The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-26

dred and three feet high; that is about
three times as high as the State House
in Boston. The church was built nearly
four hundred years before Columbus
discovered America, and was given by a.
great earl to the monks-it is Protestant
now-for the repose of his soul" I
suppose that means that he might get
safely to heaven.
But the thing which most interested
us about Coventry was that here once
lived a sweet and beautiful lady about
whom the people never tire of telling you.
She was the wife of the earl who gov
erned Coventry. He was immensely
rich, but he taxed his subjects so that
petitions came in every day to have them
lowered. Finally, as all their beseech-
ing did no good, the poor people came
to his wife, Lady Godiva, to beg her to
intercede for them. Her heart was
touched, and she went to her husband,
but he was angry, and babe her never to
speak of it again.
Several months went by. He had
been away to some wars in the northern
part of England, and coming home, was
so delighted to meet his wife and dar-
ling little boy that he clasped them both
to his heart, asking her if she needed
anything to complete her happiness.
She had money, an elegant home, and
lived like a queen, but she could not be
happy. She said, while our people
groan under oppression the most luxu-
rious entertainment can afford me no real
enjoyment"
Leofric, her husband, again became
violently angry, but said, since he had
promised to do what she wished, he
would keep his word but she must ride
on horseback, at MONDAY, from one end
OF the city to the other, with no clothing
upon her. He supposed of course that
she would never consent to this. For a
moment her noble womanly heart sank
within her, and then she said; 81 will
60"
Seeing that her mind was made up,
he ordered all the people to darken the
fronts of their houses, and retire to the
back parts of them, while the devoted
lady took her lonely ride. When the
appointed day came, the whole city was
as still as death. Lady Godiva's beau
tiful white horse was brought to the
palace. With face as blanched as her
charger, drawing her long dark hair
like scarf about her body, she mount
ed, and rode in solemn silence through
all the principal streets No sound was
heard save that of the horses hoofs, as
the grateful people waited for their bur
dens to be lifted.
And when the ride was over, and the
people opened their doors and unbarred
their windows, great cry of rejoicing
went up from thousands, for Coventry
was free. Lady Godiva, after founding
several churches, died about the year
1859.
Every three or four years in Coventry
quaint procession still takes place in
honor of this noble act of devotion to
her people. The City Guard and High
Constable lead the column Then fol-
lows beautiful woman clothed in
white linen dress, fitted close to her
body, with long hair floating about her,
and large bunch of flowers in her
hand, riding on cream-colored horse.
On either side of her are two city Off
Gals, dressed in green and scarlet. Two
men come next bearing the sword and
mace, emblems of the high authority OF
the mayor, followed by the mayor him
self in his scarlet robes, trimmed with
fur. wearing cooked hat, and carrying
white wand in his hand. Then come
the sheriffs in the black gowns; all
the different trades of the city; the odd.
fellows, foresters, and other benevolent
societies
The principal characters of the show
are attended by beautiful children in
costly habits, riding on horseback. These
children are SO small that they are
obliged to sit in basket-work seats, which
are fastened to the horses backs. The
men who lead the horses walk without
their coats, and are decorated with
profusion of ribbons VIDE Awake.