Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-02-05
THOMAS A BECKETT.


The sole idea generally conveyed to us
by historians of Thomas Beckett is that
of hungry priest, who tried TO elevate
the religious power above the civil But
in looking more narrowly into the ac-
counts of him, it appears that for con-
siderable part Of his life he was a merry
layman, was great falconer, feaster and
patron, as well as a man of business and
he wore all characters with such unaf-
iected pleasantness, that he was called
the delight OF the Western World.
On a sudden, to everybody's surprise,
his friend the king [Henry H. from
chancellor made him archbishop; and
with equal suddenness, though retaining
bis afability, the new head of the English
church put off all his worldly graces and
pleasures (save and except rich gown
over his sackcloth,) and in the midst of
gay court, became the most mortified
of ascetics. Instead of hunting and hawk
ing, he paced solitary clojster; instead
of his wine, he drank fennel-water; and
in lieu of soft clothing he indulged his back
in stripes.
This phenomenon has divided the
Iopinions of moral critics. Some insist
that Beckett was religiously in earnest
and think the change natural to a man Of
the world, whose heart has been struck
with reflection. Others see in his con
duct nothing but ambition. We suspect
that three parts Of the truth are with the
latter; and that Beckett, suddenly enabled
to dispute kind of sovereignty with III
prince and friend, gave way to the new
temptation, just as he had done to his fal
conry and fine living. But the complet
alteration of his way of life,-the entbu
) siasm which enabled him to set up so dii
: ferent a greatness against his former on
shows that his character partook q
{ least of as much sincerity as would ena
S ble him to delude himself in good taslt
y In proportion as his very egotism wa
= concerned, it was like that such ma
e would exalt the gravity and Importance
n his new calling. He had fourished
ID an earthly court, which was at once TO
II enjoyed and despised by virtue of his q
j. fee, had zest given to its possession,
IN which the incredulousness Of mere insi
I'd cerity could know nothing.
IN Thomas Beckett may have inherit'
i'd a romantic turn of mind from his mot
ty er, whose story is a singular one. II
I'D father, Gilbert Beckett, hourishing ci
be zen, had been in his youth soldier
lil the crusades and being taken prison
became slave % an Emir, or Sara
ell prince. BY degrees he obtained the Ct
2 / fdence Of his master, and was admit
ny to his company, where he met a pers'
he age who became more attached to hi
i'm This was the Emir's daughter. Whe
er by her means or not does not appe
ing but after some Tins he contrived to
ire, cape. She knew, they say, but two $50
'py of bis language,-London and Gilbe
lid and by repeating the former she obtai
ant a passage in a vessel, arrived in Engia
she and found her trusting way 10 the l
lse, tropolis. She then took her other ia
ing man, and went from street TO street I
ne nouncing "GiIbert !" A crowd collee
ted about her, wherever she went, askin:
her course a thousand questions, and TO
ark she had but one answer-Gilberi
! il, bert She found her faith in il s
lied cient. Chance, or her determinatio
re ? 60 through every street, brought be
for, last to the one in which be who had
sobs her heart in slavery, was living 10
oom condition. Tae crowd drew the fal
Ia to the window bis servant reeogn
lass, her and, Gilbert Beckett took to bis !
bis and his bridal bed, bis far-oome prin
mad with her solitary fond ~ord.--Lsi'e'