INTRODUCTION. THE late Archbishop Whately is credited with the
saying, that if he had to write a daily record of his life, he
would soon wish his life at an end. Many a person begins a Diary,
but few persevere with it for any length of time. The fidelity of
Mr. Nicholas Blundell to this self- imposed task is very
remarkable. His Diary extends over a quarter of a century and no
single day has been left unnoticed. It is very legibly written,
entirely by his own hand, and is contained in three long narrow
Volumes number- ing altogether nearly nine hundred pages. The
spelling is eccentric but no attempt has been made to correct even
very obvious blunders. In so lengthy a record, there is, as may be
imagined, much that would be of no interest to the general reader.
On the other hand, many entries are of value, more especially in
the absence of other local records of which that particular period
is singularly barren. The Diarist had neither the ability nor the
learning of his grandfather, the Cavalier, but he filled very
worthily his position as a resident landlord. A lover of country
life, For a full account of the ancient family of Blundell of
Crosby, see the Introduction to A Cavaliers Note Book. Also, Crosby
Records, Chetham Society No. 12 new series. VI. his interests were
centred in the pursuits and . pleasures of his neighbours and
tenants. It is manifest that much more social enjoyment was got out
of life in those days than is the case at present. Railways and the
spread of education, have made a striking change in the condition
of the rural population a change not altogether to its advantage.
Material comforts have been brought within its reach, but the close
bond of companionshipwhich formerly held society together has been
rent asunder. Certainly the numerous festivities and amusements
which he records as shared by friends and neighbours have totally
disappeared. In religion, Mr. Blundell adhered to the faith of his
Ancestors. For this privilege he paid double taxes and felt in
various ways the pressure of the severe penal laws then in force.
Still, the great heat of persecution which some of his race endured
had, in his time, sensibly abated. Happily, he was not drawn into
the rebellion of 1715, which wrecked the fortunes of so many of his
co-religionists but his house was frequently visited and searched
at that eventful period. On one occasion, he says I set in a streat
place for a fat man which shows that he must have had recourse to
the family hiding-place, contrived, no doubt, on a scale Richard
Blundell, of Crosby, died in Lancaster Castle, 1591-2, a prisoner
for the faith, having been committed there for harbouring a priest.
William Blundell, his son, suffered many imprisonments and much
loss of goods. Twothirds of his lands were seized upon for
recusancy and given to Court favourites, two of the number being
Queen Elizabeths cooks. He was fined 2000 for making a burial
ground for his Catholic tenants and neighbours, who were denied
burial at Sefton Church. His wife, though in a delicate state of
health, was dragged to pnson by the Bishop of Chester when her
husband could not be found. She suckled her infant in Chester
Castle and was only set free after a long imprisonment, through the
friendly remonstrance of two powerful Protestant neighbours. Vll.
more befitting the dimensions of a lean curate. As soon as he could
get away, he withdrew to theContinent till the trouble blew over.
Such a record as the one before us comes like a revelation from the
tomb. It brings to light events hitherto shrouded in oblivion...
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
