having been twice to Rome, and once to Paris, where he stayed some time with his father; and as he was an observing, clever boy, he learnt much, no doubt, in foreign countries, which he afterwards turned to good account in his own.

But at this age he had not even learnt his letters, and did not show any great inclination for study, till one day, his step-mother, queen Judith, an accomplished and good lady, showed him and his brothers a book of Saxon poetry, with very beautiful pictures in it, and promised to give it to the first who should be able to read it. The other boys paid no particular attention to what she said, but Alfred immediately set about learning to read, and in a reasonable time was able to claim the promised reward. The next book he read was a selection from the Psalms, and some prayers for daily use; it also contained some blank leaves in which he was accustomed to write any observations he made worth remembering; and this book he always carried about with him all the rest of his life; and undoubtedly found it full of comfort and strength to him when he became a wanderer in his own kingdom, and, like David, fled before his foes. In addition to this learning, Alfred became an excellent Latin scholar, and well acquainted with Greek.

ALFRED IN THE COWHERD'S COTTAGE.

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He was also a good performer on the harp, the most common musical instrument of the time. In this, as in many other circumstances of the early part of his reign, we are reminded of David, "the sweet psalmist of Israel." At the age of twenty-two he ascended the throne; and in the very first year of his reign had to fight in nine desperate battles against the Danes. At length, in the second year, they obtained possession of almost the whole of the country, and Alfred was obliged to seek shelter, disguised as a peasant, in a place called Ethelingay, or Athelney, in Somersetshire; an island formed by the junction of two rivers, and partly covered with a wood, at that time abounding with goats and deer. In this retired spot Alfred remained several months in the hut of a poor cowherd, employing himself in aiding in the family occupations; and devoting his leisure hours to devising means for the liberation of his unhappy country.

A tale is told of him while here, so generally known, that were I not writing for very young readers, I should pass it over without notice, but it may be new to them. The wife of the cowherd was, although a kind-hearted woman, rather cross occasionally. One day, when she had to leave home, she entrusted Alfred, of whose rank she was ignorant, with the care

of watching some cakes, which were toasting before the fire, desiring him to turn them as soon as they became brown. Alfred sat by the fire, trimming his bow and arrows, and in deep thought about his kingdom, quite forgot the cakes, till the good woman came home, and found them burnt to a cinder. Mrs. Cowherd was in a dreadful passion, and gave him a thorough scolding, telling him that he was a lazy fellow, who could eat cakes fast enough, but would not take the trouble of watching them; and the story goes on to say, that "the king listened in silence, and baked the cakes carefully in future." Here we see the fruit of his frequent reading the selection from the Psalms : perhaps that very morning he had read, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep Thou the door of my lips." (Ps. cxli. 3.) And when you, dear children, are addressed with words of harshness and unkindness, bear in mind this, and the apostle Peter's counsel. (1 Pet. iii. 8-10.)

The husband of this angry woman was a man of such great ability that, afterwards, when Alfred was again in prosperity, he sent for him, and had him properly instructed, so that he was enabled to enter the church; and he died bishop of Winchester.

After remaining several months in the friendly

ALFRED'S SKILL IN MUSIC.

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concealment of the cowherd's hut, Alfred's friends began to gather around him in considerable numbers, and fortified the island; making a rough kind of drawbridge over the narrowest part of the river, so that they could take advantage of whatever opportunities occurred of harassing the Danes. His wife and children had joined him too, and this must have been a great comfort to him. In one of these engagements with the Danes, their raven-standard was taken from them, and as they had held it in superstitious reverence, believing that they could not be conquered while it remained in their possession, the loss of it greatly dispirited them.

After this, Alfred's skill in music became very useful to him in a way he could not have foreseen when he took pains to learn it: and so it often happens with every kind of knowledge, however dull and dry it may seem to little people to be obliged to stay within and learn, instead of playing about in the fields or garden. Nothing really valuable can be learnt without labour. Aunt Anne knows that the art of music often gives much trouble to young persons; but when acquired, how valuable it is. How it elevates the mind and feelings, and how delightful for the members of a family to sing together

the praises of God, and thus to commence the occupation of heaven, where angels cease not day and night, with their voices and their harps, singing a new song before the throne.

It was necessary, before venturing upon any open attack of the Danes, to make out their numbers, position, and strength; and there was much difficulty in such an undertaking. So Alfred generously determined to take the danger on himself, rather than expose any of his faithful followers. He disguised himself as a wandering minstrel, carrying his harp on his back, and so went into the very camp of the Danes, and even into the tent of Guthrum, their chief. They were delighted to hear him sing and play, and kept him several days among them. Alfred observed that they passed their time in idleness and luxury, keeping very little watch, being convinced that the Saxons were too thoroughly subdued ever to venture upon any further efforts for their freedom. When he had found out all he wanted to know, Alfred left the camp, and returned to his island-fort, happy that the time was come at length when he might hope for the deliverance of his country.

Stealthily then the various bands of Saxons gathered together from different quarters, and assembled