MARY BORROW
Among the many Borrow manuscripts in my possession I find a page of
unusual pathos. It is the inscription that Borrow wrote for his wife's
tomb, and it is in the tremulous handwriting of a man weighed down by
the one incomparable tragedy of life's pilgrimage:
_Sacred to the Memory of Mary Borrow,
the Beloved and Affectionate Wife of
George Borrow, Esquire, who departed
this Life on the 30th Jan. 1869._
GEORGE BORROW.
The death of his wife saddened Borrow, and assisted to transform him
into the unamiable creature of Norfolk tradition. But it is well to bear
in mind, when we are considering Borrow on his domestic and personal
side, that he was unquestionably a good and devoted husband throughout
his married life of twenty-nine years. It was in the year 1832 that
Borrow and his wife first met. He was twenty-nine; she was a widow of
thirty-six. She was undeniably very intelligent, and was keenly
sympathetic to the young vagabond of wonderful adventures on the
highways of England, now so ambitious for future adventure in distant
lands. Her maiden name was Mary Skepper. She was one of the two children
of Edmund Skepper and his wife Anne, who lived at Oulton Hall in
Suffolk, whither they had removed from Beceles in 1805. Mary's brother
inherited the Oulton Hall estate of three hundred acres, and she had a
mortgage the interest of which yielded £450 per annum. In July 1817 Mary
married, at Oulton Church, Henry Clarke,[136] a lieutenant in the Navy,
who died eight months later of consumption. Two months after his death
their child Henrietta Mary, the 'Hen' who was Borrow's life companion,
was born. There is a letter among my Borrow Papers addressed to the
widow by her husband's father at this time. It is dated 17th June 1818,
and runs as follows:
I read your very kind, affectionate, and respectful Letter of
the 15th Inst. with Feelings of Satisfaction and
thankfulness--thankful that God has mercifully given you so
pleasing a Pledge of the Love of my late dear, but lamented
son, and I most sincerely hope and trust that dear little
Henrietta will live to be the Joy and Consolation of your Life:
and satisfyed I am that you are what I always esteemed you to
be, _one_ of the best of Women; God grant! that you may be, as
I am sure you deserve to be _one_ of the happiest--His Ways of
Providence are past finding out; to you--they seem indeed to
have been truly afflictive: but we cannot possibly say that
they are really so; we cannot doubt His Wisdom nor ought we to
distrust His Goodness, let us avow, then, where we have not the
Power of fathoming--viz. the dispensations of God; in His good
time He will show us, perhaps, that every painful Event which
has happened was abundantly for the best--I am truly glad to
hear that you and the sweet Babe, my little grand Daughter, are
doing so well, and I hope I shall have the pleasure shortly of
seeing you either at Oulton or Sisland. I am sorry to add that
neither Poor L. nor myself are well.--Louisa and my Family join
me in kind love to you, and in best regards to your worthy
Father, Mother, and Brother.
Mary Skepper was certainly a bright, intelligent girl, as I gather from
a manuscript poem before me written to a friend on the eve of leaving
school. As a widow, living at first with her parents at Oulton Hall, and
later with her little daughter in the neighbouring cottage, she would
seem to have busied herself with all kinds of philanthropies, and she
was clearly in sympathy with the religious enthusiasms of certain
neighbouring families of Evangelical persuasion, particularly the
Gurneys and the Cunninghams. The Rev. Francis Cunningham was Rector of
Pakefield, near Lowestoft, from 1814 to 1830. He married Richenda, a
sister of the distinguished Joseph John Gurney and of Elizabeth Fry, in
1816. In 1830 he became Vicar of St. Margaret's, Lowestoft. His brother,
John William Cunningham, was Vicar of Harrow, and married a Verney of
the famous Buckinghamshire family. This John William Cunningham was a
great light of the Evangelical Churches of his time, and was for many
years editor of _The Christian Observer_. His daughter Mary Richenda
married Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, the well-known judge, and the
brother of Sir Leslie Stephen. But to return to Francis Cunningham,
whose acquaintance with Borrow was brought about through Mrs. Clarke.
Cunningham was a great supporter of the British and Foreign Bible
Society, and was the founder of the Paris branch. It was speedily
revealed to him that Borrow's linguistic abilities could be utilised by
the Society, and he secured the co-operation of his brother-in-law,
Joseph John Gurney, in an effort to find Borrow work in connection with
the Society. There is a letter of Borrow's to Mrs. Clarke of this period
in my Borrow Papers which my readers will already have read.[137]
We do not meet Mary Clarke again until 1834, when we find a letter from
her to Borrow addressed to St. Petersburg, in which she notifies to him
that he has been 'mentioned at many of the Bible Meetings this year,'
adding that 'dear Mr. Cunningham' had spoken so nicely of him at an
Oulton gathering. 'As I am not afraid of making you proud,' she
continues, 'I will tell you one of his remarks. He mentioned you as one
of the most extraordinary and interesting individuals of the present
day.' Henceforth clearly Mary Clarke corresponded regularly with Borrow,
and one or two extracts from her letters are given by Dr. Knapp. Joseph
Jowett of the Bible Society forwarded Borrow's letters from Russia to
Cunningham, who handed them to Mrs. Clarke and her parents. Borrow had
proposed to continue his mission by leaving Russia for China, but this
Mary Clarke opposed:
I must tell you that your letter chilled me when I read your
intention of going as a Missionary or Agent, with the Manchu
Scriptures in your hand, to the Tartars, that land of
incalculable dangers.[138]
In 1835 Borrow was back in England at Norwich with his mother, and on a
visit to Mary Clarke and the Skeppers at Oulton. Mrs. Skepper died just
before his arrival in England--that is, in September 1835--while her
husband died in February 1836. Mary Clarke's only brother died in the
following year.[139]
Thus we see Mary Clarke, aged about forty, left to fight the world with
her daughter, aged twenty-three, and not only to fight the world but her
own family, particularly her brother's widow, owing to certain
ambiguities in her father's will which are given forth in dreary detail
in Dr. Knapp's _Life_.[140] It was these legal quarrels that led Mary
Clarke and her daughter to set sail for Spain, where Mary had had the
indefatigable and sympathetic correspondent during the previous year of
trouble. Borrow and Mary Clarke met, as we have seen, at Seville and
there, at a later period, they became 'engaged.' Mrs. Clarke and her
daughter Henrietta sailed for Spain in the _Royal Tar_, leaving London
for Cadiz in June 1839. Much keen correspondence between Borrow and Mrs.
Clarke had passed before the final decision to visit Spain. His mother
was one of the few people who knew of Mrs. Clarke's journey to Seville,
and must have understood, as mothers do, what was pending, although her
son did not. When the engagement is announced to her--in November
1839--she writes to Mary Clarke a kindly, affectionate letter:
I shall now resign him to your care, and may you love and
cherish him as much as I have done. I hope and trust that each
will try to make the other happy.
There is no reason whatever to accept Dr. Knapp's suggestion,[141]
strange as coming from so pronounced a hero-worshipper, that Borrow
married for money. And this because he had said in one of his letters,
'It is better to suffer the halter than the yoke,' the kind of thing
that a man might easily say on the eve of making a proposal which he was
not sure would be accepted. Nor can Dr. Knapp's further discovery of a
casual remark of Borrow's--'marriage is by far the best way of getting
possession of an estate'--be counted as conclusive. That Borrow was all
his life devoted to his wife I think is proved by his many letters to
her that are given in this volume, letters, however, which Dr. Knapp had
not seen. Borrow's further tribute to his wife and stepdaughter in _Wild
Wales_ is well known:
Of my wife I will merely say that she is a perfect paragon of
wives, can make puddings and sweets and treacle posset, and is
the best woman of business in Eastern Anglia. Of my
stepdaughter--for such she is, though I generally call her
daughter, and with good reason, seeing that she has always
shown herself a daughter to me--that she has all kinds of good
qualities, and several accomplishments, knowing something of
conchology, more of botany, drawing capitally in the Dutch
style, and playing remarkably well on the guitar--not the
trumpery German thing so called, but the real Spanish guitar.
Borrow belonged to the type of men who would never marry did not some
woman mercifully take them in hand. Mrs. Clarke, when she set out for
Spain, had doubtless determined to marry Borrow. It is clear that he had
no idea of marrying her. Yet he was certainly 'engaged,' as we learn
from a letter to Mr. Brackenbury, to be given hereafter, when he wrote a
letter from Seville to Mr. Brandram, dated March 18, in which he said:
'I wish very much to spend the remaining years of my life in the
northern parts of China, as I think I have a call to those regions.... I
hope yet to die in the cause of my Redeemer.' Surely never did man take
so curious a view of the responsibilities of marriage. He must have
known that his proposal would be declined--as it was.
Very soon after the engagement Borrow experienced his third term of
imprisonment in Spain, this time, however, only for thirty hours, and
all because he had asked the Alcalde, or mayor of the district in which
he lived, for his passport, and had quarrelled with his worship over the
matter. Borrow gave up the months of this winter of 1839 rather to
writing his first important book, _The Gypsies of Spain_, than to the
concerns of the Bible Society. Finally Borrow, with Mrs. Clarke and her
daughter, sailed from Cadiz on the 3rd April 1840, as we have already
related. He had with him his Jewish servant, Hayim Ben Attar, and his
Arabian horse, Sidi Habismilk, both of which were to astonish the
natives of the Suffolk broads. The party reached London on 16th April
and stayed at the Spread Eagle Inn, Gracechurch Street. The marriage
took place at St. Peter's Church, Cornhill, on 23rd April 1840.
[Illustration: MRS. BORROW'S COPY OF HER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.]
There are only two letters from Mrs. Borrow to her husband extant. Dr.
Knapp apparently discovered none in the Borrow Papers in his possession.
The two before me were written in the Hereford Square days between the
years 1860 and 1869--the last year of Mrs. Borrow's life. The pair had
been married some twenty-five years at least, and it is made clear by
these letters alone that at the end of this period they were still a
most happily assorted couple. Mrs. Borrow must have gone to Brighton for
her health on two separate occasions, each time accompanied by her
daughter. Borrow, who had enjoyed many a pleasant ramble on his own
account, as we shall see--rambles which extended as far away as
Constantinople--is 'keeping house' in Hereford Square, Brompton, the
while. It will be noted that Mrs. Borrow signed herself 'Carreta,' the
pet name that her husband always gave her. Dr. Knapp points out that
'carreta' means a Spanish dray-cart, and that 'carita,' 'my dear,' was
probably meant. But, careless as was the famous word-master over the
spelling of words in the tongues that he never really mastered
scientifically, he could scarcely have made so obvious a blunder as
this, and there must have been some particular experience in the lives
of husband and wife that led to the playful designation.[142] Here are
the two letters:
To George Borrow, Esq.
GRENVILLE PLACE, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX.
MY DARLING HUSBAND,--I am thankful to say that I arrived here
quite safe on Saturday, and on Wednesday I hope to see you at
home. We may not be home before the evening about six o'clock,
sooner or later, so do not be anxious, as we shall be careful.
We took tea with the Edwards at six o'clock the day I came;
they are a very kind, nice family. You must take a walk when we
come home, but remember now we have a young servant, and do not
leave the house for very long together. The air here is very
fresh, and much cooler than in London, and I hope after the
five days' change I shall be benefited, but I wish to come home
on Wednesday. See to all the doors and windows of a night, and
let Jane keep up the chain, and lock the back door by the hop
plant before it gets dark. Our love to Lady Soame.--And with
our best love to you, believe me, your own
CARRETA.
_Sunday morning, 10 o'clock._
If I do not hear from you I shall conclude all is well, and you
may do the same with regard to us. Have the tea ready a little
before six on Wednesday. Henrietta is wonderfully improved by
the change, and sends dear and best love to you.
To George Borrow, Esq.
33 GRENVILLE PLACE, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX.
_Thursday morning_.
MY DEAR HUSBAND,--As it is raining again this morning I write a
few lines to you. I cannot think that we have quite so much
rain as you have at Brompton, for I was out _twice_ yesterday,
an hour in the morning in a Bath chair, and a little walk in
the evening on the Marine Parade, and I have been out little or
much every day, and hope I feel a little better. Our dear
Henrietta likewise says that she feels the better for the air
and change. As we are here I think we had better remain till
Tuesday next, when the fortnight will be up, but I fear you
feel very lonely. I hope you get out when you can, and that you
take care of your health. I hope Ellen continues to attend to
yr. comfort, and that when she gives orders to Mrs. Harvey or
the Butcher that she shews you what they send. I shall want
the stair carpets down, and the drawing-room _nice_--blinds and
shutters closed to prevent the sun, also bed-rooms prepared,
with well _aired sheets_ and counterpane _by next Tuesday_. I
suppose we shall get to Hereford Square perhaps about five
o'clock, but I shall write again. You had better dine at yr.
usual time, and as we shall get a dinner here we shall want
only tea.
Henrietta's kindest dear love and mine, remaining yr. true and
affectionate wife.
CARRETA.
There is one letter from Borrow to his wife, written from London in
1843, in which he says:
I have not been particularly well since I wrote last; indeed,
the weather has been so horrible that it is enough to depress
anybody's spirits, and, of course, mine. I did very wrong not
to bring you when I came, for without you I cannot get on at
all. Left to myself a gloom comes upon me which I cannot
describe.[143]
Assuredly no reader can peruse the following pages without recognising
the true affection for his wife that is transparent in his letters to
her. Arthur Dalrymple's remark that he had frequently seen Borrow and
his wife travelling:
He stalking along with a huge cloak wrapped round him in all
weathers, and she trudging behind him like an Indian squaw,
with a carpet bag, or bundle, or small portmanteau in her arms,
and endeavouring under difficulty to keep up with his enormous
strides,
is clearly a travesty. 'Mrs. Borrow was devoted to her husband, and
looked after business matters; and he always treated her with exceeding
kindness,' is the verdict of Miss Elizabeth Jay, who was frequently
privileged to visit the husband and wife at Oulton.
FOOTNOTES:
[136] All I know of Henry Clarke is contained in two little documents in
my Borrow Papers which run as follows:
'These are to Certify the Principal Officers and Commissioners of H.M.
Navy that Mr. Henry Clarke has Served as Midshipman on board H.M. Ship
_Salvador del Mundo_ under my Command from the 23 September 1810 to the
date hereof, during which time he behaved with Diligence, Sobriety, and
Attention, and was always obedient to Command.
Given under my Hand on board the _Salvador del Mundo_ the 4 April 1811.
JAMES NASH, _Captain_.'
'These are to Certify the Principal Officers and Commissioners of H.M.
Navy that Mr. Henry Clarke has Served as Midshipman on board H.M. Ship
_Tisiphone_ under my Command from the 20th of June 1813 to the date
hereof, during which time he behaved with Diligence, Sobriety, and
Attention, and was always obedient to Command.
Given under my Hand on board the _Tisiphone_ in the Needles passage this
30th day of November 1813.
E. HODDER, _Captain_.'
[137] _Vide supra_, p. 158.
[138] Knapp's _Life_, vol. i. 189.
[139] The tombs in Oulton Churchyard bear the following inscriptions:
(1) Beneath this stone are interred in the same grave the Mortal Remains
of Edmund Skepper, who died Febry. 5th, 1836, aged 69. Also Ann Skepper,
his wife, who died Sept. 15th, 1835, aged 62.
(2) Beneath this stone are interred the Mortal Remains of Breame
Skepper, who died May 22nd, 1837, aged 42, leaving a wife and six
children to lament his severe loss.
(3) Sacred to the Memory of Lieut. Henry Clarke of His Maj.'s Royal
Navy, who departed this life on the 21st of March 1818, aged 25 years,
leaving a firmly attached widow and an infant daughter to lament his
irreparable loss.
A further tomb commemorates the mother of George Borrow, whose epitaph
is given elsewhere.
[140] The following document in Henrietta's handwriting is among my
Borrow Papers:
'When my Grandfather died he owed a mortgage of £5000 on the Oulton Hall
estate--to a Mrs. Purdy.
'At my Grandfather's death my Mother applied to her Brother for the
money left to her and also the money left--beside the money owed to her
daughter which is also mentioned in the Will. She was refused both, and
told moreover that neither the money nor the interest would be paid to
her.
'My Mother and I were living at the Cottage since the funeral of my
Grandfather--the Skeppers removed to the Hall. The Estate was to be
sold--and my Mother and myself were to be paid. 'My Mother mentioned
this to her solicitor, who hastened back to Norwich and got £5000--which
he carried to the old lady, Mrs. Purdy, next day and paid off the
mortgage. My Mother then was mortgagee in possession--after which she
let the place for what she could get--this accounts for the whole affair
and the whole confusion.
'My Mother was a Widow at this time and remained so for some time
after--consequently all transactions took place with her and not with
Mr. Borrow--she being afterwards married to Mr. Borrow without a
settlement.
'After this, in 1844, the place was again put up by public auction and
bought in by Mr. Borrow and my Mother.'
[141] Knapp's _Life_, vol. i. pp. 330, 331.
[142] The following suggestion has, however, been made to me by a friend
of Henrietta MacOubrey _née_ Clarke:
'I think Borrow intended "Carreta" for "dearest," It is impossible to
think that he would call his wife a "cart." Perhaps he intended
"Carreta" for "Querida." Probably their pronunciation was not
Castillian, and they spelled the word as they pronounced it. In speaking
of her to "Hen." Borrow always called her "Mamma." Mrs. MacOubrey took a
great fancy to me because she said I was like "Mamma." She meant in
character, not in person.'
[143] Dr. Knapp: _Life_, vol. ii p. 39.