"Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish,
A towered citadel, a pendent rock,
A forked mountain, or blue promontory."

"this life more sweet

Than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods
More free from peril than the envious court?"

the virgin queen, that each of these symbolic trophies recurred as talismans, evoking whole reigns from the buried past. Vandyke, Rubens, and other masters speak from I paused beneath "the shade of melancholy the old walls in the precision of linear ex-boughs" and looked on the rough trunks for pression, or mellow richness of hue; and, at the name of Rosalind, and down the vistas, every step, we are tempted to linger and for Jacques prone on the sward in reverie; peruse the features of those who have suf- and, with the legendary structure just visifered and triumphed in a manner that has ble through a leafy screen, asked myself is made their names and fortunes household notwords in two hemispheres. What a story is associated with the earl of Strafford; what a web of intrigue, extending over the world, with the astute, glowing, dignified, prayerful A venerable keeper passed, and reminded face of Ignatius Loyola; what pitiful inter-me of good old Adam, and the "constant est environs the fair countenance of Charles service of the antique world," and a tanned I.'s queen; and how familiar appears Hol- loon, in a field, munching a turnip, had a bein's Henry VIII., the origin of his count- Touchstone air. The famous vase named less portraits. But earls and kings do not so from this its grand depository, and the view harmoniously embody the ideal of history as from the highest tower, were also rife with the landscape, as fresh, though less wooded interest. After winding through narrow to-day, as when "the blue-eyed minstrel" passages, lofty saloons, and over oak floors strayed amid its oaks and elms. It was du- all mellowed and worn by time, after tracing ring a walk through the castle grounds, that the antique carving round an enormous firethe poetry of the scene came home to my place, that had consumed yule logs by thouheart. Weary with historical details, and sands, gazed on ancient armor, reverend porwarlike legends, it was refreshing to tread traits, and, every now and then, through the the elastic and twinkling grass, and see the vast window, upon the picturesque landscape, old branches of noble trees wave in the gus- it was startling to my American sense of ty breeze. The symmetrical pines cast broad change, to see the gloves, hats, and overshadows; the few brown leaves that yet coats, of the present occupants of Warwick clung to the leafless oaks, were detached by castle, lying on the hall-table. So completethe wind; birds were chirping; a banner ly had the manners and habiliments of a disfluttered from the tower; far away spread tant age occupied the mind, that this indicathe clustered roofs of Warwick, and over tion of hereditary proprietorship, of the abthem rose the old church pinnacles: looking solute relation of living men to the old earls, upon these objects, as I strolled in the mea- came upon the senses as a miracle. To one dow, through which winds the Avon, two who has lived in a country where it is rare beautiful swans floated gracefully down the to find the second generation beneath the stream; and then I felt myself in a haunt of Shakspere. The castle, the town, the river, the queenly birds, each tree and grass-blade were rife with his gracious memory; and the murmurs of his harp seemed to vibrate in the wind, fragmentary snatches of histotoric and natural description. I looked at the old gray towers, and

"Saw young Henry with his beaver on,
His cuisses on his thighs, gallantly armed,
Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury."

I gazed at the sky, as the vapory rack con-
solidated in shifting and grotesque forms,
and thought-

same roof-tree, or to recognise a landmark after the lapse of twenty years, a land where change is the universal law, and vicissitude of fortune, locality and employment almost the prevalent order of life, there is a positive sublimity in the spectacle of a home nine hundred years old; and I did not wonder at the spell of conservatism in a nation, where the family can gather at Christmas, in halls alive with traditions of ancestral barons, knights, and princes, sheltered from the winter air by tapestry woven, centuries ago, into the pictured exploits of warlike progenitors, and kneel to pray in a chapel, before

whose altar have bowed a line of kindred | We tread the sagging floor, we gaze round extending from the origin of the kingdom to the low-roofed and diminutive chamber, we the present hour. To complete the expres- vainly seek an unappropriated inch on wall sive alternation of relics, in the lodge was a and ceiling to inscribe our name, we seat ourspider-legged table, at which Friar Tuck selves in the arm-chair, let the garrulous old might have quaffed ale, and in the dining-woman chatter away unheeded, and, all the room, an elaborately-carved buffet, that had time, there is a strife between the senses and graced the World's Fair.

with which, glad to escape the more exciting lessons of London life, he wrote:

"Often to our comfort, shall we find
The sharded beetle in a safer hold
Than is the full-winged eagle. O this life
Is nobler than attending for a check,
Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk."

At every step, his familiar phrase illustrated the scene. When we sat down to lunch at "The Red Horse," what better greeting could be imagined than

the mind, from the eagerness of the latter to realize the identity of the scene with Shakspere's nativity. But this troubled mood changes to one of happy conviction, as we At Stratford-on Avon, however, we are become familiar with the town itself and adtoo much absorbed in the childhood, youth, jacent country. It is easy to associate a and last days of Skakspere the man, to re- poet with nature, and very near seems he flect long upon his age. It is the hazel eyes, who first drew breath in yonder lowly domi the bald and lofty head, the auburn beard, cil, when streams. woods, insect, sky, and the human figure that once moved through man himself, are beheld where he first knew these streets, which haunt our fancy there; them. I could easily imagine here the zest it is the stripling given "to poetry and acting," the glowing youth wooing, not a girl, but a woman parallel with his own thorough manliness, and therefore his senior, and "in the lusty stealth of nature" taking the fair Anne Hathaway for his bride; it is the spirited youth relishing a midnight shot in the forest, and lampooning a complacent old squire the rich autocrat of the neighborhood-whom he was too independent to toady, and yet not able wholly to defy; it is the romantic moonlight stroller, upon whose fine sense not an odor, hue, or tone, was lost-unconsciously garnering up, in this humble village, the material elements of poetic creations destined for all time;" and finally, it is the crowned minstrel, his eter- I looked out of the window, and there nal triumph achieved, his glorious legacy to stood a venerable figure bent over his stick, mankind enrolled, returning hither, in the his loose woollen hose betraying "the lean prime of life and fame, to celebrate his and slippered pantaloon;" there were no daughter's nuptials, make his will, write his less than two infants "puling in their nurses' epitaph, dwell a while in grateful and meek arms;" an urchin, playing ball, exhibited content, with kindred and neighbors, amid "the shining morning face" of the schoolhis sweet native landscape, and then lay his boy; a blacksmith and currier were greedily body under the altar where in life he pray- swallowing news which a farmer ostenta ed; thenceforth to become a shrine of hu- tiously broached; they were the "mechanic manity, to which his spirit, diffusive as the slaves with greasy aprons" of the play; winds of heaven, and yet concentrated as under the window, stood an old toper, who the heart's blood, shall draw the votive steps methought sat for this picture: There is a of reverent and loving generations for ever! fellow somewhat near the door, for o' my Of all the claims upon faith to which the conscience twenty dog-days now reign in 's modern traveller is liable, one of the most nose; all that stand about him are under the difficult not to admit, but to realize, is that line;" a strutting groom was one of those advanced by the sign projecting from the inventoried by the same hand, as "highly little cottage in Henley street, at Stratford. fed and lowly taught ;" a plethoric dame was

"May good digestion wait on appetite,
And health on both!"

46

arranging her newly-purchased stores in a cious seeing to the eye," Shakspere beheld cart, with the very expression of an "un- the landscape now present to my vision; lettered, small-knowing soul;" a bluff coun- speeding with full heart to his tryst at eve, try-gentleman reined up his tall horse, as if "the sweet odor of the new mown hay" to exhibit to the group his fair, round belly, breathed its fragrance around him; "violets with good capon lined;" a lady's chariot dim" met his downward glance; "the poor outshone the whole array, and a carrier's beetle that we tread upon," crossed his path; wagon was an instant nucleus for gossips. the willow that "shows its hoar leaves in It was essentially such a "walking shadow" the glassy stream" became a pensive image of life as used to greet the eyes of the young in his memory; "the barky fingers of the poet. Indeed, I recognized, in an hour's elm" touched his flushed brow; the umbrawalk about Stratford, a vast number of old geous fence that skirted his way, years after, acquaintances, especially Dogberry, Shal- led him to write, "Such a divinity doth low, Snug, Bottom, and Launce's dog. But hedge a king;" he saw the cheerful rustic the most genial traces of his muse are dis- coming home from toil, and knew, when in coverable in natural objects. From Strat- the great world, how blest it is "to range ford to Shotely, his wife's maiden home, and with humble livers in content;" the decrepit thence to Charlecote, the seat of the deer- villager that hobbled by, taught him that loving justice, how many silent testimonies" Care keeps his watch in every man's eye;" to the graphic pencil of the dramatic artist, the echo of the funeral bell impressed upon strike the thoughtful eye! his thoughts that "we can not hold mortaliThe evidence of universal sympathy, so ty's strong hand;" and though convivially apparent in the pilgrimage of multitudes to inclined when "fancy free," he left the alea common shrine, attested the truth he so house early where there was "like to be a emphatically announced, that "one touch of great presence of worthies," breaking away nature makes the whole world kin;" his from the bore "full of wise saws and modown marvellous destiny makes us feel that ern instances ;" and, as these casual experi"there's a divinity that shapes our ends;" ences took their place in the background of the headstones in the churchyard announce the temple of his mind, he thus inwardly that "undiscovered country from whose ejaculated:

bourne no traveller returns ;" and thus each object and idea which the place suggested, whether by a detail of nature or a general truth, found its most apt expression in one of his memorable phrases.

The shrewd eye and obsequious bearing of an innkeeper made us exclaim, "How like a fawning publican he looks;" a discussion growing out of Queen Elizabeth's portraits, and the tales of her frailty, induced the charitable second thought to utter itself in his considerate line, "The greatest scandal waits on greatest state;" the complacent air of sanctity in a young and spruce vicar we met, suggested one of that class who believe there shall be "no more cakes and ale" because they are virtuous; and, hastening at sunset along the road to Warwick, we could say

"The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day, Now spurs the lated traveller apace

To gain the timely inn."

Here, I thought, when love "lent a pre

"O, that I thought it could be in a woman
To feed for aye her lamp and flames of love;
To keep her constancy in plight and youth,
Outliving beauty's outward, with a mind
That doth renew swifter than blood decays!
Or, that persuasion could but thus convince me,
That my integrity and truth to you

Might be affronted with the watch and weight
Of such a winnowed purity in love;
How were I then uplifted!"

He heard, as he walked, the "brook make
music with the enamelled stones," and saw
the river "giving a gentle kiss to every
sedge," even as they do now; and, at the
same time, speculating on his own conscious-
ness, he thought-

"O, how this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day, Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, And by-and-by a cloud takes all away!"

THE CARDINAL'S HIGHWAY.

A STORY OF THE DAYS OF RICHELIEU.

CHAPTER I.

SWORDS AND MASKS.

737

functionary, was a passport bearing the seal of Richelieu.

By the reduction of the great city of the protestants the cardinal was now at the height of his power. Rochelle the last strong hold in France of the persecuted Huguenots, deserted by the English and barred The coast of Picardy from Havre to the from all succor by the immense wall thrown Somme is one unbroken line of rocks inter- across the bay, had yielded to his arms in spersed with sand hills. Dieppe St. Valery November of the preceding year. Mareand Fecamp are almost the only places schal Bassompierre had said "we shall be where vessels may safely touch if the wind foolish enough to take Rochelle;" by its reblows anything like a gale. In the last men- duction the minister's power became firmly tioned town, towards the end of the month established and he was placed in a position of January 1629, a number of persons were to despise all the efforts of his enemies. His assembled on the quay watching the move- great mind ruled not only France but all Euments of a vessel which, driven about by rope. Internal order so often destroyed by the wind, was endeavouring to enter the the feuds of the nobles was restored, and port. The day was dark and gloomy; thick his authority extending to the most remote clouds were drifting across the sky and the provinces of the kingdom, was every where wind blew furiously. The vessel in question respected. The signature of "Richelieu" was a small corvette, and it every moment had quickly smoothed the way for the travran the greatest danger of being dashed to eller from England, and he was enabled to pieces on the rocks which here jut out into continue his journey without hindrance. He had now been in the saddle several the channel. The time was approaching Passing to the left of Havre, he when all would be decided, for borne along hours. like a sea-gull on the tops of the waves, the galloped through the little village of Harlittle barque flew towards the breakers. In fleur without drawing rein to recruit his own another instant it had glided past the rocks and entered the harbor. The captain of this vessel, which bore upon its stern the name of "The Swallow," as his boat touched the landing, met the governor of the port. To the questions of the officer, he replied, "that he had touched there in order to land Monsieur"-pointing to another person who had accompanied him in the boat-" who had desired to be put ashore at that place." It was ten the next morning before the Monsieur was a small man with piercing eyes, sun-burnt and of dark hair and beard. Englishman, venting imprecations, could set He was richly dressed, though his clothes pre- out. He had no. noticed three cavaliers who sented a travel-worn appearance, and a large had put up at the same hotel and who had sword suspended from a broad belt round his kept their eyes upon all his movements. waist knocked against the owner's calves at When he was out of sight they paid their every step he took. In reply to the demands score and followed upon the same road. of the same officer who had questioned the A league beyond the small town of Ecocaptain of the Swallow, he produced a slip uen, while passing through a wood the cavaof parchment which seemed to remove all lier thought he heard the sound of horses' doubts, and then mounting a horse prepared feet upon the hard and flinty road which he for him, he set forward rapidly on the road had just passed over. He was not mistaken. to Paris. The paper which the traveller had In another moment two horsemen appeared shown to the governor of Fecamp and which some distance in the rear, riding at full procured such prompt attention from that speed. Upon their appearance the cavalier

VOL. XIX-93

strength or that of his horse. Reaching
Rouen at midnight he proceeded to the first
hotel; his horse had fallen from fatigue up-
A quarter of an hour
on entering the town.
elapsed before the host replied to the furious
storm of knocks which the cavalier showered
upon the door. At last it was opened but
no horses could be procured at that hour of
the night, and it was easy to see that this ir-
ritated him extremely.

with a movement in which there was noth-road. When within six yards he took aim ing of ostentation, brought round his sword, and fired, but the sudden rearing of his adthat it might be convenient to his hand, and versary's horse caused him to fail in his aim. then without increasing his pace, calmly Throwing his pistol away he drew his sword awaited their approach. The newcomers and leaning forward, dug the spurs into his were gentlemen, to judge from their clothes, sides.

up

but none but robbers wore masks, and they But before he could cross swords, when were entirely disguised His perplexity was within scarcely ten feet, his adversary fired soon put an end to, for spurring hard the in turn. The cavalier raised his hand to his pursuers, as they proved to be, quickly came breast and fell fainting from his horse. The with him, one of them seizing his bridle other riding up, dismounted and drew from so suddenly as to throw the horse on his the breast of the dead man a paper, and afhaunches. A fiery glance flashed from the ter bestowing a glance of pity upon a deep cavalier's eye, and with an instinctive im- wound in the neck, from which the blood pulse he drew his sword half way from the flowed profusely, mounted again and disapscabbard; but appearing to change his mind peared with his companions on the route to

he allowed it to fall back, as he said,
"Messieurs, what would you have? You
use somewhat roughly a man who has never
done you harm."

"The passport from the cardinal," replied the mask who held the bridle.

But, gentlemen," replied the other, "you are mistaken, you take me for some one else."

Paris.

At this time all France was in commotion. The Duke of Nevers shut up in Casal sent to demand succor of Louis XIII. It was rumored that the king himself would in confusion. The partisans of Richelieu take the command. At court all things were and those of the queen mother were contin"Give me the paper, Monsieur," cried the ually at strife. The minister had already mask, "or I will kill you." Before the cavalier begun his great plan of humbling the nobilicould answer, a voice was heard some dis-ty and augmenting the royal prerogative. tance in the rear shouting, "Stop, gentlemen, Two years before Gaston D'Orleans, De Chastop, I am coming," accompanied by the lais and others had conspired to take the Cardinal's life. Gaston was forced to marry sound of hoofs rapidly approaching.

"The paper, the paper!" cried the mask, a lady, selected by the Cardinal; Chalais was beheaded. This was only the begindrawing his pistol, "or thou art dead!"

"Here, here it is," shouted the cavalier, ning of that system which afterwards brought to the block the great Montmorency, Marillac and drawing his long sword, with a motion too rapid for his opponent to parry, he struck and Cinq Mars, and which ruined Orleans, Guise, Epernon and Bassompierre, the first him upon the head. The blow was so pow-nobles of France-Richelieu had steadfastly erful that his assailant dropping the bridle bent to the back of his horse. The other

followed the plan which he had laid out, and noble after noble had bent to his iron will. The Bastille was only a more lingering death, and many, from their horror of perpetual imprisonment, preferred the scaffold. In Paris there was a strong anti-cardinal party.

siezing his advantage put spur to his horse, which mad with fatigue and pain started forward like the wind. But while these rapid events were occurring the third cavalier had come up with whirlwind speed, passing thirty or forty yards in advance of the party, so great had been his speed. To this cavalier, the fugitive now found himself opposed, and he galloped forward pistol in hand. At that moment the mask who had received the cavalier's sword-stroke, drew his pistol and fired. Thus a party of young noblemen who had The ball passed through the cloak and, pour-assembled a few days after the events narpoint, but without noticing it he charged rated above, at the hotel of M. de Soissons, down upon the horseman who barred the who was at enmity with the cardinal, par

The proud and fiery spirit of the young nobles especially, revolted at the idea of submission to the soldier-priest, and not a few had heavily atoned for their spirit of independence.