Chose to use the privilege, near a quarter of a century had elapsed, and the

'privilege of the Kents' had faded out of most people's memories; so, when the

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Kent of that day appeared before Charles I and his court and sat down in the

sovereign's presence to assert and perpetuate the right of his house, there was

a fine stir, indeed! But the matter was soon explained and the right confirmed.

The last earl of the line fell in the wars of the Commonwealth fighting for the

King, and the odd privilege ended with him.

Tom Canty lived to be a very old man, a handsome, white-haired old fellow, of

Grave and benignant aspect. As long as he lasted he was honored; and he was

Also reverenced, for his striking and peculiar costume kept the people

reminded that 'in his time he had been royal'; so, wherever he appeared the

crowd fell apart, making way for him, and whispering, one to another, 'Doff

thy hat, it is the King's Ward!' — and so they saluted, and got his kindly smile

In return — and they valued it, too, for his was an honorable history.

Yes, King Edward VI lived only a few years, poor boy, but he lived them

Worthily. More than once, when some great dignitary, some gilded vassal of

The crown, made argument against his leniency, and urged that some law

Which he was bent upon amending was gentle enough for its purpose, and