clofed off by a Barre. All within is on a dais, covered with red baize. Many stools stand ranged in a half-moon. In the centre, above the Chair and Cloth of Estate, and against the wall, you fee, on a fair efcocheon, flourished with green and white draperies, after the Tudor fashion, the arms of France and England quarterly, furmounted with a model of the close crown, and supported on the dexter fide by a Lyon regardant, royally crowned, carved, and gilded; and on the finister, a huge Red Dragon fegreant.

There is a prefs to fee fome one, but attention is carried off. A found of cornets from within; when, from a fidedoor, enter two pursuivants; then a herald, in his tabard, flanked by trumpets; then three or four clerks, gravely attired, carrying rolls of paper and their inks; then fome ufhers and tipftaves; then the Lord Buckhurst, for the nonce Lord High Steward of England, bearing his wand of office erect, robed according to his order, with his coronet on his head, and a collar of SS. over his shoulders. Then a flourish, and a call for filence in the Queen's name. Behind, two by two, follow nine Earls, one Viscount, fifteen Barons, their robes and coronets, according to their

degrees. The Lord Chief Justice, and the Lord Chief Baron, with five Justices-affistant, all clade in red and ermine.

Gravely they are feated. Again cornets, a fhort delay; cornets from within, a false expectation, a burr and a buzz. A call for filence. The Herald proclaimeth, "God fave the Queen!" and a pursuivant readeth her Grace's warrant for the holding of this Court; then shouteth, "God fave the Queen!" Again cornets, and the other pursuivant declareth the opening of the Court. A cold feeling now creeps thorough the hearts of fome. Cornet again from within. By a fide-door enter, three by three, a guard fully armed, their partizans fhouldered, their captain and his ancients their fwords drawn. Then Mafter Afhton, a Reverend Chaplain, his Bible in his hand, his aspect very demure. Now a halberdier, bearing the Axe, the edge turned in front towards the Court; following, thofe two noble kinsmen, the Earls of Effex and Southampton. Their step firm, their countenances modeft, yet undaunted; they defcend into the Hall, followed by the Conftable of the Tower, the Lord Howard de Walden, and his deputy, a company of archers clofing up the file.

The yeomen and archers of the guard are ranged on either fide the Barre, at which stand the arraigned.

There is fome whispering among my Lords the Peers. But, paffing my Lord Admiral, none of them are of note. Francis Bacon there, just within the Barre! Already the world hath taken note of his ingenious mind, matched with fo great learning. Yet withal 't hath been fhewn how he hath a fordid and ungenerous fpirit, little confonant either with wit or study. Over against you, on a side seat, which by fome favour he hath got, fitteth one flushed with eager expectation: his fcowling brow disclosing the vindictiveness of his heart, his glancing eye directed to the Earl of Essex, would tell you that man was Ralegh. Shakspeare, the Poet player, ftands a pace or two behind him, looking at my Lord Southampton. What a deep, pale caft of thought is on

him! Every feveral limb and feature speaks intense anxiety. Yet all fo calm-fo felf-refolved! He hath come to watch the death struggle between the all-powerful Law of offended England, and the gentle Youth who was his earliest friend!

Now were the Earls of Effex and Southampton formally arraigned of Treason: in that they had plotted to deprive

the Queen of her Crown and Life; having entered into Counsel to surprise her Majesty within the Court. That they had broken forth into rebellion; to wit, by imprisoning her Grace's messengers, Counsellors of the Realm; by ftirring up the Londoners by feigned tales; by fetting upon the faithful fubjects in the City; and defending Effex-house against the Royal forces.

To all which my Lords, having held up their hands, pleaded Not Guilty, fubmitting themselves to the trial of God and their Peers; Effex averring that he had done nothing but according to the law of nature and force of neceffity.

Then, after the manner of Counsel at the Barre, did Yelverton, Queen's Sargeant, punctually and at large lay open all the matters charged against them; laying down the law copiously and with a gloss. Rhetorically comparing Effex to that Cataline who associated with himself men of all forts, Atheists, Papists, and criminous perfons. He upbraideth, he taxeth—nay, he compareth my Lord for his ambition to that amphibious beast the crocodile, who as long as he liveth waxeth bigger and bigger.

To him followeth Coke, that virulent Attorney--that

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brow-beating accufer-that lawyer caring not for justice, who by Quirkes rather than by Truth ever urgeth a conviction ; one that would liefer quell the guiltless with bitter taunts and vehement abuse than defend an innocent! A man who is nothing if not acrid and perfonal; who, by his very paffionate prosecutions, hath come to be a byeword of malignity and aversion! Such a contracted, fubtle, intricate brow, full of dodges and turnings, now angularly now circularly, every way aspected! A very labyrinthean face, as one faid! He hath been eyeing Sir Walter for this half-hour paft. Can you not read his looks ?-twist out his thoughts? I' faith he cannot hide them: 'Tis the best virtue in him. You know the worst of him. Keep beyond the length of his chain, he shall not bite you; neither need you fear the loudness of his barking. Plainly, fir, he seemeth to say, "Ay, Ay-Ralegh, I fhall catch you fome day! Ay, ay! Cicero never gave such a rating against that fame Cataline as I have rod in pickle for you, Master Captain of the Guard! Ach! Ralegh!"

Now he rifeth against Effex. First the law of the cafe, as was meet. Then for examples, by the bye. Then to a nice particular well handled; to wit, "That the Earl had no