Britain ... - Blue-Lite

96 NOTES TO THE ENGLISH SLAVE.
and orchards which he made, stocking them with a variety of
shrubs, herbs, and fruit-trees." Apud Gale.
Malmesbury exhibits the island of Thorney as the picture,
says Sharon Turner, of a paradise : amidst the marshes abounding
in trees, was a fine green plain, as smooth and level as a
stream j every part was cultivated ; here apple-trees arose,
there vines crept along the fields, or turned round poles. Yet
he adds one trait so expressive of loneliness, as to throw a gloom
over the charms
"
of nature. When a man comes, he is applauded
like an angel." Some years ago, we ourselves visited
this spot, and we shall always recollect with pleasure the kindness
and hospitality which we received from the inhabitants of
Thorney.
( 4 ) Furred robes they wear, bedizened o'er with gold. . p. 6.
Witlaf, king of Mercia, gives, in his charter to the Abbey
of Croyland, his purple mantle and his golden veil, embroidered
with the history of Troy.
" Furs of various kinds were used by persons of both sexes
in lining their tunics and mantles." Dr. Henry, v. 4.
( 5 ) Grasp in their hands a spear, the sign offreedom. .
p. 6.
The meetings of the freemen and landholders were called
weapon- tacks, or the touch of arms, because every one touched
the spear of the chief magistrate, who was present, with his
spear, in token of his submission to his authority and readiness
to fight under him. A spear in his hand was an essential part
of the dress of an Anglo-Saxon Thane, or gentleman, by
which he was distinguished, and without which he never stirred
abroad. Vide Leges Edwardi Regis apud Wilkins. When a
Saxon slave was made free, a spear was put into his hands.
(6) To touch the tuneful harp, to grasp a spear,
And in the forest with a falcon sport,
Are crimes deemed worthy stripes and banishment. .
p. 7.
By the laws of Wales, a harp was one of the three things that
were necessary to constitute a gentleman, i. e. a freeman j and
by the same laws, to prevent slaves from pretending to be gentlemen,
it was expressly forbidden to teach or to permit them
to play upon the harp. Among the Saxons ami Danes, those
who played upon this instrument were declared gentlemen by
law. Their persons were esteemed inviolable j they were admitted
to the highest company, and treated with distinguished
marks of respect wherever they appeared. A slave could not