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 MI LIFE. 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 In Two Volumes, Crown 8vo, 21s., 
 
 FROM 1809 TO 1816. 
 BY CHARLES LOFTUS, 
 
 FOBMEELY OF THE ROYAL NAVT, LATE OP THE COLDSTEEAH GUARDS. 
 
 " It was a happy thought that impelled Major Loftus to give 
 us these reminiscences of ' the old war,' which still retains so 
 strong a hold on our sympathies. Every word from an intelli- 
 gent actor in these stirring scenes is now valuable. Major 
 Loftus played the part allotted to him with honour and ability, 
 and he relates the story of his sea life with spirit and vigour. 
 Some of his sea stories are as laughable as anything in ' Peter 
 Simple,' while many of his adventures on shore remind us of 
 Charles Lever in his freshest days. During his sea life Major 
 Loftus became acquainted with many distinguished persons. 
 Besides the Duke of Wellington, the Prince Regent, and 
 William IV.. he was brought into personal relation with the 
 allied Sovereigns, the Due D'Angouleme, Lord William Bentinck, 
 and Sir Hudson Lowe. A more genial, pleasant, wholesome 
 book we have not often read." Standard. 
 
 " Major Loftus's interesting reminiscences will prove gene- 
 rally attractive, not only as full of exciting adventures but as 
 recalling stirring scenes in which the honour and glory of 
 England were concerned." Morning Post. 
 
 " Major Loftus's narrative is a remarkable and interesting 
 book. In abundance of adventure and heartiness of style a 
 novel of Marryat is not more attractive." Daily News. 
 
 " Major Loftus tells the story of his career with a freshness and 
 zest worthy of his lively and adventurous boyhood." Academy. 
 
 " MajorLoftus's reminiscences are pleasantly told." Athenaeum. 
 
 " We have seldom read a more pleasant book of travel, 
 anecdote, and adventure. Major Loftus is happy both in his 
 style and matter. The volumes will afford the reader pleasure, 
 instruction, and amusement." Messenger. 
 
 " Major Loftus gives us a book as entertaining as ' Midship- 
 man Easy,' and as instructive as a book of travels. It has not a 
 dull page in it ; and, whether by the camp-fire, in the barrack- 
 library, or on shipboard, we are confident it will receive a warm 
 welcome, whilst its literary merit will commend it to those un- 
 connected with the services." United Service Magazine. 
 
 HURST & BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, GBEAT &IABLBOB.OUGH ST.
 
 MY LIFE. 
 
 FROM 1815 TO 1849. 
 
 BY 
 
 CHARLES LOFTUS, 
 
 FORMERLY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 
 LATE OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS. 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 *'MY YOUTH BY SEA AND LAND." 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 
 
 1877. 
 
 A II rights reserved.
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PRINTED BV DUNCAN MACDONALD, BLENHEIM HOUSE, 
 BLENHEIM STREET, OXFORD STREET.
 
 V, I 
 
 TO 
 
 JOHN YILLIERS STUART, 
 
 THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF TOWNSHEND. 
 
 MY DEAR MARQUIS, 
 
 You were kind enough to say that 
 
 you should feel much gratified by my dedicating the con- 
 tinuation of the events of my early life to you ; and I assure 
 you that it is with great pleasure that I do so, not only from 
 my sincere affection for yourself, but regard for the dear 
 old Hall which you inherit, in which I was born, and have 
 spent so many very happy days, and wherein many of the 
 events here related occurred. 
 
 Believe me, 
 
 My dear Marquis, 
 Ever your affectionate Cousin, 
 
 CHARLES LOFTUS. 
 
 Wyndham Lodge, Bournemouth, 
 April, 1877.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Perils of a Sailor's Life Idle Flunkies Pat and the 
 Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland Building and Manning 
 Ships of War Iron versus Wood Seamanship in 
 Former Days Maintenance of the Army I obtain 
 a Commission in the Army Enter the Coldstream 
 Guards Disaffection of the Lower Classes General 
 Loftus Interference with the Passage of Troops 
 Reform Agitation 1 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Coldstream Guards after Waterloo Quartered at 
 Windsor Cricket Matches George III. A Presenti- 
 ment Visit to Hanover The Crown Prince Vigor- 
 ous Exercise Inflammation of the Eyes Ignorance 
 of Naval and Military Affairs First Anniversary of 
 the Battle of Waterloo Sport The Spanish Ad- 
 venturer Greyhounds and Coursing An Error cor- 
 rected A Walking Match .... 24
 
 Vlll CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 My Father's Military Career Officers of my Battalion A 
 Dreadful Accident The Irish Sentinel and his Mother 
 My Brother's Services Expedition to Buenos Ayres 
 Putting his Foot into it The Art of Lassoing 
 Death of the Princess Charlotte General Milman 
 The Opera Don Giovanni Nicholson the Flutist ' 
 Presented at Court Viscount Exmouth Slaughter at 
 Algiers The Admiral's Teeth Story of Paul Ben- 
 field ...... 47 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Visit to Norfolk Smugglers Their Audacity Franklin, 
 the Baker Billy Betts, the Keeper A Discovery 
 Waiting for a Run Partridge-Shooting Theatrical 
 Celebrities Farren as Sir Peter Teazle A Cricket- 
 Match Faith in a Future Life Excursion to the 
 Sea-Coast Garboro' Creek Adventure Apollo and 
 Venus Handling the Gloves Defence against In- 
 vasion French Bullies 71 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A Melancholy Story Late Guests Early Attachments 
 The Bull A Sentry who knew his duty Uni- 
 form of the Guards Volunteers A City Light- 
 horse Volunteer in Paris Good Training Hunting 
 Communication from London Aide-de-Camp to 
 
 General B Guernsey A Levee Making out a 
 
 List for a Dinner-party . . . . 95 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A Review The General and his Staff Inspection of Coast 
 Batteries The General's Horsemanship Story of a
 
 CONTENTS. IX 
 
 White Feather Castle Cornet An old Officer Island 
 
 of Herm Conquest of an Unruly Horse Alderney 
 
 The Fortifications Hereditary Governors An Un- 
 pleasant Voyage The French Cook Opening of the 
 Royal Court Castle Carey Picturesque Costume 
 Diana and her Nymphs caught bathing . . 123 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Costume of the Peasantry Unfortunate Contretemps 
 Exclusiveness of the Guernsey People Anecdote of 
 the Duke of Wellington Wine versus Toast and 
 Water The General's Cellar Visit to Jersey 
 Ludicrous Accident The Governor of Jersey Eliza- 
 beth Castle La Chapelle des Pecheurs Capture of 
 a John Dory Island of Sark . . . 148 
 
 CHAPTER VHL 
 
 Fall from a Pony Perversity of Women A Veteran 
 Battalion Alarm of Fire Pleasure Excursion The 
 Seigneur of Sark Houpe Pass The Artilleryman's 
 Bull-Dogs Cromlechs The " Creux Terrible "Val- 
 ley of Singing Birds Perilous Position of a Vessel 
 A Female Smuggler saved from Death by Drowning 
 
 172 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Going to a Party Ladies' Cloaks Awkward Accident 
 New Year's Reception at Government House Death 
 of George III. The Minute Guns Disturbances in 
 the North Luddites The Thistlewood Conspiracy 
 The Brunette Unexpected Revelation Disagreeable 
 Interview Threatened Duel Satisfactory Issue 
 Temporary Farewell to Elise .... 200
 
 X CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Return to England Preparations for the Coronation of 
 George IV. Queen Caroline How the Times did 
 Business The Old Charlies Night Amusements 
 The Coronation The Queen's Attempt to enter 
 Westminster Hall The Champion's Challenge 
 Popular Feeling The Guards insulted by the Mob 
 Riding at Norfolk Fences Raynham Troop of 
 Yeomanry Purchase of u Horse A Yeoman of the 
 Old Style 233 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Trial of Queen Caroline Non Mi Ricordo Funeral of the 
 Queen Military Arrangements Proceedings of the 
 Mob Two men Shot Ludicrous and Perilous Posi- 
 tion Letter describing the Marriage of Queen Caro- 
 line Marriage of the Princess Charlotte Wreck of a 
 Vessel on the Norfolk Coast Wreck of a Dutch 
 Galliot Meeting with the Hounds Capital Run 
 Laying my Horse .... 259 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Management of Yeomanry and Volunteers Reminiscences 
 of the Norfolk Rangers Popularity of the Corps 
 Mr. Matthew Pepper Manby and Sergeant Bond 
 Military Discipline Travelling in Former Days 
 Box-coats The Old Waggon The Sleepy Waggoner 
 Ponding Horses after Work All-Hallow Eve Super- 
 stition Old Molly Bed-warming Extraordinary A 
 Noble Stag 285
 
 MY LIFE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Perils of a Sailor's Life Idle Flunkies Pat and the 
 Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland Building and Manning 
 Ships of War Iron versus Wood Seamanship in 
 Former Days Maintenance of the Army I obtain 
 a Commission in the Army Enter the Coldstream 
 Guards Disaffection of the Lower Classes General 
 Loftus Interference with the Passage of Troops 
 Reform Agitation. 
 
 finHE success which has attended the two 
 J- volumes of " My Youth by Sea and Land," 
 has induced me, at the request of my friends, to 
 continue the narrative of my early life, not that 
 I anticipate an equally favourable reception for 
 this account of the incidents of my subsequent 
 career. 
 
 Shortly after my arrival at home from the 
 Mediterranean, where, as I have stated, I had 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 2 MY LIFE. 
 
 been serving with Lord Exmouth, it became a 
 matter of consideration, when I found myself 
 recovering from the effects of the severe suffer- 
 ing I had undergone in consequence of my fall 
 from the main rigging to the quarter-deck of 
 the ship in which I was then serving, whether I 
 should return to the Navy or join the Army. I 
 had been six years on the briny ocean, and had 
 weathered many a hard gale, which made me 
 think of two lines of one of Dibdin's songs : 
 
 " Many droll sights I have seen, 
 And wish the wars were over." 
 
 Yes, many a brave fellow have I seen knocked 
 over, and many a gallant tar fall off the top- 
 sail yards in the darkness of the night into the 
 foaming waves below. 
 
 " Ye gentlemen of England 
 Who live at home at ease, 
 Ah, little do ye think upon 
 The danger of the seas. 
 Give ear unto the mariner, 
 And he will plainly show 
 All the cares and the fears 
 When the stormy winds do blow." 
 
 How often have I thought of these lines when 
 high on the giddy mast, and while the sails 
 were flapping around in the darkest night, I
 
 ANECDOTE. 3 
 
 have heard the cry of a " man overboard/' with 
 no hope whatever of saving him. I think a 
 true-hearted British sailor is the finest and the 
 bravest fellow in the world. 
 
 Ye sleek, well-fed, well-clothed flunkies in 
 many a hall in London, reading the morning 
 news in well-cushioned chair, while toiling up 
 the stairs a maid-servant carries her load of 
 coals, you being merely condescending enough 
 to carry a little tray containing one or two cups 
 of tea or coffee, a delicate plate of bread and 
 butter, and a cream jug to my lady and her 
 friend, only as far as the drawing-room, but not 
 gallant enough to exchange your load with the 
 weaker vessel even so far, of what service to 
 you and your order it would be to holystone 
 the quarter-deck of a line-of-battle ship at four 
 o'clock in the morning watch without shoe or 
 stocking on those delicately-clothed and shod 
 legs and feet, " buckle at the knee and buckle 
 in him shoe I" 
 
 This reminds me of an anecdote which I have 
 heard my father relate, that when my mother's 
 father, the old Marquis of Townshend, was Lord- 
 Lieutenant of Ireland, walking down Sackville 
 
 B 2
 
 4 MY LIFE. 
 
 Street one morning, the streets being dirty, he 
 caine to the bridge across the Liffey, where he 
 saw Pat with a box and brushes, ready to clean 
 shoes. Pat touched his hat and said, " Shall I 
 brush the dirt off your honour's shoes ?" not at 
 all knowing at the moment to whom he was 
 speaking. My grandfather, being a good- 
 natured man, always full of humour, thought 
 proper to indulge Pat in his vocation, so putting 
 up his foot on the stool, he said, 
 
 " Now, Pat, brush the dirt off my shoes, and 
 make them shine well." 
 
 Pat began his operation, and was brushing 
 away, when, turning up his face and looking at 
 his customer, he began to mutter, 
 
 " By the pow'rs, by the Holy Virgin, I believe 
 he is the Lord-Lieutenant." 
 
 Still he went on plying his shoe-brushes, ever 
 and anon looking up into the face of his em- 
 ployer, and muttering various ejaculations. 
 " By my sowl, I belave it's him." 
 The job finished, the noble lord said, 
 " Now, Pat, what am I to give you V" 
 " By the pow'rs, my lord, whatever your 
 lordship plazes."
 
 THE ARMY AND XAVY. 5 
 
 " Here then, Pat, give me change for a 
 guinea." 
 
 a A guinea, my lord ! Gad, you might as 
 well ask a Hielauder for a knee-buckle." 
 
 " Well, if you have not got change, then keep 
 the guinea, Pat." 
 
 " By the pow'rs, my lord, I hope you'll come 
 every day." 
 
 It is unnecessary to say that my lord was a 
 great favourite with the shoe-blacks ever after, 
 as the story soon spread abroad. 
 
 At the time I am now writing the continua- 
 tion of lt My Youth by Sea and Land/' there is 
 a great controversy, involving many differences 
 of opinion amongst naval officers, upon the sub- 
 ject of building ships of war and manning them ; 
 and in regard to the Army, there is a still wider 
 difference of opinion respecting the best means 
 of obtaining a sufficient supply of men for that 
 branch of the service. The great question is, 
 who is right, and who is wrong? and every 
 man living in a free country like Old England 
 has a perfect right to state his ideas on these 
 subjects. John Bull is a queer fellow to deal 
 with upon many matters, particularly those of
 
 (> MY LIFE. 
 
 money, and when the tax-collector comes round 
 for payment, he puts his hand into his pocket, 
 and twists and turns the silver about before he 
 can be induced to part with it, grumbling, 
 growling, and swearing that we have no busi- 
 ness with a standing army, or with so many 
 ships of war. I must confess that I always feel 
 out of temper on these occasions, but when you 
 come to talk with John Bull quietly, and to 
 reason with him, he is soon brought to agree 
 with you that it would not do to leave your 
 country in a defenceless state, and that you 
 must have an Army and a Navy, and what you 
 do have and pay for must be of the best kind. 
 
 The science and skill displayed in building 
 enormous ships, coated with iron thick enough 
 to repel a shot when it strikes them, are in 
 themselves wonderful things ; but then these 
 enormous leviathans, clad with armour, some 
 of them mounting cannon which throw shot 
 weighing three hundred pounds a distance of 
 five miles, are still more wonderful. When we 
 see these enormous ships floating on the broken 
 billows with the ease of the swan resting on 
 her native element, we are struck with wonder
 
 IRON SHIPS. 7 
 
 and amazement, and none more so than myself, 
 who, fully sixty years ago, slept in our ships of 
 oak upon the stormy sea with seven hundred 
 companions in arms, and felt as secure as if we 
 were sleeping in our fathers' houses at home, 
 knowing that there was an officer on deck, with 
 four or five midshipmen, and two hundred and 
 fifty seamen, who knew their duty, and were 
 ready to handle the sails at a moment's notice, 
 if a storm should come and wake the deep. 
 
 " What matter, what matter, 
 I should ride and sleep." 
 
 Well, we have all a right to give an opinion, 
 and mine is that hereafter we should build no 
 more ironclad ships, for the guns which shall 
 be brought into use against them will pierce 
 through their iron coating, and send them to 
 the bottom of the sea before they have a chance 
 of coming into action. We have already heard 
 of the sinking of the Captain, with her five 
 hundred brave men on board, in a breeze which 
 enabled her to carry three topsails, and we have 
 heard lately of various other disasters, such as 
 running foul of each other, and sending one or 
 other to the bottom. We do not read of these
 
 8 MY LIFE. 
 
 disasters in olden times under Collingwood, 
 Nelson,, Howe, Rodney, Duncan, Jervis, &c. 
 All these men had large fleets under their com- 
 mand ; they did not run foul of or sink each 
 other ; their great object was to sink their foes. 
 
 It has struck me there must be something 
 wrong somewhere. There are certainly many 
 more hundreds of vessels on the seas than there 
 were in former days, but in time of peace 
 steam-vessels, as well as others, carry lights at 
 night. In my younger days our great object 
 was not to carry any light, so as not to be seen 
 by an enemy, but, as I said at the commence- 
 ment of my observations on the Navy, things 
 are so changed in every way that I am not 
 competent to give an opinion. 
 
 Regarding the Army, every well-wisher of his 
 country is desirous to have a good Army, and 
 those are not true patriots who begrudge the 
 payment of money, so as to give men some in- 
 ducement to enter the service ; and, above all 
 things, I should say put aside the short enlist- 
 ment system. Give a bounty to a man entering 
 the service, and a pension when he retires, after 
 twelve years' service, and a larger one if he re-
 
 I OBTAIN A COMMISSION. 9 
 
 mains eighteen years. I am quite sure that the 
 Army cannot desire a more sincere well-wisher 
 than the present Commander-in-Chief, H. K. H. 
 the Duke of Cambridge, who has, indeed, to 
 contend with many more difficulties than people 
 in general are aware of. 
 
 To return to the narrative of my early life, 
 from which I am afraid my readers will think I 
 have made too long a digression, I gave up the 
 idea of returning to the Navy, and as there was 
 a vacancy in the Coldstream Guards for one or 
 two ensigns, the Duke of York gave me a com- 
 mission in that gallant regiment. I think it was 
 some time in the month of February, 1816, that 
 I found myself at my father's house in London, 
 preparing to join my regiment. I had an elder 
 brother, long since dead, who was then in the 
 same regiment, A sergeant used to come to 
 me every morning from the barracks, which 
 were then, I think, in Portman Street, Portman 
 Square, to put me through my facings, &c. 
 Soon after beginning, he said, 
 
 " Sir, I see you know all about it." 
 "Yes," I said, "I learnt these things years 
 ago."
 
 10 MY LIFE. 
 
 Just as I was on the eve of putting on the 
 regimentals for the first time, to appear on 
 parade, I was seized with a dreadful pain in 
 my right hip, the same place I had hurt in the 
 fall described in my previous work, and like- 
 wise violent inflammation in my left eye in- 
 deed, the same symptoms which I had experi- 
 enced in my former attack, continuing for about 
 a month. I was obliged to be bled and blister- 
 ed, and to undergo severe treatment. However, 
 I recovered, and went down into the country for 
 a month, after which I joined my regiment. I 
 merely mention this circumstance as one of the 
 facts which show that I never got rid of the 
 effects of that fall until I became totally blind, 
 since which time I have never had an ache or 
 pain. 
 
 When I joined my battalion it was quartered 
 at the Tower. I had a cousin at that time Resi- 
 dent Governor, who was, in fact, what is called 
 the fort-major, but who did alt the duties of the 
 Governor. My father was Lieutenant-Governor, 
 but never resided there. My cousin, Major 
 Elrington, who had been in the 13th Light 
 Dragoons for many years, and who had been
 
 THE BANK GUARD. 11 
 
 aide-de-camp to my father at the battle of 
 Vinegar Hill, where he commanded a brigade, 
 was a kind and hospitable friend, kept a good 
 table, and it is unnecessary to say I found my- 
 self in good quarters. I soon learnt the duties 
 required of me there, watching, as I did with 
 great attention, the drill going on at different 
 times. I was in a few days on duty at the main 
 guard, and when my turn arrived I was able to 
 take command of the guard from the regiment 
 in the Tower, stationed every night at the West 
 India Docks. 
 
 Occasionally it was my duty to be on the 
 Bank guard. Here everything was very com- 
 fortable. We had a nice sitting-room, with a 
 good couch in it, a table spread for three per- 
 sons soup, fish, &c., and three bottles of wine. 
 The bank directors were most courteous gentle- 
 men, finding the officer of the guard a first and 
 second course. 
 
 A good story is told of an officer of the 
 Guards (as good a fellow as ever breathed, and 
 still, I am happy to say, in the land of the 
 living, though he has long since left the Army), 
 who, being on duty one night at the Bank, had
 
 12 MY LIFE. 
 
 asked two friends to dine with him. After 
 waiting a while, the dinner was placed on the 
 table, but no company came. My young friend 
 felt rather low-spirited, never liking to be alone, 
 and preferring the company of friends better 
 than his own. He ate his dinner, the dishes were 
 cleared away, the wine being left on the table 
 with fruit. His friends not appearing, he fin- 
 ished the sherry himself, then the port, when 
 the sergeant came in for him to go the rounds. 
 This service having been performed, he returned 
 to his room, got the newspaper, and sipped 
 away at the claret, which, being a bottle of 
 Sueyd's, he was not long in finishing, as he had 
 done the others. He then laid himself down on 
 his couch and slept soundly till daylight, when, 
 the sergeant coming in, he was aroused, went 
 out, and inspected his guard. The gates being 
 opened, and his duty ended, he marched steadily 
 back to the Tower, not even suffering from a 
 headache. I think I should have had one for a 
 week afterwards. 
 
 During the time I was doing duty in the 
 Tower of London, it often came to my turn, as 
 I have stated, to be on guard at the West India
 
 THE WEST INDIA DOCK GUARD. 13 
 
 Docks. It was a most disagreeable duty, and 
 in those times a most disagreeable place to get 
 to. You \vill ask why ? To traverse dirty and 
 narrow streets with a hundred soldiers under your 
 command, and the population of London at that 
 period of a very disorderly character, and in a 
 very irritable mood against the Government, 
 and especially against the soldiers though why 
 or wherefore I never could understand. I 
 always felt happy when I arrived at the end of 
 my march without receiving insult on the way. 
 On one occasion, however, I did not get off 
 scot-free. As I entered on the lower part of the 
 road which led to the docks, I saw groups of 
 ugly, dirty-looking fellows standing here and 
 there, all staring at the soldiers, and making 
 disagreeable remarks as we passed. I had 
 passed with part of my guard through one of 
 the bye-streets, where I saw a waggon with the 
 horses standing. The law of those days, and 
 I believe it is so now, was that all vehicles of 
 every description were obliged to stop for the 
 passage of troops. I had got twenty yards 
 across with my advance guard, when I heard 
 two or three voices crying out, " Now, Bill, go
 
 14 MY LIFE. 
 
 it !" and, at the same moment, hearing a clatter, 
 I looked behind me, and saw that the waggon 
 had been drawn through my ranks. The lead- 
 ing horse had knocked down two of my men, 
 and the waggoner, with the butt of his long 
 whip, was in the act of striking another a heavy 
 blow on the head, which was fortunately in 
 some measure protected by his shako. I halted 
 my men, but before I could get up to the spot, 
 the soldier had returned the blow with his 
 musket across the waggoner's head, and I 
 verily thought had killed him, for the man fell 
 to the ground as if dead ; but, fortunately for 
 the fellow, he had a thick, broad-brimmed hat 
 over a thick skull. Of course, I lost no time 
 in stopping the fray, and took the name of the 
 waggoner, and of the owner of the waggon. 
 My men turned the waggon back up the street, 
 and I, putting my guard in order, marched on, 
 leaving the driver with the broken head to get 
 home as best he could. Of course, I need not 
 say I received no small abuse from the people 
 in the street, but, as we were not the aggres- 
 sors, I had nothing to fear. However, in the 
 course of the afternoon, a sergeant came to tell
 
 INVITED TO A COW-HEEL DINNER. 15 
 
 me that an officer had come from the Lord 
 Mayor with an order for me to give up the 
 man who had knocked down the driver; to 
 which I replied "that. that was a matter which 
 would be settled hereafter, but that he need 
 not expect I would give up any man of my 
 guard for any such order." 
 
 The next morning, having been relieved, I 
 marched my guard back to the Tower, expect- 
 ing to have another rencontre in the streets ; but 
 I found everything clear and quiet. The Lord 
 Mayor never summoned me, nor did I ever hear 
 any more of the matter. However, there used 
 to be a good many disagreeable things happen- 
 ing in the streets in those days. We had no 
 police as we have now, and there was a revolu- 
 tionary party in England doing everything 
 they could to create a bad feeling against the 
 institutions of the country. 
 
 1 have said that my cousin, at his residence 
 in the Tower, kept a good table, was fond of 
 good cheer himself, and very popular with the 
 city bon-vivants ; with such men for example as 
 Sir William Curtis and his brother James, who 
 lived at the old Southsea House, where he had
 
 16 MY LIFE. 
 
 an appointment. One day I received a letter 
 from James Curtis, asking me to dinner with my 
 cousin, the Governor, saying, however, " that he 
 had nothing for dinner but soup and cow-heel," 
 but would be most happy to see me. I took his 
 invitation literally, but I observed that my 
 friend, the Governor, took a pinch of snuff 
 significantly as he remarked to me, " Well, 
 Charles, we will go." 
 
 The next evening we found ourselves at the 
 old Southsea House at half-past six, ready for 
 dinner. We were ushered up an old-fashioned 
 winding staircase, and were shown into a snug 
 apartment with a good fire, and everything 
 looking most comfortable. We were not long 
 here before our host came to us, and dinner 
 being announced, we entered, through folding- 
 doors, into a large and spacious apartment. On 
 the table we found a tureen of mock turtle soup, 
 the best, I think, I ever ate of the kind. My 
 host took his place at the head of the table, and 
 the Governor at the foot, opposite to a covered 
 dish. I forgot to mention that another gentle- 
 man had joined the party, making, in all, four. 
 The soup finished, the cover was removed, and
 
 AGITATION IN LONDON. 17 
 
 there, sure enough, was the cow-heel, which was 
 dressed up in the most fantastic manner, but of 
 which, of course, we none of us refused to par- 
 take, and I really found it most excellent. 
 During our first course the soup and cow-heel 
 disappeared, and their places were supplied 
 with every delicacy one could think of : patties, 
 cutlets, and every description of luxury, not 
 forgetting champagne, burgundy, hock, &c. As 
 the glasses sparkled on the board, so did the 
 conversation brighten. " Old Jimmy," as we 
 used to call him, was full of humour, and his 
 friend, the citizen, was also a lively companion. 
 On our return home, the Governor remarked to 
 me, 
 
 " What do you think of the cow-heel dinner, 
 Charles?" 
 
 " Well," I replied, " I must confess I never 
 had a better cow-heel dinner in my life/' 
 
 About a week after this, we received another 
 invitation to dinner in Fitzroy Square. There 
 existed, as I have just said, a very unpleasant 
 feeling in London against the ministry of the 
 day, and, in fact, against the institutions of the 
 country generally. People were crying out for 
 
 VOL. I. C
 
 18 MY LIFE. 
 
 reform in Parliament, and it was no uncommon 
 thing, in the days of which I am now writing, 
 for the Radical mobs to break the windows of 
 any member who voted in Parliament against 
 their wishes, backed, as I am sorry to say these 
 mobs were by the Whig party of the day, who, 
 to gain their own purposes, did then as they 
 would do now, namely, use any unfair means in 
 their power to turn out a government to which 
 they were opposed. We have, thank God, at 
 present, a good Conservative Government at the 
 helm of state, piloted by an able man through 
 the shoals and quicksands into which the late 
 Liberal Government had directed the Royal 
 Sovereign ; and I have not the slightest doubt 
 that if the same Liberal party should get into 
 power again, they would have recourse to the 
 same destructive conduct as they were guilty 
 of at the time of which I am now speaking. 
 All I wonder is that noblemen and gentlemen 
 of high birth, of wealth and property, should 
 ally themselves with such a revolutionary 
 party. 
 
 Well, as I have said, there were cries of dis- 
 content with the Government, and demands for
 
 A GOLDEN ATTRACTION. 19 
 
 reform. Meetings were held in various parts, 
 and revolutionary speeches made. At Birming- 
 ham, Manchester, and in different parts of Eng- 
 land, similar proceedings were carried on, in- 
 flaming the minds of the people, and in London 
 creating great excitement. Mobs collected in 
 various parts, and meetings were held at Tower 
 Hill, where inflammatory speeches were de- 
 livered. 
 
 In the midst of all this we had, as I have 
 said, a second invitation to dine in Fitzroy 
 Square. There was talk of a great meeting to 
 be held on Tower Hill that evening, but the 
 Governor and myself thought it a matter of no 
 importance, and we drove off to dinner in 
 Fitzroy Square at seven o'clock. I found there 
 a large party. My host had a very pretty niece, 
 and the Governor whispered in my ear, 
 
 " Take her down to dinner, she's got 40,000." 
 I did not let the hint escape me, but somehow 
 found myself shortly by her side, and, when the 
 dinner was announced, offered her my arm. 
 Soup, fish, and all the delicacies of the season 
 were on the table. There was no one present 
 whom I had ever met before, most of them 
 
 c2
 
 20 MY LIFE. 
 
 being bankers, and opulent men in the City. 
 Not that I cared much about that, for I devoted 
 all my attention to the young lady at my side, 
 whom I found not only handsome, but most 
 agreeable. I did all I could to ingratiate my- 
 self into her favour : I do not know whether the 
 40,000 had anything to do with it. But I 
 rather fancied the idea that she should take a 
 liking to me ! I was not a bad-looking fellow 
 in those days, though, 
 
 u Time which steals our years away, 
 And steals our pleasures too," 
 
 has made a strange alteration in the outward 
 man. Still I have a lively recollection of those 
 youthful days. 
 
 The dinner over, the dessert was placed on the 
 table, the bottle passed round, and I began to 
 feel myself very much at my ease, when a note 
 was handed on a silver waiter to the Governor. 
 I looked at him, and wondered what it could be 
 about. My cousin opened it very quietly, first 
 taking a pinch of snuff, according to his custom. 
 As soon as he had glanced at the letter, he ex- 
 claimed, 
 
 "Good gracious, Charles, we must be off.
 
 A PARTY BROKEN UP. 21 
 
 The Tower has been summoned to surrender." 
 
 There was a general consternation amongst 
 the company. 
 
 " Good God !" said an old lady, " what is the 
 matter ?" 
 
 The Governor replied, 
 
 "There is an immense mob on Tower Hill, 
 and they are going to attack the Tower." 
 
 " Don't be alarmed, madam," I said, " that is 
 easier to talk of than to do." 
 
 My young lady looked at me, and I at her. 
 " Confound the mob," thought I to myself. "This 
 is a dreadful break up of all my happiness." 
 
 My worthy friend the Governor asked to be 
 allowed to ring the bell, and inquired who 
 brought the letter. On being informed that a 
 corporal from the Tower had brought it, the 
 man was desired to procure a coach. 
 
 This unfortunate event brokeup a most pleasant 
 and agreeable party. We took leave of our host 
 and hostess. I shook hands with my fair friend, 
 who seemed as sorry to part with me as I was 
 with her, and the Governor and myself soon found 
 ourselves ensconced in the interior of one of the 
 old-fashioned vehicles of the day, yclept a
 
 22 MY LIFE. 
 
 hackney coach. The corporal had mounted the 
 box by the side of the driver ; but before we 
 reached the environs of the Tower, the Governor 
 exclaimed, 
 
 " Where is the corporal 1" 
 
 " On the box, sir," I replied. 
 
 " Stop the carriage. Tell him to come in. 
 We shall be marked and attacked by the mob.' r 
 
 The corporal, who was soon inside the car- 
 riage, was made to squeeze himself down at the 
 bottom of it, and orders were given to the 
 coachman to drive as fast as he could up to the 
 gates. We came down by the Minories, and on 
 the hill found an immense mob of people. We 
 were fortunate enough to get into the fortress 
 without being molested, and we found every- 
 thing in the greatest excitement. True it was, 
 the Tower had been summoned to surrender, 
 and information had been sent to the Secretary 
 of State, who sent back word to the officer in 
 command " that, if any attack was made, the 
 attacking party was to be fired upon." The 
 cannon on the ramparts were put into position, 
 so as to bear upon every point likely to be 
 assailed, the portcullis was lowered, and every-
 
 REVOLUTIONARY DEMAGOGUES. 23 
 
 thing bore a most warlike aspect. However, 
 the night passed off quietly, and the mob dis- 
 persed, tired of waiting for those who were to 
 lead them on to the assault, but who never 
 made their appearance. Of course we all knew 
 it was humbug, and got up by the revolution- 
 ary demagogues of the day to mislead the 
 ignorant people. 
 
 Perhaps the march of intellect in the present 
 day, and the better education of the lower 
 classes, will make them see the folly of such 
 proceedings, though I am sorry to say there 
 still exists a number of men who, by meetings 
 of the same sort in Trafalgar Square, Hyde 
 Park, and elsewhere, endeavour to create dis- 
 union amongst a people who are in heart truly 
 loyal to the Crown and institutions of the 
 country. My readers will not have forgotten a 
 celebrated letter, not many years since, in which 
 the multitude were advised " to show them- 
 selves in force from Charing Cross to West- 
 minster, and to burst open the doors of Parlia- 
 ment, which were barred against them."
 
 24 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Coldstream Guards after Waterloo Quartered at 
 Windsor Cricket Matches George III. A Presenti- 
 ment Visit to Hanover The Crown Prince Vigor- 
 ous Exercise Inflammation of the Eyes Ignorance 
 of Naval and Military Affairs First Anniversary of 
 the Battle of Waterloo Sport The Spanish Ad- 
 venturer Greyhounds and Coursing An Error Cor- 
 rected A Walking Match. 
 
 NOTHING more that I now remember hap- 
 pened worth relating during the time the 
 battalion remained in the Tower. I found my 
 brother officers a most gentlemanly set of fel- 
 lows, all men of good family, some of whom 
 had served in the Peninsular campaigns, and 
 some, like myself, had but recently joined the 
 regiment. There had been many vacancies in 
 the regiment in consequence of the bloody 
 battle of Waterloo, where the valour of the 
 Ooldstream Guards shone most conspicuously in
 
 THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS. 2 
 
 the defence of Hougomont. The present Gene- 
 ral Sir Henry Bentinck was the adjutant of the 
 battalion. With him I formed a friendship, 
 which I enjoyed during the time I served in 
 the regiment, but, owing to my blindness, I 
 have lost sight of him and of many of those 
 good-natured and amiable friends with whom I 
 served ; and indeed this unfortunate event has 
 deprived me of much of the society I formerly 
 enjoyed. 
 
 Captain Bentinck had the battalion in most 
 admirable order. He was an excellent officer, 
 as he proved afterwards in the Crimea, where 
 he accompanied the brigade of Guards under 
 H. R. H. the Duke of Cambridge, where 
 both these gallant officers much distinguished 
 themselves, and where many a gallant fellow 
 fell to rise no more, especially in the battle of 
 Inkerman, where the brigade of Guards lost so 
 many men and officers. At the time of which I 
 am writing our other battalion was in France, 
 with the Army of Occupation, under the com- 
 mand of the great conqueror of many a hard- 
 fought field. 
 
 The time having arrived for the change of
 
 9 (> MY LIFE. 
 
 quarters of the Guards, as far as I can remem- 
 ber, about the end of February, we were 
 marched to Windsor. Here I made an arrange- 
 ment with one of my brother officers to take my 
 duty for a month, as I found we were not all 
 required to be there, while I went into Norfolk, 
 where I remained for more than the time stipu- 
 lated, and then returned to join my battalion. 
 Morning parade, mounting guards at the Castle 
 whenever it came to my turn, rowing on the 
 Thames, and occasionally going to a ball at the 
 Town-hall, or at a private house in the town, 
 were the principal things which occupied my 
 time. When cricket began, we used to have 
 some capital games, and on one occasion 1 play- 
 ed in a match against the townsmen of Windsor, 
 who had challenged us. Large placards were 
 put about everywhere, saying, " Great cricket 
 match between the town of Windsor and the 
 Coldstream Guards for one thousand guineas." 
 The money, I need not say, was all a farce. 
 No one thousand guineas was ever brought 
 into question. There were good players among 
 us, some of whom had been at Eton in their 
 younger days. We had at the time at Windsor
 
 KING GEORGE III. 27 
 
 Colonel Barrow, commanding battalion, Cap- 
 tains Shawe, Clifton, Salwey, Baines, and other 
 officers. 
 
 I was reckoned a good bowler, and on the 
 first day of our match I distinguished myself 
 by bowling out with my second ball the best 
 man of the Windsor party, and when at the 
 wicket myself, by running my bat into the 
 stomach of a fat citizen, Mr. Ramsbottom, who 
 had run out of his proper ground, and got 
 before the wicket. This created much amuse- 
 ment in the crowd, but I had some difficulty in 
 making the worthy citizen understand that it 
 was an accident, and appeasing his anger. 
 
 At the time of which I am now speaking, 
 there was little occurring at Windsor Castle. 
 King George III. at that time lived, I may say, 
 in seclusion, in consequence of the sad state of 
 mind under which His Majesty was then suffer- 
 ing. H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, then Prince 
 Regent, performed all the kingly offices of 
 State. When on guard, I often observed 
 His Majesty walking on the terrace with the 
 equerry-in-waiting, or a gentleman appointed 
 for that purpose. The King had the misfortune
 
 28 MY LIFE. 
 
 to be blind, a malady to which other members 
 of the Royal House of Brunswick have been 
 subject. 
 
 I had always a dread of becoming one day 
 blind myself, and had a presentiment which, 
 unfortunately, has only proved too true a 
 warning of the future calamity. I therefore 
 watched the King with more than common in- 
 terest as he walked, led by his attendants, along 
 the terrace at Windsor. One day I observed 
 that His Majesty stopped in his walk, and re- 
 peatedly desired to be re-conducted to the 
 palace a wish which his attendants, desiring 
 to keep him out longer in the air, paid no at- 
 tention to. 
 
 Some years after I had lost ray own sight, I 
 went to Hanover to spend the Winter there, 
 having been to Grathraft to consult Dr. De- 
 leuve, the famous German oculist ; and while 
 at Hanover, I frequently walked on the same 
 road with the Crown Prince, who was himself 
 blind. The first time 1 was introduced to him 
 I was while walking with my daughter, now 
 no more, along the Herringhausen Road. The 
 Princess was with him. H. R. H. sent his
 
 THE CROWN PRINCE OF HANOVER. 29 
 
 aide-de-camp, across to ine to say that he 
 wished to speak to me. The Princess knew 
 Miss Loftus, she having attended the Court 
 with her mother. They were both most gra- 
 cious and kind, and he asked me how I 
 had lost my sight, and when I told him, the 
 Prince added, " You were in the Guards, 
 were you not ? What a nice set of fellows are 
 your officers in the Guards !" And then he 
 asked if I had not been in the 15th Hussars, 
 for " the King of Hanover thought that I had." 
 I told him that I had not, but that my elder 
 brother William had been in the 15th, and was 
 afterwards in the 38th, and had been all through 
 the Peninsular campaign. The Prince was 
 always aost kind and amiable to us, and 
 H. R. H. and the Princess interested themselves 
 very much in us, sympathising in my misfor- 
 tune. The King of Hanover died shortly after. 
 During my stay at Windsor, many little 
 things happened which took off the tediousness 
 of a life in barracks, where there was little duty 
 required. I did not dislike the marching out 
 early in the morning for a field-day, for then I 
 learnt something regarding the manoeuvring of
 
 30 MY LIFE. 
 
 a battalion, under the able instruction and com- 
 mand of the Adjutant, and a first-rate sergeant- 
 major (Baker), whom, after he had left the 
 Guards, I found in a high position in the police 
 force in London. The eminent surgeon, Mr. 
 Guthrie, who had attended me for inflammation 
 in the eyes, had advised me to take all the 
 exercise I could, never to take more than two 
 glasses of sherry per day, never to touch port 
 wine or beer. I followed this regime often 
 walking up to London after parade in the 
 morning, a distance of two-and-twenty miles, 
 playing at cricket in the park, and boating on 
 the Thames with my brother-officers and en- 
 joyed perfect health, as I still do. 
 
 I remember on one occasion walking to Lon- 
 don to my father's house in Wimpole Street, 
 and after dinner with him, going to a ball 
 in Portmau Square, dancing till four o'clock in 
 the morning, getting back to my father's house 
 to change my clothes, catching the Windsor 
 coach, and arriving at the barracks in time 
 enough for morning parade, after which I was 
 well prepared to eat a good breakfast. After
 
 EARLY REMINISCENCES. 31 
 
 that, I was pressed to join in a game at cricket, 
 which I did. So much for my youth and spirit. 
 I then began to hope that I should have no 
 more attacks in my eyes, but subsequent 
 events will show how sadly I was mistaken. I 
 have lost my sight, but, thank God ! I have 
 still the use of my limbs, and my intellectual 
 powers of memory are wonderfully good for a 
 man of seventy-nine years of age. All the 
 bright scenes of early life rise up in the mind's 
 eye before me as vividly as ever. I never hear 
 the cock crow in a farmyard but that it calls to 
 my mind some recollections of the happy home 
 of early youth. While I am inditing these remi- 
 niscences I hear the thrushes' notes and the chirp- 
 ing of many a well-known bird ; the murmuring 
 stream, as I walk along its banks, .reminds me 
 that, when at my father's dear old place in Nor- 
 folk, I used to take my fishing-rod, with a little 
 tin box full of worms, and bend my way down 
 to the river-side, and now and then hook a 
 beautiful trout, of which fish we had plenty in 
 the river. At other times, my brother Ferrers 
 and myself used to " glaive " for eels, of which
 
 32 MY LIFE. 
 
 we had a beautiful silver kind in the river. The 
 very smell of the violets in Spring, and the 
 cowslips, too, on the lawn, recall the hours of 
 vanished days and years. 
 
 People often ask me questions upon various 
 subjects regarding the Army and the Navy, and 
 the ignorance which I find prevailing amongst 
 certain classes of Her Majesty's subjects is truly 
 astonishing. Not long since, I went into a 
 highly respectable tradesman's shop, and as 
 he was alone, we spoke a few words together. 
 I knew him to be a good and religious man a 
 dissenter from the Established Church ; but I am 
 not so bigoted at seventy-nine years of age 
 as to think that, because a man does not belong 
 to the Established Church, he is not worth 
 speaking to. or that his ideas are unworthy of 
 attention. He said to me 
 
 " I hope no offence, sir, but may I ask you a 
 question ?" 
 
 " Certainly you may," I replied. 
 
 " Well, sir, I was at a little party the other 
 evening, and the people were talking of the 
 Army and the Navy, and your name, sir, was 
 mentioned as having belonged to both services ;
 
 IGNORANCE RESPECTING THE ARMY. 33 
 
 and it was said that you had lost your sight in 
 consequence of an injury received in the Navy, 
 and it was supposed that you enjoyed a good 
 pension thereby. It was also a general sup- 
 position that the reason of so many of the 
 younger sons of noblemen and gentlemen 
 entering the Army was that they were pro- 
 vided for immediately by receiving 300 a 
 year." 
 
 " Capital !" said 1. " Now, this little question 
 of yours proves to me what I have long 
 thought : how ignorant and ill-informed are 
 men in your class of life as a body, who, under 
 such erroneous impressions, do injury to them- 
 selves, to the country, and to society at large. 
 Far from this being the case, no officer could 
 maintain himself in the Army with the pay 
 he has, which is certainly not 300 a year, 
 unless he had some means of his own. He has, 
 perhaps, his commission as an ensign to pur- 
 chase, or as a cornet of Dragoons, and his regi- 
 mentals to furnish himself with too. To give 
 you an outline of what I had to do when first 1 
 joined the Coldstream Guards at the end of the 
 year 1815 : the shako alone, covered with gold 
 
 VOL. i. D
 
 34 MY LIFE, 
 
 lace, I believe, was ten or fourteen guineas ; the 
 regimental red coat, with gold epaulettes, belts, 
 gorget, sword, white leather pantaloons (three 
 guineas a pair), Hessian boots, (three pair, not 
 less than two guineas a pair), besides a blue 
 frock-coat, cloak and sash, a full-dress coat 
 for Court and Guard of Honour days, white 
 kerseymere breeches, silk stockings, pumps, 
 and gold buckles ' in him shoes/ which every 
 gentleman wore in those days, far super- 
 ior to the common fashion of this day. Forty 
 guineas the full dress alone cost, besides all 
 these etceteras I have named. And now, my 
 friend, what becomes of your magnificent pro- 
 vision for the gentlemen of the Army?" 
 
 " Good gracious, sir !" 
 
 " Ay, good gracious, indeed ! What, do you 
 suppose that His Majesty or the country gave 
 us our fine feathers, our mess daily, and wines, 
 our shoes, and blacked them for us ? You are 
 quite right to ask me this question, for ignorance 
 on these points, and other subjects with regard 
 to the Army and Navy, produces discontent, 
 disunion, disloyalty, and Radicalism in the 
 country. Read and inform yourself on these
 
 CONVERSATION WITH A SHOP-KEEPER. 35 
 
 things, instead of devouring the vile literature 
 subversive of all order, union, and loyalty, which 
 causes men to vote at ari election to Parliament 
 against gentlemen who would uphold the dig- 
 nity of the Crown, the ancient institutions of 
 the country, and, above all, our Protestant and 
 long-tried faith, which I firmly believe, under 
 the protection of Divine Providence, has ena- 
 bled us to spread the gospel truth through- 
 out the world by means of our shipping and 
 commercial interests, and to promote the great 
 prosperity of our glorious country, proving 
 England to be the fortress of Christianity. 
 With respect to myself, I never received any 
 compensation from my country for the loss of 
 my sight. In the first place, my sight was not 
 lost in battle, but in consequence of a severe 
 injury received while on service, causing a con- 
 stant inflammation in the eyes, culminating in 
 utter blindness. I should be too glad to receive 
 a pension, for which, indeed, Guthrie urged me 
 again and again to apply, but I neglected to 
 do so then." So much for my conversation with' 
 this most respectable but evidently ill-informed 
 
 D2
 
 36 MY LIFE. 
 
 shopkeeper, which I mention as a specimen of 
 the prejudices entertained by his class. 
 
 To return to my narrative. In the year 1816, 
 the first anniversary of the ever memorable 
 battle of Waterloo, the Horse Guards Blue com- 
 memorated that event by giving a splendid ball 
 at Windsor. To this ball I, in common with my 
 brother officers, was invited. Here I met many 
 old friends from London. It was a grand affair, 
 got up in first-rate style, where Gunter display- 
 ed his artistic cuisine on the supper-table to the 
 utmost perfection. The Marquis of Anglesea, 
 one of the heroes of that memorable day, with 
 numerous other officers of distinction, was pre- 
 sent. 
 
 At length the time arrived for a change of 
 quarters. A few days previous to my leaving 
 Windsor I received an invitation to dine with 
 Lord Rivers, who was the equerry-in-waiting 
 on His Majesty at the Castle. His lordship and 
 I had much conversation on the subject of cours- 
 ing, he himself being a great lover of that sport, 
 and possessing a first-rate breed of greyhounds, 
 of one of which he was afterwards kind enough 
 to make me a present. We had an officer in the
 
 COURSIXG. 37 
 
 regiment of the name of Joseph Sidney Tharpe, 
 a well-known character among us. He, like 
 myself, was fond of all kinds of sport, and par- 
 ticularly of coursing. He had two or three 
 good horses at Windsor, and he often used to 
 mount me for a ride with him. It was a favourite 
 amusement of his to take me to some place 
 where there were particularly high banks, with 
 ditches on each side, when he would say to me, 
 
 " If you'll find a neck, I'll find you a horse. I 
 want to try such and such a horse to-day, to see 
 how he'll jump those high banks and ditches." 
 
 I was fortunate enough to get over most of 
 them without a fall. After both he and I had 
 left the Guards, I used to meet him sometimes 
 at Newmarket, near which was his father's resi- 
 dence, and he gave me two or three excellent 
 greyhounds, from which, and Lord Rivers's dog, 
 I bred some puppies, few of which I was able to 
 rear. My readers may have heard of the story 
 of " the fortunate youth," which created a great 
 sensation at the time. My friend was the brother 
 of the heroine of that story. 
 
 There appeared in London about this time a 
 Spanish gentleman, who, as it was generally
 
 38 MY LIFE. 
 
 supposed, was possessed of enormous wealth. 
 He cut a great figure with horses, carriages, &c., 
 and lived at one of the most expensive hotels 
 in London. He became acquainted with my 
 friend aforesaid, who, with his usual urbanity 
 and kindly nature, invited him to his father's 
 place, near Newmarket, to pass a few days 
 there. At this hospitable mansion he met 
 many gentlemen of the country and other 
 persons of distinction. The October meeting 
 being at hand, it was a most favourable sea- 
 son for showing every attention to a guest. 
 At that period there was every opportunity of 
 showing him good sport in the partridge-field 
 and good pheasant-shooting in the open. Nor 
 do I think that there was any sport more amus- 
 ing in those days than to see, when one was 
 out partridge-shooting, a fine cock-pheasant, 
 who had strayed from his covers, suddenly rise 
 up before you, and fall plump to your gun at 
 about thirty yards' distance. 
 
 The Spaniard was a tall, handsome young 
 man, of good address and gentlemanly manners. 
 No one seemed to know who he was or whence
 
 THE HANDSOME SPANIARD. 39 
 
 he sprang, bat somehow he won upon every- 
 body, and was to be found in the best 
 society ; and thus he found his way to the 
 house of my friend's father. Here he lost no 
 time in making the best play for the hand of 
 my friend's handsome and amiable sister, into 
 whose favour he soon ingratiated himself. It 
 was the talk of the neighbourhood far and near, 
 
 " Have you not heard of the match Miss T 
 
 is about to make with this handsome and 
 wealthy Spaniard V" The matter was the sub- 
 ject of conversation at all dinner-tables. This 
 gentleman managed so cleverly as to draw 
 for money upon some leading person in Spain, 
 and he carried on the war so successfully as 
 completely to delude two English acquaintances 
 into a belief of his riches, and to pass three or 
 four months of the London season in the best 
 society, before he was detected. I congratulat- 
 ed my friend upon the brilliant match which 
 seemed likely to take pilace, and he hired a 
 house in Bryanstone Square, where he enter- 
 tained myself and the rest of his brother 
 officers upon the strength of the wealthy con-
 
 40 MY LIFE. 
 
 nection which was about to be formed. Some- 
 how or other the bubble, which had glittered so 
 brilliantly in the air, suddenly burst, and left my 
 friend and others in astonishment. One fine morn- 
 ing the Spaniard \vas non inventus, and none knew 
 of his whereabouts. Horses, carriages, liveried 
 servants were all left behind, and vain were the 
 inquiries for their master. Bills flowed in apace 
 from unfortunate tradesmen. The great horse- 
 dealers, Anderson & Co., felt that they had been 
 cruelly "bitten." Stultz the renowned tailor, 
 Hoby the well-known boot-maker, to say nothing 
 of jewellers, and even Jews, a difficult race to 
 circumvent, were in despair for their money. 
 Grave and long faces were to be seen in the 
 neighbourhood of the fugitive's deserted habita- 
 tion. We need not say that the effect on the pub- 
 lic mind was most amusing. I myself, who had 
 been duped like others, shared in the laugh, nor 
 shall I forget the face of my friend when I met 
 him at the club, and asked him whether there 
 was really a true bill. His reply was more 
 pronounced than polite. An eminent solicitor, 
 in the neighbourhood of Newmarket, was also 
 a dupe to tt e plausibility of the clever Spaniard,
 
 GREYHOUNDS AND COURSING. 41 
 
 and, I believe, was the first to draw attention 
 to the wealth of this supposed Croesus by a story 
 of his having seen branded, on the corks of 
 bottles of wine, the names of his estates in 
 Spain ! 
 
 To return, however, to our greyhounds and 
 coursing. My younger brother, who was in 
 the Grenadier Guards, was as fond of sport as 
 I was. He possessed a fine dog, called Joss, 
 which he had bought at a sale when a pup- 
 py. I had likewise an excellent dog, which 
 I had bought one of Lord Rivers' breed. I al- 
 ways contended that my dog had the greater 
 speed. Sir Joshua, as we sometimes called 
 my brother's dog, was certainly a capital fellow, 
 and a great favourite with my elder brother's 
 servant, who lived in the country and took care 
 of them for us. Sometimes my dog would run 
 splendidly, and give Sir Joshua the go-by ; at 
 other times, when I most wished him to do so, 
 he would leave the other dog to do the work, 
 and, in consequence, I lost my match. There 
 was a squire in my county, Mr. Dewing, who 
 kept a fine pack of harriers, and was fond of 
 coursing. He had a splendid greyhound,
 
 42 MY LIFE. 
 
 which had beat every dog in the country 
 round. Once my brother and Mr. Dewing 
 made a match, and immense was the excitement 
 which it created, the squire being a great 
 favourite with all the farmers around him, as he 
 was a first-rate rider across country, and showed 
 them excellent sport with his hounds. I knew 
 him well, and took my first lessons from hirn, 
 when I was a boy, in riding across country. I 
 used to let my horse go full swing at the fences, 
 and the consequence sometimes was that we 
 both came to grief, for, if he did not clear both 
 the ditches, a fall was inevitable, whereas 
 Dewing's plan was to make his horse leap on to 
 the top of the bank, and then spring over the 
 further ditch. 
 
 During my visit to Norfolk at this period I 
 went over to Raynham to stay a few days at the 
 old Hall, and this reminds me that in my for- 
 mer work I have made a mistake respecting the 
 descent of Dorothy Walpole, the Ghost. The 
 correct statement is that Charles, second Viscount 
 Townshend, K.G.,married July 2, 1713,Dorothy, 
 daughter of Robert Walpole of Houghton, in Nor- 
 folk, and sister of the minister, Sir Robert Wai-
 
 A MATCH BETWEEN DOGS. 43 
 
 pole, by whom he had five sons and two daugh- 
 ters Mrs. Spencer Cowper and Mrs. Edward 
 Cornwallis. The only son who left issue was 
 Edward Townshend, D.D., Dean of Windsor, 
 father of Charlotte Townshend, wife of John 
 Norris, Esq., mother of Lady Wodehouse, grand- 
 mother of the Earl of Kimberley. 
 
 I have said that Mr. Dewing and my brother 
 had made a match with their greyhounds, which 
 was to take place, I think, at Creek. All the 
 squire's friends mustered strong to see this 
 match. I believe there was a great coursing 
 party made up for the occasion. My uncle, 
 Lord J. Townshend, was there, and other gen- 
 tlemen of the neighbourhood. The day was fine, 
 and plenty of hares were found, and gave good 
 sport. In the afternoon of the day the match 
 was run off, and the result was that my bro- 
 ther's dog won it, beating the squire's favourite, 
 to the astonishment of all. The day wound up 
 with a jovial dinner, as was generally the case 
 on these occasions. 
 
 I remember another circumstance taking 
 place in which my brother was one of the prin- 
 cipal performers. He was in bed at my father's
 
 44 MY LIFE. 
 
 house at Stiffkey, when he was aroused early 
 in the morning by a letter from Lord J. 
 Townshend requesting him to come over 
 to Testerton House, where Lord James then 
 resided, and informing him that he had made 
 a bet the night before that he should run 
 
 a match against a celebrated Mr. G , who 
 
 had been performing some wonderful feats in 
 running, and had beat everybody, and it was 
 decided that he was to be at my uncle's house 
 at eleven o'clock, to run a match against this 
 great performer. My brother, who had made no 
 preparation for a race, rose immediately, put up 
 a few things in his valise, and mounting his 
 horse, rode over to Testerton to breakfast. He 
 went over in his shooting-jacket, a dress 
 generally worn by gentlemen in those days. 
 Soon after eleven o'clock a carriage drove 
 up to the door, in which were two gentle- 
 men, who, on alighting, were shown into the 
 drawing-room, the one who was to run the 
 match against my brother being dressed in a 
 very light and picturesque costume a round 
 sailor's jacket, white duck trousers, silk stock- 
 ings and pumps, a blue-speckled shirt, a blue
 
 A RACE. 45 
 
 neck-tie, tied with a true lover's knot. The fact 
 was that he was a young officer in the Navy, a 
 handsome young man, five feet nine, broad- 
 shouldered, and well-made. 
 
 After his arrival, some other friends having 
 heard of the match, and knowing my brother 
 to be an active man, came to see the fun. When 
 they came to the ground, about a hundred yards 
 were measured out. My brother, on perceiving 
 the active frame and light costume of his oppo- 
 nent, thought he had got one who would give 
 him some trouble to beat, so he changed his 
 dress, putting on his evening costume, with 
 light shoes and silk stockings. Umpires hav- 
 ing been appointed, one of whom was Squire 
 Dewing, the competitors of the race were 
 placed in a position for a start, the word was 
 given one, two, three, and away they went, 
 the Royal Navy man going ahead of the Guards- 
 man several yards, so quickly did he spring off 
 the ground ; but he did not long maintain his 
 advantage, for my brother was soon up to his 
 side, and quickly passing him, went ahead, and 
 won the match easily, beating him by twenty 
 yards, to the great chagrin of the lieutenant,
 
 46 MY LIFE. 
 
 who little thought that a Grenadier Guardsman 
 oould go such a pace. I must confess I never 
 saw a finer runner than my brother. I was a 
 good one myself, but never could come near 
 him.
 
 47 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 My Father's Military Career Officers of my Battalion A 
 Dreadful Accident The Irish Sentinel and his Mother 
 My Brother's Services Expedition to Buenos Ayres 
 Putting his Foot into it The Art of Lassoing 
 Death of the Princess Charlotte General Milman 
 The Opera Don Giovanni Nicholson the Flutist 
 Presented at Court Viscount Exmouth Slaughter at 
 Algiers The Admiral's Teeth Story of Paul Ben- 
 field. 
 
 IN describing the events which occur in the 
 early part of life, we often remember things 
 which we have previously omitted. I am anxi- 
 ous, as far as possible, not to forget circum- 
 stances which happened in my family, and to 
 mention events which have come to my know- 
 ledge. I had a great love and regard for my 
 dear father. He was a thorough gentleman 
 courteous in manner to all, at the same time 
 benevolent to such as applied to him for assist- 
 ance. He was a good soldier in his early career. 
 He joined the 9th Dragoons as a cornet, and
 
 48 MY LIFE. 
 
 afterwards changed into the 17th Dragoons, 
 with which regiment he embarked in 1775 for 
 America, where he served until appointed to the 
 3rd Foot Guards. He was at the memorable 
 action of Bunker's Hill ; at the battle of Bed- 
 ford ; at the taking of New York ; the- battles of 
 Penham Manor and the White Plains ; and, by 
 the desire of the Commauder-in-Chief, led the 
 Hessian Grenadiers across the River Brunx, 
 where he was wounded as he was also in the 
 attack on the lines of Kingsbridge. In 1794 he 
 raised the 24th Light Dragoons ; in 1796 was 
 made a Major- General, and appointed to the 
 English Staff, from which, in 1797, he was re- 
 moved to the Irish Staff, and commanded a 
 brigade at the battle of Vinegar Hill. In 1809 
 he commanded the Eastern district. 
 
 In naming the officers whom I met on first 
 joining the regiment, I find that I have omitted 
 several with whom I lived on terms of friend- 
 ship. Our second battalion being in France 
 with the army of occupation, I did not become 
 acquainted with all at once. However, Serjea- 
 son, Kingscote, Beamish, Jasper Hall, I remem- 
 ber, were in my battalion. I have a lively
 
 THE IRISH SENTINEL. 49 
 
 recollection of Serjeason, for we were competi- 
 tors in two or three races which took place at 
 Windsor. I am free to own that Serjeason 
 proved himself to be the best jockey, though 
 we were both considered good horsemen. But, 
 then, I must state that my friend was a York- 
 shireman, and I only a Norfolk man. My eldest 
 brother, Henry, was in the Coldstream Guards 
 at the time I joined, and had seen some service 
 in other regiments. He was also in the 17th 
 Dragoons (now Lancers), and was in the unfor- 
 tunate expedition to Buenos Ayres and Monte 
 Video. When that expedition embarked at 
 Portsmouth, 1809, a dreadful accident happen- 
 ed which destroyed much property, and might 
 have proved more disastrous, but for the timely 
 aid rendered by the crews of the men-of-war's 
 boats near at hand. The troops had all em- 
 barked, and some extra barrels of gunpowder 
 had been placed ready to be carried off in the 
 morning to a vessel appointed to receive them. 
 Over the gunpowder was placed a sentry, with 
 strict orders not to permit any person to come 
 within a certain distance of the dangerous ex- 
 plosive. The mother of the sentry in charge 
 VOL. I. E
 
 50 MY LIFE. 
 
 was anxious to see her son before he embarked. 
 Finding that he was on duty over the powder, 
 she stole slyly to the Hard, where the barrels 
 were placed in rows. Lighting her pipe, in Irish 
 fashion, she seated herself on one of them, uii- 
 perceived by the sentry, who, when he caught 
 a glimpse of a figure seated on forbidden 
 ground, immediately challenged the woman, 
 whom he did not recognize, and desired her to 
 be off, or he would shoot her. His threat 
 brought forth all the tender feelings of the 
 parent. 
 
 " Ah, John, shure, is it you, my darlint, that 
 I have come to see, threatenin' to shoot your 
 own mother, who has come down to see the 
 last of yer, my dear boy '?" 
 
 " Get away, mother get away !" said the 
 alarmed sentry, advancing a step or two to- 
 wards her. " Get away, mother, I say ! I shall 
 be hanged when the relief comes round, and 
 you will be shot !" 
 
 The old woman, regardless of his remon- 
 strances, in rising to go to her son, let fall her 
 pipe full of burning ashes upon one of the bar- 
 rels, out of which the powder must have es-
 
 EXPEDITION TO BUENOS AYRES. 51 
 
 caped into the canvas covering. The cloth 
 round the barrel took fire, and an immediate 
 explosion was the result. The old woman was 
 blown up into, the air, her petticoats in a flare, 
 which was fortunately extinguished, by her fall- 
 ing into the ditch surrounding the ramparts. The 
 poor sentry was killed on the spot. The houses 
 adjacent were blown down, several persons were 
 seriously hurt, and much injury was done to pro- 
 perty. I was but ten years of age when this 
 occurred, but I perfectly remember hearing the 
 account of it contained in a letter from my 
 brother, which was received at home just before 
 the expedition sailed for South America. 
 
 In the expedition to Buenos Ayres, the 1 7th 
 Dragoons went out unprovided with horses, 
 and were to mount themselves on their arrival 
 either from the Spaniards, or from the American 
 prairies, where it was said that horses could be 
 obtained easily that is, if you knew " how to 
 throw the lasso." My brother Henry, the major 
 of the 17th, took out with him as his groom 
 Robin Withers, an honest, hard-working Norfolk 
 man, whom we all liked, greatly attached to his 
 master, and with whom, as boys, we used to 
 
 E2
 
 52 MY LIFE. 
 
 play all kinds of pranks, rolling him in the 
 snow, &c. Robin Withers, of course, embarked 
 with my brother, and was with the head-quar- 
 ters of the regiment on board the frigate. On 
 the passage out, one day, while the ship was 
 becalmed, a large shark was caught, and hauled 
 up on the quarter deck. One of the young 
 midshipmen, thinking that he was dead, was 
 foolish enough to put his foot within the mon- 
 ster's open jaws, which were immediately closed 
 upon it, biting through both boot and foot, and 
 holding on so fast that they were compelled to 
 force an iron handspike between the jaws, the 
 poor lad yelling with pain. The desperate 
 creature, however, did not relinquish his dying 
 hold, till, at Withers' suggestion, his head was 
 cut off. Through the surgeon's skill, the boy 
 recovered the use of his foot after long and 
 painful sufferings. 
 
 My brother used to relate that when, at 
 Buenos Ayres, Robin Withers heard every 
 morning and evening the milk-woman calling 
 out, " Leche !" (milk), he was heard to say, in 
 broad Norfolk, " You fule, why can't you say 
 milk at once ?"
 
 LASSOING HORSES. 53 
 
 After Buenos Ayres had fallen, and not till 
 we had lost many men, there was some idea of 
 mounting the 17th, but that was more easily 
 said than done. A party was to be sent, under 
 the guidance of men who were acquainted with 
 the clever art of lassoing. Robin, hearing of 
 this, volunteered to join, as he wished to obtain 
 a horse for his master, and he had received les- 
 sons in the art of sending the lasso over the 
 horse's head, and throwing him. It appears 
 that the men, following their guides, reached 
 the ground which was said to abound in 
 horses. Robin, and a companion whom he had 
 with him, were well mounted on Spanish horses 
 used to the exercise. He described to me that, 
 having entered one side of a forest, they soon 
 came in contact with a wild troop of horses, 
 which gathered around them, snorting, and 
 looking so mischievous that he acknowledged 
 he secretly wished himself well clear of them. 
 A horse coming snorting up to him, he threw 
 his lasso, which he had coiled ready for action, 
 over his head. The animal, alarmed, immedi- 
 ately started off, and Robin, instead of holding 
 his own horse in, and letting him plant his fore
 
 54 MY LIFE. 
 
 feet firmly on the ground, allowed him to rush 
 after the wild horse, tethered, as it was, to his 
 master's saddle by one end of the lasso. The 
 consequence was that he was soon brought to 
 grief, being pulled from his seat, and stretched, 
 with a heavy fall, on the swampy ground, losing 
 both his own horse and his prize. Fortunately, 
 his companion, as well as the other men who 
 took part in the expedition, secured horses, but 
 poor Robin had to find his way home, sometimes 
 walking, sometimes riding behind one of the 
 horsemen, feeling very crestfallen, and express- 
 ing great disappointment that his master had 
 lost the prize which he had hoped to secure for 
 him. 
 
 My brother brought to England some Mus- 
 covy ducks, several pairs of which we kept at 
 Stiffkey for years. They were very handsome, 
 with a crimson rim round the eyes, the plumage 
 grey, scarlet, black, and blue. He also brought 
 with him a beautifully mounted rifle, and two 
 long-barrelled Spanish muskets, which we used 
 for many years on the marshes when duck- 
 shooting. Robin Withers is now dead, and his 
 grave is close to that of my brother at Raynhatn 
 Church.
 
 DEATH OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE. 55 
 
 After being in the country for more than two 
 months, I returned to London to renew my 
 duties. As far as I can remember, it was about 
 the time of the death of the Princess Charlotte. 
 My servant, who was a steady and honest man, 
 gave me the first intelligence of this melancholy 
 event. He brought up my regimentals for me 
 to dress, preparatory to going on guard at St. 
 James's. As he was laying my things down on 
 the table, I heard a noise which attracted my 
 attention, and, on turning round, I observed that 
 my servant was crying most bitterly. 
 
 " Why, what is the matter, Thomas ?" said I. 
 
 " Oh ! sir, she's gone ! she's gone !" 
 
 "Who is gone?" I asked. 
 
 " Oh ! sir," said he, " the Princess Charlotte, 
 sir, she's dead !" 
 
 I mention this circumstance merely to show 
 how much that estimable Princess was beloved 
 by all. 
 
 On going down to the Horse Guards to attend 
 the guard-mounting my brother being captain 
 of the guard that day everything seemed to 
 me to wear an aspect of gloom, and all appeared 
 to feel the loss they had sustained, not only as a
 
 56 MY LIFE. 
 
 deep national one, but as a personal grief. On 
 going up to the Club after breakfast, my brother 
 introduced me to another officer of my regiment, 
 Frank Milman a great friend of his whom I 
 had not until that day met, but with whom I 
 was on very intimate terms for many years 
 afterwards. He had been a prisoner in France 
 for nearly five years during the war. He en- 
 tered the Coldstream Guards in 1800, and 
 eventually commanded the regiment as its 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, retiring in 1837. He was 
 present in all the actions of the Peninsular War, 
 from Oviedo to Talavera. In 1808, as aide-de- 
 camp to Major-General Catlin Crawford, he was 
 engaged at the battles of Roleia and Vimiero. 
 He was on the same general's staff through the 
 campaign, of Sir John Moore, and was engaged 
 on the heights of Lugo, and at the battle of 
 Corunna. He was on the rear-guard from 
 Sahagun to Coruuna, where he had a horse shot 
 under him. On his arrival in England he found 
 that his regiment had again embarked for 
 Portugal, and he joined it on the banks of the 
 Tagus, and was present on the taking of Oporto, 
 and afterwards at Salamundi, on the confines
 
 GENERAL MTLMAN. 57 
 
 of Galicia. The regiment was subsequently 
 engaged at Talavera, where he received three 
 slight wounds, and a severe one in the body, 
 the ball lodging in the left breast, whence it was 
 extracted. From loss of blood he was found 
 bereft of his senses, close to where the fern had 
 caught fire on the field, and was saved from 
 being burnt by Thomas Bull, a private soldier 
 of the Guards, and a wounded private of the 
 48th Regiment, who carried him to a convent, 
 which served as a hospital, in the town of Tala- 
 vera. At the time he was thus fortunately res- 
 cued he was in the hands of a Spaniard, who 
 was busily engaged in separating the gold lace 
 from his uniform. 
 
 Some days after the ball was extracted, and 
 he endeavoured to escape before the arrival of 
 the French, but broke a blood-vessel in his 
 wound by the exertion, and was consequently 
 confined to his bed for ten weeks, during which 
 time he remained in a precarious state. In the 
 month of November, however, he' was conveyed 
 as a prisoner to Madrid, with other convales- 
 cents, in a cart, and confined in the jail of the 
 Retiro, whence he was marched under escort to
 
 58 MY LIFE. 
 
 Bayoune, where he was nearly five years a 
 prisoner. In 1810 he was at Paris, where he 
 witnessed the grand entry of the Empress- 
 bride, Marie Louise, whose carriage was drawn 
 by captives of another class, the cream-coloured 
 horses of George III., Elector of Hanover. He 
 was among the prisoners stationed at Valen- 
 ciennes in 1811 and 1812, where he still suffered 
 severely from his wound. 
 
 Whilst resident at Verdun sur Meuse in 1813, 
 he witnessed two imposing spectacles of painful 
 contrast, the march of La Grande Armee to- 
 wards Russia, and the return of its remains. He 
 returned to England upon an exchange of 
 prisoners in 1814, and joined the 1st battalion 
 of his regiment, which was not in Belgium at 
 the time of the battle of Waterloo, though the 
 2nd battalion had its share in that celebrated 
 engagement. 
 
 Colonel Milman was not unmindful of the 
 brave and faithful service done to him on the 
 field of Talavera, for when he returned from 
 abroad, he made Thomas Ball a handsome 
 present every 28th of July, and, when that 
 good soldier was very ill and confined to his
 
 THE OPERA. 5$ 
 
 bed in Westminster, he sent him wine and 
 other necessaries recommended for his com- 
 plaint. In due time Colonel Milman received 
 the Peninsular War-medal with four clasps, for 
 Roleia, Vimiero, Coruuna, and Talavera. He 
 became a Lieutenant-General and a Colonel of 
 the 82nd regiment, and died in 1856. 
 
 I have mentioned that whenever an "oppor- 
 tunity offered I did not neglect to make use of 
 it in going to the opera, which to me was a great 
 source of enj oy ment. The opera of Don Giovanni 
 had still its run. Grisi, Mario, Titiens, and a host 
 of others, who have succeeded the celebrated 
 singers of my earlier days, are, or were, all de- 
 lightful ; but Ambrojeti as Giovanni, Naldi as 
 Leporello, and Madame Fodor as Donna Elvira 
 in those days carried everything before them in 
 song and acting. I went with a large party 
 one evening to the opera. My uncle, the duke, 
 knowing me to be so fond of that amusement, 
 had given me his box, so that I might take any 
 of my friends. There were many whom I 
 wished to oblige, but the tickets would only 
 admit a certain number. There was a young 
 lady in our party who had never been at an
 
 60 M? LIFE. 
 
 opera before, and, therefore, was most anxious 
 to see what it was like. I watched with pecu- 
 liar interest her great excitement at every part 
 of the performance, and in that scene when the 
 statue moves his head she was so alarmed that 
 it was with difficulty we could keep her quiet ; 
 but her horror was dreadful on seeing the un- 
 fortunate Giovanni descend to the regions below, 
 surrounded by all the imps of Satan. 
 
 I indulged my love of music by going to hear 
 the best vocal and instrumental performers of 
 the day. Nicholson was a great flute player, 
 and I seized every occasion to listen to the 
 charming and delightful notes which he brought 
 forth from that sweet instrument. Since then, 
 I have heard several fine players ; but none, 
 that I can remember, who surpassed Nicholson. 
 
 I was not a member of the " Catch and Glee 
 Club," but I often went there by invitation of 
 Lord Saltoun, who was one of the princi- 
 pal persons connected with it ; and here I 
 enjoyed the delightful singing of Vaughan, 
 Belamy, and other glee singers, with whom I 
 was now and then invited to join, having, in 
 those days, a high tenor voice. Of the fine voice
 
 PRESENTED AT COURT. Gl 
 
 of Brahara, who was a great favourite with me, 
 I have a delightful recollection. 
 
 In the Spring of 1817 I was presented at 
 Court by my father. His Royal Highness the 
 Prince Regent had on that occasion a great 
 number of presentations. If my memory serves 
 me right, I met on that day my old friend, 
 Admiral Pelew, with whom I served in the 
 Mediterranean, as I have recounted in the 
 memoirs of "My Youth by Sea and Land." I 
 also met Sir James Brisbane. I ought to have 
 mentioned that my late Admiral had been 
 created Viscount Exmouth for the gallant 
 victory he had obtained over the Algerines, and 
 the release of the prisoners whom these pirates 
 kept in cruel slavery. 
 
 There are several amusing anecdotes connect- 
 ed with this attack upon the Algerines, which 
 were told to me by two or three of the officers 
 who had been in the fight. My old friend, 
 George King, was flag-lieutenant to the 
 Admiral on that memorable occasion. The 
 Queen Charlotte, three-decker, which carried the 
 Admiral's flag, was at that time a fine ship of 
 her class. I suppose she would be thought
 
 <52 MY LIFE. 
 
 nothing of now, when brought alongside an 
 ironclad ; but there is one thing I may take the 
 liberty to say, that we all of us felt tolerably 
 safe in a three-decker of Queen Charlotte's build 
 in a heavy gale of wind, and that we should 
 float securely o'er the billows when the stormy 
 winds did blow ; but we are none of us quite 
 sure what would be the case should a war 
 break out now, and these ironclads be compelled 
 to blockade an enemy's port. If they cannot 
 keep off a lee shore with their sails, and should 
 have expended all their coal, what is to become 
 of them? 
 
 The Queen Charlotte, as is well known, ran 
 close in and anchored alongside the Mole Head 
 battery, being so close to it that her fire was 
 most destructive. King told me that hundreds of 
 people had gathered on the Mole Head battery 
 to see the ships come in. One of our frigates 
 had anchored ahead of the Queen Charlotte. The 
 enemy thought that, by letting the ship anchor 
 so close to the battery, they would be sure to 
 be able to sink her, but they little knew the 
 effect of a broadside from a three-decker. They 
 fired the first shot. The good old Admiral, not
 
 EXPEDITION AGAINST ALGIERS. 63 
 
 wishing to make a general massacre among the 
 people, namely, the people who were not man- 
 ning the enemy's cannon, made signs to them 
 to get away ; but they would not move, and 
 the consequence was that when the word was 
 passed along the deck to open fire, the havoc 
 and destruction among the mob and soldiery 
 were terrific. So dreadful was the fire from the 
 Queen Charlotte that in a short time the sea- 
 wall that faced the battery came crumbling 
 down, a sight which, with the terrible sacrifice 
 of true believers, excited some of the Algerine 
 officers to such a pitch of fury that they were 
 seen waving their scimitars in a threatening 
 manner at the ship. King relates an amusing 
 anecdote regarding the dear old Admiral, who 
 stood on the poop, watching everything that 
 took place. In the midst of the fire from the 
 enemy, a piece of chain-shot struck the Admiral 
 in the mouth and cut away his front teeth. 
 Clapping his hand to his mouth, he cried, 
 " There goes 30, by St. George !" These teeth 
 had just been replaced in London by a first-rate 
 dentist, so that he might " show a good front " 
 to the Algerines. Everyone knows the result
 
 64 MY LIFE. 
 
 of this engagement. The Algerine fleet was 
 defeated, the Mole was destroyed, the captives 
 were released, and once more the British flag 
 waved triumphant on the sea. 
 
 I went up to the Admiral, when I saw him at 
 the levee, before the doors were opened. He 
 shook me warmly by the hand, as did also Sir 
 James Brisbane, my kind old captain, who 
 added, " You ought to have been with us." All 
 I could say was I was sorry I had not been 
 with them ; indeed, I regretted much that I had 
 missed that opportunity of seeing a little more 
 of naval warfare than it had yet been my lot to 
 see. My old friend, Jack Clayton, was there, 
 and worked the quarter-deck guns, and, I was 
 informed, had shown much gallantry in board- 
 ing one of the enemy's frigates when on fire, 
 and with the assistance of another boat towing 
 her clear of the Admiral's ship. I can only refer 
 my readers to James's " Naval History " for a 
 full account of this glorious event. 
 
 About this time I met with another old com- 
 rade, whom I had left in North America when 
 my ship came home from that station in the 
 year 1813. His mother, who had been a great
 
 PAUL BENFIELD. 65 
 
 friend of all my family, had married a gentleman 
 who, having embarked in a mercantile specula- 
 tion, had acquired a large sum of money, 
 and was in France with his son at the time 
 when Napoleon seized upon all the property in- 
 vested by English subjects in the French funds, 
 many of whom, being in Paris at the time, were 
 unjustly and vindictively detained ; and among 
 the rest, my friend and his father, a proceeding 
 which brought the mother and daughter, who 
 were living in a splendid house in Portman 
 Square, to great pecuniary difficulties. They 
 could obtain no money from Paris, where all 
 their funds had been invested, and were there- 
 fore compelled to sell their house, horses, car- 
 riages, and everything of value they possessed. 
 However, they found warm and sincere friends 
 in my dear mother, my grandmother, the 
 Marchioness of Townshend, and my aunts. 
 
 When I came home from Walcheren in 1810, 
 I remember, when at my father's in Wimpole 
 Street, a young lad making his appearance one 
 morning, and I was sent for to come and speak 
 to him. He was dressed in a sort of French 
 costume, and seemed to speak very imperfect 
 
 VOL. I. F
 
 66 MY LIFE. 
 
 English ; but I recognized him as the only son 
 of my mother's dear friend, \vho had escaped 
 from France in a smuggling vessel from the 
 coast of Holland. Finding I had just come 
 from the Walcheren expedition, and hearing my 
 stories, he decided upon going to sea with me 
 when I joined my new ship, which was then 
 fitting out at Chatham. My father soon intro- 
 duced him to Captain Beresford, who consented 
 to take him, and we joined her together when 
 that ship was first commissioned. He became a 
 most valuable officer, and continued with me in 
 the same vessel for more than five years, during 
 which time we were bosom friends. He was 
 active, enterprising, and brave in the discharge 
 of his duties as head of the signalling depart- 
 ment. How often have I watched him in the 
 heaviest gales ascending to the main-top mast- 
 head, with his pilot hat tied under his chin, and 
 fastened to his back his glass to make out what 
 the strange sail then in sight was. 
 
 When it was decided that our ship, which had 
 suffered severely from the heavy weather we 
 had encountered, was to be sent home, it was 
 notified to the midshipmen that any who wished
 
 UNEXPECTED MEETING. 67 
 
 to remain on the American coast might do so. 
 It was understood that there were three or four 
 large frigates coming out, so that they might 
 have a better chance, should they fall in with 
 an American frigate, of coping with ships of 
 their large class. My friend, Paul Benfield, was 
 one of those who volunteered to remain on the 
 station, and he joined Captain Jackson, who 
 came out in command of one of the expected 
 frigates, so I lost sight of him until the year 
 1817, when, being on guard one day at St. 
 James's, I turned into Piccadilly, with the in- 
 tention to take a look at the British Gallery, to 
 pass the time there, not without the hope 
 of meeting some friends. Just as I was ascend- 
 ing the steps at the doorway I was tapped on 
 the shoulder, and looking round I found myself 
 accosted by a gentlemanly-looking young man, 
 of whom I had not the slightest recollection. 
 He was pale, had the appearance of ill health, 
 and was extremely lame. We looked at each 
 other for a moment, when, seeing by my manner 
 that I did not recognise him, he exclaimed, 
 " Why, Charles, don't you know me ?" 
 I certainly did not till I heard his voice, and 
 
 F2
 
 68 MY LIFE. 
 
 then I knew that it was Paul Benfield. Common 
 exclamations of surprise and pleasure at meeting 
 escaped us both. 
 
 " Where have you come from 1" I said, when 
 our first hearty congratulations were at last 
 brought to an end. 
 
 " From the West Indies, where I have been 
 in hospital at Jamaica. I was bringing home a 
 prize loaded with bales of cotton, taken by our 
 ship, when, in a heavy gale, one of these bales 
 rolled off on the deck from the booms, where it 
 was stowed, and broke my leg, as well as the 
 arm of another man. Being near Jamaica, I ran 
 my prize into Port Royal, and went to the hos- 
 pital, where I have been for some months." 
 
 He told me he had heard I had left the Navy 
 and joined the Guards that very morning on 
 arriving at his mother's house. It was then 
 decided that we would meet, on my coming off 
 guard, at his house, when he would tell me 
 everything that had happened to himself and 
 his family since we last met. It is needless for 
 me to say that I kept my appointment, and was 
 with him by twelve o'clock the following day, 
 having marched with my Guards into the bar-
 
 AN OLD FRIEND. 69 
 
 racks in Portman Street, and as he lived in 
 Cumberland Place I had not far to go. I was 
 not aware till I arrived at the house that his 
 mother and sisters had come to London, and 
 that, owing to the exertions of our Government, 
 the French had been compelled to promise to re- 
 store all the money they had plundered from the 
 English, the sum that he, his mother and himself, 
 should receive being no less than nearly two hun- 
 dred thousand pounds. However, I never knew 
 exactly what they did get, but my good and 
 valued friend began at once to speak about re- 
 paying the money I had let him have when in 
 America, for when I left the station, knowing 
 that I should always be able to get money at 
 home, and he would not, I told him to take 
 what he wished to have out of my bag, for 
 I had at that time plenty in hand from prize 
 money that I had received. This little matter 
 was soon arranged between us. I dined with 
 him that day, and we talked over old times. 
 He told me he had been with Captain Jackson, 
 who had come out in the new frigate, but that 
 they had not been lucky enough to fall in with 
 any of the Americans. He never returned to
 
 70 MY LIFE. 
 
 the naval service, there being no occasion fo 
 him to do so. The war was at an end, and had 
 not terminated very gloriously for the British 
 arms. He took to the sports of the field, bought 
 hunters, built a small hunting-box at Leicester, 
 where he kept his horses, and where I used to 
 go and stay, passing many a happy day with 
 him there, as I shall have occasion to describe in 
 subsequent pages.
 
 71 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Visit to Norfolk Smugglers Their Audacity Franklin, 
 the Baker Billy Betts, the Keeper A Discovery 
 Waiting for a Run Partridge-Shooting Theatrical 
 Celebrities Farren as Sir Peter Teazle A Cricket- 
 Match Faith in a Future Life Excursion to the 
 Sea-Coast Garboro' Creek Adventure Apollo and 
 Venus Handling the Gloves Defence against In- 
 vasion French Bullies. 
 
 THE London season at an end, I went down 
 into Norfolk, to my much-loved home. I 
 well remember that journey, on which I rode a 
 favourite horse of my father's, " Hippocampus " 
 by name, about fifteen hands high. He had a 
 splendid action, bent his knee in the good old 
 style, and did not kick every stone before him 
 on the road, or cut daisies on the grass as he 
 went along. He was that sort of horse upon 
 which you felt safe as you rode, but which peo- 
 ple who thought themselves so clever in the 
 art of breeding horses have done all in their 
 power to destroy, particularly in the county of
 
 72 MY LIFE. 
 
 Norfolk, once famous for its fast trotters. I 
 well recollect the breed, of which the Norfolk 
 people had reason to be proud. Some of these 
 fast trotters would do sixteen miles in the hour, 
 but I fear there are few of them left in the 
 county. I was fond of fishing we had plenty 
 of trout in the river that ran through the 
 Raynham property, which, in justice to the 
 tenants settled upon it, was well preserved, as 
 well as the game on the estate. 
 
 There was littleornopoaching carried onon our 
 manors, although smuggling was to a great ex- 
 tent at that period, and for many years after, car- 
 ried on perseveringly all along the Norfolk coast. 
 I believe there were several well-known smug- 
 glers in our village. John Dunn, a tall, athletic 
 man, was the head of the gang. Whenever a 
 vessel was to run a cargo, these fellows knew 
 exactly when and where it was to be done. 
 Whenever a vessel appeared off the coast with 
 that design, she used to flash off .her lights when 
 it became dark, one light indicating one place, 
 two another, and so on in the code of signals by 
 which they gave notice to their friends on shore 
 where they were ready to laud the cargo ; and
 
 A GENTLEMAN FROM YORKSHIRE. 73 
 
 if they did not accomplish this undertaking on 
 the same night, they were pretty sure, weather 
 permitting, to do it the following night. The 
 coast between Wells and Blakeney was most 
 favourable for this sort of enterprise, the beach 
 being low and sandy, while there was little surf 
 breaking on it, except when the wind blew 
 strong upon the land. In those days there was 
 lio coast-guard, but only certain officials who 
 were called riding officers, whom the smugglers 
 generally managed to elude, deceive, or lead 
 astray. To tell the truth, many of them were 
 themselves believed to be connected with the 
 smugglers. 
 
 There was a gentleman from Yorkshire learn- 
 ing to farm on the holding of a Mr. Bucks, one 
 of the tenants, who was a kind and amiable 
 man, and certainly understood everything con- 
 nected with farming He lived in the old Hall 
 Farm, which was an old castellated building, 
 with a tower at each end, in a most beautiful po- 
 sition, a river running about four hundred yards 
 from it, and surrounded by hills on every side. 
 With this gentleman from Yorkshire I formed a 
 great intimacy, and we used to take long rides
 
 74 MY LIFE. 
 
 and excursions together. On one occasion we 
 rode over to the Wells races, which took place 
 on the sands, and to show the daring of the 
 smugglers on our coast, they had chosen this 
 very day to run a cargo on the very beach, 
 where the races were going on. I had observed 
 a cutter standing in and off the land for an 
 hour or more, but thought she was some yacht 
 bringing people to have a look at the races. 
 My friend's attention and my own were unex- 
 pectedly called to a sudden rush upon the 
 beach, where four or five light carts were 
 being furiously driven across the sands to- 
 wards the shore, to which a number of people 
 were running down. Presently a sort of fight 
 commenced, and the gentleman who was then 
 in command of the Custom-house department at 
 Wells came running and shouting to me and 
 my companion, calling us to come and help, in 
 the King's name, the revenue officers, saying 
 that they were attacked and almost overpower- 
 ed by the smugglers, who were running a 
 cargo of brandy and tobacco on the beach. 
 
 Of course we could not resist the call to arms, 
 and felt compelled to obey the summons. At
 
 FIGHT WITH SMUGGLERS. 75 
 
 the same moment we were fortunately joined! 
 by two other gentlemen on horseback, who ap- 
 pealed to me, as I had a little experience in 
 such matters, to know what was best to be 
 done. I said form up into line, and keep line 
 straight with me. We thus trotted along to 
 the fight, which I saw was going on about two 
 hundred yards ahead of us. Meanwhile the 
 smugglers on shore had got many of the tubs 
 into their carts, and had driven away. Amongst 
 the combatants I saw two or three of our vil- 
 lagers, amongst the rest our principal baker, 
 who was having a personal set-to with a 
 revenue officer, the latter getting the worst 
 of it. I told my companions to keep their eye 
 on me, and gave the words, "Trot, gallop, 
 charge," and away we went into the midst of 
 the mob, who flew in all directions. The result 
 was that we broke up the assemblage of law- 
 breakers, and saved the revenue officers from a 
 severe thrashing, but the smugglers got away 
 with the principal part of their cargo. 
 
 I must add that as I passed our baker in the 
 charge, I gave him a crack over his back with 
 my whip, for old acquaintance sake, and as he
 
 76 MY LIFE. 
 
 had on neither coat nor waistcoat, he must have 
 felt it considerably. 
 
 In the evening we all went to drink tea at a 
 worthy merchant's, whose name was well known 
 in those days, old Mr. Bloom, where we received 
 praises and congratulations from all for our 
 warlike conduct on the field of battle. I could 
 not help laughing at the affair. Four horsemen 
 dispersed the whole mob, but the smugglers 
 got clear off with nearly the entire of their 
 cargo, the preventive officers only capturing six 
 tubs out of the whole. Riding home late in 
 the evening, I turned my eye towards the 
 baker's house. I suppose he had heard my 
 horse's feet coming down the road, for he was 
 watching for me at the door. As soon as he 
 saw who it was, he ran up to me, exclaiming, 
 in quick, low tones, 
 
 " Mr. Charles ! Mr. Charles ! don't say a word 
 about it. Pray, sir, don't say that you saw me 
 amongst them. I think I saw John Dunn 
 driving a cart full of tubs, from what I heard, 
 furiously along the sands." 
 
 "Very well," I said; "we shall see what will 
 come of it."
 
 ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY. 77 
 
 " But, Mr. Charles, that crack on the back 
 that you gave me, I feel it now." 
 
 " Well for you," I said, " that I had no sword 
 in my hand, or your head might have been off." 
 
 " Law, sir ! Well, Mri Charles, but you won't 
 say a word about it, for if the General heard 
 that I was among the smugglers, I might lose 
 all his custom, and be taken before him " (my 
 father being a magistrate). 
 
 Fortunately for the baker, Franklin, his name 
 never appeared on the list of summonses, and I 
 heard no more of the affair. It was a daring act 
 on the part of the smugglers to run a cargo at 
 noonday on a crowded beach where races were 
 taking place. I mention the circumstance 
 merely to show to what extent contraband 
 goods were in those days conveyed into the 
 country. 
 
 One evening, coming home from shooting 
 with the keeper, while we were passing through 
 one of the woods, I put my foot upon what I 
 thought was a lump of leaves. I tumbled heels 
 over head on to something hard. I called out 
 to Billy Betts, the keeper, to come and see 
 what it was. On clearing away the leaves, we
 
 78 MY LIFE. 
 
 found, to our astonishment, a dozen small kegs 
 containing hollands and brandy. Billy Betts, 
 who had been an old man-of-war's man, looked 
 at me, as I did at him. 
 
 " Well, sir, this is a pretty go/' said he. 
 
 "What's to be done, Billy?" said I. 
 
 "I don't know, your honour you know 
 best," and he took off his hat and scratched his 
 head. 
 
 " Whom do you think they belong to ?" I 
 asked. 
 
 " I should not like to say, sir I might be 
 wrong." 
 
 " Well, I think I can tell you," said I. 
 
 " Who do you think, Captain <?" 
 
 " Why," I said, " John Dunn, or the baker 
 perhaps both." 
 
 I suppose, as a loyal man, I ought to have 
 given information at once to the riding officer, 
 but I went home to dinner, and Billy, I think, 
 gave timely notice to the owners of the kegs, 
 for there were none to be seen next morning. 
 This was not the only occurrence of the kind 
 which took place on our coast, and in which 
 our villagers took a very prominent part.
 
 WAITING FOR A RUN. 79 
 
 Some years after this circumstance, I was 
 coming home late from hunting, having had a 
 long run with Sir Jacob Astley's hounds, when 
 I came into a lane which led to the village of 
 Marston, belonging to my grandfather. In the 
 lane I came upon fifteen light carts, which were 
 standing evidently waiting for something or 
 somebody. 
 
 " What are you all here for ?" said I. 
 
 " Waiting for a run, sir we expect to see a 
 flash," was the bqld reply. 
 
 "What, then, is there a vessel off?" 
 
 " Yes, sir, she's been off and on all the after- 
 noon, and we rather think they've got a hint of 
 it at Cley, and they have got three dragoons 
 down there, sir, to help the preventive officers. 
 Two of our men are gone down to Cley, sir, to 
 get the dragoons into ' The Swan ' to drink ; 
 and if we catch a preventive officer, we mean 
 to tie him fast in a furze bush. We don't like 
 them dragoons, sir they've got pistols and 
 swords." 
 
 I thought it best to trot home without say- 
 ing anything, especially as I was hungry and 
 tired, and wanted my dinner. I heard next
 
 80 MY LIFE. 
 
 day that they had run the cargo with success. 
 
 Thus passed the time of the Summer of 1817. 
 The September partridge-shooting had com- 
 menced, and I was out two or three days a 
 week, with a brace of steady old pointers, to 
 enjoy the sports of the field, accompanied in 
 these expeditions by my two younger brothers. 
 We always had excellent sport partridge- 
 shooting, for we bred a great many on the 
 manor. In the middle of October I was obliged 
 to return to London, the officer with whom I 
 had exchanged duty wishing to go into the 
 country to enjoy some sport himself. So I took 
 up my quarters for the Winter in my father's 
 house in Wimpole Street. 
 
 I was fond of going to the theatre in those 
 days, and whenever I had an opportunity I did 
 so. Old Kean was one of the principal attrac- 
 tions of the day, particularly in the part of 
 Richard III. Young, Macready, and the Kem- 
 bles were also great favourites at that time. I 
 went more than once this Winter to see old 
 Farren as Sir Peter Teazle. His acting was 
 perfection ; his figure, manner, and dress would 
 alone win you ; but when you came to analyse
 
 A CRICKET MATCH. 81 
 
 his imitation of the gentleman of the old school, 
 it was inimitable, and I have often thought 
 what a deal of good such a man as that would 
 do in our days in teaching the art de politesse. 
 Not that I say that the art does not exist in 
 these days, but there certainly might be more 
 of it among young people, particularly in their 
 manners and conduct towards their elders. 
 The " fast " language of the present day, such 
 as "Thanks," and "Awful!" upon all subjects, 
 are not favourable to good manners, and some 
 of the expressions used are often very inappro- 
 priate. 
 
 In the Summer of this year one of my brother 
 officers had made a match for me to play a, 
 game of cricket against another of them, who 
 was really a better batter than myself, and this 
 game was to come off at Lord's Cricket Ground. 
 When he told me what he had done^I said 
 
 " Why, you've done a foolish thing ! He's 
 sure to beat me." 
 
 " Nonsense !" he said. " I've made a bet of 
 5 that you'll beat him, so you are to be at 
 Lord's to-morrow at twelve o'clock, and I want 
 you to take the shine out of him." 
 
 VOL. I. G
 
 82 MY LIFE. 
 
 I knew I had one advantage over my rival, 
 and that was in the bowling. Accordingly, at 
 twelve o'clock the next day, we both appeared 
 on the ground. It was a single match, and 
 we were allowed one scout each. I must con- 
 fess I was very anxious to win, but I had no 
 hope of doing so. We tossed up for innings, 
 and my opponent got the first. He got two 
 runs, and then I bowled him out, at which he 
 looked very glum, and the betting was all in 
 my favour. We were both young and active, 
 much about the same size, and both good friends 
 in the regiment. He had brought his friends, 
 and I had brought mine. Several ladies had 
 come to witness the contest, and I had a pecu- 
 liar interest that day in wishing to win, for I 
 knew one fair face was watching me most 
 earnestly. It was a clear, bright day all in 
 my favour, for I was not as good-sighted as my 
 opponent. Having bowled out his middle 
 stump, I took my bat, and placed myself at the 
 wicket. It was his turn to bowl. I fortunately 
 stopped his first ball, or my middle stump would 
 have disappeared. The next ball I struck out, 
 and was fortunate enough to get a run 

 
 THE SMUGGLING TRADE. 83 
 
 with the next. The third I was unfortu- 
 nately caught out, and felt very down-hearted. 
 We were even, but there was another innings. 
 fie went in, got one run, and I bowled him 
 out. When my turn came again, great was 
 the excitement, for I was still the favourite. I 
 got a good swinging hit at the ball, obtained 
 a run, and we were now on equal terms. Full 
 of confidence and hope, I made a slashing hit 
 at the next ball, missed, and down went my 
 middle stump. So ended this, to me, memorable 
 match. Although it was a drawn one, my 
 friend was still convinced that I was the best 
 man, and arranged for another trial. However, 
 this never took place. 
 
 I have described some of the particulars re- 
 garding the smuggling trade. In De Bour- 
 rienne's " History of Napoleon I.," he relates 
 many interesting anecdotes of the manner in 
 which smuggling was carried on at Hamburg, 
 adding that the English greatly contributed, in 
 trading with Hamburg, to deceive the French 
 Douaniers. 
 
 In the evening I used to get the villagers into 
 
 G 2
 
 8-1 MY LIFE. 
 
 my father's grounds, and we had several good 
 games at cricket during ray stay. A challenge 
 came from Warham to play the Stiffkey men. 
 My friend, the smuggling baker, came to ask 
 me to head our people. The match was to be 
 played on one of Mr. Coke's farms at Warham, 
 which place belonged to the Holkham estate. I 
 picked out eleven of our best players, and on 
 the appointed day for the match, took my men 
 there. We tossed up for the innings, and we 
 were fortunate enough to go in first. The 
 match lasted the whole of the day, and we did 
 not leave till a late hour, the " Cockle Boys," 
 as my men were called, being victorious. 
 
 How the recollections of our early youth come 
 back to the mind, as if they had occurred only 
 yesterday, and you see before your mental vision 
 places and persons as if you were again actually 
 on the spot ! Father and mother, brothers and 
 sisters and friends, all pass in review. Painful 
 and pleasant remembrances flit before you, and 
 you heave a heavy sigh at the thought that 
 you are left nearly alone to mourn their loss. 
 Cooper, the American historian and novelist, 
 draws a beautiful picture of the American
 
 EXCURSIONS TO THE SEA-COAST. 85 
 
 Indian, of his love of country, the wild 
 scenes through which he roams, his attach- 
 ment to his hunting grounds, and of the idea 
 prevalent among these warriors of the wood, 
 the prairie, and the forest, that they shall meet 
 again hereafter in happy hunting-grounds, with- 
 out sorrow or care, without separation for ever. 
 I fear that often very strange thoughts pass 
 through the mind of every human being, as to 
 what will be when we shall be no more. I 
 know and feel that one day I shall stand before 
 the Judgment Seat of my God, and, believing 
 in the Lord Jesus Christ, who came down from 
 heaven to redeem mankind, that I shall find 
 everlasting life and peace and happiness 
 through Him in the world to come ; in Him who 
 said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and 
 are heavy laden, and I will give you rest and 
 peace." 
 
 Soon after the circumstance which I have 
 just related, my father and sister returned 
 home. It was the general custom at this time 
 of the year to make excursions to the sea-coast, 
 which, although not far off, took some trouble 
 to reach, particularly when ladies were in the
 
 86 MY LIFE. 
 
 case; and on these occasions the maids also 
 were all turned out in their mud costumes (not 
 "customed/' as they now call it), their petti- 
 coats not draggling along the ground, doing 
 the work of a scavenger. I do not animad- 
 vert upon the maids alone, for their mistresses 
 set the example, and you tread unpleasantly on 
 their skirts. However, our party got ready. for 
 the sea excursion. The housekeeper, maids, 
 and one footman were generally bundled into 
 a light cart ; and old Robin Rowe, the coach- 
 man, and Sam Dunn, who worked on my father's 
 laud, and who knew every creek and hole in the 
 marshes, acted as pilot to take the party safely 
 through the muds up to the sands, while John 
 Lane and I pulled the oars of a good, broad- 
 beamed boat, containing my father, my two 
 sisters, and the old governess, with a basket of 
 provisions, up the Garboro' Creek, which led 
 into what was called the Warham Hole i.e., a 
 large lake of water of more than a hundred 
 acres, deposited there by the sea. 
 
 Having moored the boat, we took up our 
 position on the sand, strolling about in search 
 of jet and amber, which are often to be found,
 
 A PLEASANT DAY. 87 
 
 with here and there a cornelian pebble, on this 
 coast. I always imagined that the amber came 
 from the far North, and from the lapidaries I 
 have often tried to find out the origin of jet on 
 that shore. Perhaps it may have dropped from 
 the trading collier vessels so numerous there, 
 the surging of the waves hardening and 
 cleansing it. We used to file and work up these 
 jet and amber pieces into crosses, rings, and 
 hearts, in the Winter evenings. 
 
 We passed a most pleasant day. About 
 three o'clock, John spread the cloth on the 
 sand. Mrs. Rattery took care of her maidens 
 at a respectful distance, while the " Apollo Bel- 
 vedere," as the first footman was styled a 
 most conceited fellow he was spread the cloth 
 for her. The " Venus de' Medici," my sister 
 Lady Charles's maid, was so named by 
 us brothers from her exceeding vanity in 
 dress, and fancying herself a perfect figure. 
 "Minerva," our governess, presided over our 
 party. A very amusing scene took place on our 
 return. At five o'clock Lane told us it was 
 time to be moving off with the cart and its 
 baggage. Accordingly, as agreed upon, I blew
 
 88 MY LIFE. 
 
 my bugle, to collect all travellers. Robin yoked 
 his team, and carried off the housekeeper and 
 her staff. We launched our boat, and pulled 
 leisurely home on a lovely evening down the 
 Creek, with the tide, to our usual landing-place 
 opposite the gates leading through the fields to 
 the house. 
 
 Farther down the Creek, I saw Sam Dunn 
 riding the leader of the two horses tandem 
 fashion in the cart. He was descending care- 
 fully the slope to cross the Creek, Robin hold- 
 ing the reins of old "Peggy," a blind mare, 
 which always went with us on these occasions 
 with perfect safety. She was so clever and so 
 sensible that, if you called out to her, " Now 
 up, Peggy !" she would raise her knees in the 
 most beautiful manner, in entire confidence in 
 your voice, and avoid any dangerous spot or 
 hole. They plunged into the water, with in- 
 tent to reach the opposite ground, and obtain a 
 sound footing in the grass. The tide being 
 high, the water rushed into the forepart of the 
 cart, nearly even with Peggy's back. Behold ! 
 "Venus" in her car, with her companions, became 
 alarmed. "Apollo," no doughty esquire of
 
 A LUDICROUS SCENE. 89 
 
 dames, rushed to the back of the car, to save his 
 own elegant person from a souse. His unfortu- 
 nate example being followed by the loving Venus 
 and her train, the cart was tilted up, and 
 Apollo was pitched head-foremost into the flood, 
 while the others were suddenly precipitated into 
 the Creek, amidst piercing screams for help. 
 "Oh! we shall be drowned." (The water was 
 only three or four feet deep). My father stood 
 aghast. Pitching the anchor of our boat to 
 secnre it on the bank, John and I rushed along 
 and jumped into the water to the rescue. We 
 got Mrs. Rattery out together no slight weight 
 was she and rushing back, I caught the lovely 
 Venus in my arms and conveyed her, weep- 
 ing, safe to land, which Robin, Sam, and the 
 horses reached with the deserted car. The 
 pilot and John Lane did their parts manfully, 
 and Apollo, the cause of all the mischief, did his 
 best to repair the damage. I went back to my 
 father to tell him that all were safe, and then I 
 burst into a fit of laughter, in which they all 
 joined me, the more so as Minerva looked 
 very serious, and said, " It might have had a 
 fatal termination."
 
 90 MY LIFE. 
 
 Apollo used to practise with us the noble art 
 of pugilism, which it was very necessary in my 
 young days for gentlemen to learn. In the 
 Winter months we often assembled for this in a 
 barn adjoining the coach-house in which we 
 used to put the carriages of friends visiting us. 
 Here from three to five on bad days we met, 
 having previously sent to the village for the fat 
 baker, who was fond of the noble art, and two 
 or three others. I put on the gloves with the 
 Apollo, as he much wished to try a round or 
 two with me. Apollo, who had donned smart 
 shoes and stockings, with his livery buckles, 
 threw himself, as he conceived, into the most 
 scientific attitudes, well calculated to show off 
 his fine figure, at which I detected a broad grin 
 on the amused faces of John Lane and the baker. 
 In the first round I allowed Apollo, who was 
 longer in the arm and taller than myself, to 
 make play. He made several good hits, which 
 I parried. Seeing his style of fighting, I allowed 
 him in the second round to begin the attack, 
 which he did by striking out with his right arm. 
 I parried the threatened blow, and let fall my 
 right hand right into his face, a proceeding
 
 HANDLING THE GLOVES. 91 
 
 which woke up, not his lyre, but his fire, and 
 he rushed in, thinking to overpower me with 
 blows, but I me this hits with others in such 
 quick succession that he found he had met his 
 match. So rapidly did I follow np my blows 
 on his face in a rally, that at last he fairly 
 bolted, and ran under one of the carriages for 
 protection. My brother Ferrers put on the 
 gloves next with the fat baker, and gave him 
 such a dusting in his bread basket, that he made 
 him cry peccavi ! " Enough, sir Fve had 
 enough !" 
 
 " It is wonderful," said Franklin, " how you 
 gentlemen can handle the gloves." 
 
 " Yes, Franklin, you have not now the smug- 
 glers to deal with." 
 
 "Ah, Mr. Charles, do not. say a word about 
 that" 
 
 Soon after the Garboro' Creek adventure, 
 we made an excursion to VVeybourne Hoope,. 
 setting out after breakfast, the carriage con- 
 veying my father and sisters and the governess, 
 while the maids were in an Irish jaunting car, 
 driven by "Apollo." We all safely reached the 
 beach, six miles from Stiff key, a most charming
 
 92 MY LIFE. 
 
 spot for a picnic. Here we wandered about, 
 looking for pebbles, jet, and amber on this 
 shingly beach. At Weybourne the water is 
 very deep close to the shore, and ships can 
 therefore come in close to the land. During 
 our luncheon, my father related some facts of 
 his own experience which showed that the 
 depth of the water off the shore at Weybourne 
 had been called to the attention of the Govern- 
 ment during the threatened invasion. My father 
 was dining with the Minister then in office, and 
 the conversation turned upon the subject then 
 uppermost in the minds of all men, viz., the 
 expected attack by the French, and the place 
 at which they were likely to land. My father 
 quoted the applicable lines 
 
 " He who would Old England win, 
 At Weybourne Hoope must first begin." 
 
 " Pray what is that you quoted, General 
 Loftus V" said the Home Secretary. " Pray 
 repeat those lines." 
 
 He did so. 
 
 " What do they mean ?" he again asked. 
 
 My father replied that the water is so deep 
 close to the shore, that large ships in fine wea-
 
 DUELS IN FRANCE. 93 
 
 ther might disembark any number of troops. 
 
 In consequence of this, a few days later, my 
 father received a notice from the War Office, 
 informing him that he was placed in command 
 of a brigade of infantry and artillery to protect 
 the coast of Norfolk at Weybourne, Cromer, 
 and other places. Engineer officers were also 
 sent down to examine the beach, and every 
 means was taken to ensure the safety of those 
 shores. 
 
 When our army was still in occupation at 
 Cambray, we heard of several duels taking 
 place between the English and French officers, 
 some of which proved fatal. One officer of my 
 regiment was killed at Cambray by a French- 
 man. From the account we received, it appears 
 that he was walking on the ramparts with a 
 brother officer, when he was insulted by a 
 French gentleman in plain clothes (but evident- 
 ly an officer also). The insult was so gross 
 and premeditated that it could not be over- 
 looked. Our unfortunate fellow-countryman 
 was killed, but it subsequently came to our 
 knowledge that the Frenchman was armed 
 with a cuirass under his dress. Mr. Lever gives
 
 94 MY LIFE. 
 
 an amusing account of how one or two of these 
 French bullies were retaliated upon by British 
 gentlemen, which I believe is quite true. Be 
 that as it may, the Duke of Wellington put a 
 stop to these duels.
 
 95 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A Melancholy Story Late Guests Early Attachments 
 The Bull A Sentry who knew his duty Uni- 
 form of the Guards Volunteers A City Light- 
 horse Volunteer in Paris Good Training Hunting 
 Communication from London Aide-de-Camp to 
 
 General B Guernsey A Levee Making out a 
 
 List for a Dinner-party. 
 
 DURING my stay at Stiffkey this Summer, I 
 went out fishing along the banks of the 
 river, which wound in the most beautiful man- 
 ner through the village. There was a butcher's 
 shop, with a house, and a garden sloping down 
 to the stream, a place which attracted many 
 fine trout by the bait often thrown to them 
 there. In the evening, I used to stroll into his 
 house he having lived there many years a 
 tenant of my father's and hold some conver- 
 sation, if possible, with his younger son, many 
 years out of his mind, whose only occupation
 
 96 MY LIFE. 
 
 seemed to consist in cutting wooden skewers 
 for his father. His history was a melancholy 
 one. As a lad he had gone early to sea in a 
 merchant ship at Blakeney, and had learnt his 
 profession as a sailor. He was a handsome, 
 well-grown young man, and had formed a deep 
 attachment in the village to a pretty young 
 girl, to whom he seemed to devote all his 
 thoughts and care when at home, always bring- 
 ing her some remembrance at the end of his 
 voyages, sometimes coming from Hamburg, at 
 others from the Mediterranean. On his return 
 from one of his voyages, she was nowhere to 
 be seen in fact, she had deceived him, and had 
 married another. His misery so worked upon 
 his brain that he became insane, and was not 
 always harmless, for at times he was so violent 
 that he had to be strapped down to his bed for 
 a time, till the fit passed away. Poor James ! 
 he used to like to hear my sea adventures. 
 
 Two days after I reached London I received 
 an invitation to dine in Fitzroy Square, with the 
 same lady with whom I had dined while quar- 
 tered in the Tower. On my arrival I found 
 the party assembled, and my hostess said to me,
 
 LATE GUESTS. 97 
 
 " I expect , one of your brother officers, 
 
 to meet you. Have you seen him 1" 
 
 "No, not for some days," I replied. 
 
 We waited for some time, and then my friend, 
 on being announced, said, 
 
 "A thousand pardons, Mrs. Gordon, for being 
 so late. I was detained by a most ludicrous 
 accident. Coming down the Haymarket in a 
 hackney coach, another whip ran foul of mine, 
 carried off my hind wheel, and threw my coach 
 over on its side. I had to scramble out at the 
 window, and get into another coach, fearing I 
 should be late for your dinner." 
 
 This, of course, was a sufficient apology. 
 
 " Oh ! but/' Mrs. Gordon said, " is later 
 
 still." 
 
 Scarcely had she said this when a double rap 
 announced his arrival, and he was ushered in, 
 saying, 
 
 " I am so sorry to be so late, but my coach 
 was run against in the Haymarket, and upset,and 
 the tenant of the other vehicle got out of the 
 window, ran away, and left me to fight out the 
 squabble between the two coachies, each accus- 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 98 MY LIFE. 
 
 ing the other as being the first aggressor, and 
 demanding of me the fare of both." 
 
 I saw that my friend was intensely amused, 
 as were all the company, at this curious ren- 
 contre. A few words, amidst much laughter, 
 served to explain matters, and my friend, who 
 had altogether forgotten the man of the whip, 
 pulled out his purse to pay the expenses, and, 
 like the good and generous fellow he was, 
 liberally reimbursed him. 
 
 The Winter months of the year 1817, which I 
 passed in London, doing duty with my regi- 
 ment, then quartered in barracks, did not roll 
 on with me so tediously as they might have 
 done, had I not been living near friends and 
 relations. Besides which, I had an attraction 
 that held deep sway over me, and which, 
 in spite of dark and dismal fogs, made every- 
 thing cheerful and agreeable to me. There was 
 one whom I seldom missed seeing each day, 
 whose smiling, sweet face, though not hand- 
 some, and soft bright eye, made everything wear 
 the appearance of sunshine; and whose pre- 
 sence, to use the words of the poet, was " like 
 the sunny isle in the midst of a stormy sea."
 
 ANECDOTE OP " THE BULL/' 99 
 
 Fond of music and other things which she 
 taught me, and of the fine arts, sculpture, 
 painting, history, time never passed heavily 
 with her; we were sincerely and deeply 
 attached to each other, and I was a great 
 favourite with her father and mother. We 
 were considered too young to marry then. 
 It very often happens when parents refuse 
 their consent to an early marriage on that ac- 
 count, where true attachment on both sides 
 exists, that the after-life of both parties is em- 
 bittered by such refusal, either the one or the 
 other becomes changeable, arid thus they who 
 might have been go happy are parted for ever. 
 
 I subsequently went to dine with my old 
 friend the Governor of the Tower, at whose 
 residence I often met a gallant officer, a 
 relative of mine, who had gone through the 
 Peninsular Campaign with great honour to him- 
 self, family, and his name. He could tell a story 
 well, with the gruff voice in which he spoke, 
 from which he was known by the name of " the 
 Bull." He was a fine, tall, handsome man, ex- 
 ceedingly amiable and kind in disposition. A 
 story was related to me regarding him which 
 
 H2
 
 100 MY LIFE. 
 
 may amuse my readers, especially any of bis 
 brother officers who may still be living, but so 
 many gallant fellows who belonged to the 
 Guards are now no more, that I fear there -are 
 few remaining who knew him. 
 
 A battalion of Grenadiers was in the Tower, 
 under the command of the Bull, who, it appears, 
 had dined with the Governor, and had sat late. 
 As the apartments he lived in were close to the 
 Government House, he did not pay much atten- 
 tion to the lapse of time, but sat talking with 
 the ladies. At the proper time, keys were 
 brought in, and the gates were closed for the 
 night. The footstep of the sentry was heard 
 pacing to and fro on his beat, and as he halted, 
 and stood at ease opposite his box, the ring of 
 his musket on the pavement was heard. Still 
 sat unmoved the Bull, who was in the midst of 
 a long yarn of former days. His stories were 
 always good his manner of telling them equally 
 so. At length he took his departure, and was 
 on his way to his lodging, not more than thirty 
 yards off, occupied by one of the warders. 
 Presently was heard the sentry's challenge, 
 
 " Who goes there ?"
 
 A SENTRY WHO DID HIS DUTY. 101 
 
 " A friend," was the reply. 
 " Advance, friend," called out the sentry, 
 *' and give the counter-sign." 
 
 The advance was made, but no word was 
 uttered. The Colonel had forgotten it. 
 
 " You know me ?" said he to the sentry, but 
 the sentry knew his duty, and replied, 
 
 " I want the word, sir !" 
 
 The main guard close by was hailed by the 
 sentry. 
 
 " I have a prisoner here !" 
 
 A serjeant advanced with a file of men, and 
 marched the prisoner to the guard-room. The 
 officer of the guard being sent for, the prisoner 
 was released. Next morning, in the orderly- 
 room, the Colonel said, 
 
 " I wish to see the sentry on guard at eleven 
 o'clock last night at Government House." 
 
 The man made his appearance, standing erect 
 before his Colonel, who said, 
 
 " You were on duty at eleven o'clock last 
 night?" 
 
 " Yes, your honour." 
 
 " You took a prisoner last night ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir."
 
 102 MY LIFE. 
 
 " Did you know who he was ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Ah, then you did your duty, my man. You 
 took me prisoner. There's a sovereign for you 
 for doing your duty and obedience to orders." 
 
 " Thank you, your honour " with a military 
 salute, and disappeared. 
 
 I passed much of my time alone in the even- 
 ing, reading and drawing. I had no desire 
 to go to the Club, for I knew that there was 
 little to be gained by it. Playing at billiards 
 would only draw my money from my pocket 
 for, although fond of the game, I was not a 
 good player. 
 
 The Spring advanced, and with it there was 
 some further talk of the royal marriages pre- 
 viously spoken of. His Koyal Highness, the 
 Duke of Clarence, was married to the Princess 
 Adelaide, of Saxe-Meiningen, in July, 1818, 
 and the Princess Elizabeth to the Prince of 
 Hesse Homburg. I well remember His Royal 
 Highness's marriage, for I was on the Guard of 
 Honour, consequently in full dress uniform, and 
 it rained so hard that night that it took the 
 shine out of my laced coat. The costume of
 
 MILITARY COSTUME. 103 
 
 those days, besides the laced coat, consisted of 
 kerseymere pantaloons, with white gaiters half- 
 way up the thigh, studded closely with small 
 flat black buttons from the ankle upwards, 
 and gold shoe-buckles, and a very handsome 
 dress it was. All the men wore the same sort 
 of gaiter, and, being fine, tall fellows, looked 
 very well in line. I do not pretend to say 
 whether the change in the costume of the Army 
 is for the better or not. I understand that the 
 heavy cross-belt worn in my time has been done 
 away with, which must be an immense relief to 
 the soldier on the march. But the whole sys- 
 tem of warfare is now so changed that it will 
 be impossible for any man to foresee what will 
 be the result should a great war break out. 
 
 There was much speculation in military circles 
 regarding the reduction which was likely to 
 take place. It was well known that the Whig 
 party, with Mr. Joseph Hume at their head, 
 would be sure to commence their usual clap- 
 trap, bother about the uselessness of retaining a 
 standing army, never for one moment consider- 
 ing what was to become of the brave fellows 
 who had for years been fighting on the scorching
 
 104 MY LIFE. 
 
 plains of India, or maintaining the character of 
 the British soldier in the Peninsula, or what 
 would become of their country if we were drawn 
 into a sudden war. 
 
 At the present time volunteers are much 
 spoken of, and 150,000 men is considered a 
 large force ; but when I tell my readers that, 
 with less than half the population, we possessed 
 350,000 volunteers at the time of the last war, 
 they will not be surprised at what Napoleon I. 
 said, "that he should make no head against 
 England, as long as she had such a body of men 
 to defend their own homesteads behind their 
 own hedges !" Although that is quite true, the 
 volunteers can act only as auxiliary forces to 
 the regular troops, and then they will be found 
 an invaluable support. Napoleon well knew 
 that, as long as England was mistress of the 
 sea, he would find it a vastly difficult matter to 
 cross over an army of sufficient strength to 
 make a stand. Supposing, however, the French 
 advancing within sight of London, I would 
 recall the words of my clever brother-in-law, 
 who, when some young Frenchmen many 
 years ago were bragging about coming to Lou-
 
 THE CITY LIGHT HORSE VOLUNTEERS. 105 
 
 don, told them " that they must remember that 
 we had been more than once in Paris, but that 
 they had never been in London. Come if you 
 can. But you will receive a breakfast of bullets 
 that will give you, my friends, an indigestion 
 from which you will never recover. So pray 
 come." 
 
 While speaking of the volunteers of England, 
 I am reminded of a story which a gentleman 
 told me of a scene he had witnessed in Paris 
 after the return of Louis XVIII. There may 
 still be some who remember that fine body of 
 men, called the City Light-horse Volunteers. 
 They were composed of the sons of the first 
 merchants/ bankers, &c., of London. Their 
 dress was handsome scarlet jackets, with three 
 rows of silver buttons in front ; light-coloured 
 pantaloons, and silver lace ; the same round the 
 cuff and collar of the jacket. The helmet, light 
 but handsome, was mounted with silver. They 
 looked well in line, when they appeared mount- 
 ed on their splendid horses. Their Court-dress 
 consisted of short kerseymere knee-breeches, silk 
 stockings, and silver buckle in the shoe. My 
 friend related that, as he was going with the
 
 106 MY LIFE. 
 
 crowd to see the nobility of Paris proceeding to 
 the king's reception at the Tuileries, he saw 
 people collected in one spot, and heard, amid 
 roars of laughter, loud cries of " Bravo, Mon- 
 sieur Anglais !" He looked round, and, to his 
 amazement and amusement, saw an immensely 
 tall, splendidly-mounted gendarme forcing his 
 way through the crowd to the Palace gates, 
 and, on his horse behind him, a short, fat, little 
 man, clothed in the Court costume of the City 
 of London Light-horse Volunteers. It appeared 
 that this gentleman of the Light-horse had in 
 vain tried to reach the Palace gates, and, seeing 
 a gendarme, he petitioned him to make way 
 for him, for he was hemmed in ; to which re- 
 quest the good-natured guardian replied by 
 saying, " Montez, monsieur," at the same time 
 giving him his hand, and in an instant seating 
 him behind him, in which position he cut the 
 most ludicrous figure in his peculiar dress. 
 What became of him afterwards, I never 
 heard. 
 
 In the year 1818, as I have said, I lost the 
 entire sight of my left eye, the same which was 
 first attacked in the Mediterranean before I
 
 AN INTELLIGENT DONKEY. 107 
 
 quitted the Navy. This severe illness had re- 
 duced me much, and I went down into the 
 country to recover my strength. Having natu- 
 rally a good constitution, my health was soon 
 re-established, though I suffered greatly from 
 rheumatic pains, as I had also during my first 
 attack of inflammation in the eye. Indeed, the 
 same symptoms seemed to recur in this last 
 attack, and for a time greatly crippled me. 
 However, I had a small pony, sometimes a don- 
 key, upon which I used to ride out, shooting 
 partridges, and was very successful sometimes 
 off his back. When I began to walk a little, 
 I used to leave my donkey, and go up to the 
 dogs, where they were pointing. 
 
 A gentleman coming one day to join in our 
 sport, he accidentally shot my poor donkey 
 through one of his ears, and though the wound 
 was but a slight one, he was never so steady 
 afterwards. The poor donkey and I had be- 
 come great friends. If I left him at a little 
 distance and called him, he would come to me 
 like a dog, especially when he knew that I had 
 some apples in my pocket, which were generally 
 taken out for luncheon. In those days grand
 
 108 MY LIFE. 
 
 shooting luncheons were unknown, and I have 
 walked for hours without ever tasting a single 
 thing. These days of hard walking in the 
 field, of hard riding after the hounds, and long 
 fastings, I consider to be some of the best means 
 of training our English gentlemen in endurance 
 and bravery as officers in our Army and Navy. 
 How many whom I have known can testify to 
 the truth of this opinion. The memory of the 
 daring deeds of gallant fellows, now no more, 
 in Spain, in Portugal, on the heights of Inker- 
 man, and at the Balaklava Charge, all show 
 how much England owes to the field sports to 
 which her sons are so devoted. The renowned 
 six hundred were led by a first-rate Leicester- 
 shire rider. 
 
 I occasionally went out hunting with Mr. 
 Dewing's hounds. That gentleman kept an 
 excellent pack of harriers, or rather hounds a 
 little above that breed, which ran deer, fox, 
 hare anything, in fact. They were very well 
 bred, and they did " go the pace." My uncle, 
 Lord J. Townshend, bought two beautiful horses 
 about this time, which he named "Monarch" 
 -and "Regent," showing his loyalty to the
 
 OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT. 109 
 
 Crown. My brother Ferrers, also a fine rider, 
 had a little chestnut mare, called " Lady 
 Rivers," upon which he would take the shine 
 out of the field, with Mr. Dewing's pack, in a 
 hard run after the deer. At Mr. Dewing's 
 death, the hounds were purchased by Mr. Ville- 
 bois, of Marham. 
 
 Towards the end of the Winter of 1818, 1 
 received a communication from London, asking 
 me if I should like to be employed on the staff. 
 I really hardly felt well enough to undertake 
 the duties of an aide-de-camp, still I did not like 
 to refuse the offer. Of course I wrote to say I 
 should be glad to accept it, but I heard no more 
 about it till April, 1819, just as we were pre?- 
 paring to go to London for the season. Then 
 I had a letter from the officer commanding my 
 regiment, saying that he wished to see me. 
 When I came to town, I likewise received a 
 letter from Sir Frederick Watson, the Prince 
 Regent's private secretary, asking me to call at 
 Carlton House. It is needless to say that I 
 attended to both these requests. First of all I 
 went to the Horse Guards, and had an inter- 
 view with the commanding officer of my regi-
 
 110 MY LIFE. 
 
 ment, who told me that he wanted me to go on 
 
 the staff as aide-de-camp to General B , as 
 
 he thought that, as I had been in the Navy, I was 
 more likely to put up with people who some- 
 times showed an odd temper. In reply to which 
 I said, " I had seen plenty of that." 
 
 " So I thought," said he ; " and that was 
 what made me ask you to take the appoint- 
 ment, for I find some difficulty to get anyone 
 
 to take it. General B particularly wishes 
 
 to have a man from the Coldstreams, in which 
 regiment he formerly served." 
 
 I said in reply to all this that if the General 
 was inclined to take me, I was quite ready to 
 be his aide-de-camp, but that I knew little of 
 the duties of that position. My colonel express- 
 ing much sympathy with me for the sufferings I 
 had endured in the loss of one of my eyes, I told 
 him that in consequence of the repetition of 
 similar sufferings, I had much fear that some 
 day I should lose the other also, and be forced 
 to quit the service, a result which unfortunately 
 has turned out only too true. 
 
 The following day I called upon Sir Frede- 
 rick Watson at his private rooms in Carlton
 
 AIDE-DE-CAMP TO GENERAL B . Ill 
 
 House, and there I met General B . I had 
 
 never seen him before, and had only heard of 
 him by chance. He was a tall, well-made man, 
 not handsome in features, but with a keen, 
 sharp eye and intelligent countenance. I knew 
 nothing of his antecedents, and he did not seem 
 inclined to give me any information respecting 
 them. As soon as I was introduced into his 
 presence, he surveyed me from head to foot, 
 asked me a few questions as to my service in 
 the Army, which I told him had been but of 
 short duration. 
 
 " But you have been in the Navy?" he said. 
 
 I replied in the affirmative. 
 
 " Then," said he, " you will know something. 
 Well, you are ready to go with me as my aide- 
 de-camp ?" 
 
 " Quite so, sir," said I. 
 
 " Have you got any horses ?" 
 
 " One, sir," I said. 
 
 " Then you must have two. There is one in 
 Guernsey, which belonged to my late aide-de- 
 camp, which I think would suit you, as he is 
 quiet with troops. I shall be going in about a 
 fortnight, but will see you again to-morrow."
 
 112 MY LIFE. 
 
 I met General B the following day in 
 
 the same room at Sir Frederick's. Sir Frede- 
 rick at this interview remarked to the General 
 that he thought it would be better to make 
 me acquainted with all that was then going on 
 in the island, of which I knew nothing. The 
 General was at that time in high dispute with 
 the High Bailiff and the Royal Court. These 
 Normans (" who conquered England ") have 
 always their High Bailiff and Royal Court, and 
 have been notorious for their disagreement with 
 almost every lieutenant-governor sent to reside 
 among them. In reply to Sir Frederick's re- 
 commendation, the General merely said, " Oh, 
 no, he'll soon find it all out." However, I 
 formed my opinion of my superior officer from 
 this interview. 
 
 It was soon known in the Guards' Club that 
 
 I was going as aide-de-camp to General B , 
 
 and all my friends advised me to do no such 
 thing, saying to me that I should never stay 
 with him, as he was a most disagreeable fellow. 
 " And whatever you do," they added, " don't 
 have anything to do with his wine-cellar." 
 
 "Why?"
 
 GUERNSEY. 113 
 
 " Oh, because you will get into scrapes if you 
 do/' 
 
 However, I got my regimentals ready, and a 
 
 fortnight afterwards found myself on the road 
 
 * 
 
 to Southampton. I had hired a groom and 
 servant, a smart young lad, whom I sent for- 
 ward with a beautiful bay mare, with a swish 
 tail, long mane, about fifteen hands high, quiet 
 as a lamb, and well bred. I was most fortunate 
 in picking her up for a small sum of money. 
 The General had sent off three horses and a 
 cabriolet. On my arrival at Southampton, I 
 waited for his arrival, embarking, meanwhile, 
 both my own and the General's horses on board 
 the packet, which sailed the very day I arrived 
 for Guernsey. The following morning the 
 General arrived from London, and we embarked 
 on board the Starling cutter, a very fine vessel 
 of her class, which belonged to the station at 
 Guernsey, not only to attend upon the gover- 
 nor, but also to look after the smuggling. We 
 set sail for the island, and having had fine wea- 
 ther all night, landed the next day at twelve 
 o'clock at St. Pierre Port. I had never been 
 on shore at these islands before, though 1 had 
 VOL. I. I
 
 114 MY LIFE. 
 
 seen them at a distance when in the Navy ; but 
 they were places that men-of-war generally 
 avoided, for their coasts were so rocky and 
 dangerous, that ships generally gave them a 
 wide berth in passing up and down Channel. 
 On landing, we were saluted with eighteen 
 guns from the battery of Fort St. George, and 
 drove to the Government House. The General 
 informed me that I had better secure lodgings 
 for myself as near him as possible, and that 
 there was a two-stall stable at my service an 
 offer which I did not refuse. 
 
 That night I slept at the hotel, and the fol- 
 lowing morning, having put on my aide-de- 
 camp's uniform, cocked hat and all, I repaired 
 to the governor's house, where I met the 
 brigade-major and the General's private secre- 
 tary. I was shown into what was called the 
 " aide-de-camp's room," and I had not been 
 long there before the General made his appear- 
 ance, dressed in his regimentals, and looking 
 very smart. He looked at me, and seeing that 
 I had got everything right, made no remark. 
 He said there would be a levee at eleven o'clock 
 the High Bailiff, some of the officers of the
 
 A LEVEE. 115 
 
 Royal Court, the officers in command of the 
 regiments, Engineers and Royal Artillery and 
 I was to let him know when they arrived. 
 
 I had received pretty good instructions from 
 my father as to what I should have to do on 
 these occasions, and having been about the 
 Court at different times, I had observed the 
 manner in which things were done, so that I 
 was not altogether ignorant in these matters. 
 
 Soon after eleven the High Bailiff appeared, 
 and I went to inform the General, and then 
 showed him into the drawing-room, as I did 
 all the others in 'succession. The levee over, 
 the General informed me that he would ride at 
 three o'clock, and desired me to have my horse 
 ready. It being then one o'clock, I took my 
 leave until the hour appointed for the ride, the 
 General giving me encouragement by saying 
 that 1 had done capitally that morning, and 
 that I seemed quite au fait at my work. I then 
 went to look at my stables, and to seek out a 
 lodging which had been recommended to me 
 by the secretary, about a hundred yards from 
 the General's house. I soon settled about the 
 lodgings, and having secured them at a guinea 
 
 i2
 
 116 MY LIFE. 
 
 a week bed-room, sitting-room, and a room 
 for my servant I went to the hotel, and had 
 my things sent up, ordering my horse, at the 
 same time, to be ready at three o'clock. At 
 that hour I was at the Government House, at 
 the door of which I found the General's horse 
 ready saddled, with the servant and a mounted 
 dragoon, belonging to the cavalry militia, one 
 of whom was always in attendance at Go- 
 vernment House. The brigade-major was like- 
 wise there, mounted ready to accompany us. 
 
 The General came down, and we started off 
 for a ride, first to Fort St. George, and after- 
 wards to La Rey, where the General had a farm. 
 I found the streeis very narrow and slippery 
 for horses, being paved in the rough, old- 
 fashioned style. We galloped up towards the 
 fort, the guard at the entrance gate of which 
 turned out and presented arms as we rode in. 
 The General having made some inquiries of the 
 officer of Engineers, about some military matter 
 which I did not quite make out, we continued 
 our ride to La Rey. The General here dis- 
 mounted, and looked over his farm, inspecting 
 his poultry, sheep, cows, &c., and then we- re-
 
 MY FIRST DAY AS AIDE-DE-CAMP. 117 
 
 turned home. It was then the latter end of 
 July, and everything, as far as verdure went, 
 was in perfection. Corn crops were gathered 
 in, and the island appeared to me to be a per- 
 fect little garden. I sat down to dinner with 
 the General at half-past six, and found him most 
 pleasant and agreeable. I left him at nine 
 o'clock. So much for my first day as an aide- 
 de-camp. 
 
 I wish I could say that all other days passed 
 as pleasantly. The General was generally 
 courteous in his manner to me, as, indeed, he 
 was to everyone, but there were times when he 
 would show an arbitrary disposition, and did 
 things that were hard to put up with ; but I was 
 determined to bear with everything, as far as I 
 possibly could, so as not to disappoint those 
 friends who had sent me with him. 
 
 The following morning, on my appearance in 
 the aide-de-camp's room, the General came in 
 dressed in his dressing-gown, which fitted close, 
 and was evidently made for effect, and with 
 slippers, but without stockings, and there he 
 stood talking to me for some time, asking me 
 how I liked my lodgings, &c. Then he said,
 
 118 MY LIFE. 
 
 " You had better go down to the brigade- 
 major's office, across the garden, and get a list 
 of the officers of the garrison, also the names of 
 the officers commanding the militia regiments, 
 and my private secretary will give you a list 
 of the civilians. As soon as you have got this, 
 make me out a list of eighteen for a dinner- 
 party ourselves will make twenty. And 
 when you have made out the list, bring it to 
 me. You must have the officer commanding 
 the 33rd, a captain, and one lieutenant, the 
 officer commanding the Royal Artillery, and one 
 subaltern, likewise the commanding officer of the 
 Royal Engineers, and one subaltern, also the 
 brigade-major, the rest you must fill up with 
 civilians." 
 
 The first part of the business was comparative- 
 ly light, but the difficulty was to concoct the list 
 of civilians. I began, however, with the High 
 Bailiff, and some of the gentry of the Royal 
 Court, as they stood on the list, and filled up 
 the number. I then took it to the General, 
 and when he had looked over it, he said, 
 
 " Ah ! the military part will do very well, but 
 don't you know, sir, that that man, pointing to
 
 LIST FOR A DINNER-PART Y. 119 
 
 a name on the list, is my bitter enemy ?" and 
 he scratched his pen across the name, an opera- 
 tion which he repeated with a second. Coming 
 to the third name, he exclaimed, " Why, sir, 
 that fellow would cut my throat to-morrow, 
 shall I ask Mm to dinner ?" 
 
 " I really, sir, do not know them, you must 
 excuse me." 
 
 " But you must find out," and he scratched 
 out the third name. 
 
 " However," thought I to myself, " the next 
 list I make out, I will take care to find out who 
 are your friends, and who are your foes." I 
 filled in the remaining names with the assistance 
 of the brigade-major, who knew all about the 
 General's likes and dislikes. He was a pleasant, 
 gentlemanly man, had served in the Peninsular 
 Campaign under the Duke of Wellington, in the 
 38th, with my brother William, and had lost an 
 arm in the battle of Salamanca. 
 
 This grand dinner came off the following day 
 at seven o'clock. I sat at the bottom of the 
 table, and the dinner was well served. People 
 carved on the table in those days, and, to my 
 horror, I saw a couple of ducks placed before
 
 120 MY LIFE. 
 
 me, a rather trying test, for I knew that my 
 General was a first-rate carver, and prided him- 
 self upon the art. Although he had been shot 
 through the right hand in carrying the colours of 
 his regiment, when an ensign, fighting in Hol- 
 land, he nevertheless held the carving-knife in 
 the most scientific manner. When I saw these 
 ducks placed before me, I felt a sort of cold 
 perspiration come upon my forehead, for I saw 
 the General's eye was fixed upon me. However, 
 I set to work to carve the ducks, wishing them 
 anywhere but before me! But my courage 
 fortunately came to my aid. I seized the knife 
 and fork, but in my attempt to take off the 
 wing, I found that I had not hit the joint. I 
 was not to be done, however, and being strong 
 in the arm in those days, I fairly cut through 
 the bone, to my great relief. The General, who 
 I knew was looking at me, seemed to be per- 
 fectly satisfied with my performance. There 
 was wine of every kind on the table, not only 
 champagne, but port, claret, madeira, sherry, 
 and indeed you might say " the glasses sparkled 
 on the board, for the wine was ruby bright." 
 Glad was I when the whole affair was over, and
 
 REGIMENTAL BALL. 121 
 
 I found myself in my o\vn quiet room, where I 
 sat down and wrote home to my father, giving 
 him an account of all that had passed since I 
 left London. 
 
 About a week after this, I received an invita- 
 tion for the General, inviting him and myself 
 to a ball in the Assembly Rooms, to be given 
 by the officers of the 33rd regiment. It appear- 
 ed they had received orders for a change of 
 quarters, and were to be relieved by the 79th 
 Highlanders. I was sorry to think we should 
 lose these nice young fellows, so gentlemanlike, 
 and who seemed to keep on good terms with 
 everybody. 
 
 I attended the^ball with the General, who was 
 received with every honour and etiquette ap- 
 pertaining to his rank. I made acquaintance 
 with several ladies, to whom, of course, I paid 
 great attentions. I saw the General fix his eye 
 upon me as I waltzed round the room with a 
 very pretty young lady, and, after the dance 
 was over, he whispered in my ear 
 
 "You must take care what you are about 
 with these Guernsey girls. They will whip you 
 up like a shot if you say anything to them. I
 
 122 MY LIFE. 
 
 mean, you'll be asked what are your intentions." 
 
 " All right, sir," I said. " I think I know how 
 to manage them." 
 
 " Ay, you think so ; but I tell you you must 
 mind what you are about, or you'll be asked 
 what are your intentions." 
 
 However, we passed a very pleasant evening, 
 and had a grand supper, though I thought the 
 General looked ennuye the whole time. I 
 escorted him home, and the officers pressed me 
 to come back for the rest of the ball, which I 
 did, and we kept it up till late in the morning. 
 Free of the old General, I had my fling. Next 
 morning, when he came into the aide-de-camp's 
 room, he said 
 
 " Well, Loftus, I suppose you were tired 
 enough when we got home, and went to bed T 
 but, at the same time, I observed a look out 
 of the corner of his eye, as much as to say " I 
 wonder what he'll reply "?" 
 
 "Oh, no, sir," I said. "'I went back to the 
 ball." 
 
 " How could you do so T 
 
 " The officers pressed me very much to come 
 back, and I did not like to refuse." 
 
 " Ah, those girls ! They'll catch you yet."
 
 123 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A Review The General and his Staff Inspection of Coast 
 Batteries The General's Horsemanship Story of a 
 White Feather Castle Cornet An old Officer Island 
 -of Herm Conquest of an Unruly Horse Alderney 
 The Fortifications Hereditary Governors An Un- 
 pleasant Voyage The French Cook Opening of the 
 Royal Court Castle Carey Picturesque Costume 
 Diana and her Nymphs caught bathing. 
 
 THE General told me that I must be ready the 
 next morning at ten o'clock to go with him 
 in full dress to the New Ground, where there was 
 to be a review of the garrison, and that I was 
 to have my horse properly accoutred, which I 
 knew from having seen so much of the same 
 thing whilst in the Guards. I had brought over 
 with me a proper saddle, bridle, and everything 
 which belonged to an aide-de-camp gold lace 
 cloth, bear-skin holster, &c., so that my little 
 bay mare, when rigged out in military array 
 looked very handsome. The General, who was
 
 124 MY LIFE. 
 
 a first-rate horseman, was well mounted, and 
 certainly looked well on horseback; There was 
 a large number of people on the ground when 
 we rode upon it, and as there were four dra- 
 goons in attendance, the General and his Staff 
 cut a pretty good figure. I was not a little 
 proud of my charger, who behaved so quietly 
 that she was the admiration of all the ladies, 
 whom I heard exclaiming, " What a beautiful 
 creature !" There were also some remarks 
 about the aide-de-camp, but these I shall leave 
 for kind people to imagine, though I may say 
 they were all pleasant to my ears. 
 
 I observed the General casting his eye on me 
 every now and then, and he sent me off several 
 times with orders to the officers commanding 
 the regiments, on which occasions I did not fail 
 to show off my horsemanship. My little mare 
 behaved beautifully, particularly when the firing 
 began, which astonished the General. 
 
 " Why, your mare stands it better than my 
 horse !" he said. 
 
 The review over, we returned home, and the 
 General telling me he did not want me any 
 more till dinner-time, I started to return some
 
 INSPECTION OF BATTERIES. 125 
 
 calls made on me by the High Bailiff, and other 
 personages. 
 
 Two days afterwards, the General sent out 
 an order for the major commanding the Royal 
 Artillery, also the officers commanding the 
 Royal Engineers, with their subalterns, to appear 
 at headquarters at ten o'clock next morning, all 
 mounted, for the purpose of inspecting the 
 batteries along the coast. In Guernsey there 
 were numerous small batteries, erected here and 
 there, in places where one never expected to 
 find such things as cannon, the rock having 
 been cut away to admit of room to work them. 
 I knew what the intention of the General was, 
 and I therefore ordered my little mare to 
 be saddled for the occasion ; but I had no idea, 
 neither had any of the officers, of the dance he 
 was going to lead us. The brigade-major had 
 a beautiful Irish mare, which could jump stone 
 walls beautifully. He had bought her in Ire- 
 land, and knew well what she could do. The 
 fields in Guernsey were divided into small in- 
 closures, portioned off by stone walls, the stones 
 of which were laid loosely one on the top of the 
 other.
 
 126 MY LIFE. 
 
 At the hour appointed we all met in front of 
 the Government House, when the General made 
 his appearance, mounted on a first-rate hunter, 
 and followed by his servant and a dragoon. 
 We started on our inspection of the forts, and 
 after going through Fort St. George, we turned 
 inland to cross over to another point of the 
 island, where there were two or three small bat- 
 teries. I followed the General down the road 
 at a sharp trot, when he turned suddenly to the 
 right, and rode at a stone wall. I followed 
 him, and we both took it, and landed safe on 
 the other side. Then we proceeded across the 
 next field at a gallop, and went over another 
 wall. I followed, and in doing so my mare 
 struck her knees at the top of the wall, and we 
 both came to grief on the other side. I jumped 
 up, and finding that I had struck my left knee 
 very hard on the ground, I was rubbing it 
 with my hands, when the General exclaimed, 
 
 " What the d do you stand rubbing your 
 
 knee there for? Why don't you go and tell 
 those officers I am waiting for them ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir," I said, and striking the spurs into 
 my mare, I rode her at the wall, which she 
 cleared beautifully.
 
 POSITION OF GUNS. 127 
 
 When I came up to the road where I had 
 left the officers, I found one of them standing 
 on the wall, pulling his horse by the reins, and 
 another flogging him behind, to make him 
 jump. The General's servant had got over, 
 and the dragoon was helping one of the officers 
 to accomplish the feat. Upon my delivering my 
 orders to the major of artillery, the general 
 exclamation was 
 
 " I'm afraid the General will have to wait." 
 I spoke to the dragoon, who knew the coun- 
 try well, and asked him to show the gentlemen 
 the easiest way to get up to the General, and 
 then turned my horse and rode back as fast as 
 I could go to rejoin him ; but the bird had 
 flown. He and the brigade-major had gone off 
 to a small fort, for the purpose of examining it. 
 Hiding into a lane I saw a countryman, whom I 
 asked if he had seen the General, and he 
 pointed to the road he had taken, and I was 
 not long in coming up with him. 1 found the 
 positions in which guns were placed most diffi- 
 cult to reach, on horseback, some being placed 
 in such a position as to be able to fire upon any 
 vessels nearing the coast, or upon any party
 
 128 MY LIFE. 
 
 attempting to land, and they appeared to be 
 numerous. The General, while engaged in this 
 inspection, fearlessly rode down paths so nar- 
 row and dangerous that the least slip of the 
 horse's foot would have sent him over on to 
 the rocks some hundred feet below. I followed 
 him down two or three of these places, not 
 liking to show the white feather. 
 
 Speaking of a white feather reminds me of a 
 story of a circumstance which happened dur- 
 ing the time of the Crimean War, when the 
 troops were assembling in Dublin preparatory 
 to embarkation. An officer belonging to 
 the Lord Lieutenant's court had, previous 
 to the breaking out of the War, sent in his 
 papers for retirement, and was waiting for 
 their acceptance. He was a member of a well- 
 known club in the city of Dublin, and no man 
 doubted his bravery, for it was known that 
 he had established his courage as a brave 
 officer, but he was very fond of talking of how 
 much he was esteemed by the fair sex ; and on 
 going one day into the club he found a pretty 
 little rose-coloured billet addressed to himself. 
 
 One of the many gentlemen and officers in the 
 room said,
 
 VISIT TO THE BATTERIES. 129 
 
 " Oh ! captain, there's a pretty little note for 
 
 you." 
 
 " Ah ! I see," he said. " From one of my 
 little darlings." And, on opening the note, out 
 dropped a beautiful white feather, upon which 
 there was a general roar of laughter. 
 
 But to return to the exploring of the bat- 
 teries. The major of Artillery, Engineers, and 
 other officers, soon joined us. 
 
 " Gentlemen/' said the General, *'I shall feel 
 much obliged if you will keep up with me." 
 And he set off at full gallop across a heath, de- 
 siring me to keep close to him. 
 
 I knew my place, and kept just on his quar- 
 ter. The brigade-major's old Irish mare soon 
 took the lead and went away ahead of the Gene- 
 ral and myself. I said, 
 
 " Sir, she's running away with him, and he 
 can't pull her up he's only got one arm." 
 
 Upon which the General wisely pulled up, but 
 said to me quietly, 
 
 " Go and see after him." 
 
 Observing that the major had turned off to 
 the right to avoid the cliff, 1 cut across, and was 
 fortunate enough to come up with him, catch 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 130 MY LIFE. 
 
 hold of his rein, and stop the mare. I then 
 dismounted and took up his curb-chain. We 
 pursued our course, visited a few more forts, 
 and returned home. The whole party after- 
 wards dined at the Government House, where 
 we had a very pleasant evening, talking over 
 the events of the day. 
 
 In this manner passed the first six mouths 
 of my duties as an aide-de-camp. The General 
 was a great walker, as well as a good rider, 
 and after one o'clock in the day, he used gene- 
 rally to inform me what he was going to do. 
 Castle Cornet, well known to the people of 
 Guernsey, was at that time surrounded by the 
 sea ; but there has been a causeway made 
 across since then, and a very handsome pier 
 built, which has formed a harbour, where small 
 vessels can anchor in safety in bad weather. 
 There was a boat belonging to the governor, 
 with a crew of six oars and a coxswain. She 
 was a fine large boat, such as we should have 
 called in the Navy a cutter, and was well 
 found in everything, carried a lug-sail and a 
 jib. Her crew were all seamen and pilots be- 
 longing to the port.
 
 AN ADVENTUROUS CAREER. 131 
 
 In the island of Herm there was a gentle- 
 man living who had been an officer in His 
 Majesty's service, and had served in India. 
 This gentleman belonged to a noble family, 
 and had seen better days. He was a most 
 pleasant and agreeable man, with a tall and 
 fine-looking person, and an athletic form. I 
 was told that he had served so far back as 
 the time of the storming of Seringapatam, 
 where Tippoo Sahib so gallantly held out against 
 our forces. He had been taken prisoner by the 
 enemy, whose horse broke into his regiment on 
 the march, and severely handled them. He 
 was cut down by a horseman, his sword was 
 broken, and in putting up his arm to save his 
 head from a sabre cut, he was most severely 
 wounded, receiving also a cut down the back 
 of his neck, and was left for dead on the 
 ground. When the English came to search for 
 their wounded, he was found, and thrown into 
 a cart with a number of dead, or apparently 
 dead, bodies. They had stripped oif his uni- 
 form, and they were about to throw him into 
 a grave, when he showed signs of life, and 
 most miraculously recovered. He had gone 
 
 K2
 
 132 MY LIFE. 
 
 through a variety of ups and downs in life, and 
 during his career had saved about four or five 
 thousand pounds, which he had invested in the 
 purchase of the island of Herm. When I first 
 knew him, he was engaged in transporting 
 granite to Plymouth, where that noble struc- 
 ture, the breakwater, was then in progress. 
 He was living like a hermit on this island, and 
 my General, who, though an eccentric, was a 
 kind-hearted man, often went over to Herm to 
 pay him a visit. By some law, the nature of 
 which I am not perfectly acquainted with, no 
 man could be arrested on that island for debt, 
 nor in the Government House at Guernsey, 
 and it would take some time to carry into exe- 
 cution a judgment against any man for a debt 
 contracted in England. However, as our friend 
 the owner of the island had some debts in 
 Guernsey which he could not exactly discharge, 
 he could only come over to see the General by 
 stealth, when he used to stay a week or ten 
 days with us. On these occasions I used to go 
 over for him early in the morning, and stay till 
 near dark, when I returned with him, and had 
 horses ready to meet us at a certain spot, from
 
 A BAD-TEMPERED HORSE. 133 
 
 whence we galloped through the lanes by the 
 most unfrequented way to the Government 
 House. I merely mention this circumstance to 
 show the state of things existing in and around 
 the island whilst I was there. 
 
 Every Thursday morning the General and I 
 found ourselves mounted at ten o'clock for the 
 parade at Fort St. George. On these occa- 
 sions I used to ride my little bay mare. One 
 day the General asked me if I could let him 
 have my spare horse, as one of his carriage- 
 horses was ill, and he would let me have in 
 exchange one of his horses. I was always fond 
 of riding a new horse (my reader will say, how 
 like a boy !). I was told by the brigade-major 
 that the horse the General had lent me was a 
 bad-tempered animal, and would not go near 
 the troops, the sight of which drove him mad, 
 especially when the band played. This only 
 excited me the more, and I determined to have 
 my accoutrements placed upon him the next 
 Thursday, when we went as usual to parade. 
 This was accordingly done ; the General came 
 down in a hurry, and took no notice of which 
 horse I was on, and we trotted off along the
 
 134 MY LIFE. 
 
 Grange Road, and round to Fort St. George, 
 with my groom, the General's groom, and the 
 brigade-major. Arriving in front of the troops, 
 the General halted, the soldiers presented arms, 
 the band began playing " God save the Queen." 
 I was a little in the rear of the General, on his 
 left quarter, and no sooner had the men come 
 down to the salute, " Present arms," and the 
 band had struck up, than my horse stood 
 straight up in the air, and wheeled round with 
 a tremendous kick out behind. 
 
 " Good gracious !" exclaimed the General, 
 " you've got that horse ! How could you be 
 so foolish ? Get off, or he'll kill you." 
 
 " Beg your pardon, sir, but I think I'm safer 
 here." 
 
 All this time the horse was snorting and paw- 
 ing the ground in the most awful manner ; the 
 froth was pouring out of his mouth. The Gene- 
 ral then rode to the right of the line, and went 
 down the front rank, followed by myself and 
 the rest of the staff. I saw his groom, who had 
 been pitched over this horse's head more than 
 once, look at me with perfect astonishment, but 
 I humoured the horse's mouth, and kept him
 
 VISIT TO ALDERNEY. 135 
 
 in his right place, to the complete amazement 
 of the General. We then went up the rear- 
 rank, and took up our places at the flag-staff 
 for the march past, I being on the General's left 
 quarter, and my horse still performing some of 
 his antics, though I managed to keep him clear 
 of the General, and in his place. The General 
 kept ever and anon casting his eye round at 
 me, muttering something to himself. 
 
 The parade over, as we rode home the Gene- 
 ral said to me, 
 
 " Well, you have surprised me, you are the 
 only man I ever saw who could ride that brute 
 with troops. He is a capital hunter, though, I 
 can tell you." 
 
 It was a fine bay horse, with good legs, and 
 very handsome. I rode him two or three times 
 afterwards, and found I could manage him ex- 
 actly as 1 liked. From this circumstance I got 
 the name of being a first-rate rider. 
 
 The Spring of the year came on, and the 
 General informed me that we must go over and 
 visit the forts, and the troops quartered in the 
 Island of Aiderney. The man-of-war cutter was 
 sent over to inform the Governor of our inten-
 
 136 MY LIFE. 
 
 tion of coming. The following week we em- 
 barked in the cutter, with the brigade-major, to 
 visit that rocky isle, on which are the famous 
 Gasgets revolving lights, visible to vessels 
 coming up the Channel. We arrived in the 
 small port, and the vessel took her departure, 
 not liking to lie there, but promising to call for 
 us in two days' time. We went to the Gover- 
 nor's house, where we were entertained hos- 
 pitably. They were then very busy in putting 
 the fortifications in order, and since that time 
 much money has been spent in strengthening 
 them. 
 
 We had the artillery, militia, and one com- 
 pany of the 79th Highlanders out for inspection 
 the next day. The officers all complained of 
 the dulness of the place. The militia were a 
 very queer-looking lot of fellows. After the 
 parade we strolled about the island, looking at 
 the forts and improvements going on. The 
 next morning, the Starling arriving, we re- 
 ernbarked for Guernsey, and I was very glad to 
 get away from so uninteresting a spot. 
 
 We went there once afterwards, before I left 
 the island, and on this occasion there was some
 
 TWO MONTHS' LEAVE. 137 
 
 misunderstanding between the two Governors 
 as to the state of the militia. I must inform my 
 readers that the Governorship of Alderney was 
 hereditary, as also was that of Sark, the Sei- 
 gneur of which was, when I was there, a clergy- 
 man of the Church of England, and a Colonel 
 of the militia of that island. 
 
 Shortly after our return to Guernsey, we took 
 our departure for England on two months' 
 leave, and my General went to do duty at 
 Carlton House, as Equerry to His Koyal High- 
 ness the Prince Regent. I left my horses behind, 
 but the General took his cabriolet and two 
 horses with him. On arriving at Southampton 
 the General took post-chaise and went off to 
 Winchester. It being late in the evening when 
 we arrived at Southampton, the General asked 
 me if I would drive his cabriolet to town, which 
 of course I consented to do, and the next even- 
 ing found me in London. I remained there with 
 my family till we returned to Guernsey. Now 
 and then I went to attend upon the General, 
 from whom I used to receive a note occasionally, 
 saying that he wanted me, and of course it was 
 my business to attend upon him as much as if
 
 138 MY LIFE. 
 
 we had been upon the island. Having received 
 one morning a note from him telling me to 
 come to him at Carlton House, I had just got 
 across the front entrance towards the Equerry's 
 room, when I stumbled upon the Prince Regent, 
 who stopped me, and looking at me, said, 
 
 " Ha ! you are going to your General V ' 
 
 " Yes, your Royal Highness." 
 
 " Ah ! how do you get on, eh ? eh ?" he said, 
 and looked at me very slyly, after which he 
 walked off with a smile upon his face, as much 
 as to say, " I know you've got a queer one to 
 deal with/' which, to be honest, I had. 
 
 The object of the General in thus summoning 
 me was to tell me that I was to be ready in a 
 few days to return to Guernsey, and he asked 
 if I had any objection to driving his cabriolet 
 back to Southampton, which of course I con- 
 sented to do. As soon as I arrived there, I was 
 to send his horses off in the packet to Guernsey, 
 where he would join me in a few days, which he 
 did. The Starling, man-of-war cutter, came in 
 about the same time from Guernsey, and the 
 following morning we embarked for that island. 
 
 After passing through the Needles, we found
 
 A FRENCH COOK AT SEA. 139 
 
 outside, waiting for us, a beautiful lugger yacht, 
 belonging to the Marquis of Anglesea, who had 
 come out to try her rate of sailing with the 
 man-of-war cutter, which was considered a very 
 fast one of her class. The breeze freshened, and 
 it came on to blow towards three in the after- 
 noon, when the lugger bore down towards us, 
 having, if anything, showed her superiority in 
 sailing. 
 
 The General brought with him from London 
 a tall, thin-looking man, a Frenchman, who cut 
 a most miserable figure. The cutter's long boat 
 had been hoisted in, and placed along the deck, 
 when the unfortunate Frenchman became very 
 ill, as did the General, who dived below, and I 
 saw no more of him ; but the Frenchman got 
 into the boat, and lay there, looking very de- 
 plorable. The breeze freshened every hour, and 
 we had to stand along the coast, the wind being 
 directly in our teeth, for the island. The cutter 
 lay over to the gale, and shipped a great deal of 
 water. The Lieutenant remarked to me that 
 he thought we should have to run in to Port- 
 land that night. It being very cold and uncom- 
 fortable on deck, I went down below, where I
 
 140 MY LIFE. 
 
 staid till dark, when I went again on deck. 
 I had not been long there when the vessel 
 shipped a heavy sea over the lee-gunwale, and, 
 hearing a noise in the boat, I went over to look 
 into it, and found the unfortunate Frenchman 
 struggling in the water, and shouting out that 
 he should be drowned. I pulled him out, in 
 the most miserable plight, and made him go 
 below. Shortly afterwards we bore up and 
 anchored in Portland Roads. I then went and 
 informed the General of where we were, and of 
 all that bad happened. He said he should like 
 to go on shore to the hotel for the night, which 
 I communicated to the officer commanding. A 
 boat was manned for my superior, who, on taking 
 his departure, said, " Come and join me as soon 
 as you can ; but on no account let the French 
 cook come on shore, or he will never come back 
 again." About an hour afterwards I also took 
 my departure, first giving notice to the Lieu- 
 tenant that the General did not wish the French- 
 man, whom he had hired, to go on shore. 
 
 I had sat down comfortably to tea with the 
 General, and was enjoying myself after the 
 miseries of the day, when the waiter came in to
 
 RETURN TO GUERNSEY. 141 
 
 say that a French gentleman wished to speak 
 to me outside. 
 
 " Good gracious I" said the General, " that's 
 my cook ! How could you let him come, 
 Loftus r 
 
 I briefly told him the orders I had given, 
 and wondered how the Frenchman got on 
 shore. I went outside and found that it 
 was the cook, who said he must go back to 
 London he would never go across the sea any- 
 more. However, I persuaded him, after some 
 little time, to get some hot brandy and water, 
 and go to bed, and said that I would see him 
 in the morning all of which I communicated 
 to my chief, whom I pacified as well as I 
 could, saying that I would manage the French- 
 man. 
 
 I went myself to bed, and, rising at six in 
 the morning, found it a bright, sunshiny day. 
 The wind had changed, and it blew fair for the 
 island. I therefore went into the Frenchman's 
 room, and, after some little time, got him to go 
 on board with me. The General came on board 
 about eight o'clock, we got under way, and 
 started for the island, arriving at St. Pierre Port
 
 142 Mr LIFE. 
 
 about five in the afternoon, and glad enough 
 was I to find myself on shore with my trouble- 
 some charge. I can only add that the General 
 gave me much credit for the manner in which 
 I had got over the Frenchman. 
 
 We were received with all the honours due to 
 the Governor a salute, &c. I went to my lodg- 
 ings, and did not appear again in the Government 
 House till the following morning at the usual 
 hour of nine. There I found the brigade-major, 
 his private secretary, and the usual Staff in the 
 aide-de-camp's room. The General shortly 
 came in, and matters that had been neglected 
 during our absence were gone through. I found 
 the Royal Court was to meet the following day 
 at eleven o'clock, when the brigade-major, &c., 
 and myself, were to accompany the General 
 to open that august assembly, the members of 
 which, when we met them, dressed in their robes 
 of office to me cut a most ludicrous appearance. 
 The General sat in his high position, the bri- 
 gade-major and I below facing him, and thus 
 opened this mimic Parliament upon which the 
 Guernseyites pride themselves so much with 
 due dignity, though we laughed most heartily 
 on our return.
 
 SIGHT- SEEING. 143 
 
 The following day we went to Fort St. 
 George to inspect the troops, after which the 
 General and I rode off to his farm, where we 
 spent the remainder of the day. A grand 
 dinner took place at the Government House, 
 consisting of all the dignitaries of the island. 
 
 In this manner we passed some weeks, when 
 a vessel arrived from England, bringing a party 
 of ladies, friends of the General's, who were 
 going to stay with him for a week, during 
 which I had much to do, for I had to beau 
 about the ladies, show them the island, and 
 make myself as useful as I could, which I did to 
 the great gratification of the Governor. We had 
 a grand day of sight-seeing first the Vale, then 
 I very Castle and the Government House gardens. 
 Castle Carey, standing high and well, and con- 
 taining some lovely pictures, made a great 
 impression on me; and, in after-years, when 
 visiting General Slade, who hired Castle Carey 
 instead of living in the Government House (which 
 he let), he asked me if I recollected them, par- 
 ticularly our Saviour breaking bread with his 
 disciples after the walk to Emmaus, by Spagno- 
 letto ; the Saviour's countenance most benig- 
 nant, and the light descending so well on the
 
 144 MY LIFE. 
 
 heads and hands of all three, and on the bread, 
 was a picture not easily forgotten. Among 
 others which I admired were one of Jesus, 
 with the crown of thorns, every feature 
 tortured, yet expressive of patience, sorrow, 
 and pity by Quartz, a Spaniard ; four beautiful 
 Murillos, one a gem in one of the turrets ; Joseph, 
 looking younger than he is usually depicted ; 
 the child Saviour, deep thought in the face, yet 
 perfectly joyous a lovely, loving face, with 
 large, soft, lustrous brown eyes, holding in his 
 hand a long branch of white lilies ; the wrest- 
 ling of the angel with Jacob ; and a beautiful 
 Magdalen, with a tear in her right eye a Guido. 
 In the commercial intercourse between Spain 
 and these islands, which is carried on still, no 
 doubt many valuable paintings found their way 
 to them. 
 
 We then went to Beau Sejour, a very beautiful 
 spot, deserving its name. The camelias, white 
 and red, were beautiful preference is given to 
 the white ; but I must confess I had a fancy 
 for the red, which was very becoming to a 
 brunette's dark glossy hair. 
 
 In this island is found the bella donna plant,
 
 PICTURESQUE COSTUME. 145 
 
 or shrub. St. Sampson's Church, seven hun- 
 dred years old, was worth seeing the only one, 
 it is believed, in existence with the Crametha 
 parapets i.e., lapping one over the other. We 
 then visited some enormous Druidical stones 
 on Lancresse Common four large stones. How 
 they got there is a marvel, such huge slabs of 
 granite, grown over with pink, grey, and sil- 
 very mosses. The ground on which we stood 
 was more wild and romantic than I can de- 
 scribe, and the view was bounded by rocks of 
 enormous size, over which the sea, in a gale, 
 broke with tremendous force. 
 
 My fair companions were much struck by the 
 picturesque costume of an old woman riding 
 with her husband on the same horse, she hold- 
 ing on by his waist (in the old English fashion 
 of pillion), sitting sideways, her grey hair peep- 
 ing below her high-crowned white muslin Nor- 
 man cap, with broad lace strips let in, a deep 
 curtain behind over her shoulders, and long 
 lappets from the ears, a brown glazed cotton 
 jacket, and full basque behind, dark lavender 
 woollen gown, and a bright-coloured cherry- 
 striped apron with pockets. If walking, she 
 VOL. I. L
 
 146 MY LIFE. 
 
 would have been knitting with the pins now' 
 seen sticking out of her pockets, but with one 
 of her hands she had to hold on by her hus- 
 band's belt. We stopped the carriage, and 
 called to them to come and speak to us, which 
 they did, thus affording my friends the oppor- 
 tunity of examining them fully, and making in 
 the evening a sketch, which they showed me 
 the next day, thus impressing the strange cos- 
 tume upon my memory. From a height we 
 viewed a lovely bay, the name of which I forgot, 
 but which was held as a sacred spot in the 
 bathing season for the ladies who resorted 
 there. 
 
 Soon after my first arrival in Guernsey, not 
 aware of this rule, I rode through a narrow pass 
 in the rocks, leading to the sands, when, pass- 
 ing quickly on to them for a gallop, lo ! 
 Diana and all her nymphs were before me, some 
 in bathing-dresses and some discarding their 
 robes. My appearance in full uniform, was 
 greeted with a shriek of consternation, when 
 lo ! some of the alarmed nymphs plunged into 
 Neptune's arms for protection, others ran into a 
 Ulysses' cave close by, whilst I wheeled round
 
 FORBIDDEN GROUND. 147 
 
 my charger, after one look, horrified at the pre- 
 dicament into which I had fallen. 
 
 I went to drink tea that evening at the 
 brigade-major's, where was a small party, at 
 which a pretty married lady shyly asked me, 
 " Where have you been riding to-day, Captain 
 Loftus?" whereat, perceiving that they were smil- 
 ing at each other, making me think that some 
 of the fair dames had been among the fright- 
 ened water-nymphs, I guardedly answered that 
 I had had a beautiful ride, a reply so pointed 
 that no more was said; but I was next day 
 told that it was well known all over the island 
 what forbidden spot I had selected so inno- 
 cently for my gallop !
 
 148 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Costume of the Peasantry Unfortunate Contretemps 
 Exclusiveness of the Guernsey People Anecdote of 
 the Duke of Wellington Wine versus Toast and 
 Water The General's Cellar Visit to Jersey 
 Ludicrous Accident The Governor of Jersey Eliza- 
 beth Castle La Chapelle des Pecheurs Capture of 
 a John Dory Island of Sark. 
 
 WE came home by Fort St. George, and I 
 went down by Hauteville to old St. 
 Peter's Church, the ancient and curious oak 
 carving of which we examined. A French ser- 
 vice is held here, followed by an English one. 
 The Sunday costume of the peasantry, with 
 their white high-laced caps and pink aprons, is 
 both fresh and pretty ; but the higher orders 
 are quite English in their manners and costume. 
 We next morning visited the market, which is 
 the rendezvous of the 6lite of the island, and 
 saw the magnificent grapes, peaches, and pears, 
 all to be had so cheap and so perfect of their
 
 A LADY WITH MONEY. 149 
 
 kind. The fine black and white marble slabs 
 in the fishmongers' and butchers' stalls are very 
 handsome, and look remarkably cool. Some 
 are of fine grey granite, sparkling with silvery 
 dots in the sun's rays ; and all their gate posts 
 are made of the same material. Even some of 
 the foundations of the hedges are composed of 
 granite, placed against the sides of the lanes as 
 a support to the earth above. 
 
 Having sent the carriage home, we walked 
 through the town, looking at the shops, &c. 
 The ascent from the church to the Government 
 House is very steep, and the granite slippery. 
 In hot weather it is also disagreeable for walk- 
 ing. In the evening we had a large ladies' 
 party, and a dance was got up, to which the 
 officers of the garrison and many ladies of the 
 island were invited. There was an old Lady 
 
 S , who had a tall, thin, gawky daughter, 
 
 and the General whispered to me during the 
 evening, 
 
 " Now, pay that young lady a deal of atten- 
 tionshe has some money." 
 
 But when I looked at her, I thought I should 
 be very sorry to take her for "a partner for
 
 150 MY LIFE. 
 
 life." " Yes," thought I, " she may suit you, but 
 she will not please me." However, I said 
 nothing, and paid her much attention, accord- 
 ing to the advice of my chef, whom I saw ever 
 and anon glancing approvingly at me. How- 
 ever, there were some very handsome girls in 
 the room, and amongst them a brunette, who 
 was generally considered very beautiful, and 
 indeed she was so, although I had no more 
 thought about her at that time than of others, 
 though subsequently she became to me a source 
 of some anxiety but more of this anon. Thus 
 passed the time till the fair ladies took their 
 departure for England. 
 
 The Winter set in, and on Christmas Day the 
 General and I went to dine at the farm of 
 La Rey, giving the servants an opportunity of 
 enjoying themselves. Two French ladies, 
 mother and daughter, had arrived from St. 
 Malo, and had taken up their quarters at the 
 farm, where they had been for a fortnight or 
 more. The General and I used to ride over, 
 when he had not much to do, and I fancied 
 that he paid particular attention to the daugh- 
 ter ; but I thought little of it. She was a most
 
 GETTING INTO A SCRAPE. 151 
 
 lady-like person, and very good-looking; her 
 mother I thought particularly charming. I be- 
 lieve she was a French countess. However, as I 
 am relating the history of my adventures, I am 
 bound to say that I got myself, most uninten- 
 tionally, into a scrape with the General here ; 
 but he certainly was difficult to understand. 
 
 Before we started for La Rey, he sent for me, 
 and begged me to ride forward to the farm and 
 say he was coming, and to send back my horse, 
 for I was to drive him home in the cabriolet. 
 Although just as I started it came on to snow, 
 I rode on in uniform and cocked hat ; but, 
 unfortunately, I had no cloak with me. Arriving 
 at La Rey, I found myself rather the worse for 
 the snow ; but the ladies were very kind, and 
 took me to the fire in the drawing-room to dry 
 my clothes. 1 was getting very comfortable 
 and warm, when the young lady came and sat 
 down by my side, inquiring kindly, " Are you 
 getting warm, Monsieur f 
 
 "Oui, Mademoiselle, je suis bien comfortable ;" 
 and she felt my sleeve to see if my coat was 
 dry, when I took hold of her hand, as an act of 
 politeness, to thank her.
 
 152 MY LIFE. 
 
 " Ah !" she said, in broken English, " you are 
 younger dan de General." 
 
 " Ah ! oui," I said, laughingly, and at that 
 moment who should poke hie head in at the 
 door but " de General " himself. He stood 
 looking at us for a moment, and then bounced 
 back again. She looked at me and I looked at 
 her, and we both laughed. It was an un- 
 fortunate contretemps. The General was short- 
 ly afterwards announced, and we all went into 
 the dining-room. He seemed very glum all 
 dinner-time, and looked daggers at me, I 
 thought. He carved the turkey, and, as I 
 imagined, shoved the plate over to me in a 
 manner very significant of his displeasure. I 
 drank wine with the ladies, as did the General, 
 but he never spoke to me. I saw my young 
 friend occasionally look first at me and then at 
 my chief, as much as to say, "I see what 
 o'clock it is," and she seemed very much to enjoy 
 what, no doubt, was a joke to her. The dinner 
 was anything but a happy Christmas one for me, 
 and I specially dreaded the drive home. Tea and 
 coffee over, the cabriolet was ordered round,
 
 THE GENERAL OUT OF TEMPER. 153 
 
 and we took our departure. 1 had the reins, and 
 not seeing very well, and the lanes being nar- 
 row, I felt most uncomfortable at the thought of 
 what 1 had to go through. The General ever 
 and anon was calling out to me, " Mind where 
 you are driving, sir, you will be in the ditch." 
 
 This and many similar remarks were said in 
 a very disagreeable voice, showing that he was 
 out of temper, which he could be at times. The 
 truth is, I saw very badly at night ; but I 
 fortunately got the General home safe, and was 
 never more glad in my life to have done so ! I 
 went to bed, and next morning was in my room, 
 as usual, at nine o'clock. The General soon 
 afterwards made his appearance, in his usual 
 costume of dressing-gown and slippers. Stand- 
 ing before the fire, he looked at me with a most 
 scrutinising eye, but said not a word. Soon 
 after twelve o'clock he came in to say he should 
 not want me any more that day till dinner-time. 
 In the meantime I went up to the brigade-major 
 and told him of all that had happened the 
 night before, which highly amused him. "' By 
 George," he said, " he won't like you the better
 
 154 MY LIFE. 
 
 for that." When \ve met again at dinner the 
 General was dumb, as before, and did not say 
 a word to me. I was very glad to get away from 
 him, and felt much happier when I got home. 
 He continued very glum for a fortnight, and 
 never asked me again to go to La Rey with him 
 whilst the ladies were there, none of whom I 
 ever saw again. After a time he got all right, 
 and seemed to think no more of it. I found he 
 used occasionally to ride out there by himself ; 
 but as my adventure went off so well, I never 
 asked any questions, and he never alluded to 
 the affair in any way. 
 
 I have mentioned in the former part of my 
 narrative my love of field sports. Of course I 
 lost a good share of my enjoyment with the 
 gun and in hunting, when deprived of the sight 
 of one eye, which entailed on me many disad- 
 vantages. However, I managed to get along 
 pretty well by means of a glass fixed in my hat. 
 During my stay in Guernsey I often went out 
 with an officer in the Artillery, quartered at 
 Fort St. George, in search of woodcock. He was 
 a handsome, well-made man, a most agreeable 
 companion, and, like myself, a capital pedestrian,
 
 EXCLUSIVEXESS OF THE XORMANS. 155 
 
 but, above all, in every respect a perfect gentle- 
 man, as indeed were all the officers at Fort St. 
 George. Boghurst and myself were great friends, 
 and whenever I could get away from the Gene- 
 ral for an hour or two, I spent much of my time 
 with him and his amiable wife. I likewise pos- 
 sessed the friendship of the brigade-major, his 
 family, and others, all of whom, whenever they 
 had an opportunity, showed me the greatest 
 civility. I did not mix much with the abori- 
 gines of the island, who were very exclusive, 
 thinking themselves far superior to any English 
 family who might reside amongst them. They 
 had their " sixties " and their " forties." Indi- 
 vidually this exclusiveness was of no conse- 
 quence to me, but it has been a source of great 
 discomfort to many who have permanently re- 
 sided there. These high-born Normans, who, I 
 believe, to this day boast of their having con- 
 quered England, were some of them queer- 
 looking people, but there were also many really 
 well born and highly connected families, among 
 them the De Saumarez, Le Marchants, &c., &c., 
 many of whom have done good service to their 
 country. Admiral De-Saumarez fought several
 
 156 MY LIFE. 
 
 battles with the French and maintained the 
 honour of the British flag. General Le Mar- 
 chant was killed at the battle of Salamanca in 
 which contest two of my brothers were engaged 
 gallantly leading on the British cavalry, which 
 broke through the French lines, and completed 
 the victory of that glorious day. Our brigade- 
 major, as I have said, lost his right arm in that 
 memorable action. 
 
 I was told a characteristic anecdote of the 
 Duke of Wellington, relating to a circumstance 
 which occurred that day. He was seated on a 
 small rising ground, watching the movements 
 of the enemy, with a little tin case by his side, 
 out of which he now and then drew a sandwich, 
 at the same time running his eye through his 
 glass along the whole French line opposed to 
 ours. The Duke had not long before sent down 
 an aide-de-camp with orders to move two regi- 
 ments from the position they occupied to another 
 on the field. This movement induced the 
 French general to make a change in his line, 
 which was, in fact, the very thing the Duke 
 wanted. Shutting up his glass, he exclaimed, 
 ** Now I have him !" Mounting his horse, fol-
 
 DECEIVED BI APPEARANCE. 157 
 
 lowed by his whole staff and escort, he galloped 
 down to the field below, gave his orders, and in 
 half an hour the French line was irretrievably 
 broken. 
 
 My friend and I were not often successful in 
 winging the woodcocks, but one day we did 
 bring home three brace, which much pleased my 
 General, for they were a great help to his table, 
 and he kept a good one, having generally two 
 large parties a week, and he told me I might go 
 out again whenever I heard of a flight. These 
 birds used to be attracted by the Gasgets lights, 
 against the glass of which they would fly, and 
 being killed by the shock, were picked up dead. 
 
 I have said that I drank very little wine, in- 
 stead of which I had a decanter of toast and 
 water by my side. An officer of the 79th, ob- 
 serving that I always filled my glass out of this 
 decanter, thought that it must be something of 
 a superior class of wine. When I asked him one 
 day which wine he would take, he said he pre- 
 ferred some from my bottle. I advised him not 
 to have it, but to take Madeira ; but he would 
 not be put off his scent. The canny Scot had his 
 glass filled, but had no sooner tasted its contents
 
 158 MY LIFE. 
 
 than he burst out with an ejaculation in broad 
 Scotch, "Watter, by Haven!" This brought 
 forth a roar of laughter from all who heard it. 
 And this reminds me of the story of Mr. Clerk, 
 a great Scotch pleader, afterwards Lord Eldin, 
 who, when arguing before the House of Lords on 
 a case of the right of the proprietor of a water 
 mill to the use of a certain stream, frequently 
 pronounced the word water " watter." 
 
 " Mr. Clerk," said the Lord Chancellor, " do 
 you spell water in your country with two Ts '?" 
 
 "Na, my Lord," quickly replied Mr. Clerk, 
 " we do not spell watter with twa tees, but we 
 do spell mainners with twa ennes !" 
 
 I have stated that the General was not on 
 very friendly terms with some of the high-born 
 " sixties ;" but the cause of the misunderstand- 
 ing never transpired, and T never inquired 
 about it. I thought it best not to do so, for I 
 knew he had one near him who would be sure 
 to convey to him all I said, a man who always 
 appeared to me extremely polite and attentive, 
 but who, I was perfectly aware, was a tale- 
 bearer, for I found that he watched my pro- 
 ceedings like a hawk. Whenever I went to an
 
 THE GENFRAL'S WINE-CELLAR. 159 
 
 evening-party without the General, he was 
 sure to be informed of it. Not that I cared 
 one jot whether he knew or not ; neither did I 
 ever disguise from him when and where I 
 went ; but he himself was so jealous of the 
 Guernsey people, and disliked them so much, 
 that he could not bear my visiting any of 
 them, friends or foes ; I certainly never mixed 
 with the latter, and I am sure he had no cause 
 to be offended. I never left him before nine 
 o'clock in the evening when by ourselves, 
 knowing well that he wished to be left alone at 
 that hour, previously, of course, asking him if 
 he had any further commands. When alone, 
 we sometimes dined in the aide-de-camp's room. 
 I was warned before I accepted the appoint- 
 ment to have nothing to do with the General's 
 wine-cellar ; but shortly after my arrival in the 
 island, he asked me if I would take charge of it, 
 and I did not like to refuse. He accordingly gave 
 me the keys, and we visited the cellar toge- 
 ther. When he showed me the bins, and the 
 different descriptions of wines in them, I found 
 them all in the most disorganized state, though 
 something had evidently been done towards
 
 160 MY LIFE. 
 
 putting them in order, a book in which there 
 were entries having been made. The General 
 kept muttering to himself about the cellar 
 being in a bad state, and asked me if I thought 
 I could manage to arrange it better for him. 
 " Yes, sir ; if you will allow me to have a man 
 from Mr. Dobre's wine-stores, 1 can easily put 
 the whole thing in order/' This was done on 
 the following day, and I had every bin marked 
 with the number of bottles in it, with the 
 names of each sort of wine claret, port, 
 sherry, burgundy, champagne of various kinds, 
 Madeira, &c. He had a great quantity of 
 claret of the finest quality, Chateau Margaux, 
 Lafitte, and others. All these were labelled in 
 
 . their respective bins, and I thought that 
 everything was put in apple-pie order. I used 
 to go down and superintend the taking out of 
 the wines for the General's parties (a list of 
 which he gave me), and his butler, an Italian, as 
 honest a fellow as any gentleman could desire 
 to have, always took up the wine. Things 
 went on very well for more than a year, when 
 one day the General asked me for the key of 
 
 his cellar, which I gave him, and he kept it for
 
 THE GENERAL'S WINE-CELLAR. 161 
 
 a fortnight, when he brought it back to me. 
 As I was going home one evening, Boscia (the 
 butler) followed me to the gate leading out of 
 the garden, with an excuse for so doing, but in 
 truth anxious to speak to me alone. Just as I 
 was about to descend the steps, he said, 
 " Pardon, Monsieur ; puis-je parler un instant 
 avec Monsieur?" He then told me in a low voice, 
 that the General had taken several bottles of 
 wine out, and had not entered them in the 
 book, a thing which he had done with another 
 officer who was not now with him. The fol- 
 lowing day my chief came again to ask me for 
 the key, and requested me to go with him to 
 the cellar, where he began looking at the bins, 
 and counting the bottles in one which contained 
 claret. Then, looking into the book, he turned 
 sharply round upon me, saying, 
 
 " You have not entered all the wine here," 
 putting his hand upon the page. 
 
 I quickly replied, " I have entered all that I 
 took out of your cellar," and I looked him full 
 in the face, when he walked out of the door, 
 locked it, and again gave me the key to keep. 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 162. MY LIFE. 
 
 " I wish, sir," I said, " you would keep it for 
 yourself." 
 
 " No, no," said he. 
 
 What he meant by this was a puzzle to me ; 
 but I soon came to the conclusion that it was 
 an attempt, on his part, to induce me to say 
 something which would lead to a misunder- 
 standing, and cause us to part ; and I subse- 
 quently found that I was not far wrong in my 
 conjecture. However, all passed off for a time, 
 and I heard no more about the wine. But I 
 wrote to an old friend and brother officer, 
 telling him what had occurred, and asking his 
 advice as to whether it would not be better for 
 me to resign my appointment. The answer 
 was that of a sincere friend, advising me to 
 do no such thing, to remain where I was till 
 the Governor should be relieved, which would 
 not be long. Of course, I said not a word of 
 this affair to anyone ; but I was on my guard 
 with a man with whom I found it so difficult to 
 act. I had been warned, however, of all this 
 previous to accepting my post, and I knew, 
 therefore, that I should receive very little 
 sympathy from anyone, seeing that I had
 
 VISIT TO JERSEY. 163 
 
 been strongly advised not to go on his 
 etaff. But I was like most young men of 
 the day (and, indeed, of the present time 
 especially), more inclined to act upon the sug- 
 gestions of my own judgment than on those 
 of older and wiser men than myself. My only 
 excuse was that I had been told by some 
 friends who knew both him and myself that I 
 might possibly get on with him. 
 
 A few days after this occurrence, the General 
 received an invitation from the Governor of 
 Jersey to go over to that island, and spend a 
 few days with him there an invitation which 
 he accepted, and made the necessary little 
 arrangements for our visit. The man-of-war 
 cutter which belonged to the station was or- 
 dered to be in readiness, and one forenoon we 
 embarked with a fair breeze for Jersey, where 
 we anchored about four o'clock, and were re- 
 ceived with all due honours, the castle saluting, 
 and the Governor's staff meeting us on landing 
 with the carriage to convey us to the house. 
 
 It being late, we at once dressed for dinner, 
 and at six o'clock the General and I descended 
 to the drawing-room, where we found a number 
 
 M 2
 
 164 MY LIFE. 
 
 of people invited to meet us, such as the High 
 Bailiff and other officials of the island. The 
 aide-de-camp came to inform us that the Gover- 
 nor himself, having been attacked by the gout, 
 would not be able to meet us in the drawing- 
 room. Dinner being announced, we entered 
 the dining-room, and found him seated at the 
 head of his table, where he gave us a hearty 
 welcome, and apologised for being unable to 
 meet us before. My General sat on his right, 
 and I was placed next to him. As my com- 
 manding officer took his seat, I heard a splash 
 under the table, and he instantly jumped up, 
 exclaiming, " Good gracious ! what is this ?" 
 The Governor, with much regret, explained that 
 he had had a tub of cold water, into which he 
 put his gouty foot to' ease the pain, and that he 
 was very sorry it should have been so placed 
 as to prove a trap to the General. The whole 
 thing was so perfectly ludicrous that it was 
 with the greatest difficulty we could all avoid 
 a burst of laughter. It was no laughing matter, 
 however, to the General, who had to leave the 
 table for his room in order to change his boots 
 and stockings.
 
 A RUN-AWAY HORSE. 165 
 
 The Governor of Jersey was one of the fat- 
 test men I had ever seen, his cheeks hanging 
 over his collar, as red as a cherry. 1 should 
 think he weighed nearly twenty stone. Neither 
 was his aide-de-camp one of the smallest of 
 men, for he weighed fully fourteen stone, whilst 
 the united weight of my General and myself 
 did not make twenty stone. 
 
 The next morning I was informed that we 
 were to visit the principal parts of the island 
 on horseback. The General was to ride a horse 
 of the Governor's, while one was provided for 
 me which, 1 was told, had run away with every- 
 one who mounted him, for no one could pull 
 him in when he got his head up. Being fore- 
 warned was being forearmed, so I went down 
 to the saddler's shop, and bought a running 
 martingale, through which I passed the snaffle 
 rein of my bridle, on which I had a twisted 
 snaffle bit sewed. Thus armed, I cared little 
 about the attempts of any horse to run away. 
 
 We started about noon, with a crowd of 
 people outside the gates to see us off . We took 
 our way towards Sir Hildegrove Turner's resi- 
 dence, and broke from a walk into a canter,
 
 1 66 MY LIFE. 
 
 from that to a gallop when on the sward. I 
 soon found that all I had been told regarding 
 the animal on which I was mounted was true* 
 I had enough to do to keep him in, but although 
 he made several attempts to bolt, I held him 
 fast. The General, being informed that the 
 horse he rode was an old hunter, soon let the 
 Governor's staff know that they had with them 
 now a faster equestrian than their own fat 
 master ; for perceiving Sir Hildegrove's house 
 on the right, about half a mile off, he turned his 
 steed's head towards the fence, and rode at it 
 clearing it beautifully. I followed, and found 
 my horse to be as good a jumper as his. Look- 
 ing round to see what had become of the stout 
 aide-de-camp, I saw that he and the rest were 
 " planted," with their eyes and mouths wide 
 open. In a few minutes we reached the house, to 
 find that Sir Hildegrove had gone to pay us a 
 visit, so we proceeded on our tour of inspection. 
 Having been joined by those whom we had 
 " planted " at the fences, we continued our ride, 
 and returned home between four and five 
 o'clock, and there found a party, which had
 
 ELIZABETH CASTLE. 1G7 
 
 been invited to meet us at dinner, consisting of 
 some officers from the garrison, and clergy of 
 the island, with the dean, &c., &c. We likewise 
 found a letter from Sir H. Turner, inviting us 
 to stay a day or two with him. 
 
 The next morning I was sent off with a note 
 to Sir H. T. to say that we should be with him 
 that evening at five o'clock. On returning to 
 breakfast, I heard we were to pay a visit to 
 Elizabeth Castle. I do not attempt to describe 
 that venerable fortress, on its stony foundation 
 in the sea, which defends the harbour of St. 
 Heliers, and which, with the island, has been 
 held by the crown of England since the time of 
 the Conquest. Jersey has been permitted, like 
 Guernsey, to be governed by its old ancient laws, 
 of which the islanders are very tenacious, proudly 
 resisting any attempt to change them. 
 
 I thought the butter and vegetables here as 
 good as in Guernsey, and there was as good a 
 market. The cider which we drank at the 
 Governor's house from champagne bottles, was 
 far superior to that of Guernsey. The Jersey 
 pears are too well known by every lover of 
 that juicy fruit, so delicious on a hot day, to
 
 168 MY LIFE. 
 
 require any description of mine. I had known 
 them from my childhood ; my grandfather, Lord 
 T., receiving every year large presents of these 
 fine pears when he was Governor of Jersey. I 
 have used the term " Governor," where, in fact, 
 I ought to have said Lieutenant-Governor, for 
 the Earl of Pembroke was Governor of Guern- 
 sey; but he did not reside on the island. The 
 office of Lieutenant-Governor is always held by 
 military men, who are in command of the 
 troops garrisoned in these islands. In Elizabeth 
 Castle, Clarendon was imprisoned, and there he 
 wrote part of his history. Prynne was confined, 
 too, in Orgueil Castle (and proudly it does look 
 out to sea) for four years, in a dungeon with 
 very little light a pen and paper, and his Bible, 
 and a space of only five feet to move about in. 
 Here, also, Charles II. secreted himself, and 
 escaped detection by Cromwell's troops. 
 
 After visiting the castle and the town we 
 took our departure for the residence of Sir 
 Hildegrove Turner, who sent his carriage for 
 us, and with him we remained for two days, 
 spending the most agreeable time, gaining 
 information, and seeing everything worthy of
 
 LA CHAPELLE DES PECHEURS. 169 
 
 inspection, and much there was to see in this 
 beautiful island. The old church, " La Chapelle 
 des Pecheurs," has a most curiously painted 
 ceiling. Figures representing Herod, the Virgin, 
 and the angel Gabriel, were most astonishing. 
 How many beautiful painted ceilings have I 
 eince seen in other lands ! The position of St. 
 Aubin's Fort and Castle, looking on the magni- 
 ficent Bay of St. Brelades, we greatly admired. 
 Our rides with Sir Hildegrove were delightful. 
 On one occasion, dismounting to open a gate 
 for him and the General, a task which was 
 difficult of accomplishment, requiring both 
 hands, I foolishly omitted to throw my bridle 
 over my arm ; but left it loose, and away bolted 
 my horse. The General looked angrily at me, 
 and muttered, " How stupid of him !" Fortu- 
 nately for me, a peasant, coming down the lane, 
 caught my horse and restored him, or I do not 
 know where he might have finished his gallop. 
 Sir Hildegrove's house was one of peculiar 
 construction, the bed-rooms and sitting-rooms 
 being all upon one floor, and no inhabitable 
 rooms above. The upper floor, as far as I 
 could perceive, was merely used for the purpose
 
 170 MY LIFE. 
 
 of stores. It appeared to ine to be a most com- 
 fortable residence, with good rooms and capital 
 offices ; kitchen-garden, scullery, coach-house, 
 dairy, all lying handy to each other, though the 
 dairy, coach-house, and stables were detached. 
 It was situated near a most charming bay, where 
 sailing vessels were constantly seen coming in, 
 and going out from St. Malo, and other places 
 on the French coast. There were no visitors to 
 meet us, of which I was very glad. Sir H. 
 Turner was attached to the Court, and only re- 
 sided in the island at certain periods of the 
 year. 
 
 We had beautiful fish, caught close to the 
 rocks. I seldom ate any of John Dory, as it 
 is called in England ; but this I know, that I 
 thought it was one of the best sea fish. At the 
 island of Sark, opposite to Guernsey, they are 
 found in great numbers; but, I understand, 
 are difficult to catch, and, I believe, they are 
 speared. I was also told that when they lie 
 near the surface of the water, close to the rocks, 
 they are shot ; but I never saw any taken in 
 this way, and, therefore, cannot vouch for the 
 truth of the statement, which I am rather
 
 A FABULOUS TALE. 171 
 
 inclined to think a fabulous tale, and for this 
 reason : that the water would break the force of 
 shot from a fowling-piece.
 
 172 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Fall from a Pony Perversity of Women A Veteran 
 Battalion Alarm of Fire Pleasure Excursion The 
 Seigneur of Sark Houpe Pass The Artilleryman's 
 Bull-Dogs Cromlechs The " Creux Terrible "Val- 
 ley of Singing Birds Perilous Position of a Vessel 
 A Female Smuggler saved from Death by Drowning. 
 
 WE left the island in the man-of-war cutter, 
 and returned to Guernsey with a fresh 
 and fair breeze, and were soon in our old quar- 
 ters. The General having nothing for us to do 
 after twelve o'clock the following day, I took a 
 ride to Fort St. George, to visit my friends quar- 
 tered there. After passing the main guard, 
 there is a movable bridge over a fosse, wide 
 enough for two horses drawing a cannon. A 
 horse unaccustomed to the hollow sound caused 
 by his hoofs passing over it, generally becomes 
 frightened, and the moment he places his fore- 
 feet upon it, turns round, and sometimes en- 
 tirely refuses to go over, but if one is gentle
 
 AN OBSTINATE PONY. 173 
 
 with a timorous animal, the difficulty is soon 
 overcome. Flogging only alarms him more, 
 and makes him so uneasy that he starts at 
 everything he sees. Hundreds of gentlemen's 
 horses have been thus spoiled by the ignorance 
 and stupidity of their grooms. I had broken in 
 both my horses to pass over this fosse, but I had 
 done so by gentle means. 
 
 On my arrival at the fort, I found four or five 
 officers assembled, watching the movements of 
 a young lieutenant of Artillery, who was en- 
 deavouring to force a small Welsh pony over 
 this bridge. Seeing me pass over so quietly, 
 they exclaimed, 
 
 "Here is Captain Loftus he will ride it over 
 for you." 
 
 Having inquired what was the matter, they 
 simply told the story that they could not get 
 the pony over. I dismounted, and taking the 
 pony, found the saddle very loose on his 
 back. I foolishly took no heed of the circum- 
 stance, and endeavoured to get him to face the 
 bridge, but he would not even look at it, and 
 turning sharply round, went down the hill to- 
 wards the officers' barracks as hard as he could
 
 174 MY LIFE. 
 
 gallop. The saddle slipped forward, of course, 
 on his back, and I had not the slightest power 
 over him. Just within twenty yards of the 
 iron railing in front of the mess-room, the 
 saddle turned, and down I went upon my head, 
 striking it against a stone. Fortunately the 
 cocked hat took off the force of the fall, but I 
 was nevertheless rendered nearly insensible and 
 speechless, and being picked up, I was carried 
 by my kind friends into the mess-room, and 
 laid upon the sofa. Two of the officers' wives, 
 who had witnessed the accident, came to offer 
 their assistance, and in a few minutes I was 
 restored to full consciousness ; but I felt that 
 my back pained me most dreadfully. The 
 curious part of the affair was that I heard every- 
 thing that was said around me, but could 
 neither speak nor move. In half an hour or so 
 I was able to remount my horse and return 
 home. I suffered pain in my back for some 
 days, but I said nothing to the General on the 
 subject, for I was sure that if I did so he would 
 begin to banter me about my equestrian per- 
 formance. However, it taught me a lesson 
 which I have never forgotten, and angry I felt 
 with myself that through my folly in riding
 
 A LIBEL ON THE LADIES. 175 
 
 with a loose girth I had been beaten by an 
 animal not much bigger than a Newfoundland 
 dog. It was, however, some satisfaction that 
 no other ever could take this little black Welsh 
 pony over that drawbridge. 
 
 The comparison of the pony to a Newfound- 
 land dog reminds me of a story told by a gen- 
 tleman well known in a sporting county in the 
 time of the Prince Regent, who had a somewhat 
 vivid imagination. His wife always vowed 
 that the following event, which he told at his 
 own table, was not true, but he prefaced it by 
 saying, 
 
 "If you wish that a lady should not do a 
 certain thing, tell her so, and she will be sure 
 to do it." 
 
 I have no doubt that I shall have a whole 
 phalanx of ray fair friends in battle array 
 against me for repeating so wicked an opinion. 
 The gentleman was leaving home for a few 
 days, and in joke he said to his wife at the 
 last minute, 
 
 " Good-bye, dear, now mind and do not ride 
 Carlo/' the big Newfoundland, her constant 
 companion. 
 
 She, after his departure, sauntering about
 
 176 MY LIFE. 
 
 alone, said to herself " How very odd it was of 
 him to say, * Don't ride Carlo/ How absurd ! 
 I declare I have a mind to try if I could. Here, 
 Carlo." 
 
 Carlo, a gentle creature, allowed her to mount 
 him, and presently off she fell, and put her 
 shoulder out. Servants came at her call, car- 
 ried her to her room, and sent for a surgeon. 
 In three days her husband, returning, entered 
 the hall, and, surprised that his wife did not 
 appear, he asked the butler, 
 
 " How is your mistress ?" 
 
 " Going on as well as can be expected, sir." 
 
 "What's the matter?" He rushed upstairs 
 and into his wife's room, saying, ' ' What is this, 
 rny love ?" 
 
 " It was very foolish of me, you know ; bat I 
 thought it so odd of you to tell me not to ride 
 upon Carlo's back, that I thought, for the fun 
 of it, I must try. And I fell off, and here I am !" 
 
 She declared there was no truth in this tale, 
 but that he had told it so often that he had 
 come to believe it true. 
 
 A few days after our return from Jersey, we 
 dined with Mr. and Mrs. C , who had arrived
 
 SALE OF A HORSE. 177 
 
 from England, and had hired a house belonging 
 to Mr. Dobree, called Beau Sejour, a well- 
 known spot in the island, situated near the 
 new ground. This gentleman, like many others 
 of his profession, had made a fortune as a Com- 
 missary General during the war in Spain and 
 Portugal, under Lord Wellington. He was a 
 jolly, good-natured man, well-known to the 
 General, kept a good table, and had a good 
 cellar of wine. Strange to say that my com- 
 manding officer, who was a person who had 
 lived in the best society, where politesse prevail- 
 ed, should seem to court the intimacy of this 
 gentleman ; but so it was a riddle, like many 
 other enigmas in human life, very difficult to 
 solve. This man had a daughter, a very tall 
 and enormously stout woman, whose husband, 
 a short, very thin man, was a marvellous con- 
 trast to her. 
 
 I bought a capital grey cob, with fine action, 
 but so skittish and uncertain that his master 
 was afraid to mount him, and so I got him for 
 twenty-five pounds. On going to London in 
 the following Spring, I sold him for fifty 
 guineas, having cured him of all his tricks. I 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 178 MY LIFE. 
 
 meant him as a gift to my father, who was still 
 a good horseman, though the grey was too 
 high-spirited for him. Lord Anglesey greatly 
 admired him, but for him he was not tall enough. 
 
 Soon after our visit to Jersey, orders were 
 received from the Horse Guards to send back 
 the 79th Highlanders to England, their place to 
 be supplied by a veteran battalion, several of 
 whom had been raised from pensioners and men 
 retired from the service, and a miserable substi- 
 tute they were for the fine body of men they 
 came to replace ; for I never saw a more scrubby- 
 looking lot than those who were sent to us, and 
 a long time elapsed before they were fit for in- 
 spection. What could be the object of bringing 
 these poor fellows forward again, I know not. 
 They had a worthy and excellent commanding- 
 officer, who did his best to bring them into 
 order and discipline, and in the course of a 
 month there was a great difference in their ap- 
 pearance on parade. 
 
 At this time, when there was little or nothing 
 doing in the island, I was alarmed one night by 
 a loud knocking at my door, to inform me that 
 part of the town was on fire. I instantly
 
 FIRE ON THE ISLAND. 179 
 
 jumped np and dressed, ran to the stables, sad- 
 dled one of my horses, and rode off to the bar- 
 racks to bring down the troops and a fire-en- 
 gine. I then returned to the Government House, 
 and told the General what had occurred. He 
 desired me to go to the scene of the fire, and 
 bring him every information I could obtain. I 
 had been there already on the way to the 
 Government House, and found that it was the 
 dean's residence, and another house joining his, 
 which were on fire. How it occurred, we knew 
 not, but I got some soldiers in, who saved the 
 furniture and family from harm. The dean's 
 daughters were greatly frightened. I got them 
 into a place of safety, and, on returning to re- 
 port, got a scolding from the General for being 
 so long absent. I explained to him that it was 
 impossible for me to leave the ladies in distress, 
 calling upon me to help them. I could not but 
 stay to assist them. 
 
 As I have mentioned, during my service in 
 Guernsey, visitors occasionally arrived in their 
 yachts from Southampton or Weymouth at 
 Government House. 1 was never sorry when 
 this occurred, for they not only relieved the 
 
 N2
 
 180 MY LIFE. 
 
 monotony of my life there, but, by putting the 
 General in better spirits, made him more inclined 
 to be amiable to everyone. On one occasion he 
 gave a dance, and among the young ladies who 
 were invited there was one who entered far 
 more deeply into my thoughts than I had at 
 that time anticipated. She was a handsome, 
 dark-haired young lady, and was what is gene- 
 rally called a brunette. She had most beautiful 
 black hair, which she evidently knew how to 
 dispose to the best advantage ; dark, soft eyes, 
 with long silken lashes ; very small hands and 
 feet, and a slight, but exquisitely-formed figure. 
 Always an admirer of the fair, it will be no mat- 
 ter of surprise that this fairy should attract my 
 attention, and that I had not forgotten my first 
 introduction to her. She had two sisters, both 
 very handsome, but neither of them equalled 
 their sister in loveliness, though they were all 
 three very agreeable girls. 
 
 One morning, at six o'clock, I received an 
 intimation from the General that he wished me 
 to get the Government six-oared boat in readi- 
 ness to take some ladies over to Sark that morn- 
 ing at nine o'clock, to show them the island,
 
 EXCURSION TO SARK. 181 
 
 and that his secretary's small cutter yacht was 
 to accompany us as a precaution, in case of bad 
 weather. Everything was arranged accordingly, 
 and on going to the General, I found some 
 ladies assembled in the drawing-room, and 
 among them the three young sisters whom I 
 
 have mentioned, with Lady S and her 
 
 daughter, the invitations of all of whom to this 
 excursion had been kept a dead secret by the 
 General, for reasons best known to himself. A 
 hamper of good things for our luncheon being 
 sent forward to the boat, and all being ready, 
 we started for the place of embarkation, whence 
 we shoved off, and steered away for the yacht, 
 which lay to, awaiting us. I deposited in it my fail- 
 charge, and returned to bring off the Lieutenant- 
 Governor, which accomplished, we set sail for 
 our destination. It was a fine morning for the 
 excursion, with a leading breeze, and little swell 
 on the water, which made the General neverthe- 
 less very uncomfortable. To avoid the dire 
 consequences, he requested that the boat should 
 be hauled up, that he might get into her, and be 
 towed astern, as he thought he should not feel 
 the boat's motion so much as that of the small
 
 182 MY LIFE. 
 
 yacht, an idea in which he was quite right. I 
 placed a couple of hands with him, one to steer, 
 and the other in case of emergencies, while I 
 remained with the ladies. The passage across 
 was most enjoyable ; the curious shapes of the 
 islands, some of their rocks covered with shells, 
 called forth much admiration, as well as the 
 perfect blue of the sea, and the lovely light-green 
 of the sky. 
 
 In little more than an hour we rounded to, 
 for the purpose of landing at Bicar, a very 
 rough and dangerous place of disembarkation, 
 conducting, by a steep ascent, into Sark. Each 
 lady was placed in the care of a sailor, who was 
 to precede her and take her hand, pulling her 
 after him up the pass. I had been a sailor my- 
 self, and, being very active in those days, under- 
 took the charge of conducting in safety the fair 
 brunette, who did not refuse my assistance. No 
 one of the party expressed any wish to be 
 drawn up by ropes over the rocks near the 
 
 Bicar Pass, as some preferred. I left Lady S 
 
 and her daughter to the polite attentions of the 
 Governor and his secretary. After some severe 
 stumbling and scrambling, we all reached the
 
 THE SEIGNEUR OF SARK. 183 
 
 dwelling at Voroke, at the top of the most 
 dangerous pass. 
 
 The General's first intention was to pay his 
 respects to the Seigneur, or hereditary Lord of 
 Sark, who was a clergyman, and at the same 
 time colonel of militia of the island, as I have 
 already mentioned ; but he, hearing that the 
 Governor of Guernsey had arrived, came to 
 meet him, and invited us all to his comfortable 
 dwelling for most comfortable it appeared to 
 me, with its garden, his Alderney cows, sheep, 
 poultry, &c., all around him. It seemed the 
 abode of peace, and I exclaimed to my com- 
 panion, " How happy could I be here !" and she, 
 smiling, replied, " So could 1 1" and the sisters 
 assented. 
 
 I had seen but little of these ladies until this 
 day, and I found them most agreeable, well- 
 informed, and ladylike, which was not surpris- 
 ing, as they were both well-born and highly 
 connected. As we had a plentifully prepared 
 repast with us, for ourselves, the General pro- 
 posed to the hospitable Seigneur that he should 
 join our picnic party, after we had seen some 
 of the extraordinary beauties of this island; for
 
 184 MY LIFE. 
 
 I have known men who have travelled far and 
 wide, men of intellect and research, who have 
 said that some parts of Sark astonished them 
 more by its marvellous contrasts, its bold and 
 romantic aspects, in so limited a space, than 
 any spot they had seen before. 
 
 Having fixed upon the ground where we 
 should meet at three o'clock, the General, who 
 knew the island, joined the Seigneur and Lady 
 
 S , and they strolled off together, leaving 
 
 Miss S and the young ladies to rny care, 
 
 accompanied, as a guide, by the artilleryman, 
 a fine tall Yorkshireman, who knew every nook 
 of the island. Very soon we came upon some 
 cannon placed at a point opposite St. Malo, on 
 the French coast. One of the ladies asked, 
 " What is the use of those cannon on that 
 bare rock?" 
 
 " Ah ! Madame," said the artilleryman, " those 
 are ray bull-dogs. I point them against those 
 French rascals over there/' pointing to St. 
 Malo. 
 
 Our- first visit was to the " Houpee Pass/' 
 which is wonderfully narrow, three or four hun- 
 dred feet above the level of the sea, between
 
 THE HOUPEE PASS. 185 
 
 huge and grotesque rocks, in and out of which 
 you wind your way, looking down on one side 
 over the perpendicular height, consisting entire- 
 ly of huge rocks, to the sea ; on the other a 
 strange contrast is a beautiful slope covered 
 with numberless wild flowers of various hues, 
 with varieties of furze and fern of every tint 
 white, grey, rose, lavender, pink, and black. 
 The air, too, was exceedingly pure. It was a most 
 lovely, and at the same time an almost terrific, 
 scene. Our feeling of interest was heightened 
 by our guide's story of a man who was given 
 to hard drinking boasting that he knew the 
 pass so well he could walk it in safety whether 
 tipsy or sober. He made the rash attempt 
 when drunk, and fell down the perpendicular 
 side into the sea. This pass is thought to have 
 been caused by some great convulsion of Nature, 
 which almost cut the island in twain, leaving 
 the path so narrow that one person cannot 
 pass another on it. The peasants here cut the 
 furze for their fires, and bear the bundles 
 through the devious pass on their backs.- The 
 horses also tread it, and then eat it a circum- 
 stance which reminded me of what I saw, when
 
 186 MY LIFE. 
 
 iu Portugal, during the war, the German dra- 
 goons in our service smashing the sharp points 
 of the furze between stones, providing their 
 horses with a kind of food of which they seemed 
 very fond, and an officer assured me that their 
 coats always looked well when they could get 
 enough of it. This is the most barren part of 
 the island, which is only three miles round, and 
 shaped like a whale's back. Nothing else but 
 the closest, barest herbage for some sheep, 
 grows on this part of it. In a storm they take 
 shelter under a Druid's altar, or under cromlechs, 
 very curious flat rocks, raised on rough stones, 
 covered with a light green weed, from which is 
 produced a beautiful scarlet dye, worth three 
 shillings a pound and more. 
 
 As we stood wondering how these huge 
 cromlechs were raised on that height, I could 
 not help exclaiming, " And here, among all 
 these wondrous works of the great Creator, 
 the poor Druids raised their temples to their 
 gods !" a remark which appeared to touch my 
 friends very much, and I caught a glance of the 
 eyes of the brunette which told me that my 
 thoughts were also hers. As we returned
 
 LOVELY VALLEY. 187 
 
 through the floupee, the long shadows began 
 to deepen. The rocks were so high in some 
 places, that they changed the aspect of the 
 scene, producing new phases of beauty. 
 My friends were all greatly struck with the 
 grandeur of the scenery so much so that my 
 fair brunette was evidently overcome with 
 emotion, and could not repress her feelings. 
 I could not help taking her hand to show her 
 that I fully sympathised with her in her deep 
 admiration of this glorious scene. As she 
 looked up in my face, her beautiful eyes suf- 
 fused with soft tears, I thought to myself, 
 " This girl has some heart," and I felt Cupid's 
 dart in ray own. 
 
 We returned to our guide's cottage, where we 
 drank some water and ate a crust of bread, 
 which he offered to the ladies while they rested, 
 after which we started afresh for the other end 
 of the island, a great contrast to the first. Here 
 was the lovely valley Descarte, wooded to the 
 summits, on all sides clothed with sweet-scent- 
 ed thyme, and the delicate sea pink beneath 
 your feet. Rocks of every size and dimension, 
 were scattered on all sides. Peasant women,
 
 188 MY LIFE. 
 
 in bright-coloured aprons, diversified the scene 
 as they sat at their cabin-doors, or drew water 
 from the picturesque wells constructed of stones 
 artistically joined together. We soon caine to 
 a wild scene, the " Creux Terrible," standing on 
 a prominent point of rocks, covered with low 
 herbage. You look down through a cavern, 
 open at the base, to the sea a perpendicular 
 height of three hundred feet, the distant open- 
 ing appearing like a speck of light as seen 
 from your height. The roar of the waves as 
 they rush into this cavern is astounding, if you 
 turn your ear to the edge of the "Creux Terrible." 
 We retraced our steps, and came through the 
 sweet valley d'Abbord, where there are so many 
 songsters that Inglis, in his work on the 
 Channel Islands, calls it the " Valley of the 
 Singing Birds," and we saw Descarte's pretty, 
 quiet church. As we neared the spot where we 
 had agreed to meet for our picnic, my brunette 
 and I somehow, picking this tempting flower 
 or that pretty fern, loitered rather behind the 
 rest of the party. I observed her sisters look- 
 ing round to see if we were coming. I thought 
 that we both seemed inclined to be alone as
 
 A PICNIC. 189 
 
 long as \ve could, to give expression to those 
 congenial feelings which we both experienced. 
 
 I said to her, " I hope that you have passed 
 a happy day, for I have T' 
 
 " Oh, indeed, indeed," she said, " I have !" 
 
 " And I hope," I added, " that you will not 
 forget it or " and I stopped looked at her, 
 " or your companion " 
 
 " No, no, never !" said she. 
 
 We now joined our friends. We had brought 
 no servants with us, but the coxswain of the boat 
 and one of the men soon laid out our repast on the 
 sweet-scented carpet provided by Dame Na- 
 ture. The Governor deputed me to arrange 
 the wine for the repast al fresco, for which, in- 
 deed, our long rambles, and the sea air, of whose 
 high purity we were fully sensible, had tho- 
 roughly prepared us ; for it seems that, in love 
 or war, eat we must. 
 
 The General was very attentive to Lady and 
 
 Miss S , making up for my deficiencies in that 
 
 quarter. Having talked over and exhausted the 
 subject of all we had seen, as well as the good 
 cheer which the General had provided for all 
 the party, after drinking to the health of the
 
 190 MY LIFE. 
 
 Seigneur, to whose house the ladies repaired 
 for coffee, we started for the Bicar Pass and 
 regained our boats. The evening was delight- 
 ful, the sail back was charming as we watched 
 the long, grey, deepening shadows among 
 the rocks (many covered with minute but 
 most perfect shells) of the islands of Herm, Bree- 
 now, Curveshon. A light, steady breeze and 
 smooth water took us back under two hours' 
 time. We landed at St. Pierre Port, having 
 thoroughly enjoyed our day's excursion. We 
 separated on the steps of Government House, 
 and I, at least, fek sorry to part with my 
 engaging companions. 
 
 The beginning of November in that year 
 brought the General and myself into better 
 odour with the inhabitants in this part of His 
 Majesty's dominions, but, more especially, with 
 the boatmen and fishermen of the island. 
 
 It had been blowing a heavy gale from the 
 north-west for two days, the sea breaking on 
 the rocks and shore with terrific violence. A 
 vessel had been observed to windward, appar- 
 ently trying to round a reef of rocks stretching 
 out some distance into the sea. It was late in
 
 A VESSEL IN DISTRESS. 191 
 
 the evening when the perilous position of this 
 vessel was observed by one of the small farmers, 
 living in the vicinity of these rocks a man who 
 belonged to the General's guard of Militia 
 Dragoons, a body of men who resided near the 
 coast, and had orders that, whenever they ob- 
 served any vessel in difficulty or danger, they 
 were forthwith to come to the Government House 
 and give information. They were a very steady 
 body of men, generally farming their own land ; 
 but, I believe, they have long since been dis- 
 banded. Although when I was on the staff, 
 they formed part of the militia force of the 
 island. 
 
 About eight o'clock in the evening, I re- 
 ceived an order from the General to repair 
 to the Government House immediately, to 
 have my horses saddled, to take my servant 
 with me, but not to go in uniform. On inquir- 
 ing the meaning of this order, I was informed 
 that a vessel was in distress, and that the 
 General was going off instantly to the coast. 
 Of course, I quickly obeyed the summons, 
 giving orders to my servant to follow me. At 
 the gate of Government House were the
 
 192 MY LIFE. 
 
 General's horses and his groom ready mounted, 
 with the dragoon waiting, and a man whom I 
 did not know. In a few minutes we were on 
 our way, the dragoon leading, and half an 
 hour's ride brought us to the spot from which 
 the vessel had been last observed. Although it 
 was not yet dark, we could not distinguish 
 anything far from the shore, and were unable 
 to catch sight of the ship. However, we di- 
 rected our course down to the bay, which, it was 
 supposed, she was trying to enter and lo ! 
 there she was, drifting into the breakers to her 
 certain destruction, about half a mile to wind- 
 ward. She had lost one half of her mast, 
 and with a small sail set to the stump was 
 trying to weather the rock under her lee. 
 I saw in a moment that she was doomed, 
 unless she could clear the rock upon which she 
 was drifting. Half a mile further on, there was 
 a little cove, into which, if she could happily 
 be got, there might be some chance of saving 
 the lives of those on board of her. 
 
 Arriving at the bottom of this bay, we dis- 
 covered a fisherman's hut, which seemed to be 
 protected from every wind. Its owner was gaz-
 
 A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING. 193 
 
 ing at the unfortunate vessel in the distant 
 gloom, and agreed with us that there was little 
 chance of her weathering the rock. I proposed 
 that we should launch his boat, a strong, 
 heavy, four-oared craft, a very useful boat for 
 the purpose of fishing, which was lying on the 
 beach, with the hope of being able to render 
 some aid to the unfortunate seamen on board. 
 He shook his head, saying " That is impos- 
 sible, sir." I remarked that we could at least 
 launch the boat, and try to do something, to 
 which he agreed. When I told the General 
 what had passed between me and the fisher- 
 man, he instantly dismounted, leaving our 
 horses to the care of the grooms, and with the 
 dragoon, went to the boat, which was hauled 
 up, clear of the surf. The fisherman having 
 examined her to see if the plug was safe, we 
 proceeded to launch her. All lending a willing 
 hand, we endeavoured to force her through the 
 sand into the water nearest to the spot where 
 we thought the doomed vessel was likely 
 to strike the rock. The sea was rolling in 
 upon the shore with great force, and it looked 
 a perilous undertaking. 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 194 MY LIFE. 
 
 The General whispered to me, "Will the 
 boat live through this surf, Loftus ?" 
 
 " I doubt it, sir," I said ; " but we will try. 
 If you, sir, and the dragoon, who is a boatman 
 as well as a soldier, will get into her as soon as 
 she strikes the water, and give way with the 
 oars, we will do our best." I shipped the 
 rudder and put in the tiller. The vessel was 
 now within a hundred yards of the rock. 
 
 " Now or never," cried I " one, two, 
 three," and we shoved the boat into the water 
 with such vigour that, when the boatman and I 
 sprang in, the water was up to our waists. 
 Seizing an oar, I gave way, calling out to my 
 companions to do the same. The boatman had 
 charge of the tiller, as he knew best how to 
 steer her. I hoped, by a vigorous and united 
 effort, to get clear of the breakers ; but, alas ! 
 no such good fortune attended us. A heavy, 
 rolling wave struck the boat on the larboard 
 bow, and half filled her with water; then 
 she capsized, and sent us flying among 
 the breakers like so many half-drowned rats. 
 We hauled up the boat, and endeavoured to
 
 RESCUE OF A WOMAN. 195 
 
 right her ; but it was of no use she was stove. 
 Our attention was now attracted by the 
 sound of voices from the rock. The vessel 
 had struck, and turned completely over. On 
 the rock we could distinguish some figures, 
 whom we endeavoured to reach by walking 
 along the ledge. Meanwhile, a body, strugg- 
 ling in the water, came floating past us. 
 The boatman, a good swimmer, rushed in and 
 got hold of it, and the General and I assisting 
 him, we were successful in bringing the nearly 
 drowned person ashore, and found that we had 
 rescued a woman. We carried her into the 
 fisherman's hut, where, fortunately, his wife had 
 a fire burning in her little grate. The poor 
 half-drowned woman was now quite insensible ; 
 but, having seen many people in that state, 
 when nearly drowned, I proposed to the good 
 woman of the hut to roll her on the floor, which 
 we did, and the water came rushing out of 
 her mouth in large quantities. I then asked 
 for hot water, and filled four or five bottles, 
 which I placed, with the rescued woman, at her 
 feet and sides, in the old fisherwoman's bed, in 
 a small room next to that in which we were, 
 
 o2
 
 196 MY LIFE. 
 
 her wet garments having been previously re- 
 moved by the kind creature who was assisting, 
 although she had a great dread of being left 
 alone even for a moment with the sufferer. The 
 husband, producing a bottle of rum, made a stiff 
 glass of grog, which we endeavoured to get 
 down the throat of the poor creature, and then 
 we once more started off to the beach to see 
 what was going on there, promising to return 
 in a short time. 
 
 The vessel had now gone to pieces, but no- 
 thing could be seen of any human being. The 
 gale was still blowing, but the tide was falling, 
 and the sea broke with less violence on the 
 shore. On our return to the hut we found that 
 animation had been restored by the exertions of 
 the fisherman and his wife, and we despatched 
 the dragoon to bring out a medical man, which 
 he did in about an hour and a half. We now 
 learned that the fisherman's wife, in taking off 
 the clothes from the poor woman, had discovered, 
 bound around her body, folds upon folds of silk of 
 a rich brown colour, and, curiously enough, the 
 inner folds were quite dry. As soon as she was 
 able to speak, we gleaned from her that the
 
 LOSS OF LIFE. 197 
 
 vessel was on her way to Southampton, with 
 a crew of four men and eleven female passen- 
 gers, not to speak of several small French cows. 
 All these women, she informed us, were carrying 
 French silks and lace to England, as she her- 
 self had often done, for silk- merchants at St. 
 Malo. There were sixteen cows on board. 
 These, too, were all drowned. Finding that 
 the poor woman was doing well under the 
 good care of the kind people of the hut, who 
 promised still to see after her, we rode back as 
 fast as we could to keep ourselves warm, and 
 to change our clothes, leaving the boatman to 
 watch, and render any assistance which might 
 yet be required. The General kindly sent over 
 to my lodgings some hot soup, with which, 
 and a good warming-pan in my bed, I soon 
 fell asleep ; but Morpheus did not hold me long, 
 for I soon awoke, with dreams of the sea, and 
 the unfortunate people of the vessel. 
 
 I rose early next morning, and gallop- 
 ed off to the bay. The wind had gone down, 
 but still there was much surf breaking on 
 that fatal rock. The bodies of four women, 
 one man, and a boy, a part of that unfor-
 
 198 MY LIFE. 
 
 timate crew, were found. The waters bad 
 swallowed the rest, arid their place knew 
 them no more. I rode sadly to the hut, and 
 saw the poor woman, of whom her kind hosts 
 had taken great care, so that she had wonder- 
 fully recovered. She was a Norman, and spoke 
 English badly, but she was very grateful. 
 
 When she had quite recovered her strength 
 we sent her back to St. Malo. This untoward 
 event opened the eyes of many people who 
 were accustomed to purchase so-called Alderney, 
 Jersey, and Guernsey cows. We afterwards 
 saw an advertisement in a paper, to the effect 
 that certain Jersey and Alderuey cows were to 
 be sold by auction at Southampton on their 
 arrival, and no doubt these poor drowned cows 
 were to have been the subjects of some such 
 sale. The General afterwards sent me to Lon- 
 don with despatches, in which he gave the 
 Government information of the smuggling 
 transactions revealed in such an unfortunate way. 
 Such an event raised quite an emotion in our 
 small community. Many were the calls of in- 
 quiry at the Government House ; we were made
 
 POPULARITY OF THE GOVERNOR. 199 
 
 heroes at the time, and in truth the Governor 
 was much elevated in the estimation of the 
 people.
 
 200 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Going to a Party Ladies' Cloaks Awkward Accident 
 New Year's Reception at Government House Death 
 of George III. The Minute Guns Disturbances in 
 the North Luddites The Thistlewood Conspiracy 
 The Brunette Unexpected Revelation Disagreeable 
 Interview Threatened Duel Satisfactory Issue 
 Temporary Farewell to Elise. 
 
 TIME did not stand still in these islands any 
 more than it does anywhere else. Christ- 
 mas came, and with it its peculiar festivities. 
 My brother officer, the brigade-major, who had 
 a good house at Hauteville, gave a little dance 
 to all the young people of his acquaintance, 
 which his amiable and pretty wife arranged to 
 perfection. It was a curious thing to see how 
 ladies and gentlemen went out to parties in this 
 island at that period. Very few carriages were 
 kept, but they appeared in the drawing-rooms 
 in as apple-pie order as if conveyed there in 
 carriages, for they pattered along the streets in
 
 GOING TO A PARTY. 201 
 
 old-fashioned pattens, in which they might be 
 heard a long way off, an old servant with a 
 horn lantern to show the way walking before 
 them, reminding one much of the old London 
 watchman. The town was ill-lighted with 
 whale-oil, burning in lamps hung upon ropes 
 across the streets; such as I saw in those of 
 Versailles, so far back as the Winter of 1845, 
 which I passed there. 
 
 We had a very pleasant party at Mrs. P 's, 
 
 plenty of dancing and plenty of flirting. 1 
 think that I was the youngest officer there. 
 There were officers of the Artillery and the 
 Engineers, and the Commandant of the Vete- 
 rans, with his officers, some of whom, of course, 
 were not very young. Every one seemed well 
 pleased, and I not the least so, for here I met 
 my companions of Sark. We danced together, 
 and I returned home with them, having the 
 pleasure of helping them to don their cloaks in 
 the hall, a garment which is worth describing. 
 It is generally made of black silk, wadded, and 
 covered all the dress of the ladies who wore it ; 
 to the neck, in order to avoid crushing the head- 
 dress, is fastened a light hood, made with wires
 
 202 MY LIFE. 
 
 or split canes, covered with black silk, which 
 you can pull forward, or throw back, as required, 
 and tied under the chin with a long loop from 
 the front, by which, in case of a high wind, to 
 hold it down in fact, exactly the same hood 
 as that worn by our grandmothers in their noc- 
 turnal visits. Thus equipped, we started on 
 our return, our merry voices and laughter keep- 
 ing up a running accompaniment with the clat- 
 ter of the pattens. 
 
 On the first day of the new year there was a 
 grand morning reception at Government House, 
 which was attended by the High Bailiff, some 
 members of the Royal Court, one or two bring- 
 ing their wives and daughters, the Procureur- 
 General, with his wife, and two amiable daugh- 
 ters. I am sorry to remember that, dining with 
 them a few days after, I had the misfortune, 
 while sitting next to one of them, whom I found 
 very agreeable, to upset a whole plate of soup 
 into her lap, spoiling, by this awkward feat, a 
 lovely blue silk dress, very becoming to her fair 
 self. I was shocked and horrified. The Gene- 
 ral looked daggers at me, which did not mend 
 the matter, while the sweet victim herself be-
 
 DEATH OF GEORGE III. 203 
 
 haved in the most amiable and ladylike manner. 
 Of course my duty next day prompted me to 
 purchase a silk of the same colour and quality, 
 costing me four guineas, which I presented to 
 her myself. Although she remonstrated \vith 
 me for thinking of doing such a thing, I saw she 
 was pleased. Nor do I imagine I lost anything 
 in her estimation, or in that of her good mother. 
 
 On the first of February, 1820, the packet 
 brought the news of the death of our good old 
 king, George III. The following day, at noon, 
 the General came to inform me that I must go to 
 Fort St. George with an order to fire the minute 
 guns. Taking from his pocket a gold minute- 
 hand watch, and giving it to me, he said, 
 
 " You will time the fire of these guns your- 
 self, sir, by this minute-hand ; they were so 
 badly fired last time that I desire that you will 
 see it done properly yourself." 
 
 Here was a dilemma ; but I immediately rode 
 off to the fort, thinking as I went along how I 
 could communicate this order without hurting 
 the feelings of the officer in command of the 
 Royal Artillery, whom I found with the gun- 
 ners, preparing to fire the minute guns from
 
 204 MY LIFE. 
 
 the battery. I was fortunate in the conception 
 of a little plan by which I could at once comply 
 with my orders, and yet not offend the old 
 
 officer in command. Riding up to Major M , 
 
 I said, " The General has sent me with this 
 watch, sir, thinking that it may be a guide to 
 you in firing the minute guns, unless you have 
 a minute-hand watch of your own, sir," I said. 
 The major seemed much pleased with the Gene- 
 ral's attention, while I dismounted, and hold- 
 ing the watch in my hand, gave him the word 
 to fire, and no one was the wiser. On my re- 
 turn, the General praised me " for having done 
 it so well." 
 
 The " last occasion " of firing the minute 
 guns, to which the General had alluded, was at 
 the death of H. R. H. the Duke of Kent, who 
 died on the 23rd of January, followed by his 
 royal father on the 29th of the same month, in 
 the year 1820. 
 
 The death of the King, of course, created 
 many changes in the various departments of 
 the State ; but, some time before his demise, 
 many of these changes were anticipated. 
 Things had not been going on altogether
 
 EIOTS AT BIRMINGHAM. 205 
 
 quietly in England, or agreeably to those in 
 office. In the north there had been serious 
 riots, and some blood had been shed before 
 they could be quelled. A party, calling them- 
 selves " Luddites," had been creating much dis- 
 turbance, fostered, I am sorry to say, by those 
 who ought to have known better, but who, to 
 accomplish their purpose of upsetting the Tory 
 administration, never stuck at trifles, and were 
 often guilty of doing the meanest things to 
 carry their point. 
 
 Serious riots being apprehended at Birming- 
 ham, the Government had adopted ample mea- 
 sures to prevent the consequences which might 
 follow a meeting addressed by such a man as 
 Mr. Hunt. However, in spite of all, a large 
 assembly of people mustered in the market- 
 place at Birmingham, and Mr. Hunt ascended 
 the platform erected for the purpose, and began 
 to harangue them. As far as my memory 
 serves me, the 15th Hussars and some troops 
 of Yeomanry cavalry moved forward to disperse 
 the mob, and to capture Mr. Hunt, the orator. 
 News reached us in Guernsey of this affair. The 
 mob violently attacked the military with stones
 
 206 MY 
 
 and other missiles, and several soldiers were 
 severely wounded and lacerated with glass 
 bottles. They, in their turn, retaliated upon 
 the mob, who got more than they bargained 
 for. 
 
 All this, of course, created a great commotion 
 in London, whither I was sent in February by 
 my General, with private letters to the Horse 
 Guards. As I knew I was to remain a week 
 or more in town, on my arrival there, after de- 
 livering my despatches, I went to see my old 
 friends at the Tower, where I was sure to get 
 a hearty welcome and good quarters. 
 
 I did not pay much attention to politics in 
 those days, but all things that took place made 
 an impression upon my mind. Two or three 
 days after my arrival in town, an event took 
 place which startled all from their slumbers. 
 The ministerial dinner, which always takes 
 place previous to the assembling of Parliament, 
 was to be held at Lord Harrowby's, in St. 
 James's Square. There was in those days a 
 secret police, who knew everything and every- 
 body, and obtained information for the Govern- 
 ment of anything going on, or likely to take
 
 THISTLEWOOD'S CONSPIRACY. 207 
 
 place. They were a most praiseworthy and 
 excellent body of men. The military did all 
 the duty that the police perform now, and 
 where force was required, the soldiers were 
 called upon to act. Previous to this meeting 
 of the ministers, there had been a conspiracy of 
 the most vile character on foot for some time, 
 which was known only to the secret police and 
 to the authorities. A man of the name of 
 Thistlewood, a revolutionary demagogue, with 
 several others whose names I have forgotten, 
 had been in the habit of meeting two or three 
 times a week, and consulting together as to the 
 best means of murdering the ministers, attack- 
 ing the palace, and setting fire to London. All 
 this was known to the police, and means were 
 taken to apprehend the whole of this venomous 
 body. 
 
 They were allowed to assemble in a hay-loft 
 in Cato Street, and a picket of the Coldstream 
 Guards, of a hundred men, commanded by Cap- 
 tain Fitz-Clarence, marched out from the bar- 
 racks, and proceeded, under the direction of the 
 police officers, to the place where this meeting 
 was to be held. So well and so secretly was the
 
 208 MY LIFE. 
 
 whole thing done, that they arrived at the ap- 
 pointed place without giving any alarm, dis- 
 tributed the men round the building, while 
 Captain Fitz-Clarence, the sergeant, and a few 
 policemen ascended a ladder and entered into 
 the loft where all the worthies were sitting, 
 much to the astonishment of the leader of the 
 gang and his coadjutors, all of whom were 
 armed. Several shots were fired, and a 
 policeman was shot dead by one of the assassins. 
 Captain Fitz-Clarence had a personal encounter 
 with one of the conspirators, whom he secured, 
 while a third was run through the body by the 
 sergeant. The rest jumped out of the window 
 on to a sloping roof which led into the lane, 
 thus fairly leaping into the arms of the soldiers, 
 who were ready to receive them. I can't tell 
 how many were captured, but I remember the 
 sensation created in the Tower that afternoon 
 when Thistlewood and some of his gang were 
 brought there as prisoners. Everyone in Lon- 
 don was astounded when information of this 
 plot was communicated to the public. It 
 appears that the gang had planned to assemble 
 together and knock at Lord Harrowby's door,
 
 EXECUTION OF THISTLEWOOD. 209 
 
 when he and the other ministers were at dinner, 
 then to rush in armed with stilettoes and knives 
 and assassinate the whole body. Such an event 
 shows how serious was. the aspect of matters 
 when I arrived in London. 
 
 My friend the Governor, who had many of 
 these affairs to manage, took his pinch of snuff 
 and walked up and down his room, giving his 
 orders in a very cool and determined manner. 
 Thistlewood, the leader, was confined over the 
 Traitor's Gate, and, as is well known, was 
 afterwards hanged, his head was cut off, and 
 the executioner, holding it up, calling out with 
 stentorian lungs, " This is the head of a traitor." 
 All this seemed to make a vast impression on 
 the populace. Some old women screamed and 
 fainted. I wondered why they went at all ; 
 but no scene of this kind ever takes place with- 
 out the presence of a number of the fair sex to 
 witness its horrors. 
 
 The time that I was to remain in London 
 having expired, I took the coach down to 
 Southampton, where I found the Starling cutter 
 waiting to take me back to Guernsey. We 
 sailed late that night, but the breeze being 
 
 VOL. I. P
 
 210 MY LIFE. 
 
 fresh, and blowing in our favour, I found myself 
 at eight o'clock in my lodging opposite the 
 Governor's house. Next morning, having made 
 myself comfortable, I put on my uniform, and 
 proceeded to report my arrival to the General. 
 Everything passed off well, and in the after- 
 noon we took a ride together and visited the 
 gardens belonging a to the Government House, 
 though two miles away from it. They once 
 belonged to the ancient castle still standing 
 in them, but in ruins, which in former days, 
 with its keep and a chapel, surrounded by a 
 moat, was a refuge for the inhabitants when the 
 island was infested by pirates. 
 
 On our return we passed along the Grange 
 Hoad, which was the fashionable walk of the 
 place, where I perceived my three young 
 friends, who were taking their afternoon saunter. 
 They seemed much pleased at seeing me, and I 
 thought they appeared to wish to speak to me 
 unseen by the General, an impression which I 
 subsequently found to be correct. 
 
 A few days afterwards we received an invita- 
 tion to a party at a gentleman's house at Haute- 
 ville. The General was determined to go to
 
 UNPLEASANT AFFAIR. 211 
 
 this house, and here we met the same party 
 who had accompanied us to the island of Sark, 
 but with the exception of the fair brunette. It 
 was a dull and stupid affair, and I had to play 
 
 the fool with Miss S , to keep my chief in 
 
 good humour. But I had another game in 
 hand, which I wished to play out that evening, 
 and I found it difficult to do so. This was to as- 
 certain the cause of the absence of the only one 
 in whom I felt an interest. ' When the supper 
 was announced, I found the wished-for oppor- 
 tunity, and offered my arm to the eldest sister, 
 from whom I heard, to my deep regret, that 
 something unpleasant had occurred at home, 
 of which they wished to tell me. It appeared 
 that, after I had left the island, it was reported 
 that I had thrown up my staff appointment, and 
 had left the General in disgust. This had given 
 them much pain, although, seeing my horses 
 exercising, they could not believe the story ; 
 besides, they thought that I should have taken 
 a farewell leave of them. As she said this, she 
 looked very earnestly at me, saying pointedly 
 that there was at least one " who expected it of 
 me." This I well understood. I said, " Of
 
 212 MY LIFE. 
 
 course I should have done so." And we came 
 to an understanding. 
 
 The brunette was prevented coming out that 
 evening by her old guardian friend, who had 
 lived with them since their father's death 
 (their mother being dead many years before) 
 that she might not meet me. 
 
 " Not meet me ?" I exclaimed. 
 
 " Yes, not meet you you are the cause of 
 the whole disturbance." 
 
 " What disturbance ?" I inquired. 
 
 She then proposed that, as people were close 
 abound us at the table, we should return to the 
 other room, which we did. Taking quiet seats 
 in one of the windows, she continued 
 
 " After you left for England, my sister became 
 nervous and anxious, and this was so apparent 
 to us all that we were desired to discover the 
 cause ; and I should tell you that some time 
 since a gentleman of large fortune in England, 
 though double her age, and more (she being 
 only eighteen and he more than fifty), had 
 taken so deep an interest in her that he had 
 begged of her guardian to be allowed to pay 
 his suit to her, offering to settle his property
 
 EMBARRASSING EXPLANATION. 213 
 
 upon her. This was a great consideration 
 with her, we being poor ; and she hoped that 
 in time my sister would give way to the wishes 
 of her family. But we discovered that this had 
 now become impossible, after she had become 
 acquainted with you, and particularly so after 
 our pleasant day at Sark. Evidently, something 
 must have passed between you there, making 
 an insuperable bar to the rich bachelor's hopes " 
 (looking me pointedly in the face as she said 
 this). 
 
 I must confess that I felt very awkward at 
 this explanation, for, although I had admired, 
 and said some very tender things to my beauti- 
 ful brunette, no doubt leading her, poor girl ! 
 to think that I was deeply attached to her, no- 
 thing definite had passed between us. However, 
 as these were her feelings towards me, however 
 unwittingly called forth at the time Oh, ye 
 young men, at balls or picnics, beware how, by 
 breathing soft " nothings," as you think them, 
 into youthful beauty's ear, ye break the trusting 
 hearts of Cupid's votaries ! 
 
 Knowing now that I stood in the way of her 
 making a match, so eligible for her future com-
 
 214 MY LIFE. 
 
 fort, I felt bound in honour to see her, and 
 therefore \ve agreed that the next evening her 
 sisters would accompany her soon after nine 
 o'clock to their garden gate, where I would 
 meet them, after I had left the General for the 
 night. 
 
 Having made this arrangement, by which she 
 seemed greatly relieved, I begged her to con- 
 vey my kindest wishes to her sister, beseeching 
 her not to be unhappy. We now thought it 
 best to join the company, who were listening to a 
 pretty girl singing Italian music beautifully, and 
 I, too, was requested to favour them with a song. 
 The General, coming up at the time, said, " Oh, 
 yes, he'll sing an Irish melody for you ;" and I 
 sang " If all those endearing young charms ;" 
 and as I sang, the eyes of the two sisters were 
 fixed upon me. 
 
 Soon after, my chief and I returned home. I 
 cannot say that I passed a tranquil night. After 
 the unexpected revelation to which I had been 
 listening, my mind was so perplexed, and I felt, 
 at the same time, so vexed ; with myself at being 
 the cause of pain to so sweet a girl, that I rose 
 at my usual hour, having had no rest from
 
 PRIVATE MEETING. 215 
 
 sleep, and repaired to my morning duties. The 
 day wore on, and the appointed hour of rendez- 
 vous having arrived, I repaired to the garden- 
 gate, and there I stopped to listen for approach- 
 ing voices or footsteps ; but all was still. In a 
 few moments, however, I heard the sound of 
 some one raising the latch of the garden-gate 
 or wooden door, rather and bending forward, 
 a small head appeared, looking down the road. 
 Guessing this must be one of my friends, I ad- 
 vanced, and in an instant was within the door. 
 It was the eldest sister who had come to meet 
 me. She whispered, " Speak low. I will show 
 you where they are ;" and, turning to a walk on 
 the right, I was in the presence of her sisters, 
 in a spot quite secluded from the house., but 
 whence they could retreat unperceived, and 
 from which I could gain ready egress also. 
 After a few minutes, her sisters left me alone 
 with my fair friend, and went to walk at a 
 little distance from us. Of course, the meeting 
 was as embarrassing to me as to herself. I ex- 
 pressed how deeply I regretted having been 
 the cause of so much unhappiness to her. 
 
 " Oh," she said, " it was all my fault, and not
 
 216 MY LIFE. 
 
 yours. But I could not make up my mind to 
 let things pass without a full and clear expla- 
 nation with you. If I am wrong in all I have 
 done, I think you will be generous enough to 
 forgive me ; and I think I can trust to your 
 honour not to reveal to a soul all that has 
 passed. For if my guardian, or one of my 
 family, of whom I am more afraid than of any- 
 one, were to know of this clandestine meeting, 
 I do not know what would be the consequence 
 to you or myself." 
 
 It was a lovely calm evening, the moonlight, 
 in the heaven above us, was still clear enough 
 for me to see every change in the beautiful face 
 of her who stood near me. Taking her hand, I 
 assured her that I had nothing to forgive on 
 her part, but myself I could not so easily ex- 
 onerate from blame, particularly as I felt that I 
 stood in the way of one who had the means of 
 making her happy and I had none, nothing 
 but my profession and my sword to depend 
 upon. 
 
 "Oh! do not speak of it! do not speak of 
 such a thing !" 
 
 As she said this, the tears trickled down her
 
 EMBARRASSING AFFAIRE DE COEUR. 217 
 
 fair face, and I could stand it no more. Taking 
 her hand in mine, I gently drew her towards 
 me, and with all the ardour and chivalry of 
 youth in my breast, poured into her ear the 
 truth that she had nothing to fear from me, 
 that she might rely implicitly on my love and 
 affection, and upon my honour to keep her 
 secret. 
 
 " It is enough," she exclaimed. " Oh ! yes, 
 I am happy I" And as I pressed her head on 
 my shoulder, I imprinted the first fond kiss of 
 love on her lips. 
 
 The next minute the sisters came hurrying 
 back, to say we must part. " The bell has rung 
 for supper, we must go." And we parted, saying 
 they would let me know when Elise and I could 
 meet again. I could only hope that her heart 
 was more at rest, as truly mine was that night. 
 
 However, I could not but turn over in my 
 mind this sudden and unexpected affaire de cceur, 
 which had in so short a time come to a crisis, 
 and which would be likely to create embarrass- 
 ment, for I was well aware of my dear father's 
 objection to the early marriages of young men 
 without good prospects, and here were few on
 
 218 MY LIFE. 
 
 either side. But what could I do ? And I thought 
 over the words of the song which I had heard 
 Brahara sing not long before : 
 
 " Is there a heart that never loved, 
 
 Or felt soft woman's sigh? 
 Is there a man can mark unmoved, 
 
 Dear woman's tearful eye ? 
 If so, bear him to some distant shore, 
 
 Or solitary cell, 
 Where none but savage monsters roar, 
 
 Where love ne'er deigns to dwell." 
 
 Wrapped in such thoughts as these, Morpheus 
 came to my aid, and I awoke in the morning, 
 scarcely knowing if I were still in a garden of 
 roses, where I had met such sweet flowers, or 
 fixed on the horns of an embarrassing dilemma. 
 Nevertheless I ate my breakfast, despite of 
 Cupid's darts, visited my stable to see after my 
 horses, and joined my chief, in his usual morn- 
 ing costume of dressing-gown and slippers of 
 red morocco, standing with folded arms as 
 usual, like Napoleon. He began talking of 
 being probably obliged to go to England ere 
 long, as the coronation of the King would soon 
 take place. 
 
 " But to-morrow's mail may bring us some in- 
 telligence."
 
 UNEXPECTED VISITOR. 
 
 Yes, to-morrow's mail did come, and brought 
 with it that which gave me something to think 
 about. I was fastening on my sash to attend 
 the General, when I saw a little boy run up to 
 the door with a note for me, which was from 
 my young friend, to put me on my guard, and 
 to be cautious, if anyone called upon me, of 
 saying that we had met in the garden. 
 
 I heard nothing more that day, and the mail 
 had come in ere I rose the next morning, but it 
 brought me no letters. The following morning, 
 as I was leaving my room, ready to attend at the 
 Government House, I saw a well-dressed person 
 pass my window, and come to the front door, 
 at which he knocked, and I heard him ask if 
 Captain Loftus was at home, and he sent in his 
 card, and requested to see me. The card bore the 
 name of him of whom my brunette had warned 
 me that she was afraid, and he had no doubt ar- 
 rived by the mail, and her note had forewarned 
 me that he might call. He was ushered in, and 
 bowed stiffly but politely to me, a salutation 
 which of course I returned. He was a hand- 
 some, well-made young man, about five feet 
 nine inches in height, of very gentlemanly ap-
 
 220 MY LIFE. 
 
 pearance. He fixed his dark, scrutinizing eyes 
 keenly upon me, and said, 
 
 " I have called, sir, to speak to you upon a 
 subject which has given my family and myself 
 much concern. I believe, sir, you know my 
 name, and who I am ?" 
 
 " I do so, sir, by your card," I replied. 
 
 " I believe, sir, you are acquainted with my 
 i-elations the Miss V s ?" 
 
 " I am so, sir." 
 
 "Now, sir, I request you to inform me, at 
 once, whether you have been holding a corre- 
 spondence with Miss E. V ." 
 
 " Humph !" I said to myself, but he heard 
 it, and seeing me so cool, while he was in the 
 most violent rage, he doubled his fist, and 
 brought it down with a crash upon the table, 
 exclaiming, 
 
 " By heaven, sir, you shall answer me !" 
 
 Being attacked in this sharp and unexpected 
 manner brought the blood of the Plantagenets 
 into my veins. I had not refused to answer 
 him, but to be bullied into an answer I would 
 not submit or to betray one who had put such 
 trust in me, let the consequences be what they 
 might.
 
 VIOLENT SCENE. 221 
 
 I brought down my hand on the table with 
 equal force to his own, and said, " I will give 
 you no reply to such a question, sir, put to me 
 in such a manner." 
 
 *' Then, sir, you shall hear more from me/' 
 and looking furiously at me, he walked from 
 the room, banging the door after him. 
 
 " Well," thinks I, " here's a pretty go !" To 
 add to my dilemma, my time was up for my 
 appearance as aide-de-camp it was past nine 
 o'clock. Taking up my cocked hat, I speedily 
 gained my room, but fortunately the General 
 had not come in, and I was alone. I stood 
 upon thorns all that day, and was none the 
 better because I had nothing to do that morn- 
 ing. At three o'clock it was arranged that we 
 were to ride to a farm to look at two cows that 
 were to be sent over to the King. 
 
 At twelve o'clock I went to my room, and 
 watched from my window the road from the 
 home of my friends leading to the town. In a 
 little while I beheld one of the three walking 
 very quickly towards my lodgings ; she passed 
 my windows, and we made a sign to each 
 other to meet farther down the road. I gave
 
 222 MY LIFE. 
 
 her five minutes' law, and then followed. She 
 had taken the turn towards Elizabeth College, 
 and I joined her at a point where we could re- 
 main unobserved. I told her what had hap- 
 pened ; she returned, " I know it all ; he is 
 furious, and poor Elise is crying her heart out, 
 he vowing that she shall marry her old admirer, 
 and threatening vengeance against you ; and 
 she vowing that she will not give in to his 
 wishes. We all thought it best that I should 
 come out and try to see you, and fortunately I 
 have succeeded, for H is so very hot-head- 
 ed that we are all afraid of what he may do, 
 and we do beg of you that, if he takes the mad 
 step, which he threatens to do, of calling you 
 out, we do hope that you will take no notice of 
 it." 
 
 I replied, " You may be sure that I will do 
 him no harm, whatever happens." 
 
 I sent every kind wish to her sisters, and 
 agreed, if possible, to meet them all the next 
 evening at six o'clock in a romantic spot, called 
 " Water Lane," not far from the town, but 
 where H was not likely to be. My diffi- 
 culty lay in perhaps not being able to get away
 
 THREATENED DUEL. 223 
 
 from my attendance on the General. Three 
 o'clock arrived, and I set off to the farm, and 
 we bought both the cows we went to see. 
 Meanwhile, I must not forget to say that I sent 
 off my servant with a letter to my friend at the 
 barracks, begging him to come down and see 
 me at ten o'clock. On his arrival, we sat down 
 over a bottle of Burgundy, to see if the little 
 wreathed god of wine could help me out of the 
 scrape into which Cupid had got me. Having 
 told him what had passed, he highly approved 
 of all that I had done, which was some satisfac- 
 tion to me. I could not in honour have done 
 otherwise. We then agreed, to save time, that, 
 if this fiery young man should persist in what 
 he had threatened, I should refer his second 
 to my friend, and he kindly offered to act 
 for me. He was much amused at the note I 
 had sent asking him to come that night, for I 
 had said, " Pray don't fail me, for there's the 
 devil to pay, and no pitch hot !" 
 
 The next morning it was, indeed, all pitch 
 hot, for it brought an emissary to my door re- 
 questing an interview. Descending to my sit- 
 ting-room, I there met a middle-aged gentle-
 
 224 MY LIFE. 
 
 man, whom I did not know, but thought I had 
 seen somewhere. He came to say " that, as I 
 had refused to give any explanation to the 
 gentleman who had called upon me on the pre- 
 vious day, that I must meet him at six o'clock 
 on the following morning, to give him that 
 satisfaction which he demanded as a right for 
 the insult I had offered him." 
 
 I replied, " Very well, sir ; but allow me to 
 say one word before you go. I have offered 
 your friend no insult. He comes to me in an 
 excited state, because a young lady refuses to 
 marry an old man, and he thinks that I stand 
 in her light as the obstacle to his wishes, and 
 therefore he wants to shoot me to clear the 
 way. How well this will all look to the public, 
 will it not?" 
 
 He shrugged his shoulders, and looked at me 
 earnestly. 
 
 " It is very true, sir, all that you say. I wish 
 he were as cool-headed as you are." 
 
 *' Ah, sir," said I, " he has quite forgotten 
 that she may prefer a young man to an old 
 one in fact, sir, I do not find fault with her I 
 think her a most charming young lady."
 
 ARRANGEMENT FOR A DUEL. 225 
 
 He rubbed his chin with a smile on his face, 
 and looked at me in the most good-humoured 
 manner. 1 saw at once that I had gained an 
 ally. He muttered to himself, loud enough for 
 me to hear, "It is a foolish business it will 
 never do." 
 
 " Now, sir," said I, " as I am to have my 
 brains blown out to-morrow morning at six 
 
 o'clock, I beg to refer you to Captain B , at 
 
 the barracks, for all necessary arrangements. 
 Perhaps you will also ask your friend to bring 
 a pair of good pistols, for I have none none 
 that will do for such a purpose ; and as you are 
 going to the barracks, perhaps you will take a 
 few lines I will write, if you will kindly sit 
 down." 
 
 My note, soon written, requested my friend 
 to come to me at five o'clock, telling him who 
 the bearer was, and that, if I were not at home, 
 he was to wait for me. Mr. D and I part- 
 ed, he shaking me warmly by the hand. 
 
 I passed the morning in no pleasant mood, 
 which was rendered worse by the fact that my 
 commandant was not in the best of humours. 
 I did not know how things might have gone 
 
 VOL. I. Q
 
 226 M-X LIFE. 
 
 off with him at La Key, and felt for him. Does 
 not the great poet say that "one touch of feel- 
 ing makes all the world akin ?" 
 
 Towards noon the General informed me 
 " that he should go to inspect the veterans in 
 the Bay, at ball practice, and requested me to 
 have my horse accoutred, and two dragoons to 
 accompany us." Here was another contre- 
 temps. " Bullet practice," thought I. " I am 
 likely to have enough of that soon. I might 
 perhaps as well take a shot or two myself, to 
 get my hand in ; at the same time that my 
 friends are cooling themselves in Water Lane." 
 
 At the ball practice I fortunately met my 
 
 friend B , and asked him to ride to my fair 
 
 friends and say I was engaged with the Gene- 
 ral, but not to say a word of the pending 
 affair, which was such an anxiety to me. Soon 
 after nine o'clock, B met me at my apart- 
 ments, and told me he had been to Water 
 Lane, but fruitlessly no one had appeared. 
 This gave me much concern, as I feared there 
 was more trouble for my friends in the wind, 
 and it doubled my anxiety. But he had had an 
 interview with the gentleman who had delivered
 
 PREPARATIONS FOR A DUEL. 227 
 
 my note to him, and every arrangement had 
 been made for the following morning. They 
 had both agreed that it was a most foolish 
 business, but neither seemed to think that my 
 hasty opponent would change his resolve. My 
 friend left me, agreeing to be at my rooms at 
 half-past five in the morning. 
 
 I then sat down and wrote a long letter to 
 my dear father, telling him all that had passed, 
 and what might come of the dire rencontre of 
 the ensuing day, but that I had made up my 
 mind not to endanger the life of my antagonist. 
 Having done this, and directed my letter to 
 
 the care of my friend B , to be delivered in 
 
 oase of the worst, and writing a few directions 
 for the disposal of my horses, and little personal 
 property, I made out a cheque for fifty pounds, 
 to pay my debts, and went upstairs to my bed, 
 committing my cause and myself to the care of 
 that Great Being who had protected me on the 
 stormy sea and amid the cannon's roar, and up 
 to that hour and strange to say I slept 
 soundly till five o'clock in the morning, when I 
 arose and took some pains with ray dress, as it 
 is said people do when they are going to be 
 
 Q2
 
 228 MY LIFE. 
 
 hanged. People also say they do the same 
 when they are going to be married. 
 
 B arrived punctually to his time. We 
 
 took a cup of coffee together, and went to the 
 place of meeting a mile away. Turning the 
 corner which led into the field, I perceived my 
 opponent and his second coming down the 
 other turn of the road. Both parties halted. 
 My antagonist stood for a few minutes talking 
 Avith his friend. They both evidently were 
 talking very earnestly. At last the principal 
 quitted his second, and advancing rapidly 
 towards me, held out his hand, and taking mine, 
 walked on with me at a quick pace. I observed 
 
 B turn and look at us with the utmost 
 
 astonishment. Stopping out of hearing, the 
 gentleman said 
 
 " I am satisfied, and I confess I have been 
 hasty." 
 
 I said, " Never mind, sir, think no more of 
 it. As long as you are satisfied, I assure you 
 that I am." 
 
 "You have acted rightly," said he, "and 
 have betrayed no one ; and I trust that we shall 
 be friends."
 
 CONDUCT OF MY ADVERSARY. 229 
 
 I said that nothing would gratify me more. 
 And then I asked for her who had been the 
 cause of this threatened affair of honour. He 
 told me that she had been very unwell, for of 
 course all that had been passing had been very 
 trying to her, particularly with regard to the 
 old friend living with the sisters. 
 
 I asked if he thought I might see her ? He 
 could give me no reply as to whether that would 
 be allowed, but he assured me that he should in- 
 terfere no farther in the matter, that we must 
 fight our own way, that he was leaving that 
 morning at ten o'clock for England. 
 
 We now called to his friend, and I beckoned 
 
 to B to join us also. We all shook hands, 
 
 my ci-devant enemy saying "that everything 
 was satisfactorily arranged," and we parted. 
 
 My feelings on my return to my rooms were 
 a great contrast to those with which I had left 
 them. I ordered breakfast for B and my- 
 self the relief to our minds, and our early 
 walk, had given us an appetite. The coffee, 
 eggs, and broiled ham quickly disappeared. I 
 had to be with my governor at half-past ten at 
 Fort St. George, mounted and caparisoned for
 
 230 MY LIFE. 
 
 a Thursday's parade "not a ball practice," I 
 thought, with gratitude that was over for that 
 day. 
 
 After this rather painful event, I felt a 
 great wish for a little quiet thought, and was 
 not disappointed in my desire, for I heard 
 nothing for two days of iny particular friends. 
 At the same time this of itself was a cause of 
 anxiety, because I knew not what was taking 
 place, and was afraid to inquire at the house, 
 for fear of bringing a more strict surveillance 
 over Elise after the hints I had received from 
 
 Mr. H . However, I was not longer kept 
 
 in doubt. Whilst at breakfast, I observed a 
 little boy the same who brought me my first 
 note run past the window, tap at the door, 
 deliver something, and then run off as fast 
 as he could. This was a note, telling me 
 that they were all anxious to see me, and ap- 
 pointing a meeting at the farm in Water Lane 
 that afternoon. It all depended if I should be 
 out with the General or not. It so happened 
 that that very afternoon the General and I took 
 a round, and came home by Water Lane to look 
 at a cow of which he had heard at the farm.
 
 MEETING WITH ELISE. 231 
 
 This Water Lane is a most charming spot, sur- 
 rounded with orchards cherry-trees, pear-trees, 
 &c. The farm-house is a square building, of only 
 a lower and upper floor, with good out-buildings 
 for a dairy-farm. We were in a field adjoining 
 the road, looking at the cow, when I saw my 
 friends coming along past the gate. The Gene- 
 ral, too, saw them. 
 
 " Oh I" said he, " there are your friends. Go 
 and ask them to come and look at the cow." 
 
 I obeyed gladly this behest. "Fortune 
 favours the brave," said I to myself. "Was 
 there ever such luck !" Delivering my message, 
 and saying a few words of greeting, we all 
 turned into the field, where the General was 
 most polite to them, as he always was to all 
 ladies. I dismounted, and while he descanted 
 on the beauties of his cow, I stole off with Elise 
 to look at another. She was charmed at our 
 meeting, which I told her was quite by chance, 
 though I had received her note, having had no 
 idea which way we should ride. We talked to- 
 gether over what had passed, and she seemed 
 perfectly aware of it all. They had been 
 most unhappy at the violence of Mr. H , and
 
 232 MY LIFE. 
 
 at the conduct of their old dowager, who was 
 still resolved that she should, if possible, marry 
 her ancient admirer, but that she had made up 
 her mind never to do. Of course I said every- 
 thing that I could to soothe and comfort her, 
 and she was comforted. " As long as she could 
 look up to me, she cared for nothing else," she 
 said. And they were going to England before 
 long. I told her that I expected that we like- 
 wise should be going to London, and I begged 
 her to let me hear at my father's house when 
 they should arrive. Having arranged this, we 
 rejoined her sisters. They walked part of the 
 way home by the side of our horses, till near 
 the town, when we parted. This was the last 
 that I saw of them before we left for England. 
 We took one lingering look in each other's face, 
 and with a warm grasp of the hands, which 
 speaks so much, we rode slowly home.
 
 233 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Return to England Preparations for the Coronation of 
 George IV. Queen Caroline How the Times did 
 Business The Old Charlies Night Amusements 
 The Coronation The Queen's Attempt to enter 
 Westminster Hall The Champion's Challenge 
 Popular Feeling The Guards insulted by the Mob 
 Riding at Norfolk Fences Raynham Troop of 
 Yeomanry Purchase of a, Horse A Yeoman of the 
 Old Style. 
 
 I HAVE mentioned in a former part of this 
 narrative, relating to my stay in Guernsey, 
 that I had received information from a friend 
 that my General would be replaced by some 
 other officer ere long. I was perfectly aware 
 that he was not fond of the Guernsey people, 
 and likewise knew that they were not fond of 
 him, therefore I was not surprised when I learnt 
 that we were ere long likely to be removed. 
 The death of King George III. made everyone 
 begin to think of the crowning of George IV., 
 and my General being one of the Equerries of
 
 234 MY LIFE. 
 
 His Majesty, be would most likely be compelled 
 to be present on the occasion. 
 
 The Spring of the year came on, and I 
 found myself, with the General, once more en 
 route for England. I had been told that it might 
 possibly happen that we should not return, so 
 I had packed up all my things, sold one of my 
 horses, and taken my handsome little bay with 
 me to England. On arriving in London I 
 found everyone preparing for the approaching 
 coronation, which, as is generally known, took 
 place on "the 19th July, 1821. One thing 
 seemed to create great excitement, namely, the 
 return of the Princess of Wales, now Queen 
 Caroline, who had been residing abroad for 
 many years, and of whom grave things were 
 said in general conversation, all of which are 
 well-known in history. 
 
 The populace took up the part of the Queen, 
 as did also some among the higher class. The 
 excitement throughout England was great. 
 Meetings were held at various large towns, and 
 people were talked into believing that she was 
 the most innocent and persecuted woman in the 
 world. I used to hear all the pros and cons of 
 the question, but I took my father's good advice,
 
 CONVERSATION ABOUT QUEEN CAROLINE. 235 
 
 and never gave an opinion. I also observed 
 that the General was equally silent. The talk, 
 however, in London, especially among the ladies, 
 was something wonderful. Occasionally some 
 of them would say to me, 
 
 *' Well, what does your General think of all 
 this?" 
 
 " The General," I replied, " never speaks 
 about it." 
 
 "That's impossible, for he, being about the 
 Court, must know something." 
 
 "Ah!" replied I, "the General is a discreet 
 man." 
 
 " And so his aide-de-camp seems to be/' re- 
 marked they ; and we all laughed. 
 
 " Well," said I, " you had better look at the 
 Times that will give you all the information 
 you require. It is the leading journal of the 
 world." 
 
 The Times, my readers must understand, had 
 taken up the cause of the Queen. Speaking 
 of the Times newspaper, and its great influence 
 everywhere, I must relate a little anecdote con- 
 nected with it which happened to me many 
 years after the period of which I have been 
 speaking. I was on my return from Italy, at
 
 23 1) MY LIFE. 
 
 the latter end of January, and I arrived late at 
 Boulogne from Paris, just in time to catch the 
 steamboat bound for Folkestone. It was blow- 
 ing fresh, with the wind in our teeth, sleet, 
 snow, and rain all coming down at intervals. 
 We did not arrive in port until late, and find- 
 ing that I should gain nothing by going on to 
 London that night, I resolved to take up 
 my quarters in a small comfortable hotel 
 which had just been opened. I had taken my 
 place in the coffee-room near the fire, and had 
 ordered my dinner, when in walked a tall, hand- 
 some, well-dressed man, whom I recognised as 
 a fellow-passenger in the steamer. He rang the 
 bell, and then seated himself in a chair near me. 
 The bell being answered by the waiter, the 
 gentleman turned round and said, 
 
 " Send the Queen of the Belgians here to me 
 directly." 
 
 During the absence of the waiter, the stranger 
 addressed a few words to me, to the effect that 
 he thought this a more comfortable place than 
 we had had on the deck of the steamer, to 
 which of course I agreed. A person entering 
 the room, I looked round to see who it was,
 
 HOW THE " TIMES " DID BUSINESS. 237 
 
 and recognised the captain of the steamer, the 
 Queen of the Belgians, which had brought us 
 over that afternoon. 
 
 " Get up steam immediately, sir, for Bou- 
 logne," said the stranger. 
 
 ** Ay, ay, sir," said the captain, with a polite 
 bow, and retired. 
 
 " That is the way," said my companion, "we 
 do business for the Times. You might have ob- 
 served a large vessel lying outside as we came 
 out of the harbour at Boulogne." 
 
 "I did," said I. 
 
 " Well, that is the Herald's boat, waiting for 
 the Indian mail, and news of consequence is 
 expected ; but I mean to have mine reported in 
 the Times before she gets hers." 
 
 So many years have elapsed since all these 
 events took place, that I am sure my readers 
 will forgive me if I am not always exact in my 
 dates, but, as far as memory serves me, I will 
 endeavour to be exact in such events as came 
 under my own observation. I know it used to 
 be very unpleasant to be out late in the streets 
 at night, for we had no well organized police 
 force in those days, as we have at present. The
 
 238 MY LIFE. 
 
 public peace was very indifferently maintained 
 by the Charlies, with their big watch-coats, and 
 lanterns, and rattles; and they were of very 
 little use if a row took place. 
 
 Coming home one night from the club, I ob- 
 served two or three young gentlemen walking 
 up Bond Street, talking and laughing, having 
 evidently been to the Opera or to some dinner- 
 party, for they were all dressed in evening cos- 
 tume. A Charlie whom they passed, called out, 
 " Past twelve o'clock, and a cloudy morning I" 
 when up went his lantern spinning into the air, 
 and away started the party of merry young 
 fellows. "Wiz! wiz! wiz !" went the rattle; 
 while old Charlie cried out, " Stop him ! that's 
 him with the cocked hat on." The springing of 
 the rattle had brought several of these guard- 
 ians of the peace towards the spot, but these 
 young gents were not to be taken so easily. 
 One of the old fellows, endeavouring to stop 
 one of the runaways, was tripped up by another, 
 and came down with his lantern rattling on the 
 pavement. 
 
 While greatly amused at the scene, I was 
 afraid lest I might tie taken up as one of the
 
 LONDON CHARLIES. 239 
 
 delinquents. The old Charlie who had lost his 
 lantern was grumbling most vociferously about 
 these young sparks, and wished he could catch 
 hold of one of them. 
 
 " I think," says he, " that I know one of them 
 young chaps he is Lord So-and-so, who lives 
 at Portman Square. I have seen him before." 
 
 Such things were by no means unfrequent in 
 those days, but, upon the whole, I think the 
 Charlies got the best of it, for, though they 
 were played upon by the more youthful and 
 active portion of the population, they were 
 often handsomely remunerated for the amuse- 
 ment they afiorded. 
 
 As the time drew near for the coronation, 
 great excitement prevailed throughout London. 
 The General still retained his appointment 
 under the King, and was constantly called upon 
 to attend His Majesty at the palace, and he 
 made liberal use of my services during my stay 
 in London. My father had arrived in town 
 from his country-house. The reduction which 
 had occurred in the Guards, and, indeed, 
 throughout the Army generally, had placed me 
 on half pay, but I was in hope of returning to
 
 240 MY LIFE. 
 
 active service whenever an opportunity occur- 
 red, and my friends in the regiment wished much 
 to have me back again. 
 
 The day at last arrived for the grand event 
 of the coronation, and I went in my uniform to 
 attend upon the General, as he had requested, 
 but as 1 had little or nothing to do, I saw all 
 that was going on. My brother Ferrers, who 
 was in the Grenadier Guards, had a more active 
 part to play. I did not get into the interior of 
 Westminster Hall, and so saw nothing of the 
 splendid spectacle there, but I saw all the grand 
 procession and the entrance of His Majesty into 
 the Abbey. I likewise witnessed the arrival of 
 Her Majesty the Queen, who, driving up to the 
 entrance of the Hall, demanded admittance, and 
 as nearly as possible succeeded in getting in. 
 She had a sad party of persons of revolutionary 
 principles about her, who, from a violent spirit 
 of opposition, were determined, if possible, to 
 create a disturbance. They had resolved to 
 place her in the procession into the Abbey, but 
 they were fortunately late in arriving, for the 
 procession had commenced to move. As 
 rumours were abroad that the Queen intended
 
 QUEEN CAROLINE. 241 
 
 to force her way in, strict orders had been given 
 that no one was to be allowed to enter except 
 by special permission, and a guard was placed, 
 with orders to prevent the ingress of anyone 
 who should attempt to disobey that order. The 
 special police and soldiers of the Grenadier 
 Guards, with two officers, one of whom was my 
 brother, were placed there to support the civil 
 power. Another account I heard was that 
 some one went to the door and quietly tried, 
 under some subterfuge, to cause it to be 
 opened, but the cheering of the populace was 
 heard by those inside, and this put them on 
 their guard. The mob, however, according to 
 this statement, 'rushed up the steps to the door 
 when the Queen came to demand admittance, 
 but my brother and another officer with some 
 soldiers, placed themselves across it to prevent 
 its being forced in. 
 
 I saw the carriage going away with the 
 Queen in it. She looked deadly pale, and her 
 countenance bore every mark of sadness, disap- 
 pointment, and vexation. She was surrounded 
 by an enormous mob of " roughs " who followed 
 
 VOL. I. R
 
 242 MY LIFE. 
 
 her carriage, shouting vociferously, " Queen, 
 Queen for ever !" 
 
 That sad business over, I went to try if I 
 could, by any means, get into the Abbey, but it 
 was useless, for i had no ticket. For the Hall 
 I had one ; and there I saw, what, as a lover of 
 horses and horsemanship, gave me far more 
 delight than anything, namely, the beautiful 
 riding of the champion an office, as it is well 
 known, which belongs to the Dymoke family. 
 It was buzzed about in the hall, however, that 
 the champion, on this occasion, was Sir Horace 
 Seymour of the Life Guards, but I do not think 
 so, for he was a larger man than the champion 
 Dymoke, who rode, on this memorable occasion, 
 on a magnificent charger with superb action, 
 and caparisoned quite in the olden style, his 
 rider clad in beautiful inlaid armour. 
 
 As the trumpets sounded the arrival of the 
 champion of England, and he rode up the Hall 
 on his prancing .steed, it was a fine sight. 
 When in a graceful manner he halted, threw his 
 gauntlet on the ground as a challenge to any 
 man to dispute the right of the newly-crowned 
 king, he was greeted with immense applause, in
 
 CORONATION OF GEORGE IV. 243 
 
 which I heartily joined. No one, of course, 
 picked up that gauntlet no one answered that 
 challenge. The whole affair was a mere 
 splendid formality. 
 
 It would have been difficult to find anyone in 
 England disposed to dispute the rights of the 
 Sovereign, so unanimous and hearty seemed the 
 voice of the people in his favour, and he was 
 himself evidently moved by the enthusiasm 
 which he could not but be conscious prevailed 
 around him. At the conclusion of the imposing 
 ceremony the champion gracefully backed his 
 beautiful charger out of the Hall as nobly as he 
 had entered it. He had trained him superbly 
 in the performance of his part, and it was not 
 the least imposing one. 
 
 When his royal brothers gave the King their 
 congratulatory kiss of fealty on his cheek, there 
 was affection evidently combined with loyalty 
 in the manner in which they performed this 
 act. The natural feeling with which the King 
 and the Duke of York pressed each other warmly 
 to the heart, excited the sympathy and admira- 
 tion of all. The king was evidently very much 
 touched by the reception he met with, and His 
 
 R2
 
 244 MY LIFE. 
 
 Majesty's subjects were convinced that in the 
 nearest of kin to the throne there lay the near- 
 est affection. And so thought no less an ob- 
 server than Sir Walter Scott. 
 
 When the grand pageant was brought to an 
 end, I got away in the crowd, and was glad 
 when I found myself safely at home. The 
 subsequent events of that unfortunate episode 
 of the Queen and her wrong-headed and mis- 
 chievous supporters are too well known in his- 
 tory for me to notice here. The trial was a 
 failure, and after having nearly caused a revo- 
 lution, it was abandoned. Everything at that 
 time was most unpleasant for those connected 
 with the Court. The officers of the Guards 
 came in for their share of insult from the mob, 
 as it well knew we were loyal and true to the 
 crown, and would stand by it in all circum- 
 stances. Crowds of ill-mannered fellows used to 
 gather round the front of our Club, and insult 
 us as "we came out by calling out, " Queen ! 
 Queen!" Some of our young fellows, in the 
 spirit of retaliation, would shout in reply, " King ! 
 King I" and we had, on more than one occasion, 
 to rush down to save them from maltreatment.
 
 CONDUCT OF THE QUEEN'S SUPPORTERS. 245 
 
 A few of our officers were pretty expert in the 
 use of their fists, and gave some of these 
 " roughs " such a beating as they richly de- 
 served. I was so fortunate as to escape without 
 being hurt, which was due more to good luck 
 than to good management. 
 
 I saw my cousin, Harrington Hudson, of the 
 Grenadier Guards, knock two fellows down one 
 evening, one after the other, in the finest style 
 imaginable. We lived both in the same street, 
 and had agreed to walk home together from the 
 Club. On coming out of it, we were insulted on 
 the steps in the usual way, by these blackguards 
 crying " Queen ! Queen !" but a wonderful effect 
 was produced upon them when they saw two 
 of their champions so neatly floored, and we 
 passed on without any other attempt at inso- 
 lence or violence. 
 
 The General, having nothing more to do in 
 England, told me that we must prepare to re- 
 turn to Guernsey, as he had many things to 
 settle before he gave up his appointment there, 
 which he expected he should have to do before 
 long. Accordingly, in ten days' time I found 
 myself once more in my old quarters, but during
 
 24 G MY LIFE. 
 
 our stay there nothing of any interest happened, 
 although, as everywhere else, there was great 
 excitement, in consequence of the trial of the 
 Queen, which began in August, and did not end 
 till November. 
 
 In October of that year I started with the 
 General for London, where I remained a fort- 
 night, and then set out for Norfolk, happy indeed 
 to find myself once more in my old room at 
 Stiffkey. I could not help singing to myself 
 the old song, " The Old House at Home," which 
 was fraught with so many fond recollections of 
 the happy days of childhood. I don't remem- 
 ber that I ever felt happier than when I put on 
 my old shooting-coat, and sallied forth with old 
 Trudge to pick up some game for the house. I 
 felt myself free from the inquisitive eye of a 
 disagreeable man, who seemed ready to pounce 
 upon me in a moment, if I committed the least 
 blunder. 
 
 I was not altogether free from anxiety re- 
 garding the subject upon which I have written 
 in my account of what took place previous to 
 my leaving the island. However, I determined 
 to enjoy myself as much as I could. I had sold
 
 HUNTING IN NORFOLK. 247 
 
 my bay horse in London, and sorry I was that 
 I had done so, for I now found that I wanted 
 one in order to go out occasionally with the 
 harriers and foxhounds. I used to go over and 
 stay with my uncle, Lord James Townshend, who 
 was building a house on some property he had 
 bought ; he hunted a good deal with the hounds 
 of Mr. Dewing, a gentleman who lived near him. 
 My uncle had two splendid horses, and to show 
 his loyalty, he had named one " Eegent," and 
 the other " Monarch." 
 
 I bought a pretty brown mare, a perfect 
 fencer, who had been used to carrying a heavy 
 weight, and the difference between me and her 
 previous owner was so great that she thought 
 nothing of my weight, and used to fly away over 
 hedge and ditch in first-rate style. But I soon 
 found that there was a vast difference between 
 riding across country with hounds and showing 
 off on parade, and it was owing to my going out 
 constantly with Dewing that I learnt that it 
 would not do to ride at the Norfolk fences in 
 the same style that is done in Leicestershire, 
 for I got several tremendous falls, and Mr. 
 Dewing said to me one day, "If you ride in that
 
 248 MY LIFE. 
 
 style here, you will soon break your neck," a 
 warning which I have no doubt was well-timed. 
 
 Sir Jacob Astley also had established a pack 
 of foxhounds, and I used to go out sometimes 
 with them. The great difficulty in the way 
 was the insufficient number of foxes in the 
 country; but as he was determined to have 
 sport, he had bought a great number of French 
 foxes, and people in other counties, hearing 
 they were wanted in Norfolk, soon supplied him 
 with plenty. But the gamekeepers, and gentle- 
 men who did not care about hunting, killed a 
 great many of them. We got, however, some 
 sport that Winter. 
 
 I went to London with my father in the 
 Spring, and was unfortunately attacked there 
 with a violent inflammation in my right eye. 
 For a long time it was doubtful whether I 
 should not lose the sight of this eye also ; but 
 through Guthrie's treatment it was saved, and, 
 acting under his directions, I was fortunate 
 enough to have it preserved to me for some 
 years longer. 
 
 I sold my little brown mare, and in July re- 
 turned to the country, where I enjoyed myself
 
 YEOMANRY CAVALRY. 249 
 
 with fishing and shooting, which kept me in 
 good health. About this time, I remember, I 
 had been out all day on the marshes in search 
 of wild fowl, and did not return till a quarter 
 of an hour before dinner, when I found that my 
 uncle, Lord James, had been over from Yarrow 
 in order to see me, but had gone home. My 
 father informed me that he had come over for 
 the purpose of asking me to assist him in taking 
 command of a regiment which had been for 
 many years laid on the shelf, but which had 
 originally been raised by his father, the old 
 Marquis, during the war, and, after peace had 
 been declared, not exactly disbanded, but left 
 in the same state as the militia regiments, liable 
 to be called out at any time. It appeared that 
 there were several regiments of this kind still 
 on the muster-roll at the Horse Guards, and 
 which were under the control of the Lord-Lieu- 
 tenants of the counties. The Lord-Lieutenant 
 had written to my uncle, the only son living of 
 the old Marquis, asking him to take command 
 of this regiment, as it was to be called out to 
 go on duty for a certain time, and to be in- 
 spected. I knew nothing of this kind of ser-
 
 250 MY LIFE. 
 
 vice, as they were cavalry, and were composed 
 of the tenants and farmers' sons, mustering 
 altogether two troops of a hundred and twenty 
 men, whom, it was feared, there would be some 
 difficulty in finding. There was a muster-roll 
 somewhere, but where to find it no one knew. 
 My father and I talked the matter over after- 
 dinner, and he advised me to go over and see 
 Lord James ; so I rose early in the morning, 
 and, taking one of my father's horses, rode over 
 to breakfast with him a ride of about thirteen 
 miles. My good uncle was most amusing on 
 the subject. 
 
 " Well," Bays he, " I think it is the best thing 
 I ever heard making me a soldier. But if you'll 
 help me, Til undertake the duty for I don't 
 like to refuse, or to let the command of the old 
 corps go out of the family." 
 
 Having fully discussed all the circumstances 
 of the case, it was determined that we should 
 meet at Fakenham Market, where we should 
 be sure to find some of the old members of the 
 corps who had joined when young, and who 
 would be able to give us the information we 
 required. Accordingly, on the folio wing market-
 
 FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT. 251 
 
 day, we duly met at Fakenham, where we were 
 fortunate enough to meet a man, occupying one 
 of the largest farms on the Raynham estate, 
 who still held a commission as lieutenant in. 
 the corps, and who had in his possession a 
 muster-roll of the men composing it. In con- 
 sequence of this lucky meeting, my uncle wrote 
 to the Lord-Lieutenant, undertaking the com- 
 mand, and sent in my name as first captain of 
 the corps. 1 merely mention this cii'cumstance 
 to show how I first had anything to do with 
 this description of force, which afterwards 
 caused me so much trouble and anxiety. 
 
 It would not be interesting for me to go 
 through all the details of hunting up the men 
 whose names were enrolled as members of the 
 corps a task which took some time to perform. 
 Some were dead, others too old to take the 
 field again, and their places had to be supplied 
 by others; however, there were young men 
 ready to come forward to fill up the vacancies, 
 and in about two months we completed our 
 list. The uniforms were made very similar to 
 that of the rifles green, with black facings and 
 black braid, shako and black plume, dark grey
 
 252 MY LIFE. 
 
 trousers with a white stripe. The officers had 
 silver epaulettes, and narrow silver stripe down 
 the trousers altogether a very pretty dress ; 
 and I began to think we should turn out a very 
 smart body of men. The thing now was to get 
 them into some kind of order and discipline. I 
 had been for some time making myself au fait 
 with the cavalry movements. My father, being 
 an old cavalry officer, soon put me to rights on 
 this subject; and he had several books, from 
 which I soon learnt all that I required. 1 
 was so happy as to get three or four old 
 cavalry soldiers who were settled in the coun- 
 try to join us. Two of them had been ser- 
 geants in my father's old regiment, the 24th 
 Light Dragoons, and had served in India. 
 These men were of great use to me. We had 
 some private drills, getting the men together as 
 well as we could in squads, and after the Spring 
 of the next year it was determined that they 
 should go on duty for ten days into the town of 
 Fakenham, which was most convenient for both 
 officers and men. 
 
 Having made all these arrangements, I 
 waited for the time when we should be called
 
 TATTERSALL'S. 253 
 
 out for duty. The hunting season had com- 
 menced, and having to go to London on busi- 
 ness, I thought I would bring down a horse 
 which would answer every purpose for my 
 work with the cavalry, and also give me some 
 sport in the field. So I went to Tattersall's on 
 the Saturday previous to the Monday's sale, to 
 look over the horses. I was very fond of going 
 in there to see the animals, and to gain all the 
 information I could about hunting. I saw 
 several fine horses, some of which were de- 
 scribed as first-rate hunters, others as good 
 hacks for the road, &c. I had observed a very 
 fine bay horse standing in a stall among the 
 hunters, but he looked such a fine creature that 
 I thought he must be far beyond the means I 
 possessed for purchasing. However, I was 
 there on Monday as soon as the horses began to 
 be brought out and trotted up and down, and 
 not very long after the horse I had observed 
 was brought out to be put up to the hammer. 
 He was trotted up and down, and I admired his 
 action, which was very good. He was a 
 powerful horse, standing fifteen hands, and was 
 described as a fine Leicestershire hunter, that
 
 254 g MY LIFE. 
 
 could jump any hedge, gate, or brook. Five 
 pounds was bid for him, then ten pounds, then 
 fifteen pounds. I heard an observation of some 
 people talking close to me 
 
 "Ah! I know him well a beautiful horse 
 across country, but he is a brute." 
 
 " Yes, he has a dreadful temper," said 
 another. 
 
 However, I did not pay much attention to 
 these remarks. Another bid was made, bring- 
 ing him up to twenty pounds. 
 
 " Shame," exclaimed the auctioneer, " that this 
 fine Leicestershire hunter should go for twenty 
 pounds 1" 
 
 1 observed two or three men shake their 
 heads, as much as to say, "We won't have 
 anything to do with you/' 
 
 Twenty-one pounds was now bid. 
 
 "Only twenty-one pounds. Going, gentle- 
 men, for twenty-one pounds going for twenty- 
 one pounds." 
 
 And I thought the hammer was coming down, 
 when I cried " Twenty-two pounds ." And at 
 twenty-two pounds he fell to my lot. I must 
 confess I felt frightened when I heard the ham-
 
 A VICIOUS HORSE. 255 
 
 mer descend, and knew that he was mine. I 
 gave my name and address, and followed the 
 horse into the stable. A tall, gentlemanly man 
 came in at the same time, and bowed to me, 
 saying, 
 
 " I think you have bought that horse?" 
 I bowed in the affirmative. 
 "It is my horse, sir, and you have got as 
 good a hunter as ever crossed the country, and 
 he is sound, but he is a most dreadful temper. 
 He is quiet in the field, but most dangerous in 
 the stable, and will not allow himself to be 
 rubbed with a brush, and it is always with great 
 difficulty he can be cleaned." 
 
 I thanked him for his kindness in informing 
 me, and I began to think that I had done a very 
 foolish thing. What would my father say when 
 he heard what a horse I had brought into his 
 stable ; but then I recollected that I could keep 
 him apart from my father's horses, which were 
 kept in what was called the upper stable. I 
 went in and paid my money, and had the horse 
 sent to Wimpole Street, where I followed, but I 
 put him into the mews close by, to be taken 
 care of by the man who supplied my father 
 with job carriage horses.
 
 256 MY LIFE. 
 
 In a few days I quitted London with this 
 animal, riding him down to Norfolk. I stopped 
 two nights on the road, and at the last place I 
 heard complaints of the manner in which my 
 purchase had behaved in the stable, which was 
 most violent. He kicked and bit at everything 
 within reach, and would permit no. one to come 
 near him in order to rub the dirt off his legs, 
 and to make him look tidy. I almost felt in- 
 clined to shoot him on the road, or to sell him 
 as a poster. However, at last I arrived at my 
 father's house, very glad to get to the end of 
 my journey. The first thing I did was to show 
 him to John Lane, our factotum, butler, and 
 everything, who greatly admired him ; but 
 when I gave him the character of my steed, he 
 looked rather grave, and said, " Fve got a man 
 now working on the General's land who can 
 manage any vicious horse, and you can have 
 him to attend yours, if you like. " So I 
 agreed to take him, and I soon found that he 
 could manage him very well, and kept him 
 clean, but it was a long time before I found out 
 how he did it. There was only one thing that 
 I could manage, and that was to make him lie
 
 OUT WITH SIR JACOB'S HOUNDS. 257 
 
 down after a day's hunting, for if he did not, 
 his legs used to swell very much. 
 
 About a fortnight after my return, the hounds 
 were to meet six miles from our house, 
 near a place called Gunthorpe Hall, where some 
 friends of mine resided, and they invited me to 
 go and stay there the night before, so as to be 
 ready for the hunting next morning at Melton 
 Constable, so 1 accepted the invitation, passed 
 a pleasant evening, and was ready for the chase 
 next morning. 
 
 I had only been out once or twice previous 
 to this with Sir Jacob's hounds. Everything 
 was in first-rate style, Sir Jacob driving all his 
 party up in a drag with four beautiful bays. 
 Fox-hunting being then quite a novel sight in 
 Norfolk, brought a great many people to the 
 meet. There was an old gentleman who lived 
 at a place called Egmere, grey-headed, and ap- 
 parently near seventy, mounted upon a good 
 horse, evidently one of the sportsmen of the 
 old school. He wore a thick blue coat, with 
 brass buttons, with a fox on them, a broad- 
 brimmed hat, dark corduroys, and boots with 
 dark brown tops, instead of the white tops of 
 
 VOL. I. S
 
 258 MY LIFE. 
 
 'more recent fashion. This old gentleman, who 
 knew the country well, always made his ap- 
 pearance whenever the hounds were at all with- 
 in reach. He told me that he had hunted from 
 his boyhood, and remembered the time when 
 my grandfather at Raynham kept hounds, and 
 hunted the country. He had also hunted a 
 deal with Mr. Coke of Holkham. He was highly 
 respected by all who knew him, being a yeoman 
 of the old class, with property of his own, farm- 
 ing a large extent of ground, and apparently 
 doing well in the world. He had also a sou, 
 who always came out with him certainly not 
 a young man, but, however bad the day or long 
 the run, these two were sure to be up at the 
 close. 
 
 We drew the Thursford Hall woods, but did 
 not find there, then trotted away for Hildoves- 
 ton Wood, where we found, had a sharp burst 
 for twenty minutes, and killed our fox; after 
 which I rode home on a little brown mare I 
 bought of Mr. Brown of Norton, which carried 
 me well. 
 
 In the following Spring I went to London, 
 where I again suffered from a violent inflamma- 
 tion in my right and only eye.
 
 259 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Trial of Queen Caroline Non Mi Ricordo Funeral of the 
 Queen Military Arrangements Proceedings of the 
 Mob Two men Shot-^-Ludicrous and Perilous Posi- 
 tion Letter describing the Marriage of Queen Caro- 
 line Marriage of the Princess Charlotte Wreck of a 
 Vessel on the Norfolk Coast Wreck of a Dutch 
 Galliot Meeting with the Hounds Capital Run 
 Laying my Horse. 
 
 I HAVE mentioned in a former part of my 
 narrative many circumstances relating 
 to Queen Caroline, and in my opinion it 
 would have been far better had her trial 
 never been undertaken. No party seemed to 
 gain any eclat from this proceeding, except Mr. 
 Brougham, the Queen's advocate, who certainly 
 made a most splendid defence for Her Majesty, 
 and was highly praised by every party for the 
 talent and ability he showed on that occasion. 
 I was myself extremely struck with his opening 
 speech for the defence. The Italian witnesses 
 who were brought forward on this unfortunate 
 
 s2
 
 2 GO MY LIFE. 
 
 matter originated many by-words, which passed 
 freely amongst all classes of society. Among 
 the rest was one much in use among the pot- 
 boys who carried the beer and porter about to 
 the gentlemen's houses. When asked a ques- 
 tion, the answer to which they did not remem- 
 ber, they used to put their fingers up to their 
 nose in the most impudent way, and say, " Non 
 mi ricordo," which in English is well known to 
 mean, " I don't remember." Not many of these 
 young urchins knew what it meant, but had 
 caught up the words, and this was the reply 
 you got, not only from them, but from many 
 others. 
 
 When I last saw the unfortunate Queen it 
 was on the day I have mentioned, when she 
 was refused admittance to Westminster Hall to 
 join the procession for the crowning of the 
 King. She looked, as she passed me, so 
 deathly pale that I thought to myself, " Unfor- 
 tunate woman, you have received your death- 
 stroke." The next thing I saw of her was her 
 funeral procession. I was staying in London, 
 and had dined the evening before in the com- 
 pany of my old General who took my arm in
 
 FUNERAL OF QUEEN CAROLINE. 261 
 
 coming out and said, " I want to speak to you. 
 To-morrow morning the Queen's funeral is to 
 come up through Knightsbridge, down Park 
 Lane and the Edgware Road, on its way to 
 Harwich, where she is to be embarked for Ger- 
 many, and I wish you would go to Hyde Park 
 Corner and see what is going on there in the 
 morning, and come and tell me. I shall be at 
 Sir F. Watson's." 
 
 I was up early the following morning and 
 went down to Hyde Park Corner, where there 
 was, at that time, a turnpike-gate, and there I 
 found a great many people collected. I made 
 some inquiries as to the time when the funeral 
 procession was expected up there, and heard 
 that it would be about ten o'clock. As it was 
 then past eight, I went straight to the General's 
 lodgings in Bond Street and told him thus 
 much. He invited me to breakfast, after which 
 I returned to get more information. I found a 
 battalion of the Guards drawn across Piccadilly, 
 with a strong body of the Blues. I went up to 
 Park Lane to see what was going on in Oxford 
 Street, some way down which I saw another 
 battalion of the Guards forming in column of com-
 
 2()2 MY LIFE. 
 
 panies, to prevent the procession going in that 
 direction, for the object of the mob, under the 
 guidance of some revolutionary demagogues, 
 was to get the hearse, containing the body of 
 the Queen, driven through the City, thereby to 
 create a riot. However, in this they were foiled 
 by the judicious arrangement of the troops. 
 
 It came on to rain very hard, and I was in 
 hopes that the inob which was collecting fast 
 would disperse but no, they remained at their 
 posts. I waited a long time till at last it was 
 whispered, " She's coming." I looked down the 
 road and observed a number of horsemen, a 
 great many of whom wore black scarfs round 
 their shoulders and on their hats, and some 
 riding on each side of the hearse. There were 
 two or three mourning coaches, between which 
 and the hearse rode an escort of the Blues. 
 They came up to Hyde Park Corner, and evi- 
 dently tried to go down past Apsley House, arid 
 here the disturbance began. Another body of 
 the Blues was in front of Apsley House, with an 
 officer, and these turned the leading horses of 
 the hearse through the gate into the Park, after 
 a good deal of skirmishing. The mob shouted,
 
 MILITARY PRECAUTIONS. 263 
 
 threw stones at the Blues, and the men on 
 horseback tried to force their way against the 
 troopers. That, however, was of little use, for 
 they were turned into the Park. I ran forward 
 towards Cumberland Gate, about fifty yards 
 from which I passed a troop of the Life-Guards, 
 with their helmets, &c., but no cuirasses. The 
 officer who commanded this troop I knew 
 well a tall, fine man, and a most gallant 
 fellow. I told him they were coming, and that 
 the mob had been very violent at Hyde 
 Park Corner. I turned into Oxford Street, and 
 went down to the right on the side opposite to 
 the Park, and further on I saw another battalion 
 of the Guards drawn up in column to prevent 
 the hearse being turned down that way into 
 the City. The mob and their leaders, however, 
 did not seem aware of this. 
 
 The Life-Guards came into Oxford Street, and 
 drew up in line across it. The hearse came on 
 slowly, passed through Cumberland Gate, which 
 is now styled the Marble Arch, and the leading 
 horses were turned with their heads down 
 Oxford Street. The moment this was observed 
 by the officer commanding the Life-Guards, he
 
 264 MY LIFE. 
 
 rode forward, desiring them to turn their horses 
 down the Edgware Road. This they hesitated 
 to do, when he ordered some of his men forward, 
 who soon turned their heads the right way. 
 Then began the storm. The mob shouted, " No 
 soldiers, no soldiers!" and then began throwing 
 stones at the Life-Guards. Finding that the 
 troops paid little attention to this, and the 
 hearse not moving on, the mob seized the iron 
 railings, which were at that time placed on the 
 top of a brick and stone parapet about a foot 
 and a half high, and began to swing them with 
 all their might. The consequence was that the 
 whole fabric came down with a crash, and the 
 brickbats and stones were immediately made 
 use of by the mob as missiles against the 
 soldiers, upon whom they hurled such a shower 
 of stones as I never saw before or after. The 
 mob must evidently have been under the com- 
 mand of some man acquainted with military 
 matters, and afterwards it was well known that 
 they were ; he was a General. 
 
 The officer commanding the detachment charg- 
 ed with some of his men, and broke the mob. I 
 had retreated towards the infantry, who were
 
 TWO MEN SHOT DEAD. 265 
 
 formed lower down the street, and I got on the 
 steps of a door on their right flank, from whence 
 I could observe everything going on. The 
 stone-throwing still continued, and the Life 
 Guards kept from time to time charging and 
 dispersing the mob, who gathered again quickly. 
 A good many of these stone-throwing scoun- 
 drels were chased down the street as far as the 
 infantry, before whom they threw themselves 
 down, not being able to pass. 
 
 I saw, about fifty yards from where I was 
 standing, some of the Life Guards knocked 
 about most shamefully with stones, and the 
 officer commanding them also received several 
 hard blows. Two rascals came up close to him, 
 and shied stones at his head. He drew out his 
 pistol from his right holster, and shot one of 
 them dead ; another coming up on his left side, 
 he shot him also. The report of these two 
 pistols acted like a charge of electricity ; there 
 was a complete stop to the shouting and to 
 the stone-throwing; the hearse was pushed 
 forward into the Edgware Road, and moved on 
 amid dead silence. I got into the rear of the 
 battalion near which I was standing, and ran
 
 266 MY LIFE. 
 
 down through Berkeley Square, to the General, 
 to whom I told all that I had seen. Being very 
 wet, I got home as soon as I could to my 
 father's house, and gave him an account of the 
 events that were passing. 
 
 I afterwards learnt that the hearse had gone 
 along Edgware Road, but had somehow or other 
 been got through the City. However, they did 
 not succeed, as they had wished, in going down 
 St. James's Street, and along Pall Mall, and 
 creating a disturbance opposite Carlton House. 
 I never witnessed a more unpleasant piece of 
 opposition to authority than what took place 
 on this melancholy occasion. Of course all the 
 Radical papers were most violent on the subject. 
 Many of the soldiers were cut with stones, and 
 much hurt. Great endeavours were made by 
 the Radical press, and the populace, to find out 
 who was the person that fired the two shots. I 
 believe several of the mob were cut and wound- 
 ed with the swords of the cavalry, and it served 
 them right, for there never was a more disgrace- 
 ful attack upon soldiers who had fought for 
 their country, and had evinced such bravery 
 only a short time before, on the ever-memor-
 
 UNEXPECTED RENCONTRE. 267 
 
 able field of Waterloo. Many of these gallant 
 fellows, who wore the Waterloo medals on their 
 breasts, were shamefully ill-used by their own 
 countrymen. But an English mob, like all other 
 mobs, are easily led to commit any violence by 
 those vile agitators who prey upon the ignor- 
 ance of those whom they excite ; and such was 
 the case in the instance which I have just nar- 
 rated. 
 
 The next day I strolled down into Oxford 
 Street, to look at the damage done. Having 
 taken a survey of all, I turned into the Park, 
 and bent my steps towards the Serpentine. I 
 had not gone very far when I heard quick foot- 
 steps behind me, and I perceived a tall, gentle- 
 manly man, walking very fast ; I immediately 
 saw that it Avas the officer who had commanded 
 the detachment of the Life Guards the day 
 previous. We both looked at each other, but 
 I saw that he did not wish to stop and speak to 
 me, or be observed. As he passed close to me, 
 he said, in a low tone, putting his finger to his 
 mouth, 
 
 " You understand !" 
 
 " Quite so," I said, for he knew I had wit- 
 nessed the death of his assailants.
 
 268 MY LIFE. 
 
 Singularly enough, the name of this officer 
 never transpired, and no one knew who had 
 fired the two shots, nor have I ever mentioned 
 his name in connection with that day. 
 
 On this melancholy occasion a circumstance 
 happened that was rather amusing. There was 
 a noble lord, whom I knew, who lived at that 
 time in a house nearly opposite Cumberland 
 Gate, where this riot took place. Being desirous 
 to see all the row, he had himself wheeled, in an 
 arm-chair, to the window of the balcony, for 
 having just then a bad fit of the gout, he 
 could not? walk. The servants having placed 
 him, as they considered, in a place ot 
 safety, went down to the windows below, 
 to have a view themselves of what was 
 going on. In all mobs of this kind boys are 
 always the most mischievous, and generally 
 commence the row ; at least, they give them the 
 credit of doing so in France, and I suppose they 
 also deserve it in England. Some of these 
 young urchins, seeing the noble lord sitting 
 with his foot bandaged up in the balcony, 
 thought his figure was fair game for what they 
 style a " cock-shy," so first one took a shot at
 
 QUEEN CAROLINE'S MARRIAGE. 2G9 
 
 him, then another, breaking the windows of his 
 house. He could not rise to ring the bell, and 
 he shouted to no purpose, for none of the ser- 
 vants heard him, being too intent on what was 
 passing below. Fortunately his youngest son, 
 who was up in his bed-room looking out of win- 
 dow, thought he recognized his father's voice, 
 and ran down and rescued him from his perilous 
 position. 
 
 In recalling the miserable details of what 
 took place on the passage of the Queen's re- 
 mains through London, it may not be unin- 
 teresting to my readers to compare the hopes 
 and aspirations of the nation for her happiness 
 at the time of her marriage, so touchingly 
 prayed for in a letter to the grandmother of an 
 old friend of my wife, which has been placed in 
 my hand. 
 
 " Thursday, April 8th, 1798. 
 
 " MY DEAR LADY ELCHO, 
 
 "I would not answer your kind 
 letter till this morning, that 1 might give you 
 an account of the wedding, Avhich took place 
 at nine o'clock last night. 
 
 " I could not have supposed that the Peerage
 
 270 MY LIFE. 
 
 could have produced such a crowd as was in 
 every room, from the staircase to the drawing- 
 room, by seven o'clock. By six, every bench 
 was filled, as was every window, inside and 
 out, to see the procession. First went the 
 Prince, then the Princess of Wales, dressed in 
 white and silver, handed by the Duke of 
 Clarence, with a profusion of diamonds, and a 
 little diamond crown or coronet upon her 
 head a purple robe, the train held by four 
 bridesmaids, dressed in white Viscountess 
 Lady M. Osborne, Lady Caroline Villiers, 
 Lady C. Legge, and Lady L. Spencer. The 
 Princess's dress was certainly not becoming, for 
 it made her appear short. She is very fair, 
 low, and inclined to be fat, and I do not 
 think has so young a look as she ought to 
 have at twenty-eight years. Her hair is 
 flaxen white, like the Duke of Gloucester's, and 
 her face is certainly very like the Duchess of 
 Hamilton, rather older-looking, and upon' a 
 fatter scale. I hear she is very sensible, and 
 has most violent spirits ; there never was so 
 lively a creature, and of a most heavenly 
 temper; but to return to the wedding. The 
 King's procession followed, and then the
 
 QUEEN CAROLINE'S MARRIAGE. 271 
 
 Queen's, through the King and Queen's apart- 
 ment, down to the great staircase, along the 
 colonnade all covered in, carpeted, and lighted 
 to the chapel. The ceremony was performed 
 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, after which 
 there was an ode that lasted half an hour. All 
 the Orange family were in the King's closet 
 above. The Duke and Duchess of York were 
 in the chapel, as likewise the Duke of Glouces- 
 ter, and Princess Sophia with the procession. 
 The Prince of Wales handed the Princess of 
 Wales from the altar, and they all proceeded 
 to the registry, where Their Royal Highnesses 
 knelt to the King and Queen, and then they 
 went into the drawing-room, merely to show 
 the Princess of Wales to the company, who had 
 been assembledTour hours for in ten minutes 
 they all returned and with the Orange family, 
 every branch of Royalty supped at Buckingham 
 House, after which Their Highnesses of Wales 
 retired to Carlton House. This day they go 
 to Kemshott. This day se'night, there will be 
 a ball in the eve, and a drawing-room in the 
 morning, at St. James's ; on the following 
 Monday, the Princess of Wales will have a 
 drawing-room at Carlton House.
 
 272 MY LIFE. 
 
 " I thought the Prince appeared (entre nous) 
 as if he had drunk rather more than usual to 
 give him spirits and still it did not seem to 
 have had the effect complete, for he seemed 
 agitated, and not himself. This might be 
 accounted for a thousand ways ; but 1 hope to 
 God it was not from dislike to the poor little 
 woman. Lady J. was finer than any person 
 present, in her dress ; upon the whole, every 
 person was fine, but particularly the gentlemen 
 of the Prince's family. Lord Darnley was 
 magnificent ; so were Lords Cholmondeley and 
 Villiers. 
 
 "The Princess had the advantage of most 
 others, who are, in general, married the day 
 they arrive. The Prince dined with her, the 
 day she came, at St. James's, and each day 
 since, and has hardly been a moment from her. 
 The mob, whenever she has appeared, have 
 hailed her with blessings, and call ' her 
 beautiful,' and say ' they like her because she 
 looks like an Englishwoman,' and they cry out, 
 ' Her mother was an Englishwoman.' She 
 speaks a little English, and spoke to the people 
 from her window.
 
 MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE. 273 
 
 " The illuminations were very fine, and for the 
 present this marriage seems a pleasing topic ; 
 but we know that all things of the sort are a 
 nine days' wonder. From my heart I pray it 
 may, in every sense, prove a fortunate and a 
 happy marriage. 
 
 " Pray let me see you on your way to Scot- 
 land. Mr. Champneys told me himself that 
 the Prince was to buy his house ; but, since 
 that, I have heard he will not. There seems to 
 be nothing but war and turmoils at home and 
 abroad. How is all this to end '\ I agree with 
 you that this business of Lord Fitz- William is 
 strange. I think it will not end quietly." 
 
 We will now turn to another scene of the past 
 enacted there, another contrast one of plea- 
 sure, though alas ! not unalloyed with sadness 
 a marriage of perfect love and confidence, 
 that took place in 181 6, namely, that of Queen 
 Caroline's daughter, our dearly loved Princess 
 Charlotte, and Prince Leopold, of Saxe-Coburg, 
 in which union the whole nation sympathised 
 with her in her unbiassed choice. The Princess, 
 as she passed down the same staircase and left 
 the hall, turned gracefully to the young ladies 
 
 VOL. I. T
 
 274 MY LIFE. 
 
 assembled there to see her depart, and in her 
 charmingly urbane manner, which indeed be- 
 longs to all our Royal family, as evinced upon 
 all occasions, and with her face beaming with 
 joy, said to them, " Good night to you all. I 
 am so happy. I wish you all as happy as I am. 
 Good night." This I learned from one who was 
 present. Even now we can scarcely bear to 
 think of that short-lived happiness, and that 
 deeply-touching moonlight funeral in Windsor 
 Chapel, which the beautiful lines of a poem of a 
 connection of mine, who was present, so feeling- 
 ly describe : 
 
 " The bier is stay'd, the solemn rites are done, 
 Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, are gone, 
 The opening blossom and the expanded flow'r, 
 Mother and infant, wither'd in an hour . 
 'Reft of the blessed birth whose welcome cry 
 Blots out the record of past agony, 
 Thy patient spirit unrepining bow'd 
 In resignation to the ' will of God.' 
 Blest be thy tomb with all the grave can know, 
 To soothe the sorrows thou has left below. 
 Amid the chambers of the mighty dead, 
 High -born and holy, rests thy quiet shade ; 
 Edwards and Henrys to the dust gone down, 
 To wear a brighter and unfading crown. 
 O'er thy cold marble proudly float on high 
 The banner'd scrolls of England's chivalry ; 
 And morn and eve the vaulted roofs repeat 
 Celestial music o'er thy still retreat.
 
 IN THE COUNTRY. 275 
 
 Long shall each anthem, as its echoes fall, 
 This night's sad homage to our hearts recall ; 
 And fancy cherish, with fond thoughts, that shed 
 A softer balm of sadness o'er the dead, 
 
 Those ardent virtues 
 
 And who is He, in anguish all His own, 
 
 Like moving marble, man in form alone, 
 
 Whose haggard brow, wan cheek, and faded eye 
 
 Proclaim the soul's unutter'd misery ; 
 
 That cureless wretchedness of hope in wreck, 
 
 The struggle of a heart that will not break ? 
 
 Is there in youth, thus early doom'd to prove 
 
 The desolation of dissever'd love, 
 
 Plunged, and at once, from transport to despair, 
 
 That knows no anodyne but Heaven and pray'r? 
 
 He, only He, can image half the pain 
 
 That racks a mourning husband heart and brain." 
 
 If my readers knew the touching beauties of 
 the whole poem, which I know few can read even 
 now without tears, they would the more readily 
 pardon my long quotation of lines originally 
 distributed only among friends, but subsequent- 
 ly published at the conclusion of his " Siege of 
 Jerusalem," by the same author, Charles Peers, 
 Esq., of Chislehampton, Oxfordshire, a gentle- 
 man of very refined mind and tastes. 
 
 On the first of September I found myself 
 once more in the country, and at once proceeded 
 with my gun and a brace of pointers in search 
 of partridges, of which, as I have before stated, 
 
 T 2
 
 27() MY LIFE. 
 
 we had always plenty. The pleasure of getting 
 home again to scenes of early youth is enter- 
 tained by everyone, high or low in life. The 
 children of the humblest cottage, be it ever so 
 homely, look back with warm affection, as they 
 grow up in life, to the days of their childhood, 
 and so do I now look back with fondest recol- 
 lections to those days when, either by myself or 
 with my brothers, I walked over the fields 
 which my forefathers enjoyed. 
 
 In the latter end of September a heavy gale 
 of wind blew on the coast, and a vessel was 
 driven on the sands opposite to our salt marshes. 
 She was a light collier brig, and came on shore 
 with the flood-tide, and bumping high up on to 
 the sands, she swung round, with her head to 
 sea, embedding herself so deeply in the sand 
 that she sat upright, losing no spars, and sus- 
 taining little or no damage. It was imagined 
 that they would get her off again with the 
 Spring tides. My brother and I, having gone 
 down to the marshes with our guns to search for 
 wild fowl, took the opportunity also to look at 
 the vessel. The " Jacob's ladder," hanging over 
 her stern, sailor-like I mounted, got on board, 
 and examined her all over. She was quite
 
 WOODCOCKS SHOT. 277 
 
 empty, and the seamen seemed to have taken 
 everything away belonging to them, in which 
 they were quite right. 
 
 It so happened that about three weeks after 
 this, my brother Ferrers went on duty, and I 
 was left alone at Stiffkey with my father and 
 sisters. It came on to blow again a very heavy 
 gale from the north-east, and thinking some 
 woodcocks might come in with the gale, it being 
 about the time of year when they first made 
 their flights to our coast, I went out with my 
 gun and keeper, Billy Betts by name, an old 
 sailor, in search of game. I had shot a brace or 
 two of partridges on my way to Morston Hill, 
 and seeing a boy, I asked him if he had seen 
 any woodcocks about. 
 
 " Naa, sir ; but I have seen a bird with a long 
 bake " (beak) " come over from the sae this 
 morning, and light in that there fence, sir." 
 Billy looked at me, and said 
 " I think, sir, that must be a cock." 
 " Come and show us where you saw it alight," 
 said I which the boy did. 
 
 Having beat the fence, up flew the cock, when 
 I fired and missed. The poor bird being tired,
 
 278 MY LIFE. 
 
 went into the fence again, and I fired again. In 
 the second shot I was more successful, and 
 killed him. I then went on to the furze hill, 
 taking the boy with me to beat, and was lucky 
 enough to kill three couple. All this time it 
 was blowing very hard, and the keeper, looking 
 out towards the sea, said 
 
 " There's a vessel running straight on towards 
 the sands !" 
 
 I said, " Why, it's a Dutch galliot ! She seems 
 to have lost her mainmast, and has got her 
 square foresail set/' 
 
 The brig which I have before spoken of, 
 lying with her head to sea, an anchor down in 
 the sand, and the water flowing round, I have 
 no doubt looked from the galliot as if she were 
 floating at anchor, and that vessel being in dis- 
 tress, thought she would anchor at the same 
 spot, and was bearing up for that purpose, 
 Billy observed to me 
 
 " It is heavy- laden, and if she strikes those 
 sands among the breakers, she'll go to pieces in 
 ten minutes." 
 
 The coastguard-house was a very little way 
 from where we were, and we ran down, in
 
 WRECK OF A DUTCH GALLIOT. 279 
 
 hopes that they would be able to make some 
 signal to the galliot, to warn her of her danger. 
 They did make some signals, but they were of 
 no use, for the Dutchmen either did not see 
 them, or did not understand them. Three of 
 the coastguards and we two ran off across the 
 marshes, in the hope of being able to render 
 some assistance ; but we were too late, for, as 
 we predicted, she struck the ground, swung 
 round on her broadside, and was knocked to 
 pieces in fifteen minutes, every soul on board 
 perishing. We found Sam Dunn, with his boat 
 from Warham Hall, who had got up as far as 
 he could to the brig, but could render no assist- 
 ance to the unfortunate crew. A good many 
 people who came down from the village picked 
 up many things from the wreck, and found the 
 body of one man washed on shore. 
 
 Sometimes we had little or nothing to do, and 
 at others we were fully employed. On certain 
 days I used to amuse myself with drawing, 
 music, &c. I was glad when the hunting sea- 
 son commenced with Sir Jacob's hounds, when 
 my old horse, which I had taken great pains to 
 get into good condition, came into requisition.
 
 280 MY LIFE. 
 
 We had a fine run that day, which I distinctly 
 remember, as if it had only occurred yester- 
 day, although fifty-three years since then. We 
 met at Melton Hall, where we found collected 
 a good number of gentlemen and some ladies 
 on horseback, my good old uncle, Lord J. 
 Townshend, on his famous horse Regent, Sir 
 George Montgomery, a good rider, and General 
 the Honourable William Fitzroy, and many 
 others. We drew one or two woods not far 
 from the Hall, but they were blank, and then 
 trotted away to Barney Wood. An old dog- 
 fox broke away in gallant style. Old Uenuy 
 and his son, who were both there, were the 
 first to see him break cover, but, sportsmen- 
 like, they never spoke a word till he was well 
 away over another field, when they gave the 
 view-holloa " Gone away 1" 
 
 Now the sound of the horn was heard, and 
 the huntsman cheered on his hounds, which 
 broke cover in beautiful style. My old horse 
 began to paw the ground. They made away 
 for Thursford, through the woods, at their best 
 pace ; then broke away for Ketcher's Wood 
 without a check ; from thence to Ryburgh Carrs,
 
 CAPITAL RUN. 281 
 
 Testerton Wood, Elmham Wood, towards 
 Gressenhall Carrs, and there we came to a 
 check, and lost the fox for a few minutes. A 
 view-holloa from the other side of the Carrs, the 
 hounds were again laid on, and we ran away to 
 Foxley Park without a check. My old horse 
 carried me splendidly. The Honourable H. 
 George Mills, Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Leeder, Mr. 
 Dewing of Guist, myself, the huntsman and two 
 whips, all came up to the pack together at our 
 best pace. My nag cleared a low gate into the 
 wood at the finish. Sir Jacob called out to me, 
 " Well, Loftus, that old horse has carried you 
 splendidly," and, indeed, he had. We then 
 whipped off, for it was getting dark in fact, I 
 believe the fox had run to earth. I trotted 
 home with young Mr. Harvey, of Cockthorpe, 
 who was also up at the finish, riding a pretty 
 chestnut mare, which I afterwards bought of 
 him. 
 
 After my first meeting with the foxhounds 
 this year, and a capital run it was, altogether 
 nearly twenty miles, the old horse was in great 
 favour ; but although so well behaved in the 
 field, he was not so in the stable, and gave a
 
 282 MY LIFE. 
 
 deal of trouble to all who looked after him. 
 First, after a gallop with the hounds, he would 
 take it into his head never to lie down at night, 
 consequently his legs would be greatly swelled 
 in the morning. When I went over to my 
 uncle's, I could never get him laid I say laid, 
 because my man used to make him go down 
 on his knees, stretch himself out in the stall as 
 quietly as a child, and so he remained until the 
 morning. This man, as I said, was very clever 
 in the management of horses ; and if I omitted 
 to take him with me to any friend with whom I 
 stayed for a night or two, my horse suffered in 
 consequence. Considering these things, I resolv- 
 ed to part with the animal as soon as possible. 
 
 One night I stopped at Yarrow, after a hard 
 day with Mr. Dewing's pack, A deer had been 
 turned out, and we had a long run ere we took 
 him, and quite in an opposite direction to that 
 of my home. Coming near Yarrow on my re- 
 turn, I was requested to stay there for the 
 night. Having a change of dress at the house, 
 I did not refuse the invitation, although I felt 
 uncomfortable regarding my horse. After 
 dinner, there being a party at the table, I took
 
 LAYING A HORSE. 283 
 
 an opportunity to steal out, to look after him. 
 My uncle espied this movement, and beckoning 
 me to him, said, quickly, 
 
 " Where are you going?" 
 
 " I am going to lay my horse," I replied. 
 
 " Lay your horse P he said. " What do you 
 mean?" 
 
 In two minutes I explained. 
 
 " Oh !" said he, " I should like to see that per- 
 formance," and jumping up, he was followed by 
 all the gentlemen to the stables. 
 
 " Now, how is this done ?" 
 
 The grooms were bedding up their horses. I 
 walked up to mine, and commenced by patting 
 him on the neck, and talking to him in soft, low 
 tones. He began pawing first with one fore-foot, 
 then with the other, and evidently knew me 
 and my voice. Taking a snaffle bridle, I put 
 it on, pulled him gently back into the stall, 
 rubbed my hand up and down on his knees, 
 and then, putting my mouth to his ear, whispered 
 into it, as if talking to him. He began imme- 
 diately to move, and bending his knees, slowly 
 let himself down on his near side, I at the same 
 time keeping well clear of him, while I still patted
 
 284 MY LIFE. 
 
 him on the neck. When I took the bridle off, 
 he settled for the night. "Now," said I, "he's 
 safe, and will sleep all night. Come away !" 
 They were astonished. 
 
 " Why," said my uncle. " I shall send you to 
 Astley's Amphitheatre and make your fortune. 
 Where did you learn this f " 
 
 " From my own groom," I replied.
 
 285 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Management of Yeomanry and Volunteers Reminiscences 
 of the Norfolk Rangers Popularity of the Corps 
 Mr. Matthew Pepper Manby and Sergeant Bond 
 Military Discipline Travelling in Former Days 
 Box-coats The Old Waggon The Sleepy Waggoner 
 Ponding Horses after Work All Hallow Eve Super- 
 stition Old Molly Bed-warming Extraordinary A 
 Noble Stag. 
 
 I HAVE said that, in taking command of a 
 troop of cavalry which had been raised by 
 my grandfather, Lord Townshend, at the re- 
 commencement of the war between France and 
 England, I had, after some difficulty, got the 
 two troops together, and into some degree of 
 order; but I soon observed that it required 
 great tact to keep them so. In the first place, 
 I found then, as I have since been convinced 
 from long experience, that the whole force of 
 the yeomanry and the volunteers is in reality 
 of a very difficult description to manage. I,
 
 286 MY LIFE. 
 
 individually, have no cause to complain. I 
 always experienced the greatest civility ; rny 
 orders were attended to, and there was an esprit 
 de corps which animated all the members com- 
 posing the troops. It must be remembered 
 that these men were all independent of me, and 
 had I been unmindful of this fact, I should never 
 have been able to retain them so long as I did. 
 To hold command it is requisite that the officers 
 should be acquainted with regimental duty, arid 
 if the privates see that their superior officers 
 understand their work, they are the more ready 
 to receive their orders, and obey their instruc- 
 tions. From the four non-commissioned officers 
 whom I appointed to the corps namely, two 
 to each troop, men who had served in the 24th 
 Light Dragoons in India I obtained great 
 assistance. They were pensioners, and occu- 
 pied small portions of land in the vicinity of 
 Fakenham, and each rode a good horse. Men 
 who served in yeomanry cavalry regiments 
 were exempted from the duty on horses, and 
 were not compelled to serve in the militia when 
 balloted for. 
 
 For the first eight consecutive days' drill we
 
 THE NORFOLK RANGERS. 287 
 
 went to Fakenham. Mr. Dewing, of Guist, was 
 the other captain. Mr. James Diggins was 
 lieutenant of my troop ; a Mr. Seppingy^of 
 Creak, cornet ; Mr. Stibbart quarter-master ; 
 and Mr. CaVe, of Testerton Hall, lieutenant 
 of No. 2 troop (Mr. Dewing's). Several mem- 
 bers of the corps belonged to the Raynham 
 tenantry, and were well mounted. Sergeant 
 Bond was the oldest man in it, having entered 
 the regiment on its first formation in 1803. 
 This excellent and truly loyal man served in 
 the Rangers until they, with other corps of this 
 description, were disbanded by the Whig go- 
 vernment in 1829. This very year my uncle 
 received from the inspecting officer of cavalry a 
 very flattering report and it was a true report 
 of the discipline and efficiency of the corps. 
 It was not, certainly, a very grateful conclusion 
 of all our endeavours and exertions in the ser- 
 vice of the country to be disbanded ; but, by 
 way of a sop, we were told we were to retain 
 our rank. 
 
 While recalling these reminiscences of the 
 Norfolk Rangers, so much prized in their own 
 county in those days, I cannot but remember
 
 288 MY LIFE. 
 
 a circumstance which I witnessed as a boy, but 
 which will hardly be credited in these days. 
 My much-loved mother, a beautiful woman, my 
 aunt Charlotte, afterwards Duchess of Leeds, 
 Lady Anne Hudson, fair as alabaster, with beau- 
 tiful golden hair, and Lady Harriet, afterwards 
 Lady de Blaquire the three latter called in 
 London "the Graces" of the time and all 
 four sisters, were all good horsewomen, and 
 were dressed in neat uniforms, consisting of 
 dark green cloth habits, braided in black across 
 the chest in the style of the Rifles, white gaunt- 
 lets, standing collars, with a neat black tie and 
 small bow. On their heads they wore helmets 
 of black polished leather, on the top of which 
 was a slight fringe of bearskin, from the back 
 of the neck to its point on the forehead, while 
 the peak was edged with a narrow line of sil- 
 ver, the chin-strap being a silver chain. It was 
 really not only becoming, but very pretty, and 
 produced an immense feeling of pride in the 
 corps. Young men, on the occasion of the in- 
 spection in Raynham Park, when these ladies 
 inarched past at the head of the corps in twos 
 before their old father, were so charmed by the
 
 SERGEANT BOND. 289 
 
 spectacle, that those who had not entered the 
 corps came forward now in such numbers, offer- 
 ing to serve, that the Marquis had more mem- 
 bers than he required. My dear mother's hel- 
 met and jacket I had in my hand years after, 
 when old Sally Fox_, who had the key of the 
 cupboard in the nursery in which they were 
 kept, showed them to me when I came back 
 from sea. It was the sight of this corps of 
 Hangers which inspired me with my first fancy 
 to be in the cavalry, though I afterwards went 
 to sea. 
 
 I may here mention an anecdote regarding 
 Sergeant Bond of this corps. When a little boy 
 of seven years old, I was sent with my brothers 
 from Raynham to see the Rangers on Hampton 
 Green, at exercise. We were driven to the 
 Green in an old style of carriage, a phaeton upon 
 C springs, with high wheels, with silver-plated 
 knobs and mountings, drawn by a handsome 
 pair of cream-coloured horses, and great was 
 our delight in thinking of the admiration we 
 were sure to excite in such a splendid turn-out. 
 
 Among the members of the Rangers was a 
 Mr. Matthew Pepper Manby, the second name 
 
 VOL. I. U
 
 290 MY LIFE. 
 
 well adapted to him, for he was a very peppery, 
 but good and kind-hearted person. The Mar- 
 quis was very fond of him, and when a boy he 
 had been very often at the Hall, with his brother, 
 the Admiral, and Captain Manby, who was sub- 
 sequently the inventor of the well-known appa- 
 ratus for saving life in shipwreck, by means of 
 firing a rope, attached to a shot or rocket, over 
 a stranded vessel, a plan which has been the 
 means, to my knowledge, of saving the lives of 
 many good seamen on the Norfolk coast, and 
 elsewhere. Mr. Manby had always had a wish 
 to hold a farm on the Raynham estate, and 
 when he became old enough to do so, Lord 
 Townshend gave him that at South Raynham, 
 called Raynham St. Martin's. 
 
 But I find myself digressing from my story of 
 Sergeant Bond. The corps had finished their 
 exercise, had been dismissed on the Green, and 
 the standard had been committed to the custody 
 of an escort of those members who lived at the 
 three Raynhams, to be taken to the Hall. Ser- 
 geant Bond, who resided at Helhoughton, had 
 generally the command of this escort, and on 
 his way he overtook Mr. Manby riding quietly
 
 AX INSUBORDINATE TROOPER. 291 
 
 home. The sergeant, coming up with his men 
 to the said gentleman, who was in his uniform, 
 called out, 
 
 " Fall in, Mr. Manby, with the escort." 
 
 Manby, looking round instantly, replied, 
 
 "I'll see you d d first I" 
 
 " Will you, sir 1 I tell you again, sir, to fall 
 in!" 
 
 Manby, being in one of his peppery fits, start- 
 ed off at a trot. The sergeant set spurs to his 
 horse, headed the peppery cavalier, and with 
 his drawn sword at his breast, arrested his 
 progress. The pepper became sharper, and 
 drawing his sabre, Manby crossed that of the 
 sergeant, who, making a number one cut, 
 brought his weapon down on the helmet of the 
 obstreperous knight with such force that he not 
 only cut it through, but brought the wearer to 
 the ground. Fortunately the helmet saved his 
 skull, but the fall did not subdue his temper. 
 Rising from the ground, all soiled, he broke out 
 into a violent passion, swearing vengeance 
 against old Bond, who coolly said, 
 
 " Sheath your sword, and mount your steed 
 
 immediately, sir." 
 
 u 2
 
 292 MY LIFE. 
 
 Mauby, finding that he had a tough customer 
 with whom to deal, and one from whom he was 
 likely to receive no quarter, at last thought 
 " discretion was the better part of valour," and 
 did as he was commanded fell in with the 
 escort, with a fallen countenance, and rode 
 quietly up to the Hall with the standard. Bond, 
 having formed his men in line there, fronting 
 the windows, gave the word, " Return swords ! 
 To your quarters, break!" and dismissed the 
 men to partake of a black jack of fine old ale, 
 prepared for them on these occasions. Manby, 
 meanwhile, requested an interview with the 
 Marquis, who was at home in the library. He 
 was shown upstairs, through the marble hall, to 
 the presence of his Colonel, with his damaged 
 helmet in his hand, himself covered with dust. 
 On entering, having saluted his officer, he said, 
 
 ' ' My lord, is this the way in which your lord- 
 ship will allow your troop to be served ?" show- 
 ing his helmet. 
 
 The Marquis inquired how it had all happened, 
 and expressing his regret at it, instantly sent 
 for the sergeant, who made his appearance, 
 quite expecting that he should be summoned.
 
 " POOR MANBY." 293 
 
 He told his story, and the refusal of private 
 Manby to " fall in." The Marquis, turning to 
 the latter, said, 
 
 " I fear, Mr. Manby, you are a better farmer 
 than a soldier ! It is very fortunate it is no 
 worse. It might have been your head, but it is 
 only your helmet. Sergeant Bond did his duty, 
 when you disobeyed orders." 
 
 He rang the bell, ordered wine for Manby, 
 and dismissed the sergeant, with a caution not 
 to be quite so hasty with the use of his sabre, 
 but to report any act of disobedience in future. 
 
 Manby looked glum for a few moments, and 
 then recovered his usual manner. The sergeant 
 was recalled, the butler filled glasses of wine, 
 which they drank together, and shook hands, 
 and no more was said of the matter. I knew 
 nothing of it till I heard the maids talking of 
 " poor Mr. Manby," but I have often since heard 
 my father relating this anecdote. 
 
 In the month of January, the following year, 
 my father going to London, I took advantage 
 of the opportunity of going with him in his 
 chariot, one of the most easy and comfortable 
 carriages of the kind of that day in which I
 
 294 MY LIFE. 
 
 ever sat, and very handsome, with high wheels, 
 three silver-mounted lamps in front, the door 
 handles and the buckles of the same metal ; also 
 hung upon springs, and therefore a great 
 favourite with the post-boys on the road, as it 
 ran so lightly. This chariot would carry five 
 people with great cemfort, having a seat which 
 could be let down in front. It had belonged to 
 my poor uncle, Lord Charles, who was acci- 
 dentally shot by his brother. How different 
 was the travelling in those days from that of 
 the present ! I look back with the greatest 
 pleasure to the recollection of these journeys, 
 when, after posting from Stiffkey on our way to 
 London, we stopped at nine o'clock at the 
 "Rutland Arms/' Newmarket, where, driving 
 through the archway, we drew up at the door 
 of one of the most comfortable hotels at which 
 you could desire to pass the night. A large 
 tank in the yard facing the hotel was generally 
 supplied with fine silver eels, which, when 
 cooked to perfection, either boiled or fried, with 
 a dish of Scotch collops, followed by an apple 
 pudding of such thin and delicate pastry that it 
 was tinted by the fruit within to a pink hue,
 
 TRAVELLING BY COACH. 295 
 
 composed a repast with which before me now, I 
 would envy no nabob, with all that wealth 
 could procure for his feast ; and we know that 
 enough is better than that. When the time 
 for repose arrived, we were provided with a bed 
 the feathers of which were as soft as down be- 
 neath us. These were the luxuries of tra- 
 velling post in those days, opposed to that 
 restless haste by rail and steam now, when you 
 have not a moment to rest, fearing in the hur- 
 ry-scurry to be left behind. True it is there 
 was now and then an accident by the upsetting 
 of a coach ; but although sometimes there were 
 fatal accidents, they were comparatively few. 
 
 In those days, most gentlemen travelled by 
 the coach, as I often did, well armed against 
 the weather by wearing what was termed a 
 box-coat of enormous weight, made of very 
 thick Yorkshire drab, the shoulders, across the 
 back, covered by at least four capes, lapping 
 one over the other, which not only kept out the 
 wet, but, however cold it was, kept you warm 
 and comfortable. I have not seen such a coat for 
 the last forty years, and I do not think that half 
 my young readers, if any, can ever have seen
 
 296 MY LIFE. 
 
 one, unless upon an old family body coachman. 
 The young men of my time thought it very 
 effeminate to take " an inside place/' for which 
 in those days you paid two pounds five shillings 
 from Fakenham, or Norwich, to London, while 
 for the outside seat one pound one was paid, 
 unless you purchased the privilege of taking 
 the second box-seat, when, if you were a good 
 whip, the reins were passed into your hands. 
 
 Travelling was much more expensive in 
 those days than it is at present, it is true. 
 You may now travel by second-class carriage, 
 very comfortably, the same distance, not ex- 
 posed to the weather, for seventeen shillings, but 
 you run a great chance of having your brains 
 dashed out, or of incurring the loss of an arm 
 or a leg, before you arrive at the end of your 
 journey. " Yes," people will say, " that is all 
 very true, but remember the many accidents 
 happening by the upsetting of coaches/' In 
 reply to which I also say, " Very true. But 
 forty or fifty people were not killed or wounded 
 in one crash. The accidents, moreover, were 
 far less numerous than by rail ; and while 
 writing on this subject, I will take the liberty of
 
 THE " MAGNET," NIGHT COACH. 297 
 
 saying that I trust that the time is not far dis- 
 tant when the whole of the railway manage- 
 ment of this country will come under the super- 
 intendence of the Government. 
 
 I often travelled from London by the " Mag- 
 net " night coach, and sometimes by the Norwich 
 mail, into Norfolk. The young readers of the 
 present day know very little, though they may 
 have heard of, that primitive, but roomy, convey- 
 ance, the old tilted waggon, with high broad 
 wheels, carrying a whole family, with chairs and 
 tables and anything they wished to cram into it 
 in fact, as big as a house. It took a week to tra- 
 vel from Norfolk to London, and was generally 
 drawn by six large carthorses, ornamented with 
 bells, which hung on each side of their heads, 
 and, by their musical tinkling, warned any car- 
 riages on the road, at night, of their vicinity. 
 The farmers' waggons going to market to sup- 
 ply merchants with corn, were obliged to have 
 these bells, the roads being narrow, to prevent 
 accidents. 
 
 One night, coming down from London by the 
 Magnet, I was sitting at the back with the 
 guard. Between Bourne Bridge and New Market,
 
 298 MY LIFE. 
 
 after passing the turnpike-gate, where the 
 guard always blew his horn in good time to 
 awaken the drowsy inmate with those 
 musical notes so well blown by some guards, 
 we came upon the open heath extending for 
 some miles to Newmarket. Looking to the 
 left, we could perceive the roofs of farm-build- 
 ings and stacks of hay and corn. Across the 
 heath were several tracks, made by waggons 
 and carts, leading to the village below. As we 
 neared these tracks, the guard observed one of 
 those ponderous waggons winding its way along 
 the road, at its funereal pace, a lantern hung in 
 front to show its approach, another light shin- 
 ing through the open curtain at the back, 
 where, probably, sat some good old motherly 
 dame, mending her grandchildren's stockings 
 by its aid. The guard blew his horn, that the 
 driver might make way and give us room to 
 pass. The " gee-ups " kept on at the same pace 
 the tramp, tramp of the horses distinctly heard 
 mixed with the tinkle of the bells. 
 
 " Why," said I, " they are all asleep !" 
 
 " I think so, too," said he. 
 
 " Give them another blow," said I, but no 
 notice was taken.
 
 A PRACTICAL JOKE. 299 
 
 " Will you try, sir ?" 
 
 I was rather au fait at blowing the horn, so 
 taking the instrument, I blew a blast loud 
 enough to wake the seven sleepers, but without 
 effect. We pulled up, while the guard jumped 
 down and ran forward. In a moment or two 
 he came back, saying, " Sir, the driver and the 
 whole of them are asleep. I will turn those 
 gee-ups' heads down this road to the left, sir, 
 if you will assist me, and they will, maybe, 
 awake in another county." 
 
 No sooner said than done. I jumped down, 
 ran to the waggon, and taking the head of one 
 horse., while the guard seized that of another, 
 we turned them successfully into the road across 
 the heath, along which they went patiently on 
 their way we watching as long as we could 
 see them. Some months after, coming up by 
 the same coach, I said to the guard, 
 
 " Well, and what news of the waggon ?" 
 
 " Oh, sir, rare fun about it I There was such 
 a shindy about being too late into Norwich, and 
 being found on the road to Ely ! But they never 
 found out the cause." 
 
 On the journey to London with my father the
 
 300 MY LIFE. 
 
 following morning, we changed horses at the 
 fifteen miles stage, Chesterford, a well-known 
 posting-house, where, with my dear mother, I 
 have often passed the night. It was, likewise, 
 a very comfortable hotel, kept by Mrs. Edwards, 
 who, with her son, managed a large farm, and 
 had upwards of a hundred and twenty horses 
 for posting and farming. I used to enjoy going 
 to this old house and looking out of my bed- 
 room window, facing the yard, seeing the post- 
 horses go out and come in. On one side of this 
 yard was a large pond into which the boys, 
 returning from their jobs, would ride their 
 horses for a wash, thereby saving themselves 
 the trouble of cleaning them. This was a ruinous 
 practice for their mistress, for the poor horses, 
 after this chilling ablution when they were, 
 perhaps, just off a journey, were put into the 
 stables, where their legs were left to dry them- 
 selves. No wonder I observed that a number 
 of these horses had enormously swelled limbs, 
 and that when they moved they did so with the 
 greatest pain, the blood actually starting out 
 of their fetlocks, having contracted, in fact, 
 what is called " the grease."
 
 IGNORANT TREATMENT OF HORSES. 301 
 
 Some years after, when I had a knowledge of 
 these things, I knew the cause of the swelled 
 legs. Travelling down from London, on horse- 
 back, 1 stopped to sleep at Chesterford. The 
 roads being wet and muddy, my horse was 
 much splashed, and Mr. Edwards proposed his 
 being taken to the pond to have his legs 
 washed. 
 
 " No, thank you," said I. " I do not wish my 
 horse's legs to be as big as his body, as all yours 
 are !" 
 
 "What, sir?" 
 
 " Will you tell me what your horse-doctor's 
 
 bill is ?" 
 
 i 
 
 " Why, a sight of money, sir a hundred a 
 year and more !" 
 
 " And so it will be," I said, " as long as you 
 allow your post-boys to wash their nags' legs 
 there, and then stand in the stable wet all 
 night ; you ought to wash them in warm water, 
 and then bandage them. If you buy fifty pairs 
 of flannel bandages, Mr. Edwards, they will be 
 better .to you than all your doctors." 
 
 To be brief, he did as I told him, and the 
 following year he showed me that he had filled
 
 302 MY LIFE. 
 
 up the pond, and declared that he had not 
 spent 20 with the farrier for the year. More- 
 over, he had built a large copper in his harness- 
 room, where a good supply of warm water was 
 kept for the use of the horses. But he had had 
 no end of difficulties with his men, whom it was 
 difficult to induce to break through all the bad 
 habits to which they had been accustomed from 
 childhood, and to reconcile to what they called 
 " new fangled notions and nonsense." 
 
 The superstition among that class of people, 
 particularly among those employed in farms, 
 where very few could read or write, was very 
 great. They always kept All Hallow's Eve. 
 One of the largest farms on the Raynham 
 estate, situated at Morston, had been for 
 some years in the occupation of a family of 
 whom I have every reason to speak with 
 feelings of respect and affection. Mr. George 
 Wood with whom I used to stay for many 
 weeks at a time, and whose hospitality I can 
 never forget told me of a curious act which he 
 witnessed. Coming home late from a friend's 
 house on All Hallow's Eve, he observed a light 
 shining in the window of the huge cart stable.
 
 THE CHESTERFORD HOTEL. 303 
 
 Dismounting from his pony, he stole softly to 
 the window, and saw five men sitting round a 
 pitchfork, placed upright, upon which hung a 
 clean white shirt. These men believed firmly 
 that the sweetheart of one of them, were she 
 true to him, would enter, and take away the 
 shirt, in solemn silence, before twelve o'clock ; 
 and there they sat, mute, waiting for her ap- 
 pearance. The clock struck the midnight hour, 
 but no one appeared ; and the fellows concluded 
 that not one of them had a faithful lover. Mr. 
 Wood quietly put the pony in the riding-stable 
 and the men never knew they had been watched. 
 He waited to see the light extinguished, and 
 went away to bed. 
 
 To the Chesterford Hotel was attached a 
 large garden, well stocked with fruit-trees, in 
 the centre of which was a fine walnut and if 
 we happened to be there when this fruit was 
 ripe, it was great fun to my brothers and 
 myself to knock them down, which good 
 Mrs. Edwards allowed us to do, " old Molly " 
 the maid, a specimen of the antique school of 
 servants, always coming to help us. Her 
 full-frilled mob cap, tied under her chin,
 
 304 MY LIFE. 
 
 surrounded a broad, kindly face, with dark, 
 penetrating eyes, a wide, smiling mouth, dark 
 hair, very good teeth, and a comely person, not 
 tall, but well-made. She wore a white apron 
 over a dark stuff gown, with white stockings 
 and shoes, but no " long tails " for good Molly, 
 draggling dirt after her up the stairs, and if 
 there happened to be a beetle in the kitchen, 
 catching it up and bringing it into her mis- 
 tress's room, or that of any lady lodging in the 
 house, and then dropping it there ; she had far 
 more propriety and good sense than to copy 
 the dress of ladies whom she constantly saw, 
 and was all the more respected for her pru- 
 dence. Dear old Molly I many a half-crown 
 did she get from us particularly if, in the 
 Winter, she brought us a good pan of coals, 
 wherewith she made the beds so hot that we 
 could scarce lie down in them. 
 
 One night she told us the following story. 
 " An old gentleman came to the inn to sleep, 
 had his tea, and ordered his bed to be warmed 
 by ten o'clock. Feeling tired, he did not wait 
 till that hour, but went upstairs, undressed, 
 and got into bed. True to her time, up comes
 
 ELISE. 305 
 
 Molly with the pan, not imagining that the 
 gentleman was in bed and fast asleep. So she 
 raised the clothes at the foot, and sent the pan 
 in in good earnest, meaning to make the bed 
 very comfortable for the old gentleman ; but 
 lo ! the moment the hot instrument touched 
 him, he roared out in such a way as to 
 frighten old Molly, "I'm on fire!" and the 
 poor woman dropped the pan, and took to 
 flight downstairs in no time. Mrs. Edwards 
 had to find salve and plaister to heal the 
 wounds inflicted ou the old gentleman by poor 
 Molly. 
 
 Arriving at home in Wimpole Street, I 
 found a note which had arrived by post that 
 morning, and on opening it, I saw at once that it < 
 was in the handwriting of Elise's sister, inform- 
 ing me of their arrival in London the night be- 
 fore, and expressing a wish to see me. They 
 should be at the panorama in Leicester Square 
 at eleven o'clock the next day. It is needless 
 to say that I repaired there at that hour. They 
 were as delighted to see me as I was to meet 
 them. They told me that after I had left the 
 Island there had been a great coolness towards 
 
 VOL. I. X
 
 306 MY LIFE. 
 
 them on the part of their guardian, who had 
 never forgiven poor Elise for not complying 
 with her wishes. Of course, I was very sorry 
 to hear all this ; but what was to be done ? 
 The old lady had extracted a promise from her 
 that she would not marry for two years, 
 when she would be of age. The sisters had 
 200 a-year each. 
 
 We sat talking all this over for some time 
 and parted, promising to meet the next evening 
 at Drury Lane, where they were going to see 
 Kean in Richard III., but I was not to speak to 
 them in their box, as they might have one of 
 the family with them who did not know me. 
 Their present chaperon and confidential friend I 
 .had met in Guernsey, where their guardian re- 
 mained. 
 
 Elise, meanwhile, I was told, was to go to a 
 seminary for young ladies, where there were 
 only four besides herself, and there to stay for 
 two years to finish her education in fact, in the 
 hope of thus shaking her constancy to me. I 
 met my friend Boghurst, with whom I dined at 
 Stephens's Hotel, where we talked over the old 
 Guernsey days, and all the news which 1 had
 
 THE SHOOTING SEASON. 307 
 
 so lately heard, interesting to him as well as to 
 me. He promised to send me his address in 
 London, when he should be settled there in the 
 Spring; and after a fortnight's stay with my 
 father in London, I returned to the country, 
 where I passed my time to the end of the 
 shooting season very pleasantly, with my dog 
 and my gun, and occasionally afterwards with 
 the hounds. 
 
 I went to Morston one afternoon to get a 
 brace of partridges for the house, my dear, kind 
 father having said to me, as was his custom, 
 that he wanted a few birds, and I was only too 
 glad of the walk. So I took old Ponto, my 
 brother Henry's best pointer, and strolled away. 
 I stopped at Wood's Farm, at Morston, and 
 bent my way to several "pightals" (small 
 fields) lying contiguous to its outskirts, in 
 which, late in the day, the partridges were sure 
 to be lying close, and one was more certain of 
 a shot than in the open or larger fields. 
 
 Entering one of these " pightals," Pouto made 
 a dead point. Skirting the hedge, so as to 
 head him and get the birds, as I thought, 
 between him and myself, I advanced, and be- 
 
 x2
 
 308 MY LIFE. 
 
 hold, to my amazement, up sprang a magnifi- 
 cent red stag, with noble antlers. The beauti- 
 ful creature stood still for an instant, and re- 
 garded me with his large, soft eyes. I could 
 have shot him dead where he stood with my 
 double-barrel, but I was so lost in admiration 
 of the noble animal that I, too, stood still, 
 gazing at him ; and be, turning suddenly, 
 cleared the fence at a bound, and was gone. I 
 watched him take towards Langham, a large 
 wood of Captain Marryat's, R.N., the author, 
 a great friend of mine. " Oh, ho," thought I ; 
 " I'll have you to-morrow." I shot a brace of 
 birds, returned home, and wrote to Dewing to 
 have his hounds ready in the morning. Fortun- 
 ately it was his hunting day, and the meet was 
 to take place at H^ndringham, near Langham, 
 whither, at half-past ten, I repaired. My father 
 lent me a capital horse he had recently bought 
 at my recommendation an animal of safe action, 
 and a superb jumper. I had observed him on a 
 common as we passed in full run with the 
 hounds, when he cleared a fence, joined the 
 hunt, took every leap in the most perfect man- 
 ner, and was in at the finish. Some one who
 
 A STAG HUNT. 309 
 
 knew him, good-naturedly took him back to his 
 owner. Meeting the hounds, I informed Mr. 
 Dewing whereabouts I had seen the stag make 
 for Langharn, and we trotted to the wood, and 
 drew it, but found nothing there. Coming into 
 the road again, we met a small boy, who said 
 
 " Sir, I have seen a quare-looking baste with 
 big horns/' 
 
 " Where, boy I" 
 
 " Why. going into that there cover, sir, on 
 the Cockthorpe Road, half an hour ago." 
 
 "That's him! We'll have him ! Come along!" 
 cried Dewing, trotting fast down the road. 
 Coming to the copse, the hounds were instantly 
 thrown in, and no sooner was this done than 
 a cry was heard on the other side, " Tantivy, 
 gone away !" 
 
 " Heigh ho, Tivy ! 
 
 Hark forward, hark forward, Tantivy ! 
 Heigh ho, Tivy !" 
 
 Encouraged by Mr. Dewing's musical voice, 
 and the cheering sound of the horn calling out 
 the hounds, away we went at a slapping pace. 
 You might have thrown a sheet over them, so 
 compact was the whole pack. Everyone who
 
 310 MY LIFE. 
 
 knew Mr. Dewiug's hounds felt that when they 
 did go they went the pace and this day there 
 was no mistake. The scent was brilliant, so that 
 there was no stopping at a fence to see what 
 was on the other side. I got away with the 
 hounds close to Dewing, on his favourite horse 
 Brush, and kept close to his pack during the run. 
 The first twenty-five minutes my little horse 
 carried me superbly without a check over every- 
 thing. The stag took a long round, and went 
 away to Melton Park, where, at a broken place 
 in the paling and most likely he had issued 
 thence three days before, for he had been seen 
 he bounded over, and we had to whip off, 
 after as good a run of more than thirty-five 
 minutes as could be desired. In my heart I 
 could not be sorry that the beautiful creature 
 was safe at home at Melton. 
 
 London was a charming place of meeting 
 in the Spring of the year, and to that city I 
 repaired in the middle of April, and met 
 several of my oldest and most esteem- 
 ed friends, among them my old naval com- 
 panion, Paul Benfield. He was residing with 
 his amiable mother, in Cumberland Place ; and
 
 THE DERBY DAY. 311 
 
 in her hospitable house we often met. After 
 dinner one afternoon, while sipping a glass of 
 claret, we talked over the many strange sights 
 we had witnessed, the many hard gales we had 
 weathered on the stormy sea, together. He 
 told me that, being very fond of hunting, he 
 had built a hunting-box at Leicester, with 
 stabling for several horses, and he invited me to 
 go there, and stay with him whenever I pleased, 
 which I did, not only at that time, but at differ- 
 ent periods for many years after. 
 
 During the London season, the Derby Day, of 
 course, arrived, and I accompanied Paul, with his 
 mother and sister, to that annual race, so well 
 known that it needs no description. It was a 
 beautiful sight to watch the different " turns- 
 out " of the nobility and gentry as they left 
 London for Epsom Downs ; the postilions clad 
 in their best, some in scarlet, others in blue, 
 white, or green jackets, white leathers, and top- 
 boots. Mrs. Benfield was in a barouche, with 
 four bays, the postilions in blue jackets, black 
 caps, with silver tassels, looking all very pretty 
 then ; but, alas ! ere we reached the course, it 
 was difficult to distinguish one colour from
 
 312 MY LIFE. 
 
 another amid the dust. Many people, going to 
 witness the race, not having secured a good 
 place on the course for their carriages, returned 
 as wise as they went. I saw the start, and 
 looked at each horse as it came upon the ground 
 from the paddock ; but the one which was 
 generally regarded as the favourite, did not 
 win, but a small horse, of which no one seemed 
 to have formed any opinion, ridden, I think, by 
 Chiffney. That great race has been going on 
 from that time to the present, and is open 
 to all the world. We hear of horses coming 
 from France and Germany to compete with 
 the best blood in England, and winning our 
 prizes. But it may be asked who, and of what 
 country, are the jockeys ? They are English. 
 Who trained these horses ? Again I answer, 
 Englishmen. Moreover, these horses are of 
 English blood ; but bred in France, in a warmer 
 climate than ours, they attain earlier to their 
 strength. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 LONDON : PRINTED BY DUNCAN MACDONALD, BLENHEIM HOUSE. 
 
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