Imagens da página
PDF
ePub

Anthony Greggams, said Murray, and my friend here, from the country, is called Splash! Good night,---Our compliments to your Master, he shall see us to-morrow, let him get out at least three bottles of his best wine for us; perhaps half a dozen, for we shall bring two or three friends, so don't forget the wine-port or sherry. Good night---best respects to your master---Come along Splash." Then he would pretend to be more tipsey than he really was and staggering drag me onward. By and bye he would knock at several doors---which quickly opened "Is your Master at home?" "No, sir, but he soon will be, I am sitting up for him, expect him every moment. Pray gentlemen walk in and sit down until my Master comes," "No, no; we shall see himto-morrow; only tell him we called and left our compliments---Mr. Splutterman's compliments." "Oh sir, you are joking! said one servant, I knew your voice, Mr. Murray, before you knocked at the door, and that was the reason I was prepared to open it so quickly; your name is not Splutterman...” Well," replied Charles, "who said it was? But I hope you don't pretend to know this gentleman's name better than he knows it himself! Why don't you speak to this young man, friend Splutterman? Tell him who you are, and that your wife, Mrs. Splutterman, is a distant relation,--a cozen of his; once the most respectable owner of half the houses in this street!" "Ay, ay," said I "we'll talk of all these things to-morrow: tis too late to night; so come along my good fellow: let us go home to bed." "Ay, ay, to bed-Remember, John, cozen Sputter's best respects." After saying this, I lugged Charles

66

away, and got him home as soon as I possibly could, for I was afraid he would be knocking at half the doors he passed.

We had previously formed a party for the next nonplay day, to visit a pleasant spot a little beyond Clifton : two or three ladies belonging to the Theatre were to accompany us, and Mrs. Lee too, if her health would permit, had expressed her intention of going; so had Mr. Biggs at length the time came, and we departed. When we were passing Montague Tavern, I asked one of the ladies, who had often played Juliet, whether she would not halt to pay her respects to her friends and relations---the house of Montague! The ladies laughed, but walked on: Mr. Murray, Mr. Biggs and myself, went in and ordered three glasses of punch, which were quickly made, flavored with Limes, it was indeed of most delicious taste. We then looked at about a dozen fine Turtle, which had not been long imported, and were kept in large tubs of water. We agreed to have a kind of Turtle-feast on some leisure day; but alas, the day never came. A friend of mine a short time afterwards, sent me, from that house, as a present, about two quarts of fine Turtle-so ip, whilst I was residing at the city of Wells. We rejoined the ladies, and reached the stated spot, where we were all to drink tea : there is certainly something very pleasant in a tea-party of this kind; while the season remains mild and the spot is in any degree rural, or romantic.

I have already said that these pages will be quite desultory. In pursuance of the statement I now cross the seas in pursuit of adventure. Take the following unconnected anecdotes

On our first going to Guernsey, which, by the bye, was through the influence of a letter from the Duke of Clarence to General Small the governor of the Island: I believe they had known each other, some where in the Atlantic, when the Prince first went into the Navy and the General was serving in America, at the conclusion of the American war. As mentioned in another part of these pages, the General was very partial to the Theatre; indeed he patronized every thing that was liberal.

At the time I am speaking of; now more than thirty years since, Guernsey was quite another place to what it is at present: I allude here chiefly to the narrow lanes and roads in all parts of the Island. There was little travelling except on horseback! By the bye, the country females, coming to market, or riding out for pleasure, used to sit astride their horses, after the fashion of men! nor did it appear so awkward as may be supposed. The stirrup leathers, were very short and their petticoats generally reached below their shoes! I frequently used to ride out with Mrs. Lee, (for we had horses from the Governor whenever we wanted them.) But the roads were so narrow in some places that we were frequently obliged to draw up to let those pass whom we met. I do not recollect ever seeing a gig, or a gentleman's carriage of any kind, during the whole of the time I was on the Island; nor did I ever. see any other vehicles, on more than two wheels. But now I understand that the old roads, are greatly widened and many new ones made, and the modes of conveyance of every kind consequently much improved.

At Jersey even then there were better roads, and many genteel conveyances. At low water there was a beautiful ride over the sands, from St. Hilliers to St. Aubin's, and different parties were often to be seen riding about, both in close carriages and gigs, as well as on horseback.

One part of the Island of Jersey is very level and planted out into small fields, with trees of some kind in the hedge-rows, or the whole field covered with apple trees. The roads are pretty good in the summer, but the lanes so intersect each other, or are so much alike, and so numerous, that there is some difficulty in finding your way from one part of the Island to another! There are few persons, even natives, who can be sure of going the nearest way to a spot five miles off, and be certain of coming the same road back again! at least this was the case thirty years ago; whether it is so now, I cannot say. I am speaking of the period during what was called the Choan war. There was a constant communication, chiefly by night, between Jersey and the coast of France.

The most common dress the Choans wore, at least, when in Jersey, was a very dark grey coat, with long skirts in the French style, and a broad leathern belt: in this belt they generally carried a brace of pistols; to each pistol there was attached a bayonet about eight or ten inches in length, which lay upon or beside the ram-rod, but, on pushing the bayonet forward, it was fastened by a spring, and made a very formidable weapon indeed.

I knew two sea-faring Captains who were employed

by the Choans in taking them forward and backward during the night, and it was very interesting to hear them relate their numerous risks and adventures. From one part of the Island, about four or five miles distant from the place where we resided, we could see, without the aid of glasses, the cattle grazing on the French coast and the inhabitants walking about on the shore. I forget the name of the spot where we stood, but I remember that the week afterwards we formed a party to go there again; taking with us some necessary refreshments and several small telescopes for amusement.

There were then on the Island two or three Fencible Regiments: one from the county of Suffolk. I knew several of the officers, particularly Colonel Hockley; if this page should ever meet his eye, I shall be happy to hear from him--- He was one of our party at the time. We had not been long at the spot, after having taken our repast, when we heard alarm-guns firing from different out-ports on the Island; we saw signals of several French vessels being in sight! The Colonel was, of course, anxious to get to the command of his regiment, and I was equally desirous of getting to the command of my Falstaff Troop!-for, seriously speaking, previous orders, had been given and proclamations issued that all persons who had in their employ any number of men capable of bearing arms, must have them prepared, and all masters of families, were, in case of alarm, to attend immediately at head-quarters, to take orders from the Governor. We hurried homewards and found the inhabitants placing lights in their windows; such directions having been given in case of alarm!

« AnteriorContinuar »