The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  Efforts were made to check the fire, but in vain. The villain had accomplished his diabolical purpose too well. Acquainted with the premises, and with the habits of the family, he had got into the yard by means of a rope-ladder, and hiding himself till the servants were summoned to prayers, stole into the cellar, and placing a fire-ball amid a heap of fagots and coals, and near several large casks of oil, and other inflammable matters, struck a light, and set fire to it.

  “I shall ever reproach myself that I was away when this calamity occurred,” observed Leonard, as the grocer brought his relation to an end.

  “Then you will do so without reason,” replied Mr. Bloundel, “for you could have rendered no assistance, and you see my good neighbours have taken the matter entirely out of my hands.”

  “Whither do you intend removing, sir?” rejoined Leonard. “If I might suggest, I would advise you to go to Farmer Wingfield’s, at Kensal Green.”

  “You have anticipated my intention,” replied the grocer; “but we must now obtain some vehicles to transport these goods thither.”

  “Be that my part,” replied Leonard. And in a short space of time he had procured half a dozen large carts, into which the whole of the goods were speedily packed, and a coach having been likewise fetched by Blaize, Mrs. Bloundel and the three younger children, together with old Josyna and Patience, were placed in it.

  “I hope your mother has taken care of her money,” whispered the latter to the porter, as he assisted her into the vehicle.

  “Never mind whether she has or not,” rejoined Blaize, in the same tone; “we shan’t want it. I am now as rich as my master — perhaps richer. On stripping that rascal Pillichody, I found a large bag of gold, besides several caskets of jewels, upon him, all of which I consider lawful spoil, as he fell by my hand.”

  “To be sure,” rejoined Patience. “I dare say he did not come very honestly by the treasures, but you can’t help that, you know.”

  Blaize made no reply, but pushing her into the coach, shut the door. All being now in readiness, directions were given to the drivers of the carts whither to proceed, and they were put in motion. At this moment the grocer’s firmness deserted him. Gazing at the old habitation, which was now wrapped in a sheet of flame, he cried in a voice broken with emotion, “In that house I have dwelt nearly thirty years — in that house all my children were born — in that house I found a safe refuge from the devouring pestilence. It is hard to quit it thus.”

  Controlling his emotion, however, the next moment, he turned away. But his feelings were destined to another trial. His neighbours flocked round him to bid him farewell, in tones of such sympathy and regard, that his constancy again deserted him.

  “Thank you, thank you,” he cried, pressing in turn each hand that was offered him. “Your kindness will never be effaced from my memory. God bless you all, and may He watch over you and protect you!” and with these words he broke from them. So great was the crowd and confusion in Cheapside, that nearly two hours elapsed before they reached Newgate; and, indeed, if it had not been for the interference of the Earl of Rochester, they would not, in all probability, have got out of the city at all. The earl was stationed near the Old ’Change, at the entrance to Saint Paul’s Churchyard, and learning their distress, ordered a party of the guard by whom he was attended to force a passage for them. Both Mr. Bloundel and Leonard would have declined this assistance if they had had the power of doing so, but there was no help in the present case.

  They encountered no further difficulties, but were necessarily compelled to proceed at a slow pace, and did not reach Paddington for nearly two hours, being frequently stopped by persons eagerly asking as to the progress of the fire. One circumstance struck the whole party as remarkable. Such was the tremendous glare of the conflagration, that even at this distance the fire seemed close beside them, and if they had not known the contrary, they would have thought it could not be further off than Saint Giles’s. The whole eastern sky in that direction seemed on fire, and glowed through the clouds of yellow smoke with which the air was filled with fearful splendour. After halting for a short time at the Wheat Sheaf, which they found open, — for, indeed, no house was closed that night, — to obtain some refreshment, and allay the intolerable thirst by which they were tormented, the party pursued their journey along the Harrow-road, and in due time approached Wingfield’s residence.

  The honest farmer, who, with his wife and two of his men, was standing in a field at the top of the hill, gazing at the conflagration, hearing the noise occasioned by the carts, ran to the road-side to see what was coming, and encountered Mr. Bloundel and Leonard, who had walked up the ascent a little more quickly than the others.

  “I have been thinking of you,” he said, after a cordial greeting had passed between them, “and wondering what would become of you in this dreadful fire. Nay, I had just told my dame I should go and look after you, and see whether I could be of any service to you. Well, I should be better pleased to see you in any way but this, though you could not be welcomer. I have room in the barn and outhouses for all you have brought, and hope and trust you have not lost much.”

  “I have lost nothing except the old house,” replied the grocer, heaving a sigh.

  “Another will soon be built,” rejoined Wingfield, “and till that is done you shall not quit mine.”

  The coach having by this time arrived, Wingfield hastened towards it, and assisted its occupants to alight. Mrs. Bloundel was warmly welcomed by Dame Wingfield, and being taken with her children to the house, was truly happy to find herself under the shelter of its hospitable roof. The rest of the party, assisted by Wingfield and his men, exerting themselves to the utmost, the carts were speedily unloaded, and the goods deposited in the barns and outhouses. This done, the drivers were liberally rewarded for their trouble by Mr. Bloundel, and after draining several large jugs of ale brought them by the farmer, made the best of their way back, certain of obtaining further employment during the night.

  Fatigued as he was, Leonard, before retiring to rest, could not help lingering on the brow of the hill to gaze at the burning city. The same effect was observable here as at Paddington, and the conflagration appeared little more than a mile off. The whole heavens seemed on fire, and a distant roar was heard like the rush of a high wind through a mighty forest. Westminster Abbey and Saint Paul’s could be distinctly seen in black relief against the sheet of flame, together with innumerable towers, spires, and other buildings, the whole constituting a picture unsurpassed for terrific grandeur since the world began, and only to be equalled by its final destruction.

  Having gazed at the conflagration for some time, and fancied that he could even at this distance discern the fearful progress it made, Leonard retired to the barn, and throwing himself upon a heap of straw, instantly fell asleep. He was awakened the next morning by Farmer Wingfield, who came to tell him breakfast was ready, and having performed his ablutions, they adjourned to the house. Finding Mr. Bloundel comfortably established in his new quarters, Leonard proposed as soon as breakfast was over to proceed to town, and Wingfield volunteered to accompany him. Blaize, also, having placed his treasures, except a few pieces of gold, in the custody of Patience, begged to make one of the party, and his request being acceded to, the trio set out on foot, and gleaning fresh particulars of the fearful progress of the fire, as they advanced, passed along Oxford-road, and crossing Holborn Bridge, on the western side of which they were now demolishing the houses, mounted Snow-hill, and passed through the portal of Newgate.

  Here they learnt that the whole of Wood-street was consumed, that the fire had spread eastward as far as Gutter-lane, and that Saint Michael’s Church, adjoining Wood-street, Goldsmiths’ Hall, and the church of Saint John Zachary, were in flames. They were also told that the greater part of Cheapside was on fire, and wholly impassable — while the destructive element was invading at one and the same time Guildhall and the Royal Exchange. They furthermore learnt that the conflagration had spread fea
rfully along the side of the river, had passed Queenhithe, consuming all the wharves and warehouses in its way, and having just destroyed Paul’s Wharf, was at that time assailing Baynard’s Castle. This intelligence determined them not to attempt to proceed further into the city, which they saw was wholly impracticable; and they accordingly turned down Ivy-lane, and approached the cathedral with the intention, if possible, of ascending the central tower. They found a swarm of booksellers’ porters and assistants at the northern entrance, engaged in transporting immense bales of books and paper to the vaults in Saint Faith’s, where it was supposed the stock would be in safety, permission to that effect having been obtained from the dean and chapter.

  Forcing their way through this crowd, Leonard and his companions crossed the transept, and proceeded towards the door of the spiral staircase leading to the central tower. It was open, and they passed through it. On reaching the summit of the tower, which they found occupied by some dozen or twenty persons, a spectacle that far exceeded the utmost stretch of their imaginations burst upon them. Through clouds of tawny smoke scarcely distinguishable from flame, so thickly were they charged with sparks and fire-flakes, they beheld a line of fire spreading along Cheapside and Cornhill, as far as the Royal Exchange, which was now in flames, and branching upwards in another line through Lawrence-lane to Guildhall, which was likewise burning. Nearer to them, on the north, the fire kindled by the wretched Pillichody, who only, perhaps, anticipated the work of destruction by a few hours, had, as they had heard, proceeded to Goldsmiths’ Hall, and was rapidly advancing down Saint Ann’s-lane to Aldersgate. But it was on the right, and to the south-east, that the conflagration assumed its most terrific aspect. There, from Bow Church to the river-side, beyond the bridge as far as Billingsgate, and from thence up Mincing-lane, crossing Fenchurch-street and Lime-street to Gracechurch and Cornhill, describing a space of more than two miles in length and one in depth, every habitation was on fire. The appearance of this bed of flame was like an ocean of fire agitated by a tempest, in which a number of barks were struggling, some of them being each moment engulfed. The stunning and unearthly roar of the flames aided this appearance, which was further heightened by the enormous billows of flame that ever and anon rolled tumultuously onward as they were caught by some gust of wind of more than usual violence. The spires of the churches looked like the spars of “tall admirals,” that had foundered, while the blackening ruins of the halls and larger buildings well represented the ribs and beams of mighty hulks.

  Leaving Leonard and his companions to the contemplation of this tremendous spectacle, we shall proceed to take a nearer view of its ravages. Every effort had been used to preserve the Royal Exchange by the city authorities, and by the engineers, headed by the king in person. All the buildings in its vicinity were demolished. But in vain. The irresistible and unrelenting foe drove the defenders back as before, seized upon their barricades, and used them, like a skilful besieger, against the fortress they sought to protect. Solomon Eagle, who was mounted upon a heap of ruins, witnessed this scene of destruction, and uttered a laugh of exultation as the flames seized upon their prey.

  “I told you,” he cried, “that the extortioners and usurers who resorted to that building, and made gold their god, would be driven forth, and their temple destroyed. And my words have come to pass. It burns — it burns — and so shall they, if they turn not from their ways.”

  Hearing this wild speech, and beholding the extraordinary figure of the enthusiast, whose scorched locks and smoke-begrimed limbs gave him almost the appearance of an infernal spirit, the king inquired, with some trepidation, from his attendants, who or what he was, and being informed, ordered them to seize him. But the enthusiast set their attempts at naught. Springing with wonderful agility from fragment to fragment of the ruins, and continuing his vociferations, he at last plunged through the flame into the Exchange itself, rendering further pursuit, of course, impossible, unless those who desired to capture him, were determined to share his fate, which now seemed inevitable. To the astonishment of all, however, he appeared a few minutes afterwards on the roof of the blazing pile, and continued his denunciations till driven away by the flames. He seemed, indeed, to bear a charmed life, for it was rumoured — though the report was scarcely credited — that he had escaped from the burning building, and made good his retreat to Saint Paul’s. Soon after this, the Exchange was one mass of flame. Having gained an entrance to the galleries, the fire ran round them with inconceivable swiftness, as was the case in the conflagration of this later structure, and filling every chamber, gushed out of the windows, and poured down upon the courts and walks below. Fearful and prodigious was the ruin that ensued. The stone walls cracked with the intense heat — tottered and fell — the pillars shivered and broke asunder, the statues dropped from their niches, and were destroyed, one only surviving the wreck — that of the illustrious founder, Sir Thomas Gresham.

  Deploring the fate of the Royal Exchange, the king and his attendants proceeded to Guildhall. But here they were too late, nor could they even rescue a tithe of the plate and valuables lodged within it for security. The effects of the fire as displayed in this structure, were singularly grand and surprising. The greater part of the ancient fabric being composed of oak of the hardest kind, it emitted little flame, but became after a time red hot, and remained in this glowing state till night, when it resembled, as an eye-witness describes, “a mighty palace of gold, or a great building of burnished brass.”

  The greatest fury of the conflagration was displayed at the Poultry, where five distinct fires met, and united their forces — one which came roaring down Cornhill from the Royal Exchange — a second down Threadneedle-street — a third up Walbrook — a fourth along Bucklersbury — and a fifth that marched against the wind up Cheapside, all these uniting, as at a focus, a whirl of flame, an intensity of heat, and a thundering roar were produced, such as were nowhere else experienced.

  To return to the party on the central tower of the cathedral: — Stunned and half stifled by the roar and smoke, Leonard and his companions descended from their lofty post, and returned to the body of the fane. They were about to issue forth, when Leonard, glancing down the northern aisle, perceived the Earl of Rochester and Lord Argentine standing together at the lower end of it. Their gestures showed that it was not an amicable meeting, and mindful of what had passed at Whitehall, Leonard resolved to abide the result. Presently, he saw Lord Argentine turn sharply round, and strike his companion in the face with his glove. The clash of swords instantly succeeded, and Leonard and Wingfield started forward to separate the combatants. Blaize, followed, but more cautiously, contenting himself with screaming at the top of his voice, “Murder! murder! sacrilege! a duel! a duel!”

  Wingfield was the first to arrive at the scene of strife, but just as he reached the combatants, who were too much blinded by passion to notice his approach, Lord Argentine struck his adversary’s weapon from his grasp, and would have followed up the advantage if the farmer had not withheld his arm. Enraged at the interference, Argentine turned his fury against the newcomer, and strove to use his sword against him — but in the terrible struggle that ensued, and at the close of which they fell together, the weapon, as if directed by the hand of an avenging fate, passed through his own breast, inflicting a mortal wound.

  “Susan Wingfield is avenged!” said the farmer, as he arose, drenched in the blood of his opponent.

  “Susan Wingfield!” exclaimed the wounded man— “what was she to you?”

  “Much,” replied the farmer. “She was my daughter.”

  “Ah!” exclaimed Argentine, with an expression of unutterable anguish.

  “Let me have your forgiveness,” he groaned.

  “You have it,” replied Wingfield, kneeling beside him, “and may God pardon us both — you for the wrong you did my daughter, me for being accidentally the cause of your death. But I trust you are not mortally hurt?”

  “I have not many minutes to live,” rep
lied Argentine. “But is not that

  Leonard Holt?”

  “It is,” said Rochester, stepping forward.

  “I can then do one rightful act before I die,” he said, raising himself on one hand, and holding the other forcibly to his side, so as to stanch in some degree the effusion of blood. “Leonard Holt,” he continued, “my sister Isabella loves you — deeply, devotedly. I have tried to conquer the passion, but in vain. You have my consent to wed her.”

  “I am a witness to your words my lord,” said Rochester, “and I call upon all present to be so likewise.”

  “Rochester, you were once my friend,” groaned Argentine, “and may yet be a friend to the dead. Remember the king sells titles. Teach this young man how to purchase one. My sister must not wed one of his degree.”

  “Make yourself easy on that score,” replied Rochester; “he has already sufficient claim upon the king. He saved his life yesterday.”

  “He will trust to a broken reed if he trusts to Charles’s gratitude,” replied Argentine. “Buy the title — buy it, I say. My sister left me yesterday. I visited my anger on her head, and she fled. I believe she took refuge with Doctor Hodges, but I am sure he can tell you where she is. One thing more,” continued the dying man, fixing his glazing eyes on Leonard. “Go to Newgate — to — to a prisoner there — an incendiary — and obtain a document of him. Tell him, with my dying breath I charged you to do this. It will enable you to act as I have directed. Promise me you will go. Promise me you will fulfil my injunctions.”

  “I do,” replied Leonard.

  “Enough,” rejoined Argentine. “May you be happy with Isabella.” And removing his hand from his side, a copious effusion of blood followed, and, sinking backwards, he expired.

  VII.

  THE BURNING OF SAINT PAUL’S.