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Let us go backward a few hours, and place ourselves in West-minster Abbey, at four o’clock in the morning of this memorable Coronation Day. We are not without company; for although it is still night, we find the torch-lighted galleries already filling up with people who are well content to sit still and wait seven or eight hours till the time shall come for them to see what they may not hope to see twice in their lives—the coronation of a king. Yes, London and Westminster have been astir ever since the warning guns boomed at three o’clock, and already crowds of untitled rich folk who have bought the privilege of trying to find sitting-room in the galleries are flocking in at the entrances reserved for their sort.

The hours drag along, tediously enough. All stir has ceasedⒶalteration in the MS for some time, for every gallery has long ago been packed. We may sit, now, and look and think at our leisure. We have glimpses, here and there and yonder, through the dim cathedral twilight, of portions of many galleriesⒶemendation and balconies, wedged full with people, the other portions of these galleries and balconies being cut off from sight by intervening pillars and architectural projections. We have in view the whole of the great north transept—empty, and waiting for England’s [begin page 310] privileged ones. We see also the ample area or platform, carpeted with rich stuffs, whereon the throne stands. The throne occupiesⒶalteration in the MS the centre of the platform, and is raised above it upon an elevation of four steps. Within the seat of the throne is enclosed a rough flat rock —the stone of Scone—which many generations of Scottish kings sat on to be crowned, and so itⒶalteration in the MS in time became holy enough to answer a like purpose for English monarchs. Both the throne and its footstool are covered with cloth of gold.

Stillness reigns, the torches blink dully, the time drags heavily. But at last the lagging daylightⒶemendation asserts itself, the torches are extinguished,Ⓐalteration in the MS

and a mellow radiance suffuses the great spaces. All features of the noble building are distinct, now, but soft and dreamy, for the sun is lightly veiled with clouds.

At seven o’clock the first break in the drowsy monotony occurs; for on the stroke of this hour the first peeress enters the transept, clothed like Solomon for splendor, and is conducted to her appointed place by an officialⒶalteration in the MS clad in satinsⒶalteration in the MS and velvets, whilst a duplicate of him gathers up the lady’s long train, follows after, and, when the lady is seated, arranges the train across her lap for her. He then places her footstool according to her desire, after which he puts her coronet where it will be convenient to her hand when the time for the simultaneousⒶemendation coroneting of the nobles shall arrive.

By this time the peeresses are flowing in in a glittering stream, and the satin-clad officials are flitting and glinting everywhere, seating [begin page 311] them and making them comfortable. The scene is animated enough, now. There is stir and life, and shifting color everywhere. After a time, quiet reigns again; for the peeresses are all come, and are all in their places—a solid acre, or such a matter, of human flowers, resplendent in variegated colors, and frostedⒶalteration in the MS like a Milky Way with diamonds. There are all ages, here: brown, wrinkled, white-hairedⒶemendation dowagers who are able to go back, and still back, down the stream of time, and recal the crowning of Richard III and the troublousⒶalteration in the MS days of that old forgotten age; and there are handsome middle-aged dames; and lovely and gracious young matrons; and gentle and beautiful young girls, with beaming eyes and fresh complexions, who may possibly put on their jeweledⒶalteration in the MS coronets awkwardly when the great time comes;Ⓐalteration in the MS for the matter will be new to them, and their excitementⒶalteration in the MS will be a sore hindrance. Still, this may not happen, for the hairⒶalteration in the MS of all these ladies has been arranged with a special view to the swift and successful lodging of the crown in its place when the signal comes.

We have seen that this massed arrayⒶalteration in the MS of peeresses is sown thick with diamonds, and we alsoⒶalteration in the MS see that it is a marvelous spectacle—but now we are about to be astonished in earnest. About nine, the clouds suddenly break away and a shaft of sunshine cleaves the mellow atmosphere, and drifts slowly along the ranks of ladies; and every rank it touches flames into a dazzling splendor of many-colored fires, and we tingle to our finger-tips with the electricⒶalteration in the MS thrill that is shot through us by the surprise and the beauty of the spectacle! Presently a special envoy from some distant corner of the Orient, marching with the general body of foreign ambassadors,Ⓐalteration in the MS crosses this bar of sunshine, and we catch our breath, the glory that streams and flashes and palpitates about him is so overpowering; for he is crusted from head to heel with gems, and his slightest movement showers a dancing radiance all around him.

Let us change the tense, for convenience. The time drifted along, —one hour—two hours—two hours and a half; then the deep booming of artillery told that the king and his grand procession had arrived at last; so the waiting multitude rejoiced. All knew that a further delayⒶalteration in the MS must follow, for the king must be prepared and robed for the solemn ceremony; but this delay would be pleasantly occupied by the assembling of the peers of the realm in their stately robesⒶalteration in the MS. These were conducted ceremoniously to their seats, and their coronets [begin page 312] placed conveniently at hand; and meanwhile the multitude in the galleries were alive withⒶalteration in the MS interest, for most of them were beholding for the first time, dukes, earls and barons, whose names had been historical for five hundred years. When all were finally seated, the spectacle from the galleries and all coignsⒶalteration in the MS of vantage was completeⒶalteration in the MS; a gorgeous one to look upon and to remember.

Now the robed and mitred great heads of the church, and their attendants, filed in upon the platformⒶalteration in the MS and took their appointed places;Ⓐalteration in the MS these were followed by the Lord Protector and other great officials, and these again by a steel-clad detachment of the Guard.

There was a waiting pause; then, at a signal, a triumphant peal of music burst forth, and Tom Canty,Ⓐalteration in the MS clothed in a long robe of cloth of gold, appeared at a door, and stepped upon the platform. The entire multitude rose, and the ceremony of the Recognition ensued.

Then a noble anthem swept the Abbey with its rich waves of sound; and thus heralded and welcomed,Ⓐalteration in the MS Tom Canty was conducted to the throne. The ancient ceremonies went on, with impressive solemnity, whilst the audienceⒶalteration in the MS gazed; and as they drew nearer and nearer to completion, Tom Canty [begin page 313] grew pale, and still paler, and a deep and steadily deepening woe and despondency settled down upon his spirits and upon his remorseful heart.

At last the final act was at hand. The Archbishop of Canterbury lifted up the crown of England from its cushion and held it outⒶalteration in the MS over the trembling mock king’sⒶemendation head. In the same instant a rainbow-radiance flashed along the spacious transept; for with one impulse every individualⒶalteration in the MS in the great concourse of nobles lifted a coronet and poised it over his or her head,—Ⓐalteration in the MSand paused in that attitude.

A deepⒶalteration in the MS hush pervaded the Abbey.Ⓐalteration in the MS At this impressive moment, a startling apparition intrudedⒶalteration in the MS upon the scene—an apparition observed by none in the absorbed multitude,Ⓐalteration in the MS until it suddenly appeared,Ⓐalteration in the MS moving up the great central aisle. It was a boy, bareheaded, ill shod, and clothed in coarse plebeian garments that were falling to rags. He raised his hand with a solemnity which ill comported with his soiled and sorry aspect, and delivered this note of warning—

“I forbid you to set the crown of England upon that forfeited head. I am the king!”

In an instant several indignant hands were laid upon the boy; but in the same instant Tom Canty, in his regal vestments, made a swift step forward and cried out in a ringing voice—Ⓐalteration in the MS

“Loose him and forbear! He is the king!”

A sort of panic of astonishment swept the assemblage, and they partly rose in their places and stared in a bewildered wayⒶalteration in the MS at one another and at the chief figures in this scene, like persons who wondered whether they were awake and in their senses, or asleep and dreaming. The Lord Protector was as amazed as the rest, but quickly recovered himselfⒶalteration in the MS and exclaimed in a voice of authority—

“Mind not his majestyⒶemendation, his malady is upon him again—seizeⒶemendation the vagabond!”

He would have been obeyed, but the mock king stamped his foot and cried out—

“On your peril! Touch him not, he is the king!”

The hands were withheld; a paralysis fell upon the house; no one moved, no one spoke; indeed no one knew how to act or what to say, in so strange and surprising an emergency. While all minds were struggling to right themselves, the boy still moved steadily forward, with high port and confident mien; he had never halted, from the [begin page 314] beginning;Ⓐalteration in the MS and while the tangled minds still floundered helplessly, he stepped upon the platform, and the mock king ranⒶalteration in the MS with a glad face to meet him; and fell on his knees before him and said—

“OⒶhistorical collation, my lord the king, let poor Tom Canty be first to swear fealty to thee, and say ‘Put on thy crown and enter into thine own again!’ ”

The Lord Protector’s eye fell sternlyⒶalteration in the MS upon the new-comer’s face; but straightway the sternness vanished away and gave place to an expression of wondering surprise. This thing happened also to the other great officers. They glanced at each other, and retreatedⒶalteration in the MS a step by a common and unconscious impulse. The thought in each mind was the same: “What a strange resemblance!”

The Lord Protector reflected a moment or two, in perplexity,Ⓐalteration in the MS then he said, with grave respectfulness—Ⓐalteration in the MS

“By your favor, sir, I desire to ask certain questions which—”

“I will answer them, my lord.”

The duke asked him many questions about the court, the late king, the princeⒶemendation, the princesses,—the boy answered them correctly and without hesitating. He described the rooms of state in the palace, the late king’s apartments, and those of the Prince of Wales.

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It was strange; it was wonderful; yes, it was unaccountable—so all said that heard it. The tide was beginning to turn, and Tom Canty’s hopes to run high, when the Lord Protector shook his head and said—

“It is trueⒶalteration in the MS it is most wonderful—but it is no more than our lordⒶalteration in the MS the king likewise can do.” This remark, and this reference to himself as still the king, saddened Tom Canty, and he felt his hopes crumbling from under him. “These are not proofs,” added the ProtectorⒶalteration in the MS.

The tide was turning very fast, now, very fast indeed—but in the wrong directionⒶalteration in the MS; it was leaving poor Tom Canty stranded on the throne, and sweepingⒶalteration in the MS the other out to sea. The Lord Protector communed with himself—shook his head—the thought forced itself upon him, “It is perilous to the state and to us all, to entertain so fateful aⒶalteration in the MS riddle as this; it could divide the nation and undermine the throne.” He turned and said—

“Sir Thomas, arrest this—Ⓐalteration in the MSNo, hold!” His face lighted, and he confronted the ragged candidate with this question—

“Where liethⒶalteration in the MS the Great Seal? Answer me this truly, and the riddle is unriddled; for only he that was PrinceⒶemendation of Wales can so answer!Ⓐalteration in the MS On so trivial a thing hangⒶalteration in the MS a throne and a dynasty!”

It was a lucky thought, a happy thought. That it was so considered by the great officials was manifested by the silent applause that shotⒶalteration in the MS from eye to eye around their circle in the form of bright approving glances. Yes, none but the true prince could dissolve the stubborn mystery of the vanished Great Seal—this forlornⒶalteration in the MS little impostor had been taught his lesson well, but here his teachings must fail, for his teacher himself could not answer that question—ah, very good, very good indeed; now we shall be rid of this troublesome and perilous business in short order! And so they nodded invisibly and smiled inwardly with satisfaction, and looked to see this foolish lad stricken with a palsy of guilty confusion.Ⓐalteration in the MS How surprised they were, then, to see nothing of the sort happen—how they marveled to hear him answer up promptly, in a confident and untroubled voice, and say—

“There is naught in this riddle that is difficult.” Then, without so much as a by-your-leave to anybody, he turned and gave this commandⒶalteration in the MS, with the easy manner of one accustomed to doing such things: “My lord St. John, go you to my private cabinet in the palace—for none knoweth the place better than you—and, close down to the floor, in the left corner remotest fromⒶalteration in the MS the door that opens from the [begin page 316]

ante-chamber, you shall find in the wall a brazen nail-head; press upon it and a little jewel-closet willⒶalteration in the MS fly open which not even you do know of—no, nor any soul else, in all the world but me and the trusty artisan that did contrive it for me. The first thing that falleth under your eye will be the Great Seal—fetch it hither.”

All the company wondered at this speech, and wondered still more to see the little mendicant pick out this peer without hesitancy or apparent fear of mistake,Ⓐalteration in the MS and call him by name with such a placidly convincing air of having known him all his life. The peerⒶalteration in the MS was almost surprised into obeying. He even made a movement as if to go, but quickly recovered his tranquil attitude and confessed his blunder with a blush. Tom Canty turned upon him and said, sharply—

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“Why dost thou hesitate? Hast not heard the king’s command? Go!”

The lord St. JohnⒶemendation made a deep obeisance—and it was observed that it was a significantly cautious and non-committal one, it not being delivered at either of the kings, but at the neutral ground about half way between the two—and took his leave.

Now began a movement of the gorgeousⒶalteration in the MS particles of that official group which was slow, scarcely perceptible, and yet steady and persistent—a movementⒶalteration in the MS such as is observed in a kaleidoscope that is turned slowly, whereby the components of one splendid cluster fall away and join themselves to another—a movement which little by little, in the present case,Ⓐalteration in the MS dissolved the glitteringⒶalteration in the MS crowd that stood about Tom Canty and clustered it together again in the neighborhood of the new-comer.Ⓐalteration in the MS Tom Canty stood almost alone. Now ensued a brief season of deep suspense and waiting—duringⒶalteration in the MS which even the few faint-hearts still remaining near Tom Canty gradually scraped together courage enough to glide, one by one, over to the majority. So at last Tom Canty, in his royal robes and jewels, stood wholly alone and isolated from the world, a conspicuous figure, occupying an eloquent vacancy.

Now the lord St. John was seen returning. As he advanced up the mid-aisle the interest was so intense that the low murmur of conversation in the great assemblageⒶalteration in the MS died out and was succeeded by a profound hush, a breathless stillness, through which his footfalls pulsed with a dull and distant sound. Every eye was fastened upon him as he moved along. He reached the platform, paused a moment, then turnedⒶhistorical collation Ⓐtextual note toward Tom Canty with a deep obeisance, and said—

“Sire, the Seal is not there!”

A mob does not melt away from the presence of a plague-patient with more haste than the band of pallid and terrified courtiers melted away from the presence of the shabby little claimant of the crown. In a moment he stood all alone, without friend or supporter, a target upon which was concentrated a bitter fire of scornful and angry looks. The Lord Protector called out fiercely—

“Cast the beggar into the street, and scourge him through the town —the paltry knave is worth no more consideration!”

Officers of the guard sprang forward to obey, but Tom Canty waved them offⒶalteration in the MS and said—

“Back! Whoso touches him perils his life!”Ⓐalteration in the MS

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The Lord Protector was perplexed, in the last degree. He said to the lord St. John—

“Searched you well?—but it boots not to ask that. It doth seem passing strange. Little things, trifles, slip out of one’s ken, and one does not think it matter for surprise; but how a so bulkyⒶhistorical collation thing as the Seal of England can vanish away and no man be able to get track of it again—a massy golden disk—”

Tom Canty,Ⓐalteration in the MS with beaming eyes, sprang forward and shouted—

“Hold, that is enough! Was it round?—and thick?—and had it letters and devices graved upon it?—Yes? OⒶhistorical collation, now I know what this

Great Seal is that there’s been such worry and pother about! An’ ye had described it to me, ye could have had it three weeks ago. Right well I know where it lies; but it was not I that put it there—first.”

“Who, then, my liege?” asked the Lord Protector.

“He that stands there—the rightful king of England. And he shall tell you himself where it lies—then you will believe he knew it of his own knowledge.Ⓐalteration in the MS Bethink thee, my king—spur thy memory—it was the last,Ⓐalteration in the MS the very last thing thou didst that day before thou didst rush forth from the palace, clothed in my rags, to punishⒶalteration in the MS the soldier that insulted me.”

A silence ensued, undisturbed by a movement or a whisper, and all eyes were fixedⒶalteration in the MS upon the new-comer, who stood, with bent head and corrugated brow, groping in his memory amongⒶalteration in the MS a thronging multitude of valueless recollections for one single little elusive fact, which, [begin page 319] found, would seat him upon a throne—unfound, would leave him as he was, for good and all—a pauper and an outcast. Moment after moment passed—the moments built themselves into minutes—still the boy struggled silently on, and gave no sign. But at last he heaved a sigh, shook his head slowly, and said, with a trembling lip and in a despondent voice—

“I call the scene back—all of it—but the Seal hath no place in it.” He paused, then looked up, and said with gentle dignity, “My lords and gentlemen, if ye will rob your rightful sovereign of his own for lack of this evidence which he is not able to furnish, I may not stay ye, being powerless. But—”

“O, folly, OⒶhistorical collation, madness, my king!” cried Tom Canty, in a panic, “wait!—think! Do not give up!—the cause is not lost! Nor shall be,Ⓐalteration in the MS neither! List to what I say—follow every word—I am going to bringⒶalteration in the MS that morning back again, every hap just as it happened. We talked— I told you of my sisters, Nan and Bet—ah, yes, you remember that; and about mine old grandam—and the rough games of the lads of Offal Court—yes, you remember these things also; very well, follow me still, you shall recal everything. You gave me food and drink, and did with princely courtesy send away the servants, so that my low breeding might not shame me before them—ah, yes, this also you remember.”

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As Tom checked off his details, and the other boy nodded his head in recognition of them, the great audience and the officialsⒶalteration in the MS stared in puzzled wonderment; the tale sounded like true history, yet how could this impossible conjunction between a prince and a beggar-boyⒶemendation have come about? Never was a company of people so perplexed, so interested, and so stupefied, before.

“For a jest, my prince, we did exchange garments. Then we stood before a mirror; and so alike were we that both said it seemed as if there had been no change made—yes, you remember that. Then you noticed that the soldier had hurt my hand—look! here it is,Ⓐalteration in the MS I cannot yet evenⒶalteration in the MS write with it, the fingers are so stiff.Ⓐalteration in the MS At this your highnessⒶemendation sprang up, vowing vengeance upon that soldier, and ran toward the door—you passed a table—that thing you call the SealⒶalteration in the MS lay on that table—you snatched it up and looked eagerly about, as if for a place to hide it—your eye caught sight of—”Ⓐalteration in the MS

“There, ’tis sufficient!—and the dearⒶhistorical collation God be thanked!” exclaimed the ragged claimant, in a mighty excitement. “Go, my good St. JohnⒶemendation, —in an armpiece of the Milanese armor that hangs on the wall, thou’lt find the Seal!”

“Right, my king! right!” cried Tom Canty; “now the sceptre of England is thine own; and it wereⒶalteration in the MS better for him that would dispute it that he had been born dumb!Ⓐalteration in the MS Go, my lord St. John, give thy feet wings!”

The whole assemblageⒶalteration in the MS was on its feet, now, and well nigh out of its mind with uneasiness, apprehension, and consuming excitement. On the floor and on the platform a deafening buzz of frantic conversation burst forth, and for some time nobody knew anything or heard anything or was interested in anything but what his neighbor was shouting into his ear, or he was shouting into his neighbor’s ear. TimeⒶalteration in the MS—nobody knew how much of it—swept by unheeded and unnoted. At last a sudden hush fell upon the house, and in the same moment St. John appeared upon the platform and held the Great Seal aloft in his hand. Then such aⒶalteration in the MS shout went up!

“Long live the true king!”

For five minutes the air quaked with shouts and the crashⒶalteration in the MS of musical instruments, and was white with a storm of waving handkerchiefs; and through it allⒶalteration in the MS a ragged lad, the most conspicuous figure in England, stood, flushed and happy and proud, in the centreⒶalteration in the MS of the [begin page 321]

spacious platform, with the greatⒶalteration in the MS vassals of the kingdom kneeling around him.

Then all rose, and Tom Canty cried out—

“Now, O, my king, take these regal garments back, and giveⒶalteration in the MS poor Tom, thy servant, his shreds and remnants again.”

The Lord Protector spoke up—Ⓐalteration in the MS

“Let the small varlet be stripped and flung into the Tower.”

ButⒶalteration in the MS the new king, the true king, said—

“I will not have it so. But for him I had not got my crown again—none shall lay a hand upon him to harm him. And as for thee, my good uncle, my Lord Protector, this conduct of thine is not grateful toward this poor lad, for I hear he hath made thee a duke”—the Protector blushed—“yet he was not a king; wherefore, what is thy fine title worth, now? To-morrow you shall sue to me, through him, for its confirmation, else no duke, but a simple earl, shalt thou remain.”

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Under this rebuke, his graceⒶalteration in the MS the DukeⒶemendation of Somerset retired a little from the front for the moment. The king turned to Tom, and said, kindly—

“My poor boy, how was it that you could remember where I hid the SealⒶalteration in the MS when I could not remember it myself?”

“Ah, my king, that was easy, since I used it divers days.”

“Used it,—yet could not explain where it was?”

“I did not know it was that they wanted. They did not describe it, your majesty.”Ⓐalteration in the MS

“Then how used you it?”

The red blood began to steal up into Tom’s cheeks, and he dropped his eyes and was silent.

“Speak up, good lad, and fear nothing,” said the king. “How used you the Great Seal of England?”Ⓐalteration in the MS

Tom stammered a moment, in a pathetic confusion, then got it out—

“To crack nuts with!”

Poor child, the avalanche of laughter that greeted this, nearly swept him off his feet. But if a doubt remained in any mind that Tom Canty was not the king of England and familiar with the august appurtenances of royalty, this reply disposed of it utterly.

Meantime the sumptuous robe of state had been removed from Tom’s shoulders to the king’s, whose rags were effectually hidden from sight under it.

ThenⒶalteration in the MS the coronation ceremonies were resumed; the true king was anointed and the crown set upon his head, whilst cannon thundered the news to the city, and all London seemed to rock with applause.Ⓐtextual note