306
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
"Caroline" is inscribed on the centre of the urn and on the base of
the pillar is written :—
"Walter Grenfall Chinnery lies interred in the same tomb. He
died Nov. 19 1802 in his 10th year."
George, the other son, died in 1822 ; I do not know where he is buried
but it was probably abroad.
In affluent circumstances and noted for hospitality, the Chinnerys
were cultured gentlefolk, and many well known people found pleasure
in their society. Mrs. Chinnery was an accomplished pianist and among
the intimate friends of the family were Viotti, the celebrated violinist
and composer, and Adolphus Frederick, first Duke of Cambridge and
7th son of George III, an enthusiastic musical amateur. Both are be-
lieved to have been frequent visitors to Gillwell, and the bedroom occupied
by the latter, the large one over the dining room, was called the Duke's
room. The ghost which walks along the corridor and opens a bedroom
door is reputed to be his.
Fleeing from the French Revolution, Viotti came to London in July
1792 and became on friendly terms with the Chinnerys, and their children
were his pupils. He embarked upon a wine business in London which
was unsuccessful, and, for political reasons, was deported from England
for a time, during which he lived at Schonefeld in Germany. From there
he wrote to Walter Chinnery in 1798 :—
" Do you practise your violin ? You must keep up your playing,
your brother George likewise, so that your ' Amico ' may instruct
you. Embrace your father and mother for me and love with all
your heart
" Your Amico
"Viotti."
And in the same year to Caroline :—
" My dear Caroline,
" I was just busy composing some very pretty little Pianoforte
sonatas with violin accompaniment for you when a letter of your
dear Mama brought me the news that you were sadly neglecting
your music. I am all the more shocked at this as Mama adds that
it is ill humour that prevents you from making progress. As I am
convinced that this can last but a few moments and that you will
immediately be as sweet and amiable again as you were before, I
shall finish the sonatas, so that you may play them to me very nicely
on my return, and that I may have the pleasure of playing the accom-
paniment for you. I shall send them as soon as I hear from your
dear good mother that you find pleasure again in music, that beautiful
and agreeable art which gives so much enjoyment to the whole
world. Adieu, my dear Caroline, embrace your little Walter for me
and speak often of me with your excellent mother and your good
father. I hope that I may soon learn that you deserve the full
esteem and friendship of l'Amico,
"J. B. Viotti."
Madame Vigee le Brun on more than one occasion stayed at Gillwell
with the Chinnerys, and pleasing reference to her first visit may be found
in her Life and Letters. She painted a portrait of Viotti.