eople who attended could see nothing
because of the bullock-boxes: but they were there, and their hearts too.
And when the grand old bells pealed forth a joyous welcome, the
bridegroom could hardly repress a tear (only one!) for they reminded him
how often the merry sound that now so truly harmonized with his
over-brimming joy, had seemed of old to mock his misery as he listened to
them from within his prison walls.

* * * * *

Their happy union, to compare small things with great, may be taken as an
emblem of the _entente cordiale_ that ought ever to subsist between the
two countries of France and England, and which can only be jeopardized by
that rabid journalism which, with slight occasion, or none at all, seems
always to take delight in doing its utmost to "let loose the dogs of
war."

One word more.

The two stone bosses which for many years have capped the piers of the
west gateway of Yaxley Churchyard, formerly occupied the same position on
the piers of the principal entrance to the Norman Cross Barracks. And
when the poor prisoners of old passed between them, they were entering
the place of captivity and grief and hopelessness. But now, as the good
Yaxley people pass between the same bosses to go into their noble House
of Prayer, they may rejoice in the thought that they are entering the
place where liberty and peace and everlasting hope await them as the gift
of God, through Jesus Christ their Saviour.

THE END.

Footnotes:

{17} See account of the battle of Vimiero in Napier's History of the
Peninsular War, Book II, Chapter V.

{44} This is fact, not fiction. It would be interesting to know the
history of this good man after the prisoners were discharged in 1814. One
thing is certain, that he must ever have enjoyed a feast of memory to his
dying day in having been a shepherd and bishop of souls to these poor
prisoners.

{133} It is much to be regretted that the ravenous curiosity of a former
vicar has since made this very hole. A wooden box was found with a heart
inside in perfect form, but which instantly crumbled to dust when exposed
to the air. The dust was returned to the cavity, and the box is kept at
the Vicarage; but an aromatic odour still impregnates the box, just as
the church William of Yaxley built still preserves the holy use to which
it was devoted.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FRENCH PRISONERS OF NORMAN
CROSS***

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