A voyage to Senegal : $b or, Historical, philosophical, and political memoirs, relative to the discoveries, establishments and commerce of Europeans in the Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Blanco to the river of Sierra LeoneDurand, Jean Baptiste Léonard
History
A voyage to Senegal : $b or, Historical, philosophical, and political memoirs, relative to the discoveries, establishments and commerce of Europeans in the Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Blanco to the river of Sierra Leone
Durand, Jean Baptiste Léonard
Africa, Northwest; Senegal -- Description and travel
This day we received an express from the merchants of London; who,
having heard of our shipwreck, sent to offer us their services. We
were grateful for their attention; but situated as we were, we
could only thank them, and answer that we wanted for nothing. I
shall always regret that I lost the letter from those obliging
merchants, whom we afterwards saw at London, where they treated us
in a magnificent style. I should have had the greatest pleasure in
making known to my countrymen the names of those liberal gentlemen,
so respectable for their humanity, and the nobleness of their
sentiments; but being deprived of the means, I must content myself
with speaking of their countryman, whose care saved me from misery
and death.
The name of this generous Englishman was Henry Trollope; he was a
native of Norwich; was then 36 years of age, and was a captain in
the navy. His lady, who was handsome, modest, and of the gentlest
disposition, was a native of London, whose maiden name was Fanny
Best. She was then about 22 years old. They had no children; a
circumstance which they felt severely, as they were both very anxious
to have a young family. I hope, for the happiness of themselves and
the human race, that their wishes have been fulfilled. Mrs. Trollope,
when a girl, had been educated at Brussels, so that she, as well
as her husband, spoke French sufficiently well to be understood. I
must here add, that the attachment of this amiable woman towards
her husband, had induced her to accompany him in all his voyages.
They inhabited Westmead castle, about three miles from Laugharn,
in Wales, the place of our shipwreck. It stands in a delightful
situation, is well built, and its architecture possesses a noble
simplicity. Its internal arrangements are well adapted; the park
is large and well planted, and the gardens are judiciously laid
out. At the time I was wrecked Captain Trollope had taken a lease
of it from Lord Montalt, of which three years had expired.
During my stay at the castle, the liberal inhabitants incessantly
endeavoured to dispel from our minds the remembrance of our
misfortune; and every day was distinguished by some new festivity:
hunting, fishing, gaming, and feasting, succeeded each other without
interruption; and the only care seemed to be how fresh pleasure
could be procured. O! Mrs. Trollope, worthy and affectionate wife
of the most humane of men, I feel the most lively emotion in thus
bearing testimony to the gratitude which I owe you, and which will
never be effaced from my heart.
On the 24th of September, in the afternoon, Captain Trollope proposed
to me a hunting party; but I preferred keeping company with his wife,
and he left me alone with her. We were walking in the park, when we
observed at a distance a huntsman riding at full gallop; he passed
by us without saying any thing, and without stopping at the castle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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