The American Sharpe

by Gareth Glover

  To stand within the Coliseum by moonlight is a thing never to be forgotten. I believe I have always been singular in my feelings towards the Romans, even as a schoolboy I scarcely ever sympathised with them, they appeared to me so arrogant and over bearing, they made such an ungenerous use of victory, that my wishes were almost always for the success of those enemies, and independent of any of my admiration for Hanibal’s talents I loved him for that very success. In such detestation do I hold the desire of conquest, whether in nations or individuals, so execrable do I think the crime of ambition, that selfish and ferocious passion, misnamed the vice of noble minds, that I never think upon the long years of suffering and the present humiliation of Rome without feeling that the hand of God is there. With those sentiments, though I could not experience all that enthusiastic veneration for the past greatness of Roman character, though I did not find my heart overflow with that worship towards the buried dead in whose foot steps I then trod which some feel, and more affect, however I did feel a deep and intense interest excited by the scene around me. The history of Rome proves that bravery and cold blooded cruelty can co-exist. This very building (the Coliseum) is a monument that records the most disgusting trait in the character of that people, it was built by two of the best of their emperors one of them was named ‘the delight of Rome and of the human race’. In the construction were employed prisoners of war whose only crime against Rome was in having tried to defend their country and their religion, and here in this spot an hundred thousand Romans, senators, priests, women and rabble, sat to glut their eyes with the agonies of men who had never offended them. And yet there are many who believe they are expressing liberal sentiments when they point to Rome as the standard of all that is great in human character. It is an inconsistency to me the most incomprehensible and yet I have observed those people who are the most zealous declaimers against everything that looks like an arbitrary proceeding in modern politics, are those who refer to the Roman character and government as the beau-ideal of a national system. For my own part I detest arbitrary power wherever it exists, and with whatever fictitious splendour it be surrounded, whether in a Louis 14th or Henry 8th, an Augustus or a Napoleon, a Roman Senate or a Parisian Directory. I would wish to see liberty, national regulated liberty, everywhere, and national independence where ever it can maintain itself. And notwithstanding that I look upon the centuries of calamity that have weighed down this beautiful and interesting Italy during which she has been made the contests of those whom she formerly scarce deigned to consider as of the same nature with herself, during which she has seen her own blood poured forth in quarrels not hers and whose only possible result to her could be a change of masters.

  Notwithstanding I consider this as a retribution whose measure does not equal that of her crimes, there is no one who wishes more sincerely than I do to see her rise once more to the dignity of a nation. No one who execrates more than I do the arbitrary measures which are now taking [place] to force on again those degrading fetters which she has made an effort to cast aside. And though I cannot always in viewing the magnificent ruins scattered in beautiful decay around me cast back a sigh of affection and unmixed admiration to the memory of the men who raised them, there are few I am persuaded who view them with greater admiration as surpassing specimens of art, or who feel more deeply, though they may express it better, that sad yet pleasingly melancholy interest excited by the wrecks of that power which once issued its proud commands to a subject world, the monuments of a nation that with all its faults, that in spite of its enemies, was great. But enough at Rome for the present. I mentioned that I had heard from the Felixes. Orlando wrote in very good spirits and gives a good account of his health. He mentioned that they were to set off in a few days for this place so that I expect now every day to see them. Orlando has been appointed extra aide de camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland so that I suppose he will find no difficulty in obtaining his leave of absence extended as much as he may wish. I do not know what their plans are and they may perhaps make an alteration in mine, but my intention at present is to stay here until after Easter and then go to Naples, however it is impossible in the unsettled state of affairs in this country just now to decide anything positively. At present there is no obstacle to private travellers passing to and fro from this to Naples though the frontier is the seat of war.

  I long to hear from you and to know if my aunt has formed any plans with regard to her removal from Edinburgh, and what Gordon is to do after the close of the college session. James mentioned I think that Mr Strachan was likely at last to settle the business of his house near Gosport. I have not received any answer to a letter I wrote to Patrick from Florence. Remember me to them all, and to the Walkers, by the bye Robert owes me a letter too. I am much obliged to Dr Jamerson for his love, you may give my remembrance. Love to all with you and believe me dear Laura yours most affectionately. James P Gairdner.

  The next letter was written at Sienna on 21 July 1821:

  Marked – received 6th August 1821

  My dear little Mary,

  A thousand pardons I beg for having left your letter from Wooden so long unanswered. Indeed I do not know what better cause I can plead than that with which you began the said letter, namely that ‘I have been riding about so much that I quite forget it’ but in this I am better than you for indeed I did not forget either you or the debt I owed you. I suppose long before this you will have left Scotland and see Jenny again. Tell me when you write if you find her any tamer than she used to be. Lallys17 too I hope behaved herself better after I left you. She is a sadly wild young lady as you well know.

  You must recollect how all my exhortations and discreet example were thrown away upon her. I am sorry it is not in my power yet to give you any account of the clock at Basle about which you seem so interested, but as I shall pass through Switzerland on my way home I shall take that road and will not fail to make every research necessary for your satisfaction and if you have any other questions to ask that I can satisfy I shall not think that I have travelled in vain. Your mama asked about my voice. Tell her that it is beautiful, but that it always was, tell her that it sometimes astonishes even the Italians themselves, who when I occasionally in the streets pour it forth in song turn round and look at me with amusement, which of course proceeds from admiration. I have not yet got a guitar and am in some doubt whether any accompaniment can add to the charm of so fine a voice. I suppose you are now a great proficient on the pianoforte.

  Tell Gordon I hope he still continues to play the flute. I sometimes find it a great consolation particularly when I feel anything like flutiness. I never however have since felt anything like that particular attack that Lallys seems to recollect with so much horror, for we have not in this fine climate say of the kind of weather which produces that disagreeable complaint in Scotland. Mr Felix of whom you have heard is quite well and desires me to say that though he has not the happiness of her acquaintance he nevertheless sends his love to Mary.

  Is he not an impudent fellow? He is learning to play the guitar and sing but poor young man, his voice is not just like mine. I hope you found Aunt Gordon better than she has been and uncle and Mammy Bell quite well. Give my love to them all, also to Mr Crosby and our aunt when you see him which will of course be seen. I was very sorry to hear of my aunt’s illness but I hope it will prove nothing serious. And now dear Mary adieu. Write to me and tell me all about your travels and adventures. Love to all with you and believe me dearest [Mary] your most affectionate J P Gairdner.

  James remained in Italy into the following spring.

  To Miss Gairdner, 7 Durnford Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, Devon. Florence, 1st March 1822

  My dear Lallys,

  I was thinking very long to hear from some of you when I received my aunt’s letter of the 22nd of January. But I have no right to complain I know for I have been very remiss myself. This last carnival, that is the period between Christmas and Lent, which is the prescriptive season for gaiety in thi
s country, has been very gay in Florence, and somehow I got more involved in the bother of it than I intended, for one can go to balls and parties at home. But when one is travelling to see a country all the time so spent is a loss of opportunities which will never recur; and as this society consists more of the English than the natives, I look back upon as nearly a dead loss. However I forgot the caution by which I have been hitherto guided since I came to the country, to avoid English visiting acquaintances and having gone to Mrs Higgins’ ball I could not help going to Mrs Wiggins’ and so on, the long and short of the matter is that I have passed two months very idly and very pleasantly but if I had them to come over again I would spend them very differently; no uncommon case with many who like myself can be wise enough when it is all too late.

  However the close of the carnival was the breaking up of the society here. The Italians go into the country, and the English go to Rome and Naples. Most of my acquaintances and all my friends have left this. I was greatly tempted to go to Rome too with two sailor men who have been great allies of mine but I resisted for the present. Perhaps I may go down for a fortnight or three weeks, but at any rate I wish to be moving northward towards the middle of April before which the travelling is not pleasant in the north of Italy. The Felixes left this about a fortnight ago for Naples which they have not yet seen as they stayed so long at Nice and arrived so late at Rome that they were not able to go when I did last year.

  Whether we shall meet again in Italy I do not know. The reinforcement to their party has altered their plans and not a little spoiled them, in fact they do not know themselves what they will do. I never much liked this cousin, and the egotism and selfishness she has shown on this occasion has not raised her in my estimation, and yet I think it is rather silliness than calculating selfishness. Orlando is now off the staff in consequence of Lord Talbot’s recall from Ireland18. His leave of absence is consequently definite and he must be back in the summer. He asked me if I did not think it very hard upon her that he should be recalled just as she came out. I said I had no doubt it was very annoying but I could bring myself to confess I thought it a legitimate grievance. Orlando is her sheet anchor for the commodore is so absent and careless that during their journey from Chambery here he left her in some awkward predicaments. If he saw a fine view he would jump out of the carriage, scramble over rocks and leave her who did not understand a word of any language but her own to proceed perhaps to the next town alone, and join her an hour or two after in raptures at the beauty of the country and find her perhaps surrounded by police officers demanding passports, innkeepers and laquais de place19 offering their services, not one of whom she could understand or make herself understood by. These escapades of the gallant commander (at the accounts of which I laughed to a degree that did not at all please her) have given her such a dread of being left under his convoy that I fancy she will not lose sight of Orlando again. I am sorry for them both, for Orlando because the care falls principally on him, for Robert because he was so happy, enjoyed himself so much before this new burthen was thrown upon them, and I may add for them all for they must feel that the appearance of the thing is not respectable.

  My aunt gives me in her letter a great deal of domestic news all of which is really news for me, for until that letter I had not heard for a long time from any of you. My Aunt Gordon has not written since August. I am sincerely sorry to learn the death of Captain Robertson, it must be a terrible blow to his family, I suppose they will return to Scotland as they will be more among their friends there. How our friends in that part of the world are getting on I do not know. Robert Walker has not written to me for ages, I do not suppose he considers the marriage of Agnes with the Minister of [Noumarkle?] an affair of sufficient magnitude to call forth his epistolary powers.

  I am happy to find that you all continue to be pleased with your new quarters. I wish you had given me some account of your neighbours, at least those with whom you have made or expect to make acquaintance. My aunt mentions the names of two or three but enters into no detail. Now all this as an important concern to you must be interesting to me. The Strachans I think at one time talked of trying Devonshire, is it likely to come to anything? William Church I think was put on half pay, what is he about now?20 Having once got his commission which is the great difficulty he cannot find much on getting on full pay again, at least it is to be done for money which the other was not. What is our Aunt Crosbie about, has she gone on any fresh voyage of discovery. I positively should not be surprised to meet her in my wanderings. I hope you have heard from my father since my aunt wrote, it is a long time since I have had a letter from him. I trust he has not been prevented by ill health from writing, however he is not fond of it at any time. Some of you of course will let me know should he write to you without writing to me. I heard a short time ago from Henry who you saw I believe in Edinburgh. He is in the eighth regiment stationed in the Ionian Islands21 and near the scene of the present struggle between the Greeks and Turks22. He gives a terrible account of the barbarities exercised by both parties and represents the Greeks whom our English patriots exalt to the skies, as by far the greatest savages of the two, and that is precisely the opinion I have always heard of them by those who had had personal opportunities of judging. It is all very fine to talk of the descendants of Themistocles and Aristides, but the modern Greeks no more resemble Themistocles and Aristides than the modern Jews do Saul and David. I am sorry to say that the modern Italians are equally degenerate, I feel however a great interest in the fate of this beautiful country, and though the inhabitants taken collectively are as bad as need be I cannot think that is proof that they might not be better if they had fair play. But things cannot go on long as they are now, and in the struggle once fairly commences between the Italians and their Austrian masters, woe to the vanquished. The last explosion took place at the wrong extremity of the country. It is from the inhabitants of the north not the south of Italy that she must expect her redemption.

  I am in daily expectation of hearing from you, if you should write very soon after the receipt of this you may still direct to Florence as I shall not finally leave this until after Easter, i.e. about the middle of April, but should you write later so that there may be any doubt of your letter reaching this before that time, direct to Venice to the care of Siri and Willhalm bankers there, and if you be writing to my Uncle Gordon or aunt, will you tell them this, and dear Laura adieu. Love to all with you and believe me yours most affectionately. J P Gairdner.

  The Grand Tour came to an end and James decided to throw up his commission completely, retiring from the half pay list on 30 December 182623. It would appear that by this date, James had sailed permanently to America to start a new life. Here James married Mary Macintosh Gardner on 1st March 1827 in Richmond, and settled down as a plantation owner and trader.

  Few letters remain of this period but it is likely that James continued to write to the family in England although less frequently than previously.

  The next letter we have, sent to his uncle, announced the death of his father who had died on 24 August 1830. He also told of both his marriage and the birth of his second son Adam. His first son James Gordon was born on 10 July 1828 and tragically died 30 August 1829, at just over one year old; Adam Gordon was born 30 October 1831. James also wrote of early signs of the breakup of the American union.

  To Adam Gordon Esq, Secretary of State’s Office, Downing Street, London.

  Postmarked ‘Ship Letter Liverpool’

  Post dated New York 1831 [November?]

  Though few and far between have been the direct instances by letter my dear uncle, since circumstances have cast my lot in a land which though to me a natale solum [latin- native soil], is less connected with my early associations than many parts of Europe. Yet I am sure this arises as little from estrangement or failing on your part as on mine. I should be ungrateful indeed were either time or distance, capable of effacing from my recollection the impression of the many kindnesses I have rec
eived from one, who for so many years stood towards me in loco parentis.

  That you have sympathised with me in the loss of my dear father I am well assured for you know his worth and loved him as a brother. Time, and sincere endeavour, to resign myself with fortitude to a disposition, in which even our imperfect views can discern much of mercy mingled in the cup of bitterness; have soothed the first keen sense of anguish, the bereavement and the recollection of his many kind and endearing qualities has become a feeling, it is now sweet to dwell upon. I am grateful that this sorrow did not come upon me the lone being I was a few years before. I have found in the sympathy of my wife all the gentleness, the kindness, and soothing manner which take from the weight of one half it had, by taking away all its sense of badness, I wish I could make you acquainted with my gentle wife and my fine manly little son, however I do not live without the hope of some day accomplishing this.

  I am much gratified at hearing from time to time, through Gordon and the different members of the domestic colony that you and my aunt continue to enjoy at best as much health as when I last saw you. I have not heard from G[ordon] since you had a Whig administration, they seem determined to make a root and branch work of their parliamentary reform. We are anxious here to see how the new system will work. I greatly fear that it is but le commencement de la fire. As somebody said of the new constitution promulgated by the French reformers, though I sincerely hope otherwise and that old England will come out of this crisis as she has out of every previous one in renovated strength, augmented.