Memoirs of Edward, Earl of Sandwich, 1839-1916

Front matter

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Preface

The Memoirs of Edward, 8th Earl of Sandwich, are compiled from the material that he collected from old diaries, with a view to the publication of an autobiography. He did not, unluckily, live to complete this work, but the result of his labours is now given to the public, with the addition of letters which he had kept for the purpose.

The task was probably not a very congenial one to Lord Sandwich, but he was urged to accomplish it by many friends, amongst whom was the late Lord Redesdale,

In the diaries and letters covering the early and middle portions of his life, we find much that is of interest. The writer reveals himself as a man of the world, a lover of Society at home and abroad, a man with a tender heart that is easily touched by any of the tragedies of life, whether of poverty or illness, but one who covered his rather sensitive nature with a cloak of sarcasm. In everything that he writes there is a personal note and very frequently a touch of humour. Whether he is describing a Royal marriage or an elusive tiger-hunt in which, unlike most sportsmen, he did not kill or even see the tiger, he has always an eye for the comic side of things.

The serious side of his rather complex personality showed a very simple and sincere religious faith and a very human sympathy. These qualities deepened as he advanced in years, and became conspicuous vi PREFACE

towards the end of his life, when he took up, finally and in earnest, the work of healing the sick.

The main object in publishing the Memoirs, besides the very obvious one of fulfilling Lord Sandwich's wishes, is that of presenting to the public some account of his experiences in spiritual healing and of his communications with one in the spirit world, who was known to him as Dr. Coulter. The question will naturally arise, " How far are we to believe in the messages that he received and in the source of their inspiration?"

It is a question that will be answered by each of us according to our convictions and according to the evidence that we can gather from the circumstances in which the messages were delivered.

This is a vital point, and one that we may as well consider at once.

Lord Sandwich himself, although he was given inspired directions concerning his healing, did not receive the messages direct ; he received them through the American psychic, Mrs. Herbine, and through his niece, Mrs. Scott-Gatty. All the messages included in this volume were delivered to Mrs. Scott- Gatty, w^ho wrote them down as she received them, word for word, in the exact form in which they are given.

When these messages come, as I can testify by personal experience, the w^ords flow with lightning rapidity and without a pause. It is therefore impossible that the messages should be an involuntary composition of the brain, for no practised writer could compose at such speed, keeping up the spirit of the communication and the language in which it is clothed.

Turning to the messages themselves, we find that they are always couched in the same strain ; the prose is terse, dignified, with occasional relapses into

PREFACE vii

colloquialism. They are always wide in scope, overflowing with love, high in morality, cosmic in character. They never deviate in character or form, and we can always discern a latent personality inspiring them.

" I am only a humble guide, come to help you from the Divine Master," Dr. Coulter says in the first recorded message to Lord Sandwich, and we can but admit that he has said nothing that could militate against so high a mission.

As the Editor of these Memoirs, I have had little to do beyond weaving together the mass of material collected by Mrs. Scott-Gatty. To her intimate knowledge of the personality of her uncle and to her faculty for making the past live again is due any merit that the book may possess as a " human document."

Beatrice Erskine.

Contents

CHAPTER

I. EARLY YEARS

II. CONSTANTINOPLE .

Chapter II Constantinople

On February 4th, 1858, Lord Hinchingbrooke joined the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards at Wellington Barracks. He was now launched in London society, and appears to have enjoyed the experience with all the zest of his naturally gay temperament.

His first experiences of life in the Army are given in an old diary.

" We went to 26, Curzon Street in January, and on February 4th I j oined the 2nd Grenadier Guards at Wellington Barracks.

" Colonel the Hon. R. Bruce was CO. ; F. Keppel, Adjutant. I asked my Grenadier servant on which shoulder the sash was worn. After consideration he told me on the right. On my way to barracks I saw officers in the distance with their sashes on the left shoulder, and had to change my sash in the Park, which was not easy in those days, as the sash was loose. When I joined, my father gave me his old bearskin as part of my outfit. The bearskins of the men were supposed to last six years, and my father had left the regiment more than twenty years. It was speedily ridiculed and condemned, and I had to provide myself with a new one. I had to live in barracks at first, and hearing a noise under my window one morning I got up and looked out, and found a man in the Coldstreams being flogged in the back yard. I thought it a horrible and gruesome spectacle. I am happy to think this barbarous practice has been abolished. Very few cases have arisen in my experience. Shortly after I became Adjutant in 1864, a man by name Lewis refused to do three drills which I had ordered. The CO. gave him seven days' cells, which he also refused to undergo. He was tried by District Court Martial and sentenced to fifty lashes, which were inflicted after I had read out the proceedings. If I had had a little more experience, I think this might have been avoided. Any non-commissioned oflicer had the power of placing a private in the guard-room, where he was kept until the following morning. I gave an order that whenever a man was sent to the guard-room a report was immediately to be made to me, and similarly if he refused to obey an order when in the guard-room.

" Many a time a word or two has brought the man to his senses. I only gave them one chance, but I venture to think that many years of imprisonment have been avoided thereby. Tactless, overbearing non-commissioned officers were generally the cause of insubordination. I only remember one case in which two men were obdurate to my advice. When they appealed to me later I declined to interfere, and I am afraid those two men, after a long period, regretted their lost opportunity.

" 1 remember meeting the Duke of Cambridge,

VISCOUNT HINCHINGBROOKE, GRENADIER GUARDS

After a photcgraph so]

1858] FLOGGING IN THE ARMY 21

Commander-in-Chief, at dinner shortly afterwards, when, in general conversation on the subject, the Duke appealed to me, saying, ' There is an officer of the Guards who will tell you how necessary it is to keep up flogging in the Army.' I answered with all deference that I highly approved of the abolition.

"It was interesting to consider what the opinion of the men themselves was on the subject. Those I asked about it generally replied that they thought the flogging should be retained for one offence — i.e. stealing from a comrade, which in effect was the only crime which affected them personally.

" I very much enjoyed my first season in London. Covent Garden Theatre had recently been rebuilt after the fire. I went there for the first time with my mother, who was invited by the Duchess of Cambridge to the Queen's Box.

' ' I was highly delighted at being asked by Lord Stratford de Redcliffe to go on his Staff in his Special Embassy to Constantinople to take leave of the Sultan. Just before starting I was reUeved on the Queen's Guard, St. James's Palace, by PhiUp Smith. This was our first meeting, the foretaste of our life-long friendship.

" On September 4th I started with Lord Stratford de Redcliffe on his Special Embassy to the Sultan of Turkey — Lady Stratford and her daughters, the Hon. Catherine and the Hon. Mary Canning, the Hon. George Waldegrave, the Hon. John Warren, James Swinton, the painter, Baron Marochetti, the sculptor. 3

22 CONSTANTINOPLE [chap, il

•' From Paris I spent a night at Chantilly with the Cowley s.

" At Marseilles we embarked on board H.M.S. CuraQoa, a frigate of 31 guns. Captain Mason.

" I was enchanted with the scenery of the Straits at Messina. We stayed the night there, and we landed and drove up a mountain, whence the view was splendid."

Viscount Hinchingbrooke to the Countess of Sandwich

h.m.s. " cura90a,"

Messina Harbour. ■

My dearest Mother,

We are just come in after a splendid run from Marseilles ; the most lovely weather all the way — lovely blue sky and the sea — such a colour ! We embarked at Marseilles about 2.30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, and were received with due honours on board : manned yards, guards out, etc., but the ship being in the harbour there were no salutes. We got under weigh and left the harbour about four, under steam, as the wind was against us, which it has been nearly all the way ; so we have been obliged to steam, which is a great bother, owing to the noise and the blacks. We made Corsica at an immense distance off early on Friday morning, and passed through the Straits of Bonifacio in the afternoon ; yesterday we saw no land all day, but this morning passed close to Stromboli and the Lipari Islands, and came into this port about 12.30.

I have got a charming cabin, very good size, with a 64-pounder in it. We have the whole of the main deck, so do not turn out any of the officers, their berths being all below. We have our meals in the Captain's cabin. I have fraternised immensely with all the officers ; they are

1858] FIRST IMPRESSIONS 23

a nice lot of fellows. Lady Stratford is such a duck, and I am in love with Cathy ! In short, I am perfectly happy, and never had such a jolly trip in my life. I never felt so well in my life, and wish I could exchange from the Guards to the Navy. Everything is so beautiful from the sea, and I must now go ashore.

HiNCH.

" We got our first sight of the comet off Cape Matapan. The wind was always ahead, and we steamed at a rate of from eight to nine knots. We anchored off Tenedos, when I first touched the Asiatic soil.

" The Turks granted permission for the Curagoa to proceed to Constantinople ; but as it was against the terms of the Treaty, we left the Curag-oa in the Dardanelles for H.M.S. Caradoc, of Crimean renown, as a despatch vessel, and had a very rough passage up the Sea of Marmora.

" Sir Henry Bulwer, the Ambassador at Constantinople, had sent Moore and De Norman to meet H. E. at the Dardanelles.

" The view of Constantinople from the sea is certainly very beautiful."

Viscount Hinchingbrooke to the Earl of Sandwich

British Embassy, Constantinople,

September 22nd, 1858,

My dear Papa,

I think my last letter was from Messina, where we arrived on the morning of the 12th. We all went ashore in the afternoon, with several of the officers of the ship, and went all over the town in carriages, and visited churches, gardens, convents, etc. It was very hot, and the views were lovely. We sailed on the evening of the 13th, passed Matapan on the evening of the 15th, made the Doro Passage the next morning, anchored off Tenedos. We all went ashore, and walked through the town into the country. I went up to a ruin on one of the mountains, whence there was a lovely view of the plains of Troy. We had fruit and wine with the consul, and smoked pipes and drank coffee with the governor. We left Tenedos about one, and waited off the entrance to the Dardanelles in order to ask if we were to pass up. We passed the outer forts about four and steamed up the Dardanelles, and anchored off the town Dardanelles about six. The Caradoc then steamed down and anchored near us, and there was a conference as to whether we were to go up that night or not. It ended in our staying in the CuraQoa that night. We embarked the next afternoon in the Caradoc, and after our salutes steamed up the Dardanelles.

It was very rough in the Sea of Marmora, and the Caradoc pitched a good deal. We anchored to breakfast off St. Stephano, and did not go up to Constantinople till about twelve, and anchored at the entrance of the Golden Horn. They did not expect us that day, and our preparations for landing were not ready for some hours, but it was accomplished in grand style in caiques. The Sultan's carriage took us up through Galata and Pera to the Embassy, where we arrived about 6 p.m. on Sunday last. There were crowds in the streets ; we were, of course, shaken to pieces. I came in a carriage with Lady Stratford, who bore it wonderfully well, for I expected to upset every minute. We had outriders and guards at every corner of the street. Sir H. Bulwer had

1858] THE GOLDEN HORN 25

not prepared anything at the Embassy, and had hardly told them we were coming. If we had come as intended, the day before, the Sultan was at the landing-place to receive us, besides deputations, etc.

Monday was devoted to the reception of deputations, ambassadors, pashas, etc., and in the afternoon we went in caiques up the Golden Horn to see the tombs of the sultans and mosques, and such lovely views.

To-day we have just returned from a state visit, in full uniform, to the Grand Vizier at the Sublime Porte. We all smoked pipes and drank coffee, and he was much interested in my bearskin and wanted to put it on, but it would not go on over his fez. Of course everything was very gorgeous ; enormous suites, mutes, etc. The Sultan lent his carriage to us, and we crossed the Golden Horn in magnificent caiques.

The mail is going and I must conclude. Have you seen the comet ? It is seen very plainly here. Yours very affectionately,

HiNCHINGBROOKE.

" On the 23rd I went with Swinton to see the howling dervishes across the water at Scutari. A weird entertainment, immense howling and screaming and throwing themselves about, the old dervish standing upon men and children.

" We visited the barracks and general hospital occupied by our soldiers during the Crimean W^ar. The ladies met us at the cemetery with Marochetti, whose monument was being erected to the memory of our fellows who were buried there on a beautiful spot overlooking the Sea of Marmora and StambouL iM-

?u-h

" On the '24th I went with Maxochetti, Swinton, and Warren to see the Sultan riding from his palace to a mosque. The route was lined with troops. He looked very seedy ; his saddle-cloth was ornamented with diamonds and precious stones.

"In the afternoon we all went in caiques to the Sweet Waters of Asia, where we saw crowds of Turkish ladies sitting, walking, and driving at their fashionable resort — a very pretty sight.

" On the 25th His Excellency was received by the Sultan. We started at 12.30 p.m. in the Sultan's carriages for the Palace of Dolmabatski in full uniform, Captain Buckle, R.N., and two naval officers, Moore and Sarrell (the dragoman) of the Embassy. We were received at the entrance with great ceremony by Mahmoud Pasha, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and his chief dragoman, and went into a room, where w^e were given pipes with beautiful amber, ornamented with diamonds, and coffee in equally ornate cups. We sat silent for a considerable time, and then walked through a garden into the palace. Guards lined the halls and corridors. We went up a staircase covered with red glass into the audience chamber, which occupies the whole breadth of the palace. The Sultan stood near a chair in the middle of the room. Four of his suite were standing at the end of the room. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Master of the Ceremonies conducted us, and the Queen's letter was handed by His Excellency to the Sultan, and we were all presented. He asked me where the Queen

1858] VISIT TO THE SULTAN 27

was and questions about our journey. He had a pleasing countenance, but looked feeble and very lame.

** After about half an hour we all retired backwards and went into another room, where pipes and coffee and sherbet were again offered, and got home about 3 p.m."

Viscount Hinchingbrooke to the Countess of Sandwich

British Embassy,

Pera, Constantinople,

September 28th, 1858.

My dearest Mother,

I have not heard from you since your letter of September 8th, although two or three mails have arrived from England. One of them brought me a letter from Victor of July 25th, but I do not doubt but that you have heard from him since. He gives an account of the races in camp, in which he rode the pony first in the first heat, second in the second heat, but, owing to some unfair play, could not start in the last. They had heard that we were going to war with France, and that the Tower of London was being fortified and forts erected on the Thames, which was rather good ! The Shannon Naval Brigade had returned, but they had heard no more about themselves. He was getting very tired of campaigning. As for myself, I wrote to papa last Wednesday, when we had just returned from our visit to the Grand Vizier and Sublime Porte, which I shall never forget in all my life — arriving at full gallop on such pavements, guards of honour at every step, with horses flying, coachmen holloaing, whips cracking, and we bump, bump, bump from stone to stone in the Sultan's carriages, with about ten outriders, flunkeys running at the side and others standing up behind the carriages, occasionally appearing

28 CONSTANTINOPLE [chap, n

over on our heads from a sudden jerk ; and then the reception, with pipes, sweetmeats, and coffee brought by slaves. It was the first time we had gone in state, and I could not help choking with laughter. However, since then we have done it so often that I am quite used to it, and smoke my pipe with the gravest composure.

Saturday we had an audience of the Sultan, who was most courteous, and the magnificence of the palace is astounding. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Pasha, received us, and we smoked pipes ornamented with superb diamonds, and had coffee-cups covered with diamonds and precious stones, both before and after the audience. The Sultan kept us standing a long time conversing after the speeches were over. He is certainly not pretty, but when he smiles he has a good countenance. I saw him once going to mosque. His saddle-cloth is covered with rubies and diamonds. His coat, too, is beautiful ; collar and cuffs a mass of diamonds, and belt and sword the same. Ferouk Khan is here, and we have visited him. I like him very much.

We went to the Scutari burial-ground the other day, and I saw the tombs of all the officers and men who died at the Scutari hospitals — a melancholy sight. I like the Asiatic side much better than the European. I need not say that nothing I ever saw was to be compared with the beauty of this place. The views are too beautiful, and the lovely dresses ; the houses of all colours dotted about among the trees ; and then that lovely Bosphorus !

We have been to the bazaar to-day. I longed to buy everything, but things are so dear now, and I have no money. I am afraid Baron Marochetti is going home directly. We shall all be sorry to lose him. We are a very jolly party here, and

1858] THE HOWLING DERVISHES 29

never dine less than twelve or fourteen, but there is nothing so civilised as a theatre or any entertainment at night. People are much earlier here than in England. Visitors come before breakfast is over, and there are hardly any after luncheon. Believe me,

Your very affectionate

HiNCHINGBROOKE.

P.S. — We went to the howling dervishes the other day, and I will give you some of their shrieks when I get to England.

" We went in caiques to the Sweet Waters of Europe, very pretty and like an English park.

" On the 25th, after church service at the Embassy, I rode with His Excellency and Warren to visit the Persian Ambassador, Ferouk Khan, at the far end of Stamboul. Lord Strangford met us and acted as interpreter. On our return my horse attacked His Excellency's, and in the scrimmage fell."

Viscount Hinchingbrooke to the Countess of Sandwich

British Embassy,

Constantinople,

October 6th, 1858.

My dearest Mother,

I will tell you the little news I have here. With visits and expeditions the days are got through with wonderful rapidity. We go to see something every day, but what I really delight in is flying about the Bosphorus in those charming caiques. Then we land and lunch in the most beautiful gardens, with terraces hanging over the Bosphorus, and the views from those hills cannot be surpassed. Yesterday we went in the afternoon to pay a visit on the Asiatic side of the Bosphorus, and the view from the garden was most magnificent. One way there was Constantinople, with the Sea of Marmora in the distance, and the other the mountains along the Black Sea and the distance, and on either side the Bosphorus covered with caiques and ships of all sizes ; the banks in some parts dotted with villages and highly cultivated— in others wild and barren.

I delight in the bazaars, not only for all the pretty things, but for all the different Eastern costumes — Persians, Armenians, Circassians,Turks, Greeks, Jews, Arabians. I delight in chaffing the Turks; they are so jolly and good-natured, and we have great fun.

Last night there was a large dinner here to Sir H. Bulwer. I think he had some one of every nation of Europe at dinner. Friday we have a picnic up to Therapia, and I think I shall spend a day or two up the Bosphorus. Marochetti is gone home, alas ! He could not stay, and we miss him very much.

There is no political news, and there is no place where there is so little excitement and bustle as at Constantinople. The Turks are much too lazy. I have been reading The Interpreter. The chapters about Constantinople are wonderfully good and exactly as it is. We are quite flourishing, and I shall be quite sorry to leave this beautiful place. Ever your very affectionate

HiNCHINGBROOKE.

"On the 19th His Excellency laid the foundation-stone of a memorial church, at which ceremony speeches were made, and we went over to Scutari for the celebration of Mahomed's birthday, which commenced in glorious sunset. Salutes were fired ; all the ships and minarets were

1858] PIPES AND COFFEE 31

illuminated. We went to the opera and heard a moderate performance of Rigoletto.

" On the 2oth I went with Hassim Bey, of the Engineers, to the War Office at the Seraglio. The Turkish Army consisted of seven divisions, each of which comprised six regiments of infantry, four of cavalry, and one of artillery. The peace establishment is 150,000 men, and in war 150,000 militia is added. A conscription exists of one in every hundred for eleven years' service. This service can be avoided by going to a military college and receiving a commission as officer.

" On the 21 st I went again with His Excellency to a private audience of the Sultan. We were received by Mahmoud Pasha and Arrifa Bey. There was a long delay over the pipes and coffee, during which His Excellency did not utter a word. I then went in with His Excellency to the Sultan. The audience was very long. The Sultan was much agitated, and did not disguise his fear of His Excellency. I remember His Excellency saying : * Where a wise man gives orders, he should see that his servants accomplish them.' When the political discussion was ended, the conversation turned to the general condition of the British Empire, to the progress of steam power, and to the Atlantic cable. His Excellency received a letter from the Sultan to the Queen, and then took leave of the sovereign over whom he had exercised so paramount an influence for many years.

** Our stay in Constantinople came to an end on October 22nd."

Viscount Hinchinghrooke to the Countess of Sandwich

October 22 nd. 1858.

Dearest Mother,

A crowd of British inhabitants assembled at the Embassy to wish good-bye to their Excellencies, many of whom accompanied us to the shore, and some, amongst whom was Sir Henry Bulwer, were on board the Caradoc. We weighed anchor at 6 p.m., in a glorious moonlight ; our last view of Constantinople was enchanting. The Stratfords and their daughters were deeply affected. We went on board H.M.S. Cur ago a on the following day in the Dardanelles.

On the 24th, after passing through the Straits of Mitylene, I went to lie down in my cabin, when I suddenly heard a tremendous row, all hands rushing on deck. An Austrian brig had been crossing our bows, which she could have done safely, when she suddenly tried to go about and ran into our starboard quarter, where were the ladies' cabins. The brig' s bowsprit was, of course, carried away and she sprang a leak : the damage to the CuraQoa was very slight. When I got on deck, the brig had drifted astern of us, and the crew were on their knees — I presume in prayer. We lowered boats and sent men on board the brig, and after about an hour's delay put things square and took her in tow. The sun had set and it was getting dark. I was watching the brig when suddenly 1 noticed the hawser slacken and the brig running into us again. She carried away her foremast, carried away our main studding sailyard, smashed the galley, and injured the stern. I went below to comfort Lady Stratford. The brig had again scraped outside her cabin. She amused me very much by sa3dng, " Really, Hinch, this is too bad of that ship."

1858] AGROUND ON A SANDBANK 33

We had run upon a sandbank at the entrance to the Gulf of Smyrna. The Turks had forgotten to light the lighthouse. Every effort was made to get us off by laying out anchors, without avail. Luckily it was very calm and a lovely night. An Austrian steamer took the brig away with news of our misfortune to Smyrna. >^ ext day a French despatch vessel, Eclaireur, the American frigate Macedonia, a Russian steamer, and a Turkish man-of-war tried to tow us off. They Ughtened the ship by taking off guns and ammunition. After forty-eight hours we went up in a filthy Turkish steamer which was conveying conscripts from Egypt to Constantinople, and their Excellencies took up their abode at the consulate with Mr. Blunt, the consul. I had very nice rooms with the Abbots on the quay. The CuraQoa got off the next day and came up to Smjnrna. I was so devoured by mosquitoes that I took the first opportunity of returning to the ship. His Excellency received many deputations, and laid the first stone of the railway station, at which ceremony there was a large dinner in a tent and speeches.

On November ist the ship was ready, and we continued our voyage to Athens. We reached the Piraeus at 4 p.m. on the 2nd, and drove up to call on Sir Thomas Wyse, the British Minister, and took up our abode at the Hotel d' Orient.

A large amphitheatre has recently been excavated. A dinner and evening party were given at the Legation, and we dined with King Otho and Queen Amelia. The King wore the Greek national dress — a tall man and remarkably ugly. They conversed in French.

The Kiilg asked many questions about my regiment. One of them was concerning the strength of the regiment \vhen it marched into action and out.; but as he did not name the battle, the answer was specially difificult to frame.

My leave is up, so I shall soon be back in England.

HiNCH.

In i8S9 Lord Hinchingbrooke lost his great friend, Lieutenant Henry Tillard, R.H.A., who died at Mhow. This, the first real sorrow of his life, was followed by the overwhelming grief caused by the death of his mother. The end came so suddenly that it found him quite unprepared. She was with him on February nth in the Queen's Box at the Haymarket Theatre. On the 20th of that month she passed away in the presence of his father, himself, and his sister, Lady Emily Montagu.^