France like that hero. He had probably too much good sense to let his understanding be misled by such a foolish prognostic: yet it is certain that he indulged himself in many visionary schemes of future prowess; and he employed some persons to take an exact survey of the strength and condition of the fortified places in France. He also showed great interest in every thing relating to sea affairs, and went several times to Chatham, to examine and learn all he could about shipping. He loved to investigate and thoroughly understand every subject, and was never satisfied unless he could do every thing well that he undertook to do. One of the most admirable qualities of this extraordinary young man was his diligence. He never suffered himself to be idle.

Mary. What made him die so young?

Mrs. M. That which has caused the early death of many an ardent high-spirited youth: a too great confidence in his own health and strength. He brought on a fever by over-fatiguing himself; and when he was so languid from disease that it was a misery to him to move, he would not forego any of his accustomed duties and exercises, till at last he became so ill as to be unable to rise from his bed. The ignorance of his physicians completed what his own imprudence had begun; for, instead of ordering him the proper regimen for a fever, they dosed him with rich cordials till they killed him.

Mary. What became of that lady whom sir Walter Raleigh wanted to make queen ?

Mrs. M. You mean lady Arabella Stuart, whose story is a very melancholy one. It was her misfortune to be great-great-grand-daughter to Henry VII.; for being, after Mary queen of Scots and her son, nearest in relationship to the throne, she was an object of jealousy to both Elizabeth and James. James, however, when he came to the crown of England, behaved kindly to her as long as she remained unmarried. At last she married a Mr. Seymour. For this offence both Mr. Seymour and she were imprisoned. Though confined in different prisons, they both of them contrived to make their escape at the same time, and hoped to join each other in some place of refuge abroad. Mr. Seymour was so fortunate as to get safely into Flanders; but poor lady Arabella was retaken in Calais road, and brought back. This renewal of her captivity preyed so much upon her mind as to deprive her of her senses. She never recovered them again, and died in a few years. Some of her letters have been preserved, which show her to have been an amiable woman, naturally of a cheerful temper, and very far from having any ambition to be a queen.

Richard. I cannot exactly make out how she was next heir to the crown.

1

Mrs. M. The shortest way to explain that to

you will be to make a little table of the Tudor

family.

Henry VIII., father of Edward VI., Mary, and Eliza

beth;

HENRY Margaret, married, first, James IV. of Scotland; secondly, Douglas earl of Angus. She was mother of James V. and of Margaret Douglas;

the Seventh's children.

HENRY

the

Seventh's

grand

children.

Mary, married, first, Louis XII.; secondly, Brandon duke of Suffolk; and was mother of Margaret lady Dorset.

(Edward VI.;

Mary;

Elizabeth;

James V., father of Mary queen of Scotland;

Margaret Douglas, mother of Henry Darnley, and of
Charles Stuart, who was father of lady Arabella
Stuart;

Margaret Brandon, married Grey earl of Dorset, and
was mother of lady Jane Grey, and of two other
daughters.

PRINCE HENRY.

A gentleman and lady of the time of Charles the First.

CHARLES was in the twenty-fifth year of his age when he ascended the throne. His features were regular, and he would have been handsome, if it had not been for the melancholy cast of his countenance. His deportment was exceedingly dignified, though, during the early part of his life, it was somewhat ungracious from its too great stateliness and formality; but this wore off as he grew older.

In the morality and regularity of his conduct he set a good example to his court and people he was moderate in all his habits and his expenses, humane and gentle in his disposition, was a man of kind affections, and a most tender husband and father. His mind was highly cultivated, and he had extraordinary talents for reasoning and argument; but, through his indecision of character, he seldom acted as wisely as he could talk, and was often swayed by the counsels of men of far inferior capacity. His temper was somewhat hasty, but he was generous and forgiving. With all his many fine and good qualities, he had unfortunately imbibed some prejudices of education that proved fatal to him as a king. He had too high an idea of his royal prerogative, and, with every desire to do right, had not the smallest notion of the true principles of government or policy.

From the very commencement of the new reign much popular dissatisfaction prevailed, chiefly because the king surrendered himself entirely to the control of Buckingham, who, implacable in his hatreds, fickle in his friendships, imperious and grasping in his desires, was regarded with universal dislike.

The king's marriage with Henrietta Maria, sister to the king of France, was also very displeasing to the people, principally because she was a Papist, and their religious feelings were shocked at her being allowed to exercise publicly her own form