History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

PEACE OF 1814 283
Abbey, and took a house at Kempsey, but went straight from Bath to Ladywood
House to pass the honeymoon. They came with post horses, and when
crossing a very lonely part of the Lickey Hills were stopped by highwaymen,
and the boxes fastened on to the back of the carriage were carried off. These
contained the best part of Mrs Lockhart Johnstone's very handsome trousseau,
and were never recovered. Yet on that road a gibbet, with the bones of a
man hung in chains for highway robbery and murder, still remained.
Peace being made with France and Napoleon sent to Elba, Lockhart took
his eldest daughter to a convent school at Rouen, where her grandmother was
educated in pre-revolution times; but when Louis XVIII. fled from Paris in
181 5, and the British Government still refused to recognise Napoleon, there
seemed a prospect of another long war, and he at once set out to bring her
home. As the mail packets had stopped, he hired a fishing boat at Southampton
and went up the Seine.
After the battle of Waterloo little Hannah returned to the convent, then
removed to Paris, and for three years more her companions were the daughters
of the marshals and general officers who had so long fought against this
country. Her cousin, Catherine, had been educated since 1805 at the school
of a French refugee, Madame Dupont, in Russell Square, which had not been
long built, and cornfields and gardens still covered the sites of Woburn and
Tavistock Squares, and all beyond to Islington and Hampstead. This kindly
mentor was as enthusiastic as any Englishwoman over the victories which
restored Louis XVIII., and seems to have gained the permanent affection of
her pupils. Having no children of her own, she went to the Foundling
Hospital and selected the prettiest she could find for an adopted daughter,
and young Eliza Dupont, as she was called, grew up in the School. When
the Allied Sovereigns came to England in 18 14, Madame Dupont with her
twelve pupils were conspicuous among those who greeted the visitors in front
of Buckingham Palace and at the various entertainments where they were
present ; but the event abruptly closed the establishment, for Madame returned
to France.
From Edward Johnstone to his daughter :
" Dear Catherine,— I suppose you will have been so much occupied by the
rejoicings for peace, and the arrivals of Kings and Emperors, that you will
scarcely have had time to think of us country people, and indeed I am very
glad you have an opportunity of witnessing such interesting scenes. We have
had splendid illuminations in Birmingham. Edward and James saw them
both on Monday and Tuesday, and on your return will give you a better
account of them than I can. I write now to inquire when your vacation
begins, as Mrs Mynors [of Weatheroak Hall] has a friend coming from London
about the end of the month, with whom you may travel if you have made no
other arrangement. . . . We unite in best remembrance to Madame Dupont,
and love to yourself. Yours affectionately, E. Johnstone.
" Thursday, June 9, 1814."