The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-21
vIcIssITUDEs OF FORTUNE.
English Aristocratic Families That
Have Become Paupers.


Edinburgh Scotsman.
The story of vicissitudes of families Is
one of thrilling interest. 1t is a subject
which excdtes sympathy on account of its
personalities. The rise and fall of illus
trious houses not only furnish entertaining
and, interesting matter, but they have
also the advantage of awakening In the
reader spirit of emulation and perse-
verance given by the example of greatness
built UP by mans energy.
Even royalty has its ups and downs.
In 1887 the great-great-great-gra of
Margaret Plantagenet, daughter and
heiress of George, Duke Of Clarence, was
cobbler at Newport, a small town in
Shropshire Mr.. Stephen Penny, formerly
sexton at st. Georges, Hanover Square,
was descendant of Edward III. I'd
ward /. had among his lineal descendants
within quite recent years a butcher and
tollbar collector both entitled to quarter
the royal arms.
The ranks of aristooracy. too, constant
ly undergo marvellous changes. Very few
of the old historic names that once reign
ed powerful in the land still exist in a
male descendant. In the north of Eng
land these vicisitudes are brought about
chiefly by the strong commercial bent of
the people, which causes the wealth to
pass into new hands. 1t mas been re-
marked, too, that the oldest and best
families are found in the country towns
and places far from the busy haunts of
trade. The reason for this is obvious.
Inc prosperous commercial man VINO
wishes to retire buys himself an estate
but 1t Is generally near some town, for
his soul still longs for bricks and pave
ment and the busy hum of money making
Cromwells Reduced to Beggary.
The rise of the Cromwells is a story
which belongs to history, put the tale
of their fall Is perhaps not so well known
On the death Of Oliver Cromwell his son
Richard succeeded to the sovereign pow
er as unopposed as II he had descended
from long line of kings. Yet his reign
lasted only little over seven months
He subsequently lived abroad for a time
ana on his return No England assumed
the name of Clarke, and courted privacy
and retirement. Richard is described by
contemporary as little and very neat
old man, with most placid countenance,
the effect Of his innocent and unambitious
life. There il a story told of how Rich
ard, when quite an old man, witnessed
the coronation pageant of Queen Anne,
with a crowd of bystanders. One of them
struck by the splendor of the show cried
out to Cromwell, not knowing who ne
was: Did you ever see such a grand
coach before, frend?" Never was the
s seRliy. aui'i'y made since l sat in it my
Within a century after the great Oliver
reigned his descendants were reduced to
the depths of poverty and almost beg
ging their daily bread. Several of his
granddaughter children sank to the
lowest ebb of society. One saw her hus-
band die in the workhouse and she her
self died a pauper. One became the wife
of a butchers son and the other that
of shoemaker. Such is the instability
of human greatness.
A Countess Becomes a Tramp.
The Lindsays. Earls of Crawford in
Scotland, at one time affected royal state.
They held their courts and had their
heralds, and three times members of their
family married royalty. The twelfth Earl
OF Crawford brought ruin on the house
BY his reckless extravaganza. He died
prisoner in Edinburgh Castle in 1861, in
generated to prevent the further deple-
ton of the great family of which he was
chief. He left an orphan daughter as
heiress TO his poverty. This girl was ut
terly destitute and uncared for. She
received no education or training of any
sort. and ran about like a common gut
ter child. She eloped with a common
crier and became a tramp, living entirely
by begging. Her case was made known
TO Charles II. who granted her a pension
Of 100 pounds year but it is doubtful II
the miserable habits she had acquired al
lowed her to enjoy 1t as she might have
done. The earldom of Crawford has now
passed to another branch of the family,
by whom II Is most wOrthily represented.
The Ruined Cheslyns.
The story of the Cheslyns is pathetic.
Owners of a vast and wealthy estate in
LeiceEtershire. they were the favorites of
the countryside and welcome everywhere,
O0SlocS heePlHB an opSu MUSE them
selves. Mr.. Richard Cheslyn served the
office of High Sheriff and was a County
Magistrate. His wife was sister of the
Bishop of Killala. and he had one son
and three daughters. The son was the
pride OF all circles and the idol of his
own" while the daughter were the bellies
Of the county Thomas Moore, the great
poet, frequently visited the family and
sang IS Irish hIttl"s u its mombcrs
Mr.. Cheslya became involved in a law
suit and lost his wealth. His son, about
to marry well, found himsa IF INDECENT,
and finally married a miller's daughter,
by whom he left an only son. the last
of the Cheslyns, and an object of the
Herrick charity. Dick Cheslyn, as he
was called, bore his misfortunes with q
good humor and grace that won for him
the entry 10 many noble house. His
gaiety and his cheerfulness made him
welcome everywhere even at the very
houses whose owners were his patrons.
He wore the CASTOR clothes OF his grand
friends. yet always looked the gentle
man. He made no secret of his poverty
or the help he received. This coat" he
was once heard to say, was Radcliffe s;
these pants, Granby's; this waistcoat,