For Faith and Freedom

rt of Mr. Boscorel as well as Sir Christopher caused her weekly tale of yarn to be of less importance. And as for me, not only would she never suffer me to sit at the

dge may be supposed to give. Yet, of course, I was on the side of liberty, both civil and religious. How should that b

most zealous partisan and lover of the Protest

th acclamations and by crowds who gathered round him to witness their loyalty to the Protestant faith. They came also to gaze upon the gallant commander who had defeated both the French and the Dutch, and was said (but erroneously) to be as wise as he was brave, and as religious as he was beautiful to look upon. As for his wisdom, those who knew him best have since assured the world that he had little or none, his judgment being always swayed and determined for him by crafty and subtle persons seeking their own interests. And as for his religion, whatever may

nt throne. If not, what should be done? And here, as everybody knows, was opinion divided. For some declared that the Duke of Monmouth, had he his rights, was the lawful heir; and others maintained, on the King's own words, that he was never married to Mistress Lucy Waters. Therefore, they would have the Duke of York's daughter, a Protestant princess, married to William of Orange, proclaimed Queen. The Monmouth party were strong, however, and it was even said-Mr. Henry Clark, minister of Crewkerne, wrote a pamphlet to prove it-that a poor woman, Elizabeth

leat House. It is said that his chief reason for going to that house was to connect himself with the obligation of the tenant of Longleat to give the King and his suite a night's lodging when they visited that part of the country. Mr. Thynne, who entertained t

s his progre

horsemen, and a

ore him as th

joy salute h

eives him as a

es the place

e that Mr. Thynne was immediately afterwards d

he Duke in respect to his Protestant professions. As for any pr

any Protestant professions, I know nothing of them. His Grace still remains, I believ

y so many thousands gathered together to welcome the Duke. Madam, Robin's mother, out of her kind he

s and wives, so that when we came to Ilchester, Sir Christopher was riding at the head of a great com

in winter) do so wind and turn about that they add two miles at least to the distance. Fortunately, the seaso

but only the old people and the little children were left there; in the fields the ripe corn stood waiting to be cut; in the farmyards the beasts were standing idle; all the hinds were gone to Ilchester to see the Duke. And I began to fear lest when we got to Ilchester we should be too late. At Marston we left the main road and entered upon a road (call it a track rather than a road) across the country, which is here flat and open. In winter it is miry and boggy, but it was now dry and hard. This path brought us again to the main road in two miles, or thereabouts, and here we were but a mile or so from Ilchester. Now, such a glorious sight as awaited us here I ne

mly to behold. Yet it was pretty to see the long curls lying on their white shoulders. Some of them sat with half-closed eyes, which, I have since learned, is the fashion at Court. Mostly, they wore satin petticoats, and demi-gowns also of satin, furnished with a long train. Our place was beside the old Cross with its gilt ball and vane. The people who filled the streets came from Sherborne, from Bruton, from Shepton, from Glaston

come as was this young man, who had no title to the Crown and was base born. Yet, because he was a brave young man, and comely above all other young men, gracious of speec

volatile humours of youth have been dissipated. The time of follies has passed; love is regarded with the sober eyes of experience; knowledge has been acquired; skill of eye and hand has been gained,

is son's shoulders, and regarded him fondly. At that time he was, indeed, a very David for beauty. I suppose that he hath not kept that singular loveliness which made

he men shouted, and you would have thought the bells would have pulled the old tow

s, at sight of him, could not praise him, of such singular beauty was he possessed. Softness, gentleness, kindness, and goodwill reigned in his lar

that same poem of his from

eign fields

States allied t

oughts of war h

he were only

d was done wit

'twas natur

ll accompanie

was opened

standing, the press in front obliged him to stop. He looked about him while he waited, smiling still and bowing to the people. Presently his eyes fell upon me, and he whi

' 'His Grace would say one word to y

ristopher, laughing. Everybody laughs-I know

d the softest. 'Fair White Rose'-he repeated the words-'let me be assured of the welcome o

er. And the gentleman who had led me forth lifted me so that my foot rested on the D

he said, 'wha

ame is Alice. I am the daughter of Dr. Comfort Eykin, an ejected min

st. 'I pray that we may meet again, Sir Christopher, and that before long.' Then he drew a gold ring, set with an emerald, from his forefinger, and placed it upon mine, 'God grant it bring thee luck, sweet child,' he said, and kissed me again, and then suf

, which is close to Ilminster. So many were they that they took down a great piece of the park paling to

e went he was received with the same shouts and acclamations. It is no wonder therefore, that he should beli

nd thanksgiving the anniversary of the raising of Charles's siege. When the Mayor, in 1683, tried to stop the celebration, they nearly stoned him to death. After this, Sir George Jeffreys, afterwards Lord Jeffreys, who

et, let me be assured by a

en cannot fight, but they can encourage those who do; and they can not only ardently desire, but they can despise and contemn those who think otherwise. I cannot say that it was I who persuaded our boys five ye