Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

to India-His reforms-Mutiny amongst the officersDecisive measures of Clive-Effect of his policy in India -His final return to England-Death-Character.

VIII. John Howard.

Preliminary remarks upon the advantages that have resulted to the human race from the philanthrophic efforts of individuals-Examples-Howard-Amiable disposition-Piety-Circumstances-Health-Captured by the French on a voyage to Lisbon-Imprisonment in France-Return to England-Domestic life-Sheriffdom of Bedford-Sketch of the state of prisons in England in the time of Howard-Jail fever-Howard's exertions in favour of the prisoner-His philanthropic tours in Britain and Ireland-Parliament acts upon his reports -His continental tours and their object-His death -Character-Consequences of his noble exertions in the cause of humanity-Mrs Fry a praiseworthy imitator. IX.-Oliver Goldsmith.

His birth-Education-Dublin College-Edinburgh University-Removal to Leyden-His tour on foot through Flanders, France, Switzerland, and Italy-He returns to England-Engages as usher in a schoolAdopts the profession of an author-Conducts a department of the Monthly Review-His intimacy with Johnson-His various works-His death and characterContrast between his writings and his conversation— His improvidence-His difficulties.

X.-Horatio Nelson.

His early years-Midshipman at twelve-Accompanies Commodore Phipps in an expedition to the North Pole-Rises to the rank of Post Captain-Distinguishes himself on the American station-Appointed Commander of the Agamemnon-Joins Lord Hood in the Mediterranean-Loses an eye at the siege of Calvi -Gallantry in the battle off Cape St Vincent-Made a Knight of the Bath and Rear-Admiral of the Blue-The

attack on Santa Cruz-Amputation of his right arm— Action in the Bay of Aboukir-Honours conferred on him-Copenhagen-Trafalgar-Estimate of his char

acter.

XI.-Sir Humphrey Davy.

Origin of Chemistry - Alchymy-Boerhaave the founder of philosophical chemistry-Black-PriestleyCavendish-Davy-His early taste for chemistry-His introduction to Dr Beddoes-Superintends the Pneumatic Institution of Bristol-His discoveries-Publishes the "Chemical and Philosophical Researches"-Appointed Lecturer on Chemistry at the Royal Institution-His extraordinary success as a lecturer-Obtains the prize of the French Institute in 1810-Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry-Discovery of the Safety Lamp-His various works-His character-Effects of his discoveries on the Science of Chemistry.

XII.-Admiral Blake.

Born at Bridgewater-Circumstances-Education— Attaches himself to the Puritan party-Member of Parliament for Bridgewater in 1640-Serves in the Parliamentary army-Is appointed to the joint command of the fleet in 1649-Destroys Prince Rupert's fleet-Warden of the Cinque Ports-Sole admiral in 1652-War with the Dutch-The broom-The three days' fight-The Protectorate-Blake's address to his officers-Reception by Cromwell-Sent to the Mediterranean-Exploits-Sickness-Expires in sight of England-His character-Introduction of a new era in Naval Tactics.

EXERCISES.

1. Henry IV. 2. Queen Elizabeth. 3. Peter the Great. 4. Alexander the Great. 5. Washington. 6. Demosthenes. 7. Sir Walter Raleigh. 8. Marlborough. 9. Chatham. 10. Cardinal Wolsey. 11. Shakspere. 12. John Knox. 13. Cowper. 14. Johnson. 15. Franklin. 16. Melancthon. 17. Mungo Park. 18. Captain Cook. 19. Lord Bacon. hua Reynolds.

SECTION IV.

HISTORICAL EXERCISES.

1. Write a short account of the following subjects connected with English History.

MODEL.

The Wars of the Roses.

The contest between the houses of York and Lancaster may be traced to its origin in the deposition of Richard II. by his cousin the Duke of Lancaster, who afterwards assumed the crown with the title of Henry the Fourth. By this act of usurpation, the nearest heir to the throne was excluded from the succession ; and it was the attempts of his descendants to overthrow the Lancastrian dynasty, sixty years after it had been established, that produced the Wars of the Roses. They were so termed from the White Rose being worn by the partisans of York, and the Red by those of Lancaster.

The vigour and ability of Henry the Fourth had enabled him to maintain his position against all the endeavours of his enemies; and he had transmitted the crown to his son Henry the Fifth, whose military glory rendered him the idol of the English nation. That warrior was succeeded on his death by his son Henry the Sixth, then only nine months old; and it was during his minority that those dissensions arose which at length kindled into a civil war. The nobles intrusted with the government, uncontrolled by the personal authority of the sovereign, were continually struggling with each other for supremacy; and, when Henry arrived at the years of maturity, it soon appeared that he was incapable of keeping them in due subjection. His character was naturally timid and feeble; and he was subject, besides, to such attacks of bodily and mental infirmity, as frequently incapacitated

him from taking any part in public affairs-a circumstance which tended to perpetuate the rivalry and intrigue that had originated during his nonage. It was in this state of matters that Richard, Duke of York, conceived the idea of claiming the succession to the throne. As the lineal descendant of the Earl of March, the true heir of Richard II., his title, he alleged, was superior to that of the reigning prince; and his pretensions formed a rallying point for those noblemen who were at enmity with the favourites of the court. The Earl of Salisbury and his son Warwick, who exercised such an influence on the events of the struggle as to obtain the name of King-maker, were his principal supporters.

Aware, however, of the danger that might attend a rash declaration of his views, which had been disclosed only to his most intimate associates, York was at first careful to dissemble his real designs. In 1452 he collected his adherents, and appeared at the head of an army; but, being followed by the king, who demanded an explanation of his conduct, he professed the most sincere loyalty to his sovereign, and asserted that he had only taken up arms to protect himself from his enemies, who, he complained, had made various attempts to arrest him for treason. The king accepted his excuse, and promised to redress his alleged grievances; whereupon the Duke dismissed his followers, and he was permitted to retire to his estate.

Had the feeble monarch been the only obstacle to the wishes of York, they might soon have been crowned with success; but a most formidable opponent to his designs existed in the person of Margaret of Anjou, the consort of Henry, a woman of a most energetic and resolute character, and the soul of the Lancastrian party. The interests of her son Edward, the young Prince of Wales, were involved in the struggle; and she contended for them with a courage that proved equal to the most trying emergencies, and an inflexibility of purpose that no climax of adversity could subdue. These

rare and noble qualities, however, were united to a cruelty of disposition that was a stranger to pity, and a spirit of vengeance that was restrained by no bounds.

The ill health of Henry, which for a time rendered him incapable of business, recalled York from his retreat; and, in the struggle for parliamentary power that ensued between the parties, he succeeded in obtaining the office of Protector during the king's illness. Shortly after the recovery of Henry, and the consequent dismissal of York, we find that ambitious nobleman and his adherents again in arms. In 1455 the rival factions met at St Albans, where, for the first time, they measured their strength in battle. York was victorious, and took the king prisoner; but he did not yet think it politic to avow openly his design of laying claim to the crown. He alleged, as before, that he had merely taken up arms to defend himself against the machinations of his enemies, the favourites of the court; and Henry had no remedy but to feign belief in the statement. Shortly afterwards, York was again made Protector, under the same circumstances as before, and again resigned his office on the recovery of Henry. Retiring to his estate at Wigmore in Shropshire, he remained there in privacy for two years.

During this interval, however, each party was silently exerting itself to gain adherents; and the question was now becoming of such importance and of such general interest, that almost every individual had taken a side. Those who attached themselves to the cause of York believed him oppressed by the court; while the Lancastrians regarded him as an ambitious traitor, whose pretensions were to be crushed, as dangerous to the peace of the realm. The king earnestly endeavoured to effect a reconciliation between the leaders of both parties; and they, affecting to acquiesce in his wishes, repaired with their retainers to London. In March 1458, Henry, with his whole court, walked in procession to St Paul's, the queen being conducted by the Duke of York, and the noblemen of each party,

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »