The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-09-18

LONDON, Sept. II. /;
|fCOBI time this month the historic es.
tate OF Charley, the patrimony OF
- Lord Fcrrers. will be sold by public
auction.
The name or Ferrcrs Is among the very
Oldest in English records. and this. II for
no other reason, gives exceptional inter-
est TO the approaching gale OF the Stat
Yorkshire estate, which has for centuries
descended with the blood OF the Ferrers
family. .
For centuries Charley was celebrated
Tor It's white cattle. and COO years ago the
legend existed that when black calf was
born In the herd disaster would foil ow the
family. from whom the estates would
pass. .53
The legend began to be respected In 1922,
after the battle OF Burton Bridge between
Edward II and his revolted barons, with
a Ferrers among them. "A black calf be-
ing born that year at Charley. and the
second downfall of the house ensuing. this
wns imputed to the black quadruped
(Which was instantly killed. rather than
to the earl's impolitic patriotism.
Last year Lord Ferrers,A in utter con-
tempt OF the legend. bred black cattle, and
now the ipeasantry around regard the sale
OF the estate as fulfillment Of the proph-
ccy.
Mary. Queen &c OF Scots suffered at
Charley one OF her many spells OF Inn
prisonment in English houses. and, as
report tells US, made a bed there: that
Is to say, embroidered q bed cover. She
was not confined in the castle, which
was then as now mere ruin on a mound.
but Ia the mansion house near TO titan
a depressing soJourn 1t must have been
for her, II one may assume that the pres
emit thicket of som bre yews. frs and lhol-
lies about the building is an inheritance
in kind from the sixteenth century.
Save for Its memories. the house Is not
interesting; Just a solid. sober. mellowed
old English home. such. as Engltshmen's
fox-hunting ancestors were content to
sleep and drink In after their outside
pleasures.
& BY; marriage Charley passed to the
shirleys, who were oppressed by Crom-
well as Royallsts, and later rewarded by
Charles II with the revival OF the Fer
rers barony. The Earl Ferrers Of Queen
Anne's time had fifteen sons and twelve
daughters, which tended to impoyerish-
ment. His grandson. 8the notorious Lau-
renee, Earl Ferrers, of the Newgate Cal
cndar, left sad blot on the name in
that murder OF his steward Cat Stanton,
In LeIcestershire) which brought him to
Tyburn In l7e0, attired In white satin and
silver and riding in landau drawn by
six horses. Horace FWalpole's description
OF the execution Is one OF the best things
In his Letters and 1t is worth remem-
bering that here for the first time in
England sinking platform was used,
devised BY the family that their kins-
man might not swing OF from a cart
like plebeian culprit.'' The drop OF
eighteen inches given by this device was
not enough. and four minutes elapsed be-
fore the death.
Society Amateurs. 4
4 The series OF three entertainments
which the Countess OF LondesborouGh
MS arranged for the cricket festival at
scarborough began at the Scarborough
H!ppodrome last evening.
The building was crowded to Its utmost
capacity with hundreds OF fashionable
visitors. Lady Lond esboroughs and her
party occupied all the stalls. The scenic
efrects and the dresses were beautiful,