BOD A Historical Tale. By C. J. M. TOTHE BURNS AND LAMBERT, 17 PORTMAN STREET. 1857 [Right of translation reserved.] 249. 6. 151. ALICE SHERWIN. CHAPTER I. "When the cerulean god these things survayd, Howel. UNUSUALLY animated and brilliant was the spectacle presented by the bosom of the Thames, when viewed from the rear of the line of houses overhanging London Bridge, on the 29th of April 1517. Although it was yet early dawn, numerous barges, wherries, and other small boats were gliding up and down the river; and as it was ebbtide, the ineffectual attempts of the amateur watermen to "ship oars and shoot the bridge" elicited peals of noisy mirth from their professional rivals; who, however, were not themselves able at all times to contend successfully with the resistance of a fall caused by the narrowness even of the principal arches. In fact, the most prudent passengers generally landed at the Old Swan Stairs, and walked to the wharf of Billingsgate "below" bridge; many fatal accidents having occurred from the foolhardiness of such as persisted in passing through the piers, while still more numerous were the instances of persons owing their preservation to leaping on a projecting pile, from which pre B |