Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/253

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many writers have not even thought it necessary to mention the year of her death, which took place in 1 619; and Mr. Hume only says, that she loved expensive amusements and shews, but possessed no taste in her pleasures: whole length.

Henrietta Maria, whole length by Vandyck; Queen of Charles I. and mother of

Henrietta Duchess of Orleans, (whole length by Vandyck) who was doomed to an early participa- tion of the misfortunes of her family: she was scarcely five years old, when the execution of her father took place, and she repaired with her mother to Paris, where they subsisted on an allowance as- signed for their maintenance by the Parliament; which was, however, so ill paid, that Cardinal Retz observes, " that the Queen's pension was " six months in arrears, the tradesmen refused cre- " dit, and there was not a billet of wood in the " house; and she was lying in bed for want of " wood to make a fire." From an early display of superior wit and powerful charms, she was de- signed by the Queen Mother of France, as a match for Lewis XIV. but he declaring his aidiiTerence to her, she was betrothed to his brother, Philip Duke of Orleans. Historians have, however, hinted, that the aversion of the elder brother soon afterwards changed into ardent love; and afforded grounds to

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