DYOTT'S DIARY
' Ye Diotts, in distress pledge not ye bowle,
For Favour, Fortune, Freeford fill the tankard full.'
Old Couplet.
DYOTT'S DIARY
1781-1 845
A SELECTION FROM THE JOURNAL OF
WILLIAM DYOTT, SOMETIME GENERAL IN
THE BRITISH ARMY AND AIDE-DE-CAMP
TO HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE III.
^ '\ ( '!<
EDITED BY
REGINALD W. JEFFERY, M.A.
BRASENOSE COLLEGE, OXFORD
IN TWO VOLUMES
VOL. I.
WITH PORTRAITS
H
- 1
LONDON
ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE
AND COMPANY, LTD.
1907
Ofl
53 >
V.
Edinburgh : T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty
PREFACE
MANY manuscripts of different kinds and of considerable
historical value have been preserved by the Dyott family
of Freeford Hall, Staffordshire, for several centuries.
This Diary, now made known for the first time, is merely
a selection from these papers which in the next few years
may possibly be published. With Mr. R. A. Dyott's
consent, I have selected the most interesting portions of
the Diary, which in its original form consisted of about
500,000 words. Much that was of importance to General
Dyott has lost its point in these later years, and many
purely family matters have therefore been excluded. I
have kept, however, those remarks which seemed to me
to illustrate most fitly the characters of the writer and of
his children.
The spelling of place-names had to be revised, and
with regard to mere slips of the pen I have also made
some corrections. But I have thought it better to preserve
such archaisms of the period as * musick,' * aristocratick,'
etc. Words enclosed in marks of parenthesis ( ) stand so
in the original text, but occasionally I have been obliged
to supplement the meaning, and any additions of mine will
be found in square brackets [ ]. I was particularly anxious
not to overload the book with footnotes, and so have
selected only those individuals concerning whom I con-
sidered some information v would be interesting.
vi DYOTT'S DIARY
Before sending the Diary into the world I have to thank
Mr. R. A. Dyott, the owner of the manuscript, for intrust-
ing me with the work. He, I know, joins with me in most
sincere thanks to Mr. R. S. Rait, Fellow of New College,
for all his kind assistance.
REGINALD W. JEFFERY.
OXFORD, 1907.
CONTENTS
PAGES
INTRODUCTION ..... ix-xxxvii
FEBRUARY 1781 TO DECEMBER 1826 . . 1-386
PEDIGREE ...... 387
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
GENERAL WILLIAM DYOTT .... Frontispiece
THE DUKE OF YORK . . . . . 131
MRS. DYOTT ...... 247
His MAJESTY KING GEORGE in. . . . . 294
RICHARD DYOTT, ESQ. ..... 304
vii
INTRODUCTION
IT has been said that the best form and method of historical
representation is that which echoes the original voice. In
the diary now for the first time made known to the world
we almost hear, not the echo, but the original voice itself.
History is a glass through which the past may be seen,
but too often this is coloured by the bias of the historian,
and the reader sees through the glass darkly. But con-
temporary writings are glasses of truth, and the reader may
see things face to face. It is sometimes given to certain
men of subordinate importance in their own day so to
reveal themselves in their journals as to leave upon genera-
tions in after-years an impression of their personality, so
vivid as to convince those who scan the page of the char-
acter and motives of the writers. Of such was the immortal
Samuel Pepys, whose remarkable diary of ten years extended
from 1659 to J 669. Of such a character, too, was General
William Dyott, who as a young man, in a probably thought-
less moment, began a journal, which he continued from
1781 to 1845, filing sixteen volumes of varying sizes,
recording some thoughts, pleasures, accidents by flood and
field, on almost every day for sixty-four of the most
interesting years of English history.
The manor of Freeford, near Lichfield, Staffordshire, is
of very considerable antiquity, being recorded in Domesday
Book among the lands of the Bishop of Chester. The
x DYOTT'S DIARY
Dyott family have been connected with Freeford since
1553, and the family seat still remains in their hands.
The main portion of the present house was built in 1734,
and additions have been made in different directions during
the last eighty years. In close connection with this estate
were the adjoining lands of Fulfen, Fulfin, or Foofin,
which are frequently mentioned in the Central's diary, and
passed into the possession of the Dyotts in the reign of
Charles i. It was during this reign that the Dyott family
made themselves conspicuous owing to their loyalty to their
sovereign. The Lord Paget of that day granted to them
a commission to raise troops for Charles, which they did
with the utmost zeal. Sir Richard Dyott, Knight, was one
of the Privy Council to King Charles at York; and his sons
all served the King. Anthony, a barrister by profession,
was a major of foot in the royal army ; the second son,
Richard, was a captain of horse serving at Edgehill, and
being obliged to fly from the country, only returned at the
Restoration. Two other sons also served in the royalist
cavalry, the youngest, Michael, being shot dead on the i6th
March 1644. Above all, there was the famous Dumb
Dyott, who killed Lord Brooke in his attack on Lichfield,
and whose memory was kept fresh by annual dinners held
to celebrate the famous resistance of that town to the
parliamentary forces.
From the Restoration to the accession of George in.
the Dyott family was not in any way distinguished. As far
as can be ascertained they lived the usual lives of country
squires and intermarried with the neighbouring county
families.
William Dyott, afterwards general in the British army,
INTRODUCTION xi
was born on the I7th April 1761. He was the second son
of Richard Dyott of Freeford Hall, Staffordshire. When
he was four years of age, together with his eldest brother
and some of his sisters, he underwent the then very
uncommon practice of inoculation for small-pox, in the
house of Mr. Tom Levett 3t Lichfield. From the General's
own account hi must have been sent to school very young,
for he could not have been much more than five years old
when he first went to Clifford's school in Lichfield, where
he remained for three years. At about the age of eight or
nine he was moved to a school known as Price's, where he
stayed until he was about twelve years old. For the next
two years he was sent to the old Grammar School at
Ashbourne, not far from the church, but he speaks of it
in later life as * such a school as fitted youth for no pursuit
in life beyond a retail shop-board.' The last four years
of his education were spent in Nottingham. From the
time he was eighteen years of age he led an idle life,
staying for the most part at Drakelow, the seat of an old
family friend, Sir Nigel Gresley, and ' living upon the
promises of great men.'
At last, however, the young man 'entered life,' as he
called it, on the 2Oth February 1781, by which he meant
that he went to London with the hope of getting a commis-
sion in the army. To assist him in this, he spent four
months at Locke's Academy, near London, then a training-
school for young officers. He was gazetted an ensign in
the 4th regiment on the I4th March of that year, and in
August went to Ireland to join his regiment. It was here
that he had his first taste of military life, which seems to
have been of a somewhat wild and idle character. There
xii DYOTT'S DIARY
are frequent references to routs, dances, parties, dinners,
and shooting expeditions with the colonel, but his military
duties were nothing more than attending reviews or the
flogging of deserters. And yet this was the period generally
regarded as the darkest in English history. The War of
American Independence was not yet concluded ; the navies
of the world were pitted against us, and Gibraltar had only
just undergone its famous three years' siege.
On the 9th May 1782 William Dyott was promoted
lieutenant, and was placed on half-pay in the following
year. For sixteen months from October 1783, such was
the curious military life of the period, Lieutenant Dyott
spent his time between Freeford, Bath, and London. It
was in the spring of 1784, as he afterwards recorded, that
he ' saw the then Duchess of Devonshire, in a scarlet habit
with a cap made of a fox's skin and the brush hanging down
her Grace's back, canvassing for the celebrated Charles Fox '
in the ever-famous Westminster election. In the following
December he once more embarked for Ireland to rejoin the
4th regiment, for which he had the greatest affection. In
the summer of 1785 he was moved to Cork, where he passed
a gay and happy twelve months. His military duties were
extremely light, though he was now adjutant of his regiment,
and except for a few marches and the capture and trial of
Whiteboys, he had nothing to do but, to use his own
words, ' have a joyous time.'
Once again Dyott obtained leave of absence for three
months, but on his return to Freeford he found his father
lying senseless from a paralytic stroke. The old man passed
away on the 2nd January 1787, much to the grief of his
children. He was buried, according to the ancient rites of
INTRODUCTION xiii
the Dyott family, at half-past nine at night, by torchlight,
in St. Mary's Church, Lichfield. In the following April
Dyott rejoined his regiment in Ireland, but his residence
there was not to last for long.
Although England was at peace for the time being, troops
were needed to garrison the outlying parts of the empire,
and Dyott with his regiment was despatched in June 1787
to Nova Scotia, where he had his first experience of foreign
service. It was when quartered here that he made the
acquaintance of Prince William, afterwards King William iv.,
who was then commanding the Andromeda upon that station.
During the Prince's visit the two young men became bosom
friends and indulged in numerous practical jokes at the
expense of their acquaintances. One of the most delightful
records, as it is so unconsciously innocent, is the note at the
end of the description of a dinner at which the Prince had
been. ( There were just 20 dined,' Dyott writes, 'and we
drank 63 bottles of wine.' The description of Nova Scotia
and the social life at that period is of considerable interest to
all who wish to study the early story of that portion of the
British empire. Dyott has also sketched the military life
of the day with a clear and impartial hand. He wrote, as
he himself once said, either for his own amusement in his
old age, or, should he ever have any, for the amusement of
his children.
William Dyott was promoted captain on the 25th April
1793, and in the June of that year returned to England to
take up the post of aide-de-camp to Major-General Hotham,
commanding the Plymouth district. The news that had
reached Nova Scotia had pointed to peace, so that Dyott
was much surprised when he landed in England to find the
xiv DYOTT'S DIARY
whole country in a state of excitement and preparation for
a war, which it was little thought would last, except for a
brief period, for nearly twenty-two years. In anticipation
of this colossal struggle, first against the mistaken principles
of revolutionary France, and then to save Europe from the
domination of the superhuman Napoleon, all Englishmen
were training arms. Dyott immediately went to Plymouth,
where he drilled Lord Uxbridge's regiment, and his lord-
ship obtained for him the position of major of brigade.
These arduous military duties did not prevent him visiting
Freeford and going with Lord Granville Leveson-Gower
to the Lichfield races. In May 1794 he went to London
to see about his majority in the iO3rd regiment, and during
his stay in the capital he attended the hearing of Lord
Cornwallis's evidence for Warren Hastings, of whom, he
says, c surely never was a more persecuted man.' In this
Dyott was perfectly correct, for Hastings had been impeached
as early as 1788 and was not fully acquitted until 1795.
Dyott's promotion was now rapid, for in June 1795 he
was appointed, by means of his friend Lord George Lennox,
brigade major-general, and in the beginning of August he
received his rank of lieutenant-colonel. In September he
had to take leave of all his friends in Plymouth, and joined
the a8th regiment to go on foreign service. He, however,
effected his exchange into the 25th regiment and embarked
at Portsmouth in November for the West Indies. The
whole fleet, under the command of Admiral Christian, was
driven back by what is known as Christian's storm. Many
lives were lost ofF Portland, but Dyott's ship escaped.
Having started again on the 9th December, Dyott writes
that they were at sea four weeks, but owing to the south-
INTRODUCTION xv
west wind were really only four days' sail from England.
On the 2 yth January 1796 they crossed the line, and Dyott
records very vividly the old custom of the visit of Neptune.
At last, on the nth February, having been at sea for two
months, they reached the island of Barbadoes, which is fully
described in the diary.
A very serious negro rising had, about this time, taken
place in Grenada. The negroes had been roused by the
teaching of the French revolutionists, and Robespierre had
sent Victor Hugues to circulate the doctrines of Liberty,
Equality, and Fraternity. Sir Ralph Abercromby was at
the head of an expedition to suppress the revolt, and Dyott
with his regiment was sent to take part. He gives a very
full account of the island, but, above all, of his first intro-
duction to real fighting. He was in command of his
O o
regiment and saw some serious work, much of which was
hand to hand. He paints a terrible picture of the sufferings
of the British soldier at that time, and the carelessness of
the Government. ' The army,' he says, ' was suffering in
a most shameful manner for the want of numerable articles
in which it stood much in need. Neither wine nor medicine
for the sick, and not a comfort of any one kind for the
good duty soldier. Salt pork, without either peas or rice,
for a considerable time, and for three days nothing but
hard, dry, bad biscuit for the whole army, officers and men.
Two days without (the soldiers' grand comfort) grog.'
Dyott left Grenada in July, landed at Plymouth in October,
and visited London, Freeford, and Keel. He returned to
Plymouth in 1797, where he witnessed a naval mutiny
similar to the more celebrated insurrections at Spithead
and the Nore. * The horrid business,' he writes, { was only
xvi DYOTT'S DIARY
settled by means of great concessions on the part of the
Government.'
The naval mutinies were but one of the many difficulties
against which William Pitt had to contend. A large section
of the Irish people had for some time been conspiring against
England, and open rebellion devastated the country in the
early part of the year 1798. In June Dyott, with the
Lancashire militia, was ordered to be ready to go to Ireland
at a moment's notice. This duty, however, he was not
called upon to fulfil, as the rebellion was crushed on the
2ist June by the energy of General Lake at Vinegar
Hill.
From July to December 1798 Dyott was quartered in
Jersey, but just before Christmas he paid a visit to Sir Hew
Dalrymple's regiments in Guernsey, and from there returned
to Freeford. The spring of 1799 found Dyott once more
actively employed, and in March, on the recommendation
of the Duke of York, he was appointed assistant adjutant-
general to the troops in the south-western district under
the orders of Sir William Pitt. Dyott offered himself in
June for service abroad, * and received a very flattering
answer ' from the commander-in-chief. He was ordered
to join Sir Ralph Abercromby, but did not do so in the
end, and so escaped the disasters that happened to the
25th regiment in the famous expedition to the Helder.
The year 1800 opened with more honours for Dyott, for
on the 4th January he was promoted full colonel. In June,
at a review at Windsor, the old King George in. com-
plimented him on the fine appearance of his regiment, and
this probably led to his appointment as aide-de-camp to
the King late in the following year. In February 1801
INTRODUCTION xvii
George in. showed symptoms of his old complaint, and
Dyott records this, saying, as was the common talk of the
day, that it was caused by Pitt's refusal to agree with
the King. The disagreement on the question of Roman
Catholic Emancipation led to Pitt's retirement on the
1 4th March.
Meantime, while the war continued unabated, and great
matters of state were causing ministers to fall and a king to
go mad, Dyott cared for none of these things, paying long
visits to Sir Nigel Gresley ' for the sake of his dear
daughter Maria.' But this love-passage was to be cut short,
for on the 2ist May, Dyott, with the 25th regiment,
embarked at Portsmouth for Egypt. The troops were to
reinforce the British army previously despatched under Sir
Ralph Abercromby, to drive out the French left there by
Napoleon. On the 2ist March, the French army was
defeated at the battle of Alexandria by Sir Ralph, who was
mortally wounded on the field. The force with which
Dyott had sailed called at Gibraltar and Malta (of which he
gives a full and interesting account), and reached Aboukir
Bay on the 9th July. The regiments found that they were
to be under the supreme command of General Hutchinson.
Dyott records all that happened at Alexandria, and how he
commanded his troops in the action of the 22nd August, which
led, first, to the capitulation of that city under Menou, and,
finally, in September, to the French evacuation of Egypt. A
month later Dyott reached Gibraltar, whence he toured
about in the surrounding country and saw a great deal of
Spain and the Spaniards.
The Treaty of Amiens having been signed on the 25th
March 1802, there was no immediate evidence of a renewal
b
xviii DYOTT'S DIARY
of the great struggle. It was not likely, however, that
peace would last for long, as Napoleon's restless ambition
menaced the ascendency of Great Britain. Nevertheless
many Englishmen took the opportunity of going abroad,
and Dyott, therefore, left Gibraltar in June with the idea of
seeing something of the Continent, and making his way
home overland. He visited the Balearic Islands, Corsica,
and landed at Leghorn. He then describes all that he saw
on his journey through Italy and France, giving full in-
formation about the manufactures, theatres, cafes, etc., of
Leghorn, Piza, Florence, Modena, Parma, Milan, Turin,
Chambery, and Lyons. On the 25th July he landed in
England and paid numerous visits. Between the 5th and
28th of August he was at Highfield, Richmond, London,
Freeford, Seal, Ashbourne, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield,
York, Leeds, Doncaster, and Scarborough. From this time
until September 1803 he spent his time going backwards
and forwards from Freeford to London and other places.
The war had now broken out again after Lord Whit-
worth's stormy interview with Napoleon on the I3th
March, the rupture being finally completed on the i2th
May. Dyott was therefore forced to take up his military
duties once more, and on the 3rd September was appointed
brigadier-general on the Irish staff, with headquarters in
Dublin. He resided here for nearly eleven months, when he
was suddenly recalled to take up his post as aide-de-camp
to the King at Windsor in August 1804. His duties were
of the very lightest kind. On one occasion he accompanied
the royal family to Weymouth, and they all went sailing in
the King's yacht, including, as he somewhat disrespectfully
remarks, 'the Queen and females.' The rest of his time
INTRODUCTION
xix
was taken up by attending members of the royal party to
the theatre, or playing cards with the Queen and Princesses.
It is astonishing to notice that when England was so full
of the possible invasion by Napoleon from Boulogne, Dyott
passes it over so briefly. Once and once only does he hint
at this danger when he writes of ' a report of the enemy's
fleet being off the coast,' but he notes later that c it was a
false alarm.' In just the same way the great battle of
Trafalgar, with all its important results, does not seem to
have interested 'the diarist, for he does not write a single
word concerning Nelson's magnificent victory. The diary
records rather the writer's own marriage with Miss Eleanor
Thompson, and between 1806 and 1808 he tells of his
married life, the birth of his children, and his command of
troops in Sussex.
The quiet life in Sussex, at Hollington Lodge, near
Hastings, and the occasional happy visits to Windsor and
Freeford, suddenly ceased, when orders came on the 6th
December 1808 to join Sir John Moore in Spain, where the
Peninsular War was now being waged. On the 8th January
1809 Dyott embarked for his new service, but before he
could land in Spain news arrived that Sir John Moore had
been killed in the hour of victory at Corunna. The General
was therefore ordered to return to England, which he reached
at the beginning of the next month.
Dyott's home was now broken up at Hollington Lodge,
and he moved to Winchester, where he was no sooner
settled than, in July, he was appointed to take command
of a brigade, consisting of the 6th, 5Oth, and 9ist regi-
ments, in the ever-famous but disastrous Walcheren
Expedition. The armament sailed from the Downs on the
XX
28th July. The whole thing was an enormous blunder ;
there was an utter neglect of medical and sanitary precau-
tions, when these ought to have been especially the care of
the Government, as Walcheren was notoriously unhealthy in
the winter months. The fleet was under the command of
Sir Richard Strachan, while the army was led by the incom-
petent second Earl of Chatham, who owed his position to
royal favour. Lord Castlereagh must also be blamed for
the delays, and for the foolhardy choice of leaders. The
objects of the expedition were to destroy the enemy's fleet
and arsenals at Flushing, Antwerp, and Terneuze, to reduce
the island of Walcheren, and, finally, to render the Scheldt
no longer navigable for ships of war. Dyott's brigade was
attached to the Marquis of Huntly's division, which occu-
pied the island of South Beveland. In August Flushing
surrendered to Chatham, but at the end of that month, having
advanced his headquarters to Bath, he found that further
advance was impossible, and recommended the Government
to recall the expedition, leaving 1 5,000 men to defend
Walcheren. Owing to the return of many of the senior
officers, Dyott acted as second in command in South Beve-
land from September to October. The garrison suffered
very severely, the General recording that nearly 9000 men
were sick at one time. Eventually, on the 24th December,
Walcheren was abandoned, the destruction of Flushing
being the sole result of the expedition. Meantime, on the
ist November, General Dyott landed at Harwich, delivered
his despatches, and never again went on active service.
The General's life now took upon itself a different
character. Although he remained in the army, he became
much more interested in agricultural pursuits and politics,
INTRODUCTION xxi
and it is from this moment that he shows himself to have
been a Tory of the old school. In July 1810 he was
appointed on the home staff with headquarters at Lichfield,
which post he held until his promotion to the rank of
lieutenant-general three years later. In the autumn of 1810
the General was much disturbed by the calamity that fell
upon the royal house. George ui.'s intellect was finally
upset by the death of his youngest and favourite child,
Princess Amelia, and the result was that in the follow-
ing year the chief business before Parliament was the
Regency Bill by which the Prince of Wales became Prince
Regent.
At the end of 1 8 1 1 the General had very unpleasant
work to do. By this time the effects of the war and of the
industrial revolution were beginning to be apparent, and
the lower classes launched upon those disastrous methods of
making their existence known to a world that had up to
then ignored them. The Luddite riots, named from a
half-mad boy, Ned Lud, broke out in different parts of the
country. The wrecking of machines became very common,
and rick -burning and other excesses necessitated stern
measures on the part of the Government. It was natural
at that period to connect all disorderly movements with
revolutionary designs, and Lord Sidmouth increased the
powers of the magistrates to punish rioters. The organised
conspiracy to break machines spread rapidly from Notting-
ham into the adjacent counties of Derby, Leicester, York,
and Lancaster. General Dyott was ordered to check the
riots at Nottingham, and he had with him the I5th dragoons
and the Berkshire militia. The appearance of this strong
military force quietened those districts for the time being,
xxii DYOTT'S DIARY
but the seed of discontent had been sown, and the General
lived to witness other serious trouble of a similar kind.
From 1813 to 1817 Dyott's life was darkened by a
domestic tragedy. His wife became an invalid, and while
in a very delicate state of health fell in love with a man
called Dunne, with whom she eloped. With all the diffi-
culty of that period the General at last obtained an Act of
Parliament divorcing his wife, and he never saw or heard of
her again until she died in 1841.
So much had the mind of the General been taken up by
his own sad troubles that he makes no definite entry as to
the battle of Waterloo on the i8th June 1815, though he
does mention it casually in the following August. It was
now that he settled down as a country gentleman. He
shot with the Marquis of Anglesey, or took his two boys,
Dick and Bill, to school, or went to London to attend a
levee. On the yth November 1817 he records the general
grief of the country on the death of Princess Charlotte in
childbirth. It has truly been said that her death was the
great historical event of that year. She was the daughter
of the Prince Regent, and was credited with private virtues
and public sympathies strongly contrasted with the vicious
disposition of her father. No wonder Dyott exclaims,
c Where are we to look for an heir to the Crown ? '
because, of the fourteen members of the royal family who
stood nearest the throne, not one was under forty years of
age, and not one had a legitimate child.
The state of the country got worse and worse. Thus in
January 1819 Dyott shows that Staffordshire and the pottery
districts were filled with rioters ; but Manchester was even
more disturbed, and remained the centre of the agitation
INTRODUCTION xxiii
which culminated, on the i6th August, in the Manchester
Massacre or ( Peterloo,' to which the General briefly
alludes. So bad, indeed, did affairs become, and so much
did the gentry of the day imagine that ' the seditious meet-
ings " tended " strongly to favour revolution,' that in
November General Dyott joined the Marquis of Anglesey,
the Marquis of Stafford, and Lords Granville, Gower,
Dartmouth, Anson, and Newport in moving a resolution
* to augment the yeomanry and to recommence the forma-
tion of armed associations in the principal towns.'
Meantime the General had sent his two sons to West-
minster School, and the diary is full of pleasant incidents
showing the affectionate nature of the father and the good
disposition of his boys. There are coach journeys to London
by the * Balloon ' or * Eclipse,' visits to the sights of the
great metropolis, and dinner-parties with old military
friends. It is very seldom that the General fails to remark
the extraordinary growth of the capital, and how, what had
been fields and marshes when he first came up a raw young
man from the country in 1781, were now squares and streets
of stately houses.
The General was by this time nearly sixty years of age,
and he was beginning to see his old friends pass away. He
was particularly grieved at the death of his old master,
George m., which took place on the 28th January 1820.
Dyott records the event, and says : { I had been honoured
by much of the gracious and condescending kindness of his
Majesty, and had opportunities of seeing and observing much
of the good King's domestick and publick life, and I can say
most conscientiously and truly that never was a more
virtuous, religious, moral man existed. ... I never knew
xxiv DYOTT'S DIARY
his Majesty speak ill of any one or say a harsh or severe
thing unless it was deserved.' It is well known that his
son George iv. was a contrast in every respect, but Dyott
says of that prince with more generosity than many of his
contemporaries : ' A more accomplished Prince could not
be as to address and manner, but as King of a great
Empire future historians will not have materials to supply
many princely traits of a great man.' The fact that
George iv. possessed none of the traits of a great man was
soon exemplified by his action with regard to his wife
Queen Caroline. On the I3th June 1820 Dyott records
the arrival of the Queen in London. There are frequent
references to the * queen's trial,' which was merely a portion
of a long domestic but squalid tragedy stretching over
twenty-five years. Although Dyott regarded the Queen
as guilty, yet she was acquitted, and rightly so, by the
legislature. At one time the idol of the populace, she at
last lost all respect by her undignified efforts to obtain
entrance into Westminster Abbey on the occasion of the
King's coronation on the 2ist July 1821. A fortnight
later the unhappy woman was taken ill, and on the 7th
August she passed away. There can be no question that
her popularity soon waned, and as the Queen was forgotten,
so George iv. became less hated by the lower orders of his
subjects.
Although Dyott was now a soldier of some position, he
had never had the honour of meeting 'the great Captain
of the age ' until this year. Of the Duke of Wellington,
like so many other celebrities of his day, Dyott sketches
a brief character containing much truth. 'The Duke was
not very talkative,' he writes, ' though a large party of his
INTRODUCTION xxv
friends were present. I was never in his company before ;
neither his appearance, manner, or conversation strike you
as a man possessing the great mind and capacity he had
so wonderfully displayed.'
The next few years of Dyott's life clearly show his
remarkable strength at an advanced age. He visited his
friends, such as Lord Talbot, the Lord -Lieutenant of
Ireland, Lord Bagot, Sir Roger Gresley, and Colonel
Sneyd. He travelled up to London to see his dear boys
at Westminster and to pay his respects to his sovereign.
He seemed impervious to heat or cold tramping the fields
with his gun, and in a driving storm of sleet in January
1823 killed four brace of pheasants and a hare while shoot-
ing with the Marquis of Anglesey. The next year, on one
of his flying visits to London, he dined with the Princess
Augusta and accompanied her to Drury Lane Theatre.
There is also a small piece of social history in the notes
of this year which is of interest, as it shows how long bull-
baiting was carried on in this country. * The opposition,'
writes the General, 'to the rustick sport of bull-baiting
was not repeated this year. The refinements in the
manners and habits of the various classes of the community
has reached the little as well as the great, and if interfering
resistance had not given particular importance to the bull-
bait, it would have met the fate of all the diversions of its
* date and have sunk to rise no more.'
In the April of 1825 the General's wishes were accom-
plished when he received a letter from the Duke of York
informing him that he had been appointed colonel of the
63rd regiment. But this excitement was now over-
shadowed by another, for all England was ringing with
xxvi DYOTT'S DIARY
the great question of Roman Catholic Emancipation. The
General, as an ardent Tory, very naturally opposed the
measure which he conceived was fraught ' with great evil
. . . and induces to the support of a religion we are taught
by Holy Writ to protest against.' The political aspect of
the question was very important, and the diary in the next
few years shows very plainly the bribery and corruption
that existed in the ' good old days ' before the Reform Bill
of 1832. It is from the year 1825 onwards that much is
recorded of the family of Sir Robert Peel, for whom the
General had a great amount of respect for their intelligence,
but looked upon them at first as rather interlopers in
Staffordshire society. *The Secretary was most gracious
as usual,' he writes ; 4 it was a delightful sight to observe
the old Baronet, raised by his own individual exertion to
the eminence he had obtained in society, and to the high
gratification of seeing his son one of the first and
greatest men in the land sitting at the head of his father's
table.' It was indeed with this, the second Sir Robert
Peel, that General Dyott was particularly intimate, and to
whom he frequently went for advice on political and
agricultural matters, both men being passionate enthusiasts
in the two things they regarded as most important in a
man's worldly life.
The historic speculative frenzy of 1825 and 1826 is
recorded by the diarist with a few wise words to account
for it. The actions of the Government and the Bank of
England, together with the good sense of the mercantile
community, soon caused the alarm of these years to
disappear, and the political excitement of 1827 carried men's
minds from the mad fever of speculation that had so
INTRODUCTION xxvii
recently engrossed them. The dissolution, mentioned in
the diary in June 1826, closed the life of one of the longest
Parliaments in modern times. The two burning questions
of the day were Roman Catholic relief and the corn laws,
and the General watched the election at Lichfield with
intense eagerness. In the midst of all this excitement
Mrs. Dyott, the widow of the General's elder brother,
died, and at last he was able to take up his residence in
the home of his ancestors. He immediately set about the
renovation of his c dear, dear Freeford,' of which on another
occasion he says, { in all my travels abroad and at home
I have seen nothing like it.' The month of December
found the General in London, the streets of which present
one stream of mud, over which there is no passing in shoes
without their being filled.'
At this moment the members of the English cabinet were
watching with anxious eyes the political upheaval in Spain.
Canning, then foreign minister, had refused to take any
part is these difficulties unless Portugal, our old ally, was
attacked. As Portugal was invaded from Spain in December
1826, Canning was forced to act promptly, and within a
few days he had despatched a force including Dyott's regi-
ment to the assistance of the Portuguese Princess Regent.
Another event of great interest to the General was the
death, on the 5th January 1827, of the Duke of York, who
had long been commander-in-chief. He was succeeded by
the Duke of Wellington, of whom Dyott says, { Although
so great a captain and having so frequently led the British
troops to victory, is not a general favourite, and he must
make great exertions to obtain the popularity possessed by
his royal predecessor.' But Wellington resigned his post
xxviii DYOTT'S DIARY
a few months later, owing to Lord Liverpool's illness and
the formation of a new ministry with Canning at its head.
In writing of the outgoing ministers Dyott remarks, c No
individual was ever so universally regretted as Mr. Peel, as
perhaps no minister was ever so universally respected.'
The political world during the year 1827 was much
agitated by the Greco-Turkish war. Mr. Canning, as
Premier, hoped to settle this trouble by peaceful interven-
tion, but it is very uncertain whether he would have
succeeded even if he had lived. He died, however,
suddenly in August, having probably caught a chill at the
Duke of York's funeral earlier in the year. His death in-
volved for the moment less political change than might have
been expected, for his administration fell to Lord Goderich,
formerly Mr. Robinson. This continuity was, however,
only for a moment, for the new Prime Minister completely
muddled Canning's policy, and it is also very clear that by
this time the ranks of both Whig and Tory alike were
seamed with dissension. For these reasons in February
1828 there was a change of ministry, and the Duke of
Wellington was appointed Premier. * I cannot attach to the
Duke of Wellington,' writes Dyott, ' the necessary requisites
for a Prime Minister, nor should I imagine his disposition
is of that cast to conciliate men at all adverse to his measures.
I cannot conceive that Mr. Huskisson and he can be play-
fellows, although the former is Secretary of State. They
sparred too openly on the corn question.' The General was
quite right, for Huskisson left the cabinet over the East
Retford Bill. The Duke of Wellington also quarrelled
with Dyott's great friend the Marquis of Anglesey, who was
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. The Marquis wrote to warn
INTRODUCTION xxix
the Government on the rebellious state of Ireland, and
advised Wellington to adopt some form of concession.
The Duke thereupon recalled the Marquis and appointed
the Duke of Northumberland, who was a known antagonist
of Roman Catholic Emancipation. There is no doubt, as
Dyott shows, that there was a good deal of 'rancorous
jealousy in the mind of each which no time "could allay.'
The Marquis of Anglesey had hoped to become Premier
instead of the Duke of Wellington. ' He mentioned to me
in confidence,' records Dyott, 'that during the late dis-
agreements in the ministry, he was solicited by the leading
men to become Prime Minister in preference to the Duke
of Wellington, and which would have gratified the King.'
The General did not, however, altogether support the
Marquis, for he wrote in January 1829, 'I condemn the
Marquis on this principle, " that if a man engages himself in
a subordinate situation he should either attend to the views
and wishes of his employer or resign."
The subject of Roman Catholic Emancipation was now
discussed on every side. Wellington and his coadjutor,
Peel, both saw the necessity of giving way on the emanci-
pation question, lest worse things should happen. In
February 1829 Dyott writes: 'On the 5th Parliament
assembled, the King's speech contained his Majesty's re-
commendation to take into consideration the state of Ireland
with a view to a settlement of the Catholick question. This
communication being made . . . occasioned violent com-
motions with a most abundant share of abuse of the Duke
of Wellington, but more particularly of Mr. Peel, the great
champion of the Protestants. They were severally attacked
in the two houses for their apostacy.' It was a great blow
xxx DYOTT'S DIARY
to the old Tory general when the bill was passed in April.
* Time alone,' he remarks, ' can determine what may be the
consequence. . . . Those who voted con last year have
become pros this. Such is patriotism, such is self.'
Worse times were to come for Dyott, for after Roman
Catholic Emancipation had been gained the Reform Bill
became all the rage. But before he mentions this fresh
trouble he records in 1830 the death of the first Sir Robert
Peel in May, and of George iv. a few weeks later in June.
The new king, William iv., was Dyott's boon companion
in the long-past Nova Scotia days. The General somewhat
sadly writes, * His present Majesty three-and-forty years
ago has more than once said to me, " I shall be glad if I can
ever be of any service to you." Prince's promises are not
permanent proofs.' And yet it may have been partially
due to the new king that Dyott was made full general on
the 23rd July.
The mob once again began to make themselves con-
spicuous by breaking machinery, their object now being to
gain political rights by means of a reform bill. A lively
picture of the times is presented in the diary. The famous
dissolution of Parliament by the King in 1831 is recorded,
with the additional note that ' the public mind at this period
was wrought up to the greatest excitement ; I allude more
especially to the sovereign people. This class, I fear, will
ere long decide the fate of poor old England, which will
not many years be, as it has long been, the first country in
the world.' The next blow was when the General found
that his old friend the Marquis of Anglesey was a supporter
of the Reform Bill. Their great friendship practically ceased
from this moment. { I remember,' writes Dyott with regret,
INTRODUCTION xxxi
' the day when he used to damn the Whigs and all their
measures. Time, they say, works wonders. Vanity and
circumstance prevail over self, and too frequently make
self forget self, and commit all sorts of inconsistency to
serve self.' What with cholera, the Reform Bill, the almost
rebellious state of Ireland and open insurrection of the
negroes in Jamaica, Dyott seems to have thought, now that
he was seventy years of age, that the good old days were
disappearing and that his country was doomed. This
feeling was intensified when the Birmingham politicians
passed a resolution to arm in defence of the Reform Bill.
' What a pass we are come to,' he writes, ' if a few Birming-
ham buckle-makers are to promulgate laws for the Govern-
ment of their own happy country.' The violence that was
exhibited at this time is almost unparalleled in English
history. There was agitation in every part of the kingdom,
and the military proved unable to check the excesses of
the populace in Bristol, Nottingham, and elsewhere. The
General's fury knew no bounds when the Reform Bill was
passed in June 1832. * I think it should be called the Royal
Reform Bill, as it has evidently been the work of our
pretended Patriot King, whose sole object since he ascended
the throne has been to obtain a paltry popularity without a
reflexion as to the means, never once exhibiting the dignified
principle of a mighty monarch or the common prudence of
a country gentleman.'
According to the General the Whigs continued their evil
ways. In 1833 the Emancipation of Slaves Act aroused his
wrath once again : ' The hubbub respecting slavery emancipa-
tion is such that these islands will soon be rid of English
controll, and will either be in possession of the black
xxxii DYOTT'S DIARY
population or placed under some other Government.' In
October 1 834 there came news of the burning of the Houses
of Parliament, which the General regarded as an c indication
of Divine Providence to the reformers of the lower house to
reform themselves.' In November William iv. dismissed
Melbourne and his colleagues. The Duke of Wellington
carried on the Government as First Lord of the Treasury,
Home, Foreign, and Colonial Minister until the return of Sir
Robert Peel, who had been selected as Premier. The new
appointment was very pleasing to the General, but now his
interest in politics was not as keen as it had been. The
particular hobby of the old man was agriculture. He
exchanged rams and pigs with Sir Henry Montressor and
Lord Combermere ; he noted when he sowed and when he
reaped ; he experimented with a new Scotch sub-soil plough
and discussed its merits with Sir Robert Peel. On one or
two occasions he visited one of the great agriculturalists and
breeders of the day, and he records that he 'was much
amused in seeing Mr. Arkwright's very superior fat cattle
all fit for the butcher, 86 in number, stalled and groomed
like racers.' In the meantime he corresponded with his son
Dick, who was quartered in Malta, and with his second son
Bill, who, after a wild and extravagant career at Cambridge,
had settled down as a country curate. The father was very
proud of his boys, but his great solace was his daughter
Eleanor, of whom he took every care, except on one occasion
when his butler had small-pox, and so little was the disease
then considered that the General forgot to warn his daughter
and allowed her to return home.
His home life and cares did not prevent Dyott from
recording his annoyance with Parliament in February 1836.
I NTRODUCTION xxxiii
There were at that time lengthy and heated debates in the
House on the subject of military flogging. * I cannot know
now,' he writes, ' of what stuff the army is composed, but
when I was a regimental officer, if the like proceedings in
Parliament had occurred at that time, there would certainly
have been a death-blow to military discipline.' The growth
of the railways was also another grievance, and was classed
by the General as part of the knavish tricks of the growing
democraticks.' He had, earlier than this, experienced
steam-power on board ship on his return from a visit to
Ireland, but the railway problem touched him more acutely,
for a new line called the South Union was proposed through
his property Fulfin. The General's fears, however, in this
direction were finally swept away owing to the bill being
thrown out by a large majority. Dyott's first journey by
train was made in 1837, from Birmingham to Liverpool, by
the Grand Junction Railway. We found the train of
carriages all prepared and took our places in one distinguished
as the Mail. In addition to the usual formed coach it had
two sittings in front, forming a comfortable post chaise,
commodious and quite pleasant. . . . The speed is so great
it is scarcely possible to gauge of the country you pass.'
There are numerous other references to railway travelling,
and Dyott gets more reconciled to the new mode of
transit.
The year 1837 opened with friendly parties at the houses
of Sir Robert Peel, of the Marquis of Anglesey, and of the
General's relative, Mr. Herrick. Then followed an attack
of influenza, which was common throughout Europe at this
period, continuing with fatal effects for some weeks in
England, which was not surprising, as it was in some cases
xxxiv DYOTT'S DIARY
treated by lancet-bleeding. But the great historic event of
the year was the accession of Queen Victoria, of whom, at
first, the General strongly disapproved. * A very young
Queen/ he writes, ' coming to the throne of this mighty
empire . . . brought up and subject to the control of a
weak and capricious mother, surrounded by the parents'
chosen advisers from distinguished democratick councillors.'
The General lived long enough to completely change his
views and to have a sincere admiration for the great and
illlustrious Queen.
It was during February 1839 that the General began to
cry out about the possible repeal of the corn laws. * Violent
efforts,' he writes, 'now making for the repeal of the corn
laws by the manufacturing interest, aided by corn-jobbers
and monied knaves. The great argument used in support
is the low price of wages in Germany and on the Continent.
. . . What is to become of England if dependent on
foreigners for maintenance ? ' Again he writes : ' Not-
withstanding the complaints of the manufacturers, exporta-
tion increases yearly, and these gentry are acquiring and
retiring with their hundreds of thousands, but alack-a-day,
an agriculturalist retiring with a tenth of that sum is never
heard of.' The fact was that the Anti-Corn Law League
had been founded in the September of the preceding year,
and was beginning to make a great stir throughout the
country by means of the speeches of Cobden and Bright.
But Dyott put his trust in his friend Sir Robert Peel, and
was delighted to hear in May that Peel had been appointed
Prime Minister. He was equally disgusted when he heard
that owing to the famous Bedchamber question, Peel was
unable to accept the offer. ' The Queen,' he writes, ' has
INTRODUCTION
XXXV
lost all her popularity. It is to be feared that trouble and
perplexity may await the violence that these unheard-of
proceedings may occasion.'
The Chartist troubles of 1 839 and the rejoicings occasioned
by the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in
1840 find a place in the diary. The General, however,
was much more interested in the danger of repealing the
corn laws and the different troubles which had recently
arisen. 'The country,' he writes, * appears to me just now
in a state of much anxiety ; rebellion in Ireland, or some-
thing very like unto, from the proceedings of the meddle-
some knave O'Connell respecting repeal ; war in Syria,
in which Old England as usual must have a turn ; and our
neighbours the French are preparing with every appearance
of reality to provoke a war with us.'
At the downfall of the Melbourne ministry in 1841
Peel was once more intrusted with the seals of office, though
he found, as Lady Peel told General Dyott, ' more left on
his hands than he was entitled to.' In February 1842 'Sir
Robert Peel carried his motion,' says the General, 'by a
splendid majority respecting his proposed alteration of the
corn laws.' The Tory party under Peel was determined
not to touch the Ark of Protection, and Dyott believed
implicitly in his friend. But the party agitating for repeal
redoubled their efforts, and Cobden spoke very strongly
against the budget. The diary gives examples of the ill-
feeling and angry disgust felt throughout the manufacturing
districts on the news of the retention of the sliding-scale.
Bright and Cobden were the mainstays of the Anti-Corn
Law movement in the country, while Mr. Villiers cham-
pioned the cause in the House of Commons. Slowly but
xxxvi DYOTT'S DIARY
surely Peel learnt the doctrines of Cobden and the League.
Then followed the potato famine in Ireland, and so at last
the Tory champion, in 1845, dared to propose the repeal
of the Corn Laws. He immediately lost the favour of a
large section of his party, and was forced to resign. Lord
John Russell failed to form a ministry and Sir Robert Peel
was recalled. Peel, now thoroughly in favour of the aboli-
tion, carried his measure, and from 1846 the Corn Laws
were by gentle steps swept away.
Had the old General realised what had happened, it must
inevitably have broken his heart. But the poor old man,
eighty-four years of age, had been struck down before
he knew of, what he could only have regarded as, Peel's
apostasy. For sixty-four years, in foreign parts and at
Freeford, he had kept his journal, and has left a record of
one of the most affectionate fathers, bereaved husbands,
gallant soldiers, and sturdy old Tories that ever lived.
The last few words of the diary were to the editor most
pathetic. In good health he made his last entry on 3rd April
1845, and the simple words were, f On the 3rd begun sowing
barley.'
Colonel Dick Dyott has preserved a few notes that record
the last years of his beloved father's life. On Sunday
6th April the old man was taken suddenly ill while sitting
at breakfast. During the summer of 1845 his splendid
constitution helped him, and he seemed to rally. He
enjoyed a little exercise in a carriage, on foot, or even on
his pony, and wherever he went it is recorded that his
labourers welcomed him with delight. In March, June,
September, and November 1846 the General had further
seizures, but the plucky old soldier insisted on making
INTRODUCTION xxxvii
sufficient effort to go to church. Christmas Day was a very
happy one, as Colonel Dyott says, tendered so by the manner
in which my dear father enjoyed himself.' In January 1847
the wonderful old man suffered a good deal from influenza,
but shook it off with surprising constitutional strength.
On Friday yth May, however, the end came. Colonel Dyott
says : f The two Morgans, his faithful attendant Florendine,
and his three children whom he had loved, God only knows
how dearly, were round his bed. There was no struggle,
scarce an effort, and at ten minutes before one o'clock the
spirit departed to the God who gave it.'
It is perhaps worthy of record that the old General was
buried in precise accordance with the ancient custom of the
Dyott family. The funeral took place on the I4th May.
The procession was formed at nine o'clock at night, so as
to reach St. Mary's Church, Lichfield, at ten o'clock. First
a carriage, then the hearse drawn by four horses ; next
followed a mourning- coach and pair, his own carriage closed
the funeral cortege. Six of the eldest labourers bore the
coffin of their beloved and honoured master ; six other
labourers carried the flaming torches together with two of
the bearers. A large concourse met the procession at the
lodge and attended it to Lichfield, where the streets were
densely crowded. St. Mary's Church, so it is recorded,
was filled with people of respectability, who manifested by
their dress and demeanour the high respect and esteem in
which they held the character of the departed.' So General
Dyott passed to the tomb of his ancestors, leaving for
future generations a journal of his doings, which from some
aspects may be regarded as unique.
DYOTT'S DIARY
1781-1826
THE DIARY OF
GENERAL WILLIAM DYOTT
JOURNAL, no, it is not a journal ; well, what you please, 1781
Mr. William. Februar y
I entered life on the 2Oth day of February 1781, that
is, I entered London in hopes of getting a commission
in the army, after having been at home leading an idle life
for the space of three years, and in truth living upon the
promises of great men.
At last the Fates decreed me to be a soldier, for my
worthy friend Lord Paget, 1 as he has since proved, offered
to my dear brother to get me a commission ; accordingly
when his Lordship got to London, and my dear brother
having spoken to him, Master Billy was ordered to town.
A mighty fuss he made at setting out, and a terrible
fright he was in going up ; having taken a place in the
stage, he got a most woful overturn, which was rather an
unlucky starting, but being arrived in town, and a very
devil of a place I thought that said London, I waited on
Lord Paget, who introduced me to Lord Amherst, 2 and the
latter recommended me to go to Locke's Academy near
London, where I stayed four months, and spent my time very
pleasantly, and though I should not boast of my character,
1 Lord Paget, born 1744; created Earl of Uxbridge 1784; died 1812.
2 Jeffrey Amherst, Baron Amherst (1717-97); knighted 1761; created Baron
Amherst 1776; field-marshal 1796.
VOL. I. A
2 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 20 I believe I left that place with as good a one as any member
ever did.
When I left the Academy I came into the country, and
spent a month very agreeably at Freeford.
August On the 5th of August 1781 I left Lichfield about two
o'clock in the afternoon in company with a Mrs. Cox, a
person whom I knew at Chelsea. She, instead of being all
that was entertaining, was in truth quite the reverse, for
she did nothing but tire me with the gallant behaviour of
her dear husband, showed me his picture, and said he was
the handsomest man in Europe. So much for this most
blushing of her sex ; for I am quite in a fever when I think
of her.
We dined at Wolsey Bridge, from there to Newcastle.
I wrote to Sir N. Gresley l where we waited some time for a
chaise, and when it did arrive it was fit scarce to get into,
for we only ventured ourselves in it as far as Folk-on-the
Hill, where we beheld a spectacle much too horrible for me
to relate, occasioned by a waggon of gunpowder blowing up,
which killed the waggoner and set fire to five houses,
which were burning when we left there.
From thence we went to Northwick, where, thanks to the
commissioner of the roads, we parted, she to the right to
Liverpool, I to Chester ; this was about two o'clock in the
morning.
When I had travelled about an hour I was awakened by
the chaise stopping, when the post-boy did me the satis-
faction of telling me he was lost, for which I made him a
low bow and then kicked him.
1 Sir Nigel Gresley, of Drakelow, co. Derby; succeeded his brother, Sir
Thomas, in 1753 ; died 1787.
LAWLESS HOUSE 3
It was in the middle of an immense forest, and not near 1781
light. We stood gazing about for an hour, and at last
descried a house at a good distance from us, which we made
for, but in our way there we were so unlucky as to get the
chaise overturned, but by a little hard work we got it up
again. When we got to the house the man told us we were
about four miles from the road, but that he would take us
a short cut through his grounds. I asked the man where
we were lost, he said in the forest of Charnley. I think if
we had not seen his house there was not another within five
miles of the place. I asked him what house it was, he said,
f Did you never hear of the Lawless House ? ' 1 to which I
replied in the negative. He said that house was not within
any parish, did not pay any rates or levies, and that
gentlemen that had the misfortune to have an intrigue with
any lady, by which they became in an unlucky situation,
always sent them there to rid themselves of their burden.
I asked him how many he had in the house, he said six,
but would not tell me where they came from. He himself
lived in a small house with his wife and daughters, and the
ladies lived in a large house close to it. He said he did not
keep any maid-servants, for fear they might tell ; but that
his daughters waited on the ladies that had not servants of
their own. So that upon the whole I think I rather gained
than lost by my mishap.
After I had parted from my lawless friend, I went on
very well to Chester, where I arrived about five o'clock in the
morning. Found that the coach to Holyhead set out at
seven, but was full, so what to do I did not know, but the
1 There was a house very similar to this in the Cotswolds. See Rev. W. H.
Hutton, ' Burford Papers,' 1905.
DYOTT'S DIARY
XT. 2O
book-keeper informed me that if I got leave from the
passengers he had no objection to carry five. Upon which
I immediately applied to the passengers with my Meilleur
address, and got leave. I wrote to Mrs. Lane and set forward
about seven.
We landed at the Watch House on the quay about one
o'clock on Thursday, the 9th of August.
When we got to Dublin, Mr. Tighe was so obliging to
invite me to supper with him at some young lady's in
Dublin, but I had promised to sup or at least to spend the
evening with my brother-officer, so Mr. Tighe set me down
at the hotel and we parted.
I don't recollect ever meeting with so much civility from
anybody in my life, especially a stranger, as I did from this
most agreeable man ; and of which I hope I shall ever
retain a grateful remembrance.
When I got to the hotel I found my messmate was gone
to the Rotunda, as he mentioned in the morning. Accord-
ingly I set out after him, found it a humble imitation of
the London Ranelagh. There was a good deal of com-
pany of divers sorts. There is a large garden like the
garden at Ranelagh, only I think larger, which is illumin-
ated, and horns and clarinets. There is also a large and
good band of music in the Rotunda, which is a good room,
but not nearly so large as the English Ranelagh. I stayed
there till about twelve, then went home and to bed.
September Monday ', Sept. 8. At home. Received a letter from Sir
William Montgomery to say I had a pair of breeches at his
office. I find myself at a loss for want of a few more
books, as there is not such a thing as a library in this place
of Armagh. There is no believing the people of this nation,
CHARACTER OF THE IRISH 5
for they seldom or ever tell the truth, and never give you 1781
a direct answer. We get plenty of recruits, but they desert
as fast almost as we get them, and they are never to be
heard of afterwards. In short, I think them calculated
merely to eat potatoes, or * pratys,' as they call them,
though, by the bye, if they were totally abolished the country
(the pratys, I mean), I think it would be of service, for it
makes them so very idle. A fellow perhaps gets a small piece
of land for a mere trifle, which he sets with potatoes, that
serves him all the year. He works at his loom by chance
two days in the week, which is sufficient to pay for his
ground and to buy a little milk to his potatoes. As for
fuel, they burn nothing but peat, that they get for little or
no money. Then they have another thing which they call
whisky. It is distilled from malt, and is very cheap and
devilish strong, so they get most beastly drunk for two-
pence. But I must not let the Irish know of my opinion
of them, for the people I visit behave in the most polite
way. I am only speaking of the * musty * part of them,
as Shakespeare in some of his plays calls the peasant or
labourer.
Friday. At home. Lord Charlemont l arrived here, the
reviewing general of the Irish volunteers. They made
great rejoicings for him, bonfires, illuminations, etc. At
night I received a letter from Daniel, with two letters
enclosed, the one to Mr. Thornton of this place, the other
to a Mr. Olpherts, but unluckily for me they are not either
of them in town. I likewise received letters from Freeford.
1 James Caulfield, fourth Viscount and first Earl of Charlemont (1728-99),
Irish statesman; created Earl of Charlemont 1763 ; associate of Henry Grattan
and Henry Flood.
6 DYOTT'S DIARY
T. 21 Monday ', /## 9. Marched from Armagh at five o'clock,
' j une and of all the days I ever saw it was the worst. It
rained the whole way from Armagh to Monaghan, as
hard as I ever saw it. The road from Armagh to
Monaghan very pretty ; two or three gentlemen's houses
as beautiful as anything I have seen in Ireland. We
marched from Monaghan at five o'clock on Tuesday.
There are some pretty houses between Armagh and
Monaghan. First, Mr. Alexander's on the right five
miles from Armagh, situated upon a most beautiful hill,
with a very fine river running through some charming
meadows below.
Next upon the left three miles further is a seat of a Mr.
Leslie's, at a place called Glasslough. There is a very fine
lake, and a fine hanging wood. From Monaghan we
marched to Clones ; rather a better day. A very fine
country, but nothing remarkable to be seen.
Clones is situated upon a hill ; there is a straight road of
a mile long, before you come up to the town. The Church
is ancient ; near it is an old fabrication or rather redoubt of
earth ; but it is not at all regular. From Clones we
marched six o'clock on Wednesday ; rain again, but the day
proved pretty favourable. On our way we passed a pretty
house belonging to a Mr. Roper (uncle to Major Roper).
We breakfasted at a place called Red Hill ; here is a good
old house belonging to a Mr. White ; nothing very par-
ticular. We then came to a most beautiful place called
Balleyhayes, belonging to a Mr. Newburgh. It is situated
near a fine river with plenty of wood and a good verdure.
From thence to Cavan ; we saw at a distance as we came
pretty near Cavan a fine-looking place belonging to a Lord
IRELAND 7
Farnham, at Farnham. 1 Captain Gouldney joined us at 1782
Cavan.
Sunday. We all dined with Lord Granard 2 at a place
called Forbes Castle near Longford. He was lately a
captain in the 68th regiment. His Lordship is very young,
and I think not very wise. His house is very small, very
bad, and very ill situated. He was vastly civil, gave us
champagne, burgundy, etc., and a most excellent dinner.
From Longford we marched on Monday to Roscommon,
which is fourteen miles, rather a barren country. Ros-
common is but small, the only good building is the Town
House ; near the town is a very ancient and fine old ruin,
reckoned one of the largest in Ireland; it belongs to the
Ranelagh family. The castle (for so it is called) seems to
have been a square with round towers at each angle.
On Tuesday morning we marched from Roscommon, as
bad a morn it was as ever man beheld, to Moylough ; on our
way we breakfasted at a place called Mount Talbot. The
village is very small ; close to it is a very pretty house, etc.,
belonging to a Mr. Talbot, but the day was so bad and our
stay was but short, so that I did not go to see it. From
thence we went on to Moylough, which is eighteen miles
from Roscommon, quite a village ; our men were obliged
to be quartered all round the country.
We left Moylough at three o'clock on Wednesday morn
for Galway, where we arrived about two, after a march of
twenty-four miles over a country that beggars all description.
The town of Galway is a pretty good size, very old, and
1 Barry Maxwell, third Baron Farnham, and Earl Farnham 1785 ; died 1800.
2 George Forbes, sixth Earl of Granard in peerage of Ireland, and first Baron
Granard in the United Kingdom (1760-1837)5 lieutenant-general 1813.
8 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 21 the streets but narrow. There are three barracks, called
the Shamble, the Lombard, and the Castle Barracks ; there
is a pleasant walk called the Quay, and close to a very fine
river, which runs into the sea at the end of the Quay. I
was Thursday and Friday settling myself, did not get into
the barracks till Saturday.
Friday. I was confined to my room all day with the
damned influenza, better on Saturday. The colonel and
corps received an address of thanks from the Mayor and
inhabitants of Galway for our great activity at the late fire.
October Wednesday > Oct. 23. The Commander-in-chief 1 arrived ;
he had a cap. guard from the regiment, and the two corps
of volunteers lined the streets for him. We dined with
him the day he arrived. His suite consisted of Adj.-
General Major Bowyer, Quarter- Master Colonel Dundass,
two aides-de-camps ; Captain Stanley, and Captain Winford,
and a Colonel something. After dinner we all went to the
drum ; the General and his suite did not stay long. The
next morning he inspected the regiment at ten o'clock, and
set forward for Cork immediately. He was invited by a
corps of volunteers to dine with them the day he left town,
but would not stay. We were likewise all invited, and all
got pretty drunk.
Friday, Oct. 25. At home. The Commander-in-chief
seems a very well-bred man, he was perfectly civil to us,
and he is as fine an old soldier as ever I saw. He made a
present of twenty guineas amongst the non-commissioned
officers and privates.
December Thursday, Dec. 26. Went with Mrs. Tomlisson to
1 Sir John Burgoyne (1722-92); capitulated at Saratoga 1777; commander-
in-chief in Ireland 1782 ; wrote plays, including the Heiress, 1786.
IRELAND 9
Castlefane. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there. Was 1782
sent for on Sunday evening by express, as the regiment was
going to march to Cork to attend the execution of
deserters. I left Castlefane about eleven o'clock on Sunday
evening, got to Limerick about three in the morning. We
marched about four ; the first day twenty Irish miles to a
small town called Charleville. I walked the whole way, and
was completely tired.
'Tuesday. We marched fourteen miles to Mallow, a
famous water-drinking place ; the town is very small.
Wednesday. Being New Year's Day, we marched fourteen 1783
miles to Cork. Got in about three o'clock, dined all
together at Scott's Tavern, which by the bye is the best I
have met with in Ireland. Cork is a very large and populous
city ; the merchants carry on an amazing victualling trade,
and the stores in the place are most wonderful.
Friday. We all dined with the 32nd regiment, who were
in Cork. Got very drunk.
Saturday. We dined with the 1 1 th regiment, who were
also in the garrison of Cork ; and also got very drunk..,,
Monday. Was the execution, which was the most
melancholy piece of business I ever was a spectator of.
There was only one out of the four that were sentenced,
that suffered. After the poor unfortunate wretch had
suffered death, the other three were brought forth, and to
describe their countenances is not in the power of a pen to
give the smallest idea : they were pardoned on condition of
their serving abroad during life, and receiving five hundred
lashes, which they gladly embraced.
Tuesday, Jan. 4. The two prisoners received a part of
their punishment, but were not able to stand the whole.
io DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 21 Wednesday. We marched from Cork, and arrived at
Limerick on Friday. I walked the whole way. I was very
happy to come again to my old quarters.
February Sunday, Feb. 23. Morning packing up, paid visits and
dined with T. Grady, S. Grady, and mess at Knight's. In
the evening went to take my last leave of my dear Susey.
The parting was as dismal as I ever experienced, but true
lovers must part sometimes. I stayed at Mrs. Ross's till two
o'clock ; and on Monday the 24th February we marched about
eleven o'clock from that dear place Limerick, a town that I
shall ever hold in my highest esteem, and where I received
more civility than ever I experienced. It is without doubt
the best quarter in the world. I was told by several people
that there never was more real grief shown by the inhabi-
tants of Limerick to a regiment leaving it than to ours.
The concourse of people in the streets as we marched through
was immense. We arrived about three o'clock at a small
town called Newport, nine miles from Limerick. Tom and
Hardy Grady accompanied us to that place, but we were not
at all in spirits.
Tuesday. We parted with my friends the Gradys ; we
marched to Nenagh, a small neat town, the i6th Dragoons
were quartered there.
From thence we marched through the finest country I
had seen in Ireland to a very pretty town called Birr ; at the
upper end of the great street is a very handsome pedestrian
statue of the Duke of Cumberland. We halted at Birr on
Thursday.
Friday. We marched from Birr to a small town called
Cloghan ; there is a horse barracks with one troop of the
2nd horse ; and Brown a cornet who was at Locke's. We
IRELAND 1 1
left one company there, and proceeded two miles on to a 1783
little dirty place called Ferbane. We marched on Saturday
morning through a nasty boggy country to Athlone, through
which the Shannon runs, but has a most excellent horse
barracks. Four troops of the 2nd horse were there. There
are some pretty walks near the town, which was a place of
some strength in the Rebellion. The Royal army forded
the Shannon here, and took possession of the town.
Sunday. We halted, and dined with the 2nd horse, who March
have a very genteel mess ; we all got very drunk.
Monday. Morning, we marched ten miles to a dirty town
called Ballymahon, a most wretched inn.
Thence we marched on Tuesday sixteen miles to Granard,
which place we passed on our march from Armagh to Galway.
From Granard the same road to Cavan, where we halted on
Thursday.
Friday. Thirteen miles to a place called M'Guire's
Bridge, at which place there is the best inn we have met
with from the time we left Limerick. We marched the
next morning only seven miles to our quarters, which was
Saturday, March 8th.
The town gives title to Lord Viscount Enniskillen, 1 who
has a house not far from it. I believe there never was such
a place to be headquarters of a regiment. The town is
situated in an island in Loch Erne. It is very ill built,
scarce a house but what is thatched ; there is the remains of
an old castle, but nothing worth notice.
Sunday. We dined with Lieutenant-General Earl Ross [?]. April
He lives at a place called Belle Isle. It is one of the islands
1 William Willoughby, second baron; who was created Viscount Enniskillen
1776, and Earl of Enniskillen 1789; died 1803.
12 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 22 in the Lake Erne. A most beautiful place, and his Lord-
ship lives in a very elegant style. We have had more fine
weather since the regiment arrived at Enniskillen than I
have seen in Ireland.
October Sunday, Oct. 26. I left the King's Own, a corps I ever
shall revere. Got to Dublin on Tuesday, did not sail till
Friday. Arrived at the Head, Sunday evening, after a
tedious passage of forty hours. Came in the coach to
Chester, and from that in another coach to the ' Welsh
Harp.' Took a chaise there and got to Freeford on
Wednesday evening the 5th of November.
November The next morning my brother Richard was married to
Miss Astley, 1 daughter to my uncle Astley of Tamhorne.
1784 March 1784. Remained at Freeford and about that
' country till March, when I went with Swinfen to London ;
stayed there only two nights, and went down to Bath and
stayed there two months. I spent my time as pleasantly
as I ever did in my life ; my good fellow-traveller Swinfen
made me a present of ^50, which kept me in a great style.
We returned to London, and I had the misfortune to
have my portmanteau cut off from behind Swinfen's chaise.
Remained in London two nights and returned into the
country the latter end of May.
Found my father had left Freeford. I got into the
King's Own regiment again the 26th December 1784,
and embarked at Liverpool to join the regiment the
3Oth March.
X 7^5 Was two days at sea in the most filthy packet possible.
Had the pleasure to join the old 4th once more on the
1 Mary, daughter and heiress of Christopher Astley of Tamhorne, parish of
Whittington.
IRELAND 13
3rd day of April as Lieutenant and Adjutant in the 1785
barracks of Dublin, which are most magnificent. Found
the regiment greatly improved. The regiments in gar-
rison, the 4th, 6th, I5th, 26th, 48th, and 65th. Some
very pleasant men. Colonel Ogilvie commanded the gar-
rison. I had the honour of being admitted a member of
the Blue and Orange Society.
May. I remained in Dublin till the 23rd May. The May
regiment was reviewed on the 9th May by Major-
General Luttrell. 1 On the i8th the whole garrison by
Lieutenant-General Pitt, Commander-in-chief, 2 and on the
2Oth by his Grace the Lord-Lieutenant. 3 Dublin is a
very pleasant quarter, but as Adjutant a good deal of duty.
The parade of the Guards is very fine, they mount near
two hundred men a day. A captain and fifty-six men,
two subs, and colours at the Castle for the Lord-
Lieutenant. The regiment left Dublin on Monday the
23rd May for Cork. Marched by the way of Rathcoole,
Kilcullen, Carlow, Kilkenny, Callan, Cloghan, Kilworth,
and arrived in Cork on Monday the 23rd. We passed
through a fine country in general, but found the accom-
modation in some places very bad. The 2Oth regiment
were in garrison with us in Cork. Our chief business, I
think, when first we went to Cork, was eating strawberries.
I never saw greater quantities, and very fine. Fish very
good ; nothing to drink, no water in the town, the men
1 Henry Lawes Luttrell, second Earl of Carhampton (1743-1821)5 entered
the army 1757; major-general 1782 ; succeeded his father 1787.
2 Sir William Augustus Pitt (1728-1809) ; entered the army 1744 ; commander-
in-chiefin Ireland 1784; governor of Portsmouth 1794-1809.
3 Charles Manners, fourth Duke of Rutland (1754-87); succeeded to the
dukedom 1779; lord-lieutenant of Ireland 1784.
i 4 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 24 in the barracks were obliged to pay for the water they
drank and used for washing after ; the rate of a penny
a man per week. The beer, the very worst I ever tasted.
We had remarkable hot weather for some time after our
arrival in Cork. There are some very beautiful rides
about town, and some pretty places on each side the river
that runs from town to Cove, which is eight miles. Cove
is an island of about seven miles in circumference. You
cross at a ferry, at a place called Passage. The ferry is
about a quarter of a mile over. The village of Cove lies
upon the coast on the opposite side the island from Passage.
The whole navy of Great Britain may all lie in safety at
Cove ; in time of war they generally come to Cove to be
victualled from Cork. The victualling business in time of
peace is nothing when compared to the vast trade they
carry on in time of war.
July July 2. I went with Colonel and a party to see Kinsale,
situated about eleven miles from Cork. The town itself
is very indifferent, no manufactory, indeed no trade of
any kind, although there is as fine a harbour as in his
Majesty's dominion. The only thing the town is famous
for, is its having a very fine shore, which causes a great
number of people to resort there in summer for the
purpose of bathing. They are very gay during that season ;
they have concerts, balls, public breakfasts, etc.
The loth regiment were quartered there. The barracks
very indifferent. The town itself lies under a hill and at
the very end of the harbour. His Majesty's frigate the
Calypso was lying there as a guard ship ; and what I was
astonished to see, astonished and at the same time struck
with a certain degree of pleasure, the ship Discovery, the
IRELAND 15
very same vessel that the ever-memorable Captain Cook 1 1785
sailed round the world in ; that he was on board her.
Alas ! poor fellow, he was not suffered to reach his native
shore to receive the rewards he deserved.
There is a work called Charles Fort about a mile from
town, meant to guard the harbour ; it is very irregular,
and what is very extraordinary, situated at the bottom of
a hill, so that it is commanded on all sides except from
the water.
August 1 8. We founded a club at the half-way house August
between Cork and Kinsale, from the two regiments at Cork
and the regiment at Kinsale and Charles Fort. I flatter
myself I was principal in bringing it about, as I first
proposed it. Our first meeting was very jolly, we gave
it the name of the ' All Four Social Club.' Sir Andrew
Cathcart was our first president, and a fine good-humoured
man he is, as I have met for some time.
Sept. 2. The assizes began for the county of Cork. On September
the 26th October his Grace the Lord-Lieutenant and the
Duchess of Rutland arrived in this city. A captain's
guard from our regiment immediately mounted over them
on their arrival. The next day there was a levee at which
all the officers in garrison attended, and in the evening a
most splendid ball. I did not dance. The next day they
took an airing and examined the beauties of the city of
Cork and environs. On the following day they went
to Kinsale. That day I dined at Mrs. Beecher's and
returned the next ; and on the proceeding day their Graces
reviewed the two regiments in garrison. Our regiment
looked vastly well when first they went out ; but his
1 James Cook (1728-79), circumnavigator.
1 6 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 24 Grace was so very long before he came that we were
nearly wet through e'er he arrived. In the evening an
assembly, the Duchess did not dance at the first. She
danced with a Mr. Hutchison and with Johnston of our
regiment.
The next day they left town. In the evening I was at
a fine ball at Mrs. Armstead's.
November Nov. 4. Our great Blue and Orange day. In the
morning the regiment fired three rounds, and the Duke
promised to return to dine with the Society, as he was
chose Superior of the Order ; but he was delayed by
unavoidable business ; notwithstanding the disappointment
we had a most joyous day, and sat till after five o'clock in
the morning.
December Sunday, Dec. 1 1 . Went to Killarney to pay a visit to
my friend Major Coote of the 47th, and also to see the
famous lake. I shall not attempt a description of it, as
it is not in the power of my pen to give the most faint
idea of its perfections. We had the great[est] sport cock
shooting I ever saw. Surprise. The last two days we
did not see less than one hundred couple each day.
Coote' s civility was beyond anything I ever met with ;
gave me a bed in the barrack and my horse in his stable.
I stayed there a fortnight, and I may say I never spent
two pleasanter weeks in my life. We kept Christmas Day
very merrily, and in the evening went round the different
barrack rooms and drank a merry Christmas to all the
men. We had to repeat our toast so often that we all
got very drunk at last, both officers and men. Returned
to Cork on the last day of 1785 ; found the roads very
slippy and bad. Indeed in the finest weather, the road
THE WHITE BOYS 17
from Cork to Killarney is but very dreary, over mountains 1785
the whole way. The frost set in the 2yth December and
broke up the 3rd January.
January 13, 1786. Dined at a Mr. Gray's, a fine jolly 1786
old sportsman, and one thing in particular I must mention ^ ar
of him, that is a custom he has after dinner, and before the
cloth is taken away, he has a bottle of liquor set on, and
a silver fox's head. He fills the head a bumper and drinks
fox-hunting ; then passes it round, you drink as little
of it or as much as you like.
February. This month I have been a good deal engaged February
out at parties and balls ; one at Mrs. Beecher's ; one at
Connor's ; at Mr. Piercy's ; at Mrs. Wood's ; all very
pleasant. The Grenadier company of the 46th regiment
marched through here on the way to Inchigeelagh to keep
the white boys 1 in order, as they are become almost as
outrageous as ever.
On the 2ist March the loth and 45th regiments sailed March
from Cove. The 6th and 26th regiments marched
through, the former to Charles Fort, the latter to
Kinsale.
On the 3rd of April the assizes commenced for this April
county. There were to have been between twenty and
thirty white boys (a set of people who commit depredations
of every kind, and pretend to say on account of being
overburthened with tithes), were to have been tried, but
the government thought proper to try what effect lenity
would have, and the judge allowed them to give bail for
their appearance at the next assizes, the meaning of which
1 The Secret Society of White Boys was organised in 1761 in Munster and
parts of Leinster to resist the enclosure of commons, unjust rents or tithes.
VOL. I. B
i8
DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 25 is that if they are none of them discovered committing
murders they will not be taken any further notice of.
August August. The white boys began to get to great lengths,
having risen in large bodies in many parts of the country
and committed many shameful depredations. I went over
once or twice to Cork to see Miss Brunton, who I think
a most promising actress.
December I left the regiment at Charles Fort on Saturday the
1 6th December, having with much difficulty obtained three
months' leave of absence from Colonel Ogilvie, who, on
account of my not being a favourite, thwarted me in my
leave in every particular.
I got to Cork, and found on Sunday morning a collier
was to sail that day for Workington. I accordingly took
my passage on board (having called on most of my friends)
about five o'clock in the afternoon, but on account of low
tide and want of wind the vessel could not get down the
river and went aground. Finding myself pretty near my
friend Bousfield's I got the boat and went ashore, stayed
supper, very pleasant, and got on board again by twelve
o'clock, at which time we again got under weigh and cleared
the harbour of Cork with a tolerably good breeze by ten
o'clock on Monday, which continued till the evening, when
it changed and blew so hard against us we were obliged to
put about, and after being a good deal tossed on the coast
between Cork and Youghall, we were drove back into Cork
harbour on Tuesday evening. I went on shore to Passage,
slept there. I had been very sick on board, as in addition
to our misfortunes the captain of the vessel was drunk the
whole time and not able to give the least assistance, and we
were very indifferently manned.
A DIFFICULT JOURNEY 19
On Wednesday morning I went again to Cork, and find- 1786
ing a vessel to sail to Minehead on the Thursday night,
I took my passage on board her.
On Wednesday I met with Dickson, Ormsby, and Spicer ;
we agreed to dine together at the Bush Tavern. Barber of
the Artillery, Wood of the 45th, was our party. Had a
very pleasant day ; we all supped at Barber's, and I went
on board the Britannia about three o'clock.
We were as unfortunate as in the collier, for having no
wind the brig went aground before we had got a mile down
the river. I again returned to Cork to breakfast, as the
captain told me she would not float till next tide. I
remained in Cork till about two o'clock in the afternoon,
when I returned on board. We got under weigh, but could
not proceed on account of wind. At length, however, we
got clear of the harbour of Cork on Friday morning the
22nd with a fair wind, which continued for twelve or
fourteen hours till we made the island of Lundy at the
mouth of the Bristol Channel, when the wind changed and
we were beating about till Sunday morning, at which time
it began to blow very hard and continued blowing almost
a gale of wind till Monday morning, when we endeavoured
to get into the Bay of Tenby in the Bristol Channel, but
could not make it. At length we were obliged to put into
Milford Haven, where we landed on Monday evening,
being Christmas Day, at a small fishing place called Angle.
The passage would have been much more unpleasant had
I been alone. But fortunately there was a very agreeable
man on board, Major Thompson of the 57th. On our
landing we enjoyed ourselves very much over Welsh eggs
and bacon, cleanliness (which one is not much accustomed
20 DYOTT'S DIARY
to on board ship), and some superb ale. I left the Major
the next morning, he having so much baggage that it
obliged him to wait till the wind changed and proceed up
the Bristol Channel, as there was no conveyance by land.
I got a one-horse chaise from Pembroke, fourteen miles,
in which I put my baggage and servant, mounted a little
Welsh pony, and so proceeded to Pembroke ; changed my
horse and got to a place called Noah's Ark, where I and
my servant got into a chaise and proceeded to Caermarthen,
where I slept.
Next morning breakfasted at Llandilo, from thence to
Trecastle, and through a very pretty country to Brecknock,
then to the Hay and slept at Kinnersley ; and morning to
Leominster. Breakfasted at Tenbury, to the Hundred
House, Kidderminster, Birmingham, and got to Freeford
by eight o'clock on Thursday the 28th.
Unfortunately my brother and sister had set out to
Leicester that very morning. However, I got a mutton
chop and a good night's rest, and the next morning, after
breakfasting with Swinfen, I went to Leicester, and there
found my poor father had been taken that very morning
with a paralytic stroke, and was lying quite senseless ; a
most melancholy welcome for me after an absence of near
two years.
My father had been unwell some time previous to the
attack, which was very sudden indeed ; for he was remark-
ably well the night before, and my mother had left him in
bed about nine o'clock. They had scarce got downstairs
when he rang his bell, and on the maid going into the
room he asked her if she saw any alteration in him ; on her
replying in the negative, he, poor man, desired her to call
A STRANGE FUNERAL 21
her mistress, but not to alarm her. On my mother entering 1786
the room, she found his senses almost gone ; all he could
say was * brush, brush/ meaning the flesh brush, took his
right hand up with his left, shook his head and said it was
all over. He was deprived entirely of the use of his right
side. He continued exactly in that situation till Tuesday
morning the 2nd of January about half-past one, when he 1787
expired without a groan. (Death?) Derwin and Dr. Bue^ ar
assured us he had never suffered the least pain from his
first seizure, which was some consolation. He was a most
kind and indulgent parent, and was himself his only enemy.
He would have been sixty-five had he lived till the follow-
ing April. He was interred at St. Mary's, Lichfield, the
Friday following, when at his particular request the same
ceremony was observed as at the funeral of his father ;
that is, that the bells should chime him to Church, and be
carried from the hearse by six labourers, and the ceremony
be at night, which it was, as near nine o'clock as possible.
There was a most astonishing concourse of people assembled
at the Church, as I believe he was most universally beloved
in Lichfield. The mourners were Mr. Dennis, Mr. Hill
(my brother's bailiff), my brother's butler, and his own
man. My brother, Mrs. Dyott, and I went to Freeford
the day after he died. I forgot to mention one circum-
stance, which was that the bells of St. Mary's rung three
peals the day before he was buried with the bells buffed.
On the 4th March I went up in the mail coach to March
London. Got there the next morning ; when in town I
waited on a Mr. Hey, a friend of my brother, who was
so kind as to introduce me to a Mr. Dunn, one of the
Canadian judges. And Mr. Hey also gave me a letter to
. 22 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 25 Lord Dorchester. 1 I was also fortunate in meeting my
friend Major Thompson, who very kindly gave me a letter
to Major Beckwith, the Commander-in-chief's aide-de-
camp in America.
I spent a week only in town and returned to Freeford on
the 1 3th. The spring in that part of England had not
been remembered so fine or so forward by the oldest men.
I left Lichfield about three o'clock, but here I must
indulge myself in paying some tribute of gratitude to the
best of brothers. Never did one brother experience more
kindness from another than I did from my dear brother
Richard. To enumerate all his acts of friendship would
be more than I am able ; but all I can say is, he could not
do more to serve me than he did. He anticipated every
wish.
I got to Chester about twelve, ate a sandwich and went
to bed. Found there was no packet sailed till Monday
morning. We had a very good passage, and after being
April very sick, landed in Dublin. Next day about one o'clock,
I was fortunate in meeting with the Commander-in-chief's
aide-de-camp that day to make my excuses for not being
with the regiment by the ist of April, the day my leave
expired. I was at a good deal of trouble to get my luggage
out of the custom-house, which made it late before I had
finished. I got a beef-steak at five o'clock and went to bed
by nine.
I left Dublin the next morning, travelled in a chaise with
Kane and his brother, which we took the whole way ; paid
1 Guy Carleton, first Baron Dorchester (1724-1808); commander-in-chief
in America 1782-3; created Baron Dorchester 1786; governor of Quebec
1786-91 and 1793-6.
EMBARKS FOR NORTH AMERICA 23
six guineas for it. I got to the regiment on the loth April, 1787
found the whole corps joined and preparing for the em-
barkation. I forgot to mention having heard from Major
West in Dublin that our foreign quarters were changed,
and instead of going to Canada we were to relieve a battalion
of the 6oth in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. This coin-
cides with my usual ill-luck, as I had through the kindness
of my Aunt Herrick got letters of recommendation from
the Duke of Richmond 1 to Lord Dorchester, the Com-
mander-in-chief in North America, who resides at Quebec.
So that I may conclude it very unfortunate our being
ordered to Nova Scotia instead of Canada, as in all pro-
bability I may not have an opportunity of presenting my
letter to his Lordship. On the i6th April we had a very
joyous meeting of the Blue and Orange, dined upwards of
forty, and of course got a good deal inebriated.
I never saw such hard living at the mess as during our
stay at the Fort ; we were literally drunk almost every day,
and wishing for the arrival of the transports, as we were
almost ruined both in purse and constitution. At last the
looked-for day arrived ; we marched from Charles Fort at
two o'clock in the morning of Thursday the 24th May after May
supping together, and without bed, embarked on board the
transport about nine, a most pleasing though at the same
time rather a pathetic sight. Our regiment embarked in
three boats ; immediately on their rowing off they gave three
cheers, which were answered by the regiments (5th and
26th) drawn up on the beach. Three companies of the
regiment went to Newfoundland, and their parting with
1 Charles Lennox, third Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1735-1806); suc-
ceeded to the title 1750; master-general of the ordnance 1782-95.
24 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 their comrades was rather affecting. After all the regiments
were embarked, I went to Cork, where I remained for some
days enjoying myself with my friends. The day before we
sailed I dined with my friend Johnston and Colonel Gordon
and two other of our regiment at the Bush Tavern. We
intended to have had a ' cool ' day, as Gordon and Johnston
were to proceed that evening to Dublin, but parting had
such an effect that we all got most wondrous drunk. We
put Gordon and Johnston into their chaise, then I got on
the box of our carriage and set off through the town as hard
as I could gallop. After driving two miles on our way to
the transports, on a sudden it struck us as a good thing to
drive back, and parade through the Mall, where all the
ladies and gentlemen were walking. I was driving away in
great pomp amidst all the belles of Cork, when on a sudden
I was stopped by the owner of the carriage and hauled like
Phaethon from my car, after getting pretty well abused by
the mob, and we thought proper to decamp, and got on
board our ships about five o'clock in the morning.
June About twelve o'clock on Saturday, the 2nd of June, our
signals were made for sailing, but we did not get under
weigh till near six. As some of the ships passed us, on
board of which were part of our regiment (they being the
first that got under weigh), and giving us three cheers, I
must own tears rushed into my eyes, and I felt at that
moment * Je ne sais quoi,' that I cannot express. It was
very fine seeing six large ships getting under weigh at the
same time, huzzaing and bands playing ' God save the
King.'
i^rd. Wind still the same NW. Three weeks at sea this
day. The wind changed about six o'clock in the evening to
THE PURPOSE OF THE DIARY 25
the southward, tacked and stood on a very good course 1787
about four knots an hour till six o'clock in the morning of
the 24th, when it began to blow very hard at SW. with
heavy rain, which continued till eight o'clock. Saw a great
number of bottle-nosed porpoises. They are much larger
than the common porpoise, and are generally seen in
numbers together. From the heavy gale of wind this
morning the sea is now running mountains high, which of
course causes a great motion in the ship, and rather
detrimental to writing a good hand. At best mine is not
the most intelligible I ever saw ; but as no person but myself
or wife (if the Almighty should ever allow me to take one)
is to peruse this history, detail, journal, account, work,
Je ne sais quoi, little does it matter whether written in
legible letters and in the vulgar tongue or in Arabic; if
that in threescore years I am able to entertain myself and
family with perusing the transactions of my juvenile days
(the sole purpose of this my journal, etc.), I shall be
perfectly satisfied.
July 4. Wind south-west, blew fresh, very foggy, and July
unpleasant all day. In the evening the captain discovered
land, but from the thickness of the weather he was afraid to
run in. It was so cold there was no staying on deck.
5/^. Wind still SW. Very hazy. Spoke a small brig,
informed us we were four leagues from Cape Broyle. We
stood on, and about ten o'clock came in sight of land ;
which after being near five weeks at sea was a most grateful
prospect. Soon after making the land, the smell of the
pines, which we experienced at least six miles, was most
charming ; and on approaching nearer, the warm breezes
from the shore made it very comfortable. Ten months out
26 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 of twelve the coast of Newfoundland is enveloped in a
prodigious thick fog ; it breaks near the shore frequently,
and the breeze is then so warm that it feels like the steam
from a large boiler ; at least in appearance so to me, after
being petrified almost with cold at sea.
The agent and the captain agreed to go into harbour in
Newfoundland, as they found the wind so very unfair ; and
not being able to make anything of it at sea, they thought
it as well to go into port, as to be wearing the vessel to no
purpose, the wind having been contrary so long. Accord-
ingly they took a pilot from a small fishing vessel that was
come out from Cape Broyle Harbour, and desired him to
pilot the ship in. The agent sent the boatswain on the
fishing vessel with the three men (there being four only on
board), and a letter to the Lord Shelburne, desiring her and
the other two ships to follow us. As the fog went off and
on our coming near the shore, that is into Cape Broyle
Harbour, it was very beautiful. The hills which quite
surround the bay are not very high, and are covered to the
top with pine trees or spruce firs with parts of the rock
appearing in different places. There was seen nature in its
purest state ; it put me in mind of the Lake of Killarney,
but more rude and uncultivated.
In sailing into the harbour the country had not the least
appearance of being inhabited. We anchored about two
o'clock, and as soon as I could get a boat went on shore.
Was rather anxious to set foot on American land for the
first time. I landed in a small creek, and was more
astonished than I can express at the wonderful quantity
of small fish in shoals near the beach. They call them
capelins, and make use of them for bait to catch cod. They
NEWFOUNDLAND 27
were exactly what we call smelts, and just as good eating. 1787
The swell from the sea threw up vast numbers of them on
the shore. But to give an idea of the numbers, I shall only
remark that I took up a handkerchief full in three minutes
with my hand, and brought them on board for dinner. In
the evening we rowed up to the end of the bay, and went
on shore to a factory, where we learnt that the English
merchants sent out agents in the spring to prepare the
fish, etc., who return in autumn ; and that the only people
who remained during the winter were Irish fishermen
employed in the fishery on the Bank, and to cure the fish
when brought in.
The habitations are very curious, they are built of fir-tree
poles placed in the ground as close as possible and between
them stuffed with moss. The roof and floor made in the
same way ; only on the tops of the houses they lay the
branches of the spruce firs. They live entirely on salt
provisions and their beverage spruce beer. We did not stay
on shore very long, as it was getting late, and the fogs are so
thick in the evening that it is sometimes difficult to find the
ship from the shore, though not twenty yards distance.
&h. I went on shore in the evening, and saw the whole
process of the factory. A vessel is fitted out in England
and sails to the Banks. The bait they make use of is in
general salted mackerel ; if they are at all successful they
get a cargo in about three weeks ; which they bring into
some port in Newfoundland to be dried and to get fresh
bait. The places they are dried upon are built by the side
of a hill. It is a stage supported by the pine-tree poles ;
the stage is pine poles with the branches of the spruce laid
upon it, and on which the fish is laid after being salted.
28 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 The process of the fish caught in the harbour is as follows.
They are landed from the vessel on to a wharf built out into
the water, from whence they are thrown into a covered
place (also over the water), where men are ready to receive
them, who immediately open them, put the livers on one
side to make oil, and the remaining part of the inside and
the head are thrown through a hole betwixt the man's legs
into the water.
The man then gives them over to another dresser or
table, where they are received by a person who takes out
the bone; the fish are then laid along the floor to be
salted, which is done by a layer of fish and a layer of salt ;
in which state they remain five or six days ; they are then
washed in brine and carried out to the stages to dry. They
have nothing to do with the fish caught at sea but to wash
them in the brine and then dry them. The time they take
to dry depends entirely upon the weather. A great deal of
the fish is taken to Portugal and up the Mediterranean. I
walked about a good deal in the woods, which was quite
a wilderness. There is nothing like a village. A few
scattered habitations (houses I can't call them) seemed all
the settlement.
qth. The captain of the ship and I went to the upper
end of the harbour, which is about two miles from the
entrance, surrounded by a fine hanging wood of spruce fir,
variegated with mountain ash and other flowering shrubs.
There are two very pretty rivers which discharge themselves
into the basin. They roll over the rocks in a very beautiful
manner. One of them in particular falls a considerable
height over the rocks, the sides of which are very thickly
covered with wood, and form a most beautiful cascade. I
NOVA SCOTIA 29
was much entertained with the method of catching flat-fish 1787
in the shoal waters. You see them quite plain lying at the
bottom, and with a small spear we killed numbers ; as also
lobsters (with a hook) in abundance.
Round the upper part of the harbour there are several
factories, and two or three neat-looking cabins, but no signs
of cultivation, except a small piece of ground for potatoes
and other vegetables. I returned about four, and dined on
board the brig. On shore in the evening, and walked about
the woods for an hour. The walking is very indifferent on
account of the large loose stones. The paths are very
narrow, and of course but little frequented.
We were agreeably awoke at six o'clock in the morning
of the 22nd, and informed that we were in the Bay of
Halifax, and should be at anchor by ten o'clock. We all
got up happy in the idea of being released from seven weeks'
confinement.
The entrance into the harbour of Halifax has nothing
very pleasing. It lies nearly east and west. The west side
is a rock partly covered with wood, and has at the extremity
a lighthouse, there being a very dangerous reef of rocks
running some distance into the sea. The east side is pretty
enough. There is a large island called Cornwallis Island,
which has some cultivation and a good deal of wood. Near
the town, and about the centre of the harbour, there is a
small island called Georges Island, where the signals are
made for the shipping, and on which there are works. It
is very well situated for guarding the harbour. We came
to anchor close to the town about twelve o'clock. I never
was more rejoiced. The Colonel immediately went on shore
to wait upon the Governor. In the afternoon I dressed and
30 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 went on shore, after being seven weeks in filth and rags.
A clean coat appeared quite awkward and strange.
The town of Halifax is prettily enough situated on a hill-
side, at the top of which there is a citadel and block-house.
The houses are all built of wood, and in general painted
white or yellow, which has a very pleasing effect, particularly
in summer. The streets extend from north to south along
the side of the hill, and are intersected by cross streets,
extending from the shore up the hill towards the block-
house. The Governor, Parr, and the Commissioner of the
dockyard have both very good houses. There are three
barracks, which would contain from 600 to 1000 men.
There are also two churches, both very neat buildings of
wood, and one or two meeting-houses. There is a square
in town called the Grand Parade, where the troops in garri-
son parade every evening during the summer ; and where
all the belles and beaux of the place promenade, and the
bands remain to play as long as they walk. I went to the
parade ; the first person I saw was Mr. Cartwright, late
lieutenant in the Staffordshire Militia. He was an ensign
in the 6oth, acting adjutant. We disembarked the next
day, the 23rd, about two o'clock, and dined with the 6oth
regiment. They were going to Quebec. We were not
able to get into our barrack-rooms, as the 6oth did not
embark till Thursday. However, we got an empty room
in the barracks, and four of us laid our beds on the floor,
and enjoyed most heartily our repose, hard as it was.
July 27. We began our mess. From the high price of
provisions, beef being eightpence and mutton sixpence per
pound, we were obliged to pay high for messing. Two
dollars a week and our rations equal to three shillings and
NOVA SCOTIA 31
sixpence more. Port wine from fifteen to twenty pence per 1787
bottle; sherry nearly the same.
August 1 1 . I went on a fishing party with Captain August
Devernet of the artillery. It is one of the principal
summer amusements of this place, and a very pleasant one
indeed. There were ten of us ; we had a large boat, allowed
the artillery by government, and also a smaller one for the
eatables. We set out about eleven o'clock, and sailed down
the harbour to a place called the haddock bank, about two
miles distance. We anchored and began to fish. Such
astounding quantities of haddock I never saw. I believe in
about one hour and a half we caught one hundred and fifty,
and I took a large skate. The people have such a profusion
of fish that they will scarce eat skate. When we had tired
ourselves with fishing, we sailed to an island two miles lower
down, where we landed ; and as the principal thing in these
parts is to eat chowder, we set the cooks to work to prepare
dinner. A Mr. Roberts of the 57th regiment was to super-
intend the cooking the chowder. As it would necessarily
take some time, Captain Devernet and I went into the
woods to see if we could meet with any partridge, which
are different in this country to what they are in England.
They are found in woods, and perch upon the trees. The
island we were upon is called Cornwallis Island, and was
sold by the Bishop of Lichfield, Dr. Cornwallis, 1 to a shoe-
maker of Halifax a few years ago. It contains about six
hundred acres. There is but a small proportion of it culti-
vated at present. Wherever it has been at all cleared, it is
astonishing what fine clover springs up spontaneously. The
1 James Cornwallis, fourth Earl Cornwallis (1742-1824)5 Bishop of Lichfield
and Coventry 1781-18245 succeeded as Earl Cornwallis 1823.
32 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 wood is chiefly birch and spruce fir. We did not venture
far into the wood, it was so astonishingly hot, and the
' moschetos ' are very troublesome. Did not meet any
game at all. On our return we found the table spread
under the shade of a large birch and a fir, in a spot of about
an acre, near a small cottage belonging to a poor fisherman,
and close to the shore. The island formed a small bay in
this place. The surrounding wood, which covered the hills
on every side the bay, and a most beautiful small island
entirely covered with the spruce fir to the very water's edge
about a league distance from the entrance of the bay, formed
altogether a most beautiful prospect. We sat down about
four o'clock, and of all the dishes I ever tasted, I never
met so exquisitely good a thing as the chowder. 1 We
attempted to make it on board ship, but nothing like this.
It is a soup, and better in my opinion than turtle. The
recipe I don't exactly know, but the principal ingredients
are cod and haddock, pork, onions, sea-biscuit, butter, and
a large quantity of cayenne pepper. In short, the tout
ensemble was the best thing I ever ate. We had some
excellent Madeira, of which we drank a bottle each, and
some very good lime punch with dinner. We rowed round
the island, and returned home by nine o'clock. I never
spent a more pleasant day. There are frequent parties of
this kind.
Aug. 20. A duel was fought between Captain Dalrymple
of the 42nd and Lieutenant Roberts of the 57th, owing to
the former having two years prior to the duel said in a
1 The first Baron Vivian, writing in 1813, remarks that 'chowder' was made
of salt fish and potatoes. Cf. Lord Vi<vian y a Memoir, by Hon. Claud Vivian,
p. 152.
NOVA SCOTIA
33
company that Mr. Roberts was not fit for the Grenadiers; 1787
at the same time hinting that he had sold some of his
brother's books. Lieutenant Roberts at the time this dis-
course took place was in Europe, and not meeting with
Captain Dalrymple till now, he being quartered at Cape
Breton, had not an opportunity of demanding satisfaction.
They fired only one pistol each, as Captain Dalrymple was
wounded in the right arm, but not dangerously.
Sept. 2. His Excellency Brigadier-General Carleton 1 September
arrived from Frederioton, New Brunswick, by land. We
fully expected him to have come by sea, as the Brandy Wine
brig was for that purpose gone up the Bay of Fundy. He
did not arrive till the evening, was received by a sub.'s
guard from the King's Own, and next morning was honoured
with a salute of thirteen guns from the artillery. At one
o'clock the officers in garrison were introduced to his
Excellency at the Government House, a very formal business.
On the 5th I went to see a moose deer that was brought
alive to the town. It was a very curious animal, though
very common in America. They are between a horse and a
cow, at least they have that appearance. The head resembles
the horse (except having immense ears), a small body, long
legs, and cloven feet. They eat them in the winter, and
reckon their flesh good venison.
Oct. i . A small party with the Commissioner in his October
yacht to fish, etc., but it was rather too late ; however, we
managed to get sufficient for chowder. We went on shore
at Cornwallis Island (down the harbour). It has been pur-
chased within these few years by a Scotsman, who is making
1 Thomas Carleton, lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick, brother of the
first Baron Dorchester.
VOL. I. C
34 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 use of his utmost endeavours to clear it. There are not
more than twenty to thirty acres free from wood. What
has been improved turns out very well. I saw a curious
kind of a fence on that island, which I am informed is very
common in America ; it can only answer in a country
abounding with wood. It is made of the poles of the fir-
tree in this form ){){){ ; there is no post. At the
angle the fence is about six feet high, and the only advan-
tage it has of a direct line is, they save the trouble of
mortising holes in posts to put the rails in, and indeed save
posts altogether. We have had lately partridge in abun-
dance ; both the spruce and the beech, the former are the
best ; they are as full large as a grouse, and eat very much
like a pheasant. The plumage is not at all like the partridge
of Britain, nor have they the least similitude. They are
spotted on the breast brown and white, and perch on the
trees.
Friday, Oct. 26. I dined at the Commissioner's. That
same day the fleet from Quebec under the command of
Commodore Sawyer l arrived here ; consisting of the
Leander, 50 guns ; Captain Sir James Barclay 2 with the
broad pennant ; the Pegasus^ 28, Captain his Royal High-
ness Prince William Henry ; the Resource ', 28, Captain
Minchin, and the Weazel sloop, Captain Wood. On their
passage from Quebec, the Leander struck on a rock in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, and was very near being lost. It was
a most dismal situation, as all the Commodore's family were
with him on board. They were obliged to quit the ship,
1 Herbert Sawyer (1731 ?-98), commodore and Commander-in-chief at Halifax ;
admiral 1795.
2 Sir James Barclay, captain R.N., seventh baronet, died 1793.
PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY 35
and went on board his Royal Highness's 1 ship. When the 1787
Leander came in she was obliged to be towed up the
harbour to the dockyard and hove down. Her bottom
was found to be in a most shattered condition. His
Royal Highness was rather expected in the evening at
the Commissioner's, but he did not quit his ship. On
his coming to anchor the Brigadier-General waited upon
him ; he positively declined any compliments as a prince.
Saturday. He dined with the Governor. 2
Sunday, he dined with the Commodore, who lives at the
Navy Hospital.
As his Royal Highness had signified his intention to
the Brigadier that he would review our regiment on
Tuesday, I was totally taken up making the necessary
preparations. Had the regiment out on Sunday afternoon
and Monday morning. Sunday, his Royal Highness dined
at the Commodore's ; Monday, at the Commissioner's ;
Tuesday, he reviewed the regiment at 1 1 o'clock. It was
the first time I had seen him, and little expected to have
received such marks of his condescension as I afterwards
did. Our review was nothing more than the common form ;
his Royal Highness expressed much satisfaction at the
appearance of the men. After the review was over the
officers were all presented to him on the parade. His
Royal Highness is very much like his Majesty, but better
1 Afterwards Williarri iv., King of Great Britain and Ireland; born 1765,
third son of George m. ; served as 'able seaman' at relief of Gibraltar 1780;
rear-admiral 1790; married Adelaide, eldest daughter of the Duke of Saxe-
Coburg Meiningen, 1818 ; succeeded George iv. as King, 26th June 1830;
died 1837.
2 Sir John Wentworth (1737-1820); surveyor of the King's forests, Halifax,
Nova Scotia, 1783-92; governor of Nova Scotia 1792-1808; created baronet
1795-
36 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 looking. He is about 5 foot 7 or 8 inches high, good
complexion and fair hair. He did the regiment the honour
to dine with them ; I sang several songs with which he
was much entertained. He dislikes drinking very much,
but that day he drank near two bottles of Madeira. When
we broke up from the mess he went to my room and got
my cloak to go to his barge, as it rained a good deal.
[ accompanied him to the boat and wished him a good
night.
Wednesday morning. I met him walking in the street by
himself. I was with Major Vesey of the 6th regiment.
His Royal Highness made us walk with him ; he took hold
of my arm, and we visited all the young ladies in town.
During our walk he told Vesey and I he had taken the
liberty of sending us a card to dine with him on Sunday (a
great liberty). Vesey and I walked with him till he went
on board. He dined en famille with the Commodore. I
dined with Vesey at O'Brien's.
In the evening a ball at the Governor's. We went
about seven ; his Royal Highness came about half after,
and almost immediately began country dances with Miss
Parr, the Governor's daughter. We changed partners
every dance ; he danced with all the pretty women in
the room, and was just as affable as any other man.
He did me the honour to talk a great deal to me before
supper during the dance. We went to supper about
twelve, a most elegant thing, near sixty people sat down.
We had scarce begun supper when he called out, ' Dyott, fill
your glass ' (before he asked any person in the room to
drink) ; when I told his Royal Highness my glass was full,
he said, ' Dyott, your good health, and your family.' About
PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY 37
half an hour after he called out, ' Dyott, fill a bumper, then, 1787
' Dyott, here 's a bumper toast.' After supper he gave five
or six bumper toasts, and always called to me to see them
filled at my table. We had a most jolly evening, and
he retired about two o'clock. The ladies all stood up
when he came into the room, and remained so till he sat
down.
Thursday morning. I met him on the Parade. He, November
Major Vesey, and myself walked about the town all morn-
ing. He would go into any house where he saw a pretty
girl, and was perfectly acquainted with every house of a
certain description in the town. He dined with the Com-
modore and Captain of the Fleet at O'Brien's Tavern.
Friday, Nov. 2. I met him in the morning ; we walked.
I got a live hare, and we went to the common, where we ran
it with my tarriers, which he enjoyed much. Always made
a point of accompanying him to his barge at all hours. He
dined with the Commodore.
Saturday. I met him at Parade, and attended him all the
morning. He dined with the captain of the Resource.
Vesey dined with me, and we had a good deal of company
at the mess, and got very drunk.
Sunday morning. I met him after church at Mrs. Went-
worth's, Governor Wentworth's lady. He was gone up the
country on business, as he is surveyor-general of the woods
of this province. Mrs. W[ent\vorth] is, I believe, a lady
fonder of our sex than her own, and his Royal Highness
used to be there frequently. I attended him from thence
to his barge ; as we went along he told me he would send
his cutter for me to any place I chose, to come to dinner.
1 told his Royal Highness I was to go on board with
38 DYOTT'S DIARY
26 Captain Minchin in his barge. We went a little after three,
all in boots at his particular wish (he dined everywhere in
boots himself).
He received us on the quarter-deck with all possible
attention, and showed us into the cabin himself. His cabin
is rather small and neatly furnished. The company at
dinner was : the Governor ; the General ; two of the
captains of the fleet ; Major Vesey ; Captain Gladstanes,
57th regiment; Captain Dalrymple, 42nd; Hodgson of
ours, and myself.
A most elegant dinner ; I did not think it possible to
have had anything like it on board ship. Two courses,
removes, and a most elegant dessert. Wines of all sorts,
such Madeira I never tasted. It had been twenty-eight
years in bottle ; was sent a present to his Royal Highness
from the East Indies by Sir Archibald Campbell. 1 We had
two servants out of livery, and four in the King's livery.
His Royal Highness sat at the head of the table, and one of
the captains of the navy at the foot. No officer of his ship,
as it is a rule he has laid down never to dine in company
with any subaltern officer in the navy. We dined at half-
past three and drank pretty freely till eight, when we had
coffee, and after noyau, etc. He found out I had never
been on board so large a ship, and before I came away he
told me to come and breakfast with him the next morning
at eight o'clock, and he would show me all over the ship.
I went ashore that evening with Captain Minchin, who
has a house in town. Gladstanes, Dalrymple, Hodgson,
and I supped with him. Before I went there I met his
1 Sir Archibald Campbell (1739-91); served in America 1757-64; governor
of Madras 1786-9.
PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY 39
Royal Highness and Sir James Barclay, captain of the 1787
Leander^ walking about the streets. He made me walk with
him till near ten o'clock, and some pretty scenes we had.
The next day, Monday the 5th November, he had fixed
to land as a prince of the blood to receive the address from
the Governor and Council, to dine with them, and to go to
a ball given by the town. I went to breakfast with him at
eight, found the cutter waiting for me at the dockyard and
a royal midshipman attending. His Royal Highness was
on the quarter-deck when I went on board. We im-
mediately went below to breakfast, and which consisted of
tea, coffee, and all sorts of cold meat, cold game, etc. etc.
His Highness breakfasted almost entirely on cold turkey.
His purser made breakfast, and his first lieutenant and two
of the midshipmen (who take it in turn) breakfasted.
They did not stay two minutes after.
And then his Royal Highness, with the greatest con-
descension possible, showed me first of all the different
clothing of his barge's crew for the different climates. He
made the coxswain put on each of the dresses and cap.
Then he showed me his orderly books, and the books
belonging to the lieutenants and midshipmen. Then he
explained the whole business of the ship and the different
stations in every possible situation for every man and
officer in the ship, all under different heads, in the most
exact manner ; a copy of which all the officers have (in
a book). He then showed me the ship's books kept by the
purser of all the men's accounts, necessaries and clothing,
forms of the different returns, etc. etc.
I went home to get ready the regiment to receive his
Royal Highness.
40 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 At two o'clock the garrison marched down and lined the
streets from the wharf to the Government House. A
captain's guard with colours was formed on the right to
receive him, and a detachment of artillery with three field
pieces fired a royal salute on his landing. His Royal
Highness left the Commodore's ship about a quarter after
two in his own barge (which was steered by an officer).
His barge's crew most elegantly dressed, and the hand-
somest caps I ever saw. Black velvet, and all except the
coxswain's with a silver ornament in front and the King's
arms most elegantly cast. The coxswain's was of gold, and
his Royal Highness told me it cost fifty guineas. As he
was steered by an officer, what is termed the strokesman
wore the coxswain's cap. The Commodore's ship lay about
half a mile from the wharf where he landed, and as he
passed the ships, followed by the Commodore and captains
of the fleet in their barges, his Royal Highness and the
Commodore each having the standard of England hoisted
in their barge, he was saluted by each of them separately,
having their yards manned, etc. When he came within a
hundred yards of the wharf his barge dropped astern, and
the Commodore's and captains' pushed on and landed to
receive him immediately on his stepping out of his barge
(the Governor, Council, House of Assembly, etc., and all
the great people being there to receive him). He was
saluted by the field pieces on the wharf and proceeded
through the line of troops to the Government House, the
soldiers with presented arms, the officers and colours
saluting him as he passed, and all the bands playing { God
save the King.'
When he entered the Government House he was saluted
PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY 4 i
by the twenty-four pounders on the Citadel Hill. On his 1787
being arrived in the levee room, the different branches of
the legislature being there assembled and all the officers
allowed to be present, the Governor presented the address,
to which his Royal Highness read his answer, and read it
with more energy and emphasis than anything I ever heard.
At the same time he had the most majestic and manly
appearance I ever beheld.
Immediately he had finished, the officers went out to
change the position of the troops from the wharf to the
tavern where he was to dine. He passed up the line and
was saluted as before. The troops then marched to their
barracks, and in the evening fired a feu de joie on the
Citadel Hill.
At eight o'clock his Royal Highness went to the ball,
where, I do suppose, there must have been near three
hundred people. The business much better conducted
than I imagined it would. The supper was quite a crowd,
and some such figures I never saw. His Royal Highness
danced a good deal. He began with Miss Parr, the
Governor's daughter. He did me the honour to converse
with me frequently, and walked arm-in-arm about the
room for half an hour. He retired about one o'clock and
appeared much pleased with the entertainment.
'Tuesday. He came on shore about twelve, and was made
a member of the Loyal and Friendly Society of the Blue
and Orange, and dined with the society at our mess-room.
All our officers were members and invited the Governor,
the Commodore, the Commissioner, and Major Vesey of the
6th regiment to meet the Prince. We gave him a very
good dinner, and he was in very good spirits. He is not
42 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 fond of drinking himself, but has no objection to seeing
other people. I was vice-president, and sung, etc. He got
up about nine, and as he left the room he called c Dyott,'
on which I followed and had the honour of walking with
him alone to his barge, as he wished the General and the
rest a good night. On our way through the street he
talked a great deal, asked me who my father was, where he
lived, and why I came so late into the army. I informed
him of all circumstantially. Just before he got to his
barge he told me I must dine with him again before he
sailed, and that he would have a small snug party and none
of the great people.
Wednesday. I met him in the street and walked about
all morning. That day I had the honour to meet his Royal
Highness at dinner at Governor Wentworth's, or rather
Mrs. Wentworth's, the Governor being away from home.
Mrs. Wentworth is a most charming woman, but unhappily
for her husband, rather more partial to our sex than her
own. But he, poor man, cannot see her foibles, and they
live very happy. I believe there was a mutual passion
which subsisted between his Royal Highness and her. She
is an American, but lived a good deal in England and with
people of the first fashion. As I was pretty intimate in the
house, she desired me to dine there. The company was,
his Royal Highness, Major Vesey, Captain Gladstanes,
Hodgson of ours, a Mr. and Mrs. Brindley, the latter a
sister of Mrs. Wentworth, and myself. I never laughed so
much in my life ; he was in vast spirits and pleasanter than
anything I ever saw. We had a most elegant dinner and
coffee, and then went to dress, as he always dines in boots,
and the Commissioner gave a ball in honour of his Royal
PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY 43
Highness. He dressed at Mrs. Wentworth's and went 1787
in her carriage, but not with her, as the ladies of Halifax
are a little scrupulous of their virtue and think it in danger
if they were to visit Mrs. Wentworth. For my part I
think her the best-bred woman in the province. I was
obliged to go early, as the Commissioner requested I would
manage the dancing, etc., that is, that I would act as a
master of the ceremonies. I went about eight. The
Commissioner's house and the dockyard was most beauti-
fully illuminated and made a fine appearance.
His Royal Highness arrived about nine. Everybody
stands up when he enters, and remains so till he desires the
mistress of the house to sit down. Soon after he came we
began dancing. I forgot to mention that at Mrs. Went-
worth's he told me I was to dine with him on Friday. He
is very fond of dancing ; we changed partners every dance.
He always began, and generally called to me to tell him
a dance. The last dance before supper at the Governor's
and at the Commissioner's, his Royal Highness, Major
Vesey, myself, and six very pretty women danced Country
Bumpkin for near an hour. We went to supper about one.
He called to me from the top of the table to drink a glass
of wine, and joked me all the evening on our party at
dinner ; but I must say I never in my life saw him in the
, smallest degree lose his dignity or forget his princely situa-
tion. His character is, where he takes a liking he will be
very free, but always guarded, and if ever any man takes the
smallest liberty he cuts instantly. We had a very excellent
supper and very pleasant. His Royal Highness retired
about two ; I accompanied him to his barge, which lay at
the dockyard wharf. The Governor, Commissioner, and
44 DYOTT'S DIARY
26 all the great people attended him to his barge. Just as
he pushed off he called out, * Dyott, I shall send the cutter
here on Friday at three/ I cannot avoid mentioning these
little circumstances ; it is so very flattering to be taken such
particular notice of by so great a person.
Thursday morning. I met him in town, and walked in
the dockyard with him all morning. He dined that day
with the 5yth regiment. I had the honour of an invitation
to meet him. We had an amazing company ; all the great
people, but not very pleasant. His Royal Highness retired
about eight ; and as he went out he called me to accompany
him. We strolled about the town, went to some of the
houses of a certain description, and to be sure had some
pretty scenes. He did me the honour to say it was very
seldom he took so much notice of a subaltern. He said it
was not from any dislike he had to them, but that he was
in a situation where everybody had an eye on him, and it
would be expected he should form acquaintance with people
high in rank. I attended him to his barge ; he went
aboard about ten.
Friday morning. I met him at Mrs. Wentworth's. We
stayed there more than an hour. Then walked the town
till two o'clock, as he dined at three. He always desired
everybody to come to him in boots. The cutter was
waiting at the dockyard a little before three. The com-
pany : Colonel Brownlow of the 57th, who had arrived from
England the day before, Major Vesey, Hodgson, Captain
Hood of the navy, and myself. His Royal Highness
received us on the quarter-deck and we went to dinner
immediately. Not quite so great a dinner as before, but
vastly elegant. He was in great spirits and we all got a
PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY 45
little inebriated. We went ashore about seven to dress 1 7%7
for a ball at the Commodore's. He dressed at Mrs. Went-
worth's. When we first came on shore, he was very much
out indeed, shouted and talked to every person he met.
I was rather late at the Commodore's. The company not
quite so numerous as at the Governor's ; the house not
being large. We had a very pleasant ball ; Country
Bumpkin, the same set, and a devilish good supper. We
danced after supper and till four o'clock. He dances
vastly well and is very fond of it. I never saw people
so completely * tired as they all were. I saw his Royal
Highness to his barge and ran home as fast as I
could.
Saturday morning. We had a meeting of the Blue and
Orange, as his Royal Highness gave a dinner to the
Society that day at our mess-room, and was chosen Superior
of the Order. He, Major Vesey, and myself walked about
all morning visiting the ladies, etc. He desired to dine
at half-past three. He took the chair himself and ordered
me to be his vice. We had a very good dinner, and he
sent wine of his own ; the very best claret I ever tasted.
We had the Grenadiers drawn up in front of the mess-
room windows to fire a volley in honour of the toasts.
As soon as dinner was over he began. , He did not drink
t himself ; he always drinks Madeira. He took very good
care to see everybody fill, and he gave twenty-three bumpers
without a halt. In the course of my experience I never
saw such fair drinking. When he had finished his list
of bumpers, I begged leave as vice to give the Superior,
and recommended it to the Society to stand upon our
chairs with three times three, taking their time from the
46 DYOTT'S DIARY
26 vice. I think it was the most laughable sight I ever
beheld, to see the Governor, our General and the Com-
modore, all so drunk they could scarce stand on the
floor, hoisted up on their chairs with each a bumper in
his hand ; and the three times three cheers was what
they were afraid to attempt for fear of falling. I then
proposed his Royal Highness and a good wind whenever
he sailed (as he intended sailing on Monday), with the
same ceremony. He stood at the head of the table during
both these toasts, and I never saw a man laugh so in my
life. When we had drunk the last, the old Governor
desired to know if we had any more, as he said if he
once got down, he should never get up again/ His Royal
Highness saw we were all pretty well done and he walked
off. There were just twenty dined, and we drank sixty-
three bottles of wine.
When he went out he called me and told me he would
go to my room and have some tea. The General, Colonel
Brownlow, and myself were at tea. The General and
Colonel as drunk as two drummers. I was tolerably well
myself and knew what I was about perfectly. He laughed
at them very much. After tea we left them in my room
and went on a cruise, as he calls it, till eleven, when he
went on board. I don't recollect ever to have spent so
pleasant a day. His Royal Highness, whenever any person
did not fill a bumper, always called out, ' I see some of
God Almighty's daylight in that glass, Sir ; banish ity
Monday morning. At seven o'clock his Royal Highness
sailed. I got up to take a last view of his ship as she
went out, and as a tribute of respect to his Royal Highness,
from whom I had received such flattering marks of con-
DEATH OF MISS SAWYER 47
descension. I think I never spent a time so joyously in 1787
my life ; and very sorry when he left us.
New Tears Day, January i, 1788. I dined at Mr. 1788
Brindley's ; brother-in-law to Mrs. Wentworth. The same
party as on Christmas Day at Governor Wentworth's.
I cannot say I was in very good spirits. Was asked to
dine the next day at a Mr. Townsend's and at the Commis-
sioner's, but as it was the day on which I lost my dear
father, I refused them both and did not leave the barracks
all day.
January 20. I was made a Free and Accepted Mason
at the Lodge in the 37th regiment. Wrote to my brother,
mother, and Mrs. Wood.
On the 3<Dth January poor Miss S. Sawyer, daughter to
the Admiral, died, universally regretted by all ranks, as a
most amiable, good, deserving young woman. She had
had a swelling in her arm for some months. The faculty
agreed it should be opened, which was done accordingly.
It continued in that state, not healing or mending, for
near two months. That at length brought on a fever, of
which she languished for twenty-one days. I was much
hurt, knowing her to be so good a creature. She was
only eighteen years of age, and a very handsome, fine
woman. I was desired to attend her funeral as a bearer.
I cannot say I ever felt more in my life, than on the
occasion, when I reflected that about three months before
I was dancing with her, and that now I was attending her
to her grave. It really made me as melancholy as anything
I ever experienced. The funeral was a handsome one as
follows :
At the head of the procession was the Bishop and
48 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 26 Rector ; then the body with eight bearers. That is, on
the right side, Lieutenant Nicholson, 57th regiment ;
Captain Gladstanes, ditto ; Lieutenant Lawford, R.N. ;
Captain Sir James Barclay, ditto ; on the left side, Lieu-
tenant Dyott, 4th ; Captain Hodgson, ditto ; Lieutenant
d'Acres, R.N. ; Captain Hood, ditto. The under bearers
were the Admiral's barge's crew in white trousers, white
shirts, with a piece of love ribbon tied round the left
arm, black velvet caps and white ribbons tied round them.
The coffin covered with white cloth handsomely orna-
mented. On a silver plate, f Sophia Sawyer. Born loth
March '70. Died 3ist Jan. '88.'
After the body, Mr. d'Acres, secretary to the Admiral as
chief mourner ; next the nurse and Miss Sawyer's maid in
deep mourning and white hoods. The bearers had on full
uniform ; white hat-bands and scarves, black sword-knots,
cockades, and crape round the left arm. After the two
women followed Colonel Brownlow, 57th, and Captain
Minchin, R.N., General Ogilvie and the Commissioner,
and the Governor by himself. All with white hat-bands
and scarves. There were also three or four of the family,
and some officers belonging to the Admiral's ship with hat-
bands and scarves. After them followed almost all the
officers belonging to the fleet ; many of the garrison ; all
the people in town that were acquainted with the Admiral,
and to close up the whole, a long string of empty carriages.
As we entered the church (which is a full mile from the
Admiralty) the organ began a most solemn dirge, which
continued near a quarter of an hour. The service was then
performed, and I think in my life I never saw so much grief
as throughout the whole congregation. I must own I have
49
not shed so many tears since I left school. I believe sorrow 1788
was never more universal than on the occasion. It was a "
very cold day, and walking so slow in silk stockings and
thin shoes, I was almost perished.
The following Sunday, all the people who had been invited
to the funeral attended Church, as the Bishop was to preach
an occasional sermon. His text was most admirably adapted
from the Thessalonians, and his discourse the most affecting""
I ever heard. He frequently pointed to her grave and
admonished the younger part of his hearers, and more par-
ticularly those who had attended the interment, to prepare
to meet death, not knowing how soon they might be cut off.
On the whole it was a most admirable sermon, and called up^>
the passions more forcibly than anything I ever heard.
Feb. 12. Yesterday the post arrived from Quebec, and February
by letters received they mention that on the I4th December N
there was no snow on the ground, nor was there any frost ;/
a circumstance not known in the memory of man. We
have had in this province hitherto a most favourable winter.
Now and then some severe days, but the frost has never
continued more than six or seven days at a time ; and the
sun is now getting so much power, we are not to expect any
very cold weather. I had a very long letter from my dear
brother by the brig, and as usual full of most generous
offers. I do think there never existed in the breast of man
* so good a heart as he possesses. God only knows if it will
ever be in my power to repay his kindness ; if it should I
shall be truly happy to do it tenfold.
All the month of March, cold nasty weather. Nothing March
but whist and eating and drinking. April brought us rather
better weather.
VOL. I. D
5 o DYOTT'S DIARY
. 27 On the ist August Admiral Sawyer sailed for England.
lUgu The command of the fleet remained with Captain Sandys in
the Dido.
On the lyth, to the surprise of everybody, arrived his
Royal Highness, Prince William Henry, in the Andromeda.
I had dined with the Governor, and was engaged to spend
the evening at Mrs. Wentworth's. When we had done
supper there was a loud rap at the door, and the servant
brought in a letter and said it was from his Royal Highness,
who was just arrived. The man had scarce delivered the
message, when in came the Prince. He did me the honour
to shake me by the hand, and said he was glad to see me.
He was very entertaining for two hours, told us all the
news in England, etc. I had the honour to light him to his
chamber, as he had got a bed from Mrs. Wentworth. He
said he had been cruising with the Channel Fleet for three
weeks, and was sent away at a day's notice when at sea,
and that of course he was come to America rather ill
provided.
The next day, Monday, he visited the Commodore
(Sandys) ; on going aboard his ship, the standard of England
was hoisted and he was saluted by twenty-one guns. The
Governor, General, etc., all waited upon him, which took up
_ the greatest part of the morning. He dined privately with
Captain Buller of the Brisk. In the evening he came to the
Parade, and after making his bow, he called me, took me by
the arm, and walked the Parade for an hour. He then
came up to my room, had tea, stayed till nine o'clock, and
then went on board.
Wednesday. I met him in the morning. The hottest
day I almost ever felt. He told me to attend him, and he
-
PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY 51
would stretch my legs. Accordingly we set forward, and 1788
walked four miles as hard as he could. I never was so hot
in my life or more fagged. I never met a man more
entertaining tete-a-tete. He dined at the General's. The
company the same as the day before. Sat till near eight,
then I attended him to my room, where he had tea. He
told me this evening that if I wished it, he intended visiting
Shelburn, etc. etc., and would be very glad of my company
on the cruise. I was highly honoured, and told his
Highness I should with the greatest pleasure accept the
honour he offered.
Friday. He dined at the Chief Justice's ; a most excellent
dinner. And how it was, I don't know ; but his Royal
Highness set to immediately after dinner, and I never saw a
man get so completely drunk. He desired the General to
order the whole garrison up to the Citadel Hill, to fire a
feu de joie ; but his Highness was not able to attend it, as
he was obliged to go to bed at Pemberton's, where he slept
for three hours, and then went to his ship.
Monday, August 25. He dined on board, I was obliged
to go out to exercise with the regiment at two o'clock
preparing for our review, or should have dined with him.
He came to parade in the evening ; I attended him to Mrs.
Wentworth's, where he drank tea and stayed till nine
o'clock. His Royal Highness was pretty constant to the
parade, and I think would prefer our profession to his own. >
It is astonishing how he remembers and knows almost all \f
the officers of any rank in the army. If an officer has ever ^
been presented to him, he never forgets his name or his
character.
August 26. He reviewed the King's Own at
52 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 27 eleven o'clock, and I have the vanity to think the regiment
never made a better review. His Highness was much
pleased with their appearance. He went on board soon
after the review. At three o'clock the standard of England
was hoisted on board his ship ; immediately on which a
royal salute was fired from all the ships in the harbour.
His Royal Highness intended landing this day as a Prince
of the Blood, to meet the Loyal Society of the Blue and
Orange at dinner, as their Royal Highnesses the Prince
of Wales and the Duke of York were to honour the
Society this day by being admitted members.
About half an hour after three a standard was hoisted in
his Royal Highness's barge. Soon after he left his ship,
on which another salute was fired from the fleet. He was
attended on shore by the captains and Commodore, the
latter with his broad pennant, the former with theirs in the
different barges. On his landing he was received by a royal
salute from the garrison. The wharf and the streets were
lined from the ship to the barracks where he dined, the
officers and colours saluting him as he passed along, the
bands playing c God save the King.' On his entering the
mess-room he was again saluted from the citadel. We sat
down twenty to a very good dinner. His Royal Highness
presided as Superior, and I had the honour of being his vice.
After dinner we had the three-pounders to salute. After
the royal toasts, and after he had given the Prince of Wales
and the Duke of York, we had three times twenty-one, and
two bands playing ' Rule Britannia.' We drank twenty-
eight bumper toasts, by which time, as may be well supposed,
we were in pretty good order. At nine o'clock a. feu de joie
was fired by the garrison from the citadel. Those that
PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY 53
could walk attended. I was one of the number that got up 1788
the hill. Went afterwards to the Governor's, and then
attended his Royal Highness to his boat.
Saturday. He dined with Captain Duvernet command-
ing the artillery, who gave us a most excellent dinner and a
good deal of wine. In the evening his Royal Highness was
amused with a set of fireworks designed by Duvernet
which was very pretty. Also he ordered a number of live
shells to be thrown which had a very good effect.
Monday, Sept. i . He gave a dinner at our mess-room to September
the Blue and Orange Society ; it was as handsome a thing as
I ever saw. The room was emptied for the occasion. He
had all his own servants on shore, cooks, confectioners, etc.
etc. His plate, glass, in short, the same as on board his
ship. We had ninety dishes, fifty-five the first course and
relieves, and thirty-five the second course ; a most elegant
dessert, champagnes, etc. I was his vice, and a most joyous
day we had. The whole was the most elegant thing I ever
saw.
Friday. The I'hisbe, Captain Hood, and the Weazel,
+*
Captain Sawyer, came in. His Royal Highness dined on
board. We had the same party as the last day with the
addition of Hood and Sawyer. In the evening his
Royal Highness gave a ball on board his ship. The com-
pany assembled at seven o'clock. The quarter-deck was
divided at the mizzen-mast ; between it and the main-mast
was for dancing, and abaft it for supper, the whole
covered in with a frame and canvas, and lined with white
colours and blue festoons. There were near fourteen ladies
and thirty gentlemen. All the officers of his own ship, and
they are the most genteel set of young men I ever saw. We
54 DYOTT'S DIARY
27 danced till one o'clock. His Highness did not dance, but
paid the greatest attention possible to everybody. The
ladies went below, and the colours that divided the quarter-
deck were drawn up in festoons and displayed the most
completely elegant supper I ever saw. At the end of the
deck were two transparent paintings, the one representing
the Scottish motto and thistle, the other St. George's Cross
and the Garter. Upwards of sixty people sat down to
supper at a table almost in the form of a horse-shoe. The
supper was chiefly cold, except soups and removes, with
partridges, etc., champagne, hock, etc. In short, the
whole was by far the most elegant thing I ever saw.
We remained more than an hour at supper, and it was
wonderful to see the attention his Royal Highness paid
to every one present, not neglecting a single midship-
man. We danced till three o'clock, when the champagne
began to operate with some of the gentlemen, and the
ladies thought it near time to go on shore. I never spent
a more joyous night.
Monday. His Royal Highness gave a grand dinner in
honour of their Majesties' Coronation. The garrison fired
at twelve, and the fleet at one, a royal salute. We dined
twenty ; a superb dinner, and after the first eight toasts the
ship was manned, and they fired twenty-one rounds each
time. We got pretty tipsy. At nine o'clock a salute was
fired by the great guns on the Citadel Hill, and answered
by a feu-de-joie from the regiment drawn out on the works
of the hill. We were all on board the Andromeda during
the feu-de-joie^ which had a most beautiful effect. When
that was over his Royal Highness went on shore to see a
most extensive display of fireworks on the exercise ground.
BURTON ALE 55
They were by far the finest things of the kind I had ever 1788
seen, and his Royal Highness appeared much delighted.
Friday. Dined on board the Andromeda. Mrs. Minchin
and Mrs. Dalrymple were there, the only ladies. A famous
feed, and champagne a Vabondance. Came on shore about
seven; tea at Minchin's. His Royal Highness told me when
he came on shore that he would sup at my room. I took
it as a very great honour, he having never stayed on shore
after nine since his arrival. The party at supper was Le
Prince, the Commodore, Brownlow, Minchin, Hood, Buller,
Dalrymple, and myself. After supper we set to Burton
ale. The Prince in the greatest spirits I ever saw him in my
life, sang two or three songs, and as all the company did
their possible to make it pleasant, in my life I never spent
so joyous an evening, and for three hours laughed most
incessantly. I believe our risible faculties were considerably
assisted and supported by the Burton, as seven of us (the
Prince included) drank fourteen bottles ; that mixed with
champagne and claret must have made a pretty fermentation
in our stomachs. We all (with stumbling and tumbling)
attended his Highness to the barge, and parted, I believe?
well satisfied with the evening's entertainment.
Wednesday morning. At seven o'clock the Prince made October
the signal for sailing ; accordingly we got under weigh
Andromeda, Thisbe, and Brisk : the Resource waited for the
Commodore's despatches to carry to England.
The next day about nine we made the lighthouse off
Shelburn. The entrance is something like Halifax, but
much more desolate. On the west side, after you enter the
harbour, there is a point called Point Carleton. After you
pass that point you get a view of the town, which to be
56 DYOTT'S DIARY
2 7 sure has as poor an appearance as anything I ever saw.
The barracks are on the opposite side the harbour from the
town. We came to an anchor about four, and immediately
the Prince did us the honour to send for us to dinner. We
met my friend Vesey there, and also Major Edwards of
the 6th. We spent a very pleasant day. Drank as usual
rather freely of the vin de Bordeaux ; went on shore in the
evening to the barracks and came off about ten o'clock.
Friday morning. I went on shore to breakfast with Vesey.
The barracks are extremely good, but the situation the
most wretched I ever beheld. Nothing on the surface of
the ground but immense large stones and stumps of trees.
The commanding officer's quarters are remarkably good.
After breakfast I walked to town. They in general cross
the harbour, as the distance is little more than half a mile,
and by land it is two miles. The walk has nothing very
inviting, as it is a small path made through the woods,
which are in part cut down for firewood. The town has
only been settled four years, at which time there was not a
single tree cut down. Indeed, from the present appearance
of the place, you may easily conceive what it must have
been ; for in the town streets the stumps of the trees are
not taken up. There are computed to be near 3000 in-
habitants, blacks and whites. Some tolerably good houses,
but from an account taken by the commanding engineer
last winter, there are 360 uninhabited houses, which clearly
proves the rapid decline of the settlement. We dined with
the 6th regiment, and had a very jolly day.
Sunday. His Royal Highness reviewed the 6th regi-
ment. The morning was so boisterous, it was with difficulty
we could get on shore, and blew so hard that half the
CAPE BRETON ISLAND 57
Grenadiers lost their caps, so that it was impossible to judge 1788
of the discipline of the regiment. They made a handsome
appearance, but their ground was so limited (having nothing
but a parade of about 120 yards by 50) that they laboured
under every disadvantage of time and place. After the
review, Hood, Buller, and myself walked through the woods
about two miles from the barracks to a negro town called
Birch Town. At the evacuation of New York there were
a great number of these poor devils given lands and settled
here. The place is beyond description wretched, situated
on the coast in the middle of barren rocks, and partly
surrounded by a thick impenetrable wood. Their huts
miserable to guard against the inclemency of a Nova Scotia
winter, and their existence almost depending on what they
could lay up in summer. I think I never saw wretchedness
and poverty so strongly perceptible in the garb and the
countenance of the human species as in these miserable
outcasts. I cannot say I was sorry to quit so melancholy
a dwelling. We returned by the barracks and dined again
with his Royal Highness. There was a Mr. Bruce and
a Mr. Skinner, American Royalists, dined ; they are the
only people tolerably decent in Shelburn.
Wednesday. About three o'clock we came to an anchor
in Spanish River (Cape Breton), having had a remarkably
fine run from Shelburn. Immediately on our coming to
anchor, the Prince sent for us to dinner. The entrance
into the harbour has nothing very striking. In the after-
noon we went on shore to the coal-mines, which were just
opposite to where the ships lay. We all went down by the
bucket into the pit, and to be sure a most infernal hole it
was. The chief of the governors of Cape Breton's [sic]
58 DYOTT'S DIARY
2 7 salary arises from a duty upon the coal got here. The
next morning we weighed and went about nine miles up the
harbour, and anchored off the new settlement called Sydney.
The harbour from the mines is about three miles broad,
and the shores entirely covered with wood to the water's
edge. The French, I believe, had a small settlement here
at the time Louisburg was taken in '57, 1 since when it has
been quite deserted till the year '83, at which period a
governor, etc., was sent out from England, a man of the
name of Des Barres, 2 a captain in the 6oth regiment; a great
surveyor, having published a survey of the coast of North
America from Florida, but a most eccentric genius. He
fixed the seat of government at Sydney, and I am sorry to
say that their improvements have not a very propitious
appearance at present. He dined with his Royal High-
ness; Lieut. -Colonel Graham, who commands a part of the
42nd regiment quartered at Sydney, dined on board. We
got pretty hearty, and went on shore in the evening and
supped at Colonel Graham's. The town of Sydney consists
of about fifty houses situated on the banks of Spanish River,
and surrounded to the very sides of the buildings by an
almost impenetrable wood. There is a narrow path from
the barracks just to keep up a communication, and that 's
all the clear country I saw. The barracks are shamefully
1 Dyott makes a mistake here. Mr. Bradley in his life of Wolfe writes :
' A town of four thousand people, a big place for the period and locality, had
grown up under the protection of the massy ramparts and frowning cannon.'
Louisburg was not taken in '57, but on July 27, 1758.
2 Joseph Frederick Walsh or Wallet Des Barres (1722-1824.); military
engineer,- made successful expedition against the North American Indians 1757 ;
surveyed the coast of Nova Scotia 1763-73; lieutenant-governor of Cape Breton
1784-1805; colonel 1798; governor of Prince Edward Island 1805-13; published
charts of the Atlantic and North American coasts. Cf. Prowse, History of
Newfoundland, p. 423.
AN ESCAPADE
59
bad; the troops have cleared a good parade and made 1788
themselves as comfortable as their situation would allow.
The officers had no rooms in the barracks, and were obliged
to build huts and log-houses.
Monday. We dined at a Mr. Cayler's, who has a small
house and about an acre of cleared land on -the opposite side
of the harbour. He is an American loyalist, and possesses
a considerable property in the province of New York. He
is secretary to the Government of Cape Breton. We had
a good dinner, and got outrageously drunk, Prince and
subject.
Thursday. We left Sydney after having spent a very
pleasant week; rather more wine than was good for our
constitutions. The Prince intended to have gone to the
island of St. John's, 1 in the gulf of St. Lawrence ; but the
weather coming tempestuous, and contrary winds, he
thought it most advisable to return to Halifax. We were
unfortunate in the winds, as we did not get back till
Monday following, the 2oth.
Saturday. We dined at the Commissioner's ; a large November
party, and all got wondrous drunk. On our way into
town in the evening we met the Chief Justice's chariot.
I immediately stopped it and mounted the box ; his Royal
Highness, the Chief Justice, the General, and the Com-
f missioner got inside; Brownlow, Vesey, and three others
got up behind ; away I set, but as it was necessary to turn
round, I, in attempting that part of the charioteering, was
within an inch of oversetting all the party into the harbour
from one of the quays. By great good luck we escaped
and away I drove like fury to town.
1 Now known as Prince Edward Island.
60 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 27 Wednesday. Dined at the General's, and supped at the
Commodore's to take our leave of the Prince, as he was to
sail the next morning. We drank his health on our knees,
and then attended him to his barge. He shook hands with
us all, and expressed his sorrow at leaving us. When I
shook him by the hand and bade him farewell, I really felt
an unpleasant sensation ; parting with him as a man, and
more especially as a Prince of the Blood from whom I had
received such repeated marks of attention. Take him
altogether, I think I never saw or heard of a finer character.
He is, I will venture to say, from experience, as honourable
a man as ever held a commission in the British service.
He has a generous and noble spirit, and will, I am con-
vinced, when an opportunity may offer, render an essential
service to his king and country. I had the honour, I may
say, of living with him for three months, and in that time
one may be able to judge of a man's character. I believe
I never shall spend three months in that way again, for such
a time of dissipation, etc. etc., I cannot suppose possible
to happen. I must own I thought it time as agreeably
employed as I ever experienced, and to be sure the
company of a Prince added not a little to the joyous
hours.
'Thursday morning. At six o'clock his Royal Highness
sailed for Jamaica. He was saluted from the citadel as
he went out.
December On the 1 6th was performed, by the officers of the garrison
and fleet, the comedy of the School for Scandal. The female
parts were done by two young boys of the town. On the
whole I declare I never saw a play better performed out
of London. I was appointed treasurer and master of the
MILITARY THEATRICALS 61
ceremonies, as I did not feel equal to taking a part; my 1788
talents not at all suiting the theatrical line.
January i, 1789. I dined at Governor Wentworth's. 1789
Spent a very jolly day. Had rain and thaw for a week.
8th. I was seized with a bad sore throat, which confined
me a week.
iind. A ball and supper given by the Navy and Army
to the town. A very jolly evening ; danced after supper.
Just as the company was departing, they were alarmed by a
cry of fire, which proceeded from the stores and warehouses
of the greatest tradesmen in town, being in flames. The
garrison were immediately ordered to attend ; the seamen
from the fleet also assisted, and by very great exertion the
threatened dreadful conflagration was in some degree pre-
vented. As it was expected, a great part of the town had
been destroyed. A large lot, containing four houses, were
entirely consumed. They were detached, and it was with
great difficulty the flames were prevented catching the
houses opposite, amongst which stood the Government
House. The buildings are all of wood, and a most
dreadful appearance the fire had, as it burnt like paper.
I thought at one time a great part of the town must have
been consumed. The damage is supposed to amount to
near ^20,000. Happily no lives were lost.
February. The officers in garrison fitted up a new February
theatre. On the 26th opened it with the Merchant of
Venice. It was as complete a thing for the size as I ever
saw. Boxes and a first and second pit. The plays were
very entertaining, as some of the characters were vastly well
supported. This month we had a good deal of snow and
dirty tempestuous weather. But what with whist and good
62 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET - 2 7 eating and drinking (as our markets were well supplied),
we endeavoured to drive away all gloomy thoughts, and to
enjoy life in the best manner the dreary regions of Nova
Scotia would allow. We had much more snow this winter
than the preceding one.
March March. We had a packet arrived, which brought us the
first European news we had had for some months, and also
the melancholy account of the King's indisposition. 1 Our
harbour was frozen up for some days, and on the loth and
1 2th we had very good skating in many parts of it. This
month was fatal to the moose and caribou ; great quantities
were brought to market ; but in my opinion it is very little
better than carrion.
April April 1 6. We had a jolly meeting of the Blue and
Orange. We continued our plays at the New Theatre to
crowded audiences through the winter. They went off
remarkably well. We collected ,400, almost the whole of
which was expended on the house. Closed in June.
June June. Our fishing amusement commenced. No occur-
rence worthy of note.
July July 21. We received an order to march four companies
of the regiment to Fort Edward, near Windsor, to be head-
quarters.
We left Halifax on the 24th ; marched through the
woods to Falkner's, fifteen miles ; from thence to Wood-
worth's, fifteen more ; and sixteen from that to Windsor.
The middle stage the very worst road I ever saw, and the
places we stopped at all single houses with an adjoining
1 On November 5, 1788, the King, who for some time had been in poor health,
became mad. February 1789, Pitt brought in the Regency Bill. On March 10
it was announced to Parliament that the King had recovered.
BAY OF FUNDY 63
barn, where the men and their ladies all pigged together, 1789
where gods met gods and jostled in the dark.
The country round Windsor for about a mile or two is
cleared, and is very pretty, particularly after coming through
such a wilderness. The tide from the Bay of Fundy rises
at Windsor upwards of fifty feet, and at low water it leaves
as disagreeable a sight as I ever saw. You have nothing to
look upon but a filthy sand and most dirty mud-banks, as
the water almost entirely quits the river. Windsor was
settled by the French a considerable time back ; but on this
province becoming a part of the British dominions, they
were literally driven out of the country. There are some
tolerably good farms in the neighbourhood, and some very
pleasant rides. The town of Windsor consists of, I believe,
about forty houses. The fort is an old mud-work with a
block-house and barracks for about one hundred men at
most. We found our people much crowded, as we had near
double that number. I was very unpleasantly situated,
being obliged to double up with a jolly ensign, or to take
lodgings in town.
On the 24th of August I was ordered to Halifax to August
prepare the three companies for their review, which took
place the i5th September, and I may say positively that no
part of the regiment ever made a better appearance or gained
greater credit.
March 1790. They were very gay at Halifax plays, 1790
balls, and assemblies ; not near so much whist as usual, but
an abundance of good eating and drinking. We were much
longer this winter without hearing from Europe than we
had ever been since our arrival.
I returned to Fort Edward the 27th February, when no
64 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 28 accounts had arrived. The first week in March was as
severe weather as I ever felt, almost a perpetual storm of
snow and hail. The Windsor river at this season is quite a
curiosity. Vast quantities of ice of an amazing size floating
up with the flood tide, and at low water leaving perfect
mountains all over the river ; the very look is sufficient to
petrify one. I dined with Governor Wentworth during my
stay at Halifax on some caribou (the reindeer of this
country). It is nearly the size of a yearling calf, with
stronger legs, the head and body resembling the fallow deer.
I thought it but very poor eating ; indeed, any animal that
lives in the woods during this season of the year cannot be
very fat, and of course, in my opinion, not very palatable.
We had also some venison of the fallow deer from New
England, but very inferior to a good haunch of English
doe.
To my astonishment, on the i8th of this month I
was informed by letter that Dick Beresford, who had got
a second-lieutenancy in the 2ist regiment, was arrived in
Halifax on his way to join. I set forward the next morning
to see him, and stayed four days in town, when he returned
with me to the fort and remained near a week. It is a
most pleasing satisfaction that of meeting with a particular
acquaintance in a distant country, and who has recently
quitted your connections. It cannot be described ; it is the
next enjoyment to ' a return to your native country after
an age of absence.' My hope of experiencing that felicity
appears to me in a very glimmering light ; nor can I
determine what limits to fix for my duration in this most
inhospitable clime. All I can conclude definitely is to
remain with my regiment till I acquire the first step an
A NATURAL CURIOSITY 65
officer can consider as real promotion in the profession I am 1790
embarked in. Towards the end of this month the season
began to get rather milder, and for the four first days of
April the snow and frost began to disappear very perceptibly, April
and we had every reason to expect an early spring. The
6th was as fine a day as you commonly find in England
about the beginning of May, when lo and behold, on the
yth we had as violent a snowstorm, and of much longer
duration, than any we had the whole winter. It must have
fallen on a level near five inches, but as it blew a gale of
wind, it drifted in many places as many feet. On the 8th
we had a north-wester, with some showers of snow and hard
frost; and on the 9th spring again returned, and the
weather as temperate as on the 5th and 6th. It is
impossible to depend on the weather for four-and-twenty
hours in this country, and the sudden change is most
wonderful.
On the 1 2th we had another severe snowstorm ; it con-
tinued the whole day and fell near a foot deep. The roads
near this place are beyond anything I ever saw; scarcely
passable either on foot or horseback. A farmer brought a
very great natural curiosity to the fort. It was the produce
of a ewe. It had one head, two necks, one windpipe, one
stomach, one heart, and in all other particulars two distinct
animals. It was alive when it came into the world, but
expired soon after. The ewe had another fine lamb soon
after that lived and did very well.
On the 4th September Forbes and a party of friends from September
the 6th regiment paid us a visit. On their return I rode
with them as far as Horton, sixteen miles through the
woods, and a most villainous road over a prodigious moun-
VOL. i. E
66 DYOTT'S DIARY
. 29 tain. The township of Horton is situated in a valley, on
one side of which is the Basin of Mines, and what they call
the Grand Pre or great meadow. It is the most extensive
flat I ever saw, consisting of upwards of 2300 acres of
dyked and salt marsh. The settlers are chiefly New
Englanders and veritable Yankees. The country is pretty,
though no great extent cleared, except the Grand Pre.
There is a tide river like the one at Windsor, and on the
opposite side is the settlement of Cornwallis, which is con-
siderably larger than Horton, and much more land culti-
vated. I did not cross the water, but on the whole I think
the valley of Horton and Cornwallis much more picturesque
than Windsor ; but the farms are not so extensive, nor are
the inhabitants so industrious the former possessing either
too much of the levelling and indolent indisposition of the
New Englanders, and the latter what they called country
folks, or, by way of explanation, from Great Britain or
Ireland.
1791 August. We had fine weather this month. About the
middle of it I made a party to take a view of the Basin
of Mines at the head of the Bay of Fundy, and so called
from the supposition of their being mines of silver in the
neighbourhood, and also mines of copper. The Duke of
York has the exclusive right to them all by a grant from
the Crown, and has some people now in Nova Scotia
employed to investigate them. The Basin of Mines is
eighteen miles in length one way and fourteen the other,
surrounded entirely by woods. On one side is a remark-
ably bluff hill called Cape Blomidon, a great curiosity from
its stupendous appearance, being perpendicular from the sea,
which washes its base, and is near a thousand yards high.
THE BASIN OF MINES 67
We endeavoured to scramble to the top, but in vain, as we 1791
were prevented by what exactly resembled a stone fortifica-
tion when we had got within about thirty yards of the top.
We had a most extensive view of sea and woods.
On the beach we picked up a number of pieces of copper
ore and some very curious stones. We were entirely guided
by the tides, which rise in the Basin and the adjacent rivers
near forty feet, so that we were obliged to go with one tide
and return with the next. We did not get back to Windsor
till near an hour after high water, so that we had three
miles to row against the tide, and very hard work we
found it.
On the 25th of August I went to Halifax to meet my
friend Dickson, who was returned from the States, but by
no means reinstated in his health. He wished to get to the
fort to settle his accounts in order to his going to Europe
in the fall, which made my stay in town but short. I
returned to the fort on the 3Oth instant. The day after I
left Halifax, to the great surprise of the bigwigs and
natives, Lord Dorchester arrived. His lordship had sailed
from Quebec on board a frigate (the Alligator}, had met
with a gale of wind off the coast, and on account of having
received some damage, she was obliged to put into Halifax
to repair. His stay was very short, as the frigate was
repaired without loss of time and proceeded to sea on the
3rd September.
On the 22nd October I set forward for Annapolis Royal October
to pay a visit to the three companies of the regiment. The
distance from Windsor is eighty-six miles. Some part of
the country for a distance of two miles on each side of the
road is tolerably well cultivated. The town of Annapolis is
68 DYOTT'S DIARY
T - 3 a very old settlement, and originally the seat of government
of this province. It is situated on a river which empties
itself into the Bay of Fundy twenty-one miles below the
town. There is a fort with some outworks to defend the
river, but the works are all suffered to go to ruin. There
have been most excellent barracks built of brick, but they
are in the same state as the fortifications, and the troops
at present but ill accommodated. Since the American
revolution a number of loyalists have come to settle
in the neighbourhood from the States. The trade very
trifling, the exports chiefly to the West Indies of horses,
fish, and timber. I returned to Fort Edward on the 2yth.
December Saturday. I dined with Major Boyd of the 2Oth regi-
ment ; a party at his quarters, and to be sure I finished the
week as I began, and never was more inebriated in my life.
1792 January I, 1792. A fine day, a little snow on the ground
ry and a slight frost. We had some severe weather about the
20th.
The 23rd, the coldest day we had felt. I was obliged to
go to Halifax on business. The 24th, I dined with Major
Rawdon ; the 25th, at Mr. Morden's, and returned to the
fort on the 26th.
On the 28th Major Rawdon, Parkhill of the i6th, Neale
of the 2 ist, and Hodgson of ours arrived. Our com-
manding officer had ordered two cases of claret, and for
three days that the party remained I never saw such hard
drinking. Rawdon is without exception the most deter-
mined fellow at a bottle of claret I ever knew. They left
us on the 3ist, Hodgson 1 for Annapolis, the others for
1 John Hodgson (1757-1846); served in North America; wounded in Holland
1799; governor of Bermuda and Cura^oa ; general 1830.
LIFE AT HALIFAX 69
Halifax. I had fully determined to pay a visit to Anna- 1792
polis in the course of this month, but was prevented by
reason of my waiting to accompany Major Rawdon. I
never saw finer weather than we had till the 2ist, when
there fell in the course of eight-and- forty hours the greatest
quantity of snow I ever remember. The very day it began
Rawdon, Parkhill, and Neale arrived in order to proceed to
Annapolis, but found it impracticable on account of the
great depth of snow. They remained with us till Friday
the 25th, and returned to town. We had four most violent
hard-going days of course.
On the 1 5th I went to Halifax, and on the iyth was March
admitted a member of the Society of friendly brothers in a
knot belonging to the i6th regiment. We kept the day in
honour of St. Patrick by dining together at the coffee-house,
and a pretty scene of drunkenness it was. I stayed in town
till the 25th, leading a life of debauchery. The March
packet from New York arrived on the ipth, which gave me
some business to answer my letters.
The Circe frigate, commanded by Captain Gardiner, was
lying at Halifax. I got very intimate with the captain, a
most gentlemanlike fellow, and I suppose the youngest man
for a post-captain in the navy. We had a most sumptuous
entertainment at the Government House in honour of the
Prince of Wales's birthday. Kept it up till four o'clock
next morning.
On the evening of the iyth a fire broke out in town, August
which raged with great violence, and consumed six dwelling-
houses and an ordnance store. Luckily it was a calm
evening, or the town must have been consumed.
On the 25th I received the account of the death of my September
70 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 31 ever-lamented sister, Mrs. Lee. I don't think on any occa-
sion I ever suffered so much or felt more real grief than
when I read the account.
November On the 1 2th November I dined at Commissioner Duncan's.
I had a toothache in the morning ; after dinner the pain
increased to a violent degree, and in the evening 1 was so ill
as to be obliged to go to bed and send for the surgeon, who
found me in a high fever. I was obliged to remain at the
Commissioner's four days till the fever abated, when I was
moved to quarters in his carriage. Recovered in about ten
days.
December December. On Monday at twelve o'clock on the 3rd
we sailed from the wharf in Halifax with a fine north
wind. I must own I felt rather sorry to leave a place where
I had spent many very pleasant days, and also grief to part
with some friends of the regiment for whom I had a most
sincere regard. We had a fine wind all day ; I did not
suffer much from sea-sickness, though a little squeamish
from taking too much of Gregory Townsend's wine the day
before sailing.
Monday. A fine day and fair wind. I could not help
remarking the singular superstition of the captain of the
ship, though I know that character is attributed to sailors
in general. Two years ago they lost a man overboard from
the ship in the latitude we were in this day. The captain
remarked to me that every time he had passed that latitude
since, which I believe was four or five times, he had always
observed a small bird swimming about on the water, as near
as he could possibly conjecture to the spot where he lost his
man. I never was more astonished than at his remark.
On Wednesday at twelve o'clock we sounded again, and
RETURN TO ENGLAND 71
found bottom, sixty fathoms water. Sounded again at 1792
eight o'clock, and imagined ourselves off Scilly. We stood
on all night, and sounded on Thursday morning at eight
o'clock. Imagined ourselves in the Channel. At ten
o'clock we made the land to our great joy, and which was
conjectured to be the Start Point, about thirty leagues
up Channel ; but on getting in with it it proved to be the
Land's End at the entrance of the Channel.
Friday. A most charming morning, close in with the
land, and running ten and eleven knots we made the Isle
of Wight about ten o'clock, and at twelve spoke a pilot
boat, who agreed to take the passengers on shore to Ports-
mouth, to which we most cheerfully consented, though we
did not suppose the ship was so far distant from Portsmouth
as we found her to be, which was upward of forty miles.
However, we landed by ten o'clock. The transport I felt
on setting my foot on British ground after an absence of
six years cannot easily be described.
I was astonished to find they were arming, 1 supposing
from the accounts when I left Nova Scotia that the French
business would be all settled.
I left Portsmouth Saturday evening in the mail coach, 1793
and got to London on Sunday morning the 3<Dth December,
where I remained till Tuesday, 8th January, and got into
the mail coach, and arrived at Freeford on Wednesday the
9th to my great joy and satisfaction. On account of an
augmentation of the army, General Morrison 2 directed me
to employ myself on the recruiting service, and at my
1 The danger of Holland and the activity of the revolutionists stirred the English
government to take measures of defence. On December i, 1792, a part of the
militia was embodied, and naval preparations were made.
2 George Morrison (1704. -'-1799) ; lieutenant-general 1782; general 1796.
72 DYOTTS DIARY
JET. 31 request made Lichfield my quarters, and that I should have
a party as soon as possible.
March I remained at Freeford till the 26th March; went to
Ashburn for two days, and to Misterton and Leicester the
April 3<Dth. Stayed there till the 4th April, and on the 6th went
to Newcastle to receive the out-pensioners in the counties of
Stafford and Chester fit for garrison duty. Stayed there till
the 8th, and at Keel till the I2th ; halted at Freeford one
day, and proceeded to London the I4th. During the month
of February, and till the regiment marched, I was employed
at the request of Lord Uxbridge to drill the Stafford militia,
then embodied on account of the war. When in town I
was employed in effecting a purchase of a company in the
regiment from Rose, in which I succeeded. I had great
difficulty in being able to get leave to stay at home, General
Morrison being very pressing that I should repair to New-
foundland. He at last consented that I should remain on
the recruiting service. My principal reason for going to
London was at the request of Lord Uxbridge, 1 who solicited
me in strong terms to give my aid to the drilling of his
regiment at Plymouth. I was very much averse to that
duty, but as I considered myself under particular obligations
to his lordship, I consented.
June On the 4th June, in honour of his Majesty's birthday,
all the people employed in the dockyard walk in procession
through the town with bands of musick and emblems or
models of their different business. The custom is annual, and
the concourse of people assembled is immense. There were
upwards of two thousand marched in order. Some of the
models and devices were extremely beautiful. The different
1 Lord Uxbridge, created Earl of Uxbridge 1784; died 1812.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR 73
companies had flags emblematical of their employ. Lord J 793
Uxbridge gave a dinner to the whole regiment, and a quart
of ale to each man. There were tables laid out in the
barrack square, and the whole dined together. Unfortun-
ately the weather was not very good ; however it went off
vastly well, and the men were very happy.
Lord Uxbridge applied to Major- General Hotham 1 to
appoint me his Major of Brigade for the brigade he was
to command on Makerheights near Plymouth, which the
General complied with, and I became a Major accordingly.
Our brigade was a very small one ; it only consisted of the
Glamorgan Militia and a park of artillery. However I con-
sidered it as a feather in my cap, and was much pleased with
the appointment.
September. On the 6th I went with Lord Granville September
Leveson-Gower 2 into Staffordshire to attend Lichfield races,
a thing I had not seen for nine years. We got to Freeford
on the Sunday to dinner. Lord G. stayed till Tuesday,
then went to Lichfield. The balls were thinly attended,
but a wonderful crowd on the race-ground. I was quite
delighted, as it put me so much in mind of old times.
Our camp broke up on the 1 2th October, and I went to October
London on the I4th, stayed at Uxbridge House ten days
with Lord Paget, 3 and went with him to Leicester to hunt.
I remained there a week. He mounted me two days.
1 Probably George Hotham (born 1741), son of Sir Beaumont Hotham; a
general officer in the army; colonel of the i^th regiment of foot; died 1806.
2 Lord Granviile Leveson-Gower (1773-1846), youngest son of the first Marquis
of Stafford; created Viscount Granville 1815 ; advanced to an earldom 1833.
3 Lord Henry William Paget, first Marquis of Anglesey {1768-1854)5 raised
a regiment of infantry in 1793, chiefly from the Earl of Uxbridge's Staffordshire
tenants, which on the outbreak of the war became the 8oth foot; commanded the
cavalry in Spain under Sir John Moore, and the cavalry and horse artillery at
Waterloo, where he lost a leg.
74 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 32 From Leicester I went to Beaudesert, and on my arrival
there found an order to go to Plymouth to attend as a
member of a general court-martial.
November Arrived there on the iyth November, it continued till the
26th for the trial of Lieutenant Ford of the Invalios.
December On the yth December I again quitted Plymouth for
Staffordshire (General Hotham having leave of absence),
came through Bath, saw several of my old friends, and
amongst the rest Lord Enniskillen, Mrs. Colville (late Miss
Ford), and my old captain, Gouldney. Got to Freeford the
1 5th December. Soon after my return I spent some days
at Beaudesert, and also at Ravenhill with Colonel Sneyd.
We had some very pleasant parties at Fisherwick, and in
December a masquerade and ball at Drakelow, a most
excellent night.
Christmas Day I spent at Freeford, and went to pass
New Year's Day at Beaudesert. For the first time saw a
baron of beef roasted ; it was as much as two servants could
carry, and reminded one of the old English hospitality.
The house was full and very pleasant ; a grand ball there
on the 1 6th, good supper and plenty of dancing.
1794 In February I paid a visit into Leicestershire for a week.
March In the beginning of March I went to Keel, and from thence
with the Sneyds to Caperthorn, Mr. Davenport's, a very
pretty place in Cheshire. Was out a fortnight.
On the 28th I received a letter from Lord Charles
Somerset 1 offering me the majority of a regiment he was
going to raise, if I chose to purchase it. I accordingly went
April to London on the business, where I arrived the I st April,
1 Lord Charles Henry Somerset (1767-1831); son of the fifth Duke of Beaufort;
colonel of the ist West India Regiment; governor of the Cape of Good Hope.
TRIAL OF WARREN HASTINGS 75
but from his lordship's terms I found it would not do ; *794
indeed it did not appear very certain Government would
allow him to raise a regiment, and in case I had purchased the
majority I was to be allowed only ^i 100 for my company.
I was in Westminster Hall when Lord Cornwallis gave
his evidence respecting Hastings ; there surely never was a
more persecuted man. 1
On the nth April I had the honour of being presented
to his Majesty at the levee by my noble friend Lord
Uxbridge. Some people have certainly profited by attend-
ing on Courts, but I fear my visit will not be of that nature.
My friend Hodgson returned with me into the country on
the 1 5th April, and stayed at Freeford till the 2Oth.
On the yth May I left Freeford to commence the cam-
paign at Plymouth, where I arrived on the 9th. Found all
things as usual.
The garrison consisting of the 25th, 4Oth, Stafford, West May
York, and Glamorgan. Our camps did not take place till
the 2Oth May at Roborough, and 23rd at Maker, the
former consisting of the Monmouth, Worcester, West
York, and Northampton regiments ; the other camp, the
Cornwall, Glamorgan, and 96th regiments.
The latter end of May I received a letter from Lord
Charles Somerset to say that the business of his regiment
went on, and again offering me the majority. I hesitated
for some time. However, I went again to London on the
business, and as Lord Uxbridge and Lord G. Leveson were
going to town by way of Portsmouth in Lord U.'s yacht,
1 The impeachment of Warren Hastings began in 1788. Lord Cornwallis, in
1794, gave timely evidence in Hastings' favour, and he was acquitted on the 23rd
of April 1795.
76 DYOTT'S DIARY
T - 33 I accompanied them. We were at Portsmouth just in time
to see the grand ceremony of the King's visit ; it was a
most magnificent sight.
June I got to town on the 26th June, and had the business of
the majority arranged to my satisfaction. I left London on
the 2nd July, and joined the Loyal British at Devizes the
next day ; found Lord Charles there with about two hundred
not men say recruits. However, numbers is the object,
and in that we were very successful for the time.
July On the 9th July my friend Lord Granville Leveson called
on me in his way back to Plymouth, and on the loth I
accompanied him in his chaise to my old quarters, where I
stayed three weeks, and never passed so pleasant a time ;
being in love, and having the object of your adoration
present, makes any place cheerful ; this was my case ; I
certainly never knew what it was to love till I saw the best
creature existing (Lovely Fanny).
I was obliged to quit Plymouth in order to join the
Loyal British again at Devizes, and to my great grief left it
on Wednesday the 3Oth July, as miserable as mortal could
be possible, and got to my regiment the next day. I marched
August two hundred of the regiment on the 4th August to Trow-
bridge, ten miles, where I remained alone till the ifth, as
dull and as heavy as possible.
Trowbridge is a place of great manufactory for broad-
cloths and kersymeres ; and the country about is very
beautiful. On my return to Devizes on the I5th I found
Sir Robert Sloper l was arrived to inspect the regiment,
which he did that and the next day. His report was not
very favourable for us, indeed he had reason for it.
1 Sir Robert Sloper, general 1796 ; died 1802.
SAILS FOR IRELAND 77
On the 2 1 st I left Devizes for Plymouth, where I arrived 1 794
on the 22nd to dinner ; found all my friends glad to see me.
i^th. Lord Huntley's 1 and General Ley's regiments
were lying in Cawsand Bay to go to Gibraltar, and a part of
Lord Howe's 2 fleet was in the Sound, so that Plymouth was
quite gay. The day I got there I dined with a large party
at Lord Uxbridge's. The Marquisses Worcester 3 and
Huntley ; Colonels Hope, Campbell, Hervey, Aston, Sneyd,
and Captains Legge, Pakenham, and Tilson of the navy.
I went from Plymouth by way of Bristol to Freeford,
just to bid farewell before I went to Ireland ; got there on
Tuesday the 3Oth September, and only stayed till Friday.
Arrived at Bristol on Saturday morning, time enough to October
attend the regiment's embarkation, which took place at Pill,
five miles from Bristol. The men, on account of being the
Bristol regiment, did not altogether approve of marching
through the town without halting ; however we got them
on with fair words and some foul blows. We lay wind-
bound at Pill from the 4th to the I3th, and of all the
tedious things I ever experienced, it was the most unpleasant.
We had a fine passage. We sailed about eleven o'clock on
Monday, and got up to the quay in Dublin by daybreak on
Wednesday. I went on shore after breakfast and waited on
the Commander-in-chief. 4 Was much surprised to find the
1 George Gordon, fifth Duke of Gordon, Marquis of Huntly (1770-1836) ; as
Marquis of Huntly served with the Guards in Flanders, 1793-4; raised a regi-
ment, now known as the Gordon Highlanders, and commanded it 1795-9, in
Spain, Corsica, Ireland, and Holland ; commanded a division in the Walcheren
expedition, 1809.
2 Richard Howe, Earl Howe (1726-99), admiral of the fleet.
3 Henry Charles Somerset, Marquis of Worcester, sixth Duke of Beaufort
(1766-1835).
4 General Robert Cunninghame, afterwards Lord Rossmore.
7 8 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 33 regiment was not to remain in Dublin, but to march to
Clonmell, eighty-two miles south. We were to march in
two divisions, the first to disembark on Friday and the
second on Saturday. I chose to go with the second division,
as I wished to see all off before me.
We had a continuation of rain for near six weeks after
our arrival, such persevering rain I never saw ; so constant
that it was with difficulty we could ever get a parade. Our
men were extremely sickly, and we lost twelve by death in
two months. After Christmas the weather cleared up and
we had a spell of frost and dry season. I made the best use
possible of my time, and worked the regiment as hard as I
could to get them into some order. I can't say much for
Clonmell as a quarter ; there are only one or two pleasant
families in the neighbourhood ; but their being three or
four miles from the town makes the visiting not only
expensive, but uncomfortable. The desertion from the
regiment at Clonmell was infamous, and the way we were
taken in by rascals enlisting and immediately deserting was
the most iniquitous business I ever saw.
The winter was rather severe for this part of the world,
but very much preferable to the incessant rain we had in
November and December.
1795 On the 27th March, Lord Charles Somerset arrived at
Clonmell to take the command of the regiment. On the
3ist he reviewed his regiment, and I believe no man was
ever more pleased or surprised than he was at the discipline,
dress, appearance, etc., of the corps.
April The day after the review I left the regiment to go to
England in order to forward our recruits for an augmenta-
tion, on the completion of which I expected the rank of
BRIGADE MAJOR-GENERAL 79
Lieutenant-Colonel. I left Clonmell on the ist April and 1 79S
travelled to Waterford ; saw Lord Waterford's l place at
Curraghmore : the situation is very fine, the house but
indifferent and not at all in the style of neatness of an
English nobleman's place. Waterford is a large populous
town, and the new bridge across the river Suir, a very fine
piece of architecture ; it is 1300 feet long and built by
Cox the American. The quay at Waterford is very exten-
sive and handsome, some very good houses, and a most
elegant and magnificent assembly-room.
I sailed from Waterford on the 4th, and landed next
morning at Hubberston in Milford Haven ; stepped into
the mail coach at six o'clock on Monday morning and
arrived at Bristol by twelve next day. Travelled through
Monmouthshire, which is the most picturesque beautiful
county I ever saw, and crossed the Severn at the New
Passage. I left Bristol at seven o'clock on Monday, and
got to Freeford at one the next day. Our recruiting parties
completed our numbers, and on the 25th May I set out May
from Freeford for London in order to get my step estab-
lished. During my stay in London I made an application
to Lord George Lennox 2 to get appointed his Brigade
Major-General, to which his lordship in most kind manner
consented. I stayed in London till the 6th June without June
having accomplished my wish respecting the step of Lieu-
tenant-Colonel, and returned to Freeford with Will Inge,
where I remained till the 1 3th, and then took my departure
for Plymouth to enter on my new office of Brigade Major-
1 George-de-la-Poer, second Earl of Tyrone (1735-1800); created Marquis of
Waterford in the peerage of Ireland 1789.
2 Lord George Henry Lennox (1737-1805); son of the second Duke of Rich-
mond ; ensign 1754; general 1793.
8o DYOTT'S DIARY
T - 34 General. Got there on the I5th June, waited on Lord
George and was received most kindly. I found my situation
very different from what it had been when I was on the
staff at Plymouth before. I lived entirely at Lord George's,
and a more pleasant family does not exist on the earth. I
had plenty of employ, as most of the business of the district
went through my hands. In the beginning of August I got
my rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. I renewed my visits to
Maristow with a pleasure that I cannot express. I found a
July stray garrison at Plymouth, the lyth, 25th, 3ist, 32nd,
48th ; they all embarked in July to prepare for the West
Indies ; the 25th, 3ist, and 48th to Portsmouth ; the iyth,
32nd, and 6yth for Cork.
Plymouth was this summer to me more pleasant than ever,
as I lived in the most comfortable and happy manner
possible with the Governor's family, and three such people
in one house are not to be found in the whole world as Lord
George, Lady Louisa, and Miss Lennox.
September September and October. In September the iO3rd regiment
was drafted, and I was attached to the 28th regiment,
and in consequence of an order for all officers to join their
regiments going or on foreign service I was under the
necessity of giving up the most enviable situation in the
world. His R.H. the Duke of York arrived at Plymouth
on the 3rd October and reviewed the camps, etc. He
stayed only two days and lived at the Government House,
which was rather a curious circumstance considering the
business of Lennox and his Highness ; however nothing
disagreeable appeared. 1
1 This refers to a duel fought in 1789 between Frederick Augustus, Duke of
York, and Charles Lennox, eldest son of George Henry Lennox. Cf. Wilkins,
Mrs. Fitzherbert and George IV.
LOVE-SICK 8 1
From the time it was determined I was to leave Plymouth 1795
I was wretched, principally on account of parting from the
woman of all others I ever did or ever shall love, and also
the Lennoxes and Sneyds gave me some pangs, as I have
extreme affection for them all. The melancholy day at
length arrived when the woeful parting was to take place.
Wednesday the 2ist October was the wretched day. The
Stafford militia set out on their march for Winchester, and I
and Markham [?], the finest fellow in the world, after a sorry
parting at the Governor's house, got into a chaise and pro-
ceeded to Maristow, where we dined and supped, and after-
wards I passed the most dreadful trial I ever experienced.
I cannot words cannot express what I felt on taking leave
of Sweet Fanny.
Lord March [?] and I bent our way towards Portsmouth
in as melancholy a mood as ever two fellows journied, for
although he was not in love, still he had that worth about
him, that he had a fellow-feeling for a friend in misery, and
indeed suffered on his own account at parting with a number
of people for whom he had a great regard. March [?] and I
parted at Southampton, and I got to Portsmouth on Friday
evening in order to join the 28th regiment, which had been
embarked some time for the West Indies. An opportunity
offering I made an exchange into the 2th regiment, which
was a circumstance I much wished, as it kept up closely the
connexion with Lord George. The first battalion of the
regiment was already in the West Indies, and the detachment
embarked with the rest of the [ ] l was going out as an
augmentation.
I effected my exchange into the 25th and embarked at November
* Illegible.
VOL. I. F
82 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 34 Portsmouth on Monday the 9th November for the West
Indies. During my stay at Portsmouth I never was so tired
of a place in my life. I went to Captain Berkley for two
days, which was the first moment of comfort I felt after
leaving dear Devonshire.
Tuesday the loth. All the fleet dropped down to St.
Helen's and expected to sail positively on Wednesday, but
notwithstanding the most delightful wind we did not proceed
to sea, and on Thursday the wind changed, and [we] returned
to Spithead, where we remained till the I3th, when we put to
sea ; light winds all day.
The 1 6th from the eastward and till the iyth in the after-
noon, when it changed to the south-west. The Admiral
(Christian) 1 in consequence made the signal to rendezvous in
Torbay, but only eleven sail could fetch in ; our ship was
fortunately one of the number, as a most violent gale of wind
came on that evening which did material damage to a
number of ships and obliged the fleet to return to Ports-
mouth. Several of the ships were lost and crews perished ;
one of them, with a number of officers and 200 men of the
6jrd regiment, perished on the rocks of Portland. 2 Finding
there was a possibility of our ship lying a few days in
Torbay, on the 2ist I went to Maristow, where I remained
till ^3rd, and four happier days no man ever passed. Our
transport had sailed from Torbay, but I got a passage to
Portsmouth with the loth regiment, and arrived at Spithead
1 Sir Hugh Cloberry Christian( 1747-98) ; rear-admiral ; served in the West Indies
1779-82; knighted 1796 ; commander-in-chief at the Cape of Good Hope 1798.
* Richard Hussey Vivian writes in November 30, 1795: 'The 63rd lost a
transport and 180 men. . . . Captain Godley tells me that there were 14 officers
and 235 bodies of soldiers lying on the beach of Portland at the same time.'
Cf Lord Pivian, a Memoir, p. 34.
CHRISTIAN'S STORM 83
the 26th November. Found the fleet was again preparing 1795
for sea, but from the damage that had been sustained and
want of fair wind, we did not again put to sea till the 9th
December. Whilst the fleet was lying at Spithead I went over December
to Stoke, Lord George Lennox's, and passed several most
pleasant days. I cannot too often repeat what a charming
family they are.
From the I4th to the 24th constant gales of wind from
the south-west. On the 2Oth a tolerably clear day, and we saw
the greatest part of the fleet, and also on the 2ist in the
afternoon, but parted from them in the night.
On the 24th we could see only four sail, the weather still
continuing very foggy. A ship hoisted a signal of distress
in the morning : we bore down to speak her, but she fired
a gun and bore away, as we supposed, for a port. As we
considered ourselves completely separated from the fleet,
I proposed to the master of the ship to open the private
instructions, which he did, and found the directions to be
that in case of separation the rendezvous was Carlisle Bay,
Barbadoes. The cabin-boy alarmed us with a report that
the ship had sprung a leak forward and was making a good
deal of water ; but on our examining, it was found to be
nothing more than a bolt that had started in the upper part
of the bows and was of no consequence. In the evening
the wind veered to WNW.
2$tk. Christmas Day brought us the wind to NNE. with
hazy weather. We saw in the morning eight sail, but could
not distinguish any men-of-war. We spoke a ship, [the
captain of] which told us that in the gale of the 22nd he
saw two ships totally dismasted. It being a day of great
hilarity on shore, I ordered the men an allowance of porter
84 DYOTT'S DIARY
. 34 in addition to their grog, as also the best dinner the situa-
tion would afford. I was glad to find we had no man sick
or an appearance of illness from our first sailing ; this I
attributed to the great precaution I caused to be observed
as to cleanliness in every particular.
1796 The first January proved tolerable fine with the wind
January
west and by north. Spoke a ship, the Europa, belonging
to the fleet, a transport, but had no troops.
On the 6th we had been out one month, and melancholy
to say we were not more than four days' sail from England,
notwithstanding we had been out as many weeks. I don't
suppose any people ever had such a continuation of contrary
wind for so long a time. We had only one sail in sight for
the last three days. Indeed, we had almost constant rain and
thick weather.
loth. I read prayers to all the people, which indeed I
never failed doing on a Sunday morning when the weather
would permit. The morning remarkably fine, but the wind
had got to the south of west. I could feel a most percept-
ible change of climate for the last two or three days that we
had been running to the south, and this day was quite warm
on the deck. I got a large tub by [way] of bathing machine,
which I had filled in my cabin with salt water and managed
to give myself a most complete lavage, in which I stood great
need, as the dirt (I may say filth) accumulates most wonder-
fully on board all ships, and ours was by no means a very
cleanly one. Indeed, much could not be said in that particular
in favour of my companions embarked. I mean to continue
my bathing both for comfort, as the climate gets warm, and
for the preservation of health. I had tubs prepared and
fixed on the forecastle of the ship in order that the men,
CHRISTIAN'S STORM 85
when the weather is sufficiently warm, may wash themselves 1796
all over.
From the loth to the iyth we had a continuation of con-
trary wind from west and by south to SSW. with squally and
two or three heavy gales. Our latitude on the iyth was
nearly the same as on the loth, so that we had passed as
unpleasant a week as it was possible without getting at all
nearer the place of our destination. In the course of the
week we saw several of the hawk's-bill turtle floating on the
surface of the water. We only observed one ship all this
week. I think in my existence I never passed so melancholy
a week. Day after day foul wind with the sea so much
agitated as to make it a service both of difficulty and danger
to walk the deck. However, as I am a great believer in
Mr. Pope's idea, f Whatever is, is right,' I comforted and
consoled myself with that thought, together with the first
of all blessings, the hope of returning and enjoying my
friends in old England. No situation can possibly be more
unpleasant than being embarked in a transport with eight or
ten men you never saw till the day you got on board, and these
men, though well meaning in every particular, still some of
them being very young, and of course inexperienced, their
not having lived at all in the society to which you have been
accustomed, and not finding one, who from particular
circumstances you could form a friendship, makes the time
appear extremely dull and extremely tedious. Captain
Bushey I always found a most worthy good man, and had it
not been for his society on board, I don't know what would
have become of me.
lyth. A most charming day and very sultry in the
morning. I set the people to dance in the evening, all the
86 DYOTT'S DIARY
officers assisted at the ball, and it put everybody in good
spirits. It was the first day since our departure that was at
all calculated for this kind of amusement. A small flying
fish dropped on board the ship, which was a very great
curiosity to those who had never seen anything of the kind.
I preserved it in spirits in a phial.
l6th. The wind continued to the eastward and had
every appearance of continuing, so that we concluded we had
reached what we had long been looking for, the trade
winds, as by observation our latitude was 28. The cause
of the trade winds (as they are called from continuing the
same way) has not been assigned. They generally extend to
28 or 29 degrees of latitude from the line and universally
blow from the eastward. The sailing in these latitudes
before the wind (as far as sailing can be called pleasant) is
certainly a very great improvement in this mode of travel-
ling when compared with the perpetual adverse retrograde
jumbling infernal motions and movements we had ex-
perienced.
The weather and wind still continuing, and the master
of the ship having pronounced us fairly in the trades, I
had the between-decks where the men sleep most thoroughly
scoured and cleansed, and as our climate began to warm and
must be expected to increase in heat daily, I gave out some
instructions and regulations relative to what arrangements
I judged necessary in order to preserve health. From a
scrupulous exactness and attention to cleanliness, and by
giving encouragement to all sorts of amusements, I alone
attribute the very healthy state of the men, not having
more than one or two in the surgeon's report, and even
these of little consequence.
A VISIT FROM NEPTUNE 87
2jth. Charming fine weather, and not near so hot 1796
as we had felt it before we got into the trades, owing
to a brisk breeze at ENE. ; notwithstanding the sun
had very great power, still the breeze was much more
refreshing and cool than [when] we were in more northerly
latitudes and had southerly winds. The ship we spoke on
the 25th kept company with us. In the afternoon of this
day we passed the tropic. In the course of the morning
saw several tropical birds, and in the afternoon a ceremony,
with which the sailors always treat their brethren that have
not passed the line, was performed. It is a very old
custom, and practised by, 1 believe, all nations. One of
the sailors is made to personate Neptune, who is supposed
to rise from the sea, accompanied by his wife Amphitrite.
They are clad in a most ridiculous manner, in order to
represent the high and mighty god and goddess of the
ocean. These deities have two attendants, one of which
is supposed to be a very humble inhabitant of the deep,
on earth yclept a barber. Mister Neptune greets you with
a welcome to the tropic and an offer of a bottle of milk and
a newspaper that he is supposed to have got a few days
before from ashore, adding he shall order a prosperous
gale to carry you to your intended port. This is what
passes in the cabin and with the passengers, who order
according to custom some rum, etc., by way of treat to
Neptune and his party for his visit. But the ceremony
observed to the poor devils of sailors who have never
passed the line is not quite so courteous. One of the
Neptune's attendants seizes the unfortunate man, and after
blindfolding him, they place him on a pole put across a
large tub of water. The attendant then puts the small end
$8 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET - 34 of a speaking trumpet in his mouth, which obliges the poor
wretch to stretch it open pretty wide. Some questions
are then asked, such as, * What countryman are you ? *
' Where are you bound to ? ' etc. etc. On his making the
reply a quantity of salt water is poured down the trumpet,
a part of which of course finds its way towards the stomach.
An oath is then administered purporting that he is never
to suffer any person to pass the line without undergoing
the like ceremony. As the person initiated into these
Deistical mysteries of the tropical latitudes is obliged to
repeat this oath, he is the whole time saluted with libations
of the god's element, which very much against his inclina-
tion he is doomed to partake. Then comes on the barber's
work, who after daubing the face and head of the fast-
bound stranger with the vilest of all possible compositions,
of tar, grease, etc. etc., proceeds to shave him with a piece
of old iron, which not only takes away the sweet-scented
fine oily lather, but scrapes the face (carrying some particles
of skin with it) to that degree to cause howlings most
hideous. The barber and attendant, by way of conge, and
considering it absolutely necessary that the face, etc., should
undergo a washing, on a sudden pull away the pole on
which the victim was seated, and souse he goes into the
tub of water ; thus ends the ceremony. The god and
goddess take no share except being spectators of the mis-
chief they have made. The master of the transport told
me that in some ships, instead of letting the man fall into
the tub, he has seen a rope made fast round a sailor, and
the poor mortal thrown over the side and towed for some
yards. This part of the ceremony the watery god did not
execute from our ship, as she was travelling rather too fast
LIFE AT SEA 89
going at least seven knots an hour. This same business 1796
was repeated on five of the sailors, to the no small amuse-
ment of the redcoats. Barbarous as the ceremony was, I
own I laughed most immoderately.
3<D/^. In the morning we passed a piece of a wreck sup-
posed to be the main-mast of a man-of-war, which must
have been in the water a long time from the great quantities
of barnacles that were adhering to it. These are a species
of shell-fish that fix themselves to ships, etc. etc., that are
long at sea. From the size of the mast it was conjectured
by the captain of our ship to have belonged to a first-rate,
and probably had been floating since the action of the ist
June 1794, as no three-deckers had been damaged since
that time. We saw a number of flying fish and the dol-
phins in pursuit of them. A line and bait was put out in
hopes to tempt the latter, but as yet without success. The
Saturday evening's amusement of dancing was prevented by
the indisposition of the musician (a fifer) ; however, an
allowance, or rather donation, of grog brought forward some
diversions and some songs, etc., to make up for the disap-
pointment.
From the ist to the 6th most delightful weather and aFebmary
most prosperous breeze, seldom going less than seven knots
an hour. Nothing particular occurred during the week.
The people entertained themselves on Saturday evening as
usual, and on the yth I read prayers. By the observation
we made the latitude of Barbadoes this day. This week I
finished my stock of vegetables, consisting of carrots and
turnips, which had been preserved as good as when they
came on board. I kept them in a cask on the deck open
at the top except a covering of canvas. The carrots were
90 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 34 excellent and of infinite service to the preservation of health.
I also brought on board a hamper of apples, which kept
tolerably well till this week notwithstanding the hot weather.
I ordered my servant to examine them every day and to
pick out any that were the least decayed, to which pre-
caution I attribute their holding out so long. I found
them a great luxury. Since we have been in the trades,
where the wind is always east, I have observed every night
the sea to appear with a great deal of the fiery particles, and
which I imagined seldom was seen but with a southerly
wind, at least I have heard old sailors make the remark,
and indeed have been at sea many days together without
seeing a spark. And before we came into the trades we
always considered this appearance overnight as an indica-
tion of southerly wind the next day. Philosophers are
undetermined how to account for this ; some say it is
animalcule, others that it is phosphoric fire. During the
heavy gale of wind the night we left the Channel the sea,
and indeed the ship's sails, appeared all on fire ; the former
was most completely illuminated from the prodigious
quantity of the fire. This day a ship was seen ahead of us.
On the nth, as soon as it was light, we discovered the
long-wished-for island of Barbadoes. We made sail at
four o'clock, and in about an hour after we saw the land.
The morning early was cloudy with a heavy shower of rain,
but cleared away about nine o'clock. The appearance of
the island as you come from sea is in general low land, but
on getting nearer on the north side there are some hills.
It is quite a new scene for a European. The island is
picturesque almost to a degree of enchantment, and really
makes you fancy it a fairy island.
BARB A DOES 91
We got into the bay about twelve o'clock, and I immedi- 1796
ately went on shore. Very few of the transports had
arrived, not more than ten, and no man-of-war. The
Quartermaster-General, Brigadier Knox, commanded on
shore, on whom I waited to report my arrival. I found
Colonel Hope, 1 the Adjutant-General, also on shore.
Bridge Town is a large straggling town, with narrow sandy
streets; many of the houses large and constructed for the
climate with an open gallery in front, and a shed over it to
keep off the rays of the sun. The white people all appear
sickly, and look extremely pallid, but almost tout le monde
is of the sable race. The county round the town appears
like an unenclosed common in England, excepting the
cocoa and cabbage trees, which are very beautiful, and
grown in abundance immediately adjoining the place. I
expected to have had fruit in great abundance, but was
disappointed, as I found nothing but oranges and shaddocks,
and they not very good. It was not exactly the fruit
season, and I am told Barbadoes is not famous. I felt the
weather very warm, and for some days had some fever and
headache. I took calomel pills and rhubarb, which I found
of great use. I met with great civility from General Knox
and from Hope. I also met an old acquaintance, Sir
Francis Ford, 2 who has a large property in the island, and
was come out to look after it. He was very kind in getting
me poultry, etc., which, as we were ordered to Grenada,
1 John Hope, fourth Earl of Hopetoun (1765-1823)5 adjutant-general under
Abercromby in the West Indies 1796; wounded at Alexandria 1801 ; second in
command under Sir John Moore at Corunna; headed division in the Walcheren
expedition 1809 ; succeeded his half-brother James, third Earl of Hopetoun, 1816$
general 1819.
2 Sir Francis Ford of Ember Court, county Surrey, born 1758; member of
council in Barbadoes; created a baronet 17935 died at Barbadoes 1801.
92 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 34 where provisions of all kinds are very scarce, and as the
price and the plenty was daily altering for the worse as the
fleet increased, I derived great benefit from his attention.
I paid him a visit at his house in the country, about two
miles from Bridge Town, to dinner. I met there Major-
General Leigh (the Commander-in-chief in the West Indies
till Sir Ralph's 1 arrival; he arrived from Martinique on
Sunday the I4th). The dinner was quite West Indian,
consisting principally of poultry; there was one joint of
mutton, which some people said was as good as they ever
ate. I pitied their taste. The country round Sir Francis's
house, and indeed every part of the island, is one open field,
as there are no fences, and the division of property is dis-
tinguished by a road or path with a stone set up at one
angle and a particular mark upon it. The principal things
I saw growing were cotton, Indian and Guinea corn, and
sugar. The former is a pretty shrub, and not unlike a
white rose-tree in bloom. The sugar is cultivated by
plants, which are put in the ground in November, and cut
the January twelvemonth following, about the size of a
fruiting pine. They put out a stalk which runs up as
high as a tall raspberry-tree, but as thick as a carrot.
From this cane a juice is extracted by the power of mills,
and by a process is made sugar. Cocoa-trees are plenty.
They are very handsome, and the fresh cocoanut much
better than what you eat in England. Cucumbers are
plenty, and at Sir Francis Ford's I saw peas and beans of
the island, moderate eating. We had English green peas,
1 Sir Ralph Abercromby (1734-1801)5 commanded expedition against the
French in the West Indies 1795-6, reduced St. Lucia and Trinidad; com-
manded troops in the Mediterranean 1800; defeated the French, but was killed
at the battle of Alexandria, 1801.
SLAVE-SHIPS 93
very good. Also salad, lettuces, etc. Fish is tolerably 1796
plenty, but no sauce, as butter is a thing not to be had in
the West Indies. There is little or none made in the
islands, and what is imported becomes rancid immediately
of course. Pickles are had in abundance, and very good.
The beef and mutton are both very indifferent, but pork
and poultry are tolerably plenty and as good as I ever ate.
After I had been at Barbadoes a few days, I found the great
utility that must attend wearing flannel ; for, as in the
tropical climates the heat must be very great, the perspira-
tion must also be copious ; and as every house is calculated
as much as possible to draw every breath of air, when a
person after ever so short a walk goes into a house, his
shirt acts exactly in the manner they use linen bags to cool
their wine, which is by keeping them constantly wet and
hung up in a draught of wind ; that is, the bottles in linen
bags. Flannel prevents this, as it naturally absorbs the
perspiration, and at the same time encourages it.
I went on board two slave-ships in Carlisle Bay from
the coast of Guinea. The name on the stern of one of
them was curious, considering the trade in which she was
employed, * The Liberty of Providence.' She was an
American. The other was a Liverpool ship, and in my
life I never saw a vessel more clean in every particular.
The females were all in the after part of the ship, and the
males forward. They all appeared very happy, and in a
state of perfect nature nearly as to clothing. I observed
the females had all a number of different-coloured glass
beads hung round their necks. The master of the ship
told me the chief employment, and indeed amusement,
they had was in new-stringing their beads, and that he
94 DYOTT'S DIARY
~T. 34 very frequently broke the string on purpose to set them to
work. Some of the girls I really thought very good-look-
ing (as far as the sable race could be so), and the finest
made creatures I ever beheld. Not all the powers of the
first dancing-master could give such attitude as some of
them had. Indeed, all the negroes I have seen in the West
Indies are uncommonly straight, upright, and well made.
Those we see in Europe are in general the reverse. These
poor wretches were taken on shore and sold just as a flock
of sheep are sold in a fair in England. However, I have
seen nothing like the barbarity that has been talked of as
to the treatment of the slaves on shore. Their huts are
comfortable, and their food good and wholesome. Their
labour in the eye of an Englishman must appear excessive
hard; working in the fields under a meridian sun. But
I firmly believe they don't experience more than an English
labourer during harvest, as they live to as great age, and
have the appearance of as good health. Long experience
has fully proved that no European constitution can stand
fatigue in this country. I am therefore for employing
negroes for every purpose, both civil and military, and I
wish the British Government would garrison all the West
India Islands with black soldiers only. I was much de-
lighted with the dress of the negro girls in Bridge Town,
which is exactly that of the fine ladies when I left England ;
short-waisted and turbans, the latter made of white or
coloured handkerchiefs, but displayed and put on with
better taste than anything I ever saw. Really and truly
I never beheld that part of the female dress (and which I
much admire) so well disposed as in some of the black
women in Bridge Town. The negro dances are most
NATIVE DANCES 95
curious, and their music still more so. The dance is a 1796
kind of reel performed by two or three of each sex; and
the music consists of the head of a cask or tub on which
they beat with something like a drumstick. The other
instrument is made of two cocoanut shells, which they
strike together in time with the tambourine. These dolor-
ous sounds are accompanied by the voices of half the
surrounding circle, making on the whole but a most dismal
concert. It is astonishing with what very exact movements
they keep time, and though they display wonderful agility
in their motions, still there is so great an appearance of
lasciviousness in the whole dance, that it gives one the
idea of the Timeradee dance performed by the natives of
Otaheite as described by Hawkesworth. l The mornings
and evenings are pleasant at Barbadoes, the former in par-
ticular, though it is of short continuance, as there is very
little twilight, and as soon as the sun makes his appearance,
he of course brings with him all his fires, and when he sinks
into the lap of Thetis, darkness almost immediately follows.
There is a fine sandy beach for bathing, and the sea is so
clear that in most parts of Carlisle Bay you can see the
bottom in ten fathom water.
On the ist of March the regiment was ordered to pro- March
ceed without delay to the island of Grenada, in consequence
of an application for an immediate reinforcement. We
were disembarked from the Boddington, and put on board
three small schooners, in which we proceeded on the jrd,
and made the land of St. Vincent's on the 4th. Shortly
after we could see the islands of St. Lucia, St. Vincent's,
1 John Hawkesworth (1715 ?-i773), published an account of voyages in the
South Seas.
96 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 34 and Grenada at the same time. These islands all appear
very high from the sea. We were at a great distance from
St. Lucia, which looked exactly like three sugar loaves.
In the morning of the 4th we passed between St. Vincent's
and the island of Bequia, one of the Grenadines. The
reinforcement that sailed from Barbadoes with us consisted
of a detachment from the loth and 88th regiments, making
in all about 500 men, and was intended to assist Major
Wright of the 25th, who commanded a post in the island
called La Baye, and which had been violently assaulted by
the enemy.
Brigadier-General M'Kenzie commanded the reinforce-
ment, and his orders were to wait off the island of Grenada
till he received instructions from Brigadier-General Nicholls
commanding at St. George's.
After passing the island of Bequia, we sailed by two or
three other of the Grenadines. One in particular, Isle
Ronde, singularly pretty, and which almost joins Grenada.
We fell in with the Alarm frigate off Isle Ronde with
despatches from General Nicholls, to say that Major Wright
had been obliged to evacuate La Baye, and that he had got
away without any loss. We therefore proceeded to St.
George's, the capital of the island. The sailing down by
the island is the most beautiful thing I ever saw ; infinitely
superior to anything at Barbadoes. The island consists of
a great number of hills rising one above another and covered
with wood to the very pinnacle. They are all extremely
steep and varied in figure so curiously [as] to make it the
most picturesque scene imaginable. We got into the bay
of St. George's just as it was dark, and landed the next
morning, and marched up to the barracks on Richmond Hill
THE BRIGANDS OF GRENADA 97
about two miles above the town ; a very strong place, with 1796
barracks for 600 or 800 men. We found the 9th and
29th regiments ; the former was sent to take the duty in
town and we occupied their barracks.
The town of St. George's is not so large as Bridge Town,
but more compact and neater ; situated close to the water-
side, with a hill that projects and divides it. On the hill is
a fortification and barracks ; one side of the hill is called
* The Carenage,' l the other f The Bay.' The road from
town to Richmond Hill is but indifferent, and as the hill is
very steep, it 's a great fag to get up it. The view of the
town, the sea, and the appearance of the island from the Hill
is one of the most picturesque beautiful things I ever saw.
The Brigands, 2 as they are called, we found in possession
of every post of the island, excepting the very neighbour-
hood of the town of St. George's.
On the yth the enemy collected in some numbers on a
hill commanding the town, and about the same height of
Richmond Hill. It was judged necessary by General Nicholls
to dislodge them from there ; as otherwise, if they had effected
a post, they would have annoyed us a good deal ; and
accordingly a party was sent out, on the first appearance of
which they scampered off. This party, consisting of a
captain and 50 men, with 100 men belonging to a black
corps in town, was relieved daily ; but as the enemy had
harassed the relief going up two or three times, and the
General having received information of their intending to
attack the post in force on the night of the I2th, a field
1 This was a fine harbour in which ships of war could moor in safety during
the hurricane months.
2 The so-called ' Brigands ' were emancipated slaves and whites of extreme
democratic principles.
VOL. I. G
98 DYOTT'S DIARY
34 officer with a captain and 50 men was ordered to reinforce
the post. I being senior field officer was ordered for the
duty (my first essay in real service). The party marched at
four o'clock, and had to scramble up a hill more than a mile
high, and in many places so steep as to make it necessary to
use the bushes and trees to climb the precipice. This under
a burning sun was a complete duty of fatigue. The party
got up to the post without any attack, although they ap-
peared in numbers on the adjacent hills. The enemy consist
chiefly of the rebel negroes of the island, aided by a few
French, and mulattoes from Guadaloupe, and encouraged
and assisted by a great number of mulattoes of the island
who are united with the negroes.
An alarm was made in the night by some of their scouts
having fired on our advanced sentry ; but on the piquets
returning the fire they went off".
On the 1 3th a reinforcement arrived from Barbadoes on
the windward side of the island, consisting of 700 men,
part of the 3rd, 8th, and 63rd regiments. They were
ordered to remain off the windward side of the island till a
plan was concerted for their operations. General Nicholls
despatched a vessel to Barbadoes on the 1 4th with his plans,
to be submitted to the Commander-in-chief, General Leigh.
The return of the vessel was most anxiously looked for
till the 2ist, when she arrived, and in consequence a part of
the army from St. George's and Richmond Hill marched on
the 22nd at seven o'clock P.M., consisting as follows : 500
of the black island corps ; two troops iyth dragoons ; 200
of the 9th regiment ; 200 of the loth ; 100, 25th ; 200 of
the 2pth, and proceeded with an intention of joining the
reinforcement that had arrived from Barbadoes on the wind-
WEST INDIAN WARFARE 99
ward side of the island. Brigadier-General Nicholls took 1796
the command, and Brigadier-General Campbell, Lieutenant-
Colonel of the 29th, was second in command.
We marched all night and till four o'clock next morning,
when we halted for two hours at a sugar work called Madam
Sagesses, which had been burnt and almost totally destroyed
by the brigands, about eight miles from St. George's. This
march determined me in an opinion I had always entertained
of the improbability of any military operations being per-
formed by night marches ; for although one half of the
distance was a tolerably good road, we were near ten hours
getting eight miles, and that not without much confusion.
We moved on at six o'clock about three miles, and halted
four hours. A few shots fired by the black corps in front,
at some wretched poor devils in the cane fields, killed two
of them. We came in sight of a party of the enemy about
two o'clock, and attacked their advanced post, which was
carried with the loss of a few men. The black corps had
the principal share in dislodging them. I was ordered on
to their support with the 9th and 25th regiments. After
we had got possession of the post they at first occupied
(called Madam Hooks), where they had some huts and a
piquet, that gave us a full view of their grand post at Post
Royal, General Nicholls determined to move forward and
attack Post Royal that night with the 9th and 29th regi-
ments. I had got his permission to accompany them. We
had proceeded about half a mile, when Brigadier- General
Campbell, who was in front, finding the night coming on
very fast, and knowing how much the troops had suffered
from being under arms almost twenty-four hours, the 9th
regiment in particular, as that corps and the 25th under my
ioo DYOTT'S DIARY
34- command had marched, I should write run, three miles as
fast as it was possible for them, and had only halted an hour,
and that on account of a most tremendous shower of rain,
when it was ordered forward (the 9th on the storming party,
the 25th being left to guard the hill where the huts, etc.,
were), Brigadier Campbell, as I mentioned before, proposed
to defer the attack on Post Royal till next morning. The
column therefore returned to Madam Hooks, where the
loth had been left, about seven o'clock, and I do suppose
no troops ever were more completely fatigued ; for myself,
I am very certain after I had once lain down, if we had
been attacked I should have been cut to pieces, as it was
impossible I could move. I was very far past eating. I
had in the course of the day taken a copious share of drink,
as I am very certain that in my whole life altogether I had
never drank so much grog as during the last four-and-twenty
hours. Sleep made me a new man.
The next day, the 24th, threw up a work for our guns
and mortars to bear on Post Royal. I should have men-
tioned that at the attack of yesterday, it was the first time
I had heard the sound of great guns on service ; the music
of the six and nine pound shot was at times rather too close
to be pleasant. During the night of the 24th our battery
was completed and in the morning of the 25th opened a fire
on Post Royal. The regiments stationed at the battery
were the 3rd, 8th, and 63rd, which had landed under com-
mand of Lieut-Colonel Dawson of the 8th, early in the
morning at Hook's Bay, and moved forward immediately.
The 9th regiment had been at the battery since the 23rd,
and the 25th regiment remained on the hill we drove the
enemy from the first day. The reserve, consisting of the
WEST INDIAN WARFARE 101
iyth dragoons, the loth and 29th and 88th regiments and 1796
black corps under my command, remained at Madam Hooks.
Our stores that had been landed, etc., also were there.
On the morning of the 25th General Nicholls, who had
remained at Madam Hooks since the 23rd, left it about
nine o'clock to go to the battery where my guns were. I
went up with him to see what was going on. We had a
most perfect view of the enemy at Post Royal, the distance
not being more than a thousand yards. They did not fire so
much at our battery as was expected, though their shot had
done some execution, and our people exposed themselves
more than was necessary.
General Nicholls called the commanding officers of the
regiments together to consult on the best method of attack-
ing and storming the hill. We were assembled in a most
conspicuous place for the enemy to have taken a shot at us.
It was under our own battery and in a wide red road in full
view from their work. I shall never forget Dawson, in the
most profound part of the council of war, bursting out
laughing with, ' By God, now 's their time ! one round of
grape carries off the General and all his council, and defeats
the mighty battle.' The plan of attack was determined not-
withstanding, but I believe Dawson's remark hastened our
consultation.
On our return to the battery we perceived a considerable
detachment of the enemy endeavouring to get possession of
some high ground on the left of our work, as if with an
intention of attacking that flank. The 88th regiment and
black corps under the command of Major Houstone, which
had been brought up from Hooks, were ordered to attack
them. Just as they began to engage, which was at about
102 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 34 half a mile distance from the battery, an alarm was given
of a fire having broken out at my post at Madam Hooks.
This post consisted of the remains of a large sugar-house
and a number of negro huts, the latter of which, by the
soldiers having made fires to cook, by some accident had
taken fire, and as they were built of dry wood and thatched
with sugar-cane, they blazed away most furiously. This
alarm made me ride off as fast as I could to Madam Hooks.
After securing the stores, provisions, etc. etc., I was intend-
ing to return to see what was going forward at the battery,
but in consequence of the two men-of-war (the Mermaid
and Favourite] who had convoyed the three regiments from
Barbadoes and also an Indiaman, in which a part of them
had been embarked, beginning a heavy fire, I was obliged
to turn my attention towards them. The flames from the
huts and the heavy fire from the ships alarmed the General
much. He told me he really concluded the enemy had
attacked us in force and had set fire to the works. The
firing from the shipping turned out to be in consequence of
two French schooners with troops trying to get into the
next bay to land their men as a reinforcement to Post Royal.
General Nicholls, on seeing the flames from Hooks, hearing
the fire from the ships and observing the reinforcement in
the schooners, determined to lose no time in storming the
post. The storming party consisted of the light infantry of
the 3rd regiment, 100 strong; 100 of the 29th regiment
and the 63rd regiment ; Colonel Dawson, as senior field
officer, had the command. I forgot to remark that the
party on the left under the command of Major Houstone
had met with much greater resistance than was expected,
and the 8th regiment was therefore sent to their support,
WEST INDIAN WARFARE 103
which had the desired effect; though I believe the enemy 1796
retreated towards Post Royal more on account of their
seeing our people moving to the attack than in consequence
of any defeat they dreaded from us on the left. Colonel
Dawson had not advanced more than two hundred yards
down the hill from our battery when he received a wound
from a musket ball through the neck, and was obliged to fall
back. The column suffered severely going down the hill, as
it was exposed to the enemy's fire from their work, and also
the enemy themselves, who were drawn out under cover of
their guns on the hillside of Post Royal and firing small arms
at our people as they advanced. After the column had got
to the bottom of the hill (that is, between the two one on
which our battery was and Post Royal), they halted a short
time as they got under a part of Post Royal Hill that was so
steep they were secured from the enemy's fire ; unfortu-
nately the guide they had did not when they advanced
conduct them the proper path ; the consequence was the
light infantry of the 3rd regiment suffered most severely ;
all the officers were killed or wounded, and between twenty
and thirty men knocked down ; and as the enemy appeared
determined to dispute every inch, it was some time dubious
how the affair would end ; but British valour, perseverance,
and resolution, as it does on all occasions, triumphed at last.
As the column ascended the hill the iyth dragoons were
f ordered forward to get round to the opposite side, which
had the effect desired, as they made dreadful slaughter with
their swords on the enemy that were endeavouring to make
their escape down the opposite side of the hill from where
they were attacked. The post was carried about two o'clock.
Our loss consisted of Major Edwards and two subalterns of
io 4 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 34 the 3rd regiment killed and about fifteen or twenty men,
and three officers and forty men wounded. No troops
could behave better than ours did in general ; and I was
told the enemy never were known to make so good a stand.
The day was intensely hot, and as the army was under arms
for eight hours and some of them for twelve, everybody
was rejoiced when the affair was over. The unfortunate
officers and men that were wounded in the action were
brought on negroes' shoulders on litters to my post at
Hooks Bay, and all put together in a long building. The
sight of them (many having been most dreadfully wounded)
was shocking. The first officer brought was my friend
Dawson, having been shot through the neck by a musket
ball as he went down the hill from our battery.
March i6th. Employed in burying the dead, and sending away
the wounded by sea to St. George's. I never beheld such a
sight as Post Royal Hill, etc. The number of dead bodies
and the smell was dreadful. The side of the hill on which
the enemy endeavoured to make their retreat was extremely
steep and thickly covered with wood, and the only method
of discovering the killed was from the smell. It was near
a fortnight after the action that many bodies were found.
Nine days after the post was taken a mulatto man was dis-
covered in the woods that had been wounded in three
places two shots through his thigh. The only thing he
had tasted was water, but to the astonishment of everybody
he recovered. The negroes and people of colour can cer-
tainly suffer and endure far greater torture than white
people. I have seen two or three instances of this kind
that astonished me. One in particular at Hooks Bay.
Two negroes were taken prisoners the day we got posses-
A HORRIBLE INCIDENT 105
sion of the post, and in order to secure them they were 1796
forced into a sort of arched place something like what I
have seen under steps made use of to tie up a dog. There
was just room for the poor devils to creep in on their hands
and knees and to lie down. After they had got in, two
soldiers of the 29th regiment put the muzzles of their fire-
locks to the doorplace and fired at them. I ran to see
what the firing was, but before I got to the place they had
fired a second round. On reaching the spot I made a negro
draw out these miserable victims of enraged brutality. One
of them was mangled in a horrid manner. The other was
shot through the hip, the body, and one thigh, and notwith-
standing all, he was able to sit up and to answer a number
of questions that were asked him respecting the enemy.
The poor wretch held his hand on the wound in his thigh,
as if that only was the place he suffered from. The thigh
bone must have been shattered to pieces, as his leg and foot
were turned under him. The miserable being was not
suffered to continue long in his wretchedness, as one of
his own colour came up and blew his brains out sans
ceremonie. This account does no credit to the discipline
of the army. I own I was most completely ashamed of
the whole proceeding, and said all I could to the General
of the necessity of making an example to put a stop to these
acts of wanton cruelty, being certain that nothing leads to
anarchy and confusion in an army so soon as suffering a
soldier in any instance to trespass the bounds of strict
regularity, or to permit him to be guilty of an act of cruelty
or injustice.
During the night of the 26th the enemy set fire to their
works on Pilot Hill and evacuated the post. This post was
106 DYOTT'S DIARY
34 situated about two miles from Post Royal on the coast.
There was a most unfortunate accident happened in Hooks
Bay on the 26th. The Ponsburne East Indiaman, that had
brought part of the reinforcement from Barbadoes, drove
from her anchors and went to pieces in a very short time.
All the hands were saved, but every article of stores,
ammunition, etc., was lost. It was an awful sight seeing
the power of the element dashing to atoms in the space of
two hours so stately a production of man's art. This with
the loss of a schooner drove on shore made it necessary to
retain the post at Madam Hooks longer than was intended
to my very great annoy, as a great quantity of provisions,
etc. etc., were drifted on shore, which it was thought proper
to destroy to prevent it falling into the enemy's hands.
i%th. Evacuated Madam Hooks and was ordered to
take post in front of Post Royal ; to encamp and hut on
a ridge called Morne Soubige, covered with cotton trees,
and overrun with brushwood and all kinds of rubbish. My
camp consisted of the park of artillery, the 3rd, loth, 25th,
and 88th detachments. The 29th and 3Oth employed in
clearing the hill, etc. It was a most dreadful spot. The
tents were pitched on the ridge of a hill with a fine hanging
wood down to the sea on each side. To experience misery
in extreme is to live in a tent in the West Indies. We
were perfectly quiet here, and in a state of inactivity. Some
regimental business requiring me at St. George's I went
there in one of the Quartermaster-General's vessels (the run
April only six hours) on the 5th April, where I remained till the
1 1 th and returned in the same vessel, but the time to return
was different than to go, as we were upwards of twenty-four
hours on the passage, having to beat to windward. Getting
THE LOSSES OF THE ARMY 107
into the bay at Post Royal, our pilot got us on shore on the 1796
breakers, a reef of rocks, and we were in some danger of
being lost ; but boats came off and took us out of the
vessel.
Nothing new had occurred during my absence. The part
of the island we were on is called the windward side, and the
post we occupied reckoned very unhealthy. We had as yet
perceived nothing of that nature. The 8th regiment took
the post at Pilot Hill, one mile from Morne Soubige, which
the enemy evacuated on the night of the 26th March.
This was the place the 25th regiment had been quartered
at and from whence Major Wright made his escape when
besieged by the enemy. The regiment, in the course of a
few months, lost three or four officers and upwards of three
hundred men. There was a town near the post called La
Baye, which the negroes burnt in the beginning of the insur-
rection, and this place is so notorious for being unhealthy
even to the inhabitants of the island, that the La Baye fever
is one of the diseases of the country. Having nothing to
dread from any attack from the enemy after it was light,
I always had the line out half an hour before day and
remained under arms till daylight. Bathed three times a
week, and rode on the beach between Soubige and La Baye
till seven o'clock, when I got breakfast. Sat in my tent till
one, and then rode to headquarters on Post Royal Hill.
Dined at three (salt pork and peas), and generally took a
ride in an evening after the piquets were mounted. In
this way with little alteration the same daily dull scene
passed for ten weeks. For some time after we had taken
post at Soubige, there was seldom a night passed but what
some of our sentries fired and alarmed the line. We were
io8 DYOTT'S DIARY
35 in general young soldiers, and imagination raised variety of
appearances on a dark night. We had a curious and laugh-
able alarm one night. A soldier on piquet had lain down
in the tent allowed for the men and officer, and in conse-
quence either of a dream or a fit, he suddenly jumped up
and roared out, ' We shall all be cut to pieces ; here they
are, we are surrounded, fire away.' The noise and violence
of his cries caused such a tremor that the sentry at the tent
and also one that was advanced fired. This set others firing
at they knew not what. The line all turned out, the battery
with lighted matches, and from the noise and firing at the
piquet I concluded a serious attack was made. It was
some time before the officer commanding the piquet could
make his men convinced what had made the alarm.
The sea crawfish we got sometimes is curiously spotted,
and marked like tortoiseshell when highly polished. They
resemble in shape the sea crawfish in Europe, but their claws
much longer. We got river crawfish now and then ; very
large, the great claws long and all the same thickness.
May May 13. A field officer's party marched at night with
an expectation of surprising an advanced camp of the
enemy's, but did not succeed. The party lost men, and
an officer of the 3rd regiment wounded. Three villains
(Dutchmen) deserted from the 25th regiment to the enemy.
One of them was afterwards taken at Goyave, and we had
him hung up on the highest tree we could find without any
ceremony. About the same time that the men deserted
nine soldiers that were straying rather too far from the
camp were taken by the enemy.
i^th. A vessel with Spanish colours came close in
with the land, as if she intended going into Hooks Bay.
THE SUFFERINGS OF THE ARMY 109
On the supposition of her having a reinforcement for the 1796
brigands on board from the island of Trinidad, a party was
sent to oppose their landing, but the vessel did not run into
the bay. My tent was, I believe, infested with every species
of reptile the island produces : a scorpion, lizard, tarantula,
land-crab, and centipede had been caught by my black boy,
and the mice were innumerable. I was prevented bathing
in consequence of what is called in the West Indies the
prickly heat. It is an eruption that breaks out all over the
body, and from the violent itching and prickly sensation it
has got the aSove appellation. All new-comers to the West
Indies are subject to it, and when it is out it is considered
as a sign of health. Bathing, I was told, was liable to drive
it in. Nothing can equal the extreme unpleasant sensation,
and people sometimes scratch themselves to that degree as
to occasion sores. About this time our part of the army
was suffering in a most shameful manner for the want of
numerable articles in which it stood much in need. Neither
wine or medicine for the sick, and not a comfort of any one
kind for the good duty soldier ; salt pork, without either
peas or rice, for a considerable time, and for three days
nothing but hard, dry, bad biscuit for the whole army,
officers and men. Two days without (the soldiers' grand
comfort) grog.
On the 2 jrd day we had so much rain as to make us
imagine the rainy season had commenced, as there was also
thunder and lightning, which the natives say is a certain
forerunner.
On the 3<Dth we heard of the surrender of St. Lucia, and
in consequence of the joyful news in the evening fired a. feu
de joie.
i io DYOTT'S DIARY
35 June i. Brigadier Nicholls returned to the army from
J une St. George's, where he had been since a short time after the
action of Post Royal, leaving the command with Brigadier-
General Campbell. General Nicholls came for the purpose
of making arrangements for the further prosecuting the
campaign, the Adjutant-General having been sent from
St. Lucia to Grenada to assist and forward such plans as
might be judged necessary.
yrd. An express arrived at Post Royal from Sir
Ralph Abercrombie to General Nicholls from the island of
Carriacou, about six leagues to windward of Grenada, Sir
Ralph having come there from St. Lucia in order to consult
with the General, who set out to meet him immediately.
We understood a reinforcement was to arrive in four or
five days, which God knows we had long expected. We
were much alarmed for the weather, as it had been very
showery since the 23rd May. All very anxious to get away
from the post we had so long occupied, not only from a
wish to draw the campaign nearer to a conclusion, but from
the desire every soldier, I believe, has for active service
when on a campaign, in preference to remaining inactive
and unemployed.
The long-looked-for reinforcement having arrived under
the command of Brigadier-General Campbell, the army
quitted the post of Post Royal, Morne Soubige, and La
Baye (Pilot Hill) at seven o'clock in the evening of the 9th,
leaving two hundred men at Post Royal, and after marching
twenty-one hours without scarce a halt through thick woods,
deep rivers, etc., took post on some rising ground about
three o'clock in the afternoon of the next day with an
intention of attacking a hill in our front called Madam
A DANGEROUS MARCH in
Chadeaus, where the enemy appeared in some force, next 1796
morning.
Our march for the last three miles was literally up and
down precipices, half-way up the leg in clay, and through a
wood where I believe no human foot had ever before stepped.
A party from the enemy had attacked our advanced guard,
and disputed the ground we halted upon, but they made no
stand ; however, they annoyed us all the evening with their
bush fighting from the woods with which we were sur-
rounded, and killed and wounded several men. We lay on
our arms all night in a plantain walk. The plantain-tree is
an annual bearing a vegetable of the same name, on which
the negroes feed. It grows to the height of from ten to
fifteen or twenty feet. The stem is about eight inches in
circumference, but the leaf is the largest and most beautiful
I ever saw. I had the curiosity to measure one of the
common size. It was six feet long exclusive of the stem,
and two feet three inches broad. The stem of the leaf is
fluted, and the colour a most charming dark green. The
vegetable grows in bunches or large clusters, very moderate
eating. The negroes very soon compose a temporary shed
with the leaves, which not only answers as a shade from the
sun, but also keeps off the rain.
At daybreak on the morning of the nth three columns
under my command were ordered to take possession of the
heights occupied by the enemy at Chadeaus. They did not
wait for our arrival, but trusted to their legs for their
escape. We found the top of the hill a large space just
cleared in the wood, with plantains and Indian corn growing.
On this spot we were ordered to pitch our tents for the
ensuing night such as had them. I had lost mine, the
ii2 DYOTT'S DIARY
35 mule on which it was packed having fallen lame soon after
quitting Soubige, and was obliged to be left. The con-
sequence was I lost my tent, etc., and all the liquor I had
except what I carried in my canteen, which I believe
amounted to about a pint of rum. The reinforcement that
had arrived from St. Lucia, consisting of the 27th and 57th
regiments, the corps etrangers, and Lowenstein Yougers 1
under the command of General Nicholls, were to land on the
opposite side of the island from whence we had marched,
the day after our part of the army moved, with an intention
of attacking a post the enemy had on the coast called
Goyave, which they had fortified strongly, and where all
their supplies were received.
The officer who commanded the Republican French
troops appointed by Victor Hugues, 2 which did not consist
of more than two hundred men, was stationed at Goyave.
Soon after our arrival at Madam Chadeaus a negro came
from General Nicholls with a note to say Citoyen Jossee,
the French commander, had surrendered Goyave on their
first appearance, but that Fidon, the brigand general, had
gone off to Mount Quoca with a thousand of his people.
Mount Quoca 8 is the highest mountain in the island of
Grenada, extremely strong by nature, as it is a ridge, one
end of which is almost perpendicular. The enemy had
added greatly to its natural strength, having by dint of
negro labour got some heavy cannon to the top. This place
from the beginning of the insurrection had been their grand
1 The Lowenstein Jagers mentioned frequently in the Diary of Sir John Moore,
edited by Major-General Sir J. F. Maurice.
2 Victor Hugues, a partisan of Robespierre, came out to the West Indies in
1794, and gave a great impulse to the cause of the French Republic.
3 Now called Mount St. Catherine, and is 2500 feet high.
THE CAMP OF DEATH 113
camp and principal place of assembling, and it is a most 1796
remarkable situation. It consists of three heights, one rising
above another, on each of which they had cannon. The
lower one at the end of the ridge was, I suppose, more than
500 yards high, and, as I mentioned, nearly perpendicular.
These three heights they had separate names for. The first
Camp La Liber te, the next Camp L'Egalite, and the upper
one Camp La Mort. This last the villains called the Camp
of Death, as it was the spot where they massacred all the
prisoners they took, and where in the very commencement
of their brutality they put to death in the most horrid
manner the Governor of the island and ten of the inhabitants
they had made prisoners.
Outpost at Madam Chadeaus (the different estates having
retained the name of the proprietors only, as there was
scarce on any of them a vestige of a building, the black
rascals having burned and destroyed the estates of all they
conceived inimical to their proceeding) was situated on the
next and almost adjoining hill to Mount Quoca, and within
shot of their cannon from the guns at the lower works, but
they did not fire at us ; the reason, we concluded, was their
being in want of ammunition. It rained almost incessantly
the night of the nth in the true West India style. Our
encampment was in a ploughed field, what tents we had,
and they were of very little service. I got into a soldier's
tent with our officers ; we were all just as wet as if we had
lain in a river, and both under the tents and all round them
was half-way up the leg in mud.
On the 1 2th two negroes came in from the enemy,
and told us they were in great confusion in their camp, and
that many of the negroes were leaving it. General Nicholls
VOL. i. H
1 1 4 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 35 came from Goyave, six miles from us, after having settled
the business of the capitulation with Monsieur Jossee, and
had ordered a column to move forward from Goyave to
join us. The General only remained at Chadeaus an hour,
and returned to Goyave.
June 13. The brigand general Fidon sent in a flag of
truce with proposals to surrender his post at Mount Quoca.
His conditions were that he and his associates were to be
sent unmolested to Guadaloupe ; but no terms would be
listened to. 1 Brigadier-General Hope, the Adjutant- General
who came with the reinforcement that landed at Goyave,
was ordered to move with a brigade consisting as follows :
the 8th, 9th, and 25th British to be under my command ;
the corps etrangers, 500 of Lowenstein Yougers, and 200
of the island black corps. The intention of this column was
in order to get possession of two posts the enemy had in the
rear of Mount Quoca, by the taking of which we should
surround their camp. We found a very great change in
the weather from our high situation in the centre of the
island to what it had been on the coast, the nights par-
ticularly so cold. We made large fires, and rolled our
blankets close round us, our lodging not much calculated
to keep out either wet or cold. A large fire at night and
smoking a cigar a great preventative. Almost constant
rain or thick fog, which caused sickness to appear amongst
our people ; not a thing to eat but royal salt pork and
biscuit. Generally half the day in the clouds.
On the 1 4th and I5th constant rain; the latter day not
a morsel of provisions in the line. Oh shame, shame, good
soldiers dropping down from hard duty and from the
1 This was because Fidon had brutally murdered twenty Europeans.
SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY 115
inclemency of the worst climate in the universe, and for 1796
twenty-four hours nothing to eat or to drink. We had
certainly no manner of business to have halted more than
one day at Chadeaus. As to the weather, it could be no
excuse. A man collects full as much rain when he is sitting
down unsheltered as when moving forward. I am very
certain neither officer or private soldier had ever lain down
dry from the day the column came to Chadeaus ; so constant
was the rain that the ammunition in the men's pouches was
totally useless.
The principal reason why General Hope had not moved
on with his brigade was in consequence of his being taken
with the fever and ague, which obliged him to go to St.
George's. However, on the i6th, the Commander-in-chief,
Sir Ralph, arrived at Chadeaus, and ordered the movement
that Hope was to have made to take place under the
command of Brigadier-General Campbell, and instead of the
foreign troops the 2 7th regiment under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Gilman * formed the right brigade. We
were ordered to be under arms at three o'clock in the
morning of the iyth, but as usual no provisions had arrived,
and it was absolutely necessary each man should carry one
day's entire ; indeed it ought to have been two, for the
distance we had to march and the business to accomplish ;
not having one day complete, we could not stir.
On the 1 8th in the morning General Campbell did not
think of moving unless he got the two days' provisions ;
however, I took the liberty of representing to him that
as we had one day complete, and the men breakfasted and
1 Sir John Moore wrote praising Lieut.-Colonel Gilman, and remarked on the
' good conduct and regularity of the 27th regiment.'
n6 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 35 got a glass of rum, I thought it would be advisable to
move on, as the enemy were gaining a victory by our delay
and from the sickness that would prevail from inactivity ;
the enemy were also gaining time either to strengthen their
positions or to make their escape, both of which was
equally bad. And worst of all, the army was getting
dissatisfied from not being suffered to proceed. I don't
know whether it was in consequence of what I said, but we
moved in two brigades from the left (I had the left, and
Gilman the right) at seven o'clock on the morning of the
i8th. About the same time Lowenstein Yougers com-
menced an attack on Mount Quoca by scrambling through
the woods, getting behind trees, and taking a shot when
they could get an opportunity.
The first three miles I had to take my brigade was
through a thick wood with a negro for my guide, as there
was neither path or anything by which I could have made
out the way, had it not been for my sable conductor.
After fording a tolerably deep river, we joined the right
brigade on what had formerly been the great road across
the island, but was rendered almost impassable by being
cut up and having trees felled across it in all directions.
The line continued its march through a country of wood,
without any material obstruction (except two or three
rivers, deep, rapid, and full of rocks), till about five o'clock,
when the enemy appeared in front of their post called
Mitchell's Camp, with an appearance as if they intended
to make a stand. We had a company of Yougers in front
with the 25th and 27th light infantry companies. These
commenced the attack, supported by the left brigade ; we
carried the hill without much trouble, although the enemy
THE CAMP OF THE BRIGANDS 117
were very well posted, and might have annoyed us much, 1796
particularly in our approach, as we marched up a road
exposed to their fire the whole way, and the hill in some
parts very steep. General Campbell was with me at the
head of the left brigade. As we were going up the hill
a villain levelled and fired at us ; the ball struck the ground
close to the General. Brigade-Major Johnston called to
us to say a man on the hill was levelling his musket at us.
A soldier of the 9th regiment, just behind us, was wounded
about the same time. Immediately that we got to the top
of the hill the villains ran off" to the woods. We took
possession of their camp (which consisted of about fifty
wretched huts) between seven and eight o'clock, and the
two brigades halted for the night. There was a curious
circumstance happened on the march, which shows what
determined soldiers by trade the Germans are. As the
head of a column came near a plantation of plantain-trees,
we saw a negro hut about one hundred yards below us, and
a poor black devil run out of it. We called to him to come
to us, but Massa rather chose to trust to his heels. The
Captain of the Yougers, who had a double-barrelled fuzil,
immediately levelled at him, dodging him through the trees
(just as you do a woodcock after it has taken wing), and
killed the wretch as dead as Julius Caesar, I am sorry to say
to the great entertainment not only of the Germans, but of
all our people that saw it. On searching the house we
found the poor fellow's wife as cool and as unconcerned
as if nothing had happened. Blackey, it was found out,
was a great brigand, and had been with Fidon the day
before. After we had got into our huts at Mitchell's,
several shots were fired from the woods, one of which
n8 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET - 35 struck an officer of the 9th regiment, and as a piquet of the
27th regiment were sitting round their fire, one of the
privates was wounded in the thigh by a shot from one of
these rascals in the woods, and bled to death in five
minutes.
My old regiment, the io3rd, had been drafted into the
^7th. I therefore had an opportunity of seeing many of
my old friends and acquaintances amongst the privates of
that regiment. We had a very fatiguing march from
Chadeaus to Mitchell's. The day was very hot, and from
the excessive rains up to our ankles in mud. A great
number of the men lost their shoes.
June 19. Marched from Mitchell's at daybreak, the
right brigade in front. A good road for four miles, but
through a wild uncultivated country. We passed what
is called the Grand Etang (Anglice Great Pond). 1 This
is a circular lake of about twenty acres, situated in the very
centre of the island, surrounded by high mountains covered
with woods from the very edge of the lake to their summit.
The Yougers and light infantry companies attacked the
enemy's second post called Asche's Camp about nine
o'clock, which they carried with difficulty and some loss of
men. The enemy was strongly posted at this place ;
indeed, as a position of natural defence, nothing could be
stronger. After we quitted the road we entered a thick
wood without a track or path ; half-way up the leg in clay,
and to pass up and down two or three mountains almost
perpendicular in order to gain possession of a very high
1 Mr. C. P. Lucas in his volume on the West Indies (Historical Geography of
the British Colonies, vol. ii.) describes this Great Pond ' as one of the natural
curiosities of Grenada ... it is said to be thirteen acres in extent, and is 1740
feet above the sea ... and is apparently the site of an old crater.'
BUSH-FIGHTING
119
ridge literally in the form of a pig's back, the enemy firing 1796
from behind trees and retreating all the way. After getting
on the ridge, it was not possible for more than one man,
and that with some difficulty, to advance in front ; and
as the brigands were posted behind the trees, they picked
off several of the Yougers, and killed and wounded some
men of the 8th light infantry company that were in front.
Had not our light companies pressed the Yougers to move
on much faster than what they are used to, they would have
played the very game the brigands were practising, and
have bush-fought them all along the ridge.
After the enemy were driven from the ridge, they had
still possession of a high pinnacle at the extremity of it,
with some light ordnance (swivels and a three-pounder), but
between the ridge and the pinnacle there was a deep ravine.
The light companies passed the Yougers, and with great
perseverance scrambled up and took the hill. I was with
General Campbell at the end of the ridge, having come
up from the rear to see what was going on, and I believe,
as far as I can judge, that no men ever showed more
zeal or intrepidity than the light companies in the attack
this day, which was made under many great difficulties, and
had the enemy shown half their courage must have been
attended with great loss of men. It is astonishing with
what incredible alacrity the negroes got through the woods,
and how nimbly they scrambled up and down the hills.
The business was all over by twelve o'clock, and we got
into some tolerable good huts. But, oh shame to tell,
never did anything equal the neglect of this army in the
article of provisions. After two days' severe, harassing
marches, at the end of each a sharp action, and notwith-
120 DYOTTS DIARY
35 standing this post at Asche's that we had just taken was
only four miles from St. George's, and that many people
came out during the engagement, there was not a drop
of rum to give the men as a reward of their exertions.
A soldier never murmurs at the want of provisions, but if
his grog is stopped, he is completely defeated. We had
received a small supply after taking Mitchell's on the i8th,
but on the 2Oth there was not a morsel of provisions of any
kind for either officer or private man. Neglect and in-
famous misconduct has prevailed in this particular during
the whole campaign. Blame is due somewhere, and ex-
emplary punishment ought to attach to the person in fault.
Heavy rain during the night of the i9th and all the
following day. The 27th regiment returned to the post
at Mitchell's under the command of Colonel Gilman, to
remain till further orders. General Campbell and I lived
together, that is, I got into the same quarters with him at
Mitchell's and again at Asche's. Our living was salt pork,
which my black man (Allan M'Cray) cooked for us. We
got into a hut where the 25th regiment was posted on the
top of a hill, and though it was not very high, it was
absolutely so steep that both hands and knees were obliged
to go to work to get up it. The side was clay, and as
slippy as that substance when well wet usually is.
June On the 2Oth, the day after we took Asche's, the General
got a letter from the Governor at St. George's to say that
the enemy's camp at Mount Quoca had been taken on the
1 9th, but that Fidon and most of his people had got away.
The Yougers commanded by Count D'Heilgmer, consisting
of near five hundred men, had practised their usual mode
of attack with success, having crept up the sides of the
RETREAT OF FIDON 121
mountains in very small parties, hiding themselves behind 1796
the trees, till they got beyond the enemy's upper work.
This so alarmed Fidon and his black companions that they
made no stand, and the loss the Yougers sustained was very
inconsiderable.
I believe what contributed to make Fidon move off so
rapidly was the 57th regiment having possession of a
strong post and commanding ground within half a mile
of him, added to the appearance of the Yougers still nearer
him ; he dreaded the idea of being taken, well knowing that
the most ignominious death must attend his exit. Brigadier-
General Nicholls remained all this time at Goyave with the
29th regiment, and Brigadier-General M c Kenzie the small
garrison at Richmond Hill ; indeed, he had remained there
from the time of his arrival with us from Barbadoes. I
conclude his warlike abilities were well known from his
being kept constantly in garrison. Lord help the British
army, if it is to be commanded by such a general as
M'Kenzie. He is the poorest man of war I ever met with.
The morning after we took Asche's, the line, viz. the 8th,
9th, and 25th regiments and a company of Yougers, were
under arms ; and as a proof what state the roads, or rather
the country, was in through which we had marched, scarce
a soldier had a pair of shoes to his feet, having been
dragged off by the stiff mess and depth of the clay.
Latterly the men who had shoes did not attempt to put
them on, knowing they were of little use, as the spot we
were on at Asche's, from the constant rain, was in such a
state that if you attempted to stir from your hut, you were
nearly half-way up the leg in mud and wet. Some bodies
were found of black men that had no appearance of shot,
122 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 35 but must have been killed in endeavouring to make their
escape down the hills, which were so steep that they must
have fallen and broke their necks.
On the 2ist orders arrived respecting the regiments that
were to be drafted to go to Europe. I concluded, of
course, the 25th was one of the number, especially as Lady
Louisa l had wrote to say the regiment was certainly to go
home at the end of the campaign. But to my no small
mortification, I found by the orders that instead of being
' draughted/ the regiment was to be completed with
' draughts ' from other corps. I cannot say I ever felt
much greater disappointment than on receiving this in-
telligence, having made up my mind as certain of embarking
for old England at the end of the campaign. As there was
not the smallest prospect of the enemy making any attack
on us at Asche's and nothing offensive to be carried on,
I got General Campbell's leave to go to St. George's on
the 22nd, in order to write to the Adjutant-General for
him to lay before the Commander-in-chief the state the
regiment was in, and how very unfit to receive drafts. I
returned early next morning, as General Campbell was
ordered to St. George's and I was left in command. In-
cessant rain from the time we took post at Asche's.
In the afternoon of the 24th I received an order from
General Nicholls to move the corps from Asche's to St.
George's, excepting a captain and two hundred men for
the defence of the post.
Accordingly on the 25th I arrived at Richmond Hill with
the brigade, and closed a long, severe, and fatiguing campaign.
1 Wife of Lord George Henry Lennox, and daughter of the fourth Marquess
of Lothian.
EMBARKATION FOR ENGLAND 123
From the almost constant rain the troops in the field
were becoming very unhealthy. I had been obliged to
send forty men to the general hospital of the 25th regiment
from Asche's. After the rains have begun in that country
it is impossible to carry on any warlike operations. The
day I came in I got a letter from Brigadier Hope, the
Adjutant-General, to say the regiment was to be drafted,
and to go home in the fleet, in consequence of an arrange-
ment that had taken place. Whether this change was owing
to my representation, or to instructions from England, I
can't say. It might be the latter, a packet having arrived
between the first order for drafting and the time of the
new arrangement taking place. I did not care from what
cause it proceeded, being so overjoyed with the idea of
quitting the horrid climate. The regiment was to be
drafted into the 53rd, and the officers and sergeants to
embark for Europe on the I2th July. I was fully em-
ployed in getting all the necessary arrangements made for
turning over the men, which took place on the 9th July,
without a murmur from any soldier, and not a man had a
claim to make on the regiment, as I had taken particular
care to have every man's accounts made up in the clearest
manner possible, and his balance paid him.
On Tuesday the I2th July the sad remains of the 25th July
regiment marched from Richmond Hill, and embarked
on board the Atlantic transport, having lost by the disease
of the country only, in the space of fifteen months, 1 1
officers, 30 sergeants, 15 drummers, and upwards of 500
rank and file. We embarked at a most fortunate time, as
the sickness was becoming extremely alarming.
In consequence of all the posts the enemy had possession
i2 4 DYOTT'S DIARY
35 of in the island being taken, a great number of prisoners
were made, and among the rest many persons of property
to a very considerable amount, most of the French families
in the island having joined the insurgents. It is not
possible to account for the infatuation of these people
suffering themselves to be led not only to countenance
crimes of the greatest cruelty, but to be aiding and abetting
a mulatto fellow in the most horrid murders and massacres
it is possible to describe. This comes of equality and
fraternization. In all their transactions the modern French
vocabulary [is] made use of. We found a number of
letters, papers, etc., of Fidon's and other officers of the
sable army. They all had the same preface : ' Liberte,
Egalite, La Loi,' copied from the disciples of Robespierre
and true followers of all his hellish doctrines.
We got under weigh from the island of Grenada at
eight o'clock in the morning of the 2oth, about twenty-five
sail, convoyed by the Mermaid frigate and Favourite sloop-
of-war, with an intention of joining the West India convoy
at St. Kitts, which was to sail from thence on the i6th
August. The regiments embarked were the 8th, 9th,
loth, 25th, 2Qth, 63rd, and 88th.
On the 24th I went on board the Mermaid at sea
(Captain Otway), and drank part of a bottle of claret with
him. He told us, from the way the wind was, he did
not think we should make St. Kitts, and must therefore
stand away for Tortola, which island we made on the 2yth,
and got to anchor in Tortola Road the same evening. As
the ships lay seven miles from the town, I did not go ashore
on the island. It is but small, the produce but sugar only.
The hills so high that the sugar-canes are put into wooden
RETURN TO FREEFORD 125
troughs at the top, and slide down without the labour of 1796
carriage. I went on shore on a small island opposite Tortola
called St. James', near which our ship lay. But as there was
nothing worth looking at and as the weather was excessively
hot, and my curiosity for seeing the West Indies pretty well
satisfied, I did not remain long on shore.
Many of the transports were very unhealthy at Tortola,
and on their passage from Grenada the 8th regiment in two
days after their arrival lost four officers. I felt myself
unwell from the day after we got to Tortola with a
headache and constant fever on me ; but our people con-
tinued tolerably well. Tortola is one of the Virgin Islands ;
there are more than twenty of them all in a cluster.
On the 1 9th we made Scilly Island and fell in with Sir September
Edward Pellew's l squadron of frigates.
loth. Fine wind up Channel though thick weather, and
got into Plymouth Sound ; went ashore immediately and
found all the Lennoxes all well at Government House. The
transport was put into quarantine on account of our having
had the fever on board. The men did not land till the 3Oth
September, and the regiment was ordered to be quartered
in the barracks at Plymouth.
The 24th January I left Plymouth and arrived at Free- 1797
ford on the 26th. The loth February went to Keel, and
was taken ill the day after my arrival. I remained there
a fortnight, and was only three times out of the house.
Returned to Freeford the 22nd, and had remains of my old
cursed West India complaint hanging about me.
1 Sir Edward Pellew, first. Viscount Exmouth (1757-1833); took the first
frigate in the French war 1793; famous for repeated acts of gallantry; bom-
barded Algiers 1816; commander-in-chief at Plymouth 1817-21; vice-admiral
of the United Kingdom 1832.
126 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 36 On the 28th March 1797 I left Freeford and arrived at
Plymouth on the 3ist. Found the regiment in dock
barracks, which were much more comfortable than the town
of Plymouth.
June The 22nd June a court-martial assembled, consisting of
officers of the line and marines for the trial of four private
marines on a charge of mutiny. They were all found
guilty and three sentenced to death, which was executed
July on the fth July. I was a member of the court. It
seldom happens for the officers of the line and marines to
sit together in general courts-martial. I had received
an invitation from Lord Fortescue, 1 who was quartered
with his regiment at Plymouth, to pay him a visit
at Castle Hill in the north of Devon, which I accepted, and
set out for his lordship's seat on the I4th August. It
is sixty miles from Plymouth and near Barnstaple. The
house is comfortable, but nothing grand, the park and the
grounds are very fine. He lives in a good style, and I never
passed a more pleasant week. The country in the north of
Devon is infinitely better than in the south, and it is famous
for a breed of cattle, of the large red kind. The last
August ten days in August rain incessantly. This summer in the
month of May a mutiny of a most serious and alarming
nature broke out in the navy at Plymouth. 2 It was carried
to extreme excess ; most of the captains were turned on
shore from their ships, and the command given to a sailor
who was called a delegate. A sailor of this description was
1 Hugh, third baron (1753-1841) ; created Viscount Ebrington and Earl
Fortescue 1789.
2 This was suppressed by Lord Keith, but the mutinies at Spithead and the
Nore were more serious : the former was suppressed by Lord Howe, the latter came
to an end after the execution of the ringleader William Parker.
THE IRISH REBELLION 127
chosen from each ship, and these when assembled formed a 1797
congress to form regulations and project plans of operation.
Ropes were reeved at the yards of the ships to intimidate,
as they threatened to hang any person that was refractory,
and also any officer who attempted to resist them. This
horrid business was only settled by means of great conces-
sions on the part of the government.
In August, September, and October 1 passed a good deal
of time at Saltram, Lord Boringdon's, 1 and generally a house
full of people. A very pleasant and one of the prettiest
women in England there most of the summer, Lady
Elizabeth Monck.
The beginning of January set in with sharp frost. On 1798
the nth I left the regiment on leave of absence to pay a^ ar
visit to my friends in Staffordshire, etc. Slept at Exeter
and at Bath, and reached Freeford on the i4th.
On the 28th March I accompanied my brother, who was March
High Sheriff, to Stafford to attend the assizes in the capacity
of grand juror ; quite a new employment for me. A full
assize, and the High Sheriff much flattered by the extreme
respectable attendance that accompanied him into Stafford.
We returned to Freeford on the 3ist.
In the month of June an order came for the Lancashire June
Militia to embark for Ireland on account of the dreadful
state of that country from the rebellion that raged with fury
at that time. 2 The regiment embarked on board two men-
of-war, but were detained for some days by contrary winds ;
and on account of the troubles having taken a favourable
1 John, second baron (1772-1840) ; Earl of Morley 1815.
2 The Irish rebellion of 1798. The rebels were routed on Vinegar Hill by
General Lake with 13,000 men on June 21.
128 DYOTT'S DIARY
ST. 37 turn, the Lancashire regiment was disembarked. However,
about this time two regiments of militia went from
Liverpool to Ireland, viz. the Warwick and Buckingham,
and remained some time.
July On the 28th July I received an order to hold the regi-
ment in readiness to embark for the island of Jersey, and
August on the 8th August we embarked on board the Dictator,
a 64, and Charm, a 44, and sailed in the afternoon. Arrived
off Jersey the next day, and disembarked on the loth and
nth, and went into barracks at Belle Vue, near the small
town of St. Aubin. I was extremely sorry to part with my
much esteemed friends at Government House, but other-
wise, considering the length of time the regiment had been
at Plymouth and the vice it had naturally imbibed, I can't
say I was sorry for a change of quarters. The island of
Jersey is extremely pretty, the houses neat and the inhabit-
ants hospitable. A bad situation for soldiers on account of
the abundance of gin, which is so cheap that a man gets
drunk for twopence. I found an old friend of mine com-
manding the island Major-General Andrew Gordon ; the
second in command, Major-General Monson. The regi-
ments on the island, the 49th, 88th, Loyal Irish Fencibles,
and garrison battalion. We relieved the 58th regiment,
who embarked in the ships that we left. We had most
delightful weather after our arrival, and no alarms or dis-
turbance from our neighbours, although the French coast
is within fifteen miles of us. The 88th regiment was re-
November lieved in November by the 69th, the former ordered for
the East Indies. Our regiment was reviewed by Major-
December General Gordon on the yth December. Every man
(officers, etc.) had on new clothing. The former short
CHASED BY A PRIVATEER 129
coats, the latter long. I never saw any regiment look 1798
better ; it was as fine a day as ever was seen. The General
was highly pleased ; returned his thanks in the handsomest
and most flattering manner ; and assured me he never saw
so good a review in his life. After the review, etc., was
over, 1 made application for a short leave of absence ; and
on Thursday morning the 2oth December I embarked in
the packet from Jersey, called at Guernsey and went on
shore for two hours.
Saw the parade of the 8th, 23rd, 27th, and 79th ; none
of them in very high order. I waited on the Commander-
in-chief, Sir Hew Dalrymple. 1 The island is not so large
as Jersey, but vastly more trade, and the town considerably
larger than St. Heliers at Jersey. Left Guernsey about
two o'clock Thursday, and next morning was off the coast of
England near Portland, when we were chased by a French
privateer, but she did not come up with us. I landed at
Weymouth about two o'clock, found Colonel Elliott and
the Staffordshire supplementary militia quartered there.
Proceeded that night to Shaftesbury ; the next morning to
Warminster, Bath, Bristol, and in the mail to Birmingham ;
arrived at Freeford on Sunday the 2jrd, where I found
everybody in very good health. Went to Leicester on
Monday the jist, and passed the next week. Returned
into Staffordshire with Mr. Lee and Mr. Walker on
Monday the 7th.
We had a subscription ball and supper at the George 1799
on the 2jrd, in honour of her Majesty's birthday. SirJ anuary
Robert Williams and I officiated as managers or stewards
1 Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart. (1750-1830); lieutenant-governor of Guernsey
1796-1801.
VOL. I. I
130 DYOTT'S DIARY
37 on the occasion. It was extremely splendid. There never
was a more severe winter than this ; remarkable deep snow
and severe frost. We had a very good party used to meet
daily at the George at Lichfield at eleven o'clock and play
whist the whole day. Had several very pleasant balls
and assemblies.
Captain Callander, 25th regiment, came to Freeford and
stayed a month with us ; he arrived the 1 5th January.
In consequence of Lord Granville Leveson 1 having
vacated a seat for Lichfield and offering himself for the
county of Stafford (Lord Gower 2 being made a peer), we
had a contested election for the city, which commenced on
March the 2nd March. Sir John Wrottesley 3 was proposed by
Lord Stafford's friends, and Sir Nigel Gresley 4 by my
brother on the independent interest. The contest was a
warm one, but Sir John carried the day.
On the 3rd March I received a letter from the depart-
ment Adjutant-General to say the Duke of York had recom-
mended me to the King to be Assistant Adjutant-General to
the troops in the South- West district, under the orders of
Sir William Pitt. 5 This was highly gratifying to me, and
the appointment of all others I wished for. I continued at
Freeford till the election was over at Lichfield, and set out
for London on the 2Oth March, where I arrived the next
1 See p. 73.
2 Lord Gower, second Marquis of Stafford (1758-1833) ; summoned to Parlia-
ment as Baron Gower in the lifetime of his father.
3 Sir John Wrottesley, first baron (1771-1867); whig M.P. for Lichfield
1799-1802; M.P. for Staffordshire 1822; for South Staffordshire 1825-37;
created Baron Wrottesley 1838.
4 Sir Nigel Bowyer Gresley, son of Sir Nigel Gresley (see p. 2) ; succeeded his
father 1787; died 1808.
6 Sir William Pitt (1728-1809); entered the army 1744; K.B. 1792; general
1793; governor of Portsmouth 1794-1809.
THE DUKK OF YORK.
SIR WILLIAM PITT 131
day. I called on the Adjutant- General, who told me I was *799
to meet a board of field officers on Saturday at the Horse
Guards to consider and report our opinion on the subject
of clothing for the army in the West Indies. We continued
sitting three days, which was tiresome enough for a man
who went to London for only seven. On Tuesday the
26th I had the honour of an audience of the Duke of
York 1 to thank him for my new appointment. Found
H.R.H. very gracious. I had intended to have gone to
the King's levee, but it being Passion Week there was
not any.
I left London on the 3<Dth, and went to Windsor to see
my old friends of the Stafford Militia. As Prince Edward 2
was in Sir William Pitt's district on the staff, I waited on
him at Windsor. Found him affable and good-humoured.
On the 3ist I went to Highfield, Sir William Pitt's. A
very comfortable house and pretty place four miles from
Hertford Bridge in Hampshire. I found Sir William and
Lady Pitt extremely friendly and very pleasant. Sir
William made Highfield the headquarters of the district
till he moved to Portsmouth. Sir William's family con-
sisted of three aides-de-camp, Addenbrooke, Coleman, and
Vigoreux. Lord Rivers, 3 Sir William's brother, has a very
pretty place about two miles from Highfield, a large old
house. A remarkable good riding house attached to the
stables. His lordship is a very fine gentleman-like old
1 See p. 80.
2 Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820); fourth son of
George in., father of Queen Victoria.
3 Lord Rivers (1722 ?-i 803) ; George Pitt, first Baron Rivers 5 whig M.P. for
Shaftesbury 1742; Dorset 1747-74; created baron 1776; filled several diplo-
matic posts.
132 DYOTT'S DIARY
- 3** peer as I ever saw. On the 1 8th April I left Highfield and
proceeded through Odiham and Alton, Wickham, Fareham
to Portsmouth, where I arrived in the evening, fifty miles.
Major-General Murray, the Lieutenant-Governor, was com-
manding in the absence of Sir William Pitt. I did not
enter on my new duty till Sir William's arrival.
June On the rumour of an armament being about to be
collected, I made an offer to the Duke of York to be em-
ployed on service ; and received a very flattering answer,
with a promise if opportunity offered my application should
be attended to.
The 25th was ordered to form part of the expedition
under Sir Ralph Abercrombie ; l I was in hopes to have
attended them, but Sir Ralph advised me by no means
to think of it. I therefore remained contented with Sir
August William. On the 4th August we left Portsmouth to
prepare for the Weymouth campaign. I went to London,
and on the 7th went to the levee to kiss the King's hand
on my appointment as Assistant Adjutant-General. Was
presented by my old Colonel, Lord Charles Somerset. 2
Left town on the 8th, and stayed at Highfield till the ipth,
when I proceeded to Winchester to pass a day with
Colonel and Mrs. Maden. Joined Sir William at Stock-
bridge on the 2Oth, and arrived at Weymouth on the 22nd.
His Majesty had been there since the iyth, but in con-
sequence of Lord Howe's death 3 Sir William did not make
Weymouth headquarters till the 22nd. We found the
Royal Family all arrived, that is the King, Queen, Prin-
1 See p. 92.
2 See p. 74.
3 Lord Howe died 5th of August 1799.
THE ROYAL FAMILY AT WEYMOUTH 133
cesses Augusta, 1 Elizabeth, 2 Sophia, 3 Amelia, 4 and Mary. 5 1799
Their attendants consisted of Generals Garth 6 and Golds-
worthy, Lady Elizabeth Bellasys, Lady Matilda Wynyard, 7
and Miss Townsend. His Majesty is out walking on the
Esplanade every morning by half-past seven o'clock, where
he continues till near nine. He then gets his breakfast,
and if the weather admits, the whole family go on board
a frigate, the St. Fiorenzo, and sail till evening, when the
King regularly attends the parade of the piquets in front
of the lodge. Four times a week the family go to the
play, and twice a week a party of the nobility are
invited to the lodge. On the whole it 's but a tiresome
kind of life we lead. The King converses with almost
everybody he knows, and talks to all the children he
meets.
Left Wey mouth the I4th October and went to Plymouth October
for a few days to see my friend Lady Louisa. Never was
I so thoroughly tired of a place in my life as Wey mouth.
The same sameness is more tiresome than anything ever
was. I slept at Ashburton and got to Plymouth about
three o'clock on the i5th. Found Lady Louisa alone and
rather low spirited on account of the action in Holland,
in which the 25th regiment had been engaged.
1 Princess Augusta Sophia (1768-1840), daughter of George m.
2 Princess Elizabeth (1770-1840), daughter of George in.; married 1818
Frederick Joseph of Hesse-Homburg ; artist.
3 Princess Sophia (1777-1848), fifth daughter of George in.
4 Princess Amelia (1783-1810), youngest child of George in.
5 Princess Mary (1776-1857), fourth daughter of George in.; married William
Frederick, second Duke of Gloucester, 1816.
6 General Garth, cf. The Creevey Papers, edited by Sir Herbert Maxwell, vol. ii.
pp. 196, 200.
7 Lady Matilda Wynyard, daughter of the second Earl Delawarr ; married
1793 General Henry Wynyard; and died 1843.
134 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 38 We got the details of the action whilst I was at Plymouth,
in which the loss to the 25th was very considerable. 1
Headquarters were established at Salisbury instead of
Portsmouth, the latter place was Sir William Pitt's govern-
ment, which was the reason he made it headquarters. I
was taken unwell a few days after my arrival at Salisbury
and confined to the house for some time. Lord Radnor 2
has a house within three miles of Salisbury ; an excessive
pretty place. His lordship called on me immediately on
my arrival at quarters. I was acquainted with Lady Radnor
at Weymouth, one of the pleasantest women I ever knew.
I also got very intimately acquainted with Lady Charlotte
Durham 3 (Bruce she was) at Weymouth, one of the most
delightful women in the world. She was on a visit to
Lady Radnor, and therefore a cruel disappointment to me
being confined at the time and unable to visit at Lord
Radnor's whilst Lady Charlotte was there, though frequently
asked. I recovered in about a fortnight and went several
times to Lord Radnor's very old house, but comfortable.
November On the 29th November I went to Highfield for three
days ; found Lord Howe there ; Sir William and Lady
Pitt both uncommon well. Wynyard and his wife were
December staying at Addenbrooke's. Took a ride in December to
Fonthill, fifteen miles from Salisbury, the seat of Mr.
1 This refers to the expedition to the Helder. Sir Ralph Abercromby had
landed a British force of 10,000 men on August 27. On September 12 the Russian
allies arrived, and reinforcements from England brought up the number of the
combined army to 30,000 men. The general advance on the 1 8th and ipth of
September was a failure. The British lost over 1000 killed and wounded.
2 Lord Radnor (1750-1829), second earl; married the Hon. Anne Duncombe,
daughter and co-heir of Anthony, Lord Feversham.
3 Lady Charlotte Durham, daughter of the ninth Earl of Kincardine ,- married
in 1799 Admiral Sir Philip Durham, G.C.B. ; and died in 1816.
WILLIAM BECKFORD OF FONTHILL 135
Beckford l of notorious memory. The house is the most 1799
splendidly furnished of any house in England, but it did
not quite strike me as a comfortable living house. The
grounds were pretty, but nothing very fine. Mr. Beck-
ford 2 is building a curious tower about two miles from his
house. It is erected on very high ground and intended to
be the highest building in England, but for what purpose
I did not discover. I went to see Wilton House (Lord
Pembroke's), 3 three miles from Salisbury. The house is
extremely old, part of it having been built in Harry vm.'s
time. No part of the furniture, etc., has been altered these
one hundred years ; therefore the house is cheerless, cold,
and uncomfortable. Indeed, it is so filled with statues and
ancient curiosities that it is more like a museum than the
residence of a nobleman. It is said there are the finest
collection of Roman antiques at Wilton in Europe. There
are some fine pictures, and one in particular by Vandyke of
the Pembroke family. The grounds adjoining the house
are beautiful, and the prospect of Salisbury Cathedral very
fine. General Goldsworthy has a house in the neighbour-
hood belonging to Lord Pembroke ; lives most comfortably
and is a most worthy good man. I dined several times with
Mr. But, who has a good house near Lord Radnor's, planned
by Wyatt, 4 and who lives comme ilfaut.
1 William Beckford (1709-70)5 lord mayor of London 1762 and 1768;
ardent supporter of John Wilkes 1763 and 1770 ; laid first stone of Newgate 1770.
2 William Beckford (1759-1844), son of the above; author of Vathek-^ M.P.
for Wells and Hindon ; lived in almost complete seclusion at his mansion,
Fonthill Giffard, where he spent large sums in fantastic decoration.
3 George Augustus Herbert, eleventh Earl of Pembroke (1759-1827); said to
have trebled the value of his estates.
4 James Wyatt (1746-1813), architect; studied at Rome and Venice;
executed restorations at Salisbury, Lincoln, Hereford, and Lichfield cathedrals;
built Royal Military College, Woolwich, 1796.
136 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 38 On the 2 2nd January I left Salisbury and went by way
1800 of Bath to Freeford, where I arrived the 23rd to dinner.
iary I was very sorry to leave Salisbury, both on account of
quitting my situation, and also because I found it a charm-
ing county, and some pleasant people in the neighbourhood.
February J remained at Freeford till the 2nd February, when I went
to town for the purpose of going to court on my promotion.
I attended the levee on the th and the drawing-room on
the 6th. His Majesty and the Queen both did me the
honour to notice me, I thought particularly. I left London
on the 8th and returned to Freeford the 9th, where I
March continued till the I4th March, when I again went to town
in my way to the regiment. I stayed in town till the 3 1 st
March and rode to Ipswich to dinner the next day; the
April finest road in all England. Slept at Witham, thirty-nine
miles, and rode on next morning thirty miles to Ipswich.
I passed through Chelmsford, Romford, Ingatestone,
Witham, and Colchester. Found the ist battalion of the
King's Own or 4th regiment. Ipswich is a large, old,
straggling town ; a tide river, navigable for small vessels
from Harwich, comes up to it. The country about it very
charming, though almost wholly in tillage. Lieut.-General
Garth commanded in the district and was stationed at
Ipswich. I went to visit Mr. Vancouver, 1 who I had met
at Sir William Pitt's in Hampshire ; a sensible, pleasant
man. He had just made a purchase of a vast tract of
heath, and was enclosing and breaking it up ; but from the
wretched appearance I should think it would never answer.
The regiment marched from Ipswich the 29th April to
1 This may possibly be Charles Vancouver, an American agriculturalist, who
published a work on the drainage of the fens in 1801.
A ROYAL REVIEW 137
Colchester ; found in the barracks, which are sufficient for 1800
the accommodation of 5000 men, the 49th and 85th
regiments. Colchester, a large unconnected place, some-
thing like Ipswich.
I received orders to prepare the regiment for the camp June
at Windsor, and marched accordingly on Friday the 6th
June. I was not at all sorry to leave my quarters as, in
the first place, the regiment was sickly, and in the next
I had not got acquainted with a single creature in town or
neighbourhood. Friday we marched twenty-three miles
to Chelmsford and went into the barracks for the night.
Saturday thirteen miles and encamped on Warley Common
near Brent wood, where we halted Sunday, on the most
beautiful spot I ever saw and the greatest extent of pro-
spect probably in England. Marched on Monday morning
thirteen miles to Epping Forest, near the six-mile stone
on the Romford Road. Tuesday to a common near the
Uxbridge Road. We turned off at Whitechapel turnpike
and up the new road to Paddington, and along the Harrow
Road to our ground. Wednesday to Hounslow Heath
near Belfont. We were just got to our ground when his
Majesty made his appearance. I had exactly time to get
the regiment under arms and paid his Majesty the usual
compliment. Thursday we reached the Grand Camp on
Bagshot Heath near the twenty-three milestone. We were
very fortunate in our weather, though most excessively cold
in the mornings.
His Majesty first saw the several brigades on their parade
and marched past on the line of encampment ; afterwards
he saw each brigade in review on Wingfield Plain. The
King paid me many compliments respecting the regiment.
138 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 39 It was always a great favourite with his Majesty. Lieut.-
General Dundas, who superintended the exercise of the
troops, had the brigades out, and then a line and latterly
the whole army, horse and foot, his Majesty always attend-
ing. The general officers were Lieut.-General Dundas, 1
Stevens, and Gwyn. The generals Lord Chatham, 2 Lord
C. Somerset, 3 Marshal, Burrard, 4 Garth, 5 Lord Cathcart, 6
July Wilford, and Manners. 7 On the i4th July we had a sham
fight, and afterwards his Majesty gave a most magnificent
fete at Frogmore ; a dinner and ball, besides rural sports
in the gardens, such as gipsies juying [?], lofty tumbling
and tight-rope dancing. Upwards of two hundred people at
dinner, and on the whole the handsomest thing I ever saw.
On the lyth the whole army was assembled on Wingfield
Plain to be seen by his Majesty in their new clothing, etc.
etc. There were near 17,000 men assembled. The day
most uncommonly fine and the greatest concourse of people
that ever were assembled in England. His Majesty was
received with a royal salute and presented arms. Then the
King and Royal Family passed along the two lines, after
which a feu de joie was fired three times from right to left
of the first line and from left to right of the second. The
whole then marched past by troops and companies. The
reviewing being over, the field officers and all the generals
1 Sir David Dundas (1735-1820); lieutenant fireworker 1754; lieutenant-
general 1797; general 1802 j commander-in-chief 1809-1 1.
2 Lord Chatham (1756-1835), second Earl of Chatham ; entered the army 1778 ;
master of the ordnance 1801-6 ; commanded the Walcheren expedition 1809.
3 See p. 74.
4 Sir Harry Burrard (1755-1813); entered the army 1772; created baronet
1807; took command in Portugal 1808.
6 See p. 133.
6 Lord Cathcart (1755-1843), tenth Baron Cathcart.
r Robert Manners (1758-1823).
LORD CORNWALLIS 139
invited to the Queen's fete were invited to a fete given by 1800
his Majesty at the Lodge in the great park. We assem-
bled and dined by half-past one o'clock in six tents that
were presented to his Majesty by Lord Cornwallis l taken
at Seringapatam from Tippoo. They were made of cotton
of curious workmanship.
As the camp was to break up on the 2nd September and
as the 3 1 st August was the last field day, as soon as it was August
over I set out for London, having got leave for a month.
The regiment marched on the 6th for Lewes, where it
arrived on the 9th. I got to London on the 3ist, dined
with Wynyard, and went next morning to Tunbridge
Wells on purpose to see Lady Donegal 2 and her sisters.
I continued at Tunbridge till Thursday the 4th ; cannot say September
I admired the gaieties of Tunbridge at all. Returned to
London, and set out on the 6th for Freeford for a little
shooting and to attend the races. Got to Freeford on the
7th to dinner. Took down a new chaise for my brother.
The races were uncommonly well attended, and I had some
famous sport shooting. I stayed in Stafford until the 29th,
went to town, stayed all night, and proceeded to the regi-
ment for the i st October at Lewes barracks. I travelled October
per coach through Croydon, East Grinstead. The barracks
for the officers most infamous, the accommodation for the
men very good.
Brighton is [thirty-] seven miles from Tunbridge, a place
now of great eminence in consequence of H.R.H. the Prince
1 Lord Cornwallis (1738-1805), first Marquis and second Earl of Cornwallis,
governor-general of India ; created marquis i79z; defeated Tippoo Sultan near
Seringapatam 1791.
2 George Augustus, second Marquis of Donegal (1769-1833) ; married Anna,
daughter of Sir Edward May, Bart.
1 40 DYOTT'S DIARY
T- 39 of Wales having a house there. 1 The Steine, which is the
Mall, is a gay scene when the company are assembled about
two o'clock. The Dowager Lady Donegal was there. I
dined with her several times, and she did me the honour to
breakfast two or three times at the barracks to hear our
band. No great attention paid to us by the inhabitants or
neighbourhood of Lewes. Lord Gage 2 and a Mr. Shiffner
the only gentlemen who thought proper to call at the
barracks.
November On the I pth November I left Lewes for the winter leave.
Went to Stoke, found Lord and Lady [Markken ?] 3 there.
Had some very good shooting, and remained there until the
28th. Went to Portsmouth, dined with General White-
lock, 4 and next day I went to Winchester to pay a visit to
December General Stevens. On the 2nd December I went to High-
field and stayed with Sir William and Lady Pitt until the
5th ; went to town, and remained in London until the 9th,
and reached Freeford the loth. The apparent scarcity of
corn in the kingdom (whether real or imaginary is hard to
determine) must bear very hard on the lower class of people.
Wheat on an average is at upwards of a guinea a bushel,
and barley upwards of 13 shillings. The poor mechanics
1 The Pavilion. Cf. Letters to l Ivy ' from the first Earl of Dudley, by
S. H. Romilly. Writing in 1 8 1 1 Lord Dudley says : ' By-the-bye, it is a curious
circumstance enough that in Brighthelmstone, which, when it is full, contains
twelve or fourteen thousand people, there is literally no police at all. There is
neither mayor, bailiff, headborough, nor, in short, any vestige of municipal govern-
ment. The nearest justice of the peace lives at Lewes, nine miles off. Yet there
is no place so quiet or so completely free from crimes. The doors are all left
unbarred, and yet I never heard of anything being stolen/
2 Major-General Henry Gage (1761-1808), third viscount.
3 Illegible.
4 John Whiteloclc (1757-1833), lieutenant-governor of Portsmouth 1799 ;
commanded force to recover Buenos Ayres 1807.
ILLNESS OF GEORGE III. 141
in the large manufacturing towns are in a wretched state, 1800
and I fear before the winter is over serious and alarming
disturbances must take place. On Monday the i2th
January 1801 I went with my brother Richard and Mrs. 1801
Dyott to Thorpe to pay a visit to Mr. Inge and Lady january
Eliza. 1 Remained there until Wednesday ; went to Seal and
passed two days with Will Gresley and his wife, and on
Friday the 1 6th I went to Leicester, where I remained with
my friends until Saturday the 24th. Returned to Freeford,
hard frost and snow, but it did not continue.
I was frequently at Drakelow. I believe my visits lately March
to be not so much for the [company] of my old friend
Sir Nigel as for the sake of his dear daughter Maria, 2 for
whom I had a sincere regard and attachment, but it had
grown to attachment most sound and dear. I ought to
have joined my regiment on the I4th, but on dear Maria's
account I asked for a prolongation of my leave to the
ist April.
In the beginning of this month the King had an alarming
attack of fever, and it was generally imagined to be a return
of his former situation. 3 To the great joy of all his sub-
jects his Majesty recovered his health, and the reports from
the physicians were discontinued on the I2th March. Some
people imagined the disagreements amongst his Majesty's
Ministers, which about this time took place, had occasioned
1 Lady Elizabeth Euphemia married William Phillips Inge, Esq. of Thorpe
Constantine, co. Stafford. She was the daughter of Lord Galloway.
2 Wilmot Maria Gresley married Rev. T. Levett of Packington, co. Stafford,
and died December 17, 1845.
3 Lady Hamilton wrote to Nelson on February 24, 1801 : 'The King, God
bless him, is ill, and their (jV) are many speculations. Some say it is his old
disorder/
142 DYOTT'S DIARY
T. 40 his indisposition, Mr. Pitt, 1 Mr. Dundas, 2 and Lord
Spencer 8 having resigned their offices. 4 The very high
price of grain and of butcher's meat still continued. The
prices as follows at Lichfield the I3th March :
Wheat 25 shillings per bushel.
Barley 1 5 shillings per bushel.
Oats 8/6 to 9 shillings per bushel.
Beef 8 pence and mutton 8-g- pence per Ib.
On the 22nd March I left Lichfield per mail for London,
where I arrived the next morning. I was as usual much
en desespoir on bidding adieu to old Freeford and my much
April beloved brother. I remained in town until the ist April,
when I departed for headquarters at Lewes, which I reached
per heavy coach to dinner. (The Gresleys were in town,
which I considered a most fortunate circumstance, being an
opportunity of seeing my dear Maria, for whom I felt a
most ardent passion, and to whom I trust and hope some
day to be united in holy bonds.) I was at the drawing-
room at St. James's on the 26th March. There was no
levee, as the King was not sufficiently recovered from his
late attack. The drawing-room was as dismal a business
as I ever saw. It was a court mourning, add to which the
melancholy appearance of the Queen and Princesses on
account of his Majesty's illness made the scene a most
1 William Pitt (1759-1806), second son of the first Earl of Chatham; prime
minister 1784-1801 and 1804-6.
2 Henry Dundas (1742-1811), first Viscount Melville; impeached 1806 for mal-
versation ; guilty of negligence but acquitted.
3 George John (1758-1830), second Earl Spencer; home secretary 1806-7.
* Pitt broke up a strong ministry because in honour he could not carry it on.
George in. would not allow him to bring in a measure for Roman Catholic
emancipation.
UNION WITH IRELAND 143
gloomy one. London was full and thronged with Irish in 1801
consequence of the meeting of the first Imperial Parliament.
I don't think the Pats appeared to associate very much with
Johnny Bull. On my arrival at the regiment I found the
thing going on much as when I left it. An augmentation
had been ordered of two companies of 100 men each, which
occasioned a considerable proportion of our people to be
employed on the recruit service. During the month of
April drying north-east wind and hot sun ; very uncomfort-
able weather. I employed myself all the month in field
days and getting the regiment in order after the idling of
the winter. I fired three volleys and a royal salute in
honour of the victory obtained over the Danes by Lord
Nelson in Copenhagen Harbour. 1 On the jrd May I May
received a letter from Colonel Brownrigg 2 to acquaint me
that his Majesty had been most graciously pleased to appoint
me one of his aides-de-camp. This I consider an honour
the most flattering I could possibly hope for or expect.
(I went to London on the 8th May. My visit to town
was purposely to see my dear Maria G., 3 and for whom I
felt the most ardent love and regard.) I got to town in
the evening and went to tea at Sir Nigel Gresley's, 4 from
whom I received the most friendly attention during my stay.
On the 1 5th May I met Colonel Brownrigg at General
Whitelock's, 6 who told me the 25th regiment was to go to
Weymouth to attend his Majesty. On the i6th I had the
honour of an audience of the Duke of York, 6 and to my
1 A fleet under Sir Hyde Parker, with Nelson as second in command, defeated
the Danes on April 2, 1801.
2 Sir Robert Brownrigg (1759-1833) ; ensign 1775 ; served in the Netherlands
1793 j created baronet 18165 general 1819.
3 See p. 141. * See p. 130. 6 See p. 140. 6 See p. 80.
i 4 4 DYOTT'S DIARY
surprise, instead of the regiment going to Weymouth, the
Duke told me we were going to embark to reinforce the
army in Egypt. (Accounts had just at the time arrived of
a severe action having taken place near Alexandria, in which
the French had been beaten, but with considerable loss on
the side of the British.) 1 The regiment was ordered to
march from Lewes on Tuesday the I9th, and I joined them
at Portsmouth on Thursday the 2ist. The regiment did
not, however, embark until Thursday the 22nd, owing to
the ships not being ready.
The 25th and 26th embarked at Southsea Beach on
Thursday morning at six o'clock the 28th May. The
former on board H.M. ship Agincourt, the latter on board
the Madras. I must own I felt rather happy at em-
barking, and chiefly as it gave me hopes that it was
the last regimental duty I should probably have (and
that if it pleased God to let me return to my native
land, I might flatter myself the first wish of my life might
be accomplished, that of being united to the woman
I love).
The terrible crowded state of the ship and the confusion
it occasioned was the cause of some inquietude and not
much comfort.
Wind still adverse, though not so much as it had
hitherto been. One of our Pats, standing near the quarter-
deck and looking up at the rigging soliloquised, ' Naviga-
tion to the devil I pitch you, navigation.' Saturday, a fine
summer day but nearly calm, what wind there was against us.
1 The battle of Alexandria had taken place on March 21, 1801. The English
had to deplore the loss of Sir Ralph Abercromby, but they thoroughly defeated
the French.
DANGER AT SEA 145
Little wind, Cape St. Vincent in sight. Sent a boat on 1801
board a Portuguese fishing boat, but did not get any fish. Jul
The Portuguese told us that two English seventy-four gun ,
ships had chased two French vessels the day before into
Cadiz, and that a Spanish frigate four days before had taken
a Portuguese fishing boat. We saw four sail of armed
vessels inshore ; we supposed them to be Spaniards. We
also saw a ship at a considerable distance at sea, but did
[not] make her out. She stood towards us in the after-
noon and proved to be an English line-of-battle ship, the
Superb, of seventy-four guns, Captain Keates. He sent a
boat aboard us by which we learnt that there were five
Spanish sail of the line, and three French, lying in the out-
ward road of Cadiz, and that there were 2000 French troops
ready to embark on board them, supposed to be for Egypt.
The lieutenant also told us that the Venerable, a seventy-
four (Captain S. Hood), was cruising with the Superb, but
was at that time close in with the shore, having sent a boat
into Faro to get intelligence relative to the fleet in Cadiz.
This intelligence respecting the situation of the fleet in
Cadiz alarmed us a little, fearing they might attempt to
intercept us in the straits. Shortly after the Superb left us,
we saw the Venerable and also a large fleet at a considerable
distance at sea (which we learnt was a convoy from the
Mediterranean, under charge of the Sea Horse]. In the
evening we spoke the Venerable ; Captain Ryves went on
board. The information respecting the fleet in Cadiz was
confirmed, and, in consequence, Captain Hood, who was
the senior officer, said he should accompany our two ships
with the Superb into the straits.
June 1 8 . We stood in for the land, and saw the town of
VOL. I. K
146 DYOTT'S DIARY
Tangier on the coast of Barbary. Entered the straits in
the evening, and anchored about twelve o'clock in Gibraltar
Bay.
i9//, Friday morning. I went on shore with Colonel
Graham and Captain Ryves at six o'clock to the garrison
parade, where we found the Governor-General O'Hara, 1
who invited us to breakfast. I was much delighted with
Gibraltar, although I had but a very slight view of it, as we
were only on shore two hours. They had no accounts from
Egypt subsequent to what we had heard. They had a
report of Monsieur Ganteaume 2 being at sea with eight sail
of men-of-war, but no certain intelligence. They were
much in want of water ; the soldiers were on an allowance
of a gallon a day, owing to their having had no rain for a
long time. I walked to the end of the town, but could not
wait to see or examine anything, as we went on board again
as soon as we had breakfast, and got under weigh. About
twelve o'clock we made sail, and stood out of the bay.
When you get round Europa Point, which is the southern
extremity of the rock, the eastern side has a most tremendous
appearance, being a perpendicular ragged surface 1400 feet
high.
24^. General O'Hara at Gibraltar remarked in a
conversation respecting Sir Hyde Parker, that there were
three things against him ' He was getting old, getting rich,
and had married a young wife.'
29/A. The wind continued fair; in the morning
made the island of Pantellaria ; and at a great distance saw
1 Charles O'Hara (1740 P-iSoz), governor of Gibraltar, where he died, 1795-
1802.
2 Count G. H. Ganteaume (1755-1818), French admiral.
GENERAL HUTCHINSON 147
the island of Sardinia. About twelve o'clock observed a 1801
strange sail ; did not know whether she was friend or enemy
until she made the private signal ; she was the Peteril sloop-
of-war ; we spoke her about two o'clock, and the Captain
came on board. She was two days from Malta, and about
six weeks from Alexandria. When the Captain left Egypt
General Hutchinson * was gone from Alexandria to attack
Grand Cairo. The troops were healthy, and had plenty of
provisions of all sorts brought by the Arabs. The Captain
of the Peteril also told us that Monsieur Ganteaume had
been seen about a fortnight before off the island of Candia
with four sail of the line and five frigates, having a con-
siderable number of troops on board to reinforce Alexandria.
Sir John Warren, 2 with six sail of the line, had sailed from
Malta a few days before the Peteril left it, but his destina-
tion was not known. This report respecting Monsieur
Ganteaume rather alarmed us, as our Captain intended to
make the island of Candia rather than the coast of Egypt ;
at all events we had reason to fear the French would
endeavour to intercept us between Malta and Alexandria.
I wrote to my brother and Lady Louisa Lennox 3 by the
Peteril: she was going to Minorca, and I thought she
might have a chance of sending letters from thence to
England. The breeze freshened in the afternoon ; we were
going nine knots an hour, and expected to be at Malta next
morning, but were disappointed, as the wind became foul
about ten at night.
July i , Wednesday. Made the island of Gozo early in the July
1 John Hely-Hutchinson (1757-1832)5 first Baron Hutchinson and second Earl
of Donoughmore ; commanded first division under Abercromby in Egypt j suc-
ceeded to chief command 1801 ; captured Cairo and Alexandria 1801.
2 Sir John Warren (1753-1822), English admiral. 3 See p. 122.
148 DYOTT'S DIARY
morning, and stood on under an easy sail. Gozo is divided
from the island of Malta by only a very narrow channel ;
we ran down the side of Malta almost close in with the
shore. The appearance of the island is quite like a barren
rock, owing to the innumerable quantity of low walls inter-
secting the side of the island, which rises in a gradual ascent
from the beach. We came to anchor off the harbour's
mouth about twelve o'clock, and immediately went on shore.
The fortifications of La Valette, 1 the capital of the island,
are reckoned the most complete in Europe ; and the build-
ings in the town for the residence of the knights and Grand
Master most magnificent. Major-General Pigot, 2 who com-
manded, lived in the Palace of the Grand Master. I waited
on the General, and after eating ice cream, etc. (a most
dainty delicacy in the month of July in the latitude of 25),
I went to look over the different apartments of the Palace.
The great Consul Buonaparte, when he was there, and after-
wards General Vaubois, 3 who commanded during the time it
was blockaded and taken last year, 4 carried off all the furni-
ture. But there is a magnificent suite of rooms and an
armoury in which there are 10,000 stands of arms remaining,
although the French carried away 30,000 stands. In one
of the rooms there are remaining several good portraits of
the different Grand Masters, as also what was said to be a
striking likeness of the late Empress of Russia. The streets
of the town are very narrow, but perfectly regularly built,
1 Valetta.
2 Sir Henry Pigot (1750-1840); entered the army 1769; commanded at the
blockade of Malta 1800; general 1812; G.C.M.G. 1837.
3 General Vaubois had been summoned to surrender by Admiral Saumarez, but
the French general sent word that ' they are Frenchmen who are at Malta.'
4 September 15, 1800.
MALTA 149
and with good houses. There are one or two places or 1801
squares very handsome. The inside of the Church of St.
John's is reckoned the finest thing in the world ; built and
furnished by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem ; it is
hung with the finest and most beautiful tapestry, the sub-
jects taken from Scripture ; the floor paved with grand
marble in the mosaic style and inscriptions on the stones to
the memory of knights who have been buried. The grand
altar is the most magnificent thing I ever saw, with a white
marble statue of St. John the Evangelist performing the
baptismal ceremony ; the figures as large as life. The silver
candlesticks in front of the altar are at least eight feet and
proportionally large. There are six other altars at the end
of aisles that intersect the grand aisle at right angles. In a
recess ofF one of the side aisles is a sort of urn of gold,
which we were told contained the Virgin Mary, and in front
of this urn is a lofty sort of palisade of solid silver, each bar
of which must be at least six or eight inches in circumfer-
ence, and a pair of gates of the same structure as an entrance
to the recess. The altar-piece at the end of one of the
cross aisles was Our Saviour on the Cross in white marble,
with two statues of white marble representing Mary
Magdalene and Mary the Mother of James looking up to
the Cross. The expression of grief depicted in Mary
Magdalene's countenance the most agonising that it is
possible to behold. Behind our Saviour is a very fine
painting of the beheading of St. John. There are also in
this aisle, on each side, some uncommon fine paintings from
some of the most eminent masters of the old school. In
another of the aisles under the altar is a sepulchre containing
the skull and bones of St. Clement, one of the Grand
150 DYOTT'S DIARY
Masters of the order, which are shown to you (with a light),
ornamented with a wonderful variety of jewels and precious
stones. There are a prodigious number of magnificent
monuments in statuary marble to the memory of the several
Grand Masters. In the great aisle there were three
chandeliers, two smaller of silver, and one very large one
in the centre of gold ; but Monsieur Buonaparte, imagining
they might be brought into circulation, carried them off. I
had not time to examine minutely this very splendid relique
of antique grandeur, which very very far surpassed anything
I had ever seen, and my great astonishment was that the
great nation had not despoiled it more. I never was in a
place of divine worship that struck me with so sublime and
reverential an awe as this church did. In a place adjoining
the Place where the Grand Master's palace is built, is another
palace, which is called the Grand Master's winter residence ;
when I was there it was a sort of hotel, and the library
(which was for the use of the knights) was become a kind
of public coffee-room. The books were taken down on the
place surrendering to the British last year, and packed up in
cases. I was surprised the French had not sent them away
with their other spoils, as they carried off a very great quantity
of valuable articles of furniture, paintings, etc. etc. I was
only on shore two hours, and therefore had not time to see
half I should wish to have seen, but I was better entertained
with the sight of Malta than anything I had ever seen in
my life. It is one of the disgraces of the present generation
that the French politics should have influenced this order,
and been the means of destroying the institution, and with
it in a great degree these grand remains of religious anti-
quity. The institution of the order of St. John's of Jerusalem
MALTA 151
existed before the Crusades to the Holy Land. During 1801
those memorable old battles the Knights of St. John settled
at Malta, received and attended all the wounded and sick
that were sent from the Holy Wars, and in the latter years
of the Crusades the knights formed themselves into a
military corps, and went to the Holy Land, leaving a suffi-
cient number of their aged brethren to contribute their
assistance and attendance to the sick at Malta. After the
Crusades were terminated the different powers in Europe
(and almost all were concerned) contributed a large annual
donation as a revenue for the support of these knights, who
had essentially served them in their wars against the infidels.
This revenue, to a very large amount, together with indi-
vidual donations, to a great extent enabled the knights to
build and decorate the town, etc., of Valetta as it appears at
present. The fortifications have been improved and enlarged
in more modern days, having withstood several memorable
sieges from the Turks. It remained in possession of the
Grand Master and knights until the year '98, when the
cursed French politics divided the knights, and like the
house divided the order fell, and Mr. Buonaparte got
possession. The French army irritated the Maltese to acts
of rebellion against them, and by means of assistance from
Great Britain, after a blockade of two years the French sur-
rendered La Valette to Major-General Pigot, 1 the present
commander. I should think if England knows her own
interest, she will use every endeavour to gain the good-will,
and reconcile the Maltese to the British Government. At
present I understood they had expressed the strongest
attachment to our interest, and utter detestation for the
1 See p. 148.
152 DYOTT'S DIARY
French. There is a splendid fine harbour and a fortification
that may defy the power of France as long as we have
command at sea, which I trust will ever be the case. The
produce of the island is almost entirely cotton, and they get
all their provisions, at least a great part of them, from
Sicily. There are granaries, etc., in the garrison of La
Valette for seven years' consumption, all of which Buonaparte
found well filled, but took care to carry off all, except
sufficient for the garrison for two years. There is abundance
of fruit and vegetables of all descriptions ; oranges, melons,
pears, apples, grapes, apricots, etc., in profusion ; the fruit
a dainty luxury to sea-faring people, and of which our ship's
company eat voraciously. We were informed by a cutter
just arrived from Egypt, that General Hutchinson had
taken Rahmanieh ; that the French army, consisting of
two thousand men, had evacuated the place, and had retired
to Cairo, and that the General was within two days' march
of Cairo when the despatches came away. General Coote
commanded the army before Alexandria. The French
squadron had made an attempt to throw a reinforcement
into Alexandria by endeavouring to land troops to the west-
ward of the place, but on seeing some of our men-of-war
they cut their cables and put to sea, leaving some transports
with stores, which fell into our hands. The French squadron
had been pursued by some of our ships under Sir Richard
Biskerton, and it was reported their sailors were very sickly.
I got on board by three o'clock, and we weighed anchor
immediately, but we did not sail until eight o'clock, as we
had to wait for the Madras in consequence of the delay
occasioned by sending poor Captain Hare on shore, who
was extremely ill after he landed.
CAPTURE OF CAIRO 153
The breeze freshened in the morning, with a fair 1801
wind at the rate of four knots an hour. The thermometer
in the shade in the after-cabin at 80. Hailed the Madras^
and Captain Ryves desired Mr. Ireland, late ist Lieutenant
of our ship, but who was sent into the Madras on Captain
Hare's going on shore at Malta, to chase a brig that was
seen a long way ahead of us. I forgot to insert at the time
the circumstance of one of the women of the regiment being
brought to bed on board. Poor soul, nothing could equal the
wretchedness of her situation from the excessive heat, noise,
and constant crowd of the between-decks where she lay in.
And as the young soldier was literally brought into the world
under a 24-pound cannon and on board the Agincourt, I
thought him deserving the name of that memorable battle,
and therefore I requested he might be called * Agincourt.'
qth. In the morning saw several sail ahead ; spoke the
Leda frigate about twelve o'clock. The Captain told us
that Cairo was taken. Lord Keith, the admiral command-
ing the fleet, was at anchor in Aboukir Bay. We passed
through the fleet, which was cruising off Alexandria to
blockade the port. Saw the fortifications of Alexandria
about one o'clock, as also Pompey's Pillar and Cleopatra's
Needle. We also saw on the African shore, to the west-
ward of Alexandria, a very lofty building called the Tower
of the Arabs. The taking of Cairo 1 put us in good spirits,
flattering ourselves it was an omen of good fortune. We
passed Alexandria and proceeded on to Aboukir Bay, famed
for the battle of the Nile, and came to anchor close to the
Admiral. I waited on Lord Keith 2 immediately to find out
1 June 28, 1801.
2 George Keith Elphinstone (1746-1823); Viscount Keith; admiral 1801.
154 DYOTT'S DIARY
our destination. His lordship sent off to General Coote
to report our arrival. Aboukir Bay was crowded with
shipping, an immense number of transports and troopships ;
as also a fleet of Turkish men-of-war, and the Captain Pasha
of Turkey or Lord High Admiral on board. As little
communication as possible was held with the shore in con-
sequence of the plague at Aboukir. It was very near
communicating with our camp ; a soldier's wife had taken
the infection by some means ; on its being discovered, she
was sent away and died. Her husband found means to get
her clothes sent to him in a box, which he had conveyed to
his tent. This spread the infection, and all the men of the
tent were taken ill. However, speedy means were taken to
carry the men away, and the dreadful contagion was stopped.
The French army at Cairo surrendered by convention and
were to be sent to France. They were expected with our
army under the Commander-in-chief to arrive in about ten
days, accompanied by 30,000 Turks. As soon as the
whole were assembled, the attack on Alexandria is expected
to commence. Lord Keith said it was supposed the French
had not more than four thousand men in Alexandria.
It was unfortunate we did not arrive one day sooner ;
a sloop-of-war sailed for England as we sailed into Aboukir
Bay. The thermometer was at 8 1 . I suppose there never
was a finer passage made in the world than we had; we
arrived in six weeks from the day of our embarkation and
five weeks and four days from our sailing, and notwith-
standing the heat and the crowded state of the ship, there
was but one sick man when we disembarked.
loth. I dined on board the Foudroyant with the Admiral.
Lord Keith keeps a very good table. I could discover by
OPERATIONS AGAINST ALEXANDRIA 155
his lordship's conversation that he was not on very good 1801
terms with General Hutchinson. 1 It is a most unfortunate
circumstance whenever the two services disagree. Lord
Keith told me we were to disembark next morning at two
o'clock. I therefore hurried on board to give the necessary
orders.
nth. The regiment disembarked in a number of small
boats at two o'clock in the morning of Saturday ; rowed up
to the head of Aboukir Bay and passed through the narrow
that communicates to the Lake Madieh. After rowing
across the lake near ten miles, we landed in the rear of the
army encamped four miles east of Alexandria. The distance
we had to row was near twenty miles. The regiment got
on shore by nine o'clock, reached camp and had our tents
up by one. What surprised me most on landing was seeing
the camels and the wonderful docility with which the Arabs
make them lie down to be loaded. I found the army
grumbling and a little dissatisfied with the Commander-in-
chief for the apparent delay in not carrying on offensive
operations against Alexandria, instead of keeping them
encamped and exposed to a dreadful hot sun on a burning
sand. However, nothing can be done until the return of
Sir John Hutchinson with the force from Cairo. I found
the army encamped on the spot where the action of the 2ist
March had been fought ; the right of the line extending to
the sea and the left to the Lake of Madieh, with a strong
entrenchment in its front. The piquets and vedettes
advanced a mile or more in front of the works. Our
vedettes and the vedettes of the enemy are approached
within twenty yards of each other. The French vedettes
1 See p. 147.
156 DYOTT'S DIARY
will converse very civilly with our field officers whenever
they ask them questions. The works in front of Alexandria
appeared extremely strong, and if it is intended that we are
to force them we shall find it a tough job. A market has
been established in our camp, which is very tolerably supplied
by the Arabs with fresh provisions, poultry, fish, as also
a sort of calico linen, thread, coffee, sugar of the country,
etc. etc. The Arabs and Turks of the country are the
most filthy-looking wretches I ever saw. They are of
a tawny colour with long beards and turbans. The camp is
on a sandy desert, and if there is much wind the sand makes
sad work with the eyes. Major-General Coote l commands,
and has under him Major-Generals Ludlow, 2 Lord Cavan, 3
Finch, 4 and Brigadier-General Stewart. 5 The regiments we
found in camp were a battalion of the Coldstreams and
a battalion of the 3rd regiment Guards, the 23rd, 27th,
two battalions 44th, 54th two battalions, and three foreign
battalions, as also the 26th light dragoons. The day I
arrived in camp I dined with my old acquaintance General
Coote, not many luxuries but very comfortable. In the
evening I rode with the General round our vedettes ; met
three French officers who were visiting their vedettes, the
1 Sir Eyre Coote (1762-1824)5 served in Egypt 1801 $ K.B. 1802 j general
1814.
2 Major-General Ludlow (1758-1842) commanded the first Brigade of the
Line, consisting of the 25th, 44th, and the ist and 2nd battalions of the 27th,
regiments. He succeeded his brother in the peerage 1811, and was the last Earl
Ludlow.
3 Richard Ford William Lambart (1763-1834), seventh Earl of Cavan;
present at the attack on Alexandria 1801 ; general 1814.
4 Major-General Finch commanded the 24th, ist and 2nd battalions of the
54th, and the 26th regiments.
5 General Stewart commanded Stewart's, De Roll's, Dillon's, and Watteville
regiments.
ALEXANDRIA 157
officers took off their hats and we returned the compliment. 1801
After the sun is down the evening gets cool, and very
pleasant riding for an hour. I had the same tent with me
that I had at Windsor, and found it most uncommonly
useful.
lyh. Turned out at three o'clock in the morning for
the first time ; the army get under arms an hour before
day and remain until the reveille beats. I rode to look at
the market. The Arabs are a nasty-looking set as I ever
saw. There appeared a great supply of poultry, sheep, etc.
etc. The sheep have long ears, hanging down like spaniels' ;
wretchedly thin and poorish eating. I dined with Major
Moore of the 26th dragoons.
i $th. Began camp-dinners at my tent. Lieut.-Colonel
Busby and I lived together, and made it out very well.
We had a great want of vegetables, little being brought
to market, except the Turkish cucumber and pumpkin,
which are both nasty eating. The oranges and grapes are
good, and nuts, like the dry Barcelona nut, to be had in
abundance. The fish is palatable and good, a sort of grey
mullet and also a kind of sea barbel, etc. The coffee the
Arabs brought to market was very indifferent, though it is
the country for coffee ; I tasted most excellent several times,
but it was difficult to buy. The sugar of the country very
scarce and very dear ; it is a sort of maple sugar, and, I
believe, is grown in the Delta.
1 7/^, Friday. Menou l made a signal to send a flag of
truce. He had for some time rejected receiving or sending
a flag of truce by the land communication, and whenever it
1 The French general Menou had succeeded Kleber, who had been assassinated
in June 1800. Menou was a general of but second-rate capacity.
158 DYOTT'S DIARY
was found necessary, if he wished to send to us, he fired
a gun and hoisted a white flag, and some of the men-of-war
cruising off sent in a boat, if we wished to send to him.
One of the cutters stood in towards Alexandria with a white
flag flying, and he sent off a boat. When General Hutchin-
son entered into a convention with the army at Cairo, it
was stipulated as one article by the French that, if Menou
chose to accept the same terms, he should be at liberty to
receive them. This article had been communicated to
Menou the day we arrived, and he had ten days to
send his answer. The flag of truce brought his reply,
which was sent to Lord Keith. His letter was civil, and
he said he was sure the English would have a bad opinion
of his brave garrison, if they agreed to capitulate in the
manner the Rascal at Cairo had done. f We must lick him
a bit.'
i <)th. A packet closed for England ; I wrote to my
dear brother, as also to Lady Louisa Lennox, 1 Lady
Donegal, 2 Lady Charlotte Durham, 3 Colonel Sneyd, Sir
Nigel Gresley, 4 Callander, General Ogilvie, and Major
Gore ; a serious list of letters, but as they were all on the
same subject there was not much difficulty in the compo-
sition after the first was finished, and as they went to
various parts of England, not much probability of the
repetition being discovered.
24/^1, Friday. A report of the plague having broke out
in the Guards' camp ; there was certainly a man died with
every symptom of the plague upon him ; and as the disease
had been for some time in the hospital at Aboukir (only
fifteen miles in our rear), it might be expected to visit the
1 See p. 122. 2 See p. 139. 3 See p. 134. * See p. 130.
ANTIQUE SCULPTURE 159
camp. I considered it a happiness for us that the plague, 1801
they say, disappears in July on the overflowing of the Nile,
as it was past a suspicion, if the disease raged in any part of
the country, that the Arabs, Turks, and devils that came to
the market in camp with supplies must bring it with them.
God knows, we had plagues enough without the real plague.
28M. Dined with Major Power, 28th regiment. I
made a rule whenever I was able to turn out at the time
the regiment did, that is about half an hour before day
(half-past three). After the regiment was dismissed I took
a ride for two hours, which I found very pleasant, and was
entertained with the wonderful vestiges of antiquity to be
seen every yard I rode ; such as ruins of ancient buildings,
tombs, mosques, etc. etc., pieces of earthen vessels, pillars
of granite, slabs of marble, etc. Near our encampment is
conjectured to be about where old Alexandria stood ; it
is almost evident that the whole space we occupied, and
which extended for more than two miles, had been built
upon, as every yard indicated a relic of some building or
other. One of our officers in his walk picked up a fine
piece of antique sculpture ; it was a nose in white marble
broke off (perhaps ages ago) from some fine statue.
31 st. General Finch 1 and General Coote 2 dined with
me. They told me I had given them the best dinner they
had seen in camp. Busby and I were fortunate in getting
a woman of the regiment, who had been servant to Mrs.
Colonel Wright, to cook for us, and she understood the
thing well ; add to which our poultry yard was well stocked
and we fed our fowls well before we killed them. We
had some good porter and good port wine, but scarce
1 See p. 156. 2 See p. 156.
160 DYOTT'S DIARY
ET. 40 commodities in Egypt, of which our friends the Generals
partook with much glee.
August August i . August the i st a most memorable day ;
particularly in this part of the world, on account of Lord
Nelson's action in Aboukir Bay ; * as also the battle of
Minden ; 2 three of the regiments that were in the action
formed at present a part of this army, that is the 2oth, 2ist,
and 25th. We displayed our colours, and gave our men an
extra allowance of wine pour encourager. This day is a gala
day with the Blue and Orange Society ; all the members
serving in this army dined with General Finch, who is of
long standing in the order, and had a jolly day.
yd. Baron D'Urler, 3 the Lieu tenant- Colonel of De Roll's
regiment, and Major Moore dined with us. The French
pioneers from Rosetta taken at Cairo began to embark near
Aboukir Bay, and General Hutchinson arrived on board
Lord Keith's ship to settle with his lordship our future
proceedings relating to the siege. A vessel arrived from
Gibraltar with bad accounts respecting Sir J. Saumarez 4 hav-
ing been beat in an attack of some French ships in Algeciras
Bay. The army of [ ] e also arrived from Malta, 1 600
strong, and likewise a company of artillery from Gibraltar,
the latter much wanted here, and a great addition to the
besiegers. As the Commander-in-chief was arrived, we
became anxious for the operations to commence, with a
sincere hope of their being soon finished. The sickness
1 The famous Battle of the Nile 1798.
2 The Duke of Brunswick defeated the French 1759.
3 See Diary of Sir John Moore, edited by Major-General Sir J. F. Maurice,
vol. ii. p. 41.
4 James Saumarez, Baron de Saumarez (1757-1836), admiral, made an unsuccess-
ful attack on the French off Algeciras, but soon after defeated the French and
Spanish and was made K.B. 1801. 5 Illegible.
THE INDIAN ARMY 161
increased in the regiment ; all the same complaint ; we lost 1801
three men and had near seventy in hospital.
6th. Flag of truce from Alexandria ; one of the French
generals that had come down with the French army from
Cairo had asked permission to pay a visit to Menou, which
was granted by our General, and the flag of truce was
made on the occasion. We had accounts that the advanced
guard of the army from India, under General Baird, 1 was
arrived at Cairo. In taking my ride this morning before
breakfast I saw two wild dogs ; I was much surprised
to see them, but I understand they are common in this
country. I had seen two some mornings before, but I
thought they were dogs belonging to some of the officers.
They looked like white terriers, but with rather long tails ;
they were running about more like foxes than dogs, and I
saw them get under the cover of some shrubs and coil
themselves up just like a fox ; they appeared very shy.
yth. General Doyle's 2 brigade, under the orders of my
old acquaintance Colonel Spencer, arrived in camp from Cairo,
consisting of the 3Oth, 5Oth, and p2nd regiments. Some of
the Turkish gunboats came up into the lake, which is the
first indication of any operations going forward since our
arrival. The Commander-in-chief still remains on board
the Foudroyant with Lord Keith, 3 but for what purpose he
must know best; procrastination appears to we little ones
as the order of the day ; time will show.
1 Sir David Baird (1757-1829); commanded the Indian force in Egypt
1801-2; returned to India and received the command of the northern division
of the Madras Army 1802.
2 Sir John Doyle (1750 ?-i834) ; fought at Alexandria and Marabout. His
brigade also contained, in addition to those mentioned by Dyott, the 89th
regiment. 3 Seep. 153.
VOL. I. L
1 62 DYOTT'S DIARY
iith. General Hope, 1 Colonel Graham, and Colonel
Spencer 2 dined with me ; they had all been on the expedi-
tion to Cairo, and gave a most melancholy account both of
the wretchedness of that place, and the miserable state
of the country on the banks of the Nile through which
they had marched. They described the inhabitants as the
dirtiest set of beings that nature ever formed ; their
villages a heap of mud walls and more like the worst kind
of dwellings for pigs than habitations for human beings.
Cairo an immense place, very narrow streets, and so
abominably dirty that they said it was wonderful the plague
ever should get out of the town after it had once got in.
The French that capitulated at Cairo were all embarked to
the amount of upwards of 13,000 people, and sailed for
Toulon in three divisions.
\\th. Orders for the brigade of Guards, General
Ludlow's z and Finch's 4 brigades to be ready to embark for
the westward. The 24th regiment was put into Finch's
brigade instead of the Royals ; the whole under the com-
mand of General Coote. 5
\$th. Received an account of Sir J. Saumarez 6 having
defeated a Spanish fleet in or near Gibraltar Bay.
\6th. On the i6th, being Sunday, the three brigades
paraded at three o'clock, and embarked in gunboats, flat-
bottomed boats, and boats of all descriptions ; the em-
barkation begun about six, and we were all on board by
ten. At daybreak next morning we found ourselves about
1 See p. 91.
2 Colonel Spencer is mentioned frequently in the later years as Sir Brent
Spencer.
3 See p. 156. 4 See p. 156.
6 See p. 156. 6 See p. 160.
ATTACK ON MARABOUT 163
three miles to the westward of Alexandria, and about the 1801
same distance from the shore. We pushed on six miles
further, and landed without opposition ; the enemy made
some shew on the hills, when we first made the land, but
did not interrupt us in our landing. The 25th regiment
lead the column, and after we had got possession of the
heights, we lay on our arms. The day was intensely hot,
and as the men had four days' provisions to carry, as well
as their ammunition and knapsacks, I expected to have seen
many fall from fatigue. The ground we occupied (the
25th regiment) was an old quarry, from whence had been
dug the stones of which ancient Alexandria was built. The
position of the army was strong ; our right flank was to
the lake, where we landed, and our left to the Mediter-
ranean.
The enemy had a battery on an island to our left, which
in part commanded the entrance into the old harbour of
Alexandria. This was attacked by our artillery the next
day (lyth), and the army advanced about one mile over
sand and a continuation of the quarry. The weather very
warm.
i%th. We were joined by a party of Lowenstein
Yougers, or sharp-shooters, as also by a detachment of the
26th dragoons. The whole advanced, and we supposed
we should have had some opposition, but we took up a
' position three miles in front without molestation. Our
artillery kept up a constant fire against the enemy's work on
our left called Marabout, and in the course of the day
sunk two of their gunboats that were lying near the fort.
On the 1 9th several boats from our fleet, which was
1 See p. 112.
164 DYOTT'S DIARY
cruising off Alexandria, with a piece of ordnance in each
boat, came into the harbour for the purpose of cutting off
a communication by sea with Marabout. They were
attacked by the gunboats sent out by the enemy, but our
boats beat them off. It engaged our attention very much
seeing the attacks between the boats ; our Johnnies appeared
to have an evident advantage, both in courage and manage-
ment of their boats.
2IJ/. Marabout surrendered, and in the evening several
Turkish and English ships-of-war anchored in the old
harbour. From the time of our landing we had depended
chiefly on our salt rations for provisions, as nothing was to
be had unless we got it from the camp to the eastward,
except some coffee, sugar, and a small quantity of wine we
brought with us. The day we left headquarters to the
eastward, the army made an attack on the enemy's out-
works on that side, which must have caused a considerable
diversion in our favour for landing to the westward. They
gained two of the enemy's advanced works, and immediately
erected batteries, from whence they kept up a heavy
cannonade and annoyed the French much.
lind. Our army was under arms at three o'clock, for
the purpose of advancing and attacking the enemy, and
to take up a position about three miles from the town.
Lowenstein's sharp-shooters and our light companies were
in front, followed by the first battalion 2yth regiment as
the advanced guard ; then the artillery. The Guards in
column on the right close to the lake, and flanked by gun-
boats ; ours and General Finch's brigade in column on the
left to the sea, flanked by the ships-of-war that had come
into the bay the night before. We had not advanced half a
IN ACTION 165
mile when the enemy began to cannonade, and skirmishing 1801
also between the sharp-shooters. The enemy's artillery,
consisting of four field-pieces (twelve-pounders) and four
batteries, two on our right and two on our left, kept up an
incessant fire for near three hours, during the time we were
advancing. Our loss was inconsiderable, amounting in the
whole to not more than fifty men killed and wounded.
An unlucky shot struck our regiment, shattered an officer's
leg (Lieutenant Horking's), as also the thigh of a soldier,
and wounded three others. Mr. Horking and the soldier
were obliged to have their legs amputated in the field. At
one time the shot fell very thick about the regiment, and I
expected much mischief must have followed. Just as the
cannonading began, a shot struck an officer, Howe, be-
longing to the staff, who was riding close to our regiment,
and immediately afterwards another shot struck the ground
within eight yards of our grenadiers, and bounced over the
company. The army took up a position about three miles
from Alexandria upon strong ground, and secured on both
flanks, with an extensive plain in our front. We did not
sit down until near one o'clock and thoroughly fagged.
The country we had marched over the most wretched it is
possible to imagine ; indeed it was all alike from the time
we had landed, consisting of high steep hills composed of
old mortar and rubbish, or deep sand, pits and sand-hills.
The whole from where we left the quarries had evident
marks of having been built over ages ago.
The ground appears to rise in a sort of gradual ascent
from the sea on one side and from the lake on the other ;
to the former it is rocky, and to the latter sand. Just
beyond where we landed the Desert of Lybia began. There
1 66 DYOTT'S DIARY
was a very curious catacomb a little beyond the quarry at
our first position ; it consisted of vast chambers excavated
in the rock, and sort of shelves for placing the coffins.
There was a beautiful large fig-tree at the entrance full of
fruit, but it was soon plucked after our arrival. There was
a heap of black-looking dust lying in the catacomb, which
I remarked to an officer of the 54th regiment who was
there at the time, and who appeared an intelligent man, and
I found afterwards was an antiquarian. He said he believed
it was human hair, which it was ascertained never decayed
by time ; he desired I would take a little of it in my hand
and examine it, which I did accordingly and found a great
deal of hair apparently mixed with the dust. On the left
of our new position and close to the sea, there were very
extensive excavations in the rocks, and which were supposed
to be the famous Cleopatra's Baths. Time had smoothed
in a great measure many of the partition walls, but the
traces of large apartments and every convenience for sup-
plying the water and for keeping it cool, etc., were perfect.
Near Cleopatra's Baths, a most extensive excavation was
discovered into which many officers went, and which was
supposed to have been the Temple of Isis ; but as there was
great difficulty in getting in, and much filth and dirt after
you were in, and as I was no antiquarian, I did not
examine the famous temple.
The business of the 22nd must have been a very fine
sight to an unconcerned spectator ; just as the sun made his
appearance above the horizon, the cannonade began ; on
the right of the line the lake covered with gunboats dis-
playing all their pennants, flags, etc., and keeping up a
constant fire, shewed that flank all alive ; on the left of the
THE MAMELUKES 167
line, nine sail of men-of-war with colours flying and all sails 1801
set, also keeping up an incessant fire, had a most picturesque
and fine appearance. The troops, after they were formed
in line, extended nearly across from the sea to the lake,
advancing regularly, and the skirmishers keeping up a con- '
tinual fire of small arms, and the field artillery supporting
a heavy cannonade. The enemy's batteries, field artillery,
and sharp-shooters opposing us with a constant roll of fire.
I was on the heights about the centre of our line just as the
business began. I remember General Ludlow saying to me
it was a different scene ' to being by the side of Walton
Wood finding a fox.' I was in great pain all the day from
having been seized in the night with the ophthalmia in one
of my eyes, and could scarcely hold up my head ; indeed 1
would not have turned out on any other occasion. Unfor-
tunately for me I was for duty in the evening as Colonel of
the day, and had to sleep out with the command of the
piquets. We had found good water by digging in the
sand, and close by our second position we had a regular
made well lined with stone, which had been much used by
the French.
lyd. A corps of Mamalukes joined us under the orders
of Islam Bey ; they encamped four miles in rear of our
line ; they are a fierce warlike-looking people, clad in loose
dresses made of a sort of silky cotton, and wear turbans ;
they are mounted on chargers from upper Egypt, and are
most expert horsemen. Their weapons of defence are a
sabre, a fusil, and some of them pistols ; but what they most
trust to is the sabre, in the use of which they are said to
excel all European cavalry. Their sabres are very hand-
some, and some of them of great value; (Colonel Paget
1 68 DYOTT'S DIARY
paid ;ioo for one) ; they are manufactured at Cairo,
except the blades, which they procure from Persia. They
have amongst them some beautiful Arabian horses, particu-
larly beautiful for the purpose of chargers, but I scarce saw
one that could be called a useful horse at home. The
saddle is made very high both behind and before, so that
when you are once wedged in, it 's difficult to lose your
seat. They ride very short, and the stirrup is a flat piece
of iron or brass about 18 inches long, and 10 broad,
with sides raised about 4^- inches high, something like an
immense fire-shovel, but open at both ends. This stirrup
answers the purpose of spurs, with the corners of which
their horses are all scored along their sides. They have a
most astonishingly severe bridle, with a single rein, so sharp
that you will see them put their horses into full speed and
stop them as suddenly as if they were shot. They have
very fine trappings for their saddles, and an uncommon
display of ornament about their bridles, and wear the large
Turkish slipper.
Egypt is divided into provinces or districts, over each of
which a Bey presides, who commands a corps of Mamalukes.
The Bey receives the revenue collected by the Turkish
officers, and remits as much as he chooses to the Ottoman
Government. The Port professes to have an authority
over the Beys, but I believe it is merely nominal, as the
Turkish Government is glad to be content with whatever is
remitted by the Beys by way of revenue, well knowing the
inefficiency they have to enforce obedience. Every Bey
has a certain number of Mamalukes under his command.
These are all originally slaves, and indeed so are the Beys,
who have all been Mamalukes ; they are purchased when
THE MAMELUKES 169
very young in upper Egypt, and come from Nubia and 1801
Abyssinia ; they are early instructed to ride, and the use of
the sabre. Each Mamaluke has an Arab to attend him to
look after his horse, camel, etc. They have wives which
they marry in the upper parts of Egypt, but I could not
find out what became of their progeny, as the son of a
Mamaluke cannot follow his father's way of life. All
Mamalukes must have the same origin, and must all have
been slaves. It sometimes happens that the Beys are made
shorter by the head from the intrigues of some of their
Mamalukes ; in this case, or in case of natural death, a
successor is chosen from the whole, and who has a sort of
approval from the Grand Sultan. The Mamalukes were
very powerful at the time the French first landed in Egypt,
but they destroyed a vast number of them. At present
their establishment is low, but I should imagine, if Great
Britain has an interest in retaining any possessions in Egypt,
it would be better to cultivate a good understanding with
them than with the Turks. We were miserably in want of
water at our new position, as we were obliged to send back
to our last ground of encampment for water, near four
miles ; a brigade from the eastward under Colonel Spencer
joined us.
On the 24th a frigate arrived in nine-and-twenty days
from England ; I was much disappointed in not receiving a
single letter. The Commander-in-chief, Sir John Hutchin-
son, 1 paid us a visit from the eastward, to see how the
business was going on on our side.
2$th. At daybreak we opened a battery consisting of
four 24-pounders from a work that had been thrown up
1 See p. 147.
i yo DYOTT'S DIARY
in the night, and threw shells from some mortars, but I
believe we did little mischief. The enemy in consequence
of our battery opening cannonaded our camp with shot and
shells ; many of both fell in the camp, but I heard of no
execution having been done. A detachment of the Turkish
army joined us consisting of looomen; they must not be
called soldiers, as they are little better than a wretched
rabble. They have no uniformity either in clothing, arms,
or appointments ; I mean as to the colour of their clothing,
which is blue, black, brown, red, etc. ; every soldier has a
gun of some sorts, which Turko carries as he likes best,
either across his shoulder, over his arm, or under it. They
wear a kind of sash made of a sort of bunting, which passes
half a dozen times round the body, and in which everything
belonging to them is carried. All of them had a dirk, and
a pair of large horse-pistols stuck in his sash, and they will
any of them sell all or any part of their arms or appoint-
ments. When sentries they appear alert on their posts, but
we never trusted them without having some of our own
people with them. They are extremely filthy and dirty in
their habits and manners, and their encampment not to be
described for dirt. Their tents consist of a long piece of
canvas without any walls, under which about thirty of these
turbaned heroes are either stretched at full length or squat
on their bums smoking. They appear to have very few
officers ; the superior ones to be distinguished, but the
generality of them were only marked from the men by a
sort of large medal or button at the upper part of the
waistcoat. The detachment we had was commanded by
the Bashaw of Wedding, the greatest beast I ever saw.
A Mamaluke sentry was constantly kept with one of our
ATTACK ON THE FRENCH 171
dragoon vedettes at our advanced line, and did their 1801
duty with much exactness and precision. A piquet of
Mamalukes mounted with ours and remained on duty.
26th. Our commander General Coote l determined this
evening to make our attack on the enemy's advanced
piquet, which was posted in the sand-hills in front of our
left. I was Colonel of the day and was posted with our
piquet on the left. As soon as the moon was up about
eight o'clock, the soth regiment advanced in column unper-
ceived by the French, and without firing a shot or receiving
more than half a dozen (they had only one man wounded)
they succeeded in either killing or taking prisoners the
whole piquet, and thereby gaining a position upwards of
a mile in front of our battery.
Our piquets had remained at the battery and were
ordered forward to take up the position gained by the
2Oth regiment. Our piquet consisted of two hundred rank
and file ; we had relieved the 2oth and posted our sentries,
etc., and the regiment had marched back to camp. Lord
Cork, 2 who was the Major-General of the day, was gone to
visit the piquet of the right, and I had ordered the officer
who commanded a small detachment of sharp-shooters
belonging to the piquet to accompany me to visit the
advanced sentry, when we discovered a column of the
enemy advancing in force. I had no sooner observed the
* circumstance to the officer than our advanced sentry fired.
This brought on a general fire from our piquets, and as
we had some men in front of the general line, I was afraid
1 Seep. 156. '*
2 Lord Cork, a general officer in the army 5 born 1767, succeeded his father
1798.
172 DYOTT'S DIARY
they would have been hit by our own people. I got back
to the piquets as fast as my horse would go. The whole
were then engaged, and our front attacked smartly. The
firing continued without intermission for near two hours,
when the French thought proper to retreat. I got up a
part of the 54th regiment soon after we were attacked, and
before it was over the 2yth was sent to our support. Our
loss was four officers wounded, and about thirty men killed
and wounded. The enemy threw shot and shells into our
camp the whole time of the attack, and our battery cannon-
aded them, but very little mischief was done from the
artillery on either sides. The 2Oth regiment and the
piquets, etc., took near fifty prisoners, who all agreed in
the same story, and from whom we learnt that Menou l must
surrender, as the soldiers would not fight, they were so
completely worn out with fatigue, etc. I never lay down
for an instant the whole night, not being sure whether
Monsieur Le Petit might not propose a second edition, but
we were very quiet. This was much the sharpest fire I
had ever been in of musketry ; the balls for some time were
flying pretty thick about me ; I own I was very happy
when the firing ceased.
ijth. An aide-de-camp from Menou came to our out-
post (where I remained) with a flag of truce, to say that a
cessation of hostilities was agreed on between General
Hutchinson and the French General for three days ; I
believed all parties rejoiced at the event, both besiegers and
besieged.
lyth. Cessation continued. I rode to the Mamaluke
camp ; saw the Bey at his breakfast attended by his slaves,
1 See p. 157.
GENERAL MENOU 173
etc. A fine-looking old man with a venerable beard half 1801
down his stomach. The Mamalukes occasionally ride on
dromedaries, when they wish to rest their horses ; they are
similar to the camels, except not quite so tall, and equally
docile. They have a ring passed through their nose, by
which they are guided, and are saddled the same as a horse.
When they want to mount or dismount, they make them
lie down ; at all times they lie down on their bellies with
their legs doubled up under them.
3U/. On the next day Menou sent in his terms of
surrender, which were agreed to the next day, ist September. September
And on the day following, the 2nd, we took possession of
one of the works of the town, and several of the sub-works.
The ceremony of taking possession was very gratifying to
a conquering army, and equally dismaying to the con-
quered. The grenadiers of the army under the command
of the senior Colonel, and a detachment of the Guards
formed the party, the whole under the orders of the senior
Major-General. I rode into Alexandria, but not so as to
be able to see anything except heaps of rubbish. I also rode
to Pompey's Pillar, which for the immensity of its structure
and the antiquity of its existence, must be the greatest
wonder in the world.
%rd. Despatches made up for England : I wrote to my
brother, Sir Nigel Gresley, 1 Lady Louisa, 2 Lady Pitt, 3
General Stevens, and Lady Donegal. 4 Colonel Abercrombie,
the Adjutant-General, carried Sir John Hutchinson's des-
patches, and Sir Sydney Smith 5 took the Admiral's. Colonel
Paget accompanied them ; they sailed in the E.I. Carmen.
1 Seep. 130. 2 See p. 122. 3 See p. 130. * See p. 139.
5 Sir Sidney Smith (1764-1840); entered navy 1777; defended Acre 1799;
admiral 1821.
i?4 DYOTT'S DIARY
XT. 40 6M. We had an arrival from Malta, which brought
a report that Admiral Cornwallis l had fallen in with the
French fleet, and had taken twelve sail of the line ; and
also that the preliminaries for peace were signed. 2 I rode
to headquarters and was told by the Deputy Adjutant-
General that our regiment was certainly not to remain in
Egypt : this I considered as most glad tidings. Great
scarcity in the market, and of course advance in the price
of provisions. In my way to headquarters I rode through
the French advanced line, which had been occupied by them
previous to the surrender ; found it very strong, and next
to an impossibility to have stormed it. A part of the
Turkish army were encamped near headquarters ; I went
to see the Captain Pasha's tent. It consisted of four
separate apartments, the one you enter much the largest,
fitted up in the Turkish style with cushions, carpets, every-
thing seemed calculated for voluptuous indolence. The
Pasha was sitting on his bottom on a cushion, two slaves
keeping the flies from incommoding him ; an attendant
brought him coffee, and went on his knees to present it ;
another attendant was in waiting with his pipe, and there
were two janissaries on each side the entrance to the tent.
The Pasha's kitchen seemed to be the best thing about the
camp ; it appeared like an immense tent without walls, the
centre of which was formed of stoves, etc., requisite to
assist the culinary art, and at which there were at least
thirty cooks at work. He sends daily twelve dishes to the
Commander-in-chief's table, but I am told the Turkish
cooking is by no means palatable to an English taste. The
1 Sir William Cornwallis (1744-1819); entered the navy 1755 ; admiral 1799.
2 Peace concluded at Amiens, March 27, 1802.
CLEOPATRA'S BATH 175
Turkish Government have sent most magnificent presents 1801
to the General and Admiral, as also to all the generals and
staff-officers of the army. It is said that Lord Keith l and
Sir John Hutchinson 2 have received presents to the amount
of at least ten thousand pounds each. Whenever an
officer of rank was presented to the Pasha or Grand Vizier,
he got either a shawl or a snuff-box. I was never presented,
and therefore did not obtain a Turkish favour. The Grand
Vizier was with the Turkish army left at Cairo ; I was told
the detachment of the Ottoman troops under his orders
were in a much inferior state of discipline to those under
the Pasha ; if so, they certainly should not be called
soldiers, as nothing in that shape can be half so despicable
as what I saw before Alexandria. I was told by General
Hope, 3 who is certainly a man of much information and
had more opportunity of judging than any other person,
that the Captain Pasha was a man of resolution and very
good sound judgment, active in his disposition, and a
superior being to the generality of the Turks. He had
been originally a slave and raised himself by superior
talent.
yth. Southerly wind and clouds of insects whenever the
wind blew from the south. We had intensely hot weather
and most dreadfully tortured with flies and insects ; of the
former I have seen my breakfast and table in my tent,
when the breakfast things have been set, completely covered
black over with flies. On the left of our encampment
along the seaside there were curious remains of extensive
and splendid fine baths excavated from the rock, with the
traces of a great variety of apartments. One of the largest
1 See p. 153. 2 See p. 147. 3 See p. 91.
1 76 DYOTT'S DIARY
was said to be the baths of the famed Queen Cleopatra ;
these baths must have been most luxurious in that hot
climate. There are remains of them all the way along the ,
shore from our camp to Alexandria. There are also on the
plains between camp and the town wonderful remains of the
catacombs of the ancient Egyptians, most of them excavated
from the rock, consisting of numerous apartments with a
great number of shelves or recesses for the coffins in each.
nth. Ordered to prepare to embark on board our old
ship the Agincourt) and part in the Heroine frigate. I
obtained a passport from the General to go into Alexandria,
with the sight of which I was much entertained. Not
anything remains to trace out the ancient city built by the
Great Alexander except two pillars of granite standing in
heaps of rubbish which are said to have formed a part of
one of the ancient palaces of the kings. Amongst the
ruins surrounding these pillars are seen variety of marble
pillars and highly finished capitals of the Corinthian order ;
as also traces of an immense building. The present outer
walls of the town are supposed to have been built by the
Arabs from the ruins of the ancient city, which history
reports to have been eighteen miles in circumference. The
extent of the wall is nearly three miles and had one hundred
square towers at nearly equal distances, many of them in
ruins, but the wall has been repaired by the French. The
ditch is of considerable depth and surrounds the wall. Far
the greatest space within this wall is completely covered
with rubbish of old buildings. The French have made
a new wall and ditch taking in the present town, and
extending from the head of the old to the head of the new
harbour. This wall is a handsome piece of modern
DISTRESS OF THE FRENCH 177
masonry. Near the new harbour and without the new wall 1801
are the two curious emblems of antiquity called Cleopatra's
Needles : one of them is standing, the other is complete,
but almost buried in rubbish. Their shapes pyramidal,
about fifty feet high and eight feet square at the base
They are of granite, and covered with hieroglyphics on
every side, and which are quite perfect. The streets of the
modern Alexandria are very narrow, and the houses lofty
and almost all alike. The inhabitants consist of Turks,
Greeks, Jews, Arabs, etc., a filthy-looking collection. The
women seldom appear, and when they do they have veils
which entirely hide their faces, and have apertures made for
their eyes. The roofs of the houses are all flat, and the
doors at all times shut. The shops have not been re-
plenished since the French had first landed, so there was
little to be seen in them. There were many coffee-houses
which were curious, as the persons frequenting them, and
they were very numerous, were all sitting on the tables like
tailors, smoking their pipes and drinking coffee. The town
was in a wretched filthy state from the numbers of dead
camels and horses lying in the very streets. The French
had been greatly distressed for provisions, and had eaten an
amazing number of horses and camels, but latterly flesh was
only allowed to the hospitals. Rice was their chief food,
of which they made very excellent bread. The only public
buildings are the mosques, some of which were large, but
not at all ornamented. Many parts of the modern Alex-
andria is in ruins. I saw little to afford entertainment
except the novelty of the scene. The streets as well as the
inhabitants are equally dirty, and whenever epidemic disease
gets into the place the wonder is how it ever gets out again.
VOL. I. M
178 DYOTT'S DIARY
A part of the French were encamped within the new walls,
and the remainder between the new and old wall. Menou,
the French Commander-in-chief, was in the former camp.
I met him walking with his aide-de-camp ; he appeared
about sixty years of age, and really looked more like an
English miller than a French general. The houses of
modern Alexandria seem to have been built from the ruins
of the old town like the walls, as there is not the smallest
appearance of the grandeur that ornamented the more
ancient buildings. The day was most suffocatingly hot,
and as I rode about the place for three or four hours, I was
perfectly fagged.
\ith. Paid another visit to Alexandria; there is no
greater curiosity than the cisterns for supplying the place
with water, which are filled at the rising of the Nile by
means of the famous canal made by Alexander at the time
the city was built. The intention of the canal was not only
for supplying water, but was also for the purpose of naviga-
tion inland from the Nile. The cisterns are of immense
extent, and inside have more the appearance of the inside
of a very large cathedral than anything I could compare
them to. They extend under the whole of the space within
the old wall and are found in different places outside the
walls, and no doubt the whole of the ancient town was
supplied in like manner. During the time we were besieg-
ing Alexandria, it was thought expedient to make a cut
through the canal in order to inundate the country, by which
means the usual supply of water for filling the cisterns was
prevented reaching the place. The consequence was that
they were become very low as the usual time (the over-
flowing of the Nile) for filling them was past. The canal
LIFE AT ALEXANDRIA 179
of Alexandria had from the extreme indolence of the 1801
natives been used as an aqueduct for a vast number of years,
and was consequently dry when the Nile resumes its bounds ;
the cutting through it therefore was a trifling labour, and
admitted a salt-water lake to inundate the country on the
opposite side of it. The inhabitants of Alexandria lived
entirely on rice and coffee. I saw a number of mills grind-
ing the rice, drawn by a horse, as also several windmills.
Two or three of the gardens which used to supply the place
with vegetables were preserved, many of them had been
destroyed by the French for firewood and other purposes.
The gardens are thickly planted with palm-trees, which
makes a charming shade from the heat of the sun. There
are one or more machines in each for raising water from
the cisterns, which is performed by means of a wheel worked
by an ox or asses, and the ground is laid out in squares
with little channels in different directions for overflowing it.
There was little growing in the gardens at the time 1 was
there except parsley and some salad. The owners of the
gardens were not allowed to water them, and as the French
soldiers entered them when they chose, the wretched pro-
prietor had no encouragement to labour, as he received
nought for his pains. The palm-trees were loaded with
dates, the fruit, but not ripe ; they distil brandy from them
and also preserve them for exportation.
\^th. I again rode to Alexandria, and as the dockyard
and Pharos were still in possession of the French, it was
necessary to make an application to one of their generals
for a passport to see them. I accordingly called on General
Friant, the second in command, who was very civil and
instantly gave me what I asked. The French had converted
180 DYOTT'S DIARY
the dockyard store-houses into the hospitals for their sick,
after using all the stores. On one of the wharfs was lying
a most extraordinary piece of sculpture that had been
brought from the neighbourhood of Cairo, consisting of the
hand of a colossal statue of granite ; the hand was clenched,
and I should imagine the breadth of it across the knuckles
could not be less than four feet ; what must the size of the
statue have been of which this fist composed a part. In the
dockyard there was also a curious stone coffin, brought
likewise from a catacomb in the neighbourhood of Cairo.
Both these antiques the French had intended to take to
France, but General Hutchinson forbade it. The French
soldiers were miserably clothed, they had on amazingly
large cocked hats, with the long cock in front made of
polished leather or some composition that resembled it. A
coat with very long skirts made of a sort of cotton or calico
of the country, blue, white, brown, etc., but arranged as
gypsies. I observed a number of wounded and maimed
men in Alexandria, but I also saw a number of as fine-look-
ing soldiers as ever were seen. The French army had
suffered most materially from ophthalmia and had numbers
blind in their hospital. They had had no plague in the
town after the first year of their arrival, but had suffered
very considerable loss every year at Cairo and up the
country. I met Menou in full state, two aides-de-camp in
front, a general officer on each side of him, four dragoons,
and four Syrians that he had brought from upper Egypt
and that he was taking to France, closed the procession.
They were on horseback and I believe he was paying visits.
I took off my hat to him and he of course returned the
compliment. The Syrians were habited like the Mama-
THE PHAROS 181
lukes except having scarlet mantles or cloaks. The Mama- 1801
lukes have theirs of all colours, striped, etc. etc. The
heat and the stink the devil. The men-of-war lying off the
dockyard of which we had possession were three fine
frigates, a corvette, with several other ships-of-war totally
dismantled, as also a number of merchant ships but of
little value. The Pharos is a strong fortification guarding
the entrance to the harbour, and situated on an island to
which there is a communication from the -town by means
of a causeway. The work is very strong and is supposed
to have been built by the Moors or Arabs. Buonaparte
had improved the works and mounted some fine pieces of
ordnance brought from Malta. There were also furnaces
for heating red-hot shot. I observed in one of the buildings
some fine marble pillars which in all probability had been a
part of ancient Alexandria ; the shaft fluted, and the marble
very beautiful.
27 'th. Orders for the regiment to embark the next day ;
seven companies on board the Agincourt^ and three on board
the Thisbe ; never received an order with more pleasure or
carried one into effect with more punctuality.
i%th. Struck tents at two o'clock and marched at three
to Aboukir Bay, twelve miles, where the regiment embarked
together with the two battalions of the 27th regiment. We
had a smart shower of rain on the march. Owing to the
obstinacy and stupidity of the sailors in one of the boats,
in which were five-and-twenty men belonging to the regiment
that had come sick from the hospital tent, she upset, by
which unfortunate accident two men were drowned.
29//L I went on board the Captain Pasha's ship lying
in Aboukir Bay. He was on shore, but there was a
1 82 DYOTT'S DIARY
vice-admiral on board. The ship a three-decker, and a
very fine-looking man-of-war. The Pasha's cabin most
magnificently furnished ; rich cushions of damask and satin
finely embroidered with gold ; splendid pier-glasses and
fine Turkey carpets, and all the furniture to answer ; very
unlike the inside of a man-of-war. There was a writing
apparatus entirely of gold, several of the articles ornamented
with diamonds. On waiting on the vice-admiral we were
presented with pipes. He and his attendants were seated
on their cushions, chairs were set for us, and soon after
sweetmeats and coffee were brought in on very handsome
silver waiters ; the sweetmeats excellent. The ship was
very clean, and in the centre of each deck there was a
cistern filled with water from the sea with two cocks in each
constantly running, for the purpose of the Turks washing
themselves, which is a part of their religious ceremony.
They have also a coffee-house on board, where the sailors
can purchase coffee ready made at all hours ; it was curious
to see them assembled at the coffee-house and drinking their
coffee. The decks had a number of mats and carpets lying
about on which the sailors reposed themselves ; they have
no hammocks, nor any other bedding than their mats and
carpets, and we saw them stretched and rolling about in all
parts of the ship. As their ships never go out of the
Mediterranean Sea, it is not of much consequence their
lying on the decks ; but if they were to encounter gales of
all wind and boisterous seas, they must change their customs.
They have no place in the ship set apart for their sick, and
I observed several apparently dying men mixed on the decks
with those in health. The Turkish sailors don't go aloft,
they have slaves on board expressly for that purpose. I
A REMARKABLE ACCIDENT 183
observed in the fore part of the ship some men in irons, 1801
who were Europeans, and on enquiry found out they were
French prisoners. It is a custom with the Turks not to
exchange their prisoners, and they always keep those they
make in a state of bondage. We were on board at twelve
o'clock, which is the hour they go to prayers. We could
not imagine what was going on forward, when we heard two
fellows halloaing and whooping all over the ship, until we
discovered it was to call all persons to prayers ; the cere-
mony was soon over. After we had seen the ship, we
returned to the vice-admiral's cabin : pipes were again
brought in, but we declined a second smoking. The
surgeon of the ship fortunately had been in England and
acted as an interpreter for us. On taking our leave the
admiral paid us many compliments to the British and par-
ticularly to Captain Ryves, who was of our party, respecting
the superiority of the British navy. On my return on
board the Agincourt^ a very singular circumstance was
reported to me relative to one of the unfortunate men
who had been drowned alongside the I'hisbe the day
before. The poor fellow had on his greatcoat and accoutre-
ments, in the pouches of which there were sixty pounds of
ball cartridges, notwithstanding which, the body floated close
to the ship, after being under water four-and-twenty hours,
and although there was a very brisk wind the body con-
tinued floating near the ship for some time. The extra-
ordinary thing is that the body should rise in the very spot
where it went down, and with the weight that was attached
to it. The poor creature was lying on his face on the
water, and was known from the circumstance of his having
a black handkerchief tied about his head, being sick.
1 84 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 40 i st. Got under weigh and made sail from Aboukir Bay
October a b ou t eleven o'clock, exactly twelve weeks from the time we
had anchored there. The two battalions of the Guards were
in company with us. As the wind was not fair, we were off
Rosetta in the afternoon ; the appearance of the town like
Alexandria, but not near so large. The Nile discharges
one of its branches at Rosetta ; we perceived the water quite
muddy. The entrance of the Nile very dangerous in con-
sequence of the bar of sand raised at the mouth of the river
by the violence of the wind acting against the rapidity of
the current.
gth. Very unwell with pain in my bowels ; I was become
as thin as the sparest of all the thin Buckeridges.
i$th. The ship taken out of quarantine ; we found Lord
Keith 1 with the fleet lying in Valetta. General Cradock 2
and the troops under his command that had sailed from
Egypt were landed.
\Afth. I went on shore, and waited on General Fox, 3
who was appointed to command in chief in the Mediter-
ranean, and had come from Minorca for the purpose of
making the disposition of the troops from Egypt. The
General told me he should send us on to Gibraltar as soon
as possible. General Villettes 4 was commanding the troops
in the island of Malta. None of the ships that had sailed
with us had arrived except the Tkisbe with our three com-
panies ; dined on board.
1 See p. 153.
2 Sir John Francis Caradoc or Cradock (1762-1839); first Baron Howden.
3 Henry Edward Fox (1755-181 1), youngest son of the first Baron Holland;
general in the Mediterranean 1801-3.
4 William Villettes (1754-1808); lieutenant-general; governor of Malta
1801-7.
MALTA 185
\6th. Instead of going forward to Gibraltar, I received 1801
orders to land, in consequence of Lord Keith's not consent-
ing to send on the ship ; I took the liberty of calling on his
lordship to pray him to let us continue as was first intended,
and push on to Gibraltar ; but he was stiff, obstinate, and a
damned sullen old Scotchman.
loth. A Maltese vessel brought in an account that she
had spoke the Lodi, a French ship-of-war, who told her that
she was going to Egypt with the official intelligence that
peace had been signed in London on the ist of the month.
This news surprised everybody, and was not entirely
credited. The regiment was very sickly, and on our land-
ing we were obliged to send near seventy men to the
general hospital at La Valette, mostly with sore eyes and
dysentery. Dined with General Villettes.
iind. Went to see the town and church at Citta
Vecchia, situated near the centre of the island, about six
miles from La Valette. Tradition reports that Saint Paul
was cast away on the shore of Malta in a bay called after
his name near Citta Vecchia, and that the Saint founded a
church which is dedicated to him there. The town is small,
but built in the same style of neatness as La Valette.
Adjoining it, situated on the same height, are the fortifi-
cations, containing the church, a palace for the Bishop, a
house for the Grand Master, now occupied as a barrack,
two convents, and a college. The works are not extensive,
though capable of making considerable resistance. The
church is not so large as St. John's at La Valette, but
certainly more beautiful, as the paintings appear in a much
higher state of preservation, the ceiling is lighter, and the
mouldings and gildings of the church appear recently
1 86 DYOTT'S DIARY
improved, the marble pillars, etc., of the grand altar far
surpassing anything I ever saw, and there are some paintings
that must undoubtedly be of very great value. Monsieur
Buonaparte also made free with a considerable quantity of
the plate, etc., at this church as well as at St. John's.
We were shown the dresses, etc., that the Bishop and his
assistants wear at the celebration of High Mass. There was
an immense wardrobe quite full ; some of the robes were of
the most splendid embroidery it is possible to imagine.
Amongst other things of value were two mitres richly
embroidered with gold, and completely studded over with
rich and most rare precious stones and diamonds ; in the
centre of one in particular was a diamond full as large as a
walnut (?). I could not help asking the priest that was show-
ing us the church how all these valuables came to escape the
vigilant eye of the Great Consul. He said, * Ah, sir, if he
had seen or known of their being here, they would not have
remained in possession of the Holy Church.' From the
upper window of the church you have a fine view of the
whole island, which is picturesque and curious. The road
from La Valette is but indifferent, as you may suppose from
the island being an entire rock. The Malta carriages which
ply in the streets are not very elegant ; they are drawn by a
mule, and go on two wheels ; some of them hold two, some
four, people. The driver runs by the side of the mule, and
guides him with a sorry halter. It is astonishing how fast
they go. I think we were little more than an hour going
to Citta Vecchia and about the same returning. The town
of La Valette is principally supplied with water by an aque-
duct from Citta Vecchia. The soil throughout the island is
very shallow, being either brought or scraped from the rock,
'CHEAP AMUSEMENT' 187
and mixed with compositions of manure. The tillage is 1801
therefore not laborious. They plough with a mule and a
cow abreast. The plough is simply a light beam and a
coulter that does not go more than three or four inches into
the ground, and is changed at the end of lant [?] each time,
the same as the Sussex ploughs. The chief produce of the
island is cotton. They grow some barley and abundance
of vegetables, but they are obliged to change the seed of
their potatoes every year, or they would become sweet as in
the West Indies.
i%th. The Guards, who had been disembarked, were
again re-embarked. Received orders that we were now to
go to Gibraltar directly, and not to Minorca. ' What have
you got in your bag, Mr. Courier ? ' ' Orders, sir.' ' And
what in the bag behind you, Mr. Courier ? ' * Counter-
orders, sir.'
3U/. Could not sail for want of wind ; dined on shore,
and went for the first time to the opera, which is performed
five nights a week. The theatre is fitted up in proper style
with boxes and pit ; the orchestra very good ; one of the
women I thought sung very well, and there was a very
excellent buffo. They have a curious custom on a benefit :
the person whose night it is goes round between the acts
with a silver waiter in his hand, preceded by two boys hold-
ing lights, and collects the donations of the audience who
are inclined to contribute. The admission is only eight-
pence to all parts of the house. Cheap amusement !
November 9. Calm in the morning, but the wind sprung November
up about noon, and we had a fine fresh breeze all night.
To the surprise of our faculty, several new cases of
ophthalmia appeared, which made the physical gentlemen
1 88 DYOTT'S DIARY
T. 40 determine that the disease was infectious. I don't believe
they or any of the followers of Galen or Hippocrates have
been able to account for the cause of the disorder.
i$th. A boisterous uncomfortable day ; wind directly
against us and the sea running very high. The Ulysses in
sight ; spoke an American brig in the afternoon ; sent a
boat on board her, and got a Gibraltar paper with a con-
firmation of the peace and articles of the treaty ; accounts
in the paper from England as late as the i6th October ; all
joy at home on account of peace.
1 8//^. Came to anchor in Gibraltar Bay by eight o'clock
in the morning. Found the Rear-Admiral, Sir James
Saumarez, 1 and fleet at anchor, as also several troopships.
The Pratique Master, an officer on purpose to board all
ships coming into the bay, came on board our ship, and
amongst other things told us the regiment was to form part
of the garrison. I went on shore as soon as I had break-
fasted, and waited on the Governor, who confirmed the
Pratique Master's intelligence, and told me the regiment
should land the next day. I went on board to dinner, and
communicated the certain intelligence to the officers, * that
they were to remain at Gibraltar.' We were in general
much disappointed, as I believe the greater part had made
up their minds to go to England.
lyd. Eon mot of a soldier. Two of them were carry-
ing the allowance of bread for a week on a hand-barrow,
and by some accident it broke. One of them immediately
said, f Well, I see bread 's fallen.'
1802 January I, 1802. The new year commenced with
17 remarkable cold weather for the latitude of Gibraltar.
1 See p. 1 60.
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR 189
^tk. The Narcissus frigate came in from the Isle of 1802
Wight in 'seven days, a remarkable quick passage. She
brought very few letters, and not a single line for poor I.
9/^. Heavy constant rain. I wrote by schooner to
Lisbon to Lord George, 1 to the agents, to Mr. Allen, and
to my brother. Hard to say I have not received a line
from Staffordshire since I left England.
\$th. Heavy rain at night, and strong Levanter in the
morning. 26th regiment arrived. 'The Jewish doctors
have a fable concerning the etymology of the word Eve,
which one would almost be tempted to say is realised in the
French women. Eve, say they, comes from a word which
signifies to talk, and she was so called because soon after
the creation there fell from heaven twelve baskets full of
chit-chat, and she picked up nine of them, while her husband
was getting the other three.' History of Women.
i8/^. Two mails arrived by way of Lisbon brought by
the Penelope frigate. The Phaeton frigate came in at the
same time. I received a letter from my brother and also
one from Phil. Answered the former letter same day by
the overland mail.
lAjh. Strong gale of wind, or, as it is called, a
Levanter from the east. The wind blows very forcibly
down the Mediterranean, and meeting with resistance from
the Rock of Gibraltar, it is very curious to see the effect
the wind has in the bay ; after striking the rock it comes
round each end with violence, one wind blowing strong
down the bay and the other blowing with equal force up
it ; so that when they meet a kind of whirlwind is occa-
sioned, which raises the water in the same manner that a
1 Lord George Lennox.
190 DYOTT'S DIARY
T. 40 whirlwind does the dust on land. I dreamed last night
that Maria Gresley was married, but I did not ascertain
the happy man. Do dreams bode good or evil ? Time
must determine.
February February 5. I rode to San Roque, and from thence in
a detour to Algeciras a distance of six or eight miles, but
the way I took made the distance twelve. The country
from San Roque to Algeciras thinly inhabited and the land
poor and ill cultivated. Some orange groves in the valleys
and some woods of the cork-tree were pretty. The
Spaniards appear very poor farmers ; their system of
ploughing pretty much the same as at Malta, that is, with
two cows or two asses, the plough a light beam and a small
coulter, guided with one hand, and they don't plough more
than three inches deep. The soil in general very sandy and
light. The habitations of the peasantry miserable hovels
that would discredit an English farmyard as a pigsty.
The town of Algeciras is neatly built, and the streets,
though narrow, tolerably well paved. I waited on the
Governor and made a sad blunder, as I mistook his Excel-
lency for his valet de chambre. He was a mean-looking
fellow, and as he neither spoke English or French, I made
him understand as well as I was able that it was his master
I wanted. They have a playhouse, and an opera performed
every night. I did not stay the amusement, I understood
it was a wretched performance. The church is large and
neat, ornamented like all Catholic churches ; no paintings
worth looking at. The dress of the Virgin Mary quite
shocked me. A wax figure as large as life ; dressed out
in a flowing, full-trimmed, sky-blue silk gown and petticoat ;
lace ruffles, hair powdered, and a full-dressed cap. By way
GENERAL O'HARA 191
of preserving the figure and guarding the sacred person, 1802
there was a fine crimson damask curtain drawn before it.
There were two regiments of infantry and one of cavalry at
Algeciras, half clothed and worse fed. I returned to the
garrison by the beach around the bay ; had two rivers to
cross, at both of which there was a good horse ferry. These
rivers I had crossed in going from San Roque over bridges
four or five miles from the seaside.
\Afth. A sloop-of-war from Plymouth arrived ; my kind
and excellent friend Lady Louisa Lennox l wrote to me, and
sent me newspapers, magazines, Navy and Army List, and
an almanack ; she is the best creature in the world.
i$th. At half-past seven in the morning died General
O'Hara, 2 the much-lamented Governor of the garrison ; he
had been unwell for some months, but not seriously so until
the day sennight before he died. He was a man that had
possessed uncommon brilliancy of wit and humour. As an
officer he was considered a strict disciplinarian, of undaunted
courage and an able general. He was generous in the
extreme, and though his censures were harsh, they were
always merited, and he invariably gave credit where credit
was due. The commanding officers of regiments had always
his support in carrying on subordination and discipline ; to
sum up all, I don't think the garrison will ever look on his
like again.
i^.th. The Maidstone frigate arrived from England with April
the account of the defensive treaty being signed ; in conse-
quence of which I made a party to take an excursion into
Spain. Our party consisted of Brigadier-General Wemyss,
Colonel Willington, and self. We proceeded with a
1 See p. 122. 2 See p. 146.
192 DYOTT'S DIARY
mulateer and guide to San Roque on the i8th April.
Mr. Raleigh, the secretary to the Governor, had been so
good to send to San Roque for horses, etc., for us for the
expedition. We paid sixteen dollars for each horse to carry
us to Cadiz. We had seven horses. We reached San
Roque by five o'clock and saw a bull-fight, but of a very
inferior degree, as it was merely tormenting a bull in the
market-place by shaking a cloak or a piece of white cloth in
his face, darting a stick pierced with an iron dart into his
neck, or striking a firebrand upon his head. The poor devil
was fatigued with plague and torment and was deprived of
resentment, as he had a long rope tied round his head and
ten or a dozen stout fellows lugging at it. It happened to
be Easter Sunday and the commencement of festivity for
the Roman Catholics ; there were, of course, a great number
of people assembled to partake of the sports, male and
female ; the former in long cloaks and monteros, the latter
in red petticoats (short), and showing in general a tidy good
ankle. We called on the Governor, who gave us a pass-
port for Cadiz. The inn or posada at San Roque clean,
reasonable, and good beds.
I9/A. We started at five o'clock in the morning on the
same horses we had had from Gibraltar such saddles and
bridles, the former like the Mamalukes with the same fire-
shovels by way of stirrups ; proceeded through an open
champaign country with some cultivation, though bad
farmers, eight miles to Los Barrios, a small neat village,
but such a posada to eat our breakfast in, f Oh Diable.'
The room we were shown into was about ten feet square,
up a dark dirty brick staircase ; a window, but no glass ; a
brick floor ; and the furniture consisted of bare walls covered
JOURNEY IN SPAIN 193
with the juice of tobacco emitted from the foul mouths of 1802
the natives. What did duty for a table was in reality a
stool about a foot and half square and a foot high, on which
appeared remnants of tobacco and lees of wine. Two
tattered rush-bottomed chairs of a stature to match the
table made up the furniture of our breakfast- room. The
utensils for our tea equipage surpassed everything I had
ever seen ; the teacups were made of the coarsest earthen-
ware possible, and of such a shape as might represent a
diminutive brown pot de chambre. We had provided our-
selves with tea and sugar ; all we required from the hotel
was hot water, milk, and bread ; the two latter were
excellent, the former was boiled in an earthen jar. The
Spaniards never use tea ; of course, a tea-kettle was an
implement unknown. After making a hearty breakfast
notwithstanding the diet, we remounted our steeds and
proceeded through a forest of cork-trees with only a single
path, following the leader about ten miles to a single house,
where our horses were to be fed. The forage was nothing
but straw with a small quantity of barley. The straw they
give their horses has the appearance of the chopped straw
they feed horses with in England, but the appearance of the
straw is occasioned by the method they use to thrash the
corn, which is done by mares kept solely for breeding and
for that purpose. In all their corn countries they have
circular places with stones of about twenty feet diameter ;
the corn as it is cut down and gathered is spread out and
trodden by the mares, who are blindfolded, until the corn is
clear from the straw. The straw is taken away and the
corn winnowed and carried home. They never stack the
corn in ^the straw at all. After feeding the horses we
VOL. i. if
194 DYOTT'S DIARY
proceeded some way through the forest (and such a road as
I ever saw) without seeing a living animal of any sort, until
we came to a very extensive plain, a perfect level country
far as the eye could reach, a few small houses at three or
four miles asunder, with many hundred acres of wheat and
barley looking rich and luxuriant, as also on parts of the
plain large droves of oxen and mares with their foals. We
stopped for ten minutes at a farmhouse and ate some eggs.
The farmer was also a baker, and like all his neighbours
a smuggler. We continued the plain for a few miles and
again entered a thick wood. Came to an open common
and to a most romantic situation called Ballhaille[?]. The
town placed on the very pinnacle of a high hill with a deep
and rapid river running at the foot of it, which we crossed
over a stone bridge and halted on the other side at a miser-
able posada. The town was directly above the posada,
but the hill so steep and the approach so winding that the
distance was upwards of two miles. It was seven o'clock
ere we reached our resting-place for the night. My com-
panions were a good deal fatigued, having been on horse-
back so many hours. We got a good salad and some eggs,
which, with some fried ham and cold fowls of our own,
made a good repast. Straw bed on a brick floor ; a quiet
mind made it a bed of down. One of our guides, a faceti-
ous fellow, as we were pacing on, jumped up behind me and
began to smoke his cigar with all the sang-froid possible ; I
was a little surprised at the fellow's facetiousness, but as I
supposed it was the custom of the country, I was perfectly
contented and rather amused with my companion. He
rode a mile or two and repeated it several times sans
ceremonie.
CADIZ 195
zoth. Set forward at five o'clock in the morning; 1802
mounted a very steep hill, which brought us on a level with
the town, and from whence we had a fine view of the river
and a rich valley below us. Passed over a common on a toler-
able good road until we came in sight of Chiclana, a town
twenty miles from Cadiz, where we breakfasted on our own
tea and sugar ; rather a clean posada, but our breakfast
utensils as uncouth as at Los Barrios ; excellent bread and
fresh eggs.
After walking about the town for half an hour we
proceeded to Cadiz which, on approaching, had the appear-
ance of being built on the sea. The road from Ysalet,
a perfect flat or rather causeway raised from the sea, indeed
six miles of the road is made on arches under which the
tide flows occasionally. We were stopped at the gate of
Cadiz and our baggage taken to the custom-house ; a mere
matter of ceremony, and to put two dollars into the pocket
of a jack-in- office. The town on the land side is fortified
by a double wall. We went to a posada kept by a French-
man called Baillies in the Calle de Pedro Conde ; his wife
an Englishwoman, and as it was five o'clock we were glad
to prepare for a comfortable dinner, which the appearance of
things [foretold]. After enjoying a clean, good dinner we
retired to repose ; found our beds and accommodation very
good and somewhat English.
list. Sallied out as soon as we had breakfasted, in full
uniform, which we constantly wore, to the Consul's, who
attended us to the Governor-General's, a Don Itterrigunia,
a stiff, starch, black, ugly, dirty Spaniard, who scarce
condescended to make a bow to us. However, as it was
proper to see him, we did our duty and were then at liberty
196 DYOTT'S DIARY
to pursue our researches. Cadiz is a remarkable well-built,
fine town, the streets are narrow but uncommonly clean, the
fortifications in good order, more than three parts of them
washed by the sea. The houses are all alike and all built
on the same plan.
The Place of St. Antonio is a tolerable square with a
fountain in the centre ; the houses not regular, not so well
built as those looking towards the bay and many other
parts of the town. The Calle Anciera is the best street,
and where all the principal shops are situated. The Town
or Merchants' Hall is in this street, which is a fine building.
The new church was begun in the year 1717 and is not near
finished ; the architecture is magnificent, the expenses for
building it are collected from a duty imposed on all ships
coming into the bay. This contribution has been very
trifling during the war. A merchant told me that the
revenue was fully sufficient to have finished the church
long ago, but that the stewards and receivers, who are the
dignified clergy, had appropriated the sums to more pious
purposes. There are several fine churches with some good
pictures. The armoury is large but not well stored ; the
keeper seemed much delighted to show British officers three
or four English muskets. The place for the bull-fights is
an amphitheatre built of wood, the diameter of which is
about one hundred and fifty feet.
The barracks are in the casements of the fortifications
and will contain three thousand men ; the soldiers are well
lodged but miserably clothed ; except the Turks, I never
saw anything so bad. The Alameda or public walk is
situated near the walls of the town overlooking the bay,
and is formed by four rows of elms, the side rows are for
CADIZ 197
carriages and the centre for people to walk. The inhabi- 1802
tants dine at two, and at five o'clock everybody assembles
on the Alameda, the men to smoke and the women to
intrigue ; the former is so general that you see numbers of
boys with lighted slow matches for the purpose of the men
setting fire to their tobacco. The women, when out of
their houses, are all dressed in the same manner : a black
hood that reaches below the waist and covers the head, and
a black petticoat, so that it is not possible to distinguish
Joan from my Lady. We dined at our hotel, promenaded
the Alameda and went to the play ; a very neat theatre, the
parterre or pit appropriated entirely for men, and the upper
tier of boxes solely for women. The Spanish dance of the
Bolero was performed and extremely well ; it is a sort of
reel danced by a man and woman. The streets are well
lighted and perfectly quiet at night. The police consists of
a mayor and aldermen, but acting under the directions of
the Captain-General of the province. I remarked that all
the ordnance mounted on the fortifications had the same
mark that King's stores have in England. The town is
uncommonly well supplied with vegetables and milk from
the neighbouring towns of Chiclana and Picto. The meat,
both beef and mutton, very bad, but bread excellent. The
horses used in the streets by the porters for the purpose of
carrying goods from one part of the city to another are very
fine, but the most curious saddles for fixing the load I ever
saw ; it is a sort of pack-saddle raised two feet above the
back, of a broad flat surface. The drays are drawn by
mules, and instead of the weight being suspended on the
back it is on the neck, and drawn by the neck. The shops
are small and but indifferent, the people very civil ; we
i 9 8 DYOTT'S DIARY
XT. 41 were conspicuous in consequence of our dress, but the
civilians as well as military were always attentive. There is
no such thing as a garden or even backyard to any house in
Cadiz, and the commode is always at the top of the house.
There is no manufactory, except a trifling one of silk
stockings. It is calculated the city has suffered a loss equal
to one hundred million of dollars by the war. On the
ringing of a bell at sunset everybody in the streets stops
and the men pull off their hats : a similar custom is, I
believe, general in all Roman Catholic countries.
lind. After breakfast paraded the town all morning,
dined at our hotel and went to the play, not at all amused
with the performance, except the bolero. The women
vulgarly dressed and nothing strikingly handsome. We
had a most facetious fellow, a waiter, at our hotel. He was
a Frenchman, and amused us with a number of anecdotes
relative to the French army ; amongst the rest he related
the story of a soldier on the march from France towards
Portugal, having halted at a small town in Spain, went to
the market and at a stall of an old woman purchased some
oranges for which he paid, but was to receive change ; a
dispute arose and the citizen upset the old woman's stall and
scattered her fruit ; she, irritated no doubt, drew a stiletto
and was going to stab the soldier, but his comrade observing
it drew his sabre and cut off the old woman's head at a
blow, and then exclaimed ' qu'elle se signifie ' [sic].
lyd. We hired a berlin and three horses to go to Ysalet
for the purpose of endeavouring to get a sight of the dock-
yard. We called on the port admiral, Marino, who had
commanded the Spanish fleet in Sir James Saumarez's 1
1 See p. 1 60.
XERES 199
action. He was also at Gibraltar during the siege. Found 1802
the Admiral very civil, but he could not allow us to see the
dockyard ; he told us it was not in his power to admit a
stranger, though it was requested by a Prince of the Blood.
As a proof of the contempt with which the French treat
the Spaniards, our friend the waiter was one day quizzing
the dons, when we remarked he would be hanged if he
talked in that manner ; he replied he did not care a farthing
for the Captain-General or any grandee in Spain, and
running out of the room, he returned with an infinite
degree of apparent consequence, holding up his hat, in
which was the national cockade, and exclaiming, ' Monsieur,
voila ma protection.'
24/A. Left Cadiz in the morning, and proceeded in one of
the ferry-boats across the bay five leagues to Port St. Mary's,
a neat town on the beach with a barracks for 2000 men.
We hired caleesas, alias bad buggies, to carry us and baggage
to Xeres (Shery), a large and populous town. The view
of the harbour and town of Cadiz from the hill above Port
St. Mary's very beautiful, the country to Xeres full of corn
and vineyards. At Xeres we were treated with the greatest
politeness possible by the Messieurs Houries, the great wine
merchants, with whom we spent the day and passed the
night. Went to M. Hourie's wine cellars, which I fancy
are as extensive as anything in the world. They consist of
* two lofty buildings, each 270 feet long by 144 feet wide,
and will contain 7000 pipes of wine. The quantity of wine
annually made averages 20,000 pipes. Messieurs Houries
employ between three and four hundred workmen, some
of whom earn 55. per day, and the common labourers %s.
The vineyards are five and six miles from the town, culti-
200 DYOTT'S DIARY
vated by farmers, who make from two to three hundred
pipes of wine each and bring it to the merchants for sale.
There is a large Carthusian Friary about three miles from
Xeres, which we rode to see after dinner ; it consists of
forty friars, who have a great revenue. The chapel is very
grand, and some fine pictures in the refectory. The stables
are on a great scale, and the friars breed some fine horses.
After our return from the Chartreuse, we had a card-party
at Mr. Hourie's ; several Spanish officers and a Mr.
Mousley, a Staffordshire man, who is settled in the wine
trade at Xeres. Mrs. Hourie a very pleasant French-
woman.
i$th. We hired a berlin with five horses at Xeres to
carry us to Seville, for which we paid fifty-four Spanish
dollars, the distance sixty miles.
i6th. After breakfast sallied forth to see the sights.
We had a letter to a Mr. Kiddie, a merchant from Exeter,
who is settled at Seville, whom we found very civil. The
principal buildings are the great church, very magnificent,
fine altar and some good pictures ; a curious clock at the
top of the church made by a friar, and the church is
remarkable on account of its being the burying-place of
the famous Columbus ; in the middle aisle is a flat stone to
commemorate his deeds. There is a regular inclined plane
to the top of the church, which is of a singular construction,
from whence there is a most beautiful view of the town
and country adjacent. The Exchange or Merchants' Hall
is a new building, and not quite finished ; all the business
and all the records relative to the Spanish South American
possessions is transacted in this building. Formerly the
ships fitted out from Seville, but since the establishment of
SEVILLE 201
Cadiz, that port has been found not only more com- 1802
modious, but in all respects more convenient. Curious old
palace for the kings of Spain, as also formerly the residence
of the Moorish kings. In the palace are shown a number
of Roman antiques brought from Italica, a settlement of
the Romans near Seville, where they had been found from
time to time. Fine jets d'eau and water-works in the
gardens, and curious figures set out in the myrtle hedges.
The convent of the Caridad has some beautiful paintings
by Murillo, who was an inhabitant of Seville. Ten
thousand guineas had been offered for six of the paintings
a short time before by some Englishman on his travels, but
His Most Catholic Majesty had an idea they might be
admired in some of his palaces, and they were to be removed
to Madrid. They are all scripture pieces. The cannon
foundry is on a great scale, saw some guns cast and some
bored. Colonel "Wellington remarked they carried on the
business in a slovenly manner. We dined at our hotel in
the Spanish style. There was a table d'hote at the hotel,
but we did not choose to attend, as they dined at one
o'clock. There were several Englishmen in the house,
riders for different manufactories, amongst the rest a Mr.
Richards, from the neighbourhood of Coleshill, who we
found extremely useful in showing us the town, as he spoke
Spanish. Every part of Spain has the same dinner, that
is, in the first place, an olio, consisting of bouille of pork,
beef, mutton, fowls, and all kinds of vegetables hodged
podged together, the rest all made dishes and dressed with
oil. Spanish wine, all (except the sherry) bad, and they
give you the vin du pays as the beverage with meals. We
paid two dollars a day for everything, that is nine shillings
202 DYOTT'S DIARY
sterling, wine included. They are prohibited sending wine
from one province to another, in consequence we could
not get sherry at Seville, although we were only sixty miles
from the manufactory. After dinner we walked to the
public promenade, which is a most curious place, literally on
a bridge of boats across the river, where all the beau monde
promenades from five o'clock until dark. There are
seats on each side the bridge, and their carriages are all
drawn up at the end waiting for the Dons and the
Dowagers. One would have thought it impossible for
people to assemble on a filthy wooden bridge by way of
walk, when they have an opportunity of enjoying as fine a
walk as it is possible. Curious-looking carriages drawn by
mules, sometimes drove by a postillion in a full-dress livery
suit, cocked hat, and jack-boots. They have not opened
the theatre at Seville since the epidemic raged there two
years ago, which carried off 20,000 souls.
ijth. We again set out for sights. There is a good
barrack for a regiment of cavalry. The regiment called
the Carbineers ; they had more the appearance of soldiers,
were better clothed and mounted, than any I had seen. I
observed, whenever the soldier found any difficulty with
respect to his horse, he immediately seized the pommel
of the saddle. The Franciscan convent has some good
pictures, copies from Murillo. The streets are very
narrow, shops all open in the front and but indifferently
filled. Population supposed to exceed 100,000 ; lower
class of people very civil and almost always dressed in parti-
coloured jacket of brown, with red, yellow, etc., and
montero cap, toujours the long cloak. The exportation of
wool is considerable, all the Estramadura wool is exported
THE TOBACCO FACTORY 203
from Seville ; it is purchased from the different farmers by 1802
riders and generally sold again by commission. The duties
on wines the same all over Spain, that is, 308. per pipe for
exportation, and about 135. for home consumption.
i%th. I went at eight o'clock to Grand Mass in the
cathedral ; the organ but indifferent, some very good voices,
but the whole very fine. The Spaniards have a good appear-
ance of religion, but no morality. I never saw such a
mockery of religion as the service of the Church in Spain.
Nothing entertained me more than the old women at con-
fession. The tobacco factory is an immense range of
building, and employs daily 2000 hands and 400 mules. I
am no mechanic, but the machinery appeared to me very
clumsy ; there was in one room near 500 men rolling
tobacco to make cigarros. The room where the snuff
manufactory was carried on was suffocating ; a constant
cloud of snuff not possible to penetrate. No tobacco can
come legally into Spain but what is intended for the Govern-
ment stores at this factory ; yet notwithstanding the utmost
vigilance of the Government, vast quantities are smuggled
from Gibraltar. This contraband trade is carried on to
such a pitch that the smugglers frequently resist the soldiers,
and generally repulse them. The tobacco is all imported
from the Havannah. Obtained leave to see the Archbishop's
palace ; it is situated near the cathedral, a large pile of
building, ill furnished and as uncomfortable as the inside of
a church. There are a few good pictures, and what sur-
prised me most, a gambling-table, something like a billiard-
table, but played differently. I was entertained with the
equipage of one of the dignified clergy; it consisted of a
chariot made some time in the sixteenth century, drawn by
204 DYOTT'S DIARY
six mules ; the coachman clad in a blue coat, waistcoat and
breeches, deep cuffs, and waistcoat pockets with a double
row of broad worsted lace, large cocked hat, long queue and
jack-boots. He drove as postillion the wheelers, and the
pole-end mules he drove with reins, the leaders were drove
by a postillion, the epitome of the coachman. The three
off-mules had only one blinker to the bridles, and to my
astonishment it was on the inside. There were two foot-
men behind the carriage in the same livery except having on
filthy white stockings instead of boots. The carriages in
general execrable, and all drawn by mules. They have a
mint at Seville for coining dollars ; it had not been worked
since the war, and the machinery appeared very clumsy.
The quicksilver stores are of great extent ; great quantities
are used in working the mines in South America, but on
account of the war they have an over-abundance at Seville.
It is procured from mines in some mountains sixty miles
from Seville, and sent in leather bags on mules. It under-
goes a sort of inspection at the stores in Seville, and is
weighed out into specified quantities, packed again in leather
bags, and then stowed into small deal boxes. There was a
large marble basin filled with it, from whence they weighed
it out. I was surprised to see a brass weight of a quarter
of a hundred thrown into the basin, and float about like so
much cork on water. The reason is that the specific weight
of quicksilver is heavier than either brass or lead. There
are a number of fine statues, fountains, and public buildings
in Seville, particularly convents, and the place for the bull-
fights is built of stone, and on a much larger scale than at
Cadiz. We were hurried for time, and therefore left Seville
next morning.
OSUNA
205
zyth. Proceeded in a coach and six mules; such an 1802
equipage, such mules, and such a coach ; two mulattoes sit
on a seat a very little raised over the fore-wheels ; one of
them drives the wheel mules, the other four are left to
themselves ; the mules are driven forward by holloaing and
shouting, but if that does not answer, one of the mulattoes
jumps off his seat, and lays a long stick pretty severely on
the mules' sides. We paid 85 dollars for the coach to
Granada, that is, about 19, 3s. sterling.
3oM. To Osuna, twenty miles, a plain all the way ;
some corn and large groves of olives. As our travelling
was nearly the same rate as a London waggon, I always
walked one half of the way. Osuna is a large town ; during
the time of the Moors must have been strongly fortified, of
which there are curious remains ; a fine cathedral, and three
or four convents, but nothing worth noticing. A most
astonishing extensive view from the top of one of the
towers over all the adjoining country, which is a plain.
Saw some droves of sheep of a small kind, but neat and
very fair wool ; wretched-looking peasantry. The shepherds
and all the horsemen you meet carry guns for their protec-
tion against a set of rascals that frequent all parts of Spain,
and rob when they think they may make the attempt with
impunity. From Osuna sixteen miles to a miserable village
called Pedrera ; saw a large flock of sheep going to Malaga
for the use of the troops ; they were small, two years old,
and cost sixteen shillings each.
May i . Started at five o'clock ; lost our way from the May
ingenuity of the mulattoes ; we found the road after some
countermarching, and reached Alameda to breakfast, twenty
miles.
206 DYOTT'S DIARY
ind. Delicious weather, and we intended to have got
under weigh at an early hour, but our mulattoes, being
Sunday, were run away to offer their devotion to the Virgin,
and did not return to us until six o'clock, when Mass was
finished. We breakfasted at a single house called La Venta
de Archidona, about two miles from the town. The differ-
ence between a venta and a posada is that at the former
you may have lodging and accommodation for horses ; at
the latter you can only have your own provisions cooked
and lodging for your beasts. At the venta we met a coach
from Granada loaded with no fewer than six fat greasy
friars going to Seville. Their huge carcasses were the least
heavy part of the cargo, for such a quantity of provisions,
meat and drink, I never saw.
The approach to Loja very beautiful, the town situated in
a fine rich valley well cultivated and enclosed with a deep
winding river, much the prettiest spot I had seen in Spain.
It was Sunday, crowds of people in the market-place, all
the men in long cloaks, pretty-looking women. I saw
several parties dancing the bolero with castinettes, and their
music a mandoline (like a guitar). Shops all open, and
instead of Sunday being a day of prayer, it is a day of the
greatest rejoicings. I walked into the town long before our
carriage, and purchased a very curious bird from a peasant,
which he called a ceison ; we had it cooked for dinner.
The venta very good, deserves to be called a Hotel d'Angle-
terre. The evergreen oak and cork trees, which look very
like oaks, had a fine appearance in parts of the road, and
gave a parkish look to the country.
yd. Left Loja at five o'clock, and continued the fine
valley for four miles, and then a miserable country for
GRANADA 207
twelve miles to a miserable venta at La Hache. From La 1802
Hache eighteen miles over a flat country to Granada, the
last eight miles through a most highly cultivated valley,
well watered by artificial canals. Passed a small village
with an immense pile of building ( To the Spanish
Minister.'
* Abolish all convents, the first and greatest evil,
And pack off your friars and nuns to the devil,
Much improvement you '11 find it, if to Seville you there go,
When the cloak is forbid and the cap of Montero.'
Reached Granada at three o'clock ; the approach to the
town remarkably good, but the streets extremely narrow,
quite Moorish ; went to a very good fonda, alias hotel, kept
by an Italian. The fonda is superior to either the venta or
the posada, as the former provides everything. We were
fagged, and did not move out after our arrival.
4/^. As usual, after breakfast, set forward to see sights.
The cathedral a superb building, in my opinion superior to
Seville, but it is not generally considered so. There are
very fine pictures in it and some fine pieces of sculpture.
We waited on the Captain-General of the province, who
resides at Seville ; found him most perfectly civil and well
bred ; he invited us to dinner, which we of course accepted.
He is a Major-General in the Spanish service, his name
Don Vasco. A very good dinner a rEspagnole, Olio, etc.
Bad wines, sat about half an hour after dinner, and to coffee.
There were about twelve Spanish officers at dinner, but
their names I can neither write nor read. After coffee we
walked with his Excellency to the Alameda, and accom-
panied him to his box at the play ; no amusement in the
Comadie, but the dancing excellent. We expressed a wish
208 DYOTT'S DIARY
to see the bolero danced ; the General sent immediately,
and ordered it to be performed. He keeps up great state,
and has always two dragoons before his carriage when he
goes out. (The playhouse bad ; they are building a new
one.) The Alhambra, as it is called, or the Palace, formerly
inhabited by the Moorish kings when the country was in
their possession, is reckoned the finest remains of that sort
of antique grandeur in the world. It is situated on an
eminence adjoining the town, and from the walls you have
a magnificent view of the town and all the adjoining country.
The castle contains a vast range of apartments, with evident
traces of their former splendour. Curious Moorish work
on the walls and ceilings ; vast variety of tiles with different
patterns and colours. They show an extraordinary method
the queens of those days had of being perfumed after
coming out of the bath. A large marble slab perforated
with twenty or thirty holes is fixed in the floor of a small
room ; the perfumes are prepared underneath, and the
fumes arise through the holes in the marble, on which the
lady places herself. Several baths on a scale of magnificent
splendour, and the walks, etc., in the garden, must have
been cultivated to enjoy at all hours that climate ; in short,
everything seemed formed for the highest luxury and
sensual pleasures. Notwithstanding the height of the
Alhambra, the number of water-works, fountains, etc., is
astonishing. In the front of the Alhambra is a magnificent
palace built according to modern architecture, but not
finished. It was begun by Charles v., but not finished, and
had remained in the state he left it ever since.
6th. Hired mules to carry us across the mountains to
Malaga. Left Granada at eight o'clock and travelled over
VELEZ-MALAGA 209
an indifferent country and bad roads twenty-eight miles to 1802
Alhama, formerly a Moorish station, with the most miserable,
wretched, dirty posada on earth, and the most idle-looking
inhabitants I ever saw. I observed the dress of the women
was changed from black to white, but made after the usual
fashion. The country women when at work with their
needle have a large cushion on their knee to which they
occasionally fasten their work. The snow was lying on the
Granada mountains within five miles of us, but notwith-
standing the sun was most extremely hot. The natives at
Alhama amused us all night with most discordant music ; it
was the eve of some saint and the religieuse were welcoming
the happy day.
"lth. Left the stinking posada at six and proceeded
over such precipices and along such roads as nothing but
mules could have passed in safety. Here and there a patch
of corn and a few olive-trees, with a miserable hut, at one
of which we breakfasted, having carried with [us] all the
requisites to provide a repast. Arrived at Velez Malaga at
three o'clock, twenty-six miles from Alhama, the latter part
of the road very good, through vineyards and groves of
oranges and fig-trees. Great appearance of industry on
approaching Velez Malaga, and vines cultivated to the very
tops of the highest mountains in the neighbourhood. Some
very picturesque views as we approached Velez, a neat,
clean town with a very good posada kept by a Frenchman.
A very curious castle in ruins, from whence there is a fine
view of the adjoining country.
The road passes by the seaside almost all the way and
through corn and vineyards, orange groves and fig-trees.
Great appearance of industry in the country, people work-
VOL. i. o
210 DYOTT'S DIARY
ing in their vineyards. The approach to Malaga is close to
the shore ; you are stopped at a sort of guard-house belong-
ing to the custom-house, but only questioned. Went to
the Auberge Franchise, a filthy, dirty hotel. Called on Mr.
Laird, the English Consul, whom I had known at Gibraltar ;
he dined with us and we walked in the evening. Malaga is
a large town, the greater part modern built ; the population
said to be 80,000. Fine building the new custom-house,
and a fine pier and good mole. An English sloop-of-war,
the Racoon, was lying in the pier. Good vegetable and fish
market ; beef and mutton execrable. The police fix a
maximum on the price of meat, and consequently no atten-
tion is paid to fattening. Observed in the poulterers' shops
fowls divided and quarters hung up for sale. Streets
narrow and abominably dirty. The shops pretty good.
Went to the play ; theatre a very good one, and the bolero
well danced. The farce produced one of our countrymen,
whose character was distinguished by his bluntness, as he
never exceeded the two monosyllables of yes and no. The
Frenchman characterised in the same farce by a short-
cropped black head of hair, a la Brutus.
9//. The great church is built after the model of the
cathedral of Granada, but did not strike me as being near so
fine ; it is scarcely finished and has very few paintings. We
called on the Governor and were invited to dine. From the
old castle, a Moorish edifice, you have a fine view of the
town and adjacent country, the latter a fine valley, rich in
corn, wine, and oils, etc. The great staple is wine, of which
they export upwards of 40,000 pipes annually, chiefly to the
Spanish-American settlements. They have attempted an
imitation of the sherry, in my opinion quite equal to it.
THE DUKE OF KENT 211
They should not call it an imitation, as nobody will choose 1802
an imitation when he can procure the real. They export a
great quantity of dried fruits such as figs, raisins, etc.
Import their sugar from the Havannah, which was very
high during the war, 408. per hhd., now only 1 55. Labourer's
wages about 2s. 3d. per day. Overseers of works have
45. 6d. The lower class of people live almost entirely on
vegetables (salads), oil, and bread, the latter most excellent
all over Spain. Very high duties on all English goods
imported, amounting almost to a prohibition.
i ith. Left Malaga at five o'clock on horseback, a horrid
road, and through a wild uncultivated country forty miles
to Marbella ; kept along the coast almost the whole way ;
got to a most filthy, dirty posada, but having a letter from
the American Consul to one of the natives, he gave us beds.
Marbella a poor fishing town.
ilth. Set out at four o'clock with an intention of reaching
Gibraltar ; got as far as Estapona, twenty miles, a small fishing
town on the coast ; the road tolerably good, some vineyards,
and abundance of rhododendra and myrtles growing by the
roadside. At Estapona we found a boat sailing for Gibraltar,
and as my companions were pretty well done, we embarked at
eleven o'clock and reached Gibraltar by seven. On our arrival
we found his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent l had taken
possession of his new Government. We had hurried and
plagued ourselves from the time we left Gibraltar in order that
we might get back to the garrison before the Duke arrived, but
we had not succeeded, and therefore, if my advice had been
taken, we should have made our excursion more at our leisure.
1 Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820) ; fourth son of
George III. ; governor of Gibraltar 1802-3.
212 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 41 24^. Left Gibraltar in the Pomone, Captain Gower.
The Duke of Kent had expressed his wish to have seen the
regiment, and would have reviewed us the next day, but the
Admiral, Lord Keith, 1 would not allow the Pomone to wait,
and it was so good an opportunity to get up the Mediter-
ranean I did not resist it. Mr. Thompson embarked with
me as compagnon de voyage. Sailed from Gibraltar Bay at
half-past seven in the evening, with a fine breeze which
continued all night.
l%th. Delightful weather; saw the island of Majorca in
the morning of the 29th by five o'clock. Anchored in
Mahon Bay, Minorca ; breakfasted with Sir James Saumarez, 2
the Admiral, on board the Cxsar, and went afterwards on
shore to Mahon. Quite a Spanish town, narrow streets
and neat, clean houses. The dress of the inhabitants very
curious, particularly the women, who have remarkable long
black hair, which they wear queued down their backs. The
Government House occupied by Major-General Clephane,
who commanded. The harbour of Mahon reckoned one of
the best and finest in the world, but in my opinion not
equal to Malta. Preparations were making to evacuate
the island, as the Spaniards were to take possession on the
1 4th June. Fort George, which defends the entrance of
the harbour, had been repaired by the English and apparently
at a great expense. Gower and I dined with Captain Younge
on board the Picque frigate.
^Qth. Gower and myself began a tour of the island.
General Clephane was so good to lend us horses and to
procure us a guide. We set out from Mahon about ten
o'clock and proceeded along the great public road, which
1 See p. 153. 2 See p. 160.
MINORCA 213
was made by the English formerly and extends the whole 1802
length of the island, near six miles, and took a cross road to
Mount Touro, the highest spot in the island and on the top
of which is a convent inhabited by eight or ten friars, fine,
jolly-looking fellows. From Mount Touro a complete view
of the island, the whole of which is naturally poor and
barren, but from the extreme industry and indefatigable
labour of the inhabitants it is well cultivated and every inch
of it made the most of. Dined at Alayor (a small town with
four companies of the 3 6th regiment quartered) with Colonel
Hart. After dinner rode eight miles, dreadful bad road, to
Foutadonis, a neat house belonging to one of the natives
living at Mahon, but who had sent orders to his servants to
accommodate us by General Clephane's desire. Excellent
beds, etc.
3U/. Breakfasted at Ferrerias (six miles) with the priest
and schoolmaster, a fine, talking old Minorceen ; spoke
French, and remembered the 25th regiment being quartered
in Minorca. The friar gave us a famous breakfast, that is,
bread, butter, and eggs ; the tea and sugar we carried with
us. I was quite delighted with the priest, and he appeared
much gratified with our visit.
Proceeded through what is called the Great Boranco, a
deep valley in which are all the nicest gardens possible, full
of oranges, lemons, etc. etc., and on each side perpendicular
rocks with variety of shrubs of all descriptions ; the descent
into the Boranco is almost like going down steps, but after
you reach the valley the perfume and the view is charming.
Rode on to Ceudadella to dinner, a regular fortification but
not of considerable strength. The Spaniards always made
it the capital of the island, and all the old dons and noblesse
2i 4 DYOTT'S DIARY
41 still live there and have an attachment to the Spaniards,
much stronger than any other of the islanders. The country
but very indifferent about Ceudadella, the town much more
regular than Mahon ; a very narrow channel comes up to
the town, only accessible by small craft, and no roadstead
for shipping. We slept in the Government House, where
General Fox 1 had put up two or three beds, etc., for his own
convenience.
June 2nd. Dined at General Clephane's, and in the afternoon
paid a visit to an old don and his wife, the father and mother
of Mrs. (Billy) Boothby, 2 as also a sister of hers ; much
rejoiced to see a gentleman who had known their daughter
and seen her family. They spoke French and were more
particular in their inquiries about young Billy than any
other of the family.
yd. Captain Gower gave a dinner to some friends on
board the Pomone ; took a passage in an American ship
bound to Leghorn. It struck me with wonder and astonish-
.
ment to see the enormous expenditure of public money that
was squandered away in the most lavish manner on the
fortifications of Minorca. Permanent fine stone-works
erected in various parts of the island, for what ? To make
a present to the Spaniards, as the island must to a certainty
be restored to that nation on a peace, and therefore I cannot
conceive why General Fox should have squandered away
the public money to erect permanent works for the advan-
tage of our enemies. If fortifications were necessary, let
them be made, but let them be erected at the lowest
1 See p. 184.
2 The daughter of Signer Miguel del Gado, of Mahon in Minorca ; married
William Boothby, who succeeded as eighth baronet in 1824.
LEGHORN 215
expense and, of course, not of durable materials. I was 1802
astonished to see a fine stone pillar erected by General Fox
to commemorate his having made the new road across the
island, with a pompous inscription and panegyric on the
British Government, concluding with a well-turned eulogium
to the merits of the General. It is reasonable to suppose
that one of the first acts of the Spaniards, on their recover-
ing possession of the island, will be to overturn a pillar that
blazons the conquest of the island by their enemies and, of
course, records their disgrace.
^th. Early in the morning I sailed from Mahon on
board an American ship.
6th. Made the island of Corsica, but the master of the
ship was at a loss to know what part of the island it was ;
but at twelve .o'clock we got an observation, and by that
means ascertained our situation ; in the afternoon we saw
the land on the continent, supposed some part of Savoy.
8/^. Fair wind, blowing fresh ; made the Bay of Leg-
horn in the morning, and got into the harbour by twelve
o'clock. The ship did not anchor in the bay but ran
immediately in for the quay, which required good coachman-
ship^ as it was a very narrow passage and blowing hard. A
boat came alongside and put the ship into quarantine, a
most unpleasant event ; but what can't be cured must be
endured.
9/^. Captain Hope of the Leda frigate lying in the bay
called upon me in his boat ; I entreated him to use his
exertions to get us out of quarantine. There is no harbour
at Leghorn, it is quite an open bay, and the merchant ships
are obliged all to lie alongside the quay.
loth. My friend Hope obtained a mitigation of the
216 DYOTT'S DIARY
period of our quarantine, and I landed about nine o'clock ;
the entrance into the town through a handsome gateway of
the fortifications and into a narrow but well-built street
(which are all paved with flagstones). Called on the Deputy-
Consul, a Mr. Grant, to whom I had a letter from Captain
Gower, and then waited on the Governor (a Tuscan), a
very fine, gentleman-looking old soldier. The garrison
consisted of French and Tuscan troops, but I did not think
it necessary to call on the French general. The town is
large, regular, and well built ; the principal street wide and
commodious, with very fine shops, particularly for statuary,
etc., and jewellery. The fortifications are in good repair.
I should imagine the population is as great in the suburbs,
outside the fortifications, as within the body of the works.
The theatre very neat, nothing very capital as to singers at
the opera ; and the ballet was performed by children, and
very amusing ; the reason they have no grown-up dancers is
on account of their having discarded all French dancers
from the stage, a strong proof the great nation was not in
favour at Leghorn. I dined with a Mr. Littledale, the
partner of Mr. Grant, a very good English dinner ; other
performers all English.
nth. There is an extensive coral manufactory belonging
to a Jew ; the process of transmuting the coral rock into
a fluid state is performed by fire, and from the fluid the
coral beads are cast. There are most wonderful extensive
magazines for oil, which is one of the great exports and
which brings in a certain revenue to the state. The church
is plain, with some paintings, but nothing curious. The
Jews' synagogue is very large. I went to see the service
performed, but I was soon satisfied, as the whole consisted
PISA 217
of horrid yells by way of singing ; the congregation was 1802
entirely of men. The Rabbi was a venerable-looking man,
whose occupation was the giving out the staves to be sung.
The coffee-rooms, of which there are five or six in the main
street, are crowded at night with ladies and gentlemen for
ices and ice-water. Chairs and seats are placed in the
street near the coffee-houses for accommodating the idlers.
iith. The hotel at Leghorn where I lodged is kept by
two brothers of the name of Passini ; they had lived much
in England as valets de chambre ; an excellent house with
every possible accommodation. I dined with Mr. Grant ;
a magnificent dinner and every description of wines, and all
sorts of luxuries. I was advised by Mr. Grant to purchase
a carriage, which I accordingly did, from Passini, a sort of
low phaeton or rather barouche, as it was constructed to shut
up close for night travelling. I gave thirty pounds for it.
The weather very warm, and they were just beginning the
harvest. I left Leghorn about eight o'clock, after being
well supplied with eating and drinking from my friend the
Deputy-Consul. I had intended to have gone from Leg-
horn to Genoa, and through Nice to Marseilles, but I was
advised rather to take the route to Florence, Bologna, and
across Mount Cenis to Lyons, to which I agreed, and pro-
ceeded from Leghorn to Pisa, fourteen miles, through a
flat, fine country and arrived at an indifferent hotel about
ten o'clock. The road excellent.
i^th. The situation of Pisa is extremely pretty, divided
by the river Arno, over which there are two bridges ; fine
quays on each side, and regular, well-built houses.
Some good paintings in the great church, which is a fine
building, as is also the baptistry and burying-place. The
218 DYOTT'S DIARY
leaning tower is a great curiosity, being a very stupendous
building, but erected intentionally [?] fifteen feet out of the
perpendicular ; from the top you have a fine view of the
town and the adjacent country. Went to see some fine
paintings of pictures at a house belonging to one of the
noblesse. Much amused. The French in their excursions
to and from Leghorn had robbed all the churches, etc., of
everything valuable. The opera house very handsome ;
and as it was Sunday, a crowded company and good singing.
The scenery and decorations of the ballet very beautiful,
and charming dancing. The principal dancer's name,
Madam Favian. Pisa is a place that has been much
frequented by English on account of the salubrity of the
air and medicinal qualities of the wells in the neighbourhood.
14^. Left Pisa at six o'clock ; beautiful country and
good road to Lucca. The enclosures by the roadside small
and divided only by poplar-trees, by the side of which are
planted vines that extend their branches from tree to tree
and hang in the most beautiful festoons possible to describe ;
the enclosures filled with luxuriant corn. Lucca is a large
old town and famous for oil ; streets narrow, good-looking
houses. Saw for the first time the tree of liberty with the
tri-coloured flag. The great church is a fine old Gothic
building with some paintings by old masters, but nothing
curious. The town is fortified, and we were stopped for
our passports at the gate. The streets are paved with
flagstones, and there is a very tolerable, inn, at least for
a breakfast. From Lucca fourteen and a half miles to
Borgo [illegible], indifferent road, beautiful views and highly
cultivated country, full of corn, wine, and oil. The Apen-
nine mountains in front and others less lofty, but covered
FLORENCE 219
with olive-trees to the very summit. Passed several very 1802
good-looking houses, but they wanted English neatness.
Just as we stopped to change horses my servant discovered
that one of the wheels of the carriage was nearly off. One
turn more and we should have been on the pave ; the
voiture was soon repaired. The next stage was nine miles,
good road to Pistoja through a fine rich country ; it is a
large town, but we only stopped to change horses, and
proceeded nine miles on a good road and fine country to
Prato ; large town, but nothing curious to see except a
manufactory of woollen cloths ; from thence ten miles
through a beautiful country and fine road to Florence.
The environs for ten miles round Florence the most
picturesque and highly beautiful of anything I ever saw,
and the adjoining hills covered with houses of the nobility
and people of fortune. Reached Florence about seven
o'clock, stopped at the gates to show the passport. Drove to
the Hotel de Schneiderf, or rather Hotel d'Angleterre. It
is kept by a man whose name it bears, and who was servant
to Mr. Windham, the British Envoy at the Court of
Florence ; he had also lived with the Duchess of Devon-
shire l and had been much in England. It was by far the
best house I ever was at in any country, and as reasonable.
An excellent good sleeping - room, large well - furnished
dining-room ; breakfast, two courses at dinner and a bottle
of wine, all for two crowns per day. As we entered
Florence we met two men on horseback, dressed a r Anglais
and mounted on very English-looking horses, which we
concluded must be from old England. As we had been
1 Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (1757- 1806) ; eldest daughter
of the first Earl Spencer ; married, 1774, fifth Duke of Devonshire.
220 DYOTT'S DIARY
travelling from an early hour in the morning we were glad
to get to dinner, and did not move out in the evening.
l$th. Having been given to understand that the French
charge d'affaires was particularly attentive to the English
who called upon him, and had also more influence at
Florence than any other person, the first thing I did in the
morning was to wait on him. He was unwell and I did not
see him. It was also necessary to call on him in order to
obtain a passport to travel through France. The town is
very handsome and situated in a valley, through which the
river Arno runs, and has three fine bridges ; one in par-
ticular, the arches of which are elliptical, is the most beautiful
thing of the kind I ever saw ; the streets are rather narrow
and all paved with flagstones. Many parts of the town
are ornamented with fine statues and sculpture. The palace
of the ci-devant Grand Duke, now of the King of Etruria,
is [a] very magnificent thing and inhabited by his Majesty,
but the great nation, when they first entered Florence,
carried off almost all the valuables, such as pictures, glasses,
tables, damask, furniture, etc. Some of the apartments are
still very grand, parts of the furniture having been left.
At two miles from Florence is what is called the Casino,
a sort of ornamental farm or gardens belonging to the
Royal Family, where the King and Queen go in state
every evening at seven o'clock. All the beau monde attend,
and it is a sort of Corso or public place, where people drive
about in their carriages or walk, as they choose. Before the
French were at Florence and in the Grand Duke's time the
gardens and pleasure-grounds were full of game, such as
hares, partridges, etc. I saw the King of Etruria and his
Queen and Princess in an open carriage ; his Majesty is
FLORENCE 221
but rather a mean-looking man. From the Casino people 1802
go to the play ; the Royal Family there every evening.
They have a box overlooking the stage on one side. Very
little ceremony observed on their coming into the theatre.
The house small, but very handsome ; the performance a
burletta, and as I did not understand the language, found
it rather stupid. The price of admission only one shilling.
The theatre is called Pergola. The boxes quite dark, and
therefore [I] could not judge of the people.
1 6th. Walked in the morning to see the guard relieved
at the palace. The King and Queen with one of their
children were listening to the music. Very poor troops
the Tuscan soldiers, a tolerable good band. The anatomi-
cal gallery of waxwork figures extremely curious, and
particularly interesting to gentlemen of the Faculty. In
the same building there is a most extensive assortment of
natural curiosities ; birds, fishes, marbles, minerals, etc., all
exposed for public view every day. The Grand Gallery of
Florence was certainly before the French Revolution the
finest collection in the whole world ; it is still in a high
state of preservation, and although the French seized on
almost everything wherever they went, they must have the
credit of not having made any seizures from the Florence
Gallery. The collections of paintings, statues, and busts,
extremely numerous, and of the first masters, in a high
state of preservation, and open to the public every day. A
few of the best pictures were sent to Sicily, on the first
visit of the French, by way of safety. The Boboli
Gardens, adjoining to the Palais de Pitti, very extensive in
the old-fashioned Dutch taste, long walks, and numerous
statues and figures. Very beautiful view from the upper
222 DYOTT'S DIARY
part of the gardens commanding all the town and the
surrounding country ; the hills covered with corn, olive-
trees, and vineyards, and very closely inhabited. In the
evening the opera, beautiful scenery and excellent ballet ;
the first dancer very capital, her name Decairo. The King
and Queen were there, but the house was not full.
i"]th. There was a grand religious procession, being
Holy Thursday. All the orders belonging to the different
convents, churches, and other places of worship marched in
procession through the streets, which were strewed with
flowers and in many parts had canopies hung across for
the purpose of keeping off the sun.
i8/A. All the morning in the gallery, visited several
churches with some fine paintings in them. There is a
room adjoining the gallery filled entirely with portraits of
the greatest masters, painted by themselves. Amongst
them there is one of Sir Joshua Reynolds much admired.
Very good markets for meat, poultry, and vegetables ; beef
sixpence per pound, very fine.
igth. Went to see the Chapel de' Medici ; it is an
octagon of about thirty feet diameter, entirely lined with
marble, and enriched with most magnificent tombs, finely
sculptured in marble, granite, etc. etc., of the Medici
family. In the old palace of the Grand Duke there are
some fine rooms and some finely painted ceilings. The
costume of the country women in the neighbourhood of
Florence is very curious. They wear stiff" silk gowns with
an abundance of silver lace and fringe ; immense hips and
long stays ; the hair rolled up from before and behind at
the top of the head ; a large chip hat ornamented with
ribbons, silver and lace fringe, etc., stuck upon the bundle
BOLOGNA 223
of hair at the top of the head ; very high-heeled shoes, and 1802
every woman has a fan. Numbers of the lower class of
the women at Florence beautiful, and the finest figures in
the world.
As I intended to leave Florence this day, it was necessary
to send to General Clark for a passport to travel to France.
The General was unwell, but sent his secretary ; he gave
me an invitation to dinner, but I was engaged. Quitted
Florence at ten o'clock in the evening after the opera and
proceeded with a passport from General Clark to Bologna,
eight posts, between sixty and seventy miles, mountainous
and very indifferent road, travelled in the night in conse-
quence of the warmth of the weather ; some wild, pictur-
esque, fine views, but no town of any note ; reached Bologna
about three o'clock the next day.
loth. The approach and entrance to the town very good ;
it is a very large old place and had a garrison of two
thousand French troops ; the tree of liberty in the square.
Went to the opera, a dirty filthy theatre, and the most
filthy performance I ever saw. The opera a squall ; the
ballet an obscene, bawdy display of naked women, at least
they might as well have had no covering as the dress they
had on. The company a most vulgar collection, a number
of French officers in the parterre ; shocking ruffians.
Bologna is a part of the Cisalpine Republic ; all the
Bolognese wear the Republican cockade, green, white, and
red instead of blue ; found a tolerable good inn. The
convents turned into barracks. Very fine paintings at the
palace of Sampieri by Raphael. At the institution there is
a fine library and a numerous suite of rooms filled with arts
and science, but like every part of Italy, marked with the
224 DYOTT'S DIARY
depredations of the French, who had carried off numbers of
the best pictures, bronzes, sculptures, etc. This academy
must have been on a great scale. In the Church of
Madonna there is a beautiful picture of Ecce Homo by
Caracci, who was a native of Bologna. The palaces and
houses of the great citizens are on a large scale, but an
evident appearance of poverty amongst the people ; still
the French have a number of friends. There are two
leaning towers, but not curious after seeing that at Pisa.
There is a remarkable phosphoric stone they sell at the in-
stitution ; it is found in the neighbourhood and undergoes a
chemical preparation. The wine at Bologna very bad indeed.
Proceeded at five o'clock for Modena.
Arrived at Modena between nine and ten on 2 1 st, a clean
good-looking town, full of French troops. Arcades in most
of the streets for people to walk under ; the palace of the
Duke a vast pile of building, but not inhabited. Quantities
of cherries, pears, and plums in the market, as also abun-
dance of vegetables. There are some very good-looking
houses and barracks. Left Modena after breakfast and
passed through a most beautiful rich country, thirty-two
miles, to Parma, changed horses four times ; the only town
on the road is Reggio, large and ill built. The road all the
way from Modena excellent. Spanish troops in Modena,
rather good - looking ; streets wide and houses good.
Curious black net over the mourner's head, something like
what the lower class of the Spaniard wear with the montero.
Parma an excessive neat pretty town. Spanish troops in
garrison ; the palace has been immense, but is in ruins ;
palace and garden of the Duke adjoining the town very
good. All confusion ; numbers of carriages and livery
MILAN 225
servants; academy; gallery of sculptures and pictures 1802
adjoining the theatre, no good ones except a curious
antique of a woman.
lyd. Left Parma at four o'clock and arrived at Milan
by half-past six, eighty miles ; breakfasted at Piacenza. Four
posts from Parma. It is a large town, long narrow streets,
in the centre of which there are flagstones for the wheels
of the carriages. The square or Piazza has two fine
equestrian statues in bronze. Leaving Piacenza, across the
Po in a ferry, from thence to Milan, the finest road
I ever travelled. Passed through Lodi, a neat town,
remarkable for the famous action fought at the bridge. 1
Country from Piacenza to Lodi rich with corn and vine-
yards, from Lodi with meadows and full of cattle for
making the famous Parmazan cheese (very good at the
hotel of Parma). All the country about Lodi and to Milan
full of water, and they have means of covering all the fields
every week ; entrance to Milan very fine, and the very
finest road I ever saw. Stopped at the gate for our pass-
port ; curious mode the women at Lodi have of putting up
their hair behind with a thing of this shape o o run
through the hair on the upper part of the back of the head,
and the hair all plaited and twisted round it. Went to the
opera ; beautiful theatre, larger than the King's or the Hay-
market, very good opera and beautiful ballet. Boxes have
an anteroom to each for servants ; large rooms on the
second flight for card-playing and all sorts of gambling.
Parterre very large and only half of it seated ; orchestra
excellent, upwards of sixty performers.
1 Buonaparte crossed the Po and Adder at Lodi, occupied Milan and besieged
Mantua in 1796.
VOL. I. P
226 DYOTT'S DIARY
. Went to see sights ; streets narrow and ill built,
flagstones in the middle for the carriage wheels ; shops
good, but not equal to Leghorn. Duomo or cathedral, fine
building, lined inside and out with white marble, but not
half finished ; great numbers of statues, no paintings,
Ambrosian Library large, but nothing like the institution
at Bologna Gallery. All the paintings and sculpture carried
away to Paris. 1 Ducal palace, nothing fine in the building ;
but the rooms must have been magnificent, particularly the
ballroom ; at present the habitation of the chief director
of the Cisalpine Republic. Platform for the guillotine ;
citadel, fortifications in ruins, large barracks. Troops at
drill ; soldierlike-looking, but very dirty and ill clothed ;
cavalry, good horses, but ill rode ; apparent idleness in the
people, much gambling and singing. Provisions dear, meat
tenpence per pound. Took a box for the opera, much
delighted with the ballet ; paid near ten shillings for the
box.
25^. Got up early to see the guard mount ; poor
business and bad band ; cavalry very dirty ; wrote to my
brother.
26M. In consequence of a quarrel with the postmaster
respecting the charge for posting, called on the commandant
to refer the business to him.
Did not reach Turin until nine o'clock owing to delays
of different sorts, several rivers to pass, quarrels with the
postmen, carriage broke down, etc. The country from
1 In May 1796 the members of the Directory wrote to Buonaparte, 'Leave
nothing in Italy which will be useful to us, and which the political situation
will allow you to remove.' The people of Milan were therefore asked for
twenty million francs and a selection from the paintings in their churches and
galleries.
TURIN 227
Milan a perfect flat ; fine corn and some grass land ; roads '802
to Vercelli good, from thence very, very stony ; the dis-
tance from Milan to Turin ninety-five miles ; some of the
rivers very rapid ; hotel at Turin pretty good, L'Auberge
Royale.
28/^. Two French demi-brigades marched into Turin.
Agreed with a voiturino to take us to Lyons ; we were to
pay him fifteen louis d'or, and he to find us and to pay all
expenses. Went to see a very curious and most ingenious
manufactory of sculpture in wood ; as far as I could judge
it was excellent. Wrote to my brother. The shops at
Turin very inferior to either Milan or Florence. I observed
there was scarce a good house in Turin that had not a
French sentinel at the door, and was, of course, occupied
either as a quarter for a general officer or for some public
military purpose. The auberge we were at had sixteen
officers billeted, who did not pay one farthing for their
rooms, and probably would not spend sixpence in the house;
liberte et egalite. I have taken notice that in many of the
towns in Italy the public clocks and church clocks strike
the hours twice, about a minute between. Left Turin at
five o'clock in the afternoon, a flat road eight miles to
Rivoli (through a rich country), a palace of the Duke of
Aosta now in decay ; from thence the road but indifferent
to St. Antonio, ten miles further. The women of the country
all wear an immense straw hat, a good thing in the burning
sun out in the fields. Idleness of the lower class of people
in Turin, playing cards in the streets ; the porters, when
not employed, sit down on their baskets and get out their
cards ; three men were guillotined the morning we reached
Turin. Water running down the middle of all the principal
228 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 41 streets ; tri-coloured flag and cap of liberty in all the prin-
cipal squares. Proceeded from St. Antonio at four o'clock ;
passed along a vale between two very high mountains, most
picturesque views and waterfalls, to Novalesa to break-
fast, distance twenty miles ; saw the fortifications of De la
Brunette close to the village Susa ; all destroyed by the
French ; carriage taken to pieces at Novalesa and carried by
mules ; very expeditious in taking the carriage to pieces ;
steep ascent ; paved ; waterfalls ; precipices ; nude state of
the people ; plain at the top ; droves of cattle ; make the
Gruyere cheese ; lakes ; fine trout ; ugly women ; curious
petticoat, all plaited to make large hips and a derriere ;
convent ; Buonaparte conspicuous by a memento on a stone
over the door ; goitres, saw several ; fine rich pasture ;
abundance of snow ; our coachman, a violent anti-revolu-
tionist, told us half the people in Turin of the same way.
Small villages, all the tree of liberty and soldiers quartered
upon them. The descent from Mount Cenis not so long as
on the other side. Arrived at Lasnebourg at four o'clock ;
beautiful valley ; fine view of Mount Blanc ; glacier ; all
snow ; wretched poor village ; got excellent trout and good
Gruyere cheese and also good wine ; the distance from
Novalesa to Lasnebourg fourteen miles.
^oth. Set out at five ; a most uncommon cold morning.
July July i . Left La Chambre at five and breakfasted at Aigue-
belle, distance fifteen miles ; the same valley and most
beautiful views ; the village in a vale with mountains rising
on every side to the clouds, either highly cultivated or
towering great trees almost perpendicular ; very good road ;
numbers of vineyards ; shocking ugly people ; to Mont-
melian, the same beautiful valley and fine road ; crossed the
MONTMELIAN 229
Ache and quitted its wandering banks ; drove through a 1802
well-cultivated, fine plain, excellent road to Chambery,
where we arrived at four o'clock and got a good dinner ;
it is the capital of Savoy, narrow streets, and a dirty-looking
old town ; sad devastation made by the French ; the palace
burnt, all the gardens, etc., destroyed ; everything Frenchi-
fied according to the true bon patriot system ; observed
citoyen wrote up in several streets ; all the people with the
national cockade, but from what I could learn they are
wisely sick of liberte ; the convents all destroyed ; several
fine houses deserted or appropriated for the use of the
troops ; very good wine at the hotel a la poste, and as
Montmelian was famous we got a bottle of that ; it is a
sort of Burgundy ; sound full wine, but not so high-
flavoured ; as also a sort of excellent Gruyere cream cheese ;
and charming fine strawberries all through the Alps. The
Alps begin to decrease at Aiguebelle ; the situation of
Chambery most beautiful in a vale highly cultivated with
views of rocks, mountains, woods, chateaux, villages, etc.
ind. Did not set out until after breakfast and went
to Bourgoin ; some of the most romantic views I ever saw ;
fine waterfall near one hundred yards high ; quit the Alps ;
near is the famous road called La Grotte, made through a
mountain more than a century ago ; it is extremely curious.
Between Aiguebelle and Pont de Beauvoisin is a most
extraordinary precipice by the side of which the road passes ;
a river runs between ; two perpendicular mountains ; the
height one thousand yards at least, and on the side of one
of them is the road made ; there is just space between the
mountains at the bottom for the river, and gradually widens
at the top ; the distance may be one hundred yards ; the
230 DYOTT'S DIARY
sides of the mountain covered with wood and shrubs, and
the road winds along it for a mile. At Pont Beauvoisin
enter France ; a small river marks the division from Savoy ;
we dined [at] a wretched dirty place ; did not see any
national cockades ; from Beauvoisin to Bourgoin a good
road and fine country, but a melancholy appearance of the
war ; every decent-looking house untenanted ; land ill
cultivated ; not half inhabited ; the people in the fields
more than half of them women and the rest old men ; large
vineyards ; no national cockades ; sullen melancholy look ;
the general appearance of the country very different from
what we had seen ; fences ; large trees, and looking very
like England ; people civil ; country people pulling off their
hats ; unusual, never saw it in Italy ; Bourgoin, a dirty poor
town ; troops at parade at Beauvoisin ; sergeant taking
snuff from the captain's box ; privates accosting the officers,
' citoyen.'
yd. Set out from Bourgoin at five ; had some young
potatoes and excellent butter for supper ; execrable roads ;
had been left all the war, and were recently repaired with
large round stones ; breakfasted at a wretched spot they
called L'Hotel, an odd dirty house half-way to Lyons ;
fine country, but worn out for want of proper cultivation ;
poor crops, and nothing but women, old men, and children
at work ; gathering the harvest, looking melancholy, no
national cockades ; several ci-devant good houses, all
demolished ; price of meat where we breakfasted, butter
9 pence, bread 3 pence, meat 3^- pence per pound ; flat
country to Lyons ; corn looking thin ; approach to Lyons
good ; entrance through the suburbs very bad ; arrived at
the Hotel des Ambassadeurs at twelve ; melancholy appear-
JOURNEY THROUGH FRANCE 231
ance of the place in consequence of the disasters that befell 1802
the city by the Revolution. Mr. Jacquier, the banker, told
me he thought Buonaparte would repudiate his wife and
marry a Princess of some European Power and make the
Consulship hereditary ; l houses demolished ; convents all
made barracks ; three thousand troops in garrison ; streets
narrow and full of people ; town house fine building ; Hotel
de Dieu on a tablet ; liberte et egalite ; playhouse very
poor after the Italian theatres ; performance good ; people
all stood in the pit.
$th. Wrote to Lady Louisa ; silk stockings bad and
dear ; left Lyons at four o'clock ; long hill from the town ;
beautiful country and fine harvest ; passed through Ville
Franche ; wretched old town ; slept at a small town called
St. George ; dirty auberge.
6th. Proceeded from St. George and breakfasted at
Macon ; a small old town on the banks of the Saone ; the
country, vines, and corn looking very well ; tolerable good
crops ; mostly women at work in the fields and old men ;
several good-looking houses ; the roads all repaired and in
good order ; Macon is close on the banks of the Saone, with
a handsome bridge across it. Leaving Macon, a handsome
house on the left ; formerly the property of Monsieur Peri-
gord, and given to his daughter, whose husband emigrated,
and who Robespierre wished to have married ; the house in
ruins ; fine country to Chalons, where we dined ; very good
town close to the Saone ; handsome bridge.
7/$. Beautiful country ; full of vines and fine corn to
Dijon.
1 Napoleon divorced Josephine on December 15, 1809, and married Marie
Louise of Austria on April 2, 1810.
232 DYOTT'S DIARY
From Dijon hilly and very open country to Villeux [?],
where we slept. Corn country and latterly some vines ;
parts of the road bad and stony ; saw few people in the
fields, and mostly women at work in the vineyards.
8//fc. Left Villeux [?] at four o'clock. Fine-looking ; ex-
cellent road from thence to Joigny, where we slept ; fine
triumphal arch on the bridge for Buonaparte, as he returned
from Lyons.
yth. Proceeded at seven ; fine country ; large good-
looking chateau of a ci-devant noble near Villeneuve, for-
merly Treasurer of France ; guillotined at the Revolution ;
good road on the bank of the Yonne to Sens ; curious rafts
of wood on the river ; over the gate at Sens, Caesar's motto
of Veni^ Vidi, Vici^ in compliment to the Consul on his return
from Lyons ; wretched poor town ; Archbishop's palace
made public offices ; churches destroyed ; before the
Revolution there were fourteen churches and as many
convents ; the latter all in ruins, the former only four
remaining ; one of the churches is made into a meat market
and a flour magazine. Poor discontented at the price of
bread ; drawing comparisons between the price before the
Revolution and the present time ; corn and vines all the
way from Auxerre ; no enclosures ; trees planted by the
roadside ; curious stage-coaches ; much heavier than a
London waggon ; six horses drove by one man, riding as
postillion the wheel horses. After passing Villeneuve saw
a good-looking house of the President of Paris ; at the
Revolution he was arrested, but made his escape. To the
right a chateau of the Duke of Chatille, he was guillotined ;
house now inhabited by farmer ; it stands low, and no
appearance of pleasure-ground or park ; country all open
FONTAINEBLEAU 233
for miles and some small plantations of trees ; road uncom- 1802
mon fine ; planted on each side and paved in the middle ;
entering Moret, another chateau of the Duke of Chatille ;
now inhabited by some of his descendants ; smaller house
than the one to the right ; after passing Moret, enter the
forest of Fontainebleau ; paved road all the way ; chateau ;
flew to look at it immediately ; oh ! what a falling off ; my
heart ached when I entered the court ; but when the
unfortunate Antoinette's boudoir and bed-chamber were
shown, it almost rent one's heart. The only room that is
not completely demolished is the boudoir ; it is most
elegant; glasses, fine ceiling, and fine doors are all that
remains. The King and Queen's apartments, the Council
Chamber, and the salle a manger one may imagine ; all the
rest is a ruin. Many places the utmost pains have been
taken to erase Royalty, in others the crown and other
regal emblems remain. The Palace itself is an extensive
range of old buildings ; nothing princely ; nothing regular ;
the stables are large, but not what I expected ; the regiment
of Chasseurs occupied them. By the bye, the woman that
showed the palace as drunk as Newgate. The chapel in
the palace totally destroyed ; gardens very extensive ; quite
in ruins. Much furniture at the auberge we were at must
have been from the Palace at the time all were sold ; the
nicest chairs, beds, tables, looking-glasses, etc., possible ;
two famous arc chairs. Large town Fontainebleau ; very
old and looked as dismal as a churchyard.
loth. Fine road to Paris ; chateau of the Duke of
Orleans ; now inhabited by some female ; looking ruinous.
Chateau of the Duchess of Bourbon and Princess Lamballe ;
now the property of a banker at Paris ; snug-looking place ;
234 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 41 saw nothing like an English place. Entrance to Paris very
poor ; got to the Hotel de Vendome ; devilish dear ; four
louis d'or a week ; went to the Opera Comique ; neat house
but small ; men vulgar and women more.
24-th. Set out at six o'clock ; five posts to Rouen to
breakfast ; a fine large old town ; view of the river beauti-
ful (the Seine), navigable for vessels of two hundred tons ;
trade totally at a stand during the war. Excellent road from
thence to Dieppe ; poor town ; fishermen ; corn country
all the way from Paris.
i$th. Embarked at six o'clock in the Lark packet, and
landed at seven the next morning the 26th at Brighton;
very glad to find myself in England again ; proceeded to
Stoke to dinner.
September September 24. The review on Ashford Common ; my
friend Addisbrooke lent me a horse. The A.D.C.'s attend-
ing were Lord Craven, 1 Colonels Bligh, Witham, Gower, and
Dyott. Went in a chaise and breakfasted at Belfont.
Returned to town and dined with Wynyard.
December December 6. Went to London per mail and paid my duty
to his Majesty at the levee on the 8th, and on the 9th was
presented to her Majesty at the drawing-room to kiss
hands on being appointed A.D.C. to the King.
nth. Left London and returned to Freeford on
the 12th.
1803 January 4. The third subscription assembly under the
y patronage of Mrs. Sneyd (Brickly Lodge). The weather
remarkably open and mild until the 1 1 th, when it set in to
freeze for the first time during the winter.
1 William, seventh Baron Craven (1770-1825); major-general in the army
and lord-lieutenant of Berkshire; created Earl Craven 1801.
MASQUERADE AT RANELAGH 235
\Afth. Dined at the Swan, a farmer's dinner, to partake of 1803
a round of the immense ox that had been fed by my brother.
2O//z. Dined with Hankey and went in the evening
to a masquerade at Ranelagh, rather a s rakish [?] collec-
tion ; lost my hat and greatcoat, both stolen out of the
carriage.
26th. Received a letter to my utter astonishment from
the Adjutant-General to say, that in consequence of what
had happened at Gibraltar, I was by the Duke's order to
join the regiment immediately. It seems there had been a
spirit of mutiny [which] had shown itself in the garrison, in
which the 25th took part.
I left Freeford per mail the 28th, and got to town next
morning. Waited on the Adjutant-General, who told me
I was to go out with Sir Thomas Trigge.
The 2nd February I was at the levee, the King very February
gracious, but not a word about the regiment. Frost and
snow and very cold weather until the I3th, when it rained
and continued all day the I4th. Was kept in London, and
could neither have my orders to embark for Gibraltar, nor
would they say I might return to the country. Tired to
death of London, and a great deal of rainy weather made it
still more tiresome. Received great kindness and attention
from General Stevens and also from Mr. Greville. The
Duke of Kent's secretary arrived on the 22nd, and brought
as satisfactory accounts of our regiment as I could possibly
expect to receive. He told me the regiment was in a better
state of discipline than any regiment in the garrison, and
had been so ever since the unfortunate event.
On the 2nd March I was released from my suspense by March
Calvert telling me I was not to go to Gibraltar.
236 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 42 On the 6th I took my departure from town, to my great
joy, and returned to Freeford on the yth.
"2.6th. A county meeting at Stafford to address the King
on his escape from the brute Despard. 1 The address
moved by my brother. Went in the afternoon to Keel ;
remained there until the 3Oth, and returned to Freeford.
April The first fortnight in April remarkable hot weather, and
the forwardest spring almost ever remembered.
On the 1 3th and I4th the thermometer was on the
former day in the shade at 62 and in the sun at 96, and
on the latter day in the shade at 68 and in the sun 96.
May The month May remarkably dry ; cold northerly winds
until the 25th, when there was fine rain.
Accounts arrived in the country on the 2ist that the long
negotiation that had been pending between this country and
France was at an end, and war was the consequence. 2
On Sunday, the 29th May, I went to London ; on my
arrival I found the regiment was ordered direct from
Gibraltar to the West Indies.
June On the ist June attended the levee, and in the evening
was at the grand ball at Ranelagh given by the Knights
of the Bath ; by far the most magnificent thing I ever
saw.
June 4. Drawing-room in honour of his Majesty's
birthday. I dined afterwards with the Duke of Clarence. 3
In the Gazette of this day my name appeared as a Brigadier-
General in the West Indies.
1 Edward Marcus Despard (1751-1803), an officer in the colonial service,
devised in London a plot against the government 1802 ; executed for high treason
at Newington.
2 War was declared against France on May 18, 1803.
3 See p. 35.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL IN IRELAND 237
. Went on a visit for three nights to Windsor 1803
to see my friend Colonel Sneyd, and on the 28th I left
London, and returned to Freeford to wait until an oppor-
tunity presented itself for my going to the West Indies.
On my arrival at Freeford I found my brother very unwell
with a gathering under his ear. He suffered very much,
and was obliged to undergo two operations by Ward of
Stafford.
All the months of July, August, and September in a
state of the greatest uncertainty, expecting daily orders to
embark, but on the 3rd September I received a letter from September
Wynyard to say I was placed as Brigadier-General on the
Irish staff. This was in consequence of the regiment having
arrived at home, and sent to Ireland. The order that was
sent to Gibraltar for the regiment to proceed to the West
Indies did not arrive until after the regiment had sailed.
Lichfield races, the I3th September, very little turf sport
and very little company. A new stand opened for the
occasion.
On the 3rd October I went to London to make arrange- October
ments for going to Ireland. Applied for my nephew,
Thurston Dale, to accompany me as Major of Brigade,
which was granted.
On the yth I dined at Mr. Greenwood's ; met the Duke
of York, very gracious.
Embarked at Holyhead at eight o'clock in the evening
of Monday the 24th, and was on shore in Dublin at
seven the next morning. Waited on the Commander-in-
chief : l he had left Dublin on a tour. I was informed
by the Adjutant-General I was to be stationed at Cork.
1 William, first Earl Cathcart (1755-1843) ; in Ireland 1803-5.
238 DYOTT'S DIARY
T - 4 2 I had the honour of an audience of the Lord -Lieutenant,
Lord Hardwicke. 1
Left Dublin on the 26th, and reached Kilkenny about
eleven o'clock.
The next morning at seven o'clock I had an express to
say my station was changed, and instead of Cork I was to
go to Waterford, for which place I proceeded, and arrived
at six o'clock in the evening of the 2yth. A most detest-
able road from Kilkenny to Waterford. Curious sign on
the way. Two Pats sitting at a table drinking whisky :
underneath is written, ' Fear God and Man, and drink as
hard as you can.'
November On the yth November I went to Curraghmore for two
days on a visit to the Marquis Waterford, 2 who had called
on me. A very fine place, but the house indifferent : the
style of living very inferior to an English nobleman.
2 7 th. Mail was robbed by a bandit six miles from
Waterford in the county Kilkenny. I was ordered, in con-
sequence, to a small village (Mullinava), to make every
inquiry into the robbery, and attended there, as also on the
two following days ; met Lord Ormond and the magistrates
of the county Kilkenny.
December Went to Curraghmore on the nth December, and was
ordered to Kilkenny on the I 3 th to attend a meeting
respecting the mail robbery.
1804 January 8. Went to Clonmell to see the 25th regiment
as they were ordered to Cork ; never saw the regiment in
higher order. Snowed all day, and rained all the next as
1 Philip Yorke, third Earl Hardwicke (1757-1834); lord-lieutenant of Ireland
1801-1806.
2 Henry-de-la-Poer, second marquis (1772-1826) j privy councillor in Ireland ;
colonel of the Waterford militia.
A.D.C. TO GEORGE III 239
I returned. Dreadful rain all the month of January and 1804
beginning of February. The latter end of the month the
finest weather possible.
February 20. Accounts arrived of the serious indisposi- February
tion of his Majesty, to the great dismay of all his subjects.
2yM. Went across the Waterford Harbour from Dun- June
more to Loftus Hall, a seat of Lord Ely's 1 on the county
of Wexford side ; a curious place situated on a peninsula,
not half a mile across from sea to sea. The house very
indifferent, and has not been inhabited since the Rebellion, 2
of which the neighbourhood was the grand depot. Picked
up two or three most uncommon-sized mushrooms, full as
large in circumference as the upper part of the crown of a
man's hat, and as blooming and fresh as a small one of
a night old.
i%th. Went to Curraghmore to pass a few days at Lord
Waterford's. A large party in the house and very pleasant.
lyth. To my very great surprise I received orders August
to attend the King as one of his Majesty's A.-D.-C.'s
during the royal visit at Weymouth ; the consequence of
which was that I left Curraghmore and the party at eleven
o'clock at night, and posted off to Waterford. No packet
sailed until the 3Oth, when I took my departure (with some
regret from Waterford, where I had met with much kind-
ness and attention) on board the Earl of Leicester packet.
Sailed about ten at night, and landed about twelve the next
day, the ist September, at Milford. Proceeded immediately September
in my own carriage to Bristol by way of Haverford West,
1 John, second Marquis of Ely (1770-1845); privy councillor in Ireland;
colonel of the Wexford militia.
2 The Irish Rebellion of 1798.
240 DYOTT'S DIARY
43 Narbeth, Saint Clears, Caermarthen, Llanon, Pyle, Cow-
bridge, Cardiff, Newport, New Passage, Bristol, Old Down
Inn, Cannards Grove, Sherborne, Dorchester, Weymouth.
Arrived at twelve o'clock Tuesday, the 4th September 1 804.
Met with a most flattering and gracious reception from
his Majesty and the Royal Family, and fixed myself for the
Weymouth campaign. Found the Stafford Militia and the
two Somersets, as also a part of the Hanoverian German
Legion.
Wednesday, $th. Attended his Majesty on board the
yacht : all the Royal Family went on board, viz. the Queen ;
Dukes Gloster, Cumberland, Cambridge, Kent ; Princesses
Augusta, Sophia, Elizabeth, Mary, and Amelia. The
attendants Lord Paulet (Lord-in-waiting), General Garth,
Fitzroy, Maningham, Cartwright ; Aides-de-camp Dyott,
Stewart, Campbell ; Ladies-in-waiting, Ilchester, Matilda
Wynyard, Elizabeth Thynne. The fleet consisted of three
yachts and the Eolus and Crescent frigates.
The King dined alone at one o'clock, the Queen and
females at two, and we soon after ; a very good dinner.
Came on shore at five o'clock. The King attended the
piquet mounting, and then to the theatre.
6th. Cruising again, but no females.
jth. All on board, and in the evening at the Queen's
house ; three card-tables ; all round games.
%th. His Majesty gave a grand fete in honour of their
wedding day ; two hundred people dined at the hotel ;
dancing after dinner and to the play in the evening.
Saturday, i $th. Review of the Hanoverian Dragoons ;
dined with the Duke of Cambridge, and the play.
October October. A continuation of fine weather with not more
GEORGE III. AT WEYMOUTH 241
than one bad day to prevent his Majesty sailing until the 1804
29th October. Fetes, balls, plays, etc., as also reviews and
sham fights ; his Majesty daily improving in health and
strength.
On Saturday evening the 2yth after the play, I took my
departure from Weymouth in order to attend the King at
Cuttnells [?], for which place his Majesty was to set out on
the 29th. I decamped on the 2yth for the purpose of
securing post horses, and paid a visit at Lymington to my
old friend and master General Stevens. Stayed there the
28th, and on the 29th went to Cuttnells to meet the Royal
Family, who arrived at four o'clock at Mr. Rose's at Cutt-
nells. The attendants were lodged in the King's house at
Lyndhurst. We dined with the Royal Family, and in the
evening cards. I had the honour to play at their Majesty's
table.
3O/^. All went to a Mr. Drummond's, a beautiful place
in the New Forest ; a most splendid magnificent knife-and-
fork breakfast at two o'clock and returned in the evening
to Cuttnells. The King rode.
3U/. To Lymington to visit Sir Harry Neale ;* in the
way through Lymington the Royal Family stopped at the
Town Hall to receive the address from the Corporation ;
dined at Sir Harry's, and returned to Cuttnells about six ;
cards in the evening.
November i . To Southampton. The King, Princesses November
Sophia and Amelia rode ; the latter's horse fell down and
the Princess hurt, but not very materially. The Cor-
poration presented an address. Returned about one
1 Sir Harry Burrard Neale, second baronet (1765-1840); admiral; M.P. for
Lymington for forty years.
VOL. I. Q
242 DYOTT'S DIARY
jer ' 43 o'clock, dressed, and went to dine at Mr. Burklay's in the
Forest.
ind. The Royal Family left Cuttnells for Windsor,
and I went to Stoke ; found poor Lord George Lennox l
in a very bad way ; never saw a man so altered. Remained
at Stoke until the 5th and went to Highfield ; stayed with
Sir W. Pitt 2 until the 8th and then to Windsor to pay my
duty to their Majesties, the King having been pleased to
give me an invitation ; nothing could be so flattering as the
gracious reception I met with from their Majesties. I was
lodged in the Queen's lodge. In the evening a grand
assembly at the Queen's apartments in honour of Princess
Augusta's birthday. I was honoured by being called to
play at the Queen's table at cards.
9/^. Rode out with the King, Princesses Sophia and
Amelia ; returned about two o'clock, and in the evening the
Queen's assembly.
1805 January 2, 1805. On the 2nd went to Leicester and
January returne d on the 4 th.
ityh. Went in company with Swinfen to London.
Attended her Majesty's birthday on the i8th, and on
the 1 9th went by the King's command to Windsor and
remained until the 23rd ; returned to town and left London
the 24th and reached Freeford the 25th.
Took my departure for Ireland on the 28th. Slept at
Wrexham and proceeded early next morning by Llangollin
to Bangor ferry. Travelled a new road by Capelcarrig, and
was very near being upset in consequence of a hill covered
with ice and the horses not being turned up.
Left Bangor early on Wednesday ; called on Lady
1 See p. 79. 2 See p. 130.
DANGER OF INVASION 243
Uxbndge l at Plasnewydd and embarked at Holyhead about 1805
ten at night. Did not reach Dublin until twelve o'clock
the next night, the ist February. Waited on the com- February
mander of the forces, and was directed to proceed without
loss of time to Waterford in consequence of a report of the
enemy's fleet being off the coast.
The report of the enemy's fleet all a false alarm.
Nothing will equal the kindness and attention I experienced
from every person at Waterford ; there was no necessity for
my being at any expense for keep, as I was constantly
invited out to dinner.
On the loth I received official information to move to
Dublin on my being relieved by Brigadier- General Peter,
who did not arrive at Waterford until the 26th.
March i . Waited on Lord Cathcart, 2 the commander March
of the forces, who I found extremely civil. I was ordered
to take the command not only of the garrison, but also of
the east district, consisting of the three neighbouring
counties to Dublin. My quarters were in the barracks,
and the garrison consisted of the 3rd and I2th Dragoons ;
a light infantry battalion of the line and the 9th, 36th,
53rd, 72nd regiments ; Tyrone and Armagh Militias.
Rather singular that I should have been quartered in Dublin
just twenty years before, Adjutant to the 4th regiment.
On the 5th I had an audience of his Excellency, the
Lord-Lieutenant Lord Hardwicke, 3 presented by Lord
Cathcart. Nothing was ever equal to the shameful and
scandalous state of the streets of this city from dirt and
1 Caroline Elizabeth, daughter of the fourth Earl of Jersey and first wife of the
Earl of Uxbridge, first Marquis of Anglesey.
2 See p. 138. 3 See p. 238.
244 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 44 infamous paving. I never saw anything like it, nor did
I suppose it was possible for the streets of a great city to be
in such a state. I took up my abode in the barracks on
the 1 2th, and occupied the quarters my Lieutenant-Colonel
had done when I was quartered in Dublin twenty years
before.
On the 1 4th a drawing-room at the Castle (they are in
the evening). Was presented to the Lady-Lieutenant, and
on the 2yth was presented in form at the levee to my Lord-
Lieutenant.
On the 2ist a grand ball and supper at the Castle in
honour of St. Patrick.
22#</. I dined at the Lord-Lieutenant's, a most splendid
and magnificent big-wig dinner ; no ladies. Twenty-four
at dinner, consisting of Lords, Judges, Bishops, and Generals.
A long continuation this month of cold, dry easterly winds.
April All the month April dry, cold easterly winds, with hail
and snow.
On the 23rd the Lord-Lieutenant gave a great dinner
in honour of St. George and also to celebrate the installa-
tion of the Knights of the Garter, of which Lord Hardwicke
was a companion, and which took place with great magni-
ficence on this day at Windsor. Lieut.-General Sir Charles
Asgill * arrived from England and took the command of
the district. The infantry regiments in the garrison re-
ported to me, and the cavalry to General Cotton. 2 In the
1 Sir Charles Asgill (i763?-i8z3) ; colonel of the 6th Foot ; commander of
Dublin 1800; general 1814.
2 Sir Stapleton Cotton, Viscount Combermere (1773-1865) ; lieutenant of
foot 17905 served in Flanders 1793-4; at Cape Town 1795; against Tippoo
Sahib 1799; major-general 1805; succeeded as sixth baronet of Combermere
1809; served in the Peninsular war; created Baron Combermere 1814; com-
IRELAND 245
middle of April the field days began in the Park by 1805
brigades. I was well paid. Lord Cathcart extremely hasty
in the field, but very clever and thoroughly master of the
business. The field days continued all the month of May.
Dry cold weather.
On the 4th June the Yeomanry paraded in the Park, the June
regulars on their several parades and fired in honour of the
day. The Lord-Lieutenant gave a sumptuous entertain-
ment in the Park at the Vice-Regal Lodge. No appearance
of summer ; all the month of June dry cold weather.
July. Hard at work three times a week ; the whole July
of the infantry out. Very little warm weather and very
little like summer.
August i. The camp on the Curragh consisting of August
twenty battalions infantry, the 3rd and 5th Dragoon Guards,
two squadrons of the i8th and two of the 23rd Light
Dragoons ; a fine sight to see the whole take the field,
which they did at the same time, the different columns
having been regulated so as to arrive at the same hour on
the verge of the common. Very rainy and uncomfortable
weather almost the whole month.
I was ordered to march four regiments from Dublin, the
9th, 36th, 63rd, and 82nd, to a common ten miles on the
road towards the Curragh, there to meet three regiments
from that post and to encamp the whole for the night, and .
to return with the three regiments the next day to Dublin ;
rather a pleasant excursion as the weather was fine.
The 4th back to Dublin, after having a pleasant excursion, October
and seeing some fine wild scenery. I forgot to mention
mander-in-chief in Ireland 1822-5; commander-in-chiet in India 1825-30;
created Viscount Combermere 1827 > field-marshal 1855.
246 DYOTT'S DIARY
T. 44 from Arklow we went to see the famous Wicklow gold-
mines. Did not observe anything very curious. A number
of labourers were digging gravel out of the bed of a small
river and washing it in order to discover a few small
particles of gold which were scattered amongst it. The
mine, as it is called, has been taken possession of by Govern-
ment, and the result of their labour is said to amount to
nearly three guineas a week clear, a paltry concern. The
accommodation at the inns of Wicklow, Rathdrum, and
Newtown tolerably good, but in a very inferior and humble
style to that sort of entertainment in England. The new
garrison of Dublin, which was changed on the breaking up
of the Curragh camp, consisted of the second battalions of
the a6th, 28th, joth, and 48th regiments, and of the
Cavan, the Donegal, and Wexford Militias. An abundance
of rain all the middle of October.
On the 2oth Lord Cathcart received the appointment of
Ambassador to Russia and was to proceed immediately to
England, but owing to the constant prevalence of gales of
wind from east, he did not leave Dublin until the 3Oth.
Lord Harrington 1 named to succeed him. Some regi-
ments ordered to embark, viz. 8th, 9th, 2Oth, 3Oth,
36th, 89th.
November In the beginning of November I dined with an old Water-
ford acquaintance, Major Godfrey of the Kerry Militia, and
met there some relations of his (Mrs. Thompson and her
two nieces), rather smart-looking women and great fortunes.
A few days after I invited them to breakfast at my quarters
in the barracks and gave them music, etc. I was a little
1 Charles Stanhope, third Earl of Harrington (1753-1829) ; commander-in-
chief in Ireland 1805-12.
ELEANOR DYOTT, NEE THOMPSON,
WIFK OK GENERAL DYOTT.
From a miniature in the possession of Richard A. Dyott, Esq.
DYOTTS WEDDING 247
smitten with the second, Miss Eleanor. Lieut.-General 1805
FJoyd 1 ordered to take the command of the forces as
Lord Harrington was employed on a diplomatic expedition
to Berlin.
December. I had frequent opportunities of seeing the December
Thompsons, and felt a very considerable increase of inclina-
tion for Miss Eleanor, who I could not help flattering
myself did not quite disapprove my attention to her. Mrs.
Long, the wife to the Chief Secretary, 2 gave a grand ball at
the castle. I danced with Miss Eleanor and in the evening
proposed for her and to my great joy was accepted. The
marriage ceremony did not take place until the nth January,
when it was performed at Leeches Hotel (where Mrs.
Thompson was staying), by my friend Dr. Batson, the
Bishop of Clonfert, about eight o'clock in the evening. No
person was present but just her own family.
January 1806. We remained at Leeches Hotel until the 1806
2yth, when we took possession of my quarters in the
barracks en famille, and I was as happy a man as any in the
world.
About the middle of February I applied to General
Floyd for leave to go to England on the ist March, to March
which he consented, and accordingly on Saturday the ist we
sailed in the Duke of Montrose packet about eight in the
evening and arrived at Holyhead at five next morning after
a fine passage. We went to bed for a few hours and
proceeded to Conway, where we slept, and the next night
at Chester. Did not set out from Chester until eleven
1 Sir John Floyd (1748-1818)} lieutenant-general 18015 general 1812 ; created
baronet 1816.
2 Charles Long, first BaronFarnborough(i76i-i838)j raised to the peerage 1820.
248 DYOTT'S DIARY
. 45 on Tuesday and reached Freeford about ten. Found my
brother and his wife quite well.
The next day saw my mother, etc., and was rejoiced to
find her so well.
Left Freeford on the 22nd of March and arrived in
London on the 23rd ; went to Windsor for two nights on
April the 2nd April ; most graciously and kindly received by
my Royal Master ; was delighted to find his Majesty so
well in health, though his sight very defective.
Left London on the 24th.
May On the 8th went to Wicklow to inspect the Clare regi-
ment of militia.
June June. His Majesty's birthday celebrated in the usual
manner ; a grand dinner at the Vice-Regal Lodge in the
Park.
July Constant drills and field days all the month of July.
The beginning of August Lord Harrington arrived to
take the command of the army. His lordship had been ap-
pointed to succeed Lord Cathcart, but had been prevented
reaching Ireland by his employment in the diplomatic line.
August On the 8th I embarked with my darling wife for Holy-
head in consequence of her having been unwell since our
return. She had been recommended by Dr. Beislie to try
Cheltenham. We had a long passage ; did not reach the
Head until five o'clock on the evening of the 9th. Slept at
Gwyder and the next day I accompanied her to Capel-
carrig, where we stayed all night, and she was to proceed
next morning on her route, and I returned to Holyhead
and embarked in the evening for Dublin ; had a long
passage and did not land until next afternoon at [illegible]
at five o'clock.
RETURN TO ENGLAND 249
In the beginning of September I received the joyful 1806
account that I was to be moved to the English staff and Se P tember
to be stationed in Sussex.
On the 1 5th September I went in the mail coach by way
of Drogheda, Newry, Hillsborough to Lisburn, and from
thence to pay a visit to Mr. Robert Thompson at Green-
mount, a beautiful situation overlooking Lough Neagh and
Thanes Castle. I remained with him until the 28th and
went to Cromore, Mr. Crombie's, by way of Portglenone,
where Mrs. Dyott's father left an estate. From Cromore
I visited the famous natural curiosity of the Giant's
Causeway, a most stupendous and wonderful effort of
nature.
Returned to Mr. Thompson's on the 22nd and left
Greenmount on the 23rd on my way back to Dublin.
Took the route of Belfast on my return, which I consider
the most prosperous and flourishing town in Ireland.
I reached Dublin at an early hour on the 25th and
embarked on the 26th for Holy head, and breakfasted at
Freeford on the 28th. Stopped there for a week's shooting,
and on the 8th October rode to Tewkesbury, where I met October
my carriage and arrived at Cheltenham rejoiced to find
my wife in excellent health and much recovered. Mrs.
Thompson and the Misses were there. I rode over to
Cirencester to Lord Bathurst's l to see Lady Louisa 2 and
Miss Lennox.
The 2oth October Mrs. Dyott and I went to Bath for
two nights.
On the 23rd we left Cheltenham and went to Leaming-
1 Henry Bathurst, third Earl Bathurst (1762-1834) j tory statesman ; master
of the mint 1804. 2 See p. 122.
2 50 DYOTT'S DIARY
XT. 45 ton near Warwick, a watering-place similar to Cheltenham.
Remained there until the 2yth and proceeded to London,
November where we stayed until the 2 ist November, to have my future
station finally settled, which was fixed for Hastings in
Sussex, to which place we proceeded, having slept at Tun-
bridge Wells, on the 2ist, and reached Hastings to dinner
next day.
1807 January 1807. On the i6th I went with Mrs. Dyott to
17 town for the purpose of her accouchement and also to pay
my duty to her Majesty at the drawing-room on her birth-
day ; the Court not very crowded.
February On the 1 5th February I rode to town in the day on pur-
pose to see my dear wife ; had quite an uncomfortable ride
from the extreme warmth of the season ; stayed in town
next day and returned on the iyth, the most severe cold
day I almost ever felt. The transition from heat to cold
very wonderful. Snow on the ground and a very severe
frost and hard gale of wind.
March i%th. I went to town to attend my little daughter's
christening. We had fine weather for the last fortnight,
though rather cold for the season.
Returned from London on the ist May, remarkably
sultry and hot weather.
April I went to Leamington on the 2yth April to speak to my
brother (in consequence of the dissolution of Parliament)
respecting any chance I might have if I offered myself as
a candidate for the city ; we agreed it would not do, and
therefore I returned to London.
May On the 3rd of May I received a letter from my brother
with a requisition from a number of the inhabitants of
Lichfield to desire I would go and offer myself for the
HOLLINGTON LODGE 251
city. I accordingly set out immediately and travelled post ; 1807
reached Freeford very early on the morning of the 5th ;
but after making every inquiry and calculation, it was
found advisable not to stand an opposition, and I therefore
set out on my way back next morning, and arrived at
Hastings on the 8th. Nothing, I suppose, ever could have
equalled the zeal and anxiety of all description of people
at Lichfield on my account ; the most flattering attention
that could have happened to any man, and which I never
can forget.
On the 2nd June, Eleanor and I went to town, I to pay June
my duty to his Majesty at St. James' ; a most crowded
Court. We returned to our quarters on the 6th. The end
of the month I went over to Brighton, merely to call upon
Lord Charles Somerset, 1 who was appointed to command
the district.
July. On the 25th left my house at Hastings and July
took a small house (Hollington Lodge) three miles from
the town of Hastings for three months ; extraordinary
dry weather from the beginning of June, and at times very
hot.
On the 29th Lord and Lady Warwick ; 2 the two Ladies August
Greville ; 3 Lord and Lady Lovaine ; 4 Lord Amherst ;
Sir Js. and Lady Burgiss dined with us at our cottage,
which we find a much more comfortable dwelling than the
house in Hastings.
1 See p. 74.
J George, second Earl of Brooke and Warwick (174.6-1816) ; married secondly
in 1776 Henrietta, daughter of Richard Vernon.
3 Daughters of Lord and Lady Warwick.
4 George, eldest son of the first Earl of Beverley and second Baron Lovaine ;
born 1778 j married Louisa Harcourt, third daughter of the Hon. James Archibald
Stuart Wortley.
252 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 46 On the 5th October I rode to London to meet Mr.
er Burnaby for the purpose of placing his son Richard at the
Academy at Woolwich. We went there together on the 6th
and the boy was admitted a cadet.
November On the ij th November I went to London in my way to
Windsor to pay my duty to his Majesty for a few days.
The 28th I dined in Grosvenor Square and on the 29th
(Sunday) I started at seven in the morning and reached
Windsor in time to make my bow to the Royal Family
as they stepped out of the carriages to church. I was
most graciously received by the King, as well as by all
the Princesses. The weather was so cold the Royal Family
did not go to Frogmore, and therefore were not seen
until the evening at music. His Majesty did me the
honour to talk to me for some time, and her Majesty
very gracious.
Monday morning. Attended the King to chapel ; after-
wards the weather continuing cold, His Majesty did not
ride, Princesses Augusta and Amelia took a short ride in
the Park. In the evening cards ; I played at Princess
Elizabeth's table.
December Tuesday. Attended chapel. His Majesty would not
ride, though the weather was much less severe ; since the
King's sight has been so bad, he has quite given up any
enjoyment from riding exercise, and in consequence gets
corpulent from the sedentary life he leads, as his Majesty
plays backgammon all morning with General Fitzroy. 1
In the evening the usual party ; I played at Princess
Elizabeth's table.
1 Lord Charles Fitzroy (1764-1829); general,- son of the third Duke of
Grafton ; aide-de-camp to George in. 1795.
LIFE AT WINDSOR CASTLE 253
Wednesday. At chapel, and though the day was toler- 1807
able, the King did not ride. Princesses Augusta and
Amelia took a long ride ; only Colonel Disbrowe and myself
of the party. In the evening I had the honour of play-
ing with their Majesties at commerce. The good King's
sight very defective ; however he managed to play his
cards, and was in high good spirits and appeared most
perfect in health.
Thursday morning after chapel I took my leave and never
experienced more flattering condescension than on this visit.
Friday. I had a good deal of business to do in the city,
and in consequence of the advice of my friend General
Spencer, 1 I called upon the Adjutant-General to express my
anxiety and readiness to be employed on any active service
whenever it should please his Royal Highness the Com-
mander-in-chief to think proper to call upon me. General
Calvert 2 was very kind, and promised to take a good oppor-
tunity to make known my wish and offer to the Duke.
Saturday. I left town ; did not get away until two 1808
o'clock and reached home by half-past ten, and to my great ^ anuary
joy found my dear wife and little girl quite well ; it was
unusual, so long an absence.
January. The season mild and good weather. Early in
this month I received a letter from General Calvert, the
Adjutant-General, to say it was very probable I should be
appointed to a brigade of the line, whose headquarters
might for the present be Hastings. I obtained two months
1 Sir Brent Spencer (1760-1828)} served in the West Indies 1779-82; at
Alexandria 1801 ; equerry of George in. ; served in the Peninsular War.
2 Sir Harry Calvert (1763 ?-i8z6); entered the army 1778 ; aide-de-camp to
the Duke of York 1793-4; adjutant-general of the forces 1799-1818; general
1821.
254 DYOTT'S DIARY
47 leave of absence, and on the I4th January set out from
Hastings, with wife, bairn, and domestics, and slept at Seven
Oakes.
April On Saturday the i6th April to my great surprise, I
received a letter from General Wynyard to say I should
be ordered on service immediately to the Mediterranean.
This put me into some confusion, particularly on my wife's
account, as she expected to be confined soon. However,
I lost no time and proceeded to town on Monday the 1 8th ;
called next morning on the Adjutant-General, and was
informed I was to serve under the orders of General Spencer
then at Gibraltar, but in what part of the world was not
known, nor was I told when I was to embark.
I left town the next morning to attend my wife to Free-
ford, where we arrived on the 2ist. Such weather never
was known for the season ; the snow between Towchester
and Daventry was a foot deep, and I never saw it snow
faster than as we travelled the road between those places. I
remained with my wife at my brother's at Whittington until
May the i st May, when I took a sorrowful leave of her and my
friends, and set out in the mail for London. I never
suffered more in my life or felt so much real grief as on
quitting my family. Uncommon fine weather after a long
and severe winter.
I reached town on the 2nd, and was busily employed in
preparations for embarking. I was to go out in an
ordnance transport, but the time of sailing undetermined.
On the 4th May I received a letter from the Adjutant-
General to desire to speak to me ; on seeing him, he proposed
to me (in consequence of the situation of my wife, who was
near her time) to change my destination for the Mediter-
THE DUKE OF YORK 255
ranean by employing another officer on that service. The 1808
offer was too great a temptation to withstand, and I
answered by saying if the Duke of York was quite satisfied
that I had made no effort to shun service, I was content ;
to which the Adjutant-General replied that was not possible,
as the arrangement originated with him. I saw the Duke
the next day and found him most gracious, and approving
the arrangement that had been made.
On the 8th I went to Windsor to pay my duty to his
Majesty. The King as usual quite kind, and appeared
pleased I was not to leave my family. I remained at
Windsor until the loth, when I returned to town, and left
London on the 1 1 th for Staffordshire, for a few days to see
how my dear wife was going on, where I arrived on the
1 2th at Whittington to dinner and found all quite well.
My brother and Mrs. Dyott of Freeford were at Leaming-
ton. I remained with my dear wife enjoying the peaceful
abode of my good mother until the i8th, when I went in
my curricle to Leamington to see my brother. Stayed all
night and proceeded in the curricle to Daventry, and took
the Liverpool mail to town, and arrived at the usual hour
on the morning of the 2oth. I called upon Lord Charles
Somerset l to see whether it was decided where I was to be
stationed. He recommended my going to Hastings for the
present, and that he would endeavour to find out if I was
to be permanent there or to move. Accordingly I pro-
ceeded from London in the afternoon of the 2 1 st and slept
at Seven Oakes, and set out early next morning for my old
quarters, where I found myself exactly the day five weeks
I had left them. I did not venture to take the house I had
1 See p. 74.
256 DYOTT'S DIARY
(.7 at Hollington on account of the uncertainty of my sojourn,
but went into a small lodging in the town of Hastings.
On the 26th (a move again} I received a letter from Lord
Charles Somerset to request, as there was not one general
officer in the district but myself, that I would repair to
Brighton as headquarters and to remain until I was relieved.
Major-General M'Kenzie, the second in command, was
gone to London on some particular business. I accordingly
proceeded in the afternoon as far as Horsebridge, where I
slept, and reached Brighton to breakfast the next morning.
I did not find there was anything material to be done. I
took up my quarters at the Castle Inn. Very little company
at Brighton, and nobody I knew except Major and Mrs.
Arkborn, formerly Mrs. Norbury. I went over to Hor-
sham, twenty miles from Brighton, on the 3Oth, to look at a
house belonging to Lord Hertford, 1 as I had some expecta-
tion I might be stationed there, but after inquiries I found
the furniture in the house did not belong to his lordship,
and consequently was not to be let furnished. I had
intended to have gone to London for the birthday, but
could not as there was no general officer in the district.
On the 28th May, to my very great surprise, I received
a letter from my sister Mary to inform me that my dear
wife had been safely delivered of a son on the 26th ; it was
very unexpected, as she did not reckon on the event happen-
ing until June.
June On the 8th June Brigadier-General Houston 2 arrived at
Brighton to serve in Sussex, and as I was particularly
1 Francis, second Marquis of Hertford (1743-1822).
2 Sir William Houston (1766-1842); served in Flanders, Minorca, and Egypt;
in the Walcheren expedition 1809; in the Peninsular War 1811-12; created
baronet 1836.
BIRTH OF DICK DYOTT 257
anxious to see my wife, I left Brighton next day and went 1808
to London, and on the nth proceeded to Whittington to
my mother's, where my wife had been confined. I found
her uncommonly well and the little boy tolerably so ; he
was not a stout child, and had been complaining. I
remained with my dear wife only until the 1 5th, and left
her and her little boy pretty well.
Arrived in London per mail next morning, and set out
on horseback on the iyth for Hastings, and arrived next
morning at my old quarters at Hollington, which I had
again engaged as my residence.
On the 29th Lord Charles Somerset inspected my July
brigade in Crowhurst Park, and I dined afterwards (to
meet him) with the Leicester Militia by an invitation from
the Colonel, the Duke of Portland. 1
August i . I set out on horseback in the afternoon to August
Tonbridge on my way to London, where I arrived the next
morning, and on the jrd paid my duty to the King at the
levee on account of my promotion as Major-General, having
had no opportunity of paying my respects sooner. I found
his Majesty as usual very gracious, and I was rejoiced to
see the good King in such good health.
I left town again in the afternoon of the 3rd ; rode to
Tonbridge, and home the next morning. The weather was
very warm, but nothing to what it had been on my late
journey.
nth. Went to Brighton to attend the Prince of Wales*
birthday. On my arrival I was going to the Pavilion 2 and
1 William Henry Cavendish, third Duke of Portland (1738-1809)$ a dis-
tinguished statesman and twice prime minister.
2 Cobbet wrote of the Pavilion : ' Take a square box, the sides of which are
three feet and a half, and the height a foot and a half. Take a large Norfolk
VOL I. R
258 DYOTT'S DIARY
met his Royal Highness at the gate. He was uncommonly
gracious, invited me to dinner that day, and added, of course,
on the next. Music in the evening.
On the 1 2th a review of all the troops in the district.
Most of the infantry had been collected and encamped for
the purpose, and consisted of the following regiments :
North and South Gloster, Renfrew, West Essex ; Berks ;
Bucks ; Montgomery, South Hants, Sussex, Northumber-
land, Nottingham, East Middlesex, a troop horse artillery,
the 3rd Dragoon Guards, the loth Dragoons, and two
squadrons of the Bays. The Prince was received near the
centre, then passed along the front, after which a feu de jole
from right to left of the front rank and from left to right
of the rear. The whole then marched past his Royal High-
ness in slow time ; it was a beautiful day and a very fine
sight. The Prince gave a most magnificent dinner to about
one hundred and thirty people. His Royal Highness was
in high spirits, and we passed a very jolly day. In the
evening everybody went to a ball at the Castle, such a crowd
I scarce ever saw. 1
turnip, cut off the green of the leaves, leave the stalks nine inches long, tie these
round with a string three inches from the top, and put the turnip on the middle of
the top of the box. Then take four turnips of half the size, treat them in the
same way, and put them on the corners of the box. Then take a considerable
number of bulbs of the crown-imperial, the narcissus, the hyacinth, the tulip, the
crocus and others; let the leaves of each have sprouted to about an inch, more or
less according to the size of the bulb; put all these, pretty promiscuously, but
pretty thickly, on the top of the box. Then stand off and look at your archi-
tecture.' Such was the residence of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.
1 Mr. W. H. Wilkins, in Mrs. Fitzherbert and George IV., vol. ii. p. 103,
writes: 'In 1808 the Prince also kept his birthday at Brighton, and celebrated it
with his brothers by a grand review on the Brighton Downs. The Prince was in
Hussar uniform as colonel of the loth Light Dragoons: his sabre was of the
richest description, and the sabretache and saddlecloth were of scarlet, superbly
embroidered and nearly covered with gold . . . this was the last of the Prince's
birthday celebrations in which Mrs. Fitzherbert took part.'
THE PAVILION
259
. The loth Dragoons was to have been reviewed 1808
by the Duke of York, but on account of the rain it was put
off. The Prince gave a ball and supper at the Pavilion ;
there was upwards of three hundred people, and, of course,
a splendid entertainment. All the royal dukes, except the
Duke of Clarence, 1 attended the Prince's birthday, and he
was prevented by sickness. Every room in the Pavilion
is fitted up in the Chinese style, very elegant and very
beautiful.
I returned to Hollington on the I4th. The weather in
the beginning of September tolerably fine for two or three September
days; afterwards until the I2th constant rain so as to
prevent any diversion shooting.
On the nth I set out for Freeford for the purpose of
partaking of some shooting. I rode to Tonbridge in the
afternoon and into London next morning ; proceeded by
the mail that evening and arrived at Freeford on the I2th.
It was Lichfield races, but I did not enjoy that rural sport
as I had formerly done. I met Colonel Sneyd and Mr.
William Sneyd at Freeford. The partridges were in great
plenty and I had famous sport. I remained at Freeford
until the 2ist and returned per mail to London, stayed in
town the next day and rode on the 23rd to Tonbridge, and
arrived at home on the 24th. Was happy to find my dear
wife and her two darlings quite well. The weather during
my stay in Staffordshire was very fine, and continued until
the end of the month although cold for the season.
On the 6th I received a private communication from December
General Wynyard, Deputy Adjutant General, to say I was
named for the command of a brigade upon service in Spain
1 See p. 35.
260 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 47 and to embark almost immediately. This news threw a
gloom over my fireside ; however I set to work and packed
up to prepare for a start. Unfavourable accounts arrived
from Spain and I was kept in a state of constant suspense
as to the time of my departure, until the 25th, Christmas
Day, when I received a letter from my friend General
Wynyard to say I was placed on the staff of the army under
Sir J. Moore 1 from the 25th. I in consequence lost no time
to finish my packing up, and proceeded from Hollington on
the 2yth with my wife and children to Seven Oakes and the
next day to town. The weather had been uncommonly
severe, snow and extreme hard frost until the morning of
the 27th, when a gentle thaw and mild rain came on ; not-
withstanding which the travelling was very good as the roads
were not broke up ; reached London by one o'clock on the
28th. On my arrival in town I learnt from the Adjutant
General I was to proceed to Corunna with Major- General
Fergusson. It was intended I should have gone with General
Sherbrooke, 2 but in consequence of the illness of Major-
General Spencer, 3 Sherbrooke was appointed to his com-
mand.
1809 On the 3rd January (i 809) I attended the Duke of York's
17 levee, and on the 4th paid my duty to the King at his
levee and was graciously received.
%th. I left London for the purpose of embarking to join
the army in Spain. My wife and dear children left town at
the same time to go to Brighton, where she intended to
1 Sir John Moore (1761-1809); ensign 1776 ; at St. Lucia 1796 ; in Holland
1799 ; in Egypt 1801 ; under Sir Harry Burrard 1808 ; killed at Corunna 1809.
2 Sir John Coape Sherbrooke (1764-1830) ; at Seringapatam 1799 5 Wellesley's
second in command in the Peninsular campaign 1809 5 governor-general of
Canada 1816-18. 3 Seep. 162.
ORDERED TO SPAIN 261
remain during my absence. Her sisters were at Brighton and 1809
had invited her to stay with them, but her visit was not to be
very long at their house. The parting from my dear wife and
sweet babes is too much even for me to describe. She, poor
soul, had a bad sore throat and was far from well, and our
little boy had been vaccinated and was otherwise a little
peevish on account of his health. The day was as dismal as
possible from incessant rain ; the tout ensemble made me as
miserable a being as ever existed. We parted at Hyde Park
Turnpikes, my wife proceeded to Ryegate to sleep, and I,
with melancholy wretchedness as my companion, took the
road for Portsmouth, where I arrived between eleven and
twelve at night. I was hurried away from town at a short
notice, not having been made acquainted to a certainty until
the day before, how or where I was to go from. The Com-
mander-in-chief's secretary wrote to me to say an applica-
tion was made to the Admiralty for a passage for me to
Corunna, but I heard no further until I called two or three
days after upon Captain Hope, 1 one of the Lords of the
Admiralty, who told me an order was sent to Portsmouth for
to carry me out with Major-General Fergusson at the time
the troops (then embarked) proceeded under the orders of
Major-General Sherbrooke. But I had no further com-
munication from the Commander-in-chief's office on the
subject, although Hope told me an answer had been sent
to the secretary the day the application was made, and that
office was surely the proper channel through which I ought
to have received my information. Captain Hope told me
on Saturday I had no time to lose as the convoy was
ordered to sail immediately and the frigate I was to go on
1 Sir William Johnstone Hope (1766-1831) ; lord of the admiralty 1807-9.
262 DYOTT'S DIARY
board was one of the convoy, and therefore, as I before
mentioned, I took my departure the following day. On
my arrival at Portsmouth I learnt the news of Sir John
Moore having been obliged to retreat, and on the Monday
morning the 9th instructions arrived with the post admiral
at Portsmouth to delay the sailing of the fleet. Major-
General Sherbrooke was in command of the expedition then
embarked, which consisted of a brigade of Guards under
the orders of Brigadier-General Campbell and a brigade of
the line under Major- General Tilson ; and the arrange-
ment was made for my embarking in the Isis, a fifty gun
ship, with Generals Tilson and Campbell, and General
Fergusson was to embark with General Sherbrooke in the
Niobe frigate. No instructions were sent to General Sher-
brooke respecting the delay on sailing. We formed a mess
of the general officers and established an ordinary at the
George Inn.
On the nth the agent of transports received a letter from
his board to say the fleet was to sail immediately, and the
Admiral by the same post received instructions still to delay
it ; and at the same time an order came from the transport
board to disembark three hundred artillery horses that had
only been embarked two days before. This made many
people imagine it was a previous step to the disembarkation of
the whole. In this state of suspense we continued until the
afternoon of the I3th, Friday, when a messenger arrived for
all the light transports and those with recruits for the several
corps in Spain to proceed instantly, under the convoy of the
Fisguard frigate, on board of which General Fergusson and
myself were to embark, and the troops under convoy of the
Tsis to proceed at the same time under sealed orders ; how-
EMBARKATION FOR SPAIN 263
ever Lord Castlereagh's l instructions to General Sherbrooke 1809
were so curious and apparently so confused, that the
General was under the necessity of sending back to the
Secretary of State for an explanatory ; his Lordship
having in the first instance desired the General to pro-
ceed immediately, taking with him a company of artillery
that had arrived that morning ; but on the General inquir-
ing if the transports were ready to receive the artillery, he
was told the ships could not possibly be in a state to receive
the men until the ijlh. General Sherbrooke was therefore
obliged to send to Lord Castlereagh to know whether he
was to wait for the artillery. Our convoy was settled and
as the wind was fine, we were hurried ofF and sent on board
at ten o'clock on the I4th in the morning, and the fuss and
the impetuousness of the Admiral (Montagu 2 ), was such
that he would scarce give us time to put our baggage on
board. The party embarked on board the Fisguard con-
sisted of Major-General Fergusson and his two aides-de-
camp, Captain Mellish and Count Grimaldi ; the former
the celebrated man of that name, who after squandering
away a vast fortune with the Prince of Wales, turned his
attention to a military life, and at the request of the Prince,
General Fergusson took him as an extra aide-de-camp.
The latter, the Count, was a nephew of one of the French
Princes, and was another extra aide-de-camp given
Fergusson by Lord Norris [?]. My aide-de-camp was my
nephew and former aide-de-camp Thurstan Dale. We
sailed from Spithead about two o'clock with a fair wind and
1 Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh (1769-1822) ; statesman; second
Marquis of Londonderry.
2 Sir George Montagu (1750-1829) ; commander-in-chief at Portsmouth 1803.
264 DYOTT'S DIARY
proceeded through the Needles, the light transports follow-
ing ; it was night and dark before we cleared the Needles,
when the Captain of the frigate (Boulton) lay too and waited
for the convoy. However the next morning not a single
ship was to be seen, notwithstanding we waited until two
o'clock in the day. As the wind was fair and blew fresh,
the Captain determined to make sail, concluding that the
convoy was ahead of us. We accordingly stood on down
Channel without anything particular occurring. It was
singular to reflect on the situation and change of Captain
Mellish's condition, from having lived in a style of high life,
considered a first rate Buck of the age, racing for more
money than any other individual of his day, the companion
and friend of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales ; now become
the companion of a cabin and humble attendant on a Major-
General as aide-de-camp.
Monday the i6th. We were supposed to have cleared
the Channel, but no appearance of our convoy. I could not
help feeling particularly anxious on their account as my
horses were on board one of the ships. In the hurry of our
sailing from Portsmouth my horses and those of General
Fergusson's were ordered to be taken out of the ship in
which they had been embarked and put into another trans-
port, and this ceremony was to take place at Spithead.
However, the trans-shipping took place without any acci-
dent.
iqth. Very fine morning; spoke a transport brig from
Corunna that gave us sad and melancholy news ; he said the
troops had been nearly cut to pieces, and that very few had
embarked ; that all the fleet had sailed from the bay, but
did not mention their destination. This intelligence was
VOYAGE TO SPAIN 265
most unwelcome. The master of the brig said he was 1809
bound to England and had sailed the evening before under
convoy of a gun brig. Our anxiety to fall in with the fleet
and to gain further information was great, and for which
purpose the Captain of the frigate altered his course as the
more probable means of meeting some of the vessels. Felt
a most visible change of climate since we sailed from
England ; the weather to-day as mild as a fine April.
Friday loth. Nothing could be more perplexing than
our state of anxiety respecting the unfavourable news we
had received from the brig yesterday, and most arduously
did we look out for a strange sail. The morning was fine,
and the wind had shifted in our favour, but as we had got
considerably low down into the Bay of Biscay, we were
supposed out of the track of anything homeward bound, and
not sufficiently near the coast to fall in with any of our
cruisers. The wind in the evening increased and blew hard,
but unfortunately the wrong way and instead of gaining we
lost distance.
The waves might certainly be said to be mountains high,
for when the brig was very nearly close to us, she at times
totally disappeared from our view. It is a great satisfaction
being on board a man-of-war in a gale of wind comparatively
speaking with a merchant ship, as you feel so much greater
security in the former. The weather was violent, and the
rain so incessant I did not go upon deck the whole day. It
was singular that the subject of the psalm for the morning
service of the day, should have applied so peculiarly to our
situation in a gale of wind. Captain Boulton mentioned a
curious circumstance respecting the quantity of canvas that
might be used when all sails were set in the ship. He said
266 DYOTT'S DIARY
he had calculated the quantity, and that it amounted to
1 1 ,050 square yards. We all dined to-day in the gun-room
with the officers of the ship. It is the custom on board
men-of-war for the Captain to dine with the officers on a
Sunday, and as we soldiers were the Captain's guests, we of
course were invited.
lyrd. At four o'clock in the morning of the 23rd land
was discovered, which proved to be Cape Ortegal on the
coast of Spain. We were pretty close in when we got up
and saw a brig to windward. The gale had very much
abated in the night, and we had great hopes of speaking the
brig and obtaining some information respecting the army ;
but our hopes were frustrated, and our anxiety was still
kept alive with dismal apprehensions for the events we were
to receive. The weather became very fine, but the wind
against us. The season felt as mild as the month of
April in England. Never was suspense more uncomfortable
than ours, and the conjecture of what had really occurred to
Sir John Moore's army was as desponding as possible. 1 In
the afternoon it blew very fresh ; saw a strange sail, and
made a signal to speak her. She had troops on board, and
said she had been blown out of Vigo, and was going to
Corunna. It was Captain Boulton's intention to have sent
a boat on board her for one of the officers belonging to the
troops, for the purpose of obtaining some information
respecting Sir John Moore, but a most unfortunate accident
occurred in the attempt to lower a boat. Five sailors had
got into the boat ; by the neglect of the boatswain, the boat
upset, and the unfortunate men were all precipitated into
1 The battle of Corunna, in which Moore was killed, took place on January 16,
after which Soult occupied Oporto.
A SAD ACCIDENT 267
the sea. Two of them clung to the boat, and were hauled 1809
on board ; two more got hold of oars that floated from the
boat, and after being in the sea for half an hour (during
which time a second boat was sent to their assistance), they
were miraculously saved, as the sea at the time ran very
high with a heavy swell ; the fifth man, melancholy to say,
was not seen after the boat upset alongside. This sad
accident threw a gloom over us, and prevented any further
attempt to speak the brig, or to send on board her. We
also felt much disappointment in being again prevented
obtaining any intelligence from the army. Casualties of
this nature in large societies like a ship's company are soon
forgot, and the loss of a companion did not in the smallest
degree affect the common detail, and the poor man was no
sooner gone from this world, than his memory seemed
obliterated from the minds of his associates. The boat was
entirely lost, and as a top-gallant mast had been washed
over the day before, I could not help feeling a certain
sensation that an occurrence of this nature might occasion
alarm, should the boat and top-mast be picked up at sea,
and known to belong to the Fisguard. How many untoward
stories have originated from less probable circumstances?
We stood for the land in the evening.
lAfth. In the night another gale of wind came on, and it
blew extremely hard the next morning. We were sitting at
breakfast in the cabin, when a wave struck the ship, and in
consequence of our all clinging to the table hands and feet,
the lashings gave way, and coffee, tea, ham, biscuits,
generals, aides-de-camp, sailors, etc., were sprawling on the
floor, paddling away in different fluids, some with a slice of
ham plaistered to his cheek, others with his eye closed by a
268 DYOTT'S DIARY
pat of butter: it was the most ridiculous scene possible.
Very fortunately nobody was hurt either from hot tea or
broken tea-cups. The gale lulled towards the afternoon,
and we had fine weather in the evening. It was the first
night I had slept with any degree of comfort since we had
been at sea. The ship had been so incessantly agitated
and tossed about, it was quite impossible for a landsman,
and that from an inland country, to get any repose.
It was nearly calm most of the night and the next
morning. Delightful and mild weather like midsummer
in England, and with the little wind there was, tolerably
fair.
26M. Thick hazy weather, but to our great astonish-
ment about twelve o'clock, through the haze, we saw a large
man-of-war close alongside of [us], and soon afterwards
observed a fleet. On exchanging signals, the man-of-war
was the Alfred of 74. Captain Boulton went on board of
her, having first hailed her, and learning she was convoying
to England the sad and last remains of Sir John Moore's
army. Soon after Captain Boulton had arrived on board
the Alfred, a signal was made to express that the general
officers on board the Fisguard were to go on board the
Alfred to return to England. This summons we considered
as a most fortunate event, for had we not by the merest
accident fallen in with this fleet, we could not conjecture
what was to have become of us, the French being in posses-
sion of Corunna, Vigo, Oporto, and probably of Lisbon
and Cadiz : and as the Fisguard was under particular sealed
orders to proceed, after landing us at Corunna, it is not
possible to conjecture what we could have done under such
circumstances. On arriving on board the Alfred, we found
BATTLE OF CORUNNA 269
General Craufurd 1 and General Alten, 2 the latter of the 1809
King's German Legion : each of them had the command of
a brigade embarked in the fleet, and which had gone on
board at Vigo, having been detached by General Moore
from Astorga when he began his retreat. We learned that
they had received intelligence at sea the day after they
sailed from Vigo, that a severe action had taken place at
Corunna, in which Sir J. Moore had been killed and Sir
D. Baird lost an arm, but no further particulars excepting
that the loss on the part of the British was dreadful. The
Captain of the Alfred (Hay) had no positive intelligence as
to where the fleet under Admirals De Courcy and Sir Samuel
Hood 3 had sailed for. Captain Hay was to receive his orders
from a ship that was to speak him off Cape Finisterre ; but
not having fallen in with her, he decided to proceed for
England. The Alfred was crowded at the time we were
added to the crew, having on board a great part of the
95th regiment with a detachment of the 43rd. We were
thirteen officers in the cabin ; however, we managed to
stow away very comfortably. After we had been in bed
about an hour, there was an alarm that an enemy's line-of-
battle ship was in sight, and in consequence everybody was
called to quarters, and the necessary preparations made for
battle. I began to regret having left the frigate, not wish-
ing to partake of a sea-fight. On the enemy coming near
us, she was discovered to be the companion of our voyage,
1 Robert Craufurd (1764-1812); lieutenant-colonel 1797; served against the
Irish rebels 1798 ; killed at Ciudad Rodrigo 1812.
2 Sir Charles, Count von Alten (1764-1840) ; of a Protestant Hanoverian
family ; served in Hanoverian army 1781-1803 ; joined the British army 1803 ;
held command 1805-15.
3 Sir Samuel Hood (1762-1814); created baronet after Corunna 1809; vice-
admiral 181 1.
270 DYOTT'S DIARY
and proved the Hindostan of fifty guns, which ship was
convoy with the Alfred. It was quite ridiculous to see the
effect occasioned by the alarm, and if his Majesty's ships are
all in the like state of confusion when going into action, I
can't understand how they come off triumphant. General
Fergusson's aide-de-camp, Le Comte Grimaldi, said the
alarm had one good effect, ' it made them clean their
cannon.' We had a most delightful wind, going seven and
eight knots.
27/y^, Friday. Fine day and fine wind, though getting
perceptibly colder.
28M. I was much amused with the accounts of the
campaign, and found General Craufurd a most intelligent
and pleasant man. The wind continuing fair and the fleet
all in sight. We expect to make the land early to-morrow
morning. How little did I suppose, on leaving England,
that my first letter to my dear Eleanor would be from
England. How uncertain are all the expectations of this
world ; instead of being on shore as was determined, it
came on very thick weather in the night, which continued
the next day and blew very strong.
29^. We were fearful of approaching the shore on
account of the very hazy state of the weather. However,
about five o'clock in the evening, we got sight of land and
which was conjectured to be somewhere off Exmouth.
Although there was a chaplain on board we had no service
on Sunday, on account of the blowing state of the weather.
3O//. The next morning at daylight we made sail (having
lain too all night after making the land), soon after it came
to blow, and so thick and hazy there was no seeing a mile.
It increased towards noon to a perfect hurricane, and the
RETURN FROM SPAIN 271
master assured us, though he had been at sea twenty-five 1809
years, he never experienced so violent a gale of wind. Our
situation became extremely alarming as the wind was dead
on shore, and no certainty as to our situation.
We could carry no sail, and merely drifted away before
the wind. Very fortunately the wind shifted in our favour
about two o'clock, and we were able to keep clear of the
land. Still the gale continued, and it appeared as if the ship
would have been blown out of the water. I must own I
felt a good deal alarmed, and a tear started when I thought
on my dear wife and sweet children. As night came on our
situation became more awful, although it was fortunately
full moon. Still the thought of driving away before the
wind, uncertain as to where we were going and not knowing
whether we might not every instant go on shore, occasioned
sensations to arise better imagined than I can relate. We
all lay down about nine o'clock, though with little prospect
of sleep ; but it was not possible to keep our feet in the
cabin or sit upon a chair, necessity compelled us to go to
bed. Divine Providence protected us, and the gale began
to lull about eleven o'clock and cleared up for a fine
evening. As to dinner or even sitting at a table it was quite
out of the question. The scenes of confusion and uproar
in the cabin, occasioned by the violence of the sea, was
sometimes ridiculous. The rudder-head was unshipped in
the after-cabin, and everything upon it, consisting of boots,
boxes, baskets, decanters of wine, glasses, etc. etc., all went
smash in a heap on the cabin floor. I shall never forget the
day and nights, or the very awful sentiments the occasion
imposed. God Almighty in his infinite mercy protected us,
and I humbly offered my thanks to the Divine Providence
272 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 47 for His goodness. The next morning the weather was as
calm as possible, and like a May morning.
3U/. As soon as it was light we made the land, which we
found to be the Isle of Wight. There was very little or no
wind all the morning, and we did not reach St. Helen's
until six o'clock. Two line-of-battle ships were lying there.
Our captain went on board one of them and brought us
a newspaper, from which we learnt the accounts of the
proceedings at Corunna as also the melancholy fate of the
Primrose brig, that was intended to have been companion to
the Fisguard and formed part of our convoy. She sailed
from Portsmouth at the time we did, but got aground off
Lymington and remained a few days with the transports.
In going down Channel she was totally lost off Plymouth,
and every soul on board perished. The gale we had
encountered on the 3Oth had made sad havoc in Portsmouth
harbour, sixteen transports having been driven on shore.
Several of the Alfreds convoy had not arrived, and for whose
fate serious apprehensions were entertained.
February February i. I landed the next morning, after the ship
had moved up to Spithead. It is impossible to imagine
anything at all like the streets of Portsmouth from the
crowds of officers, soldiers, dragoons, and dragoon horses ;
as the greater part of the troops from Corunna were disem-
barking ; such miserable, tattered beings I never saw, so
wan and worn out, both with respect to drapery and
general appearance, was never before exhibited. I remained
in Portsmouth no longer than was necessary to land my
baggage, and proceeded to Godalming, where I enjoyed the
comforts of a fireside and a good bed once more in old
England. I never saw anything like the roads from the
LIFE AT WINDSOR CASTLE 273
incessant rain ; and in consequence of the great run, the 1809
horses were all done up.
ind. I did not reach town the next day until near four
o'clock. Went immediately to the Horse Guards and
reported myself to the Adjutant-General. On my way along
Pall Mall I found my agent's house (Mr. Bruce's) had been
burnt down that morning. I was under alarm, for some
property of mine was lodged there, plate, etc., to the
amount of near ^1000, but it was fortunately saved. My
nephew, Thurstan, and I took a comfortable dinner tete-a-tete
at the Blenheim coffee house.
8M. Went next day to Windsor to pay my duty to
their Majesties, and never was anything so very gracious as
both the King and Queen. His Majesty did not return
from London until nine o'clock, when the gentlemen in
attendance were sent for up. I was immediately called to
their Majesties, and kept in conversation until they went to
supper.
tyh. The next morning, Tuesday, attended his Majesty
to Chapel, and afterwards to ride in the park. I was
much rejoiced to find the King's sight so well. In
every other respect I never saw his Majesty better. The
King returned about twelve, and the Princesses rode an
hour longer. In the evening I had the honour to play
Commerce at their Majesties' table. The King requires
great assistance to make out the cards ; however he gets
through it and it appears to amuse him. His Majesty won
the pool.
March 20. Remained at Brighton with my family until March
the middle of the month when, having received orders to be
placed on the Home Staff and to be stationed at Winchester,
VOL. i. s
274 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 48 I quitted Brighton, bag and baggage, slept at Havant and
set up my standard the next day, 2ist, at Winchester,
having previously taken a house belonging to one of the
prebends of the cathedral.
May May 2. Went to Sir William Pitt's 1 for a night ; found
poor Sir William getting very old and infirm, but otherwise
tolerably well for a man at eighty-four. Lady Pitt un-
commonly well. The next morning proceeded to London
on horseback for the purpose of paying my duty at the
drawing-room on the 4th. Her Majesty had been unwell
and had not had a drawing-room for a very long time.
The Queen very gracious, and I was invited by the Princess
Mary 2 to the Queen's house in the evening ; not a large
party. His Majesty uncommonly well and very gracious.
I had the honour of playing Commerce and instructing the
Princess Charlotte of Wales in the mysteries of the game. 3
She is a lively, fine girl and promises to be handsome.
i%th. Went with my wife to Hartford Bridge in our
way to London for the purpose of paying our duty at Court
on the King's birthday. Arrived in town by three o'clock
on the 29th. The drawing-room was crowded to a degree
seldom known. Mrs. Dyott went with the Marchioness
Donegal. 4 I was invited to the Queen's house on the 6th
June.
June We left town on the 9th ; slept at Hartford Bridge, and
arrived at Winton early next day, and rejoiced to find our
children quite well. I was told by the Adjutant-General in
London, that I was to be moved from Winton, as it was
1 See p. 130. 2 See p. 133.
3 Princess Charlotte Augusta (1796-1817), only child of George iv.
4 See p. 139.
THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION 275
intended to withdraw all the troops in consequence of the 1809
barracks not being safe for their accommodation. The
move from Wincnester turned out what I little expected, as
on the 24th I received a letter from Adjutant-General to
say I probably should be immediately appointed to the
command of a brigade for service, and accordingly on the
i st July I had a further communication to inform me I was July
to go without delay to the Isle of Thanet, to take the
command of a brigade consisting of the 6th, 5Oth, and 9ist
regiments, and to report myself to Lieutenant-General the
Marquis of Huntley, 1 who was to command the 2nd
division of the army preparing to embark under the orders
of Lord Chatham. 2 This deranged my domestic tranquillity
pretty considerably, and I was again to undergo the sad
task of separation from my dear wife and sweet children, a
task not easily to be described, and scarcely to be endured.
I have had to experience this dismal trial no less than three
times in the last year and a half ; I do most sincerely hope this
may be the finish to all the melancholy scenes of this nature.
nth. I called next morning on Lieutenant- General Sir
John Hope, 3 who was commanding at Canterbury, and a
very old acquaintance. He pressed me to stay to dinner,
which I could not refuse, and in consequence I took the
opportunity of walking out to call upon my old acquaint-
ance Mrs. Fawcitt, who looked as well as I ever saw her.
After a pleasant dinner with my friend Hope, I proceeded
in the evening to Ramsgate.
1 George Gordon, Marquis of Huntly and fifth Duke of Gordon (1770-1836) ;
lieutenant-general 1808 5 general 1819.
2 John Pitt, second Earl of Chatham (1756-1835) ; master of the ordnance
1801-65 commanded the Walcheren Expedition 1809; general 1812; governor
of Gibraltar 1820-35. 3 See p. 91.
276 DYOTT'S DIARY
12th. My Brigadier-Major (Captain Colclough) had
arrived two or three days before, and taken a lodging for
me. The next morning I received a letter from my dear
wife with most comfortable accounts both of her and my
sweet children. I found the 6th and 5oth regiments at
Ramsgate, and the pist quartered at Margate. I saw the
5<Dth regiment paraded on the sands in the afternoon, a very
fine battalion ; and dined at the tavern.
i$th. Inspected the sixth regiment on Thursday, and
the pist on Friday, I4th ; the latter regiment not so strong
in numbers as either of the others. Lieutenant-General the
Marquis of Huntley arrived in the evening of Thursday.
I called upon him next morning, and like his manner and
appearance very much. I dined with Lieutenant-Colonel
Walker commanding the 5<Dth regiment. He had his
family with him, and I could not help commiserating their
situation.
i$th. I had ordered all my brigade to parade Saturday
morning at seven o'clock, and was in the act of forming the
line when Lord Huntley came to tell me he had received
orders for immediate embarkation. This, of course, put an
end to our parade, and the troops returned to their quarters
to pack up finally for their berths on board ship. All was
hurry and bustle. I was at breakfast at nine o'clock and
received a message from the Marquis to say the first
intention was changed ; the men were not to embark on
board men of war as originally proposed, but to go on
board transports. Orders and counter orders. At twelve it
was discovered that no orders positive had been received for
the embarkation to take place, and this was not discovered
until Lord Huntley had taken his departure for Deal to visit
277
the Admiral, when all former orders were suspended and a 1809
consultation held as to whether the communication received
amounted to orders for embarking. I decided it did not,
and therefore the embarking was postponed until Lord
Huntley's return from his interview with the Admiral at
Deal. I had a letter from my dear Eleanor on Thursday,
and a small parcel this morning, containing two shirts in
addition to my stock which I thought it advisable to send
for, and by the opportunity I heard again from my darling
dears at Winchester. My brigade was embarked, as a
further order arrived in the afternoon for that purpose.
The three regiments were soon on board, and sailed into the
Downs in the course of the night. I dined with Lord
Huntley.
\6th. The 38th regiment from Deal arrived and em-
barked. I attended Divine Service in the afternoon, and
dined with Mr. Marsden, an old Dublin acquaintance. All
the week passed in preparation of embarking troops, stores,
etc. etc. If the object to be gained equals the extent
employed, it must prove of great magnitude to England.
llnd. The wind was easterly, which prevented the
division embarked at Portsmouth from going in the Downs.
I experienced great civility and kindness from Mr.
Marsden, who with the family were residing at Ramsgate
for the summer. He was under-secretary to the Irish
Government, when I was quartered in Dublin, and a
sensible intelligent good sort of man. He invited me to
dinner almost every day, and I accepted his kindness pretty
often and found it highly preferable to the noise and bustle
of the tavern, which was daily crowded to excess. Saturday
the 22nd I dined with Lord Chatham ; not a very comfort-
278 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 48 able feast, as we were thirteen crowded into a small room,
and did not dine until seven o'clock, as his lordship had been
to Deal.
23^. Thurston and I attended Divine Service at the
Parish Church. I received a letter as usual (daily) from my
dear Eleanor with comfortable accounts of her and sweet
babies. Hearing of them and writing to Eleanor was the
only comfort I had. We were kept in hourly suspense,
expecting hourly to go on board, but the unfavourable state
of the wind prevented the Portsmouth division of ships
reaching the Downs until the 2yth, on which day the
Marquis Huntley, Brigadier-General Montressor, 1 and
myself embarked in a yacht of Sir William Curtis' s, 2 and
after partaking of a good dinner I was put on board the
Hussar frigate in the Downs (Captain Skene), and Lord
Huntley on board Commodore Owen, 3 the naval officer to
superintend the Marquis Huntley 's division. So powerful
an expedition was never assembled by Great Britain. It
consisted of 2000 cavalry ; 2000 artillery men ; 34,000
infantry ; and on the morning of the 28th at six o'clock
the first division sailed for its intended destination, with the
wind at SW.
30/^-31^. Just before the evening closed we saw the land
on the Flanders Coast, and were then satisfied our destina-
tion was the Scheldt. The fleet anchored for the night, and
got under weigh at daylight the next morning and stood in
for the land.
August August. The main body of the army under Lord
1 Later General Montressor is mentioned as Sir Henry Montressor.
2 Sir William Curtis (1752-1829); lord mayor of London 1795; created
a baronet 1802 ; friend of George iv.
3 Sir Edward Campbell Owen (1771-1849) j admiral 1846.
THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION 279
Chatham had proceeded to the attack of the island of 1809
Walcheren at the entrance of the Scheldt ; and Lord
Huntley's division was to have made a landing on the
island of Cadsand for the purpose of taking possession of
the batteries that guard the entrance of the Scheldt opposite
the island of Walcheren ; but on our anchoring near
Cadsand we found our means not equal to the attempt, as
the Commodore (Owen) could not land more than six
hundred men at one time, there not being boats for more.
But notwithstanding, we were kept in a state of hourly
suspense from the 29th July until the 4th August, when
the commodore received instructions from the Admiral
commanding the fleet, Sir Richard Strachan, 1 to say we were
to join the headquarters of the army at Walcheren. The
constant state of suspense we had been kept in was irksome
in the extreme. Three or four times we had made every
preparation to land, the boats alongside, and the troops all
prepared ; but as the enemy appeared in great force, and
were strongly defended by cannon and works, it was
fortunate we did not attempt to get on shore, as in all
probability the six hundred men we embarked would have
been sacrificed.
$th. It was a singular circumstance that during the
whole time we were detached, our Lieutenant-General
Lord Huntley should have received no communication what-
ever from Lord Chatham, and that every proceeding was
1 Sir Richard Strachan (1760-1824) ; fourth baronet ; naval commander of the
ill-fated Walcheren Expedition 1809.
' The Earl of Chatham, with sword drawn
Stood waiting for Sir Richard Strachan j
Sir Richard, longing to be at 'em,
Stood waiting for the Earl of Chatham/
280 DYOTT'S DIARY
under the direction of the Navy. On the 4th we ex-
perienced a very heavy gale of wind, which continued until
twelve o'clock at night. We were at anchor with a shoal
sand-bank on one side of us, and the enemy's coast on the
other. We had two anchors out, but dragged notwith-
standing ; however, we rode out the gale.
6th. And on the 5th anchored near the line-of-battle
ships with the fleet on the side of the island of Walcheren,
near Campvere. In the night it blew a tremendous gale of
wind. In coming in we got aground, as had several of the
line-of-battle ships. There never was such a sea, or such
a navigation.
*]th. I went on shore and walked to Middleburg, the
head-quarters and largest town in the island of Walcheren.
It is uncommonly well built, clean, and a remarkable hand-
some place. The left wing of the army, under Lieutenant-
General Sir Eyre Coote, 1 effected a landing without opposition
on the island of Walcheren on the 3ist July and pro-
ceeded to the attack of Tarvere or Campvere, a fortified
place on the north side of the island, which surrendered
the next day, as did the town of Middleburg in the centre
after sending out a deputation from the inhabitants. A
division of the army was immediately pushed on for the
attack of Flushing, a large town and strongly fortified both
to the land and sea, and where the French had a numerous
garrison and showed every determination to defend the place
to all extremity. All the island of Walcheren had belonged
to the Dutch until the French Revolution, when Flushing
was taken possession of by Buonaparte, he leaving all the
other part of the island to the King of Holland. 2 Flushing
1 See p. 156. 2 General Pichegru conquered Holland, December 1794.
THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION 281
held out with great obstinacy until the I5th, when it 1809
surrendered conditionally.
8M. On the 8th Lord Huntley's division disembarked
on the island of South Beveland, which is divided by the
Scheldt from Walcheren, and where the division of the
army under Lieutenant- General Sir John Hope, had been
landed without opposition when Sir Eyre Coote landed on
Walcheren. Beveland is a part of the province of Zeeland,
and like Holland, a perfect flat, highly cultivated, and the
soil as rich as it is possible for the earth to be, full of dykes,
ditches, and drains, and, of course, at particular seasons
extremely unhealthy. The island is intersected by high
banks that have been originally formed to keep out the
sea, and that are in general planted. The small towers and
all the habitations are as clean and neat as can be. The
people are very industrious, civil, and obliging. The
horses are very fine and all alike ; a strong, handsome
draught horse with long tails, and so docile that children
drive them. My brigade moved to some small villages on
the south side the island near the Scheldt. I was quartered
at a village called Borasland, and was put up in a large
house tolerably comfortable.
loth. I received orders to be president of a general
court-martial to assemble at Tar-Vere in Walcheren, to
which place I returned on the 1 1 th and expected to be
away two days, and was kept seven.
\yh. On the ijth I went to Middleburg to see the
batteries open against Flushing. I went to the top of the
church at Middleburg, from whence I could observe every-
thing that was going forward. It was a tremendous sight
to see the dreadful ingenuity of man exerted in the destruc-
282 DYOTT'S DIARY
tion of his fellow creatures. We had sixty pieces of heavy
ordnance opened at once, besides the ships of war, and a
new species of warlike annoyance consisting of fire rockets,
which are discharged and thrown into a town or elsewhere,
and which set fire to whatever they come in contact with.
Flushing had near one hundred pieces of ordnance to resist
all this. The fire from the besieging army and from the
besieged was most awful.
i^.th. On the next day eight line-of-battle ships moved
up close to the town and began a heavy cannonade ; not-
withstanding, and although the town was on fire in many
places, Monnet, the French General, held out until the I5th
in the evening, when on being summoned, he agreed after
some time of hesitation to surrender and the terms were
concluded in the evening. Our loss amounted to upwards
of eight hundred men killed and wounded, with a propor-
tion of officers. The French lost nearly double.
\6th. The next day I went into Flushing and so sad
a spectacle I never saw. There was not a house that had
not been shot through and through, many battered to dust,
and many others burnt to ashes. The large Church and
Town House, both vast piles of buildings, were consumed
by fire, and it was supposed between five and six hundred
inhabitants perished in the various ruins. It is utterly
impossible to describe the horror and dismay exhibited in
the countenances of the poor, miserable, wretched beings
observable in the streets, who remained to lament the loss
of their family and friends.
i8//6. On Friday the i8th, the garrison of Flushing,
consisting of near six thousand men, marched out according
to the terms of the capitulation and laid down their arms.
THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION 283
The whole were embarked on board the men of war that 1809
had brought out part of our troops, and proceeded immedi-
ately for England. I went to see the ceremony of the
garrison laying down their arms. Lord Chatham and all
the general officers belonging to the part of the army in
Walcheren were present, as the whole was under arms and
formed a line from the gates of Flushing to the spot
appointed, where the arms were to be piled. Lord Chatham
took a station and the French marched past him. General
Monnet, the Governor, was by Lord Chatham during the
ceremony. Some of the regiments were as fine looking
men as I ever saw ; but all very dirty and miserably
dressed. Immediately after the ceremony was over I
returned to Middleburg, and as the general court-martial
was concluded and approved by Lord Chatham, I pro-
ceeded on to my brigade in South Beveland and arrived
at Borasland to dinner. I was obliged to travel fifteen
miles in a Dutch waggon and was tolerably well jumbled.
The German Light Brigade and General Grosvenor's 1
division of the army were ordered [to] North Beveland, and
we concluded that directions would be given for our moving
on nearer the scene of our ulterior object at Antwerp.
iqth. I rode to call upon Lord Huntley and afterwards
to the town of Ter Goes, the capital of the island. It is
not so large as Middleburg, but like it as to good buildings
and clean streets. The weather has been constantly since
our arrival stormy, wet, and very unsettled, though at
times intensely hot.
2Otk, Sunday. And sorry to remark, no appearance
1 Thomas Grosvenor (1764-1851) ; commanded brigades in Copenhagen 1807 ;
and in Walcheren Expedition 1809 ; general 1819 ; field-marshal 1846.
284 DYOTT'S DIARY
of the Sabbath as we had no chaplain, nor either prayer-
book or bible. Admiral Lord Gardner l with four sail of
the line was anchored in the Scheldt near my quarters
at Borasland.
2 1 st. I endeavoured to persuade him to come on shore
to take a ride. His lordship ; Captain Codrington, his
captain ; and Captain Legge took a ride on my horses. I
did not attend them, as I went to Barsland to see the 9ist
regiment, and dined afterwards at Montressor's quarters
with the General. Lord Chatham arrived in the island
from Walcheren and made the headquarters of the army
at Ter Goes.
iind. I dined on Tuesday with Lord Huntley.
23^. And next day gave a dinner to all the field
officers of my brigade. We dined ten ; pretty well for a
campaign dinner. My aide-de-camp, Thurstan, assisted in
the kitchen, and our cookery under his directions and the
execution of a butcher of the 8th regiment, we made out
very well. Lord Chatham again moved headquarters to
the advance of the army to a place called Crabbersdyh.
26 th. Great sickness prevailed in the army ; it broke
out very suddenly, and made its appearance in all the
corps. Fevers in general, and some dysentries. We had
a great deal of rain and very unsettled weather.
l^th. I wrote to my dear Eleanor, having received two
letters from her of the i5th and 2oth. A council of the
Lieutenant-Generals was assembled at headquarters, when
it was decided that all operations against Antwerp were
impracticable in consequence of the force it was known the
1 Alan Gardner, first Baron Gardner (174.2-1809); lord of the admiralty
1790-5 ; created a baronet 1794 ; peer of the United Kingdom 1806.
THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION 285
French had collected (from the long delay that had taken 1809
place in our proceedings in the island of Walcheren),
35,000 men. They had also erected batteries in all direc-
tions, and to effectually stop our proceedings, they had
inundated all the neighbouring country.
28^. This decision occasioned orders for the army in
South Beveland to break up. Some brigades were ordered
to England, and the whole of the cavalry which had not
disembarked were to return home immediately. I with my
brigade was unfortunately ordered to remain to garrison
the island of Walcheren, much against my inclination on
account of my dear wife's confinement, which was to be
expected the beginning of October and at which we had
both promised ourselves to be together.
^oth. My brigade marched from Borasland on the 3Oth
and crossed the Scheldt and arrived at Middleburg, The
sickness had increased very considerably and the arrange-
ments made to accommodate them were most shameful ;
when the sick arrived on the Walcheren side and
were taken out of the boats there was no means for
many hours of conveying them to Walcheren, nor did
waggons arrive for the purpose for ten hours after they
landed.
31 st. We found very considerable sickness in all the
corps at Middleburg and increasing to an alarming degree.
To me there appeared much want of exertion to meet the
difficulty arising from crowded hospitals and the shocking
places allotted as barracks for the troops.
September i . Generals Grosvenor, 1 Lord Paget, 2 Hous- September
1 Seep. 283.
2 See p. 73.
286 DYOTT'S DIARY
ton, 1 Disney, 2 Graham, 3 and Picton 4 gone home on account
of sickness ; and notwithstanding the alarming increase of
the malady no steps of any consequence taken either for the
removal of the sick or for their better accommodation.
^th. In my brigade, which consisted of 2400 men, I
had 1024 sick. The 6th regiment in my brigade, 900
strong, had 501 sick, and the 23rd regiment had not one
man to do duty. The mortality had not hitherto been con-
siderable in proportion to the number of patients. But
from the state of the hospitals great losses must be expected.
I never (thanks be to Divine Providence), was in better
health in my life.
%th. My aide-de-camp, Thurstan Dale, was seized with
the fever of the country and was very unwell. He was
much alarmed, and I never saw a man so low spirited or
apparently more frightened in my life. I was quite satisfied
home was the only place to cure him, and therefore I lost no
time in acquainting him with my intentions to send him to
England.
i^th. And accordingly on the ijth I obtained a passage
for him with Lord Amelius Beauclerk 5 to Portsmouth.
The sickness continued to a great degree amongst the
troops and the mortality great. In the army left in
Walcheren consisting of about 14,000, there were near
8000 sick.
1 See p. 256.
2 Sir Moore Disney (1766 ?-i846) ; fought in the Peninsular War; major-
general 1809 ; commanded ist brigade of Guards in Walcheren.
3 ThomasXjraham, Baron Lynedoch (1748-1843) ; Sir J. Moore's aide-de-camp
in the Corunna campaign ; commanded brigade in Walcheren Expedition ; created
a peer 1814,
* Sir Thomas Picton (1758-1815) ; lieutenant-general; took part in siege and
capture of Flushing ; appointed governor of Flushing ; invalided home.
6 Lord Amelius Beauclerk (1771-1846) ; admiral.
THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION 287
. On the I4th Lord Chatham 1 at last embarked for 1809
England. He had been detained by contrary winds for
several days. I should imagine his lordship's feelings must
be uncomfortable, as the newspapers had been most liberal
in their abuse of him. The weather for some days had
been cool and comfortable. Sir Eyre Coote 2 was left
Commander-in-chief on Lord Chatham's departure and I
was second in command. Sir Eyre took me from my
brigade and appointed me to superintend all the troops in
the island. The sickness amongst the troops became most
alarming.
i8/^. On the i8th my Brigade-Major (Colclough) was
so unwell I was obliged to send him to England, which left
me without a staff officer. I attended Sir Eyre Coote to
visit all the hospitals in the island on the i6th and iyth,
and a more wretched melancholy duty no man ever per-
formed ; indeed I don't suppose it ever fell to the lot of a
British officer to visit in the course of three days the sick
chambers of nearly 8000 unfortunate men in fevers ; and
the miserable, dirty, stinking holes some of the troops were
from necessity crammed into, was more shocking than it is
possible to express. The sick of the army on the iyth
was :
235 officers,
379 sergeants,
140 drummers,
8141 rank and file,
[8895]
and daily increasing.
2Otk. On the 2Oth Sir Eyre Coote sent an aide-de-camp
1 See p. 275. 2 See p. 156.
288 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 48 to England, to report in person the serious situation we
were in.
24^. I visited the hospitals in Middleburg, and
never did I behold such shocking objects as the various
wards exhibited. We had constant gales of wind and with
violent rain. The Admiral, Sir Richard Strachan, had been
embarked for some days with the expectation of sailing for
England, but could not move on account of the violence of
the weather.
On the 24th the sick amounted to :
191 officers,
377 sergeants,
145 drummers,
7813 rank and file,
[8526]
The deaths in the previous week had amounted to 287.
29^. Dreadful weather for the season of the year ;
rain, gales of wind, thunder and violent hailstorms. Thanks
to the all ruling Providence, I kept my health amidst all
the dreadful scenes of disease and death, not having ex-
perienced a moment's sickness since I came to Holland.
October October. The month of October began with fine weather ;
frosty mornings, and easterly wind on the 3rd. One
thousand of our unfortunate sick were embarked for
England. I made an inspection of the barracks at Flush-
ing. I was distressed to see in what miserable places the
soldiers were put up. In one house I found fifteen men
belonging to the 5th regiment in a room scarce twelve feet
square and with twelve of the men sick, and nothing but a
couple of blankets to lie down upon.
THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION 289
8fh. Looking forward with great anxiety for the arrival 1809
of the packet, in hopes of hearing that I should have leave
to return to my dear family.
The packet arrived, but no leave. Instead of it a letter
from the Adjutant-General to say my application must be
made through the officer commanding this army. Accord-
ingly I had to write to Sir Eyre Coote, who was kind
enough to forward an application recommending that I
should have leave, particularly as Major-General Moncrief
had arrived. Near three thousand sick were sent to
England, and notwithstanding the fineness of the weather,
the disease did not abate in the manner expected, and the
convalescents did not gain strength, and such as were
obliged to return to the hospitals did not recover.
12nd. Major-General Lord Dalhousie 1 arrived, and
therefore I looked forward with great hope that the answer
to Sir Eyre Coote's application would be favourable.
i^-th. On the 24th Lieutenant-General Don 2 arrived to
relieve Sir Eyre Coote.
i$th. All the troops in Middleburg attended Divine
Service to commemorate the day, his Majesty having
entered the fiftieth year of his reign. The brigades had
not paraded since the sickness commenced. What a melan-
choly and dreadful falling off in their appearance ; from
being six as fine regiments as ever paraded, they were re-
duced to a handful, and those looking sickly, pale, and
wretched. The weather uncommonly fine during the
whole month of October.
1 George, ninth Earl of Dalhousie (1770-1838); distinguished himself at
Waterloo ; created a peer of the United Kingdom 1815.
2 Sir George Don (1754-1832); lieutenant-governor of Gibraltar 1814.
VOL. I. T
290 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 48 lyth. By the packet which arrived on the 29th, I ex-
pected to receive my leave to return to England, and was
grievously disappointed. However, General Don very good-
humouredly (as he had not the power to grant me leave)
made an excuse to send me home with despatches, and I
accordingly to my great joy took my departure from Wal-
cheren on Tuesday the 3ist by the packet, having slept
on Monday night on board the Revenge, Captain Charles
Paget, 1 lying off Flushing.
November November i. Landed at Harwich the next morning
and reached London in the evening and delivered my de-^
spatches. I was kept in town to see Lord Liverpool, 2 the
Secretary of State, as also the Commander-in-chief until the
5th, and proceeded for Winchester by way of Windsor,
where I called to pay my duty to the King for half an hour
and reached home to dinner, and made most happy to find
my dear wife and sweet children quite well. My little girl
Eleanor knew me directly, but little Dickey had forgot me.
7th. On the yth I went to town by the mail to pay my
duty to his Majesty at the levee on the 8th, and returned
to Winchester next day.
i$th. On the I3th I was seized with an attack of the
Walcheren fever, which continued fourteen days. The
same day my dear wife was safely delivered of a boy, our
third child. She had a very good time, and soon recovered
her health ; the poor baby caught cold the day after its
birth, which settled in its eyes and was very troublesome
for some time.
1 Sir Charles Paget (1778-1839)5 fifth son of the ninth Baron Paget and
brother of the first Marquis of Anglesey.
2 Robert Banks Jenkinson, second earl of Liverpool (1770-1828) ; succeeded
his father in 1808 ; secretary for war and the colonies 1809-12 ; premier 1812-27.
ORDERED TO JOIN WELLINGTON 291
28;^. I went to Windsor on a visit to their Majesties, 1809
and was most graciously received.
December 2. Stayed there until the 2nd December and December
returned to Winchester. I had a present of a frock, cap
and coral from the Queen and Princesses for our new born
babe. His Majesty was uncommonly well and his sight
not worse than when I was at Windsor in January.
January 16. On the i6th January I went to London I ^ I
r J J J anuar 7
for the purpose of paying my duty at the drawing-room in
honour of her Majesty's birthday. To my very great
surprise I received a communication the next day from the
Adjutant-General specifying my being ordered to join the
army in Portugal under Lord Wellington. 1 But from the
situation of my private affairs and having so recently been
separated from my family, I asked permission to decline
the staff altogether, which was agreed to, and for the first
time after twenty-nine years service, I found myself a
gentleman at large.
12nd. On the 22nd I left Winchester with my family March
to pass some time at Leamington in Warwickshire (an
edition of Cheltenham). We travelled self, wife, three
children, and two maid-servants in our own carriage with a
pair of post-horses as leaders. Slept first night at Ilsley,
the next at North Aston and to our cottage at Leamington
the third. Delightful weather for our journey and with
the exception of one stage, from Banbury to Southam, found
the roads remarkably good.
April 28. On the 28th we received a melancholy account April
of the serious indisposition of our dear good mother, who
had been seized at Butt House, where she had gone on the
1 Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852).
292 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 49 23rd, to make a visit to the Lees. My brother Phillip came
from Butt House on the 29th, and brought the sad tidings
that my poor mother could not recover. She remained
with her usual sweetness of disposition, serenity, and com-
posure until the 3rd May, when she was called by an all-
ruling Providence to a better world at the great age of
eighty-six. The world never contained a more amiable,
more moral, or more religious woman, or a more kind
parent, or more affectionate wife. Her happiness consisted
in contributing all in her power to afford comfort and
happiness to those about her, and certainly no mother was
ever more beloved by affectionate and dutiful children than
she was.
May i6th. On the i6th I rode to Freeford, and stayed two
nights ; returned to Leamington on the 1 8th, and on the
2oth I went by the Coventry coach to London with an
intention of proceeding to Windsor to pay my duty to their
Majesties, but in consequence of the dangerous state of the
Princess Amelia's health, 1 which I learned on my arrival in
town, I put off my visit.
I had a communication from the Adjutant-General to say
I was to be placed on the staff for a short time with eight
other general officers for the purpose of inspecting the local
militia, and was to be attached to the Severn district. I
accordingly made an application to General Ward com-
manding the district for my orders, and found I was to
have the inspection of the regiments in South Wales.
24^. I left town on the 24th, and got to Leamington
next morning, where I only remained one night, and pro-
ceeded by way of Stratford-on-Avon, Alcester, Evesham,
1 Princess Amelia had been a confirmed invalid for two years.
THE BLIND KING 293
Tewkesbury, Gloster, Ross, Monmouth, Usk, and New- 1810
port to Cardiff to inspect the East Glamorgan Battalion on
the 28th. Returned that day to Newport, and inspected
the Monmouth West Battalion, and proceeded in the after-
noon by Pontypool and Abergavenny to Brecon to inspect
the East Brecon, which took place next morning.
29^. In the afternoon I went by Abergavenny to Mon-
mouth, and inspected the 3Oth, the West Monmouth
Battalions. Found the regiment commanded by an old
friend, Lieut.-Colonel Molyneux, who had been a shipmate
with me when I went to America. I left Monmouth in the
evening, and went as far as Ledbury by way of Ross, and
proceeded next morning to Worcester, Alcester, Stratford,
and to Leamington.
June 4. On the 4th we broke up our camp at Learning- June
ton, and in consequence of my sister Mary having offered
us the use of my poor mother's house at Whittington, we
took possession bag and baggage. We found the old mansion
most comfortable, but I frequently felt the loss of my dear
good mother, who had been the mistress and worthy
inhabitant so many years.
July 17. I stayed in London the iyth, and went to July
Windsor next day ; was graciously received by the King
and Queen and by all the Royal Family. Had the honour
of playing at their Majesties' table at Commerce in the
evening. I was sorry to find our good King's sight become
so indifferent. He was obliged to be led about, and could
merely distinguish light from dark. I never saw his
Majesty's general health better or in better spirits. He
rides every morning, but his horse is led, or he has a person
riding on each side of him. I remained at Windsor a week,
294 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 49 and never experienced more gracious attention than all the
time of my visit. Lady Louisa Lennox, 1 Lord and Lady
Markhen [?], 2 and Lord and Lady Bathurst 3 were staying at
Lord Harcourt's 4 in the neighbourhood of Windsor. I
dined at Lord Harcourt's one of the days, and returned to
walk the Terrace at Windsor in the afternoon. The King
and two of the Princesses walked the Terrace every evening.
His Majesty was conducted by his two daughters, an afflict-
ing sight, and seemed to have an impression on everybody.
Numbers of people most evenings, but on Sunday a con-
course.
August August. I called upon the Adjutant-General in London,
who asked me if I wished to be put on the home staff. I
told him I should be very glad, provided I was not to be
called upon suddenly for foreign service. I was surprised
and much gratified to find in a few days after I returned to
Whittington to receive a notification to say I was appointed
to succeed Lieut. -General Craufurd 5 in the command of the
Ireland district, and to have my headquarters at Lichfield ;
this was an hour of gratification I little expected. In con-
sequence, I took the house in Lichfield belonging to Mr.
Carey, adjoining the old Vicar's Hall, but remained in the
September old mansion at Whittington until September, having pre-
viously sent for my goods and chattels which I had left at
Winchester.
2oth. The weather was uncommon warm in September,
1 Seep. 362. 2 See p. 81.
3 Henry, third Earl of Bathurst (1762-1834.) ; married Georgiana, third daughter
of Lord George Henry Lennox.
4 William Harcourt, third Earl Harcourt (1743-1830) ; succeeded his brother
1809; general 1796; field-marshal 1820.
5 See p. 269.
His MAJESTY KING GEORGK III.
From an old coloured print.
SIEGE OF LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL 195
which prevented good shooting ; however, I enjoyed myself 1810
much, not having had an opportunity of being in Stafford-
shire at this season for many years. The races took place
at the usual period, and were tolerably well attended, but
nothing like what they were formerly. They did me the
honour to appoint me Steward with Sir Oswald Mosley l for
the next year.
January. A great deal of frost and cold weather in 1811
January ; shooting most days with tolerable success. I
went to Beaudesert for a day's shooting with Lord Paget, 2
and never saw so much game in so short a time. We were
not out more than three hours, and killed twenty-five
pheasants, seven hares, and four rabbits. His lordship
slayed far the greater part. We went to Wichnor to stay
two nights with Thomas Levett.
March. On the 4th I entertained the corporation of the March
city at dinner to commemorate the day our ancestor killed
Lord Brooke during the Siege of Lichfield Cathedral. 3 All
very jolly and sociable.
1 See p. 297.
2 The first Marquis of Anglesey 5 see p. 73.
3 Shaw, in his History and Antiquities of Staffordshire, i. 238, edition 1798,
writes : ' Clarendon says it was a common soldier ; but others say it was Dumb
Dyott, so called because he was deaf and dumb ; and no doubt, he was one of that
loyal family, and most probably one of the six sons of Sir Richard. . . . His eldest
son Anthony was major of a regiment of foot in the army of Charles i. Mathew,
his third son, was a captain of horse, . . . and Michael, sixth son, a captain also.
. . . Uniform tradition has handed down the fact of its being a gentleman of the
name of Dyott who killed Lord Brooke ; and the late Mr. Green . . . caused a
marble tablet to be set up against the wall of the small house in Dam-street, with
the following inscription :
'"March 2, 1643, Lord Brooke, a general of the parliament forces, preparing
to besiege the close of Lichfield, garrisoned for King Charles I., received his death-
wound on the spot beneath this inscription, by a shot in the forehead from Mr.
Dyott, a gentleman who had placed himself on the battlements of the great steeple
to annoy the besiegers." '
296 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 50 iStk. On the i8th I was obliged to give up the house I
had at Lichfield, my landlord, Mr. Carey, having sold it.
In consequence I was reduced to the necessity of purchas-
ing an habitation, as there was not a house in Lichfield to
be let. I bought from Mr. Parr the house in Tarn worth
Street that formerly belonged to Mrs. Porter, the daughter-
in-law 1 of the celebrated Dr. Johnson. 2 As my new pur-
chase was unfurnished and required some alterations, we
removed all hands to Whittington, and resumed our former
station in my poor old mother's house. The latter end of
March we were honoured by an invitation to Shuckborough,
and paid a visit for two days. I never witnessed more
splendour or great hospitality than at Lord Anson's. 3 We
had delightful weather and a most gracious visit. The
months of March and April the finest season ever remem-
bered, and in consequence the earliest spring.
May May 29. On the 2Qth I went to Stafford to inspect
the East regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel
Wilson ; a miserable rainy day, and the men in the field
standing over their shoes in water.
3U7. On the 3ist I went to Wolverhampton to inspect
the Western regiment under the command of Sir John
Wrottesley. 4 I received a very polite invitation from Sir
John to go to Wrottesley, but declined and returned home
to dinner.
June June 4. The Southern regiment had assembled at Lich-
1 General Dyott means step-daughter.
2 Samuel Johnson (1709-1784); son of a Lichfield bookseller; married Mrs.
Porter 1735 ; the famous controversialist and lexicographer.
3 Thomas Anson, Viscount Anson (1767-1818) ; married Anne, daughter of
Thomas Coke of Holkham ; created Viscount Anson and Baron Soberton 1806.
4 See p. 130.
LICHFIELD RACES 297
field on the 25th under the command of Sir Robert Lawly, 1811
and on the 4th June I had a gala parade in honour of the
birthday of our gracious King. The corps assembled were
the yth Dragoon Guards, a squadron of the I4th Dragoons,
six troops Staffordshire Yeomanry and the South Stafford
local militia. The line assembled on Whittington Heath
and made a very handsome appearance. The day was fine
and collected a vast concourse of people. I gave a dinner
to fifty at the Swan ; my house not being finished at
Lichfield I was still living at Whittington.
July. Went to London to pay my respects to the Duke July
of York, on his being reappointed to the command of the
army. 1
ind. Attended his Royal Highness's levee the next day,
and was in hopes to have had the honour of being at a levee
of the Prince Regent's, but he had given up the intention of
having any more levees for the present. I therefore made
my excuse through Colonel Bloomfield 2 for not having been
in London before.
loth. On the loth Lichfield races ; I was one of the September
Stewards with Sir Oswald Mosley. 3 A good deal of company,
and but little sport as to racing. What a change in the
appearance of the Heath, with respect to carriages, com-
pared with the races five-and-twenty years ago, when there
were generally ten coaches and six, and a dozen coaches and
1 The Duke of York had been removed from the head of the army in 1 809 in
consequence of the conduct of his mistress, Mrs. Mary Anne Clarke, who was
bribed to use her influence to obtain army promotions from the Duke.
2 Benjamin Bloomfield (1768-1846); chief equerry to the Prince of Wales
c. 1806; major-general 1814; knighted 1815 ; minister plenipotentiary at
Stockholm 1824 5 raised to the Irish peerage 1825.
3 Sir Oswald Mosley born 1785 j succeeded his grandfather 1798 5 M.P. for
the northern division of Staffordshire.
298 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 50 four ; now the only set of horses was Lord Stafford's, and
three or four coaches and four.
November Jth. On the yth I was ordered to Nottingham by a letter
from the Commander-in-chief's secretary in consequence of
the alarming riots that existed in that town and neighbour-
hood. The stocking manufacturers had committed great
outrages by breaking the stocking-frames of such of their
employers as would not increase the price of wages. 1 I
remained at Nottingham until the i4th, having distributed
the 1 5th Dragoons and Berkshire Militia in the several
villages where disturbances had happened to keep the peace,
and proceeded to Loughborough to attend a meeting of
magistrates of the county of Leicester, there having been
some symptoms of discontent in that country ; but the
appearance of a military force prevented any repetition of
outrage, and I returned to Lichfield on the I5th.
1812 January, February, and March. Living quietly and
comfortably at home, enjoying the delights of domestic life.
April April i. Set out with my wife Eleanor and Dick to
London. Slept at Dunchurch and Brickhill, and reached
town on the 3rd. Travelled with our own horses. We
had apartments at Warner's Hotel in Conduit Street, but
when disengaged lived with our aunt and sister in Grosvenor
Square.
i$th. On the i5th I attended the Prince Regent's
levee at Carlton House and was graciously received. I
1 The Luddite rioters broke frames throughout Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire,
and Leicestershire. The streets of Nottingham were placarded with notices
offering rewards for the delivery of the mayor, dead or alive, to the Luddites.
Finally, seven regiments had to be drafted into the district to keep order. Joseph
Heathcoat, the inventor of a lace machine, left Loughborough in disgust after his
machines were broken and set up at Tiverton.
LUDDITE RIOTS 299
wished to have paid my duty at Windsor, but did not know 1812
how far it might be proper in the lamentable state of the
King's health. 1 I wrote to Colonel Taylor 2 on the subject
and received a gracious message to say the Queen would
wish me to pay a visit, and which I proposed to have done,
but was ordered down to Lichfield on the joth April in
consequence of the disturbance that still continued in the
county. A system of dissatisfaction had seized the manu-
facturers generally, and had appeared in an alarming posture
in Cheshire and Lancashire, which occasioned a considerable
force to be collected at Manchester, as also at Nottingham
and in parts of Yorkshire.
3O//. I left town on the 3Oth and reached Lichfield on
the 2nd May with my children, having left Mrs. Dyott with
her sister in London.
$rd. Lieut.-General Maitland came to Lichfield on the May
3rd, having been sent to take the command of this and the
north-west district and to fix his headquarters at Man-
chester. I was left by myself, as Mrs. Dyott did not return
from London till the end of June. In consequence of the
disturbed state of the country and the system of organisa-
tion that was discovered amongst the manufacturers, a camp
was ordered to be formed in the neighbourhood of Lichfield,
and which took place on Sutton Coldfield near the village
of Little Hay on the nth June, consisting of a brigade of
Royal Artillery, two squadrons 7th Dragoon Guards, the
Sussex and the Edinburgh militias.
On the 1st June I went to Newcastle to inspect Colonel June
1 The death of Princess Amelia, in the autumn of 1810, upset the intellect of
George in. for the last time.
2 Sir Herbert Taylor (1775-1839); secretary to the Duke of York 1794, to
George HI. 1805, to Queen Charlotte and William iv.
300 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 51 Wilson's regiment of local militia ; returned by Stafford
and saw Colonel Chetwynd's, and on the 3rd went to
Wolverhampton to see Sir John Wrottesley's regiment.
Very wet weather all the month of June.
October October. On the i3th October I went to Manchester to
be president of a general court-martial which continued
sitting until the 2Oth. Was much disappointed with the
town of Manchester, which I had expected to have found
much better built and more regular.
November November 1 6. On the i6th November self and wife set
out for London, where we remained until the 27th ; I went
to Windsor on the i8th to pay my duty to the Queen and
Princesses. It had a most melancholy appearance, when
the deplorable situation of the good King was considered.
Her Majesty was most gracious, and when I took my leave
was pleased to say she was obliged to me for my visit, and
should always be glad to see me at Windsor when I had
nothing better to do.
1813 January. On the 9th Miss Bakewell came to us for a
January fe^ fay^ an( j Qn ^ J2t j 1 m y p Qor w 'f e get out f Qr Lcmdon
on account of her health, and for the purpose of obtaining
physical as well as surgical advice. The weather very
indifferent ; however she made her journey in three days,
and went to a lodging at 126 in Mount Street.
lyth. On the 29th January I went to London in con-
sequence of Mrs. Dyott's indisposition ; arrived on the 3Oth
and found her very unwell indeed, having caught cold and
being troubled with a violent cough which continued very
perplexing and distressing for a length of time.
February February. On the ist February I attended the Prince
Regent's levee. I thought his Royal Highness looking
ELEANOR DYOTT 301
very ill. I had intended to have been at the drawing-room 1813
held by the Queen on the 4th, but did not on account of
Mrs. Dyott being so unwell. I remained in London until
the 1 9th and returned to my dear children on the 2oth,
my sister Mary having been so good to remain with them
during our absence. Found them all, thank God, quite
well. Mrs. Dyott remained in London until the 28th
February and returned to Lichfield where she arrived on
the 2nd March, rather better than when I left her but still March
very unwell. Finding she did not recover her health and
appetite, she decided to try the effect of the Hot Wells at
Bristol, for which place she proceeded on the I9th accom-
panied by our little boy Dick, and arrived on the 2ist and
took up her residence at the hotel, but did not find
the immediate benefit she expected.
March 28. On the 28th I set out for London with my
dear little girl Eleanor for the purpose of placing her at
a seminary in the New Road kept by a Mrs. Moss. We
travelled as far as Dunstable the first night ; my little
' Ned * not a bit tired, but perfectly entertaining and lively
all the way. We reached London by eleven next morning,
and drove direct to the New Road to Mrs. Moss's house.
I was afraid * Ned ' would have been a little low spirited
when I quitted her, but she was so much engaged with the
new life she was entering upon, it occupied all her thoughts.
I saw her in the afternoon and again next day, and was
very happy to find she was so well reconciled to the
change.
igth. Having disposed of my dear little girl so much
to my satisfaction, I proceeded in the evening by the mail
to Bristol, and arrived next morning. Much distressed to
302 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 52 find Mrs. Dyott so unwell ; being confined to her bed.
However the faculty, who attended her, gave me every
reason to believe there was no danger to apprehend.
June June. On the ist June I went again to Bristol with
ardent hope that my poor dear wife would have been able
to have moved homewards ; but to my grief and sorrow,
after a consultation of the faculty, a third gentleman having
been called in, it was discovered that, poor soul, they had
mistaken her case, which proved to be a disease of the spine,
for the cure of which it was decided that my dear wife must
undergo a confinement, probably of twelve months, lying
all the time in a horizontal position on a hard mattress. It
became necessary, therefore, to take a house at Clifton and
to move Mrs. D. from the Gloster Hotel, Hot Wells,
where she had been. I procured a house on Windsor
Terrace, to which we moved on the 5th June.
1 2th. I went to Lichfield on the I2th to make the
necessary arrangements for the change about to take place,
as well of my residence as of my situation on the staff in
consequence of being promoted to Lieutenant-General, and
being taken off the staff from the 24th June. I remained
at Lichfield until the 27th, when I set out for London
(having been relieved at Lichfield in the command by
Major-General Murray), 1 for the purpose of taking our
little girl Eleanor from school for the holidays to her
mother at the Hot Wells.
27 'th. I went to town by the Chester mail and arrived
at the usual hour, six o'clock, and took up my abode at
Fladong's Hotel in Oxford Street.
29^. On the 29th I paid my duty to the Commander-
1 Sir George Murray (1772-1846) ; major-general 1812 ; general 1841.
A CELEBRATED SURGEON 303
in-chief, and asked his Royal Highness for his protection 1813
to get me appointed to the command of a regiment.
July. I left London on Friday the 2nd July in a chaise July
with Eleanor ; breakfasted at Crawford Bridge and dined
at Speenhamland, and reached Devizes to sleep. Break-
fasted next morning at Bath and reached Hot Wells at one.
Found my poor wife much the same as I left her, excepting
that she was placed upon a hard mattress, by order of a
celebrated surgeon of the name of Baynton * who attended
her, and where she was stretched out and not suffered to
change from the horizontal position. On my arrival at the
Hot Wells, I was distressed to find a letter from my brother
Phill to say our good brother at Freeford had been seized
with a paralytic stroke, which had deprived him of his
speech, and that he was in considerable danger.
4//^. I hastened to Freeford without loss of time by the
mail, and arrived on the morning of the 4th to witness the
most sad scene I ever beheld that of an ever-beloved and
most affectionate brother lying on his bed, deprived of his
speech, and with little or no hopes of his ever rising to
continue his comfort and happiness to his connections.
Poor good soul, on my approaching his bedside, the mild,
benign, and kind look that ever animated his countenance
appeared on his brow. He took my hand and pressed one
to his cheek. What sorrow, what suffering I endured.
He was perfectly sensible, but showed no inclination to
communicate anything. I did not conceive it a proper
time to ask him if he had any wish to express, as I imagined
it must hurt him to feel he had not the power of utterance,
and the question might also imply despair of his recovery.
1 Thomas Baynton (d. 1820), published works on spinal diseases.
3 o 4 DYOTT'S DIARY
<ET. 52 tfh. On the 5th the symptoms were more fatal, his
breathing difficult, and towards the evening he had little
appearance left of sensibility. I sat with him all night ;
he was perfectly quiet, but evidently growing weaker and
his respiration more difficult. He continued weaker and
weaker and his breathing more faint until twelve o'clock,
when it ceased, and he expired like a dying ember without
a groan or struggle. The only comfort left to his dis-
consolate connections was the hope he had suffered no
bodily pain. Dr. Darwin, my brother Phillip, and myself
were the only persons in the room at the time of his death,
and when his soul took its departure, the dissolution was
scarce perceptible. The Lord receive his spirit.
ioth. The last sad scene took place on the loth as usual
at the chapel at half-past nine in the evening. I remained
at Freeford until the ijth, when I returned to my dear wife
and children at the Hot Wells, whom I found much as I
had left them. I felt myself unwell when in London, and
my journey to Freeford of course increased my complaint.
After I had been returned a few days to the Hot Wells,
I was under the necessity of calling in a physician, and con-
sulted Dr. Carrick.
August August i. I got to Lichfield at the usual time ; was very
unwell with a bilious attack, attended with pains in my head
and unpleasant sensations over my eyes. I was much
engaged arranging my poor brother's effects, and was
greatly surprised to find him so in debt, the amount far
exceeding anything I could have supposed. I met with
difficulty in settling with Mrs. Dyott, as she made claims
I did not conceive justifiable. However, as I did not wish
to have a dispute with her, I submitted to all her wishes.
RICHARD DYOTT, Esg., GKNKRAL DYOIT'S BROTH KR
Front an oil-fainting in the possession oj Richard A. Dyott, fcsq.
DEATH OF RICHARD DYOTT 305
I felt a little hurt that the family house was left to her for 1813
her life, or rather settled upon her at the time of my
brother's marriage. I should have been happy, as my poor
brother was gone, to have passed the remainder of my life
at Freeford.
1 1 th. On the 1 1 th I went to Keel for a night for the
purpose of consulting with my much esteemed friend,
Mr. Sneyd, as to my future proceedings. He advised me
strongly to keep the Tamhorn farm in my own hands as a
very valuable concern. His opinion was certainly strongly
enforced as to the advantages of it, from the circumstance
of the number of applications I had to take it.
i$th. I left Lichfield on the 15th and reached the Hot
Wells next morning. Found my poor wife much as when
I left her. I had a return of my bilious complaint, and was
obliged to try the calomel again.
i6th. On the 26th I rode to Bath for the purpose of
making inquiries about a conveyance to carry my dear little
Eleanor to her school, her holidays being at an end on the
ist September. I found a very good stage-coach that left
Bath at eight in the morning and was two days on the road.
It is called the * Invalid,' and intended for the accommo-
dation of persons of that description. The dust between
Bath and Bristol more disagreeable than any road I ever
travelled.
September. On the I st September I set out from the September
Hot Wells at half-past five in a chaise with Miss Ned, as
I always called her, for Bath in order to proceed by the
coach to London. My dear wife was tolerably well con-
sidering her miserable confinement. We breakfasted at
Bath and proceeded by a Bath coach to Newbury, where
VOL. I. U
3 o6 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 52 we slept, and next morning at eight o'clock continued our
journey to London, and arrived at Mrs. Moss's school in
the New Road at half-past five o'clock. I remained in town
until the jrd, and set out by the Liverpool mail for Lich-
field, where I arrived at the usual hour. Stayed all the
following week and was engaged making arrangements at
Tamhorn and otherwise, as also getting some shooting.
The partridge tolerably plenty, but my dogs very bad.
i ^th. I left Lichfield on the I4th. I reached the Hot
Wells early in the morning of the 1 5th. Found my beloved
wife much the same as I had left her.
October October. I remained at the Hot Wells until the 6th
October, when I went to Lichfield for the purpose of
looking over and attending to Tamhorn, as also for making
arrangements to enable me to administer to my poor dear
brother's will. I was very unwell at this time and had been
for many months. My dear wife's illness and the loss of my
beloved brother caused me so much affliction [as] to occasion
a want of digestion and a consequent violent pain in my
head. I tried the faculty at Bristol and was put under
regimen, but could not remove my complaints.
3U/. I continued at Lichfield until the 3ist October
and then went by mail to London, where I administered to
my brother's will, and saw my dear little girl ' Ned ' at her
school.
.November November 4. On the 4th November I went to Windsor
to pay my duty to the Queen and Princesses, and was most
graciously received. The poor King was in the same state
he had been for the past year : his bodily strength good,
but his malady the same. I remained until the yth, and
returned to my poor dear wife on the 8th by mail. Found
BUONAPARTE'S SPEECH 307
her better than when I left her, and the children quite well. 1813
Mrs. and the Miss Thompsons were at the Wells, which
was a comfort to my poor wife to have her sisters near her.
On the 25th I again proceeded per mail to Lichfield to
see how my affairs were going on in that quarter, where
I arrived on the 26th and found all well ; the farm improv-
ing, at least I fancied so. I went to Thorpe for a night
on the 3Oth, and on the I3th December Inge, J. Boultree, December
and Will Sneyd came and stayed a night with me in order
to look over my farm at Tamhorn and to give me their
advice and opinion. During my stay at home I had a
monument put up in the Chapel of St. Mary's at Lichfield to
the memory of my poor brother Richard. God bless him.
list-i$th. On the 2ist I returned to Clifton, and
found my dear wife had taken cold and was not so well
as when I left her. What a gloomy Christmas Day when
compared with what I had experienced in my poor brother's
time at Freeford. I dined with my two boys, my poor
wife unable to partake, or, indeed, to have us dine in her
room. Fine mild weather for the season. Peace expected
in consequence of Buonaparte's speech to his legislative
assembly.
January 10. On the loth January I took a ride to 1814
Bath for the purpose of seeing my old friend Lady Louisa
Lennox. 1 Found her confined to her house with bad eyes,
but otherwise very well. The day extremely cold, there
had been some little snow ; but the following day there
was a great fall, and intense cold weather. Hard frost
with snow all the week. On the i8th in the night more
snow. A deep snow fell, which continued with severe frost
1 See p. 122.
3 o8 DYOTT'S DIARY
T. 52 until the a6th, when a thaw commenced with rain. All
the mail-coaches were stopped, and, indeed, the intercourse
throughout the country cut off. What with the regular
fall of snow and with the quantity from the tops of houses,
back premises, etc., it lay six feet deep in Bristol streets.
The thaw did not continue, it froze again on the 28th, and
though it occasionally thawed during the day, it froze hard
at night. As my presence was necessary to look after my
February farm, I left Clifton on the 5th February for Lichfield.
Mr. Baynton, who attended Mrs. Dyott, assured me the
cure of the complaint in the back was effected, and if the
weather was fine, she might move as soon as she pleased.
This communication was highly comfortable and satis-
factory.
Reached Lichfield on the yth ; deep snow and severe
frost. Found the farm frozen up, and little going on in
agriculture.
March March 3. On the 3rd March I went again to Bristol
on a sad errand ; occasioned by an unfortunate prejudice
my dear wife had encouraged against me. Grieve to say,
she had long shown symptoms of unkindness and inatten-
tion, but which did not proceed to any direct declaration
until after my last return from Clifton, when I received a
letter from her expressive of her wish to separate from me.
I was amazed and hurt in the extreme by the receipt of
such a letter, feeling conscious, and which I now declare
(and which I mean should be read, and I hope it will be
believed, by my children when I am dead and gone), that it
was ever my most anxious wish and desire to show the
kindest affection, love, and attachment to my wife that it
was possible ; this from motives of real attachment to her.
UNKINDNESS OF MRS. DYOTT 309
On the receipt of my wife's letter I wrote to her sister to 1814
communicate the sad tidings I had received. She, her
sister, and her aunt were aware of my poor Eleanor's
unfortunate disposition, and the manner she had conducted
herself towards me for some time. Mrs. Thompson and
Anne Thompson went to Clifton, and at their request Mr.
Bent, my wife's cousin, with them, for the purpose of
inducing my poor Eleanor to consider the unguarded pro-
posal she had made me, and to use their endeavours to
re-establish harmony between us. I joined them at Clifton
on the 4th, but with sorrow I found their efforts had been
unsuccessful. I made every overture in my power, though
I was satisfied I had no fault to accuse myself of. Still, for
the sake of my children, the idea of a separation was a
circumstance I ardently hoped might be avoided.
God bless her ! I forgive her all, and only hope she may
be convinced of her mistake as to me, and that she may be
thoroughly reconciled never to know aught but love.
i^th. On the i4th I went to London for the purpose
of attending a levee at Carlton House, which was expected
for the 1 9th, but in consequence of the Prince's indis-
position it did not take place, to my great disappointment.
I attended the Duke of York's levee on the I3th and
applied again to his Royal Highness to recommend me for
a regiment. His Royal Highness was very gracious.
April. The month of April fine weather. I went every April
day to my farm at Tamhorn and was very happy in my
agricultural pursuits. I made many alterations in my poor
brother's system, and, I hope, some improvements.
May. On the 8th May I went per mail to London for May
the purpose of paying my duty to the Prince Regent at his
3 io DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 53 levee. I reached town on the 9th, and on the nth attended
the Prince's levee at Carlton House ; extremely crowded
and numerous presentations in consequence of there not
having been a levee for a long time.
I left London on the I4th and arrived at home next
morning.
17 th. On the iyth a public dinner at the town hall to
celebrate the glorious achievements of the Allies on the
Continent and the restoration of peace after twenty years
of war. 1
On the 1 8th a ball for every person that chose to pay five
shillings. A subscription was made in Lichfield, and up-
wards of 700 collected for the purpose of giving a treat to
all the lower class of people to commemorate the peace.
Dinners were provided at the inns for near three thousand
people, who were regaled with roast beef, plum pudding, and
ale. I made a present of an ox, which was roasted whole
and distributed. Fireworks were intended, but the persons
engaged to exhibit did not attend.
June June. On the i2th June I went to London by mail for
the purpose of paying my duty to her Majesty at a drawing-
room which was expected on the i6th, but which, unfortun-
ately for me, was postponed. I had, however, an opportunity
of being highly gratified by seeing the Emperor of Russia
and the King of Prussia, who were both in London to visit
the country in consequence of the general peace. 2
1 The Allies won the battle of Paris on March 30, and occupied the French
capital. On April i a Provisional Government was elected, and Napoleon abdi-
cated on April 6. Louis xvm. entered Paris on May 3, and the first Treaty of
Paris was signed on May 30.
2 During the month of June the Tzar Alexander and Frederick William in.,
King of Prussia, with Bliicher and Metternich, visited the Prince Regent, and
London was illuminated for three nights.
THREE MONARCHS IN LONDON 311
On the 1 8th the Prince Regent and the two monarchs 1814
went in state to dine with the Lord Mayor. 1 The procession
was the finest sight I ever beheld, and the multitude of
handsome women that filled every window from St. James's
Palace to Guildhall surpassed everything I could have
imagined. The sight was a proud day for old London ;
three monarchs entering the city at the same time. The
streets were lined by soldiers, and concourse of people more
than immense.
On the nth [July] I went to London for the purpose of July
attending her Majesty's drawing-room on the I4th.
i^th. The drawing-room held at Buckingham House
and very crowded. Was invited to the Queen's private
assembly in the evening by the Princess Mary, which
1 attended accordingly and was, as usual, very graciously
received. On the i8th a grand fete given to the Duke of
Wellington by a subscription from general officers and
colonels of regiments of twenty-five guineas each in honour
of the Field-Marshal's splendid victories. 2 It was at Bur-
lington House, and by far the most sumptuous thing
I ever saw. On the 2ist a grand fete at Carlton House,
given by the Regent on account of peace and in honour
of the Duke of Wellington ; most princely and most
magnificent.
Left London on the 22nd and reached home next day.
1 The Prince Regent was now very unpopular, and his welcome en route to this
dinner was of such a character that he vowed he would never dine in the City
again. His mother, Queen Charlotte Sophia, was also disliked, and on one occasion
was actually hissed. The reason for this was the treatment of the Princess of
Wales, which had excited universal disgust. She was not allowed to have any
share in the rejoicings at the peace, and was prevented from meeting the allied
sovereigns.
2 These were the victories in the Peninsular War.
3 i2 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 54 On the 29th an awful visitation of Providence at Tamhorn ;
eleven lambs killed under a tree by lightning.
July July. I finished my last book with recording an awful
visitation of Divine Providence ; may God grant I may not
have to register in this book more personal sufferings afflict-
ing my immediate self.
I remained at home all the months of August and Sep-
tember enjoying the infant society of my sweet children, and
using at the same time every means in my power to bring
about a reconciliation with my wife, but all in vain.
!8i5 January i. What a melancholy year have I passed !
January j- ne CU p o f m i se ry has been filled to the brim, and I have
certainly partaken of the very dregs of misfortune. 1
June June 23. On the 23rd June I left my residence at Lich-
field and took up my abode with my dear children at Tam-
horn. Before I quitted Lichfield I wrote to the town clerk
of the city to resign my situation as an alderman, as I con-
sidered it incompatible with the station to be a member of
the body corporate and not to reside in the city. On settling
myself at Tamhorn I became more actively employed as a
farmer than I had ever been ; that and the duties I owed to
my children became my sole occupation.
July July. In the beginning of July I let part of the farm,
that is, about 170 acres, to Mr. Holmes of Swinfen. I
thought I could better manage a less quantity of land (having
reserved more than 400 acres), and it would enable me to
reduce my farming establishment, and by that means
afford me more accommodation for my regular establish-
ment.
August August. The Earl of Uxbridge, who had been created
1 Mrs. Dyott, in the previous September, had eloped with a Mr. Dunne.
THE MARQUIS OF ANGLESEY 313
Marquis of Anglesey l in consequence of his distinguished 1815
bravery and loss of his leg at the defeat of the French at the
great battle of Waterloo, was received at Lichfield by a
grand procession of the corporation and principal inhabitants,
and a suitable address presented, with a sword of the value
of two hundred guineas, which had been voted by a sub-
scription from the inhabitants of the city and neighbourhood.
The noble Marquis appeared highly gratified by the kind
attention shown him. My friends Colonel and Mrs. Wright
came to visit me, and remained with me over a fortnight.
January. I wish I was able to record the beginning of 1816
this year as more auspicious to my present prospects than ^ ar
the year that has passed. Still, as long as my sweet dear
children continue in health and contributing the comforts
they afford to their unfortunate father, 1 have no reason to
complain.
February 6. On the 6th February I went to London in February
order to forward the necessary proceedings preparatory to
obtaining a bill in Parliament to secure my poor children's
interest in their unfortunate mother's property.
*]th. I reached town on the 7th and took up my abode
with my friends Colonel and Mrs. Wright in Lower Brook
Street. On leaving them I expected to be absent about a
week or ten days, but, to my inexpressible sorrow, I was
detained until the 2oth March. I found much to arrange
respecting the business in Parliament. I was fortunate
in procuring the assistance of Lord Lauderdale 2 to attend
to the proceedings in the House of Lords, and my friend
1 See p. 73.
2 James Maitland, eighth Earl of Lauderdale (1759-1839) ; member of the
Faculty of Advocates 1780 ; privy councillor 1806.
3H DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 55 Colonel Disbrowe promised his help in the House of
Commons.
May May. On the 2nd May I set out again for London on
the melancholy business that had occasioned me so many
wretched journeys to town. The second reading of the bill
for the divorce in Parliament was fixed for the yth of the
month, when it was necessary for me to attend. Nothing
was more kind than the exertion of Lord Lauderdale in
carrying the bill through the House of Lords ; the third
reading having taken place in the House of Commons on
the 2nd July and was passed in the House of Lords the
next day previous to Parliament being prorogued. Thus
ended the most melancholy event, which deprived my chil-
dren of a mother and me of a wife.
July July 6. Feeling most anxious to return to my dear chil-
dren after so long an absence, I took the earliest moment to
leave London, which I did on the 6th and reached home the
next morning. I never experienced such kindness and such
hospitality as from my friends Colonel and Mrs. Wright,
with whom I remained during my stay of miserable suspense
in town. From them I received all the alleviating kindness
my sorrows required ; their friendship and consolation in
my distress I hope I shall ever think on with grateful
remembrance.
September On the loth of September the races began at Lichfield ;
very little sport and very little company. Lord Uxbridge,
Lord Anglesey's son, and Mr. Curzon were stewards ; they
were both absent. What a change in this publick county
meeting from what it formerly was, when you might see all
the nobility and gentry of the county vicing with each other
who should have the most splendid equipage. Perhaps ten
THE QUEEN'S ILLNESS 315
or twelve coaches and six horses on the course with as many 1816
more coaches and four horses. At this meeting the only
equipage of consequence was Lord Anglesey's coach and six.
In point of numbers there was not one-fifth of what I have
seen thirty years ago. Never was remembered such a season
as the passing summer has produced : the hay harvest just
finished, but the corn scarce begun. Rain and cold with
hardly a day like summer. No possibility of partridge-
shooting on the ist, as no corn was cut, and the birds not
larger than sparrows. I was making a sorrowful prepara-
tion to part with my boys, who were to go to school on
the 24th.
January i. Another year has opened upon me. Trust- 1817
ing in Divine Providence, I hope this year may not visit me
with the dire calamities the past one has produced. Thanks
be to God, I am happy and contented with the comforts and
enjoyment of my sweet dear children.
On the 1 8th April I set out in my buggy for London April
with an intention of going to the Queen's drawing-room on
the 23rd, and also to give the necessary attention to the
business in Parliament. I slept at Dunchurch on the i8th.
Next night at Dunstable, and into town early on the 2oth.
The drawing-room did not take place on the 23rd in con-
sequence of the Queen's indisposition. Her Majesty was
taken unwell in the night ; placards and notices were posted
up in various parts of the town stating the circumstance
and putting off the drawing-room in consequence.
July 26. I returned home on the 26th. Remained at July
home constantly with my dear boys, doing all in my power
to contribute to their amusement during their vacation.
Dick had a nice brown pony of his own, and a donkey was
316 DYOTT'S DIARY
ET. 56 borrowed from Lichfield for Bill, so that we rode out every
day, and I hope they were as happy as the day was long.
They are two sweet boys. May God of his infinite mercy
protect them and make them honest, honourable men. My
nephew Tom Burnaby having settled at Misterton with the
intention of taking twelve boys to instruct, I removed my
lads from Rugeley for the purpose of placing them at
Misterton under Tom Burnaby's care.
September On the 26th September I bid adieu to Tamhorn as a
place of residence, which I felt sorry to quit ; it was a situa-
tion to which I was attached from the remembrance of
former times and the fondness my poor brother always had
for it. I took Miss Moore and my little dear Ned to Ash-
bourne to be out of the way during the move of my goods
and chattels.
We remained there until Friday the 26th, on which day
I entered on my new abode at Hannch Hall. I pray God
send me and my children health to enjoy our new abode.
The house, gardens, etc., had been much neglected, and
required much exertion to make comfortable and clean, a
dirty farmer having occupied it for the last two years.
October On the ist October I went to Catton to meet Disbrowe
and his family ; stayed there until the 4th, and on the 6th I
went to Leamington to see my old master, General Stevens.
The place greatly altered since my poor dear brother used
to frequent it in its earlier days, when it was nothing better
than a small country village. It was highly gratifying to
hear his memory so greatly respected by the inhabitants
of Leamington, who knew my poor brother's amiable
qualities.
i8/^. On the i8th I went to Wichnor to meet the
A ROYAL DINNER-PARTY 317
Disbrowes, and returned next day. I had a letter from my 1817
friend Sir Brent Spencer 1 at Windsor to recommend my
paying my duty about this time to the Queen. I accord-
ingly wrote to General Taylor 2 to make an offer to make a
visit on the joth, and received a most gracious invitation
from her Majesty.
I set out in the mail on the 27th for London, and re-
mained there until the 3Oth, when I proceeded to Windsor,
and met a most gracious reception from the Queen and
Princesses. Lord St. Helens [?] was in waiting as Lord of
the Bedchamber, as was also Lord Winchilsea. 3
On the ist November I rode out with Princess Augusta. Novembe
Her Majesty invited the company then visiting at the castle
to dine at Frogmore, consisting of Lord Winchilsea, Mr.
and Mrs. Arthur Stanhope, and myself, together with the
attendance in waiting as follows : Sir Brent Spencer,
Equerry-in-waiting ; Disbrowe, her Majesty's vice-chamber-
lain ; General Taylor, Treasurer to the Queen ; Colonel
Stevenson, Vice-Treasurer ; Lady Ilchester, 4 Lady-in-waiting
on the Queen ; Lady Elizabeth Montagu 5 and Charlotte
Disbrowe, in waiting on the Princesses. A most superb and
at [the] same time a most elegant dinner. The Queen and
1 Sir Brent Spencer (1760-1828) ; commanded under Moore and Abercromby
1801 ; equerry to George in. ; second in command to Wellesley at Rolica and
Vimiera ; returned to the Peninsula in 1810 ; superseded by Graham 1811.
2 Sir Herbert Taylor (1775-1839); secretary to the Duke of York 1794, to
George in. 1805, to Queen Charlotte and William iv. ; lieutenant-general 1825.
3 George, eighth Earl of Winchilsea and fourth Earl of Nottingham ; knight
of the garter j lord-lieutenant co. Rutland ; died unmarried 1826.
4 Caroline Leonora, Lady Ilchester ; daughter of the Right Hon. and Right
Rev. Lord George Murray, bishop of St. Davids; married Henry Stephen Fox
Strangways, Earl of Ilchester, February 1812; died 1819.
5 This is probably Lady Elizabeth, daughter of the fifth Duke of Manchester ;
died 1845.
318 DYOTT'S DIARY
ET. 56 the ladies sat about an hour after dinner, and the gentlemen
about an hour longer. We were then sent for to coffee,
which was served by Princess Elizabeth, and afterwards tea
was handed about ; after which the party returned to the
castle, and attended her Majesty's drawing-room for cards.
I had the honour to play at the Queen's table the three
nights.
indj Sunday. Attended her Majesty to chapel. There
is usually musick on Sunday evening, but as the Queen
was to set out for Bath the next day, it was dispensed
with.
yrd. At seven in the morning the Queen proceeded
from the castle with her attendants for Bath, accompanied
in her carriage by Princess Elizabeth. The attendants were
Lady Ilchester, Disbrowe, and Sir Henry Campbell. General
Taylor and Colonel Stevenson had set out the day before.
Her Majesty had been advised to try the Bath water. I
must say I never saw her Majesty looking better. I left
Windsor shortly after the Queen's departure, for London
on my way home.
December December 7. On the yth the account came of the death
of the Princess Charlotte l in child-bed, and also of the male
infant. What a calamity for this country ! Where are we to
look for an heir to the Crown ? It was some consolation to the
loyal and well disposed to observe the general grief exhibited
by every class of the community after the melancholy event.
2$th. Passed Christmas Day with my dear children. My
sister Mary came to us and stayed three weeks at Hannch.
My sweet boys enjoying themselves with each a horse, and
1 Princess Charlotte Augusta (1796-1817), only daughter of George iv. ; married
Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg 18165 died in child-birth November 19, 1817.
THE QUEEN'S DRAWING-ROOM 319
whenever the weather allowed took a ride with their father, 1817
who made a point not to dine once from home during their
vacation. Shooting frequently, though not much game, as
the poachers were so active. Had several invitations from
the Marquis of Anglesey to shoot at Burton and at Beau-
desert ; great quantity of game and great sport, his lordship
having a force sufficient to reve[?] poachers. I was invited
several times to dine and stay at Beaudesert, but I did not
break through the rule I had made, not to dine from home
during my dear boys' holidays.
On the 6th April I set out with Eleanor and Miss Moore 1818
to make a spring visit to London. We started at seven pn
o'clock, and reached Brickhill about the same hour in the
evening. Got to town between two and three next day.
Went to the same lodgings I had the year before, No. 5
Maddox Street ; the excellent Mrs. Shaw.
On the 23rd attended the Queen's drawing-room. Her
Majesty and the Princesses were pleased to show me their
usual kind condescension. Took my dear Eleanor to see
sights and exhibitions, and had her musick master to attend
her three times a week. We had most unpropitious weather
the whole time we were in London, scarce two days without
rain, which prevented my dear child enjoying the great city
as she otherwise might have done by morning walks.
On the ipth [of June] I went to Stafford to attend the June
nomination for members in consequence of the dissolution.
The former members, Lord Gower 1 and Mr. Littleton, 2
were nominated without opposition.
On the 1 6th I went to Stafford to the sessions for the July
purpose of qualifying as a magistrate. There was a
1 See p. 130. 2 See p. 358.
320 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 57 numerous bench of justices, Mr. Chetwynd 1 chairman, and
ninety-five prisoners for trial. Mr. Chetwynd a very able
magistrate, and excels particularly in trying prisoners. A
motion was made by Mr. Lister, 2 and unanimously agreed
to by all the magistrates present, to request Mr. Sparrow,
late chairman, to sit for his picture as a mark of respect for
his able conduct during the many years he had presided at
the sessions.
September September i. On the ist September I met Thomas
Levett to shoot at Whittington. The ground was so dry and
the weather so hot we had no sport, though plenty of birds.
On the 1 8th I went to Teddesley, Mr. Littleton's, for
my first visit ; dined and stayed all night ; shooting next
morning, and went to Mr. Walhouse's to dinner and re-
turned next day to Teddesley. Shooting again on the 2ist
and returned home on the 22nd. Mr. Littleton a fine
young man, Mrs. Littleton very handsome.
November On the 1 3th November I set out per mail for London,
and as it was my dear boy Bill's birthday I took Misterton
in my way, where I remained until the afternoon. I was
happy to find both my dear boys well, though I fancied
dear Dick not quite in his usual good spirits. He had been
unwell when he first returned to school after the summer
holidays from old father's over-indulgence, and had scarce
recovered the effect of black cherries and red gooseberries.
I proceeded to town on the I4th for the purpose of
renewing my application to the Duke of York for a regi-
ment. I was on my way to the Horse Guards to attend his
Royal Highness's levee on Tuesday, when I heard of the
1 Of Brocton, co. Stafford, father of Sir George Chetwynd.
2 Thomas Lister, Esq., of Armitage Park.
DEATH OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE 321
death of the gracious and good Queen, whose sufferings 1818
from long-protracted illness had been extreme. I must
ever hold in the highest veneration and respect her
Majesty's uniform condescending kindness and attention.
Now that her Majesty is gone, her dignified work and
unbounded charitable generosity will be known and ap-
preciated, as it deserves.
The Duke's levee was put off, and in consequence I re-
turned on the 1 9th to Misterton to call upon my boys, and
home the next day, where I found sweet Eleanor as I left
her, full of health and spirits. My long-esteemed friend
and very old acquaintance Disbrowe followed his Royal
Mistress the Queen (to whom he was vice-chamberlain) very
shortly. He was taken ill on the 1 9th and died at Windsor
on the 22nd. A more entertaining or a better man he has
not left to lament his loss. There never was remembered
so fine a season as the present. All the month of November
had been more like April and May than the autumn.
January. Let me begin the New Year with offering my 1819
thanksgivings and praises to the Throne of Heavenly Grace J 3 " 11 * 1 ?
for all the blessings I have enjoyed through the year that
has gone, and for the divine protection afforded my dear
sweet children.
On the i gth my much-esteemed friend Sir Brent Spencer 1 February
came to pay me a visit, and remained with me until the 25th.
He is an excellent man and for whom I have a sincere
respect and regard.
March 1 1 . On the 1 1 th March I went to the assizes at March
Stafford, Sir John Chetwode * foreman of the jury. A very
long calendar of prisoners, but not weighty in crime. I
1 See p. 317. 2 Sir John Chetwode (1764-1845), of Oakley, co. Stafford.
VOL. I. X
322 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 57 returned on the I3th, but the jury was not dismissed ; as
we had not gone through all the bills we adjourned until
Monday the I5th. I was subpoenaed on two special juries,
but could not attend, as I had fixed to go to London on the
1 6th and had business to attend to at Freeford, planting,
etc.
On the 1 4th I had a few friends to celebrate my dear
'Ned's* birthday, and on the i6th I proceeded to London
by mail. Went on a visit to my friend Colonel Wright, who
had moved from Brook Street to Orchard Street. I arrived
at the usual time and found the usual kind reception.
The 1 8th, the Prince Regent's levee; very crowded;
his Royal Highness was very gracious. The assemblage
was a motley collection. The Navy and Army in black
waistcoats, breeches and stockings, with black crape scarves
and sword-knots, and crape round the arm. The civilians
in full dress black suits.
lyrd. On the 2 3rd I attended the Duke of York's
levee to repeat my solicitation respecting a regiment. I
felt I had a just claim, having entered my thirty-ninth year
of service. The Duke was more than usually gracious, but
did not give me any early hope of succeeding. I caught a
severe cold in town, though the weather was very fine for
the season.
April April 22. On the 22nd I went to the sessions at Stafford ;
not much business. My brother magistrates did me the
favour to elect me one of the committee to superintend the
county gaol, and also for the same office at the lunatick
asylum. The whole establishment of the former is worse
arranged and worse conducted, I verily believe, than any
prison in England. I have proposed a new system, which I
LEAMINGTON 323
am sure at all events cannot be less beneficial than the pre- 1819
sent mode of carrying on the business.
May 3. On the 3rd May I took Eleanor and her gover- May
ness to Leamington to drink the water and partake the hot
baths. She did not require either, but I fancied I did, and
therefore I made her my companion in my careening excur-
sion. We arrived to dinner. I took a house which we
tenanted in the evening, and began the waters next morning.
Did not find much company, but I never saw a place so
increased in my life, and the rage for building seems un-
abated. They were completing a new Bedford Hotel on a
scale of magnificence almost unequalled. If the spirit of
speculation continues Leamington in a few years will be a
magnificent town. Five-and-twenty years ago, when I first
went there, it consisted of half a dozen cottages. My poor
brother was the first to give an eclat to Leamington. The
water did not agree with me at first, but after taking a
copious black draught after some calomel I found them
operate satisfactory. The weather was most charming, a
little rain the first week, but the second unequalled.
17 'th. We continued a fortnight and returned home on
the iyth. I have been expecting to go to London for the
last three weeks to attend a drawing-room, which all the
world has been looking out for, but the Regent had been at
Brighton laid up with the gout, and though his Royal High-
ness is returned to Carlton House, I don't hear of a court
exhibition.
24^. On the 24th my dear boys came home from
Misterton to prepare for their new school, Westminster.
I had not intended they should have come home until the
following week, as I imagined the Westminster school did
3 2 4 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 58 not begin, after the Whitsuntide vacation, for three weeks.
They were in high spirits, and thanks to God in rude health.
On the 3ist, Whitmonday, I went with the boys to
Greenhill Bower, a festivity I had not been at for many
years. It reminded me much of the days of my youth, and
my boys enjoyed the shows and exhibitions as heartily as
their father had ever done.
June On the nth I left home with my dear sons to take them
to Westminster school, and as I considered it their entrance
into life, I felt much anxiety on the occasion. I proposed
to have gone up to London by the Liverpool mail, which
started from Lichfield at six o'clock in the morning. Con-
sequently we were obliged to rise at four and secure our
breakfasts, but we were disappointed, as the mail was full,
and we were obliged to take our places in the Chester mail
at ten. Notwithstanding the great event of going to
London, my poor boys were very low in spirit on leaving
home, though I was to accompany them.
iith. We proceeded without any event to town, where
we arrived by five o'clock next morning. The astonish-
ment of the boys was as is usual with their age on first
seeing the great scale of [illegible] in the buildings, etc., in
the metropolis. We proceeded in a hackney coach to a
lodging I had prepared in Duke Street, Grosvenor Square,
and went to bed for three hours. Walked to Westminster
to see Mr. Packharris, the boarding-house in Dean's Yard.
I think the carriages and horses attracted their notice more
than any other circumstance. After making the necessary
arrangements at the boarding-house, we set out to see sights,
to panoramas, wild beasts, etc., and dined with my friend
Colonel Wright.
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL 325
Sunday to church and showed them all the world in 1819
Kensington Gardens and the Park.
14^, Monday. Called in Dean's Yard and introduced
them to the usher of the house, their tutor Mr. Preston.
Walked about in the morning, and took the boys in the
evening to Astley's.
The next day I called upon Dr. Page, the headmaster of
Westminster, for the purpose of explaining to him the
particulars of the boys' studies and their dispositions, etc.,
as also to mention to him my wish and expectation that
they might both stand out for the foundation as King's
scholars. I found the Doctor civil and obliging. He
mentioned that they would be placed in the school accord-
ing to age, the eldest one year above the other, so that they
might not interfere. I was glad of this arrangement, as
they both began Latin at the same time, but as Bill had
more application [than] the Squire I was fearful the younger
brother might overtake the elder, which the latter's gentle
disposition would not have approved, and it might have
made him uncomfortable. My dear Dick's talent is as
good as sweet Bill's, but the latter has application for his
motto, the former pleasure.
On the iyth I attended a drawing-room at the late
Queen's house. The Prince Regent presided, supported on
his left by Princess Augusta, the Duchess of Cambridge,
etc. The court was very brilliant and uncommonly
crowded.
2Oth. On the 2Oth we went to church and afterwards
walked in Hyde Park, and dined at Colonel Wright's in the
evening. I went with them to school that they might be
ready for next morning. They had their exercises to write
326 DYOTT'S DIARY
58 on Sunday. My sweet Bill forgot his and left it at my
lodgings, which I discovered on my return from seeing
them to school. I sent it very early next morning before
school time. In the middle of the day I received a two-
penny post letter from Bill to thank me for sending his
exercise, but also to inform me that he had got up at half-
past three in the morning on purpose to write it out.
Dear Dick rose at the same hour to write the fair copy of
his verses. I think this a good specimen to begin school,
and an instance highly gratifying to my expectations.
On the 25th I left London in the 'Umpire' coach at
one o'clock, and reached Lichfield at eight next morning.
Rained almost the whole way. I found my dear Eleanor
was quite well and happy to see her old father at home
again.
July On the ist July my old friend and brother soldier,
Colonel Wright, arrived on a visit. He had been very
unwell in the spring ; a little Staffordshire air and ale will
renovate him. He brought fine weather with him.
On the 3Oth went to Stafford to the assizes. The. Levett
and Mr. Follet dined [and] slept at Hannch the day before,
and we went in Levett's carriage ; a very full jury and full
attendance of magistrates, upwards of forty dined with the
judges. In consequence of the disturbed state of the neigh-
bouring counties of Warwick, (or rather Birmingham), and
Cheshire, Lancashire, etc., the grand jury came to [the]
resolution to express the abhorrence they felt at the pro-
ceedings and determination to resist them. 1 The resolutions
1 There had been great meetings at Leeds, Glasgow, and at Ashton-under-
Lyne. On the z8th of June Sir Charles Wolseley and the Rev. Joseph Harrison
made violent speeches at Stockport, and Sir Charles was elected ' legislatorial
representative ' of Birmingham. At the same time the reformers were found to
< PETERLOO *
were to be forwarded to the Secretary of State to be sub- 1819
mitted to the Prince Regent. Returned home on the
Saturday, the 3ist, and went again to Stafford on the 2nd, August
being summoned on a special jury, and also to hear the trial
of three servants of Mr. Floyer's, against whom a true bill
had been found by the grand jury for robbing his house.
They were acquitted, though I believe there was little doubt
of their guilt.
On the 1 2th September I set out with my dear boys September
on their return to Westminster ; not quite so cheerful an
expedition as coming from school. We travelled in the
Chester mail and reached the hotel in Parliament Street by
six o'clock next morning. We went to bed for three hours.
We dined at the hotel, and in the evening my sweet lads
resumed their old quarters in Dean's Yard.
On Friday I7th I called again in Dean's Yard, and was
made truly happy on finding that both my dear boys had
obtained prizes for their assiduity in saying their tasks.
Friday is the regular day for the Holiday repetitions.
Dick was heard Ovid \_sic~] on Wednesday and the remain-
ing task on Friday, and obtained a double prize. It is
most gratifying to find such early promise.
list. Went to Stafford to the sessions, a most numerous October
bench of magistrates. I had prepared some resolutions
expressive of our sentiments on the alarming state of the
country in consequence of the tumultuous assembly of
the people in the manufacturing districts, particularly at
Manchester and the neighbourhood, and the blasphemous,
be drilling. On August 16 the Manchester Massacre, or ' Peterloo,' took place,
the outcome of which was a series of repressive measures, known as * The Six
Acts.'
328 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 58 seditious publications circulated in the country. But as
Lord Gower had prepared some resolutions nearly to the
same effect as mine, and as his lordship did me the
honour to consult me on the business, I very readily gave
up my intentions, as I consider the proceedings in much
more proper hands. We had a warm discussion respecting
the mode of payment of the heavy debt due on account of
the building the lunatick asylum. It was proposed to apply
for an act of Parliament to alter the mode of raising the
money to pay off the debt by a rate in the manner of the
land tax instead of the usual county rate. I opposed the
scheme, which was abandoned, and a committee of five
proposed to arrange the further proceedings, of which I
was a member. A long calendar of prisoners, but not
heavy in crime.
iind. The Prince Leopold 1 was at Beaudesert. I was
invited to dine at Beaudesert on the 24th to meet his Royal
Highness, but declined. I had seen Princes sufficient to
satisfy me, and did not like to be put out of my way by
driving from home on a Sunday and at seven o'clock.
November November 7.- On the yth November I dined and
stayed all night at Beaudesert, and accompanied Lord
Anglesey next day in his coach to Stafford to attend a
meeting of the magistracy and lieutenantry of the county
for the purpose of considering the state of the armed force
of the county and the necessity of increasing it in conse-
quence of the seditious meetings held in the manufacturing
districts and in our own county potteries very recently,
tending strongly to favour revolution. The Marquis of
1 Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg ; married Princess Charlotte 1 8 1 6 ; brother
of the Duchess of Kent ; uncle of Queen Victoria.
ARMED ASSOCIATIONS 329
Stafford 1 was in the chair, supported by Lord Dartmouth - 1819
as Vice-Lieutenant of the county, with Lords Anglesey, 3
Granville, Gower, 4 Anson, 5 Newport, 6 and the largest
meeting of the kind ever known. It was resolved to
augment the yeomanry and to recommence the formation of
armed associations in the principal towns. A subscription
was proposed, and names to a very considerable amount put
down. The meeting was under every obligation to Lord
Anglesey. Our custos rotulorum (Lord Stafford) and our
vice-lieutenant would never have got any business done
whatever. I never saw two men so little calculated for
publick meeting in my life.
January i. I went to Stafford on the first of the month, 1820
and observed in the brook at Handsacre, what I had never
before seen in England, the vapour rising from the water in
the manner it does in severe weather in America.
I2th. On the 1 2th I went to Stafford to the sessions; a
full bench of magistrates. A requisition had been sent to
the High Sheriff to call a county meeting for the purpose of
entering into a subscription to assist the poor ; but as the
requisitioners were mostly persons possessing reform and
leaning towards principles that have occasioned the disturb-
ances in the manufacturing districts, Lord Anson at the
head, it was thought advisable to endeavour to prevent a
county meeting, which would have led to violent political
1 See p. 130.
2 William Legge, Earl of Dartmouth; born 1784; succeeded as fourth earl
1 8 10 ; married Francis, daughter of the second Earl Talbot.
3 See p. 73. See p. 130.
5 Thomas William Anson, Viscount Anson ; born 1795; succeeded to the
viscounty 1818 ; became Earl of Lichfield 1831.
6 George Augustus, Viscount Newport; born 1789; succeeded his father as
Earl of Bradford in 1825.
330 DYOTT'S DIARY
contentions without effecting the purpose proposed. And
therefore after dinner, the county business having been
finished, a resolution was proposed by Lord Dartmouth
to enter into a subscription by the gentlemen present to
relieve the poorer classes ; if that resolution was agreed to,
that the subscribers should meet on a given day to take into
consideration the proper means of carrying the views into
effect. These resolutions were strongly opposed by Mr.
Follet and Lord Anson on the grounds of their being
calculated to prevent the county meeting, for which a
requisition having their signatures with many others had
been sent to the High Sheriff. Follet called upon the
High Sheriff to know his answer to the requisition, but he
was mute. Lord Harrowby 1 supported Lord Dartmouth
for a subscription in the manner he had proposed. On its
being put to the vote, Lord Dartmouth's resolutions were
carried, and then the High Sheriff declared his determination
not to call a meeting, stating his reason, that if the object
could be obtained, it was better in these times to prevent
the chance of violent contentions that might arise from so
numerous an assemblage. I had to make the annual report
of the gaol committee, as the chairman, Mr. Lister, was not
present.
On the 1 8th I went to Hatherton on a visit to Walhouse;
deep snow and very unpropitious weather to ride across
Cannock Heath, but as I had made several excuses, I
thought it right to go. I did not determine when I went
whether to remain one or two nights. It snowed as I went,
1 Dudley Ryder, first Earl of Harrowby and Viscbunt Sandon (1762-1847);
succeeded his father 1803; foreign secretary 1804; president of the Council
1812-27.
DEATH OF GEORGE III
and in the night thawed, and as I found the roads deep in 1820
snow and the appearance likely to produce bad weather, I
returned next day. The thaw continued. I had a most
uncomfortable ride home ; however, it was lucky I returned,
as it froze severely again at night with a heavy fall of snow
next morning, so as to make the roads impassable.
3ist. On the 3ist the account arrived of the death of
our aged, beloved, and most excellent King, who departed
this life on Saturday the 29th at Windsor after a few days'
serious illness. I had been honoured by much of the
gracious and condescending kindness of his Majesty, and
had opportunities of seeing and observing much of the good
King's domestic and publick life, and I can say most con-
scientiously and truly that there never was a more virtuous,
religious, moral man existed from true principle and sincere
worth. I never knew his Majesty speak ill of any one or
say a harsh or severe thing unless it was deserved, nor did I
ever see his Majesty hasty or his temper changed but once,
and that was riding in the evening when it was nearly
dusk at Cuttnells, 1 and the mail-coach came full drive and
was near running against the King. The coachman did not
distinguish it was his Majesty. His Majesty called out
pretty loud, ' Damn you, can't you see ? ' I never went to
Windsor that his Majesty was not graciously pleased to
express his kindness, nor ever left it without some token
of his Majesty's condescending attention.
On the 1 3th February I rode to call upon Lord Anglesey February
to mention to him the propriety for his lordship to take
the lead in a requisition for a county meeting for an address
of condolence and congratulation to the throne. He agreed
1 See p. 241.
332 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 58 to my proposal, and wrote to consult Mr. Chetwynd, 1 the
chairman of the quarter sessions, on the subject.
March March 2. The adjourned general quarter sessions. It
having been found necessary to have a fifth session in con-
sequence of the great increase of crime we had forty
prisoners to try my friend and neighbour, Mr. Lister, 2
desired to resign the chair of the gaol committee. I had
the honour of being elected at the sessions in his place.
An express came to me at Stafford from the friends to the
independent interest at Lichfield (who had assembled in
consequence of the dissolution of Parliament) to desire I
would offer myself on the occasion as a candidate. I re-
turned (jrd) and went to Lichfield to express my grateful
thanks for the honour done me, and particularly for the
liberal handsome subscription entered into to pay the
expenses of the poll ; but from the overbearing ascendency
of the tenants of the two Lords, Gower 3 and Anson, 4 it
would be madness to contend. (See my address of thanks
published in the Lichfield paper.)
6th. On the 6th the county meeting, which was most
numerously attended. Lord Anglesey made a capital
speech, and moved the address. In the course of his
speech, after paying a most just and well-deserved pane-
gyrick to the excellence of the late King, his lordship
mentioned his Majesty's partiality to Staffordshire men,
and particularised ' his friend the gallant general who stood
by him.' This was what I did not expect. I moved that
the address should be adopted, and be signed by the sheriff
in the name of the meeting, and should be presented by
1 See p. 320. 2 See p. 320.
8 See p. 130. 4 See p. 329.
SIR JOHN WROTTESLEY 333
him to the throne, accompanied by Lord Anglesey, the 1820
custos rotulorum and the vice-lieutenant of the county. My
motion was seconded by Lord Bagot. 1
yth. On the 9th a county meeting to nominate the
candidates for the new Parliament. The late members,
Lord Gower and Mr. Littleton, 2 were named, and a third
candidate, Sir John Boughey, 3 was proposed on the modern
Whig interest, supported, according to report, by the young
Viscount Anson. A sharp contest expected.
i$th. I went to Wrottesley ; took Wolverhampton in
my way, for the purpose of inspecting the house of cor-
rection, which I found in a most filthy, dirty, shameful
state. Wrottesley is a very noble fine seat ; it was my
first visit. The Baronet* extremely civil and kind; re-
turned the next day. To the astonishment of the county
and the disappointment of all his friends, Lord Gower
declined the contest for the county ; Sir John Boughey and
Littleton were returned.
29^. I set forward to London, per Liverpool mail, at
six o'clock from Lichfield, and arrived in town the same
evening by half-past ten. I went up for the purpose of ,
keeping the Easter holidays with my two dear boys ; they /
were rejoiced to see me.
We went to Covent Garden theatre to see the holiday
fun ; all laughed and enjoyed the sport greatly. The boys
passed the afternoon of Thursday with me, and on Saturday April
1 Baron Bagot, born 1773 ; succeeded 1798 ; married secondly Louisa,
daughter of the third Earl of Dartmouth.
2 See p. 358.
3 Sir John Fenton Fletcher Boughey of Betly Court, co. Stafford ; succeeded his
father 1812; died 1823.
* Sir John Wrottesley of Wrottesley, co. Stafford (1771-1841) ; raised to the
peerage by letters patent 1838.
334 DYOTT'S DIARY
59 the 8th I left town, much grieved to leave my sweet boys.
I reached home on the morning of the 9th.
May On the 8th I was obliged to leave to go to town for the
King's first levee. I went up by way of Birmingham.
The roth, the levee and the most crowded I ever
attended. Every individual was presented, and kissed
hands in consequence of its being his Majesty's first levee
as King. I left town next evening per mail, and rejoiced
to find all well at home.
iind. Whitmonday ; Greenhill Bower. Took the boys
in the morning to see the review of the 52nd regiment
in a field near Whittington Heath, and afterwards to the
Bower and to see the wild beasts ; the day was fine, and a
powerful display of company.
June On the 1 2th I went to London for the purpose of attend-
ing a drawing-room ; travelled in the Liverpool mail, and
reached my old friend Colonel Wright's house before eleven,
having started from Lichfield about half-past six. I hastened
next morning to Dean's Yard to see my boys, and was
heartily gratified to find them both well. Wright was so
obliging to ask them to dinner ; it unfortunately rained all
the afternoon, so that we could not enjoy a walk.
The 1 3th, the drawing-room. I accompanied two of
the Miss Swinfens, who were to be presented. A full
court, but not so crowded as I have seen it.
An unfortunate event had occurred, which was the arrival
of the Queen, occasioning an extraordinary sensation in
London. A message was sent to the two Houses of Parlia-
ment with complaints of the Queen's conduct ; a secret
committee was named by the Lords, and a day appointed
to take the subject into consideration. The like took place
QUEEN CAROLINE'S TRIAL 335
in the Commons, but every effort was made to avert so 1820
unpleasant a proceeding, and the two Houses postponed the
business from day to day. 1
'jth. On the 7th I went over to see how matters were July
going on at the gaol at Stafford, as I had a plan of great
alteration to propose at the ensuing sessions respecting the
establishment. If ever my dear boys, either of them, read
my journal, they must know I never read it myself, as I on
no occasion ever looked over the entry I made. Perhaps it
may, however, some time or other afford amusement to see
how the old general passed his days.
The 25th, the agricultural meeting at Lichfield ; some
good sheep exhibited, but the show of cattle indifferent. I
did not dine. Lord Anson 2 was to officiate as president.
I don't like his lordship's politicks. I was sure the meet-
ing would be made a party matter. I find his lordship
could not bring himself to give the King alone after dinner,
but coupled his Majesty with the Constitution. The noble
Viscount also toasted the Queen with the Royal Family,
which in my opinion had been better left alone during the
agitated state of the publick mind on the subject of, and
pending, her Majesty's trial.
On the iyth her Majesty's trial began before the House August
of Lords ; from the publick accounts no event ever agitated
1 Popular sympathy was on the side of Queen Caroline, and George iv. was
regarded with intense dislike. Lord Grey and the old Whigs were not anxious
to espouse the Queen's cause, which, although just, was at the same time humiliat-
ing. The message mentioned in the diary was from the King, who thought ' it
necessary, in consequence of the arrival of the Queen, to communicate to the
House of Lords certain papers respecting the conduct of her Majesty since her
departure from this kingdom, which he recommends to the immediate and serious
attention of the House.' This message was introduced by Lord Liverpool, a
similar one being communicated to the House of Commons by Lord Castlereagh.
2 See p. 329.
336 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 59 the kingdom so generally. An effort was made at Lichfield
to obtain an address to the Queen, but it was supported, as
it had originated, by a few dissenters, and these persons
unknown to the city till within a very few years, and not of
a rank or description in society to express the sentiments of
the people at large. It was a party business, and espoused
by the few democrats that had crept into the old loyal
city.
September September i. The season extremely hot and dry ; I went
to Tamhorn to open the shooting campaign ; my two aide-
de-camps attending ; they did not contribute to assist in the
sport ; however, their presence made amends for any inter-
ruption they gave. I found plenty of birds ; killed only
three brace.
On the 1 2th Lichfield races ; my dear boys highly grati-
fied in attending on the course, but not more so than their
father was fifty years before. The weather most intensely
hot the two first days ; very little sport on the course,
but a most considerable show of company. I dined at the
Ordinary the second day in compliment to one of the
stewards (Sir R. Gresley), 1 the son of my old friend Sir
Nigel. 2 The ball in the evening very full.
The county regiment of yeomanry assembled at Lichfield
on the iyth for six days for the purpose of drill, etc.
On the 2ist the regiment gave a splendid ball in the
town-hall to all the neighbourhood ; near three hundred
persons present, a very magnificent fete ; and on the 22nd
the regiment was reviewed by Major-General Sir John
1 Sir Roger Gresley (1799-1837) of Drakelow, co. Derby; married Sophia,
youngest daughter of the seventh Earl of Coventry ; died s. p.
2 See p. 130.
A LICHFIELD BANQUET 337
Byng, 1 attended by Lord Anglesey in his uniform ; a great 1820
concourse of people present on the heath. The regiment
performed to the astonishment of all present. The officers
afterwards gave a dinner to upwards of two hundred
visitors ; a sumptuous banquet. Shooting very indifferent
this year from the dryness of the earth and warmth of the
weather, add to which the general failure of turnips through-
out the neighbourhood.
October 18. On the i8th went to the sessions, a very October
crowded bench of magistrates present in consequence of the
new commission of the peace ; all having to take the oaths ;
there was also a long calendar of prisoners. I had a long
debate after dinner to support my motion to discontinue the
Wolverhampton House of Correction, but I carried my
point without a division. I had also some warm argument
with many of my brother justices respecting the new
Governor of the gaol that I had, as chairman of the gaol
committee, named to succeed. The final election was post-
poned until an adjourned session to be held on the i6th
November.
i$th. I went to Sir Joseph Scott's at Barr 2 for two
nights ; one of the oldest friends I have.
On the Qth I went to Stafford to attend the adjourned November
session for the purpose of electing the new gaoler. Mr.
Brutton, from the House of Correction at Devizes, where
he had been keeper, was unanimously elected. Fine open
weather ; all the articles of life abundantly cheap. Wheat 8s.,
1 Sir John Byng, Earl of Strafford (1772-1860) ; served in Flanders, at Wal-
cheren, and in the Peninsula j major-general 1813; commanded a brigade at
Waterloo 1815 ; general 1841 ; created Earl Strafford 1847; field-marshal 1855.
2 Sir Joseph Scott of Great Barr, co. Stafford (1752-1828) ; high sheriff 1779 ;
created a baronet 1806.
VOL. I. Y
338 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 59 barley 55. 6d., oats from 35. to 45. per bushel. Beef and
mutton sixpence per pound. The decision of the legislature
respecting the Queen caused great rejoicings amongst a
certain class of the community, and consequent general agita-
tion throughout the country. There is a sad evil spirit
amongst the lower orders (and perhaps the middle)^ that
sooner or later will show itself in acts of ungovernable
violence. It was not possible for any reasonable man for
one moment to doubt the guilt of the Queen. 1
! ^ 21 January i. The New Year began with the same severe
January %
cold east wind and continued freezing. Mary Dale and
young Thurstan arrived from Ashbourne, the latter to pass
a week with his cousins, who were most happy in his com-
pany.
April The 1 7th, my birthday. I stayed at Hannch at the
desire of my dear daughter to celebrate the day, which was
merely having a few friends to dinner to announce to me
that I was three score ; lack-a-day, how time passes on and
old age will follow. I feel thankful for all the many
blessings I have enjoyed, and trust and hope I shall be pre-
pared to meet my Saviour whenever it pleases the Divine
Providence to call me hence.
May The 2nd May I attended the levee. My friend Inge
took me in his coach. He had never been presented, and
was astonished to find the King recollected him. He had
not seen his Majesty for seventeen years (at Bibury races),
who spoke to him in the most condescending manner, and
the next day at the drawing-room mentioned the circum-
stance to Inge of not having seen him since Bibury. An
extraordinary crowded drawing-room. His Majesty ex-
1 Compare the Creevey Papers, vol. i. p. 305.
CORONATION OF GEORGE IV 339
tremely gracious to me on both days. I had attended the 1821
Duke of York's levee on the previous Friday. His Royal
Highness very civil, but I could obtain no promise of
speedy preferment to a regiment. The weather had been
very fine for a fortnight, particularly so on the 2nd and 3rd,
which was a fortunate circumstance for the courtiers.
July. I began to mow on the i5th, and ricked all safe July
on the 2oth. On the I9th the day of the King's corona-
tion was celebrated with high ceremony and attention at
Lichfield. Upwards of ^400 was subscribed by the town
and neighbourhood to regale the populace. More than
three thousand dined at three tables placed in Boar Street
for the purpose, and one hundred and twenty dined at the
George Inn, and passed the day most jovially. I was
rejoiced to find that my dear boys attended with all the
Westminster scholars in the Abbey to see the ceremonies on
the august occasion ; it is not improbable they may live to
witness more than one ceremony of this nature. 1
September 17. A great deal of barley standing on the September
iyth, the day my dear boys returned to their school. They
went up by the Liverpool mail, and arrived safe and well
before eleven in Dean's Yard. My poor darling Bill had
been unwell more than once during the holidays. His
strength and animation had not returned since his attack in
London.
26th. On the 26th my old friend and earliest military
1 Sir Walter Scott wrote in July 1821: 'The cross-gallery most appropriately
occupied by the Westminster schoolboys, in their white surplices, many of whom
might on that day receive impressions never to be lost during the rest of their
lives.' The one thing that they would never forget would be the most dramatic
feature of the scene when the unhappy queen first knocked on the north door of
the abbey and then on the west door, and was refused admission.
340 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 60 acquaintance, Colonel Johnstone, arrived to pay me a visit,
and to meet another regimental friend of long standing :
General Hodgson, 1 who arrived with his two daughters on
the 29th. We had a joyous meeting, as must naturally be
the case with friends of upwards of forty years' acquaintance.
They remained at Hannch a fortnight, and I scarce ever
had more laughing or more satisfactory enjoyment in my
remembrance. Hodgson and I went out shooting most
days, and had generally good sport. Johnstone had become
infirm, and unequal to the sports of the field.
November November 19. Dined at Teddesley to meet the great
Captain of the age, the Duke of Wellington ; a large com-
pany of nobility and gentry filling the house, and obliged
me and my neighbour, Mr. Lister, to return at night.
Lister took me in his carriage, and I slept at Armitage.
The Duke was not very talkative, though a large party of
his friends were present. I was never in his company
before ; neither his appearance, manners, or conversation
strike you as a man possessing the great mind and capacity
he had so wonderfully displayed. His Grace received the
freedom of the borough of Stafford, and intended a visit to
Trentham 2 and to Lord Harrowby, but was sent for to
London to assist at a council. Remarkable mild weather all
the month of November, but an astonishing fall of rain ; it
is scarce remembered to have had so wet a season. Farmers
1 See p. 68.
2 Trentham was ecclesiastical property till the dissolution of the monasteries,
when it was given by Henry vm. to the Duke of Suffolk. It was next purchased
by the Levesons, the first mansion being built by Sir Richard Leveson. On his
death Trentham Hall passed to William Leveson-Gower. The house and grounds
are mentioned under a transparent disguise by Disraeli in Lothair. The present
owner is the Duke of Sutherland, who in 1906 offered to give the Hall as head-
quarters for higher education in Staffordshire, but it was not accepted.
EARL HARROWBY
crying aloud from the great depression in the markets ; 1821
unless prices mend, it is quite impossible for farmers to pay
their rents. What the proprietors of land are to do seems
a mystery. Wheat under 6s., barley 45. Oats sell better
than any other grain, 45. 3d. and 45. 6d. old. Beef and
mutton fourpence and fourpence-halfpenny.
26^. I went to Wichnor for the annual coursing party
to meet old Swinfen, etc., whom I thought enjoying himself
as well as I had seen him for some years ; passed two
pleasant days.
December 14. On the I4th dined and slept at Tom December
Levett's, Lichfield ; in which house I was with some of my
sisters and my brother inoculated for the smallpox about the
year 1765 or 6, and had not slept in the house from that
period until the present.
28//. I went to Stafford to attend a gaol and asylum
committee ; the only member that was present at the former
was the Lord President of the Council, Earl Harrowby.
One could not help reflecting on the circumstance of a
person of his lordship's high rank in the state assisting on
a committee of visiting justices at the county gaol. His
superior talents were conspicuous on this occasion as they
are shining in the more exalted affairs of the country. It
was a most extraordinary wet day, and in the afternoon blew
and rained that I was completely drenched before I was a
mile from Stafford. I rode, and my horse could scarcely
face the storm. Most extraordinary open season to the end
of the year ; the last day more like April than December.
Such continued rain and open weather I never remember.
The season reminded me of the memorable winter of '95,
when 1 went to the West Indies.
342 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 60 January i . The New Year began with a rain and a con-
1022 tinuation of the mild season hitherto experienced.
January
On the 6th I called at Beaudesert ; I notice the occasion
from the circumstance of having presented the noble
Marquis with a pair of pocket spectacles, being the first
assistance required by his lordship to help his opticks.
Extraordinary continuation of wet weather and remarkably
mild.
The 1 4th finished my dear boys' holidays ; they were to
have returned, and we prepared accordingly by turning out
before five in the morning with the expectation of having
places in the Liverpool mail, but were disappointed. We
made the like effort next morning, with no better success,
and then tried the Chester mail at two all full. We then
proceeded to Birmingham, and procured places in the
4 Balloon ' coach, which set out at five in the evening. After
seeing my dear lads safe off I returned home ; a fine
evening for the season, and I was made happy to hear of
their arrival in perfect safety by a letter from my dear Dick
at Stafford on the lyth, to which place I went the i6th to
attend the sessions. I was engaged to have gone to Teddes-
ley on the I5th, but was prevented by a more anxious
engagement of attending my dear children.
February February. On the I2th to Thorpe, where I remained until
the 1 5th. Extraordinary fine weather. Met Sir John, 1 Lady
Wrottesley, 2 his brother Charles, 3 etc., passed a few days
most agreeably ; my relation Inge exhibits in his domestick
arrangements the true spirit of an English county gentle-
1 See p. 1 30.
2 Lady Wrottesley was Julia, daughter of John Conyers, Esq. of Copt Hall,
co. Essex.
3 Charles Wrottesley (1783-1 848) ; in holy orders, rector of East Knoyle, Wilts.
THE FARMERS OF THE PERIOD
343
man's hospitality, and lives in a manner becoming his fortune 1822
and distinction in life. Remarkable fine mild open season all
the month. The agricultural interest suffering greatly from
the very depressed state of the market. Good wheat selling
at 55. 6d. and 6s.; barley from 2s. to 35.; oats better sold than
any grain, worth from 2s. 6d. to 33. 6d. Butcher's meat
very low. Beef from threepence-halfpenny to fourpence ;
mutton the same ; veal fourpence ; pork very low indeed,
threepence-halfpenny ; the farmers petitioning Parliament
and the Ministry propose relief, but nothing effectual arises
from these efforts. It must find its own level, and the more
the subject is mooted the more it will be marred. Farmers
in general required a check ; they had been acquiring vast
profits, the natural consequence of which (encouraged as they
have been by the familiarity of their superiors) gave them
habits and feelings beyond the rank in life to which they
belong, and instead of, as formerly, being the respectable
yeomen, they usurped the class of character, now almost
extinct, of country esquires. The reverses occasioned by
the situation of the times must bring them back to the
habits of industry and frugality for which their grandsires
were conspicuous.
The yth, I went to Stafford for the adjourned sessions ; a March
violent, stormy day, with heavy gusts of snow. The first
winter-like day we had experienced. I did not get home
until eight o'clock at night. Perhaps, when my dear children
look over this journal, they will remark that papa did not
pay much attention to his style of writing. Most true. I
never correct a line or read it over after I have inserted the
occurrences that I propose to enter.
On the 2nd I set out for London, chiefly for the purpose April
344 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 6 1 of being playfellow to my boys at their Easter holidays. I
went to Birmingham, and from thence by the * Balloon' coach
at five o'clock and arrived at Islington by nine next morning.
I found my dear lads quite well, but poor Dick had got into
a scrape by cutting the new seal in the Abbey, for which
Dr. Goodenough l confined him all the holidays. I applied
to the Doctor for a remission of the penalty, but he was
inexorable, to my great disappointment and Dick's dismay.
On the 1 6th I paid my duty to the Commander-in-chief 2
at his Royal Highness's levee ; the Duke most gracious.
I did not touch on my former application as my friend Lord
Anglesey had undertaken to mention me to the Duke.
On the 1 9th I paid my duty at the King's levee. His
Majesty very gracious. The levee extremely full and
unpleasant, almost beyond endurance. I went with our
member, my friend Littleton, who also did me the favour
to carry me to the drawing-room on the 23rd, which was
highly brilliant and much crowded.
May On the 28th of May I accompanied my neighbour, Mr.
Lane, to Wolverhampton to attend the Pitt Club for the
celebration of the great statesman's birthday. The club had
done me the honour to elect me chairman for the day, a
distinction I was not desirous to obtain ; but as loyalty and
the support of the existing government was the object, I
considered that the times required the effort of every friend
to the constitution to use his endeavours to that effect in
opposition to the radical sentiments of reform so powerfully
spreading their baneful influence. We dined about seventy,
a most respectable meeting, and I hope the chairman did his
1 Edmund Goodenough (1785-1845); headmaster of Westminster 1819-28.
2 The Duke of York (1763-1827).
MR. CANNING
345
duty. We returned home in the evening ; left Wolver- 1822
hampton about half-past eight, having dined at half-past three.
On the 9th of August I had the honour to attend a great August
party at Blithfield 1 given by Lord Bagot; 2 the first meeting
of a new society called the Needwood Archers, consisting of
a number of the neighbouring families, for the display of
skill in archery. The company assembled at twelve o'clock.
Butts had been made and tents recently pitched on the plea-
sure-ground adjoining the house. About one hundred and
thirty assembled, and the ladies and gentlemen members of
the society amused themselves shooting until three o'clock,
attended by the band of the Stafford militia, when the musick
struck up { Old English Roast Beef,' and the company sat
down in the house to turtle and venison in abundance. It
was intended to have renewed the shooting after dinner, but
unfortunately it rained to prevent it. Tea and coffee was
prepared, and the young ones turned to, and amused them-
selves with quadrilles. My neighbour, Mr. Lister, was so
good to take me in his carriage, with whom I returned about
nine o'clock, after enjoying an agreeable day and seeing a
beautiful sight.
On the 1 3th I went to Teddesley to meet Mr. Canning, 3
who was expected on his way to Liverpool to attend a fare-
well dinner given him by the constituents previous to his
going as Governor-General to India. He was prevented
coming to Teddesley in consequence of an accident that
had happened to his son.
1 Blithfield House, co. Stafford, was one of the seats of Lord Bagot.
2 Seep. 333.
3 George Canning (1770-1827) ; member of the India board 1799-1800 ; foreign
secretary 18075 favoured Queen Caroline 1821 ; nominated governor-general of
India 27th March, but resigned September 1822 , prime minister 1827.
346 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 6 1 On the 4th of September a grand archery meeting at Mr.
September jj^ ^ Hollybush) similar tQ the Qne at fiHthfield, about
the like number of people, but I think more splendid in the
display than the Peer's ; and on the i8th a ditto at Mr.
Sneyd's at Byrkley Lodge, to which I was invited to take
my boys, who were made happy by the sight, bows and
arrows and beaux and belles. A great assemblage of com-
pany, which appeared to advantage from the beauty of the
weather.
The loth was Lichfield races ; not like what they were
formerly, not much company and less sport on the course.
However, I was well entertained with the pleasure it
afforded my boys, whom I accompanied each day to the
stand, and who appeared as much delighted as I was when
at their age. It appearing to be the general wish to have
only two days' sport in future, we had a meeting of the
trustees of the racing fund to consider the propriety of the
alteration, and came to a resolution to adopt the change
from three days to two for the future.
On the 23rd my dear boys took their departure to return
to school. I accompanied them to Lichfield, from whence
they went to Birmingham to go up by a night coach. I felt
as much concern on taking leave as they did to leave home.
1 rejoiced to find, by a letter from dear Dick, wrote from
the * Swan with two Necks,' Lad Lane, that they had ar-
rived, though poor Dick had a ducking from the rain. He
was outside all the way, and from affection and good-humour
did not change with dear Bill, as he mentioned after he was
once wet it was not necessary to have Bill also wet, which
might have occasioned him to take cold.
November On the 9th of November I went to Stafford to visit the
PARTY AT BEAUDESERT 347
gaol, not having attended for a long time in consequence of 1822
indisposition. The new tread-wheel was at work, and will,
I trust, prove a benefit to the county by its dread in prevent-
ing crime.
On the 1 4th I went to Beaudesert to attend what the
noble Marquis called his annual Old Party of friends, or
rather party of old friends, consisting of Colonel William
and John Sneyd, Sir Robert Williams, Mr. Lane, Theo. and
Tom Levett, with Mr. Singleton, Colonel Thornhill, and
Mr. Chichester, who had been staying in the house. We
passed two days very agreeably and were received with great
splendour and hospitality.
January i. The New Year began with sharp winterly 1823
weather. I enjoyed my dear boys' company and endea-
voured to make home as comfortable to them as I could.
On the 1 3th my dear lads left me on their return to
Westminster. Very severe sharp frost. They travelled in
the Chester mail, and both went on the outside as far as
Northampton notwithstanding the severity of the season.
iind. I attended a meeting of deputy-lieutenants at February
Wichnor Bridges. Met Sir Oswald Mosley, 1 Lane, Theo.
Levett, and Hall. Called upon old Horton of Catton after-
wards, though the day was most piercing. My neighbour,
the noble Marquis, had invited me several days to shoot and
stay at Beaudesert, but I declined from the extreme cold.
I at last engaged myself for the 27th, but the frost, snow,
hail and blow were so incessant, it was out of expectation
to shoot. I went to dinner. Only a family party. The
Marquis and Marchioness went out shooting the next
morning, though it snowed and rained. I was astonished
1 See p. 297.
34 8 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 6 1 by having killed four brace of pheasants and a hare. The
Marquis killed about eight brace, and as many hares. We
had had snow with severe frost ; it thawed on the 28th and
the snow disappeared, but the frost was not out of the
ground.
On the 29th I went for a night to Catton to exercise my
lungs with roaring to old Horton, who gets deafer as age
increases. He is one of the oldest friends I have. He was
living at Catton when I was a youth idling my time with my
relation, Sir Nigel Gresley, 1 at Drakelow, before I entered
the service. I believe I ought not to say idling my time, as
I certainly had an opportunity of being in good company
and improving myself in habit and manner, if not in mind.
My long visit at Drakelow was in the year 1780 ; forty-
three winters have since passed over my head.
On the 3 ist, shooting at Beaudesert. His lordship,
Levett, Sir Francis Darwin, and myself. Excellent sport.
Killed forty pheasants and twenty-seven hares all within one
mile of the house. We were to have shot again next morn-
ing, but it snowed in the night and continued to make it
quite impossible to stir ; a great disappointment, as it was
the last day.
March On the 28th went to Stafford to attend a meeting of the
gaol committee, and on the 29th the new church at Rugeley
was opened for Divine Service. I should have been present,
but as it was Easter Sunday I felt desirous of offering my
prayers and receiving the sacrament at my own parish
church. Having been concerned somewhat in the prepara-
tion for the opening the church at Rugeley as a com-
missioner for disposing and distributing the pews, and
1 See p. 2.
THE KING'S BIRTHDAY 349
having been struck with great devotion by the solemn 1823
appearance of the inside and arrangement, I wrote the
prayer, which was repeated by my friend the vicar (Mr.
Inge), preparatory to the sermon.
On the iyth I completed my sixty-second year, and offer April
my humble thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father for having
vouchsafed His protection of me during the past year, and
beseeching a continuance of His holy blessing for the year
to come, if it pleases Divine Providence to contribute His
mercies to a repentant being.
I set out for London the next day, having delayed my
departure to gratify my dear Eleanor, who appeared anxious
I should pass my birthday at home.
On the 2 1 st I attended the levee, which was, if possible,
more crowded and more bear-garden-like than the year
before. I thought his Majesty much aged and altered.
The 22nd, I paid my duty to the Duke of York at his
levee ; found his Royal Highness very gracious, and from
an interview I had with his secretary, Sir Herbert Taylor, 1
I was given to understand my turn for a regiment was
nearer than I expected. There was to have been a drawing-
room on the 23rd to celebrate the King's birthday, but in
consequence of his Majesty's health not being sufficiently
restored, and from the fatigues of the levee on the 2ist,
he was unable to undertake, to the great disappointment
of numberless young ladies. The weather continued most
ungenial for the season, cold north-east wind with hail and
sharp frosts at night.
1 Sir Herbert Taylor (1775-1839) ; secretary to the Duke of York, George in.,
and Queen Charlotte; lieutenant-general 1825; adjutant-general of the forces
1828.
350 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 62 On the 2 yth I went to London to meet Dr. Morgan on
the business of St. Croix.
The day after I reached town I heard of the death of
Sir John Boughey, 1 the member for the county Stafford,
and that Sir John Wrottesley 2 had offered himself for the
county. I never recollect an event that appeared to give
such general disapprobation as the circumstance of Wrottes-
ley's offering himself to the county.
July On the 2nd I dined with Wright, and on the 3rd I took
my departure to return to Hannch. The boys met me
at Charing Cross, and after drinking tea with me, embarked
me in the Chester mail about half-past seven. It was after
eight before the mail started from Cornhill, and we arrived
at Lichfield by half-past ten next morning. I was never
so whirled along in my life. Our ancestors never could have
supposed it possible that travelling could have arrived at
such expedition as is now experienced.
The nomination took place on the i4th. The Baronet
was proposed by a Mr. Hodgetts Foley and seconded by
Major-General Anson (Lord Anson's brother) ; the former
a person perfectly unknown and not residing in the county,
the latter not a freeholder. There never was such a meet-
ing on such an occasion. It was said all the performers
were heartily ashamed of the proceedings.
The 1 5th was the grand archery at Blithfield ; a most
unpropitious St. Swithin, as it rained most of the day. I
met Sneyd, and had much conversation with him respecting
the election. Though he declined in his own person, I
think, if his son had been in the county and applied to, the
father would have had no objection, and it is probable he
1 See p. 333. a See p. 130.
LORD TALBOT 351
would have met with most powerful support. We had 1823
a grand day notwithstanding the weather. One hundred
and thirty people and magnificent dinner. The evening
after six o'clock tempted the archers out, and the prizes
were contested for, though the grass plats were like walking
on wet sponge.
On the 2Oth 1 was invited to dine at Lord Talbot's 1
to meet the judges ; a most splendid banquet. All the
lords and principal people in the neighbourhood ; thirty-
seven at dinner. A superb dinner, fine plate and the most
magnificent plateau I ever saw. The servant in the state
liveries of his lordship as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. An
abundance of champagne at dinner, I have not drank so
much these twenty years.
September 9. I went out shooting for the purpose of September
initiating Dick, who showed an anxiety to be a shooter ;
we had but very indifferent sport. On the 9th Lichfield
races, and though the sports were reduced from three days
to two, the change did not occasion any symptoms of
renewal of either sport or company like former times. I
went each day to the course, much more for the enjoyment
of my children than for any pleasure it afforded me. I
declined both Ordinary and balls.
On the 1 8th I drove Mr. Tyson in my phaeton to call October
upon Mr. Harpur at the New Lodge in the Forest. Mr.
and Mrs. Tyson from Grosvenour Square were staying
with my good neighbour Mrs. Mary Tyson, who kindly
invited me frequently to join their party at dinner. I
passed many very pleasant days with them. I went shoot-
1 Charles Chetwynd, second Earl Talbot (1777-1849)5 viceroy of Ireland 5
lord-lieutenant of Staffordshire.
352 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 62 ing several times with Lord Anglesey at Burton. He did
me the favour to call for me in his carriage, and brought
me back in the evening. I enjoyed the sport, as I had my
own dogs and allowed to go my own line.
On the 2Oth the annual party at Beaudesert, consisting of
Colonel Sneyd,Lord Bagot, Dick Bagot,Swinfen,The. Levett,
Lane, and Chetwynd. Passed two very pleasant days ; re-
ceived with great splendour and hospitality by our noble host
November On the 3rd November I went to pay a visit to my old
friend Colonel Sneyd at Keel ; found there Lord Bagot,
a Mr. and Mrs. Percy, and a Mr. Bouverie. My highly
esteemed old friend and his lady received me with their
usual kindness. I remained at Keel until the yth, and
enjoyed the hospitalities of my earliest friend, who had
made the old mansion at Keel worthy of the fame of the
old respected family by whom it has been so long possessed.
I came from Keel to my friend Mr. Chetwynd's 1 at Broc-
ton Lodge (chairman of the quarter sessions) to dinner,
and stayed all night. Chetwynd is an able clever man,
though I think not generally popular with his brother
justices. Having always been on the best of terms with
him, I may say on terms of close friendship, I should be
doing him injustice if I did not feel a regard and admira-
tion for his character. Mrs. Chetwynd one of the best
informed agreeable women I know. On my way to Keel
I stopped to feed my horses at San don, and took the
opportunity to visit the monument of the celebrated anti-
quarian and county historian, Erdeswicke, 2 in the church
1 Sec p. 320.
2 Sampson Erdeswicke, historian of Staffordshire j studied at Brasenose College
1553-4; commended by Camden j died 1603.
ERDESWICKE, THE HISTORIAN 353
at Sandon. It is a magnificent pile to the memory of a 1823
magnificent man, and though highly gratified with the sight,
I was grieved to find from the information of the obliging
rector (who was pleased to attend me to show me the
church) that the delapidations of time on the noble struc-
ture are not likely to be resisted or repaired, as no one
connected with Erdeswicke's family remains to preserve the
trophy his memory merits, and that consequently the relick
will perish as time succeeds.
On the 1 8th I went to Leicester to pay a visit to the
Burnabys, whom I had not seen for a long time ; travelled
in my carriage to Burton, and from thence per mail through
Ashby. My visit to Leicester also included the ceremony
of taking up my freedom of the borough to which I had
been admitted some time ; and also to pay my respects to
the Mayor at his worship's annual feast, to which for
some years I had received a regular invitation, but had no
opportunity of accepting. The dinner was in the true
style of city feasting ; four hundred people being present
in the fine old town-hall at dinner, where was abundance
of good cheer accompanied with mirth and merriment.
His worship did me the honour to propose my health
being drank. In returning thanks I begged to say that
I was proud of being a half-bred Leicester and descended
9 from Bakewell blood. 1 I was also become attached to the
borough by having had the honour of my freedom delivered
to me the day before, in return for which I desired to
assure them that if my vote was ever wanted in support
1 Mr. Bakewell of Dishley was a celebrated breeder of oxen and sheep. He
lived between 1725 and 1795, and was particularly famous for his 'Leicestershire
longhorns.'
VOL. I. Z
354 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 62 of an independent candidate under the old true - blue
banner, they might command my service on a short
summons.
On the 24th the annual coursing party at Wichnor.
I returned on the 26th. The Dukes of York, Welling-
ton, Rutland, 1 Richmond, 2 with other great persons of rank,
were staying at Beaudesert at this time for the purpose of
shooting.
December On the 2nd December I went to dine at Drakelow to
meet his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloster, 3 who was
there for two nights ; a more splendid or magnificent
dinner, etc., I never saw. I went with the Levetts of
Wichnor, and slept there. There were thirty-five persons
at dinner, consisting of the neighbours in Staffordshire and
Derbyshire. The Duke, it was said, had been smitten with
the beauty of Mrs. Chappel Woodhouse, 4 a daughter of
Sir Charles Oakley. 5 She resided at Lichfield, and the
Duke's visit to Sir Roger Gresley was for an opportunity
of seeing the beauty , who dined there, and his Royal High-
ness went the day following to dine, and remain the night
at Sir Charles Oakley's in Lichfield. I believe the Duke's
admiration was merely scandal gossip.
On the 1 9th to Stafford, having appointed a committee
1 John Henry Manners, Duke of Rutland, born 1778 j succeeded his father as
fifth duke 1787 ; lord-lieutenant of Leicestershire ; died 1857.
2 Charles Gordon Lennox, Duke of Richmond, born 1791 ; succeeded his father
as fifth duke 1819 ; married the eldest daughter of the first Marquis of Anglesey}
died 1860.
3 William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester (1776-1834) ; grandson of Frederick,
Prince of Wales; served in Flanders 1794; field-marshal 1816 ; married Mary,
fourth daughter of George in., 1816.
4 Amelia, married in 1812, Chappel, only son of the Very Rev. Dr. Woodhouse,
dean of Lichfield.
6 Sir Charles Oakley, created a baronet in 1790 for his services in India.
A LIBELLOUS ATTACK 355
meeting at the gaol for the purpose of considering a new 1823
code of rules I had drawn up for the prison. Lord Har-
rowby, 1 Lord Talbot, 2 and a full board. A person of the
name of Flint, a brother to a solicitor at Uttoxeter, was
a prisoner under sentence to be kept to hard labour for
riot and attacking a constable. He was the cause of great
irregularity in the prison by resisting every sort of dis-
cipline, and had made a most infamous representation to
the Secretary of State, attacking the chairman of quarter
sessions, Chetwynd, 3 and giving false statements respecting
the prison. The committee took the subject under con-
sideration, but adjourned the proceedings until the sessions.
A great deal of rain, and very damp disagreeable weather.
No frost or snow.
January. Farmers in good humour from the improved 1824
state of agricultural produce. Trade flourishing in an extra- J anua T
ordinary manner. Husbandry labourers employed and poor
rates lowered. And though the rents are reduced, the
diminution of taxes balances the account. Wheat from
8s. to 93., barley 55. to 55. 6d., oats 45. 6d. to 45. 9d., beef
and mutton 5|-d.
i$th. Dick killed a pheasant in Black Slough, the first
bird he had killed. I think it was the second or third
pheasant he had ever shot at.
On the 1 4th I went to the sessions, and extraordinary
full bench of magistrates. The libellous attack published
by Flint on the chairman was discussed, and resolutions
entered into by the magistrates individually (not as the
1 See p. 330. 2 See p. 351.
3 Sir George Chetwynd, born 1783, of Brocton, co. Stafford; succeeded as
baronet 1824. He represented the borough of Stafford in Parliament.
356 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 62 court) approving in the highest degree of Mr. Chetwynd's
uniform, impartial, and distinguished conduct as chairman.
On the 3 ist to Stafford, a gaol committee. Having
determined to leave Hannch at Lady Day, I had been
looking out for some time for a place of residence. I
inquired after Mr. Levett's house in Lichfield, but he
would not let it. I had hopes that Mr. Bailye would have
let his house at Pipe Grange, and waited in expectation of
his deciding to that effect. He determined at length to
keep it for himself. I also made inquiry relative to the
old house next to my sister in Whittington, but found it
in so deplorable a state of delapidation, it was out of the
question. I finished my inquiries by taking Footherly from
Mr. Case, who had recently purchased it. I was sorry to
leave Hannch, but being much out of repair and too high
in rent, and my landlord not being inclined to improve
the one or to lower the other, I found it necessary to quit.
March March 1 1. The assizes ; I went with Mr. Lane in his
carriage to dine with the High Sheriff, Mr. Sneyd of Byrkley
Lodge ; a most dreadful day of snow, which began about
twelve in the morning, and continued the whole day. I
came back with my neighbour after the judge had opened
the commission, and did not return next day to serve on
the jury. Making preparations for the change of quarters
to Footherly, a most tiresome job. I had reason to believe
that my landlord, Breynton, would have been very glad if I
had continued at Hannch, and I should certainly have pre-
ferred it, if he would have been reasonable and on some
certainty. The weather during March had been remarkably
open and mild, with the exception of the first day of
the assizes, the I ith. Mr. Dunn having given up my
THE KING'S LEVEE 357
farm at Freeford, I let it to a Mr. Hine from Leicester- 1824
shire.
On the 4th April I set forward per Liverpool mail for April
London after taking my leave of Hannch, having already
sent off two waggon loads of goods. I started from Lichfield
quarter past seven, and was at my friend Colonel Wright's
in Orchard Street quarter before ten. My visit to town
was for the purpose of passing the Easter holidays with the
dear boys, also to attend the King's levee, and to pay my
duty to the Commander-in-chief and repeat my claims for a
regiment. I went the morning after my arrival to West-
minster, and found my sweet boys both in the best health.
Dear Bill fagging hard for college, and holding his place of
second in the challenge, and trying to take the head fellow
if possible.
April 5. I saw Sir Herbert Taylor, 1 the Duke of York's
secretary, who advised my paying my duty to his Royal
Highness the next day at his levee. I also called upon my
noble friend the Marquis of Anglesey to ask his advice as
to what I should say to the Duke. He received me with
his usual kindness, and recommended me not to complain,
but to entreat his Royal Highness's support and protection.
6th. I attended the levee, and found the Duke most
gracious, without making me any promise.
The 7th was the King's levee, which I attended. I was
afterwards told by Lord Anglesey, who remained by his
Majesty the whole of the levee, that the King was particu-
larly gracious to me, and actually said more to me than he
had to a hundred and fifty that had gone before me. All
this seems well ; I wish some good may arise from it. After
Seep. 317.
358 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 63 the King's levee I dined at Mr. Littleton's, 1 and passed a
pleasant day.
On the 22nd I had the honour to dine at the Princess
Augusta's, 2 and afterwards to accompany her Royal High-
ness to Drury Lane Theatre. I was much flattered by her
Royal Highness's condescending remembrance of me, and
found all the amiable kindness not abated that she had
formerly honoured me with.
On the 23rd I left London at three o'clock by Liverpool
coach, the * Express,' which landed me at Shenstone soon after
eight next morning, when I found my dear Eleanor fixed
and in high health at Foot her ly Hall. This makes my third
removal in ten years. I was sorry for the change, as I
certainly have possessed myself of a very inferior residence ;
however, I must be content.
26/^. I rode to Hannch for the purpose of loading and
bringing away my wine, which was a most laborious and
troublesome job, and occupied two whole days.
On the 27th I went to Stafford to attend the sessions.
Our excellent chairman, who has become Sir George Chet-
wynd 3 in consequence of the recent death of his father,
made a tender of his resignation of the chair, as he was
about to leave the county and live in Warwickshire. His
loss would be severely felt by the county. The magistrates
had hopes of prevailing on him to continue to preside at the
sessions, though it may not be in his power to continue to
conduct the finances of the county. We had not a full
bench, and a light calendar of prisoners. I returned home
1 Edward John Littleton (1791-1863)5 for many years represented Staffordshire
in Parliament ; created Baron Hatherton 1835.
8 Seep. 133. s Seep. 355.
AGRICULTURAL PURSUITS 359
next day. My distance from Stafford will prevent my 1824
attendance at the gaol in the manner hitherto. I cannot
ride one-and-twenty miles and return the same day.
June 5. In consequence of a conviction under the game June
laws, made by Lane, Hall, and myself against a poacher of
the name of Garland for * keeping a lurcher,' we were served
with a notice from Mr. Flint, the attorney of Uttoxeter (a
caitiff lawyer of some celebrity in the county), to answer an
action in the King's Bench for a malicious conviction. The
case being very clear and no possibility, I believe, of proving
any evil intention on the part of their worships, I feel no
great apprehension for the result.
2 1 st. Petty sessions at the Bull's Head at Shenstone, my
neighbour Grove and myself forming the bench. A good
deal of business occasioned by the absence of Floyer, who,
from untoward circumstances respecting finance, found it
necessary to leave his delightful place at Hints. The pro-
sperous times are not more fully evinced by any symptom
more evident than the orderly conduct of all classes, lessen-
ing materially the business of county magistrates. My new
residence rather improved upon me, and on the whole I
became as well reconciled to it as to Hannch Hall. Agri-
cultural pursuits greatly mended, all farming produce
holding a good price.
The 2yth was the Agricultural meeting at Lichfield. I July
rode over to look at the show of stock ; a poorer collection
I never saw for such an occasion, and the only gentleman
present was Mr. Littleton, who, I suppose, thought it right
to attend as member for the county. He wished me much
to keep him company at dinner, but I declined. I never
had a very high opinion of this sort of meeting ; no advan-
360 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 63 tage arises as to improve stock, as every person in business,
whether agricultural or commercial, will speculate individually
on what he considers advantageous to his pursuits without
any fortuitous incentive, and the mingling of rank in society
in the familiar situation of a tavern-table is incompatible with
the order necessary to preserve rank and dignity of station.
August August. August came in with fine seasonable harvest
weather, at the same time fine refreshing showers for the
aftermaths and pastures.
On the 2nd I took Eleanor to the annual archery fete at
Mr. Arkwright's, they having very kindly sent her an invita-
tion through Mary Dale, who was then on a visit. I con-
sidered Mary's being there a good opportunity for my dear
child to make her first entry in publick, but Mary was
unexpectedly called away to accompany her friend, Miss
Robinson of Ridware, to Cheltenham on account of ill-
health. Notwithstanding Mary Dale's absence, Eleanor was
most kindly received by Mrs. Arkwright, and introduced to
some gay friends of hers, who were very attentive. The
day was rather suspicious and gloomy in the morning, but
turned out fine for the archers. A magnificent dinner and
splendid display of fruit. A new temporary room belong-
ing to the society was first put up for this occasion, and
afforded roomy accommodation for all the purposes of
entertainment for more than one hundred persons. Eleanor
did not venture to dance in consequence of having been for
some time plagued with a tightness on her chest and diffi-
culty of breathing, for which I had consulted Mr. Mellor,
who had prescribed for her and disapproved dancing.
On the 6th our summer assizes ; I went early to Teddes-
ley by invitation from my friend Littleton, and accompanied
SIR JAMES PARKE 361
him in his coach to Stafford. Sir George Pigot 1 was of the 1824
party (a brother Lieutenant-General) ; though I had met
him in publick, I was not previously acquainted with him.
A plain-spoken, good-humoured, shallow sort of fellow. I
served on the grand jury, and dined with the judges (Parke 2
and Littledale 3 ), and returned in the evening to Teddesley.
%th. The following day dined with the Lord-Lieu-
tenant at Ingestre to meet the judges. Sir George Pigot
and Follet went there to dress and sleep. I accompanied
Littleton, and returned with him to Teddesley. Lord
Talbot 4 had done me the honour to invite me to sleep at
Ingestre, but I was previously engaged.
I went to Stafford on the Monday, on the business of the
gaol, and home in the evening to a late dinner. Great kind-
ness and friendship from my worthy acquaintance Littleton.
He is making great improvements at Teddesley, and con-
verting a waste wilderness into highly improved cultivation.
Very large sums of money must have been expended since
he came into possession, and it must require copious coffers to
carry on the alterations he is projecting by enclosures,
draining, and various other improvements. We had a very
large party at Ingestre, though not so fierce a fire with the
bottle as last year.
On the 26th paid our annual visit to Ashbourne (the
Wake Week). Dick drove his sister in my one-horse
1 Sir George Pigot (1766-1841) $ a general officer in the army ; of Patshull, co.
Stafford.
2 Sir James Parke (1782-1868)5 judge; created baron 1856 ; famous because
of the constitutional case of the Wensleydale peerage and his technical knowledge
of the law,
3 Sir Joseph Littledale (1767-1842) ; judge ; knighted 1824.
* Charles Chetwynd, second Earl Talbot (1777-1849) ; viceroy of Ireland and
lord-lieutenant of Staffordshire.
362 DYOTT'S DIARY
phaeton, Bill travelled per coach, and the old General rode.
Bill was unlucky in his conveyance, as the coach, the
Birmingham and Sheffield, was unfortunately overturned
going down the hill from Handsacre Bridge. Most miracu-
lously no person was hurt, though there were a dozen
passengers inside and out.
We returned on the 2,8th, but I did not risk my dear Bill
per coach home again ; he returned with his brother and
sister. The opposition to the rustick sport of bull-baiting
was not repeated this year. The refinements in the manners
and habits of the various classes of the community has
reached the little as well as the great, and if interfering
resistance had not given particular importance to the bull-
bait, it would have met the fate of all the diversions of its
date, and have sunk to rise no more, and dictatorial vexation
need not have been exposed. We had fine weather for our
excursion, and my children delighted with their visit.
I have neglected to enter the gala day at Blithfield, which
took place on the i Qth. Lord Bagot * was so kind to invite
my sons. I met there a very old acquaintance and friend,
Lord Markken [?] and his lady, with three grown-up
daughters. Her ladyship's niece was also at Blithfield, the
Marchioness of Londonderry 2 and her Lord ; they came
with the Littletons.
loth. Wichnor, Licensing day. Sir Oswald Mosley, 3
Inge, and self. I2th I rode up to Beaudesert to call upon
the noble Marquis. He had suffered most dreadfully from
1 Seep. 333.
2 Charles William Stewart, Marquis of Londonderry (1778-1854) ; succeeded as
marquis in 1822 ; married secondly Frances Anne, daughter and heir of Sir Harry
Vane-Tempest.
8 See p. 297.
A HARVEST HOME 363
excruciating pains in his face during the spring, the cause of 1824
which baffled the skill of the Faculty. He was quite well
when I called.
On the 4th of October I went with Eleanor to Wichnor, October
where we passed our time until the 9th with the exception
of my going to Burton to meet Lord Anglesey, to shoot
and sleep and to shoot next day. Sir Robert Williams l was
of the party. We dined, a trio, at the manor. The Baronet
and I slept at the George Inn. The weather was so wet
and indifferent, we had little or no sport. The Marquis
had invited me to go to Beaudesert after shooting the
second day ; I declined the invitation, as I was to call at
Wichnor to take Eleanor home. She was much delighted
with her visit, which naturally followed from the kindness
and attention she experienced from both Mr. and Mrs.
Levett as well as their daughter. Mr. Levett keeps up all
the good old custom of country hospitality, amongst others
that of regaling his servants with the old festivity at harvest
home. Upwards of forty sat down to a table profusely
covered ; as a specimen of the feast there were seven geese
roasted, with a variety of all sorts of meat, peas, and pudding.
We went to see the ball after supper ; a happier dance
I never witnessed, and much better performers than the
modern dandy quadrille dancers.
November continued wet, cold and heavy gales of wind ; November
however, agricultural pursuits were most prosperous, as all
produce of that description kept its price, and the vast influx
of money afloat at this time occasioned a great increase in
the value of land. Estates that had been offered for five-
1 Sir Robert Williams (1764-1830); married Anne, daughter of the Rev.
Edward Hughes of Kinmel Park, co. Denbigh.
364 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 63 and-twenty years' purchase a few years back would now
realise five-and-thirty or forty.
December It snowed and rained all day on the 2nd December, and on
the 4th it began to snow early in the morning, after a hard
frost, and the ground covered two inches deep by ten o'clock.
An undertaking is at this time in agitation which employs
and engages much of the conversation and interest of this
neighbourhood. In consequence of the extraordinary ad-
vantage arising to the proprietors of shares in many of the
canal navigations and particularly of the grand trunk, a
scheme has been proposed for making a railway from Liver-
pool to Birmingham and from the former to London, the
conveyance of goods to be propelled by locomotion. 1 The
expense is expected to be very great, but the profusion of
money at this time in the market is such that speculation is
unbounded, and all the projected shares in the new under-
taking are disposed of. Great opposition is expected to the
measure in Parliament owing to the powerful parliamentary
interest of the present proprietors of canal stock, but if it is
proved to be of general utility to the country individual
interest must, as it ever has, succumb to the welfare of the
state. The measure in agitation has already had an effect
on the price of shares in the Grand Trunk, which are fallen
;ioo per share, and the Grand Junction a like depression of
40."
3U/. Lord Bagot 8 having invited my children to ac-
1 This proposal was carried through Parliament only after a struggle of many
years' duration, but the construction of the line was at length authorised in 1833.
2 The country was at this time seized with a speculative frenzy which brought
ruin to hundreds, and about November and December 1825 sixty or seventy banks
had broken
3 See p. 333.
COLONEL OF THE 63RD REGIMENT 365
company me to a ball at Blithfield, I was happy to have 1824
the opportunity of introducing them to [so] splendid a fete,
though at sixteen miles' distance. There were nearly two
hundred and fifty persons present, nobility and gentry, a
magnificent supper with all attendant, etc. etc. We did
not reach home until between seven and eight o'clock ;
have welcomed the New Year at a very early hour. The
ball was given on account of his lordship's daughter's birth-
day, who had arrived at womanhood, and to be introduced
on the occasion.
On the nth I took Eleanor in the one horse carriage to 1825
Ashbourne, and though a long pull, we made the journey in pn
about six hours ; a fine day and very dusty roads. I walked
the next day to Ham to see the new house built by Mr.
Watts Russell ; a most superb edifice, but not in a situation
for a constant residence, not at all to my fancy.
I received a letter on the loth from Mr. Serle, an army
clothier, to say he had good authority to inform me that I
was to succeed to the command of the 63rd regiment by the
death of Lord Balcarres. 1 I had met so much disappoint-
ment on this subject that I put my letter in my pocket and
did not mention the contents to any one. However, on my
arrival at Stafford on the I3th, where I went to attend the
sessions, I found a letter from the Duke of York, which had
been forwarded from Lichfield, confirming the tailor s news.
This mark of royal favour had been long looked for, and
without vanity I here declare that I firmly believe no officer
in the King's service had laboured harder in the profession
to merit the reward. I am now just entered the 45th year
1 Alexander Lindsey, sixth Earl of Balcarres (1752-1825) ; succeeded to peerage
1768 ; general 1803.
366 DYOTT'S DIARY
of my service in every part of the King's dominion ; it is no
very striking reward to crown all my exertions. However,
I am contented. Not much business at the sessions and not
a numerous attendance of magistrates. They did me the
honour to drink the Colonel of the 63rd after dinner.
On the 1 6th I set out for London to return thanks.
Littleton, whom I saw at Stafford, was so kind to offer to
take me up to town in his carriage if I could have gone on
the 1 5th, but I had business to prevent me.
I omitted the meeting at Lichfield on the 7th of the
citizens and neighbourhood to petition Parliament against
granting further concessions to the Irish Roman Catholicks.
Mr. Law, 1 the Chancellor of the diocese, called upon me and
asked me to attend, or I should not have gone. The meet-
ing was numerously and respectably attended. I made an
oration in favour of the petition. I was influenced much by
my opposition to a motion before Parliament for Govern-
ment to grant stipends to the Irish Catholick priests. 2 A
measure fraught, I conceive, with great evil, as it opens a
door for every dissenter from the established church to
expect the like, and induces to the support of a religion we
are taught by Holy Writ to protest against. I could not
obtain a place by the Liverpool mail, and therefore did not
arrive in London until Sunday morning the lyth, my birth-
day.
On the 2Oth I attended the King's levee to be presented
on my appointment to the 6 3 rd regiment. His Majesty
most gracious ; congratulated me on seeing me in my new
1 James Thomas Law (1790-1876) ; chancellor of the diocese of Lichfield 1821.
2 It was proposed that the state should grant 250,000 a year for the endow-
ment of the Roman Catholic clergy ; the bill reached the second reading and was
then held over.
1 BETTER LATE THAN NEVER* 367
uniform. Crowded to suffocation as usual. Our member, 1825
Sir J. Wrottesley, 1 did me the favour to take me to the
levee. The Duke received me by saying, ' Well ! you have
got it [at] last, better late than never.' This expression
showed pretty clearly that his Royal Highness felt I had
waited full long for the mark of royal favour.
Saturday and Monday, 23rd and 25th, being holidays at
Westminster, the boys enjoyed three days with me ; the last
day we dined at Dolly's chop-house to show them the beef
steak feasting. Our palates were disappointed, as I never
partook of a worse steak.
I remained in town until Saturday the 3Oth, and started at
three o'clock in the * Express ' coach and reached home next
morning about nine. London appeared very full of com-
pany, at least to judge by the crowd of gentlemen's carriages
observed daily in the streets. I was at no public place, nor
did I expend one shilling in seeing sights. The weather
fine, though easterly and coldish winds at times.
On the 3 ist I went with my sons to Birmingham on their May
way back to Westminster; they started in the * Eclipse' coach
at eight o'clock and arrived at Islington exactly at half-past
eight in the evening. What a strange alteration as to
expedition from a comparison of when I went to school.
On the i ith I went to Wichnor to spend a few days. I June
took the opportunity of accompanying Levett to the new
baths at the Moira [illegible], where I floundered two
mornings in the briny hot elements very satisfactory.
I returned home from Wichnor on the i6th. In con-
sequence of Lord Stafford 2 having sold all his property
in and about Lichfield to Lord Anson, 3 it was supposed the
1 See p. 130. 2 See p. 130. 3 See p. 329.
368 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 64 latter would make an effort to return the two members.
The old independent interest considered it a fair opportunity
to emancipate the town from the undue influence that had
for so long been practised, and accordingly an application
was made to Mr. Levett of Wichnor to come forward. It
was of so flattering a nature that no man could withstand,
and he in consequence published handbills accepting the
invitation. Sir Roger Gresley l offered himself (unsolicited)
on the same interest, but without making the least im-
pression. And Mr. Vernon, the present member, likewise
made a tender of his services as totally independent of Lord
Stafford. The weather was remarkably warm all June.
July On the i3th I went to Stafford to the sessions ; a very
full bench of magistrates and a long list of prisoners, mostly
from the manufacturing districts, and notwithstanding the
unprecedented demand for labour and extraordinary high
price of wages ; a proof that riches create vice.
It was rather cooler on the 2oth, and on the 2 1 st I started
to Birmingham in my carriage, on my way to Leamington,
and from thence by coach, a pleasant drive and not so
oppressive as the former days. I took up my abode at the
Regent Hotel, a very good house for accommodation in every
respect, quite full of company ; about forty sat down to
dinner. I did not find anybody I knew at the house, but
made acquaintance with some pleasant, agreeable people.
There never was a place so increased and improved as Leam-
ington, from being a village with a population of at the most
twenty inhabitants, it is become in little more than twenty
years a magnificent large town with five splendid hotels and
shops of every description, equal to those of Bond or Regent
1 See p. 336.
SIR ROBERT PEEL 369
Street in London. I consulted a Mr. Jephson, a surgeon 1825
and apothecary, who had lately obtained great eminence. I
found great relief from his regimen and directions. I drank
the waters and took a shower bath daily. He was anxious
for my continuing three weeks, but I could not make it
convenient. There was a singular contest at Warwick
during my stay at Leamington, between a lion and bull-
dogs. In the first engagement the dogs were victorious,
from the circumstance of the noble animal having been
reared by the proprietor and become so tame that he was
quite frightened when the dogs attacked him, but at the
second rencontre with an untamed lion, he picked the dogs
up as a cat does a mouse and carried them about the cage,
and after giving them a severe squeeze, layed them down
and gave them an additional scratch with his claws that made
them perfectly satisfied with their insignificance. I report
from hearsay, as I did not see the fight.
I returned home on the 3ist; the weather had been
extremely warm during my stay and was equally so the
day of my departure. It was Sunday, and the concourse
of people in the streets of Birmingham was quite astonish-
ing. I never saw so crowded a population.
On the 1 2th I dined at Sir Robert Peel's 1 to meet September
Mr. Peel 2 the Secretary of State ; several of Sir Robert's
sons and daughters, but no stranger except Sir George
Chetwynd. 3 The Secretary was most gracious as usual.
It was a delightful sight to observe the old Baronet raised
by his own individual exertion to the eminence he had
1 Sir Robert Peel (1750-1830); first baronet.
2 Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850); second baronet; statesman; home secretary
1822 ; prime minister 1841-46.
3 See p. 355.
VOL. I. 2 A
370 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 64 attained in society, and to the high gratification of seeing
his son one of the first and greatest men in the land
sitting at the head of his father's table to greet his friends
and entertain them with his parent's hospitality.
The 1 3th the races at Lichfield ; not much sport on the
course, but a good deal of company. Mrs. Levett of
Packington was so kind and friendly to again receive my
dear Eleanor and take her to the stand and ball, a kind-
ness I shall never forget. The weather extremely hot,
but owing to rain on the nth the course was in high
order. My boys were much delighted by being in the
stand each day, and at the ball the second night, which
was crowded, though lack of aristocracy for which the
races formerly were so noted. Mr. Edward Monckton l
was with me at Footherly for two nights. He is one of
my colleagues as a visitor of the gaol, an excellent worthy
honourable man. I sent an invitation to my earliest and
oldest friend Will Sneyd to visit once more the races,
but infirmities have affected him that obliged him to de-
cline a scene which he and I in more youthful days had
enjoyed beyond any occurrence that time brought forward.
i^th. Dinner at the Swan at Lichfield of the friends in
the interest of Mr. Levett. His brother Tom took the
chair. I was the vice-president ; dined near eighty and
had a jolly day. If Lord Anson perseveres in granting
annuities, the independent interest must give way.
October On the 3rd October petty sessions at Whittington.
Early on this morning the citizens of Lichfield suffered
a severe loss by the death of Mr. Stephen Simpson, the
1 Edward Monckton of Somerford Hall, frequently mentioned by the General
in the coming years.
INCREASE OF CRIME 371
town clerk, a truly honest man. The independent cause 1825
has sustained an irreparable loss in one of its firmest and
most effective friends. I attended his last remains to St.
John's Chapel, where he was buried on the nth.
January i. I began the new year with fixing an annual 1826
allowance for my dear child Eleanor, in order to instil the
necessity of being competent to economize and superintend
whatever means may be provided for individual use. I
have no doubt of my dear child's attention and care to every
necessary circumstance of life. She has, thank God, a good
understanding, and which through the influence of Miss
Moore (to whom I shall ever feel grateful), that under-
standing had been well and usefully cultivated.
On the 4th a Christmas ball at Lichfield. I accompanied
my three children. I was ashamed of the lads, as I could
not persuade them to dance, an amusement in which in my
younger days I greatly delighted.
On the nth to Stafford to the sessions. My friend
Inge was so good to take me in his carriage and bring me
back the next day. Sir Oswald Mosley l was elected chair-
man in the room of my much esteemed friend Sir George
Chetwynd, 2 whose valuable services will long be felt as an
irreparable loss by the county. There was a long calendar
of prisoners, many more than usual, and a more numerous
list in the gaol for trial at the assizes than had been known
for some years. How to account for the increase of crime
is only to be done by the great increase of population, and
perhaps riches, the same cause creating vice.
February. The month commenced with fine open season- February
able weather. Much distress existed at this time in the
1 See p. 297. See p. 355.
372 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 64 metropolis as well as in the country generally from the
extraordinary depressions in trade, more especially in the
silk and cotton manufactures. From an overflow of riches
and superabundance of money, a counteraction the most
unaccountable took place. Stocks fell twenty per cent.;
many of the great banking and mercantile houses in London
suspended their payments, and scarce a corner of England
escaped without the failure of a bank, occasioning ruin and
misery to a dreadful extent. 1 The chief cause is said to have
arisen fron the eager excess of speculation, and a complete
overstock of the foreign markets by our manufacturers.
Speculators adopted the most trifling occurrences of life on
which to try the skill of acquiring gain ; mines, railways,
canals, companies for supplying the metropolis with milk, 2
and for the duties of the laundry ; ditto for conveying
passengers to all jparts of England ; ditto steam vessels to
all parts of the world, etc. etc. etc. Parliament assembled
early in the month, and one of the first subjects entered
upon was the state of the country as respected trade and the
situation of the circulating currency. Banks that issued one
pound notes were so run upon, having perhaps a larger circu-
lation than the capital could answer uniformly, [that they]
gave way, involving the lower ranks of society in ruin. The
Bank of England, having some time ago withdrawn their one
pound notes from circulation, were obliged on the sugges-
tion of Government to re-issue a large sum of that class to
make up the deficiency occasioned by the failure of the
country banks. The stagnation in the money would
1 See p. 364.
2 It is said that warming-pans and skates were exported to the tropics, and if
this were untrue, it is certainly a fact that Scotch dairywomen emigrated to Buenos
Ayres to milk wild cows and churn butter for a people who preferred oil.
POACHING GANGS 373
naturally occasion a depression in agricultural concerns, and 1826
the markets fell in consequence. One of the first proceed-
ings in Parliament was to take the best measures the
Government could supply to check the gloom and to restore
confidence. 1 Poor Mrs. Dyott continued seriously indis-
posed with an inward complaint so as to place her life in
great jeopardy.
On the 3rd March the adjourned sessions at Stafford ; March
a number of prisoners for trial. Poaching had arrived to
an alarming pitch of audacity ; gangs are now collected to
overawe the keeper and to set resistance at defiance. The
increasing luxuries occasioned by wealth and riches, and the
prevalence of the human mind, to cope with, and imitate
those above us in rank and station, induces the means to
gratify this sort of ambition, by supplying the tables and
gratifying the palates of a certain description of persons in
life heretofore unused to indulge in providing game for
their guests, but which in modern days forms as regular a
remove for the pampered appetite of the monied merchant
as it does for the ducal board. As long as the markets are
so high they are sure to be supplied ; the temptation is so
great and the return so sure, it is no wonder so many run
the risk to maintain the prize.
On the i yth dined at Mr. Chancellor Law's; 2 an agree-
able pleasant man. He had distinguished himself in a
controversy with the Rev. Mr. Gisborne 3 respecting some
1 Amongst other things the Government persuaded the Bank of England to
establish branches in a few of the great provincial towns, and to make advances to
the amount of three million pounds, upon merchants' goods.
2 See p. 366.
3 Rev. Thomas Gisborne (1758-1846); of Harrow and St. John's College,
Cambridge.
374 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 64 remarks made by the latter at a publick meeting held for
the purpose of affording relief to the Vaudois. Gisborne,
though a most learned divine, and conspicuous as a man
of letters and an author, appears to possess what in this day
are called liberal sentiments as affecting dissenters, and in
using opinions to that effect at the meeting induced Mr.
Law (a high churchman) to dissent from them, and to
remark at the meeting that if the sentiments expressed by
Mr. Gisborne were made publick he should consider it his
duty to oppose them. Mr. Law accordingly published a
pamphlet in which he stated that he considered Mr.
Gisborne had not done his duty in sufficiently supporting
the doctrines of the established church by professing to
countenance the opinions of dissenters. This brought
down upon Mr. Law some severe animadversions and
rebukes in several pamphlets, but in my humble opinion
did not lessen Mr. Law's motive and zeal for the defence
of his Holy calling. It seems a great wish of many of
our clergy of the present day to conciliate the dissenters ;
protestants as well as Roman Catholicks ; a system that
is sure to defeat its purpose, there being little doubt that
all classes of dissenters would unite to pull down the
established church ; they ought, therefore, to be openly
and vigorously resisted, especially by those whose particular
province it is to maintain the church establishment. Fine
seasonable weather during the month of March ; scarce
any rain, a backward spring. Mrs. Dyott continuing very
much indisposed and confined to her bed without any hope
of removing her complaint ; poor woman, her sufferings are
great. She had been so kind to make over to me the rent of
the land at Freeford, except what was in her own occupation,
LICHFIELD POLITICS 375
prefacing her liberality by saying, that as the education of 1826
my sons must be increasing in expense, she desired me to
accept the offer she had made.
April 4. Dined at Four Oaks with Mr. and Mrs. April
Edward Hartopp. I met my very old and esteemed friend
Sir Edmund. 1 There was a small party, and we returned in
the evening. An uncomfortable occurrence had taken place
by some incendiary having set fire to the Park paling and
woods at Four Oaks in revenge, as it was supposed, for some
trifling species of arbitrary proceeding on the part of Mr.
Hartopp with regard to information under the wilful tres-
pass act against a man found in some enclosure near the
house ; and also for some proceedings relative to an ex-
change of property with the corporation of Sutton, in which
the lower classes fancied their rights invaded.
May i . I went with Dick to Wichnor and remained May
until the jrd. Returned and brought Eleanor home. In
consequence of Mr. Vernon having offered himself again
for Lichfield in conjunction with Sir George Anson, 2 and
thereby united the powers of the two peers (Stafford and
Anson), which it was supposed had been to a certain degree
severed by the transfer of the Marquis's property within the
city to the Viscount, though the purchase had not been
completed, the two lords set all propriety of conduct at
defiance to gain their ends. The committee in support of
the independent interest had a meeting on the and and
published an address to the electors on the extraordinary
conduct of Mr. Vernon and his party, and at the same
1 Sir Edmund Hartopp was originally Edmund Burmey, Esq. of Newark ;
created a baronet 1796; died 1833.
2 Sir George Anson, G.C.B., K.T.S., M.P., born 1769; equerry to the
Duchess of Kent.
376 DYOTT'S DIARY
time exonerating Mr. Levett from any tie the independent
interest might have on him as a candidate in consequence of
the re-coalition of the peers.
On the 6th a meeting at Lichfield for the purpose of a
subscription to assist the suffering manufacturers in Lanca-
shire, Cheshire, etc., who at this time were undergoing
great hardships from want of employ. Having originated
the meeting, and my name appearing at the head of the
requisition, I was called upon to submit the resolutions
of the meeting, etc. The Dean moved that I should
have the thanks of the meeting, with which I was
flattered.
On the 22nd my dear boy Bill returned to Westminster
School. My dear Dick did not accompany him, as I pro-
posed sending him to a private tutor for a few months
preparatory to his entering at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Considerable exertion had been made at Lichfield with a
view to break the aristocratick influence of the two peers,
Lords Stafford and Anson, in consequence of the former's
having sold his property in the city to the latter. This
circumstance was considered as affording a fair opportunity
of introducing an independent candidate, but Lord Anson
not having completed his purchase, and thereby not being
able to avail himself of the political influence to be acquired
by his purchase, considered it most advisable to join his
interest again to that of Lord Stafford by the continuance
of the coalition (of old) in supporting Mr. Vernon, Lord
Stafford's former nominee ; by which means the united
strength of the peers again came into action, to which union
all resistance was vain, and the independents were obliged
to withdraw altogether, though not without considerable
LICHFIELD POLITICS 377
murmurs and discontents on the part of the populace, who 1826
felt great disappointment on Mr. Levett's retiring.
On the 29th the county yeomanry assembled at Lich-
field under the command of Colonel Monckton. 1 The
celebrated actress, Miss Foote 2 (who afforded so much
conversation in consequence of her conduct with respect to
a Mr. Haynes), performed at Lichfield. My children went
to the play on the 29th, but as I could not hear, and too old
to admire, I stayed at home. Remarkable, dry, warm
weather all the month.
A dissolution of Parliament having taken place, on the June
5th Sir George Anson and Mr. Vernon began their canvass
of Lichfield without an appearance of an opposition, and
Saturday the loth was fixed for the day of nomination.
On the 8th, late in the evening, Mr. Daniel Passam and
Mr. Charles Webb started in a chaise and four for Sir
Roger Gresley. 3 I was not accessory to this deputation ; it
was arranged by a few friends, with Tom Levett as principal
encourager. I knew nothing of it until the next morning.
The deputation found Sir Roger in London, and arrived
with him in the city by eight o'clock in the morning of the
loth, to the no small dismay of the two other candidates.
The joy of the Blues could scarce be restrained within decent
bounds, and their wrath was so furious towards Vernon, it
was difficult to prevent acts of outrage. Mr. Atkinson of
Maple Hayes, who had proposed the two candidates on the
1 Afterwards General Monckton. See later.
2 Maria Foote, fourth Countess of Harrington (1797-1867) ; appeared at Covent
Garden 1814 ; married the Earl of Harrington 1831 j she had previously had an
intrigue with Colonel Berkeley, and recovered damages for breach of promise
from ' Pea Green ' Haynes.
8 See p. 336.
378 DYOTT'S DIARY
last occasion, became the tool to perform the like office on the
present. The seconder was the Rev. Mr. le Brook, living
at the Friary. The proposer and seconder were not
received with much courteousness, particularly the former ;
it was with great difficulty the good folks would allow him
to speak. Mr. Thomas Levett proposed Sir Roger, and I
seconded. When Vernon stood up to address the electors,
the clamour was so incessant that for more than a quarter
of an hour not one word could he utter. He, however,
made an attempt to account for his conduct in having again
come forward under the auspices of the two lords, but did
not benefit his cause by the laborious attempt. Sir Roger
replied (in his address) to all Vernon's remarks, and was
not sparing of sarcastick comments on the various subter-
fuges practised by the Honourable Candidate to secure his
seat. The polling did not commence until the i2th. The
court was adjourned. Sir Roger and his friends went to
the Swan for some luncheon, and proceeded with a band,
etc., to go round the town, not by way of canvass, but
for show, and to call here and there on a few particulars
[jfr].
The polling did not commence until the i2th, and was
carried on with great spirit. Mr. Vernon and his party
were uncourteously treated by the Blues. In consequence
of Mr. Arthur Hinckley having irritated the Blue mob by
placing himself on the balcony at the George with a coal-
heaver by his side, and blue ribbons in the latter's hat, a
serious encounter took place on the I4th, which occasioned
the breaking all the windows of the George Inn, and
alarmed the Vernonites so seriously that they prevailed on
the High Bailiff, Mr. Morgan, to send for military force
LICHFIELD POLITICS 379
from Birmingham, which continued during the remainder 1826
of the election.
On the 1 8th I set out for Leicester to give my vote to
the corporation in favour of Sir Charles Hastings 1 and
Mr. Ottoway Cave. I slept at Ravenstone, rode to
Leicester next morning. Polled and returned to Raven-
stone, and home in the afternoon. The weather intensely
hot and dry.
On the 2Oth Sir Roger was obliged to resign the contest
for Lichfield ; the reunion of the two peers was too
powerful to contend against. Sir George Anson [and
Mr. Vernon] were accordingly returned again for the city,
though not without a noble struggle on the part of the
independent interest.
Dick arrived from Westminster on the 1 9th. I took him
to dine at the Bridges. As he was not to enter the
college until October, I thought it advisable to place him
with a private tutor for the intervening time, and having
been recommended to a Mr. Lisard at Morley, near
Derby, I went with him there on the 29th, and was
satisfied with Mr. Lisard's conversation, manners, etc.
etc. I took leave of my dear boy about nine, and returned
to sleep at Derby. The weather extremely hot ; the den in
which I reposed for the night was the temperature of a
constantly employed bakehouse, and my bed corresponded
with the table on which the loaves were placed when taken
from the oven. The house (the New Inn) brought to my
recollection my early days, when I journied to Nottingham
school from Ashbourne in the Derby ' Diligence,' from
1 Sir Charles Abney Hastings of Willesley Hall, co. Derby ; born 1792 ; suc-
ceeded his father 1823.
380 DYOTT'S DIARY
XT. 65 where that conveyance took its departure fifty years ago.
Derby has much increased in size and population since that
time ; it is become a filthy, dirty place, particularly the
new part.
July July. I went to visit the new county gaol, which is
intended to be an immense pile of building ; in my humble
opinion part of the plan very ill projected for its purposes.
I returned, as I went, by the Sheffield and Birmingham
mail, and never saw anything like the distressing appear-
ance of the county around Derby from the long-continued
drought. I was told at Derby there had scarce been a
shower since the month of January ; the day was excessively
warm on my return.
The 1 2th was fixed for a dinner of Sir Roger Gresley's
friends at Lichfield to meet the baronet, which I fully
purposed to have attended, but I received an account on
my way from Stafford that poor Mrs. Dyott was in so
precarious a state, that I proceeded direct to Freeford, and
found her rallied from the alarming attack. Poor soul,
she has undergone a miserable existence for a great length
of time. The dinner at the Swan was most numerously
attended. One hundred and fifty-three staunch friends to
the cause. Ultimately the Lords must be defeated.
On the 1 5th I went to Teddesley for two days to meet
the judges of assize to dine on the i6th. I hesitated as
to my visit on account of Mrs. Dyott's situation, but she
continued in the same state. I ventured and returned in
the evening of the i6th. The weather continuing extremely
hot and dry, and the grass lands completely scorched.
On the 2nd Mrs. Dyott of Freeford, after a protracted
illness of many months, departed this life.
INHERITS FREEFORD 381
When I went to take possession [of Freeford] on the 1826
1 8th, many gloomy ideas crossed my mind, and brought U&U8<
to my recollection the happy days I had passed under the
hospitable roof of my affectionate, excellent brother. I
procured the assistance of Mr. Holland of Streethay to
make an estimate of the dilapidations of the lands, etc.,
and employed Potter, the Lichfield architect, to make the
like estimate of the buildings. I continued Will Nurse
(who had lived man and boy on the premises forty years),
under a promise that he might remain, if he chose, as long
as I lived.
The first of September arrived, but did not bring with September
it the usual anxiety on my part for the field sports. I was
much more anxious for the changes and alterations and
repairs that I was carrying on at Freeford. I had con-
sulted Mr. Potter, the great architect at Lichfield, as to
the proposed alterations, and had also employed him to
look over the buildings for the purpose of estimating the
amount of dilapidations.
The month of September was hot and dry ; the harvest
was light, particularly wheat ; the turnips unusually de-
ficient, scarce a field to be seen that had not suffered so
much from the fly as to induce the farmers to plough up
and sow wheat ; add to which the indifferent crops of hay
and the short supply of straw, predicted bad times as to
fodder. The ministers obtained leave from Parliament
to allow the sale of bonded wheat 1 should it be necessary,
and which leave they availed themselves of, but it had no
1 The Government obtained limited powers from Parliament to admit foreign
corn ; the ministers exceeded these powers, and sought an indemnity for their
action from the next Parliament.
3 82 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 65 prejudicial effect on the markets ; wheat was generally
from 8s. to IDS. per bushel. Great distress amongst the
manufacturers, particularly in Lancashire, owing, in my
humble opinion, chiefly to over-desire to amass wealth
by creating a superabundant supply beyond what the
markets demanded. The manufacturer eager to get rich
without sufficient time for the attainment of the object.
On the 28th I went with Eleanor to Teddesley, where
we passed four very pleasant days ; Mr. and Mrs. Little-
ton, 1 as usual, kind and attentive. He is devoted to his
station as county member, and fills the distinguished
situation highly, to his own credit and the general benefit
of a rich, populous, and industrious community. Few
men, perhaps, do more for the good of his neighbours
by the employment of two hundred labourers in improving
his place, and any one that knew Teddesley twenty years
ago and saw [it] in its present state, would wonder how such
change and improvement could have been effected.
October On the 4th October I took Eleanor and Dick (who
had returned from Mr. Lisard's the day before) to the
musick meeting at Birmingham ; we heard the ' Messiah.'
The performance was grand and sublime, but from my
unfortunate defect, I could not distinguish clearly the voices
of the principal singers. The company was not so numerous
as on former occasions, but still the receipt contributed very
largely to assist the beneficent institution for which the
meeting was intended, the Birmingham Infirmary. Lord
Anglesey did me the favour to give an order, as one of
the Presidents, for tickets of admission to the church
gallery, by which means we obtained comfortable good
1 See p. 358.
DICK GOES TO CAMBRIDGE 383
seats to see and to hear. The weather continued most favour- 1826
able for my proceedings at Freeford. I came to a deter-
mination to postpone the additional rooms over the
drawing-room until spring, finding I had work enough cut
out to complete so as to enable me to move by Christmas.
All the mud taken out from the long stew and lower
cascade at the bottom of the garden was spread on the
King's Piece and part of the Slut's End ; that from the
upper stew and the two cascades on the lawn and little
meadow beyond the cascades. I took the opinion of several
friends and farmers as to whether it was most beneficial to
lay it on in the raw state as it came out, or to mix it with
lime. Sir George Pigot 1 recommended the former from
experience, and as I always find practice preferable to
theory, I followed his advice, and for immediate effect my
best wishes were gratified.
On the 1 6th I accompanied Dick to Cambridge, in order
to his matriculation at Trinity College. We proceeded to
Birmingham, and there embarked in a coach at six o'clock
A.M. to Coventry, Dunchurch, Northampton, Huntingdon,
and so to Cambridge, where we arrived about half-past
nine. Found the inn all full, and after some difficulty
procured a lodging. The next morning I waited with Dick
on the tutor of the college, Mr. Peacock, with whom I
had been in correspondence through the means of Tom
Burnaby ; found him an agreeable pleasant man. He
had secured a room in the college for Dick, and after
showing the quarter^ he put us in the way to obtain the
requisites for furniture, etc.
This business was very soon completed, and we then
1 See p. 361.
384 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 65 took a look at the several colleges, etc., until three o'clock,
at which hour I was invited to dine with Mr. Peacock at
the Fellows' table in the common hall ; Dick taking his
chance in the scramble with the collegians. He fortunately
was espied by an old Westminster (Dunlop), who signalled
him, and he took his seat at table by him accordingly.
The Fellows' table was well served ; about twelve sat down,
and perhaps from a hundred to a hundred and fifty young
men at other tables. We did not remain more than a
quarter of an hour after dinner, and then retired to an
apartment under the same roof to a good dessert and
good wine. Dick was not invited ; I concluded it was con-
trary to etiquette to allow any but the fellows and fellow-
commoners to be present. I went with Dick to Trinity
chapel at six o'clock, and was highly gratified both by the
solemnity of the evening service accompanied by the extra-
ordinary fine organ, and the grandeur of the fine building.
I had the satisfaction of drinking tea with Dick in his new
quarters, comfortably fixed, as if he had been resident six
months. He slept there, and I to my lodgings. I hope
every good may attend him, and that he may reap all the
possible advantage to be derived from the seat of learning
and science. He is happily supplied with good natural
talents, all that is required from him is application.
i8/^. I left Cambridge next morning at six by the
same conveyance that I went in. Reached Wolverhampton
about one, but having experienced the dirt, filth, of the
coach inn on our journey to Cambridge, I declined par-
taking of the prepared ordinary, and occupied my time in
inspecting the county gaol and house of correction. They
are not on the improved system of prisons, but clean and
TROOPS SENT TO PORTUGAL 385
well regulated. I reached home between eleven and twelve. 1826
In consequence of going with Dick, I was prevented attend-
ing the quarter sessions at Stafford ; there was a heavy
calendar, and kept the court until the following Tuesday.
Crime has increased in our county in a great degree ; the
increased population will account for it in some degree,
but notwithstanding, in the manufacturing districts there
appears an extraordinary propensity to vice, which bids
defiance to all law. At the same time I remarked an
eagerness in some magistrates to commit for offences of a
trifling nature that might without any infringement of the
law be accommodated as undeserving the inquiry of a jury.
On the loth December I went to London by the Liver- December
pool mail, and took up my sojourn with my old friends
in Orchard Street. My chief errand was for the purpose
of obtaining an ensigncy for Robert Dale ; I had pre-
viously made application by letter in consequence of a
vacancy in the 6jrd regiment, but as the answer was not
satisfactory, I determined on a personal application to Sir
Herbert Taylor, 1 the secretary, his Royal Highness the
Duke having been confined by illness for a length of time.
My interview was satisfactory, and fair promise made of
success. The day after my arrival in town, to the great
astonishment of every one, an order for the embarkation
of troops was issued to go to Portugal in consequence of
an interference on the part of Spain by the encouragement
of Spanish and Portuguese troops (deserters) to make a
hostile entry into Portugal. My regiment was one of the
corps ordered to embark ; they were stationed at Windsor,
and so sudden was the order that they only received it on
1 See p. 317.
VOL. I. 2 B
386 DYOTT'S DIARY
JET. 65 the evening, and marched next morning for Portsmouth
to embark. As the French government declares itself
adverse to the proceedings on the part of Spain, if that
country continues to act consistently with the declaration,
there will be no use for British troops in Portugal. 1
On the 1 3th I was highly gratified by attending the
Westminster play, and though my dear Bill was not a
performer, I had great pleasure in witnessing the ardour
and exertions of the young performers. I called upon
Dr. Goodenough 2 on the nth (after seeing Bill) ; he very
politely invited me to come to his house on the i8th,
quarter before seven, and proceed to the theatre. The
play was the Eunuch of Terence, and as far as the judgment
could be swayed by sight only, I thought the performance
did the youths great credit. I hope Bill may exhibit his
person next year. The streets of London, from the new
system of misadministration, present one stream of mud,
over which there is no passing in shoes without their being
filled. I did not make one visit of ceremony save the
writing my name for the Duke of York 3 at the Duke of
Rutland's house, where his Royal Highness was at sick
quarters until his new house was completed.
1 The Portuguese and Spanish insurgents had invaded Portugal at two points.
By the Treaty of 1815 Great Britain was bound to defend Portugal against
invasion. On the 3rd of December official intelligence of the invasion was re-
ceived. Canning acted at once, and five thousand troops were ordered for active
service in Portugal. The resolution was formed in the Cabinet on the 9th,
approved of by the King on the xoth, communicated to Parliament on the nth,
and on the evening of the izth Canning informed the House of Commons that
the troops were already on the march.
2 See p. 344. 3 See p. 344.
END OF VOL. I.
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Dyott ! s diary
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