Volume Ii Part 6 (1/2)

Little of interest, and still less of variety, the reader can reasonably expect to have narrated in a short sea-voyage from the sh.o.r.es of Erin to those of Albion; but on the contrary, much tameness, much sameness, and much monotony, must necessarily be encountered by the voyager.

However, the breeze blew propitious, the weather smiled a settled and serene summer day; the resplendent azure of the sky was unruffled by a cloud, the sun was warm, and the scene proved genial and exhilarating, as onward the gallant bark ploughed her watery way.

A numerous host of seagulls circled in many a merry gambol around the vessel, then right-joyously plunged into the water, and boomed upon the billow, while they seemed to rejoice in the summer sun, and sport on halcyon tide; while ever and anon the Diver (_Colymbus Troile_) plunged beneath the gla.s.sy surface of the sea; a large flock of _Terns_, or sea-swallows (_sterna hirundo_) congregated about the vessel, flying around in quick and circling evolutions; now rising from, now sinking in the deep, in frolic play, then gliding along close to the surface of the sea; sometimes snapping at the insects in their way, or then suddenly checking their course, they were seen to dart down upon their finny prey, which was swallowed in the ascent, without the operation by any means r.e.t.a.r.ding the progress of their flight.

The gallant vessel throughout the entire day had joyously scudded onward in a prosperous course before the favouring breeze, and in no longer s.p.a.ce than fifteen hours from her departure from the port of Dublin, had arrived at the mouth of the river Dee. But the tide was at this time at ebb, which of necessity r.e.t.a.r.ded the landing of the pa.s.sengers, as likewise from other co-operating difficulties, the dangerous sand-banks which blockade this harbour, and above all, the total _deficit_ of deep water, a difficulty not to be surmounted, left no choice whatever to the captain but to cast anchor, and cause the packet to remain at her moorings to await the morning tide, which, consequently, put the patience of the voyagers much to task.

The pa.s.sengers paced the deck to and fro, while they amused themselves with whatever object caught their eye, ear, or fancy; the operations of the crew, the pa.s.sing sail, the darkening cloud, the sea-fowl retiring to rest, or the slow and hollow murmurs of the receding wave as it foamed, while it retreated, from the adjoining sands of the winding Dee.

At this time the pa.s.sengers became highly and deeply interested by seeing, or imagining that they saw, human beings upon one of the distant sand-banks, whom the returning tide inevitably would destroy. The telescope was put in requisition, and this only confirmed their fears; for in the days we mention, no Dollond, no Ramsden, was in existence; of course the lenses were dim and defective, and objects, instead of being duly reflected, were misrepresented to the eye. From the repeated remonstrances and apprehensions of the pa.s.sengers the jolly-boat was lowered into the water, the boatmen briskly plyed the oar, and soon reached Dee's yellow sands. When lo! those whom they had come to rescue, as they imagined, from a watery grave, suddenly took wing, and flew away![22] Yes, gentle reader, too true it is; for the objects which had attracted the attention and the sympathy of the pa.s.sengers were no more nor less than a large company of cormorants,[23] who somewhat hungry no doubt, had been busily fis.h.i.+ng for their supper, and were at the moment they were disturbed by the approach of the boat, in the very overt act of despatching their meal upon the banks of the Dee, who thus suddenly took flight, croaking in hoa.r.s.e, hollow, and discordant shrieks, their disappointment at being interrupted from their evening banquet; for these stern, sullen, and circ.u.mspect plunderers, are most greedy and insatiate gluttons. The great Milton, in his immortal poem, finishes the sketch of this unrelenting tyrant, by causing Satan to personate the corvorant,[24] while envying the happiness of our first parents, as undelighted he surveyed the beauties of Paradise.

”Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life, The middle tree, and highest there that grew, Sat like a cormorant; yet not true life Thereby regain'd, but sat devising death To them who lived.”[25]

[22] This circ.u.mstance, as detailed above, actually occurred at Parkgate several years ago.

[23] Or Corvorant, the _Pelica.n.u.s Carbo_ of Linneus.

[24] ”In England (according to Willoughby) the cormorants were hood-winked in the manner of the falcons, until they were let off to fish, and a leather thong was tied round the lower part of their necks in order to prevent them swallowing the fish.”

Whitlock also mentions, that he had a cast of them _manned_ like hawks, which would come to hand. He took much pleasure in them, and observes, ”that the best he had was one presented to him by Mr. Wood, Master of the Corvorants to King Charles I.”

[25] Paradise Lost, Book IV.

But it is now full time to say that a calm night succeeded the tranquil day of our fair heroine's voyage, that the d.u.c.h.ess and all the party enjoyed a most refres.h.i.+ng night's repose. Upon the return of the tide the raising of the anchors and unfurling of the sails awoke the pa.s.sengers, who accordingly arose, and ascended the deck. The morning was most lovely; it was then between seven and eight o'clock, the tide was full in, and brilliantly shone forth a July sun, whose cheering beams illumined the sea and all the surrounding scenery. The vessel was once more under weigh, they crossed the bar of Chester; and in less than an hour and a half they were at anchor off Parkgate. The long boat was put out, and our heroine for the first time trod upon English ground. An excellent breakfast was prepared for the voyagers at ”The Welch Harp,”

and very soon smoked upon the board. The carriages and horses of the n.o.ble personages were landed in the s.p.a.ce of about two hours' time, in perfect safety; for at this period seamen were not so experienced in the tackle and machinery necessary for this purpose as they are in our own days.

When breakfast was concluded the n.o.ble party sauntered along the sea-sh.o.r.e, and Sir Patricius having proposed to them a walk along the pathway to the very beautifully situated and retired village of Neston, and the proposal having met with universal approbation, was soon carried into effect. And upon return the thanks of the n.o.ble party were voted, _viva voce_, to Sir Patricius, without one dissentient _no!_

Upon their return the travelling carriages were all duly paraded in harnessed array before the door of the inn, and ready for the road, which however, by the bye, proved to be none of the best. In a short time the distinguished travellers started, but the journey, although in distance not more than ten miles, ended in a long and fatiguing one from the badness of the road, and the delay consequent thereon; the first three or four miles were over deep sands, and the remainder of the way was over a rough and badly paved road, which continued without intermission until they reached the gates of ancient Chester. Sir Patricius stoutly insisted that this road had been paved by the Romans, and reminded him, he observed, strongly of the _Via Appia_[26] which is noticed by Horace. ”Ah!” said he, ”in achieving victories, in forming camps, and making of roads and cheese, the Romans were a great people indeed!”

[26] The _Via Appia_ which is noticed by Horace in his journey to Brundusium, ”_Minus est gravis Appia tardis_.”

The ladies complained of fatigue, having been much shaken and jolted on their tiresome journey; but Sir Patricius Placebo solemnly averred, that the only effect which he had experienced was, that it had strongly created in him a most immoderate hunger, excited, no doubt, as he supposed it had been, by the heat and action of shaking, jolting, &c.; all which keenly operating upon the gastric juice, withal had acted with such an impetus and energy, to which, in sooth, he was wholly unaccustomed, had, he was free and honest to confess, called forth so very unexpected a craving for food! But Sir Patricius was ever upon the _qui vive_, and was sure warily to be provided with a pretext, like proverb-loving Sancho, whenever he wished that a _dejene a la fourchette_, or a collation, should be put in requisition.

The n.o.ble party were set down at the noted and far-famed ”White Lion,”

where compa.s.sionating the _fames Canina_ under which poor Sir Patricius languished, a cold collation was called for, where, amid various meats and pastries, a cold and excellent pigeon-pie attracted his hungry attention, and ere long the contents thereof suddenly disappeared, and then he seemed to be relieved from the evident distress under which he had incontinently laboured. This operation was promptly succeeded by a liberal libation (as a salutary condiment to the pigeon-pie) of some excellent old Hock, the _anno domini_ of which was unknown to honest Boniface of ”the White Lion.”

The ladies too were induced to take some slight refreshment; when the baronet, who now seemed himself again, proposed a walk to the ladies, which he thought would both please and refresh them; and that which he selected was around the walls of this ancient and singular city. This proposition being readily acceded to, the party set forth upon their intended peregrination.

Sir Patricius seemed to be more inclined to the talking mood than he had been disposed to previous to the collation; and made several very apposite remarks during the progress of their walk, which were particularly addressed to the d.u.c.h.ess.

”This truly ancient, venerable city, was called by the Romans, _Colonia Deva_, or _Devana_, from its having been the station of the XXth Victorious Legion. It is evident that _Deva_ means

”The ancient hallow'd Dee.”

”_This city without parallel_ is of Roman origin, as is fully evinced by the form of the city, which is completely Roman, being constructed in the peculiar figure which the Romans always preserved in their stations or castrametations, wheresoever the nature of the ground would permit.

The plan or figure of this city is a peculiar one; in shape it is quadrangular, with four princ.i.p.al gates leading to the four princ.i.p.al streets, which run directly from east to west, and north to south; besides a variety of lesser ones, all crossing each other at right angles, so as to divide the whole into lesser squares. The form likewise of the walls is also Roman, which are the only entire specimen of ancient fortification now in great Britain. The walls, as you may perceive, are in many parts, especially on the north and east sides, guarded by towers placed in such a position as not to be beyond bow-shot of one another, in order that the archers might reach the enemy who attempted to attack the intervals. They also are mostly of a round form, as was recommended by the Roman architects, in order the better to elude the force of catapulta and battering-rams.”

Here Sir Patricius (in which we shall not follow him) delivered a very erudite antiquarian lecture upon salient angles, action and reaction, salient towers, _propugnaculi_, and the whole range of Roman military architecture.