plumed hats.

These were the Royal Commissioners. The first was the Lord High

Treasurer of England, Godolphin; the second, the Lord President of the

Council, Pembroke; the third, the Lord of the Privy Seal, Newcastle.

They walked one by one, according to precedence, not of their rank, but

of their commission--Godolphin first, Newcastle last, although a duke.

They reached the bench in front of the throne, to which they bowed, took

off and replaced their hats, and sat down on the bench.

The Lord Chancellor turned towards the Usher of the Black Rod, and

said,--

Order the Commons to the bar of the House."

The Usher of the Black Rod retired.

The clerk, who was one of the clerks of the House of Lords, placed on

the table, between the four woolsacks, the cushion on which lay the

bills.

Then there came an interruption, which continued for some minutes.

Two doorkeepers placed before the bar a stool with three steps.

835

The Man Who Laughs