lived them worthily. More than once, when some great dignitary,
some gilded vassal of the crown, made argument against his
leniency, and urged that some law which he was bent upon amending
was gentle enough for its purpose, and wrought no suffering or
oppression which any one need mightily mind, the young King turned
the mournful eloquence of his great compassionate eyes upon him
and answered–
“What dost THOU know of suffering and oppression? I and my people
know, but not thou.”
The reign of Edward VI. was a singularly merciful one for those
harsh times. Now that we are taking leave of him, let us try to
keep this in our minds, to his credit.
FOOTNOTES AND TWAIN’S NOTES
{1} For Mark Twain’s note see below under the relevant chapter
heading.
{2} He refers to the order of baronets, or baronettes; the
barones minores, as distinct from the parliamentary barons–not,
it need hardly be said, to the baronets of later creation.
{3} The lords of Kingsale, descendants of De Courcy, still enjoy
this curious privilege.
{4} Hume.
{5} Ib.
{6} Leigh Hunt’s ‘The Town,’ p.408, quotation from an early
tourist.
{7} Canting terms for various kinds of thieves, beggars and
vagabonds, and their female companions.
{8} From ‘The English Rogue.’ London, 1665.
{9} Hume’s England.
{10} See Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull’s Blue Laws, True and False, p.
11.
NOTE 1, Chapter IV. Christ’s Hospital Costume.
It is most reasonable to regard the dress as copied from the
costume of the citizens of London of that period, when long blue
coats were the common habit of apprentices and serving-men, and
yellow stockings were generally worn; the coat fits closely to the
body, but has loose sleeves, and beneath is worn a sleeveless
yellow under-coat; around the waist is a red leathern girdle; a
clerical band around the neck, and a small flat black cap, about
the size of a saucer, completes the costume.–Timbs’ Curiosities
of London.
NOTE 2, Chapter IV.
It appears that Christ’s Hospital was not originally founded as a
SCHOOL; its object was to rescue children from the streets, to
shelter, feed, clothe them.
–Timbs’ Curiosities of London.
NOTE 3, Chapter V. The Duke of Norfolk’s Condemnation commanded.
The King was now approaching fast towards his end; and fearing
lest Norfolk should escape him, he sent a message to the Commons,
by which he desired them to hasten the Bill, on pretence that
Norfolk enjoyed the dignity of Earl Marshal, and it was necessary
to appoint another, who might officiate at the ensuing ceremony of
installing his son Prince of Wales.–Hume’s History of England,
vol. iii. p. 307.
NOTE 4, Chapter VII.
It was not till the end of this reign (Henry VIII.) that any
salads, carrots, turnips, or other edible roots were produced in
England. The little of these vegetables that was used was
formerly imported from Holland and Flanders. Queen Catherine,
when she wanted a salad, was obliged to despatch a messenger
thither on purpose.–Hume’s History of England, vol. iii. p. 314.
NOTE 5, Chapter VIII. Attainder of Norfolk.
The House of Peers, without examining the prisoner, without trial
or evidence, passed a Bill of Attainder against him and sent it
down to the Commons . . . The obsequious Commons obeyed his (the
King’s) directions; and the King, having affixed the Royal assent
to the Bill by commissioners, issued orders for the execution of
Norfolk on the morning of January 29 (the next day).–Hume’s
History of England, vol iii. p 306.
NOTE 6, Chapter X. The Loving-cup.
The loving-cup, and the peculiar ceremonies observed in drinking
from it, are older than English history. It is thought that both
are Danish importations. As far back as knowledge goes, the
loving-cup has always been drunk at English banquets. Tradition
explains the ceremonies in this way. In the rude ancient times it
was deemed a wise precaution to have both hands of both drinkers
employed, lest while the pledger pledged his love and fidelity to
the pledgee, the pledgee take that opportunity to slip a dirk into
him!
NOTE 7, Chapter XI. The Duke of Norfolk’s narrow Escape.
Had Henry VIII. survived a few hours longer, his order for the