|Proud Preston--or Priests' Town, as it was originally called from
the number of its religious houses--merited the epithet applied to it,
albeit somewhat derisively.
Proud were its inhabitants--proud of their town--of its fine situation,
its beauty, its salubrity--proud of their wives and daughters, whom they
deemed, and not erroneously, the handsomest women in the kingdom.
As a place of fashionable resort, where the best society could be found,
Preston, at the period of our story, ranked higher than any other town
in the North of England. A great number of gentry resided there--many of
them belonging to the oldest Catholic families of the county, and these
persons gave an aristocratic character to the place.
But the Preston gentry were not as wealthy as they were proud. High
Churchmen as well as Roman Catholics abounded in the town, and the only
thing low about the parish church was the steeple. Hence the old rhyme:=
````Proud Preston, poor people,
````High church, and low steeple!=
Delightfully situated on the summit of a ridge, rising gradually from
the Ribble, which sweeps round it on the south, and commanding extensive
and beautiful views in every direction, Preston, from its salubrious
climate, and contiguity to the sea, enjoyed the reputation of being one
of the most agreeable and healthy towns in England.
In the early part of the eighteenth century Preston was but a small
place, and could boast little regularity of construction, but it had a
remarkably clean and cheerful aspect.
Attached to many of the houses were good gardens, and these being
laid out on the slopes of the eminence on which the town was reared,
contributed materially to its beauty.
The best houses were in Church-street and Fishergate, running from east
to west on the south side of the hill. A few of the habitations were
old, but the greater part were modern. Amongst the latter were two large
mansions, standing nearly opposite each other in Church-street, and
belonging respectively to Sir Henry Hoghton and Mr. Eyre. Both these
mansions possessed large gardens and good stables, and are specially
referred to because we shall have to speak of them hereafter.
But there was also some good old houses in Friargate, which led from the
Lancaster road on the north side of the hill to the market-place.
In the market-place, which formed a large square, with an obelisk in the
midst instead of a cross, there were several good old houses; and here,
also, was the town-hall, an extremely picturesque old edifice, four
stories high, and each story projecting above the other, painted black
and white, and having great gables and large windows.
At the corner of one of the streets communicating with the market-place
stood the Mitre, the principal hostel of the town, and noted for its
good cheer and good wines. Not far off was the White Bull, another good
inn, much frequented by the townsfolk.
The parish church, dedicated in the first instance to Saint Wilfrid, but
more recently to Saint John, stood on the south side of Church-street. A
fine old structure, it had undergone repairs, not altogether judicious,
and was disfigured by a low tower. A large churchyard separated it from
the street.
At this time the Reverend Samuel Peploe, a staunch supporter of the
reigning family, and greatly opposed to the Jacobites, was vicar of
Preston.
On Fishergate brow stood a small Roman Catholic chapel, dedicated to
Saint Mary.
At the Grey Friars was the old prison; but a house of correction had
been recently erected in the fields on the west side of the town--rather
a large building for so small a place.
From the eastern extremity of 'Church-street, a road leading to Wigan
descended the hill, and after passing through some pleasant fields
bordered by high hedges, crossed the old bridge over the Ribble near
Walton-le-Dale.
Such was Preston when garrisoned by the insurgent forces.
With the exception of the vicar, to whom we have just alluded, all their
enemies had disappeared.
Colonel Stanhope had gone with his regiment of dragoons to join General
Wills at Warrington; and Sir Henry Hoghton had abandoned his large
mansion, and taken the Militia to Wigan.
There was nothing, therefore, to prevent the inhabitants from giving
them a hearty welcome.
But as the municipal authorities, from prudential reasons, declined to
act, the office of receiving them devolved on private individuals.
As General Forster and the other leaders rode into the market-place,
they were met by a large party of gentlemen, who welcomed them to the
town, and professed their desire to show them every hospitality. General
Forster, the noble lords, and all the officers were invited to dine that
day at the town-hall, and it was likewise intimated to the general that
a grand dinner, to be followed by a ball, would be given at the same
place on the following day, by which time it was expected the infantry
and Highlanders would have arrived.
In regard to quarters, Mr. Eyre's large house in Church-street was
assigned to General Forster and Lord Widdrington, and Sir Henry
Hoghton's mansion was offered to Lord Derwentwater. Good quarters, it
appeared, had likewise been provided for all the officers.
Greatly pleased by their reception, the rebel leaders repaired to their
quarters, with which they were well satisfied. In the mansion assigned
to them, General Forster and Lord Widdrington found everything they
could desire. Nor was Sir Henry Hoghton's house at all inferior to the
other. Indeed it presented a far handsomer appearance from the
street, as it occupied a more elevated position. Nor did the internal
accommodation belie the exterior. The house possessed a spacious
entrance hall, and several commodious and well furnished rooms on the
ground floor. Attached to it were excellent stables, and at the back
there was a large garden.
Sir Henry had taken his grooms and coachman with him but part of the
establishment was left behind.
After settling themselves comfortably in their new quarters, the rebel
leaders proceeded to the town-hall, where a sumptuous dinner awaited
them, and so well pleased was General Forster with the entertainment,
with the attentions paid him, and with his quarters, that he resolved to
stay as long as he could at Preston.
At the very time when the rebels were taking possession of the town,
the vicar, of whose attachment to the House of Brunswick we have spoken,
happened to be engaged on his duties in the church, and he seized the
opportunity of reading prayers for King George and the royal family. For
this display of zeal and courage, he was made Warden of Manchester, and
subsequently Bishop of Chester.
No molestation or interruption were offered by the rebels, but when
the Reverend Mr. Paul, the new chaplain of the regiment, heard of the
circumstance, he begged General Forster to order the troops to attend
prayers at the church forthwith.
Within half an hour after Mr. Peploe had quitted it, the church was
entirely filled by the rebel soldiers. Captain Wogan, Captain Shaftoe,
and most of the officers were present.
While the bell was ringing to summon this second congregation, Mr. Paul
took the prayer-book, just used by the vicar, and erased the name of
King George, substituting for it the name of King James. And in the
prayer for the royal family, he scratched out the name of the
Princess Sophia, and introduced that of Queen Mary of Modena.
Habited in a blue coat, wearing a long wig, and having a sword by his
side, this stout church militant proceeded to the reading-desk, and in
tones quite as fervent as those of the vicar prayed for the Pretender
and his mother. Had James the Third come to the throne, no doubt Mr.
Paul would have been rewarded with a bishopric.
Most of the young gentlemen troopers found capital quarters in the
Fishergate and Friargate, and as a great number of tea-parties were
given that evening, to which they were bidden, they had an opportunity
of comparing the belles of Preston with those of Lancaster.
Till then they had believed it impossible that lovelier girls could
be found than those they had just quitted. Now they confessed their
mistake.
That morning the inconstant youths tore themselves away distractedly
from their Lancaster loves, but at night an entire change had taken
place in their sentiments, and they retired to rest deeply enamoured of
the Preston girls.