Volume I Part 4 (2/2)
and all the attendant phantasmagoria of credulity. Mrs. Judith's attachment to her country was great and strong, as likewise was her affection for her child; but her whole stock of fondness seemed to be concentrated in her foster child, whom she actually loved better than the child she had borne in her own maternal bosom. ”My dear, dear child, my darling,” she would say, ”oh, my Adelaide! may the sun-s.h.i.+ne and peace of this world ever be thine _mavourneen_!” [i.e. my beloved.]
Mrs. Judith's dress[15] was so perfectly and truly aboriginal, that it may amuse the reader, and possibly afford a reminiscence to the antiquary, while we notice it in the following description.
[15] See Cooper Walker's able Essay on Irish Dresses.
The curious specimen of Irish costume worn by persons in Mrs. Judith Braingwain's station in life, prevailed in Ireland at the close of the reign of the second Charles, and during the reign of his successor, James II., the patron and friend of the Duke of Tyrconnel. It was as follows:--
Mrs. Judith wore placed upon her head-top a cus.h.i.+on of linen or stuff, which she called her ”system;” it was not dissimilar, save in its want of utility, to the roll or plait twisted cus.h.i.+on of hay used by milk-maids in carrying their pails; but with this difference, that it was not flat, but rose higher to the back of the head; it was fastened and attached by long pins, and over and around this under-structure she combed and attached her long hair, of which the Irish were always proud, even to absurdity, and which withal looked as stiff and formal as if it had been hewn out, the work of some primeval statuary, sternly staring in stone, certainly most Medusa-like, upon some ancient tomb! This most strange redoubt or fortification of hair-work was supported by a side-battery of two curls on each side of the head above the ears, and masked on high by a little round cap or coif, surrounded with a cambric border, over which was thrown a kerchief, which being made fast upon the apex of the head, was allowed to fall down carelessly behind, where it streamed, when she walked abroad, like a banner over a fortress. Her jacket was of brown cloth, and made to fit close to the shape, by means of whalebone scientifically, as now we would say, wrought into it both in front and at the back, but managed so as not to meet; while it was laced in the front across the breast, forming there a stomacher, and evidently borrowed from the Spanish costume. The sleeves, halfway to the elbow, were constructed of the same kind of cloth as the jacket, and from thence they continued to the wrist, formed of longitudinal stripes of red camlet, interwoven with green ferreting, and then being turned up, formed a little cuff, embraced within three circles of narrow green ribbon. Her petticoat was formed of scarlet broad-cloth, bordered with three rows of green ribbon. Her ap.r.o.n was of green serge, striped longitudinally with scarlet ferreting, and bound with the same. Her hose were of blue worsted; and her shoes were of black leather, laced with scarlet galloon, and ankle high, and withal mounted upon heels of a most portentous height. But _eheu! jam satis_, we are glad to have done with this specimen of costume, of which we are not over fond; but writing of the history, &c. of the times, from such we found it to be our bounden duty not to depart or swerve one single iota.
The d.u.c.h.ess allowed to nurse Braingwain very extensive liberties, and lat.i.tude of converse too, induced by the affectionate, nay, almost more than motherly care which she bestowed upon her child; as well as amused withal, she permitted nurse occasionally to show off that strange originality which she possessed.
The d.u.c.h.ess having gone through her morning devotions, ascended the nursery to embrace her dear child, who was sweetly and serenely reposing.
”See, my honoured lady, how sweetly _mavourneen_ sleeps! Och, and may be I didn't dream last night that my dear young princess was one day to be queen of auld Ireland; and in troth, in my dream, sure enough I saw, not a crownet, but a royal crown placed upon her sweet baby brow. But as for you, my lady d.u.c.h.ess, I moreover drimt that Your Grace was created _Impress of Europa_--and long, long, my lady Impress, may you live and reign over us, and over all the world besides! Musha amen, says a grateful heart!”
”Prithee, Nurse, be silent; you will awake my child with your nonsensical rodomontade!”
Just here a message arrived from the Duke, that he wished to speak with Her Grace in his closet. The d.u.c.h.ess immediately left the nursery, in obedience to the ducal summons.
The Duke took the d.u.c.h.ess by the hand: ”Here's great news, my Kate!
Charles is dead, and the n.o.ble York that was, is now monarch of England; and permit me to kiss the fair and lady-like hand of the vice-queen of Ireland,” he said, gaily kissing Her Grace's hand.
”Why, my Lord Duke, I really believe that you have laid this scheme of cajolery with so very great a personage as the very high and mighty lady, Mrs. Judith Braingwain, who even just now saluted me with the _all hail hereafter_! of Macbeth's witches: for d.u.c.h.ess of Tyrconnel though I be, yet Empress of Europe I _am to be_, or ”Impress of Europa,” as I was styled. What think you of that, my Lord? Surely I must feel quite shocked and horrified, as you must well conceive, at this dreadful and unexpected downfall from my high imperial state! Only think, at once too, without meet preparation, to be deprived of the diadem which fancy was fitting upon my brow, and _only_ to be dubbed vice-queen of Ireland; oh! my Lord, you must needs confess what a provoking falling off was here! But no; it will not do; I am resolved that I must be empress, or only simple plain d.u.c.h.ess!”
”Now Katherine you think I am rallying, but no such thing, I seriously a.s.sure you a patent has arrived, const.i.tuting and appointing me, and so forth, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland! And now, fair lady, I must kiss the hands of the vice-queen of Ireland, according to the statute in that case made and provided.” And having thus gaily spoken, he affectionately and tenderly embraced his d.u.c.h.ess.
”Well then it appears quite a hopeless case, your patent has arrived; _you not only achieve greatness yourself, but likewise have greatness thrust upon you_, as Malvolio says; so I suppose that you must have even the grace to submit, and entrap yourself forth-with in the harness of office. As for my part, I shall sigh for the charms of the dear country, and would rather wear a simple coronal of hawthorn-blossoms than a diadem studded with resplendent gems, and ”the rich east to boot;” and I, my Lord, warn you, for you must prepare to hear e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns from the towers of Dublin castle somewhat to the tune and measure of--_O rus quando ego te aspiciam?_ Then you, my Lord, with your high waving plumed crest of chivalry come rus.h.i.+ng up to the turret, fancying that you are most heroically about to liberate some captive dame, or forlorn princess, who has been cruelly incarcerated by some old cruel-hearted necromancer, when I shall fly into your arms, forgetting pomp and power, and even the divine country too; I will rush into your bosom, and only remember that I am your wife--_the wife of Tyrconnel_!”
”Bravo, bravo, _viva, viva, sempre l'imperatrice_!” exclaimed the Duke in rapture. ”Yes, dearest Katherine, you are the empress of my heart, and need never, never fear a rival near the throne: come then to my arms, and with your simple diadem of hawthorn I shall ever adore you, in cottage or in palace!”
The Duke was a Major-General in the army, he had served under the banner of the ill.u.s.trious Turenne, and his royal patron the Duke of York, now James II., had also fought beneath the same victorious standard. The Duke was considered the handsomest man of the age, and was beloved alike in camp and in court. His knowledge and attainments were great; he was not only _aliquis in omnibus_, but also _singularis in omnibus_. He was indeed--
”A courtier of the chamber, A soldier of the field; Whose tongue could never flatter, Whose heart could never yield!”
The Duke's two sisters, Lady Let.i.tia and Lady Lucy Raymond, who constantly resided with him, affectionately approached to congratulate their brother upon his appointment to the viceroys.h.i.+p. ”Oh joy, dearest brother!” they both exclaimed, while each at the same moment kissed the Duke's cheeks.
Lady Lucy had been educated abroad, and was always speaking in warmest raptures of ”the dear continent,” or of whatever was foreign, or _recherche_. Indeed her friends were obliged to admit that it was a vast pity that Lady Lucy, with all her amiable qualities, should be somewhat a little tinctured with conceit; and apprehended, that as it had been of long continuance they feared it was too late to be remedied, her affectation having become something very like second nature. Thus argued her kind, consoling friends, who sat down most contentedly beneath the shade of their own sage conclusions.
Lady Lucy continued her expressions of joy in a sort of soliloquy: ”Oh really this will be quite deloightful! quite _impose_! surpa.s.singly deloightful! Why actually we shall hold a little court of St. Germains at Dublin castle!”
Lady Let.i.tia during her infancy had been a sickly child, and, in consequence of her inability to travel, had remained at home; while her family were sometime resident abroad, and her education was wholly unattended to; or to speak more explicitly, was never once thought of as a matter of the slightest concern--no uncommon occurrence in the olden time. This deficiency at this period was not confined to two or three n.o.ble families;--nay, gentle reader, start not, for thou wilt please to recollect that we are speaking of what happened above one hundred and forty years ago. In consequence of this neglect Lady Let.i.tia made such broad and palpable mistakes, and of so extraordinary a kind, as could not of failed to have beaten that modern personage, Mrs. Malaprop, of blundering notoriety, completely defeated from the field.
”No, Lucy, no!” rejoined Lady Let.i.tia, ”No, nothing _German_; neither caps nor boots, rats, whiskers, nor muskatoes. I hate every thing German; no, our court shall not be a German one, but a second St.
James's. And old Cormac shall compose such a grand ode upon the solemn occasion, to be said or sung in the old hall at Dublin castle; aye, and we shall have duly chanted for my dear brother such a n.o.ble hypothesis as ear never----”
”Apotheosis, you mean, Let.i.tia,” said the Duke, interrupting her. ”Yes, indeed, _that_ would be a _solemn occasion_; but I pray you be not in such mighty haste to send me so soon 'unanointed, unanealed,' to the other world before my time too; this is not altogether so kind, sister; and besides, previous to the possession of the honours which you would somewhat too prematurely celebrate.----But a truce to this badinage; I must forth-with prepare for my journey to take possession of the government of Barataria!”
Sir Patricius Placebo now advanced to join and congratulate the family circle, and to express his joy upon the Duke's appointment. ”My Lord Duke in verity believe me, that this day there exists none whose feelings and whose heart are more truly gratified by this gracious selection of my sovereign than what mine are; and I also must congratulate your Grace's friends, and the country too, at the happy choice which king James has made. And I further beg to say, with meet reason, and under due discretion and correction, that you confer more honour upon the king by your acceptance of it, than His Majesty has done you by the presentation. Yea, and I may truly and fearlessly add, in the words of old Flaccus,
”c.u.m tot sustineas et tanta negotia solus, * * * * *
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