with dismay. And all this in addition to the launching of sons and daughters in the world! Philip was the most expensive item in this reckoning. His great qualities, his many graces imperiously demanded a fair field and all the advantages which could be procured for him. Not only tutorship, but a "grand tour of European travel," were part of the parents' programme for him. And there were Robert Sidney, the next brother, and Thomas, afterwards called Colonel Sidney (about whom history tells so little), to be educated, tutored, and as far as possible also allowed European experience. Imagine, too, the details of wardrobe all this entailed-especially for Philip. There must be doublets, hose, scented waistcoats, cloaks, and velvet and satin plumed hats for the courtier, with a constant reinforcement of gloves and shoes. The young man's valet also needed what some modern ladies' papers would call "sartorial provision" over and above the garments which his screw could furnish him, especially when his master "lay" at Court, travelled abroad in the company of ambassadors, or, as a representative of the Queen, dined at home or on the Continent as the guest of princes. The shoes, the shoes! If one could but gather all those which Philip alone wore in the course of his thirty-one years into a single parlour, what a romance they would furnish under the borrowed. title of a Salle des pas perdus.' Yet were his comings and goings never "lost" in the sense of fruitlessness. His feet never carried him anywhere without high purpose, and seldom failed to bear him triumphantly through 1 If history and State documents had only preserved for us the corresponding amount of dainty Court slippers worn by Penelope Rich, it would make a rare pendant to the list just quoted in the gallery of the world's fripperies. his greatest errands. Here is a shoemaker's bill which the first volume of the Sidney Papers has preserved for us: SIR PHILLIP SYDNEY First, for two pairs of pantoffles and two pairs of shoes for yourself Item, one pair of strong shoes for yourself Item, for four pairs of shoes for your servant the footman Item, for four pair of shoes for Thomas, your man Item, for one pair of white shoes and one pair of of pantoffles for yourself Item, for one pair of Spanish leather shoes, double soled. Item, for three pairs of shoes for three of the men. Item, for one pair for your footman. and one pair of winter boots for yourself Item, eight pair of Spanish leather slippers for yourself Item, for four pair of shoes for Thomas Item, for six pair of shoes for Thomas, footman your man OUT CHAPTER III THE SPLENDID PHILIP UT of the conditions already stated the eldest son of the Sidneys had to build up his reputation, maintain his family's name, and learn the whole story of the sweet bitterness of Court service under Elizabeth. As in the case of Penelope, his upbringing had been that of a sturdy Protestant. Unlike her, he had, of course, special advantages in the way of education. One does not imagine that Lettice Devereux ever encouraged a desire for deep study in her children. akin to that which actuated that household at Penshurst, where Mary and Philip shared in youth and in maturity the joys of learning, the graces of legend and of literary rhymes. With this deeply serious habit of mind the boy possessed a deeply romantic nature, and the combination of these two marked him. out very early for distinction. Naturally also he took himself very seriously, analysed his emotions and thoughts a good deal, was as keenly responsive to the events of the day as he was to all things vital and beautiful. An ardent idealist, he was rich also in energy, mental and physical. He was poor-poorer than ever, for on a certain journey to Ireland his father and mother were shipwrecked, and were deprived of nearly everything but their lives. "I lost," wrote Sir Henry, "the most of my household stuff and utensils, my wife's whole apparel, and all her jewels, many horses, and stable-stuff." Hence Philip had his way to make financially as well as socially. At Shrewsbury-whither he was sent to school while his father, as Lord President of Wales, made his head-quarters at Ludlow Castle-he did well as to books and manners. Of his moral and spiritual sense, which developed so early, surely those two good parents of his assuredly laid the foundation with love and care. And from that spiritual sense again uprose his courage and sweetness, his fine "temper." One of his father's letters to him at school is amongst tutors and parents probably an oft-quoted and well-thumbed document, but I would have it framed in every English study. Here are fragments: "Above all tell no untruth; no, not in trifles. The custom of it is naughty. . . . There cannot be a greater reproach to a gentleman than to be accused a liar.. Study and endeavour yourself to be virtuously occupied so shall you make such a habit of well-doing in you, that you shall not know how to do evil, though you would. Remember, my son, the noble blood you are descended of, by your mother's side. . . . Think upon every word that you will speak before you utter it, and remember how nature hath ramparted up, as it were, the tongue with teeth, lips, yea, and hair without the lips, and all betokening reins or bridles for the loose use of that member. . . . Give yourself to be merry; for you degenerate from your father if you find not yourself most able in wit and body and to do anything when you be most merry: but let your mirth be ever void of all scurrility and biting words to any man, for a wound given by a word is oftentimes harder to be cured than that which is given with the sword. Be modest in each assembly. . . . Well, my |