From the Weekly Intelligencer, February 3.

"The king's body is embalmed, the head sewed on, and removed to St. James's. It is referred to a committee to consider of the time, manner, and place of his burial. And in regard this is the last time mention will be made of him as a king, it will be pardoned to say something more than usual. He was the third son of his father, king James, born in Scotland, November 19, 1600, and was created duke of York, at Whitehall, the 6th of January, 1604; and on the 4th November, 1616, he was created prince of Wales and earl of Chester, and began his reign over Great Britain the 27th March, 1625, and reigned twenty-three years.”

READING LVI.

THE MASKED EXECUTIONER OF CHARLES I.

It is a known fact that the person who performed the office of executioner upon the unfortunate Charles was disguised in a mask. Many surmises (conjectures) have been made as to the real party. The following accounts will throw some light upon it.

The first is from the "History of his Life and Times," by William Lily. "Many" says he "have curiously enquired who it was that cut off his (the king's) head: I have no permission to speak of such things; only thus much I say, he that did it is as valiant and resolute a man as lives, and one of a competent (sufficient) fortune." The consequence of this passage was Lily's examination at the restoration before the first parliament of Charles II. in June 1660, and which he describes thus—

At my first appearance, many of the young members affronted me highly, and demanded several scurrilous (insulting) questions. Mr. Weston held a paper before his mouth, and bade me answer nobody but Mr. Prinn. I obeyed his command, and saved myself much trouble thereby; and when Mr. Prinn put any difficult or doubtful query (question) unto me, Mr. Weston prompted me

with a fit answer. At last, after almost one hour's tugging, I desired to be fully heard what I could say as to the person that cut Charles the First's head off. Liberty being given me to speak, I related what follows, viz.—

"That the next Sunday but one after Charles the First was beheaded, Robert Spavin, secretary to Lieutenant-General Cromwell, at that time, invited himself to dine with me, and brought Anthony Peerson and several others along with him to dinner. That their principal discourse all dinner time was only who it was that beheaded the king. One said it was the common hangman; another, Hugh Peters; others also were nominated, but none concluded. Robert Spavin, so soon as dinner was done, took me by the hand and carried me to the south window: saith he, 'These are all mistaken; they have not named the man that did the fact; it was Lieutenant-Colonel Joice. I was in the room when he fitted himself for the work; stood behind him when he did it; when done, went in with him again. There is no man knows this but my master (viz. Cromwell), commissary Ireton, and myself.' Doth not Mr. Rushworth know it?' saith I. No, he doth not know it,' saith Spavin. The same thing Spavin hath often related to me when we were alone."

The second relation concerning this mysterious executioner is taken from D'Arnaud's Délassements de l'Homme sensible. M. D'Arnaud protests that he received the particulars from a man of letters, of the strictest integrity, to whom it was related by an intimate friend of Lord Stairs.

This lord, says M. D'Arnaud, was the favourite of George II. and one of the generals of the English army at the battle of Dettingen. The dispositions of the marshal de Noailles were made with so much judgment and ability that nothing but the impetuosity of a subaltern (inferior) French officer saved the allied army from destruction, and even gave them an unexpected victory. The consequence was that lord S., who was the only individual who appeared to be aware of the unskilful movements of the allies, but whose opinion and advice were disregarded, lost the favour of his sovereign, and retired from the army in disgust. On his arrival in London he proposed to reside on his estate in Scotland; but some days before his intended departure, he received a

letter, written in a very extraordinary style, calculated at once to create curiosity in a mind not easily daunted (alarmed). The contents of this letter were to request an interview (meeting) at a particular time and place, upon business of the utmost importance, and requiring him to come alone. His lordship, who did not pay immediate attention to this communication, received a second the next day, in terms still more energetic (forcible).

This second summons appeared too singular to be disregarded. Lord S. therefore proceeded, unaccompanied, as desired, but not unarmed, to the place of rendezvous (meeting). He felt something like fear, upon entering one of the bye places in the metropolis which most commonly have for their inhabitants the victims of poverty or of crime. He ascended a dirty and broken staircase into a garret, where, by the glimmering (dim) light, he perceived a man stretched upon a bed, apparently extremely old. 'My lord," said this unexpected object, 'I was impatient to see you; I have heard of your renown. Sit down, you can have no apprehensions from a man who is one hundred and twenty-five years old." Lord S. took a seat, expecting, with the greatest anxiety and impatience, the elucidation (clearing up) of this surprising adventure, while the aged man proceeded to enquire if his lordship had not occasion for certain papers which related to his family and fortune. His lordship, much affected, replied, "Yes, I am in want of certain documents, the absence of which keeps me still from the possession of a considerable part of my inheritance.” There," returned the old man, presenting him with the key of a small casket, "those writings are there deposited." "To whom," rejoined his lordship, "am I indebted for this inestimable treasure?" "Oh, my son," replied the old man, come and embrace your great grandfather." "My great grandfather!" interrupted his lordship, with the greatest astonishment.

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But how much was that astonishment increased, when this ancestor informed him that he was the masked exe

cutioner of king Charles I. "An insatiable (not to be satisfied) thirst of vengeance," continued he, "impelled (drove) me to this abominable crime. I had been treated, as I imagined, with the greatest indignity by my sovereign. I suspected him of having seduced my daughter;

I sacrificed every sense of loyalty and virtue to avenge this fancied injury; I entered into all the designs of Cromwell and his associates; I paved (prepared) the way to his usurpation; I even refined upon vengeance; I solicited Cromwell to allow me to be the executioner; and to fill up the measure of my guilt, the unhappy king knew, before the fatal blow, the man that was to inflict it. From that day my soul has been a prey to distraction and remorse (sorrow for guilt). I have been an exile, a voluntary outcast, in Europe and Asia near eighty years. Heaven, as if to punish me with greater severity, has prolonged my existence beyond the ordinary term of nature. This casket is the only remains of my fortune, and I have come here to end my miserable life. I had heard of your disgrace at court, so much the contrary to what your virtues merited, and I was desirous, before breathing my last, to contribute thus to your happiness. All I ask for in return is that you abandon me to my wretched fate, and that you sometimes drop a tear to the memory of one whose long and sincere repentance have, I trust, at last expiated (atoned for) his crime."

Lord S. earnestly implored his aged ancestor to retire with him into Scotland, and there to live for the remainder of his days, under a fictitious (false) name. He long withstood all these importunities; but, at length, wearied out with continued and reiterated (repeated) entreaties, he consented, or rather appeared to acquiesce in his relative's wish. But the next day, upon his lordship's return to the house, he found that his great grandfather had quitted it, nor, although he made the most persevering enquiries after him, could he ever discover what had become of him.

READING LVII.

MASSANIELLO, THE FISHERMAN OF NAPLES.

1648.

ONE of the most extraordinary instances in history, of a successful attempt upon the part of a populace, to

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resist tyrannical power, occurred at Naples, in the same year which witnessed the death of our own Charles the first. Tommaso Aniello, commonly called Massaniello, a remarkable leader of revolt, was the son of a fisherman of Amalfi, where he was born about the year 1623. At the time of his birth, the kingdom of Naples was under the dominion of the house of Austria, and was governed by a viceroy. Although the Neapolitans had for some years evinced (shewn) their attachment and liberality towards their masters, by cheerfully bearing various onerous (burdensome) taxes; yet, upon the occasion, in the year 1646, of a new imposition in the shape of a tax upon fruit; the people, thus deprived of their ordinary and favourite article of food, determined to rid themselves not only of this, but of every other species of exaction (unjust tax). The viceroy to whom petitions, as well as personal applications, had been addressed, promised to redress their grievances, but being assured by the farmers, that to remove the tax would not only prejudice (hurt) their interests, but also render insolent a wretched mob, he retracted (recalled) his word and refused to take any measures to do away the evil complained of.

At this time Massaniello, who was twenty-four years of age, was living near the great market-place at Naples. He was stout, of a pleasing countenance, and in stature about the middle height. His dress consisted of linen trowsers and waistcoat, generally blue, with a sailor's scarlet cap; he wore neither shoes nor stockings. This man having noticed the complaints then prevalent (general) throughout the lower orders, was returning home one day, much out of humour with the state of things, when he met a well known bandit (robber) of the name of Perrone, who, together with his companion, had fled to a church by way of refuge or asylum. Being asked by them what had so ruffled (disturbed) his temper, he replied furiously, "May I be hanged if I do not see this city righted." "You right the city indeed!" exclaimed they, laughing, "you are a fine fellow to be sure." "Pray," rejoined Massaniello, "pray do not mock me. I take heaven to witness that if I could find only two or three more, determined like myself, the thing should be done. Will you join me?" "Willingly," replied they. "Give me your words then :" this done, he went