II.

HOW SIR JOHN FALSTAFF, WITH HIS SATELLITES THE PRINCE HENRY AND MR. EDWARD POINS, IN COUNCIL ASSEMBLED, PLANNED THE FAMOUS GADSHILL EXPEDITION.

THE reader is invited to assist at a council of war.

The scene is a private room in the palace of Westminster.

The members present are, 1. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. 2. Sir John Falstaff, Knight. The latter gentleman in the chair (which he finds rather a tight fit).

Sir John Falstaff opened the proceedings by asking His Royal Highness what time of the day it was.

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THE PRINCE OF WALES.-"Thou art so fat-witted with drinking of old "sack, and unbuttoning thee after supper, and sleeping upon benches after noon, that thou hast forgotten to demand that truly which thou wouldest "truly know. What a devil hast thou to do with the time of day? unless "hours were cups of sack and minutes capons?"

For the remainder of His Royal Highness's speech (the language of which is not strictly parliamentary) see Mr. William Shakspeare's verbatim report; where, indeed, all particulars of the meeting are minutely chronicled. It is the present writer's business merely to offer a brief summary.

After some general discussion (in the course of which Sir John moved for the Abolition of the Punishment of Death for larcenious offences, in the ensuing reign, but was induced to withdraw his motion by a promise of office under the crown, as public executioner), the meeting proceeded to the order of the day.

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HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS.-" Where shall we take a purse to-night, Jack?" SIR JOHN FALSTAFF.-"Where thou wilt, lad; I'll make one: an I do not, call me villain and baffle me."

Carried nem. con.

At this juncture, a new member entered the council chamber in the person of Master Edward Poins. This was a young gentleman of good family, but bad morals; that is to say, for the present. He was one of those loyal natures who, in all ages, are to be found attaching themselves instinctively to some great man, taking their tone and colour in all things from the illustrious model. Mr. Poins cut his hair and his conscience in exact imitation of the Prince of Wales. The existing court fashions, as established by the Prince, were long hanging sleeves, pointed shoes, late hours, intoxication, and