In this hall Charles I..

was tried and condemned; and at present it is occasionally fitted up for the trial of peers or of any person impeached by the Commons.
Our heroes now relinquishing the contemplation of the olden times for the enjoyment of the passing scenes of the modern, turned their steps in the direction of Whitehall; passing through which, and facing the Banquetting-House,{2} their observation was attracted to a gentleman on 1 See Shakespeare's Play of Henry IV.

Part II.
2 In front of the Banquetting House, on a scaffold, Charles I.was beheaded on the 30th of January, 1648;--His Majesty passed from the Banquetting House to the scaffold through one of the windows.
~88~~horseback, followed by a number of people, by whom he was frequently and warmly cheered; and _en passant_ was recognized with other popular feeling of regard and respect.

Dashall stept forward to reconnoitre, and ascertained that the favourite was no other than the worthy representative of the borough of Southwark, Sir Robert Wilson, Knt.

lately deprived of his rank as a General, "for," continued Dashall, "nobody knows what, unless the enormous crime of paying his last tribute of respect to the memory of an "injured Queen;" and endeavouring, in the temperate language of remonstrance, to prevent the effusion of human blood! His character however, is too firmly rooted to sustain injury from the breath of slander; and the malignity of his enemies has recoiled on themselves: thanks to a brave, just, and generous people, who are ever prone to save whom persecution aims to destroy." Dashall seemed warm in defending the cause of this gallant officer, and the Squire listened with correspondent satisfaction.
"The allied Sovereigns," observed Dashall, "in General Sir Robert Wilson, found all the essential requisites of a good soldier: of skill to plan, and of valour to execute.