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CHAPTER IX Hospitalities

Word Count: 4711    |    Released on: 17/11/2017

onage in all his Majesty's colonies, plantations, and possessions of North America. His guard of dragoons preceded him out of Williams

little postmaster from Philadelphia, Mr. Franklin, who, printer's boy as he had been, was a wonderful shrewd person, as his Excellency and the gentlemen of his family were fain to acknowledge, having a quantity of the most curious information respecting the colony, and regarding England t

study their honours' manners, and adapt himself to them as far as he might. As for education, he could not boast much of that - his father being but in straitened circumstances, an

hey should spell bull with two b's or one. He had heard the Duke of Marlborough was no special good penman. He had not the honour of

he was aware of

ddock -"aha, Mr. Postmaster, you have heard

pair of orbs as innocent as a baby's. "He's no scholar, but he is a match for any French general that ever swallowed the Engli

nd from his large buckled wig

bels and intriguing Romish Jesuits who would take our liberty from us, and our religion, by George. His Royal

iew of the Guards, in Hyde Park," says Mr. Franklin. "

of masters, the best of friends, the best of sons to his royal

sir," says Mr. Franklin, laughing.

elcome. We don't forbid you; we encourage you. We, to fight the enemy and govern the country. Hey, gentlemen? Lord! what roads you hav

ington," says t

adiers," said the General. "He has a good figure o

, in

the opportunities he has had. I should have thoug

nt off parade, except the merits of a bottle and the looks of a woman; not of high birth, yet absurdly proud of his no-ancestry; brave as a bulldog; savage, lustful, prodigal, generous; gentle in soft moods; easy of love and laughter; dull of wit; utterly un

ge; "and I dare say the Postmaster

Cap

nd Indians with him. Good day, Mr. Washington. A pre

e up, followed by a couple of natty negro grooms, in smart livery-coats and velvet

have seen our militia run from the Scotch, and be cur

assionate desire to see and serv

ge oaths; and on the heavy carriage rolled towards Castlewood; Mr. Washington asking leave

chaplain. These were presently joined by little Mr. Dempster, the young gentlemen's schoolmaster, in his great Ramillies wig, which he kept for occasions of state. Anon appeared Mr. Laws, the judge of the court, with Madam Laws on a pillion behind him, and their negro man carrying a box containing her ladyship's cap, and bestriding a mule. The procession looked so ludicrous, that Major Danvers and Mr. Franklin espying it, laughed

o had passed much time in the Fleet Prison, at Newmarket, at Hockley-inthe-Hole; and having gone of all sorts of errands for his friend, Lord Cingbars, Lord Ringwood's son (my Lady Cingbars's waiting-woman being Mr. B.'s mother - I dare say the modern reader had best not be too particular regarding Mr. Broadbent's father's pedigree), had been of late sent out to a church-living in Virginia. He and young George had fought many a match of cocks together, taken many a roe in company, hauled in countless quantities of shad and salmon, slain wild geese and wild swans, pigeons and plovers, and destroyed myriads of canvas-backed ducks. It was said by the envious that Broadbent was the midnight poacher on whom Mr. Washington set his dogs, and whom he

and indeed, stewed terrapins are worthy of any duke or even emperor. The negro-women have a genius for cookery, and in Castlewood kitchens there were adepts in the art brought up under the keen eye of the late and the present Madam Esmond. Certain of the dishes, especially the sweets and flan, Madam Esmond prepared herself with great neatness and dexterity; carving several of the principal pieces, as the kindly cumbrous fashion of the day was, putting up the laced lappets of her sleeves, and showing the prettiest round arms and small hands and wrists as she performed this ancient rite of a hospitalit

bow. "I wish, madam, we had such a happy knack of pastry at home as you have at C

t too," says Mr. Postmaster of Boston, at which remark M

both liked. She was very glad if they pleased her company. More such remarks follow: more dishes; ten times as much meat as is needful for the company. Mr. Washington does not embark in the general conversation much, but he and Mr. Talmadge, and Major Danvers, and the Postmaster, are deep in talk about roads, rivers, conveyances, sumpter-horses a

e for those which were eaten a hundred years ago, and which Madam Esmond had prepared for her guests with so much neatness and skill? Then, the table being cleared, Nathan, her chief manager, lays a glass to every person, and fills his mistress's. Bowing to the company, she says she drinks but one toast, but knows how heartily all the gentlemen present will join

to her drawing-room when her artificial courage failed her, and she burst into tears on the sofa by Mrs. Laws' side, just in the midst of a compliment from that lady. "Ah, madam!" she said, "it may be an honour, as you say, to have the King's representative in my house, and our family has received greater personages than Mr. Braddock. But he comes to take one of my sons away from me.

station should show themselves where their country calls them. That has always been the way of the Esmonds, and the same Power which graciously preserved my dear father through twenty great battles in the Queen's time, I trust and pray, will watch over my son now his turn is come to do his duty." And, now, instead of lamenting her fate, or further alluding to it, I dare say the resolute lady sate down with her female friends to a pool of cards and a dish of coffee, whilst the gentlemen remained in

cried out -"No! she would give no more - the common Bordeaux they might have, and welcome, if they still wanted more - but she would not give any more of the Colonel's." It appeared t

ticular Bordeaux lay, surviving its master, who, too, had long passed underground. As they went on their journey, Mrs. Mountain asked whether any of the gentlemen had ha

untain: "why, he will sit for

pecially against Mr. Washington, which made Mr. Washington quite red and angry, Nathan said. "Well, well!" Mrs. Mountain cried eagerly; "it was right a gentleman sh

d, almost everybody seemed to do who came in contact with the simple and upright young man. Himself of the most scrupulous gravity and good breeding, in his communication with other folks he appeared to exact, or, at any rate, to occasion, the same behaviour. His nature was above levity and jokes: they seemed out of place when addressed to him. He was slow of comprehending them: and they slunk as it were abashed out of his society. "He always seemed great to me," says Harry Warrington, in one of his letters many years after the date of which we are writing; "and I never thought of him

it, had been free with the glass and with the tongue. He had said a score of things to his guest which wounded and chafed the latter, and to which Mr. Washington could give no reply. A

m, or her game over, she gave up her cards to one of the other ladies, and joined her good neighbour out of doors. He tried to co

ir wine," she said; "gentlemen o

e yonder are distinguishing themselve

General is at the

think very likely that military gentlemen born and bred at home are different from us of the colonies. We have such a hot sun, that we need not wine to fire our blood as they do. And drinking toasts seems a point of honour with them. Talmadge hiccupped to me - I sho

ou talk of for so many

ar, and of the force Mr. Contrecoeur has, and how we are to get at him. The General is for making the campaign in h

the lady, whose father ha

s can do. Had they not best hasten forwards and make turnpike roads and have comfortable inns ready for his Excellency at the end of the day's march? -'There's some sort of inns, I suppose,' says Mr. Danvers, 'not so comfortable as we have in England: we can't expect that.'

her guest's arm. "Harry promised me, and when he gives his word, I can tr

me grievance against me which I do not understand, and of which I don't care to ask the reason. He spoke to me before the g

erstand. But he has the most affectionate heart in the world. Yo

ington said with great fervour. "You know I woul

o with you, dear friend!" cried the

ing-room, could see the pair as they passed to and fro, and had listened for some time past, and replied in a very distracted manner to the remarks of the gentlemen round about him, who were too much engaged with their own talk and jokes, and drinking, to pay much attention to their young host's behaviour. Mr. Braddock lo

, for his part, was charmed,

stamp of his foot, and the

they are billing and cooing now before going to roost. Had we not better both go into the garden, and pay our duty to ou

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Contents

CHAPTER I In which one of the Virginians visits home CHAPTER II In which Harry has to pay for his Supper CHAPTER III The Esmonds in Virginia CHAPTER IV In which Harry finds a New Relative CHAPTER V Family Jars CHAPTER VI The Virginians begin to see the World CHAPTER VII Preparations for War CHAPTER VIII In which George suffers from a Common Disease CHAPTER IX Hospitalities CHAPTER X A Hot Afternoon CHAPTER XI Wherein the two Georges prepare for Blood
CHAPTER XII News from the Camp
CHAPTER XIII Profitless Quest
CHAPTER XIV Harry in England
CHAPTER XV A Sunday at Castlewood
CHAPTER XVI In which Gumbo shows Skill with the Old English Weapon
CHAPTER XVII On the Scent
CHAPTER XVIII An Old Story
CHAPTER XIX Containing both Love and Luck
CHAPTER XX Facilis Descensus
CHAPTER XXI Samaritans
CHAPTER XXII In Hospital
CHAPTER XXIII Holidays
CHAPTER XXIV From Oakhurst to Tunbridge
CHAPTER XXV New Acquaintances
CHAPTER XXVI In which we are at a very Great Distance from Oakhurst
CHAPTER XXVII Plenus Opus Aleae
CHAPTER XXVIII The Way of the World
CHAPTER XXIX In which Harry continues to enjoy Otium sine Dignitate
CHAPTER XXX Contains a Letter to Virginia
CHAPTER XXXI The Bear and the Leader
CHAPTER XXXII In which a Family Coach is ordered
CHAPTER XXXIII Contains a Soliloquy by Hester
CHAPTER XXXIV In which Mr. Warrington treats the Company with Tea and a Ball
CHAPTER XXXV Entanglements
CHAPTER XXXVI Which seems to mean Mischief
CHAPTER XXXVII In which various Matches are fought
CHAPTER XXXVIII Sampson and the Philistines
CHAPTER XXXIX Harry to the Rescue
CHAPTER XL In which Harry pays off an Old Debt, and incurs some New Ones
CHAPTER XLI Rake's Progress
CHAPTER XLII Fortunatus Nimium
CHAPTER XLIII In which Harry flies High
CHAPTER XLIV Contains what might, perhaps, have been expected
CHAPTER XLV In which Harry finds two Uncles
CHAPTER XLVI Chains and Slavery
CHAPTER XLVII Visitors in Trouble
CHAPTER XLVIII An Apparition
CHAPTER XLIX Friends in Need
CHAPTER L Contains a Great deal of the Finest Morality
CHAPTER LI Conticuere Omnes
CHAPTER LII Intentique Ora tenebant
CHAPTER LIII Where we remain at the Court End of the Town
CHAPTER LIV During which Harry sits smoking his Pipe at Home
CHAPTER LV Between Brothers
CHAPTER LVI Ariadne
CHAPTER LVII In which Mr. Harry's Nose continues to be put out of joint
CHAPTER LVIII Where we do what Cats may do
CHAPTER LIX In which we are treated to a Play
CHAPTER LX Which treats of Macbeth, a Supper, and a Pretty Kettle of Fish
CHAPTER LXI In which the Prince marches up the Hill and down again
CHAPTER LXII Arma Virumque
CHAPTER LXIII Melpomene
CHAPTER LXIV In which Harry lives to fight another Day
CHAPTER LXV Soldier's Return
CHAPTER LXVI In which we go a-courting
CHAPTER LXVII In which a Tragedy is acted, and two more are begun
CHAPTER LXVIII In which Harry goes westward
CHAPTER LXIX A Little Innocent
CHAPTER LXX In which Cupid plays a Considerable Part
CHAPTER LXXI White Favours
CHAPTER LXXII (From the Warrington MS.) In which My Lady is on the Top of the Ladder
CHAPTER LXXIII We keep Christmas at Castlewood. 1759
CHAPTER LXXIV News from Canada
CHAPTER LXXV The Course of True Love
CHAPTER LXXVI Informs us how Mr. Warrington jumped into a Landau
CHAPTER LXXVII And how everybody got out again
CHAPTER LXXVIII Pyramus and Thisbe
CHAPTER LXXIX Containing both Comedy and Tragedy
CHAPTER LXXX Pocahontas
CHAPTER LXXXI Res Angusta Domi
CHAPTER LXXXII Miles's Moidore
CHAPTER LXXXIII Troubles and Consolations
CHAPTER LXXXIV In which Harry submits to the Common Lot
CHAPTER LXXXV Inveni Portum
CHAPTER LXXXVI At Home
CHAPTER LXXXVII The Last of God Save the King
CHAPTER LXXXVIII Yankee Doodle comes to Town
CHAPTER LXXXIX A Colonel without a Regiment
CHAPTER XC In which we both fight and run away
CHAPTER XCI Satis Pugnae
CHAPTER XCII Under Vine and Fig-Tree
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