Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-03-17

even the physicians withdrew. The bacl
door was then opened, and Father Huddle
ston entered. A cloak had been thrown
over his sacred vestments, and his shaver
crown was concealed by flowing wig
Sir said the Duke, this good man once
saved your life; he is now come to save
your SOUL" Charles family answered, 'He
is welcome.' Huddleston went through
his part better than had been expected
He knelt by the bed, listened to the conver-
sation, pronounced the absolution, and ad-
.!!n,.nGiistered extreme unction. He asked il
the King wished to receive the Lords Sup
per. Surely said Charles, 'f / am not un-
worthy The host was brought in.-
Charles feebly srove to rise and kneel be-
fore it. The priest babe him lie still, and
assured him that God would not require the
humiliation of the body. The King found
so much difficulty in swallowing the bread
that it was necessary to open the door and
to procure glass of water. The rite end
ed, the monk held up crucifx before the
penItent, charged him to fix his last
| thoughts upon the sulferings of the Redeem
er, and withdrew The whole ceremony
had occupied about three quarters of an
hour; and during the time, the courters
who filled the outer room had communica-
ted their suspicious to each other by whis-
pers and significant glances. The door was
at length thrown open, and the crowd again
filled the chamber of death.
1t was now late in the evening. The
King seemed much relieved by what had
passed. His natural children were brought
to his bedside, the dukes of Grafton, South
ampton and Northumberland, sons of the
Duchess of Cleveland, the Duke of St. Al
bans, son Of Eleanor Gwynn, and the Duke
of Richmond, son of the Duchess of Ports
mouth. Charles blessed them all, but spoke
with peculiar tenderness to Richmond
One face which should have been there
was wanting. The oldest and best beloved
child was an exile and wanderer. His
name was not once mentioned by his father.
During the night Charles earnestly re-
commended the Duchess of Portsmouth and
her boy to the care of James; 'and do not,'
he good-naturedly added, 'let poor Nelly
starve.' The Queen sent excuses for her
absence by Halifax. She said that she was
too much disordered to resume her post by
the coach, and implored pardon for any Of
fence which she might unwittingly have
given. 'She ask for pardon, poor womann
cried Charles; Il ask hers with all my
heart.'
The morning light began topeer through
the windows of Whitehall and Charles
desired the attendants to pull aside the cur
tains, that he might have one more look at
the day. He remarked that it was time TO
wind up the clock which stood at his bed.
These little circumstances were long re-
membered, because they proved beyond dis
pute that, when he declared himself Ro-
man Catholic, he was in full possession of
his faculties.
He apologiSed to those who had stood
around him all night, for the trouble which
he had caused. He had been, he said,
most unconscionable time dying; but he
hoped that they would excuse it. This
was the last glimpse Of that exquisite ur-
banity, so often found potent to charm
away the resentment Off justly incensed
nation. Soon after dawn the speech ofthe
dying man failed. Before ten his senses
We're gone. Great numbers had repaired
to the churches at the hour of morning SER
vice. When the prayer for the king was
read, loud groans and sobs showed how
deeply the people felt for him. At noon
on Friday, the 9th of February, he passed
away without a struggle"
Pollock, in his description of the good
man, says:
ale, by the way side laid him down to rest,
His head upon a stone, and sweetly sleeps
But another poet says:
81 would walk
a weary journey to the iarthest verge
OF the big world, to kiss the good mans hand,
Who in the blaze of wisdom and of art
Preserves lowly mind, and to his God
Feeling the sense of his own ttleness,
Is child in meek simplicity"
Shelley best apostrophises the good man,
ia his lines in Queen Nab, as
"Great in his humility,
As kings are little in their grandeur