The Prince and the Pauper, Part 9. Read online

  Hugh was not prosecuted for his threats or for stealing his brother'sestates and title, because the wife and brother would not testify againsthim--and the former would not have been allowed to do it, even if she hadwanted to. Hugh deserted his wife and went over to the continent, wherehe presently died; and by-and-by the Earl of Kent married his relict.There were grand times and rejoicings at Hendon village when the couplepaid their first visit to the Hall.

  Tom Canty's father was never heard of again.

  The King sought out the farmer who had been branded and sold as a slave,and reclaimed him from his evil life with the Ruffler's gang, and put himin the way of a comfortable livelihood.

  He also took that old lawyer out of prison and remitted his fine. Heprovided good homes for the daughters of the two Baptist women whom hesaw burned at the stake, and roundly punished the official who laid theundeserved stripes upon Miles Hendon's back.

  He saved from the gallows the boy who had captured the stray falcon, andalso the woman who had stolen a remnant of cloth from a weaver; but hewas too late to save the man who had been convicted of killing a deer inthe royal forest.

  He showed favour to the justice who had pitied him when he was supposedto have stolen a pig, and he had the gratification of seeing him grow inthe public esteem and become a great and honoured man.

  As long as the King lived he was fond of telling the story of hisadventures, all through, from the hour that the sentinel cuffed him awayfrom the palace gate till the final midnight when he deftly mixed himselfinto a gang of hurrying workmen and so slipped into the Abbey and climbedup and hid himself in the Confessor's tomb, and then slept so long, nextday, that he came within one of missing the Coronation altogether. Hesaid that the frequent rehearsing of the precious lesson kept him strongin his purpose to make its teachings yield benefits to his people; andso, whilst his life was spared he should continue to tell the story, andthus keep its sorrowful spectacles fresh in his memory and the springs ofpity replenished in his heart.

  Miles Hendon and Tom Canty were favourites of the King, all through hisbrief reign, and his sincere mourners when he died. The good Earl of Kenthad too much sense to abuse his peculiar privilege; but he exercised ittwice after the instance we have seen of it before he was called fromthis world--once at the accession of Queen Mary, and once at theaccession of Queen Elizabeth. A descendant of his exercised it at theaccession of James I. Before this one's son chose to use the privilege,near a quarter of a century had elapsed, and the 'privilege of the Kents'had faded out of most people's memories; so, when the Kent of that dayappeared before Charles I. and his court and sat down in the sovereign'spresence to assert and perpetuate the right of his house, there was afine stir indeed! But the matter was soon explained, and the rightconfirmed. The last Earl of the line fell in the wars of theCommonwealth fighting for the King, and the odd privilege ended with him.

  Tom Canty lived to be a very old man, a handsome, white-haired oldfellow, of grave and benignant aspect. As long as he lasted he washonoured; and he was also reverenced, for his striking and peculiarcostume kept the people reminded that 'in his time he had been royal;'so, wherever he appeared the crowd fell apart, making way for him, andwhispering, one to another, "Doff thy hat, it is the King's Ward!"--andso they saluted, and got his kindly smile in return--and they valued it,too, for his was an honourable history.

  Yes, King Edward VI. lived only a few years, poor boy, but he lived themworthily. More than once, when some great dignitary, some gilded vassalof the crown, made argument against his leniency, and urged that some lawwhich he was bent upon amending was gentle enough for its purpose, andwrought no suffering or oppression which any one need mightily mind, theyoung King turned the mournful eloquence of his great compassionate eyesupon him and answered--

  "What dost THOU know of suffering and oppression? I and my people know,but not thou."

  The reign of Edward VI. was a singularly merciful one for those harshtimes. Now that we are taking leave of him, let us try to keep this inour minds, to his credit.

  FOOTNOTES AND TWAIN'S NOTES

  {1} For Mark Twain's note see below under the relevant chapter heading.

  {2} He refers to the order of baronets, or baronettes; the baronesminores, as distinct from the parliamentary barons--not, it need hardlybe said, to the baronets of later creation.

  {3} The lords of Kingsale, descendants of De Courcy, still enjoy thiscurious privilege.

  {4} Hume.

  {5} Ib.

  {6} Leigh Hunt's 'The Town,' p.408, quotation from an early tourist.

  {7} Canting terms for various kinds of thieves, beggars and vagabonds,and their female companions.

  {8} From 'The English Rogue.' London, 1665.

  {9} Hume's England.

  {10} See Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull's Blue Laws, True and False, p. 11.

  NOTE 1, Chapter IV. Christ's Hospital Costume.

  It is most reasonable to regard the dress as copied from the costume ofthe citizens of London of that period, when long blue coats were thecommon habit of apprentices and serving-men, and yellow stockings weregenerally worn; the coat fits closely to the body, but has loose sleeves,and beneath is worn a sleeveless yellow under-coat; around the waist is ared leathern girdle; a clerical band around the neck, and a small flatblack cap, about the size of a saucer, completes the costume.--Timbs'Curiosities of London.

  NOTE 2, Chapter IV.

  It appears that Christ's Hospital was not originally founded as a SCHOOL;its object was to rescue children from the streets, to shelter, feed,clothe them.--Timbs' Curiosities of London.

  NOTE 3, Chapter V. The Duke of Norfolk's Condemnation commanded.

  The King was now approaching fast towards his end; and fearing lestNorfolk should escape him, he sent a message to the Commons, by which hedesired them to hasten the Bill, on pretence that Norfolk enjoyed thedignity of Earl Marshal, and it was necessary to appoint another, whomight officiate at the ensuing ceremony of installing his son Prince ofWales.--Hume's History of England, vol. iii. p. 307.

  NOTE 4, Chapter VII.

  It was not till the end of this reign (Henry VIII.) that any salads,carrots, turnips, or other edible roots were produced in England. Thelittle of these vegetables that was used was formerly imported fromHolland and Flanders. Queen Catherine, when she wanted a salad, wasobliged to despatch a messenger thither on purpose.--Hume's History ofEngland, vol. iii. p. 314.

  NOTE 5, Chapter VIII. Attainder of Norfolk.

  The House of Peers, without examining the prisoner, without trial orevidence, passed a Bill of Attainder against him and sent it down to theCommons . . . The obsequious Commons obeyed his (the King's) directions;and the King, having affixed the Royal assent to the Bill bycommissioners, issued orders for the execution of Norfolk on the morningof January 29 (the next day).--Hume's History of England, vol iii. p 306.

  NOTE 6, Chapter X. The Loving-cup.

  The loving-cup, and the peculiar ceremonies observed in drinking from it,are older than English history. It is thought that both are Danishimportations. As far back as knowledge goes, the loving-cup has alwaysbeen drunk at English banquets. Tradition explains the ceremonies inthis way. In the rude ancient times it was deemed a wise precaution tohave both hands of both drinkers employed, lest while the pledger pledgedhis love and fidelity to the pledgee, the pledgee take that opportunityto slip a dirk into him!

  NOTE 7, Chapter XI. The Duke of Norfolk's narrow Escape.

  Had Henry VIII. survived a few hours longer, his order for the duke'sexecution would have been carried into effect. 'But news being carried tothe Tower that the King himself had expired that night, the lieutenantdeferred obeying the warrant; and it was not thought advisable by theCouncil to begin a new reign by the death of the greatest nobleman in thekingdom, who had been condemned by a sentence so unjust and tyrannical.'--Hume's History of England, vol. iii, p. 307.

  NOTE 8, Chapter XIV. The Whipping-boy.

  James I. and Charle
s II. had whipping-boys, when they were littlefellows, to take their punishment for them when they fell short in theirlessons; so I have ventured to furnish my small prince with one, for myown purposes.

  NOTES to Chapter XV.

  Character of Hertford.

  The young King discovered an extreme attachment to his uncle, who was, inthe main, a man of moderation and probity.--Hume's History of England,vol. iii, p324.

  But if he (the Protector) gave offence by assuming too much state, hedeserves great praise on account of the laws passed this session, bywhich the rigour of former statutes was much mitigated, and some securitygiven to the freedom of the constitution. All laws were repealed whichextended the crime of treason beyond the statute of the twenty-fifth ofEdward III.; all laws enacted during the late reign extending the crimeof felony; all the former laws against Lollardy or heresy, together withthe statute of the Six Articles. None were to be accused for words, butwithin a month after they were spoken. By these repeals several of themost rigorous laws that ever had passed in England were annulled; andsome dawn, both of civil and religious liberty, began to appear to thepeople. A repeal also passed of that law, the destruction of all laws,by which the King's proclamation was made of equal force with a statute.--Ibid. vol. iii. p. 339.

  Boiling to Death.

  In the reign of Henry VIII. poisoners were, by Act of Parliament,condemned to be BOILED TO DEATH. This Act was repealed in the followingreign.

  In Germany, even in the seventeenth century, this horrible punishment wasinflicted on coiners and counterfeiters. Taylor, the Water Poet,describes an execution he witnessed in Hamburg in 1616. The judgmentpronounced against a coiner of false money was that he should 'BE BOILEDTO DEATH IN OIL; not thrown into the vessel at once, but with a pulley orrope to be hanged under the armpits, and then let down into the oil BYDEGREES; first the feet, and next the legs, and so to boil his flesh fromhis bones alive.'--Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull's Blue Laws, True and False,p. 13.

  The Famous Stocking Case.

  A woman and her daughter, NINE YEARS OLD, were hanged in Huntingdon forselling their souls to the devil, and raising a storm by pulling offtheir stockings!--Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull's Blue Laws, True and False, p.20.

  NOTE 10, Chapter XVII. Enslaving.

  So young a King and so ignorant a peasant were likely to make mistakes;and this is an instance in point. This peasant was suffering from thislaw BY ANTICIPATION; the King was venting his indignation against a lawwhich was not yet in existence; for this hideous statute was to havebirth in this little King's OWN REIGN. However, we know, from thehumanity of his character, that it could never have been suggested byhim.

  NOTES to Chapter XXIII. Death for Trifling Larcenies.

  When Connecticut and New Haven were framing their first codes, larcenyabove the value of twelve pence was a capital crime in England--as it hadbeen since the time of Henry I.--Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull's Blue Laws,True and False, p. 17.

  The curious old book called The English Rogue makes the limit thirteenpence ha'penny: death being the portion of any who steal a thing 'abovethe value of thirteen pence ha'penny.'

  NOTES to Chapter XXVII.

  From many descriptions of larceny the law expressly took away the benefitof clergy: to steal a horse, or a HAWK, or woollen cloth from theweaver, was a hanging matter. So it was to kill a deer from the King'sforest, or to export sheep from the kingdom.--Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull'sBlue Laws, True and False, p.13.

  William Prynne, a learned barrister, was sentenced (long after EdwardVI.'s time) to lose both his ears in the pillory, to degradation from thebar, a fine of 3,000 pounds, and imprisonment for life. Three yearsafterwards he gave new offence to Laud by publishing a pamphlet againstthe hierarchy. He was again prosecuted, and was sentenced to lose WHATREMAINED OF HIS EARS, to pay a fine of 5,000 pounds, to be BRANDED ONBOTH HIS CHEEKS with the letters S. L. (for Seditious Libeller), and toremain in prison for life. The severity of this sentence was equalled bythe savage rigour of its execution.--Ibid. p. 12.

  NOTES to Chapter XXXIII.

  Christ's Hospital, or Bluecoat School, 'the noblest institution in theworld.'

  The ground on which the Priory of the Grey Friars stood was conferred byHenry VIII. on the Corporation of London (who caused the institutionthere of a home for poor boys and girls). Subsequently, Edward VI. causedthe old Priory to be properly repaired, and founded within it that nobleestablishment called the Bluecoat School, or Christ's Hospital, for theEDUCATION and maintenance of orphans and the children of indigent persons. . . Edward would not let him (Bishop Ridley) depart till the letter waswritten (to the Lord Mayor), and then charged him to deliver it himself,and signify his special request and commandment that no time might belost in proposing what was convenient, and apprising him of theproceedings. The work was zealously undertaken, Ridley himself engagingin it; and the result was the founding of Christ's Hospital for theeducation of poor children. (The King endowed several other charities atthe same time.) "Lord God," said he, "I yield Thee most hearty thanksthat Thou hast given me life thus long to finish this work to the gloryof Thy name!" That innocent and most exemplary life was drawing rapidlyto its close, and in a few days he rendered up his spirit to his Creator,praying God to defend the realm from Papistry.--J. Heneage Jesse'sLondon: its Celebrated Characters and Places.

  In the Great Hall hangs a large picture of King Edward VI. seated on histhrone, in a scarlet and ermined robe, holding the sceptre in his lefthand, and presenting with the other the Charter to the kneeling LordMayor. By his side stands the Chancellor, holding the seals, and next tohim are other officers of state. Bishop Ridley kneels before him withuplifted hands, as if supplicating a blessing on the event; whilst theAldermen, etc., with the Lord Mayor, kneel on both sides, occupying themiddle ground of the picture; and lastly, in front, are a double row ofboys on one side and girls on the other, from the master and matron downto the boy and girl who have stepped forward from their respective rows,and kneel with raised hands before the King.--Timbs' Curiosities ofLondon, p. 98.

  Christ's Hospital, by ancient custom, possesses the privilege ofaddressing the Sovereign on the occasion of his or her coming into theCity to partake of the hospitality of the Corporation of London.--Ibid.

  The Dining Hall, with its lobby and organ-gallery, occupies the entirestorey, which is 187 feet long, 51 feet wide, and 47 feet high; it is litby nine large windows, filled with stained glass on the south side; andis, next to Westminster Hall, the noblest room in the metropolis. Herethe boys, now about 800 in number, dine; and here are held the 'Suppingsin Public,' to which visitors are admitted by tickets issued by theTreasurer and by the Governors of Christ's Hospital. The tables are laidwith cheese in wooden bowls, beer in wooden piggins, poured from leathernjacks, and bread brought in large baskets. The official company enter;the Lord Mayor, or President, takes his seat in a state chair made of oakfrom St. Catherine's Church, by the Tower; a hymn is sung, accompanied bythe organ; a 'Grecian,' or head boy, reads the prayers from the pulpit,silence being enforced by three drops of a wooden hammer. After prayerthe supper commences, and the visitors walk between the tables. At itsclose the 'trade-boys' take up the baskets, bowls, jacks, piggins, andcandlesticks, and pass in procession, the bowing to the Governors beingcuriously formal. This spectacle was witnessed by Queen Victoria andPrince Albert in 1845.

  Among the more eminent Bluecoat boys are Joshua Barnes, editor ofAnacreon and Euripides; Jeremiah Markland, the eminent critic,particularly in Greek Literature; Camden, the antiquary; BishopStillingfleet; Samuel Richardson, the novelist; Thomas Mitchell, thetranslator of Aristophanes; Thomas Barnes, many years editor of theLondon Times; Coleridge, Charles Lamb, and Leigh Hunt.

  No boy is admitted before he is seven years old, or after he is nine; andno boy can remain in the school after he is fifteen, King's boys and'Grecians' alone excepted. There are about 500 Governors, at the head ofwhom are the Sovereign and the Prince of Wales. The qualification for aGover
nor is payment of 500 pounds.--Ibid.

  GENERAL NOTE.

  One hears much about the 'hideous Blue Laws of Connecticut,' and isaccustomed to shudder piously when they are mentioned. There are peoplein America--and even in England!--who imagine that they were a verymonument of malignity, pitilessness, and inhumanity; whereas in realitythey were about the first SWEEPING DEPARTURE FROM JUDICIAL ATROCITY whichthe 'civilised' world had seen. This humane and kindly Blue Law Code, oftwo hundred and forty years ago, stands all by itself, with ages ofbloody law on the further side of it, and a century and three-quarters ofbloody English law on THIS side of it.

  There has never been a time--under the Blue Laws or any other--when aboveFOURTEEN crimes were punishable by death in Connecticut. But in England,within the memory of men who are still hale in body and mind, TWO HUNDREDAND TWENTY-THREE crimes were punishable by death! {10} These facts areworth knowing--and worth thinking about, too.