Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-01-16

try could rival birds of gorgeous Plumase, land-
scapes, hunting matches, the lordly terrace Vi
ST. Germans, the statues and fountains OF YER
sailles. In The midst OF this splendor purchased
by guilt and shame, the unhappy woman gave
herself up 10 an agony vi griei, when, 70 co he'
Justice, was not wholly selfish.
And now The gates Of Whitehall, Which o,ui,
uariy stood open to all corners, were closed ou'
persons whose faces were known, were sun per
mirled 10 enter. The anle.chambers and gaze
ries were soon filled 10 over flowing; and even Inc
sick room was crowded with persons, prvy coun,
ciIlors and foreign ministers. All The meui a.
men OF note in London were summoned %
high did political animosities run, that inc pres
epce OF some whig physicians was resalnea as
an extraordinary Circumstance. one roman
Catholic, whose skill was then widely renowned
DR.. Thomas Short, was in attendance. several
of The prescriptions have been preserved: one
Of them is signed by fourteen doctors. Inc pa
tienl was bled largely.-Hol Iron was applied 70
his head. A loalhsome volatile sail, extracted
from human skulls, was forced into ms NOUN
He recovered his seRses, but ne was evidently III
situation Of extreme danger.
The Queen was for a time assiduous in mel
attendance. The Duke OF York scarcely lelt his
brothers bedside. The pfimale, and lout o.nei
bishops were then in London. They Iemalhea d.
all night in The Kings room. The news oil MS
illness filled The capital with sorrow and dismay
For his easy temper and affabe manners mao
won The affection oil large part Of The nalion
and those who most disliked him preferred ms
unprincipled evily to The stern and earnest Dlg-
ory OF his brother.
On the morning OF Thursday, the fifth OF F'e-
bruary, The London Gazette announced That MS
majesty was going on well, and was thought by
the physicians to be out OF danger. The bells oi
all the churches rang merrily; and preparations
Tor bon6res were made in the streets But in the
evening il was known thai a relapse had taken
place, and that the medical attendants had given
up all hope. The public mind was greatly disturb
ed; but there was no disposition 10 tumult. The
Duke Of York, who had already taken on himself
10 give orders, asceraned thai the city was per-
ectly quiet, and that he might, without difficulty
be proclaimed as soon as his brother should e1-
pire.
The King was in great pain, and complained
that he felt as II fire was burning within him.
Yel ne bore up against his suferines with tol-
titude which did not seem 10 belong 10 his soft
and luxurious nature. The sight of his misery
affected his vile so much that she lainled and
was carried senseless 10 her chamber. The pre-
laes who were in waiting had from tie first Z
horled hun 10 prepare for his end. They now
thought il their duty To address him in a still
more urgent manner. William Sancrotr, arch
bishop Of Canterbury, an honest and plous,
though narrow-minded man, used great freedom.
~ is time" said he, ITO speak OUT Tor, sir, you
are about 10 appear before Judge who is no re-
specier 81 persons" The King answered not a
werd.
Thomas Ken, Bishop OF Bath and Wells, then
tried his powers OF persuasion. lie was man
OF parts and learning, OF quick sensibilily and
stainless virtue His eabora,s works have long
tren forgotten; bu, his morning and evening
hymns are still repeated daily in thousands Of
dwellings Though, like most OF his order, zeal
Gus Tor monarchy, he was no sycophani. Before
he became bishop, he had maintained the no
nor Of his gown bv refusing, when the court was
al Winchester, 10 let Eleanor Gwynn lodge in the
house which he occupied there as prebcndary.
The King had sense enough 10 respect So manly
4 spirit. OF all Inc prelales, he liked Ken The
best. Ii was 10 no purpose, however, that the
good bishop now put forth all his eloquence.-
His solemn and pathetic exhonation awed and
melted tbs hystanders TO such degree that some
among them believed him TO be filled with The
same spirit which, in The old time, had, By the
mouths Of Nathan and Elias, called sinful prin-
ces To repentance. Charles, however, was I'M
moved. lie made no objection, indeed, when the
service for the Visitation OF the Sick was read.
In reply Ia the pressing questions OF The divines,
he said that ne was sorry for what he had done
amiss; ana he suffered The dissolution 10 be pro-
nounccd over him. according 10 The forms OF the
Church Of England; but when he was urged TO
declare that he died in The communion OF that
church, lie seemed not 10 hear what was said;
anl nolhipg could induce him To take The Eucha-
ris, from he hands OF the bishops. A table with
brea! and vino was brought 10 his bedside, bu!
in vain. Sometimes he said that there was no
hurry, AMI sometimes that he was too weak.
Many attributed this apathy TO contempt for
divine things, and many 10 the stupor which Of
Ten precedfs death. But there were in The pal
ace ie@ persons who knew better. Charles
had never been sincere member OF The estab.
ished church. His mind had long oscillated be-
tween Hobbism and PopeIy. When his health
was good, and his spirits high. he was scofier.
In his iew serious moments he was Roman
Catholic. The Duke oil York was aware OF this,
but was entirely occupied with the care Of his
own Interests. lie had ordered The oulposls 10 be
closed. lie had posted detachmenls Of the guards
in different paris Of the city. lie had also pro
cured the feeble signature Of the dying King 10
an instrument by which some duties, granted only
ill The demise OF the crown, were lei 10 farm for
a term OF three years. These things occupied
though on ordinary occasions he was indiscreeily
and unseasonably eager 10 bring over proselytes
10 his church, he never reflected that his brother
was in danger OF dying without the last sacra-
menls. This neglect was the more extraordina-
nv bee ,uSe The Duchess OF York had, al The re-
quest OF the queen suggested on the morning on
which he King was taken i'll, the proprietY OF
procuring spiritual assistance. For such assis-
tanc. Charles was al last indebted 10 an agency
very different from that OF his pious wlc and Sis
ter-in-law A life OF irivolily and vice had moi
exngui,hed in The Duchess OF Portsmouth all
sentiments Of religion, or all that kindness which
is The glory OF her sex. The French ambassa-
dor, Barillon, who had come 10 the palace 10 in
qnire alter the King, paid her visit. He found
her in an agony OF sorrow. She took him into a
secret room, and poured out her whole healtlo
him. ii have" she said, IA thing OF great mo-
men 10 Tell you; il il were known, my heac
would be in danger. The King is really anc
truly Catholic; but he will die without being
rcconciled 10 the church. His bed-chamber i
without giving scandal. The duke is thinking
only OF himself Speak 10 him Remind hin
taefe is a soul al sake. He is master now. HI
can clear The room. Go this instant, or ii vii
be loo lale"
Barillon hasencd TO the bedchamber took III,
duke aside, and delivered The message OF The mis-
,ress. The conscience OF James smote him. FL,
started as il reused from Sleep and declared lha
nothing should prevent him from discharsine TIT
sacred duty which had been 100 long delayed :
Several schemes were discussed and rejected. :
AT last the duke commanded The crowd 10 stant
alool, went 10 The bed, stopped down, and Wits
percd something which none Of The spectators
could hear, but which they supposed 10 be some
question about affairs OF stale. Charles answer
ed in an audible voice, "Yes, yes, with all ny
heat" None OF The bysan!eIs, except The
French ambassador, guessed that the King wa
declaring his wish To be admitted into The bosom
ui Inc Church OF Rome.
"Shall bring priesl7 z" said The duke. "Do
brother" replied The sick man. For Gods SAX,
do, and lose no TIM. But no. you will gel into
troubled" I'll it cos's me my lie, said the duke
IL will fetch priest"
To iud priest, however, for such a purpose
al moments notice, was not easy. For, as III,
law hen stood, the person who admitted a pro
selyte into the Roman Catholic Church wa.
guilty OF capital crime. The Count OF Cas-
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