Captain Macdonald, or, Haps and mishaps at Capias Castle

Front matter

LONDON) AND) NEW, YORK, mol, OTL LTULLAL 2

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Chapter I

“ Yug; it is a very fine age, no doubt,” Mrs. Wils liams says. ‘‘ What with India-rubber braces, lucifer matches, railroads, electric telegraphs, revolving pistols, perambulators for children, the new police—we have, it is very true, made gigantic strides in civilisation.» But, then, upon the other hand, what has become of the romantic character of England (for England was a romantic country), and that ‘free: dom’ of which every true Briton not only loves te enjoy, but talk about? What has become of them { They are gone—gone with hackney-coaches and ‘Charlies,’ and live only in books and the memories of very old men and women. That levelling system, which has been at work for the last thirty years, has altered everything. Who ever hears nowa-days of an elopement in high life? No one! And why? Svesnse there are such things as special

4 CALTAIN MACDONALD.

\rains and electric tefegraphs? Nothing of the kind. But simply because none but the lowest fugitives, such as thieves and fraudulent bankrupts, would travel in a crowd, and be pulled along by a smoking sngine. Servant maids may elope in these days; but not ladies. The hon. member of Parliament who (when opposing the first Railway Bill) put the question, ‘What will become of our daughters?’ has lived to see how groundless were his apprehensions.

“And whoever hears, now-a-days, of gentlemen being hunted by bailiffs, and defending themseives in their own castles? Formerly, that is to say, when the line was very distinctly drawn between gentlemen and ‘ others,’ debt and difficulties were regarded rather as an inconvenience than as a disgrace, and the best of company would frequently step froin carriages at the portals of the King’s Bench, to visit some friend or other whom ‘circumstances’ had driven within those walls. Debtors of rank, and men of fame and fashion, are now rarely or never occupants of our prisons; none but the insignificant and unknown find their way thither, and then only to remain until the Insolvent Court clears them of their liabilities. That Insolvent Court, by the bye, has deterred many gentlemen from running into debt and becoming inmates of the Bench. <A gentleman loes not like availing himself of a law which was

REFLECTIONS OF MRS. WILLIAMS. “51 intended only for traders; le would rather Aave his debts than get rid of them by a legal process—appearing before a commissioner, and answering all sorts of impertinent questions about expenditure, income, balance sheets, &e. &e. &e.

“The law of (mesne) mean process, too, has been so much simplified, that ‘a writ of summons’ may be served upon a debtor just as though it’were a taxpaper, or a shopkeeper’s circular; the person who serves it being dressed in a suit of dingy black, and bowing as he retires, not unfrequently saying, ‘Thank you, sir; good morning.’

‘A great deal of this change is attributable principally to the Houses of Parliament, which have contracted a habit of passing some bills (rapidly) to meet the exigency of any particular case. If Sir Francis Burdett had lived in the present day, and had shut himself up in his house in Piccadilly, keeping at bay the then Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms (the late Mr. Clementson) for an indefinite period, an Act would probably have been passed warranting his apprehension by force and violence. Instead of a troop of Life Guards accompanying Mr. Clementson (after he had taken Sir Francis by strategy) to the Tower, half a dozen policemen would have been deemed sufticient. Ah!” sighs Mrs. Williams, “if Captain and Lady Jane Macdonald had lived in these days, there would have been nothing to recount of Capias Castle.”

6 AAVDTATN MACDONALD.

‘And who is Mrs. Williams?” the reader may ask.

Mrs. Williams is an old lady of ninety-two years of age, albeit she does not look sixty. She was never married, but assumed the title of “ Mrs.” in 1828. Her teeth are sound and white, her silver-gray hair abundant and smooth, her large eyes lustrous still, and her figure as erect as that of a young maiden. But what she thanks God for most is, that her faculties are unimpaired. She can read without spectacles, can hear perfectly, and so strong is her memery she can recount any event or incident in her long life with a clearness and minuteness truly astonishing. Mrs. Williams was the housekeeper at the Castle during the period of the siege—‘“‘ the famous siege,” as she calls it—and at the Castle she frequently saw and conversed with some of the most famous men of the past century: Fox, Sheridan, Burke, Sir P. Francis—yes, and the Prince of Wales amongst the number. By the way, Mrs. Williams only knew the Prince of Wales as ‘‘ Lord Dublin.” At Capias he was invariably spoken of, and spoken to, by that title. Of course every one knew that he was heir to the throne, but as such did not recognise him, for he did not wish to be ‘ Royal Highnessed” constantly.

It is time, however, to introduce the reader to some other people.

GAPTAIN MACDONALD IN LOVE. 4

CHAPTER ff,

Captain MAacpoNnaLp was an officer in the Life Guards, and the tallest and handsomest man in the regiment. When dressed in his uniform and mounted on his black charger, Mrs. Williams says he was as _ fine a specimen of the human race as ever lived in this world. The Captain, who was an only son, belonged to a very ancient family, albeit his descent was not “noble.” His father was possessed of considerable landed property, which was entailed upon the Captain; but the old gentleman, who was a great miser, allowed his son only a few hundreds a year in addition to his pay. Besides being tall and handsome, Captain Macdonald was a very clever and witty person, with buoyant spirits anda gay humour. With the fair sex he was an especial favourite and night have married any one of several rich heiresses who had recently been to Court; but Captain Macdonald was in love with Lady Jane Clay, the only daughter of the Marquis of Millfield. Lady Jane was a tall, handsome girl of nineteen, full of life and spirits, and in every way suited to be the mate of such a man as Captain Macdonald; but the Marquis, who could not bear the idea of his daughter forming a matrimonial alliance with an untitled captain in the army, observed the “attachment” of the young people (Captain Macdonald was only twenty-four) with extreme annoyance, if not disgust; while old Mr. Macdonald, to whom the subject had been broached, was disposed to think that ambition, and not love, had guided his son’s choice, and recommended that the project should be abandoned.

At the close of the London season, Lord Millfield removed his daughter to Wales, and then commenced the misery of the lovers.

Captain Macdonald sought the assistance of Lady Enamel—the Dowager Lady Enamel—one of the greatest characters in the known world. She had been a celebrated beauty early in George the Third’s reign, but she was now advanced in years: she had seen sixty. Few persons had made so many “matches” in high life as Lady Enamel. Had it been her “mission” upon earth to “mate” people, she could not have pursued it more intently than she did. To her it was a pleasure, a business, an occupation, to bring parties suited to each other to the altar; and, like the King of the Belgians, who is also a great professor in the art, it must be acknow. ledged that Lady Enamel rarely or never made a mistake,—that is to say, her ‘‘ matches” invariably turned out well, and her couples were very happy and comfortable. Now, when Captain Macdonald called upon Lady Enamel and sought her assistance, he

LADY ENAMEL’S ADVICE. 9 learnt, to his surprise, that she had already done her utmost to serve him, and that she could hold out nc hope of being able to soften the heart of Lord Millfield, who expected to see Lady Jane a duchess, at the very least.

“His lordship admits,” said Lady Enamel, ‘‘that you are all that I have represented you to be, but, nevertheless, not qualified for his son-in-law, Now, my advice to you is this: ag ha will not give her, take her. Do as Lord Eastmore aid last year with Miss Fylde, the banker’s daughter—run off with Lady Jane to Gretna Green, and there marry her.”

‘ But would she go?” asked the Captain.

“OF course she would,” replied Lady Enamel; “and, if you don’t propose it, the chances are she will regard you as a man wanting in spirit and enterprise, and cease to love you as she now does.”

“T will write to her this very night,” exclaimed the Captain.

‘But beware, rash young man!” said the dowager. “Your letter may be intercepted. Depend upon it, Lord Millfield wili carefully examine the exterior of every epistle before it is permitted to reach Lady Jane’s hand. Entrust your letter to me, and I will enclose it in a frank by to morrow’s mail. Remember, I must not be betrayed as aiding and abetting you in carrying of Lady Jane against the will of the Marquis.”

“You shall never be betrayed, dear Lady Enamel; and let me offer you a thousand thanks.”

“You need not—for I am almost as much interested in the matter as yourself. It would fidget me to death to see that magnificent girl linked for life to that miserable little Duke of Douthland.”

*¢ Douthland !”

“Yes. That is the man, or rather the apology fora man, whom Lord Millfield expects to have for a son-in-law.”

“ Tmpossible !”

“Why impossible, Captain Macdonald? I tell you that it is a fact. I have been consulted by Lord Millfield on the matter; and at his request, have spoken to Lady Jane in a quiet way.”

‘« And advised her to marry him?”

‘“Ves—if she can admire him. But then she cannot. Now, listen tome, young gentleman. Lady Jane, when I spoke to her about the Duke of Douthland, told me that if she could not marry George Macdonald of the Life Guards, she would remain single till the end of her days. Are you aware that the Duke of Douthland is invited to Millfield Hall to shoot this season ?”

‘NO?

‘‘Such is the case, and what is more, he has accepted the invitation. Now, although Lady Jane may be sincere in her declaration, remember that it has happened in this world that young ladies have

IGNORANCE OF YOUNG MEN. 11 been talked out of their attachments, and induced to marry for lofty rank, position, and wealth. My advice, therefore, is—lose no time. Satisfied, as you must be, that she loves you, that the Marquis will have nothing to say to you—lay your plans boldly, and rest assured they will meet with Lady Jane’s approbation. By the bye, Lady Jane’s mother eloped with the Marquis. He had then no hope of ever succeeding to the title and estates. His uncle, the late lord, had then two sons living, and two nephews older than the present Marquis of Millfield.”

«Then he will very soon forgive me for doing what he did himself.”

« How little you young men know of the world ! The Marquis will never forgive you for running away with his daughter. Know you not that in later life we despise those who commit the offences to which we were in our youth ourselves partial? There may be exceptions; but such, I assure you, is the rule, Now, run away home; write your letter, and bring it to me for despatch. You shall have Lady Jane for your bride. She shall mo¢ marry that emaciated and unhealthy pigmy—the Duke of Douthland; for I entirely agree with what my dear friend Erskine ~ gaid the other day in his famous speech, when he defended Lord Dingham, in that crim. con. case. Yes, yes. Erskine was quite right, and I love him for having the daring to speak out so openly. It was all ¢rue—-all true,”

4 OAPTAIN MACDONALD,

Chapter III

Witn Lord Eastmore, to whom Lady Enamel alluded, Captain Macdonald had an intimate acquartance. Kastmore, indeed, previous to his marriage, had belonged to the Life Guards, So far from having any objection to afford information, when the Captain called upon him, he entered into the project with something very like zeal.

After giving a sketch of the road, and the various posting houses, his lordship recommended the Captain not to forget pistols.

“For what? Not to shoot the father, should he pursue us?”

‘‘No—but if it is as close a run as mine was, you ought to do what I did. I shot one of the horses in his carriage, and thus got half an hour's advantage— just time enough to have the ceremony over before the old gentleman came up to withhold his blessing. But if you are compelled to shoot a horse, pray mind what you are about, my dear Mae, or you may shoot the post boy, and that would be a pretty business. You must wait till he comes close up, and then take a quiet and deliberate aim. I'll lend you my pistols, if you like,”

THE ELOPEMENT PLANNED. 13

“ Many thanks, my dear Eastmore. ButI hope there will be no occasion for me to use them.”

“ But whois it, Mac? Whoisthelady? Who

the father?”

“That is a secret at present.”

Not with me. After giving you all the information, and lending you these weapons, you surely ought to tell me who it is you are going to carry off. Of my silence you may be assured. I will tell no one but my wife, and she will not fail to hold her tongue on the subject.”

“ Well, then, it is Lady Jane Clay.”

Lord Eastmore gave a shrill whistle, which might have been heard at the other end of the street— Dover Street, Piccadilly—where his lordship was then living, in a very humble and quiet manner, his resources being at an extremely low ebb, for his own father, the Earl of Ampthon, had not the power to increase his allowance, and his wife’s father had not the will. ‘‘ By Jove, sir, you will be hotly pursued, and overtaken unless you can get a good start; for old Millfield knows the road, and all the short cuts, as well as I do, if not better. You must set off at two o'clock in the morning, so that you may be sixty miles at least on the road before the alarm is given. Lady Jane, eh? What a sensation it will create to be sure! as much as our affair did? I wish you joy and success, Mac, from the bottom of my heart.”

And with these words the laughing Lord Eastmore took the hand of his friend and shook it warmly. s * x x & %

Captain Macdonald’s proposals were accepted by Lady Jane, and she promised to hold herself in readiness for his arrival on the night mentioned in his letter. Mrs. Williams (then Annie Williams) was Lady Jane’s maid, and assisted her mistress in that momentous matter of running off with Captain Macdonald. It was she who carried the small portmanteau down to the post-chaise, and conducted Lady Jane down the back staircase at Millfield Hall when the coast was all clear, or, in other words, when the other servants had retired to rest. It was she who gave the alarm at eight o’clock that morning, and was “convinced” Lady Jane had fled to London, for she vowed she would go there. But Lord Millfield had a presentiment that it was otherwise, and took the road to Gretna Green, and at the first stage discovered that his instincts had led him into the right track. while the description of the gentleman satisfied him of the correctness of his conjecture as to ‘that scoundrei Macdonald being the offender.” A pursuit was, in those days, considered absolutely necessary, no matter how hopeless the pursuit might be; and Lord Millfield, therefore, journeyed on, as speedily as possible, to the boundary, where he learnt that the fugitives had crossed some hours previously.

PARENTAL INDIGNATION-—CAST OFF. 15

So his lordship returned to his home, and made the | customary vows never to recognise Captain Macdonald as his son-in-law, and never again to see or speak to his daughter, expressing at the same time an opinion that the conduct of the one had been ungentlemanlike to the last degree, and that of the other undutiful and unnatural.

Great, indeed, was the sensation which the elopement of Lady Jane Clay with Captain Macdonald created in the higher classes of society, just as Lord Eastmore had anticipated; and in one of the journals there was an allusion to the “ folly” of the lady in throwing herself away upon a person of insignificant birth and position, when she might have formed an alliance with any of the most distinguished families in the kingdom. And this so wounded the pride of old Mr. Macdonald, so galled him, that he was determined to be revenged upon his son, and forthwith stopped his allowance, leaving the Captain nothing but bis bare pay to subsist upon,

CHAPTER IY.

Caprain and Lady Jane Macdonald rented an old-fashioned, but roomy house at Brompton. (Brompton was almost “in the country ” in those times.) The house was surrounded by a large garden and grounds, tastefully laid out. The name of this edifice was Elm Lodge; but, while the Captain and Lady Jane lived in it, it was better known among their friends as ‘The Robber’s Cave.” Itwas Lady Enamel who gave the abode that name.

The Cave became a famous place for resort amongst the choice spirits of that time. There, on Sundays, they would congregate and enjoy themselves from noon till midnight. It was a somewhat Bohemian, but very clever set of people that used to meet there every Sunday. first came Lady Enamel, whose wit and humour were appreciated by the leading wits of the day, and whose conversation was always cheerful and entertaining, Then there was George Rivers, the famous George Rivers, renowned for impudence and coolness, which amounted to wit, and hig extraordinary taste in matters of dress. Frank Beverley, who had distinguished himself by escaping from the Fleet Prison,

| LIFE AT “THE CAVE.” 17 where he was confined for debt, running down to a borough in the north, and getting returned for Parliament, thus giving rise to the question whether he could be retaken during the sitting of the House; a question which, Mrs. Williams says, was decided in his favour. The gallant Captain Dilrey Churchman, of the Guards, who won a prize of twenty thousand pounds in the lottery, and “did not fritter away a farthing of it in paying his tradesmen” (Churchman used to say that he should die of ennwé if itwere not for his debts), and Mr. Fountain, an eminent equity barrister, were algo frequent visitors at the Cave. Mr. Fountain had avery considerable practice, but such was his talent for spending money before he had earned it, he rarely or never had a bank-note in his possession. It was at the Cave that Mrs. Williams first saw those distinguished men mentioned in the first chapter of this narrative.

Very few ladies visited at the Cave; for Lady Jane, tutored by Lady Enamel, “hated women, unless they were spirituelle.” Mrs. ¥ountain, by the way, usually accompanied her husband, and, as none of the party had a puritanical tendency, she wouid sing and play for the amusement of the company. Mrs. Fountain had in both of these accomplishments attained what, in those days, was considered to be perfection. Lord and Lady Eastmore ¢nvariably spent the Sunday at the Cave. The latter was a very quaint little body, gentle in manner, but daring in spirit ; clever, and sometimes brilliant, but lackadaisical and frivolous—childishly frivolous. She was so very like Lydia Languish in the Rivals, that many people believed, and perhaps correctly, that the character had been taken from Lady Eastmore.

Regimental duty became such a bore to a man who was desirous of being constantly in his wife’s company, and whose wife was always pining when he was absent only for a few hours, that Captain Macdonald sold out, and placed the proceeds of his commission at his bankers. The amount did not last very long; but persons who, like the Captain and Lady Jane, were living on “large expectations,” rarely or ever trouble themselves about economy. It is true that their large expectations were very remote, according to human calculation; but nevertheless they were expectations, and large ones. On the death of his father, Captain Macdonald, as already stated, would inherit the estates, which were considerable in extent; and on the death of Lord Millfield, he would, in his wife’s right, be entitled to sixty thousand pounds in the funds, in which Lord Millfield had only a life interest, the remainder being settled on his daughter. But then Lord Millfield was not old, nor infirm, and Mr. Macdonald’s life was worth ten years’ purchase, at the very least computation.

Such were the circumstances of this improyiaeut f

* HEBREW CHARACTERS.” 19 couple at the time when it was absolutely necessary to “call in the Jews.”

Captain Macdonald had never had any dealings with ‘the persuasion,” and therefore, one Sunday at iancheon, in order to acquire some information, he mentioned that he had a friend who wished for a Hebrew capitalist to assist him in a trifling difficulty. Every one of the gentlemen present had a Jew whom he could strongly recommend, just as if a medical man had been asked for.

Lord Eastmore said, ‘“‘ Levy is a splendid fellow ; a man of very few words, who will come to the point at once.”

‘Let him try Myers,” said George Rivers, ‘‘ and say that I recommended him. ‘The recommendation may be of some service to me, perhaps.”

“Well, I don’t want to stand in Rivers’s way,” said Churchman, ‘ but if your friend really wants a good Jew, who will not pester him periodically, let him, by all means, go to Aaron Hart.”

‘A Jew that will not pester him,” said Captain Macdonald, ‘‘is precisely the sort of Jew that my friend wishes to meet with.”

“T have had very considerable experience of the Hebrew race,” said Mr. Fountain, “ both in a professional and domestic character, and I must say that the mostcivil and accommodating Jew I ever encountered is Moses Lyon.”

“The characters of these gentlemen stand se high,” said Captain Macdonald, “that I shall recommend my friend not to show any undue preference. but to call them aii in ; so that if you will favour me with their respective addresses, I shall be much obliged to you.”

BETTER THAN A FATHER.” 91

Chapter V

Tz Tsraelites had no sort of objection to make acvances to Captain Macdonald, and upon terms s0 moderate that the borrower was quite astonished. So very moderate were the terms, the Captain was tempted to take even a larger sum than he required for the present. The security demanded was also so very simple, and so easily given. It was, in fact, nothing more than a mere promissory note at six months’ date.

Lady Jane said the Jews were as good as a father to them. Her husband thought they were much better.

Lady Enamel cautioned her young friends against having any dealings with that detested race, whom she loathed and abhorred, and were only born, she said, to pe persecuted, insulted, and despised ; and they, her young friends, promised to give attention to her advice, but cultivated the tribe, nevertheless. The Captain bought some fresh horses; and Lady Jane laid in a stock of brilliants, pearls, and emeralds, and ereated the envy of half the fine ladies at court, when she was ‘ presented” (by the Lady Enamel) “ on her marriage with Captain Macdonald, of the Life Guards.” The visitors at the Cave became more numerous ; but still “the set” was a very exclusive one. A better host and hostess it would be difficult to imagine, for both of them had the art of making their friends not only “at home,” but pleased, joyous, and happy. Indeed, the sight only of such a handsome and good-tempered couple, was sufficient to charm people, without the addition of their liehthearted and animated conversation. And then Captain Macdonald, who had travelled a good deal on the Continent, was such an accomplished person, and so very well informed, that many distinguished men, who were very considerably older than himself, always found in him an agreeable companion, and na doubt regretted that a young man of such eminent ability should be so disposed to waste it, and live and die an idler. ‘I have seen Captain Macdonald,” says Mrs. Wiiliams, “ take a piece of chalk, and upon a wall give one of the greatest painters England ever produced an accurate idea of some celebrated picture that he had seen in Italy, or in Spain. I have known him recite passages from Shakspeare in such a way that even Kemble marvelled at his power, and the truthfulness of his conceptions. Ia word, there was nothing, seemingly, that the Captain could mot do, except keep accounts, or reduce his expenditure.”

It would be impossible to state, with precision, at what rate Captain and Lady Jane Macdonald were living; but it could not have been under five thou-

AN OLD CASTLE COVETED. 23 sand per annum. When in London, they were to be seen at every fashionable place of public amusen ent; and they would frequently give a ball themselves, and light up the grounds of the Cave in the most artistic fashion imaginable. During the summer, that is to say from the middle of June till thee d of September, they used to live in a house not far from Lodestairs, which was then a small fishing village ; and here, too, the Macdonalds dispensed those hospitalities for which they were so famous. Not many miles from Lodestairs there is an old castle. It now stands on the very edge of the cliff; but some sixty years ago it was distant from the sea about one-third ofamile. The castle is a very old building, and was erected, it is believed, by some Norman lord. It looks an imposing but cheerless abode from without ; within, however, itis as comfortable as itis capacious. From the tower and the battlements the eye commands a view of the Channel, and of the whole country for miles round. There is now but very little land attached to the castle, the sea having washed away the oreater part of the estate, the lawn, the flower-gardens, and the meadows which were beyond them. This property was coveted by Captain and Lady Jane Macdonald, and they desired to purchase it; but in order to do so, it was necessary to make further application to the Jews, who were ready enough to advance the gum required by the owner of the castle, especially as the title deeds were to be deposited with them as security. Neither the Captain nor his wife ‘‘ cared one farthing” (to use their own words) who had the title deeds, so long as they had possession of the castle; on the contrary, they said, they ‘did not wish to be bothered with the care of the documents, and would rather than not that the Jews locked them up.” The castle, then knownas Kthelred Castle,with the fifty acres of landwhich surrounded it, was accordingly purchased for sixteen thousand pounds, and the Captain forthwith began to restore it to its pristine state of grandeur. It was their hobby, and they spared. neither expense nor trouble in making it an extremely attractive residence. The Hebrew capitalists were invited down to inspect the edifice upon which it was proposed to lay out their money; and they had the good taste to be very much pleased with it. ‘‘ Yes, and it was” (Mrs. Williams says) ‘a lovely spot, fit for the residence of a king.”

Captain Macdonald erected new stables, and had a race-course formed in front of the castle; and Lady Jane had a new conservatory, which was stocked with the most precious plants and flowers that could be procured, The room in the tower was converted into a card-room, where the players might inhale the fresh breeze from the sea, while they amused themselves during the warm summer days, And what lent an additional charm to the castle, as

WHY THE JEWS BECAME SHY. 25 an abode, was the circumstance that Lord Dutchland’s country seat was less than two miles distant, and there the best company in the kingdom was always to be met with. Lord and Lady Dutchland were upon very intimate terms with the Macdonalds, and had more than once, in conjunction with Lady Enamel, endeavoured to reconcile Lord Millfield to the young people: in vain, however; for Lord Millfield was so greatly exasperated with them that he married a second time, with a young and pretty eirl, and begat an heir to the estates, which was—as Captain Macdonald used to speak of it—‘‘a very serious and desperate proceeding on his lordship’s part ;” and, what was the worst of the measure, in point of effect, it startled the Jews, and made them, if not absolutely ‘‘ shy,” at all events backward in “coming down” with further sums of money, periodically. So dilatory, in fact, had they become in replying to the Captain’s epistles, he was actually compelled to hunt up a few “ fresh” Jews, in order to keep his floating balance at his banker’s at a respectable figure ; and, what was even more aggravating still, on the part of the “ old” Jews—who up to the birth of Lord Millfield’s heir had behaved so extremely well—was that they began to ask the Captain a variety of questions in writing, which it would have been both tedious and humiliating to answer.