THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
307
Some time in 1812, to relieve a temporary embarrassment, Mr. Chinnery
made use of soma funis entrusted to his charge at the Treasury ; this,
was discovered before he could make the replacement intended, and he
fled to the Continent. Although Gillwell was the property of Mrs. Chinnery,
there was no Married Woman's Property Act in those days, so, in satis-
faction, the Crown seized the property and it remained in their possession
until 1882. Mrs. Chinnery's love of her home, which she had done so much
to beautify by planning and planting the Lime Walk and many varieties
of trees and ornamental shrubs, is shown in the following passage from a
letter dated July 2, 1812 :—
" It was an earthly paradise, in which the delightful harmony
resulting from the perfect accord of duty and inclination were felt
and enjoyed. Those who have been the witnesses of our manner of
living at Gilwell can vouch for the truth of what I say. God best
knows why that happy peaceful home, where He was adored in fidelity
and truth, is now to be sold by public auction. In the garden is a
little monument to the memory of my youngest son. We adorned
it every day with fresh flowers. Is it to be pulled down or destroyed ?
There is also a column very dear to my heart, because it was put up
in remembrance of what we vainly thought was the recovery of my
daughter from whooping cough. The will of God be done ! Nothing
now remains to me of all I so lately possessed but one only child. I
bow my head in resignation ; to those who are the delegates of
power 011 earth I resign my claim to my paternal home.
" Margaret Chinnery."
Mrs. Chinnery seems to have lived for some time in Paris, but in 1822
was residing with her son George at 17, Montagu Street, Portman Square,
where Viotti joined them, continuing with them when, at the end of 1823,
they removed to 5, Upper Berkeley Street, where he died March 8th, 1824,
Mrs. Chinnery being with him at the time of his death. He had made his
will in December, 1822, in which he says :—
" Not only am I dying without means, but moreover I die with a
debt which breaks my heart. It is that debt which my misfortune
caused me to enter into towards Madame Chinnery, born. Tresillian.
That good and excellent person placed the sum of 80,000 francs at
my disposal to assist me in my business. The house failed and I
was forced to relinquish not only my own capital but also the 80,000
francs lent to me with such disinterested magnanimity. That sacred
debt is the misfortune of my life, and it will disturb the peace of my
ashes if I should have the misfortune to be unable to discharge it.
" I feel sure even that she will shed bitter tears in thinking of me,
and that she will never cease to pray to the Almighty for the repose
of my soul. In that conviction and with tears in my eyes I say
farewell to her for ever."
Viotti's six duos for two violins, Op. 5, is dedicated to Mr. and Mrs,
Chinnery and his violin concerto in E minor to his friend Mr. William
Chinnery. In his correspondence with Viotti the Duke of Cambridge
is always very solicitous concerning Mrs. Chinnery and her son George,
and from a letter of 21st October, 1816, it appears that his influence had
been invoked to secure for Mrs. Chinnery a position that she desired.