All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

ALL IN A GARDEN FAIR. 35
sidering liow iiumy surli tliere be, if there were
no such viUago.
There was once an island in the neighbour-
liood of l^yzantiuni wliitlier they used to send
deposed emperors, simply dressed in monastic
garb, to live the rest of their lives on beans,
lentils, and cold water. I h:ive often pictured
to myself the mingled sympathy and joy with
which these unfortunates Avould welcome a new
arrival. They would hold i)leasing converse
with him on the glories of the throne when
they sat upon it. They would explain to him
the true nobility of their own conduct, which
mankind had basely misinteri)reted ; and they
would ask of him, or exchange with him, cre-
dence as to the extraordinary purity of their
own motives and the greatness of their reigns.
Ilalf-a-dozen of these old emperors sitting in a
row, like old sailors on the Conunon Hard by
Tortsmouth Harbour, would be a truly delight-
ful picture. One can imagine the stories they
would tell about the greatness of tlu'ir fall,
the consolation they wt)uld derive from the
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