The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-03-09
A PASSAGE.

One Of the finest specimens remaining of the
splendid mansions built and inhabited ny the rich
citizens Of London, about the middle of the 10Th
century, is Crosby Halls which, though consdera-
bly, dapidated by time, and obscured by the more
modern but less dignhed buildings that commerce
has erected around it, still presents to the eye
ble monument Of civic wealth and grandeur, in the
reign of the fourth Edward. 1t is more than prob
able, that the terms of easy familiarity On which
that gay and popular monarch lived with his metro
potan subjects, induced the more wealthy of them
10 vie with each other in erecting mansions suitable
for the reception and entertainment OF their prince
ly guest. Many of these residences were built in IA
style of architecture and fitted up with .magnif-
cence, apparently more calculated for the splendid
reyeIres of Court than adapted to the simple and
unostcntatous habits of London merchant Ac-
cordngly we find, that Crosby Hall, aer the death
of its founder, Sir John Crosby, rich alderman
and wool merchant) attracted the notice of Richard,
Duke of Gloster, who pleased with its noble exte-
rior and the chastc style of its internal decoration
purchased it, and it became fayorite residence du-
RING his proteciorate, and the greater part of his
reign When courting the popularity BY which he
hoped to pave the way to Royalty he played, III its
gorgeous banquet hall, the smooth and polished
courtier the frank and generous host; while 10 Its
more secret rcesses surrounded by the tools OF am
bition his subtle yet powerful genius originated ana
maturcd the plans which conducted him at length,
through the blood of his nearest Kindred to an UNI
stable and totterng throne
About the time at which our history commences,
this prince had swayed the British sceptre little
more than year. During that short period, the
scaffod had almost necessarily streamed with blood,
and the noblest houses in the realm had wept the
victims of his suspicious policy. But the hatred OF
despotic cruelty is feeling too strongly implanted
by nature in the mind of man, to be put down by
the axe of The executioner; and the tyrant soon
found that for every enemy he swept from his path,
he raised up hundreds, who only waited an oppor-
tunity to avenge their martyred countrymen. Rich
nrd was not blind the confederation that was 81
lently forming against him. lie Knew that men al
ready turned towards the young Earl OF Richmond
as tn, future redrcsser Of their multiplied wrongs
and that many of the ancient nobility, Yorkists as
well as Lancasterans, were focking to the court of
Francis, Duke of Brittany (whcrc Richmond resi-
ded.) to tender him their aid and services But the
usurper also knew, that the standard OF civil war
had not yet been unfurlcd and he lattered himself
that he had stroke of policy in reserve, which
would arrest the uplifted arm of retrioution, and
sheath the sword of faction in perpetual peace. Ii
was to him Of little moment that his object
v attainablc by murder. Having once resolved up
on it as expedent, no compunctous yisngs were
likely to prevent its ful6lment.
It was with this fixed purpose in his mind, that
on fine evening in the spring of the year 1884,
Richard determined on visiting his unhappy
south wing of the palace of Crosby Place. He had
on that day given sumptuous repast to of
his most faithful adherents and had dismissed them
flushed with wine and fattery, unconscious, in their
vanity at being made the confidants of 4 king that
they were but the blind instruments of INSCRIPTIONS
ambition.
As the last guest departed, the lip Of the usurper
curled with smile of bitter contempt Mt the credu-
lity of his dupes then wrapping his mantle closely
around his mis-shapen and ill-proportioned person,
he made sign to the pages in waiting that their
attendance was unnecessary, and leaving the ban
que hail. turned into the corridor which led to that
wing of the palace in which the queen was impris-
oned. Crossing the base court, he entered a mar
row, vauted passage, and after proceeding along it
for a few yards, stopped before low arched door
way. Taking from his girdle silver key, he un-
locked the massive oaken door, and entered the a.
partn,ent. 1t was a large and gloomy room, with a
lofty and eaborately carved roof of polished ches-
nut, lighted by Gothic windows, divided by heavy
stone mullions, and admitting through the semi
Opaque glass, then in use, sombre and melancholy
twill; eht. The walls were panelled with oak and
ia the intervals between the windows arcled
recesses, each of which contained the image of some
saint with small stone altar before it, giving evi-
dences that the apartment had been at one time used
as a chapel. The floor was strewed with rushes
and the whole furniture of the room consisted of u
low oaken couch, covered with faded crimson dra-
perry, and u chair aud table of the same material.
on the latter Of which lay piece of unfinished en-
brodery. In one of the recesscs above mentioned,
knelt lady in black robes before nm image of the
Virgin. In her clasped hands she held an ebony
cruchix, and was so deeply engaged in her devo-
tions, as to be unconscious of the presence of an
intruder. This the unfortunate queen Anne
On entering, the king had started back in momen-
tary alarm, for coming suddenly from the strong
light of the banquet hall, he had not Immediately
distinguished hel majesty, and for an instant mag
ming she had escaped AS soon as he perceived
her, he advanced, and laying his hand roughly on
her shoulder, bade her get up from her mummery' "
The unhappy princess turned, and encounterng
the stern glance of her oppressor, uttered faint
shrek, and with conclusive shudder buried her
face IN the folds of her drapcry.
Hal" said Rchard-hs naturally harsh and
dissonnnt voice rendered still more discordant from
the tone of MALIGNANT sarcasm in which hn snoLo