MARGARET ROPER, THE DEVOTED DAUGHTER. "In thy dark prison - house, In the terrific face of armed law, Yea, on the scaffold, if it needs must be, I never will forsake thee. "- JOANNA BAII.LIE. THERE are few "households " of which we retain a pleasanter recollection than that of the wise, humane, affectionate, and brave Sir Thomas More. How intimate, as we read their history, do we seem to grow with the kindly father ; his vain, worldly second wife ; the three learned sisters, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Cecilia, and their somewhat dimly- shadowed brother, John, and their fair young " kinswoman " Margaret Gigs; and the sage William Roper, most tender of lovers ; and even with that most foolish of clowns, Henry Patteson, who was perpetually dealing forth jests with no point to them, and taking the most impertinent Iiberties in virtue of his privileged office. Four houses in Chelsea contend for the honour of 5
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