第7章

Theprocessionmovedon，andstillon，throughever—augmentingsplendorsandever—augmentingtempestsofwelcome；buttoTomCantytheywereasiftheyhadnotbeen。Heneithersawnorheard。Royaltyhadlostitsgraceandsweetness；itspompswerebecomeareproach。

Remorsewaseatinghisheartout。Hesaid，’WouldGodIwerefreeofmycaptivity！’

Hehadunconsciouslydroppedbackintothephraseologyofthefirstdaysofhiscompulsorygreatness。

Theshiningpageantstillwentwindinglikearadiantandinterminableserpentdownthecrookedlanesofthequaintoldcity，andthroughthehuzzainghosts；butstillthekingrodewithbowedheadandvacanteyes，seeingonlyhismother’sfaceandthatwoundedlookinit。

’Largess，largess！’Thecryfelluponanunheedingear。

’LongliveEdwardofEngland！’Itseemedasiftheearthshookwiththeexplosion；buttherewasnoresponsefromtheking。Hehearditonlyasonehearsthethunderofthesurfwhenitisblowntotheearoutofagreatdistance，foritwassmotheredunderanothersoundwhichwasstillnearer，inhisownbreast，inhisaccusingconscience—avoicewhichkeptrepeatingthoseshamefulwords，’Idonotknowyou，woman！’

Thewordssmoteupontheking’ssoulasthestrokesofafuneralbellsmiteuponthesoulofasurvivingfriendwhentheyremindhimofsecrettreacheriessufferedathishandsbyhimthatisgone。

Newglorieswereunfoldedateveryturning；newwonders，newmarvels，sprungintoview；thepentclamorsofwaitingbatterieswerereleased；newrapturespouredfromthethroatsofthewaitingmultitudes；butthekinggavenosign，andtheaccusingvoicethatwentmoaningthroughhiscomfortlessbreastwasallthesoundheheard。

Byandbythegladnessinthefacesofthepopulacechangedalittle，andbecametouchedwithasomethinglikesolicitudeoranxiety；anabatementinthevolumeofapplausewasobservabletoo。

TheLordProtectorwasquicktonoticethesethings；hewasasquicktodetectthecause。Hespurredtotheking’sside，bentlowinhissaddle，uncovered，andsaid：

’Myliege，itisanilltimefordreaming。Thepeopleobservethydowncasthead，thycloudedmien，andtheytakeitforanomen。

Beadvised；unveilthesunofroyalty，andletitshineuponthesebodingvapors，anddispersethem。Liftupthyface，andsmileuponthepeople。’

Sosaying，thedukescatteredahandfulofcoinstorightandleft，thenretiredtohisplace。Themockkingdidmechanicallyashehadbeenbidden。Hissmilehadnoheartinit，butfeweyeswerenearenoughorsharpenoughtodetectthat。Thenoddingsofhisplumedheadashesalutedhissubjectswerefullofgraceandgraciousness；

thelargesswhichhedeliveredfromhishandwasroyallyliberal；sothepeople’sanxietyvanished，andtheacclamationsburstforthagaininasmightyavolumeasbefore。

Stilloncemore，alittlebeforetheprogresswasended，thedukewasobligedtorideforward，andmakeremonstrance。Hewhispered：

’Odreadsovereign！shakeoffthesefatalhumors；theeyesoftheworldareuponthee。’Thenheaddedwithsharpannoyance，’Perditioncatchthatcrazypauper！’twasshethathathdisturbedyourHighness。’

Thegorgeousfigureturnedalusterlesseyeupontheduke，andsaidinadeadvoice：

’Shewasmymother！’

’MyGod！’groanedtheProtectorashereinedhishorsebackwardtohispost，’theomenwaspregnantwithprophecy。Heisgonemadagain！’

CHAPTERXXXII

CoronationDayLETusgobackwardafewhours，andplaceourselvesinWestminsterAbbey，atfouro’clockinthemorningofthismemorableCoronationDay。Wearenotwithoutcompany；foralthoughitisstillnight，wefindthetorch—lightedgalleriesalreadyfillingupwithpeoplewhoarewellcontenttositstillandwaitsevenoreighthourstillthetimeshallcomeforthemtoseewhattheymaynothopetoseetwiceintheirlives—thecoronationofaking。Yes，LondonandWestminsterhavebeenastireversincethewarninggunsboomedatthreeo’clock，andalreadycrowdsofuntitledrichfolkwhohaveboughttheprivilegeoftryingtofindsitting—roominthegalleriesareflockinginattheentrancesreservedfortheirsort。

Thehoursdragalong，tediouslyenough。Allstirhasceasedforsometime，foreverygalleryhaslongagobeenpacked。Wemaysitnow，andlookandthinkatourleisure。Wehaveglimpseshereandthereandyonder，throughthedimcathedraltwilight，ofportionsofmanygalleriesandbalconies，wedgedfullwithpeople，theotherportionsofthesegalleriesandbalconiesbeingcutofffromsightbyinterveningpillarsandarchitecturalprojections。Wehaveinviewthewholeofthegreatnorthtransept—empty，andwaitingforEngland’sprivilegedones。Weseealsotheampleareaorplatform，carpetedwithrichstuffs，whereonthethronestands。Thethroneoccupiesthecenteroftheplatform，andisraisedaboveituponanelevationoffoursteps。Withintheseatofthethroneisinclosedaroughflatrock—

theStoneofScone—whichmanygenerationsofScottishkingssatontobecrowned，andsoitintimebecameholyenoughtoansweralikepurposeforEnglishmonarchs。Boththethroneanditsfootstoolarecoveredwithcloth—of—gold。

Stillnessreigns，thetorchesblinkdully，thetimedragsheavily。

Butatlastthelaggingdaylightassertsitself，thetorchesareextinguished，andamellowradiancesuffusesthegreatspaces。Allfeaturesofthenoblebuildingaredistinctnow，butsoftanddreamy，forthesunislightlyveiledwithclouds。

Atseveno’clockthefirstbreakinthedrowsymonotonyoccurs；

foronthestrokeofthishourthefirstpeeressentersthetransept，clothedlikeSolomonforsplendor，andisconductedtoherappointedplacebyanofficialcladinsatinsandvelvets，whilstaduplicateofhimgathersupthelady’slongtrain，followsafter，and，whentheladyisseated，arrangesthetrainacrossherlapforher。Hethenplacesherfootstoolaccordingtoherdesire，afterwhichheputshercoronetwhereitwillbeconvenienttoherhandwhenthetimeforthesimultaneouscoronetingofthenoblesshallarrive。

Bythistimethepeeressesareflowingininaglitteringstream，andsatin—cladofficialsareflittingandglintingeverywhere，seatingthemandmakingthemcomfortable。Thesceneisanimatedenoughnow。Thereisstirandlife，andshiftingcoloreverywhere。Afteratime，quietreignsagain；forthepeeressesareallcome，andareallintheirplaces—asolidacre，orsuchamatter，ofhumanflowers，resplendentinvariegatedcolors，andfrostedlikeaMilkyWaywithdiamonds。Thereareallageshere：brown，wrinkled，white—haireddowagerswhoareabletogoback，andstillback，downthestreamoftime，andrecallthecrowningofRichardIIIandthetroublousdaysofthatoldforgottenage；andtherearehandsomemiddle—ageddames；

andlovelyandgraciousyoungmatrons；andgentleandbeautifulyounggirls，withbeamingeyesandfreshcomplexions，whomaypossiblyputontheirjeweledcoronetsawkwardlywhenthegreattimecomes；forthematterwillbenewtothem，andtheirexcitementwillbeasorehindrance。Still，thismaynothappen，forthehairofalltheseladieshasbeenarrangedwithaspecialviewtotheswiftandsuccessfullodgingofthecrowninitsplacewhenthesignalcomes。

Wehaveseenthatthismassedarrayofpeeressesissownthickwithdiamonds，andwealsoseethatitisamarvelousspectacle—butnowweareabouttobeastonishedinearnest。Aboutnine，thecloudssuddenlybreakawayandashaftofsunshinecleavesthemellowatmosphere，anddriftsslowlyalongtheranksofladies；andeveryrankittouchesflamesintoadazzlingsplendorofmany—coloredfires，andwetingletoourfinger—tipswiththeelectricthrillthatisshotthroughusbythesurpriseandthebeautyofthespectacle！

PresentlyaspecialenvoyfromsomedistantcorneroftheOrient，marchingwiththegeneralbodyofforeignambassadors，crossesthisbarofsunshine，andwecatchourbreath，theglorythatstreamsandflashesandpalpitatesabouthimissooverpowering；forheiscrustedfromheadtoheelswithgems，andhisslightestmovementshowersadancingradianceallaroundhim。

Letuschangethetenseforconvenience。Thetimedriftedalong—

onehour—twohours—twohoursandahalf；thenthedeepboomingofartillerytoldthatthekingandhisgrandprocessionhadarrivedatlast；sothewaitingmultituderejoiced。Allknewthatafurtherdelaymustfollow，forthekingmustbepreparedandrobedforthesolemnceremony；butthisdelaywouldbepleasantlyoccupiedbytheassemblingofthepeersoftherealmintheirstatelyrobes。Thesewereconductedceremoniouslytotheirseats，andtheircoronetsplacedconvenientlyathand；andmeanwhilethemultitudeinthegallerieswerealivewithinterest，formostofthemwerebeholdingforthefirsttime，dukes，earls，andbarons，whosenameshadbeenhistoricalforfivehundredyears。Whenallwerefinallyseated，thespectaclefromthegalleriesandallcoignsofvantagewascomplete；agorgeousonetolookuponandtoremember。

Nowtherobedandmiteredgreatheadsofthechurch，andtheirattendants，filedinupontheplatformandtooktheirappointedplaces；thesewerefollowedbytheLordProtectorandothergreatofficials，andtheseagainbyasteel—claddetachmentoftheGuard。

Therewasawaitingpause；then，atasignal，atriumphantpealofmusicburstforth，andTomCanty，dothedinalongrobeofcloth—of—gold，appearedatadoor，andsteppedupontheplatform。

Theentiremultituderose，andtheceremonyoftheRecognitionensued。

ThenanobleanthemswepttheAbbeywithitsrichwavesofsound；andthusheraldedandwelcomed，TomCantywasconductedtothethrone。Theancientceremonieswentonwithimpressivesolemnity，whilsttheaudiencegazed；andastheydrewnearerandnearertocompletion，TomCantygrewpale，andstillpaler，andadeepandsteadilydeepeningwoeanddespondencysettleddownuponhisspiritsanduponhisremorsefulheart。

Atlastthefinalactwasathand。TheArchbishopofCanterburyliftedupthecrownofEnglandfromitscushionandhelditoutoverthetremblingmockking’shead。Inthesameinstantarainbowradianceflashedalongthespacioustransept；forwithoneimpulseeveryindividualinthegreatconcourseofnoblesliftedacoronetandpoiseditoverhisorherhead—andpausedinthatattitude。

AdeephushpervadedtheAbbey。Atthisimpressivemoment，astartlingapparitionintrudeduponthescene—anapparitionobservedbynoneintheabsorbedmultitude，untilitsuddenlyappeared，movingupthegreatcentralaisle。Itwasaboy，bareheaded，illshod，andclothedincoarseplebeiangarmentsthatwerefallingtorags。

Heraisedhishandwithasolemnitywhichillcomportedwithhissoiledandsorryaspect，anddeliveredthisnoteofwarning：

’IforbidyoutosetthecrownofEnglanduponthatforfeitedhead。Iamtheking！’

Inaninstantseveralindignanthandswerelaidupontheboy；

butinthesameinstantTomCanty，inhisregalvestments，madeaswiftstepforwardandcriedoutinaringingvoice：

’Loosehimandforbear！Heistheking！’

Asortofpanicofastonishmentswepttheassemblage，andtheypartlyroseintheirplacesandstaredinabewilderedwayatoneanotherandatthechieffiguresinthisscene，likepersonswhowonderedwhethertheywereawakeandintheirsenses，orasleepanddreaming。TheLordProtectorwasasamazedastherest，butquicklyrecoveredhimselfandexclaimedinavoiceofauthority：

’MindnothisMajesty，hismaladyisuponhimagain—seizethevagabond！’

Hewouldhavebeenobeyed，butthemockkingstampedhisfootandcriedout：

’Onyourperil！Touchhimnot，heistheking！’

Thehandswerewithheld；aparalysisfelluponthehouse，noonemoved，noonespoke；indeed，nooneknewhowtoactorwhattosay，insostrangeandsurprisinganemergency。Whileallmindswerestrugglingtorightthemselves，theboystillmovedsteadilyforward，withhighportandconfidentmien；hehadneverhaltedfromthebeginning；andwhilethetangledmindsstillflounderedhelplessly，hesteppedupontheplatform，andthemockkingranwithagladfacetomeethim；andfellonhiskneesbeforehimandsaid：

’Oh，mylordtheking，letpoorTomCantybefirsttoswearfealtytothee，andsay"Putonthycrownandenterintothineownagain！"’

TheLordProtector’seyefellsternlyuponthenew—comer’sface；

butstraightwaythesternnessvanishedaway，andgaveplacetoanexpressionofwonderingsurprise。Thisthinghappenedalsototheothergreatofficers。Theyglancedateachother，andretreatedastepbyacommonandunconsciousimpulse。Thethoughtineachmindwasthesame：’Whatastrangeresemblance！’

TheLordProtectorreflectedamomentortwoinperplexity，thenhesaid，withgraverespectfulness：

’Byyourfavor，sir，Idesiretoaskcertainquestionswhich—’

’Iwillanswerthem，mylord。’

Thedukeaskedhimmanyquestionsaboutthecourt，thelateking，theprince，theprincesses。Theboyansweredthemcorrectlyandwithouthesitating。Hedescribedtheroomsofstateinthepalace，thelateking’sapartments，andthoseofthePrinceofWales。

Itwasstrange；itwaswonderful；yes，itwasunaccountable—soallsaidthatheardit。Thetidewasbeginningtoturn，andTomCanty’shopestorunhigh，whentheLordProtectorshookhisheadandsaid：

’Itistrueitismostwonderful—butitisnomorethanourlordthekinglikewisecando。’Thisremark，andthisreferencetohimself，asstilltheking，saddenedTomCanty，andhefelthishopescrumblingfromunderhim。

’Thesearenotproofs，’addedtheProtector。

Thetidewasturningveryfastnow，veryfast，indeed—butinthewrongdirection；itwasleavingpoorTomCantystrandedonthethrone，andsweepingtheotherouttosea。TheLordProtectorcommunedwithhimself—shookhishead—thethoughtforceditselfuponhim，’Itisperiloustothestateandtousall，toentertainsofatefulariddleasthis；itcoulddividethenationandunderminethethrone。’Heturnedandsaid，’SirThomas，arrestthis—No，hold！’Hisfacelighted，andheconfrontedtheraggedcandidatewiththisquestion：

’WherelieththeGreatSeal？Answermethistruly，andtheriddleisunriddled；foronlyhethatwasPrinceofWalescansoanswer！Onsotrivialathinghangathroneandadynasty！’

Itwasaluckythought，ahappythought。Thatitwassoconsideredbythegreatofficialswasmanifestedbythesilentapplausethatshotfromeyetoeyearoundtheircircleintheformofbrightapprovingglances。Yes，nonebutthetrueprincecoulddissolvethestubbornmysteryofthevanishedGreatSeal—thisforlornlittleimpostorhadbeentaughthislessonwell，butherehisteachingsmustfail，forhisteacherhimselfcouldnotanswerthatquestion—ah，verygood，verygoodindeed；nowweshallberidofthistroublesomeandperilousbusinessinshortorder！Andsotheynoddedinvisiblyandsmiledinwardlywithsatisfaction，andlookedtoseethisfoolishladstrickenwithapalsyofguiltyconfusion。Howsurprisedtheywere，then，toseenothingofthesorthappen—howtheymarveledtohearhimansweruppromptly，inaconfidentanduntroubledvoice，andsay：

’Thereisnaughtinthisriddlethatisdifficult。’Then，withoutsomuchasaby—your—leavetoanybody，heturnedandgavethiscommand，withtheeasymannerofoneaccustomedtodoingsuchthings：’MyLordSt。John，goyoutomyprivatecabinetinthepalace—

fornoneknoweththeplacebetterthanyou—and，closedowntothefloor，intheleftcornerremotestfromthedoorthatopensfromtheantechamber，youshallfindinthewallabrazennail—head；pressuponitandalittlejewelclosetwillflyopenwhichnotevenyoudoknowof—no，noranysoulelseinalltheworldbutmeandthetrustyartisanthatdidcontriveitforme。ThefirstthingthatfallethunderyoureyewillbetheGreatSeal—fetchithither。’

Allthecompanywonderedatthisspeech，andwonderedstillmoretoseethelittlemendicantpickoutthispeerwithouthesitancyorapparentfearofmistake，andcallhimbynamewithsuchaplacidlyconvincingairofhavingknownhimallhislife。Thepeerwasalmostsurprisedintoobeying。Heevenmadeamovementasiftogo，butquicklyrecoveredhistranquilattitudeandconfessedhisblunderwithablush。TomCantyturneduponhimandsaid，sharply：

’Whydostthouhesitate？Hastnotheardtheking’scommand？Go！’

TheLordSt。Johnmadeadeepobeisance—anditwasobservedthatitwasasignificantlycautiousandnon—committalone，itnotbeingdeliveredateitherofthekings，butattheneutralgroundabouthalf—waybetweenthetwo—andtookhisleave。

Nowbeganamovementofthegorgeousparticlesofthatofficialgroupwhichwasslow，scarcelyperceptible，andyetsteadyandpersistent—amovementsuchasisobservedinakaleidoscopethatisturnedslowly，wherebythecomponentsofonesplendidclusterfallawayandjointhemselvestoanother—amovementwhich，littlebylittle，inthepresentcase，dissolvedtheglitteringcrowdthatstoodaboutTomCantyandclusteredittogetheragainintheneighborhoodofthenew—comer。TomCantystoodalmostalone。Nowensuedabriefseasonofdeepsuspenseandwaiting—duringwhicheventhefewfaint—heartsstillremainingnearTomCantygraduallyscrapedtogethercourageenoughtoglide，onebyone，overtothemajority。SoatlastTomCanty，inhisroyalrobesandjewels，stoodwhollyaloneandisolatedfromtheworld，aconspicuousfigure，occupyinganeloquentvacancy。

NowtheLordSt。Johnwasseenreturning。Asheadvancedupthemid—aisletheinterestwassointensethatthelowmurmurofconversationinthegreatassemblagediedoutandwassucceededbyaprofoundhush，abreathlessstillness，throughwhichhisfootfallspulsedwithadullanddistantsound。Everyeyewasfasteneduponhimashemovedalong。Hereachedtheplatform，pausedamoment，thenmovedtowardTomCantywithadeepobeisance，andsaid：

’Sire，theSealisnotthere！’

Amobdoesnotmeltawayfromthepresenceofaplague—patientwithmorehastethanthebandofpallidandterrifiedcourtiersmeltedawayfromthepresenceoftheshabbylittleclaimantoftheCrown。

Inamomenthestoodallalone，withoutafriendorsupporter，atargetuponwhichwasconcentratedabitterfireofscornfulandangrylooks。TheLordProtectorcalledoutfiercely：

’Castthebeggarintothestreet，andscourgehimthroughthetown—thepaltryknaveisworthnomoreconsideration！’

Officersoftheguardsprangforwardtoobey，butTomCantywavedthemoffandsaid：

’Back！Whosotoucheshimperilshislife！’

TheLordProtectorwasperplexedinthelastdegree。HesaidtotheLordSt。John：

’Searchedyouwell？—butitbootsnottoaskthat。Itdothseempassingstrange。Littlethings，trifles，slipoutofone’sken，andonedoesnotthinkitmatterforsurprise；buthowasobulkythingastheSealofEnglandcanvanishawayandnomanbeabletogettrackofitagain—amassygoldendisk—’

TomCanty，withbeamingeyes，sprangforwardandshouted：

’Hold，thatisenough！Wasitround？—andthick？—andhaditlettersanddevicesgraveduponit？—Yes？Oh，nowIknowwhatthisGreatSealisthatthere’sbeensuchworryandpotherabout！Anyehaddescribedittome，yecouldhavehaditthreeweeksago。RightwellI

knowwhereitlies；butitwasnotIthatputitthere—first。’

’Who，then，myliege？’askedtheLordProtector。

’Hethatstandsthere—therightfulkingofEngland。Andheshalltellyouhimselfwhereitlies—thenyouwillbelieveheknewitofhisownknowledge。Bethinkthee，myking—spurthymemory—itwasthelast，theverylastthingthoudidstthatdaybeforethoudidstrushforthfromthepalace，clothedinmyrags，topunishthesoldierthatinsultedme。’

Asilenceensued，undisturbedbyamovementorawhisper，andalleyeswerefixeduponthenew—comer，whostood，withbentheadandcorrugatedbrow，gropinginhismemoryamongathrongingmultitudeofvaluelessrecollectionsforonesinglelittleelusivefact，whichfound，wouldseathimuponathrone—unfound，wouldleavehimashewas，forgoodandall—apauperandanoutcast。Momentaftermomentpassed—themomentsbuiltthemselvesintominutes—stilltheboystruggledsilentlyon，andgavenosign。Butatlastheheavedasigh，shookhisheadslowly，andsaid，withatremblinglipandinadespondentvoice：

’Icallthesceneback—allofit—buttheSealhathnoplaceinit。’Hepaused，thenlookedup，andsaidwithgentledignity，’Mylordsandgentlemen，ifyewillrobyourrightfulsovereignofhisownforlackofthisevidencewhichheisnotabletofurnish，Imaynotstayye，beingpowerless。But—’

’Ofolly，Omadness，myking！’criedTomCanty，inapanic，’wait！—think！Donotgiveup！—thecauseisnotlost！Norshallbe，neither！ListtowhatIsay—followeveryword—Iamgoingtobringthatmorningbackagain，everyhapjustasithappened。Wetalked—I

toldyouofmysisters，NanandBet—ah，yes，yourememberthat；andaboutmineoldgrandam—andtheroughgamesoftheladsofOffalCourt—yes，yourememberthesethingsalso；verywell，followmestill，youshallrecalleverything。Yougavemefoodanddrink，anddidwithprincelycourtesysendawaytheservants，sothatmylowbreedingmightnotshamemebeforethem—ah，yes，thisalsoyouremember。’

AsTomcheckedoffhisdetails，andtheotherboynoddedhisheadinrecognitionofthem，thegreataudienceandtheofficialsstaredinpuzzledwonderment；thetalesoundedliketruehistory，yethowcouldthisimpossibleconjunctionbetweenaprinceandabeggarboyhavecomeabout？Neverwasacompanyofpeoplesoperplexed，sointerested，andsostupefied，before。

’Forajest，myprince，wedidexchangegarments。Thenwestoodbeforeamirror；andsoalikewerewethatbothsaiditseemedasiftherehadbeennochangemade—yes，yourememberthat。Thenyounoticedthatthesoldierhadhurtmyhand—look！hereitis，I

cannotyetevenwritewithit，thefingersaresostiff。AtthisyourHighnesssprangup，vowingvengeanceuponthatsoldier，andrantowardthedoor—youpassedatable—thatthingyoucalltheSeallayonthattable—yousnatcheditupandlookedeagerlyabout，asifforaplacetohideit—youreyecaughtsightof—’

’There，’tissufficient！—andthedearGodbethanked！’

exclaimedtheraggedclaimant，inamightyexcitement。’Go，mygoodSt。John—inanarm—pieceoftheMilanesearmorthathangsonthewall，thou’ltfindtheSeal！’

’Right，myking！right！’criedTomCanty；’nowthescepterofEnglandisthineown；anditwerebetterforhimthatwoulddisputeitthathehadbeenborndumb！Go，myLordSt。John，givethyfeetwings！’

Thewholeassemblagewasonitsfeetnow，andwell—nighoutofitsmindwithuneasiness，apprehension，andconsumingexcitement。Onthefloorandontheplatformadeafeningbuzzoffranticconversationburstforth，andforsometimenobodyknewanythingorheardanythingorwasinterestedinanythingbutwhathisneighborwasshoutingintohisear，orhewasshoutingintohisneighbor’sear。

Time—nobodyknewhowmuchofit—sweptbyunheededandunnoted。Atlastasuddenhushfelluponthehouse，andinthesamemomentSt。

JohnappearedupontheplatformandheldtheGreatSealaloftinhishand。Thensuchashoutwentup！

’Longlivethetrueking！’

Forfiveminutestheairquakedwithshoutsandthecrashofmusicalinstruments，andwaswhitewithastormofwavinghandkerchiefs；andthroughitallaraggedlad，themostconspicuousfigureinEngland，stood，flushedandhappyandproud，inthecenterofthespaciousplatform，withthegreatvassalsofthekingdomkneelingaroundhim。

Thenallrose，andTomCantycriedout：

’Now，Omyking，taketheseregalgarmentsback，andgivepoorTom，thyservant，hisshredsandremnantsagain。’

TheLordProtectorspokeup：

’LetthesmallvarletbestrippedandflungintotheTower。’

Butthenewking，thetrueking，said：

’Iwillnothaveitso。ButforhimIhadnotgotmycrownagain—noneshalllayahanduponhimtoharmhim。Andasforthee，mygooduncle，myLordProtector，thisconductofthineisnotgratefultowardthispoorlad，forIhearhehathmadetheeaduke’—theProtectorblushed—’yethewasnotaking；wherefore，whatisthyfinetitleworthnow？To—morrowyoushallsuetome，throughhim，foritsconfirmation，elsenoduke，butasimpleearl，shaltthouremain。’

Underthisrebuke，hisgracetheDukeofSomersetretiredalittlefromthefrontforthemoment。ThekingturnedtoTom，andsaid，kindly：

’Mypoorboy，howwasitthatyoucouldrememberwhereIhidtheSealwhenIcouldnotrememberitmyself？’

’Ah，myking，thatwaseasy，sinceIuseditdiversdays。’

’Usedit—yetcouldnotexplainwhereitwas？’

’Ididnotknowitwasthattheywanted。Theydidnotdescribeit，yourmajesty。’

’Thenhowusedyouit？’

TheredbloodbegantostealupintoTom’scheeks，andhedroppedhiseyesandwassilent。

’Speakup，goodlad，andfearnothing，’saidtheking。’HowusedyoutheGreatSealofEngland？’

Tomstammeredamoment，inapatheticconfusion，thengotitout：

’Tocracknutswith！’

Poorchild，theavalancheoflaughterthatgreetedthis，nearlyswepthimoffhisfeet。ButifadoubtremainedinanymindthatTomCantywasnotthekingofEnglandandfamiliarwiththeaugustappurtenancesofroyalty，thisreplydisposedofitutterly。

MeantimethesumptuousrobeofstatehadbeenremovedfromTom’sshoulderstotheking’s，whoseragswereeffectivelyhiddenfromsightunderit。Thenthecoronationceremonieswereresumed；thetruekingwasanointedandthecrownsetuponhishead，whilstcannonthunderedthenewstothecity，andallLondonseemedtorockwithapplause。

CHAPTERXXXIII

EdwardasKingMILESHENDONwaspicturesqueenoughbeforehegotintotheriotonLondonBridge—hewasmoresowhenhegotoutofit。Hehadbutlittlemoneywhenhegotin，noneatallwhenhegotout。Thepickpocketshadstrippedhimofhislastfarthing。

Butnomatter，sohefoundhisboy。Beingasoldier，hedidnotgoathistaskinarandomway，butsettowork，firstofall，toarrangehiscampaign。

Whatwouldtheboynaturallydo？Wherewouldhenaturallygo？

Well—arguedMiles—hewouldnaturallygotohisformerhaunts，forthatistheinstinctofunsoundminds，whenhomelessandforsaken，aswellasofsoundones。Whereaboutswerehisformerhaunts？Hisrags，takentogetherwiththelowvillainwhoseemedtoknowhimandwhoevenclaimedtobehisfather，indicatedthathishomewasinoneorotherofthepoorestandmeanestdistrictsofLondon。Wouldthesearchforhimbedifficult，orlong？No，itwaslikelytobeeasyandbrief。Hewouldnothuntfortheboy，hewouldhuntforacrowd；inthecenterofabigcrowdoralittleone，soonerorlaterheshouldfindhispoorlittlefriend，sure；andthemangymobwouldbeentertainingitselfwithpesteringandaggravatingtheboy，whowouldbeproclaiminghimselfking，asusual。ThenMilesHendonwouldcripplesomeofthosepeople，andcarryoffhislittleward，andcomfortandcheerhimwithlovingwords，andthetwowouldneverbeseparatedanymore。

SoMilesstartedonhisquest。Hourafterhourhetrampedthroughbackalleysandsqualidstreets，seekinggroupsandcrowds，andfindingnoendofthem，butneveranysignoftheboy。Thisgreatlysurprisedhim，butdidnotdiscouragehim。Tohisnotion，therewasnothingthematterwithhisplanofcampaign；theonlymiscalculationaboutitwasthatthecampaignwasbecomingalengthyone，whereashehadexpectedittobeshort。

Whendaylightarrivedatlast，hehadmademanyamile，andcanvassedmanyacrowd，buttheonlyresultwasthathewastolerablytired，ratherhungry，andverysleepy。Hewantedsomebreakfast，buttherewasnowaytogetit。Tobegforitdidnotoccurtohim；astopawninghissword，hewouldassoonhavethoughtofpartingwithhishonor；hecouldsparesomeofhisclothes—yes，butonecouldaseasilyfindacustomerforadiseaseasforsuchclothes。

Atnoonhewasstilltramping—amongtherabblewhichfollowedaftertheroyalprocessionnow；forhearguedthatthisregaldisplaywouldattracthislittlelunaticpowerfully。HefollowedthepageantthroughallitsdeviouswindingsaboutLondon，andallthewaytoWestminsterandtheAbbey。Hedriftedhereandthereamongthemultitudesthatweremassedinthevicinityforawearylongtime，baffledandperplexed，andfinallywanderedoffthinking，andtryingtocontrivesomewaytobetterhisplanofcampaign。Byandby，whenhecametohimselfoutofhismusings，hediscoveredthatthetownwasfarbehindhimandthatthedaywasgrowingold。Hewasneartheriver，andinthecountry；itwasaregionoffineruralseats—notthesortofdistricttowelcomeclotheslikehis。

Itwasnotatallcold；sohestretchedhimselfonthegroundintheleeofahedgetorestandthink。Drowsinesspresentlybegantosettleuponhissenses；thefaintandfar—offboomofcannonwaswaftedtohisear，andhesaidtohimself，’Thenewkingiscrowned，’andstraightwayfellasleep。Hehadnotsleptorrested，before，formorethanthirtyhours。Hedidnotwakeagainuntilnearthemiddleofthenextmorning。

Hegotup，lame，stiff，andhalffamished，washedhimselfintheriver，stayedhisstomachwithapintortwoofwater，andtrudgedofftowardWestminstergrumblingathimselfforhavingwastedsomuchtime。Hungerhelpedhimtoanewplannow；hewouldtrytogetspeechwitholdSirHumphreyMarlowandborrowafewmarks，and—butthatwasenoughofaplanforthepresent；itwouldbetimeenoughtoenlargeitwhenthisfirststageshouldbeaccomplished。

Towardeleveno’clockheapproachedthepalace；andalthoughahostofshowypeoplewereabouthim，movinginthesamedirection，hewasnotinconspicuous—hiscostumetookcareofthat。Hewatchedthesepeople’sfacesnarrowly，hopingtofindacharitableonewhosepossessormightbewillingtocarryhisnametotheoldlieutenant—astotryingtogetintothepalacehimself，thatwassimplyoutofthequestion。

Presentlyourwhipping—boypassedhim，thenwheeledaboutandscannedhisfigurewell，sayingtohimself，’Anthatisnottheveryvagabondhismajestyisinsuchaworryabout，thenamIanass—

thoughbelikeIwasthatbefore。Heanswereththedescriptiontoarag—thatGodshouldmaketwosuch，wouldbetocheapenmiracles，bywastefulrepetition。IwouldIcouldcontriveanexcusetospeakwithhim。’

MilesHendonsavedhimthetrouble；forheturnedabout，then，asamangenerallywillwhensomebodymesmerizeshimbygazinghardathimfrombehind；andobservingastronginterestintheboy’seyes，hesteppedtowardhimandsaid：

’Youhavejustcomeoutfromthepalace；doyoubelongthere？’

’Yes，yourworship。’

’KnowyouSirHumphreyMarlow？’

Theboystarted，andsaidtohimself，’Lord！mineolddepartedfather！’Thenheanswered，aloud，’Rightwell，yourworship。’

’Good—ishewithin？’

’Yes，’saidtheboy；andadded，tohimself，’withinhisgrave。’

MightIcraveyourfavortocarrymynametohim，andsayIbegtosayawordinhisear？’

’Iwilldespatchthebusinessrightwillingly，fairsir。’

’ThensayMilesHendon，sonofSirRichard，isherewithout—I

shallbegreatlyboundentoyou，mygoodlad。’

Theboylookeddisappointed—’thekingdidnotnamehimso，’hesaidtohimself—’butitmatterethnot，thisishistwinbrother，andcangivehismajestynewsoft’otherSir—Odds—and—Ends，I

warrant。’SohesaidtoMiles，’Stepinthereamoment，goodsir，andwaittillIbringyouword。’

Hendonretiredtotheplaceindicated—itwasarecesssunkinthepalacewall，withastonebenchinit—ashelterforsentinelsinbadweather。Hehadhardlyseatedhimselfwhensomehalberdiers，inchargeofanofficer，passedby。Theofficersawhim，haltedhismen，andcommandedHendontocomeforth。Heobeyed，andwaspromptlyarrestedasasuspiciouscharacterprowlingwithintheprecinctsofthepalace。Thingsbegantolookugly。PoorMileswasgoingtoexplain，buttheofficerroughlysilencedhim，andorderedhismentodisarmhimandsearchhim。

’Godofhismercygrantthattheyfindsomewhat，’saidpoorMiles；

’Ihavesearchedenow，andfailed，yetismyneedgreaterthantheirs。’

Nothingwasfoundbutadocument。Theofficertoreitopen，andHendonsmiledwhenherecognizedthe’pot—hooks’madebyhislostlittlefriendthatblackdayatHendonHall。Theofficer’sfacegrewdarkashereadtheEnglishparagraph，andMilesblenchedtotheoppositecolorashelistened。

’Anothernewclaimantofthecrown！’criedtheofficer。’Verilytheybreedlikerabbitsto—day。Seizetherascal，men，andseeyekeephimfastwhileIconveythispreciouspaperwithinandsendittotheking。

Hehurriedaway，leavingtheprisonerinthegripofthehalberdiers。

’Nowismyevilluckendedatlast，’mutteredHendon，’forIshalldangleatarope’sendforacertainty，byreasonofthatbitofwriting。Andwhatwillbecomeofmypoorlad！—ah，onlythegoodGodknoweth。’

Byandbyhesawtheofficercomingagain，inagreathurry；sohepluckedhiscouragetogether，purposingtomeethistroubleasbecameaman。Theofficerorderedthementoloosetheprisonerandreturnhisswordtohim；thenbowedrespectfully，andsaid：

’Pleaseyou，sir，tofollowme。’

Hendonfollowed，sayingtohimself，’AnIwerenottravellingtodeathandjudgment，andsomustneedseconomizeinsin，Iwouldthrottlethisknaveforhismockcourtesy。’

Thetwotraversedapopulouscourt，andarrivedatthegrandentranceofthepalace，wheretheofficer，withanotherbow，deliveredHendonintothehandsofagorgeousofficial，whoreceivedhimwithprofoundrespectandledhimforwardthroughagreathall，linedonbothsideswithrowsofsplendidflunkies（whomadereverentialobeisanceasthetwopassedalong，butfellintodeath—throesofsilentlaughteratourstatelyscarecrowthemomenthisbackwasturned），andupabroadstaircase，amongflocksoffinefolk，andfinallyconductedhimtoavastroom，cloveapassageforhimthroughtheassemblednobilityofEngland，thenmadeabow，remindedhimtotakehishatoff，andlefthimstandinginthemiddleoftheroom，amarkforalleyes，forplentyofindignantfrowns，andforasufficiencyofamusedandderisivesmiles。

MilesHendonwasentirelybewildered。Theresattheyoungking，underacanopyofstate，fivestepsaway，withhisheadbentdownandaside，speakingwithasortofhumanbirdofparadise—aduke，maybe；Hendonobservedtohimselfthatitwashardenoughtobesentencedtodeathinthefullvigoroflife，withouthavingthispeculiarlypublichumiliationadded。Hewishedthekingwouldhurryaboutit—someofthegaudypeoplenearbywerebecomingprettyoffensive。AtthismomentthekingraisedhisheadslightlyandHendoncaughtagoodviewofhisface。Thesightnearlytookhisbreathaway！

Hestoodgazingatthefairyoungfacelikeonetransfixed；thenpresentlyejaculated：

’Lo，thelordoftheKingdomofDreamsandShadowsonhisthrone！’

Hemutteredsomebrokensentences，stillgazingandmarveling；

thenturnedhiseyesaroundandabout，scanningthegorgeousthrongandthesplendidsaloon，murmuring，’Butthesearereal—verilythesearereal—surelyitisnotadream。’

Hestaredatthekingagain—andthought，’Isitadream？……orishetheveritablesovereignofEngland，andnotthefriendlesspoorTomo’BedlamItookhimfor—whoshallsolvemethisriddle？’

Asuddenideaflashedinhiseye，andhestrodetothewall，gatheredupachair，broughtitback，planteditonthefloor，andsatdowninit！

Abuzzofindignationbrokeout，aroughhandwaslaiduponhim，andavoiceexclaimed：

’Up，thoumannerlessclown！—wouldstsitinthepresenceoftheking？’

Thedisturbanceattractedhismajesty’sattention，whostretchedforthhishandandcriedout：

’Touchhimnot，itishisright！’

Thethrongfellback，stupefied。Thekingwenton：

’Learnyeall，ladies，lordsandgentlemen，thatthisismytrustyandwell—belovedservant，MilesHendon，whointerposedhisgoodswordandsavedhisprincefrombodilyharmandpossibledeath—andforthisheisaknight，bytheking’svoice。Alsolearn，thatforahigherservice，inthathesavedhissovereignstripesandshame，takingtheseuponhimself，heisapeerofEngland，EarlofKent，andshallhavegoldandlandsmeetforthedignity。More—theprivilegewhichhehathjustexercisedishisbyroyalgrant；forwehaveordainedthatthechiefsofhislineshallhaveandholdtherighttositinthepresenceofthemajestyofEnglandhenceforth，ageafterage，solongasthecrownshallendure。Molesthimnot。’

Twopersons，who，throughdelay，hadonlyarrivedfromthecountryduringthismorning，andhadnowbeeninthisroomonlyfiveminutes，stoodlisteningtothesewordsandlookingattheking，thenatthescarecrow，thenatthekingagain，inasortoftorpidbewilderment。ThesewereSirHughandtheLadyEdith。Butthenewearldidnotseethem。Hewasstillstaringatthemonarch，inadazedway，andmuttering：

’Oh，bodyo’me！Thismypauper！Thismylunatic！ThisishewhomIwouldshowwhatgrandeurwas，inmyhouseofseventyroomsandsevenandtwentyservants！Thisishewhohadneverknownaughtbutragsforraiment，kicksforcomfort，andoffalfordiet！ThisishewhomIadoptedandwouldmakerespectable！WouldGodIhadabagtohidemyheadin！’

Thenhismannerssuddenlycamebacktohim，andhedroppeduponhisknees，withhishandsbetweentheking’s，andsworeallegianceanddidhomageforhislandsandtitles。Thenheroseandstoodrespectfullyaside，amarkstillforalleyes—andmuchenvy，too。

NowthekingdiscoveredSirHugh，andspokeout，withwrathfulvoiceandkindlingeye：

’Stripthisrobberofhisfalseshowandstolenestates，andputhimunderlockandkeytillIhaveneedofhim。’

ThelateSirHughwasledaway。

Therewasastirattheotherendoftheroomnow；theassemblagefellapart，andTomCanty，quaintlybutrichlyclothed，marcheddown，betweentheselivingwalls，precededbyanusher。Hekneltbeforetheking，whosaid：

’Ihavelearnedthestoryofthesepastfewweeks，andamwellpleasedwiththee。Thouhastgovernedtherealmwithrightroyalgentlenessandmercy。Thouhastfoundthymotherandthysistersagain？Good；theyshallbecaredfor—andthyfathershallhang，ifthoudesireitandthelawconsent。Know，allyethathearmyvoice，thatfromthisday，theythatabideintheshelterofChrist’sHospitalandsharetheking’sbounty，shallhavetheirmindsandheartsfed，aswellastheirbaserparts；andthisboyshalldwellthere，andholdthechiefplaceinitshonorablebodyofgovernors，duringlife。Andforthathehathbeenaking，itismeetthatotherthancommonobservanceshallbehisdue；wherefore，notethishisdressofstate，forbyitheshallbeknown，andnoneshallcopyit；

andwheresoeverheshallcome，itshallremindthepeoplethathehathbeenroyal，inhistime，andnoneshalldenyhimhisdueofreverenceorfailtogivehimsalutation。Hehaththethrone’sprotection，hehaththecrown’ssupport，heshallbeknownandcalledbythehonorabletitleoftheKing’sWard。’

TheproudandhappyTomCantyroseandkissedtheking’shand，andwasconductedfromthepresence。Hedidnotwasteanytime，butflewtohismother，totellherandNanandBetallaboutitandgetthemtohelphimenjoythegreatnews。*（22）

CONCLUSION

JusticeandRetributionWHENthemysterieswereallclearedup，itcameout，byconfessionofHughHendon，thathiswifehadrepudiatedMilesbyhiscommandthatdayatHendonHall—acommandassistedandsupportedbytheperfectlytrustworthypromisethatifshedidnotdenythathewasMilesHendon，andstandfirmlytoit，hewouldhaveherlife；

whereuponshesaidtakeit，shedidnotvalueit—andshewouldnotrepudiateMiles；thenherhusbandsaidhewouldspareherlife，buthaveMilesassassinated！Thiswasadifferentmatter；soshegaveherwordandkeptit。

Hughwasnotprosecutedforhisthreatsorforstealinghisbrother’sestatesandtitle，becausethewifeandbrotherwouldnottestifyagainsthim—andtheformerwouldnothavebeenallowedtodoit，evenifshehadwantedto。Hughdesertedhiswifeandwentovertothecontinent，wherehepresentlydied；andbyandbytheEarlofKentmarriedhisrelict。ThereweregrandtimesandrejoicingsatHendonvillagewhenthecouplepaidtheirfirstvisittotheHall。

TomCanty’sfatherwasneverheardofagain。

Thekingsoughtoutthefarmerwhohadbeenbrandedandsoldasaslave，andreclaimedhimfromhisevillifewiththeRuffler’sgang，andputhiminthewayofacomfortablelivelihood。

Healsotookthatoldlawyeroutofprisonandremittedhisfine。HeprovidedgoodhomesforthedaughtersofthetwoBaptistwomenwhomhesawburnedatthestake，androundlypunishedtheofficialwholaidtheundeservedstripesuponMilesHendon’sback。

Hesavedfromthegallowstheboywhohadcapturedthestrayfalcon，andalsothewomanwhohadstolentheremnantofclothfromaweaver；buthewastoolatetosavethemanwhohadbeenconvictedofkillingadeerintheroyalforest。

Heshowedfavortothejusticewhohadpitiedhimwhenhewassupposedtohavestolenapig，andhehadthegratificationofseeinghimgrowinthepublicesteemandbecomeagreatandhonoredman。

Aslongasthekinglivedhewasfondoftellingthestoryofhisadventures，allthrough，fromthehourthatthesentinelcuffedhimawayfromthepalacegatetillthefinalmidnightwhenhedeftlymixedhimselfintoagangofhurryingworkmenandsoslippedintotheAbbeyandclimbedupandhidhimselfintheConfessor’stomb，andthensleptsolong，nextday，thathecamewithinoneofmissingtheCoronationaltogether。Hesaidthatthefrequentrehearsingofthepreciouslessonkepthimstronginhispurposetomakeitsteachingsyieldbenefitstohispeople；andso，whilehislifewassparedheshouldcontinuetotellthestory，andthuskeepitssorrowfulspectaclesfreshinhismemoryandthespringsofpityreplenishedinhisheart。

MilesHendonandTomCantywerefavoritesoftheking，allthroughhisbriefreign，andhissinceremournerswhenhedied。ThegoodEarlofKenthadtoomuchgoodsensetoabusehispeculiarprivilege；butheexercisedittwiceaftertheinstancewehaveseenofitbeforehewascalledfromtheworld；onceattheaccessionofQueenMary，andonceattheaccessionofQueenElizabeth。AdescendantofhisexerciseditattheaccessionofJamesI。Beforethisone’ssonchosetousetheprivilege，nearaquarterofacenturyhadelapsed，andthe’privilegeoftheKents’hadfadedoutofmostpeople’smemories；so，whentheKentofthatdayappearedbeforeCharlesI

andhiscourtandsatdowninthesovereign’spresencetoassertandperpetuatetherightofhishouse，therewasafinestir，indeed！

Butthematterwassoonexplainedandtherightconfirmed。ThelastearlofthelinefellinthewarsoftheCommonwealthfightingfortheking，andtheoddprivilegeendedwithhim。

TomCantylivedtobeaveryoldman，ahandsome，white—hairedoldfellow，ofgraveandbenignantaspect。Aslongashelastedhewashonored；andhewasalsoreverenced，forhisstrikingandpeculiarcostumekeptthepeopleremindedthat’inhistimehehadbeenroyal’；

so，whereverheappearedthecrowdfellapart，makingwayforhim，andwhispering，onetoanother，’Doffthyhat，itistheKing’sWard！’—

andsotheysaluted，andgothiskindlysmileinreturn—andtheyvaluedit，too，forhiswasanhonorablehistory。

Yes，KingEdwardVIlivedonlyafewyears，poorboy，buthelivedthemworthily。Morethanonce，whensomegreatdignitary，somegildedvassalofthecrown，madeargumentagainsthisleniency，andurgedthatsomelawwhichhewasbentuponamendingwasgentleenoughforitspurpose，andwroughtnosufferingoroppressionwhichanyoneneedmightilymind，theyoungkingturnedthemournfuleloquenceofhisgreatcompassionateeyesuponhimandanswered：

’Whatdostthouknowofsufferingandoppression！Iandmypeopleknow，butnotthou。’

ThereignofEdwardVIwasasingularlymercifuloneforthoseharshtimes。Nowthatwearetakingleaveofhimletustrytokeepthisinourminds，tohiscredit。

NOTES

*Christ’sHospitalCostume。ItismostreasonabletoregardthedressascopiedfromthecostumeofthecitizensofLondonofthatperiod，whenlongbluecoatswerethecommonhabitofapprenticesandserving—men，andyellowstockingsweregenerallyworn；thecoatfitscloselytothebody，buthasloosesleeves，andbeneathiswornasleevelessyellowundercoat；aroundthewaistisaredleatherngirdle；aclericalbandaroundtheneck，andasmallflatblackcap，aboutthesizeofasaucer，completesthecostume。—Timbs’s’CuriositiesofLondon。’

*（2）ItappearsthatChrist’sHospitalwasnotoriginallyfoundedasaschool；itsobjectwastorescuechildrenfromthestreets，toshelter，feed，clothethem，etc。—Timb’s’CuriositiesofLondon。’

*（3）TheDukeofNorfolk’sCondemnationCommanded。TheKingwasnowapproachingfasttowardhisend；andfearinglestNorfolkshouldescapehim，hesentamessagetotheCommons，bywhichhedesiredthemtohastenthebill，onpretensethatNorfolkenjoyedthedignityofearlmarshal，anditwasnecessarytoappointanother，whomightofficiateattheensuingceremonyofinstallinghissonPrinceofWales。—Hume，vol。iii，p。307

*（4）Itwasnottilltheendofthisreign（HenryVIII）thatanysalads，carrots，turnips，orotherediblerootswereproducedinEngland。ThelittleofthesevegetablesthatwasusedwasformerlyimportedfromHollandandFlanders。QueenCatherine，whenshewantedasalad，wasobligedtodespatchamessengerthitheronpurpose。—Hume’sHistoryofEngland，vol。iii，p。314。

*（5）AttainderofNorfolk。Thehouseofpeers，withoutexaminingtheprisoner，withouttrialorevidence，passedabillofattainderagainsthimandsentitdowntothecommons……Theobsequiouscommonsobeyedhis（theKing’s）directions；andtheKing，havingaffixedtheroyalassenttothebillbycommissioners，issuedordersfortheexecutionofNorfolkonthemorningofthetwenty—ninthofJanuary（thenextday）。—Hume’sEngland，vol。iii，p。306。

*（6）TheLoving—Cup。Theloving—cup，andthepeculiarceremoniesobservedindrinkingfromit，areolderthanEnglishhistory。ItisthoughtthatbothareDanishimportations。Asfarbackasknowledgegoes，theloving—cuphasalwaysbeendrunkatEnglishbanquets。

Traditionexplainstheceremoniesinthisway：intherudeancienttimesitwasdeemedawiseprecautiontohavebothhandsofbothdrinkersemployed，lestwhilethepledgerpledgedhisloveandfidelitytothepledgeethepledgeetakethatopportunitytoslipadirkintohim！

*（7）TheDukeofNorfolksNarrowEscape。HadHenryVIIIsurvivedafewhourslonger，hisorderfortheduke’sexecutionwouldhavebeencarriedintoeffect。’ButnewsbeingcarriedtotheTowerthattheKinghimselfhadexpiredthatnight，thelieutenantdeferredobeyingthewarrant；anditwasnotthoughtadvisablebythecounciltobeginanewreignbythedeathofthegreatestnoblemanintheKingdom，whohadbeencondemnedbyasentencesounjustandtyrannical。’—Hume’sEngland，vol。iii，p307。

*（8）Hereferstotheorderofbaronets，orbaronettes—thebaronesminor，asdistinctfromtheparliamentarybarons；—not，itneedhardlybesaid，thebaronetsoflatercreation。

*（9）ThelordsofKingsale，descendantsofDeCourcy，stillenjoythiscuriousprivilege。

*（10）Hume。

*（11）Hume。

*（12）TheWhipping—Boy。JamesIandCharlesIIhadwhipping—boyswhentheywerelittlefellows，totaketheirpunishmentforthemwhentheyfellshortintheirlessons；soIhaveventuredtofurnishmysmallprincewithone，formyownpurposes。

*（13）CharacterofHertford。Theyoungkingdiscoveredanextremeattachmenttohisuncle，whowas，inthemain，amanofmoderationandprobity。—Hume’sEngland，vol。iii，p。324。

Butifhe（theProtector）gaveoffensebyassumingtoomuchstate，hedeservesgreatpraiseonaccountofthelawspassedthissession，bywhichtherigorofformerstatuteswasmuchmitigated，andsomesecuritygiventothefreedomoftheconstitution。Alllawswererepealedwhichextendedthecrimeoftreasonbeyondthestatuteofthetwenty—fifthofEdwardIII；alllawsenactedduringthelatereignextendingthecrimeoffelony；alltheformerlawsagainstLollardyorheresy，togetherwiththestatuteoftheSixArticles。Noneweretobeaccusedforwords，butwithinamonthaftertheywerespoken。BytheserepealsseveralofthemostrigorouslawsthateverhadpassedinEnglandwereannulled；andsomedawn，bothofcivilandreligiousliberty，begantoappeartothepeople。Arepealalsopassedofthatlaw，thedestructionofalllaws，bywhichtheking’sproclamationwasmadeofequalforcewithastatute。—Ibid。，vol。iii，p。339。

BoilingtoDeath。InthereignofHenryVIII，poisonerswere，byactofparliamentcondemnedtobeboiledtodeath。Thisactwasrepealedinthefollowingreign。

InGermany，eveninthe17thcentury，thishorriblepunishmentwasinflictedoncoinersandcounterfeiters。Taylor，theWaterPoet，describesanexecutionhewitnessedinHamburg，in1616。Thejudgementpronouncedagainstacoineroffalsemoneywasthatheshould’beboiledtodeathinoil：notthrownintothevesselatonce，butwithapulleyorropetobehangedunderthearmpits，andthenletdownintotheoilbydegrees；firstthefeet，andnextthelegs，andsotoboilhisfleshfromhisbonesalive。’—Dr。J。HammondTrumbull’s’BlueLaws，TrueandFalse，’p。13。

TheFamousStockingCase。Awomanandherdaughter，nineyearsold，werehangedinHuntingdonforsellingtheirsoulstothedevil，andraisingastormbypullingofftheirstockings！—Ibid。，p。20。

*（14）LeighHunt’sTheTown，p。408，quotationfromanearlytourist。

*（15）From’TheEnglishRogue’：London，1665。

*（16）Cantingtermsforvariouskindsofthieves，beggarsandvagabonds，andtheirfemalecompanions。

*（17）Enslaving。Soyoungaking，andsoignorantapeasantwerelikelytomakemistakes—andthisisaninstanceinpoint。Thispeasantwassufferingfromthislawbyanticipation；thekingwasventinghisindignationagainstalawwhichwasnotyetinexistence：forthishideousstatutewastohavebirthinthislittleking’sownreign。However，weknow，fromthehumanityofhischaracter，thatitcouldneverhavebeensuggestedbyhim。

*（18）From’TheEnglishRogue’：London，1665。

*（19）DeathforTriflingLarcenies。WhenConnecticutandNewHavenwereframingtheirfirstcodes，larcenyabovethevalueoftwelvepencewasacapitalcrimeinEngland，asithadbeensincethetimeofHenryI。—Dr。J。HammondTrumbull’s’BlueLaws，TrueandFalse。’p。

17。

ThecuriousoldbookcalledTheEnglishRoguemakesthelimitthirteenpenceha’penny；deathbeingtheportionofanywhostealathing’abovethevalueofthirteenpenceha’penny。’

*（20）Frommanydescriptionsoflarceny，thelawexpresslytookawaythebenefitofclergy；tostealahorse，orahawk，orwoolenclothfromtheweaver，wasahangingmatter。Soitwastokilladeerfromtheking’sforest，ortoexportsheepfromtheKingdom。—Dr。

J。HammondTrumbull’s’BlueLaws，TrueandFalse，’p。13。

WilliamPrynne，alearnedbarrister，wassentenced—（longafterEdwardtheSixth’stime）—tolosebothhisearsinthepillory；todegradationfromthebar；afineofL3，000，andimprisonmentforlife。

Threeyearsafterward，hegavenewoffensetoLaud，bypublishingapamphletagainstthehierarchy。Hewasagainprosecuted，andwassentencedtolosewhatremainedofhisears；topayafineofL5，000；tobebrandedonbothhischeekswiththelettersS。L。（forSeditiousLibeler），andtoremaininprisonforlife。Theseverityofthissentencewasequaledbythesavagerigorofitsexecution。—

Ibid。，p。12。

*（21）Hume’sEngland。

*（22）Christ’sHospitalorBlueCoatScbool，’theNoblestInstitutionintheWorld。’

ThegroundonwhichthePrioryoftheGreyFriarsstoodwasconferredbyHenrytheEighthontheCorporationofLondon（whocausedtheinstitutionthereofahomeforpoorboysandgirls）。

Subsequently，EdwardtheSixthcausedtheoldPriorytobeproperlyrepaired，andfoundedwithinitthatnobleestablishmentcalledtheBlueCoatSchool，orChrist’sHospital，fortheeducationandmaintenanceoforphansandthechildrenofindigentpersons……Edwardwouldnotlethim（BishopRidley）departtilltheletterwaswritten（totheLordMayor），andthenchargedhimtodeliverithimself，andsignifyhisspecialrequestandcommandmentthatnotimemightbelostinproposingwhatwasconvenient，andapprisinghimoftheproceedings。Theworkwaszealouslyundertaken，Ridleyhimselfengaginginit；andtheresultwas，thefoundingofChrist’sHospitalfortheEducationofPoorChildren。（Thekingendowedseveralothercharitiesatthesametime。）’LordGod，’saidhe，’Iyieldtheemostheartythanksthatthouhastgivenmelifethuslong，tofinishthisworktothegloryofthyname！’Thatinnocentandmostexemplarylifewasdrawingrapidlytoitsclose，andinafewdaysherendereduphisspirittohisCreator，prayingGodtodefendtherealmfromPapistry。—J。HeneageJesse’s’London，itsCelebratedCharactersandPlaces。’

IntheGreatHallhangsalargepictureofKingEdwardVIseatedonhisthrone，inascarletanderminedrobe，holdingthescepterinhislefthand，presentingwiththeothertheChartertothekneelingLordMayor。ByhissidestandstheChancellor，holdingtheseals，andnexttohimareotherofficersofstate。BishopRidleykneelsbeforehimwithupliftedhands，asifsupplicatingablessingontheevent；whiletheAldermen，etc，withtheLordMayor，kneelonbothsides，occupyingthemiddlegroundofthepicture；andlastly，infront，areadoublerowofboysononeside，andgirlsontheother，fromthemasterandmatrondowntotheboyandgirlwhohavesteppedforwardfromtheirrespectiverows，andkneelwithraisedhandsbeforetheking。—Timbs’s’CuriositiesofLondon，’p。98。

Christ’sHospital，byancientcustom，possessestheprivilegeofaddressingtheSovereignontheoccasionofhisorhercomingintotheCitytopartakeofthehospitalityoftheCorporationofLondon。—

Ibid。

TheDining—Hall，withitslobbyandorgan—gallery，occupiestheentirestory，whichis187feetlong，51feetwide，and47feethigh；itislitbyninelargewindows，filledwithstainedglassonthesouthside；thatis，nexttoWestminsterHall，thenoblestroominthemetropolis。Heretheboys，nowabout800innumber，dine；andhereareheldthe’SuppingsinPublic，’towhichvisitorsareadmittedbytickets，issuedbytheTreasurerandbytheGovernorsofChrist’sHospital。Thetablesarelaidwithcheeseinwoodenbowls；beerinwoodenpiggins，pouredfromleathernjacks；andbreadbroughtinlargebaskets。Theofficialcompanyenter；theLordMayor，orPresident，takeshisseatinastatechair，madeofoakfromSt。Catherine’sChurchbytheTower；ahymnissung，accompaniedbytheorgan；a’Grecian，’orheadboy，readstheprayersfromthepulpit，silencebeingenforcedbythreedropsofawoodenhammer。Afterprayerthesuppercommences，andthevisitorswalkbetweenthetables。Atitsclose，the’trade—boys’takeupthebaskets，bowls，jacks，piggins，andcandlesticks，andpassinprocession，thebowingtotheGovernorsbeingcuriouslyformal。ThisspectaclewaswitnessedbyQueenVictoriaandPrinceAlbertin1845。

AmongthemoreeminentBlueCoatBoysareJoshuaBames，editorofAnacreonandEuripides；JeremiahMarkland，theeminentcritic，particularlyinGreekliterature；Camden，theantiquary；BishopStillingfleet；SamuelRichardson，thenovelist；ThomasMitchell，thetranslatorofAristophanes；ThomasBarnes，manyyearseditoroftheLondonTimes；Coleridge，CharlesLamb，andLeighHunt。

Noboyisadmittedbeforeheissevenyearsold，orafterheisnine；andnoboycanremainintheschoolafterheisfifteen，King’sboysand’Grecians’aloneexcepted。Thereareabout500

Governors，attheheadofwhomaretheSovereignandthePrinceofWales。ThequalificationforaGovernorispaymentofL500。—Ibid。

GENERALNOTE

Onehearsmuchaboutthe’hideousBlue—LawsofConnecticut，’andisaccustomedtoshudderpiouslywhentheyarementioned。TherearepeopleinAmerica—andeveninEngland！—whoimaginethattheywereaverymonumentofmalignity，pitilessness，andinhumanity；whereas，inrealitytheywereaboutthefirstsweepingdeparturefromjudicialatrocitywhichthe’civilized’worldhadseen。ThishumaneandkindlyBlue—Lawcode，oftwohundredandfortyyearsago，standsallbyitself，withagesofbloodylawonthefurthersideofit，andacenturyandthree—quartersofbloodyEnglishlawonthissideofit。

Therehasneverbeenatime—undertheBlue—Lawsoranyother—

whenabovefourteencrimeswerepunishablebydeathinConnecticut。

ButinEngland，withinthememoryofmenwhoarestillhaleinbodyandmind，twohundredandtwenty—threecrimeswerepunishablebydeath！*Thesefactsareworthknowing—andworththinkingabout，too。

*SeeDr。J。HammondTrumbull’sBlueLaws，TrueandFalse，p。11。