Grace Darling Part 24

'Midst desert rocks and tempests thrown, As though in sternest clime and place, Where life and man have scarce a trace, Maternal Nature would embrace A heroine of her own!

"Methinks, while yet in cradled sleep, She loved and destined thee to be A dweller of the craggy steep, A watcher of the stormy deep, And bade its wild waves nurse and keep Thy heart as strong and free.

"She bade thee draw a deep delight-- An influence kind--an impulse brave, From every season in its flight, From gentle Spring and Summer bright, From golden Autumn, and the might Of winter's wind and wave.

"By every aspect she could show, In heaven above and earth below, She bade thy spirit statelier grow, And 'champion human fears!'

Courage and love she bade thee know, And with the n.o.blest pa.s.sions glow, And melt with n.o.blest tears!

"Like Ocean's daughter--Peril's bride-- She nurs'd thee by the roaring tide, The playmate of its storms, And bade thee be in soul allied With moral grandeur, strength and pride, To her thy monitress and guide In all her moods and forms.

"To thee she said, in accents bland, 'These desert rocks and wild sea-land Shall be as dear a father-land As ever yet was dearest; 'Midst all of lone, and stern, and grand, Thy heart shall burn, thy soul expand, And thou shall know and understand _My_ voice in all thou hearest

"'Day's radiant arch--night's cloudy dome, Alike shall see thee fearless roam, And life to thee shall dear become, And thou its humblest forms shall blend With the sweet charities of home, S'en the poor sea-bird on the foam Shalt be to thee a friend!'

"This nature wills; her will avails, Thy matchless deed may show.

Thy lofty heart that did not quail When raged on high the stormy gale, And ocean rag'd below.

A meed of glory shall not fail!

Grace Darling's is the n.o.blest tale That e'er made woman's cheeks look pale, Or man's with envy glow!

"Heroic girl! these volumes take, For proudest admiration's sake; Proud volumes so possess'd!

And may my own brave Constance make A kindred admiration wake In thy congenial breast!

"And wouldst thou know, 'heart-honoured maid!

How thrice a thousand-fold repaid My humble gift may be?

With cheerful hand and heart unbraid The band thy modest brow that shades, And send, with three kind words convey'd, One little tress to me!

"Be this a birthday doubly bless'd!

Joy to thine aged mother's breast!

And long, caressing and caress'd, May her maternal kiss, While peaceful years melt calm away, Make to thy heart each natal day As joyous e'en as this!

"Brave daughter of a sire as brave As ever risked a surging grave, In tides of stormiest swell!

Thou that didst share that fearful strife, All joy be to thee, maid or wife!

And may'st thou brave the storms of life As fearlessly and well."

It may be interesting to the reader to know that the boat which carried Grace Darling and her father to the "Forfarshire," is probably in existence at the present day, It came into the possession of Mr. George Darling, of North Sunderland, who was the brother of Grace; and he took great care of it--this boat, with a history of which so many people had thought with tears in their eyes! He had often been solicited to sell it, and at last did so, to Major Joicey, of Stocksfield-on-Tyne.

Pieces of this boat have come in for the affection usually bestowed on interesting relics, for some planks that were taken out for repairs have been preserved as great treasures, and snuff-boxes and other articles have been made from them. But nothing is needed to keep in the hearts of the people of our own and other lands the memory of the gallant deed. Grace Darling is loved still, and we do not forget our beloved ones.

These records give some idea of the enthusiasm which had been awakened by the splendid deed which has been related. Cold-hearted critics there were, no doubt, who, never having done an unselfish action in their lives, would not believe in Grace Darling's disinterestedness, and b.u.t.toned their pockets closely when asked to contribute towards the testimonial which was presented to her. But these were very few. The greater number who heard of the heroine's name were generous in their praise, so that her name became a household word among them, and they were right, for they learned the blessedness of giving.

CHAPTER XIV.

A VISIT TO ALNWICK CASTLE.

"A young rose in the summer-time Is beautiful to me, And glorious are the many stars That glimmer on the sea; But gentle words and loving hearts, And hands to clasp my own, Are better than the brightest flowers Or stars that ever shone.

"The sun may warm the gra.s.s to life, The dew the drooping flower, And eyes grow bright, and watch the light Of Autumn's opening hour; But words that breathe of tenderness, And smiles we know are true, Are warmer than the summer time, And brighter than the dew.

"It is not much the world can give With all its subtle art, And gold and gems are not the things To satisfy the heart; But oh, if those who cl.u.s.ter round.

The altar and the hearth, Have gentle words, and loving smiles, How beautiful is earth!"--C. D. Stewart.

It has already been intimated that one of the pleasures which was given to Grace, as the reward of her heroic deed, was caused by the kindly notice and sympathy of one of the most n.o.ble ladies of the north--namely, the d.u.c.h.ess of Northumberland. We have already referred to some of the members of this ancient family, and their baronial residence, Alnwick Castle. In the midst of the congratulations and honours which were heaped upon her, the humble lighthouse maiden was startled, as well as gratified, to receive an invitation from Her Grace to visit her. It is not difficult to imagine the flutter of excitement which this caused, nor to picture Grace, with glowing cheeks and bright eyes, as she talked of the event with her father and mother. She was, indeed, almost overcome by the prospect of it, and terribly anxious lest she should not acquit herself properly in the interview. It may be safely said that she was far more afraid of facing the great people than she had been of contending with the wild and angry waves. She knew what to expect from them, but she was rather puzzled to know what was expected of her when she should appear before the n.o.ble ladies and gentlemen who wished to see her. Still, of course, she must go bravely to the one as she had gone to the other; for such an honour, which would certainly occur only once even in her eventful life, must not be slighted. She greatly mistrusted herself, for she had lived very quietly in her lighthouse-home, and was thoroughly unversed and inexperienced in the ways of the great world; and the thought of going into such ill.u.s.trious society as that of the d.u.c.h.ess might well have made even more worldly-wise people than Grace Darling perturbed and anxious.

"I am sure," she said, "that I shall make some stupid mistake, or not be able to answer the questions that are put to me as I ought."

"Perhaps not," said her father. "It is a trying ordeal for you, Grace, but I do not think you need be afraid; for every one speaks of the d.u.c.h.ess as a most kind and condescending lady. Of course, she will not expect from you those forms and ceremonies which other people render, for she will know that your education has been of a different sort from that which is given to those who have to shine in courts; but I am quite sure she will make you feel at your ease, and that this visit which you dread will be most pleasurable."

Thus comforted, Grace was able to bear to look forward more calmly to the coming honour. Mr. Darling was a wise man, and he knew how to make even this visit a simple and natural thing, by introducing some of the home element into it.

"We will first go and see William," he said, for his son was living at Alnwick, "and make him happy by a visit. He will almost be too proud of his sister now, I imagine."

"It will be very good to see him," said Grace, who loved her brother, and who thought henceforth of him when she thought of her visit to the castle.

At last the day arrived on which she was expected. She dressed in her usual simple style, and looked neat, pretty, and unpretending, as she always did. Her mother was quite satisfied with her appearance, and went down to the water's edge with her to bid her good-bye, and see her start with her father.

They had a pleasant sail over the sea, and a warm greeting from William, and then they went together to the castle.

It is a grand old place; and as they approached it, the heart of Grace Darling was moved with admiration and awe. She thought of the olden times, and all the scenes which those walls had witnessed, and begged her father now and again to wait, while she examined the different devices and relics that were visible. Through the gloomy archway they pa.s.sed, and then the castle, with its towers and battlements, was before them, and presently they had entered the court. As soon as their names were known, they were at once admitted, and an usher conducted them up the s.p.a.cious staircase, where the emblazoned escutcheons were numerous, end where the lofty ceiling especially attracted the admiration of the girl. They were then led into a splendid saloon, whose walls were hung with portraits of the Percy family; and here the d.u.c.h.ess of Northumberland received the heroine of the Farne Isles.

For a moment Grace felt embarra.s.sed as she recognised the fact of the personality of the lady who, with gentle dignity, stood before her.

But soon, when the kindly voice of the d.u.c.h.ess addressed the girl, she ventured to lift her hazel eyes to the fair face of the questioner, and then she met a smile so sweet and rea.s.suring that her timidity vanished. It may be safely affirmed that the visit gave fully as much pleasure to one as to the other; and the d.u.c.h.ess, allowing this to be seen, was able to elicit from Grace her own description of the brave and perilous feat which had gained the honour of an introduction to the castle. When his daughter had finished, however, Mr. Darling asked permission to give his version of the affair, remarking that the modesty of his daughter had caused her to omit several points of interest. The d.u.c.h.ess listened to him with respect, and now and then asked a question, which caused the man to feel that her heart was touched by the deed of heroism that his daughter had performed.

When she had been made acquainted with the facts from the lips of those who were better able than any one beside to give an account of them, the d.u.c.h.ess complimented them both on their courage, intrepidity, and humanity, remarking to Grace that she would always feel particularly interested in her, and would adopt her as her special protegee.

"You will perhaps be surprised to find," said the d.u.c.h.ess, graciously, "that the fame of your heroic deed has reached the Court of the Queen, and has been talked of in the presence of Her Majesty, who has commissioned me to express to you her approval of your conduct."

Tears came to Grace's eyes, and she could scarcely speak, though every fresh sentence made her again and again bow in humility; and her courtesy expressed her thanks better than words could do.

"Nor is that all," said the d.u.c.h.ess. "Her Majesty has commanded me to be the bearer of a present to you, and I trust it will contribute to your comfort and delight. The Queen is quick to recognise any good deeds of her subjects, and those who save life are especially dear to her. I am sure you will be gratified by the notice of the Royal Lady."

She was, indeed; but had she attempted to say so tears must have fallen, and the girl was really too much excited to speak. Her father, however, who saw how matters stood, took the burden himself.

"Your Grace will, I hope, kindly pardon my daughter," he said. "She is overwhelmed by the condescension of your Grace, and that of the Queen; but, indeed, I know that she is most anxious to thank you, and does it in her heart, if she cannot trust herself to put her sentiments into words."

The d.u.c.h.ess looked first at the slender, frightened girl, and then at the venerable form of her aged-looking father, and, as she thought of the deed which they had done between them, she accorded them most generous praise and admiration.

"Let me give you now Her Majesty's present," she said, handing a packet to Grace, "and also ask you to accept from the Duke and myself a token of our appreciation and regard."

After this Mr. and Miss Darling were conducted by an attendant to one of the housekeeper's rooms, where they were asked to partake of some refreshment. They had never before seen such a display of magnificence and elegance; and as they took their meal, they could scarcely help smiling at the contrast between their own humble home and the luxuries which were strewn around them. The housekeeper knew how at once to please the d.u.c.h.ess and her visitors, and make the latter feel at home, even while they wondered at the splendour around them. She wanted to make the lighthouse-keeper and his daughter really happy, and give them such a treat as they would always remember with pleasure; and in her efforts she was seconded by all the other members of the household, who vied with each other in their attentions to their homely, but celebrated guests; and the respect, and even deference with which they were treated could not be otherwise than grateful to the feelings of those whom Alnwick that day delighted to honour.

When the repast was ended, Grace and her father were asked if they would like to look over the castle, and see its treasures, both ancient and modern. They replied that they would be greatly delighted to do so, and a very pleasant time was spent in visiting and examining the different apartments. They saw the library, which set Grace longing, for good books were her delight; and such books as those in the library at Alnwick had hitherto only been seen by Grace in her dreams. Next to the library, she admired the chapel, which is indeed worthy of all admiration, for the magnificence and beauty of its adornments can scarcely be surpa.s.sed.

Grace Darling was particularly interested in all that she saw. She had not grown up in an ignorant, uncultured state, and her familiarity with books, and especially with ballads, caused her to observe everything around that presented new ideas and lessons. She had quick powers of perception, and nothing was unnoticed or misunderstood by her. It is absurd to see the blank astonishment, or dull sleepy inertness with which some tourists look upon the castles and other great show-places of our country. They evidently do not understand what is said, though they are anxious to "do" the thing properly, and to secure a guide for the purpose of a.s.sisting them. But Grace brought a large amount of intelligence to bear upon this visit, and she received proportionate pleasure and instruction in consequence.

When the rooms had been visited, Grace and her father pa.s.sed into the court-yard, when the porter, whose office it was to conduct strangers around the building, came forward to act as their guide.