lost their lives, and probably half the town would have been destroyed. The votes being nearly balanced, the madness of the parties increased as the polling drew near to a close; and, to save the town from further tumult and disorder, it was agreed that each side should withdraw a candidate. The moment the hitherto contending mobs saw that there was an end put to their drunkenness, they cordially united to be revenged on the candidates. The Exchange and the Concert Room, where the committees sat, were instantly gutted. The archives of the Corporation, with the library of music, were torn to pieces, and, with the musical instruments, were committed to the flames of a large bonfire in the Marketplace. If a troop of horse had not at that moment entered, dispersing the wretches in all directions, the consequences might have been dreadful. was evident that I sang from the heart. With what pleasure did I hear the church bells announce the return of the sabbath! Sunday mornings then were gay among the lower orders. Every one appeared in a bright suit of clothes, and, as the cultivation of flowers was then a prevalent taste, many had pinks or roses stuck in the button-holes of their coats-some came to chapel with flowers in their mouths. After service, I frequently went with my father to see their nicely-kept gardens, all of which have now unhappily disappeared. I never can forget the mournful ditties of our forefathers, which gave a tinge to my early thoughts. From the politics of Leicester we turn to its religion, which partook largely of the principles of Dissent, originating from the great secession of Nonconformists in 1662, when fortyone ministers in Leicestershire, and as many in Northamptonshire, relinquished their livings, and for the most part gathered round them their independent congregations. As in the time of Luther psalmody was a rallying-point among seceders, so, the Great Meeting in Leicester being the centre from which the love of religious liberty emanated, psalm-singing became prevalent among the pious families. The tunes were of the most lugubrious cast; but, as the age softened from rigid Puritanism, more sprightly airs found their way into the conventicles. My father, a great lover of music, who assisted as an amateur performer at the coronation ceremonies of George III., was the first to infuse a more cheerful style into the singing at the Great Meeting. This is alluded to in Nichols's History of Leicestershire, where the choir is spoken of as "forming a musical society, cultivated with great care, and justly celebrated for its excel. lence." This is the more remarkable, as the Scotch Presbyterians have shown a total neglect of sacred music in their worship, even to this day. It may be said I was nursed in psalmody. . . . My chief merit lay in the obvious pleasure I took in singing, and it The week-day amusements of the elder Mr. Gardiner were sometimes of a different complexion: Wrestling was then considered a manly accomplishment among gentlemen,* and, as my father was strong and active, he was persuaded to accept a challenge from Mr. Carr the banker, who teased him to try his strength in this way, though very contrary to his known taste and habits. The match took place in public, agreeable to the fashion of the day, when the man of money was presently thrown, greatly to the astonishment of the by-standers. The dress of that time has wholly disappeared. My father wore his hair in imitation of the enormous wigs worn by the higher circles. My mother had a high cushion placed on her head, over which the front hair was combed, to join that behind. When propped up on a pair of high-heeled shoes, she looked more like a giantess than a middle-sized woman. . . . Our victories at sea, during the American war, so raised the enthusiasm of the country, that many entered the navy to partake of the national glory, and the shortkneed breeches were laid aside for the sailor's trousers. This alteration had a great effect upon the Leicester trade. Stockings were shortened into half-hose, and what we lost in the length of stockings the Yorkshire clothier gained in the increased length of cloth in the trousers. This circumstance entirely destroyed the manufacture of those beautiful and curious stockings, which till then fashion was continually changing with the utmost variety.t At that time we were not so thick upon the ground as at present, the whole population being not more than ten thousand. There was less luxury and more leisure. *Sir Thomas Parkins, of Bunney, was a great patron of the sport, and wrote a book upon it. + Thus described in Mr. Gardiner's first volume, p. 91: "The manufacture in Leicester chiefly consisted in making pink stockings for the lower order, and for the higher pearloured, with scarlet clocks," was the We had numerous feasts in the course of the year. There was the venison feast, the tradesmen's feast, the florists' feast, the singers' feast, and many others, at which vast libations of ale were consumed. The grandest entertainment Mayor's Feast, which began at three o'clock, with a whet of collared brawn to sharpen the appetite for dinner at four. The table was amply served with an abundance of game, sent by the gentry of the county, which, with a pipe of wine from the town funds, kept the more loyal part till three in the morning. Wakes and fairs were continually occurring, in which the lower orders indulged in all sorts of sports, as cockthrowing, football, and single-stick. The work people had their clubs, foot-ales, and candle-blocks. The farmers had their sheep-shearing, may-poles, and harvestcart. In the upper classes dancing and cards prevailed; but the grand amuse ment among the gentry was cock-fighting. The mains to be fought were advertised in every paper, and were as common as the cricket-matches at this time. Sometimes one hundred cocks were slaughtered in a day. The theatre of this amusement, called the Cock-pit, stood where now stand the Assembly Rooms. Even men of rank and fashion joined in this cruel sport, and, like our Saxon ancestors, hunted all day and drank all night. The milder sports were angling, bowling, and archery. Of domestic music there was none. It was a rare thing to meet with a jingling spinnet or a harpsichord. It is to the invention of the pianoforte that we must ascribe the brilliant and expressive effects of modern art, and the general spread of a musical taste in all ranks of society. Card and dancing assemblies were advertised every fortnight throughout half the year, to which the Dissenters did not subscribe. Some subscription concerts were set on foot, and, being a novelty, were warmly countenanced, the avowed object being music. The serious dissenting families, for the first time, joined in the amusement, though the entertainment was to end in a ball. The sister of the singer Greatorex * was the organist of St. Martin's church, and had an annual concert, supported by those "four sons of harmony," Bartleman, Harrison, Knevett, and Greatorex-the last her own brother This took place in the assize week, and was fully attended by the county families. As vocalists they were the most perfect set of English singers that ever joined voices together. Bartleman, for tone and expression, has never been approached. His enunciation was bold and intrepid, having all the force of elocution added to the power of song. One morning's entertainment was a visit to St. Martin's organ, to hear Greatorex perform upon that noble instrument. He excelled in playing Handel's chorusses, with a fulness and weight of tone never heard from any other hand. These gifted spirits rusticated with us every year; and in their evening parties I was enlisted to take a part in the madrigals, and, as I could sing at sight, a praise was accorded to me which I did not expect. In the public cultivation of science and literature Leicester was behind serted its public spirit most nobly in other places, though latterly it has asits Literary and Philosophical Society and its Municipal Museum. When I was a young man (relates Mr. Gardiner), we had a small society in Leicester, called the Adelphi, for the discussion of philosophical subjects, and which was put down by the authorities of the town soon after the breaking out of the French Revolution, as it was rumoured that we talked politics. From that time no society or meeting for scientific purposes existed in Leicester till the Literary and Philosophical Society was established in 1835, and in this respect it was behind most other towns of the same size and importance. Mr. Gardiner expresses a decided opinion that in his boyish days "the summers were much hotter, and the winters colder, than now." Upon the first appearance of a sharp frost, which often took place early in November, every boy was elated at the thought of a long winter, in which he could learn to skate, a pleasure that had no bounds. The art was brought to Leicester by the French and Dutch prisoners, and was much taken to and enjoyed by all ranks, as a manly exercise. The winter of 1783 was so intense, and of such long continuance, that a party of the best skaters got up a dramatic pantomime, which they performed upon the broad sweep of the river opposite to the Mr. Gardiner has related the history of the Greatorex family in his first volume, pp. 8 et seq. Miss Greatorex was appointed organist of St. Martin's, at the age of thirteen, on the first erection of the organ, in 1774. Bath Gardens. Harlequin and Columbine were represented by the fleetest skaters. They were followed by Pantaloon and Justice Guttle. There had been just established a set of noisy watchmen in the town, with their great coats, rattles, and lanthorns. These gentry formed part of the dramatis persona. Besides these were sailors, milkmaids, gipsies, and balladsingers, who sang and sold droll songs, written for the occasion. Nuns and friars were not forgotten. The devil pursuing the baker caused much laughter, as his satanic majesty with his long tail rushed through the crowd. A still less refined amusement among the lower classes at Leicester was that called "the Whipping Toms :" Within the precincts of the castle there is a large open space, called the Newarke, where crowds of the lower orders resort on Shrove Tuesday for a holiday. In my father's time the sports were cock-throwing, single stick, wrestling, &c. and probably the practice we are about to speak of arose from a difficulty in clearing the square of the people in order to close the gates. On the ringing of the bell crowds, chiefly young persons, begin to assemble, armed with long sticks, used only as weapons of defence. About three o'clock the Whipping Toms arrive, three stout fellows, furnished with cart-whips, and a man with a bell runs before them to give notice of their approach. The bell sounding, the floggers begin to strike in every direction, to drive the rabble out at the gates; but they are opposed and set at defiance by hundreds of men and boys, who defend their legs with sticks. The mob so tease and provoke the flagellators that they lay about them unmercifully, often cutting through the stockings of the assailants at a stroke. This amusement, if so it can be called, is continued for several hours, the combatant being driven from one end of the garrison to the other, surrounded by crowds of idle women and spectators. Attempts have been made to get rid of this rude custom, but without effect, as some tenure is maintained by it. The means of locomotion, and the consequent supply of provisions and other necessaries of life, were limited to a degree that now appears almost incredible: In my father's time, only two gentlemen's carriages were kept in Leicester, one by the recorder, Wright, and the other by Mr. Lewis, the principal hosier in the place. Those in the upper ranks, who did not aspire so high, kept what was called a double-horse, a strong steady animal; with a pillion behind the saddle for ladies; and, for the convenience of mounting and dismounting, horse-blocks were placed in different parts of the town. The first stage-coach was begun by Mr. Needham. It started from the Gateway, Town-hall-lane, on Monday morning, with six long-tailed black horses; arrived in London on the Wednesday; and returned to Leicester on Saturday. When a young man my father was placed in the house of Chamberlain and Burgess, then the greatest stocking-manufacturers in the town. The carrier, Gostelow, used to bring a string of eight or ten horses to the door to be loaded with goods for Lancashire and Yorkshire: the first horse was hung round with musical bells, to the sound of which the others steadily followed; and in this way Leicester goods were carried to all parts of the kingdom. The milk was borne from door to door upon the heads of women. The bread was carried in panniers (a term which signifies a bread-basket) slung on each side a horse. The coals were brought from Coleorton on the backs of horses, and so continued until the canal was formed in 1791, by which the Derbyshire coal was first introduced into our town. Another feature of Mr. Gardiner's early days, which is strange to the present generation, was the military aspect of the country, when "marching regiments" filled the high roads instead of occupying a special train: During the American war vast numbers of troops passed through our town, on their way to the western world. In summer time they arrived in the evening, covered with dust, and set off again in the morning with their bright implements of war. The whole population was roused on these occasions. Crowds of young girls were up by day-break to join the brave fellows and accompany them as they marched out of town, which they did for miles before they possibly could part. . . ... It is difficult to conjecture why Leicester never rose to a military station. Barracks were built in many large towns about us, as Northampton, Nottingham, and York. Yet our lasses were seldom treated with the animating sight of those men of war. Sometimes, however, a marching and in Mr. Gardiner's xxxviiith chapregiment was quartered in the town, ter he gives some pleasant reminiscences of the results of their flirtations with the belles of Leicester. There were also sojourners of another class, peculiar to a period of warfare, who apparently had some influence, and probably not a beneficial one, upon the habits and morals of the town: The captured sailors were sent on their parole into the midland counties; and we had many of the officers in Leicester. Their manners were strikingly polite; and their accomplishments, in music and dancing, procured for them constant invitations into the best company. Sunday afternoon was the great day of recreation. They all assembled in Phipps' field, on the south side of the town-now entirely covered with houses. Here they amused themselves in active sports of a novel kind, and also greatly diverted the spectators. The billiard-room was the constant resort of the French officers. An incident occurred here that utterly destroyed the harmony between the foreigners and the townspeople. Soulez was playing a game of billiards with John Fenton; a dispute arose, in which Fenton so grossly insulted Soulez that he left the room, and shortly returned with a brace of pistols and demanded instant satisfaction. The pistols (loaded) were thrown on the table for Fenton to take his choice. He dastardly seizing one of them ran away with it. Sonlez pursued him to the Green Dragon, where Fenton took shelter. His brother the landlord, a large stout man, endeavoured to thrust the Frenchman out; but, in the scuffle, Soulez, who had the other pistol in his pocket, shot the landlord on the spot. Soulez was tried for the murder; but, as there could have been no previous malice against the landlord, it was brought in manslaughter. When the Frenchman was remanded to prison, had it not been for my father, and a few others who were present, he would have been torn to pieces by the mob. The sentence was submitted to the judges; and soon afterwards Soulez received the king's pardon. We find by Mr. Gardiner's former volume that this anecdote, which is here given without a date, appertains to the year 1778, during the height of the American war. It is evident that many of the other particulars we have quoted belong rather to the last century than to the present, Mr. Gardiner having written with the natural tendency to cling to one's earliest recollections. However that may be, they must be regarded as valuable materials, supplied by an experienced and intelligent observer, towards that domestic history of the country for which the writings of a Macaulay have recently inspired a new taste. But, before we take a final leave of Mr. Gardiner and his "friends," we must revert to his interesting anecdotes of one whose biography is now occupying a large portion of public attention. Among the correspondence of Thomas Moore recently edited by Lord John Russell there are four letters (numbered 186, 193, 266, and 351) addressed "to William Gardiner, Esq." but unaccompanied by a word of note to intimate who Moore's correspondent quainted with the Poet. Now, we find was, or how and when he became acthat a friendly intercourse subsisted for some time between them, the details of which form a very interesting feature in the earlier portion of Mr. Gardiner's memoirs; and we think it will be acceptable to the readers of the Life of Moore if we take this opportunity of laying the particulars before them. It will be remembered that in Kegworth in Leicestershire, in order the year 1812 Moore was resident at to be near his patron the Earl of Moira. At that time, says Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Cheslyn invited me to spend a few days at Langley Priory,* to meet the lyric hard, Mr. Anacreon Moore. The house was full of company; and, as the poet did not join in the sports of the field, I had the great pleasure of walking out with him post town, where we went for letters. In over some pleasant fields to Kegworth, the returning, he read me part of one from Lord Moira, who was just setting off to India,† written with the affection and sen * Richard Cheslyn, esq. of Langley Priory, died on the 13th Jan. 1843, aged 72 (see our vol. XIX. p. 332). Moore alludes to this visit in his letter to Mr. Gardiner (Life of Moore, No. 266): "I hope by this time you have recovered from the effects of Mr. Cheslyn's method of teaching your young idea how to shoot, and that you will in future keep out of the way of such unpoetical things as guns, squires, rabbits, &c." Mr. Gardiner had unwillingly joined a shooting party, and returned home with some stray shots in his knee. This seems to be a misrecollection on the part of Mr. Gardiner. Lord Moira's appointment as Governor-general in India took place in Nov. 1812 (see his letter to Moore, No. 203), but Moore moved from Leicestershire to Derbyshire in the preceding September, and the walk described in the text occurred before Moore's letter GENT. MAG. VOL. XL. F 34 sibility of a father. Mr. Moore was then living at Castle Donnington, for the advantage he had in consulting that nobleman's library. If the weather proved unfavourable for walking, the ladies would prevail upon the poet to sit down to the piano-forte. He might be compared to the poets of old who recited their verses to the lyre. His voice, rich and flexible, was always in tune, and his delivery of the words neat and delicious; his manner of touching the instrument was careless and easy; his fingers seemed accidentally to drop upon the keys, producing a simple harmony just sufficient to support the voice. In such company his performance was delightful, always indulging in the amoroso, a style peculiarly his own. Lord Tamworth came one morning, with his hounds, and invited us next day to Staunton Harold, for dinner. After the ladies had left, we had a fine display of Mr. Moore's convivial powers. His Lordship, a fine scholar and bon vivant, soon excited the bard, and a richer feast of classic mirth could not be imagined. His Anacreontic effusions and his corruscations of wit inflamed the company for three hours after the ladies had retired. In the summer [i.e. apparently, the summer of 1814] I paid a visit to Mr. Anacreon Moore, when he resided at Mayfield Cottage, Derbyshire.† He met me at the bridge-foot, where I alighted from the coach, a little beyond Ashbourn, and took me a near way over the fields. When we came to the top of the hill which commanded a view of the spangled vale below, I exclaimed I can tell, by that smoke that so gracefully curls Above the green elms, that your cottage is near! He was pleased with the quotation (from his well-known song of The Woodpecker), and we stopped a few minutes to survey the richness of the landscape. On arriving, it was delightful to be welcomed by his graceful wife, who was assiduous in entertaining her company. The condition imposed upon his visitors was to tarry with him only a certain number of days, having but one spare nest, which was to receive another bird the moment the former had flown. Another stipulation was, that im mediately after breakfast he should be left The next morning I was shown into the library, and while there a letter came from Mr. Jeffrey, complimenting him upon the learned review of the Fathers which he had written for the Edinburgh Review. So much erudition was displayed in that article, that the editor sent him a carte blanche, pressing him to choose his own subject, and he should not be surprised if his next communication was a learned disquisition on astronomy. He put into my hands a MS. book, in the handwriting of Lord Byron, a memorial of his extraordinary life. I had scarcely feasted my eyes many seconds, when a carriage drove up full of ladies, to make a morning call. He said, "I must take this book from you; I dare not let it lie about." It was instantly put under lock and key. One evening he sat down to the pianoforte, and asked me to listen to a song he had just written, Those evening bells. He performed it with exquisite taste; I thought it one of his happiest effusions, and a composition that could only have emanated from himself, in whom the poet and the musician were combined. When I was in town, negociating with to Mr. Gardiner (No. 186), which was written in the previous July, in which the Poet Robert, only son and heir-apparent of Robert seventh Earl Ferrers. He died before his father, and without issue, in 1824. + Moore's letter (No. 266), dated in January 1814, contains a prospective invitation to Mayfield Cottage. |
