to betray them, they one day refused him entrance. He complained to the sheriff (1) of the county; and the chiefs of the violent party, who were deeply indebted to (2) the Jews, uniting with him, orders were issued to attack the castle. The cruel multitude, joined with the soldiery (3), showed such a desire of slaughtering (4) those they intended to despoil (5), that the sheriff, repenting of the order he had given, revoked it, but in vain; fanaticism and robbery once let loose (6), will satiate their appetency for blood and plunder. They solicited the aid of the superior citizens, who humanely refused it; and instead of assisting them, they addressed the clergy (the barbarous clergy of those days), and were by them animated and conducted to the attack. The Jews, after having resisted as long as they were able, and perceiving they must soon be in the power of their enemies, called a council to consider what remained to be done in the extremity of danger. Among them, their elder Rabbin is always highly respected. It is customary with this people to invite a foreigner renowned for the depth (7) of his learning and the sanctity of his manners, to fill this important situation. At this time the Haham or elder

(1) Sheriff, préfet.

(2) Were deeply indebted to, etc., devaient beaucoup aux, etc. (3) Soldiery, militaire, soldatesque.

(4) To slaughter, égorger. Les Anglais appellent slaughterhouses leurs abattoirs.

(5) To despoil, dépouiller.
(6) To let loose, lâcher.
(7) Depth, profondeur.

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Rabbin was a foreigner who had been sent them to instruct them in their laws, and was a person of no ordinary qualifications.

When the Jewish council was assembled, the Haham rose, and addressed them in this manner : "Men of Israel! the God of our ancestors is omniscient, and there is no one who can say: Why doest (1) thou this? This day he commands us to die for his law; for that law which we have cherished from the first hour it was given, which we have preserved pure, throughout our captivity in all nations; and for which, for (2) the many consolations it has given us, and the eternal hope it communicates, can we do less than die? Posterity shall behold (5) this book of truth, sealed (4) with our blood; and our death, which, while it displays our sincerity, shall impart confidence to the wanderer (5) of Israel. Death is before our eyes; and we have only to choose an honourable and easy one. If we fall into the hands of our enemies, from which you know we cannot escape, our death will be ignominious and cruel; for these Christians, who picture the spirit of God

(1) Doest ou dost, seconde personne du singulier du présent de l'indicatif du verbe to do, faire. Les Anglais, quoiqu'ils ne se tutoient pas entre eux, emploient la seconde personne du singulier quand ils s'adressent à Dieu.

(2) For, pour, par rapport à, pour prouver notre reconnaissance.

(3) To behold, contempler.

(4) Sealed, scellé.

(5) Wanderer, homme errant.

in a dove, and confide in the meek Jesus, are athirst (1) for our blood, and prowl (2) around the castle like wolves. It is therefore my advice that we elude their tortures, that we ourselves should be our own executioners; and that we voluntarily surrender our lives to our Creator. We trace the invisible Jehovah in his acts; God seems to call for us, but let us not be unworthy of that call. Suicide on occasions like the present, is both rational (3) and lawful (4); we have many examples among our forefathers (5): they have acted on similar occasions, as I now advise yon, men of Israel ! After this heroic and touching address, the old man sat down-and wept.

The assembly was divided in their opinions. Men of fortitude applauded the advice, but the pusillanimous murmured that it was a dreadful counsel.

Again the venerable Rabbin rose and spoke the following words in a firm and decisive tone. "My children! since we are not unanimous in our opinions, let those who do not approve of my advice depart from this assembly. Some departed, but the greater number attached themselves to their venerable priest.

They now employed themselves in consuming their valuables (6) by fire; and every man, fearful of trust

(1) Athirst ou thirsty, altéré.

(2) To prowl, rôder.

(3) Rational, raisonnable.

(4) Lawful, légal.

(5) Forefathers, ancêtres.

(6) Their valuables, leurs choses précieuses.

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ing (1) the act of self-destruction to the timid and irresolute hands of the women, first sacrificed his wife and children, and then himself. Jocenus and the Rabbin alone remained. Their lives were protracted to the last, that they might see every thing performed according to their orders. Jocenus, being the next (2) in dignity after the Rabbin, was distinguished by the last mark of human respect, in receiving his death from the consecrated hand of the aged Haham, who immediately after performed the melancholy duty on himself, and thus consummated this memorable and glorious sacrifice, caused by intolerance and superstition.

All this was transacted in the night. In the morning, the walls of the castle were enveloped in flames, and the few miserable beings whose courage had not been equal to the task of self-destruction were seen on the battlements (3) pointing to (4) the dead bodies of their heroic brethren (5). The prediction of their late venerable Rabbin was soon verified; for no sooner were the gates of the castle opened, than the multitude bursting through the solitary courts, and finding themselves defrauded (6) of their hopes of plunder, in a moment avenged themselves on the feeble wretches (7) who knew not how to die with honour. History informs us that

(1) To trust, confier, se fier.

(2) The next, le suivant.

(3) Battlements, créneaux.

(4) To point to, montrer du doigt.

(5) Brethren, frères, fraternité, confrères.

(6) Defrauded, trompé.

(7) Wretches, malheureux.

not less than five hundred were self-immolated on this

melancholy occasion.

MASSACRE AT THE CORONATION OF WILLIAM I.
AT LONDON.

William I. may be said to have been crowned in character of a conqueror. Christmas-day 1066 being appointed for his coronation, at Westminster, he was sur. rounded by his Norman Barons, and a full attendance (1) of the English nobles and prelates. - Aldred, archbishop of York, then put the questions of the recognition (2) to his new subjects, and the bishop of Constance, who was in his train, to the Normans.

The assent of both nations was given with loud acclamation. So boisterous indeed was their loyalty at this part of the ceremony, that the Norman soldiers of William, who were on the outside of the Abbey church, affected to consider the shouts as the signal of insurrection, and immediately set fire to the houses of the neighbourhood (a singular remedy for a riot), and began the work of plunder, to the great mortification of the king. All now became confusion in the interior of the Abbey : the Norman Barons prepared for battle; the native nobles regarded themselves as victims selected for slaughter, and the king is said to have been left alone with the ecclesiastics to conclude the ceremony.

(1) Full attendance, une grande ou nombreuse suite. (2) Questions of recognition, questions de confirmation, pour demander si on le reconnaissait pour roi.