Page images
PDF
EPUB

indignation of the proverbially loyal Spaniards is levelled personally and directly at the sovereign. She has outraged even their lax ideas of decorum and morality; and unless she abdicates, or is forcibly dethroned, her fate will unquestionably be terrible. It is only a few months since her life was threatened by a fanatic priest; and as there are plenty of such in Spain, we should say, that of all

ration and jealousy of neighboring nations. In On approaching from St. Petersburg, the first ob-
fact, viewed in every aspect, Spain is a remarkable ject seen in the vicinity is the residence of Peter the
country; and we can only regret that the immo- Great---it is not far removed from the old palace. It
rality of the court and the corruption of the laws is called Marly, and is beautifully surrounded by
have tended so much to degrade her in the estima- trees; the house is quite small, and not very unlike
tion of the world.
a Dutch farm-house. In this snuggery Peter died.
The bed on which he breathed his last and the bed-
clothes are all preserved, as when he occupied the

the public characters who appear on the stage of PALACES OF THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. chamber. On his pillow are his caps and night-
European political life-her existence is the most
precarious. It literally hangs by a thread. But

N

ICHOLAS, the Emperor of all the Russias, is however detestable may be the character of the magnificently lodged---for those well acquainted monarch, we ought not to let our opinion of Spain with the different kingdoms of Europe state, that no and the Spaniards be colored by prejudice. Spain monarch possesses a greater number of or more itself is one of the finest and richest countries in imposing residences. His palaces stretch at inthe world. Three-fourths of the mountains are tervals from St. Petersburg to Moscow; but no composed of beautiful marble and alabaster. In doubt the railway between those places will in time Catalonia alone, we are told that there are 177 render the majority useless. Those in the capital different kinds, without including the jasper of Tor- and the neighborhood are grand edifices. The Imtoza. The green marble of Granada and the flesh- perial Winter Palace in St. Petersburg is a splendid colored have a brilliancy to the eye and a fineness building, but its walls are cemented with human to the touch which rank them with the most re-blood; and the circumstances we are about to relate cherché oriental substances. Several of the provinces of Spain are still enriched with mines of gold and silver, and lead and quicksilver.

show the ruthless disposition of its barbarous
master.

In 1837 the old palace was destroyed, and the
And those who admire the fine arts, historical re- present Emperor, by royal ukase, ordered a new
collections, and the monuments of antiquity, may in building to be completed in a year.
Spain walk over the ruins of Saguntum, Numanlia,
That degrading servility which belongs to despotic
Tarrogona, and Merida-the theatre of the cam-courts, and which shrinks not at blasphemy, made

were paid, and the Marquis de Custine says:

paigns of Hannibal, the Scipios, and the unfortunate one of the courtiers say to the gratified despot,
sons of Pompey; they may repose in the shade of " that it had taken even God a week to construct the
the ancient fountains of Sertorious, and read the world." It was done by forced labor night and
name of Optimus in the inscriptions in the native day---a gang of six thousand working at a time, with
country of Trajan and Adrian. But the monuments unlimited drink all the while. Many died, few
which the Roman people left in every part of the
empire are not the only ones in Spain. A people
less powerful, although equally celebrated-less
known, though as worthy of being so-have left in
the Iberian peninsula perhaps the only monuments
which exist of them in the world. The Arabs
spent ages in embroidering the walls of Granada
and Cordova, and in completely clothing them with
an assemblage of ornaments, the grace and lightness
of the details of which are equal to the grandeur of
the masses. While those voluptuous people orna-
mented in this manner the baths and retired cham-
bers of their seraglios in the south, the Goths raised
the dark and austere monuments of their religion in
the north. Forests of columns supporting pointed
roofs, lighted by windows stained with glaring

"These unfortunate men had to undergo a difference of temperature of from fifty to sixty degrees on entering and leaving this abode of death, transformed by means of their sacrifice into the seat of vanity, magnificence, and pleasure. Labor in the mines of the Ural is less injurious to life, yet the workmen employed at St. Petersburg were no malefactors. Those who painted wore a glass cap, that they might retain the use of their senses. Nevertheless, the sovereign was called "father." A considerable number died every day, but the place of the victims was instantly supplied by other champions."

clothes, and his robe de chambre lies on the coverlet the furniture. The rooms are small, and you can of the bed. Nothing can be more simple than all have just stepped out. In the room adjoining the fancy that the old people who lived in the cottage small chamber are his slippers, boots, and sedanchair, and other articles of personal dress. In a small corner-cupboard are his camp equipage, as the kitchen are covered with blue Dutch tiles. Noplain as tin, iron, and brass can be. The walls of thing indicates that royalty ever resided here but some good Flemish pictures, and a few elegant toire remains as he last used it. A long, narrow Japanese cabinets and beautiful stands. His escrisaloon, which is really a covered gallery, has many receive his visitors. The dining-room was a small portraits; and here the emperor used to walk, and apartment, with a circular oak table, and the panels old black oak. From a noble terrace, paved with of fine Japanese work; the lower wainscoting of marble, Peter could gaze upon his infant navy, lying off Cronstadt. The rocks of the sea-shore

come quite up to the balustrades of the terrace, and greatly add to the scenery. The Empress Eliza

beth used to retire from the pomp of royalty to this quiet spot, and is said to have cooked her own

dinners.

The next attraction is the cottage of Catherine, the interior of which is excessively rich; and its mirrors and wonderful collection of china and glass entirely captivating. In no palace is there seen such magnificent specimens of Dresden porcelain as in this gem of a palace; and the gorgeousness of some of the apartments strike forcibly on the imagination, after the contrast witnessed in the humble apartments of the great monarch. The pleasuregrounds and charming villas and gardens connected with the present abode of royalty are extremely beautiful. The verdure of the sward, with the

The palace was finished; but an atrocious odor. pervaded the apartments, as if the dead bodies foliage of the woods, and the gay flowers of the of those who had perished were festering: some of thousand garden-beds and borders, transcend all the roofs of great rooms fell in, and it took a lo.. that is known of beauty in the country life of any time to make it habitable. Milton alone can de- part of the world. The gardens are very extensive scribe the Czar, as he sat on the throne, bidding--the drives inclose thirty miles; and fish-ponds thousands die for his vanity :

Horrid king, besmeared with blood
Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears

colors, immense iron gates, loaded with carved or
naments, and marble mausoleums, casting long sha-
dows on funeral inscriptions, present another kind
of monument more solemn and more historical.
At last the era of the revival of the arts, in the age
of the Medici, commenced in the reign of Charles
V.; and it may be supposed that Spain, which at
that period was superior to the rest of Europe, was
not inferior to it in this kind of glory. In short, all
who delight in the knowledge of politics, laws,
manners, and customs, will find in Spain an original
people, whose character retains much of its primi-
tive purity. Half the country lies fallow, but the
other half proves what might be made of it. All
its productions are of a remarkable quality. The palace.
olives are twice as large as those of Provence. The Its position is good; it is at the mouth of the
wines of Alicant, Xeres, and Malaga are sufficiently Neva, and commands a fine view of Cronstadt, from
known, and the woods have long excited the admi- which it is perhaps ten miles distant.

In the summer season this northern Nero betakes himself to a beautiful summer palace he has at Petershoff, a place about thirty miles from the capital, on the Russian side of the Gulf of Finland, and within sight of the celebrated fortress of Cronstadt.

The vast amount of water at command

temples, villas, &c., are too numerous to allude to in detail. The bathing-house of the imperial family is a most admirable building; and from a chaste marble structure you walk down into a large sheet of water, surrounded by a dense foliage of lofty trees. enables the imperial owner to rival, if not to surpass, the celebrated water-works at Versailles. Every possible surprise awaits the wanderer through these grounds. You are standing to admire some beautiWe give an engraved illustration of this summer ful tree; the guide has touched a spring, and every branch, and every twig, and every leaf, is turned into crystal; and a fountain rises from that tree, which is metallic, although the spectator supposed it to be a production of the forest.

While passing over exquisite bridges from island them all. It is built much more in the European
to island, and in boats drawn by stationary ropes, style than any of the rest. The materials used are
the imperial gondolas, which are much used by the marble and stone. The building consists of a splen-
royal family, frequently dart by.
did centre and double wings, and is approached by a
On one of the islets there stands what seems to stately triumphal gateway. It stands on the Euro-

facing the entrance of the Sea of Marmora.

THE ROOK.

The Rook is considered to be worth a Bishop and two Pawns, or a Knight and two Pawns.

THE BISHOP AND THE KNIGHT.

The value of these two pieces is estimated to be

Pawns.

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS.
NO. I.

BLACK.

The view from this point is said to be one of the
finest in Constantinople. The Bosphorus, which
separates the continent of Europe, and connects the
Black Sea with the Sea of Marmora, is about fifteen 1. R. to Q. Kt. check.
miles in length, and varies from three quarters of a
mile to a mile and a half in breadth Its blue waters
are held in on both sides by continued ranges of
undulating hills, and its valleys, full of delicious
verdure, are the resort of the élite of Constantinople.

CHESS.

2. R. takes B. check.
3. B. takes P. at Q.'s 5.
4. B. takes P, check.
5. R. takes R.

6. R. moves discovering
check and mate.

WHITE.

1. Kt. to K. 4.

2. R. to Q.8.

3. B. to Q. 5.

WHITE.

B. interposes.
K to R.

R. to Kt.
R. interposes.
anything.

NO. II.

BLACK.

P. moves.

P. moves.
P. takes B.

be a beautiful temple, which is reached by a move-pean shore of the Bosphorus, near Tophana, and precisely similar; and about equal to that of three able platform, propelled by two men drawing ropes on either side of it. Never was there a more blissful retreat than this peaceful spot. The temple is a Statuary decks the outer lovely miniature villa. niches of the walls. The entrance is through a long passage, roofed with ivy; a high wall is covered with the same, so trained as to allow medallions and marble intaglios on the wall to appear as within a frame. Here is a fountain, in the centre of a large basin---flowers, rare and fragrant, and some most precious groups of statuary, forming a coup-d'œil at once fairy-like and enchanting. Opening on the fountain is a fine, spacious, summer room, furnished with a rich divan piled up with cushions. In front of it stands a small, low table, supporting a reclining Cleopatra, the poisonous asp upon her arm, and her left hand resting upon her heart. Here, too, is a beautiful mosaic table. The next room is peculiarly tasteful, and full of comfort. The table, writing-desk, statuary, all looks as though the most fastidious taste had directed the position of each object. The garden of this isle is radiant with roses, azaleas, fuschias, and carnations. The palace is a large building, painted yellow, and picked off with white. It has no very great architectural merits; but the chapel, which stands at one end, has a gorgeous dome, which reflects every ray of light fom its gilt surface.

[blocks in formation]

has been selected for Queen Victoria's new palace in the Highlands of Scotland. It is a structure wholly faced with dressed granite, the mouldings and ornamental portions having been carved on the spot. It will have two square towers when completed, and modern agrémens will not have been omitted. There are two fountains in the grounds, werked by a steam engine, which will throw the water sixty feet high; and it may safely be said that altogether this New Palace will be as complete as modern art and architectural taste can make it.

THE SULTAN'S NEW PALACE.

THE

HE English talk of the extravagance of George IV., and sometimes complain even because so much money has been spent by Victoria on Buckingham Palace. They are happy fellows compared with the Turks. Every fresh Sultan feels bound to build a fresh Palace, and each one is to be more gorgeous than the last. So Constantinople abounds with palaces, and each built with a style of its own. The one now building at Dolmabagdsche, on the Bosphorus, by the present Sultan, which we illustrate in this number, promises to be the grandest of

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

L. M.-You will find solutions to our former Problems in the
first number of each monthly part. Many of our subscri-
bers taking the work monthly would get Problems and so-
lutions at the same time, were the latter published weekly.
S. N.-The great Chess-match between Messrs. Rousseau
and Stanley, was played at New Orleans in the year 1815;
Mr. S. winning, at the rate of 11 to 7, four games, also,
being drawn.

G. B.-Both positions are faulty; also, the one sent by

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

EARTH, like a Lover poor and low,

Feasts on Night's queenly beauty now;
While I, with burning heart and brow,
Awake to weep for thee, Love!

The spangled glories of the Night,
The Moon that walks in soft, white light:
These cannot win my charmed sight,

Or lure a thought from thee, Love!

I'm thinking o'er the short, sweet hour,
Our hearts drank up Love's growth of power,
And summer'd as in Eden's bower,

When I was blest with thee, Love
There burn'd no beauty on the trees,
There woke no song of birds or bees,
But Love's cup for us held no lees,

And I was blest with thee, Love!
Then grand and golden fancies spring
From out my heart, on splendid wing,
Like Chrysalis from Life's wintering-

Burst bright and summeringly, Love!
And as a Chief of battle lost
Counts, and recounts, his stricken host,
Stands tearful Memory, making most

Of all that's toucht with thee, Love.
Perchance in Pleasure's brilliant bower
Thy heart may half forget Love's power,
But at this still and starry hour

Does it not turn to me, Love?
Oh, by all pangs for thy sweet sake,
In my deep love thy heart-thirst slake,
Or, all too full, my heart must break:
Break! break! with loving thee, Love!

[blocks in formation]

Bright flowers,

Sweet flowers,

Fresh flowers,

To waft his soul away!

With tears bedew,

And flowers strew,
To waft his soul away,
To waft his soul away.

The earth her bosom bares,

To ease his mortal cares,
To kiss his brow

Of purest snow,

To shroud his mortal form
Eternal from the storm!

So lay his hero heart to rest
Upon a mother's fondling breast;

His check upon the sod,
His spirit flown to God.
Then cypress and the laurel twine,
That Death and Glory may combine
To wreathe a halo round his head-
Iinmortal crown him on his bed!

With tears bedew,

And flowers strew,

Bright flowers,

Sweet flowers,

Fresh flowers,

To waft his soul away,

To waft his soul away.

*In Greece, the bodies of virgins and youths are consigned to their graves, robed in white, without shroud or coffin, but

strewn with the rarest and most beautiful flowers.

"A strait, Reuben?"

"Ay, a cruel one: I want to absent myself for three hours-and how to account for my absence I know not, unless you will assist me."

The daughter of the host of the Fair Rosamond, like most young girls, was a little inclined to be jealous. She remembered, with a pang, that her lover had admired the sparkling eyes and jetty locks of a certain miller's daughter, at Woodstock.

"Dissembler!" cried the young man, stopping her words with a kiss; " you know that I have not a thought I would conceal from you."

His cousin remained silent: woman like, she waited for the proof.

"You noticed the strangers who arrived last night?" he continued.

"The fierce, rude men," exclaimed the girl, "who drank so much wine, and swore so terribly? "I assist you," she answered pettishly; "you I did. But what of them? My father knows them : require no assistance or permission from me! I he would not draw his best sack and Bordeaux upon dare say they will not miss you in the house." the credit of their swords and swaggering words. "Do you think so?" said the young man, with an They are soldiers, I heard their leader say, recruitair of abstraction. ing for the service of the queen."

"Now, heaven forbid," exclaimed the youth.

"And if they do," continued the girl, the tears starting to her eyes at what she considered the pre-crossing himself for he was Catholic-" I would meditated unkindness of her cousin, "the cause rather than-a hundred golden nobles that she knew will amply justify you, no doubt." nothing of this matter."

"What matter?"

Not to keep the poor girl longer in suspense, her lover proceeded to explain to her how, following the advice of the old trader, he had, during the night,

Reuben started, and, taking her by the hand, demanded, in an agitated tone, if she knew the cause. "I can guess it," answered the maiden, bitterly. "Then I am sure," he said, "you will assist me! But how came you to know-did you over-climbed up the old porchway to the window of the

[blocks in formation]

chamber in which Basset and two of his companions slept; and that he had heard sufficient of their conversation to know that the object of their visit was nothing less than to assassinate the Lady Elizabeth -now a prisoner in the old palace of Woodstock.

The countenance of Mabel grew pale as she listened to the tale: young as she was, she had seen sufficient of the troublous times which followed the

"You speak unkindly, Mab," he replied, “and yet I am sure you do not feel so-for your heart is close of the last reign, not to tremble at the importtoo good not to feel for one of your own sex, as young and beautiful as yourself."

[ocr errors]

Young and beautiful she is," exclaimed the girl; "but not good were she, I should not feel your unkindness. Alice Maythorn, the miller's daughter, may be all you fancy her, but I do not believe it. She flirted with Farmer Ebbs, till all Woodstock cried shame upon her; and they do say, the captain of the guard at the palace spake more QUEENS OF ENGLAND. freely of her name than befitted an honest girl."

LIVES OF THE

BY J. F. SMITH, ESQ,,

Author of Stanfield Hall," "Minnie Grey," etc.

ELIZABETH, QUEEN REGNANT OF ENGLAND.

ΟΝ

[blocks in formation]

N the following morning the young tapster descended at the usual hour, his mind evidently pre-occupied by some weighty matter. Even his pretty cousin failed to rouse him from the waking dream in which he was plunged, and more than once he had to endure the reproof of the host and his bustling dame, for permitting the guests to call for liquor without attending to them.

"Reuben," said the pouting Mabel-perhaps she missed the sly kiss which her lover generally contrived to steal before his uncle and aunt made their -"had you an evil dream last night?" appearance-" "I had, indeed," was the reply.

[blocks in formation]

"Alice Maythorn," repeated Reuben, a faint
glimmering of the delusion under which the pretty
Mabel was laboring for the first time dawning upon
his mind; "who spoke of Alice!"
"You did your dream has been of her-your

visit doubtless intended for her."

The young man stole his arm round her waist, and gently drew her towards him: she resisted sufficiently to show her wounded pride, but not to disengage herself from his embrace.

66

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

He is the friend of the queen?" timidly observed the girl.

"And therefore I will trust him," answered her lover, with determination. "Mary cannot have consented to the murder of her sister; and if she has, my course would be equally clear. I must see Sir Henry, warn him of the danger, and leave the rest to heaven. I can no more!"

"You are right, dear Reuben-always right! I but conspire against my own happiness when I doubt you."

The voice of Basset was now heard, calling loudly in the stables for some one to take his horse to

I see, Mab,” he said, “that I must trust you." Woodstock: the animal had cast a shoe, and the "As you please, Reuben."

is

"You know," he continued, "that I have no thought of the miller's daughter-that all my love centered here-here where you are! What else, think you, has bound me so long to a home which is not mine? You are not jealous, Mabel-you only pretend to be, to draw my secret from me."

The heart of Mabel fluttered less violently: she was convinced-but, like most maidens, required to be persuaded: it is so sweet to hear the proof of affection iterated from the lips of those we love.

"I am sure, Reuben, I am not curious; and if I do wish to know the object of your journey, it is for your sake more than mine-but you know best."

ruffian knew too well the service his steed might render him at a pinch, not to provide against the accident.

"There, Reuben," whispered his cousin, "the opportunity you wished for has arrived. But, for my sake, be cautious; for I would rather see you the husband of Alice, although I feel, she is unworthy of you, than any misfortune should befall you. It would kill me."

With an adieu such as lovers whisper, her cousin left the kitchen, where the above conversation had taken place, and made his way to the stable, where the emissary of Gardiner was still calling for some one to take his horse.

"What is your pleasure, sir," demanded the tapster, civilly, although his blood boiled at the sight of the ruffian.

"I can easily ascertain that," said the tapster, as that could mask a traitor: it is too eloquent, too he vaulted into the saddle, "of the first idler in truthful; but others may." Woodstock. Do you know what the country people

say

[ocr errors]

This was asked in a confidential tone, which completely threw the emissary of Gardener off his

"My mare has cast her shoe!" exclaimed Basset, with an oath; "these infernal roads would destroy the best steed in her majesty's stable. Mort de ma vie, that such an accident should occur in this out-guard. of-the-way place!—where one might as easily expect to find a civil tapster as a skilful smith."

This last remark was intended for the young man-with whom, our readers may remember, the speaker had exchanged something more than words the preceding night, on his arrival at the inn.

"I trust," said Reuben, "that both may be found." "Where?"

"The first at the Fair Rosamond," replied the young man ; "and as for the second, you will find one of the most skilful smiths in all the country no further off than Woodstock. The boy can take him for you."

Basset shook his head disapprovingly. He did not like to trust his horse-the only thing in the world, perhaps, for which he felt regard to the care of the rough-looking urchin who, at the call of the tapster, made his appearance from the kitchen-door; neither could he go himself-for he expected other of his confederate ruffians to join him; added to which, his presence was necessary to maintain anything like order amongst those who were with him.

"No," he said—“no; I cannot consent to trust Jovial with an ill-begotten whelp like that! If you could take him, now?"

It was not the policy of the tapster to appear too anxious upon the matter: he therefore answered warily.

"I should not mind the ride so much as my uncle's anger—who, in my absence, could not wait upon his guests."

"I will make your peace," urged Basset. The young man shook his head.

"No? what do they say?"

"That the queen's sister is a prisoner at the palace," said the young man; “but whether true or not, the Lady Elizabeth, I should think, will not be permitted to remain a captive long-so nearly related to her grace."

66

Perhaps not," muttered Basset, with a sinister smile; "one way or another, her grace, in all probability, will speedily be released But away with you! I am a soldier, and have nothing to do with politics."

[ocr errors]

"Nor I," answered the youth, in a careless tone; only as you are a stranger in these parts, I thought the rumor might amuse you."

So saying, he set spurs to the horse, and cantered at a gentle pace in the direction of Woodstock.

THE

[blocks in formation]

I act thus for mine honor and your safety.
Harsh words, like rough shells, oft hide the
Sweetest kernel.
MALONE.

HE stern old night, Sir Henry Beddingfield,
was seated in his private apartment in Rosa-
mond's Bower-as the north wing of the palace was
cailed-in the royal domain of Woodstock. His
morning meal of manchet bread, and a silver flask
filled with wine, stood upon the table beside him.
He was busily engaged in looking over some reports
which an officer had brought him, and the repast had
been suffered-although considerably beyond his
usual hour-to remain untasted.

"Mine is no common charge," he murmured, "And add a crown piece to drink my health," pressing his hand to his wrinkled brow, and pushing added the speaker, "to pay you for your trouble, back the straggling grey hairs which fell upon his and as a plaster for the hard rap I gave you yesterday." | forehead. "The safety not only of my royal Reuben suffered the offer of the coin apparently mistress, but of the kingdom, is in my keeping. to influence his resolution; and, after a few more Would the Lady Elizabeth were fairly wedded, and hesitations and difficulties-all of which Basset out of it," he added. "If aught should happen to pledged himself to make smooth with the host-the her in my ward, I should never forgive myself. My young man finally consented. children would never forgive me; for a father's honor is the inheritance of his sons. Would I were quietly at home at my poor house of Kingrave! am not at ease in courts."

"I suppose you can ride?" said the ruffian. "Well enough for a tapster. When a boy, I was in the habit of gallopping the farmers' colts over the common. Fear not," continued the youth, "I will bring you back Jovial safe and sound, after the smith has shoed him; but I had better be off before my uncle comes.”

So impatient was the owner of Jovial to have him once more in a state fit for service, that he actually assisted the speaker to saddle him with his own hands, adding, all the while, numberless cautions for his management, all of which Reuben listened to with the greatest show of respect.

I

The meditations of the old man were interrupted by the entrance of a young officer, who was distantly connected with him-Frank Jerningham-a fine, noble-looking fellow-a devoted adherent of the Catholic party and the queen, like himself.

"Well, Frank," exclaimed Sir Henry, shaking his head reprovingly; "what squire's errand have you come upon now? Of late you seem to have had no other employment." "You mistake, kinsman," said the young man, "How soon will you be back?" demanded Basset. with a slight hesitation. "I cannot refuse to bring "In about four hours," was the reply. "Make it five; and hark 'ee, contrive to ascertain --but without naming me-at what hour Sir Henry Beddingfield usually hunts in the forest. Bring me sure word, and perhaps I may find a fellow to the crown piece I promised you, in my purse."

the messages her grace may charge me with."
The old knight gave an inarticulate growl.

"So you acquit me, I am satisfied. '

"Frank, Frank!" said the knight, "what I am about to say is not intended either for a caution or reproof-and yet I feel it necessary to say it-so understand a plain man in his plain meaning. The Lady Elizabeth is dangerous both to our royal mistress and the state. Many there are-may the saints confound their policy—who would persuade her majesty to bring her sister to trial and the block; others, still more base, urge a surer method. So you see how I am hampered-I have to guard alike against the escape of my prisoner, and the machinations of her enemies."

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

Fortunately," observed the officer, "the present one that I am charged with, will not interfere with either. The Lady Elizabeth merely wishes permission to take the air in the private gardens of the palace. Her health," he added, seeing the refusal rising to the lips of her guardian, "I fear begins to fail her. Her cheek grows pale, and her eye dim as an imprisoned bird's."

"That regards her physician," said the knight. "Pardon me, Sir Henry," replied the petitioner, firmly; but her highness's health, equally with her safety, regards your honor. What would evil tongues not whisper, should she die under your ward?'

The last consideration evidently moved the old man, and he gave the required permission; at the same time charging his kinsman to take such precautions as would render escape or communication with any emissary of the Protestant party impossible.

As Frank Jerningham was about to leave the room, he suddenly recollected that he had left a young man in the guard-room, who had been anxiously inquiring to see him.

"Send him up to my chamber," said Sir Henry. "And do not forget my words So," he continued, as soon as he was alone, "that affair of Frank's being off my mind, like a good Christian I'll 'een attack my posset."

The stalwart knight had barely time to finish his manchet and wine, before Reuben was marched into the room, between a file of men.

"So," said the adherent of Queen Mary, throwing himself back in his high, leathern-covered chair, "you have been inquiring for me?"

"Most anxiously," cried the youth.
"You would speak with me?"

"At your pleasure, Sir Henry, but it must be alone."

"Alone!" repeated the knight, suspiciously. "And what can a springall like thee have to say to the governor of Woodstock, that his soldiers may

"Do you doubt me?" said the officer, in a tone of not hear?" wounded pride

"Fear nothing," exclaimed the young man. "Be "No, Frank-no!" answered his relative; “Ilieve me, my purpose is a friendly one." know you too well for that-yours is not the face

"Fear!" repeated the old soldier, with an expres

sion of mingled scorn and amused surprise. "Ha, ha! Gad's life, but the brat thinks he is talking with some village lout, or raw recruit! Fear, boy!" he added, sternly, "I have looked upon death in many a well-contested field. My hair has blanched with time: but no man living can say that the cheek of Henry Beddingfield ever grew pale with fear." Poor Reuben colored to the temples, and muttered something about his meaning having been misconstrued.

At a sign from their commander, the soldiers left the apartment; and the knight and his visitor were left together.

66

the

"Now, boy," said

former; "out with thy speech; but look," he added, "that you do not try to deceive me. I have dungeons at Woodstock, which open at my word; and, if necessary, a gibbet to reward the traitor."

Unmoved by the threat, and confident in the integrity of his purpose, Reuben proceeded to relate all that he had overheard the preceding night at the window of the Fair Rosamond. Sir Henry Beddingfield listened with deep attention; not a muscle of his iron countenance moved, as he listened to the plan of murdering his charge under his very guard. When the tapster had finished, he asked him the name of the party, and a description of his person.

"His name," said the youth, "an it be his right one, is Basset. In person he has an ill-favored, swaggering air, something between a

a half-gentleman and one of those foreign mercenaries engaged in the pay of the Protector, Somerset, during the last reign."

in thee than the mere lust of gold in three days we will speak together again."

The speaker struck a bell which was upon the table near him, and commanded the orderly, who answered it, to conduct his visitor from Woodstock, and to be careful that he spake not a word with any one within the walls.

"So, so," said the old knight, musingly; Gardiner has given me a tangled web to unravel-but I'll disappoint him. A churchman, too! Fie! fie! for what sayeth the canon of our holy church? The priest shall be innocent of blood.' If the Lady

[blocks in formation]

Elizabeth met him with a gracious countenance, and thanked him for enlarging the bounds of her captivity.

"Which I am sorry," replied the old knight, with an air of embarrassment, "my duty obliges me to restrict again."

"Sir Henry."

"Your grace must return," he continued, bowing very low, "to your lodging in the palace---it is my humble duty to attend you."

The haughty spirit of the future queen was deeply wounded at the apparent caprice to which she was

subject, and tears of mortified pride dimmed, for an instant, her flashing eyes.

""Tis well," she said; "you are the master; but you may one day repent this insult offered to the sister of your sovereign. I had almost taught myself," she added, "to look upon you as my host--I perceive my error; from henceforth I know you only as my jailer."

As the bitter word fell from her lips, the stern old knight drew himself up erect before her his features, usually so calm and immoveable, were flushed almost as deeply as her own.

"Madam," he said, "I pray to God that your grace may never have a worse jailer. To speak the truth, I have to guard you not only for the queen's pleasure, but against your enemies. The time will come when you will do me justice. I repeat my request

[graphic]

--if necessary," he

added, "my com

Elizabeth end her ambitious dreams in the grave, it mand. Had you the queen's permission to walk shall not be whilst she is in my keeping. Our in this garden-nay, to quit Woodstock this very Blessed Lady guard my honor and the queen's dig- instant despite her hand and seal, for fourand-twenty hours I would hold you in a close

His hearer acknowledged that the description was nity!"

a correct one.

"Return to your inn," he said, "and suffer not a word to escape you by which these ruffians may suppose you have held communication with me. Inform the knave who sent thee, that I start tomorrow to meet her Majesty at windsor, and that the palace here will be left in charge of my kinsman, Frank Jerningham "

Reuben promised to fulfil his orders to the letter. "Do so, and thou shalt thrive. I say nothing to thee of reward; for I have discerned a better motive

With these words, he took up his beaver, and de- ward." scended to the private garden of the palace.

The royal captive was walking pensively under the shade of a broad avenue of sycamore trees, when her stern old guardian aproached: he had assured himself on his way, by personal examination, that his kinsman, Frank had taken every precaution against entrance from without and the conviction annoyed him-for it left the burthen of the ungracious resolution he had taken upon himself.

[ocr errors]

The clear-headed Elizabeth saw at once that her safety was the speaker's motive.

Forgive me," she exclaimed. "God help me! I am sore beset, and scarcely know my friends from my enemies. But I feel assured that Sir Henry Beddingfield is not amongst those who would tamper with his own honor, or a helpless woman's life."

The old man kissed her extended hand. From that time there was a degree of confidence estab

"It must be done," he said, "even for her safety." lished between them.

P. D. ORVIS, Publisher, 130 Fulton street, New York. Monthly Parts, 18% cts. each. Yearly Subscription to either edition $2, in advance. Ten Copies for FIFTEEN DOLLARS.

« PreviousContinue »