In 1885 I had a new room built on to my house at Eltham, adjoining my sitting-room1 and leading into the greenhouse, and thence to the garden. Parnell and I took the greatest interest in the building of this room; he superintended every detail, saw that the cement was laid to the proper depth under the flooring, and sent to Avondale for sufficient sweet-chestnut wood to have the room panelled half-way up and to make beautiful, heavy double-doors, window settings and the mantelpiece and fittings. It was a very comfortable and warm room when finished, and, to celebrate its completion—it was to be Parnell's own study and workroom—I photographed him in it, sitting in his own special easy chair, surrounded by his assaying paraphernalia2 and holding his pestle3 and mortar4. This photograph was published years ago without permission or acknowledgment by one or other of two persons to whom I had given it, after my husband's death, as a very private and special memento5 of him. It hurt me much when I first knew of it—but people do these things.
Early in 1885 Parnell bought a new horse in Ireland which he arranged to bring to England, and subsequently brought others over. The two letters which follow refer to these matters, and were written to me in case the horses {231} should be noticed arriving in Eltham and the fact reported to Captain O'Shea.
AVONDALE,
January 14, 1885.
MY OWN QUEENIE,—A word to say that your promised letter has not yet reached me, and I suppose it may turn up to-morrow. The parcel came safely to Dublin, and the hamper6 here. Mary and I unpacked7 it with fear and trembling, lest there should have been no tea and sugar, as I had forgotten to say anything to you about them; but they were all right.
The new horse is very quiet and a very fine one; strong and short legs, with plenty of bone, a splendid fore-quarter, and a good turn of speed. I suppose I may bring him back with me. The telegram I sent you on Day of Convention was found late at night posted in a letter box, and was returned to bearer, who never said anything to me about it, otherwise you would have heard result about six o'clock.—With best love to my little wife, YOUR KING.
MORRISON'S HOTEL, DUBLIN.
February 3, 1885.
MY DEAR MRS. O'SHEA,—I have sent two horses to London to-day (Euston) and should feel very much obliged if you would allow them to stand in your stables for a few days, until I can make other arrangements.
They will reach Euston about 1 p.m. to-morrow. Could you find two careful men to meet them? One saddle is gone with the horses, so another saddle would be necessary. They should be walked carefully through London, as one of them specially9 is very shy and unused to town.
I am going over to Liverpool to-night. I enclose order for the horses.—-Yours very truly, CHAS. S. PARNELL.
Parnell rented some stables fairly near my house for his horses, and took much interest in their welfare. He was not a man who had very much knowledge of horses, but he was a fine horseman, and on his hunter President, a beautiful horse of sixteen hands and a weight-carrier, {232} he looked remarkably10 well. He took a scientific interest in the shoeing of the horses and, to the great annoyance11 of his grooms12, would constantly try new methods of shoeing in order to deaden the "jar" of the contact of the road. This trial of new methods proved a boon14 to my horse Dictator—given me by Parnell—for the tenderness of his feet was completely cured when Parnell, dead against the conservative ideas of my stableman, insisted on his having leathers inserted between Dictator's foot and shoe.
This horse Dictator was a great pleasure to us, though he pulled rather badly. He was very fast and extraordinarily15 sure-footed, keeping his feet in the worst frost, even when driven on the slippery London paving in hard night frosts. He would trot16 away to London in much less time than Parnell could get there by any other means. Parnell did not drive well, leaving the reins17 slack upon the horse's back, so that he had no control over it in any emergency. My nervousness in this was so great that he very good-naturedly left all the driving to me, saying: "Well, that's how the jarveys drive in Ireland!" in answer to my plaintive18 "I've never seen anyone drive like that."
President was a very solid horse, in mind as well as in body, and once when Parnell had ridden him up to New Cross in a frost President sat down violently and was so impressed with the safety of his position that he refused to get up again until Parnell—who was of immense muscular strength—with the help of a couple of stalwart policemen, literally19 lifted him to his feet.
Parnell then went into an adjacent saddler's shop to buy a "rubber" to give President a rub down and, finding a rather original make of pocket-book on the counter, with beautifully-sewn leather covers, became so immersed in the selection of one for me that at length an irate20 policeman {233} looked in to order him to remove his horse at once, as it was causing "an obstruction21!" Parnell, recalled to the problem of how to get President and himself to Westminster Bridge, where his servant was waiting to take the horse, proceeded to rub him down while considering the matter, thereby22 delighting the crowd of onlookers23.
The policeman besought24 him to "get on the 'orse, sir, and ride hoff," before the whole street got "'eld hup," but Parnell gently declined, as he knew that President had now no chance of keeping his feet on the ice-coated pavement. After fully8 considering the matter he found the chief thing was to get himself out of the crowd as quickly as possible, and, slipping a little comfort into the constable's hand, he ordered him to put the horse up at the nearest stables and drove off, ignoring all queries25 and protests.
He sent me a telegram from the House to assure me of his safe arrival, but forgot all about his waiting servant, who, after some hours, not daring to return home, telegraphed to me to know what he was to do, as his master had not arrived. The whole thing amused Parnell intensely, but unfortunately he had given the policeman the name of Prescott, and, in absence of mind, sent his groom13 the next day to find and bring back the horse of "Mr. Stewart." It was a most expensive trial of President's utility. The pocket-book I still use daily, and prize very highly; it is as perfect, though much worn, as when he bought it, some twenty-six years ago.
After my old collie Elfie died, Parnell offered to get me another dog, and, as I wanted an Irish wolf-hound, he and I went to see one that was advertised for sale. It was a magnificent animal, but we had much doubt as to {234} its true breed, and decided26 that Mr. Parnell should not buy it.
He then suggested bringing me an Irish setter the next time he went to Ireland, and, as the idea pleased me, he brought a half-grown setter given him by Mr. Corbett, M.P., who said this dog, Grouse27, was the very best he had ever had. Grouse became at once the constant companion and pleasure of his master and myself. He was a beautiful dog, and most faithful and affectionate. Mr. Parnell would tease him by pretending to be jealous when Grouse lay at my feet with his head on my foot, and when the dog rose with the dignity that always characterized him, and went over to Parnell, resting his head on his knee and assuring him of his absolute devotion, I would in my turn despair at having no dog to love me.
After a few moments of this game poor Grouse would sit exactly between us, looking from one to the other, and whining28 at the impossibility of pleasing us both at once. Then Parnell would move to my side on the sofa so that Grouse could rest his chin on our clasped hands, to his great contentment. The dog always slept in Parnell's room, and, in his last illness, when the doctors wished to have Grouse removed, Parnell would not allow it.
Mr. Corbett was very sad when he heard that Grouse had become a lady's pet, as the old sportsman considered it a sin to "spoil" a gun dog; but I think that if he had known the pleasure Grouse gave "the Chief" he would have been glad that the dog should have exchanged the Wicklow Mountains for the hated Saxon's home. Parnell took Grouse over for the grouse-shooting one season and telegraphed to me that he had done very well, but he soon brought him back to me.
Another dog that Parnell brought home to me from {235} Ireland was a mongrel Irish terrier that he had found wandering in the streets of Killaloe. He had been dreadfully starved and ill-used, and was quite savage29 when handed over to me at Brighton with muzzle30 and chain on, but with kindness and good feeding he soon became as devoted31 to us as Grouse was, and with him used thoroughly32 to enjoy following Parnell when he rode over the Downs for his daily exercise.
After we went to Brighton Parnell would give the dogs a swim in the sea every day, and Grouse's strong swimming was a great delight to his master. Pincher, the terrier, was the cause of much anxiety, as he used to swim right out to sea—so far that we lost sight of the little dark head—and Parnell had very often to get a boat out and fetch the exhausted33 little beast back. This little dog lived for many years after his master's death (Grouse only two years), but he would never allow another man to touch him without trying to bite him. He was fond of Parnell, but always on guard with other men, though quite good-tempered with women. Parnell used to say that Pincher must have been so badly treated by some man that he had learned distrust of all males. Many a time he came home from his rides with rueful amusement at the exaggerated value placed upon their legs by shepherds or labourers he had met on the Downs who had been bitten by Pincher with a careless indiscrimination that at last earned him a muzzle.
Parnell also brought to Eltham a very old setter, Ranger34. He had been a splendid dog, and now his limbs were too feeble to follow his faithful heart in his master's sport. So Mr. Parnell took pity on him, and asked Mr. Corbett to let him have the dog for a lady who would care for his old age, and Ranger came to us, spending the {236} evening of his life in basking35 on the sunny lawn at Eltham, wagging a dignified36 tail of appreciation37 and greeting to those of us he met on his stiff walks about the place or dreaming his doggie dreams of the sport of the past, happy and cared for till he died.
* * * * * *
The following letter was sent to United Ireland on April 11, 1885, in regard to the proposed visit of the Prince of Wales to Ireland:—
You ask for my views regarding the visit of the Prince of Wales. In reply, I desire to say that if the usages of the Constitution existed in Ireland as they do in England there would, to my judgment38, be no inconsistency in those who believe in the limited monarchy39 as the best form of government taking a suitable part in the reception of the Prince. But in view of the fact that the Constitution has never been administered in Ireland according to its spirit and precedents40, that the power of the Crown as wielded41 by Earl Spencer and other Viceroys is despotic and unlimited42 to the last degree, and that in the present instance the Royal personage is to be used by the two English political parties in Ireland for the purpose of injuring and insulting the Irish Nationalist Party, and of impeding43, if possible, their work, I fail to see upon what ground it can be claimed from any lover of constitutional government under a limited monarchy that the Prince is entitled to a reception from the independent and patriotic44 people of Ireland, or to any recognition save from the garrison45 of officials and landowners and place-hunters who fatten46 upon the poverty and misfortunes of the country. Let me suggest a parallel. Would it be tolerated in England for a moment if the Government, for their own party purposes, on the eve of a general election, were to use the Prince of Wales as an electioneering agent in any section of the country, and were to send him upon a Royal progress in order to embarrass their political opponents? The breach47 of constitutional privilege becomes still graver when we consider that it is the march of {237} a nation which is now sought to be impeded—the fruition of a long struggle and of many sacrifices which the adventitious48 aid of this Royal visit is enlisted49 to injure. I have, however, every confidence that our people, having been suitably forewarned, will not allow their hospitable50 nature and cordial disposition51 to carry them into any attitude which might be taken as one of condonation52 for the past or satisfaction with the present state of affairs.
CHARLES S. PARNELL.
This letter was written at Eltham, and there was a laughing battle between us over the writing of it. I threatened to make him hang out "union Jacks53" from every window of Avondale if he made things unpleasant in Ireland for the Prince, and he, in pretended horror, wrote the above, and tossed it to me for the alterations54 (which I, of course, did not make) that my "English prejudices" demanded. But he seriously believed that this visit of the Prince to Ireland was timed by the advisers55 of his Royal Highness with singular and malicious56 advertence to the State of the political situation, and he commented most strongly upon the poverty of imagination and chivalry57 of a great country such as England who could find no better use for her Prince than that of an electioneering agent.
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sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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paraphernalia
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| n.装备；随身用品 | |
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pestle
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| n.杵 | |
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mortar
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| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
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memento
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| n.纪念品，令人回忆的东西 | |
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hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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unpacked
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| v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的过去式和过去分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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grooms
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| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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extraordinarily
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| adv.格外地；极端地 | |
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trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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irate
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| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
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obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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thereby
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onlookers
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besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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queries
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| n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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grouse
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| n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦 | |
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whining
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| n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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basking
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的现在分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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precedents
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| 引用单元； 范例( precedent的名词复数 )； 先前出现的事例； 前例； 先例 | |
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wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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impeding
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| a.(尤指坏事)即将发生的，临近的 | |
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patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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fatten
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| v.使肥，变肥 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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adventitious
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| adj.偶然的 | |
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enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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condonation
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| n.容忍，宽恕，原谅 | |
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jacks
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| n.抓子游戏；千斤顶( jack的名词复数 )；（电）插孔；[电子学]插座；放弃 | |
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alterations
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| n.改动( alteration的名词复数 )；更改；变化；改变 | |
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advisers
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| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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