The Sterley’s of Oakland Park, SAREJESS [best e reader for epub .txt] 📗

castle had been built many centuries earlier and had come into the possession of the Earl’s family in the reign of queen Elizabeth of blessed memory having spent a vast fortune the 5th earl had made the stately home as comfortable as possible for its inhabitants. So much so that the current Earl of not forced on occasion to leave it would have spent the entire year here hunting and fishing. For the great park presented enough deer great birds and other varieties of game to keep the earl happy. Content for a very long time of the fishing His Lordship had led Sir Thomas to understand that nowhere else would one find Salmon and trout of such multitudes that would make a man gasp to see so many and of such great size.

It was to this retreat that Sir Thomas found himself in the company of his lordship now preceded. His children Tom, John Mary and Sophia had recently joined Sir Thomas in London taking passage on a yacht that the Earl had at his disposal for official duties they set sail from London for Ireland on a brisk Autumn day in 1813.

“T’is indeed wonderful to be once more at sea” said Sir Thomas who stood beside his father upon the pop deck. I fancy papa that you enjoy sailing far better then I do “replied Tom whose knuckles showed white from clasping on the taft rail. ”Tom a man if he is to make his way in life must endure all types of displeasures and temperaments if he is to gain his fortune and a name for himself. My son mark well my words for one day you will realize that they are most probably the most valuable thing I will have ever given you“ said Sir Thomas. ”Indeed Sir you have always given me good advice and I count it as advice worth keeping“ said Tom ”Papa do come and see there are some great ships coming over the horizon I wonder if the Victory is among them said John who was standing on the other side of the deck surveying the ocean to the south.

“Splendid I see there are a number of ships of the Line” said Sir Thomas who had lifted a glass to his eye. “I do not see the Victory amount them but there is the Xenophon see she fly’s the flag of Sir Howe Parker Admiral of the red,” said Sir Thomas. “Now when I was a young man not much older then you John I was serving aboard ship of the line there is none quite as splendid as ship of the line. However I must confess that life aboard a frigate is much more to my liking for the ship is close and one gets to know ones men intimately,” said Sir Thomas.

Virginia Lady Waterford put aside the brush and pellet the canvas before her portrayed the scène of the sea and cliffs, which extended from Castel Waterford. Brushing aside a stray hair, which had fallen across her face once more, began to concentrate on the canvas

Virginia had a fair complexion like most of her ancestors she took great pride in her complexion the great care she took with her hands was noticeable by there softness her roses and peaches complexion betrayed years of care. She was not a person who had ever had to work hard a day in her life for when she required something she had but to ask her governess. Who would in due season produce the required item.

It pleased her to know that shortly her father would once more be at home; for she loved her dear papa immensely of course, her mother seldom left the castle and really traveled more then a day’s journey from the great house. For her ladyship had a fear of been caught away from home in a wild and dangerous country... These fears could be traced back to an incident in her ladyship’s youth when traveling in Europe she had been caught in a great thunderstorm, which had resulted in a present fear of nature.

Her ladyship was of that race of people who had come over two centuries earlier from Scotland having been settled for generations her family had weathered the various fortunes of the land of Ireland. Thus, she was always suspicious of her compatriots of low birth fearing that they wished to do her an injury or a mischief.

Of course the fact that her husband had a propensity for hanging quite a number of the Irish. Nevertheless, Lady Virginia was content to spend her days in roaming the cliffs and downs with her governess, enjoying the wilds of nature of which her mother was so much afraid. It was remarkable that an individual who loved nature and love for the good of the people in the village such as lady Virginia was want to do. Could have sprung from the loins if the unlikely couple that were her parents.

For in the company of Lady Virginia the people of county Waterford tended to be themselves allowing her to gain a closer look at the way they really lived. Whilst when his Lordship was present they would show the greatest respect, a respect born out of fear for it was well known that his lordship the earl was quick to anger and one could if not extremely careful find oneself on the gallows or bound for the convict isle.

“Lady Virginia took up the brush and pellet once more and began to paint ”Pray mistress Borden how long do you think it might be before papa will be her?“ she asked longingly.

“My lady I have no way of knowing as you know it has been some days now since the last letter from his Lordship” said the governess. “Papa says he is bringing some guests Sir Thomas Sterley and some of his children I do hope there are some young ladies in the party” said Virginia.

“I am sure there might be some young ladies in the party,” replied the governess “Indeed that would be such a pleasure to have some new company here. some one who has been to London, I was so long last in London that I have quite forgotten how it was, mayhap the young ladies of the party will have some new dresses and news of the latest fashions in the capital” replied Virginia


Chapter Five


Sir Thomas had occasion to rise early on the morning cartoons arrival at after his arrival at Waterford Castel. It was not His intention to two Disturb his lordship the Earl indeed his lordship was not Home to be disturbed. Upon rising sir, Thomas was informed of his lordships departure for Waterford Town.

Sir Thomas was surprised to find with his breakfast tray a note from his Lordship,
“Dear Sir Thomas I have been called away to Waterford town. I have therefore decided to leave you in the capable hands of Colin Murphy my senior Grounds man.

Please avail yourself of the services of the man in question, as he is knowledgeable on all facts related to the study of ornithology in this part of Ireland. The Avery is at your disposal if you should wish to study the avian spices in close proximity. However I fear that this might not be ideal to your pursuit of studying the spices in there natural surroundings. I should warn you that it is advisable to keep at hand a swordstick or a strong club when going about on the estates as of late, there has been some discontent in the county and there might be those of the republican persuasion in the district.
However, fear not my dear sir Thomas the liberties of my home are at your disposal
Sincerely
William Waterford

“Indeed a most happy communication thought Sir Thomas as he cracked open a boiled egg. Sir Thomas had long had it in mind to see the birds of another country as how they concurred or differed from the ornithology of his home county. It would act as an annexure to his own notes on the Ornithology of greater Southern England.

At 9 o’clock the grounds man Colin Murphy made his appearance at the great hall where Sir Thomas was in the company of Lady Waterford, and her daughter. “Sir Thomas I would warn you not to go to far from the house having not been in this country long. You might find that the population has a disposition to be insolent,” said Lady Waterford

‘Fear not my dear Lady Waterford I have taken a good club with me as suggested by his lordship. I foresee no problems in this regard, having been a navel man I believe I should be able to handle any thing that we may chance upon.“ Said Sir Thomas as he put on his hat and left with Colin Murphy.

There first port of call was the grand Avery, which had been established by the previous Earl of Waterford who had a great love of nature. Indeed the previous Earl had been a great friend of Sir Joseph Banks who had seen Captain Cook on his way to parts foreign.

The diligence of his lordships man Colin Murphy was of great help to Sir Thomas for the man could imitate the calls of many of the various birds in the aver. These birds came when he called and would settle close by while he feed them bits of bread and seed. Sir Thomas settled in the mean time to sketching these birds as they ate taking great interest in every little detail of the birds dress and nature of conduct.

“Pray Mr Murphy are you native to these parts?” asked Sir Thomas “Aye I am Waterford born and bread” replied Colin “have you had occasion to travel at all in parts foreign?” asked the nobleman “Aye Sir I served with Sir John Moore at La Corenue there we buried him” replied the Irishman.

“Ah yes Sir John a noble leader brave and stout of valor” said Sir Thomas, “That he was Sir indeed he truly knew how to lead men” replied the Irishman. “I fear that we only see his kind once or twice a generation,” said Sir Thomas “Aye Sir I believe that Lord Nelson was one of those fortunate few who could lead men and did not flinch in the face of battle” said Colin Murphy