mentions Dumouriez in his letters to Sir Walter Scott. Writing from Ealing in 1820, Constable says:-"I had the pleasure of being introduced to him, and we have since exchanged civilities. The General is at a very advanced period of life. He was born in the year 1739, and is a truly interesting old gentleman, rather of short stature, with much of an Englishman's expression of countenance, extremely intelligent. Indeed, he is altogether what I would suppose one of our own noblesse to have been, who followed the fortunes of Prince Charles." The military career of this extraordinary man, was equally splendid and adventurous. After serving with distinction in the Seven Years' War, he was dismissed at the peace of 1763.' Choiseul appointed him Army Quartermaster-General. Next, Dumouriez was sent on a secret mission to Poland. A little later he was thrown into the Bastile, on his having returned from Sweden, whither he had been sent on his patron's downfall. Released from the Bastile by Louis XIV, the same king appointed him Commander of Cherbourg. As the Revolution made way, he attached himself to the Girondists, whose influence secured for him the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs. This he threw up to take the field, and it was at this point that his admirable strategy practically saved France. The situation is almost unique in history. The allies were advancing in strong force, when Dumouriez, by a series of bold and rapid manœuvres, checked their course over the plains of Champagne, and finally took up his position at Grand Pre, whither succour speedily arrived, and the subsequent victory at Valmy forced the invading host to retreat. Another brilliant action in which Dumouriez had command, was the great victory of Zemappes in 1792. His exploits later were less splendid, and he became the object of jealousy 1 See Chambers' Encyclopædia, vol. iv, p. 118. G G to the revolutionists, who hated his leanings towards Constitutional Monarchy. Summoned back to Paris as a traitor, he straightway rode into the Austrian Camp. Finally, he came to England, "where his pleasing manners and delightful conversation, added", says Faulkner, "to the knowledge of his remarkable career, secured him numerous friends." He resided at Rochester House until 1822, but at the time of his death, which took place March 14, 1823, he had removed to Turville Park, near Henley.' The following anecdote is told relative to Dumouriez's stay in Little Ealing. The Duke of Kent had great regard for him, and one day introduced him to a farmer in the place, with a view to induce him to give up his family seat in the parish church to the General. The farmer, however, refused, saying that he had not forgotten the General's former enmity to this country. In reply H.R.H. said that he had freely forgiven him; "You may forgive him," said the farmer, "but for my part I never will, nor shall he have my family pew." The planned descent on the Isle of Wight in 1778, and altogether the projected invasion of England, had been too much, in the farmer's opinion, to be cancelled. When Faulkner wrote, Rochester House was occupied by a Mrs. Robinson as a ladies' boarding-school. The premises have grown considerably, and in the present day constitute the home of an important military college, at the head of which is Dr. Northcott, LL.D. 1 See Chambers' Encyclopædia, vol. iv, p. 118. CHAPTER XVII. A Royal Residence. Ealing and Earl Dartmouth's Collection of State Papers.-A Guest's Impressions of Castle Hill Lodge.-Attempt to Sell Estate by Lottery.-Personal.-The Duke's Will.-A Touching Incident at Kensington.-Archibald Constable.-An Old Ealing Family. D ONSIDERABLE interest attaches to Kent House, a beautiful home, belonging to H. Gibbon, Esq., and finely situated on Castlebar, anciently called Castle Bear Hill, from the fact that the present house occupies the site of Castle Hill Lodge, which was for some years the property and residence of H.R.H. the Duke of Kent, the father of our beloved Queen. The estate had previously belonged to Henry Beaufoy, Esq., who lived there until his death in 1795. He was descended from an old Warwickshire family. Among Earl Dartmouth's collection of MSS. are the following notes of correspondence, dated from Castle Hill Lodge :-1 1 "1801, Sept. 22. Castle Hill Lodge, Middlesex. Private. Edward, Duke of Kent, to the Earl of Dartmouth, asking a cadetship in the Indian Army for Mr. Watson." "1801, Sept. 24. C. H. L. The Duke of Kent, to the Earl of Dartmouth. Thanking him for procuring the cadetship for Mr. Watson." "1801, Sept. 29. C. H. L. The Duke of Kent to the Earl of Dartmouth. As to the appointment of Mr. Watson to a cadetship in India, and choosing the Bengal establishment upon which it is to be granted." 1 See Report of the Historical MSS. Commissioners (Maxwell Lyte). |