GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE. FEBRUARY, 1827. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. INTERESTING NARRATIVE CONNECTED WITH THE DUKE OF YORK. Passing over the Guadarama mountains, seven leagues north of Madrid, on the 13th October, 1809, accompanied by some British officers of the Guards, about 80 British soldiers, and several Spaniards, the whole convoyed by a strong escort of French troops, cavalry and infantry, I perceived in the centre of the escort a very interesting looking child, apparently seven years old, sitting with a Spanish female in a kind of cart; the appearance of the boy indicated that he was not a native of a southern climate: this, together with a naïveté and playfulness in his manner, induced me to address him. I accordingly spoke to him in Spanish, to which he made a suitable reply; and to my no small surprise, immediately after he addressed me in English. Having enquired of the female (who appeared to have the boy under her care) where he had learned to speak the English language, she replied that the boy was born in Scotland, that his father, who had been a serjeant in the 42d regiment, had served the year before in the British army under Sir John Moore, and was killed at the battle in front of Corunna; previous to which, on the retreat of the British troops from Lugo, the mother, together with the boy, were left behind, sick, in the hospital at Lugo; that she fell a victim to disease, and her child was found in the hospital, in an abandoned, wretched condition, by the French officer of cavalry, who at that moment commanded the cavalry that convoyed us on our way to France. When an opportunity offered, I introduced the subject to the French commandant, who corroborated the story related by the Spanish lady, who it turned out was his chère amie. I then mentioned the circumstance to the British officer, who, as well as myself, conjointly endeavoured to prevail on the French officer to give up the child to his natural protectors, but all our arguments and entreaties were in vain, for he was so much attached to the boy, that he would not part with him on any ac count. At this period, independent of his history, the manners of the child were extremely interesting, and he could speak four languages with no small degree of fluency. French, he acquired from the French officer; German, from the officer's servant, who happened to be of the Saxon contingent; Spanish, from the female, who could not speak a word of French; and he still retained a knowledge of his native tongue. We journeyed together three weeks longer towards the French frontier, and on our arrival at Tolosa, 30 miles south of Bayonne, the French commandant received orders to conduct the Spanish prisoners of war to the fortress of Pampeluna, while the British wounded, who fell into the hands of the enemy in the hospital after the battle of Talavera, were ordered to prosecute their march to France; but (as I was subsequently informed) the road to Pampeluna being intercepted by the Spanish Guerillas, it was necessary that the French officer should restore the communication at the head of a large force. In the mean time he left his establishment at Tolosa, until it would be prudent to order it to rejoin him; but the Spanish lady (on account of living with a French officer,) dreaded the resentment of her country 100. Interesting Narrative connected with the Duke of York. men so much, that in a few days after the departure of the French officer, she fled, and deserted the child in her charge. About a month after this period, Captain, now Major H, of the 23d Dragoons, whose wounds did not permit him to accompany us from Madrid, in passing through Tolosa on his way to Verdun, accidentally heard that there was an English boy in an abandoned, forlorn condition in the town. He immediately took the child under his protection, and having heard at Orleans that I had received a passport to return to England, and being anxious that I should convey some let ters to his family, ventured to proceed to Paris; here I recognised my little travelling companion, who recollected me immediately. In a few days I prevailed on Captain H- to allow me to take the boy to England; and having presented my little protegé at the Bureau de Guerre, his manners and history soon obtained permission for him to return home. Previous to leaving the French metropolis, Captain H gave me a letter, addressed to His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the founder of the Military Asyluin, and another letter to the Marquis of Huntley, Colonel of the regiment in which the boy's father had served. On my arrival in London, I lost no time in delivering these letters, and soon after was (together with the child) honoured by an interview with His Royal Highness, who was very much pleased with the boy, took him in his arms, and spoke to him in French and German, to which the little fellow made suitable answers. His Royal Highness was pleased to make every necessary arrangement for the boy's admission into the Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea, with as little delay as possible. Lord Huntley, on receipt of Capt. H.'s letter, immediately wrote to the Colonel of the 1st. batt. 42d reg. then quartered at Canterbury, to make inquiry if the child had any friends living in Scotland. In a few days after (it being necessary to procure the Marquis of Huntley's signature to some papers, previous to the boy's admission into the Asylum) I, together with my little protegé, was proceeding to Richmond House for that purpose, when, on our arrival in Charing Cross, I perceived a soldier, in the Highland uniform, walking leisurely about 100 [Feb. yards before me; I soon overtook this man, who happened to serve in the 42d regiment, and having inquired of him if he had been acquainted with Serjeant M'Cullum of his regiment, who was killed the year before at Corrunna, he answered, Sir, I did not know any man of that name who was killed, but will you be so good as to tell me why you have asked me that question." Because, said 1, pointing out to him the boy, that is his child, whom I first found in Spain.—“ Oh! Sir," said he (rushing over to the boy), "he is my child; James, dont you know me?" The scene that took place can be more easily imagined than described-alternation of joy and grief, exultation and despondency, depicted in the countenance, and evinced in the manner of this soldier, on the sudden discovery of his long lost child, and on his being simultaneously made acquainted with the death of his wife. I must confess it affected me so much, that (as well to repress my feelings, as to avoid the crowd that collected around us in the street), I was obliged to retire into the next shop that presented itself. In a short time we proceeded together to Richmond House; where, after having presented my protegé to Lord Huntley, I related to his Lordship the discovery I had just made, and the extraordinary circumstance altending it. On the soldier being brought forward, he delivered a letter to Lord Huntley from Colonel Sterling, then commanding the 1st batt. 42d reg. at Canterbury, which stated, that he was happy to inform his Lordship, that the man alluded to in his Lordship's letter, relative to an orphan boy of the regiment, was severely wounded at Corunna (but not killed), and was the bearer of his letter, and he had sent the man to town without making him acquainted with the object of his journey. It then appeared that this soldier was in the act of proceeding to Richmond House with this letter to Lord Huntley, when I accidentally fell in with him. In a few days after, the boy was admitted into the Royal Military Asylum, where he now is. We parted from each other with mutual regret; he wept so bitterly that his tears were nearly contagious. In justice to Lord Huntley, I must add, that his Lordship in a very handsome manner offered to remunerate me for the expences I had incurred in clothing and bringing the boy to England, &c. which I begged leave to decline, stating, that whatever little merit might be ascribed to me for taking care of the boy, would in my opinion be done away with, by accept ing any pecuniary recompense; I there fore hoped his Lordship would excuse my receiving any. Lord Huntley was then pleased to say, it was evident, from the appearance of the boy, that I had taken every possible care of him, and added, that he would be happy at any time to do any thing in his power to forward my promotion. March, 1810. Mr. URBAN, Richmond, Feb. 5. HE character and amiable qua Thies the much-lamented DUKE OF YORK, have justly impressed the public mind with feelings of unfeigned admiration, and lasting regret and many as there might have been, who witnessed the last melancholy and impressive scene of human grandeur, infinitely more were forced by circumstances unprovided for, to return home unwillingly, without the power of discharging a last and solemn duty to departed worth. A methodised procedure would cer tainly have obviated accidents and danger to which helpless females were more especially exposed in one of the most dense and oppressing crowds that ever assembled. Distant may such solemnities be! but let the past furnish a lesson for the future. On account of the great increase of population, five days would be requisite for a due observance of such an affecting ceremony. On the first, Noblemen and Gentlemen's carriages only, would attend. The second and fourth days would be assigned for the admission of females and grown children, (or for ladies and gentlemen); while the other sex would be admitted on the third and fifth days. Perfect regularity and order might easily be maintained. Let an avenue extending from any given point, half a mile, be formed by a military force. A moving column of four persons in each of its files, would occupy this avenue; and each file occupying twentysix inches, 1217 files would constitute the moving column, containing 4868 persons. Supposing the column to take even an hour to move over the half-mile in the course of eight hours, the usual time, 38,944 persons would, each day, pass through the house of mourning, in proper attire. The police would direct all joining the procession to take post in the rear of the moving column. To exclude the possibility of any hazardous crowding, tickets marked for the day, and with certain initials, might, in four, or more places, be given out, on the previous day, to applicants. It is too manifest, that without such a plan as this, or some better-imagined, few can have an opportunity of giving a final proof of attachment and respect. It would prevent serious accidents and robberies at several public places, were entrance regulated by the admission of successive files formed in the order in which they arrived at the doors. Yours, &c. JOHN MACDONALD. THE TWENTIETH OF JANUARY. THOUGH deep regrets, and future fears, Might dim these eyes with selfish tears, Yet will I quit myself; and sing The Warrior offspring of a King. He was a Man-his British heart By Britain's sons his funeral day But chiefly, Sire, shalt thou bemoan, LINES ON THE FUNERAL OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF YORK AND ALBANY.. ALAS! what means that sad procession, Moving at a pace so slow, Drooping troops in long succession, Warriors quite unmanned with woe. I see a People clad in mourning; I see their King o'erwhelmed with grief; I see a Princess deeply sorrowing, But her tears bring no relief. Behold the labourer's hand is staid, With downcast looks the Nobles stand, The holy Priesthood is dismayed, And sadness darkens all the land. He's gone who was the Army's Chief, Pain now relieved, yet still renewed, A Sister's tear, a Brother's sigh, He cherished hopes still for the morrow, Though prepar'd ere then to die. Unstained with pride though next the Throne, A master kind, a steadfast Friend, Indulgent Husband, duteous Son, A subject, faithful to the end. Religious, to the Church most true, But proof against th' Enthusiast's cant, Expecting what to rank is due, But turning from the Sycophant. With modesty he shunned applause, Unostentatious 'midst the throng, But loved his Country, and her Laws, And blessings followed as he moved along. Oh! ne'er can England see again, A Prince more loyal and more brave, A man more true to other men, Than he now laid within the grave. But cease to weep, and cease to mourn, His heavenly spirit mounts on high, A Father greets a Son's return, And Angels guide him through the sky. Well pleased all ready from above, He hears the praise that lifts his name, A name entwined with Britain's fame. And plants his dagger in the princely heart! TAVING for some time been en Hanged in the study of AngloSaxon Heptarchic Coins, it appears to me that many mistakes have been committed by the writers on that subject.' The study indeed seems to be almost in its infancy, a circumstance little to be wondered at, when we consider the rude state of the coinage of that period, the few coins we have extant of most of their princes, and the number of princes of the same name occurring, which renders it difficult to know to whom to attribute them. Should the following remarks on the coins of the kingdom of Kent be considered worthy of insertion, I shall feel happy in communicating such observations on the coins of the other kingdoms as have occurred to me. ETHELBERT, KING OF KENT. The only part of the King's name which appears on this coin is EDILI, which forms the first part of the names of several Heptarchic princes, as Edilwalch, A. D. 595, King of the South Saxons; Ethehere, 654; and Ethelwald, 655; Kings of East Anglia; Ethelred,675, King of Mercia; Ethelward, 726, of the West Saxons, and several others; not to mention those beginning with ATHEL, as Athelric, 586, and Athelfrid, 593, Kings of Northumberland, and whose names may probably have commenced with an E. I see, therefore, no good reason for assigning this coin to Kent; indeed were I to assign it to any one kingdom in preference to others, it should be the South Saxons, if the rude reverse is to be considered as a bird, the martlets, according to Speed, being the ensign or arms of that kingdom; but this conjecture I must allow is little more probable than that which has assigned them to Kent, for which I can discover no reason whatever, except that other sceatas were found bearing the name of Egbert, and which have been attributed to Kent; but if I shall be able to show that the sceatas of Egbert do not belong to Kent, I think it must be admitted that neither is there any good grounds for assigning those bearing the name EDILI to that kingdom. EGBERT, KING OF KENT. I have often doubted whether there was any good reason for supposing the sceatas bearing the name of Egbert to belong to Kent. I was at first inclined to attribute them to Egbert of Wessex, from the dragon on the reverse, which Speed gives as the arms of that kingdom. With this conjecture I was by no means fully satisfied, but only considered it as more probable than that which assigned them to Kent. I have since, however, discovered a chain of evidence which goes to overturn both suppositions, and which I think establishes almost beyond doubt that they belong to Northumberland. In Ruding's plates we find a sceata, (Appendix, Pl. 26, No. 7,) which bears on one side a head, with a cross under it, and the legend AELVN◇◇THA; and on referring to Speed, page 318, I find that there was a son of Ailred or Alcred, King of Northumberland, who was called Alhnud, and was slain by the Danes, and canonized as a saint; and it is highly probable this coin may belong to him. The reverse has a man with two crosses in his hands, a figure similar to which may be found on several sceatas, and particularly those bearing the name of Egbert. This circumstance naturally awakens a suspicion, that those coins may belong to the kingdom of Northumberland. On referring to the history of that kingdom, we find indeed no King named Egbert, except petty prince who reigned only a year, in the time of Alfred, to whom it is not probable they belong; but we find an Archbishop of York, who was called St. Egbert, and was brother to Eadberht, King of Northumberland, A. D. 738. a If we look to the other side of these coins we find the name variously spelt, EOTBEREDTVг. EADBEREĎTVT; ; which is generally supposed to be the name of a moneyer, but which I have little doubt was intended for Eadberht, King of Northumberland. We shall then have the King's name on one side, and the Archbishop's on the other, as we find occurring on many other coins of that period. We must also suppose the coins bearing on one side an animal supposed to be a dragon, and on the other side the same name, EOTBEREDTVT, to belong to the same prince; and if these coins belong to Northumberland, it is probable this animal is a lion, to which it appears to bear some resemblance but if it should be contended for that it is really a dragon, I shall only observe, that we have no proof that a dragon was used as an ensign or badge by the Kings of Kent, to whom these coins have been hitherto attributed.It may be objected that some of those coins with the supposed dragon bear on the other side a different name from that of Eadbert. This, so far from being an objection, however, will, I think, tend to establish in a still clearer manner that these coins belong to Northumberland. One of the other names which occur on them is AECHRED; and if we refer to historical accounts, we shall find that amongst the Kings of Northumerland, is to be found the name of Alcred, A. D. 765, only seven years after the death of Eadberht. The name is differently spelt in different histories, some calling it Alured, some Ailred; but in Rapin, vol. I. p. 154, he is called Alcred. The name ELVAIR, according to Ruding, is also amongst the moneyers; I have not seen this coin, or any engraving of it, but perhaps it may belong to Egfrid, and the letters thus formed, EEVRID; the R being often made like an A, and the D like an R. It may also be observed that the figure to which the name of Egbert is added, appears more like an ecclesiastic than a King, as it bears a cross in each hand, and has a headdress somewhat similar to those on some of the ecclesiastical coins. I think, therefore, the coins bearing the names of Alhnod, Egbert, Edbert, and Alcred, form together such a chain of evidence, as will well warrant us in attributing all these coins, as well as the sceatas (plate 26, nos. 6 and 9), to the kingdom of Northumberland. Yours, &c. JOHN LINDSAY. |