WhilehewasthusmakingwaragainsttheNortherninfidelsnewswascarriedalloverChristendomofacatastrophewhichhadbefallenthegoodcauseintheSouthofEurope,wheretheSpanishChristianshadmetwithsuchadefeatandmassacreatthehandsoftheMoorsashadneverbeenknownintheproudestdayofSaladin。
Thursday,the9thofShaban,inthe605thyearoftheHejira,isknownallovertheWestastheamun-al-ark,theyearofthebattleofAlarcos,gainedovertheChristiansbytheMoslemsofAndaluz,onwhichfataldayChristendomsufferedadefeatsosignal,thatitwasfearedtheSpanishpeninsulawouldbeentirelywrestedawayfromthedominionoftheCross。OnthatdaytheFrankslost150,000menand30,000prisoners。Aman-slavesoldamongtheunbelieversforadirhem;adonkeyforthesame;asword,halfadirhem;ahorse,fivedirhems。HundredsofthousandsofthesevarioussortsofbootywereinthepossessionofthetriumphantfollowersofYakoobal-Mansoor。Cursesonhishead!Buthewasabravewarrior,andtheChristiansbeforehimseemedtoforgetthattheywerethedescendantsofthebraveCid,theKanbitoor,astheMoorishhoundsintheirjargondenominatedthefamousCampeador。
AgeneralmovefortherescueofthefaithfulinSpain——acrusadeagainsttheinfidelstriumphingthere,waspreachedthroughoutEuropebyallthemosteloquentclergy;andthousandsandthousandsofvalorousknightsandnobles,accompaniedbywell-meaningvarletsandvassalsofthelowersort,troopedfromallsidestotherescue。TheStraitsofGibel-al-Tariff,atwhichspottheMoor,passingfromBarbary,firstplantedhisaccursedfootontheChristiansoil,werecrowdedwiththegalleysoftheTemplarsandtheKnightsofSt。John,whoflungsuccorsintothemenacedkingdomsofthepeninsula;theinlandseaswarmedwiththeirshipshastingfromtheirfortsandislands,fromRhodesandByzantium,fromJaffaandAscalon。ThePyreneanpeaksbeheldthepennonsandglitteredwiththearmoroftheknightsmarchingoutofFranceintoSpain;and,finally,inashipthatsetsaildirectfromBohemia,whereSirWilfridhappenedtobequarteredatthetimewhenthenewsofthedefeatofAlarcoscameandalarmedallgoodChristians,IvanhoelandedatBarcelona,andproceededtoslaughtertheMoorsforthwith。
HebroughtlettersofintroductionfromhisfriendFolkoofHeydenbraten,theGrandMasteroftheKnightsofSaintJohn,tothevenerableBaldomerodeGarbanzos,GrandMasteroftherenownedorderofSaintJago。ThechiefofSaintJago’sknightspaidthegreatestrespecttoawarriorwhosefamewasalreadysowidelyknowninChristendom;andIvanhoehadthepleasureofbeingappointedtoallthepostsofdangerandforlornhopesthatcouldbedevisedinhishonor。HewouldbecalleduptwiceorthriceinanighttofighttheMoors:heledambushes,scaledbreaches,wasblownupbymines;waswoundedmanyhundredtimesrecovering,thankstotheelixir,ofwhichWambaalwayscarriedasupply;hewastheterroroftheSaracens,andtheadmirationandwonderoftheChristians。
Todescribehisdeeds,would,Isay,betedious;oneday’sbattlewaslikethatofanother。IamnotwritingintenvolumeslikeMonsieurAlexandreDumas,oreveninthreelikeothergreatauthors。WehavenoroomfortherecountingofSirWilfrid’sdeedsofvalor。WheneverhetookaMoorishtown,itwasremarked,thathewentanxiouslyintotheJewishquarter,andinquiredamongsttheHebrews,whowereingreatnumbersinSpain,forRebecca,thedaughterofIsaac。ManyJews,accordingtohiswont,heransomed,andcreatedsomuchscandalbythisproceeding,andbythemanifestfavorwhichheshowedtothepeopleofthatnation,thattheMasterofSaintJagoremonstratedwithhim,anditisprobablehewouldhavebeencastintotheInquisitionandroasted,butthathisprodigiousvalorandsuccessagainsttheMoorscounterbalancedhishereticalpartialityforthechildrenofJacob。
ItchancedthatthegoodknightwaspresentatthesiegeofXixonainAndalusia,enteringthebreachfirst,accordingtohiswont,andslaying,withhisownhand,theMoorishlieutenantofthetown,andseveralhundredmoreofitsunbelievingdefenders。HehadverynearlydonefortheAlfaqui,orgovernor——aveteranwarriorwithacrookedscimitarandabeardaswhiteassnow——butacoupleofhundredoftheAlfaqui’sbodyguardflungthemselvesbetweenIvanhoeandtheirchief,andtheoldfellowescapedwithhislife,leavingahandfulofhisbeardinthegraspoftheEnglishknight。Thestrictlymilitarybusinessbeingdone,andsuchofthegarrisonasdidnotescapeput,asbyright,tothesword,thegoodknight,SirWilfridofIvanhoe,tooknofurtherpartintheproceedingsoftheconquerorsofthatill-fatedplace。Asceneofhorriblemassacreandfrightfulreprisalsensued,andtheChristianwarriors,hotwithvictoryandflushedwithslaughter,were,itistobefeared,assavageintheirhouroftriumphasevertheirheathenenemieshadbeen。
AmongthemostviolentandleastscrupulouswastheferociousKnightofSaintJago,DonBeltrandeCuchillayTrabucoyEspadayEspelon。Ragingthroughthevanquishedcitylikeademon,heslaughteredindiscriminatelyallthoseinfidelsofbothsexeswhosewealthdidnottempthimtoaransom,orwhosebeautydidnotreservethemformorefrightfulcalamitiesthandeath。Theslaughterover,DonBeltrantookuphisquartersintheAlbaycen,wheretheAlfaquihadlivedwhohadsonarrowlyescapedtheswordofIvanhoe;butthewealth,thetreasure,theslaves,andthefamilyofthefugitivechieftain,wereleftinpossessionoftheconquerorofXixona。Amongthetreasures,DonBeltranrecognizedwithasavagejoythecoat-armorsandornamentsofmanybraveandunfortunatecompanions-in-armswhohadfalleninthefatalbattleofAlarcos。Thesightofthosebloodyrelicsaddedfurytohiscrueldisposition,andservedtosteelaheartalreadybutlittledisposedtosentimentsofmercy。
Threedaysafterthesackandplunderoftheplace,DonBeltranwasseatedinthehall-courtlatelyoccupiedbytheproudAlfaqui,lyinginhisdivan,dressedinhisrichrobes,thefountainsplayinginthecentre,theslavesoftheMoorministeringtohisscarredandruggedChristianconqueror。Somefannedhimwithpeacocks’pinions,somedancedbeforehim,somesangMoor’smelodiestotheplaintivenotesofaguzla,one——itwastheonlydaughteroftheMoor’soldage,theyoungZutulbe,arosebudofbeauty——satweepinginacornerofthegildedhall:weepingforherslainbrethren,theprideofMoslemchivalry,whoseheadswereblackeningintheblazingsunshineontheportalswithout,andforherfather,whosehomehadbeenthusmadedesolate。
Heandhisguest,theEnglishknightSirWilfrid,wereplayingatchess,afavoriteamusementwiththechivalryoftheperiod,whenamessengerwasannouncedfromValencia,totreat,ifpossible,fortheransomoftheremainingpartoftheAlfaqui’sfamily。AgrimsmilelightedupDonBeltran’sfeaturesashebadetheblackslaveadmitthemessenger。Heentered。ByhiscostumeitwasatonceseenthatthebeareroftheflagoftrucewasaJew——thepeoplewereemployedcontinuallythenasambassadorsbetweenthetworacesatwarinSpain。”Icome,”saidtheoldJewinavoicewhichmadeSirWilfridstart,”frommylordtheAlfaquitomynoblesenor,theinvincibleDonBeltrandeCuchilla,totreatfortheransomoftheMoor’sonlydaughter,thechildofhisoldageandthepearlofhisaffection。””Apearlisavaluablejewel,Hebrew。WhatdoestheMoorishdogbidforher?”askedDonBeltran,stillsmilinggrimly。”TheAlfaquioffers100,000dinars,twenty-fourhorseswiththeircaparisons,twenty-foursuitsofplate-armor,anddiamondsandrubiestotheamountof1,000,000dinars。””Ho,slaves!”roaredDonBeltran,”showtheJewmytreasuryofgold。Howmanyhundredthousandpiecesarethere?”Andtenenormouschestswereproducedinwhichtheaccountantcounted1,000
bagsof1,000dirhemseach,anddisplayedseveralcasketsofjewelscontainingsuchatreasureofrubies,smaragds,diamonds,andjacinths,asmadetheeyesoftheagedambassadortwinklewithavarice。”Howmanyhorsesarethereinmystable?”continuedDonBeltran;
andMuley,themasterofthehorse,numberedthreehundredfullycaparisoned;andtherewas,likewise,armoroftherichestsortforasmanycavaliers,whofollowedthebannerofthisdoughtycaptain。”Iwantneithermoneynorarmor,”saidtheferociousknight;”tellthistotheAlfaqui,Jew。AndIwillkeepthechild,hisdaughter,toservethemessesformydogs,andcleantheplattersformyscullions。””Deprivenottheoldmanofhischild,”hereinterposedtheKnightofIvanhoe;”bethinkthee,braveDonBeltran,sheisbutaninfantinyears。””Sheismycaptive,SirKnight,”repliedthesurlyDonBeltran;”I
willdowithmyownasbecomesme。””Take200,000dirhems,”criedtheJew;”more!——anything!TheAlfaquiwillgivehislifeforhischild!””Comehither,Zutulbe!——comehither,thouMoorishpearl!”yelledtheferociouswarrior;”comecloser,myprettyblack-eyedhouriofheathenesse!HastheardthenameofBeltrandeEspadayTrabuco?””TherewerethreebrothersofthatnameatAlarcos,andmybrothersslewtheChristiandogs!”saidtheproudyounggirl,lookingboldlyatDonBeltran,whofoamedwithrage。”TheMoorsbutcheredmymotherandherlittleones,atmidnight,inourcastleofMurcia,”Beltransaid。”Thyfatherfledlikeacraven,asthoudidst,DonBeltran!”criedthehigh-spiritedgirl。”BySaintJago,thisistoomuch!”screamedtheinfuriatednobleman;andthenextmomenttherewasashriek,andthemaidenfelltothegroundwithDonBeltran’sdaggerinherside。”Deathisbetterthandishonor!”criedthechild,rollingontheblood-stainedmarblepavement。”I——Ispituponthee,dogofaChristian!”andwiththis,andwithasavagelaugh,shefellbackanddied。”Bearbackthisnews,Jew,totheAlfaqui,”howledtheDon,spurningthebeauteouscorpsewithhisfoot。”IwouldnothaveransomedherforallthegoldinBarbary!”Andshuddering,theoldJewlefttheapartment,whichIvanhoequittedlikewise。
Whentheywereintheoutercourt,theknightsaidtotheJew,”IsaacofYork,dostthounotknowme?”andthrewbackhishood,andlookedattheoldman。
TheoldJewstaredwildly,rushedforwardasiftoseizehishand,thenstartedback,tremblingconvulsively,andclutchinghiswitheredhandsoverhisface,said,withaburstofgrief,”SirWilfridofIvanhoe!——no,no!——Idonotknowthee!””Holymother!whathaschanced?”saidIvanhoe,inhisturnbecomingghastlypale;”whereisthydaughter——whereisRebecca?””Awayfromme!”saidtheoldJew,tottering。”AwayRebeccais——
dead!”……
WhentheDisinheritedKnightheardthatfatalannouncement,hefelltothegroundsenseless,andwasforsomedaysasoneperfectlydistraughtwithgrief。Hetooknonourishmentandutterednoword。
Forweekshedidnotrelapseoutofhismoodysilence,andwhenhecamepartiallytohimselfagain,itwastobidhispeopletohorse,inahollowvoice,andtomakeaforayagainsttheMoors。Dayafterdayheissuedoutagainsttheseinfidels,anddidnoughtbutslayandslay。Hetooknoplunderasotherknightsdid,butleftthattohisfollowers;heutterednowar-cry,aswasthemannerofchivalry,andhegavenoquarter,insomuchthatthe”silentknight”
becamethedreadofallthePaynimsofGranadaandAndalusia,andmorefellbyhislancethanbythatofanythemostclamorouscaptainsofthetroopsinarmsagainstthem。Thusthetideofbattleturned,andtheArabhistorian,ElMakary,recountshow,atthegreatbattleofAlAkab,calledbytheSpaniardsLasNavas,theChristiansretrievedtheirdefeatatAlarcos,andabsolutelykilledhalfamilllionofMahometans。Fiftythousandofthese,ofcourse,DonWilfridtooktohisownlance;anditwasremarkedthatthemelancholywarriorseemedsomewhatmoreeasyinspiritsafterthatfamousfeatofarms。
CHAPTERVII。
THEENDOFTHEPERFORMANCE。
InashorttimetheterribleSirWilfridofIvanhoehadkilledoffsomanyoftheMoors,thatthoughthoseunbelievingmiscreantspouredcontinualreinforcementsintoSpainfromBarbary,theycouldmakenoheadagainsttheChristianforces,andinfactcameintobattlequitediscouragedatthenotionofmeetingthedreadfulsilentknight。Itwascommonlybelievedamongstthem,thatthefamousMalekRic,RichardofEngland,theconquerorofSaladin,hadcometolifeagain,andwasbattlingintheSpanishhosts——thatthis,hissecondlife,wasacharmedone,andhisbodyinaccessibletoblowofscimitarorthrustofspear——thatafterbattleheatetheheartsanddrankthebloodofmanyyoungMoorsforhissupper:
athousandwildlegendsweretoldofIvanhoe,indeed,sothattheMoriscowarriorscamehalfvanquishedintothefield,andfellaneasypreytotheSpaniards,whocutawayamongthemwithoutmercy。
AndalthoughnoneoftheSpanishhistorianswhomIhaveconsultedmakementionofSirWilfridastherealauthorofthenumeroustriumphswhichnowgracedthearmsofthegoodcause,thisisnotintheleasttobewonderedat,inanationthathasalwaysbeennotoriousforbragging,andforthenon-paymentoftheirdebtsofgratitudeasoftheirotherobligations,andthatwriteshistoriesofthePeninsularwarwiththeEmperorNapoleon,withoutmakingtheslightestmentionofhisGracetheDukeofWellington,oroftheparttakenbyBRITISHVALORinthattransaction。Well,itmustbeconfessed,ontheotherhand,thatwebragenoughofourfathers’
featsinthosecampaigns:butthisisnotthesubjectatpresentunderconsideration。
Tobebrief,Ivanhoemadesuchshortworkwiththeunbelievers,thatthemonarchofAragon,KingDonJayme,sawhimselfspeedilyenabledtobesiegethecityofValencia,thelaststrongholdwhichtheMoorshadinhisdominions,andgarrisonedbymanythousandsofthoseinfidelsunderthecommandoftheirKingAbooAbdallahMahommed,sonofYakoobal-Mansoor。TheArabianhistorianElMakarygivesafullaccountofthemilitaryprecautionstakenbyAbooAbdallahtodefendhiscity;butasIdonotwishtomakeaparadeofmylearning,ortowriteacostumenovel,IshallpretermitanydescriptionofthecityunderitsMoorishgovernors。
BesidestheTurkswhoinhabitedit,theredweltwithinitswallsgreatstoreofthoseoftheHebrewnation,whowerealwaysprotectedbytheMoorsduringtheirunbelievingreigninSpain;andwhowere,asweverywellknow,thechiefphysicians,thechiefbankers,thechiefstatesmen,thechiefartistsandmusicians,thechiefeverything,undertheMoorishkings。ThusitisnotsurprisingthattheHebrews,havingtheirmoney,theirliberty,theirteeth,theirlives,secureundertheMahometandomination,shouldinfinitelypreferittotheChristiansway;beneathwhichtheywereliabletobedeprivedofeveryoneofthesebenefits。
AmongtheseHebrewsofValencia,livedaveryancientIsraelite——nootherthanIsaacofYorkbeforementioned,whocameintoSpainwithhisdaughter,soonafterIvanhoe’smarriage,inthethirdvolumeofthefirstpartofthishistory。Isaacwasrespectedbyhispeopleforthemoneywhichhepossessed,andhisdaughterforheradmirablegoodqualities,herbeauty,hercharities,andherremarkablemedicalskill。
TheyoungEmirAbooAbdallahwassostruckbyhercharms,thatthoughshewasconsiderablyolderthanhisHighness,heofferedtomarryher,andinstallherasNumber1ofhiswives;andIsaacofYorkwouldnothaveobjectedtotheunion,forsuchmixedmarriageswerenotuncommonbetweentheHebrewsandMoorsinthosedays,butRebeccafirmlyyetrespectfullydeclinedtheproposalsoftheprince,sayingthatitwasimpossiblesheshoulduniteherselfwithamanofacreeddifferenttoherown。
AlthoughIsaacwas,probably,notover-wellpleasedatlosingthischanceofbeingfather-in-lawtoaroyalhighness,yetashepassedamonghispeopleforaverystrictcharacter,andtherewereinhisfamilyseveralrabbisofgreatreputationandseverityofconduct,theoldgentlemanwassilencedbythisobjectionofRebecca’s,andtheyoungladyherselfapplaudedbyherrelativesforherresolutebehavior。Shetooktheircongratulationsinaveryfrigidmanner,andsaidthatitwasherwishnottomarryatall,buttodevoteherselftothepracticeofmedicinealtogether,andtohelpingthesickandneedyofherpeople。Indeed,althoughshedidnotgotoanypublicmeetings,shewasasbenevolentacreatureastheworldeversaw:thepoorblessedherwherevertheyknewher,andmanybenefitedbyherwhoguessednotwhencehergentlebountycame。
ButtherearemeninJewrywhoadmirebeauty,and,asIhaveevenheard,appreciatemoneytoo,andRebeccahadsuchaquantityofboth,thatallthemostdesirablebachelorsofthepeoplewerereadytobidforher。Ambassadorscamefromallquarterstoproposeforher。Herownuncle,thevenerableBenSolomons,withabeardaslongasacashmeregoat’s,andareputationforlearningandpietywhichstilllivesinhisnation,quarrelledwithhissonMoses,thered-haireddiamond-merchantofTrebizond,andhissonSimeon,thebaldbill-brokerofBagdad,eachputtinginaclaimfortheircousin。BenMinoriescamefromLondonandkneltatherfeet;
BenJochananarrivedfromParis,andthoughttodazzleherwiththelatestwaistcoatsfromthePalaisRoyal;andBenJonahbroughtherapresentofDutchherrings,andbesoughthertocomebackandbeMrs。BenJonahattheHague。
Rebeccatemporizedasbestshemight。Shethoughtherunclewastooold。ShebesoughtdearMosesanddearSimeonnottoquarrelwitheachother,andoffendtheirfatherbypressingtheirsuit。
BenMinoriesfromLondon,shesaid,wastooyoung,andJochananfromParis,shepointedouttoIsaacofYork,mustbeaspendthrift,orhewouldnotwearthoseabsurdwaistcoats。AsforBenJonah,shesaid,shecouldnotbearthenotionoftobaccoandDutchherrings:
shewishedtostaywithherpapa,herdearpapa。Infine,sheinventedathousandexcusesfordelay,anditwasplainthatmarriagewasodioustoher。Theonlymanwhomshereceivedwithanythinglikefavor,wasyoungBevisMarksofLondon,withwhomshewasveryfamiliar。ButBevishadcometoherwithacertaintokenthathadbeengiventohimbyanEnglishknight,whosavedhimfromafagottowhichtheferociousHospitallerFolkoofHeydenbratenwasabouttocondemnhim。Itwasbutaring,withanemeraldinit,thatBevisknewtobesham,andnotworthagroat。Rebeccaknewaboutthevalueofjewelstoo;butah!shevaluedthisonemorethanallthediamondsinPresterJohn’sturban。Shekissedit;shecriedoverit;sheworeitinherbosomalwaysandwhenshekneltdownatnightandmorning,shehelditbetweenherfoldedhandsonherneck……YoungBevisMarkswentawayfinallynobetteroffthantheothers;therascalsoldtotheKingofFranceahandsomeruby,theverysizeofthebitofglassinRebecca’sring;buthealwayssaidhewouldratherhavehadherthantenthousandpounds:andverylikelyhewould,foritwasknownshewouldatoncehaveaplumtoherfortune。
Thesedelays,however,couldnotcontinueforever;andatagreatfamilymeetingheldatPassover-time,Rebeccawassolemnlyorderedtochooseahusbandoutofthegentlementherepresent;herauntspointingoutthegreatkindnesswhichhadbeenshowntoherbyherfather,inpermittinghertochooseforherself。OneauntwasoftheSolomonfaction,anotheraunttookSimeon’sside,athirdmostvenerableoldlady——theheadofthefamily,andahundredandforty-fouryearsofage——wasreadytopronounceacurseuponher,andcastherout,unlessshemarriedbeforethemonthwasover。
Allthejewelledheadsofalltheoldladiesincouncil,allthebeardsofallthefamily,waggedagainsther:itmusthavebeenanawfulsighttowitness。
Atlast,then,Rebeccawasforcedtospeak。”Kinsmen!”shesaid,turningpale,”whenthePrinceAbouAbdilaskedmeinmarriage,I
toldyouIwouldnotwedbutwithoneofmyownfaith。””ShehasturnedTurk,”screamedouttheladies。”Shewantstobeaprincess,andhasturnedTurk,”roaredtherabbis。”Well,well,”saidIsaac,inratheranappeasedtone,”letushearwhatthepoorgirlhasgottosay。Doyouwanttomarryhisroyalhighness,Rebecca?Saytheword,yesorno。”
Anothergroanburstfromtherabbis——theycried,shrieked,chattered,gesticulated,furioustolosesuchaprize;aswerethewomen,thatsheshouldreignoverthemasecondEsther。”Silence,”criedoutIsaac;”letthegirlspeak。Speakboldly,Rebeccadear,there’sagoodgirl。”
Rebeccawasaspaleasastone。Shefoldedherarmsonherbreast,andfelttheringthere。Shelookedroundalltheassembly,andthenatIsaac。”Father,”shesaid,inathrillinglowsteadyvoice,”Iamnotofyourreligion——IamnotofthePrinceBoabdil’sreligion——I——IamofHISreligion。””His!whose,inthenameofMoses,girl?”criedIsaac。
Rebeccaclaspedherhandsonherbeatingchestandlookedroundwithdauntlesseyes。”Ofhis,”shesaid,”whosavedmylifeandyourhonor:ofmydear,dearchampion’s。Inevercanbehis,butI
willbenoother’s。Givemymoneytomykinsmen;itisthattheylongfor。Takethedross,SimeonandSolomon,JonahandJochanan,anddivideitamongyou,andleaveme。Iwillneverbeyours,I
tellyou,never。Doyouthink,afterknowinghimandhearinghimspeak,——afterwatchinghimwoundedonhispillow,andgloriousinbattle”hereyesmeltedandkindledagainasshespokethesewords,”Icanmatewithsuchasyou?Go。Leavemetomyself。I
amnoneofyours。Ilovehim——Ilovehim。Fatedividesus——long,longmilesseparateus;andIknowwemaynevermeetagain。ButI
loveandblesshimalways。Yes,always。Myprayersarehis;myfaithishis。Yes,myfaithisyourfaith,Wilfrid——Wilfrid!I
havenokindredmore,——IamaChristian!”
Atthislastwordtherewassucharowintheassembly,asmyfeeblepenwouldinvainendeavortodepict。OldIsaacstaggeredbackinafit,andnobodytooktheleastnoticeofhim。Groans,curses,yellsofmen,shrieksofwomen,filledtheroomwithsuchafuriousjabbering,asmighthaveappalledanyheartlessstoutthanRebecca’s;butthatbravewomanwaspreparedforall;expecting,andperhapshoping,thatdeathwouldbeherinstantlot。Therewasbutonecreaturewhopitiedher,andthatwashercousinandfather’sclerk,littleBenDavids,whowasbutthirteen,andhadonlyjustbeguntocarryabag,andwhosecryingandboo-hooing,asshefinishedspeaking,wasdrownedinthescreamsandmaledictionsoftheelderIsraelites。BenDavidswasmadlyinlovewithhiscousinasboysoftenarewithladiesoftwicetheirage,andhehadpresenceofmindsuddenlytoknockoverthelargebrazenlamponthetable,whichilluminatedtheangryconclave;then,whisperingtoRebeccatogouptoherownroomandlockherselfin,ortheywouldkillherelse,hetookherhandandledherout。
Fromthatdayshedisappearedfromamongherpeople。Thepoorandthewretchedmissedher,andaskedforherinvain。Hadanyviolencebeendonetoher,thepoorerJewswouldhaverisenandputallIsaac’sfamilytodeath;andbesides,heroldflame,PrinceBoabdil,wouldhavealsobeenexceedinglywrathful。Shewasnotkilledthen,but,sotospeak,buriedalive,andlockedupinIsaac’sback-kitchen:anapartmentintowhichscarcelyanylightentered,andwhereshewasfeduponscantyportionsofthemostmouldybreadandwater。LittleBenDavidswastheonlypersonwhovisitedher,andhersoleconsolationwastotalktohimaboutIvanhoe,andhowgoodandhowgentlehewas;howbraveandhowtrue;andhowheslewthetremendousknightoftheTemplars,andhowhemarriedaladywhomRebeccascarcelythoughtworthyofhim,butwithwhomsheprayedhemightbehappy;andofwhatcolorhiseyeswere,andwhatwerethearmsonhisshield——viz,atreewiththeword”Desdichado”writtenunderneath,&c。&c。&c。:allwhichtalkwouldnothaveinterestedlittleDavids,haditcomefromanybodyelse’smouth,buttowhichhenevertiredoflisteningasitfellfromhersweetlips。
So,infact,whenoldIsaacofYorkcametonegotiatewithDonBeltrandeCuchillafortheransomoftheAlfaqui’sdaughterofXixona,ourdearestRebeccawasnomoredeadthanyouandI;anditwasinhisrageandfuryagainstIvanhoethatIsaactoldthatcavalierthefalsehoodwhichcausedtheknightsomuchpainandsuchaprodigiousdealofbloodshedtotheMoors:andwhoknows,trivialasitmayseem,whetheritwasnotthatverycircumstancewhichcausedthedestructioninSpainoftheMoorishpower?
AlthoughIsaac,wemaybesure,nevertoldhisdaughterthatIvanhoehadcastupagain,yetMasterBenDavidsdid,whohearditfromhisemployer;andhesavedRebecca’slifebycommunicatingtheintelligence,forthepoorthingwouldhaveinfalliblyperishedbutforthisgoodnews。Shehadnowbeeninprisonfouryearsthreemonthsandtwenty-fourdays,duringwhichtimeshehadpartakenofnothingbutbreadandwaterexceptsuchoccasionaltit-bitsasDavidscouldbringher——andthesewerefewindeed;foroldIsaacwasalwaysacurmudgeon,andseldomhadmorethanapairofeggsforhisownandDavids’dinner;andshewaslanguishingaway,whenthenewscamesuddenlytoreviveher。Then,thoughinthedarknessyoucouldnotseehercheeks,theybegantobloomagain:thenherheartbegantobeatandherbloodtoflow,andshekissedtheringonherneckathousandtimesadayatleast;andherconstantquestionwas,”BenDavids!BenDavids!whenishecomingtobesiegeValencia?”Sheknewhewouldcome:and,indeed,theChristianswereencampedbeforethetownereamonthwasover……
Andnow,mydearboysandgirls,IthinkIperceivebehindthatdarksceneoftheback-kitchenwhichisjustasimpleflat,paintedstone-color,thatshiftsinaminute,brightstreaksoflightflashingout,asthoughtheywerepreparingamostbrilliant,gorgeous,andaltogetherdazzlingillumination,witheffectsneverbeforeattemptedonanystage。Yes,thefairyintheprettypinktightsandspangledmuslinisgettingintothebrilliantrevolvingchariotoftherealmsofbliss——Yes,mostofthefiddlersandtrumpetershavegoneroundfromtheorchestratojoininthegrandtriumphalprocession,wherethewholestrengthofthecompanyisalreadyassembled,arrayedincostumesofMoorishandChristianchivalry,tocelebratethe”TerribleEscalade,”the”RescueofVirtuousInnocence”——the”GrandEntryoftheChristiansintoValencia”——”AppearanceoftheFairyDay-Star,”and”Unexampleddisplaysofpyrotechnicfestivity。”Doyounot,Isay,perceivethatwearecometotheendofourhistory;and,afteraquantityofrapidandterrificfighting,brilliantchangeofscenery,andsongs,appropriateorotherwise,arebringingourheroandheroinetogether?Whowantsalongsceneatthelast?Mammasareputtingthegirls’cloaksandboason;papashavegoneouttolookforthecarriage,andleftthebox-doorswingingopen,andlettinginthecoldair:ifthereWEREanystage-conversation,youcouldnothearit,forthescufflingofthepeoplewhoareleavingthepit。See,theorange-womenarepreparingtoretire。To-morrowtheirplay-
billswillbeassomuchwaste-paper——sowillsomeofourmasterpieces,woeisme:butlo!herewecometoScenethelast,andValenciaisbesiegedandcapturedbytheChristians。
Whoisthefirstonthewall,andwhohurlsdownthegreenstandardoftheProphet?WhochopsofftheheadoftheEmirAbooWhat-d’ye-
call’im,justasthelatterhascutoverthecruelDonBeltrandeCuchillay&c。?Who,attractedtotheJewishquarterbytheshrieksoftheinhabitantswhoarebeingslainbytheMoorishsoldiery,andbyalittleboybythenameofBenDavids,whorecognizestheknightbyhisshield,findsIsaacofYorkegorgeonathreshold,andclaspingalargeback-kitchenkey?WhobutIvanhoe——whobutWilfrid?”AnIvanhoetotherescue,”hebellowsout;hehasheardthatnewsfromlittleBenDavidswhichmakeshimsing。Andwhoisitthatcomesoutofthehouse——trembling——panting——withherarmsout——inawhitedress——withherhairdown——whoisitbutdearRebecca?Look,theyrushtogether,andMasterWambaiswavinganimmensebanneroverthem,andknocksdownacircumambientJewwithaham,whichhehappenstohaveinhispocket……AsforRebecca,nowherheadislaiduponIvanhoe’sheart,Ishallnotasktohearwhatsheiswhispering,ordescribefurtherthatsceneofmeeting;thoughIdeclareIamquiteaffectedwhenIthinkofit。
IndeedIhavethoughtofitanytimethesefive-and-twentyyears——
eversince,asaboyatschool,Icommencedthenoblestudyofnovels——eversincethedaywhen,lyingonsunnyslopesofhalf-
holidays,thefairchivalrousfiguresandbeautifulshapesofknightsandladieswerevisibletome——eversinceIgrewtoloveRebecca,thatsweetestcreatureofthepoet’sfancy,andlongedtoseeherrighted。
ThatsheandIvanhoeweremarried,followsofcourse;forRowena’spromiseextortedfromhimwas,thathewouldneverwedaJewess,andabetterChristianthanRebeccanowwasneversaidhercatechism。MarriedIamsuretheywere,andadoptedlittleCedric;
butIdon’tthinktheyhadanyotherchildren,orweresubsequentlyveryboisterouslyhappy。Ofsomesortofhappinessmelancholyisacharacteristic,andIthinkthesewereasolemnpair,anddiedratherearly。
THEHISTORYOFTHENEXTFRENCHREVOLUTION。
[FROMAFORTHCOMINGHISTORYOFEUROPE。]
CHAPTERI。
Itisseldomthatthehistorianhastorecordeventsmoresingularthanthosewhichoccurredduringthisyear,whentheCrownofFrancewasbattledforbynolessthanfourpretenders,withequalclaims,merits,bravery,andpopularity。Firstinthelistweplace——HisRoyalHighnessLouisAnthonyFrederickSamuelAnnaMaria,DukeofBrittany,andsonofLouisXVI。TheunhappyPrince,whenaprisonerwithhisunfortunateparentsintheTemple,wasenabledtoescapefromthatplaceofconfinement,hiddenforthetreatmentoftheruffianswhoguardedhimhadcausedtheyoungPrincetodwindledownastonishinglyinthecocked-hatoftheRepresentative,Roederer。Itiswellknownthat,inthetroublousrevolutionarytimes,cocked-hatswerewornofaconsiderablesize。
HepassedaconsiderablepartofhislifeinGermany;wasconfinedthereforthirtyyearsinthedungeonsofSpielberg;and,escapingthencetoEngland,was,underpretenceofdebt,butinrealityfrompoliticalhatred,imprisonedtherealsointheTowerofLondon。HemustnotbeconfoundedwithanyotherofthepersonswholaidclaimtobechildrenoftheunfortunatevictimofthefirstRevolution。
Thenextclaimant,HenriofBordeaux,isbetterknown。Intheyear1843heheldhislittlefugitivecourtinfurnishedlodgings,inaforgottendistrictofLondon,calledBelgraveSquare。ManyofthenoblesofFranceflockedthithertohim,despisingthepersecutionsoftheoccupantofthethrone;andsomeofthechiefsoftheBritishnobility——amongwhommaybereckonedthecelebratedandchivalrousDukeofJenkins——aidedtheadventurousyoungPrincewiththeircounsels,theirwealth,andtheirvalor。
ThethirdcandidatewashisImperialHighnessPrinceJohnThomasNapoleon——afourteenthcousinofthelateEmperor;andsaidbysometobeaPrinceoftheHouseofGomersal。Hearguedjustlythat,astheimmediaterelativesofthecelebratedCorsicanhaddeclinedtocompeteforthecrownwhichwastheirright,he,PrinceJohnThomas,beingnextinsuccession,was,undoubtedly,heirtothevacantimperialthrone。Andinsupportofhisclaim,heappealedtothefidelityofFrenchmenandthestrengthofhisgoodsword。
HisMajestyLouisPhilippewas,itneednotbesaid,theillustriouswielderofthesceptrewhichthethreeabove-namedprincesdesiredtowrestfromhim。Itdoesnotappearthatthesagaciousmonarchwasesteemedbyhissubjects,assuchaprinceshouldhavebeenesteemed。Thelight-mindedpeople,onthecontrary,wereratherwearythanotherwiseofhissway。Theywerenotintheleastattachedtohisamiablefamily,forwhomhisMajestywithcharacteristicthrifthadendeavoredtoprocuresatisfactoryallowances。Andtheleadingstatesmenofthecountry,whomhisMajestyhaddisgusted,weresuspectedofentertaininganybutfeelingsofloyaltytowardshishouseandperson。
Itwasagainsttheabove-namedpretendersthatLouisPhilippenownearlyahundredyearsold,aprinceamongstsovereigns,wascalledupontodefendhiscrown。
ThecityofPariswasguarded,asweallknow,byahundredandtwenty-fourforts,ofathousandgunseach——provisionedforaconsiderabletime,andallsoconstructedastofire,ifneedwere,uponthepalaceoftheTuileries。Thus,shouldthemobattackit,asinAugust1792,andJuly1830,thebuildingcouldberazedtothegroundinanhour;thus,too,thecapitalwasquitesecurefromforeigninvasion。Anotherdefenceagainsttheforeignerswasthestateoftheroads。SincetheEnglishcompanieshadretired,halfamileonlyofrailroadhadbeencompletedinFrance,andthusanyarmyaccustomed,asthoseofEuropenoware,tomoveatsixtymilesanhour,wouldhavebeenennuye’dtodeathbeforetheycouldhavemarchedfromtheRhenish,theMaritime,theAlpine,orthePyreneanfrontieruponthecapitalofFrance。TheFrenchpeople,however,wereindignantatthisdefectofcommunicationintheirterritory,andsaid,withouttheleastshowofreason,thattheywouldhavepreferredthatthefivehundredandseventy-fivethousandbillionsoffrancswhichhadbeenexpendeduponthefortificationsshouldhavebeenlaidoutinamorepeacefulmanner。However,behindhisforts,theKinglaysecure。
Asitisouraimtodepictinasvividamanneraspossiblethestrangeeventsoftheperiod,theactions,thepassionsofindividualsandpartiesengaged,wecannotbetterdescribethemthanbyreferringtocontemporarydocuments,ofwhichthereisnolack。ItisamusingatthepresentdaytoreadinthepagesoftheMoniteurandtheJournaldesDebatstheaccountsofthestrangesceneswhichtookplace。
Theyear1884hadopenedverytranquilly。TheCourtoftheTuilerieshadbeenextremelygay。Thethree-and-twentyyoungestPrincesofEngland,sonsofherMajestyVictoria,hadenlivenedtheballsbytheirpresence;theEmperorofRussiaandfamilyhadpaidtheiraccustomedvisit;andtheKingoftheBelgianshad,asusual,madehisvisittohisroyalfather-in-law,underpretenceofdutyandpleasure,butreallytodemandpaymentoftheQueenoftheBelgians’dowry,whichLouisPhilippeofOrleansstillresolutelydeclinedtopay。Whowouldhavethoughtthatinthemidstofsuchfestivitydangerwaslurkingrife,inthemidstofsuchquiet,rebellion?
CharentonwasthegreatlunaticasylumofParis,anditwastothisrepositorythatthescornfuljournalistconsignedthepretendertothethroneofLouisXVI。
Butonthenextday,viz。Saturday,the29thFebruary,thesamejournalcontainedaparagraphofamuchmorestartlingandseriousimport;inwhich,althoughunderamaskofcarelessness,itwaseasytoseetheGovernmentalarm。
OnFriday,the28thFebruary,theJournaldesDebatscontainedaparagraph,whichdidnotoccasionmuchsensationattheBourse,soabsurddiditscontentsseem。Itranasfollows:——”ENCOREUNLOUISXVII。!AletterfromCalaistellsusthatastrangepersonagelatelylandedfromEnglandfromBedlamwebelievehasbeengivinghimselfouttobethesonoftheunfortunateLouisXVI。Thisisthetwenty-fourthpretenderofthespecieswhohasassertedthathisfatherwastheaugustvictimoftheTemple。Beyondhispretensions,thepoorcreatureissaidtobeprettyharmless;heisaccompaniedbyoneortwooldwomen,whodeclaretheyrecognizeinhimtheDauphin;hedoesnotmakeanyattempttoseizeuponhisthronebyforceofarms,butwaitsuntilheavenshallconducthimtoit。”IfhisMajestycomestoParis,wepresumehewillTAKEUPhisquartersinthepalaceofCharenton。”Wehavenotbeforealludedtocertainrumorswhichhavebeenafloatamongthelowestcanailleandthevilestestaminetsofthemetropolis,thatanotoriouspersonage——whyshouldwehesitatetomentionthenameofthePrinceJohnThomasNapoleon?——hasenteredFrancewithculpableintentions,andrevolutionaryviews。TheMoniteurofthismorning,however,confirmsthedisgracefulfact。
Apretenderisonourshores;anarmedassassinisthreateningourpeacefulliberties;awandering,homelesscut-throatisrobbingonourhighways;andthepunishmentofhiscrimeawaitshim。Letnoconsiderationsofthepastdeferthatjustpunishment;itisthedutyofthelegislatortoprovideforTHEFUTURE。Letthefullpowersofthelawbebroughtagainsthim,aidedbythesternjusticeofthepublicforce。Lethimbetracked,likeawildbeast,tohislair,andmeetthefateofone。Butthesentencehas,erethis,beencertainlyexecuted。Thebrigand,wehear,hasbeendistributingwithoutanyeffectpamphletsamongthelowale-
housesandpeasantryofthedepartmentoftheUpperRhineinwhichhelurks;andthePolicehaveaneasymeansoftrackinghisfootsteps。”CorporalCrane,oftheGendarmerie,isonthetrackoftheunfortunateyoungman。Hisattemptwillonlyservetoshowthefollyofthepretenders,andthelove,respect,regard,fidelity,admiration,reverence,andpassionatepersonalattachmentinwhichweholdourbelovedsovereign。””SECONDEDITION!”CAPTUREOFTHEPRINCE。”AcourierhasjustarrivedattheTuilerieswithareportthatafterascufflebetweenCorporalCraneandthe’ImperialArmy,’inawater-barrel,whitherthelatterhadretreated,victoryhasremainedwiththeformer。Adesperatecombatensuedinthefirstplace,inahay-loft,whencethepretenderwasejectedwithimmenseloss。Heisnowaprisoner——andwedreadtothinkwhathisfatemaybe!Itwillwarnfutureaspirants,andgiveEuropealessonwhichitisnotlikelytoforget。Aboveall,itwillsetbeyondadoubttheregard,respect,admiration,reverence,andadorationwhichweallfeelforoursovereign。””THIRDEDITION。”Asecondcourierhasarrived。TheinfatuatedCranehasmadecommoncausewiththePrince,andforeverforfeitedtherespectofFrenchmen。Adetachmentofthe520thLegerhasmarchedinpursuitofthepretenderandhisdupes。Go,Frenchmen,goandconquer!
Rememberthatitisourrightsyouguard,ourhomeswhichyoumarchtodefend;ourlawswhichareconfidedtothepointsofyourunsulliedbayonets;——aboveall,ourdear,dearsovereign,aroundwhosethroneyourally!”Ourfeelingsoverpowerus。Menofthe520th,rememberyourwatchwordisGemappes,——yourcountersign,Valmy。””TheEmperorofRussiaandhisdistinguishedfamilyquittedtheTuileriesthisday。HisImperialMajestyembracedhisMajestytheKingoftheFrenchwithtearsinhiseyes,andconferredupontheirRR。HH。thePrincesofNemoursandJoinville,theGrandCrossoftheOrderoftheBlueEagle。””HisMajestypassedareviewofthePoliceforce。Thevenerablemonarchwasreceivedwithdeafeningcheersbythisadmirableanddisinterestedbodyofmen。ThosecheerswereechoedinallFrenchhearts。Long,longmayourbelovedPrincebeamongustoreceivethem!”
CHAPTERII。
HENRYV。ANDNAPOLEONIII。
Sunday,February30th。
WeresumeourquotationsfromtheDebats,whichthusintroducesathirdpretendertothethrone:——”Isthisdistractedcountrynevertohavepeace?WhileonFridaywerecordedthepretensionsofamaniactothegreatthroneofFrance;whileonSaturdaywewerecompelledtoregistertheculpableattemptsofonewhomweregardasaruffian,murderer,swindler,forger,burglar,andcommonpickpocket,togainovertheallegianceofFrenchmen——itisto-dayourpainfuldutytoannounceaTHIRDinvasion——yes,athirdinvasion。Thewretched,superstitious,fanaticDukeofBordeauxhaslandedatNantz,andhassummonedtheVendeansandtheBretonstomountthewhitecockade。”GrandDieu!arewenothappyunderthetricolor?Dowenotreposeunderthemajesticshadowofthebestofkings?IsthereanynameprouderthanthatofFrenchman;anysubjectmorehappythanthatofoursovereign?DoesnotthewholeFrenchfamilyadoretheirfather?Yes。Ourlives,ourhearts,ourblood,ourfortune,areathisdisposal:itwasnotinvainthatweraised,itisnotthefirsttimewehaveralliedround,theaugustthroneofJuly。TheunhappyDukeismostlikelyaprisonerbythistime;andthemartialcourtwhichshallbecalledupontojudgeoneinfamoustraitorandpretender,mayatthesamemomentjudgeanother。Awaywithboth!lettheditchofVincenneswhichhasbeenalreadyfataltohisracereceivehisbody,too,andwithitthecorpseoftheotherpretender。Thuswillagreatcrimebewipedoutofhistory,andthemanesofaslaughteredmartyravenged!”Onewordmore。WehearthattheDukeofJenkinsaccompaniesthedescendantofCarolineofNaples。AnENGLISHDUKE,entendez-vous!
AnEnglishDuke,greatheaven!andthePrincesofEnglandstilldancinginourroyalhalls!Where,wherewilltheperfidyofAlbionend?””TheKingreviewedthethirdandfourthbattalionsofPolice。Theusualheart-rendingcheersaccompaniedthemonarch,wholookedyoungerthaneverwesawhim——ay,asyoungaswhenhefacedtheAustriancannonatValmyandscatteredtheirsquadronsatGemappes。”Rationsofliquor,andcrossesoftheLegionofHonor,weredistributedtoallthemen。”TheEnglishPrincesquittedtheTuileriesintwenty-threecoaches-
and-four。TheywerenotrewardedwithcrossesoftheLegionofHonor。Thisissignificant。””TheDukesofJoinvilleandNemoursleftthepalaceforthedepartmentsoftheLoireandUpperRhine,wheretheywilltakethecommandofthetroops。TheJoinvilleregiment——CavaleriedelaMarine——isoneofthefinestintheservice。””OrdershavebeengiventoarrestthefanaticwhocallshimselfDukeofBrittany,andwhohasbeenmakingsomedisturbancesinthePasdeCalais。””ANECDOTEOFHISMAJESTY——AtthereviewoftroopsPolice
yesterday,hisMajesty,goinguptooneoldgrognardandpullinghimbytheear,said,’Wiltthouhaveacrossoranotherrationofwine?’Theoldhero,smilingarchly,answered,’Sire,abravemancangainacrossanydayofbattle,butitishardforhimsometimestogetadrinkofwine。’Weneednotsaythathehadhisdrink,andthegeneroussovereignsenthimthecrossandribbontoo。”
Onthenextday,theGovernmentjournalsbegantowriteinratheradespondenttoneregardingtheprogressofthepretenderstothethrone。Inspiteoftheirbigtalking,anxietyisclearlymanifested,asappearsfromthefollowingremarksoftheDebats:——”ThecourierfromtheRhinedepartment,”saystheDebats,”bringsusthefollowingastoundingProclamation:——”’Strasburg,xxii。Nivose:Decadi。92ndyearoftheRepublic,oneandindivisible。We,JohnThomasNapoleon,bytheconstitutionsoftheEmpire,EmperoroftheFrenchRepublic,toourmarshals,generals,officers,andsoldiers,greeting:”’Soldiers!”’FromthesummitofthePyramidsfortycenturieslookdownuponyou。ThesunofAusterlitzhasrisenoncemore。TheGuarddies,butneversurrenders。Myeagles,flyingfromsteepletosteeple,nevershalldrooptilltheyperchonthetowersofNotreDame。”’Soldiers!thechildofYOURFATHERhasremainedlonginexile。
IhaveseenthefieldsofEuropewhereyourlaurelsarenowwithering,andIhavecommunedwiththedeadwhoreposebeneaththem。Theyaskwhereareourchildren?WhereisFrance?Europenolongerglitterswiththeshineofitstriumphantbayonets——
echoesnomorewiththeshoutsofitsvictoriouscannon。Whocouldreplytosuchaquestionsavewithablush?——AnddoesablushbecomethecheeksofFrenchmen?”’No。Letuswipefromourfacesthatdegradingmarkofshame。
Come,asofold,andrallyroundmyeagles!Youhavebeensubjecttofiddlingprudencelongenough。Come,worshipnowattheshrineofGlory!Youhavebeenpromisedliberty,butyouhavehadnone。
Iwillendowyouwiththetrue,therealfreedom。WhenyourancestorsburstovertheAlps,weretheynotfree?Yes;freetoconquer。Letusimitatetheexampleofthoseindomitablemyriads;
and,flingingadefiancetoEurope,oncemoretrampleoverher;
marchintriumphintoherprostratecapitals,andbringherkingswithhertreasuresatourfeet。ThisisthelibertyworthyofFrenchmen。”’Frenchmen!IpromiseyouthattheRhineshallberestoredtoyou;
andthatEnglandshallranknomoreamongthenations。Iwillhaveamarinethatshalldrivehershipsfromtheseas;afewofmybraveregimentswilldotherest。Henceforth,thetravellerinthatdesertislandshallask,”WasitthiswretchedcorneroftheworldthatforathousandyearsdefiedFrenchmen?””’Frenchmen,upandrally!——Ihaveflungmybannertothebreezes;
’tissurroundedbythefaithfulandthebrave。Up,andletourmottobe,LIBERTY,EQUALITY,WARALLOVERTHEWORLD!”’NAPOLEONIII。”’TheMarshaloftheEmpire,HARICOT。’”SuchistheProclamation!suchthehopesthatabrutal-mindedandbloodyadventurerholdsouttoourcountry。’Warallovertheworld,’isthecryofthesavagedemon;andthefiendswhohaveralliedroundhimechoitinconcert。Wewerenot,itappears,correctinstatingthatacorporal’sguardhadbeensufficienttoseizeuponthemarauder,whenthefirstfirewouldhaveservedtoconcludehismiserablelife。But,likeahideousdisease,thecontagionhasspread;theremedymustbedreadful。Woetothoseonwhomitwillfall!”HisRoyalHighnessthePrinceofJoinville,AdmiralofFrance,hashastened,aswebeforestated,tothedisturbeddistricts,andtakeswithhimhisCavaleriedelaMarine。ItishardtothinkthatthebladesofthosechivalrousheroesmustbeburiedinthebosomsofFrenchmen:butsobeit:itisthosemonsterswhohaveaskedforblood,notwe。Itisthoseruffianswhohavebegunthequarrel,notwe。WEremaincalmandhopeful,reposingundertheprotectionofthedearestandbestofsovereigns。”Thewretchedpretender,whocalledhimselfDukeofBrittany,hasbeenseized,accordingtoourprophecy:hewasbroughtbeforethePrefectofPoliceyesterday,andhisinsanitybeingprovedbeyondadoubt,hehasbeenconsignedtoastrait-waistcoatatCharenton。
SomayallincendiaryenemiesofourGovernmentbeovercome!”HisRoyalHighnesstheDukeofNemoursisgoneintothedepartmentoftheLoire,wherehewillspeedilyputanendtothetroublesinthedisturbeddistrictsoftheBocageandLaVendee。ThefoolishyoungPrince,whohasthereraisedhisstandard,isfollowed,wehear,byasmallnumberofwretchedpersons,ofwhosemassacreweexpecteverymomenttoreceivethenews。HetoohasissuedhisProclamation,andourreaderswillsmileatitscontents:”’WEHENRY,FifthoftheName,KingofFranceandNavarre,toallwhomitmayconcern,greeting:”’AfteryearsofexilewehaveoncemoreunfurledinFrancethebannerofthelilies。OncemorethewhiteplumeofHenriIV。
floatsinthecrestofhislittlesonpetitfils!Gallantnobles!worthyburgesses!honestcommonsofmyrealm,IcalluponyoutorallyroundtheoriflammeofFrance,andsummonthebanarrierebanofmykingdoms。TomyfaithfulBretonsIneednotappeal。ThecountryofDuguesclinhasloyaltyforanheirloom!Totherestofmysubjects,myatheistmisguidedsubjects,theirfathermakesonelastappeal。Cometome,mychildren!yourerrorsshallbeforgiven。OurHolyFather,thePope,shallintercedeforyou。Hepromiseditwhen,beforemydepartureonthisexpedition,Ikissedhisinviolabletoe!”’Ourafflictedcountrycriesaloudforreforms。Theinfamousuniversitiesshallbeabolished。Educationshallnolongerbepermitted。Asacredandwholesomeinquisitionshallbeestablished。
Myfaithfulnoblesshallpaynomoretaxes。Allthevenerableinstitutionsofourcountryshallberestoredastheyexistedbefore1788。Conventsandmonasteriesagainshallornamentourcountry,thecalmnurseriesofsaintsandholywomen!Heresyshallbeextirpatedwithpaternalseverity,andourcountryshallbefreeoncemore。”’HisMajestytheKingofIreland,myaugustally,hassent,underthecommandofHisRoyalHighnessPrinceDaniel,hisMajesty’syoungestson,anirresistibleIRISHBRIGADE,toco-operateinthegoodwork。HisGracetheLionofJudah,thecanonizedpatriarchofTuam,blessedtheirgreenbannerbeforetheysetforth。Henceforthmaytheliliesandtheharpbeevertwinedtogether。TogetherwewillmakeacrusadeagainsttheinfidelsofAlbion,andrazetheirhereticdomestotheground。Letourcrybe,VivelaFrance!downwithEngland!MontjoieSt。Denis!”’BYTHEKING。”’TheSecretaryofStateandGrandInquisitor……LAROUE。
TheMarshalofFrance……POMADOURDEL’AILEDEPIGEON。
TheGeneralCommander-in-ChiefoftheIrishBrigadeintheserviceofhisMostChristianMajesty……DANIEL,PRINCEOFBALLYBUNION。
’HENRI。”’”HisMajestyreviewedtheadmirablePoliceforce,andheldacouncilofMinistersintheafternoon。MeasureswereconcertedfortheinstantputtingdownofthedisturbancesinthedepartmentsoftheRhineandLoire,anditisarrangedthatonthecaptureofthepretenders,theyshallbelodgedinseparatecellsintheprisonoftheLuxembourg:theapartmentsarealreadyprepared,andtheofficersattheirposts。”Thegrandbanquetthatwastobegivenatthepalaceto-daytothediplomaticbody,hasbeenputoff;alltheambassadorsbeingattackedwithillness,whichcompelsthemtostayathome。””TheambassadorsdespatchedcourierstotheirvariousGovernments。””HisMajestytheKingoftheBelgiansleftthepalaceoftheTuileries。”
CHAPTERIII。
THEADVANCEOFTHEPRETENDERS——HISTORICALREVIEW。
Wewillnowresumethenarrative,andendeavortocompress,inafewcomprehensivepages,thefactswhicharemorediffuselydescribedintheprintfromwhichwehavequoted。
Itwasmanifest,then,thatthetroublesinthedepartmentswereofaseriousnature,andthattheforcesgatheredroundthetwopretenderstothecrownwereconsiderable。TheyhadtheirsupporterstooinParis——aswhatpartyindeedhasnot?andthevenerableoccupantofthethronewasinastateofconsiderableanxiety,andfoundhisdecliningyearsbynomeanssocomfortableashisvirtuesandgreatagemighthavewarranted。
Hispaternalheartwasthemoregrievedwhenhethoughtofthefatereservedtohischildren,grandchildren,andgreat-grandchildren,nowsprunguparoundhiminvastnumbers。TheKing’sgrandson,thePrinceRoyal,marriedtoaPrincessofthehouseofSchlippen-
Schloppen,wasthefatheroffourteenchildren,allhandsomelyendowedwithpensionsbytheState。Hisbrother,theCountD’Eu,wassimilarlyblessedwithamultitudinousoffspring。TheDukeofNemourshadnochildren;butthePrincesofJoinville,Aumale,andMontpensiermarriedtothePrincessesJanuariaandFebruaria,ofBrazil,andthePrincessoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,erectedintoamonarchy,4thJuly,1856,undertheEmperorDuffGreenI。
werethehappyfathersofimmensefamilies——allliberallyapportionedbytheChambers,whichhadlongbeenentirelysubservienttohisMajestyLouisPhilippe。
TheDukeofAumalewasKingofAlgeria,havingmarriedinthefirstinstancethePrincessBadroulboudour,adaughterofhisHighnessAbd-El-Kader。ThePrinceofJoinvillewasadoredbythenation,onaccountofhisfamousvictoryovertheEnglishfleetunderthecommandofAdmiralthePrinceofWales,whoseship,the”RichardCobden,”of120guns,wastakenbythe”Belle-Poule”
frigateof36;onwhichoccasionforty-fiveothershipsofwarand79steam-frigatesstrucktheircolorstoaboutone-fourththenumberoftheheroicFrenchnavy。ThevictorywasmainlyowingtothegallantryofthecelebratedFrenchhorse-marines,whoexecutedseveralbrilliantchargesundertheordersoftheintrepidJoinville;andthoughtheIrishBrigade,withtheirordinarymodesty,claimedthehonorsoftheday,yet,asonlythreeofthatnationwerepresentintheaction,impartialhistorymustawardthepalmtotheintrepidsonsofGaul。
Withsonumerousafamilyquarteredonthenation,thesolicitudeoftheadmirableKingmaybeconceived,lestarevolutionshouldensue,andflingthemontheworldoncemore。Howcouldhesupportsonumerousafamily?Considerableashiswealthwasforhewasknowntohaveamassedaboutahundredandthirteenbillions,whichwerelyinginthecavesoftheTuileries,yetsuchasumwasquiteinsignificant,whendividedamonghisprogeny;and,besides,henaturallypreferredgettingfromthenationasmuchashisfaithfulpeoplecouldpossiblyafford。
Seeingtheimminencyofthedanger,andthatmoney,wellapplied,isoftenmoreefficaciousthantheconqueror’ssword,theKing’sMinisterswereanxiousthatheshoulddevoteapartofhissavingstothecarryingonofthewar。But,withthecautiousnessofage,themonarchdeclinedthisoffer;hepreferred,hesaid,throwinghimselfuponhisfaithfulpeople,who,hewassure,wouldmeet,asbecamethem,thecomingexigency。TheChambersmethisappealwiththeirusualdevotion。Atasolemnconvocationofthoselegislativebodies,theKing,surroundedbyhisfamily,explainedthecircumstancesandthedanger。HisMajesty,hisfamily,hisMinisters,andthetwoChambers,thenburstintotears,accordingtoimmemorialusage,andraisingtheirhandstotheceiling,sworeeternalfidelitytothedynastyandtoFrance,andembracedeachotheraffectinglyallround。
ItneednotbesaidthatinthecourseofthateveningtwohundredDeputiesoftheLeftleftParis,andjoinedthePrinceJohnThomasNapoleon,whowasnowadvancedasfarasDijon:twohundredandfifty-threeoftheRight,theCentre,andRoundtheCorner,
similarlyquittedthecapitaltopaytheirhomagetotheDukeofBordeaux。Theywerefollowed,accordingtotheirseveralpoliticalpredilections,bythevariousMinistersanddignitariesoftheState。TheonlyMinisterwhoremainedinPariswasMarshalThiers,PrinceofWaterloohehaddefeatedtheEnglishintheveryfieldwheretheyhadobtainedformerlyasuccess,thoughthevictorywasasusualclaimedbytheIrishBrigade;butagehadruinedthehealthanddiminishedtheimmensestrengthofthatgiganticleader,anditissaidhisonlyreasonforremaininginPariswasbecauseafitofthegoutkepthiminbed。
Thecapitalwasentirelytranquil。Thetheatresandcafeswereopenasusual,andthemaskedballsattendedwithgreatenthusiasm:
confidingintheirhundredandtwenty-fourforts,thelight-mindedpeoplehadnothingtofear。
Exceptinthewayofmoney,theKingleftnothingundonetoconciliatehispeople。Heevenwentamongthemwithhisumbrella;
buttheywerelittletouchedwiththatmarkofconfidence。Heshookhandswitheverybody;hedistributedcrossesoftheLegionofHonorinsuchmultitudes,thatredribbonrosetwohundredpercentinthemarketbywhichhisMajesty,whospeculatedinthearticle,clearedatolerablesumofmoney。Buttheseblandishmentsandhonorshadlittleeffectuponanapatheticpeople;andtheenemyoftheOrleansdynasty,thefashionableyoungnoblesoftheHenriquinquisteparty,woreglovesperpetually,forfeartheysaidthattheyshouldbeobligedtoshakehandswiththebestofkings;whiletherepublicansadoptedcoatswithoutbutton-holes,lesttheyshouldbeforcedtohangredribbonsinthem。Thefundsdidnotfluctuateintheleast。
Theproclamationsoftheseveralpretendershadhadtheireffect。
TheyoungmenoftheschoolsandtheestaminetscelebratedplacesofpubliceducationalluredbythenoblewordsofPrinceNapoleon,”Liberty,equality,warallovertheworld!”flockedtohisstandardinconsiderablenumbers:whilethenoblessenaturallyhastenedtooffertheirallegiancetothelegitimatedescendantofSaintLouis。
Andtruly,neverwasthereseenamorebrilliantchivalrythanthatcollectedroundthegallantPrinceHenry!Therewasnotamaninhisarmybuthadlacqueredbootsandfreshwhitekid-glovesatmorningandeveningparade。Thefantasticandeffeminatebutbraveandfaithfultroopswerenumberedoffintodifferentlegions:therewastheFleur-d’Orangeregiment;theEau-de-Rosebattalion;theViolet-Pomatumvolunteers;theEau-de-Colognecavalry——accordingtothedifferentscentswhichtheyaffected。Mostofthewarriorsworelaceruffles;allpowderandpigtails,asintherealdaysofchivalry。AbandofheavydragoonsunderthecommandofCountAlfreddeHorsaymadethemselvesconspicuousfortheirdiscipline,cruelty,andtheadmirablecutoftheircoats;andwiththesecelebratedhorsemencamefromEnglandtheillustriousDukeofJenkinswithhissuperbfootmen。Theywereallsixfeethigh。
Theyallworebouquetsoftherichestflowers:theyworebags,theirhairslightlypowdered,brilliantshoulder-knots,andcocked-
hatslacedwithgold。Theyworethetightknee-pantaloonofvelveteenpeculiartothisportionoftheBritishinfantry:andtheirlegsweresosuperb,thattheDukeofBordeaux,embracingwithtearstheiradmirableleaderonparade,said,”Jenkins,Franceneversawsuchcalvesuntilnow。”Theweaponofthistremendousmilitiawasanimmensecluborcane,reachingfromthesoleofthefoottothenose,andheavilymountedwithgold。Nothingcouldstandbeforethisterrificweapon,andthebreast-platesandplumedmorionsoftheFrenchcuirassierswouldhavebeenundoubtedlycrushedbeneaththem,hadtheyevermetinmortalcombat。BetweenthispartofthePrince’sforcesandtheIrishauxiliariestherewasadeadlyanimosity。Alas,therealwaysissuchincamps!ThesonsofAlbionhadnotforgottenthedaywhenthechildrenofErinhadbeensubjecttotheirdevastatingsway。
Theuniformofthelatterwasvarious——therichstuffcalledcorps-
du-roywornbyCoeurdeLionatAgincourtformedtheirlowerhabilimentsforthemostpart:thenationalfrieze*yieldedthemtail-coats。Thelatterwasgenerallytorninafantasticmannerattheelbows,skirts,andcollars,andfastenedwitheveryvarietyofbutton,tape,andstring。Theirweaponswerethecaubeen,thealpeen,andthedoodeenofthecountry——thelatterashortbutdreadfulweaponofoffence。AtthedemiseofthevenerableTheobaldMathew,thenationhadlaidasideitshabitoftemperance,anduniversalintoxicationbetokenedtheirgrief;itbecameafterwardstheirconstanthabit。Thusdomeneverreturntothehauntsoftheirchildhood:suchapowerhasfondmemoryoverus!
Theleadersofthishostseemtohavebeen,however,aneffeminaterace;theyarerepresentedbycontemporaryhistoriansasbeingpassionatelyfondofFLYINGKITES。Otherssaytheywentintobattlearmedwith”bills,”nodoubtrudeweapons;foritisstatedthatforeignerscouldneverbegottoaccepttheminlieuoftheirownarms。ThePrincesofMayo,Donegal,andConnemara,marchedbythesideoftheiryoungandroyalchieftain,thePrinceofBallybunion,fourthsonofDanieltheFirst,KingoftheEmeraldIsle。
*Weretheseinanywayrelatedtothechevaux-de-friseonwhichtheFrenchcavalryweremounted?
Twohoststhen,oneundertheEagles,andsurroundedbytherepublicanimperialists,theotherundertheantiqueFrenchLilies,weremarchingontheFrenchcapital。TheDukeofBrittany,too,confinedinthelunaticasylumofCharenton,foundmeanstoissueaprotestagainsthiscaptivity,whichcausedonlyderisioninthecapital。Suchwasthestateoftheempire,andsuchthecloudsthatweregatheringroundtheSunofOrleans!
CHAPTERIV。
THEBATTLEOFRHEIMS。
ItwasnotthefirsttimethattheKinghadhadtoundergomisfortunes;andnow,asthen,hemetthemlikeaman。ThePrinceofJoinvillewasnotsuccessfulinhiscampaignagainsttheImperialPretender:andthatbraverywhichhadputtheBritishfleettoflight,wasfound,asmightbeexpected,insufficientagainsttheirresistiblecourageofnativeFrenchmen。TheHorseMarines,notbeingontheirownelement,couldnotactwiththeirusualeffect。Accustomedtothetumultoftheswellingseas,theywereeasilyunsaddledonterrafirmaandintheChampagnecountry。
ItwasliterallyintheChampagnecountrythatthemeetingbetweenthetroopsunderJoinvilleandPrinceNapoleontookplace!forbotharmieshadreachedRheims,andaterrificbattlewasfoughtunderneaththewalls。ForsometimenothingcoulddislodgethearmyofJoinville,entrenchedinthechampagnecellarsofMessrs。
Ruinart,Moet,andothers;butmakingtoofreewiththefascinatingliquor,thearmyatlengthbecameentirelydrunk:onwhichtheImperialists,rushingintothecellars,hadaneasyvictoryoverthem;and,thisdone,proceededtointoxicatethemselveslikewise。
ThePrinceofJoinville,seeingthederouteofhistroops,wascompelledwithafewfaithfulfollowerstoflytowardsParis,andPrinceNapoleonremainedmasterofthefieldofbattle。Itisneedlesstorecapitulatethebulletinwhichhepublishedthedayaftertheoccasion,sosoonasheandhissecretarieswereinaconditiontowrite:eagles,pyramids,rainbows,thesunofAusterlitz,&c。,figuredintheproclamation,incloseimitationofhisillustriousuncle。Butthegreatbenefitoftheactionwasthis:onarousingfromtheirintoxication,thelatesoldiersofJoinvillekissedandembracedtheircomradesoftheImperialarmy,andmadecommoncausewiththem。”Soldiers!”saidthePrince,onreviewingthemtheseconddayaftertheaction,”theCockisagallantbird;buthemakeswayfortheEagle!Yourcolorsarenotchanged。OursfloatedonthewallsofMoscow——yoursontherampartsofConstantine;bothareglorious。
SoldiersofJoinville!wegiveyouwelcome,aswewouldwelcomeyourillustriousleader,whodestroyedthefleetsofAlbion。Lethimjoinus!Wewillmarchtogetheragainstthatperfidiousenemy。”But,Soldiers!intoxicationdimmedthelaurelsofyesterday’sgloriousday!LetusdrinknomoreofthefascinatingliquorsofournativeChampagne。LetusrememberHannibalandCapua;and,beforeweplungeintodissipation,thatwehaveRomestilltoconquer!”Soldiers!Seltzer-waterisgoodaftertoomuchdrink。Waitawhile,andyourEmperorwillleadyouintoaSeltzer-watercountry。Frenchmen!itliesBEYONDTHERHINE!”
Deafeningshoutsof”Vivel’Empereur!”salutedthisallusionofthePrince,andthearmyknewthattheirnaturalboundaryshouldberestoredtothem。ThecomplimentstothegallantryofthePrinceofJoinvillelikewisewonallhearts,andimmenselyadvancedthePrince’scause。TheJournaldesDebatsdidnotknowwhichwaytoturn。InoneparagraphitcalledtheEmperor”asanguinarytyrant,murderer,andpickpocket;”inaseconditownedhewas”amagnanimousrebel,andworthyofforgiveness;”and,afterproclaiming”thebrilliantvictoryofthePrinceofJoinville,”
presentlydenominatedita”funestejournee。”
ThenextdaytheEmperor,aswemaynowcallhim,wasabouttomarchonParis,whenMessrs。RuinartandMoetwerepresented,andrequestedtobepaidfor300,000bottlesofwine。”SendthreehundredthousandmoretotheTuileries,”saidthePrince,sternly:”oursoldierswillbethirstywhentheyreachParis。”AndtakingMoetwithhimasahostage,andpromisingRuinartthathewouldhavehimshotunlessheobeyed,withtrumpetsplayingandeaglesglancinginthesun,thegallantImperialarmymarchedontheirtriumphantway。
CHAPTERV。
THEBATTLEOFTOURS。
WehavenowtorecordtheexpeditionofthePrinceofNemoursagainsthisadvancingcousin,HenryV。HisRoyalHighnesscouldnotmarchagainsttheenemywithsuchaforceashewouldhavedesiredtobringagainstthem;forhisroyalfather,wiselyrememberingthevastamountofpropertyhehadstowedawayundertheTuileries,refusedtoallowasinglesoldiertoquitthefortsroundthecapital,whichthuswasdefendedbyonehundredandforty-fourthousandgunseighty-four-pounders,andfourhundredandthirty-twothousandmen:——littleenough,whenoneconsidersthattherewerebutthreementoagun。Toprovisionthisimmensearmy,andapopulationofdoubletheamountwithinthewalls,hisMajestycausedthecountrytobescouredforfiftymilesround,andleftneitherox,norass,norbladeofgrass。Whenappealedtobytheinhabitantsoftheplundereddistrict,theroyalPhilipreplied,withtearsinhiseyes,thathisheartbledforthem——thattheywerehischildren——thateverycowtakenfromthemeanestpeasantwaslikealimbtornfromhisownbody;butthatdutymustbedone,thattheinterestsofthecountrydemandedthesacrifice,andthatinfact,theymightgotothedeuce。Thistheunfortunatecreaturescertainlydid。
Thetheatreswentonasusualwithinthewalls。TheJournaldesDebatsstatedeverydaythatthepretendersweretaken;theChamberssat——suchasremained——andtalkedimmenselyabouthonor,dignity,andthegloriousrevolutionofJuly;andtheKing,ashispowerwasnowprettynighabsoluteoverthem,thoughtthisagoodopportunitytobringinabillfordoublinghischildren’sallowancesallround。
MeanwhiletheDukeofNemoursproceededonhismarch;andastherewasnothingleftwithinfiftymilesofPariswherewithtosupporthisfamishedtroops,itmaybeimaginedthathewasforcedtoransackthenextfiftymilesinordertomaintainthem。Hedidso。
Butthetroopswerenotsuchastheyshouldhavebeen,consideringtheenemywithwhomtheyhadtoengage。
Thefactis,thatmostoftheDuke’sarmyconsistedoftheNationalGuard;who,inafitofenthusiasm,andatthecryof”LAPATRIEEN
DANGER”havingbeeninducedtovolunteer,hadbeeneagerlyacceptedbyhisMajesty,anxioustolessenasmuchaspossiblethenumberoffood-consumersinhisbeleagueredcapital。Itissaideventhatheselectedthemostgormandizingbattalionsofthecivicforcetosendforthagainsttheenemy:viz,thegrocers,therichbankers,thelawyers,&c。Theirpartingwiththeirfamilieswasveryaffecting。Theywouldhavebeenverywillingtorecalltheirofferofmarching,butcompaniesofsternveteransclosingroundthem,marchedthemtothecitygates,whichwerecloseduponthem;andthusperforcetheywerecompelledtomoveon。Aslongashehadabottleofbrandyandacoupleofsausagesinhisholsters,theGeneraloftheNationalGuard,OdillonBarrot,talkedwithtremendouscourage。Suchwasthepowerofhiseloquenceoverthetroops,that,couldhehavecomeupwiththeenemywhilehisvictualslasted,theissueofthecombatmighthavebeenverydifferent。Butinthecourseofthefirstday’smarchhefinishedboththesausagesandthebrandy,andbecamequiteuneasy,silent,andcrest-fallen。
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