Page:The New Forest - its history and its scenery.djvu/170

Rh ceases to study and take pains both for the advancement of the commonwealth of this his realm of England, and for the defence of the same. . . . . Wherefore, his Majesty in his own personne took very laborious and painful journeys towards the sea-coasts. Also, he sent dyvers of his nobles and counsellors to view and search all the portes and dangers in the coastes,. . . . and in all soche doubtful places his Highness caused dyvers and many bulwarks and fortifications to be made." And of them, Hurst Castle, like Calshot, which we have seen, was one, and still stands, additionally fortified by guns, and guarded by the far better defences of lighthouses, and beacons, and telegraph stations.

Here it was, on the 1st December, 1642, Charles I. was brought, after holding his mock court at Newport, by Colonel Cobbit, who had seized him in the name of the army. Here, too, he still showed all the foolish childishness which Laud had taught him, putting faith in the omen of his candle burning 152