II.
III.
"Thanks, my Adelaide, for thy sweet verses, I like them much, very much indeed, with the exception, perhaps, of the last line, the elegies of love; pray, my dear, you leave such larmoyantè lucubrations to the Hero and Leander of romance, or to their own Ovid; but, oh, let all his 'FASTI' [i. e. festivals] be thine! while succeeding years shall be noted with chalk in the bright calendar of thy days! Felices ter et ampliús essint!—'The elegies of love!' Why thou fain then believest, my Adelaide, that poor Philomela, as the tuneful Maro wrote,[54] pours forth her nightly plaint, and although she so sweetly sings, yet still thou fanciest the thorn of the rose rankles in her breast, while she renews at eve her melancholy song!"
"Such, at least, was the opinion of the poets. But come, Sir David, let us hasten to join our friends, who will wonder what hath become of us."
They now rejoined the duke and duchess, and the carriages and horses having been brought out, they set forth on their return to fair Brussels.
But, alas! according to the Flemish proverb,
"Alle wereldsch Goedaardig is Vergankelyk!"
All worldly good is fleeting and transitory! as we now have but too just occasion to illustrate by facts. The ducal party had scarcely entered upon the road, which is flanked by the thickest and most densely wooded part of Soignies forest, the stillness of the solitude disturbed only by the horse tramps, and the rolling of the duke's carriages, when, upon the sudden, a shrill and loud re-echoing whistle issued from the forest, and was instantly chorused by a number of harsh voices fiercely crying hui, hieu, huit; when, almost instantly, a troop of armed horsemen, unquestionably banditti, collecting from different points, thundered in full gallop to where the signal was sounded. The banditti amounted in number to about eleven or twelve, so far indeed as observation could be made amid the darkness of the night, which was then setting in, and increased by the deep and gloomy shadows of the surrounding forest; the confusion too and terror caused by this unexpected appearance, increased by the clamorous screams, and the many females who fainted, at the approaching conflict, which was now beyond a doubt. The banditti came up in full gallop, and forming into ranks, advanced within a few paces of the cavalcade, and intercepting its progress, presented their petronels[55] full-cocked; and one, the leader no doubt, meanwhile fiercely exclaiming in Stentorian voice, 'Basta senors, basta senors!' then pulling the triggers, discharged their petronels. Opposed to them were the noble company on horseback, and the attending footmen and outriders; these were only armed with long horse-pistols, which, however, told full well, for Sir David Bruce valiantly brought down a brace of the banditti, who soon cowered to earth. The duke wounded two others, who were with difficulty removed. Sir Patricius, albeit, who would have preferred an old acquaintanceship with his Carolus' snuff-box at this hour, was equally as successful.
However, we are indeed sorry to narrate that Sir David Bruce was thrown from his horse in consequence of excessive pain which he suffered from a wound received in his right shoulder from a ball fired from one of the petronels of the banditti.
It was all a dreadful scene of noise, darkness, confusion, and distress! The duchess, Adelaide, and the Ladies Letitia and Lucy, were infinitely alarmed; but the nieces of the Duchess d'Aremberg fainted, and it was some time before they could be restored to animation.
Fortunately at this critical point of time a patrole of Gens d'Armes approached, who had been for some days in search of the said banditti, when instantly applying their rowels, with small ceremony, to the ribs of their steeds, the banditti fled, dispersing in every direction throughout the entanglements of the forest.
Sir David Bruce, who had received a severe gun-shot wound, was, without delay, placed in the same carriage with the duchess and Lady Adelaide; every remedy that could on the instant be procured having been applied as styptics to stop the flowing of blood, and contrary to all his warm remonstrances; but we will not undertake to say that it was contrary to his inclination he was placed within the same carriage with Adelaide; the coachman was enjoined to proceed at a slow pace, the Gens d'Armes meanwhile escorting them, nor quitted the cavalcade until they safely had entered Brussels by the Namur gate; whence ten minutes, or so, brought the ducal party, who had so lately enjoyed a scene of pleasure, so suddenly transmuted into a scene of woe, to Tyrconnel house in the Rue Ducale.
END OF VOL. II.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Marmion.
[2] Sir John Dalrymple's Memoirs of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
[3] Rapin's History of England.
[4] Chester was also called Devana by the Romans, and here the "legio vicessima victrix" was stationed.
[5] This ballad will be found in the second volume of "Bishop Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, page 405." And it will no doubt be recollected by the reader that the celebrated Sterne makes this tune to be the favourite air of Uncle Toby in "Tristram Shandy." In speaking of this ballad, Bishop Percy remarks, that "the following rhymes, slight and insignificant as they now may seem, had once a more powerful effect than either the Philippic of Demosthenes or Cicero; and contributed not a little towards the great revolution in 1688."
[6] The Rinceadh-Fada, or Irish dance, is thus described by the late Mr. Cooper Walker: "When that unfortunate Prince, James II., landed at Kinsale, his friends who awaited his arrival on the sea shore received him with the Rinceadh-Fada, or Irish dance, the figure and execution of which delighted him exceedingly. This was the figure: Three persons abreast, each holding a corner of a white handkerchief, first moved forward a few paces to slow music; the rest of the dancers followed two and two, a white handkerchief held between each. Then the dance began, the music suddenly changing to brisk time; the dancers then passed with a quick step under the handkerchief of the three in front; they wheeled round in semi-circles, forming a variety of pleasing and animating evolutions, interspersed at intervals with entrè chants, or cuts; they then united, and fell back again in their original places behind, and paused. Perhaps the classical reader will find—and we think he may—a similarity between our Rinceadh-Fada and the festal dance of the Greeks."—Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards, 4to., Dublin, 1786, pp. 151, 152, 154.
Mr. Walker adds in a note, "Before we adopted the French style of dancing, our public and private balls used always to conclude with the Rinceadh-Fada."
[7] Rapin's History of England.
[8] Histoire de Guillaume III.—Tom. II. p. 87, 88.
[9] Ibid.—Tom. II. p. 88, 89. Histoire du Pays Bas. Tom. III.
[10] Histoire de Roy Guillaume III. Tom, II. p. 89.—Amsterdam, 1703.
[11] The great and prominent fault of King James II., and which formed the head and front of his political offences, was no doubt his arbitrary government, and the decided preference which he gave to Catholics in preference—nay, to the total exclusion of Protestants from all emoluments in the State, and furthermore enforced by bills of pains and penalties, and attainders! Upon this fatal rock his fortunes were wrecked, and he lost his throne. Since this time the converse of the proposition has been unhappily and unwisely but too often acted upon. But let the past be buried in oblivion, and mutual animosities be forgiven and forgotten! A bright and happy period seems now about to arise to give peace and tranquillity to a country too long depressed by civil and irreligious jars; the sun of peace seems, with bland promise, about to illumine the horizon of hitherto distracted Erin, by snapping asunder the bonds which have for ages manacled a brave and noble people; and it is fondly believed and hoped that a long desired great and liberal measure shall in no long space of time be effected by the "Roy le veult" of a great and mighty king, the most generous, enlightened, and accomplished prince, who ever adorned the throne of Britain, and who well indeed may be called Pater Patriæ, the father and the benefactor of ALL his people!
[12] "The armorial escutcheon of Ostend bears a chevron sable on a gold ground, charged with three keys, sable blazoned on the dexter and sinister chiefs, and on the middle base point of the shield. The supporters a seaman and a mermaid."—Les Delices des Pays Bas.
[13] See "Grotius Annales et Histoires des Troubles du Pays Bas," lib. X. p. 491. See also the "Cardinal Bentivoglio," lib. III. p. 6. And see "Histoire des Provinces Unies, par M. Le Clerc," vol. I. p. 215, 229, Amsterdam, folio, 1723. In these three works will be found a full account of Spinola's attempt on Ostend, and the reader will be tempted to exclaim:—Unhappy Belgium! whose beauteous domains have been doomed to blaze beneath the torch of war, from the days of Tiberius down to those of Napoleon!
[14] Haggard, in falconry, means a hawk or falcon not taken in the nest, but after she had been inured to liberty, and preying for herself. Haggard-hawks are hard to be tamed and brought under discipline. The haggard-falcon is also called Peregrine-falcon, passenger and traveller, from its wandering more than any other sort of its kind; it is strong, courageous, hardy, and persevering. This bird is distinguished from the common falcon as being larger, &c. &c. The haggard-falcon, when wild and unreclaimed, takes the greatest liberty of all other birds, living either by land or sea; and formed of such absolute power, that wherever she comes all flying fowl stoop under her subjection.
[15] The pilot fish, called in ichthyology, Gasterosteus Ductor.
[16] Charabbonier means the driver, or waggoner, of a Flemish waggon.
[17] It is usual for the douaniers, or custom-house officers, of Flanders, to attend at the gates of the different cities, who search, by means of prodding with a foil, all merchandize coming into or out of town, in order to detect any goods that may prove to be contraband, or smuggled.
[18] Now, anno salutis 1822, called Donegal.
[19] Virginia is noticed in "The Noble Gentleman" of Fletcher:—
"Clerimont.—Sir, I had rather send her to Virginia, to help to propagate the English nation."—Weber's Edition of the Works of Beaumont and Fletcher, v. VII. p. 442.
Mention is likewise made of it in Massinger's "City Madam":—
Gifford's Edit. of Massinger, vol. IV. p. 103.
[20] This city is called in the Flemish tongue Veuren.
[21] Parkgate had been a seaport of Cheshire 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.
[22] This circumstance, as detailed above, actually occurred at Parkgate several years ago.
[23] Or Corvorant, the Pelicanus 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.
[26] The Via Appia which is noticed by Horace in his journey to Brundusium, "Minus est gravis Appia tardis."
[27] "The piece of ground without the walls, on which the annual horse-races of Chester are run, cannot well be passed over in silence. The Dee, after quitting the contracted pass at the bridge, flows beneath an incurvated clayey cliff, and washes on the right a fine and extensive meadow, long since protected against its ravages by a lofty dike: it is called Rood-eye.
"The name of this spot is taken from Eye, its watery situation, and Rood, the cross which stood there, whose base is still to be seen. On this place the lusty youth of former days exercised themselves in the manly sports of the age, in archery, running, leaping, and wrestling; in mock fights, and gallant and romantic triumphs.
"A standard was the prize of emulation in the sports celebrated on the Rood-eye. But in the year 1609 the amusements took a new form; and under the reign of the peaceful James the youthful cavaliers laid aside their mimic war, and horse-racing commenced.
"The first prizes we hear of after the suppression of the triumph, were a bell and bowl to be run for on Saint George's day, which were provided in 1609 by Mr. Robert Amery, formerly Sheriff of the city, and were brought down to the Rood-eye with great solemnity. This seems to have been the origin of the plate given by the city, and annually ran for on the same day to the present time. A bell was a common prize. A little golden bell was the reward of victory in 1607 at the races near York; whence came the proverb, for success of any kind, to bear the bell."—Pennant's Tour through Wales, vol. I. pp. 253, 254, 255, 256, 257.
[28] 'Viden' vestibulum ante ædes, et ambulacrum ejusmodi?
[29] Since the Revolution Amiens has become the capital of the department of the Somme, and there is no longer a governor of Picardy. Amiens has been remarkable in our days for the definitive treaty of peace signed in that city, 25th of March, 1802. The room where it was signed is shown to strangers.
[30] Since the French Revolution Lille has become the capital of the department of the north.
[31] The Maison de Ville was destroyed by fire, November 17, A. D. 1700.
[32] Lady Charlotte Maria Bruce was married to the Prince of Houre, one of the princes of the empire, by whom she had a large progeny.
[33] One of the handsomest fountains in Brussels, which stands in le grand Sablon, was erected by the munificence of the above-mentioned Earl of Aylesbury. Its appearance is that of a Sarcophagus, ascended by three steps; the water flows from a brazen head, surmounted by the arms and coronet, into a marble bason beneath. It is surmounted by a figure of Minerva, bearing a medallion containing the busts of Lord Aylesbury and his countess, with three figures, one supporting the medallion, one as a river god, and the third blowing the trumpet of fame. The following is the inscription:—"Cette fontaine a été construite par les liberalitès du Comte d'Aylesbury, pair de la Grande Bretagne, et reconnoissance du long et agreable sejour qu'il a fit dans cette ville," &c. The figures are executed by Jacques Bergé, a celebrated sculptor.
[34] "May vail," that is, "May bow."
[35] Jager and jongeling, i. e. huntsman and page of honour.
[36] Twenty-one fountains decorate this fine city at the present period, 1821.
[37] The gate of Cologne is at the present day called Porte de Scarebeeck. Napoleon Buonaparte, during his occupation of Brussels, added another gate, which he called Porte de Napoleon.
[38] These statues were destroyed in 1793.
[39] The statue of the Virgin hath long since evanished, but the inscription remains to the present day.
[40] This church had been dedicated to Saint Michael, but upon Charles Duke of Lorraine having removed the relicks of his mother Sainte Gudule, and placed them in this church, it is, in consequence, now called Sainte Gudule.
[41] This grand and venerable pile was destroyed by fire 4th February, 1731, which raged with such violence and rapidity that in a few hours the whole pile was entirely consumed. It was with the greatest difficulty that the Archduchess of Austria, Maria Elizabeth, eldest sister of Charles VI., and gouvernante of the Pays Bas, escaped with her life, having only had time to draw on one stocking and to fling her robe around her. The young and beautiful Countess of Vlefeld, one of her ladies of honour, perished in the flames.
[42] These fine pieces of sculpture were destroyed by the revolutionary Goths and Vandals, in 1793-4.
[43] The population of Brussels at the present day is estimated at 80,000.
[44] Jacob Gerritze was called Kuyp, or Cuyp.
Thomas Moore.
[46] Isaiah, chap. 23, ver. 8.
[47] Sir Thomas Gresham took the model, or plan, of the Royal Exchange, London, from La Bourse of Antwerp.
[48] Rubens was born at Cologne, but his parents were natives of Antwerp, whom civil war had caused to retire from Brabant to Cologne.
[49] "Omnis Aristippum, decuit color, et status et res."—Horace.
[50] This ancient castle was destroyed in 1784.
[51] See Buffon, vol. IX. p. 1.
[52] These pies are made from the large liver of a goose. The means taken to cause the enlargement of the liver of the victim are too cruel and horribly disgusting to detail.
[53] Now in the department of Dordogne.
[55] Petronel was a small gun used by the cavalry.
Page 34 Extra a deleted.
Page 67 Extra " deleted.
Page 98 Extra " deleted.
Footnote 13 Replaced Poys with Pays and La Clerc with Le Clerc.
Page 150 Replaced desert with dessert.
Page 163 Replaced robe with rope.
Page 190 Replaced l'Angloises with l'Anglaises.
Page 190 Replaced desert with dessert.
Page 208 Replaced fell with feel.
Page 272 Replaced nich with niche.
Page 289 Replaced desert with dessert.
This cover is placed in the public domain.