Next came a troop of light cavalry, under the command of LordBalmerino; and then followed Lord Kilmarnock's hussars with thebaggage and artillery.
The train of artillery consisted of sixteen field-pieces, two waggonsladen with powder, and a great number of sumpter-horses.
This division of the Highland army was commanded by the Duke of Perth,whose presence excited general admiration.
Both the Duke and his aide-de-camp, who rode beside him, wereremarkably well mounted, and both perfect horsemen.
Among the many Scottish nobles who had determined to share thefortunes of Prince Charles Edward, none could compare in personalappearance and deportment with James Lord Drummond, third titular Dukeof Perth. The duke's courtesy, refined manners, and unfailing goodtemper, rendered him popular with all. Though not so thorough asoldier as Lord George Murray, he was equally brave, and in brilliantqualities far surpassed him.
Between these two distinguished personages a great rivalry existed. Nomember of the council possessed so much influence with the prince asthe Duke of Perth, and the favour shown his rival often caused greatumbrage to Lord George Murray, who did not care to conceal hisresentment.
The duke had warm friends in Secretary Murray and Sir Thomas Sheridan,so that his position as first favourite was unassailable, certainly byLord George.
The duke, who was in the very prime of manhood, being only just turnedthirty, was grandson of the Earl of Perth, created duke by James theSecond on his retirement to France.
Nothing could be more striking than the effect produced by these clanregiments as they marched through Salford on that morning, thedifferent hues of the plaids worn by each corps giving variety andcolour to the picture, while the sinewy frames, fierce countenances,and active movements of the men inspired a certain feeling akin tofear among the beholders, which the war-like notes of the bagpipe didnot tend to diminish.
The front ranks of each regiment were composed of gentlemen, whosearms and equipments were superior to those of the others, causing themto look like officers; but they had no rank. All the men were in goodspirits, and seemed as if victory lay before them.
Regiment after regiment marched over the bridge, with the sun shiningbrightly on their picturesque dresses, and glittering on theirfirelocks and arms--with their colours and pipes playing--bellspealing, and spectators shouting loudly, producing a mostextraordinarily animating effect.
Scarcely less striking was it as the Highlanders marched through thetown and drew up in St. Ann's Square.
Completely filled by these clan regiments, the large area presented apicture such as it has never since exhibited.
But a scene of a very different kind was being enacted at the sametime. While these armed men were gathering in front of the church, asad ceremonial took place in the churchyard.
A grave had been opened to receive the remains of a respectedinhabitant of the town, and the last rites were then being performedby Mr. Lewthwaite, who proceeded as calmly as circumstances wouldpermit.
But other mourners than those expected gathered round the grave as thecoffin was lowered into it--Highland officers bare-headed, andnoticeable for their respectful demeanour.
The Highland regiments did not remain long in St. Ann's Square. Havingreceived their billets, the men were taken to their lodgings by thequarter-masters. The artillery and baggage-waggons proceeded to CastleField, where a park was formed, and strongly guarded.
CHAPTER XI.
ARRIVAL OF THE SECOND DIVISION.
Multitudes of people still remained in Salford, patiently awaiting thearrival of the prince with the second division of the Highland army.
All the inmates of Mrs. Butler's dwelling, which, it will beremembered, was situated at the upper end of the main street, hadwitnessed the march past of the first division. Even the invalid ladyherself, who had not quitted the house for a lengthened period, andcould not do so now without considerable risk, came forth to see theyoung prince.
Not being able to walk so far, she was carried out into the garden,and placed near the gate, which was thrown open. From this positionshe commanded the road, and could see all that was to be seen.
Near her stood Monica and Constance, both of whom were attired inwhite dresses, with blue scarves, while in close attendance upon herwere her brother, Sir Richard Rawcliffe, Father Jerome, and JemmyDawson.
Notwithstanding the excitement of the occasion, Constance lookedpensive and absent--her thoughts being occupied with Atherton Legh.Very little conversation had taken place between her and her father,since Sir Richard's return from Preston, and then only in the presenceof Father Jerome. All allusion to the young man had been studiouslyavoided.
By this time Monica had quite shaken off her fears, and when thestirring spectacle commenced, and the clan regiments marched past thegate, her breast glowed with enthusiasm, and all her former ardourreturned. She thought no more of her lover's danger, but of the gloryhe would win; and if he had held back, she would now have urged himon.
But Jemmy required no spurring; he was eager to be an actor in such ascene, and was anxiously expecting his promised commission.
As to Mrs. Butler, she looked on with mingled feelings. What memorieswere awakened by the sight of those Highland regiments! The men lookedthe same, wore the same garb, and bore the same arms as those she hadseen in former days. Yet the chiefs who had fought in the civil war of1715, and their faithful clansmen, were all swept away. Were those whohad now taken their places destined to victory or defeat? She trembledas she asked herself the question.
Many a glance was thrown at the fair damsels in the garden as theyoung officers marched past, and frequent salutes were offered to SirRichard by those in command of the regiment, but no one halted exceptthe Duke of Perth, who paused to say a few words to him, and waspresented to the ladies--delighting them with his courteous manner.
Before the duke rode off, he told them that more than an hour wouldelapse before the second division came up, and so it turned out.
During this interval, Mrs. Butler remained in the garden, and ofcourse the others did not leave her. Some slight refreshments, withwine, were brought her by a man-servant from the house, and of theseshe partook in order to support her strength, which she feared mightfail her. She listened anxiously for any sounds that might announcethe prince's approach, but it was long before he came.
At length the loud notes of the bagpipes were heard in the distance,and soon afterwards a regiment of cavalry came up, commanded by LordElcho, who carried his sword in his hand, as did the men. These werethe life-guards. Blue coats with red facings formed the uniform of thetroop. And the men wore gold-laced hats with white cockades in them.Indeed, we may remark that all the officers and soldiers of theHighland army wore white cockades in hat or bonnet.
The life-guards were soon gone, and then a personage appeared, uponwhom all eyes were fixed.
CHAPTER XII.
THE YOUNG CHEVALIER.
Attended by a dozen or more nobles and officers of high rank, alldressed in blue coats faced with red, and wearing gold-laced hats,marched with a light elastic step, that showed he was not in theslightest degree fatigued, a tall, well-proportioned, fair-complexioned, handsome young man, of some five-and-twenty, dressed in a Highland garb, armed with a broadsword, and carrying a target on his shoulder. He wore no star upon his breast--no ornament of any kind--merely a white rose in his bonnet, and a blue silk scarf, yet his dignified and graceful deportment proclaimed at once that it was Prince Charles Edward.
The prince's frame was slight, but full of vigour. His features wereregular and delicately moulded, his complexion fair, and his eyesbright and blue. His natural blonde locks would no doubt have becomehim better than the flaxen-coloured peruke which he wore, though thatsuited him. His expression was extremely amiable and engaging, and hisyouth, grace, and good looks produced a most favourable impressionupon the beholders.
Charles Edward was preceded by a hundred Highland pipers, and as allwere playing vigoro
usly, the din caused by them was astounding.
This handsome young prince, who, at the period of his introduction tothe reader, was full of romantic ardour and courage, and confident ofrecovering the throne of his ancestors, was the eldest son of JamesStuart, known as the Chevalier de Saint George, and the Princess MariaSobieski. Perfect in all manly exercises, Prince Charles Edwardpossessed powers of endurance that admirably fitted him for theenterprize he had undertaken. His early years had been passed inobscurity in Rome, but he had always cherished the thought of invadingEngland, and at last the opportunity presented itself.
Great efforts had been made by the Jacobite party in Paris to inducethe French monarch to aid in the restoration of the Stuart dynasty,but without effect. However, when the celebrated Cardinal de Tencinbecame first minister of state, he judged that a civil war in Englandwould be highly beneficial to France, and therefore invited CharlesEdward to repair to Paris.
Preparations, meanwhile, had been made to land an army of fifteenthousand men in England under Field-Marshal Saxe, and it was arrangedthat the prince should accompany the expedition as commander-in-chief.
The fleet set sail, but being dispersed by a violent tempest, sufferedso much loss that the project was abandoned.
But the hopes of the young prince were encouraged by the cardinalminister, who said to him, "The king is averse to another expeditionafter the disastrous result of the first. But why should you not goalone, or with a few attendants, and land on the North of Scotland?Your presence alone would revive your party, and create an army."
This advice was too much in accordance with the aspirations of thebrave and adventurous young prince not to be eagerly adopted.
Provided with money and arms by the cardinal, he set sail fromDunquerque in July, 1745, in the Dentelle sloop of war, and after somehazardous escapes, landed on the north-west coast of Scotland, wherehe was met by Mr. Murray, who became his secretary and treasurer. Hisstandard having been reared, he was speedily joined by the MacDonalds,the Camerons, and other Highland chiefs, the Duke of Perth, theMarquis of Tullibardine, Lord Elcho, and Lord George Murray.
Having mustered an army of four thousand men, he marched on Perth, andarrived there on the 3rd of September.
After a short stay at Perth, he proceeded at the head of his army toEdinburgh, and the Scottish capital opened its gates to the grandsonof James the Second. Here he took possession of the palace of hisancestors; caused his father to be proclaimed at the Cross by thetitle of King James the Eighth of Scotland, and himself as Regent; andafter the ceremonial gave a splendid ball at Holyrood. At Edinburgh hewas joined by Lord Nairne with a thousand men.
On the 21st of September occurred the battle of Preston Pans, in whichSir John Cope was completely routed. The news of the young Chevalier'sunlooked-for and decisive victory animated the Jacobites in everyquarter, greatly alarmed the English Government, and brought backGeorge the Second from Hanover.
Having received considerable reinforcements, the prince gave a troopof horse to Lord Balmerino, and another to Lord Kilmarnock. Money andarms also arrived most opportunely from France, and in one of thevessels that brought these supplies came the Marquis d'Eguilles. Thecourt continued to be held at Holyrood, and the receptions were nowmost brilliantly attended, especially by the fair sex.
Meanwhile, Marshal Wade having assembled an army at Newcastle, theprince determined to cross the Border and give him battle.
Several of his council, among whom was Lord George Murray, sought todissuade him from his design, urging him to await the arrival of theexpected reinforcements from France; but no representations either ofdifficulty or danger could induce the chivalrous prince to give up hisscheme, or even defer it.
He told his councillors that he saw they were determined to stay inScotland, and defend their own country; but he added, in a tone thatshowed his resolution was taken, "I am not less determined to try myfate in England, even though I should go alone."
On the last day of October he marched out of Edinburgh at the head ofan army of five thousand five hundred men. His first object was toattack Carlisle, and as Marshal Wade had not advanced from Newcastle,he did not anticipate an engagement with him.
Carlisle surrendered to the Duke of Perth, and on the 17th November,Charles Edward made a triumphal entry into the city. At a council heldthere, the prince, flushed by success, proposed to continue his marchto the metropolis, expressing a firm conviction that he should bejoined by a large party in Lancashire and Cheshire, while the Marquisd'Eguilles felt equally confident that reinforcements would arrivefrom France.
Some opposition to the plan was offered by Lord George Murray, whoaffirmed that the Duke of Cumberland had assembled an army nearlydoubling in number that of his royal highness, which must beencountered, and that Marshal Wade had made a demonstration for therelief of Carlisle, but the advice was overruled.
Resuming his march, the prince passed through Lancaster, and arrivedwith his whole army at Preston on the 26th. From Preston the Highlandarmy marched to Manchester, in two divisions, as related.
Rash as the young Chevalier's enterprise may appear, it is more thanprobable that it would have been accomplished if he had received thesupport he expected.
Before quitting Scotland he had received invitations and promises ofaid from many important Jacobite families in the northern counties;and he had been led to believe that a general rising in his favourwould be made in Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales.
But he soon found these promises fallacious. Very few persons ofimportance joined his standard, and no risings took place. He hadexpected powerful reinforcements from France, but none arrived. Yet hehad advanced boldly and successfully, and though unaided, it appearednot unlikely that he would achieve the daring project he hadconceived.
Hopes were still entertained by some of his counsellors that a largenumber of volunteers would join at Manchester, and the warm receptiongiven him by the inhabitants as he approached the town, seemed towarrant these expectations.
As the prince marched a few paces in front of his attendants, he wasat once distinguishable; but even if he had been mixed up with them,his dignified deportment would have rendered him conspicuous.
Amongst the nobles and Highland chiefs who attended him were theMarquis of Tullibardine, Glengarry, Ardshiel, Colonel Ker of Gradon,and Colonel O'Sullivan.
Behind them came a body-guard of Highlanders.
The second division of the army consisted of regiments belonging tothe chiefs previously mentioned, but these regiments were now left tothe command of the officers, their leaders preferring to march on footwith the prince. A troop of hussars under the command of LordBalmerino brought up the rear.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE PRINCE'S INTERVIEW WITH MRS. BUTLER AND THE TWO DAMSELS.
As the young Chevalier approached Mrs. Butler's residence, he chancedto cast his eye into the garden--the gate of which, as we have said,was standing wide open--and the charming group formed by the twobeautiful girls and the invalid lady attracted his attention.
Standing close beside them, he perceived Sir Richard Rawcliffe, whomhe had seen at Preston the day before.
On beholding the young Chevalier, Mrs. Butler rose from her chair, andstepping forward, made him a profound obeisance.
Something in the earnest look fixed upon him by the invalid ladyinterested the prince, and he could not resist the impulse thatprompted him to speak to her.
Accordingly he signified his intention to the Marquis of Tullibardine;a halt was immediately called, the pipers ceased playing, while theprince stepped out of the line, followed by that nobleman, and enteredthe garden.
Nothing could exceed the surprise and delight caused by this graciousact, not only to the object of it, but to the two fair damsels whostood beside her. It may be thought that these lovely girls would haveattracted the prince to the garden rather than an elderly dame, but heseemed scarcely aware of their presence till he was close beside them.
Instantly divinin
g the prince's intention, Sir Richard Rawcliffepresented his sister. Charles could not prevent her from kneeling, buthe immediately raised her, and remarking that she looked very faint,conducted her, with much solicitude, to a seat.
He then turned to the two fair damsels, who were likewise presented tohim by Sir Richard, and received them with much grace and dignity.
Not till this moment did he become aware of Constance's surpassingbeauty, and he then remarked to her father:
"I was told that you had a lovely daughter, Sir Richard, but I did notimagine she was so beautiful as I find her."
"Such praise coming from your royal highness will make her vain," saidthe baronet.
"Nay, I meant not to call blushes to her cheek, though they do notspoil it," said Charles. "But Miss Rawcliffe has another great meritin my eyes besides her personal attractions. If I am not misinformed,she is devoted to the royal cause."
"Heart and soul!" cried Constance, enthusiastically. "Your royalhighness has not a more zealous adherent than myself."
"I cannot doubt it. But I hoped you have proved your zeal by bringingme a hundred swords."
"I have brought you one," she replied--"but it is worth a hundred."
"Ah! to whom does it belong?" inquired the prince, smiling.
"To a brave young man, whose name must be utterly unknown to yourroyal highness--Mr. Atherton Legh."
"There you are mistaken. His name has been mentioned to me by ColonelTownley, who described him--I have no doubt quite correctly--as thefinest young man in Manchester. Mr. Atherton Legh shall have acommission on your recommendation, Miss Rawcliffe. You will presenthim to me, Sir Richard."
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