the eye a rich display of magnificence." In various parts of the ground, also, were five towers, one of which still remains, whence an admirable survey of the scene could be obtained; while another point of vantage was the gallery, still existing, in the north-west angle of the palace, from which there is an admirable view of the whole field. "We may also add the splendid appearance of the knights engaged in the sports; themselves and their horses were most gorgeously arrayed and their esquires and pages, together with minstrels and heralds, who superintended the ceremonies, were all of them clothed in costly and glittering apparel. Such a show of pomp, where wealth, beauty, and grandeur were concentrated, as it were, in one focus, must altogether have formed a wonderful spectacle, and made a strong impression on the mind, which was not a little heightened by the cries of the heralds, the clangour of the trumpets, the clashing of the arms, the rushing together of the combatants, and the shouts of the beholders.'

When the King himself took part in the tournament. a grand procession was formed, headed by the marshal of the jousts on horseback, dressed in cloth of gold, and surrounded by thirty footmen in liveries of yellow and blue. Then followed the drummers and trumpeters, all dressed in white damask; next forty knights and lords in pairs, all in superb attire, and many in cloth of gold; then some twenty young knights on very fine horses, all dressed in white, with doublets of cloth of silver and white velvet, and chains of unusual size, and their horses barded with silver chainwork, and a number of pendent bells." Next came their pages, on horseback, their trappings, half of gold embroidery, and half of purple velvet, embroidered with stars; and then the jousters, armed, with their squires and footmen. Last of all came his Majesty, armed cap-à-pie, with a surcoat of silver bawdakin, surrounded by some thirty gentlemen on foot, dressed in velvet and white satin, and in this order they went twice round the lists."

The jousts usually lasted several hours; and Henry, being an admirable horseman and of great dexterity

and quickness, often made his opponents measure their length on the sod, when from the galleries, stands, and towers there went up a shout of applause from the assembled spectators that made the walls of the palace ring again.

During the courses the jousters performed feats of horsemanship, the King especially distinguishing himself "in supernatural feats, changing his horses, and making them fly rather than leap, to the delight and ecstasy of everybody."

Another of Henry's pastimes was shooting at the butt, in which he also excelled, drawing, according to several authorities, the best bow in England. In this amusement he was engaged, as we have seen, when Cavendish came to announce Wolsey's death; and he was often joined in it by Anne Boleyn. Her brother, Lord Rochford, was his constant companion in these and similar pastimes, and frequently won large sums from him.

Besides these, Hampton Court was not wanting in indoor recreations, which might be pursued in wet and wintry weather. The tennis court, or "close tennys play," which is the oldest one in England, and has since been the model of all other courts in the kingdom, had just been finished; and Henry was a frequent and skilful player in it. Numerous entries relating to the games he played are to be found in his privy purse expenses; for instance, on the 16th of December, 1531, five shillings were paid to one that served on the King's side at tennes at Hampton Court "; and at other times payments of money are noted for bets which he lost to the other players and the spectators-for on all occasions his passion for gambling asserted itself. When he played, the gallery underneath the pent-house was usually crowded, and Giustinian, who had watched him, says: "He is extremely fond of tennis, at which game it is the prettiest thing in the world to see him play, his fair skin glowing through a shirt of the finest texture. He had tennis slippers or shoes and drawers made especially for wearing when he played, and "tenys cotes" of blue velvet and of black velvet, for putting on when he rested.

Among other diversions of the same sort afforded in this palace were: an open tennis play "-evidently a sort of lawn tennis-and an open and two close bowling alleys. One of these alleys, which existed till about a hundred years ago, is shown in the old print. It was about 270 feet long, and lit by numerous windows on both sides. There was another similar one near the river.

The long winter evenings, when not enlivened with the masquerades and revels, in which Henry took particular delight, were usually passed in playing games of chance, such as backgammon, dice, and shovel-board, at which he betted deeply, so that his losses in the course of one year amounted to as much as £3,500.

Wherever the Court moved it was attended by a large number of minstrels of all kinds, for Henry was exceedingly fond of music, and was a very fair musician himself. He played with taste and execution on the organ, harpsichord, and lute; and several songs of his own composition, which are extant, give us a high idea of his attainments in that sphere. Of his skill in singing all witnesses speak in high praise, and many a time, of an evening, Henry's powerful voice was heard reechoing in the courts and cloisters of Hampton Court.

The words of his songs, some of which are in French, were also of his own composition, and mostly very effective; and several of them became extremely popular, especially that called "Pastime with Good Company. In this, his favourite one, Henry declares that his heart is set on hunting and singing, and dancing and love, and warmly pleads for youth that it "must have some dalliance. In others of his love songs he justifies his amours, on various pretexts, characteristically resolving to give up pleasure at last, when he is too old to enjoy it. At the same time, however he lays claim to the virtue of constancy in love, declaring:

and,

"As the holly groweth green, and never changeth hue,
So I am ever have been-unto my lady true.'

"For whoso loveth, should love but one-
Change whoso will, I will be none.