and appears absolutely conclusive.  There was no occasion for the admiral stating in his will whose son Thomas Allen was.  He might have left him L100 without any allusion to his parentage; but when he deliberately, and, as lawyers say, in intuitu mortis, assures us that this gentleman, the father of those who assume names so directly indicative of royal pretensions, was his own son, we are inclined to give him credit for a clearer knowledge of the truth than any now alive can possess.”

Such is the story, and such is its refutation.  It has had many believers and many critics.  That it was advanced in earnest there can be no doubt, and the pretenders were well known in London circles.  The elder of them, “John Sobieski Stuart,” died in February 1872; but before his decease solemnly appointed his successor, and passed his supposed royal birthright to a younger member of the same family—­a birthright which is worthless and vain.

JOHN HATFIELD—­THE SHAM HONOURABLE ALEXANDER HOPE.

In the latter half of last century a farmer in one of the northern counties had in his house a very pretty girl, who passed as his daughter, and who supposed that he was her father.  The damsel was industrious and virtuous as well as beautiful, and as she grew to maturity had many applicants for her hand.  At last, as it became apparent that she would not long remain disengaged or single, her reputed father explained to her that she was not his daughter, but was an illegitimate child of Lord Robert Manners, who had all along paid for her support, and who was disposed to grant her a wedding portion of L1000, provided she married with his sanction.  The news soon spread, and the rustic beauty became a greater toast than ever when it was known that she was also an heiress.  Among others who heard of her sudden accession to fortune was a young fellow called John Hatfield, then employed as a traveller by a neighbouring linen-draper.  He lost no time in paying his respects at the farm-house, or in enrolling himself in the number of her suitors, and succeeded so well that he not only gained the affections of the girl, but also the goodwill of the farmer, who wrote to Lord Robert Manners, informing him that Hatfield held a good position and had considerable expectations, and that he was anxious to marry his daughter, but would only do so on condition that her relatives approved of the union.  Thereupon his lordship sent for the lover, and, believing his representations to be true, gave his consent at the first interview, and on the day after the marriage presented the bridegroom with L1500.