the courtiers, both male and female, followed the royal example; the pulvilio'd purses were produced, and Jocelyn was presently surrounded by tables covered with rouleaus and piles of gold, which were lost and won upon the turning of a card. As the hour waxed later, this recreation was abandoned; and while cordials and refreshments were handed round, the arrangements of gallantry and intrigue seemed to be carried on with little or no concealment. The ladies threw out all their blandishments, and flirted openly with their lovers; the King, after passing some time in dalliance with Lady Castlemaine, sauntered, away to toy with some other beauty; two eunuchs and a French boy were introduced, who sang the most impassioned amorous songs; and the conversation assumed a freedom, not to say a licentiousness, at which our hero was somewhat startled. In the court of Louis the XIVth he had indeed witnessed a stately and magnificent gallantry; but it was modified by refined and decorous observances, which, if they did not alter its real features, at least invested them with a becoming veil. Elegant without being effeminate, and fond of pleasure without neglecting business, that monarch was decent in his very vices. Here the licentiousness was gross, open, and unblushing; unredeemed by talent or application in public affairs; unpalliated by a single form of delicacy in the manner, and little scrupulous as to the merits, rank, or station of the object. The profane oaths of two dicers behind Jocelyn, who were still wrangling at their game, suggested to him how much more striking was the profligacy of the scene he now beheld, with its wantons, dancers, and dicers, sycophants, pimps, and panders, buffoons, flatterers, and swearers, when compared with the entertainment given in this identical palace by the Lord Protector, whose companions and the ornaments of whose court were such men as Milton and Marvell. To crown the contrast, he called to mind, that the prayers and religious observances upon that occasion were in sanctification of a week-day; while the indecent revels that he now contemplated were in open profanation of the Sabbath.* *Lest this picture should appear to be overcharged, the following authorities are subjoined: "May 31st.-I was told to-day, that upon Sunday night last, being the King's birth-day, the King was at my Lady Castlemaine's lodgings, (over the hither gate at Lambert's lodgings,) dancing with fiddlers all night almost; and all the world coming by, taking notice of it."-Memoirs of Pepys, vol. I. p. 296. "Nay, she (Lady Carteret) told me that they have heretofore had plays at court the very nights before the fasts for the death of the late King."--Id. p. 470. If it be objected that these are only on dits, we have the following unimpeachable testimony of the virtuous Evelyn, an eye-witness of the scene at Court on the Sunday before the King's death. "I can never forget the inexpressible luxury and pro fanenesse, gaming and all dissoluteness, and as it were total forgetfulnesse of God, (it being Sunday evening,) which this day se'night I was witness of; the King sitting and toying with his concubines Portsmouth, Cleaveland, and Mazarine, &c. ;--a French boy singing love-songs in that glorious gallery, whilst about 20 of the greate courtiers and other dissolute persons were at bassett round a large table, a bank of at least 2000 in gold before them: upon which two gentlemen who were with me made reflections with astonishment. Six days after was all in the dust."Memoirs, vol. I. p. 585. CHAPTER V. Who hunts, doth oft in danger ride; A loser; but who falls in love, Is fetter'd in fond Cupid's snare: My angle breeds me no such care. IZ. WALTON. FORTUNE now seemed to smile propitiously upon our hero, and to promise him a sure career of brilliant and uninterrupted success. The friendship of the Duke of Monmouth, the patronage of the King, the favour of the all-powerful Lady Castlemaine, formed a combination of favourable circumstances, and gave a distinguished eclât to his debut, such as perhaps no young candidate for courtly honours and preferments had ever before been enabled to boast. Naturally sanguine, he indulged the most flattering anticipations of advancement; while it was evident, by the altered demeanour of those who surrounded him, that they were not less confident of his success than himself. Even Lord Arlington, supercilious as he had been in the anteroom, had no sooner observed his reception in the saloon, than he hastened up to him, his whole countenance radiant with smiles; solemnly protesting that it gave him a singular satisfaction to congratulate him upon his appointment, and declaring that he should only be too happy in serving him. Several of the King's companions and other grandees had imitated this example; and as to the members of the household and subordinate officers, they seemed determined, by their present sycophancy, to atone for their former reserve and distance. Most of them informed him that they had from the very first prophecied his good fortune, and they were therefore the less surprised to find their predictions verified. Some began already to speculate upon the extent of the favouritism he would enjoy, offering wagers that he would get a title, like Sir Harry Bennett, within a twelve-month; and pointing out the great probability that he would speedily be as richly endowed as Lord Fitzharding, to whom the King had granted not less than twelve thousand pounds a year, merely because he had taken a fancy to him. They were sure he deserved it infinitely more than that empty popinjay; and, concluding by professing themselves the most humble servants of Mr. Vice-Chamberlain, they humbly ventured to solicit his future protection and good offices. Although too penetrating to be elated by this |