderedpreparationstoreceivehim,hesentaflagoftrucetodemandacessationofhostilities,sayingthathewantedtoshootanofficerandseveralmenforactsofrobberycommittedbythem,witheverysortofatrocity,onthefarmersandpeasantryofthecountry.Theexecutiontookplaceinviewofbotharmies,andaterriblelessonitwas.Icannotspecifythedateofthisevent,butthinkitmusthavebeenthelatterendofNovember,1813.AboutthesametimeGeneralHarispe,whocommandedacorpsofBasques,issuedaproclamationforbiddingthepeasantrytosupplytheEnglishwithprovisionsorforage,onpainofdeath;itstated


15/89

thatweweresavages,and,asaproofofthis,ourhorseswerebornwithshorttails.Isawthisabsurdproclamation,whichwaspublishedinFrenchandintheBasquelanguages,anddistributedalloverthecountry.BeforewelefttheneighbourhoodofBayonneforBordeaux,asoldierwashangedforrobbery,onthesandsoftheAdour.ThissortofpunishmentastonishedtheFrenchalmostasmuchasitdidthesoldier.Onamarchwewereverysevere,andifanyofourmenwerecaughtcommittinganactofviolenceorbrigandage,theoffenderwastriedbyadrum-headcourt-martial,andhangedinaveryshorttime.

Iknewanofficerofthe18thHussars,W.R.,young,rich,andafine-lookingfellow,whojoinedthearmynotfarfromStSebastian.Hisstudofhorseswasremarkablefortheirblood,hisgroomswereEnglish,andthreeinnumber.Hebroughtwithhimalightcarttocarryforage,andafourgonforhisownbaggage.Allwentonwell,tillhecametogoonoutpostduty;butnotfindingthereanyofthecomfortstowhichhehadbeenaccustomed,hequietlymountedhischarger,toldhisastonishedsergeantthatcampaigningwasnotintendedforagentleman,andinstantlygallopedofftohisquarters,orderinghisservantstopackupeverythingimmediately,ashehadhiredatransporttotakehimofftoEngland.Heleftusbeforeanyonehadtimetostophim;andthoughdespatchesweresentofftotheCommander-in-Chief,requestingthatacourt-martialmightsittotrytheyoungdeserter,hearrivedhomelongenoughbeforethedespatchestoenablehimtoselloutofhisregiment.Hedeserved

tohavebeenshot.

SirJohnHope,whocommandedourcorpsd'armeeatBayonne,hadhisquartersatavillageontheAdour,calledBeaucauld.Hewasgoodenoughtonamemetothecommandofthevillage;whichhonourIdidnotholdformanydays,forthefamoussortiefromBayonnetookplacesoonafter,andthegeneralwasmadeprisoner.

SIRJOHNWATERS

AmongstthedistinguishedmeninthePeninsularwarwhommymemorybrings

occasionallybeforeme,isthewell-knownandhighlypopularQuartermasterGeneralSirJohnWaters,whowasbornatMargam,aWelshvillageinGlamorganshire.Hewasoneofthoseextraordinarypersonsthatseemcreatedbykindnatureforparticularpurposes;and,withoutusingthewordinanoffensivesense,hewasthemostadmirablespythatwaseverattachedtoanarmy.OnewouldalmosthavethoughtthattheSpanishwarwasentereduponandcarriedoninordertodisplayhisremarkablequalities.HecouldassumethecharacterofSpaniardsofeverydegreeandstation,soastodeceivethemostacuteofthosewhomhedelightedtoimitate.Intheposadaofthevillagehewashailedbythecontrabandistorthemuleteerasoneoftheirownrace;inthegayassemblieshewasanaccomplishedhidalgo;atthebull-fightthetoreadorreceivedhiscongratulationsasfromonewhohadencounteredthetorointhearena;

inthechurchhewouldconversewiththefriaruponthenumberofAveMariasandPater-nosterswhichcouldlayaghost,ortellhimthehistoryofeveryonewhohadperishedbytheflameoftheInquisition,relatinghiscrime,whethercarnaloranti-Catholic;andhecouldjoinintheseguadillaorintheguaracha.Butwhatrenderedhimmoreefficientthanallwashiswonderfulpowerofobservationandaccuratedescription,whichmadetheinformationhegavesoreliableandvaluabletotheDukeofWellington.Nothingescapedhim.Whenamidstagroupofpersons,hewouldminutelywatchthemovement,attitude,andexpressionofeveryindividualthatcomposedit;inthescenerybywhichhewassurrounded


16/89

hewouldcarefullymarkeveryobject:-notatree,notabush,notalargestone,escapedhisobservation;anditwassaidthatinacottagehenotedeverypieceofcrockeryontheshelf,everydomesticutensil,andeventhenumberofknivesandforksthatweregotreadyforuseatdinner.HisacquaintancewiththeSpanishlanguagewasmarvellous;fromthefinestworksofCalderontotheballadsinthepatoisofeveryprovince,hecouldquote,totheinfinitedelightofthosewithwhomheassociated.Hecouldassumeanycharacterthathepleased:hecouldbetheCastilian,haughtyandreserved;theAsturian,stupidandplodding;theCatalonian,intriguingandcunning;theAndalusian,laughingandmerry;-inshort,hewasallthingstoallmen.Norwasheincapableofpassingoff,whenoccasionrequired,foraFrenchman;butashespokethelanguagewithastrongGermanaccent,hecalledhimselfanAlsatian.Hemaintainedthatcharacterwiththeutmostnicety;andasthereisastrongfeelingoffellowship,almostequaltothatwhichexistsinScotland,amongstallthosewhoareborninthedepartmentsofFranceborderingontheRhine,andwhomaintaintheirTeutonicoriginality,healwaysfoundfriendsandsupportersineveryregimentintheFrenchservice.

HewasononeoccasionentrustedwithaverydifficultmissionbytheDukeofWellington,whichheundertookeffectuallytoperform,andtoreturnonaparticulardaywiththeinformationthatwasrequired.

Greatwasthedisappointmentwhenitwasascertainedbeyondadoubtthatjustafterleavingthecamphehadbeentakenprisoner,beforehehadtimetoexchangehisuniform.Such,however,wasthecase:atroopofdragoonshadinterceptedhim,andcarriedhimoff;andthecommandingofficerdesiredtwosoldierstokeepastrictwatchoverhimandcarryhimtohead-quarters.Hewasofcoursedisarmed,andbeingplacedonahorse,was,afterashorttime,gallopedoffbyhisguards.Hesleptonenightunderdurancevileatasmallinn,wherehewasallowedtoremaininthekitchen;conversationflowedonveryglibly,andasheappearedastupidEnglishman,whocouldnotunderstandawordofFrenchorSpanish,hewasallowedtolisten,andthusobtainedpreciselytheintelligencethathewasinsearchof.Thefollowingmorning,beingagainmounted,heoverheardaconversationbetweenhis

guards,whodeliberatelyagreedtorobhim,andtoshoothimatamillwheretheyweretostop,andtoreporttotheirofficerthattheyhadbeencompelledtofireathiminconsequenceofhisattempttoescape.

Shortlybeforetheyarrivedatthemill,forfearthattheymightmeetwithsomeonewhowouldinsistonhavingaportionofthespoil,thedragoonstookfromtheprisonerhiswatchandhispurse,whichhesurrenderedwithagoodgrace.Ontheirarrivalatthemill,theydismounted,andinordertogivesomeappearanceoftruthtotheirstory,theywentintothehouse;leavingtheirprisoneroutside,inthehopethathewouldmakesomeattempttoescape.InaninstantWatersthrewhiscloakuponaneighbouringolivebush,andmountedhiscockedhatonthetop.Someemptyfloursackslayupontheground,andahorseladenwithwell-filled

floursacksstoodatthedoor.SirJohncontrivedtoenteroneoftheemptysacksandthrowhimselfacrossthehorse.Whenthesoldierscameoutofthehousetheyfiredtheircarbinesatthesupposedprisoner,andgallopedoffattheirutmostspeed.

Ashorttimeafterthemillercameoutandmountedhissteed;thegeneralcontrivedtoridhimselfoftheencumbranceofthesack,andsatup,ridingbehindtheman,who,suddenlyturninground,sawaghost,ashebelieved,fortheflourthatstillremainedinthesackhadcompletelywhitenedhisfellow-travellerandgivenhimamostunearthlyappearance.


17/89

Thefrightenedmillerwas"putrified,"asMrs.Malapropwouldsay,atthesight,andapushfromthewhitespectrebroughttheunfortunatemantotheground,whenawayrodethegallantquartermasterwithhissacksofflour,which,atlengthbursting,madealudicrousspectacleofmanandhorse.

OnreachingtheEnglishcamp,whereLordWellingtonwasanxiouslydeploringhisfate,asuddenshoutfromthesoldiersmadehislordshipturnround,whenafigure,resemblingthestatuein"DonJuan,"gallopeduptohim.Theduke,affectionatelyshakinghimbythehand,said-

"Waters,youneveryetdeceivedme;andthoughyouhavecomeinamostquestionableshape,Imustcongratulateyouandmyself."

Whenthisstorywastoldattheclubs,oneofthoselisteners,whoalwayswantsomethingmore,calledout,"Well,andwhatdidWaterssay?"towhichAlvanleyreplied-

"Oh,Watersmadeaveryfloweryspeech,likeawell-bredman."

THEBATTLEOFTHENIVELLE

WeexpectedtoremainquietlyinourwinterquartersatSt.JeandeLuz;but,tooursurprise,earlyonemorning,wewerearousedfromsleepbythebeatingofthedrumcallingustoarms.Weweresooninmarchingorder.ItappearedthatouroutpostshadbeenseverelypushedbytheFrench,andwewerecalledupontosupportourcompanionsinarms.

ThewholeoftheBritisharmy,aswellasthedivisionoftheGuards,hadcommencedaforwardmovement.Soult,seeingthis,entirelychangedhistactics,andfromthattime,viz.the9thofDecember,aseriesofengagementstookplace.Thefightingonthe9thwascomparativelyinsignificant.Whenwewereattackedonthe10th,theGuardsheldthemayor'shouse,andthegroundsandorchardsattached:thiswasanimportantstation.

Largebodiesoftheenemy'sinfantryapproached,and,afterdesultoryfighting,succeededinpenetratingourposition,whenmanyhand-to-handcombatsensued.Towardstheafternoon,officersandmenhavingdisplayedgreatgallantry,wedrovetheenemyfromthegroundwhichtheycourageouslydisputedwithus,andfromwhichtheyeventuallyretreatedtoBayonne.Everydaytherewasconstantfightingalongthewholeofourline,whichextendedfromtheseatothelowerPyrenees-adistanceprobablynotlessthanthirtymiles.

Onthe1lth,weonlyexchangedafewshots,butonthe12thSoultbroughtintoactionfromfifteentotwentythousandmen,andattackedourleftwithaviewofbreakingourline.Oneofthemostremarkableincidents

ofthe12thwasthefactofanEnglishbattalionbeingsurroundedbyadivisionofFrenchintheneighbourhoodofthemayor'shouse-which,asbeforeobserved,wasoneofourprincipalstrategicalpositions.TheFrenchcommandingofficer,believingthatnoattemptwouldbemadetoresist,gallopeduptotheofficeroftheBritishregiment,anddemandedhissword.Uponthis,withouttheleasthesitation,theBritishofficershoutedout,"Thisfellowwantsustosurrender:charge,myboys!andshowthemwhatstuffwearemadeof."Instantaneously,aheartycheerrangout,andourmenrushedforwardimpetuously,droveofftheenemyatthepointofthebayonet,andsoondisposedofthesurroundingmasses.


18/89

Inafewminutestheyhadtakenprisoners,orkilled,thewholeoftheinfantryregimentopposedtothem.

Onthe13thwasfoughtthebloodybattleoftheNivelle.SoulthaddeterminedtomakeagiganticefforttodriveusbackintoSpain.Duringthenightofthe12th,herapidlyconcentratedaboutsixtythousandtroopsinfrontofSirRowlandHill'scorpsd'armee,consistingof15,000men,whooccupiedaverystrongposition,whichwasdefendedbysomeofthebestartilleryintheworld.AtdaybreakSirRowlandHillwasastonishedtofindhimselfthreatenedbymassesofinfantryadvancingoveracountryluckilyintersectedbyrivulets,hedges,andwoods,whichpreventedtheenemyfrommakingarapidadvance;whilst,atthesametime,itwasimpossibleonsuchgroundtoemploycavalry.SirRowland,availinghimselfofanelevatedposition,hurriedlysurveyedhisground,andconcentratedhismenatsuchpointsasheknewthenatureofthefieldwouldinducetheenemytoattack.TheFrench,confidentofsuccessfromtheirsuperiornumbers,camegallantlyup,usingthebayonetforthefirsttimeinapremeditatedattack;Ourmenstoodtheirground,andforhoursactedpurelyonthedefensive;beingsustainedbytheadmirablepracticeofourartillery,whosemovementsnodifficultyofgroundcould,onthisoccasion,impede,soefficientlywerethegunshorsed,andsoperfectwasthetrainingoftheofficers.Itwasnotuntilmid-daythattheenemybecamediscouragedatfindingthattheywereunabletomakeanyseriousimpressiononourposition;theythen

retiredingoodorder,SirRowlandHillnotdaringtofollowthem.

LordWellingtonarrivedjustintimetowitnesstheendofthebattle;andwhilegoingoverthefieldwithSirRowlandHill,heremarkedthathehadneverseensomanymenhorsdecombatinsosmallaspace.

Imustnotomittomentionacircumstancewhichoccurredduringthisgreatfight,alikeillustrativeofcowardiceandofcourage.Thecolonelofaninfantryregiment,whoshallbenameless,beinghardpressed,showedadispositionnotonlytorunawayhimself,buttoorderhisregimenttoretire.Infact,aretrogrademovementhadcommenced,whenmygallantanddearfriendLordCharlesSpencer,aide-de-camptoSirWilliamStewart,dashedforward,and,seizingthecoloursoftheregiment,

exclaimed,"Ifyourcolonelwillnotleadyou,followme,myboys."Thegallantryofthisyouth,thenonlyeighteenyearsofage,soanimatedtheregiment,andrestoredtheirconfidence,thattheyralliedandsharedinthegloryoftheday.

THEPASSAGEOFTHEADOUR

ImmediatelyafterthebattleofNivelle,LordWellingtondeterminedtoadvancehiswholelineontoFrenchground.Theright,underhisowncommand,pushedontowardsOrthes,whilsttheleft,underthecommandofSirJohnHope,proceededinthedirectionofBayonne.We(theGuards)

wereincorporatedinthelattercorpsd'armee.

Whilsttheseoperationsweregoingon,Soultwasorganizinghisdiscouragedarmy,inordertomake,asearlyaspossible,anotherconvenientstand.TheenemyfellbackonOrthes,andtheretookupastrongposition;Soultwas,nevertheless,destinedtobebeatenagainatOrthes.Itsohappenedthat,forthefirsttimesincethebattleofVittoria,ourcavalrywereengaged:thenatureofthegroundatNiveandNivellewassuchastopreventthepossibilityofemployingthemountedsoldier.


19/89

ImusthererecordanincidentwhichcreatedaconsiderablesensationinmilitarycirclesinconnectionwiththebattleofOrthes.The10thHussars,officeredexclusivelybymenbelongingtothenoblestfamiliesofGreatBritain,showedadesiretotakeamoreactivepartinthecontestthantheircolonel(Quintin)thoughtprudent.TheypressedhardtobepermittedtochargetheFrenchcavalryonmorethanoneoccasion,butinvain.Thissodisgustedeveryofficerintheregiment,thattheyeventuallysignedaroundrobin,bywhichtheyagreedneveragaintospeaktotheircolonel.WhentheregimentreturnedtoEngland,acourtofinquirywasheld,whichresulted,throughtheprotectionofthePrinceRegent,inthecolonel'sexonerationfromallblame,andatthesametimetheexchangeoftherebelliousofficersintootherregiments.

ItwasatthebattleofOrthesthatthelateDukeofRichmondwasshotthroughthebody,gallantlyfightingwiththe7thFusiliers.LordWellingtonhaddeterminedtocrosstheAdour,andSirJohnHopewasintrustedwithacorpsd'armee,whichwasthefirsttoperformthisdifficultoperation.ItwasnecessarytoprovideSirJohnHopewithanumberofsmallboats;thesewereaccordinglybroughtonthebacksofmulesfromvariousSpanishports,itbeingimpossible,onaccountofthesurfattheentranceoftheAdour,aswellasthecommandwhichtheFrenchheldofthatriver,forLordWellingtontoavailhimselfofwatercarriage.SoulthadgivenordersfortheforcesunderGeneralThevenottodisputethepassage.

Thefirstoperationsofourcorpsweretothrowoverthe3rdGuards,underthecommandofthegallantColonelStopford;thiswasnotaccomplishedwithoutmuchdifficulty:butitwasimperativelynecessary,inordertoprotectthepointwheretheconstructionofthebridgeofboatswouldterminate.TheyhadnotbeenlongontheFrenchsideoftheriverbeforeaconsiderablebodyofmenwereseenissuingfromBayonne.SirJohnHopeorderedourartillery,androckets,thenforthefirsttimeemployed,tosupportoursmallband.ThreeorfourregimentsofFrenchinfantrywereapproachingrapidly,whenawell-directedfireofrocketsfellamongstthem.TheconsternationoftheFrenchmenwassuch,whenthesehissing,serpent-likeprojectilesdescended,thatapanicensued,andtheyre-treateduponBayonne.Thenextdaythebridgeofboatswascompleted,andthewholearmycrossed.Bayonnewaseventuallyinvested

afteracontest,inwhichitwassupposedourlossexceeded500or600men.Hereweremainedincampaboutsixweeks,expectingtobesiegethecitadel;butthiseventnevercameoff:we,however,metwithaseveredisasterandareverse.Theenemymadeanunexpectedsortie,andsurroundedGeneralSirJohnHope,whenheandthewholeofhisstaffweretakenprisoners.TheFrenchkilledandwoundedabout1,000menonthisoccasion.

Thehardly-contestedbattleofToulousewasfoughtaboutthisperiod,buttheGuardswerenotpresenttosharethehonoursofacontestwhichclosedtheeventfulwaroftheSpanishPeninsula.

ARRIVALOFTHEGUARDSATBORDEAUX

WhenwereachedBordeaux,whichhadnowbecomeastrongholdoftheRoyalists,wewerereceivedbytheinhabitantswithawelcomewhichresembledwhatwouldbeshowntofriendsanddeliverers,ratherthantoaforeignsoldiery.Nothingcouldbemoregratifyingandmoreacceptabletoourfeelings,sinceitwasthefirsttimeafterourarrivalontheContinentthatwemetwithcordialityandanapparentdesiretomakeourquartersascomfortableaspossible.TheDucd'AngoulemehadreachedBordeauxbefore


20/89


21/89

herridiculeasthemostobnoxiouspersonofheracquaintance.

HernarrativeofherfirstintroductiontotheDukeofYorkhasoftenbeenrepeated;but,asallherstorieswereconsideredapocryphal,itisdifficulttoarriveatarealhistoryofhercareer.Certainhowever,isitthat,abouttheageofsixteen,shewasresidingatBlackheath-asweet,pretty,livelygirl-when,inherdailywalkacrosstheheath,shewaspassed,ontwoorthreeoccasions,byahandsome,well-dressedcavalier,who,findingthatsherecognisedhissalute,dismounted;pleasedwithhermannerandwit,hebeggedtobeallowedtointroduceafriend.Accordingly,onherconsenting,apersontowhomthecavalierappearedtopayeverysortofdeferencewaspresentedtoher,andtheacquaintanceripenedintosomethingmorethanfriendship.Nottheslightestideahadtheyoungladyofthepositioninsocietyofherlover,untilsheaccompaniedhim,onhisinvitation,tothetheatre,wheresheoccupiedaprivatebox,whenshewassurprisedattheceremonywithwhichshewastreated,andatobservingthateveryeyeandeverylorgnetteinthehouseweredirectedtowardsherinthecourseoftheevening.Sheacceptedthisasatributetoherbeauty.Findingthatshecouldgoagaintothetheatrewhenshepleased,andoccupythesamebox,sheavailedherselfofthisopportunitywithafemalefriend,andwasnotalittleastonishedatbeingaddressedasHerRoyalHighness.ShethendiscoveredthattheindividualintowhoseaffectionsshehadinsinuatedherselfwasthesonoftheKing,theDukeofYork,whohadnotlong

beforeunitedhimselftoalady,forwhomshehadbeenmistaken.

Mrs.MaryAnneClarkewassoonreconciledtothethoughtofbeingthewifeofaprincebythelefthand,particularlyasshefoundherselfassiduouslycourtedbypersonsofthehighestrank,andmoreespeciallybymilitarymen.Alargehouseinafashionablestreetwastakenforher,andanestablishmentonamagnificentscalegaveheranopportunityofsurroundingherselfwithpersonsofaspherefarbeyondanythingshecouldinheryoungerdayshavedreamtof;herfatherhavingbeeninanhonourabletrade,andherhusbandbeingonlyacaptaininamarchingregiment.Theduke,delightedtoseehisfairfriendsowellreceived,constantlyhonouredherdinner-tablewithhispresence,andwillinglygratifiedanywishthatsheexpressed;andhemusthaveknown(andfor

thishewasafterwardshighlycensured)thatherstyleoflivingwasuponascaleofgreatexpense,andthathehimselfcontributedlittletowardsit.Theconsequencewasthatthehospitableladyeventuallybecameembarrassed,andknewnotwhichwaytoturntomeetheroutlay.Itwassuggestedtoherthatshemightobtainfromthedukecommissionsinthearmy,whichshecouldeasilydisposeofatagoodprice.Individualsquicklycameforward,readytopurchaseanythingthatcamewithinhergrasp,whichsheextendednotonlytothearmy,but,asitafterwardsappeared,totheChurch;fortherewerereverendpersonageswhoavailedthemselvesofherassistance,andthusobtainedpatronage,bywhichtheyadvancedtheirworldlyinterestsveryrapidly.

MRS.MARYANNECLARKEANDCOL.WARDLE

AmongstthosewhopaidgreatattentiontoMrs.MaryAnneClarkewasColonelWardle,atthattimearemarkablememberoftheHouseofCommons,andaboldleaderoftheRadicalOpposition.Hegotintimatelyacquaintedwithher,andwassogreatapersonalfavouritethatitwasbelievedhewormedoutallhersecrethistory,ofwhichheavailedhimselftoobtainafleetingpopularity.


22/89

Havingobtainedthenamesofsomeofthepartieswhohadbeenfortunateenough,astheyimagined,tosecurethelady'sfavour,heloudlydemandedaninquiryintheHouseofCommonsastothemanagementofthearmybytheCommander-in-Chief,theDukeofYork.ThenationandthearmywerefondofhisRoyalHighness,andeveryattempttoscreenhimwasmade;butinvain.TheHouseundertookthetaskofinvestigatingtheconductoftheduke,andwitnesseswereproduced,amongstwhomwasthefairladyherself,whobynomeansattemptedtoscreenherimprudentadmirer.Herresponsestothequestionsputtoherwerecleverlyandarchlygiven,andthewholemysteryofhervariousintriguescametolight.ThedukeconsequentlyresignedhisplaceintheHorseGuards,andatthesametimerepudiatedthebeautifulanddangerouscauseofhishumiliation.Thelady,incensedatthedesertionofherroyalswain,announcedherintentionofpublishinghislove-letters,whichwerelikelytoexposethewholeoftheroyalfamilytoridicule,astheyformedthefrequentthemesofhiscorrespondence.SirHerbertTaylorwasthereforecommissionedtoenterintoanegotiationforthepurchaseoftheletters;thisheeffectedatanenormousprice,obtainingawrittendocumentatthesametimebywhichMrs.Clarkewassubjectedtoheavypenaltiesifshe,bywordordeed,implicatedthehonourofanyofthebranchesoftheroyalfamily.Apensionwassecuredtoher,onconditionthatsheshouldquitEngland,andresidewherevershechoseontheContinent.Toallthissheconsented,and,inthefirstinstance,wenttoBrussels,whereherprevioushistorybeingscarcelyknown,shewaswellreceived;

andshemarriedherdaughterswithoutanyinquiryastothefatherstowhomshemightascribethem.

Mrs.ClarkeafterwardssettledquietlyandcomfortablyinParis,receivingoccasionallyvisitsfrommembersofthearistocracywhohadknownherwhenminglinginacertaincircleinLondon.TheMarquisofLondonderryneverfailedtopayhisrespectstoher,entertainingaveryhighopinionofhertalents.Hermannerswereexceedinglyagreeable,andtothelatestdaysheretainedpleasingtracesofpastbeauty.Shewaslively,sprightly,andfulloffun,andindulgedininnumerableanecdotesofthemembersoftheroyalfamilyofEngland-someofthemmuchtooscandaloustoberepeated.SheregardedtheDukeofYorkasabigbaby,notoutofhisleading-strings,andthePrinceofWalesasanidlesensualist,

withjustenoughofbrainstobeguidedbyanylaughing,well-bredindividualwhowouldlistentostalejokesandimpudentribaldry.OfQueenCharlottesheusedtospeakwiththeutmostdisrespect,attributingtoheraloveofdominationandahatredofeveryonewhowouldnotbowdownbeforeanyidolthatshechosetosetup;andasbeingenviousofthePrincessCarolineandherdaughterthePrincessCharlotteofWales,andjealousoftheiracquiringtoomuchinfluenceoverthePrinceofWales.Inshort,MaryAnneClarkehadbeensointimatelyletintoeverysecretofthelifeoftheroyalfamilythat,hadshenotbeentieddown,herrevelationswouldhaveastonishedtheworld,howeverwillingthepeoplemighthavebeentobelievethattheyweretingedwithscandalandexaggeration.

ThewayinwhichColonelWardlefirstobtainedinformationofthesaleofcommissionswassingularenough:hewaspayingaclandestinevisittoMrs.Clarke,whenacarriagewiththeroyalliverydroveuptothedoor,andthegallantofficerwascompelledtotakerefugeunderthesofa;butinsteadoftheroyalduke,thereappearedoneofhisaide-de-camps,whoenteredintoconversationinsomysteriousamannerastoexcitetheattentionofthegentlemanunderthesofa,andledhimtobelievethatthesaleofacommissionwasauthorisedbytheCommander-in-Chief;thoughitafterwardsappearedthatitwasaprivatearrangementoftheunwelcomevisitor.AttheHorse-Guards,ithadoftenbeensuspected


23/89

thattherewasamysteryconnectedwithcommissionsthatcouldnotbefathomed;asitfrequentlyhappenedthatthelistofpromotionsagreedonwassurreptitiouslyincreasedbytheadditionofnewnames.Thiswasthecraftyhandiworkoftheaccomplisheddame;thedukehavingemployedherashisamanuensis,andbeingaccustomedtosignherautographlistswithoutexamination.

SOCIETYINLONDONIN1814

Intheyear1814,mybattalionoftheGuardswasoncemoreinitsoldquartersinPortmanStreetbarracks,enjoyingthefameofourSpanishcampaign.GoodsocietyattheperiodtowhichIreferwas,touseafamiliarexpression,wonderfully"select."AtthepresenttimeonecanhardlyconceivetheimportancewhichwasattachedtogettingadmissiontoAlmack's,theseventhheavenofthefashionableworld.OfthethreehundredofficersoftheFootGuards,notmorethanhalfadozenwerehonouredwithvouchersofadmissiontothisexclusivetempleofthebeaumonde;thegatesofwhichwereguardedbyladypatronesses,whosesmilesorfrownsconsignedmenandwomentohappinessordespair.TheseladypatronessesweretheLadiesCastlereagh,Jersey,Cowper,andSefton,Mrs.DrummondBurrell,nowLadyWilloughby,thePrincessEsterhazy,andtheCountessLieven.

ThemostpopularamongstthesegrandesdameswasunquestionablyLadyCowper,nowLadyPalmerston.LadyJersey'sbearing,onthecontrary,wasthatofatheatricaltragedyqueen;andwhilstattemptingthesublime,shefrequentlymadeherselfsimplyridiculous,beinginconceivablyrude,andinhermanneroftenill-bred.LadySeftonwaskindandamiable,MadamedeLievenhaughtyandexclusive,PrincessEsterhazywasabonenfant,LadyCastlereaghandMrs.Burrelldetresgrandesdames.

Manydiplomaticarts,muchfinesse,andahostofintrigues,weresetinmotiontogetaninvitationtoAlmack's.Veryoftenpersonswhoserankandfortunesentitledthemtotheentreeanywhere,wereexcludedbythecliqueismoftheladypatronesses;forthefemalegovernment

ofAlmack'swasapuredespotism,andsubjecttoallthecapricesofdespoticrule:itisneedlesstoaddthat,likeeveryotherdespotism,itwasnotinnocentofabuses.Thefairladieswhoruledsupremeoverthislittledancingandgossipingworld,issuedasolemnproclamationthatnogentlemanshouldappearattheassemblieswithoutbeingdressedinknee-breeches,whitecravat,andchapeaubras.Ononeoccasion,theDukeofWellingtonwasabouttoascendthestaircaseoftheball-room,dressedinblacktrousers,whenthevigilantMr.Willis,theguardianoftheestablishment,steppedforwardandsaid,"YourGracecannotbeadmittedintrousers,"whereupontheDuke,whohadagreatrespectforordersandregulations,quietlywalkedaway.

In1814,thedancesatAlmack'swereScotchreelsandtheoldEnglish

country-dance;andtheorchestra,beingfromEdinburgh,wasconductedbythethencelebratedNeilGow.Itwasnotuntil1815thatLadyJerseyintroducedfromParisthefavouritequadrille,whichhassolongremainedpopular.IrecollectthepersonswhoformedtheveryfirstquadrillethatwaseverdancedatAlmack's:theywereLadyJersey,LadyHarrietButler,LadySusanRyder,andMissMontgomery;themenbeingtheCountSt.Aldegonde,Mr.Montgomery,Mr.Montague,andCharlesStandish.The"mazywaltz"wasalsobroughttousaboutthistime;buttherewerecomparativelyfewwhoatfirstventuredtowhirlroundthesalonsofAlmack's;incourseoftimeLordPalmerstonmight,however,havebeen


24/89

seendescribinganinfinitenumberofcircleswithMadamedeLieven.BarondeNeumannwasfrequentlyseenperpetuallyturningwiththePrincessEsterhazy;and,incourseoftime,thewaltzingmania,havingturnedtheheadsofsocietygenerally,descendedtotheirfeet,andthewaltzwaspractisedinthemorningincertainnoblemansionsinLondonwithunparalleledassiduity.

ThedandiesofsocietywereBeauBrummell(ofwhomIshallhavetosaysomethingonanotheroccasion),theDukeofArgyle,theLordsWorcester,Alvanley,andFoley,HenryPierrepoint,JohnMills,Bradshaw,HenrydeRos,CharlesStandish,EdwardMontagu,HerveyAston,DanMackinnon,GeorgeDawsonDamer,Lloyd(commonlyknownasRufusLloyd),andotherswhohaveescapedmymemory.TheyweregreatfrequentersofWhite'sClub,inSt.James'sStreet,where,inthefamousbaywindow,theymusteredinforce.

Drinkingandplayweremoreuniversallyindulgedinthenthanatthepresenttime,andmanymenstilllivingmustrememberthecoupleofbottlesofportatleastwhichaccompaniedhisdinnerinthosedays.Indeed,femalesocietyamongsttheupperclasseswasmostnotoriouslyneglected;except,perhaps,byromanticforeigners,whoweretheheroesofmanyatfashionableadventurethatfedtheclubswitheveracceptablescandal.Howcoulditbeotherwise,whenhusbandsspenttheirdaysinthehunting-field,orwereentirelyoccupiedwithpolitics,andalways

awayfromhomeduringtheday;whilstthedinner-party,commencingatsevenoreight,frequentlydidnotbreakupbeforeoneinthemorning.Therewerethenfour-,andevenfive-bottlemen;andtheonlythingthatsavedthemwasdrinkingveryslowly,andoutofverysmallglasses.Thelearnedheadofthelaw,LordEldon,andhisbrother,LordStowell,usedtosaythattheyhaddrunkmorebadportthananytwomeninEngland;indeed,theformerwasratherapttobeovertaken,andtospeakoccasionallysomewhatthickerthannatural,afterlongandheavypotations.ThelateLordsPanmure,Dufferin,andBlayney,wonderfultorelate,weresix-bottlemenatthistime;andIreallythinkthatifthegoodsocietyof1815couldappearbeforetheirmoremoderatedescendantsinthestatetheyweregenerallyreducedtoafterdinner,themodernswouldpronouncetheirancestorsfitfornothingbutbed.

THEITALIANOPERA.-CATALANI

ThegreatestvocalistofwhomIhavearecollection,isMadameCatalani.Inheryouth,shewasthefinestsingerinEurope,andshewasmuchsoughtafterbyallthegreatpeopleduringhersejourinLondon.Shewasextremelyhandsome,andwasconsideredamodelaswifeandmother.Catalaniwasveryfondofmoney,andwouldneversingunlesspaidbeforehand.Shewasinvited,withherhusband,topasssometimeatStowe,whereanumerousbutselectpartyhadbeeninvited;andMadameCatalani,beingaskedtosingsoonafterdinner,willinglycomplied.Whenthedayof

herdeparturecame,herhusbandplacedinthehandsoftheMarquisofBuckinghamthefollowinglittlebillet:-"Forseventeensongs,seventeenhundredpounds."Thislargesumwaspaidatonce,withouthesitation;provingthatLordBuckinghamwasarefinedgentleman,ineverysenseoftheword.

Catalani'shusband,M.deValabreque,oncefoughtaduelwithaGermanbaronwhohadinsultedtheprimadonna;theweaponsusedweresabres,andValabrequecuthalfoftheBaron'snosecleanoff.MadameCatalanilivedformanyyears,highlyrespected,atahandsomevillanearFlorence.


25/89

HertwosonsarenowdistinguishedmembersoftheImperialcourtinParis;theeldestbeingPrefetduPalais,andtheyoungestcolonelofaregimentofhussars.

WhenGeorgetheFourthwasRegent,HerMajesty'sTheatre,astheItalianOperaintheHaymarketisstillcalled,wasconductedonaverydifferentsystemfromthatwhichnowprevails.SomeyearsprevioustotheperiodtowhichIrefer,noonecouldobtainaboxoraticketforthepitwithoutavoucherfromoneoftheladypatronesses;who,in1805,weretheDuchessesofMarlborough,Devonshire,andBedford,LadyCarlisle,andsomeothers.Intheirday,after,thesingingandtheballetwereover,thecompanyusedtoretireintotheconcert-room,whereaballtookplace,accompaniedbyrefreshmentsandasupper.TherealltherankandfashionofEnglandwereassembledonasortofneutralground.Atalaterperiod,themanagementoftheOperaHousefellintothehandsofMr.Waters,whenitbecamelessdifficulttoobtainadmittance;butthestrictestetiquettewasstillkeptupasregardedthedressofthegentlemen,whowereonlyadmittedwithknee-buckles,ruffles,andchapeaubras.Iftherehappenedtobeadrawing-room,theladieswouldappearintheircourt-dresses,aswellasthegentlemen,andonalloccasionstheaudienceofHerMajesty'sTheatrewasstampedwitharistocraticelegance.IntheboxesofthefirsttiermighthavebeenseenthedaughtersoftheDuchessofArgyle,fourofEngland'sbeauties;inthenextboxweretheequallylovelyMarchionessofStaffordandherdaughter,Lady

ElizabethGore,nowtheDuchessofNorfolk:notlessremarkablewasLadyHarrowbyandherdaughtersLadySusanandLadyMaryRyder.Thepeculiartypeoffemalebeautywhichtheseladiessoattractivelyexemplified,issuchascanbemetwithonlyintheBritishIsles:thefull,round,soul-inspiredeyeofItaly,andthedarkhairofthesunnysouth,oftencombinedwiththatexquisitelypearlycomplexionwhichseemstobeconcomitantwithhumidityandfog.YoucouldscarcelygazeuponthepeculiarbeautytowhichIreferwithoutbeingasmuchcharmedwithitskindlyexpressionaswithitsphysicalloveliness.

DININGANDCOOKERYINENGLANDFIFTYYEARSAGO

EnglandcanboastofaSpenser,Shakspeare,Milton,andmanyotherillustriouspoets,clearlyindicatingthatthenationalcharacterofBritonsisnotdeficientinimagination;butwehavenothadonesinglemasculineinventivegeniusofthekitchen.Itistheprobableresultofournationalantipathytomysteriousculinarycompounds,thatnoneofthebrightmindsofEnglandhaveventuredintotheregionofscientificcookery.Eveninthebesthouses,whenIwasayoungman,thedinnerswerewonderfullysolid,hotandstimulating.Themenuofagranddinnerwasthuscomposed:-Mulligatawnyandturtlesoupswerethefirstdishesplacedbeforeyou;alittlelower,theeyemetwiththefamiliarsalmonatoneendofthetable,andtheturbot,surroundedbysmelts,attheother.Thefirstcoursewassuretobefollowedbyasaddleofmuttonorapiece

ofroastbeef;andthenyoucouldtakeyouroaththatfowls,tongue,andham,wouldasassuredlysucceedasdarknessafterday.

Whilsttheseneverendingpiecesderesistancewereoccupyingthetable,whatwerecalledFrenchdisheswere,forcustom'ssake,addedtothesolidabundance.TheFrench,orsidedishes,consistedofverymildbutveryabortiveattemptsatContinentalcooking,andIhavealwaysobservedthattheymetwiththeneglectandcontemptthattheymerited.Theuniversallyadoredandeverpopularboiledpotato,producedattheveryearliestperiodofthedinner,waseatenwitheverything,upto


26/89

themomentwhensweetsappeared.Ourvegetables,thebestintheworld,wereneverhonouredbyanaccompanyingsauce,andgenerallycametothetablecold.Aprimedifficultytoovercomewastheplacingonyourfork,andfinallyinyourmouth,somehalf-dozendifferenteatableswhichoccupiedyourplateatthesametime.Forexample,yourplatewouldcontain,say,asliceofturkey,apieceofstuffing,asausage,pickles,asliceoftongue,cauliflower,andpotatoes.Accordingtohabitandcustom,ajudiciousandcarefulselectionfromthislittlebazaarofgoodthingswastobemade,withanendeavourtoplaceaportionofeachinyourmouthatthesamemoment.Infact,itappearedtomethatweusedtodoallourcompoundcookerybetweenourjaws.Thedessert-generallyorderedatMessrs.Grange's,oratOwen's,inBondStreet-ifforadozenpeople,wouldcostatleastasmanypounds.Thewineswerechieflyport,sherry,andhock;claret,andevenBurgundy,beingthendesignated"poor,thin,washystuff."Aperpetualthirstseemedtocomeoverpeople,bothmenandwomen,assoonastheyhadtastedtheirsoup;asfromthatmomenteverybodywastakingwinewitheverybodyelsetillthecloseofthedinner;andsuchwineasproducedthatclassofcordialitywhichfrequentlywandersintostupefaction.Howallthissortofeatinganddrinkingendedwasobvious,fromtheprevalenceofgout,andthenecessityofeveryonemakingthepill-boxtheirconstantbedroomcompanion.

THEPRINCEREGENT

WhentheeldestsonofGeorgetheThirdassumedtheRegency,Englandwasinastateofpoliticaltransition.TheconvulsionsoftheContinentwerefeltamongstus;theveryfoundationsofEuropeansocietywereshaking,andthesocialrelationsofmenwererapidlychanging.TheRegent'snaturalleaningsweretowardstheTories;thereforeassoonasheundertooktheresponsibilityofpower,heabruptlyabandonedtheWhigsandretainedinofficetheadmirersandpartisansofhisfather'spolicy.Thisresolutioncausedhimtohaveinnumerableandinveterateenemies,whoneverlostanopportunityofattackinghispublicactsandinterferingwithhisdomesticrelations.

TheRegentwassingularlyimbuedwithpettyroyalpride.HewouldratherbeamiableandfamiliarwithhistailorthanagreeableandfriendlywiththemostillustriousofthearistocracyofGreatBritain;hewouldratherjokewithaBrummellthanadmittohisconfidenceaNorfolkoraSomerset.TheRegentwasalwaysparticularlywell-bredinpublic,andshowed,ifhechose,decidedlygoodmanners;buthewasinthehabitveryoftenofaddressinghimselfinpreferencetothosewhomhefelthecouldpatronise.HisRoyalHighnesswasasmuchthevictimofcircumstancesandthechildofthoughtlessimprudenceasthemosthumblesubjectofthecrown.HisunfortunatemarriagewithaPrincessofBrunswickoriginatedinhisdebts;ashemarriedthatunhappyladyforonemillionsterling,WilliamPittbeingthecontractor!ThePrincessofWalesmarriednothing

butanassociationwiththeCrownofEngland.IfthePrinceeverseriouslylovedanywoman,itwasMrs.Fitzherbert,withwhomhehadappearedatthealtar.

PublicopinioninEngland,undertheinspirationoftheWhigs,raisedacryofindignationagainstthePrince.Itwasimagined,Ipresume,thatroyalpersonageshouldbebornwithoutheartorfeeling;thatheshouldhavebeenabletoliveonlyforthegoodoftheStateandfortheconvenienceofhiscreditors.ThePrincessofWaleswasoneofthemostunattractiveandalmostrepulsivewomenforanelegant-minded


27/89

manthatcouldwellhavebeenfoundamongstGermanroyalty.ItisnotmyintentiontorecalltheeventsoftheRegency.ItiswellknownthatthePrincebecameeventuallysounpopularastoexcludehimselfasmuchaspossiblefrompublicgaze.Hisintimatecompanions,afterthetrialofQueenCaroline,wereLordsCunninghamandFife,SirBenjaminBloomfield,SirWilliamMacmahon,AdmiralNagle,SirA.Barnard,LordsGlenlyon,Hertford,andLowther.Thesegentlemengenerallydinedwithhim;thedinnerbeingtheartisticproductofthatfamousgastronomicsavant,Wattiers.ThePrincewasveryfondoflisteningafterdinnertothegossipofsociety.WhenhebecameGeorgetheFourth,nochangetookplaceinthesepersonnelsatthebanquet,exceptingthatwiththefruitsandflowersofthetablewasintroducedthebeautifulMarchionessofConyngham,whosebrilliantwit,accordingtotheestimationofhisMajesty,surpassedthatofanyotherofhisfriends,maleorfemale.

PRINCESSCHARLOTTEOFWALESATAFETEINTHEYEAR1813,ATCARLTONHOUSE

CarltonHouse,attheperiodtowhichIrefer,wasacentreforallthegreatpoliticiansandwitswhowerethefavoritesoftheRegent.TheprincipalentranceofthispalaceinPallMall,withitsscreenofcolumns,willberememberedbymany.IntherearofthemansionwasanextensivegardenthatreachedfromWarwickStreettoMarlborough

House;greensward,statelytrees,(probablytwohundredyearsold),andbedsofthechoicestflowers,gavetothegroundsapicturesqueattractionperhapsunequalled.ItwasherethattheheirtothethroneofEnglandgave,in1813,anopen-airfete,inhonourofthebattleofVittoria.Aboutthreeo'clockP.M.theeliteofLondonsociety,whohadbeenhonouredwithaninvitation,begantoarrive-allinfulldress;theladiesparticularlydisplayingtheirdiamondsandpearls,asiftheyweregoingtoadrawing-room.Themenwere,ofcourse,infulldress,wearingknee-buckles.TheregalcirclewascomposedoftheQueen,theRegent,thePrincessSophiaandMary,thePrincessCharlotte,theDukesofYork,Clarence,Cumberland,andCambridge.

ThiswasthefirstdaythatherRoyalHighnessthePrincessCharlotte

appearedinpublic.Shewasayoungladyofmorethanordinarypersonalattractions;herfeatureswereregular,andhercomplexionfair,withtherichbloomofyouthfulbeauty;hereyeswereblueandveryexpressive,andherhairwasabundant,andofthatpeculiarlightbrownwhichmergesintothegolden:infact,suchhairastheMiddle-AgeItalianpaintersassociatewiththeirconceptionsoftheMadonna.InfigureherRoyalHighnesswassomewhatovertheordinaryheightofwomen,butfinelyproportionedandwelldeveloped.Hermannerswereremarkableforasimplicityandgood-naturewhichwouldhavewonadmirationandinvitedaffectioninthemosthumblewalksoflife.Shecreateduniversaladmiration,andImaysayafeelingofnationalpride,amongstallwhoattendedtheball.ThePrinceRegententeredthegardensgivinghisarmtotheQueen,therestoftheroyalfamilyfollowing.Tentshadbeenerected

invariouspartsofthegrounds,wherethebandsoftheGuardswerestationed.Theweatherwasmagnificent,acircumstancewhichcontributedtoshowofftheadmirablearrangementsofSirBenjaminBloomfield,towhomhadbeendeputedtheorganizationofthefete,whichcommencedbydancingonthelawn.

ThePrincessCharlottehonouredwithherpresencetwodances.InthefirstsheacceptedthehandofthelateDukeofDevonshire,andinthesecondthatoftheEarlofAboyne,whohaddancedwithMarieAntoinette,andwho,asLordHuntley,livedlongenoughtodancewithQueenVictoria.


28/89

ThePrincessenteredsomuchintothespiritofthefeteastoaskforthethenfashionableScotchdances.ThePrincewasdressedintheWindsoruniform,andworethegarterandstar.Hemadehimselfveryamiable,andconversedmuchwiththeLadiesHertford,Cholmondeley,andMontford.Altogether,thefetewasamemorableevent.

Ayearafterwards,theDukeofYorksaidtohisroyalniece,"Tellme,mydear,haveyouseenanyoneamongtheforeignprinceswhomyouwouldliketohaveforahusband?"ThePrincessnaivelyreplied,"NoonesomuchprepossessesmeasPrinceLeopoldofCoburg.Ihaveheardmuchofhisbraveryinthefield,andImustsayheispersonallyagreeabletome.IhaveparticularlyheardofhisfamouscavalrychargeatthebattleofLeipsic,wherehetookseveralthousandprisoners,forwhichhewasrewardedwiththeOrderofMariaTherese."Inafewmonthsafterwardsshebecamethewifeofthemanwhomshesomuchadmired,andfromwhomshewastornawaynotlongafterbythecruelhandofdeath.Itwillberememberedthatshediedinchildbirth,andheroffspringexpiredatthesametime.Theaccoucheurwhoattendedherwassomuchaffectedbythecalamity,thathecommittedsuicidesomeshorttimeafterwards.

BEAUBRUMMELL

Amongstthecuriousfreaksoffortunethereisnonemoreremarkableinmymemorythanthesuddenappearance,inthehighestandbestsocietyinLondon,ofayoungmanwhoseantecedentswarrantedamuchlessconspicuouscareer:IrefertothefamousBeauBrummell.Wehaveinnumerableinstancesofsoldiers,lawyers,andmenofletters,elevatingthemselvesfromthemosthumblestations,andbecomingthecompanionsofprincesandlawgivers;buttherearecomparativelyfewexamplesofmenobtainingasimilarlyelevatedpositionsimplyfromtheirattractivepersonalappearanceandfascinatingmanners.Brummell'sfather,whowasastewardtooneortwolargeestates,senthissonGeorgetoEton.Hewasendowedwithahandsomeperson,anddistinguishedhimselfatEtonasthebestscholar,thebestboatman,andthebestcricketer;and,morethanall,hewassupposedtopossessthecomprehensiveexcellencesthatarerepresented

bythefamiliartermof"goodfellow."Hemademanyfriendsamongstthescionsofgoodfamilies,bywhomhewasconsideredasortofCrichton;andhisreputationreachedacircleoverwhichreignedthecelebratedDuchessofDevonshire.AtagrandballgivenbyherGrace,GeorgeBrummell,thenquiteayouth,appearedforthefirsttimeinsuchelevatedsociety.Heimmediatelybecameagreatfavouritewiththeladies,andwasaskedbyallthedowagerstoasmanyballsandsoireesashecouldattend.

AtlastthePrinceofWalessentforBrummell,andwassomuchpleasedwithhismannerandappearance,thathegavehimacommissioninhisownregiment,the10thHussars.Unluckily,Brummell,soonafterjoininghisregiment,wasthrownfromhishorseatagrandreviewatBrighton,whenhebrokehisclassicalRomannose.Thismisfortune,however,did

notaffectthefameofthebeau;andalthoughhisnasalorganhadundergoneaslighttransformation,itwasforgivenbyhisadmirers,sincetherestofhispersonremainedintact.Whenweareprepossessedbytheattractionsofafavourite,itisnotatriflethatwilldispeltheillusion;andBrummellcontinuedtogovernsociety,inconjunctionwiththePrinceofWales.Hewasremarkableforhisdress,whichwasgenerallyconceivedbyhimself;theexecutionofhissublimeimaginationbeingcarriedoutbythatsuperiorgenius,Mr.Weston,tailor,ofOldBondStreet.TheRegentsympathiseddeeplywithBrummell'slabourstoarriveatthemostattractiveandgentlemanlymodeofdressingthemaleform,


29/89

ataperiodwhenfashionhadplacedatthedisposalofthetailorthemosthideousmaterialthatcouldpossiblytaxhisart.Thecoatmayhavealongtailorashorttail,ahighcollaroralowcollar,butitwillalwaysbeanuglygarment.Themodernhatmaybespreadoutatthetop,ornarrowed,whilstthebrimmaybeturneduporturneddown,madealittlewideroralittlemorenarrow,stillitisinconceivablyhideous.PantaloonsandHessianbootsweretheleastobjectionablefeaturesofthecostumewhichtheimaginationofaBrummellandthegeniusofaRoyalPrincewerecalledupontomodifyorchange.Thehoursofmeditativeagonywhicheachdedicatedtotheodiousfashionsofthedayhaveleftnomonumentsavethecolouredcaricaturesinwhichtheseillustriouspersonshaveappeared.

Brummell,atthistime,besidesbeingthecompanionandfriendofthePrince,wasveryintimatewiththeDukesofRutland,Dorset,andArgyll,LordsSefton,Alvanley,andPlymouth.InthezenithofhispopularityhemightbeseenatthebaywindowofWhite'sClub,surroundedbythelionsoftheday,layingdownthelaw,andoccasionallyindulginginthosewittyremarksforwhichhewasfamous.HishouseinChapelStreetcorrespondedwithhispersonal"getup";thefurniturewasinexcellenttaste,andthelibrarycontainedthebestworksofthebestauthorsofeveryperiodandofeverycountry.Hiscanes,hissnuff-boxes,hisSevreschina,wereexquisite;hishorsesandcarriagewereconspicuousfortheirexcellence;and,infact,thesuperiortasteofaBrummell

wasdiscoverableineverythingthatbelongedtohim.

Butthereignofthekingoffashion,likeallotherreigns,wasnotdestinedtocontinueforever.BrummellwarmlyespousedthecauseofMrs.Fitzherbert,andthisofcourseoffendedthePrinceofWales.IrefertotheperiodwhenhisRoyalHighnesshadabandonedthatbeautifulwomanforanotherfavourite.AcoldnesssprangupbetweenthePrinceandhisprotege,andfinally,themirroroffashionwasexcludedfromtheroyalpresence.AcuriousaccidentbroughtBrummellagaintothedinner-tableofhisroyalpatron;hewasaskedonenightatWhite'stotakeahandatwhist,whenhewonfromGeorgeHarleyDrummond20,000.ThiscircumstancehavingbeenrelatedbytheDukeofYorktothePrinceofWales,thebeauwasagaininvitedtoCarltonHouse.Atthecommencement

ofthedinner,matterswentoffsmoothly;butBrummell,inhisjoyatfindinghimselfwithhisoldfriend,becameexcited,anddranktoomuchwine.HisRoyalHighness-whowantedtopayoffBrummellforaninsulthehadreceivedatLadyCholmondeley'sball,whenthebeau,turningtowardsthePrince,saidtoLadyWorcester,"Whoisyourfatfriend?"-hadinvitedhimtodinnermerelyoutofadesireforrevenge.ThePrincethereforepretendedtobeaffrontedwithBrummell'shilarity,andsaidtohisbrother,theDukeofYork,whowaspresent,"IthinkwehadbetterorderMr.Brummell'scarriagebeforehegetsdrunk."Whereuponherangthebell,andBrummelllefttheroyalpresence.ThiscircumstanceoriginatedthestoryaboutthebeauhavingtoldthePrincetoringthebell.IreceivedthesedetailsfromthelateGeneralSirArthurUpton,whowaspresentatthedinner.ThelatterdaysofBrummell

werecloudedwithmortificationsandpenury.HeretiredtoCalais,wherehekeptupaludicrousimitationofhispasthabits.AtleasthegothimselfnamedconsulatCaen;butheafterwardslosttheappointment,andeventuallydiedinsane,andinabjectpoverty,eitheratBoulogneorCalais.

ROMEOCOATES


30/89

Thissingularman,morethanfortyyearsago,occupiedalargeportionofpublicattention;hiseccentricitieswerethethemeofgeneralwonder,andgreatwasthecuriositytocatchaglanceatasstrangeabeingasanythateverappearedinEnglishsociety.ThisextraordinaryindividualwasanativeofoneoftheWestIndiaIslands,andwasrepresentedasamanofextraordinarywealth;towhich,however,hehadnoclaim.

Abouttheyear1808therearrivedattheYorkHotel,atBath,apersonabouttheageoffifty,somewhatgentlemanlike,butsodifferentfromtheusualmenofthedaythatconsiderableattentionwasdirectedtohim.Hewasofagoodfigure;buthisfacewassallow,seamedwithwrinkles,andmoreexpressiveofcunningthanofanyotherquality.Hisdresswasremarkable:intheday-timehewascoveredatallseasonswithenormousquantitiesoffur;buttheeveningcostumeinwhichhewenttotheballsmadeagreatimpression,fromitsgaudyappearance;forhisbuttonsaswellashisknee-buckleswereofdiamonds.Therewasofcoursegreatcuriositytoknowwhothisstrangerwas;andthiscuriositywasheightenedbyanannouncementthatheproposedtoappearatthetheatreinthecharacterofRomeo.Therewassomethingsounliketheimpassionedloverinhisappearance-somuchthatindicatedamanwithfewintellectualgifts-thateverybodywaspreparedforafailure.Noone,however,anticipatedthereality.

Onthenightfixedforhisappearancethehousewascrowdedtosuffocation.

Theplaybillshadgivenoutthat"anamateuroffashion"wouldforthatnightonlyperforminthecharacterofRomeo;besides,itwasgenerallywhisperedthattherehearsalsgaveindicationofcomedyratherthantragedy,andthathisreadingswereofaperfectlynovelcharacter.

TheveryfirstappearanceofRomeoconvulsedthehousewithlaughter.Benvoliopreparestheaudienceforthestealthyvisitofthelovertotheobjectofhisadmiration;andfullydidtheamateurgivetheexpressiontoonesenseofthewordsuttered,forhewasindeedthetruerepresentativeofathiefstealingonwardsinthenight,"withTarquin'sravishingstrides,"anddisguisinghisfaceasifhewerethoroughlyashamedofit.Thedarknessofthescenedidnot,however,showhisrealcharactersomuchasthemasquerade,whenhecameforwardwithhideousgrin,and

madewhatheconsideredhisbow,-whichconsistedinthrustinghisheadforwardandbobbingitupanddownseveraltimes,hisbodyremainingperfectlyuprightandstiff,likeatoymandarinwithmoveablehead.

Hisdresswasoutreintheextreme:whetherSpanish,Italian,orEnglish,noonecouldsay;itwaslikenothingeverworn.Inacloakofsky-bluesilk,profuselyspangled,redpantaloons,avestofwhitemuslin,surmountedbyanenormouslythickcravat,andawigalaCharlestheSecond,cappedbyanoperahat,hepresentedoneofthemostgrotesquespectacleseverwitnesseduponthestage.Thewholeofhisgarmentswereevidentlytootightforhim;andhismovementsappearedsoincongruous,thateverytimeheraisedhisarm,ormovedalimb,itwasimpossibletorefrainfromlaughter:butwhatchieflyconvulsedtheaudiencewasthebursting

ofaseaminaninexpressiblepartofhisdress,andthesuddenextrusionthroughtheredrentofaquantityofwhitelinensufficienttomakeaBourbonflag,whichwasvisiblewheneverheturnedround.Thiswasatfirstsupposedtobeawilfuloffenceagainstcommondecency,andsomedisapprobationwasevinced;buttheutterunconsciousnessoftheoddcreaturewassoonapparent,andthenurestrainedmirthreignedthroughouttheboxes,pit,andgallery.Thetotalwantofflexibilityoflimb,theawkwardnessofhisgait,andtheidioticmannerinwhichhestoodstill,allproducedamostludicrouseffect;butwhenhisgutturalvoicewasheard,andhistotalmisapprehensionofeverypassageintheplay,


31/89

especiallythevulgarityofhisaddresstoJuliet,wereperceived,everyonewassatisfiedthatShakspeare'sRomeowasburlesquedonthatoccasion.

Thebalconyscenewasinterruptedbyshrieksoflaughter,forinthemidstofoneofJuliet'simpassionedexclamations,Romeoquietlytookouthissnuff-boxandappliedapinchtohisnose;onthisawaginthegallerybawledout,"Isay,Romeo,giveusapinch,"whentheimpassionedlover,inthemostaffectedmanner,walkedtothesideboxesandofferedthecontentsofhisboxfirsttothegentlemen,andthen,withgreatgallantry,totheladies.ThisnewinterpretationofShakspearewashailedwithloudbravos,whichtheactoracknowledgedwithhisusualgrinandnod.Romeothenreturnedtothebalcony,andwasseentoextendhisarms;butallpassedindumbshow,soincessantweretheshoutsoflaughter.Allthatwentonuponthestagewasforatimequiteinaudible,butprevioustothesoliloquy"Idorememberanapothecary,"therewasforamomentadeadsilence;forinrushedtheherowithaprecipitatestepuntilhereachedthestagelamps,whenhecommencedhisspeechinthelowestpossiblewhisper,asifhehadsomethingtocommunicatetothepitthatoughtnottobegenerallyknown;andthistonewaskeptupthroughoutthewholeofthesoliloquy,sothatnotasoundcouldbeheard.

Theamateuractorshowedmanyindicationsofaberrationofmind,andseemedrathertheobjectofpitythanofamusement;he,however,appeareddelightedwithhimself,andalsowithhisaudience,forattheconclusion

hewalkedfirsttotheleftofthestageandbobbedhisheadinhisusualgrotesquemanneratthesideboxes;thentotheright,performingthesamefeat;afterwhich,goingtothecentreofthestagewiththeusualbob,andplacinghishanduponhisleftbreast,heexclaimed,"Haven'tIdoneitwell?"Tothisinquirythehouse,convulsedasitwaswithshoutsoflaughter,respondedinsuchawayasdelightedtheheartofKeanononegreatoccasion,whenhesaid,"Thepitroseatme."Thewholeaudiencestartedupasifwithoneaccord,givingayellofderision,whilstpocket-handkerchiefswavedfromallpartsofthetheatre.

Thedyingscenewasirresistiblycomic,andIquestionifListon,Munden,orJoeyKnight,wasevergreetedwithsuchmerriment;forRomeodragged

theunfortunateJulietfromthetomb,muchinthesamemannerasawasherwomanthrustsintohercartthebagoffoullinen.ButhowshallIdescribehisdeath?Outcameadirtysilkhandkerchieffromhispocket,withwhichhecarefullyswepttheground;thenhisoperahatwascarefullyplacedforapillow,anddownhelaidhimself.Aftervarioustossingsaboutheseemedreconciledtotheposition;butthehousevociferouslybawledout,"Dieagain,Romeo!"and,obedienttothecommand,heroseup,andwentthroughtheceremonyagain.Scarcelyhadhelainquietlydown,whenthecallwasagainheard,andthewell-pleasedamateurwasevidentlypreparedtoenactathirddeath;butJulietnowroseupfromhertomb,andgracefullyputanendtothisludicrousscenebyadvancingtothefrontofthestageandaptlyapplyingaquotationfromShakspeare:-

"Dyingissuchsweetsorrow,Thathewilldieagainuntilto-morrow."

Thusendedanextravaganzasuchashasseldombeenwitnessed;foralthoughCoatesrepeatedtheplayattheHaymarket,amidstshoutsoflaughterfromtheplaygoers,thereneverwassoludicrousaperformanceasthatwhichtookplaceatBathonthefirstnightofhisappearance.Eventuallyhewasdrivenfromthestagewithmuchcontumely,inconsequenceofitshavingbeendiscoveredthat,underpretenceofactingforacharitablepurpose,hehadobtainedasumofmoneyforhisperformances.Hislove


32/89

ofnotorietyledhimtohaveamostsingularshell-shapedcarriagebuilt,inwhich,drawnbytwofinewhitehorses,hewaswonttoparadeinthepark;theharness,andeveryavailablepartofthevehicle(whichwasreallyhandsome)wereblazonedoverwithhisheraldicdevice-acockcrowing,andhisappearancewasheraldedbythegaminsofLondonshriekingout"cock-a-doodle-doo."CoateseventuallyquittedLondonandsettledatBoulogne,whereafairladywasinducedtobecomethepartnerofhisexistence,notwithstandingtheridiculeofthewholeworld.

HYDEPARKAFTERTHEPENINSULARWAR

Thatextensivedistrictofparkland,theentrancesofwhichareinPiccadillyandOxfordStreet,wasfarmoreruralinappearancein1815thanatthepresentday.Underthetreescowsanddeerweregrazing;thepathswerefewerandnonetoldofthatperpetualtreadofhumanfeetwhichnowdestroysallideaofcountrycharmsandillusions.Asyougazedfromaneminence,norowsofmonotonoushousesremindedyouofthevicinityofalargecity,andtheatmosphereofHydeParkwasthenmuchmorelikewhatGodhasmadeitthanthehazy,gray,coal-darkenedhalf-twilightoftheLondonofto-day.Thecompanywhichthencongregateddailyaboutfive,wascomposedofdandiesandwomeninthebestsociety;themenmountedonsuchhorsesasEnglandalonecouldthenproduce.

Thedandy'sdressconsistedofabluecoatwithbrassbuttons,leatherbreeches,andtopboots;anditwasthefashiontowearadeep,stiffwhitecravat,whichpreventedyoufromseeingyourbootswhilestanding.AlltheworldwatchedBrummelltoimitatehim,andordertheirclothesofthetradesmanwhodressedthatsublimedandy.OnedayayouthfulbeauapproachedBrummellandsaid,"Permitmetoaskyouwhereyougetyourblacking?""Ah!"repliedBrummell,gazingcomplacentlyathisboots,"myblackingpositivelyruinsme.Iwilltellyouinconfidence;itismadewiththefinestchampagne!"

Manyoftheladiesusedtodriveintotheparkinacarriagecalledavis-a-vis,whichheldonlytwopersons.Thehammer-cloth,richinheraldicdesigns,thepowderedfootmeninsmartliveries,andacoachman

whoassumedallthegaietyandappearanceofawiggedarchbishop,wereindispensable.Theequipagesweregenerallymuchmoregorgeousthanatalaterperiod,whendemocracyinvadedtheparks,andintroducedwhatmaybetermeda"brummagemsociety,"withshabby-genteelcarriagesandservants.Thecarriagecompanyconsistedofthemostcelebratedbeauties,amongstwhomwereremarkedtheDuchessesofRutland,Argyle,Gordon,andBedford,LadiesCowper,Foley,Heathcote,LouisaLambton,Hertford,andMountjoy.ThemostconspicuoushorsemenwerethePrinceRegent(accompaniedbySirBenjaminBloomfield);theDukeofYorkandhisoldfriend,WarwickLake;theDukeofDorset,onhiswhitehorse;theMarquisofAnglesea,withhislovelydaughters;LordHarrowbyandtheLadiesRyder;theEarlofSeftonandtheLadiesMolyneux;andtheeccentricEarlofMoretononhislong-tailedgrey.Inthosedays"pretty

horsebreakers"wouldnothavedaredtoshowthemselvesinHydePark;nordidyouseeanyofthelowerormiddleclassesofLondonintrudingthemselvesinregionswhich,withasortoftacitunderstanding,werethengivenupexclusivelytopersonsofrankandfashion.

LONDONHOTELSIN1814

Therewasaclassofmen,ofveryhighrank,suchasLordsWellington,


33/89

Nelson,andCollingwood,SirJohnMooreandsomefewotherswhoneverfrequentedtheclubs.ThepersonstowhomIrefer,andamongstwhomweremanymembersofthesportingworld,usedtocongregateatafewhotels.TheClarendon,Limmer's,Ibbetson's,Fladong's,Stephens',andGrillon's,werethefashionablehotels.TheClarendonwasthenkeptbyaFrenchcook,Jacquiers,whocontrivedtoamassalargesumofmoneyintheserviceofLouistheEighteenthinEngland,andsubsequentlywithLordDarnley.ThiswastheonlypublichotelwhereyoucouldgetagenuineFrenchdinner,andforwhichyouseldompaidlessthanthreeorfourpounds;yourbottleofchampagneorofclaret,intheyear1814,costingyouaguinea.

Limmer'swasaneveningresortforthesportingworld;infact,itwasamidnightTattersal's,whereyouheardnothingbutthelanguageoftheturf,andwheremenwithnotverycleanhandsusedtomakeuptheirbooks.Limmer'swasthemostdirtyhotelinLondon;butinthegloomy,comfortlesscoffee-roommightbeseenmanymembersoftherichsquirearchy,whovisitedLondonduringthesportingseason.Thishotelwasfrequentlysocrowdedthatabedcouldnotbeobtainedforanyamountofmoney;butyoucouldalwaysgetaverygoodplainEnglishdinner,anexcellentbottleofport,andsomefamousgin-punch.Ibbetson'shotelwaschieflypatronizedbytheclergyandyoungmenfromtheuniversities.Thechargesthereweremoreeconomicalthanatsimilarestablishments.Fladong's,inOxfordStreet,waschieflyfrequentedbynavalmen;forinthose

daystherewasnoclubforsailors.Stephens',inBondStreet,wasafashionablehotel,supportedbyofficersofthearmyandmenabouttown.Ifastrangeraskedtodinethere,hewasstaredatbytheservants,andverysolemnlyassuredthattherewasnotablevacant.Itwasnotanuncommonthingtoseethirtyorfortysaddle-horsesandtilburyswaitingoutsidethishotel.IrecollecttwoofmyoldWelshfriends,whousedeachofthemtodisposeoffivebottlesofwinedaily,residingherein1815,whenthefamiliarjoints,boiledfishandfriedsoles,weretheonlyeatablesyoucouldorder.

THECLUBSOFLONDONIN1814

ThemembersoftheclubsinLondon,manyyearssince,werepersons,almostwithoutexception,belongingexclusivelytothearistocraticworld."Mytradesmen,"asKingAllenusedtocallthebankersandthemerchants,hadnottheninvadedWhite's,Boodle's,Brookes',orWattiers',inBoltonStreet,Piccadilly;which,withtheGuards,Arthur's,andGraham's,weretheonlyclubsattheWestEndofthetown.White'swasdecidedlythemostdifficultofentry;itslistofmemberscomprisednearlyallthenoblenamesofGreatBritain.

ThepoliticsofWhite'sclubwerethendecidedlyTory.Itwasherethatplaywascarriedontoanextentwhichmademanyravagesinlargefortunes,thetracesofwhichhavenotdisappearedatthepresentday.

GeneralScott,thefather-in-lawofGeorgeCanningandtheDukeofPortland,wasknowntohavewonatWhite's200,000.;thankstohisnotorioussobrietyandknowledgeofthegameofwhist.TheGeneralpossessedagreatadvantageoverhiscompanionsbyavoidingthoseindulgencesatthetablewhichusedtomuddleothermen'sbrains.Heconfinedhimselftodiningoffsomethinglikeaboiledchicken,withtoast-and-water;bysucharegimenhecametothewhist-tablewithaclearhead,andpossessingashedidaremarkablememory,withgreatcoolnessandjudgment,hewasablehonestlytowintheenormoussumof200,000.AtBrookes',fornearlyhalfacentury,theplaywasofamoregamblingcharacter


34/89

thanatWhite's.Faroandmacaowereindulgedintoanextentwhichenabledamantowinortoloseaconsiderablefortuneinonenight.ItwasherethatCharlesJamesFox,Selwyn,LordCarlisle,LordRobertSpencer,GeneralFitzpatrick,andothergreatWhigs,wonandlosthundredsofthousands;frequentlyremainingatthetableformanyhourswithoutrising.

Ononeoccasion,LordRobertSpencercontrivedtolosethelastshillingofhisconsiderablefortune,givenhimbyhisbrother,theDukeofMarlborough;GeneralFitzpatri

reminiscences of captain gronow by gronow, r. h. (rees howell), 1794-1865

Documents