QUEENS AND BEGGARS. 115 



lounging with a cigar. Beyond, on the esplanade, were wont 

 to assemble the formidable feudal armies of the Earls of 

 Chester, whose title is now borne by the German Prince Al 

 bert s eldest son. Quite a different appearance they must 

 have made from this regiment of Irishmen in red-cloth coats 

 and leather helmets. 



Stop a moment to look at the old bridge step back to 

 the angle there you see it half-a-dozen arches of different 

 forms and shades of colour, not particularly handsome, but 

 worth noticing. The blackest of the arches was turned half a 

 century before Jamestown was founded that is, it was then 

 rebuilt. The old bridge, from which the stones for it were 

 taken, was built by Queen Ethefleda. Who was she ? I am 

 sure I don t know some one who reigned ,here a thousand 

 years ago, I believe, though I never heard any thing else of 

 her. You ll be shown her great-grandmother s cradle some 

 where about town very likely. 



Just above is another bridge. What a fine arch ! Yes ; 

 the longest in the world, it is said. That was not built by a 

 queen, but a little girl was the first to cross it, who afterwards 

 developed up into &quot;her most gracious Majesty, Victoria, 

 whom God long preserve,&quot; as the loyal guide-book has it. 



&quot; . . . . Poor fellow ! he is very lame, isn t he !&quot; 



&quot; Oh, he is begging ; probably an impostor. Don t encour 

 age him.&quot; 



&quot; He only asks a penny to keep him from starving ; his 

 son has not been able to get any work lately, or he would not 

 let him beg.&quot; 



&quot; Let him go to America ; there s enough work for him if 

 he really wants it ; its what they all say. Give him a 

 ha penny then, and be rid of him. Now, look over there, 

 between the trees, and see the entrance to the Marquis of 



