The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction | Page 3

his courtiers, where he saw two
ruffians attempting to violate the honour of a young lady. The king
instantly drew on them; and a scuffle ensued, which roused the reverie
of Charles Brandon, who was taking his morning walk in an adjoining
thicket. He immediately ranged himself on the side of the king, whom
he then did not know; and by his dexterity, soon disarmed one of the
ruffians, while the other fled.
The king, charmed with this act of gallantry, so congenial to his own
mind, inquired the name and family of the stranger; and not only

repossessed him of his patrimonial estates, but took him under his
immediate protection.
It was this same Charles Brandon who afterwards privately married
Henry's sister, Margaret, queen-dowager of France; which marriage the
king not only forgave, but created him Duke of Suffolk, and continued
his favour towards him to the last hour of the duke's life.
He died before Henry; and the latter showed, in his attachment to this
nobleman, that notwithstanding his fits of capriciousness and cruelty,
he was capable of a cordial and steady friendship. He was sitting in
council when the news of Suffolk's death reached him; and he publicly
took that occasion, both to express his own sorrow, and to celebrate the
merits of the deceased. He declared, that during the whole course of
their acquaintance, his brother-in-law had not made a single attempt to
injure an adversary, and had never whispered a word to the
disadvantage of any one; "and are there any of you, my lords, who can
say as much?" When the king subjoined these words, (says the
historian,) he looked round in all their faces, and saw that confusion
which the consciousness of secret guilt naturally threw upon them.
Otway took his plot from the fact related in this pamphlet; but to avoid,
perhaps, interfering in a circumstance which might affect many noble
families at that time living, he laid the scene of his tragedy in Bohemia.
There is a large painting of the above incident now at Woburn, the seat
of his Grace the Duke of Bedford; and the old duchess-dowager, in
showing this picture a few years before her death to a nobleman, related
the particulars of the story.
A CORRESPONDENT.
* * * * *
THE TOPOGRAPHER.
* * * * *

CARMARTHEN.
(For the Mirror)
The best or north-east view of Carmarthen comprises the bridge, part of
the quay, with the granaries and shipping, and in the middle is seen part
of the castle. Few towns can, perhaps, boast of greater antiquity, or of
so many antiquarian remains as Carmarthen, South Wales; although, I
am sorry to say, that their origin and history have not been, I believe,
clearly explained or understood by the literary world. One would
conclude, that as a Welshman is almost proverbially distinguished for
deeming himself illustriously descended, and relating his long pedigree,
he would naturally boast of, and exhibit to the public, some account of
these vestiges of his ancestors; but such is not the case, and to their
shame be it spoken, these ruins are scarcely noticed with any degree of
interest by the inhabitants of Carmarthen. But to my subject. The name
is derived from caera, wall, and marthen, a corruption of Merlyn, the
name of its founder, who was a great necromancer and prophet, and
held in high respect by the Welsh. There is a seat hewn out of a rock in
a grove near this town, called Merlyn's Grove, where it is said he
studied. He prophesied the fate of Wales, and said that Carmarthen
would some day sink and be covered with water. I would concur with
the author of a "Family Tour through the British Empire," by
attributing his influence, not to any powers in magic, but to a superior
understanding; although some of his predictions have been verified.
The town of Carmarthen is pleasantly situated in a valley surrounded
by hills; it has been fortified with walls and a castle, part of which
remain; so that it appears to have been the residence of many princes of
Wales. It has also been a Roman station, and has the remains of a
Roman prætorium. Amongst its other antiquities are the Grey Friars, (a
monastery,) the Bulwark, (a trench on the side of the town that fronts
the river,) and the Priory. Its modern buildings are, the monument
erected to Sir Thomas Picton, the Guildhall, the two gaols, a fish and
butter market-place, over which is the town fire-bell; the
slaughter-house, similar to the abattoir at Paris, and excellent shambles,
with poultry and potato market-places annexed. The church, which is
an ancient one, has an unattractive exterior; but when you enter it, I

think you will say it can compete with any church