, containing "that part of the regalia" found at
Westminster, mentions "King Alfred's crowne of gould wyer worke, sett
with slight stones, and 2 little bells, p. oz. 79 1/2, at L3. per oz.,
L248. 10_s._ 0_d._"]

[Footnote 11: See Sir Edward Walker's Account of "The Preparations for
His Majesty's Coronation," &c. 8vo. Lond. First printed 1820.]

[Footnote 12: Taylor, p, 65. The Saxon Chronicle says of the Conqueror:
"He was very worshipful. Thrice he bore his _king-helmet_ every year,
when he was in England: at Easter, he bore it at Winchester; at
Pentecost, at Westminster; in midwinter, at Gloucester. And there were
with him all the rich men over all England," &c.--_Sax. Chron._ 189,
&c.]

[Footnote 13: The following is Hume's account of this memorable
project:--

"A little after [his attempt to carry off the Duke of Ormond], Blood
formed a design of carrying off the crown and regalia from the Tower; a
design to which he was prompted, as well by the surprising boldness of
the enterprise, as by the views of profit. He was near succeeding; he
had bound and wounded Edwards, the keeper of the Jewel Office, and had
gotten out of the Tower with his prey; but was overtaken and seized,
with some of his associates. One of them was known to have been
concerned in the attempt upon Ormond; and Blood was immediately
concluded to be the ring-leader. When questioned, he frankly avowed the
enterprise, but refused to tell his accomplices. 'The fear of death,' he
said, 'should never engage him either to deny a guilt, or betray a
friend.' All these extraordinary circumstances made him the general
subject of conversation; and the king was moved by an idle curiosity to
see and speak with a person so noted for his courage and his crimes....
Blood might now esteem himself secure of pardon, and he wanted not
address to improve the opportunity."--Charles eventually pardoned him,
granted him an estate of L500. per annum, and encouraged his attendance
about his person. "And while old Edwards, who had bravely ventured his
life, and had been wounded in defending the crown and regalia, was
forgotten and neglected, this man, who deserved only to be stared at and
detested as a monster, became a kind of favourite."--HUME'S _England_,
CHARLES II.]

No. 3. _The Sceptre_

Is a more ancient symbol of royalty than the crown. Homer speaks of
"sceptred kings"--[Greek: skeptouchoi basilees]; and the book of
Genesis, "of far elder memory," of a sceptr