The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-03-22
Of extreme danger.

Of extreme danger.
Tho queen was for a time assiduous in
her attendance. The Duke Of York scarce
ly lcfi bis brothers. bedside. The primate
and four other bishops were then in Lon
don. They remained al Whitehall al day,
and took il BY turns to cit up oil night 10
tho Kings room. The news Of bis illness
filled the capital with sorrow and dismsy.
For his easy temper and aifsble manners
had won the affection Of large pert Of the
nation; and those who most disliked him
preferred his unprinciplcd levity To the
stern and earnest bicotry Of bis brother.
On the morning Of Thursday, the fifth
Of February, tho London Gazette announ-
ced that his majesty was going on veil, and
vas thought BY the physicians to be out Of
danger. The bells Of the churches rang
merrily; aud preparations for bonfres were
made in the street. But 10 the evening il
was known that relapse had taken place,
and that the medical attendants had given
up all hope. The public mind was great
ly disturbed; but there was no disposition
to tumult. The Duke Of York, who had
already taken on himself to give orders,
ssccrtained that the city ives perfectly qui.
ct, and that he might, without difficulty,
be proclaimed as soon % bis brother should
expire.
The king was in great pain, and CON-
planned that he felt ss il fire WINS burning
within him. Yet he bore up against his
sufisrings with fors,ude which did not
seem to belong TO his soft aud luxurious ma
ture. The sight Of his misery affected his
wife % much that she tainted, and was
carried senssless to her chamber. The
prelstes who werc ia waiting had from the
first exhorted him to prepare Tor his end.
They now thought il their duty to address
him in still moro urgent manner. Will
liam Ssncroft, Archbishop Of Canterbury,
M honest and pious, though narrow minded
msn, used great freedom "It is time, )" he
said, "to speak out; for, sir, you nre about
10 appear before Judge who is no respect
or Of persons" The king answered him
not word.
Thomas Ken, Bishop Of Bath and Wells,
then tried his powers of percussion. lie
was man Of parts and learning, Of quick
sensibility and stainless virtue. His elab.
crate works have long been forgotten; but
biz morning and evening hymns are still
repeated daily in thousands Of dwellings.
Though, like most Of his order, jealous Tor
monarchy, he WINS no sycophaus. Before
ne became bishop, he bad maintained the
honor Of his gown by refusing, when the
court was at Winchester, 10 let Eleanor
Gwynn lodge in The house which he occu-
pied there 40 prebendnry. The king had
sense enough to respect 90 manly a spirit.
OF oil the preIs,es be liked Ken the best.
Il Vas no purpose, however, That the good
bishop now put forth oil his eloquencc.
His solemn and pathetic exhortation awcd
and melted the b. ISLANDERS, to such de.
gree that some among them believed him
TO be filled with the same spirit which, in
tho old time. had by tho mouths Of Nathan
and Elias, called sinful princes 10 rcpeu
lance. Charles, however, was unmoved.
tie made no objection indeed, when the
service for the Visitation Of the Sick was
read. In reply to the pressing questions
VI the diviocs, be said that no was sorry
for what he bad done amiss; and he suffer-
cd the absolution 10 DO pronounced over
him, according to the forms Of the Church
Of England; but when no was urged TO de-
clare that he died in tho communion Of that
church, he seemed not to hear what was
said; and nothing could induce him to take
the Eucharist from the hands of the bish-
ops. A table with bread and wine was
brought to his bedside, but 10 vain. Some
times he said that there was no hurry, and
sometimes that be was too weak.
Many attributed this spathy to contempt
for divine things, and many 70 the ssupor
which often precedes death. But there
were in the palace few persons who knew
better. Charles had never been sincere
member Of the Established Church. Ills
mind had long osclIsted between Hobbism
and Popery. When his health was good
and bic spirits high, be was scoffer. In
HE few serious moments he was Roman
Catholic. The Duke Of York was aware Of
this, but was entirely occupied With the
care Of his own interests. He had order
Cd the outposis to be closed. He had post
ed detachments Of the guards in different
parts Of the city. He had also procured
the feeble signature Of tho dying king to
% instrument by which some duties. grant.
cd only till the demise Of The crown, were
lot to farm tor . term Of years. These
things occupied The attention Of James 10
such degree. that, though, on ordinary
occasions he vas indiscreetly and unsee.
sonably eager to bring over proselytes 70
bis church, be never reflected that bis
brother was in danger Of yins without tho
last sacraments. This neglect vas tho
moro extraordinary because the Duchess Of
York had, at the request of tho queen. sur.