cornet of the royal troop had confessed that he had been with Charles at his house, and Gifford, with a pistol at his breast, was summoned to confess the hiding place of the king, but he would own nothing more than that a party of cavaliers had been at his house on the evening of the battle, and had eaten up all his provisions and departed; and begged, "if he must die, that they would allow him to say a few prayers." One of the soldiers answered, "If you can tell us no news of the king, you shall say no prayers;" but, after all, they spared his life. They searched every corner of the house; tore down all the wainscotting, and in the end vented their rage on the fainthearted cornet, beating him severely for having made them lose their labour. Charles spent much of his time at Moseley, in a room over a porch which commanded the roads which lead to it, and from this he one day recognised two highland soldiers of his own regiment.

Florence. The brave highlanders: did he do nothing for them?

Mr. Austin. It was not in his power. Setting his own safety out of the question, any notice of them might have compromised his hosts. One of the miseries of such a situation is the hard

necessity of being obliged to shut one's eyes to the distresses of others.

Gerald. Wilmot and Whitgreave adventured much about the country in the service of the king; Huddleston sat much with him; and Mrs. Whitgreave, a venerable old lady, kept watch below stairs; whilst three boys, Huddleston's pupils, kept a sharp look-out from the garret windows.

Edward. So they were in the secret? How happy they must have been.

Gerald. They did not know the king was in the house, but supposed they were employed in the service of their tutor only. One evening Sir John Preston, the eldest of the three, said to his companions at supper, without being aware how truly he was speaking, "Come lads, let us eat lustily, for we have been upon the life-guard all day." The king was much amazed on hearing this, and also at a story Mrs. Whitgreave told him, of a countryman who came to her house to bring her the good news that he had beaten his enemies at Warrington Bridge; and told her, moreover, that there were three kings come to his assistance. Surely then, Madam, they must be the three kings of Cologne, come down from

heaven," said Charles, " for I can imagine none else."

On Tuesday night a Colonel Lane, by the appointment of Lord Wilmot, came to Moseley, to escort the king to his father's house, where a plan was to be executed for his safe conveyance to Bristol. Charles took a kindly leave of the old lady, and directed Huddleston and Whitgreave to a merchant in London, who would, on emergency, supply them with money, and a passage out of the kingdom; assuring them he was fully sensible of the risk they had run in harbouring him, and promised them, in turn, kindness and protection, should he ever be restored. promise at least he kept: he favoured the Benedictines highly, and appointed some of the order to offices in the establishment of his queen, Catharine of Braganza. The night was dark and cold, and Charles was happy to accept Huddleston's cloak, as his own clothing (and that the gift of his humble friends) was but thin. Huddleston and Whitgreave left home for a time, and concealed themselves with their friends, and the king got safe to Bentley with Colonel Lane.

This

Edward. And what became of the three boys? And when their masters left them I suppose they had holidays?

Gerald. I dare say they tormented the old lady not a little. But I really cannot inform

you: indeed I know nothing more about the matter, for I have not yet digested Clarendon's account, as my father calls it.

Mr. Austin. You have done enough. I will save you that trouble; and as I should like to give Amy and Florence a specimen of the sage Chancellor's style, I will read what he says, if you will bring me the book from the library: his reflections seem to give the very body of the times. I see you have applied, not unfrequently, to the notes I advised you to make. These fireside narrations are no bad preparations for the more complicated relations you will have hereafter to make in your intended profession.

"I must observe, as an honourable trait in the character of the king,” said Mr. Austin, before he commenced his reading, "that he would not go to Mr. Lane's house till that gentleman was informed of the name of the guest who solicited his hospitality, that he might have the option of declining the dangerous honour, should he think the risk too great. So now to begin Clarendon's relation of his adventures after he left Moseley.

"The king found he was welcome at Mr.

Lane's house, and conveniently accommodated in such places as, in a large house, had been provided to conceal the persons of malignants, or to preserve goods of value from being plundered. Here he lodged and ate very well, and began to hope that he was in present safety.

"In this station the king remained in quiet and blessed security many days, receiving every day information of the general consternation the kingdom was in, and of the apprehension that his person might fall into the hands of his enemies, and of the great diligence they used to inquire for him. He saw the proclamation that was issued out and printed, in which a thousand pounds were offered to any man who would deliver and discover the person of Charles Stuart, and the penalty of high treason against those who presumed to harbour or conceal him, by which he saw how much he was beholden to all those who were faithful to him. It was now time to consider how he might get near the sea, from whence he might find some means to transport himself; and he was now near the middle of the kingdom, saving that it was a little more to the northward, where he was utterly unacquainted with all the ports, and with that coast. In the west he was