This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXIII. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE FROM HIS RESIGNATION OF THE GREAT SEAL TILL HIS DEATH. It is said that the two happiest days of a man's life are the day when he accepts a high office, and the day when he resigns it; and there can be no doubt that with Sir Thomas More the resignation day was by ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXIII. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE FROM HIS RESIGNATION OF THE GREAT SEAL TILL HIS DEATH. It is said that the two happiest days of a man's life are the day when he accepts a high office, and the day when he resigns it; and there can be no doubt that with Sir Thomas More the resignation day was by far the more delightful. He immediately recovered his hilarity and love of jest, and was " himselfagain" He had not consulted his wife or his family about resigning, and he concealed from them the step he had taken till next day. This was a holyday; and there being no Court Circular or Newspaper on the breakfast-table, they all went to church at Chelsea, as if nothing extraordinary had happened. "And whereas upon the holydays (luring his High Chancellorship one of his gentlemen, when the service at the church was done, ordinarily used to come to my Lady his wife's pewdoor, and say unto her, ' Madam, my Lord is gone, ' he came into my Lady his wife's pew himself, and making a low courtesy, said unto her, 'Madam, my Lord is gone, ' which she, imagining to be but one of his jests, as he used many unto her, he sadly affirmed unto her, that it was true. This was the way he thought fittest to break the matter unto his wife, who was full of sorrow to hear it." He immediately set about providing for his officers and servants who were to leave him, and he succeeded in placing them with bishops and noblemen. His state barge, which carried him to Westminster Hall and Whitehall, he transferred, with his eight watermen, to his successor. His Fool, who must have been a great proficient in jesting, practising under such a master, he made over to the Lord Mayor of London, with a stipulation that he should continue to serve the office of fool to the Lord...
Read Less