rt. The old
Jacobite ballads still have power to thrill. Queen Victoria herself
used to have the pipers file out before her at Balmoral to the
"skirling" of "Bonnie Dundee," "Over the Water to Charlie," and "Wha'll
Be King but Charlie!" It is a sentiment that has never died. Her late
majesty used to say that when she heard these tunes she became for the
moment a Jacobite; just as the Empress Eugenie at the height of her
power used pertly to remark that she herself was the only Legitimist
left in France.

It may be suggested that the Stuarts are still loved by many Englishmen
because they were unfortunate; yet this is hardly true, after all. Many
of them were fortunate enough. The first of them, King James, an absurd
creature, speaking broad Scotch, timid, foolishly fond of favorites,
and having none of the dignity of a monarch, lived out a lengthy reign.
The two royal women of the family--Anne and Mary--had no misfortunes of
a public nature. Charles II. reigned for more than a quarter of a
century, lapped in every kind of luxury, and died a king.

The first Charles was beheaded and afterward styled a "saint"; yet the
majority of the English people were against his arrogance, or else he
would have won his great struggle against Parliament. The second James
was not popular at all. Nevertheless, no sooner had he been expelled,
and been succeeded by a Dutchman gnawing asparagus and reeking of
cheeses, than there was already a Stuart legend. Even had there been no
pretenders to carry on the cult, the Stuarts would still have passed
into history as much loved by the people.

It only shows how very little in former days the people expected of a
regnant king. Many monarchs have had just a few popular traits, and
these have stood out brilliantly against the darkness of the background.

No one could have cared greatly for the first James, but Charles I. was
indeed a kingly personage when viewed afar. He was handsome, as a man,
fully equaling the French princess who became his wife. He had no
personal vices. He was brave, and good to look upon, and had a kingly
mien. Hence, although he sought to make his rule over England a
tyranny, there were many fine old cavaliers to ride afield for him when
he raised his standard, and who, when he died, mourned for him as a
"martyr."

Many hardships they underwent while Cromwell ruled with his iron hand;
and when that iron hand was relaxed in death, and poor, feeble Richard
Cromwell slun