On Forsyte 'Change

In the year 1821 'Superior Dosset' Forsyte came to Townif not precisely on a milkwhite pony. According to the testimony of Aunt Ann, noted for precision, to young Jolyon on holiday from Eton, the migration from Bosport was in fact tribal and effected in two post shays and the Highflyer coach.

"It was after our dear Mother's death, and our fatherthat is your grandfather, Jo dear,was very taciturn on the journey; he was never a man who showed his feelings. I had your Aunt Susan in arms, and your Uncle Timothytwo years old, such an interesting child, in the first postshay with your grandfather. And your dear father, he was so dependable and very like youhe must have been fifteen then, just your agehe had your Aunts Juley and Hester with him and your Uncle Nicholas, who was four, in the second post shay; and your Uncles James and Swithin and Roger were on the coach. I am afraid Swithin was very naughty with his peashooter on the journey. We started early in the morning, and we all went for the night to your GreatUncle Edgar's at Primrose Hill. I remember he still wore kneebreeches and a very large bunch of seals. Of course, WE were all in black. Your grandfather wore black for two years after our dear mother's death; he felt it very much, though he never said anything."

"What was he like, Auntie?"

"Stronglybuilt, my dear, with a high colour. In those days they drank a great deal of wine, especially Madeira."

"But what was he?"

"He began as a mason, dear."

"A Freemason?"

Dettagli