 section 28 of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. This is a LibreVox recording. All LibreVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or volunteer, please visit LibreVox.org. The World's Story Volume 10. England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, edited by Eva March-Tappan. The Funeral of George II, 1760, by Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford. Horace Walpole, son of the famous Statement Sir Robert Walpole, was the author of a number of literary works. Best known of all these are his letters, fascinating pictures of the fashion life of his day, not always be trusted indeed in matters of bare fact, but captivating nevertheless, vivid and delightful, the editor. Do you know I had the curiosity to go to the Bering till the night? I never seen a Royal Funeral. Nay, I walked as a rag of quality which I found would be, and so it was, the easiest way of seeing it. It is absolutely a noble sight. The Princess Chamber hung with purple a quantity of silver lamps, the coffin under a canopy of purple velvet, and six vast chandeliers of silver on high stats, have a good effect. The ambassador from Tripoli and his son were carried in to see that chamber. The procession, through a line of footguards, every seventh man bearing a torch, the horse guards lining the outside, their officers with drawn sabers and crepe sashes on horseback, the drums, muffles, the bells tolling, and minute guns. All this was very solemn. But the charm was the entrance of the abbey, where we were received by the dean and chapter in rich robes, the choir and almsmen bearing torches. The whole abbey so illuminated that one saw it a greater advantage than by day. The tombs, long aisles and fretted roof, all appearing distinctly and with the happiest hero, scurro. They wanted nothing but incense and little chapels here and there with priests saying mass for the repose of the defunct. Yet one could not complain if it's not being Catholic enough. I had been in dread of being coupled with some boy of ten years old. But the heralds were not very accurate and I walked with George Grenville, taller and older, to keep me in countenance. When we came to the chapel of Henry VII, all solemnity and decorum ceased. No order was observed. People sat or stood where they could or would. The omen of the guard were crying out for help, impressed by the immense weight of the coffin. The bishop read sadly and blundered in the prayers. The fine chapter, man that is born of a woman, was chanted, not read, and the anthem, besides being immeasurably tedious, would have served as well for an actual. The real serious part was the figure of the Duke Cumberland, heightened by a thousand melancholy circumstances. He had a dark brown adonis and a cloak of black cloth with a train of five yards. Attending the funeral of her father could not be pleasant. His leg, extremely bad yet, forced to stand upon it nearly two hours. His face bloated and distorted with his late paralytic stroke, which has affected too one of his eyes and placed over the mouth of the vault, into which, in all probability, he must himself soon descend. Think how unpleasant a situation. He bore it all with a firm and unaffected countenance. This grave scene was fully contrasted by the burlesque Duke of Newcastle. He fell into a fit of crying the moment he came into the chapel, and flung himself back in a stall, the archbishop hovering over him with a smelling mottle. But in two minutes, his curiosity got the better of his hypocrisy, and he ran about the chapel with his glass to spy upon who was or was not there, spying with one hand and mopping his eyes with the other. Then returned the fear of catching cold, and the Duke of Cumberland, who was sinking with heat, fell himself weighed down, and turning round found it was the Duke of Newcastle standing on his train to avoid the chivalry marble. It was very theatrical to look down into the vault where the coffin lay, attended by mourners with lights. Clavering, the groom of the bed chamber refused to sit up with the body, and was dismissed by the king's order. End of section 28. This recording is in the public domain. Section 29 of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Read for LibriVox.org by Aaron Grassy. Dr. Johnson in the anti-room of Lord Chesterfield by E. M. Ward, English artist, 1816-1879. Painting page 136. Dr. Johnson was one of the greatest English essayists and critics of the 18th century, and the author of a monumental dictionary of the English language. His early life was passed in dire poverty, and his greatest work, Rosillus, was written in the evenings of one week to pay the expenses of his mother's funeral. In 1762 he received a pension of 300 pounds a year from the government, and from that time until his death he was the foremost figure in English literature. Dr. Johnson was even more celebrated as a talker than as the writer, and many of his conversations with Oliver Goldsmith, Edmund Burke, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and other members of the Brilliant Literary Club, of which he was the leading member, have been preserved in Boswell's famous biography. One of the doctor's most prominent contemporaries was Lord Chesterfield. He had held several positions of state, and he was known as a man of wealth and of fine literary taste. In those times it was desirable to dedicate a new literary work to some well-known man who was expected, in return for the compliment, to take an interest, generally financial, in the book. When Dr. Johnson set to work on his dictionary he addressed the prospectus to Lord Chesterfield, was thanked for the courtesy, and that was all. According to the custom Johnson continued to call upon the Earl until it was too plain to be disregarded that his lordship did not care to receive the awkward, clumsy scholar among his fashionable guests. The scene of the illustration is the Earl's anti-room. Dr. Johnson sits cane in hand, a sturdy and dignit figure, and casts a glance of scorn at a lady of fashion who has been admitted to the august presence of Chesterfield, while he himself is refused in audience. Chesterfield realized too late what an honour the dedication of the dictionary would be to him, and warmly praised the forthcoming book. But the dictionary came out without a dedication, and its author sent to his Recreant Patron a letter scornfully refusing his belated offer of help. The World's Story Volume 10, England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, edited by Evermarch Tappan, Section 30, William Pitt and the Stamp Act, 1766, by George Bancroft. William Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham, was a famous English statesman and orator. In 1756 he entered the cabinet, and from that time until his death in 1778, he was the greatest figure in English politics. He was a strong friend to the American colonies, in that he opposed their taxation by England. But in 1778 he opposed with equal strength the acknowledgement of their independence, the editor. On the 20th of February, while the newspapers of New York were that very morning reiterating the resolves of the Sons of Liberty, that they would venture their lives and fortunes to prevent the Stamp Act from taking place, that the safety of the colonies depended on a firm union of the whole, the ministers at a private meeting of their supporters settled the resolutions of repeal, which even Charles Stone's hand was present to accept, and which, as Burke believed, he intended to support by a speech. Early the next day, every seat in the House of Commons had been taken, between four and five hundred members attended. Pitt was ill, but his zeal was above disease. I must get up to the house as I can, said he. When in my place, I feel, I am tolerably able to remain through the debate, and cry aye to the repeal, with no sickly voice. And he hobbled into the house on crutches, swayed in flannels, hazeid, as he passed through the lobby by almost all the persons there. Conway moved for leave to bring in a bill for the repeal of the American Stamp Act. It had interrupted British commerce, jeoparded the debts to British merchants, stopped one-third of the manufacturers of Manchester, increased the rates on land by throwing thousands of poor out of employment. The Act too breezed oppression, it annihilated juries, and gave vast power to the admiralty courts. The lawyers might decide in favour of the right to tax, but the conflict would ruin both countries. In three thousand miles of territory, the English had but five thousand troops, the Americans one hundred and fifty thousand fighting men. If they did not repeal the Act, France and Spain would declare war and protect the Americans. The colonies too would set up manufacturers of their own. Why then risk the whole for so travelling an object as this Act modified? Jenkinson on the other side moved, instead of the repeal, a modification of the Stamp Act, insisting that the total repeal, demanded as it was with menaces of resistance, would be the overthrow of British authority in America. In reply to Jenkinson, Edmund Burke spoke in a manner unusual in the House, fresh, as from a full mind, connecting the argument for repeal with a new kind of political philosophy. About eleven, Pete Rose, with suavity of manner, he conciliated the wavering by allowing good ground for their apprehensions. But calmly, and with consummate and persuasive address, he argued for the repeal, was eloquence, which expressed conviction, and which yet could not have offended even the sensitive self-love of the warmest friends of the Act. He acknowledged his own perplexity in making an option between two ineligible alternatives, pronounced, however, for repeal, as due to the liberty of unrepresented subjects, and in gratitude to their having supported England through three wars. The total repeal, replied Greenwell, will persuade the colonies that Great Britain confessed itself without the right to impose taxes on them, and is reduced to make this confession by their menaces. Jews and merchants insist that depths to the amount of three millions will be lost, and all fresh orders countermanded. Do not injure yourselves from fear of injury, do not die from the fear of dying. The merchants may sustain a temporary loss, but they, and all England would suffer much more from the weakness of parliament, and the impunity of the Americans. With a little firmness, it will be easy to compel the colonists to obedience. The last advices announce that the spirit of submission is taking the place of the spirit of revolt. Americans must learn that prayers are not to be brought to Caesar through riot and sedition. Between one and two o'clock on the morning of the 22nd of February, the division took place. Only a few days before, Bedford had confidently predicted the defeat of the ministry. The king, the queen, the princess dowager, the Duke of York, Lord Butte desired it. The scanty remains of the old Tories, all the followers of Bedford and Greenville, the king's friends, every Scottish member, except Sir Alexander Gilmore and George Dempster, Lord George Sackville, whom this ministry had restored and brought into office. Oswald, Sackville's colleague, as vice treasurer for Ireland, Barrington, the paymaster of the Navy, were all known to be in the opposition. The lobbies were crammed with upwards of 300 men, representing the trading interests of the nation, trembling and anxious, and waiting almost till the winter morning's return of light to learn their fate from the resolution of the House. Presently it was announced that 275 had voted for the repeal of the act, against 167 for softening and enforcing it. The roof of St. Stephen's rank was the loud shouts and long cheering of the victorious majority. When the doors were thrown open and Conway went forth, there was an involuntary burst of gratitude from the grave multitude which beset the avenues. They stopped him. They gathered round him as children round the parent, as captives round the deliverer. The pure-minded man enjoyed the triumph, and while they thanked him, Edmund Burke, who stood near him, declares that his face was as if it had been the face of an angel. As Greenville moved along, swelling with rage and mortification, they pressed on him with hisses. But when pit appeared, the whole crowd reverently pulled off their hats, and the applauding joy uttered around him touched him with tender and lively delight. Many followed his chair home with benedictions. He felt no illness after his immense fatigue. It seemed as if what he saw and what he heard, the gratitude of rescued people and the gladness of thousands now become his own, had restored him to health. But his heartfelt and solid delight was not perfect till he found himself in his own house, with the wife whom he loved, and the children for whom his fondness knew no restraint or bounds, and who all portook of the overflowing pride of their mother. This was the first great political lesson received by his second son, then not quite seven years old, the eager and impetuous William, who flushed with patriotic feeling, rejoiced that he was not the eldest born, but could serve his country in the house of commons, like his father. End of section 30. This recording is in the public domain. Section 31 of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The World's Story, Volume 10. England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Edited by Evermarch Tappan. Section 31. The Quarrel of Squire Bull and His Son, 1775 to 1783, by James Kirk Paulding. John Bull was a choleric old fellow who heard a good manner in the middle of a great mill pond, on which, by reason of its being quite surrounded by water, was generally called Bullock Island. Bull was an ingenious man, an exceedingly good blacksmith, a dexterous cutler, and a notable weaver and pot baker besides. He also brewed capital, porter, ale and small beer, and was in fact a sort of chuck of all trades, and good at each. In addition to these, he was a hearty fellow and excellent bottle companion, and possibly honest as times go. But what tarnished all these qualities was a quarrelsome, overbearing disposition, which was always getting him into some scrape or other. The truth is, he never heard of a quarrel going on among his neighbors, but his fingers itched to be in the thickest of them, so that he hardly ever was seen without a broken head, a black eye, or a bloody nose. Such was Squire Bull, as he was commonly called by the country people his neighbors, one of those odd, testy, grumbling, boasting old codgers that never get credit for what they are, because they are always pretending to be what they are not. The Squire was as tight a hand to deal with indoors as out, sometimes treating his family as if they were not the same flesh and blood, when they happened to differ with him in certain matters. One day he got into a dispute with his youngest son Jonathan, who was familiarly called Brother Jonathan, about whether churches ought to be called churches or meeting houses, and whether steeples were not an abomination. The Squire, either having the worst of the argument, or being naturally impatient of contradiction, I can't tell which, fell into a great passion, and swore he would fizzic such notions out of the boy's noddle. So he went to some of his doctors and got them to draw up a prescription, made up of thirty-nine different articles, many of them bitter enough to some pallets. This he tried to make Jonathan's fellow, and finding he made villainous rye faces and would not do it, fell upon him, and beat him like fury. After this, he made the house so disagreeable to him that Jonathan, though as hard as a pine knot and as tough as leather, could bear it no longer. Taking his gun and his axe, he put himself in a boat, and paddled over the mill pond to some new land, to which the Squire pretended some sort of plane, intending to settle there, and build a meeting house, without a steeple, as soon as he grew rich enough. When he got over, Jonathan found, that the land was quite in a state of nature, covered with wood, uninhabited by nobody but wild beasts. But being a lad of metal, he took his axe on one shoulder and his gun on the other, marched into the sickest of the wood, and clearing a place, built a log hut. Pursuing his labours, and handling his axe like a notable woodman, he in a few years cleared the land, which he laid out into thirteen good forms, and building himself a fine farmhouse, about half finished, began to be quite snug and comfortable. But Squire Bull, who was getting old and stingy, and besides, was in a great want of money, on account of his having, lately to pay swingeing damages for assaulting his neighbours, and breaking their heads. The Squire, I say, finding Jonathan was getting well to do in the world, began to be very much troubled about his welfare. So he demanded that Jonathan should pay him a good rent for the land, which he had cleared and made good for something. He trumped up a no-not-what claim against him, and under different pretenses managed to pocket all Jonathan's honest gains. In fact, the poor lad had not a shilling left for holiday occasions, and had it not been for the filial respect he felt for the old man, he would certainly have refused to submit to such impositions. But for all this in a little time Jonathan grew up to be very large of his age, and became a tall, stout, double-jointed, broad-fooded cup of a fellow, awkward in his gate and simple in his appearance, but showing a lively, shrewd look, and having the promise of great strength when he should get his full growth. He was rather an odd-looking chap in truth, and had many queer ways. But everybody that had seen John Bull saw a great likeness between them, and swore he was John's own boy, and a true chip of the old bloke. Like the old squire he was apt to be blustering and saucy, but in the main was a peaceable sort of careless fellow that would quarrel with nobody if you would only let him alone. He always wore a lincey-wolsey coat, the sleeves of which were so short, that his hand and wrist came out beyond them, looking like a shoulder of mutton, all of which was in consequence of his growing so fast that he outgrew his clothes. While Jonathan was outgrowing his strength in this way, Bull kept on picking his pockets of every penny he could scrape together, till at last one day, when the squire was even more than usually pressing in his demands, which he accompanied with threats, Jonathan started up in a furious passion, and threw the tea kettle at the old man's head. The choleric Bull was hereupon exceedingly enraged, and after calling the poor lad, and undutiful, ungrateful, rebellious Rasko, seized him by the collar and forced with a furious scuffle ensued. This lasted a long time, for the squire, though in years, was a capital boxer and of most excellent bottom. At last, however, Jonathan got him under, and before he would let him up, made him sign a paper, giving up all claim to the farms, and acknowledging the fee simple to be in Jonathan forever. End of section 31. This recording is in the public domain. are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Liebervox.org. The World's Story, Volume 10, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, edited by Eva March Tappen. Section 32. A Maid of Honor at the Court of George III. 1786 by Madame Darbley. Madame Darbley, or Francis Burney, was the author of Avelina, the best seller of the day. She became Maid of Honor to the Queen, and the following extract is from the journal that she kept the editor. I rise at six o'clock, dress in a morning gown and cap, and wait my first summons, which is at all times from seven to near eight, but commonly in the exact half-hour between them. The Queen never ascends for me till her hair is dressed. This, in a morning, is always done by her wardrobe woman, Mrs. Thielke, a German, but who speaks English perfectly well. Mrs. Velenberg, since the first week, has never come down in the morning at all. The Queen's dress is finished by Mrs. Thielke, and myself, no Maid ever enters the room while the Queen is in it. Mrs. Thielke hands the things to me, and I put them on. It is fortunate for me I am not the handing them. I should never know which to take first, embarrassed as I am, and should run up prodigious risk of giving the gown before the hoop and the fan before the neck at she. By eight o'clock or a little after, for she is extremely expeditious, she is dressed. She then goes out to join the King and be joined by the Princesses, and they all proceed to the King's chapel in the castle, two prayers attended by the governesses of the Princesses and the King's equary. Various others at times attend but only these, indispensable. I then return to my own room to breakfast. I make this meal the most pleasant part of the day. I have a book for my companion, and I allow myself an hour for it. My present book is Gilpin's description of the lakes of Cumberland and Westmoreland. Mrs. Delaney has lent it to me. It is the most picturesque reading I ever met with. It shows me landscapes of every sort, with tints so bright and lively. I forget I am but reading and fancy I see them before me, colored by the hand of nature. At nine o'clock I send off my breakfast things and relinquish my book to make a serious and steady examination of everything I have upon my hands and the way of business, in which preparations for dress are always included, not for the present day alone, but for the court days which require a particular dress. For the next arriving birthday of any of the royal family, every one of which requires new apparel, for a queue where the dress is plainest and for going on here where the dress is very pleasant to me requiring no show nor finery, but merely to be neat, not inelegant and moderately fashionable. That over I have my time at my own disposal till a quarter before twelve, except on Wednesdays and Saturdays when I have it only to a quarter before eleven. My rummages and business sometimes occupy me uninterruptedly to those hours when they do not I give till ten to necessary letters of duty, ceremony or long arrears. And now from ten to the times I have mentioned I devote to walking. These times mentioned call me to the irksome and quick returning labors of the toilet. The hour advanced on the Wednesdays and Saturdays is for curling and creping the hair which now requires twice a week. A quarter before one is the usual time for the queen to begin dressing for the day. Mrs. Schwellenberg then constantly attends. So do I. Mrs. Stielke of course at all times we help her off with her gown and on with her powdering things and then the hairdresser is admitted. She generally reads the newspapers during that operation. When she observes that I have run to her but have dressed she constantly gives me leave to return and finish as soon as she is seated. If she is grave and reads steadily on she dismisses me whether I am dressed or not but at all times she never forgets to send me away while she is powdering with the consideration not to spoil my clothes that one would not expect belong to her high station. Neither does she ever detain me without making a point of reading here and there some little paragraph allowed. When I return I finish if anything is undone my dress and then take Beretti's dialogues my dearest Freddy's tablet of memory or some such distinctive matter for the few minutes that elapsed there I am again summoned. I find her then always removed her state dressing room. If any room in this private mansion can have the epithet of state there in a very short time her dress is finished. She then says she won't detain me and I hear and see no more of her till bedtime. It is commonly three o'clock when I'm thus set at large and I have then two hours quite at my own disposal but in that natural course of things not a moment after. Those dear and quiet two hours my only quite sure and undisturbed time in the whole day after breakfast is over I shall henceforth devote to thus talking with my beloved Susan, my Freddy, my other sister, my dear father or Miss Cambridge with my brother's cousins Mrs. Ord and other friends in such terms as these two hours will occasionally allow me. Henceforward I say for hitherto dejection of spirits with uncertainty how long my time might last have made me waste moment after moment as sadly as unprofitably. At five we have dinner Mrs. Schwellenberg and I meet in the eating room we are commonly tethered. When there is anybody at it it is from her invitation only whatever right my place might afford me have also invited my friends to the table I have now totally lost by want of courage and spirits to claim it originally. When we have dined we go upstairs to her apartment which is directly over mine here we have coffee till the terracing is over this is at about eight o'clock our Ted out Ted then finishes and we come down again to the eating room there the inquiry whoever he is comes to tea constantly and with him any gentleman that the king or queen may have invited for the evening and when tea is over he conducts them and goes himself to the concert room. This is commonly about nine o'clock from this time if Mrs. Schwellenberg is alone I never quit her for a minute till I come to my little supper at near 11 between 11 and 12 my last summons usually takes place earlier and later occasionally 20 minutes is the customary time then spent with the queen half an hour I believe is seldom exceeded I then come back and after doing whatever I can to forward my dress for the next morning I go to bed and to sleep to believe me the early rising and a long day's attention to new affairs and occupations cause up fatigue so bodily that nothing mental stands against it and to sleep by fall the moment I've put out my candle and laid down my head such as the day to your FB and her new situation at Windsor such I mean is its usual destination and its intended course I make it take now and then another channel but never stray far enough not to return to the original stream after a little meandering around and about it I think now you will be able to see and to follow me pretty closely with regard to those summons as I speak of I will explain myself my summons upon all regular occasions that is morning noon and night toilets is neither more nor less than a bell upon extra occasions a page is commonly sent at first I felt an expressively discomfited by this mode of call a bell it seems so mortifying a mark of servitude I always felt myself blushed though alone with conscious shame at my own strange degradation but I have philosophized myself now into some reconcilment with this manner of summons by reflecting that to have some person always sent would be often very inconvenient and that this method is certainly less an interruption to any occupation I may be employed in than the entrance of messengers so many times a day it is besides less liable to mistakes so I've made up my mind to it as well as I can and now I only feel that proud blush when somebody is by to revive my original dislike of it end of section 32 this recording is in the public domain section 33 of England Scotland Ireland and Wales this is a Libra Vox recording all Libra Vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Libra Vox.org the Royal Story volume 10 England Scotland Ireland and Wales edited by Eva March Tappen section 33 the Royal Visit to Oxford 1786 by Madame Darbley the success of Madame Darbley's novels had been so pronounced that as Macaulay says she was on the highest pinnacle of fame but when she became an attendant upon the Queen the pleasures and rewards of literary work were no longer for her Macaulay pictures the honors which would have been bestowed upon her at Oxford if she had come as Francis Bernie but now she was merely an adjunct to the royal train and as he says she had the honor of entering Oxford in the last of a long train of carriages which formed the royal procession of walking after the Queen all day through refractories and chapels and of standing half dead with fatigue and hunger while her august mistress was seated at an excellent cold collation the following is Francis Bernie's own account of the closing hours of the visit the editor at Christ Church College where we arrived at about three o'clock in a large hall there was a cold collation prepared for their majesties and the princesses it was at the upper end of the hall I could not see of what it consisted though it would have been very agreeable after so much standing and sauntering I've given my opinion of it in an experimental way their majesties and the princesses sat down to this table as well satisfied I believe as any of their subjects so to do the Duchess of Lancaster and Lady Harcourt stood behind the chairs of the Queen and the Princess Royal there were no other ladies of sufficient rank to officiate for Princess Augusta and Elizabeth Lord Harcourt stood behind the King's chair and the Vice Chancellor and the headmaster of Christ Church with salvers in their hand stood near the table and ready to hand to the three noble waiters whatever was wanted while the other Reverend doctors and learned professors stood aloof equally ready to present to the Chancellor and the Master whatever they were to forward we meanwhile untitled attendants stood at the other end of the room forming a semi-circle and all strictly facing the royal collationers we consisted of the Miss Vernon's thrown out here as much as their humble guests Colonel Fairley Major Price General Harcourt and though I know not why Lady Charlotte Birdie with all the inferior professors in their gowns and some too much frightened to advance of the upper degrees these with Miss Planta Mr Haggett and myself formed this attendant semi-circle the time of this collision was spent very pleasantly to me at least to whom the novelty of the scene rendered it entertaining it was agreed that we must all be absolutely famished unless we could partake of some refreshment as we had breakfasted early and had no chance of dining before six or seven o'clock a whisper was soon buzzed through the semi-circle of the deplorable state of our appetite apprehensions and presently it reached the ears of some of the worthy doctors immediately a new whisper was circulated which made its progress with great vivacity to offer us whatever we would wish and to beg us to name what we chose tea coffee and chocolate were whispered back the method of producing in the means of swallowing them were much more difficult to settle than the choice of what was acceptable Major Price and Colonel Fairley however seeing a very large table close to the Wainscott behind us desired our refreshments might be privately conveyed there behind the semi-circle and that while all the group back very near it one at a time might feed screened by all the rest from observation I suppose I need not inform you my dear Susan that to eat in presence of any of the royal family is as much or a dosage as to be seated this plan had speedy success and a very good doctor soon by slight degrees and with watchful caution covered the whole table with tea coffee chocolate cakes and bread and butter the further plan however of one at a time feasting and the rest fasting and standing Sentinels was not equally approved there was too much eagerness to seize the present moment and too much fear of a sudden retreat to give patience for a slow proceeding we could do no more therefore than stand in a double row with one two screen one throughout the truth and in this manner we were all very plentifully and very pleasantly served the Duchess of Lancaster and Lady Harcourt as soon as the first serving attendance was over were dismissed from the royal chairs and most happy to join our group and partake of our repast the Duchess extremely fatigued with standing drew a small body of troops before her that she might take a few minutes rest on formed by one of the doors and Lady Charlotte Birdie did the same to relieve an ankle which she had unfortunately sprained poor Miss Bernie exclaimed the good nature of Duchess I wish she could sit down for she is unused to this work she does not know yet what it is to stand for five hours following as we do the beautiful window of Sir Joshua Reynolds and Mr. Jervis in new college would alone have recovered me had my fatigue been infinitely more serious in one of the colleges I stayed so long in an old chapel lingering over antique monuments that all the party were vanished before I missed them except doctors and professors for we had a train of those everywhere and I was then a little surprised by the approach of one of them saying you seem inclined to abide with us miss Bernie and then another in an accent of facetious gallantry cry don't no don't let us shut up miss Bernie among old tunes no no after this many of the good doctors occasionally spoke to me when there happened to be an opportunity how often did I wish my dear father amongst them they considered me as a doctor's daughter and we're almost excessively courteous handing and pointing and showing me about as much as possible in another college while Miss Planta and myself were hanging a little back at the entrance into a small cedar chapel that would not much more than hold the royal family and their immediate sweet the Duchess of Lancaster who took every opportunity to show me civilities and distinguished me came down the steps and made me ascend them to return with her when she called to her daughter and in the most obliging terms introduced me to her with many kind speeches of a wish that we should cultivate much acquaintance lady charlotte is very handsome and has a very good figure she unfortunately lists very much which at first never prejudices in favor of the understanding but I have conversed with her to little to know anything more of her than that she is well bred and seems to have a large portion internally of the good nature and obliging disposition of her mother at the town hall an address was presented by the mayor and corporation of the city of oxford to the king which the mayor read the king took off his head and bowed and received the address after hearing it but returned no answer nor has his majesty made any except to the oxford university though they have since poured in upon him from every part of the kingdom the mayor was then knighted I think it was in trinity college that we saw the noblest library I've ever happened to enter for his but little my dear Susan I've seen of sights here we had now court scenery in which I acted but an uncourtier like part the queen and princesses had seats prepared for them which after a stroll up and down the library they were glad I believe to occupy the ladies of their suite were then graciously ordered by her majesty to be seated as there was not here the state or public appearance that was observed at the theater and in the college where the refreshments were given as to the poor men they must never sit in the presence of the queen be they whom they will or what they will so they were feigned to stand it out miss planta glided away behind a pillar and being there unseen was able to lounge a little she was dreadfully tired so was everybody but myself for me my curiosity was so awake to everything that I seemed insensible to all inconvenience I could not in such a library prevail with myself to so modest a retirement as miss planters I considered that the queen had herself ordered my attendance in this expedition and I thought myself very well privileged to make it as pleasant as I could I therefore stole softly down the room to the farther end and there amuse myself with examining what books were within reach of my eyes and we're taking down and looking into all such as were also within reach of my understanding this was very pleasant sport to me and had we stayed there till midnight would have kept me from weariness in another college we saw so many and in such quick succession that I recollect not any by name though all by situation I saw a performance of courtly etiquette by lady Charlotte birdie that seemed to me as difficult as any feat I've ever beheld even at least for huses it was in an extremely large long spacious apartment the king always led the way out as well as in upon all entrances and exits but here for some reason but I know not the queen was handed out first and the princesses and the aid to camp in a quarry followed the king was very earnest in conversation with some professor the attendants hesitated whether to rate or follow the queen but presently the duchess of anchorster being near the door slipped out and lady hardcore after her the miss Vernon's who were but a few steps from them went next but lady Charlotte by chance happened to be very high up in the room and near to the king had I been in her situation I had surely waited till his majesty went first but that would not I saw upon this occasion have been etiquette she therefore faced the king and began a march backwards her ankle already sprained and to walk forward and even leaning upon an arm was painful to her nevertheless back she went perfectly upright without one stumble without ever looking once behind to see what she might encounter and with as graceful emotion and as easy and air as I ever saw anybody enter a long room she retreated I am sure for 20 yards backwards out of one for me I was also unlikely at the upper end of the room looking at some portraits of founders and one of Henry the seventh in particular from Holbein however as soon as I perceived what was going forward backward rather I glided near the rain Scott lady Charlotte I should mention made her retreat along the very middle of the room and having paced a few steps backwards stopped short to recover and while I seemed examining some other portrait disentangled my train from the heels of my shoes and then proceeded a few steps only more and then observing the king turn another way I slipped her yard or two at a time forwards and hastily look back and then was able to go again according to rule and in this manner by slow and varying means I had linked made my escape miss planter stood upon last ceremony and fairly ran off since that time however I've come on prodigiously by constant practice in the power and skill of walking backwards without dripping up my own heels feeling my head giddy or treading my train out of the plats accidents very frequent among novices in that business and I have no doubt but that in the course of a few months I shall arrive at all possible perfection in the true court retrograde motion in another college in an old chapter house I had the opportunity to see another court scene it was nearly round in shape and had various old images and ornaments we were all taken in by the doctor's attendant at the party with doctors and all nearly filled in but finding it crowded everybody stood upon the last ceremony and we all made our examinations of the various contents of the room quite at our ease till suddenly the king and queen perceiving two very old-fashioned chairs were placed at the head of the room for their reception gracious they accepted them and sat down nothing could exceed the celerity with which all confusion instantly was over in the most solemn order succeeded to it chairs were presented to the three princesses by the side of the queen and the duchess of angkester and lady hardcore planted themselves at their backs while lady charlotte instantly retreated close to the wall and so did every creature else in the room all according to their rank or station and the royal family remain conspicuous and alone all crowd dispersed and the space of almost the whole room unoccupied before them so close to the walls did everybody respectfully stand the last college we visited was cardinal wall's ease and immense fabric while roving about a very spacious apartment mr f came behind me and whispered that i might easily slip into a small parlor to rest a little while almost everybody else having taken some opportunity to contrive themselves a little sitting but myself eyes jordan very truly i was too little tired to make it worthwhile but poor miss planter was so woefully fatigued that i could not on her account refuse to be of the party he conducted us into a very neat little parlor belonging to the master of the college and miss planter flung herself on a chair half dead with weariness mr f was glad of the opportunity to sit for a moment also from my part i was quite alert alas my dear susan tis my mind that is so weak and so open to disorder my body i really find when it is an independent person very strong and capable of much exertion without suffering from it mr f now produced from a paper repository concealed in his coat pocket some apricots and bread and insisted upon my eating but i was not inclined to the repast and saw he was half damaged himself so was poor miss planter however he was so persuaded i must both be as hungry and as tired as himself that i was forced to eat an apricot to appease him presently while we were in the midst of this regale the door suddenly opened and the queen came in followed by as many attendants as the room would contain up we all started my self alone not discounted for i really think it quite respect sufficient never to sit down in the royal presence without aiming at having it supposed but i have stood bolted up right ever since i have been admitted to it quick into our pockets was crammed our bread and close into our hands was squeezed our fruit by which i discovered that our appetites were to be supposed and I laid it at the same time that our strength was to be invincible very soon after this we were joined by the king and in a few minutes we operated forth to the carriages and drove back to new num end of section 33 this recording is in the public domain section 34 of england scotland ireland and wales read for livervox.org by erin grassy england part five the napoleonic wars historical note throughout napoleon's career he had in england a persistent and uncompromising enemy that steadily thwarted his dream of european supremacy on the continent he was invincible but the ocean was england's and try as he would he could not rest it from her and not content with defending her shores england revived again and again the drooping spirits of the continental powers in their life and death struggle with the french emperor and by scattering subsidies and forming coalitions kept alive the spirit that at last gathered strength to pull down the great adventurer from his imperial throne and sent him forth to die on a desolate island of the atlantic the three dominant figures in england's long struggle with napoleon were william pit the younger son of the earl of chatham prime minister in 1783 at the age of 24 died in 1806 admiral nelson whose great victories at the nile and trafalgar secured the safety of england and her colonies and sir arthur wellesley afterwards the duke of wellington hero of the peninsular war in spain and of the battle of waterloo by the treaty of vienna 1815 england gained cape colony south africa selion british giana malta and other important territories but the long struggle had been won at an enormous cost from 1793 to 1815 the national debt increased from 250 to 850 million pounds to the popular discontent resulting from the hard times that followed are chiefly due to the far-reaching reforms of the 19th century and of section 34 this recording is in the public domain section 35 of england scotland ireland and wales this is a libravox recording all libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org recording by thomas peter the world story volume 10 england scotland ireland and wales edited by eva march tappan section 35 the battle of the baltic 1801 by thomas cambell during the struggle with napoleon england declared a blockade against the french ports the baltic country is united to oppose this early in 1801 the british fleet entered the harbor of copenhagen and opened fire after the victory of english nelson was so kind to his wounded foes that when he landed in denmark he was received with the shouts of applause the editor of nelson and the north sing the glorious days renown when to battle fears came forth all the might of denmark's crown and her arms along the deep proudly shone by each gun the lighted brand and a bold determined hand and the prince of all the land led them on like leviathan's afloat lay their bulwarks on the brine while the sign of battle flew on the lofty british line it was ten of april mourn by the chime as they drifted on their path there was silence deep as death and the boldest held his breath for a time but the might of england flushed to anticipate the scene and her van the fleeter rushed o'er the deadly space between hearts of oak our captains cried when each gun from its adamantine lips spread a death shade round the ships like the hurricane eclipse of the sun again again again and the havoc did not slack till a feeble cheer the dane to our cheering sent us back their shots along the deep slowly boom then ceased and all as wail as they strike the shattered sail or in conflagration pale light the gloom outspoken the victor then as he hailed them over the wave we are brothers we are men and we conquer but to save so peace instead of death let us bring but he yield proud foe thy fleet and make submission meet to our king then denmark blessed our chief that he gave her wounds repose and the sounds of joy and grief from her people wildly rose as death withdrew his shades from the day while the sun looked smiling bright or a wide and woeful sight where the fire as a funeral light died away now joy old england rays the tidings of thy might by the festal city's blaze whilst the wine cup shines in light and yet amidst that joy and uproar let us think of them that sleep full many a fathom deep by thy wild and stormy steep elsinore brave hearts to britain's pride one so faithful and so true on the deck of fame that died with a gallant good view soft sigh the winds of heaven or that grave while the billow mournful rolls and the mermaid's song condoles singing glory to the souls of the brave end of section 35 this recording is in the public domain section 36 of england scotland ireland and wales this is a libravox recording all libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org recording by thomas peter the world story volume 10 england scotland ireland and wales edited by even march tappan section 36 trefogger 1805 by william c benet northwest the wind was blowing our good ships running free seven leagues they caved trefogger away upon our lee it was then as broke the morning the frenchman was described east away there they lay that day that nelson died that was a sight to see boys on which that morning shone we counted three and thirty mounseer and stately dawn and plain the great three decors amongst them was described safe we said for spithead that day that nelson died then nelson spoke to hardy upon his face the smile the very lucky war when we beat them at the nile we must have 20 hardy it was thus the hero cried and we had 20 lads that day that nelson died up went his latest signal oh well my boys he knew that not a man among us but what his duty do and as the signal flew boys with shouts each crew replied how we cheered as we neared the foe when nelson died we led the weather column but calling wood ahead a mile from all the lee line right through the frenchman led and what would nelson give to be here with us he cried as he bore through their roar that day that nelson died well on the victory stood boys with every sail full spread and as we neared them slowly there was but little said there were thoughts of home amongst us and as their line was eyed here and there perhaps a prayer that day that nelson died a gun the bucantor first began with us the game another then their broadsides from all sides through us came with men fast falling round us well not a gun replied with sales rent on we went that day that nelson died steer for their admirals flag boys but where it flew none new then make for that four-decker said nelson men she'll do so at their trinidad to get we straightaway tried as we broke through their smoke that day that nelson died it was where they clustered thickest the through their line we broke and to their bucantor first our thundering broadside spoke we shaved her as our shots boys crashed through her shattered side she could feel how to keel that day that nelson died into the dawn's four-decker our larboard broadsides poor though all we well could spare her went to the bucantor locked to another frenchman our starboard fire we plied gun to gun till we won that day that nelson died they've done for me at last friend it was thus they heard him say that i die as i would die boys upon this glorious day i've done my duty hardy he cried and still he cried is below sad and slow we bore him as he died unwounded and on dying the cockpit slammed shond him but many a grown we heard lads this for themselves than him and many a one among them had given and scarcely sighed a limb to save him who there in glory died a slowly life ebbed from him his thoughts were still the same how many have we now boys still faint and fainter came as ship on ship struck to us his glazing eyes with pride as it seemed flashed and gleamed as he knew he conquering died we beat them how you know boys yet many an eye was dim and when we talked of triumph we only thought of him and still though 50 years boys have gone who without pride names his name tells his fame who at trafalgar died end of section 36 this recording is in the public domain section 37 of england scotland ireland and wales red for libruvox.org by alan mapstone the burial of sir john moore 1809 by charles wolf in 1808 spain rose against napoleon and was promptly assisted by england sir john moore the english general was unexpectedly forced to fight with a much larger force than his own he was victorious but fell in the very hour of his victory the editor not a drum was heard not a funeral note as his corpse to the rampart we hurried not a soldier discharged his farewell shot or the grave where our hero we buried we buried him darkly at dead of night the sods with our bayonets turning by the struggling moonbeams misty light and the lantern dimly burning no useless coffin enclosed his breast not in sheet or in shroud we wound him but he lay like a warrior taking his rest with his martial cloak around him few and short with the prayers we said and we spoke not a word of sorrow but we steadfastly gazed on the face that was dead and we bitterly thought of the morrow we thought as we hollowed his narrow bed and smoothed down his lonely pillow that the fur and the stranger would tread all his head and we far away on the billow likely they'll talk of the spirit that's gone and all his cold ashes up braid him but little he'll wreck if they let him sleep on in the grave where a britain has laid him but half of our heavy task was done when the clock struck the hour for retiring and we heard the distant and random gun that the foe was sullenly firing slowly and sadly we laid him down from the field of his fame fresh and gory we carve not a line and we raise not a stone but we left him alone with his glory end of section 37 this recording is in the public domain section 38 of england scotland ireland and wales read for libervox.org by erin grassy wellington's march from katra bra to waterloo by urnus crofts english painter 1847 painting page 174 while napoleon was organizing his troops after his return from elba wellington with an english army and blusher with the prussians proceeded to belgium where it was evident an encounter would take place wellington with many of his officers was at a ball when word was brought that the emperor was at hand drums beat bugles sounded and in one hour the troops were on the march to katra bra where on june 1815 two days before the struggle at waterloo a desperate battle was fought in which the english were victorious on the same day the prussians were defeated by the french under marshall grochie and in order to keep in communication with his allies wellington was forced to retire from katra bra toward brussels for several days it had rained furiously and the roads were overflowed with water or deep in mud wellington falling back from katra bra in the mist of a heavy thunderstorm halted on the evening of the 17th at waterloo where he determined to make a final stand against the french and sent dispatches to blusher to hasten to his support napoleon too in pursuit of wellington came to waterloo in the storm and darkness and sent word to grochie to advance with all speed as it was evident that on the morrow a decisive conflict would take place in this picture wellington is seen riding at the head of his soldiers and cheered by a calvary regiment that has been ordered back to protect the english rear end of section 38 this recording is in the public domain section 39 of england scotland ireland and wales this is the library walks recording all library walks recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit library walks dot org the world's story volume 10 england scotland ireland and wales edited by eva marge tappan section 39 just before waterloo 1815 by william makepeace thackeray on the 15th of june 1815 a magnificent ball was given at brussels at which the duck of wellington was a guest in the midst of the revelry a courier announced to him that the troops of napoleon had crossed the boundary and were near quater bra the news quickly ran through the ballroom through the city the bugles sounded the drums beat and within an hour wellington and the english forces were on the march the selection opens while the people of brussels are still ignorant of the result of the encounter at quater bra there are wild rumors of the coming of the french and hosts of people are trying to escape from brussels rebecca the adventures of the book has worked upon the timidity of amelia's brother joce and induced him to pay her an exorbitant price for her horses george is the husband of amelia the battle of waterloo took place on the 18th of june the editor though midnight has long passed there was no rest for the city brussels the people were up the lights in the houses flamed crowds were still about the doors and the streets were busy rumors of various natures went still from mouth to mouth one report a word that the prussians had been utterly defeated another that it was the english who had been attacked and conquered a third that the latter had held their ground this last rumor gradually got strength no frenchman had made their appearance stragglers had come in from the army bringing reports more and more favorable at last an aid the camp actually reached brussels with dispatches from the commandant of that place who placarded presently through the town an official announcement of the success of the allies at quater bra and the entire repulse of the french under knee after a six hours battle the aid the camp must have arrived sometime while joce and rebecca were making they bargained together or the latter was inspecting his purchase when he reached his own hotel he found the score of its numerous inhabitants on the threshold discoursing of the news there was no doubt as to its truth and he went up to communicate it to the ladies under his charge he did not think it was necessary to tell them how he had intended to take leave of them how he had bought horses and what a price he had paid for them but success or defeat was a minor matter to them who had only thought for the safety of those they loved amelia at the news of the victory became still more agitated even than before she was forgoing that moment to the army she thought her brother with tears to conduct her thither her doubts and terrors reached their paroxysm and the poor girl who for many hours had been plunged into stupor raved and ran hither and thither in hysteric insanity a piteous sight no man rising in pain on the hard fought field 15 miles off where lay after their struggles so many of the brave no man suffered more keenly than this poor harmless victim of the war jos could not bear the sight of her pain he left his sister in the charge of host out or female companion and descended once more to the threshold of the hotel where everybody still lingered and docked and waited for more news it grew to be broad daylight as they stood here and fresh news began to arrive from the war brought by men who had been actors in the scene wagons and long country carts laden with wounded came rolling into the town ghastly groans came from within them and haggard faces looking up sadly from out of the straw jos seedly was looking at one of these carriages with a painful curiosity the moans of the people within were frightful the worried horses could hardly pull the cart stop stop a feeble voice cried from the straw and the carriage stopped opposite mr. seedly's hotel it is george i know it is cried Amelia rushing in a moment to the balcony with a pallid face and loose flowing hair it was not george however but it was the next best thing it was news of him it was poor tom stubble who had marched out of brussels so gallantly 24 hours before bearing the colors of the regiment which he had defended very gallantly upon the field a french lancer had speared the young in sign in the leg who fell still bravely holding to his flag at the conclusion of the engagement a place had been found for the poor boy in a cart and he had been brought back to brussels mr. seedly mr. seedly cried the boy faintly and jos came up almost frightened at the appeal he had not at first distinguished who it was that called him little tom stubble held out his hot and feeble hand i am to be taken in here he said osborne and and dobbin said i was and you are to give the man to napoleons my mother will pay you this young fellows thoughts during the long feverish hours passed in the cart had been wandering to his father's parsonage which he had quitted only a few months before and he had sometimes forgotten his pain in that delirium the hotel was large and the people kind and all the inmates of the cart were taken in and placed on various couches the young in sign was conveyed upstairs to osborne squatters amelia and the major's wife had rushed down to him when the latter had recognized him from the balcony you may fancy the feelings of these women when they were told that the day was over and both their husbands were safe in what mute rapture amelia fell on her good friend's neck and embraced her in what a grateful passion of prayer she fell on her knees and thanked the power which had saved her husband there was only one man in the army for her and as long as he was well it must be owned that its movement interest her little all the reports which joss brought from the street fell very vaguely on her ears though they were sufficient to give that teamers gentlemen and many other people then in brussels every disquiet the french had been repulsed certainly but it was after a severe and doubtful struggle and with only a division of the french army the emperor with the main body was away at ligny where he had utterly annihilated depressions and was now free to bring his whole force to bear upon the allies the duke of wellington was retreating upon the capital and the great battle must be fought under its walls probably of which the chances were more than doubtful the duke of wellington had but 20 000 british troops on whom he could rely for the germans were raw militia the belgians disaffected and with his handful his grace had to resist the 150 000 men that had broken into belgium under napoleon under napoleon what warrior was there however famous and skillful that could fight at odds with him joss thought of all these things and trembled so did all the rest of brussels where people felt that the fight of the day before was but the prelude to the greater combat which was imminent one of the armies opposed to the emperor was scattered to the winds already the few english that could be brought to resist him would perish at their posts and the conqueror would pass over their bodies into the city woe be to those whom he found there addresses were prepared public functionaries assembled and debated secretly apartments were got ready and three colored banners and triumphal emblems manufactured to welcome the arrival of his majesty the emperor and king the immigration still continued and wherever families could find means of departure they fled the 18th was a sunday and mrs major o'doud had the satisfaction of seeing both her patients refreshed in health and spirits by some rest which they had taken during the night she herself had slept on a great chair in Amelia's room ready to wait upon her poor friend or the ensign should either need her nursing when morning came this robust woman went back to the house where she and her major had their billet and here performed an elaborate and splendid toilet befitting the day and it is very possible that whilst alone in that chamber which her husband had inhabited and where his cap still lay on the pillow and his cane stood in the corner one prayer at least was sent up to heaven for the welfare of the brave soldier michael o'doud when she returned she brought her prayer book with her and her uncle the dean's famous book of sermons out of which she never failed to read every Sabbath not understanding all happily not pronouncing many of the words right which were long and abstruse for the dean was a learned man and loved long latent words but with great gravity vast emphasis and with tolerable correctness in the main how often has my mick listened to these sermons she thought and me reading in the cabin of a calm she proposed to continue this exercise on the present day with Amelia and the wounded ensign for a congregation the same service was read on that day in 20 000 churches at the same hour and millions of british men and women on their knees implored protection of the father of all they did not hear the noise which disturbed our little congregation at brussels much louder than that which had interrupted them two days previously as mrs o'doud was reading the service in her best voice the canon of waterloo began to roar all that day from morning until past sunset the canon never ceased to roar it was dark when the canonating stopped all of a sudden all of us have read of what occurred during that interval the tale is in every englishman's mouse and you and i who were children when the great battle was won and lost are never tired of hearing and recounting the history of that famous action its remembrance rankles still in the bosoms of millions of the countrymen of those brave men who lost the day they panned for an opportunity of revenging that humiliation and if a contest ending in a victory on their part should ensue elating them in their turn and leaving its cursed legacy of hatred and rage behind to us there is no end to the so-called glory and shame and to the alternations of successful and unsuccessful murder in which two high spirited nations might engage centuries hence we frenchmen and englishmen might be boasting and killing each other still carrying out bravely the devil's cod of honor all our friends took their share and fought like men in the great field all day long while the women were praying 10 miles away the lines of the dauntless english infantry were receiving and repelling the furious charges of the french horsemen guns which were heard at brussels were blowing up their ranks and comrades falling and the resolute survivors closing in towards the evening the attack of the french repeated and resisted so bravely slakened in its fury they had other foes besides the british to engage or were preparing for a final onset it came at last the columns of the imperial guard marched up the hill of senjon at length and at once to sweep the english from the height which they had maintained all day in spite of all unscared by the thunder of the artillery which hurled the death from the english line the dark rolling column pressed on and up the hill it seemed almost to crest the eminence when it began to waver and falter then it stopped still facing the shot then at last the english troops rushed from the post from which no enemy had been able to dislodge them and the guard turned and fled no more firing was heard at brussels the pursuit rolled miles away darkness came down on the field and city and amelia was praying for george who was lying on his face dead with a bullet through his heart and of section 39 read by mark cholsky this recording is in the public domain section 40 of england scotland ireland and wales this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox dot org recording by april 6090 california united states of america the world's story volume 10 england scotland ireland and wales edited by eva march tappan section 40 waterloo 1815 by douglas brook wilton slaydon the battle of waterloo was fought on a glorious day in june a sabbath day clear and warm after the heavy rain of the night which had entirely ceased ere the roar of battle began at home mothers and sisters and sweethearts were praying for the safety of those dear to them who were about to engage in deadly combat it was while these loved ones were engaged in their devotions at church that the battle commenced and from many a maiden's heart in kent and elsewhere went out a fervent petition asking divine protection for the one dear to her then life and many a noble boy fought better and died more heroically that awful day knowing that such a woman was praying for him what struck half past ten o'clock as over his saddle bow he bent he thought of the village church in kent and said she'll be kneeling soon to pray perhaps for me on this sabbath day ping ping hark the bullet's wing their curse years sweep across the plane charge them our life guards they turn again while english beauty is on its knees for english valor across the seas there goes the vanguard of the foes they've taken the wood by houmont cold streams and fusiliers to the front taken again lads that's not a miss your sweethearts at home will boast of this palmel bullet shot and shell rained on our infantry thick and fast many stout heart will beat its last blue eyes will moistened many a day for good lives lightly given away crash clash like a torrent's dash lancer and curcier leap on the square scarcely a third of the bayonets there ye who would look on old england again now must ye prove yourselves english men stamp stamp with its even tramp rolls uphill the invincible guard falters it at the fiftieth yard weak worn and oft assaulted the foe yet never its heart misgave it so on on and the fight is won shot stricken linesmen and thrice charged guard glare at them lying like hungry and hard his waiting is done his hour has come pent up fierceness drives bayonets home on on lifeguard and dragoon in english charge and a red right hand will bring fair years to your feral land with ribbon corsellette and shivered lance is refred and shivered the pride of france still still in the moonlight chill a dying dragoon looks up to a friend tell her i did my part to the end tell her i died as any english men should and give her her handkerchief it is my blood there went from a church in kent in eager and anxious prayer to god for lovers brothers and sons abroad the fairest and noblest prayed for one neither lover nor brother nor son a comb after him and song the preacher's silent thought is bowed air he gives out the biting prayer aloud hark what can that long dull booming be swept by the east wind across the sea boom boom like the voice of doom the preacher has fought and knows full well the message that booming has to tell and gives out his text let god arise and he shall scatter our enemies one night in two memories bright one golden hour and watched at a ball a kerchief taken or given was all off to the war tomorrow goodbye i'll carry it with me until i die he is dead you have come she said to bring me tidings of him i loved your face has told me your tale he proved worthy the name i did not know the man that i thought him a year ago he died with stern english pride but lived to fight the great battle through his last words were of england and you he died as an english gentleman should and sent you your handkerchief rich with his blood ah me life is sad moan she when all the sun in its sky hath flown and one loving bosom is very lone and oh if i might lie by you in your soldier's grave at waterloo end of section 40 this recording is in the public domain section 41 of england scotland ireland and wales red for librivox dot org by devora allen scotland forever by lady butler elizabeth tomson english artist 1844 painting page 186 on the afternoon of the 18th of june the 92nd regiment which was then reduced to 200 men found it necessary to charge a column of the enemy which was coming down upon them numbering nearly 3000 the scott's grays had been placed to the left and reserve their duty was clear they joined in the charge passing through the ranks of the highland infantry as best they could receiving from their countrymen as they passed an enthusiastic welcome and joining with them in the shout of scotland forever the french column they charged was enveloped in smoke which had in no degree cleared when the grays dashed into the mass which yielded to the furious onset and was hurled back in confusion by the impetus of the shock for it was not imagined that cavalry were near it was infantry only by which the enemy thought by the sound of the musketry they were threatened and they were lost in amazement at the suddenness and fury of the charge the scott's grays were almost annihilated in this charge and of section 41 this recording is in the public domain section 42 of england scotland ireland and wales red for libervox.org by erin grassy england part six the last hundred years in england historical note george the fourth 1820 to 1830 was succeeded by william the fourth on whose death in 1837 queen victoria ascended the throne during the last hundred years england has waged wars in china india russia and south africa it is not however for its wars that this century of her history will be remembered but rather for the steady growth of democracy at home and for the development of england into a great colonial empire abroad a list of the more important reforms will show how far england has advanced in less than a century in 1823 the criminal law was reformed the death penalty being abolished for some 200 offenses in 1829 the catholic emancipation act made it possible for roman catholics to enter parliament in 1832 the rotten boroughs that is the electoral districts in which the population had become very small were abolished and their seats distributed among the great new manufacturing centers thus transferring the balance of power to the middle classes in 1833 slavery was abolished in the colonies and in the same year the first factory act was passed limiting the labor of children to eight hours a day in 1867 the suffrage was extended to all householders in towns in 1868 imprisonment for debt was abolished in 1870 compulsory education was established in 1884 male suffrage was made practically universal in 1888 local self-government was granted in 1907 old age pensions were inaugurated and in 1911 the power of the house of lords was curtailed queen victoria died in 1901 during her reign the longest in english history england's population doubled her wealth increased three fold and her trade sixfold her colonial possessions were vastly increased and the colonies of canada australia cape colony and new zealand were granted home rule victoria was succeeded by her son edward the seventh who was followed in 1910 by george the fifth end of section 42 this recording is in the public domain section 43 of england scotland island and wales this is a lipid ox recording all lipid ox recordings are in the public domain for more information utter volunteer please visit lipid ox dot org the world's story volume 10 england scotland island and wales edited by eve march tappan section 43 when victoria became queen 1837 where benjamin disraeli url of beaconsfield the daily bulletins became more significant the crisis was evidently at hand a dissolution of parliament at any time must occasion great excitement combined with a new reign it inflames the passions of every class of the community even the poor begin to hope the old wholesome superstition that the sovereign can exercise power still lingers and the suffering multitude are feigned to believe that its remedial character may be about to be revealed in their instance as for the aristocracy in a new reign they are all in a flutter a bewildering vision of coronets stars and ribbons smiles and places at court haunts their noontide speculations and their midnight dreams then we must not forget the numberless instances in which the coming event is deemed to supply the long sought opportunity of distinction or the long dreaded cause of utter discomforture the hundreds the thousands who mean to get into parliament the units who dread getting out what a crashing change from lounging in st. james's street to sauntering on balone pier or after dining at brooks and supping at crookford's to be saved from destruction by the friendly interposition that sends you in an official capacity to demand supial sympathies of sydney or swan river now is the time for the men to come forward who have claims claims suspending their money which nobody asked them to do but which of course they only did for the sake of the party they never wrote for their party or spoke for their party or gave their party any other vote than their own but they urged their claims to something commissionership of anything or consulship anywhere if no place to be had they're ready to take it out in dignities they once looked to the privy council but would now be content with an hereditary honor if they can have neither they would take a clerkship in the treasury for a younger son perhaps they may get that in time at present they go away growling with a gorge ship or having with a desperate dexterity at length can try to transform a tide waiter into a land waiter but there is nothing like asking except refusing hark it tolls all is over the great bell of the metropolitan cathedral announces the death of the last son of george the third who probably will ever reign in england he was a good man with feelings and sympathies deficient in culture rather than ability for sense of duty and with something of the conception of what should be the character of an english monarch peace to his mains we are summoned to a different scene in a palace in a garden not in a haughty keep proud with the fame but dark with the violence of ages not in a regal pile right with the splendor but soiled with the intrigues of courts and factions in a palace in a garden meet scene for youth and innocence and beauty came a voice that told the maiden that she must ascend her throne the council of england is summoned for the first time within her bowers there are assembled the prelates and captains and chief men of her realm the priests of the religion that consoles the heroes of the sword that had conquered the doteries of the craft that had decided the fate of empires men gray we fought and fame and age who are the stewards of divine mysteries who have toiled in secret cabinets who have encountered in battle the hosts of europe who have struggled in the less merciful strife of aspiring senates men too some of them lords of a thousand vassals and chief proprietors of provinces you're not one of them whose heart does not at this moment tremble as he awaits the first presence of the maiden who must now ascend her throne a home of half suppressed conversation which would attempt to conceal the excitement which some of the greatest of them have since acknowledged feels that brilliant assemblage that sea of plumes and glittering stars and gorgeous dresses hush the portals open she comes the silence is as deep as that of a noontide forest attended for a moment by her royal mother and the ladies of her court who bow and then retire victoria ascends her throne a girl alone and for the first time amid an assemblage of men in a sweet and thrilling voice with a composed me and which indicates rather the absorbing sense of august duty than an absence of emotion the queen announces her ascension to the throne of her ancestors and her humble hope the divine providence will guard over the fulfillment of her lofty trust the prelates and captains and chief men of her realm then advance to the throne and kneeling before her pledge their trough and take the sacred oaths of allegiance and supremacy allegiance to one who rules over the land that the great Macedonian could not conquer and over a continent of which even Columbus never dreamed to the queen of every sea and of nations in every zone end of section 43 section 44 of england scotland ireland and wales read for livery vox.org by alan mapstone the charge of the light brigade 1854 by alfred lord tenison half a league half a league half a league onward all in the valley of death rode the 600 forward the light brigade charge for the guns he said into the valley of death rode the 600 forward the light brigade was there a man dismayed not though the soldier knew someone had blundered there's not to make reply there's not to reason why there's but to do and die into the valley of death rode the 600 cannon to right of them cannon to left of them cannon in front of them volleyed and thundered stormed at with shot in shell boldly they rode and well into the jaws of death into the mouth of hell rode the 600 flashed all their sabers bare flashed as they turned in air sabering the gunners there charging an army while all the world wondered plunged in the battle smoke right through the line they broke cossack and russian reeled from the saber stroke shattered and sundered then they rode back but not not the 600 cannon to right of them cannon to left of them cannon behind them volleyed and thundered stormed at with shot in shell while horse and hero fell they that had fought so well came through the jaws of death back from the mouth of hell all that was left of them left of 600 end of section 44 this recording is in the public domain section 45 of england scotland ireland and wales read for libervox.org by erin grassy balaclava by lady butler elizabeth thompson english artist 1844 painting page 194 in 1854 england and france supported turkey which had been attacked by russia and their armies invaded the Crimea laying siege to the great russian fortress of sabastopol it was at the battle of balaclava in this war that the library made their famous charge when the command to charge across a mile of open ground to the russian batteries was given there were as tenison says cannon in front of them there was a battery in front and on each flank and russian riflemen on both sides every soldier realized the hopelessness of the charge and knew that someone had blundered but military discipline prevailed and without a moment's hesitation the hopeless charge was made out of the 670 the killed wounded and missing numbered 300 there has been much dispute on the question of the responsibility for giving the order whether a command was misunderstood and the matter was purely a blunder or whether the drunkenness of an officer was the cause will perhaps never be fully established this picture shows the survivors staggering back from the bullet swept plane into the ranks of the british army end of section 45 this recording is in the public domain section 46 of england scotland ireland and wales this is a lever vox recording all lever vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit lever vox.org the world story volume 10 england scotland ireland and wales edited by eva march tappan section 46 santa philomena 1854 to 1856 by henry wadsworth long fellow in the crimean war the arrangements for the care of the soldiers were so inadequate the nine tenths of the men brought to the hospitals died florins nightingale was begged to go and bring order out of chaos unlimited authority was given her and what many looked upon as the wild experiment of putting a woman in charge of a military hospital of 10 000 men proved to be a great success as she walked lamp and hand from room to room the wounded soldiers kissed her very shadow as it fell upon their beds of suffering it is of her that long fellow wrote the following poem the editor when air a noble deed is wrought when air is spoken a noble thought our hearts in glad surprise to higher levels rise the tidal waves of deeper souls into our inmost being roles and lifts us unawares out of all meaner cares honor to those whose words or deeds thus help us in our daily needs and by their overflow raise us from what is low thus thought i as by night i read of the great army of the dead the trenches cold and damp the starved and frozen camp the wounded from the battle plane in dreary hospitals of pain the cheerless corridors the cold and stony floors low in that house of misery a lady with a lamp i see pass through the glimmering gloom and flip from room to room and slow as in a dream of bliss the speechless sufferer turns to kiss her shadow as it falls upon the darkening walls as if a door in heaven should be opened and then closed suddenly the vision came and went the light shone and was spent on england's annals through the long hereafter of her speech and song that light its rays shall cast from portals of the past a lady with a lamp shall stand in the great history of the land a noble type of good heroic womanhood nor even shall be wanting here the palm the lily and the spear the symbols that of your saint filo mina bore end of section 46 this recording is in the public domain