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two youthful friends.

On the day previous to the fatal event, the prince, who thought himself about to become the victim, was led, with formal solemnity, from his dungeon into another apartment overlooking the court, the curtains of the windows being carefully closed so as to prevent any exterior view. At a given signal, these curtains were drawn aside, and Frederick beheld a scaffold hung with black. He was suffered to pass the night under the idea that the morn-> ing was to close his existence; and it is said, so fond was he of Katt, that his grief was not diminished, when, the next morning, he discovered that he was to suffer in his stead. When the unfortunate youth mounted the scaffold, which was immediately on a level with the window, the prince was held with his face towards the scene by four grenadiers, who prevented his approach to it or his retreat. Maddened with horror and anguish, he was compelled to behold the friend of his bosom in the act of laying down his life for having attempted to serve him. Several affectionate bursts of grief were interchanged, and Katt was in the act of speaking, when his head, suddenly severed with a single blow, fell rolling on the scaffold, while the arms of the trunk were mechanically stretched towards the prince, whose intolerable horror was relieved only by a deep swoon. And this is not romance, but sober truth, which was, probably, much more agonizing in the reality than it can be in description.

Other, almost incredible, things are told of this monster; as, for example, that he obliged his family often to dine beneath a tree in the open air, where they were obliged to sit through all changes of weather, sometimes up to their ancles in mud and water, etc. A half hour before his last breath, he called for a glass, and said with a smile, "I am much changed. I shall make a villanous face in dying." I should think so, after such a life.

DECISION.

The poorest arguments will make their way, when delivered with firmness and decision.

A man of an irresolute constitution gives himself a treat of the rack, every time he is called to make up his mind respecting some petty domestic arrange

ment.

Indecision arises from two very different causes: seeing our way too far, or not far enough.

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Long live King Richard and his Royal Queen." Many a brawl ensued, and many a sword leaped from its scabbard on the night that followed the coronation of Glo'ster; for parties met in the thoroughfares of the metropolis, as they returned from their late revels, and shout was opposed to shout, some exclaiming "Long live the house of Lancaster! Down with the white rose of York,"which was answered by "Down with the bloody house of Lancaster! Long reign King Richard the Third!" for a strong feeling still existed among some of the citizens in favour of Queen Margaret. Others also exclaimed, "Long live King Edward the Fifth! Down with the Usurper," for Glo'ster had already become obnoxious to many through his acts of cruelty; indeed, there were proofs given afterwards of his unpopularity, when such numbers revolted, and joined the standard of Richmond; for during the two years of his reign, and the one which preceded it, he had been the means of shedding more royal blood than had been spilt in many battles.

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coronation, and during that time the queen had resided in the south wing of the Hall, while the great dining-parlour and throne room were put in order, and decorated with becoming splendour for a queen. It was a portion of King Richard's policy to spare no wealth, which might add to his greatness in outward show, and yet appear as if done solely for the comfort and love he bare to his wife, which could not fail of being rumoured abroad, and would in the end serve as a cloak for the furtherance of his designs. It was his intention, after the death of Anne, to wed the daughter of Queen Elizabeth, widow of Edward the Fourth, and thereby prevent Richmond from laying any claim to the crown through marriage, thus hoping to crush for ever the power of the house of Lancaster. How far his plans were successful, history has recorded; and Shakspeare has also thrown the poetry of undying thought over his deeds, which will live when the annals of history are doubted. It only comes within the limits of our narrative, to dwell upon such portions of his life as were connected with the fate of his queen, and took place within Crosby Hall.

All the old furniture had been removed from the great dining-parlour, and it had been fitted up in the most costly style; almost every quarter of the globe had contributed to its splendour: for the many wars in which England had engaged during the last three reigns, had made a great revolution in the domestic arrangements of the English, causing them to import and copy the manufactures and luxuries of foreign nations; there being as much competition among the English nobles in outvying each other in showy grandeur, as there is in our day in two rival houses of Bloomsbury, endeavouring to eclipse each other in dress. The dining-parlour walls were now hung with rich arras of purple velvet, edged with gold, which reached down beyond the wainscoting: there was something heavy in its richness-an appearance of solemn splendour, but this might be owing to the dim light which streamed forth in such a variety of hues from the deep-dyed windows. The chairs or rather stools, for such they might be termed when compared to what we now use, were also covered with velvet cushions, matching the drapery upon the walls; the wood-work was black and bright, and wore the appearance of ebony-and was richly carved, or rather heavily, for there was a mas

siveness in the foliage thereon enwrought. In place of rushes the floor was now covered with carpet, or more properly tapestry, for the trees and flowers were worked upon it after the manner of modern embroidery, but ruder than a girl's first sampler, and much after that fashion. The trees were all made to rule, triangular, with a shaft in the centre for a stem, bearing no bad resemblance to a dunce's cap placed upon a walking stick. The flowers also appeared like cherries fastened upon a splinter of wood, each matching each, as old women array them to catch the eye of passing urchins. The colours were gaudy in the extreme, and at a distant glance gave you no bad idea of the drapery of harlequin. The table was of old English oak, covered also with a cloth of velvet, in union with that upon the walls. At one end of the room stood a recess: it was so formed as to face the entrance door; its leaves were thrown open, and displayed a rich array of plate, gold and silver, and in curious devices, some of them bearing the impress of the royal arms of England. The iron lamps were also removed, and others of silver swung in their places, bearing the forms of flying dragons. Such was the appearance of the diningparlour; part of the furniture had been removed from the palace, for Richard had his secret reason for keeping his queen at Crosby Hall, and had intended proposing what she so eagerly solicited.

But the throne-room above, if it was possible, excelled the lower apartment in grandeur. It was hung with the richest drapery, tapestry of gold and silver, on which was represented in no mean style of execution, the wars of the Titans: gods stood out in gold, upheaving massy mountains of silver, and tearing up rocks from their bases, or grasping trees in their hands, while others showered the forked lightning from above, or darted down golden thunder-bolts. At the end of the apartment, facing the chamber door which we have already described, stood a splendid throne, or chair of state, and of sufficient dimensions to contain two persons; it was raised three steps from the floor, and surmounted by a canopy of crimson velvet; the cushions and curtains were also of the same costly material. On the top of the canopy were two crowns, resembling those worn by the king and queen of England. golden boar stood grinning above these, as if looking on the splendour below in triumph. This was the king's crest, when Duke of Glo'ster.

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The chairs, or settles-for they were shaped much like the high-backed benches we now see in tap-rooms, only lower at the back-were also covered with crimson velvet, white roses of silver were emblazoned upon them; over the fireplace, which alone was uncumbered with drapery, hung several valuable pictures, the productions of eminent masters, which were brought to England among other spoils of war. Marble statues too ornamented this apartment, such as had once graced the galleries of Italy. In this room were seated Queen Anne and Bridget Crosby, side by side, upon one of the richly-covered seats. It was night, and silver lamps shed their bright beams over the apartment, the oil was perfumed, and sent forth a pleasant odour. Every thing around wore an air of comfort and majesty; but the pale face of the Queen, unharmonized with the scene; there was a deep melancholy upon her brow, and a tear stood upon her silken lashes, even Bridget sat with folded hands, like one who dared not offer comfort, and was attentively listening to the Queen, who had paused in her conversation to gather strength to proceed, for she appeared greatly excited.

"Was it after the shedding of blood in the field of Tewksbury," said Bridget, "that the Prince your husband was murdered?"

"Alas!" sighed Queen Anne, "it was: had he fallen in the fight, he would have saved me many tears. But he died nobly, heaven rest his soul! asserting his rights, even in the teeth of those who took his life, and might now have been England's king, but for the dagger of my present lord."

"May heaven forgive him for the deed!" ejaculated Margaret.

"Amen," responded Anne; "and may the Holy Mother intercede for him, for murdering my husband's father."

"It was a dark day for England," said Bridget, "when they first gathered the white and red roses, and from the fairest flowers drew the foulest factions." "Little rest has my country had from that hour," replied the Queen: "it has caused many a son to shed the life of his father, and father of son. Ah, woe is me since the red rose fell! since the house of Lancaster was shorn of its plumes, for then I lost one who was a dove to me, but to his enemies a sweeping eagle. And I have been deluded by the wily tongue of a poisonous serpent, more subtle than that which tempted our first mother."

"Think you my lady," inquired Bridget, "that his majesty gave sanction to the destruction of the princes in the Tower ?"

"I am too certain of it," replied the Queen, "even as much so, as if I had heard him give orders for their death; nay, I do believe that Dighton and Forrest, whom the King has appointed for our guards, were they who smothered the pretty babes: 'tis well known that they destroyed Clarence, and for their villanies have been advanced by the King. Oh, Bridget, whenever I look at Forrest, methinks there is murder written on his brow; and it was such a face as his, that bent over me in my dream, with a dagger in his hand."

"But," continued Bridget, "I heard his majesty say that if any of your attendants were obnoxious, he begged you would discharge them; marry, I would not allow such a brace of unbanged knaves as they appear, to come in my presence."

""T would be of no avail," replied Anne, I should but remove the savage tiger for the prowling wolf, the fierce hyena for the subtle crocodile. No, he has too many instruments at his bidding for a frail woman to resist, and he hates me on account of my father, Warwick, who many a time overthrew his strongest

measures."

"I fear there is too much truth in what you have stated," said Bridget. “I have a maiden aunt in Kent, let us fly to her; the honour and long services of my family will be a sure protection to us, and I have a friend in the mayor."

"I thank thee, Bridget," answered the Queen, "but I am King Richard's, and to fly, would be unworthy of the daughter of Warwick; moreover, the mayor is his friend, and already does his behest without a murmur; bethink thee, maiden, there is no escaping his power; beside, my father met his death valiantly, nor should his daughter be a craven.'

"It ill becomes me," replied Bridget, "to advise one so high born as yourself, but a man can defend himself better than we, and to die in a battle-field, is far nobler than to be stabbed in bed; methinks, that even your brave father would fly from the odds of darkness and assassins."

"Mine may be but idle fears after all," said Anne; "and if they are not, there is none to mourn for me, I trow; neither do I wish to live, for there is a worm gnawing at my heart, whose work would soon be done, without the aid of steel or poison."

"It may be so," answered Bridget, "but methinks what he has done, would make any one fear-in sooth, I would not trust him. Oh do not, if it be but to save one heart from sorrowing, for mine would break, were you to leave me; and oh, how awful to be murdered!" and Bridget buried her face in her hands, while her loud sobs at intervals, broke the silence that reigned in the apartment.

The Queen replied not for several minutes, but threw her arms around Bridget, while the tears gushed from her eyes, and trickled down her lovely cheeks, like rain-drops stealing down the stem of a lily; at length she said, "I will go with thee, take me to a place of safety, let me spend the remainder of my days with thee in retirement."

"You would not leave us to-night, fair wife," said King Richard, closing a secret door just behind them, by which he had entered, and stood unobserved long enough to hear that portion of their conversation which related to himself.

"Nay, thou givest one but a cold reception," continued he, knitting his brows, for neither of them had as yet spoken, but clung to each other in fear, for they had not the most remote idea of his being so near at hand until he spoke. At length the Queen mustered resolution enough to speak, and said in a tremulous voice:

"Methinks your Majesty might have apprised me of this honour, for we were unprepared for a visit at this hour." "Beshrew me," answered King Richard, "for want of courtesy, I know it has become much the vogue of late for the husband to give a long notice to the wife, in case she should have pledged her word to visit a play, or walk with some very dear friend, or be out at a dance, or have company in her own chamber whom it would be uncourteous to intrude upon; but by the holy-rood, I thought there had been exceptions among kings and queens."

"That exception extends to me," answered Anne, "and Bridget Crosby is the only one I would wish to honour with the name of friend; but, there are those around my person, when you are absent, who intrude upon my privacy at their pleasure, with as little ceremony as if they were my equals."

"True, fair wife," replied Glo'ster with a sneer, "but methinks it is necessary that some one should look to your safety, were it only to receive your commands at parting, for I was not aware until to

night, that it was your intention to take so unceremonious a leave of us; marry you should have apprised us of your wishes, that an escort might have been in readiness, for it ill becomes a queen to journey alone."

"I scarcely deemed," said the Queen, "that your Majesty took so deep an interest in my weal, for many days have elapsed since you deigned to honour me with a visit."

"True," answered the King, "but thou canst not accuse us of paying no attention to thy comfort," casting his eyes around the splendid_apartment, "and thou art well aware, I trow, that affairs stood not in the best position when my subjects made me to take the crown. But thou shalt not complain ;I intend sharing thy company to-night, unless indeed," added he contemptuously, "thy fair counsellor Bridget would be a preferable companion."

"I intrude not myself upon her Majesty," said Bridget, undaunted by the King's presence, "but methinks it would ill become me to see her sit day after day alone, or her only companions armed ruffians, villains who would murder their own father for gold, ill guests for a lady's society, I wot."

"Softly, fair maiden," said King Richard, gazing on the lovely and highspirited Bridget, as much in admiration as anger, "by the Holy Paul, methinks thou holdest my friends in small repute, to speak thus lightly of them."

"I hold them in as high repute," replied Bridget Crosby, "as every honest person ought, and perchance as much as thou dost O King, for as they act to others, so would they be tempted to do with thee, for a higher guerdon."

"By the mass, I do believe thee, fair damsel," answered Richard, "and if they be such as thou sayest they are, I will be rid of them."

"If," answered Bridget, looking full upon the King's face, until he quailed beneath the purity of her glance, and the consciousness of his own guilt, "if— thou knowest they are; thou were not wont to hearken to if's, when thou orderedst Hastings to be beheaded."

"Now out upon thee for a cursed hag," shouted King Richard, drawing his sword, and shaking it in Bridget's face, while his rage scarcely left him utterance, "art thou to take note of my actions, and construe them as thou pleasest? out of my sight, I say, or by hell, I will draw a curtain over thine eyes."

"Nay, thou darest not to touch me,"

exclaimed Bridget, "King as thou art; thy betters were beholden to my father, and wert thou to draw one drop of my blood, there are ten thousand daggers in this city which would leap to my revenge; but I leave thee-and thou fair Queen, beware of him. The Hall of my fathers has not yet been polluted with the blood of murder. Nay, thou darest not to strike me, there is blood enough upon thy hands, I trow." And Bridget left the apartment, followed even to the door by Richard, with his sword pointed at, yet not daring to strike her. So much had her proud bearing, and the boldness with which she confronted him, overawed his spirit, which shook beneath the terrible truths she had uttered.

For several moments he paced the apartment with rapid strides, his brow flushed with rage, and his dark eyes flashing wildly and frightfully upon the Queen, who still maintained her seat, although trembling like the last leaf of autumn, and expecting every moment that the storm of his passion would burst forth. But, no; he had learnt to smile and murder while he smiled,' and soon walked himself into an apparent calmness, which was more dangerous than his anger, and approaching the Queen he said:

"Hie thee to bed, sweet wife, I will be with thee anon."

The Queen took up a silver candlestick, and lighting the waxen taper, walked with tearful eyes into the sleeping-room, without even summoning her female attendants. Without unrobing herself, she knelt before a crucifix, and remained in prayer for several minutes; when these were finished, she continued to kneel, with her hands clasped, and her long bright hair falling in disorder over her face. She was indeed a picture of beauty in sorrow, for as she removed her long tresses with one hand, and continued prostrate, the light fell upon one side of her face, revealing a profile, such as hath but seldom been excelled in the fairest work of sculptor, or the sweetest dream of poet. At intervals she sighed deeply, and when she arose there was an unusual calmness upon her face, melancholy indeed, but resigned, like one whose mind is made up to meet the worst without a murmur. At length she divested herself of her rich robes, and with aching heart she laid her lovely head upon the pillow, and as if pain and care were wearied with keeping their long vigils, she soon fell asleep; but even while she slept, the bright taper revealed

a tear that stood upon her silken lashes, like a sorrowing sentinel that kept watch.

We now return to the Throne-room, which adjoined the sleeping apartment, where Queen Anne had retired and left the King alone, who only remained so for a short time, for Dighton and Forrest, who were at hand, joined him soon after the Queen's departure, and were seated at the splendid table with the King, conferring together in a low tone.

"In the garden, you think, would be the most secret," said the King.

""Twould be done the speediest I trow," replied Dighton, "for we might dig a pit in a little time deep enough to hold her."

"Right," said Forrest," and the best place would be in the gravel-walk, which would escape suspicion, as we might cover it again, and trample it to its former appearance."

"Hold!" said the King, "this must not be; cannot you dispatch her, so as to make it appear that she died a natural death, for now I bethink me I have given it out that she is grievous sick, and would fain have her buried with great splendour, publicly."

"Not well," answered Dighton, "for though we smothered the young princes in the Tower, and did it as quietly as possible without much force, still there was a difference in their faces to what there would have been had they died naturally, for your Majesty may be sure that they will make a little resistance, in spite of our persuading them that it is all for their benefit."

"Well, you know the best," said Richard," and I leave it entirely to yourself. Could you do the deed without marks of violence I would increase your reward; but if not, then bury her in the garden. And now good night, and let me see you early to-morrow at the palace," saying which, he left the apartment, muffled in a large cloak, and walked alone to the palace, unknown even to his menials.

He had not long retired before Bridget Crosby entered by the private door, by which the King obtained ingress. As she entered without making the slightest noise, neither Dighton nor Forrest perceived her, for they were too busily engaged in devising a plan to dispatch the Queen without leaving marks of violence that they might obtain the increased reward. Bridget Crosby stood in the shadow of the rich drapery that covered the wall, and listened to their various

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