Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-08-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
AN INCIDENT IN THE REIGN OF QUEEN
ELIZABETH.

AN INCIDENT IN THE REIGN OF QUEEN
ELIZABETH.
Let us in idea 90 back two centuries and half
AMI step into the presence chamber of Queen Elz-
abeth. The walls are hung with rich tapestry,
while the floor is strewed with fresh lay. AT the
door leading to the queens apartments stands an
usher dressed in velvet, with gold chain around
his neck, the badge of his office. In the chamber
may be seen, besides, great number of council
lors officers of the crown, and clergymen of high
rank-for the queen, after giving passing audience
to those present. proceeds 10 the chapel the day
being holiday Of the church.
The nd-doors are thrown open. and the coming
of the queen is announced. Gentlemen, barons,
ears, and knights of the garter, all richly dressed
ard bareheaded, are the first to enter the presence
chamber from her apartments. They are followed
by the lord chancellor, bearing the seals in silk
purse ard on each side of him walks noblem0n,
one bearing the royal sceptre, and the other the
sword of state in crimson scabbard. Queen
Elizabeth follows small golden crown is upon
her head, and rests on profusion of thick curled
hair of a color too deeply sanguine to countenance
her early fatterers when they called the hue go-
den. The locks now worn by Elizabeth are how
ever, but close imitation of what her natural
tresses were in her younger days. Rich pearls
hang from her ears, and necklace Of fine jewels
is thrown over her shoulders. A white silk robe,
bordered with large pearls, adorns her person, and
the long train is borne by a marchloness of the
realm. Elizabeth is now, as has been limited, past
the meridian of her days. yet her gait erect and
ma estc, aud her small dark eye retains its clear
and vivid expression. A sharpening of the lines
of her naturally acute lineaments is all that speaks
of the advance of years.
On the occasion when this scene, here described
In the proSont sonoc, was to De witnessed, foreign
ministers were in the presence-chamber, and to
each Elizabeth spoke in his own language, whether
that were Spanish or Italian, French or Dutch. -
Whthersoever she turned her eye, all knelt down
before her. Whosoever had the honor of word
from her, remained kneeling unless the great queen
raised him. She passed along slowly through the
large chamber, conversing to those on one side and
another, and sometimes receiving strangers pre-
scented by the usher. She came at length to a gen.
teman advanced in years, who knelt at her look.
He richly dressed, but not in the robes of Of
flee or nobility. CLAP said the queen, stretching
out her hand, end raising this parsonage; sour
good citizen, Sir John Spencer. Welcome Thou
vert informed of our wish to converse with thee %
al had the honor" answered the citizen, "to re-
ceive majcsty's commands TO that effect" "Thou
hast ever indeed, good Sir John, regarded our
slightest wish as command" continued Elizabeth
sand well thy loyalty beseems thee. Thou hast
paid dearly, too for thy afectionate regard to our
person." The old citizen sighed as if involun-
tariy, showing well that he understood the queens
allusion. She went on, however, to iefer more
plainly to the subject, while all around fell respect
fully back marking her low tones. :" 1t was while
an attendant on our train that my young Lord
Compton first saw thy daughter, and the Issue wac
the rash marriage which thou deplorest. Sir John
we would remedy the evil thou hast sustained."-
The face of the citizen ght grew suddenly flush
ed, and then left him more pale than before. He
knelt down after moment of apparently agitated
thought, and said, in low and hurried voice, 81
hope-l trust your majesty does not mean to ley
your commands on me to pardon"- The queen
interrupted him. "Listen to us, Sir John Spencer
Your paLernal resentment will be respected by us
1t is q favor which we have to require of thee
and the granting of which may partly remedy the
misfortune which you have suffered. An infan
boy has somewhat strangely fallen to our particular
guardianship. He is of such rank and birth tina
we conceive thee to be filter person to act as hi
sponsor than any Of the mobiles of our court. Thy
civic position suits thee much more for serving The
future fortunes of this boy; and, Gods bread, 81
John, thou shalt have queen for thy partner il
the Office"
Doubt had gradually disappeared from the citi
Zens brow during this speech, and had been sup
planted by feeling of the highest qualification, a
was clear and apparent in his looks. "Your males
ty" said he, "does he an honor which kings nigh
be proud of. And by my life madam, shall prove
by my conduct to the boy, that your majesty ha
not so honored one vino is ungrateful for it. hav
no child" continued the citizen, more slowly"
have no child now, and my godson shall supply tn
place which has been wilfully vacated" The quee
was obviously Pleased win wnat had passed. a
she looked on Sir John, who had cast down his eye
in slosIng his Speech there was a sparkle of pass
ing pleasure in her quick dark eye. farewell fc
the present. Sir John Spencer" said she "due d
dings shall reach thee when it becomes necessar
TO assume thy new duties" The knight stopped
kiss the hand extended TO him, and the queen pass
ed on, leaving the citizen to follow, and finally wen
his way homewards.
Dir John Spencer, commonly called Rich Sper
GER" was in his day the weallhies and most Unfit
entail clizen of London. The mayoraty an
shrIevalty had been both served by him more tina
once, we believe. He was a great favorite viii
the queen, being noted for his public .spirtednes
and his anxiety to sustain the honor of his sove
eign and his country. Such a feeling pee,
liarly evlnced by Tie opulent colhworker as b
was by profession, on the occasion of the Marqu
Of Rosnys visit to England, ambassador fro
Henry ". of France TO Elizabeth. The Marqu
afterwards Duke of Sully) was lodged and enie
tanned by Sir John in the most sumptnous manne
at his own private cost. He was understood to b
worth million sterling and had but one child,
daughter, his sole heiress. Having fixed upon
son-in-law in his own rank in life, the worthy cit