Abigail's Cousin

by Ron Pearse

  Harley said: "Whenever you do sail my lord, it will be with the entire support of the nation, and may I add, in charge of the finest army in Europe."

  Spencer growled: "No thanks to some people. The army is but a fraction of its size in '98 when Parliament saw fit to reduce it by eighty thousand men."

  Churchill said gently: "That was not the fault of our friend, here. That was down to the Tories."

  "Supported by some Whigs, of which, Mr Harley was one," insisted Spencer though Harley was not put out insisting: "The reason for my late arrival was a move in the House for an adjournment to further measures more to my lord's taste," indicating Spencer with a smile and then addressing him directly said:

  "We must not confuse quality with quantity, my lord."

  To forstall Spencer's retort, Godolphin hurriedly interrupted: "It would be fair, Charles, to commend Mr Harley in seeking this adjournment. It is a positive move in our direction."

  "It is often the case that those who were avid for peace are more convincing when the need arises to draw the sword for war." Marlborough was keen to draw Harley into his camp adding yet further praise: "We are gratified by the more than adequate endeavours of Mr Harley on our behalf."

  Godolphin anxious to seal a bargain, declared: "Have no fear, my dear Marlborough, Mr Harley and I will take the necessary measures for supplies as and when required, eh Harley!"

  The use of his second name flattered Harley enormously. Here was an earl and a baron praising his efforts on their behalf and hoping for more in the future. He was only too anxious to concur with their good opinion:

  "Indeed, my lord!" Churchill smiled and then turning to Godolphin said:

  "Might I suggest my lord that you hold regular meetings with Mr Harley. I would be very happy to receive any progress reports of such meetings. Abroad it is very comforting to get reports of any description relating to matters at home. One feels so cut off."

  All this time Spencer had been silent. He listened sipping his coffee realising the pragmatic nature of his friends' wooing of the Speaker of the House. Nominally a Country Whig and therefore closer to many Tories than the so-called Court Whigs who had rallied around the late king, Harley had also the extra bind of feigning neutrality. After the Treaty of Ryswick, he had backed the move to cut the army whereas now, in 1702, events were moving the other way, and Harley went along with them. Unlike himself, Spencer, Harley had not the revenue of a large estate; only his astuteness kept him solvent. Nonetheless Spencer was amused by it all.

  Both Godolphin and Harley realised that Churchill, as gently as only he knew how, was telling them to keep him informed at all times and on a regular basis. Godolphin was first and foremost a courtier and now he raised a matter that had been troubling him lately, concerning his mistress, his sovereign, Queen Anne. His query was addressed to Harley:

  "Would it be possible Mr Harley, Mr Speaker, for both Houses to come to the palace, or representatives from each House, for you will appreciate it would be less incommodious to her majesty."

  All present were aware of Anne's increasing ill-health and each had witnessed their sovereign in great pain at a recent reception. Yet it was in this delicate situation that Harley demonstrated his ability to soothe his powerful allies yet not create a precedent:

  "I understand my lord and I would go so far as speak for both Houses when I say so. The idea behind your p-proposal has crossed my mind and I consulted the Ways and Means Committee to that end but sadly must reflect their deliberations, as Speaker, that there are Constitutional difficulties. It goes without saying that at some future date, they might change their minds, but, it is my painful duty, speaking on b-behalf of the House, of b-both Houses, I venture to say, that I must regretfully decline your suggestion, my lord."

  He rose and declared: "I b-beg leave, gentlemen to return to the House." Turning to Godolphin he said: "Pray, tender my heartfelt sympathy to her majesty and convey to her our several anxiety as to her welfare. If you wish, the address to both Houses might easily be postponed to a more propitious time to her majesty."

  There is silence as he leaves broken by Spencer who complained:

  "Some sorceror, he turns out to be. Was it not you yourself, Sidney that told me the Sorceror was so called because he could do things other men could not."

  Churchill said: "Don't be too hard on Honest Robin. See that's another nickname hung around him. Yet the fact remains, we need him more than he needs us. Never forget that, Charles!"

  "Charles is as keen for our enterprise as any man," Godolphin said, as much to Spencer as to Churchill. It was his turn to act like a conspirator bending forward: "There is one important thing, my lord, that all of us should bear in mind and be spoken of while we are here all three together. There may not be another opportunity for some time."

  Spencer thought he understood as he confided: "Sidney, well urged! My wife, my dearly beloved Mary, is your wife's sister. Our mutual father-in-law is here, right here," he gave Churchill a playful punch before adding, "We are family. We can disagree and not fall out, surely."

  "If I thought you attended devotions, Charles, I might say we should sing from the same Psalter." He chuckled adding: "It does not help Charles to rake over old coals as you did with Harley a few moments ago, He is a vital supporter in the House and will be more so in the event of war."

  "I know, father-in-law," said Spencer meekly, "my only excuse is that it's the first time I've had a chance to speak to him since he voted down the Army Estimates. He avoided me as though I had the plague. But now I’ve had my say. It's finished. You can count on me not to stir the coals in the future."

  "Let's drink to that," said Churchill signalling the serving-man, "by drinking another bowl of coffee. I shall miss the Smyrna in Holland."

  Godolphin added some soothing words of his own: "Another important thing to bear in mind with Mr Harley is the fact he is tied to us by business and not by blood as we three are."

  Spencer took this utterance the wrong way for he said: "It's a pity we have to deal with these commoners at all."

  Churchill was puzzled, saying querulously to his son-in-law:

  "Was it true you voiced republican sympathies, Charles! I can hardly credit what I'm hearing. Cromwell would have us all commoners. Come to that, my grandfather was a country squire, no blue-blood there."

  Spencer reddened and was only saved further embarrassment by two events, the arrival of their coffee and the sudden appearance of another gentleman, whom Churchill introduced:

  "Allow me gentlemen to introduce my private secretary, monsieur Adam de Cardonnel."

  The newcomer was taller than his employer but did not differ much in dress wearing the long coat of the day flared at the waist with wide slits on each skirt though the button-holes of his coat were cut in military style. His breeches, stockings and shoes all shouted a gentleman and as he had entered their room, he had removed his three-cornered hat sweeping the floor as he bowed.

  Churchill introduced his friends in turn starting with Godolphin, the senior, who asked whether the newcomer preferred the French or the English address. He said forthrightly:

  "In expectation of imminent events, my lord, perhaps it would be more prudent for the English form, adding 'when in Rome etc'.

  Spencer sat mute reflecting on their conversation about spies forgetting that not all French were hostile; he was disabused quickly by Churchill who explained:

  "Monsieur, beg pardon, Mister Cardonnel's late father was a victim of Louis XIV's expulsion of the Huegenots in 1685, but it was my good fortune that Louis' loss was my gain." Then addressing both of his friends added:

  "Adam brings news of my packet boat."

  As Churchill takes his leave of Godolphin and Spencer, Cardonnel said:

  "It was my pleasure to make your acquaintance, mes amis."

  To Churchill, he simply gestured saying: "I have a gig outside, my lord."

  Repeating his farewells to both his former companions, Churchill follows
Cardonnel's direction and with a last adieu, both leave the coffee house leaving Godolphin and Spencer together who smile ruefully at each other.

  Chapter 5

  Present-day Windsor Great Park owes much to the pursuits of Queen Anne who loved to ride her fast gig along the forest trails and, at times, a game warden's alert hearing of the rapidly turning wheels, of the lash of her whip, of her wild cries as she drove at reckless speeds saved him from death or serious injury. Her riding reached the ears of Jonathon Swift author, satirist, playwright and, at the time, editor of a satirical weekly newspaper.

  He travelled down to Windsor to personally witness one of her mad rides and wrote later that: 'she hunts in a chaise with one horse which she drives herself, and drives furiously like Jehu, and is a mighty hunter like Nimrod, driving in her chaise above forty miles.'

  There are extant mementos of her presence, as for example, in Queen Anne's Gate, Queen's Avenue and the immortal Queen Anne's Ride, and it is along the approach roads towards the appropriately named Garden House that a carriage appeared one afternoon in 1704, on a Wednesday, the 18th of May. It halted at the entrance to the Gardens, and a gentleman alighted and stepped into the gatehouse for a few minutes to show the sentry his documents, his reason for being there.

  While awaiting scrutiny of his papers by the guard, he walked towards and stopped at the entrance to stretch his legs outside the carriage where he had been closeted these past few hours. He looked beyond the enclosing walls at the gardeners who were busy hoeing, or bent down weeding, or pushing a wheelbarrow. He noticed a lad being instructed and thought he saw sweet peas being planted. His attention was diverted by someone in a skirt bending down with her back towards him. Her striped dress, her angular figure seemed familiar to him but just then the sentry called and he walked back to the gatehouse to accept the validated pass and ascended once more into his carriage tapping the roof to indicate to the driver to continue. The carriage proceeded through the gateway of Garden House with Windsor Castle looming in the background, some distance away.

  His carriage passed Garden House and he was sorry, but his business was at the Castle so regretfully the figures of working people were left behind as the carriage arrived at the dull, grey stonework of the forbidding castle and passed under its walls through an archway, and making a circuit the vehicle stopped to allow a footman matching his pace to that of the carriage to grab the handle of its door, and open it as the vehicle stopped.

  The footman lowers the step which is the signal for the passenger to alight and to follow the footman to the entrance. He exchanged a few words with the footman who gives directions which entails him walking along a passageway, up a short flight of steps, at the top of which begins a carpet and from thence the man's footfalls are silent.

  He stops at a glass-fronted ante-room and knocks at the window and a clerk looks up and smiles at the visitor, rising from his desk to open a door where he now has the opportunity to greet the visitor:

  "It must be Mr Harley," as if to imply he is the only guest expected. He goes on to say: "A very good day, to you sir. I shall notify Sir Charles that you have arrived." Then he has disappeared into the dark interior leaving Harley waiting at the entrance though he enters the clerk's sanctum and makes himself at home.

  The clerk returns with Sir Charles in tow who greets Harley formally telling him the queen has been informed of his arrival. He invites him to be seated. When he sees him comfortably installed, Sir Charles says:

  "Your background is non-conformist Mr Harley and as such one cannot blame you for your Whig sympathies, yet you have decided to enter the opposite camp. It is not for me to enquire into your awakened sympathy for our cause but I must warn you of political friends who might feel they have been betrayed."

  Harley's face registers his surprise at Hedges candid opinion, replying: "I have returned to my roots, Sir Charles that is all. My father was a man of p-p-property who welcomed the Reformation for it released him from homage to a foreign p-p-relate. Yet the men of business who have infiltrated our movement give loyalty to foreign merchants, and call it b-business. That is not my way, and if I fall out with such men, so be it. Does that provide you with an explanation of my re-discovered allegiance?"

  Hedges had listened attentively to Harley and uttered what he hoped were comforting words:

  "To quote the Gospel, Mr Harley, there is no greater joy in Heaven than over the repentance of a sinner. You are right welcome." He looked aside as a footman appeared outside the ante-room apparent through the glazed partition. Hedges beckoned:

  "Come Mr Harley. I believe her majesty is ready to see you."

  As the two walked side by side following the footman, Hedges said in a whisper: "Do not entertain too great an opinion about your new post, Mr Harley. Her majesty still asks me to sharpen her pens just as Cromwell might well have done to the keeper of his secrets, hence his secret-toire. Her majesty still believes your office covers the procurement of pens as well as offering credentials to foreign ambassadors."

  Harley watches in amazement as Hedges stops at a panelled door, take an artefact hanging down from a nearby hook using it to scratch upon a panel of the door. Despite having observed this procedure before. Harley is still in shock as the door is opened and Hedges steps inside and once Harley has also crossed the threshold, listens as he is introduced:

  "Robert Harley Esquire, your majesty."

  He hears the queen reply: "Thank you Sir Charles. You may withdraw."

  She waits for Hedges to retreat backwards over the threshold and close the door before directly addressing Harley again:

  "Welcome to Windsor, Mr Harley. I trust you had a pleasant journey from London."

  Harley's mouth felt dry and he was nervous, and could hardly credit his own utterance:

  "Indeed so, your majesty! It was a very enjoyable excursion made more so by the p-p-prospects of renewing our acquaintance ma'am."

  She appeared not to have heard as Harley noticed her distracted by discomfort in her leg which she clutched, and then spoke:

  "I am given to understand, Mr Harley, you are agreeable to accepting ye office of Secretary of State."

  "I am, ma'am" replied Harley, "Indeed, ma'am, I have accepted the p-post with some reluctance which I hope your majesty will understand as I am sincerely desirous to serve your royal highness above all other considerations."

  "What considerations, Mr Harley?" She demanded imperiously, upon which answer, Harley though surprised was pleased he had rehearsed his arguments in the carriage on the way down:

  "As Secretary Hedges may be aware ma'am, for the past twelve-month it has b-been my privilege to hold the office of Speaker in the House of Commons, an office, ma'am, demanding utmost impartiality as regards disputes between all parties. Therefore in accepting the high office of Secretary of State, my reasoning led me to b-believe henceforth I shall be unable to pursue the same impartial course. It is something which I must come to terms with in the interests of the government especially in view of the p-partisan opinions of certain Whigs in the ministry. That is it in a nutshell, ma'am."

  "In a nutshell, Mr Harley! That must be a very big nut. However the gist of what you say is that party interests seem unduly narrow and I assure you, Mr Harley, that until a minister by his actions shows he is not party-led then I shall not trust his opinions."

  Harley mindful that Anne is devoted to the Church of England says reassuringly:

  “Then I pray ma'am that the Good Lord directs and guides your humble servant towards the course of action most favourable to your majesty's good government and in consequence most b-beneficial to the interests of our country."

  She smiled at these words seemingly unaware of their obsequiousness and gave reply:

  “I endorse your sentiments Mr Harley. I look to you in ye hope you will be my ally in keeping me out of ye power of ye merciless men of both parties."

  It was Harley's turn to smile. He was in his element reassuring her:

  "To
my friends, colleagues and members ma'am, I am a moderating man and b-believe in neither extreme but in compromise towards resolving the many p-problems besetting our country."

  The queen looked highly pleased and while pulling a cord hanging from the ceiling said:

  "Moderation is my own watchword, Secretary of State, so it would seem we are of one mind."

  A door opened to admit Sir Charles and suddenly Harley recalls his words a few moments before yet still is aglow at having been addressed as Secretary Of State by the queen herself and his next hours of existence would be on cloud nine. He heard her words:

  “Will you escort Mr Harley and see him safely out." He bowed and withdrew in the manner Hedges had demonstrated earlier but still in a euphoric mood her say: "It has been good to hear and talk to you, Mr Harley. Adieu for now."

  Too soon his euphoria fades as Hedges informs him:

  "That wonderful glow you feel, Mr Harley, when her majesty first addresses you as Secretary of State. Keep it alive Harley! Make it last! It will fade all too soon."

  As he walked beside his fellow Secretary, he noticed for the first time they were similarly attired with the fashionable long, flared coat, close-fitting to the waist with deep pockets in the skirts. Buttons ran the whole length of the coat but only the ones from breastbone to waist would be buttoned. Their shoes in identical black with broad buckles reflected the lamps on the walls. As they walked past a full-length mirror, Harley speculated how many coat holes Hedges left unbuttoned.

  He stopped at his office door inviting Harley inside and when he had got used to the dim light, noticed a long table upon which was stretched out a long white stick and all thoughts of buttons left Harley as he contemplated his insignia of office and listened to Hedges as he picked it up, but the significant words he heard attentively:

  "Here you are Harley, old man, your white stick of office. Allow me!" Hedges took something else from the table and held it up to Harley who saw that it was a chain which Hedges was trying to place round his neck. He helped him, as he was smaller and was having difficulty with the clasp. Then he handed him something else, saying: