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as it seemed, of at least equal importance with the permitted, to discharge his reckoning, and readily obknight, entered into the apartment, and began to hold tained a direction to the wicket in question. He found earnest colloquy with the publican, who thought pro- it upon the latch, as he had been taught to expect; per to carry on the conference on his side unbonneted. and perceived that it admitted him to a narrow footThis important gentleman's occupation might be path, which traversed a close and tangled thicket, deguessed from his dress. A milk-white jerkin, and signed for the cover of the does and the young fawns. hose of white kersey; a white apron twisted around Here he conjectured it would be proper to wait; nor his body in the manner of a sash, in which, instead of had he been stationary above five minutes, when the a warlike dagger, was stuck a long-bladed knife, cook, scalded as much with heat of motion as ever he hilted with buck's horn; a white nightcap on his had been at his huge fireplace, arrived almost breathhead, under which his hair was neatly tucked, suf-less, and with his pass-key hastily locked the wicket ficiently portrayed him as one of those priests of Co- behind him. mus whom the vulgar call cooks; and the air with which he rated the publican for having neglected to send some provisions to the Palace, showed that he ministered to royalty itself.

"This will never answer," he said, "Master Kilderkin-the King twice asked for sweetbreads, and fricasseed coxcombs, which are a favourite dish of his most Sacred Majesty, and they were not to be had, because Master Kilderkin had not supplied them to the clerk of the kitchen, as by bargain bound." Here Kilderkin made some apology, brief, according to his own nature, and muttered in a lowly tone after the fashion of all who find themselves in a scrape. His superior replied, in a lofty strain of voice, "Do not tell me of the carrier and his wain, and of the hen-coops coming from Norfolk with the poultry; a loyal man would have sent an express-he would have gone upon his stumps, like Widdrington. What if the King had lost his appetite, Master Kilderkin? What if his most Sacred Majesty had lost his dinner? O Master Kilderkin, if you had but the just sense of the dignity of our profession, which is told of by the witty African slave, for so the King's most excellent Majesty designates him, Publius Terentius, Tanquam in speculo -in patinas inspicere jubeo."

"You are learned, Master Linklater," replied the English publican, compelling, as it were with difficulty, his mouth to utter three or four words consecutively.

Ere Lord Glenvarloch had time to speculate upon this action, the man approached with anxiety, and said-"Good lord, my Lord Glenvarloch!--why will you endanger yourself thus ?"

"You know me then, my friend ?" said Nigel. "Not much of that, my lord-but I know your honour's noble house well.-My name is Laurie Linklater, my lord." "Linklater!" repeated Nigel. "I should recollect"

"Under your lordship's favour," he continued, “I was 'prentice, my lord, to old Mungo Moniplies, the flesher at the wanton West-Port of Edinburgh, which I wish I saw again before I died. And, your honour's noble father having taken Richie Moniplies into his house to wait on your lordship, there was a sort of connexion, your lordship sees.'

"Ah!" said Lord Glenvarloch, "I had almost forgot your name, but not your kind purpose. You tried to put Richie in the way of presenting a supplication to his Majesty ?"

"Most true, my lord," replied the King's cook. "I had like to have come by mischief in the job; for Richie, who was always wilful, wadna be guided by me,' as the sang says. But nobody amongst these brave English cooks can kittle up his Majesty's most sacred palate with our own gusty Scottish dishes. So I e'en betook myself to my craft, and concocted a mess of friar's chicken for the soup, and a savoury hachis, A poor smatterer," said Mr. Linklater; "but it that made the whole cabal coup the crans; and, would be a shame to us, who are his most excellent instead of disgrace, I came by preferment. I am Majesty's countrymen, not in some sort to have che- one of the clerks of the kitchen now, make me thankrished those arts wherewith he is so deeply embued-ful-with a finger in the purveyor's office, and may Regis ad exemplar, Master Kilderkin, totus componitur orbis-which is as much as to say, as the King quotes the cook learns. In brief, Master Kilderkin, having had the luck to be bred where humanities may be had at the matter of an English five groats by the quarter, I, like others, have acquired-ahemhem!"Here, the speaker's eye having fallen upon Lord Glenvarloch, he suddenly stopped in his learned harangue, with such symptoms of embarrassment as induced Ned Kilderkin to stretch his taciturnity so far as not only to ask him what he ailed, but whether he would take any thing.

"Ail nothing," replied the learned rival of the philosophical Syrus; "Nothing-and yet I do feel a little giddy. I could taste a glass of your dame's aqua mirabilis."

get my whole hand in by and by."

"I am truly glad," said Nigel, "to hear that you have not suffered on my account,-still more so at your good fortune."

"You bear a kind heart, my lord," said Linklater, "and do not forget poor people; and, troth, I see not why they should be forgotten, since the King's errand may sometimes fall in the cadger's gate. I have followed your lordship in the street, just to look at such a stately shoot of the old oak-tree; and my heart jumped into my throat, when I saw you sitting openly in the eating-house yonder, and knew there was such danger to your person."

"What! there are warrants against me, then?" said Nigel.

It is even true, my lord; and there are those are willing to blacken you as much as they can.-God forgive them, that would sacrifice an honourable house for their own base ends !" "Amen," said Nigel.

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For, say your lordship may have been a little wild, like other young gentlemen"

"We have little time to talk of it, my friend," said Nigel. "The point in question is, how am I to get speech of the King?"

"I will fetch it," said Ned, giving a nod; and his back was no sooner turned, than the cook walked near the table where Lord Glenvarloch was seated, and regarding him with a look of significance, where more was meant than met the ear, said "You are a stranger in Greenwich, sir. I advise you to take the opportunity to step into the Park-the western wicket was ajar when I came hither; I think it will be locked presently, so you had better make the best of your waythat is, if you have any curiosity. The venison are coming into season just now, sir, and there is a pleasure in looking at a hart of grease. I always think when they are bounding so blithely past, what a pleasure it would be, to broach their plump haunches on a "My good friend," answered Nigel," my expespit, and to embattle their breasts in a noble fortifi-rience of the Court, and my knowledge of the circation of puff-paste, with plenty of black pepper." cumstances in which I stand, tell me, that the man liest and most direct road is, in my case, the surest and the safest. The king has both a head to appre hend what is just, and a heart to do what is kind."

He said no more, as Kilderkin re-entered with the cordial, but edged off from Nigel without waiting any reply, only repeating the same look of intelligence with which he had accosted him.

Nothing makes men's wits so alert as personal danger. Nigel took the first opportunity which his host's attention to the yeoman of the royal kitchen

"The King, my lord!" said Linklater, in astonishment; "why, will not that be rushing wilfully into danger-scalding yourself, as I may say, with your own ladle?"

"It is e'en true, my lord, and so we, his old ser vants, know," added Linklater;" but, wo's me, if you knew how many folks make it their daily and nightly purpose to set his head against his heart, and his

THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL.

heart against his head-to make him do hard things | down by two tall greyhounds of the breed still used by
[CHAP. XXVII.
because they are called just, and unjust things be-
cause they are represented as kind. Wo's me! it is
with his Sacred Majesty, and the favourites who
work upon him, even according to the homely pro-
verb that men taunt my calling with, God sends
good meat, but the devil sends cooks.'

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the hardy deer-stalkers of the Scottish Highlands, but which has been long unknown in England. One dog struck at the buck's throat, another dashed his sharp nose and fangs, I might almost say, into the animal's bowels. It would have been natural for to have thought upon the occasion like the melanLord Glenvarloch, himself persecuted as if by hunters, choly Jacques; but habit is a strange matter, and I fear that his feelings on the occasion were rather those of the practised huntsman than of the moralist. what befell. He had no time, however, to indulge them, for mark

"Your peers?" exclaimed the cook-" Alack-a-day, my lord, we are not in Scotland, where the nobles can bang it out bravely, were it even with the King so thoroughly subjected to the rein, that it obeyed the A single horseman followed the chase, upon a steed himself now and then. This mess must be cooked touch of the bridle as if it had been a mechanical imin the Star-Chamber, and that is an oven seven pulse operating on the nicest piece of machinery; so times heated, my lord ;-and yet, if you are deter- that, seated deep in his demi-pique saddle, and so trussmined to see the King, I will not say but you may ed up there as to make falling almost impossible, find some favour, for he likes well any thing that is the rider, without either fear or hesitation, might inappealed directly to his own wisdom, and sometimes, crease or diminish the speed at which he rode, which, in the like cases, I have known him stick by his own even on the most animating occasions of the chase, opinion, which is always a fair one. Only mind, if you seldom exceeded three fourths of a gallop, the horse will forgive me, my lord-mind to spice high with keeping his haunches under him, and never stretchLatin; a curn or two of Greek would not be amiss; ing forward beyond the managed pace of the acadeand, if you can bring in any thing about the judg- my. The security with which he chose to prosecute ment of Solomon, in the original Hebrew, and sea- even this favourite, and, in the ordinary case, someson with a merry jest or so, the dish will be the more what dangerous amusement, as well as the rest of his palatable. Truly, I think, that, besides my skill in equipage, marked King James. No attendant was art, I owe much to the stripes of the Rector of the within sight; indeed, it was often a nice strain of flatHigh School, who imprinted on my mind that cook-tery to permit the Sovereign to suppose he had outing scene in the Heauton timorumenos." Leaving that aside, my friend," said Lord Glenridden and distanced all the rest of the chase. varloch, "can you inform me which way I shall most claimed, as he came up. "Weel dune, Bash-weel dune, Battie!" he exreadily get to the sight and speech of the King?" "To the sight of him readily enough," said Link- horse, man," he called out to Nigel, without stopye are a credit to the Braes of Balwhither!-Haud my "By the honour of a King, later; "he is galloping about these alleys, to see ping to see to whom he had addressed himself them strike the hart, to get him an appetite for a nooning-and that reminds me I should be in the-deil ding your saul, sirrah, canna ye mak haste be"Haud my naig, and help me down out o' the saddle kitchen. To the speech of the King you will not fore these lazy smaiks come up?-haud the rein easy come so easily, unless you could either meet him-dinna let him swerve-now, haud the stirrup that alone, which rarely chances, or wait for him among the crowd that go to see him alight. And now, farewell, my lord, and God speed!-if I could do more for you, I would offer it."

He traversed more than one alley guided by the sounds of the chase, and met several of the inferior attendants upon the King's sport, who regarded him only as one of the spectators who were sometimes permitted to enter the Park by the concurrence of the officers about the Court. Still there was no appearance of James, or any of his principal courtiers, and Nigel began to think whether, at the risk of incurring disgrace similar to that which had attended the rash exploit of Richie Moniplies, he should not repair to the Palace-gate, in order to address the King on his return, when Fortune presented him the opportunity of doing so, in her own way.

He was in one of those long walks by which the Park was traversed, when he heard, first a distant rustling, then the rapid approach of hoofs shaking the firm earth on which he stood; then a distant halloo, warned by which he stood up by the side of the avenue, leaving free room for the passage of the chase. The stag, reeling, covered with foam, and blackened with sweat, his nostrils expanded as he gasped for breath, made a shift to come up as far as where Nigel stood, and, without turning to bay, was there pulled

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"An unfortunate man, sire," replied Nigel.

"or I wad have seen naething of you. My lieges keep a' their happiness to themselves; but let bowls row "I dare say that," answered the King, snappishly wrang wi' them, and I am sure to hear of it."

And to whom else can we carry our complaints

but to your Majesty, who is Heaven's vicegerent over us?" answered Nigel.

Right, man, right-very weel spoken," said the King; but you should leave Heaven's vicegerent some quiet on earth, too."

by the arms which were taken from Lord Glenvar-
loch's
's person; and not Mhic-Allastar-More* himself
could repel with greater scorn and indignation, the
insinuations that they were worn for any sinister

purposes.

"If your Majesty will look on me," (for hitherto the Away with the wretch-the parricide--the bloodyKing had been so busy, first with the dogs, and then minded villain!" was echoed on all hands; and the with the mystic operation of breaking, in vulgar phrase, King, who naturally enough set the same value on cutting up the deer, that he had scarce given his as- his own life at which it was, or seemed to be, rated sistant above a transient glance,) "you will see whom by others, cried out, louder than all the rest, Ay1 necessity makes bold to avail himself of an opportu-ay-away with him. I have had enough of him, and nity which may never again occur." so has the country. But do him no bodily harmand, for God's sake, sirs, if ye are sure that ye have thoroughly disarmed him, put up your swords, dirks, and skenes, for you will certainly do each other a mischief."

King James looked; his blood left his cheek, though it continued stained with that of the animal which lay at his feet, he dropped the knife from his hand, cast behind him a faltering eye, as if he either meditated flight or looked out for assistance, and then exclaimed, "Glenvarlochides! as sure as I was christened James Stewart. Here is a bonny spot of work, and me alone, and on foot too!" he added, bustling to get upon his horse.

"Forgive me that I interrupted you, my liege," said Nigel, placing himself between the King and the steed; แ hear me but a moment!"

"I'll hear ye best on horseback," said the King, "I canna hear a word on foot, man, not a word; and it is not seemly to stand cheek-for-chowl confronting us that gate. Bide out of our gate, sir, we charge you on your allegiance.-The deil's in them a', what can they be doing?"

By the crown which you wear, my liege," said Nigel," and for which my ancestors have worthily fought, I conjure you to be composed, and to hear me but a moment!"

There was a speedy sheathing of weapons at the King's command; for those who had hitherto been brandishing them in loyal bravado, began thereby to call to mind the extreme dislike which his Majesty nourished against naked steel, a foible which seemed to be as constitutional as his timidity, and was usually ascribed to the brutal murder of Rizzio having been perpetrated in his unfortunate mother's presence before he yet saw the light.

At this moment, the Prince, who had been hunting in a different part of the then extensive Park, and had received some hasty and confused information of what was going forward, came rapidly up, with one or two noblemen in his train, and amongst others Lord Dalgarno. He sprung from his horse, and asked eagerly if his father were wounded.

me, then, Baby Charles," continued the monarch, after he had taken this cup of comfort; "O man, the Commonwealth and you have had a fair escape from the heavy and bloody loss of a dear father; for we are pater patriæ, as well as pater familias.- Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus tam cari capitis! Wo is me, black cloth would have been dear in England, and dry een scarce!"

"Not that I am sensible of, Baby Charles-but a wee matter exhausted, with struggling single-handed That which he asked was entirely out of the mo- with the assassin.-Steenie, fill us a cup of winenarch's power to grant. The timidity which he show-the leathern bottle is hanging at our pommel.-Buss ed was not the plain downright cowardice, which, like a natural impulse, compels a man to flight, and which can excite little but pity or contempt, but a much more ludicrous, as well as more mingled sensation. The poor King was frightened at once and angry, desirous of securing his safety, and at the same time ashamed to compromise his dignity; so that without attending to what Lord Glenvarloch endeavoured to explain, he kept making at his horse, and repeating, "We are a free King, man-we are a free King-we will not be controlled by a subject.-In the name of God what keeps Steenie? And, praised be his name, they are coming-Hillo, ho-here, here -Steenie, Steenie!"

The Duke of Buckingham galloped up, followed by several courtiers and attendants of the royal chase, and con menced with his usual familiarity," I see Fortune has graced our dear dad, as usual.-But what's this?"

you care.

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"What is it? It is treason for what I ken," said the King? and a' your wyte, Steenie. Your dear dad and gossip might have been murdered, for what Murdered? Secure the villain!" exclaimed the Duke. "By Heaven, it is Olifaunt himself!" A dozen of the hunters dismounted at once, letting their horses run wild through the park. Some seized roughly on Lord Glenvarloch, who thought it folly to offer resistance, while others busied themselves with the King. Are you wounded, my liege-are you wounded?"

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Not that I ken of," said the King, in the paroxysm of his apprehension, (which, by the way, might be pardoned in one of so timorous a temper, and who, in his time, had been exposed to so many strange attempts,)" Not that I ken of-but search him-search him. I am sure I saw fire-arms under his cloak. I am sure I smelled powder-I am dooms sure of that."

Lord Glenvarloch's cloak being stripped off, and his pistols discovered, a shout of wonder and of execration on the supposed criminal purpose, arose from the crowd now thickening every moment. Not that celebrated pistol, which, though resting on a bosom as gallant and as loyal as Nigel's, spread such causeless alarm among knights and dames at a late high solemnity-not that very pistol caused more temporary consternation than was so groundlessly excited VOL. IV. N

And, at the very idea of the general grief which must have attended his death, the good natured monarch cried heartily himself.

"Is this possible?" said Charles, sternly; for his pride was hurt at his father's demeanour on the one

This is the Highland patronymic of the late gallant Chief of Glengarry. The allusion in the text is to an unnecessary alarm taken by some lady, at the ceremonial of the coronation of George IV., at the sight of the pistols which the Chief wore as a part of his Highland dress. The circumstance produced some confusion, which was talked of at the time. All who knew Glengarry (and the author knew him well) were aware that his principles were of devoted loyalty to the person of his sovereign. King James's Hunting Bottle.-Roger Coke, in his detection of the Court and State of England, London, 1697, p. 70, observes of James I., "The king was excessively addicted to hunting, and drinking, not ordinary French and Spanish wines, but strong Greek wine, and thought he would compound his hunting with these wines; and to that purpose, he was attended by a special officer, who was, as much as he could be, always at hand to fill the King's cup in hunting when he called for it. I have heard my father say, that, hunting with the King, after the King had drank of the wine, he also drank of it; and though he was young, and of a healthful disposition, it so deranged his head that it spoiled his pleasure and disordered him for three days after. Whether it was from drinking these wines, or from some was trussed on horseback, and as he was set, so would he ride, other cause, the king became so lazy and so unwieldy, that he without stirring himself in the saddle; nay, when his hat was set upon his head he would not take the trouble to alter it, but it sate as it was put on."

The trussing, for which the demi-pique saddle of the day afforded particular facility, is alluded to in the text; and the author, among other nicknacks of antiquity possesses a leathern flask, like those carried by sportsmen, which is labelled, "King James's Hunting Bottle," with what authenticity is uncertain.Coke seems to have exaggerated the King's taste for the bottle. Welldon says James was not intemperate in his drinking; "However, in his old age, Buckingham's jovial suppers, when he had any turn to do with him, made him sometimes overtaken, It is true he drank very often, which was rather out of a custom which he would the next day remember, and repent with tears. than any delight; and his drinks were of that kind for strength, as Frontiniack, Canary, high country wine, tent wine, and Scottish ale, that had he not had a very strong brain, he might have been daily overtaken, though he seldom drank at any one time above four spoonfuls, many times not above one or two."-Secret History of King James, vol. ii., p. 3. Edin. 181.1

hand, while, on the other, he felt the resentment of a | a good countenance, a happy presence, and much son and a subject, at the supposed attempt on the calm firmness in his look and speech. I cannot think King's life. "Let some one speak who has seen he would attempt a crime so desperate and useless.' what happened-My Lord of Buckingham!" "I profess neither love nor favour to the young man," answered Buckingham, whose high-spirited ambition bore always an open character; "but I cannot but agree with your Highness, that our dear gossip hath been something hasty in apprehending personal danger from him."

"I cannot say, my lord," replied the Duke, "that I saw any actual violence offered to his Majesty, else I should have avenged him on the spot."

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You would have done wrong, then, in your zeal, George," answered the Prince; such offenders were better left to be dealt with by the laws. But was the villain not struggling with his Majesty ?"

"I cannot term it so, my lord," said the Duke, who, with many faults, would have disdained an untruth; "he seemed to desire to detain his Majesty, who, on the contrary, appeared to wish to mount his horse; but they have found pistols on his person, contrary to the proclamation, and, as it proves to be Nigel Olifaunt, of whose ungoverned disposition your Royal Highness has seen some samples, we seem to be justified in apprehending the worst.

Nigel Olifaunt!" said the Prince; "C can that unhappy man so soon have engaged in a new trespass? Let me see those pistols.'

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By my saul, Steenie, ye are not blate to say so!" said the King."Do I not ken the smell of pouther, think ye? Who else nosed out the Fifth of November, save our royal selves? Cecil, and Suffolk, and all of them, were at fault, like sae mony mongrel tikes, when I puzzled it out; and trow ye that I cannot smell pouther? Why, 'sblood, man, Joannes Barclaius thought my ingine was in some measure inspiration, and terms his history of the plot, Series patefacti divinitus parricidii; and Spondanus, in like manner, saith of us, Divinitus evasit."

"The land was happy in your Majesty's escape," said the Duke of Buckingham, "and not less in the quick wit which tracked that labyrinth of treason by so fine and almost invisible a clew."

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"Ye are not so unwise as to meddle with such snap-haunces, Baby Charles ?" said James-" Do 'Saul, man, Steenie, ye are right! There are few not give him them, Steenie-I command you on youths have sic true judgment as you, respecting the your allegiance! They may go off of their own ac- wisdom of their elders; and, as for this fause, traitorcord, whilk often befalls.-You will do it, then?ous smaik, I doubt he is a hawk of the same nest. Saw ever man sic wilful bairns as we are cumbered Saw ye not something papistical about him? Let with!-Havena we guardsmen and soldiers enow, them look that he bears not a crucifix, or some sic but you must unload the weapons yoursell-you, Roman trinket, about him." the heir of our body and dignities, and sae mony men around that are paid for venturing life in our cause.' scene described in the foregoing chapter, although it be nevertheless true that the similarity is in all respects casual, and that But without regarding his father's exclamations, the author knew not of the existence of the painting till it was Prince Charles, with the obstinacy which charac-sold, amongst others, with the following description attached to terised him in trifles, as well as matters of conseit in a well-drawn-up catalogue. quence, persisted in unloading the pistols with his own hand, of the double bullets with which each was charged. The hands of all around were held up in astonishment at the horror of the crime supposed to have been intended, and the escape which was presumed so narrow.

Nigel had not yet spoken a word-he now calmly desired to be heard.

"To what purpose?" answered the Prince coldly. "You knew yourself accused of a heavy offence, and, instead of rendering yourself up to justice, in terms of the proclamation, you are here found intruding yourself on his Majesty's presence, and armed with unlawful weapons.'

"May it please you, sir," answered Nigel, "I wore these unhappy weapons for my own defence; and not very many hours since they were necessary to protect the lives of others."

"Doubtless, my lord," answered the Prince, still calm and unmoved,- your late mode of life, and the associates with whom you have lived, have made you familiar with scenes and weapons of violence. But it is not to me you are to plead your cause." "Hear me-hear me, noble Prince!" said Nigel, eagerly. "Hear me! You-even you yourself-may one day ask to be heard, and in vain.'

How, sir," said the Prince, haughtily-"how am I to construe that, my lord ?""

"If not on earth, sir," replied the prisoner, "yet to Heaven we must all pray for patient and favourable audience."

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"True, my lord," said the Prince, bending his head with haughty acquiescence; nor would I now refuse such audience to you, could it avail you. But you shall suffer no wrong. We will ourselves look into your case.

"Ay, ay," answered the King, "he hath made appellatio ad Cæsarem-we will interrogate Glenvarlochides ourselves, time and place fitting; and, in the meanwhile, have him and his weapons away, for I am weary of the sight of them."

In consequence of directions hastily given, Nigel was accordingly removed from the presence, where, however, his words had not altogether fallen to the ground. "This is a most strange matter, George," said the Prince to the favourite; "this gentleman hath I cannot here omit mentioning, that a painting of the old school is in existence, having a remarkable resemblance to the

"FREDERIGO ZUCCHERO.

"Scene as represented in the Fortunes of Nigel, by Frederigo Zucchero, the King's painter.

"This extraordinary picture, which, independent of its pictorial merit, has been esteemed a great literary curiosity, represents most faithfully the meeting, in Greenwich Park, between King James and Nigel Oliphaunt, as described in the Fortunes from authenticated facts. In the centre of the picture sits King of Nigel, showing that the author must have taken the anecdote James on horseback, very erect and stiffly. Between the King and Prince Charles, who is on the left of the picture, the Duke eagerly towards the culprit, Nigel Oliphaunt, who is standing of Buckingham is represented riding a black horse, and pointing on the right side of the picture. He grasps with his right hand a gun, or crossbow, and looks angrily towards the King, who vant is restraining two dogs which are barking fiercely. Nigel seems somewhat confused and alarmed. Behind Nigel, his serand his servant are both clothed in red, the livery of the Ollphaunt family, in which, to this day, the town officers of Perth are clothed, there being an old charter, granting to the OliPerth in their livery. The Duke of Buckingham is in all rephaunt family, the privilege of dressing the public officers of spects equal in magnificence of dress to the King or the Prince. The only difference that is marked between him and royalty is, that his head is uncovered. The King and the Prince wear James, will be found a letter from Sir Thomas Howard to Lord their hats. In Letitia Aikin's Memoirs of the Reign of King L. Harrington, in which he recommends the latter to come to court, mentioning that his Majesty has spoken favourably of is likely to find favour in the King's eyes. He tells him to wear him. He then proceeds to give him some advice, by which he a bushy ruff, well starched; and after various other directions as to his dress, he concludes, but above all things fail not to

praise the roan jennet whereon the King doth daily ride.' In this picture King James is represented on the identical roan jensuspicious-looking figures, as if watching the success of some net. In the back ground of the picture are seen two or three plot. These may have been put in by the painter, to flatter the King, by making it be supposed that he had actually escaped, tended by a numerous band of courtiers and attendants, all of or successfully combated, some serious plot. The King is at whom seem moving forward to arrest the defaulter. The painting of this picture is extremely good, but the drawing is very Gothic, and there is no attempt at the keeping of perspective. The picture is very dark and obscure, which considerably adds to the interest of the scene."

The fears of James for his personal safety were often excited

without serious grounds. On one occasion, having been induced to visit a coal pit on the coast of Fife, he was conducted a little island, or what was such at full tide, down which a shaft had way under the sea, and brought to daylight again on a small been sunk. James, who conceived his life or liberty aimed at, when he found himself on an islet surrounded by the sea, instead scene, cried Treason with all his might, and could not be pacified of admiring, as his cicerone hoped, the unexpected change of till he was rowed ashore. At Lochmaben he took an equally causeless alarm from a still slighter circumstance. Some ventable as a delicacy; but the King, who was not familiar with disses, a fish peculiar to the Loch, were presented to the royal their appearance, concluded they were poisoned, and broke up the banquet "with most admired disorder."

CHAP. XXVIII.]

THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL.

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"It would ill become me to attempt the exculpation of this unhappy man," said Lord Dalgarno, "considering the height of his present attempt, which has made all true men's blood curdle in their veins. Yet I cannot avoid intimating, with all due submission to his Majesty's infallible judgment, in justice to one who showed himself formerly only my enemy, though he now displays himself in much blacker colours, that this Olifaunt always appeared to me more as a Puritan than as a Papist.'

"Ah, Dalgarno, art thou there, man?" said the King. "And ye behooved to keep back, too, and leave us to our own natural strength and the care of Providence, when we were in grips with the villain!" "Providence, may it please your most Gracious Majesty, would not fail to aid, in such a strait, the care of three weeping kingdoms," said Lord Dalgarno. "Surely, man surely," replied the King-"but a sight of your father, with his long whinyard, would have been a blithe matter a short while syne; and in future we will aid the ends of Providence in our favour, by keeping near us two stout beef-eaters of the guard. -And so this Olifaunt is a Puritan ?-not the less like to be a Papist, for all that--for extremities meet, as the scholiast proveth. There are, as I have proved in my book, Puritans of papistical principles-it is just a new tout on an auld horn."

"I am a prisoner," he said, the words escaping from him almost unawares; "I am a prisoner, and in the

The Lieutenant bowed-"And it is my duty," he said, "to show your Lordship your chamber, where, under some restraint. I will make it as easy as my I am compelled to say, my orders are to place you duty permits."

Nigel only bowed in return to this compliment, and followed the Lieutenant to the ancient buildings on the western side of the parade, and adjoining to the chapel, used in those days as a state-prison, but in ours as the mess-room of the officers of the guard upon duty at the fortress. The double doors were unlocked, the prisoner ascended a few steps, followclass. They entered a large, but irregular, low-roofed by the Lieutenant, and a warder of the higher ed, and dark apartment, exhibiting a very scanty proportion of furniture. The warder had orders to light a fire, and attend to Lord Glenvarloch's commands in all things consistent with his duty; and the Lieutenant, having made his reverence with the customary compliment, that he trusted his lordship would Nigel would have asked some questions of the warnot long remain under his guardianship, took his leave. der, who remained to put the apartment into order, seemed not to hear some of the prisoner's questions, but the man had caught the spirit of his office. He though of the most ordinary kind, did not reply to athers, and when he did speak, it was in a short and sullen tone, which, though not positively disrespectful, was such as at least to encourage no farther communication.

Nigel left him, therefore, to do his work in silence, and proceeded to amuse himself with the melancholy

While this discourse was passing, Nigel, in charge Traitor's Gate, which opens from the Tower of London to of a pursuivant-at-arms, was pushed and dragged through the small town, all the inhabitants of which, having been alarmed by the report of an attack on the the Thames, was, as its name imr ties, that by which persons King's life, now pressed forward to see the supposed accused of state offences were conveyed to their prison. When traitor. Amid the confusion of the moment, he could the tide is making, and the ancient gate is beheld from within descry the face of the victualler, arrested into a stare the buildings, it used to be a most striking part of the old fortof stolid wonder, and that of the barber grinning be-ress; but it is now much injured in appearance, being half buil twixt horror and eager curiosity. He thought that he sorth masonry to support a steam-engine, or something of tha

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