CHAPTER LVIII. Where we do what Cats may do
We have said how our Virginians, with a wisdom not uncommon inyouth, had chosen to adopt strong Jacobite opinions, and to profess aprodigious affection for the exiled royal family. The banished princehad recognised Madam Esmond's father as Marquis of Esmond, and she didnot choose to be very angry with an unfortunate race, that, after all,was so willing to acknowledge the merits of her family. As for anylittle scandal about her sister, Madame de Bernstein, and the OldChevalier, she tossed away from her with scorn the recollection of thatodious circumstance, asserting, with perfect truth, that the two firstmonarchs of the House of Hanover were quite as bad as any Stuarts inregard to their domestic morality. But the king de facto was the king,as well as his Majesty de jure. De Facto had been solemnly crowned andanointed at church, and had likewise utterly discomfited De Jure, whenthey came to battle for the kingdom together. Madam's clear opinion was,then, that her sons owed it to themselves as well as the sovereign toappear at his royal court. And if his Majesty should have been mindedto confer a lucrative post, or a blue or red ribbon upon either of them,she, for her part, would not have been in the least surprised. She madeno doubt but that the King knew the Virginian Esmonds as well as anyother members of his nobility. The lads were specially commanded, then,to present themselves at court, and, I dare say, their mother would havebeen very angry had she known that George took Harry's laced coat on theday when he went to make his bow at Kensington.
A hundred years ago the King's drawing-room was open almost every dayto his nobility and gentry; and loyalty--especially since the war hadbegun--could gratify itself a score of times in a month with the augustsight of the sovereign. A wise avoidance of the enemy's ships of war, agracious acknowledgment of the inestimable loss the British Isles wouldsuffer by the seizure of the royal person at sea, caused the monarch toforgo those visits to his native Hanover which were so dear to hisroyal heart, and compelled him to remain, it must be owned, unwillinglyamongst his loving Britons. A Hanoverian lady, however, whose virtueshad endeared her to the prince, strove to console him for his enforcedabsence from Herrenhausen. And from the lips of the Countess of Walmoden(on whom the imperial beneficence had gracefully conferred a high titleof British honour) the revered Defender of the Faith could hear theaccents of his native home.
To this beloved Sovereign, Mr. Warrington requested his uncle, anassiduous courtier, to present him; and as Mr. Lambert had to goto court likewise, and thank his Majesty for his promotion, thetwo gentlemen made the journey to Kensington together, engaging ahackney-coach for the purpose, as my Lord Wrotham's carriage was nowwanted by its rightful owner, who had returned to his house in town.They alighted at Kensington Palace Gate, where the sentries on duty knewand saluted the good General, and hence modestly made their way on footto the summer residence of the sovereign. Walking under the porticoof the Palace, they entered the gallery which leads to the great blackmarble staircase (which hath been so richly decorated and painted by Mr.Kent), and then passed through several rooms, richly hung with tapestryand adorned with pictures and bustos, until they came to the King'sgreat drawing-room, where that famous "Venus" by Titian is, and, amongstother masterpieces, the picture of "St. Francis adoring the infantSaviour," performed by Sir Peter Paul Rubens; and here, with the rest ofthe visitors to the court, the gentlemen waited until his Majesty issuedfrom his private apartments, where he was in conference with certainpersonages who were called in the newspaper language of that day hisM-j-ty's M-n-st-rs.
George Warrington, who had never been in a palace before, had leisure toadmire the place, and regard the people round him. He saw fine picturesfor the first time too, and I dare say delighted in that charming pieceof Sir Athony Vandyck, representing King Charles the First, his Queenand Family, and the noble picture of "Esther before Ahasuerus," paintedby Tintoret, and in which all the figures are dressed in the magnificentVenetian habit. With the contemplation of these works he was soenraptured, that he scarce heard all the remarks of his good friend theGeneral, who was whispering into his young companion's almost heedlessear the names of some of the personages round about them.
"Yonder," says Mr. Lambert, "are two of my Lords of the Admiralty, Mr.Gilbert Elliot and Admiral Boscawen: your Boscawen, whose fleet firedthe first gun in your waters two years ago. That stout gentleman allbelated with gold is Mr. Fox, that was Minister, and is now content tobe Paymaster with a great salary.
"He carries the auri fames on his person. Why, his waistcoat is aperfect Potosi!" says George.
"Aliena appetens--how goes the text? He loves to get money and to spendit," continues General Lambert. "Yon is my Lord Chief Justice Willes,talking to my Lord of Salisbury, Doctor Headley, who, if he servehis God as he serves his King, will be translated to some very highpromotion in Heaven. He belongs to your grandfather's time, and wasloved by Dick Steele and hated by the Dean. With them is my Lord ofLondon, the learned Doctor Sherlock. My lords of the lawn sleeves havelost half their honours now. I remember when I was a boy in my mother'shand, she made me go down on my knees to the Bishop of Rochester; himwho went over the water, and became Minister to somebody who shall benameless--Perkin's Bishop. That handsome fair man is Admiral Smith. Hewas president of poor Byng's court-martial, and strove in vain to gethim off his penalty; Tom of Ten Thousand they call him in the fleet. TheFrench Ambassador had him broke, when he was a lieutenant, for making aFrench man-of-war lower topsails to him, and the King made Tom acaptain the next day. That tall, haughty-looking man is my Lord GeorgeSackville, who, now I am a Major-General myself, will treat me somewhatbetter than a footman. I wish my stout old Blakeney were here; he is thesoldier's darling, and as kind and brave as yonder poker of a noblemanis brave and--I am your lordship's very humble servant. This is a younggentleman who is just from America, and was in Braddock's sad businesstwo years ago."
"Oh, indeed!" says the poker of a nobleman. "I have the honour ofspeaking to Mr.----?"
"To Major-General Lambert, at your lordship's service, and who was inhis Majesty's some time before you entered it. That, Mr. Warrington, isthe first commoner in England, Mr. Speaker Onslow. Where is your uncle?I shall have to present you myself to his Majesty if Sir Miles delaysmuch longer." As he spoke, the worthy General addressed himself entirelyto his young friend, making no sort of account of his colleague, whostalked away with a scared look as if amazed at the other's audacity. Ahundred years ago, a nobleman was a nobleman, and expected to be admiredas such.
Sir Miles's red waistcoat appeared in sight presently, and many cordialgreetings passed between him, his nephew, and General Lambert: for wehave described how Sir Miles was the most affectionate of men. Sothe General had quitted my Lord Wrotham's house? It was time, as hislordship himself wished to occupy it? Very good; but consider what aloss for the neighbours!
"We miss you, we positively miss you, my dear General," cries Sir Miles."My daughters were in love with those lovely young ladies--upon my word,they were; and my Lady Warrington and my girls were debating overand over again how they should find an opportunity of making theacquaintance of your charming family. We feel as if we were old friendsalready; indeed we do, General, if you will permit me the liberty ofsaying so; and we love you, if I may be allowed to speak frankly, onaccount of your friendship and kindness to our dear nephews: though wewere a little jealous, I own a little jealous of them, because they wentso often to see you. Often and often have I said to my Lady Warrington,'My dear, why don't we make acquaintance with the General? Why don't weask him and his ladies to come over in a family way and dine with someother plain country gentlefolks?' Carry my most sincere respects toMrs. Lambert, I pray, sir; and thank her for her goodness to these younggentlemen. My own flesh and blood, sir; my dear, dear brother's boys!"He passed his hand across his manly eyes: he was choking almost withgenerous and affectionate emotion.
Whilst they were discoursing--George Warrington the while restraininghis laughter with admirable gravity--the door of the King's apartmentsop
ened, and the pages entered, preceding his Majesty. He was followedby his burly son, his Royal Highness the Duke, a very corpulent Prince,with a coat and face of blazing scarlet: behind them came variousgentlemen and officers of state; among whom George at once recognisedthe famous Mr. Secretary Pitt, by his tall stature, his eagle eye andbeak, his grave and majestic presence. As I see that solemn figurepassing, even a hundred years off, I protest I feel a present awe, and adesire to take my hat off. I am not frightened at George the Second; norare my eyes dazzled by the portentous appearance of his Royal Highnessthe Duke of Culloden and Fontenoy; but the Great Commoner, the terribleCornet of Horse! His figure bestrides our narrow isle of a centuryback like a Colossus; and I hush as he passes in his gouty shoes, histhunderbolt hand wrapped in flannel. Perhaps as we see him now, issuingwith dark looks from the royal closet, angry scenes have been passingbetween him and his august master. He has been boring that old monarchfor hours with prodigious long speeches, full of eloquence, volublewith the noblest phrases upon the commonest topics; but, it must beconfessed, utterly repulsive to the little shrewd old gentleman, "atwhose feet he lays himself," as the phrase is, and who has the mostthorough dislike for fine boedry and for fine brose too! The sublimeMinister passes solemnly through the crowd; the company ranges itselfrespectfully round the wall; and his Majesty walks round the circle, hisroyal son lagging a little behind, and engaging select individuals inconversation for his own part.
The monarch is a little, keen, fresh-coloured old man, with veryprotruding eyes, attired in plain, old-fashioned, snuff-coloured clothesand brown stockings, his only ornament the blue ribbon of his Order ofthe Garter. He speaks in a German accent, but with ease, shrewdness, andsimplicity, addressing those individuals whom he has a mind to notice,or passing on with a bow. He knew Mr. Lambert well, who had served underhis Majesty at Dettingen, and with his royal son in Scotland, and hecongratulated him good-humouredly on his promotion.
"It is not always," his Majesty was pleased to say, "that we can doas we like; but I was glad when, for once, I could give myself thatpleasure in your case, General; for my army contains no better officeras you."
The veteran blushed and bowed, deeply gratified at this speech.Meanwhile, the Best of Monarchs was looking at Sir Miles Warrington(whom his Majesty knew perfectly, as the eager recipient of all favoursfrom all Ministers), and at the young gentleman by his side.
"Who is this?" the Defender of the Faith condescended to ask, pointingtowards George Warrington, who stood before his sovereign in arespectful attitude, clad in poor Harry's best embroidered suit.
With the deepest reverence Sir Miles informed his King, that the younggentleman was his nephew, Mr. George Warrington, of Virginia, who askedleave to pay his humble duty.
"This, then, is the other brother?" the Venerated Prince deigned toobserve. "He came in time, else the other brother would have spent allthe money. My Lord Bishop of Salisbury, why do you come out in thisbitter weather? You had much better stay at home!" and with this, therevered wielder of Britannia's sceptre passed on to other lords andgentlemen of his court. Sir Miles Warrington was deeply affected at theroyal condescension. He clapped his nephew's hands. "God bless you, myboy," he cried; "I told you that you would see the greatest monarch andthe finest gentleman in the world. Is he not so, my Lord Bishop?"
"That, that he is!" cried his lordship, clasping his ruffled hands, andturning his fine eyes up to the sky, "the best of princes and of men."
"That is Master Louis, my Lady Yarmouth's favourite nephew," saysLambert, pointing to a young gentleman who stood with a crowd round him;and presently the stout Duke of Cumberland came up to our little group.
His Royal Highness held out his hand to his old companion-in-arms."Congratulate you on your promotion, Lambert," he said good-naturedly.Sir Miles Warrington's eyes were ready to burst out of his head withrapture.
"I owe it, sir, to your Royal Highness's good offices," said thegrateful General.
"Not at all; not at all: ought to have had it a long time before. Alwaysbeen a good officer; perhaps there'll be some employment for you soon.This is the gentleman whom James Wolfe introduced to me?"
"His brother, sir."
"Oh, the real Fortunate Youth! You were with poor Ned Braddock inAmerica--a prisoner, and lucky enough to escape. Come and see me, sir,in Pall Mall. Bring him to my levee, Lambert." And the broad back of theRoyal Prince was turned to our friends.
"It is raining! You came on foot, General Lambert? You and George mustcome home in my coach. You must and shall come home with me, I say. ByGeorge, you must! I'll have no denial," cried the enthusiastic Baronet;and he drove George and the General back to Hill Street, and presentedthe latter to my Lady Warrington and his darlings, Flora and Dora, andinsisted upon their partaking of a collation, as they must be hungryafter their ride. "What, there is only cold mutton? Well, an old soldiercan eat cold mutton. And a good glass of my Lady Warrington's owncordial, prepared with her own hands, will keep the cold wind out.Delicious cordial! Capital mutton! Our own, my dear General," says thehospitable Baronet, "our own from the country, six years old if a day.We keep a plain table; but all the Warringtons since the Conqueror havebeen remarkable for their love of mutton; and our meal may look a littlescanty, and is, for we are plain people, and I am obliged to keep myrascals of servants on board-wages. Can't give them seven-year-oldmutton, you know."
Sir Miles, in his nephew's presence and hearing, described to his wifeand daughters George's reception at court in such flattering terms thatGeorge hardly knew himself, or the scene at which he had been present,or how to look his uncle in the face, or how to contradict him beforehis family in the midst of the astonishing narrative he was relating.Lambert sat by for a while with open eyes. He, too, had been atKensington. He had seen none of the wonders which Sir Miles described.
"We are proud of you, dear George. We love you, my dear nephew--we alllove you, we are all proud of you--"
"Yes; but I like Harry best," says a little voice.
"--not because you are wealthy! Screwby, take Master Miles to hisgovernor. Go, dear child. Not because you are blest with great estatesand an ancient name; but because, George, you have put to good use thetalents with which Heaven has adorned you; because you have fought andbled in your country's cause, in your monarch's cause, and as such areindeed worthy of the favour of the best of sovereigns. General Lambert,you have kindly condescended to look in on a country family, and partakeof our unpretending meal. I hope we may see you some day when ourhospitality is a little less homely. Yes, by George, General, you mustand shall name a day when you and Mrs. Lambert, and your dear girls,will dine with us. I'll take no refusal now, by George I won't," bawlsthe knight.
"You will accompany us, I trust, to my drawing-room?" says my lady,rising.
Mr. Lambert pleaded to be excused; but the ladies on no account wouldlet dear George go away. No, positively, he should not go. They wantedto make acquaintance with their cousin. They must hear about thatdreadful battle and escape from the Indians. Tom Claypool came in andheard some of the story. Flora was listening to it with her handkerchiefto her eyes, and little Miles had just said--
"Why do you take your handkerchief, Flora? You're not crying a bit."
Being a man of great humour, Martin Lambert, when he went home, couldnot help entertaining his wife with an account of the new family withwhich he had made acquaintance. A certain cant word called humbug hadlately come into vogue. Will it be believed that the General used it todesignate the family of this virtuous country gentleman? He describedthe eager hospitalities of the father, the pompous flatteries of themother, and the daughters' looks of admiration; the toughness andsecurity of the mutton, and the abominable taste and odour of thecordial; and we may be sure Mrs. Lambert contrasted Lady Warrington'srecent behaviour to poor Harry with her present conduct to George.
"Is this Miss Warrington really handsome?" asks Mrs Lambent.
"Yes; she is very handsome indeed, and the most astounding flirt I
haveever set eyes on," replies the General.
"The hypocrite! I have no patience with such people!" cries the lady.
To which the General, strange to say, only replied by the monosyllable"Bo!"
"Why do you say 'Bo!' Martin?" asks the lady.
"I say 'Bo!' to a goose, my dear," answers the General.
And his wife vows she does not know what he means, or of what he isthinking, and the General says--
"Of course not."