The children remembered, with much regret, that this was the last
evening they could enjoy their historical game; the idea that their
aunt and cousins would not be there to assist them, made it impossible
for them to continue it after their departure. Alfred had been wishing
in vain that an earthquake, thunder-storm, or some impossible
catastrophe, would take place, to prevent their leaving them. The
following evening the rest of the party, although more reasonable in
their desires, sincerely wished they might be detained; and they seated
themselves round their mothers with long and dismal faces. Alfred was
of opinion that the game had better not be attempted, and then the last
time would have been over the preceding evening without their knowing
it; but this did not suit some of the others, who thought it was the
only amusement that could make the time pass pleasantly. Mrs.
Macdonald promised to do her best to enliven them, reminding them how
useless, and ungrateful for past enjoyment in each other's society it
would be to repine, now it was over; had they known their mother's
private feelings, they would have found that she also suffered from the
idea of losing her sister, even for a short time. The children
promised to be as cheerful as the circumstances would allow, and their
kind mother consented to tell the first story:--
"You have all heard of the House of Peers; and I shall now describe
this important body collected on an interesting occasion. A speaker
has been supported into the house, who appears to have risen from a bed
of sickness; for the time he has regained strength, and is giving
utterance to a powerful speech with the greatest animation."
"You have not," said the children, "given us much detail, mama."
"I will add, then, that this eloquent orator spoke of America and her
affairs."
"And I think," said Mrs. Arabin, "that before he left the meeting, he
was seized with a fit, and carried out lifeless."
"Then, aunt," replied Willie, "you have mentioned a public character to
whom Pitt was related, and to whom he succeeded, as one of the king's
chief ministers."
"I am glad you are not too unhappy to guess so well; perhaps you can
now describe a picture."
"That I will, dear aunt; and it shall shew you the death of a brave
man. He is commanding a large fleet, and fights against an enemy with
the most determined courage. At the moment I have selected, he has
received his death-blow, and has hastily covered the stars and
different orders on his breast with his handkerchief; fearing the
sailors might be appalled if they knew their commander had fallen. A
friend stands by, and holds out his arm to support him."
"You so often give us battles," said Alfred; "and they all seem so much
alike."
"What was this gallant seaman in appearance?" asked Mary.
"He was a pale, emaciated looking man, and had lost an arm."
"You have told us now, Willie; and I think mama is ready to speak next."
"If you like, my dears, I will do so; and shall give you an account of
a royal levee. It did not take place in London, although it was held
by an English king, and he was surrounded by his own people. 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; and his gracious
manner and friendly attentions, shew that he is much gratified by his
greeting."
It was a long time before the children could give a satisfactory
answer, and they begged their mother to describe the person of her hero.
"He was remarkably handsome; and I remember my mother describing him
the first time she ever saw him, when he was quite a young man."
"Stop, mama; if grandmama saw him, we know who it must be."
Mary next asked leave to speak; and, after a few whispers to her mama,
she related the particulars of a dreadful fire. "The buildings
destroyed were some of the oldest senate-houses in the world; they
stood on the banks of a wide river, and the glare in the water was
terrific. Crowds collected, and great anxiety was shewn to prevent the
flames from spreading. A beautiful, sacred pile was so close, that for
some time it was feared this would share the same fate; but happily,
the prompt means to conquer the furious element saved this, and even
houses still nearer. The accident took place at night."
"You have described it with as much animation, Mary, as if you had been
present."
Their sister laughed, and seemed much entertained with all their
mistakes. Mrs. Arabin told them that she had had the whole explained
to her by their father, who had been an eye-witness.
"Oh, aunt, we can now guess," cried the elders of the party. "How
clever of Mary to tell us of what took place during our own lives, and
yet contrive that we should not know what she meant."
"You were all so young," said Mrs. Macdonald, "that you could not very
well understand what passed, or what was talked about. We have only
time for one more anecdote, and I shall relate it. I have described
the coronation of a king for you before; I now wish to represent that
of a young and graceful queen. She has just been crowned, and sits
with royal dignity on the throne to receive the homage of the peers.
They approach one by one to claim her gracious reception. An aged lord
is of the number; and as he totters forward, he stumbles on the steps
of her seat. The royal lady instantly lays aside the formality of a
queen, and with the natural kindness of her disposition, rises and
holds out her hand to assist him."
"How pleased all the people must have been, mama," said Alfred.
"Yes; they felt that they had one to rule them, who is well worthy the
love that I hope we all bear her."
"Indeed, mama, we cannot think what you mean; we do not know who the
queen was."
"You will, I trust, all, as you grow older, learn your duties to her
better than you do now."
"Mama, you have cheated us again," interrupted the children.
Alfred thought this was very good fun, and promised to be a very loyal
subject.
"I am sure he is on the twenty-fourth of May," said Willie, "and drinks
Queen Victoria's health till we are nearly deaf."
"Although I am not sure that there is much loyalty in this act, he
shall have an opportunity to do so to-night. You know your aunt has
begged that you may all dine with us to-day, and you shall have some
wine at dessert."
The children were now so much elated at the idea of remaining with
their parents, that all gloom vanished. Mr. Macdonald entered in the
midst of their noisy demonstrations of joy, and they directly informed
him of the agreeable arrangement. Alfred rode to the cellar on papa's
shoulder; and the evening passed so pleasantly that they all said "good
night," more cheerfully than they had expected. Mrs. Arabin and her
children left at so early an hour the following morning, that only Mr.
and Mrs. Macdonald saw them go. Their cousins comforted themselves
with the hope that they should before long meet again, and be able to
resume their game. Their future historical anecdotes may another time
be related to those who are interested, and to those little boys and
girls who wish to follow their example, and pass their spare hours
pleasantly and instructively.
1. Death of Lord Chatham. A.D. 1778.
2. Death of Lord Nelson. A.D. 1805.
3. George the Fourth's Visit to Scotland. A.D. 1822.
4. Destruction of the Houses of Parliament. A.D. 1834.
5. Queen Victoria raising Lord Rolle at her Coronation. A.D. 1830.
The End.
End of Project Gutenberg's Pictures from English History, by Anonymous