Baldearg O'Donnell. A tale

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Chapter I

The great Act of Attainder was now the theme of general conversation in Dublin. In this con demned list were written between three and four thousand names, all arranged in order, according to the respective rank of the proscribed. First came half the Peerage of Ireland, then followed baronets, knights, clergymen, squires, merchants, yeomen, and artisans. Unless all these persons should present themselves at a given date, to take their trial for high treason, the sentence was they B VOL. should be hanged, drawn, and quartered, and their property confiscated. But the most disgraceful case was that of the betrayed Lord Mountjoy, who though now in a French prison, was actually doomed by this wicked Act to certain death, unless within a specified time he managed to escape and appear in Dublin to answer things alleged against him by the same persons, through whose treachery he was now detained a prisoner on suspicion.

How the King could have sanctioned such a decree is difficult to explain, and impossible to excuse. But he seemed quite bewildered by the general chaos of confusion around him, and any measure supported by Tyrconnel and his party would now have received his apathetic consent, with, perhaps, a remonstrance feebly uttered and contemptuously heard. The list of the proscribed was as yet carefully concealed from public knowledge, and locked up in Fitton's closet. Sir Richard Nagle, the Attorney General, when presenting the Bill, spoke as follows, in words which were never forgotten. " Many persons here attainted," he said, " have been proved traitors by such evidence as quite satisfies my colleagues and myself. As to other parties herein mentioned, we have followed com mon report." This disgraceful speech was uttered coolly and apparently excited neither disgust nor indigna tion.

Well may the unfortunate king have de clared that he was now in the hands of men who would force worse and worse measures upon him. The Chancellor Fitton, a man of cunning, tricky disposition, kept the ominous list of ill fated names carefully concealed in his possession, and it was said he and his colleagues took care to prevent any of the proscribed knowing the special accusations against them till after the ex piration of the day of grace named in the Bill.* James now prorogued Parliament, and soon after the great siege of Derry, which all Ireland * Macaulay's History. B watched with intense interest, ended in the retreat of the royal forces, and the landing of strong reinforcements from England. The tide was now turned, and scarcely had this great news time to be fully credited in Dublin, when there came in telligence of a battle nearly as glorious to the Eriglishry, and even more disastrous to James than the failure of the great siege.

This was the battle of Newton Butler, in which the Irish seemed seized with a panic, flinging away their weapons, and taking to flight, until they joined the defeated army of besiegers retreating from the relieved city of Derry. These troops were com manded by Richard Hamilton, who, brave and dauntless as ever, conducted his disorderly and scattered hordes from Strabane to Omagh, and thence to Charlemont. General Patrick Sarsfield, the bravest and most distinguished Irish officer in the army of James, was forced to abandon Sligo, now occupied by General Kirke. The con sternation in Dublin was extreme. James dropped hints about flying to the Continent, but was urged by Tyrconnel and Avaux to remain, in Ireland, and all would be retrieved. Nothing was heard in Dublin but the din of warlike prepara tions, for all knew that a tremendous civil war was now inevitable.

The Dutch General Schomberg, a veteran of eighty years of age, had now landed in Antrim, with an inrading force of ten thousand men, and was soon to be reinforced by General Kirke. Marshal Schomberg was known to enjoy the full confidence of King William, who justly es teemed him one of his best officers, and many thought that his coming foreshadowed the arrival of the victorious prince, whom fortune had so greatly favoured. The Colonists expected his advent as that of a second Oliver Cromwell,whose name to this day is a byword of terror and reproach among the Irish peasantry. About this time, the cold-hearted French Ambassador, Avaux, proposed to King James a scheme which would have indeed crowned the iniquity of his reckless Government. He suggested a general massacre of all Protestants, old and young, throughout the countiy, wherever they could be found ; in short, a second Saint Bartholomew atrocity, with the details of which Avaux was, probably, well acquainted.

He seized his opportunity for making this horrible proposal when James, dispirited by the failure of the northern campaign, weary, heart sick of all around, and, after bewailing his daughter's ingratitude, seemed almost prostrate by distress and trouble of mind. It was thus, in a moment of despondency, that the French Count suggested, the wicked project, to which the unfortunate King listened, or seemed to listen, in perfect silence, perhaps with his thoughts far distant. A few days later Avaux renewed the subject with greater earnestness, when James, looking up as if from a dream, declared, with unwonted energy and warmth, that nothing should ever make him consent to a measure so cruel, so unchristian, and upon which only a curse would fall. " Pardon me, your Majesty," replied Avaux, calmly, as if discussing some matter of light importance, " there is surely no real cruelty in this scheme when considered and viewed in all its bearings.

Your Majesty must remember that what is called mercy to rebels, may be, as in this instance, an actual cruelty to the loyal. The very existence of such obstinate rebels as the English Colonists, is a real standing menace to your Majesty's faithful subjects iu Ireland, upon whose rights they have trampled, and whose lands they have seized." But the King listened with aversion and disgust. Count Avaux retired, angry and offended, utterly unable to understand the reason of James's opposition, and firmly believing that either the King was a hypocrite, secretly hoping that the Irish would destroy all enemies that fell into their hands, without the odium of his public sanction, or otherwise that he must be in very truth the crowned dotard that Tyrconnel had once con temptuously termed him. But James, to his honour, steadily rejected this inhuman counsel of Avaux.

Dull, obstinate, and weak as he was, all his feelings, both of compassion and nationality, were shocked and outraged at the thoughts of an enormity which would have indeed thrown all previous cruelties of the English Colonists into the shade. Great as these excesses were, in the triumph of victory, and the lust of conquest, they had doubtless been exaggerated to his ears, and though too narrow-minded to make allowance for this, he yet could not deny that the proposed general massacre might realise the very worst anticipations of his most ignorant Irish subjects, by probably entailing an equally savage retaliation. The Irish war-party now bestirred themselves with a zeal, activity, and energy never displayed before, and which astonished the cold, hard nature of Count Avaux, who had already began to mutter bitter sarcasms against the cowardice and sloth of the unfortunate race.

Tyrconnel, Nagle, Nugent, Fitton, and General Sarsfield now all laboured hard in their separate capacities to place both the civil and military power in a state of com parative efficiency, and in this they temporarily succeeded beyond their hopes. By their entrea ties, James now dismissed Lord Melfort, who had to leave Dublin at night, to escape the violence of the populace. Both French and Irish hated him alike, for they knew he sus pected the former and disliked the latter, earnestly wishing his luckless master were again upon English ground, away from contemptuous allies, and turbulent, insatiable adherents. He was now ordered off to France, to entreat King Louis for a further supply of money, and before leaving Ireland, he handed over the seal of office to Sir Richard Nagle, Attorney- General, who, owing to his advocating the atrocious Act of Attainder and other similar measures, was very popular with the extreme party, now dominant in the councils of James.

Meanwhile, although Marshal Schomberg continued to advance, he did not yet wish to give battle. The royal army, with James at their head, numbering about twenty B thousand, now left Dublin for Drogheda, where they soon expected to encounter the approaching army of Schomberg ; but that cautious veteran disappointed them, and, instead of advancing further, entrenched himself at Dundalk. The Irish army, though within sight of his lines, never ventured to attack his camp, in which, however, a terrible mortality soon broke out. The heavy autumn rains had now set in, and the land about Schomberg's camp became a perfect marsh. His English and Dutch soldiers, un accustomed to so damp a climate, suffered greatly, and died by hundreds. But the Irish army suf fered little, and were in high spirits at the sudden, unlooked-for check thus inflicted upon their for midable enemy.

The sound of the guns pealing over the graves of British and Dutch officers was heard with exultation by all save the English king, who stood alone in his national feelings and sym pathies in the camp of his united hereditary foes. Soon, however the wreck of Schomberg's forces retired upon Lisburn, while the chief part of the Irish army returned to the capital. After a few months' inaction on both sides, Count Avaux, with General Rosen, were recalled to France, and the celebrated Count Lauzun was despatched to Ireland by King Louis, who in tended he should act in the double capacity of French Ambassador and General. This personage much resembled in character and turn of mind one of the Crusaders of old, whose praises were sung by the troubadours of Provence. Deeds of arms, the love of ladies, risk and adventure of all kinds, were his dreams of delight, and the objects of his most fervent ambition.

Indifferent alike to motives of gain, self-interest, power, or religious zeal, which were indeed the prevailing passions of the period, Lauzun appeared like one of the Paladins of a former age, fallen by chance on times unsuited to him, which yet were too exciting for his chivalrous spirit to pass through without the distinction of a remarkable career or a glorious death. It was he who had escorted King James's Consort, Mary of Modena, with the infant Prince of Wales, from London to France, muffled in a close disguise, on that dreary stormy night, and nobly had he with his friend St. Victor accomplished their perilous, and most romantic enterprise. When this knight errant, as many called him, arrived in Dublin, he grace fully declined the proffered salary of ten thousand pounds a year, which James offered to pay out of French money, instead of the brass coinage of Messrs. Fitton and Nugent.

Much to the general astonishment, however, Lauzun refused the offer, and immediately devoted himself to his new duties with passionate zeal and earnestness. Tyrconnel and Richard Hamilton, who were most intimate with Lauzun, were yet nearly as surprised as Fitton, Nagle, and Nugent, at his utter indifference to either money, political in fluence, or religious zeal. An ardent love of glory, like what is described in the pages of Froissart, a contempt of danger and dislike of all peaceful avocations, apparently formed a character to which indeed only the records of a past age of chivalry seemed to bear resemblance. Fitton and his colleagues thought him almost a fool outright for refusing such a salary, money being so scarce everywhere, and all trying to obtain or retain it by every possible means, and they wondered how the able French king and his wise minister Louvois sent over a man whom they thought more like a crack brained actor, than a skilful general or politician.

But Tyrconnel and Hamilton, better qualified to understand such a character, thought differently. Although he often boasted and declaimed in a strange fantastic manner, they yet perceived that under his apparently giddy exterior there was a brave, nay, indomitable spirit of courage, daring and entsrprise, united with integrity which neither temptation nor suffering could affect, far less corrupt. The last words of Louvois on his leaving France they often repeated to him, though of course veiled in polite, courteous hints and insinuations. " Do not," said that cool, wary minister to the high-mettled envoy, like a wise father to an impetuous son. " Do not, for God's sake, allow yourself to act imprudently through your love of combats, but put all your coveted glory in tiring out your English foes, and, above all, maintain what discipline you can."

Lauzun was now the acknowledged Generalis simo of the French troops in Ireland, and resided in Dublin Castle. He laboured arduously in the duties of his new vocation, sometimes in high spirits, then protesting, almost with tears, that he would not endure such another mouth of anxious toil for the whole world. He also wrote to France, what was probably very true, that the state of the Irish court and kingdom could hardly be imagined by those who had lived hitherto in well governed countries. In his own words, he stated it was a sort of chaos, like what he had read of in the book of Genesis.* The whole of Ulster was now in the hands of the English and Dutch, under Marshal Schomberg, but the great campaign was deferred till King William himself *MacauIay. arrived to command his brave army in person.

Many of his partisans in both England and Ire land blamed him for not coming over sooner, and driving out the banished oppressor and his French allies. Such was the language of the London coffee-house politicians, and it became more general as time advanced, but William maintained his usual cold reserve, a manner so distant and repulsive, that it caused some of his English subjects to imagine he suspected them, since his demeanour was more that of an offended, than a gracious sovereign. In this idea, however, they were mistaken — he neither suspected nor confided in them — he was simply and strangely indifferent to all but his Dutch fellow-countrymen. However, the fact of England being Protestant and allied with his beloved Holland, was sufficient cause for him to risk life itself at the head of an English army, although in taste and feeling he had even less the nature of an Englishman than his banished rival, now almost harassed to death in Dublin among turbulent Irish adherents, whom William was indeed far better qualified to control.

Had fate reversed their relative posi tions, the same energetic, stern will that now irritated the high-spirited and comparatively enligntened English nobility would have soon overcome the insolence of Tyrconnel, checked the vulgar cupidity of such as Fitton and Nu gent, and turned to ' good account the wasted bravery of the Irish themselves, while probably the King of France would have assisted him with the flower of his army, instead of a small force led by a romantic adventurer like Lauzun. But Heaven had decreed otherwise, and over the two contending races and religions of English and Irish, Saxon and Celt, Protestant and Catholic, there reigned two Princes, neither possessing much sympathy or attachment towards the respective nations whose destinies they now controlled — James never happy away from England, which had banished him ; William always glad to escape from the country that called him her deliverer.

And thus, though William triumphed and James fell, impartial history, while describing the latter a melancholy exile in France, also mentions King William pining and sickly in a London palace, disliked, unpopular, and longing to return to Holland, from which his exalted position virtually banished him ; thus leaving it almost doubtful which of these rival sovereigns was really farthest removed from that state of happy contentment usually thought the height of all human felicity.

CHAPTER IL

Tee gay, chivalrous Count Antonine Lauzun was now the life and soul of the anxious and im portant counsels of James. His eccentric fancy and real bravery made him alike remarkable and respected ; his honour was never impugned, his judgment in some matters did not stand high, but his courage, loyalty, and integrity were not to be surpassed, while his military talents were undoubtedly great. Indeed, the excitement of battle or any kind of danger produced a different effect on him, from others, though brave and heroic as himself. In extremity Lauzun displayed a calmness and presence of mind which at other times seemed hardly in his nature, and when confronted with risk or peril, seemed to acquire that very coolness, decision, and practical sense which many found difficult to preserve at the same moment All extra vagance of language, boasting and declaiming, in which he often indulged to the scorn and wonder of cool-judging men, at once vanished, and he became, at the approach of danger, transformed into another man.

He gave orders and received them, issued and executed directions with a firm ness and promptitude of which many wiser than himself would have pronounced him incapable. His lively disposition, fascinating manners, and rare sincerity, now rendered him a general favourite in Dublin. The Ladies Tyrconnel and McMahon were warm in praise and admiration, often comparing him with the gay Richard Hamil ton, whom he perhaps resembled most of all among whom his lot was now temporarily cast. But the latter, though gifted with a more brilliant wit and brave as a lion, was yet more the conventional courtier — a superior specimen of the class, certainly, owing to his military knowledge and diplomatic skill, but in ardent devotion to the bygone principles of chivalry he came far short of Lauzun. The Chancellor Fitton, Nagle, and Nugent, could not however comprehend this French phe nomenon in the least, though each tried hard, placing their own constructions, all more or less mistaken, upon everything he said and did, but a man who acted with more sense and judg ment than he spoke was so entirely new to these cautious ministers, experienced as all three were in general knowledge of character, that they unan imously pronounced him an exception to most rules, and only hoped that the king, Tyrconnel, and Hamilton knew him better, and might turn whatever ability he had to good account, though they perceived little else but fantastic folly, united to a contempt of danger more rash than cour ageous.

About a week after his arrival, Lady McMahon's petition was favourably received by the King, and a few days after the question was again discussed, though more in jest than earnest, by a Council of Ministers who, fatigued and wearied by the cares of state, now more weighty and harassing day by day, relieved themselves by talking over less important matters in a lively and joking, rather than serious manner. " Were my lady now what she perhaps was some thirty years ago, I could never have en trusted her or her interests to you, my lord," said Tyrconnel, laughing, to the Chancellor; " in that case I should have felt more personal interest in her behalf." All laughed when the gay Hamilton observed, " I no sooner perceived the friendship of your Excellency's noble lady for the fair petitioner than I knew you felt comparatively slight interest in the case.

But come, Sir Thomas Nugent, most gallant as well as most learned representa tive of Irish legality, how was it you handed over this desolate, though apparently not inconsolable widow, to the advocacy, protection, and of course tender mercies of this Saxon stranger," bowing towards Fitton, amid general merriment. " Ah ! yer the sly, yer tbe witty, yer the polished boy," retorted the joyous Chief Justice, " but faith, I'll just answer ye fair; there's not a man in all Ireland loves and honours the ladies more nor myself, not one ; but really this dame, begging my Lord Chancellor's pardon, looks as if she required devilish little protection from any one; besides which," Nugent continued, " I de clare to God, now the gentleman's not here, I'd rather not interfere with my Lord Chancellor's pet priest, the foreign fellow that glides after him like a black shadow.

I've no doubt he's a most excellent man, my lord, though I don't fancy the look in his dark eyes, whiles but I often observe Lady McMahon talking and whispering with him. To my mind they're just a sharp pair, and I'd rather keep out of their way than rush into it, and so I tell ye all frankly.'' " Upon my word, Sir Thomas," broke in Fitton, eagerly, his little eyes sparkling, while the assembled company smiled at one another. " Upon my word, sir, you do Father Valverde injustice — unconsciously, I know,but still injustice. He is a truly pious, sincere man, whose sole idea is to promote the interests of that holy faith to which his life is devoted." " And you, 0 chivalrous and romantic knight," exclaimed Hamilton, turning gaily to Count Lauzun, who sat thoughtfully silent, with his head leaning on his hand, " How is it that you, whose daily thoughts and nightly dreams are of rescuing fair ladies, delivering noble cap tives, and slaying wicked kings, magicians, and monsters of all sorts — why have you not put on sword and buckler for this injured, though un fortunately somewhat elderly lady ?

Ah ! Count, nothingsave Royal blood, I fear, will have your sym pathy, since you have enjoyed the high privilege of escorting her banished Majesty and the infant prince from their rebellious kingdom to your own generous and romantic land." " Not so, upon my word of honour," replied Lauzun, looking up with a bright smile. " Not so ; although the occasion you allude to, Hamil ton, was indeed the brightest moment of my life, which, though it has passed through some risks, has not yet been eventful enough for me." " You will soon be gratified, however," observed Tyrconnel, more gravely, " that is, if a life of peril and warfare is what you desire, for it is fast approaching us. I told you, Lauzun, and Hamilton also, but I must now announce to you all here that his Majesty has received certain information of the departure of the Usurper from London for this country, where he will now land in a few days — of course in the north — and take command of his forces in person."

All felt surprised at this news, for King William's coming had been deferred so long that, perhaps unconsciously, they ceased to expect his arrival, at least for the present. '* I am truly glad to hear it," exclaimed Lauzun, gaily, " there will indeed be glory and delight in rushing into battle, with the chance of slaying the arch-enemy, or being slain by him, instead of having only the old white-headed Schomberg to fight against." Hamilton laughed, half amused, half satirical. Fearless and undaunted as Lauzun himself, he possessed a vein of satire and keen ridicule of all extravagance or peculiarity, of which the other was utterly destitute. " By St. Patrick ! but this is news, though," exclaimed Sir Thomas Nugent. " Faith, if our great enemy comes in person, we'll all have to take the field ; ay, even my Lady McMahon her self might assist us, maybe, for our cause is as much her interest as that of any one here.

Come, General Hamilton, and you, my Lord Chancellor, what say ye to that ? Sure she'd take the field to morrow, rather nor lose what she's seeking so keen for ; eh, what d'ye think ?" In the midst of their laughter the Chancellor Fitton interposed. "Talking of this lady — to show your Excellency and my lords also, to prove to you all how truly VOL. IT. c valuable I find the counsel, advice, and information of Father Valverde — I have to let you know that he heard news from Spain only two days past, which may yet somehow affect this singular McMahon petition. It seems that General Baldearg O'Donnell, cousin to this wild desperado, Denis O'Donnell, and the acknowledged head ot his family or clan, has, in defiance of the Spanish Government, escaped in disguise, with the avowed intention of coming to Ireland, but with the sus pected intention," here Fitton lowered his voice and glanced cautiously round, "with the suspected intention of taking up arms here, more for the restoration of what he terms his ancestral independence than for the rights of our gracious sovereign."

" What grounds have you for this remarkable statement, my Lord ?" demanded the Duke of Tyrconnel, gravely. " The O'Donnells are a powerful clan, as I know, and also I am well aware that this Spanish General is the head of the family, once a royal house. I knew, moreover, of his expected arrival in Ireland, to which I looked forward as a valuable accession to his Majesty's faithful Irish army, and far from being an additional cause of strife, which such absurd claims as you mention would surely oc casion. What is your authority for such a report ? not, I mean, of the General's coming, but of his secret designs." Before Fitton could answer, Count Lauzun spoke. " My Lord Chancellor is well informed," he said. " Whatever his authority is it has told him the truth. I remember my dear friend St. Victor told me at St. Germains, that he had once met this half Spanish, half Irish general — per haps in Spain, I am not sure where — but I recol lect his telling me this gentleman considered himself a native Irish prince of more ancient lineage than any in Europe, and as such, hoped some day to be acknowledged.

St. Victor said more about this personage, whom he thought a strange character, but I then felt little interest c about him, and much regret I asked no further questions." As the Chancellor could give no further in formation, the conversation now turned chiefly upon military affairs, of which, however, Nu gent and Fitton were almost entirely ignorant. After a short discussion the Council broke up ; but a grand festivity was to be held this evening at the castle, to which all the members of the government were invited. Considering the literally awful state of apprehension, confusion, and anxiety now reigning in Dublin and through out all Ireland, the idea of a festive entertainment, commencing with a grand banquet and ending with a concert and ball, was indeed extraordinary, but it is nevertheless true that during a time of general excitement and turmoil, people sometimes seek this kind of delusive relief, and perhaps enjoy it more than during a period of tranquillity.

On this occasion, therefore, though many thought the festivity resembled a dance of death, the castle halls were filled to overflowing ; the cheering and enthusiasm of the crowds in the streets continued during the whole night, for to the mob the idea of danger so tremendous as now impended over the chiefs of both parties, had in it something irresistibly attractive and exciting. But the company all perceived the dejection of the king's expression and manner, which he in vain tried to shake off for some time. The Duke of TjTconnel also looked pale and care worn ; even Hamilton assumed a sprightliness different from his usual easy gaiety, but Count Lauzun was happy and joyous as if at a ball at Versailles. He bowed, laughed, and complimented all around, with a grace and spirit that delighted all whom he addressed.

The rooms were as tastefully adorned and decorated as circumstances would permit. Many ancient Irish emblems, mot toes, and devices, embroidered in green and gold, met the eye in all directions, while Lauzun, who had real taste in all fetes of the kind, had, in connexion with his countrywoman, Madame de Brenne, still attending on Lady Tyrconnel, BALDEiRG O'DONNELL. contrived to give a somewhat French style to the general erfect of the entertainment, which, owing to the present popularity of everything French in Dublin, was the more admired. After the banquet, which, though inferior indeed to those of the Grand Monarque, was yet on a sumptuous scale, rather exceeding the expecta tions of the guests, a concert followed, consisting both of foreign music and Irish melodies, the latter chiefly performed by harpers, half singing, half chanting the exploits or praises of some ancient Milesian King.

Count Lauzun himself possessed a rich, mellow voice, and sang with much taste and feeling some of the Pro vencal Troubadour songs, with Madame de Brenne, that were so popular throughout France at this time. Next came the turn of the Irish minstrels to do what justice they could to the wild, plain tive music of their unfortunate country. Among these O'Gorman was, as usual, a conspicuous figure, supporting his harp against his shoulder, in a graceful attitude, and perhaps not unconscious of the many agreeable remarks which his striking appearance caused among the distinguished company. Neil Rooney, as usual, sat half hid behind his uncle, who was said never to go anywhere without " the boy Neil," although the so-called youth was near forty years of age. His sly, mean countenance served as an admi rable foil to the fine features of the old man, which now, glowing with enthusiasm, looked almost noble, while his flowing beard added greatly to his venerable aspect.