reason of having been accessary to the murder of her royal consort, it is now a more grateful task, to contrast her character with that of the amiable, the tender, the patriotic wife of Edward III. Sufficient facts are recorded concerning her by the most credible historians to prove, that she was a personage of no common excellence, and that in her, many of those qualities met, which dignify and adorn human nature. Can we wonder that myriads of her subjects should have rallied round her in the hour of danger, and that her presence alone, in so chivalrous an age, should have transformed a feeble and undisciplined army into a band of invincible heroes? Can we wonder that the tear which glistened in her eye, and stole down her beauteous cheek, should have been sufficient to calm the passions, and subdue the resentments of the most incensed monarch? Happy is it when female charms are consecrated to so hallowed a purpose, and when female influence is exerted in such benevolent labours!

The patriotism and self-devotion of the chief citizens of Calais, who manifested a willingness to sacrifice themselves for the preservation of their fellow-citizens, have been applauded by all succeeding generations; and, truly, it was a remarkable instance of generosity and social virtue. Bu tnow is it that, among the multitudes who read with interest the page that records their history, and who have eulogized their conduct, there are so few who seem to be affected by the infinitely greater self-devotion of the Son of God, who " gave himself, the just for the unjust, to reconcile them to God by his blood?" What comparison is there between the conduct of a Codrus, a Q. Curtius, or an Eustace de St. Pierre, (all of whom are said to have devoted themselves to death for their country,) and that divine compassion, which prompted the Son of God to descend from heaven to earth, that he might "give his life a ransom for many?" And for whom was this voluntary sacrifice made?-Not for compatriots, fellow-warriors, and fellow-sufferers, endeared to each other by a thousand interesting relations.— "Scarcely for a righteous man would one die, yet perad"venture for a good man, some would even dare to die

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.— -Much more "then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be "saved from wrath through him."

How much greater does the prince, whose military achievements have been briefly related, appear in the sight of those whose eyes are not dazzled with the pageantry of worldly glory, when, after the tumult of war had ceased, he laboured so assiduously to lighten the pressure of misfortune, and render the yoke of captivity as easy as possible-when shrinking with genuine humility from the acclamations of an admiring multitude, and endeavouring to shun those glories which had attracted every eye, and won every heart. This instance of a character, uncorrupted by prosperity, and retaining amidst unrivalled triumphs, the blush of modest merit, is indeed one of rare occurrence. Many a weary league must be traversed in the vast regions of ancient and modern history before a parallel instance can be found. But the more rare the jewel, with the greater care should it be treasured up, the more solicitous should we feel that it may be duly appreciated, and the more anxious that it may be productive of some permanent advantage. Yet is there not reason to fear, that many whose enthusiasm has been enkindled by the recital of his splendid victories, and who have ardently desired to rival his military fame, have either overlooked or coldly contemplated this more lovely reverse of his moral portraiture, as scarcely deserving their notice? So common is it to call "evil, good, and good, evil;" to confound virtue and vice so completely, as that the former is held up to contempt, while the latter is emulated, cherished and adored.

Toilsome it must be confessed, is the drudgery of this world, and wretched the recompense it yields. What did the prince, whose heroic career has been sketched reap from the unwearied service of this hard master, but perfidy, lingering disease, and premature death? Could it yield perfect satisfaction to this amiable warrior, (if two such dissonant terms may for once be placed in concord,) that he had carried the terror of the British arms farther, and elevated the glory of the British name higher, than at

any former period of its history-when, emaciated with sickness, and in full prospect of an eternal state, the dignities of this world were fading on his sight, and its diadem of glory falling from his brow? Must he not have felt, that some honours more substantial in their nature, and more lasting in their duration, were then to be desired, however unimportant they might have appeared in the day of ease and of prosperity? Thus it is that disease and death dissolve the charms of worldly greatness, and tread its honours in the dust, "Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die.”

ESSAY X.

The Reign of RICHARD II.

A. D. 1877-1399.

THE state of England at the death of Edward III. was neither tranquil nor prosperous. The higher classes of society had become luxurious, and the lower discontented and seditious. The brilliancy of the victories of Crecy and Poitiers had faded away. The foreign conquests, won by the valour of the late prince of Wales, had been retaken by the Dauphin of France; so that little remained to England in that country, but a few expensive fortresses, the maintenance of which was rather a burden than a benefit to the country. But though the fruits of an arduous and protracted war were no longer enjoyed, its pressure was still most severely felt, and produced general disaffection and misery. It was under these circumstances, that Richard, son of Edward the Black Prince, succeeded to the throne of his grandfather, at eleven years of age. A regency was of course appointed, which consisted of the three uncles of the young king, the dukes of Lancaster, York, and Glocester. These were men of very different characters and dispositions. The former who was the celebrated John of Gaunt, had borne a considerable share

of the administration during the late king's reign, and might therefore be supposed to have acquired some experience in public affairs; but he had rendered himself extremely unpopular by his arbitrary proceedings: the second was weak and inactive, neither beloved nor hated; but the latter was the favourite of the people, though a turbulent, ambitious, and enterprising statesman. Placed in such hands, the young king was not likely to be initiated into mild and tolerant principles, or formed into a patriotic and constitutional monarch.

The chief direction of public affairs was, at first, vested in the hands of the duke of Lancaster, who promised great things, made costly preparations for war, and excited high expectations, but effected nothing, either honourable to himself, or beneficial to his country. Expeditions were sent year after year, both into Scotland and France, which accomplished nothing, and not unfrequently returned in disgrace. The exigencies of the state were such, that it was found necessary to raise extraordinary supplies; and the duke of Lancaster prevailed on the parliament to adopt a most obnoxious measure, which had been partially enforced, by his direction, during the last illness of the late king, but to which the mass of the people were now little disposed to submit. This was to levy a polltax, of three groats per head, for every person in the kingdom, above fifteen years of age, whether rich or poor. The very unequal pressure of this tax rendered it peculiarly offensive to the lower orders, some of whom had begun to taste the sweets of civil liberty, while the far greater part were still held in a state of vassalage by their superiors. The popular aversion was heightened by the arbitrary and oppressive manner in which this most unjust tax was collected. Murmurs of disaffection were now heard on every side; reports were widely circulated of new grievances, and nothing was wanted to produce a general conflagration, but a strongly exciting cause, or an adventurous leader.

An incident occurred, in itself trifling, but yet which was of sufficient magnitude to enkindle the flames of civil discord throughout the land. One of the collectors. of the poll-tax, having acted in an indecent and arbitrary

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manner, in the discharge of his office, so incensed a rude mechanic, (named Walter, or more popularly, Wat Tyler,) that he killed him on the spot with his hammer. His neighbours applauded the deed, and promised to protect him from the strong arm of civil authority. In a short time, hundreds, and even thousands rallied round him, chose him as their leader, and marched towards London, with the avowed intention of shaking off the yoke of servitude, and taking signal vengeance on their oppressors. The numbers and fury of this desperate rabble were continually increased by fresh arrivals from Kent and Essex, insomuch that they are said, when assembled at Blackheath, the place of general rendezvous, to have amounted to upwards of a hundred thousand. Inflamed by seditious demagogues, the populace proceeded to deeds of violence, burning all the mansions of the wealthy, which lay in their route, and plundering their possessions. The government was taken by surprise, and had no means of opposing this formidable insurrection by military force. They were under the necessity, therefore, of resorting to conciliatory measures, in order to gain time. The king, who was possessed of great personal courage, though but a youth of fifteen years of age, proposed to meet the rioters at Mile-end; and promised to listen attentively to all their complaints, and redress all their grievances. The greater part of the mob repaired at the time appointed to the place of conference, at which the king shortly afterwards arrived, with a small number of attendants. They demanded with one voice that their lands, possessions, and children might be free, and that slavery should be utterly abolished. The king addressed them in reply, in a dignified but conciliatory manner, promising to grant them immediately such charters as should effectually secure to them the enjoyment of equal rights and civil freedom. Charmed with these flattering promises, the passions of his auditors were instantly soothed, aud the whole multitude quietly dispersed.

But, in the mean time, a detachment of this tumultuous assemblage was committing dreadful ravages in the metropolis. This body of rioters amounting to about twenty thousand, was commanded by Wat Tyler himself,