compromise is to be attempted between Christ and the world-between God and mammon. We must not meet half-way the prejudices of idolaters or infidels for the sake of peace, or with the hope of obtaining a greater number of proselytes. The injunctions of our divine Leader are," to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works "of darkness-to come out and be separate, nor to "touch the unclean thing-to go forth without the camp, "bearing the reproach of Christ."

The unnatural conduct of the sons of Henry reads a most instructive lesson both to parents and children. It warns the former against an excessive indulgence of their offspring; and the latter against resigning themselves to the dominion of their passions. It is not difficult to perceive, that this amiable monarch erred greatly on the side of indulgence, and cherished in his children, when young, those sentiments which he afterwards found it alike difficult to restrain or to indulge. When he caused his son at an early age to be publicly crowned, whatever political reasons might have prompted that measure, he could scarcely expect that the prince would be long satisfied with the mere shadow of royalty. It might have been anticipated, that a flame of ambition would be enkindled, which nothing but the damps of death could extinguish. It is more than probable, that parents, who lament the disobedience and rebellion of their children when arrived to years of maturity, might trace it in most instances to the neglect of those salutary restraints, and that moral discipline, in which education chiefly consists. If they would not cherish scorpions in their own bosoms, they must restrain, subdue, and chasten their sons while there is hope."

A striking resemblance may be observed between the character and death of prince Henry, and that of Absalom. Both deliberately aimed at dethroning their parents-both resorted to popular artifices, in order to seduce the affections of their father's subjects-both erected the standard of rebellion, and fell in their unnatural attempt-and both were bitterly lamented after their decease by their too indulgent parents. But there is one interesting point of difference in favour of the English prince. His soul was pierced with anguish in his last moments-remorse

and, we would hope, contrition, like a two-edged sword, entered into his bowels-the weight of filial disobedience pressed heavily on his conscience, and plunged him into despair. Go, ye disobedient and profligate youths, who are bringing down the hoary hairs of your parents with sorrow to the grave-go and gaze on the affecting spectacle! Mark the agony that is traced on the very countenance of that expiring prince, who solicits in vain the presence, the smile, the fond embrace of an offended parent-but expires in all the anguish of despair, neglected and alone. Thence proceed to the death-bed of the heart-broken monarch, and hear the maledictions, wrung from his inmost soul, against the children whom he had been wont to bless-contemplate these scenes, and pause, ere ye proceed in your ruinous career. Seek reconciliation not only with an offended parent, but with the Father of all, against whom also we have deeply revolted, yet who condescends to invite the return of his most rebellious children. With what earnest importunity should we seek his forgiveness: for his anger is as a consuming fire, and, if not removed, " we perish from the way, when "his wrath is kindled but a little."

ESSAY III.

The Reign of RICHARD I. (surnamed Cœur de Lion.) A. D. 1189-1199.

HENRY the Second was succeeded by his eldest surviving son Richard, who was crowned at Westminster, on the 3d of Sept. A. D. 1189. His coronation was rendered memorable by a tragical event, which is worthy of notice, as it marks the intolerant spirit of the age. The Jews resident in England had become both numerous and wealthy: but at the same time they were objects of popular contempt and abhorrence. Many of the most

opulent of that people, desirous of expressing their loyalty to the new prince, and conciliating his favour, came to London to consult with their brethren about presenting a valuable donative to the king, on his accession. Richard had issued a proclamation strictly prohibiting all Jews from entering the cathedral on the day of his coronation; but, notwithstanding this royal mandate, a few individuals of that nation were eager to obtain admission. The populace became enraged, and a dreadful tumult followed, which spread rapidly through the city of London. The Jews were massacred wherever they were found concealed, and their property was plundered and destroyed, The flame of religious bigotry was caught by the inhabitants of other populous towns, who, under a pretence of zeal for God, murdered the resident Jews, without regard to sex or age. Norwich, Lincoln, Stamford, and especially York, were disgraced by these barbarities. In the latter of these places, 500 Jews, who had taken shelter in the castle with their wives and children, preferred to fall by their own hands, rather than to become the prey of an infuriated rabble. A resolution was unanimously adopted, that each head of a family should first put to death his wife, children, and domestics, and afterwards fall upon his own sword. This hatred against the Jews had been excited by the Crusaders, who were setting out for the Holy Land; many of whom considered it a most meritorious act to imbrue their hands in the blood of an Israelite. The king attempted to repress these tumults, by putting to death some of the ringleaders; but his authority was not yet sufficiently confirmed, to withstand so deeply-rooted a prejudice.

This young prince had good sense enough to appreciate and reward the fidelity of those, who had adhered to the late king, though they had been his personal enemies; whilst the venal flatterers, who had prompted him to acts of rebellion, were cast off, as undeserving of his confidence. His first act of authority was to release from her long confinement, queen Eleanor, his mother, who had been imprisoned by Henry, her late husband, on account of her having been detected in a conspiracy

with France, and in an attempt to effect her escape to that country. As a compensation for her protracted sufferings, Richard now intrusted her with the privilege of liberating whatever state prisoners she chose; an indulgence which she was likely to estimate highly, after having been so long immured for an alleged offence against the state. With the hope of securing the fidelity of his younger brother John, Richard loaded him with honours and possessions; but these munificent grants, so far from rendering him a grateful and obedient subject, made him but a more formidable adversary.

Richard had been early inspired with military ardour and the love of fame. He was earnestly desirous of signalizing himself as a warrior, and Palestine, at that time, opened the widest field to his ambition. The christian chiefs, who conducted the holy war, (as it was then designated,) had been of late unsuccessful in all their operations; and it was necessary that new armies should be raised, and more vigorous measures adopted, if they would maintain their ground against the Saracens. Richard of England, and Philip of France, mutually agreed to take the cross, and made preparations for that purpose. The first object was, to raise sufficient money for the equipment and sustenance of so large an army in a distant country. Richard found, indeed, the royal treasury well stored at his father's death; but it was necessary to augment those stores by new imposts, and all other practicable means. So intent was the king upon this romantic expedition, that he not only sold the royal castles, woods, and forests, but also civil offices, and ecclesiastical dignities to the highest bidders. He even relinquished the right, which the late king had acquired, of receiving the homage of the king of Scotland, for ten thousand marks; and when some surprise was expressed at this bargain, he replied, that 'he would sell his capital, if he could find a purchaser.' Having succeeded at length in obtaining adequate pecuniary supplies, he constituted William Longchamp, the bishop of Ely, and Hugh, bishop of Durham, joint regents during his absence, and embarked with his army on the 11th of December, 1189.

To detail the particulars of this foreign war, in which Richard acquired so great celebrity, though its issue was most unfortunate, belongs not to English history. The events of this crusade will be no further noticed in the following pages, than is necessary to preserve unbroken the thread of the narration: while our attention will, of course, be chiefly fixed on the state of England during the long absence of its sovereign.

Longchamp, bishop of Ely, had been raised from the lowest of the people, to the highest official dignities. His elevation had been so rapid and his vanity was so great, that he could not brook a rival, or restrain the insolence of his ambition. The regent who had been associated with him, was gradually excluded from the administration, and even thrown into prison, by virtue of his authority, as legate of the holy see. He assumed a state far exceeding that which the sovereign had been accustomed to maintain; for he is said to have been attended, on all public occasions, by a retinue of not less than 1,500 horsemen. The intelligence of Longchamp's arbitrary proceedings was transmitted to Richard at Messina, who endeavoured to counteract them, by commissioning five noblemen of distinguished reputation, to act as privy councillors: but they were so over-awed by Longchamp's tyrannical proceedings, that they did not even venture to shew him their commission, and much less to act in concert with him.

At length the tyranny of the regent became intolerable. A confederacy was secretly formed against him, which was headed by prince John, and the chief nobility of the kingdom. Longchamp was taken by surprise, and found himself suddenly deserted by all his professed adherents. He was summoned to answer for his conduct before a convention held at Reading, which deprived him of all authority, and reduced him to a private station. But the haughty spirit of this prelate could not submit to so great a degradation. He fled to the continent, and endeavoured to interest the pope in his favour; who resented so highly the insult which had been offered his legate, as to command the English bishops to excommunicate prince John and his party. This, however, they