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English were all emptied, and the soldiers poured from all quarters to catch a sight of this little band of pa'triots as they passed. They bowed down to them on all sides, and murmured their applause of that virtue, which they could not but revere, even in their enemies.

15. As soon as they had reached the king, he said, " Manny, are these the principal inhabitants of Calais ?" "They are," said Manny, "not only the principal men of Calais, but of France, my liege, if virtue can ennoble them." "Were they delivered peaceably?" said Edward. "They are self delivered, self devoted," said Manny," and come to offer up their inestimable heads as a ransom for thousands."

16. Edward was secretly offended at the praises which Manny so liberally bestowed upon enemies, whose obstinacy had so exasperated him; but, concealing his resentment, he replied, "Experience has ever shown, that lenity only serves to incite the criminal to new crimes, which severity only can effectually punish and restrain.

17. "Go," said the king to an officer, "and lead these men to execution. Your rebellion," continued he, addressing himself to St. Pierre, "is highly aggravated by your present presumption, and contempt of my power." "We have nothing* to ask of your majesty," said Eustace, save what you cannot refuse us." "What is that?" said Edward. "Your esteem, my lord," said Eustace, and went out with his companions.

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18. At this critical instant, the queen arrived with a powerful reënforcement, and Sir Walter flew to inform her majesty of the particulars respecting the six victims. She immediately repaired to the king, and persuaded him, with tears and arguments, to save the lives of those unhappy men. it so," cried Edward, who was convinced of his impolicy; "prevent the execution, and bring them instantly before us."

"Be

19. They came,—when the queen, with an aspect and accent of mildness, thus addressed them: "Natives of France, and inhabitants of Calais, you have put us to vast expense of blood and treasure; but you have, no doubt, acted up to the best of your judgment. We loose your chains, we snatch you from the scaffold, and we thank you for the lesson of humiliation you teach us.

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20. "You have shown us that excellence does not consist

* Pronounced nuth'ing.

in birth or station; that virtue gives a dignity superior to that of kings; and that those, whom the Almighty endows with sentiments like yours, are justly and eminently raised above all human distinctions. We give you freedom, and we offer to your choice the gifts and honours that Edward has to bestow."

21. "Ah, my country," exclaimed St. Pierre," it is now that I tremble for you. Edward could only win your cities, but Philippa conquers hearts." "Brave St. Pierre," said the queen, wherefore look you so dejected?" "Ah, madam," said he, "when I meet with such another opportunity of dying, I shall not regret that I survived this day."

66

ANECDOTE OF MONTESQUIEU.*

A GENTLEMAN, being at Marseilles,t hired a boat, with

an intention of sailing for pleasure. He entered into conversation with the two young men who owned the vessel, and learned that they were not watermen by trade, but silversmiths; and that, when they could be spared from their usual business, they employed themselves in that way to increase their earnings.

2. On expressing his surprise at their conduct, and imputing it, to an avaricious disposition, "Oh, sir," said the young men, "if you knew our reasons, you would ascribe it to a better motive.

3. "Our father, anxious to assist his family, scraped together all he was worth; purchased a vessel for the purpose of trading to the coast of Barbary; but was unfortunately taken by a pirate, carried to Trip'oli, and sold for a slave.

4. "He writes word, that he has luckily fallen into the hands of a master who treats him with great humanity; but that the sum, which is demanded for his ransom, is so exorbitant, that it will be impossible for him ever to raise it. He adds, that we must, therefore, relinquish all hope of ever seeing him again, and be contented that he has as many comforts as his situation will admit.

5. "With the hopes of restoring to his family a beloved father, we are striving, by every honest mean in our power, *Pronounced Mon-tes'cue. + Mar-sales'.

to collect the sum necessary for his ransom; and we are not ashamed to employ ourselves in the occupation of watermen." The gentleman was struck with this account, and, on his departure, made them a handsome present.

6. Some months afterwards, the young men, being at work in their shop, were greatly surprised at the sudden arrival of their father, who threw himself into their arms, exclaiming, at the same time, that he was fearful they had taken some unjust method to raise the money for his ransom; for it was too great a sum for them to have gained by their ordinary occupation.

7. They professed their ignorance of the whole affair, and could only suspect they owed their father's release to that stranger, to whose generosity they had been before so much obliged. After Montesquieu's death, an account of this affair was found among his papers, and the sum actually remitted to Trip'oli for the old man's lansom.

8. It is a pleasure to hear of such an act of benevolence performed even by a person totally unknown to us; but the pleasure is greatly increased, when it proves the union of virtue and talents in an author so renowned as Montesquieu.

THE BENEVOLENT PAIR.

A POOR man and his wife at Vienna, who had six small children, finding themselves unable to support them all, were reduced to the necessity of turning the youngest upon the public. The husband carried it reluctantly to the foundling hospital, deposited it in the basket, which was placed near the gate for the reception of the foundlings, and anxiously waited till the arrival of the inspector, that he might take a farewell view of his child.

2. When the inspector came, at the usual time, to examine the basket, he perceived two children therein. Observing the labourer, who stood at a small distance, he supposed that he had brought them both; and compeiled the poor man, notwithstanding all his protestations to the contrary, to return with two children, instead of one, which was already more. than he knew how to maintain.

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3. His wife, as well as himself, was exceedingly dejected at this increase of their expenses; but, unwilling to expose the little stranger in the street, they determined to use all their endeavours to support themselves and the seven children; and they hoped Providence would assist them.

4. On undressing the child, the woman found a paper sewed to its clothes, containing an order upon a banker for five crowns a month, to be paid to the person who took care of it. The good people were not a little rejoiced at their

happy fortune.

5. But the story being circulated, and coming to the knowledge of the managers of the hospital, they claimed the child as their property. The labourer refused to relinquish it, and was assisted by some persons of distinction.

6. The cause being tried in a court of justice, it was decreed, that, as the foundling hospital had at first declined receiving the child, it of right belonged to the poor man, who had shown such humanity in keeping it, when he was so ill able to afford any additional expense.

THE UNFORTUNATE PHILANTHROPIST.

IN the year 1775, a ship, lying at anchor in Table Bay,

at the Cape of Good Hope, was driven on shore in a violent storm, and the crew reduced to the utmost distress and danger. Their cries for assistance were distinctly heard by the inhabitants; but at first there appeared no prospect of relief from any quarter.

2. The swell of the sea, which broke over the ship with the greatest violence, made it impossible for them to save themselves in boats, and highly dangerous to attempt it by swimming. Some of those, who ventured to swim to the shore, were thrown against the rocks, and dashed to pieces; others, as soon as they had arrived at the shore, were carried back by another wave, and drowned.

3. A Dutchman, by the name of VOLTEMAD, who happened to be a spectator of this distressing scene, was touched with compassion of so noble a kind, and at the same time so operative, that, mounting a high-spirited horse, he swam

him over to the ship, encouraged some of the crew to lay hold of the end of a rope, which he threw out to them for that purpose, and others to fasten themselves to the horse's tail; then turned about, and carried them safe on shore.

4. This animal's natural aptness for swimming, the great size of his body, the firmness and strength of his limbs, prevented him from being easily overpowered by the swell of the sea. But, unfortunately, this generous and active veteran himself became a victim to death.

5. Fourteen young persons he had actually saved; and, while endeavouring to preserve more than it was possible for him to do in so short a time, he and his horse were both drowned. The occasion of this was as follows.

6. After the seventh turn, having staid a little longer than usual to rest himself, the poor wretches on board were afraid that he did not intend to return; for this reason, being impatient, they redoubled their prayers and cries for assistance, upon which, his tenderest feelings being wrought upon, he again hastened to their relief ere his horse was suf ficiently rested.

7. The poor animal, almost spent, now sunk the sooner under his burthen, inasmuch as too many sought to be saved at one time; and one of them, as it was thought, happened unluckily to catch hold of, the horse's bridle, and by that mean drew his head under water.

8. This bold and enterprising philanthropist commands our esteem and admiration the more, as he had put himself into this danger for the relief of others, without himself being able to swim. The Dutch East India company caused a monument to be erected to the memory of this unfortunate philanthropist.

ST. PAUL'S SPEECH BEFORE KING AGRIppa.

I THINK myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall

answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews; especially as I know

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