CHAPTER XXXIII. A DINNER AT "THE LODGE"
While the "Morning Post" of a certain day, some twenty years ago,was chronicling the illustrious guests who partook of his Majesty'shospitalities at Windsor, the "Dublin Evening Mail," under the lesspretentious heading of "Viceregal Court," gave a list of those who haddined with his Excellency at the Lodge.
There was not anything very striking or very new in the announcement.Our _dramatis personae,_ in this wise, are limited; and after theaccustomed names of the Lord Chancellor and Mrs. Dobbs, the Master ofthe Rolls and Mrs. Wiggins, Colonel Somebody of the 105th, Sir Felixand Miss Slasher, you invariably find the catalogue close with anun-der-secretary, a king-at-arms, and the inevitable Captain LawrenceBelcour, the aide-de-camp in waiting!--these latter recorded somewhat inthe same spirit that the manager of a provincial theatre swells the rollof his company, by the names of the machinist, the scene-painter, andthe leader of the band! We have no peculiar concern, however, with thisfact, save that on the day in question our old friend Joseph Nelliganfigured as a vice-regal guest. It was the first time he had been sohonored, and, although not of a stamp to attach any great prize to thedistinction, he was well aware that the recognition was intended as anhonor; the more, when an aide-de-camp signified to him that his place attable was on one side of his Excellency.
When this veracious history first displayed young Nelligan at adinner-party, his manner was shy and constrained; his secluded,student-like habits had given him none of that hardihood so essential insociety. If he knew little of passing topics, he knew less of the tonemen used in discussing them; and now, although more conversant withthe world and its ways, daily brought into contact with the business oflife, his social manner remained pretty nearly the same cold, awkward,and diffident thing it had been at first. Enlist him in a great subject,or call upon him on a great occasion, and he could rise above it; placehim in a position to escape notice, and you never heard more of him.
The dinner company on this day contained nothing very formidable, eitheron the score of station or ability,--a few bar celebrities with theirwives, an eccentric dean with a daughter, a garrison colonel or two,three country squires, and a doctor from Merrion Square. It was thatinterregnal period between the time when the castle parties includedthe first gentry of the land, and that later era when the priest andthe agitator became the favored guests of vice-royalty. It is scarcenecessary to say it was, as regards agreeability, inferior to either.There was not the courtly urbanity and polished pleasantry of a veryaccomplished class; nor was there the shrewd and coarse but racyintelligence of Mr. O'Connell's followers.
The Marquis of Reckington had come over to Ireland to "inaugurate," asthe newspapers called it, a new policy; that is, he was to give to theworking of the relief bill an extension and a significance which feweither of its supporters or opposers in Parliament ever contemplated.The inequality of the Romanist before the law he might have borne;social depreciation was a heavier evil, and one quite intolerable. Now,as the change to the new system required considerable tact and address,they intrusted the task to a most accomplished and well-bred gentleman;and were Ireland only to be won by dinner-parties, Lord Reckington musthave been its victor.
To very high rank and great personal advantages he united a manner ofthe most perfect kind. Dignified enough always to mark his station andhis own consciousness of it, it was cordial without effort, frankand easy without display. If he could speak with all the weight ofauthority, he knew how to listen with actual deference; and therewas that amount of change and "play" in his demeanor that made hiscompanion, whoever for the moment he might be, believe that his viewsand arguments had made a deep impression on the Viceroy. To thoseunacquainted with such men, and the school to which they belong, theremight have appeared something unreal, almost dramatic, in the elegantgracefulness of his bow, the gentle affability of his smile, theundeviating courtesy which he bestowed on all around him; but they wereall of the man himself,--his very instincts,--his nature.
It had apparently been amongst his Excellency's instructions from hisgovernment to seek out such rising men of the Roman Catholic party asmight be elevated and promoted on the just claims of their individualmerits,--men, in fact, whose conduct and bearing would be certain tojustify their selection for high office. It could not be supposed thata party long proscribed, long estranged from all participation in power,could be rich in such qualifications. At the bar, the ablest men usuallythrew themselves into the career of politics, and of course by strongpartisanship more or less prejudiced their claims to office. It wasrare indeed to find one who, with the highest order of abilities, wassatisfied to follow a profession whose best rewards were denied him.Such was Joseph Nelligan when he was first "called," and such hecontinued to the very hour we now see him. Great as had been hiscollege successes, his triumphs at the bar overtopped them all. They whoremembered his shy and reserved manner wondered whence he came by hisdignity; they who knew his youth could not imagine how he came by his"law."
Mr. M'Casky, the castle law-adviser, an old recruiting-serjeant ofcapacities, who had "tipped the shilling" to men of every party, hadwhispered his name to the Under-Secretary, who had again repeated it tothe Viceroy. He was, as M'Casky said, "the man they wanted, with talentenough to confront the best of the opposite party, and wealthy enough towant nothing that can figure in a budget." Hence was he, then, there afavored guest, and seated on his Excellency's left hand.
For the magic influence of that manner which we have mentioned aspertaining to the Viceroy, we ask for no better evidence than the senseof perfect ease which Joe Nelligan now enjoyed. The _suave_ dignityof the Marquis was blended with a something like personal regard, amysterious intimation that seemed to say, "This is the sort of man Ihave long been looking for; how gratifying that I should have found himat last!" They concurred in so many points, too, not merely in opinions,but actually in the very expressions by which they characterized them;and when at last his Excellency, having occasion to quote something hehad said, called him "Nelligan," the spell was complete.
Oh dear! when we torture our brains to legislate for apothecaries,endeavoring in some way or other to restrict the sale of those subtleingredients on every grain or drop of which a human life may hang,why do we never think of those far more subtle elements of which greatpeople are the dispensers,--flatteries more soothing than chloroform,smiles more lulling than poppy-juice! Imagine poor Nelligan under acourse of this treatment, dear reader; fancy the delicious poison asit insinuates itself through his veins, and if you have ever been sodrugged yourself, picture to your mind all the enjoyment he experienced.
By one of those adroit turns your social magician is master of, theViceroy had drawn the conversation towards Nelligan's county and hisnative town.
"I was to have paid a visit to poor Martin there," said he, "and Icertainly should have looked in upon _you_."
Nelligan's cheek was in a flame; pride and shame were both there,warring for the mastery.
"Poor fellow!" said his Excellency, who saw the necessity of adiversion, "I fear that he has left that immense estate greatlyembarrassed. Some one mentioned to me, the other day, that the heir willnot succeed to even a fourth of the old property."
"I have heard even worse, my Lord," said Nelligan. "There is a rumorthat he is left without a shilling."
"How very shocking! They are connections of my own!" said the Viceroy;as though what he said made the misery attain its climax.
"I am aware, my Lord, that Lady Dorothea is related to your Excellency,and I am surprised you have not heard the stories I allude to."
"But perhaps I am incorrect," said the Marquis. "It may be that I _have_heard them; so many things pass through one's ears every day. But hereis Colonel Mas-singbred; he 's sure to know it. Massingbred, we wantsome news of the Martins--the Martins of--what is it called?"
"Cro' Martin, my Lord," said Nelligan, reddening.
"I hold the very latest news of that county in my hand, my Lord,"replied the Secr
etary. "It is an express from my son, who writes fromOughterard."
Nelligan stood, scarcely breathing, with impatience to hear the tidings.
Colonel Massingbred ran his eyes over the first page of the letter,murmuring to himself the words; then turning over, he said: "Yes, hereit is,--'While I write this, the whole town is in a state of intenseexcitement; the magistrates have sent in for an increased force ofpolice, and even soldiery, to repress some very serious disturbances onthe Martin property. It would appear that Merl--the man who assumesto claim the property, as having purchased the reversion from youngMartin--was set upon by a large mob, and pursued, himself and hisfriends, for several miles across the country. They escaped with theirlives, but have arrived here in a lamentable plight. There is really nounderstanding these people. It was but the other day, and there was nosurer road to their favor than to abuse and vilify these same Martins,and now they are quite ready to murder any one who aspires to taketheir place. If one was to credit the stories afloat, they have alreadywreaked a fatal vengeance on some fellows employed by Merl to servenotices on the tenantry; but I believe that the outrages have reallygone no further than such maltreatment as Irishmen like to give, and areaccustomed to take.'"
Here his Excellency laughed heartily, and Joe Nelligan looked grave.
Massingbred read on: "'Without being myself a witness to it, I nevercould have credited the almost feudal attachment of these people toan "Old House." The Radical party in the borough are, for the moment,proscribed, and dare not show themselves in the streets; and evenMagennis, who so lately figured as an enemy to the Martins, passedthrough the town this morning with his wife, with a great banner flyingover his jaunting-car, inscribed "The Martins for Ever!" This burst ofsentiment on his part, I ought to mention, was owing to a most devotedpiece of heroism performed by Miss Martin, who sought out the lost oneand brought her safely back, through a night of such storm and hurricaneas few ever remember. Such an act, amidst such a people, is sure of itsreward. The peasantry would, to a man, lay down their lives for her; andcoming critically, as the incident did, just when a new proprietorwas about to enforce his claim, you can fancy the added bitternessit imparted to their spirit of resistance. I sincerely trust that themagistrates will not accede to the demand for an increased force. Aterrible collision is sure to be the result, and I know enough ofthese people to be aware of what can be done by a little diplomacy,particularly when the right negotiator is employed. I mean, therefore,to go over and speak to Mr. Nelligan, who is the only man of brainsamongst the magistrates here.'"
"A relative, I presume," said his Excellency.
"My father, my Lord," replied Joe, blushing.
"Oh! here is the result of his interview," said Massing-bred, turning tothe foot of the page. "'Nelligan quite agreed in the view I had taken,and said the people would assuredly disarm and perhaps destroy any forcewe could send against them. He is greatly puzzled what course to adopt;and when I suggested the propriety of invoking Miss Martin's aid, toldme that this is out of the question, since she is on a sick-bed. Whilewe were speaking, a Dublin physician passed through on his way to visither. This really does add to the complication, for she is, perhaps, theonly one who could exert a great influence over the excited populace. Inany other country it might read strangely, that it was to a young ladymen should have recourse in a moment of such peril; but this is like noother country, the people like no other people, the young lady herself,perhaps, like no other young lady!'"
By a scarcely perceptible movement of his head, and a very slight changeof voice, Colonel Massingbred intimated to the Viceroy that there wassomething for his private ear, and Lord Reckington stepped back to hearit. Nelligan, too deeply occupied in his own thoughts to remark thecircumstance, stood in the same place, silent and motionless.
"It is to this passage," whispered the Secretary, "I want to direct yourExcellency's attention: 'All that I see here,' my son writes,--'all thatI see here is a type of what is going on, at large, over the island. Oldfamilies uprooted, old ties severed; the people, with no other instinctthan lawlessness, hesitating which side to take. Their old leaders, onlybent upon the political, have forgotten the social struggle, andthus the masses are left without guidance or direction. It is my firmconviction that the Church of Rome will seize the happy moment to usurpan authority thus unclaimed, and the priest step in between the landlordand the demagogue; and it is equally my belief that you can only retard,not prevent, this consummation. If you should be of _my_ opinion, andbe able to induce his Excellency to think with us, act promptly anddecisively. Enlist the Roman Catholic laity in your cause before yoube driven to the harder compact of having to deal with the clergy. Andfirst of all, make--for fortunately you have the vacancy,--make youngNelligan your solicitor-general.'"
The Viceroy gave a slight start, and smiled. He had not, as yet,accustomed his mind to such bold exercise of his patronage. He lived,however, to get over this sensation.
"My son," resumed Massingbred, "argues this at some length. If youpermit, I 'll leave the letter in your Excellency's hands. In fact, Iread it very hurriedly, and came over here the moment I glanced my eyesover this passage."
His Excellency took the letter, and turned to address a word to JoeNelligan, but he had left the spot.
"Belcour," said the Viceroy, "tell Mr. Nelligan I wish to speak tohim. I shall be in the small drawing-room. I 'll talk with him alone.Massingbred, be ready to come when I shall send for you."
The Viceroy sat alone by the fire, pondering over all he had heard.There was, indeed, that to ponder over, even in the brief, vaguedescription of the writer. "The difficulties of Ireland," as it was thefashion of the day to call them, were not such as government commissionsdiscover, or blue books describe; they lay deeper than the legislativelead-line ever reaches,--many a fathom down below statutes and Actsof Parliament. They were in the instincts, the natures, the blood of apeople who had never acknowledged themselves a conquered nation. Perhapshis Excellency lost himself in speculations, mazy and confused enough toaddle deeper heads. Perhaps he was puzzled to think how he could bringthe Cabinet to see these things, or the importance that pertained tothem; who knows? At all events, time glided on, and still he was alone.At length the aide-de-camp appeared, and with an air of some confusion,said,--"It would appear, my Lord, that Mr. Nelligan has gone away."
"Why, he never said good-night; he did n't take leave of me!" said theViceroy, smiling.
The aide-de-camp slightly elevated his brows, as though to imply hissense of what it might not have become him to characterize in words.
"Very strange, indeed!" repeated his Excellency; "is n't it, Belcour?"
"Very strange, indeed, your Excellency," said the other, bowing.
"There could have been no disrespect in it," said his Lordship,good-humoredly; "of _that_ I'm quite certain. Send Colonel Massingbredhere."
"He's gone off, Massingbred," said the Viceroy, as the other appeared.
"So I have just learned, my Lord. I conclude he was not aware--that hewas unacquainted with--"
"Oh, of course, Massingbred," broke in the Viceroy, laughing, "the faultis all with my predecessors in office; they never invited these menas they ought to have done. Have you sounded M'Casky as to theappointment?"
"Yes, my Lord; he thinks 'we might do worse.'"
"A qualified approval, certainly. Perhaps he meant we might selecthimself!"
"I rather opine, my Lord, that he regards Nelligan's promotion as likelyto give offence to Mr. O'Connell, unless that he be himself consultedupon it."
"Then comes the question, Who is it governs this country, ColonelMassingbred?" said the Marquis; and for the first time a flash ofangry meaning darkened his cheeks. "If I be here,"--he stopped andhesitated,--"if you and I be here only to ratify appointments made byirresponsible individuals,--if we hold the reins of power only tobe told where we 're to drive to,--I must own the office is not verydignified, nor am I patient enough to think it endurable."
"M'Casky
only suggested that it might be advisable to see O'Connellon the subject, not, as it were, to pass him over in conferring theappointment."
"I cannot at all concur in this view, Massingbred," said the Marquis,proudly; "there could be no such humiliation in the world as a patronageadministered in this wise. Write to Nelligan; write to him to-night. Saythat his abrupt departure alone prevented my making to him personallythe offer of the solicitorship; add that you have my directions to placethe office in his hands, and express a strong wish, on your own part,that he may not decline it."
Massingbred bowed in acquiescence, and after a pause his Excellency wenton:--
"There would be no objection to your adding something to the effect thatmy selection of him was prompted by motives in which party has no share;that his acknowledged eminence at the bar,--a character to which evenpolitical opponents bear honorable testimony,--in fact, Massingbred,"added he, impatiently, "if the appointment should come to be questionedin the House, let us have it on record that we made it solely on motivesdirected to the public service. You understand me?"
"I think so, my Lord," said Massingbred, and withdrew.
If it were not that other cares and other interests call us away,we would gladly linger a little longer to speculate on the Viceroy'sthoughts as he reseated himself by the fire. His brow was overcast andhis features clouded. Was it that he felt he had entered the lists, andthrown down the glove to a strong and resolute opponent? Had he beforehim a vista of the terrible conflict between expediency and honor thatwas soon to be his fate? Had he his doubts as to the support his ownCabinet would afford him? Was his pride the ruling sentiment of themoment, or did there enter into his calculations the subtle hope of allthe eager expectancy this appointment would create, all the disposablevenality it would lay at his discretion? Who can answer these questions?who solve these doubts? Is it not very possible that his mind wanderedamidst them all? Is it not more than likely that they passed in reviewbefore him? for when he rejoined his company his manner was more absent,his courtesy less easy than usual.
At length Mr. M'Casky came forward to say goodnight.
"Colonel Massingbred has told you of those disturbances in the West, hashe not?" asked the Viceroy.
"Yes, my Lord," replied the other.
"And what opinion--what advice did you give?"
"To let matters alone, my Lord; to be always a little behind time,particularly in sending a force. 'Never despatch the police to quella riot,' said John Toler, 'unless one of the factions be completelybeaten, otherwise you 'll have them both on your back;' and I assureyour Excellency, Ireland has been very successfully governed under thatmaxim for years past."
"Thank you, M'Casky; thank you for the advice," said his Excellency,laughing, and wished him good-night.