When all these great personages had reached their proper places, the Clerk of the Crown appeared on the floor of the House making demonstrations of respect, in manner somewhat theatrical. As he advanced to the Lord High Steward on the wool-pack, he stopped three times and bowed very low. When he reached the wool-pack, he sank on one knee, presented the king’s commission for holding the trial, and then cleverly retired backwards, pausing thrice again to bow, as he retreated. This little feat having been accomplished to the silent approbation of the spectators, the Royal Commission was read to the Peers. At the first word, they arose, taking off their coronets; and, as the document was long and was in Latin, they seemed relieved when it was over, and they sank back on their seats with a look of satisfaction. Further relief ensued when another ballet-sort of movement was performed by Garter, the lesser Heralds, and a corps of Gentlemen Ushers. They advanced in a body, executed the triple ‘reverences’ at the proper moments, and on arriving before the Lord High Steward, they all went on their knees, while Garter, also kneeling, presented to the great official the white staff, which was the symbol of his office. My Lord took what was presented, the effect of which was, that he was moved from the wool-pack to a chair of state placed on the highest step but one of the throne. Shortly after, not caring for the elevation, or finding himself too far removed from the body of the court to hear accurately what might pass, Lord Cowper descended to the table――permission being granted by the Peers. [Sidenote: _LORD WINTOUN IN COURT._] While this performance was proceeding, three persons were in a neighbouring chamber――one of whom was the most interested in the issue. They were the Earl of Wintoun, the Lieutenant of the Tower, and the Gentleman Gaoler. Whatever may have been the tenour of their conversation, it was arrested by the triple _Oyez_ of the Sergeant-at-Arms and his sonorous command, as deputy of the Peers, to the Lieutenant of the Tower to bring his prisoner into court. The three gentlemen, of course, instantly obeyed. The Lieutenant, as deputy-governor of the Tower, preceded the earl, at whose left side walked the Gentleman Gaoler, carrying the official toy axe, with the edge turned away from the accused rebel. As soon as Lord Wintoun crossed the threshold, he made one deep general bow to the hushed assembly. All the Peers rose and returned a ceremonious salutation. When all this formality had come to an end, the Lord High Steward recited the charges on which the earl at the bar was about to be tried――rebellion, regicide, murder, and robbery――general and particular.