Edinburgh Bookshelf

Kay's Originals Vol. 2

Search

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 199 By those assembled, however, he was received with a degree of respect scarcely to have been expected in the then excited state of the public mind. Amongst those that pressed forward to bid him welcome was a jolly Newhaven fishwoman, who, pushing every one aside, seized the hand of the King as he was about to enter his carriage, and with a hearty shake exclaimed, “0, sir, I’m happy to see ye again among decent folk.” Charles smiled, and asking her name, she replied-“ My name’s Kirsty Ramsay, sir, and mony a guid fish I hae gien ye, sir ; and mony a guid shilling I hae got for’t thirty years sin syne.” On the Saturday following his arrival a dinner was given to between thirty and forty respectable citizens, by several of the ex-monarch’s old tradesmen, in honour of his return to Edinburgh. The entertainment took place in Johnston’s Tavern, at the Abbey. After dinner the party repaired to the Palace square, and serenaded its inmates with the old Scotch song “Should auld acquaintance be forgot,” which was excellently sung in parts by about twenty individuals. Three hearty cheers followed the conclusion of the song. The Duc and Duchesse d’sngouleme, having travelled incognito by land, arrived at Douglas’s Hotel on the 27th of October. From thence, in the course of a few days, they removed to No. 21 Regent Terrace, where they passed the winter, as apartments in Holyrood House had not been prepared for them. Besides the parties already mentioned, the Duchesse de Berri, the Baron de Damas, the Marquis de Barbancois, the Abbe de Moligny, and several other persons of high rank, were in the train of the King: most of whom maintaining separate establishments in various quarters of the city, diffused a considerable custom amongst the merchants and tradesmen of Edinburgh. To the poor of the Canongate Charles was extremely liberal, causing a daily supply of provisions to be distributed ; and he allowed his medical attendant, Dr. Bugon, a considerable sum weekly to procure medicine for poor patients, who also received advice gratis from this distinguished physician.’ Nor was the generosity of his Majesty limited to the immediate locality of the Palace. Both he and other members of the family contributed frequently and liberally to the funds of the Poor’s House, the House of Refuge, and other charities. They also gave a handsome donation for the purpose of educating the children of the poor Irish resident in Edinburgh. Whilst they resided in this city, the conduct of the illustrious exiles was unobtrusive and exemplary. Charles himself, it was remarked, appeared thoughtful and melancholy. Be frequently walked in Queen Mary’s garden, being probably pleased by its seclusion and proximity to the Palace. Here, with a book in his hand, he used to pass whole hours in retirement ; sometimes engaged in the perusal of the volume, and anon stopping short, apparently absorbed in deep reflection. In dress and appearance on these occasions, he had very much the appearance of a plain country gentleman, though he who paused 1 There were h all a hundred persons in hia suite. 3 The Doctor having been verysuccessful in the cure of disease, obtained the reputation of considerable science and skill. He was consulted by numerous wealthy aa well as indigent persons. I
Volume 9 Page 268
  Enlarge Enlarge  
200 EIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. to look again might easily discover, in his bearing and manner, enough to recall the remembrance of his high lineage and unexampled misfortunes. Charles sometimes indulged in a walk through the city ; but the crowds of people that usually followed him, anxious to gratify their curiosity, in some measure detracted from the pleasure of these perambulations. When he first appeared in this manner, a few days after his arrival, he escaped observation for some time ; but in Hanover Street the crowd became so great that, though not the slightest insult was offered him, he deemed it prudent to abridge his walk ; and passing along the Mound returned to the Palace by the High Street and Canongate. With the exception of a slight stoop, the King appeared so little altered since he had formerly sojourned in Edinburgh, that many old people easily recognised him. Though far advanced in year$, he walked with a firm step ; and his health and strength were such that he often went on shoot,- ing excursions, accompanied by the Duc d'Angouleme and his suite ; sometimes crossing the ferry to Fordel, the estate of Sir Philip Durham, but more frequently enjoying himself on the property of the Earl of Wemyss. That his Majesty was an excellent shot, the quantity of game brought home to Holyrood House amply testified. In Dalmeny Park, on one occasion, he bagged thirty-six pheasants, besides hares and partridges, in an incredibly short space of time. In their habits and general deportment the Duc and Duchesse d'dngouleme, or more properly speaking, the Dauphin and Dauphiness, were as unostentatious as his Majesty. Early in the morning of a market-day, they might be met armin- arm perambulating the Canongate and High Street, apparently much interested in the busy scene around them ; the one attired in an old blue greatcoat, the other enveloped in a cloak not mantle, or much superior in appearance. Unlike the Duke, however, the Duchess was a well-proportioned, active-looking woman. The former, strict in his religious observances, was a regular attendant at mass ; the latter employed more of her time in the perusal of books, or in carrying on a correspondence with the friends of the family in France. Arthur's Seat and the King's Park afforded many a solitary walk to the exiled party, and they seemed much delighted with their residence. It was evident from the first that Charles, when he sought the shores of Scotland, intended to make Holyrood House his home j and it may be imagined how keenly he felt, on finding himself, after a residence of nearly two years, under the necessity of removing to another country. Full of the recollection of former days, which time had not effaced from his memory, he said he had anticipated spending the remainder of his days in the Scottish capital, and laying his bones amongst the dust of our ancient kings in the Chapel of Holyrood. . The unexpected departure of Charles and his suite is ascribed to a remonstrance addressed by Louis Philippe to the British Government, which, having recognised the latter as King of the French, felt it necessary to discountenance the foreign correspondence alleged to have been carried on by the royal inmates of Holyrood. The order, though couched in polite language, is under
Volume 9 Page 269
  Enlarge Enlarge