The Eve of All-Hallows Volume I Part 4

433.

The supper was served at ten o'clock; an hour which was considered at that period as late, and was prolonged still later, while jest and joke, and revelry, and song, and glee, and gla.s.s went round; and at a protracted hour the guests retired to repose; and thus terminated the social hilarities of the festive night.

The d.u.c.h.ess rose upon the following day at an early hour, as invariably was her custom, and having retired to her cla.s.sical cabinet, opened the latticed cas.e.m.e.nt to admit the enlivening rays of a brilliant vernal sun, and to inhale the balmy breeze of the morning. It was truly a beauteous spring morning; the Eske rolled rapidly over his stony channel, pouring forth his tributary torrent into the peaceful bosom of the Atlantic Sea; while with mournful plaint the wood-quest called her mate, perched on her favourite sycamore; and the red-breast and linnet sweetly warbled forth their matin-hymn from bush and spray,

"To gratulate the sweet return of morn."

The d.u.c.h.ess of Tyrconnel was indeed an extraordinary woman, highly gifted by nature, instructed by education, (in these days, certainly an unusual occurrence), and still more learned from her own a.s.siduity and perseverance. All this was the more remarkable, when we pause to consider the period in which she lived! The vast powers of her mind were demonstrated by the universality of her knowledge, the various accomplishments which she possessed, her acquaintance, even to a colloquial knowledge, with several different languages, the numerous acquirements, in all of which she excelled. No less distinguished was the d.u.c.h.ess of Tyrconnel for her singular modesty, her unaffected manners, and that retiring grace, at once characteristic of those high endowments which flung around her such imposing charms. Indeed it has generally been remarked and acknowledged, that affectation and conceit are seldom found to be connected with genius, but are the satellites of those who would usurp her throne; and that the never-failing attendant upon true genius is simplicity of manners.

The d.u.c.h.ess had been educated at the convent of Vernon sur le Seine, where she was wont

"To walk the studious cloisters pale, And love the high embowed roof, With antic pillars ma.s.sy proof, And storied windows, richly dight, Casting a dim religious light."

Here, during her novitiate, the d.u.c.h.ess (then Lady Katherine O'Nial) formed a friendship with a young lady, an inmate at the convent, which terminated only in death. The friend of her youth was the beautiful Lady Adelaide Alencon, daughter of the Duke of Alencon. They became dear and inseparable friends, from similarity of taste and talent. The _idem velle_--the _idem nolle_--was theirs! The same, or nearly the same, distinguished talents, a similar and uncontrollable wish for information, led them on in the paths of science and of literature, of virtue and of religion. Then, oh! how delightful it was, after a short sojourn with their friends, again to return to the sacred convent, and to hear at early morn the solemn anthem from the hallowed choir, which pealed over rock and flood, deeply re-echoed by the convent walls: or if at eve they returned, to hear floating upon the silent and slumbering bosom of the Seine the sad and solemn evening vesper, which was wafted to the skies!

But this pure and disinterested friendship was doomed to be only of short duration. Lady Adelaide Alencon's powers of mind were superior to the fragile tenement they illuminated and adorned, and over-studiousness brought on a consumption, which unfortunately was a hereditary disease.

The physicians ordered the patient to remove to Tours, from thence to the aromatic isles of the Heyeres. But, alas! it was all in vain! The promises at first were fair, like expanding snow-drops on the cold breast of spring, which blow--then bloom--then die! But each sad succeeding account only brought fresh accession of regret; and at an early age, in the ever-blooming green islands of the Heyeres, the lovely and the gifted Lady Adelaide Alencon drooped, and pined, and died!

deeply deplored by all her relatives, and justly and duly lamented by her friends.

"The hectic form, the beauteous maid, That just as life its charms displayed, To death devoted, glides away; With brilliant eye, that watery gleams, While still the rosy spectre dreams Of many a morrow gay."

Upon the deeply regretted event of Lady Adelaide Alencon's death, the d.u.c.h.ess made a vow that if she married, her first female child should be called after her first regarded, her early and lamented friend; and to this cause our heroine was indebted for the ill.u.s.trious name which she bore.

The d.u.c.h.ess, even during her juvenile abode at the convent of Vernon sur le Seine, had manifested much talent and infinite taste, and at that early period had displayed an extraordinary degree of ingenuity and delicacy of tact; she cut paper into an innumerable variety of figures, characters, and landscapes, solely dictated by her own genius, and executed with much taste and spirit. Her Grace also drew in crayons, flowers that were so naturally depicted, that they seemed to have been recently culled from the garden. She was conversant, besides, with vocal and instrumental music; and, moreover, displayed much skill in oil-painting and in sculpture: indeed her talents seemed to rival those of that n.o.ble and distinguished lady, Anne-Maria Schurman.[13] A proficient too in etching. Her writing in various languages was inimitable. She was also perfect mistress of the Greek and Latin languages, and understood and spoke with facility French, Italian, and German; and no less excelling in the sciences of geography, astronomy, and philosophy, with many other rare acquirements, which we shall pa.s.s by unnoticed, as we do not choose to cla.s.sify this gifted lady with the heroines of romance. Under the guidance and instructions of such a mother everything was to be hoped for, if not realized, in the education of an only and beloved daughter--her first-born, and possibly her last; certainly her only one!

[13] For an account of this n.o.ble and distinguished lady, see "_Moreri Dictionnaire Historique_," folio, Paris, 1654, tome VI.

p. 173;--and Descamps, in his "_Vie des Peintres_," &c., tome II.

Paris, 1754, makes the following honourable mention of her: "Anne-Marie Schurman, les Poetes Hollandois nomment dans leurs vers cette fille ill.u.s.tre, leur Sapho et leur Cornelie: si elle a merite les eloges de ses compatriotes, elle a aussi obtenu les suffrages des grands et des scavants de l'Europe," &c.--Tome II.

p. 119.

With all these splendid acquirements, the d.u.c.h.ess was an ardent admirer of the beauties of nature. She took delight in beholding the sun, with glorious burst, to ascend and illuminate the lofty mountain-peak; and at night to behold the starry host of heaven, the moon, and all the unnumbered stars that gem with imperishable l.u.s.tre the canopy of the skies. Even while the morning dew impearled the gra.s.s, she was wont to traverse the verdant lawn, with "daisies pied and violets blue;" all these charms of rural nature gave delight and indescribable pleasure to a mind at peace with itself, and in harmony with the tranquil solitude which surrounded her. Who can doubt, then, that it was with unmixed contempt that the d.u.c.h.ess looked down upon the green and frivolous field of a loo, tredille, or cribbage-table, and that even primero had no charms for her!--a preference at that period very remarkable, and that completely puzzled all the suppositions and gossipings of the courtly card-playing dowagers of those courtly days.

However, with all this wild love for nature, and with all those commanding accomplishments to boot, we cannot, howbeit, deny that the d.u.c.h.ess was proud of the country which gave her birth, and pardie proud perhaps too of her own enn.o.bled descent; although we must observe that, with due discretion, she was never known to dwell upon the latter, while upon the former, conversant as she was with the aboriginal language of her country, when time and opportunity offered, she then indulged herself therein, in learning the wants and the necessities of the lower orders; and, furthermore, in acquiring a knowledge of the character and the feelings of the native Irish, with which the more she became acquainted, the still more she became endeared.

While thus we have been endeavouring to delineate the mind and acquirements of the d.u.c.h.ess of Tyrconnel, we must, however, not silently pa.s.s by her remarkable costume, for this is strictly in unison with the history of those times; and it must be confessed that it was sufficiently _outre_ and extraordinary. Her Grace's head-dress, or head-gear, was strangely elevated, indeed we might say castellated, upon the stiff, formal, and firm foundation of an internal satin cushion, on bastion of silk, surmounted by a natural coronal of fine auburn hair; so that she might have been mistaken for Cybele, the mother of the G.o.ds; and like the G.o.ddess too, she was crowned with the model of a citadel.

The hair was raised with such force, that it appeared from the process to be nearly starting from the roots. A double tier of curls formidably flanked and circled round this superstructure, on which were arranged three magnificent rows of eastern pearls, while above was placed a costly coif or cap of superb Brussels lace, bordered with Mechlin. Large pendant diamond rings sparkled in each ear; a superb brilliant necklace glittered on her bosom; her kerchief was of the richest Poyntz lace; her jacket or bodice was short, formed with close sleeves, and made of light blue Spanish cloth, adorned with longitudinal stripes of gold. This bodice was fastened at the breast, so as to form a most splendid stomacher, by means of two parallel superb rows of large brilliant diamond b.u.t.tons, which were interlaced by crimson ribbons, enclosing it in front. The sleeves were of deep crimson velvet, trimmed with rich gold net-work. The petticoat was of rich blue velvet, festooned by golden cords and ta.s.sels, and richly trimmed with a border of deep gold net-work. The petticoat, it must needs be confessed, was distended to a disfiguring circ.u.mference, swelled out by the unseemly and uncouth bell-hoop, which was then the appanage to a lady's full dress, and still further increased by long peaked stays, which gave a most Dutch-like and awkward solemnity, if not an armorial stiffness of carriage, to the wearer.

Her Grace's shoes were of red Morocco leather, with high tapering heels, so elevated as to form with the sole the outlines of an arch; and the colour, to contrast with the red upper leather, was blue. The shoes were tastefully st.i.tched and worked in a pattern of gold-thread work, and fastened with diamond clasps. The hose were of light blue silk, ornamented with clokes of gold.[14]

[14] There is another item of Her Grace's dress which is not noticed above, as it was only used on occasions of going abroad to visit, or when on horseback; we speak of a velvet mask, worn by ladies of rank at this period, and for which a high duty was imposed upon their being imported from France.

Upon the festival of the previous day the d.u.c.h.ess was thus attired as we have endeavoured to describe her state dress; her beautifully formed hands and fingers were adorned with bracelets and rings set with "gems both rich and rare;" while her animated countenance, and still more brilliant eyes, and affable manners, spread joy and delight around the festive circle which she graced and adorned.

We must here by no means whatever pa.s.s over an important character in the _dramatis personae_ of our history, (at least so she was in her own personal estimation), and forsooth be it known too, moreover, a highly privileged person. We here venture to speak of Lady Adelaide's nurse, Mistress Judith Braingwain, who was in every respect most truly Irish.

Her superst.i.tions were deeply rooted, so that nothing could shake them; and her belief in ghosts, wraiths, banshees, and fairies, and all that was marvellous, was truly orthodox. She believed in astrology, then much in vogue; in dreams, omens, prognostications, and

"Chimeras all, still more absurd or less,"

and all the attendant phantasmagoria of credulity. Mrs. Judith's attachment to her country was great and strong, as likewise was her affection for her child; but her whole stock of fondness seemed to be concentrated in her foster child, whom she actually loved better than the child she had borne in her own maternal bosom. "My dear, dear child, my darling," she would say, "oh, my Adelaide! may the sun-shine and peace of this world ever be thine _mavourneen_!" [i.e. my beloved.]

Mrs. Judith's dress[15] was so perfectly and truly aboriginal, that it may amuse the reader, and possibly afford a reminiscence to the antiquary, while we notice it in the following description.

[15] See Cooper Walker's able Essay on Irish Dresses.

The curious specimen of Irish costume worn by persons in Mrs. Judith Braingwain's station in life, prevailed in Ireland at the close of the reign of the second Charles, and during the reign of his successor, James II., the patron and friend of the Duke of Tyrconnel. It was as follows:--

Mrs. Judith wore placed upon her head-top a cushion of linen or stuff, which she called her "system;" it was not dissimilar, save in its want of utility, to the roll or plait twisted cushion of hay used by milk-maids in carrying their pails; but with this difference, that it was not flat, but rose higher to the back of the head; it was fastened and attached by long pins, and over and around this under-structure she combed and attached her long hair, of which the Irish were always proud, even to absurdity, and which withal looked as stiff and formal as if it had been hewn out, the work of some primeval statuary, sternly staring in stone, certainly most Medusa-like, upon some ancient tomb! This most strange redoubt or fortification of hair-work was supported by a side-battery of two curls on each side of the head above the ears, and masked on high by a little round cap or coif, surrounded with a cambric border, over which was thrown a kerchief, which being made fast upon the apex of the head, was allowed to fall down carelessly behind, where it streamed, when she walked abroad, like a banner over a fortress. Her jacket was of brown cloth, and made to fit close to the shape, by means of whalebone scientifically, as now we would say, wrought into it both in front and at the back, but managed so as not to meet; while it was laced in the front across the breast, forming there a stomacher, and evidently borrowed from the Spanish costume. The sleeves, halfway to the elbow, were constructed of the same kind of cloth as the jacket, and from thence they continued to the wrist, formed of longitudinal stripes of red camlet, interwoven with green ferreting, and then being turned up, formed a little cuff, embraced within three circles of narrow green ribbon. Her petticoat was formed of scarlet broad-cloth, bordered with three rows of green ribbon. Her ap.r.o.n was of green serge, striped longitudinally with scarlet ferreting, and bound with the same. Her hose were of blue worsted; and her shoes were of black leather, laced with scarlet galloon, and ankle high, and withal mounted upon heels of a most portentous height. But _eheu! jam satis_, we are glad to have done with this specimen of costume, of which we are not over fond; but writing of the history, &c. of the times, from such we found it to be our bounden duty not to depart or swerve one single iota.

The d.u.c.h.ess allowed to nurse Braingwain very extensive liberties, and lat.i.tude of converse too, induced by the affectionate, nay, almost more than motherly care which she bestowed upon her child; as well as amused withal, she permitted nurse occasionally to show off that strange originality which she possessed.

The d.u.c.h.ess having gone through her morning devotions, ascended the nursery to embrace her dear child, who was sweetly and serenely reposing.

"See, my honoured lady, how sweetly _mavourneen_ sleeps! Och, and may be I didn't dream last night that my dear young princess was one day to be queen of auld Ireland; and in troth, in my dream, sure enough I saw, not a crownet, but a royal crown placed upon her sweet baby brow. But as for you, my lady d.u.c.h.ess, I moreover drimt that Your Grace was created _Impress of Europa_--and long, long, my lady Impress, may you live and reign over us, and over all the world besides! Musha amen, says a grateful heart!"

"Prithee, Nurse, be silent; you will awake my child with your nonsensical rodomontade!"

Just here a message arrived from the Duke, that he wished to speak with Her Grace in his closet. The d.u.c.h.ess immediately left the nursery, in obedience to the ducal summons.

The Duke took the d.u.c.h.ess by the hand: "Here's great news, my Kate!

Charles is dead, and the n.o.ble York that was, is now monarch of England; and permit me to kiss the fair and lady-like hand of the vice-queen of Ireland," he said, gaily kissing Her Grace's hand.

"Why, my Lord Duke, I really believe that you have laid this scheme of cajolery with so very great a personage as the very high and mighty lady, Mrs. Judith Braingwain, who even just now saluted me with the _all hail hereafter_! of Macbeth's witches: for d.u.c.h.ess of Tyrconnel though I be, yet Empress of Europe I _am to be_, or "Impress of Europa," as I was styled. What think you of that, my Lord? Surely I must feel quite shocked and horrified, as you must well conceive, at this dreadful and unexpected downfall from my high imperial state! Only think, at once too, without meet preparation, to be deprived of the diadem which fancy was fitting upon my brow, and _only_ to be dubbed vice-queen of Ireland; oh! my Lord, you must needs confess what a provoking falling off was here! But no; it will not do; I am resolved that I must be empress, or only simple plain d.u.c.h.ess!"

"Now Katherine you think I am rallying, but no such thing, I seriously a.s.sure you a patent has arrived, const.i.tuting and appointing me, and so forth, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland! And now, fair lady, I must kiss the hands of the vice-queen of Ireland, according to the statute in that case made and provided." And having thus gaily spoken, he affectionately and tenderly embraced his d.u.c.h.ess.

"Well then it appears quite a hopeless case, your patent has arrived; _you not only achieve greatness yourself, but likewise have greatness thrust upon you_, as Malvolio says; so I suppose that you must have even the grace to submit, and entrap yourself forth-with in the harness of office. As for my part, I shall sigh for the charms of the dear country, and would rather wear a simple coronal of hawthorn-blossoms than a diadem studded with resplendent gems, and "the rich east to boot;" and I, my Lord, warn you, for you must prepare to hear e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns from the towers of Dublin castle somewhat to the tune and measure of--_O rus quando ego te aspiciam?_ Then you, my Lord, with your high waving plumed crest of chivalry come rushing up to the turret, fancying that you are most heroically about to liberate some captive dame, or forlorn princess, who has been cruelly incarcerated by some old cruel-hearted necromancer, when I shall fly into your arms, forgetting pomp and power, and even the divine country too; I will rush into your bosom, and only remember that I am your wife--_the wife of Tyrconnel_!"

"Bravo, bravo, _viva, viva, sempre l'imperatrice_!" exclaimed the Duke in rapture. "Yes, dearest Katherine, you are the empress of my heart, and need never, never fear a rival near the throne: come then to my arms, and with your simple diadem of hawthorn I shall ever adore you, in cottage or in palace!"

The Duke was a Major-General in the army, he had served under the banner of the ill.u.s.trious Turenne, and his royal patron the Duke of York, now James II., had also fought beneath the same victorious standard. The Duke was considered the handsomest man of the age, and was beloved alike in camp and in court. His knowledge and attainments were great; he was not only _aliquis in omnibus_, but also _singularis in omnibus_. He was indeed--

"A courtier of the chamber, A soldier of the field; Whose tongue could never flatter, Whose heart could never yield!"

The Duke's two sisters, Lady Let.i.tia and Lady Lucy Raymond, who constantly resided with him, affectionately approached to congratulate their brother upon his appointment to the viceroyship. "Oh joy, dearest brother!" they both exclaimed, while each at the same moment kissed the Duke's cheeks.

Lady Lucy had been educated abroad, and was always speaking in warmest raptures of "the dear continent," or of whatever was foreign, or _recherche_. Indeed her friends were obliged to admit that it was a vast pity that Lady Lucy, with all her amiable qualities, should be somewhat a little tinctured with conceit; and apprehended, that as it had been of long continuance they feared it was too late to be remedied, her affectation having become something very like second nature. Thus argued her kind, consoling friends, who sat down most contentedly beneath the shade of their own sage conclusions.

Lady Lucy continued her expressions of joy in a sort of soliloquy: "Oh really this will be quite deloightful! quite _impose_! surpa.s.singly deloightful! Why actually we shall hold a little court of St. Germains at Dublin castle!"

Lady Let.i.tia during her infancy had been a sickly child, and, in consequence of her inability to travel, had remained at home; while her family were sometime resident abroad, and her education was wholly unattended to; or to speak more explicitly, was never once thought of as a matter of the slightest concern--no uncommon occurrence in the olden time. This deficiency at this period was not confined to two or three n.o.ble families;--nay, gentle reader, start not, for thou wilt please to recollect that we are speaking of what happened above one hundred and forty years ago. In consequence of this neglect Lady Let.i.tia made such broad and palpable mistakes, and of so extraordinary a kind, as could not of failed to have beaten that modern personage, Mrs. Malaprop, of blundering notoriety, completely defeated from the field.

"No, Lucy, no!" rejoined Lady Let.i.tia, "No, nothing _German_; neither caps nor boots, rats, whiskers, nor muskatoes. I hate every thing German; no, our court shall not be a German one, but a second St.

James's. And old Cormac shall compose such a grand ode upon the solemn occasion, to be said or sung in the old hall at Dublin castle; aye, and we shall have duly chanted for my dear brother such a n.o.ble hypothesis as ear never----"

"Apotheosis, you mean, Let.i.tia," said the Duke, interrupting her. "Yes, indeed, _that_ would be a _solemn occasion_; but I pray you be not in such mighty haste to send me so soon 'unanointed, unanealed,' to the other world before my time too; this is not altogether so kind, sister; and besides, previous to the possession of the honours which you would somewhat too prematurely celebrate.----But a truce to this badinage; I must forth-with prepare for my journey to take possession of the government of Barataria!"

Sir Patricius Placebo now advanced to join and congratulate the family circle, and to express his joy upon the Duke's appointment. "My Lord Duke in verity believe me, that this day there exists none whose feelings and whose heart are more truly gratified by this gracious selection of my sovereign than what mine are; and I also must congratulate your Grace's friends, and the country too, at the happy choice which king James has made. And I further beg to say, with meet reason, and under due discretion and correction, that you confer more honour upon the king by your acceptance of it, than His Majesty has done you by the presentation. Yea, and I may truly and fearlessly add, in the words of old Flaccus,

"c.u.m tot sustineas et tanta negotia solus, * * * * *