wife, and two daughters, in the dress of the times; Sir Michael has a long beard, is attended by three sons in cloaks, his wife, and daughter.
IN a corner, on the floor, is an antient monument of a man re|cumbent, his hands closed as in prayer, his hair lank, his chin beardless; his lady by him in a long hood; round his neck is a collar of SS. and a rose pendent. This is to preserve the me|mory of Sir Richard Cholmondly, knight, lieutenant of the Tower in the time of Henry VIII.
I PASS over less interesting monuments, to the little stone on the floor, which records, that
Talbot Edwards, late keeper of his majesty's regalia, 30th September, 1674, aged 80,
was de|posited here. Was it not a shameless reign, no remembrance of this good and faithful servant would have been suffered to remain. This venerable man was keeper of the
regalia, when the russian
Blood made the notorious attempt on the crown, and other orna|ments of majesty. Never was a more determined villain:
with a head to contrive, and heart to execute any wickedness.
Blood contrived, under the guise of a clergyman, to make acquaint|ance with Mr.
Edwards; insinuated himself into his favor and confidence. After various visits, with the assistance of several other associates, he seized on the old man, whom he had requested to shew the jewels to his friends, gagged him, and on his resisting, struck him on the head with a mallet, and gave him several stabs.
Edwards thought it prudent to counterfeit death.
Blood put the crown under his parson's gown: another put the globe in his breeches: a third, not being able to conceal the sceptre by reason of its length, broke off the rich ruby and put it in his pocket. As soon as they were gone,
Edwards forced out the gag, and gave the alarm; they were instantly pursued, and three of them