Autobiography of an actress; or, Eight years on the stage

Front matter

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A .A

■-0 0^' :

Introduction

ance of " daily duties," however " hardly paid ; " if she be inspired with faith in the power imparted to a strong luill, whoso end is good, — then I am amply rewarded for my labor.

ANNA CORA MO WATT.

Eavenswood, New York, December 7, 1853.

Chapter I

My Father. — Miranda Expedition. — My Mother. — Early Recollections. — La Castagne. — Description of La Castagne by my Brother Charles. — Jour de Vendange. — St. Foy. — Funeral Solemnities of our Pets. — Les Compliments on the Anniversary of our Parents* Birthdays. — A first Effort. — Othello in French. — My Debut. — Bourdeaux. — Embarking for New York. — Sea Voyage. — Shipwreck. — Loss of a Brother. — Description by my Brother Charles of Storm and Wreck. — Return to Havre. — Second Sailing, and Arrival in New York. — School Days. — Passion for Poetry, — Juvenile Doggerel. — First Words of Praise. — Boarding School. — Dramatic Representations at Home. — Performance of Al-

zire. — Early Pr'^judices against Theatres. — Bishop E n.

— Fanny Kemble. — First Visit to the Park Theatre. — Impressions. — The Misses Wheatley, 13

Chapter II

My eldest Sister. — First Acquaintance with Mr. Mowatt. — Singular Impressions. — Sudden Project of educating a Child for a Wife. — Madam Chegaray's School. — Alzire. — Attempt . at an Offer frustrated. — The first Love Letter. — A Refusal and a Consent. — My Father's Stipulations. — A Wedding Party wthout a Bride. — Preparations for the Performance of the Drama of the Mourning Bride. — Effect of a Lover's Melancholy. — A Promise. — The Confidant. — Novel Mode of procuring and preparing a bridal Wardrobe. — Adventures. — Refusal of three Clergymen to perform the Ceremony. — A runaway Wedding. — Rencontre Avith a Father. — A Child keeps a Secret. — A Farewell. — Breaking the News. — " The Bride's Flower." — The Pardon. — Bridal Celebration, ... 41

Chapter III

Studies. — Flatbush. — Purchase of Estate that had belonged to General Giles. — Haunted House. — My Sister May. — Our juvenile Sports and Mode of Life. — Number of Books read and commented upon every Year. — Shooting Excursions. — A first Sorrow. — Death of our Mother. — Melrose. — Sunday School. — Fortune Teller of the Fair.— Pelayo. — Reviewers Reviewed. — Celebration of Seventeenth Birthday. — Burlesque Concerts. — Tableaux. — The Gypsy Wanderer. — Bridal Address. —Ill Health. —Departure for Europe,. ... 61

(5>

CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Journal of a Week passed in London. — Olympic Theatre. — Madame Vestris. — St. Paul's Cathedral. — The Tower. — The Tunnel. — Italian Opera. — Persiani. — Coliseum. — Zoological Gardens. — Hyde Park. — Madame Tussaud's. — St. James's Theatre. — House of Lords. — Westminster. — British Museum, — Kensington Gardens. — Richmond. — Standing " in wait " for the Queen. — Departure from London, . . 76

Chapter V

Hamburg. — Bremen. — American Ladies supposed to be black.

— Incident at a Dinner Party. — Bridal Address translated into German. — Usages and Manners of the Northern Germans. — Dinner Parties. — Funeral Customs. — Betrothal and Bridal Customs. — Bremen Cathedral. — Peculiarity of the Vault. — Corpses four Centuries old in a State of Preservation. — Robbing the Student of a Lock of Hair. — Frei • Markt. — Our Housekeeping in Germany. — Studies. — Arrival of Mr. Mowatt. — His long Illness. — Departure for Paris 88

Chapter VI

Paris. — Unexpected Friends. — Visit to Hahnemann. — Mrs. Hahnemann. — Her History. — New Physicians. — Recovery of Sight. — Parisian Gayeties. — Description of Ball at Col.

T n's. — The Carnival. — General C ss. — Rachel and

her Sisters. — Facilities of Education in France. — American Copy of Parisian Manners. — Male and female Politicians. — Louis Philippe. — St. Germain Society. — Place de la Concorde. — Place Vendome. — Place du Carrousel. — Fountains.

— Arc de Triomphe de I'Etoile. — Tuileries. — Les Champs Ely sees. — Bois de Boulogne. — Studies resumed. — Play for private Representation commenced. — Scenery painted in Paris. — Sailing for America, 112

Chapter VII

A Play without Heroes. — Rehearsals. — Incident in the Barn.

— Gulzara, or the Persian Slave. — Publication of Play. — Critique from New World. — Fondness for Speculations. — Loss of Property, and utter Ruin. — Musings in the Arbor.

— My Sister Charlotte. — A Project. — Preparations for a new Career. — The last Farewell to a beloved Home, 132

Chapter VIII

Boston. — Mrs. B s. — A Ball-room Acquaintance converted

into a stanch Friend. — Boston Friendships. — Morning at the Temple. — Heartsickness. — The old Doorkeeper's Encouragement. — My Father's Letter. — Inherited Traits. — First Appearance in public. — Sensations. — A first Success. — Second and third Readings. — Lenient Critics. — Reading in Providence. — The Missing Ship. — Readings in New York. — Falling away of old Friends. — Heading at Rutger's Institute for Young Ladies. — Readings at Society Library. — Illness. — Article in Ladies' Companion. — Mrs. Osgood's Poem. — Imitators. — Oifer of Park Theatre. — Letter from Professor Hows, 145

Chapter IX

Mesmerism. — The Phenomenon of Double Consciousness. — Somnambulic Incidents. — Townshend. — Miss Martineau's Misuse of Mesmeric. Facts. — First Acquaintance with the Writings of Swedenborg. — Influence of New Church Doctrines. — Joining the Cliurch. — Four Sisters also becoming Members. — Writings of my eldest Sister. — Letter on Mesmeric Somnambulism. — Revisiting former Residence. — Lenox. — The Sedgwicks. — Friendships with School Girls.

— Getting up of Miss Sedgwick's Play. — Cro\\niing of their , Stage Manager by the Scholars. — Conversations with Rev.

Dr. William EUery Channing. — The Future Life, . . . . 158

Chapter X

Contributions to Magazines. — The Fortune Hunter. — Miscellaneous Bookmaking. — Evelyn. — Amusing Proposition from an English Publisher. — Singular Mode of violating a Copyright. — Mary Howitt's Mention of the three Orphans. — Little Esther. — Death Bed of the Mother. — One's Neighbors. — Drive to Harlem. — Search for the Greys. — A blind Father. — Margaret. — Death of her Father and Mother. — Johnny and Willie, 184

Chapter XI

Fashion. — Original of Adam Trueman. — Fashion accepted by the Park Theatre. — Interview with Mr. Barry. — Witnessing a first Rehearsal unseen. — First Night of Fashion. — Success. — Second Rehearsal. — Author's Benefit. — Fashion produced at Philadelphia. — Invitations from Managers of Walnut Street Theatre. — Their Liberality and Courtesy. — Witnessing Performance in Philadelphia. — Demand for the Author. — Failure of Mr. Mowatt. — Proposition that I should adopt the Stage. — A Change of Views. — Reflections. — Mary HoA^dtt on the Members of the Profession. — A Determination. — My Father's Consent. — Contract ^^•ith Mr. C .

— Useless Remonstrances, 202

Chapter XII

Preparations for Debut. — First Rehearsal with the Company.

— Stage Fright. — Star Dressing Room. — Call Boy's Amusement. — A Boast opportunely recalled. — Rising of the Curtain. — The Debut. — Second Appearance in public. — Walnut Street Theatre. — A distressing Incident. — Indignation of an Audience. — Painful Discovery. — Conclusion of Engagement. — Fashion performed for Mr. Blake's Benefit. — First Appearance as Gertrude, 219

^ CONTENTS.

Chapter XIII

The first Year on the Stage. — Two Hundred Performances. — Amount of Study. — Lady Teazle's untimely Drowsiness. — First Shakspearian Impersonation. — Difference between Rehearsing and Acting. — Juliet's Tomb. — Scene Shifter's sepulchral Prediction. — Novel Substitute for a sleeping Potion. — Death of Paris by a Novice. — Two Schools of Acting. — Anecdote of a Stranger. — Mrs. Haller's colored Descendants.

— Incident in Charleston. — Address to the Charleston Volunteers. — Complimentary Entertainment in Savannah. — Relationship which Actors hold to each other, 233

Chapter XIV

Mr. Davenport. — Accident in Baltimore. — Second Southern Tour. — Reading at Macon. — Columbus. — Montgomery. — First Acquaintance ^\ith Henry Clay. — His Recollections of Miss O'Neil. — His poetical Obliviousness. — Five Days on board of the Alexander Scott. — Clay's Injunction to me as we passed Memphis. — Mr, Davenport's Entertainment of Mr. Clay. — Personation of a "DoAvn-cast" Yankee. — Impromptu Song to Henry Clay. — Arrival at Louisville — A last Farewell. — Opening of the Athenaeum at Cincinnati. — Inaugural Address. — Compliment to Mr. Davenport. — Close of my second Year on the Stage. — Armand. — A Sisterhood of Critics. — Mr. Mowatt's Visit to England to arrange with Managers. — Mr. Macready's Advice. — Engagement for Manchester. — Production of Armand at the Park Theatre and in Boston. — Last Night in America. — Letters from Henry Clay.

— Sailing for Europe, 253

Chapter XV

Arrival in Liverpool. — The Rev. Mr. S n and Mrs. S n.

— Manchester Critics. — First Rehearsal at Theatre Royal, Manchester. — First Night in England. — Manchester Guardian. — Engagement at Princesses' Theatre, London. — Distressing Rehearsals. — The two Helens. — Miss Susan Cushman. — Visitation from the Mistress of the Wardrobe. — Petty Miseries. — The Trials of a first Night. — First Attack of "Stage Fright." — A near Approach to Failure. — Sudden Transition. — Success at the eleventh Hour, 267

Chapter XVI

London Editors. — The Daily Times and the Earl of Carlisle. — Mr. Macready. — Personal Acquaintance and friendly Ser^aces.

— First Engagement at Theatre Royal Olympic. — Lady of Lyons. — Rer-ngagement in Conjunction with Mr. Brooke.— The Lords of Ellingham. — Accident on first Night's Representation. — Mary Howitt. — Her Artist Daughter. — Camilla Crosland. — Poem. — Mr. Macready's Farewell at Theatre Royal, Marylebone. — Our Engagement. — Succession of Reengagements. — Permanent Stars. — "Shadow on the Wall." — Annand produced in London. — Note from W. J. Fox, M.

CONTENTS.

P., on the Morning of Representation. — His Critique in the Examiner. — Publication of Play. — Effect of Play Books in the Theatre upon Actors. — A Prompter's Anecdote. — Presentation of Silver Vase. — The Witch Wife, 283

Chapter XVII

Travelling. — Stratford upon Avon. — An Avon Boatman's Ideas of Shakspeare. — Housekeeper of War^vick Castle, and Mrs. Siddons. — Isle of Wight. — Cottage at Richmond. — Vigorous Health. — Reopening of the Marylebone. — A Fairy-like Dressing Room. — Velasco. — Virginia. — Romeo and Juliet.

— Close of the Season. — Entertainment upon the Stage. — A Ballet Girl nearly burned to Death. — Mrs, Renshaw's Presence of Mind and Heroism. — General Opinion of Ballet Girls. — A few Truths concerning the Profession. — History

of Georgina, the Ballet Girl, 304

Chapter XVIII

Illness of Mr. Mowatt. — Voyage to Trinidad. — New Olympic Theatre. — Powerful Company. — Abolishing the "Star System." — Opening Night of the Olympic Theatre. — A Black-garbed Audience. — Refusal to appear in Mourning. — A white Compromise. — Inaugural Address written by Albert Smith. — Two Gentlemen of Verona. — Queen Adelaide's Wardrobe. — Much Ado about Nothing. — Twelfth Night. — Othello. — The Noble Heart. — First Production of Fashion in London. — Critics. — Punch's Rebuke to the Morning Post. — The Farce of Floral ShoAvers. — Critique from the Sun. — Literary Gazette. — The Sentiments of Adam Trueman hissed. — The American and English Personators of Prudence. — Mental Discipline of Actors. — Illustrative Sketches.

— Mrs. Parker. — Mrs. Knight. — Three Histories, . . . . 318

Chapter XIX

Ariadne. — English Version, by John Oxenford. — Closing Catastrophe. — The three Ariadnes. — Leaping the Rock. — Marie de Meranie. — The Misanthrope. — Uxmal. — Lovers' Amusements. — Jealousy of Actors. — Afflicting Tidings. — Loss of Memory. — Disastrous Close of the Olympic Theatre. — Charge brought against the Manager. — Attack of Brain Fever. — First Consciousness. — Dr. W tt's Communications. — The Manager's Trial. — Conviction. — Insanity. — Self-Destruction. — Mr. Mowatt's Return to England. — Shorn Tresses. — Journey to Malvern, 332

Chapter XX

Cottage at Malvern. — Malvern Hills. — Water-cure Establishment. — Donkey Rides. — Malvern Donkey Driver. — Adventures on Horseback. — Hanly Castle. — Return to London. — Skill of Dr. D n. — A Sufferer's Contemplation of Death.

— Interview ^vith Dr. D n. — Life's hardest Necessity. —

A last Conversation. — The Parting, 342

Chapter XXI

The Iron Duke. — Arrival in Dublin. — A Dilemma. — " Unprotected Females." — Interview with theatrical Housekeeper.

— Hunting for Lodgings. — The invisible Avant Courrier. — Mr. Calcraft. — G. V. Brooke. — First Rehearsal. — Debut at Theatre Royal. — Dublin Audience. — Attachment of the Irish to America. — The Freeman's Journal. — Production of Armand. — Peculiarities of the Dublin Pit and Gallery. — Persecution of an Actor. — An amusing Device. — My last Night. — Scene at the Stage Door. — Dublin Friends. — The Invalid in London. — Extracts from his daily Letters. — Engagement at Kewcastle upon Tvne. — Departure from Dublin, 351

Chapter XXII

Recrossing the Clfftnnel. — Night on Deck. — Arrival at Liverpool. — Carlisle. — Newcastle upon Tyne. — Mail Disappointments. — First Rehearsal. — Its Interruption. — The three Letters. — Sad Announcement of the Third. — Mr. Davis. — Sudden Retm-n to London. — The Death Bed. — Last Hours.

— A dying Look. — The peaceful passing away. — Hospitalities. — A Flower-decked 'Grave. — Floral Ofierings of Friends.

— Farewell Letters. — Last Wishes. — The last Adieu. — Provincial Tour. — Memoir by Bayle Bernard. — Retiurn to America, 364

Chapter XXIII

Accident on board of the Steamship Pacific. — Midnight Scene in the Cabin. — Arrival in New York. — Adventurous Night Journey to Ravenswood. — Rousing the Slumbereps. — Meetings in the Dark. — Our second Mother. — The general Home.

— Reunion of the ten Sisters. — A Christening. — Engagement at Niblo's Theatre. — Acting and its Necessities. — Anecdote of Mr. Macready. — Mademoiselle Mars. — Conversation with Planche, the Dramatist. — His Advice. — Professor Hows. — Dramatic Studies. — Engagement at Boston, Providence, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and St. * Louis. — Letter from His Honor the Mayor of St. Louis, J. M. Kenneth. — Complimentary Benefit declined. — Proposed Christmas Festivities in Philadelphia. — A Family Gathering, 374

Chapter XXIV

Waiting of the Steamboat Robert Rogers to take us on board.

— Starting at Midnight. — Sudden Freezing of the Ohio River. — Cutting through the Ice. — The Boat frozen in. — A trying Predicament. — Conversation with the old Pilot. — The lunatic Sisters. — Unexpected Escorts. — Female Influence over a Backwoodsman. — Journey in an Ox Cart. — Arrival at Evansville. — Courtesy of a Baltimorean. — Indiana Roads. — White River. — Crossing the partially frozen River on Foot, by Starlight. — Vincennes. — Midnight Travelling on Foot through the Snow. — Major R 's Joke. —

Terre Haute. — A Stage selected through Presentiment. —

Overturn of the other Stage. — Serious Accidents. — An aged Couple thrown over a Precipice. — The little Child. — Dayton. — Xenia. — Cleveland. — Alliance. — Salem. — Palestine. — Proverbial American Gallantry. — Pittsburg. — Christmas Day. — A Christmas Fast. — Alleghany Mountains. — Descending inclined Planes. — Outskirts of Philadelphia. — Snowbound. — The Sistefs. — A joyful Meeting, 385

Chapter XXV

Retrospection. — The New Year's Fete in Philadelphia. — Gulzara, or the Persian Slave. — Its first Production at Melrose, and the present Representation. — My Father. — The acting

of five Sisters. — Changes. — Dr. M ll's critical Opinion of

Gulzara's amateur Representative. — Richmond. — Snowbound again. — A Repetition of VV^estern Experiences. — Baltimore. — Providence. — Boston. — Long Engagement. — Attack of Bronchitis. — Excursion on Horseback. — A serious Accident. — Attending Circumstances. — Untimely telegraphic Despatches. — Illness. — Letter from the Mayor and various distinguished Citizens. — Complimentary Benefit. — The Welcome. — Irrepressible Emotion. — Parthenia. — Wreath of natural Flowers woven on the Stage. — Reengagement in Boston, Cincinnati, and Louisville. — Funeral of Henry Clay. — Emblematical funeral Decorations. — Opening of the Metropolitan Theatre in Buffalo. — Inaugural Address.

— An Architect's Attack of Stage Fright. — The Prevalence of Bronchitis amongst Actors ludicrously exhibited at Rehearsal. — Broadway Theatre. — A painful Engagement. — Baltimore. — Presentation of a Fa%vn. — A Star of Flowers.

— Return to Boston. — Southern Tour. — Washington. — Richmond. — Mobile. — New Orleans. — Production of Fashion in New Orleans. — 111 Effects of the Climate, .... 400

Chapter XXVI

Departure from New Orleans. — Memphis. — The Promise to Henry Clay fulfilled. — First Appearance. — Actors' habitual Disregard of physical Ailments. — Instance in London. — Anecdote of Mrs. Glover's last Ni^ht. — My second Appearance in Memphis. — Struggle with Indisposition. — Unavoidable Interruption of Play. — Malaria. — Journey eastward.

— Acting for Mrs. Warner's comphmentary Benefit. — Summer Intentions frustrated. — Serious and protracted Illness.

— Removal to Ravenswood. — My Father's House. — The

distinguished Dr. M tt. — Life's Movement in a sick

Chamber. — Summer. — Autumn. — Winter's Approach. — The Pine Trees. — Sunsets. — Musings. — Cheerful Visitants to the little Chamber. — A Child's Tribute to a Father.

— Anticipated Recovery. — Proposed Farewell of the Stage. — Answer to a Question often asked. — Aristocratic Affectation amongst the Profession. — Passion for the Stage. — A few Words of Warning to the young Aspirant for dramatic Honors, 417

Chapter XXVII

My Claims to offer a Defence of the Stage. — Lord Bacon on the Drama. — Sir Joshua Reynolds. — D'Israeli. — The rude Attempts of Thespis. — J^schylus. — Existence of Theatres at the Time of the first Christian Era. — The Apostles. — St. Paul's Quotations from three dramatic Poets. — The Parables and the Drama. — Dr. Isaac Watts. — The Emperor Marcus Aurelius upon the Stage. — Martin Luther. — The Rev. Dr. Knox. — Philip Melancthon. — Lord Bacon. — Dr. Blair. — Sir Philip Sidney. — Dr. Gregory. —Sir Walter Scott. — Calcraft. — Art. — Use and Abuse. — With whom it lies to reform the Errors of the Stage. — Two Hundred clerical dramatic Authors. — Dramas of the Archbishop Gregory Nazianzen ; of Apollinaris, Bishop of Laodicea. — Sir Thomas More.

— Tragedies of Milton, of Dr. Edward Young, of Rev. H. Milman, Rev. Dr. Croly, Addison, Dr. Johnson, Coleridge, Thomson, Goldsmith, Miss Hannah More, Miss Joanna Baillie, Miss Mitford. — The Stage: Pope's Exposition of its Use ; Crabbe's ditto ; Shakspeare's. — My own Experience.

— The true Position of Actors. — Their Rank in ancient Times. — The high social Position held by many Actors in the present Time. — A Word of Farewell to the Members

of the Profession. — These Memoirs, 428

AUTOBIOGMPHY OF AN ACTRESS.

Chapter I

My Father. — Miranda Expedition. — My Mother. — Early Recollections. — La Castagne. — Description of La Castagne hy my Brother Charles. — Jour de Vendange — St. Foy. — Funeral Solemnities of our Pets. — Les Compliments on the Anniversary of our Parents' Birthdays. — A first Effort. — Othello in French. — My Debut. — Bourdeaux. — Embarking for Neio York. — Sea Voyage. — Shipicreck. — Loss of a Brother. — Description by my Brother Charles of Storm and Wreck. — Return to Havre. — Second Sailing, and Arrival in Neio York. — School Days. — Passion for Poetry. — Juvenile Doggerel. — First Words of Praise. — Boarding School. — Dramatic Rep)'esentatio7is at Home. — Performance

of Alzire. — Early Prejiuiices against Theatres. — Bishop E n.

— Fanny Kemble. — First Visit to the Park Theatre. — Impressions. — The Misses Wheatley.

My father, Samuel G. Ogden, of New York, was the son of an Episcopal clergyman. For a number of years my father's name was prominent in the community as that of a successful merchant. He was the capitalist in the celebrated Miranda expedition, which was designed to liberate South America. This expedition owed its failure to the treachery and ambition of Aaron Burr, who, finding his own views interfered with, betrayed his friend Colonel Smith, and informed the Spanish minister at Philadelphia of the purposes of the expedition. The minister sent to the Spanish main a Baltimore clipper, which gave warning to the authorities. Two Spanish brigs -of- war were despatched to intercept the expedition. An action took place between these brigs and the ship Leander, belonging to my father, and two schooners. The schooners were captured, a portion of the men hung, and the rest imprisoned. Gen. Miranda, who was on board of the Leander, beat off the two brigs of war — went to Trinidad, got reenforcements, and with four hundred men took possession of the town of Coro, on the Spanish coast. He remained there ten or twelve days, and only retreated because he found the inhabitants not prepared to join him. Colonel Smith (the son-in-law of President Adams) and my father were prosecuted for having fitted out an expedition against a power in amity with the United States. The trial was a highly interesting one. Thomas Addis Emmet, Cadwallader D. Golden, Josiah Ogden Hoffman, and Richard Harrison were their counsel. The defendants were honorably acquitted. Although this expedition failed, it was the first blow struck for liberty, and led to the subsequent independence of South America. Bolivar himself made this declaration, and expressed a readiness to compensate my father for his heavy losses.

My mother, Eliza Ogden, was the daughter of Francis Lewis, and the granddaughter of that Francis Lewis whose signature is affixed to the Declaration of Independence.

My earliest recollections are of a beautiful old country seat, called La Castagne, and situated two miles from Bourdeaux, in France. My parents were residing in Bourdeaux at the time of my birth, but removed to La Castagne when I was only a few months old. My

LA CASTAGNE. 15

father's commercial transactions caused him to pass some eleven years abroad. During this period four daughters were born, of whom I was the second.

I have dim but most delightful remembrances of La Castagne, which come to me like half-forgotten dreams. I remember a magnificent terrace, where we children used to frolic — a beautiful walk, called "AUee d' Amour," lined with tall trees, whose branches met and formed a bower over the head — a large pond, surrounded with statues, and filled with fishes, which it was our daily delight to feed — a gayly-painted pleasure boat, always floating on the pond — a grotto, called " Calypso's Grotto" — a miniature waterfall, our great wonder and admiration — the whole place a very Eden of fruits and flowers.

The following description of La Castagne is furnished me by my brother Charles, to aid my imperfect recollections of the beautiful spot that we first called " home."

" Though so many years have passed since we dwelt there, I find no difficulty in picturing to the mind every scene of La Castagne, that delightful residence of our earlier years, where life was one joyous holiday. I only fear I may fail in the description you request of me.

" La Castagne is situated in the parish of Begles, about two miles from the gates of Bourdeaux. Its name was derived from a row of large horse-chestnut trees, which are thus called in patois, and which spread along the little stream that formed the boundary of one of the sides of this elegant country seat. The whole property extended over about thirty acres, situated on a sloping ground, at the foot of which ran a beautiful rivulet, that separated it from the adjoining residence ; all the rest was enclosed by a high stone wall of eight feet.

" The dwelling, or chateau, which contained twenty-two rooms, and was built of stone and brick, was on the highest part of the ground, and overlooked a pleasant landscape ; in front was a beautiful jardin Anglais, of considerable extent, and comprising every variety of rare floral productions — the magnificent tulips especially are still fresh in my mind. In the centre of this was * a bower of lovely form,' which was the frequent evening resort of our assembled family ; and running the whole length of the chateau and flower garden were several rows of shady platanes, or plane trees, whose smooth bark had been often disfigured by the carved ditties of loving swains. The whole formed a level terrace of about four acres ; and a stone abutment encircled one side of it, which was elevated twenty feet from the gardens below. In the rear of the main dwelling was an extensive law^n, around which were situated the outhouses, also of stone, and comprising first the dwellings of our peasants, then the wine buildings, stables, and granaries, which formed two sides ; and on the third side were extensive accommodations for poultry, whose dwelling, surmounted by a fanciful pigeon house, was in a yard furnished with cherry trees for their especial benefit. There were also an aviary and apartments for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small quadrupeds. Extending from the rear of these buildings were eleven acres of vineyard, from which were made annually about thirty casks of wine ; then, by the side of the aviary, but below the terrace, was an extensive orchard, whicb furnished in abundance every.variety of delicious fruits of that sunny clime. Immediately adjoining was a large vegetable garden ; and the whole remainder of the lands consisted of parks, fields, and meadows, enclosed

LA CASTAGNE; 17

by beautiful alleys cultivated with great care. One of these, the ' Allee Antoinette/ was particularly curious ; the trees, regular on each side, and uniting in an arch, were trimmed so artistically that scarcely a leaf ventured to grow beyond its limited barrier. Here no ray of sun could penetrate on the warmest day. And then there was the 'Allee d' Amour,' another romantic walk, besides a number of others, partaking of the same peculiarity, and affording shade in almost every direction. At the foot of the slope were a cluster of trees, and a ' bosquet ' of wilder character than the rest, and this was called ' Calypso's Grotto.' In the centre, covered with green moss, were seats, one more elevated than the others. In the quiet of this secluded spot — no sound to break its sylvan solitude but the warbling of wild birds, who in happy security had chosen tliis favorite home, and the constant murmur of a cascade in the rivulet I have already mentioned, which flowed beneath the grotto — one could almost fancy that Calypso with her nymphs had indeed dwelt there, and there sat listening to the grave Mentor, whilst her eyes were beaming with love for the youthful Telemachus.

" But I must not forget one of the chief beauties of La Castagne, its whole length being traversed by a watercourse, originating in a clear and beautiful spring, covered over with an arched dome of masonry ; a lovely place that Narcissus might have made his constant resort, surrounded as it was with beautiful lilies, which, reflected in the limpid fountain, seemed to remind one that the melancholy youth had in truth been there, and there pined away. The water thence flowed through a stone canal to a circular pond of considerable depth. This place, called the ' lavoir,' was devoted to useful pur-^ 2 poses, and was the particular resort of ducks and washerwomen. Thence a canal led across the gardens to the opposite extremity of the grounds, where it emptied into another and more extensive pond, forming a sheet of water of about four hundred yards in length, and one third the breadth. But this was devoted exclusively to pleasure. Its banks were supported by stone work, and ornamented with statuary of much taste. A sailing boat was ever ready for w^ater excursions ; and several weeping willows afforded a pleasant shade for the angler. It abounded in various species offish, j^articularly the carp. Running through a diminutive forest, the water thence emptied into the rivulet spoken of before.

" Durino; our residence at La Castao;ne there was but one winter cold enough to form ice in the /)C>?id' ; this once it lasted several days, and afforded good skating — a recreation quite novel to the denizens of Bourdeaux. La Castagne became then the resort of most of the English and American residents of the city, and the po7id presented a scene of liveliness and fashion seldom equalled. There were good skaters even among the ladies ; and our southern neighbors of Begles were particularly charmed with this rare sport.

"I will not undertake to describe the many joyous scenes of our country life, such as the harvesting, the May day and birthday festivals, or our Christmas frolics ; but one of these annual customs deserves a passing notice, and that /is the Wendanges/ or wine- ' making. It was usual in the month of September, according to the maturity of the grapes, to fix a day when our neighbors were all informed that our * vendanges ' would commence. When this day arrived, the peasants of all neighboring country seats flocked to La Castagne,

JOUR DE VENDANGE. 19

and all were diligently employed in the business of wine making. The women and a portion of the men sallied forth merrily into the vineyards with their baskets, and carefully gathered the grapes. As each basket was filled, it was brought in on their heads, balanced as only these peasants can balance their burden ; and there was an actual emulation as to which could most frequently return with his or her basket filled. Another portion of the men would be occupied in pressing, or rather trampling the grapes. Barefooted, and their trousers rolled up, they danced about in a large reservoir, which was the receptacle of the contents of each basket as it successively arrived ; and the gleeful song kept time with the wine-stained legs, as the juice of the grape flowed beneath the tuneful tramp. Often have I joined this merry party, and, barefooted, helped to express the wine. The advantage of using feet is, that they yield to the stem and seeds, and the grape only is crushed, without their bitterness mixing with the pure juice. From this reservoir the wine is constantly carried into large cuves, where it undergoes fermentation, and is in time further prepared for the table. This gay scene with us usually occupied three days, and all who came to assist were entertained with a plentiful collation, served on long tables on the green lawn, where the day was closed with the happy peasants' dance, the fiddler being a regular attendant at each ' vendange.' As the neighboring estates each had in turn their festival, our peasants went to assist them, and were treated with the same joyful cheer till the round was completed.