Grand Union Series - Bridge 79D: Willow Pattern Traditional Cache

The Grand Union Canal links Birmingham to London with a waterway which is 145 miles long and contains 166 locks. This cache is one of a series to be found along or close to the Buckinghamshire stretch of the canal.

I have always loved the Willow Pattern Plates that used to be on my Grandmother's Dresser and this Bridge Reminded me of them, hence the name.

It is not known really whether the pattern was made to illustrate the story, or the romance suggested by the design.

Every one in childhood has wondered what the mysterious people, trees, and birds meant. Who are the three people on the bridge and where are they going? What is the boatman doing? Who lives on the island? Why do the two birds fly above all, about to kiss each other? Whatever sized plate or whatever shaped piece we examine these items occur – the three people are on the bridge, the boatman, the island, and the birds fluttering above are always there. Look at the plate – on the right is a Chinese House belonging to a wealthy man, for it is two storeys high – and the outbuildings, spacious grounds, and rare trees all indicate magnificence.

Now for the story

The great house belonged to a Mandarin of great power whose influence was felt by all in that Seaport. He has acquired much wealth by serving the Emperor as a Customs House Officer. This work was done by his secretary named Chang – while his master received bribes from merchants at whose smuggling he winked as long as he was paid in proportion. Time came when the merchants began to talk loudly about the unfairness and dishonesty of this Customs Manager. As matters had become difficult, the Mandarin whose wife had died made this an excuse for requesting the Emperor to allow him to retire. His Imperial Majesty the Emperor signed the necessary document. The Mandarin then retired to his house with his wealth untouched, taking with him his only daughter Koong-se, and his secretary, Chang, whose services he retained for a few months in order to put his accounts into a state that would bear scrutiny, if for any reason he should be asked to produce them. When this was complete, he discharged Chang, but it was too late for the secretary had seen and loved the Mandarin’s daughter.

At sunset Koong-se used to linger on the way from the banquet room, and find an opportunity to steal away into a distant part of the grounds where Chang was ready to meet her, and upon the last evening of Chang’s engagement he made a promise of love and constancy.

For many evenings after when Chang was supposed to be miles away, they met in a place among the orange trees and huge peonies.

Koong-se’s handmaid assisted to arrange these interviews without the knowledge of the old Mandarin, for they knew that their positions in life being unequal, the father would never consent to the union. Yet they believed and hoped this objection would sometime be removed.

Their fancy had but two seasons – Spring and Summer.

But the knowledge of these meetings at last reached the Mandarin – he forbade Koong-se to leave the house, Chang was warned, and he ordered a high and strong palisade to be made all round the ground to the edge of the river.

So as to keep his daughter imprisoned and to allow her exercise in the fresh air he built a suite of apartments adjoining his banquet room, jutting out over the river, with terraces upon which Koong-se could walk. These apartments had no exit except through the banquet room where the old Mandarin spent most of his time, and as they were completely surrounded by water, he felt sure he would no longer be troubled with clandestine meetings.

To complete the lovers’ disappointment he betrothed his daughter to a wealthy friend, a Ta-jin (duke of high degree) whom she had never seen.

The Ta-jin was her equal in every way, except age, in which he was greatly her superior.

The marriage was arranged, without the lady’s consent, and was to take place when the peach tree blossomed.

Poor Koong-se watched the buds on the peach tree that grew near her prison. But she was cheered when a bird came and built its nest just close to the window. She watched it bringing straws and feathers, and used to sit gazing out over the water. As she looked she saw a coconut shell with a little sail of paper fitted to it floating towards her, and stretching out her parasol she reached it from the water. In it she found a bead she had given to her lover, and some verses, which proved from whom it had come.

Chang had sent it from the other side of the water, and upon closer examination she found a paper, on which was written: “As this boat sails to thee, so my thoughts tend” With further information that, when the Willow blossom drops from the bough, and the peach tree unfolds its buds, your faithful Chang will sink with the lotus blooms beneath the deep waters.

Koong-se well understood this and wept over Chang’s threat to commit suicide. She took a needle that she had been using for embroidery and scratched upon an ivory tablet, her answer: “Do not wise husbandmen gather the fruits they fear will be stolen? The fruit you most prize will be gathered when the Willow blossom droops upon the bough” She placed the tablet in the shell boat, and when dark launched it with an incense stick burning in it, and little faith in her heart.

Still she followed its light till she could see it no longer, and because it had not overturned or the light extinguished, with a lighter heart she retired to rest.

Days passed, weeks passed, but no more little boats appeared, and Koong-se began to doubt.

The blossom upon the Willow tree, as she watched it, seemed to wither.

One morning the old Mandarin came to her in high glee. In his hands was a large box full of rare jewels – a present from the Ta-jin.

He told her that the Duke was coming that day to take food and drink wine in her father’s house.

Koong-se’s hopes vanished – she could only weep. The Ta-jin arrived with a great crowd of servants bearing lanterns on which were written his titles, and his great performances, which were shouted out between the beating of gongs.

The old Mandarin gave him a suitable reception, and the gentleman sat down to a feast, many “cups of salutation” were drunk and they became noisy with merriment.

During this orgy a stranger came to the house to ask alms, and his tale being listened to he took a garment from the porch, in which he disguised himself, and spreading a screen across the lower part of the banquet room, he passed into Koong-se’s apartments, and in another moment the lovers were locked in each other’s arms.

Yes! It was Chang, he asked Koong-se to fly with him, “for,” said he, “… the Willow blossom already droops upon the bough.” She gave him the box of jewels, and as the Mandarin and his guests were asleep over their cups, she passed behind the screen and out down the steps to the footbridge beside the Willow tree.

At this moment the old Mandarin became aware of what was going on, and seeing his daughter and Chang in the garden he raised the hue and cry and ran out after them himself.

Here you have the part of the story, which shows the three figures on the bridge (the artist has had to concentrate them upon the bridge, so as to show them clearly, as well as to help the design).

First the lady – Koong-se holding a distaff, the emblem of virginity – the second is Chang carrying the box of jewels – the third, the old Mandarin showing his authority and rage as he carries a whip.

Chang and Koong-se escaped and got into a boat, which was in readiness, and rowed away to an unfrequented island far away on the river, where the handmaid, who had been dismissed, found them safety, and concealed them.

Every attempt to race them was made by the father and Ta-jin – the former, after a short time, gave up in despair – but the latter, who was more persevering, sent spies out to every village for miles around, he was anxious to secure Chang, and put him to death for the theft of the jewels.

At last the old Mandarin issued a proclamation that, if his daughter would leave Chang and return home, he would forgive her.

This deluded Chang into believing that he was relenting and he was so joyful that he became less careful to conceal himself. Thus the house was watched, and later in the evening a soldier entered to read the proclamation to them, and tell them the house was surrounded.

Chang managed to escape by diving into the river, and swimming across, he fetched a boat after dark. While the faithful handmaid kept the soldiers occupied in front of the house Koong-se escaped by the back, and the boat was pushed off and went rapidly down the river.

They sold a jewel and brought food with the coin. They floated on for several days till they came to an island in the broad river near its mouth at the sea, and on this small piece of ground they decided to settle and live in peace.

The jewels were sold in secret ways so as to avoid suspicion, and with the proceeds Chang was able to purchase a free right to the island.

Here they built a house, Koong-se helping, and Chang brought the land into a profitable state of cultivation.

This you can see in the design for the whole of the ground is furrowed and every scrap of it is utilised – even narrow strips of land are reclaimed from the river.

Chang became by his industry a man of comfortable means, and took up once more his literary pursuits, writing a book upon gardening, which gained him reputation and the patronage of wealthy men.

This book made him friends, but also showed his whereabouts to his greatest enemy the Ta-jin, whose desire for revenge had never ceased.

He did not delay but sent at once a company of soldiers to seize Koong-se and kill Chang without mercy. Chang resisted them but was run through the body and mortally wounded. His servants seeing him fall, threw down their weapons and fled.,P. Koong-se in despair ran into the house which she set on fire, and was burnt to death. The gods cursed the Duke, but took pity on Koong-se and Chang they transformed them into two immortal doves (or in reality a mandarin duck and drake), emblems of constancy – beautiful in life, and in death unparted.

The fact in natural history is: That if a Mandarin drake dies, his mate also dies, and vice-versa. This story was written by Harry Barnard.

Onto the cache: The cache is on the Broadwalk part of the canal-side walk and Route 6 of The National Cycle Network.

As always when caching near deep water, please take care to look after small children or pets.