The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-15
WASHINGTON, d. c.
For the National Era.
WILLIAM PENN.
BY IRENE.


have been his own His mother uttered an
exclamation of JOY, embracing him with the
deepest affection. The Admiral did not move,
but stood with folded arms, and flushed, angry
face. eye.ng his offending son. from his wide
beaver to the plain shoe, with indignant looks.
And so. Tom I've has taken you in tow,
and made fool of you again, eh?p was his
only greeting.
A discuss on followed, full of anger on the
Admirals part but eliciting only calm and
meek replies. Mrs Penn listened with anxious
solicitude. Tears of Joy filled her ewes, and
strength was given him TO endure even perse-
cution, in obeying the dictates of his con-
science
My son, said she, 81 weep not for grief
of any crime you have committed, but rather
for Joy of your innocence and honest adherence
to what you think your duty
What consolation those few words gave him!
Days and weeks passed, and still the Admi-
raj stroye, by every inducement, to conquer the
hrmness of Williams convictions but in vain.
He could not bear to drive him from him, and
would have conceded to his plain speech, dress,
and department, if he would consent TO remain
uncovered in the presence of the King, the
Duke Of York, afterwards James ii, and him
self: but finding William unyielding, even in
this. he no longer restrained his anger, and in
a storm Of passion ordered him to leave the
house forever. He obeyed and with sadness
in the parting, said
Father, if had been turned out of doors
because of any crime had DONE should be
wretched indeed. But thanks to God | go
away with conscience unstained by any act
NH h ha- 10
blush for me-
He bade his noble mother a fearful fare
well, and. as he departed from them, they list
ened to hls footsteps till they died away in the
stance feeling an oppressive loneliness which
tears could not relieve. From that hour the
Admiral lost his jocose spirits, and became
restless, frctflJ and gloomy His ambition for
his only son had been bitterly disappointed
and he knew not how to find peace. for even
the sad countcnance of his wife reprOached
him. Hoping Cor relief in the excitement of
public action, he sought the honors Of victori-
Gus battles, and ventured upon the seas in search
Of a happiness he no longer enjoyed in the
once cheerful home at PennwOOd
In the mean time, young Penn repaired to
London, and became q member Of the Society
Of Friends. He employed himself for some time
soOn AN offensive article appeared from his pen
which caused his immediate arrest and I'M
prisonment in the Tower. His cheertulness
did not forsake him here With pious resig-
nation he endured all the sufferings inflicted
upon HIM. Even his harsh tailor was won
from his prGjudces, when in return for his
rudeness he always received a tender remon-
STRANGE HIS hard heart was softened and long |
before tie seven months of PENIS imprisOn-
ment expired be learned to respect the stern
integrity of his prisoner, and to look with awe
and admiration upon his serene and youthful |
ever beaming with purity and be-
nign love. There was music in his simple Ian
guage, and the gentle thee and thou fell with
such bewitching tones upon the ear of the
rough guard, that in spite of his hatred to the
sect, he often sat and listened to the mild teach
ings Of the prosecuted Quaker
The Admiral was still absent; but Mrs
Penn, upon hearing of her sons imprisonment.
ordered her carriage, and fastened with quick
est speed to London As she arrived before the
dark walls of the prison, her soul sickened
with the thought of seeing there, among host
Of criminals, her innocent and only child She |
followed the suen steps of her guide through |
the gloomy halls, and up the winding stair
and sorrow. She shuddered as she passed by |
the cells Of the poor hardened wretches, who |
had almost forgotten there was n God: and
when her way led through apartments crowd
ed with men, women, and children, placed
there because Of their peculiar religion, she
could not RESTRAIN her tears of grief and SYM
patty Almost overcome by conflicting emo
tons she reached the place they sought The
nv lad IN Ia lob bn
door swung heavily back. There young Penn
sat near the high grated window, occupied as
with his pen and studies as though
free but upon beholding his mother, he sprang
forward, and folded her in an affectionate en-
brace. When her calmnoss was restored. anx-
ious inquiries followed, to which he replied
with such chcerfulness, that she was comforted
by the interview, and left him with the strong
hope of soon obtaining his release. But weary
months elapsed ere he gained his liberty. He
was finally released by the King, at the insti-
cation Of the Duke of York, who entertained
"a strong friendship for the Admiral. He again
made II short visit to Ireland, to attend to his
fathers affairs to whose good will he was once
more restored. His leisure time was occupied
IN visiting and preaching to the imprisoned
Qlakers in d lblIn and Cork. whose release he
rods friends at Court lie well knew how to
synpathi2e with the many sufferers, for his
own Imprisonment was so frequent, that it is
said on one occasion, when file of soldiers
was ordered to guard him to the Tower, Penn
sarcastically said to the Judge "Thee need
not send thy soldiers, send thy boy; know the
way
Not long after his return to England. he
n ali ho ,c 4
justice. The Convertible Act had lust been
passed by Parliament, which prohibited Dis
senters from worshipping God in their own
way William Penn was one of the first vic
Tins for nothing could deter him from what
he deemed his duty. lie continued to preach.
as usual, and on going with his friends to their
meeting h0Use in Grace-church street, to per-
form Divine worship they found it guarded by
q band of soldiers. A large number of the
Society being gathered and not obtaining adj
mttanee, Penn began TO address them where
they We're. lie had not proceeded far in his
discourse when he was arrested and William
Mead, friend, was sent to Newgate, to await
trial. When the appointed day arrived. the
court was crowded with an assembly waiting
eagerly the appearance of the prisoners. As
they entered, one Of the officers pulled off their
hats, at which the lord mayor became furious,
and ordered them TO put them on again, and
then fined the prisoners forty marks each for
contempt of court Being brought to the bar
the indictment was read, which among other
ialsehood- stated that the prisoners had preach
cd to an unlawful rlotous assembly, and they
had met together with force and arms and this
10 the great terror and disturbance of many of
his Majesty's liege subjects The prisoners
plead not guilty to the indictment The wit
nesscs beng called and examined, could prove
nothing bat that William Penn was seen speak
ing to an asscmhlagc on a certain day but
could not tell what he said, on account of the
noise. twas also proved that Mead was heard
to say something but nobody could tell what
This was the substance Of the evidence against
them
Penn defended himself so clearly and ably,