The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-05-03
. RHODE-IsLAND REPUBLICAN.
For the Rhode-Island Republican.
AN HISTORICAL SKETCH.


AN HISTORICAL SKETCH.
In one of the magnificent apartments
which formed one of her suite, in the splea-
did palace at Whitehall, of her brother, Hen
ry the Sth, which had been so improved by
the taste and munifcence of Wolsey, seat
ed on sofa of elaborate richness and dazz-
ling spendor, the fair and radiant princess
of England gracefully reclined.
Every object around seemed to partake
and sympathise with herwandering thoughts,
or as if wiapt in that quiescence of spont''-
neous admiration, with which the potency of
beauty ever enchains the beholder. All
was hushed and motionless, saye the slight
profuseness of ornament, as the wind swept
gently by, or as it dallied with the raven
ringlets that reposed on the carnationed
cheek of the lovely Mary. Every thing a
round bespoke regal and princey magnifi-
cence, while the mistress of the mansion
was decked with the splendor without the
gorgeousness that marked the decorations
of her apartment. Her dress was in ac-
cordance with the purest taste. A gauze
of the most delicate texture, brilliant with
silver stars with which it was embroidered,
hung gracefully over figure that would
have served as a model for Praxitees, and
would almost have conveyed to our im-
4 6 .l,I,,
angelic host bcsprinkled with the constela-
tions of heaven. She wore but one orna-
ment; and needed but this, to set off the
matchess brlliauce Of her appearance. ii
was a zone of diamonds, fastened by bow
of brillants of much elegance aud richness
of workmanship, which seemed as if it were
tied al the pleasure of the wearer. lIeI
lutte was careIessy thrown at her feet. Hel
book had fallen from her hand, and she ap-
peared for few moments to be entirely alb
sorbed by her meditations. At length q
deep and long drawn sigh escaped her,
and as she raised her beautiful hand and
pressed back the dark and flowing ringlets
which had fallen over her face, it revealed
her clear, dark eyes suffused by tears. She
raised herself from her recumbent position
and cast long and lingering look on the
.plendor by which she was surrounded, and
which recalled so many loved associations
and as she thought how soon that scene
would change, the soft musical tones of her
voice would burst forth, heightened by the
intensity of her emotions.
"Tis true indeed-ah how true" that
the heart wears no diadems, nor can the af.
fections be clothed in purple robes - if So
how happy, how supremely happy should
be. The betrothed of Louis Of France, the
sharer of his throne, whose dominion extends
over one Of the finest countries in the world
--alas had he but my affections. what an
enyiable state would be mine. But they
are not always the appanage of royal
ty; aud am more wretched than the mean
est vassal in my brothers palace. Ah Suf-
folk had we never met, should have SUBJ
mhted to my destiny, if not with pleasure,
at least with Indifference. Oh! my unIucky
fate that led Charles Brandon in the path
Of the wretched Mary" She uttered his
name SO psssionateIy and vehemen,ly, tha,
ere she had time to recover her wonted
calmuess of look and manner, he stood be-
fore her.
His appearance was not calculated al
that moment to dispel her grief He had
Just returned from one Of those costly iousts
which Henry and his courtiers so reveled
in, and was arrayed in the splendor beft-
ting nobleman of bis rank on such occa-
sions.
His dark eye and rich manly complex
ION, whcl, well be6tted the soldier, were
beaming with the effects of exercise; and
his majestic beauty was more conspicuous,
from the richness Of his dress, which was
particularly well calculated to display the
gracefuness Of his shape and department.
II i. a we'll known historical fact, that
Brandon was one Of the " handsomest and
NEST accons plished cavaliers of the age,
eminently brave, and emulous Of military
glory;" need we then be surprised that his
heart was the lovely May's world He
stood for few moments uanshxed ly the
evident grief expressed in her couutenonce
but when she raised her lovely eve, to he