witnessed. The Protector Somerset fell the victim of his
own inordinate covetousness, and died on the scaffold, January 22nd,
1552, to the great satisfaction of the "Grey Friar" chronicler. But
the Reformation went on; Bonner was imprisoned all through the reign,
Ridley was made Bishop of London (1550), and the sacrament was
administered according to the Reformed use. Rood-loft, altars,
crucifixes, images, all disappeared. The Dean, William May, gave
orders for the removal of the organ, but they were not carried out. It
pealed out the _Te Deum_ on the accession of Mary, July 6th, 1553. The
nation certainly rejoiced at this change. Not merely the rapacity of
the ruling powers at court had alienated public sympathy, but the
people at large at this time resented the loss of their ancient
worship, and had not as yet learned the greater spirituality and
reality of the Reformed service. We may note that in the exuberance of
popular delight in London whilst the cathedral bells were ringing, a
Dutchman went to the very top of the lofty steeple, waved a flag, and
kindled a blaze of torches.
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