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

plot too, is only the more impressive when we
study fits details In the simple straightforward
terms of the account he dictated 10 Pepys, or In
the reverential but still plain words of Blount
and the other celebrants of the Kings journey
who wrote in the seventeenth century. The
facts have long been embodied in all modern
histories but it is privilege TO be aple 10 re@u
them between the covers of one book as they
were set forth long ago. 1t is known thaI witch
Charles came into his own again he sho"eu
,,rorer gratitude TO those who had aided him. at
great risk when he was hunted Wanderer' out
it is good to read something of the details OF
his bounty in Blount's enthusiastic tract his
Gratitude and invincible Memory remain still
to be reverenced by my humble Pen says that
fervfd scribe. after paying tribute to the forti-
tude of Charles. for. among so many persons
who were instrumental and serviceable in this
his great deliverance there was scarce one
whose face after so many years absence) his
majesty did not at his happy return precisely
remember and whose merits ne has not parJlcu-
larry owned and rewarded either in fact, or by
his Royal Promise, which are equNalell'
Rlount records how Charles "dignifyed the Lord
Wilmot Cof principal merit in this serVlce) VIII
the Earldom of Rochester; he tells how, ne
sides His Majesties Grace vouchsafed TO MIS-
Jane Lane and Colonel Francis Windham IOoo
pounds was voted 10 each of those stanch loyal
isis bv q grateful Parliament and duly emu
merated the benefits bestowed by the King
upon Dr. Henchman, Master George Norton,
Colonel Philips and Mr. SelIeck, ito omit
others" Indeed in all things concerning ms
fight Charles is represented in this book as
having carried himself from first to last like the
gentleman that he knew how to be when the
mood moved him. In the whole transaction he
was COURAGEOUS, generous and his best and gay
est self one more incident showing him IN his
most debonair aspect we must borrow from Mr..
Fea's fascinating pages. He has found 1t In a
letter. written by Waller to Saint Evremond, de-
scribing a conversation between the King re
stored TO the throne of his fathers, and
Worcestershire baronet, who coming up TO
court soon after his election TO Parliament
brought with him a compliment to his mai
estv a branch of the oak in which Charles had
found such precious asylum This genial Sir
Thomas. in the course of the talk, told the King
how he had in the latters interest. acted, in
the capacity of magistrate. contrary to the in
terest of his parish. and the dialogue went on
follows:
The Iling-Why did you not do your duty?
Sir Thomas-Because, please your majesty 1
thought il my duty not to do it, Your majesty
has been at a great expense OF late.
The King-True-very true, Sir IhomaS'
What is that branch in your handsome token,
1 suppose, by which you hold your lands?
Sir Thomas-NO, it's something by which your
majesty holds your lands. It's branch OF thit
blessed oak which preserved your majesty 5
precious life. 49,
The King-Ths is a wooden compliment; but
it is honest, and I thank you for it. You have
wit Sir Thomas; why do not we see you o1tener
at Court?
Sir Thomas-I can do your majesty much more
service in the country, by keeping up spirit or
loyalty and good will toward you among my
The King-And how do you manage that
point? ,.,, col,
Sir Thomas give them beef, and bid EN- ran
10 without the long grace Of the Roundheaus
Then l give 'em strong beer, and they cry Goa
bless your majesty"
The King-If that is the toast, Sir Thomas
YOU are the King; and in truth. l think you
adopt the same measures 1 should have mucn
less trouble; but there is no finding beef enough
for that hungry circle which you see there.
Sir Thomas-GOd bless your majesty, L nave
fen fat oxen in Worcestershire, ana nine OF lheIh
are heartily at your majesty's service.
This bountiful order of the honest baronets
made the King laugh violently that 1t put an
end to the conversation.
The scene is in nothing more characteristic
than in the Kings hearty laugh. 1t was ever
his way to find mirth in his Court, or make 1t
With that laugh of his he disconcerts, though
he may not silence his sternest critic. With all
his faults Charles II remains one of the most be-
quilting of the Stuarts, that modifying and
eternaly Irresistible race.