The Doctor of Beauweir. An autobiography

Front matter

VOL. %n Jtuiabwcjrapbi). r.y the author of " SHIRLEY HALL ASYLUM," "DE PROFUXDIS," etc. etc. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON : TINSLEY BROTHERS, 18, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND. 1868. [AU rightt of Translation and Reproduction are reserved.'] LOXDO.N : SAVILL, EDWARDS AND CO., PRINTERS, CHAKDOS STRET. CONTENTS THE SECOND VOLUME. -CHAT. PICK I. THE TRIAL 1 II. SIR RICHARD EDGECOMBE AT HOME . . 47 III. PRIVATE AFFAIRS 87 IV. THE LYDGATES AGAIN 110 V. THE MYSTERY BEGINS TO CLEAR UP . 146 VI. THE WEDDING DAY 174 VII. SIR DRUMMOND LYDGATE 201 -VIII. " SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDl" . . . 225 IX. EDITH 252 X. ANOTHER CHRISTMAS DAY CONCLUSION CHAPTEE I. THE TRIAL. It was dark night when I arrived at home the day of my interview with Mr. Edge combe, and this less from the fatigue of my horse than my own reluctance to meet Mrs. "Walters.

I knew perfectly well the poor woman had been in a state of the greatest anxiety the whole day, hoping against hope that my mission would be successful ; whereas the only intelligence I could give her was, that there was not the slightest chance of mercy being shown by Mr. Edge combe. So heavily did this feeling of reluc tance to meet the poor woman press on me, VOL. ii. that before reaching Beauweir I had allowed the speed of my horse to slacken into a de liberate walk. One effect I had anticipated would arise from my late arrival at home was, that I could put off my interview with Mrs. Walters till the next morning, so as to give me time to determine in what manner I could break my distressing intelligence to her so as to cause her the least possible sorrow. Over and over again, during my drive, did I turn the subject over in my thoughts, but without any good result.

I resolved therefore to think, if possible, no more about it that night, but to take up the subject again the next morning before my visit to the Rectory, when my mind would be clearer than it was that night, with the whole of the events of the day pressing on it. My determination, however, was ineffec tual. On entering the house my wife rushed towards me, exclaiming — " Oh, my dear, I am so glad you are come home ! Is there any chance for Edgar Walters?" "None." "Have you been to the Rectory?" " No, I have not," I replied ; " nor do I intend going there before to-morrow, for my mind is so harassed and fatigued, I have not the energy necessary to meet Mrs. Walters to-night." " But, my dear," said Kate, " you must. I know she is expecting you, and it will be very unkind of you not to go." "I cannot help it," I said.

Chapter II. Sir Richard Edgecombe At Home

During the next two years, little occurred in Beauweir worthy of record, with the ex ception of Lucy Walters receiving an offer of marriage from Mr. Hollingshed the curate, and which was accepted. The match, indeed, gave every promise of being a happy one, although the wedding was postponed till the reverend gentleman should be in circumstances to support a wife. This occurred somewhat earlier than was expected, for a year after he had made the offer, a distant maiden relative died and left him full two hundred pounds a year, which, added to the salary paid him by the rector, was considered sufficient, and the wedding day was definitely decided on. The marriage took place about six months after Mr. Holling shed came into possession of his property, and the wedding ceremony was performed by Mr. Walters in the parish church of Beauweir, my daughter Edith and a sister of the bridegroom acting as bridesmaids.

Immediately after the ceremony the happy couple started on a short tour, and when they returned they took up their abode in a neat cottage near the rectory, which had been newly furnished for them. To the surprise of all, Mrs. Walters made an excellent mother-in-law, interfering but little with the young couple, who appeared as happy as it was possible for two mortals to be. And now occurred a circumstance which caused a great revolution in the Lydgate family. One morning, Sir John was found dead in his bed. By what means I know not, the information was immediately con veyed to Mr. Edgecombe, and so rapid were that gentleman's movements, that two days after Sir John's death he was already in Beauweir, and had taken up his quarters in the village inn. He, however, kept himself perfectly quiet till two days after the fune ral, when he called on Lady Lydgate at the Hall.

His behaviour, though courteous, was so cool that the widow easily perceived she was considered as an interloper, and she broached the subject of her removal. She informed him that it was her intention to give him possession at as early a day as possible. Still she hoped that a few weeks would be allowed her to make her arrange ments. This he immediately accorded her, at the same time telling her he should like her to fix the exact day of her departure, as he intended making great alterations in the 4 VOL. building, which he wished to be com pleted before winter set in; and he suggested that if she moved out by that day month, it might be sufficient for her — a proposition she immediately accepted. After Sir John's death, the widow and her daughters found themselves in a most embarrassed position.

Bad as she imagined her husband's circumstances to be, her imagination by no means came up to the reality. She was, in fact, utterly destitute, as the furniture and plate, which she had fondly imagined would have been her own, had to be sold to pay her husband's liabilities. Drummond, through the whole, behaved admirably. Had he been her son, instead of her proposed son-in-law, he could not have been more affectionate and attentive. Sir John's death occurred in a fortunate moment for him ; for his leave of absence, which he had contrived twice to get renewed, was on the point of expiring. Again, to his great satisfaction, he found that his regiment was ordered home from India, which would save him the expense of the voyage out, and as he had determined to sell his commission, the price he would receive for it would be far higher if he sold it when his regiment was in England.

He was now fully resolved to emigrate as soon as his marriage with Amelia had taken place, and Lady Lydgate and her other daughters were perfectly prepared to accompany him. Before the time specified by Mr. Edgecombe the sale of the furniture had taken place, the widow and her daughters had removed to London, and Drummond, after having seen them settled in comfortable lodgings, left them to join his regiment in Portsmouth immediately on its arrival. The new heir to the Lydgate estates now took possession of his inheritance : but he 4—2 did not commence the great alterations which he had advanced as his reason for wishing Lady Lydgate to remove from the house with so much rapidity. He did not even furnish it — at least, beyond putting sufficient in it for his own bachelor wants ; but the reason for this was explained by the fact that he was on the point of marriage with a rich heiress, the daughter of a deceased Liverpool banker, and he therefore postponed all do mestic arrangements till his future wife should have had an opportunity of express ing her wishes on the subject.

In the meantime, Mr. Edgecombe — or, as he was already called, Sir Richard Edge combe — set himself to work to put the estate in order, as he called it. He brought with him a solicitor, who for the future was to act as his agent ; and Mr. Heblate, who had acted in that capacity for Sir John Lydgate, was requested to transfer into the hands of the new-comer all papers, deeds, and docu ments in his possession. Never was the fable of King Stork and King Log more perfectly realized than by these two gentle men. If the tenants on the estate had occasionally a difficulty in getting the lease re newed or a direct answer from Mr. Heblate, they had none with his successor. All the leases were carefully gone through, and woe betide the unfortunate tenant who had not complied with all the clauses in his lease, whose fences were out of repair, or whose farm had not been tilled in a husbandlike manner.

All these were summardy proceeded against, as Sir Richard Edgecombe had discovered that the average value of land in the county was from ten to five-and-twenty per cent. higher than the amount paid by the majority of his tenants. Again, there were several farms of which the leases had run out, but had not been renewed in consequence oi the incapacity of Sir John Lydgate to transact business. All these had not only an increase of rent to pay, under penalty of ejectment, but most had a premium exacted from them as well. Loud and sorrowful was the cry which arose from the tenants ; but if Sir Richard Edgecombe had been made of stone, instead of flesh and blood, their complaints could not have been more useless. To his tenants in the village he behaved with more apparent consideration, partly, as it would have been difficult to have extorted from them a greater amount than they already paid ; and partly that the greater portion of the village belonged to one of the partners in the wire-works, who was per fectly contented with the rent he received, and Sir Richard Edgecombe did not wish to appear less liberal than the manufacturer.

To one person Sir Richard behaved espe cially ill, and that was poor Mr. Walters. He pretended that, after the disgrace which had fallen on the rector by the crime of his son, it was an infringement on public mora lity for him to continue in his living, and for that reason he declined all communication with him. Most people thought that the baronet was over-right sous ; but I, remembering the conversation which had taken place at Sir William Heathcote's, relative to Sir Richard Edgecombe placing a maternal uncle of his suture wife in the living, was able to attribute his behaviour to its right cause, although I said nothing about the matter. The village now became quite on the qui vive, in consequence of a report, which afterwards proved correct, that Miss John son, the affianced bride of Sir Richard, in company with one of her aunts, intended visiting the Hall, to determine what altera tions, if any, were required, or repairs should be made, prior to her residing in it.

The whole of the best inn was taken for her ac commodation; while the surveyor, uphol sterers, and cabinet-makers were lodged in houses in the village. In personal appear ance she had as little to recommend her as the man who was to be her husband. She was tall, thin, of a swarthy complexion, in tensely affected in her manner, and evidently as intensely proud. The women soon took a great aversion to her ; even my wife, who was generally exceedingly undemonstrative in matters of the kind, took as great a dis like to her as the rest. To me she was civil enough — most women, whatever their natural disposition may be ordinarily, are to the only medical man within call; but, in spite of her amiability to me, I could not admire or like her. She stopped among us for about a week, and then left the village with her aunt, little to the regret of any one.

Scarcely had Sir Richard Edgecombe and Miss Johnson left than the Hall was invaded by a host of bricklayers, painters, paper hangers, and other artisans, who commenced putting it in thorough substantial and or namental repair; and these had scarcely completed their labours than several waggon loads of costly furniture, attended by numerous upholsterer's men, passed through the village on their way to the Hall, and with such diligence was everything effected, that before the spring had returned the place was in perfect order for the reception of its new occupants. By the newspapers we learnt that Sir Richard Edgecombe had married Miss Johnson early in the year, and that the happy couple immediately after the wedding had left London for Nice, where they intended to reside for some months. It was not before June that intelligence was received at the Hall that Sir Richard and Lady Edgecombe were upon the point of taking up their residence among us.

Of course the whole village was in a state of great excitement at the news, and vast in deed were the speculations among the retail shopkeepers as to the beneficial impulse commerce would receive from their residence among us. Sugar, Kate told me, rose a half penny a pound the day of their arrival, and the week afterwards butchers' meat had advanced one penny. The new couple did everything in their power to make them selves agreeable, and it is only justice to them to state, that to a considerable extent they succeeded ; but still few said, " Gfod bless them." Sir Richard, of course, took his seat on the bench of magistrates, and beyond that was elected chairman of the board of guardians. His behaviour in the latter capacity did him great credit, for a more liberal dietary was introduced into the workhouse, principally through his influ ence.

But even there his behaviour — plau sible, indeed, as it appeared at first sight — would hardly bear the test of examination. All the labourers' cottages in the immediate vicinity of the estate had long since been destroyed, and the men and their families were driven into the village, from which they had daily to walk some miles to their work. Now the result of this movement had been to reduce the poor's-rate of the parish in which the Hall was situated almost to nil, while the rate in the village parish was not less than four shillings in the pound, and which was again increased by Sir Richard's liberal treatment of the workhouse poor, while his own rates remained with hardly the slightest perceptible increase. Our annual flower show and school anni versary were now about to take place, and Sir Richard was appointed president of both.

Not only this year was there to be the usual charity sermon, but a public meeting was advertised to take place a week pre viously, Sir Richard Edgecombe in the chair, to take into consideration the best means to be adopted to enlarge the school buildings, and on other business connected with the schools. Two or three days before the meeting was to be held, I was greatly surprised by a visit from Sir Richard. He was exceedingly amiable and courteous, so much so that I could easily perceive it was not solely for the pleasure of my society that he had called. After a little conversation on general matters he broke ground. " I wished," he said, " especially to see you, not exactly on a subject of importance, on the contrary to me personally it would be a matter of perfect indifference, but I cannot help thinking Mr. Walters is acting very imprudently in continuing to reside in Beau weir."

" How so?" I inquired. "Because, after that unfortunate trial, in which, so much against my own inclination, I was obliged to act as prosecutor, he con tinues to reside among us. In the first place, it must be exceedingly disagreeable to him continually to meet me ; and in the second, it does not appear to me right that a man, whose son is notoriously a felon, should continue to act as rector of a parish where the whole affair is so perfectly well known. Do you not agree with me ?" " Candidly, I do not. As far as my own experience goes, I think there is not a person in the village who does not sym pathize with him, and the delicacy they show him, I consider, does them great credit." " I am very sorry you take that view of it," he said. " I had hoped to find you a mediator in the affair." " Understand me," I said ; " if I can be of any use in making matters agreeable to all parties, I will willingly do so; but in what way can I interfere ?

Have you any proposal to make ?" " None whatever," he said, hurriedly. " I thought perhaps you would have no objection, seeing the intimacy which exists between you, to show him the indelicacy of his continuing to reside in Beauweir." " As I really," I said, " can see no inde licacy whatever, it will be impossible for me to interfere." " Of course," he said, " it is merely a matter of opinion. If you do not take the same view of it I do, you are quite right not to speak to him on the subject. At the same time," he continued, looking at me in a most expressive manner, " I must still hold to my own opinion. Nor shall I attend his church, nor, in fact, any meeting of any description that I can avoid, where I am likely to meet him. Do you know if he in tends being present at the public meeting to be held for the schools ?"

"I have not heard him say anything about it ; but as I know he takes great in terest in them, I think it more than pro bable." " Then," said he, " I think it will be veiy had taste on his part, and I am very sorry to hear it." " May I ask why so ?" " Because, as I am advertised to take the chair, of course I cannot be absent, as it would disappoint the meeting." " I am very sorry," I said, " to see the view you take of it : but I am powerless. I know perfectly well that were I to mention to him our conversation it would grieve him exceedingly, and that 1 would not do, for I have a great respect for him." " Then you are quite right not to inter fere in the matter." The public meeting was held in the boys' schoolroom, which was crowded. The rector and Mrs. Walters were both present, but Mr. Hollingshed and his wife were absent.

Mr. and Mrs. Walters occupied chairs im mediately beside the chairman's ; the other side was reserved for the baronet's agent, who acted on the occasion as honorary secre - tary. I entered the room when it was nearly filled, but Kate and my eldest daughter occupied seats at the table nearly opposite the chairman's. When Sir Eichard Edgecombe entered he was received with great applause, which he acknowledged most graciously ; but I noticed that while bowing to the different notables present, not once did he turn his eyes to the rector and his wife. As soon as silence was obtained, he opened the meeting by requesting the hono rary secretary to read the notice convening it. When this was finished Sir Eichard rose to address the meeting. He com menced by stating the great pleasure he had in presiding over an assembly met together, as they were, to consider what steps it would be advisable to take to in crease the accommodation for the school children, so that a greater number might receive the benefits of a sound Christian education.

Of course the first subject to be considered was, in what way the funds were to be raised ; and this, in his opinion, was only to be done by public subscription. On occasions of the kind it was usual for all to contribute what was technically called their mite ; but in the present case that word must be set aside, and a liberal contribution would be expected from all, according to 5 VOL. their means, and he had no doubt the call would be generously answered. The hon. secretary at his right was provided with a list, in which the names of subscribers could be entered, and he should have much plea sure in heading it with a subscription of a hundred guineas. Here he was interrupted by deafening applause, his contribution amounting to twenty-five per cent, of the whole amount required. When silence was obtained he again continued, — " He regretted that Lady Edgecombe was that day not able to be present.

He was happy to say it was not ill-health that kept her away, but circumstances, in fact, of a somewhat disagreeable character, over which she had no control, unfortunately had compelled her to he absent. But al though not present in person, she was with them in heart, and she had requested him to place to the building fund a cheque for twenty pounds on her account, as a proof of her good feeling in the cause." Here, of course, was another round of applause, and when it had ended he con tinued in somewhat the following manner: — " I will now detain you but a short time longer before I place the subject in your hands for discussion ; but I cannot omit making a few remarks on the paramount necessity of giving to the children of our working classes a sound moral and religious education. We all admit the truth of the proverb, ' Train up a child in the way he should go ; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.' In my own experience I have never found it at fault.

I do not believe I ever met with a case in which a hoy did not turn out an honest man that he had not to thank neglect or bad example in 5—3 his parents or his teachers for his fall. And hard as it may possibly appear, public opinion generally visits the parents with the odium which is really their due, and they are pointed at almost more relentlessly than their fallen child, and he must be indeed a hardened. man who could hold up against it. At the same time, with the poor many extenuating circumstances may be brought forward in their favour. When the parents are igno rant it is hardly to be wondered at, if, with out extraneous aid, the children are ignorant as well ; and it is the duty of those whom Providence has blessed with comfort to assist in their instruction, either by money or personal exertion.

I will now leave the question in the hands of the meeting, and I shall be most happy to put any resolution or amendment you may wish." During Sir Eichard Edgecombe's speech I kept my eyes rigidly turned from the rector and his wife ; at the same time I felt the poor woman's gaze was full upon me, as if looking to me for support and defence. When Sir Eichard had finished I glanced at the rector. He was leaning his head on his walkingcane, evidently to hide his face, which his long grey hair hanging down also assisted in concealing ; but I could plainly perceive more than one heavy tear fall from beneath it. His wife I had not the courage to look at, although I knew her gaze was still full upon me. I was so annoyed at the cowardly, covert attack made upon the unhappy couple, that I determined to speak a few words in their defence ; but, fortunately, Mr. Batson, the wealthiest manufacturer in the place, spoke to the first resolution, and in so doing he took occasion to differ widely from the remarks of Sir Eichard Edgecombe as to the shame of the son's fault falling on the parents.

Although I believe he did but little good by his allusions, I was grateful to him, as I have always had .an intense aversion to public speaking, and it is more than probable I should have made a sim pleton of myself had I attempted it. Other speakers followed Mr. Batson, but as their speeches would have little interest for the reader, I will omit them, merely stating that the meeting passed off in a most satis factory manner, and that the whole sum re quired for the building was subscribed. When the meeting separated I purposely walked up to Mr. Walters and his wife, taking Kate and my eldest daughter with me, and directly in presence of Sir Eichard we addressed them in a most friendly man ner. Besides ourselves, several other per sons, I am happy to say, did the same ; and among them was Mr. Batson, the wire worker, who was particularly friendly in his manner.

To all this Mr. Walters returned but little answer, as his heart was evidently too full ; but his wife spoke for him, and, I am sorry to say, not only too much, but too loudly as well, as if to throw a sort of de fiance at Sir Eichard, who was standing near them, evidently listening attentively to all that was said. Mr. Walters, as usual, preached the charity sermon ; but the collection was very small, possibly owing to the subscription which had taken place for building the school only a few days before. Neither Sir Eichard nor Lady Edgecombe was present ; indeed, they had the same morning, just before service commenced, sent a message to the churchwarden, saying for the future they should not use their pew, and that it might be placed at the disposal of any one wanting it. Sir Eichard Edgecombe, although presi- THE DOCTOR OF BEATJWE1R. dent of the flower show, sent an excuse for non-attendance both for himself and his wife, nor would he allow his gardener to compete for a prize.

The rector and his wife were both there ; but the meeting went off in a somewhat dull and unsatisfactory manner. A few days after the flower show the rector sent a note to me, requesting I would call on him, as he wished particularly to speak to me on some business of importance. Within an hour after the receipt of his note I was at the rectory, and there I found Mr. and Mrs. Walters. They received me with great cordiality. " I knew, doctor," said the rector, " you would not delay calling on me when you were aware I wished to see you, and both my wife and myself have remained at home expecting your visit. The subject on which I wish to speak to you is the propriety of my quitting Beauweir. Sir Eichard Edgecombe and his wife have made the place insupportable to us, so cruel have been their conduct."

" I trust," I said, "you will not think of leaving on their account. His behaviour, to my certain knowledge, is caused by personal motives, and if he finds you resolve not to leave, I have no doubt his persecution will cease." " But what personal motives can he have ?" said Mrs. Walters. "We have done no thing whatever to offend him." " That I believe ; but perhaps you are not aware that he wishes to place a certain Mr. Ibbotson in the living, whose wife is the aunt of Lady Edgecombe, and I am fully persuaded all the annoyance you have received has arisen solely from that cause. As I said before, if you insist on remaining he will give way, and possibly in time you will hear no more of the matter." "I have always suspected," says the rector, "he was actuated by some other motive than the one he put forward ; but when I leave he will not find himself in a better position than he is at present.

My intention is not to resign the living, but simply to place my son-in-law in charge of it, while I and my wife retire to some place near on the sea-coast, where we shall be able, from time to time, to visit our daughter. All things considered, I think it will be the best step we can take. I do not hesitate in again telling you that Sir Eichard has made the place unsupportable to both of us, and we are resolved to quit it." "Although I certainly shall be most sorry to lose you, still it will be a great gratification to me to know he has failed in his plot ; but what will your bishop say to an arrangement of the kind?" " Erom him I have nothing to fear," said the rector ; " he is a kind-hearted, chari table man, and instead of throwing any obstacle in my way, when he is acquainted with all the circumstances, I am sure he will afford me every assistance in his power.

Now do be a kind friend to us, as you always have been. Tell those of your acquaintance of my determination to leave Beauweir, and the reason. Tell them also how much it grieves me to leave them, but I have no alternative. I shall always remember with gratitude the kindness I have received from all ; and if I do not call on them to take my leave personally, it is solely from the cause that the parting would be too painful to me." " 1 will certainly do so if you wish it ; but take my advice, think over the matter a little while longer, and then if you continue in the same mind, go if you please." "Many thanks, doctor, for your advice, but both my wife and myself are fully de termined on the subject, and to-morrow I leave Beauweir to see a cottage at B which has been offered to us, and which I think will suit us admirably."