Stories of Other Lands (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ...to lay hands on the boy and chastise him in the royal presence. 17. But King James, who sometimes showed a good deal of sagacity, ordered them to desist. " Thou art a bold boy," said he, looking fixedly at little Noll; " and if thou live to be a man, my son Charlie would do wisely to be friends with thee." " I never will " cried the little prince, stamping his foot. 18. " Peace, Charlie, peace " said the king; then addressing Sir Oliver and the attendants: " Harm riot the urchin; for he has taught my son a good lesson, if Heaven do but give him grace to profit by it. Hereafter, should he be tempted to tyrannize over the stubborn race of Englishmen, let him remember little Noll Cromwell and his own bloody nose." So the king finished his dinner and departed; and for many a long year the childish quarrel between Prince Charles and Noll Cromwell was forgotten. The prince, indeed, might have lived a happier life, and have met a more peaceful death, had he remembered that quarrel and the moral which his father drew from it. But when old King James was dead, and Charles sat upon his throne, he seemed to forget that he was but a man, and that his meanest subjects were men as well as he. He wished to have the property and lives of the people of England entirely at his own disposal. But the Puritans, and all who loved liberty, rose against him and beat him in many battles, and pulled him down from his throne. 19. Throughout this war between the king and nobles on one side and the people of England on the other there was a famous leader, who did more toward the ruin of royal authority than all the rest. The contest seemed like a wrestling-match between King Charles and this strong man. And the king was overthrown. 20. When the discrowned monarch was brought...