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THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER
THE TAPESTRIED
CHAMBER
by Sir Walter Scott
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THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER
INTRODUCTION。
This is another little story from The Keepsake of 1828。 It was told to
me many years ago by the late Miss Anna Seward； who； among other
accomplishments that rendered her an amusing inmate in a country house；
had that of recounting narratives of this sort with very considerable effect…
…much greater； indeed； than any one would be apt to guess from the style
of her written performances。 There are hours and moods when most
people are not displeased to listen to such things； and I have heard some of
the greatest and wisest of my contemporaries take their share in telling
them。
AUGUST 1831
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THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER
THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER
The following narrative is given from the pen； so far as memory
permits； in the same character in which it was presented to the author's ear；
nor has he claim to further praise； or to be more deeply censured； than in
proportion to the good or bad judgment which he has employed in
selecting his materials； as he has studiously avoided any attempt at
ornament which might interfere with the simplicity of the tale。
At the same time； it must be admitted that the particular class of stories
which turns on the marvellous possesses a stronger influence when told
than when committed to print。 The volume taken up at noonday； though
rehearsing the same incidents； conveys a much more feeble impression
than is achieved by the voice of the speaker on a circle of fireside auditors；
who hang upon the narrative as the narrator details the minute incidents
which serve to give it authenticity； and lowers his voice with an affectation
of mystery while he approaches the fearful and wonderful part。 It was
with such advantages that the present writer heard the following events
related； more than twenty years since； by the celebrated Miss Seward of
Litchfield； who； to her numerous accomplishments； added； in a remarkable
degree； the power of narrative in private conversation。 In its present
form the tale must necessarily lose all the interest which was attached to it
by the flexible voice and intelligent features of the gifted narrator。 Yet
still； read aloud to an undoubting audience by the doubtful light of the
closing evening； or in silence by a decaying taper； and amidst the solitude
of a half… lighted apartment； it may redeem its character as a good ghost
story。 Miss Seward always affirmed that she had derived her information
from an authentic source； although she suppressed the names of the two
persons chiefly concerned。 I will not avail myself of any particulars I
may have since received concerning the localities of the detail； but suffer
them to rest under the same general description in which they were first
related to me； and for the same reason I will not add to or diminish the
narrative by any circumstance； whether more or less material； but simply
rehearse； as I heard it； a story of supernatural terror。
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THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER
About the end of the American war； when the officers of Lord
Cornwallis's army； which surrendered at Yorktown； and others； who had
been made prisoners during the impolitic and ill…fated controversy； were
returning to their own country； to relate their adventures； and repose
themselves after their fatigues； there was amongst them a general officer；
to whom Miss S。 gave the name of Browne； but merely； as I understood； to
save the inconvenience of introducing a nameless agent in the narrative。
He was an officer of merit； as well as a gentleman of high consideration
for family and attainments。
Some business had carried General Browne upon a tour through the
western counties； when； in the conclusion of a morning stage； he found
himself in the vicinity of a small country town； which presented a scene of
uncommon beauty； and of a character peculiarly English。
The little town； with its stately old church； whose tower bore
testimony to the devotion of ages long past； lay amidst pastures and
cornfields of small extent； but bounded and divided with hedgerow timber
of great age and size。 There were few marks of modern improvement。
The environs of the place intimated neither the solitude of decay nor the
bustle of novelty； the houses were old； but in good repair； and the
beautiful little river murmured freely on its way to the left of the town；
neither restrained by a dam nor bordered by a towing…path。
Upon a gentle eminence； nearly a mile to the southward of the town；
were seen； amongst many venerable oaks and tangled thickets； the turrets
of a castle as old as the walls of York and Lancaster； but which seemed to
have received important alterations during the age of Elizabeth and her
successor； It had not been a place of great size； but whatever
accommodation it formerly afforded was； it must be supposed； still to be
obtained within its walls。 At least； such was the inference which General
Browne drew from observing the smoke arise merrily from several of the
ancient wreathed and carved chimney…stalks。 The wall of the park ran
alongside of the highway for two or three hundred yards； and through the
different points by which the eye found glimpses into the woodland
scenery； it seemed to be well stocked。 Other points of view opened in
successionnow a full one of the front of the old castle； and now a side
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THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER
glimpse at its particular towers； the former rich in all the bizarrerie of the
Elizabethan school； while the simple and solid strength of other parts of
the building seemed to show that they had been raised more for defence
than ostentation。
Delighted with the partial glimpses which he obtained of the castle
through the woods and glades by which this ancient feudal fortress was
surrounded； our military traveller was determined to inquire whether it
might not deserve a nearer view； and whether it contained family pictures
or other objects of curiosity worthy of a stranger's visit； when； leaving the
vicinity of the park； he rolled through a clean and well…paved street； and
stopped at the door of a well…frequented inn。
Before ordering horses； to proceed on his journey； General Browne
made inquiries concerning the proprietor of the chateau which had so
attracted his admiration； and was equally surprised and pleased at hearing
in reply a nobleman named； whom we shall call Lord Woodville。 How
fortunate！ Much of Browne's early recollections； both at school and at
college； had been connected with young Woodville； whom； by a few
questions； he now ascertained to be the same with the owner of this fair
domain。 He had been raised to the peerage by the decease of his father a
few months before； and； as the General learned from the landlord； the term
of mourning being ended； was now taking possession of his paternal estate
in the jovial season of merry； autumn； accompanied by a select party of
friends； to enjoy the sports of a country famous for game。
This was delightful news to our traveller。 Frank Woodville had been
Richard Browne's fag at Eton； and his chosen intimate at Christ Church；
their pleasures and their tasks had been the same； and the honest soldier's
heart warmed to find his early friend in possession of so delightful a
residence； and of an estate； as the landlord assured him with a nod and a
wink； fully adequate to maintain and add to his dignity。 Nothing wa