Sidebilder
PDF
ePub
[graphic][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Very little can be gleaned respecting Temple Bar, for it was the last of the city gates erected, and is the last standing. In ancient times, the honest chronicler, Stow, informs us this end of Fleet Street was only guarded by posts, rails, and a chain, (as there was a strong inner gate at Ludgate Hill, pulled down in 1760, and which had existed from the time of the Romans) afterwards there was a house of timber erected across the street, with a narrow gateway, and an entry on the south side of it, under the house. But in 1670 (after the great fire,) the present stately gate, with two posterns, one on each side, for the convenience of foot-passengers, was erected. It is built of Portland stone, of rustic work below, the upper part being of the Corinthian order: over the gate way on the east side, fronting the city of London, in two niches, are the effigies in stone of Queen Elizabeth, (Pennant incorrectly says, Anne of Denmark, Queen of James I.) and King James I.; and the King's Arms over the key-stone of the gate; the supporters being at a distance over the posterns:-and on the west side, fronting the city of Westminster, in two niches, are the like figures of King Charles I. and Charles II. in Roman habits, all sculptured by John Bushnell.

Over the south postern is engraved'Erected,-Sir Samuel Starling being Maior; and over the north- Continued, Sir Richard Ford, Maior. Finished, Sir George Waterman, Maior.'

On this gate have been the sad exhibition of those misguided men who attempted the subversion of the government of this country-the adherents of the house of Stuart, many of whom fell victims, in 1746, to principles which under other circumstances, would have procured them honour.

When the sovereign deigns to visit the City, a grand formula is gone through at this gate ;-the Lord Mayor for the time being, as custos of the city. delivers the keys to the king, who re-delivers them, and they proceed in grand procession to the Guildhall. Here also the Heralds proclaim peace or war, the accession of the sovereign, &c.

As the gate exists, with its narrow posterns, it is certainly a nuisance, and many attempts have been made to induce the City to destroy it, hitherto without effect. There is no doubt it might be improved, and made a more conspicuons and useful ornament than it is at present. T. A.

Extracts

From New Works.

THE BALL.

Even if I were not prevented by this unlooked-for engagement from accompanying you to the ball tonight, my love,' said the Honourable Alfred Seymour to his beautiful young wife, 6 you must nevertheless have declined it, for the child is evidently unwell; look how the pulses throb in this little throat, Sophia!" So they always do, I believe. I really wish you were less of a croaker and caudle maker, my dear; however, to make you easy, I will send for Doctor Davis immediately as to the ball, as I am expected, and have gone to the trouble and expence of a new dress, and have not been out for such a long time, really I think I ought to go.

You would not leave my boy, Lady Sophia, if'Not if there is the least danger, certainly; nor if the doctor should pronounce it ill; but I do not believe it is so-I see nothing particular about the child, for my part,'

As the young mother said this, she cast her eyes on the child, and saw in its little heavy eyes something which she felt assured was particular-she saw moreover, more strikingly than ever, the likeness it bore to a justly beloved husband, and in a tone of self-correction added, 'Poor little fellow, I do not think you are quite the thing, and should it prove so, mamma will not leave you for the world.'

The countenance of the father brightened, and he departed assured that the claims of nature would soon fully triumph over any little lingering love of dissipation struggling for accustomed indulgence; and as he bade her good bye, he did not wonder that a star so brilliant desired to exhibit its rays in the hemisphere alluded to, which was one in the highest circle of fashion. Nevertheless, as he could

not be present himself, he thought it on the whole better that she should be absent. A young nobleman, who had been his rival, and wore the willow some time after their marriage, had lately paid marked attention to a young beauty, every way likely to console him; and Mr. Seymour thought it would be a great pity if his lady, whom he had not seen for some months should, by appearing before him in the full blaze of beauty, (unaccompanied by that person whose appearance would instantly recall the sense of her engagement) indispose his heart for that happy connexion to which he had shown this predilection.

Unfortunately, the fond husband gave indication of his admiration alike in his looks and words; and as the fair young mother turned from him to her mirror, she felt for a moment displeased, that her liege lord should be less solicitous than herself to witch the world' with her beauty; and whilst in this humour, she called her maid to show her the turban and dressin which she intended to appear.'

[ocr errors]

'Lauk, my lady! why sure you intends it yet-did ever any body hear of such a thing as going for to stay at home when you are all prepared.— Why you've been out of sight ever so long, because you was not fit to be seen, as one may say; but now that you are more beautifuller than ever, by the same rule you should go ten times as much-do pray, my lady, begin directly-ah! I knows what I know. Miss Somerville may look twice ere she catches my lord, if so be he sees you in this here plume; cold broth is soon warmed, they say.'

Could it be that this vulgar nonsense the senseless tirade of low flattery, and thoughtless stimulation to error-could affect the mind of the high-born and highly-educated Lady Sophia? Alas! yes-a slight spark will ignite dormant vanity, and the love of momentary triumph surpass

the more generous wish of giving happiness to others in a sphere distinct from our own.

The new dress was tried on; its effects extolled by the maid, and admitted by the lady, who remembered to have read or heard of some beauty whose charms were always more striking when she first appeared after a temporary confinement. The carriage was announced, and she was actually descending, when the low wail of the baby broke upon her ear, and she recollected that in the confusion of her mind, during the time devoted to dress and anticipated triumph, she had forgotten to send for the medical friend of the family.

Angry with herself, in the first moment of repentance she determined to remain at home, but unfortunately reconsidered, and went before the arrival of the doctor; 'tis true she left messages and various orders, and so far fulfilled a mother's duties, but she yet closed her eyes to the evident weakness of her boy, and contented herself with determining to return as soon as possible.

But who could return while they found themselves the admired of all, and when at least the adoration of saluted her from him whom she eyes well knew it was cruelty or sin to attract.

The observation forced upon her of Miss Somerville's melancholy looks told her this, and compelled her to recollect that she was without her husband, and therefore critically situated;

and as
' in the midst of life we are in
death,' so she proved that in the
midst of triumph we may be humbled
-in the midst of pleasure be pained;
and she resolved to fly from the scene
of gaiety more quickly than she had

come.

But numerous delays arose, each of which harassed her spirits not less than they retarded her movements, and she became at length so annoyed, as to lose all her bloom, and hear her

self as much condoled with on her looks, as she had a few hours before been congratulated; she felt ill, and was aware that she merited to be ill; and had a right to expect reproaches from her husband, not less on account of herself than her child; and whilst in this state of perplexity, was summoned to her carriage by her servants, who, in the confusion occasioned by messengers from home, as well as from herself, had increased her distress.

The young mother arrived in time to see the face of her dying child distorted by convulsions, and to meet from her husband, anger, reproach, and contempt. She was astonished, even terrified, by witnessing the death of the innocent being she had forsaken in a moment so critical; and bitter was the sorrow and remorse which arose from offending him, who had hitherto loved her so fondly, and esteemed her so highly.

These emotions combining with other causes, rendered her soon the inhabitant of a sick bed, and converted a house so lately the abode of happiness and hope, into a scene of sorrow, anxiety, and death. Lady Sophia, after much suffering, recovered her health; but when she left her chamber she became sensible that, altho' pity and kindness were shown to her situation, esteem and confidence were withdrawn. She had no child to divert the melancholy of her solitary hours, and what was of more consequence, no husband who could condole with her on its loss-silence of the past was the utmost act of tenderness to which Mr. Seymour could bring himself on this subject, which recurred to him with renewed pain, when his anxiety was removed for the life of one still dear, though no longer

invaluable.

And all this misery, the fearful prospect of a long life embittered by self-reproach, useless regret, and lost affection, was purchased by a new dress and also an ignorant waiting

[blocks in formation]

KING RICHARD III. AND HIS SON.

It is believed Richard III. had a natural son, who on the eve of the battle of Bosworth field, obtained an audience with the king, wherein he acknowledged him; and in the event of the battle proving successful, gave his royal word to receive him as his son amid his assembled peers. In this well-remembered battle (which lasted only two hours) Richard was slain; -his son passed the rest of his life in ob scurity and indigence.

Night veiled the battle-plain!

O'er heaven and earth watched night; Falchions were sheathed-the martial

strain

Died, with the proud sunlight: Silent and calm the pale tents lay, While voiceless war slept night away.

Richard in frowning thought,

Sat 'neath his purple tent;

He clasped him in his arms, and cried,
My son-my son-my son !-
Remorse and love, long conflict kept ;
He groaned in thought-he saw-and
wept.

'Pride'-cried he was my bane;
For that I bartered all-

Peace, love, content-all--to obtain
A crown; and now I fall
Prone from my towering height to earth;
My deeds abhorred-accursed my birth.

[blocks in formation]
[graphic]

tears,

This breast and brow of flanie; Thy fancied hate-thy hate probes deep, For that, and more-I weep!'

Like a warrior king appears

The sun, with banners fair; His glancing beams like golden spears, Are flashing through mid air; The mountain springs-the forest landAre sounding like a martial band. There is a lonely grave

To which the ravens wing; Nor sculpture shines-nor pennons wave

-Yet there lies England's king. And he, the heir of Britain's throne, Wanders, sad-hopeless-and alone.

Miscellanea.

ATTEMPTS TO ASSASSINATE THE LATE KING.

On the 31st of May, 1800, his late majesty attended the field exercises of the grenadier battalion of the guards in Hyde Park; when, du

His brow with some dark doom seemed ring one of the vollies, a ball car

fraught

Terror and sadness blent ;

One knelt before his feet in awe ;
He gazed-yet recked not that he saw.

Dimly the silver lamp

Lighted his waving hair,

And faded cheek-the iron stamp
Of death had settled there;
His breastplate shook beneath its sway,
As some deep, hidden grief had way.

Then passed his hour of pride;

He knew that injured one

tridge was fired from the musquet of one of the soldiers, which struck Mr. Ongley, a clerk in the navyoffice, and who was standing only a few paces from the king. Mr. Ongley was wounded in the fleshy part of the thigh; had the wound been an inch higher, it must have proved fatal. An examination took place of the cartouch boxes of the soldiers, but no individual could be

fixed upon as the perpretrator of this act, nor could it be ascertained whether it arose from accident, or design.

His majesty, whose virtuous life made him in no dread of assassination, visited Drury Lane Theatre the same evening; when a circumstance occurred, which, coupled with that in the morning, would have filled an arbitrary monarch with dire apprehensions, and served as pretexts to increase his power. At the moment when his majesty entered the box, a man in the pit near the orchestra, on the righthand side, suddenly stood up, and discharged a pistol at the king.The ball passed within three feet of the royal person. His majesty had advanced about four steps from the door; but on the report of the pistol he stopped, and stood firmly. At this moment the queen entered the royal box, when the king waved his hand for her to keep back.Her majesty asked what was the matter? The king said, 'Only a squib, a squib; they are firing squibs.' The man who committed the crime was seized immediately; nor would the audience suffer the play to proceed until doubly assured that he was in safe custody.After the assassin had been taken away, the queen advanced to the front of the box, and in great agitation curtsied. She looked at the king, and asked if they should stay? The king answered, We will not stir, but stay the entertainment out.' So little were the nerves of the king shaken, or his internal tranquillity disturbed by this event, that he took his accustomed doze of three or four minutes between the conclusion of the play and the commencement of the farce, as he would have done on any other night.

[ocr errors]

The wretch who thus attempted the life of the best of sovereigns, was a maniac of the name of Hat

field, who had served in the 15th dragoons, and received several sabre wounds in the head, which occasioned his insanity.

A nobleman shortly after this attack remonstrated with his majesty on the too frequent exposure of his person; when the king answered much in the same manner as he had done a similar remonstrance on the occasion of the assassination of the king of Sweden, that the constant presence of a guard would be an irksome restraint which he could not endure, especially as it would indicate a jealousy of his subjects, of whose loyalty and affection he entertained not the smallest doubt.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« ForrigeFortsett »