similar arch, copied from that of Septimius Severus. This was formerly
surmounted by the celebrated group of the horses of St. Mark, pilfered
from Venice, but restored at the peace of 1815.

* * * * *



THE BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER OF BETHNAL GREEN.

_(For the Mirror.)_

The popular ballad of "The Beggar's Daughter of Bednall-Greene" was
written in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It is founded, though without
the least appearance of truth, or even probability, on a legend of
the time of Henry III. Henry de Montfort, son of the ambitious Earl
of Leicester, who was slain with his father at the memorable battle
of Evesham, is the hero of the tale. He is supposed (according to
the legend) to have been discovered among the bodies of the slain
by a young lady, in an almost lifeless state, and deprived of sight
by a wound, which he had received during the engagement. Under
the fostering hand of this "faire damosel" he soon recovered, and
afterwards marrying her, she became the mother of "the comelye and
prettye Bessee." Fearing lest his rank and person should be discovered
by his enemies, he disguised himself in the habit of a beggar, and
took up his abode at Bethnal-Green. The beauty of his daughter
attracted many suitors, and she was at length married to a noble
knight, who, regardless of her supposed meanness and poverty, had the
courage to make her his wife, her other lovers having deserted her on
account of her low origin. Before entering, however, upon the ballad,