In this journey Alfred once entered the cottage of a swine-herd, who, perceiving that he wished to hide him self, inquired who he was. Alfred dared not tell the man who he really was, lest he should inform the Danes; theretore he was obliged to deceive him by saying, that he was an attendant on king Alfred, who had fled from battle, and who wanted to be concealed. Alfred was doubtless unwilling to do this, for among his virtues a constant regard for truth distinguished him-so much was he celebrated for this excellent habit, that an historian who lived two cen· turies after him, called him " Alfred the truth teller." The good peasant feeling compassion for him, and little suspecting who it was he was protecting, gave him shelter, and made him welcome to his own comforts, and Alfred in his turn endeavored to make himself useful to his benefactor. One day, when the swine-herd was abroad with his charge, his wife put her cakes on the hearth to bake, and desired Alfred, who sat by the fire, trimming his bow and arrows, to take care of the cakes while she attended to her other business. But Alfred was just then thinking too much of his own affairs to watch the bread, and when his hostess returned, she found it so burnt that it could not be eaten. She was very angry with the soldier, and scolded him heartily, telling him, that though he was very willing to eat her bread, he would not even turn it from the fire to prevent its being spoiled. This was very provoking to Alfred, but he had the good sense to make no reply, and immediately offered to do better, if the angry woman would give him some more cakes, which she accordingly did, and he baked them to please her. Soon after his residence at the swine-herd's, Alfred discovered another asylum from his enemies. It was a few acres of firm ground near the confluence of two small rivers, the Thone and the Parret. This little island contained a wood, and abounded in stags and goats, and there was no approach to it but in small vessels. In the month of March, Who received Alfred in his disguise? How did Alfred employ himself in the swine-herd's cottage? Where was Alfred's next asylum? Alfred heard of the death of Hubba, one of the most powerful and dreaded of the Danish chiefs. At the same time he found means to collect about him some of his faithful subjects, to whom he proposed to accompany him to the island, which he intended to fortify, and afterwards to reside in with his family. This place is now called Athelney. By the aid of his followers, Alfred completed this plan, and was soon joined by many of his dispersed friends When the number of this little band was sufficient, they began to make excursions against the Danes, and although they were not always successful, they were enough so to alarm the enemy. Alfred and his followers were furnished with provisions during their stay at the island, by the spoils taken from the Danes, and by hunting and fishing; but the stock thus obtained was not always abundant. After Alfred had meditated for some time an attempt to attack the Danes, he ventured in the disguise of a harper, to approach the tent of Guthrum, a Danish chief; he contrived to enter and to divert the Danes for several days with music and poetry. There he had an opportunity of learning that the Danes were not acquainted with the power of the English, and that they were unprepared for battle with them. The carelessness of his enemies enabled Alfred to give information of his place of concealment, and of his plans, to many of his brave and afflicted subjects, who had for a long time been ignorant of their master's safety. They heard the news with gladness, readily flocked to Alfred, and joined him in his march against the Danes. This enterprise was conducted with so much discretion and expedition, that Alfred surprised the Danes, who, in their surprise and terror, made some opposition, but afterwards fled before the king. Alfred, however, pursued, and surrounded his enemies; they were thus deprived of provisions, and after fourteen days of fatigue and hunger, they implored the mercy of the conqueror. Some lives were lost in Alfred's attack upon the Danes Did Alfred's friends come to his ail? Did Alfred visit the Danish camp? Did Alfred take advantage of the carelessness of the Danes? How did Alfred treat the Danes? but when the army acknowledged themselves conquered Alfred formed a benevolent design to make them good and happy. He offered to become their protector and friend if they would become Christians, and would promise to assist him against any other Danes who should attack his subjects, and he promised them a portion of land to cultivate and live upon. Guthrum accepted Alfred's proposal, and he and his followers were baptized. Guthrum remained with Alfred twelve days as a guest, and then, after receiving presents from the king, departed for the place allotted to him. Here he and his soldiers became peaceable and useful citizens: exchanging their swords for plough-shares, and leaving the business of destruction, they learned to promote their own and other's prosperity and happiness. Alfred did not claim all England as his kingdom. Some parts of the country were governed by other princes, and the generous Alfred conferred a portion of the island which fell into his hands by the conquest of the Danes, on a prince named Ethelred, who married his daughter Ethelfleda. Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred, was the first Saxon monarch of all England. After Alfred had obtained peace, he employed himself in all the useful works in his power. He rebuilt towns and castles which had been destroyed, erected forts, and stationed a number of armed ships along the coast of Eng land, to prevent the landing of enemies from the neighboring continent of Europe. These ships were the beginuing of the British navy. Alfred had great need of armed ships, for the Danes, after the defeat of Guthrum, still persevered in their attempts upon England. Hastings, a daring and experienced Danish chief, presumed that his countrymen in England would take part with him, if he should attack that country after the death of Guthrum, who always continued faithful to his engagement with Alfred. Hastings sent 250 ships tc one place, and 80 to another. Did the Danes become quiet sub'ects of Alfred? Did Alfred govern all England? Did Alfred improve his kingdom? Who was Hastings? What became of Hastings? twenty miles distant from the former, and he landed troops in both without difficulty; and thus commencel a new war which tried the skill and patience of Alfred for three years. Hastings, at length, worn out by unfortunate attempts, retreated with all his army from England, and left the nation at peace. Alfred reigned prosperously fifteen years, from the first defeat to the last invasion of the Danes, and after their last expulsion he lived four years. On the 28th of October, this excellent prince died, in the fifty-third year of his age, and the thirtieth of his reign. Alfred was so much pleased with his own acquirements that he wished all his people, who could, to possess the same knowledge. On this account he was anxious that the books written in Latin, which contained what it is desirable that all men should know, should be translated into English, "that all the youth in England, who are free, and those that have wealth, may be committed to learning, that they may apply to no other duty till they first learn to read English writing. Let them further learn the Latin language who will advance to a higher state." To promote this benevolent design he established school's in all parts of his kingdom, to which all freemen, possessing two acres of land, were enjoined by law to send their children. He gave places in the church, or under the government, to those only who had made some progress in learning. Engaged as he was in frequent wars, and in affairs of government, he gained more knowledge, and composed more books, than most men who have devoted their lives to study. Alfred was happy in being surrounded by intelligent and amiable children. Two sons and three daughters survived him. His son Edward succeeded him as king, and his daughter Ethelfleda was accounted the wisest woman in England. Alfred's last instructions to his son and successor, deserve to be remembered, and with them will be concluded this brief history of one of the best and wisest men that ever lived. When did Alfred die? Did Alfred honor learning? How did Alfred promote learning? Was Alfred happy in his domestic relations' Be thou the chil My dear son, sit thou now beside me, and I will deli ver thee true instruction. My son, I feel that my hour is coming. My days are almost done. We must now part I shall go to another world, and thou wilt be left in all my wealth. I pray thee, (for thou art my dear child,) strive to be a father and a lord to thy peuple. dren's father and the widow's friend. Comfort thou the poor, and shelter the weak; and with all thy might, right that which is wrong. And, son, govern thyself, by law, then shall the Lord love thec, and God, above all things, be thy reward. Call thou upon him to counsel thee in thy need, and so shall he help thee the better to compass what thou wouldst have." + The state of society under the Saxons appears to have been extremely rude till the age of Alfred, who enlarged his views of the true happiness and glory of mankind by observation of the better condition of men at that time in France and Italy. The inhabitants of monasteries were the only persons who thought much of cultivating their minds, and many of them were unable to read and write, others, however, were better informed. The more intelligent of the monks recorded the history of the times, and from their histories, we obtain the facts which are related in modern history. Among the older British historians, was one called the venerable Bede, who is honored for his fidelity of description. Coined money was not in use among the English at that time. Things were bought and sold in the way of barter or exchange; and rents, till long afterwards, were paid in corn and cattle, instead of money. The Romans made use of money as we do; and though it is so long since they left the island, people to this day find their coins, and the more frequently because they had a custom of burying money with the dead. What advice did Alfred give his son? What was the state of society in England under the Saxons? What money was used by the Saxons and Romans? |