The Eve of All-Hallows Volume Ii Part 14

"Already we have visited every place worthy of been seen, have viewed every object of curiosity: museums, libraries, cabinets, galleries, and collections of paintings: have inspected palaces, monasteries, churches, and cathedrals, where are to be seen many fine paintings of the first cla.s.s of excellence. Yesterday we visited the royal academy of paintings, and in the chamber where the professors a.s.semble, is placed the memorable chair that had once belonged to 'the prince of painters,' to the great and unequalled Rubens; it is formed of carved wood, surmounted with lions' heads, and covered with red Morocco leather, with the initials of his ill.u.s.trious name, and his armorial bearings placed on the back of it. My enthusiastic Adelaide fairly enthroned herself therein, and there she sat, and would still have sat, and how long the genii of poesy and painting can only tell, until I had to give my dear daughter a most maternal tap upon the shoulder to admonish that we were waiting for her.

"Next we visited the altar and tomb of Rubens, which is placed in the church of Saint James; here my enwrapt enthusiastic Adelaide was so delighted, that I really expected every moment to see her doff her sandals, and, bare-kneed, advance a pilgrim of genius to do homage at the shrine of this mighty man. The tomb and altar are highly and richly decorated with marble. A splendid painting from his own inimitable pencil adorns the altar, which forms the central compartment; it represents the infant Saviour placed on the knees of his mother; Saint Jerome is stationed on the right of the Virgin; two female figures, which are portraits of the two wives of Rubens, Elizabeth Brants and Helena Forman, are placed before the princ.i.p.al figure, which represents the painter himself in armour, personifying Saint George; the dragon, pierced to death, lies at his feet, while, with much dignity and the triumph of victory, he holds erect to heaven his triumphant banner. In a niche, crowning the monument, is placed a marble statue of the Virgin, looking up in the ardent act of devotion, and holding with fervour to her breast a crucifix. This famous statue was sculptured by Francis Flamand, and brought from Rome by Rubens himself; it is a work of great excellence, but placed quite too high for the eye sufficiently to appreciate its superior merit.

"But, my dear friend, were I to dwell upon and detail all the various and excellent specimens of the works of art to be witnessed in this ancient and venerable city, I should fill volumes, and weary you to death. A few more 'last words'

concerning Rubens, and I have done.

"To-day we visited the site of the palace which had belonged to this most distinguished and accomplished character. The palace no more exists, but some few shattered arches and architectural remains in his garden are still to be seen, and upon these we gazed, as on holy relics, with awe and respect.

"This prince of painters was a learned scholar, artist, politician, and a finished gentleman; enn.o.bled by genius, birth, and rank, this distinguished man was selected as the amba.s.sador of renowned kings, and decorated by them with honours, well and deservedly bestowed; he returned at the conclusion of his emba.s.sy to his native land. His education had been liberal, and his erudition was great, he could fluently speak six different languages; his manners, habits, and modes of life, were those of a prince. His admiration of men of talent was as unbounded as was his generosity manifested to them;--his friends.h.i.+p for the great Vand.y.k.e is well known.

"This poor tribute I could not but pay to the ill.u.s.trious Rubens, whose virtues and whose genius must ever elicit the praise and the admiration of this and every succeeding age!

"I had the pleasure to receive your very kind and friendly letter from Bath, but grieve to find that the good bishop has had so severe a visitation from his old inveterate tormentor, the gout; however, I trust that the healing waters and springs of Baiae may fully aid his recovery, and renovate his health.

"You must know that my Adelaide has received proposals in marriage from no less than three personages: from the eldest son of the Earl of Aylesbury, which she instantly very properly declined, for he was a prating c.o.xcomb, a painted popinjay. The next matrimonial proposition came from the Duke d'Aremberg, a most amiable young n.o.bleman, an alliance, in every respect, 'most devoutly' to be wished for, and gladly accepted. But so thought not Adelaide. Her father and I, without forcing her inclinations, were most desirous that this union should take place; we considered his elevated rank, the first duke in Brabant, his lordly fortune, his great personal worth, added to his numerous accomplishments. But strange and unaccountable to relate, without hesitation, my Adelaide refused him! The third matrimonial proposal came from 'the knight of Chester walls,' '_le chevalier inconnu_,' but now well known as Sir David Bruce, a baronet of Nova-Scotia; and which offer, it appears, was most graciously accepted by Adelaide, but under correction and approbation of her parents. Which said match is most likely never to be accomplished, inasmuch that the Duke of Tyrconnel has solemnly declared, that until his attainder is rescinded, and a free and unqualified permission given him by the higher powers to return to his native country and his paternal towers, he is determined never to give his a.s.sent to the union of Sir David Bruce with the Lady Adelaide. Thus I fear that the lovers have placed themselves in a very awkward and distressing predicament, as no two events can possibly be more distant, and hardly ever expected to be attainable!

"It is impossible that I should not look up with the highest respect to the character and the n.o.ble qualities of the Duke of Tyrconnel, the unshaken friend of his sovereign, whether seated on his throne, or an exile from his realms; uncorrupted by prosperity, unshaken and unchanged by adversity; comporting himself with that equanimity of temper, that what Horace[49] says of Aristippus would apply to him--one whom every change, whom every station, and every event became!

[49] "Omnis Aristippum, decuit color, et status et res."--HORACE.

"How days, and months, and years, my friend, advance, proceed, and are gone like the track of an arrow through the buoyant air, or a keel cutting its foaming course through the vasty deep! Alas, my dear,

'We take no note of time but by its loss.'

Seven years have pa.s.sed by since our sojourn in Brabant--sad and solitary;--oh no, I cannot be so wicked--so ungrateful, as to a.s.sert it has been; that portion of time having fled in the happy home of my beloved Lord, and along with my _alter idem_, my second self, as Cicero expresses it, my adored Adelaide. Oh, unjust indeed I should be to complain; however, I may confess, _en pa.s.sant_, that the climate of Brussels is somewhat humid, especially during the autumnal months; and the society somewhat _triste_, with a notable lack of public amus.e.m.e.nts; but believe me I truly feel no loss in the deprivation of the latter. Oh, my friend, once more freely to breathe my native mountain air!--once more to reach the verdant isle, and again to inhabit the towers of Tyrconnel! then were my Adelaide suitably mated and matched, my sum of human happiness would be consummated. We purpose staying here a few days longer, and then set out on our return, by land, to our mansion in the _Rue Ducale_ at Brussels.

"I know well, my dear and kind friend, how warmly interested you and the good bishop are in every thing regarding or connected with our interest and happiness, and whenever I can write to you upon the subject, although poor exiles as we are, I feel not very sanguine in my hopes of having cause of speedily so doing; yet should a change in our fortunes occur, write I shall a.s.suredly--you may depend upon it!

"Having now, I fear, fairly tormented you with this long and tiresome epistle, I shall not add another word but what I know you will readily believe, which is, that wherever I am, wherever I go, be a.s.sured that I remain

Your constant and truly Affectionate Friend, (_Signed_) KATHERINE TYRCONNEL."

"P.S.--The duke, Adelaide, and my sisters, desire their kindest remembrance to you and your excellent prelate."

CHAPTER XII.

Sweet are the uses of adversity; Which, like the toad, ugly and venemous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head: And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in every thing.

AS YOU LIKE IT.

The Duke of Tyrconnel and his family, and particularly the lovely Adelaide, were delighted with the tranquillity of Brussels, and often, accompanied by Sir David Bruce, they gladly sojourned at the ancient chateau of Tervuren, about three leagues distant from Brussels, and situated in the forest of Soignies, where a cold collation was frequently prepared for them, and which they not only seemed to relish, but were happier in its enjoyment than although it had been served to them on golden plate in palaces of kings.

Upon one of these pleasant excursions the duke, who was riding next Sir Patricius Placebo, while pa.s.sing through the forest his Grace said: "I never, Sir Patricius, felt so happy--so far, at least, as regards my own personal feelings--as now I do, and always feel upon these our little expeditions, if I could forget--if indeed I ever could forget that my royal master is an exile from his dominions! Save this consideration, I repine not for myself, nor would I exchange social leisure and rural retirement for all the pomp of camps and courts, and power political."

"I fully concur," rejoined Sir Patricius, "in your Grace's sentiments, and in the words of a true AMICUS I may thus reply:--

"I would not change it: happy is your Grace That can translate the stubbornness of fortune Into so quiet and so sweet a style."

The duke now rode up to the side of the carriage to make some observations to the d.u.c.h.ess, when Sir David said:--

"I think, nevertheless, good Sir Patricius, with old truth-telling Persius,

'At pulchrum est digito monstrari, et dicier HIC EST!'

that it could not surely have been altogether so very disagreeable to be pointed out as a distinguished person of rank, who was respected by the mult.i.tude, and one every way so deserving of it; and to hear their hoa.r.s.e, but gladdened voices exclaim, 'make way there! room, room for the duke!"

"Certainly, Sir David, I entirely concur in this opinion with you; for methinks my good and kind master is somewhat too soon disposed to retire from this most wicked, sinister, and abominable world, and to be as sick, forsooth, of pomp and praise as ever _Henri Quatre_ was of a partridge!"

The pleasure party for Tervuren Castle and park was thus arranged:--The duke, Sir Patricius, and Sir David, were on horseback, and led the van.

Then followed one of the duke's carriages, with outriders, in which were the duke's sisters, the Ladies Let.i.tia and Lucy, accompanied by two grand nieces of the d.u.c.h.ess Dowager d'Aremberg. Then came on another coach of the duke's, in which were seated the d.u.c.h.ess and Lady Adelaide.

Footmen, mounted, closed the cavalcade. The Duke d'Aremberg had been invited to the collation; but it appeared that he was gone into Holland, on a visit at the Hague, for which he had immediately departed, upon his proposals having been rejected by the Lady Adelaide.

The ancient chateau of Tervuren[50] had been built by the dukes of Brabant. It was situated in the forest of Soignies, and distant two leagues and a half from Brussels. It was remarkable for its antiquity, and all that sombrous magnificence which pertained to those castles, whose foundations were laid in the days of chivalry. It was circ.u.mvallated by a deep and extensive fosse, broad and deep enough almost indeed to be dignified with the name of lake. Four several draw-bridges connected the castle with the park, and pleasure-boats were stationed on the water. Here too was seen, sailing majestically along, the mild and gentle swan, the peaceful king of water birds, guarding his watery realm in tranquil peace, unawed by the bird of Jove, with whom he dares to combat, and even to conquer, although seeking not the conflict.[51]

[50] This ancient castle was destroyed in 1784.

[51] See Buffon, vol. IX. p. 1.

Indeed the swans const.i.tuted the chief ornament of the artificial lakes that were dispersed through the park and pleasure-grounds, and besides animated and adorned the gloomy fosse that sullenly surrounded Tervuren Castle.

The grand saloon of this once royal residence was of an extraordinary size and dimensions. The ceiling and wainscot were formed of rich and beautifully carved oak, which attracted much admiration. There were also two other state apartments, the walls of which were decorated with tapestry from designs of Rubens and the younger Teniers. And exclusive of these three large state apartments, this once royal chateau could boast of no other internal splendour or decoration. The park, however, was fine, crowned with lofty woods, and the pleasure grounds adorned with the united efforts of taste and art, which failed not to yield delight to the spectator. Here, during the summer months, the duke and d.u.c.h.ess and family, with parties of their friends, frequently visited; and having partaken of a cold dinner previously prepared, have strolled forth in the calm of evening, and lingered until a late hour amid the groves and pleasure grounds, listening with much delight to the warbling of the nightingale.

The entertainment given this day was at the sole expense of Sir Patricius Placebo, who felt exceedingly gratified thereat, as he expressed himself, for the permission thus granted him by his n.o.ble patron, and said:

"Accredit me, n.o.ble Sir, under your sage decidement, I flatter myself that this day's entertainment will sufficiently prove that there are those living who fully understand the _scavoir vivre_--ay, critically well as ever Lucullus or Apicius did; for, ahem,

DOSS MOI TANE STIGMEN!

as doubtless, when the important hour of dinner arrives, I trust that your Grace will be free to----But _tempus et hora_--let the time and season tell! I shall not boast too soon, but leave it to your Grace's discreet arbitrament! That will be, my Lord, the _tempus opportunum_ perfectly to ill.u.s.trate _the n.o.ble theory of luxury_! at which methinks your Grace shall marvel much."

"For me to dissent," rejoined the duke, "my good Sir Patricius, from the two high authorities whom you have cited, would be somewhat too like Diogenes, surrounded with suns.h.i.+ne, yet growling in his tub; and treason prepense _certes_ against the n.o.ble culinary art!--besides ingrat.i.tude to mine honoured host of Tervuren!

"I know full well that Apicius Caelius, whom you quote as an authority, Sir Patricius, wrote a learned essay, _de Arte Coquinaria_--a treatise on the culinary art; and that he may well be considered as the _Pontifex maximus Epicuri_. But respecting and regarding the great Lucullus, whose distinction arose from a higher flight than a mere knowledge of the culinary art, I must observe, _en pa.s.sant_, that I flatter myself I do somewhat resemble that great character, namely, in my fondness for retirement, which I only regret I had not sooner cultivated, as it would have placed me above the reach of ambition, and beyond the pangs of care!

"Indeed had I been born in Belgium, I am tolerably certain that my past life, instead of being occupied and engrossed in the turmoil of courts and camps, would tranquilly have pa.s.sed over in pastoral seclusion; for man, Sir Patricius, say what we may,

'Proud man! though dressed in little brief authority,'

is after all but at best the poor and pa.s.sive creature of time, place, period, and circ.u.mstance!--and, under this firm conviction, I know I should have wielded the shepherd's crook, and not the marshal's truncheon!"

"My Lord Duke, there is no gainsaying your Grace's _dictum_, which, in sooth, is fully ill.u.s.trated by the beautiful lines of gentle Master Waller:--

'Great Julius on the mountains bred, His flocks, perhaps, or herds had led; And he who subdued the world had been But the best wrestler on the green!'"