Anonymous

“ I have no desire to do so; and you must all take a journey with me into Scotland, for I wish to be present at a coronation in that country; we shall find a lady asserting the right of her family to crown all the kings of the nation. She was the only representative of it then able to perform the ceremony: she places the diadem on the brow of one destined to continual struggles for liberty; his countenance bespeaks prudence, valour, and great enthusiasm. ”

“ In a retired room of a castle, no longer standing, there were two people sitting together in apparent security; the lady had the air and manners of a Frenchwoman, but her expression was disagreeable, giving the idea of a cruel, deceitful person. The gentleman also had no very pleasing aspect; in the midst of their conversation a secret door is broken open, and a king, with men following him, seize and carry away the man, in spite of the female's earnest entreaties."
"Mary, Queen of Scots," ventured an undecided voice. ”

“ Now, my dear children, picture to yourselves a battle. It appears to be an engagement during a civil war, for the dress and appearance of the opponents are exactly alike. There is a gloom spread over the whole picture; the redness of sunset has scarcely faded away, and the moon is appearing in the horizon. On one side we see an infirm monarch in the grasp of a soldier, who, with his hand raised to strike the fatal blow, seems to hesitate with astonishment. On the other side, one of princely deportment is attracted by a voice from the spot where the scene I have just described is taking place. ”

“ That I am quite ready to do, and will beg you to follow me to a coronation; the king, about to have the crown placed on his head, is a man with strongly marked features and a stern expression, of the middle height, but showing great bodily power. His followers are dressed in armour, made of very small iron rings linked together like net-work, and so flexible, that it fits close to their bodies. The ceremony is not yet completed; the people inside the building are noisy in expressing their exultation and applause, but outside there are signs of a tumult ”

“ Macdonald indulged him, and begged to know if the conquered and the conqueror were related to each other.
"Oh! mama, Emily moves her head to say yes. We know now; when little boys I think they quarreled, because one of them threw a bucket of water over the other; if they began so early to fight, no wonder they hated each other in after life."
"Can any of you tell me," enquired their aunt, "what celebrated building was erected in this reign? William, if you retain your wish to study law, you may some day know more of its interior." ”

“ The scene is not laid in England, but near the coast of an adjacent country, an exposed rock, on the summit of which there was a castle but indifferently defended. A long siege had so much weakened the garrison, that few were able to protect the prince who led them; they were forced to surrender to the enemy at the foot of the rock, who had anxiously expected the moment when starvation would conquer their courage. The prince knelt to the victor for mercy; life was granted; but he was cast out, with a few faithful followers, to find shelter and support from any who would take pity on him. ”

“ Grief is so settled in the hearts of all, that there are few to attend the last breath of those who still linger on earth; in one of the public thoroughfares some poor wretches have crawled out to listen to a man, who braves infection, and preaches to his miserable fellow-creatures. Dead bodies are carried by, and fear and misery hangs over all. ”

“ All seem to be working cheerfully under him; and he is so gentle in appearance, that the little children are not afraid to come near him, and look at the warlike ornaments of his dress. In the distance some soldiers, evidently of a different country to the rest of the people, are embarking in boats, with all their baggage."
"Were those the Romans going away, mama?" demanded Annie.
"No, my love; the building and the dress show a more advanced state of civilization than our country presented at the time of their invasion; besides, there is a trace of Saxon descent in my hero's countenance." ”

“ Arabin then began:—"My scene is laid, where many of our scenes have been laid before, within the cold walls of a prison; but a strange circumstance is there taking place, very different to any you have yet depicted. A great interchange of clothing seems to be taking place. Three figures occupy the apartment; one lady is attiring herself in a riding dress, whilst another is assisting a dark man to put on a lady's costume; much anxiety is pourtrayed in the face of the latter lady, and none of them seem to think it as good a joke as Alfred does, to judge by his smiling face ”

“ A family group meets for the last time on earth. A father, with deep grief depicted on his regular, handsome, although care-worn features, has a little boy about seven years old on his knee: he seems anxious to impress something of importance on the child's mind, who is listening to his father with his eyes fixed on him. An interesting little girl stands by his side, crying bitterly."
"I think," said Mrs. Macdonald, "if we help him a little, Alfred might name this subject. When we first began this game, he was very anxious to know more of this poor king, who was in prison ”

“ The place in which the scene is laid is an old palace, and is a most interesting building, although there is nothing grand in its appearance. The old walls in every part of the edifice seem to have been beautified for the reception of the present tenant. The hardy forms and strongly marked features of the assembled crowd, soften into an expression of the deepest satisfaction as they welcome their sovereign ”

“ At the top of the house a very different scene was passing. Mrs. Macdonald's children and their four cousins had romped until they were tired, and were now silly enough to complain of being obliged to stop, and did not know what to do next; the elder children had good-naturedly joined in their games, and were too weary to tell stories, or continue their exertions in their behalf. The nurse had insisted on their not crowding too close to the fire, to which she maintained the baby and the tea-kettle had the best right. ”

“ Edward blushed, and after a few minutes' hesitation, described the following picture:—
"A king, surrounded by some of his officers, is seated in a large room; his dress and the furniture of the apartment show more cleanliness than luxury; brave, rough men are on bended knee before him; whilst their attendants are bringing in wolves' heads, and laying them at the feet of the king." ”

“ White was here, mama," said Edward, "I formed our first picture."
"I noticed," remarked his aunt, "that you were the quietest of the party, and it is now accounted for. By exercising your mind, you ensured polite behaviour. We are all quite ready to listen."
"Although I wish to represent a field of battle, I shall only call your attention to one part of it. A single, armed man is fighting desperately for his life; his helmet is so beaten by the blows it has received, that all shape is lost. ”

“ Arabin, "if it teach us to remember the lesson which the story is so well able to teach."
Mrs. Macdonald then proceeded to describe a scene where a haughty, fierce-looking man is standing by an open grave, from which his attendant soldiers are taking a body; the pale features of the corpse appear to resemble those of the proud king, who points to his followers to convey the body to the adjacent river. The bystanders are clothed in loose dresses like a carter's frock, bound round the waist by a belt, and only reaching to the knee; some have iron collars round their necks ”

“ Suppose we give papa hard work now we have secured him, and let him relate every story till it is time to leave off our game."
Papa in vain begged they would not be so unjust; the proposal was thought so excellent, that directly Alfred would leave off clapping his hands, he good-naturedly acquiesced:—
"A field of battle presents all the usual horrors, but in one respect has a particular that I do not think is paralleled. An aged king is to be seen in all the perils of the day; he is well mounted, and a knight rides on each side of him, leading his horse ”

“ Picture to yourselves a garden, which in the days I speak of would have been considered a beautiful specimen of horticulture, but which we should now think stiff and formal; the long, straight, broad walks, however, present an appearance of grandeur, which we see in none of the present day. ”

“ Macdonald, "that this king was a foreigner, whose attendants had unjustly feared that their prince was betrayed."
"You have guessed it, I see, mama."
"And so have I," exclaimed an exulting little voice; "I think they spoke a different language from our last night's Saxon friends. Annie, it is now your turn."
"I shall," she directly began, "describe a quieter scene than the noisy event just represented. A royal lady, with a mild, rather intellectual countenance, is seated with her attendant ladies, busily employed in working a large piece of tapestry. ”

“ Macdonald.
"Yes, aunt; I am afraid I cannot puzzle you."
When the subject was more clearly made known, Annie asked, "Are there any wolves in Wales now, mama? I should be afraid to live there."
"No, my dear; as men have become more civilized, and the country more full of people, these and other wild animals have been driven into smaller spaces, until at last they have all been killed. This is not only the case in England, but in other countries; where colonies are spreading over formerly wild tracts of land, the wilder animals are fast disappearing." ”

“ I think, Mary, you must remember his rooms at Hampton Court."
"Yes, I do, mama; a beautiful carved wood screen was said to have belonged to him."
"I will now resume our game," said Mrs. Arabin. "A lady is seen sitting with one attendant, who appears to have been trying to lighten her cares by playing a mandolin; but her mistress's brow, although serene, is overcast; she knows she has been treated unjustly; she may also mourn for a little daughter, whose prospects are blighted by her mother's troubles. ”

“ One of the party whispered, "The young prince's father was never seen to smile again."
"You are quite right, Mary; now let us hear your anecdote."
"My scene is laid in winter; the snow covers the country; a town is besieged, and the soldiers are quietly resting at night, expecting that the dreadful scarcity of provisions will soon make the enemy surrender. Four figures, as white as the snow over which they hastily move, have issued from a postern-door; they have crossed the frozen river, and are now escaping the sentinels, who seem to be ignorant of their flight." ”

“ He is preparing to undress, whilst attendants are taking the head off an immense butt of liquid; it looks like wine, for the man nearest to the cask appears as if he would like a little very much."
"Perhaps he would," remarked Mary; "but I think your hero soon had more than he liked."
"Mary has guessed," said Willie. "Louisa, you never tell any stories; do try and relate something very pretty."
"Something more about little babies," added Alfred.
"That is rather hard," said Louisa, "for little babies have not often much to do in history or pictures either ”

“ Arabin. "At the gate of a castle, situated in a country where the ground near the sea never appears to rise into high hills, but spreads itself in undulating downs, we see a mild-looking young man on horseback. ”

“ A pulpit had been placed among the green boughs, from which a holy and venerable man is preaching to a small congregation; in the centre of the group is a young man, so attentively listening that hours have past away, and he is not yet tired. His countenance is remarkably attractive and beautiful, especially his eyes, whilst religious reverence for the doctrine he hears, is shewn in his whole deportment."
"Going to church in the open air!" exclaimed Alfred; "I am very glad, mama, that you do not take me to a beautiful garden every Sunday ”

“ Arabin was considering what incident to relate, the last was discussed.
"Mama," said Alfred, "do you know that I think the people were very dirty to paint themselves."
"It was their idea of ornament; in these days it is difficult to imagine the unenlightened state of their minds. The blue dye which they used was extracted from a plant called woad."
"I think I remember," remarked one of the little ones, "that the conquerors came to Britain from Gaul;—but I see my aunt is ready." ”

“ Arabin.
The answer that he was the second, solved the mystery.
Annie next took her turn, and gave an account of the meeting of two kings. It was in another country, although the ground on which it took place belonged to the English; the different suites were lodged around their respective masters. At the moment I have selected, the two latter appear to have been wrestling; one has been conquered, and has fallen; he is of a fresh and ruddy complexion, and of an athletic form, which shew great expertness in his companion to have vanquished him. ”

“ This unceremonious visit seems to have produced the freedom of intercourse I have just described."
"Whom can you mean, Annie?"
"I think I can tell you," said Emily; "the incident you have mentioned was at the time believed to be a mere jest, but the vanquished never entirely forgave his opponent; they were a French and an English king."
"You have discovered the truth," replied Mrs. Macdonald, "and I will now continue. A cavalcade has approached an abbey; a sick man, scarcely able to bear the exertion, is mounted on a mule ”