But it is not until the time of the Stuarts that we find something like the modern feeling for pets--a feeling based on genuine kindly regard for the animal race. Some of them carried it to excess, no doubt, but still it is a trait that adds to our liking for these luckless kings--a pleasant feature in the story of lives that were continually passing from mirth to tears, from poetry to prose, and from a throne to the cushionless seat of a Pretender. There is no sadder lesson in history than this of the Stuart kings, who began with so much, and ended with nothing. They had beauty, talent, high estate, devoted friends, and good intentions; yet somehow, what they touched did not prosper, their good gifts did not avail them. [Illustration: CHILDREN OF CHARLES I., WITH SPANIELS. (_From a painting by Vandyke._)] Beneficent fairies were present at their birth, and brought priceless gifts; but all was counteracted by one fatal oversight, since the malevolent fairy, uninvited, came only to punish the slight. [Illustration: CHILDREN OF CHARLES I.; PRINCE CHARLES AND HIS MASTIFF. (_From a painting by Vandyke._)] “What boots it thy virtue? What profit thy parts? If one thing thou lackest-- The art of all arts?” Something--whatever it might be--they assuredly lacked, and atoned for the lack by their misfortunes. Meanwhile they enjoyed life, and in many ways made it pleasant, exhibiting wit, ready courtesy, and a good-will that, as before said, extended to both animals and men. James I., like his Tudor predecessors, was extremely fond of the chase. Contemporary writers give queer accounts of his awkward, headlong riding, and disgusting eagerness for the trophy. “The King of England,” says one, “is merciful except in hunting, where he appears cruel. When he finds himself unable to take the beast, he frets and storms, and cries ‘God is angry with me, but I will have him for all that!’” Dogs were a prominent feature in the royal establishment, and one hound named Jewel, Jowel, or Jowler, is often mentioned. Almost his first appearance in history is in the character of a petitioner. Royal visits in these earlier days were luxuries expensive to the host, however welcome. Letters yet exist that prove how much they were dreaded. Elizabeth bestowed many such marks of honor on her subjects, and no matter how great the inconvenience, her involuntary entertainers dared not hint it. That a hint on the matter was once given to James, may be taken as a proof of his good nature. He had gone with his retinue to Royston, where, erelong, the presence of so many guests made a deep hole in their host’s larder and purse. Therefore--but this part of the story is best told in a letter written at the time by Edmund Lascelles, a groom of the Privy Chamber.