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previous marriage of their father with Eleanor Butler? It is only possible to explain the fact, if such it was, by Dr. Shaw's acting without Richard's autorisation, but it is more likely still that the whole tale is a myth invented by Richard's enemies, as all contemporary writers are silent about it. Also Thomas More clears Richard of all share in that matter, and lays it to the charge of Dr. Shaw. Polydore Virgil, who distinctly says, that the whole sermon was on this subject, and not on the illegitimacy of the children, deserves little faith because he was no contemporary, and wrote at Henry's VII. court, where the tale may have peen told only to harm Richard's memory(Halsted, Richard III.).

The sermon preached at St. Paul's Cross not having had the desired effect, Richard sends Buckingham to harangue the citizens at the Guildhall, and to repeat them once more the contents of the sermon. When he returns from his errand he is little satisfied with his success. When Richard asks him:

Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children? he answers: I did; with his contract with Lady Lucy,

And his contract by deputy in France:

The insatiate greediness of his desire,

And his enforcement of the city wives;

His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy,

As being got, your father then in France;

And his resemblance being not like the duke.

Withal, I did infer your lineaments,

Being the right idea of your father,

Both in your form and nobleness of mind:

Laid open all your victories in Scotland,

Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace,

Your bounty, virtue, fair humility;

Indeed, left nothing fitting for your purpose

Untouched, or slightly handled, in discourse.(Richard III. III. 7.) VYet when he wanted them to cry"God save Richard, England's royal king“ no one joined in that cry. At last about ten voices, he says, repeated the cry, and these were those of his own followers.

It, will, however, appear as if this report of Buckingham, as given by Shakespeare, was not quite in congruity with historical truth, and as if the speech had had no little effect; for on the following day(June 24th) a deputation of the commons and citizens appeared at Crosby Place, where Gloucester then resided, and sollicited him to ascend the vacant throne. And now follows in Shakespeare a preconcerted comedy by which Richard proves again what an adept he is in the art of dissimulation. Buckingham has advised Richard how to pehave if the deputation should arrive to offer him the crown:

...... intend some fear;

Be not you spoke with but by mighty suit:

And look you, get a prayer-book in your hand, And stand between two churchmen, good my lord; For on that ground PIl make a holy descant: