New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-05


Mr.. Fea is a jealous historian Not content
with having written the definitive account of
the flight OF Charles II from the field of worces-
ter. the most romantic event in English his
tory" which he published several years ago,
he has taken pains TO bring together in the sup
Elementary volume which now lies before us
quantity Of miscellaneous data relating to his
theme. In a long introduction he treats of GER
tain relics of the King, dating from the time OF
his flight; traverses the records of petitions,
pensions and gifts traceable TO the same source.
and examines the traditions of the King as a
fugitive. He then reproduces Charles's own mar
rative. which was dictated many years after his
escape TO Samuel Pepys. with Blounts Dos
cobel" and three other contemporary contribu-
tons 10 the literature Of the subject. More
documentary souvenirs go TO fill out the book,
which is finally enriched with apostle pedi-
grees. It is lavishly illustrated with portraits,
views. reproductions Of relics and on. We
note especially the unfamiliar portrait Of
Charles, taken from a rare print, at page 2l2,
one Of the most interesting presentments Of the
King we have ever seen.
The better qualities of 1.-The laughing King
never came more quickly or more effectively to
the surface than on the occasion of his perilous
flight TO France, when the apparently conclu-
sive overthrow Of his hopes at Worcester might
uppermost In the hour OF his adversely. with
no sure place Of refuge on the English side of
the Channel, he proved himself patient, re-
sourceful and courageous deserving of the
loyalty which served him so well that he passed
unscathed 10 safety, for all that a price of
1900 had been set upon his head, and upward
Of threescore of bis subjects recognized him be-
meath the disguise in which he made his extraor-
binary journey. Clarendon tells how at one
stage in the latter, when he had still to cover
good distance before he could reach one of his
hiding places. 'he was so tired that he was even
ready &c despair, and TO prefer being taken and
suffered TO rest. before purchasing his safety at
such a price" 1t was at this time that his
shoes causing MIN excessive pain. he threw them
away, and walked in his stockings, which We're
Of course soon worn out, leaving his feet to be
bruised and torn with stones and thorns. Pepys
gives this picture Of him his arrival at one
OF the friendly houses in which he found shelter
his way:
The habit that the King came in to Father
dodleSton was a very greasy old gray steeple
crowned hat, with the brim turned up, without
.ihlhg or hatband, the sweat appearing two
Inches deep through il, round the band place; a
green cloth jump coat, threadbare, even 10 the
threads beng worn white, and breaches of the
same, with long knees down TO the garter: with
an old, Sweaty, leathern dOublet a pair of white
flannel stockings next to his legs which the
King said were his boot stockings, their tops
being cut of TO prevent their being discovered,
and upon them pair OF ole green yarn stock
ings, ali worn and darned at the knees: with
their feet cut off; which last he said he had Of
Mr.. Wolfe, who persuaded him thereto to hide
his other white ones for fear Of being observed;
his shoes were old, all slashed for the ease of
his feet, and full Of gravel, with little rolls of
paper between his toes, which he said he was
advised to, to keep them from CALLING: he had
an old coarse shirt, patched both at the neck
and hands, of that very coarse sort which in
that country 30 by the name of hogging Lnogginl
shirts.
Without the practical assistance Of the few
who were faithful 10 him in his bitter situation
Charles would never have Won to the French
coast. The narrative Of his escape is sown thick
with testimonies TO the generosity and bravery
of these friends, who knew well that any one
convicted of harooring the King or serving him
in any way would be condemned to death Some
times his faithful adherents cared for him as
Tor child Take, for example, the episode re-
lated by Blount when dealing with the Kings
concealment with Colonel Carlos in the famous
oak. The two had provisions with them, bread
cheese, small bear, and nothing else" as the
King says, and there was a cushion supplied
for him TO sit Then, says BIount the
Col humbly desired His Majesty (vho had
taken little or rest the two preceding nights
TO seat himself as easily as he could in the tree
and rest his head on the ColoneTs lap who
was Watchul that His Majesty might not fall
In this oak they continued most part of that
day; and in that posture His Majesty slumbred
away some part Of the time, and bore al his
hardships and Affections with Incompatible pa
Hence" But the Kings own resource is what
impresses us most in the story of his great ad-
venture AS he pursued his breathless Journey
and especially when il was necessary for him
TO play the part Of a servant, he had again and
again 10 preserve inscrutable yet natural
demeanor, face TO lace with suspicious men. At
Burport he found the streets full Of CromweIl's
Goldiers, and his companion of the moment,
Frank Windham, was sorely troubled as to what
they should Go. Il told him." says the King
that we must go instantly into the best inn in
the town, and take a chamber there, the only
thing 10 be done. So we rode directly
into the best inn in the place. and found the
yard very fun of soldiers. 7 alighted, and, TAX
ing the horses. thought it the best way TO go
laundering in among them. and lead them thro'
the middle of the soldiers into the stable which
i did; and they We're very angry with me for
my rudeness-" He called the hostler to help
MIN and to give the horses some oats. The man
did as he was told, and then, looking at him.
salo; sure, Sir, know your face?" The King
asked him where he had lived, and as soon as
he had located him, at Exeter told him, with
all the self-possession in the world that he was
not surprised al being recognized, as he had
been servant in Exeter for more than a year.
and in moment he had completely diverted the
suspicious Of his interlocutor. At Trent one
day he had an amusing, if somewhat startling.
experience He sent a housemaid TO find out
why the church bells were ringing. She came
back 10 say that one Of Cromwelrs troopers was
telling the people that he had killed the King.
and that the buff coat he wore was the one
ma iesSfKy had NOR