Lord Exmouth's Commission: Part 4
Feb. 26th, 2011 10:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anteros_lmcTitle: Lord Exmouth's Commission: Royal Coburg Theatre, Lambeth, 1817
Author: Anteros
Characters: John Thomas Serres, Viscount Lord Exmouth, Horatio Hornblower, Barbara Wellesley.
Rating: R
Notes: John attempts one last business venture to save his family from ruin and a meeting with an old acquaintance results in an unexpected commission.
Investing in the new theatre in Lambeth in 1817 was a last desperate effort to appease Olive’s creditors and generate sufficient income to support his daughters. Serres had expended what little remained of his interest and capital and poured every last penny into the venture along with his business partners James King and Daniel Dunn, formerly of the Surrey Theatre. John knew that if they were unable to raise the requisite subscriptions and the theatre failed he would be forced to return to the debtors’ prison, destitute and bankrupt. But for once he had reason to be cautiously optimistic. Princess Caroline and Prince Leopold had taken out a subscription and consented to the theatre being named the Royal Coburg in their honour. Furthermore, Lord Exmouth had agreed to grant them an interview to discuss the Algiers panorama, which was to be the centrepiece of the theatre's grand Marine Saloon. The scene of the glorious victory at Algiers had been Serres’ own idea, and Dunn and King, aware of the continuing vogue for marine panoramas, had enthusiastically agreed.
It was twenty years since Serres had last seen Edward Pellew. Then he had been captain of the frigate Indefatigable, now he was Viscount Lord Exmouth Vice Admiral of the Blue, the honoured and feted hero of Algiers. John remembered Pellew as a spirited and energetic man though one you crossed at your peril. Consequently he was more than a little apprehensive about the interview, as he had been warned that Exmouth had little patience or desire for public laurels. John presented him with a series of watercolour sketches illustrating potential vistas and compositions for the panorama. His initial apprehensions appeared justified as sketch after sketch portraying the Admiral in various triumphant attitudes on the quarterdeck of the Queen Charlotte were discarded in no uncertain terms.
John was on the point of despairing when he presented a final scene of the Anglo Dutch fleet anchored before the mole, the harbour and town of Algiers ablaze beyond. Only the masts of the Queen Charlotte and the flash of her broadside were visible through the pall of smoke and the foreground was taken up with a flotilla of gunboats and bomb vessels. The Admiral himself was nowhere to be seen. Exmouth studied the sketch in silence for what seemed like an eternity. "Yes. This one. This is as it was. This is fitting." His tone was adamant but John could not help thinking there was something of both remembrance and regret in his voice. At the same time however John had also noticed King and Dunn glancing at each other in horror and was unsurprised when King interrupted the Admiral’s reverie.
“Your Lordship, if I may, fitting though it undoubtedly is as a monument to your magnificent achievement, I fear such a spirited and energetic portrayal of your unparalleled victory might perhaps prove a little distressing to the finer sensibilities of the young ladies in our audience.”
John held his breath, expecting of a full broadside from the Admiral, however he simply sighed quietly and handed the painting back.
“If you insist gentlemen, I know little of the sentiments and sensibilities of theatregoers in this day and age.”
A compromise was reached and it was agreed that the panorama would portray the vista of Algiers with Britannia and Neptune triumphant.
Lord Exmouth clearly had neither the time nor the humour for pleasantries or conversation and departed immediately after the interview concluded. His carriage was about to draw away when John raced down the steps, hailed the driver and pressed the watercolour sketch of the battle into his hand.
“Please give this to the Admiral with my fondest regards.”
The driver nodded and the carriage pulled away.
Serres had cause to regret his impetuous generosity over the following week. He had barely a shilling left to keep body and soul together and the sketch could have been readily sold to tide him over.
Serres livelihood was sufficiently precarious to leave little opportunity to dwell on the interview with Lord Exmouth so has surprised to receive a personal letter from the Admiral before the month was out. He apologised for his brusque manner, explaining that he had no desire for public approbation. He thanked John for the sketch, adding that it was a fitting memorial to the brave men who had risked their lives at Algiers from the smallest midshipman to the highest rank.
To Serres' great astonishment the Admiral went on to say that he remembered him well from his time aboard his dear Indefatigable. He enquired if Serres would consider undertaking a private commission on his behalf? Were any of the sketch books from his time aboard the frigate still in his possession and if so, could he be persuaded to part with one? Furthermore would it be possible to paint a portrait from the sketches if any had survived? Perhaps he might remember a young acting lieutenant that had served on the Indefatigable at the time of his own commission? Kennedy, his name was. The portrait was intended to be a gift. John knew the recipient even before he read the name “Hornblower” in Exmouth’s fine regular hand. The letter concluded by offering to pay the full cost of the commission in advance and the figure underscored in the margin was sufficiently generous to make John’s heart to leap.
Serres had no trouble remembering Hornblower as by coincidence he had seen him a matter of months before. Princess Caroline and Prince Leopold had held a glittering gala ball to which he had been graciously invited. Court and quality were all present and Serres was unsurprised to see several members of the Wellesley family, including Lady Barbara with her husband Sir Horatio Hornblower. John had read of their marriage following Hornblower’s improbable return from France. Lady Barbara was my no means the youngest or the fairest of the distinguished ladies that graced the gala but she had a poise and presence that drew the eye. Any man would have been honoured to have such a wife on his arm. But to Serres’ eye there was haunted air to the man by her side. Hornblower looked much older than Serres expected even accounting for the intervening years and the hardships of life at sea. His formerly lanky frame had filled and thickened and his dark hair was streaked with grey, but it was his eyes that showed the toll of the years. There was a shadow there that John recognised. He had seen it years before in the distant blue eyes of a young officer, and he saw it every morning in his own glass. Serres knew it as the expression of a man struggling to live when he has lost the very thing he lived for.
Serres watched Hornblower and Lady Barbara across the floor, the one gracious and engaging the other formal and remote. He made no attempt to approach the couple and left shortly afterwards when the ill-concealed glances and whispering about “Princess Olive” became intolerable. As John made his way towards the door he caught Hornblower’s eye in passing and for a moment there was a spark of recognition. The captain inclined his head in a curt bow and smiled. And for a moment, just for a moment, the shadow lifted and John was forcibly and unexpectedly reminded a young lieutenant laughing in a most unseemly fashion as he tried and failed to pull a jolly boat in a straight line.
Historical Notes
J.T Serres was personally responsible for securing the patronage of Princess Caroline and Prince Leopold for the Royal Coburg Theatre which exists to this day as the distinguished Old Vic Theatre.
No images survive of the grand Marine Saloon of the Royal Coburg however the panorama is described in Serres obituary as follows:
There is no evidence that Serres contacted Lord Exmouth regarding the Algiers panorama but it is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
Exmouth's reference to the "smallest midshipman to the highest rank" is taken from his own despatch following the battle of Algiers.
Author: Anteros
Characters: John Thomas Serres, Viscount Lord Exmouth, Horatio Hornblower, Barbara Wellesley.
Rating: R
Notes: John attempts one last business venture to save his family from ruin and a meeting with an old acquaintance results in an unexpected commission.
Investing in the new theatre in Lambeth in 1817 was a last desperate effort to appease Olive’s creditors and generate sufficient income to support his daughters. Serres had expended what little remained of his interest and capital and poured every last penny into the venture along with his business partners James King and Daniel Dunn, formerly of the Surrey Theatre. John knew that if they were unable to raise the requisite subscriptions and the theatre failed he would be forced to return to the debtors’ prison, destitute and bankrupt. But for once he had reason to be cautiously optimistic. Princess Caroline and Prince Leopold had taken out a subscription and consented to the theatre being named the Royal Coburg in their honour. Furthermore, Lord Exmouth had agreed to grant them an interview to discuss the Algiers panorama, which was to be the centrepiece of the theatre's grand Marine Saloon. The scene of the glorious victory at Algiers had been Serres’ own idea, and Dunn and King, aware of the continuing vogue for marine panoramas, had enthusiastically agreed.
It was twenty years since Serres had last seen Edward Pellew. Then he had been captain of the frigate Indefatigable, now he was Viscount Lord Exmouth Vice Admiral of the Blue, the honoured and feted hero of Algiers. John remembered Pellew as a spirited and energetic man though one you crossed at your peril. Consequently he was more than a little apprehensive about the interview, as he had been warned that Exmouth had little patience or desire for public laurels. John presented him with a series of watercolour sketches illustrating potential vistas and compositions for the panorama. His initial apprehensions appeared justified as sketch after sketch portraying the Admiral in various triumphant attitudes on the quarterdeck of the Queen Charlotte were discarded in no uncertain terms.
John was on the point of despairing when he presented a final scene of the Anglo Dutch fleet anchored before the mole, the harbour and town of Algiers ablaze beyond. Only the masts of the Queen Charlotte and the flash of her broadside were visible through the pall of smoke and the foreground was taken up with a flotilla of gunboats and bomb vessels. The Admiral himself was nowhere to be seen. Exmouth studied the sketch in silence for what seemed like an eternity. "Yes. This one. This is as it was. This is fitting." His tone was adamant but John could not help thinking there was something of both remembrance and regret in his voice. At the same time however John had also noticed King and Dunn glancing at each other in horror and was unsurprised when King interrupted the Admiral’s reverie.
“Your Lordship, if I may, fitting though it undoubtedly is as a monument to your magnificent achievement, I fear such a spirited and energetic portrayal of your unparalleled victory might perhaps prove a little distressing to the finer sensibilities of the young ladies in our audience.”
John held his breath, expecting of a full broadside from the Admiral, however he simply sighed quietly and handed the painting back.
“If you insist gentlemen, I know little of the sentiments and sensibilities of theatregoers in this day and age.”
A compromise was reached and it was agreed that the panorama would portray the vista of Algiers with Britannia and Neptune triumphant.
Lord Exmouth clearly had neither the time nor the humour for pleasantries or conversation and departed immediately after the interview concluded. His carriage was about to draw away when John raced down the steps, hailed the driver and pressed the watercolour sketch of the battle into his hand.
“Please give this to the Admiral with my fondest regards.”
The driver nodded and the carriage pulled away.
Serres had cause to regret his impetuous generosity over the following week. He had barely a shilling left to keep body and soul together and the sketch could have been readily sold to tide him over.
Serres livelihood was sufficiently precarious to leave little opportunity to dwell on the interview with Lord Exmouth so has surprised to receive a personal letter from the Admiral before the month was out. He apologised for his brusque manner, explaining that he had no desire for public approbation. He thanked John for the sketch, adding that it was a fitting memorial to the brave men who had risked their lives at Algiers from the smallest midshipman to the highest rank.
To Serres' great astonishment the Admiral went on to say that he remembered him well from his time aboard his dear Indefatigable. He enquired if Serres would consider undertaking a private commission on his behalf? Were any of the sketch books from his time aboard the frigate still in his possession and if so, could he be persuaded to part with one? Furthermore would it be possible to paint a portrait from the sketches if any had survived? Perhaps he might remember a young acting lieutenant that had served on the Indefatigable at the time of his own commission? Kennedy, his name was. The portrait was intended to be a gift. John knew the recipient even before he read the name “Hornblower” in Exmouth’s fine regular hand. The letter concluded by offering to pay the full cost of the commission in advance and the figure underscored in the margin was sufficiently generous to make John’s heart to leap.
Serres had no trouble remembering Hornblower as by coincidence he had seen him a matter of months before. Princess Caroline and Prince Leopold had held a glittering gala ball to which he had been graciously invited. Court and quality were all present and Serres was unsurprised to see several members of the Wellesley family, including Lady Barbara with her husband Sir Horatio Hornblower. John had read of their marriage following Hornblower’s improbable return from France. Lady Barbara was my no means the youngest or the fairest of the distinguished ladies that graced the gala but she had a poise and presence that drew the eye. Any man would have been honoured to have such a wife on his arm. But to Serres’ eye there was haunted air to the man by her side. Hornblower looked much older than Serres expected even accounting for the intervening years and the hardships of life at sea. His formerly lanky frame had filled and thickened and his dark hair was streaked with grey, but it was his eyes that showed the toll of the years. There was a shadow there that John recognised. He had seen it years before in the distant blue eyes of a young officer, and he saw it every morning in his own glass. Serres knew it as the expression of a man struggling to live when he has lost the very thing he lived for.
Serres watched Hornblower and Lady Barbara across the floor, the one gracious and engaging the other formal and remote. He made no attempt to approach the couple and left shortly afterwards when the ill-concealed glances and whispering about “Princess Olive” became intolerable. As John made his way towards the door he caught Hornblower’s eye in passing and for a moment there was a spark of recognition. The captain inclined his head in a curt bow and smiled. And for a moment, just for a moment, the shadow lifted and John was forcibly and unexpectedly reminded a young lieutenant laughing in a most unseemly fashion as he tried and failed to pull a jolly boat in a straight line.
Historical Notes
J.T Serres was personally responsible for securing the patronage of Princess Caroline and Prince Leopold for the Royal Coburg Theatre which exists to this day as the distinguished Old Vic Theatre.
No images survive of the grand Marine Saloon of the Royal Coburg however the panorama is described in Serres obituary as follows:
in the saloon of which Theatre there are some fine paintings, representing the triumph of Britannia and Neptune at Algiers, Views of Genoa, Naples, Shakapeare's Cliff, and Dover Roads, all executed in his best manner.
There is no evidence that Serres contacted Lord Exmouth regarding the Algiers panorama but it is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
Exmouth's reference to the "smallest midshipman to the highest rank" is taken from his own despatch following the battle of Algiers.
My gratitude and thanks are due to all, and I trust they will believe that the recollection of their services will never cease but with my life. In no instance have I ever seen more energy and zeal, from the smallest midshipman to the highest rank. All seemed animated with one soul, and which I shall with delight bear testimony to their Lordships, whenever that testimony can be useful.
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no subject
Date: 2011-02-26 11:34 pm (UTC)So much giving, and yet so much pain, for all of them.
So, so real. How life can hurt when everyone is really trying to do the best they can.
Beautifully written, of course.
In contrast to your careful work, I shall be posting some lowbrow smut later in the night, which involves no (historical,) research.
No one can argue our group lacks variety!
no subject
Date: 2011-02-26 11:46 pm (UTC)You know I hadn't really though about it like that, but you're absolutely right! I think that generosity is also there in
How life can hurt when everyone is really trying to do the best they can.
That's the tragedy of it isn't it? They are all good men caught up in events beyond their control.
I shall be posting some lowbrow smut later in the night
My dear, there is nothing lowbrow about your smut. It is smut of the very highest quality! I will look forwards to reading it tomorrow :)
Thank you for reading and for your very kind comments.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-26 11:51 pm (UTC)Am off to bed now so may not see the smut till tomorrow - smut it may be ( which is good actually -
no subject
Date: 2011-02-26 11:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-27 12:17 am (UTC)The kindness of Nodbear and Anteros spreads itself throughout this site and leads to fun and good things!
no subject
Date: 2011-02-27 12:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-27 12:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-27 12:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-27 10:57 am (UTC)Again, sad and beautiful, but in a good way. I like how it ended on a more optimistic note in spite of all the misery.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-27 11:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-28 01:47 pm (UTC)diolch o galon, cariad which means roughly the above in Ioan speak!
and by the way butterfly is Pili-pala in welsh - which is the gentle sound of a butterfly wing if you really - really - listen!
And editing to say that the generous and loving spirits are both Archie tutelatory spirit of the hearth and indeed the real loving and generous hearts of Edward Pellew, George Bell and John Thomson which made of the Indy a challenging trainign ground but also a home where a whole generation of midshipman grew and fledged in safety and knwoing they were loved.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-28 02:06 pm (UTC)You and Anteros obviously inhabit a part of the world where people have thought deeply about butterflies. Lovely.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-28 02:40 pm (UTC)or " God's beautiful and tiny thing "
She was the only one,moreover who ever got away with calling him Teddy - even when boxing his ears for bunking school yet again...he inherited both the fiery temper and the loving nature from her I think.
Icon is a familiar British butterfly ( including in meadows in Kent ) called the Red ADmiral - or in this case perhaps Admiral of the Red ...
no subject
Date: 2011-02-28 06:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-28 11:31 pm (UTC)PS Maybe you should try writing about Teddy and his grandmother? I have always thought that you have the most wonderful ability to write children and parents :)
no subject
Date: 2011-02-28 11:34 pm (UTC)Btw how on earth do you know that Pellew's grandmother called him Teddy?!! You never cease to astonish me Madam Nodbear! :)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-01 12:06 am (UTC)will post a reference when I get a moment.It has a wondefully spirited account of the elderly lady who chased EP through half Penznace after his shooting practice knocked her pewter off her dresser and has the honour of being said to be the only foe he ever ran away from ! and also of his fighting the boys who behaved caddishly to said young woman neighbour who used to do his sums for him when he wsa otherwise occupied with drawing designs for ships gearing under the desk - captured the fangirls even at 10 or 11 it seems.His granmother is quoted as saying " If I could live to see my Teddy made captain I would die content"
re buterflies - good idea ! the actual old Welsh is nearer to a version fo the Cornish than the one I quoted which is a colloquial use that has passed into the language in lieu of the older vocabulary.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-01 12:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-01 09:16 pm (UTC)