Nothing but a cold, unnatural, theoretic system, at war with common sense, the kindest sympathies composed some Prayers to suppose, in such a situation, such a person should not have sought relief in committing to paper his solitary meditations, seems impossible.

Morley might have been convinced that the Meditations, as they now appear, were not the King's, and, as Gauden claimed them, he had no power to contradict him; but did he ever show Gauden any respect?

I have ventured to say thus much on a subject of interesting inquiry; and if I, who know so much less of the subject, differ at all from my friend Mr. Todd, I need not say, it is with the greatest respect and deference.

The information I have received, since the above was written, from Mr. Alexander, the present Curate of Rayne, is so decisive and so unexampled a corroboration of my ideas, and of Kennet's cursory remarks, that I submit it to the reader, as, in my opinion, decisive of my view of the question of the Icon. I could indeed venture to mark the passages written by the King, and those by Gauden.

Rayne Hall is in the parish of Rayne, situated adjoining the churchyard, and is now occupied as a farm-house by Mr. Rolfe, tenant to the Earl of Essex, who is also possessed of Rayne Lodge in this parish, and partly in the parish of Bocking The two farms contain upwards of 800 acres, and have been in the Capel family since the time of Queen Elizabeth. I cannot find any positive proof of any part of the family being there, 1648, but I think it most probable; as in a book containing entries of several Rectors from 1611, there is entered in 1624, 'small tythes, for Sr Arthur's Hope, 1s.' In the same book: Dr. Mott dyed an. 1630. Sr ARTHUR CAPELL gave mee the presentation to the parsonage of Rayne, upon the 30 day of Decemb. 1630. Mr. SYMONS.'

of the heart, I might say, the voice of Heaven itself, in the Scripture, could so sear all Christian feelings, as to allow any one to speak with such reckless insult of exemplary and pious characters. And what must be that system which could so deaden to its core the heart, and thus palsy the native, generous feelings of the high-minded Milton!*

When the King was in the hands of the Army, his chaplains Sheldon and Hammond were again admitted at Hampton Court. This circumstance is remarkable, as it shows Morley was at a distance.

In company with his favourite Hammond, uncle to that Colonel Hammond under whose care he was

The right honble the Lady Capell gave mee the presentation to the Rectory of Raine in Essex the 5 day of June 1649.' "In the register of baptisms are entered:

1634. Feb. 12. Mary, the daughter of Edward and Hellen Symons.

1637. Edward, son of Edward and Hellen Symons, bapt. Mar. 25.

1639. Arethusa Symons, daughter of Edward and Hellen, bapt. Nov. 2."

1641. Henry Symons, son of Edward Symons, rector, and Hellen. bapt. March 3.

Mr. Symons appears to have continued rector until 1649; and had been long dead when Gauden made his claim to the whole work.

* Magnificent as Milton's poetry is, to which none have done more justice than those whom his fiery declamation most insulted, I do not recollect one passage of commiseration, like those which charm us in Cowper-with such stern stuff, after his first ingenuous feelings, did the genius of republican Puritanism envelope him.

placed in the Isle of Wight, Charles almost forgot how long he had been bereaved of his wife and children. The Army, in this respect, were, in appearance, far more merciful and kind than the implacable Covenanters had been-but they exhibited only the perfidy and play of the tiger towards their deluded and helpless victim. At Newmarket the Chaplains were again admitted, and, soon afterwards, the forlorn Monarch heard, with tears of rapture, the voices of his children, and bent over them, with the paternal blessings of a bursting heart.

This was the sunshine of hope and tenderness for a moment, on the most desolate of human kind! In the Isle of Wight, even those faithful attendants whom, in the kindness of his heart, though in the deepest dejection, he never failed to address more in the endearing familiarity of a friend than master

-

were now shut out.

The last time Morley

"He was

appeared with the King was, when he was sent for by Charles, altered sadly in appearance, in his last extremity of hope, to assist at the treaty in the Isle of Wight. sadly altered in countenance," Clarendon remarks, "and his hair quite grey." That he was sadly altered in countenance, who would be disposed to

* It is remarkable that the King, being allowed by the Parliament at the treaty to consult his Chaplains, did not at first fix on Morley, probably for reasons we have given; but in his next address to Parliament-that Parliament calling itself "dutiful and loyal!!"-Morley is required by the King. (State Papers.)

doubt; but his hair was not grey, for I have seen it, by the favour of Sir Henry Halford, as cut from the head, after the late disinterment at Windsor. It was of the most beautiful brown, without a single grey hair. In the Isle of Wight, the faithful and affectionate Morley parted with him for ever in this world.

One of the most affecting passages, and therefore seldom taken notice of by professed historians, relating to the sorrows of Charles the First, is set before us by an eye-witness, Sir Philip Warwick.

"At the Treaty, he was permitted to have the Duke of Richmond, Marquis of Hartford, Earls of Southampton and Lindsay, Juxon Bishop of London, Duppa of Salisbury, Sanders, Henchman, and MORLEY, &c. The King's Lords and Gentlemen only stood about his chair, but were not to speak a word IN HIS ASSISTANCE, while he singly disputed with all the before-mentioned able men (Pembroke, Salisbury, Vane the younger, Say, Hollis, &c.) If at any time the King found himself at need to ask a question, or that any of his Lords thought fit to advise him, in his ear, to hesitate before he answered, he himself would retire into his own chamber, or one of his penmen prayed him, from the Lords, to do so; but more liberty than this his attendants were not allowed!"* If ever there was a picture of the most refined cruelty, it is this!

The crafty Covenanters, as cold as crafty, and as despiteful as cold, were prepared with every entan

* Warwick's Memoirs.

gling question; and he, singly, before the whole assembly, was required to answer." Warwick proceeds:

"I remember on one day he over did himself" (it was indeed the most momentous question as affecting himself): "it was upon the great Article, whether he or the Parliament began the war? and, in effect, at whose door the blood should lie? The King retiring to his chamber, I took the confidence to step to my Lord of Northumberland, and say to him, 'My good Lord, remember how gracious this good Prince hath been to you compassionate his distresses, and the strait he is now in!' He civilly, but positively, replied-Sir, it is impossible for me to do any thing; for the King in this point is safe,* as a King, but we cannot be so.'

"Two replies which the King made to two gentlemen that day were observable; the one to a gentleman, now a Lord, who pressed hardly upon him: 'A good nature, Sir, (said he,) would not offer what you say; nor is it true logic!""

sionate friends

Thus was he baited, arguing singly before this array of cold, astute enemies, amid silent, compasarguing, mildly, courteously, majestically, yet most acutely-for LIFE OR DEATH! † The honest relator proceeds in the following most affecting detail:

"I never saw him shed tears but once, and he turned presently his head away, for he was then * How safe he was events proved.

At this very time his death was determined on.