and debonair; whom our Lockhartian governor presumes, with tongue irreverent, to christen Madge! Before thy beauty thus we bend and bow, a boon to supplicate."

"La, you now! Mr. Pickering," cried the kind-hearted woman, blushing and looking silly, as she saw that he had dropped on one knee, and was gazing tenderly in her face; "well, I vow, you're such another fine gentle man! I should like to go to court, if it was only to hear all the lords and ladies talking as you do. Goodness me! don't you be kneeling there, but tell me what you want in plain English. My beauty indeed! La, Mr Pickering! was there ever such a strange man?"

Jocelyn, who knew that there would be considerable difficulty in getting her to understand the player's fantastical language, now interfered to explain, in as few words as possible, their contemplated project, when she ejaculated," Act a play! why lackadaisy, my dear child, it's against the law; and Giles will never allow such wicked doings in the prison."

Informing her they proposed availing themselves of her husband's absence at Brentford, Jocelyn proceeded, with much earnestness of entreaty, to solicit her consent, concluding with a request that she would honour their poor performance with her presence. There was no resisting the temptation of seeing a play, which in those days possessed the double attraction of being a rare and a forbidden pleasure, especially when it was urged by Jocelyn, and seconded by the pathetic look and outstretched arms of the player. "I'm sure, Mr. Pickering," said the dame, "I would do anything in the world to oblige such a nice gentleman, but la, bless me! what could possess you to talk of my beauty at this time o' day? Out upon it! beauty indeed! And as to you, my dear child, if you were to ask for the heart out of my body, (though God knows there's no occasion, for you've got it already,) you should have it; -so you may do as you like; but for the love of gracious! don't let Giles know a single atom about it."

Having succeeded thus far, Jocelyn urged his second request, that she should provide him with suitable female apparel, declaring that the whole effect of the representation would depend upon his being appropriately attired; and that they must abandon the project altogether if they could not succeed in this paramount object. While he had been speaking, and for some time after he had finished, she continued gazing upon him in silence, both her companions concluding that she was balancing in her mind the propriety of granting their request. But at length her eyes began to glisten and fill, her compressed lips moved two or three times up and down, and immediately afterwards the tears gushed copiously down her cheeks, as she exclaimed, with a sob, "He would have been just thirteen next Lammas-day; my poor dear Thomas!"

When, by the assistance of her ever-moistened apron, both of whose corners were now put in requisition, she seemed to be a little recovered from her agitation, Jocelyn ventured to solicit an answer to their petition about the dress. "The dress, my dear child!" she cried, "what dress? As I hope for mercy, I never heard a single word of what you were saying to me. You looked all the time so like my blessed- but what is it, what is it?" He repeated his previous request; and the kind creature, declaring she could refuse him nothing, promised compliance with all his wishes, though she protested she would rather lose the two rose-nobles out of her ivory box, than that Giles should know any thing of the matter.

Every thing now proceeded rapidly and auspiciously towards the desiderated exhibition. Pickering became every hour more exorbitant in his strut, and jerked, and perked, and smirked, like a peacock in all his glory: taking a full revenge upon his present degradation, by magnificent anticipations of future glory, and comforting Rookwood with the assurance, that the hour might yet arrive when "like Allen of the first Jacobinian reign,

(our buskinned predecessor,) we may found Dulwichian colleges, and roll in wealth." Rookwood himself, as the rehearsals proceeded, kindled with the Promethean touch, and assumed an animation that contrasted almost ridiculously with the sluggish torpor into which he sank after their conclusion: the Cavaliers studied their parts con amore, if that word be not misapplied to the hatred against the Puritans, which stimulated their exertions; and all parties were as happy as so many schoolboys at the departure of their master, when they saw Lockhart booted and spurred, and ready equipped for his excursion.

No sooner was his back turned, and Lucas, the under-jailer, installed as his representative, than the smirking and bustling Madge sallied forth to exhibit the dress she had provided for Jocelyn, as well as to assist in the arrangements for fitting up their temporary theatre. As her husband had left word that he should not be back till night, it was settled that the entertainment should commence early in the evening, so as to give more time for the erection of their theatrical booth, which was constituted principally of the beds and bedding. All hands went briskly to work in its preparation. In the suppression of all theatrical amusements, the dramatic representatives of royalty, not less distressed and impoverished than the legitimate performers, had been fain to pawn or sell all their gingerbread regalia and cat's-skin ermine for whatever they would fetch. From the aspect of RagFair, at one period, it might have been conjectured that the ruins of all the thrones and monarchies of the earth had been collected together upon Tower-Hill. Every stand and stall was radiant with all the gorgeousness of crowns, sceptres, truncheons, ermine, spangled robes, tasselled swords, tin armour bedizened with foil, gowns resplendent with tinsel, and similar paraphernalia; around which lay scattered the innumerable knick-knack and trumpery of the property-man. Coal-heavers, chimney-sweepers, oyster-wenches, and the unceremonious nymphs of St. Catherine's were seen collected around the glittering memorials of fallen greatness, swaggering at the beggarly materials of the finery, or bursting into a horse-laugh as some male or female wags of the party put on, in mockery, the cast-off garments of kings, queens, emperors, and vestals. From a minor establishment of the same sort in Petty France, did Rookwood and Pickering, at the cost of a few pence, furnish themselves with habili ments of a most swashing and portentous bravery; while the jailer's wife equipped Jocelyn, from the same depôt, with a female dress that almost stood on end with tarnished foil, discoloured tinsel, and precious stones that had never been worth a groat. His cheeks were rouged, a topping plume of dirty feathers nodded over his head, and his whole appointment was pronounced to be not less becoming to his beauty, than exquisitely adapted to the part which he was to perform.

-:

the first two scenes passed off

Every thing commenced auspiciously: with great eclat, and Jocelyn entering at the third, had just been welcomed with the plaudits due to the royal splendour of his garments, when at this interesting moment the performance was suddenly interrupted by a loud scream from Mrs. Lockhart, followed by the terrified exclamation of "Lauk a mercy me! there's Giles! there's Giles !"--immediately after which, she made her escape, darting through a door that led to the dwellinghouse.

This appalling fact was soon rendered indisputable by the wrathful voice and loud cracking of the jailer's whip, who having plied the caudle-cup and the gossip's bowl of sack-posset with more zeal than discretion, and ridden back with a correspondent speed to resume his duties, was in a state of exaltation that made him better disposed to exercise his whip than to scrutinize the objects of its discipline.

Sniggers and thunder!" he roared out as he entered the ward, "what

mountebank mummery is this? here's doings, here's rebellion against the law! a stage-play forsooth! Some of your crazy tom-foolery, I warrant me, you ranting rapscallion!" So saying, he struck at Pickering with his whip, and was pursuing him to repeat the blow, when he discovered Joce yn, who had concealed himself behind the curtain. His rage now took a new direction, as he plied his whip upon the petticoats of his victim, ex claiming, "Sniggers! a woman too brought into the prison! Master Lacas, you shall never hold another key of mine. Out, with a wannion to you, you baggage! trudge, you painted Jezebel! tramp, you feathered harlotry! troop, you dowdy of the stews!"

A lash of the whip, rendered, however, nearly innocuous by the joint effects of rage and liquor, accompanied every one of these opprobrious epithets, until, having reached the gate, he unlocked it with his own hands, and again plying his thong, as Jocelyn passed the outward barrier, exclaimed, "Begone, you rantipole jade! you hussy! you trollop! and think yourself lucky that you escape without the bridewell and the cart's-tail." So saying, he returned into the prison, fuming with caudle and consternation, smacking his whip, and looking round for some fresh object on which to inflict the residue of his wrath.

HOWEVER ignominiously he was thrust from the Gate-house by its unwitting warder, Jocelyn was not by any means disposed to stand upon etiquette and ceremony, but walked forwards at a brisk pace, deeming his liberty well purchased at the expense of a few random lashes, and half a score contumelious terms, which as he advanced fell every moment fainter and fainter upon his ear. Critical as his situation still was, for he doubted not there would be immediate and hot pursuit of him, he could hardly refrain from laughter when he recalled the ridiculous blunder to which he was indebted for his escape. Youthful spirits, with the glorious triumph of having outwitted the jailer, and eluded the tyranny of red-nosed Noll, might well excuse the chuckle in which he indulged as he turned towards the Park, still increasing his pace, but afraid of running lest he should excite suspicion. And yet he was not so elated at his deliverance as to be quite blinded to the embarrassing nature of his situation. So far from knowing where to turn, or what measures to adopt for his future safety, he was utterly at a loss how to accomplish that instant concealment which he felt to be necessary. Bedizened as a tragedy queen, unacquainted with the address of a single friend, and turned out for the first time in his life in the bewildering maze of London; in constant danger of the jailer and his myrmidons behind, and not knowing into what perils he might rush as he advanced, there was still something so stimulating in the idea of a struggle for his liberty, that he stepped lightly on, not only undismayed, but even exhilarated by the consciousness of the jeopardy in which he was placed.

Although there was no pursuit of him from the Gate-house, where, indeed, he was not missed until the time for locking up, it is difficult to say what untoward adventures might have been immediately entailed upon him by his preposterous attire, but that the shades of evening were gathing rapidly around him, and the corner of the Park, to which he first

betook himself, was very little frequented. Observing a high wall at a little distance, overshadowed by trees, which seemed to offer a better chance of concealment, he coasted round it, little dreaming that it enclosed the old orchard of Whitehall, and that the house in its front formed the quarters of Colonel Lilburne, where he had been for some days confined. Even upon gaining the building, he would not, in all probability, have recgnised his old dwelling, but that he saw the colonel's Spanish charger at the door, whose manner of pawing the ground he had too often noticed to be mistaken in its identity. Not wishing at the present moment to renew acquaintance with his rider, he turned suddenly about to regain the darker covert of the wall, but not so quickly as to escape the keen eye of an adjutant, who was waiting at the gate.

"Ha, feathers and a petticoat!" cried the soldier-"and skulking under the dark trees! then by St. Paul she shall give me the pass-word, or pay the wench's fine." So saying, he commenced an immediate pursuit, and as Jocelyn, though he heard his hasty footsteps, did not think it prudent to attempt running away, he was of course presently overtaken. "What, all alone, my fine madam!" cried the soldier-"then perhaps a poor adjutant may be better than no gallant.

"I request you to leave me still alone - I am waiting for a friend," said Jocelyn, willing to favour the mistake of his assailant.

“A friend, quotha !" exclaimed the soldier- "I dare say you are too old a campaigner not to know that a red-jacket and a petticoat are always friends. Besides, we both wear a green plume in our heads, and must therefore belong to the same company; so come along to the links at the gate, and let us see whether I have drawn a prize or a blank; — caught a plump bird, or only a bundle of fine feathers.""

66

"Sirrah soldier," said Jocelyn to the man, who had now seized him by the arm, and was dragging him forward in execution of his purpose, you had better unhand me, or Colonel Lilburne, for whom I am waiting, shall have you picketed before you are a day older."

"Whew!" cried the adjutant, with a long whistle of admiration, and at the same time releasing the arm he had secured, "waiting for the colonel, are you? I needn't be surprised though, when I recollect he's an Anabaptist and a preacher. But why not beat up his quarters before he decamps? Come along come along I will show you the side-door, and carry you to him." Resuming the arm he had abandoned, he was kindly offering to introduce Jocelyn into the very house which he most wished to avoid, when the latter exclaimed; "No, no, my good fellow, I have particular reasons for not desiring to enter these premises; but prythee accept this trifle, and inform the colonel that his friend is waiting for him under the orchard-wall." So saying, he gave him one of the gew-gaw rings with which Mrs. Lockhart had garnished his finger, when the adjutant, conjecturing he had obtained no insignificant prize, flourished his hand up to his cap as a salute, asked pardon for the liberty he had taken, declared himself humbly obliged to her ladyship for her liberality, and departed in double quick time to execute his commission.

Not knowing how promptly the colonel might choose to obey this mysterious summons, and observing that the night had nowclosed in, Jocelyn thought he had better trust fairly to his heels, to deliver him from the ticklish assignation which he had so lately made. With a speed somewhat derogatory to the dignity of his royal trappings, he accordingly scampered off in the direction of Spring Garden, then shut up by order of the Protector, on account of the licentious scenes which had been nightly enacted under the encouraging shelter of its groves and arbours, to the great scandal of all good and godly Puritans. Coasting the paling by which it was surrounded, he cut across the Park, and almost before he was aware, found

himself at the entrance of the Mulberry Garden, at that period, as a contemporary has recorded, - "the onely place of refreshment about the towne, for persons of the best quality to be exceedingly cheated at." A party of Cavaliers were at the gate, one of whom obtaining a glimpse of Jocelyn in his theatrical garb, exclaimed with Petruchio in the play, "Oh 'mercy, God! what masking stuff is here?" and commenced an immediate chase, in which his companions joined him with an obstreperous mirth that seemed to owe its origin to deep potations of canary. By replunging into the darkness, Jocelyn contrived to evade them without much difficulty, though he had no sooner done so, than he thought it might have been wiser to place confidence in some individual of the Cavalier party, confess his name and situation, and throw himself upon his protection for the means of immediate safety and concealment, than to wander in the Park without any definite object, and incur the risk of being committed to the house of correction in the morning, as a vagrant, or disorderly person.

While prowling about for any encouraging physiognomy that might be revealed by the passing lights to decide his choice, he was occasionally anathematized by some Puritan as an abandoned wanton, who should be rather figuring in the pillories or the stocks, than infesting the purlieus of the Park; sometimes he was amorously accosted as a merry-looking little wench, by persons whose grave and starched exterior assorted but little with their overtures; and once he was exposed to a still more imminent peril from certain perambulators of the fair sex, who warned him not to come into their haunts with such tawdry trull's feathers and furbelows, unless the wearer wished to be tossed neck and heels into the canal. Thus exposed to the triple dangers of Scylla, Charybdis, and the Sirens; not knowing what to seek nor what to avoid; the night was already beginning to wear away without his having come to any determination, when he heard the sound of singing and of laughter in a remoter part of the Park, towards which he immediately bent his footsteps.

An act of parliament had been long before passed, setting forth that "Whereas divers vagrant persons of idle conversation, having forsaken their usual callings, and accustomed themselves, after the manner of hawkers, to sell and cry about the streets, and in other places, pamphlets and books; and under colour thereof are found to disperse all sorts of dangerous libels, to the intolerable dishonour of the parliament, and the whole government of this commonwealth;" the aforesaid hawkers, or rather ballad-singers, against whom the enactment was more specially directed, were made liable to confiscation of their songs, imprisonment in the house of correction, and whipping. Notwithstanding the severity of this decree, it had by no means extinguished those volleys of squibs and little lyrical combustibles with which the cavalier party were incessantly pelting and plaguing their opponents. A greater degree of caution was indeed rendered necessary in the exhibition of these scurrilous and ribald lampoons; but they were still numerously, though covertly, printed; still sung in holes and corners; and such was the passion of the Cavies, as the Cavaliers were familiarly called, for this recreation, that they seldom failed to furnish an audience to any minstrel who would indulge them in their favourite pastime, and were generally stanch champions in his defence, if his illicit strains were attempted to be silenced either by the red-coats, or the brownbills. From one of these vocal offenders, who had availed himself of a dark night and a sequestered station in the Park, proceeded the sounds to which Jocelyn had been attracted. On reaching the spot, he was not a little surprised to find him surrounded by a pretty numerous audience, among whose darkest ranks he ensconced himself, and heard the singer begin a new ballad on the subject of the Protector's recent refusal of the kingly title and dignities.