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these circumstances was highly deserving of praise.

PRINCIPIBUS PLACUISSE VIRIS NON

ULTIMA LAUS EST. CIRCULATING LIBRARY. The officers suffered from the cold, w. SAMS, St. James's Street, Bookseller to particularly when changing their clothes his Royal Highness the Duke of York, grate for the performance of the play, being fully returns his sincere acknowlegements to obliged to go into another cabin, the the Nobility and Gentry, for the auspicious enwarm one being fitted up as the thea-couragement and liberal patronage with which tre. This play was performed once a they have honoured him; he respectfully solicits their attention to the New Catalogue of his fortnight, and the time of its repetition Circulating Library, which will be found to was looked forward to by the men with contain all the New Works of menit up to the the utmost delight and impatience. present day. The subject of the drama related to the Terms of Subscription as follows:-Subscribers paying Five Guineas the year are alexpedition, and exhibited the nume-lowed 24 volumes 3 Four Guineas, 16 ditto; rous dangers they were to encounter in Three Guineas, 8 ditto; Half yearly and Quarthe voyage. Among others was dis-terly Subscribers in proportion. played a desperate battle with the ferocious white bears, which of course ended in the destruction of those animals. Then succeeded an encounter with an enorinous sea horse, which, after giving ample scope to the palpitations of hope and fear, terminated in a similar manThe successful passage of the ships into the Pacific Ocean was represented, and after that the acquirement of the 20,000l.,in, London. There was also a sort of after act, which turned upon the different ways of getting rid of the money in that great city.

ner.

By the above, and other judicious means, Lieutenant Parry and his officers succeeded in their highly merito rious endeavours to keep the men in excellent spirits during their very long confinement.

The Bee.

Floriferis ut apes in saltibus omnia llmant, 3 Omniarnos itidem depascimur aurea dicta.' LUCRETIUS.

N. B Private Boxes for the Theatres by the
Night.

This day is published,
The BOOK of VERSIONS; or,
Guide to French Translation and Construction,
Fourth Edition, with many valuable additions.
By J. CHERPILLOUD,

Professor of the French Language, Royal Mili-
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each are constructed on the same principle. In
the early lessons the assistance is full, affording
every point essential to a learner; and, as he
proceeds, they either present greater difficulties

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N. B. The Three first Editions sold in Liverfortnight!!!

pool in less than fout published, in royal 8vo.

On the 1st of Jan.

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In the press, and speedily will be published, AN IMPROVED GRAMMAR of the ENGLISH LANGUAGE, in which the Genius of the English Tongue is especially attended to, and all imitations of the Greek and Latin Grammars discarded';' adapted to the comprehension of persons desirous of teaching themselves, and principally intended for the use of

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In this Work, which is the first fruits of Mr.

in the construction, or assistance becomes more sparing, but always with a sufficient reference to particulars. The Notes also furnish the Idioms, as well as the Prepositions belonging BY WILLIAM GREATHEED LEWIS. to Verbs; and, in this respect, it is presumed, I consider Grammar as absolutely necessary they will be essentially serviceable, by forcing in the search after philosophical truth, and I a continual comparison between the peculiari-think it not less necessary in the most important ties of the two Languages, as displayed in their most characteristic phraseology. The contents are partly drawn from the best French classics, Becket's Executioners. In the year which have been carefully translated and 1170, the four knights, who slew Tho-adapted to the learner's purpose; and, in the mas à Becket, fled for refuge to selection of the subjects, particular care has Knaresborough castle: Sir Hugh de been taken to consult the improvement both of Morville, whose descendants were set- head and heart. The latter part of the Book of tled in Cumberland, where the sword Versions contains some specimens of French Poetry from leading Authors, with free Translawith which he slew Thomas à Becket tions. 12mo. price 3s. 6d. bound.. was kept a long time, in memory of the fact: bis family is extinct; Sir Richard Breton, of which name, a good family at this day is extant in Northamptonshire: Sir William Tracey, whose heirs, at this day flourish in GOLDSMITH's VICAR of WAKEFIELD; Gloucestershire; Sir Reginald Fitz-translated into French by J. M. VOULLAIRE. Urse, or Bear's Son; his posterity were Fourth Edition, embellished with Engravings. 18mo. price 3s. 6d. afterwards men of great lands and command, in the county of Monaghan, in Ireland, being there called Mac hon, which in Irish signifies that Maa Bear. They remained shut up for a year; but, submitting to the church, were pardoned, on condition of performing a pilgrimage to Jerusalein.

Lewis's imprisonment, the Author has pointed out much false doctrine and many erroneous principles in the popular Grammar of Mr. Cobhett. This Grammar, like Mr. Cobbett's, is intended for the Use of the Working Classes of Society. The Author has, however, refrained from introducing political remarks, on the supposition, that such remarks would be calcuPARTIE FRANCOISE du LIVRE de VER- lated to divert the attention of the Learner from SIONS, ou Guide à la Traduction de l'Anglois the subject more immediately under his consien Françoise; or KEY to the BOOK of VER-deration. There is,' says the wise man, SIONS; which may serve also as a Book of time for all things." Elegant Extracts from the best French Classics. Price 3s. 6d.

of

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No. 88.

LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1821.

Review of New Books.

Sir WALTER SCOTT's NEW ROMANCE.

·

Price 6d.

the country with a pursuivant's warrant at his heels, and has never since been heard

of."

6.66

Which, Tony Foster mean you?" said the inn-keeper.

goodly person, and of somewhat a round belly, fifty years of age and up wards, moderate in his reckonings, prompt in his payments, having a celNay, after these baulks," said Micha Lambourne, "I need hardly in-. Kenilworth; a Romance. By the Au-lar of sound liquor, a ready wit, and a quire after Tony Foster; for when rope, thor of Waverley,' Ivanhoe,' &c. pretty daughter.' To this inn, Mi- and cross-bow shafts, and pursuivant's 3 vols. 12mo. pp. 1007. Edinburgh chael Lambourne, the landlord's ne-warrants, and such like gear, were so rife, and London, 1821. phew, a hopeless vagabond, a swash- Tony could hardly 'scape them." THIS Romance, from the matchless pen er, and a desperate Dick,' returns from of the great unknown, is published too serving with the Spaniards: and. here late in the week to allow us time for also a young gentleman, of the name of much critical remark, but such of our Tressilian, has taken up his residence. readers as are acquainted with the his-The company of the inn get very merry, tory of Kenilworth Castle, and know aud Lambourne enquires of the guests any thing of the talents of the master the fate of many of his accomplices in spirit of the North, will anticipate a guilt. The scene is well drawn, but rich treat. No author, perhaps, ever we only select a brief extract. Goldluxuriated so much in the power of de- thred, the cutting mercer,' sings a scription, or threw such a charin of song:classic grandeur over the monuments "There is savour in this, my hearts,** said Michael, when the mercer had fishof British antiquity as this author; ed his song, "and some goodness seems while, in the portraying of the soul stir-left among you yet-but what a beadroll ring scenes of chivalry, or in delineat you have read me of old comrades, and ing the character of the humble pea-to every man's name tacked some illry's time," replied the landlord, "when

sant, he is no less successful. The romance of Kenilworth' resembles that of Ivanhoe' more closely than any other production of the same author; and although it has been allowed, that he is more at home in Scotia's land, vet there are few Englishmen who would not wish to see the old days of merry England' recorder by such a pen.

The outline of the melancholy tale on which the romance of Kenilworth is founded, is narrated at length in Ashmole's Antiquities of Berkshire, and it is alluded to in many other works which treat of the history of Queen Elizabeth's celebrated favourite, Leicester. The fair heroine is the Countess of Leicester, whose tragic fute has been the subject of an elegy, by Mickle, called Cumnor Hall.

omened motto! And so Swashing Will of
Wallingford hath bid us good night?"

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"He died the death of a fat buck," said one of the party, being shot with a cross-bow bolt, by old Thatcham, the duke's stout park-keeper at Donnington

Castle."

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Pranced off-made immortal ten sir, Oxford Castle and Goodman Thong, years since," said the mercer; "marry, and a tenpenny-worth of cord, best know how."

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"Why, he they called Tony Fire-theFaggot, because he brought a light to kin when the wind blew out Jack Thong's dle the pile round Latimer and Ridley, torch, and no man else would give him fight for love or money."

"Tony Foster lives and thrives," said the host." But, kinsman, I would not have you call him Tony Fire-the-Faggot, if you would not brook the stab."

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How! is he grown ashamed on't?" said Lambourne;. why, he was wont to boast of it, and say he liked as well to see a roasted beretic as a roasted ox."

Ay, but, kinsman, that was in Ma

Tony's father was Reeve here to the Abbot of Abingdon. But since that, Tony married a pure precisian, and is as good a Protestant, I warrant you, as the best."

"And looks grave, and holds his head high, and scorns his old companions,"

said the mercer.

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“Ay, said the host, but that has been long over; and Anthony Foster hath a right in it, and lives there by some grant from a great courtier, who had the churchlands from the crown; and there he poor wight in Cumnor, as if he were himdwells, and has as little to do with any self a belted knight."

What, so they hung poor Prance high and dry? so much for loving to walk The novel commences with a scene by moonlight-a cup to his memory, my at the Black Bear Inn, in the village of masters-all merry fellows like moonCamnor, three or four miles from Ox-light. What has become of Hal with the ford, kept by Giles Gosling, a man of and wore the long feather-I forget his plume? he who lived near Yattenden, As an introduction to this romance, if any name. one can read an introduction while a work by "What, Hal Hempseed?" replied Nay," said the mercer, "it is not the author of Waverley is before him, we re- the mercer, why, you may remember altogether pride in Tony neither-there Commend a small pamphlet, just published, en- he was a sort of a gentleman, and would is a fair lady in the case, and Tony will titled "An Historical Account of Kenilworth meddle in state matters, and so he got in-scarce let the light of day look on he," Castle, in the County of Warwick, with an Ento the mire about the Duke of Norfolk's graved Plan. By J. Nightingale.' How," said Tressilian, who no matter, these two or three years since, fled the first time interfered in their con w for C-3 Versa

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tion, "did ye not say this Foster was married, and to a precisian."

"Married he was, and to as bitter a precisian as ever eat flesh in Lent; and a cat-and-dog life she led with Tony, as men said. But she is dead, rest be with her, and Tony hath but a slip of a daughter; so it is thought he means to wed this stranger, that men keep such a coil about."

"And why so?—I mean, why do they keep a coil about her?" said Tressilian.

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"Why, I wot not," answered the host, "except that men say she is as beautiful as an angel, and no one knows whence she comes, and every one wishes to know why she is kept so closely mewed up." Foster is a man who had been one of Queen Mary's papists and afterwards one of Queen Elizabeth's protestants; he had lighted the faggots for burning Latimer, and, though formerly poor, was now rich, and lived as master of the manor house. Lambourne had made a wathat he would go to Foster's house, and get introduced to the fair guest. Tressilian agreed to accompany him; and while Foster and Michael had retired to talk over old crimes and plan new ones, Tressilian encountered the fair lady Amy Robsart, the heroine of the novel, to whom he had been attached

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in all his princely array; and now, methinks, I long to sit in one of his princely halls, and see him enter dressed in sober russet, as when he won poor Amy Robsart's heart."

“That is a wish easily granted," said the earl-"the sober russet shall be donned to-morrow if you will."

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“But shall I," said the lady, go with you to one of your castles, to see how the richness of your dwelling will correspond with your peasant habit."

"Why, Amy," said the earl, looking around, "are not these apartments decorated with sufficient splendour? I gave the most unbounded order, and, methinks, it has been indifferently well obeyed-but if thou canst tell me aught which remains to be done, I will instantly give direction."

"Nay, my lord, now you mock me," replied the countess; "the gaiety of this rich lodging exceeds my imagination as much as it does my desert. But shall not your wife, my love-at least one day soon

be surrounded with the honour, which arises neither from the toils of the mechanic who decks her apartment, nor from the silks and jewels with which your generosity adorns her, but which is attached to her place among the matronage, as the avowed wife of England's noblest earl?"

"One day?" said her husband, and was now seeking. While he is advis-"Yes, Amy, my love, one day this shall ing her to quit the place with him, they are interrupted by Lambourne and Foster; Tressilian is ordered to quit the house, in doing which he encounters a cavalier muffled in his riding cloak, who proves to be Varney, an attendant of the Earl of Leicester and an important agent in this drama. Tressilian and Varney fight, and the latter would have received his death blow had not Lambourne come to his aid.

Varney is a strong headed artful knave, capable of any mischief to forward his ambition; he urges Leicester to seek the hand of majesty itself, confident that, however high his master climbs he must drag Richard Varney along with him. The Countess having been informed by Tressilian that her father was ill, eutreats the Earl that she might communicate the secret of her marriage to him; the Earl objects to her visiting her father, expressing some jealous fears of Tressilian, her former admirer. takes his departure for Woodstock next morning, accompanied by Varney and Lambourne, whom he had engaged in his service.

The Earl

Tressilian, after his interview with the Countess, returned to the inn, but refused all further acquaintance with Lambourne. After he had retired to rest, his host, Giles Gosling, entered his room, and warned him against his nephew. Tressilian, in confidence, told him the tale of the Countess, to whom he had been secretly contracted, but that she had been suddenly carried off from the house of her father, Sir Hugh Robsart, and it was believed by Varney. Tressiliau is induced to quit the inn during the night; in traversing along crooked lanes and bye-ways, as directed by his host, his horse loses a shoe, and, on inquiring for a smith, he meets with a pedagogue, Master Erasmus Holi

is thus described :

day, whose person friend A long, lean, shambling, stooping fi

surely happen; and, believe me, thou canst not wish for that day more fondly than I. With what rapture could I retire from labours of state, and cares and toils of ambition, to spend my life in dignity and honour on my own broad domains, with thee, my lovely Amy, for my and companion! But, Amy, this cannot with lank black hair somewhat inclining yet be; and these dear but stolen inter-gure, was surmounted by a head thatched views are all I can give to the loveliest to grey. His features had the cast of habitual authority, which I suppose Dionyand the best beloved of her sex." "But why can it not be?" urged the sius carried with him from the throne to countess, in the softest tones of persua- the schoolmaster's pulpit, and bequeathed Varney is the bearer of a present sion," why can it not immediately take as a legacy to all of the same profession. from his master and a letter to the place-this more perfect, this uninterrupt A black buckram cassock was gathered at Queen of his affections', announcing ed union, for which you say you wish, his middle with a belt, at which hung, inthat he will visit her that evening. and which the laws of God and man alike stead of knife or weapon, a goodly leaVarney had been so much the confidant command ?-Ah! did you but desire it thern pen-and-ink-case. His ferula was of Leicester in this love affair with Amy, half so much as you say, mighty and fastuck on the other side, like harlequin's that he had been accused of carrying youred as you are, who or what should bar your attaining your wish?" her off, and was afterwards charged as The earl's brow was overcast. her seducer. The rooms at Cumnor 'Amy," he said, “you speak of what We that toil in had been splendidly fitted up for the you understand not. residence of Amy, who was in fact mar-courts are like those who climb a mounried to England's proudest earl, Lei-tain of loose land-we dare make no halt cester, although it was not publicly until some projecting rock afford us a seknown or avowed. The Earl arrived and cure stance and resting place-if we pause was received with raptures by his wife; sooner, we slide down by our own weight, the interview between them is delight- an object of universal derision. I stand fully drawn, particularly where, with high, but I stand not secure enough to follow my own inclination. To declare childish wonder and rustic simplicity, my marriage, were to be the artificer of she mixes the most tender and conjugal my own ruin. But, believe me, I will affection, and admires from head to foot reach a point, and that speedily, when I He was born at Hogsnorton, where, the noble form and princely attire of can do justice to thee and to myself. her Lord :Meantime, poison not the bliss of the pre-according to popular saying, the pigs play "I wished to see my earl visit this ob- sent moment, by desiring that which can- upon the organ; a proverb which he interpreted allegorically, as having reference scure and secret bower," said the count-not at present be.'

wooden sword; and he carried in his

hand the tattered volume which he had been busily perusing.'

The account of himself, as related to Tressilian, is one of those happy sketches in which our author is so sucTressilian only wanted to cessful. know where he could get his horse mod, but the man of letters could not give that information without prefacing it with a full half hour of his own history,

and that of a Doctor Doboobre. We

can only give the commencement of Magister Holiday's narration:

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"The battle of Bosworth," said Master Mumblazen, "stricken between Ri

chard Crookback and Henry Tudor, grandsire of the Queen that now is, Primo Henrici Septimi; and in the year 1485,

post

2 Christum natum."

We shall not, for the present, pursue the story farther, but extract a scene between the artful Varney and the ambitious Leicester, which may be said to lay the ground-work for the catastrophe: viz. the death of the unfortunate Amy, Countess of Leicester, by Varney and the wretch Foster. Queen Elizabeth had been to Say's Court, to reconcile the rival Earls Leicester and Sussex :—

to the herd of Epicurus, of which Horace smith; to him Tressilian was recomconfessed himself a partner. His name mended. This Wayland Smith is an of Erasmus, he derived partly from his fa- uncouth and mysterious personage, ther having been the son of a renowned who never wishes to see his customers, washerwoman, who held that great scholar in clean linen all the while he was at but exacts from them that they shall Oxford; a task of some difficulty, as he lay their groat on a stone, retire at some was only possessed of two shirts, "the distance, and never look at him, while Wayland, by his skill in medicine, one," as she expressed herself, "to wash he does the necessary work. Tressilian administers a sedative draught to Sir the other." The vestiges of one of these determined on having some conversa-Hugh, which does him much good. It camicia, as Master Holiday boasted, were tio with him at all hazards, and fol- is then determined, that Tressilian, bestill in his possession, having fortunately lows him into a subterraneous cell, ing invested with sufficient powers, been detained by his grandmother to co where he learns his history. Smith had shall repair to Court to claim the lost ver the balance of her bill. But he thought there was a still higher and over- been apprentice to a juggler, and told Amy. While he is preparing for his ruling cause for his having had the name of the fortune of Tressilian's favourite, departure, a messenger arrives from the Earl of Sussex, invites him to repair to Erasmus conferred upon him, namely, the of whom he brought a painful rememsecret presentiment of his mother's mind, brance. He was afterwards on them immediately at Say's Court, near that, in the babe to be christened, was a stage, and performed at the Black Bull, Deptford; and he sets off, accompani hidden genius, which should one day lead the Globe, and the Fortune, before he ed by Wayland and the messenger. him to rival the fame of the great scholar became half partner, half domestic, to of Amsterdain. The schoolmaster's sur- the physicianer.' Cured of his alname led him as far into dissertation as his chemy, he would fain have returned to Christian appellative. He was inclined to his former occupation of smith, but no think that he bore the name of Holiday one would bring a horse to be shod at quasi lucus a non lucendo, because he gave the devil's post. His debtors would such few holidays to his school; "Hence," said he, "the schoolmaster is not pay him, and he was afraid of his termed, classically, Ludi Magister, be creditors, which was the cause of his cause he deprives boys of their play." living in concealment. Tressilian agrees And yet, on the other hand, he thought it to take Wayland along with him to might bear a very different interpretation, Lidcote Hall, the seat of Sir Hugh and refer to his own exquisite art in ar- Robsart. The good knight has sufferranging pageants, morris-dances, May-ed much from the loss of his daughter, day festivities, and such like holiday delights, for which he assured Tressilian he particularly as he was unacquainted had positively the purest and the most in- with her fate. Tressilian approached ventive brain in England; insomuch, that him :his cunning in framing such pleasures had made him known to many honourable persons, both in country and court, and especially to the noble Earl of Leicester "And although he may now seem to forget me," he said, " in the multitude of state affairs, yet I am well assured, that had he some pretty pastime to array for entertainment of the Queen's grace, horse and man would be seeking the humble cottage of Erasmus Holiday. Parvo contentus, in the meanwhile, I hear my pupils parse and construe, worshipful sir, motionless in his chair, his head reclined The earl remained silent and almost and drive away my time with the aid of on his hand, and his elbow resting upon the Muses. And I have at all times, when the table which stood beside him, within correspondence with foreign scholars, out seeming to be conscious of the ensubscribed myself Erasmus ab Die Fausto, and have enjoyed the distinction due to trance or of the presence of his confidant. the learned under that title; witness the Varney waited for some minutes until he erudite Diedrichus Buckerschockius, who the finally predominant mood of a mind, should speak, desirous to know what was dedicated to me, under that title, his treathrough which so many powerful emotions tise on the letter tau. In fine, sir, I have been a happy and distinguished man." had that day taken their course. But be "Long may it be so, sir," said the tiently, "I were wrong to name broadly still silent, and the confidant saw himself "O, no,” replied Sir Hugh, impa-waited in vain, for Leicester continued traveller; but permit me to ask, in your the base thing she is become-there is under the necessity of being the first to own learned phrase, quid hoc ad Iphycli boves, what has all this to do with the It is honour enough for the daughter of ship," he said, some new court name for it, I warrant me. speak. "May Icongratulate your lordshoeing of my poor nag?" on the very deserved su of a gay courtier,-of Varney too,-of your most formidable rival?" an old De'nshire clown to be the lemman periority you have this day attained over Varney, whose grandsire was relieved by • Leicester raised his head, and answerat the battle of the battle ofwhere Ri-Varney, whose ready invention has inmy father, when his fortune was broken, ed sadly, but without anger, 66 Thou, chard was slain-out on my memory-volved me in a web of most mean and and I warrant none of you will help me." perilous falsehood, knowest best what

66

"Festina lente," said the man of learning. we will presently come to that point."

This Dr. Doboobie, a man of bad character, had a servant, Wayland, who, after the death of his master, turned

the old knight; "no questions-none,
"I will ask thee no questions," said
Edmund-thou hast not found her, or so
found her, that she were better lost."

wise than by putting his hands before his
Tressilian was unable to reply, other-
face.

not thou weep for her, Edmund. I have
"It is enough-it is enough. But do
thou hast cause to rejoice, that she did not
cause to weep, for she was my daughter,
become thy wife. Great God! thou
knowest best what is good for us. It was
my nightly prayer that I should see Amy
and Edmund wedded, had it been
granted, it had now been gall added
to bitterness,"

curate, addressing Sir Hugh,
"Be comforted, my friend," said the
be that the daughter of all our hopes and
"it cannot
affections is the vile creature you would
bespeak her."

When Leicester returned to his lodging, after a day so important and so harassing, in which, after riding out more than one gale, and touching on more than one shoal, his bark had finally gained the harbour with banner displayed, he seemed riner after to experience as much fatigue as a maspoke not a a perilous storm. He word while his chamberlain exchanged his rich court-mantle officer signified that Master Varney for a furred night-robe, and when this desired to speak with his lordship, he rehowever, entered, accepting this signal plied only by a sullen nod. Varney, drew. as a permission, and the chamberlain with

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Do you blame me, my lord," said Varney, for not betraying, on the first push, the secret on which your fortunes depended, and which you have so oft and so earnestly recommended to my safe keeping? Your lordship was present in person, and might have contradicted me and ruined yourself by an avowal of the truth; but surely it was no part of a faithful servant to have done so without your commands."

666

"I cannot deny it, Varney," said the earl, rising and walking across the room; "my own ambition has been traitor to my love."

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"The better for you, my lord," said Varney, that is, in the case supposed, if such be her disposition; since you think you cannot aspire to become her husband. Her favourite you are, and may remain, if the lady at Čumnor Place remains in her present obscurity."

"Poor Amy!" said Leicester, with a deep sigh; "she desired so earnestly to be acknowleged in presence of God and man!"

key, which, lifting aside the tapestry, he applied to a little concealed door in the corner of the apartment, and, opening it, disclosed a stair constructed in the thickness of the wall.

"Alasco," said the earl, with a voice raised, yet no higher raised than to be heard by the inhabitant of the small turret to which the stair conducted—“ AlasCO, I say, descend."

"Ay, but my lord," said Varney, "is ""I come, my lord," answered a voice her desire reasonable?-that is the ques- from above. The foot of an aged man tion. Her religious scruples are solved-was heard, slowly descending the narrow she is an honoured and beloved wife-stair, and Alasco entered the earl's apartenjoying the society of her husband at ment. The astrologer was a little mansuch times as his weightier duties permit and seemed much advanced in age, fo, him to afford her his company. What his beard was long and white, and reachr Say rather, my lord, that your love would she more? I am right sure that a ed over his black doublet down to his silkhas been traitor to your greatness, and lady so gentle and so loving would con- en girdle. His hair was of the same vebarred you from such a prospect of ho-sent to live her life through in a certain nerable hue. But his eye-brows were as nour and power as the world cannot offer obscurity, which is, after all, not dimmer dark as the keen and piercing black eyes to any other. To make my honoured lady than when she was at Lidcote Hall,-ra- which they shaded, and this peculiarity a countess, you have missed the chance of ther than diminish the least jot of her gave a wild and singular cast to the physi being yourself". lord's honours and greatness by a prema ognomy of the old man. His cheek was ture attempt to share them." still fresh and ruddy, and the eyes we have mentioned resembled those of a rat, in acuteness, and even fierceness of expression. His manner was not without a sort of dignity; and the interpreter of the stars, though respectful, seemed altogether at his case, and even assumed a tone of instruction and command, in conversing with the prime favourite of Elizabeth.

He paused, and seemed unwilling to complete the sentence.

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There is something in what thou say'st," said Leicester; " and her appear here were fatal, yet she must be seen at Kenilworth, Elizabeth will not forget that she has so appointed."

"Of being myself what?" demanded Leicester; speak out thy meaning, Var-ance ney.'

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"Of being yourself a KING, my lord," replied Varney; "and King of England "Let me sleep on that hard point,' to boot! It is no treason to our Queen to said Varney; "I cannot else perfect the say so. It would have chanced by her,ob-device I have on the stithy, which I trust taining that which all true subjects wish will satisfy the Queen and please my hoher-a lusty, noble, and gallant husband." noured lady, yet leave this fatal secret Thou ravest, Varney,' answered where it is now buried.-Has your lord Leicester. "Besides, our times have ship further commands for the night?" seen enough to make men loath the crown matrimonial which men take from their wives' lap. There was Darnley in Scotland."

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"He!" said Varney; a gull, a fool, a thrice sodden ass, who suffered himself to be fired off in the air like a rocket on a rejoicing day. Had Mary had the hap to have wedded the noble earl, once destined to share her throne, she had experienced a husband of different metal; and her husband had found in her a wife as complying and loving as the mate of the meanest squire, who follows the hounds ahorseback, and holds her hus

band's bridle as he mounts."

countenance.

"It might have been as thou say'st, Varney," said Leicester, a brief smile of self-satisfaction passing over his anxious "Henry Darnley knew little of women-with Mary, a man who knew her sex, might have had some chance of holding his own. But not with Elizabeth, Varney-for I think, God, when he gave her the heart of a woman, gave her the head of a man to control its foilies.-No, I know her. She will accept love-tokens, ay, and requite them with the like-put sugared sonnets in her bosom-ay, and answer them too-push gallantry to the very verge where it becomes exchange of affection; but she writes nil ultra to all which is to follow, and would not barter one iota of her own supreme power for all the alphabet of both Cupid and Hymen."

"Your prognostications have failed, Alasco," said the earl, when they had exchanged salutations-"He is recovering."

"I would be alone," said Leicester.let
"Leave me, and place my steel casket on
the table.-Be within summons."

Varney retired; and the earl, opening
the window of his apartment, looked out
long and anxiously upon the brilliant host
of stars which glimmered in the brilliance
of a summer firmament. The words
burst from him as at unawares-"I had
never more need that the heavenly bodies
should befriend me, for my earthly path
is darkened and confused.'

My son," replied the astrologer, me remind you, I warrranted not his death-nor is there any prognostication that can be derived from the heavenly bodies, their aspects, and their conjunc tions, which is not liable to be controlled by the will of Heaven. Astruegunt komines, sed regit astra Deus."

"Of what avail, then, is your mystery?" replied the earl.

"Of much, my son," replied the old man, since it can show the natural and probable course of events, although that course moves in subordination to an higher power. Thus, in reviewing the horoscope which your lordship subjected to my skill, you will observe that Saturn, being in the sixth house in opposition to Mars, retrograde in the house of life, cannot but denote long and dangerous sickness, the issue whereof is in the will of Heaven, though death may, probably, be inferred-Yet if I knew the name of the party, I would erect another scheme."

It is well known that the age reposed a deep confidence in the vain predictions of judicial astrology, and Leicester, though exempt from the general control of superstition, was not in this respect superior to his time; but, on the contrary, was remarkable for the encouragement which he gave to the professors of this pretended science. Indeed, the wish to pry into futurity, so general among the human race of every description, is peculiarly to be found amongst those who His name is a secret," said the earl; trade in state mysteries, and the danger-" yet, I must own, thy prognostication ous intrigues and cabals of courts. With hath not been unfaithful. He has been heedful precaution to see that it had sick, and dangerously so, not however to not been opened, or its locks tampered death. But hast thou again cast my howith, Leicester applied a key to the steel roscope as Varney directed thee, and art casket, and drew from it, first, a parcel of thou prepared to say what the stars tell of gold pieces, which he put into a silk my present fortune?" purse: then a parchment, inscribed with My heart stands at your command," planetary signs, and the lines and calcula- said the old man: "and here, my son, tions used in framing horoscopes, on is the map of thy fortunes, brilliant in aswhich he gazed intently for a few mo-pect as ever beained from those blessed ments; and, lastly, took forth a large signs whereby our life is influenced, yet

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