Volume Ii Part 5 (2/2)

--------------------”where the Reverend Abbot With all his convent honourably received him.”

And not only the Reverend Clerk, but Colonel Davidson and his servant likewise were hospitably received, and kindly entertained by the good-natured monks.

The next day Doctor M'Kenzie was so severely indisposed from the wetting which he received during his journey, that it was found necessary to call in medical aid. A slight fever seized him, which confined him for two weeks to his bed; and when he arose he found himself so weak and debilitated, that the physician strenuously recommended him to try the waters of Pyrmont so soon as he should be sufficiently recovered to undertake the journey. Finding his fellow-voyager and sufferer now somewhat recovered, Colonel Davidson prepared to take his departure, and having affectionately embraced the Rev. Gentleman, and cordially shaken hands with the good abbot and his hospitable brethren, the colonel, accompanied by his servant, proceeded to Dunkirk, where he safely arrived after a few hours travel, and from thence it was his intention to proceed for Holland by way of Rotterdam.

After a few weeks' sojourn at the Carthusian convent, where the Reverend Chaplain received every hospitality, kindness, and attention, that it was in the power of the reverend brotherhood to bestow, with many a kind _valete et benedicite_ he departed, finding himself sufficiently strong to endure the fatigues of a land journey. The doctor set out for Westphalia to benefit his health by using the mineral waters of Pyrmont, and after several days, having travelled by slow stages, he safely reached his destination.

But it is now full time, indeed, that we should return to the d.u.c.h.ess of Tyrconnel, and accompany that amiable lady and her highly gifted daughter, the lovely Adelaide, in their voyage and journey; from whom the occurrences of important political events and the fatal scenes of war, have too long detained us, but of whom an account may be found in the succeeding chapter.

CHAPTER V.

Nos patriae fines, et dulcia linquimus arva; Nos patriam fugimus.

VIRGIL.

Round the wide world in banishment we roam, Forc'd from our pleasing fields and happy home.

DRYDEN'S TRANSLATION.

Sad and sorrowful ever is the parting hour when beloved friends separate, perchance never more to meet again! But oh, how sad must that separation prove if not accompanied with the consoling hope--”we yet shall meet again!” The Duke of Tyrconnel was then departing from his beloved wife and darling daughter, yet no enlivening hope allayed the feverish throbbing of his heart, with the bland promise, ”we yet shall meet again!” Deep, bitter, and gloomy were the parting pangs and presages when these affectionate friends separated, destined, perchance, never more to meet! Still manfully the duke concealed the wound which rankled in his breast, and with prompt.i.tude made ready to follow the fallen fortune of his fallen master. He recommended that the d.u.c.h.ess should, without procrastination, depart for England, and retire thence to the continent, until such time as the political tempest which was raging should subside. It was also proposed that the duke and d.u.c.h.ess should at the same time depart for their respective destinations, and the determination, upon the same day it was resolved on, was carried into effect. The plan was, that the d.u.c.h.ess, Lady Adelaide, Ladies Let.i.tia and Lucy, escorted by Sir Patricius Placebo, should proceed to England, _via_, or rather _mari_, to Parkgate, thence journey onward to Chester, only twelve miles distant, remain there a few days with their kind friends Doctor Cartwright, bishop of Chester, and his lady; and next set off for the most convenient port to embark for France. Thence make a _detour_ to the Netherlands, and take up their residence in the city of Brussels, where the d.u.c.h.ess d'Aremberg, Adelaide's G.o.dmother, resided.

The duke accompanied his family to the packet which was to convey them from their native sh.o.r.es, possibly for ever! The parting scene was exceedingly affecting, the d.u.c.h.ess, rallying all her fort.i.tude, was enabled to address the duke ere they fondly embraced and parted, in these empa.s.sioned words:--”Go forth, my dear lord!” said the d.u.c.h.ess.

”Go, my beloved lord, where every filial tie calls your attendance, where glory, your country, and your king, demand your presence. Go, and the G.o.d of battles be your guide and guard! But the wife of Tyrconnel breathes no sigh--the wife of Tyrconnel sheds no tear at her loved lord's departure. Had he remained ingloriously at home then there would have been too ample cause for lamentation; the blush of every feeling cheek, and the throb of every manly heart, would have revolted at conduct so base and selfish. But, thank heaven, this is not--it could not be! Go forth then, my dearest lord, and the blessings of a wife and of a mother ever attend thee!”

Adelaide, however, could not command those feelings which were instinctive to her sensitive feelings, she sobbed and wept deep and bitterly; she endeavoured to check the rooted sorrow which was preying on her heart, but the attempt was all in vain, her affection burst forth more strongly from her endeavour to counteract it; and tears of sorrow for her father's departure flowed in deep succession. The duke was highly affected with this parting scene; yet sternly checking himself, he said:--”My dearest Adelaide this must not be; virtue carried to excess--honour carried to excess, lose all their original intrinsic worth. Nay, even religion may be trans.m.u.ted into persecution; and eternal silence and seclusion from the world be considered as its divine attributes, so that each shall lose all the original stamp of their native worth. I therefore tell you, my dearest daughter, that this must not be; I shall, with the permission of divine providence, so soon as it shall be in my power, rejoin you all in a foreign land upon my return from attending my revered monarch to Saint Germains. And, my beloved, although we shall have lost our rank, and reside as persons quite unknown--perhaps wholly unnoticed; yet, my dearest Adelaide, we shall nevertheless retain that which is much dearer to the human breast, self-esteem, and social love, and social leisure, and these undisturbed by courtly crowds, unchanged by time or circ.u.mstance, or loss of power.

These social ties too well I know, my dearest child, are dearer to thee than wealth, rank, pomp, and power; and believe me truly we shall feel far happier than ever we felt before. So I pray thee, dearest Adelaide, that we may have no more of sorrow or repining, for all will yet be well!”

The duke affectionately embraced his d.u.c.h.ess, Adelaide, and his sisters, and cordially shook hands with Sir Patricius Placebo; when having descended the side of the vessel, his Grace jumpt into the boat which conveyed him to the sh.o.r.e, and entered his carriage which waited for him, to attend upon the fallen fortunes of his fallen master. When intimation was given to Sir Patricius that he was to proceed to England, and take charge of the d.u.c.h.ess and family, _certes_ he received the communication not without some portion of surprise, and of pleasure too we must admit: ”_Jacta est alea, jacta est alea!_” he exclaimed: ”The dye is thrown, so now 'For England Ho!' ha, ha, ha! As Prince Hamlet says in the play, 'For England Ho!' ehem!--

DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!”

The packet, with all her canva.s.s unfurled, and proudly swelling before a brisk and favouring breeze, promptly set sail onward in her direct course for the seaport of Parkgate,[21] in Ches.h.i.+re. The day was uncommonly fine, and a warm exhilarating summer sun refulgently shone forth, richly gilding the expanding sails of the vessel, and with its genial enlivening rays cheering the voyagers, who sat beneath an awning upon the deck. By this time Adelaide, pursuant to the monitory parting injunctions of her father, had become tranquil and composed. While receding from the beloved sh.o.r.es of her native land, Adelaide was particularly struck with the romantic headlands and mountains that, south and north, bounded the horizon--the romantic peninsula of Howth, the h.o.a.ry promontory of Wicklow-head, the conic hills ”the Sugar-loaves,” so denominated from their peculiar conformation; the long continuous chain of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains which adorned the southern point of the horizon, while anon they melted into distant aerial perspective. Adelaide was at once charmed and delighted with the scene, which called forth from her pen the following effusion:--

[21] Parkgate _had been_ a seaport of Ches.h.i.+re for several years; it is situated at the mouth of the river Dee, ten miles distant from Chester, and one hundred and ninety-four from London. It has _now_ ceased to be a port, the entrance to the harbour being choked by sand banks.

TO HOPE.

Hope dispels the mists of woe, And with the sun's resplendent glow Illumes poor wand'rers on their way; Like polar star, whose argent light Gems the dark diadem of night, And sheds a heav'nly guiding ray.

Hope helms the bark mid these wild seas, Where the white swelling billows roar; The seaman cheers, to brave the breeze, And steer the prow for Albion's sh.o.r.e.

The sun illumes yon mountain's brow-- 'Tis gone, and all's in shadow now!

So flits the vision of the past Joy's sunny beam is soon o'ercast!

Happy my days while yet a child, When blandly hope my hours beguiled; Like green Oasis on the sun-burnt plain, And Hope doth still her syren charms retain!

<script>