excepted-are united in sincere and ardent worship of that portable and ubiquitous deity which they carry in their pockets, or commit to the guardianship of those High Priests of Mammon, vulgarly called bankers. From the days of Judas Iscariot down to the Judases of our time, we could adduce such accumulated proof of this truly Catholic creed as would overwhelm and smother any heretic dis senter. What were the officer and his two dragoons doing all this time? That is a state secret, and may not be disclosed but in its own season. The officer was deputed to communicate certain orders from head-quarters at the Hague, to Karl Donderheyden, Chief Burgher or Mayor of Docklum, a man, of whom could be said that which we could not altogether venture to say of existing deputy-authorities of a higher caste. He never wished, nor ever sought, to do other than render justice, on fair and plain shewing, without regard to the rank, wealth, or political or religious opinions of the parties-he never experienced the greater difficulties of the corrupt and pliant knave in office, who labours to wrest judgment to the will of power, and fatten on injustice, and the only popularity he was anxious to acquire, was that which should attach to an honest man. He could adjust the disputes of his neighbours always, to the satisfaction of one of the parties at least, and not be obnoxious to the hatred of both, like some people whom we could name, and if he was not highly honoured, no one could say that he was heartily despised. His investigations for the discovery of guilt, were not inflictions upon innocence, nor his prosecutions of criminality farces. Except those family quarrels, which ever did and ever will exist, even in the best regulated states, tranquillity and happiness pervaded the sphere of his authority. If any modern ruler or deputy should desire to be possessed of Karl's successful plan of government, it was simply this be enforced the laws and caused them to be respected. This, however, must be admitted, that in his time popular intimidation had not invaded the sphere of public justice, nor was crime made the ally of Reform. In this respect Friedland, to this hour, is egregiously behind-hand with our selves. All the rogues in Docklum might have been hanged and forgotten, and no incendiary Bristolize its inhabitants; nor would the trial of the murderer be postponed, and the judge scared from the bench by a street ballad, sung to the tune of "The humours of Kilkenny." We could say much more on this subject, but refrain, and, like Michael Cassio in the play, we hope that what we have said has been "Without offence to any man of quality."— The officer had a long and private conference with Karl, who was enjoined to the strictest secresy upon the matters given him in charge, and particularly, he was told that in this instance, his identity must be separated from his amiable Vrow, who was not to be considered "bone of his bone." This much, however, we may disclose to the reader. The officer informed the Burgomaster, that if the wind continued in the quarter it then blew from, he might expect on the morrow or the day after at farthest, the arrival of a small squadron under convoy of a man of war, for which he must be on the constant look out, and be prepared to afford the assistance of pilotage, together with the necessary facilities for the embarkation of a body of horse, and also to provide that forage and provisions which the brief time would admit of. The officer then giving the municipal magnate, a sealed packet, with a duplicate of which the Commodore of the squadron was also to be furnished, to the intent that he, the Burgomaster, might to the extent of his power, obey the commands of the Commodore, the man of arms took his leave. In every community great or small, possessed of a free government, there are troublesome prying persons, who think they have a right to inquire into public affairs, and overhaul the acts of their rulers, whether a Prince, Primeminister, or Burgomaster. It is not to be supposed that the heavy tramp of large Flanders' troop horses, could have been altogether unheard passing at midnight through the streets of Docklum, even had not Peter, the Tapster, had ocular demonstration of the fact. Early in the morning there was a gathering of the curious round our Host's stove, upon the arms and hobs of which stood several warm and comforting prepared potations named " Mint-sling," something of the nature of that beve rage formerly (we know not if now) a favorite with our working classes, and of which notice might have been seen on the windows of "our fountains of intemperance," in these words "Purl and Gill as early as you will." Last night's military incursion was the subject debated, while each, at intervals, also discussed his stoup. There was of the group one shrewd fellow, Ralph Bomtinck, he had served at Amboyna and other places with signal bravery, and was held in no small respect by his townsmen. He had learned much of the night's business upon which to found surmises-the officer's secret conference with the Burgomaster; a quarrel between, this functionary and his vrow, in which strange to say, and "portent ominous,' Karl was ascendant; and an express hastily despatched to the Farmer-general or Intendent. If danger was in the wind, they saw no reason why they should be kept in the dark, and, therefore, it was resolved to proceed in a body, with Ralph at their head as spokesman, and put Karl Donderheyden to the question. "No sooner said than done," and straight they stood in the presence." It would, no doubt, be edifying to our readers, and afford a fine specimen of municipal eloquence, were we to report fully Ralph Bombtinck's address to the Mayor, but we decline it for reasons which, detailed, would not assist to the shortening of our story. Suffice it to say, that whether honest Karl was puffed up, beyond his usual temper and demeanor, by hopes of preferment held out to him by the officer, or by his over-night victory, in the contest of keeping a secret from his wife, the fact is that he cut the business very short with the deputation, in the brief and pithy admonition, to return home and mind their business! The real key to this chuff and unusual conduct of the Mayor may probably be this-About a year previous to the period of the deputation, Karl had taken what was considered a strange fancy, no less than a general review of all the herring-busses in the port, and their marine evolutions, putting the corporation to much unnecessary expense. This freak, which, at the time, occasioned some free conjectures as to the state of the Burgomaster's upper story, was strongly censured in a public resolution, of which Ralph was the mover, and it was shrewdly suspected that Karl kept the circumstance in his nose until an opportunity should offer of playing off the "quid pro quo" which we have just mentioned. Ralph and his companions returned to the little change-house, in not the best humour with the Burgomaster, and were smoking and chatting round the stove, when a sudden crash, which made the house rock and rattle, as if the tiles on the roof were coming about their ears, made them all rush forth, as fast as they could, into the street, to which they had scarcely arrived, when a repetition of the awful phenomenon nearly deprived all, except Ralph Bomtinck, of their senses, but he, an old soldier, recovered immediately from his surprize, and stated his opinion, that it was the report of shot from a ship of war in the offing, and straight-way they attained a position commanding a view of the roadstead. The Amboyna warrior was not mistaken. Just without the bar which crosses the mouth of the harbour, four Brigantines were seen lying, each with her main-topsail aback, and a flag at her fore-top masthead, intimating the want of pilots. Immediately beyond them in the roadstead, and as close as her draught of water admitted, a large man of war was in the act of clewing up her sails, and coming to anchor, developing, as she gradually came up, her imposing length, and the destructive engines with which she was bristled, the report of two of which, a signal of the squadron's arrival, had thrown the divan at the Dolphin into such consternation. Boats had now pushed off to the several brigantines, and the man of war was safely brought to her anchorage, where, like a stately swan, she lay balancing on the rippling tide. A boat lowered from the stern, and brought to the gang-way, received a small party of men, and then pulled right ahead into the harbour. As the boat rapidly neared the shore, they could distinguish an individual, dressed in a blue and orange uniform, richly ornamented with gold lace, and wearing a huge flapped hat, decked with a large white plume. We shall now bring the reader nearer to the principal actors, leaving the Dolphin Junta to follow at their leisure. The boat reached the shore, and the officer, landing, advanced with a small flag in his hand, to Karl Donderheyden, who was waiting on the pier, and was easily distinguished by the badges of his office, and an air, partly subdued by the new arrival, which pretty plainly told him that he was not, just at that moment, the greatest man in Docklum. The sense of one's own importance is a wonderfully sustaining power, but only relatively so. The man in office, when in communication with his inferiors, struts or swells like a turkey-cock, in the extremes of anger or of love; while to his superiors his air and tone relaxes into the bending pliancy of the weeping willow, and he shrinks into himself as does the sensitive plant when touched. This contrast is most perceptible in the meanest minds, and would in itself furnish matter for an excellent chapter, but it is better described in one line of Wycherly's plain-dealer, than if we were to bestow a volume on it. Some unborn sorrow, ripe in Fortune's womb, She was mounted on a white charger richly caparisoned, and her costume was elegant and singular. A ridingdress of green velvet of Genoa manufacture, fastened with gold clasps, massive and elaborate as was the fashion of the time, was surmounted, as low as the waist, by a slight open corslet formed of slender bars of polished steel inlaid with gold, and of the most exquisite workmanship, which also protected the arins. Her gloves, which came high over the wrists, were of buff-leather richly embroidered, and with these her low buskins corresponded. On her head she wore a light casque or helmet composed entirely of steel beads, crowned with a plume of feathers, and a ruff of the most costly lace surrounded her neck. Attached to her waist by a silver chain and swivel, was an ivory-hilted dirk or The Commodore, for such was the dagger, in a shagreen scabbard mounted rank of the naval officer, had scarce with amber, and in her right hand she time to make such arrangements with carried a small truncheon, tipped at Karl, when the glittering casques of each end with carved silver. On her some dragoons on the little eminence left hand, his horse's head being about at the top of the street, and the shrill half a length behind, was a knight, apblast of a trumpet, announced the arri-parently in the latter part of the auval of the party expected by the Commodore and Burgomaster. The party halted directly opposite the stadthouse, and consisted of two females, and three men, attended by about one hundred horse under the immediate command of an officer in the Dutch service. Some of these were engaged in keeping at due distance the crowd eagerly thronging around them-such a sight was never before seen in Docklum. “I hate a Harness-kissing my leader behind, that another slave may do the like to me." The evidently paramount personage of this small party was a female in the prime of life, whose appearance not only commanded but rivetted attention, Dark eyes of brilliant lustre and piercing expression, added to fine teeth and a complexion of the clearest brown, enlightened a face which, if all its featares were not critically regular, was yet replete with dignity and sweetness : its general contour might have pointed out to a discriminating observer, that sorrow or adversity had given a chastened cast to a countenance remarkably gay and lively, and despite of the new hopes which our alter-pages will make known in their season, à proVOL. I. once tumn of life, and whose dress and appearance bespoke him noble, being decorated with the insignia of several orders of honor. The other female was in the very freshest bloom of youth, habited in a rich riding dress and a large Spanish hat and feathers shading a face of uncommon beauty, on which it was impossible to look without admiration; while the strong likeness she bore to the aged Cavalier gave evident assurance of their consanguinity. She rode a small jet-black foreign horse of the most elegant symmetry, and of which she appeared to have perfect command. Close by her side was a Cavalier equipped in the kind of light demi-armour which had then superceded the entire coat of mail, and who having dismounted from a large piebald Hungarian horse, was leaning his arm on its shoulder, his helmet covering his face, so as not to render it plainly discernible. The fifth and last personage composing this small cortége was not the least remarkable. He was an ecclesiastic, in the decline of life, robed in a long gown of black or rather Y raven grey, encircled by a plain black leather band, from which depended a velvet bag or satchel: his head was covered with a close round black velvet cap, and although his brow was wrinkled and his hair scant and grey, his eye was keen and penetrating. He was seated on a large mule, whose harness corresponded with the plainness of his own apparel, and he carried in his hand a singularly large, stout, staff, which, when walking, he grasped in the middle, and which was ornamented at the top with a small silver crucifix. To this groupe the Commodore made way through the crowd, and drawing his hanger, the point of which he declined, and doffing his hat, with his left hand, advanced to report his name and rank to the knight who rode in front. The elder female spoke a few words, in a language not understood by the seamen, to the dismounted Cavalier, who advancing, returned the Commodore's salute, and, in rather imperfect Dutch, the acquisition of brief residence in Holland, requested that a barge might be got ready with all expedition to carry them on board. The Commodore had already made the signal to that effect. The soldiers now cleared the passage towards the pier, to which the party proceeded, when the barge, canopied with crimson cloth, and decorated with flags, was seen rapidly sweeping into the harbour, steered by an officer in full uniform, and lustily impelled by twenty seamen, in neat caps and jackets, their oars flashing like silver in the sunbeams, as they feathered them with critical exactness at every pull. No sooner was the barge made fast to the pier, than the elder knight dismounted, and respectfully uncovering, made a low reverence to the elder female, placing himself at her horse's head, while the younger cavalier, dropping on one knee, presented his right arm, by the assistance of which she dismounted, and then, taking an arm of each, was safely placed in the barge, which, in the act, rose upon the swelling wave as though proud of it's new freightage. The younger cavalier then returned, and with less ceremony, but with the utmost punctilio, conveyed the remaining lady on board, taking also the station allotted to himself. The ecclesiastic was next preparing, with the assistance of the Commodore, to embark, when the younger knight addressed to him a few words in French, upon which he stopped, and drawing a purse from the satchel attached to his girdle, advanced to Karl Donderheyden, who, with hat in hand, was standing a little apart on the pier, and placing the net of gold fish in the Burgomaster's not unwilling hand, communicated his generous mistress's intention of making good report in the proper quarter of the civic functionary's assiduous attention to the discharge of the duty with which he was entrusted. The only part of this address understood by Karl was the purse. The ecclesiastic entered the barge, which pulled off to its destination, leaving the Commodore on shore to superintend the embarkation of the horses, which being effected, he and his boat's crew returned on board the man of war. The brigantines now loosed from their moorings, warped out of the harbour, where the man of war, having meantime weighed anchor, was lyingto; having made a signal, which was severally answered by the smaller vessels, she filled her topsails, and stood majestically to her course, the scene illustrating, both on sea and shore the lines of Falconer "The natives, while the ship departs the land, Ashore with admiration gazing stand; Majestically slow, before the breeze, In silent pomp she marches on the seas." The curiosity excited in the inhabitants of Docklum on this occasion, was not confined to that little community—the event agitated and interested all Europe-it was connected with the fate of a mighty empire convulsed to its centre and deluged with its own blood, and we may now tell the reader what, perhaps, has been anticipated, that the squadron which then departed from the harbour of Docklum, bore the Queen of England and her fortunes. CHAP. II. "Oh England, fair England, thy zone thou entwinest, It was indeed, the unfortunate but high-spirited HENRIETTA, who, with slender means, and surrounded by imminent dangers, was returning to the assistance of her unhappy consort, long feebly and in vain, endeavouring to suppress his unruly subjects, the greater part of whom were in open rebellion against his authority. The Queen's thoughts on the first impulse were naturally directed towards her brother the King of France; but she was too well aware, that there existed impediments in that quarter of too serious a nature to permit a direct application for assistance. She, therefore, contented herself with requesting permission to pay him a visit, adding the hope that he would, at least, make some diplomatic demonstration of due anxiety for the support of perilled royalty. This was a natural hope from one crowned head to another, but still more so from a distressed and insulted sister to a powerful brother; but it was met by an intimation "that her presence would not be acceptable in France." Unhappy Queen! She lived at a period when the spirit of England awed the Powers of the Continent; when France feared England—but were she now living, she would find the case reversed under the rule of men who are alike sacrificing the peace and honour of their country and the security of the Sovereign who called them to his councils. The pearls of the monarchy are cast at the feet of a swinish democracy-in the licence of the people the nation is weak, and its unregulated strength, like the paroxysms of madness, works to its own debility and destruction. It is a paradox for the historian and the philosopher to reconcile, why the victory of Waterloo should lead to the humiliation of the conquerors, and the glories of England wither on the tomb of Napoleon. The solution may be found in that Masque of Alfred. retributive justice by which abused power brings on its own punishment, and treachery and dishonour vegetate to a harvest of disgrace, even though their seeds should have been cast on the sterile rocks of St. Helena. The imperial Captive is beginning to be avenged in his grave. But not the fear of England, alone, paralyzed the arms of France. There were other causes for the ungracious conduct of Louis the Thirteenth, imputable neither to the apathy of the brother, nor the broken and timid spirit of his subjects. Cardinal Richelieu, a man of imperious pride and incontrolable passions, stood at the helm of affairs in that kingdom, and ruled with despotic sway. Exercising over the mind of the monarch the most unbounded influence, he, to ensure this dominion, contrived the removal of the Queen Mother, and now prevented the approach of her daughter, the Queen of England, to the ear of his royal master. Such are the influences that make regality a cypher, and bring it into contempt. It is fitting that a monarch should have councillors but when they cease to be wise, and commit the real interests and happiness of a people to wanton and hazardous issues, then it is that the independent action of the sovereign becomes the first virtue in the man-the first duty to the state: the illustration of the maxim would be a blessing in this our day. The hatred which Richelieu bore to England knew no bounds, and, as in the gratification of his revenge, he was regardless of consequences, he sacrificed without remorse, the happiness of the august family to whom he owed the elevation of his fortunes. Not only did he bar the direct interference of Louis in the cause of his royal sister; but by means of the French ambassador to the English parliament, we cannot say court, continued to foster the |