On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    discontinue this practice , as that might have been construed to im . ply a consciousness of inferiority to the princes of the other house , or something like a defect in their own title to the crown .

    X . east of all is it to be supposed that this practice should be dropt or neglected afterwards , on the restoration of the York line , in the person of Edward IV * who would naturally take care to exercise

    every prerogative or power supposed to have belonged to his ancestors , and which had any way contributed to their popularity , consequence , or celebrity . This monarch , though of a far less

    religious or devout cast than his im . mediate predecessor Henry VI . might not on that account be the less qualified to work these miracles , any more than Charles II . afterwards ; who , though by his

    clerical subjects denominated most religious } was yet certainly , in fact , one of the most irreligious and profligate wretches that ever wore a Jcrown ; nevertheless , he unquestionably practised the royal toueAj as extensively , effectually

    and successfully as any one whatever , in the whole list of our crowned , or kingly practitioners . And why not ?—as the extraordinary gift , supernatural virtue , or miraculous power , belonged entirely , it seems , to his regal quality of dignity ;* and had nothing at

    ? Though some , perhaps , would choose to ascribe that gift , virtue , or power , rather to the throne , as the infallibility of the pope has , by one of our old satirists , been ascribed to the papal chair , in some tuch lines as the following : — If the devil himself should get there , Although he be full of all evil , Yet such is the virtue in Peters old chair , Ho would be an infallible dcriL

    Untitled Article

    all , apparently , to dfo with his personal or moral character . Richard III . also , after he ascended the throne , may be

    supposed to possess as much of this supernatural and sanative virtue ( whatever may be said of the other virtues ) as any one of his predecessors or successors ; and as it

    was evidently his interest to omit no popular observance , and to avail himself of whatever had a tendency to excite or gain the admiration of the people , and reconcile them to his government , we may be sufe he would-aibt fail to follow , with

    spirit , the practice in question ; and so , by a copious display of its sanative virtue , compensate , in some sort , or degree , for the absence of virtues of another description . There is therefore abundant

    reason for setting him down among our royal miracle-workers . None of all these princes ap . pear to have made a greater figure , or to have proceeded with more parade , solemnity and success ,

    in this royal business or occupation than Henry VII . —This politic prince , whatever right he might have to the crown , had probably as good a right as any one to try his hand at this notable and

    wonder-working operation , the effect or fame of which he knew full well how to manage profitably and turn to the best account . Hfc accordingly set about it in good earnest ; and in order , as may b £

    supposed , to give the process the most striking , sacred , and solemn appearance , and increase its effect , he had a new form , 6 r office , composed and introduced for the purpose . f The project answered ;

    # Occasional Thoughts , as before , p . 60 . — -Also , New Ann . Reg . , [ TO © . } 1 - —It docs not appear who , among Henry's

    Untitled Article

    S Richards ' s History of the Royal Touch .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1813, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2424/page/8/