2 AUGUST 1845, Page 17

WHITEHALL, OR THE DAYS OF CHARLES THE FIRST.

Jr is almost needless to say where or in what time the scenes of this fiction are laid. The story opens at Oxford, just before the battle of Newbury ; and closes with the execution of the King. By means of the

mysterious hero, Ingulph, some of the principal events, personages, and

pictures of the age, are presented to the reader, not always in the form of a connected story, but as a series of isolated paintings, such as a

knowing manager introduces into a play to fill the eye and figure in the bill. By this means, we have Oxford in 1643, and London ditto. The Earl of Northumberland, and his daughter, the celebrated Countess of Carlisle, appear, and give a party at Northumberland House, to bring in all the great politicians of the time, including the poet Waller. Then we have a gathering at an Alderman's, to introduce Milton and various Puritans, as well as the manners of the citizens. Seidel', Lilburn the astrologer, and Taylor the "water poet," "once swan of Thames, though now he sings no more," meet at the hostel of the bard, to show themselves and discourse ; and so the author goes on.

The history of this "historical romance" is rather better managed, though its basis is absurd enough. Ingulph, the hero, appears at the opening as a natural son of the Marquis of Montacute, a student at Ox- ford, a great poet, a favourite of the Queen, and lover of his legitimate bro- ther's betrothed, Marie, a daughter of Strafford. By the arts of this wicked brother De la Pole the younger, and his own imprudence, he offends Charles, and is imprisoned; which leads to a sketch of the state of

prisons in those days, and of the Puritans who were there incarcerated. Escaping by amazing ability, he falls in with Fox, the founder of the Friends ; but nothing comes of it: taken prisoner by the Royalists in

order to see Prince Rupert, he gets away in time to do good service at the battle of Newbury. Thence he goes to London, to get it described

in the way we have indicated, and to take a part in some melodramatics romance. A dead set is now made at Ingulph by De la Pole, a zealous Loy- alist, and by his betrothed Marie, to entangle him in Waller's plot : but, in despite of Laud, who is introduced for the occasion, Ingulph remains true to the Republican opinions he formed when put in limbo by a monarch. By the arts of the villain De in Pole, he is half suspected of treason by the Republicans, and wholly of the seduction of his uncle's with; De la Pole himself, being the real sinner. In danger of his life, he is saved by Cromwell ; who is made to believe that Ingulph is his natural son; which of course brings patronage. We think Ingulph is assisting at Marston Moor, but our copy is deficient at that part: however, he is present at Naseby, and the soul of the "agitators" of the army. By his

directions, Cornet Joyce carries off the King; the unhappy Charles IS

committed to his custody; it is Ingulph that suggests his trial ; he is named on the High Commission ; and then finds out that, after all, he is really a natural son of Charles ! This leads to a plot for the King's escape ; which being detected, Ingulph is permitted, for the sake of the reader, to witness the execution.

In the romance of Whitehall, the author has endeavoured to be rich and various ; but he is only unnatural and outré, sometimes offensive.

The story cannot be made intelligible in an abridgment; nor, what with genealogies, narrow passages, and a succession of apartments, can it always be easily followed in full, unless it were worked out as a problem. There is a false marriage in masks, by which both Charles and the mother of Ingulph are deceived. There are two elder De la Poles; the real one, supposed to be dead, having come back from the New World with a young wife, Ramona. This character is intended for a very deli- cate and refined sketch ; but she is rather too like a Spanish American half-blood to be very attractive as a heroine of romance in the earlier part, and the latter, where her husband is mad and she is tortured by Hopkins the witch-finder, is too physical. The romance finishes with a poisoned banquet, the younger De la Pole starved to death, and Stonehenge, the banished De la Pole, burned with his Mulatto in a fire of his own kindling.

To what is understood by the term invention this author has no claim whatever. In respect to contrivances he has more facility; but they are

so wild and improbable, so inconsistent with actual experience or common likelihood, and so obviously designed to bring about some object of authorcraft, that they fail to produce either interest or excitement, though they approach the " quodeunque ostendis mild sic, incredulus odi." The

style of Whitehall, like that of its materials, has two characters. That which belongs to the romance proper may be described as galvanic.

It has an unnatural sort of vigour without life, akin to the distorted action of a corpse ; like those artificial gestures, it is not maintained for a long continuance, and when it drops, becomes cold and dead. The historic4

part is better in exeoution, , and in.deaign.tem. The.author has .formed a true conception of the fanatics and Republicans .of the period, and paints them With something of nature both- in action and discourse; although they are only exhibitediu public life. A similar praise may be bestowed on- some of the historical scenes, such as the execution anderialolCharlee; though the ,latter is too Much spun out, and too literal, in its character.

The- following familyesketch is in a lower style, but true though

homely.

THE CROMWELL FAMILY:

Tribulation found herself in a large chamber, very pleinly but substantially famished. In the midst was a table of oak, polished .28 glass, on which were the materials of an evening repast, for it was supper-time, being six o'clock. A round oftold beef, bread, cheese, akin two large silver mugs, and -milk in pipkins, were the staple commodities. A homely, donee-looking- woman, plainly- dad, sat at one end, with two fair-little girls clinging about her knees amuck younger- but =tly married woman was next; and then, ranged ;cam-ding ag were ie fat, handsome striplings, whose countenances were allnaild, but with- out-much expression. M some little distal's* from this group, in an easy black leather -chair, was an old: woman, whose thin gray hair and resigned expression gave-her revery vener- able aspect. Near her sat. a militaryelooking man, apparently of middle age, strongly built and of a good stature, though not tall: the countenance was large and massive, the eyebrows somewhat heavy, the nose large, the mouth stern, the hair lank and slightly curling; the general expression being grave, authoritative, and somewhat anxious, from the bent eyebrows and piercing earnestness of gaze. He was either reading or expounding from a Bible which he held open on his knees, with his heavy sward crossed on a, stool at his feet. He wore a coarse mentry-cut suit. of clothes, printed with divas stains, of the armour worn above it; ,his sword fastened by rude iron links to his belt, and laid across the sacred volume to keep it open. This was Cromwell

Another fair girl, about fourteen, sat on the stool, looking up at her father as he read, with a composed and serious aspect. Master-Peters was one of two persons who seemed-to be guests, in this extol- /6n family-eireles the other [Ireton] was a man of about two.and-thirty, of a atern, resolved, and somewhat gloomy aspect, which expressed &nature Bzed tm- deViatingly on certain principles; or at least not likely to be turned from them by those whirlwinds of passion or sudden gushes of feeling to which men of finer seneffiffitiesare suldect.

The execution of Charles possesses a certain kind of power derived thine only adding circumstances to the record, not new events. Ingulph, after the detection of his plot, has been endeavouring to excite Fairfax to postpone the execution ; which Cromwell and Harrison oppose.

"As he spoke, the door flew open, and Axtel rushed abruptly in.

" Allis well !' he- exclaimed: 'he is on the scafIbld, and-not a breath_ is „heard against it-I'

'Our ernyer.is answered!' exalainuel Cronneell, leaping up. "They cannot, they dare not., they shall.notl ' shouted Ingulph desperately: hat. ax he rushed forward; Axtel, Harrison,, and the sentinels at the door, darted against him, and seized him in an overpowering grasp. After a vain but furious Wenggle of some moments, he suddenly-yielded. "'I submit—all is lost: but let me see him ere he dies—let me but obtain his- forgiveness, or my soul is lost for everi ' he exclaimed distractedly, turning to Cromwell, who gazed at him for a momentinedence.

Swear to me that you will attempt ne, disturbance I—far. L tell you, the gpard around the scaffold have orders to sweep it with their musketry on the least symptom of resistances—and Ireton commands!' said he.

'1 swear—I swear!' repeated the agonized victim.

" 4 Give-me your pistols.' He am-rendered- them.

"Cook-yours, Axtel; your sword!' He unsheathed and threwit way. "Now .Axtel, walk beside him. On the least return of this madness use your pistol,' said. the Lieutenant, sternly. And, now go! For me, I will the Lord's will only in prayer.' And covering his face with his hands, he resumed his kneeling ?saute, while Ingulph, closely gearded by Axtel, left the chamber, orrather burst mit of it.

"Aware that. all farther resistance was sheer -madnessein theserenity -of utter- despair Ingplph hastened_ to the Banqueting Hall. All the windows were stem- med with gazers, many- of 'them women in vizards; it was crowded with soldiers, whose partisans kept- a dear-way to the fatal window: Ingulph even afterwards romembered that he- looked vacantly up and noticed threceding-glowing with all the splendounrof. the pencil &Ratans, anctrepresenting theapotheesis of JamesL "-But the tragedy was not yet oonsummatede—the .coffin was still there unte- nanted. Ingulih hurried on:. he reached the scaffold, and stood. for a moment in a state of dreamy stupefaction. " The •Ireng was on -the point-of concluding the long-and calm- harangue with which he vindicated-his conduct on the scaffold, appealingeheners to posterity: "-' flume delivered my oonasiencee he said. I praiy God that you do take! those courses that are best for the good of the kingdom and your own salvation.'

Juxon then spoke. Though it be very well known what your. Majesty's affections are.to the Protestant religion,' he said, 'yet it may be expected that you should-say something-fin the worlds satisfaction in that- particular'?' I thank you very heartily, my Lord, for that; I had almost forgotten it' re. plindiCharles, with .a slight smile; and, turning-to thepeeple, he said„ in a raised. vatee—eln.troth, Skse my conscience in religion I think is, very well known to all the World; and therere-I declare before you_all, that I diea:Ghreetian according to the profession of the Church of England, as I found, it left me by my father; and this honest man I think-will witness it' "'He turned again to the officers in attendance; andhiseye fell onIngu/ph with- anexpeeseion of extreme pity and surprise. "Sirs, exoustrme for this same; I have a. good cause, and I have a gracious God.: I will say no more ' he-continued to Harker. Take care they do not put

me to i pain. And, S,' snore,'

to Ingulph, 'this, an' it please you.' "-He advanced like a statue in motion, until he was close beside the block. "' Take heed of the axe—it may heat yeti! 'he said kindly. 'I owe this gentleman-many kindnewas e I must bid_ him farewell.' He then added, in a whisper, inandibleto all but Imulph—' Farewell, mg-son! I know allyour efforts in-tny behalf—I acquit you:of allshare ineny destruction. Keep this ring for my sake and your own; F have sufficiently recommended the bearer to all who love me.' And he restored Stonehenge's ring to Ingulph, who knelt bareheaded, and could onlyejaeulate- " Meecy-!—forgure your nmrderer, father r "Not so, not so; but promise me never again to serve him that truly is--

Cromwell l' returned. thrunfortunata Monarch, in a low tone. But, observing that Ingulph was speechless, he stooped, embraced him warmly, and with a gesture recommended him- to the-care of Axtel, while he himself returnee ealuerte the eamentioner.

" I shall sayebutveryr short prmarseand_when.I thrust out my hands "The nsasked serseutionermaied, with a- cleeP sigh.

"The Bishop new handed the King ae white satin nightcap e but feeling his kmggrey hair, he inquired of the executioner if it would be in his way. The man made no reply; but laid- down his axe, and assisted the Bishop in adjust* it pair theteap •

"I have a good cause, and a gracious God on my side!' he-said. to Jaime smilingly, when this fearful preparation was completed.

" There is but one stage more,' replied Jaxen; which, though turbulent and' troublesome yet it. is.a aery short one; you may consider it will soon carry.yeee sveergreat way—it-will carry yon.from eartteto heaven; and there -you will finre, to your great-joy, the prize you hasten to—a crown of glory!' "'I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown, where no disturbance caix be,. no disturbance in the world,' said Charles, mournfully, as if retracing iu his mind the turbulent events of his career, "' You-are ereleinged from a.teinposal to an:eternal crown; a. good exchanger. replied ahe -Bishop. "Is my hair well? said Charles, turning to the executioner. He nodded._ "Taking offiles cellar and insignia of the Garter, the King then handed it tck Jaren; saying the remarkable and ominous word which has ever, since puzzled,

P°"Beyme—rubee-P

"Cheeks glanced st tha block, and-the -loose staples. "You must set it fast,' be observed.

"'It is fast, Sir,' replied the executioner. Charles looked at him for a moment; but the impenetrable mask baffled his scrutiny. "Knight of he la Pole!' he then said in a low tone, it-might have been a little higher! " 'Itean be no higher; Sir!' said the awistantexeoutioner, observing that bite master madena reply.

"By this time, Axtel, surprised at Dethewarre's making no effort to rise from his kneeliug position, shook him violently, and startled htm from a kind of in- sensibility rather of- mind than body. He arose and merhenirelly obeying-the gestures- of Axtel, followed him of the scaffiad. But as they entered: the Pianqueting-liall, a lowsdeep universal sigh-was heard gradually rising among the mob: he g. backe-au aze arose gleaming in a wintry sunbeam, which shone out for m instant, aud fell with the same vast and universal sigh accompanying its fall. The object of so many loves and hates, a moment before instinct tviter wrongs, and woes and rasions, evil and good, lay-there, senseless, thoughtless; silent, bleeding, dead!"