The Life and Correspondence of Sir Isaac Brock, K.B Part 33

APPENDIX B.

DANIEL DE LISLE BROCK, ESQ.

BAILIFF OF GUERNSEY.

This able magistrate, the third son of John Brock, Esq., was born in Guernsey on the 10th December, 1762, and closed a long and useful career on Sat.u.r.day evening, the 24th September, 1842, at the age of 79 years and nearly 10 months. After receiving such rudiments of education as the island could furnish in those days, he was placed at Alderney, to learn the French language, under M. Vallatt, a Swiss protestant clergyman, and a man of talent, who was afterwards rector of St. Peter-in-the-Wood, in Guernsey. From Alderney he was sent to a school at Richmond, in Surrey, where he remained only two years, as at the early age of fourteen he went to Dinan with his father, who died there. The early death of his parent was an irreparable loss to the son, as it was the cause of his not returning to school, where he had already shown that he possessed a vigour of intellect much beyond his years. His two elder brothers were in the army, and the pardonable fondness of his mother induced her to retain at home the only one of her sons, who could in some measure replace the counsels of her husband.

In 1785, he went by sea to the Mediterranean, and spent upwards of a year in visiting Spain, Malta, Sicily, Italy, Switzerland, and France.

In 1798, he was elected jurat of the Royal Court; and the greater part, if not the whole, of the public doc.u.ments of that body, were from that period written by him. In 1821, he obtained the high and responsible appointment of bailiff, or chief magistrate of Guernsey.

"It has been truly said that the history of Guernsey, for the last fifty years, was, in fact, the history of Daniel De Lisle Brock. So exclusively has the better part of Mr. Brock's life been devoted to the service of his country--so completely have his affections been wrapped up in her welfare--so ardently, so zealously, and so unceasingly has he laboured to promote her prosperity and to protect her privileges--and so intimately has he been connected with all the important occurrences of the period alluded to--that in reading the history of the island, we read the history of this the most able and devoted of its friends."

Between the years 1804 and 1810, Mr. Brock was deputed by the States and Royal Court of Guernsey no less than four times, as their representative to government, in matters connected with the trade and privileges of the island; and he also went once to Jersey, to confer with the Royal Court there on the same subject. In these missions, Mr. Brock distinguished himself by his luminous and argumentative papers,[161] and the authority of the Royal Court was happily preserved intact by his representations and unremitting exertions.

"In 1821, an act of parliament having been pa.s.sed prohibiting the importation of foreign corn into the Channel Islands, whenever its entry for consumption was prohibited in England, to wit, until it reached the price of 80s. per quarter, Mr. Brock was again deputed to London to contend against a measure fraught with such fatal consequences to the islands, and at the same time to obtain some modifications in the navigation laws. Mr. Brock, who was essentially a.s.sisted in this business by Mr. James Carey, jurat, succeeded in both these objects. The obnoxious corn law was repealed so far as the Channel Islands were concerned, and some important privileges conceded to their trade and navigation, especially in granting them free intercourse with the British colonies, and the American continent and islands. So highly were these last services appreciated, that when Mr. Brock returned to Guernsey, on the 24th July, 1822, he was received with unexampled enthusiasm. On landing in the morning, he was saluted with deafening cries of "_Brock for ever!_" "_Long may he live!_" &c. The public joy was manifested on this occasion in many different ways. The s.h.i.+pping in the harbour hoisted their flags; crowns and garlands of flowers, flags, loaves of bread, with ears of corn, were tastefully arranged, and suspended in almost every street; mottos and devices, expressive of unbounded grat.i.tude, were exhibited in every direction, and in the greatest variety; and the church bells throughout the island rang merry peals during the day. Bands of music paraded the town, followed by crowds, on whose happy countenances "Mirth, admit me of thy crew," was expressed. The musicians wore various coloured bands round their hats, with the motto of "_Long live Bailiff Brock!_" They surrounded a banner crowned with flowers, bearing the following inscription:

"The grateful inhabitants of Guernsey, to the worthy Bailiff, DANIEL DE LISLE BROCK.

Happy is he who labours to promote the happiness of his fellow citizens.

He will secure their eternal grat.i.tude. They will unceasingly exclaim: 'May G.o.d preserve oar friend, our benefactor, and our parent.'"

"This inscription having been borne in triumph in every part of the town, was presented to the object of well-merited praise, and accepted.

Preparations had been made by the militia bands to receive this distinguished patriot at the landing place; but their good intentions were thwarted, in consequence of the early hour at which the arrival took place. At a public meeting of the inhabitants, it was determined to present a piece of plate to Mr. Brock, as a testimony of the value attached to his public services, and in the hope that this faint evidence of their attachment might serve to stimulate others to follow his steps, and might descend as a memorial to his posterity. Upwards of 300 were quickly raised for this purpose, and other less valuable, but not less gratifying, testimonials were presented to him. Nor was Jersey less grateful, as a public meeting was held in the town of St. Helier, when the thanks of the island and a handsome piece of plate were unanimously voted to him."

In 1826, General Sir John Doyle, Bart, and G.C.B., for many years lieutenant-governor of Guernsey, visited the island, and at a public dinner, given to him on the 29th August, at the a.s.sembly Rooms, he rose and spoke as follows:

Gentlemen,--Having received permission from the chair, I rise to propose a toast which would be well received in any society where the enlightened individual is known. But here I antic.i.p.ate it will be met by acclamation and enthusiasm. I do not propose his health, merely because he is my friend, although I feel truly honored by his friends.h.i.+p; and the more so, as I know that it originated and was cemented by his conviction of my honest zeal for the public good, and the deep interest I took in the welfare of his native land. But I give him as a public man, who, to a sound, vigorous, and cultivated understanding, joins a liberal and enlightened mind--an innate love of justice, and hatred of oppression--an inflexible adherence to that which appears to him to be right--a man too wise to be cunning. Armed with the '_mens conscia recti_,' he marches straightforward to his object, nor turns into the devious path of crooked policy, and left-handed wisdom. To these qualities are added indefatigable industry, and a patience not to be exhausted. This is the man, who, as a public magistrate in high station, I offer for your acceptance. Of his private worth, I dare not say all that I feel. He is present. You know him, and can duly appreciate his value. You will have antic.i.p.ated that I mean the bailiff of Guernsey. I now propose to you 'The health of the bailiff, and unalloyed happiness to the island of Guernsey.'"

"In 1832, one of the most ancient and vital privileges of Guernsey--the right of the inhabitants to be tried in their own local court--was placed in peril, it being a.s.sailed by no less a character than Lord Chief Justice Tenderden, who sought to extend the power of the writ of _habeas corpus_ to this island. The history of this event would occupy much more s.p.a.ce than we can now devote to it. Suffice it here to say, that after much correspondence on the subject, Mr. Brock and Mr. Charles De Jersey, the king's procureur, were deputed to London, to act in conjunction with the bailiff and procureur of Jersey in opposing the measure. The mission was successful, and the independence of the insular jurisdictions was maintained.

"The last occasion on which Mr. Brock went to England in the service of his native island, was in the year 1835, when the channel islands were menaced with being deprived of the privilege of sending their corn into England, duty free. An idea had obtained ground that this privilege was abused; and, in consequence, a bill was brought into parliament to deprive the islands of this important branch of their trade. Deputies were therefore appointed by the islands to proceed to London, for the purpose of advocating their rights, and Mr. Brock was again fixed on as the representative of Guernsey. Owing to the remonstrances of this deputation, a select committee of the House of Commons was appointed to inquire into the matter, and the result was that the bill was withdrawn.

So highly were Mr. Brock's services on this occasion valued by both islands, that the States of Jersey voted him a piece of plate of the value of 100, whilst the States of Guernsey voted that portrait which now adorns the interior of the court-house, and which will afford to succeeding generations the means of contemplating the intellectual countenance and venerable form of one whom they will ever remember as the firmest friend, and ablest administrator of his country.

"From the period here alluded to, until within a few days of his death, Mr. Brock was unremittingly engaged in labouring for the public good.

The records of the island will show how indefatigably be devoted himself to its service; and it may be truly said of him, that to his latest moment the desire to secure its welfare was the reigning impulse of his heart."

Mr. Brock left one son, Eugene, a captain in the 20th regiment, since deceased, unmarried; and one daughter, now also unmarried. In countenance and robustness of frame, although not so tall, as well as in vigour of intellect and decision of character, the bailiff strongly resembled his brother, Sir Isaac Brock; and when a friend of the latter, Sir James Kempt, visited Guernsey, in his official capacity as master-general of the ordnance, he was struck with the personal resemblance, notwithstanding that Mr. Brock was then in his 71st year.

The Royal Court, having met on the 26th September, to appoint a judge delegate to replace _pro tempore_ the late bailiff, unanimously requested the family of the deceased to allow him to be buried at the expense of the States of Guernsey, and the funeral was in consequence a public one. "For though Mr. Brock had enriched his country with numerous and inappreciable benefits--though he bequeathed to it an inestimable heritage in his deeds and in his example--he died in honorable and enn.o.bling poverty, resulting from his disinterestedness, his integrity, and his patriotism.[162] The public, we say, were pleased, were gratified, were proud in seeing that their representatives and rulers so promptly and so handsomely antic.i.p.ated and fulfilled their wishes, and they looked forward to the moment of paying to their departed benefactor the last mournful honors with feelings in which complacency was not unmingled with their grief.

"Some hours before the time appointed for the ceremony, the inhabitants of the country parishes, mostly clothed in respectable mourning, were seen thronging into town; and by eleven o'clock a considerable crowd was collected in the front of Mr. Savery Brock's house, from whence the procession was to issue. Punctually at the time appointed, (twelve o'clock,) the authorities and other gentlemen invited to take part in the ceremony, together with a large number of persons who attended spontaneously to pay the last mark of respect to the deceased, were a.s.sembled; and having been marshalled by the deputy sheriffs and the special constables, in the manner laid down in the programme, the mournful _cortege_, comprising nearly 500 persons, issued into the Grange Road in the following order of procession:

Four a.s.sistant Constables, (each with his Staff of office.) Two Deputy Sheriffs.--Deputy Greffier.--Deputy Sergeant.

Deputy, Harbour Master.--Postmaster.--Surveyor of Works.

Receiver of Impost.--a.s.sistant Supervisor.--Harbour Master.

The Princ.i.p.al Officer and the Comptroller of Her Majesty's Customs.

Deputy Judge Advocate.--Barrack Master.--Ordnance Storekeeper.

Fort Major.--Government Secretary.

Officers of the five Regiments of Guernsey Militia.

Officers of the 48th Depot.

Officers of the Royal Artillery.--Colonel Moody.

Clerk of the Town Parish and Clerk of St. Martin's Parish.

Rev. W. Le Mottee. Rev. Henry Benwell.

Rev. E. Guille. Rev. George Guille.

Rev. F. Jeremie. Rev. Peter Carey.

Rev. Daniel Dobree. Rev. W.L. Davies.

Rev. William Guille. Rev. W.J. Chepmell.

Rev. Thomas Brock. The Very Rev. the Dean.

Frederick Mansell, Jurat. Hilary O. Carre, Jurat.

John Hubert, Jurat. John Le Messurier, Jurat.

James Carey, Jurat. John Guille, Jurat.

Rev. R. Potenger.} Mourners. { F.B. Tupper.

John Carey, jun. } { Henry Tupper.

Lieut.-General Sir James Douglas.--His Excellency Major-General W.F.P. Napier, Lieut.-Governor.--Lieut.-General Ross.

Peter B. Dobree. } Jurats. { T.W. Gosselin.

Thomas Le Retilley. } { H. Dobree, jun.

The Queen's Procureur.--The Queen's Comptroller.--Her Majesty's Receiver-General.--Greffier.--Sheriff.

The Advocates of the Royal Court.

The late Bailiff's Medical Attendants.

The Douzeniers of each parish, headed by their respective Constables, four abreast.

Relatives, with Hat Bands, four abreast.

The Order of Rechabites in full procession.

A Deputation of the Total Abstinence Society, headed by Mr. Edmund Richards.

"The procession proceeded in solemn order down the Grange Road, until it reached the College, when it turned to the left, and pa.s.sed on to the eastern entrance of the new burying ground, and from thence proceeded to the grave, near the opposite extremity of the cemetery, which was destined to be the final resting place of the aged patriot. The persons who composed the _cortege_ having been formed in order round the grave, the sublime and solemn ritual of the Church of England was read in a feeling and impressive manner by the Very Reverend the Dean, the coffin being at the proper period of the service committed to the bosom of the earth in profound and solemn silence. When the service was concluded, a great many persons approached the border of the grave to take a farewell look at the narrow tenement which now contained the remains of a man who, but a few short hours back, had occupied so prominent a position in his native land. Many a sigh was breathed, many a tear was shed upon that grave; and many and various were the expressions of affection and regret which there found utterance, and which seemed to say

'We ne'er shall look upon his like again.'

"On no similar occasion had there ever been collected so large a concourse of persons in this island. Some pains were taken to ascertain the number of those who entered the burial ground, and it is believed that they considerably exceeded 4,000. An equal, or perhaps a larger number, were dispersed, as spectators, in the Grange Road and adjacent parts. Every house that commanded a glimpse of the procession, or the interment, was crowded. The windows, even, to the attics, were peopled; whilst walls, gardens, and every spot from which any thing could be seen, were in like manner occupied. Notwithstanding the extraordinary number of persons collected, a very creditable degree of order and decorum was maintained throughout the whole of the proceedings."[163]

The union jack was hoisted half mast at Fort George and Castle Cornet from the day succeeding the bailiff's death to that of his funeral, on which days also the bells of the parish church of St. Peter-Port were tolled, and the flags of the vessels in the two harbours and roadstead were hoisted half mast. On the day of the interment, the shops in St.

Peter-Port were entirely closed until the mournful ceremony was completed.

The lieutenant-governor of the island, Major-General Napier, the celebrated historian of the Peninsular war, evinced, in a manner as creditable to his feelings as it was gratifying to those of the family, an anxious desire to pay every respect to the memory of the deceased, his excellency, with the officers of his staff, and Lieut.-General Ross, and Lieut.-General Sir James Douglas, ex-lieutenant-governors, attending the funeral in full uniform, as did all the officers of the garrison, and the officers of the five regiments of militia. All the civil and military authorities, as well as the whole of the clergy of the island, were present.

The following remarks are extracted from a long and ably written article of nearly two columns, in the Guernsey _Star_ of Monday, September 26, 1842, in which the last moments and character of Mr. Brock were feelingly portrayed by the editor, an English gentleman:

"Mr. Brock's career, his talents, his services, and his amiable qualities, are so familiar to every native and inhabitant of Guernsey--they have, as it were, become so much the common property of the community--they have been so much the objects of their study--so constantly the theme of their praise and admiration--that it may seem almost a work of supererogation in us to make any observation on them on the present melancholy occasion. We cannot, however, allow the grave to close upon him without strewing it with some of those offerings of respect and praise which spontaneously spring to our hand as we pen the notice of his death. We feel that we enjoy considerable lat.i.tude on this occasion, because, from having been for years the political antagonists of Mr. Brock, and having braved his hostility when living, our tribute to his memory cannot be looked on as other than the genuine offspring of our feeling and our judgment.