Birds of Passage

by Henrietta Clive

  Having come here by my own choice, how much I may dislike the country, I could remain here as I have done as patiently as I could the time you wish to remain and I must say what I have often expressed to my Brother, that you have in many ways made the place as comfortable as it could be, but it appears to me now that it would be at the real and serious risk of the health of both, if not the life of one, of the girls. The idea is so much on my mind that I can scarcely bear it. (Or did anything happen to that child equally dear to us both as we were happy or contented in our minds.) Though you have appeared so determined to stay a long time here, I hope you will not really do so and it is that which makes me feel it incumbent on myself to say so much to you. You have seen fatal instances, weak nerves and constitution in your own family. I am well aware of all the miseries and inconveniences of being absent from you and feel them most sensibly, yet under such circumstances it appears to me really indispensable that you may not imagine it is a wish for England added to the dislike of this country. I have not the least desire to be in London, but to remain at Walcot only … Let me entreat you to consider what I have said and not to be displeased with me. My mind is in a state of the greatest anxiety and I shall be glad to talk to you on the subject whenever you please.

  Ever, my dear Lord,

  your very affectionate

  H. A. C.

  Charly provided some information during the final days of the journey when the travellers continued on their way through a flat, low country with the sea on one side and, on the other side, scattered villages and temples.

  October 14th, The Seven Pagodas, Charly’s journal

  The rocks had been carved with figures of all kinds; some of them were so much buried in sand that it was not possible to dig round them … A short distance away we found an elephant, partly buried, but wonderfully well carved so far as we could see; the work must have been laborious for the stone is so hard. The natives no longer had instruments for such an undertaking, nor could they give any history of their origin. They [the rock carvings] occupied a large space of ground … Papa, having met us before we came here, was so pleased with the carvings, he wished to purchase one, of two monkeys very well executed, but the natives would not part with them.

  It rained very much during their journey to Covelong, and the travellers were glad to find themselves housed in an old ruined Roman Catholic church. They dined at one end of it, and had their beds put at the other. The evening was fair, and they took a walk by the seaside. Some dancing girls performed before them until they went to supper. On October 17th the party had a wet morning to go to Madras. They breakfasted at a pretty village, and then proceeded to the Garden House.

  The entire distance that Henrietta, Harry, Charly and Anna had travelled in their journey was one thousand and fifty-three and a half miles.

  Soon after their return to Madras, they moved to the Ameer Bagh while great improvements were made to the Garden House. There was no apartment for great receptions and they were obliged to go into the Government House in the fort when such things were to be given, or have a temporary erection in the garden. They remained at the Bagh until they left for England in March 1801, some five months later.

  December 30th, Fort St George, Lord Clive to the Earl of Powis

  The last letter received from your lordship is of the 9th May brought by … the Rottingham. Your account of the boys therein contained is most satisfactory. As this letter mentions not your own health we should have concluded it to have been according to our wishes had not one in June from Wm Strachey informed us of the serious indisposition you had been afflicted with. The same dispatch however brought the consolatory intelligence of you having quickly and lively recovered confirmed by a few lines of the 3rd July from Wilding at Brighton. You having been able to resume the exercises of driving and riding and return of your gaiety and spirits notwithstanding so favourable a result of an unpleasant attack, we looked with no common anxiety for the confirmed account of your health by the Georgiana or by land dispatch.

  From the time of the reception of these accounts Lady Clive’s thoughts have been anxiously turned toward England and other reasons have since contributed to induce me to give the fullest consideration to her opinion and wishes upon the important subject of her return to Europe. Notwithstanding what I must feel upon such an occasion and that I regard the separation from my family more particularly the female part of it as a real misfortune. The result has been the adoption of the measure for a conviction upon my mind of its wisdom and propriety. My daughters are now in great health and spirits and I think Lady C is well though she has fear about herself. The girls however arrived at a period of life when every attention should be directed to the confirming of … the constitution and there is no doubt that during last hot season and even since the commence of what we call the cool season they have at times manifested such a degree of languor and debility and such an incapacity to support fatigue as to excite serious alarm in Lady C and myself and to determine our opinion of the inexpedience of exposing their health to the effect of this climate during another year.

  Upon the very day of the morning of which I had fully discussed this plan with Lady C, Harriet had an attack of a very unpleasant appearance, which though such a complaint is not peculiar to this climate would have determined my opinion of the propriety of the voyage to Europe had that not been before decided. She fell back during the time of dinner. Mr Thomas and I carried her in to an adjoining room. This attack had the appearance of being slightly epileptic though it had not the stronger character of that disorder which I have unfortunately known too much of not to have had my attention forcibly directed having circumstances that happened. There has not been any distress nor any symptoms indicative thereof. I hope what happened may be ascribed to temporary debility and not having a permanent course and have expectation of great advantage to the whole party from the voyage and sea air. Mr Thomas is to attend them. Excepting to your lordship I shall not mention this unpleasant occurrence to any not even my most intimate confidential friends in England. I have not as yet been able to engage a passage but have written to Bengal and am in constant expectation of ships from England.

  My own health is good, better in my opinion than it would have been at home. Grievous as this separation will be, anxious as I am about my friend’s health, I am still satisfied he will approve of my steadfast adherence to determined plans both on public and private grounds …

  Our love to the boys. Your nieces look to share your protection with them. However amicable the boys, I venture to say the girls will not have less claim to your regards if Lady C: does not spoil them upon the passage.

  Affectionately yours,

  Clive

  1801

  Aboard the Castle Eden

  ‘The mystery of love, hid behind the veil; search

  For it amidst the intoxicated drinkers of Wine

  For such things belong not to religious men of eminent degree.’

  Hafiz, translated from Persian by Lady Henrietta Clive

  On Saturday March 21st, Henrietta, Charly, Harry and Anna Tonelli boarded the Castle Eden, an Indiaman commanded by Captain Cummings. At 12 o’clock the ship weighed anchor and was out of sight of land within two or three hours. Along with two other ships, the Sir Edward Hughes (Captain Urmston, the Commodore, a naval officer, in this case a Captain holding the rank temporarily) and the Prince William Henry (Captain Basket), the Castle Eden proceeded to Vizagapatam to take in goods for trade with England. On March 23rd they arrived off Masulipattam and took in some of the ship’s cargo. Charly found it ‘amusing to see the English sailors on one side of the ship taking in the bales, and the lascars on the other, striving to see which could do most’.

  Charly to Lord Clive

  My dear Papa – I hope you did not feel the worse for crossing the surf at that time of day in which you left us. Mrs Baker told me she watched you safe on shore. I hope your leg is not the worse for your excursion. I thought it very much swelled
when you were on board the Castle Eden. Captain Urmston spoke to us and asked after Mamma yesterday morning. The first day I did not feel at all well at times; I had such a bad headache that yesterday I took a little walk with Signora Anna on the deck which did us a great deal of good. Her fever still plagues her at night. We have none been really seasick except poor Mrs Hart who suffers a great deal. Mrs Baker is uncommonly well. Cockatoo and the rest of the beasts are very well, but the ship has the same effect on them as on Mamma for they sleep more than they are awake. I hope the cow, bull and my poor beasts are very well. Instead of feeding them in the morning and evening, I feed my birds which makes up a little, for I miss them very much.

  Adieu, my dear Papa.

  I am your dutiful and affectionate

  Charlotte Florentia Clive

  Pray excuse this writing for I can hardly see and the ship is very much on one side. Signora Anna begs I will present her kindest wishes to you and hopes you are quite well.

  Monday morning, March 23rd, Henrietta to Lord Clive

  I must write a few lines to you, my dear Lord, tho it is all I can do. Everybody is well, in general no sickness, except Harry once. She is now well and looks so, but cannot yet move much about. I have never left the couch nor have been able to sit up at all. Signora A is quite well except a little fever as she had at Madras. The weather has been very quiet and calm and we are near Masulipattam where we are to be in two hours. The Captain is extremely civil and sends newspapers without end and, indeed, we are as comfortable as we can be. Mrs Baker dined with us yesterday, sitting by my couch. Mrs Hart is the worst, not getting up from her cabin. Charlotte is quite well and feeding the birds finds complete occupation … The ship is very quiet and there the people disposed to be civil, in short, I believe all will do well but they are not in such complete order as might be. We lost sight of Madras about 3 o’clock on Saturday and Ennore about 5 and I only wish the time was come for your doing the same. I think of you very, very often.

  God bless you, my dear Lord.

  Ever your very affectionate

  H. A. C.

  We shall be glad of the telescope and Mr Cartwright says that you did not speak to him about the papers concerning Lt George Stuart. Therefore you will find them in the desk near your door of which Captain Wills has the key. Perhaps you will have time to send them by Mr Woodcock, who I understand is to follow in a packet to Vizagapatam, Adieu.

  Monday morning 9 o’clock.

  March 23rd, Henrietta to Lord Clive

  We are all anxious to hear that your leg was not the worse for the ship. The girls both write to you which is a proof they are well …

  at 10 minutes before 11

  Since I wrote this morning we have heard from the Sir Edward Hughes. Mr Dick says we shall sail tonight and be at Narsapore tomorrow morning, if it is so we shall be many days sooner at Vizagapatam than was expected and we shall leave it on the 1st April which I thought was as well to tell you that your letters might be in time there. Pray remember to send those I copied to Probert and Hardman. We have more motion and less wind than yesterday as we are at anchor.

  God bless you.

  Ever your very affectionate

  H. A. C.

  ½ past 1, Monday March 23

  March 24th, Charly’s journal

  About the middle of the day we set sail from Masulipatam, and at five o’clock anchored off Narsapoor, five miles from the shore. March 25th The surf was so high, they were afraid of sending the bales of cloth, for fear they should be damaged.

  March 25th, Henrietta to Lord Clive

  We left Masulipatam yesterday at 11 o’clock and arrived here at five after a great deal of motion which has deranged us a little. The swell is still very troublesome but we are in hopes to get away today to Coringa where there is a better situation. The boats are sometimes apart right before they can pass the surf but there is a report that they are coming. I saw Captain Urmston yesterday. He does not think we shall clear the coast before the 4th or 5th. Mr Dick cannot make them do what is impossible. We are pretty well. I am always upon the couch except now while I write. Harry is uncomfortable sometimes. Charlotte eats a great deal and is in high spirits. Mrs Baker dines with us every day. Mrs Hart I have not yet seen. Everybody else visits her by the little staircase. General de Meuron is in high spirits. The only grievance I have heard was that the first day no chair could be found that would contain him. We are comfortable. I heard the calking is very bad, but likely to mend and want of management.

  Everybody’s love to you, God bless you.

  I cannot write any more my head is so strange.

  God bless you, my dear Lord.

  Ever your very affectionate

  H. A. C.

  March 28th, off Coringa Bay, Henrietta to Lord Clive

  We passed thru very uncomfortable days and nights off Narsapoor with a great deal of swells some wind at anchor. I did not leave my bed for two days. Harriet was sick yesterday. In the middle of the day we sailed and all revived directly. I have been once on deck last night for half an hour, but was weak and poor Charlotte is not quite well today but for that there is another cause besides a little sickness.

  This morning we are now near Coringa and the boats are coming with the bales. It is a vile beginning perpetually. Anchors and sallies make us very uncomfortable.

  Yesterday there was a signal for a passenger dead on board the Sir Edward Hughes, but we do not know yet who it is. In general we are pretty well arranged. The Captain very civil, but his servants without method and not good; however, it is all mending.

  Mrs Baker is very well. We open our doors all day and air all together with her. Mrs Hart I have not yet met but I believe she will come up today. General de Meuron has great spirits. Tho we have been so near shore all Thursday we have not profited not having had anything from Narasapoor. There are very pretty fields in sight from Coringa. We expect to remain here today and tomorrow till evening and perhaps get to Vizgapatam on Monday morning. We are all in great joy at the thoughts of dry land.

  Already I have a hope to meet with a letter from you. I am anxious to hear of your leg.

  I have been obliged to bring Sally to sleep in the stern gallery. Her cabin is very close with a heap of things of her companion who is not very amiable and the child very noisy. This is our coast history.

  Charlotte has been till today in great spirits and very comfortable. Harry quiet and taking care of us. Signora A, still with a little fever. I will endeavour to tell you anything more than I can before these are sent away. The girls desire their loves to you. They are very glad to find that none of the feathered tribe are sick. Cockatoo bears his fate very well. The grey mare is in perfect health and the other mare never leaves her habitation. Mr Read sent me the handle of a country plough which was very lavish and as I was too rushed to unpack it I sent it to you. If it is worth it, send it at some time to me, but I had scruples about room. He likewise sent some very fine feathers and a beautiful stuffed bird.

  God bless you, my dear Lord.

  Ever your very affectionate

  H. A. C.

  Vizagapatam, India

  ‘My elephant spread great horror in the fleet.’

  March 30th, Charly’s journal

  At four in the morning we set sail from Coringa, and saw the land all the way to Vizagapatam, where we arrived at 9 o’clock. We also saw the Ouxa hills. Vizagapatam appeared very pretty by moonlight. We saw Captain Blackmore’s house on the Dolphin’s nose, a high rock overlooking the sea.

  March 31st, Vizagapatam, Henrietta to Lord Clive

  We anchored here last night at half past ten o’clock and are now at Mr Malcolm’s. Very happy to be on shore and all well. It is a very excellent home and we are much at our ease. I write only a few words that you may have news we are so far safe. There is not a letter yet from you. I am very anxious to hear of you. We shall probably stay till Sunday at the latest. I have received a pair of Swiss horses from Captain Evans as a present to me.
They are famous having been given by the Emperor of Delhi to Lord Cornwallis and as he could not receive them they are come to me. Mr Webbe’s elephant is here I have now seen him. You see our animals do not diminish. The girls are well: Charlotte a little delicate and Harry quite well on land. I have my time to say God bless you as Mr Dick is going to take this with him to the Fort, which is 4 miles distance.

  Ever, my dear Lord,

  your very affectionate,

  H. A. C.

  April 1st, Vizagapatam, Henrietta to Lord Clive

  Just after I had sent away my letter yesterday yours arrived to Mr Cartwright and another this morning. Tho’ none is yet arrived to myself, I rejoice at your being well. There is a vessel in sight, which is supposed to be Mr Woodcock and the packet, and that he may bring more news. We are very comfortable again: and in a very airy house, which we have to ourselves. They say it is never warmer than at present, which is perfectly to be endured 831⁄2 where I am writing. The girls are well. Signora A has her fever increased, I think, by Thomas giving her too small a quantity of bark to be of the least service to her and she alarmed about herself extremely. We are to remain here till Sunday or Monday. I hear that Captain Urmston has a mind to go into the Cape for which I am very sorry. It will prolong our voyage and send us into the worst weather. I am afraid it is for the abominable market. One of the Frenchmen, that Major Waring said he should have thought ought to be hanged, got away last night with the long boat undiscovered. I am glad of it: he had a vile countenance.