The
The Joseph
Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera
Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Winterthur,
DE 19735
302-888-4600
or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Creator: Mason,
Jonathan, Jr., 1795-1884.
Title: Recollections of a septuaginarian [sic],
Dates: [1866?]-1881.
Call No.: Doc.
30
Acc. No.: 87x65;
98x130
Quantity: 3
volumes, 1 folder
Location: 31
A
BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT
Jonathan
Mason, Jr., of
SCOPE AND CONTENT
Jonathan
Mason's memoirs were “written without any attempt at elegant phraseology or
fine writing, but Currente Calamo as his thoughts and remembrances arose to his
mind between sundown and dark. For the amusement
of his Grandchildren.” Begins with
account of his parents' recollections of the Revolution, and his own childhood
memories of
In
a separate folder will be found excerpts from "Recollections of an
Octogenarian" which relate to Gilbert Stuart. Also included in this folder is "An
Episode of Gilbert Stuart's Life" and a copy of a letter from George C.
Mason of
LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS
The
materials are in English.
RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS
Collection
is open to the public. Copyright
restrictions may apply.
PROVENANCE
Accession 87x65: purchased
from James Cummins.
Accession 98x130: gift of Lucy
Bell N. Sellers and William V. P. Newlin.
ACCESS POINTS
People:
Burr,
Aaron, 1756-1836.
Channing,
William Ellery, 1780-1842.
Clay,
Henry, 1777-1852.
Calhoun,
John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850.
Cole,
Thomas, 1801-1848.
Dana,
Richard Henry, 1815-1882.
Doughty,
Thomas, 1793-1856.
Fuseli,
Henry, 1741-1825.
Fisher,
Alvan, 1792-1863.
Greenough,
Horatio, 1805-1852.
Harding,
Jackson,
Andrew, 1767-1845.
Lafayette,
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834.
Leslie,
Charles Robert, 1794-1859.
Peale,
Rembrandt, 1778-1860.
Prescott,
William Hickling, 1796-1859.
Stuart,
Gilbert, 1755-1828.
Sully,
Thomas, 1783-1872.
Vanderlyn,
John, 1775-1852.
Wilkie,
David, Sir, 1785-1841.
Topics:
Painters -
Painting,
American -
Memoirs.
Photoprints.
Painters.
Portrait
painters.
Additional
title:
Recollections
of an octogenarian.
TRANSCRIPTION OF THE VOLUMES:
The Recollections of a
Septuaginarian
[Volume I]
___________
Written without any attempt
at elegant phraseology or fine writing, but Currente Calamo as his thoughts and
remembrances arose to his mind between sundown and dark.
For the amusement
of his
Grandchildren.
__________
“I have considered the days of old and the
years that are passed.”
77th Psm. 5. v.
“In te Dominie Speravi”
_______________
It has often occurred to me, what a source of satisfaction
it would have been had my father or mother have left amongst their papers some
few reminiscences of their early life during the first revolution, and also
some representations of their persons and dress in those perilous times,
although there were no photographs, or Sir Peter Lely’s, in America, there were
some very respectable profile artists, and portrait painters like Symbert and
Copeley, just rising into notice, but they were few and far and widely
scattered and far from easy access.
The Boston of those days was
scarcely one third of the present Boston in Territory, so great a portion has
been recovered from the sea by cutting down her hills, and encroaching upon the
flats as is still being done, when quite a youth. I often took pleasure in
listening to the reminiscences of my mother, when narrating some of the scenes
she witnessed, when a young girl, residing with her father (during the
revolution, and the occupancy of the city by the British troops) in a house
where the Pelham now is at the bottom of the common in Boylston and Tremont
Streets, among other scenes the horror that seized her upon going to the
window, upon waking up one morning, and seeing fifteen to twenty soldiers of
Lord Percy’s Regiment, hanging upon the branches of the great tree on the
Common, under and around which tree the Regiment was encamped previous to their
expidition [sic] to Lexington.
I remember hearing a relative say, when a boy, at the
raising of the siege, and embarkation of English, that the Boston boys had
grand fun catching the Horses turned loose by the troops, riding and selling
them, for ninepence and a quarter of a dollar in the streets, having no place
to carry, or hay to give them. Many are the stories I heard when a boy, of
those days, many of which have never been in print, and not likely ever to be,
and I myself now beyond the usual alloted [sic] age have let them escape my
memory.
I have never been informed to
my recollection, to a certainty, in what street in Boston I first saw the light
in March 12th, 1795, but I have a belief that it was in the next
house but one to the Arch in Franklin Place formerly called the Tontine
Buildings, now occupied by large Granite Stores, where my father resided
previous to moving to Marlborough Street now called Washington, and into a
house (where G. W. Warrens great dry goods house stands) now owned b W. T.
Andrews. I have now two coloured engravings a view of Porta St. Giovani near
Our schoolmistress was accustomed to make excursions of a
Thursday afternoon with all of her scholars as far as the great tree on the
common, and to the new State House both of which were looked upon as nearly out
of town and we were fitted out at home with apples + cake to supply our wants
on the way.
Behind the State House at the head of what is
now called Temple Street was a large hill on which there was a pillar headed by
an Eagle and several large square pieces of stone on which were superscriptions
relative to the war this Eagle came as high as the rotunda of the State House.
As boys we had grand fun in climbing up this Hill and rolling down: During the
revolution they were in the habit of lighting a Tar barrel on top of the Pillar
which was a signal to the neighbouring towns, when any expedition was about
taking place like that of Lord Percy’s expedition to Lexington. At this period
when we school boys went to the State House say 1802 there were very fin houses
near the rear of the State House with the exception of negro huts, and the land
was fenced in, and in some instances planted with potatoes. In front of the
state house, now called Beacon Street (probably from the hill with the Tar
barrel as a beacon) there was little more than what would now be called a
pathway down to the water edge which was this side of Charles Street where the
late John Bryants house stands, and between the water and the State House there
were but three houses viz, Justice Vinals where Mr. David Sears house now
stands, Dr. J. Joys where Mr. F. Tudors house is, corner of Joy Street and the
Hancock House where Mr. Beebe’s house is. What is now called Mount Vernon
Street beginning at the N.E. corner of the State House and running back of the
State House parralleled with Beacon Street was little more than a path way down
to Charles Street that now is (then not filled up) on the sides of which were
only three or four houses, in 1805 namely my fathers, the Callender house,
since Lymans, and the Otis, now Pratts, the land was fenced in some places and
improved as cow pastures and potato fields. Louisburgh Square was a high hill
of an equal elevation with Beacon hill, upon the top of which was a gun house,
and a long Rope walk where Princkney Street now is; on the top of this hill was
a natural spring of water, at which the negroes used to wash their clothes and
hang them on the barberry bushes to dry, we boys were in the habit of making
bon-fires there of Thursdays afternoons the schools not keeping – where George
W. Lymans house now stands corner of Mount Vernon + Joy Streets there was a
negro cake and ale establishment we boys used to patronize. The late Cardinal
Chevruse the Catholic Bishop of Boston, visited my fathers house often, and
used to take me into his church in Franklin Place, and give me cake and mints,
this excellent prelate I met years afterwards in Paris when he was Bishop of
Montauban and received a kind invitation to visit him at his diocese south of
France.
Where the houses in park Street now stand, in 1803, was
the Alms House reaching from the corner of Beacon to the Park Street Church
where there stood a large Wooden Building with a windmill, called the grainery
where corn was ground and which gave its name to the burying ground. In 1804 my
father and elder part of his family being on a visit to
I also remember a funeral of Gene Hamilton at the Stone
Chapel (on the anniversary of his death) seeing a large yellow dog walking the
streets with a quantity of crape around his neck said to have been put on by
the Jacobins.
My Grandfathers yard extended on Tremont Street (then
called Common Street) some two hundred feet; there were a very few houses
between him and the Stone Chapel – Rufus Amory’s house was where the Savings
Bank is – and was afterwards occupied by Atheneum Shaw in whose office was the
commencement of the present Boston Atheneum. On the corner of School Stree
opposite the Chapel lived Sally Sheafe mother of Sir Roger Hale Sheafe who was
taken away when a boy by Lord Percy who boarded at his mothers and carried to
Europe and educated + commissioned in his Regiment of which he eventually
became Colonel and was for sometime afterwards stationed in Canada where a most
melancholy event took place, the mutiny of his Regiment for which every tenth
man was shot. During Col. Sheafe’s residence in
To return to Common St. opposite my grandfathers was Mrs.
Waldo’s where Rogers Shoe Store now is, and west was the house called the Sir
Henry Vane House inhabited at this time by the late William Sullivan just then
married to Miss Swann – next was the late Gov. Wm. Phillips – next two brick
houses one occupied at that time by Dr. J. C. Warren just married and the other
by Mr. Bray – and the next – a large wooden house at the corner opposite the
Stone Chapel with Poplar Trees before it was the residence of the late Samuel
Elliott who resembled so much Trumbulls painting of Gen. Elliot Lord Hetherfield
in the Siege of Gibralter that I never see it but I think of him; his cocked
hat, shirt, ruffled and aquiline nose.
The opposite corner where the Tremont House now stands
was a wooden house occupied and owned by Daniel Hubbard a somewhat singular
eccentric character – the next house two story, was William Perkins’s and the
next a large stately looking edifice was Adam Babcock’s which was next to the
burying ground. Opposite to these were a Chairmakers and Livery Stable. Where
the Tremont Temple is, at the corner of Bromfield Lane was Miss Betsy Deblois’s
a perfect beauty in her old age as I recollect her, said to have been killing
when young and to have distracted some English Officers, her mansion stood back
with trees before it of imposing appearance, she used to kiss me + give me cake
and I can see her now, she used to wear a ruff around her neck, and dress with
great taste.
At
corner of what is now called
The cows on the common were driven home through the
streets at sun down and the gates being open most of them went home at that
time without being sent for. It seems
like a dream to me at the present time 1866 when I can hardly get through the
crowds in the streets myself that I ever could have witnessed such scenes as I
have described, yet nevertheless they are as perfect before me as yesterday,
and one scene in particular, with several others, I was standing at the mall
fence opposite to Winter Street, when Fred. Ingraham said to one of us who was
near sighted, John there’s your mother coming up the street, and he addressed
immediately started off to meet her, it was a black cow coming up the street to
the common. There were no walks across
the common in those days and so few inhabitants on the upperside (now called
the west end) except negroes, that there was no need, and the ladies could
hardly cross where the cows fed, which was over the whole range, according to
the time (of early past before the State House) (afternoon near the frog pond)
I call to mind a ludicrous scene that took place one day, a female cousin of
mine living with my father attempted one day to make the passage of the common
instead of going round, unknown to herself, she was followed by my fathers
watch dog “Fido” who was a perfect demon amongst cows, she had got near the
center when she heard his bark and she nearly fainted with fear, he stirred the
cows up all around her, but finally drove them from her, she did not attempt
that route again for a long time – another early remembrance of the common
besets me, one morning, the day after what was then called the Negro election.
Ben D Green, Martin Brimmer, George E Head, Franklin Dexter and myself were
playing ball on the common before breakfast: and the ball fell into a hole
where one of the booths stakes had been driven the day before, which was filled
up with paper rubbage etc. putting the hand down something jingled and we found
several dollars in silver which had probably been put there for safety and the
owner becoming intoxicated late in the day had gone off and forgotten
them. I can’t recollect that we
advertised them. We were small boys them
all of us, and I was the youngest.
My
father kept many houses and he allowed me to ride early, I recollect going out
with the citizens on horseback to escort Gov. Gore in from Waltham, and riding
next to an old man named Carleton said to be a great mathematician I can see
him now in the old fashioned coat [
], breeches, and black boots coming up to the calf of the leg only with
tassels; it was dreadfully dusty and the only escort I ever joined in, to my
present recollection, and I expect I was discomfited by getting into such
sedate company. Upon moving up to Mount
Vernon Street my father had put me to Nathan Webb’s School in Mason Street,
then a part of West St, here I became acquainted with Stephen Fales, one of the
oldest scholars who sat in the maters desk, and was an under usher mending our
pins he and I although much his junior became great friends, and living back of
my fathers house in Pinckney Street, we came and went home together form
school, a
great advantage to me, when
large boys threatened to flog me for making faces and doubling my fists at
them, this friendship lasted without an unfriendly feeling for over fifty
years, up to his death in
After Webb’s school my father sent me to Midfield to reside
in the Rev. Dr Thomas Prentiss family, where my brother was located, here I was
associated with the late Genl. James Hamilton, Gov. of South Carolina, who was
last at sea, also with the Rev. Dr Allen of Northborough, the late Thomas
Prentiss of Charlestown, Judge John Gray Rogers of the Police Court, and late
Thomas Perkins and one or more others.
The great event of my residence there was the total
eclipse of the Sun at midday of the summer of 1806, the scene, the feelings,
awe, chill, astonishment, sublimity, are
as deeply impressed on my
mind as though it were but yesterday instead of sixty years ago. Dr Prentiss was a most excellent man and
devout Christian. I remained with him
until 1807 in the fall, when my father took me home and placed me at Mr William
Welles’s private school, where I had for companions the late William Elliot,
the late Hon. Wm. B. Calhoun, the late Hon. Sam. Elliot, the late Dr Joshua H.
Hayward, the Hon. John A. Lowell. I went
at eleven a.m. to the Hon. Nathan Hale to study mathematics and afterwards when
Mr Hale gave up I went to a Mr. Fessenden in Summer Street, the father of Col.
Fessenden and a brother of Fessenden the writer, it was in the summer & I
have a faint recollection that one day Mr Fessenden entrusted me with a letter
to be delivered to my father which I did, whether I carried back the answer
(which I think very likely) I cannot positively say, nor do I recollect whether
my father told me the contents then or afterwards, but the letter was from the
late Vice President Aaron Burr stating he had just arrived from Europe and was
without friends and asking our interview, and that he had a box of books which
he would wish to pledge for a loan.
My father declined an interview (having been a friend and
intimate acquaintance of
In 1810 I went to
It was not my good fortune to be blest with an
inclination for hard study and when I call to mind the excitements attending
the War just commencing and extending through my College life and the
inducements and allurements of going into the city, being a member of a large
family and my father entertaining most of the strangers I am surprised that I
kept my place in College at all. And as
far as I am any authority (and there was no one more with him than I was in the
early part of our College life) the Historian had little inclination for study
and was on the contrary given up to indulging in city society + pleasures and
was my companion to most of the city parties, moving in the same circle and he
dining with me and I with him often of a Saturday at our respective fathers, he
had a ready share of wit and humor which always made him a pleasant companion
but assuredly there was nothing that indicated high intellect or future
eminence in his early college life, which has been thought necessary to assume
by some of his biographers – and I cannot divest myself of the belief that had
Prescott have escaped the sad accident to his eyes, Ferdinand + Isabella never
would have been written, and the United States not known him as her great
Historian.
Unforseen events are often brought about by accident, and
a mans whole life changed by the veering of the mind, if all things have had
gone smooth with Prescott the probability is, that surrounded with the comforts
of life, property and friends, fond of society and pleasure, he never would
have taxed himself with the research and indefatigable industry that brought
forth Ferdinand + Isabella and to show how little faith and Confidence he had
in his own power of composition during a journey I made with him in company
with a party of ladies in 1830 to the Falls of Niagra, Montreal + Quebec he
spoke of the work he was then writing (Ferdinand + Isabella) and said it was
nearly finished and he had made up his mind to loose the cost of the printing
some ten thousand dollars.
To return to self – I suffered greatly in College life
from ulcerated sore throat which brought on a partial deafness which has lasted
me through life.
The conveniences and comforts of the present day were not
known at that time – few scholars had carpeted and curtained rooms with sofas +
easy chairs, gas and hard coal fires lasting all night, and nothing short of a
Doctors certificate could obtain permission to board out .
Our rooms were washed out +
sanded daily when we were at recitation, and our wood fires burnt out before
morning and we were obliged to get up in the cold and go into a cold chapel to
prayer at six o’clock in the morning and Commons Hall where we had no fire
places and our fare was exceedingly coarse and badly cooked so much so as to be
the cause of frequent rebellion. When I
have visited since in these later days rooms of my sons and their companions,
carpeted and curtained, with sofas and all manner of easy chairs, and been
knowing to their select private clubs for living together at their meals it has
brought back to memory all of our sufferings and I have wondered how we
surmounted our deprivations so well.
During my sophomore year I obtained permission to take my
meals out during the cold months at a Mrs Watsons. Amongst the boarders there was the late Rev.
Isaac Boyle and a Chinese said to have been a Manderin, brought out to this
country in one of Col. T. H Perkins’s China ships and placed at Cambridge to
acquire our language, of this gentleman with whom I could not communicate I
learnt to play chess which is the only game I have ever been partial to since,
he had not then acquired out language but by signs we understood each other,
and he accompanied me once to my fathers house in Boston, through streets in
his Chinese dress, which he never [
]. Whilst in the country, it was
the last and only time I walked with him being much annoyed by the crowd his
appearance created.
There entered my class in our
sophomore year a young man by the name of Theodore Tudor Randolph a nephew and
adopted son of John Randolph of Roanoke Virginia, from whom he brought letters
to my father, of course he and I became very intimate, he had been educated
previous to his coming to Cambridge at a Jesuitical Seminary in France, and was
as singular a figure of a young man as was ever seen in our northern plain
drest society, he had high cheek bones, dark brown hair, sallow complexions,
and a dark penetrating black eye, with much of the Indian physiognomy, he wore
a swallow tail dress coat, leather (small cloaths) breeches, and white top
boots and although not twenty years of age had the appearance of an old
man. He boarded with President Kirkland
who had His sister Miss Kirkland to keep house for him, Randolph took high rank
in our Class, but had all that Southern rank and pride and aristocratic
superiority of self, which has led at the present day to so much bloodshed and
sorrow; he scouted intimacy with the greatest part of the class, and had few if
any friends, with the exception of Charles Bruce and myself. Bruce of whom I will here make mention was a
young man of some twenty five or six years of age, he had been the head and
responsible clerk, in the store, of the firm of Blake + Dix, these gentlemen
quarrelled and fought and one of them was killed, and Bruce was sent to Europe
to wind up their affairs, on shipboard with him going out was the Rev. Dr.
Mason Harris of Dorchester, with whom he studied and fitted for College. In the commencement of our junior year,
Randolph who had been out of health for some time, left
I had from
In 1816 having suffered greatly from an operation, the
removal of one of the tonsils from my throat by a ligature I went to the
The 5th of March 1816 I left Boston Harbour
(in the Brig Caroline, Capt. Gorham) as supercargo – bound to Havana with a
Cargo of Blue negro cloths [ ],
fish, candles, soap, and boxes of Nails etc. etc. belonging to David Ellis,
Jonathon Chapman, + S. Parkman. Our
passage was made in 18 days, and upon arriving off the Moro castle we were
boarded by the Revenue Boat in which was Mr Scull of the house of James Drake +
Co to whom I consigned the Brig dividing commissions, on landing I went to the
house of Mrs. Scott to board where I found Frederic Tudor who had just set up
his Ice house and was retailing it out, also Charles Cunningham, supercargo of
the Brig “Maria” (a Hamburgh Vessel) there were several American gentlemen
representing Boston houses residing in Havana – a Mr Mitchell firm of Eyre
Jeffries + Co. also a Mr. Hinckley agent for James + T. H. Perkins, Mr John
Murdock of the house of Drake + Co was the head of the House, resident
there. Mr Drake residing in
This was the year of the great piracies and the City of
We all carried swords then
when walking the streets, Gambling was carried on at a frightful length by
every one, at the boarding houses and elsewhere – a young man came in a
Baltimore Clipper with a Cargo of flour and lost it all at vingt-et-une before
it was landed – and at Mrs Scott (afterwards married to Uncle Ben Harris so
called) we used (Tudor, Hinckley, Mitchell, myself) to play for doubloons the
few nights I was there After seeing my Cargo landed I went on a visit to Nath.
Fellows’ plantations – The Reserva and Ferndador plantations. Returning to the city I found my captain down
with the fever – and the second mate – Francis an Irishman having been in a
drunken fight severely beaten incapable of doing duty this brought me in
contact with Dr Osgood one of the kindest men I have ever known before or since
who I carried in our boat at a certain fixed hour every day on board the Brig
to see the sick Captian + mate – my old fellow boarder Hinckley died very
suddenly and we buried him next day – two days after he had been playing
vingt-et-une – at Mrs. Scotts. The
weather had become hot and the Black vomit raging, no corpse was allowed to
remain twenty four hours above ground – He was a good reliable, capable young
man, or such a firm as the Perkins’s would not have employed him as an agent –
but a life in Havana in those days was attended with great risk, and every one
was obliged to be very careful of his diet and his beverage which I fear was
not the case with these young men as so many of them died.
Previous to leaving
*(father of my brother in
law)
After my return from the
When we moved to Long Wharf I went South to seek
consignments passing some day’s in New York where I dined with John Jacob Astor
in an old brick building where the Astor house now stands in Company of
Cambreling and Pearson [Omission:] The
next store to Beckford + Bates (Joshua Bates since of the house of Barings
Brothers London) we afterwards moved in 1818 to No 21 Long Wharf next store to
John Parker + sons when setting at the window at India Wharf I saw the stern of
a fine large Indianman = Omission Page 46.
our friends. Mr Cambreling has since been a distinguished
member of Congress. I also dined with
Gardner G. Howland afterwards Howland + Aspinnall – Thomas W. Phillips
accompanied me to
After
leaving
At Richmond I went to a fine old Virginia lady’s house a
Miss Randolph’s of the Randolph family – In this city I had letters to John
Wickham one of the first and greatest lawyers of Virginia – to Mr John Bell of
Bellvill – to the Hayes’ and to Harfalls of the great flour mills, - to Col.
Gambel + his brother Robert the former the Banker at Mrs Randolph’s boarding
house I found a Boston acquaintance Col. Loam Mr Baldwin with whom I went to
Petersburgh and and to Fredericsburgh, he was engaged in the water works of
James River by the Virginia Govt. It was like going to a play, to ride in a
stage coach with him and hear his remarks full of wit + humor. I kept up his
acquaintance and sought his company up to his death, he was a great friend of a
mutual acquaintance Washington Allston the artist.
Snelling finally took his father Sugar Refining at the
North End and we parted I continuing Commission business at the corner Store of
Custom House Street fronting end of
Phil. Jones + a Mr Gurley of
What a horrible retribution!!
Poor Jones died shortly after
we saw him, of a brain fever. In 1820.
John C. Calhoun paid us a visit when Secretary of
War. At a dinner given him by my father
in August Commodore Hull who sit next to me made me a proposition, which my
father sitting near heard and immediately said “John – take him up” It was
– If I would come over to the Navy Yard and with him make out a list of the
strangers then in town would get up a subscription paper and attend to the
minutae dinner, steamer etc. etc. he would send down tents, flags, and have
them in order + would bring his Band and Bosts and seamen to land them at
Tewksbury now called Hospital Island near Shirley Point. All of which I agreed
to and Col. Perkins and others headed the subscription paper at table that day
+ I drew up a list of gentlemen to whom it was proper to send it and gave it to
Mungo Williams who I engaged with Peter Howard and their coadjutors to be
present – (Peter Howard Mulatto leader of dancing band – Mungo Williams mulatto
chief waiter of parties)
I agreed with Fosters of Concert Hall to provide a dinner
at the
June 1st 1813. Not a cloud in
the Heavens.
My father and myself saw the whole of the
The
In 1815 and up to 1822 I associated with a set of
gentlemen who used to dine together once a fortnight at each others houses
alternately, those who were unmarried making use of the old blue chamber of
Rouillards, formerly Julien corner of Milk + Congress Streets – of whom were
Marshall B Spring, R. D. Shephard, Ben. D. Green, Gorham Brooks, T. H. Perkins
Jr. + myself – some others, now forgotten – I recollect we gave a dinner to
James Wallack the Tragedian who brought letters to the Hon. T. H. Perkins from
Mr Charles Grant of London – He was the greatest actor we ever had after
Cooper, with exception of Cook, Kean not having then been in this country – All
of the above are dead. ---
In July 1822 I had given up attending to business not
having any taste for a commercial life and my father giving his consent to my
going to Europe I wrote to my friend Jonathan Goodhue to engage my passage in
the Liverpool Packet “Liverpool,” just built and advertised to sail from new
York. Mr Joseph Leee of the house of Jos. + Henry Lee hearing of it and meeting
me on change – said, we have a fine large Brig arried from India called the
Palmer, she has beenin Port short of a week, is discharging and we intend to
send her to sea the day after tomorrow in ballast, to have her coppered in
Liverpool with the same crew but a new Captain, go and take possession of the
cabin making your arrangements with the Captain respecting provisions etc.
etc. I gladly accepted his offer found
Captain Mellus most kind hearted, excellent and sociable, who said he would go
me halves in whatever I would put on board and procure them for us. I went on
board Thursday July 26th the day appointed and was some – what
disappointed upon finding a Frenchman – a
It was a kind and timely notice, he turned out a cross +
surly fellow. I had very little conversation with him, but he quarreled with
the Captain + mates the whole passage. Whenever he got to be very crass I out
with my Eclipse Wine and gave him a glass, which my father has kindly put on
board.
Upon our leaving India Wharf I was considerably startled
by hearing Mr Lee hail Capt. Mellus + direct him to return if he found the Brig
was crank + not ballast enough even if he got as far as the grand Banks, this
made me more or less nervous all acrost the Atlantic where the wind was high.
When just clear of the Grand bank the Captain came down to my State Room and
begged me to come up on deck as soon as possible – Amongst the Alps +
The “Liverpool” (the New York vessel I had engaged my
passage in through Jon Goodhue) being her first voyage was struck by Ice unseen
and immediately sunk – not far from the Grand Banks, her passengers were three
days in boasts but finally reached St Johns with loss of baggage.
Upon going up the River Mersey the Pilot got us aground
while the Captain was shaving himself he (the Capt.) rushed up on deck + I do
believe it was the only time I saw him angered during the voyage although the
Frenchman had tried his patience severely.
We arrived out in eighteen days never taking in reefing
or starting our main + fore top sails from the day we started, so that when we
tried to lower them when aground in the River they resisted our endeavors and
the Pilot said it was great luck that we hadn’t had a blow – and on the stern
past I noticed a large chip which I noticed when we left India Wharf.
I was rec’d very kindly by my old fellow traveller Gair
of the house of Willis, Latham + Gair, also by James Gore King whom I had known
in College, since of the house of Prime, Ward + Co. N. York.
I staid but a day or two in Liverpool and proceeded on to
miles an hour, roads like a
Parlor floor and bordered by beautiful hedges scenting the atmosphere. All of
this is now lost to travellers shut up in rail cars, the steam pipes, blowing +
screetching and frightening all within a mile with its rapid career. + the
romance of those days will never be known again and cannot be imagined by the
present generation.
Arriving in London (by the recommendation of Mr Gair) I
went to Dick’s Coffee House Temple Bar, celebrated as the residence of Addison
and his Club a most cosey and desirable retreat from the noise + confusion of a
large city, opening upon the Temple, retired, and having every comfort that the
city could afford as regarded living and like all the distinguished Coffee
Houses of those days with little ostentation. It was still a place where Poets
Clergy – men and half pay officers congregated – and the proprietor Mrs Wright
was a fine specimen of an English landlady she was very kind to me and before I
left
I staid nearly a year in these rooms but finding them too
noisy being a great thoroughfare I moved for a trial into some rooms in Berners
Street which not liking I quitted and moved into Great Marlborough Street the
corner of Poland St. for which I paid 70 Guineas a year unfurnished – this net
to Bow Street was the great Police Office of London, in same street opposite
Blenhem Steps was my friend + countryman G. S.
Shortly after moving here Sir George Collier (who
commanded the squadron that failed in capturing the Constitution off St
Salvador when under Stewart after the Battle of the Levant + Cyan with the two
sloops he had captured) committed suicide, occasioned by some severe censure by
the press, it made a great noise and created much excitement and sympathy in
London, and brought back many of my reminiscences of Battles + escapes of our
Navy and one particular sad scene I was a witness of in Newport Rhode Island.
It was in the year 1816 I was sent to Newport to bond the cargo of a vessel
that had put in there in distress + had been obliged to discharge – it happened
a few days after Commodore Bainbridges Squadron consisting of the Independence,
Macedonian, Congress, Fire Fly, Spark, + others had arrived there, I had been
acquainted with many of the officers previous to their leaving Boston for
Algiers + Tunis to chastise the pirates – a relative Ben Mason and myself were
standing one day near the wharf where the boats pulled in from the Ships when
the crew of a boat landed with a boy of a midshipman from Capt. Reeds Brig the
Chippewar on reaching the wharf several of the crew attempted to desert and one
in particular was chased by the Mid. who upon taking hold of his Jacket was
kicked off and the sailor instantaneously received his dirk in his abdomen
killing him on the spot.
The second week after my arrival in London in August Lord
Castlereagh destroyed himself with a penknife cutting the jugla artery he was
unquestionably overworked and had previously had visions indicating weakness of
the brain he was not popular with the masses and not much lamented, his death
created a great change in relation to Mr Canning who had just been appointed
Govn. General of
*died July 1874
– were rejoiced to get out
into
As a proof how perfectly secluded a person may live in a
large city like
Footes Grey the country residence of Lord Castlereagh
where he committed the deed is about eight or ten miles from
Before I left the
And I was requested by my
brother in law the late Dr John C. Warren to procure the Surgical instruments
for the same – in pursuance of which he provided me with instructions and
letters to Mr Astly Cooper since Sir Astly and with a bill of credit on the
Banker Sam. Williams for the amount required to pay for the same. I also
received a letter to a former fellow student – in
The evening before I left his house he said when bidding
me good night “now my diffident friend when George (Cooper’s door keeper) opens
the door for you tomorrow, put on a bold face cock your eye at him, clap a half
crown in his hand and have your letters ready and say you don’t need any
medicine and you’ll tire out those poor devils who have tickets by sitting with
Astly while they are waiting.” It
turned out so to the letter – Sir Astly received me with great kindness and
after a few minutes conversation said – suppose you look over my books on the
tale, while George ushers in one or two more and then I’ll take you in my
carriage to Grey’s Hospital and introduce you to Lundy the Hospital Instrument
maker; and another day I’ll carry you to Weir’s in the Strand, who makes the
best Lithotomy instruments, all of which Sir Astly kindly did, and invited me
to breakfast with him, and gave me a very kind letter of introduction unasked
for to Sir Thomas Lawrence as his young American friend, who in his turn sent
me tickets to most of the Noblemens galleries for that season, a certain few
only, being given to the President of the Royal Acady. to distribute amongst
the first Poets and artists In those days the nobility were very sparing of
their tickets to any one without a title.
Sir Astley carried me to Maul the first Aurist in
Surgeons in England after their operations don’t attend
to the patients as in our country, they have a regular physician – and also
they were not allowed to make charges, but according to their celebrity the
amount due them was understood by the public and if not paid accordingly they
quit them; and upon first introduction before anything was said a guinea was
deposited on Sir Astley’s table. When I sat in his room the first day he
received two or three patients whilst I was there and before we left to go to
Grey’s Hospital I saw him scramble the Guineas up and chuck them into a large
drawer overflowing with them. It was also
*or rather the stone
customary when he performed
an operation to take with him some young surgeon in case of accident to whom it
was expected a small fee would be handed. To return to the Jamaica Planter –
Sir Astley said to his nephew some time after the operation – come Brausby let us
go and see the Planter, he must be getting well, they were ushered into his
room and found him sitting bolstered up in his bed, after usual salutations Sir
Astley said we have come to congratulate you upon your recovery and to bid you
good bye. The planter called his servant to hand him his pocket book, and
taking out a bill presented it to Brausby Cooper thanking him for his
attendance and then from under his pillow drew out a nightcap and presented it
to Sir Astley thanking him for his. Upon leaving and going down stairs
Sir Astley said I am greatly astonished I had no idea it would effect his mind.
Brausby answered – stop let us look at my Bill, it was
for twenty five pound, a great fee for one merely a witness and Brausby said I
don’t think he is deranged suppose you examine your night cap – which he did
and found a check on his Banker for one thousand pounds. Mr Rootes said the
largest fee for one operation that had ever been paid. Every year untill his –
the planter’s death Sir Astley received a Hogshead of sugar and a Hogshead of
Old Jamaica Spirits from his the planter’s estates.
One day that I called upon Sir Astley by his appointment
he told me he had received a visit a day or two before from Liston the great
comic actor, than whom,
off the stage, there was no
greater Hypochondriac in London, he said he was sitting with his back to the
door, writing a prescription, when George his man ushered in the next number,
and after finishing what he was about, he turned round and was seized with an
ungovernable fit of laughter, destroying his elf control perfectly unusual for
him, it was until some minutes had passed before he realized the extreme
childishness + impropriety of his conduct and in the meantime Liston had risen,
thrown his guinea upon the table and was making towards the door. Sir Astley
begged him to stop and hear his excuse saying that he had seen him the night
before in character of Tristam Tappy in Deaf as a Post and that he had been
laughing all night and his sudden unexpected appearance before him quite
overcame him. Sir Astley advised me to take regular exercise and recommended
sparring with Crib the Pugilistic Champion who kept a Public House in
It was a place however I did not see fit to introduce the
Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing to although he sometimes got by accident into
position he thought worse. It was towards evening in the summer of 1823 I had
been driving out, and returning to my rooms found a note from the Rev. Dr.
Channing soliciting me to come to him immediately that evening Saturday it was
dated Leicester Square No. 23. it rather surprised me as regards the location
and to imagine who could have recommended it to the
*1876 [ ] dead
awake or asleep I could not
for a moment tell upon the girls saying there was no such persons there. I
looked at the house and number, they were the same and had it have been at the
present time rife with Spiritualism. I should have thought I was bewitched, the
keeper of the house hearing the long and loud talking at the door came forward
and reluctantly said that a gentleman and two ladies had arrived there and
staid a few hours the day before but had left a 10 o’clock in the evening, and
upon my asking why + wherefore and if he had left any message for anyone, she
answered with considerable hesitation she believed he did say if any one called
he had gone to the Adelphi I called a cab and in a wonderfull state of
amazement rode to the Adelphia where Mrs Channing + Miss Wells received me with
laughter, it appeared that Dr Channing had in some way heard or got the idea,
that the house was not a reputable one. A short time after this Dr Channing
made an appointment for me to accompany him to the Stafford Gallery I believe
or some other gallery and as on our way in the carriage he enquired of me if it
would be convenient to stop at Nugee’s in St. James Street certainly said I, it
is near Cleveland house Lord Staffords where we ware going but why do you want
to go there I asked – why do you ask such a question said the Doctor seeing me
smile, merely because he is the crack tailor of highest ton + fashion in London
and the figure of Dr Channing in a plaided tight waisted coat, such as Nugee
made even for some of the Bishops who were much dressed in those days – quite
upset me and my desire to laugh was caught by Mrs Channing + Miss Wells + even
finally – the Doctor himself arriving at Nugee’s the coachman was sent to
request his presence and Dr Channing asked him if he had made a fashionable
coat certainly sir – said Nugee – in the highest fashion – Mr Nugee - said the Dr – I am a plain man, did you
understand – I am a clergyman – I am in great want of a plain coat to dine in
this day. What time do you dine Dr. C.? at 7 o’clock. I will make and send you
a new coat before that time.
There were resident in London at this time several
Americans Judge Jackson + wife Miss Jackson and Francis Lee but not at the time
that Dr Channing and family were there, and I cannot recollect whether before
or after – but Judge Jackson staid some months and took rooms in Conduit Street
not far from where I resided, and went with us to the Convent Garden Theatrical
Fund dinner and he + I were placed at the head of one of the legs of the table
at which sat the Duke of York who presided , bringing us close to + before him
no one intervening at which at first the Judge rather demurred fearing I
believe that he might be seen by some of the Lawyers or Judge that might be
there and publicly noticed, but there was no help for it, for Matthews the
elder acted as high steward and he had just returned form the United States and
last from Boston where he had been much noticed and particularly by my
classmate Wm. H. Elliott + he had called upon me and asking the names of the
Americans + had given us these seats with the invitation to the dinner, being
the best seats to hear + see. Before giving his American Budget which he was
called upon for after the cloth had been removed and the King + Royal family
had been toasted and a few speeches from the Duke + others at the Presidents
table had been made Matthews walked up and placing his head between the Judge +
myself begged that no offence might be taken at anything he might say, the
Judge assured him we should enjoy it as much as any one – for a few minutes
this was rather awkward for it drew the eyes of all present towards us, he went
back to his place and commenced and we laughed as much as any one.
There were several young Doctors from the United States
attending Lawrence oculist and other lectures at this time and they several of
them resided in Thavie’s Inn Court near Holborn bars Oxford Street, they had
been in Paris for a year or two + before returning home were making London a
short visit. They were Dr. Winslow Lewis, Dr John C. Hayden, the late Dr Joshua
H. Hayward, Dr Kortwright N. Y. + one or two others, also John Langdon Elwyn,
and Harding the Artist they used to call upon me frequently as a rendezvous.
Dr Hayward was taken very sick and one night I was
watching with him, he lying in a small room and I sitting in an adjoining room
overlooking Newgate Prison + St. Sepulcher Church, it was a heavenly night of a
full moon and the beams were falling bright upon St. Paul’s Cathedral which I
was gazing at when a tap on the door startled me, and saying come a gentleman
of very imposing mein and appearance entered and asked how Hayward did there
was no other light but the moon by which I could distinguish his features, but
I thought I had never seen a finer brow and more open countenance, he asked if
I was Hayward’s countryman and then many questions about America. I understood
the next day that it was
Just
dead 1866.
There
was a splendid review of the household troops this year at Hounston Heath, by
the Duke of York in person. They consist of nine regiments, the Reds and the
Blues equally divided and wear breast plates + Helmets and are mounted on coal
black horses; every man six feet, with short guns suspended on the back, they
are scattered of equal distances, over the Kingdom, one regiment always being
round the person of the sovereign, from which they are called the Household
Troops. Also the guards and these are the men that Lord Wellington reserved to
meet the [Curissiems?] at
I went out one day to Hammer
Smith (I think it was) beyond Kensington Gardens to see David Wilkie,
accompanied by Leslie + Newton – he showed us the dead colour of his picture,
of the King receiving the keys of Holywood House upon his visit to Scotland, in
which were portraits of Wellington, Sir Walter Scott and others besides George
4th. I recollect Wilkie’s saying that he never painted anything
however small without the article before him – either I, Leslie or Newton,
asked him how he accomplished the Bear in his painting of the Beadle and the
Vagrants, he said he had him from the Exeter Exchange the Great London
Menagerie, whilst we were talking the Duke of Wellington was announced + before
we could get out of the room he entered [many words struck out, looks like:
politely saying he hoped he did not disturb us] – Since that period Leslie has
painted him himself – at that period the Duke was not more than fifty two. ---
There was a funny story told of him at that time in
Speaking of
To return to my residence in
The Greenwich Fair took place once a year. I recollect
jumping up on one of the Stage Coaches that ran regularly between that place
and London and passing the day in seeing the innumerable sights consisting of
Gypsies Punch + Judy’s, Theatres under Canvas etc. etc. and girls + boys rolling
down the hill etc. etc. Fatigued + greatly tired of sight seeing I hailed one
of the returning coaches and obtained a seat on top next to a gentleman who was
exceedingly civil in making way for me and whose manner + conversation was
above the ordinary class one meets on Stage Coaches. I bid him good night
without finding out who he was. I had been cautioned so often about asking
names or giving my own in
Chester
Harding came to
During my sparring lessons with Richmond the black
several of my American acquaintances asked to accompany me to his rooms, one
gentleman of Providence R.I. a venerable father of the church, since whose name
I should not be thanked for mentioning and who might blush that he is
recollected to have ever been at a prize fight – proposed to me that we should
take a Post Chaise and go to Epping Forrest + see the fight between Cooper the
Gypsy and Bishop Sharp I assented and the agreement being made at Richmonds
room, he asked if he might be allowed to go on the outside of our prost chaise,
thinking he would be rather serviceable than otherwise in getting a place and
not imagining that he had anything to do with the fight, we assented, the day
was fine and we had to pass the whole length of Fleet Street, all along of
which we heard the shout of there goes Richmond there goes Richmond, my friend
+ myself pulled down the curtains and crouched down to the bottom of the
carriage and would have given anything to have been clear of Richmond that day,
not having the most distant thought he was to be one of the seconds, which he
was, we deposited him on the round waited to see one round and then returned to
London at full speed sick at our stomachs + disgusted. The sight of Blood
always effects me . . –
I joined a drawing class at Sass gallery during which
time Clias, Napoleon’s celebrated Gymnasium master, made a visit to
I also drew at Somerset House the Royal Academy that
winter Fuscli being the keeper, he was often very crass when looking over the
drawings but was excusable on account of his age over seventy.
I went one Sunday to a church at the upper end of
I also went down to the sale of the furniture and
articles of Virtue of Fonthill Abbey the property of Mr Beckford, the author of
Vathec a magnificent Estate with an impassible fence, High Wall fourteen miles
round it where Beckford himself had lived solitary and alone not allowing any
one to approach him, not the servants, he was provided by what was called a
dumb waiter in the wall, and whenever he walked out, the servants were ordered
to keep out of sight. He never saw any one or allowed any one to come into his
grounds – he was said to have kept some hundred workmen at night employed in
building the Towers by torchlight the papers were filled with his
eccentricities, he was immensely wealthy, rich in West India Plantations. The
Estates was not far from Salesbury Cathedral, Tickets to visit it previous and
during the sale were sold at a Guinea each, and so great was the curiosity of
the Londoners to see it, that eighty thousand tickets were sold the fortnight
previous to the sale and rooms and board was provided by Phillips + Co the
auctioneers in the Abbey for those who desired to stay a day or two at a
farther expense. Speaking of
Fonthill Abbey recalls to my remembrance a sad affaire connected in some
measure with this place. There was a young Artist named Foster son of a
deceased sister of John Wilson Crocker, Secretary to the Admiralty, who adopted
him he was well educated with fine talents + very popular, his uncle the
proprietor of the John Bull periodical, was anxious for him to relinquish
painting, of which he had little or no proficiency or chance of success and go
to India where a high birth could have been undoubtedly obtained through his
uncle’s influence at that time. Foster was wedded to society, belonged to
several Clubs and from his uncle’s position admitted most anywhere I used to
meet him at
Foster was wandering about all night and in the morning
was let out at the Lodge. It made a great talk in London and Foster was said to
have been very harshly recd. by his uncle and not a long time after he was
found in a London Coffee House with his brains blown out, having committed suicide.
The Residence of my Banker Sam Williams in
Speaking of Maria Tree recalls an incident of much
interest a young man a member of Parliament rich and highly educated became
greatly attached to her and she to him, his mother a proud and haughty woman
opposed it on account of her position. Some unpleasant news in opposition to
their engagements reached her ears after a rehearsal at the Theatre one day and
ordering her coachman to stop at an Apothecary’s on her way home she procured a
bottle of laudanum and swallowed a large quantity the news flew like lightening
all over London that Maria Tree was dying, the member of Parliament flew to her
and she became Mrs Bradshaw in less than a month afterwards in spite of the
mother.
At Sadlers Wells Theatre – Joe Grimaldi was drawing
overflowing houses and was esteemed like Garrick of Earlier days, the first in
his line. At
The Italian Opera House had a great run in 1823. Madam
Catalani, Madam Camporesi, Madam Rousi de Beguis, Madam Vestris, Rosini led the
Orchestra on a piano, to h8s own composition Tancrede. – Madam Pasta, Paul,
Mademoiselles Mercondotti, since Mrs Hughes Ball, who was called the Golden
Ball from his immense wealth – also a hose of minor artists – Madam Catalani
was at the height of fame and beauty and I can never forget the first night I
saw her in all her majesty before the footlights at the Opera covered with
jewelry + diamonds presents from most of the the sovereigns and then contrast
her with the old lady with a moab cap who invited us to her house under the
name of Madame Valabrique at Frisoli Florence in 1834 to hear a nice sing – who
she was bringing out, surely the change was great and brought many moral
reflections to my mind as regarded past + future in the same city, near the
Borgo Pinti, opposite to the monastery where Horatio Greenough the Sculptor and
myself were living, previous to my marriage, a great fat coarse looking woman
was pointed out to me as the once celebrated madam Rousi de Beguis who Newton
asked as a great favor to sit to him and who he + I then thought the most
lovely bewitching female we had ever seen. – sitting on the balcony of an
ordinary third class house – she looked dirty and as thought she was or had
been smoking It often occurs to me how few people would marry for beauty alone
if they could look ahead first on this picture then on that. Leslie carried +
introduced me when I first arrived in London to a very nice chop house in
Wardom Street, where he, Newton, and Washington Irving frequently dined, it
being very near to my rooms in Great Marlborough Street. I often frequented it
after I had moved there, being a regular attendant the landlord gave me a
little private room with only one person beside myself who I always met there
at the same hour I dined he was a foreigner a very handsome man and exceedingly
polite + dignified and I became quite intimate with him, but in London no one
thinks of asking or has any curiosity about the names of those they meet at
Chop Houses or Theatres – the consequence was I for some months meeting, dining
and conversing with him, nearly at the same hour, at the same place, had never
acquired his name, until one day walking down St. James Street – and looking at
the Print Shops I came suddenly upon a portrait of my Chop-house friend, and
found it was the celebrated Opera Singer Ambrogetti he after became a monk - .
. . .
Jacob Perkins with his family
from
I was several times at his
house + in company with him.
There came to London this year a man calling himself John
Dunn Hunter who represented him self as having been adopted and lived all of
his life amongst the Far Western tribes of uncivilized Indians, having no
recollection of his parents excepting a fight and some white people being
murdered and he the only one spared, a boy of some four or five years old being
brought up with the Indians boys and becoming a Hunter, and having in the
numerous Indian Wars been captured and in that way passed from one tribe to
another of all of which he claimed to have some knowledge and finally he was
purchased by a trader named John Dunn and having been called the hunter by the
Indians he assumed the name of John Dunn Hunter and came to England to get
assistance to civilize the Indians. His life and wonderful escapes and long
residence amongst the Tribes were published with a portrait by Leslie to whom
he brought letters from King at Washington – He had a wonderful run as a Lion amongst
the English he breakfasted with the Prince Regent, Dined with the Duke of
Sussex – passed some time with Mr Coke (afterwards Earl of Leicester) at
Holkham and like Prince Sanders the negro school – master in Belknap street
Boston who I used to give old books to when in College, he was courted by the
English Nobility male + favorite + feasted at a time too, (1823) when Literary
well brought up gentlemen of the United States could not obtain a notice of any
kind, it is one of the strange unaccountable features in the English Character
of a piece with the exhibition of a desire to assail and break up the American
Republic which she has so signally shown in the part she has taken in favor of
the South against the North in establishing Slavery and which ever before has
been one of her most effective weapons in abusing the North for suffering it.
In a printed but unpublished work headed Egotistography issued by the friends
of Chester Harding since his death – Harding writes Dec. 28th 1823,
“I am often vexed to hear the Americans abuse Mr Hunter in the manner they do I
have spent much time in his company and I think him one of the most remarkable
men I ever knew.”
Harding had many reasons for thinking so at that time,
but for Hunter – Harding in all probability never would had a chance of
painting any of the nobility Hunter introduced him to the Duke of Sussex and
begged the Duke to sit for a portrait for him Hunter, it cost the Duke nothing,
and the Duke gave him letters to Duke of Hamilton and to Mr Coke + so on + so
on. Mr Coke to Mr Owen.
If the Americans traduced
Hunter it was because he was a disagreeable suspicious character, nothing of a
gentleman, + imposing on the credulity of the English in an American garb and
had an Indian temper and had never been anything more than a trapper amongst
the Indians all of which I learnt of Mr Duponceau the great Indian linguist,
who I sit near to at the dinner given to Lafayette by the Cincinnati in New
York upon our arrival from Europe. Mr. Duponceau asked me many questions about
Hunter who I had just left in London in full blast amongst Lords + Ladies and
then remarked the Book he had just published in London was full of untruths
about the language and the tribes he quoted as having lived amongst – and he
feared he was an imposter. Six years after this Genl. Cass Secretary of War to
whom Genl. Jackson then President introduced me – desiring him to give me
letters to Gov. Clark Indian Agent at Missouri – told me that Hunter was a
decided imposter that he had never heard of such a person in all his
transactions amongst the far West Indian Tribes + Territory of which he had
been governor.
In addition to the above the
late Hon. John Pickering (with whom I became intimate by association as joint
Directors in a Wharf Company) one of the best Indian linguists
In our Country expressed
great surprise at the gullibility of the English nation.
I will dismiss John Dunn
Hunter by saying he returned to the country loaded with farming implements,
cows + cattle presented by the distinguished farmer Coke of Holkham, with gold
watches, pipes of many kinds (of which the duke is said to have had some
hundreds) all of which it has appeared were obtained under the most
extraordinary deception that was ever practiced upon a Nation.
Shortly after his arrival he started for the far west on
Horseback with an Indian companion who shot him in the back as his horse was
stooping to drink, and left him dead in the brook carrying of the splendid gold
repeater given him by the Duke of Sussex his pocket book, Horse +c +c. +++N. B.
See article in 50th No of North American Review written by Genl.
Cass on Hunter.
Had Hunter been what he
assumed to have been we may be sure Washington Irving then resident in
In London were many, a great many infinitely superior
portrait painters to Harding who lived then and have since died in Poverty, but
Hardings association with this Lion of the West and his own singular Western
Backwood Education which he took care to embellish, with also a strong power of
taking a likeness, altogether with a fine large powerfull + manly frame and
open countenance had great weight with these noble sitters who never retained
the portraits or paid for them themselves but sit to him as a charity. Upon his
return to this country he was thought not to have painted so well + truthfully
as when he left it and his portraits of individuals have mostly disappeared and
given place to better paintings, he had one most unfortunate habit which he
never seemed able to control + get rid of, and which made walking with him in
the streets of London exceedingly disagreeable that of never using a
handkerchief how he got along at the noblemens Country houses, has often
occurred to me. In our own country I am sorry to say I sometimes witness men
well dressed guilty in the streets of the same horrible habit. There are men
brought up in the wilderness suffering under every deprivation who have a
delicacy as regards cleanliness in their rags that seems innate and there are
others, fine, open hearted, intelligent naturally quick in comprehension, but
never refined. We can’t have everything in this world and refinement when not
innate can only be acquired by mixing with refined society.
I went one day to Leslie by his request to see a painting
of Sancho in the presence of the Duchess, whilst there, the Earl of Egremont
came in, for whom it was painted, who seemed much pleased with it, and before
going out asked, what he was indebted for it, Leslie said he hoped his Lordship
would not think him exorbitant in asking the price he had for – May Day – in
time of Queen Anne which was 300 guineas – His Lordship said by no means, and
took his departure the next day Leslie received a check for 500 guineas which
he returned saying his lordship had made a mistake, the Earl sent it back
saying that Leslie had made a mistake, not him. I went out one day to dine with
Mr Henry Bromfield, not far from where
Amongst the Americans I met
in London during my residence there were George Joy and Harrison Gray both
Tories who left with the English during the Revolution, old men, and having
little sympathy for their Native Land at heart although Joy corresponded with
President Madison and I thought from conversation with him was tired of his
expatriation.
Dr Joshua H. Hayward and myself left
Amongst my steady friends in London was Mr + Mrs. Robert
Grant to whom I was indebted for many kindnesses and with whom I used to often
dine in Tavistoke Square and their friends Mr + Mrs Bell the former Mr Grants
Partner – I cannot forget one one excursion I made with them in Mr Bells barouche
+ four, to Epsom Races from some little incidents that took place there, next
to Mr Bells carriage there was drawn up the Duke of Argylls carriage in which
were seated the Duchess and three ladies Pagets her daughters by the Marquis of
Anglesey who, when Earl of Uxbridge had left his wife and eloped with the wife
of Sir Henry Wellesly and his wife having obtained a divorce married the Duke
of Argyll. Whilst looking at them the son the Earl of Uxbridge rode up to them
on horseback + paid his respects. Mr Bell told me who they were and gave me
this romantic account, but what brings it back forcible to my remembrance is
that the Earl of Uxbridge we then saw has since become the Marquis of Anglesey
and eloped with Mr Bell’s sons wife, he an old man, she a young bride. Surely
the English are a strange people as regards adoration of rank, I saw and
conversed with her in George Peabody’s Box at
Hayward and myself selected the rout to Paris via
Brighton and Drippe that we might have a chance to dine off to Turbot, Brighton
being the only place where they were taken, we lost our Turbot after all as the
fisheries were what they called farmed out and all sent to London and no one
dare to sell one in Brighton we had no reason to regret taking that rout
however for the old seaport of Drippe was the most picturesque old place I ever
was in and I would not have missed it on any account and coming from the
crowded City of London in the Middle of June the Salt air and sea breezes of
this old fishing town on the French Coast was delightful and the dress of the
Pesantry more antique than anything I had ever seen or have since seen in
France since that time I have made the passage from Folkstone to Boulogne three
or four times + from Southampton to Havre an equal number but have never had my
curiosity so much excited or enjoyed myself more. We found an excellent Inn
nearly all to ourselves and plenty of fish just from the ea, good French Wines,
and nice clean white sheets + high beds, and we staid a day or two, so pleased
and refreshed were we, coming from the close air of our large city, and on our
way into another it recollected my former visits to Cohasset and Nahant in
those days when we could roam about on the rocks and the beach and enjoy
watching the fishermen in their Dory’s coming in at sunset from the sea. Times
have changed and we with them, crowds of residents have now rendered the last
named place a fashionable resort and no longer a place to pass a quiet time in
repose as in former days, we have no doubt that Drippe remains to this day in
status quo as when we saw it forty three years ago and may be has not so good
an Inn the travellers taking generally the steamers of the other routes, then
all were sailing boats very nearly of an equality and the different distances
decided the choice. Hayward and myself put up at the Montmorenci Hotel in Paris
Rue Richelieu Paris and passed three or four weeks doing up the Lions and
ransacking the Galleries, going to St. Cloud, Bois Boulogne, Versailles,
Fontainbleu, all these places seemed to breathe of Napoleon.
Bishop
Chevruse left a card for me at the Hotel inviting me to visit him at Montaubar.
In the mean time orders came down from Paris stating that
the Duchess de Beni was coming down for sea bathing and requesting the city
Government to get up an escort to receive her outside of the gates – they
endeavored to do so, but only a half a dozen or so volunteers, whereas when it
was understood that Lafayette was coming some hundred gentlemen assembled
mounted ready to receive him, against whom they shut their gates and prevented
form going out, is so happened that the general was still detained by sickness
and did not come, in consequence of which the gentlemen were inabled to ride
out of the gates single on the following days and congregate some distance on
the rode he was to come. It was near sundown when his carriage drove through
the gates, the escort was shut out the city was filled with troops and an
immense crowd of citizens from the environs of thirty miles or more who rent
the air with acclimations. The General was driven to the house of a Mon.
Papineau, upon the steps of whose door he addressed the citizens. The
excitement was immense; the next day we put to sea, the excitement still
continuing until we were well off from the Key and their sail boats out of
sight, two days after off L’Orient we had a squall which took away one fore +
main topmasts + being in ballast esteemed ourselves lucky that we were not
capsized on our beam ends, for that night we hailed a fine large ship the
Montezuma with all of her masts gone. I was standing on the Key only two days
before when she went out and heard my companion Capt Buckner of the “Canton”
belonging to Le Roy Bayard + Co, hail her and tell the captain he would lose
his masts if he met with a squall his rigging was so slack it was her first
voyage. At Havre with the consent of the General we received another passenger
a young man Mr John P. King who has since been distinguished as an
Happening by good luck to be the only passenger who was
never Sea Sick on board, the General made use of me as a walking stick, and
sadly since have I regretted that I had not at that time the amor scribendi
which has since in my old age possessed me, that I might have committed to
paper the Revolutionary anecdotes he told me about Gen. Washington, Andre’s
capture and his own adventures in the American Army. Nothing of note took place
until our reaching the Grand Banks where the Genl expressed a wish to have a
chowder, we lay too, and the crew went to fishing, but without any success,
when the General sitting on deck under an awning asked the captain if he had
not got a Cape Cod man on deck, the captain said there was one below ordering
them to call up Ben, who the moment he threw his line into the sea drew up an
immense haddock – where at the Captain set sail he being anxious of getting
past the Banks fearing the Ice burgs. The next day was Sunday and we lay all
day becalmed on the Bank the Sails flapping against the masts towards sun down,
not a cloud in the heavens, the sea calm, the men on the main top looking out
for a breeze hailed below and said there was a boat approaching with men in it,
and in a short time we heard a horn + presently with a glass distinguished the
boat rowing towards with men armed their guns glistening in the sun. it had a
suspicious appearance as there had been piracies in the gulf that year, but we
were far north of the Gulf – Shortly we discovered they were belonging to a
transport, having on board a Regiment bound to Halifax + in a blow a day or so
before had separated from their consort + in the calm from their topmasts
seeing our topmasts had made up a boat full to pay us a visit thinking we were
their consort + had taken guns + horn to find their ship again in case of fog.
The steps being put out + invitations given them to come on board they were
astonished when reaching the deck on being introduced to Marquis de Lafayette
by the Capt. After introducing each other, one as Major -------, the Captain –
so + so and fifteen minutes conversation taking place they were invited into
the cabin to a collation spread by order of the Captain at the end of which it
growing dark they left us. As an evidence of the strong antipathy Lafayette had
for the English they had not got out of sight before he walking the deck
leaning on my arm exclaimed, what a set of liars these English are, upon my
asking how they fared upon the Transports, the major said excellently well,
having first rate supplies, whereas my valet Sebastian boarded their boat + the
seamen told him they were upon short allowance – Officers
[the number of the pages
skips here from 163 to 166 on the next page]
and the men + crew. – We made
the heights of neversink entrance of
who borrowed money of him +
amongst whom I am sorry to say I knew of one female whose husband was in a high
position and perfectly unknown to it. The Genls expenses were all paid by the
States he visited, and comparatively poor + his estate encumbered when he came
he left the country free of debt, with $200,000. in cash + 20,000 acres of land
given him.
E’re leaving London Harding + I were in the habit of
walking through Hyde Park to Kensington Gardens at the Palace of which he had
been to paint the Duke of Sussex with whom resided the present Queen Victoria
then a little girl who we saw one day playing hoop in the ground fronting the
Palace – There were two then between her and the crown and no one anticipated
her ever reaching it her mother resided with her and the Duke.
One Sunday we took this walk previous to going to
Finsbury Square to dine with Uncle Sam and after passing through Hyde Park
upper gate leading into Oxford Street being some little distance ahead of
Harding, I turned round to see what had become of him and saw him (hate off)
rolling on the grass. I rushed up to him supposing he was in a fit, he groaned
and tore up the grass with his hands the perspiration running down his cheeks
in torrents I run out of the gate to the first public house, it was closed I
saw people sitting at the window, they refused to open there was a penalty of
five pounds for any Public house receiving people during divine service what to
do I knew not, went back, found him still on the grass in great pain he said
with the colic, had suffered with it before. I went back to the Public house,
it was open. I obtained a carriage, removed him to the house sent for a
physician and previous to his arrival gave him at his request a tumbler of hot
gin and water any one who ever saw Harding six feet three and of gigantic
proportions and had seen me tall but thin and week may imagine how difficult
was my assistance at that time entirely alone with him. I walked home
meditating upon the uncertainty of life quite sobered by what I had seen, and
retired early to bed, the next day (to my surprise) some one (Stewart Newton)
coming into my room I learnt that Harding had gone to his rooms, washed +
dressed himself and gone up in a carriage to Uncle Sams + eaten a hearty
dinner.
I remained in Boston for a year or two until 1827 when I
made a journey to Baltimore at the time Barnum opened his great Hotel in
Monument Square; at the great fire and destruction of the Exchange Coffee house
in Boston, where Barnum was burnt out, losing his furniture wine +c. +c. +. I
had it in my power to be of service to him in helping move his family to a
relatives, which he never forgot and he hearing of my being in
Shortly after arriving in this Country from Europe I made
an excursion to a farm my father had bought in Walpole New Hampshire and from
thence to the White Mountains through the Valley of the Connecticut; beautiful
scenery all along the banks of the River. I stopped at Ethan Allen Crawford not
far from the Notch. The White Mountains in those days had few visitors
excepting the teamsters, who during winter passed through the Notch with their
pungs + sleds, loaded with pork, venison +c. +c. for the Portland Market –
Crawford told me there were often fifty of a night, put up at his house; and he
had a long Hall surrounded with boxes with tops on hinges to raise up and let
down, in which they put their Buffalo robes + laid upon and when day came the
tops down made good settees, enabling fifty to sleep in the hall. His barn was
large and commodiers in which he could stall up from one to two hundred horses.
I recollect there was a large Moose in his barn yard quite tame, a bear, + a
Wolf, chained up, all of which he had captured. A Mr Trappear of
The second visit I made there out of sixteen, who made
the attempt headed by Ethan Allen Crawford, all well mounted, only four reached
the top of Mount Washington, amongst whom was a Mr Washington surgeon or purser
of one of our Ships of War with whom I felt quite acquainted in a short time,
sojourning in that lofty atmosphere, where we were all glad to curl up together
under the Bolders to escape the cutting air, we left our horses tethered about
five miles from the top having rode nine miles to that place in the woods from
Crawfords House, and it was there that our companions mostly deserted us. My
next visit to the White Mts. was in 1833 the year William T. Andrews + myself
had the care + superintendeau of the Athoeneum Gallery of Paintings in Pearl
Street, at the close of which Alvan Fisher + Thomas Doughty, and a Mr Brett
from London, who brought out Buffo’s picture of Adam + Eve in the garden, all
artists of note proposed to go with me to the White Mountains + sketch, Fisher
+ Doughty started immediately and Mr Brett agreed to follow shortly + I after
the gallery was arranged – Fisher + Co went to Center Harbor on the
Winnipisseoge Lake {See new American Encyclopedia = Alvan Fisher – Vol 7 –
Folio 525. = Thomas Doughty. Vol 6 = folio 582
“Mr Brett an English
amateur artist who brought to this country a large collection of the old
masters loaned him by the owners, also Buffo’s celebrated painting of Adam +
Eve in the garden of Paradise . . . . } where they hired a wagon + went from
thence through Sandwich Woods to
the slightest idea, whether
on my route or back again to Centre Harbor, in course of an hour the day broke
and upon emerging from the wood, I found myself in front of a Tavern, with the
mail stage before it, and was hailed by the driver and a solitary passenger in
it, + asked from whence under Heaven, I had come at that early hour.
Going immediately to bed and resting myself and faithful
horse at eleven o’clock A.M. after eating a hearty breakfast I proceeded on to
Conway where dining with Fisher + Doughty we left in the afternoon and arrived
at Thomas Jefferson Crawford’s at the Notch house which we agreed to make our
headquarters. Two days after Mr Brett joined us telling us that he had
witnessed quite an adventure to write home about, the mail arriving later than
usual at Center Harbour they did not get through Sandwich Woods until it was
quite late the night before; Brett like all Englishmen had taken what in
England is called the Box seat, next the driver out side, when half way through
the woods their lamps lighted, the leaders suddenly shyed and ran on to the
right bank of the road, the driver pulled them up and hallowed and started a
large black cow (as Brett thought) lying in the road. Mr Brett said an enormous
black bear was up + over the wall directly aside of the coach, thinks I to
myself, where could he have been the night before, when I was in the woods all
night, and what a customer if in the dark without lamps, I had run on to him in
the road asleep. We four gentlemen had Crawfords the Notch House to ourselves
solely, for all the time we were there, a fortnight, The woods were almost
impenetrable all round it at that time. There was no one in the house
but himself, his wife, and the servant girl (a female), his wife was in a deep
fit of melancholy all the time we were there, we never heard her voice, and her
very person created a shudder in us when we met her in the house, whether it
was the gloom of the place (which was quite sufficient) or what it was, we
never understood – being four of us we passed our days in sketching in the bowl
and after dining, had a game of whist and made the house ring with stories,
jokes, and laughter. We went to bed early and got up early, my companions were
there to make money. I was there for pleasure, but fell in with their views.
Fisher painted the large view of the Bowl for the late Dr J. C. Warren, now
held by some one of the family. Doughty painted the Silver Cascade, afterwards
engraved. Brett and myself employed ourselves sketching; the weather was fine,
our health was good, and time flew past like the wind.
One day while sketching in the Bowl on side of the
Mountains from the spot where Fisher took his view, the Wiley House in the
distance, which he was then drawing, say about a mile air measure from where we
were we saw suddenly coming out form an old rickety shed what we supposed to be
an ox - the shed was on the opposite side of the road and the animal crossed +
disappeared behind the house. Fisher was watching it, hoping it might stop in
the road that he might put it into his picture. It was a bear as we understood
from Crawford when we went home to dinner, there were no oxen in that part of
the Mounts they used horses altogether at that time.
Another day we had just taken our places at the dinner
table + were talking and laughing loud when Crawford suddenly putting his head
into the room from the entry, said in a low voice – hist gentlemen; and in a
moment the house shook with the report of his rifle fired from the entry he had
seen the antlers of a large Buck in the opposite wood. He did not get him
although very sure he had wounded him he could not leave us to penetrate the
forest after him, we and our horses were dependant on him altogether for he had
no man to help him.
There was another house
between Littleton + the Notch kept by Fabian, where the Portland sportsmen, and
seekers after mild scenery occasionally congregated: while at our late dinner
one day a man rode up on horseback and said there was a man missing, lost from
a party on the Mountain Washington the day before, from whom no account could
be given of him after their arrival at the top, the last night had been very
tempestuous and his mothers and sisters were in great distress and Crawford was
wanted to join in the search on the Mountain. My impression is he answered this
call and went – The day after this I had left my friends sketching and just
before going home to dinner had descended to the road to pluck some berries,
when suddenly a solitary weather beaten looking stranger in an old sulky driven
by a boy pulled up before passing and asked me if any news from Fabians house –
I said yes – a man had been lost the night before and there was much distress
there. He immediately replied I am the man; that he had loitered behind his
party when descending, lost the path, and had gone down the opposite side to
the one he went up and the rain pouring down and total darkness surrounding him
he had housed himself under some rocks and late in the morning of the next day
had reached a log cabin at the foot of the mountain and was told he was twenty
four miles from Fabians and he had found great difficulty in procuring a
conveyance round. I ascertained he was a Lieutenant Paine of the United States
Navy, and years since I have met him and laughed with him at his appearance
that morning.
A day or two after this our
time being up, as limited when we came we separated. Fisher + Mr Brett
retracing their steps to Boston, and I taking Doughty into my Jersey Waggon
down along the Banks of the Conneticut River left him a Hanover to take the
stage to Boston whilst I proceeded on to Lake George where I met Washington
Irving, Count Portalis and an English gentleman Mr Latrobe + after passing a
few days pleasantly with them at this romantic spot and declining going to
Saratoga where they proposed my going with them, I proceeded on to Troy. These
gentlemen I had introduced to the Athaneum Library just before I lift
On our way home we took the Lake Champlain Boat. Capt.
Sherman noted for the beauty of his steamer and the great civility of himself
and it so happened that we passed the 4th of July going down the
Lake and when landed proceeded to lake George – where at Caldwells I was taken
sick form heat and too much Champagne on the 4th rather bilious,
they sent for the Village Doctor he came in with his sleeves rolled up above
his elbows just from a potato field, where he had been hoeing he went down
stairs after feeling my pulse and returned with a tumbler of lemonade into
which he emptied a powder which must have been put up originally for a horse.
It shook me so my friends became alarmed – I was not able to sit up for some days,
at last he came in one day and feeling my pulse, put the question to me if I
had been in the habit of drinking spirits. The temperance societies were
beginning at that time to be established in the country towns, and fanaticism
in religion mixed up with it, and though
having no particular penchant for what the country people called liquor, I had
nevertheless not been given to total abstinence and I was a little at a stand
to know what to answer but finally said, not to excess – well said he – that
being the case I’ll order up a decanter of Brandy and as it is pretty hot I
don’t mind taking a drink with you – an when the Brandy arrived he poured out
half a tumbler full and tossed it down without any water and smacking his lips,
said he could recommend it. This he did every day whilst we staid and in fact I
needed it after the horse emetic he had given me. I thought Prescott + Amory
would have died from laughing when the carriage was at the door the house bills
paid and all in but myself Prescott halloed to me laughing – John – have you
paid the Doctor? I had forgotten him not being of the house, so I went into the
fields for him, and on his appearance asked him (thanking him for restoring me)
to let me have his account. Well: says he, I think you’ll get along, and as for
my account I hope you’ll not think it unreasonable if I charge you two +
sixpence. I handed him one or two dollars climbed up on the box and told the
driver to put his horses on the run.
In 1832 I started from Boston with the hope of reaching
Fort Snelling on the upper Mississipi, at Washington I called on the Vice
President John C. Calhoun who rec’d me up in his bedroom in the most friendly
way while shaving before going to the Senate, he asked me what he could do for
me. Knowing that he and the President were not friends, I replied, only called
to pay my respects. I had one or two friends amongst the Senate. Peleg Sprague
from
before I went, “to say – “I
merely came to pay my respects” to him, he replied.’ Mr Mason take a seat there if you please I
will soon be at leisure and in a few minutes he got rid of the others and
ringing the bell on his table told the Secretary not to admit any more and
seemed really pleased to have a stranger to talk with who did not want office,
he asked me if I smoked and taking a pipe out of a side draw and clapping his legs
on to a chair was enveloped in a cloud – After several remarks about my quarter
of the Country and my telling him I was going to see the far West, the Falls of
St. Anthony if I could reach there; he said, all very landable, and asked; do
you know Cass? I answered in the negative; he immediately drew a sheet of paper
towards him addressed to the Sec’y of War – desiring him to give me letters to
Fort Armstrong I forget the Commanders name; to Governor Clark Indian Agent at
St. Louis and to several other officers it was all done in the kindest manner,
and when taking leave he said I will now give you a piece of friendly advice,
buy a Saddle horse + with Saddle bags dive into the Michigan Country and see
all. I went directly to the Secretary of War’s it was Saturday and he having a
severe headache asked me if I had an objection to coming to his private
residence of Sunday – I answered, by no means and he said he would have all of
the papers ready. I called at ten the appointed hour + found the Genl. With the
letters ready and somewhat inquisitive to know my motives for going so far as
the Prairie du Chien and Fort Snelling as Black Hawk and the Sauks and Foxes as
he told me were in a disturbed state, he said if speculation was my object he
could offer me at Detroit his farm for the sum of ten thousand dollars which
was a small price for it, and the only reason he had for selling it was that he
could not be at two places at once and advised me to go and look at it, which I
promised to do, but the Cholera prevented. At Cass’s descease two years since
the papers stated that he left three millions of dollars the proceeds from the
rise of his farm which he was once induced to offer for seven thousand dollars.
Upon leaving Genl Cass I went to my boarding house and
some one informed me that the next morning Mr Clay would speak on the Missouri
Compromise question. Early next day I hurried to the Capitol and when reaching
the entrance I met Washington Irving + Mr Latrobe, they proposed my joining
them, they having been promised a place on the floor I gladly acceded, when
going up the long flight of steps I was accosted by S. G. Goodrich (Peter
Parley) with the request that I would introduce him to Irving who had got far
ahead and was beckoning to me to come on fearing a crowd in the Senate Chamber.
I said to Mr Goodrich if he would call upon me the next day I would call upon
After the adjournment walking down the Pennsylvania
Avenue Irving asked who the gentleman was who came near losing for us our seats
in the Senate I told him Goodrich, who wants to be introduced to you, what says
he; Peter Parley, Yes-; then do not introduce him, I am going to sue him for
pirating my Columbus and have given my lawyer in New York orders to that effect
already, and then seeing I was in a dilemma, he said – Is he a particular
friend? I answered no only a townsman – he then said perhaps it will be best to
introduce him, and I’ll leave it all to my lawyer. I then said have you any
objection to my stating the present conversation – not in least said
I went to meet Goodrich and narrated the above
conversation he was greatly astonished – he said I am as innocent as you are, I
have never read the abridged Columbus that Irving speaks of, I have returned
from Europe where I was called rather unexpectedly, and having published
abridged Biographies of Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams I asked a
young man you know very well to write Columbus if he has taken from Irving, I
will suppress it. I then said had you not better call and see
The next morning I left Washington for the far West
taking the mail to Wheeling on the Ohio and thence by Steamer to Cincinnati
where I met my early friend Stephen Fales who ushered me round in this city
which then began to show what it might be in time from thence I went to
Louisville and to Ashland, Mr Clays farm who gave me letters to his son in law
Mr Irving. At
bonds and were flying in all
directions. Whether this was premeditated or by accident I could not find out,
but had my suspicions, if the former, it was as uncharitable an act, as man
could have been guilty of – for in those days men + women must have been
greatly exposed left in the forest far from home, as many must have been. We
had a fine run up the upper Mississippi and I was much struck by the
resemblance of some of the woods, fine trees, to gentlemens parks, + could not
divest myself of the feelings, at certain points but that some splendid
building would come in view, all this, like stage coach riding in England will
be last to picture travellers since railroads have done away with Steamers
except for freight.
Arriving at
Presenting the Secretary of War’s letter to Governor
Clark I was kindly received, and asked to go with him and visit a part of the tribes
of Black Hawk of the Sauk Nation of Indians who had arrived the night before, +
Gov. Clark had lodged them in some stone stores bordering on the River they had
separated from Black Hawk who was making
war on the Whites, and were headed by a chief called Keokuck, they were
afterwards in Boston with Black hawk + his chiefs after hw as captured, + Gov.
Everett received them in the State House. A Colonel of Militia coming down from
the upper river advised me not to go father as the Indians fired upon all the
boats and there had been a fight. Gov. Clark said agreeable to the Secretary’s
order, he should forward me with a company of soldiers going up next day, but
advised me not to go; not wishing to run the least chance of being scalped I
acquiesced to their prudent advise, which I had great reason to be thankful for
afterwards. I remained only a few days at St Louis there was nothing attractive
in the City itself in those early days, and being disappointed in not being
able to go higher up the river and there being no rail Roads as now, to enable
me to go into Indiana + Illinois, I returned down the River to Louisville – We
stopt at Woodpiles on the Banks of the River, once or more during the day, I
recall one day in particular, as it illustrates the characteristics of most of
the settlers on the Banks.
We pulled up at the side of a
wood pile, there was a common ragged looking fellow sitting upon it who did not
take the trouble to take his pipe out of his mouth during the time we were
wooding or ask any questions – with another fellow passenger I went on shore
around the wood pile the trees had been cut down but the stumps remained, just
above the clearing there was a dense forest of splendid Oak and other trees
upon ground clear of all underbrush smooth like a carpet, amongst which trees,
there were grazing, lots of horses, cattle, pigs, with poultry. On the border
of the forest was a Log house through the logs of which we could look in and
saw in one corner sitting near some coals which had no chimney to let the smoke
out other than a hole in the wall a sickly pale woman with a child in her arms;
apparently with little or no furniture around her, there was a drizzling cold
rain and we were glad to get on board again. The cheerlessness, comfortlessness
of that Cabin in the forest has never been obliterated from my memory to this
day although since I have been a rambler amongst the chalets of the Pyrenees,
and the highest
At Cincinnati I joined my friend Fales again, with whom I
passed a pleasant week and then took the mail for Columbus the Capital, a small
half built up place at that time + I have felt a strong desire several times
that I might some future day revisit all of these cities + witness the
wonderfull changes that time and man have wrought in them, but now as I am writing
this I am sensible that the time for me to have accomplished this has passed
and that traveling at the age of seventy two is shorn of all the novelties,
aspirations + excitements which traveling at the age of thirty is possessed of.
At Columbus I met my friend + fellow townsman Martin Brimmer and his young
bride on their matrimonial tour; she a Miss Wadsworth of Genesee County – the
roads were horrible and the stages springless ad open without protection; it
was not uncommon in those days for the passengers to be obliged to alight two
or three times in course of a day, and help get the stage out of a mud hole and
the road from Cincinnati to Columbus was so dreadful to me although said there
to be the best in the state, and I had so much in the night (which we were
obliged to take with the day) suffered that I determined I would avoid all
Stages when there was water conveyance, however circuitous the latter I
understood at Columbus that the great Canal between that city and Cleveland on
Lake Erie would be opened and the first boat be put upon it that week I made up
my mind to seek the Captain and ask him to sling a Hammock for me on board and
allow me to accompany him, he said he had no accommodations for more than
himself and one hand and the canal was not for passenger boats he should
probably be from a week to ten days perhaps longer making the passage that we
should pass through swamps surrounded by impenetrable woods filled with wild
animals snakes and mosquitoes and winding up his speech with = now if you
choose to go I’ll take you and make you as comfortable as I am able. I asked
him if he had a gun and plenty of provisions, he said yes – of such fare as he
used himself and that he should pass squatters + small settlements, where eggs,
fresh milk, ham +c. +c. could easily be procured. I told him I would be
punctual to be with him at the day and hour appointed.
My friend Martin Brimmer and his wife left me next day in
the stage expecting to reach
At the appointed day and hour I with my portmanteau were
taken in a gig driven by a boy from the Hotel to the Depot of the Canal where I
found a common long boat, such as the boats on the Erie Canal of the present
day perhaps a size or two smaller with no accommodations except at the bow a
covered apartment large enough to hold two persons with a small cooking stove,
removable at any time to the deck, in fact similar to what is called a trunk in
fishing pleasure boats that go beyond the light to fish for Cod. The Captain
received me with a smile of a peculiar expression indicating in my mind at that
time that he had not expected to see me again, and that there was passing in
his mind, “What a darned fool he is after all.” from that moment however he was
all kindness and endeavoring to make me comfortable. I found out in after
conversation that it had puzzled him very much and excited a great desire to
know, why a gentm. As I appeared to him in person and address, should desire to
go in such a boat and such accompany through swamps + woods at the rate of two
or three miles an hour + where snakes + Bears + wolves might jump on board of
us – in preference to riding in a carriage and four horses which he probably
never had in his life time. He swung a hammock from the top of his birth to the
opposite side so that I had all the air. He had provided draft cider, apples,
cheese +c. +c. and tea in small quantities and during the whole time in his
company I never saw him out of temper; a real gawky, ungainly backwoodsman he
was full of jokes, stories of the most humorous nature and with--all possessed
of sterling good common sense and a good warm heart, he has been recalled to
mind often while reading the character of our late lamented President Abraham
Lincoln within the past two years, and like him it has occurred to me the canal
captain may long before this have risen to be a representation in his native
state if not in Congress he had a peculiar name and I have never been able to
recall it I had plenty of cigars Madam Woodville brand which were considered
No. 1. in those days. + the Captain helped me keep the Mosquitoes off smoking
them.
The mosquitoes were my greatest trouble, when passing the
forest the air seemed alive with them.
One day the forest was so impenetrable on each side that
it seemed like midnight, not a ray of sunlight touched us yet we could see a
line of blue sky overhead looking like a ribbon reaching as far as the eye
could take in between trees of prodigious size and height. At might lying swung
in my Hammock with the top light off, the heat being great and our watch lamp
hung at the stern of the boat I lay on my side looking into the forest and the
hissing of the snakes and every now and then howling of Wolves and the cries of
other animals which the Captain designated made me think of De Freishutz I had
seen performed in London years before. My greatest apprehension was that a
snake might drop from some one of the immense trees we were passing under
directly into our boat, we were some two days and nights getting through this
forest and delighted I was to have the sun shine upon us again, hot as it was.
We came one day to a settlement of Germans where everything about their houses
was as neat as possible their kitchens in perfect order, utensils all shining
like the Dutch and all people of the male side at work harvesting, it was a
settlement living in common like the Owen settlement at New Harmony I forget
the name it might have been Loas or Bethleum,. Our Captain found freight
everywhere he stopped and w went nearly the whole length of the State and
passed many small Settlements that have since become like cities, for instance,
Newark, Cashocton, and Canton, we did not reach Cleveland in much less than ten
days after starting and though I never regretted the route glad was I to get
into a comfortable bed on the shore of Lake Erie and have a good wash in the
Lake, not having had my clothes off for a long time. From Cleveland to Buffalo
acrost Lake Erie I was passenger in a very quiet comfortable Steamer, small in
comparison to those of present days but much more comfortable and cosey, with
few passengers amongst whom I was very glad to meet Rev. Dr walker late
President of Harvard at that time the pastor of a society in Charlestown; who
was a class before me in College Arriving in Buffalo at the Hotel I met Col.
Wadsworth of Geneseco who kindly invited me to go with him to his homestead, he
had with him his daughter the late Mrs. Charles Murray – he was the father of
the late Genl Wadsworth killed I in the battle of the wilderness he was a fine
specimen of America’s Agriculturists. My time would not permit and I went to
take a look at Niagara Falls and staid there on the American side three days a
disease termed the spotted fever had broken out on the English side and
everybody had left and there was a panic amongst the few inhabitants, the
papers were full of this disease reporting it incurable and the Cholera was
said to have broken out in New York in a fearful manner, the only persons on
the American side were a Mr + Mrs Hudson of New York, a Miss Laverty and a Miss
Wright now Mrs Tompkins – she was a daughter of Wright the great Liverpool packet
owner of those days and I met her and her family since in 1854 and lived in the
same house with them at Lenox. Mr Hudson proposed to me to join his party and
take a stage with them to
The next year Genl. Jackson the President visited
At the appointed time he came down with a troop of horse
accompanied by Genl Cass Sec’t of War. Mr Woodbury Sec’t of Navy and his aids
and walked through the Gallery of Paintings + the library the old man seemed fatigued
by the review, made few remarks and seemed glad to mount his horse and gallop
off to his lodgings at the Tremont where it was said he issued his order for
the removal of the specic from the United States Bank – that very day – June 22nd
1833.
1818 – It was during President Monroe’s first term that I
received an invitation from Genl. Dearborn the Collector, to accompany the
Deputy Collector Nathaniel Tracey and Elbridge Gerry the Survey Officer; in the
Revenue Cutter, Capt. Sam. Trevett down to the eastward to place and examine
Buoys.
Captain Trevett commanded one of the only two Artillery
Companies that were at the
We cast off from end of
The first place we put into after leaving
Provincetown which seemed to me like those we then took
towards afternoon the second day we took up anchor and sailed for Portland
harbor where we passed a day and took in as pilot – Capt. Drinkwater who
piloted the US Brig Enterprise out of Portland when she went out and captured
the English brig of War “Boxer” amongst the Islands the old man took our sloop
out to the ground they fought on and graphically described the fight and all
the Burroughs and the officers on board said as they were nearing the enemy
lying behind one of the Islands, and described the fall of Burroughs and the
transferring of his body + Capt. Blyeth’s on shore at Portland Captain
Drinkwater remained with us the whole cruise and was full of anecdotes and long
yarns from Portland we went off the mouth of the Kennebeck River and examined
the buoys and overhauled many trading vessels examining their papers as there
was considerable smuggling going on in those days there being such a length of
line of coast for only one Cutter – we had heavy fogs in June, and some storms,
and cold East winds from the grand banks, and had often to lay bye for hours
fearing to run in such thick weather, during which time we smoked, drank
champaigne of which we had a full supply on board, and hearkened to Trevetts
account of Bunker Hill fight and old Drinkwater’s revolutionary anecdotes, and
were jolly all the time all of us being in the prime of life, and we plied
these old Captains with our good cheer (four in number) and showed them we
enjoyed their reminiscences of the revolution happy were those days. The next
day we run off Cape Small point to the mouth of the Kennebec River where we
boarded some packet vessels and thence passing Pemmaquid Point ran through
Musconegus Bay with Manlugan Island on our right and anchored off St Georges
Island in an impenetrable fog upon the rising of which we up anchor and run up
the river between Fox Island + Thomaston and anchored again off Castine. This
was where Morris blew up the Frigate Adams when chased in by the English fleet.
We remained here but a short time to board Coasters, keeping our whale boat and
one of the mates employed the whole time in this business – we next ran over to
Brigadiers Island and threw our lines for Salmon but were unsuccessful with the
hook + sent on shore at Belfast and tried a silver hook which being successful
we up anchor and ran down the Bay and passing Burncoal Island, Long Island,
Mount Desert Sound, bakers Island anchored again in Frenchmans Bay where a fog
beset us again, and kept us the night, upon clearing up in the morning we set
sail and passed by little Menan Island Pleasant R. Bay Beals Island and ran
into Machias Bay and anchored off the Port Keeping our whale boat employed when
laying bye or anchored.
The next day we ran inside
the great Menan to Eastport where we staid a couple of days or more, going on
shore and enjoying our legs which were stiffning for want of use. We visited I
believe (not sure) Campo Belle Island belonging to the late Admiral Owen of the
English Navy, we ran up the river to Calais and went on shore on the right side
of the river at St. Andrews an English settlement garrisoned by a company of
Red Coats.
The Recollections of a
Septuagenarian
[Volume II]
The River St. Croix is a broad one at the entrance,
opposite St Andrews is Robinstown on the American Side, and higher up Calais.
This was the end of our cruise and the place where fog’s seemed part of the
climate; we now turned out bow towards the North and began to feel as though we
should like to see Boston State House again. Near the Kennebeck we put Tracey
on shore who was shortly to be married to a Miss Wier of
A
melancholy affair had happened to one of the Cutters near two or three years
before we joined her for this party his name was Phillips; he went ashore and
in Ann street visited a small Confectionary shop kept by Lawrence Nichols with
whose foreman he got into a quarrel and the foreman an Italian named Denigie
attacking him with a knife, Philips caught a red hot poker out of the coals and
in haste struck him over the head, knocking him down and wounding him severely
of which wound he died previous to his death, Philips watched with him and
tended upon him carefully and showed great contrition. Upon his death Phillips
was imprisoned, tried, convicted + hung on Boston Neck. What a comment upon the
severity of the Law in those days and the present, when a man shoots his
Employer in open day in the principal street and greatest thoroughfare of our
city with five discharges of a revolver for no other reason than because he
spoke slightingly of him to a female and is only punished by being sent to the
State Prison for life which is understood to be only for four or five years
when he is pardoned out. Surely Phillips execution was a little short of down
right murder. He showed by watching with Deneghie that there was no malice
aforethought, he was attacked by a man with a knife and defended himself with
the nearest thing he could lay hi hand on as most any one would have done
similarly situated. Italians are vindictive and he probably would have stabbed
Phillips if he had not probably have got the first blow and no doubt they were
both somewhat the worse for drink. The Bible tells us – for blood – blood shall
be required but there are a class of citizens at present that deny the right of
taking life however atrocious the crime that demands it. That crime is on the
increase it only needs to read our daily papers to be convinced and to ask,
where are the convicts to be put when our State Prisons are filled with
assassins as is being the case now.
At Cambridge through Washington Allston I became
acquainted with Thomas Dower a Leather dresser who had a great penchant for
collecting Books + Prints, and being a Bachelor had built himself a commodious
large square house at Cambridgeport the Second Story of which he fitted up for
a library. My intimacy with the collector and Tracey the Deputy Collector
enabled me to be of some little service to Mr Dowse which he never forgot. It
appeared that Mr Dowse had authorized Miss Wells and Lilley Booksellers in
Boston to purchase Books for him at their discretion in London to a certain
extent every year, there being a lottery of Water coloured Engravings and
copies of Lord Stafford’s Gallery advertised – their agent undertook to
purchase three tickets for Mr Dowse the first knowledge of it was given to me
by my friend Tracey who called and told me there were several boxes addressed
to my friend Dowse in the Custom House, containing Paintings Engravings +c. +c.
the duties on which being an ad valorum duty would amount to several hundred
dollars and wished me to advise him to call and pay it which I did to his
undisguised affright, never having heard anything about it he said he could not
raise so much money and the Custom House might keep the Boxes + contents
and seemed to think that the
agent in
Nat. Tracey and myself were joined by Mr Thatches + Mr
Coolidge making a hand at whist in the evening and the weather being fine in
the day we rode and fished, we had one large bed room containing four beds; our
friends Thatcher + Coolidge declared they heard rats in the room every night
about midnight which neither Tracey or myself heard. I being deaf of course was
not called upon to give my testimony. Capt. Lawton said it must be imagination
there could not be any rats there where none were ever seen near the house, the
noise nevertheless continued and Tracey being asleep they called up Captain
Lawton who acknowledged he heard, they awoke me, Tracey being an invalid they
avoided waking him, after looking all around the room they found it was nearest
Tracey’s bed under which they looked and were about giving up when they
perceived it came from near the top of his bed and turning down the sheet
observed his jaws moving, he was grinding his teeth waking him up – the rats
disappeared. His teeth were very much ground down and when he and I were
returning to
Tracey I believe never
suffered more than the loss of his original loan, some one or two thousand
dollars I belonged at this time to a Club of gentlemen whose object was
friendly enjoyment and social intercourse of each others society at dinner.
Meeting once a fortnight during winter and spring, alternately at each others
houses, some were merchants in large business, some Physicians and some
literary men those who were unmarried received their friends at some public
house as far as I can now recall the names there were, the late Horace Man, the
late George Russell, the late Oliver Wm. B. Peabody, the late Henry F. Baker,
late James K. Mills, late Joshua H. Hayward, late Nat. P. Willis, Benj T. Reed,
Admiral Davis, John C. Hayden, Huntington Wolcott, Samuel Lawrence, J. T.
Stevenson, Dr. Sam. G. Howe and myself. Alas how many are dead gone to their
last resting place. It was an exceedingly pleasant club, for a longer time,
than generally such clubs last. Our rules were, where any one was engaged, the
Club gave him a dinner; after married he gave the Club a dinner. The last
meeting together was in 1856. Reed + Mills called upon me and said there were
several of the Club in the City and they thought we had better have one more
meeting, and that Dr Hayward said he would come if I would. I having declined
all dinner parties heretofore, and not intending ever to dine out with more
than three or four persons again, my hearing being so much impaired, and it was
nearly twenty years since I had dined with the club which had been broken up
nearly that time. I think it was in 1836 I gave them my marriage dinner, at the
large
Where giving up Mercantile life early in life I studied
art for a time, and doing many little kindnesses for Mr Stewart he used to let
me sit in his room where he was painting which it was said he would not allow
any other person to, not even his own daughter, and although exceedingly
eccentric which most great professional men are apt to be and often bearish to
others I can conscientiously say I never recollect to have had an unkind
expression of any kind from him. I was of service to him often in many little
ways. When he was painting the Presidents for Mr John Doggett the Carver +
Guilder, he asked me to procure for him a dress sword to put into
Discussing one day with Stewart the merits of the
portraits of a young artist having considerable success in
I attended Stewarts funeral in 1828 in July. With
Washington Allston at his last residence
There has been no artist since, that has rivaled him in
the head alone. His portrait of Councellor Dunn Allston, thought equal to Van
dyke.
Guilbert Stuart left England in the zenith of his fame
and came to this country to paint the Father of his Country for Mr Bingham of
Philadelphia of whom Stuart always complained of having had it engraved without
his permission and wronged him of his share of the proceeds.
“There is a dreamy presence
everywhere
As if of spirits passing to
and fro;
We almost hear their voices
in the air
And feel their balmy pinions
touch the brow.
We feel as if a breath might
put aside.
The shading curtain of the
spirit Land,
Revealing all the loved and
glorified
That death has taken from
affections band.”
Whilst recalling these reminiscences the death of my
nephew James Sullivan Warren has been announced to me, after an illness
of some six weeks brought on by exposure. Few if any examples have been
exhibited for the last thirty years of such true untiring devotedness to Gods
work amongst the poor as this gentleman has shown, he surprised all, far and
near by his progress in divine life, so clear and full in his religious views,
so established his heart with grace so anxious to do good and communicate with
others in the cause of the poor, and the cause of Christ.
With Washington Allston my acquaintance commenced shortly
after leaving College 1814 and lasted to the year of his death 1843 – with
short intervals of absence on my part in
In all my conversations familiar as they were I never
dared touch upon so delicate a subject, knowing that the death of his wife had
been a most severe blow to him, and all of her friends were in this Country.
From Sister Street he moved out to Cambridgeport, which deprived me of my
regular visits, although I can call to mind at different periods many walks
over Cambridge Bridge at ten + eleven o’clock home, after passing the evening
with him + Edmund Dana and now and then he would come to Boston and by
invitation dine with me at Rouillards in the old Blue Chamber where we had met
so often. We used to sit late when Allston lived in town, and before we left he
would always put up all the chairs, pull the ashes over the coals as though
there were no servants in the house. I caught this hab it from him and when at
house keeping have found myself doing the same thing with six servants in the
house and now in my old age in a boarding house find it very convenient. It is
a blessed thing to be able to help ones self, it’s a great mark of independence
– Allston would also snuff out all of the lights before going. He was the most
amusing Ghost Story teller I ever hear and to be in a room with him and Loammi
Baldwin was one of my greatest enjoyments I ever had in those days when
possessed of my hearing. Allston believed in Ghosts as did Dr Sam Johnson and
many intelligent people I have known in my lifetime and read of. Allston used
to tell the story of Genl. Wynyard, with great solemnity I wonder what he would
have thought of the Fox girls and the table turnings of the present day, he
died in 1843.
Telegram from N. Y. – died –
Feb’y 24th 1867.
9 O’clock evening.
Again I leave off reminiscences to insert the death of my
brother in law H. W. T. Mali of New York Consul General of Belgium, a more,
truly honest, noble hearted man it has not been my privilege to have known
associated with him by family ties for over thirty years. To my recollection an
unkind word or thought has never passed between us, together abroad and at home
we have followed to the grave our mother in law and both of our wives, and
brothers in law – and now he has been taken leaving me (the oldest of all
excepting our late mother) to recall the past and mourn the deprivation of a
solitary look back, the concomitant of prolonged life.
Previous to leaving
And Nahant how changed there were but one or two cottages
in those days, besides – Fredk. Tudors, Stephen Codimans + Col. Perkins and the
John Phillips’s – Rice kept the Tavern. There were the Hodds + the Johnsons at
the head of whom was uncle Caleb always ready with their boats to go a fishing,
then who can forget the visit of the seaserpent who was seen by hundreds
passing Egg rock and running up off Phillips Beach and Swampscott, with whale
boats after him but his movements so rapid that no whaler could touch him.
Personally I have been very much staggered in my belief having heard from so
many respectable people so many opposite opinions relative to the existence of
such a creature.
I happened a short time after his appearance to be out a
fishing with a Captain Meek of Swampscott who had been several voyages in a
whaler, we were fishing in his whale boat, when he narrated his experiences
with the serpent he said he was on shore when the non-descript was first
reported to have made his appearance, that he immediately ran for the whale
Boat we where then in and after taking in his oars, anchor +c. +c. returned to his house and brought down his
Harpoon, + tackle, and with one other pushed off in a direction of where told
he had last been seen; when half way between Swampscott + Little Nahant he all
of a sudden heard a rushing of waves and on the side of his boat saw a head
like a horses head rise out of the water, bearing as though having passed under
his boat, that the distance appeared some twenty feet from the boat + that
turning to the other side he saw what had the appearance of the tail of an
immense snake reaching some twenty feet that side. Estimating the rapidity with
which the head disappeared still keeping out of water he concluded the entire
length could not be much less than eighty to ninety feet. Captain Meek had no
doubt of its being of the serpent species. Col. Sam. D. Harris formerly of the
Army of the United States in the War of 1812 an old and respected acquaintance,
informed me that during the summer of the Serpents first being seen, and a few
days after the clear view of him by Marshall Prince, Col. Austin + others,
which was published in the papers, that he and a party of gentlemen amongst
whom was Benj. Pollard the Editor of the Evening Gazette, his brother Richard
Harris, City Treasurer, about fifteen in all; where coming down to Nahant in a
Steamboat commanded by Capt. Porter, that when just through Point Shirley they
met the Portland Steam boat commanded by Porters brother coming up to Boston of
whom they enquired if he had seen the serpent he answered yes they had passed
him half an hour before heading South west. Of course they were in ecstasy and
in a short time, some minutes after, a shout took place near the bow, and behold,
every appearance of a great snake was coming directly down upon them his head
out of the water answering the description given of him as seen a few days
before. Col. Harris said he had previously been an unbeliever but tha the at
first sight felt perfectly convinced now, coming along with great rapidity and
heading directly for the boat, there appeared to be a general fear he would
come on board, in a few moments he was alongside and with a sudden diver went
directly under the vessel, they all rushed towards the gunnel and looking over
were perfectly astounded at seeing large shoals of fish going under in a file
line and serpent like appearance as at first.
They were so astonished and (in verits) disappointed, feeling an
interest in Captain Porter of the Boat who was reaping a fine harvest while the
Snakeship was said to be off Nahant that hey all agreed, the Editor amongst the
rest to say nothing unless closely questioned upon the subject; the other Capt.
Porter went up to the city + returned bringing down some three hundred dollars
worth of passengers to see the monster he described off Nahant. For myself I am
not satisfied that this and Captain Meek’s were the same. It seems improbably
to me that Captain Meek who had been employed in the whale fishing should not from a whale boat been able to
have seen anything living that passed under his boat better than these excited
gentlemen from a Steamboat high out of the water. Then there was amongst the
Editors a decided tendency to ridicule all belief in there being any such
nondescript or that these appearances were anything more than shoals of Horse
Mackerel. Yet he is said to have got into shoal water at
In the spring of 1834 I received a note from a sister
asking me to accompany her and her children to
engaged passages on board the
new ship “Silvie de Grasse” to sail on the first of June. Arriving at the City
Hotel kept by
Some of the time I passed in
There is nothing in the pursuit value of money more
astonishing than the nominal prices of paintings. I myself was at the sale of
the gallery of “Michel Angelo Taylor” in London where a fine collection of the
old masters were sold, amongst which was the celebrated painting of the Rainbow
by Rubens, of the sale of many of these paintings I have read since at five
hundred pr. Ct. above what they then brought. Some of Allstons paintings have
equally risen in value. Jeremiah and his Scribe for which we are under the
impression he received only one thousand dollars has just been sold for seven.
His “Bloody Hand” from Mrs Ratcliff – bought by Mrs. Ball formerly Miss
Channing has also been sold for five to six thousand dollars for which Allston
I am very certain did not receive more than seven or eight hundred.
To return from my digression we sailed from
enough to get them out of the
ship and through the Custom House and dispatched to Paris; when I engaged my
passage on board the English Steam Boat for Southampton, to sail that afternoon
delighted to get out of Havre where I had been just ten years before, waiting
for Lafayette, whose death a few days before we landed had been announced at
Havre. – Just before I went on board and previous to leaving the Hotel I saw
Leopold the Belgian King and his young French wife. Louis Phillip’s daughter
take their places in their carriage for Paris, having just arrived from London
his hair appeared quite white which astonished me, as I had seen his portrait
only ten years before. In Sir Thomas Lawrences room, just then painted, with
dark brown hair. The days of Royalty are not probably easy.
I cannot describe the delightfull feelings that seized me
the next morning when steaming in between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth on
the right, Norris Castle, Ride + Cowes on the left in the months of July when
the foliage was so soft and beautiful everything in its highest perfection,
more striking from coming out of such a dirty, heated place as Havre; and the
effect upon me was more striking, from having the last night in Havre been
indisposed and the heat and closeness of the atmosphere preventing my sleeping
and I had got up and opened a side window and blinds, about 2 o’clock when my
attention was arrested by a sight in the opposite old building from which I
could not take my eyes off, looking directly down into the room where I saw two
old Hags laying out a dead body, stripping it of rags and poultices and
throwing them out of the window into the street, the scene seemed to have a
magnetic power over me I couldn’t move or take my eyes off and feverish and
sick I pulled down my window with a slam which must have startled them and
getting into bed slept until noon next day, and was glad to take the afternoon
steamer and come away from Havre. This was my second visit to Havre in both of
which I was detained. I was there once afterwards.
Arriving at
I had been to
The next morning Mr Klose (purveyor to the Prince Regent)
my landlord explained to me the noise, it appeared that he hired the next house
against which my bed headed and that he used it for storing his flour and his
workmen had to get up early in the morning to prepare their bread, and in
trying to get out one barrel in the dark they had set in motion nearly a
hundred which accounted for the crash and disturbance. To return to my journey
I found at the Inn at Virginia Water everything in first rate neatness, a nice
carpeted bed room with bed and window curtains old fashioned easy chair and
everything in perfect order + keeping and precisely such an Inn as Washington
Irving and others have described of those days and I can’t express how
impressed I was, with the comfort of a true first rate English Inn by the way
side moreover my kind driver had spoken a good word for me, and the Landlord
was all kind in his communications and attentions, and to my belief I was the
only paying lodger in his house that night, and had his best bedroom the
windows were latticed in old style, the whole sash opening at once letting in
the fresh air from Windsor Forest, so delightful of a warm morning of July –
although forty four years ago and I am writing this where the snow is a foot
deep upon the ground. My recollections are so strong and imagination so
powerful that at moments I feel as though I felt the blandness of that morning
air. This Inn was mostly supported by the gentry, who came down to visit the
Forest for a day only from
Spiritualists of the present day would endeavor probably
to attribute this to some magnetic influence that my presence in
They were commenting upon the works of Byron, his
character +c. +c. when Wardsworth who was known by the others always to have
been jealous of Lord Byron and to have denied his great abilities – observed –
You extol Manfredi, I object, any one of Respectable talents could write as
well, I could, if I had a mind to. Ah! That’s it, Wardsworth, said Charles
Lamb, so you could if you had a mind to.
End of Vol. I.
[three illegible words follow]
Vol II.
My
heart is filled (at the return of my birth day March 12th 1867 aged
72) with perfect joyful submission to the will of God, with full
acknowledgement of his great mercy and forbearance in permitting me to outlive
the usual time allotted to man, and bestowing upon me sinner as I am, hopes of
a more glorious life hereafter, purchased by the blood and sacrifice of his son
my Redeemer.
“O thou unknown Almighty
cause
Of all my hope and fear,
In whose dread presence ere
an hour,
Perhaps I must appear,
If I have wandered in those
paths
Of life, I ought to shun,
As something loudly in my breast,
Remonstrates – I have done;
When with intention I have
erred
No other plea I have
But thou act good, and
goodness still
Delighteth to forgive.”
Burns.
Shortly after my visit to the House of Lords
as described in the first Vol. my friend Brimmer having gone on a visit to Sir
Henry Parnell, I found London dull and became anxious to reach Paris in time to
witness the uncovering of the Statue of Napoleon on the pillar in the Place
Vendome which was to take place in a few days, consequently I booked myself at
the White Horse Cellar for the seat next the driver on the coach that was to
start the next morning for Southampton, so as to meet the packet for Havre that
night. When the morning came it was a splendid day and I had been anticipating
a delightful ride down to Southampton, when to my great chagrin I awoke with
one of my sick headaches, brought on by over excitement and indigestion I
called a Cab and proceeded to Piccadilly where I found the Coach at the door of
the White Horse ready to start and I changed my seat outside for one in, where
there was but one solitary passenger a very gentlemanly middle aged man of a
Military appearance with a great spread of Maps on the seats, which led me to
express a fear I was incommoding him but was answered, not the least, but on
the contrary he wanted a companion shortly the exercise of riding and the fresh
air began to dispel my pain in my head and led to conversation and although I
occasionally cast a wistfull look at the Box seat, I had no reason to regret my
change (as I had reason to find and think afterwards) he was a polished
gentleman and of general information; had seen foreign service I soon learnt
from his conversation and while passing Virginia Water and the little Inn by
the roadside I had a few days before slept at; I drew his attention to the
broken ragged state of some of the fence. He answered very true I was pointing
it out to his majesty but a day or two since, this answer created intense
desire to know who I was riding with. I was aware during my former residence in
London that noblemen of the highest rank sometimes rode in the mail coaches,
and the Iron Duke himself was known to have been in his seat in the House of
Lords to a late hour and to have been seen at the Pump room early the next morning,
at Bath, having rode in the Kings mail, all night an English gentleman told me
that a friend of his, had a son in the Army who had got into some scrape
wherein he had been wrongly misrepresented by some other offices and was made a
scapegoat and his father tried every way to get access to the Duke, who had
given out to his secretaries that he would not be spoken to on the subject. One
night he was coming up to London on the mail with a single other passenger inside, who waking up, became
very polite and inclined to converse, which they did until at break of day the
mail stopped before Apsley House and it proved to be the Duke who got out he
said his friend was most distracted when thinking of the chance he had lost of
pleading + explaining the cause of his son.
To return to my rout to Southampton, after discussing
several subjects amongst others the Kings messenger, about being dispatcher to
summon to
Pul who was then in
One – Mrs. Hunley –
Grandmother of Mrs. Tod
One – Mrs Powell – “ “
of Mrs. Mason
One – Mrs Gordon - “ “ of
Mrs. Dexter
One – Mrs. Champlin – “ “ of
Mrs. B. Mason
I met Col Tod often after this and he sent me
his Vols on
Leaving Southampton in the evening in the Steamer I
arrived next morning at Havre and found a Packet just in from America and
amongst the passengers a Mr + Mrs Lane and a young man by the name of Barnard
all from New York the seats in the Diligences for Paris had all been taken for
a week ahead, to carry persons going to Paris for the Fete of course we had no
other chance but the small steamer on the Seine to Rouen
*Gentlemens Magazine – 1835 –
where we expected to obtain
Post Horses towards evening we arrived at Rouen and my young friend and new
acquaintance Barnard – it being his first visit to Europe, asked to accompany
me to Paris, to which I willingly assented, and leaving him to take care of the
baggage I jumpt on shore as soon as the steamer touched the wharf and running
to the Hotel, sent a servant to engage a carriage, to take us to Paris the next
day – it so happened it was the only one not engaged and Mr + Mrs. Lane being
in distress, having heard of a child being sick, they had left where going to
the United States. I immediately relinquished the carriage to them and sent a
douceur to the conductor of the diligence, to come and see me that eve? And
after many solicitations and offers on my part, and his stating, that if he
took more passengers than already engaged he would lose his place, be imprisoned and fined, he finally
agreed if we would send our trunks to him in half an hour and would be in
waiting for the Diligence on top of the Hill, out of Rouen on the road to
Paris, next morning at four o’clock, he would stow us away amongst the Trunks,
on the top, in straw, and cover us over with the leather baggage covering, and
when we arrived at the gates of the towns we were to pass through we must get
down before the Officers saw us, and walk through out of the farther gate, and
to leave the Diligence at St. Denis gates for good, all of which we did, one of
the hottest days of August 1834. I ever experienced having just air holes in
the leather canvass enough to prevent suffocation. After having settled all of
these preliminaries with the conductor my young friend proposed my accompanying
him to see the
our dinner, it was the hour
of vespers and the people at their oirsons: we roamed about looking at the
Mausoleums and perfectly absorbed, forgetting our dinner and the passing of
time, we did not notice the egress of the peasantry, so immense is the building
finally coming to our sense, as the darkness increased, we made for the doors
and found them all closed, and we locked in for the night, here was a sensation
for us, our trunks were on the Diligence, no one knew, or could imagine where
we were, nor were there any persons who would be likely to enquire but the
conductor who would only look for us next morning on the Hill. I deeply accused
myself of foolishness. I was very much fatigued by the excitement of the day,
the long winding passage of a hot day on the deck of a small steamer in a
narrow river and the subsequent long talk to persuade the Conductor to take us
next morning altogether had exhausted me, and the want of food esides, to be
sure I had only come to gratify my young friend but he was not to be supposed
to know as much as I did as he had never been in a Cathedral or Europe before. We were both discussing our
situation and prospects for the night, and the hours were passing when the
glimmer of something at the farthest end of the Cathedral caught our eye and
then as suddenly disappeared and we conjectured it must have been a star
through one of the casemates which were open. In a few moments after we saw a
strong reflection on one of the Mausoleum and became aware that a light was
moving at the extreme end of the building we then each of set up a yell
thinking to astonish one another by the power of our voices, we could hardly
hear any sound and we began to accuse each other of not trying, the fact was,
the building was so immense that our greatest exertion only produced a whisper
and despairing of that, we set out and ran towards the light, the sacristian did
not seem to be in the least astonished or alarmed, and the supposition is that
some one got shut in most every night, - After giving him a small perquisite,
we rushed to our Hotel + eat a supper instead of dinner, paid our bills, turned
in, slept four to five hours and were called at three o’clock, and in one of
the densest fogs I ever knew walked to the top of the Hill near Rouen where
waiting a short time we soon heard the crack, crack, crack of the Postilions
Whip, coming up the Hill. We mounted to the top amongst the trunks and in the
straw slept very well a part of the time and excepting the heat and in the
middle of the day.
the incognito we were obliged
to observe the trouble of getting up and down from such a height, when we
approached the towns, and St. Denis the gate of Paris we were about as
comfortable as those inside, an then we could smoke; they could note; have a
bottle of wine, sausage break + cheese which the conductor procured for us and
helped dispose of.
After our arrival in
There Horatio Greenough the sculptor joined me. At the
Hotel Castiliogne I found Col. Joseph M. White + wife of
“Oh! Who has ever gazed on
such a scene
N’or thought the spirits of
the blest were there?
Who that beholds not in the
blue serene
Bright Isles the abode of
pleasures yet unseen.
Except by those who freed
from mortal care
Have winged their raptured
flight to realms
of upper air.”
We drove across the Ponte alla Carraja on the Arno to
Shneiderff’s celebrated hotel (the first at that time in Florence) where we
remained a fortnight, when the Weymans + White removed to the Casa Albizzi in
the Borgo Degli Albizzi not far from Santa Maria del Fiore the Duomo or
Cathedral and I accompanied Greenough to his rooms in an old Carthusian Convent
near the Porta a Pinti, in the Borgo di Pinti, where I found Mr Kinlock of
South Carolina established, the next building was the residence of the Austrian
Ambassidor + behind the Convent a Magnificent garden extending to the walls of
the City, a part of which has since been converted into a Protestant cemetery.
I remained there until I was married to Mrs. Weymans eldest daughter Isabella
and then moved to Casa Albizzi.
November 15th 1834
There being no American minister or Consul in
In
the United States Col. White became acquainted with Achili Murat who was
settled as an agriculturalist in
“They all are gone into a
world of light
And I alone sit lingering
here,
Their very memory is fair +
bright,
And my sad thoughts doth
cheer.
I see them walking in an air
of glory,
Whose light doth trample on
my days;
My days, which are at best
but dull + hoary,
Mere glimmerings and decays.”
During our residence in
Saturday 28th – Took passage
in the Steamer Winkelred for
scenery beautiful, passed a
large fortification. April 1st – passed through a mountainous
country to Lousee Janvier where we dined and slept. A great fair there.
Thursday. The country becoming more flat and better cultivated passed Dole
auxomme + genlis and slept at
From 1835 to 1851 was a
succession of years of domestic happiness such as few are allowed to experience
in this changeable world, for which in the retrospection; I bow with the
deepest gratitude to an ever merciful Father. Upon
arriving in
The Path of sorrow, and that
Path alone
Leads to the land where
sorrow is unknown
No traveler ever reached that
blessed abode
Who found not horns and
briers on the road.
Leaving my house, furniture +
servants all to be disposed of, after my departure, it being late in the season
to cross the Atlantic, I sailed with my whole family excepting the eldest
October 6th 1851 accompanied by mother in Law and brother in Law and
family, from New York in the Steamer Africa. The passage was pleasant + with
little worthy of recording with the exception of a narrow escape from shipwreck
– about the ninth day the Captain of the Steamer had told us, we should make
Toney Light that evening early, consequently the passengers were on the alert
looking out; Commodore Newton who was on his way to take command in the
Mediterranean, mr Sam’l. Cabot and Mr M.—my Brother in law and myself had
retired to the Cabin to play a game of whist. When we were interrupted by one
of the passengers coming down and saying there was an immense dark cloud on our
bow coming down upon us fast which threatened a squall, the commodore followed
by me went up on deck and immediately exclaimed – “that’s no cloud we are going
directly upon the land.” The wind was aft, our sail set and we were going ten
to twelve knots per hour, and had not the helm have been put up and the ships
course changed we should have been wrecked in less than an hour. We did not
make the above mentioned light until near sundown the next day, so far out of
their reckoning were the ships officers. The Commodore remarked to us during
our game that was he to crowd sail + steam in that way when expecting to make
land nothing could save him from being Court Marshaled in the United States
Service.
Arrived in Liverpool went to Adelphi
Hotel, and two days after to London to the Queens Hotel in Cook street near the
Burlington Arcade where we remained a fortnight, during which time accompanied
by my son Arthur and my brother in law Mali [spell?] I dined with my old friend
George Peabody at the great dinner he gave at the London Hotel to the American
Committee of Exhibition at the
Leaving London for Paris via
Folkstone + Bologne we proceeded after remaining one day to rest the ladies at
the latter place; - to Meureces Hotel Rue Rivoli Paris where we remained another
ten days making winter preparations for Pau. There was some excitement in Paris
from the hostile feeling exhibited in opposition to the President in the
Chamber of Deputies and there was a feeling in America before we sailed, that
some great change was about to take place there. I and my brother were much
struck by the extreme stillness in the streets of Paris which we had never
witnessed before in any of our visits there, and there were no amusements going
on amongst the masses, feeling rather nervous situation as I was with a sick
wife, and family of small children, proposing to go through the centre of
France to Pau. I thought it most advisable to call upon our minister Mr Rives
of
We chartered a Diligence to
take all to
The place where the Hotel de
France is situated has the most extensive view of the Pyrennees that there is
the eye taking in at once they say – thirty miles of the mountains and the
valley of the Gene from the Pic du Midi opposite to the Mountains of Bagneres
de Bigorre, and of Lourdes, and in the intermediate space including mountains
of the Valley of Louzon of Bareges, Luz, St. Lauveur and Canterits also the Pic
du Ger and the valley of Gabas and d’Orsan. The Place has a statue of Henry 4th
from whence it is called the Place Royale a
We are delighted with
Of the Village no traces are seen until
close upon it and the road which we pass along becomes so labyrinthed amongst
the surrounding and overhanging precipices and mountains that one doubts the
existence of an habitable dwelling place, when turning a projecting shelve, the
little basin, houses and baths are descried. On these mountains the Izard
abound and the Bear is not unfrequently found the Chasseurs of the
time – He had the most
splendid Spanish mule I ever laid my eyes on with all the trappings, colored
morrow bridles, bells, Spanish saddle, all of which he showed us with pride
after we admired his mule. He was complaining of dizziness in the head in the
morning, loss of appetite +c. +c. I thought I saw his trouble and told
In a visit I made with my children
following summer he was gone to
that he had been very sick
but had been cured by an English Doctor who came up there in January. The
summer house was then opened as a place of lunch, there were no other houses or
places of shelter. We arrived back at
bare feet, thus acquiring the
vigor of body and strength of mind which enabled him in after life to surmount
so many hardships, dangers and difficulties, the Castle is situated in the
village of Coarvese and from its towers we had a most sublime view of the whole
range f the Pyrennees, my dear wife although a great invalid entered into the
enjoyment of this delightful peaceful scene and seemed to be herself again the
weather reminded us of our Indian Summer the warm rays of the sun shining on
the lofty Peaks of the Pyrennees, the cattle grazing as in summer and the
peasantry all cheerful; altogether was full of romance and brought to our minds
Mad. Ratcliffs description of the quiet scenes in Languidoc in the Mysteries of
Udolpho which in fact is not more than a days journey from this (air measure).
The above was the last time but one my dear
wife ever rode with me, how many sad retrospections the recalling of it brings
back to me.
The 14th of this month we rode a
short distance, from that time she gradually failed until the 6th of
April, when she took final leave of us in this world. I trust for that Heavenly
abode where we shall meet and never be severed again.
Previous to leaving
These short respites from looking back upon the past are
but momentary for there is no solace for the loss of those in whom our dearest
affections have been placed the grave acknowledges not remorse, and the hearts
desolation is never perfect until it has felt the echoes of a last farewell on
earth. “Look not mournfully into the past it comes not back again, wisely
improve the present, it is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future without
fear and with a manly heart.”
“Clear placed Leman! They
contracted
With the wide world I well in
is a thing,
That warms me by its
stillness to forsake
Earth’s troubled waters for a
purer Spring.”
We passed the remainder of
the summer quietly at Chateau de Vevay, making short excursions acrost the Lake
in an English boat with awning that I purchased, the boys and Louis rowing,
visiting St. Gingolf Zockers de Meilleries where Lord Byron was near being
wrecked and Bovered all in Savoy, on the Sardinian side of the Lake now
belonging to the French.
Having made arrangements to pass the
winter in Monnet’s Hotel Trois Couronny and my lease of rooms in Chateau de
Vevay expiring Sept. 1st and a month before I could take possession
of my other rooms in the Hotel I concluded to pass it in travelling with my
daughters and eldest son and accordingly transferring my trunks, baggage +c.
+c. to the care of Mond Monnet, We left Vevay
Sept 9th accompanied by our courier and my daughters maid Louise,
with portmanteau and travelling bags that we could pack upon mules for Geneva,
were remaining one day at the Hotel de Couronne Bersoth master + cook ntting
[spell?] superintendant I engaged a Vorturier to take us next day to St
Martins, Friday 10th Left and dined at Bonneville and arrived at St
Martins quite late having stopt to look at the highest waterfall in Savoy the
Nant d’Apenaz. We stopt at Veuve Tribillong’s house a most obliging hostess,
the Hotel Mont Blanc. We here engaged two Char-a-banes to take us to Chamouni,
where we arrived to dine and witness the sun shining on
The Pass of the Gernmi.
After resting one night we started the next
morning with six mules + four guides and one extra baggage mule and when
getting on to the saddle, a mountaineer came forward and asked to be permitted
to join our party, giving his name as Jean Wandfluh, premier guide demeurant a
Frutegen canton Bern, on his return home to which I willingly assented, and
although not paid our party received more assistance from him than all the
other four particularly in the difficult places where we met cattle descending.
In the vicinity of the Baths there is a mountain with a precipice, on the top
of which there is a village called Albineu and the only way the inhabitants can
communicate with the Baths is by ladders. It would hardly do for any one with
weak nerves to attempt going up and down, and yet – men, women + children
ascend and descend on the these ladders with very heavy loads, the use of these
ladders rendered indispensable from the nature of the sides of the valley being
hemmed in by precipices on all sides has given rise to a singular modification
of dress being of the Bloomer cut – we left the Hotel at 10 o’clock it being
the Fall of the year, we were several times brought to a perfect stand still by
herds of cattle and sheep descending, the mountaineers always driving them down
to winter on the plains at this season. Had I have known this I certainly
should have avoided this Pass for we run great hazards of being crowded off the
pass, in more than one instance, particularly once when my daughter Alice’s
mule was obliged to halt within two feet of a precipice thousand of feet high,
unprotected by anything to prevent the slightest touch from casting it over,
during which time the cattle driving by it inside, fierce and wild, and the
sheep running between its legs conveyed to me (in a line below unable to leave
my mule and reach her in time) sensation of alarm that I shall not soon forget.
At this time Jean Wandfluh stept forward and held her mule until all danger was
over. We were at this time above the clouds which were in many places far below
us and occasionally the sun shining upon them and reflecting upon the dark
somber crags of the mountain precipices, everything appeared to swim beneath
us. We dined at
a chalet on the summit, and
after going a short distance alighting from our mules we walked for at least
half an hour on the borders of a large Lake, enveloped in a thick mist
preventing us from scanning the length and breadth, dreary was the appearance,
and the atmosphere quite chilly, although the labor of the ascent prevented us
from suffering much, we felt very hungry, which sensation never left us while
on the mountain. Leaving the Lake we travelled a short distance over rocks and
precipices sometimes in a path and sometimes losing it but following in the
wake of the mules who loose ahead were sure to go right; the descent to myself
and I expect to the mules was more fatiguing than the ascent, having heavy
burdens upon their backs. We found ourselves necessitated in several places to
alight through fear of going over their heads, the strain upon the thighs when
riding, and knee joints when walking in descending steep mountain for hours
together is very painful and more laborious to the advanced in life, than
climbing when you can stop to take breath and are not liable to missteps. We
went to Frutegen to dine and sleep. Wednesday – we took a voiture for Thun
where we arrived at the hotel Belleme situated out of the town in a beautiful
garden where we remained two nights and on the 17th September took a
Voiture for Interlachen, the road on the borders of the
after dinner returned to
Interlachen to tea, it being all down hill, well pleased, but greatly tired.
Friday 25 Sept. Mali + family left us in the morning to meet us again at the
Lake of Lucerne – and at 11 o’clock bidding good bye to our excellent host
Pierre Ober we took the little steamer for Brienz the lake is eight miles long,
intending to make the pass of Brunnig before night, we did not stop to see the
Greesbach, after dining at Brienz, we hired horses for the Village of Lungem
making the pass of the Brunnig by daylight. We left Brienz at 2 o’clock mounted
on horses with our baggage attached each to his own horse and very strong large
docile horses they were, sure footed and easy we made first to Meyrengen eight
miles and then turned off, leaving it on our right and commencing the ascent of
the Bruing advancing still nearer to Meyrengen on the Mountain Pass having left
the Valley until we were directly over it, from this point the view was
enchanting embracing the whole extent of the Brienz Lake and the vale of Hasli
with its chief Village Meyrengen lying on the right bank of the Aar –
containing about 800 inhabitants with two beautiful waterfalls on the opposite
Mountain between Brienz and Meyrengen. A dreadful discovery in some way
connected with this village had been made the past month, before our passage
the outline only of which I can give. The host of the Auberge on the Grimsel,
Zippach by name, was descending the pass of the Grimsel (which is one of six
which concentrate at Meyrengen, namely – one to Lucerns, one to Bruing, one to
Brienz, one to St. Gothard, one to Grindleweld, one to Engelberg by the Jock
Pass) with another neighboring mountaineer August 6th 1852. When
entering and near Meyrengen he suddenly turning around exclaimed – what is that
bright light in the Heavens in direction of the mountain path we have just
passed, and then quickly exclaimed it must be my Auberge on fire; it being late
he and his companion remained that night at Meyrengen and early next morn.
retraced their steps to the grimsel where sure enough they found the Auberge
leveled with the ground but in the meanwhile the inhabitants and guides of the
neighboring valleys had discovered three large boxes of silver – hid in the
crevices of the mountain and quantities of furniture concealed under the Hay,
which excited strong suspicion but Zippach the Aubergiste’s character had stood
so high and he was so universally respected (and they even said beloved) by the
mountaineers + neighboring villagers that no one felt inclined to suspect him.
It has however been discovered since that he has been the captain of a band of
Brigands of five in number and that many robberies have been committed amongst
the Alps in this quarter, which the most distant suspicion never attached to
his agency, it has also been ascertained that he insured his house and
furniture very lately at Berne for nearly three times its value = my Host and
friend Gabriel Mennet at Vevay upon my arrival at his hotel at Vevay – and
communicating the above news to him, begged me not to say much about it, for it
would prevent travelling in Switzerland; he then said – that what I had told
brought back to his memory the mystery attached to the disappearance of two
brothers young men from Bordeaux who left his hotel fifteen months previous
upon an excursion to the Grimsel and had never been heard of since, they left
Brieg at the bottom of the Simplon to which place he had traced them, their
father and mother arriving at his hotel in search of them. A German professor
at
The traveler who contents himself with viewing the
mountains from the valleys cannot feel and comprehend the majesty of Swiss
Scenery, he must leave the Valleys and go into the mountains – fatigue, cold,
storms, glaciers, precipices and the thunder of the cataract + avalanche will open
to him a world of knowledge which would have been otherwise forever closed. The
dawn of day on Brienz Lake must be beautiful, the ascent of the Brunig and the
look back upon the little Hamlet and the Lake of Brienz from the summit was
transcendentally so and occasioned me to loiter behind the cavalcade to dwell
upon the luxury of the scene; and take a last look upon a scene I could hardly
draw myself away from. Sunday after going to the English Chapel I took the mail
and after riding all night arrived the next morning at Basle on the Rhine sixty
miles; where finding the American Consul I signed in his presence a deed, and
mailed the same to Barings + Co for Boston, after which I visited the Cathedral
and the boy who attended me being hungry and finding me very slow in my
movements after showing me the way to the Tower and Belfry, slipt out and
locked me in and went home to his evening meal . I remained in the Belfry
nearly an hour looking upon the Black Forrest and up and down the Rhine + upon
the Storks upon the top of the houses, and in the room below the pictures of
the dance of death by Holbein, a very singular series in this old Cathedral,
finally coming down and finding myself locked in as I had once before been in
the Rouen Cathedral. I began to realize my position, and sitting down fell into
a series of reflections – surrounded by so many effegies, and Mausoleums of the
dead of past ages,, the rays of the setting sun striking in through the stained
glass and throwing some of the dark stone pillars + mausoleums into the deepest
shade. I was suddenly aroused from my reveries by something moving in the
adjoining cloisters, which was followed by the grating of a lock and the
entrance of elderly looking man who seemed as much astonished as I was at being
locked in; letting me out I arrived just as the evening mail was starting for
Lucerne + having had no sleep for twenty four hours and been on my legs all day
I soon fell into forgetfulness of things around, dozed until I arrived at
breakfast next morning but what rendered this imprisonment most unfortunate for
me was, that while I was locked up, my own brother and sister passed through
Basile, alighting and dining at the Hotel I stopt at and then passing on all of
which I heard some months after. The 28th Sept.
October the 1st we
left Lucern for Berne where we arrived at 6 o’clock, the scenery very beautiful
all of the way, we let
Hon. Henry Walpole.
(1878 now or since Earl of
We
remained at Monnets Hotel from October 6th until following May 25th
1853. having several very agreeable fellow boarders viz a Prussian Baron De
Kraut, a Mon’s + Madam De Neh. Russian a Mon’s A. Peterson – Russian +c. +c.
Also an English gentleman Mr. Ormsly Gore + wife + Miss Hay the latter of Dun’s
Castle
Sunday
Jan’y 9th Being still weak I had not been to church, my family had
all gone, requiring some fresh water I rang my parlor bell several times
unnoticed, I went into the entry and seeing no one I proceeded down stairs and
found to all appearance the house empty, greatly astonished I retraced my
steps; when passing the first flight I observed the scull with his white cap,
looking out of one of the doors in the rooms under mine, approaching him I
found the room full of servants and the adjoining room door open, I entered and
there I beheld extended upon her bed Lady Augusta Baring in the last pangs of
death, with two nurses supporting her head, surrounded by the servants of the
house, her daughter was at church, and all the boarders + Monnets family, I was
greatly shocked, before I left the room, she had drawn her last breath. I had
observed her but shortly before walking on the Terrace, exceedingly beautiful
in face and figure, she lived exclusively retired by herself never coming down
stairs to the parlors. Her history I was told was singularly melancholy, the
sixth daughter of the Earl of Cardigan – she married 1827 Henry Bingham Baring
contrary to her fathers + friends wishes + who as report goes, made a bet with
the associates of a club he would marry her, after which they lived unhappily
together, she had several sons and a two daughters at school. Dr. Curchad her physician had been
attending me and followed me up into my room a few minutes after and told me he
was greatly surprised and shocked for he had left her but a couple of hours
before just having finished her breakfast. She had been drinking very strong
coffee he observed, which he had prohibited but he never thought her in any
danger . . . – I read in the papers the next year of the marriage in Paris
Feb’y 18th 1854 of Henry Baring M. P. to Madam Marie de Martinoff.
January 11th 1853 I received the
melancholy news of the death of my friend and groomsman Horatio Greenough the
Sculptor, so soon after my great loss, as though all who were with me at the
time of my marriage were destined to leave me.
After passing the winter at the Hotel Trois
Courrennes personally sick most of the time, my physician recommended a journey
into Northern Italy in the spring and with the expectation the change of
climate would reinstate me, consequently I hired a Vetturine Carriage + four
horses to put me down at Milan and taking my two daughters and eldest son, my
daughters maid and a courier. I left the Hotel Monnet May 25th and
slept first night at Bex – second night at Brieg foot of the Simplon which we
crossed the next day the 28th of May and slept that night at Domo’d
Ossola from thence via Lakes Como and Maggiore + Milan – which city was
completely under the harrow of the Austrian rule having forty thousand Austrian
troops parading her streets under Raditzky, at Verona; we took the rails to
Venice, where we remained a week seeing sights, paintings +c. +c. being weak
and much depressed by recalling the former visit to this city we shortened our
visit, giving up our intention of going to Vienna and Dresden as we had
proposed; and retraced our steps towards home leisurely, which course I had
afterwards great reason to be satisfied with when hearing that the cholera was
at Dresden. Tissot our courier pointed out to us Lord Byrons residence in
Mark Tissot our Courier
[unintelligible letters] Was born in the town
of
Tissot since had been in the service of both Edward
Lytton Bulwer and his brother Sir Henry Bulwer both of whom he viewed as men of
little moral character and possessed of few domestic virtues. Tissot is a man
between sixty + seventy and is spoken of with respect by Monnet + the
inhabitants of Vevay where he has an English wife and daughter; he was in easy
circumstances and only now and then follows his old employment for change of
scene and was engaged for me for three weeks only by Mr Monnet I having just
recovered from a fit of sickness I found him more like a friend than servant
and treated him as such.
Previous to going into
The
Cheateau de la Tour-de-Peitz was built in 1239 by
See
end of book.
The old Chateau de la Pierre or Peitz which stands
conspicuous extending into the
November 2nd 1853. The day being very fine Mr
S. and myself started with our knapsacks and ascended the Pleiades the mountain
behind the castle of Blouay, in three hours walking, we reached the summit at
half past two and were well rewarded by a most extensive view takin gin a long
range of Alps including Mount Blanc on the one side and the Lake of Newchatel
on the other and Mountains as far as the eye could reach, we descended at
sunset at a late dinner having walked over nineteen miles.
__________________
Rev. Edward Barlee
Rector of Worlingworth cum Southolt
died Sept 6th, 1853. Aged 65.
at Vevay.
_________________
Arriving with my family at Vevay after our tour into
Northern Italy visiting Milan, Venice and the Lakes Como + Maggorie I found
upon going back to my old seat in the English Church a new minister in the
place of my old acquaintance the Rev. Mr. Cleves, who had left for Palermo. I
found the new incumbent an exceedingly pleasant and agreeable companion and for
so short an acquaintance I find it difficult to express how deeply the
influence of his character operated upon me and created a sympathy and
friendship which alas was so short lived. I found in him a companion and
friend, a true warm hearted Christian without bigotry or fanaticism, possessed
of a strong powerful clear pronunciation, I was enabled to hear him distinctly
and I anticipated much from his religious instruction the following winter,
with a great fondness and discrimination for the beauties of scenery he
combined the pathos and feelings of a Poet, and after his decease I copied from
a small manuscript loaned me by his family, the following effusions of his
muse, written as he states, after his walks with me, they exhibit great feeling
if not true poetry.
____________________
There is a tear which dims
the sight,
A tear of sacred pure
delight,
Which flows without alloy;
A tear that sparkles as it
falls,
And from the heart no sorrow
calls
It is the tear of joy.
_____________________
It is not born of heartfelt
woe,
It wrings no breast with
laboured throe,
It tells no tale of strife.
But bursts at once its secret
cell
Half smothered with a smile
to tell,
Its joyous course of life.
_____________________
Tho’ sharpest pangs its
throbs command,
The antidote is near at hand,
The glad reverse to prove.
So sense of sin will give no
rest
Till faith which stills the
troubled breast
Shows Christ – a God of love.
______________________
Thoughts at Hauteville
Who would climb you vine clad
mountains
Covered with eternal snow?
Who would leave those sunny
fountains
Murmuring sweetly as they
flow?
___________________
Who would toil for further
pleasure
Whilst on earth such scenes
are given?
Who would seek a richer
treasure
Thro rugged paths, tho nearer
Heaven?
____________________
Pause one moment, look more
clearly,
Insect – on the suns warm
beam;
On the joys you prize so
dearly
Aught but fancy’s fleeting
dream.
____________________
Life uncertain – pleasures
fleeting,
Summer short and joys impure,
Seasons changing winter
threatening,
Clouded bliss that will not
dure.
_____________________
Know beyond those cloud clad Mountains
Thro’ the wreaths of deaths
cold snow,
Sparkling bright are God’s
own fountains,
Peaceful streams that ever
flow.
_____________________
Toil and labor –
tho-laborious
For a space – how brief!! –
be thine,
O’er the hills of life
victorious,
You in Heaven – how bright!!
– shall shine.
_____________________
He thy Saviour stands
inviting
Come then heavy laden come,
Climb – oh climb, with faith
untiring
Welcome to thy fathers home.
_____________________
Life eternal, ceaseless
pleasure.
Summer joys that never end.
Come partake the Heavenly
treasure,
With they God, thy Saviour
friend.
______________________
A few days after my first acquaintance with him he called
upon me and upon my returning his call after the usual civilities, and upon my
rising to take leave, he gave me a strong invitation to reside with him the
coming winter, offering me with the greatest kindness, the choice of any of the
apartments in his house, and prefacing the invitation by saying that being fond
of chess, as he had heard that I was, we could play chess together during the
winter evenings; deeply as I felt his kindness, and the advantages I might
derive therefrom, yet as I had made my arrangements to go to the Chateau de la
Tour I did not feel authorized to accept his kind offer.
Very shortly after this he was struck with
paralysis, but so tightly, that his Physician told me with great confidence
that he would be in his pulpit again very shortly. A few days after I met him
getting into a Voiture at his door to go to the Baths of Allairs, on the
Mountains, he warmly shook my hand and asked me to come and see him Alas! It
was the last time I ever saw him, he was brought down on a litter by eight men
after a second shock; and never had his speech or his senses again. Upon my
return from
November 16th 1853
I accompanied the two daughters of my late above friend, at their earnest
request to the baths of Allais on the mountains situated between the Pleiades
and
A Narrow Escape.
The first summer of our residence at Vevay
I purchased a boat to hold seven to ten persons, with an awning with which we
made frequent excursions on the Lake, and often across the
we were all as wet as though
we had been overboard, we made a rapid ascent to the Hotel, had fires made, hot
coffee prepared, procured a Voiture from Montreaux and reached home between
eleven + twelve. I directed the Landlord of the Hotel to bring my boat around
the next morning, at which time with great wonderment in his face he made his
appearance, asking me if I knew its condition – turning it bottom upwards and
striking it with his hand he made a large hole in the bottom showing it was all
rotten like a piece of cork or sponge, and had we, when struck by gale in our
struggle to get down the awning have tipt up one of the foot cross boarding our feet would have gone
instantly through the bottom and we never should have been seen or heard of
more, as one of the peculiar features of this Lake is, that no bodies are ever
recovered from it. It is nine hundred feet deep off Chillon where we took the
Gale. Mr Monnets boatman at Monnet’s order, bought this boat for me as one of
the safest on the
During the winter my neighbors on the left
wing of the chateau would sometimes ask me to play a game of whist with them,
although taking little pleasure in any game, but of all others the most in
chess. I did not care to refuse, fearing it would appear unsociable, we
accordingly sit down and I took dummy, after having dealt round several hands,
and having gained eight points, I dealt for dummy and when taking up the cards,
to our astonishment – Dummy had all of the hearts, I the spades, Mr. S the
diamonds and his wife the clubs. – Mrs S. being superstitious declined playing
anymore – this was January 7th 1854.
January
23rd. Reading Archbishop Whately’s Elements of Rhetoric Page 49 –
Chap 2nd Part 1st. “What is meant by chances against any
superstition.” He says – “In like manner astonished we should be and convinced
of the intervention of artifice if we saw anyone draw out all the cards in the
pack and regular sequences, it is demonstrable that the chances are not more
against that order, than any one determinate order we might choose to fix upon,
the multitude of the chances therefore against any series of events, does not,
in his opinion constitute it improbable.
March 20th. Went
up the Pelerin mountain to Pletex. The trees budding, the fields, rocks +
craigs covered with primroses
A Primrose by the river brim
Or at the cottage door,
A yellow Primrose is to him
And it is nothing more.
_______________________
April 4th 1854.
Went with Arthur to see Merle L’Aubigny author of the Reformation found him
very pleasant, he went with us to see Dr Melan, who we regretted was not in. I
gave D’Aubigny – Hilliards “Webster” I had just rec’d from Mayor Seawer
[spell?] of
April 10. Went with my
daughters + Arthur and Mr + Mrs. S. in the boat to Chillon and returned in the
evening – excessively warm.
April 13th. Went
with the same to Montreaux in a Voiture and from thence walked up the mountain
to glyon to Mirabeau’s – New Hotel being built, lunched at Chasseaur Vandois –
weather very hot.
April 15th. Went
with Mr + Mrs S. and his two boys and my five children to Bouveret over the
Lake, encountered a squall returning, and were driven beyond beyond the town,
the Lake in a foam, enjoyed it and our Picnic, a fine rainbow over Dent del
Jaman. Weather very warm.
April 16th ’54 I
carried round the plate in the old church St. Martins, for the last time,
having done so frequently before, when the regular warden was absent, the
reflection that it was the last time called up many deep emotions and
retrospections, for two years worshipping and associating with so many
different Pastors and an ever changing congregation of travelers how many
melancholy thoughts as they have come and gone, have they been the objects of
some lie buried in the Churchyard. As the Rev. Mr Barlee, Lady Baring + others.
The last time! – How sad a reflection! In this old church his buried
April 18th. Went
with my family, Mr + Mrs. S. Young Mr Hinckley and the two Ross boys acrost the
Lake to the rocks of Meillerie (in Savoy) so celebrated by Rasseau and Lord
Byron, returned by moonlight, my youngest sons from whom I am soon to be
separated for the first time (the ocean being between us) occupied my thoughts
the whole time.
April 24th 1854.
Having settled all my account and taken leave of my two sons, Sunday evening
the 23rd they having passed the day with us, we took a farewell of
Vevay as we climbed the
Which reminds me of a visit I had in
August, just after, from Count Graeben aid de camp general to the King of
Prussia and Chamberlain to the Queen of Prussia travelling under the title of
Princess de Liegnitz* he came to see the Chateau once, with the Princess, and
twice or more, after, to ask questions about the United States. I loaned him
“Websters dying moments” By Hilliard.
September /53. The Prince of
Prussia who formerly occupied the Chateau brought his relative the young Prince
heir to the Throne, to see the Chateau, he was on his way to
*wife of William 3rd
To return from my digression
we left Basle and arrived at Carlsrube May 4th and after passing the
day went to Heikelberg May 5th where we remained until May 9th
busily employed in sight seeing, Castles +c. +c. magnificent, nothing superior
to it in Europe (of former times) from Heidelberg we went to Manheim where we
visited the Palace of the Grand Duchess Stephanie, adopted daughter of Napoleon
1st. She was in the cars with us, having been on a visit to the Duke
of Baden at Carlsrube from Manheim we went on the Rhine to Coblentz and visited
Castles Ztolzenfels + Ehrentreilstein, and thence to Co’ln where in the Museum
we saw some fine Modern Paintings, the waters of
Arrived at
for us. June 16th.
Left
Sunday 8th Passed
several large Icebergs, very cold, made Tony Light. June 13th.
Friday. Arrived at
can never be erased from my
mind. It was in the fall of 1853 and as a preface to which I must relate that
my side of the Castle contained the Armory and in the tower were figures of men
drest up in armor the floor were uncarpeted and the fire place reached nearly
one whole side of the room I inhabited; at which in ancient days they roasted
claves and sheep whole, my window shutters were of hard wood eased with iron,
to rebut the waves which broke over the castle when these terrific storms took
place, at certain periods the lake is liable to great agitations, rising and
falling within twenty four hours, twelve to fifteen feet, it has been, and is,
a mystery, what produces this sudden phenomenon, the Lake in some places is
nine hundred feet deep within the toss of an apple from the Battlements of the
old Chateau when these risings take place (which cannot be foretold or
accounted for) should it so happen that a storm is upon the Lake the Hullabilou
(French-Hurlubeslu) is awful. The Latteen boats are pitched upon the shore high
+ dry; cows, sheep + calfs are seen swimming about in the lake and often
drowned. I saw such a scene happen once in the day time. After my severe
affliction at Pau I got in the habit of lying awake so continually very night
that I had fears of mental derangement, having such responsibilities of a young
family deprived of a mother, left with me in a foreign country, so unable as I
felt myself to supply her place, tired and harassed I could not sleep and when
I did it was unrefreshing, something was to be adopted, and as an experiment I
concluded to have two wax candles placed aside of my bed at Pau and afterwards
when on the road and in the old Chateau at Vevay and for more than two years I
read myself to sleep, when waking up at night as I was in the habit of doing at
about midnight. It will not do to give in, when God’s finger is laid upon us to
chasten us, my reading of course was such as to hold me up and strengthen me in
the duties I had before me – I often look back with gratitude that my sight was
not destroyed, my general health became affected + I was laid up to two months
of the Winter of ’52 in Monnet’s Hotel before I moved into the Chateau, with
the exception of these two months, I never left off reading at midnight until I
returned to this Country, when intercourse with my relatives + friends helped
to tranquilize my feelings and relieve me in a degree from anxieties about my
children. Having thus described the Chateau and my habits while residing there,
I will return to the night I have reference to – It had been a fine evening and
after sitting on the breakwater of the old Chateau looking at the reflections
in the Lake of the lights in the Chalets of the mountains of Savoy and the
adjoining mountains the moon just emerging from the Peaks of the Mont D’Anil over
Chillon I retired to my chamber fronting the Lake, deeply engrossed with the
magnificence + sublimity of the scenery,
and falling asleep I awoke as usual at about midnight and lighting my bougies
commenced reading, my attention was soon arrested by the peculiar sound called
the moaning of the Lake accompanied by the whistling of the wind and now and
then a slap against my window shutters, similar to what we experience at seas
of waves against our berths in a high seas. I felt and heard
the doors in the corridor
rattling and now and then a gust came down the chimney causing a flickering of
my candles. I became uneasy with a dreadful feelings of loneliness, solitude +
desolation, presently through the bulls eyes in the shutters, my room was in a
blaze of light, followed by a peal of thunder such as I never heard before and
then echoed from mountain to mountain, craig to craig as described by Lord
Byron in his Canto 3rd of Childe Harold when resident on the Lake
and in the midst of this scene, a gust of wind coming down the chimney
extinguished my candles, shook the arms of my bed [curtains?] which had been up
for centuries, and caused a rattling of the old armor in the adjoining rooms.
Through exhausture, I feel asleep, and next morning, when I descended to go to
breakfast at the other wing of the Chateau my neighbours observing my paleness
asked me if I had been disturbed, they having been up all night, and stated
that the concierge had found my front door wide open in the morning and the
door leading to my room also. I shall never forget that night.
To
return to my sons, from Basle July 7th we proceeded to Karlsrube and
thence to Heidelburg + afterwards to Frankfort and July 10th to
Weisbaden where we visited the Greek Chapel built by the Emperor of Russia on
the tomb of his daughter the late Duchess of Nassau from thence we went to
Coblenz by the steamer, and there engaged a voiture to Emms, and returning
visited the Castle of Stolzenfels. July 13th went down the river to
July
27th. Arrived in
From this date the time of our arrival in the
found a large company at
From
Aug 8th.
From the above date 1857 to 1860 March 12th
my history is destitute of anything worthy of record, excepting the marriage of
my second daughter + the entrance of my second son into Harvard College it was
an epoch full of peril as regarded the prosperity of the Country as the
following Civil War exhibited.
To the glory of God + justification of his infinite
goodness I do hereby acknowledge that in all the dispensations of Providence
which had befallen me to that day however uneasy to flesh + blood, I had
experienced the kindness of a father to a child, and am now convinced, that it
would have been much worse for me to have had my own choice. Entering my sixty
sixth year . . .
From the 13th of
April 1861. The fall of
If
we suffer ourselves to be so infatuated with love of money as to render our
minds from the long habit of selfish gratification incapable of fulfilling the
duties we owe to mankind then let us not repine that our lot ceases in this
world, or that the rich man shall never inherit immortal life.
As I had feared it was not long before the patriotism of
my sons incited them to ask to join the band of young men rushing to the
defense of their country, my eldest (or third son rather) entered a regiment
with several of his classmates, which regiment greatly distinguished itself
before the close of the war being engaged in some of the severest battles, and
his brother, my fourth son shortly obtained a commission of Second Lieutenant
in the First Regiment of the United States Artillery; from this period until the
close of the war I can conscientiously say I never knew what it was to have my
mind free from clouds and fears encircling it, or to have the unbroken sound
sleep I had been accustomed to in former days; the horrors of the Southern
Prisons (continually narrated by the Southern Press.) kept me in greater alarm
than the minnie rifles and cannon balls of the Rebels. How little we know how
to estimate the blessings of peace in time of our Country’s repose; and how
ungrateful we have been in underrating the long epoch of our Countries signal
prosperity, while other countries have been depopulated by war; like the
Ostrich with its head alone buried in the sand, thinks that it is out of harms
way. So we have imagined that we were beyond any trouble, that could assail us.
The first opening of my eyes to the horrors of war and the exposure of my sons;
was the reception of a letter from my fourth son, short of four weeks after he
had left me. Dated May 8th 1862 as follows ----
“I am safe – we fought the
battle on Monday, our battery lost seventeen men, fifty one horses, four guns,
and all of the officers but the Captain and myself.” It is easy to read such a report, but impossible to imagine the
sensations conveyed to the breast of an aged parent – or to enlarge upon, or
recount the palpitations and fears proceeding the reported coming
falling back after the raid
upon the White House. Procuring a furlough for thirty days, I returned with him
to Boston, and on my way home, at New York, rec’d the information that his
brother, a captain in the Twentieth (20th) Massachusetts, was seen
near Harrisons Landing on the James River, sick, + the Army upon the retreat.
When I received this news it was Sunday and I was resting at the Brevoort House
New York, not having had my clothes off for six days; my other son had
proceeded on to
February 27th ’63. Phil arrived home on ten
days furlough – he left on Monday march 9th in cars, having had a
rainy visit. Herbert
arrived March 10th and left the 18th to join his Regiment
at
Two months after was the Battle of
Gettysburgh. July 1st 2nd + 3rd the 3rd
4th + 5th we were in dreadful suspense, having heard on
the 3rd of the Battle commencing on the 1st and having
two sons both engaged in the melee, there was not rest for me.
July 6th I received a telegraph that my son
Capt. Herbert C. Mason lay badly wounded at the Entan House Baltimore, next morning
at half past 8 in company of my son in law – Appleton. I was by his bedside
where I found my son Weyman Already, they two proceeded with him (on a
stretcher) to
There must have been some small stone to have given the
wheel a jerk as it went over him, for being a two wheeled cart, it seems
otherwise a miracle that it did not crush him in two.
Returning to his wound I was much indebted to late
President Quincy for a patent Bedstead, made for him after his fracture, it
proved of great alleviation of pain to my son. With Mr. Quincy I had had
friendly intercourse for years accompanied, accompanied by the highest respect
for him.
December 22nd My son Phillip arrived from the
Army and with the exception of a slight sore throat was in good health and
spirits. Surgeon General Dale gave him an extension and he left us (for the
last time being in
We all observed that
the severe Battles he had been engaged in, the responsibilities he had
encountered so young in the command of a Battery had saddened his visage, and
added years to his appearance but he was cheerful and enjoyed apparently his
visit to us, and was hopeful of the future.
The Recollections of a
Septuagenarian
[Volume III]
[this page written in his own
handwriting:]
continued from Folio 161,
volume second
a great many mistakes made in
copying these volumes,
and many misplacements [?]
+c and spelling not in the
original ------------
[illegible line]
probably in the original
From the above date until
Spring Philip was engaged in various skirmishes and I rec’d. many letters from
him retreating and advancing with his Battery up to April 13th when
ordered to join his Battery [NE?] to Battery 1 forming a Horse Battery the two
under command of A. M. Randol; from this time I felt extremely anxious, hearing
they were ordered to join Sheridans Cavalry Expedition.
June 21st I rec’d a telegram dictated by him,
that he was slightly wounded and at the
Friday the 22nd we committed his body to
outlined by a square]
I shall make no further comments upon this dreadful civil
war; many trying incidents, and adventures I have passed over and merely state
the outlines as relating to my experience. I wish not to stir up any unpleasant
recollections in the bosoms of those in the South with whom I have been
associated in my early boyhood at College and since abroad and at home. I trust
the next generation will reunite North and South in stronger bonds of amity
than ever before has been experienced, and that the Country will be united,
forming an immense, powerful, happy republic. One + inseparable – without the
strain of Slavery in its escutcheon. When this shall have come to pass, the
surviving relatives of those whose lives have been given up to their Country to
effect it, will experience the satisfaction that they have not fallen in
vain. Whilst writing this June 10th
’67 I am informed of the death of a young officer with whom I became acquainted
and to whom I was enabled to be of service August 10th 1863 by
procuring for him and his wife rooms in the Old Colony house at Hingham they
having just been vacated by my relative Henry B. Rogers + family, and the
lateness of the season causing great scarcity of rooms, Col. Hall having been
unsuccessful after waiting a fortnight at the Tremont.
Suffering from illness brought on by the Battle of
Gettysburg he was of much interest to me, having as first Lieut. Of Battery H.
1st U.S. Artillery, been kind to Phil when he first joined that
Battery and afterwards as Col. of the 7th
Norman J. Hall.
Graduated at West Point in
1859, receiving a brevet commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the
Artillery and was stationed during 1860 + 1861 in
“Call to remembrance the
former days.
Feb’y. 10th
1832[?].”
It was my privilege in early
life to have made the acquaintance of several gentlemen who have since been
distinguished both as artists and Poets (besides Stuart and Allston, before
mentioned) and also to have outlived (with one or two exceptions) all of them,
a privilege the concomitant of old age. With Richard H. Dana the senior I
became acquainted very early in life through my intimacy with Allston his
brother in law, which acquaintance has lasted to the present day, over forty
years and strengthened my esteem and respect for him yearly in my
communications with him, now both of us past the usual life of man.
I became acquainted with James G. Percival as far back as
1832 through the introduction of a friend the late Dr George Hayward who I
assisted in getting subscribers for a weekly paper to be edited by Percival and
printed at the press and at the risqué of the late Nathan Hale who generously
undertook it to help Percival, the prospectus was published and subscribers
obtained and the day appointed for its first number, when Percival without
notice disappeared, and was heard of in Connecticut, he was unquestionably at
times given to an estrangement of intellect, he visited me several times and
always appeared odd and uneasy, particularly when the ladies of my family were
present. There were reports of his having been crossed in love in early life –
he died a few years since leaving an extensive + valuable library, he was a
great reader; his life and poems have since been published.
With Nathaniel Parker Willis I was associated in a Club
mentioned in the first volume of these recollections, out intimacy after his
leaving Boston in 1831 was not renewed, he was not over and above nice in his
intercourse with society having been charged once with going (Brummel like) to
a party without an invitation – he was an entertaining writer and publisher
both in phrase + verse. “Requeseat in Pace.” With William Cullen Bryant I
became acquainted in Italy, both of us residing the Winter of 1834 with our
families at Florence since when I have seldom had the pleasure of meeting him
(residing in different cities) he did me a great kindness in 1854 by giving my
eldest son a berth in the Editorial Corps of the Evening Post (at a time he (my
son) had relinquished his profession of the law) redeeming him from a life of
inactivity – Bryant needs no eulogy – with Charles Sprague I was at school
sixty years ago, and although occasionally meeting in the highways since and
often reading touching and beautiful pieces from his muse, it has not been my
good fortune to have been in his company until the past few months when I have
visited him and enjoyed his conversation greatly, these comings together of
school friends after an elapse of half a century is not an every day
occurrence, and when we find little or no change in sentiment, the integrity
and uprightness of character untarnished by the roughs o life, how pleasant are
our sensations.
With Richard H. Wilde
formerly member of Congress from
Dear M---n,
My friend Judge Hopkins of Alabama with his lady and
daughters will be at Newport this Summer and as they are persons to whom I am
under many obligations of kindness, and moreover are exceedingly amiable and
agreeable I wish them to have the advantage of yours + Isabella’s acquaintance.
The Judge himself was an ornament to the Bench, and is at the head of the Bar
to which he has returned, a more kind hearted, frank, honorable + estimable
man, is hardly to be found. His married daughter Mrs. Walker is the wife of my
early and most intimate friend. Hon. J’no. W. Walker formerly of Georgia, and
afterwards President of the Alabama convention and Senator from that State in
the U.S. Senate, besides this hereditary claim upon me, she is lively, good
humored and accomplished and has often delighted me with singing some airs from
Italian Operas an enjoyment not often afforded me here. Miss Cornelia is also
one of my especial favorites and indeed the whole family down to little Kate
are especial friends. But I have said enough, if you should fall in with them
at
Tell Isabella your wife I shall measure her kind
remembrance of me to some extent by the reception she gives my friends, and I
hope her ancient prejudice against Slavery is sufficiently cooled by time and
experience, to admit not only that there are most excellent people among slave
holders, but the slaves themselves are much happier and better off than the
free blacks. We are all well
and intent standing our acclimation in
Very
affectionately,
R. H. Wilde.
Upon the back of this letter
I endorsed – he took the fever from this servant and died in three weeks after
inviting it, which was before I + my family left Nahant our summer residence.
Lines written by R. H. Wilde.
When the lone exile sees at
last
His loved, his early home
once more,
How rushes on his mind the
past,
How his full heart at length
flows o’er.
________________________
Yet every face and every spot
he knew,
Are seen with mingled joy and
pain;
To mark of all he left how
few,
Hearts, hopes + scenes, unchanged
remain.
________________________
And thus perhaps in after
years
So torn these leaves will but
recall.
Moments of smiles, and days
of tears,
Friends,
Joys, Hopes, loves, all lost, all, all.
________________________
Lines by R. H. Wilde.
My life is like the summer
rose.
That opens to the morning sky
But ere the shades of evening
close
Is scattered on the ground to
die:
Yet on that rose’s humble bed
The sweetest dews of night
are shed
As if she wept such waste to
see
But none shall drop a tear for
me.
__________________________
My
life is like the autumn leaf
That
trembles in the moon’s pale ray
Its
hold is frail, its date is brief
Restless
and soon to pass away:
Yet
when that leaf shall fall and fade
The
parent tree will mourn its shade
The
winds bewail the leafless tree
But
none shall breathe a sigh for me.
__________________________
My life is like the print
which feet
Have left on
Soon as the rising tide shall
beat,
Their track will vanish from
the sand.
Yet as if grieving to efface
All vestige of the human race
On that lone shore loud moans
the sea
But none shall thus lament
for me.
__________________________
With hose gentlemen of the
Brush besides Gilbert Stuart and Washington Allston, I have been acquainted
with John Vanderlyen who was born in Kingston New York in 1776 and died there
in 1852 he was pupil of Stuart + went to
Paris in 1796 and remained there five years, painting = “Marius among the ruins
of Carthage,” which attracted the notice of Napoleon, also shortly after, his =
“Ariadne” which was highly spoken of, afterwards “Columbus” for the U.S.
Capitol; his last a portrait of President Taylor, exhibited in 1851. His fort
was evidently History, but pungent necessity obliged him to undertake
portraits; he wrote to me several times, one of which was the following letter,
which I find filed in my letter book.
Dear Sir: -
Altho’ I have not had the pleasure of hearing of the safe
Arrival of the two boxes cont’g Marins + frame, I conclude that such was the
case or I should have heard from you, I have not had the pleasure neither of
hearing of the
success of
your exhibition +c. +c. Business with our corporation here now engages almost
my whole attention, I am endeavoring to get back my rotunda or a compensation
my claim is deemed too fair to neglect it. I in consequence am prevented from
going on to Washington for the present and as I am much at a loss for funds
having been disappointed in hopes of receiving some from the Exhibition of my panorama
of Versailles at Savannah where I had been urged to send it, the result has
been a loss instead of a gain so much for the public taste and spirit at that
place. I however sold my portrait of Calhoun to Mr. Blake an amateur +
mullifier but a very wealthy one, he has purchased pictures I am informed to
the amount of rising $6000 from a picture dealer from a picture dealer from
hence (Warrel). My nephew who was on there tells me that Mr B was delighted
with the portrait and was desirous to have “Marius” if it was not purchased in
Boston, and any other picture of mine. If therefore your Athenaeum should not
purchase it I shall not feel any difficulty in disposing of it. – What I regret
is not to have the cash now or a portion of it as it is particularly needed by
me, for the business I have on hand. Lawyer though friendly must be fed.
May I therefore ask the favor
of you to request an advance to me on the picture of “Marius” of $100 if not
$200 to be returned on the delivery of the picture. I consider the exhibition
of the picture equivalent to the interest of the money, were the picture here I
could obtain and advance upon it. I beg you will make known to the gentlemen of
the Athenaeum Gallery my wants and wishes and hope as a friend of the arts,
they will be not unfriendly to the artist. A line from you in reply will be
gratefully received, at as early a time as convenient. $500 is the lowest I
will take for “Marius.” Friends tell me how I can raffle it for more money. I
should however prefer it to form one of the collection of your Athenaeum
Gallery to any individual purchaser. Excuse this hasty scrawl and accept my
best wishes. Very respectfully yours.
J.
Vanderlyn.
Vanderlyn’s Rotunda was a
large circular building afterward I believe turned into a Post Office or
offices, aside of the present City Hall, in the Park opposite the Astor House,
and the ground would unquestionably at this time command little short of two
hundred thousand dollars if not more. His “Marius” was afterwards sold to go out
of the Country for a great deal more than he asked for it and we have no doubt
would now bring some thousands here. Like most artists of those days he always
contrived to keep poor, spending more freely than he received, next to Allston
I esteem him to have been the best colorist of those days in the
I was also well acquainted in a social way with Col.
Trumble, Morse + Rembrant Peale the latter bringing to Boston for exhibition
his great painting of the “Court of Death” and consulting me about the
exhibition of it; he also brought a portrait of General Washington painted by
himself which he and his friends declared to be a more faithful likeness than
Stuarts celebrated painting now in the Athaeneum.
I was often in Stuarts Painting room in those days and
recollect Stuart’s angry feelings and observations to me about Rembrant Peale’s
presumption in comparing his Portrait with his. Stuart he said Genl. Washington
was very much annoyed after he had painted him with applications to sit from all
the artists of the country and he had determined to refuse one and all, but
that Old Peale, father of Rembrandt, was in favor with Mrs. Washington who
persuaded the President to sit once more and that the artist carried both of
his sons and their easels, and old Stuart said , with a chuckling laugh they,
“Peeled him all round.” Rembrandt Peale’s portrait has very little of the
dignity of Stuarts and gives a representation of a heavy, unexcitable character
of no great intellect and no commanding appearance, whereas Stuart’s has all we
have heard and read of Washington dignity, commanding appearance, and graceful
bearing, and it has received up to the present day the full assent of the vast
majority of the States as being the only true and faithful representation of
our greatest Patriot. But to our great astonishment in the life of our late
distinguished fellow citizen Josiah Quincy by his son Mr Quincy, is stated to
have said that Washington appeared to him to have resembled a man not
accustomed to or at ease in society, not graceful in his walk or of commanding
appearance but like a well to do country gentleman reticent and not seeking
notoriety. How different this is from Stuarts Portrait, and if just, must give
Peale’s portrait the preference for truth, and we understand also Mr Quincy to
have said that the best likeness of
We cannot endorse the above or believe Mr Quincy’s views
of the General.
With another artist of those days distinguished for his
taste in painting females and his general gentleness of character I became
intimate, Thomas Sully, whom I have
lately have been informed is
still living and at the age of ninety still taking up the rush. He has been a
resident of Philadelphia from early age, making several visits to Europe at
different periods, in one of which Queen Victoria was painted by him for a
society of her subjects in this Country, he has always been a great favorite in
Philadelphia particularly with the ladies, whose portraits he was more
successful with than with his male heads, and was at that time thirty to forty
years since more like Sir Thomas Lawrence than any other American artist, in
his sketches. The following two letters out of sever, I insert.
Dear M---n,
There came a passenger from England to this
Country in the same ship with Mrs. Charles Smith of this city a lady on whom
rested a mystery none on board the vessel could dispel, she was young,
beautiful and intelligent, affected to b an American but had a French accent,
was a strong Carlist in Politics, spoke familiarly and affectionately of the
young Duke of Bordeaux and with so many particulars of his manners and
disposition that Mrs. Smith was forced to conclude that the mysterious stranger
must have formerly been his governess. Will this make the picture you and my
friends in
Thomas
Sully
Upon my return from Europe in
1836, in June of that year, I wrote to Sully that if he would make his usual
summer vacation trip to this way
Dear M---n,
I had determined to give myself a week of
recreation in the country after getting through a whole length portrait which
is yet on my easel, when your friendly invitation reached me. After some
deliberation on the possibility of being absent from my engagements here for so
long a time, I have concluded to accept your proffered kindness and take
possession of your painting room for two weeks. Be kind enough to mention this
to Dr, Warren to Hon. Abbot Lawrence, member of congress, to both of whom I
stand pledged if I visit
Very truly your friend,
Thomas
Sully
Sully came, and boarded in
the house now in 1867 occupied by Charles G. Loring next the State House, and
painted Dr Warrens portrait, now in possession of Charles Lyman his son in law.
Also Abbot Lawrence – he met Allston at my house at dinner and other of his
friends and painted my late wife – Alas! All of three of the originals have
long since been dead.
Sully I have never estimated as a great artist,
but he was the best female painter we had in those days Stuart being deceased.
With
another artist the late Thomas Cole I contracted a warm friendship not only on
account of his artistic value but from my admiration of his great moral worth
and truly religious character. He passed a fortnight travelling with me in my
Jersey Waggon in 1833 visiting Northampton where from the top of Mount Holyoke
he painted a beautiful view of the Connecticut River and its windings he
accompanied me to Boston and took a view of the city for Joshua Bates of the
firm of Baring Brothers +Co. London. He painted for me a beautiful view of the
Arno + Cascine in Florence now in possession of my brother, I assisted him in
disposing of several of his paintings amongst others a large view of Florence
taken from Bells, guardo heights; alas a view of Mount Etna which I disposed of
for him to the late Caspar Crowningshield; and another large view of the same
subject differently treated, for Mr. David Sears After my return from Europe in 1835 our acquaintance was
renewed and Cole when in Boston was much at my house, he died very unexpectedly
to me, and very shortly after, I was applied to by his New York friends, for
some memorial of him. But hearing that Wm. C. Bryant a warm friend of his, the
distinguished poet and editor was preparing a memoir of him I waited until I
heard further, which elicited the following graphic account of his sickness and
death, with an account of his finished + unfinished + projected paintings, written
by a warm friend and able writer and one I assume to be a clergyman (if not) a
warm heartfelt friend of Cole’s. --------------------------------------------
March
4th, 1848
J-------M------Esq.
Sir:-
I should have sooner answered your enquiries relative to
the death of Mr Cole, but that my time has been occupied so much, as to prevent
my doing so, as well as for thanking you for your ready reply to the
information asked of you.
Mr. Cole died on the 11th of February Friday
at 8 P.M. after an illness of 5 days. On the previous Sunday he attended church
at the Village, but felt unwell and did not go in the afternoon about midnight
he was taken with a bilious attack, sent for the doctor who prescribed – on the
second felt very much better – but pleurisy came on and his case alarmed the
family on Friday congestion of the lungs followed and ended in his death, - He
was perfectly resigned regretted no earthly things, but looked forward to a new
state of perfect bliss, and hoping for that purity he so loved to portray in
his pictures and which
he so strongly exhibited in
all his actions, he called his family around him, partook of the Holy communion
15 minutes before 8. and died very happily – He has left a wife and three
children, the oldest a boy about ten years of age + two girls, one about 7, the
other 4. – He was not embarrassed pecuniarily for he had realized some thing
from his profession – his wife inherited some property which leaves her +
family very comfortably situation – his sister Miss Cole has not been specially
provided for, no will having been left and she and her aunt will feel Mr.
Cole’s loss much, for Mr. C. had always been very liberal in providing for his
sisters and previously his parents. The loss is indeed a great one to his
family, to his friends + to the world, and to the latter is not the loss least,
for it was his aim in all his recent works to render his art subservient only
to a noble theme, that of depicting in glowing colors the beauties of
Christianity + revealed religion, that thereby with man a feeling of reverence
might be inculcated – you are no doubt familiar with his first series – “The
rise + fall of Empire” and of his second, “The Voyage of Life.” A third he was
at work on and had completed three of the five and partially proceeded with the
fourth the subject is the “Cross + the World” or as he first named it “The two
Pilgrims.” In the first picture, two youths in Pilgrim garb are leaving their
mentor alone taking to the left side where a gorgeous sunset, enticing flowers,
and long plains attract him; the other takes to the right where is a rocky
precipitous elevation – to this leads a hard and stony way, and hither he means
his pilgrim to walk that he may gain the Cross, which somewhat enveloped in
mists, but of itself pure + silvery, is placed above. The second picture
“Pilgrim of the Cross” we have him in vigorous youth, still making (amid a
violent tempest) onward for the cross. Trees are bending, rain clouds dripping
and streams rushing and a ravine lies between him and the sought object, but he
looks steadily onward. In third picture we find him in old age on top of a
fresh and beautiful mount, welcomed by three angels, and kneeling to receive
the crown of glory held by one of the angels, who are in the spacious
architecture of a fabric fancifully formed of most skillfully painted clouds,
high above which is the Cross. The fourth picture shows the cross dimmed by
clouds, a vision of Empire is indicated by a crown dimly seen; beneath it, war
trophies and rich massive architecture, there is the garden of those devoted to
pleasure filled with the giddy + gay, mingling in wanton revels, a statue of
Bacchus presiding over that scene: to the right of the picture is the Temple of
Mammon This picture is barely more than begun and the chalk marks are yet on
parts of it. The study for the last picture represents the Pilgrim of World in
old age in a cold and frosty scene bare and bleak and nothing but ocean in
view, overhead death with Bat like wings seems ready to end the eventful
history of one grown gray + frosty in unwise pleasure. He contemplated a series
of “Sacred Empire” to run upwards as it were, from his “Profane Empire” and he
had likewise thought of “Sowing + Reaping” as adapted to giving a moral
interest to Landscape. His last picture finished is from the 23rd
Psalm and is indeed very firm in thought – and as a painting is probably
superior in mechanical treatment, to anything he ever painted, unless it be the
second series of the Cross. A picture five feet by eight was the last work he
touched on = subject “Proserplime gathering flowers” and he intended it
for the next Exhibition of the National Gallery. He looked forward with much
interest to a project he had of publishing his last series in the shape of
finely executed lithographies, that good might come out of their diffusion,
which he hoped would be accomplished by their being cheaply published, by the
drawings being executed by himself. The only experiment he made shows the loss to
be great indeed. He had recently erected a commodious studio and no longer
dependent upon a capricious world for commissions he concentrated his thoughts
and mind and was painting subjects in the vein he was most partial to – he had
too the pleasure of knowing that he was better understood and better
appreciated, and that a little more judiciously written criticism than in
former days interpreted his intentions more fully (truly). Growing in power of intellect and skill
partially secluded from the worlds cares, his aim was to improve and elevate,
and improve mankind; but it was otherwise ordained for him, as he said, “his
trust was in the Lord,” so he departed in full confidence of glorious
immortality” ------
I must crave pardon for
writing at such length, but I have so frequently been interrupted since I
began, that interruption has caused want of brevity.
Respectfully
J. M. Falconer
With Horatio Greenough, I
made an acquaintance at Mr R. H, Dana the Poets house in Cambridge in the year
1825, he then being in the senior class at Cambridge and I having lately
arrived from Europe he was very inquisitive about Chantrey + the English
sculptors – he had at that early period attracted considerable notice, having
in one or more copies in chalk from marble Busts, exhibited decided talent, and
in fact may, from that period he called the Pioneer sculptor of America, for
prior to him I have no recollection of any native born American having taken it
up as a profession, a year or two after he went to Europe and in Florence and
Rome applied himself sedulously to his studies, and from hard application and
low state of body, living too abstemiously he imbibed the malaria fever of Rome
and was obliged to return home, where after a short time he became restored + resumed
his studies, he returned to Europe carrying with him, several commissions for
Busts, from whence I received several letters of which the following is one.
My Dear M---n.
You seem to think there is no patronage in
fewer of those rich gentlemen
who ape nobility and court notoriety by the protection of genius. – so that –
the immense number of artists called into existence by the great demand for
statues and pictures at the close of the great war (1815) when the fortunes of
Horatio
Greenough
The group mentioned above was
the Chanting Cherubs for Cooper, now in the Boston Atheneum. In 1834 I found him in
One morning I found Greenough in my apartment waiting for
me in a considerable excited state, having just received a letter from Edward
Everett counseling him by no means to make the statue of
This letter had a wonderful effect of depression upon the
artist for some days, and we really pitied him, for it would take a year to
alter such a gigantic model (which he never did, entirely) farther than
throwing a mantle around him some part. We think it has not generally met with
the approbation of the present generation, but that a future one will do him
full justice: the head is as fine as anything we have ever seen of
An educated artist like Greenough ought never to consult
merely literary men for as in this case they often change their minds and
seldom any two think alike. I am well convinced that had Greenough in the
beginning declined receiving any advice and followed his own judgment he would
have accomplished a more acceptable work of art for the Government than the
present one.
With Clavenger I became acquainted through Mr Allston as
the following letter will show, he was a young man of great promise, modest, of
most unassuming bearing as I ever met with in one so talented, he was early
removed by death leaving many warm friends in New England.
Cambridgeport
8th Sept. 1839.
Dear M---n.
I wish you very much to come and see a
picture which I have lately finished, it has been seen and taken by Mr Phillips
and it is in the highest degree gratifying to me to know that he was
exceedingly pleased with it. It is a picture which you have never seen and I
consider it one of my very best, it would give me pleasure to see Mrs M---n at
my room at the same time. I am now sitting to Clavinger at my room for my bust
he will make a capital likeness. as he indeed never fails to do. As I hear you
are painting at Nahant I wish you would take a likeness of the Sea Serpent for
me.
Sincerely
yours.
Wa.
Allston
I became acquainted with Crawford during his first visit
to
My dear Sir.
I beg you to receive my sincere thanks for
your kind letter. I agree with you that the exhibition of Schedoni at Miss
Scollay’s should be stopt, not only for the reason you give the probability of
the picture being injured by the numbers who visit it, but on account of the
great inconvenience which such a crowd must necessarily occasion Mrs + Miss
Scollay making their house a thoroughfare. Will you mention this to Miss
Scollay and say I think the exhibition ought to be closed. No one can be
offended when these reason are assigned and especially when it is added (as I
wish it might) how much I am gratified by the approbation the picture has
received, moreover the picture is no longer mine having been paid for by Mr
Ball’s agent Mr. R. Rogers before I left Boston, so that I have indeed no right
to expose it to injury. So far I agree with you, and though I gratefully
appreciate the kindness of your motive I cannot for several reasons, assent to
your proposal as to exhibiting the picture for my benefit, since an application
for this purpose could not be made to Mr Ball without entering into unpleasant
explanations and leading him to think he had not given enough for it – which
would distress me beyond measure, especially as not the slightest blame can or
ought to be imputed to him in this business. Mr Ball never limited me either in
price or subject but simply applied to me for a picture, leaving both to be
determined by myself. This was about two years ago I had then Schedoni roughly
sketched out on the canvas which I mentioned to him among other subjects; he
chose Schedoni and I then named the price of it. Had I foreseen the time and
labor it would cost I should certainly have named a different price, but I
thought it at that time sufficient; and Mr B. without the slightest demur
acceded to it. Now whether the picture is worth more or not, the engagement on
the part of Mr Ball was entered into on the part of Mr Ball in most gentlemanly
and honorable manner. I therefore consider myself doubly bound to rest
satisfied and I say to you now frankly that I am satisfied. Whether I loose or
gain I always make it a point of conscience never to repine at any contract
which I have once made when the terms of this particular contract being
exclusively of my own proposing I could not with a shadow of justice complain
and I would not for any consideration appear even indirectly dissatisfied with
it. It is therefore my express request that none of my friends apply to Mr.
B--- for an exhibition of the picture in my behalf. Nay – I should be more
mortified than I can express by such an application. Besides you well know that
money (as much as I need it) has never been my prominent object. It was said of
Paul Veronesa when he painted for Convents that he was sometimes paid half in
money and half in masses. In like manner
I am sometimes contented to be paid part in money + part in praise. I
cannot conclude without again thanking you for the kindness of your letter,
will you present my respects and best thanks to Mrs. + Miss Scollay – I expect
to be in
Your sincere and
obliged friend,
Wa.
Allston
The
above gentleman Mr Ball + his wife (nee Channing) were lost in a Steamer off
Cambridgeport Feb’y 11, 1834.
Dear Sir:-
I have come to the conclusion to lower the
price of the Troubadore (being in want of money) from three hundred dollars as
you have so kindly undertaken to act for
me in this my necessity, will
you allow me to propose the following, first offer for two hundred eighty,
which I an abatement of twenty dollars, if that should not be accepted then two
hundred and fifty. I mean that the offer should be made to the gentleman who
himself offered me two fifty. I wish you to understand however that sum is the
lowest I will sell this picture for. If I cannot get that I have made up my
mind to keep it. Will you be so good as to drop me a line by mail as soon as
you shall have concluded the bargain if that is to be. I trust you need
no additional assurance of the grateful sense I have of your kindness – ever
sincerely yours.
Wa. Allston
I sold the above to John
Bryant Jr. I am under the impression for 300 dlls.
During my life time I have
been acquainted with many other artists as for instance Fisher + Doughty and
Harding, of various power + fame all of whom with their works have contributed
to my enjoyments and all of whom I have before mentioned in these
reminiscences, and all of whom I have outlived. – also with Morse, Cheney,
staig, Hoit and Charles Frazer an artist in minature, next to Malbone the first
in the
“Our Life, how short! A
groan, a sigh:
We live, and then begin to
die
But Oh! how great a mercy
this,
That death’s a portal into
bliss!”
“My Soul! death swallows up
thy fears
My grave – clothes, wipe away
all tears
Why should we fear this
parting pain
Who die – that we may live
again.
“All, All, on Earth is shadow
– all beyond
Is substance. The reverse is folley’s creed.
How solid all where change
shall be no more.”
It has been a very common practice in our Country to
disparage the English + extol the French, it has been so for years, perhaps
more apparent since the late rebellion than formerly. And this more
particularly on account of the cold shoulder offered us during our troubles.
But the French have surely been more faulty in their position at this period, than
the English for the latter have only threatened, while the former has seized
the opportunity to land an army on the American continent. This feeling of luke
warmness towards England has led our Tourists to shorten our stay there
on their way to the Continent, which also has been increased by the ungrateful
returns our citizens have heretofore in former days received from certain
mercantile agents sent out from England who have upon their return abused their
hospitality by ridiculing us, but the real fault after all has been on our side
by indiscriminately receiving into our houses, at our firesides, men who had
little estimation in, and no access to the best society at home. This was
evidently illustrated in 1820 & 1821 by an individual who came to Boston
and was received into the family circle of one of our most respectable
fellow citizens and who returning to England, published a most scurrilous
account of this country, and who the following year, during my residence in
London, accompanied by several of my fellow countrymen, we found selling gin by
the glass in Haymarket street - Until
of late years we have seldom been visited by any foreigners, of a higher grade
than merchants clerks. And when we were by such men as Lords Stanly + Morpeth I
maintain that we had full, if not more than our due given us.
But this extreme toadyism,
servile obeisance to foreigners has been heretofore one of our marked national
characteristics, and I doubt not depreciating us in foreign estimation as
regards the relative hospitality of the English + French nations. After a
residence there of nearly three years, amongst the former and a greater number
amongst the latter, I cannot allow myself to hesitation in deciding in favor of
the former, the English to strangers are cold, stiff, phlegmatic + distant, but
when once acquainted and find the subject worthy, hold on with the tenacity of
their Bull dogs, ever ready to confer kindness, warm + generous in their
friendships. The French on the other hand are flush with unmeaning politeness
at first sight, but versatile and fickle, deserting one without any
explanation, and entirely unreliable. The foregoing reflections call to mind my
own personal experience of English hospitality, not only in one but several
instances, and one wherein I had shown myself somewhat undeserving by my temper
getting the better of me. I had one day taken the Box seat upon one of the
numerous coaches plying between
The antipathy the French + English have for each other I
have in several instances seen strongly exhibited. In the Winter of 1818 in
Washington I became acquainted with an English officer a Major Harvey who from
some unfortunate affair (I am under the impression a duel) was obliged to
absent himself + was then on his way to the Southern States hoping to pay a
visit to general Jackson. I believe this officer was related to the Col Harvey
who was attached to Wellingtons and who afterwards married Miss Caton this may
have been conjecture arising from his having told me that the Duke was friendly
to him and advised his leaving for a time. After his return from his visit to General
Jackson I met him on the day of his arrival in New York where he had just come
from his Bankers Peter Bemsen + Co, and he showed me a newspaper of Liverpool
in which was an account of his groom’s having been running one of his horses at
a Public Race, he was very much vexed. I recollect he expressed himself
delighted with General Jackson with whom he staid several days – I renewed my
acquaintance with this officer meeting him in Paris several years after – in
1824 and walking the Boulevards des Italians arm in arm with him one day I was
in great fear of being momentarily insulted – so bitter and threatening were
the scowls and expressions of the faces of the French in passing us at first I
did not surmise the cause of such marked want of courtesy, but turning to left
side of my friend I found he had the Legion of Honor Ribbon on his left breast
(which he had received at the occupation of Paris) I begging him to take it of
which he did, there was a renewal of invitation in Paris at this time from the
debate in Parliament against and in opposition to the advance into Spain of the
French Troops under the Duke D’Angouleme, and the French were still writhing
under Waterloo reminiscences, as they always will be until it is wiped off.
The major was a very handsome
man + a good specimen of a gentleman, as I did not return to
An article in the Evening Transcript of Dec. 1867 recalls
to memory a dinner party given in the fall of 1824 (now forty four years ago)
at the Old Exchange Coffee House in Devonshire St. (Kept at that time by Col.
Hamilton) by a number of us gentlemen just returned from Europe, for the
purpose of keeping up friendships contracted Abroad. Amongst the number was the
Late John Everett – Secretary at that time to General Dearborn our Minister at
To our no little surprise our fellow
traveler accomplished the feat three or four days after on a piece of ground
measured off on the mill Dam. commencing commencing on the bend leading to
Brighton surrounded by a number of carriages and equestrians drawn from
The gentleman was John Langdon Elwyn of
In the London Examiner of
Dec. 7, 1867 I read under the head of Statistic of Travel an account of
a Kings Messenger Mr Hudson having been dispatched by the Duke of Wellington in
1834 after Sir Robert Peel at Rome to recall him to take office in the New
Cabinet, and that it took the messenger 12 days and cost 250 L’s to carry him to Rome, and that the ordinary
Post occupied 18 days – distance 1300 miles and that the first class fare
between London and Rome at the present time by rails was only 13 L’s. Leaving
George the 4th
An incident is recalled to
memory as having occurred during my residence in
March 12th
1868
Enter my seventy fourth year
this day.
“Blest is the tranquil hour
of Morn,
And blest the hour of solemn
eve.
When on the wings of prayer
upborne.
The World I leave.”
How many heart
stirring reflections, doth
the Birth Day, year after year, bring back, of resolutions unfulfilled,
promises broken, duties unperformed, friendships severed, and
alas, how many companions
each year removes, until we are left solitary and alone.
“Praise be God, that we know
not our end. Praise the Lord, O my Soul! all within me praise his holy name.”
The
It was during the Autumn of 1853 that I made an
engagement with a young American friend, Mr. J. T. C.------- then resident of
St. Memin Portraits.
Whilst residing at No 1.
J.--- M----s Esq.
Sir:-
By examining the circular sent
with this, you will more fully understand the nature of my application. I wish
to obtain a short biographical sketch of your father to accompany the portrait,
which is a small circle taken in profile (catalog No 452) I should like to know
if you have such a portrait in the family the collection has been in France for
the last fifty five years in possession of the artists who engraved them and I
find that many of the families know nothing of their existence.
Respectfully yours.
Elias Dexter 562 Broadway
I find endorsed upon this
letter that Sept 13. /60 I sent him the requested biographical memoir –
compiled as I imagine it to have been from the notices of my late father after
his decease in 1831. About a month after receiving this letter my venerable
friend the late President Quincy sent a request to see me and I found that he
also had received a similar letter and also one of the unknown engravings with
the application to Mr Quincy to inform the publisher who it was, as several
were without any names affixed to them. Mr Quincy being at a loss, and thinking
I might recognize it sent for me. I decided it was intended for the late Com.
Stephen Decatur in an undress uniform and so I now find it has been placed and
memorized in the book. It being about the commencement of our civil war, and
having two sons about me, one in college and one preparing, occasioning me many
anxieties about the future struggle, and during many pleasant interviews I had
with Mr Quincy afterwards never hearing him refer to the Profiles, they passed
entirely from my memory (to my present recollection) never having mentioned the
receipt of the letter to any one of my friends, and until the present month August
3 /68 I was ignorant of having such a letter when undertaking to clear out a
trunk contg Bills + Letters of many years past with the intention of burning
them. I found it and enclosed it to my son Herbert, not however with the idea
of hearing anything more of it, for the five years civil war and changes made
by it, in business, and the lives of many business men, suggested the
probability of no such book having been published and doubts as to the
existence of the proposed publisher.
To my great surprise my son answered me that Mr Dexter
occupied the same store Broadway and that he had published the hundred copies
proposed and had sold them all but three or four copies at seventy five dollars
per copy and would sell the remaining few copies for forty each. I did not
hesitate to send him the money and have congratulated myself since, for it has
brought to remembrance many early friends at the south, particularly in
[In Mason’s own handwriting
at the bottom of the page: “I gave it to the Geneological + Historical Society
in 1876.”]
Letter Received from Col. Tod.
After my arrival in
__________________
My Dear Sir:-
That you may sometimes recall us to memory, I
add a memo to my publishers desiring them to hand a copy of my Book to your
order of which I beg your acceptance. It is not exactly a companionable book,
being two huge Quarto’s but you will be able to give it Sea – room, and
if you are fond of enquiring into the original habits of man you will find
something therein congenial to your taste I trust. At all events the engravings
of the most ancient remains of these little known regions, of which there are
some dozens by the best engravers of
Most cordially yours
James Tod.
Address
Robarts Curtis +
Col. Tod. fell while
presenting a check at the Banking House of the above firm the same year, and
never spoke after.
Probably apoplexy.
The English Gentleman’s
Magazine of that time contains an elaborate memoir of him.
“The world may call herself
my foe,
So be it; for I trust her
not;
E’en though a friendly face
she show,
And heap with her good things
my lot.
In thee alone will I rejoice,
Thou art the friend, Lord, of
my choice,
For thou art true when
friendships fail;
Midst storms of woe thy truth
is still
My Anchor; hate me as it will
The world shall o’er me ne’er
prevail.”
I cannot close these remembrances of my
experiences during (what may now be called) a long pilgrimage, without
reference to, and some mention made of those friends, who have shown
disinterested friendship towards me unrequited by anything, I individually have
had it in my power to offer. To my friend Wm. A---y who has been my warm
friend, for now over one third of a century, I feel deeply indebted for many
acts of kindness of a nature that I have never asked or been offered by those,
of whom, by affinity I had a right to ask them, and I trust those who succeed
me, will bear in mind this acknowledgement. To another gentleman deceased,
bearing the same initials, the late Wm. Ap----n whose philanthropy is a bye
word, whereon the actions of the good and righteous are spoken of. I was deeply
indebted for the kind interest shown by him for my late gallant son; who was by
and through his influence and that of his successor another kind friend Mr S---
H--- appointed to a commission and to an important Battery in the regular
service and to the latter gentleman who proved a warm and serviceable friend to
my son during his great and long sufferings. To still another friend who has
shown an interest in me and mine A---s L----ce I feel deeply obliged an
inheritor of his late fathers virtues with an unsparing hand he contributed
right and left to the comforts of others.
Sir Walter Scott, I believe it was who in some of his
writings remarks that the death of friends often relieves us of obligations,
and in that view has a consoling effect. I cannot subscribe to such a
sentiment, for the older I grow and the more I contemplate upon the depravity
of our nature, the more warmly I feel and the more highly I estimate the
kindnesses of those living and deceased who have softened the asperities of my
past life by their friendship.
_____________________________
Amongst several letters
received from my honoured and esteemed friend the late President Quincy, (now
in my letter book) I transcribe the following relating to Col. Tod. mentioned
in these recollections
My Dear Sir:-
Many thanks for your loan of Tod’s
+ servt.
Josiah Quincy
22d. Jan’y 1847
End. Vol. II. [in his own handwriting: “End –
of the original 2 Volumes.
__________________
The three original columns in my
handwriting of Lee’s”
much additional writing is crossed out and illegible]
[many crossed out and illegible words]
[illegible word] for Christ
“We wait for thee, All
glorious One!
We look for thine appearing;
We bear thy name, and on the
throne
We see thy presence cheering.
Faith ever now.
Uplifts its brow.
And sees the Lord descending
And with him bliss unending
__________________
We wait for thee through day
forlorn
In patient self denial
We know that thou our guilt
hath bourn
Upon thy cross of trial
And well may we
Submit with thee
To bear the cross and love
it,
Until thy hand remove it.
___________________
We wait for thee, already
thou
Hast all our hearts
submission;
And though the spirit sees
thee now
We long for open vision;
When ours shall be
Sweet rest with thee,
And pure unfading pleasure,
And life in endless measure.
___________________
We wait for thee with certain
hope –
The time will soon be over:
With childlike longing we
look up
Thy glory to discover.
O bliss! to share
Thy triumph there
When home with joy and
singing
The Lord his Saints is
bringing.”
___________________
Hiller (German.)
Gioacchino Rossini.
The
death of this celebrated composer is stated by the marine telegraph to have
taken place November 14th 1868 in Paris – born at Pesaro a small
village 1792 on the Gulf of Venice; he had at the time of his death completed
his seventy seventh year; the notice in the paper recalled to mind an evening
passed at the Italian Opera in London in the year 1822, where accompanied by my
friend T. R. Curtis, then on his way to Russia; (who had called at my rooms to
ask me to accompany him he having just arrived) we saw Rossini at the piano in
the Orchestra accompanying Madam Catalini in his celebrated Opera Tancredi,
which was written in Venice in 1813 when he was only 21 years of age, and which
was wonderfully successful all over Europe, and perhaps equally so were his
Barbiere de Seviglia, Otello, Mose in
Egitto, Guillaume Tell, and
last work Stabat Mater. Excessively
vain, and living in luxurious retirement for the last thirty years of his life,
he was visited, and courted and Eulogized by the elite of the musical world,
the melancholy part of his history is (as the paper states) he had passed his
entire life in disbelief of religion, and when drawing near his close, sent for
a Priest and died as the account states in the greatest agony. It was during the performance of the
before mentioned Opera of Taneredi, that Curtis + myself and the audience were
greatly amused at seeing Madam Catilini stamp her foot for Rossini to accompany
her faster, he playing his own composition the truth was, she added so many
trills + shakes not in his music that he would not keep up with her, and she
was the spoiled child of the musical world at that period, and it was his first
year in London then a young man but 31.
The Ballet after this Opera introduced to a London
audience the celebrated dancer mademoiselle Mercandotti who was said to have
been a daughter of the Earl of Fife, by an Italian Lady and who shortly after
married Hughes Ball the rich commoner called the golden Ball and I perfectly
recall to mind the caracatures of St. James Street representing the Earl fifing
– arrayed in his Scotch plaid, Mademoiselle Mercandotti dancing, and Hughes Ball
near by, emptying a horn of Sovereigns.
____________________________________________________________
“The hairs of your head are
all numbered, fear ye not therefore.”
Matthew 10-31
It was in the month of June – of
the year Eighteen hundred and thirty nine, that leaving our cottage one
afternoon at Nahant, and going to Salem, upon our return late in the afternoon,
my wife and myself had our attention arrested by a gathering of many persons,
men + women, in the road, not far from the Marblehead depot, upon stopping my
horse to enquire the cause, we were informed that a little girl, not three
years of age had wandered from home and been missing every since four o’clock,
it was then near seven, it had been brought down from the centre of Lynn, to
visit an armt near there, and had strayed away when unobserved, the excitement
and anxiety was very great, more
particularly as there was every appearance of a stormy + tempestuous night. – I
cannot easily forget the anxious thoughts that occupied our minds during the
remainder of our ride home, and in fact, the whole night, while hearing the
wind and the rain pouring down upon our cottage. Early the next morning upon riding over to
Seventeen years after when visiting
____________________________________________________________
“All this passing scene
Is a peevish April day;
A little sun, a little rain,
And then death sweeps along
the plain,
And all things pass away . .
.”
___________________
Steamer
The death of Charles Crafts aged 84 mentioned in the
Daily Advertiser Decr. 9th, 1868 brings forcibly back to my
remembrance, a scene that took place on board the Steamboat “Massachusetts.” on
the sound in 1840 – June 30th.
Mr Crafts formerly was Box
keeper at the Old Federal Street Theater, which was very nearly opposite to the
late Dr. W. E. Channing Church and of which newspaper remarks were made in
those days, of its being doubtful, which would get the ascendency the church or
the Theatre, Dr Channing being in the height of his celebrity and the
celebrated Edmund Kean playing at the Theatre. Upon the taking down of the
building Mr Craft was employed for a time we believe at the new Theatre in
After it was quelled by the interference of the
At the solicitation of the
Boston Passengers amongst whom was the Rev. Dr. stone of Boston, the Captain
closed the bar and promised that they should not get any more liquor, but this
was of little importance while the Boat was tide bound to the wharf for they
kept going and coming continually from the town of Stonington – as intoxicated
as they possibly could be without falling, and the Captain told me in the
morning he had been running all night from one part of the Boat to the other
stopping fights and with all of his exertions, had not been able to prevent
them from half killing a man who had followed them from Boston – to (from
circumstances that transpired we have little doubt) plunder them, they caught
his hand in pocket of one of them, and they immediately knocked him from one to
the other until his life appeared gone, when the Captain rescued him + sent him
ashore, all but a corpse, his cries were heard all over the Boat and this was
about midnight, shortly after, the tide allowing, the Captain got his Boat
detached from the wharf to prevent them from going and coming from shore, and
to prepare for dawn. There were about seventy other passengers on Board, all of
whom, expressed fears of the morrow, when we should be at sea with these
fellows some feared that during their contention with the Captain, to open his
Bar they might take the Boat; the Captain told me that if the passengers would
stand by him, let the worst come, he thought he could manage them; but that
nothing should ever catch him in such a scrape again. At one period of the night hearing a row, near the ladies
Cabin I went out and found four or five, directly of our State Room, which was
next to the door of the Ladies Cabin, swearing they would come in, they had
paid full fare, and would have as good as any, behind them was the stair filled
with comrades all of them just come from the town as drunk as they could stand.
There was no time for reflection but clapping my arm round the waist of the one
at the head of the stairs, which could only hold one at a time, and gently
turning him round, I said soothingly, my good fellow, American Sailors never
disturb women and small children, were there men in there you might go in and
turn them out, but there are only females and small children. I shall never
forget the fishy look of that mans vacant stare, he was so intoxicated, but
giving a hurrah he piched down among his comrades driving them back, halloing
“We’ll stand by them!” It was
lucky I happened to be near for with one step more, they would have been in the
Cabin where the nurses and children had all retired to sleep, and fortunately
did not hear the parley. The next morning when under way the fog so dense that
we could not see the length of the Boat, one of them still intoxicated made his
way into the cabin where the children were eating their bread and milk, he was
a savage looking fellow, and held in his hand a large Sandwich Island tattooed
club, his eyes were half closed and he did not appear to know where he was. I
was immediately called and by coaxing + a play of soft expressions got him out
when he became pugnacious to those outside – there is always danger in being
near sailors when drunk for they never seem to be particular who they attack,
if a man at a distance insults them, they are apt to knock down the nearest one
to them, as the most handy – We all sympathized and felt for two officers, who
were accidentally, as ourselves, on board with these seamen, and who kept
quiet, and out of the way in the gentleman’s Cabin, and would have remained so,
but for the officiousness of a man by the name of Baker from Boston, who
appeared to be very active in exciting them in their threats and imprecations
against Comd. Reed and those they had served under, telling them that the
people would support them. Suddenly one of the Crew espied the officers, and
they all immediately surrounded and abused them, shaking their firsts in their
faces and proceeding to every degree of insult but striking, we standing by
fearing every moment that they would strike and lives would be taken and a
general melee follow. The Captain with great resolution and rapidity of action,
fearlessly stept in between them, and ordered the sailors out of the cabin –
Cumstock himself could not have behaved better or more resolutely. The Officers
said they were armed and would have acted promptly, the consequence can hardly
be imagined should such an issue have occurred no one can undertake to say what
such a beginning might have led to with men half drunk one hundred and seventy
in number, just out from a Frigate, from three years cruise + confinement,
having suffered as they said they did, under their Captain. One man told me
that Captain Reed had flogged men on one side of the ship, while four or five
were lying dead on the other side, we must make allowances for what sailors say
when intoxicated but I had heard often from officers that Captain Reed was a
sever disciplinarian. We arrived at New York on the second day at 5 O’clock in
the afternoon: we are led to believe that our safety is to be attributed to the
Captains hauling his Boat the first night off from the wharf into the stream
when the tide rose and delayed starting before daylight, the intermediate time
serving to quiet and render sober the men, as it was, the Captain said they had
set fire to the steamer in three places, during the night out of mere
viciousness, but the stoppage of liquor brought them all tot heir senses before
morning with or two exceptions, and no passengers could have behaved with more
quietness and decorum than they did the remainder of the passage after Eleven
AM on one of the finest unclouded days of the latter part of June, when all
seated in rows on the fore part of the Bow of the Boat, hardly a sound was
heard from them until we passed around the Flag Ship “Franklin” 74 lying off
Castle Garden when they rose up with three cheers that must have been heard at
the Astor House ___” ___” ___”
[in his own handwriting:
“These lines headed the Past Article
in the Original . . .”]
“We sow in tears; but let us
keep
Our faith in God, and trust
him still;
Yonder on harvest we shall
reap
Where gladness every heart
and mouth shall fill
Such joy is there
No mortal tongue its glory
can declare,
A joy that shall endure,
changeless + deep + pure
That shall be ours if here
the cross we bear.”
It was in the summer of 1846 during a hot spell in
August, when located with my family on the Hudson River, I propose to my wife a
visit of a few days to the seaside at Rockaway, we had suffered excessively
from the heat, the cool air seeming to confine itself to the river, which is
likely to be the case where the neighboring Banks are high, and in fact, rivers
are not very desirable places on whose banks cool air is to be sought.
[unintelligible words]
We left Bloomingdale in our
Carriage the 18th of August, and crossing East River and passing
through Jamaica a beautiful village of nursery and flower gardens in those days
(for who can forget Prince the Florist) arrived at Rockaway to a late dinner,
where we had the good fortune of meeting several of our New York friends and
acquaintances, amongst others Ogden Hoffman + wife, Dr. Francis and wife, The
Jays, and De Witt Clinton Moses H. Grimel, Leroy’s and Emmets, all persons of
note and high standing. Alas! Whilst writing this how changed appears
“Dear beauteous death! The
jewel of the just:
Shining no where but in the
dark,
What mysteries do lie beyond
thy dust?
Could man outlook that mark.”
During our sojourn there a most melancholy
loss of life occurred through carelessness on the part of bathers; a young lady
and a gentleman to whom she was betrothed, and the lady’s brother and wife, all
staying at a neighboring Hotel, went into bathe, and the undertow being very
great, and they venturing out too far, the lady was drowned, we met the brother
+ wife returning to Jamaica to bury her, and the ladies
account of the transaction
was most heart touching. It appeared that the ladies claimed knowing how to
swim (a dangerous accomplishment for ladies in such a place as Rockaway, where
the undertow at certain tides makes it perilous even for our sex) which led
them to venture out beyond their depth, and with garments like theirs no man
would buffet the surf. They became entangled in a swell lost their footing and
found difficulty in reaching the shore again. After a quarter of an hour’s
shrieking for help, nearly drowning her companion she sank to rise no more
alive. The brother addressing me in the most excited manner said, “For God’s,
Sir, don’t let your wife go in.”
I should feel very anxious I must confess, were I or my
family frequenters of Rockaway, for they say there is scarcely a season that
some one is not drowned, As a watering place I think it is very dangerous; and
in every respect, with the exception of the extent of view of the Ocean, far
inferior to Newport; nor has it of late been popular with the New Yorkers, who
are filling up Newport very fast, which bids fair to become the Brighton of
America. We returned to the Banks of the
Villa Scherer
On the
_________________
It was a beautiful fair day of the autumn
of 1853 that accompanied by my daughters and the two Miss Barlees; daughters of
my late esteemed pastor and friend that we ascended to the Pelerin over looking
Vevay and the Lake of Geneva, with the intention of a ramble and visit to the Villa
Scherer, magnificently located on its side, commanding a most extensive
view of Lake Leman and the range of Alps including the Dents due Midi with its
snow covered tops, the Mont Catone, Le tete Noir, St. Bernard + Mont Velan, in
front and on the left the range of the Bernese Alps the Des Moeles, Mt. des
Effeuilleusis, Mt. d’Avel, + Mont de Sonchaux overtopping Chillon + Hotel
Byron.
The reflection of these Mountains and the snow clad tops
of the Dents du midi, in the purple and dark blue waters of the Lake below,
presented a fairy scene; It afforded a most splendid exhibition of Alpine
Scenery, and the house itself of Modern build seemed to embrace all that one
could wish of elegance and comfort as regarded convenience, situation and
prospect, without a rival, with furniture of dark oak + walnut, Ottomans +
chairs of the newest fashion, curtains, and a Library containing some hundreds
of choice books, in fact everything to be found in a palace. This mansion was
built by a Mon. Scherer a native of the Canton of Aargan, a gentleman of ample
fortune, expressly for two daughters who had imbibed a strong partiality
for this particular Situation, he had spared no expense both on the grounds +
mansion to meet their wishes, he is said to have doted upon them his only
children, he resided there two years when both were taken from him in one
summer, he and his wife had fled the spot, and had not been there since. While
sitting in the Summer House and listening to this romantic, melancholy story
the splendour of the distant alps tinged by a glorious sunset, deeply stirred
me and brought some lines before me I had lately read.
“Mais j’aime mieux encore,
couche sur la verdure
Du haut du Pelerin, au
decline d’un beau jour,
Admirer du bleu lac l’elegante
cour lure,
Image de la lune au temps de
sou retour,
Et nose Monts itlant la
brililante ceinture,
Grie forme notre heureux sejour.”
In the grave yard of St
Martins are the following superscriptions upon two slabs.
Eliza = agee de 16 ans, et 9 mois,
“Souviers toi ton creature des les jours de la jeu neus
avant les jours mauvais viennent.”
Eccle. VII. I.
“Ju puis tout pas Christ qui
me fortifie.” Phil. IV. 13.
_______________________
“Le seigneur lui ouvit le cocur, afin qu’elle se rendit
attentive aux chases que Paul disait crois au Seigneur Jesus Christ et tu suras
sauve.” Acts 16. 14.
_______________________
Lines suggested by my visit
Upon a mountains rugged side
I clep’d the Pelerin;
There stands a mansion high
and wide,
Without a soul within.
_________
Its lofty dome, and gilded
halls,
Its terrace long, and broad;
Its groves of fir, and
spacious stalls
Bespeak the noble lord.
_________
Beneath in front
Its dark blue waters run,
Beyond, the
Tinged by the setting sun.
________
A noble sire, with daughters
two,
Bless’d with a mother’s care,
Had sought this spot so fair
in view,
To breath the mountain air.
________
And here he let his fancies
rove,
And all that wealth could
give,
He placed within this
spacious grove,
As though he ere should live.
________
His daughters two, both young
and fair,
The idols of his heart,
He twined around his breast
with care,
As though they n’er could
part.
________
Alas sad man! One summer’s
day,
No cloud was in the Heaven,
Death came and took them both
away
And that poor heart was
riven.
________
[in his own handwriting:
“to be omitted”]
In the several volumes of these Recollections I have made
mention of an English clergyman, myself and children had the pleasure of
meeting at Interlachen at the house of Piere Ober, our good landlord 1852 – The
Rev. Mourant Brook – who had been passing the winter at Nice – on
account of his health; being the only boarder besides ourselves we soon became
quite interested in him, finding him kind and attentive and sympathizing with
our recent affliction; he was a gentleman of polished manners, with a large
Parish at Bathe – England, which he had been obliged to leave in the Winter to
go South for a warmer climate’ after his return to England I received several
letters from him with a pressing invitation to visit him at Bath; and when I
passed through England two years after upon my return to my own country he
telegraphed me in London asking me with my children to pay him a visit at Bath
for which we had not time, having engaged our passage.
The previous year he had addressed me. I having notified
him of my intention of crossing the Alps and visiting
1853 April 28.
My Dear Friend,
It gave me much pleasure to see and read your
kind letter; as my heart was at first much drawn to you and your dear children,
so does it remain fixed. I take great interest in all that concerns you be
assured. But your letter also much disappoints me for I had hoped we should
have spent together some weeks, perhaps some months this summer: yes, for I
shall probably go the end of June to Thurm to take charge of the
I also quite agree with you as to the matter political –
viz – that
Mourant
Brook.
In reading over the last part
of this letter I cannot but call to mind the part England has taken since,
during our great and terrible civil war, She – the only one of all the nations,
the first to attempt to cripple and harass us, and acknowledge and aid our
rebellious brethren, with expressed hopes of breaking up our government, she
aiding the South with her ships against the North, whom she had abused so for
suffering Slavery.
I have inserted the above letter and reminiscence for the
purpose of transcribing a singular story of an adventure he communicated to me
of his having had been a young soldier of the French Army of occupation at
To save time in the narrative he gave me a copy of the
letter he had addressed to a friend Rear Admiral Hope C. R. on the subject, the
August previous; which letter is headed as on next leaf.
Pierre Perron.
A young French solider of the Army of occupation at
Or
A Rencoutre in the Catacombs
___________
You have heard from me with interest
the story of Pierre Perron the young French soldier of the Army of occupation
at
There we saw three French soldiers with one of these an
intelligent young man of about 23. I entered into conversation, when after a
time I found he had no more taste than myself for the abominations by which we
were surrounded, “Are you then” said I “a protestant?” “Yes sir” he replied “I
am a protestant.” And presently said “How strange sir, that so many of your
compatriots are going over to these delusion!” After
some further talk bidding adieu to the Frenchman we returned to our carriage
and proceeded on our way. On the right of the road leading to the Tomb, there
is, you will remember a church with Catacombs called St. Sebastian! There we
alighted viewed the Church, and while (having spoken for lights) we were
waiting to descend into these depths, the three French soldiers entered, I
again saluted them; and the young man with whom I had before conversed, who was
of an excellent address, begged permission to be allowed with his friends to
descend with us; this was readily granted.
The whole party headed by a Monk bearing a torch now
entered those dark and narrow labyrinths and there in those recesses, once the
refuge of the early Christians, the vaults of which had resounded the name and
gospel of Jesus, I was enabled again to repeat the sacred sound and to converse
with the young soldier concerning those deep and mysterious matters which lie
between God and man’s soul. For now I asked him touching what he had
experienced, of the work of the Holy Ghost within. “Have you” said I “proved
the power of Christ upon your soul?” he replied – “Sir! I have.” “For how
long?” “For the last seven years.” “Are you at peace?” “I am sir.” “Do you
believe that your sins are forgiven?” “Sir! I believe they are blotted out by
the blood of Jesus.” By such questions I
endeavored to prove whether he was a protestant indeed and whether he truly
knew Christ.
Again we emerged from darkness and once more the
Frenchmen with many thanks politely took their leave.
They had now left the Church but had not left
my mind in a composed state. I said to myself there is that young man to whom
you may be of service; he is alone probably; he is young in faith; aid him,
confirm him. But the “Old man” answered “your time is short in
A week had now elapsed and I had seen nothing of the
Frenchman. The next day I was going (as so I proposed for a fortnight) to
We conversed together. “Your
history” said I – “Sir!” he answered “I was born at Chalons-sur-Soane, and am
the son of a poor shoemaker – (Cordonier obscure.” I remember was the term he
used) There I became acquainted with an Evangelist from the Geneva Evangelical
Society, thorough whom I was brought to know the truth. I then went to
“Your position, said I, is
painful: for great is the change between the school at
Again I questioned him as to
his state, his individual acquaintance with Christ, pardon, peace, assurance,
to all which questions he returned ready and satisfactory answers; at the same
time expressing himself, though with confidence yet with great humility. I was
much struck with the man, and felt well convinced that he was one who had
experienced in his soul the power of the Gospel. It was in my chamber in the Via Gregoriana, that this
conversation took place. The period of our interview was short. “I will see
you” said I “if it be the will of God in a fortnights time on my return from
It pleased God at
The
morning after this conversation I left
On
entering into conversation with her, I mentioned Pierre Perron and my interview
with him. To my surprise she replied “Yes I have heard something of that young
man.” Great was my astonishment indeed, at hearing that this lady, form a
foreign Country too, should know anything of an obscure French soldier. “Yes”
said she “I know something of him, and presently I will introduce you to the
gentleman who has given me that information.”
Accordingly soon after, the door opened and M. Emile
Gautier, a Swiss gentleman was announced. In conversing with him he informed
me, that he was not personally acquainted with
This in the Baroness’s apartments,
at the Hotel of Parthenope the scheme for the young soldier’s restoration was
fairly set on foot, But now the three (I believe we were all before mutually
strangers to each other) the Hollander, Switzer + Briton were presently to
part, Madam Fagel soon left for Solemo, and then for Rome: M. Gautier for
Genoa, and on me the hand of the Lord was laid in illness. On my recovery early in May, I reached my
family at Nice; and thence when I was sufficiently strong to go North in June I
left for
It was on the Soane, ascending from
“Her son” said he “is my
intimate friend.” This gentleman was the Baron Dedel who now informed me of
what I did not know before – that Madam Fagel was in
It was not until ten days after this that I went to
I left with the understanding that while
the Baroness would kindly contribute her quota promised I would endeavor to
raise the rest of the sum required for his discharge among my friends in
September is the time when changes take place in the
French Army and before that time it would be necessary to lodge the money at
“We esteem and love him, and
all his character + conduct while in our school, as well as since he left it
leads us to hope that he will become a devoted and zealous servant of Christ in
the ministry.”
Landing at Chalons I soon found relatives who live near
Judge of my surprise! For what connection could I suppose
there to exist, between my relatives near
They had become acquainted with him but they had heard
nothing of him since he had entered the Army. We ourselves had never met but
once before, and that, fifteen years ago, and then I became, singularly indeed,
the bearer to them from
Such
my friend has been thus far, the result of what M. Merle D’Aubigny will calls
“Notre rencontre dans les Catacombs.”
In another month I have every
reason to hope that my earnest desire will be accomplished and that this young
man will by the grace of God, be put in a position hereafter to serve his
Country in the very best sense of the word.
And surely in all this one cannot but
observe in a manner the hand of God displayed in his providence. See how
constantly and in how brief a space of time this young man has been presented
to me. To say nothing of
Then see the connecting links of this providential chain,
which unites the beginning to the end. Unexpectedly I find myself at
I am
about to start for Naples, and there amongst its multitudes, natives and
strangers, literally the first gentleman I speak to is the one he has a few
days before addressed in Rome and this at the house of a lady, hitherto as I
believe, a stranger to both of us.
There the scheme of a Remplacant is started. Prevented
from going to
On
my way there I visit some relatives, they are acquainted with the young soldier
in whom I am so much interested. At
In a
little time a sum of money is lodged at
Such are the links of the
chain in the Divine Providence in this remarkable affair! Such the result of
the recontre in the Catacombs! Surely the hand of
Sig. Mourant Brock.
To Real Admiral Hope. C. B.
______________
The within Pierre Perron returned
to
in Y’ College there, when I
left Vevay in 1854.
______________
Birth Day.
“My times are in they hand!
Many or few my days.
I leave with thee – this only
pray,
That by thy grace I, every
day,
Devoting to thy praise,
May ready be,
To welcome thee;
When ‘ere thou com’st to set
my spirit free.
Mis erere mei,
Deus.
“Make me a clean heart, O God! And
renew a right spirit within
me.”
_______________________________________
March 12.
1869.
I enter my Seventy fifth year
this day grateful to God for his many mercies to me the past year, rendered
especially so, by his leaving me, when removing so many of my relatives,
friends and contemporaries.
(The concomitant of old age.)
______________________________
A new series of Wellingtons dispatches are
lately published containing criticisms on Napoleons retreat from Russia and
expressing astonishment in the Duke’s mind, that the Emperor after giving
battle first, did not divide his forces and retreat by different roads,
divesting his troops of all superfluous baggage. It surprises (if such were the criticisms of the Duke)
that he was not aware of the impossibility (according to Scotts History) of
bringing on a Battle with the Russians, they always retreating upon the advance
of the French and laying waste the Country before them, and as to superfluous
baggage a great number of the troops were frozen to death (according to Scott)
through the want of clothing at the commencement of their retreat; the winter
and cold weather setting in unusually early that year, foreshadowing Gods wrath
upon the invaders. The above
recalls to mind another anecdote of Wellington, besides that of the Cobman
narrated in these Vol’s which I cannot vouch for as true, but was one of the
many I heard in London during my residence there five or six years after the
Battle.
The Duke Alava the Spanish aid of the Duke at
Earl Stanhope in his life of
Pitt. 4th Vol. Chap. 42. Page 343. Says he once asked the Duke of
Wellington if anyone could be named who had been in the two greatest victories
of land and sea, fought within ten years of each other, - he told me he knew
only one, Gen. Alava who was on board the Spanish Flag Ship at Trafalgar and at
Waterloo.
___________________________
The Comet.
In reverting to my residence in the Old
Chateau on the
Vevay. Canton de Vaud
August 25th
1853
Chateau de la Tour.
After returning from my ramble with a
friend (on the Pelerin) to a late dinner, throwing open my casement, we were
greatly astonished at eight o’clock in the evening, by the sight of a
magnificent Comet directly over the Jura Mountains, the night was one of those
brilliant atmospheres which most generally follow (upon this Lake) a thunder
storm after severe hot weather, and who, (that has not seen this Lake, upon
such a night) can possibly with the most fertile imagination picture the
serenity of the scenery, the brightness of the stars, the solemnity of the
surrounding Alps, overshadowing the clear transparent water, reflecting the
lights of the Chalets (of the mountaineers) from the highest peaks. At nine
o’clock it disappeared sinking behind the Pelerin, in vicinity of Ouchy, and
tired after my mountain ramble, and with feelings subdued by this most magnificent
and heart touching display, of the glories of the Heavens I retired to my couch
deeply depressed recalling the sorrows of the past year.
_____________________
“The Star of the unconquered
will,
He rises in my breast.
Serene and resolute, and
still,
And calm, and self possessed.
______
Oh! faint not in a world like
this
And thou shalt known ere
long, --
Know how sublime a thing it
is
To suffer, and be strong.
______
Chatelard.
It was upon the thirtieth of March in
the year 1853 when just recovering from a long protracted sickness, that I
began again to repeat my daily walks in the vicinity and at the feet of the
Alps near Vevay, finding the morning air bland and inviting I extended my walk
this morning up to Chatelard, and was very much delighted. (I may say) awed, by
the majesty and splendor of the prospect from its terrace. I had no expectation
of finding such commanding scenery, such romance; and a building so ancient and
strong, and so well protected, the terrace commands a magnificent view of
Montreaux the Castle of Chillon, Hotel Byron + Villineaux with a part of the
opening of the Vallais at a distance, consisting of meadow lands, through which
the Rhone opens into y’ Lake directly under the Dents du Midi. On the other
side are many beautiful villas, Baron Rhoders, built for the Prince of Prussia,
of whom he is chamberlain: also a view of Vevay with the Juras beyond. A broad
carriage road winds around the Hill, making the ascent to the Castle
comparatively easy.
On a large square stone let
into the wall at the entrance of road is the following superscription. “La dame Barrone de Chatelard nee Cottam de
Dekersberg veuve de Noble et genereux Jonas Emanuel Bondeli du sonseil
Souverain de la public de Burn. Ancient
commandant et Balif D’arbourg Baron de Chatelard a fait par ses soins et ses
pais establir ce chemin dans ce lieu ou n’en etoit ancum u ‘y passage par
L’indication du célèbre Architect et ingenieur sons le direction due quell il a
tu construit les armes 1768 et 1769.”
Death by Drowning.
The question has often been discussed, what
death was the easiest, reflection calls to mind an incident in my early life
when at school in the Country residing with the Rev. Dr Prentiss of Medfield,
with several other lads fitting for College (now sixty five years ago) and all
but myself and one other deceased. Of a
warm summers afternoon we boys after school hours walked some one or two miles
to the bridge crossing the Charles River separating Medfield from Medway and
staying longer than necessary and perhaps somewhat heated by the walk, when
going into the water, one of our number fainted and was sinking for the last
time when we rescued him. I shall never forget his appearance when we laid his
apparently lifeless body on the grass, bloated + swollen a mile or more from
any house ignorant and greatly and greatly frightened, we knew not what to do
but in rubbing him, unintentionally, we turned him over on his face, which
suddenly relieved him and brought him to his senses and enabled us to get him
home.
He afterwards described to us
his sensations which I have never forgotten, he said that when sinking the last
time and all exertion one his part to save himself had ceased, he seemed to
have a delirium of Extreme happiness, the most pleasurable thoughts of the
past, unattended by the slightest pain, or unhappy sensation of any kind, but
when returning to life his sufferings were horrible, beyond description, and
created a shudder to think of . . .
The above recollection is
brought fresh to my mind by reading a similar case in the Biographical sketch
of the late Admiral Sir: - St. Beaufort (who died in 1857) and an account of
which he narrated as follows, “From the moment that all exertion had ceased –
which I imagine was the immediate consequence of suffocation, - a calm feeling
of the most perfect tranquility superseded the previous tumultuous sensations,
- it might be called apathy, certainly not resignation, for drowning no longer
appeared to be an evil, I no longer thought of being rescued, nor was I in any
bodily pain, on the contrary my sensations were now of rather a pleasurable
cast, partaking of that dull but contented sort of feelings, which precedes the
sleep produced by fatigue. Though the senses were thus deadened not so the
mind; its activity seemed to be invigorated in a ration which defies all
description, for thought rose above thought with a rapidity of succession that
is not only indescribable but probably inconceivable by anyone who has not
himself been in a similar situation. The course of those thoughts I can even
now retrace in great measure – The event which had just taken place – the
awkwardness that had produced it, the bustle it must have occasioned, (for I
had noticed two persons jump from the chains) The effect it would have on a
most affectionate father – the manner in which he would disclose it to the rest
of the family, and a thousand other circumstances minutely associated with
home, were the first series of reflections that occurred. They took then a wider
range – our late cruise, a former voyage and shipwreck – My school days, the
progress I had made there, and the time I had misspent – and even all my boyish
pursuits + adventures, The travelling backward, every past incident of my life,
seemed to glance across my recollection in retrograde succession, not however
in mere outline, as here stated, but the
picture filled up with every
minute and collateral feature. In short, the whole period of my existence
seemed to be placed before me in a kind of Panoramic Review and each act of it
seemed to be accompanied by a consciousness of right or wrong or by some
reflection on its cause or its consequences. Indeed many trifling events, which
had been long forgotten there crowded into my imagination and with the character
of recent familiarity the length of time that was occupied by this deluge of
ideas, or rather shortness of time, into which they were crowded I cannot now
state with precision, yet certainly two minutes could not have elapses from the
moment of suffocation to that of my being hauled up. My feelings while life was
returning were reverse in every point of those which have been described above,
a helpless anxiety a kind of continuous nightmare, seemed to press on every
sense – again – instead of being free from bodily pain as in my drowning state
I was now tortured by pain all over me.
I have often since been
wounded, on one occasion I was shot in the lungs and after laying on the deck
some hours, bleeding from other wounds I at length fainted. Now as I felt sure
that the wound in the lungs was mortal it will appear obvious that the
overwhelming sensation which accompanies fainting must have produced a perfect
conviction that I was then in the act of dying, yet nothing in the least then
took place resembling the operations of my mind when drowning.”
How strongly the above
description of feelings when drowning, recalls the teachings of the Bible, that
every thought word and action, shall be recorded and be accounted for, and made
manifest to us after death, instantly – when our past life shall be
closed. ________
July 24th 1869.
“My times are in thy hand!
I know not what a day
Or e’en an hour may bring to
me
But I am safe while trusting thee
Though all things fade away
All weakness I
On him rely
Who fixed the earth and
spread the starry sky.”
I know Lord that thy
judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Pslms – 75.
__________
I am just arisen from my bed
after a four weeks confinement by a painful operation and weakened by loss of
blood, but it has mercifully led to many serious thoughts and resolutions and
hopes of a better life and more gratitude in the future for God’s great mercy
heretofore.
__________
“My son despise not the
chastening of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked by him: for whom the
Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every one whom he receiveth.
Heb. 12 chap. 5+6 verses.
I know Lord that thy judgments are right and
that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Psalms
I have been confined to my bed and have lost
much strength from loss of Blood by an operation performed upon me, but by the
great mercy of God I still draw my breath and am convalescent . . .
“My times are in thy hands.”
Psm. 31.15
July 30th 1869
Cardinal Cheverus.
As
I go back and recall the days of my boyhood and the remembrance of the persons
and character of the inhabitants of Boston (with a population of not over
twenty thousand inhabitants at that period) it seems to me as if the French
refugees rise before me one after another as the ghosts before Richard III’s
tent, not that like him, I am conscious of any great guilt, but because the
French revolution made a great and deep impression on us boys of those days,
and Boston was the home of several of them, and of those I became acquainted
with (a boys acquaintance) were some who domesticated themselves with us, for
many years, some for life. I call to mind the personal appearance of several,
some more distinctly than others, with some I had a boys freedom and privilege
of association, with others their character and bearing impressed me with more
deference. Among the many I recall Julian who established a celebrated
Restaurant at the corner of Milk street and Congress Street, who was succeeded
by Rouillard his cook, there are a few gentlemen of those days living, who
cannot recall the comforts and pleasures of a good dinner in the Blue
Chamber in that establishment, when under the government of these
celebrated French cooks. Gentlemen often gave their dinners there, in
preference to their own houses, the Blue Chamber was for years the resort for
dinner of Washington Allston (who had his apartments in sister street) and
there his friends could always find him, summer and winter, between 6 + 7
previous to his removal to Cambridge, the Late Isaac P. Davis, Hon. T. H.
Perkins, Gardner Green, and others had their whist parties in the Blue Room;
and (in verito) Rouillard and Julian’s was the substitute for the Club Houses
of the present day. After their death and the house removed for stores, the
Stackpole House higher up in
But of a higher grade there were two who had been of rank
and of education in their own Country, and greatly esteemed, - Monseiur Revrand
who supported himself by giving French lessons among the first families in the
city – and one of whose pupils was a sister of the writer, who met him after
the restoration in Paris under the name of Jay, a member of the Chamber of
Deputies, his former name being an assumed one; the other was a Priest the Abbe
Chevrues who came to this country at the solicitation of the venerable Catholic
Priest – Martinguon who had been a professor at the Sarbonne whose acquaintance
he had made in Paris. This last highly esteemed Priest was unsupported in
Boston where he had been located by Bishop Carroll of Baltimore who at that
time was the only Catholic Bishop in the United State; Martiguon was somewhat
advanced in years and had fled from France at the execution of the King; being
of declining health besides advanced in years, he had sought the young
distinguished Abbe with whom he had been acquainted in France for an assistant,
with the approbation of Bishop Carroll.
It was a fortunate selection for Boston, for at the time I personally
knew the Abbe; some ten to twelve years after his arrival, (when he used to
invite me a boy into his church in a part of which he had his rooms) there was
not a more distinguished literary man, or greater scholar, or more popular
preacher, or more generally beloved man, in the city than himself, to see him,
and be in his company was no ordinary pleasure.
The Humility of his appearance his benignity of
countenance, the elasticity of his movements all impressed one with the
feelings of respect and admiration.
John Louis Anne Magdalen
Lefebore de Cheverus – was Born at Mayenne the Capitol of
Lower Maine in the year 1768, one hundred years since, and came to this Country
to escape the proscription of the clergy, after the Revolution; where he
arrived the 3d October 1796, and was received by the Abbe Martingnon , with
open arms, with whom he had been acquainted in France, when the latter was a
professor at Sarbonne. In the month of August 1792 the Abbee Cheverus had escaped
from France to England thus shortly before the massacres of the 2d + 3d of
September, of which he afterwards is said to have alluded by the exclamation
“How I could have wished a bullet to place me by the side of so many martyrs.”
The English government generously offered him such succor and assistance as it
was affording his fellow refugees at that time unjustly banished which he as
generously declined, in favor of those who possessed not equal means of support
with himself and with three hundred francs only, he commenced learning the
English Language, and at the end of three months, was enabled to give lessons
in French and Mathematics at a Boarding School, at which he became a teacher in
1793. there was a strong prejudice and antipathy to French Catholic Priests at
that time in England, arising from their extreme looseness of character and
degeneracy, previous to the Revolution, and it is a great proof of the sterling
worth of the Abbe Cheverus’ character that he was able as in America afterwards
to make those who were his worst enemies his warmest friends, he became shortly
well provided with all the necessities of life, many of which he denied himself
that he might assist his fellow countrymen: Having a class of pupils of that
grade, best able to advance him in his English he soon acquired a facility of
speech and knowledge (grammatically) which was of great use and importance to
him when he arrived in Boston. It has been so reported of him that so perfect
became his acquirements in both writing and reading the English Language, and
so high was the estimation of his character, for Christianity, that he thus
early obtained permission from the Bishop of London to perform all
ecclesiastical duties in his district, and finally was so successful in opening
a Chapel and an establishment for the ecclesiastics who should officiate in it
that the Catholic Bishop of London hearing of the apostolic zeal of Cheverus
went in person to consecrate it.
Resigning his position at the school he dedicated all of
his time to his Chapel and public usefulness in his ministry. It is written of
him that an English nobleman of high rank and great wealth, struck with the
great character he heard of him, engaged him to instruct his son in Algebra +
Geometry. His Lordship is said to have become greatly attached to him and have
made him advantageous offers for the rest of his life – but Chevereus’ great
ambition was to labor, not for the few but for the many, and no one particular
position could estrange him from his public duties; and the advantages and
pleasures of a life of ease he esteemed as unfit for a Christian who had
dedicated himself to Christ; and he began to pine for a wider field for
usefulness; and he thought that his services might be of more use elsewhere
than in England, which at that period was well supplied with Priests.
Expressing such thoughts to
the Bishop of London, he was answered that there were many Priests but a great
deficiency of Priests like him, and the wish that he would remain with him. In
the meantime the Bishop of Dol in France had appointed him his grand Vicar,
when the state of France should allow them to return – some time after these
attempts at changing his situation, the Abbe Martignon addressed a letter to
him from Boston in the United States representing his great need of an
assistant, not concealing from him the responsibility of the situation, in a
country filled with many different sects, all bitterly opposed to Papistry, and
a climate widely different from France + England but with all this depicting to
him the misfortunes of this neglected mission and the call for assistance, and
the fear of their losing their faith, also the savage tribes to whom the Gospel
might be carried.
This was an application of all others most
likely to arouse the sympathy, and stir the feelings of such a character as
Cheverus, and although not hastily or without mature consideration of the
sacrifice of friends + Country he was about abandoning he made up his mind that
his duty called him; and taking an affectionate leave of his English + French
friends + parishioners. After an amicable and friendly intercourse with a Cabin
of Protestants across the Atlantic, who at first it is said were inclined to
make fun of him, but eventually to love him, he arrived October 3d 1796 at
Boston, and was heartily received with open arms by his friend Martignon and to
the great satisfaction of Bishop Carroll the only Catholic Bishop in the United
States at that time.
Strongly attached to each other these noble men set
earnestly to work together upon the great enterprise of bringing to their faith
the population scattered over more than a hundred leagues of territory,
including some savage tribes of Indians of Penobscot + Passaniaquodoly: how
well and effectually Cheverus a young man, attended to this last duty, having made it a point to pass
from one to two months in the forests with them, eating + sleeping in their
Lodges; History has told and most every Massachusetts man of those times has
been made acquainted, indeed it is said that nowhere, neither in England or
America was there more deep sorrow + affection displayed towards him than when
he took leave of those tribes.
These two Catholic Priests worked together with such
perfect unanimity were so pure and evangelical that at first having been looked
upon, with contempt and distrust by the ruling population of Protestants they
soon became objects of respect + esteem and their society sought, by the first
gentleman of all sects of the town + this lasted until the death of one and the
recall of the other to France.
So elegant was Cheverus, that protestants as well as
Catholics crowded his church on every occasion and having heard him once were
desirous of hearing him again and this great popularity extended itself in a
measure, to the congregation of Catholics he presided over, being mostly of the
lowest class who were greatly benefitted in their character by his influence +
several instances are recalled to the writer where thefts, having been
committed by them, and the lawyers and police unable to ferret them out, he has
brought the criminals on their knees to the Court, and made them surrender the
goods: under such an influence the Catholics began to assume a higher
estimation in the city, than every before, and gradually to decrease that
bitter feelings that puritans had towards them on account of their religion.
The Catholics of Boston from that time to the present have by their general
demeanor and character shown how deeply they listened, and how greatly they
were improved by Cheverus’ early instructions, and of the religious societies
of
The promotion created no change in his humble style of
living, and his untiring attentions to Martignon suffered no diminution, only
in the performances in the church did he take the lead, his expenses were not
allowed to increase, farther than the office required, he went so far as to cut
his own wood, and his dress was of the simplest material economizing in
everything except alms when I recall the recollection I have of Bishop
Cheverus, at the period from 1813 to 1818 I cannot but think of him in his
humility; powerful, exhaustless love for his fellow beings, his charity and
endearing qualities as a human being, displaying the characteristics of our
Saviour more perceptibly than any man that it has been my privilege to have met
– with his successor Bishop Fenwick + Bishop Fitzpatrick both good and
respectable men I have had business transactions in the sale to them of land in
the southern part of our City but neither have left the impression on my memory
that Bishop Cheverus left indelibly fixed there.
In
1818 Bishop Cheverus met with a misfortune of losing his friend Martignon, from
that period he seemed for the first time in his life to yield to despondency
although surrounded by friends who cherished and appreciated him, but the
additional labor and responsibility and the deprivation of that friendly
counsil he was accustomed to, seemed to dishearten him, and with all an attack
of the asthma. Nothing however weakened his zeal for his
parishioners and he struggled along for a year or two attacked by a malady
which prevented his attending to his duties finally, and his physician
recommending a change of climate, as the only resource left to him. It was
about this time that the French Minister Mon. Hyde de Newville returning to
At Mayenne his native town he was received with great
rejoicing, ringing of bells, and turning out of military to escort him into the
city, and although an absentee of thirty years he appeared to have been greatly
appreciated by all classes of his countrymen. While he was enjoying his ease in
the bosom of his family, there were difficulties arising against his remaining
in France, it appeared that the Catholic Bishops of America had been appealing
to the Pope to send Cheverus back to America representing that his loss was too
great for the prosperity of the Church to bear, also there were doubts in
France with the courtiers of Louis 18th if after thirty years
expatriation he had not lost his citizenship and having been naturalized in
America, could hold a see in France. Their objections were all overcome by the
Bishops offering his resignation, with the wish of retiring into private life
to restore his health. The Pope sent him the necessary Bulls, and he proceeded forthwith
to Montauban where he was received with the same excitement, ringing of bells
+c. +c. as took place at Mayenne. Indeed wherever he went there appeared but
one feeling expressed towards him, that of love and veneration, both in
“Who among our religious teachers would
solicit a comparison between himself the devoted Cheverus? This good man whose
virtues and talents have now raised him to high dignities in church and state,
who now wears in his own Country the joint honors of an Archbishop, and a peer,
lived in the midst of us, devoting his days and nights and his whole heart to
the service of a poor and uneducated congregation, we saw him in a great
degree, declining the society of the cultivated and refined, that he might be
the friend of the ignorant and friendless; leaving the circles of polished life
which he would have graced, for the meanest hovels; bearing with a father’s
interest and sympathy the burdens + sorrows of his large spiritual family;
changing himself alike with their temporal and spiritual concerns. And never
discovering by the faintest indication that he felt his fine mind degraded by
this seemingly humble office.
This good man bent on his errands of mercy, was seen in
our streets under the most burning sun of summer and the fiercest storms of
winter, as if armed against the elements by the power of charity, he has left
us but not to be forgotten.
He enjoys amongst us what to such a man must be dearer
than fame. His name is cherished where the great of this world is unknown it is
pronounced with blessings, with grateful tears, with sighs for his return in
many an abode of sorrow and want.”
I was and had been a resident
in London for two years, when Cheverus returned to France, and recall to mind
the excitement the account of his shipwreck occasioned us Americans then
resident there and it was my privilege the next year (being in Paris0 to
receive a visit from him (at my hotel the Mont Morenci in Rue Richileu) with a
very kind and impressive invitation to accompany him and pass some time at
Montoban with him; recalling in the most feeling manner the kindness he had
been the recipient of in Boston from its inhabitants amongst others my father +
family – he had come up to Paris according to custom, to pay his annual visit
to the King, I regretted greatly afterwards that the fortnight which we, the
fellow passengers of Genl Lafayette passed at Havre expecting him daily, had
not been passed with Bishop Cheverus at Montoban.
In the natural course of events it followed, that a
prelate of so much distinguished (for spread) fame; could not have remained,
long uncalled to a higher preferment. In the short space of two years the
Archbishop of Bordeaux died; the Bishop of Montaban was raised to the
Metropolitan see of
When the suburbs of Montaban were flooded by the over
flowing of the Banks of the River Yarm which rendered homeless hundreds of the
poorest class of its inhabitants an act which has not its equal in the
History of the French Nation is ascribed to him, appearing in the midst of them
he exclaimed! Come! My children the Episcopal palace is yours! Come all of you
– I will share with you my last morsel; and filling his palace with hundreds of
them, whom he clothed and fed and sent back the necessary assistance when the
waters had subsided, he himself retreated to a small cot in the Attic; such
acts as these spoke loudly through all France and reaching the ears of Charles
the 10th went far to suggest his promotion.
He entered
Now what a transition this, in the short space of
three summers, from the little, plain, Catholic Church in Franklin Place Boston
surrounded by and associating with the lowest class of Irish (for of none other
at that time was his church composed) to the splendid Cathedral of Bordeaux the
second most important City of France. A peer of France himself and in company
of some of the highest dignitaries of the Church + Army all assembled to do him
Honor and nevertheless it is related of him that he declined and shunned all
this pomp and show, and sighed for his humble cot and little church in Franklin
Place. To such a character as Cheverus so full of love for his fellow beings so
elevated in his daily thoughts of the world above, how vain, idle, transitory
all of this show must have been; arrived at this time to an age (58) when
habits are not easily changed the change from a life of comparative seclusion,
passed in daily prayer, self denial, and acts of charity (in the little city of
Boston, at that period) to the large and populous city of Bordeaux must have
necessarily brought with it many conflicting emotions.
The Archbishop was highly esteemed by the King, and during
his visits to Paris, to be present in the House of Peers, he several times had
members of the Royal family to hear him preach, seldom being in Paris without
having many applications from charitable institutions to preach for them.
He had always been a great friend while in America to the
Jesuits who had fled there during the Revolution and his friendship continued
upon his return to France and shortly after his removal to Bordeaux, his
feelings were much disturbed by the violent complaints and hostility exhibited
in the public prints and the legislative assemblies against them, and finally
the sacrifice of them by Charles 10th. The loss of them in his
diocese where they had been of great service deeply afflicted him, as it did
all the Bishops, Archbishops and clergy of
Charles the 10th however never lost in his
friendship or expression of it to Cheverus, but offered him the post of
minister of ecclesiastical affairs, which the Archbishop declined, he was
appointed a councellor of state and in 1830 he was named in common with the
Archbishop of Paris, commander of the order of the Holy Ghost, the highest
title a King could confer. The Archbishop instead of being elated with these
honors, seemed to be oppressed by them, as in his own estimation, unworthy of
them, and with the greatest humility had resisted the reception of them, but
was overruled by his great loyalty to the Government, which was at this moment
resting upon a precipice as following events soon showed. After the revolution
which placed Louis Phillipe upon the throne and expelled the peers of the
former government so universally, respected and beloved was Cheverus that the
intentions of the new government were intimated to him that they intended
restoring him to the peerage, requiring him in the councils at Paris
which with many remonstrances drew form him the following declaration,
published in the Paris Journals,
“Without approving the exclusion of the peers (pronounced
against them) created by Charles 10th I am rejoiced to find myself
out of the political path, and have taken a firm resolution never to reenter
it, never to accept either function or place, I will preach submission to the
Government I will set the example and my clergy and myself will never cease to
pray in conjunction with our people for the welfare of our beloved country. I
feel myself more and more attached to the people of
+ John
Archbishop of
His charity was boundless not confined to any one
particular class of people but to all within his reach of all color, sect and
religion. Protestants as well as Catholics; and his motto was,
“Love ye one another as I loved you.”
It appeared from documents,
left after Charles the Tenth’s expulsion + death, that he had applied to the
Pope for a Cardinals Hat for Cheverus.
Shortly after, returning form the installment of one of
his vicars, M. De Trellisae Bishop of Montaban in 1834 he was greatly
distressed + overcome by being informed of the death of his other grand Vicar M
Carle a most exemplary old man, the suddenness of the communication made to
him, deeply affected him and brought on a few days after an attack of apoplexy
when alone from which he recovered and endeavored to conceal from his friends,
he himself was not alarmed or saddened but he considered it an enunciation of
his approaching death a warning to be prepared.
A
very touching incident of his life about this time is stated of him, which
brings to mind singular addresses made to his congregations, by Rev. Mr. Taylor
commonly called Father Taylor of the Seamens Chapel Boston.
A rich and powerful man of
rank obtained his promise to baptize his child, to his great disinclination to
do for one what he could not do for all, while performing the service
surrounded by the rich relatives, his eye caught in the distant part of the
Cathedral – a poor woman, with her infant, and poor relatives waiting humbly at
a distance until she could be permitted to approach the font – reflecting how
painful must be their feelings, by the spectacle of the honors upon the rich
mans child, whilst theirs was neglected, turning he directed them to draw near,
telling them he wished to baptize the unadorned baby as well as the one loaded
with ornament -
after the baptism he
addressed some touching words, to both the rich and the poor parents; “These
two children” he said “are equally great in the sight of God, both are destined
to the same glory in Eternity, though reached by different paths, the rich one
by charity, the poor one by an humble and laborious life, Heaven will be open
to him, who suffers, because he will have been patient, to him who gives alms
because he will have been compassionate, the virtue of the one, will consist,
in being generous, that of the other in being grateful – both must begin from
this very day to fulfill their destiny, the poor child cannot indeed yet ask,
and his heart is yet incapable of gratitude, but I will be his interpreter I
will undertake to be grateful for all the good you may do him -
the rich child cannot yet
give and hi heart cannot yet be touched by generosity, but you, he continued,
turning to the numerous brilliant assemblage, by whom the infant was
surrounded, you are his representatives you should be charitable and generous
for him, the alms you may now bestow will be the greatest proof of tenderness
you can give him, they will sanctify his entrance into life and be blessed by
the God who does not call himself in vain the father of the poor.”
“He
then made a collection for the poor to which every one of the wealthy
assemblage pressed forward to contribute deeply affected by the words of the
Archbishop.”
“The poor family leaving with tears of
happiness and gratitude.”
It was somewhere in the year 1835 that Louis Phillipe
applied to the Pope for a Cardinals Hat for the Archbishop as being the most
distinguished and universally beloved prelate in France an answer to which, the
sovereign Pontiff delayed for a time, to induce the government, to provide for
the office a revenue in keeping with his dignity, and a short time afterwards
he announced to the Vicar general of Bordeaux, that the Archbishop was to be
proclaimed a Cardinal of the next consistory – saying “If I raise him to that
dignity, it is not only to comply with the request for the government;
independently of that circumstance I have a peculiar pleasure in making the promotion
as it is due to the virtues and merits of the Archbishop and the zeal he has
displayed, in the dioceses of Boston, Montaban and Bordeaux.
The ninth of March 1836 the Archbishop was received at
the Tuilleries by the King – who placed the hat upon his head, both kneeling
down in the Sanctuary.
Afterwards at a private audience given by the King – his
Eminence thought the moment auspicious for soliciting of the King the release
of M. de Peyronnel and his companions which it does not appear that Louis Phillipe
granted at that time,
In the midst of all these honors Cheverus continued to be
sad, “of what use is it,” he said, “to be enveloped after death in a red, a
black, or a purple shroud? When one has seen thrones overturned, the very
foundations of society shaken, how is it possible not to feel; that there is
nothing stable here below? How can any value be placed upon human things?” “How
I could wish” he said, to the young seminarians of St. Sulpice, “How I could
wish to exchange this red cape, for yours.”
Alas! How short was the remainder of life allowed him, on
the fourteenth of July at 5 o’clock in the morning he was deprived of all sense
and feeling by a stroke of paralysis, and died on the 19th of July
1836, the day being that on which the church celebrates the feast of St.
Vincent de Paul, whose virtues he so nearly resembled.
He was with all his great popularity and
honors, the humblest of all human being he placed himself in his own esteem,
above no one, not even the lowliest and poorest, because as he said “they are
our brethren. Our fellow creatures, and perhaps many of them will one day be
higher than we shall be in the sight of God.”
Whilst writing this short
memoir which I have collected from personal remembrances, and notices I have read
and heard of Cheverus, both in this country and in
It is some fifteen feet in height including the figure
and ten feet at the base, with cherubs on each side and upon the Base is
superscribed
_________________________
EM JOANNI.
CARDINAL.
BURDICE ARCHIPISCOPO.
NAT. MDCCIXVIII.
O.B. MDCCCXXXVI.
____________________________________
[next to the fourth and fifth lines is written in
pencil the years 1768 and 1836, and the number 68, showing Mason to have
calculated his age to be 68]
The Cardinal is said to have remarked, “that of all
compositions, a sermon, is the one which should be the clearest not
excepting our familiar letters and conversation; because in the former, a
second perusal may explain the sense of an obscure passage; and in the latter
explanations may be asked, of what is not understood. Whilst in a sermon
everything must be comprehended at once, because custom and propriety will not
allow explanations to be asked of the preacher.”
_____________________________
[again the page is marked in pencil:
1836
1768
68 ]
[The final two pages are written in different
handwriting and much later.]
I am at the
Hotel Bristol left Entirely alone without
a relative or [illegible word] in the city to whom I could apply, in case I am
taken sick (first time in my life, so situated to my recollection) all of the
Boarders having left or going for the summer including the caterer also,
obliging me in my eighty seventh year to depend upon the Brunswick for my
dinner [illegible word] and female attendants, all of which occasions me fears
of being confined to my bed so situated, having been kept in doors during the
past month cold as it has been, with an inflamed face + nose and feelings
somewhat better this afternoon. I took a cab and road to 33 Chestnut street to
hail [?] my nephew + family who arrived last evening in the Atlas for Europe
and was sadly disappointed to find they had left the ship at East Boston for
their Country seat at Milton, I took the the occasion to walk round Louisbourgh
Square where I resided twelve years and all of my six children were born three
of whom are now in their graves, the growth of the square [illegible words] and
spread of trees all awakened recollections of the past, my homely feelings them
+ failing of them now altogether greatly stirred me, the summer deserted
appearance of the square added to excitability recalling those who are not, but
then were my companions, I retraced my steps homewards repeating “Be still my
soul these anxious cares to this are burdens thorns + [illegible word].
Consider all the trials [illegible words] for heaven will make amends for all.”
God is my shepherd, I shall not want, he maketh me to lie down in green
pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters, he restoreth my soul, though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art
with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
[The End]