The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-16

Scott takes a great historical liberty in this novel by making the Countess of Derby a Catholic She was a French Protestant her maiden name having been Charlotte de la Tremouille. The story of her execution of William Christian Is a true one and her autocratic and high handed exercise of the regal rights that she claimed over the Isle of Man caused much trouble for her.
 According to most historical accounts, William Christian was a brave and patri- otic gentleman, who died as the result Of his adherence to principle and justice and not as befltting punishment for treach- cry. He had no brother Edward, ana the rascal pictured under that name in the novel is purely a creature of fiction. - EFORE the civil war of Cromwelf day the superb battlements or O Martindale Castle, the home of the nroud Peverils of the Peak, looked down on Major Bridgenorth's Moultrassie Hall, as an oak in Martindale Chase used to look down the young. struggling growths that were planted around the smaller house. But after the defeat of the cav alters the ruined and blackened castle compared disadvantageously enough with the hall which gained as the castle lost, for Major Bridgenorth was as zealous roundhead as Sir Godfrey Peveril was royast.
 He did not, however, permit his politics to make him a bad neighbor. Indeed, he used his influence with his victorious party to such good effect that he not only saved Sir Godfrey from danger or lie and limb, but succeeded in preventing the sequestration of his estates. The heavy fine which was imposed on him was paid by Major Bridgenorth, who tooh in exchange a part of the estate adJoin- ing his own home, and for security Tor the rest of the sum took mortgages on the Peveril domain.
 Major Rridgenorth was a keen business man. as bef1tted a plain person whose Immediate ancestors had been in trade. He did not lose by his bargain, but neither did he exact undue interest or pront, put made his terms so easy and generous that even the hot pride of Sir aGoeffrey found no occasion for offense.
 There was the less strain in their rela- tions since Bridgenorth, although a loyal believer in the principles of his party had been greatly shocked at the unex- nected trial and execution of the king, and. while he did not wish to see the monarchy restored by force of arms was inclined to believe that to bring back the heir of the royal family on terms that would assure England her liberties would be far preferable to the military domina- tion of the Cromwellians.
 Then there came an occurrepce which bound the two families more closely to- gether still. Major Bridgenorths wi1e died. Their infant daughter was lett Tn A condition so precarious that it seemed impossible she should live. Lady Peverll' ever the good angel for all around her' at once took the child and saved her.
 Major Bridgenorth, broken utterly py the loss of his wife, and superstitiously afraid that the same fate might strike his child if he essayed to keep her in his lonely house, yielded readily and grate- fully to Lady Peveril when she begged 10 be permitted to keep the infant. So IL came about that Alice Bridgenorth grew up with Julian Peveril, and Sir Geoffrey made it daily part of his ride to stop
 
 report her condition to her lonely father, who rarely saw any one except his own servants, and. save for that morning visit sat silent and breeding in his great ll- brary.
 He was reused in a measure from ms stupor by the news that Charles Il. hao arrived and he joined Sir Godfrey in the measures necessary to secure their part of the country for the King, which was done as peacefully there as in other parts of England. For all that, 1t was this very restoration which was to cause the first serious difference between the two families and to make the old cavalier ano the old roundhead bitter foes.
 While Sir Godfrey was at Whitehall to pay his respects to the King, whief that ungrateful and forgetful sovereign received heedlessly and without even re membering the sacrifices that had beer made for his family by the Peverils oi the Peak, Major Bridgenorth called al the castle to pay his respects to Lady Peveril.
 He chanoed upon a secret guest-th' Countess of Derby who claimed the title of Queen of the Isle of Man, with all th' rights of an independent sovereign. Sh' had defended her domain against the Par liamentary party even after all othe parts of Great Britain had submitted. In deed she had practically succeeded il beating the Cromwellians off when al uprising of her own people did what thu besiegers could not do. To make th hlow worse. 1t was headed by a vassa and friend of her husband, William Chris tian. a gentleman of the Isle of Man This man had held a high position O trust under the Earl of Derby, and whei that nobleman had died for his King, h. had become the chief adviser of th Countess.
 Possessed of power and knowledge. h established himself and imprisoned tn Countess of Derby and her son until tn Restoration made a second rising possi hle in Man, when Christian was impris oned in his turn.
 The Countess immediately ordered tn Dempster of the island to hold a hig court of justice on Christian. He wa found guilty of treason and shot to deat by a file of soldiers. This act of reveng brought upon her the wrath of the roya tv whose cause she had served so loyall, for Charles and his advisers, eager { conciliate, had guaranteed indemnity all. In addition the royal court fe rather disturbed at so audacious an al