Rookwood ... The fourth edition ... with illustrations by George Cruikshank

Front matter

THE VADLT. EOOKWOOD: & Romance. BV W. HARRISON AOSWORTH, ESQ., AUIHOK Or " IHE TO WEB OE LONDON," " __I_EB'S DA UGHTEB," &.O. &C. I see how Ruin, with a palsied hand, Begins to shako our ancient house to dust. Yorkshire Tragedt. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOHN GILBERT. LONDON : GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & CO., FARRINGDON STREET. NEW YORK : 18, BEEKMAN STREET. 1857. CONTENTS. PAGE Memoir of William; Haeeison Ainswoeth, by Laman Blanchard . v Lineage of William Hakeison Ainswoeth tyjy ROOKWOOD. Dedication ______ Preface xxxiii

Book I

— THE WEDDING RING. CHAP. I.— The Vault 1 II. — The Skeleton Hand 10 III.— The Park 16 IV.— The Hall 25 V. — Sir Reginald Rookwood 29 VI. — Sir Piers Rookwood 35 VII.— The Return . . . 37 VIII. — An Irish Adventurer 39 IX. — An English Adventurer 47 X. — Ranulph Rookwood 63 XI. — Lady Rookwood 71 XII. — The Chamber op Death 77 XIII.— The Brothers 79 BOOK H.— THE SEXTON. I. — The Storm 87 II. — The Funeral Oration 93 III.— The Churchyard 100 IV.— The Funeral 107 V.— The Captive HI VI. — The Apparition 116

Book III

— THE GIPSY. I. — A Morning Ride 127 II. — A Gipsy Encampment 133 IU.— Sybil 147 IV.— Barbara Lovel I5* V. — The Inauguration 162 VI. — Eleanor Mowbray 189 VII. — Mrs. Mowbray I9' b CONTENTS. IV CHAP. om Vin.— The Parting %il IX.— The Philter £"* X.— Saint Cyprian's Cell £"° XL— The Bridal j±i XII.— Alan Rookwood g,j? XIIL— Mr. Coates f" XIV.— Dick Turpin i6*

Book IV

— THE RIDE TO YORK. I. — The Rendezvous at Kilburn 244 U.— Tom King *\% UL— A Surprise ili IV.— The Hue and Cry £?» V.— The Short Pipe *°° VI.— Black Bess *!„% VIL— The York Stage VIII.— A Road-side Inn ZXX\. IX.— Excitement *°* X.— The Gibbet *°f> XL— The Phantom Steed *°° XII.— Cawood Ferry 294

Book V

— THE OATH. I.— The Hut on Thorne Waste 299 IL— Major Mowbray 304 Ul.— Handassah 312 IV.— The Dower op Sybil 320 V. — The Sarcophagus MEMOIR OI WILLIAM HABBISOX AMSWORTH. BY LAMAH BLAKCHARD. A recent review in a leading journal of France bears testimony to the great popularity which has been obtained in that romance reading nation by the writer of whom we are now to offer some account. The estimation in which he is held by his own country men is evinced by the large sale which each new production of his pen successively commands. In America his writings have been extensively read. They have all been translated into German, and some of them into Dutch. Dramas have been founded upon them; their more striking passages have become as familiar as household words; and their subjects, in some important instances at least, are associated with the most memorable features of Eng lish history.

The biography of a writer who has secured so pro minent a position may be supposed calculated to awaken a more than ordinary curiosity; not merely with respect to those early dawnings of intellect, and those traits of personal character, to which a deep interest always attaches, but in relation to the family from which he has sprung. Happily, in the present instance, we are able to gratify the reader's curiosity. William Harrison Ainsworth unites in his own name the names of two families which, in the eminent success of various members of them, had obtained celebrity long prior to the present generation. Amongst his paternal ancestors are, Robert Ains worth, the well-known scholar and author of the Latin Dictionary, VI MEMOIR OF and Henry Ainsworth, the Brownist, who nourished at the com mencement of the seventeenth century.

The latter was one of the most profound HebreAv scholars of his time, and author of " Anno tations upon the Old Testament," and of a translation of the Pentateuch.* From these we come to the father of the living descendant from this learned stock, Thomas Ainsworth, of Man chester, a solicitor in very extensive practice. This gentleman, though descended from a family residing at Plessington, in Lancashire, was born at Rosthorne, in Cheshire, a village which he always remembered with affection, and where, dying in June, 1824, he was interred. Manchester, however, the stage on which his active life was passed, benefited most largely by the ardour and zeal with which he devoted himself to the pro motion of public improvements. He was one ofthe main instruments in causing the rebuilding and widening of one of the principal thoroughfares — Market-street; and though he did not live to see the work accomplished, his name must always be honourably con nected with it.

Of rather an irritable temperament, perhaps, he was known extensively for a singular liberality of character and generosity of disposition. He was a man of taste and virtu; uniting, with a fair degree of classical scholarship, considerable proficiency in botany, and a general fondness for scientific pursuits ; and thus the excellent library he possessed was, throughout life, a source of pleasure and recreation that lightened the graver duties he so faithfully discharged. He married, in 1802, Ann, daughter of the Rev. Ralph Harri son, a Presbyterian divine, and Ann Touchet. This divine, him self the son of a minister, and great-grandson to the Rev. Cuthbert * The Novelist's grandfather, Jeremiah Ainsworth, of Manchester, was a distinguished mathematician. In a Memoir of John Butterworth, the Mathe matician, by Thomas Wilkinson, of Burnley, it is said, "A cursory glance at some of the Mathematical periodicals of the day (1761) will rcaddy furnish the name of Ainswoeth, whose elegant productions in pure geometry adorn the pages of the Gentleman's and Burrow's Diaries."

And again : " During the greater part of the time just reviewed, Mr. Jeremiah Ainsworth was resident m the neighbourhood of Manchester, and so early as 1761 was in correspond ence with the editors of thc Mathematical Magazine. He subsequently asso ciated with Mr. George Taylor, a gentleman of kindred habits, then resident in the immediate vicinity, and these worthy veterans of Science, as time wore on, collected around them a goodly array of pupils and admirers, and heucc may truly be said not only to have laid the foundation of the ' Oldham Society,' but also to have been the fathers of the Lancashire School of Geometers." Jere miah Ainsworth was born at Hillenden, in Lancashire, in 1743, and died in 1784; consequently, the "veteran geometer" could only have been eighteen when he first distinguished himself !

Harrison, who, as a famous Nonconformist teacher, is noticed in Dr. Calamy's account of ejected ministers,* attained a high repu tation in Manchester as a preacher, an author, and a scholar. In the academy there he was appointed professor of the Greek and Latin languages, and of polite literature. He produced many able works of an educational character; and left behind him a volume of discourses that fully bear out his claim to the affectionate regard in which his character and ministrations were held. Of these ser mons, which, with a biographical memoir, were first printed in * Erom another source, a manuscript to which we have had access, we derive some particulars relative to this said Cuthbert, far too curious to omit. Cuth bert, the youngest son of Richard Harrison, who resided at Newton, was born about 1627, and was regularly ordained.

In 1672 hc obtained the king's license to preach in Elswick Lees, according to the doctrines of "the per suasion called Congregational;" but this license served him but for a short time, the Parliament declaring the meetings illegal; and he preached as before, in liis own house at Bankefield, and also at others, "very privately in the night, to such as would venture to hear him." The following extract from a letter written by one of his descendants explains the rest, and fully develops at once his character and his persecutions : " Mr. Richard Clegg, vicar of Kirk ham, fell violently upon him, first, in the ecclesiastical court, for preaching, marrying one James Benson, and baptising his child, and got both him and Benson excommunicated. [He was absolved from this censure in 1677.] He sometimes repaired to the parish church at Kirkham, particularly one Lord's day, whilst he was under the aforesaid censure, and took his place amongst the gentlemen in the chancel.

Mr. Clegg, the vicar, who wrote his prayer before sermon, and all his sermons also, in characters, was got into the pulpit, and, looking aside aud seeing him come in and place himself, lost the end. He could not find it again, and was siient for some time ; then ordered the church wardens to put him out. They went to our father, and told him what Mr. Clegg had ordered, and desired he would go out. He refused ; and said that, except Mr. Clegg himself would put him out, hc would not go. Mr. Clegg then desired Mr. Christopher Parker, who was justice of the peace, and then in church, and sat within six foot of our father, to put him out ; but Mr. Parker refused, and said he would not meddle. Then Mr. Clegg went to our father, aud took him by the sleeve, and desired him to go out. He went along with Mr. Clegg, and opened the chancel-door, and was no sooner out, but with a strong voice said, ' It's time to go when the devil drives.' Thou canst scarce imagine a greater disorder than was reported to have been in the church at that time.

Shortly after, the vicar sued our father at common law, upon the statute called Qui tam, for 20/. a month, for six months absenting from the church, and the case was brought to a trial at the assizes at Lancaster ; but I could never know the judge's name. Our father, in his defence, proved that he was at church one Lord's day in one of the months, on his jornall to Chester, being cited to appear and answer a libel of Mr. Cfegg's, a Lord's day in another month, and under the church censure for the other time, and that he went to church and was put out as aforesaid. The judge was hearty, and after he had summed up the evidence, he told the jury ' There was fiddle and be hanged, and there was fiddle not and be hanged. The defendant was under church censure, which might prevent his going to church.

Gentlemen, pray consider it.' The jury brought in for the defendant, and all costs were thrown on Mr. Clegg, with many affronting scoffs." There are other characteristic stories of this veteran Nonconformist. The war was continued, even to the writing of his epitaph. c 1813, a new edition appeared in 1827. It may here be men tioned, as a somewhat rare occurrence in the life of a Presbyterian minister, that this reverend person, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, realised, by fortunate speculations in land and building, a large fortune, leaving behind him upwards of 60,000Z. Of this union two sons were born ; the elder named William Harrison, the younger, Thomas Gilbert, who, distinguishing himself at Cam bridge, and taking a scholarship there, unfortunately fell into ill health from over-study, wliich so affected his nervous system that he never took his degree, and his intention of going into the church was therefore abandoned.

Wilham Harrison Ainsworth was born on the 4th of February, 1805, at the house of his father, in King-street, Manchester; but not long after, the family removed to a very commodious and pleasantly situated country-house, called Beech Hill, about two miles from the town, on the Chetham side. Here was a very ex tensive garden ; and here all the time that could be spared by its possessor from professional pursuits was devoted to the studies and recreations of which he was so passionately fond. The grounds were laid out under his own eye, and several of the trees were planted by the young brothers. To the education of the elder of these it is now necessary to refer. The early part of it was undertaken by his uncle, the Rev. William Harrison ; and then, while still very young, he was placed at the free grammar-school in Manchester, in one of the classes of the Rev. Robinson (afterwards Dr.) Elsdale.

In this school, wliich was founded early in the sixteenth century, many persons eminent for science and learning have been educated. The list extends as far back as the reign of Mary, opening with the well-known name of John Bradford, who suffered martyrdom in 1555. Reginald Heber (the father of the bishop) was here — Cyril Jackson, and his brother the Bishop of Oxford — the first Lord Alvanley, Mr. Morritt of Rokeby, David Latouche, the celebrated banker, the present Mr. Justice Williams, and many others. Here our youth ful student so far distinguished himself as to have received very flattering testimonials from Dr. Smith (the then head-master of the school), and his colleague, Dr. Elsdale. He wrote several translations from the Latin and Greek poets, which obtained their appro bation. At that period (the practice, we believe, has been since discontinued) there were held, once a year, " speaking days" — the head boys reciting passages from the poets and orators in Greek and Latin; and upon one of these occasions he obtained great praise and credit by reciting Seneca's Qiris vere Rex? with a translation by himself.

In this school he remained, gathering honour and advantage, until he reached the first form, when his father, who designed his son to be his successor, placed him as a clerk with Mr. Alexander Kay, a then rising, and since risen, so licitor in the town. The blossom of that literary fruit, on which the public, in more than one nation, has since fed with such eagerness and relish, had begun to develop itself previously even to this youthful period — and not in one form only, but in many; not in translations merely, but in original compositions — in tales, sketches, dramatic scenes — even in tragedies. But, to begin with the beginning, it should be mentioned that these literary predilections had their precursors in other tastes. The first passion, if report speaks truly, took a pyrotechnic direc tion; it shot upward like a rocket.

Fireworkmaking was, in short, the earliest predilection that manifested itself with any con siderable potency; and the first throb of young ambition was to make a rocket in earnest. Roman candles, serpents, &c, were ac complished satisfactorily ; but the " greatest was behind," the grand triumph was the rocket ; and in the blaze and brilliancy of this — for it was at last achieved — the passion for pyrotechnic glory seems to have evaporated. Success sometimes involves terrible disappoint ment, and has the most unlooked-for consequences — swallowing up, in the moment of victory, all care and concern for the very objects of success. We hear no more of this passion; but of another which succeeded it we may justly say, that while it lasts it burns with such ardour as to consume or draw to itself every other youthful feeling.

This is the rage for private theatricals. The nature on which this had now taken hold was not one to surrender itself by halves, with reluctance, or with misgivings. The whole heart of the schoolboy, for as yet he was no more, was freely given to the new passion. He constructed a theatre in the cellar (the majesty of buried Den mark speaking from the " cellarage !"), put together the machinery, fixed the great essential, the curtain, painted the scenes, made the dresses, acted the characters — having first written the plays ! It is to this circumstance, perhaps, that our libraries are indebted for X many admirable romances; as it is to such seemingly trivial acci dents we may often trace the first workings of a genius which, in its fully developed beauty, delights the world with animated pic tures drawn from the past or imagined of the future — dazzling the eye with glittering fictions, and filling the soul with sweet perfumes.

His literary career, ere he had yet left school, may now be said to have commenced, since he contributed largely to a weekly literary journal then existing in Manchester, called "The Iris;" and so profusely were his youthful feelings and opinions poured forth, that it may be doubted whether he ever wrote more, even at the busiest season of his subsequent career. His reputation as a writer was thus so far advanced, that a printer was induced to bring out a small theatrical paper, written solely by him; and, subsequently, a journal (on the plan and in the form ofthe " Indicator") entitled the " Bœotian." Of this work (the motto of which was Bœotiim crasso jurai-es aere natum, in merry allusion to the town where it was produced) six numbers were published. Its young editor about the same time contributed regularly to the " European Magazine."

It had been his father's wish, when the period of the youth's law-studies commenced, that he should devote himself chiefly to that branch of the profession which it was intended he should practise — conveyancing; but no great progress was made in this study. Byron, Scott, and Shelley had charms that title-deeds could never boast; Avriting verses was far more attractive than making abstracts, and drawing drafts bore no comparison to sketching for Magazines. It ivas the old story — he was literally A youth foredoom'd his father's hopes to cross, "Who penn'd a stanza when he should engross. The nameless editor of a Magazine Avas, in his enchanted view, greater by far than the greatest of the whole tribe of laAvyers; and the occupation of the editorial chair appeared in his fanciful dream an object worthier of a lofty ambition than a seat on the Avoolsack.

What his present feeling may be — now that he has accomplished his young desire to the full — Ave pause not to ask. It is cnouoh to know that coming events often cast before them shadows far gaudier than themselves. The glory fades in possession — "the beautiful has vanished, and returns not." And yet — for there is no end to contradictions — the early vision has been more than realised. But if law failed to attract, other studies Avere not at this time neglected. His father's lavish care had provided masters of various kinds, and he continued to read the classics, on two days of the week, with Dr. Smith, the head-master of the school he had quitted. Literature only consumed the time apportioned by parental anxiety to severer pursuits ; but that the literary fruits of these stolen marches were not slight, a simple enumeration of his published pieces will show.

Having composed, prior to the appearance of Lord Byron's "Foscari," a tragedy on the same subject, he sent some account of it to Constable's " Edinburgh Magazine," in which miscellany a notice appeared a month previous to the publication of Byron's drama. A regular contributorship to that periodical en sued; but it did not absorb all his literary interest, for he wrote a tale for Taylor and Hessey's "London Magazine," called the " Falls of Ohiopyle;" and through the medium of Mr. Arliss, the printer, published with Whittaker two poems, entitled the " Maid's Revenge," and "A Summer Evening's Tale." Some of the tales and essays thus scattered over various periodicals were afterwards collected into a little volume, under the title of " December Tales," and published by Whittaker. Of Avhat was unpublished we know nothing ; but all these pro ductions saw the light before their author was nineteen years of age.

Thus early Avas he a prolific writer. It Avas at this period that his father's death occurred, from the shock naturally conse quent upon which he awakened to a sense of the expediency of completing his term as a conveyancer, and qualifying himself for assuming the professional responsibility which this bereavement devolved upon him. With this vieAv he repaired to London, to finish his term Avith Mr. Jacob Phillips, of the Inner Temple. Yet it does not appear that he devoted himself with the adequate diligence and zeal to professional study. The literary enthusiasm Avas still the stronger feeling, though less productive in its imme diate results than before ; for the metropolis was a novel scene, and some time was spent in acquainting himself with its amusements. Not long before the completion of his appointed stay in town, he commenced an acquaintance Avith Mr. Ebers, at that time the ma nager of the Opera House.

A constant attendance there Avas, of course, included among hisLondon pleasures. Still literature asserted its claims ; and Avith Mr. Ebers, a few months after the commencement of their intimacy, he published a romance entitled " Sir John MEMOIR OF Chiverton." Of this work, which we never happened to read, we cannot, of course, offer any critical opinion ; yet we remember to have observed that Sir Walter Scott has referred to it not uncom plimentarily in his "Diary." We pass it to record a more im portant step in life — the marriage of Mr. Ainsworth to Fanny, the youngest daughter of Mr. Ebers. This event occurred in the au tumn of 1826. Three daughters, still living, were the offspring of this union. They lost their mother in the spring of 1838. The connexion thus formed with Mr. Ebers had a material in fluence in deciding the young law-student as to the course he should pursue.

His repugnance to " conveyancing" being insu perable, and his tastes and inclinations being decidedly literary, he readily Ustened to the suggestions of Mr. Ebers, to make an expe riment as a publisher. The sacrifice, to be sure, was considerable. It involved the relinquishment of his share in his father's lucrative business, which had been carried on, meanwhile, by two partners, at the head of whom he would necessarily be placed ; it was the exchanging a certainty for a chance. Yet, on the other hand, he was to secure the advantage of Mr. Ebers's extensive connexion, and of his practical knowledge of a business which as yet was a " book sealed" to him. There were other temptations, not un worthy of a high literary ambition, and a generous zeal for the interests of authors. The period, that of 1828-9, was the season of the (exclusively) " fashionable novels," when what was most ephe meral was most triumphant, and Avhen Avorks of a more enduring though less Avinning character had fewer charms than usual in a publisher's eye.

Let us here pause for a moment to consider what his aims were, and, at the same time, what were his qualifications for giving effect to them. Mr. Ainsworth entered upon his speculation doubtless with literary feelings not very dissimilar to those with which he may be supposed to have recently originated his Magazine. His was not the speculation of an ordinary publisher ; his aim was to promote the interests of literature, to advance his OAvn reputation as a writer, and to surround himself Avith such authors as it was alike honourable to serve and to be associated with ; he thought that he might bring forward sterling Avorks, rejected, perhaps, as not " fashionable," and assist writers of a better class than those who aspired to a merely fleeting popularity ; in any case, he sliould succeed in showing that such an enterprise might be conducted on liberal and gentlemanlike principles.

These, as we believe, were his objects ; but he mistook the practicability of the scheme, and misconceived his own qualifications for conducting it. He had great liberality, a highly cultivated literary taste, ripe scholarship, and popular manners; he was borne up by the spirit of youth, and the love of books for their own sake, to make an experiment, and his entering upon it was the best proof of the sacrifices he could cheerfully incur, and that he thought of no selfish or mercenary bargain. But with these fine qualities he Avanted some that are not ahvays found in their company and in that of youth, — fore thought, deliberation, patience under disappointment, submission to repugnant tasks, and indifference to the trifling circumstance of being always unthanked and generally misapprehended.

What young man of one-and-twenty understands his own character sufficiently to justify such an attempt? His principles were but partially recognised by the writers with whom he was brought into connexion, and he was of too impatient a temperament to afford them time to understand him. His pride speedily revolted from the position he had voluntarily chosen, and at the expiration of about a year and a half he abandoned the experiment ; the result Avas — neither good nor harm beyond loss of time. During this period, and up to the year 1830, a few trifles had been written; a tragedy on the subject of Philip van Artevelde was planned, and two acts composed ; a melodrama or two, never acted, swelled the stock ; but nothing was published. A change of scene was noAv resolved upon : in the summer of that year Mr. Ainsworth started on a tour in Switzerland and Italy.

It was in the following year, during a visit to Chesterfield, that he first thought of writing a three-volumed tale, and the idea of " Rookwood" arose. He has told us his object. " Wishing," he says, " to describe somewhat minutely the trim gardens, the pic turesque domains, the rook-haunted groves, the gloomy chambers, and sloomier galleries of an ancient Hall with which I was ac quainted, I resolved to attempt a story in the bygone style of Mrs. Radcliffe; substituting an old Enghsh squire, an old manorial residence, and an old English highwayman for the Italian marchese, the castle, and the brigand of that great mistress of romance." " Rookwood" was commenced, but many and serious pauses oc curred in the completion of the story; nor was it until May, 1834, that it was published ; but the power with which the design was MEMOIR OF worked out, the success with which it was accomplished, was in stantaneously recognised.

The " Edinburgh Review" described the novel achievement — " What Mr. Ainsworth has ventured to do, and successfully, was to revive the almost exploded interest afforded by the supernatural ; and to preserve this, too, not in connexion with days long gone by, but side by side with the sober realities of 1737, Avith the convivialities of Yorkshire squires and country attorneys, with the humours of justices of the peace and the feats of Dick Turpin the highwayman." The same Avriter describes, also, the influences of all this upon the reader. " Strange as it may seem, the author has contrived to present the terrors of burial vaults and the blood-stained mysteries of family crime side by side with the most familiar scenes of the every-day life of the eigb'eenth century, Avithout exciting the shghtest feeling of the ludi rous — nay, more, Avith a character of earnestness and solemnity wita which, a priori, we should have hardly thought such subjects could have been invested."

But the truth is, as the critic seems to have felt, that the reader is never allowed to pause for an instant to think at all. The famous picture of the ride to York, now as well known as the name of Turpin himself, is but an image of the reader's course as he leaps the abrupt gaps and turns the picturesque corners of this singular tale. Pie goes through it hurried, yet noting everything, and with breathless interest ; and it is not until after a pause at the close that he bethinks him of the songs and ballads whose liA'ely or solemn chimes struck his ear as he passed rapidly ; Avhen he is sure to turn back to read them leisurely over one by one, enjoying the true spirit of the old minstrelsy with Avhich they are imbued, and wishing for a Avhole volume of such tuneful rarities. The effect of this publication was to place Mr. Ainsworth in the first rank of writers of romantic fiction.

The first edition was speedily sold off; a second followed. In 1836, Mr. Macrone issued a beautiful volume with designs by Cruikshank. " Crichton" Avas the next work meditated ; and as soon as* pro jected Mr. Macrone offered 350/. for the manuscript. It appeared in the spring of 1837, and a rapid sale betokened the now esta blished reputation of the writer. This historical romance afforded, in some respects, indications of a higher aim and more elaborate finish than the happiest pictures of the preceding Avork. Extensive and curious reading — a minute acquaintance Avith the modes, AVILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH. XV usuages, intrigue, and philosophy of the time — a capacity at once to analyse and combine — an eye for grand effects as well as the smallest details — were everywhere recognised. Many rare qualities united in the composition of this work.

Its pictures of the times and persons it treats of are " finished sketches," the effect of Avhich, by a truly artist-like skill, is heightened instead of diminished by the small fine touches that denote a thorough familiarity with every incidental particular ofthe subject. Thus, not only are the king's jester and the king's cook as vividly set before us as Henri him self; but Henri's lineaments are not more accurately painted than is the quaint figure on a piece of embroidery, the fashion of a jewel, or the cut of a garment. In spite of a most hurried and effect-marring termination, this romance has in it the seeds of life, and contains some of its author's soundest and most brilliant writing. Here, again, we see a lyrical genius in full flow; some of the songs are of a most dainty fashion, and charm equally by their structure and their fancy.