In the autumn of 1794 Charlotte Jerningham formed an unlikely friendship
with Matilda Betham who visited her at Cossey Hall, shortly before Charlotte's
marriage
to Sir Richard Bedingfield
of Oxburgh Hall. Matilda was 18 and Charlotte a few years older. The friendship
was unlikely as the two young ladies " for they were of opposite creeds
and unequal in social rank" Matlida daughter of a Suffolk parson
was an accomplished poet .
In Matilda's diary she noted while at Cossey;
"Miss J. showed me a piece of Poetry which was written by somebody in the
wood, and wished me to write an answer that we might find out who it was
written by.The verses now given were the verses that, after being transcibed
by a maid of some fidelity, Betty Beck, so that the handwriting should
confess nothing, were affixed by the unknown swain signing himself "Benedict"
They are preserved in a note-book , under heading,
" AN ANSWER TO SOME LINES IN COSSEY PARK,
1. NOV. 1794
" Fly Benedict ! and in this dangerous way,
No more, allur'd by thy ill genius stray.
Some aerial sprite that haunts the peaceful vale
O pitying fairy sent the gentle gale
To warn thee ; and deceit thou need'st not fear,
For know no evil spirit harbours here !
Yet, lest too curious thou shouldst fondly pry
And search thyself to know what danger's nigh,
A friend who trembles for thy soul's repose,
The punishment awaiting will disclose,
Then hear in silence what must be thy fate,
And save thyself from madness ere to late,
No more expect to taste the bliss of ease !
No more expect to meet with aught to please !
No more to feel the glow of pure delight !
No more to sink in quiet sleep at night !
No more to walk erect with thoughtless mien,
Or with the lovely bloom of health be seen-
But slow and silent, with dejected air,
Thy breast a prey to anguish and despair,
With folded arms, sunk head, and fruitless sighs,
All lustre faded from thy languid eyes
To seek , devoid of hope the midnight gloom
And ruminate upon thy wretched doom !
Boast, though rejected, of a lover's name,
And fondly cherish the destroying flame,
Say, will this pay thee for thy vows forsworn,
For letting Sylvia in secret mourn ?
Ah no ! Then fly with speed this fatal place,
And to thy injured Sylvia kneel for grace !
For thy once erring pardon then implore,
And ramble in these magic walks no more ! "
[The following letter
was penned four days before it s writer's marriage to Sir Richard Bedingfield,
of Oxburgh in Norfolk; the surname so soon to be excanged is humorously
emphasized. ]
from Miss Jerningham
" I congratulate with you my dear Girl on the Safe arrival of Your new
little relative and am happy to hear that Mrs. Betham is so well,
pray make her my Compts
on the Ocassion.
"the papers are to be Signed on Monday next,And on Tuesday I go to Church
for the first time, and then set forth for Norfolk.------I feel very very-----------I
don't know how! pray think of me. I have not forgot the lock of Raved hair
You were so good to ask for. You shall have it.
My travelling gown is just brought home, it is fine Muslin trimmed
with lace, made quite a la greque and tied around the Waist with
a thick white Cotton rope, with large tassels like Mr Chamberlayne's Surplice.
Farewell. Most Sincerely and faithfully Yours
CHARLOTTE JERNINGHAM
"FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
"In a great hurry of spirits------half mad "
["I have not forgotten the lock of Raven hair you asked for"-----Matilda
Betham was fair: she had "blue penetrating eyes and a mobile mouth"]
From Lady Bedingfield.
Postscript.
It is obvious that the residents and visitors to Cossey Hall would make
excursions into the woodlands in the Park. A number
of follies in the form of ruins had been built there to provide picnic
sites for their and shelter for shooting parties..
It seems that Charlotte Jerningham,although betrothed to Sir Richard Bedingfield,
had a secret admirer who wrote her poetry and left it in such a spot in
the woods, where Charlotte would visit. I would think that Charlotte and
her friend Matilda had a good idea who the person was as it must have been
someone who had access to the Park.
Charlotte was a sophiticated youg lady who had moved in "high -society"
and probably had engaged in flirtations . The exchange of poems was probably
another such dalliance. Her marriage to Sir Richard Bedingfield was
most likely a pre-arranged one between the two prominent Norfolk Catholic
families.
T.G.B.
7th
January 2003