356 Saints' Days, obscure Customs, remarkable Events, &c. [VOL. 2. the jokes and compliments of any body in the sweat of thy brows shalt thou eat who chose to stand on the steps of their bread. This penance was renewed on coach doors, which were very low, and the Sunday following, when the sacrathe ladies were not backward in repartee. ment was administered. The most anWhen they had no answer ready, a cient manner of observing Lent was to volley of sugar-plums generally repulsed refrain from all food till the evening: their besiegers. The ranks on the rais- for the change of diet, as of flesh for fish, ed footway, and the crowd below, were was not by the ancients, accounted a fast. in a continual roar of laughter, some It is still a custom with some old peowith effusions of real humour. A few ple to wear black during Lent. fire-works were exhibited. On the whole, we were highly entertained with this grotesque amusement, and could not but admire the perfect good-nature of the people, who could carry off such a scene without the least disorder.' SAINT AGATHA, FÉВ. 5. FEB. 8, 1587.-MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS BEHEADED. This beautiful, accomplished, interesting, and unfortunate woman, after be ing ranked among the most abandoned of her sex for nearly two centuries, owing to the envy and malice of her rival cousin and sister, Queen Elizabeth, has at length found champions in Mr. Goodall, Mr. Tytler, and Mr. Whitaker, who have vindicated her character, and shown, that, if, in some respects, she was impru dent, yet that she is more to be pitied than censured, and more pure than her calumniators, and that one of her greatest errors was confiding in her who was seeking her life. Lent is not of apostolic institution, nor was it known in the earlier ages of the Christian church. This day was former- On Tuesday the 7th of February, the ly called Caput Jejunii, the head of the earls of Shrewsbury and Kent arrived at fast, and Dies Cinerum, or Ash-Wed- Fotheringay, and, demanding access to nesday. The latter appellation is deriv- the queen, read in her presence the ed from the following custom in the dis- warrant for execution, and required her cipline of the ancient church. On the to prepare to die next morning. Mary first day of Lent the penitents were to heard them to the end without emotion, present themselves before the bishop, and crossing herself in the name of the clothed in sackcloth, with naked feet, and Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy eyes fixed upon the ground, in the pres- Ghost, That soul,' said she, is not ence of the principal part of the clergy worthy of the joys of heaven, which rebelonging to his diocese, who were pines because the body must endure the to be judges of the sincerity of their stroke of the executioner; and though I repentance. When these were introdu- did not expect that the queen of England ced in procession into church, the bishop would set the first example of violating and the clergy, all in tears, repeated the the sacred person of a sovereign prince, I seven penetential psalms. Then rising willingly submit to that which Providence from prayers, they threw ashes upon has decreed to be my lot; and laying them, and covered their heads with sack- her hand on a Bible, which happened cloth; declaring to them, with deep to be near her, she solemnly protested sighs, that as Adam was thrown out of that she was innocent of that conspiracy Paradise, so they must be driven from the which Babington had carried on against church. The bishop now commanded Elizabeth's life. She then mentioned the proper officers to turn them out of the requests contained in her letter to the church-doors; and all the clergy fol- Elizabeth, but obtained no satisfactory lowed, repeating that curse upon Adam, answer. She entreated, with particular VOL. 2.] Time's Telescope for February. 357 earnestness, that now, in her last moments, her neck; her beads at her girdle; and 6 Tell him I have done nothing injurious to his kingdom, to his honour, or to his rights; and God forgive all those who have thirsted, without cause, for my blood." and there Sir Andrew Melvil, the master Her attendants, during this conver- for some weeks from her presence, was of her household, who had been secluded sation, were bathed in tears, and, though permitted to take his last farewel. At overawed by the presence of the two earls, the sight of a mistress whom he tenderly with difficulty suppressed their anguish; loved, in such a situation, he melted into but no sooner did Kent and Shrewsbury tears; and as he was bewailing her conwithdraw, than they ran to their mistress, dition, and complaining of his own hard and burst out into the most passionate fate, in being appointed to carry the acexpressions of tenderness and sorrow. count of such a mournful event into Mary, however, not only retained per- Scotland, Mary replied, Weep not, fect composure of mind, but endeavoured good Melvil: there is at present great to moderate their excessive grief; and cause for rejoicing. Thou shalt this day falling on her knees, with all her domes- see Mary Stewart delivered from all her tics around her, she thanked heaven that cares, and such an end put to her tedious her sufferings were now so near an end, sufferings as she has long expected, and prayed that she might be enabled to Bear witness that I die constant in my endure what still remained with decency religion; firm in my fidelity towards and with fortitude. The greater part of Scotland; and unchanged in my affection the evening she employed in settling her to France. Commend me to my son. worldly affairs. She wrote her testament with her own hand. Her money, her jewels, and her clothes, she distributed among her servants, according to their rank or merit. She wrote a short letter to the King of France, and another to entreaties, she prevailed on the two earls With much difficulty, and after many the Duke of Guise, full of tender but to allow Melvil, together with three of magnanimous sentiments, and recom- her men-servants and two of her maids, mended her soul to their prayers, and to attend her to the scaffold. her afflicted servants to their protection. erected in the same hall where she had It was At supper she ate temperately, as usual, been tried, raised a little above the floor, and conversed not only with ease, but and covered, as well as the chair, the with cheerfulness; she drank to every cushion, and block, with black cloth. one of her servants, and asked their for- Mary mounted the steps with alacrity, giveness, if ever she had failed in any part beheld all this apparatus of death with of her duty towards them. At her an unaltered countenance, and, signing wonted time she went to bed, and slept herself with the cross, she sat down in calmly a few hours. Early in the morn- the chair. Beale read the warrant for ing she retired into her closet, and em- execution with a loud voice, to which ployed a considerable time in devotion. she listened with a careless air, and like At eight o'clock the high sheriff and his one occupied in other thoughts. officers entered her chamber, and found the Dean of Peterborongh began a Then her still kneeling at the altar. She im- devout discourse, suitable to her mediately started up, and with a majes- condition, and offered up prayers to present tic mien, and a countenance undismayed, heaven in her behalf; but she declared and even cheerful, advanced towards that she could not in conscience hearken the place of execution, leaning on two of to the one, nor join with the other, and, Paulet's attendants. She was dressed in falling on her knees, repeated a Latin a mourning habit, but with an elegance prayer. When the dean had finished and splendour which she had long laid his devotions, she, with an audible voice, aside, except on a few festival days. An and in the English tongue, recommended agnus dei hung by a pomander chain at unto God the afflicted state of the church, 358 Explanation of Saints' Days, remarkable Events, &c. [VOL 2 and prayed for prosperity to her son, and of a lady of Bruges, to whom he was atfor a long life and peaceable reign to tached. Elizabeth. She declared that she hoped for mercy only through the death of Christ, at the foot of whose image she now willingly shed her blood; and, lifting up and kissing the crucifix, she thus addressed it: As thy arms, O Jesus, were extended on the cross; so with the outstretched arms of thy mercy receive me, and forgive my sins!' Ember week, feb. 11. The Ember days are the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the first Sunday in Lent, and after the 13th of December. It is enjoined by a canon of the church, 'that Deacons and Ministers be ordained but only on the Sundays immediately following these Ember feasts.' SAINT VALENTINE, FEB. 14. Valentine was an antient presbyter of the church he suffered martyrdom in the persecution under Claudius II, at Rome; being beaten with clubs, and then beheaded, about the year 270. "The day Saint Valentine, When maids are brisk, and at the break of day HURDIS The first inventor of this custom (observes Mr. Hutchinson) must have been encourage the intercourse of the sexes; She then prepared for the block, by taking off her veil and upper garments; and one of the executioners rudely endeavouring to assist, she gently checked him, and said, with a smile, that she had not been accustomed to undress before so many spectators, nor to be served by such valets. With calm but undaunted fortitude she laid her neck on the block; and while one executioner held her hands, the other, at the second stroke, cut off her head, which, falling out of its attire, discovered her hair already grown quite grey with cares and sorrows. The executioner held it up still streaming with some benevolent female, who studied to blood, and the dean erying out, "So perish all Queen Elizabeth's enemies,' the Earl of Kent alone answered, Amen, The rest of the spectators continued silent, and drowned in tears; being incapable at that moment of any other sentiments but those of pity or admiration.* FEB.9,1555.-BISHOP HOOPER BURNT. This venerable man, one of the first victims of the bloody Mary,' was sent under the guard of a troop of horse towards Gloucester, where it was determined that he should be burnt in the midst of his affectionate and sorrowful flock. Being led to the stake, he was not suffered to speak to the weeping crowd, and was there used in the most barbarous manner; for the fire being made of green wood, his lower limbs were slowly consumed, while his vitals were unaffected, and he underwent the most dreadful torments for above three quarters of an hour. He bore them, however, with admirable patience and fortitude, and the last words which he was able to utter were, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" FEB. 10, 1430.-GOLDEN FLEECE. This order was instituted by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in honour • Robertson The following beautiful stanzas by Mrs. Robinson are an exception. No tales of love to you I send, No hidden flame discover, I glory in the name of friend, And now, while each fond sighing youth The drunkard heed with coid disdain; To none of these your heart ineline, The Moslem Bridal Song, in our last Number LOOK on that bed, the fetter bung Till chance unloosed him for the grave! He was a King!---aye, come and gaze A crown! but earth no more shall know City of God! Jerusalem! His life was splendid toil, he bound His hands are scarred ;---not all the stain In his weak arms;---Earth had no more ;--- From the Gentleman's Magazine. SONNET, PULCI. He, who has not enough, for these to spare, Nature is always wise in every part. From the European Magazine. A PRAGMENT. By the author of the "Legends of Lampidosa," &c THE sun looks from his tent of gold Alone it comes---a fragrant boat, Slowly and safe its treasures float, Nor where the laughing sea-maids light Till the rich surface burns more bright Than that fam'd crystal pavement spread O'er gems, for Saba's queen to tread. To a Bird, that haunted the waters of LACKEN, But Peace, a spirit pure and fair, in the Winter. By Lord THURLOW. MELANCHOLY bird, a winter's day, And taught by God, dost thy whole being school To Patience, which all evil can allay: Though these be good, true wisdom to im- Finds not her promis'd haven there; Their revel in those glassy cells.--- Beneath the deep sea's mirror green, But the mild Spirit rests not there, 360 For that sunk city is the wreck Original Poetry. Of glorious pomp, which war-fiends deck Who 'midst those glitt'ring wrecks shall perish, Far, far from thence the mild waves carl, The hearts of mothers, and the dreams The first rich radiant hope that gleams Is by the shining world unbought :--- The silver veil weak Nature wears, The boat is moor'd--the Seraph-maid From the Eclectic Review. AT THE GRAVE OF HER ONLY CHILD. By Miss D. P. CAMPBELL. "I Make blooming nature smile; N vain for me may summer's glow In vain may all the charms of spring In vain for me may zephyrs kiss Lock'd in Death's cold embrace. V. The Islet once known to mariners by this name, said to have disappeared, Unconscious babe! I would not wish [VOL. 2 Shall rouse the slumb`rers of the tomb, Sweet child! thine infant eyes had scarce A widow left to mourn. Nor e'en the last sad grief was giv’n, He fell upon a foreign shore, The battle's stormy rage-- How happier I, didst thou repose Than buried thus in field of strife, Where bloody deeds were done. But, ah! to Heav'n's eternal throne My ceaseless prayer shall rise, That yet our parted souls may meet In yonder blissful skies." She paus'd---for now the glimm'ring east Disturb'd the friendly gloom; Then slowly sought with bleeding heart Hei chang'd and cheerless home. From the Monthly Review, October 1817. ODE TO MEMORY. BY HENRY NEELE. "Man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?” AND where is he? not by the side JOB V Whose every want he loved to tend; Those scenes admired no more shall see, Neglected must his gardens be, But where is now this proud display? Desire could frame ;---but where are they? And he, as some tall rock that stands Protected by the circling sea, Surrounded by admiring bands, Seem'd proudly strong--and where is he? The church-yard bears an added stone, The fire-side shows a vacant chair, Here sadness dwells and weeps alone, And death displays his banner there; The life is gone, the breath has fled, And what has been no more shall be ; The well-known form, the welcome tread, Oh where are they, and where is he? |