the king intended to condemn him to a disgraceful death ; he therefore fled to the church at Merton, and hid himself till his affairs assumed a more favourable appearance. The king at length sent word to him to come to his court to answer to the charges against him ; but be told the king through his messenger, that, dreading his anger, he had taken refuge in the church, the last resource of all who suffered injury, and that he would not leave it till he knew that the feelings of him the king had taken a more favourable turn towards him. The king at this flew into a rage, and, although it was then evening, he sent orders by letter to the mayor of London to take with him all the inhabitants of the city who could carry arms to attack Merton, and to bring Hubert before him dead or alive. The mayor then having rung the common hell, ordered the citizens to assemble, and read the letter of the king to them, ordering them all to fly to arms and to execute the king's orders early the next morning. The citizens were delighted when they understood the purport of the letter, for they had conceived a mortal hatred of Hubert,* they therefore left the city before it was light • Some of the more prudent citizens, namely Andrew Buckrell, John Travers, and some others, taking a better view of these matters, and weighing in their minds the scandal which would arise, went in haste to the house of Peter bishop of Winchester, at Isouthwark, and, awaking him out of a heavy sleep, asked his advice in this matter; " for," said they, "danger will accrue to the church of Merton, as well as to the city, since the rage of such a disorderly and, unrestrainahle rabble could not be curbed, but thev would plunder and destroy every thing, and would not sto}) even at shedding blood." To this the bishop replied by the following cruel advice: "It is hard on the one side, and dreadful on the other; however I unhesitatingly advise you above every thing else to fulfil the command of your lord." They were astounded at hearing such advice from a bishop, and proceeded in alarm with their expedition ; moreover the populee, greedy for revenge, ardently longed to carry it out ; and on the following day, before it was light, the citizens went forth armed to the number of twenty thousand men, and marched towards Merton to execute the king's order. Hubert however, getting information of this, prostrated himself in prayer liefore the great altar, Hiid with confidence entrusted his life to God. In the meantime, whilst the armed citizens were on their march, uttering threats against Hubert, it was hinted to the king by the earl of Chester that if lie excited such sedition amongst an irrational and froward multitude, there would be reason for him to fear that lie might not be able to check it if once commenced, when he wished to do so ; and it wouid be made a subject of invective and irony throughout the world, especially by the French, who of great faults always make greater, and of evil de.'ds always make worse, and it would lie said, " What sort of a child is this English prince, who can thus oppress his subjects and those who have nursed him under their wing Î" And of Hubert it would be s;ud ns of the sparrow feeding the cuckoo, " Alt?, ales, alis, ahum ne longius ales.'' Two messengers then were sent to recall the multitude thus tumultuous!/