Forty Years Of Spy Part 27

I was introduced to several of the Captains, and among them were some whom I was destined to draw years after as Admirals for _Vanity Fair_.

On the evening of the inspection the Duke gave a return dinner-party on board the _Hercules_. Admiral Hood was, of course, the princ.i.p.al guest, and I had the privilege of being placed next him at dinner. The _Hercules_ having no band of its own, that of the _Minotaur_ was lent for the occasion, and several of the leading officers were present, notably Captain Heneage of the _Achilles_--known as "Pompo"--who was certainly the _beau_ of the combined fleets. The immaculate appearance of this distinguished officer in these days at sea was certainly one of the distractions of the voyage, and as Admiral Sir Algernon Heneage, he is still to be seen in the West End, an ornament and a great favourite in London Society. Eventually he came to my studio and I made a characteristic drawing of him.

As we were still waiting for the _Bacchante_ (with the young Princes on board) to join us, H.R.H. arranged a fis.h.i.+ng excursion to Blackwater for an off day. Commander Le Strange was to conduct us. The _Lively_ weighed anchor at 7 a.m., and we arrived at Blackwater at 10 o'clock. Unfortunately as a bag containing my fis.h.i.+ng-rod, footgear and other articles of wearing apparel appropriate to a voyage of this kind had failed to reach me yet from Cork, I was altogether unprepared for the excursion. The Duke hearing of my predicament, very kindly offered to lend me a rod, at the same time he impressed me with the fact that he valued it greatly, and that I must take great care of it.

It had been a birthday present given to him by the Prince Consort, and bore an inscription in silver to that effect.

Mr. Mahony, the landowner, drove to Blackwater to meet us, and from there took us to Loch Brine, where the fish were plentiful. He with H.R.H. went out in a boat to fish leaving us to pursue our sport from the bank. I scrambled on to a rock from which I cast my line, when alas the rubber soles on my shoes played me false, and I was in the water, and the rod in pieces. What was to be done? All sport was at end for me! I turned to my companion who advised me to say nothing about it, and give it to the c.o.xswain to mend. In a weak moment I resolved to keep my own counsel, but imagine my consternation a little later, when the Admiral joined us for luncheon, and exclaimed, "You are a nice fellow, breaking my rod!"

I had quite forgotten how water carries sound. Every word of the discussion had been overheard by H.R.H. I was non-plussed and the matter pa.s.sed off without further comment. Then we all sat down to lunch with a good appet.i.te, but it was a poor day's sport for me, and we returned to the _Lively_, and dined at 9 o'clock.

The next day Mr. Mahony and his family came on board; later in the day we returned to Bantry, and shortly after the _Bacchante_ came into the Bay. The young Princes lost no time in paying their respects to the Admiral, who at once invited them to dinner. I sat next to Prince Eddy who was a perfectly natural boy, and to my mind immensely tactful, for he immediately commenced to tell me of the success of my latest cartoon in _Vanity Fair_--which happened to be Lord Shrewsbury. On the next day the combined squadrons weighed anchor and started for the ten days' cruise to Vigo.

[Ill.u.s.tration: SEVENTH EARL OF BESSBOROUGH.

_"M.C.C. Cricket."_ 1888.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: REV. F. H. GILLINGHAM.

_"A hard hitter."_ 1906.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: ARCHDEACON BENJAMIN HARRISON.

_"Canterbury Cricket."_ 1885.]

The naval evolutions and drill were exceedingly interesting to watch by day, and, on the second night out, came the great excitement of a "Night Alarm." This proceeding might be described as the supreme episode of naval drill. It may come at any moment, and although I was let into the secret it seemed to arrive with startling suddenness to me. We were at dinner when the alarm was given. "There's not a moment to be lost," said the Duke. "Stick to me and we'll go down." A fleeting impression of the blue jackets and marines turning out of their hammocks like one man, then in a flash every officer gave his word of command--All hands were at the guns--Every man in his place!--Lights out! and so on.

On Sat.u.r.day the weather turned stormy, and I found that even a man-of-war didn't glide smoothly through a rough sea in the Bay of Biscay; and, although I managed to put in an appearance at Church service on Sunday, I thought it more discreet to remain in my cabin during the gale; but on Monday the Duke, finding that I didn't appear at the luncheon table, sent for me, and with difficulty I dragged myself to my place.

"Now," said he, "I am going to be your doctor, and you must take the prescription I give you. It is the only cure for sea-sickness." So at his suggestion I drank one gla.s.s of champagne and presently another, but when it came to the third proposal I politely declined, for although the first two gla.s.ses had a most comforting effect "yet another" would have proved the last straw. "Very well," said he, in mock sternness, "when you want medical aid in future don't come to me for it." But I was better.

We continued our voyage with three incidents on the way. A man overboard--the funeral of a stoker on board the _Hector_, which was impressive, the court-martial of an offender on the _Defence_, and a sudden dense fog that came on suddenly when the s.h.i.+ps were manoeuvring and crossing one another. Every light was ordered out, and I went on the bridge where I found both Sir William Hewitt and the Captain. The former, who realized the danger of the situation, and who was always ready with chaff, said to me:

"You had better go down to your cabin and get a wicker chair ready for emergency. There will be no life-belt for you in case of a collision as there are only just enough for the crew and of course they come first."

I needn't say that the precaution didn't recommend itself to me. I thought to myself if the s.h.i.+p goes down I shall go with her; but the fog cleared off quite suddenly, and although three of the s.h.i.+ps were lost to sight they turned up in the morning.

During the cruise I heard on all sides how highly regarded the Duke of Edinburgh was as a seaman and a commanding officer, and he was undoubtedly much liked by those with whom he came in close contact. To his guests on board he was kindness itself, and he could be most entertaining. He told us his experiences of boyhood, how he had been treated just as any other middy, and subject to their backslidings also if one might judge by the account of severe punishments which had their place in the stories. He talked much of Russia, and told us how well the palace was guarded, that none but members of the Imperial Family were allowed to enter by the princ.i.p.al entrance, and that on one occasion he, being unrecognized by a sentry was challenged, and that he had to beat an ignominious retreat, and go round by the equerries' door. Not only were his experiences and travels most interesting, but he had an extraordinary good ear for dialect; with him a good yarn lost nothing in the telling, and he could hit off a type in a very few words. When he had an half-hour to spare in the evenings we would play a game I introduced of "drawing consequences,"

which is played in much the same way as the ordinary schoolroom game, except that one fills the required s.p.a.ce with contributory drawing in place of the usual words. H.R.H. came out well under its inspiration, and the combined results of our drawings were occasionally very amusing.

One evening he produced a crystal and inset was a very tiny portrait of Dowager Empress of Russia, which the company mistook for a miniature, and thought it marvellous that any human eye could see to produce it. I at once detected that a photograph was behind it, and that it was in fact a very minutely reduced and tinted photograph. I am afraid I destroyed the general illusion. The Duke smiled, he was very sincere in his love of art, and particularly proud of the talent of his sister the Princess Royal--Empress Frederick of Germany, whose pictures he spoke of in the highest terms, an opinion which I had heard frequently endorsed.

On Thursday we sighted the Spanish coast, and on Friday there was a big drill and evolutions; and on Sat.u.r.day the Fleet arrived in Vigo Bay at 12 o'clock. Of course the two flag-s.h.i.+ps were the centre of interest, and on our arrival there was the usual demonstration in connection with naval events. The Duke received visits from officials, and in the afternoon gave me his first sitting. It was a splendid evening. H.R.H. gave a big dinner-party. The _Minotaur_ band came over to the _Hercules_, and there was a fine display of fireworks ash.o.r.e and the bay was illuminated by the flashes from the search-lights, and the general appearance of the Fleet enlivened by the movements of boats and pinnaces going to and fro between s.h.i.+ps and sh.o.r.e.

In celebration of his birthday (August 6th) the Duke had arranged a picnic for the Princes and their middy friends, Mr. Dalton (the Prince's tutor) Cole, who as usual brought his sketch book with him, Wentworth-Cole, and Commander Le Strange were also of the party, but the presiding spirit was the Duke in his best form, full of fun, and most anxious that the boys should have a good time.

On our journey out in the pinnace I remember that Wentworth-Cole was the victim of a practical joke instigated by me for the amus.e.m.e.nt of the Royal Middies. He was wearing a hat with several ventilatory holes on the summit of the crown. It suddenly occurred to me that these would make suitable receptacles for matches; so, when he was engrossed in the scenery, I found an opportunity of filling them up, in which occupation Prince George lent willing aid. When a chance came I lighted the heads of the matches, but hearing a t.i.tter, Wentworth-Cole turned round, discovered the plot, and saved the situation.

It was a real picnic. We arrived in the steam pinnace at a most picturesque island some miles out from Vigo, and there in a rural setting, and on a particularly rugged piece of ground the baskets were opened and we sat down to a capital luncheon. The c.o.xswain, who was a very handy man, was of the greatest use in every direction on this occasion.

By this time the seigning nets had been cast in the bay near at hand, and the Princes and their s.h.i.+pmates were anxiously awaiting the opportunity to set to work.

In the meantime we all strolled down towards the sea, Prince Eddy and I remaining in the rear of the main body, while he on the Q.T. and boy-like, found the opportunity of taking occasional puffs from my pipe.

On joining the others Prince George, after noticing its unusual shape politely asked if he might look at it. Evincing curiosity in its condition and with an air of a connoisseur he pa.s.sed several pieces of dried gra.s.s through the stem and thoroughly cleaned it out, then after filling the bowl with tobacco and lighting it he tested it well by taking some good whiffs. Afterwards he returned it with the remark that it was now fit to smoke. The little episode amused me greatly as it was so completely natural.

By now, finding that the nets were ready to be manipulated we, one and all, tucked up our trousers and hauled them in, the Duke being the most energetic of the lot. It was warm work but not wasted, for the haul was a fine one.

During the afternoon a couple of bull fights in an adjoining field gave us a good show of a non-professional bull fight, also we saw some interesting types of Portuguese, who were entered with the other incidents of the day in Cole's sketch book. He was also clever in portraying those big-eyed, dark, and picturesque peasant girls.

I think that must have been the last of the very delightful excursions on the _Lively_, which s.h.i.+p, of pleasant memory, came eventually to a bad end, as she struck a rock and went to the bottom.

We stayed some time in Vigo Bay, and made several delightful excursions there. When on board, the young Princes did their best to kill any chance of monotony. There was a bear fight I am not likely to forget. I was in the habit of returning to my cabin for a _siesta_ after luncheon, and on this particular occasion I think the officers on board were occupied on duty. The Princes came to pay the Duke a visit, but only to find that he had gone ash.o.r.e, and things were generally a little on the dull side. I was the sole occupant of the cabin, and as they peeped in they saw me in my berth asleep, so pa.s.sed on to the adjoining one (Mr. Wentworth-Cole's) in search, no doubt, of a bit of fun. Presently I got the full benefit of their inspiration, which took the form of squeezing the contents of a very large sponge from their side of the part.i.tion on to my head. It was a thorough "cold pigging" that I received, that effectually wakened me from slumber; but I rose to the occasion, and in my turn sent back the sponge. This ended in a rough and tumble which, of course, they were inviting. Cole (of the pencil) came along in the thick of it, and eventually made a caricature of the scene in the Duke's book. It represented the little bear, the middle sized bear and the big bear at play, and he called it "A Bear Fight."

It was not until we were homeward bound that the Duke succ.u.mbed to the ordeal of a second sitting for his portrait. He was an interesting subject; I made two drawings of him, the portrait which he had commanded, and which I understood was intended as a birthday present for the d.u.c.h.ess, and I also made a water-colour drawing in similar style to that which had pleased him of Sir Reginald Macdonald: which represented him at full length in Admiral's uniform.

After I had thanked H.R.H. for all his kindness and hospitality and the cruise was at an end, I said good-bye, and returned to London with Wentworth-Cole.

When I arrived in London, amongst the first letters I received was one from H.R.H. containing a handsome cheque in payment of the portrait.

Some little time after I was at work one morning in my studio in William Street, Lowndes Square, when the hall porter announced "a gentleman to see you, sir," and in walked the Duke of Edinburgh carrying a parcel under his arm, which proved to be a photograph of the d.u.c.h.ess, which he suggested I should study and left with me, for he was most anxious that I should make a drawing of Her Royal Highness, and suggested that later on her time would be less occupied, but I gathered that the proposal had escaped her memory.

CHAPTER XIII

YACHTSMEN--FOREIGN RULERS

Sir Reginald Macdonald's caricature.--H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh's invitation.--The _Lively_.--The _Hercules_.-- Admiral Sir William Hewitt.--Irish excursions.--The Channel Squadron.--Fis.h.i.+ng party at Loch Brine.--The young Princes arrive on the _Bacchante_.--Cruise to Vigo.--The "Night Alarm."--The Duke as _bon voyageur_.--Vigo.--The birthday picnic.--A bear-fight on board the _Hercules_.--Homeward bound.--Good-bye.--The Duke's visit to my studio.

Some years before my cruise on the _Hercules_ I had caricatured a young man of whom "Jehu Junior" prophesied a career of no mean order.

Lord Charles Beresford has performed all that was expected of him, but it is difficult to recognize in him to-day my subject of 1867. When he came to my studio I was struck by his characteristic stride, and asked him to walk up and down my studio while I endeavoured to capture some impression of his rolling gait, curly hair and jolly laugh. He was willing to be made fun of, and his excellent company aided me in arriving at a result which may best be gathered from the following letter, which I received from him on the completion of the caricature.

"Fairfield, York, "1876.

"MY DEAR WARD,

"The _Vanity Fair_ cartoon is really the only caricature that I know that ever was in the least like me, I think it quite excellent. I know it is the exact way I stand and I am generally smiling profusely. All my friends were delighted with it, and at Osborne they all said it was capital. I hope you were pleased with it yourself; I am sure you ought to be.

"Yours very sincerely, "CHARLES BERESFORD."

[Ill.u.s.tration: 1876. "CHARLIE" BERESFORD.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: ADMIRAL SIR REGD. MACDONALD. "R.I.M." 1880.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 1902. ADMIRAL SIR JOHN FISHER.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAPTAIN JELLICOE. 1906.]

At this time I heard a story of Lord Charles, who was always known as "Charlie Beresford," and who played many a practical joke. There was a very stout and good-humoured lady who was a general favourite in society and especially with young men. On one occasion she happened to be leaving an evening-party when Lord Charles escorted her to her brougham, which appeared a tight fit for her, and being prompted by a sudden fit of devilment he seized the linkman who was handy and thrust him into her carriage. Directly the door was closed, the oblivious coachman drove off, and what happened afterwards must be left to the imagination.

In that year I went down to Cowes for the yachting week, as it was quite the best opportunity for following up the types of well-known yachtsmen, and I pa.s.sed many amusing hours in the gardens of the Squadron.