of scandal, to mingle in the narration something of grace, gayety, or whim. Mere scandal is always a melancholy affair, and is always coarse and vulgar; besides, it would have contrasted ill with the habitual tone of these circles: it would have been in a bad and low taste.

But the fault for which there was no redemption, which nothing could excuse, was meanness either in manners or language, or in actions, when such a thing could be thoroughly proved. It was not that the principles of society were so lofty as to inspire indignation at a mean action, which should have obtained its perpetrator a large fortune or an excellent place; but there is still among us more vanity than cupidity, and as long as pride preserves that character, it will sometimes resemble greatness of mind. When a mean action which turned out profitably was performed with certain precautions, and in a certain way, it was easy to feign a belief that it was only a necessary step in a system of laudable though selfish policy; and, like the thieves among the Lacedemonians, only the awkward were punished. - Mémoires.

EOFFREY OF MONMOUTH, an English chronicler; born at Monmouth, England, early in the twelfth century; died at Llandaff, Wales, in 1152. According to his contemporary and friend, the chronicler, Caradoc of Lancaroan, he was the nephew and foster-son of Uchtryd, Archbishop of Llandaff, was educated at a Benedictine monastery in Monmouth, became archdeacon of a church in Monmouth, held a deanery in the church of Tielo in Llandaff, and was consecrated Bishop of St. Asaph, but died before entering his office. Three works have

been attributed to him: the Chronicon sive Historia Britonum; a metrical Life and Prophecies of Merlin, and the Compendium Gaufiedi de Corpore Christi et Sacramento Eucharistia. The first, which is the earliest history of Britain, was dedicated to Robert of Gloucester. It appeared in 1147, and created a sensation. It was professedly a translation of an ancient history of Britain, written in the Cymric tongue, and offered to Geoffrey by Walter Calenius. It is a work of genius and imagination, and it was received with delight by the people; but the students, accustomed to dry compilation of facts, were indignant at its appearance. Many of the legends in it are taken from Virgil, others from local stories known by tradition in England. While the great cycle of Arthurian romance was not created by him, Geoffrey of Monmouth gave it its place in literature. His name is so associated with the stories of King Arthur that he has been often called Galfridus Arturus.

This history was abridged by Alfred of Beverly in 1150, and translated into Anglo-Norman verse by Geoffrey Gaimar in 1154, and by Robert Wace in 1180. The influence of this book proved its value by its successors, which rapidly followed. The chief of these were Layamon's Brut, published in the thirteenth century; the rhymed Chronicle of England, by Robert of Gloucester in 1278, and the modifications and additions to the Arthurian legends, which became the common property of the trouvères of France and the Minnesingers of Germany, and which were recorded by Gaimar, Wace, Mapes, Robert de Borron, Luces de Gast, Hélie de Borron, and by Sir Thomas Malory in the Morte d' Arthur (1461), which was printed by Caxton in 1485. Of the three works attributed to

Geoffrey, only the History is authentic. Internal evidence is fatal to the metrical Life of Merlin, and the Compendium is known to have been written by Geoffrey of Auxerre. Geoffrey of Monmouth was the founder of a new literary form, which is exemplified by the style of the romances and novels of a later period. Chaucer gives him a place in his House of Fame. Several of his MSS. were placed in the old Royal Library of the British Museum. The History was translated into English by Aaron Thompson in 1718. The translation was revised by Dr. Giles in 1842. It is included in the Six Old English Chronicles in Bohn's Antiquarian Library.

ALBION DIVIDED BETWEEN BRUTUS AND CORINEUS.

The island was then called Albion, and was inhabited by none but a few giants. Notwithstanding this, the pleasant situation of the places, the plenty of rivers abounding with fish, and the engaging prospect of its woods, made Brutus and his company very desirous to fix their habitation in it. They therefore passed through all the provinces, forced the giants to fly into the caves of the mountains, and divided the country among them according to the directions of their commander. After this they began to till the ground and build houses, so that in a little time the country looked like a place that had been long inhabited. At last Brutus called the island after his own name Britain, and his companions Britons; for by these means he desired to perpetuate the memory of his name. From whence afterward the language of the nation, which at first bore the name of Trojan, or rough Greek, was I called British. But Corineus, in imitation of his leader, called that part of the island which fell to his share, Corinea, and his people Corineans, after his name; and though he had his choice of the provinces before all the rest, yet he preferred this country, which is now called

in Latin Cornubia, either from its being in the shape of a horn (in Latin cornu), or from the corruption of the said name. For it was a diversion to him to encounter the said giants, which were in greater numbers there than in all the other provinces that fell to the share of his companions. Among the rest was one detestable monster, Goëmagot, in stature twelve cubits, and of such prodigious strength that at one shake he pulled up an oak as if it had been a hazel wand. On a certain day, when Brutus was holding a solemn festival to the gods, in the port where they had first landed, this giant, with twenty more of his companions, came in upon the Britons, among whom he made a dreadful slaughter. But the Britons at last, assembling together in a body, put them to the rout, and killed them every one but Goëmagot. Brutus had given orders to have him preserved alive, out of a desire to see a combat between him and Corineus, who took a great pleasure in such encounters. Corineus, overjoyed at this, prepared himself, and throwing aside his arms, challenged him to wrestle with him. At the beginning of the encounter, Corineus and the giant, standing, front to front, held each other strongly in their arms, and panted aloud for breath but Goëmagot presently grasping Corineus with all his might, broke three of his ribs, two on his right side and one on his left. At which Corineus, highly enraged, roused up his whole strength, and snatching him upon his shoulders, ran with him, as fast as the weight would allow him, to the next shore, and there getting upon the top of a high rock, hurled down the savage monster into the sea; where falling on the sides of craggy rocks, he was torn to pieces, and colored the sea with his blood. The place where he fell, taking its name from the giant's fall, is called Lam Goëmagot, that is, Goëmagots Leap, to this day.- British History.

DESCRIPTION OF BRITAIN.

Britain the best of islands, is situated in the Western Ocean between France and Ireland, being eight hundred miles long and two hundred broad. It produces VOL. XI.-4

everything that is useful to man, with a plenty that never fails. It abounds with all kinds of metal, and has plains of large extent, and hills fit for the finest tillage, the richness of whose soil affords variety of fruits in their proper seasons. It has also forests well stored with all kinds of wild beasts; in its lawns cattle find good change of pasture, and bees variety of flowers for honey. Under its lofty mountains lie green meadows pleasantly situated, in which the gentle murmurs of crystal springs gliding along clear channels give those that pass an agreeable invitation to lie down on their banks and slumber. It is likewise well watered with lakes and rivers abounding with fish; and besides the narrow sea which is on the southern coast toward France, there are three noble rivers, stretching out like three arms; namely, the Thames, the Severn, and the Humber.- British History.

EORGE, HENRY, an American political economist; born at Philadelphia, September 2, 1839; died at New York, October 29, 1897. He attended the public schools until 1853, when he went into a counting-room, and then to sea, learning something of printing in the meanwhile. In 1858 he reached California, where he worked as a printer until 1866, when he became a reporter and afterward editor of various papers, among them the San Francisco Times and Post. In August, 1880, he removed to New York. He spent a year in England and Ireland; in 1881 and 1882, where he was twice under arrest as a suspect," but was released upon his identity being established. Mr. George was chiefly known through his addresses and books upon economic questions, in which he attributes the evils of society to the treatment of land as subject to full individual owner

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