|A SPLENDID place was Dilston Castle in Northumberland, the seat of the
young Earl of Dervventwater, in the early part of the last century.
Crowning an eminence, overlooking a most picturesque district,
approached by a long avenue of chestnut trees, and surrounded by woods,
extending to the banks of the Tyne, the mansion formed a conspicuous
object from whichever side it might be viewed.
Dilston Castle could not boast antiquity, having only been built some
sixty years prior to the date of our story, by Sir James Radclyffe,
subsequently created Earl of Derwentwater by James the Second, but it
occupied the site of an old Border fortress, called Devilstone--since
modified to Dilston--that had often resisted the incursions of the
Scots.
Of this stronghold, which dated back to the time of Henry the First,
only a single memorial was left, in the shape of a grey stone tower--all
the rest having been demolished.
The mansion formed a square, and enclosed a spacious court with a
fountain in the centre. The principal entrance, approached by a large
person, was inside the court, and faced a grand gateway, that terminated
the chestnut avenue.
Close by, though screened by trees, was a little chapel, wherein the
rites of Rome were performed--the Radclyffes being strict adherents to
the old religion. Hereabouts, also, stood the grey stone tower, before
alluded to, and some chambers within it were still used.
As may be supposed, from its size, the mansion contained some
magnificent apartments, and these were sumptuously furnished. Large
gardens, laid out in the formal French style, and ornamented with
terraces, flights of stone steps, statues, and fountains, added to the
attractions of the place.
Beneath the acclivity, whereon stood the castle, was a romantic and
beautiful dell, the sides of which were clothed with brushwood.
Through the midst of the ravine rushed a stream, called the Devil's
Water--bright and clear, despite its name--that hurried on, unless
checked by a huge rock, or some other impediment, when it spread out
into a pool. In places, the glen had a weird look, and many strange
legends were connected with it.
The picturesque beauty of the spot was materially heightened by a lofty
bridge flung across the hollow, and leading from the castle to the
deer-park.
From this bridge, the stately structure, with the charming and
diversified scenery around it, could be contemplated to the greatest
advantage.
The park boasted many ancient oaks and ash-trees, and was well stocked
with deer; the neighbouring moors abounded with grouse, the smaller
streams with trout, and the Tyne with salmon. Better shooting and
fishing could not be had than at Dilston.
The noble owner of this proud mansion, and the extensive domains
attached to it, had succeeded to the title and estates on the death of
his father, the second earl, some five years previously. In addition to
Dilston, Langley Castle, and Simonburn in Northumberland he had large
estates in Cumberland, and one side of the lovely lake of Dervventwater,
from which he derived his title, belonged to him. Moreover, he had lead
mines at Alston Moor that produced a very large revenue.
Notwithstanding his immense wealth and importance in the county, the
young earl led a very retired life. As a Roman Catholic, he laboured
under disabilities that prevented him from taking part in public
affairs. But he maintained a numerous establishment, and was extremely
hospitable, and his chaplain and almoner, Father Norham, distributed a
tithe of his large income in charity.
Loyal to the sovereign he recognised, firm in the faith he professed,
devout, charitable, courteous, courageous--such was the Earl of
Derwentwater at twenty-two, when we first meet him.
The young earl's personal appearance was extremely prepossessing. Tall,
and well-proportioned, he had finely-formed features, with blue eyes
and fair locks. He was fond of all manly exercises, a daring horseman,
a master of fence, and a good shot. Several important alliances had been
proposed to him, but he was still unmarried.
Charles Radclyffe, his only brother, and his junior by a year and
a half, resided with him at Dilston. There was a great personal
resemblance between them. Like his brother, Charles Radclyffe was an
enthusiastic Jacobite, and ready to run any risk for the restoration of
the Stuarts.
Viscount Radclyffe and Langley, as the Earl of Derwentwater was styled
in his father's lifetime, had been brought up at the court of the exiled
monarch, James the Second, at Saint Germains, as a companion to the
young prince, James Edward, who was about his own age, and to whom he
was nearly allied by consanguinity--Lord Radclyffe's mother being a
natural daughter of Charles the Second.
Constantly together, and sharing the same studies and the same sports,
the cousins, as they were called, became greatly attached to each other,
and no change had taken place in their sentiments when James the Second
breathed his last, dying, as those in attendance on him avouched, in the
odour of sanctity.
By the express desire of Queen Mary of Modena, Lord Radclyffe remained
at Saint Germains until after the death of William the Third, and the
accession of Anne, mixed up in the various Jacobite plots, of which that
court was then the hot-bed, until the decease of his own father in 1705,
compelled him to return to England, in order to take possession of his
estates.
On his departure the young earl renewed his professions of loyalty
and devotion to the Chevalier de Saint George, as the prince was now
designated, and promised to hold himself in constant readiness for a
summons to rise. He also took an affectionate leave of the queen, who
embraced him like a mother, and gave him her blessing.
Five years flew by, during which an attempt at invasion was made by
Chevalier de Saint George with a squadron under the command of
the renowned Forbin, but the prince was unable to disembark, and
consequently Lord Derwentwater was not called upon to join him.
Discouraged by this ill-success, and receiving no further support from
Louis the Fourteenth, the prince joined the French army under Villars,
and fought bravely at Malplaquet.
Ever since his return from Saint Germains Lord Derwentwater had resided
at Dilston. He lacked a mother's care, for the countess had long been
dead, but he was watched over and counselled by Father Norham, an
excellent man, who had been chaplain to the late earl. In anticipation
of a sudden summons, Lord Derwentwater kept a large collection of arms
concealed in the old tower previously described. He had plenty of horses
in his stables and elsewhere, and with his servants and retainers, and
the number of miners in his employ, he could at anytime raise two or
three hundred men, and arm and equip them.
Until lately, a secret correspondence had been constantly kept up
between the Earl and the Chevalier de Saint George, but for some months
no letter had been received from the prince.