1600.] OF THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 5 



lineage and courtly attainments. Greatly was his 

 son s marriage honoured, not only by the presence of 

 royalty in the person of a queen of Elizabeth s high- 

 toned feelings and sentiments, but, if possible, more so 

 by her condescending to participate in the dance on 

 that festive occasion. 



The particulars afforded by this domestic incident 

 take us far back to a most interesting period in our 

 country s history. The great Queen s reign was then 

 within three years of its close. The Pope had pub 

 lished his bulls to exclude King James from the throne 

 of England. On the 19th of November following, was 

 born at Dunfermline in Scotland, Prince Charles, whose 

 future reign was destined materially to affect the family 

 and fortunes of the Somersets, Earls of Worcester. 



The social habits of the aristocracy, as here briefly 

 pourtrayed, evince a peculiarly primitive character. 

 Three days feasting shows a singular lustihood of 

 enjoyment in the revels attaching to such occasions of 

 festivity. But, notwithstanding we are treating of the 

 most elevated society, in the most flourishing period of 

 the Augustan Age of our Literature, as it has been not 

 inappropriately styled, a comparative grossness of habit 

 prevailed, occasioning a particular relish for such 

 carousals, during the period that viands and wine were 

 served without stint or stay. 



Many of the modern common luxuries of the table 

 were then unknown ; asparagus, artichokes, cauliflowers, 

 and other edibles were not introduced 5 while the finest 

 clothing was costly, being of foreign manufacture. Con 

 siderations like these should check the forming of 

 hasty judgments in reference to the manners and customs 

 of olden times. 



The lady whom Henry Lord Herbert had thus es 

 poused was Anne, sole daughter and heir of John Lord 



