emained silent. Garter King-at-Arms,
pointing them out to Gwynplaine, said,--

"My lord, these are the four Pursuivants-at-Arms. Blue Mantle."

The man with the blue cape bowed.

"Rouge Dragon."

He with the St. George inclined his head.

"Rouge Croix."

He with the scarlet crosses saluted.

"Portcullis."

He with the sable fur collar made his obeisance.

On a sign from the King-at-Arms, the first of the pursuivants, Blue
Mantle, stepped forward and received from the officer of the Usher the
cushion of silver cloth and crown-emblazoned portfolio. And the
King-at-Arms said to the Usher of the Black Rod,--

"Proceed; I leave in your hands the introduction of his lordship!"

The observance of these customs, and also of others which will now be
described, were the old ceremonies in use prior to the time of Henry
VIII., and which Anne for some time attempted to revive. There is
nothing like it in existence now. Nevertheless, the House of Lords
thinks that it is unchangeable; and, if Conservatism exists anywhere, it
is there.

It changes, nevertheless. _E pur si muove_. For instance, what has
become of the may-pole, which the citizens of London erected on the 1st
of May, when the peers went down to the House? The last one was erected
in 1713. Since then the may-pole has disappeared. Disuse.

Outwardly, unchangeable; inwardly, mutable. Take, for example, the title
of Albemarle. It sounds eternal. Yet it has been through six different
families--Odo, Mandeville, Bethune, Plantagenet, Beauchamp, Monck. Under
the title of Leicester five different names have been merged--Beaumont,
Breose, Dudley, Sydney, Coke. Under Lincoln, six; under Pembroke, seven.
The families change, under unchanging titles. A superficial historian
believes in immutability. In reality it does not exist. Man can never be
more than a wave; humanity is the ocean.

Aristocracy is proud of what women consider a reproach--age! Yet both
cherish the same illusion, that they do not change. It is probable the
House of Lords will not recognize itself in the foregoing description,
nor yet in that which follows, thus resembling the once pretty woman,
who objects to having any wrinkles. The mirror is ever a scapegoat, yet
its truths cannot be contested. To portray exactly, constitutes the duty
of a historian. The King-at-Arms, turning to Gwynplaine, said,--

"Be pleased to follow me, my lord." And added, "You will be saluted.
Your lordship, in returning