The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-13 00:00:00

Oharks W.

'atetton's Ancestral Home.

WALTON HALL.

(From the Weekly .Reg iqer .)
Walton Hall, during the conflict between the King and
Parliament, was stoutly defended for the King by the brave
wife of the proprietor, who was absent at the time of the
siege, most probably with the royal army, The siege was
carried on by Oliver Cromwell, and he gained possession of
the outbuildings and offices on the opposite side of the lake;
but the mansion had strong doors of English oak, and
strong English hands to guard them, with a resolute
woman to command, so there was no admittance for rebels.
The track of a musket-ball was long pointed out in the
woodwork, showing where Cromwell himself was believed
to have fired at Mrs Waterton, as she was giving orders re-
specting the defence. Another more creditable trace of the
siege is preserved—a ball fired from a swivel gun, placed
on the top of the gateway, which wounded one of the be-
leaguering army as he was making off through the neigh-
bouring woods. Disappointed on being baffled in his ob-
ject of reducing Walton, Cromwell did all the mischief he
could to the property around ; broke down the drawbridge,
destroyed the crops, and drove away a groat part of the
cattle,ineluding the carriage horses, leav:ng only some bul-
locks. When the siege was raised and the Republican troops
withdrawn, great, no doubt, was the joy of the garrison,
and high eulogium pronounced on Mrs Waterton, for her
heroism, by the Cavalier families around. Fetes were given
in her honour, and, as she had no horses to draw her car-
riage, and would not fail in keeping her engagements, she
had a team of six oxen yoked to the family coach, and they
bore her in as much state as though they were the best
bred steeds that ever stood in harness.
Sir Bernard Burke, in hie excellent " Dictionary of the
Landed Gentry," gives a full account of this ancient Ca-
tholic family. From this work we learn that Walton Hall
continued in the Do Burgh family for several centuries,
until the death of John De Burgh, who left only two
daughters. 01 these Jane married Sir William Ashenhall,
and by the marriage of Constance, daughter and heiress of
Sir William, was Richard Waterton, son of John Water-
ton, of Waterton, this property passed into the family of
the present estimable proprietor about the year 1435.
Long previously, however, the Watertons achieved dis •
Unction. The three crescents in their armorial bearings
are said to have been gained on the plains of Ascalon, and
granted by King Richard the Lion-hearted in approba-
tien of the valour of Sir Robert Waterton, a stout cru
aader, who took with his own mailed hand, three stan-
dards from the Saracen. They were Lords of Waterton
in 1275 and held high place in Lincolnshire---re•
presenting the county in the Commons, and fixing the
office of High Sheriff, and often in close attendance
upon the King of England, and employed in positions re-
quiring sagacity and ability.
Charles Waterton, Esq., of Walton, great grandfather of
the present owner, suffered for his loyalty to the Stuart
dynasty. Like his ancestors this Charles was a devoted
adherent of the Stuarts. His mansion was visited by the
supporters of the Hanoverian succession, and all the arms
carried away, save a pair of pistols and a dress sword which
escaped notice, and these are now carefully preserved in the
hall. But the owner was carried off too, and not conceal-
ing his principles, he underwent imprisonment in York
Castle. When the storm of strife abated ho was liberated
on parole, and allowed to reside in the City of York, where
he was permitted horse exercise, provided, according to the
ignominious provisions of the penal code, the horse did not
exceed in valtus£s, He married Anne, daughter of Chris-
topher Crissaon More, Esq., of Barnborough, Yorkshire,
sixth in descent from tho great Sir Thomas More. The
present proprietor, also named Charles, is son of Thomas
Waterton, Esq , and Anne, daughter and sole heiress of
Edward Bedingfield, Eeq ,of Oxton. Mr Waterton, mar-
ried, in 1829, Anne, second daughter of Charles Edreon-
stone, Esq., of Card ross Park, county Dumbarton, lineally
descendea from the Scottish Kings, By this lady Mr Water-
ton had an only child, Edmund. This talented gentleman
is Privy Chamberlain to His Holiness Pope Pius IX.,
from whom he received the Order of Christ in 1858. Ho is
also a justice of the peace, and deputy lieutenant for the
West Riding of Yorkshire, a Fellow of the Society of An-
tiquaries of England and Scotland, and member of the Royal
Irish Academy. He married in 1862 Margaret Alicia Jose-
phine, second daughter of John Ennis, Lq., of Ballina-
hewn Manor, County Westmeath, M.P. for Athlone, by
whom he has issue.
The house is built on an island, and approached by a
tasteful iron bridge, replaced by a wooden one which for-
merly connected the island with the park.
Here formerly stood an old castellated mansion, added to
by successive lords of tralton. Considerable additions were
made at the time of the Restoration, for, as we have seen,
the old hall was seriously damaged during the siege; and a
new wing was built in 1860. The present handsome and
well arranged mansion was built towards the close of the
last century by Thomas Waterton, Esq , father of the pre-
sent most estimable and distinguished representative of this
ancient race.
The lake surrounding Walton Hall covers 24 acres. Seve-
ral fine paintings by the great masters of art adorn the
dwelling, and birds of varied plumage, admirably preserved,
form characteristic ornaments for the house of England's
greatest naturalist. Among other interesting historical
objects, the Catholic visitor will examine with respect the
house clock of the great and good martyr Chancellor Sir
Thos. Moro. There is a portrait of this pious and eminent
knight byHolbein,which, with the clock, were brought into
this family by the marriage of Anne More of Barnborouesh
with Charles Waterton, already mentioned.
We must not omit the particular attraction of 'Walton
Hall. This historic house is distinguished as the chosen
seat of Charles Waterton, one of the most practical s ientific
ornithologists of the age ; not a mere amateur in the usual
sense, but one who has dared every danger, shrunk from no
toil, spared no expense in the acquisition and dissemination
of the knowledge of birds. He has climbed-the loftiest
trees, ranged the dreary swamp, pursued wild beasts over
hills and dales; followed the windings of creeks and sea
shores, and got himself let down tremendous precipices in
quest of zoological knowledge. He passed years in the bad
climates of Demerara, Guiana, and other distant lands,
and has given his Wanderings to the public to enlighten the
ignorant and instruct the lovers of natural history. His
application of the solution of corrosive sublimate in alcohol
to his specimens, as a preservative from insects, alone en-
titles him to be ranked as a benefactor to science, and the
admirable collection at Walton Hall attests the value of his
discovery.
While wandering over remote regions, observing the
habits of animals when living, and thereby being able to
give back the semblance of life to the skins when dead, Mr
Waterton resolved, on his return from Guiana, to open
his domain in England freely to all comers, whether bird
or beast, and, by affording them a liberal supply of food,
and a safe resting-place, make the experiment of restoring
the harmony of Eden, where all dwelt in amity. He tells
us his success :—" After years of attention to the economy
of birds, I have succeeded in getting the barn owl, the
heron, the jackdaw, the magpie, the carrion crow, the mal-
lard, the pheasant, the starling, the woodpecker, the ox-eye
titmouse, the water hen, the thrush, and the blackbird, to
build their nests, and take away their young in safety, at a
stone's throw of each other."* Fortunately he had the
power equal to the will to give effect to his humane and in-
teresting project. A lake spreads its mirror-like surface,
with islands dotting its bosom, fringed with weeping wil-
lows, and verdant laws, with groves musical with birds, and
affording shelter to the aquatic fowl. Trees in towering
pride stand alone, or in groups, suited either for solitude,
or the birds of a feather that flock together. In the ivy-
mantled remains of the old gate tower, an almost in-
credible number of ringdoves, starlings, redbreasts, spar-
rows, and other small birds live together in perfect har-
mony, and herons, shy and easily frightened, may be
seen during the day standing on one leg, in statue-
like steadfastness, along the course of a rivulet spe-
cially prepared for their comfort. For the better pro-
tection of the objects of his life-long solicitude, Mr
Waterton caused the domain to be enclosed by a lofty wall,
of circular range enclosing about 260 acres, including the
house and lake. This was completed in 1826, and a teles-
cope of great power is mounted in an upper room, which
enables the eye to sweep the surface of the lake and grounds
adjacent. It is most interesting to look through this at the
birds which cluster in scores. On the lake are Egyptian
and Canadian geese, ducks, mallards, widgeon, and teal.
An occasional cormorant and other marine birds visit their
fresh water cousins, and love this quiet retreat, while water
hens, usually so shy, run under the windows of the house,
despite the vigilance of a pair of Egyptian geese, who seem
to consider this a peculiar privilege for themselves, and
drive all other intrusive birds away. As May be supposed
the kindly owner meets a welcome reception when he goes
among the objects of his care. No sooner does he emerge
from the house than be is followed by a numerous train
clamorous for his notice, and no conqueror ever received
more vociferous greeting. Birds flock and beasts follow his
steps, and the sunshine of the heart is his best recompense
—a madams which we earnestly hope may be clouded by
no sorrow hero or hereafter.

* Letter to 'William Svvainson, Esq., 'Wakefield, 1837,

A CAPITAL IDEA.—It seems to us, says our con-
temporary the _Examiner most ingeniously, as if Mr Bright
had stolen all Mr Roebuck's radicalism and republicanism,
and that Mr Roebuck has somehow or other got all the
patriotism and conservatism which ought to have fallen to
Mr Bright's share.

A Wortn ABOUT NOSFS.—A side view of the face,
as you stand a little behind the person you look at,
is the best view, next to looking into the pupil of the eye,
to discover passionsby. Talents appear as often in the shwe
of the nose as in any other feature. A long nose, very sharp
at the end, marks superiority, whether it turns up or down,
( 9., Edmund Burke, Gerald Hamilton, William Pitt, all '
turn up—the aquilines are generally more sagacious. The
sensible or foolish feature in every face, like the active
muscle, is very various; sometimes tho seat or throne of
reason, or memory, or passion is in th,3 forehead, sometimes
in the brow, now mote frequently in the eye, again in the
nose; the mouth has it often. It is sometimes in the jaw
and chin. The large, broad Indian chin, as Grattan's and
Stewart's, the painter, is always indicative of genius,—.Eari
of Cionnies Diary.

67)
unrt elraffyrt
t 4 I

HER MAJESTY.

On Thursday her Majesty, accompanied by the
Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and the Princess
Helena, left Balmoral and drove to Allanquoich•
Ponies and attendants had been previously sent on
from Balmoral, and, on the arrival of the royal
party, they mounted and rode nearly to the summit
of Glenquoich. Here luncheon was served, and
after having enjoyed a walk through the wild and
p:cturckque distract around, her Majesty, the dub:o
and duchess, and the princess returned to Balmoral
I by way of Mar Lodge and the Linn of Dee, where
the beautiful scenery surrounding the falls was con-
templated for some time. The horses were changed
at the Inverc,-.uld Arms Hotel, where a large con-
course of people assembled, and in a few minutes
the journey to Balmoral was resumed. A fine day
favoured the excursion.

His Royal Highness Prince Humbert.
Prince Humbert, Crown Prince of Italy, arrived
at the Waterloo terminus of the South Western
RAilway yesterday forenoon from Southampton,
accompanied by his Excellency the Italian Minister
(the Marquis d'Azeglio) and a large suite.
Their Imperial Highnesses the Prince Napoleon
and the Princess Ciotilde (Prince Humbert's sister)
accompanied his royal highness to England, and
although most of the suite resorted to the Dolphin
Hotel at Southampton, the prince himself and the
Marquis d'Azeglio slept on board the yacht during
Sunday night.
Prince Humbert, the Marquis d'Azeglio, the
members of the Legation, and the noble and gallant
gentlemen in the suite of his royal highness, imme'
diately on their arrival in town proceeded to the
residence of the Italian Legation in Grosvenor
street.

Between one and two o'clock Viscount Palmerston
paid a visit to the prince at the Legation. We
Excellency the Portuguese Minister and M. Santos,
the Marquis de Cadore (the French Charg6
d'Affaires), together with the Viscount de Contadesi
Viscount de Virel, Count Montmarin, and the
Consul-General of Italy (Mr. J. B. Heath), paid
visits to his royal highness.
In the afternoon the prince, accompanied by the
Marquis d'Azeglio and a limited number of his
suite, took a drive round the outskirts of the me'
tropolis. The prince first visited the Zoological
Gardens in the Regent's-park, and on leaving the
gardens drove by St. John's-wood, Westbourne•
place, and Hyde•park to Grosvenor-place, through
St. James's-park, down the Strand, and by
way of Wellington-street and Long-acre to Gros'
venor-street.
In the evening his royal highness honoured ViS.
count and Viscountess Palmerston with his company
at dinner at Cambridge-house, Piccadilly. The
prince arrived shortly after eight o'clock, eccom`
panied by the Marquis d'Azeglio, the whole of tl.O
prince's suite, and the personnel of the Legation.
There were also present, to meet his royal highness,
the Marquis de Cadore, Lord Napier, the Marquis
and Marchioness St. Germans, the Right Hon•
ourable William and Mrs Cowper, Mrs Locket
&c. The prince and company did not leave until
after eleven o'clock.
His royal highness, with a numerous suite, v►ill
leave London, for Doncaster, this morning, by the
9.15 train, on the Great Northern Railway.

The Brunnens of Nassau.
SCIIWALBACH, NASSAU, Sept. 10.
This quiet little watering place has been oil:
usually enlivened this season by the presence 01'
two Etnpresses. The Empress of Russia was here
from the 15th of July to the 23d of August, and
now the Empress of the French is also come to
take the benefit of the tonic steel waters. She leg
St. Cloud by a special train, at 8 p.m., on the 6111
inst., and travelling by Forbsch, Bingen, Mayence:
and Frankfort, arrived at Wiesbaden, without
changing carriages, at 1 p.m. on the following OP
The Duke of Nassau had sent a state coach to re:
ceive her, but she declined the ceremony, sed
..
mounted at once into a hackney carriage, in whie'
she arrived here at 3 p.m. It had only been macl4
known a few hours before that she intended to
come here, and the place was taken quite by sari
prise. An attempt was made to get up a triumph°,
arch, but it was not ready in time, and it was erected
on the wrong road, as she was expected to come
Eltville. Moreover, the band, which always attend'
here during the season, bad no copy of " Part°
pour la Syrie," and no time to procure one ; and hat
it not been for the presence here of an Eugliell
bachelor of music, who arranged it expressly fel
them at an hour's,neCce, this important part of tb
welcome would have been wanting. The Eropre°
travels incognita, under the name of La Conale°l
de Pierrefonds, and occupies a pretty little ho l°
close above the Wein Brunnen, which many vibl
have been here will recognise as the Villa Herber
She has with her two Court ladies, three gentlenle
and 17 servants.
The day her Majesty arrived it poured with rail
but, nothing daunted, she went out and took he
first draught and her first walk the same evenjoi
She drinks at the Wein Brunnen morning and ever
ing, bathes at midday in an ordinary bath at 0
bath-house, and takes the usual promenades all°
the "11608 just like any other visitor, in the simPle
and most unceremonious way ; and I am glad test
the p2ople appreciate her condescension, and doe
crowd round or follow her. She appears sometirol
to walk as if she were rather weak, and uses a sore
walking-stick, but otherwise she looks well, and h
become rather inedned to embonpoint. Her dre
is said, by those who understand such things, to
simple but elegant, and the lower portion is of Ye
moderate dimensions, a fact which augurs welt
the comfort of the human race during next Yet
The well-known little Spanish peculiarity of WA
or meneo, which is well imitated by her lady atti
dants, at once distinguishes the Imperial party fr
all others. She is expected to stay here for a moo
although it is now getting late in the season.
The Duke of Nassau visited the Empress the
after her arrival, and it is reported that the
peror of the French will also come and see
during her stay.

One of the vacant Garters has been confer
upon the Marquis of Lansdowne. Lord Lovat will 1)
the vacant Itiband of the Thistle. Lord Lismore
the new Knight of St. Patrick.
THE ETNA.—This vessel, which will bring MU
from America, is a fast steamer, and will probs
arrive off Queenstown in the course of to-day. The
is subsidised by the United States Government to brit
mail, but that mail will not be landed at Queenstown tit
the vessel arrives there in time for an ordinary trai
Dublin that will catch a Kingston and Holyhead 1
steamer. The probability is therefore that Muller will
London via Liverpool. If the E6na arrives at Queenat
to-day and Muller is landed there, he will reach Lot
to-morrow ; if he is taken on to Liverpool he will read
metropolis on Thursday. Mr Briggs was murdered 01
9th of July ; Muller left England for America on tlao
the police started in pursuit of him, a distance of
miles, on the 24th of August; he was captured, and,
nearly a week's trial in New York, he was sent ba(
England; and on the lath of September, nearly ten
after the committal of the murder, Muller will roost
bably be in London to undergo his examination and
for the murder.
POISONED BY SPIRITS OF NAPIITIIA.—Last
Mr Richards, deputy coroner, held an inquest touch"'
death of Samuel Neal, aged 28. J. Neal, brother °
deceased. said that last Saturday evening his brotiv
turned home to No. 4, North-street, Whitechapel•
was very ill, and expired the next morning, Ile vi
assistant to a wholesale druggist, and had been ad'
to di ink for the last eight years, Dr. Lewellyn sid4
he had made a post-saw-tun examination of the dee'
The lungs were congested, and the coats of the et
°
were inflamed from drinking spirits of naphtha•.
deceased had evidently been in the habit of satisfYil
craving for drink by diluting the spirits of naphtl','
spirits of wine, and drinking them. lie had expire',
the effects of taking an overdose of spirits of napbt
L
verdict in accordance with the medical evidence 'A
turned by the jury.
SERIOUS CHARGE.--The English ship, °
Cooper, with mahogany from ISlanzauilla and lieW
put into Plymouth yesterday, Her steward, a 'l'
colour, had been seventeen days in irons on a
having poisoned the captain, and 411b6cquently tilc#
violence to the searaen,