observed" I am really sorry for your misfortunes; but since you were not wise enough to take care of yourself, and guard against these difficulties, when I gave you the power to do so, you must e'en abide by the consequence, for I can do nothing more for you!"

In vain, also, did the magnanimous Countess of Java, who had risked her life and her property in avowing her principles and manifesting her attachment to the House of Pimento, solicit the reinstatement of one of her particular friends; though it is asserted that the Dowager Empress, mother to the reigning Prince, actually implored His High Mightiness on her knees, to oblige the Countess who had risked so much for them, by doing this one act of justice to a faithful subject, who had abandoned all his property and fine prospects in life, rather than remain in the service under the usurped authority of the invaders; whatever honors he might retain, or whatever personal advantages might accrue therefrom. But noit did not suit the politics of the day!

In justice, however, to the Empress Dowager, it should be made known to distant realms, that she so thoroughly disapproves of the barbarous system adopted by the new government, that she never follows the Court excepting upon some extraordinary occasion; but lives retired and respected among a chosen few, beloved by a nation that is sufficiently enlightened to value her virtues, and to hold in abhorrence the base politics

of a Monarch who, in defiance of reason and justice, retains in his service, and invests with authority, the upstart minions of an Usurper; to the exclusion of faithful friends and adherents, and the native nobility of the land he governs.

The noble generosity displayed by the Countess, as well as the active loyalty of the individual for whom she interested herself, certainly merited a more gratifying return. The Countess had been attached to the Court from her youth; and so great was her affection for the Royal Refugees, that when the dethroned Monarch started for the coast from whence he was to embark for England, she followed in her carriage, taking an immense sum of money with her, which she handed over to her Sovereign 'e're he took his departure; anxiously fearing that he might not be prepared with a sufficiency to keep up his dignity in a foreign land, or that he might be inconvenienced for the want of ready cash for indispensible purposes, with so large a family.

Notwithstanding these calls upon the gratitude of the reigning Monarch, she was as cruelly neglected as the rest of his friends and followers. Nor was the money, if report speak true, ever returned. She is as rich, however, in principal as in principle, and therefore heeds it not. But her fine spirit disdains to breathe in a Court so contaminated; and has left it in disgust, to spend the rest of her days and a princely fortune in a land where, it is devoutly to be hoped, loyalty

and patriotism will always meet a better reward. To the honor of Britain and the British Government, the following act of grateful generosity is recorded, and is worthy of being held up as an example to other nations and succeeding ages.Our second Charles, when closely pursued by the enemy, quitted Worcester, and repaired to Boscobel, a solitary house on the borders of Staffordshire, inhabited by a farmer named Penderell. To this man's care was Charles committed by the advice of the faithful Earl of Derby; and though death was menaced against all who harboured the King, and a considerable reward offered to any one who should betray him, this honest man preserved the most unshaken fidelity. He imparted the secret to his brothers and their brother-in-law Yates; all equally honorable with himself. Having furnished the King with a garb resembling their own, and put an axe into his hand, they accompanied him into a neighbouring wood, and began clearing away the luxuriant branches.That day proving very wet, Yates's wife brought a blanket to cover him, and a dish of milk and eggs for his refreshment. At night, returning to Richard Penderell's house, his mother joyfully received him, and treated him with an ordinary country supper; which being ended, the King, with Richard his guide, resolved on a journey to Wales, in order to gain the coast and embark for France; which, after many miraculous escapes and strange adventures, they accomplished in safety.

K

Thus did the Penderell family protect and aid the escape of Charles II. of England; and for their fidelity, upon his restoration, Parliament not only provided for them individually, but had a pension settled upon each of them and their heirs for ever, which to this day is enjoyed by some of the descendants.

NUMBER XI.

ON PLEBEIAN ASSURANCE.

All Upstarts, insolent in place,
Remind you of their vulgar race,

“BLOCKHEADS in power," it has been very justly remarked, "are of all animals the most baneful and injurious to mankind. Aspiring to that consequence they can never reach, they are jealous of superiority, in whatever shape they behold it ;-but strangers to the noble qualities that distinguish a generous soul, they know not how to practise those sublime instances of virtue peculiar to great minds.”

Characters of such a description, invested with authority, immediately assume an important air, and begin to domineer with all the lordliness of Eastern Tyranny. Secure in their official capacity, they escape the individual resentment due to their enormities; and whoever happens to be placed within the reach of their grasp, may be considered in as dangerous a situation as the man with his head in the lion's mouth.

When it was observed that the beast looked extremely fierce,-"No matter," said the man.