The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-31

so manly spirit vi all The pfelates, ne nkeu NE
The best 1t was TO no purpose, however that the goo
bishop now put forth all his eloquence. His solemn
and pathetic exhortation awed and melted the bysland
ers TO such a degree that among them believes
him 10 be filled with the spirit which, IN the oil
time, had, by the mouths of Nathan and Elias, calle
sinful princes TO repentance: Charles, however, wa
unmoved. He made objection, indeed, when th
service for the Visitation of the Sick read. Ii
reply TO the pressing questions OF the divines he sat
that he sorry for what he had done amiss and h,
suffered the absoluton to be pronounced over him,
cording TO the forms OF the Church OF England bu
when he urged to declare that he died in the
munion of that church, he seemed not 10 hear what was
said and nothing could induce him to take the Eucha
rst from the hands of the bishops A table with bread
and wine brought TO his beside. but in vain Some
times he said that there was no hurry and sometimes
Many attributed this apathy TO contempt for divine
things, and many 10 the stupor which often precedes
death But there in the palace few persons who
knew better Charles had never been sincere member
OF the established church His mind had long oscated
between Hobbism and Popery. When his health was
good, and his spirits high, he was scoier In his few
serious moments he was Roman Catholic. The Duke
OF York was aware OF this, but was entirely occupied
with the care of his interests He had ordered the
ouports to be closed He had posted detachmens of the
guards in different parts of the city He had also pro-
cured the feeble signature OF the dying King TO nsru
ment by which duties granted only till the demise
Of the crown were let TO farm Tor term of three years
These things occupied the attention of James 10 such
degree that, though on ordinary occasions he ndis
Greedy and unseasonaby eager to bring over proseytes
his church. he never reflected that his brother was in
danger OF dying without the last sacramento This
gect the more extraordinary because the Duchess of
York had at the request OF the Queen suggested the
morning which the King taken i'll, the proprety
OF procuring spiritual assistance. For such assistance
Charles at last indebted TO agency very different
from that OF his pious wife and slster.in-law, life Of
trivoty and had extnguished in the Duchess Of
Portsmouth all sentiments of religion. or all that kind
which is the glory of her The French ambas
sador, Baron, who had come to the palace to inquire
ny of sorrow. She took him into sercret room, and
poured out her whole heart to him. " have" she said
" thing OF great moment to tell you i were known,
my head would be in danger The King is really
and truly Catholic; but he will die without being
oncled to the church His bedchamber is full of protest
ant clergymen cannot enter without giving scandal.
The duke IS thinking only of himself. Speak to him
Remind him that there is soul stake He is master
now. He can clear the room Go this instant, it will
be too late"
Barillon FASTENED the bedchamber, took the duke
aside, and delivered the message of the mistress The
conscience OF James smoe him He started if reused
from sleep, and declared that nothing should prevent him
from dscharglng the sacred duty which had been too
long delayed. Several schemes discussed and
jected AT last the duke commanded the crowd stand
aoof, went to the bed, stopped down. and whispered
something which none of the spectators could hear but
which they supposed to be some question about affairs OF
State Charles answered in audb voice, 'Yes, yes,
with all my heart" None of the bystandes, except the
French ambassador guessed that the Kng declaring
his wish to be admitted into the bosom of the Church OF
Rome.
"Shall bring priest !" said the duke "Do BROTHER"
replied the sick "For Gods sake do, and lose no
time But no; you will get into trouble" IF costs
me my life" said the duke, 81 will fetch priest"
To find priest however for such purpose, at
notice, was not easy. For, the law then
stood, the person who admitted proseye into the Ro
man Catholic Church guilty of capital crime. The
Count of Castel Nlelhor Portuguese nobeman, who,
driven by political troubles from his native land had
been hospitality received at the English court. undertook
to procure conessor He had recourse to his country
men who belonged to the Queens household; but he
enough to shrive the King. The duke and Baron were
about to send to the Venetian minister for clergyman
when they heard that Benedctinc monk. named John
happened to be at Whitehall This man
had with great risk TO himself saved the Kings life after
the battle OF Worcester and had ON that account been
ever since the Restoration, privileged person In the
popsh priests, when false witnesses had nlamed the
nation TO fury, Huddeson had been excepted by name
He readily consented TO put his life second time in peril
for his prince; but there still difficulty The hon
est monk was terac that he did not know what he
ought to say on an occasion of such Importance He
however obtained some hints. through the Intervention
OF Casel Mehor, from Portuguese ecclesastic; and
thus instructed was brought up the back stairs by Chit
hnch confidential servant-who, il the saires of that
age are to be credited had often introduced visitors Of
very different description by the entrance. The
duke then, in the Kings name, commanded all who
were present TO quit the except Lewis Duras Earl
of Feversham, and John Granville, Earl of Bath Both
these lords proessed the Protestant religion but james
conceived that he could count on their fidelity. Fever
sham, Frenchman OF noble birth, and nephew of the
great Turenne, held high rank in the English army and
was chamberlain to the Queen. Bath groom of the
stole.
The dukes orders obeycd, and even the phvsi-
clans withdrew. The back door was then opened and
Father Huddleston entered. cloak had been thrown
over his sacred vesments and his shaven crown was
concealed by flowing wig Sir said the duke, "this
good man once saved your life He now to save
your soul" Charles family answered, ale is wclcor
Huddleston went through his part better than he en
expected. He knet by the bed listened to. -, been
son. pronounced the aabsouton and p me confes.
IRENE JUNCTION. He asked ii the Kim .minstered ey
the Lords supper "Surey,' sa" wished to receive
strove to rise and kneel h~ ought in Charles feehv
lie still, and assured = store it, The priest bade him
initiation of the So AIN that God would accent The hu
ton of the bo' al and would not reauire the hum;a
swallow ~. The King found so much dticultv in
1"~ ing the bread, that it necessary to open the
II and TO procure glass of water. This rite ended
the monk held up crucifx before the penent charged
him to fix his last thoughts upon the suferngs of the Re-
deemer, and withdrew. The whole ceremony had occu
pied about threequarers of hour and during that
time, the courters who filled the outer room had comm.
ncated their suspicious TO each other by whispers and
significant glances. The door was at length thrown
open and the crowd again filled the chamber of death
II was now late in the evening The King seemed
much relieved by what had passed His natural children
brought to his bedside. the dukes of Grafton,
Southampton, and Northumberland, sons of the Duchess
OF Cleveland, the Duke of St Adams, of Eleanor
Gwynn, and the Duke of Richmond, son of the Duchess
of Portsmouth. Charles blessed them all, but spoke
with peculiar tenderness to Richmond. One face which
should have been there was wanting. The eldest and
best beloved child was an exile and wanderer His
name not mentioned by his father
During the night Charles earnestly recommended the
Duchess of Portsmouth and her boy the OF James
And do not" he goodnauredy added, I" let poor Nelly
sarve" The Queen sent excuses for her absence by
Halifax She said that she too much dsordered to
resume her post by the couch, and mpoed pardon fol-
u Il