ch would enable him to realise the wishes of his heart. Still the
offer was a flattering one, and he felt that it would be unwise in him
to decline it. He therefore, in suitable language, accepted the offer.

"Stay here then," said Penn, "as I have abundance of work for thee for
some days to come, and I will then more fully explain to thee my
wishes."

While Penn was still speaking, a messenger arrived from London. He
brought a summons for him to attend a council at Whitehall, a note from
a friend at court informing him that it was to settle the matter of the
colony. He hastened up to London. In the council chamber were already
assembled his majesty's privy councillors, and at the farther end of the
room was the king himself, hat on head. William Penn, not the least
conspicuous among them for his height and manly bearing, advanced up the
room in his usual dignified manner; but neither did he doff his hat nor
bend his knee before the king's majesty, although he has come in the
hope of obtaining an object among the dearest to his heart.

"I have come at thy desire, and thank thee for the invitation," said
Penn, standing before the king.

"Verily thou art welcome," said the monarch, with a smile on his lips;
at the same time removing his hat and placing it by his side.

"Friend Charles, why dost thou not keep on thy hat?" said Penn with
perfect gravity; at the same time making no attempt to remove his own.

"Ha! ha! ha! knowest thou not, Friend William, that it is the custom of
this place for only one person to remain covered at a time?" answered
the king, laughing heartily. "To business, however, my lords," he
added. "And what name hast thou fixed on for this new province, Master
Penn?"

"As it is a somewhat mountainous country, I would have it called New
Wales," answered the Quaker.

Here Master Secretary Blathwayte, who was a Welshman, interposed; in
reality objecting to have the country of a sect to which he was no
friend called after his native land.

"Well then, as it hath many noble forests, let it be called Sylvania,"
said Penn.

"Nay, nay; but I have a better name still," exclaimed the king. "We
will call it Pennsylvania, in honour of your worthy father,--the great
admiral. The forest land of Penn, that shall be it; and my word shall
be as the law of the Medes and Persians."

At this the courtiers laughed, not, perchance, considering the king's
word of much value. However, the name was thus