cr CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE Date Due jifiLJ-495e-rr^ CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 092 538 846 Cornell University Library The original of this bool< is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924092538846 THE LEWIN LETTERS Mr. Thomas Lewin. Born 1753 ; Died 1843. Mary Hale (Mrs. Thomas Lewin). l-ioRN 1768 ; Died 1837. THE LEWIN LETTERS A SELECTION FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE & DIARIES OF AN ENGLISH FAMILY 1756-1885 COLLECTED & EDITED BY THOMAS HERBERT LEWIN IN TWO VOLUMES WITH PORTRAITS VOL. II PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION {All rights reserved) LONDON ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & CO LT'D t] 1909 butler & tanner, The Selwood printing works, frome, and london. 7( ^^ 7 3 Contents of Vol. II FAGS 1. Part, V. — "The Yoxtngeb Genebation." Letters rBOM 1840 TO 1885 1 2. Past VI. — Conclusion 347 3. Rbgistbb of the Lewin Pamily ..... 359 4. Index to Vol. II 363 List of Illustrations, Vol. II FACING PAGE Miniatures of Mr. Thomas Lewin and Mary Hale (Mrs. Thomas Lewin) ....... Frontispiece Mr. George Herbert Lewin ....... 9 Captain Bichard Lewin, Jr. . . . . . . .134 Mrs. Richard Lewin . . . . . . . . .136 Mr. Edward B. H. Lewin 159 Ensign Thomas Herbert Lewin . . . . . . .167 Mrs. Grote . 309 Mrs. Margaret Elliot 320 Colonel and Mrs. T. H. Lewin 335 Frances Lewin (Mdme, von Koch) ...... 348 vu PART V THE YOUNGER GENERATION ERRATA. VOL. II. LEWIN LETTERS. Page 1. "and"/-] temperature. Jenny Lind never did come home ; is at Ham- burgh and Liibeck ; report says she will visit Stockholm in the spring, and perhaps Petersburg or else America. As to the lesson yon say she has to learn as to tricks in England, I doubt not\hat if she engage herself again on the Stage or for Concerts, they would jump at the chance ; report, however, says she will act no more. Apropos de musique, will you tell me whether a list of subscribers could be obtained in England to pay the expenses of publishing a few songs of Lindblad, Geijer, and other esteemed Swedish composers, with English words. Also I wish you would not fail to send me an MSS. of Mons. Guizot for our tutor which you promised me, it could be sent when Edward sends the respirator at the first open water passage. The boys are very grateful for Aunt Harriet's messages and love, and preserve a vivid remembrance of the good days at Burnham Beeches on horseback. Our Tutor, whose genre is history, and who works in leisure hours at the Royal Archives, is quite carried away in a dream of delight on reading the " History of Greece " by a certain great Historian, and another Swede has desired his interest to be allowed to look at it, so enchanting is the subject and method of treatment of this work. Even your book you made me a present of, which you and another lady edited, is constantly in Lindstrom's (the tutor's) hands, as if he loved all and everything that had to do with the Greeks. Frances E. von Koch. From Mrs. Frances Eliza von Koch to her sister, Mrs. Harriet Grote. Stockholm, May 29th 1850. My dearest Harriet, — Your letter dated April 18th announced the arrival of spring in England, and with it your improved spirits if not health. Just May 18th it came on piping hot here, from having been unusually chilly with northerly winds, and indeed it seemed that aU the winds blew cold, coming from the unusually large collection of ice accumulated during a long and severe winter. A gentleman of the name of Vanquist left his card here the other day with a rouleau of paper, which on being opened proved to be the Grote Polka ! which I forth- with strummed off with great interest, and my boys hack at it continually, attempting to play dear Aunt Harriet's production. I confess it made me so mUky, I could not keep from crying 68 THE LEWIN LETTERS from many sources of melancholy reflection. Meanwhile thanks for the Polka and all the sweet train of thoughts it has woven between us, whilst making for Lat. 60° and playing under the same degree north. God bless you, and leave us yet much of such a masterpiece as you (maugre flaws). Jenny Lind arrived per steamer from Liibeck a week ago. She has announced six concerts at the theatre, supposed to be for the good of the funds of said Theatre, which are in a dilapi- dated condition ; and it is reported that the King condescended to ask Jenny Lind to come over and bolster up the said funds, and that it is for this purpose more than for the Crown Prince's nuptials, that the celebrated performer is about to sing again in her native land. We have not met. I did not go down to the shore to receive her as many did, and she has never come to see me from some reason or other, perhaps since Betsy lived with her and was turned out after the most cajoling promises in such a capricious manner. Whatever reason Miss Lind may think she may have to cut me, I am indifferent to it as well as to the circumstance itself, and shall not think of going to her. I have plans for the country after such a prolonged winter (our twenty-seven double windows are not yet removed), so I shall not subscribe to these concerts probably, and at all events my relish for her singing is damped by the annoyance of the baggages' resolving never to act any more, because the devil is in such work. They say she is a red-hot methodist ; perhaps she thinks we are not holy enough for her company. Nils much " throbbled " in his mind by accumulated busi- ness. The Prince's nuptials are on the 19th, and the Princess lands publicly on the 15th in Stockholm. God bless you in life and death. Your affectionate sister, Frances E. v. Kooh. Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Mme. Frances von Koch. London, June \&th, 1850. My dear Babbo, — I received your letter of May 20th and 29th at Southampton three days ago on my road home from Devon- shire. It raises, as usual, a pother of dust about one's ears just as a cannon ball is said to do in battle, and one's feeliogs, memory, mind, etc., are all in a cloud of confusion amid your whir- ring words. Imprimis, I only wish that rascal Brink was under the pump for keeping my pacquet all this while in his frowsty THE LEWIN LETTERS 69 " Pokemantel." Well, life is short enough without dwelling on farther details. I trust his parcel has 'ere this cast up, and that you are in possession of the miscellanea it contained. Mean- while, to come to the point, I am ashamed to say I shrink from the idea of creeping up to Lat. 60° N. I feel too anxious as to what might befall me in a foreign land, so far from my Physician. On the judicious employment of remedial measures might hinge " poor Polly's life," as the Beggar's Opera has it ; so I fear I must remain in England, or possibly go to Joe Grote's or Campbell's in Scotland, renouncing all idea of foreign travel ; for I am unequal to the struggle and the din of bells in the Catholic towns, and the bad accommodation would about do for me I fear. G. G. also does not wish to be away this summer, and I should not like to make him sacrifice his time in accompanying me. Thus, my dear Frances, you see my thoughts turn to two plans. 1. To plunge into seclusion in some quiet place near Torquay for July. I wish to make progress in my autobiography, long since at a stand, and to arrange papers for my executors. 2. I believe we must pay a visit to our estate this summer in Lin- colnshire, and being both of us engaged long since to pay a visit to the Strutts at their seat in Derbyshire, and to Mr. Ord in the moimtains of Northumberland, and to Mrs. Marshall in UUswater, I fancy I shall be content with an English ramble, for I am too faint-hearted for a foreign one. I was amused at your statement about Jenny Lind and her non-appearance chez vous. I have had no letter from J. since March, but I wrote to her six or seven weeks ago a very friendly letter, and I dare say she will let me know when she comes in view of our meeting somewhere. Burnham is not yet disposed of, and I am going down to-morrow to put away my things and indicate what books etc. should be sent to London in the event of the place being let, as it probably soon will be. On Sunday next a large party are to come and spend the day at the Beeches, and ramble iii the old Forest — ^I finding victuals and drink, table on lawn, etc., etc. Vivier, the new French Horn player, is to tootle away in an old tree, so it is decreed, and Mile Rossi (Sontag) and her husband and two children, with the Balfes and Manuel Garcia and Gardoni, are all to be des notres. I shall feel a kind of " doUness " in seeing Sontag in the very garden where I have so often sauntered with Jenny. I have met her two or three times, and she seems to take to me, as all artistes do in fact. Belletti told Mme Balfe a few days ago 70 THE LEWIN LETTERS that Jenny Lind was engaged to act Amina and Maria (in Figlia) at Stockholm directly. Your letter says nothing of this ! Jenny is very httle talked of here in England now ; her secession from the opera has cooled the popular interest — not but what the attraction of the concert room will ever be great, but there is a continual regret at the seclusion of the other half of her genius. I have not mentioned anything about the American trip, but I have my misgivings. I hate her being farmed by that Show- man Barnum, but she is pledged, so it is useless saying a word, and I hearten up Benedict on the scheme. His lecture on Men- delssohn was so well done that I got him to let me put it into form for pubhcation, and take the expense on myself. Brother Tom has razed the old HoUies to the gro\md at last, and is taking breath for a rebuilding. Couty must now give up her idea of living in the old ruin, which she has been dinning in Tom's ears would be so desirable in the event of his taking up his abode in the new Hollies. He and I died of laughing over her discomfiture, but as I told him, nothing but demo- lition would have left him in peace. The old fellow never gives up a scheme for a trifle of resistance. Tom of Eltham, they say, is better again. Frederick's new house is charming, and his place in itself quite a gem for situation and secluded beauty. He is working away to get it in order against Diana's recovery from her couches, which took place at Brighton on the 15th Inst., of a girl ; meanwhile his second child, Augusta, aged eight years, met her death on Tuesday last by a singular accident, falling under the wheel of the bathing machine in which the children had been bathing. It was being drawn up, and she climbed up to have a ride, and fell o£E under the wheels, being instantly killed. I am glad I did not know the poor chUd. She and the eldest were both absent when I was at Erbistock. Frederick has gone over to the funeral. Diana of course will not be in- formed of it as yet — a shocking incident, truly ! I have at length obtained from Tombo, a pacquet containing your letters to the Hollies in 1829-30, and another containing H. Stone's letters to you prior to your Swedish journey. What would you wish done with them ? Your own letters, which I have looked at and found very interesting, had better remain with my papers ; they are tied up and labelled. I would not advise you to have them sent to you ; they wiU only revive a melancholy train of feeling, and renew the memory of a period of checquered weal and woe : better left to fade and disappear. THE LEWIN LETTERS 71 I went yesterday to a fete given by Lumley to Scribe and Halevy. He and Monckton MUnes, the M.P. and poet, accom- panied me. G. Grote is well, but rides my pony by preference, getting rather " ould jontleman " I tell him. I have had some tip-top music, both at home and abroad, during the last six weeks. Adelaide Sartoris stayed with me a fortnight, and we had two or three soirees — the last one a famous concert. Since then I have been at Ella's matinees and heard lovely Beethoven, Haydn, and Spohr music — Ernst, violin. Heller and Hall6 on Pianoforte, Piatti with the violoncello. Also two Philharmonio concerts, very noble performances of Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony, and the Beethoven in C minor. La Tempesta is finely mounted, but I own that the gross alterations in Shakes- peare's text vex me, and then Lablache is degraded by the part of Cahban, a savage brute whose lusts are made the prominent feature of the piece. Proh pudor ! Sontag, however, sang sweetly, as she always does. Lumley is doing weU, immense houses and hosts of talent. Gardoni is coming out to-night for the first time this season : been reposing since Petersburg, I conclude Jenny Lind will try Russia after the United States. Harris is with his regiment in India. I hope he leaves her at rest. Foolish bigot ! Now good-bye, dear Bab ; I say God bless you. Your affectionate sister, Harriet Grote. From Mrs. Frances Eliza von Koch to her sister, Mrs. Harriet Grote. GOTTENWICK, NEAR NORKOPING, July I5th to August 8th, 1850. My DEAREST Harriet, — Many thanks for your long letter three days after the receipt of mine, and very consoling it was to me to find you on the way somewhere when I had ceased to hope you would come northward. My life is nathless a joyous one you must confess, and as a top up to the perpetual tourna- ments, since you have the perfection to wish it, for God's sake procure solitude, books, pony and contemplation ; take a good look at your probable future, and it will be a better one at all events, happen what will. Autobiography also a great point : take a good spin ; who knows what may yet come out of the 72 THE LEWIN LETTERS kettle. By the Gods your materials are good, although head- aches detract, but if your life is not living, I'm a lobster. The Northern visits I am not so eager about as doing you little good, except for the scenery, or what you will not perhaps meet with elsewhere in your travels — true and clear-sighted broad religionists such as there are in this country ; I suspect there are none such in England. Nils writes from the North (Ostersund and Hapar- anda), buried with his secretary among the law archives of each little society he has to investigate ; while son Tom is careering about in the mines of Falun and Sala, copper and silver. I am thankful to you for the first account I have ever been able to obtain concerning my letters and papers since I left my girl- hood's home for good. Had not the old nest been doomed to be rase I should never have heard of them again ; meantime I am relieved of one serious weight on my deathbed — that is, the fate of those papers, specially the letters between me and H. Stone. I had before commissioned her sister Emily to take charge of my letters if ever she was so fortunate as to meet brother Tom. I wish you would have them conveyed to her charge, or tell her how she can obtain them, and she will under- take all the rest. Charlotte knows her address. I shall never have the courage to look back on this transparent dream of my adolescent affections, the purest, the most influential of any I ever formed. She was a ministering angel to my then necessities, and a safety conductor to the lightening of passion with which my whole being teemed. As to looking into any of my old letters, the past makes cowards of us all. I have already lived a highly enjoyable life, and that thanks to my original organisation ; but the best wine has been reserved to the last, and that I have drunk and am drinking at such a rate that when at any day in the year I am called upon to resign it, I have not a word but thanks to utter : and therefore I like this time the best, it being the only period that tastes " secure." I shall certainly feel not a httle flattered at any of my papers lying beside yours, and am meantime thankful they should come into such orderly keeping. Who and what the character of your executor might be is important to me, when I think of my naked soul's exhibition in black and white as contained in those old documents. They have nothing to do with my life in Sweden or with my Swede : much as I enjoy the friendship of some and the superior calibre of others, it would seem as if recurring to the date of the deluge, and would be time lost now THE LEWIN LETTERS 73 that my time is so short. The countess,^ who is so like you, is coming to see me to-day. I have before told you she is sister to the wife of Hans von Koch, who is co-owner of Gottenwik and manager thereof in lieu of Nils, who has no time. Countess Octavie is very different from your likeness, Mathilde. She (Mathilde) was in raptures over your miniature, and begged leave to borrow it for a few days. She came back to compare notes with me about something which had staggered her from Herr Berg, who had said that you received him in bed, and were so clever and fond of horses and could drive ; but the bed visit stuck in her throat. I said, " Yes, oh ! yes : she does such things, but remember she is now elderly and has been much in France where it is customary ; but you and I would not do it. No." She is always gratified at being reckoned like you, but took fright at the idea of your being masculine or coarse. Her history would furnish, I expect, an interesting tale if she lives to tell it faithfuUy at the end of her life. She is now in her zenith and a great favourite at Court. Palkenholm is considering whether he could relinquish one whole splendid Swedish summer for the sake of obtaining a feast of instrumental music abroad ; thinks England would be better than Germany ; however, that I am not so sure of, seeing that although the violin stars shine in and seek England, yet the national tone of Germany is much more truly musical and classical than ever England will be. Where in England could he get a banquet of Mozart, Haydn, or Handel, Coselli, or Beethoven ? Poor , with his cataleptic wife, lives on his glow-worm life, deriving light from the dark hours of his wife's eclipses, which no tongue can explain the origin or cure of. He dreads she may die, as his inward veneration for her borders on canonization, and he thinks the destrojdng angel will spare his cot as long as his Sophie is still found there. Tutor Lindstrom is coming down to Gottenwik glen " mit de Greek history under arm " ; he says the learned men of Upsala pronounce it rare provender. I hope you will send me an MSS. of Guizot for said Lindstrom according to promise. Poor brother Fred ! Sad shock ! although I fancy it is not worse to part with a child suddenly than after a trailing iUness 1 Countess Adelsward (born Stackelberg), a lady highly gifted with mental powers united to personal beauty : was the wife of one of the wealthiest nobles in Sweden, but divorced him and afterwards married Baron Leijonhufvud, 74 THE LEWIN LETTERS of suffering and despair. I fear his bargain with Diana appears to be a hard one. I suppose, as is usual in such cases, both are in fault, but I am much grieved he is not happier. God bless and lead you, my dearly beloved sister, to Himself and to a glorious eternity. After such a draught of life's cup in this flesh, fancy the capacities of beings revolving round the Creator of such a human being as you are, and of all that is so ravishing in this mortal World where (N.B.) headaches come by mistake. Your truly attached Sister, P. E. v. Koch. From Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Mrs. Charlotte Lewin. BxjENHAM Beeches, September 14(A, 1850. Dear Charlotte, — I reached London from my travels on Wednesday night last, and we came on hither to-day after two severe days of business, settling accounts, ordering clothes, repairs of house, etc. Here we intend to stay for a couple of months at least, since we have failed in our endeavour to sell the place, and may therefore as well inhabit it during the autumn. It is still open to an offer however, as I should be glad to contract the circle of my duties. I received the news of Edward's won- derful decision prior to my arrival in Savile Row, whilst I was at Mr. Sartoris' place in Northamptonshire. The choice Edward has made of Miss Rivaz is, I presume, such as you would have suggested, having heard you praise the character of that young lady, and also having heard others speak of her with respect and affection. Edward has, I think, little to look to in regard to worldly prospects, so it is perhaps judicious to have chosen a young woman fitted to manage his slender means for the best, and at the same time qualified to impart to domestic life its chief charm and value ; this in my view is better than if Miss Rivaz had £5,000 to her fortune. I heard from Aimt Emily Hale that Tombo is still gallivanting on the Continent. How is the Hollies house going on ? Frathrack is coming over to Reading to place his two girls, and wiU come on to Bumham, I believe, for a day or two. I have been yachting on Ulleswater. Miss Senior went with me, and was very agreeable. We spent five days at Whitfield Hall most pleasantly, Mr. Ord and I prowling about amid the romantic scenery on ponies. We spent a few days also at our farm in Lincolnshire, riding over the THE LEWIN LETTERS 75 fields for hours, George and I. All going well there, a thriving contented agricultural community — our new school very hand- some, ninety children attending daily. Thence to Kingston Hall, Derby, Mr. Strutt's, where we enjoyed a week's hospitality, and agreeable society. It is near Charnwood Forest. Mrs. Strutt is one of my model English ladies and I have much pleasure in being with her ; she is stUl young and very pretty. The place is replete with comforts — a fine organ with pedals, swell, everything; billiards, lake and boat, horses and carriages, library full of books, and so forth. There, now you have my history, old girl, and now write me your goings on. I wrote to Miss Stone to send for Babbee's letters, but no sort of reply. Is she gone from Dartmouth Row ? Good-bye, dear Charlotte. Your affectionate sister, H. Grote. From Mr. Horace Say to Mrs. H. Grote. 11, Rub Botjesatjlt, Paris, Juillet lOth, 1851. Chebe Mme Grote, — Je me prepare k suivre I'exemple de tous les badauds de Paris et partir jeudi prochain pour aUer passer huit jours a Londres et visiter le Palais de cristal. Outre un simple motif de curiosite, cette exposition a pour moi un grand interet industrial et je la considere en meme temps comme un grand evenement ecomomique. Pour I'industrie I'interet est plus grand pour moi en ce moment parceque je suis occupe de la redaction du Rapport General de I'Enquete dont nous vous avons montre quelques pages quand vous etiez a Paris. Je crois aussi qu'U y a dans cette grande exposition plus d'un argument a prendre en faveur de la cause de la liberte commer- ciale et a la reforme de nos tarifs des Douancs. Nous avons bien besoin en Prance de ne rien negliger, car chez nous, tout va a rebours du bon sens. Nous sommes sous I'influence d'un mauvais genie. Ce mauvais genie prend souvent la figure grotesque et la voix aigre mais fascinante de ce petit Thiers. Thiers est partie interesse dans les prohibitions et de plus, etant sans aucune conviction, il cherche tous les moyens d'avoir des voix dans la ViUe de Rouen pour arriver a une re-election. II a longtemps ete elu par sa ville natale Aix, mais la — on ne veut plus de lui. II a ensuite ete depiite de Paris, ou maintenant il ne passerait plus. II vante maintenant le Systeme prohibitif parce qu'il le croit le plus fort en France ; c'est ainsi que dans l(> THE LEWIN LETTERS son histoire il a successivement vante tous les gouvernements qui ont 6t6 les plus forts, comme la Terreur et Napoleon. II cherche sciemment a faire le mal en ce moment parce qu'il est furieux d'avoir 6te mis de cote par le President. J'espere que Leon pourra m' accompagner h, Londres. Nous irons nous informer si vous etes a Saville Eow ; dans le cas contraire nous tacherons d'aller le Dimanche a Burnham Beeches. Veuillez en attendant recevoir I'assurance de mon entier et complet devouement. Horace Say. From Mr. Frederich Mortimer Lemn to his sister, Mme. Frances von Koch. The EiIdgeway, July 12th, 1851. My dear Babbbe, — Harriet sent me your pleasing letter, by which I learn you are at Gottewick for the summer, and Harriet at Roehampton with a slant to Paris in the vista. I and Diana at Ridgeway, two girls at Epsom School, one boy at Black- heath, three here being indoctrinated by Mamma and the nurse, and generally tractated. I went up to town to see the shows. Now is Diana's turn, leaving me here with five children, and she takes the eldest, Mary Hale, who is the apple of our eyes. Charlotte keeps yanging and subsiding again, and her husband is in the same state, which he describes to aU who come, in detail, particularly ladies. Edward, after a vain effort to be made an Inspector of Prisons becaiise F. HUl had been one, and for no other reason, qualification, or claim, that I could discover, has again relapsed into the Post Ofl&ce Directory. George seems dying. My brother Tom is much hunted as regards the Hollies ; but to be hunted is something, instead of sheer Mrs. Ingram and the chambers at Raymond's Buildings. The weather is beau- tiful : bread and meat and a good Bed is to be had, and all things that ought to make us contented ; but far from that to crave and hunt for " something " is the destiny of one's nature, and I think Love and Sympathy is what we all care for and get the smallest modicum of, although offering much in return to those who deserve it. Scandinavia is far off. A voice comes and is responded to, and then " trembles into silence " as before. Our sister Harriet continues to be the phenomenon of the family — the Meteor Star ! Whether she has yet arrived at her culmin- ating point who shall say ? Indomitable is her energy, and her Talent seizes on what is to be had by snatches. William THE LEWIN LETTERS 77 Prescott oscillates between the Bank and Rutland Gate, and the Irish brigade prey upon him. I had a dining party there, and my heart warms up to him. His wife resembles a sparkling Concubine. My furnishing of Ridgeway verges to a close. The Carpet of Drawing-Room is being tacked down, and Curtains they are standing by to haul up. What is to come next ? Can I stand it on here ? An altered neighbourhood, snobs, vUlas, encroachments, insolence, trespass, and no Gentleman or Magis- trate to support one's order, are very great evils, compensated for in some measure by the sweetness of the place, the Position it gives, and Abihty to live as we like despite appearances. Harriet is trying to get a Blue Coat nomination for my second son Lionel Henry — Gteorge having got one already, if not two. Diana has become serious and looks at life from an altered point of view, her Constitution patched up with difficulty by Port Wine, Quinine and Sal Volatile ; but we have had discourses which though painful have created a better understanding and Pax et amoena Quies is what we seek. Connubial bliss such as you enjoy is a Phantom which has eluded my grasp, as well it might, seeing my Indian Destiny. God bless you, my dear, kind sister. I leave the rest for Harriet to fill up at her request. Regards to Nils. I wrote to several people in town to visit and be kind to my wife, and the applications were handsomely responded to. Tom is to be here early next month before the little girls go back to school. Your affectionate brother, P. M. Lewik. From Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Mme. Frances von Koch. RoEHAMPTON, July 21st, 1851. Dear Babbo, — Your flapper of June 5th had already caused me divers twinges of silent reproach, and I really must try to write to my dear " itten dan " as alas ! I have let weeks go by sans resultat and now come your congratulations on my birth- day, acting upon me like a good flack under the Shafts, and so here goes. My dearie, I embrace you and squeeze the breath out of ye first of all, now I loose ye and cry, " Why does thee live so far off, thou old hussy." And now where shall I begin ? You can hardly take interest in the details of my life at this distance of time, and if I dared venture to open up the chapter of inward sentiment, the dread of a fit of the Dolors would deter 78 THE LEWIN LETTERS me. I never do unclose that secret recess ; there is no one I can or dare trust, save perhaps Frederick, and he, poor fellow, is borne down by his own troubles, so that it were cruel to add the pain of sympathy with another. In writing to you, then, I feel as if I must burst the sluices, and that costs me so dear that I shrink from the direful consequences. My only play is, cork and wire down the bottle. By dint of two mortal years of such coercion, the dismal fermentation within my breast has been reduced to its lowest point, and I have been able to carry on existence without' succumbing to either of the grave issues which alone can extinguish the dark melancholy condition of things, annihilation or insanity. In regard to my bodily health I should say that things are at the usual level of head wrack, but the ability to undergo fatigue is less and less every month, and I am now only equal to a few hours nervous expenditure each day, and if I am to dine out or receive any guests at home, I can do nothing between breakfast and dinner in the way of talking or sight-seeing. On the days I go to the Crystal Palace I do nothing afterwards, and if by chance I go to the opera or to an evening concert, I have to lay up aU day to save up for the evening. We let Bmn- ham last November, 1850, giving up possession on January 10th to Lady Shadwell, widow of the late Vice-Chancellor, who has taken the place for five years. The worry attending the move was great — 150 doz. of wine, six van loads of books and bookcases, the Piano Forte, aU the pictures and personal effects, etc., took six weeks to move. We got settled again about March, and had a couple of rooms over the drawing-room in Savile Row fitted up as private rooms for me; then we weeded the Library, selling off books and prints to the tune of £250, with which I purchased pictures (my foible as ever) — Wouvermans, Cuyp, and a Tintoretto. Now we are living a see-saw life between Savile Row and a villa which we have taken for two months on the edge of Putney Heath and near Richmond Park. George would not go away or travel, not liking to suspend his historical work, so I thought it best to take a second perch near to get a bit of grass and fresh air, and we now oscillate between the two houses. I am going to town to-day to dine at HoUand House (George shirking), and if well enough shall stay on the next day for a picture exhibition. I gave up as much time as I could afford this year to a swarm of foreign guests, and had much pleasure from them. We gave THE LEWIN LETTERS ^9 several dijeuners which proved extremely pleasant, and I had one or two evening parties chiefly to bring forward musical protegees. I had the boldness to play Mendelssohn's lovely but difficult sonata in B flat with the Violoncello, the latter instru- ment taken by the celebrated Eranchomme of Paris. We spent some time in February last at Buxted Park, Sussex (Lord Liver- pool's), where we enjoyed a rare treat of music, playing morning and evening " grand crashes " as mother used to call it. Lady K. Harcourt, Lord Liverpool's daughter, is about the best Piano Forte player I know, and we had my old friend Professor Hatton as 'Cello, Lord L. ditto, and Mr. Montgomery on the Clarion- ette. Crackjaw was the word, and then at it again. I wrote to Countess Adelsward immediately on receipt of your last at Ems, and had an answer last Friday — a sweet letter, thanking me and you for our desire to promote a meeting, but doubtful if it could be managed. I went to Paris for three weeks in May to meet Senior on his way back from Italy. We spent a delight- ful time together in the same hotel and saw aU the elite of French society. Leon Faucher is Prime Minister, as you know. We each gave a soiree which was very choice, but mine was the best, I think. I took over Mrs. Nassau with me — a very nice young woman, wife of Nassau Senior, Junior. I saw dear Alexis de Tocqueville often ; he returned from Naples the same day that I reached Paris. She quite a wreck, poor thing, with uterine disease, o la ! I had two or three smacks of Alexis which in themselves would repay the trip. I fear he cannot live long, however, dear porcelain vase that he is ! I sat next to Sir James Graham in London one day at dinner and he talked of De TocqueviUe half the time, expatiating on his vast powers of mind. He did not know him personally, but admired him beyond any living writer. We are expecting the arrival of Leon Faucher and his wife every day on a visit to us. He is so anxious to visit the wonderful Crystal Palace Exhibition that if it be possible he will make a rapid excursion hither. Horace Say and his son have been here for the last ten days, and enjoy their visit prodigiously. The Glass Palace is stupendous ! nothing ever was so over-powering — one may go there fifty times and never see half. I much regret that Nils and you could not come to see it. You cling to my life I see with undying sympathy. I make the effort to keep aHve much for your sake. Jenny Lind is making a colossal fortune in the United States. I do not expect her back before September. Your 8o ' THE LEWIN LETTERS few words about her are truth itself — I never shall allow myself to be made use of again. I told you of my going to Windsor Castle and of the conversation I had with the Queen about Jenny. If you would meet me in Berlin in September, or even October, say the word and I struggle thither. We could go away together somewhere into the country. Good-bye, dear, dear Babbo. Thine tenderly till death, H. Geote. Addressed care of Mr. Nils Sam von Koch, Kantzler v. Justitz, Stockholm, Sweden. From Mrs. Grote to Madame von Koch. 12, Savile Row, London, Augvst 12th, 1851. My dearie, I wrote you so lately that I can't come it strong again now, but as Mme de Adelsward is off to-morrow ajid will take a packet, I send this, which pray heaven may not travel so slowly as the one sent a year ago, also by Swedish hands. You never mentioned having received a pamphlet I sent you, so lest anjrthing may have befallen it I send another copy, and another " Mendelssohn," chiefly my production : at least I arranged Benedict's Manuscript for press, and it was published at my expense. The Countess is a very superior, interesting, and spirited young woman, and she is so fond of you, I must kiss and love her, else reaUy I am growing hardened and will open the door of my heart to no new rings at the beU. I have done my utmost to shew her attention, to which she is more than sensible. Make her describe our exquisite hour and a half's ramble in the gardens of Holland House, partly by moonlight. How enjoyable it was ! I am come up to town for a week to receive and do honour to Monsieur Leon Paucher, with wife and secretary. How the wheel of Fortune goes round ! He is now virtually Prime Minister of France, and has acquitted himself remarkably well, though I cannot forgive him for pro- curing the re-election of Louis Napoleon, nor do I endorse the expedition to Rome. I send you the only copy I have left of a paper I wrote last year, the general purport of which may still hold good, though now a little out of date. Senior has broiight home four volumes of notes of Italian conversations and incidents deeply interesting ; the more so as De TocqueviUe is a large feature therein. He and the Seniors lived under the same roof THE LEWIN LETTERS 8r at Sorento in January last for three weeks or more. I am now tired, so must say Adieu ! I have just been to Mrs. Stanley's to show her a letter received yesterday from our Meteor Jenny Lind, dated July 19th, up near Lake Ontario ! She has no idea of returning this year. I fancy she must have made not less- than £80,000 in the United States, which will be aU sucked up by the Parsons ! Ever thine affectionately, H. Geote. Henry Reeves to be married on the 21st. From Mrs. Harriet Grote to her brother, Frederick M. Lewin.. London, October 29th, 1851 Dear Frederick, — I have but a moment to write a line- as I am going off to Weybridge for the night to bid adieu to the Austin's before I go to Paris, as she has lost her old sister Mrs. Taylor lately, and I should not like to go away without paying my dear old friend this mark of attention. I was ill last week from domestic vexations, I believe, and they are endless " Laissez moi echapper," as old Sir John called out of the fiacre window at OVLT mother's behaviour to him Anno Domini 1817. I envy you the run to Stockholm ; would that I also could hitch on ;; but I told Babbee we must now await the Spring, when if I can possibly effect a slant to Berlin I mean to foregather with the little woman and have one good overhaul with her, come what may, 'ere we die. Count Adelsward came to the surface ten days ago, bringing another sweet letter from her (Diisseldorf) which made me conceive the idea of going to pass a few days with her 'ere I settled at Paris for my six weeks' speU ; but I have qualms as to the risk to health in going so far to spend only a few days. I think of starting for Paris next Tuesday via Folkestone. A Miss Blackett (cousin of Sir Edward), a girl of about twenty-eight and pleasant enough, is to be my companion in Paris, which wiU suit us both I expect ; she needs a chaperone's roof and I a housemate with whom I can " purr " on dull evenings. The upset of Leon Paucher's cabinet is annoying, but I expected no less. I believe you wiU find the north of Europe colder than you like, but it will amuse you. Poor Diana ! I pity her because she can't help it. " Golden locks " and Minnie went down with me yesterday to see History Hut, and we spent the whole day at the Beeches, I full of business with the Builder, agent and VOL. II. G 82 THE LEWIN LETTERS incoming tenant ; repairs going on at the old shop for Lady Shadwell ; farm homestead built up at Park ; the hut progress- ing ; John James' accounts audited, three horses placed in his care to run in the yard during my absence ; George's pony blistered and laid up — in short, a fuU day's work of business. I hope we may light on some occupation for you on your return. I will lend you what help I can, but the deuce of it is, what berth would fit you. There are so many younger chaps who elbow one out of the rank, alas ! If Diana will direct her children to be sent straight to SavUe Eow to be forwarded on per Southampton rail, well ; but I don't hold with meeting at Stations — no end of botches that way, unless with such as you and me, old fellow ! Give Babbee a hearty hug from me, and greet Nils most cordially, and with love to those dear Boys, Ever affectionately yours, H. Gkote. Diary of Mr. Frederick Mortimer Lewin relating to his journey to Sweden from October 20th, 1851, to January 12th, 1852. October 20th, 1851. Left the Ridgeway, Southampton, in my Shandry, and took my place in the Railway. Arrived in London, I visited my Bankers and also Mrs. Grote, and finding myself unwell with low fever and depression of spirits, took a Warm Bath at the Windham Club and slept at Mrs. Skelton's, No. 18, Duke Street, St. James'. October 2lst. Left London from King's Cross by the Gt. Northern Railway, and passing by Peterboro, York, Durham, and Newcastle, arrived at Edinburgh by 10 p.m., and slept in Princes Street at Mr. McQueen's Hotel. October 22nd. Left Edinburgh early and got to Stirling ; the country was beautiful and well cultivated. At Sterling I procured a horse and gig and went on to Callender through Blair Drummond Park, passing Doane Castle, formerly the seat of the McGregors, and the fine property of Lord Willoughby d'Eresby, acquired by marriage with Miss Drummond. At Callender I took another Gig and proceeded by the borders of Lake Vennachar and pleasing scenery to Invertrosachs, the seat of Stewart Macnaughton, Esq., acquired by marriage with Mrs. Shedden. The party at the house consisted of Mr. and Mrs .Macnaughten, and Lady Macnaughten the mother, Mr. Douglas Stewart and Mr. Shedden. In the evening we THE LEWIN LETTERS 83 walked to the Moirs and saw the fissure in the rock where the favourite greyhound Fairy fell in by accident. October 23rd. Walked with the keeper to see the Trosachs ; a gloomy day with scenery equally severe and dark. 24th. The party went to Aberfoyle, I returning on a pony after dark, Ferried across the Loch. October 25th. Walked to Brackhn to see the Waterfall and took lunch at the Inn, Callender. October 26th. Went in the omnibus to Church, and after- wards walked home with Mr. Buchanan of Leny, who shewed me all over his grounds. October 27th. Left Invertrosachs, caught the train at Ster- ling and so to Edinburgh. Went to Leith, but could not get a passage to Gottenburgh. Called on Mr. Rosenthal, 7, Nicolson Square — an intelligent German Jew and his wife. October 28th. Fine weather. Walked to Darnaway and visited Mrs. Blake, wife of the Colonel of the 33rd Regiment quartered here ; afterwards called on my old friend Colonel John Eden, who is Deputy Adjutant General of the troops here. Rain came on as I ascended the Calton Hill to get a view of the town. After- wards to the Picture Gallery, which does not contain many pictures worth seeing. A great number of people promenading in Princes Street. Wrote letters home. October 29th. Beautiful, clear, bracing weather. Went to Colonel Blake's and found him and the children. He sent an Orderly with me to the Castle, where I saw the Regiment paraded. About 450 men handled in good style. After parade I was put into the hands of Captain Donovan of the Grenadier Com- pany, who showed me the Crown Jewels and other curiosities in the Castle, also Mons Meg the large Gun. The air in the heights bracing and fine. Learning from Captain Donovan that a Passport was requisite, I proceeded to the Lord Provost's and procured one for 55., which they said was more respected in the Northern Ports of the Continent than Lord Palmerston's. Colonel Eden called on me and left his card with an invitation to diimer. Dined with Colonel and Mrs. Blake, and spent a pleasant evening. They have a very nice furnished house for £8 a month, but in winter houses rise to £25 a month. Lodgings on one flat with a common staircase are to be found in Edinburgh commodious, cheap and genteel. October 30th. Beautiful weather. Walked to Holyrood Palace and fell into the hands of a housekeeper of a bitter, dry, 84 THE LEWIN LETTERS and sardonic sort, who shewed me poor Queen Mary's apart- ments and the furniture she brought with her from France, also the room where David Rizzio was slain, and the staircase by which the conspirators ascended. The place where his body lay is certainly marked and stained stiU. I saw also the parti- tion which Queen Mary had put up after the murder to screen off the spot from the apartments. There was also shown mo Darnley's armour, with his gloves and boots, also Rizzio 's por- trait. The present Queen Victoria does not permit her suite of apartments to be shewn to the pubUc. The Duke of Hamilton, the Duke of Argyll, and the Master of Breadalbane have each got suites of apartments in the Palace. Seen from the new town, Holyrood appears to great disadvantage, but inside it is a fine building with a Royal air about it. A statue of Queen Victoria is in the square fronting the door. Dined and spent a pleasant evening with Colonel Eden and his Canadian wife ; no end of old histories. October Z\st. Went to Leith and delivered Colonel Eden's letter to Mr. Inkster, the Steam Agent. Received a pacquet of letters from home and friends, including one for Sir Edmond Lyons from Sir Duncan MacdougaU, and a letter of credit on Hamburgh, Copenhagen and Stockholm for £200. Lunched with Colonel Blake, and they drove me round by the Queen's Drive and Holyrood Palace. November 1st. Went to the Lord Provost's and procured a certificate to draw my Quarter's Annuity. Paid a farewell visit to Mrs. Blake, who said she would be spending Christmas in Hertfordshire. Took an early dinner with Colonel Eden, who accompanied me to my Hotel, and I parted with him much pleased at this renewal of our early acquaintance. He expects soon to go to Dublin as Adjutant General. Embarked on board the " MarteUo " at Leith Docks at nightfaU., Steamed out of the harbour at 8 p,m., a fine night with a bright moon, and as we passed the different Lights and headlands I felt so ex- hilarated that I paced the deck till midnight. There were very few passengers, only two merchants and their wives. A change came over the spirit of my dream, however, when we quitted the influence of the land and put out to sea. The ship begun to roll, miserable sickness then came on, and I lay in bed tor- mented from Saturday night until Tuesday morning. November Uh. The Steward announced our entrance into the Elbe and opened the scuttle in my cabin as we were once THE LEWIN LETTERS 85 more in smooth water. The bill for Provisions tendered to me amounted to £2 14s., although I had eaten nothing. The Steamer " Martello " was well fitted and found, but to those who are sea- sick carved oak, red velvet and mirrors signify very little. At noon I landed in Hamburgh, the great trading mart of Northern Europe ; the quantity of shipping in the harbour astonished me. No passport was demanded, nor was my luggage examined, freedom seemed to reign, and after the petty troubles of Italy last winter, the contrast was striking. A perfect stranger without a friend or acquaintance, I asked one of my fellow passengers where to go, and he recommended Streich's Hotel. Thither I accordingly directed a porter to carry my luggage, but he, imagin- ing that I knew the town, set off so fast that I quickly lost sight of him. Thus separated from my luggage, my condition became very forlorn. At length a youth took me to the Hotel, which was at a considerable distance : he would accept of no remunera- tion for his trouble, but shook hands with me as being an English- man. A posse of Waiters awaited me at the door of the large Hotel, and the delinquent Porter greeted me smiling. All this crowd awaiting the arrival of a modest gentleman with very little luggage flustered me still more, so I seized upon the Porter and turned him outside the door, threatening to complain of him to the Police. The company of waiters pacified me in broken English, and the obnoxious porter paid by them at my expense, tranquiUity was restored. I set off without delay to Messrs. Hanbiu"y the Bankers to whom I had been recommended, but he was out of town, and the clerk after inspecting my letter of credit declared that they had no correspondence with my Bankers Messrs. Call. He gave me, however, directions where to obtain German money for the nineteen English sovereigns I had brought with me from Edinburgh, which I concluded would more than carry me to Stockholm. Walking through the city I was struck with its vastness and the excellence of the Houses and PubUc buildings ; there was every sign of burgher wealth without fashion or elegance. An excellent Mutton chop with some good bitter Ale at an English eating house fortified my interior after the devastating effects of the sea voyage. A pleasant cup of coffee and the " Morning Chronicle " of the 31st, which I suppose we ourselves had brought to Hamburgh, fur- nished me with amusement for the evening, which turned cold and drizzly as it became dark. No Bonfires illumined this German City, but my imagination recurred to England and 86 THE LEWIN LETTERS Pear Tree Green, and I bethought me how in my absence as Conservator the Itchen Ferry lads, unchecked in their operations, would mow away the Gorse and Furze and spoil the turf with their bonfires. November Gth. All last night it rained, and my thoughts, bent on my journey to Kiel to-morrow and thence by sea once more to Copenhagen, grew sad. They announced in the Coffee- room that the snow had fallen in Russia, and that frost had set in, but the warm clothes I had procured in Edinburgh are so comfortable that I feel quite prepared to encounter the winter. Went and saw Mr. Hanbury the banker, who altogether refused to honour my letter of Credit. The name of Hanbury gave me only the idea of Sampson Hanbiu-y, Esq., of Herts, with whom in my early days I had hunted : a large man in buckskin breeches and top boots. In the Hamburgh Mr. Hanbury I found a wizened old Frog, speaking broken English and possessing none of the features of an Anglo-Saxon. Finding no soap was provided at the Hotel, I bought a piece for 6d. at a Frenchman's shop, who told me he had recently been to Paris, and that he went there in thirty-six hours via Brussells. I wrote a letter to my brother Tom. After dinner we had an exquisite treat of Music by four brothers of the name of Miiller from Brunswick, who played Quartetts by Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn divinely. I did not think a concert of Violins capable of producing such delightful sounds, but these four brothers having been brought up together played with a single bow, and the Harmony was perfect. After this I joined the party from our Hotel, and went to a Ball in the Town, a sort of Casino. Such an assem- blage of Women of the largest description I have never beheld. The average height of these Amazons must have been 5 feet 9 inches, and their proportions equal. Their dancing, however, was light and graceful, and the music excellent. There were about fifty or sixty couples dancing. November lih. Kiel the capital of Schleswig-Holstein. Set out from Hamburgh to Altona at 7 a.m., and by rail to Eael, which we reached at 11. When the baggage arrived at the Steamer which was to carry us to Copenhagen, my two bags were not forthcoming, and were reported to have been left behind at Altona. As one of them contained all my toilet necessaries, and my Letter of Credit for £200,1 could not go on to Copenhagen without them, and therefore remained behind while the Steamer started without me. This was solely the fault of the Railway THE LEWIN LETTERS 87 people. Vexation and grief were useless, resignation alone availed me. The way from Altona to Kiel lies through a flat and unin- teresting country, but Kiel itself is a port of some importance, though small. Dined at the Table d'Hote and sat next to a Mr. Tutein, who was of French extraction, but a Dane by birth, numbers of French having settled there after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. After the rest of the Company had retired a gentleman, name unknown, favoured me by an expo- sition of the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The Danes, he said, having lost territory and influence by the separation of Norway, have sought to repair their losses by added influence in Holstein, introducing their language, teachers and religion. The Hol- steiners, on the other hand, dislike the Danes and desire to retain their own German language and customs together with as much local self-government as possible, and they hope for the sympathy and assistance of France and England. Thus the interests of the two parties are totaUy at variance, and a more unpleasant state of things cannot well be conceived. Having put up at the " Raflway Hotel " for the night with the intention of remaining there till Saturday for the next Steamer, lo and behold my two bags were delivered to me at 6 p.m., just three hours after the Steamer had left. In discussing the best way for me to get on, it seemed I could go to Lubeck by a bad road and an uncomfortable conveyance, and from Lubeck to Stock- holm direct, but by this way I should miss seeing Copenhagen and my Indian friends from Tranquebar, some of whom M. Tutein told me were at Copenhagen, one of them being M. Hansen, who had delivered over to me that Settlement of Tranquebar as the Commissioner of Great Britain with Sir Henry Mont- gomery. He had been appointed Governor of the Danish Settle- ment of St. Thomas in the West Indies, whence he had recently returned. When I considered how diflScult it is to get to Stock- holm from England, I felt quite discouraged when I thought of my journey back to my family after the winter has set in. I have been already from Saturday to Thursday getting from Edinburgh to Kiel, although I have lost no time anywhere, and there seems no certainty when I shaU arrive at Stockholm. The expenses of traveUing are very heavy, and the Hotel bills quite extravagant. November Sth. The climate of Kiel seems inferior to that of Hamburgh — moist and muggy. I walked aU over the town examining the horses, the soldiers, the people, and the shops : 88 THE LEWIN LETTERS all are new to me in this most primitive place, the Ultima Thule of Railway travelling in this direction. Went on board the Steamer which arrived from Copenhagen, a large boat com- manded by Captain Hederman of the D.E.N. The sleeping berths were forward, the saloons aft, with no commimication between them except by deck. Chose my berth with a sick heart, remembering my sufferings on the voyage from Leith to Hamburgh. However, the " trajet " is only thirteen hours, and three more hours from Copenhagen will bring me to Helsingbore, thence by diligence to Gottenburg, and by canal boat to Stock- holm. Dined at the table d'hote with my yesterday's friend. His name is Professor Fohmaker, and he was on board of an EngUsh man of war, the " Beacon," in the Mediterranean on survey duty. It seems the King of Sweden, then Crown Prince, had his headquarters here with the army in 1813 on Napoleon's return from Moscow. The Professor said that in his opinion the Gtermans will profit most by the great Exhibition — that by her advancement England will also profit commercially. He says the Duchy of Schleswig has lost the benefit of the Revo- lution by the coimteracting influence of the French Revolution : they are tired of revolutions and want rest. This day came over my mind the expediency of placing our little daughter Julia with her Aunt Frances von Koch for the next few years. She would acquire the languages of Europe and become better acquainted with life and more able to shift for herself than at home with her Mother. She would gain the affection of her Aunt who has no daughter, and of her excellent Uncle Nils von Koch. An intelligent gentleman of Schleswig who had travelled with Colonel Peter Montgomery of the Madras Artillery spent the evening with me, and gave his opinion on the state of these Duchies. The three Commissioners appointed by the Diet of Frankfort are confined to the Duchy of Holstein, and do not interfere in Schleswig. November 9th. Went to the Consul and paid my passage money : then to the Railway authorities about my expenses : and they certainly behaved fairly enough, ordering my bill to be made out previous to paying it. Embarked on board the " Schleswig," a fine large steamer, at 3 o'clock, and reached Copenhagen at 8 o'clock the following morning (November 9th, 1851), a remarkable event in my life, considering the number of years I have been connected with the Danes in India at Tran- quebar, which formed a corner of the District of Tanjore, over THE LEWIN LETTERS 89 which I held jurisdiction for so long a time as Judge of Comba- conum. I was one of the Commissioners appointed by the Government of Madras to receive from the Danish Government possession of the territory of Tranquebar, ceded to us by purchase in 1846. I alighted at the " Hotel Royale " and the landlord, who has the manners and appearance of a gentleman, despatched a messenger with me to Commodore Mourier, one of the Governors of Tranquebar, whom I had known there, who is now employed in the Board of Admiralty at Copenhagen. I found him and his wife looking remarkably weU after a lapse of fifteen years, with four children, of whom only two, Adolphe and Camilla, had been with them in India. They received me with great kindness, and the Commodore took me to see Mr. Hansen, another of the Governors I had known. He had just returned from St. Thomas in the West Indies, where he had been sent on a special mission by the Government. He also greeted me very kindly, as did his late wife's mother, Mme Beck, and his daughters, of whom the eldest. Miss Steenie, was grown up. I remembered how she had met with an accident at Tranquebar, falling from her pony and breaking her arm. I had deputed the Surgeon, Dr. Rose, from Combaconum to attend her, who having visited her and set the arm returned and died a few days after. Our meeting on this occasion was a very interesting one, and I was much affected. Commodore Mourier then took me to see the Royal Palace and stables, the latter being by far the most splendid building for the accommodation of horses that I had ever beheld. Afterwards to the Thorwaldsen Museum, where I was regaled with a sight of the treasures of art. The building itself is on the plan of an Egyptian Tomb with a series of vaulted chambers having painted ceilings. To record all that I saw would be impossible. On the outside of the building are frescoes repre- senting his return to Sweden and landing at Copenhagen. Then we went to the Church of our Lady, where are the colossal twelve Apostles and the Saviour. In the evening I dined at the Mouriers, and met Maud de Bunsen and M. Hansen. Nothing could be kinder than Mme Mourier's behaviour to me. Her daughter Camilla, a charming, taU, fair, straight young creature, who promises to be brilliant. November \Oth. Commodore Mourier called upon me at my hotel and took me to the Athenaeum Reading room, then met M. Hansen, who had concluded that I should go on Wed- nesday to Malmoe and thence to Ystadt, where I should find 90 THE LEWIN LETTERS a Steamer to take me to Stockholm. Called on our Minister, Sir Henry Wjmne, who has been here for twenty years, a stout gentleman who I at once saw belonged to Sir Watkin Wynne's family from his likeness. After an ordinary visit, in the course of which I told him that I had lived in his nephew's house, Erbistock Hall, which Mr. CunlifEe had sublet to me, I took my leave, and Sir Henry returned to his Country house. Dined at the table d'hote, an excellent dinner to which about twenty per- sons sat down. Afterwards to Mme Mourier's, and accompanied her to the Theatre, where we saw a very duU preformance. M. Hansen was there also and walked home with me in the rain — bad pavements and the streets ill lighted, the poverty of the place apparent. The theatre wretched, the building shabby, small and dirty, the dancers badly dressed with their petticoats too long altogether, poor and mean. November llih. Walked with Mme Mourier and Miss Camilla to the Palace of Christiansborg, but after climbing endless stairs to see the pictures we were informed that the gallery was not open. At the door of the Palace Count Moltke, the Prime Minister, arrived to join the Council, the King having come into town from his Country seat as a Russian General had arrived on a special mission. Then to the Ramparts where we met Queen Amahe (sister of the Duke of Augustenberg) walking. She is the widow of the late King, a lady much respected, but fuU of grief and nothing to Mve for. A footman in scarlet behind her, and a lady in waiting accompanying her. Her carriage followed at a short distance. Then to the Gardens of the Rosenberg Palace, which in summer must be agreeable enough. The Palace, a quaint old Chateau full of curiosities with a moat and fortifications in miniature to protect it from pillage in case of an emeute. Dined at Mr. Hansen's, who gave the party in my honour. Many people present whom I did not know : among them Mr. Yorgensen, who had fallen off my grey mare in India years ago and nearly killed himself, now grown a handsome but somewhat insignificant man. I presented Miss Steenie Hansen with an Agate brooch I had purchased for her, which made a lively impression on her innocent mind. Hansen has seven motherless children. His wife was married to him at nineteen and bore them all in India. He still hopes to get some other appointment in a diplomatic situation abroad. Walked home with Yorgensen, who was fuU of kind attentions to me. November 12th, Yorgensen came to escort me to the Mouriers' THE LEWIN LETTERS 91 to take leave of them. Gave Miss Camilla a brooch similar to the one I gave to Steenie Hansen. Tender adieux to these kind friends whom I esteem and regard. Walked to the Steamer to embark for Malmoe, Yorgensen accompanying me. We called on our way at Dr. Christen's, whom I had known at Tran- quebar, and at Yorgensen's own lodgings, where he had prepared a nice collation for me which, alas ! I could not touch. A neat footman was in attendance in livery, and the whole menage betokened a bachelor of fashion whose aim in life was comfort and pleasure. Just before the Steamer started there appeared on the quay Mme Mourier and her daughter Camilla, which affected me much. One more adieu and a shake of the hand. As we stood out they waved their handkerchiefs and my eyes filled with tears. Kind friends thus regarding me in the Northern latitudes so little frequented. Yorgensen pressed me to stay and have an audience of the King, but the state of Denmark is at present very critical, and I did not covet an introduction to His Majesty, particularly as I had been one of the chief actors in purchasing him out of his East Indian dominions. We arrived at Malmoe in the Steamer " Hamlet " after two hours and a half, with a pleasant, good-looking Captain who spoke Enghsh, and with whom I discussed the condition of Denmark. He told me of the Constitution granted by the King, of which the Emperor of Russia disapproved, and which has led to the election into the Assembly or ParUament of men holding ultra- democratic views, and secondly of the pohcy to be pursued in regard to the Duchy of Schleswig. The abdication of the King is thought to be the only way in which the Constitution could be modified, since he himself cannot alter what he has granted to the people, but his successor might do so. The pohcy towards Schleswig might then be modified, otherwise the intervention of the Great Powers of Europe is not unhkely. The Russian General who arrived at Copenhagen when I was there. General Bodischo by name, to return by Malmoe and Ystadt to-morrow. The Captain thought that General Bodischo would be knouted if he did not make haste. At Malmoe I found to my chagrin that the dihgence to Ystadt did not start until 6 p.m. the next day. The Inn was full of smoke. Punch, and Dogs. The bed- rooms and all the arrangements of a most primitive description. I had to summon the landlord to the remote gallery, where my bedroom was situated, to obtain a pair of sheets for my bed. Basin or towel there were none. 92 THE LEWIN LETTERS November IZih. A beautiful day, but a cold wind. Break- fasted on beefsteak and Eggs, with Coffee and bread; had a capital night's rest in my carpetless, destitute garret. Walked through the town : all the people, horses, carts and shops of the most primitive description imaginable. I have had so much trouble in getting to Stockholm that I shall not be in a hurry to quit it. Set out at 6 p.m. in the Coach aU alone, but the vehicle large and commodious, with cushions and window glasses. The Russian General Bodischo set out before me in a hired caleche with his servant, and arrived at Ystadt at the same time as I did. The journey occupied from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., but we lost much time in changing horses on the road. It was nearly 3 o'clock before I got to bed, tired and empty and so uncomfort- able that I could not sleep. The Russian General had the call of me, of course, and all the servants of the Hotel were placed at his disposal, and I even saw a cheerful, blazing fire in his bedroom with clean sheets airing for him. In the meantime he found his way to my room and introduced himself as a fellow traveller : he partook freely of the Gingerbread I had brought with me from Edinburgh, washing it down with half a tumbler of brandy (without water) from my travelling flask. He could speak French, so we soon became friends and chatted about Stockholm, where he appears to know everybody. November lUh. On getting out of bed at 10 a.m. I found the place covered with snbw. Went to the Pier and found a Steamer from Stralsund to Ystadt lying there. The Skipper told me they had had a gale of wind in the night crossing over. The Russian General also made his appearance on the Peir complaining of headache, which I put down to the brandy. He instructed me where to get my ticket for the Steamer, and I paid 28 Rix Dollars for a passage to Stockholm. The road between this place and Malmoe is interspersed with villages, but the land bare, poor and treeless, frequent moorlands and barren wastes. The Skipper says we must expect bad weather at this season in the Baltic, whereupon General Bodischo took to his bed, where he said he should stay till he got to Stockholm. November 15th. A beautiful, clear, cold, frosty morning ; a beefsteak and coffee at 11. Found the Vice-consul of Stockholm on board, who had known my brother Edward in Stockholm. Dined at 3.30 p.m. with a melancholy presage of futurity, although the treacherous ocean is apparently calm. The passengers are of a varied description. Next to me at dinner was a man THE LEWIN LETTERS 93 of strong Jewish lineaments, who also claimed acquaintance with my brother Edward. He had been to England to see the Exhibition. I now abandon my pen as the Steamer is under weigh at 4.30 p.m., and the vibration of the Engines penetrates my diaphragm and shadows forth impending sorrow. Miseri- cordia ! November \%th. We arrived early at Cahnar, having passed through the strait which separates the long island of Oland, seventy miles long. As soon as we entered the strait, smooth water brought me rehef, but all night the condition I remained in was miserable enough. At Colmar Castle, I was told, resided the celebrated Marguerite, Queen of Scandinavia, who had ruled over Sweden, Norway and Denmark as one kingdom, having inherited it from her Father, King Gustavus. She preferred a single Ufe and rejected all offers for her hand, and more than that, preserved her chastity ; I found out afterwards from the History of Sweden that she had two illegitimate children. We left Calmar after breakfast, passing between rocky islets. General Bodischo, it seems is, a miUtary officer stationed at Stockholm with no particular functions, it being the custom of the Russian Governor to keep such an emissary at the Northern Courts. One of the passengers, a Swede, returning from the Exhibition, has purchased a Boar in England, for which he gave five guineas at Hull. He visited Mr. Mechi's Model Farm at Tiptree and was much disappointed, calHng it dirty and slovenly. He had also appUed to a House of Business to be permitted to learn the process of mustard making, to which the English merchants readily assented on the understanding, however, that he should not seek to estabhsh a manufactory of mustard in England. He has at home, he told me, seventy pigs who all go upstairs to bed every night by an inclined plane ladder, and are punctually let out again every morning. The climate does not permit of their sleeping out of doors. We passed up the Baltic sea under favourable auspices ; the wind was aft with a following swell, and we saw the pine forests which come down to the water's edge along the coast. As it grew dark we saw the hght on the head of Oland, and then had sea room all the way to the Russian coast and Riga. The clouds cleared away, the stars shone very bright, and I seemed to feel myself in the Northern hemisphere. I heard that the Aurora BoreaUs or Northern Ughts are seen beautifully in the spring season — ^phantom, fairy-like visions of the heavens. They spoke also of Silver mines and of a great 94 THE LEWIN LETTERS mountain of solid iron called Delavara — said there were many Englishmen settled on Farms near Gottenburg in the west of Sweden, where the cUmate is mild and resembles England, who were happy and contented citizens, and my thoughts turned toward Scandinavia, and I asked myself in what respect was England preferable to me, overburdened with cares and anxieties to preserve my place in Society, with scanty means and so large a family. Sweden seemed to offer me an asylum where I should be able to strike root and find friends, relations, and a position where my income would be ample for the wants of us aU : where my daughters might become daughters and mothers of the North, and whence my sons could issue forth to seek their fortunes in the world quite as well as from the crowded shores of old England. One plunge and I should be free from Carking Care. Then, alas ! there reached my ears (mentally) the mournful waiUngs of a Wife, unable to endure the rigours of the Cold North, and uttering shrieks of Despair at being separated from her relations and friends. Whist and cigars were the order of the evening — no indication whatever that it was Sunday ! November \1ih. This morning all was well after a some- what roUing night. We had entered the Stockholm Fiords in a snow-storm before daylight, and the vessel had been stopped as they could not see to steer. Presently we began to move again and I hastened upon deck. There I found stern winter clad in his most appropriate garb — Pine-clad islands and rocks all covered with snow, while the ship ghded smoothly towards the capital of Sweden. The decks were thick with snow, and the passengers for the most part kept to the saloon, some com- pleting their toilets, one of them playing the Piano, and so for the first time in my life I dressed to the sound of music. My fellow passengers were all very kind to me, and as we began to get accustomed to each other it was curious to see how each one unfolded his stock of English, although at first not one of them professed to be able to speak a word of the language. How pleasing are my sensations ! I am in good health, every- thing is new and exciting, anticipations of Stockholm crowd upon me, my sister's surprize and joy at seeing me, she perhaps the one being in the world who would feel unmixed joy at the sight of me. I formed all sorts of plans to pass the winter, for I saw that when once the winter had set in it would be very difficult to return to England. This is the last voyage that this THE LEWIN LETTERS 95 Steamer will make this season. We passed through the Fiords with nothing particular to indicate the Channel amidst the labyrinth of islands. At length we came to 4 tower command- ing one of the entrances to Stockholm, said to be the largest round tower in Europe. Then after curious windings and turn- ings, the ship often within a few yards of the shore, we passed through a narrow channel guarded by fort and batteries, and then the houses commenced and continued all the way to Stock- holm. The City quite surprised me from the heights on which it was situated, not low and flat Uke Copenhagen. The Royal Palace and St. Catherine's church conspicuous objects. The house where my brother Edward had Uved so long was pointed out to me. A fellow passenger kindly assisted me at the Custom House amid the usual clamour and rudeness of landing, and we then marched off to Behr's Hotel in the Drottning-garten, in the same street where my sister Mme. von Koch resides ; there I changed my clothes, and obtaining a guide repaired to No. 86, and found upon the staircase one of my little nephews, Oscar von Koch, to whom I entrusted a card inscribed " Herr F. M. Copper-bottom Kiel." After some Httle delay my brother- in-law Nils von Koch appeared to see who it was, as my sister denied all knowledge of Herr Copper-bottom. He recognized me immediately, and my Sister hearing the noise came to the door, gave a cry and fell into my arms. They Uve in a very large House of which they occupy one Plat or suite of rooms, the rest of the house being let to other people. The rooms were well furnished and of a warm, even temperature. I spent a happy evening with my dear relatives, and drank tea most pleasantly with my four nephews and their Parents at a round table which reminded me of our own at Ridgeway, but I think ours is larger. At 11 o'clock at night I left them, having talked the whole time incessantly. The snow was still falling as I walked to my hotel, and the night dreary and dark. November 18th. Stayed in bed until 9 a.m. Snow still falling, ordered a pair of Galoshes, which appear quite indis- pensable. Passport demanded by my Host. The streets are narrow, and the view from my window very discouraging. The Hotel is a Nobleman's house which has been converted to its present use ; the rooms large and lofty, resembhng state rooms, but without the comfort of a dwelling-house. My trip from Leith to Stockholm has cost me about £14. To come straight from Hull to Gottenburg is undoubtedly the cheapest way, 96 THE LEWIN LETTERS and I shall most probably return by that route. I went to the Kochs, and then in a carriage with my sister Frances to the Palace to see Countess Rosen and ascertain whether she would be willing to let me have her rooms at No. 86 till the end of December, but she was not wiUing. I went on to Sir Edward Lyons, our Minister, and left Sir D. MacdougaU's letter and my own card. Stopped on my way back to Hotel, and bought a pair of caoutchouc galoshes — ^the second pair. Snow, sleet and rain fell the whole day, the streets filled with people all the same, some apparently on pleasure bent. Met Major Pringle, our Consul General, whom I had last met in Mysore. Spent the evening with the Kochs, dining there at 4 o'clock, and we did not cease talking till 11.30 p.m. Received a letter from my wife teUing me that Mr. Mee the Architect had sent in his bill for Ridgeway amounting to £91, showing already paid £20 on account on the death of poor George Tattersall. November \9ih. Still snowing. I have caught a cold ; could not sleep well, being hot and feverish. Little Oscar von Koch, my youngest nephew, came for me to the Hotel to take me to the Bankers ; accordingly we set out together, the httle feUow leading the way and performing his part of Guide and Inter- preter in a very inteEigent manner. Presented my letter of Credit and then called at the Post Office for letters, but found none. The prospect of taking exercise in Stockholm not very bright ; the walking is terrible — in galoshes amid mud and snow, no pavements or any attempt to clear the streets. The gentry pass and repass in sledges, some with bells which make a cheerful sound. My watch having lost time I was late for their 4 o'clock dinner, and found them all in consternation lest something should have happened to me. Stayed with them tiU past 11, and then the frost having set in, the streets became less disagreeable to walk back in. They lent me two volumes of the "History of Sweden," edited by Mary Howitt. Frances proposes a young lady protegee of hers to teach me Swedish. November 20th. Received an invitation to dine with Sir Edmimd Lyons, our Minister, to-morrow. Walked with Nils von Koch to his office and then to the Tannery along the river, where we met John Koch my brother Edward's partner in the business. Dined with the Kochs. Mr, Okerman came to dinner. 2l5^. Snowing, but mild again. Wrote to Mrs. Grote. Drove in a sledge with my sister Frances to the Haya Palace, the coun- THE LEWIN LETTERS 97 try seat of the King. Afterwards to the Post Office and other parts of the town with my nephew, Tom Koch, searching for a teacher of languages. Dined with Sir Edmund Lyons, and was received with great civility. Foimd that he was an old school- fellow of mine at Winchester. I remembered there were four Lyons brothers there. Lady Lyons an invahd and very deaf, the cUmate does not agree with her. November 2\st. The washerwoman appeared on the scene, and we arranged together by signs. Captain Lyons called leaving Swedish elementary books, and taking me to the Club, where I put down my name for one month. Then to the Kochs, and drove out to Tegel to visit John Koch. Also visited Betsy Pennington, who had come from England as my sister's maid, and whom I had not seen for twenty years. Mrs. John Koch seemed a nice woman, and was of good family. Little Oscar ac- companied us in the sledge. November 22nd, Sunday. The first Sunday in Sweden. There was no Protestant Chaplain nor any service in English. My cold better, so I called on Sir Edmund Lyons : he asked me to come in any evening sans ceremonie, if disengaged. Met Prince Oscar. Paid a visit to Herr Vogt the Norwegian Coun- cillor, and conversed with his daughter, who spoke English, and was a very nice young lady and maid of honour to the Queen. In the evening came Hans Koch and his wife from Gottevick. Old Mrs. Koch, Nils' mother, and her daughter Sophia, also John Koch and his wife, a large family party at my sister's house, where I dined and supped. Sophia Koch a pleasing, fair woman, but had a dent in the tip of her nose. November 23rd. A beautiful, sunshiny morning. Mr. VohUn, the Professor of languages offers to teach me Swedish for one and a. half doUars if I attend at his house three times a week. If he comes to me he would charge two dollars. Dined with the Kochs and then went to the Play to see the Nozze de Figaro, a good performance of a charming, lively Opera. Thaw returned and had to walk in mud as usual. Called on Captain Gestrin, and he introduced me to Count Rosen who is connected with railroads and married to a Greek lady of rank. Walked with Major Pringle, who recounted his Military career in H.M.'s 21st Fusiliers, altogether in twenty-two actions, including New Orleans, had received two bullets through the number 21 on his regimental cap — ^the first bullet in 1807, and the second in the same place in 1815. VOL. n. H 98 THE LEWIN LETTERS November 24d,h. Commenced the study of the Swedish lan- guage with Professor VohUn, and I hope made satisfactory progress. Rain and thaw ; went to the Club and read the "Times," lost my way returning home and paddled drearily through the slush. November 25th. John Koch called. Wrote to my friends at Copenhagen, to Mme Mourier, etc. Prepared my Swedish lesson. Dined at the Kochs, and in the evening went to M. Schroeder's, the American minister, where we met Count Rosen and the French Charg6 d' Affaires — pleasant evening, the only drawback being that my sister was not well enough to come too. Little Oscar also ill of Bronchitis. Hans Koch and his wife appeared — ^he had just been knighted and wore the order on his breast. Mr. Schroeder says the Baltic is not salt, and that "the water is drunk by cattle. It seems the unhealthiness of Stockholm is mainly caused by this want of salt in the air and water. November 26th. Dined at John Koch's — fourteen people pre- sent. After dinner went to Mrs. Pennington's and stayed with her till 7 o'clock, listening to her history, and very intteresting it is. Frances still unwell. 2'Ith. Dined with Mme. Koch mere, and found a large party to meet me. Much eating and drinking with fifty people in the evening. Nothing can exceed the honhommie and friendliness of this people. They are very fond of amusement, and have very httle to do. As for the men, they think three o'clock the proper time to end the labours of the day, and devote the rest of their time till midnight in recreation. Home under an umbrella in rain and mud. November 2Sth. Dined at Nils Koch's after paying a visit to Count Rosen. At dinner I met Count Stackelburg, the brother of Mme. Hans von Koch, a good sample of a Swedish nobleman, fair and stout, wearing his beard in a peak. Had a long talk with my sister Frances about old times and the HoUies, her adventures ending with her marriage to Nils von Koch, also about Betsy Pennington — ^poor woman ! November 29th, Sunday. Frances proposes to write to my wife to come and pay them a visit in Stockholm. I think the answer that she will receive will be one of the curiosities of Literature. Went to Church at the Consul's Major Pringle's and heard the Protestant Church Service ; a few EngUsh people formed the congregation. Mrs. Pringle afterwards related to me THE LEWIN LETTERS 99 the circumstance of an English girl twelve years old who was brought over from England by a Swedish woman named Behr who kept a school, and who so iU-treated her that she fled for refuge to the Consul. Major Pringle has written to her Parents to know what should be done with her. Called on General Bodischo the Russian, and on Captain Gestrin. Met the King in a carriage and four with the Queen and one of the Princes, the latter a dark, swarthy young man, whose face betrayed his French extraction, so different from Count Stackelburg, who is a real Northman. Dined with the Kochs, and afterwards to Sir Edmund Lyons, where I met Baron Varendorf. Discussed Lord Palmerston's speech and the reception of Kossuth. A drunken man annoyed me on my return at night, and I was forced to have recourse to a sentry to protect me from his impor- tunity to shake hands with him, which I did not wish to do. I do not Uke the climate of Stockholm. It is cold and damp, and the constant changes of temperature from hot rooms to the outer air are very trying. Wrote to my dear children at Epsom, and enclosed a letter to send on to my son Frederick at Black- heath. Also a letter to Mr. Abraham Jenkins about the Knights- bridge Property, on which I hold a Mortgage. Dined at the " SeUskapp," where 100 Swedes celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Club, as well as the King's birthday, when much wine was drunk. At the table where I sat a dwarfish gentleman named Herr Rode plied us with Hquor to such an extent that nearly all were drunk. I finished with a Cigar and rose so con- fused by it that I went to bed. The snow falls fast in the street, but no one seems to mind it, and the ladies go about shopping just as if it was fine weather. December 2nd. I am working hard at my Swedish with Mr. Vohlin. Went out and dined at the " SeUskapp," and in the even- ing to the Vogts, with the Kochs. The Swedes are very kind, and there is a feeling of perfect welcome in their houses. At the same time there is an absence of amusement for the ladies, and the men have but little to say to them. December 3rd. A beautiful frosty day with bright sun. Went to the Post Office and found a letter from my Wife to say that the Collector of Taxes had apphed for payment of £13 2s. 9d., and that Messrs. Maddison had received no money for her use as I had directed from Edinburgh. Wrote at once to Messrs. Maddison. There was a Te Deum performed to-day to celebrate the recovery of the Crown Princess from Childbirth. All the 100 THE LEWIN LETTERS company had to descend from their carriages and walk in the cold through the Palace gateway in thin shoes with French caps on their heads. December 4ih. Swedish lesson from Mr. Vohhn, but progress small. Dined and spent the evening mth the Kochs. Countess Rosen came in to see Frances, also Ailing Koch, a fine young man. December 5th. Fine clear day. Called for Mile Sophie Koch, but she was out walking ; went to Mrs. Pennington's and bought her a pair of gloves. Took a detour home and dined at the "SeUskap." Revolved in my mind last night and this morning the practicabiUty of returning home via Hull and Gottenburg. It seems from my Wife's letter dated November 13th that she has no money to pay the Taxes, and that the Banker at Southampton has not received any remittances from me. I have not seen my Children for some months, and my wife is to be confined in March. The longer I stay now, the greater will be the difficulty of getting away, for January and February are the coldest months in Sweden. If I go by the Diligence it is five days' tolerably secure travelling with glasses to the Coach. I can get to Helsenborg and Elsinore in Denmark, and then by Copenhagen to Hamburgh. There is every reason for departure, and none for sta5dng in Stockholm, and opinion will be much against me in England if I do not return. My duty lies at my post at Ridgeway undoubtedly, and all my friends will say so. I have therefore almost made up my mind to leave here next week. Alas ! whither are fled my joyous sensations and anticipations of happiness on arriving here on the 17th. In the evening my sister gave a Soiree dansante which was attended by a very numerous company, comprising most of the best people in Stockholm. Ministers of State, Councillors, Counts and Countesses, Ambassadors and men distinguished by the King with Stars and orders, with their wives and daughters. Since my dear Mother's and Father's deaths none of our Family have been in a position to assemble round them in a house so brilliant an assemblage of friends and acquaintances. Of the dancing it is impossible to speak too highly. Such spirit, such pleasure, so much strength and agility, and above all grace. I never witnessed more determined dancing. The Waltz, the Polkas, QuadriUes and figure-dances to such quick and stimulating music, that to take part in it, particularly towards the end, must have required aU the energies of the Ladies. We retired about THE LEWIN LETTERS loi one o'clock, having commenced at eight. Everything was in order, and the standing supper excellent. The EngUsh Minister, Sir Edmund Lyons, remarked to me how well everything was done. My sister conducted herself with the greatest propriety, and all must have observed her anxious desire that her guests should be pleased. The Koch family, to which she now belongs were, of course, in considerable force. In returning to my Hotel in my bottes fourrees I tumbled down twice in the mud : this making three falls in one day, accomphshed without any injury to my person. December 6th. I discharged my tutor in Swedish, Mr. Vohhn on the grounds of my probable departure for England early next week ; having had six lessons, which cost me four dollars each for a lesson of two hours (Rix dollars). Went to the Kochs and helped my sister to do up and return all the Silver which had been borrowed for the Party. Met M. Schroeder and Sir Edmund Lyons with a basket full of silver spoons in my hand. Took the first batch to Count Rudeshell's and another to Baron Wrede's, both of whom came out and detected me, as it is thought very infra dig. to carry any parcel or package in the street. Dined at the " Sellskapp " and home late at night. December 7th, Sunday. Went to the Consul's for Church service. Mrs. Pringle not well enough to attend. Sir Edmund Lyons and I walked home together. Walked with NUs Koch in the afternoon and called on Baron Warendorf, and met Mr. Baker, brother of Countess Pipo. Spent the evening with my sister and propounded the subject of my departure for England under the pressure of domestic duties. Not well in evening, bad cough and could not sleep. December 8th. Frances called for me and we visited the Vogts, the Bremers, and Baroness Wrede. I went by myself to the house of Countess Byornsterna, who, however, was not at home. Dined at the Kochs' and afterwards went to the Diligence Office with Nils and took my place for Wednesday, the 17th, for Gottenburgh, where I found I should have to wait a week for the Enghsh Steamboat. Wrote to my wife and to brother Tom in regard to my change of plans. Went to Regenoka Gatan to call on Mr. Berg, met John Koch and dined with him and his wife. On my return called in on Mrs. Pennington. Weather mild, mud disgusting. December 9th. Wrote to my brother Edward on the subject of Mrs. Pennington and her son, as to the advisability of removing 102 THE LEWIN LETTERS them to England as contrasted with their present dreary life in Stockholm. Went to my sister's mother-in-law Mme. Koch. Frances met me there and we afterwards walked with Major Pringle, who gave a very discouraging account of Stockholm and the Swedes, giving some striking instances of their bad temper, after his six years' residence among them. No further intelUgence from Paris. I feel much the remoteness of this country from the rest of Europe. Dined with my sister and in the evening drank tea with Sophie Koch, Mile Vogt, and the John Kochs. December \f)th. A rainy, gloomy day. My sister came to see me, notwithstanding the weather, under her umbrella, and we had an animated conversation as to Sweden in general, and her marriage in particular, brother Edward's career in Sweden and the causes of his failure. Drank tea at Major Pringle's. We discussed the laws of England, Scotland and Sweden in reference to the status of illegitimate children and the power that a man has in the two latter countries of declaring a woman to be his wife, and thereby legitimising the offspring. December llth. A fine day at last. My sister called for me in her carriage, and we drove to Bamanzen, where my brother Edward had been director of the State schools for some time. Nothing could be more lamentable than the waste of time, money and application to this institution by my brother. Walked to the Pringles. Mrs. Pringle a most charming woman much to be pitied for her bad health. Dined with Sir Edmund Lyons and saw the newspapers up to the 4th containing the proclama- tion of Louis Napoleon. Interesting conversation with Sir Edmund on European politics, excellent dinner and unsurpassable champagne. No ladies present — six gentlemen sat down to dine. December I3th. Sir Edmund Lyons told me he had been with Louis Napoleon at Cherbourg and formed a high opinion of him — ^impassibility of demeanour and fluency of speech. Also the following curious anecdote of Bavaria. Count Armens- purg found a wine merchant after a battle in 1813 in great con- sternation lest the French should pillage his cellars in which were stored milUons of bottles of Champagne. The Count advised him to allot 50,000 bottles for the troops, and to brick up the rest of his cellars, keeping the workmen he employed on the job locked up while the troops were in the town. For less than 50,000 bottles the Count told him he could not guar- THE LEWIN LETTERS 103 antee his safety. Accordingly on entering the town the soldiers made for his cellars and caroused to their heart's content, pro- tecting him and his family from all molestation. The wine merchant in gratitude gave the Count permission to send for champagne ever after whenever he required it. December lUh. Dined at the American minister's, Mr. Schroeder. Music in the evening. December I5th, Sunday. Went to service at the Consul's. A fine day. Dined at the Club and passed the day very pleasantly. December l^th. My two nephews Fabian and Rickert von Koch called for me, and on my way to my sister's met Nils Koch, who took me to the breaking up of the schools where his boys are studying. Thence to Mme. Koch's where I took leave of the old lady and of Mile Sophie. Dined with Sir Edmimd Lyons ; his Lady very gracious, and entrusted me with a parcel for England. \1th. Carl Koch came to see me, bringing Herr Lindblad the composer. Betsy Pennington sent me a letter to dehver to her brother at HuU. My last day in Stockholm. Just one month has elapsed since my arrival here. Went in my sister's carriage with her and Nils to dine at Major Pringle's. I was lucky enough to obtain for 25 Rix dollars a very pleasing portrait of my Brother Edward. The Kochs set me down at my Hotel, where I found Betsy Pennington and her son Hans, who had come to help me pack my portmanteau. I retired to rest some- what sadly, for although I could not stay in Stockholm I did not hke to leave it. December \Sth. In the morning came my three nephews foUowed by their parents to see me off, although it was hardly daylight. Tears came into my eyes, and although I wished to be cahn, my nerves gave way altogether, and I quitted the Hotel with my Sister in her carriage to the Diligence Office in a paroxysm of feeling, the others followed; I was presented to Colonel Count Kreanelm, who was to travel with me, and took leave of my sister in the yard, in an agony of grief. The Diligence started with me and the immense Colonel wrapped in his fur pehsse. We travelled for three days, sleeping in the same room, and on the third day at about 6 o'clock after leaving SoUebrun the Dihgence overturned. The Colonel at that time had removed to the hinder compartment, and a young Mihtary Cadet named Tjukrenler had taken his place. As soon as the Dihgence fell, 104 THE LEWIN LETTERS the Cadet began to cry and tried to get out of the Window. We at length contrived to open it and so made our escape. The Vehicle had tipped over the bank of a Causeway and fallen on its side in mud and water. When I got upon the Causeway I found all the rest of the passengers floundering below in the mud, while the greatest confusion prevailed. The Colonel was extricated with great difficulty, but no one was hurt though all were wet. We procured country carts and retraced our way to SoUebrun, but the Colonel proceeded by himself in a cart to his own house, which, fortunately for him, was only some three miles distant. As the Inn was iU provided in the matter of beds I had the Cadet to sleep with me, never having slept with any one but my wife for 20 years. The next day three of the party set ofiE in a Country waggon driven by a peasant, not caring to wait till the Diligence could be got out of the mud and repaired. It appeared that only the pole had been broken by the fall, and a rude substitute being made, we were able to set forth again on the fifth day, Sunday, December 23rd, and made some progress till dark, when the driver was advised to halt as the road became hilly, and we rested accordingly at a wayside inn where I enjoyed a good sleep. On December 24th, six days after starting from Stockholm, at 7.30 p.m. we arrived at Gottenburgh. The country during our journey presented fewer attractions than any I ever traversed. Dreary, wild and monotonous, the villages few and far between, the population scanty, the fences bad and the cultivation worse. Pine and birch generally, but some few forest trees as we approached nearer the coast on the higher ranges of hills. Considering that this is the principal road from the Capital to the chief port of embarkation for England, nothing could be more dis- graceful than the Diligence. The horses, the harness, the pace at which we travelled, the time lost on the way, all bespoke our remoteness from civiUzation The accident itself arose from careless driving without lamps, and if we had been going fast instead of at a walk, the consequences might have been very serious. On entering Gottenburgh at night I was surprized to find the streets hghted by gas, there being nothing of the sort at Stockholm. Went to bed at 12 o'clock, heartily glad to have got over this difficult and tedious journey. December 25th, 1851. Gottenburg. Alas ! No merry Christ- mas. Got up refreshed and carried my letters to the Consul Ankerstr&m, from Sir Edmond Lyons. Was informed that the THE LEWIN LETTERS 105 Hull Steamer was expected to-day. The weather being mild, another trip had been decided upon. CaUed on Mr. John Bar- clay, who confirmed this report and asked me to dine. Called also on Mr. Virgalosa, a Swedish merchant of great repute, who had known my sister Frances before her marriage on her first arrival with my brother Tom when they came to see Edward, who was estabUshed in Stockholm. Wrote an account of my journey to my sister. December 26th. A beautiful day, clear and frosty with a bright sun. Mr. Ankerstr8m the Consul called and gave me a bad account of my prospects of getting to England. Went to Mr. Barclay's and got some newspapers. Walked to the Quay and found the Hull Steamer is overdue, but might be expected in the course of the evening, three days and a half being allowed for the voyage from Hull. Received from Stock- holm letters from my brother Tom in England, and Sir Heiu-y Montgomery in India, my sister Frances sending them. My brother adverts to the provoking circumstance of my wife being left without money, although I had directed my bankers to send £100 on November 1st when I was in Edinburgh. Letters from home never convey to me anything but subjects of dis- quietude. Also received a bill of £10, being the Fees for ad- ministering the oaths at Winchester to me, on my qualifying as Justice of the Peace. Dined with Mr. John Barclay, and on being introduced to his wife, what was my surprize to hear her address me as Mr. Frederick, and claim my acquaintance at my Father's house the HoUies in 1832. She being now a mother of six children, and I the father of the same number. I remem- bered then that I had then taken her as Miss Llamberg to the Rev. Mr. Frith's Archery meeting, and that we had danced together in the evening. She was then a very nice girl and engaged to Mr. Barclay, who lived in Scotland near Glasgow. This made my evening very pleasant. We had a Fir tree with lights and decorations, presents being distributed to many chil- dren, and masks came from the neighbours also with presents. In front of the illuminated tree was a large table like a stall at a fair covered with all sorts of things — sweetmeats, cakes. Toy houses of Bethlehem, with the Virgin and child. It seems the Christmas Tree is an old Pagan institution in Sweden, long anterior to Christianity. The old-time Swedes used to dance round the Fir tree, and on its branches were hung votive offerings to the Scandinavian gods and goddesses, to propitiate them previous io6 THE LEWIN LETTERS to their piratical expeditions and voyages, and to procure peace for their own homes and plentiful harvests. I was forcibly reminded of the Hindus with their Pagodas and Swami Temples decorated with lamps. The presents created great sensation, and were not confined to the children, for Mrs. Barclay herself received some handsome offerings, and even I, the stranger, was not forgotten. They sent me home in their Droska, the air was cold and frosty, and to tell the truth I should much have preferred walking home to my hotel. Did not get to bed till 12 o'clock. Eating and drinking play a great part in all Swedish entertainments. 25th, Christmas Day. I appear to have been wrong in my dates. Young Barclay called for me and took me to Morning Service at a Chapel where a clergyman from Liverpool officiated. Went to the Quay to get tidings of the Steamer, but in vain, Mr. Vicy, the principal Swedish merchant, came to call upon me. He is a member of the Diet at Stockholm, and had just returned from there — a fine old man and a Conservative, though not averse to progress. I am to dine with him to-morrow. Dined at Mr. Hammerburg's ; a large party ; twenty-five people sat down to dirmer at 3 o'clock, and did not relinquish the feast tiU 10 at night. Much interesting conversation with a Swedish gentle- man after dinner about the ancient manners, customs and traditions of the Swedes, also as to the tumuh or mounds of burial, and the stones with Runic inscriptions. 26th. Hard frost. Clear, fine weather. Wrote to my brother Tom. Walked with Mr. Hammerburg and his wife and a Miss CampbeU. CaUed on the Seatons. The promenade very pleasing with avenue of trees and everybody in Gotten- burgh out. Dined at Mr. Vicy's, who had a large party — twenty people and a bowl of Bishop. In the evening more people came, and we danced to the music of a Pianoforte played by Miss Ankerstrom. Played at whist and won. Consul Ankerstrom gave me an interesting account of the mining industry in Lapland, of which he is the Agent. December 21th. Walked to the Quay but could hear no news of the Steamer. Walked on the Promenade — a fine air, men skating on the ice. Passport vise for Helsingborg to England. I shall set off on Monday, Steamer or no. Spent the evening with Mrs. Hammerburg and Miss Campbell, and heard curious anecdotes of the EngUsh merchants and their famiUes who had settled here. Drank tea with Mrs. Barclay, and had a long THE LEWIN LETTERS 107 talk with Mr. Barclay about the Cholera and Indian administra- tion. December 2%th. A little snow during the night. Went to Church and sat in Mrs. Hammerburg's pew. Called on Mrs. Bar- clay, senior, an old Scottish lady of seventy-five from Glasgow. She informed me that Swedish babies are not allowed to go out into the open air from October to May. Heard from Mr. Barclay that the Hull Steamer was expected on the morrow. This after I had quite made up my mind to go by the diUgence to Helsing- borg, being tired of the uncertainty and suspense. I much prefer the cHmate here to that of Stockholm. Dined with Mr. and Mrs. Seaton, who both pressed me to eat and drink so much that I was quite embarassed. After dinner Cognac Brandy was produced, and we all had to drink Brandy punch as if we had taken nothing before ! December 2%th. Met Mr. Angerstrom the Consul and walked with him. No Steamer ! December 30iA. Young Mr. Barclay came early and announced the arrival of the Steamer " Courier." Went to the Quay and interviewed the Captain of the Steamer and secured a berth. The boat had been detained on her voyage by the fog. Went to Mr. John Barclay's and heard there of Lord Palmerston's retirement from Office. Personally I am sorry, but for the sake of England and her foreign poUcy I am glad of it. Wrote to Sophie Koch. Fine, mild weather. Went to dine at Mr. John Barclay's. Dancing commenced about 9 o'clock and continued tiU midnight. The rooms insufferably hot — ^pocket handker- chiefs in the hands of the Cavahers and beads of perspiration on the foreheads of the ladies ! I effected my escape at once, and descended to the cloak-room for my Great coat and galoshes, but the door was locked and the cold outside was piercing. How can health and longevity be preserved under such circumstances ? December Zlst. Went to the Steamer and changed my berth by the advice of the Steward more amidships and the sleeping place fore and aft. Went to Mr. Barclay's and despatched letters to Sir Edmund Lyons. January 1st, 1852. A fine, clear, frosty morning ushers in the New Year ! Oh ! may it be to me a happier one and with less anxiety than the last ! I have written out a statement for Lord and Lady Zetland of my circumstances to try and get me some appointment. Went to Mr. Barclay's, and got change for two sovereigns, being thirty-four Rix Dollars Banco. Purchased a io8 THE LEWIN LETTERS ticket for the Assembly Ball at the Bourse. Went to the Steam- boat and found many Swedish people on board. Dined at Mr. Seaton's and afterwards accompanied them to the Ball at the Bourse — a splendid suite of rooms and good floor for dancing. Retired at twelve. January 2nd. Went to Mr. Vijk's and took leave, then to Mr. Barclay's and took leave of Mrs. B. Went to the Steamer, found she would leave to-morrow morning, and that I must sleep on board. Interesting interview with Mrs. Seaton and cordial farewell. Consul Angerstrom came to take leave of me. January 3rd, 1852. We left Gottenburgh. I was extremely sick and kept my bed. On Sunday, January 4th, it began to blow and continued as a furious tempest for the next four days. Unhke the Atlantic when the uplifting Surges are vast and regular, the North Sea in a storm seems to be a veritable Hell of Waters. Dashing, whirhng, lashing and attacking the Ship on all sides. The shocks the Steamer received and the waves breaking over her, tired my nerves and fortitude to the utmost. The Captain said that our stock of coal was becoming exhausted. This fresh calamity was totally unexpected. The forlorness of our situation on the Dogger Bank in the midst of the North Sea preyed upon my mind, and I scarcely knew how to sustain myself. We struggled on all Wednesday, and on Thursday at 12 o'clock got a sight of the sun and discovered that we were only forty miles from HuU, and so were blessed with the hope of soon reaching a place of safety. At about 8 o'clock that night the Spurn Light was sighted, and by 10 p.m. we were safe in the river. From Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Mme. Frances von Koch. Paris, December lUh, 1851. My deae Peances, — Frathrack bombards me with missives, cocked up in Lat. 63°, bawling for replies and advice and gossip " vich I 'ave not to give," for my whole soul and capacities have been occupied by the duties and emotions arising out of this political hurricane for which I have been let in without the least expecting it. What with corresponding with friends in England, feeding them with facts which could be got through the press, seeing that the newspapers are extinguished here, and acting the part of soeur-de-chariti to all those natives whom I love and esteem, and who groan in the spirit ; naturally I have THE LEWIN LETTERS 109 been kept at it to a degree which, considering my limited powers, is marvellous to think on. After all my stirring existence and the exciting events in which I have borne a part, to be now in at the death of the Republic, is a striking finish you must allow. I have been here ever since the beginning of November, and consequently had a front place before the curtain drew up for the terrible piece lately enacted. George Grote was printing his ninth volume quietly in Savile Row when he was startled by the distant rumblings of the storm here, and has been almost incapacitated from work. He says that nothing would induce him to come over. He is as deeply grieved as if he were a French- man, and (you know his sombre temperament) he thinks he shall go to his grave, with the conviction that French constitutional liberty is extinct for this century at any rate. I presume that you see the " Spectator " and, of course, recognize your acquain- tance therein. You mght have seen a letter in the " Times " of December 6th, and have recognized the pen of a relative of yours. I shall stay here a week longer, the more so as Nassau W. Senior is coming over to play with me as aforetime. He comes next Monday for ten days, boarding chez moi, but not sleeping, as my lodging is too small this time. I am agreeably lodged, however, au 'premier in the Champs Elysees, south aspect, with my old servant Pierre, a cook, and my own maid. Old " Lionne " is more venomous than ever. Dined here with me yesterday, to meet Franchomme the celebrated violoncello player and a dear friend of Chopin's, whom I knew so weU : we used to meet at Guizot's. I gave Wislez, Frederick's first letter to read. The denigrement is worse than ever. She is the only person I see who does not deplore this . Coup d^etat. Having lost her place by the turn up in 1848, she is not displeased to see the RepubHc " capotted " in its turn. This state of feeling is in nowise singular in vulgar minds, however, and our friend, though highly gifted in certain respects, is in politics vulgar-minded to a degree. The women here behave in general heroically. I have been quite moved to admiration by some scenes I have witnessed. The whole affair, however, is calcu- lated to make one assume " the English face " you wot of. Paris society is overcast and anxious, as you may well imagine. I have a good Pianoforte from Erard, and play on it almost every day — my chief solace. I have a young German 'Cello player, one Hildebrand, a charming artist whom I pay to accompany 1 10 THE LEWIN LETTERS me. I have also Miss Blackett of Northumberland, who lodges hard by, and runs in and out at her pleasure. Plenty of cava- liers, some of them Englishmen. I have been two or three times to our ambassador's, dined there, a small party two days ago. I hear exquisite music not infrequently at private houses — Beethoven Quartetts with first-class players in the lofty atelier of M. Ary SchefiEer, the most distinguished of modem painters, his pictures hanging round on wall or easel. I have only been once to the Theatre with the Fauchers before the late affair. I expected that Frederick would find the cUmate of Stock- holm a drawback to the enjoyment he would otherwise have had from his visit to you and the excellent Nils. My own impression is that he had better go back to his family, all things considered. I back Frederick whenever I think him entitled to support, and have done so against her more than once, but as matters stand — ^his wife looking to her confinement at no great distance of time votis comprenez ? as old Tate used to say. I rejoice to learn that Nils and you are well and thriving, though not quite devoid of anxiety on account of the boy's health : so it is ever with adolescents. I regret to hear that our poor Jenny is now spoken of in her native land with such diminished interest. With aU her shortcomings, I am disposed to think it is more through selfish reasons, than through her own fault, that she is no longer the object of Swedish homage and admiration ! As for the Enghsh, they have been abandoned by her, and have therefore nothing to say except that they regret her loss. She never writes to any of us now. I had one letter in July last after six months' silence. I saw Benedict in August, and he gave me all particulars of the year's travels and triumphs. I suppose the hussy intends coming over to England in the spring ; but I am growing comparatively indifferent to her proceedings, as it is natural one should, being so entirely thrown out of aU participation in her joys and sorrows, her hopes and intentions. All sentiment is starved out as it were. You will have a very severe winter at Stockholm, I expect. Let lis look forward to meeting somewhere in North Germany in May — in some spot where Nature is beautiful. It is a want with me now, and the more so since my home is in a densely peopled city, where all feeling for the picturesque is stifled, and any taste for the romantic drowned, in vanities and material enjoyments. THE LEWIN LETTERS in Good-bye, dearest Babbee. Continue to love and flatter me, and believe in the constant affection of Your attached Sister, Habbiet. From Mrs. Harriet Orote to her sister, Mme. Frances von Koch. Vbrsaillbs, May 9th, 1852. My dear Sistee, — Your letter, containing also letters from Frederick and Tombo, duly reached me, after travelling across the Straits of Dover. I should advise you not to make me the post office in future, for it is uncertain where I may happen to be when the pacquet arrives, so that delay for the enclosures may ensue, not to mention that the accumulated postage falls heavy. This pacquet stands me in five mortal shillings. I came over a week ago in search of health, as well as to escape the racket of the London season, for which a disastrous period of ten weeks' bitter and unwholesome weather (fogs and east winds sans reldche) had wholly unfitted me. I had brought over to London in January a bit strength from Paris sejour, which enabled me to go autre five weeks without headaches. After this they resumed their fatal march, and the last week of April was marked by no less than three furious acces. Finding my life spoilt for all profitable uses, existing but to tremble as it were, and undermined by opiates which exaggerated my tendency to dolors, I resolved to take the key of the fields as the French say prendre la clef des champs, whilst I had any go left, and to nurture the embers of my beautiful gifts in a climate beneficial to nervous beings, and in comparative seclusion from the great world for a space. Behold me, then, in perspective (for I do not enter into possession before the 12th) settled in a maisonette at a charming village called ViUe d'Avray, between Paris and Versailles, seated on a steep slope commanding a rural wooded prospect with dining-room, salon, boudoir and upstairs, four lits de maitre, four servants' rooms, bath-room, etc. — behind, a garden and orchard rising toward the park wall of St. Cloud. Pierre, my old attache of 1849, and his wife serve me as before (when Jenny Lind was my guest), and a Hottentot of a woman acts as my maid, whom I took on the job (Enghsh), because having been nine years in the Lafayette family she speaks French. I have hired this place for five months, hoping to induce George to honour me with a visit. I believe I shall go back to London in Jufie, for two or three weeks, to settle current business. His- 112 THE LEWIN LETTERS tory Hut is not yet paid for entirely : architect will not come to a settlement ! I heard from Jenny the other day from America dated April 20th, in which she announces that she will be in London early in June. I dare say G. G. will strive to boom me off till this hussy is fortgegangen, for he dreads my relapsing into those fatal toils. I understand the gentleman has turned Christian to oblige Jenny, and means to pursue his career as a Pianoforte player, which doubtless will not be difficult, since all the world will flock to see, if not to hear, the clever fellow who has managed to put salt on the tail of that bird ! I am prepared to find Otto Goldschmidt a good sort of feUow, having seen Benedict three weeks ago, who gave me full details He is only twenty-four, and I am told looks youthful even for that age, small of stature, with dark hair and a good face. I was vexed at so much of your letter consisting of long explanations about Betsy Cooper, as I was thoroughly penetrated with the facts and fuUy conscious of the folly of Frederick's meddling in the matter. His extreme kind- ness of heart impels him to rub-a-dub up and down the family in behaK of his successive proteges, but it is a serious inconvenience to us to have so active a Touter. Betsy has held excellent cards ever since the day I fished her up from her native obscurity ; few women have had such a succession of good chances. If she has not now a better position we cannot help it ! As the journey of life rolls on new claimants naturally arise, and the ancient clients naturally fall into the background. Every one must shift for himseK, and a few good turns is the most one can lend to the same individual in twenty years. Eh ? I learned with unfeigned sympathy and regret that your young family had caused you so much anxiety, and that your mode of life was Hkely to be modified accordingly. In the pursuit of a cUmate beneficial in chest disease you will probably consult physicians who have studied the matter. For my own part, I should pronounce in favoiu" of the east coast of Kent, where I sent my poor ricketty children in 1847-8, with signal success. Sandgate by Folke- stone is highly recommended by many doctors as combining seaside effects with shelter and sunshine. Cornwall is soft and genial, but relaxing and damp. The Isle of Wight is much resorted to for pulmonary complaints, but it is windy and you are confined to a strip of shore under the cUffs which is tiresome in the long run. Dartmouth, where Miss Stone lives, is delightful but very inaccessible, and the ground is tiring for walkers. For THE LEWIN LETTERS iij evenness of climate combined with economy, Nantes is much to be recommended. Octavie Say (now Duval) was there for three or four years when her husband was Procureur de Roi, and told me they hardly needed a fire all the winter. Your dear Mathilde's afflicting history gave me real pain. " My good grasus, Mrs. Lewn ! " how we women do suffer, when the lot of marriage happiness to turn out amiss ! I have not been able to write to her yet, but will try to do so shortly. Meanwhile pray assure her that she may depend upon being profoundly compassionated by one honest woman's heart, and that I beseech her to nurture her bodily health and to summon her excellent understanding to the support of her sorrows, so that her admiring friends may long possess so interesting a model of noble humanity. Tell her I shall always bear her the siacerest friendship, but that she will disappoint me if she succumbs to trials which a high- minded spirit ought to surmount. How infinitely she is to be congratulated that she could get divorced — ^no such chance for an ill-used Englishwoman. She Uttle knows how much woe and sadness lies beneath other women's life-crust. My experi- ence teaches me that we women have, with few exceptions, a heavy fardel to bear through life. George Lewiu is in a sort of somnolent condition, somewhat like what Mother was in later years ; and he is substantially " non compos mentis," but he may live long, notwithstandiag, if the body is otherwise healthy. Edward's wife is again pregnant. Jane's eldest boy started for Bengal in March. M. A. Allen's case has occasioned me a great deal of chagrin and trouble to boot. It is too bad to have played over again the tune which was rehearsed thirty years ago with her unhappy mother. Like her, the present sinner is also impenitent. Adieu, dear Babbee. Love to Nila and your dear boys, whom Heaven preserve to you. Ever your affectionate H. G. From Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. Addressed to Aix la Chapelle. July Uh, 1852. Dearest Babbo, — ^I received yours safely. Returned on June 25th from our wanderings in tip-top condition, though somewhat less in weight each of us. " Nebber mind dat." VOL. II. I 114 THE LEWIN LETTERS Shall be charmed to see you again on 13th or 14th, but what is meant by " we " ? Is the good Nils coming to steer you ? All the better if so. I am not resident in London, thank God ! but living at my Hut, where I hope to have long confabs with you, my dear old sister. Yes, I fear we are all " damn ole " now. My first of July gone over again. Sixty-four begad ! 'Tis dread- ful work, Ma'am, these " borthdays." I came to town to-day to be ready for to-morrow ; grand " tomasha " at Edward's — boy's christening ; to be called Wilfrid — a two hours' drag thither, and Isabella Marsh going with me as aide-de-camp. When I hear of your arrival I will rush up to give you welcome. G. G. sends kind love. He is quite well, though he was amiss a few days ago with a cough, and black dose in consequence. Change of diet I expect after the light continental feeding. No more time to-day. I am up to my eyes in various sorts of work. Tom came to the surface with yarns over poor Tombo. Ever thine, H. G. Mrs. H. Grote to Mme. von Koch. ViLLB d'AvKAY, PRBS Veesaillbs, AuQust 10, 1852. My DBAR Babbbb, — Yours of the 3rd came to hand on Sunday from England. As ill luck would have it I was down with head- wrack, and could not read it tiU morning. I write now^ to teU you that I am here and have got the Historian with me, and that I propose remaining here six weeks longer (D.V.). I cannot describe my mortification at falling ill and losing my charter as it were. I spent six weeks in France, May Ist-June 12th, sans migraine, then a month in England, June 12-July 11th; there it had me from heat and fatigue, since my return here July 13th no headache — seven weeks in all ! since I had one, but of course I have kept quiet, Hving a calm, pensive existence. Well Sir ! Charles Grote and wife, niece and nephew came to Paris, and down they are on us, of course. A " day " together must be settled. Up goes I ; a hard day : Opera Comique at night, intending to return by rail at 10.30, misled by false information — ^no train ! A fiacre the consequence, I bawling to be allowed to sleep in Paris — Potter inexorable. Two hours and a quarter bumbling and jolting, cobble-stones all the way, arrived 12.15. Dead ! After such an imprudence the awful retribution was duly exacted, and I am only just weathering the storm after forty-eight hours' pain and morphia. Prior to this I THE LEWIN LETTERS 115 had really gained some ground as above narrated, and hoped to be able to boom off still longer the scourge of my life. This unlucky bumble, however, was the ruiti of my house of cards. Now for yourself and floating projects. As I exhausted the topic of English and French locahties in my ever-to-be- remembered epistle of May, I advert no more to that. Let me speak, then, of the possibilities of our meeting on this side of the Strait. I do not see any chance of my giving you ren- dezvous at a place on the coast during the period I have set out as my probable residence here. Having taken a great deal of trouble to rig out a menage, got Enghsh Coachman, carriage and horses over, got three French servants in tow and bought lots of things for domestic use, G. G. just come over to spend four weeks probably, with me in seclusion. All this, added to my fixed resolve to give the head a fair summer's rest, you see, forbids the notion of my setting forth to meet you in Picardy or else- where. It would be an idle scheme to abandon all that I have built up here at considerable expense on the plea of " Mrs. Lewn, I want rest," in order to go junketing away from it. I gave up the Limousin journey reluctantly, from a conviction that the two days' railway clatter and then posting sixty miles would knock me up and make me ill. Otherwise Lavergne is among my pet Frenchmen. I can thus make no decisive plan by which we could meet except as I return to England, when, if you should be still on the French Coast, we could foregather without much diflSculty. Meanwhile, if you could let go the painter and run down to Paris to pay me a visit, I can manage to lodge you tolerably weU, but I have not sufficient accommodation for two, whilst Potter is here at any rate. I conclude you could not come so far with your four boys, else you could find a good pen- sion in Versailles for a season, and see me here at any time you liked. Boys jabbing French daily, swimming, woods and exciursions around, and hving moderate. Rail to Paris at all hours. If, as yoii seem to think, a winter spent out of Lat. 60° is likely to prove a dream, there is all the more need for us to meet this summer, " my niten Bab." 'Tis a woundy long time since 1849 methinks, and though your letters are the best stop-stomachs possible and allay the cravings better than letters generally do, still the smaller feelings and confidences accumulate until the pressure causes uneasiness. I for my part shall be charmed to see you once more (God knows if it will be more than once), but when I reflect on your clutter of boys and your ii6 THE LEWJN LETTERS unwillingness to part companj^, I see no great chance of a hug for us. E Nils comes to Paris, t reckon on him naturally coming down, and he can have the crib if solus. I suppose you could not both come. Well good night, dearest Frances. Jenny and her Otto (of Roses) are floushing at Schevening near the Hague. Love to your good Nils and to the boys concludes Your ever affectionate Sister, H. G. PS. — G. G. is enchanted with the beauty of this secluded spot, and the variety and interest of its environs. The woodland rides are very numerous, and the views commanding. Shady alleys with sandy tracks and horsepaths among vineyards and orchards. He is in perfect health, writing history daily, and enjoying the beautiful weather. I address this as you direct to Hotel de Flandres, Dunkerque, Dept., du Nord. From Mrs. H. Grote to Mme. von Koch, at Dunkirk. ViLLE b'Avray, August 18th, 1852. Dear Babbo, — ^I took the Uberty of reading the enclosed in case anything should be in it concerning myself. As Nils said on Monday he should certainly start for Dunkirk to-day, I return the enclosed with one of Frederick's scrawls, which please burn. We had as much " Thermometre " with Nils as the space allowed, and very pleased I was to have so nice a cau- serie with that capital fellow. He looks in robust health, and very httle older for the three years since we met — a sound, right-minded, healthy-toned character, with a singular equity of mind, a quaUty I prize highly. I leave it to you to propose a halfway house meeting, perhaps when G. G. leaves me, which will be at the end of August or beginning of September ; he could accompany me as far as Amiens, or even to Arras, if you would come thither, in order that we may spend a long day together. It is a great effort to me to propose even this project, but I long to see you so much. Nils will tell you I am less afflicted now with headaches since my sejour here ; but it being evident that quiet is the chief cause of the amelioration, I shrink from racket as my bane. God bless you ! No more to-day. My love to sister Diana. H. G. THE LEWIN LETTERS 117 From Mrs. H. Grote to Mme. F. von Koch. ViLLB d'Aveay, September 1th, 1852. Dear Babbo-beb, — ^Your letter puffing out the last flicker of a hope of our meeting reached me on Sunday last. I have been again very bad, and the effects of the Morphine left a dis- ordered condition of the stomach which jibbed at food, and altogether I have been " off the hinges " for a week or so. Of course since G. G. came to V. d'AAT^ay I have been anxious to make his stay enjoyable, and to row my boat up to his as far as my miserable strength would permit, so that I never refused to ride, drive or f,dner if I thought it would conduce to making his stay more pleasant, but the inexorable creditor never suffered me to run up a score. Down he came upon me, if not on the day, then the morrow. It now appears proved that I can only evade a life of suffering by utter seclusion, and watching the ebb and flow of strength, giving up all effort on the least sign of nervous incapacity. I had passed over a period of seven weeks sans headache, until the appearance of Jenny on the horizon, which entailed an hour of noisy bumbling over pave to see her. The hussy since writes me from Berne, where she is vagabonding with her Otto, that they do not mean to go to Italy this autumn. We had a charming excursion to Port Royal last week which I enjoyed much. I send you a " Spectator," in which you will read an account of it. I regret deeply not seeing you, my dear Babbee. It is a sin that we should pass our hves thus sundered, but the relentless force des choses, it seems, condemns us to separate hnes of journey through this vale of tears. I hope, as you say, that by the time I have not a tooth left we may meet and splutter out our mutual feehngs once more before we die, but at my age it is always a perilous expectation. I am inchned to think that Tombo was nearer the mark when he gave me rendezvous in the world to come. If Diana is coming to Paris, let me know when, and I will struggle up to see her. Frederick writes me of this possible slant of his wife's. God bless you all, my dear Frances. Wherever you go or whatever may befall you, rely on the steady attachment of H. G. Mrs. H. Gkote's Reminiscences of Early Life. February, 1853. For many years past it has been my wish and intention to put to paper some account of my Ufe, and the circumstances ii8 THE LEWIN LETTERS under which I was educated. Since all biography must com- mence with the date of birth, I will state first that I, Harriet Lewin, was born in the morning of the 1st day of July, 1792, at a house named " The Ridgeway," the property and residence of my parents, Thomas and Mary Lewin, who had purchased it in 1791, and I was baptized soon after by the Rev. James Scott, minister of the Chapel of Ease to the Church of St. Mary's, Southampton, called Pear Tree Chapel, on Pear Tree Green, by the single Christian name of Harriet, which was given me after two ladies who stood as sponsors, viz. : Mrs. Aldersey, of Stoke Park, Guildford, and Miss Wynne, since Countess of Egmont. Mr. Aldersey was my Godfather. My father, Mr. Thomas Lewin, was then residing there, as a simple country gentleman, enjoying the fruits of many years of service in the East India Company's civil employ at Madras. He had not, however, realized any considerable fortune iii the service, nor had he at that time retired, for he returned to India not long subsequent to my birth. He was not absent more than two years, as my sister Charlotte was born in September, 1796. I beUeve my Father's retirement at that date was mainly referable to the action of the Court of Directors, by which he considered himself to have been unjustly treated. He had been appointed Secretary to Government at Madras by the Governor of that Presidency, but had been superseded in the post by Mr. John SuUivan, who was sent out by the Court of Directors from England. This wounded Mr. Lewin's feelings profoundly, and he resigned the service in a fit of irritated pride. Mr. SuUivan was a relative of Lord Buckingham, whose interest in England was all powerful, and his relative was accordingly placed over the heads of the Company's older servants, without any con- sideration of their claims or services. Of my infancy I can recollect nothing. I have been told that at about two years old I had the small-pox by inoculation at the hands of Sir Walter Farquhar, then perhaps the most distinguished medical practitioner in the metropohs. I had the malady in so virulent a form that in order to save my Ufe and to enjoy the society and protection of her parents during my Father's absence in India, my mother removed to Yorkshire, which was her native place. I was rendered quite bhnd by the pustules, and was carried about on a feather pillow lest the pressure of my weight should cause disfigurement. We Uved at Redcar, a fishing hamlet at the North Eastern extremity of THE LEWIN LETTERS 119 yorkshire. I only know of this from my aunts, who have told me that I was so loathsome an object at that time from the disease that they could hardly endure to touch or look upon me ! The character of my mother bears so important a part in the development of my own that it will be necessary to give some account of her here. Her Father, General Hale, was the younger son of an ancient and opulent family settled for above a century at King's Walden in Hertfordshire. He had attained the rank of Greneral in the Army, and had been Colonel of the 17th Light Dragoons, which Regiment was raised by him under the King's Warrant, dated November 9th, 1759. He had begun his mihtary career as an Ensign in the 47th Foot in 1745, and commanded that Regiment in 1758 with General WoKe before Quebec. On October 13th Colonel Hale arrived in London, the bearer of despatches which set all England aflame with pride and sorrow, for they told how on September 13th, 1758, the battle of the Plains of Abraham had been fought, which decided the capture of Quebec and the conquest of Canada. Greneral Wolfe had fallen in the moment of victory, and Colonel Hale, who at the head of the 47th Regiment had taken a briUiant part in the action, had been selected to carry the news to the King, who by way of reward commissioned him to raise and command the 17th Light Dragoons. My grandfather was one of the group of officers that stood round General Wolfe in his last moments, and the painter West, when he was commissioned to paint the picture of " the Death of Wolfe," offered to include General Hale in the picture if he would pay the sum of 100 guineas ; but my grandfather would not pay the sum required, so he was not represented there. This unaccommodating principle stood in his way through life, for although he was well acquainted with most of the leading statesmen of his day, and was on friendly terms with the great Lord Chatham himself, he espoused the democratic side in the American War of Independance, and thus forfeited all chance of advancing his family through his pohtical connections. So far did he carry this turn of mind, that he wrote to his eldest son, who was about to embark at Plymouth for service against the Colonists in America, desiring him to lay down his commission in the British Army rather than bear arms against his fellow-countrymen. Being quartered in Yorkshire with his Dragoon Regiment he became passionately enamoured of Miss Chaloner, a daughter of a gentleman of ancient family residing at Cleveland in a house 120 THE LEWIN LETTERS called the Priory, near Guisborough. From this family sprang the famous regicide of 1643, Sir Thomas Chaloner, whose portrait was painted by Van Dyk, and now hangs in the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg. But to return to my story : the young soldier succeeded in obtaining the charming Miss Chaloner for his bride, in spite of his slender fortune, and the wedded pair settled on the small estate given by Mr. Chaloner to his daughter as a marriage por- tion, close to Guisboro', where they built themselves a house, caUing it " The Plantation," and there dwelt in much content- ment. From this union proceeded the large family of nine sons and eleven daughters. Of the latter my mother, Mary Hale, was the eldest, being a twin and preceding her sister Anne into the world by a very short space of time. When she was 15 years of age my father, Mr. Thomas Lewin, happened to be paying a visit to his Aunt, Mrs. Jackson, near Stockton in Cleve- land, and being taken by her to visit General Hale he straitway fell in love with Miss Mary Hale. Though she was considered as a child and had not even had the habiliments of womanhood allotted to her (for she was stiU dressed in what was then called " a bib and tucker "), my grandmother, Mrs. Hale, deemed it desirable to accept the offer, which Mr. Lewin quickly made, of marrying their daughter, the income of General Hale being barely adequate to support his family genteelly at that time. The two eldest girls, Mary and Anne, were so exceedingly aUke, that a ribbon of a different colour was worn by each by way of distinction on their arms, and it is said that my father was so distracted by his admiration for these budding beauties (for they were highly attractive), that he had much difficulty in choosing between them. General Hale having pressed him to declare his preference, Mr. Lewin said that he would declare his choice that evening by leading out to dance the one he pre- ferred. He accordingly led out Miss Mary Hale and the affair was decided. My Father afterwards owned that he could not assign any reason for his choice save that he could not marry both of them. The nuptials were celebrated at General Hale's on February 2nd, 1784, and the young couple drove away between mounds of snow which had been cleared away to permit of their driving southward. The bride was not consulted as to accepting or rejecting her lover. She affirmed that she married Mr. Lewin because she was told to do so, and because her sisters assured her that it would be delightful to travel with so charming a gentleman. THE LEWIN LETTERS 121 My father was at that time some thirty years of age : he had a dark, handsome countenance, a well-shaped figure, and was 6 feet 8 inches in height. He had a year or two previous to his marriage returned from India on furlough, and had spent some months on the Continent, principally at the French Capital, graced as it was at that time by the Court of Louis XVI and his fascinating spouse Marie Antoinette. He was extremely fond of society and pleasure of all kinds. His propensity towards gallantry was strong but refined, and I never could learn that he descended to coarse debauchery of any description. He had several mistresses previous to his marriage, on whom he lavished, most imprudently, large sums of money. Among others he formed a connection with Madame Grand, who, coming home with him from India in the same ship, jdelded to his solici- tations. The ship in which they made the passage to Europe was forced to put in at Cadiz, being alarmed by the inteUigence that some French men-of-war were looking out for her, and Mr. Lewin and his "inamorata " landed then, and stayed some time in Cadiz, passing on to England in another ship. On reaching London they hved together at Mr. Lewin's house in Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, going on from there eventually to Paris, where the intimate connection between them ceased. Madame Grand had been forced to leave India on account of an action brought by her husband against Sir Phihp Francis, from whom he obtained heavy damages. She subsequently became the wife of Prince Talleyrand. When she separated from Mr. Lewin, he settled an annuity upon her which she enjoyed up to the time of her death. Soon after their wedding my Father and Mother embarked for India, his leave having expired, and there Mrs. Lewin gave birth first to a girl in 1785, and next to a boy in August, 1787. Her health having suffered from the climate, and her husband doting on her to folly, he was induced to conduct her home again, much to the detriment of his own prospects. Arrived in England in September, 1788, she immediately lay in of another boy at the house of her husband's Father (Capt. Richard Lewin), the Hollies, near Bexley, Kent. Captain Richard Lewin had commanded one of the East India Company's ships, and had realized what was then esteemed a competence, which he had invested partly in ships and partly in the purchase of the HolUes Estate of about 400 acres. His ships were, the East Indiamen the " Exeter " and the " Vansittart," commanded respectively 122 THE LEWIN LETTERS by his sons Richard, Junior, and Gregory Lewin. After the birth of my brother Richard John Lewin, my mother had a girl named Anne, who was bom at Crayford, in Kent, in 1789. This child dying of whooping cough in 1791, my poor mother was desperately afiSicted by her loss, and her doctor became apprehensive that her sorrow might engender a consumptive disease, so profound was her sorrow, so that my Father, alarmed beyond measure at the dechne of his wife's strength and spirits, resolved upon making a trip across the Channel to divert her mind. A sister of Mrs. Lewin's, Miss Harriet Hale, was staying with them at the time (a very handsome young woman, who afterwards married the Honourable Laurence Dundas, M.P., now Lord Dundas), who accompanied them to Paris by way of Havre-de-Grace. This excursion took place in October, 1791, at a most interesting moment in French history. The Con- stituent Assembly had dissolved itself in the August previous to their tour, and the National Assembly was sitting. My Mother kept a meagre diary, but she was too unweU and also too uninstructed to enter with any intelHgent interest into the scenes then enacting. They did, however, attend a seance of the Assembly, and my Father had to wear in his hat a tri- colour cockade which he still keeps by him as a curiosity. The party returned to England in November, 1791, and took up their residence at the Ridgeway, on Pear Tree Green, at Southampton, which had been purchased by Mr. Lewin for the accommodation of his family. The change of scene and of air had sensibly benefited Mrs. Lewin's health, and in eight months after their return I was ushered into existence. I should here give some account of my paternal ancestry before entering on my own story perhaps. My great grand- father occupied a substantial farm, (I think his own property,) near Footscray, and close to a small hamlet called HaKway Street, supposed to be called thus, from its lying exactly half- way between Eltham and Bexley. He was what was then styled a yeoman, an independant farmer, having land and capital of his own, but of middle rank, and not associ- ating with " the gentry " ; probably hving the whole year on his farm. My grandfather, Richard Lewin, was one of several children born to this yeoman, but he was the only son who throve in the world : his brothers had the means of doing well, but through vice and idle habits they dwindled down into obscurity and, as I have heard, almost to want. THE LEWIN LETTERS 123 Richard Lewin, my grandfather, was early sent to sea (probably about the year 1732, he having been born in 1721), in the East India Company's service, and gradually rose to the station of com- mander of a China ship of the first class. He married the daughter of a gentleman named Brown, who occupied a dehghtful estate at Hampstead and was very comfortably off. I have reason to think it was this very property which now forms a portion of Lord Mansfield's domain called Caenwood, or Kenwood, for my father used to go constantly there when a youth, to visit his maternal uncle, and his description of the locality leads me to this conjecture. Be this as it may, however, it was a considerable estate Ijdng along that ridge between Hampstead and Highgate on which Caen Wood is situated. By Miss Brown my Grand- father had five sons (of whom my father was the eldest) and two daughters, one of whom I have already mentioned as being the wife of Mr. Ralph Jackson, of Normanby Hall, in Yorkshire. The date of my father's birth was April 19th, 1753. He was born at a house in South Audley Street (now No. 69), then the property of his uncle, a Mr. Brooke, who had married his wife's sister, which together with other houses came to him under the will of that gentleman, who was a wine merchant by trade. With a view to bringing up my father in this fine of business he was, on leaving school, sent at the age of fifteen to Portugal, and spent some time in the wine districts of that country at Lamego on the Douro ; but my grandfather find- ing it in his power to launch his son in the preferable career of the East India Company's Civil Service, recalled him, and at the age of eighteen he was sent out to India as a Writer to the Presidency of Madras. He there made friends, and rose in the service to stations of trust and honour, returning to Europe at the expiration of ten years in 1782, being on the Continent about the time of the peace of 1782-3. At Paris he made some valuable friends, amongst whom I may mention Monsieur Barrairon, who was afterwards Minister of Forests and Domains in 1817, Monsieur le Comte de Lauriston, and M. Crauford. My father used to go into very high society, and the Abbe Raynal noticed him and offered him the privilege of travelhng with him through Europe, an offer which Mr. Lewin declined at the time, from an over-weening love of pleasure, but subse- quently regretted having passed by. He saw Marie Antoinette dance a minuet at Versailles with Le Comte d'Artois, afterwards 124 THE LEWIN LETTERS Charles X, and also spoke with the Marquis de la Fayette after his campaign in America. He drove out to the royal hunt at Marly in his Phaeton with four horses, and flourished at all the diversions of that period in a very successful manner. He was, in fact, formed to shine in a society Uke that of Paris, since he possessed a winning exterior, and many accomplishments, playing very well on the Violin, drawing and singing with great taste, dancing elegantly, speaking French well, besides having the ability to captivate women. The mode of his introduction to the upper circles of French society was this. During my father's ten years' service in India he formed a close intimacy with the French residents at Pondicherry, among whom were some members of noble families, officials, and others. One of these in particular, a Monsieur de Kerjean, of an ancient Breton family near St. Malo, furnished his friend with excellent letters of introduction to persons of position in Paris. Mr. Lewin's own powers of pleasing and good address did the rest. M. de Kerjean continued to entertain the sincerest regard for my father to his last days, and about the year 1821 Mr. Lewin went over to Brittany to pay his old friend a visit. My brother, Richard John Lewin, of the Royal Navy, accompanied his father on this expedition. They made the sea passage in my Father's own Yacht the " Coquette," landing at St. Brieux, from whence they travelled to St. Malo in a country cart driven by a Breton peasant, who jumbled them up abominably as I have heard. I have said that Mr. Lewin stayed but a short time in India after returning thither for the third time. The chief reason for this was his excessive vexation at being superseded in the office of Secretary to Government at Madras by a Mr. Sullivan, whose chief recommendation for the post consisted in his relationship to Lord Buckingham, a nobleman of considerable influence. My father's affection for his wife had also its weight in deter- mining his return, as I found from the perusal of many of his letters addressed to her during his absence, wherein he deplores their separation in vehement language. The birth of my sister Charlotte took place at Lymington, in Hants, in 1796, at a house which my father had hired for a space, his own house, the Ridgeway, having been let by Mrs. Lewin to their friend Joseph Dupre Porcher during the Indian absence, and the term being unexpired. The year 1798, brought my brother Frederick into existence at Ridgeway, and he soon became the darhng of his mother to the exclusion of Charlotte THE LEWIN LETTERS 125 and myself. I had been much caressed during my early child- hood, and went by the titles of Popsy, beauty, Empress of the world, etc., extravagancies often recalled to my memory in after years by old friends of the family, General Ramsay, Lady Henry Fitzroy, Miss Pigott, Miss Shireff, and others. This, however, was before I remember anything of the sort, for, alas ! since I can recollect, I never received the smallest caress or mark of tenderness from my Mother, who, indeed, always testified her aversion to being kissed or fondled by her children after they reached the age of six years, so that in fact I never either received or bestowed any mark of affection from or upon her. Poor woman ! I beheve her heart had become, as it were, dried up for want of suitable channels during the ripening season of womanhood. Of Love or Friendship she was entirely ignorant. She never felt warmly to her husband, who, it must be owned, treated her more hke a pet slave than an equal, and who never confided to her his intimate thoughts, even to the end of their connubial term. Partiahties for other men nearer to her own age, and of characters more congenial to her Uvely disposition she could have indulged, had she not been preserved by a pride adequate to sustain such trials. She has more than once owned as much to me, and I am well aware that one individual now living occupied her thoughts with much interest for a long series of years. But she resolutely adhered to the dictates of duty, and never swerved from her allegiance to her lawful lord. He, on his side, was perhaps one of the most faithful of hus- bands, and during the half-century of their wedded Ufe com- mitted fewer infidehties than could have been expected from a man so coldly treated by his wife. During their residence in Queen Anne Street, about 1794, I learn from his journals that he had a connection with a person hving in St. Martin's Court, which seems to have lasted a year or two. Excepting this, I beheve my Father never went astray till the year 1826, when he was led into an intimacy with a designing woman whose husband, being in want of money, encouraged his wife to spread her nets for the old gentleman, he being then about seventy-four years of age. This liaison subsisted for many years, and was only terminated by Mr. Lewin becoming too infirm to go to London without an attendant. At his death these people benefited to the extent of some hundreds of pounds by his will. But to return to my own early life. In the summer of 1800 we all went to Torquay in Devonshire for three months. It 126 THE LEWIN LETTERS was then a mere fishing hamlet with a few small houses which were let as summer lodgings. Two of these houses were occupied by our family, which consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Lewin, my elder sister Mary, then about fifteen years old, myself, my sister Char- lotte, brother Frederick, aged two, and a governess, Miss Davies. My father's passion for the sea led him to make this excursion, as it enabled him to cruize about in his cutter along the coast of Devon and Cornwall, and to amuse himself with his West Country acquaintances at the different ports. This is the earUest recollection I have of my childhood, at least that of the ante- cedent period is faint and broken in my mind, whilst this, con- necting itself with a totally new set of impressions on my mind, left a very clear trace behind it. Our hfe was divided between lessons, and rambhng about the lovely environs of Torquay; bathing, boating, and the childish amusements of our age. Of our parents we saw but httle, nor wished to see more, since their presence produced httle that was agreeable to us, and often brought us pain. The only feature in our hves that varied the monotony of its course consisted in the occasional intercourse our family maintained with an ancient CathoUc family of the neighbourhood residing at Tor Abbey, named Carew, who shewed us much hospitable civihty. They had a daughter named Georgiana, with whom I used sometimes to associate, and who was about twelve or fourteen years old. I used to go to the Abbey to play with her. I recollect drawing a contrast in my own thoughts between the position of this girl and my own — -the fond caresses lavished upon her by her father and mother, whilst no tenderness of any sort came to us girls from our parents. My mother left us wholly in charge of Miss Davies, whom we disliked, and when we could escape from her we delighted to cUmb some steep hiU and remain away as long as possible from the hated precincts of home, at the cost of a sharp box on the ear or some worse infliction on our return. My father and mother went visiting sometimes in the interior to Mr. Templer's, at Stover House, taking Mary with them, or they saw their friends at Torquay from time to time, but we were not concerned in such matters. We not unfrequently spent the summer's afternoon en famille at Babbicomb, a romantic Httle bay to the north of Torbay, where only a few poor fisher-folk then hved, and a few labourers in the Hmestone quarries there, out of which very pretty marble was dug. We THE LEWIN LETTERS 127 children used to be sent into the water, although we were never taught to swim. We wore no bathing dresses; every one at that time, both men and women, bathed naked in separate bathing coves, and there were no bathing machines. The summer of 1800 was drawing to a close, and the family removed to Lymington. My mother, with her eldest daughter and Lucy Hoskins, the nurse (who also acted as my mother's maid), travelled in the " whiskey," a headed chaise on two wheels ; the groom, mounted on another horse, and provided with saddle bags and long rope traces wherewith to assist the " whiskey " horse at the hills, attended her. They went from twenty to thirty miles a day, and arrived at Lymington about the same time as my Father, who, with the governess, myself, and Charlotte, and little Frederick, had gone round by water. We sailed in my Father's Yacht, the " Fairy " of about 30 tons, had a tempestuous voyage in which I suffered terribly. Although my recollection of these childish days is not very complete, yet I can clearly recall some few passages of a date anterior to 1800. I remember, for instance, the arrival of some French emigres at Ridgeway in 1799, especially the Comte de Castries, who occupied a cottage on a barren heath about a mile and a half from our house. We went sometimes on foot to pay a visit to this poor nobleman in his desolate sanctuary. I recollect how shabby his clothes were, and yet withal he pre- served an air of dignity. His hair was powdered and tied ; he wore knee breeches with buckles and white stockings. He offered us some dry bread which he took from a cupboard, and some very weak beer in a teacup, which Miss Davies enjoined us to accept lest we might give M. de Castries pain by refusing. I remember feeling great pity for his fallen condition. He spoke a few words of English to us with a bad accent, and when he subsequently came to dine at our house, he ate ravenously. In 1797 I had the whooping cough, and was sent for change of air to Stoke Park, near Guildford, the residence of my god- father and godmother, Mr. and Mrs. Aldersey. With pleasure I recall the kind welcome of these good friends, and I was very sorry to leave their pleasant house and return to my parents' roof. In September, 1797, when I was about three years old, I can remember seeing the Volunteer Regiment of Horse, in which my Father and most of the neighbouring gentlemen served as privates, exercising at TownhiU, the seat of Mr. Nathaniel Middle- ton (the friend of Warren Hastings) ; and I recollect in the same 128 THE LEWIN LETTERS year being taken to Eaglehurst, near Calshot Castle, on a visit to Colonel de Crespigny and Lady Sarah, the daughter of the Earl of Plymouth. The Colonel was a warm admirer of Mrs. Lewin : he was of a vivacious character, and of some talent. In 1798 my mother's sister, Mss Charlotte Hale, came to stay with us for a few months ; and as at that time we had no governess, I was placed under her tyrannical rule, as it was thought time that I should learn something. My aunt, Misp Charlotte Hale, was at that time a fine, dashing young woman, full of spirits and fond of pleasure, much admired by the officers of a Dragoon Regiment which was quartered close by at South- ampton. A Colonel Affleck and Major Moore were her forward adorers. In August, 1798, my mother was brought to bed of a son who was called Frederick, the first child so named being no longer Uving. After his birth we girls had less attention than before. She was very fond of her male child, and spent much time fondling and caressing him, though she did not suckle him herself. The boy had a wet-nurse named Hedges, who used to teach me knitting ; and Aunt Charlotte was almost as fond of the infant Frederick as his own mother. I had a perfect dread of my Aunt, who kept me close at lessons and needlework with harsh authority, and more than once whipped me with a rod for not knowing my French dialogues. In May, 1799, I was happily released from her iron sway by her departure, and as my Mother now proposed paying a visit to her family at the Plantation, my father sent me to a school at Bishop's Waltham, kept by a Mrs. Jones. To reconcile me to this step, he con- ducted me thither in person, I riding by his side on the pony, which was at all times a great treat for me. I remained at this school about three months, during which time my father rode over once or twice to see me. I was not unhappy there, though suffering a good deal from shyness. My mother returned from Cleveland at the end of August, and my father records in his diary that she came home in a fit of sullen depression which lasted a fortnight, to his unspeakable vexation. His relations with her had been indeed from an early period uncomfortable. She admitted the attentions of other men whilst in India to so familiar a degree as to inspire him with lively apprehension, and his remonstrances being entirely disregarded by his mutinous, high-spirited young wife, he wrote to General Hale acquainting him with his daughter's conduct, and announcing his determination to send her home to her THE LEWIN LETTERS 129 father by an early ship. I have myself read the letter which General Hale wrote in reply to this afflicting communication, deprecating the measure, and earnestly advising his son-in-law to try renewed expostulations and firm authority. That my Father did not execute his threat may be perhaps explained by the fact that his httle coquette (to whom he showed General Hale's letter, as he told me himself) became alarmed for her reputation, and observed thenceforward a greater decorum in her intercourse with the society of Fort St. George. The man whom Mr. Lewin most suspected of having made a tender impres- sion On his wife was George SuUivan Martin, afterwards a banker in London : but my mother's preference really lay elsewhere. John Ramsay, Aide-de-camp to his brother-in-law, Sir Archibald Campbell, commanding the King's troops in Madras, was the person whom she ever distinguished above all his competitors, and the feeUngs of affection and esteem which grew up between these two young people was maintained on both sides to the close of my mother's existence. Their attachment ended as it had begun, innocently and virtuously to the best of my beUef . To return to 1799 — the hovderie seems to have passed away at length, and aU went on as usual that winter. A governess (whom I have before mentioned), Miss Davies, now arrived, and I became subjected to regular instruction in music, French,, Enghsh Uterature, and grammar, arithmetic, and drawing. Thc' winter of 1799-1800 was rigorous in the extreme, the ther- mometer often falhng to 18° Fahrenheit. I recollect that my Uncle John Hale came to the Ridgway in January, 1799, to take leave of his relatives prior to proceeding to Quebec (where he subsequently became Paymaster to the Forces of the Colony), and he walked in snow-shoes over the deep snow. The snow lay so deep indeed that for weeks together all supplies had to be dragged up to the house in hand-sledges. In the beginning of 1800 my Mother took me to a child's ball given by an Indian friend, Mr. Chamier (son of Anthony Chamier of " Junius' " memory), who was then hving at South- ampton. A brother of my Mother's accompanied us, I remember, to the party, Major George Hale, of the 2nd Queen's Regiment of the Line, a striking young soldier, who afterwards died of fever in Minorca. As we drove to the Ball I recollect an ani- mated conversation between him and my mother on a passion he had conceived for Miss Mary Serle of Bishopstoke ; my mother chiding him for his folly, and he defending himself against VOL. n. K 130 THE LEWIN LETTERS her taunts. It made a strong impression on my mind, as it was the first time I had heard aught of the Passion of Love. 1800. About the month of May in this year, prior to our going to Torquay, a camp was formed on Netley Common, a vast open heath, about a mile from Pear Tree Green. It was under the command of Lord Moira, and the troops encamped there were destined to operate a descent on the coast of Holland, England being at that time at war with the French Republic. To this Camp our governess used to conduct us three children of an evening : and I remember distinctly the general aspect of the tents, the music of the miUtary band plajdng before the Commanding Officer's tent, and the women in pits dug out of the ground, cooking and washing hnen, etc. The traces of these holes remained up to 1839. A friend of our family. General Shireff, hved at this time at Old Alresford, about fourteen miles from Ridgeway. He had served with my grandfather. General Hale, and the connection extended to Grcneral Hale's children. He had three daughters and one son, who was bred to the sea. At the house of this worthy and gaUant veteran we paid a visit in the autumn of 1800, and I was kindly noticed by the ladies, who constantly termed me " the Empress " from the bombastic title bestowed on me whilst an infant. I recollect feeling a great awe of Miss Ehza Shireff, a fine, tall young woman of great spirit and energy, as weU as a certain jealousy of the affection she testified to my elder sister Mary, also a guest at old Alresford. Mary was at this time fifteen years of age, very pretty, beautifully formed, and clever for her age. She never courted my confidence, and I was far too shy and susceptible to tender it to one So much older than myself. We were, moreover, excessively different in almost every particular, and never had any intimate com- munion up to the hour of her departure for Madras several years later. In December, 1800, Miss Davies quitted us to marry a West Indian gentleman of the name of Orgill, and a 'Miss Home came in her stead : a prim, cold, formal person whom we at once voted a bad exchange. 1801. The Eltham branch of the Lewin family arrived in May on a visit to us. An excursion was arranged to visit Font- hill, Mr. Beckford's magnificent seat in Wiltshire. The summer quietly stole over without any marked incident beyond occa- sional visits from friends and relatives at Ridgeway. My father's nephew, Mr. Ward Jackson, came to see his aunt and uncle among the rest, and excited my vehement displeasure by spurring THE LEWIN LETTERS 131 his horse so as to draw blood from its flanks. In October we all went to London, Mr. and Mrs. Lewin with my sister Mary preced- ing us in the carriage with post horses, and the Governess, Nurse, Cook, and children following in the " Long Coach," which took fourteen hours to perform the journey. We slept at the " Coach and Horses Inn " over night, starting at 5 a.m. the next morning, and reaching London about 8 p.m. My father's upper servant met us with a hackney coach at the " White Horse Cellar," and conducted us to the house my father had taken, No. 4, Clarges Street, Piccadilly. I may here mention that my sister Mary had been educated altogether at a boarding-school, only passing her hohdays at home. She was a pupil of the Misses Hinton, who kept a rather celebrated School at Hayes, Middlesex, and from whose care my sister thought fit to decamp one fine morning, but being missed was pursued and brought back to the school. She left there, as well as I can remember, at the age of sixteen. We spent the winter of 1801 in Clarges Street, during which time Miss Home was exchanged for a Miss Baggs, who soon gave place to Miss Beetham, a young girl of twenty-one, who returned with us to Ridgeway in May. During the time we spent in Clarges Street my father gave me some lessons in drawing by which I profited sensibly. The confinement of London bored us children considerably, and as a refuge from it we used to get the Coach- man to take us into the Green Park and allow us to chmb up the old black elm trees which then grew by the basin near the South-West corner of Piccadilly. As an amusement also we used to dazzle with looking-glasses the inmates of the upper stories of the Duke of Grafton's house opposite ours, and we also flew a fight paper kite across the street until the Ladies Fitzroy lodged a complaint against us, when that resource was cut off. In the summer my uncle and aunt, R. Lewin, with all their children, took a house at Itchen Ferry near Ridgeway. The two famifies met frequently. The eldest daughter Harriet some three years my senior, used often to play with me. When I went to play with her she used to make me strip and romp in this nude condition. I could not see the fun of " playing at bathing," as she called it, but her will was despotic and I sub- mitted. Mrs. Chaloner, my mother's aunt (sister of Admiral Sir Eliab Harvey), widow of Mr. Chaloner of Guisborough, now settled with her beautiful daughters at Southampton, and their arrival shed a new fight over our existence. I remember having received from Isabella Chaloner the first vivid impression of 134 THE LEWIN LETTERS and had been called upon to make the will of a gentleman named Dummer, who possessed large estates near Winchester, and land at Southampton, including Netley Abbey. Into the entail of this vast property Mr. Dummer authorized Mr. Chamber- layne, senior, to insert the name of his own son WiUiam Chamber- layne, Mr. Dummer having at that time not the remotest idea that his own heirs would fail, and the name was inserted only to prevent the slight possibiUty of the property passing to the Crown. By a singular chance all the heirs died, and Mr. WiUiam Chamberlayne became possessed of the whole property, on the demise of Lady Holland, who was the widow of Mr. Dummer and had married secondly Mr. Nathaniel Dance, an artist, whom she managed to get Knighted under the name of Holland, to efface the memory of his own humble patronymic and trade. But to resume my narrative. My httle sister, who always went by the name of " Babbie " (and does so stiU, 1853), grew up a charming child, extremely pretty, engaging, and original. Mr. Chamberlayne was very fond of his little goddaughter, and had her portrait painted by an artist of the name of Slater, who came from London to stay for the summer at Southampton, Our portraits were also taken by him in one group for my mother. We were often on the water this summer in my Father's yacht, not that we hked saihng, for we were often very sick when out- side Calshot Castle, while we were nowise interested in the man- agement of the vessel ; but my Father had a great dishke to going anywhere by himself, even for a day's saiUng, while my mother abhorred the sea and everything connected with it. In fact, she consistently disliked aU the pursuits that my Father chiefly affectioned — ^music, dramatic poetry, French literature, in all of which he took deUght. We young girls certainly did not care for these expeditions, but they furnished a Httle variety to our otherwise monotonous existence, and above all we escaped lessons, so we made no objection to " going aboard." On one occasion we encountered a violent squall and thunderstorm at Spithead which disabled the yacht, and we had to make for Portsmouth harbour, returning to Ridgeway at midnight in a hackney chaise. We were dreadfully alarmed at this mishap, and would not venture on the sea again for some weeks afterwards. It was during this summer that a change occurred in my mental condition, the effect of which was to give a new direction to my habits and feehngs. This was caused by the arrival at the Ridgeway of my mother's younger sisters Charlotte and Jane Captain Richard Lewin, Jr. THE LEWIN LETTERS 135 Hale, who had left Cleveland for the South, on account of the latter having burst a blood vessel in her lungs, and being conse- quently afraid to face a Yorkshire winter. My Aunt Jane Hale was then a lovely young woman of twenty years of age, her manners soft and winning, whilst her delicate condition lent an indefinable charm to her whole appearance. My sister Char- lotte and I were taken captive by this angelic being at once. My affections had up to this time been kept within very narrow Hmits : Maria Stainforth was, in fact, the only being who had possessed anything hke affectionate regard from me, and she was no longer at hand. My foster sister, Mary Anne Arfmann, who served us in the capacity of nursery maid and waited on the Governess' room, enjoyed a certain amount of my regard, the main source of which, however, was the sympathy she mani- fested for my sufferings at the hands of my governess. Miss Beetham, whose tyrannical and even brutal treatment of her pupils sank deep into my soul. After I was in bed Mary Anne would steal up to my room and, sitting down at my feet, dole out her compassion for the scandalous oppression under which Charlotte and I laboured. Her consolations were greatly assisted by her infallible beUef that Miss Beetham must eventually go to Hell. This assurance acted as a comfortable balm to my feeUngs, and many a sad and soUtary night have I passed rumin- ating on the retributive vengeance which was sure to overtake the hated oppressor. I really deserved nothing but kind and gentle treatment at her hands. I did my lessons attentively, practised my music, executed my drawings with pleasurable attention ; I was forward in my studies, and full of promise and talent, of a loving, gay temperament which rose above all suffer- ing and cheered my comrade to mirth and enterprize ; never- theless when lessons were over my active, ardent character prompted me to seek amusement in ways which were then regarded as unf eminine, and this my governess was bent on counteracting, deeming it an essential part of her duty to cure me of propensi- ties " unbecoming a young lady." I was of a remarkably energetic disposition from early child- hood, and took great pleasure in any bodily exercise requiring skill and even personal danger. I could never content myself with the insipid recreations common to girls at that time, but sought amusements which required bodily agihty, nerve, and invention. For instance, the River Itchen washed the shores of my father's grounds, the fine oak woods reaching to the river's 136 THE LEWIN LETTERS marge. The jBsher-folk were in the habit of mooring their boats to the sedgy shore, and whenever we girls could espy an empty boat we seized each an oar and shoved off into the river ; but it usually happened that the boat was dirty and half fuU of water, so that on our return our clothes gave ample evidence of our employment, for which we duly suffered. My father's yacht sometimes lay at anchor off the wood, and we would persuade the sailors to fetch us off in the yacht's boat, and my sister Char- lotte manfully bore me company in these adventures. We both had robust bodies, uncommon courage and agility, and were fertile in resource and expedient at a pinch. Our brother Uttle Frederick, too, who by this time was six years old, began to take part in our sports, being a truly gallant and plucky Uttle fellow who, for his age, was hardy and enduring. I used to be an expert chmber of trees ; would cross over bogs and mud- flats in mud pattens ; ride horses bare backed when we could catch them, with a bit of string round the nose by way of halter ; or we would drag the child's chaise through the woods, racing down the steep descents and often getting upset at the bottom. Sometimes we would climb to the top of the faggot stack and lie in hiding there, making clay figures for hours together, while Miss Beetham would fruitlessly pursue us, screaming, through the grounds. In the wintertime we were incessantly on the ice, sUding or snowbaUing, for skates we could not afford to buy, or making fires in remote parts of the wood to roast potatoes which we appropriated from the garden ; anything, in short, that could get us out of the neighbourhood or proximity of Miss Beetham. if i My parents always treated Miss Beetham as if she were a model of perfection, and seconded her efforts for our redemption from our evil courses with bhnd confidence. Long after we were twelve years of age my sister Charlotte and I were flogged by my Father, who laid us across his knees for the purpose, at Miss Beetham's request, for climbing a bricklayer's ladder, with- out giving ear to anything we had to say in our defence. I have said that the emotion of love, and the fear of offending the object of that love, were first awakened in me by my aunt Jane Hale when I was about twelve years of age. My sister Charlotte was affected in a similar manner, and I remember how we used to compare notes together as to what indications of favour we had respectively reason to boast of as proceeding from our " Deity." It was her injunction to study poetry that caused Mrs. Richard Lewin. THE LEWIN LETTERS 137 me to attach a value to that vein of literature, and having received from her as a present a copy of Cowper's Poems, .1 began to read them with pleasure, although my love of poetry was at that time scarce born in me. My eldest sister and Aunt Jane were close intimates, having many tastes in common, for Mary had a well-endowed mind and was cultivated in many ways. They were nearly of an age. Aunt and Niece. In October General Edmund Phipps came on a visit. He was an old friend of the Hale family. Lord Mulgrave Uved not far from General Hale's house, the Plantation, Guisbdrough, and I have heard my mother relate that the native of Tahiti called " Omai," who was brought to England by Lord Mulgrave after his voyage with Captain Cook, had been to General Hale's house during my mother's childhood, and had been much puzzled at the likeness between her and her twin sister Anne, saying " It all same ting ! " General Phipps took a fancy to me, and asked to be allowed to take me to see a play at the Southampton Theatre to which the elders were going. This was the first dramatic performance I ever witnessed. " Fortune's Frohc, or the Lucky Ploughboy," was, I think the name of the piece, and I hugely enjoyed it. On November 2nd my Father and Mother took us all to Southampton to see the King come in from CufifneUs, Mr. Rose's place near Lyndhurst, where he had stopped a night or two " en route " from Weymouth. We were posted at a window in a friend's house nearly fronting Colonel Heywood's residence above Bar, at which King George III was expected. I have a distinct recollection of the King's appearance, and of the whole scene indeed, as it naturally made a vivid impression on my childish imagination. The King came down the road from Moira Place at a hand canter, Mr. Rose riding at his horse's flank, and his equerries trotting on each side but a httle behind. He was dressed in a single-breasted dark green hunting frock (this was the uniform of the New Forest Verdurers, and he wore it in compliment to his host, Mr. Rose), with gilt buttons, hght Kersey- mere breeches, flapped waistcoat, and high boots without tops, shewing part of the white stocking at the knee. He had on a small plain three-cornered hat, with a good-sized black ribband cockade ; his hair was powdered, and he wore a pig-tail tied pretty closely to his head. There was an immense assemblage of people to welcome the Eling, but no sort of decoration or flags of any kind. The King lifted his hat and bowed to the 138 THE LEWIN LETTERS people as he reined up opposite Colonel Heywood's door. Mrs. Chaloner and one of her daughters was presented to the King as related to Admiral Harvey, and the King kissed her, as we were told, whereat I felt an immediate pang of envy at her good fortune, I grew tall of my age and naturally stooped a Uttle, as most growing girls do. To counteract this tendency a collar was sent for from London, which I had to wear all day. The throat was enclosed by the iron spring, which was clasped behind by a steel stud ; the arms were pinioned in the shoulder straps. The centre, made of sheet-iron and covered with red mo- rocco leather, pressed against the back, and was secured in its place by a belt round the waist. I was condemned to endure this torture during my waking hoiurs, but whenever I got out of sight of Miss Beetham I prevailed on the gardener or any benevolent domestic to release me for a space, having it buckled on again before going back to the house. The misery which this accursed instrument caused me is one of the bitterest grievances of my youth ; indeed, I am persuaded that to the use of this horrid invention is traceable my tendency to have bad headaches in after Ufe. General Shirreff's only son had become enamoured of my sister Mary, and during the years 1803-4 they were under- stood to be engaged. WiUiam Shirrefi was a Lieutenant in the Navy, and he was a httle older than my sister. The match was not favoured by my father, as the young man's prospects did not seem over promising, for General ShirrefE, although possessed of a good property, had three daughters as well as his son to provide for. Nevertheless the Shireff family favoured the engagement as they were very fond of Mary. I find, how- ever, in my father's diary under date December 17th, 1804, that on that day he had prevailed upon his daughter Mary to break off the engagement, and shortly afterward she was sent away on a visit to Mrs. Aldersey. The Shirreff family were much hurt at the breaking off the engagement, and EUza Shirreff to the last laid the responsibiUty on Mr. Lewin's supposing her brother to be insufficiently provided for; but I have seen the letters which my father wrote on the occasion, and they indicate a reluctance to entrust his daughter to William Shirreff on the score of youth only. I may add here a remark as to my father's general habit of receiving his daughter's suitors. On no one occasion throughout his life did he manifest any satisfaction THE LEWIN LETTERS 139 when an aspirant presented himself. His practice was to reject and discourage every one of the young men who ultimately married his four daughters : and he would have prevented every one of these marriages if he could have done so. I can explain this on no other ground than his dislike to being deprived of the presence of his daughters at home. Mrs. Lewin, accompanied by her eldest son and daughter, set off for Cleveland to visit her father, Greneral Hale, in July, 1805, returning in September. During her absence we remained under the direction of Mss Beetham at Ridgeway, leading the dullest existence possible. About this time my father was led to entertain the idea of bestowing his daughter Mary in marriage on Mr. Hippesley Marsh, as a friend of his, Sir Thomas Strange, Judge of the Madras High Court, wrote urging Marsh's claims. In November we rode over to spend the day at CuffnaUs, my father and I ; we returned about ,8 o'clock at night, and I remember the Rose family coming to their door and remonstrating with Mr. Lewin for his persistence in returning to Ridgeway. On another occa- sion we attended a single stick match at Botley under the direc- tion of the celebrated Mr. Cobbett, who presided on the platform and gave prizes to the successful competitors out of his own pocket. All that year's summer and autumn (1805) the Volunteer Corps were exercised on Woolston Lawn near Mr. Chamber- layne's house, he being Captain of the Corps, and Mr. Lewin the Lieutenant. We children used to go and look on at the driUing. We also made the acquaintance of Count Simon Woronzow and his daughter Catinka, who were staying in the neighbourhood. I was much struck with the grace and beauty of the young Countess ; this intimacy was continued in after life. The Count had fallen into disgrace with the Emperor of Russia, and all his property had been sequestrated, so that at that time they had but slender means. My father, who was passionately fond of music and of play- ing on the vioUn, passed much time in visiting about at the houses of people of like tastes — among others, at Mr. Tate's, who was a skilled violonceUist, while his daughter. Miss Tate, played very well on the Piano Forte. Mr. Sharp, from South- hampton, took 1st. Violin, and my Father 2nd VioUn or Viola as occasion required. It was here that I first acquired a taste for classical music — ^for there I heard the compositions of Beet- 140 THE LEWIN LETTERS hoven, which at that time were hardly known in England, and even by the Tates were thought too learned and crabbed to be generally relished. This music, however, used to affect me powerfully as I hstened to it. Miss Tate took great notice of me, and I profited sensibly by her instruction in music, as she was good enough to give me singing lessons. She herself had been a pupil of the great Cimarosa in Italy and had many accompUshments ; she could use the pencil, and dabbled in oil colours. She cultivated the talent for art which was dawning in me and I became much attached to her, and would wiUingly have spent more time at Langdown, but my schoohng was important, and I was kept close at it by Miss Beetham. I became aware at this time, by chance, of my possessing in my own person the faculty of the divining rod. A Lady Milbanke was displaying her power of finding springs under ground at a house in our neighbourhood. She held in her hands a hazel fork A pointed downwards. When she passed over water this fork turned in her hands of itseK. On trying it, I discovered that it did so in my hands. This rare gift continued to excite wonder and ciu-iosity among all my father's friends and acquain- tances for years after, and I may add that I was of service on more than one occasion by being able to indicate spots where water would probably be found at the residence of some acquain- tance. Miss Grosvenor sank a well by my direction and found water at thirty feet, having tried in vain at other places. Many a philosopher has paraded by my side, intently observing the action of the hazel twig, and sometimes I have been able to convince sceptical spectators by indicating local springs of which I had no previous knowledge. Among other distinguished persons before whom I displayed my gift was Sir WiUiam Grant, then Master of the Rolls . It was at CuffnaUs that the exhibition took place ; Mr. and Miss Rose assisting. Sir Wilham Grant took pains to test the indications of power in the twig, holding my hands firmly while it moved. At length he declared himself satisfied with the truth of the phenomenon. Later in life I frequently showed the action of the divining rod to people who were curious about it, and never found it fail when I made the experiment. My Father took in the " Courier " newspaper, and never per- mitted any one to read it before himself. One morning in November, 1806, he ordered me to open and dry the paper for him, he being busy buttering his hot roll for breakfast. I did THE LEWIN LETTERS 141 not then breakfast in the Parlour, but often went there at Papa's breakfast-time to wish him good morning and kiss him, a cere- mony he never dispensed with to his last moment of conscious existence. As I held the paper before the fire I was attracted by the sight of many Unes printed in large Capital letters, and I read the lines out loud and remember the shock it gave my Father when I uttered the concluding words. The news an- nounced was the great Naval Victory of Trafalgar, and the last sentence was "Lord Nelson was killed in the action.", The neighbours all ran about to each other's houses discussing the important news and lamenting the death of our great Commander. The fear of Napoleon Buonaparte had indeed for some years past formed a standing terror to all who, hke ourselves, lived near the English Coast. Our nursemaids would tell us that " Boney " would catch us if we broke bounds, and whenever a suspicious vagrant made his appearance he was at once set down as a French spy. Every gentleman's son was encouraged to learn the manual exercise with a toy musket by his nurse, she assuring him that his duty was " to fight the French and beat Boney." The exultation caused by the victory of Trafalgar afforded a temporary encouragement to the Hampshire folks of their being able to resist Bonaparte's power. All sorts of demonstrations took place in celebration of the event, and a ball was given at Southampton to which everybody went. I. of course, did not go, being too young at thirteen. Note: — The Reminiscences were continued no further. From, Mrs. Frances E. von Koch to her sister, Mrs. Harriet Grote. Stqckholm, March nth, 1853. My deae Harriet, — ^It is an age since I wrote to you, and two ages, I beheve, since you wrote to me, but we have several newspapers to thank you for, and it is very kind of you to re- member us in that way up in our icy North : and icy I can assure you it has been with a vengeance since January, '53, the Ther- mometer daily 16 to 20 degrees Celsius. The papers mention snow as having fallen abundantly in England, which has fur- nished you with about the same prospects as we have. For once in a way I imagine with a shudder, what snow or severe weather would be in England, with the imperfect means you have there for maintaining a warm temperature indoors. I fear you must have suffered from the severity of the cold ; mean- 142 THE LEWIN LETTERS time I am on the look-out for the fulfilment of Mr. Rose's physio- logical prophecy about your headaches, which was that you would outgrow them. I seldom have accounts of you from the other members of our family, and Frederick, the only one who is allowed to frequent your precincts, has discarded me as a correspondent, and after having for many years favoured me with rhapsodical epistles, has suddenly dried up, on my becoming better acquainted with poor Diana, his wife. If I could venture to hope he did not want me, or had found a substitute, I should be better able to console myself under his silence, but as I love him, it has been sweet to serve his necessities although at a dis- tance and imperfectly. He requires, I am sure, as many safety valves as this cold world can furnish to relieve the high pressure he travels with. We have felt all the better for our summer at the sea-coast, and except a moderated attack early in the winter on Oscar's throat, we have been unusually Uttle aflBicted by sickness. Nils and I are at present confined to the house by obstinate coughs and throat tickhngs. He caught his while superintending some repairs which were necessary in a house of his. The Court mo\u*ning and sorrow, both from the death of the beloved Gustap and the impending deaths of his father and sister, have kept all invita- tions down till late in January, but since then the Swedes have returned to their prevaiUng taste of amusing themselves properly, owing to the short days and long evenings, and I even, who keep out of the whirlpool, have been much into the world. Nils still more, at dinners. My boys having been well behaved in all respects at school and at home, are allowed to have a dance to- morrow evening beginning at half-past six and finishing at ten p.m. Tommy is at Upsala reading steadily and developing, as I hope, the good quaUties he possesses, and fortifjdng himself for the battle with the world which after three years he will begin. His health seems improved with regard to his chest, and he has begun to relish his studies. I beUeve he will follow his Father's profession at last, as the best for him, as it presents facilities of obtaining advice and advantage from his Father's position and character. There is a great struggle in the elements of T.'s composition which shall predominate, the Swede or the English- man. He has much of the Lewin in him, but enough of the Swede, I hope, to counteract that inertia and enjoyment of our own ideas which belongs to our family especially. What do you say to the President that was, now Emperor Napoleon ? THE LEWIN LETTERS 143 I cannot countenance such performances, and am on the look-out for his luck to turn. Will he make war on England one fine day ? Our Court seem not to dishke him, and much prefer his influence to that of the RepubUc and its democratic instabiUty. I expect a visit this summer from Jane and her children, and perhaps old Tom. Young Jane will stay vdth us over the winter, to shew her a Uttle of Swedish life and manners. All this is cooking, but not yet served up. The hope of seeing you up in Lat. 60 fades more and more every year. What do you think of me, playing a Concert, with Falkenholm and Lindblad to turn over the leaves ! We have had the Prophete given in grand style. It is a gorgeous piece, and can do wonderfully well without that star (which I shall never cease to lament) set so prematurely on the dramatic horizon — ^for Jenny Lind is now as good as dead to everybody but herself and Otto. The great man's books are put up in a conspicuous place on Nils' bookshelves, and although not read by us, yet are often spoken of by learned men who sometimes cross our threshold, and always with the profoundest esteem. Give him my unchanged love and homage, and with Nils' affectionate remembrances to you both, I remain, dear Harriet, your very affectionate Sister, F. E. V. Koch. From Bernard Hale to his Uncle, Edward Hale. 4, Belgeavb Terrace, Brighton, April llth, 1853. My dear IlNiDLB Edward, — It is forty years ago since I wrote to you at least, perhaps more, and now in thus writing I am grieved to say I have a melancholy duty to perform, though mayhap from others you may have previous knowledge of the sad news. On Tuesday, March 22nd (Fanny's birthday), poor Aunt Catherine ceased to exist. I was wholly unaware of her having been unwell, but received a letter from Jack Hale at Southampton stating that he had gone down to spend a few days with her, and met Aunt Lloyd in the street, who to his horror and surprize told him that all was over. She had not felt well and had sent for Aunt Lloyd, whose residence in Bucks being two days' post, she reached Southampton too late to find her sister aUve. The cause of death was bronchitis. She has left to Uncle Vi's children, Mrs. Wetenhale, Mrs. Imlach, Edward and Wilham Hale £200 each ; to Mary Ann Hale, Augusta 144 THE LEWIN LETTERS Hawkins, Aunt Lloyd and Charles Lloyd her Colliery shares in three portions ; to Jack Hale £500 ; to George and Robert Hale, his brothers and her Executors, £500 each ; the two Budd boys £300 each; Charles Lloyd £500. To her servants £10 each, and to my brother Edward, the old Plantation Inkstand to garnish his Ubrary table at Boston. On the Monday following I was obUged to go to East Grinstead on Justice matters, and returning late at night here (my brother-in-law's residence), found a letter stating that the funeral would take place on Tues- day, the day after ; to attend which being therefore impossible, I was prevented from paying the last tribute of respect. The funeral was attended by George, Robert and Jack Hale, Charles Lloyd, Frederick Lewin and the Doctor. Mrs. Lloyd remained in the house. All have now separated ; the house is given up, indeed she only held it for her Ufe — and the furniture sold. This I knew nothing about until I received a letter from Robert Hale, asking me where to send the Inkstand, as an Auction was to take place. The Inkstand I now have here, and have written to Edward about it. From Mary I hear that you kindly allowed Aunt Catherine to keep the CoUiery shares for her life that Aunt Charlotte left you. I shall write to Jack Hale about this, for if it is so, your interests must be looked after. Her WiU was dated last November. I know not who are the Residuary legatees, but „if they come into as good a thing as Aunt Emily's did, they will do very well. She, poor thing, evidently did not know what she had, for her three residuary legatees got £3,000 each. Did you ever hear of a kind of tobacco smoked by the Indians in Canada called " Kine Kinik," made from the inner bark of the willow ? It is supposed to cure glandular sweUings in the throat, and I am anxious to procure some for a friend. Mary and Hotham we expect again to be neighbours at HoUy Hill, as they have got Southborough, some ten miles from us. My wife and I fuUy expect you some day to pay us a visit, and Fanny is already under a promise, so with our joint regards to our most worthy Uncle, beUeve me, Your affectionate nephew, Bernard Hale. Note. — In May, 1875, died Edward Hale, eldest son of Mr. John Hale of Quebec, by the sister of Lord Amherst, Governor General of India. Edward Hale went to India with his Uncle Lord Amherst, as Private Secretary in 1824, and made a small fortmie in that Country, retiring to Canada for the rest of his days, when Lord Amherst was recalled. Aged seventy-four. THE LEWIN LETTERS 145 From Thomas Lewin, Esq., to his nephew and godson, Thomas Herbert Lewin, then at school at Littlehampton. Athen^um Cltjb, dated October 25th, 1853. My dear Tommy, — I was much pleased to receive your letter containing some expository remarks upon a Chapter in Isaiah, which show that you have not disregarded the request I made to you some time ago, and do you much credit. I shall be glad to find that you do not content yourself with one attempt of that kind, but have estabhshed the practice of committing your thoughts to paper arising out of what you read from time to time in the Bible, after having duly meditated on the same. It so happened that last Sunday at our Church (St. John) on& of the hymns we sang seemed to be appropriate to the text you have chosen. If I can now recollect a verse or two of it I will set it forth for your edification. Men of the world for worldly gain Will labour, watch and strive ; Whilst we who have a Heaven to attain, How negligent we live. We, for whom God the son came down To labour for our good, And win for us a glorious crown. He purchased with His blood. Lord ! Thou art high, though we are weak. Oh to thy servants come. And make them steadfastly to seek Their everlasting home. Suppose you commit this hymn to memory and say it to- yourself from time to time that you may not forget it. Indeed, I think it would be a good plan if your Master were to set you a new hymn to learn by heart, say every week, by which practice- you would soon store your memory with a great number of hynuis, which having learnt and continually repeated during your youth you would probably, if God should be pleased to- spare you, find very useful and edifying to the end of your Ufe. For instance, during a long sea voyage there are usually many times when from various causes happening on board a ship,, you feel indisposed to read or amuse yourself in any other way. Upon these occasions you would find it a great solace and reHef to pour out your heart to God in reciting some favourite hymn which would remind you of early days, and besides affording; VOL. 11. L 146 THE LEWIN LETTERS an exercise of devotion, would pleasingly occupy what might otherwise be a wearisome hour. Commending you to the good providence of God, and begging you to present my kind com- pliments to Mr. Grix, your master, I am, dear Nephew, your affectionate Uncle, T. Lbwin. From Mrs. H. Orote to ker husband, Mr. George Grote. Paris, March 5th, 1854 (Our Anniversary). Dearest George, — I must write you a Kne to-day if only because it is March 5th, and because the depths of my heart are stirred by the recollections to which the recurrence of this day gives rise. I am tolerably well, thank God ! and am en plein vent as to gossip and intellectual amusement. I see few " Bores " and am exempt from home-bred hospitaUties, but this sort of life is not made to last long — the excitement is too great. If I lived at Paris for three or four months, well ; being here only for a season, I am pursued by the curious, and by the errir pressement of old friends who know that I am only a bird of passage. My intention is to " up stick " at the end of this week and to take it easy, returning so as to be five or six days en route, probably stopping at Dover a day or two to rest myself, write letters and arrange my mind after so many lively impres- sions. I think it wiU be time enough to dress out the drawing rooms after I come home, since I shall go down to History Hut immediately afterwards to see to preparation of garden, and also as I hope to give over formal possession of the old house and property. Do pray apply the corking pin to the lawyers as to conveyance, etc. Lottie's letter, as you say, tells nothing, but I presume all goes well by her silence. Gustave de B. called yesterday, having come up for a meeting of the 'Institut,' and enquired very earnestly after you. M. Thiers has tivice called upon me, and has made an appointment to-day for 2 p.m. March 7th. Not able to get this finished all this time ! Thiers came and sat with me an hour and a haK. Senior was here, and also Horace Say, for whom it was a lucky chance, he never having been in Thiers' company all his Ufe. Is not this incredible ! Our weather is perfectly deHghtful. It is now the twelfth day of blue sky, warm sunshine, and clear, invigorating air. I went to Say's reception last evening, some thirty to forty people there, and hotter than was good for me, but no bad consequences ensued. Mrs. Ramsden is here. I have taken her out for a THE LEWIN LETTERS 147 drive twice. She has lost an eye, poor soul ! t'other still serves but imperfectly. I shall have much to tell you when we meet, dearest George, if you care to listen, that is. I hope you will not forget to speak to Murray about new maps for the 5th and 6th Volumes of the History. Ever affectionately thine, H. From Mr. Thomas Lewin to his nephew, Thomas Herbert Lewin, when at school at Eltham, Kent. Raymond's Buildings, August 15th, 1854. My dear Nephew, — Pray tell Mr. Hopkirk, with my Com- phments, that I am quite willing that you should have the Colour box which you enquire about, and which I can easily suppose may be essential to your progress in drawing. So long as you continue to deserve so favourable a report as was made of you during the last half-year I for my part shall not grudge the expense of any article that may be deemed necessary or conducive to your improvement and well-being. I am, my dear Nephew, your affectionate Uncle, T. Lewin. Extract from a letter of Mrs. Campbell to Mrs. Thos. Lewin, of Barn House, Eltham. KiLRAVocK Castle, near Nairn, September l^th, 1854. I feel it my sad duty to announce to you the sudden death of'your brother Tom, which took place at half past two o'clock yesterday, September 17th, to our unutterable consternation and regret. He wrote to me from London some weeks ago, sajdng that if he came north of the Tweed he would come and see me, " a reasonable time having elapsed since his former visit," being nine years ago. I did not delay replpng, but heard no more from him till a letter came from the Isle of Arran. Days passed by and no further intelhgence till September 9th, when I wrote to meet him in Inverness, which place he reached by steam exactly the opposite way he said he should come. He finally arrived here at one o'clock on the 11th Inst, in time to eat a very hearty luncheon, and then he accompanied two ladies who were staying here in their walk, quite by his own choice. He made one of our large party at dinner, and again ate most heartily, and what I never saw him do before, he drank beer, wine and 148 THE LEWIN LETTERS whisky to-day beside eating fruit and taking coffee^in fact, seemed quite well. All at once he left the drawing-room ; and though I knew he quitted the room I did not look up, supposing it was not anything particular ; but after a minute or two, my servant called me out, saying, he thought the gentlenian was very ill, and I found him sitting on a chair in the passage in an agony of pain, and knocking his breast with his doubled fist. Cramp was what I at first thought of, and gave him water as hot as he could drink it, and by degrees he was got upstairs to his bedroom and to bed, when violent retchings came on, and we thought when the contents of the stomach had been returned ease would succeed. During the interval we sent for the Doctor as we feared cholera, and got him in two hours. He appUed a mustard poultice to the pit of the stomach and continued the hot flannels we had been using. His strength was entirely gone, but for the last three days he had been mending, the only painful and obstinate sjrmptom being a hiccough from which he could obtain but Uttle reHef in all the remedies tried. The Doctor had ascertained that his heart was affected — ^what he styled a fatty heart, and the result seems to have confirmed this theory. The Doctor saw him on Sunday morning, and pronounced him better and going on well. While we were at church he decided upon rising from his bed, put on his own drawers, to do which he sent the nurse out of the room, then caUing her back he put on his dressing-gown and seated himself in an easy chair by the window, and eating some beef tea and toast, said how nice it was and how refreshing, when he suddenly exclaimed, " I am faint, I am dying," and he was gone, though in- stantly laid upon the bed, which was his only chance. The Doctor says the upright position and the exertion in his state of weak- ness together with the state of the heart, brought on suffocation. He never struggled, and the countenance is as calm as an infant's asleep. You are perhaps aware that he was not a good patient, neither doing as he was bid, nor following any advice but his own fancy. I cannot say he ever disputed with me, but he did not appreciate at first the nurse we were obhged to have to attend him. The Rev. Mr. Burgess was staying here and repeatedly asked him if any of his family should be sent for, but he refused and seemed quite satisfied with being here, which he said was most providential, he being so ill, although no doubt he did not look for a fatal result any more than myself. THE LEWIN LETTERS 149 From Bernard Hale to Edward Hale of Portneuf, Canada. Holly Hill, Tonbridgb Wells, England, September 27th, 1854 (Postage lOd.). My DEAR Uncle Edward, — Perhaps I shall be in time to catch the next mail from Liverpool, but I don't like to let it go without informing you of a sad piece of inteUigence which I only yesterday saw in a London paper, viz., the death at Nairne in Scotland of poor Tom Lewin. It was described as being sudden, but I know no more than that. Jack Hale is now in Scotland, and though not very near to where Tom is said to have died, he may know more particulars. You will be shocked to hear this, I know, as you and he were such old friends, and saw so much of each other when you were last in England. We have been at John Dundas' for six weeks, passing a very pleasant time with his amiable wife and seven children ; fish- ing on the Lakes, and he shooting his thirty brace of grouse with- out difficulty. Jack Hale could not join us : he was in atten- dance on his old Uncle the Colonel, who has returned from Italy and gets out shooting a httle on his moors. On our way home we visited the Orlebars in their old family mansion. Report says the corn crop in America is bad, so I fear wheat will remain very high and our poor people will suffer this winter. They have no hop-picking, which generally has afforded them the means of clothing their families for the year. I see great and sudden changes in your Canadian politics, and surprized was I to see that Lord Elgin was at fault. What your new man wiU do is, I think, a puzzler. Sir Alexander McNab is an Elginite, of course; but notwithstanding all your changes, it seems the value of property is increasing rapidly. I look forward to St. Anne's being a mine of wealth some day. My Railway here is progressing, and the line will be open early next year, when no doubt, the thanks of the East Grinstead public will be conferred upon the Directors, but I don't think I shall receive a piece of presentation plate. Mary, Hotham and Minnie are under- going the water cure of Malvern, which in my opinion is all humbug; but they seemed bent upon it, and must have their way. She writes that it is very bracing and that they all have famous appetites. A trip to Scotland and the residence of a month there, would have had quite as good an effect without paying a Doctor. I have no doubt that in six months' time they will discover that Electricity is a grand thing for the health, ISO THE LEWIN LETTERS and the water cure will be thrown to the dogs. Best love to all on your side of the broad Atlantic, and believe me, Your affectionate nephew, Bebnabd. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. Long Beniongton, Lincolnshikb, October 24th, 1854, My deae Frances, — It is now not ten, but forty years " dat I lof you," and you know full well what the love of " mit de long leg " is worth. I received your three letters duly. They always produce the effect of profoundly stirring the depths of my soul both in a pleasing and in a painful way. The happiness of receiving the tribute of a delicate and constant affection on the one hand, and the sad perennial reflection that personal communion (whereby alone such rare ties can be maintained) is at an end, and has long been so between us ! The attenuated thread which we two have spun since 1833, but feebly holds us united, and I feel every year apprehensive that it may finally be sundered ! You have cast all your energies into wife and motherhood; the pleasure of having your children always in sight, has been your dominant object in Hfe, next to having Nils' company and supporting aid. But as this was incom- patible with the maintenance of family ties in England, the old links have been weUnigh worn out. You cannot, you say, bring your children to England, and you wiU not come without them. This is perhaps natural in a mother, and I am the last person on earth to reproach you with it, only one must look things in the face and reaUze that if life's pacquet is stuffed full of maternity, then friendship must go to the wall. No help for it, Sir ! Again, if you and I were to meet at some foreign place (a raft at " Tilsit " say), we should but fill the whole term of our interview with retrospect. My existence, ever fraught vith the strongest elements of mental activity, sometimes enhvened by social and personal triumphs, sometimes overcast by deep-seated chagrin, oscillates in its prescribed radius from year to year, whilst I feel the remaining years growing fewer and fewer without any great regret. Yet still as time rolls on I become more and more conscious of the prodigious dispro- portion which has existed between my original capacity, both for enjoyment and the giving of joy to others. I brought into the world a fairy godmother's endowment, nothing less, and I have never been in a condition to turn this splendid heritage THE LEWIN LETTERS 151 to its full account. This often depresses me, and I ponder on the mysterious dispensations under which life is distributed so as to make of every woman's lot a penn'orth, and nothing but a penn'orth after all, without seeii^ any way out of the wondrous maze other than by lamenting that I ever was born a woman. You, my dear Babbee, have been differently situated. You also brought with you into the world most rare gifts, but among them the power of giving happiness to others was not granted. You were capable of blessing a very few with your love or friendship, but you were not made to be a world-wide favourite. I became struck down, and disabled from the moment I escaped from the baneful influence of our mother's despotism by that dire mishap of 1821, and ever since, I have been navigating stormy waters under a jury mast and with battered hull. Wreck though I may be, I have given the go by to many a gallant vessel, and have been often saluted to my full satisfaction, but I have ever borne about the world the feeling of a crippled stag whose noble course has been hindered by a chance shot in the flank. Well, I must end all these ruminations, my dear, dear, far-o£E sister, and turn to matters of present interest. Maria G. lyriting to me from the Scottish Highlands the other day said, " but why do I talk of ' the family ' ? why if I were asked what and where is the Grote family, I should reply ' you and George' " ? So it is coming to be with the Lewins. Frederick is now the only male representative of our old Une produceable and avail- able in the eyes of the world, and I am the only female repre- sentative of any personal importance or reputation. Poor Tombo has departed from amongst us : Edward is wholly un- known and closely confined to his office : George iU : Charlotte grown so censorious and meddlesome that every one gives her " a wide berth," maintaining with her only the most scrupulously guarded relations ; whilst her poor husband Uves on, a painful dim existence, supported only by opiates which undermine his faculties and sequester him entirely from the world. Sister Jane lives in her comer, bringing up her children as best she may, and never by any accident coming into the open. Her boys are amiable, well-conducted lads of no particular character, which, considering what their father was, is particularly for- tunate. Thus you will perceive, " dear itten Dan," that you do not lose much by your exclusion from the bosom of your family. I admit as fully as you do the charm which blood relationship adds to sjrmpathies, but though I would fain realize 152 THE LEWIN LETTERS this combination ^n my own case, I do protest that there is Tjut one member of the Lewin family in whose society I can take any pleasure, and that is, of course, our brother Frederick. Not only does he possess an original fund of poetic sentiment, but he has the genuine spirit of an Enghsh gentleman : a word of extensive and valuable import, as I have lived to know and feel. With him I have entertained intimate and affectionate relations since his return from India to England. His hfe, however, is so engrossed by social obligations and parental duties that his leisure is extremely limited, and when he has any he naturally spreads his wings and goes to vary the scene far from his own hearth-stone. You up in Lat. 60° do not realize Frederick's position, and I have no scruple in saying that he is, in his way, a hero. A man more aHve to moral obligations I have seldom known. That he does not revolve in the ideal John Bull circle is true. But what of that ? I for one would not stretch so sensitive and so ardent a being on " the bed of Procrustes " simply because it pleases " the Grundys " to look askance at him. You must know the inside of his mind as well as the details of his minage before you are quahfied to judge poor " Frathrack." Our sister Charlotte might be one of the Furies, scorpions in hand, to chastise this recusant mortal. Lay my words to heart, dear Frances, and do not write letters of com- miseration to " poor suffering Diana." I feel for her as the case calls for, but pity for her does not entail blame to the husband. Who is there among us who has never made a mistake — ^for their marriage was, no doubt, a mistake. He who having made one, does his best to endure the consequences, is the wise man, not he who pretends that he has not made^one : and that is what you would have F. do, although you do not say so, in as many words. You have doubtless heard particulars of dear old Tombo's premature death. It was truly a most melancholy affair and most unexpected, since he certainly appeared both to G. and me, a month before his seizure at the Castle, to promise to reach a length of days akin to those of his Father and Grandsire. You will have sorrowed over his loss, I feel persuaded, as indeed we must all do, although to speak frankly he seemed to me to enjoy life as little as anybody of my acquaintance. I do not call to mind any one subject or pursuit in which he took any interest or pleasure, and as to sensual enjo3rments, I do not believe they ever counted for much with our dear Brother. His meals were habitually solitary, he had no taste for sport, and I have been THE LEWIN LETTERS 153 led to suppose that he was chaste in his hfe. He had neither literary nor artistic pleasures either, and very few people to love, and still fewer to exchange his thoughts with. The gift copy of Grote's Greece, eleven volumes, still unpacked, was found unopened at his chambers. ReUgion (so-called) occupied the greater portion of his time, and in this occupation he found ample food for disquiet, as every one does who allows such speculations to gain too strong a hold on their imagination. Thus you see that dear Tom's existence was of as little value to him as a man's existence could be, who was free from care in worldly affairs and in sound health. The amount of his property surprized us all ! It is curious how much wealth can be amassed merely by not spending. The old HoUies estate cannot, I fear, pass to Frederick, as the other male heirs are entitled to share in the landed estate, making four parcels of it. George Grote is, hpwever, zealously at work in the service of the family, never thinking of himself when he deems it right to employ his admirable business talents in the service of others. Frederick is also a good business man, and the estate will no doubt be judiciously administered by these two, to the satisfac- tion I hope of all the Co-heirs, Edward not excepted. I had not been out of my own bed (save a week at Lord Fitzwilliam's in January) from September, '52 to February, '54, when I went to pass a fortnight at Tours with Alexis and Mme de Tocque- ville, then a fortnight in Paris, going it awfully — Senior there and all my Pals, and home in mid March for the London season. Charles Grote's death, Ellsler's connection revived " willy niUy," Theresa coming of age and George her trustee — over Fanny came, and I forgave her again — then Tombo's death all fiUed up the time. Now we are here at Greorge's estate to look after the bailiff and land. Our venture is so far wholly unremunerative, and I hope G. wiU terminate it as soon as the farm is thoroughly worked round, and fit to offer to a thoroughly good tenant. He is in excellent health and in good case altogether, and well on with the last volume of his History, which should be out in the course of 1855. Now God be with you, dear Babbee. My head gives me notice to stop, so I must close with Potter's kind love to you and my own to dear Nils and the boys, now young men, I presume. Always your loving sister, H. Geotb. In consequence of not taking opiates, I have grown beastly fat. Thirteen stone ! la ! 154 THE LEWIN LETTERS From Mrs. Frances Eliza von Koch to her sister, Mrs. Harriet Grote. January 9th, 1855. Mt dear Harriet, — ^I should have written to you sooner if I had not thought you had lost your reUsh for my scrawls, particularly as I was induced to remonstrate more strongly than agreeably against your forming your judgment of Diana from the partial evidence of Frederick. Soon after that I received the satisfactory intelligence that you had been to see Diana, and were then, and have since several times shewn yourself, very kind and considerate to her ; so that I have to thank you, and should I have written unbecomingly in my warmth, I pray you to forgive it. Your affectionate dolors about our friend- ship, so eloquently expressed, is not altogether unwelcome to my ear as indicative of something Uke jealousy of my affection. I used to feel a shade of the same when you were my all in all, and George Grote took away Miss Lewin and kissed her very much. It is very true that the building of my northern nest has occupied absorbingly my time and mind ; it would hardly have been a happy one with less. The transformation of an ardent, obstinate, and exclusive Enghshwoman into the Swedish wife, mother, and house mistress, was an adventurous experiment, and might have exploded prematurely, and with it the happiness of my married life. I have had a good deal to struggle with, partly from the novelty of my duties, and partly from the unsub- dued character I had grown up with. The ploughshares have certainly burnt my feet ; but I have come through the ordeal victorious, and am all the happier for the discipline, and I would fain hope better : and now while this education has been going on, do you think the dear friends of my childhood and my youth have receded from my heart. No ! I was never better able to judge of who were worth loving ; never loved so dearly all old loves such as brothers and sisters, early friends, etc. My husband mildly answered me one day, early in the days of the height of my passion for him, when I declared one could not love properly many. " Oh ! the more you love, and the greater number, the better for you " ; and so it has proved. I wish I could love everybody, but certainly I love you as much as ever I did ; the only check I have ever experienced was when you would not come out of the straight road between France and England to Dunkirk to see me, although I was crippled : THE LEWIN LETTERS 155 and you could make zigzags every year to visit your elites. I could not but painfully perceive I was no more of the number. You were early my much-preferred sister ; your dazzlingly attrac- tive qualities, your unhappiness, last and most, have rivetted me to you, to and beyond the grave, for I behave I shall meet you after death and love you. And now these confessedly fairy god-mother's gifts, you sour them by sitting down and imagining you never had an opportunity of using them to full account. Ola ! Ola ! The only and sad reflection is that the fairy who presided at your birth did not give you the gift of wisdom, for if anybody ever got what you call " a penn'orth," be it man or woman, my dearest Longleg, it is you. But your fame and success has intoxicated you, and you cry ever " More ! more." I know I am, as you say, a pigmy beside you, but that only confirms what I have just said ; and I, without a fairy god- mother, have hved happily because, having so httle to spin from without, I have spun from within ; and as I enlarge and purify my within from dross, the brighter burns the lamp of happiness without, which no worldly successes or advantages could profit me. With wisdom, art, music, nature, and a good conscience, with enough of worldly gear to feed and clothe myself and my dear ones, I cannot be otherwise than happy. Nobody gets all the prizes in the lottery, not even you, dear. Your family picture is certainly not flattering, but I grant you one cannot but recognise the likenesses. I am not devoured by fruitless self-deception on the softness of the family bosom, on which to repose. I only say that absence extinguishes the small passions and augments the great, and that I never loved my flesh and blood with such true childish affection as since I have hved in Sweden, though they every now and then bother me in their letters with their several incongruities one after another. I am very glad you can say such handsome things of Frederick, whom I love also very tenderly, and I certainly am not going to play Eumenides, scourge in hand. I cannot, however, change my ideas of right and wrong, although, if I oould, I would willingly boil his peas for him. It is just this emancipating of the Lewins from the standard of right and wrong, held by the Smiths and Thompsons of this world, that has made them come so short of what is positively virtuous : Tom and Edward excepted. I think, too, the absence of sym- pathy between you and the others makes you weak for Fred. If Frederick, or any other, do not his supposed duty, I will not 156 THE LEWIN LETTERS willingly condemn him (" nobody knows it but 'dem as suffers it " as poor William used to snivel)'; but I wUl not say with you, " he need not do his duty because he is not a Smith or a Thompson, but a Lewin." As for the departed Tom, I do not wonder at your observa- tions upon him. His joys (if any) and sorrows were a sealed book to us ; his indulgence to the faults, and kindness to the necessities, of others were an open volume in which we have all read enough, I hope, to mourn him as a brother and a man, and regret that his life was to all appearance so unblest. He doubtless changed for the better. I have never regarded the circumstances of poor Tom's death as so lamentable. In the way he Hved I do not see how he could have died comfortably, anywhere, any more than he Hved. His chambers at Raymond's Buildings were miserable, and his housekeeper (Mrs. Ingram) a mercenary, although I beheve an honest woman. Barring the nuisance to Mrs. Campbell at Ealravock Castle, I can hardly think of the good man's end being better arranged for his own comfort, and the alleviation of the grief of those who loved him. A death in an ale-house by the roadside, with no doctor to attend him, might, perhaps, have suited his own ideas better ; but he had a clever medical man who perceived the case from the first moment, the house of a rich old friend, a good priest, and, I fancy, peace. I wrote to Mrs. Campbell to thank her. I hope the brothers wiU agree about the landed estate. I would not grieve his memory by one word of dissatisfaction, for my own part, regarding the personalty, being very thankful for what he permitted to fall to my share. There can be no blessing over worldly goods as to which brothers and sisters make a cause of quarrel. God bless you for your forgiveness of Fanny, although she wiU ever, I doubt, be a scapegrace ; but it is so divine to pardon. " 'Fraid you lays out too much money a buildin' " History Hut and in the Lincolnshire farming ! I rejoice that the great man is in really good keep, as he gets into the sere and yellow leaf. It was more than I dared expect ; that you should at last have got rid of your headaches and that you have become fat and stout is delightful news : and yet you repine over your fate, although your health is so much improved ! I long to see you as big as a house. There is more go in me at present than there was a year ago, but I cannot bear much sorrow or fatigue of body or mind as yet, if I ever shall. Jenny Land THE LEWIN LETTERS 157 was here fourteen days ago, but never came near me — was sur- rounded by priests and beggars. I hear she was not satisfied at her reception in her own country : she came informally, without Otto or the " brat." I remain, ever and ever your affectionate sister and friend, F. E. V. Koch. Soiree che,z, Madame Grote, Paris, May 1th, 1855. Mmes Scheffer. Wolowski. Pournet. Target. Jocelyn. Materly. Miles De SaUs. „ Blackett. Comtesse Bianca Leone. Messrs. Thiers '\ De TocqueviUe [ , ,, a-.^-^. j,_ Ampere. [ Mignet. / Dunoyer — de I'lnstitut. P. Labouchere. Target. Duvergier — de I'lnstitut. Ary Scheffer — (peintre). General Pox. Comte de Circourt. Earle. Corbyn. Rt. Hon. Sir H. Ellis. Comte de Salis. Dr. Pournet. Blackett, M.P, Buffet (ex ministre). Wolowski (Professor). 158 THE LEWIN LETTERS From Mrs. Frances Eliza von Koch to her sister, Mrs. H. Grate. AiTGEBUM, NEAR KLarlskbona, SWEDEN, Jutie I4£h, 1855. My dear Harriet, — Nils takes this letter with him instead of me. It makes me " dowly " not to go too and see you all; but yet I am a fragile traveller always hoping to come some other time if stronger ; but perhaps it will be a case of " when the crows have picked up all the dirt." I long for the news of you he will bring. " Make much of him," as Grandfather said when his large dog flew at Tom. I am not to be pitied in Hfe, though I do not get all I want, and it is not hard to be content when one has one's hfe so well arranged as I have. I long for details about you and everything you think about, everything. We are trying a new place, Augerum, with another nature than Scandinanavian — a beautiful Kent or Hampshire, reminding me of home. A short time before leaving Stockholm I witnessed the per- formance of Lindblad's last new symphony, and was much pleased with it. It is very tasteful and fanciful, rather Mozart- ish, and altogether Landbladish. Would it answer in England, think you, where everything good in music finds its level ? and would it cost much ? He will not palm it on anybody, I know, so it will never leave Sweden unsohcited; but I think it a pity it should not have a chance in the ocean of artistic hfe, and should be glad to give the curious man of genius a spur and cordial. Will you visit us in Sweden at our house in Blekinge ? it is not so far as Stockholm, and you can less judge of Swedish hfe and Sweden in general when in the capital, than in the retired nook we now inhabit. It is beautiful around, and if we both thrive here. Nils means it to be his otium. So fertile and luxuriant a vegetation I wist not that Sweden could present, but I prefer from habit and from love of poetic musing, her more rugged face. I have once for all exchanged an Enghshwoman's fate for that of a Scandinavian wife and mother, though the changes in my lot cast me sometimes into temporary melancholy. Will it not go over ? Nils will absolve me from further experiment and sadness. If you would hold out a hope you would cUmb northward some day, it would be an Aurora boreahs to look out for, but I return to the old song and hope to come and renew the stream of our mutual natures unencumbered by children, etc., perhaps I shall come quite alone to drink a draught of Enghsh remin- Mr, Edward B. H. Lewin. THE LEWIN LETTERS 159 iscences more completely. FiU up Nils with politics and " averyting," the only consolation for those who must remain at home. Good-bye, good-bye, ever and ever a fond sister and true friend, dear " mit de longleg." "NiTTEN Fan." Fram Mr. Frederick Mortimer Lewin to his brother, Edward B. H. Lewin. Halfway Steeet, near Bexley, Kent. June \%th, 1855. Deae Edward, — ^A fertile source of vexation here, is the different horses in the tradesmen's carts edging on to the Path and eating off the Quickset sprouts : but yesterday came a flagrant act on the part of the Clockmaker from Bromley, who coming to repair Mr. Palmer's clock, put his Trap lengthways on the very Path, and tjdng the horse to the gate left him there, and there I found him. Immediately I ran off to Richard Fil- lery, who, having been caught in a shower and got wet, had put off his shoes and sat in his shppers taking his tea with Mrs. FiUery, who had returned from Hastings after a week's absence during the whole of which time R. Fillery had had to make tea for himself. As soon as he could get on his thick shoes and his Coat, he came out and at once identified the Trap as that of the Clockmaker from Bromley. He untied the Pony, and I thereupon seized him by the Head, backing him off the Path into the Road in great indignation, and giving him a good kick in the Belly, started him on his travels at a good Pace up the street towards Eltham. I then retreated within my own gate, elbows on the top rail, and awaited the denouement : Richard PiUery, aghast, and a prey to the hveliest emotions of awe, sur- prise and astonishment, looking eagerly after the Cloekmaker's property going up the street, the action of the Poney (Chesnut and Brass Harness) being remarkably good. Mrs. Bentrup (a large, coarse woman, but aUve to fun) also looked on, having reached the Palmer's gate, on an errand, at the identical moment the red Poney was loosed. Not long did I wait. With a sudden click the Palmer's door opened, and Clockworks himself in all his movements appeared. Out came Palmer, bareheaded and in confusion, having the angles to traverse before he could even get on to the hne of Pursuit, and yet tantahzed in his impa- tience at seeing the Vehicle proceed eastward at rapid pace. i6o THE LEWIN LETTERS Out started Clockmaker ipse with feelings of even more intensity, and the Pursuit commenced. Mrs. Pahner, with best wishes, on anxious thought intent, standing upon the Threshold in clean, well-got-up Cap. So angry was I, that I said before the posse comitatus came out of the door, " I hoped the Pony would go to Eltham," and was calculating he would do so, or cut off by Pope Street to Bromley, when lo ! the Animal turned in at the " Black Horse." Ah ! said I, he's gone for a pint of Beer. No, said Mrs. Bentrup, He's a Teatotaller." Your affectionate Brother, P. M. L. From Mrs. H. Grate to her sister, Mme. von Koch, per Nils von Koch. July 5th, 1855. Deary, deab Babbo, — ^I received your loving scrawl, for which " tousand tanks." Me lub you velhy muta. Did any- body ever hear of such hocus pocus goings on in Lat 61° ! I 'fecks ! no longer 61°, Sir ! We've dropped down to 58°, it seems ! Gottenwick crocked and a new estate shipped with Chateau, etc., baiUff, farm, and aU the rest of it, at Augerum, nicht war. Must put on the considering cap forthwith and try to concoct a plan for getting to Carlskrona some of these days. But it would be far better to meet in North Gtermany at some time near Spa. I confess that as my life is now on the wane (having on Sunday last reached what is called the grand chmacteric), I value every week at a high rate, and accordingly grudge the time wasted in long joumies ; but to have a week or two of converse with you would tempt me to set forth, if indeed you cannot come to England, which after all is prefer- able, as the heat there is never oppressive. I was glad to see Nils so well and prosperous. He has given me ample details of yourself and the boys, and prospective views of each of them. I long to see them all again, and Oscar especially, whom I always dubbed a rare bird. Nils will tell you of my briUiant month at Paris in April and part of May. A week at Heidelberg with De Bunsen and family; thence to Dusseldorf for the Nieder Rheiniache Musik Fest., where Jenny Lind sang the leading part in Haydn's " Creation." Magnificent ! Then to Cologne, where G. G. met me ; Elssler and Therese also : G. to resign his trust to Therese, now twenty-one, and pay her half a year's dividend, informing her of the fact that she hadaUttle fortune of her own. THE LEWIN LETTERS i6i Then a week at Ems with Jenny, her amiable husband being away at Stockhohn, and home by June 13th. Lots of work on hand. Our twelfth volume goes to press shortly. Shall dive to History Hut for the rest of the summer. Jenny talks of Rome for the wiater, and wants me to join them there. I have not made my plans for winter of 1855-6, but was so pinched by the cold of last winter that I would gladly go anywhere for shelter. God bless you, darling. I am unalterably your loving " mit de long leg," H. G. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. von Koch. History Hut, Slottgh, April 10th, 1856. Dear Frances, — Contemplating a start for a continental tour within a few days from this, I will endeavour to write to you before my departure, both because I think I owe you a letter, and because the recent events in our family seem to call for some commentary at the hands of the leading member of it. To you, Hving where you do, these events must bring a sort of consternation. Two deaths (Brother George and Frederick's wife, Diana) within a week of each other certainly re- mind us how reduced are the limits of our family circle, and naturally suggest feehngs of sohcitude in regard to the remain- ing branches. Was it not somewhat remarkable that his godmother. Lady Pembroke, should close her earthly career within twenty-four hours of his end ? and what a career hers has been ! Few women ever filled a larger space socially speaking, or occupied more hearts with love and devotion. I enjoyed an hour's talk with this admirable woman about five months ago, and fondly hoped to see her again in February. She died of a growing feebleness in the action of the heart, ending in anasarca and suffocation, just as my mother-in-law died. Lady Pembroke's deathbed was surrounded by relatives in tears of real anguish, but she expired quietly at the age of seventy-three. Poor sister Diana's death was truly a shock to all of us. I had paid her a visit in Audley Street of three quarters of an hour a few days previously, her three girls being present. She seemed to me in excellent health, and in fact she admitted that she had got through the winter better than any year since her arrival in England from India. She marked out her plans for the coming summer with vivacity VOL. n. M 1 62 THE LEWIN LETTERS and pleasurable anticipation, and appeared to be on the whole less to be compassionated than usual, though she let drop that Prederiok had not been there for two months. I was dumbfounded, then, when the news reached me of her untimely end. Frederick sent me no intimation of it, and had it not been for Charlotte's pen-wagging capacity I should not have known the fact until the newspaper announcement four days later. Nay, up to this hour I know no particulars, beyond that of her sudden death — nor where or when she was interred, or what has become of her girls : nothing in short. It is therefore from others that you will doubtless learn what you may wish to know of our departed sister-in-law. George Grote expressed a decided wish that I should remain passive and make no overtures of service or assistance in any way, and I have accordingly abstained from writing to Frederick. To tell the truth, I should have found myseM in a difficulty as to the tenour of my letter had I written to him on so grave an occasion. Condolence I could not offer, cognizant as I have been, for years past, of the state of his feehngs towards his wife. Service I could hardly tender, because his behaviour for the last twelve months has been so unaccountable and even unbecoming, that both George and myself have judged it wise to give the gentleman what sailors call " a wide berth." As I never had the smallest difference or quarrel with him, but on the contrary always treated him with sisterly kindness and afforded him every consolation that sympathy could furnish, it was inex- pUcable that he should cease coming to see us after February, 1855 : should cease writing, should never invite me to his house. Write he did on one occasion in August, 1855, asking for a loan of £1,000, which I lent him, but it turned out subsequently the money was not required. I made overtures nevertheless in March, 1856, asking him to come to a family gathering to meet Jenny Lind and Otto Goldschmidt, but he flatly refused, and Diana did not dare come because she feared his anger after he himself had refused. Other acts of Frederick's have rendered both of us somewhat averse to the idea of drawing closer again, and poor Tom, of Barn House, declares that he is so irritable and vehement that he finds his visits a burthen and a sore trial : the rather as he treats Charlotte with mixed contempt and impertinence, galling to both husband and wife. Thus, my dear Frances, you will comprehend that the actual relations of the Lewin tribe are not altogether cordial or creditable, and you THE LEWIN LETTERS 163 will perhaps in your own mind make an inference therefrom not far different from former ones, of which you and I have talked confidentially ; I allude to the tendency to mental disease which has evinced itself among us. Isabella Marsh asks me to enclose a note to " Aunt Frances." She is very anxious you should honour " Elm-lot " with a visit when you come to England. Begar ! if you don't pack up your traps and come soon, there is no saying how many more of us may disappear through the bridge ! Isa- bella's brother, Mrs. Drummond and the Princess of Coorg, the Queen's god-daughter, came to see me to-day : a regular httle black " mama," of course. Isabella expects the Penson child over daily, Ada, five years old, having offered to take charge of it on payment of £20 per annum, which they have promised, but which I am pretty certain they will not pay. I came down here for a couple of nights to wind up, and leave orders on quitting Eng- land. I will send you a photo of the Hut shortly, per Swedish embassy ; and now being half bhnd by writing all this by the lamphght, I wish you good night, dear Babbee, being always your affectionate H. Grotb. Kind regards to Nils. He will be specially grieved at the two deaths in the family, George and Diana having always appeared to me to claim his preference over all the rest of us. No accounting for tastes ! Mrs. Grate to her sister, Mme. von Koch. London, March Mth, 1857. Dearest Babbo, — I have at length with incredible effort, achieved the two objects for which, doubtless, you have been waiting. First : " Heidelberg " fairly copied out, accompanied by a kind of " argument " showing the emotion under which the music was excogitated, I hope you will find pleasure, dear, in playing my hommage d la Suedoise, which G. G. declares he can never hear too often. I played it one day to Mrs. Carleton, who, before I had got through eight bars, broke out exclaiming, " What is that ? Beethoven's ? how very Uke one of his Andantes," and would hardly beheve me when I acknowledged the work as my own. I am continually composing things, but from want of some one to write them down, they escape me. I sent packed up with " Heidelberg " a portrait of the Chevalier Bunsen, which you so much wished to possess, and which I obtained 1 64 THE LEWIN LETTERS from his son Ernest for you ; also a duplicate of the Uthographed portrait of G. G., which you may give to any learned scholar of your acquaintance who might value the portrait of a great man. March 20. This letter has been lying in my desk some days, as I have been much occupied in preparing for a ball in honour of the young soldier nephew, now staying here on leave for the first time since he joined his Regiment, the 95th Foot, now quartered in Ireland. We had last evening about fifty people or more, and most spirited dancing by about sixteen couple — and after supper Sir Alexander Gordon made me dance " the Lancers," with him, Mrs. Nassau Senior and Manuel Garcia our vis-a-vis. As we were spinning about at our end, I happened to look toward the other, and what should I see but the Historian going it with Lady Overstone, while Lord O. twirled Lady Shaw Lefevre in the same set ! I thought I must be dreaming, but so it was. Altogether it was a very successful affair. Niece Jane, well dressed in white tulle, danced with Lord Dufferin the crack beau of the room (one of the Queen's Lords in waiting), and with Mr. Gibbs, the Prince's tutor, a handsome young man. I am sitting for my picture three quarters length in oil, Ufe size. Vat you tink ? Too late in the day, it is true, but friends clamour for some por- trait of me, and better such as I am now than none at all. The frends of my ripe period want a Ukeness of the same, so that a hthograph of the old Landseer, though more pleasing, would not recall the Mrs. Grote of 1845-55. I came to town a month since. The weather has been benign and enjoyable up to last week, when it turned to bleak East wind. I went down to Oxfordshire with the Stanley's on the 11th and stayed two days with them to attend A. P. Stanley's inaugural lectures on " Ecclesiastical History," of which he is now Regius Professor. They were delivered in the Theatre in Oxford (so called), and were very interesting. Mrs. Stanley glowing with maternal pride, and his sisters no less enchanted ; a distinguished audience of some hundred and fifty people. We worked away at sights, colleges, museums, etc., escorted by three Professors in academic costume. Had Piatti and a vioUnist here lately, and played two hours, Beethoven, Hummel, etc., nobody to hsten but Jeanie and Frederick D. Lewin and old sister Charlotte, who were dehghted with the treat. So you see I don't give it up altogether just yet. I went last Tuesday to Ella's winter evening concert at WilUs' Rooms, and heard most divine music : Molique lead- THE LEWIN LETTERS 165 ing the violins, Piatti at the 'Cello and Hall6 on P. F. The Mendelssohn Trio, and glees, etc. George and I go to Long Bennington next Wednesday, to overhaul accounts and look into the condition of the farm, now being given up to a tenant. G. persists in keeping on eighty acres of land, however, for his own farming to obhge his bailiff, who has quite got the length of his foot you may be sure. I hope your farming at Augerum prospers. I will gladly send you seeds or implements for Nils, if he wishes for any. George is very flourishing and very busy over the New Charter, which is being granted to the London University under our new Chairman, Lord Granville. The dissolution of Parliament has caused a prodigious stir every- where. George has been offered three seats if he would stand, but he is firm in his resolution to stick to Plato & Co. Pray write soon, dearest Babbee, you know your odd effusions always interest me. They are fresh from an original mind and heart. Love to Nils and the boys. Ever thine tenderly, H. Grote. George sends his love to you. He is quite susceptible to your soft flatteries, never fear. I wish you would put to paper some account of Jenny Lind's early history for me. Where did she hve when she acted on the Theatre, i.e., after her voice returned and before she went to Paris in 1841, and who was it that took notice of her as a child, and what was the maiden name of her mother ? From Emma Lloyd to Mr. Edward Hale, of Portneuf, Canada. Hampden Rectoey, Missendbn, Bucks, September 12th, 1857. My dear Edward, — ^It has given me sincere pleasure to see your handwriting once more in your letter to my dear Son. It is very, very long since we have had any communication, and I have often wished to know what you were about. We are almost the only remnants of our numerous Family, Brother William excepted, and I know very Httle about him ; but then he never was of our standing, though I do hear he is very fresh for his age, somewhere about eighty-four. You gave us hopes when you left England that you would return in two years, but I have looked for you in vain, and now you say you are too old to under- take it ! You seem to have taken root in that far land and to have made friends, and I am glad to know from your Letter i66 THE LEWIN LETTERS that you have a Church and some society about you. I find all my co-temporaries sinking, and I stand ahnost alone. Were it not for my Uving with my dear son, I should be most solitary, but eight grandchildren do not leave the house in dull stillness. The eldest boy is at home, having shown symptoms of a weak spine, which obhged him to leave school. The next two are at school, so we have four boys and two girls as our family circle — ^the youngest only turned a year old. You may suppose Charles has his hands full with parish work, schools and mis- sionary meetings, besides his work as Chaplain to the Bishop of Oxford. There was once an idea of his going out to Gra- ham's Tovm, and I had consented to go too, but fortunately it was given up, to my great rehef. But what could I do ? he would not leave me, so I would not stand in his way. I wish any opening were hkely to increase his means. His Hving is but a small one with so large a family, though I contribute what I can ; but the prospect of six boys to educate does dig deep into our finances I assure you, and I cannot lay by my nest egg. This is a very pretty Rectory, and I added my rooms to it five years ago when I joined them, which makes it a good- sized house. I never go from home now, and Charles is always kind and attentive to me. I missed Emily's and Catherine's homes very much, as I could make a Httle change there, especi- ally in a run up to Town by rail, for we have a Station only five miles off now at Wycombe ; but all my nearest relatives are gone, and if you were to see my white hair you would suppose I might soon follow. I am thankful to say I have pretty good health, though a httle stiff and rheumatic, not able to walk much, but I mount a poney in fine weather and wander through the woods by myself constantly. The Boys used to ride by me, but these httle ones are too young, and the eldest is not allowed. He is fourteen and I am seventy-four. My son Charles is forty- six. Of our brother Henry's lads we do not see much. Henry the eldest is in the India service, is not employed, and has no ship. The second was in the Law, also the third, but he, the third, has been left by his uncle Hildyard a fine property of some £4,000 a year, and takes the name of Hildyard, so of course he becomes a fine gentleman. Berny, the second, lives with Robert, the fourth, a clergyman in Yorkshire, and George, the fifth son, is Steward to Lord Derby with a good salary. Elizabeth, the only daughter, married a clergyman Burdon, and lives on the borders of Wales. Brother WiUiam Ensign Thomas Herbert Lewin, aged i8. 1859. THE LEWIN LETTERS 167 has only one daughter at home and a httle granddaughter. Gossip reports that the elder of Henry's sons wants William's daughter Marianne, but that William don't approve. I saw the death of Harry Budd in Austraha some time ago. He went out as a doctor and joined Richard, who is married out there. The Chaloner family has come to a very low ebb. Bob, the eldest son, married last spring his cousin Wynch and died soon after ; the remaining brother Tim has married nobody knows who, and is now rebuilding Longhall near Gisborough, where they were all born. Skelton Castle is occupied by John Wharton, who also married his cousin Henry Yeoman's daughter; and now as I have filled my paper, I remain, Your very affectionate Sister, Emma Lloyd. Note. — Emma Hale, daughter of General Hale and Mrs. Mary Hale : bom June 16th, 1782 ; died 1861, at ChaKord, St. Giles, her son Charles being Rector of that Parish. She married Major Lloyd, of 66th Regiment, in October, 1808, and he was drowned in Ireland February 5th, 1809. From Thomas Herbert Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. CAIiCTITTA, THE CADET's QtJARTEES IN POET WiLLIAM, October 2lst, 1857. My dearest Mother, — Here I am at last safely domiciled in Calcutta and comfortable enough physically speaking, but I cannot get over the feeUng of being so far distant from all those I love and who love me. I do long so to see you again — ^it is worse even than going to school. I have been ordered to buy a bed and a brass wash-hand basin and other things for campaigning, but they say I shall not need a rifle. Dearest mother, I shall never forget the misery of the day when I parted from you and saw the EngUsh shore, and you standing on it, growing dimmer and more distant as the ship slipped away ; but never mind, we must now look forward to our meeting again. I arrived at Calcutta on Saturday last, and after some trouble from my ignorance of the language, I got my luggage conveyed to the Cadet's quarters in the Fort on two hackeries, which are rough carts drawn by two buUocks. I send you enclosed a drawing of Ensign Lewin being carried for the first time in a palanquin on the shoulders of four brown men. The rooms here are lofty and well ventilated, but the punkahs (large hanging fans) are kept going all night on account of the heat. 1 68 THE LEWIN LETTERS I have set out the table in my room quite gaily with aU my home portraits, and my httle clock ticking away, just as if it were at home in England, instead of in this far away Eastern city. I fear, however, that these efforts at permanent comfort wiU be in vain, as I expect daily to be posted to some regiment going up country. You know there is no native army now, so that we young fellows wiU probably aU be attached for duty to Queen's Regiments. I am told also that no officer is allowed more than 100 lb. of baggage, so I shall have to leave behind the greater part of my effects at my agents, Messrs. Gisbome & Co. I called there the other day, and they were very civil to me, and I drew £10 of the money you so kindly placed at my credit, and this, I hope, will last me for some time. I have made inquiries about Edward Lewin, and they tell me that he is with his battery at Lucknow, wherever that may be. I send you a picture of an adjutant bird : they are wonderfully tame here, as being kind of scavengers they are protected in the city. They are about 5 feet high, with a great red pouch of skin hanging down in front upon their breasts. One sees them everjrwhere, even on the walls and piUars of Government House — a great palace where the Governor-General of India lives. I have here a good many of my Addiscombe comrades and a schoolfellow or two, so I have no lack of companions. I have not yet presented any of my letters of introduction. Mr. Arthur Grote, I am told, is away on leave, and I cannot find out where Captain Yule hves ; but to teU you the truth, I have not much faith in letters of introduction, and it is best to make your own friends. I do not know what to do about getting a horse ; I find it very expensive to hire " gharis " (which answer to our Enghsh cabs) for going about, as it is impossible to walk here in the daytime for fear of sunstroke, but things on the whole are much cheaper here than in England, and I can hire a palan- quin for hours together for a shilling — ^but it is a jerky, stuffy, mode of conveyance. I hope, darHng, that you keep quite well and do n t fret or worry yourself about me. I shall write to you as often as I can and tell you aU that I do. So good-bye, my own dear, good mother, and believe me as ever, Your most loving son, T. H. LEwm. PS. — ^I have just received a letter from Mr. Arthur Grote, THE; LEWIN LETTERS 169 very kindly asking me to stay with him at AUpore, so I am thankfully accepting his hospitahty. Newman & Co.'s " Guide to Calcutta," by H. Cotton, in Chapter on Graveyards as follows : St. John's Churchyard, Calcutta. It is a melancholy commentary on the short-lived character of an Indian reputation that Malkin and Puller are better known as past authors of musty law reports, and Blosset, as the uncle of George Grote, the historian of Greece, than as occupants of the Calcutta Bench. Sir R. H. Blosset (the newspapers of the day speak of him as Sir Henry Blosset, H.E.I.C.S.) was the son of the Rev. Dr. Henry Peckwell, an eminent preacher, and took the name of Blosset from his mother, who belonged to an old Huguenot family. It is said that he was as accomplished as a linguist as Sir Wm. Jones. He was a perfect master of French, Italian, German, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. He was sworn in as Chief Justice on December 23rd, 1822, and died on February 1st, 1823. Sir Christopher PuUer was the imme- diate successor of Sir Robert Henry Blosset, and his tenure of office was even briefer, for he was sworn in as Chief Justice on April 18th, 1824, and died on May 26th of the same year. The Grotes, with whom Sir Henry Blosset was so closely connected, were represented in India from 1833 to 1868 by Arthur Grote (brother of the Historian and nephew of the Chief Justice). He retired in 1868, and his picture hangs in the rooms of the Royal Asiatic Society of Calcutta. His wife, Helen Anne Grote, died in 1838 at the age of eighteen on board the " Megna " Pilot brig off Kedgeree, and lies buried in North Park Street Cemetery. Two other Grotes were in India at the same period, both sons of George Grote, of Badgemore, in Oxfordshire, and Selina Mary Blosset, his wife. She was a woman of extraordinary beauty. One Lieutenant Frederick Grote, of the Bengal Artillery, was A.D.C. to Lord Amherst, and died in Calcutta ia 1828, aged twenty-one. The other, Robert Grote, was a young Civilian, and died at Jespore, near Moradabad, in 1829, at the age of twenty. From Thomas Herbert Lewin to his moth&r, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Rahteegtingb, November 2nd, 1857. My dearest Mothee, — ^You see by the above date that I have left Calcutta and am launched into the great unknown India. I was very comfortable at Mr. Arthur Grote's, who was most kind and hospitable ; but I was not allowed to stay there long, for in three days' time I received orders to proceed to Chinsurah and join H.M.'s 34th Regiment; so I and two or three other cadets went to Chinsurah by train and joined. That night I commenced campaigning. We were only allowed 150 pounds of luggage, so I had no bed, and had to sleep in a tent on the ground that night " with my martial cloak around ijo THE LEWIN LETTERS me." The Regiment paraded at 5 o'clock a.m., and we marched off in column of companies to the railway station, the band playing gaily before us. I was appointed to D. company, and had a strange, uncomfortable sensation of being a stranger in a foreign land, for I did not belong to the Regiment, did not know my duty, and aU the officers were strangers to me. How- ever, we reached Raneegunge at 6 o'clock, and after waiting about for an hour, I was shown my quarters, a tent with nothing in it, which I shared with two other officers — Shaw the interpreter, and Evans, an old Addiscombe chum of mine. I was sleeping on the ground very comfortably when we were wakened by a jackal howhng just outside the tent. " Just throw a boot at him, Evans," I said. Up jumped Evans in great wrath, and seizing the nearest article hurled it at the jackal, but what was our horror to find that the missile was our breakfast for the next morning, which Shaw had carefully wrapped up in paper. We heard no more of the jackal, and breakfasted on dry biscuit, which was very good. I am writing this on my knee, sitting on my portmanteau, as tables and chairs are unknown luxuries. I am to start to-morrow by horse-dak, for this is the rail-head. Cochrane, a subaltern of the 34th, myself and fifteen men form the party. I wiU write to you, dear Mother, as soon as I get another opportunity, but the post is very uncertain. We are going along the Grand Trunk Road to AUahabad, and hope to reach that place in ten or twelve days if no accident happens. Give my best love to all, and take care of your dear self. I am very well and have an amazing appetite with but scant oppor- tunity of satisfying it. Beheve me always. Your affectionate Son, T. H. Lbwht. From Thomas Herbert Lewin to Ms mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Allahabad, November 13th, 1857. My dearest Mother, — I am lying in my tent, and with a very bad pen and worse ink will try and give you some idea of my doings since last I wrote to you. You know I was ordered up to Benares when last I wrote, en route to Allahabad. We had to pass through a part of the country in which were the mutinied 32nd Regiment and the 5th Irregular Cavalry. The Commander-in-Chief who preceded us (Sir Colin Campbell), THE LEWIN LETTERS 171 and travelled by horse-dak also, was nearly captured on the way, and our party slept in the carriages, fully armed, with guns and revolvers loaded, ready to turn out at a moment's notice. The whole country indeed is under martial law, and men are hanged daily. I hear we have had heavy losses up country, and the fighting at Delhi is most severe. From Benares to Allahabad we travelled by bullock waggon, and as it may interest you, I will write down a night scene which I jotted down on the march. I was Ijdng in my waggon about 2 a.m., jolting along, and could not sleep from the strangeness and novelty of my surroundings, so I fiUed a pipe, and as I smoked I thought about home — so very far away. My sword and revolver hang from the waggon tilt close to my head, and my gun is tied to the side of the cart. Close to it is a wood-pigeon that I shot this evening. It is bitter cold, and I am wrapped up in my pea-jacket with a rug round my feet. At the other end of the cart is my one portmanteau and a Carpet bag to hold odds and ends, and on these is seated my bearer (a native servant I engaged at Benares), his dark form silhouetted against the blue-black sky of night. The trees wave darkly on either side of the long, interminable road we are following. Our party is now a strong one, as we have received telegraphic orders to join the next large detach- ment of men in front of us. Captain Marriott is in command, and under him Budgen and East (both capital chaps), with Cochrane and myself. Nothing is to be heard but the slow creaking of the long hne of bullock waggons, and now and then from the adjacent jungle the wail of a jackal, which is instantly taken up and re-echoed by hundreds more. This sounds as if the forest were full of Indians, as in Fennimore Cooper's novels that I used to read at school. I think to myself that it is about 10 o'clock at night in old England, and you have just had the lamps lighted apd are going up to your own room (dear old room that I remember and love so well), I can almost see you ; now you turn the corner. I hope your leg does not hurt you, dear. God bless you, say a prayer for me to-night; but this kind of sentimentahty will not do, so I knock out the ashes of my pipe and ttirn over to go to sleep. Do not think I am unhappy or uncomfortable, for to tell the truth I Hke this kind of rollicking life — you do not know what the morrow may bring forth, and you do not care. We march to Cawnpore the day after to-morrow and expect to have a brush with the mutineers. So far I have not seen a 1/2 THE LEWIN LETTERS shot fired, and I wonder sometimes whether I shall be afraid when the Regiment goes into action. I was not conscious of any fear on the road when we expected to fall in with the muti- neers, but you never can tell. I think it depends greatly on the digestion, so I'm all right, for I am as hungry as a hawk. Oood-bye, dear Mother. I am always, Your loving son, T. H. Lewin. To Miss J. E. Lewin, cousin of Thos. H. Lewin. Allahabad, November \Uh, 1857. My dear Jbanib, — ^You wiU, I dare say, be glad to have news of me. I am attached to H.M.'s 34th Regiment, and on my way to the front. My travelhng companion is a young Crimean lieutenant, Cochrane by name, a good fellow with whom I get on very well. For the last week we have been spinning along by rail and road as fast as steam, horses and bullocks could carry us, with no impediment save the constant inclination of the horses to stand on their hind legs and of the bullocks to He down in the road and proceed no further. At Raneegunge, where I first arrived from Calcutta, the regimental order was read out that fifteen men with a Sergeant and a Corporal should proceed by horse-dak to Benares under the command of Lieu- tenant Cochrane and Ensign Lewin, the first or pioneer detach- ment of the regiment, through a country filled with disaffected peasantry and mutinous soldiers. Here I found my innate thoughtlessness (that you have so often reprobated) stood me in good stead, for I did not give a thought to the 400 mutineers of the 32nd Native Infantry who stood between us and Benares. Off we went and travelled comfortably enough, going at night and resting by day, until we reached a place called Shergotty : there we heard that the Commander-in-chief, Sir Cohn Campbell, had had a narrow escape from being captured by the rebels, and we found awaiting us a telegraphic order that aU horse and bearer-dak detachments proceeding up country, should join together and proceed in stronger bodies for fear of surprize, so here we joined a detachment of the 82nd Regiment which was waiting our arrival. The rest-house at Shergotty had been burnt by the mutineers and presented a most melancholy appear- ance, roofless and shattered. As we travelled through the THE LEWIN LETTERS 173 night, one of the men sat on the box of each carriage with his rifle loaded, and Cochrane and I kept alternate watch and watch through the night, in case of accidents. The regiment is coming up and gathering here slowly in detachments, and we shall soon move on to Cawnpore. Last night I went down into the native city of Allahabad to fetch two pair of my trousers that wanted repairing. It was about 10 o'clock at night, but I took my revolver with me and set out. I did not altogether Uke the situation when I had gone a mile or so, and found myself in the midst of hundreds of black faces all scowUng upon me. I reached the tailor's shop and recovered my trousers, paying the enormous sum of &d. for work well and truly done, and the obhging tailor offered me a native pipe or "chillum," at which I took a few raucous whiffs, but such a large and unfriendly crowd gathered around the shop, that I soon quietly melted away and got back to my own white-faced race as soon as possible. I have engaged a Khitmat- gar and a bearer as my body servants, and have purchased a very good white pony for 50 rupees, and engaged a saice or groom to look after him. We start for Cawnpore to-morrow, and I will send you another letter from there, but you can always get news of me from my Mother, to whom I write as regularly as I can. I can hear no definite news of your brother Edward, save that his battery is at Lucknow, with which place at present, postal communication is cut off. With best remembrances to your Mother and all friends, I am. Your affectionate cousin, T. H. Lewin. Letter from Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Mrs. Charlotte Lewin. E. BuENHAM, November ISih, 1857, Dear ould Commeee, — I fear I must soon come to " spar- tacles " as sight is not what it used to be Your passing allusion to the injustice with which you had to struggle during your best days of girlhood went to my heart. Yes, my dear Coutty, our " hearth " was indeed anything hut a " home " in the usual sense of that precious word. I feel that to both of us Heaven denied the fair enjoyment of our great powers of attraction. 174 THE LEWIN LETTERS for we each possessed the de qiioi, no question of that, in a high degree. Checked, snubbed, chilled, and mortified, as we were, we gladly carried our charms elsewhere, though alas ! not into very genial circles. How often have I envied the ringing joyous laugh of our servants ! free and independant beings they ! well — we will not retrace the sad path of our oppressed youth. You yearned after the spiritual poetry of life ; I, after deep sentimental commerce joined with artistic and social lean- ings. You missed, by no fault of your own, a fine chance of your peculiar " game," and you do wisely to be thankful for the more prosaic but pleasant lot which you got instead. No girl ever does obtain her " ideal," I beHeve. One gets a certain percentage and is forced to be content in this artificial state of society. Probatum est, I saw Mrs. Sell t'other day, and " Poca " also, at Slough, all agog for the trip. Lewins cannot do anything for Poca, I fear, much as they are disposed to do it : nobody can, selon moi. I think the methody has grown milder, however, after nearly destroying her sanity. Goodnight ! midnight booming from Burnham church clock, o la 1 'Ever your allectionate H. G. We recently have had A. Penrhyn Stanley here. Such a " doty ! " Mrs. S. also. Lady Trelawney coming Tuesday ; Lady Lewis here last Sunday and Monday. I have kept toler- ably well all October, and up to now. Horse exercise keeps head from congestion. " Nothing like bumping. Sir ! " From T. H. Lewin to his Mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Cawnpore, November I9th, 1857. Dearest Mother, — ^We have reached Cawnpore at last, but I had a rather unpleasant experience on the road. We travelled, as you know, in large waggons drawn by bullocks, and one night some evil demon put it into my head to depose the native driver and take his place, forgetting that the guiding and driving of bullocks is an abstruse art of very ancient origin, and unknown to the white races of the West. Away went the bullocks — off the road, plunging into a deep ravine straight towards a deeper hollow. I pulled and shouted, and suddenly THE LEWIN LETTERS 175 my seat gave way, and I found myself on the ground under the hoofs of the animals, but I clung on to the pole for fear the waggon should go over me, and the bullocks, thank heaven, stopped. My comrades who were in the waggon spoke very severely to me, and I resumed my place as an inside passenger, a sadder but, I hope, a wiser man. I got out of the waggon the next morning feeling very cold and uncomfortable, bruised and sore all over. I saw our men standing in knots round a well, and a short distance off some white-washed native houses. It was here that the massacre of our women and children by order of the Nana Sahib took place, and our sergeant told me that all the dead bodies of the poor creatures were lying heaped at the bottom of the well. The men were dreadfully excited, and some of them took vows of vengeance on our enemies. The Courtyard of the Native house where the Massacre took place was thickly strewn with torn pieces of women and children's apparel. I also found here in one of the dark little rooms a bible having in it the name of Anthony Dickson Home. I wonder who he is, and whose was the bible. There was a tree close to the house all hacked and hewn by sword-cuts and stained with blood. The walls of the courtyard also were splashed with blood, and in one horrid little room there was scratched on the wall with a pin or something, " Oh Lord, our God, save us in this our time of trouble." It was heartrending, and I felt quite sick at the sights I saw, and the thought of the horrors they suggested. I fear that a terrible vengeance wiU be exacted by our English soldiers for such inhuman brutahty. General Wyndham is commanding here. I do not know what has become of Sir Cohn Campbell, but they say he has pushed on, with all available men. to relieve Lucknow. We are camping here and awaiting orders ; and now I may as well describe for you the scene in front of me as I sit writing to you in my tent. There is another tent close by, and under the fly are sitting two native servants talking — one is a Khitmatgar or table servant dressed in flowing white garments ; by his turban and general appearance he should be a Mussulman. His companion is a milk-seUer with only a white loin cloth, a skull-cap, and a brass vessel of milk in his hand. It is strange that in a country honey- combed with rebeUion and sedition, there seems no lack of native servants who do their duty most faithfully ! Beyond are Unes of bullocks and some mighty elephants — the legs of the army who carry our baggage and provisions. Above in the air soar 176 THE LEWIN LETTERS mjrriads of kites, wheeling to and fro. They are extraordinarily audacious birds. Yesterday morning my Khitmatgar was bringing over a dish of chops, and a large kite swooped down and carried off a hot chop for himself out of the dish ! I do not find it much hotter here than it is in England during the summer, and at night and in the early morning, before the sun rises, the cold is biting and severe. I sleep every night under my cloak, two rugs, and a thick wadded coverlet over all, and am none too warm. And now farewell, dear, dear mother. Wishing you all health and comfort. May the blessing of God rest on you for all you have done for me, Your most loving son, T. H. Lewin. From Thos. H. Lewin to his' Mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Cawiipore, December 2nd, 1857. My dearest Mother, — I am writing to you from the En- trenched Camp which guards the bridge of boats across the river. I am safe and well, thank God, but have been through stirring scenes since last I wrote. We have had hard work fighting the sepoys of the GwaHor Contingent, and have been at it for five days together. The first day I was on my legs from 4 o'clock in the morning to 6 o'clock in the evening. We paraded at 4 a.m., and after standing in rank for an hour or two, we marched off 1,500 strong under General Carthew, and we none of us knew where we were going, but we aU thought we should see service that day. We marched along cheerily enough for two or three miles, the bands playing now and then, until a halt was called ; the bands came to the rear and the 88th Regiment (the Con- naught Rangers) were marched past us to the head of the column. At this there was some discontented murmuring among our oflBcers, because our right, by seniority, of fighting first was thus taken away from us. At last the word was given to advance, and men began to tighten their belts and give their shoulders a jerk to settle their accoutrements. I must own to having experienced a very queer sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach and a catch of the breath. I looked around me to see what others looked Hke, and some of them looked queer enough, but there was not much time for thinking. The left wing of our regiment moved off silently in some unknown direction. THE LEWIN LETTERS 177 We also got the order to advance, when Bang ! a mighty round shot whizzed over the column. I was in the right wing. Bang ! again, and this time they have got the range and the grape shot tore through our column. The word was given, " Extend into skirmishing order to the left. Double." Away we went, the cannon banging right at us, and shells bursting over our heads. You can form no idea how terrible is the sound of a round shot : it seems like Death personified. We were now running through a little copse, advancing under whatever cover we could find towards the enemy's guns, until at last we came to an open place and I saw stretched before me a large plain broken by shrubs and rocks, every nook and corner of which was filled with red-coated sepoys firing at us, and I was lost in astonishment that I was not hit ; but we rushed on straight at them, and just then a fellow tumbled down close to me ; I thought he had tripped and stopped to help him, but found he was doubled up in a heap with his face in a pool of red blood. The first blood I had ever seen. Then I began to feel angry, and I waved my sword in the air calling out, " Come along, my boys. Remember Cawnpore ! " but with a somewhat feeble voice, trying to fancy myself brave ; and not succeeding very well in the attempt. At length we came to a stop under the shelter of a house, and were here in comparative safety, for which I was heartily thankful, as I was terribly blown. Here our second in command. Colonel Simpson, came up on his white horse and rallied the men, getting them together preparatory to taking three guns in front. A cheer ; a long heave of my breath ; a clenching of the hands, and away we went into the bullets. Hur- rah, the guns are ours ! Inkerman Jones raced Fox of ours who should reach the guns first, but was beaten, and afterwards said to him, "If it had not been for my old Crimean wound in the leg, you should not have been first." Then I got lost and went away with eight or ten men skirmishing towards a village. Pre- sently one of our men fell, by a shot from one of the houses. " I see the beggar," cried his comrades, and rushing forward surrounded the house. The door was broken open, and up went two of the men. Then there was a cry on the flat roof. " Here he is," and " Don't kill him," from below, and the fellows looked at each other and laughed. They brought him and sat him on the top of the wall, and then with a heavy push sent him over. Instead of breaking his legs by the fall, as I expected, he came down quite hghtly Uke a cat ; but hardly had he touched VOL. II. N 178 THE LEWIN LETTERS the ground than the men sprang at him like tigers, and in went the bayonets, gliding through the flesh as if it were butter, and he (poor wretch) doubled himself on the steel and seemed to hug it to him with a groan. Up rode the adjutant. " Damn it, men, don't be cowards," he cried, and though the men swore savagely, we went on again. We were now told to retreat towards the road and halted to rest — the men being quite done up. I was so thirsty that I knelt down to a disgusting puddle in a ditch and nearly drank it aU up. It was now growing late, and we marched back agaiu to Cawnpore and occupied a fresh position for the night. We were turned out again at 6 a.m., I feehng very stiff and tired. My native servants, who appeared as if nothing had happened, were just packing my traps to put them on the bullock cart, when we heard the sound of heavy guns on the left where the sepoys were attacking our camp. The 82nd Regiment and 88th Regiment with a few of the Rifle Brigade moved off to the left. Our Colonel gave orders that " The Grenadier Company of the 34th will hold the houses, and skirmishing to the front, endeavour to pick off the enemy's gunners. The rest of the Regiment will hold the right approach." Away we went through the narrow mud lanes of the village until we emerged on the road to the right ; here we lay down across the road, and the grape and round shot and musket balls soon began to whistle over us. There were two alarms of " Cavalry," and twice we formed square. Their cavalry indeed charged right up to the square formed by our right wing, but were withered by our fire. Again we were ordered to retire, and slowly oiu- small column passed through the deserted streets of the city of Cawnpore, now and then catching a gUmpse of some native scutthng away for bare life, until finally we reached the entrenchments or tete-dii-pont, where we made ourselves as comfortable as we could in our cloaks, for the night, with biscuits and rum and water for supper. Rumour had it that the Nana Sahib had joined the rebels with reinforcements, so that they were now 25,000 to our 1,500. Early the next morning, we paraded, and a hundred or so strong, left the shelter of the Fort, for an unknown destination. I felt Uke some poor Uttle skiff putting forth from harbour into the teeth of a hurricane. My company was set to guard a bridge across a small ravine, and here we threw up hastily a barricade of broken carts, earth, bricks, anything we could get for a breast- work, while the other companies hned the houses to right and THE LEWIN LETTERS 179 left. I and two or three men were thrusting a broken cart into position when a well-aimed round shot came into the midst of us ; I heard a cry, and the two men who were beside me lay sprawUng in the dust. Then I took post behind a low wall of mud, a httle to the left, with an Irish soldier, who with his rifle over his knees and a short pipe in his mouth uttered the quaintest absurdities, as he fired from time to time over the wall at the enemy. " Arrah," says he, " them round shot are playful httle varmints ; they hops and jumps about for all the world like St. Patrick's pig in a thunderstorm." Just then one of " the varmints " struck the wall and came through, smashing Barney's firelock all to " smithereens," as he expressed it, and tumbling him over without any other injury. Towards 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy began to out- fiank us, and company after company of our men poured over the bridge retreating. The enemy came pouring down the road on the left to the Church, which they occupied, and thence got a gun to bear on the bridge. They fought well. Crossing the nullah and taking advantage of every httle piece of cover, they con- verged all their fire on the bridge, which was evidently the key of the position, and on our devoted company a perfect hail- storm of bullets descended, the men faUing fast. Our Lieu- tenant-Colonel, Gwilt by name, stood calmly through it all, and I saw him take out a cigar and light it. What a man ! I envied his cool courage. As for myself, I thought, Good-bye, this world. It is " Amen " for Thomas Lewin. News came that Apple- gate and Grier, two young Subalterns, with Captains Stewart and Cassidy, were severely wounded, and young Jordan, brother of our Major, shot through the head. And now the fire is terrible and the noise deafening. " They are surrounding us," was the cry. " Never mind, boys," said the Colonel, " we've got to keep this bridge." The tr3ring part of it was that we officers had nothing to do but to stand still and be shot at. Brigadier Wilson was hit and brought in close to me. He wanted some- thing to drink, and I gave him what I had in my flask — the flask, mother, that your old friend Mr. Donellan gave me in Clapham many centuries ago. I fear I lost my presence of mind and rushed about wildly; but I said the Lord's prayer and tightened my waist-belt, so that at length I got myself in hand again. At last, as evening fell, we got the order to retire, as the men were getting out of hand, and so with a stubborn rear-guard of old soldiers commanded by the ever-smiUng Colonel i8o THE LEWIN LETTERS Gwilt, we gained the Entrenchment. Farewell, dearest mother. I am well and strong and, thank God, of good courage, and filled with the belief that we shall meet again. Always your loving son, T. H. Lewin. From Thomas H. Lewinto his Mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Cawnpore, December 23rd, 1857. My dearest Mother, — I am writing this from the Masonic Hall, Cawnpore, where we have been quartered since Sir Cohn Campbell reUeved us and rolled up the GwaUor Contingent. When last I wrote to you we had been driven into the fort, and remained cooped up there on the defensive for some ten days or so. The men of my regiment are mostly young, stalwart fellows of from eighteen to twenty-five, with good, honest EngUsh faces. The deaths among them — and there were many in our late severe fighting — must have caused bitter sorrow in many a home. While I was in the Fort I went to the Hospital to see if I could be of any service. The first person I saw was young Grier of ours. He was about nineteen, rather dark and good-looking, with wavy black hair. He had been hit in the side, the ball passing through his liver, and there was not much chance for him. He was lying in his narrow hospital cot turning and tossing restlessly with fever ; his Madras servant sat crying at the foot of the bed. I smoothed back his hair and arranged his pillows, but he did not know me, and was muttering about " Fix bayonets, and come on, my lads." As I turned away a poor fellow on a neighbouring bed called out to me, " For God's sake. Sir, ask the doctor to come to me. This is hell ! " I spoke to the doctor and he said, " What do you want ? Oh ! that chap there. He's shot through the stomach and will be dead in an hour." One poor fellow I saw dying peacefully. He had been hit in the chest and knew he was going. He said to the attendant, " Give my love to my dear wife and say " — ^here he shghtly raised him- self and smiled — " say I died for my country, and would do the same again." Do not be frightened if you do not hear from me, as com- munication between here and Calcutta is very difficult, and the runners carrying the mails are sometimes cut off. The distance, too, is very great, about 700 miles I fancy. Fresh THE LEWIN LETTERS i8i troops are coming up every day, and we are all in good spirits and awaiting orders for the advance on Lucknow. You will be amused, I think, at the following epitaph which I have copied out of an old book I found here yesterday. It is in the churchyard of Pewsey, Dorsetshire. " Here hes the body of Lady O'Looney, great niece of Burke, commonly called ' the SubUme.' She was bland, Passionate, and deeply ReUgious ; she painted in Water Colours and sent several Pictures to the Exhibition. She was also first cousin to Lady Jones. And of such is the kingdom of Heaven." Your affectionate Son, T. H. Lewik. From T. H. Lewin to Mrs. Mary Lewin. The Masonic Hall, Cawnpoee, December 25th, 1857. Dearest Motheb, — ^I was awakened this morning by the groanings and lamentations of my fellow cadet Dudley Samp- son, who had to rise betimes from his warm bed to go and inspect the men's breakfasts, but I was not on duty, and had the pleasure to cuddle warm beneath the bedclothes, and with my eyes half- closed to measure the depth of his misfortune. At length I got up and found my faithful bearer with brass " chillumchee " (wash-hand basin) full of luke-warm water and all my things nicely laid out and ready, and then I went forth to see to our own breakfast of which Sampson would partake on his return. To-day being Christmas Day, we had ordered an extra-special repast, consisting of four quails, a stew of the ration beef, a curry, some chops, and guava jelly to finish with. No sooner had I got outside than I was surrounded by our servants, who threw over my head garlands of jessamine and marigolds, while the head Khidmatgar presented an offering of fruit on a brass plate with low salaams. This was in honour of the Master's Christmas festival, and these attentions had to be acknowledged by a suitable present of good English rupees. After these saluta- tions I girded on my sword and proceeded to Church parade. The service was held in the old shot-riddled Church by the bridge whence the mutineers had poured upon us such a fearful fire, and it was curious to see an EngUsh Minister reading the service in such a place — the roof half destroyed, and the walls blackened ; 1 82 THE LEWIN LETTERS but none the less, he gave us a very good sermon. After parade we hurried back for breakfast, conscious of an aching void. It is needless to say with what appetite we cleared the table, and after breakfast Dudley and I went for a canter on our respective mounts. Sampson is a fine rider, better than I am, and I think, and he thinks, that he is cut out for the Cavalry. In the after- noon Hamilton and Evans, old schoolfellows of mine attached to the 88th Regiment, came to dinner, and I swelled with pride as Caterer when our KJiidmatgar bore in, shoulder high, the piice de resistance, a fine turkey, which had cost no less than £1 10s., i.e., 15 rupees — followed, a rare attempt at a plum pudding, and we closed the entertainment with songs and punch. I hear we are off to a place called Bunnee, on the road to Lucknow, where our regiment is to be employed in keeping open the communications. December 28th. We are now on our way to Bunnee, an entrenched village on the Lucknow road, which we are to occupy in conjunction with a Madras Regiment and four guns. We started at 3 a.m., but did not get fairly under weigh until about 5. Messiter, Sampson, Evans and myself have a tent between us. Four jolly cadets. It seems like old days at Addiscombe. The first night we pitched tents at a place called Oonah. Every one slept fully dressed and armed, expecting to be turned out any minute by a night attack, as a report came in that the enemy were in force between us and Bunnee. We paraded at 4 a.m. and set off again, but I felt very tired and reposed myself on a gun-carriage, where I fell fast asleep. On waking up I found we were out of sight of the Column, with about ten men of ours guarding the gun, and the enemy's Cavalry hovering about in the distance. We marched twenty-four miles that day and reached Bunnee about 8 p.m., and right glad I was to see the lights of the Madrassees Camp and our own tents being put up in the distance. I shall never forget that bridge at Cawnpore so long as I Uve ; the bullets whizzed past as if the air were ahve with them, and I am still lost in astonishment that I was not hit. I cannot honestly say that I Hke fighting, although I try to do my duty as an EngUsh gentleman; but it is not pleasant to have death all round one, and the sights incidental on war sometimes make me depressed and melancholy. I am getting on with the language, and you would be amused to see me taking my servants accounts like a skilled housekeeper. If ever I get settled again I intend THE LEWIN LETTERS 185 to get books from Calcutta, and study the language in earnest. It is hateful to Uve among a people without the use of tongue and ears. Good-bye, dearest. Your loving son, T. H. Lewin. From T. H. Lewin to Mrs. Mary Lewin. Bttnnbe Bridge, February 12th, 1858. Dearest Mother, — I have heard for certain that Edward Lewin is dead. His " moonshee " (language instructor) came to see me and certified it. He said that Edward was a fine officer and had a wonderful gift of languages — could talk like a native, and would certainly have passed his examination as interpreter ; but then, " Ahi ! " he said, " the rebeUion against the Honourable Company broke out, and I heard that my good master had been killed by a round shot in the Cawnpore Battery at Lucknow. It was the wiU of God — Allum du hllah ! ! " I gave the good man some rupees and wished I had been able to read with him — but there is no time now for such things. I am sitting in my tent in this little fortified mud village, and we daily expect the order to march on Lucknow. Yesterday I formed part of an escort sent to convey some guns to the Alum- bagh, which is our nearest fortified position opposite Lucknow, where Sir Henry Lawrence and his garrison are beleaguered. We were met and relieved haK-way by a strong body of our troops, and heard that the enemy had laid a trap for the convoy, but that Sir James Outram had got wind of it and sent the party to reinforce us. One of our poor fellows was missing the other day from a reconnoitring party, and to-day his poor body was recovered and brought in for burial. He had been horribly mutilated. The head was cut off not at the neck, but at the mouth ; they had drawn all his nails and cut off his right hand and some of his toes, besides slashing him all over the body. The men are very excited about it, but it is a terrible lesson against straying. Convoy after convoy is being pushed on to the Alumbagh, some- times extending three or four miles. The last one that we had to escort consisted of 1,400 camels and 900 carts. The relieving army is also passing daily, the 9th Lancers, and a fine lot of Horse Artillery all well mounted, among whom I was pleased to see 1 84 THE LEWIN LETTERS my old Addiscombe mates, Stewart, Coddington, and Alfred Dixon, but we had no time for talk, only a hand-grip as they passed by. Life seems Hke a magic lantern now — so fleeting is the show. I will write again soon. Your own dear son, T. H. Lewin. Frmn T. H. Lewin to his Mother, Mrs. Mary Lemn. Camp Meeegxtngb, February 2Gth, 1858. Dearest Mother, — Here I am instead of being at Lucknow as I expected. The fact is that Sir CoUn Campbell, before com- mencing final operations at Lucknow, determined to send out a flpng Column under General Hope Grant to clear his rear of the rebels, of whom parties of 1,000 or so strong, were marching about the country, intimidating the inhabitants and harassing our communications. Sir James Outram is in the Alumbagh at Lucknow, and we have frequently heard heavy firing in that direction, but this is not surprising as they attack our posts about once a week. Their manner is as follows : each man of the attacking party is paid 16 rupees by the Begum of Luck- now (who is prepared if necessary, she says, to sell the clothes off her back rather than give in), and then the attacking force marches out of the city with bands playing and their guns and cavalry — they march up boldly to within four or five hundred yards of our works, let fly their muskets, and after about an hour's shooting they return whence they came. We are a strong column — our regiment, the 34th, is brigaded with the 38th and 53rd Regiments. The 38th is very strong, some 950 bayonets, while we alas ! thanks to Cawnpore, number only about 450 fighting men. We have also with us two Batteries of Horse Artillery, the 9th Lancers, and a wing of the 7th Hussars. Al- together a very serviceable Field Force of about 3,000 strong. We marched at 4 a.m. straight out into the country, not following any road, but going over tilled fields and large plains of grass through which the earth's bones showed out in the shape of huge slabs of bare rock. We did twenty-five miles the first day in a very hot sun, and it was very trying for the men — Camped in an old burial ground quite hidden among trees, and off again at 5 a.m. the next morning and did twenty-three miles' more. Rumour has it that we are in pursuit of the Nana Sahib, THE LEWIN LETTERS 185 who was responsible for the Cawnpore Massacre. On arriving at our objective the natives all abandoned the place (Futtchpore), but our cavalry capttired the Nana's secretary and one of his servants, who were duly hanged before sunset. The Nana himself got off an hour or two before our cavalry arrived. Here, I am sorry to say, I got into trouble, for they made us cadets carry the sacred colours of the 34th Regiment instead of detaihng their own officers for the job, so at the end of the twenty- three miles trudge I cast my weary burden on the ground and said, " Damn the colours! why don't you carry them yourselves ! " Fox of the 34th promptly reported me to the Colonel, and I was severely wigged, but after this the Regimental officers took their turn. Heigh-ho ! I was born for scrapes. So we pressed on day by day, destroying forts, attacking villages, and making it generally hot for all disaffected gatherings. At one village which we stormed I got my first loot — I found in a box in a native house a large bag of pice (copper coins), about fifteen shillings' worth, a beautiful silk shawl (which I wiU send to you), and a silver hilted poignard. I felt at first rather ashamed of myself in breaking open a box full of other people's things, but saw every one doing it, and not unwillingly followed the general example. In one dark room I found a sepoy hiding under a heap of brushwood, who rose up and came at me. I closed with him and got out of it with only a slight cut on my hand. That night the Brigadier issued a solemn order that any one who looted should be brought before a court martial. Farewell aU hopes of glorious plunder. It is not good enough to risk one's commission. I gave the pice to my Khidmatgar and forswore roistering. This man, Rahmutdeen by name, receives from me the munificent sum of £12 per annum, and for this wage he follows me wherever I go, cooks for me, waits on me, exposes his life in my service, and finds himself in clean white robes, food and lodging. Truly the age of miracles is not past. Halloo ! What's that ? " Stand to your arms," and the sound of firing. A night attack on the camp, I suppose, so I must leave off for the present. Your affectionate son, T. H. Lbwin. 1 86 THE LEWIN LETTERS From T. H. Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Letvin. Camp befoeb Lucknow, March 1st, 1858. Dearest Mother, — ^After our long detour in the country along the hne of our communications we have at length reached Lucknow. Our passage was disputed by a large body of the enemy, but we rolled them up, and at length through a gap in a mud wall from which we had just dislodged the enemy's skir- mishers, I saw spread out in front of me Hke a panorama the city of Lucknow with its gilded domes and minarets, embowered in trees, among which we could see several of the enemy's battenes swarming with men, all dressed in white and working away like bees. Further on to the right was a white bungalow strongly entrenched on an eminence, and beyond that the bridge over the river Goomtie also crowded with men. We moved on and pitched our camp behind the Dilkusha, which, I believe, is a summer palace of the King of Oude. In front lay the Martiniere College, a large building of a strange, hght, fantastic but not inelegant style of architecture. It was built many years ago by a Frenchman, General Martiniere, who was in the service of the King of Oude and amassed a large fortune. Our tents and baggage not having arrived, and as I was dead tired, I stretched myself on the stone steps of the Dilkusha (Dil = heart. Kush = happiness. Dilkusha = Heart's delight. Poor old King of Long Ago !) and fell fast asleep, having had nothing to eat all day. Ah ! what is this vision of beauty that awakes me. It is the corporal of my company bearing in his hand a tot of regimental rum to stay my stomach. March 3rd. The siege may now be said to have begun in earnest. I have been on guard at the Dilkusha and sometimes on picquet duty over the park of artillery. Such enormous guns — I could put my head easily into the muzzles of the howitzers. The enemy had got the range of our camp, and it was a most disquieting thing to hear an 18 lb. ball of iron come hurthng through the air, or to see a live shell with its sparkHng fuse revolving hke a star in the air, and not to know where they would fall, or who would be hit. On March 9th, 1858, we took the Martiniere. My regiment was left in reserve, as Sir Cohn told Colonel Kelly that although there was no regiment he should hke better to have with him than the 34th, yet that our numbers being so small (400) we must remain to guard the Camp. It was a pretty sight. The Highlanders (42nd and 93rd) gave a cheer, and followed by the Punjaub Rifles stormed the parapets THE LEWIN LETTERS 187 of the Martiniere, while Sir Colin and his staff watched them from the roof of the Dilklisha. The sepoys abandoned their entrenchments and fled, keeping up a heavy fire on the attacking regiments, who lost pretty severely. Next day we took Banke's Bungalow and all the works adjacent on the left, which were carried by the Ghoorkhas. General Outram on the right took the Secundur Bagh, and I hear that there was a terrible slaughter there. We are now shelling the rest of the town, and I think the grand smash will be to-morrow or next day. Farewell, dear Mother. I am wonderfully well, thank God. Always your affectionate and dutiful son, T. H. Lewin. From T. H. Lewin to his Mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. The Kaisa Bagh, Ltjcknow, March 28th, 1858. Dearest Mother, — Behold your late schoolboy occupying the Palace of a King. On the 19th the Kaisa Bagh, after being heavily shelled all night, was taken, I may say, almost by accident. Some of our men during the night got into a native house com- manding the enemy's principal battery which enfiladed the ap- proach to the Palace, and at dawn drove them from their guns ;,i;hen they broke a hole through the wall of the house into the Palace Garden and we occupied the Kaisa Bagh that night (Kaisa = Like what? Bagh = a garden. Kaisa Bagh = And what kind of a Garden do you think this is ?). This was the finish, and the enemy evacuated the city, carrjdng with them all their stores and about half their guns. They have left a great deal of treasure in the city, and I am told I shall receive something handsome in the way of prize money, as also a medal and clasp. I hope you will be properly proud of your son ; but with strange inconsistency our hard fighting at Cawnpore is counted to us as rather a disgrace, because we were defeated ! Our regiment is now quartered in the Kaisa Bagh, and my particular lodging is in a small white marble paviHon at the corner of the great ball-room where the King of Oude used to give his nautches and entertainments. I cannot properly describe the place to you, as it is so very large. The enclosure in which we are lost is not less than a quarter of a mile long — an immense garden scattered over with marble kiosks and statues ; the rooms all filled with chande- 1 88 THE LEWIN LETTERS liers of all colours and shapes — some of Venetian glass, and I should think very valuable. The endless suites of rooms are luxuriously furnished and lavishly gilded, but the enemy have played sad havoc with all the velvet and gold ; everything is more or less smashed and cut, and even the pictures on the walls have been pierced with bullet and bayonet holes. From the gilded roofs and domes, hang little golden bells and pendants, which tinkle a fairy music in the wind, and the whole garden swarms with pigeons which, I am thankful to say, are very good eating. I and two other of my fellow cadets are the occupants of a pink marble room hung round with mirrors ; but every Eden has its serpent, and ours is the torment of the myriad mosquitoes who make night hideous, and from whom there is no respite save under the bedclothes : all this gold will not purchase one mosquito net ! And now as we are so comfortably settled in our regal quarters, where we hope to remain in princely ease for some time, I must tell you a little more of the attack on the Martiniere. You know, as I told you in my last letter, I was at that time on inlying picquet with nothing to do, so when I saw the High- landers scahng the enemy's parapets' I called my saice and ordered my pony to be saddled, thinking to view the operations a little closer. I started off as hard as I could gallop, for the inter- mediate ground was swept by the enemy's batteries, who did me the honour to send a round shot over my head ; suddenly I came on a dead camel, and unfortunately did not see it as my eyes were on the fighting. My pony gave a tremendous shy and off I came on my head ; however, I kept hold of the bridle and mounted again with some difficulty, though much shaken and one arm for the moment quite useless, reached the Martiniere, and leaving my horse tied up outside, where the saice found him, I ascended to the top of the centre pinnacle and there had a splendid view of what was going on. Beneath me was old Sir CoUn Campbell with his staff sitting on the steps and consulting a plan. He would not come up to where I was, because it made him giddy. Further on to the front were the Highlanders, clearing out some mud houses, and on the extreme right I could see a few more Highlanders and the bulk of the Punjaub Rifles going along as hard as they could at the double. They were hidden from the enemy, who were in front of them in a very strong earthwork with two guns, sweeping the front. The work had towers at intervals and a ditch about 16 feet deep. THE LEWIN LETTERS 189 The sepoys were clustered at the left end of the work which was perhaps a quarter of a mile long. It was most exciting to see our men descending the ditch and cUmbing up the other side on each other's shoulders. They waited until suflScient men had gathered, and then with a cheer they poured over the parapet on to the sepoys, who for the most part made off as fast as they could. Hurrah ! the work is ours. Alas and alack, just as I am writing to you, up comes the corporal of my company with the news that we must pack and start out into camp, preparatory to going off early in the morning on some fresh expedition. They don't let the grass grow under their feet in this business. I hear that some of the oflScers of the relieving force have made their fortunes by purchasing jewels from the men. One man in particular is said to have made £15,000 and wiU retire at the end of the campaign. I myself met a private of the 88th who had got a gold clock, studded with rubies, which he offered to me for 50 rupees and a bottle of rum ; but I said to him, " I am no speculator, and the clock may he or-molu, and the rubies may be glass," so bang went my chance of a fortune. Well, good-bye, dear Mother. I feel like the man with the cork leg in the song " and the leg got up and was off again." I will write again soon. Always Your loving son, T. H. Lewin. From T. H. Lewin to Mrs. Mary Lewin. On the March, April IQth, 1858. Dearest Mother, — I am writing to you at a friend's camp table, after a hard day's work, with the thermometer at 109°. It is night, and I am Ughted by a sohtary candle stuck in a bottle, and the table and my paper are covered with creeping and fljdng things innumerable. I am surrounded by tents, and the white bullocks who pull my cart are snoring close by. We are camped in a large plain, and the beautiful silver moon bathes the un- familiar scene in sheeny radiance. I have secured a dooly to sleep in to-night, having no bed, so am looking forward to a night of real comfort and rest. We march at 2 a.m. and halt at about 11, to avoid the heat of the day. The other day after a long march we had to fall in again for a scrimmage with the enemy, of whom we killed about a hundred and took two guns. The late 190 THE LEWIN LETTERS General Havelock's nephew was killed here, being shot through the temple. One wing of our regiment is to go to a place called Azimghur, but the Company to which I am attached, with two others, is, I hear, to be stationed at Jounpore. I have been having revolver practice with the Sergeant of my Company, a very nice man. Last week we rested for a day in camp, as the men were very done up with the heat, so I thought I would go out and see if I could shoot something for the pot, and taking my gun and revolver went out from Camp. After I had gone some three or four miles I found myself in a jungle which seemed to give pro- mise of sport, when I was astonished by the apparition of a native who approached me, making many salaams. I prevailed upon him by promise of " baksheesh " to show me some game. A little further on we were joined by another native armed with a heavy iron-bound " lathee," or club, who would persist in walking behind me, occasionally plunging into the jungle and popping out on me again unexpectedly two or three hundred yards further on — behaving, in fact, hke Chingachgook, the great Serpent, in Cooper's " Last of the Mohicans " ; but I kept my eye on him and my revolver loose, and by administering a rupee each to the men, with a promise of as much more if they showed sport, managed to have a very enjoyable morning, and they con- voyed me safe back to within sight of the camp (they would come no further) by noon. My bag consisted of a peacock, one snipe, and four wild duck. Your affectionate son, T. H. Lewin. From T. H. Lewin to Mrs. Mary Lewin. Jounpore, April 20th, 1858. Dearest Mother, — Behold us at last peacefully at rest in comfortable quarters. I am in wonderfully good health and spirits, my only trouble being that I am so far away from you. I have been in six fights since Cawnpore, and had many narrow escapes, but, thank God, have never been hurt. I have sent you three Cashmere shawls that I bought from a soldier at Luck- now, a piece of gold brocade which I bought here, and the silver-hilted dagger that I got on the solitary occasion when I THE LEWIN LETTERS 191 became a plunderer ! They will be sent you, I hope, by Messrs. Gisborne & Co. from Calcutta, and should reach you within a month of your receiving this letter. From Lucknow I came with a column of 2,000 men, and had a skrimmage or two, marched for a month in the most frightful heat, with nothing on my head but a forage cap. Numbers of our men went down with sun- stroke ; but all things come to an end, and here we are gone into quarters, and I hope we shall remain here some considerable time, for all ranks want rest. I am getting on with the language very well, and can jabber the vernacular now in a way that would astonish you. I make my servants account for everything they spend, and manage to live very comfortably on my £20 a month when I can get it ! There is a beautiful swimming bath here for which one pays 5 rupees a quarter, and this includes service and towels. I am becoming a good swimmer, and can ride a " mussock " vdth any of them. (A " mussock " is a goat skin inflated with air.) The day we marched into Joun- pore, down came two officers of the 17th Madras N.I., who were quartered there, and asked us all up to breakfast. They were quartered in the Fort, and a sweet pretty place it is ; I will send you a sketch of it. It was a most delightful entertain- ment, after all the hard marching and roughing it, to sit down to a real English breakfast in a cool, white room, with a punkah and thermantidote going. There were four Indigo planters there, who had been all through the mutiny, jovial, rampageous chaps ; and there was the head of the Intelligence Department, meditative and chock full of mystery. They kindly asked us to return to dinner, but alas ! I found myself detailed for duty on inlying picket, so could not go. But no one could rob me of that delicious breakfast. I send you by way of postcript a hst of my scrapes and misdemeanours since I arrived in India. They look rather formidable, but I beg you to remember that they are now bygones, and that I hope I am a reformed and disciphned character. Always your loving and dutiful Son, T. H. Lewin. List of the offences and misdemeanours of Ensign T. H. Lewin since his landing in India on October 19th, 1857, up to April 20th, 1858. 1. Walking into Major Kavanagh's Office at the Fort, Calcutta, and mistaking him for a Clerk, October, 1857. (Taken down a peg.) 192 THE LEWIN LETTERS 2. Cutting off a turkey's head, with hungry and felonious intent, on the line of March between Benares and Cawnpore, November, 1857. (Had to pay for it !) 3. Forcibly ejecting Gentleman Cadet Moriarty from the Tent when camped at Bimnee Bridge, February, 18S7. (Reprimanded.) 4. Damning the Queen's Colours at Meergimge, February, 1655. (Placed under arrest. Severely reprimanded.) From T. H. Levnn to Mrs. Mary Lewin. JoTJNPORE, June 12th, 1858. Dearest Mother, — After the rough and ready life of cam- paigning, our present existence seems sweetly civihzed. Let me try and give you a ghmpse of my daily life here. The hot winds have set in now and the heat is very great. We have many cases of heat apoplexy among the men. One of our Ser- geants was struck down the other day, felled like a bullock, by simply walking fifty yards with bare head in the sun, and now hes between life and death. As I now sit writing to you in my shirt sleeves the paper feels quite hot, and the perspiration is streaming in big drops down my chest and legs, but it is not al- ways hke this. I get up at about 5 a.m ., and after parade I take a spear, and mounting my pony Punch,I set forth to pursue the dogs and jackals who make night hideous round our bungalow, finishing up at the Station bath. It is a beautiful place, and I do enjoy it hugely. Nearly all the males in the Station meet there every day to chat, bathe and drink tea together. We are now expecting the monsoon to burst on us, and then come " the Rains." I have as yet only seen two showers of rain since I have been in India — but to return to the Bath. I can swim and dive now hke any fish : it is so queer swimming under water ; when one opens one's eyes everjrthing is of a semi-opaque green, and if you go to the bottom and try to walk about you cannot do it because you are so hght. One darts up to the surface like an arrow from a bow, emerging breast high in the sunhght with a deep breath. After the bath I canter back to the Bungalow as it is now growing hot — 8 a.m. I press the pony's sides and away we go through the long avenue of acacias and mango trees with its checquers of hght and shade, and you think of Breakfast ! After breakfast my moonshee arrives and makes his salaam, and I sit down for two hours' hard work at the language. I pay this gentleman 24 rupees a month THE LEWIN LETTERS 193 and hope before the rains are over to pass my first examination in the colloquial. I had thought when I left school and passed through CoUege into the Army that I had done with bookwork, but to tell you the truth it seems to me that my real education only began then ! After my Hindostani lesson I write letters, or make sketches, write up my diary, do accounts and what not, until " tiffin " time, which consists here generally of a biscuit and a glass of claret and water, after which I generally take a siesta until 5 p.m., when we all turn out for Parade and drill. Afterwards I and the younger men take a mad gallop across country for the sake of speed and its joy. There is no shooting to be had in this part of the country, but all the same, life seems very enjoyable. I found the minute taking of my household accounts such a bother that I have instituted a new agreement with my Khidmatgar. He is to find good food and service for 50 rupees a month, and so far this has worked very well. Yesterday he gave me for dinner Soupe a la Jounpore; — clear, with rice and onions, a spatchcocked chicken with vegetables, a brace of Teal — breasts shced and dressed with red pepper and lemon, and then to finish, a dish of hot pancakes. We have no mess here, and each officer does for himself, as the Mess is with the Head Quarters of the Regi- ment at Azimghur. June ZQth. At last " the Rains " have come, and the whole face of nature is changed. Every httle vaUey has become a miniature lake ; every rivulet has swelled into a torrent, and the river itself has swelled into a mighty expanse of water, fed by hundreds of turbulent streams. It is the first time I have ever seen tropical rains, and the new sensation is dehghtful. AU the land was parched and lifeless, its inhabitants, human, animal and vegetable, wilting and withering away with the heat, when as if a voice had cried out " Let there be hfe " — life came. It was as if the very flood-gates of heaven had been opened; and after the first deluge had spent itself, I went out and found young green shoots springing out of the dried-up trees, and young tender grass blades pushing up everywhere out of the ground, of the most delicate and vivid emerald green. The birds had found their voices ; and all the ground was covered with tiny frogs no bigger than a threepenny piece ; our doctor says that they have been drawn up into the clouds by evapora- tion, and then rained down again. Only fancy a shower of frogs ; this would explain the plague of frogs in Egjrpt which VOL. n. o 194 THE LEWIN LETTERS always puzzled me in the Bible. Everywhere also one sees the ground covered with beautiful scarlet beetles, which have also emerged into Hfe, and the temperature is dehghtfuUy cool. I have been to a Nautch or native dance, which was given in the town by a wealthy merchant on the occasion of his daughter's marriage. About eight of us Englishmen went, five of our officers and three civilians. We were received most poUtely by the old gentleman, and after much salaaming and land-shaking, we took our seats under a large canopy of blue and gold. Then we were offered betel-nut and some aromatic green leaves called " pawn," which were very nasty, and a servant sprinkled us all over with rose-water. The bridegroom sat on our host's right hand, gorgeously arrayed in crimson silk, ■with large pearl ear-rings, and was a rather handsome but effemin- ate-looking fellow. Then the Nautch began. The performers consisted of four girls and a boy, with an attendant orchestra of three or foiu" men who thumped on drums and elicited shrieking sounds from a species of clarionet. There was no dancing, but the girls simply walked about waving their arms and occasion- ally striking an attitude, accompanying the music with their voices. In the intervals sweetmeats, cocoa-nuts and spices were handed round on silver dishes ; but, alas ! in the middle of the entertainment down came the rain, in torrents ; the lights ■were extinguished, the canopy flopped down on to our heads ; the dancing-girls fled for fear of their fine dresses; everybody scuttled except our gray-bearded host, who, wet through and streaming with water, accompanied us to the gate, where our servants were waiting with cloaks and umbrellas and over- whelmed us with his apologies for the weather. So ended my first Indian Night's Entertainment. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. Paris, June 22nd, 1858. Dearest Frances, — As you would doubtless learn the fact of my flight to Heidelburg, I think it a duty to report to you my goings and comings. Partly because I Hke you to follow me in my wanderings, also because, stuck up as you must be in THE LEWIN LETTERS 195 the Island of something in the Skagerak or the Cattegat, you must be hard up for amusement and eager for news from the outer world. I long ago made up my mind to accede to Rous- seau's critic, who said that according to his system, il n y auroit que les grand peres qui eussent de loisir. Parents assuredly must give up all leisure time. All my friends who have the happiness to possess children are incessantly occupied in " cluck- ing " and foraging for their chicks ; and even when the chicks fledge off, still it is the mother who must think of all their needs, and then of their future career, and nurse them when sick, and write to them, and cater for their enjoyment, and so on, until sometimes I cry out, " how long are you to go on at this PeUcan work ? " However, it is all, I suppose, in accordance with the fitness of things that such labours should continue. Once commenced, the parent must endure to the end. On the other hand, although certainly the blessing of offspring is one to which the human heart aspires with the most ardour, yet being with- held from me, I am quite reconciled to the privation and recog- nize the advantages which in some sort compensate one for the absence of progeny : for example, I think the major part of the tears of sympathy which I have shed in the last twenty years have been caused by the spectacle of parental grief. No longer ago than last month, on coming to Paris I was distressed to find a noble soul bowed down to the earth by the loss of an only son aged twenty-six, drowned off the coast of Syria by a hurricane in which his ship foundered and aU on board perished. The young man was a pattern son, beloved by all who knew him. Mrs. Stan- ley, again, had two sons, fine young men, both cut off in the prime of life at the Antipodes ; and one, out of her two girls, has been fool enough to turn CathoUc under her nose. Voila! as they say here, pour les plaisirs de la maternite. Well ! but I must cease morahzing, or you will begin to chafe. As I was exceedingly low in health when I bolted across Channel after six months' winter, four of which were passed in London amid fatiguing social labours, I was fain to go and dawdle awhile in the Vosges Mountains to recruit my strength prior to visiting his Excellency, whose society I could not expect to enjoy if depressed in health and spirits. Before I rambled up to the Vosges, however, I paid a visit of three days to Countess Mathilde at Nancy, where she was staying at her cousin's house, " La Ravinelle," a most deUghtful residence in the suburbs of that city, with some acres of grounds, vineyards and shady groves : her cousin, 196 THE LEWIN LETTERS M. Adelsward, a sensible, sound-headed man, whose conversation interested me much, he having played a somewhat leading part in the period between February, 1848, and December 2nd, 1851, He was imprisoned along with Thiers and others in the cells of Mazas for more than a fortnight. I found Mathilde quite rajeunie, plump, handsome, and contented ; her beautiful hair untouched by a gray hair, and her teeth standing the wear and tear of Time remarkably well. She sang most sweetly Swedish and French airs, talked EngUsh fluently, and was quite enchanted to see me ; indeed, she put off going to Sweden for a week in order to receive me on my visit, whilst I, on my side, was glad to have the opportunity of manifesting the interest and S3nnpathy which I entertained towards her. In fact, Mathilde is one of the nobles of the earth, the " Edelheit " shines in every thought and action — self-respect never found a loftier shrine ; and as that sentiment happens to have been through hfe the polestar of your Popsy's soul, so it was precisely the point of affinity between us, and as such I felt she might well have been my daughter. God bless and sustain the dear woman ! Out of a broken hfe she has managed to collect occupations and interests sufficient both to float her clear of Roman CathoUc devotion or of eccentric restlessness. Her intelhgent Mind is capable of forming a just estimate of the conditions of existence, and of turning these to the best account both for herself and her fellow creatures. Without duties she would not care to Uve, and these she has created for herself, without (I fear) much prospect of deriving any pleasure from them. This notion, however, is secondary in her mind. By the bye, she told me that your son Thomas had behaved in a somewhat brusque maimer to her and his cousin Octavie Koch when they were at Brussels last year. How is this ? I hope Tom can explain, as this is a grave imputation. Octavie is a magnificent young creature — a budding beauty. It was well-judged of Mme. Koch to send her daughter to Mathilde's care for a year, as she has gained much thereby. We had a httle dramatic performance one evening with which I was infinitely amused, Mathilde, the main-stay of the piece, singing, and all the young folks and the tutor joining in the Comedy. Audience : M. Adelsward, Colonel Belhni (visiting his old camarade d'armes) and myself, with the servants of course. From Nancy I went up into the Vosges for a week, and there began the intensely hot weather which has only just now relaxed, to my infinite rehef. The THE LEWIN LETTERS 197 Thermometer at midday stood 87°-89° (Fahr.) ; in London, 92° ! I thence proceeded to Heidelburg, arriving on the 8th ; the next week was spent with the Prophet Bunsen, driving, talking and making music. Most abundant were the outpour- ings from that storehouse of knowledge. Dear Bunsen, he is a good and great man ! After Heidelberg I dropped down to Baden Baden, a paradise of a place, reaching Paris on the 18th, where I have been ever since. I am looking for a " perch " wherein to spend the summer, George having declared a preference for a continental sejow. He will join me after July 11th, after taking up his dividends. He has been much put out by a rogue of an attorney who has run off with £2,000, leaving G. Uable as Trustee to a marriage settle- ment. Nils is very kind to take the trouble of managing our investments in Sweden, and I beg you will thank him from me. I suppose you have only Oscar with you on your Island ? Jenny Lind, I hear, has settled near London, and I suppose means to sing. The musical season in London has been the most brilliant for many years past : Joachim, Piatti, Rubinstein. Good- bye, darling sister. Enough of me for one time. I am, ever your most affectionate and attached friend, H. Grotb. From T. H. Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. JouNPOEB, August 2%th, 1868. Dearest Mother, — There has been a break in the rains, and our fellows have seized the opportunity to get up a scratch race-meeting. Visions of high distinction on the turf flitted across my mind as I entered Mr. Lewin's mare " My Lady " for the horse-race and my Pony Punch for the pony race ; but, alas ! my hopes were doomed to disappointment. It was a beautiful morning when I dressed myself for my first race, for it was " owner's up," and put on jaute de mieux, a close-fitting white shell jacket, white cord breeches, white cap and black riding-boots, and cantered off to the race ground mounted on Punch. There was a large attendance of both European and native sportsmen, and the luncheon tent and its vicinity were crowded with men taking the odds and making bets. In this amusement, however, I did not join, as it is Httle use risking one's money on an uncertain event, so after a prehminary canter 198 THE LEWIN LETTERS on " My Lady " we lined up for the start. The flag fell and we were off, Sladen leading at a tremendous pace ; but in cross- ing a soft place his horse slipped, and they both came down a tremendous cropper — then Howard the Doctor, and I raced together, but he beat me by a head, and I had to console myself by being a good second. After this came the " sowar's race," all native soldiers on their own horses, and about twenty started. The leading horse bolted off the course and took the way back to his stables, and then, to the inextinguishable mirth of the spectators, the whole twenty followed their leader, and the riders, puUing, hauUng and vociferating, vanished in the distance. Followed the pony race, and as we came to the post I saw with dismay that one of the best of the ponies was ridden by a httle bugler boy who weighed four or five stone lighter than I did. It was a foregone conclusion. Poor Httle Punch struggled bravely, but again I was " a good second." Then we had a gymnastic contest among the men, and an " ekka " race closed the meeting. I met that day at lunch a very pleasant fellow named Beynon, an indigo planter, who had asked me to ride out one morning to visit him ; so on the first fine day I mounted the old mare in the evening and cantered out to Bubshjrpore, and was met by my host at the door of his white bungalow. " Well, Lewin, how are you ? " was the greeting with which I was saluted. " Here, saice, take the Sahib's horse. Of course you are going to stay the night. Come in, come in : we are just going to have dinner, and you must take us as you find us." After dinner, over our brandy and water and cigars, we fell to talk- ing over "the Mutiny and the events of the last twelve months." " Ah," said Beynon, " it was a lively time for us indigo planters. About this time last year I was Uving here and had two friends of mine stajdng with me, and one morning we were sitting in the verandah after breakfast smoking a cigar, and were talking about the disturbances which had taken place at Benares, when, as good luck would have it, I got up to fetch some more cigars from my bedroom on the other side of the house, and was return- ing leisurely enough, when I saw in that grove of trees, just where you turned off the road to-day, something that glittered, and then suddenly I made out red-coats. I rushed round to my friends. ' By God,' I said, ' the sepoys are upon us not 400 yards off.' We saw them breaking into skirmishing order and extending out in both directions to surround the house. THE LEWIN LETTERS 199 Not a moment was to be lost ; we rushed to the horses, saddled them faster than I had ever saddled a horse before, and jumping up we made off under a smart fire of bullets. It was a narrow escape. They kept on firing long after we were out of range, but none of us were hit, and as I looked back over my shoulder I saw the bungalow break into flames. It was a bitter sight to me ; I had just got up a lot of new furniture from Calcutta %vith wine and stores, and there was £400 in the cash box. Hard luck, wasn't it ? " and he took a gulp of brandy and water and lit another cigar. When we went to bed Beynon turned all the servants out of the house, and shut and barred everything with his own hands. We slept with guns and revolvers loaded at our bed's head. In the morning my host very kindly took me all over the factory, and showed me the whole process of indigo-making, which seemed simple enough ; but what I Uked most was the " godown " or storehouse where the indigo is placed to dry. The whole room was full of cakes of indigo about 3 to 4 inches square, looking for all the world just hke Brown Windsor Soap. Beynon said that inside the cake it was dark blue, and that this outer colour was caused by some external efflorescence. After a pleasant time I had the old mare round and cantered back to Jounpore, arriving just in time for a court martial on one of our men (for drunkenness and insubordination), of which I was a member. Same to same. JoFNPOEE, September 15th, 1858. Dearest Mother, — Rumours and reports are pouring in thick and fast, and it seems to me that we shall soon be on the move again. The Jath Horse, 500 strong, have passed through here on their way to join the Azimghur Field Force, where the head quarters of our Regiment are at present stationed. We expect our marching orders from day to day, and aU is at present bustle and confusion : packing up, looking to carts and bullocks, seeing all the equipment in good order. During our long stay here I find that goods and chattels have accumulated to such an extent that I shall have to send cases full of things to be stored at Benares. We hear that there are some fortified villages in Oude to be attacked, and our Colonel (KeUy) is to be in com- 200 THE LEWIN LETTERS mand of the Brigade. On the whole the general feehng is one of relief, for we are aU tired of our Ufe of inaction here. October Srd. Here we are on the march again. We fall in at midnight and plod our weary way, half asleep most of us. I ride my pony when I can, and have several times nearly tumbled off his back through faUing asleep. My friend Beynon, the indigo planter, made me a farewell present of a small pall tent, and in this I sleep the first part of the night. It is a great economy, for a beneficent Government charges us subalterns 50 rupees a month if we use a Government tent. Now I am independent. So many officers of the Regiment have been either killed or invahded home that we juniors are now put in charge of com- panies. I am now the proud commander of No. 7 Company of her Majesty's 34th Regiment. At Azimghur we joined the head quarters, and it was very pleasant to meet one's old friends again and to feel once more upon the war-path. During our march a large comet was visible in the heavens. I had never seen such a thing before, and it was certainly a wonderful sight, like a fiery sickle in the firmament. My native servant shakes his head and says it is a sure sign of battle, murder, and sudden death. I have brought my httle terrier Croppy with me to bear me company in my wanderings, but he does not take kindly to camp life ; the long marches tire him, and our getting up and striking tents at midnight, seems to him so unnatural that he barks loudly and tries to bite the men who pack up the tent. One of our subalterns was accidentally killed the other day, and we are all very sad about it. He had gone out shooting with his soldier servant in a boat on a small lake swarming with wild duck. Gilly (that was his name) was lying in the bows of the boat, and Clarke his servant was in the stern. They had settled to paddle quietly up to the duck when Gilly was to fire, and Clark to fire over his head as the ducks rose. GiUy fired, but unfortunately got up just as his servant discharged his gun, and the whole charge took him in the head. He was a good fellow, and we are aU much grieved about it. October 25th. Akbarpore. We have marched continually for days and days until I begin to feel like the Wandering Jew ; but here we are to have a short respite, as the column is to wait for Sir Hope Grant, who comes to take command. The back of the rebellion is broken, for the natives won't fight on any terms, and I beheve our orders are simply to keep them on the run. The other day we marched ten miles to attack a fort, but THE LEWIN LETTERS 201 we found that the garrison had bolted the night before we arrived, and the place was empty. I got leave and went over it, and it seemed to me a very strong position, which if defended with determination could only have been taken with great loss of Hfe. The Fort was built in a square, with bastions at each corner for flanking fire. The walls being some 24 feet high could only have been scaled by ladders, for we had no heavy guns for breeching. In the inside of the enceinte was a strong- hold surrounded by a dense mass of bamboo jungle planted so thickly as to be almost impenetrable, the door of which could only be approached by a winding path enfiladed by musketry fire at intervals. The place forte was surrounded by a ditch 15 feet deep and loopholed for musketry, but as the Chinese soldier said, " How can two men stand in one place ? Suppose you come on — I must go ! " It is very difficult now to send letters home, as our only communication with a postal station is by native messenger, and our letter-carriers sometimes get caught by the rebels, when their ears are cut off and perhaps their noses too — so that the job of letter carrying is not a popular one. You need not fear, however, but that you would get news if anything happened to me, as the Adjutant has got the home addresses of all our officers. Camp Dostporb, November 2nd, 1858. We have moved from Akbarpore to this place, and here I found a rather important piece of news awaiting me, namely, that I had been posted to the 31st Native Light Infantry, which is stationed somewhere in Bundelcund, in Central India. Our Colonel, however, says he cannot spare me until the present business is concluded. To-day we had a general parade of the Brigade to hear the Queen's Proclamation to the People of India read ; and then a royal salute was fired and the men gave three cheers. I am told that the 31st Native Infantry Regiment to which I have been posted is stationed at Saugor in Central India. It is said to be a very good regiment, and I am senior ensign on the Ust, so I suppose I shall soon be gazetted as a Lieutenant. The 34th Regiment to which I am at present attached is very short of officers ; indeed there is only one officer to each company. I take it the journey to Saugor will be very 202 THE LEWIN LETTERS expensive, and there will be subscriptions to pay on joining, to the Regimental band and mess funds, which will eat up all my economies. The 31st N.I. is one of the very few Native Regiments that did not mutiny, and when the rebels came and asked them to join them, their only reply was to charge with their officers at their head, routing the rebels and turning them out of the Cantonments. For this unparalleled action the Government gave the men six months' " batta," and made them Light Infantry, with the title of " The Loyal Poorbeahs." The secret of their fidelity was that the officers of the Regiment, both English and Native, were of the best stuff, and had the men's entire confidence. November 25fh, 1858. We are still in camp at the same place, and the days pass by in quick succession, one very Uke another. The Queen's Proclamation, contrary to anticipation, is producing a very good effect, and the leaders and many of the principal men are coming in and making submission. Only a few of the most inveterate rebels who think they have committed themselves beyond hope of pardon still stubbornly hold their ground ; but their followers are falUng away, and the rebeUion in this part of the Country at any rate may be considered as crushed. I have one piece of good news to teU you, and that is that in future you may address me as Lieutenant Lewin, Slst Regiment, L.N.I. They have gazetted me a Lieutenant and antedated my promotion to May last, so that I shall have a comfortable httle sum of about £30 to draw as back pay ; this, I hope, will suffice to pay my expenses in joining my new Regi- ment. From, T. H. Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Camp Fyzabad, December 15th, 1858. Dearest Mothbe, — Here we are in one of the nicest towns I have yet seen in India, but I shall not be here long. You know that I have been posted to the Slst Regiment Native Light Infantry, but that in consequence of death and sickness the number of officers with the 34th Regiment is very small, so that Colonel Kelly who commands not unnaturally did not wish to let me leave. I regarded this, however, as contrary to all rule and regulation, and wrote off to every one I could think of pro- testing that I was detained contrary to my will and without THE LEWIN LETTERS 203 my assent. I memorialized the Adjutant-General, I addressed the officer commanding the 31st Native Infantry, I wrote to the Superintendant of Cadets in Calcutta, and to my friend Mr. Grote at the same place, with the result that this morning our Adjutant, in a surly tone of voice, informed me that an order had been received that I should at once proceed to join the Regiment to which I had been posted, so I take it I shall start from here immediately. I shall be sorry to say farewell to the men I have fought with, eaten with, quarrelled with, and been taught and tended by, but I am eager to Kve my own hfe and start, as they say, " on my own hook." I had a nice com- phment paid me the other day, indirectly of course. I was in the bath with a number of other men, and I was giving my bearer directions in Hindustani what to do and where to go. The Judge of the District, a civihan of twenty years' standing, was close by, and he asked a friend of mine, who afterwards repeated it to me, " Who is that young fellow over there talking to his servant ? " My friend told him I was a young Subaltern attached to the 34th who had only been a year in the Country. " He will, go far," said the Judge. "He talks the language hke a native." I sincerely hope he may be a true prophet. Christmas Day. Camp Pertabghur. Another Christmas, and I am writing to you full of thankfulness to God that we are both safe and well ; indeed, for my part, I never had such a long continuance of good health, and my path has lain in very pleasant places. I am traveUing down to Allahabad to join my own, my very own Regiment — marching with a detachment of troops under command of Captain Menzies of the 1st Madras FusiUers. We proceed at the rate of about ten miles a day, and generally have some good shooting after tents are pitched. Yesterday I got a hen peacock, two brace of partridges, a quail, and a small deer, so our larder for the time being is well provided. To-day we have halted at a place where a Sikh Regiment is sta- tioned, and were asked to see some Regimental games and then dine with the Officers. The games were interesting enough, consisting of racing, wresthng, jumping, and other athletic feats, for these Sikhs are a fine, upstanding, muscular race of men. Two things in particular struck me, viz., the throwing of the discus and their dances. You must know that their national head-dress is a dark blue turban, the folds of which are twisted through a round circlet of pohshed steel Hke a' quoit only much thinner, and as sharp-edged as a knife. This disc they take 204 THE LEWIN LETTERS by the edge and throw it with amazing velocity and accuracy. It skims along if thrown against the wind, taking a shght upward curve, but always coming down and striking the object aimed at. They can stick this discus into a tree-trunk at the distance of 150 yards. The dances were very warlike and picturesque, danced as they are with waving gUtter of swords. The music was made by drums and a species of clarionet which sounded just hke the Scotch bagpipes ; the tunes were animated, and the measure well marked, and the effect was enhanced by the spectators singing a rude sort of chorus, while the dancers clashed their swords together. Moving in their loose, long robes in a circle with their long hair and wild, handsome faces, they pre- sented a most dehghtful and animated spectacle. I was very sorry to leave my old friends of the 34th when it came to parting, but specially my own chum and companion George Johnstone, an Irishman, whom I loved dearly, and gave him my dear dog as a farewell offering. I will report progress as I go on. I ehould tell you that the Colonel commanding the Sikh Regiment asked me to join them, but Fate incHned my desires to join my own Regiment, and so I dechned his kind and flattering offer with many thanks. Always your own dear son, T. H. Lewin. From T. H. Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Camp Futtehpore, January 1st, 1859. Dbaeest Mother, — On arriving at Allahabad and reporting myself to the Brigade Major, I was glad to hear that a detach- ment of my own Regiment, the 31st Native Infantry, was at Futtehpore under a native officer, having come up as a treasure escort under command of officers who were going on leave, and I was directed to join them at once and take command. So I came on here at once by rail, and here I am in command of some thirty of the men of my own Regiment. They all came and in- terviewed me, with many salaams and much congratulation on my joining a Regiment of such high renown, who had been " faith- ful to their salt." We set out in two days' time to rejoin the head quarters at Saugor in charge of commissariat stores. January lUh, 1859. We were detained at Futtehpore by non-arrival of the stores, and did not set out until the 12th Inst. Our party was reinforced by four Squadrons of the 3rd Irregular THE LEWIN LETTERS 205 Cavalry under Captain Mayne, who, being senior officer, took command. January \%(h, 1859. We reached Banda to-day and were hospitably entertained by Mr. Frank Mayne, Magistrate of the District, and a cousin of Captain Mayne's. His story of his escape from the mutineers was sufficiently exciting. When the town of Banda rose in rebeUion, Frank Mayne was with the Nawab of Banda; he knew that an outbreak was probable, and was the only European there, and while he was talking to the Nawab and arranging with him for a carriage to take him and his effects away, he heard shouts from the native town coming nearer and nearer, and there fell a dead silence in the room, and in that silence Mayne looked at the Nawab and saw that he was smiling. Then he knew that there was only one avenue of escape, and that was instant action, so drawing his revolver he seized the astonished Nawab by the arm and said, putting the pistol to his head, " Is the carriage ready ? " " Yes, yes, it is ready," vociferated the astonished servants and re- tainers by whom they were surrounded. " Then come along," said Mayne. When they got outside the seething mob hushed at the daring of the EngUshman. " Now," said Mayne to the Nawab, " tell them that if I hear a sound or a weapon raised, that moment 'is your last," and taking the Nawab by the collar he pushed him into the carriage, and following himseM they drove off through the crowd without opposition. At about twelve miles from the city Mayne had a horse waiting, and having mounted, he pouched his revolver and with a poUte bow to the Nawab galloped off and reached Futtehpore in safety. January 19*A, 1859. We are passing through a strange, wild country, very different from anything I have hitherto seen. It is a level plain out of which great brown rocks spring up on every side. Yesterday, on the march, I had left the column in pursuit of game, and suddenly came into the presence of a monkey parhament. Some fifty or sixty large grey-whiskered, blackfaced " lungoors," some of them as big as a well-grown man, were sitting in a company round a great rock. They had very long tails, perhaps 4 feet long, and they took no more notice of me than if I had been a mouse, or a marmoset, until a specially large old gentleman who was sitting on the rock gazed at me quietly and then slowly showed me his teeth. I took this as a polite hint, and slowly and silently vanished away. Captain Mayne to-day asked me to join his Regiment, and I have sent 2o6 THE LEWIN LETTERS in an application backed by him to be allowed to do so, but am doubtful of success, as I have not yet passed my examination in Hindostani. To be in the Irregular Cavalry, is very tempting. February 2nd, 1859. Still on the march, but now rapidly nearing Saugor where my regiment is stationed. The aspect of the country has quite changed since we crossed the Ghauts and entered Bundelcund. We are passing through a great broad-stretching table-land, extending in far perspective to the dim blue hills which form the horizon : on every side one sees stones, endless stones, of all sizes and shapes — a rocky land where few people dwell, but exceedingly beautiful in colour ; for all the rocks are clothed with a purple hchen, and the very substance of the rocks themselves is of a greyish purple, so that when the broad red disc of the sun slowly sinks towards the hills the whole landscape is bathed in colour — a purple land. There is but a short twihght, quick comes the dark, and the fires of the camp spring up in ruddy gleams, and the large white oxen lie chewing the cud after their labours, and the peace of night falls over all. February 6th, 1859. We have arrived at Saugor, and I have reported myseK to the Adjutant and had quarters assigned to me. Most of our officers are away either on Staff appointments like our late Adjutant, Henry Norman, or on sick leave. Here I find only the Commanding Officer, Major Hampton, a very quiet dark man of the old school — smokes a hookah and has a native wife ; Legard, second in command ; and Fellowes, the Adjutant. I am warned for Fort duty and shall be there in charge of the guard. Brigadier Wheeler, who commands the Station, rode out to meet us on the last march, bringing a budget of letters from home, and as he watched me, absorbed in my home letters, he smiled and said, " Ah, youngster ! Enjoy them while you can, for as the years go by they will grow fewer and fewer, and shorter and shorter, until the time comes when no home letters will reach you." February l^ih, 1859. The Fort at Saugor, from whence I am writing, is a most beautiful place, and I should think very ancient. Its walls slope down to the edge of the great lake and are mirrored in the water ; the shores of the lake are studded with Hindoo temples, whence at all hours of the day and night is|heard the noise of gongs and cymbals and the blowing of conch shells, for thus they worship God. The golden pinnacles of the temples glitter in the sun, and from each a flight of long THE LEWIN LETTERS 207 white steps descends to the water's edge ; further on, the close- set roofs of the town appear, with here and there a feathery- palm tree ; the nearer shores of the lake are set thick with long green shining-leaved plantains, gradually merging into a low marshy moorland country, and the horizon of the valley shut in by low jungle-clad hills. Many strange creatures inhabit the olive-green waters of the lake : enormous tortoises or fresh- water turtles as big as a table, and large greenish-brown alli- gators, basking in the sun and looking Uke logs of wood ; great fishes also of the carp species, which if shot through the head come floating to the surface, but when thus captured are not particularly good eating. Ah ! how gladly would I exchange all the glamour of the East for one ghmpse of dear old England with its quiet woods and vales and sweet-breathed cattle crop- ping the short, crisp grass. T. H. Lewin. The same to the same. Satjgob, March Uh, 1859. Fort duty is rather tedious, coming round as it does every fourth day, and even when oflf duty it seems impossible to divest oneself of one's mihtary calUng. The Commander-in-Chief, Sir Cohn Campbell, has issued a very strenuous General Order that every officer is to wear his uniform and sword whenever he appears in pubUc. The officers generally grumble a good deal at this, and it is really a nuisance to have a regulation sword banging at your heels wherever you may go. Our old Brigadier (Colonel Wheler of the Cavalry) is very strict about it, especi- ally when the band plays on the Mall of an evening, and the other night nearly every one in the Station were scattered round the band, talking and laughing in the cool of the evening as the custom is, when in a pause of the music an unlucky Subaltern was descried in " mufti." Away goes the Brigadier in pursuit of his Brigade Major to take the name of the offender, and having got within haihng distance he piped out, " GuUy ! Gully ! Take care. Sir, take care ! My God, Sir, there's an Alpa-a-ca about ! " To-day I thought I would take boat and go on the lake, so set forth to walk to the ghaut where my bearer had arranged for boat and boatmen to be ready for me, and whisthng to my dog Grabby (a present from a brother officer, Barrow gone sick) to follow me, I stroll along past the guard-room fiUed with lounging 2o8 THE LEWIN LETTERS soldiers ; past the great heaps of shot and shell, which set me a-wondering when they will speed away in flame and smoke on their errand of death ; past the smart Enghsh Sentry (52nd Regiment), who carries his arms to me with a sharp crack, and so out of the great gate of the Fort. On we go through the little narrow street of the native town that runs along the shore of the lake : the doorways and shops in the low mud houses are filled with white-clad natives, some squatting and smoking their water-pipes, or " hubble-bubbles " as the soldiers call them, others weaving, winding cotton, or seUing grain ; sometimes one sees a woman with a child astride of her hip who draws her scarlet " dowputta " over her face as the Feringhi (the Frank) passes ; now we encounter a train of laden bullocks bearing down on us in the narrow street, and Grabby pauses in abject terror, for he is but a puppy beginning the world, something like his master. I hearten him up and we get past the buUocks ; but his troubles are not yet over, for suddenly on the banks of the lake we come on a native temple; I see the image of the elephant-headed God, Ganesha, or as they call him, " Mahabir." The floor, the pillars and the image itself are thickly plastered over with some blood-red pigment, and round and round this temple crawls on his belly a fakir or religious mendicant, his body and face white with ashes, and on his forehead a scarlet sign or mark indicating that he is a worshipper of Ganesh. At this terrible spectacle Grabby puts up his head and howls, in concert with the screaming of a conch shell from inside the shrine, but I catch him up in my arms and cover up his eyes. " Holy man," say I in Hindostani, " how many times are you encircHng the shrine ? " " Five thousand times. Sahib ! " " Ahi mai ! What for ? " " I am a great sinner. Sahib, and Mohabir is merciful." So I leave the poor fanatic, and wander on to the Ghaut where the boat is waiting for me. March 6th, 1859. News has come that the Rao Sahib and the Nawab of Banda with a remnant of our old enemies the Gwalior Contingent had surprized and cut up the Camp of Scind- hia, the Maharaja of Gwahor and our ally, kiUing some 200 of his men and taking four guns, after which they have entered Bundel- cund and are now at a place called Rathghur, some thirty miles from here. Mayne and his cavalry have been sent out to re- connoitre, and I am ordered to take every man that can be spared from our Regiment, and to start at once for Rathghur under Brigadier Wheeler. We parade at 10 o'clock to-night, so for the THE LEWIN LETTERS 209 present farewell. I must go and see that all is in order for the field. Your affectionate Son, T. H. Lewin. From Bernard Hah to his uncle, Edward Hale. LoNGHALL, March 22nd, 1859. My dear Uncle Edward, — Methinks you would be glad to hear from me from these parts, and to-day having accom- pUshed a walk with Tim Chaloner up to the top of the high cUfE and seen aU the grandeur of the scenery from that high point of view, where no doubt you, in your youth, were wont to indulge in the famous difficulties of chmbing to its summit with the view to arrive at the same point where to-day myself and wife, Tim and Chaddy Chaloner passed half an hour in enjoy- ment, it struck me that now was the time to write to you. The scenery of your boyhood, no doubt, was as splendid to you as to-day it has appeared to us, the grandchildren of the then Planta- tion and Longhall occupiers. We have been here two days, having passed a week at Skelton Castle with Jack Wharton, who is now in possession of that splendid estate, after all its Queen Bench difficulties, and a grand place it is. He married^ you know, Charlotte, the eldest daughter of old Yeoman and his first cousin : a very fat, happy couple they are. From the Castle, during our stay, we drove to various places — Maske, Salt- bourne, Brutton, Kilton Castle, and Loft House in the distance ; Upleatham in all its extravagant splendour, humbly imitating^ Versailles. In fact, we are highly delighted at all we have seen, though we cannot help thinking that if a Httle less money had been spent on Upleatham in tom-fooleries, or indeed had it been given up entirely to the next heir, it would have been better. The alum works here are now on a grand scale, and the whole of the mountain under High Chffe is a mine of iron, putting into Tim's pocket more than £6,000 a year, over and above all the incomings of the estate. This house is entirely new, but on the old site ; the stables remain. The house is a very excellent one, and at this moment there are assembled in it, beside our host and Miss Chaloner our hostess, the Serjeantsons, ourselves, Henry and Mary Ann Hale, and Jack Wharton with his wife. This happy reunion, as it were, is very satisfactory to aU Tim's relatives, though the cause of this family party is a distressing VOL. n. p 210 THE LEWIN LETTERS one to him. You know he formed a rather unfortunate alliance, the Lady not being in the same rank of Ufe as himself, but still I believe well-conditioned and well-conducted. His sisters, however, did not take any notice of him in consequence. She died last July, when instantly all his relatives assembled round him again ; and I hope he now forgets they were ever estranged. He is a very good feUow, and by the way, talks of going to see Niagara next year, in which case he will certainly, he says, rout you all out at Quebec. The town of Guisborough is much increased since you saw it ; the railroad and the iron and alum works having increased the population more than threefold. Lots of new houses every- where ; none of your friends remaining except perhaps two brothers Wilson, watchmakers. The names of Porritt and Bull- man are, however, to be seen over doors in various places. No- thing but a clump of trees remains near where " The Plantation " stood. My worthy godfather was wrong in turning the road up and down hill instead of allowing it to remain under the hiU, where it seems it used to be, but the Holly hedge which he planted on his side of the road is in splendid order. To this place we came from Skelton Castle: and what a building representing the folly of man is that. Half of it is still unoccupied ; the dry rot is running riot. For thirty years nobody Uved in the Castle, and now it is impossible for one man and his wife with no children to use more than a very few rooms, so the wind howls through many empty chambers. The property itself, however, is improving, and will be aU right soon. Ironstone forms the whole of Fortyfence Hill, and that belongs to the Skelton Estate. We went to Skelton from Hutton Bonville, where Jack enter- tained us in splendour for three weeks, inviting all the neighbour- hood to meet us. James Pulleine and wife, of Craik Hall (old friends of mine), and Marwood of Busby, whose name you will know, and Beresford Pierse of Bedale. Jack entertains in true magnificence ; has his five hunters and carriages and ponies for the ladies. His property is large ; I should say more than £7,000 a year. He says he is looking out for a wife, but this is doubted by his friends. Some day hereafter we meditate visit- ing him at Horsley, when the house is his own. Hutton BonviUe is only hired for a term of years. We went to Church here last Sunday, and after the service saw the marble slab to the memory of your Father and Mother and Henry Hale. I think it is getting THE LEWIN LETTERS 211 more worn than it ought to be by people walking over it, and I shall see if anything can be done by placing it upright in the waU. Jack Hildyard will assist me, no doubt. What a wreck of a once splendid mansion Marske Hall is ! We went all over it, and you may tell George we were shown the large room where he used to sleep, and which is stiU called George Hale's room. It has one window at the gable, looking out on a horse-pond, and another at the back from which you can see the sea. The Yeomans occupy the house in the summer months, but it is now empty and desolate. We went from Woodhall to Hutton BonviUe, from which place (Woodhall) I wrote to you I think, or was it fromNormanby ? last January. Since then, however, I have received your message about £6 to Carry. We shall have her at the Orlebars at HoUy HiU at Easter, so then I can give it to her. We go back to Woodhall from here to-morrow, doing Harrogate on our way. John Dundas is obUged to go to London on railway business, and Mrs. Dundas requires us to take care of her, other- wise we should have hurried home, having been absent more than three months ! My wife thinks there is no end to the Northern Style of Hospitality, and indeed in our case it is so, for we have left unvisited at least half a dozen houses, and had we not a house of our own and other matters to attend to, we might have spent six months in the North very well indeed. To-day is Fanny's birthday, so give her my hearty congratu- lations. All friends here constantly enquire after her, and Jack H. and Lady M. Yeoman are very angry that she did not visit Yorkshire before leaving England. I don't know that I have anything more to say, save that all here, wife included, desire their regards to all of you ; and so, my dear Uncle Edward, I remain, your very affectionate nephew, Bernard Hale. From T. H. Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Camp Bugora, March llth, 1859. It is a tired son, dear Mother, who writes to you this day. We have toiled day and night, but taken nothing. It is the old routine, marching all night, resting for an hour, then on again twenty to thirty mile marches, only to find that the rebels have 212 THE LEWIN LETTERS abandoned their positions and disappeared into the jungle. For instance, at 4 a.m. yesterday morning we suddenly arrived on the banks of a swift-flowing river. I could not ride over, as the bed of the stream was full of rocks of a sharp and slippery character, so stripping off shoes and stockings and tucking up my trousers I waded in at the head of my men. It was quite dark, but on the right I could hear the frantic vociferations of the bullock drivers getting the baggage across ; against the faint dawn in the sky on the high bank opposite were the enormous black outlines of the elephants who carried our tents, etc. We splashed through the stream and formed up again on the other side. Mayne's cavalry formed the advance guard and showed out now and then in the distance, winding through the green fields like a scarlet snake. Orderlies come and go, the Brigadier and his stafE pass to the front, but all ends about 9 o'clock with the order to Camp. When I was with the 34th Regiment I had to content myself by gazing on Brigadiers and Brigade Majors as bright, particular stars only to be viewed at a distance, but here I am promoted, and dine daily with dear old Brigadier Wheeler. The 43rd Queen's who are with us, give themselves airs, and did not ask the Brigadier even to join their mess ! I wonder when the two Services (Queen's and Company's) will ever assimilate, for since the Proclamation we are united : and yet they might be oil and water as far as joining together goes. We have a harassing task. We ought to be marching in the lightest possible order ; but here we have a long team of transport waggons hampering our movements, for the British soldier it appears cannot move anywhere without his beef, his bread, and his rum ; while the enemy, although treble our number, are all mounted on ponies, with no baggage save what can be carried on their backs, and when they halt they draw supphes from the neighbouring villages. To-day the Brigadier has decided that the bullock guns impede his movements, and I have been ordered with my men to escort them into the Fort of Kirwai, about ten miles off. March \Qth, 1859. We are holding the Fort of Kirwai — a filthy place full of vermin, but the country round swarming with game. My bag to-day consisted of eighteen ortolans, a florican, an antelope and one large red deer. I hear that my Regiment is to leave Saugor and change quarters to Calpee as soon as a sufficient number of bullock carts can be collected to carry the sick and the baggage. I believe it will take some weeks to THE LEWIN LETTERS 213 march to our new quarters. I make over charge of the Fort to-day to the fresh guard, and take my men back to Saugor. Your affectionate son, T. H. Lewin. From Mrs. Grote to Mme. von Koch, to the care of Monsieur Nils von Koch, Justitz Kantzler, Stockholm, Sweden. 12, Savile Row, London, April Zrd, 1859. Dear Frances, — I believe if our account was squared, it would turn out that I owed you a letter, so here goes for a few lines to tell you that the course of my life flows on much as usual. We passed three months most agreeably in a house belonging to Earl Somers called the Priory, close to Reigate. We were a good deal alone, and the place was spacious — a library forty feet long and full of books which George enjoyed poring over. We received a good many guests, Mrs. Stanley among the number ; Adelaide Sartoris, Jenny Lind, Mr. and Mrs. Twisleton, Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, Mr. Layard, and lastly old sister Charlotte who struggled over for four or five days, very frisky and well, and less querulous than is her wont. We returned to London on March 15th. I have been rushing about in search of country residences, and was on the point of taking Stoke Park, close to Guildford, where, at ten years old, I used to visit with Father and Mother, at Mr. and Mrs. Aldersey's. Thus turns the Wheel ! but we were frightened off by the prospect of the great show of the British Agricultural Association in 1860, for which Mr. Onslow has had the weakness to grant some fields exactly opposite the residence, and as this would quite destroy two if not three months of the summer season George backed out, and we are adrift again. I dare say it will end by my going off to Switzerland to see my dear Bunsens in the middle of May, at which period they will return from Heidelberg. They have been at Cannes, and I rejoiced to hear from him that he had benefited by the climate, as also De Tocque- ville, who was there at the same time. We are in a crisis of ministerial change, but we believe Lord Derby will hold on in spite of his defeat of April 1st. Nobody cares a fig for further reform, and it is merely a battle of party. We are inundated with foreigners bringing letters of introduction to the " Gelehrte und Frau " ; and what with my Female Artists' Society, with Jenny Lind, and house-hunting, I have my hands full. We dine 214 THE LEWIN LETTERS to-morrow with the President of the Royal Academy. George lias been appointed one of the Trustees of the British Museum vice Hallam, and is in high feather. He gives up two days a week to his London University work, and is well in health, thank God. " The tribe " at Dresden flourish exceedingly it appears, " Poca " inclusive. My Grote children are growing up hopefully, and altogether we have nothing much to complain of, save the advance of old age, which must be borne, alas ! Evermore affectionately yours, H. Geote. From T. H. Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Sattgoe, A'pril 9th, 1859. Dearest Mother, — I am glad to tell you that I have passed my first examination in colloquial Hindostani before a local board, and our Major Legard told me that he thought I had every chance of being a good Hnguist. The result has been that I have been put in charge of a company with an extra allow- ance of fifty rupees a month. We start almost immediately for Calpee, and the Regiment will reach there about the 24th of this month, but I hear that I am to be sent with two com- panies on detachment duty to a place called Hameerpore. Ajiril lUh. I started to-day with two Companies of my Regiment in all the dignity of an independant command, but when we halted and pitched camp at the end of our march a sudden and furious hurricane, or " tuphan " as they call it, swept down upon us and played havoc with the camp and with my self-importance. Down went the tents, the great trees bent like reeds before the blast, and my unfortunate diimer, pots, kettles and the whole apparatus was whirled along the plain. The strength of the wind grew to such an extent that we were all obliged to lie flat on our faces to avoid being blown away, until at the worst down came a torrent of rain, and the tumult subsided ; but, alas ! what a woe-begone, drenched and bespattered appearance was presented by myself and my noble followers. I made a late start the next day in order to let the men dry their things and repair damages, but we went on again in the afternoon. April 18th, 1859. At the close of our march yesterday, just after I had gone my rounds of inspection, set the guard, etc., the Thannadar of a neighbouring village waited upon me with THE LEWIN LETTERS 215 an offering of five wild duck, which he said he had shot with his own hand. He begged me to give him a Uttle powder and shot, which I was able to do, and after mutual pohteness requested tjie honour of my company to dinner at his house, which I graciously accepted. Accordingly at nightfall, accompanied by my faithful orderly, Gholam Sing, carrying a "tulwar" or native sword, and armed myself with knife and pistol concealed under my coat, I went forth to the Thannadar's house. He received me at the entrance, and with many salaams and pohte speeches took me by the hand and led me into a long, low room at one end of which was the " musnud," consisting of a carpet and piles of cushions ; here I was seated and suppHed with a water- pipe or " gurgurrie," and while we waited for dinner my host, Syud Mohammed Khan, a native of Rohilcund, heard police reports, one I remember of a woman who had accidentally fallen down a well and met her death, an accident it seems of not uncommon occurrence. Then my dinner was brought in, consisting of " pullaos," curries, chutnies and fruit. Of this I partook alone, my host serving me himseK and bringing rose- water to wash my hands at the conclusion of the meal. After dinner the water-pipes were replenished with tobacco, and then the " tehsildar " (tax collector) and other village notables dropped in, and conversation became general. Considering that our nation have held rule in this country for 100 years, some of the questions which were put to me in perfect good faith were very extraordinary — such as " Do the Enghsh people eat the flesh of kites and monkeys, or of camels ? " or again,' ' Is it true that in England the gentlemen ride sideways on horseback 1 " At last two rather pretty girls dressed in ghstening raiment with their eyelids darkened with " surmah " (antimony) came in and gave us a concert, which lasted such an interminable time that I made my apologies to my host, and pleading my mihtary duties took leave of him and the other native gentlemen. I thought, as I exchanged sweet words and salutations with them all, what would have been my fate had I been alone in that village twelve months earlier. I gave a present to the nautch-girls and left them still singing. Gholam Sing, my orderly, told me that it was a common thing for girls of this sort to go on singing and dancing for twelve or fourteen hours at a stretch. Your affectionate son, T. H. Lewin. 2i6 THE LEWIN LETTERS Frmn Thmas Herbert Lewin, to Mrs. Mary Lewin. Hameeeporb, April 22nd, 1859. Dearest Mother, — I arrived here this morning after a long and fatiguing march, and my poor men are camped in their tents very uncomfortably, there being no barracks or quarters for them. There are but two bungalows in the place, one of which is in the sole tenancy of a Mr. Freeling of the Civil Service, Magistrate and Collector, and in the other is jumbled up a hocus- pocus gathering of officers, who club together as best they can. Two of them, Company's men, act as PoMce Superintendants ; the others are officers of a detachment of the Queen's 43rd Regi- ment, who are stationed here ; and for the present at any rate I have been allotted a small room in their bungalow. My poor men are out in their tents in the broihng sun, and I hear that Calpee, where our head quarters are, is a terribly unhealthy station. It is rather hard, I think, on the men of the only reaUy loyal Native Regiment to be assigned such disagreeable quarters, and many I should think would leave us. May 1st, 1859. After a hard morning's work at the duties entailed by my independant command, the preparing and copy- ing of Muster Rolls, Pay Abstracts and Command Certificates, we all decided to go and bathe in the river Betwa hard by ; so I and my friends mounting our nags, cantered off through the native town, past groups of men in white clothing, some of whom salaamed respectfully to us, while others held aloof with a scowl : there were some of my men bargaining for vegetables with an old woman, who sat at the receipt of custom amid a heap of melons, green and gold in the sun. Then we came to a shop where a group of natives squatting on their hams were clinking away hard at work making brass pots and ewers. A httle further and my pony shies away from a fakir, white with ashes, and having a great scarlet streak of paint on his forehead, who was clanging away with two cymbals in front of a hideous little pot-bellied image of Mahadeo (the great God). Then a fleeting ghmpse of a pretty face, and a maiden swishes her mantle over her head, as the Feringhees ride by. She is on her way to fetch water, and looks hke Rachel going to the well, with her brazen pitcher balanced on her head. At last we reach the river, and divesting ourselves of our garments are soon aU of us splashing and disporting ourselves in the cool, swift, running water. May 28th, 1859. Rumours have reached us that one Bajaol Singh, a rebel leader with a considerable following, has entered THE LEWIN LETTERS 217 this district and must be promptly suppressed, as he is levying contributions from the neighbouring villages and setting the Government at defiance. The thermometer is at 102° in the shade, so it will be warm work, I hope, for all concerned. June Srd, 1859. Here I am at a large fortified village named Raat. My small force reached here at midnight, and as we approached the place we were challenged in Hindostani, " Who goes there ? " and looking ahead I made out a group of natives on a little eminence in front, training on us a Three-Pounder Gun. However, after a Uttle parley they turned out to be the soldiers of a neighbouring Rajah who was friendly to us. The Tehsildar (tax collector) of the place came to pay his respects on my arrival. He was a Christian half-caste, dressed in European clothes, and informed me that Bajaol Singh's party is distant about thirty miles off, in the village of Kotrah, and had taken up a position in a thorny jungle surrounded by ravines. He estimated their numbers at over 500 men. Our force numbers about 250 men. We shall march at 9 to-night, and I doubt not shall give a good account of Mr. Bajaol Singh and Company. I shall attack a httle before daylight. The way we obtain intelUgence here is somewhat mediaeval and characteristic of the country. Spies are sent out, dressed of course hke ordinary peasants, and any one of them who brings a good and trustworthy piece of intelli- gence is allowed to put his hand into a bag full of rupees and take as his reward as many coins as he can grasp. It is interesting and amusing to watch the expression of the men's faces as they approach the bag. Your affectionate son, T. H. Lbwin. June 23rd, 1859. When last I wrote I was on the point of attacking the rebels. Well, I am very glad now to be able to write and say that that little affair is well over. When we got near the rebels' position, we were fired into by their scouts, who directly they had done so, ran for their hves, and most of them got away in the thick jungle, save two or three who were knocked over by our return fire. Then we went running and panting up rocky hills and in the beds of dry ravines, scratched and torn by thorns, but the rebels made no great resistance, and the affair was soon over. It was curious to note the proceedings of our guide as he walked at the head of our small column in the moonlight. You would 21 8 THE LEWIN LETTERS have thought he would have been afraid, as in the case of a volley, the leading files are generally knocked over, but he strode along leisurely, kicking stones as he went, and with his eyes fixed on the ground. A short time before we drew their fire he stopped and pointed to a mark on the ground sajdng, " Man running ; they expect us now." One, and one only, of the rebels showed fight — ^he was a fine, upstanding man, with a sword and shield, and as we ran in on him he stood facing us undaunted, and called out in Hindostani, " Come back, come back, my brothers. What ! will you desert me ? Come back, I say, and we wiU make these dogs of Feringhees eat dirt " ; but one of my men shot him through the chest, and that was the end of a brave man. From Lieut. T. H. Lewin, Commanding Detachment Z\st Regi- ment, N.L.I. , to the Officer Commanding at Hameerpore. July 1th, 1859. Sib, — I have the honour to report that in consequence of information received that a body of rebels were in the Jungles North East of Jheejun, I marched thither at 11 o'clock p.m. on the night of the 5th Inst, with a detachment of fifty men of the 31st N.L.I., and twenty Troopers of the District Police. After a long march we arrived at the outskirts of the dense jungle in which the rebels were posted, and I accordingly despatched the cavahy in two detachments, one to each flank, with orders to be on the alert to intercept fugitives. After proceeding some distance further we came upon their outlying picket, which we drove in without loss on either side. Pushing on with aU despatch we surprized their camp, which after a short resistance they abandoned and fled through the jungle in every direction. Owing to the denseness of the jungle, I was not able to pursue them as efficiently as I could wish, but many were shot down and wounded in their flight. The completeness of the surprize may be esti- mated when I state that 120 pairs of shoes were left behind in their Camp, the jungle was strewn with caps, articles of clothing and weapons of all sorts which they had abandoned in their flight. A party of the rebels attempted to escape towards the east, but were promptly attacked by a Ressildar commanding one of the flanking parties of cavalry, who gave a good account of them. The body of rebels were said to be commanded by the celebrated outlaw Desput, whose name and doings are well known to the authorities. They are said to have numbered THE LEWIN LETTERS 219 some 500 men. I consider that the effect produced on the rebels by this attack will be most beneficial, as showing them that in the densest jungle and in the most favourable position they cannot look for safety. I regret to say that I lost one sepoy of my detachment who was shot through the chest when we charged the enemy's breastwork. I have to thank Mr. Wigram, the Assistant Magistrate of the District, who accompanied me through- out the operations and afforded me aU the assistance in his power. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient Servant, T. H. Lewin. From Lieutenant T. H. Lewin to Mrs. Mary Lewin. Camp Chaenee, July l&ih, 1859. Dearest Mothee, — Here I am on the march to rejoin my Regiment which has been ordered to move from Calpee to Shah- jehanpore. It is difficult to fathom the policy of the Govern- ment. We were ordered from Saugor to Calpee, a terrible march in the hottest of hot weather, and now that the rains have set in, comes the route for another Station; formerly, troops were never moved at these seasons of the year, but I suppose that now the times are out of joint. I confess I view with some regret the termination of my independant command, as I found that responsibihty and power gave a new zest and flavour to Ufe, and it will be hard to sink back once more to my place as junior and most obedient Subaltern ; but so turns the Wheel of Fortune, now high, now low, and I must not repine, as I have had a real good time. I am, perhaps, a httle doubtful of my vocation. I fear I am not brave enough to be a true soldier, for although by an effort of will I can make my body affront any danger, and be the leader, too (for I would never let a native go in front of me), yet I have to confess that I have no dehght in the peril of war, and that the sight of blood and death are abhorrent to me ; but as the natives say, " Jo hoga, so hoga," " What wiU be, will be," and as we used to say in old days when I recited the Catechism, " I must do my duty in that state of Ufe to which it hath pleased God to call me." On the road to Shahjehanpore July 25th, 1859. I find that in order to get leave to England on private affairs it is necessary to state some vahd reason for the application. I beheve that when I come of age next April it will be necessary to see our 220 THE LEWIN LETTERS lawyer and take possession of my small heritage, so will you please get the lawyer to write a letter to me saying that my presence at home is urgently necessary, and then I can forward this letter with my appMcation for leave. I am very anxious to see you again after aU that has passed and gone since we parted. We are still on our march up country, Mterally crawUng along, for at this season every Uttle torrent becomes a river, and the poor officer on baggage guard has a bad time of it, I assure you. I am working hard at my Hindostani and hope to pass my second examination before leaving the country. Our friend Mr. Grote wrote to me the other day and said that if I should succeed in passing, it would do me the greatest credit, and that he would see what he could do for me in getting a staff appointment. Augvst 2th. To-day we arrived at Futtehghur, close to which is the large native city of Furruckabad, where so many ladies and officers were killed in the Mutiny. I do not see much chance of our getting on in our wild-duck journey, for the Ganges has risen, and the country round is under water for miles and miles. August 21st, 1859. To-day we crossed the Ganges, and a long pull we had of it. Some of the boats were five hours getting across Mother Gunga ! We have pitched camp on the further bank in a tope of trees a httle above the water level, and are taking breath before plunging into the leagues of mud and water that he between us and Shahjehanpore. August 21th, 1859. To-day we arrived at our long-desired haven of rest, Shajehanpore, and found a large concourse of people waiting our arrival : the only loyal Poorbeah Regiment. We were played to our quarters by the band of H.M.'s 82nd Regiment ; but we did not make so good a show as the Colonel wished, numbering, as we did, only 350 strong — all the rest having gone on leave. There are no quarters for us officers, so each has to shift for himself. My chum Johnston and I are in treaty for the purchase of three small native houses situated in a clump of trees not far from our Unes. From T. H. Lewin, to Mrs. Mary Lewin. Shahjehanpore, August 1st, 1859. Dearest Mother, — I am struck down with a thunderbolt and am most unnaturally worried. It is no joke to say that THE LEWIN LETTERS 221 my grey hairs are going down in sorrow to the grave, as I pulled out three precursors from my head this very morning. After a twelvemonth of hard fighting, exposure, and hard Uving, the Government have suddenly informed me that I am in debt to the Account Department to the tune of 500 rupees, and that my pay will be stopped until this debt is paid off. But I ask distractedly, " how am I to hve ? " and they reply, " furnish receipts and accounts." The debt is said to be due for " tent- age," that is the hire of Govermnent tents during the Mutiny. It seems hard measure to charge officers tent hire when their bed was too often Mother earth and their covering the sky ; but I will not bother you with these petty troubles. My friend Johnston and I have moved into our new quarters, and that evening I found a large black snake and two scorpions who had come to assist at the house-warming. They met with a hot reception. In despite these visitors we set to work and had all the rooms white-washed, painted and cleaned, hung up all our home portraits on the walls, and by way of ornament stuck up here and there horns, stags' heads and other spoils of the chase, covered the floors with deer skins by way of carpets, and soon made something Uke a home of the small place. I am working hard four hours a day at my Hindostani. The moon- shee or teacher is a reverend white-bearded Mussulman, full of wise sayings and quaint histories, and I find the work very pleasant. He gives me good hope of passing the examination this year. We had some trouble in our regiment shortly after arriving here. One of our men, a high-caste Brahmin, was put under arrest for using mutinous language and inciting his comrades to kill their officers. The Jemadar of my Company, Sewbuckus Awusty, apprehended him with his own hand and promptly placed him under guard. The great safeguard in our regiment is that the native officers are nearly all men of good family and of unflinching loyalty to their engagements, and they have great influence over the men, who are for the most part sons of peasants, whose fathers owe allegiance to the famihes from which our native officers spring. It is to this, and to the fact that our Colonel is thoroughly acquainted with native habits and customs, that our regiment has remained loyal during the general break up of the old East India Company's native army. Oxir senior officers held a council what should be done in the present case. The man could not be brought to a Court Martial without taint- 222 THE LEWIN LETTERS ing the fair fame of the Regiment, and on the earnest solicitation of the native oificers the Colonel decided to discharge the man with ignominy from the Regiment. I found out the other day that one of my servants named Makunda, a low-caste man who serves me as sweeper, had formerly been a servant of a Mr. Powis at Jhansi, where all the Europeans were massacred by order of the Rani of Jhansi, and that during the outbreak his mistress with her child in her arms had sought shelter at his house, her husband having just been murdered before her eyes. This man, Makunda, took her by the shoulders and pushed her out into the streets, where, of course, both she and the child were immediately killed. I wrote off at once to Pinckney, who is now Commissioner of Jhansi, to report what I had heard and to ask instructions. There is a great deal of talk now about throw- ing open the civil service to natives ; that all are men and brothers, and that we should dwell together in unity ; but this seems to me to be most mischievous nonsense. This empire was won by the sword, and by the sword only can we keep it. Justice if you hke, but there can be no equaUty between the conquerors and the conquered. So at least it seems to me. Your affectionate son, T. H. Lbwin. From T. H. Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Shahjehanpoke, October 8th, 1859. Dearest Mother, — To-day, with my friend George Johnston, I went to see the great Hindu festival of the Ram Leila, which is held in commemoration of the conquest of Ceylon (or Lunker, as they call it), by the national hero, king Raja Ramchurn. On this day is set up an enormous image, the presentment of Ravan, King of Ceylon, the opponent of Ramchurn. It was to me a strange and somewhat awe-inspiring sight to behold this enormous gathering of human beings, of whom there could not have been less than 10,000 ; the vast crowd all dressed in vivid colours was as brilUant and variegated as a flower-show ; and in the midst of this swaying, humming mass of people rose up to the height of twenty feet or more above the heads of the crowd an immense black figure with hideous, grinning face, and arms raised in attitude to strike, seeming to menace the crowd. It was like the old gatherings of the people of Israel when the priests cried and cut themselves with knives sajnng, " Oh, Baal, hear us I " THE LEWIN LETTERS 223 and as we gazed, the hum and murmur of the people swelled into a shout, and slowly from the base of the great demon image tongues of flame darted upwards wrapping it in a robe of fire, and then with a dull, smothered report the image was blown into a 1,000 pieces and was not. We have left our pleasant dwelhng-place in the mango tope (the Groves of Blarney, as Johnston calls it), as he was ordered with his Company on Fort guard, and as I thought he would be very lonely down in the native city I packed all my belongings and accompanied him on his duty. Our new quarters are picturesque enough. We have occupied three rooms in a native house, out of which we have made two bedrooms and a dining-room. My bedroom is a curious mixture of splendour and squalor. The fire-place is a small, narrow grate surrounded by carved arabesques in wood, painted of all the colours of the rainbow on a white ground. The doors are green panelled on a gold ground, the window glass is sprinkled with gold, and the ceihng blue with red stripes. The room itself about 15 ft. x 12 ft. My furniture will shortly be sold by auction, as the property of a promising young officer shortly about to proceed home on urgent private affairs. Thank you much, by the way, for the lawyer's letter, which I have sent in with my apphcation for leave. Round the room are ranged my trunks and boxes : there is my old hat box with its large placard inscribed T. H. Lewin, Esq., Bengal Army, passenger to Calcutta. The hat has long departed this hfe, but the hat box is invaluable as a depositary for my stock of cheroots. Swords, guns, forage caps and accoutrements are scattered about with my Hindostani books and some French novels. We are getting up some theatricals to be performed before His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, who is expected shortly to visit the Station. I have to take part in both pieces, which are " A man can't marry his Grandmother," and " Done on both sides." A General Order has been issued that an Examin- ation wiU be held at Bareilly on November 19th to determine the proficiency in the Native Languages of officers holding or desiring to hold Staff appointments. Wish me luck, my dear. I am working five hours a day, and studying my parts for the theatricals at odd times between whiles. Your affectionate son, T. H. Lewin. 224 THE LEWIN LETTERS From T. H. Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. Shahjehanpoeb, December lOth, 1859. Dearest Mother, — First let me tell you that I went to Bareilly in due course, appeared before the board of Examiners, and passed the higher examination in Urdu and Hindi with considerable distinction ; and now asProspero says in the Tempest, " I'll break my staff, bury it certain fathoms in the earth, and deeper than did ever plummet sound I'll drown my books." Whether I shall ever go further with the study of Oriental lan- guages remains in the future, but certainly I shall only use them as a means to an end, and that end, the knowledge of men and the power to deal with them, which an acquaintance with language alone can give. After the examination was over Stewart of the Artillery (an old Addiscombe friend of mine) and I, took our horses and camp equipage and went out for a week's shooting, for in the neighbourhood of Bareilly the wily black buck is found in large numbers. We had a very enjoyable time together of dehghtful mixed sport, and wound up by an unsuccessful attempt to kill a tiger, this being my first experience of the noble elephant as an assistance to sport. We heard of a tiger being in a very dense bit of jungle close to our camp, and having borrowed a couple of elephants from a neighbouring zemindar (country gentleman or landowner) we went forth to slay him. We crossed a deep ravine and soon got into such dense jungle as I had never before met with ; every now and then our progress was impeded by a regular network of trees and creepers, and then the mahouts putting their great beasts side by side called out " Proos, proos," striking them on the head with the iron hook or " ankus," that each driver carried, and the two great animals broke, smashed and trod under foot the obstruction. Suddenly there was a roar, and I had just time to see the stripes of a tiger, when the elephant on which I was mounted, trumpeted loudly, turned sharp round and bolted. Now of all the nasty experiences I have ever had, the being run away with by a frightened elephant through tree jungle is the worst. We had no howdahs, but were each seated on a pad on the elephant's back. I got back as far as I could, and holding on to the ropes felt the trees swoosh- ing over me. Back in the jungle I heard Stewart fire, but when my mahout got his beast in hand again and I went back, I found that the tiger had got away and we saw no more of him. I noted down the words which the Mahouts used in giving orders to their elephants for future use. " Myel," go on ; " Myel THE LEWIN LETTERS 225 konsomalee myel," go carefully ; " Dutt," stop ; " Proos proos," break down ; " Jounok," put out your leg for me to mount by ; and " Byett," kneel down. We got safely back to Shah- jehanpore and found the Station alive with gaiety. Colonel , commanding the EngUsh Regiment there, was going home, and a grand dinner followed by a ball was to be given in his honour, to which everybody was invited. The dinner went off with great eclat, but I should doubt of the ball being equally successful, as there were more men drunk at the end of dinner than I ever remember to have seen before. The Theatricals came off a day or two afterwards, and I am happy to tell you that my part was a great success ; round after round of applause was awarded to your modest offspring. I had dressed myself with a great deal of care, and I fancy that had much to do with my success. My role was that of an old gentleman, and my first costume was a claret-coloured coat with gilt buttons, stiff standing collar, a white silk-embroidered waistcoat with large flap pockets reaching down the thigh, with an open roll coUar showing a point lace jabot — I used Aunt Jane's cameo pin as a brooch, then black knee-breeches and tight-fitting black silk stockings with neat pumps and paste buckles. The second dress was a black dress coat with white silk facings, silver-frosted buttons, waistcoat up to the chin, and a long lace cravat. My hair was combed back and powdered profusely, and a small queue with a bow of black ribbon com- pleted the travesty. A few crow's-feet and wrinkles done with a pencil dipped in charcoal, and I flatter myself, I was quite unrecognizable. The piece was " A man can't marry his Grand- mother." I have heard to-day that my leave of absence " on urgent private affairs " is granted, and I shall hope to leave India on my way home about January 9th, 1860. Always your affectionate son, T. H. Lewin. From Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Mrs. Frances von Koch, at Stockholm. 12, Savile Row, London, May 8th, 1860. Dearest Babbo, — I received your nice long letter, which by the raciness and kick up of its phraseology redeemed the sombre character of its facts, viz., the smash of friend Karl and the indisposition of dear Nils, who of course, never VOL. II. Q 226 THE LEWIN LETTERS iaving experienced anything of bodily suffering greater per- adventure than a corn, was like to die when he found himself amiss for the first time. Well, you seem to hold on very tolerably, my dear sister, in spite of the vicissitudes of existence, and now having pulled through your winter ailments, you wiU find your- self all right again as spring arrives, never fear. We have still such detestable easterly blasts that I continue to be far from well and never get a walk, such is the glacial quaUty of the wind. Last night George and I struggled up to a party at the Dean of Durham's (to hear a girl pianiste he patronized), who has since a year or more set up a fine house in Cavendish Square and is starring it there for the 2nd season, and I assure you the Siberian gust which saluted us on quitting his house gave me a fresh acces of sore throat and catarrh. I have had a succession of these agree- able symptoms during the eight weeks I have passed in London, and feel disposed every day to cry, hke poor Mother, Laissez moi ichapper, only that there is not a blade of grass nor a tree in leaf at Barrow Green to tempt us thither. I think it probable that I shall stay on here till June, and then retire to Barrow ■Green for a few weeks, perhaps making a slant during the summer to Holland, to inspect the pictures of Ary Scheffer by way of enabling me to supplement my work on that eniment painter and virtuous man. Madame Platen (who with the Minister iimseK is swallowed up in " de Grief ") has kindly offered to convey this to you along with anything I have to send of interest, so I armex a copy of my book for your acceptance, hoping you may read it with somewhat less delay than you suffered to elapse in the case of E. Bumham book in 1859. " Ary Scheffer " was published on April 9th, and I must say the success it has met with exceeds my most sanguine expectations. The stream of admiration and comphment goes on almost daily, and the Booksellers say it is " the book of the season." The whole edition will, I expect, be sold in the course of the next fortnight (1,000 copies), and it is already pubUshed in French. All this success recompenses me in great part for my six months' assidu- ous labours. My Paris friends write the equal praises, and say I ought to come over this May " pour jouir de voire triompTie." My health, however, suffers so cruelly from the East winds, which dry up the skin and prevent exercise, and so derange Uver, that I feel unequal to the effort. I have had a good deal of pen work this year in reference to jjoor Alexis de Tocqueville sending copies of his letters to Gust. THE LEWIN LETTERS 227 de Beaumont to enrich the memoirs, and I have conducted my Female Art Society through a 4th year's Exhibition with com- plete success, I rejoice to say. The Royal Academy Exhibition is now open, and several more, all of high interest, which with the good music always going on at this season, makes London in a certain sense attractive, if it were not for the infernal weather. " Potther " is, however, weather-proof, and does not seem to recognize the difference between an East and a West wind, which is the best evidence of his state of health. He sends his kind love to you and Nils, and hopes, as I cordially do, that Nils' health is restored to its wonted excellent level. He must give up his public work and devote himself to the overseeing of his extensive landed estates. I need hardly say how concerned we were to learn the disastrous end of Karl's imprudent specula- tions. Nils' loss is one which I regard as more serious than you seem to think it. Begar ! £2,000 is no joke, and to throw away savings is always sad. God knows ! my good man had to stump up £2,500 last year to replace the embezzlement of a co-trustee of a marriage settlement (a dam rascal), and I was very much put out. It is lucky that I can look after our money matters a Uttle, for he is absorbed with the everlasting Plato (now going four years bedad), and in the administration of the London Univer- sity, so that everything might go by the board and he not care ! We have managed to give some dinner parties since March, which have gone off charmingly, I must say. We are rather in the scientific line just now, since the work George has in hand renders scientific knowledge necessary in addition to his scholar- ship. He continues to amass knowledge of all kinds, and is a walking library. His interest now in contemporary poHtics is " nil." He will not even speak of European affairs, despairs of the progress of man as a whole, but believes in the evolution and devolution of knowledge in the hands of the few. His reputation is very high, and he enjoys all the honour he so well merits ; he is resigned to hve in the country for eight months of the year, finding that it suits his health and that I am better there. He has now some 3,000 volumes with which he rubs along : admires my " Scheffer " prodigiously, and continues to love me, I believe. Joe Grote has suffered from Influenza and is very floppy. Andrew (our nephew) goes back to India to rejoin his regiment, the 38th, quite sound again. Tom Lewin of Barn House is pretty much as usual. Jenny Lind off to Stockholm at the end of the month for the whole summer. Lindblad's 228 THE LEWIN LETTERS daughter married, I hear. Remember me to him with sincere regret that we have not met. God protect you from misfortune, my dear Frances. Love me as ever, and beheve in the profound and tender attachment of your old idol and sister, H. Geote. PS.— I send you a lot of old letters of mine to George and some others which I think you will value. Write soon. Love to Rickert, whom I hope to see again 'ere long. So pleased you prize the hair brooch. The Countess says she shall look you up very often. Give my kind comphments to Baron Wrede, " go-o-o-o-d man ! I have a toy carriage easy and quiet, and the handsomest gray horses to be seen about London. I ran down to Barrow Green last week by road in three hours — twenty- four miles. I rarely have a bad headache and general health pretty good. It is only general debihty caused by London air of which I complain. Little Therese happily married to an honest soldier, a Captain in the Austrian Army, Victor von Webenau, age about thirty-five. Mrs. Grote to Mrs. Austin. Bakrow Green, Oxtead, June 8th, 1860. Dear Cummer, — I have been rusticating here for eight days in a sohtude only equalled by your own. The weather has kept me indoors it is true, but I have found abundant occupations in my spacious cage. Among the rest that of sorting old letters and destroying the larger portion, by way of loosening the con- nection with this world. Among these now ancient treasures are some letters of Mr. Austin's, and some of yours, received during the last thirty years ! records of a singular series of con- flicts, struggles and chequered Pate, such, as if woven into a history would thrust modern periodical fiction into the shade for interest. Each of our two fives, dear Cummer, if put on paper would offer a deep and melancholy attraction for thoughtful readers. We both came into the world endowed with the choicest of gifts, personal and mental, as from a fairy godmother. How striking the lesson our fives have furnished ! that Destiny, Acci- dent, call it what you will, mixes the cup of fife for us, strive as we may ! Your struggle is now over, and you regret your exemption from aU care for another. It is well ! The evening of my course is more serene than the morning and noon thereof. THE LEWIN LETTERS 229 and less agitated by the currents of feeling, and by the torments which every sentimental and vehement soul must be subjected to, in the journey through this life. I feel thankful accordingly, and hope that I may spend what few years are Hkely to be granted to me, in the tranquilhty which is now my portion. When you come to Barrow Green you shall see whether any of the letters adverted to in this letter would be acceptable to you to regain. I have destroyed but few of yours or Austin's. I go up to Savile Row on Thursday for Ella's music, staying the week probably. Where are you ? Ever yours affectionately, H. Geotb. N.B. — I have done with London properly speaking. Linen, plate and servants all here. A couple of women-servants for George Grote's attendance in Savile Row. From Mrs. Frances Eliza von Koch to her sister, Mrs. Harriet Grote. June 26th, 1860. Dearest Harriet, — The bundles of letters and books arrived with the Countess, whose affection for " Mrs. Grote " indued that " good and grand Statue " with a Promethean hfe such as I never saw in her before, so that I took her in my arms, and what lyith her grief -worn and elevated expression, and her warm- heartedness for you, I forgot to be horrified at myself for a famiharity at which in cold blood I should have shrunk. Well ! I thank you for " averyting, averyting." You lead a blissful hfe on the earth, my sister, die when you may, moving among such choice spirits, and sjnnpathising with their noble pleasures and pains. The Ary Scheffer memoir disturbed me consider- ably ! What a soul ! how in need of heavenly nourishment, how tried and tempered in the crucible of suffering. Oh ! I read devouringly his life, but rejoiced and rejoice in his death ! Poor, dear fellow ! certainly I would hke to have known such a heart and mind ; but how selfish the wish, when it could only be of consequence to me, and he never knew of my existence. Well done you, my dear Harriet, who have struggled through the putting together of so many dehghtful pieces to bring before us the " man." Much reading, dehberation and writing it must have cost you ; but the work must have been a pleasant toil, and I doubt not a suitable token of the depth of your heart's impression of so noble a being, as well as benevolence to nous 230 THE LEWIN LETTERS autres who knew not the original. I congratulate you most heartily on the success of your book, as well as thanking you for the pleasure I have in the perusal and possession of your work. Scheffer's pictures, of which I saw in Paris a few in his " atelier " in 1849, and others in engravings, are quite inspired, and I thirsted for a sight of his collected works in 1859, but duty said " no." How beautifully he speaks of il faut. Oh ! his thirsty soul drinks deep doubtless now, of the Ufe beyond these clouds and shadows here. Pooa's letter is amiable and virtuous for all I can see, and that we should be devoutly thankful for, about any chicken of that brood. God help us and them ! You are a good Samaritan who lets her " hold on to the painter " wherever you perch. So you are slanting across to Holland very near me, you shabby thing ; but what we can't get we must go " mit out," and I Uve on happily to-day, hoping if to-morrow ever comes to me, it may bring divers things I imagine it wouldbe very delightful to enjoy. Nils is happiest at no cash going out beyond the needful : that we have got and something over. Some day, perhaps when estates return more, or sell better, and money rattles in again, I know lots of things I should hke to do, but it may after all be a case of " the crows pick up all the dirt " first. My illness has cleared ofE apparently many small defects in constitu- tion, and though much weaker and incompetent for hard work, I feel always well. Nils is somewhat heartier, but not altogether the man he was or ever will be, I expect, but may hve long yet with the care he takes of himself. What crowds of " swammies " you have, swimming after the whale ! judging from the admiring letters you sent me. You are quite a wonderful person, not to be good for nothing with all the incense offered at your shrine. Rickert cannot get leave early this summer, but perhaps he may be able to do so later on. Undying greetings from my nethermost heart to George Grote. How sorry I am he should still despond of sunshine at midday. Good-bye, and thanks again from the North Pole for all means of approximation to the focus. Your loving, Fb. v. Koch. THE LEWIN LETTERS 231 From Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Mme. Frances von, Kochr in Sweden. Barrow Green House, Oxtead, Surrey, Jamuiry2drd, 1861. My deary Babbo ! — Your pacquet of 10th came duly to hand yesterday, enclosing the important tokens of the coming event so fraught with interest to the House of Koch. Nils' letter to George Grote is under consideration, and I dare say a reply will be forthcoming 'ere long. I have, however, a qualm of conscience which impels me to write without waiting for G.'» letter to say my hearty good wishes for the young couple in the happy state to which they are now looking forward. I dare say " Master Thom " has made a careful choice, having been out in the world long enough to form a tolerably fair estimate of female qualities. The young lady having means is, of course, a desirable element in the programme, and if he obtains an appoint- ment at some foreign Court where expenses are not too extrava- gant, they will be very comfortable on what they possess. It is, as you say, a long while since we communicated, and I beUeve the ball is on my side this turn. It would have been thrown over the North Sea many a time had the impulse been seconded by the capacity to write : but I really find the torrent of daily desk duty grows overmuch for my strength now that I am an " old Lady " in earnest. I actually send on an average to the post four letters daily. So many matters demanding attention, I being the head of the family ; in fact, everything is referred to me. I have written at least twenty letters in the past month wholly relative to the unfortunate Mary Anne AUan, who closed her life of sin and shame and misery a fortnight ago, dying at last of cancer in utero. Then I have to direct the concerns of the Society of Female Artists, Jenny Lind busy lying-in (a girl), Mrs. Stanley alternately with Arthur, at Oxford, or Dr. Vaughan at Doncaster, and our fourth member of the Committee (Mrs. Stephenson) incompetent. Then we have had a rigorous winter, insomuch that for five weeks we have had no water in the conduits, all fetched by pail, cold baths for G. and self inclusive. Of course my sensitive nervous system has felt the effects of so low a temperature as 15°-20° Fahr., and the brain has partaken of the depression occasioned by the struggles of the vital principle to carry on business. I rejoice to say that " the Historian " has fought out 232 THE LEWIN LETTERS most successfully hitherto, not even having had a cold through- out the winter, and taking his exercise regularly no matter how bad the weather. He complains loudly of the sensations pro- duced by cold weather, in spite of layers of waistcoat and fleecy hosiery in which his body is enveloped, but he is substantially in excellent health, thank God. We have been hving quietly here ever since July, 1860, with two or three short absences in Lincolnshire to look after estate affairs. We find this place agrees with us, and the house is spacious enough to allow of exercise within doors when we cannot get out. BiUiards come to the rescue famously then. We have now taken additional land, so that I occupy myself in directing farm operations — we hold about fifty acres. We shall remain here for another six weeks, and then move the whole boutique to Savile Row. I look forward to London with my current aversion, and every season there seems more and more a wasted piece of existence ; but G. has a good many duties to fulfil of a pubHc and philanthropic character (they have made him a Trustee of the British Museum now), and I must grunt and bear it as heretofore, in order to keep house for him and keep him company in his evenings. As for Society, although the choicest offers itself to my acceptance and the best concerts begin (in which I take unfailing pleasure), yet I find my strength is feeble in London owing to the bad air and the difficulty of getting exercise out of doors, no quiet to be had, and the worry of per- petual visitors, so that I am always wanting to echapper from the turmoil. We have had since November 1st fewer guests than I ever recollect, owing to the severe winter, which made me unwiUing to invite friends, for I could not amuse them all day indoors : but we have had some very agreeable parties for three or four days at a time, and among the last haul was Fred D. Lewin, fresh from United States travel. He seems to have made friends there, and to have profited by his tour. The Photograph was truly welcome, and brings you to memory with never-fading pleasure unless I reflect on our protracted separation. Send me one of Nils', please. I must try and get a Photo of myself done in these days of carte-de-visite which serve the purpose capitally. Only " mit the long leg " has now a reluctance to having her facsimile presented, seeing that all trace of her quondam beauty hath vanished, alas ! I am setthng into a regular old dowager, though my skin and com- plexion remains clear and fine still ; but that does not help matters. THE LEWIN LETTERS 233 you know, in Photography, which pitilessly exhibits the wrinkles and crow's-feet of old age. De Beaumont has pubUshed my lamented De Tocqueville's Ufe in a brief form, and has added some posthumous works, one of which, " Quinze Jours dans le Desert," is a gem ; among the letters are six or seven to myself, Madame la Comtesse de Linant, writing to me lately, says, " quelle profonde affection il vous portait." You are aware of my long attachment to him, and indeed nobody could know him without loving and admiring the rare combination of intellect and sweet-hearted tenderness of soul which shine out in that dear man. My " Ary Scheffer " has had a wide-spread success and retentissement, and I can honestly say my fame and credit have been far greater in con- nection with this " opuscule " than I have dared to hope for. Even now I continue to receive " dropping shots " of praise and thanks from people who have only read it recently. Among them a hearty tribute from Lord Mounteagle in Ireland, who says he is about to read it aloud to a fresh batch of listeners, and that he is glad of the excuse to read it over again. Every one says that Scheffer has been revealed to the world by my pen. Few Enghsh people indeed knew anything of him or his works, and to the general pubhc of France he was very little known either. My book shews that it could hardly be otherwise. Our Exhibition (Female Artists' Society, February 7th) will, I think, be creditable, and my esteemed friend the Baron de Triqueti has been good enough to permit us (out of favour to myself personally) to exhibit his splendid sculptured vase, a work valued at 2,000 guineas. Rosa Bonheur will send us a drawing and one of her sisters some oil paintings. I exhibit nothing, but Mrs. Stanley sends her curious coloured sketch of the ReUgious dramatic performance in the Tyrol in September last, when she and Arthur Stanley went out specially to witness it, as did the Dean of St. Paul's and his lady. It is performed once in ten years, and is the history of Jesus Christ down to the final tragedy. Arthur has published a beautiful narration thereof, which I should much like you to see. I am much amused at your son Oscar taking a degree as Doctor of Philosophy (Begar ! I am sick !) Bless the dear, clever creature ! I always said he would turn out something great. People have set it about that I am writing about Voltaire. I wish to do so much, but have not yet made a begiiming. I hope the Platens are coming back : I like them sincerely. My compHments to Baron Wrede, 234 THE LEWIN LETTERS if you please. Do you go to Augerum this year ? The great man sends kindest love to you and best regards to Nils, and give my love in particular to Rickert, who we hope to see again this summer ; also to Fabian and Oscar. Brother Frederick is said to be " floppy " so Charlotte writes, but I never see or hear from him, so cannot specify. Old Mrs. Johnston " tucked up " at last at the age of ninety. Her son Hugh means to leave Danson. I can write nae mair, so good night. Ever truly thine affectionate sistei;, H. Grote. From T. H. Lewin to his mother, Mrs. Mary Lewin. U.S. Club, Calcutta, March \st, 1861. Dearest Mother, — Behold me once more back again in the city of Palaces, and indeed the sights, sounds and smells of India are so familiar to me that I could almost think that the last fourteen months are but a dream. Mr. Arthur Grote has been very kind indeed to me. He put me up at his house in Alipore, and has interested himseff in my affairs, but I did not wish to outstay my welcome, and so got myself elected a member of the United Service Club, and have moved into rooms there. I must remain in Calcutta to see if I cannot get staff employ of some sort, for here as everywhere else (except between you and me) it is out of sight, out of mind, and I hesitate before engulphing myself again in a Native Infantry Regiment and the petty life of the Shahjehanpore Cantonments. I have sent in an application to serve in one of the new BattaUons of Military Police which are being raised to supply the place of the old Sepoy Regiments, and my application has been backed by the Assistant Military Secretary, Allen Johnston, and to-morrow I go to call on the Viceroy's Private Secretary with a letter from Grote recommending me for employment. I should mention that on my voyage home I travelled with a Captain and Mrs. Pughe, with whom I made friends, and now on my return I find Pughe has been appointed Inspector-General of Military Police, which is another point scored in my favour. March 20th, 1861. Pughe has offered me the Adjutancy and 2nd in Commandship of the 2nd BattaUon MiHtary PoUce now being raised at Rampore Bauleah in Bengal, and after mature consideration I have thankfully accepted the appointr ment. I don't much fancy being a Policeman, but then as poor. THE LEWIN LETTERS 235 dear Father used to say — " A rose by any other name will smell as sweet." The pay is by no means contemptible, as I shall draw nearly £500 a year, which with my own small patri- mony should make me very comfortable and able to put by money. I hope your move from Burleigh House, Clapham, was safely effectuated, and that you are now settled comfortably in No. 5, Gloucester Crescent North, to which address I shall in future send my letters. I think you should write to Mr. Arthur Grote and thank him for his kindness to me, for I think it was mainly owing to the friendship between him and Captain Pughe that I got the appointment. I am now being measured for my new uniform at Rankins the chief tailor here, and expect to set out for Rampore Bauleah by the end of this month. April 3rd, 1861. I left Calcutta on March 28th and went by rail to a place called Rajmehal ; there I took a native boat, and bestowing therein all my goods and chattels, I dropped down the river and reached Rampore Bauleah last night, having spent my 22nd birthday on the sacred river Ganges. I am staying for the present with my Commandant, Captain Reeves, who I find very pleasant company, and have little doubt I shall get on with. April 12th, 1861. Yesterday I made my round of calls on everybody in the Station, as the custom is out here. My Com- mandant Reeves and myself are the only two military men, for this is essentially a Civil Station, the society being composed of civil servants of the Government, indigo planters, and silk merchants ; for the production of silk and indigo are the two great industries of this part of the country that EngUsh- men have to do with. The chief topics of the day are the amalga- mation of the Indian Army and the Indigo riots. As to the former, I think I shall ask to be appointed to a Queen's Regiment, as I shall then have a chance of seeing service in other parts of the world. And now I must tell you about the causes of disturb- ance that have led to the quartering here of a BattaUon of Police. For many, many years indigo has been cultivated in this District, and large fortunes have been quickly amassed by the Planters, who have hastened to return to England as soon as they had made enough money. Now, the making of money quickly in this country, involves a monopoly, and that brings in its train oppression, bribery and corruption. Formerly the Planter compelled the natives to work on his own terms while he reaped the harvest, now the worm has turned ; whether it be the moral 236 THE LEWIN LETTERS effect of the Mutiny, or a better knowledge of their rights and position, I know not, but the old order has changed and the natives dechne to sow indigo in their land save on such terms as would be more remunerative to them than aforetime. Hence lawsuits, riots, club-fights, a general turmoil, out of which I should think would come the destruction of the great Indigo- planting industry. What we have to do is to keep the Queen's peace — we are in fact the strong arm of the law, but it is poor work, and I fancy I shall not have much to do. Meantime, I am hard at work, knocking my Battalion into shape — up at 5.30 every morning, drilhng, disciplining, marching and counter- marching, for the men are a scratch lot, and there is much to be done before they can be called an efficient military force. Our Commandant Reeves has got another appointment and is leaving us. I am sorry for this, as in addition to being a good commanding officer, he is a thoroughly good fellow, and I have learnt to esteem and hke him very much. We are to give him a farewell dinner, and then eight or ten of us will ride out the first march and put him on his way. We have killed a fine tigress, and it was grand sport. We had eight elephants and five guns. The whole of the first day we beat the jungle ineffectually in the broihng June sun, only kiUing one deer which " the Magistrate " knocked over by a beautiful shot. This want of luck so disgusted half the party that three of my companions returned to the Station. Precisely at day- break Ridge and I started (he is a silk merchant, country born, but a keen sportsman and a good shot) in high spirits, but my neck and hands were nearly raw from yesterday's sun. We beat the ravines for some time without success, when I heard a cry from Ridge, " Bagh ! bagh," a tiger, a tiger. He had seen the beast plainly sneak up the ravine out of a heavy patch of jungle. This put new hfe into us and we followed her up hard, sending one of the elephants on to head her back if possible. I had just turned my elephant to beat a small patch of jungle on my lift, and Ridge was in consequence a little ahead, when bang went a gun and then a fierce " Ough, ough ! " that made my heart jump with a strange, fierce dehght. I pressed on and caught sight of the beast coming out of the jungle, and at once put a baU into its neck. With a yell she cleared the ravine at a bound and was coming straight at me when Ridge fired, and she tumbled heels over head for all the world hke a shot hare. So we made our way homewards carrying our spoil with us. THE LEWIN LETTERS 237 June \&th, 1861. Until to-day I have been totally incredulous about the boasted powers of the snake charmers of India, but I have now become a convert, and this was how it happened. I was standing in my verandah eating some Maldah mangoes (which are very good in this part of the country), when I heard in the distance a musical sound somewhat resembling the bag- pipes, and presently espied a strange, wild-looking figure coming towards me playing on a gourd pipe. His hair was long and matted, while over his shoulder he carried a bamboo, from the ends of which depended two reddish yellow bags. He bowed himself before me and asked if I wished to be rid of any unpleasant neighbours in the shape of venemous snakes. I, still incredulous, asked if he would operate naked, to which he readily assented ; so I had him stripped by my servants and minutely examined every part of him, including his hair — which was a nasty job. I then gave him a loin cloth, took away from him his yellow bags, and told him to proceed. He took his pipe and went to a small rose patch in front of my house; there he blew his soul into his pipe, and at intervals he cursed and threatened and entreated, slowly edging his way towards a tuft of grass, into which at last he darted his hand, and drew forth by the neck a Uve cobra. This staggered me a bit, but I thought it not improbable that the snake might have been placed there in order to be caught, and my table servant whispering to me that a well known serpent inhabited a hole under a tree close to the kitchen, we proceeded to the servant's quarters, I keeping close beside him and watching his every motion. The same incantation was performed, and as he played I saw a snake raise its head and come out of the hole that the servant had indicated. Crack ! he caught it by the neck and whirled it out into the midst of a crowd of native onlookers, who at once scattered in all directions. He then caught the snake in his hand and extracted the poison fangs by forcing a fold of his turban on them and jerking them out. I noticed as he did this that his finger was bleeding and said, " Have you been bitten ? " " Yes, Sahib," he repUed ; " from that bite any other man would die in half an hour." He then quietly walked to his yellow bags with the snake in his hand, spat down its throat, and then from out the bag produced a small white stone which he wetted and applied to his finger, whereon it stuck. He then produced a small black substance with which he drew an imaginary Une round the wrist of the wounded finger, afterwards putting it to his forehead. I rewarded the man 238 THE LEWIN LETTERS handsomely and purchased the snake stone from him, but trust I shall never have to use it. May \^th, 1861. — The Govenmient scheme has been pubUshed for the Amalgamation of the Queen's and Company's Armies, and is as follows : the officers of the Indian army have offered to them three alternatives, 1st to remain as they are on the Indian Cadre and take such employment as they can get ; 2nd, those who have passed in Hindostani are allowed to join the Staff Corps, ranking by seniority of commission and serving only in India ; 3rd, Officers are invited to volunteer for service in one of Her Majesty's Line Regiments. I have chosen the 3rd alternative as opening opportunities for service in any part of the world, and have been posted to H.M.'s 104th Regiment ; for the present at any rate I retain this appointment. Now that my Commandant Reeves has gone on leave I am left in temporary command of the Battahon, which adds con- siderably to my pay, as I now draw £80 a month, and have to work hard for it, too, as we are in the most disturbed part of Bengal, and my men are almost daily called out to keep the peace between the indigo planters and the peasantry. From Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Madame von Koch, at Augerum, Carlscrona, Sweden. Barrow Green House, Oxtead, Surrey, July 1st, 1861. I write to you, dearest Babbo, on the important day of my birth, now sixty-nine years ago, la ! This day I enter upon my seventieth year and reaUy feel overpowered at the reflection. At the same time I must own that old age has not come upon me Avith any added infirmities : far otherwise, indeed. My health has mended rather than dechned, and when I see what my con- temporaries are hke, I am disposed to regard the condition of my own body and faculties with complacency, if not with pride. You who love me so truly and with such intimate knowledge of my character and gifts, will experience pleasure on reading this avowal ! I only regret that your meditated English visit should have been stifled for this summer, and that so capital a chance of our meeting as Rickert's escort would have afforded you, is let go pass. When I read your first dated letter of May 20th enclosed in the later one, my heart bounded with the thought of seeing you amongst us ! Judge of my disappointment when THE LEWIN LETTERS 239 I found that you felt yourself bound to relinquish your well- conceived project on account of Nils craving for your society. I am persuaded that he is altogether mistaken in obstructing it, for we Lewins are of a nature which wiU not bear for long a soUtary, meditative existence, although we may and do take deUght in it — ^nay, even require it for a season. Your gastric fever must have left a depression which no exercise of self-dis- ciphne can remedy, and the action of outward influences therefore becomes the natural medicament that the body and mind require : the interchange of loving, intimate commerce with your own kin is the tonic you need, in order to take up your fardel anew with cheerful energy. It is accordingly mauvais calcul to bar out this heaUng process. But as I am habitually averse to scolding, I say nothing further. You must " thole," as the Scotch say, and grind on, and I need not say how earnestly I pray that you may be enabled to rally from your dulness, although I feel how difficult it must be to do so. Our spirits do not depend on reahties : all the good reasons (and they are manifold) you give for being contented, and even merry, are annulled when the nervous powers have been depressed by illness. It is the " filhp " derived from familiar voices and ancient associations, the string of old pleasantries touched again, the laugh, the good laugh of youthful days, ringing once more in the ear of mature age. Ah ! dear Frances, these are the trifles which rekindle the fancy and renovate the soul's capacities. I am quite well, but the " great man " has been ailing these three weeks past, alas ! He began with a cold, then throat cough and relaxed uvula, want of sleep, loss of appetite, languor, and latterly old stumps in the jaw worry him, but he does not Uke to have them pulled out as they are still servceable for mastica- tion. He is better, however, and I hope when he has been here a fortnight, he will quite shake off his disagreeable symptoms. The doctor has been daily in attendance in Savile Row, but when George loses his balance it is woundy difficult to get him on an even keel again. There is very httle recuperative power in any Grote, and he has so fatigued his brain that it is not easy to build up his nervous energy, once down. However, there is nothing seriously wrong, and I am in no way uneasy about my excellent partner, whom Heaven preserve ! Honours keep showering upon him, and he is certainly amply rewarded for his great labours by the admiration and respect which is paid him by all nations and aU classes. 240 THE LEWIN LETTERS We took a ride yesterday for two hours, and in the evening a walk of one hour with Mr. Robert Lowe, M.P., who drove over to enquire for G.'s health and dined here. I regret to be obliged to return once more to town to-morrow, for we have a Concert for the Society of Female Artists on Thursday, July 4th, given by Jenny Lind, and of course I am the important person in arranging the affair. We have sold 400 tickets at a guinea each, and it is to be in the Earl of Dudley's fine gallery, which he has granted to me for the occasion. All the amateurs in town will be there, Jenny not having sung in London since our Concert in 1859. I went to Paris on hterary business in April, and passed a dehghtful fortnight seeing the elite of French society, but fell desperately ill on my way home, " Grippe," and it was a month 'ere I got decently well ! Good God ! ! All the Lewin tribe are prospering except poor Tom Lewin, of Barn House, who is, I think, faiHng under the lengthened effects of opium plus disease. " Couty " is very well indeed, always a-doing good, and always scolding. Now I must stop at end of paper and also of writing power. Best love to Nils, and with " Potter's " kind love to yourself, I remain as ever, dear Frances, Your tenderly attached sister and friend, H. Geote. PS. — Countess Mathilde's betrothal to Baron Leijonhufvud dehghts me. Quite a new volume of hfe for that dear woman ! From Mrs. Harriet Cfrote to her sister, Mme. Frances Eliza von Koch, at Stockholm. Barrow Green House, Oxtead, Surrey, October 13th, 1861. My deary Babbo, — Although I wrote you a long letter to Augerum about the beginning of July and one since to Stock- holm, I feel that you must be hstening for news of a later com- plexion, and so sit down to give you a " penn'orth." Your letters are ever interesting, though latterly they carry a certain impress of feeble health and depression of mind. My feehngs were pained by the receipt of the two letters in one cover in May, seeing that No. 2 quashed the hopes which had been excited by No. 1 of seeing you over in old England this summer. Nils might surely have let go the painter in July and August, since he is usually " on the trot " for many weeks in August, and THE LEWIN LETTERS 241 would have had but a short time to get through " solus," whilst the trip would have, no doubt, braced up your health and enabled you to return with somewhat renovated energies to face the long winter. My private opinion is that we Lewins, require change of scene to vivify our souls, too much given to pondering and self-consuming reveries when too long subjected to the same circumstances. " Because I know't," we are essentially poets, after our fashion : and poets must be aired out or they become mouldy. Sir ! Well, one of these days the " Nittem dan " will have the " dollness " as of yore, and her spirits now that youth has given place to age will flag, and her mind will grow sad without any cause (a sure sign of wanting recreative change), and possibly her bodily health may grow feeble, and then, la ! Nils is short-sighted in detaining you, my dear sister ; of this I am persuaded. Rickert's coming was a rare chance for you to have a " bootler " across, and God knows when another wiU arise. Meanwhile, we all hope you are prospering with the healthful summer residence at Augerum, and the cheering entour- age of your children and your new daughter-in-law, who I hear is a real acquisition. Your estate at Augerum must be looking nicely under Nils' improving surveillance and skill. I cannot interpret Count Platen's history ! He and Countess P. were engaged to pay us a visit up here at Midsummer when we parted, in Savile Row. Well, her father dies and she goes to Sweden. I write in August early to propose that the Count should come here. I hear no more, except that in September he is an- nounced as resigning the embassy and gone back to Sweden J 1 hope you will enhghten me. My dear George fell ill at the end of June and continued so all July, topping up with ague ! But in August he got quite well and has enjoyed his usual good health ever since, only perhaps he is a shade thinner. In August I fell ill, partly out of anxiety about George — loss of appetite, lassitude and low spirits — but a httle tour after a fortnight's doctoring and " stoof," set me a-going again, and I am now fairly well, bating the unavoid- able effects of advancing years. George's illness arose from some disorder of the blood, secretions all wrong, gums swelled, and so forth. Three months' London air, and too many hour& of close committee-room work, had brought this to pass. He now rides, walks, dandles in the grounds, and so on for many an hour, and all is right again. We have had a great deal of company for the last month, VOL. II. B 242 THE LEWIN LETTERS though up to the beginning of September our respective aihnents prevented our receiving visitors. Mr. Layard, Lady Eastlake, Mme du Quaire (nee Blackett), a widow of thirty-two, charming woman, here a fortnight ; Miss Durant, Mrs. Stanley, Dr. and Mrs. Arnott, John Stuart Mill and his stepdaughter (a nice, clever girl of twenty), Professor Bain and frau, Professor Grote and our niece " Ally," Professor Clark (Chemist), and one or two others have kept old Barrow Green aUve, added to which we have had the neighbours to dinner, lunch, etc. George's Cousins, Admiral and Mrs. Warde, have inherited and come to live at Squerryes Court, four miles from this, in Kent, a fine property, and we see a good deal of them — go-o-od people. Our weather has been extraordinarily fine for several weeks past. Ther. 64° in North window to-day at noon — the sun flaring liot and dazzUng. We have ridden a good deal on horseback, this country offering great variety and charming bridle ways. We are going out presently for a saunter on the hills. Among other visitors " the Sages of Barn House " came in chaise, but could only stop twenty-four hours, Tom having most important duties as Chairman of Turnpike Roads ! I consider them a pair of broken down " dadders." Charlotte perhaps the best life of the two, but not the most capable of exertion. She is become naore helpless and fretful and captious moreover with her augmented infirmities, and poor Tom has a difficult life of it with her incessant " jag " : altogether they left upon us a very melancholy impression. Tom's constitution has been impaired by opium, and he may go any day. Charlotte has no disease, but is effete and incapable of exercise ; her mind is restless and will not fix on any occupation, so she goes " giffling " about, fiddle-faddling, pottering over letters, writing to everybody she ever met in her life, and worrying the servants. She is much to be pitied, poor old thing ; might be any age to look at, say eighty. The WiUiam Lewins have returned from their travels, I hear, but I know little about them. I should not have known they were out of England except by Nils writing to G. G., and mentioning that his son R. was travelling in Switzer- land with them. They live in their own little world, a curious unknown life as far as I am concerned. I asked Jeanie and Fred Dawdle {alias Dealtry) several times hither, but they always were too much engaged to come. I had brother Frederick's eldest boy here for two days ; he is now an Ensign in the 85th Regi- ment, and gone to the Cape : a very sensible, prudent, weU-bred THE LEWIN LETTERS 243 lad of nineteen. He will get on I trust in his profession. Brother Frederick I have not seen for three years. He is going to buy out the rest of the heirs and set up at the HoUies as " Squire." G. and I are going to make a Uttle outing on the 19th, begin- ning with a visit to Mr. Cheney in Shropshire, and then to Sir G. C. Lewis' (Secretary for War) at his seat in South Wales, returning home to Barrow Green about December 1st to stay through the next three months probably. I heard from Wislez how pleased Madame Baudin was, with aU your kind attentions to her. With M. Baudin I had a shght acquaintance, having met him at dinner at General Fox's in Paris in 1855. I cannot enter on pohtics with you, dearest Frances, but I am incHned to think that va^st changes are preparing in the North of Europe, and that the next generation may behold a Scandinavian King- dotli, exercising a wholesome influence over the progress of nations. Our friend Charles Newton received your King at the British Museum one day (C. N. is keeper of Greek Antiqui- ties). I wish it had been arranged that the great man should have done the honours of his toy shop to His Swedish Majesty. G. takes a Uvely interest in the administration of the British Museum. Give my love to the worthy " Kantzler," and accept G.'s love for yourself. He is working steadily at his Plato book since 1856, but Lord knows when it will go to press. I do not vex him with questions about it, for it does not signify much when. He would have no more of leisure for that, as he would only clap on another job at once, never fear ! God bless you, dear old Girl. Love me dearly, love me ever, and I will do the same by you. Your loving sister, H. Grotb. Letter from Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister Charlotte. Barrow Green, November Idth, 1861. Dear Charlotte, — ^We returned home a day or two since quite well, thank God ! I found your interesting narrative wi' Tom's marginals, a la Obadiah Mucklewraith of Sir Walter Scott. Ne'er a confessor but would assoil the honest trusting maiden who tells her tale with simphcity and candour. It was a sad case, but could not be helped. I beheve in my heart that the union with A. would not have proved a wise step, though 244 THE LEWIN LETTERS from no want of merit in him, who had many sterUng qualities, as his half cent\iry of ministry and high social position at South- ampton attest. The exaggerated reUgious tone among the " Independants " would have necessarily aUenated you from your family ; or if you had not adopted your " man's " views you would have become a black sheep among the Elect. Either way your path would have been a thorny one. You seem to forget among the circumstances of 1813, that you had a sister four years older than yourself whose sympathy and support were freely accorded to you. You say you were isolated. I am surprized to learn it ! / sustained you cordially throughout, and assuredly would have backed you up to the end, though my power was little more than your own, over the Seniors, worked upon as they were by that arch rogue, C. Marsh. Again, our parents made it a rule to disapprove of every one of our matrimonial views. Each of us (four lovely girls) married against their wishes, observe. Father paid dearly for refusing W. Sheriff, God knows ! Your choice was, it is true, acquiesced in, but that sullenly ; for you and Mother were come to such a painful standstill that your leaving home had become a necessity. Father tried hard to make me break off with George Grote, and in short, no suitor was welcome, as he wished to keep us at home to make his own hfe pleasant. Berners ostracised ; Koch objected to, etc., etc. " Hech ! Sirs, I can na'e mair," I have had to write a long letter to Frederick as to his frantic regrets about this purchase from Edward. I have refused to meddle personally in the " hash " — all the more as both brothers have ceased to hold any communication with me, Frederick for four years, and Edward for sixteen months. Not that I am offended by their utter neglect, " rather otherwise," but one cannot continue to care about relatives who do not shew the sUghtest wish to know how one fares. Can't you " vip vip " up to see us again before real winter comes ? Yours affectionately, H. Grote. PS. — Had a tea party for Mme. du Quaire as I came through London ; dear Gibbs came, Lady Eastlake, Layard, Greville, Nassau Senior, Ogle, Count Streleski, and a few others. Capital talk! THE LEWIN LETTERS 245 From Mrs. Harriet Orote to her sister, Mrs. Frances E. von Koch, addressed hy favour of M. Jean von Koch, 2, Church Passage, St. Jaines\ London, Baerow Green, Oxtead, Sttrrey, England, July Uth, 1862. My dear Frances, — I received your two letters, forwarded to me by H. Sage, containing the time-honoured congratulations on the " Borthday," Ola ! ever pleasing to receive; albeit the re- currence begins to be somewhat melancholy. I topped up seventy. Begad ! on this 1st July, and feel now fairly in for old woman- hood. Never mind, I shall be able to fight along somehow to the end of the Chapter if (ah ! that if) I keep but my precious eyesight. It is less available than it was a year ago, but con- sidering how ill I treat them, my eyes hold out better than could be expected. I can read newspapers by candle-hght, Sir, sans barnacles, and indeed have never clapped " spartakles " on nose yet. Poor " Potter " can see nothing near, sans his ; but at a distance has still got the eye of a hawk. I have been excessively out of health for the whole of the spring, and the summer too, thus far ; wholly without appetite, languid and floppy, suffering too from toothache, jaw-ache, ear-ache and so forth. I am just now looking up a trifle, by dint of Quinine tonic twice a day, and got into the saddle yesterday on a fine young mare 17'1 high, and rode three miles, " bootlered " by " the Vice-Chancelor," as the great man is now called instead of " the Historian." I have been here " sola " a fortnight trjdng to patch up my broken health. George only came down (first time) on July 12th, finding the fireside at Savile Row more to his taste than the drenching rain and cold temperature which has been our portion in England this summer. Never had one warm day yet. Sir ! The International Exhibition is a wondrous epitome of human talent, invention and taste. I went four or five times and trailed through miles of fine products, but have not seen above one-third of its contents now. It has spoiled the social season of London in great part, and the streets have been aU but impassable from the throng of vehicles, 50,000 daily admitted it would appear ! We gave a number of dinners during the months of April and May to our foreign acquaintance, and shall entertain some of 246 THE LEWIN LETTERS them here when the London season slackens. We have no plans for travel thus far, a desire for rest being the dominant senti- ment in my breast. G. is full of work and slaves away at his London University, and British Museum, mth unrelenting zeal, besides going on with his everlasting book on the Platonic philo- sophy, which seems destined to use him up, poor, dear " Great Man." His health is perfectly good, never ails, and always ready for work, yet you see the signs of age in his walk and the growing dechne of his strength in taking exercise. I think Fabian must have had a very stirring and enjoyable time of it at Kopenhagen ; but if he would make a slant over here old Aunt Harriet would gladly renew acquaintance with him, and would try to render his stay pleasant, and in a manner profitable. We will be glad to hear if this be possible, dear Sister, and if Fabian could bring the mutterlein in hdnde how dehghted we all should be. I dare say we shall remain here for the rest of the year, bating a provincial visit or two to valued friends. George's reluctance to quit his work on Plato is insurmountable, and I do not expect he will ever cry out for a change, until the " daffle " overtakes his intellect. I dratten him that I shall surely find him one of these days in a mazy state, pottering over the book-shelves, without the abihty to make out the titles, to which saucy pro- phesy he only rephes by a benignant smile. His character is just what it was, grand, serene and gentle, although pertinacious in practical affairs requiring firmness, as in the British Museum business it sometimes happens ; always affectionate and devoted to his wife, but somewhat cooled in his enthusiasm for humanity, and the possibihty of human improvement, pohtically and morally. Who, indeed, is not after sixty ? I think George's reputation is as high as his best friends could wish, and what is more, I think he is aware of this and feels a kind of modest pride and pleasure in receiving marks of consideration. The Head of the Lewin Family is, as usual, in high dudgeon at having been frustrated in his wish to oust the tenant of the HoUies, chiefly by Edward's refusal to sign the notice : but Edward has a fair case to show, as it strikes me. The old Barn House Sages are tolerably cheery. I presume Edward keeps up his correspondence with you. He passes his whole time now between the General Post Office and the Nursery, and as a member of the Family is a lost man. Wislez, our old Governess, seems at last to be really " fitting foreign." She has sent me a Piano-forte THE LEWIN LETTERS 247 playing young woman, and I must see what I can do for her. Best love to Nils, and I am, my dearee dear Babbo, Ever affectionately yours, H. Gbotb. From Mrs. F. von Koch, to Mrs. Grote. Stookholm, January 12th, 1863. My dear Harriet, — ^You will be expecting " a Voice from St. Helena," very naturally at this time of year, and I now in accents of fond unshaken affection which no time can cool nor distance shake, wish you, dearest Sister, a happy New Year. I can never on these occasions think of you alone, although you are my dear own sister and friend in one particular way, and G. G. is quite another human being brought in from the offing into the harbour of your affection, but his influence over me will endure while my hfe lasts. Thank you, dear, good, kind Aunt for all your goodness to my son Rickert when in England. It was the next thing to being there myself to hear his stories of Barrow Green, and all your doings and sayings. As to my ever coming again to England, I don't know what to say about it. In a very few years Nils will be at hberty if he chooses, and free from the responsibihties of office : and even before then (for we are ole, damn ole !) we might think about it if we should be able to travel. England is so far off, and the outlay in time and money for uncertain satisfaction such a risk ; I own I cannot see the quid pro quo. — to trapse there, as we have done several times, steering out in quest of satisfaction and exhilaration to gain only a few moments of your precious society ! These may be the scruples of doddering age, for I am old both in body and years, though not in mind ; but much more hard to please intellectually and spiritually than heretofore, having no time to lose now, for my day is far spent. I had a letter from old Wislez, poor creature, in which she frets at having had no answer from you to two letters. Of course I don't wonder at that, but in her deplorable pUght, I cannot help mentioning it, in hope of alleviating this extra grievance among the thousand and one she struggles with. The Malets are angels to her, and so have you been in your own way. Sweden progresses in many respects, and what is more, Russia is con- cocting such a judicial code that if she can get good men to administer, she wSl soon be fifty years ahead of us. Good-bye, 248 THE LEWIN LETTERS dearest Sister, with faithful affection and gratitude to George Grote and yourself for the unvarying constancy of your friend- ship and assistance throughout a long life ; I venture to hope that when the sun sets on us for good here in this world, we may awake in another and brighter sphere, where every particle of pure and unselfish earthly love may be collected and preserved, and we may rejoice together in the inextinguishable hght afforded in the homes of the departed blest. God bless you both. Your loving sister, absent or near, F. E. V. K. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. Bakeow Green, February 22nd, 1863. Deaeest Babbo, — The 16th Inst, was not forgotten, but heart's wishes were wafted over the sea to my loved sister, for all the blessings that may render her Hfe valuable in the autumn of her days ! Thanks be to God for all his mercies already vouchsafed to her and hers. Your last letter, my dear Frances, came duly to hand, and as usual stirred the depths of my soul. You comprehend justly the futiHty of maintaining the Hnks between us by means of letters. They really leave so much untouched that the gain comes to very Httle when you have scribbled a sheet full. I feel always so full of thoughts and ideas when I commence a letter to you that the difficulty is what thread to spin from. I hear from Wizlez that the Baudin folk have left Stockholm, like true French people, never long in one place. Madame B. raves about you, I hear {N.B. figure of speech). Wizlez is still fighting with the great enemy Death, and wonderful " vim " she shows, in keeping him at bay, maugre the sixteen diseases as I used wickedly to say to her amusement. I am meditating a slant to Paris this spring, and shall, I hope, find the poor " Lionne " still ahve, although her last letter was really of a nature to inspire a feeHng that it would be a happy thing for her if the Almighty would release her : she suffers so much. Our summer of 1862 was a wretched business, but the winter has made amends. Never was there so benign, so enjoyable a winter — not a frost of any severity, and no ice for the skaters : no snow whatever ! We have been Uving quietly here now for eight months, making only two or three visits to the country houses of intimate friends ; to Lord Stanhope's, Lord Lansdowne's at Bowood (where Lord L. died three weeks ago ! A fall down some steps caused nervous shock, from which he THE LEWIN LETTERS 249 was unable to recover, aged eighty-two), to Lord Broughton's — all delightful houses. We have both enjoyed as good health as at our age we can hope for : George indeed quite well, and I as well as a dehcate brain and stomach allow me to be — riding on horseback occasionally or walking two or three miles on other days. My book occupied me pleasantly all August, September and October, and its success has been fully equal to my expectations. It appeared on November 1st, and I will send you a copy, for there is much in it that will interest you, I think. The Hampden story produced a cloud of letters to the " Times," but my version rests unshaken. Charles Lloyd who was here lately verifies all I have said to the letter. I have not been to Paris for two years, and in April, 1861, I was only there for two weeks for the purpose of conversing about Alexis de TocqueviUe with some of his intimate friends, to draw up some sort of a memoir of his pohtical career not as yet treated by any one. I have not written it yet because Mme de TocqueviUe has kept me on and off about meeting, and I could not venture to begin without consulting her as to how far I might speak out about Alexis' sentiments concerning men and things. Again, in 1859, I was only in Paris for a fortnight to see Ary Scheffer's pictures, so that my friends are clamourous for a visit from me, and I feel that now that I am tolerably well and having nothing to hinder me in London, it is a good oppor- tunity. I never did care for London racket in my heart, though as " Potter " chose to be there for four or five months of the year I took whatever of interest London had to offer. We have had a few visitors at Barrow Green through the winter. The last batch on February 16th consisted of the Dean of St. Paul's and Mrs. Milman, who drove down in their coach, and we took them in, horses and three servants, for four days ; Miss Durant and Baron de Triqueti the eminent sculptor, who, I hope, will be com- missioned to ornament the interior of St. Paul's Cathedral with mural mosaics. The batch before these was chiefly a miUtary party, Charles Lloyd amongst the rest ; and of aU the birds in the air, what say you to two Colonels of the Guards and a Colonel of the Line and the talk over the Crimean war, and Kinglake's recent account of it, two of our guests having been in the thick of it, and G. G. playing his part as if he was not a gelehrte but a man of the world acquainted with War; then severe whist in the evening in the drawing-room with two tables going. We are now just off to Oxford to stay with Canon Arthur P. 250 THE LEWIN LETTERS Stanley at Christ's Church College — a long-meditated expedition : all the young undergraduates agog to see the Historian of Greece, who wiU be made much of while he is there, I anticipate, whereat he is somewhat discomposed, hating to receive honours. (Bad Potter !) He is devoted to our white Pomeranian " Dora," and such caressing goes on as is quite rediculous. The Queen is much more cheerful of late, and is absorbed in the coming event of her son's marriage, which is fixed for March 10th, D.V. It is hardly a suitable season for a Wedding, mid-Lent, but the Heads of the Church have sanctioned it, as the Queen was anxious that it should take place before Princess Alice's time was up, so that she could assist. Canon Stanley, you know, travelled with the Prince of Wales through Palestine, Turkey and Egypt last year, and he is a favourite with the Queen, who finds great com- fort and consolation in his wise yet gentle counsel. He is Deputy Clerk of the Closet to her Majesty, and goes often to perform the Sunday service. I beg you will give my cordial remembrance to Count Platen, whose absence from England I regret sincerely, and please present my respects to the Countess. Count Platen is obviously one of the foremost citizens of Sweden, helping Nils to steer the Liberal party, and it is with real pleasure I learn Sweden's rational progress both in government and material civiHzation. The reform biU lately brought forward is wonderfully bold, and Nils tells us that even women are to have votes for the Upper Chamber : a proof of large and generous equity on the part of the men in your fortunate country towards our oppressed sex. Here, however, the atrocious law which denies to married women all right to hold property, is a bar to all improvement in the condition of women. I have written strongly again and again against this injustice. God knows if I shaU live to see the fruit of my labours. I suppose you will soon be jigging over to Berhn to " swammy " your grandchild, eh ? Your son Tom seems to be en plein vent as the French say, prosper- ing exceedingly. I long to see your Fabian, who must be now quite the young man. Fancy " Nitten Dan " turning out a fine, strapping young fellow hke this. God bless you now, dear Babbo ! I must end my long ditty with affectionate remembrance to Nils, with G.'s love and with never-faihng interest in you and yours. Beheve me, your loving, attached sister, H. G. THE LEWIN LETTERS 251 We shall give up this place in June. I find two houses too much care. One's whole life is passed in an incessant struggle with servants, tradesmen, tax-gatherers, etc., and I will have no more of two estabhshments. George will not give up London, and a very pretty letter he sent me last year excusing himseK. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. Baden Baden, August 29th, 1863. Dear Frances, — rWith regard to our own personal history you will see by the Date of this that I am " on the tramp " once again after five years' humdrum home-life ; but what the date does not tell you is that the illustrious Potter Magnus is now by my side, having trotted after me within a fortnight of my leaving England, and having studs' to me ever since, happy as a King. He is quite well, thank God ! and so is " mit der long leg." For three years past I had proposed to G. to make a summer's tour abroad, but he never would agree to do so, always pleading the extreme urgency of his work on Plato, Aristotle & Co. Well, this summer having terminated our lease (four years) of Barrow Green House, and being free from all hindrance and feehng tolerably well in health after the mild winter, I propounded to him one fine morning in July my intention to go " sola " to see Mont Blanc once more before I die, and that I should start on July 30th. You should have seen the EngHshman's face he put on at this stunning announcement. A long pause ! At length he broke silence. " WeU," said he, " I think I should not dislike to visit Switzerland once more, either." I started July 30th with my maid Methuen and our Swiss servant as courier, and proceeded by easy journies via Paris to Gteneva. Hired a caleche and went up to St. Martin, from thence over the mountains to Chamounix. The weather was splendid — Mont Blanc in his fullest majesty, more imposing and sublime than ever, and the scenery lovely to behold. The only drawback was the intensity of the heat, Thermometer 88°-90° Fahr. I rettu-ned thence to Geneva for a few days ; then to Lausanne, where I met Lady Lewis, and so on to Neufchatel, where on August 17th the " great man " joined me. He looked pale and worn after four months of work at his different shops, British Museum, London University and University CoUege, but he is quite him- self again now. We went to Friberg, Berne and Zurich, and 252 THE LEWIN LETTERS are now on our way homewards. I have some visits to pay in the West of England after our return, but beyond October I have no plans, feeUng averse to the bother of a second estabUsh- ment. My wish indeed is to lead the life of a lodger to the end of the chapter: but that, I fear, cannot be granted to me. I must now end this long yarn, dearest Babbee, after sending to Nils every token of regard and esteem, and with love to Rickert and Fabian and poor Oscar, of whose recovery I hope to learn in due season. I remain, your truly attached Sister and faithful friend, H. Grote. Frcrni Mrs. Harriet Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. 12, Savile Row, Augtist 2'kth, 1864. Dearest Frances, — I have raked together a pacquet of old letters for your Fabian to take back with him, as well as a Copy of my " Collected Papers," the first edition of which is all but sold out, and I hope you will read these products of my poor brain and meditate thereon at your sea perch before you join the family group at Augerum. I send you also a copy of my " Ary Scheffer " in case you should not already possess one. It has had a very flattering success both here and among German readers, and the reputation of " Mt der long leg " is quite estab- hshed as a writer. I am so pleased with it myself that I have read it over three or four times, and you will also find the story of that Ufe extremely interesting. Your son Fabian has spent two or three days at our new home on the Surrey hills, although we are hardly in trim yet to receive guests. I was anxious not to miss the opportunity of his visit in this country, to see what he had grown up to be. He pleased us both much, for he has evidently a high moral tone of feehng and charming well-bred manners. Of his talents we could hardly judge in so brief a communion, but he seems well informed about the pubhc interests of Sweden, and of her course generally. It strikes me that Hke a young race-horse he has been put to work over early, and he wants a run at grass, but this he tells me he cannot get in his profession. He is very plucky hke all your boys, and I hope his courage will sustain his bodily powers. We have been in Paris lately on business connected with Baron Triqueti's Mosaic ficulpture. I send you one of his letters with the others for your amusement. You will enjoy none of these half so much THE LEWIN LETTERS 253 as mine, I know, but they all help to fiU out the Tableau of my Ufe. The Great Man has just begun to print his work on Plato — the product of eight long years of labour and study. The first sheets awaited his arrival in town to-day, whither I have also come to close the concern of our " Female Artists' Society," and pay the smart money for cancelUng the lease of the Gallery, £120 out of my pocket, O la ! Never mind, shall commit no more benevolent foUies. G. G. sends best love, and I remain, your ever affectionate and attached H. Gbotb. Extract from a letter from the Under Secretary to the Govern- ment of Bengal to the Inspector General of Police, Lower Provinces, No. 4398, Dated Fort William, August ZQth, 1864. In continuation of the endorsement No. 4397 of this date forwarding to you a copy of the Annual Pohce Report of the Chota Nagpore Division for 1863 and the Resolution recorded by the Lieutenant Governor thereon, I am directed to state for your information and for communication to the officer con- cerned that the Lieutenant Governor has noticed with appro- bation the favom-able mention made by the Commissioner of the services of the oflficer named in the Margin [Lieutenant Lewin, District Superintendant]. (True Extract), C. J. Evans, Registrar. Office of Inspector-General of Pohce, Lower Provinces. Memo No. 3738. Forwarded to Lieutenant Lewin, District Superintendant of Pohce, Noakhally, for his information. (By order), Edward Lewis, Lieutenant, Personal Assistant to the Inspector General. Bengal Police Office, Galctttta, September 2Uh, 1864. From Mr. Nils von Koch to his brother-in-law, George Grote. Stockholm, January 5th, 1865. Dear George Grote, — I hereby send the two bordereaux by Prescott, Grote & Co. I have sent money to pay, December 31st, 1864, Two thousand pounds, and one month's interest, £8 10s., from December 1st, to your account, as I suppose you 254 THE LEWIN LETTERS have been informed already. This sum, you will remember, for two mortgages that you sent me to cash last summer. My son Rickert has suffered for some time from gastricism, other- wise the Family now assembled for Christmas is well. Prances and I wish to be able to visit England some weeks in May and June, but at our age, plans are uncertain. In July Rickert intends to marry. The girl is sweet and very well brought up. Her mother, perhaps the most respected Lady in Sweden, is sister of our Prime Minister. The young folk will have very httle to hve upon until he is advanced to chef d'escadron, but prefer that to waiting some years. Pray give my best love to dear Harriet, and accept for her and your- self, our heartiest weU-wishes for the year now begun and many following. Yours very affectionately, K S. V. Koch. Frcym Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. Savile Row, LoNDOiir, April nth, 1865. Dbaeest Frances, — I received yours of the 10th this morn- ing, and lose no time in sending you a reply. I have sent my maid to enquire about Mrs. Cartwright's lodgings, and will keep this letter open for the answer. After saying that I shall be truly happy to embrace you once more and to welcome you and your excellent Partner to England, and to do all that I can to contribute to your pleasant sejour here. Of course you have chosen the period of your visit to suit the convenience of NUs' pubhc arrangements. This being assumed, there is no use offering any suggestions as to the expediency of postponing your journey to a somewhat later date. It is, however, the month in all the year in which London is least adapted to the visit of a person in somewhat dehcate health, partly because of the cold and the easterly winds which of late years have prevailed during May, and partly because lodgings, living and carriage hire are all at a maximum of expense. All London is mad with racket after a long winter — Epsom Races, the Derby, people rushing about in pursuit of pleasure, rehgious meetings and mobs of well-dressed fanatics. assembUng here and there. Provincials swarming to see the sights and clamouring for attention from their town kinsfolk, boat-racing, flower-shows, Drawing-rooms at the Palace, Volunteer Reviews in Hyde Park, drumming THE LEWIN LETTERS 255 and trumpeting perpetual ; foreigners of distinction to be made much of, prodigies of musical ability, singers, inaugurations, anniversaries. In fine, May is, to my thinking, positively detest- able in London. Add to the foregoing dejeuners at villas, morn- ing receptions, exhibitions of all kinds, and the writing of notes sans nombre, and you wiU see how httle one is in a condition to enjoy the heart's solace of communion with long absent relatives. I am in London just now, having stayed at Ridgeway, my new country house, as long as I possibly could. I should not be here in April and May, but that George Grote is during these two months more occupied by public duties than at any other time of the whole year ; and accordingly I am here to keep house for him, as he cannot leave London, and all next month his academic duties will occupy him very closely. On the 10th the distribution of prizes at the University of London, a grand cere- mony, besides attending the Senate. I shall have to stay here till the fixst week in June, when I hope to go to my country house for a couple of months]^; possibly G. G. may choose to go abroad after that, as he will be pretty well tired down by July. He is just now superintending the printing of his " Plato," which was begun August 7th, 1864 ! Judge how he must have worked during the last eight months. You will find him nevertheless in good health, as well as myself, thank God ! The eight months passed in good air and quiet did us both good, although certain clouds have obscured the serenity of our hfe during that space, and by so much deranged the equihbrium of body and mind. Happily they are passing away, I trust never more to return. Of your relatives here I presume you have regular news, so far at least as regards the Wm. Lewins, and the Barn House Sages. I term the house at Lee the " Depot," seeing that it is used chiefly as an occasional and temporary abode by the owners, who keep their Httle household gods there. Poor Fred Dealtry's break- down is much to be lamented ; but he seems reconciled to begin- ning life over again, and is steadily at work as a Clerk at good wagej Should you think fit to put off your visit till last week in May, I should then be able to attend more to you than during the middle of that month, and could, I think, arrange so as to offer you hospitaUty at our country house in June, where we could enjoy comfortable talks unmolested ; or if you were to come the second week in May, could you not pay your visit to Jane and your visit to Barn before taking lodgings in London, 256 THE LEWIN LETTERS so as to enable me to get more time to attend you ? The His- torian will by June have less duties to discharge. Leaving the question of lodgings to be dealt with in a postscript, I now quit my pen in the sweet hope of seeing you and Nils shortly. Ever affectionately yours, H. Geote. The latest news of Mrs. Cartwright are that she is oute — two separate embassies have resulted in naught — all the world is holiday making, and she with them. I will look out for her home-coming and report anon. No more to-day. H. G. Extract from Mrs. H. Grote's JowtmIs. May Uh, 1865. The death of poor WiUiam Prescott by his own hand, alas ! on April 28th, shocked us deeply. I had for many years given up all hope of seeing him again — the last time was, I think, in 1861 — although nothing had happened to alter the sentiment of mutual attachment between us. The mischievous influence exercised over him by his wife had from the beginning ahenated him from every one with whom he had up to the date of his imion with her been in famihar intercourse, and even his own family complained that WiUiam was lost to them. When I met him from time to time (at long intervals, however) at the Banking House, he manifested the same cordial interest in my health and welfare as heretofore, and was always affectionate in his manner : with Mr. Grote equally so. They conversed together for the last time on January 6th, 1865, on the occasion of Mr. Grote going to the Bank to receive his Dividends. WiUiam Prescott talked with fuU self-possession on circumstances con- nected with the Banking world, and of the visible changes in the manner of doing business, and hinted that he thought of withdrawing from business ; spoke of his own wealth, which was, he said, far more than he needed, and to add to which could make him no happier. Mr. Grote perceived no sign of des- pondency, or anjrthing unnatural in the tone of his conversation, but others in daily contact with him had remarked for some time a change in his manner, coupled with a tendency to irrita- biUty. Poor Wilham ! his marriage was his undoing ! Never was a man more unfitly mated — affectionate and sociable as he was by nature, his wife closed the door on all his old friends and intimates, whilst her own relations had httle to offer instead. THE LEWIN LETTERS 257 Would that I had turned him aside from his Irish journey when he consulted me about it in August, 1838. A word from me would have decided him to go to Normandy instead, for he was balancing between the two ; but my foolish tender conscience forbade my using my influence to obstruct the design which I knew existed to bring about a meeting between him and |Hiss Wolstonholme. Although I could not regard his connection with that family as a desirable thing, I was well aware that his mother and sisters wished him to marry, so that I could not bring myself to turn him aside from this journey. I should, however, have better consulted his future happiness had I acted as my own inchnation prompted, but it^ has been my inflexible habit through hfe to prefer duty before \every thing, although I now perceive how exaggerated has been, on more occasions than this, my sense of disinterested obHgation. But regrets are vain ! Note. — When Mrs. Grote was Miss Harriet Lewin there were three suitors for her hand, viz., George Grote, George Norman, and William Prescott. The last named was a partner with George Grote in the Bank known as " Prescott, Grote, Cave & Co." From Nils von Koch to his brother-in-law, George Grote. Stockholm, January 4th, 1866. Dear George Grote, — The two bordereaux are enclosed under cover of this letter. Since I had the pleasure to profit by your kind hospitahty at Ridgeway, we have been living here for a couple of months in a state of immense excitement imme- diately before and after December 8th, when, as you know, our four orders resolved to give up their rights to a representation of the two Houses both chosen entirely by the people, without any reference to classes, and having the same power and rights. The mode of election is different. The 120 Members of the First House must be thirty-five years old, possess land worth 80,000 Es. (about £4,500), or income of 4,000 Rs. (£225), and are not paid, as are the 180 members of the Second House, who need only be twenty-five years old. The First House is chosen by the Provincial Assemblies, and these again are chosen by every man or woman who in a parish pays income tax, with more or less votes according to the amount of the income tax. The Second House is chosen by Districts made up, so that in towns 10,000, in the country VOL. II. s 258 THE LEWIN LETTERS about 40,000, inhabitants send one member. But only those m,en who pay income tax for property worth £80 or having an income of £45 may vote, each voter here having one vote. It was the pressure from without that carried the measure, cordially and ably supported by De Geer. The King, the Noblity and the Clergy were from the beginning more against than for. Europe is mistaken in supposing Nobihty and Clergy have made a wilhng gift. But they gave way to a moral pressure, to strong pubhc opinion, kept so in order that not a window was broken, not a hair touched of any, of the most violent, even impudent opponents to the Nation's darling measure and darhng Prime Minister. Out* of respect for him, and following in his track, almost the whole Press united in preaching order. I hope the new representation will work well. The landed interest is perhaps too strong, and may prove partial and ignorant, but the representation will bring peace, justice for all, economy with pubhc money, while stiU granting enough for education. Taxa- tion, especially the regulation of customs, 'may run risk of some mistakes until poUtical economy is more understood. Pray receive for dear Harriet and yourself our best wishes, and beheve me, yours very affectionately, N. S. v. Koch. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch, at Augerum, Carlskrona, Sweden. The Ridgeway, Shere, StrRREY, July 12th, 1866. Dearest Babbo, — ^Your soft words of remembrance suggested by the occurrence of my 74th birthday came to hand two days ago. The same faithful " ritornello," the same true vibration of the heart's strings, pervades your short but genuine effusion. I thank you for it cordially. It has been often a regret to me that so many months should go by without my writing to you. Depend upon it my not doing so has been unavoidable. My history is not very " riant," nevertheless you will complain if you don't hear of it. I am just now come to Ridgeway to stay some time. I have been kept in Saville Row longer than I intended to be for two reasons : 1st, I could not face the being here alone, George choosing to spend aU the months of June and July in London ; 2nd, some foreign visitors came (the Duchesse CastigUone-Colonna, etc.), bringing introductions from old friends in Paris, and you know it is impossible to dishonour THE LEWIN LETTERS 259 bills drawn upon you as it were, so I stayed to give dinners and do my duty. I have written in four months a sketch of Moles- worth's life together with notes on what passed in our own parliamentary and social career from 1832 to 1844 : about eighty pages of printed matter. This cannot be pubUshed in my life- time, but will form a titbit for posterity, and you will enjoy its perusal I reckon above every one. About three weeks ago, by a fortunate chance, Mme du Quaire (wee Blackett), the same devoted " daughter " who came to cheer me up in Baden in 1865, was able to come to us. Since then my mind has become more tranquil. The upshot is that Dr. de Mussy insists on change of scene and cheering society, so willy-nilly I am to set forth on August 1st for Scotland. I shall be some 350 miles nearer to you, dear Sister, if all goes well, early in August. I make for Cortachy Castle in Forfarshire direct — the ancestral seat of the Earls of Airhe, and now possessed by Lady AirUe, niece of my lamented Mrs. Stanley, and sister of Lady Amberley, who is one of my warm friends. She has after much trouble made me promise to come and be cossetted, and people boast so of the Scottish air on their hills that if there be hope for me it lies in that direction, I think. Lady Airhe is a charming, handsome woman about thirty-five ; she will do all that gentle, soothing, womanly offices can do to heal my shattered nerves. She does not know anj^hing about my inner sorrows, but beUeves me to have been reduced by illness to a feeble condition of health. When I promised to go to her only two days ago I could hardly restrain my tears, for I felt quite unequal to the exertion of travelhng so long a distance unattended. G. G. never was better than nOw, and he has not ailed anything since you parted from him last September here. He writes unremittingly at his various administrative functions, and in the intervals goes on with " Aristotle." He is in gay spirits, and goes into society by himself since his poor partner cannot accompany him. The only circumstance which interferes with his comfort is the deplorable iUness of his nephew Andrew Grote, who since last February has been stricken with disease in the region of the brain, inducing bhndness, and I much fear he is not destined to surmount the attack, poor young man ! Joseph Grote is consequently called upon now, to do double duty at the Bank, and his health, too, seems Ukely to give way under the strain. He came into business for the sake of Andrew in fact, and now being in, and city affairs being in an anxious con- 26o THE LEWIN LETTERS dition, with money at 10 per cent. Joe cannot at present quit the ship, else he has quite enough to hve at his ease without it. I shall perhaps pick up a bit before I start for Cortachy, but go I must or I perish. I am not under any delusion about myself, and I know that my hfe has nothing left to make me wish to prolong my existence here — only if I am to go on a year or two more, it is essential that I should not remain a cripple. I am truly thankful to learn that aU goes prosperously in your hon- oured house. Rickert's happy union is a real blessing. I was sure that girl was a trump ! I suppose you devour the news from Bohemia. " Good Gosh, Mrs. Powney," what horrible carnage is going on there ! We have ousted Lord John's Govern- ment and have got Lord Derby once more. It is of httle impor- tance which of the parties is in office — the out-of-doors current will direct the pohcy of any set of ministers, and an extension of the franchise is unavoidable. Nils' account of your revolution was capital reading ; I shewed it to my young friend Lady Amber- ley, who was extremely pleased with it, and said how much she should like to know Mr. von Koch. We had John Stuart MiU and his stepdaughter here ten days ago along with Mr. Layard and Professor Bain of Aberdeen — such good talk ! Lord Amber- ley is now in Parhament, and we hope he Avill do credit to our training. I am godmother to their infant son John Francis Russell, his godfather George Howard, future Earl of CarHsle. The Sages of Barn House are coming over for a few days next Monday, and I have asked Jeanie Lewin. I hope Greorge wiU be here to Hsten to Tom Lewin's histories of his Lewisham Board of Guardians. Now good-bye, dearest Frances ; you shall hear in a few weeks how it has fared with Your ever affectionate and faithful Harriet Gbote. From the Countess Mathilda Leijonhufvud, to Mrs. Grate. NOERLANDSGOTAN, 13, STOCKHOLM, SwEDEN, August 25th, 1866. I have never forgotten that you are a true friend of me ; but two years have elapsed without that I have had courage to speak to you ; without that I have had strength to write to you about the terrible thrust that has murdered Ufe and hope and happiness for ever. He is gone ! My noble, my beautiful, my beloved ; yes, my idolatred husband is gone ! Since two THE LEWIN LETTERS 261 years already I am his Widow ! Oh ! you do not suspect what a depth of misery Ues in that word. " His Widow " — that is, the lowest part of himself is left, for he was all the best, the most generous, the goodest, the noblest, the gentlest, the most kind-hearted in the world. But he had taken me to his noble heart, and my Ufe, my thoughts, my aspirations, my capacity, my whole existence were but a part of himself ; they departed with him, and what is left is but a hollow peel which contains nothing but a long cry of misery at my lost happiness. The world has spoken its consolation. " Time will help you," they say. The pietists have assured me, " Whom He loves. He chastens," and that I should therefore rejoice of it. I have suffered everybody to tell me what I should feel and do, but as I find no heart in the one, and no humanity in the other, I have nphfted again an altered but hardened face, and said to myself, " No one but He who was God, but Man too, shall see my anguish and my grief more." Oh ! how I long to go to Him; and still I am bound to live for my husband's sake, for his four children. I must follow them in the world which I abhor, like the skeleton at the feasts of the Epicureans, but not as that happy, insensible symbol, permitted to sit impassable, but forced to dress and smile, and speak nonsense of all kind. My children, his children, are good and lovely beings. I love them as much as I can love any- thing, and if I consent to hve it is only that I may do something for his poor sons. It was so his will ! That hope gave him peace to his tender heart when the thought of his children dis- turbed his mind. You have probably heard that I was alone, alone in Carlsbad with my dying husband. The remembrance of every hour of that horrible time may bring me to madness. You may think if you can what the reahty was to me. But no more of it. Pardon me that I have so long a time spoken to you only of myself. You have sent a book to me, a photo- grafie ; kind words and I have not thanked you. Forgive me. I have been too suffering to be capable of tearing myself from my torpeur, but I have never been indifferent ! You must not think it. You must always love me a Uttle ; I am more than ever in need of it. EstabUshed in Stockholm, hving with and for my children, I try to do my duty : that is the history of what is to be envisaged as my present Ufe ; rather a kind of unconscious but mecanical existence. Certainly we feel more than ever that we are instruments in the hands and under the will of another than ourselves, and that we must will and act 262 THE LEWIN LETTERS hors de nous mimes. To that we must resign if we will not lose the peace of our conscience. Now, how are you going on, dear Lady ? I have heard of you sometimes from Frances and her sons ; but it is so difficult to find Frances at home and to make out at what time she is visible. Now she is gone to the country, but I don't think she will stay long there. She has no experience of what it is to stay in the country during a Swedish winter. One must be educated to such a hfe pour se tirer d'affaire, and I think Frances is too pld for a new education. I hope she will soon come again to her old residence in Stockholm. As I know you take interest in what belongs to my cousin M. d'Adelsword, I will tell you that this gentleman, who is good for everything, has now become a " manufacturer " in the largest scale. He discovered that he had iron mines in his proprietys, and directly he put himself in that direction with such an intelligence and energy that he is now the proprietor of the largest fabrique {d^un particulier) in France. His eldest son seconds him very well ; the other is yet in shool. I can't deny that I think it rather a pity that the intelhgence and capacity of my cousin should be employed in that way, but his marvellous success nearly reconciles me with the fact. Pray you present my best compliments to Mr. Grote. I hope you enjoy the blessing to see him quite well by your side. Fare ye well, dear Mrs. Grote. Pray don't forget your affectionate and poor Mathilda Leuonhufvtjd. From Mrs. Grote to her sister, Mme. von Koch. The Ridgeway, September l^th, 1866. Dearest Frances, — I received yours duly ; many hearty thanks for it. It had the effect of a gentle waterfall heard at a little distance, lulUng by its soft cadence the storm within my breast. There was in your letter a curious melange of rational preachment on the one hand, and of spiritual mysticism on the other ! Reason is to me the very bread of Life. Certes ! But then I am a Lewin born, and must needs crave something more than bread. My poetic temperament cannot dispense with the sustenance proper to it, and accordingly your imaginative utter- ings, bearing as they do a certain indefinable soothing charm and stirring the depths of feeHng without too much of the mourn- THE LEWIN LETTERS 265 ful tinge, have medicined my mind. You will be so pleased to learn that the mouse has ministered beneficially to the sick Lioness, and at the same time will be disposed to laugh at " Nitten dan " talking philosophy and administering spiritual comfort to " Mit der Long leg ! " Well, my dear, loving, sympa- thising sister, your prayers for my restoration both mentally and physically have not been fruitless. Since I last wrote events have crowded upon me which, though not severally of great importance, have brought me comparative serenity and some recovery of physical bien etre. I caimot give full particulars, because I am tired of talking of myself to heaps of faithful friends and worshippers. After many weeks of helpless depression and inability to write, it came to pass that by the skillful treat- ment I underwent here from August 17th to September 3rd at the hands of the country medico, I became cured of the inward and occult malady which had caused me so much uneasiness, and I am now reaUy quite well, although of course after eighteen months of anguish my strength has not quite returned, and it is natural my old machine should creak a little ; nevertheless I am thankful to be what I am. Only fancy my having set out for Scotland, my dear Babbee, in the hope of being nursed and made much of by Lady Airlie, but after struggUng as far as Mrs. Ramsden's in Yorkshire (who by the way enquired after you with the truest interest), I reached Carhsle. Yes, Ma'am — fact ; but I then felt that something was seriously wrong, and grew so alarmed that I hastened South again, halting at my excellent Lady Belper's (as I had done in leaving London, August 1st) ; there the Historian met me, and after three days spent at Kingston, he brought me back to the Ridgeway, so ill that I sent for the doctor instantly. He came and discovered I was suffering from an enlargement of the spleen, and after a fort- night the mischief was dispersed. I suffered a good deal under the mercurial treatment, hATing on slops, poultices every night, and not stirring out ; but now, thank Hfeaven, I am done with drugs and doctor ! God bless you, dearest Frances. Love me ever, and Believe me always your affectionate sister and faithful friend, H. Geote. 264 THE LEWIN LETTERS From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. London, April lUh, 1867. Dearest Babbo, — I send you a bit of my musical ideas in the form of a quick march, which I think you will Hke to try over for love of poor " Mit der long leg," if not for the merit of the composition. I have had a dismal winter, God wot ! My household has been much disordered : immoral proceedings have revolted my feehngs, and I shall have to get rid of one butler in connection with certain " goings on " which disgust me, but as I cannot go to Paris without the man (G. G. declining the job), I must dissemble for a while. The doctor so urges me to try change of scene that I am bent on doing so, though far from feeHng equal to the effort. If I should feel benefited by the jaunt it will be a real relief. Let me hope that you keep clear of any ailment, dearest Frances, and that good old Nils is strugghng successfully against his embarassments. Money is so cheap in our market nowadays, that I trust he may feel the influence thereof in Sweden. Greorge Grote is in prime health and spirits, and up to the eyes in his public occupations, which constitute his happiness. Jane Lewin has been three weeks with me — a good woman and sensible. The Bam House sages well. Charlotte has been going it like a young one in London, but he, I think, is waning. God bless you, dear old girl. Love me ever, and Believe me, sad or cheerful, faithfully and affectionately, H. G. From Mrs. H. Grote to her husband, George Grote. Hotel Meurice, Paris, April 2Uh, 1867. Dearest George, — Your friendly letter came to hand yesterday. We have torrents of rain here. I went to the " Exposition " on Monday in a gale of wind escorted by Abraham Hayward, and made straight for M. de T.'s " tarsias." They are very fine, but amid the glare of their surroundings, the pallor of their tone causes them to lose value. I think the most striking things next to these in the department of Art, are some Swedish landscapes, which excited my ardent admiration. Ruysdael never did anything finer. Yesterday I went to call on Mme Faucher, and stayed an hour. I also called on the Triquetis, but they were away in the country — then walked in the Tuileries for half an hour. — Farmy du Quaire seems better since I wrote. THE LEWIN LETTERS 265 She has bullied me into sitting to her Painter for my portrait in chalks, which is to be begun on Friday, under her super- intendance. I hope you will sanction this outlay, submitted to for a quiet hfe ; she has tormented me about this for years past, as you know. It will cost £20, I beUeve. I expect to have to give five mornings to this corvee. I have seen no French acquaintances save Mme Voillemot and Dr. Fournet yet. I passed the evening of yesterday alone from the table d'hote dinner at 6 to 10 p.m., when Fanny dropped in to notify the appointment chez le Peintre for 26th, and stayed half an hour, which cheered me up a Uttle. My appetite is better on the whole, and I sleep well, which are valuable points. Heaven be praised ! As my strength does not allow of my paying visits, I must make up my mind to passing much of my twenty-four hours alone, and the dismal hole in which I am lodged is not adapted to render those long hours very agreeable ; it is so dark, and the air very confined also. However, I see no good in seeking another lodging : all are so crowded that I might not mend my position, whilst the hotel itself is excellently managed. I am to dine chez Fournet to-day near the Luxemboiu-g, making an exception in his favour as to dining out — refusing Wolowski and Mme Faucher for the present. Since I am here for health, I am resolved to deserve improvement by not going out of an evening till I gain more strength, else I had intended going to see Barthelemy Saint-Hilaire, who fives now Rue d'Astorg. W. Waddington is expected this week in town — the Easter week is usuaUy taken by Parisians as a hofiday. Fanny du Quaire has arranged for me to visit the Duchesse de Grammont (wee d'Orsay) next Tuesday. The Duchesse, it seems, is much amused at my recollecting her fifty years ago ! I have not received any Morning Post to-day. It may come in the evening, perhaps, as did yesterday a letter from Lady Trelawny, who says she shall be back in London at the end of the week. I hope you will see her. What a " bobbery " Gladstone's letter to Mr. Crawford has kicked up ! As GaHgnani reproduces all the Engfish " leaders " I read endless preachments against his proceedings. It seems to me that a vast deal more is made of it than the letter warrants. It is simply an indication of dis- appointment with his followers for the moment, but without implying any permanent abnegation of leadership. H. Gre- viUe (Puffendorf ) is going about fike a dog at a fair, as my father used to say, but his talk is amusing. The article in the " Edin- 266 THE LEWIN LETTERS burgh Review " on the Campaign of 1866 is by the Crown Prince of Prussia, he tells me. Remember me kindly to dear Dr. Wil- liam Smith (the Dictionary), and be sure to love tenderly, her who is, dearest George, Affectionately and faithfully Harriet. From Mrs. H. Grote to her husband, Mr. 0. Grote. Paris, May 1st, 1867. My Deahest Georue, — ^At last there is a prospect of my seeing M. Perrot — ^here is a note which came an hour since. Mohl told me he was a man of merit, and I mentioned in my letter of yesterday how highly M. Guizot spoke of him, and now I have seen W. Waddington, who turned up last night at half-past nine just as Mme du Quaire had left me. Quite a bonne fortune his coming, for I had begun to think I should not see him at all. Well, Mr. Waddington speaks highly also of Perrot, who I learn now exercises the functions of a Professor at some great College, and works very hard. The Grammont visit proved extremely interesting. I wish you had been of the party. No more complete specimen of a handsome old French woman of quality can be imagined. The weather was execrable, which probably turned to our advantage, since no other visitor came whilst we stayed. We must have been there at least a quarter of an hour. She treated me with touching cordiaUty, I may say, and shook me warmly by the hand, with injunctions for the future, should I come within her sphere, not to forget her. She still has in her armoires an Indian shawl, which she says was a present to Grandmama Crawford from Monsieur Lewin. Thermometre of course about les Aieux : showed me all her Penates, portraits, rehcs, with histoires sur chacun ; altogether it was a white day's work. After this a visit at Duver- giers and three quarters of an hour pleasant causerie. Apres a visit to Mme de Triqueti by appointment to make the acquain- tance of Mrs. Stockwell, Lottie's letter having reached me yester- day, I put it into her hand to read. A respectable, well-mannered worthy sort of person. After she went I stayed a httle while longer with Mme de Triqueti, whose talk ran chiefly on ennuis d'interieur. I left her somewhat abruptly, however, to keep my word with the Baron, who expected me at the Ateher at 5 o'clock to shew me his work before leaving Paris ; but the street THE LEWIN LETTERS 267 was blocked by travaux, and the weather too bad to go on foot, so I did not see him. Perhaps it was quite as well I did not, for it made me so sad the day before to talk with him, that I do not so much regret missing the meeting. I am just going to the painter's, taking Mme du Quaire with me, as she enjoys chattering whilst I pose. W. Waddington was very pleasant company for an hour and a half, and is booked to take me for a stroll in the Louvre next Saturday. I shall make no more engagements as I mean to absquatulate early next week, and make the best of my way to London, or possibly I may strike across to Shere for a night to save trouble, and give a coup d'oeil to affairs there, before coming to town. God send the weather may clear up before I cross the Channel. Adieu tiU next week then, dearest G. Hoping to find you well and to bring back your poor partner in somewhat better case than when she left you, She remains, always affectionately yours, Harriet Grote. From Mrs. H. Grote to Iter sister, Frances von Koch. Savile Row, May I9th, 1867. Dearest Frances, — Edward's journey to Sweden offers an opportunity of sending you a line which must not be let sUp. I thank you heartily for your sympathy for my broken down state of nerves, and I must add my dilapidated condition of health. It is all that my most sincere friends can contribute in my case, and certes ! no suffering soul ever had more tender and grateful ministration than I from those who do me the honour to love me. Your own condition seems to me very much strengthened of late, and hke the old mare turned out to grass after having done with breeding foals, you have got freshened up with rest and rumination, amid the glories of the opening year's revival. By this time I ween dear old Nils has joined you again, and I trust the reunion resembled that which took place between G. G. and myself at St. Grermain in 1858, which we agreed to call a Martinmas Lovetide, for it resembled the meeting of lovers in all respects save one, which belongs only to the age preceding. I do not beUeve there ever was such a couple as G. G. and me for long long years of attachment, con- fidence and mutual adoration of each other's high qualities. The Doctor pressed me so much that I went to Paris on April 268 THE LEWIN LETTERS 17th alone, wretchedly unwell, and unfit to undertake such a journey, but I think it did me some service by turning the current of my thoughts. Moreover, I was glad to revive personal recol- lections and ties with excellent old friends at Paris whose con- stancy afforded me a sweet consolation. I returned on May 8th to London, G. awaiting me at the Station, and have been here ever since, bating two nights at Ridgeway to pay my people and give orders, etc. Our weather has been wintry, and we have had fires going as usual in this withering English month. I am so glad that Olsboda affairs are at any rate going reasonably well, if not prosperously. When the money-market recovers itself I do trust that with discreet control over the manager on the part of the CapitaHsts, that investment may yet prove advantageous. Do pray urge Nils to get out of all speculative enterprizes for the remainder of his days. Whether he leaves behind him a few thousands more or less is of httle import : only let him He quietly in his bed and not fret over the ill chances which are certain to overshado# the ventiu^ous man. I cannot do better than send you a packet of letters written to G. G. during my late sojourn at Paris. They will serve to bring me before your mind's eye better than anything. The change had a certain effect on my being, and after I returned I fancied I should shake off the dolors. However, they do not seem to yield to my endeavours. The moment I can report more cheerily, my dear Frances, you shall hear from me again. Augerum, I conclude, is your resting-place for some time to come. G. G. sends love to you : he is still the best and kindest of men. Ever your most affectionate H. G. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. London, June 23rd, 1867. Dearest Frances, — I am on the eve of making a second pilgrimage to Baden Baden. This time without the protection of my husband, who has too many obhgations of a public nature to be able to quit London. My health became worse after my return from Paris, leaving me no choice but to follow the advice of Dr. de Mussy, who a fortnight ago pronounced it indispensably necessary to leave London. The struggles I have made this season to show hospitalities chez nous have proved of no effect, inasmuch as I have hardly had sufficient strength to keep THE LEWIN LETTERS 269 going during the evenings — ^my dining out with friends an equally painful effort. I shall leave nothing undone to recover my health, and if Heaven prospers my efforts shall return at end of July to spend the rest of the summer at Ridgeway. If I do not recover, well ! Write to me to Baden Baden, Poste restante. It will be a comfort to hear of you and Nils being well, any how. I take with me Mary Grote, whom I brought up for ten years at Burnham Beeches and elsewhere : a pleasing, sensible, affectionate girl of twenty-two ; also a maid and a man (same man !). I start on the 26th via Paris, Strasbourg, etc. I am so desperate weak that I can't write even to Charlotte, to take leave. Ever and ever your affectionate H. G. Addressed Monsieur Nils Samuel von Koch, Ex Justitz KanzUr, Stockholm, Sweden. From Mrs. H. Grote, at the Ridgeway, February 2'lth, 1868, to her sister, Mme. von Koch. Dearest Babbo, — Just a month since the date of my last letter to you. Yours of the 20th came to hand yesterday, brought down from Savile Row by the Historian, who has been doing duty there with his manifold " shops " for two days past. We are both chagrined and surprized at your informing me that G. G.'s letter replying to Nils' long business statement received in the early part of January never reached him ! G. wrote immediately to set Nils' mind at ease, and to acquiesce in his propositions about investing part of the money now in Nils' hands, in Gottenburg Bank Bonds, and further allowing him time for the refunding of the whole capital sum. It was posted by Brother Edward and paid on January 16th, and he wrote next day to Stockholm that he had done so, and we made sure it must go safely. Now I sent my letter of January 27th to Edward too, and this you duly received, and we are much annoyed to find that G.'s long and kindly reply never reached its destina- tion. He (G. G.) is concocting a " replica " to go to-day as well as he can do it, not having the documents at hand they being, kept at the Bank with the Deeds, etc., and I think that dear old Nils' heart will be rejoiced to receive it. We are staying on here still, the month of February being singularly fine this year with neither frost nor snow. I tide on, going up to town for a week and diving back for two weeks, whilst G. G. divides his Ufe between town and country — ^the railway station being so 270 THE LEWIN LETTERS near it is easy for him to do so — and I have set up a second servant in London, our old cook Methuen who lived with us at Barrow Green, so that he may be well served at his meals, I keeping house here as usual with my own cook. This extra expense is really unavoidable, since he chooses to work at some five or six pubhc duties, and must spend much of his time in London. I believe, however, I shall try and pass a couple of months there with him in April and May. It will depend how I am feeUng. I will write to you again before long. G.'s " Aristotle " progresses. The " Plato " is in prodigious favour with the learned world. The opening chapter of " Plato " would interest you profoundly. I will send it to you. Mary Grote's father returns from India in July, and talks of having her to hve with him. Noiis verrons. Mean- while my health is really fairly good. DisraeU is to be Premier, Lord Derby being broken down by gout. Ever your attached and affectionate Sister, H. Grotb, From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. RiDGBWAY, Fehrimry \Uh, 1869. My DEAREST Babbo, — ^As I lay in my bed this morning I recollected that Miss Frances Eliza Lewin's birthday was on the I6th, and it occurred to me that it would be a pleasure to send off a bit of a letter just to show " Nitten Dan " how ever- present her image is with her poor old sister " Popsy." Ah ! the vista of years, mine dear ! Well 1 I can't write you a long letter ; the day is past for such efforts ; but it is wonderful that I am equal to the effort of correspondence on any terms. I rather think I owe you a letter by the bye. Never mind the score : we both write when we can. Nils' last scrap, if not hopeful, at least showed no signs of despondency. Olsboda seems up in the wind, as the sailors say, and we must all feel anxiety till she becomes disencumbered ; but your good man will, I fear, be water-logged to a considerable figure at the end of the chapter. The best feature in your case is that you know the worst. It is reaUy not Grandfather's cry, " Hurra ! my lady, the worst is to come." You see plainly the hmit of the devastation and are prepared to face it. I hope dear old Nils will show himself a man of courage, and not sink under self-reproach because he cannot overtake his blunders. We all make mistakes, Grod wot ! THE LEWIN LETTERS 271 Look at G. G. when he persisted in going into that American business twenty-five years ago, and lost several thousands begad ! I bawled against it, but it was " My Hod " with her son Alhiutt over again : " I hear ju because I am not deaf, but I go my way." Look at my blunders — la ! their name is legion ; still I float amid the wrecks by possession of a cork conscience. And you, too, dear httle foolish Babbee, hast thou not made thy hashes and gachis. Enough ! Let me talk about pudding, as poor Emihus used to say. Item : I have been Uving here since last September bating a run occasionally up to London. I have gained flesh andean walk three miles with pleasure — can read better and with more profit — spirits less dolorous, and able to enjoy the society of my friends once more. G. G. now spends more time here than formerly. He was a whole month with me in December, and has just spent another week — gone up yesterday for Council meeting at the British Museum. I foUow to-morrow, and shall stay the week in Saville Row, going to De Sahs, from thence, and to Joe Grote's for a few days : possibly on to Baron Rothschild's at Mentmore, Bucks, where I have been often pressed to come. G., however, will not go anywhere. De Sahs' is a duty, and he bows to that as ever — as a rare exception. The dear old feUow is as weU as my heart could wish, thank God ! He is evidently gladdened by my amended health and augmented cheerfulness, and I can see by his manner that he is gradually resuming his long interrupted habits of thought, and I hope for a return to our old ways and confidential inter- course. We shall go to town for the season in April as usual, but I rather want to run over to Paris at Easter to renew old ties there ; many of my old friends are dead, alas ! G. is going to sit for his portrait at the request of the graduates of the London University. The picture when completed wiU be hung in the handsome new building just erected close to Savile Row at the cost of £70,000, G. being the first Vice-Chancellor of the new palace. Sister Charlotte spent a week here last month. She was in fair trim, but cannot walk far, as it gives her a pain in the chest — ^heart somewhat feeble, I fear. Jeanie Lewin here also in high force. They both ate twice as much as I ever do, and Charlotte swigged off her ale in fine style, very imprudently as I thought. Her husband is " fitting foreign," I fear. Now good bye. Best love to Nils. Write and tell me how you support your soUtude. Ever your faithful and affectionate sister, Harriet 272 THE LEWIN LETTERS — setat seventy-six, O la I You see poor Roebuck is out of Parliament and inconsolable. No. 25, of 1869, Government of India, Home Department. To His Grace the Right Honourable the Duke of Argyll, K.T., Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India. Dated Simla. April 12th, 1869. My Lord Dttkb, — ^We transmit herewith a copy of a com- munication. No. 846, dated March 5th, 1869, from the Govern- ment of Bengal together with two manuscript handbooks com- piled by Captain T. H. Lewin of the Arracanese or Mughi, and of the Tipperah languages therein referred to. We concur in the reasons assigned by the Lieutenant-Governor for recom- mending that these handbooks should be printed at the expense of the Government, and we also agree with His Honour that as Captain Lewin is now in England, it is desirable that the books should be printed there in order that the proof sheets may be revised by that officer himself. We have the honour to be, My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most obedient humble servants. Mayo, W. R. Mansfield, H. S. Maine, B. H. Ellis, H. M. DuRAND, John Strachey. From Mme. F. von Koch to Mrs. Grote. AuGERUM, Karlskrona, Swedbn, June 20th, 1869. Dearest Harriet, — Nils says he is writing to George on business, so I cram in a few words of chat with my dearly beloved and faithful sister. The weather here very shattery — rain and sunshine — very hke what June used to be in the old days at the Hollies, but very healthy, although an epidemic of Measles is still rife among all classes, old and young, all over Sweden. Nils has regained much of his former natural constitution of mind and body, carrying his load now as hghtly as possible when it cannot be quite forgotten. He stumps about, or sometimes rides over his property, and spies with his opera-glass at the coming harvest which promises well ; so we hold together at single anchor, hoping a fair wind will blow some day either to better fortune in this world or to the next, where the weary cease from troubUng. But first I pray God continually to enable us to pay all we have borrowed, so that none may suffer THE LEWIN LETTERS 273 from what was never ill intended on Nils' part. As to health. I am very well, and very contented ; walking, reading, working, visiting the poor, the sick and the school, or writing to those I love and long for, though now separated. Tom and his family have gone to Uve in the upper story of a large house at Gottenvik, where you know his land is situated, from which, poor man, he gets very little return for his money nowadays ; having no chance of a diplomatic post and not much income, for he also was involved in the Olsboda mess. Life seems long when I look back into the vista of years, and see the great and varied experiences I have passed through, but the days run by now hke a clear brook, and I see the hand and the love that guides every event and its consequence ; not only in my small sphere and short span, but from the beginning of things. But I am just the same child at heart I ever was. I cannot help sorrowing over Harriet Sage's departure from my world, leaving it so cold and empty after the loss of her burning spirit. Although I sincerely rejoice she has gone into a happy eternity from a condition of more than usual struggle upwards. She was seventy-five or more, and I dread to think that Time will and must bring me even nearer losses (if I am not called myself previously) from the advanced age of my nearest relations and friends. God must govern his world in his own way, which is the best possible I believe, and in this we are safe when we hve in trust. I hope you will make an effort to put me au courant of your pleasures and pains, hopes and fears, health and new experiences. Give my unchanged love to G. G. The wiser I become, the better I understand his height of mind and its possible unity with the source of all truth. Philosophy and metaphysics are stiU my soul's refreshment and growth, bottomed upon the community of being, vouchsafed me and all humanity at various stages of development. I told you Miss Martineau's life in sick-room interested me ex- tremely. TeU that honest and endowed woman, her writings have influenced me much from first to last, and that in admiration and thankfulness we called our only daughter after her and your name. Good-bye, dear, good, wonderful Sister and friend. God lead and bless and teach you, prays Your very afifectionate F. E. VON KoOH. VOL. n. 274 THE LEWIN LETTERS Mrs. F. E. von Koch to her sister, Mrs. Harriet Grote. AuGEBUM, NEAB Caelskeona, Swedbn, July Ist, 1869. My deaebst Harriet, — ^Your birthday brings all my feelings to a point, and I must let them gush out somewhat through the narrow funnel of a letter and the reading of it an hour by yourself. Thank God you were born, and that I knew you and was near you so long, that your gifts and good quahties have added to the sunshine of my hfe, and your own, dearest sister, if subjected to occasional twihght, which is always painful to those who hate darkness in any shape ; yet you must have felt together with the least gifted of your fellow creatures, that hght is the rule, and darkness the short exception which leads in time to hght. When I think of you in your beginning (your birth and youth), and your end here (your death), I feel a thirst for you — I feel a longing to have wings, to be a spirit already, that I might fly to you, love you, serve you better than I do now. I know not how it is with you on this your birthday, where or how you spend it, worthily or hghtly, sadly or joyfuUy, the day's measure of hght and shade and your own estimate of your seventy-seven birthdays in this wonderful and chequered existence. I cannot expect to hear from you so often as I have done, as time is now short and your work important. I know that one of us, you or I, will be left without the other, for a time, to be joined again for ever, I beheve, trust, and hope. I cannot hve without beUef in the eternity and progress of Life — of human hfe especially : each year's fresh enhghtenment confirms it with a hundred reasonable proofs, and what shall smooth and illumine my last hours before the hateful process of decomposition begins in me, if I am only such a cadawe. Here we are spending our unusually rainy June at Augerum, which sets poor Nils in a first-rate fuss at the threatened damage to the produce of the estate, which is now doubly valuable when it is only our own gain that is in question. I trust, in spite of miy ignorance of agriculture, worldly markets and price of stocks, that we shall, by hook or by crook, be carried through the conse- quences of our mistakes, which were not those of malice prepense, but of weakness, and pardonable in His eyes who is strong and above all, compassionate. To-day is a lovely day with hot sun and warm high wind, so I hope the hay that is mown may be harvested yet undestroyed, and the Wheat and Rye ripen and get the ears fuller and free from bhght, with which they THE LEWIN LETTERS 275 have been threatened owing to the long prevaihng damp. Nils runs about -with fifty jobs to attend to. This morning a cow's back was injured, and he had to get liniment for the same ; sometimes to see that the labourers are at their work, or the dozens of starving poor, wandering about in quest of work, must have something to do by which they may earn somewhat, until the general time of demand for labour arrives at harvest and hay gathering. I have not had much chance of seeing any of my children this summer — if not the good Fabian, who hopes to emerge from the heavy work of country judge near the town of Orebro, mid-Sweden ; Oscar is at work as a learner in Skania (most southerly province). There are always many things left to wish for in every heart, and the height of my earthly desires is always that we may live to pay whatever we owe. This never leaves my mind, day or night, till it is done, please God. And now I take you in my arms and kiss you and thank you for all your true and constant friendship to me from the beginning to the end as well as to the man I have married (one of the best to be had), and praying that you wiU allow God to lead you to Himself nearer and nearer, and bless you as only He can. I cease for the present, with affectionate and grateful love to George Grote. I am, your faithful sister and friend, F. E. VON Koch. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. von Koch. The Ridgeway, October 25th, 1869. Dearest Sister, — ^Apprehending daily the approach of dread Winter and consequent impediment to intercourse with Lat. 58°, I have put on the screw to a kind neighbour and send you greetings through her pen. Your last letter with a birthday effusion was so rich both in thought and retrospect, that it is put by among titbits which escape the waste-paper basket. Nay, more ! I could not help sending it to a congenial soul, and would you beheve it ? she kept it a fortnight, saying she really could not part with it sooner. However, I did get it back, and I send you the note which accompanied it. You see, dear Babbo, that your outpourings find a response across the seas. My old man and I struggled across the seas to Germany 276 THE LEWIN LETTERS at the beginning of August, stayed a fortnight drinking the waters at Homburg. It was a most laborious effort on my part, for I was very fatigued with my four months' wear and tear of London, and was praying for rest. However, the old rascal refused resolutely to go without me, so I had no choice. The fact is, he was so entirely run down in health, and looked so cadaverous, that I had not the heart to refuse. Dr. de Mussy declaring it indispensable to his restoration to take the waters of Homburg. Well, Sir, a total failure ensued. He became no better, and I became ill from the stimulating properties of the steel. We came back by Frankfort and Metz to Paris, where we meant to stay three days, but finding acquaintances there, we remained ten. We were detained at Boulogne four days by the stormy weather, but at last achieved the passage, dropping into our nest at Ridgeway on September 25th. These six weeks rather sent me back than otherwise ; but on the other hand the Historian picked up sensibly through the various recreative influences, and since our return he has resumed his ordinary level, thank God ! I am also tolerably well, leading a quiet Ufe in this salubrious spot. We have had a good sprinkling of guests here, and the weather has been on the whole enjoyable. Our brother Edward and nephew F. D. Lewin left us this morning both in good case and spirits. Edward brought down a long Memorial respecting his official career and the injustice of the treatment he had received, in which he wanted my assistance, I being as usual " the thiU horse." Fred Dealtry much better for his three months' conge. The Hospice at Lea crowded with inmates of the Marsh relatives. Jeanie Lewin coming to me next week. Poor Tom of Eltham is breaking up and wiU hardly last the winter, I fear. Charlotte fairly well, but whipping everybody up, myseK included. We shall stop here through the winter, I trust. The Historian has got steadily to work again on Aris- totle. He walks and rides regularly, and eats much better of late. Thus we two old folks are jogging along tidily for the present. I now embrace you tenderly, and with love to Nils, I remain, your affectionate sister and friend, H. Grote, setatis seventy-seven, la ! THE LEWIN LETTERS 277 From Mrs. F. E. von Koch to her sister, Mrs. George Grote. AlTGEEtrM, NEAR KaRLSKRONA, SwEDEN, November 6th, 1869. Dearest Harriet, — I was wellnigh starved to death for news of you, for Jane is the general Samaritan of the family and supplies what one else cannot get, and she wrote that you were pretty well, but not a word of the Historian's nervous energy having given way ; but Heaven be praised, all is level with him again : and now look out for next time and don't let him " outrun the Constable " in respect of overtasking his hfe-power at seventy- five ! As to your "quiet," you don't seem to me ever to have any, for even now you have been having a succession of guests besides relations, and the stimulus of Paris after the insalubrious effects of Homburg waters, and then London for a few days, so I suppose you hve in an ideal regime and your imaginative mind crede quod hdbes et habes, a la the old story of the debtor and Erasmus, that is you ihinlc you repose, and so you do repose. Thank God for your health, life and strength such as it is at your age. Nils and I have been very well all the summer. His farming operations decoy him out of doors, which fortifies his nerves after byegone and even present agitations, and helps him to make the fight he does during the tedious length of time taken in winding up the Olsboda affairs ; but somehow I think it will soon occur, and then adieu suspense and good morrow smart money with all its anxieties. However, I hope and trust the event is over, and that neither Nils' life or honour will be damaged at the last. Agathe is recovering, though very gradually, and writes the most angeHc letters during her illness and all the privation it entails. Her cheerfulness is unclouded : and now Rickert has taken a six weeks' leave, and she is Hfted on to a horse by doctor's permission and they ride gently together, and she is delighted with hfe in extenso. Tom makes himself very much beloved, they write, at Gottenvik, where he stirs ; wife and family begin to thrive, and we all by degrees find we get the lot best suited for our happiness depend- ing, as this most assuredly does, on moral improvement. What a lot is going on in the world now ! the papers are so burningly interesting concerning Spain and France, and the progress of civiUzation even in Japan is amazing, not to mention Turkey and China. What men Prim and Serano are ! Oh how thank- ful I am that dear George Grote early enlisted my sympathies 278 THE LEWIN LETTERS on the side of the people, " the many," and warned me against " the few." The moral world fits in so well with the principles he indicated as the fundamentals in all things, which with some few sad exceptions in his world-system are immutable and eternal, as is the great Will which governs all things. I don't remember what I wrote in my letter of July 1st save that I yielded to the flow of affection your image and influence calls up in me when I think what God gave me in you, and how soon I must part with it mortally. What a dust is making for the women of our time ! You will hardly repent being one any more I hope, when you see that fair play is coming. I and Jane Lewin interchange ideas on this and other steady subjects. You seem to think our latitude shuts off aU communication with the outer world during winter — far from it, we are becoming spirits more and more, thanks to rail, telegraph, photos, etc. What is the grievance about Edward ! Can't he get his pension, or what is it ? I thought he would now enter his otium, and instead he is in the " Dolors," while you are " gadding it " in London, doing the honours perhaps hke a kind aunt to your new protege Tom Herbert, who I long to know. The Autumn has been mild but very stormy, as indeed the Summer has been also. We have just begun to put in our double windows, and snow has faUen a httle but melted again. I hope we shall get a " chick " home at Christmas in the person of Oscar, who holds out hope of a hoUday to us and him- self from his work in Helsingborg. I fear I am prosy to-day, but you take me as I am : and doubtless I am prosy. Good-bye, dearest sister. Love to the Historian. Your affectionate sister, Feances E. v. Koch. Extract from Mrs. H. Chrote^s Jcmrrmls. The Ridgeway, Sheee, November 20th, 1869. A circumstance worthy of being noted occurred on November 10th, viz., the offer to Mr. Grote of a Peerage of the United ■Kingdom. This was contained in a private communication from the Premier couched in terms of the most complimentary char- acter, adding that the proposal was made with the authority of the Sovereign. Mr. Grote replied in respectful and grateful language that it would be whoUy incompatible with the manifold duties he had to perform to assume the functions of a member THE LEWIN LETTERS 279 of the Upper House. He therefore begged Mr. Gladstone's permission to decline the honour. This transaction getting wind, we have received many letters from esteemed friends on the subject, all expressing pleasure at the compliment paid to my distinguished partner, and in his person to the general body of intellectual Mterary men, and adding the heartiest sympathy with me in particular in reference to the supposed advantages of a title. They are good enough to say that neither George's name, nor my own, could receive any lustre from being associated with a coronet. The incident just related would have afforded me unmixed satisfaction but for an unlooked-for slight at the hands of my husband. He answered Mr. Gladstone without so much as enquiring what my feeHngs in the subject were. After a long hfe of cordial sympathy on my part towards every- thing bearing on his fortunes or his happiness, it was no more than his bounden duty to have paid me the respect of asking how I viewed the offer of a Peerage, before he either accepted or declined the compliment. It certainly caused me mortifica- tion on all grounds. My concurrence in his refusal might have been presumed ; in the first place because the change would have been in no wise alluring to me at this stage of our career, and also because Mr. Grote has enjoyed ample experience of my readiness to acquiesce in his views, whenever he has thought fit to place them before me for my opinion. However, he now treated my sentiments as unimportant, and I must digest the bitter thought as best I may. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. Savile Row, January 2\st, 1870. Dearest Babbo, — ^I must shp in a word to this cover just to tell you that we keep steering on our course, maugre the dismal winter-time. Your letters so enchant Lady Eastlake that she talks continually to me about " my extraordinary gifted sister," so you see you have come out a prodigy after all ! Lady East- lake is a very valuable friend whose intimacy has fallen to me most opportunely late in hfe owing to her widowed state, which renders her open to fresh ties as a balm. She is about fifty-six or thereabout, and is stiU a fine woman, and at least two inches taller than myself. I think the Historian is as well as ever, only it is not to be dissembled that he has aged in the last two years. I have rheumatism in my knee caught by undergoing three days 28o THE LEWIN LETTERS of a petrifying cold bedroom, with a fire-place that gave out no heat, at Joseph Grote's, where we went to pay a fraternal visit at the beginning of December. I am so bothered with it, for with all my grievances I have never till now ceased to be active on my legs, and now I am compelled to use a stick in walking abroad. Tom of Barn House is going slowly off the stage, poor fellow ! Charlotte shaky, but not in immediate view of departure. I think you seem as fresh as a four-year-old. Brother Edward looks a hundred, but is fairly well. His right eye has failed him, but left eye stiU stands the racket. I am down here for Christmas bills and other matters : going down to-morrow with G. G. to Shere and up again in a fortnight. I had a grand set- to fiddling here on January 18th. Played pianoforte of Mozart's Bajah by the Cooch Behar State. Gold Kinkhob, 1 piece Benares Chudder, 1 piece . Brandy and Gin, 7 dozen and 3 bottles Scarfs and handkerchiefs Broad Caoth, 29 yards Sweetmeats ..... Fruits Miscellaneous Articles .... 33 Trays of Sweetmeats with silver cloth covers Bupees a. p. 95 41 8 130 10 45 15 100 4 38 6 24 9 65 13 63 10 605 11 From Mrs. H. Grote to her nephew, Mr. Frederick Dealtry Lewin. December \st, 1875. Dear Nephew Frederick, — I have received a letter from Tom Herbert Lewin which beats everything for picturesque 334 THE LEWIN LETTERS interest — six pages ! You shall see it the first time you can find leisure to call here. T. H. is really plajang the part of " diplo- matist " at a spanking rate, cajoling the semi-barbarous princes of the Tartar steppes. I think it wiU end by T. becoming the adopted son of one of these brown Rajahs. Then you wiU be called upon to go out and help him reign over the tribes of Bhoo- tan. The miniatures in dispute are lying before me as I write. Father Henry was here two hours yesterday, looking young and hearty. Mary held a levee below, and I on the first floor. Selina Sterling and her husband also saw her, and she rather enjoyed her " conjobble " with them. I shall not expect you to-morrow evening till you " enter up an appearance." Your affectionate Aunt, H. G. Addressed to Kirkside, St. John's Park, Blackheath. From Mrs. Frances von Koch to her sister, Mrs. George Grate. ATjaERxna, December I9th, 1875. My dearest Haeeiet, — The time draws near for our migra- tion to Stockholm, and I should like to give you some news o^ ourselves and children before January. I am less disinchned this year to the trajet, perhaps because I am less ailing and hobbled from age than in former years. Since the Ronneby bath and mineral water I have (by the blessing of God) been wonder- fully renewed beyond all expectation. I am, of course, eager to make the acquaintance of my son Oscar's future wife, and hope also to meet Tom von Koch and his family there, and Rickert and his brood. We are expecting R. home from England soon, and very amusing it will be to hear his EngUsh budget. I think it very tiresome there should be such an emharras about poor Charlotte's legacies and will. Provided all goes legally and according to Father's expressed intention, she might have left all she had to leave, to her cat, for ought I should care, so important do I consider the right of disposing of what one possesses — ^the testator's conscience is the only restriction. The halving of my two boys' promised £500 each was certainly not very pleasant, but covetousness is a greater evil than poverty any day. We shall see what 1876 brings if we live, and whether it be possible for us two to meet again. The Doctor urges my bathing at Ronneby again in June, and I may be thankful if an improvement of health follows the sacrifice of leaving home THE LEWIN LETTERS 335 duties and Nils. The expense is moderate for a bathing-place, now of some European resort. Your last account of yourself, as well as Fred Dealtry's last report of you, were very satisfactory, and neither time nor age seem to sit heavily on yoUj thank God. I think you were wise to give up riding as soon as you found it was an effort. Happy you who still can drive your own pony-chaise without danger of upsetting. Henry Lewin allowed a list of some engravings and pictures to be sent to me and my sons, from which to choose such as had connection with owi side of the family. I do not know what my boys will do, but I have not selected any. Nils accepted a place in the Chamber chiefly to prevent an unworthy candidate from coming iu, otherwise I think he would not have desired to begin this new parliament again (the first term of the new representation having expired). It is a great expense going to the Diet doubtless, but there are important measures pendiiQg, such as the reconstruction of the Army and several Juridical reforms. I was not more than three nights in Stock- holm at the end of last Diet, and then only to join the Steamboat — saw hardly anybody, but I was so out of health at the time that I was quite indifferent. This year I see Joachim's name as performing in Stockholm, and I am not without a faint desire to hear the King of Violinists before I die, but perhaps not. They say life is a dream. I think I have lived a hundred years and am not tired yet, child- like. Gladstone's vaticinations about the future of rehgion have thoroughly horrified me. What a loss for Italy in Cavour ! I am refreshed by the mental contemplation of the rare quahties and wisdom of this most distinguished statesman and most excellent man. If Bismarck dies (and he cannot live long at the rate at which he works and storms), I see nothing to prevent the Cathohc priesthood governing everywhere. If they kept to the Church and its ceremonials it would not matter so much, but it is the execrable immorality and interference with education and domestic affairs which carries poison everywhere. God help us ! The Prince of Wales, I think, shows pluck, and I trust he will come out well as a monarch when the time comes. My love to Jessie, whom I congratulate on her family's accession after Charlotte. It is a comfort to me to think you have her to depend on and are not left to servants. Nils is somewhat older, but is still the same energetic thinker and administrator in the many subjects that iaterest and engage him. His health 336 THE LEWIN LETTERS and strength of body and mind are still great for his age. God bless you, dearest Harriet, in this world and the next, prays Your ever grateful and affectionate sister, Frances E. von Koch, From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. London, Jwne Qth, 1876. My dearest Frances, — By a singular accident, which 1 ascribe to my faithful Annie, housemaid, being on the eve of taking her hoUday and so losing her wits, yours of May 14th only came to hand yesterday evening, sent to me by my London housekeeper, who had gone down to Ridgeway to take charge during Annie's absence, and who discovered your letter Ijnng among a pile of circulars. Well ! the story of your illness is truly lamentable, poor " nitten dan ! " you evidently have nine lives. Heaven send they may suflSce you to battle against the Hyperborean climate in which you live. I have but little strength left myself, Ma'am, after eight months of our winter, and am just now oppressed with a cold, though I am bound to add with thankfulness that this cold is the only one I have had for four or five months. I have led a caged life perforce aU the winter, and ever since I came to town (May 8th) the severity of the weather has obliged me to stay within doors three days out of every week. I am crippled by Rheumatism in my knees, and by Sciatica in the hip, so that I can only manage a walk of twenty minutes at my best. Ah ! " ma chere, que les restes de la vie sont difficiles k porter," as dear Mme de Sevigne said. However, the wonder- ful old brain stiU holds out, and though it cannot stand the strain of much desk work, I fancy my mind is still imimpaired. Old Snuffy, as we call G. W. Norman, declares that I beat him hollow at brain work ; but the villain can travel 100 miles on the railroad and still be fresh, and ready for his dinner at the end of the journey. I gave him a fetit diner here on May 27th, and we talked over old times. The party was Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone, our Prime Minister ; His Grace the Duke of Bedford ; Thomas Henry Farrer, Chief Secretary of the Board of Trade (a very enlightened public servant and a neighbour of mine at Shere) ; Lady Eastlake ; Mr. and Mrs. Bray, Jessie, and myself. Only one guest came in the evening, viz., the Rector of Lincoln CoUege, Oxford (author of the " Life of Casaubon "). The Duke played up to SibeUa with such effect that she acknow- ledged herself perdue (as we used to say, you remember) THE LEWIN LETTERS 337 after we ladies came upstairs. There was much interesting conversation on the Austrahan Cblonies, the new Domesday Book of Landed Property in England, and so on, Norman and Gladstone comparing notes. I don't think I can do this kind of thing any more ; my eighty-fourth birthday is close at hand, and I am growing too old to star it as a hostess any longer. I fear you are whoUy disabled for this turn, dearest Babbo, and both Jessie and I, though making " the Englishman's face " at it, resign aU hope of giving you a summer's hug in 1876. As to more remote prospects, I fold my hands upon my breast and devoutly confide myseK to the directing beneficence of the Almighty. I leave to Fred Dealtry Lewin the duty of relating the history of Tom Herbert's return and his betrothal within a fortnight of that event. Give my love to dear old NUs, and with heart-felt wishes for your restoration to health, I remain, your ever-affectionate Sister, H. Geote. I go to R. on 15th to receive Captain von Webenau and his daughter. You remember my little Therese Elssler. He is her inconsolable husband, the girl now fourteen. They live in the Tyrol. From Oscar von Koch to Ms aunt, Mrs. George Grote. Stockholm, October 2\st, 1876. Dear Atjnt, — I consider it more than dubious whether my feelings as a nephew could have prompted me to fulfil the duty of writing and informing you of my prospective marriage, had not a special reason urged me to do so, which, as I scorn unmerited credit for my actions, I think it best to state directly. During my stay with you in September, 1874, at Ridgeway, you had the kindness to make me a present of a picture, a Norweigian landscape hanging in one of the drawing-rooms, and you offered to allow me to take the picture away with me home. Home was then for me, a poor vagrant on the face of the earth, synony- mous with a garret au quatrieme, and I therefore got your leave to let my pictiu-e hang in its place with you until I was better qualified to receive it. Now, however, on the verge of marriage, I have exchanged my bachelor apartments for a nice suite of rooms, in one of which, the drawing-room, there is a most appropriate place for the picture in question, and I there- fore humbly ask if you will permit me this autumn to take posses- sion of the picture. Should you, on the other hand, have any VOL. n. z 338 THE LEWIN LETTERS objection, I beg you will not hesitate to say so, and we will forth- with drop the subject. iVed Dealtry promised on his visit here to superintend the sending, should you be willing to give up the picture now, and I am writing to him to-day on the subject. I take it for granted that my dear Mother has given you an account of my bride elect, and the extreme, not to say supreme, delight of satisfaction she feels at getting her " wiU-o'-the-wiap " settled in life. A few particulars I shall take the liberty of troubling you with ; my fiancee, Nanna Lindquist, is twenty- three last birthday, and the only child of an Official " Berg- mastere " in one of the Swedish mining districts, he being at the same time a manufacturer of nickel, and possessor of ironworks and sawmills, in the north of Sweden, although living iu Stock- holm. Mr. L. is of an old clergyman's family, and his wife of a family who for a couple of centuries have lived by the pro- duction of copper from the great miue at Falun, in DalecarUa. Mr. and Mrs. L. are well off. and Mr. L. has, by giving us a yearly allowance, made it possible for us to marry so soon. The day of the wedding is not yet fixed, but it wiQ in all probability come off on the 25th of next month. Cousin Fred D. gave us a most rich description of how Aunt Mary Lewin (nee Friend) had paid you a visit expressly for the purpose of expressing that no differ- •ence ought to be made in his prospects, by his having made a good partie. Now, fancying that dear old Lady K. may be found unwilling to look to her son's prospects and interests like her sister-in-law, I fear my prospects will quite go top . Should there, however, be another hundred pounds waiting for Oscar Francis, I beg you wiU not give orders for inhibiting the same, as I need hardly say that the smallest contributions are thankfully received at a time when marrying into a wealthy family makes a poor man feel his poverty more than ever. Next summer I iatend to come (D.V.) over to England and present my wife to her new relatives. Have you, though, seri- ously given up your long-nurtured project of paying my mother and her children a visit. Being now the lucky proprietor of a real snug home, which stands totally at your disposal, I feel as if I had a right to ask you to take imder reconsideration whether your horses could not do it. Your humble servant being willing to act as Mrs. Grote's confidential courier in which capacity best certificates can be produced. Since we got our railroads very nearly all over Sweden, it's not more difficult to come in «asy stages to " Ultima Thule " than to run over to Baden THE LEWIN LETTERS 339 Baden or any other summer resort. Once more let me beg you, Madam, to consider ; no definite answer need be given for six months. It is proposed that the parents shall come up for the nuptials, spend the Christmas with Fabian and Hedda, and then live for the Diet period of four months, here in Stockholm. The Thoms are also here for the education of their boy and girl, and so it will be quite a family party. On the whole it is clear Lady K.'s best time, as she sees her children, on whom you know she dotes down, and gets a little company, other than that of her Darby, who with aU his excellent qualities, I fear, is rather ennuyant in the long run. We have just lately heard of Uncle Carl von Koch's death at Savannah in Florida. Thither post varius casus he had gone to seek his fortunes, poor fellow, but was overtaken and carried off by yellow fever. Hoping dear Aunt, that I have not bored you too much with this letter, I am, with love to Cousin Jessie, your loving nephew, Oscar von Koch. From Mrs. Frances von Koch to her sister, Mrs. Harriet Grote. AuGERUM, November 9th, 1876. My dear Sister, — I am horrified when I think how very long it is since I wrote to you last, and how faithfully kind you have been in perpetually sending us newspapers as a proof of your thoughts being to usward. Nevertheless, mine have often flown to you, although I have not written. While Fred Dealtry was here three weeks I loitered with him and enjoyed being once more a Lewin ; but this year, having a new yoimg cook, I was forced to become my own housekeeper ; and therefore both while he was here, as weU as still more after his departure, I had heavy arrears of domestic duties ; and in May, Nils was danger- ously iU ; and early in June I went again to Ronneby to get up my health and strength again, which was lucky, as I have never been so much in need of exertion in things new to me such as cooking and saving in expenditure in the kitchen. It goes better now my cook has become more tractable and handy, and in two months it appears we are to attend the Diet once more. I never believed Nils would be able to do so, as he is much hobbled, by lung inflammation first and a severe attack of bladder trouble afterwards, this last perhaps in cpnsequence of the turpentine used for the lungs. He has drunk a German mineral water (imported) all the summer, which has done him 340 THE LEWIN LETTERS much good, and now though older, he is hale enough if he don't flare up too much in the Chamber, which is not unlikely ; his constitutional liveliness is easily over-excited, and then the material may give way. I am not sorry to migrate for the winter this year, for as we get older it is duU, lonely work Darby and Joaning it here, Nils working like a horse aU day in fifty different ways, and being drowsy after tea. The Thom von Kochs wUl be in Stockholm this winter, having their only son at a school there, the best to be recommended at the present time for morals and discipline. Apropos of education, among the interesting things in the English Newspapers you so kindly sent us was the Rev. Mark Pattison's thoughts at the Social Science Meetings, which were as good as gold. The world is going at an immense pace nowadays, and Stopford Brooke's sermons as to the state of mind and morals in England are most striking. If England persists in a selfish policy about the Turks and the atrocities committed by them in Bulgaria, she wUl have to pay heavily in the long run for having such rascally " allies " — sacrificing the interests of humanity at large for the sake of predominance at sea and commercial advantages in the Levant. I never have felt so ashamed of my country's government (Lord Derby and the odious Jew d'Israeli) as now. My only comfort is to think that the English people are better minded than their rulers ; and had it not been for the "Daily News," God only knows how long we should have been kept in the dark by the trumpery diplomatic humbug carried on by SirH. Elliot. But enough of the vile Turks. I hope Russia will put an end to their intolerable misgovernment — and at present the attitude of Russia is far more humane than that of England. I take it you picked lots out of Fred Dealtry's brains after his return from Sweden, and very pleasant it was to have the amiable fellow with us. Oscar's marriage, it is hoped, wiU take place this side of Christmas. Last Diet he worked hard as Secretary in one of the Committees. Ordinarily speaking he is employed in the Hof Ratt in Stockholm. I like his fiancee very much, but she is far from being handsome, and her parents seem to be nice honest people : the Mother a Dalecarlian — a folk generally known for their naivete and truthfulness. I was most glad to hear from Fred Dealtry of your good state of health, body and mind. You enjoy a green old age, indeed, but do not flare up with such things as dinner-parties THE LEWIN LETTERS 341 if they stretch you too much. I felt touched by your remem- brance of me again in regard to G. G.'s portrait. Thank you, my dear Sister and faithful friend, for this and every other kindness which you from year to year have shown me through our distant lives. I trust we shall come nearer each other one day, not so very far off, when we meet in the immortal abode of the pinre and good. I wonder how you like Mrs. Tom Herbert. Ever your affectionate friend and sister, F. E. V. Koch. From Mrs. H. Grote to Mrs. Margaret Lewin. The Ridgbway, October I2th, 1877. My dear Niece Margabet, — It was a real regret to me to find that you could not accompany your Husband to say the last word to me ; but I well comprehend the urgency of the hin- drance that came between. I send you once more my heartfelt wishes for your health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming years, fraught as they will be with important fruits, and I trust aU will turn out as we could wish. Tom's course wiU be aided by your presence and companionship, and I augur a most interesting period for both of you, perhaps for some years to come. I thank you for your affectionate letter, and for the high estimate you are good enough to entertain of myself. I send by book-post a photograph of my house " The Ridgeway," which will remind you of the aged Aunt within doors. Dear Tom avail le cceur gros on leaving her, and I own to having been very " down " for the rest of the evening myself. Once more God bless you both. Your affectionate Aunt, H. Grote. From Nils von Koch to his sister-in-law, Mrs. George Grote. July llth, 1878. Dear Harriet, — Yesterday I received your letter of the 5th Inst. It afforded me great satisfaction for several reasons, but especially because I found thereby that I had been mistaken in my suspicion that even you, were one of those whose friendship and esteem for their friends, depended a great deal not only on their moral conduct, but on their success or the reverse in mone- tary matters. I accept now with gratitude your kind offer "to place £500 to my credit with Prescott & Co., so that I 342 THE LEWIN LETTERS may be able to take up the note due 1878 at once." If, as when in 1858 I volunteered the unhappy promise which has caused me this £2,000 loss, I possessed still an independant fortune of my own in earned money, I confess I should not now accept this gift. It is the first time during my long life I receive a gift without having before or afterwards given quite as much back to the donor. I have no prospect of doing so now. Not from empty pride, but chiefly in order to be as independant as one can be in this sublunary world, I have tried and succeeded hitherto to pay all my obligations to high and low, in money or in kind : but in the choice among conflicting duties one must fulfil the most urgent. According to my opinion, and I believe, from what I think you said or wrote when you tried to get Tom and Charlotte to make a just wfll, and not bring over to his branch of the Lewin family what was inherited from the HoUies branch, also it was your own opinion that one ought not by largesses or wills to diminish an inheritance that one has received oneself and to which one's legal heirs have a fair expectation, when they have not misbehaved, one causes then an evil which old Jeremy Bentham called une attente trompee. Now, as I have not been able to coUect after Wikander's robbery, 1868, more than about £8,000 of the £13,000 which Frances inherited after the deaths of her Uncle Edward Lewin and brother Tom, at my age I cannot be sure to earn the £5,000 yet wanting in order to fulfil my duty towards her and her chil- dren. I continue to strive and save all I can, as married to a lady so well off as she is, but I am and wUl be in anxiety until that duty is fulfilled. Under these circumstances I feel it incum- bent upon me to put my pride in my pocket and to thankfully accept your liberality, by which your Sister and Nephew's fair expectation at my death have a greater chance to be fulfilled. I remain, dear Harriet, yours affectionately, N. S. VON Koch. From Mrs. H. Grote to her sister, Mme. F. von Koch. The Ridgeway, August 15th, 1878. My dear Frances, — ^Excuses are vain between two Beings 80 closely and so long bound up together as you and I, so I make none for my long silence, assuring you, however, that few among the absent ones have been so often in my thoughts as my distant sister and her family for months past. My story is soon told. THE LEWIN LETTERS 343 For some six months past the powers of life have sensibly declined, and although I made a struggle to keep going for a few weeks in May and June at SavUe Row, I broke down at the beginning of July and came here on the 8th, hoping to recover under the restorative agencies of the place, pure air and repose ; but, alas ! here I am after five weeks much the same as when I arrived. I have lost eight lb. weight since September, 1877, and it is unmistakable that my sands are running out fast. I am chiefly alone or with dear Jessie. Company I now find beyond my powers, I mean having guests in the house, except Mary Grote with the Major and their child, who spent a week with me lately. Morning calls from neighbours of course I accept. Luckily I am able to read several hours out of the twenty-four, which is beyond price to one like myself. The flood of literature which now overspreads the civilized world passes all belief, and many highly interesting books invite attention, along with some articles in our Periodical publications, whose name is Legion. Our Parliamentary session is just coming to a close. The triumph of the Conservative party has been overpowering, and I for one am grateful to Lord Beaconsfield and his colleague, for concluding a peace which on the whole, is satisfactory in its scope. At the same time I am not sure that Lord B. would not have been welcomed as warmly had he brought war in his hand. Englishmen are never unwilling to go to war, with or without a good cause. Never were we in better trim for a tussle, and a vast number of people would have been overjoyed at the opportunity of settling the Czar for a good long time. However, we were more wisely guided, and I bless the Congress for their humane work. Bis- marck was from the first determined on a peace, and our ministers made the best terms they could for their Client " the Sublime Porte." Lucky to have obtained a new lease of existence. Fred Dealtry was here for a couple of nights a fortnight ago after his Paris jaunt. Except two days last January, this is the only visit he has paid me since October, 1877, when he was going to Sweden. He seems in very fair case, and is off again to Argyleshire for a few weeks with the Greens. He wiU go on as heretofore, depend upon it, drifting on the stream of existence and weaving projects like our brother Tombo, destined always to come to nothing. I am going (D-V.) to London on the 19th mainly to get my teeth put right, as also to take out the note of hand to send to Nils. I sent one note of hand on August 2nd, which I trust reached him safely. I 344 THE LEWIN LETTERS Bhall stay but a very few days in Saville Row, returning here for the remainder of August. In September I shall be forced to take Jessie to the seaside for her health, which has been much disturbed for a year past by a continual affection of the Sciatic nerve, which has caused her much pain and prevents her sleeping. This is most inopportune, as I dread moving from home into the discomfort of an hotel. After a fortnight with me, she will take two weeks more with her parents at Brighton, Heaven send her some relief. It is a cruel blow to me, my good care-taker breaking down. Every indulgence is hers, including a horse kept for her sole use ; but the Henry Lewin family is not robust, barring my nephew Henry. The Father, old Henry, enjoys fair health now at seventy-six after a life of petite sante, curious to say. Here is my paper at an end, so I send you my aged blessing and sweet words of affection undiminished by long years. Ever and ever thine, H. Grote. This was Mrs. Grote's last letter. She died on the 29th December, 1878, at her house, the Ridgeway, in Shere, Surrey. When Mrs. Grote was young, and especially diu-ing Mr. Grote's parliamentary career, she was what might be called a formidable woman : she treated all her friends and acquaintances like subjects ; her husband bowed before her. Dr. Wm. Smith ("Dictionary Smith " as he was called) told me that at a large dinner-party at Savile Row he heard her say to her husband, " George, send me that haunch of venison ; you do not know how to carve it." On another occasion she was speaking of Audubon's book on ornithology and noting that some of his personal adventures had pleased her immensely she added, " He was almost starving in the woods, you know, and found some kind of wild creature, which he immediately disembowelled and devoured." Her habitual modes of expression were imusual, but she never seemed aware in the slightest degree of the startling effect she produced on her conventional listeners. She suffered greatly from her husband's last illness, but on the occasion of the funeral was much gratified by the recognition of his talents shown by his burial in Westminster Abbey, also by the condolence of the Queen and other great personages. Mr. Grote never liked general society; he was a shy, retiring man, who aU his life had tried to avoid the titled and THE LEWIN LETTERS 345 the great ; but Mrs. Grote (true daughter of her father, who dearly loved a lord) counted herself among the aristocracy. She has been compared to Mme. de Stael for the grasp and force of her mind, and in the education which circumstances gave to each, as well as in the atmosphere of pohtical life and literary intelligence in which they both lived, they undoubtedly resembled each other. She, on the other hand,preferred to find her prototype in Mme. de Sevigne. " The same love of reading," she used to say, " the same habit of good society, and always an honest woman." A favourite expression of hers was, " The household virtues are the basis of everything." It was this belief that rendered her endowments exceptionally complete and made her judgment and example valuable to all who came in contact with her. Hers was a mind to lead and rule ; decided, clear, judicial, courageous and generous beyond the average of either men or women, and possessing a quaUty of rare wit and humour. Welcomed alike in English, French or German society, De TocqueviUe and Leon Say were her friends and corres- pondents ; " the Prophet Bunsen " (as she used to call him) her admirer; Mendelssohn and Ary Scheffer her esteemed friends. She possessed great personal beauty in her youth, and was to the last a woman of grand presence and most sagacious expression. She was a most skilful musician, a talent which she inherited, and which was fostered by her father. In appearance, at the later period of life, when I knew her best, she was singular. TaU, square built and somewhat high shouldered, with well-made feet and hands., her face was more that of a man than of a woman, and this was specially the case in her clear, limpid, well-opened blue eyes, which bore an expression of great penetration and at all times twinkled with fun. Her taste in dress was, to say the least of it, eccentric, and for a person with so keen an appreciation of the gradation of har- monies, her passion for discordant colours was remarkable — " grotesque," Sydney Smith used to caU it. On another occasion he said, " I like the Grotes. He is so ladylike and she is such a perfect gentleman." Mrs. Chorley, the wife of the musical critic, once asked her husband, pointing out Mrs. Grote, " My dear ! who is the gentle- man in the white muslin gown." The last time she was in Paris, at the age of seventy, she had her photograph taken with a wreath of roses round her head, her justification for the flowers being " George would have it so." 346 THE LEWIN LETTERS With all her eccentricities, however, she was a noble-hearted, sagacious, good woman. She lies at rest in the quiet country churchyard of Shere, Surrey. On the gravestone is inscribed the words selected by her old friend Dean Stanley : " She opened her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue was the law of kind- ness." PART VI CONCLUSION " These things draw to an end : the readiness is all." From Mrs. F. E. von Koch to her nephew, Frederick D. Lewin. Stockholm, April \9th, 1879. My dear Fred, — ^For your amiable letter of March 30th I now thank you, and proceed to offer you such light on bygone times and relationships as remains in my power. En passant I take the hberty of expressing an opinion regarding the same for your consideration, viz. : that essentially what we have to do with the said " past " is to attempt to extract a subhmate which Eternity claims from us, and which consists in observing and tracing the providential life and connection to be found in the whole, as emanating from the living and sustaining Lord of all Life. When memory has done its work in this way, I believe the residue is of small importance ; nor ought it to be more to beings like ourselves, ever changing and destined to receive new experiences to the end of this life. Your very liberal, kind and judicious act of making Isabella von Koch the recipient of my hair bracelet, is worthy of your reputation as a delicate- minded man and gentleman. The trinket, thanks to your gener- osity and discrimination, has fallen where I believe it causes great pleasure. You would perhaps like to know that when my poor mother's trinkets were divided between us (and she had very few, not being possessed by the proverbial feminine weakness for such ornaments), her diamond earrings fell to my share, and I dedicated them to Isabella, my son Tom's wife, as the fittest inheritor of such a memento of the Lewin family, but she with remarkable diffidence would not believe but that they should justly belong to young Isabella as Tom's daughter. As for the transfer of Aunt Harriet's house at Shere, it seems to me, according to your account, that it could not be otherwise, seeing no cause for anybody else getting it, than that you would not try to do so. I am not very practically wise in worldly transactions, but it seems to me you would have been bothered 347 348 THE LEWIN LETTERS with your success had it occurred, and as to all the memories hanging round the Ridgeway and its neighbourhood, I humbly recommend the process mentioned at beginning of this letter as the best solution and close. And now to finish, dear Fred, supposing family news from me superfluous as you and " the boys " keep up a brisk com- munication, I will tell you that Aunt Grote's departure and appointed way of departing acted, and acts still, upon me as a very heavy stone sinking into the abyss of Eternity and carry- ing me with it. Yet 'ere it reaches its ultimate destination, it impresses me, together with other influential events, towards the close of my life, as reminders of my own approaching transition whether nearer or farther off than I am now aUowed to know ; but a " shove " I think it is, and was meant to be, to my life's boat from this shore. Uncle Nfls also, though with every reason to be thankful for his remaining vitality of mind and body, is conscious of the fact as well as myself that " these things draw to an end," and that they are far advanced already. " The readiness is all," as Hamlet says, and / say, please God. And now God bless you and yours, and lead you to better and better and higher peace through whatever is to come. With love to all my relations, speciaUy Jane and Jessie, I am your affectionate old Aunt Frances. Memorandum enclosed in the foregoing letter. Mrs. Aldersey and Mrs. Martin were two sisters who figured intimately in my parents' circle of acquaintance whfle in India, at Madras, and whose faithful friendship and goodwill (particu- larly Mrs. Aldersey, the elder of the two sisters) continued even for as long as the date of my marriage certainly, and how long after I cannot say. I believe both these ladies had married in India. Mrs. Aldersey's husband was a civilian, Mrs. Martin's a Military man. I cannot remember in my childhood, however, either of their husbands, nor do I know whether they were living during the early years of intercourse with Father and Mother after the return of aU parties to England : I have also forgotten the maiden name of the two ladies ; but the affluent attentions of Godmama Aldersey to Aunt Harriet were of long and faithful duration, as also towards the Lewin famfly in general, Edward and Emiiius having experienced kindness and hospitality from Frances Lewin (Mdme. von Koch). THE LEWIN LETTERS 349 her during their schooling years. Mrs. Aldersey lived in London, at Wimpole Street. After some years she married the Eev. Mr. Martin Benson, an elderly clergyman possessing the livings of Reigate and Tunbridge WeUs, at both which places Mother and I visited them. As to who " Nussie " is in Aunt Grote's letters and journals, I have Mttle or no idea, the rather since you say " the person dear Aunt addressed so frequently as ' Nussie ' in her last days." Alas ! H. G.'s last days of existence have reached my heart and soul as history more than actual experience, especially the awful mystery of its painful close so kindly and conscientiously recorded and forwarded to me by your impressionable and dutiful self. " Nussie " was a name poor Aunt Charlotte gave herself, I believe, in reference to her benevolent offices towards me during my ailing and suffering youth, when she used to officiate round my bed with proffered food or medicine. But I don't think Aunt Harriet took any cognizance of such details after I left 62, Thread- needle Street, where I lay a month in nervous fever before being moved to the HoUies. It is possible " Nussie " might be connected with a middle-aged, unmarried lady living with her sisters at Sydenham near the poet Campbell, all of whom were devoted to Aunt Grote, and one of whom Aunt G. called " the affliction woman " in consequence of her benevolent habit of attending the sick and sorrowful. " Nussie " must be some loving spirit who hovered about the Grote's house during trial ; perhaps one who did what H. G. could not or would not do for her dying husband — Lady Trevelyan, I think, I have heard was her name. Could not Lady Eastlake, once H. G.'s familiar associate, recall anything tending to the identification of " Nussie." F. E. VON Koch. . April, 1879. From Lady Eastlake to Colonel T. H. Lewin. 7, FiTZKOY Square, London, Janua/ry 2nd, 1884. My dear Colonel Lewin, — Perhaps you have by this time received a note from me written last Wednesday and addressed to Garden Comer House, Chelsea. At aU events, I trust you will receive it, for it was written in the first glow of my admira- tion (one chapter being immediately read) over one of the most fascinating of books. You need no excuse for having published your adventures, as little as you will want any sympathy or help in making them known. Your book recommends itself 350 THE LEWIN LETTERS as few can do, and you will soon have to issue a new edition. All that I have read of it only strengthens my first impression, so I can only congratulate and thank you again for the great pleasure it has afforded me, and I beg you to believe me, Your deeply obliged Eliz. Eastlake. Letter from Mrs. Frances von Koch to her nephew, Lieut. -Colonel Thomas Herbert Lewin, dated October 7th, 1884, from the house of her son, Fabian von Koch, at Falun, Holla, Sweden. Dear Tom Herbert, — I am still here at this enjoyable place, though I leave for Stockholm next Monday. I wish to dash off something of an answer to your last interesting letter of August 10th before then. I do not know much about my Father's brothers and family, except what I wrote to you of Uncle Bob, who lived, and I believe died, in Bexley almshouses. Possibly Mary Malcolm Lewin may know more, as she stiU haimts with some remaining Lewins. I would gladly do all you want of me that I could do about my beloved brother George, your father . I pray you, if you must have it some day, that you permit me to defer recalling the chapter of your Father's life, as it is a long and most painful subject, and time will not at present allow me to undertake it. Disgustingly annoying the loss of Father's pedigree and personal history delivered to F. M. L. I cannot help thinking it must float up yet, and in your lifetime, if not destroyed of malice prepense. Father's relations with Mr. Whitehill, as I understood them, were briefly as foUows. India being badly administered. Fox and Burke got up a row in Parliament, and insisted on an investi- gation into the conduct of the Indian functionaries, of whom Mr. Whitehill was one. Father had been Mr. W.'s private secre- tary, and on Mr. W.'s recall, father came to England also, and the ocean was strewn with that gentleman's papers which were in Father's charge. I asked Father if Whitehill had been a scanda- lous performer, and he replied that his behaviour was neither worse nor better than that of his predecessors and the whole body of Indian functionaries. Whitehill, I believe, got out of the way, but Father heard on arriving in London that a price had been set for his arrest, so he mizzled to France, and at Dover, while breakfasting, he saw the gazette, with the reward offered for his apprehension and a description of his personal appearance. THE LEWIN LETTERS 351 Sir Eichard Carr Glyn was a banker in London who was acquainted with my parents. I don't know who the Mr. T. Lewin of Cam- bridge is, who you mention. I send you loving response to your yearnings to me and mine. Yes, I also beheve that we shaU meet again out of this present form or body. Have you read duly all you can about that Meteor man Charles Gordon. His doughty deeds and impres- sive personality have stirred up my soTil to its depths and lifted me towards God. Of course, many miss Harriet Grote, you probably the most, who got least of her, by your absence in your Eastern HUl-country. I am glad you stiU remember your Swedish visit with pleasure, but I am stiU more glad to think God has shaped your course in many respects as He has done. Do not let your level of soul descend merely to ancestry (although I congratulate you on the Galton success). Cherish your ideahsm and poetic insight ; it will light up the future, should you Uve to be old. We, your Swedish kinfolk, often think of you as the most interesting remnant of the Lewin family. I well know that nothing human is insignificant or worthless, but still I would bid you beware of too exclusively devoting yourself to tombstones, dust and buried memories. There is better coming than has ever been for all who do not ignore aspirations founded on the rap'port with Creation's source and perfection. I have passed a delightful two and a half months with Fabian and Hedda and their children in the Dalecarha air. Some hope I may ever see it again, as my clock warns me ! God bless you. Give my love to your dear wife and companion. Perhaps if I live I may write some day about your father, George Herbert Lewin. Aunt Richard Lewin, of Eltham, was from the Cape of Good Hope — a very pretty woman when young. Your loving old Aunt, F. From Lady Easthzke to Colonel T. H. Lewin. 7, FiTZROY Square, December 31s<, 1884. I was quite abashed, dear Colonel Lewin, last night when I received your splendid volume. I had not realized how much was implied in your allusion to my soon receiving your forth- coming work. I have read the first chapter, and am quite taken off my feet by its most exciting interest. If this goes on through the book, I safely predict that it will be the most popular reading 352 THE LEWIN LETTERS of the day, for it tells us more of the real life of India than has yet been known. I had heard of certain dauntless doings of yours at Chittagong which had wakened in me the homage which all women pay to brave men, and then your style has a double charm : it is so like yourself. Pray tell Mrs. Lewin how I con- gratulate her on your unfailing success, for it is she who wiU have all the pride and the glory. The dedication alone gives her something better. Your dear Aunt, Mrs. Grote, would have deeply rejoiced over all that means. I am not ashamed to own that it drew my tears. Excuse these hasty lines, quite irre- pressible. My next few days are provided with a great source of enjoyment. Ever yours truly, Eliz. Eastlake. From Mr. John Buskin to Colonel T. H. Lewin. Beantwood, Coniston, January 27th, 1885. Dear Colonel Lewin, — I usually return my provisional thanks to authors before reading, or without intending to read, the books they send me. Yours I opened, read on in, and have finished : always putting off writing my letter of thanks, that I might make it more glowing. Partly also in pause at the question, how it was possible that Government could go on like that ! and sometimes also, how you, my dear Sir, could go on like that ! But I can't send my long letter yet, my letter of thanks, as warm as if under India's sky, this must go to-day. Ever most gratefully yours, J. RusKiN to " Thangliena." From Lady Eastlake to Mrs. Margaret Lewin. FiTZEOY Square, January 29th, 1885. Dear Mrs. Lewin, — ^I hope by this time that the Colonel and you have had ample reason to confirm my prediction as to the success of " The Fly on the Wheel." I have heard of it from many quarters, and you may believe that I have talked of it. The speed of its popularity, however, wiU depend on the reviews, and I have not failed to urge a notice of it to the Editors of both the " Quarterly " and " Edinburgh Reviews," the first being Dr. William Smith, and the second my cousin, Mr. Henry Reeve. I have also expatiated to Mr. Murray, of Albemarle Street, upon its great interest, and to my good cousin. Sir Joseph Hooker, THE LEWIN LETTERS 353 who eagerly jotted down the title. So I hope when you are both good enough to come and see me again, to hear that you have ample evidence of my not being peculiar in my admiration. Trusting that you are aU well, I remain, dear Mrs. Lewin, Yours very truly, Eliz. Eastlakb. From Mr. John Buskin to Colonel T. H. Lewin. Brantwood, Conistok, February 12th, 1885. Dear Colonel LiEWIN, — ^I have put off writing always for a quiet day, but one never comes. I am beyond everything I can say interested in your book and in you, but I have a feeling that you have lowered the tone of it by making it too much of a hunting story book, and not having, it seems to me, formed any clear opinions as to what has been or should be done with these wild races. You write always like an amiable, reckless, jest-loving, generous schoolboy, and I cannot help thinking you were very wrong in that juggling trick, well as it turned out. What final result has it had ? WiU you forgive me if I say something of this kind in the (otherwise, I hope, likely to be pleasing to you) mention of your book in my sketch of Edward's work in Bunnoo, now in the press ? Ever faithfully and acknowledgingly yours, John Rtjskin. From Mr. Arthur Lister to Colonel T. H. Lewin. HiGHCLiFF, Lyme Regis, February l^th, 1885. My dear Colonel Lewin, — I am much obliged for your very kind letter, and write a line to say with what absorbing interest and pleasure we have read your book. What tre- mendous adventures you have gone through ! and what a fine beginning you made for the advancement of those hill tribes. That your splendid work met with so little acknowledgment was due in great measure, I suppose, to the sad death of Lord Mayo ; but enthusiasm successfully directed to independant undertakings is so miserably apt to rouse envy and the " sneers of selfish men," that one is not altogether surprized that you met with no more encouragement : and yet without such work as yours England would not be what she has been. What she wiU be, who can teU ! One can only hope there is life m the old country yet, though the future looks dark enough. It is VOL. n. A A 354 THE LEWIN LETTERS a great pleasure to hear of your enjoying your life in London, and your work among the records of past times at the British Museum. We have been stirred with a longing to know more of those old monuments of the past by reading Max MiiUer's "Biographical Essays." I wonder if you have seen the book. His sketch of Mohl and the investigations into the cuneiform inscriptions is most interesting. Indeed, each of the Memoirs is delightful reading. I had been on the point of writing to you when yoiur letter arrived. We all hope to see you back again at Lyme Regis. With kind regards. Sincerely yours, A. Lister. From Mr. John Rushin to Colonel T. H. Lewin. Beantwood, Coniston, March 10th, 1885. Dear Colonel Lewin, — ^I am more than grieved not to have answered your lovely letter before, but I have been danger- ously overworked this last month, and besides, I always hesitated what to say, chiefly about your book, but also as to the possi- bility of arousing the English people in any way to the foUy and wrong of this Home Office work everywhere. How far could I, without compromising or displeasing you, be allowed to quote, as the dictum of an experienced Indian officer, what you tell me of the uprooting of your labotu", in some note to be attached to the " Life of Edwardes." Again, those cursed publishers are the pestilence of literature. They have made you destroy the dignity and simplicity of your book, and robbed it of haK its historical value. It is one of the most wonderful and beautiful stories I have ever read. Surely an edition might be brought out in a reduced form, with not a word in it that was not your own, and yours dehberately. I hope some day you will let me come and talk of this with you. I cannot write the half I feel. Ever gratefully and respectfully yours, J. EtrsKiN. Extract from a letter by Mrs. Frances von Koch to her nephew, Thomas Herbert Lewin. June Srd, 1885. " My brother John Dick had not the tact when at home to accommodate himself to his mother's taste and temper, she being strong willed and jealous of her dominion. He provoked THE LEWIN LETTERS 355 my mother by interfering in her management of her daughters (Charlotte and myseK) in various ways, part humorous and part serious. My mother would not tolerate this and persuaded Father to get rid of him ; so the poor fellow went abroad to Pari* and Versailles, where he caught cold, and his lungs became affected. . . ." From Sir Henry Yule, C.B., to Colonel T. H. Lewin. Hastings, June 8th, 1885. My dear Colonel Lewin, — ^I think when one has had so much enjoyment in a book as I have had in yours " The Fly on the Wheel," it is only decent to write and say so. I had no time to read in London, but when the Doctors ordered me away, I brought with me some volumes that I had desired to read, and yours among them. I did enjoy it thoroughly ; and if I wished to give a foreigner of inteUigence an idea of the sort of Ufe and work that was led by our good officers in India, I would say, " Read this." But I had also a special attraction in your deahngs with those Eastern frontier folk ; for although I never met with such adventures as yours, I always felt drawn to them from my earhest days in India, when I used to wander among the IQiassia jungles and villages, and in after years when I spent several months in wandering on the Arracan Yoma to report on that frontier and its defence, associating with Khyens. I felt so sure that the book would be equally enjoyed by my good mother-in-law, Mrs. Skipwith (who was, Uke myself, a friend of your Uncle WiUiam Lewin at Cherrapoonjee), that I gave her your book last month as a birthday present. She is here, and tells me to say that if she were not so unwell as she is (I am sorry to say), she would have anticipated me in writing to you of the pleasure the book had given her among many, many cares of late. I am sincerely yours, H. Yule. From Mr. George Meredith to Colonel T. H. Lewin. Box Hill, July 9th, 1885. My dear Colonel, — My girl is in London with Mrs. LesUe Stephen. She writes begging to stay till Saturday. I propose to fetch her on that day, and find that the only hkely train from Charing Cross to Gomshall arrives at 5.56 p.m. WiU it dis- 356 THE LEWIN LETTERS compose you if we come so late ? I shall telegraph for a fly to be handy; so do not think of sending your carriage to meet us. My anxiety concerns the hour of dinner at Parkhurst. I have had great pleasure from Thanghena's treaties with Indian tribes. It is one of the good books on India. Present my comphments to Mrs. Lewin and the young ladies, also to the " bouncing indiscriminator," and beheve me, Most faithfully yours, G. Meredith. From Madame Frances E. von Koch, to Colonel T. H. Lewin. Stockholm, July 12th, 1885. Deae Tom Herbert, — After a two months' illness, which left me recovering all through June, I began to read your dehght- ful book " A Fly on the Wheel." I had lent it previously to the poor Widower, Count Wachtmeister, whose amiable wife was carried off after eleven days' iUness from Typhoid fever, and we were glad to offer any diversion possible to his heavy depres- sion ; then the Wredes borrowed the book, and it was read aloud to the dear old Baron and a large circle of children and grandchildren : everybody was charmed with it, both for the interesting matters it contained, and for the spirit with which it was related. And now how shall I express the value I found in its pages and in your hfe. My criticism is, and must be, only that of a childishly impressionable fellow-creature warmly attached to you by blood, and sympathy, but save in sincerity, quite devoid of critical capacity. However, I herewith volun- teer some of my impressions. The Cawnpore slaughter was so dreadful that I nearly shut up the book for good. At your early age, and with such scanty opportunity for moral and intel- lectual development, I felt it was intolerably cruel and wrong to expose your youth to such a trial. Had you " bolted," you might have entailed on your young head a heavy, perhaps a life-long, penalty. I for one should not have wondered or con- demned ; but God's protecting love and fatherly care was with you, and helped and preserved you to do what you did since. The vast tableau of humanity's lot and level that you spread out, was most astounding to my small mind, and led to a con- stantly refreshing and salutary hope as to what might be expected in the future. I thought I could perceive traces of the one original revelation of God to those His creatures, twisted and THE LEWIN LETTERS 357 deformed by the various antagonistic influences, existing more or less in all creeds, for the human will has always had leave to accept or refuse God's commandments. Had it pleased the Almighty to call you to a brave and early death, I must have acknowledged His justice and mercy in doing so ; but I adored God afresh for His preservation of your body, and education of your heart and highly endowed faculties. I think He led you onwards by the hand that you might know and love Him. The hairbreadth escapes from wild men and beasts, the influence of your mind and behaviour on the souls of many — all this and much besides was an uplifting message from the Supreme One which overjoyed and sanctified my heart. Your marches of 30 miles a day, bare-footed, with long absence from food, sleep and safety ; your patience under the various diflSculties con- tinually attending your course ; the fine instincts which were sent you at your direst need, must have come from God — ^it could not have come of itseK : and last, perhaps the worst of aU to endure, the mysterious injustice with which the Govern- ment treated you, after such unsparing conscientious self-sacri- fice to duty, and even your success, confirms me in the conviction of God's education of your soul for Himself. You really were, and are, dear Tom Herbert, above the measure of the officials who denied you recognition. You are rather their benefactor, than they yours. The enlightened octogenarian, Greneral Baron Wrede, protested to my heart's content against the inexplicable injustice shown you by the Government. If, however, you do not yet feel above it, you will most assuredly do so before or when you leave this twisted trial-full world, where God's wisdom and love towards His earthly children are evident if they enquire about it all, of Him. I have not forgotten your wish or my promise to write out for you what I can remember of your dear Father's career. I hope to go for some weeks to my son Fabian's home in Dalecarha in a few days, and I shall see there what my strength and leisure wiU enable me to do. Pray offer my affectionate regard to your Wife. I think of her in Othello's words, " She loved me for the dangers I had run " ; and so would many women do. Goodbye for this time, From your affectionate Aunt, Frances. Frances Lewin (Madame von Koch), the writer of the above letter, the faithful sister and correspondent of Harriet Grote, and 358 THE LEWIN LETTERS youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas Lewin of The Hollies, died on August 21st, 1888, at the house of her son, Mr. Fabian von Koch, at Falun, in Sweden, from inflammation of the lungs. With her death the record of that family group of brothers and sisters, with their forbears, closes. Her influence on her family and friends was ever for good and truth. She kept apart from worldly striving, and her high, pure thoughts were in keep- iag with the high, pure air of the country in which she lived and died, as her sister used to say, in Lat. 60° N. Vale? Dear Countrjrmen ! Whate'er is left Of ancient heritage. Of manners, speech, of humours, polity ; The limited horizon of our stage ; Old love, hope, fear, — All this I fain would fix upon the page ; That to the coming age, Lost in the empire's mass. Yet haply looking for their fathers, here May see as in a glass, What they hold dear ; — May say " 'Twas thus and thus, they lived." T. E. Broum. Finis. THE LEWIN LETTERS 359 THE LEWIN FAMILY. 1. Thomas Lewin, died 1647, Eltham, Kent. Son of No. 1. 2. John Lewin, died 1718, Eltham, Kent; married (1) Mary (died 1684), (2) Sara (died 1717). Children of No. 2. 3. John Lewin, died 1686, Eltham, Kent, s.p. 4. Thomas Lewin, born 1680, died 1729, Bexley, Kent ; married Mary Brooke. Children of No. 4. 5. EUzabeth Lewin, born 1713 at Eltham, married West, died 1768, buried at Bexley, Kent. 6. Thomas Lewin, born 1714, died 1754, Eltham, s.p. 7. John LeAvin, born 1717, died 1768, s.p. 8. Richard Lewin, of the HolHes, born 1719, married Mary Brown (died 1772), died 1810, buried at Bexley, Kent. 9. Robert Lewin, born 1721, died 1748, married EHzabeth — . 10. Mary Lewin, bom 1727, married Marshall, died 1768. Children of No. 8. 11 Thomas Lewin, of the Holhes, born 1753, married Mary Hale, died 1843, buried at Bexley, Kent. 12. Mary Lewin, born 1756, married R. Jackson, died 1781. 13. Richard Lewin, born 1758, married H. Vanderpoel, died 1832, and buried at Eltham, Kent. 14. Gregory M. Lewin, born 1767, died 1792, s.p. 15. Edward B. Lewin, born 1768, died 1830, s.p. 16. John B. Lewin, born 1769, died 1796, s.p. Children of No. 11. 17. Mary H. Lewin, born 1785, married H. Marsh, died 1825. 18. Thomas Lewin, born 1787, died 1854, s.p. 19. Richard J. Lewin, born 1788, died 1827, married Plumer, s.p, 20. Anne Lewin, born 1789, died 1791. 21. Harriet Lewin, born 1792, married George Grote, died 1879, buried at Shere, Surrey. 22. Charlotte Lewin, born 1796, married Thomas Lewin (No. 32), died 1875, buried at Eltham, Kent. 23. Frederick M. Lewin, born 1798, married Diana Babington, died 1877, buried at Bexley, Kent. 24. Frances E. Lewin, born 1804, married Nils von Koch, died 1881 in Sweden. 36o THE LEWIN FAMILY 25. William C. J. Lewin, born 1806, married Jane E. Laprimau- daye, died 1846, buried at Cherra Poonjee, East Indies. 26. George H. Lewin, born 1808, married Mary Friend, died 1857, buried at Highgate. 27. Edward B. H. Lewin, born 1810, married Matilda Rivaz, died 1878, buried at Bexley. 28. Emilius Lewin, born 1811, died 1844, buried at Southgate, s.p. Children of No. 13. 29. Harriet Lewin, born 1789, married F. Reade, died 1845. 30. Richard Lewin, born 1790, married Eliza Sandon, died 1874, s.p. 31. Gregory A. Lewin, born 1794, married Elizabeth Caroline BuUer, died 1845 at Exeter. 32. Thomas Lewin, born 1796, married Charlotte Lewin (No. 22), died 1872, buried at Eltham. 33. Henry Lewin, born 1802, married Mary Wray, died 1890, buried at Eltham, Kent. 34. EUza Henrietta Lewin, born 1783, married Budd, died 1806, 35. Malcolm Lewin, born 1798, married Maria Stevens, died 1869, London. Children of No. 23* 36. Frederick C. Lewin, born 1842, died 1870, s.p. 37. Mary H. Lewin, born 1840, married Thompson. 38. Lionel Lewin, born 1846, died 1874, s.p. 39. Diana Lewin, born , died , married Beamish, 40. Mortimer Lewin, born 1847, married Thompson. 41. JuUa Lewin, born , unmarried. Children of No. 25. 42. Edward P. Lewin, born 1832, married Eliza Prior, died 1857, Lucknow. 43. Jane Lewin, born 1828, unmarried. 44. Frederick D. Lewin, born 1835, married C. Hutchinson. 45. Frances Lewin, born 1839, married Hem-y Green. 46. Octavius Lewin, born 1842, died 1866, s.p. 47. William H. Lewin, born 1844, married C. Elliot. Children of No. 26. 48. Thomas H. Lewin, born 1839, married Margaret McClean. 49. Friend Lewin, born 1843. 50. Harriet Lewin, born 1844, married Bankes TomUn. 51. WiUiam C. J. Lewin, born 1847, married Isabella Lewis, died 1879. THE LEWIN FAMILY 361 52. Isabella Lewin, born 1849, married N. Stevenson. Children of No. 27. 53. Amy Lewin, born 1852, married Atkinson. 54. Arthur Lewin, born 1854, married Chapman. 55. Wilfrid Lewin, born 1856, married (1) Baggaley, (2) Alston. 56. Harold Lewin, born 1859, married Alston. 57. Edith Lewin, born 1861. Children of No. 31. 58. Georgina F. Lewin, born 1825. 59. Adelaide H. Lewin, born 1827. 60. Augusta E. Lewin. 61. Granville F. Lewin, born 1830, married Gertrude Pellew, died 1867. 62. Charles W. Lewin. 63. Reginald W. Lewin. 64. Carohne A. Lewin. Children of No. 35. 65. Richard Lewin. 66. Harriet Lewin. 67. Louisa Lewin. 68. Malcolm Lewin. 69. James Lewini 70. Henry Lewin. 71. Mary M. Lewin. 72. Ellen Lewin, born , married BeU. Children of No. 33. 73. Hendrina M. Lewin, born 1837, married J. Jekin. 74. Henry F. C. Lewin, born 1839, married Mary Grote. 75. Emily Anne Lewin, born 1840. 76. Jessie Lewin, born 1841. 77. Emma C. Lewin, born 1851, married Anderson. 78. Adela C. Lewin, born 1852, married Howe. Children of No. 48. 79. Everest H. G. Lewin, born 1878, married T. M. Macdonald. 80. Charles M. Lewin, born 1880, married B. Barlow-Webb. 81. Audrey H. Lewin, born 1883, married N. E. Waterhouse. INDEX TO VOL. II. Adelsward : Mathilde, Countess, 79, 80 at Nancy, 195, 196 Betrothal to Baron Leijonhufvud, 240 See also Leijonhufvnd, Baroness. Count, 81, 196 M. d', 262 Affleck, Colonel, 128 Airlie, Countess of, 259 Akbarpore, 200 Albert, Prince Consort, 7 Aldersey, Mr., 118, 127 Mrs., 118, 127, 138, 348 Alice, Princess, 250 Allan, Mr., 29 Mrs. (Mary Anne Marsh), 113, 231, Alston, Miss — , see Lewin, Mrs. Harold (56), 361 Miss — , see Lewin, Mrs. Wilfrid (55), 361 Amalgamation of the Queen's and East India Company's Armies, scheme of, 238 Amalie, Queen, widow of Oscar, King Baker, Mrs., 101 Artois, Comte d', afterwards Charles X., 123, 124 Atkinson : Mr., 311 Mrs. (b. Amy Lewin, 53), 361 Austin : Charles, 28 Charlotte, 2 Mrs., 39, 64 Letter to, 228, 229 Baber, Edward, 58 Babington, Diana, see Lewin, Mrs. Frederick M. Baggaley, Miss, afterwards Mrs. Wil- frid Lewin (55), 361 Baggs, Miss, governess, 131 Bain, Professor, of Aberdeen, 42, 242, 260, 297, 317, 322 Editor of Crete's Aristotle, 299 Essay on the Life and Works of George Grote, 313 Letter to, 318, 319 and Mrs., 242 of Sweden, 90 Amberley : Lady, 259, 260 Lord, 260 Amenspurg, Count, 102 Amherst, Lord, 144 Ampere, M., 157 Anderson, Mrs. (b. Emma C. Lewin, 77), 361 Angerstrom : Count, Consul, 104, 105, 107, 108 Miss, 106 Applegate, Sub-Lieutenant, 179 Arfmann, Mary Anne, 135 Argyll, Duke of, Secretary of State for India, Letter to, concerning MSS. on native languages, by Thomas H. Lewin, 272 Aristotle, by George Grote, 270, 304, 307 Arnott, Dr. and Mrs., 242 Mrs. Balfe, M. and Mme., 69 Banda, Nawab of, 205, 208 Barclay : John, 105, 107 Mrs., senr., 107 Barlow-Webb, B., see Lewin, Charles M. Bamum, 70 Barrairon, M., 123 Barron Green, Oxted, former owners of, 2 Bassano, Eugene, Marquis, de, 63 Baudin, M., 243 Mrs., 243, 248 Beamish, Mrs. — , (b. ) Diana Lewin, 360 Beauharnois, Eugene, 32 Beaumont, Gustavo de. Memoirs of Alexis de Tocqueville by, 227, 233 Beck, Mme, 89 Beckford, WiUiam, of Fonthill, 130 Note. — The numbers in brackets ( ) refer to the nnmbers in the Family Registers of Lewin and Hale. 363 364 INDEX Bedford, The Duke of, 336 Bedford, 34 Beetham, Misa, governess, 131, 133, 135, 136, 139 Bell, Mrs. (b. EUen Lewin, 72), 361 Belletti, 69 Bellini, Colonel, 196 Belper, Lord, 307, 317 Lady, 263 Benedict, 110 Benson, Martin, Rev. Mr., 349 Beresford Pierse, of Bedale, 210 Berg, Herr, 73, 101 family, 61, 62 Bemadotte, King Charles John, 19 Bemers, 244 Beynon, Mr., Indigo planter. Experi- ences in the Indian Mutiny, 198, 199, 200 Bhutan, Deb Rajah, 328, 333 Blackett : Mr., 157 Miss, 81, 110, 157 Blake : Colonel, of 33rd regiment, at Edin- burgh, 83 Mrs., 83, 84 Blosset : Sir R. H., 169 Selina Mary, see Grote, Mrs. Greorge, senr. uncle of George Grote, 169 Bodisoho, Russian general, in Sweden, 91, 92, 93, 99 Bonheur, Rosa, 233 Bray, Mr. and Mrs., 336 Bremer, 101 Brewster, Sir David, 34 Bristol, 34 British Agricultural Association, 1860, 213 Brooke : Mary, see Lewin, Mrs. Thomas (4) Mrs., 56, 57, 123 Broughton, Lord, 249 Brown, Mary, see Lewin, Mrs. Richard (8) Buchanan, Mr., of Leny, 83 Buckingham, Lord, 118, 124 Budd: Harry, 167 Henry, Marriages of, 133 Mrs. — , (b. Eliza Henrietta Lewin), 360 Rev. R., 133 Budd family, legacies to, 144 Budgen, Lieutenant, 171 Buffet, M., 157 Buller : Elizabeth Caroline, see Lewin, Mrs. Gregory A. (31) Mrs., 2, 36 Burgess, Rev. Mr., 148 Burke and Fox on Indian Administra- tion, 350 Butler, Fanny, 8 Byomstema, Countess, 101 Call: Mr., 56 Messrs., Bankers, 85 Campbell : Sir Archibald, Governor of Madras, 58, 129 Sir Colin, Commander-in-Chief, Madras, 170, 171, 175, 184 Escape from capture, 172 Relief of Cawnpore by, 180 at the Relief of Lucknow, 188 General order of, on wearing of uniform by officers, 207 Lady, 58 Miss, 106 Mrs., of Kilravoek Castle, 40, 156 Letter of, to Mrs. Thomas Lewin (32), 147, 148 Capron, Dr., medical attendant to Mrs. Grote, 297, 314 Carew, Georgiana, 126 Carew family, of Tor Abbey, 126 Carleton, Mrs., 163 Carpenter, Dr., 295 Carr, Capt. Robert, 56 Carr Glyn, Sir Richard, Banker, 351 Cartwright, Mrs., 254 Casamajor, Mr. and Mrs., 58 Cassidy, Captain, 179 CastigUone-Colonna, Duchess of, 258 Castries, Comte de, emigre, 127 Cavaignac, General, 64 Cawnpore, Relief of, 180 Chaloner : Chaddy, 209 Isabella, 131 Robert, Marriage to Miss Wynch, 167 Sir Thomas, 120 Tim, 167, 209 Miss, afterwards Mrs. Hall, 119, 120, 209 Mrs., 58, 131, 138 Chamberlayne, WiUiam, 133, 134, 139 Chamier, Mr., 129 Chapman, Miss, see Lewin, Mrs. Arthur (54) Chatham, Lord, 119 Cheney, Mr., 243 Chopin,performance by,at the Grotes,62 Chorley : Mr., 2, 3 Mrs., Opinion on Mrs. Grote, 345 Christen, Dr., 91 Circourt, Comte de, 157 Clark, Professor, 242 INDEX 36s Clementson, Mr., Deputy Sergeant-at- Arms, 58 Cobbett, Mr., 139 Cobden, Richard, 42 Cochrane, Lieutenant, 170, 171, 172 Coddington, of the Horse Artillery, 184 Cooper, Betsy, 112 Coorg, Princess of, 163 Corbyn, Mr., 157 Cotton, H., Guide to Calcutta, Extracts from, 169 Crauford, M., 123 Crystal Palace Exhibition, 1851, 75, 78, 79 Cunliffe, The Misses, 297 Dance, Nathaniel, afterwards Lord Holland, 134 Davies, Miss, afterwards Mrs. Orgill, 126, 127, 129, 130 Dealtry, Dr. and Mrs., 133 De Bunsen: Ernest, 164 Chevalier, 163, 197 Admiration for Mrs. Grote, 345 Hilda, Engagement to M. de ICrause, 317 Maud, 89 De Bunsen family, 160, 213 De Crespigny, Colonel, of Eaglehurst, 128 Lady Sarah, 128 Derby, Lord, 213 and the Premiership, 270 Ministry of, 340 De SaUs, 271 Dilklisha, Lucknow, 186 Disraeli, 270, 343 Dixon, Alfred, Horse Artillery, 184 Dolby, Miss, 24 Donellan, Mr., 179 Donovan, Captain, of the Grenadier Company, Edinburgh, 83 Draper, Mrs., 57 Mss, 57 Drummond, Mrs., 163 Dudley, Earl of, 240 DufEerin, Lord, 164 Dummer, Mr., 134 Dundas : John, 149, 211 Hon. Laurence, afterwards Lord, 122 Mr., afterwards Lord Melville, 57 Mrs., 211 Dunoyer, M., 157 Durant, Miss, 242, 249 Durbar at Buxa, Account of, by Captain T. H. Lewin, 328-332 Dvirham, 34 Duval, Mme, 113 Duvergiers, M., 157, 266 Earle, M., 157 East, Lieutenant, 171 Eastlake, Lady: Friendship with Mrs. Grote, 242, 244, 279, 281, 282, 283, 285, 287, 288, 291, 292, 295, 296, 297, 299, 301, 303, 304, 305, 306, 315, 316, 336 Letters of, — To Colonel T. H. Lewin, 349 350, 351, 352 To Mrs. T. H. Lewin (Mar- garet), 352, 353 Sketch by, of Mrs. Grote, 289, 307, 309, 310, 311 Eden, Colonel John, D.A.A.G., in Edinburgh, 83, 84 Edinburgh : Education in, 34 Frederick Lewin's visit to, 83 Edward, Albert, Prince of Wales, Marri- age of, 250 88th Regiment (Connaught Rangers) in the Indian Mutiny, 176 82nd Regiment at Cawnpore, 178 Ella's Winter evening concert at Willis' Rooms, 164 Concert, 229 Elliot: C, »ee Lewin, Mrs. William H. Mrs. Margaret, Letter to, 320, 321 Sir H., 340 Ellis, Rt. Hon. Sir H., 157 Elssler : Fanny, 19, 43, 153, 160, 289 Letters relating to, 2-5 Professional tours in the United States, 3, 4 History of, by Harriet Grote, referred to, 288 George Grote's poetic composi- tions to, 324 Theresa (daughter of Fanny), 19, 23, 43, 153, 160 Marriage to Herr von Webenau, 4, 5, 228. See also tmder Webenau. Ense, Vamhagen von, 39, 41, 49, 50 Eresby, Lord Willoughby d', 82 Ernst, violinist, 71 Evans : C. J.,'D'nder Secretary to the Inspec- tor General of Police, Lower Provinces, Bengal, Extract from Letter of, 170, 182, 253 Mrs., 3 Palkenhohn, 73, 143 Farquhar, Sir Walter, 118 Farrer, Thomas Henry, 336 Fauoher : M. Leon, 54, 79, 80, 81, 110 366 INDEX Faucher {continued) — Mrs., 79, 110, 264, 265 Fellowes, Adjutant of the 31st W. I., 206 Female Artists' Society, 227, 231, 233 Concert given for, by Jenny Lind, 240 Winding-up of, 253 53rd Regiment, 184 Fitzroy : Lady Henry, 125 The Ladies, 131 Fitzwilliam, Lord, 153 Fletcher, Sir Robert, Commander-in- Chief, Madras, 56 Fly on the Wheel, The, by Colonel T. H. Lewin, Letters on, 352-356 Fohmaker, Professor, 88 42nd Highlanders at the relief of Luck- now, 186 43rd Queen's Regiment, 212 Foumet : Dr., 157, 265 Mme., 157 Fox: General, 157, 243 Lieutenant, 34th Regiment, 177, 185 Fox and Burke in India to Administra- tion, 350 Foy, George, British Consul at Stock- holm, 11 Franchomme, violoncellist, 79, 109 Francis, Sir PhiHp, ("Junius"), 59, 121 Franco-Prussian War, 290, 292 Freeling, Mr., I.C.S., 216 Friend, Mary, see Lewin, Mrs. George H. Frith, Rev. Mr., 105 Garcia, Manuel, 69, 164 Gardoni, tenor at Covent Garden, 44, 69, 71 Geer, M. de, 258 George III, at Southampton, 137 Georgii, Herr, 64 Gestrin, Captain, 97, 99 Ghoorkas at the relief of Lucknow, 187 Gibbs, Mr., tutor to the Prince of Wales, 164, 244 Gisbome, Messrs., & Co., Calcutta, 168 Gladstone, W. H. : Letter to Crawford referred to, 265 Referred to, 336 Visit to Mrs. Grote, 324 Goldschmidt : Otto, husband of Jenny Lind, 112, 117, 162 Mrs. Otto, see Lind, Jenny. Gordon : Sir Alexander, 164 Charles, general, 351 Gowers, Mr., 25 Grafton, East Indiaman, 57 Graham, Sir James, 79 Granamont, Duchesse de (nie d'Orsay), 265, 266 Grand : George Franpois, 59 Mme, afterwards Princess Talley- rand : Note as to, 59, 60 Connexion with Thomas Lewin, 121 Grant : General Sir Hope, 184, 200 Sir William, 140 Mr., 56 Granville, Lord, Chairman of London University, 165 Gras, Dorus, singer, 62 Green, Mrs. Henry (b. Frances Lewin), 45 Oreenmch, East Indiaman, 56 GreviUe, H., 244, 265 Grier, Sub- Lieutenant, 179, 180 Grisi, 8 Grosvenor, Miss, 140 Grote : Andrew, 38th Regiment, in India, 23, 227, 259, 313 Arthur, 23, 34, 40, 47, 168, 169, 234, 235 Mrs. Arthur (Helen Anne — ), 169 Charles, 39, 114, 153 Mrs. Charles, 114, 153, 296 Frederick, lieutenant, Bengal Artil- lery, 169 Mrs. George, senior (Selina Mary Blosset), 23, 169 George : Author of History of Greece, 2 Address referred to, 7 Historical work of, 40, 45, 55, 64, 67, 109, 161, 243, 246 111 health of, 60, 276 Appointment as a trustee of the British Museum, 214 Visit to Oxford, 280 Summer tour on the Continent, 251 Work on Plato, 253 Work on Aristotle, 259 Public work of, 270, 271 Portraits of, 271, 286, 291, 298 Peerage ofiered to, 278, 279 Golden wedding, 284 Illness and death, 290, 292-294 Burial in Westminster Abbey, 295 Personal Life of, by Mrs. Grote, referred to, 299, 313, 314, 315, 316 Library of, sent to the University of London, 307 INDEX 367 Grote, George (continued) — Bust placed in Westminster Abbey, 307 Aristotle, Posthumous publica- tion of, 307 Selection of poetry by, published, 309 Minor works of, 318 Essay on Lucretius, 325 Notes on books referred to, 325 Personal character, 344 Letters to, 47-51, 146, 147, 257, 258, 264^267 References to, 2, 3, 18, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 38, 41, 62, 78, 142, 153, 160, 162, 164, 165, 227, 231, 232, 239, 241, 244, 255, 269 Mrs. George (b. Harriet Lewin): Legacy to, 25 Article in the Spectator referred to, 45 Letter in the Spectator signed , " Kleisthenes," 54 Removal to Savile Row, 55 Visits to Paris, 62, 63, 109, 264- 267 Medical treatment in Paris, 64 Polka composed by, 67, 68 Autobiography begun, 69, 72 Reminiscences of early life, 117- 141 Soiree in Paris, 157 " Heidelberg " composition by, 163 Ball given by, 164 Book on Ary SchefEer, 226, 233 Summer tour on the Continent,251 Life of Molesworth by, 259 Review by, of Sir G. C. Lewis' letters, 288 Portraits of, 289 Autograph letter to, from Queen Victoria, 294, 295 Disposal of art treasiires, 310 Death, 344, 348 Personal character and appear- ance, 344—346 Extracts from her joumal — On the suicide of William Presoott, 256, 257 Offer of a Peerage to George Grote, 278, 279 On their golden wedding, 283, 284 On her MSS. History of Fanny Elssler, 288, 289 On winding up of George Grote's affairs, 298, 299 On Grote's intimacy with Fanny Elssler ; and Glad- stone's visit to Mrs. Grote, 324, 325 Grote, Mrs. George {continued) — Letters of — To her sister, Mrs. Thomas Lewin (Charlotte), 2, 3, 7, 8, 52, 53, 74, 75, 173, 174, 243, 244 To her sister Frances (Mme. von Koch), 5-7, 17-19, 23, 24-29, 37-45, 51-55, 60-66, 68-71, 77-81, 108-117, 150- 153, 160-165, 194-197, 213, 214, 225-228, 231-234, 238- 243, 245, 256, 258-260, 262- 264, 267-272, 275, 276, 279- 281, 286-292, 294, 295-297, 303-310, 312-317, 319, 320, 325, 326, 336, 337, 342, 344 To W. C. J. Lewin, 33-35 To Frederick M. Lewin, 46, 47, 81, 82 To George Grote, 47-51 146- 147, 264-267 To Mrs. Austin, 228, 229 To Harriet Martineau, 317,318, 321 To Professor Bain, 318,-319 To Frederick D. Lewin, nephew, 333, 334 To Mrs. Thomas Herbert Lewin, 341 Letters to, 71-76, 141-143, 154- 159, 229, 230, 247, 248, 260-262, 272-275, 277, 278, 281-283. 284r-286, 292-294, 295, 299-303, 311, 312, 321-323, 326, 327, 334-336, 337-342 References to, 2, 31, 32, 76, 82, 359 Mr. and Mrs. George : At East Bumham, 1, 2 At Barrow Green, Oxted, 2 At " History Hut," 2 At 12, Savile Row, 2 Theresa Elssler entrusted to, 4 Lotty, 47, 303, see also Stockwell, Mrs. Joseph, 61, 69, 227, 259, 260, 271, 298 Mrs. Joseph, 65 Mary, afterwards Mrs. Henry F. C. Lewin, 62, 269, 270, 283, 286. 297, 308, 315, 361 Minnie, 47 Robert, I.C.S., 169 Major, 23 Major and Mrs., 343 Professor. — , 242 Grubbe, Mr., 28 Guisborough, Yorks, 210 Guizot, M., 4, 54, 60, 67, 266 Glinther, Julius, 65 368 INDEX GwalioT, Maharajah of, 208 Gwalior sepoys, fighting with, 176 Gwilt, Lieut.-Colonel, 179, 180 Hale: Bernard (27), Letters of, to Edward Hale, his uncle, in Canada, 143, 144, 149-150, 209-211 Mrs. Bernard, 149 Catherine (15), 143 Charlotte, 128, 135 Edward (21)— Letters to, 143, 165-167, 209-211 Death of, 144 Edward (52), Legacy to, 143 Emily (8), 6, 7, 74, 144 George (12), 2nd Queen's Begiment, 129, 144 Harriet (7), afterwards Lady Dun- das, 122 Henry (33), 209 Jack (T), Legacy to, 144, 149 Jane, second wiie of Henry Budd, 133, 135, 136 John (1), General, of The Planta- tion, Guishorough, 1, 52, 58, 119 Mrs. John (General), 58 John (3) of Quebec, 52, 129, 144 Mary, afterwards Mrs. Thomas Lewin, 58, 120 See also Lewin, Mrs. Thomas (1) I Mary Ann, afterwards Mrs. Henry Hale, 143, 209 Richard, the Rev., Letter of, to Mr. Thomas Lewin, junr., 10 Robert, Legacy to, 144 WilUam (9), 143, 165 HaMvy, 71 Hall6, Charles, pianist, 71, 165 Hatton, Professor, viohnoellist, 79 Hamilton, 182 Hamburg, trade of, 85 Hammerburg, Mr. and Mrs., 106 Hampton, Major, CO., 2l8t Native Regiment, 206 Hanbury, Messrs., Bankers, Ham- burg, 85, 86 Hansen, Mr., 87, 89, 90 Miss Steenie, 89, 90 Harcourt, Lady K., 79 Hardwicke, Lord, 50 Harris : Lieutenant Claudius, Engagement to Jenny Lind, 63, 65, Miss — . See Grote, Mrs. Joseph. Harvey, Admiral Sir Eliab, 131, 138 Hastings, Warren, Governor of Ma- dras, 57, 127 Havelock, General, Nephew of, killed, 190 Hawkins, Augusta, 144 Haydn's Creation at Diisseldorf, 160 Hayward, Abraham, 264 Heller, Stephen, pianist, 71 Helps, Sir Arthur, Letter to Mrs. Margaret ElUot, 320, 321 Hermann, M., violinist, 55 Hildebrand, violoncelUst, 109 Hill: F., 76 Rowland, 61 Hildyard, Jack, 211 Hinton, The Misses, School kept by, 131 Hodgson, Colonel, Commanding 38th Bengal Infantry, 331 Holland : Lady, 134 Lord, Death of, 3 Holland House, 3 Holyrood, Edinburgh, 84 Hooker, Sir Joseph, 352, 353 Home, Miss, 130 Howard, George, Hon., 260 Howe, Mrs. (b. Adela C. Lewin, 78), 361 Howell, Mrs. (Aunt of the Grote chil- dren), 47, 48, 62 Howitt, Mary, History of Sweden edited by, 96 Hudlestone, 58 Hutton Bonville, 210 Imlach, Mrs., Legacy to, 143 Inkster, Mr., 84 LitemationaJ Exhibition, 1862, 245] Jackson : Mr. Ralph, 123 Mrs. Ralph (b. Mary Lewin), 120, 359 Mr. Ward, 130 Wilham, of Normanby, 58 James : Lord Justice, 247, 314 Lady, 297 Jameson, Mrs., 2 Jath Horse at Jounpore, 199 Jeken : Dr., 326, 327 Mrs. J. (b. Hendrina M. Lewin, 73), 361 Jenkins, Mr. Abraham, 99 Jhansi, Massacre at, 222 Joachim, violinist: in London, 197 Performance at Stockholm, 335 Jocelyn, Mme., 157 Johnston : Allen, Assistant Military Secretary, 234 Hugh, 36 Johnstone, George, 204, 222 — , 220, 221 , Jones, " Inkerman," 177 ; INDEX 369 Jordan, Lieutenant, 179 Jounpore, 199 Kelly, Colonel, at the Relief of Luck- now, 186, 199, 202 Kemble, Adelaide, singer, 8 Kerjean, M. de, 124 Kiel, 86, 87, 88 Koch: Agathe, see Mrs. Rickert. Ailing, 100 Carl; 103, 339 Fabian, 66, 103, 246, 252, 275, 283, 285 Mrs. Fabian, 323 Hans von, 73, 97, 98 Isabella von 347 Jean, 11, 21, 284 John, 76, 97, 98, 101, 282 Mrs. John, 97 Karl von, 225, 227 Nils von : On the Swedish Reform Bill, 280 Seat in the Swedish Chamber, 335 Letters of — To Greorge Grote, brother-in- law, 253, 254, 257, 258 To Mrs. George Grote, 341, 342 References to, 35, 95, 96, 98, 103, 116, 142, 158, 160, 163, 244, 274, 275, 283, 301, 302, 303, 321, 339 Mrs. Nils von (b. Frances E. Lewin) : Legacy to, 25 Frederick Lewin's visit to, 95 Death of, 357, 358 Letters of— To her brother, W. C. J. Lewin, 30-33 To Mrs. Gieorge Grote, her sister, 66-68, 71-74, 141-143, 154- 159, 229, 230, 247, 248, 272- 275, 277, 278, 281-283, 284- 286, 292-294, 299-303, 311, 312, 321-323, 334-336, 339- 341 To Frederick D. Lewin, her nephew, 347-349 To Lieutenant-Colonel T. H. Lewin, nephew, 350, 351, 354-355 Letters to, 3-7, 17-19, 23-29, 37-40, 43-45, 51, 52, 60-66, 68-71, 76, 81, 108-117, 150, 151, 160-165, 194-197, 213, 214, 225-228, 231-234, 238-243, 245- 247, 248-253, 254-256, 258- 260, 262, 263, 264, 267, 272, 275, 276, 279-281, 286-292, 294-297, 303-310, 312-317, 319, 320, 325, 326, 336, 337, 342-344 References to, 35, 88, 98, 102, 103, 262 VOL. II. Koch {continued) — Octavie, 196 Oscar von: Letter to Mrs. Grote, his aunt, 337-339 References, 66, 95, 96, 142, 233, 275, 306 Rickert : Betrothal, 254 Dramatic composition of, 282 References to, 103, 247, 277, 285, 287 295 Mrs. Rickert (" Agatha "), 283 Sophie, 97, 100, 102, 103, 107 Tom von, 12, 72, 97, 142, 196, 306, 321, 334 Mrs. Tom von (Isabella), 347 Baron von. Death of, 60 Mrs, senior, 97, 98, 102, 103 Kossuth, 99 Krause, M. de, German First Secre- tary, 317 Kreanelm, Colonel Count, 103, 104 Lablache, 7, 8 Labouchere : M., 157 Natalie, 65 La Fayette, Marqviis de, 124 Lamoriciere, 64 Lance, Mr. David, 132 Landseer, Charles : Portrait by, of Mrs. Grote, 289 Death of, at Bowood, 248 Reference, 42 Lansdowne House, Concert at, 62 Laprimaudaye, Jane, see Lewin, Mrs. William C. J. La Tempesta, Performance of, 71 Lauriston, Comte de, 123 La Valette, Marquis de, Fanny Elssler's connexion with, 4, 324 Laurence, Sir Henry, Beleaguered in Lucknow, 183 Lavergne, 115 Layard, Mr., 213, 242, 244, 260 Leijonhufvud : Baron, 73, 240 Mathilda, Countess, formerly Coun- tess Adelsward, Letter to Mrs. Harriet Grote, 260-262 References, 73, 299, Sfrl, 303, 305, 306, 323 Legard, Major, 2nd in command of the 31st Native Infantry, 206 Lemon, Sir Charles, 28 Leone, Countess Bianca, 157 Lewin: Adela C. (78), see Howe, Mrs. Adelaide H. (59), 361 Amy (53), Marriage to Mr. Atkinson, 311, see also Atkinson, Mrs. BB 370 INDEX Lewin {continued} — Anne (20), 122, 359 Arthur (54), 323, 361 Mrs. Arthur (54) (b. Chapman), 361 .Audrey H. (81). iSee Waterhouse, Mrs. N. E. Augusta (36o), Death of, 70 Augusta E. (60), 361 Caroline A. (64), 361 Charles M. (80), 361 Mrs. Charles M. (b. B. Barlow- Webb), 361 Charles W. (62), 361 Diana (39), see Beamish, Mrs. Edith (57), 361 Edward B. (15), 321, 359 Edward B. H. (27): Appointment as Sub-inspeotor of Post Offices, 51 Intimarcy with Jenny Lind, 61, 52 Engagement to Matilda Bivaz, 74 Letters of B. B. H. Lewin : To George H. Lewin, 8-10 To his brother, William Lewin, 19-22 Letters to, 159, 160 References, 25, 29, 38, 41, 42, 44, 61, 102, 151, 244, 246, 276, 280, 281, 282, 288, 296, 301, 303, 311, 323, 357, 360 Mrs. Edward (27) '(b. Mathilda Bivaz), 113, 360 Edward P, (42), 15, 168, 360 Shot in Lidia, 183 Mrs. Edward P. (42), 360 Elizabeth (5) (m. West), 359 Eliza Henrietta (34), see Budd, Mrs. EUen (72), see Bell, Mrs. Emilius (28), 20, 21, 25, 29, 360 Emily Anne (75), 361 Emma C. (77), see Anderson, Mrs. Everest H. G. (79), 361 Mrs. Everest H.G. (79), Mrs. E. H. 6. Macdonald (bom Lewin), 361 Frances E. (24), afterwards Mrs. Nils von Koch, Birth of, 133. See also under Koch, Mrs. NUs von. Frances (45), see Green, Mrs. Henry Frederick M. (23): Legacy to, 25 Diary of, relating to his journey to Sweden, 82-108 Birth of, 124 Affairs of, 151, 152 Letters of — To Mrs. Koch, 76, 77 To Edward B. H. Lewin, 159, 160 Letters to, 46, 47, 81, 82 Lewin, Frederick M., (conHmted) — Beferenoes, 52, 54, 55, 59, 61, 62, 70, 74, 108, 126, 128, 144, 154, 162, 244, 287, 359 Mrs. Frederick M. (23), 50, 51, 52, 55, 76, 81, 117, 154, 161, 164, 369 Frederick C. (36), 99, 242, 287, 288, 360 Frederick Dealtry (44), Letters to, 333, 334, 347, 348 Beferenoes, 135, 232, 242, 255, 276, 281, 285, 286, 287, 302, 303, 307, 310, 312, 316, 324, 325, 339, 343 " Jeanie," 242 Friend (49), 360 George H. (26) : Death, 161 Letters to, 8-10, 13, 14, 16, 17 Beferences, 21, 25, 27, 29, 38, 51, 76, 113, 135, 161, 351, 360 Mrs. George H. (26) (b. Mary Friend), Letters to, 167-172, 174-194, 197-209, 211-225, 234-238 Beferences, 40, 360 Georgina F. (58), 361 Granville F., 361 Mrs. Granville F. (b. Gertrude Pellew), 361 Gregory (14), 122, 359 Gregory A. (31), 360 Mrs. Gregory A. (31) (b. E. C. BuUer), 360. Harold (56), 361 Harriet (21), see Grote, Mrs. George. Harriet (29), 131, see also under Beade, Mrs. F. Harriet (50), see Tomlin, Bankes. Harriet (66), 361 Hendrina M. (73), see Jekin, Mrs. J. Henry (33), 310, 344, 360 Henry C, Captain B.E. (74), 292, 299, 303, 308, 309, 316, 319, 324, 361 Mrs. Henry F. C. (b. Mary Grote), 37, 319, 324, 361 Henry (70), 361 Isabella (52), see Stevenson, Mrs. N. James (69), 361 Jane (43), Letter to Mrs. George Lewin, 327, 328 Letter to, 172 Beferences, 16, 308, 310, 312, 320, 360 Jessie (76), 307, 308, 309, 315, 316, 320, 325, 336, 343, 361 John (2), 359 John (3), 359 John (7), 359 John B. (16), 359 Johnnie, Death of, 6 INDEX 371 Lewin {continued) — JuUa (41), 88, 360 Lionel Henry, 38, 77, 360 Louisa (67), 361 Malcolm (35), 360 Mrs. Malcolm (35), (b. Maria Stevens), 360 Malcolm (68), 361 Mary (10) (m. MarshaU,) 359 Mary (12), see Jackson, Mrs. R. Mary Hale (17), afterwards Mrs. Marsh) : Birth, 58 Attachment to William Shireff,138 School days, 131 References, 126, 137, 139 MaryH. (37), see Thompson, Mrs. MaryM. (71), 350, 361 Mortimer (40), 360 Mrs. Mortimer (40) (b. Thompson), 360 Octavius (46), 360 Reginald W. (63), 361 Richard, Captain (8), 56, 121, 122, 133, 359 Mrs. Richard (8) (b. Mary Brown, 123, 359 Richard (13), 57, 58, 122, 359 Mrs. Richard (13) (b. H. Vander- poel), 351, 359 Richard John (19): Birth of, 59 Personal character, 354, 355 References, 122, 124, 132, 359 Mrs. Richard John (19), 359 Richard (30), 360 Mrs. Richard (30) (b. Eliza Sandon), 360 Richard (65), 361 Robert (9), 359 Thomas (1), 359 Thomas (4), 359 Mrs. Thomas (4) (b. Mary Brooke), 359 Thomas (6), 359 Thomas (11): Death, 25 Will, 25 Loss of pedigree of, 350 Pm-chase of "The HoUies," 46 Memorandum on, written by Charlotte, his daughter, 56-59 Marriage with Mary Hale, 120 Connection with Mme Grand, 121 Personal appearance and char- acter, 121, 124, 125 Relations with Mr. Whitehill, 350 Letter of, to Thomas Herbert Lewin (godson), 145, 146, 147 References to, 6, 24, 118, 131, 359 Mrs. T. (11) (b. Mary Hale), 128, 129, 139 Lewin (conlimied)— Thomas (18): Legacy to, 25 Purchase of the Hollies, 25, 26 Birth, 58 Death, 147-149, 151, 152, 156 Letter to, 10 References to, 12, 18, 23, 24, 25. 28, 34, 40, 62, 105, 132, 139, 142, 359 Thomas (32) : m health, 276, 290, 292 References, 6, 13, 25, 76, 227, 242, 280, 281, 299, 300, 306, 359, 360 Mrs. Thomas (32) (b. Charlotte Lewin, 22) : Memorandum by, concerning her father, Thomas Lewin, 56-59 Legacy to, 25 Birth of, 124 Ilbiess, 308, 309, 310 Death of, 327 Will of, 334 Letters of — To her brother, George H. Lewin, 13, 14, 16, 17 To Frederick Mortimer Lewin, 35—37 Letters to, 2, 3, 7, 8, 52, 53, 147, 148, 173, 174, 243, 244 References to, 5, 6, 18, 24, 25, 62, 70, 74. 76, 118, 126, 151, 162. 164, 213, 242, 271, 280, 281, 292, 299, 300, 304, 306, 311, 320, 326, 359, 360 Thomas Herbert (48): Before Lucknow, 186 Gazetted to the 31st Native Infantry Regiment, 202 Appointment to Military Police, Bengal, 234 District Superintendent of Police, Noakhally, Extract from a letter, containing favourable mention of, 253 Extract from letter referring to MSS. of, 272 Second Departm-e for India, 289 Marriage to Mrs. Margaret Elliot (b. McCIean), 321 Letter referring to, 326 Deputy Commissioner of Cooch Behar, Translation of a letter to, from the Deb Rajah of Bhutan, 333 Letters of — In India, to his mother, Mrs. Lewin, 167-172, 174-194, 197-209, 211-218, 219-225, 234r-238 To his cousin. Miss J. E. Lewin, 172, 173 372 INDEX Lewin, Thomas Herbert, Letters of {continued) — To the Officer commanding at Hameerpore, 218, 219 Letter of, containing an account of a Durbar, 328-332 Letters to, 145, 146, 147, 349, 350, 357 References to, 40, 278, 281, 286, 287, 320, 324, 326, 360, 362 Mrs. T. H. (Mrs. Elliot, b. Margaret MoClean), 320, 321, 360 Letter to, 341 Wilfrid (55), 361 William C. J. (25): Xiegacy to, 25 Death of, at Cherrapoonjee, 45 Letters of — To his brother, George Herbert Lewin, 14-16 To George Grote, 29, 30 Letters to, 11-13, 19-22, 30-35 References, 23, 24, 242, 309, 360 Mrs. W. C. J. (25) (b. Jane E. Laprimaudaye), 151, 260, 264, 271, 276. 312, 320 William C. J. (51), 360 Mrs. William C. J. (51) (b. Isabella Lewis), 360 William H. (47), 360 Mrs. WilHamH. (47) (b. C.Elliot), 360 Lewis : Mr. and Mrs. Frankland, 19 G., 19 Sir G. E. : Letters of, reviewed by Harriet Grote, 288 Grote's letters to, 298 Paper on, by Mrs. Grote, 325 Secretary for War, Reference to, 243 ; Sir Gilbert, 298 Isabella, see Lewin, Mrs. W. C. J. Lady, 174, 251 Linant, Comtesse de, 233 Lind, Jenny, afterwards Mme Otto Goldschmidt : At Aix, 40, 41 At Spohr's Concert, 49 Harriet Grote's affection for, 53, 54 Intimacy with Edward Lewin, 54 Engagement to Lieutenant Claudius Harris, 63 Wedding arrangements, 65 At Stockholm, 68 Professional engagement at Stock- holm, 70 Professional visit to United States, 79, 80, 81 Retirement of, 143 Performance in Haydn's GreaHon,160 Birth of a daughter to, 231 Lind (continued) — Concert given by, 240 References, 23, 38, 39, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 55, 61, 66, 67, 69, 71, 110, 112, 116, 117, 156, 157, 161, 162, 165, 197, 213, 227 Lindblad, Herr, 103, 143, 227, 228 Lindquist : Mr. and Mrs., 338 Nana, Marriage with Oscar von Koch, 338 Lindstrom, tutor, 73 " Lionne," 61, 63, 109, 248 Lister, Arthur, Letter of, to Colonel T. H. Lewin, 353 Literary Gazette, Extract from, on Hale, at Quebec, December, 1847, 52 Liverpool, Lord, of Buxted Park, Sussex, 79 Llamberg, Miss, afterwards Mrs. John Barclay, 105 Lloyd : Rev. Charles : Engagement to Miss Sheffield, 7 Legacy to, 144 Trustee for George Grote, 296 References, 23, 25, 166, 249, 298, 303 Mrs. Charles, 39, 40, 143, 144 Emma, Letter of, to Edward Hale in Canada, 165-167 Captain, of The Hawk sloop of war, 56 Major, 66th Regiment, 167 London University: New Charter to, 165 School of Art added to, 291 Longhall, Yorks, 209 Louis Napoleon, 2, 80, 102, 290 Lowe : Robert, M.P., 240 Mr. and Mrs., 213 Lowis, Edward, Lieutenant, 253 Lubbock, Sir John and Lady, 288 Luoknow, Relief of, 186-189 Ludlow, 34 Lumley, Mr., Manager of Covent Garden Opera : FSte given by, to Scribe and Hal6vy, 71 References, 42, 55, 61 Lyons : SirEdmond, 84, 96, 97, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 107 Lady, 97, 103 Captain, 97 Lyvedon, Lady, 320 Maberly, The Misses, 42 McClean : Margaret, see Lewin, Mrs. Thomas H. Mr., 320 INDEX 373 Macdonald, T. M., see Lewin, Mrs. Everest H. G. Macdougall, Sir Duacan, 84 McNab, Sir Alexander, 149 Macnaughton : Stewart, of Invertrosachs, 82 Lady, 82 Mrs., formerly Mrs. Shedden, 82 Maddison, Messrs., 99 Malcolm, John, 36 Malets, 247 Mansfield, Lord, 123 Marcet, Mrs., 48 Marsh : C, 244 Hippisley, 15, 16, 18, 24, 25, 139 Mrs. Hippisley (b. Mary Lewin), 24, 35, 359 Isabel, 33, 163 Louisa, 61 Lucy, 13, 22, 24, 25 Maryanne, 22, 24, 25, 29 Marshall : Mrs. (UUswater), 69 Mrs., see Lewin, Mary (10). Marie Antoinette, 123 Marriott, Captain, 171 Marske Hall, 211 Martin : George Sullivan, 129 Mrs., 348 Martineau, Miss Harriet, 19, 273, 317, 318 Marwood of Busby, 210 Materly, Mme., 157 Maxwell, Mr. John, 56 Mayne: Frank, Magistrate of Banda District, Escape from mutineers, 205 Captain, 3rd Irregular Indian CavahTT, 204, 205, 208 Mayo, Lord, 353 Melbourne, Lord, Ministry of, 50 Mechi, Mr., Model Farm at Tiptree, 93 Mee, Mr., architect, 96 Melville, Lord, see Dundas, Mr., 57 Memoirs of a Contemporary, The, Extract from, on Mme Grand, 59, 60 Mendelssohn, Felix, Friendship with Mrs. Grote, 49, 345 Menzies, Captain, 1st Madras Fusiliers, 203 Meredith, George, Letter of, to Colonel T. H. Lewin, 355, 356 Messiter, 182 Meyerbeer, 23 Middleton, Nathaniel, 127 Mignet, M^, 157 Milbanke, Lady, 140 Mill, J. S., Reviewer in the Edinburgh Review, 41 Mill, J. S. {continued) — Autobiography of, 318 References to, 242, 260, 287, 289, 305 Review in the Spectator of Grote's History, 64 Millais, J. E., Portrait of Grote by, 286, 291 Milman : Mr., Review in the Quarterly, 41 Mrs., 249 Mihies, Monckton, M.P., 28, 71 Minto, Earl of. Life of, referred to, 320 Mohl, 266 Moira, Lord, 130 Molesworth, Sir William, of Pencarrow, Cornwall : Life of, by Harriet Grote, 259 References, 2, 6, 26 Moline, Edward, 21 Mobque, 164 Moltke, Count, Prime Minister of Sweden, 90 Money, Major, Deputy Commissioner of Julpaigori, 328, 330 Montgomery : Sir Henry, 87, 105 Colonel Peter, 88 Mr., 79 Moore : Colonel, 42 Major, 128 Mowbray, George, 58 Mourier, Adolphe, 89 Camilla, 89, 90, 91 Commodore, 89 Mme., 90, 91, 98 Mulgrave, Lord, 137 MuUer, Max, Biographical Essays/ Miiller (?), musicians, of Brunswick, 86 Murchison, Sir Roderick, 42 Murray, John, publisher, 309, 352 Mussy, Dr. de, 259, 268, 276, 290, 291 Nana Sahib, 184, 185 Napoleon Buonaparte, 141, 142, 143 Napoleon III, see Louis Napoleon. Nelson, Lord, Death of, 141 Newton, Charles, keeper of Greek Antiquities, British Museum, 243, 306 Ninth Lancers at Relief of Lucknow, 183, 184 Ninety-third Highlanders at the ReUef of Lucknow, 186 Norman, Henry, 206 George, 309 G. W., 336 Norwich, Bishop of, 49 Nozze de Figaro, Performance in Stockholm, 97 INDEX 375 Bose: Dr., 89 Frances, 133 Gteorge of Cufinalls, New Forest, 133, 137, 140. 142 Miss, 140 Bosen : Count, 97, 98 Countess, 96, 100 Rosenthal, Mrs., 83 Boss, Sir John,Briti3h Consul at Stock- holm, 12 Bossi, Mile. (Mme. Sontag), 69 Bothschild : Baron, 271 Baroness, of Mentmore, 304 Bubinstein in London, 197 Budeshell, Count, 101 Bumbold, Sir Thomas, Governor of Madras, 57 Buskin, John, Letters to Colonel T. H. Lewin, 352, 363, 354 Bussell, John Francis, son of Lord Amberly, godson of Harriet Grote, 260 St. Andrews, 34 Saint Hilaire, Barth^lemy, 265 Salis : Comte de, 157 Mile, de, 157 Salisbury, Marquis of, 324 Sampson, Dudley, cadet, 181, 182 Sandon, Eliza, see Lewin, Mrs, Biohard (30) Sartoris, Adelaide, 71, 213 Say: Horace : Letter to Mrs. Harriet Grote, 75, 76 Visit to London, 79 Beference, 146 Leon, Friendship with Mrs. Grote, 345 Octavie, see Duval Saye, Harriet, 245, 273 Schefier : Ary: Life by Harriet Grote, 226, 233, 252 Exhibition of pictures of, 249 Friendship with Mrs. Grote, 345 Beference, 110, 157 Mme., 157 Schroeder, M., 98, 101, 103 Scott, Bev. James, 118 Scribe, 71 Seaton, Mr. and Mrs., 107, 108 Seguin, Mrs., 7 Sell, Mrs., 174 Senior : Nassau, 42, 65, 79, 80, 81, 109, 146, 153, 244 Senior (continued) — Miss, 74, 308 Mrs. Nassau, 164 Mrs. Nassau, junr., 79 Sergeantsons, 209 Serle, Mary, 129 Seventeenth Madras Native Infantry, 191 Seventh Hussars, 184 Sevignd, Mme. de, Mrs. Grote's visit to chfiteau, 45 Shadwell, Lady, 78, 82 Sharp, Mr., 139 Shaw, Lieutenant, 170 Shaw Lefevre, Lady, 164 Shedden : Mrs., 82 Mrs., see Macnaughton, Mrs. Sheffield, Miss, Engagement to Charles Lloyd, 7 Shirefi: Eliza, 130, 138 WiUiam, 138, 244 General, 130, 138 Miss, 125 Sikh Begiment's games, 203, 204 Simpson : Colonel, at Cawnpore, 177 Mrs. (Miss Nassau Senior), 308 Skelton Castle, 210 Skipwith, Mrs., 355 Slater, Mr., painter, 134 Small: Thomas : Letter of, to George Grote referred to, 52 Letter to, 52 Smelt, Mrs, twin sister of Mrs. Thomas Lewin (11), Letter of, to Mrs. Thomas Small, of Guisborough, 52 Beference, 20 Smith: Mr. C, 56 Sydney, 3, 345 Dr. WilUam, 295, 307, 320, 344 352 Sontag : M., 69 Mme., 69 Spohr, Concert performance of, in London, 49 Spottiswoode, The Misses, 292, 325 Squire, Mr. Fred, 8 Stackelburg : Coimt, 98 Mile., afterwards Countess Adels- ward), see Leijonhufvud, Baroness. Stainforth, Maria, afterwards Mrs. Dealtry, 133, 135 Stanhope, Lord, 248 376 INDEX Stanley : Arthur P. : Lectures at Oxford on Ecclesiastical History, 164 Letter to Mrs. Grote on the death of her husband, 295 Keferences, 174, 231, 233, 249, 305 Mrs., 81, 164, 197, 213, 231, 233, 242, 259 Staples, Dr., 328 Stephen, Mrs. LesUe, 355 Stephenson, Mrs., 231 Stevens, Maria, see Lewin, Mrs. Malcolm (35) Stevenson, Mrs. N. (b. Isabella Lewin, 52), 361 Sterling, Selina, 334 Stewart : Douglas, 82 Captain (Horse Artillery), 179, 184 Stockholm : Theatrical performance at, 90 To Gottenburg, journey by dili- gence, 103, 104 Political affairs in, 257 StockweU : Captain, 303 Mrs. (Lotty Grote), 266, 303 Stone, Miss H., 70, 72, 75 Stopford Brooke, 340 Strange, Sir Thomas, 139 Streleski, Count, 244 Strutt, Mr., of Kingston Hall, Derby, 49, 69, 75 Mrs., 75 Suhvan, Laurence, 57 Richard, 56 Stephen, 57 SulUvan, Mr. John, 118 Mr. — , 124 Summer, Mr. Charles, 4 Sweden : Woman sufirage in, 250 Position of women in, 322 Talleyrand, Prince, 59, 121 Tamburini, 8 Target : Mon., 157 Mme., 157 Tate: Mr., 139 Miss, 139, 140 Tattersall, George, 96 Temple, Sir Richard, Lieutenant-Gov- ernor of Bengal: Letter to Mrs. George Grote, 326-327 References, 329, 330, 332 Templer, Mr., 59, 126 Thalberg, pianist, 55 Thiers, M., 75, 146, 157 Thirty-eighth Regiment, 184 Thirty-first Native (Indian) Infsmtry Regiment, 201, 202 Thirty-fourth Grenadier Company, 178, 185 Thompson, Mrs. — (b. Mary H. Lewin), 37, 360 Miss — , see Lewin, Mrs. Mortimer. Tjukrenler, 103, 104 TocqueviUe : Alexis de: Visit to Italy, 80, 81 Memoirs of, 226, 227 Life by De Beaumont, 233 Quinze Jours dans le Desert, by, 233 Letters, etc., of, by Mrs. Simpson, 308 Friendship with Mrs. Grote, 157, 345 References, 64, 79, 153, 213, 249 Mme. de, 45, 64, 153 Tomlin, Mrs. Bankes (b. Harriet Lewin, 50), 360 Topping, Mr. Michael, 59 Toppings, Mr. — , Edgware Road, 57 Trafalgar, Naval victory at, 141 Trelawny, Mrs. J., 28 Lady, 174, 265, 283, 294 Trevelyan, Lady, 349 Triqueti : Baron de, 233, 249, 252, 264 Baroness de, 264, 266 Tunbridge, 34 Turkish affairs, 340 Tutein, Mr., 87 Twisleton, Mr. and Mrs., 213 Upleatham, Yorks, 209 Vanderpoel, H. See Lewin, Mrs. Richard (13) Vanquist, 67 Vansittart, East India ship, 56 Varendorf, Baron, 99 Vaughan, Dr., 231 Victoria, Queen : State ball of, 7 And Jenny Lind, 80 Autograph letter to Mrs. Grote, on the death of her husband, 294, 295 Vicy, Mr., 106 Vijk, Mr., 108 Virgalosa, Mr., 105 Vivier, French Horn player, 69 Vogt: Herr, 97, 99, 101 Mile., 99, 102 VoMin, Mr., 97, 98, 99, 100, 101 VoiUemot, Mme., 265 Volunteer Corps (1805), 139 INDEX 377 Waohtmeister, Count, 356 Waddington, W., 23, 265, 266, 267 Wsems, Mr., 9 Wales, Edward, Prince of, 335 Ward, Mr. Plumer, 289 Warde, Admiral and Mrs., 242 Warendorf, Baron, 101 Waterhouse, Mrs. N. E. (b. Audrey H. Lewin), 361 Webb, John, shipbuilder, 56 Webenau : Mme. (Therdse Elssler), 228, 288, 289 Capt. Victor von, 228, 337 Herr von (husband of Theresa Elssler), 5, 288 Webster, Mrs., 17, 25 Werle6, M., Capitaine du Port, Chan- dernagore, 59 West: Mrs, see Lewin, Elizabeth (5) — , painter of The Death of Wolfe, 119 Wetenhale, Mrs., Legacy to, 143 Wharton, John, of Skelton Castle. 167, 209 Mrs. John, 209 Wheeler, Brigadier, 206, 207, 212 White, Arthur, 9 Whitehill, Mr., 57, 350 Widmans, 66 Wigram, Mr., Assistant Magistrate, 219 Wikoff, M., Fanny Elssler's acquain- tance with, 324 Wilson, Brigadier, 179 Winchester, 34 Winthrop, Captain, 132 Wislez, Caroline, governess, 54, 60, 61, 109, 243, 246, 247, 248 Wolfe, General, and General Hale at Quebec, 52, 119 Wolowski : Mr., 157, 265 Mme., 157 Wolstonholme, Miss, afterwards Mrs. William Prescott, 257 Woman Suffrage in Sweden, 250 Woronzow : Catinka, Countess, 139 Simon, Count, 139 Wray, Mary, see Lewin, Mrs. Henry (33), 360 Wrede : Baron, 101, 228, 356, 357 Baroness, 101, 356, 357 Wynch, Miss, alterwards Mrs. Chalo- ner, 167 Wj^dham, General, commanding at Cawnpore, 175 Wynne : Sir Henry, British Minister at Stockholm, 90 Miss, afterwards Cotintess of Eg- mont, 118 Sir Watkin, 90 Yeoman : Mrs. Anne, 132 Henry, 34, 132 Lady M., 211 Miss — , afterwards Mrs. John Wharton, 167 Yorgensen, Mr., 90 Yule: Sir Henry, C.B., Letter to Colonel T. H. Lewin, 355 Captain, 168 Zetland, Lord and Lady, 107 Butlec aad Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome and Londoa. C C ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. THE LEWIN LETTERS. Vol. II. Page 1, line 7. Road " an " for " and." P. 5, 1. 7. " BBBler " should be " Elssler." P. 18, 1. 6. " Welch " should be " Welsh." P. 18, 1. 4 from end. For " is " read "his." P. 19, 1. 16. G. Lewis afterwards Sir GJeorge Cornwall Lewis, Bart. P. 41, 1. 11. "His grey hair "—age then 36. P. 42, 1. 13. " Lotty," i.e. Charlotte Grote, who married Captain Stockwell. P. 43, 1. 3. Read " Elssler " for EUsler. P. 52, 1. 19 from end. " Printer " should be " painter." P. 53. For page 53 read page 52. P. 63, 1. 6 from end. " Kindness shown him " in 1826. (See Vol. I, p. 213.) P. 66, 1. 14 from end. " Fever " should be " fever." P. 76, 1. 12 from end. " douancs " should be " douanes." P. 76, 1. 8 should be " recevoir," " d6vouement." P. 81, 1. 3 from end. Golden-looks = Charlotte Grote. P. 143, 1. 5. "Jane" = Jane Hale (196) married Budd. P. 144, note. The note seems to imply that the letter was written to Edward Hale No. 24,- who was the writer's brother. It was, in fact, addressed to Edward Hale No. 21, his uncle. See pp. 149, 165. P. 147. Heading of second letter " Mrs. Thomas Lewin " — No. 22 in Register of Lewins. See end of Vol. II. P. 148, 1. 1. For "to-day" read "toddy." P. 149, 1. 8 from end. " Mary " = No. 31 his sister, married Hotham. P. 151, 1. 13. " Dire mishap " — the death of her only child. P. 151, 1. 8 from end. " Sister Jane " = the wife of William Lewin No. 25. P. 157. " Soir6e chez, Madame Grote " delete the comma. P. 158, 1. 19. For " Landbladish " read " Lindbladish." P. 167. " Chalford, St. GUes " should be " Chalfont St. GUes, Bucks." P. 186, 1. 17. The founder was General Martin. P. 187, 1. 3 from end. Add brackets " (in which we are lost)." P. 192, 1. 5. For 1857 read 1858. And same page, 1. 6, for 1655 read 1858. P. 197, 1. 8 from end, should be " owners up." P. 201, 1. 8. For "breeching" read "breaching." P. 202, 1. 5 from end. L.N.I, should be " N.L.I.," Native Light Infantry. P. 226, I. 22. For " eniment " read "eminent." P. 234, 1. 12 from end. " Allen Johnson." P. 242, 1. 4 from end. "Fred Dawdle" = No. 44. Lewin Register end of Vol. n. P. 248, 11. 12-15. For " Wizlez " read " Wislez." P. 249, 1. 6. " My book " = " Collected Papers in Prose and Verse " pub- Ushed in 1862. P. 250, 1. 1. " Christ Church." Same page, 1. 6, for " rediculous " read " ridiculous." P. 258, 1. 5. "Nobility," for "noblity." P. 262, 1. 19. Read "school" for "shod." P. 289, 1. 7 from end. Read "pleasing" instead of " pleaaing."^ P. 320, 1. 6 from end. For " compositions " read " composition." P. 332, 1. 23. For " repees " read " rupees." P. 337, 1. 12 from bottom. For " Norweigian " read "Norwegian." P. 338, 1. 20 from bottom. " His prospects " should be " her son's pros- pects." 132 THE LEWIN LETTERS admiration which I experienced in my childhood whilst pajdng a long visit at New Place with my brother Tom, who was home for the hohdays from Harrow school. All the Chaloner girls, however, appeared to my ignorant gaze as angeUc beings, whose condescension in speaking kindly to me I regarded with deep gratitude. 1802. My father went into Yorkshire in October of this year to visit his wife's family and his own relations in Cleveland. In December my brother John Dick (as he was called) returned from a twenty-one months' absence in the Mediterranean, being a midshipman on board a frigate commanded by Capt. Winthrop E..N., a great friend of our family. Much fuss was made on the occasion for a space, and then the habitual discipline of the house was made manifest by the young ofl&cer being deprived of his dinner one day for some small offence he had committed, he being fourteen years old at the time. He soon after left the Navy and entered the East India Company's Service as mid- shipman by the advice of Mr. David Lance, a neighbour and friend of ours, himself a member of the East India Company's civil service, having been supercargo at Canton for many years. 1802. One of our servants bathing in the Itchen River ruptured himself and shortly after died. When laid out in his shroud we were taken to see the corpse. This was the first time I ever saw one who was dead. The impression this made upon me was deep and solemn. Poor John Wagstaff was a fine young man of about twenty-seven years of age and comely to look upon. About this period my mother's nephew, Henry W. Yeoman, and his mother, Mrs. Yeoman (Anne, who was my mother's twin sister), came to visit us. They arrived somewhat unexpectedly late at night, and young Henry Yeoman was put into my bed with me, where I was Ipng asleep for the night — ^he and I being about ten years old respectively. I mention this shght circum- stance as shewing how httle was thought in those days of what we now call " indehcacy " We did not know each other, and I recollect feeHng exceedingly annoyed at a great boy being bundled into my press-bed with such scant ceremony ; but we soon fell asleep and never thought more about it till the morning, and the next day another bed was provided for my cousin. 1803. The neighbours instituted a kind of social club, which consisted in each house providing an evening's entertainment once a fortnight ; there was card-playing, dancing and music, with hght refreshments. People seldom went to London — THE LEWIN LETTERS 133 the war kept every English family at home, and the ties of neigh- bourhood were of a truly kind and friendly character. My father and mother confided their family affairs to more than one neighbour, and took counsel with some as to the destination of their sons and other points with perfect reliance on their good feeUng and attachment. During the whole of the spring and summer of 1803 the house at Ridgeway was being transmogrified into a Castle with a high tower, from which floated subsequently an ensign, with the Union Jack in the corner, when the Lewin family was in residence. During these alterations we children were lodged at Whitlock's farm hard by with Miss Beetham, whilst our parents stayed with our Grandfather, Captain Richard Lewin, at the HolHes, near Bexley, Kent. A family came to Uve in the summer at a house at Itchen Ferry, with whom we made acquaintance, and I became the playmate and loving friend of the eldest daughter, Maria Stainforth. She afterwards married Dr. Dealtry, Archdeacon of Surrey, but I never could get any accurate information about her, though I tried to do so. My brother Tom being now eighteen years of age, was sent to Oxford, after Christmas, to Corpus Christi CoUege, in the care of the Rev. R. Budd, whose brother, Henry Budd, married first, the daughter of my Uncle Richard Lewin, and secondly, my mother's younger sister, Jane Hale. He married a third time also, I believe, dying only in 1853. 1804. In February of this year Mrs. Lewin gave birth to a girl who was in due time christened by the names of Frances Eliza, after Miss Frances Rose, daughter of the Right Honour- able Gteorge Rose of Cuffnalls, New Forest, and Miss Ehza ShirrefE. This little creature became the plaything and the idol, I may say, of everybody who approached her. The Godfather was a certain WiUiam Chamberlajme, a gentleman residing about two miles from Ridgeway at a dehghtful house which he had built on the banks of Southampton Water called Weston Grove. He was about forty years of age at this period, unmarried, and wealthy, with a singular charm of conversation and a gift for public oratory. He had read much and travelled a good deal. He avoided general society on principle, but with our family he cultivated a close intimacy, and we met constantly, sometimes at our respective houses, sometimes saihng in my Father's yacht. A maiden sister resided with Mr. Chamberlayne, a woman of ordinary capacity, and with no pretentions to attractiveness. Mr. Chamberlayne's father had been SoUcitor to the Treasury,