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e and water； and on his way the king heard several speeches delivered by various symbolic figures。 One of these； who made a particularly fine harangue； represented the River Thames； as a gentleman whose 〃garment loose and flowing； coloured blue and white； waved like water； flags and ozier…like long hair falling o'er his shoulders； his beard long； sea…green； and white。〃 And so by slow degrees the king came to Temple Bar； where he was entertained by 〃a view of a delightful boscage； full of several beasts； both tame and savage； as also several living figures and music of eight waits。〃 And having passed through Temple Bar into his ancient and native city of Westminster； the head bailiff in a scarlet robe and the high constable； likewise in scarlet； on behalf of the dean； chapter； city； and liberty； received his majesty with great expressions of joy。
Never had there been so goodly a show so grand a procession； the citizens； still delighted with their young king； had certainly excelled in doing him honour； and some foreigners； Heaton says； 〃acknowledged themselves never to have seen among all the great magnificences of the world any to come near or equal this： even the vaunting French confessed their pomps of the late marriage with the Infanta of Spain； at their majesties' entrance into Paris； to be inferior in its state； gallantry； and riches unto this most illustrious cavalcade。〃 Amongst those who witnessed the procession was Mr。 Pepys； who has left us a realistic description； without which this picture would be incomplete。 He tells us he arose early on this day； and the vain fellow says he made himself as fine as could be； putting on his velvet coat for the first time； though he had it made half a year before。 〃And being ready；〃 he continues； 〃Sir W。 Batten； my lady； and his two daughters； and his son and wife； and Sir W。 Pen and his son and I； went to Mr。 Young's； the flag…maker； in Corne…hill； and there we had a good room to ourselves； with wine and good cake； and saw the show very well。 In which it is impossible to relate the glory of this day； expressed in the clothes of them that rid； and their horses and horses' clothes； among others； my Lord Sandwich's embroidery and diamonds were ordinary among them。 The Knights of the Bath was a brave sight of itself。 Remarquable were the two men that represent the two Dukes of Normandy and Aquitane。 My Lord Monk rode bare after the king； and led in his hand a spare horse； as being Master of the Horse。 The king； in a most rich embroidered suit and cloak； looked most noble。 Wadlow； the vintner； at the Devil； in Fleet Street； did lead a fine company of soldiers； all young comely men in white doublets。 There followed the Vice…Chamberlain； Sir G。 Carteret； and a company of men all like Turkes。 The streets all gravelled； and the houses hung with carpets before them； made brave show； and the ladies out of the windows； one of which over against us； I took much notice of； and spoke of her； which made good sport among us。 So glorious was the show with gold and silver； that we were not able to look at it； our eyes at last being so much overcome with it。 Both the king and the Duke of York took notice of us as they saw us at the window。 The show being ended； Mr。 Young did give us a dinner； at which we were very merry and pleased above imagination at what we have seen。〃
The next day； being the feast of St。 George； patron of England； the king went in procession from Whitehall to Westminster Abbey； where he was solemnly crowned in the presence of a vast number of peers and bishops。 After which； surrounded by the same brilliant company； he passed from the Abbey to Westminster Hall； the way being covered with blue cloth； and lined with spectators to the number of ten thousand。 Here his majesty and the lords； spiritual and temporal； dined sumptuously； whilst many fine ceremonies were observed； music of all sorts was played； and a great crowd of pretty ladies looked down from the galleries。 And when the banquet was over； and a general pardon had been read by the lord chancellor； and the champion had drank out of the king's gold cup； Charles betook himself to Whitehall。 Then； after two days of fair weather； it suddenly 〃fell a…raining； and thundering and lightning；〃 says Pepys； 〃as I have not seen it do for some years； which people did take great notice of。〃
CHAPTER IV。
The King's character。His proverbial grace。He tells a story well。〃A warmth and sweetness of the blood。〃Beautiful Barbara Palmer。Her intrigue with my Lord Chesterfield。James； Duke of York。His early days。Escape from St。 James's。Fights in the service of France。Marriage with Anne Hyde。Sensation at Court。The Duke of Gloucester's death。The Princess of Orange。 Schemes against the Duke of York's peace。The 〃lewd informer。〃Anne Hyde is acknowledged Duchess of York。
Whilst the kingdom was absorbed by movements consequent on its change of government； the court was no less engrossed by incidents relative to the career it had begun。 In the annals of court life there are no pages more interesting than those dealing with Charles II； and his friends； in the history of kings there is no more remarkable figure than that of the merry monarch himself。
Returning to rule over a nation which； during his absence； had been distracted by civil strife； King Charles； young in years； brave in deeds； and surrounded by that halo of romance which misfortune lends its victims； entirely。 gained the hearts of his subjects。 Nature had endowed him with gifts adapted to display qualities that fascinated； and fitted to hide blemishes which repelled。 On the one hand his expressive features and shapely figure went far towards creating a charm which his personal grace and courtesy of manner completed； on the other； his delicate tact screened the heartlessness of his sensualism； whilst his surface sympathies hid the barrenness of his cynicism。
With the coolness and courage he had shown in danger； the shrewdness and wit he continually evinced； and the varied capacities he certainly possessed； Charles II。 might have made his reign illustrious； had not his love of ease and detestation of business rendered him indifferent to all things so long as he was free to follow his desires。 But these faults； which became grievous in the eyes of his subjects； commended him to the hearts of his courtiers； the common purpose of whose lives was pursuit of pleasure。 Never was sovereign more gracious to those who came in contact with him； or less ceremonious with his friends； whilst abroad he had lived with his little band of courtiers more as a companion than a king。 The bond of exile had drawn them close together； an equal fortune had gone far towards obliterating distinctions of royalty； and custom had so fitted the monarch and his friends to familiarity； that on his return to England neither he nor they laid aside a mutual freedom of treatment which by degrees extended itself throughout the court。 For all that； 〃he was master；〃 as Welwood says； 〃of something in his person and aspect that commanded both love and admiration at once。〃
Among his many gifts was that of telling a story wella rare one 'tis true in all ages。 Never was he better pleased than