The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-02-19
Tic Last Of the House Of York.

IT was one of the most magnificent of all old
England's baronia castles, that which the the wild
ow of Edward ". had chosen for her residence al
ter leaving the sanctuary of Westminster, Like an
assembly of strong giants protecting their broad do
main. the great turlcis, reared themselves on the
hiuh cninence from whence they overlooked Il
hunting forest Of many thousand acres; the old
oaks of which, rustling in the light breeze, prodn-
cling low, glad music. as II audibly rejoicing that
The g'ad sunlight poured over lis dewy front so ie-
Crcshingly. But there was other and louder music
ringing through the inres-a hGntSman's horn
sounded ncrr'ly in one direction and was answered
at intervals from an opposite extremity. Nearer
and nearer became the proximity OF the two parties
from whence the sound proceeded, till the last notes
of the horn bought one company On the verge Of
an open space, from whence the trees and under
wood had been cut away, aud left what in n. Eng
land would be called clearing, Of some two or
three acres The first Of the hunting, or as it proved
to be, hawking party, that issued from the branch
INC trees. was Il splendid woman, sitting upon her
nrue white horse, us if he were nOyeabie throne,
and curling his proud head Till his angry mouth
almost rested en- his broad, snowy chest. The RI
der was in form hat one Of her age should he;
large, ropndly aud irny linhed, with the air of
wonany dignity in which female Of forty should
never be defcien,--he lips were full and like II
ripe, red cherry ard the rich blood lay in her cheek
like warm fountain of molten rubies. Her riding
cap Of dark velvet, with lis heavy p'uncs, was
Topped up from her BROAD white forehead, win Il
string Of levels that flashed in the srn-llghl, but
scnrce excclcd in hrilanry the black lusircns eyes
Of her rhey adorned. For I'M instant the lady drew
up her horse and looked about her, then giving Il
siph, motion To her brdc the wcll-imiued beast
gathered up his limbs, and eapcd from one high
bank 10 the other, of II small stream that ran be-
tween the edge of the forest and the opening we
have described, Directly she was followed by
another female mounted on slender, black hunt
or, which seemed formed on purpose for his deli.
cate burhCn, girl Of sixteen years, lmhlicd in n
dress not unlike the modern riding habit Of an
| American horse. woman, though o! richer and more
beautiful materials he long sNi,t Of dark green
hung in full heavy folds over her slender form, and
flowed over the shining side of her horse. The
body was confined over the fall, yet delicate bust,
IN 10 the hcauilu throat, h, succession Of Sluall
golden clasps, into each Of which was inserted, II
pure brilliant diamond Unlike that Of her moth
cr's, her riding cap of corresponding green wa
without plnmcs, aud twice surrounded by finely
wrought CHAIN that terminating in ,asscs of spun
aod. fell TO her shoulder. One little hand, cover
ed with lis embroidered glove, served To direct tn,
falcon was confined hy slight thongs Of co'orct
leather. which now and then drew the attention o
IFS mistress, bv urcling lis neck and rafting up it
feathers as if dsdunirg such deli"ate thradom
A troop Of re,aincrs. with merry faces and waSn!
plumes drew around the two ladies', as they check
ed their horses in the centre of the open space
when the eldest, lnrnlng 10 her nearest retainer
demanded il ne knew who had thus unlicensed
preceded them in their morning sports: The ser
want answered in the negative
"Thcn sound thv horn again" commanded she
contracting slightly the arch of her brow. we mus
look into lhs-oul husbands death has indeed IN
oucencd us. when our sports in this our own do
! main are broken in upon by noisy in,ruders."
AS commanded the man wound II long, lou
bias, ION the horn that was suspended 10 his neck
+. In nm instant he was answered by another, so nea
that the whole group drew their rcns tighter, am
J. turned their faces TO the part Of the forest iroI
: which the sounds 50 bold had issued, and lrci
: which troop of horscmen emerged 10 sight, an
=, advanced toward those who had so perenporl
y summoned them
', The l1rcunos, of the new corners, a man who's
\ rich yestnenl aud ieweed star bespoke him q
8 high rank. had scarcely appeared in sight, when
I with an uncomfortable feeling Of disgust and sur
:. prise the elderly lady drew in her advancing hor'
=, so SHARPLY that he fell back on his launches; bu
p sudden as hid been her emotion, lis suppreSslo
" was AS speedy. Her horse had scarcely reco,ere
his footing, when with calm brow aud bland snrlIc
Il the widow of Edward ". advanced to meet Rich
ard the murderer of her three sons but short u
was the distance between the royal two, they Ia
not net when the danger Of the princess ElIzahe'
drew their attention. The poor girl on seeing lhr
!, Unexpectedly the usurper Of her throne, and III
murderer of her household, with an oveIpowern
II feeling of terro; Involuntary checked her spire
d horse so suddenly, that he reared'and almost lie
:, backward upon lis rider Losing all command
N herself. she allowed the band on which the haw
y was ,erched 10 fall down. Eniangcd by the thong
Y and losing his hold, the disturbed bird tlulicre
70 his wings against the side Of the rearing hun'e
e, who. little accustomed to sa'u,ations so rougl
y plunged suddenly forward and threw his rl'
!, head nng upon the moss that had gathered over IL
. roots Of hrgc oak, which stood little in ad,anc
5. of lis brethren The beautiful animal, alter pc
g forming Il circuit Of the open ground. almost I
hi deNterousy rs the freed hawk had made It's nos
r, exit. came up where his mistress was lying app
rrully lireless and shrinking his sweating limbs Il
y. rerher, stood trembling like whipped honnd !
III her side. Richard, on seeing The peril Of his nice
leaned Instantly from his saddle and ran to the So
= where she had fallen, before her mother could dI
ne cucumber her fee, from The enlargement in h
riding skirt. The soft moss on which the prince