Torbay

“ In the meanwhile, to show you something of what may be seen by those who care to see, let me take you, in imagination, to a shore where I was once at home, and for whose richness I can vouch, and choose our season and our day to start forth, on some glorious September or October morning, to see what last night’s equinoctial gale has swept from the populous shallows of Torbay, and cast up, high and dry, on Paignton sands.
Torbay is a place which should be as much endeared to the naturalist as to the patriot and to the artist. ”

“ It is impossible for those who have had no better fortune than to see Torbay only in prints or photographs to gather more than a very imperfect idea of what its best can be. The cliffs near Paignton are red, nearer Torquay they are a warm russet, alternating with a rosy grey where limestone comes to the surface ”

“ Ever since that night at Torquay I have been haunted by a horrible dread that he got away on his brother's yacht, the Sea-mew. Captain Bruce is devoted to them, he would do anything to help them. Perhaps it was part of the plan that the Sea-mew should lie in Torbay waiting for his escape. Money will do a great deal, and bribery may have been at work. ”

“ It is far more spacious than Torbay, and much more enclosed; consequently more secure against all winds. It is the same distance from Brest by sea as Dartmouth is from Torbay; and by land the same as from Brixham, not being more than five miles across, over a hilly country; substituting the Bec de Chèvre for the Berry Head, and it exactly forms the counter part to Torbay. It abounds with the finest fish, of which we shall profit.
As it is not possible for the ships to sail from Brest but with an easterly wind, which blows directly out of this bay, we can always be beforehand with them. ”

“ It will not take another nineteen hundred years to develope the capabilities of this place,—to make it the finest fishery in England, next to Torbay,—the only safe harbour of refuge for West Indiamen, along sixty miles of ruthless coast,—and a commercial centre for a vast tract of half-tilled land within, which only requires means of conveyance to be as fertile and valuable as nine-tenths of England. Meanwhile Claude ought to have seen the deer-park. The panorama from that old ruined ‘bower’ of cliff and woodland, down and sea, is really unique in its way. ”

“ Torbay, moreover, from the variety of its rocks, aspects, and sea-floors, where limestones alternate with traps, and traps with slates, while at the valley-mouth the soft sandstones and hard conglomerates of the new red series slope down into the tepid and shallow waves, affords an abundance and variety of animal and vegetable life, unequalled, perhaps, in any other part of Great Britain. ”

“ Torquay, one of the most fashionable watering-places on the Devonshire coast, is situated on the opposite side of Torbay, at a distance of about five miles by water; but if the journey be made by land, the curve of the bay extends it upwards of nine. It is sheltered from the north winds by the promontory of Hope's Nose, and a range of lofty hills which form its northern boundary. It is rapidly increasing in extent, and is spoken of in terms of the highest admiration by most of the visitors. ”

“ The fleet afterwards returned to England for the winter, and in the following February the Berwick was paid off at Chatham, Fairfax being immediately appointed to the Torbay. In her he again went to the Mediterranean, under the command of Shovell, and participated with the fleet in the reduction of Barcelona. After the capture of Monjuich the prisoners were sent on board the Torbay; the Torbay supplied guns to arm the fort, and sailors to haul them up the hill ”

“ And the neighbouring maidens would gather around
To list to his pipes and to gaze in his e'en,
Especially Ellen M'Jones Aberdeen.
All loved their M'Clan, save a Sassenach brute,
Who came to the Highlands to fish and to shoot;
He dressed himself up in a Highlander way,
Though his name it was Pattison Corby Torbay.
Torbay had incurred a good deal of expense
To make him a Scotchman in every sense;
But this is a matter, you'll readily own,
That isn't a question of tailors alone.
A Sassenach chief may be bonily built,
He may purchase a sporran, a bonnet, and kilt ”

“ The town is irregularly built on the cliffs to the south of Torbay, and its harbour is sheltered by a breakwater. Early in the 19th century it was an important military post, with fortified barracks on Berry Head. It is the headquarters of the Devonshire sea-fisheries, having also a large coasting trade. ”

“ LETTER 356 CHARLES LAMB TO SARAH HUTCHINSON Desk II, Nov. 25 [1824] .
My dear Miss Hutchinson, Mary bids me thank you for your kind letter. We are a little puzzled about your where-abouts: Miss Wordsworth writes Torkay, and you have queerly made it Torquay. Now Tokay we have heard of, and Torbay, which we take to be the true male spelling of the place, but somewhere we fancy it to be on "Devon's leafy shores," where we heartily wish the kindly breezes may restore all that is invalid among you. Robinson is returned, and speaks much of you all. ”

“ TORQUAY, a watering-place of England, is finely situated on the northern recess of Tor Bay, Devonshire, and on the Dartmouth and Torbay branch of the Great Western Railway, 12 miles north of Dartmouth, 23 south of Exeter, and 220 west-south west of London. Owing to the beauty of its site and the equability of its climate, it is the favourite watering-place of Devon, and, being screened by lofty hills on the north, east, and west, and open to the sea breezes of the south, it has a high reputation as a winter residence. ”

“ Torquay is one of those rare watering-places that upset all one’s prejudices. Its houses are many and modern, its streets are populous; but the harbour under the hill is so snug, the sea so blue and bright, the boats so gay, the buildings so softly framed in trees and flowers, that the most churlish heart must be won. ”

“ Young folks have in after years much reason to cur—well, er, that is, to bless, the place.
How many declarations have I heard while lounging at twilight on the Cliff Walk! How many gay and giddy flirtations at Anstey’s Cove or Berry Pomeroy! Ah! delusive coast of Devon, inciting to the rashest of all conceivable rashnesses, you have proved the undoing of many a butterfly bachelor.
I have said enough to convince you, I think, that Torquay is a dangerous place. It is all the more so, in that, being essentially modern, there is nothing in the way of antiquities to explore in the town itself. ”

“ Schneeberger with a dim interest in his tone.
‘If only he would go!’ thought Tor, but he could not suggest this, and it sounded a mockery to address the unconscious Phil by a false name. Still, he bent over him, and called rather loudly:
‘Tor! Torwood! wake up, old fellow! Don’t you know me—Phil Debenham? Tor, I say!’
Perhaps there was the faintest motion of the eyelashes—neither Tor nor the doctor could be certain; but the eyes remained fast closed, and no other words evoked the slightest sign of life.
Tor gave one last long look, and turned away with a sigh. ”

“ He is at Ladywell. He is in this very house?’
[Pg 29]
‘Indeed! If you are so well informed as to my friend’s movements, why come to me?’
‘Your friend!’ she echoed scornfully; ‘friend, indeed! Why do you even try to keep up the deception when all is known? You are Torrington Torwood yourself!’
‘How very interesting! Well, I have played the part often enough to feel quite at home in it. Produce your “Philip Debenham,” and I will gladly abdicate in his favour. It will not be the first time we have changed names and situations.’
Mrs. Belassis grew more and more excited. ”

“ I don’t like Wetherby, and I hate all middle-men. I’ll settle the matter with Torrington Torwood himself. I’ve written now to demand his address.’
‘Ah, my dear lady, that would certainly be a pleasanter way of managing matters; but young men do not always care about being troubled with business, and sometimes decline to act except through their agents.’
‘Oh, that is all nonsense!’ quoth Miss Marjory sharply. ‘I mean to see him myself. He cannot say no to an old woman, his father’s friend—he is too much of a Torwood, I hope, for that.’
‘Ah well, we will hope for the best. ”

“ Listen, oh Torquam! On yonder vessel I carry steeds like those of which I told you. For a journey over the mountains of the north we have brought them. One there is, swifter of foot than all the rest. Him will I cause my men to lower into the boat and bring to you after our return tonight.”
In silence Torquam inclined his head. Nothing could have pleased him more. He would be the first then, of all his tribe to own one of those strange yet wondrous creatures never before seen in his world until the Spanish landed! ”

“ No, never popular with anyone, the name of Belassis became opprobrious when the news of his conduct was noised abroad. When once the belief in his honesty had exploded, everybody had some tale to tell of his hardness or trickery or deceitfulness, and very heartily was he abused in all quarters.
‘Serve him right! I hope he will feel it!’ [Pg 300] said Miss Marjory, when she heard of it. ‘For I always did say you let him off far too easily, Mr. Torwood.’
‘I can’t hit a man when he’s down,’ answered Tor. ”

“ We are justified, therefore, in concluding that Torbach, the primate in A.D. 807 (he died on the 16th of July in that year) had this great work transcribed under his own direction by the choice scribe, Ferdomnach. Moreover, before his elevation to the primacy, Torbach had been himself a scribe of the Church of Armagh, and thus very naturally took an interest in the transcription and preservation of this great treasure of his church.
The Danes, too, at this time, hungry for pillage and slaughter, were hovering around the coasts of Ireland. ”

“ Tor sat down readily enough, and filled his glass. It was not his way to assume heroics, or to stand aloof even from people he considered undesirable. His manner was always unruffled and serene.
This friendliness of demeanour disarmed Mr. Belassis, and gave him courage.
‘Well, Phil, my lad, how do you like the new life, now that you are getting settled down to it? Is it as much to your mind as the old roving style?’
‘I hardly know yet. Not quite, I think. I do not feel settled even now. It would take very little to start me off on my travels again.’
Mr. Belassis seemed to breathe more freely. ”

“ The seven hills—or more—on which Torquay is built are dotted plentifully with the largest and finest of these quiet villas, and the hollows in between are cut up into winding roads, where the stranger may speedily lose his bearings. If you consult a plan of Torquay, it will be perceived that the roads of its residential districts are like so many vermiculations, returning upon one another and intertwining almost with the intricacy of whorls in a Celtic design. ”

“ Belassis, though somewhat taken aback, was not to be so easily suppressed.
‘My nephew is ill, and unable to act for [Pg 34] himself. I have reason to believe that his mind is temporarily affected. He is quite in his friend’s power, and most unscrupulous use is being made of this power. We, as next-of-kin, are bound to protect him, and we will do so at all risk. Let Torrington Torwood look to himself!’ the last words were added with such animus that Miss Marjory’s lip curled. ”

“ Torwood was at present in very bad health, and was quite unable to attend to business. He was in Germany, but his actual address was unknown to his bankers. He had, however, entrusted the management of his affairs to Mr. Philip Debenham, whose address was ‘Ladywell Manor, Ladywell, Devonshire.’ Any business might be referred to him, as he was authorised to act for Mr. Torwood.
‘Bother!’ said Miss Marjory sharply. ‘What business had he to fall ill just as my lease was running out? I don’t want his friend; I want him. However, if I can’t get what I want, I must take the next best. ”

“ Belassis seized his nephew’s hand and shook it with great show of cordiality.
He was a man of heavy build and unprepossessing physiognomy. His features were somewhat coarse, but they lacked the open frankness which most of the type possess. There was a craftiness in his smile, and a stealthy cat-like expression was stamped upon his broad red face. His small brown eyes were placed too near together for symmetry, and were full of cunning and a certain lynx-like watchfulness which was not at all pleasant. To Tor, who was well used to reading men’s faces, he was simply repulsive. ”

“ Phil in league with a Belassis against his old friend!
A sudden sense of shame fell upon him, as he met for an instant the keen, quick glance from Tor’s eyes. There was no guilt, no shame in Tor’s face; but the frank, open courage and truthfulness which had always characterized it.
No, come what might, he could not plot against his friend. He would speak to him openly, face to face. Phil’s better angel was now in the ascendant, and he bid Mrs. Belassis a hasty adieu, whilst some words she had uttered, which had passed almost unnoticed before, now recurred to him with considerable significance. ”

“ Ispenlove and given him the letter and the parcel.
IV
I had acquaintances in Torquay, but I soon discovered that the place was impossible for me. Torquay is the chosen home of the proprieties, the respectabilities, and all the conventions. Nothing could dislodge them from its beautiful hills; the very sea, as it beats primly, or with a violence that never forgets to be discreet, on the indented shore, acknowledges their sway. Aphrodite never visits there; the human race is not continued there. ”

“ Tor did not even observe his friend’s silence in his own gladness of heart.
‘Phil, you rascal, tell me how you came here? How did you escape from your vessel without my knowledge? I can’t conceive how you came, but it’s such an immense relief to have you back that I don’t care for anything else. Did that Italian fellow smuggle you in? By-the-bye, where is he?’
Tor looked round him with a comical air of perplexity; and then, seeing the coat and wig lying on the bed, and the shaving apparatus upon the washstand, the true meaning of the situation dawned upon him. ”