CHAPTER XI. A few moments snatched from the contemplation of political crimes, bloodshed, and treachery, are a few moments gained to all lovers of innocent illusion.-BECKFORD. Dicite Io Pæan, et Io bis dicite Pæan! Non usitata nec tenui ferar Penna HOR. NEVER shall I forget the warmth of enthusiasm that prevailed in London at that moment! -The city,-the very kingdom,—seemed to fancy itself grown young, and even the climate to imagine it had attained a second spring, because the sceptre was glittering in the hands of girlhood!—It was a new,-a peculiar, an almost bewildering position for old England; and the severest ordeal that her monarchical institutions, (just then, too, amid the general decadence of monarchy,) could have been exposed. But glory to Britannia! she came -- out of the trial triumphant. Even I, though close familiarity with the stage-trick of royal life had somewhat depressed my veneration for regalities, even I felt touched to the soul by the idea of the duties now peculiarly connected with the thrice-hallowed prerogative of the throne. I saw that the peers of a youthful queen ought to become Paladins, and that CECIL must be foremost in their ranks. I had a sort of notion,-I may be pardoned, for it was the notion of all England,—that Victoria was a child.-I reached London with notions of protection;-overflowing with the loyalty the chivalry-indispensable to form a rampart round the throne, lest the throne be over-thrown. But if there wanted in my bosom any proof of the "divinity that doth hedge" a sovereign, it was afforded in the mysterious influence which, by a simple form of heraldic proclamation, had converted a timid child into a thinking, feeling, woman.-Yet even that word is insufficient; the fullness of the change is only demonstrable by the expression-"into QUEEN!" Never shall I forget the influence exercised over my feelings by the first expansion of the pure virgin voice,-when from the throne the new Sovereign addressed herself to the peers of her realm.-No theatrical appeal to their devotion. All was calm,-dignified,—and right royal. She came to summon around her the descendants of the sage counsellors of her fathers; not to avail herself of the temporary enthusiasm of the hour-" a QUEEN-ay, every inch a queen !"— And yet that voice was so youthful,—that form so slight, that countenance so mild,— that one could not but be deeply affected by the prospects of the dangers surrounding every woman, though a queen,-every sovereign albeit a woman!-A double danger was impending over that fair frail being; and I could have found it in my heart to turn aside and weep, as grey-headed men are known to have done at her first council, as I listened to the opening words of her address!-Ere it came to a close, I was re-assured. An unaccount-able feeling of trust arose in my bosom.-I speak it not profanely, when I say that the idea of the yet unknown Saviour, a child among the Doctors of the Temple, occurred spontaneously to my mind. -- Every body in London, as I have already observed, was in the highest spirits. But though disposed to attribute the exhilaration of public feeling to the auspicious dawning of a new reign, I was not blind to the fact that a very considerable circle of London society opened its arms to receive the new Lord Ormington, with an affection secondary only to the feeling evinced towards its new sovereign. I understand your smile, malicious Public! -You are thinking of La Foutaine's âne portant les reliques!-You are thinking of the Italian poet who, seated moralizing under a shrine by the road side, fancied it was himself the peasants saluted as they passed. But I tell you it was Lord Ormington to whom all White's exclaimed-" My dear fellow-I am deuced glad to see you. How are you ?"-It could not be the queen! It is a pleasant thing to take a new lease of one's life, and on the old premises.-I was afraid I might feel myself Boodle-ish on my arrival in town.-But no!-Conscious that Un' grand alma e teatro a se stesso, I knew that whether at White's or the Alfred, the Carlton or the Reform Club, I carried with me certain elements of distinction which must prevent my becoming confounded with those whom poor Lord Ormington had designated as the enemies of the country, or those |