grotesque device ; and the massive stone mansions of the superior class of citizens emulated the castellated dwellings of the

FOR the following interesting tale of the olden time, we are indebted to MR. ACKERMAN's splendid Annual and welcome visitant, THE FORGET ME Nor, which we recommend to our readers as deserving of their patronage; they will not only find it internally rich in the elegances of art, but equally so in those of literature: we could take up more of our columns in descanting at full upon the great attractions of this volume, were it needful, but as it is our intention to devote a future number to the whole of these gems when they are published, it would only be a futile attempt to "gild refined gold."

Ar the close of the fourteenth century, old London presented a noble and picturesque appearance. The eye was not then wearied with unbroken lines of brickwork, pierced full of squares for windows; but the streets displayed rows of lofty houses, lifting their sharp-pointed gables, adorned with many a fanciful and VOL. II.

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with all the decorations of gothic architecture, arose the various religious establishments, each with its fair chapel and spacious refectory, surrounded by its wide and well-cultivated garden, and overshadowed by century-aged trees; while, on every side, the stately churches, with their pinnacled towers or tall airy spires, stood proud trophies of an era most unjustly termed barbarous.

On of the handsomest and most frequented of the streets, at the period when the following tale commences (although its Goldsmith's-row, subsequently the boast of the old city, was not yet built), was Westcheap, the Cheapside of modern times. As the inhabitants were mostly dealers in delicate and costly commodities, being mercers, embroiderers, and goldsmiths, and as at this period too (1399,) according to the united testimony of all contemporary historians, luxury had attained a greater height than had ever been anticipated, "alle exceedinge in

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gorgeous and costly apparel, farre above theyr degre; yeomen and grooms clothed in silke, saten, and damaske, bothe doublets and gownes-and hadde theyr garments cutte farre otherwise thanne it hadde beene before, withe broidered worke, ryche furres, and goldsmythes work," as Master Robert Fabian sets forth; it is easy to imagine the splendid appearance of the different shops. Here, a mercer displayed to view damasks, satins, and velvets even that costly fabric, forbidden to all but the highest order of nobility, cloth of gold;" and beside him the broiderer exhibited his hoods, girdles, purses, and ecclesiastical vestments embellished with the most delicate needlework; while the precious stores of the goldsmith, from the jewelled buckle for the head to the silver chain that fastened the long-peaked shoe to the knee; from the postel-spoon given by the godmother to the infant, to the large silver dish, or enamelled chalice, given by the noble to "holy church,"-all courted the admiring gaze of the passenger, from beneath the overhanging penthouse of the low unglazed window.

It was a stirring and a lively scene that this street presented one autumn evening, between vespers and complin; for there walked the city dame in bright coloured sweeping mantle, her gold-hafted knife and tasselled purse hanging from her broad girdle; and the city damsel with silken kirtle and laced bodice; and the sober citizen, warden perchance of his company, or common-councilman of his ward (proud offices in those early days,) wrapt in his sad-coloured long gown, and fingering with a kind of quiet ostentation the well-filled velvet purse, or adjusting the rich enamelled brooch that fastened his hood; while, in that strangely grotesque dress, the silken long coat with hanging sleeves that swept the pavement, the tight party-coloured hose, and shoes which turned up "six inches at the end," and his hood worked with poppinjays, appeared the exquisite of the fourteenth century. Nor were the common people wanting. There, close beside the conduit, was a crowd of apprentices vociferously joining chorus to a ballad sung by a green-coated minstrel, which asserted with laudable patriotism that undoubted

fact, in their estimation, that London was the first of cities, and her citizens the first of men. A little farther on, a more quiet and elderly group surrounded another minstrel (or rather disour,) who stood detailing in a kind of monotonous recitative the prowess of King Brut and his very apocryphal descendants, from that ancient compendium of metrical history, "The Chronikyl of Englande." Still farther on, mounted on the shopboard of one of his zealous disciples, a portly gray friar, with stentorian voice, and vehement action, recounted to a large and greatly edified auditory some outrageous miracles from the life of his founder, St. Francis of Assisi, not forgetting, in the pauses of his long narration, to send round the bag for the contributions of the faithful.

In the midst of this lively scene, two men closely wrapt in those large coarse cloaks which formed the common travelling dress of the period, and were often used for purposes of concealment, .appeared near the conduit, apparently engaged in deep conversation, and making their way through the crowd in a manner that betokened either a haste which admitted no delay, or a pride which brooked no opposition. Whatever were the cause, it was not without many an angry look and angry word that the multitude gave way; and the strangers, on their arrival opposite to the conduit, inquired of some of the apprentices, in a tone of command, where Arnold de Rothing resided.

"Two worthy personages to ask after goldsmiths!" answered one of the 'prentices, irritated at the haughty manner of the inquirer: "and what do ye lack? an enamelled brooch, a jewelled thumbring, a forty-mark girdle to match your goodly mantles-eh, lordings?" And a loud laugh burst from his well-pleased companions.

"Nothing but a plain answer to my question," retorted the stranger peremptorily.

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"Well, then, master questioner," sullenly replied the 'prentice,- as Master de Rothing is not looked upon by his fraternity, I should like to treat him to two such goodly customers as ye. Yonder's his house, next to old Forster's, the mercer, who hath turned the white hart of King Richard into that spotted antelope in honour of our good King Henry, by cutting off his horns and collar and spotting him all over."

Alas, the goodly white hart!" said the other stranger, in a suppressed tone; but low as was the ejaculation it did not escape the quick ears of the 'prentices.

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Ay, on with ye!" cried the first 'prentice, "with the malison of all true English hearts on ye and the white hart too!-Up with your caps, boys, for King Henry of Lancaster, the friend of the commons, who hath driven pilling and polling clean out of the land! Saint Mary, though, I should like to know what yon two scatterlings can want with de Rothing. An I had thought their pouches had been lined with rose-nobles, I had sent them to the Silver Unicorn.”

"Trust not to outside, Symond," replied his companion; " ye may have lost your master two good customers: -see, there they go!"

Ay, there they go!" responded a stern voice; "but the cunning shall be taken in his craftiness."

As this was said in Latin, and as the valiant 'prentices were no Latiners," the solemn denunciation excited not the surprise which was caused by the sudden appearance of the speaker, who was instantly addressed with every mark of the profoundest respect. He seemed to be a very old man; yet it was not his white locks or flowing beard that excited their spontaneous homage; but his shaggy long coat, iron-shod staff, the large wallet, and high-crowned broad hat, bearing the escallop shell-each part of the appropriate garb of pilgrimage-that caused the 'prentices to gather round and pray a blessing from the holy man, whose weary feet had traversed many a far-distant land, and who had, perchance, even beheld the deep blue skies, and breathed the spicy airs, of heaven-favoured Palestine. The pilgrim hastily pronounced a blessing, and proceeded onward, keeping his eyes steadily fixed on the two men, who now entered a shop, where the meagre show of "" vessayle of golde and sylvere" contrasted most disadvantageously with the splendid appearance of its neighbours; and, taking his stand opposite, he seemed as though he intended to keep watch until they should come out again: but it was in vain. The news that a pilgrim so venerable in appearance was to be seen spread rapidly among the crowd. The minstrel was left to finish his song alone; the reciter of "Chronykil of Englande' was deserted by his auditors, even in the midst of his description of King Bladud's marvellous works at Bath; and the portly

gray friar found himself superseded in his vocation, the fickle congregation at the first intelligence having scampered off, nothing doubting that they should feast their eyes on some veritable relic, a tooth, or thumb-nail at least, of some wonder-working saint. Nothing of this kind did the pilgrim produce-no marvels nor miracles had he to detail; but, apparently vexed at being made the object of unwished for attention, pronouncing a few words of counsel to the assembled throng, he disappeared from view so suddenly and so completely, that the populace, ever fond of wonders, were almost inclined to affirm that he had vanished away.

The great attraction removed, the throng, warned by the darkening twilight, and the ringing of the complin bells, quietly took their way to their respective homes; and the heretofore crowded street was deserted, save by two or three 'prentices, who lingered near Arnold de Rothing's door, anxious again to see the two strangers; but in vain; so, marvelling what their errand might be, and determining not to rest until they knew somewhat about it, they reluctantly returned to their habitations.

The following morning an unwonted smoke was seen issuing from the workshop of the unfortunate goldsmith; his only assistant seemed bustling about with looks of importance, and the care-worn features of de Rothing himself seemed to have assumed a more satisfied expression.

"I should wonderfully like to know the meaning of all this,' said the goldsmith of the Silver Unicorn to his 'prentice, "for, an I find those two strangers ye told me of have given de Rothing a good order, I'll swinge ye soundly for your rudeness to them. Had ye been more mannerly, and told them the best of work could be done at the Silver Unicorn, perchance they might have come

being wiser than our neighbours; had Master de Rothing never read Latin, he had never been seeking after new things, but, seeking after new things, he must needs go abroad, and there must find out, forsooth, that the Lombard goldsmiths understand polishing and enamelling better than we-a thing not to be thought of and then must he seek to bring a Lombard among us, even to our very hall. I knew it would be his ruin, and so it was."

"Ay, truly," said the 'prentice, "for none of the guild will even speak to him, and our Lady knows had I thought these men had brought an order, they should never have carried it to him. No, no; if Master de Rothing be so fond of outlandish men, let them help him."

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for,

They have helped him but scantily, it seems, returned the master; methinks, he must soon take up his lodging in Ludgate. Soothly though, I'm sorry for Sybilla; she was brought up to different expectations, and a fairer or better nurtured damsel ye may not meet in a long summer's day. Well, boy, mind this one thing whatever else ye forget, never seek after book-learning, and never consort with foreigners."

"That will I," returned the 'prentice. "Saints know I had liefer hammer by the day than spell the Chriscross-row for an hour, and far liefer welcome an outlandish man with my club than with my hand."

"""Tis a good lad, after all," said the master, as he went out, " ay, 'tis a good lad, for he speaks like a worthy citizen."

But a few days passed away, and a new marvel was prepared for the wondering inhabitants of Westcheap. On de Rothing's shop-board, lately so bare, were placed six gold chains and two enamelled brooches, of such delicate workmanship that a reluctant tribute of admiration was extorted even from the lips of the goldsmith of the Silver Unicorn. "'Tis an excellent workman," said he, addressing the alderman of the ward, who stood admiring these beautiful specimens of ye arte of ye goldsmythe;' " but, I marvel who gave him the order."

"So do I," returned the alderman, "for de Rothing says they are quite unknown to him, but they will bring the money and take them away to-night.'

The goldsmith of the Silver Unicorn went his way, determined to give his 'prentice a pleasant taste of his cudgel, for his rudeness to men who seemed likely