DEATH OF SIR F A. T. CLIFFORD CONSTABLE.
Following with startling rapidity of our announcement of the Critical condition of the honourable baronet,
mentioned in last week's issue, Sir Frederick Augustus Talbot Clifford Constable, the third baronet,
of Burton Constable. Hull, died at his shooting-box, Scargill Lodge, at half-past eleven o'clock on Tuesday night week.
Deceased was son of the second Baronet, his mother being the youngest daughter of Mr Charles J . Chichester,
of Calverleigh Court, Devon.
The baronetcy was oonferred upon Sir Hugh Clifford in 1815, at tbe request of Louis XVIII.,
in recognition of his services during that monarch's residence in this country. Sir Hugh assumed the name
of Constable in 1821. The baronet now deceased was born at Brighton in 1828, and married the daughter of the
late Mr William Herring, of St. Mary's, Scilly Isles, succeeding his father—Sir Thomas Aston Oonstable -
to the title in 1870.
Sir Talbot was a justice of the peace, and deputy-lieutenant for the East Biding, and was at one time a major
in tbe East York Militia. Though he took no active part in public affairs, he was widely known and was in every
sense of the word a thorough sportsman. He was a prominent member of the Holderness Hunt, and took much interest
in greyhound coursing, Sir Talbot regularly running dogs at tbe local and district fixtures. He was also a keen
observer of turf matters, and bis well-known breed of harriers had more than a mere local fame.
A few years ago the deceased baronet Held a crack pack of beagles to Lord Randolph Churchill, and the district
around Scargill was regularly hunted by Sir Talbot and his friends. The deceased gentleman was an admirable judge
of a horse, and was a great patron of agriculture. He not only cheerfully supported the local shows, but invariably
attended the exhibitions. Tbe sight of Sir Talbot, seated on his camp stool, at tbe edge of tbe judging enclosures,
was an institution at the Teesdale shows, and tbe honourable baronet, with an utter absence of personal pride,
would sit for hours watching the show horses go through their paces, and many a prize his own handsome tits have won.
He was a member of the distinguished Coaching or Four-in-hand Club, whioh bad its rallying point at Hyde Park corner.
It goes without saying that no equine quartette could put Sir Talbot's beautiful team in tbe shade. The high-steppers
and familiar drag were often seen in the streets at Barnard Castle, and it is quite certain that the deeply lamented
gentleman will be much missed in this neighbourhood, as well as at Ferriby, Wreeale, Holderness, Burton Constable
and generally in East Yorkshire.
The late baronet was the owner of at least three or four palatial seats, some of which are furnished on the
most sumptuous and magnificent scale. Tbe mansion at Burton Constable, one of the residences belonging
to Sir Talbot Constable, is a magnificent building, but, unfortunately, has not been inhabited for some time,
and the grounds and exterior of the ancestral home are in a ruinous state. The house stands in a beautiful park,
and has two superb fronts. There is also a lake, crossed by a bridge of five arches, and approached by a walk
from the porter's lodge, which consists of a spacious gateway, with embattled towers at the angles, similar to
those at Burton Agnes. Tbe Elizabethan style has been largely followed. Tbe west front is nearly two hundred feet
in length, and the east over one hundred and thirty, exclusive of tbe wings and of four square embattled towers,
two at each end of tbe edifice. The interior of the mansion also partakes of the same magnificence.
The entrance hall is sixty feet long, and tbirty-one in breadth and height, and contains the arms of the family
and their connections in no less than seventy escutcheons. There is also a gallery 113 feet long, having in it a
fine collection of family pictures and an extensive library.
Scargill is a spot of historical interest, and, in residence, Sir Talbot dearly loved his romantic and moorside home.
Its surroundings may very aptly be described in the phraseology of Sir Walter Scott: "e;It unites the richness and
luxuriance of English vegetation with tbe romantic variety of glen, torrent, and copse, which dignifies our
northern scenery." The little rustic bridge, about three miles from Bokeby, gives access to the hamlet of Scargill.
Near this bridge, and close to the stream, is a copious chalybeate spring. Then there is the peel-tower, in
some respects resembling that at Mortham, and tbe outstretching land is a fine hunting-ground, where, strange
to relate, the deceased baronet, only the Thursday previous to his death, was enjoying a merry spin with his hounds.
And then it was when Sir Talbot caught a chill. He returned to the open air, without changing his clothing,
and, having to battle with other constitutional weaknesses, eryaipelas supervened, and despite the unremitting
attention of Mr James Munro, M.D., of this town, the stout-hearted and heroic patient sank and died as already stated.
There were many characteristics of the old English nobility in the life of Sir Talbot Constable. He meant what
he said. Tradesmen who knew the deceased speak highly of him. He knew tbe world well. His experience was varied
and comprehensive, He was always practical, exact, and reliable, even in the smallest transactions of business.
His manner was pleasant and sociable, and, sitting to tbe right of Lord Barnard, at tbe luncheon of
the last Barnard Castle Agricultural Show, one could see at a glance that Sir Talbot's earnestness was
marked and sincere his mien affable and considerate.
The deceased gentleman was of a Catholic family. He was educated at Stoneyhurst College, and it was in
this connection that tbe late Sir Talbot Constable became famous as a witness in the celebrated
Tich-borne case, in which tbe claimant sought to prove his heirship
to the Tichborne estates. At the time, the remarkable evidence which tbe owner of Scargill Lodge gave,
was much commented upon in this locality, more especially as Sir Talbot, like Lady Tichborne herself,
absolutely believed that the claimant was "the real Sir Roger." This testimony lent additional local
interest to the case as it was proceeding. Sir Talbot's circle of acquaintances included many of tbe
notabilities of tbe day, and the teaching allusion to tbe late baronet, at tbe golden wedding celebrations
at Barningham Park, are quite fresh in the recollection of us all.
These are Lady Milbank's words: "1 see here an old friend—Sir Talbot Constable. 1 believe be is the only person
here who knew me before I was married. His father and mother were very kind friends of mine, and I first met
Sir Frederick in bis father's bouse. The best thing his father and mother ever did to me was to ask me to
meet Sir Frederick." This kindly and affectionate delivery of Lady Milbank touohed the heart of the
deceased baronet, and those of us who were privileged to be present on that memorable day will not readily
forget the event.
The Holderness estates are very large and extensive, and the deceased exerocised considerable influence
in East Yorkshire. Tbe Wycliffe property—including tbe mansion occupied by Mr John Wallace Taylor, J.P.
embraces about 3,000 acres, and that at Scargill considerably more, but a Large proportion of tbis area is
included in the high and low grouse moors.
There is no heir to the title, and the settled estates — entailed in the male line — pass to
Mr George Raleigh Chichester, of Bunnamoat, Roscommon. It is, however, understood that the deceased held the
Ferriby property in fee simple. Mr Chichester arrived at Scargill Lodge on Friday.
On Monday morning, at an early hour, the mortal remains of Sir Talbot Constable were removed from Scargill Lodge,
and conveyed by special train from Barnard Oastle to tbe place of sepulohre.
The local undertaker was Mr Alderson, of Bowes. The body was enclosed in a leaden shell, made by Mr Christopher Hedley,
plumber and sanitary engineer, of Oalgate, Barnard Castle. The coffin was of polished oak, with brass fittings,
and the breast plate bore the simple announcement of the name and date of birth and death of the deceased.
The sympathy of the tenantry was generous and unbounded, many wreaths—some of them perfect floral gems—having been
received from far and near. There were no funeral observances at Barnard Castle, the cortege being formed from
the Hull centre.
On Sunday, the party from Soargill Lodge attended divine service at St Mary's Catholic Church, at Barnard Castle.
There were present, among others, Mr Clifford and Mr Chichester. The Rev. Father Shea preached the sermon
on tbe subject of "The Guardian Angels," this being a festival of the church.
The reverend gentleman made feeling allusion to tbe death of Sir Talbot, and affectionately requested the
prayers of the congregation for the repose of the soul of the deceased baronet. Mass was said on Sunday and Monday,
and it may here be said that the Bev. Father Nelson, of Lartington, administered tbe last rite of tbe church in
the dying moments of Sir Talbot.
The family vault is at Halsbam. The hearse and three mourning coaches were supplied by Mrs Smith, of the
King's Head Hotel, Barnard
