CHAPTER XXII
ENGLAND
[Sidenote: 1838. June.]
In this book I profess to write my sailor life only. But what I laughed at as a boy I now regret as a man, and the next few pages may be skipped.
Now my own master, lodging in Charles Street, Berkeley Square, and attached to the staff of the Duke of Sussex. I renewed my acquaintance with General Sir John Crosbie, who had arrived for the season, in Lower Grosvenor Street, with his handsome family.
On June 14 I attained my twenty-ninth year; was franked to Epsom in a hansom by my brother officer, Lord Frederick Gordon. At Prince Esterhazy’s ball the following night, and to that of the Queen on the 18th, the anniversary of Waterloo.
I see, too, that having dined with Maynard at Knightsbridge Barracks one Sunday evening, we adjourned to Limmer’s, where we were joined by Lord Waterford and three drags fresh from a whitebait dinner at Greenwich. We got involved in a row in Conduit Street, and I passed the night in Marlborough Street Station.
Next morning three others as well as myself were had up before the sitting magistrate and fined £5 each, which I could ill afford; but the most unpleasant part was our names appearing in the papers next day under the heading of “Ruffianism in High Life.”
[Sidenote: June 28.]
I was present in Westminster Abbey at the coronation of our most gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria, on June 28. A splendid spectacle. It was of further interest to see the peeresses putting on their coronets, taking time from Her Majesty. Amongst them was my sister Anne, who was made Countess of Leicester on the accession of the Queen.
The following day I was at a full-dress ball given by Lady Lansdowne to the Foreign Ambassadors. There I saw, talking together, Marshal Soult, Prince Talleyrand, and the Duke of Wellington.
[Sidenote: July.]
Early in July was at a very jolly party given at the Star and Garter, Richmond, by the famous sculptor, Sir Francis Chantrey.
On the 5th dined with Charlie Napier, it being the anniversary of his victory over Don Miguel’s fleet.
On July 6 attended the Duke of Sussex to a full-dress ball given by Marshal Soult, who had come as special Ambassador, to represent France at the Queen’s coronation. Duke of Wellington there.
About this time was troubled with a violent cough, which spoilt my fun, and obliged me to forego the Lord Mayor’s and other entertainments. All other remedies failing, decided on change of air, and a visit to my late Chief, Admiral Sir Josias Rowley, in Ireland. Started by rail to Birmingham, and dined at Liverpool the same evening, although we had to coach some forty miles, the line not being then complete. I got rid of my cough _en route_. So much for change of air.
Passed an agreeable week at Mount Campbell with the Rowleys, a lovely spot on the banks of the Shannon, returning by the Sligo mail to Dublin.
Sir John Crosbie left London for Watergate at the end of July, taking me with him for the Goodwood week. Sir Joseph Hawley, who joined at the same time, owned the _Mischief_ yacht, and invited the Watergate party for a cruise.
We embarked at Portsmouth for Cowes Regatta, the General and his daughters landing each evening to sleep at Portsmouth, Cowes, Southampton, or wherever the yacht happened to be.
[Sidenote: August.]
After a charming cruise we returned to Watergate. Having landed the Crosbies, Hawley and I went round the coast, touching at Dover, where I visited my friends the Rices, at Dane Court, their eldest son Edward having been with me in the _Childers_.
Continuing our cruise, we anchored in Holkham Bay on October 24. Landed on the beach and walked up to the house, making our unexpected appearance just in time for dinner.
The wind still continuing fresh from the westward, we sailed for Antwerp and Flushing, and anchored the following evening between the two, going on by rail to Brussels, where we spent three pleasant days, meeting the Montagues, Ranelagh, and others.
There being no chance of a change of wind, Hawley, who was anxious to get to the Mediterranean, decided on proceeding to Italy through France, and offered to frank me, which I was too much of a spoon to accept.
[Sidenote: Dec.]
I spent the next fortnight in London, like a man about to do something desperate. One day I walked to the Stud House, fourteen miles, to dinner.
[Sidenote: 1839. Feb. 16.]
Got my father to apply to the Archbishop of Canterbury for a special license, which he granted, conferring his blessing on me at the same time.
[Sidenote: Feb. 21.]
The General, with Georgie and Kate Crosbie, arrived at the Brunswick Hotel from Watergate.
[Sidenote: Feb. 25.]
Kate and I were married at St. George’s, Hanover Square. My father gave the breakfast. We took our departure for Hastings, sitting behind two pairs of Mr. Newman’s greys.
[Sidenote: May 25.]
We went to the Birthday Drawing-room, afterwards to the Master of Horse’s full-dress official dinner.
We were at the Queen’s ball, London. Almack’s was seldom missed.
[Sidenote: June 18.]
Attended the wedding of Sara Crosbie and Sir Joseph Hawley at St. George’s, Hanover Square.
Returned by mail to Portsmouth; went on alone to Plymouth to see my old friend and Captain, Lord John Churchill, just ready for sea in the _Druid_, my old shipmates, George Goldsmith and Jonas Coaker, both belonging to her.
[Sidenote: August.]
We went on a visit to my cousins the Delmés at Cams. While there, established a friendship with Captain Sir Francis Collier--extraordinary good story-teller.
Invited to meet the Duke of Sussex at Southwick. Frank Collier among the guests.
[Sidenote: Aug. 20.]
Took Henry Coke to Gosport, where he became one of “Burney’s Bulldogs” preparatory to entering the Navy.
[Sidenote: Oct. 21.]
Took temporarily a house at Wells.
[Sidenote: Nov. 28.]
Returned to Droxford; arranging future home; thence to London.
[Sidenote: Nov. 30.]
A day of troubles. On arrival in Arlington Street, found letters from my sister Anne, announcing the unexpected confinement of my wife, whose life had been spared, but not that of the child. Got to the post-office, Lombard Street, as the Cambridge mail was coming out _full_. Told cabman to follow the mail, which he did for three miles before it stopped at the Pot and Flower.
Offered £5 for a place. It being the last day of the month, the mail was unusually heavy with newspapers and monthly publications. The guard allowed me to stand on the iron step till we reached Cambridge. It was bitterly cold, with snow falling. At Cambridge I got an outside place on the pair-horse mail to Lynn, and so to Wells, where I arrived exhausted. Found wife better than I expected. The small body had been taken to Wareham by my brother Tom, where I went next day and saw the child in its coffin.
In the afternoon Tom and I dug a hole in his garden, where my little Rufus was buried.
The engagement of the Queen to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg was announced on November 23.
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