The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-01-23

lection indeed, when the service Tor The VS.
itation of the Sick was read. In reply to The
pressing questions Of the divines, he said
that he was sorry for what he had done a.
miss; and he suffered the absoiulion TO be
pronounced over him, according 10 the forms
Of the Church CT England but when he was
urged 10 declare that he died in the commu>
MON OF that church. he seemed not 10 hear
what was said and nothing could induce
him 10 take the Eucharist from the hands OF
the bishops. A table with bread and wine
was brought 10 his bedside, but in vain.
Sometimes he said that there was no hur
~, and sometimes that he was too weak.
Many attributed this apathy 10 contempt
for divine things, and many 10 the siupor
which often precedes death. But there were
in the palace a few persons who knew better.
Charles had never been sincere member OF
the Established Church. His mind hadlong
oscilated between Hobbism and PUpery.
When his health. was good and his spirits
high, he was a scoffer. In his few serious
moments he was Roman Catholic. The
Duke of York was aware OF this, but was en-
lirely occupied with the care Of his own in
teresls. He had ordered the onfposts 10 be
closed. He had posted detachments Of The
guards in different parts OF The city. He had
also procured the signature ofthe dying king
10 an instrument by which some duties, grant
ed only till the demise Of the crown, were let
10 farm for a term Of years. These things
occupied the attention Of James 10 such de-
gree, that, though, on ordinary occasions he
was indscreetly and unreasonably eager to
bring over prUselytes 10 his church, he never
reflected that his brother was in danger oil
diving without the last sacraments. This
neglect was the more extraordinary because
tie Duchess Of York had, at the request o:
the queen, suggested on the morning on
which the king was taken ill, the propriety oil
procuring spiritual assistance. For such as
sistance Charles was al last indebted 10 an
agency very different from that of his plous
wife and sister-in-law. A life OF irivolity and
vice had not extihguished in the Duchess oil
Portsmouth all sentiments Of religion, or all
that kindness which is the glory Of her sex.
The French emba ssador, Barillon, who had
come 10 the palace 10 enquire after The king,
paid her visit. He found her in great ag-
ony of sorrow. She took him into secret
room, and poured out her whole heart 10
him. 81 have" she said, ga thing oil great
moment 10 tell you. Ifitwere known, my
head would be in danger. The king is real
" and truly a Catholic; but he will die with
out being reconciled TO the church. His bed
chamber is full of Protestant clergymen.
cannot enter without giving scandal. The
Duke is thinking only of himself. Speak 10
him. Remind him that there is soul AT
stake. He is master now. He can clear
the room. Go tins instant, oil it will be too
late"
BarilIon fastened to The bedchamber,
- I,,Ixo ae;I nj deltvare1 the
sage of the mistress. The conscience Of
James smote him. He started as if reused
from sleep, and declared that nothing should
prevent him from dIscharging The sacred du-
iy which had been too long delayed. Sew
eral schemes were discussed and rejected.
Al last the duke commanded the crowd 10
stand aloof, wen. to the bed, stopped down,
and whispered something which none OF the
spectators could hear, but which they sup
posed to be some question connected with The
affairs of state. Charles answered in an
audible voice, "Yes, yes, with all my heart
None OF the bystanders, except the French
ambassador, guessed that the king was de-
claring his wish TO be admitted into The bo-
som Of the Church CHROME.
'.ShalI bring a priest?" said the duke
"Do, BROTHER" replied the sick man. "BuI
no. YOU will get into trouble" ''li II costs
me my lie," said the duke, 81 will fetch a
priest"
To find a priest. however, for such purpose,
at a moments notice, was not easy. For, as the
law then stood, the person who admitted prose
lytc into the Roman Catholic Church, was guilty
of a capital crime The Count Of Castcl Melnor,
a Portuguese nobleman, who, driven by political
troubles from his native land, had been hospita-
bly received at the English court, undertook to
l. al
countrvmen who belonged to the Queens house
hold, but he found that mono of her chaplalns
knew English or French enough to shrlvc the
Kino. The Duke and Barillon were about to
send 10 the Venetian minister for clergyman
when thew heard that Benedictine monk, nam
cd John Huddleston, happened TO be at White
hall This man had, with great risk TO himself,
saved the Kings life after the battle OF Worces-
ter and had on that account, been, ever since the
restoration, privileged person. In the sharpest
proclamations put forth against popish priests,
when false witnesses had inhamed the nation to
fury, Huddleston had been excepted by name
He, however, obtained some hints, from a fortu-
pucse ecclesiastc and thus instructed was brought
up the back stairs by Chifiinch, confidential SER
want who if The sares Of that age are to be cred
tied had often introduced visitors OF very diner
emit description b. the same entrance. Inc luke
then, in the Kings name, commanded all VINO
were present 10 quit TIE TOOu CAScP' ~"
ras. Earl of Fevershan, and John Granville, Earl
of Bath. Both these Lords protested the Prot
estant religion but James conceived that ne
could count on their fidelity. Feversham, a
Frenchuan of noble birth, and nephew OF the
great Turenne, held high rank in the English ar
nv, and was chamberlain to the QueeEs bath,
was groom of the stole.
The Dukes orders were obeyed and even the
oh Ssician withdrew The back door was then
opened and Father Hnddleston then entered. n
cloak had been thrown over his sacred vestments,
and his shaven crown was concealed by flowing
wig "Sir," said the Duke, sthis good man once
saved YOUR life He now comes TO save your
soul" Charles family answered, HE IS well
come Huddleston went through this better
than had been expected. He knelt by the bed,
listened to the confession pronounced the absolu-
ton, and administered extreme junction. lie ask
ed if the king wished to receive the Lords sup
per. aSurciy," said Charles, "if am not unwor-
thy" The host was brought in. Charles feebiy
strove to rise and kncel before it. The priest bade
him lie still, and assured him that God would ac,
cept the humiliation of the body. The king found
so much difficulty in swallowing the bread that Il
was necessary to open the door and TO procure
glass of water This rite ended, the monk held
?. . o-,,o:e,- baf,ra the nentent charged him tC