The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-07-07
Select 12li5lcIIann.
A HISTORY OF MYSTERY.

We have often thought that very interest.
ing book might he written on the history Of
mystery and the mystery OF history. Wal
poles Historic D0uliS is interesting as far as it
goes. but it treats only OF y few ofthe disputed
points in the history Of England. Nccie's
Romance Of History was All elegant attempt
at more extended notice Of the same, com
hiuirg also the ondcHvor to illustrate, hv a
tale for each reign, the particular manners of
each epoch. But we desire rather work
somewhat ON the plan Of A. Dumas Causes
IticJrcS, extended SO as 10 cmprace rcmarka-
Die events Of every description whether
relating to historical incidents, literary or
philosophical mysteries. or to family scandals
What II number would the present century
furnish! Without going back to the middle
ages, which were SO rife in secret tribunals.
adventures Of knights Grant and political
crimes. we could mention some which would
afford as much scope for the exercise Of IN
ccuuity as The Man in the Iron Mask, The
Wandering jew, pcrkin Narberk, King
Sebastian Of Portugal, and the like. Was
Harold slain a. hastings or did he nicely
punishment" as The pugilists say? Was tie
not recognised many years allerwa,d in the
guise of - he Black Knight OF St. John s, "
rcvolted Saxons! Was not prrkin Warbccli
really the heir to the throne of England q
His identity was sworn to by some of the
highest personages of the realm. Did
Richard Ill. really murder the children in
the Tower ! Nalroc says no. Was Rich
ard II. killed in his prison by SIR Piers of
IXton or did he escape to Scotland, and
live there many years on the bounty Of the
King! There is evidence that some such
illustyious parsonage was so maintained at
that precise period. Did the Wandering jew
really appear to Cornelius Aegrippa, and
prove to the celebrated uaglcian that he had
roamed the earth for fifteen centuries Was
the Man in the Iron Mask the lawful heir to
the throne of France, aud thus disguised to
make way for the spurious Louis XIV &
Did King Sebastian fall in battle with the
hloors or wander in Morocco for nearly two
centuries, as the Portuguese once believed 3
These topics, and many more like them, have
furnished employment for historians. dramat-
lists poets and noyeliSts. But modern times
have their historic doubts also which are BY no
means deficient in interest. Was George Ill.,
married to Elizabeth Hutton before his union
with the Princess Charlotte Sophia of Neck
lenberg Slrciitz! for, If he was, the present
occupant of the British throne has no right
60 sit on t-Nictor Emanuel would have a
better title to 1t Did George " marry Mrs.
FiIzherbert! Fox emphaticaily asserted that
he did not while the lady ami her friends
as emphaticaly assert that he did. Was
Queen Caroline innocent or guilty of the
charges brought against her by her brutal and
degraded husband, "thc frs: gentleman il,
Europe! g Whose son is Louis Napolean q
Is he the son of his uncle, or merely the
.l,.,,
On was the Dutch Admiral elhucl the real
parent of the reputed son Of Louis Bonaparte
and IIortense B,auharnais! Was the late
Duke of Dcvonshire hmselfor somebody else
The story runs that lie was exchanged at his
birth, having been passed off as the child OF
the Duchess of Dcvonshrc, while he was in
reality that of the Duchess sister, who was
confined at the same time, the Duke standing
In the relation Of father to the children o
both Did Sadleir kill himself OF Hampstead
Heath, or is he in this country, enjoying his
ill-gottcn wealth? Did Seaman. the murderer
of the Colleen Bawn." escaped the gallows
by finding substitute, and come over here tt
fiji! the Office OF democratic governor Of one o
our States, or mayor Of one Of our cities, OIL
president of one Of our banks or companies
Had we Bourbon among US, little time
back We know several persons who, OF
the evidence adduccd in the well known
pamphlet, firmly believe that we had Tt
them, and all who entertain the same opinion
we commend the following statement, extrac
ted from a recent number Of the London Star
"RoMANTIC AND EXTRAORDINARY CASE
At an adjourned inquest, in London, helt
before Mr.. Wakey or Monday morning. 0,
the body ola musical composer, the fol!owi,!
romantic particulars were elected: So far a
the Sudden death of the alleged King Of Franc,
requires mention. it appeared III tvidenc
that the unfortunate gentleman, who wa
aged "A was found dead in cab. and tn,
jury found that the death was caused by
falnting fit and a congestion Of blood in th
heart. The coroncrs attention had beef
drawn by singular requirement on the par
OF the sons Of the deceased, a minute ceruli
cate from several eminent medical men as It
the marks on the body. This led to the fol
lowing romantic and important statement OF
the part OF young gentleman, who nov
claims the throne of France: and it may b.
here observed that Mr.. Waklty, and other
not likely to be deceived, entertain a contidcn
opinion that the deceased was Louis Charlie