Volume Ii Part 8 (2/2)
[31] The _Maison de Ville_ was destroyed by fire, November 17, A.D. 1700.
”Lille had been formerly the residence of the Foresters and Counts of Flanders; it was founded by Baudouin, surnamed _Le Belle Barbe_, Count of Flanders, so early as 1007. His son Baudouin Le Debonaire surrounded the city with walls, and built the magnificent church of Saint Peter, where he was interred; and in the middle of the nave of this cathedral may be seen the tomb of its founder, who was also called by another designation, _Baudouin of Lille_. Two Chapters of the order of the Golden Fleece were held in this collegiate church of Saint Peter, the first in 1431, the latter in 1436.
”There is in this church a beautiful chapel of our Lady of Treille, which was built by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in which is to be seen a beautiful _mausoleum_ of Bronze, where is represented the Count Lewis de Male, Count of Flanders, placed between his wife Margaret and his daughter.
”The other parish churches in this city are, St. Stephen, St. Maurice, St. Saviour, St. Catherine, St. Andrew, and La Magdelaine. Lille has seven gates:--1. Porte de La Barne. 2. De Notre Dame. 3. Des Malades. 4.
De Fives. 5. Saint Maurice. 6. Magdelaine. 7. Saint Andrew.
”This city, as, my dear friend, I have before observed to you, is the capital of French Flanders, as it was anciently called _Flandria Gallica_; and is one of the most populous, rich, and magnificent cities in the entire circle of French Flanders.
”You will here, no doubt, my dear Madam, pause, and naturally enough inquire why I should make this long _detour_, when my ultimate destination is Brussels;--what necessity should urge me to visit Amiens?--why should I proceed to Lille?--why not start straight forward at once for Brussels? I shall explain to you the cause, my dear friend, as I hate mysteries, and prefer being candid in preference of appearing absurd or inconsistent. There have been for these many years some near and dear female connexions of mine, and likewise of the duke, who long since have forsook the world, and who are abiding in this country, all of whom have taken the veil; two sisters are stationed at Amiens within the convent, or _Abbaye de St. Sepulchre_; and two other relatives have retired here into the convent _des Soeurs Noires_. These ladies are now far advanced in years, and fast approaching that goal that one day we all must ultimately reach. Could I then, my dear Madam, remain in the same country, inhale the same air, and withal placed within a reasonable distance, and it resting wholly in my power and inclination whether I should see them for once, and perhaps for ever! or decline doing so? I could not--I would not decline it! No earthly consideration could warp or cause me to forego this duty! I have seen these venerable saints, for such I believe them to be, and I am gratified that they are happy; at least to me they appeared to be so, as they did to my daughter and sisters. This must be the last time probably that I shall ever see them imprisoned within those sad monastic walls, the world forgetting, and by the world forgot! and the leave which I took of them resembled that sad, solemn, and final farewell, which we receive from the departing voice of those we regard at the close of their earthly pilgrimage!
”You shall hear from me again so soon as I am established at Brussels, where I purpose to remain for a year certainly, and for which city we start on the morrow. Until then, dearest friend, adieu.
(_Signed_) KATHERINE TYRCONNEL.”
”P. S.--Please, my dear, most kindly to present all our united remembrances to your truly worthy lord and prelate. Once more farewell.”
The day subsequent to the writing of the foregoing epistle, as has been determined upon, the d.u.c.h.ess and Adelaide, the Ladies Let.i.tia and Lucy, escorted by Sir Patricius Placebo, departed from Lille on their route to Brussels. The journey occupied the s.p.a.ce of nearly three days; at the expiration of which the ill.u.s.trious _voyageurs_ safely arrived at the n.o.ble, the ancient city of Brussels; the drivers were directed to stop at the hotel _Du Flanders_, in preference to the hotel _d'Angleterre_, as it was the wish of the d.u.c.h.ess to remain retired from any observance or unnecessary intercourse with her countrymen; and instructed by the political tone and temper of the times, courted privacy, not publicity; and this was now the more necessary, as acts of attainder had been proclaimed by King William against all the adherents and partisans of King James the Second.
CHAPTER VII.
Erin my country! though sad and forsaken, In dreams I revisit thy sea-beaten sh.o.r.e; But, alas! in a far, foreign land I waken, And sigh for the friends who can meet me no more!
CAMPBELL.
The apartments at the hotel _Du Flanders_ were not only roomy and commodious, but were likewise fitted up with a considerable degree of elegance. However, depressed by fatigue of body, as likewise overpowered by anxiety of mind, the d.u.c.h.ess and her fair and lovely daughter retired at an early hour to repose, which example was as immediately followed by the retiring of Ladies Let.i.tia and Lucy, and Sir Patricius Placebo, to their respective dormitories.
The d.u.c.h.ess and Lady Adelaide had two beds stationed in the same chamber, which always, during the absence of the duke, was invariably the custom; and in the adjoining bed-chamber reposed the Ladies Let.i.tia and Lucy.
Sir Patricius was not neglectful of his personal comforts upon any occasion, at least that has been recorded, and happy to find himself once more stationary for a determinate time at Brussels, he emphatically e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed his favourite sentence--
DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!
and soon was enfolded in the silken fetters of Morpheus.
The d.u.c.h.ess usually sat up an hour or two in her chamber previous to her retiring to repose, her time being occupied in reading, writing, or entering memoranda in her common-place book; but her Grace always finished with her devotions. When these were duly performed, slowly advancing to the bedside of her beloved daughter, she already beheld her in a profound sleep. ”Happy state of youth!” thought the d.u.c.h.ess,
”Thou hast no figures, nor no fantasies, Which busy care draws in the brains of men: Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.”
”Oh, my darling daughter, may care, anxiety, and sorrow, ever be strangers to thy dwelling! and, oh heaven grant, that thy bosom, and thy peace of mind, may be ever calm and serene as at this present moment they are!”
Having mentally expressed this fervent prayer, the d.u.c.h.ess retired to her pillow, mournfully revolving upon the past, and deeply meditating upon the future; much wearied both from mental, as well as bodily fatigue, she fell into a deep slumber. But her sleep was restless and perturbed, she went back to the days of her youth. For as Milton finely expresses,
”When nature rests, Oft in her absence mimic fancy wakes, To imitate her.”
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