An Illustrated Literary Periodical.

A

THE SULTAN ABDU-'L-MEDJID.

hospitality was no longer met with in the distant pro- operate in the Great Exhibition of 1851. The nobility
vinces; and the reason was, that there were no more of his character has been repeatedly demonstrated in
entertainers-what may be called the class of grand regard to money. This spring his mother died; and,
seigneurs, having been destroyed; the policy of the like all the wives of Turkish sovereigns, she had accu-
She died,
Sultan being to withdraw hereditary offices, which mulated in the seraglio great treasures.
were the great sources of wealth and grandeur in leaving the sum of £400,000 to her favorite, Abdu-'l-
families, and to create, if possible, what we would Medjid; and this enormous sum the Sultan, instead of
term here, a middle class. The other day there was converting to his private purposes, handed over to the
an insurrection in Bosnia, where the Tanzimat had treasury, for the service of the state. This indifference
not been extended; and that was nothing more than a to money stands out in startling contrast to the man-
revolt against the feudal lords; and though Omirners of all around him; for it is notorious that the
Pacha suppressed the rising, he did not fail to redress Sultan completely fails in checking the venality of the
the grievance. Another consequence of the Tanzimat, high officers entrusted with administration in his do-
and a very interesting one, was that the breed of minions. There are other reforms which he also fails
horses in Turkey has deteriorated-no great studs to carry out; for instance, he cannot set the fashion in
being kept up and emulation and care in improving costume. It is related that, not long ago, he intro-
breeds being no longer witnessed.

The Sultan

BDU-'L-MEDJID, the present Sultan of Turkey, though the mildest Sovereign of his time, has gone through one of the stormiest reigns upon record; and, at this moment, he is undergoing dangers and indignities such as monarch has seldom been exposed to. A sketch of his life may explain how much of his position is attributable to his personal character-how much to the circumstances of the throne he inherited. As he ascended the throne it was tottering; and he was but sixteen years of age when, in 1839, he succeeded his father-the "reforming" Sultan Mahmoud, who attempted to assimilate the manners and the institutions of Asia with those of Europe; and who signally failed, even with regard to externals. When Abdu-'l-Medjid was girded with the sword of Osman, that monarch vassal, Mehemet Ali, was in open revolt; duced the novelty of a small peak or rim to his fez. Ibrahim Pacha, having destroyed the Turkish army, The conduct of the Sultan in relation to Kossuth The true Mussulmans were aghast : the Pontiff Sheikh was on his march through Asia Minor, on the road to forms a very honorable, as it is a very interesting, (ul Islam) remonstrated—such a hat was against the Constantinople, and that Turkish Admiral, to whom, episode in his life. There is no doubt that his noblest Koran; and the Sultan had to submit: the peak dison a memorable occasion, Mr. Disraeli compared Sir sympathies were aroused for the Hungarians; and appeared. But next day he invited this head of reliRobert Peel, had just sailed with all his fleet into an that, personally, he wished them success: although he gion to ride out along with him: and they rode westEgyptian port. All the great Pachas were watching missed an opportunity which might have given him a ward-straight towards the setting sun. for their opportunity; had he of Egypt succeeded, the strong future position against Russian intrigues or pointed out every object to the Sheikh; the Sheikh Turkish Empire would have disappeared. Lord Pal- open attacks. The principal fact in regard to the was courteously observant. In order to see, however, merston resolved to save it; outwitted the French Hungarian refugee history is this-that the Sultan, he had to put up his outstretched hand at right angles diplomacy; formed the quadruple alliance, from which propriu motu, counter the advice of his Divan, had with the forehead, to shelter his eyes from the rays of France was excluded; destroyed St. Jean d'Acre; resolved to give a shelter and protection to Kossuth, the sun. The Sultan noticed this, and struck the hand checked Ibrahim Pacha; and forced Mehemet Ali to against both Austria and Russia, several days before of the holy man heavily with his whip. The holy man the acceptance of a treaty which re-defined his posi- Lord Palmerston's dispatch, assuring support, to Lord was reminded that the Koran forbade peaks to their tion and limited his power. The young Sultan could Stratford de Redcliffe, was written; and all the credit hats; the holy man was corrected, and the peak reapthen have tasted repose, but was, apparently, too care- of that creditable transaction, is therefore due alone to peared on the royal fez. By as successful a reading of less to enjoy it. An empire was in doubtful allegi- | Abdu-'l-Medjid. the Koran, the Sultan has been enabled to indulge ance; authority, weakened at the very centre, was The genuine generosity of the Sultan's conduct on himself in his favorite wine-champagne. It is well powerless at the extremities; and the Sultan, who this occasion is only to be understood by reference to known that his father died from drinking brandy, to lost as much as he gained by the intervention of his horror of war, which he was risking. Perhaps, which, consequently, he has a medicinal as well as an foreign aid, and who could not place much faith in the however, the course he took is traceable to another orthodox aversion. His theory is that the Koran forsympathy of Russia, with whom Turkey, towards the aversion always distinguishing him-his horror of bids fermented liquors, but that champagne is not ferDanube, may be said to have been at perpetual war, capital punishments, which, of course, would have mented, and is, consequently, not illegal drink; and could have no allies and no strength but in the old been the Austrian sentence upon the refugees. Va- this reading has been highly applauded by the ladies of Turkish Mussulman population. Yet the very first act rious anecdotes are related of this trait in the Sultan's the seraglio, with whom Abdu-'l-Medjid passes more of the Sultan, after the settlement of the Egyptian character; but it is not always that he is able to pro- time than should be spared from government. Of a dispute, was, (under the influence of Redschid Pasha,) | cure mercy. It is a remarkable fact, that he is the handsome person, but not of a robust constitution, he to outrage this party by recommencing, with even less first Sultan who has not murdered his brother! avoids martial exercises, and takes more delight in disguise and with more contempt, those very reforms Abdu-'l-Aziz lives in dangerous propinquity to the archery matches than in reviews. Gifted, however, which had risked Mahmoud his throne. This was by throne, and the heir-apparent always leads the Oppo- with great perception, the Sultan has been fortunate in the famous Hatti Scheriff, of Gulhana, or Tanzimat, sition, so Abdu-'l-Aziz is regarded as the head of the the choice of men to whom he has entrusted the care which among other things gave the Christians Turkish party, and it was in his name that this party of the army and navy. He seeks the best men from unheard-of privileges, and which, sweeping away conspired the other day; when, the plot being detect- all countries, and the result is, that Turkey has nothmost of the powers of life and death of the Pachas, ed, and the Sultan being unable to protect his brother's ing to fear from a campaign with Russia. The artildeclared something like social and political equality adherents, fifteen Imaums, Mussulman students, were lery has been formed, and is directed by Prussians; throughout his dominions. In Europe it was errone-bow-strung. All the tastes of the Sultan are gentle the infantry by the French; and the navy has long ously supposed that this was only a reform in costume and refined; and his predilections have exposed him to been under the command of Englishmen—formerly of and minor matters, needlessly shocking deep-rooted the ridicule and hatred of many of his barbaric and Captain Walker, now of Captain Slade, both holding prejudices among the Mussulman population; but it is more warlike subjects. He is devoted to music; but that grade in the British service. The Sultan, hownow better understood, and must, undoubtedly, be it is a partiality without power; he has ear without ever, does all he can to collect efficient officers and recognised as one of the boldest and best measures-execution; and, after a lifetime's assiduity, has only ministers from the Turks, and he yearly sends over at least, in intention, for its application could by no succeeded in being able to play one tune on the piano! crowds of picked young men for European culture; to means be universal-which ever emanated from the But then it does service on all occasions: it is a march, Paris for the Polytechnic School; to Liverpool for honorable ambition of a sovereign. The Hatti Scheriff which the Sultan plays for everybody with exhaustless commerce; to London for ship-building; to Manchesreduced into subjection the Dere Beys, who, in vari- complacency. It is said that when Donizetti was ter for machinery. These students are equally divided ous parts of Asia Minor, (instances are mentioned in visiting the Sultan, and, before all the Court, perform-between England and France; and the fact is signifiMr. Layard's works,) exercised a practically uncon-ed, or had performed, varieties of music, the Sultan cant as showing that the Sultan has no predilection for trolled sway, and whose domination was of the most went up to the piano, requested the great composer's one country over the other. hurtful and plundering character. Everywhere, as far attention, and smilingly gratified Donizetti by peras it was possible, and to a wonderful extent, consider-forming this eternal march. Of the arts, the Sultan is ing the actual power and resources of the Sultan, a warm and intellectual patron. Industry-in the centralization-which is a blessing in Turkey at least large sense of the term-it is the great object of his When you see a pursy old gentleman rise on his -was enforced. But the consequences were not reign to promote, to the discouragement of those ruin- legs, and request "the ladies and gentlemen to fill wholly causes of congratulation. The Turkish charac- ous accumulations of materials of war in which his he is about to propose a toast, and you may as well their glasses," you may consider it a hopeless sign that ter was, in many respects, changed, and not for the father indulged; and it is well known with what liberal make up your mind that from that moment there will Travellers lamented, thenceforward, that ardor he responded to the British invitation to co-be an end to the amusement of the evening.

better.

Our portrait is copied from a very fine picture of the Sultan, recently taken.

FERN LEAVES.

NUMBER VII.

Written for the New York Journal.

THE FATAL MARRIAGE.

but privately-for his own personal aggrandisement. ence succeeded disgust? how Harry Graham returned When Ezekiel's opinion was asked, he crossed his from Europe, with a fair young English bride? how hands and feet, and fastened his eyes upon the wall, in Lucy grew nervous and hysterical? how Ezekiel soon an attitude of the deepest abstraction, while his ques-wearied of his sick wife, and left her in one of those tioner stood on one leg, awaiting, with the most tombs for the wretched, an Insane Hospital? and how

AVERY pretty girl was Lucy Lee. Don't ask me
to describe her;-stars, and gems, and flowers, mon.
and all such ammunition, have long since been ex-
hausted in depicting heroines. Suffice it to say, Lucy
was as pretty a little fairy as every stepped foot in a
slipper or twisted a ringlet.

Of course, Lucy knew she was pretty: else why did the gentlemen stare at her so? Why did Harry Graham send her so many boquets? Why did Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones try to sit each other out in an evening call? Why were pic-nics and fairs postponed, if she were engaged or ill? Why did so many young men request an introduction? Why did all the serenaders come beneath her window? Why was a pew or omnibus never full when she appeared at the door? And last, though not least, why did all the women imitate and hate her so?

We will do Miss Lucy the justice to say, that she hore her blushing honors very meekly. She never flaunted her conquests in the faces of less attractive feminines :-no, Lucy was the farthest remove from a coquet; but kind words and bright smiles were as natural to her as fragrance to flowers, or music to birds. She never tried to win hearts; and, between you and me, I think that's the way she did it.

Grave discussions were often held about Lucy's future husband; the old maids scornfully asserting that "beauties generally pick up a crooked stick at last," while the younger ones cared very little whom she married, if she only were married and out of their way. Meanwhile, Lucy smiled at her own happy thoughts, and sat at her little window pleasant summer evenings, watching for Harry (poor Harry), who, when he came, was at a loss to know if he had ever given her little heart one flutter, so merrily did she laugh and chat with him. Skilful little Lucy, it was very right you shouldn't let him peep into your heart till he had opened a window in his own.

Lucy's papa didn't approve of late hours or lovers: moonlight he considered but another name for rheumatism: at nine o'clock precisely, he rung the bell each evening for family prayers; and when the Bible came in, lovers were expected to go out : in case they were obtuse, chairs set back against the wall, or an extra lamp blown out, or the fire taken apart, were hints sufficiently broad to be understood; and they generally answered the purpose. Miss Lucy's little lamp, glowing immediately after from her bed-room window, gave the finale to the "Mede and Persian" order of Mr. Lee's family arrangements.

she wasted, day by day-then died, with only a hired nurse to close those weary blue eyes?

intense anxiety, the decision of such an oracular Solo-
Well, not to weary you, the long and short of
it was, that Solomon was a bag of wind-that is to Shall I take you, some time, just at dew-fall, to the
say, a stupid fool, who spent his time trying to hum- quiet corner where sweet Lucy sleeps in the old
bug the religious public in general, and Deacon Lee in church-yard, and point out to you a wretched old man,
particular, into the belief that had he been consulted bent with age, who keeps guard there each night,
before this world was made, he could have suggested pacing up and down-to and fro-with remorseful
great and manifold improvements. As to Deacon tread, as if he would fain atone for turning so sweet a
Lee, no cat ever tossed a poor mouse more dexterously life to bitterness-for blighting so fair a flower?
than he played with the Deacon's free will; all the
while very demurely pocketing the spoils in the shape
of "donations" to the "society," with which he used
to appease his washerwoman and tailor, and transport
himself across the country, on trips to Newport, Sara-
toga, &c., &c.

His favorite plan was yet to be carried out; which was no more or less than a modest request for the deacon's pretty daughter Lucy, in marriage. Mr. Lee rubbed his chin, and said "Lucy was nothing but a foolish little girl;" but Ezekiel overruled it, by remarking that there was so much the more reason she should have a husband some years her senior, with some knowledge of the world, and qualified to check and advise her; to all of which, after an extra pinch of snuff, and another look into Ezekiel's oracular face, deacon Lee assented.

Poor little Lucy! Ezekiel knew very well that her father's word was law, and when Mr. Lee announced him as her future husband, she knew she was just as much Mrs. Ezekiel Clark, as if the bridal ring had been already slipped on her fairy finger. She sighed heavily, to be sure, and patted her little foot nervously, and when she handed him his tea, thought he looked older than ever; while Ezekiel swallowed one cup after another, till his eyes snapped and glowed like a panther's in ambush. That night poor Lucy pressed her lips to a faded rose, the gift of Harry Graham, then cried herself to sleep!

Unbounded was the indignation of Lucy's admirers, when the sanctimonious Ezekiel was announced as the expectant bridegroom. Harry Graham took the first steamer for Europe, railing at "woman's fickleness." (Consistent Harry! when never a word of love had passed his moustached lip.)

Shall I tell you how Ezekiel was transformed into the most ridiculous of lovers? how his self-conceit translated Lucy's indifference into maiden coyness? how he looked often in the glass and thought he was not so very old after all? how he advised Lucy to tuck away all her bright curls, because they "looked so Still, Lee house was not a hermitage by any means. childish?" how he named to her papa an "early More white cravats and black coats passed over "Dea- marriage day," not that he felt nervous about losing con" Lee's threshold, than into any hotel in Yankee- his prize-oh no (?)—but because "the Society's busidom. Little Lucy's mother, too, was a modern Sama-ness required his undivided attention." ritan, never weary of experimenting on their dyspeptic Well; Lucy, in obedience to her father's orders, and bronchial affections; while Lucy herself (bless her stood up in her snow-white robe and vowed "to love kind heart) knew full well that two-thirds of them had and cherish" a man just her father's age, with whom large families, empty purses, and more Judases and she had not the slightest congeniality of taste or feelPaul Prys than "Aarons and Hurs” in their congrega-ing. But papa had said it was an excellent match, and Lucy never gainsayed papa; still, her long lashes Among the habituès of Lee house, none were so ac- drooped heavily over her blue eyes, and her hand ceptable to Lucy's father as Mr. Ezekiel Clark, a trembled, and her cheek grew deathly pale, as Ezekiel bachelor of fifty, an ex-minister, and now an agent for handed her to the carriage that whirled them rapidly some "Benevolent Society." Ezekiel had an im- away. mensely solemn face; and behind this convenient Shall I tell you how long months and years dragged mask he was enabled to carry out, undetected, various wearily on? how Lucy saw through her husband's little plans, ostensibly for the "society's" benefit, mask of hypocrisy and self-conceit? how to indiffer

tions.

Extraordinary Story.

FANNY FERN.

THE Droit has the following almost incredible story. "A commercial traveller, whose business frequently called him from Orleans to Paris, M. Edmund D

was accustomed to go to an hotel, with the landlord of which he was acquainted. Liking, like almost all persons of his profession, to talk and joke, he was the favorite of everybody in the hotel. A few days ago he arrived, and was received with pleasure by all; but it was observed that he was less gay than usual. The stories that he told, instead of being interesting, as formerly, were of a lugubrious character. On Thursday evening, after supper, he invited the people of the hotel to go to his chamber to take coffee, and he promised to tell them a tale full of dramatic incident. On entering the room, his guests saw on the bed, near which he seated himself, a pair of pistols. 'My story,' said he, has a sad dénoúment, and I require pistols to make it clearly understood.' As he had always been accustomed, in telling his tales, to indulge in expressive pantomime, and to take up anything which lay handy, calculated to add to the effect, no surprise was felt at his having prepared pistols. He began by narrating the loves of a young girl and a young man. They had both, he said, promised, under the most solemn oaths, inviolable fidelity. The young man, whose profession obliged him to travel, once made a long absence. While he was away he received a legacy, and, on his return, hastened to place it at her feet. But, on presenting himself before her, he learned that, in compliance with the wishes of her family, she had just married a wealthy merchant. The young man thereupon took a terrible resolution. 'He purchased a pair of pistols like these,' he continued, taking one in each hand; then he assembled his friends in his chamber, and, after some conversation, placed one under his chin, in this way, as I do, saying, in a joke, that it would be a real pleasure to pulled the trigger.' Here the man discharged the pistol, and his head was shattered to pieces. Pieces of the bone, and portions of the brain fell on the horrified spectators. The unfortunate man had told his own story."

blow out his brains. And at the same moment he

VANITY OF GREAT MEN.-In one instance, Lord Wellington is not like Frederick the Great. He is remarkably neat, and most particular in his dress considering his situation. He is well made, knows it, and is willing to set off to the best what nature has bestowed. In short, like every great man, present or past, almost without exception, he is vain. He cuts the skirts of his own coats shorter to make

them look smarter; and only a short time since, I found him discussing the cut of his half-boots, and suggesting alterations to his servant when I went in upon business. The vanity of great men shows itself in different ways, but, I believe, always exists in some shape or other.-Larpent's Private Journal.

STERLING. ORIGIN OF THE TERM AS APPLIED TO MONEY.-In the time of Richard I. money coined in the east part of Germany came in special request in England, on account of its purity, and was called Easterling money-as all the inhabitants of those of these people, skilled in coining, were sent for to parts were called Easterlings; and soon after, some London, to bring the coin to perfection—which was soon called Sterling, from Easterling.

148

THE STAR CHAMBER:

AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE,

THE NEW YORK JOURNAL.

BY W. HARRISON AINSWORTH, Esq.,
Author of " Old St. Paul's," the "Tower of London," "Windsor
Castle," "Rookwood." &c.

I WILL MAKE A STAR CHAMBER MATTER OF IT."

CHAPTER IV.

HUGH CALVELEY.

JOCELYN at once ay to the ground

OCELYN at once comprehended that the person could be no other than Hugh Calveley. But all doubt on the point was removed by Aveline herself who exclaimed in a reproachful tone-"O, father! what have you done?"

66

enjoyment. Not one, I am sure, of these worthy folk he mars all our pleasures with his peevish humors.
He would have us all as discontented with the world
has the slightest thought of impiety."
You know not what you say, girl," the Puritan re-as himself but we know better. He will not let us
joined sharply. "The evil spirit is not extinct, and have our lawful sports as enjoined by the King him-
these growing abominations prove it to be again rais-self on Sundays, and he now tries to interfere with
Listen to our recreations on holidays. A pest upon him for a
ing its baleful crest to pollute and destroy.

-

"His sullen looks are enough to turn all the cream in the village sour," observed an old dame.

66

Why doth he not betake himself to the conventicle Why and preach there?" old Greenford cried. should we have all these bitter texts of scripture thrown at our heads? Why should we be likened to the drunkards of Ephraim because we drink our Whitsun-ales? I have tasted nothing more than my

Wye to that orige drine. And again: Woe to morning cup as yet."

66

66

"Why should our May-pole be termed an idol? Answer me that, good grandsire?" Gillian demanded, Nay, let him who called it so answer thee, child, for I cannot," the old farmer rejoined. "I can see naught idolatrous in it."

my words, ye vain and foolish ones!" he continued, cankerbitten churl!"
advancing to the front of the window, and stretching
forth his arms towards the assemblage. "Repent!
Merry Wives of Windsor and amend your ways ere it be too late! Hew down
the offensive idol, which you term your May-pole, and
cast it into the flames! Cease your wanton sports,
your noisy pipings, your profane dances, your filthy
tipplings. Hear what the prophet Isaiah saith :-
Woe to them that rise up early in the morning, that
O do
the drunkard of Ephraim.' And I say Woe unto you
also, for you are like unto those drunkards.
Reflect on
not this abominable thing that my soul hateth.' Be not
guilty of the brutish sin of drunkenness.
the words of holy Job,-They take the timbrel and
harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They
spend their days in mirth, and in a moment go down
Hew down your idol I say again.
to the grave.'
Consume it utterly, and scatter its ashes to the winds.
Strip off the gauds and tinsel in which you have
decked your foolish May Queen. Have done with
your senseless and profane mummeries; and dismiss
your Robin Hoods, your Friar Tucks, and your Hobby-
Abandon your sinful
horses. Silence your pestilent minstrels, and depart
peaceably to your own homes.
courses, or assuredly 'the Lord will come upon you
unawares, and cut you in sunder, and appoint your
portion among unbelievers.'

"What have I done?" the Puritan rejoined, speaking in a loud voice, as if desirous that his words "I have done should reach the assemblage outside. that which thou thyself should'st have done, Aveline. I have signified my abhorrence of this vain ceremonial. But wherefore do I find you here? This is no fitting sight for any discreet maiden to witness; and little did I think that daughter of mine would encourage such profane displays by her presence. Little did I think that you, Aveline, would look on and smile while these ignorant and benighted folk set up their idol, piping, dancing, and singing around it as the Gentiles did at the dedications of their deities. For it is an idol they have set up, and they have become like the heathens, worshippers of stocks and stones. Are we not expressly forbidden by the Holy Scriptures to make unto The sins of ourselves idols and graven images ? idolatry and superstition will assuredly provoke the Divine displeasure, and kindle the fire of its wrath, as they did in the days of Moses, after the worshipping of the Golden Calf by the Israelites. Thus spake offended Heaven :- Let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them.' Grievously will the Lord punish such as are guilty of these sins, for hath He not declared, as we read in Leviticus, I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries to desolation?' And be assured, Ŏ daughter, that heavy judgments will descend upon the land, if warning be not taken in time."

66

Nay, dear father, I cannot view the matter in the same serious light that you do," Aveline rejoined, "neither do I think evil can be derived from pastimes like the present, unless by the evil disposed. I must frankly own that it is pleasant to me to witness such innocent enjoyment as is here exhibited; while as to yon May-pole, with its pretty floral decorations, I can never be brought to regard it as an emblem of superstition and idolatry. Nevertheless, had you commanded me to refrain from the sight, I would unhesitatingly have obeyed you. But I thought I was free to follow my own inclinations."

"Why so you were, child," the Puritan rejoined, "because I had full reliance on you, and did not conceive you could have been so easily beguiled by Satan. I lament to find you cannot discern the superstition and wickedness lurking within this false, though fair-seeming spectacle. Do you not perceive that in setting up this wooden idol, and worshipping it, these people are returning to the dark and sinful practices of Paganism, of which it is an undoubted remnant? If you cannot But discern this, I will make it manifest to you anon. I tell you now briefly," he continued in a voice of thunder, calculated to reach those at a distance, "that the ceremony is impious; that those who take part in it are idolaters; and that those who look on and approve are participators in the sin; yea, are equal in sin to the actors themselves."

Hereupon some murmurs of displeasure arose among the crowd, but they were instantly checked by the curiosity generally felt to hear Aveline's reply, which was delivered in clear and gentle, but distinct tones. "Far be it from me to dispute with you, dear father," she said; "and it is with reluctance that I offer an But it seems to me opinion at all adverse to your own. impossible to connect these pastimes with heathenish and superstitious rites; for though they may bear some resemblance to ceremonials performed in honor of the goddesses Maia and Flora, yet, such creeds being utterly forgotten, and their spirit extinct, it cannot revive in sports that have merely reference to harmless

Why should our pretty May Queen be despoiled "For my part I of her ornaments because they please not his fanatical taste?" Dick Taverner demanded. can discern no difference between a Puritan and a knave, and I would hang both."

This sally met with a favorable reception from the crowd, and a voice exclaimed-" Ay, hang all knavish Puritans."

Again, Hugh Calveley lifted up his voice. "Think not to make me afraid," he cried; "I have confronted armed hosts with boldness when engaged in a worse a base rabble, now that I have become a soldier of cause than this, and I am not likely to give way before So sonorous was the voice of the Puritan, so impres- Christ and fight his battles. I repeat my warnings to sive were his looks and gestures, that his address com- you, and will not hold my peace till you give heed to manded general attention. While he continued to them. Continue not in the sins of the Gentiles, lest speak, the sports were wholly stopped. The minstrels their punishment come upon you. These are fearful left off playing to listen to him, and the mummers sus-times we live in. London is become another Ninepended their merry evolutions round the May-pole. veh, and will be devoured by flames like that great The poor denounced May Queen, who on the rejection city. It is full of corruption and debauchery, of oppres of her nosegay had flown back to Jocelyn, now looked sions, thefts, and deceits. With the prophet Nahum What griping usury, what extortion are What fraud, what injustice, doubly disconcerted at this direct attack upon her and I exclaim-Woe to the city, it is full of lies and robher finery, and pouted her pretty lips in vexation. bery! Dick Taverner, who stood by her side, seemed disposed practised within it! to resent the affront, and shook his fist menacingly at what misrule! But the Lord's anger will be awakened Jocelyn himself was perplexed and against it. Palaces of kings are of no more account the Puritan. annoyed, for though inclined to take part with the in His eyes than cottages of peasants. He cutteth off assemblage, the growing interest he felt in Aveline the spirits of Princes: he is terrible to the Kings of the earth." He knoweth no difference between them that sit on thrones, and those that go from door to forbade all interference with her father. door. For what saith the prophet Isaiah I will punish the stout heart of the King of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.' Let the Great Ones of the land be warned as well as the meanest, or judgment "Methinks that smacks of treason," cried Dick will come upon them." "Our Puritan has quitted us poor fowl to Taverner. "You would not dare utter such words as fly at higher game. Hark ye, sir!" he added to Hugh Calveley. those in the King's presence."

OF THE SIGN

ME

CHAPTER XVI.

GIVEN BY THE PURITAN TO THE
ASSEMBLAGE.

EANWHILE, a great crowd had collected
beneath the window, and though no interruption
was offered to the speaker, it was easy to discern from
the angry countenances of his hearers what was the
effect of the address upon them. When he had done,
Hugh Calveley folded his arms upon his breast, and
sternly regarded the assemblage.

He was well-stricken in years, as his grizzled hair
and beard denoted, but neither was his strength im-
paired, nor the fire of his eye dimmed. Squarely built,
with hard and somewhat massive features, strongly
stamped with austerity, he was distinguished by a
soldier-like deportment and manner, while his bronzed
countenance, which bore upon it more than one
cicatrice, showed he must have been exposed to foreign
suns, and seen much service. There was great deter-
mination about the mouth, and about the physiognomy
generally, while at the same time there was something
of the wildness of fanaticism in his looks. He was
habited in a buff jerkin, with a brown, lackered, breast-
plate over it, thigh-pieces of a similar color and similar
material, and stout leathern boots. A broad belt with
a heavy sword attached to it crossed his breast, and
round his neck was a plain falling band. You could
not regard Hugh Calveley without feeling he was a
man to die a martyr in any cause he had espoused.
A deep groan was now directed against him. But
it moved not a muscle of his rigid countenance.
Jocelyn began to fear from the menacing looks of
the crowd that some violence might be attempted, and
he endeavored to check it.

"Bear with him, worthy friends," he cried, "he
means you well, though he may reprove you somewhat
too sharply."

"Beshrew him for an envious railer," cried a miller,

"Thou art mistaken, friend," the other rejoined. "It is my purpose to warn him in terms strong as those I have just used. Why should I hold my peace when I have a mission from on high? I shall speak to the king as Nathan spoke to David."

"He speaks like a prophet," cried the miller; "I begin to have faith in him. No doubt the iniquities of London are fearful."

"If he preach against extortioners and usurers only, I am with him," Dick Taverner said. "If he rid London of Sir Giles Mompesson and his peers, he will do good service-still better, if he will put down corruption and injustice as exhibited in the Court of StarAt the mention of this name the Puritan appeared Chamber-eh, Master Jocelyn Mounchensey?" greatly surprised, and looked round inquiringly, till his eye alighted upon the young man.

After regarding him for a moment fixedly, he The young man, equally surprised, replied in the demanded" Art thou Jocelyn Mounchensey?" affirmative. "The son of Sir Ferdinando Mounchensey, of Massingham, in Norfolk ?" inquired the Puritan. The same," Jocelyn answered.