A March on London

continued the subject of

ty. You must know that many substances, while wholly innocent in themselves, are capable of dealing wide destruction when they are mixed together; for example, saltpetre, charcoal, and sulphur, which, as Friar Bacon discovered, make, when mixed together, a powder wh

ting upon bones, and endeavouring to ascertain whether a powder might not be procured which, when mixed with other substances, would produce unexpected results. After calcining the bones, I treated the white ash with various acids an

I had been experimenting on. Turning out the lamp the light was again visible, and after much thought I concluded that it was similar to the light given by the little creatures called glowworms, and which in its turn somewhat resembles the light that can be seen at times in a pile of decaying fish. I t

on the wall in the form of circles, triangles, and other signs. I did this just before it became dark. As the moisture dried, these figures graduall

it retain its

while if the day is dull they show up but faintly at night. I see not that any use can come of such a thing, for the light is at all times too faint to be used for reading unless the page i

r, I have painted this head with the stuff, and now you can see nothing more un

rtling distinctness. It had the effect of being bathed in moonlight, although much more brilliant than even the light of the full moon. It seem

ut you will see that there

onderful

al, and knowing that I could have no motive in deceiving him, was much interested; but he said to me, 'This is one of the things that were best concealed. I can quite understand that there are many things in nature of which we are ignorant. I know that what you say of decayed fish sometimes giving out light like this

re best that you destroy it, for if whispers of it got abroad you might well be accused of dealing in magic. All knowledge of things beyond them is magic to the ignorant. Roger Bacon was treate

t, though I believe not in the supernatural, would have frightened me had I seen it without knowing anything of its nature. You know that old skull that was dug up out of the gard

gar. In front of him there was a gibbering skull, the lower jaw wagging up and down, as if engaging in nois

k ye of th

stly, sir,

d again lighted the lamp. "I fancy, Edgar, that if a mob of people were to break do

ord. Even though I expected it, the sight sent a shiver through me, and my te

be brought to a standstill. But there are other means. I have buried jars filled with Friar Bacon's powder round the house, with trains by which they can be fired. At present the common people know little of guns, and methinks that the explosion of two or three of these jars would sen

ight bring accusation ag

e that these are but scientific products, and have naught to do with magic. Besides, if there is a rising of the common peopl

myself, I would rather charge them, sword in

thout doing harm to them rather than to slay and maim, for their attack would be made in their ignorance, and in their hatred of those

were fifteen. They had heard of the affair at Dartford, which was, of cour

fair treatment and their just rights as men, I should wish them success; but I fear that evil counsels will carry them far beyond this, and that they may

deed if there be trouble or sickness he presses no one beyond his means. We have not been called upon for service for

ourselves in readiness to gather at the house, and to aid in its defence. My father has means of his own for discomfiting any t

fs, and their sympathies will be all with the rioters. I do not think they would fight ag

st place interfere with the gentry. Their first impulse will be to obtain redress for their wrongs; but they have bad advisers, and many will jo

the bell and all within hearing will run, arms in hand, to defend the house, a

we are sure to have notice of any such movement. But as I have said, I think not that there is any chance of

for some act that would serve as a signal for revolt, in order to gather as their fellows in Essex had already begun to do. He found the streets of the town crowded with people; some were excited and noisy, but the mass had a serious and determined

point, and Edgar saw that they wer

is paid, some fresh tax is heaped on us. What are we? Men without a voice, men whom the government regard as merely beings from whom money is to be wrung. Nor is this all. 'Tis not enough that we must starve in order that our oppressors may roll i

o bar our way. All shall be done orderly and with discretion. We war only against the government, and to obtain our rights. Already our demands have been drawn up, and unless these are granted we will not be content. These are what we ask: first, the total

emands was received wi

h will not be permitted, and any man caught plundering will at once be hung. They may call us rioters; they may try and persuade the king that we are disloyal subjects, though this is not the case. One thing they shall not say of us, that we are a band of robbers and thieves. By to-night we shall be joined by all true men of the neighbourhood, and will then march to Gravesend, where our fellows have already risen and are in arms; thence we go to Rochester and deliver those of

rode down the main street on his way home he heard shouting, and a brawny, powerful man came along,

ve seen you in the streets before. What think you of what

the four points that you demand are just and right. I wish you good fortune in ob

t be needful, we will burn down London and kill every man of rank who falls int

trength were all men free and ready to bear arms in its defence; and save for the article about the price of land, as to which I am in no way a judge, I see not that any man will be a penny the poorer; but if, on the other hand, such deeds as those you

brow, "that the commons of England could, if they wishe

of English soldiers defeated nigh twenty times their number at Poictiers. And I say that against a force of steel-clad knights and men-at-arms any number of men, however brave, if armed as these are, could make no stand. It would not be a battle-it would be a slaughter; therefore, while wishing you well, and admitting

rd, looked back angrily and would have spoken, but the man next to him whispered something in his ear.

since the prior had called his attention to his son's condition, he had, when not at work, done all in his power to make the boy happ

own?" he asked Edgar, as they

did not go. Indeed, they declared that everything must be done peacefully and in order, and that any man caught plundering should be hung forthwith. By the applause that followed, these are evidently the sentiments of the great mass of the peasants, but I fear there are some of them-Wat the Tyler at their head-who will go much farther. At present,

bly the leaders of the malcontents punished for their share in the matter. Still, I say not that even so, the movement will not have done good. The nobles have enough on their hands with their own quarrels and jealousies, and seeing that the continuance of serfdom is likely to give rise to troubles that may be more serious than this hasty and ill-considered

lbert De Courcy ro

out to the door, on seeing him appro

the king has asked him to remain at Court at present, he would fain have mother, Aline, and me with him. Old Hubert is to take command of the castle, and to bid the tenantry be ready to come in for its defence should troubl

will assuredly take advantage of his goodness, although undeserved

peasants marched at daybreak this morning to Gravesend,

thing that he will allow to disturb him at his work, b

Ormskirk came up int

. It is only on account of the troubles with the peasants that he dislikes to go away at this moment, but I deem not that any trouble will come of it here; and I can myself, as he knows, cope with them should they attemp

. Ormskirk, for I also have preparations to make, having

fit for Court. I need not say to you, do not choose over-gay colours, for I know that your tastes do not lie in that direction. I don't wish you to become a courtier, Edgar; for, though it is an excellent thing to be introduced at Court and to be known to high personages there, that is an altogether different thing from being a hang

they have gained over the mind of the young king. I should wish you, then, to make as many acquaintances as you can, for none can say who may be of use to you at one time or another; but keep yourself aloof from all close intimacies. It may be that, in after years, you may find it well-nigh impossible to keep aloof from all parties in the state, but do so as long as

indeed they accord with what you before said to me,

alise. It will not be necessary for you to take

yourself, for the king, being as yet scarcely fifteen, naturally likes to surround himself with those who are not greatly older, and who have the same love for pleasure and gaiety, but such associates will do you no good, though I say not that a little of it might not be of advantage, seeing that you are somewhat more grave than is natural at your age, owing to the life that you have led here with me. Young De Courcy-although I have greatly encouraged your comp

ng at the door. He did not go in, deeming that he might be in the way, but sent in word to Lady De Cour

" she said, smiling; "for after what Sir Ralph told me

who make the roads unsafe will have gone off to join the Tyler and his band, thinking that opportunities for plunder are sure to pres

er to their saddles, and the party soon r

e the journey in a sin

ially as it will be for one day's journey only; the roads are good, the day fine, and there will be no occasion to ride at speed. Why, it i

t several little parties of men hurrying along, armed with pikes, clubs, or farming implements. These passed without sp

e Courcy said, disdainfully. "Our two men-at

ugh methinks that a blow with one of those flails

am sorry for the poor fellows; they have great grievances, but I fear they are not set

e have not your sympath

aid, in som

gain expected, for it is in most cases simply impossible for them to pay the taxes demanded. It seems to me that a poll-tax is, of all others, the worst, since it takes into no account the differences of station and wealth-to the rich the impost is trifling, to the poor it is

, and of having the same rights as others, they would labour more cheerfully. Moreover, it would double the strength of the force that

, or bush in which a man might lurk to do harm; while, as any ill that happened to travellers was made payable by the township in which it occurred, there was a strong personal interest on the part of the inhabitants to suppress plundering bands in th

they crossed London Bridge and then made for