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WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. > TORONTO: WILLIAM BRIG(;s. WKSLKV l;UILDI\(;s. C. W. COATliS, Montreal, Que. s. F. HUESTIS, Halifax. X.S. 1S96. Asrlc„l.„ro. ' ' ' "'" ''""■"'• " '"« l-larUntn. of A WORD FOR THE GROWNUP PEOPLE. **.' My idoa is to croate nn inU'rest in English History in tlie minds of young people, and induce tlu-ni to search for themselves in other and better works on this subject; at the same time giving them a thought of the character and person .... - 'JO Hk\K\ TIIK FlKST . ._M StKI'MKN, TIIK, rsiKI'KK . ._>4 HkNKV TIIK SK((»M» . . -27 KlCMAKI) TIIK KiKST ... - '2U .I..IIN ...... . . .{.{ HksKV TIIK 'rillKD - ... -ri KmWAKIi TIIK FlKST . - • - • 37 KliW AKM TIIK Sk<'»)N|> .... ■ • 39 Kl)\VAKIt THE TlllKli - • 41 lil( II \KI) TIIK Skconi. - - - • . 46 IIknKV TIIK KmIKTII - . . . . . . . 49 HkNKV TIIK Fiktii - 53 IIknuv TIIK Sixth .... • • - 68 EuwAKi) tmk Foikth .63 Edw.vrd the Fifth qq Rl( HARD THK ThIKI) - - 68 Hknry the Seventh -3 Henry the Eiuiith j- CONTEXTS. Ei)\v.\Rn TMK Si\Tir ' " • - . M.AKV Kmzahetii tllARLES THE FlRST . ThK COMMONWKA.M'H— (>, . .. . . , JiKirAun Ckomw KM, . CHAKKKS TIfK SKCON-r) James the Second WiM.iAM AM) Mary Anne - . . (tEOR(;K THE FlUST ... Ge(>K(;e THE Second . (»EOK(;k the 'JuiKt) - . . <^iEOR(;E THE P^MKTH - William the Fockth ... v^ictokia The End - . . " " Paob 85 - 87 91 - 99 1U5 - 113 121 - 122 128 131 137 - 141 nr> lol lo8 1(57 171 177 Paok 8.-) • 87 91 - 99 105 - 113 121 - 122 128 131 137 141 14.1 l.-)l 1,"58 1(57 171 177 Alkuki) the (Jkkat. ;| I R H Y M E S OF TIIK KLNGS AND QUEENS 01' ENGLAND. AIJ'l{i:i) THH CliEAT. lioKN at Wantage, Berks, 849. Took Lon.lo,. f,„,n the Danes a„.l .In.ve then, to their ships, after a ten years war. Ke .livi to MiitiMa of Flaiideis, a (lescciularU of Alfrrtl the (Jieat, iMo-J. Ckownki) Decenilier ■Jr)tli, lodd. Instituted the Curfi-w bell, iiiul made severe game laws. It was death to kill a stag ill the roval forests. FiKUCE William, who vtinw in hlood, storm and rough weather, And loved the tall red deer ))etter than men, Was the first king who ruled all England together, And made his power felt in hamlet and glen. "Conqueror" we call him ; he ruled in a passion. Planting great forests and hui'ning down towns ; When the king's curfew rang out in rude fashion. The clergy and people shook under their gowns. Pop out the candle, and cover the ember, For Old England (juaked at hoi- liege and lord ; And gentle and simple had wrongs to remember. And grudges against him for tire and for sword. William "The Conqueror." WILL/AM " 77//:" COyoUEROK." 19 "a. Me built HattN' Aliix'v, and churches and crosses. And onlered that masses he sun<,' for liis soul ; Expressed no regret for his land and its losses, Yet was tljought to have njade a good end on the wliole. DiKi) at r^HM'ii, Se|»lt'iiiltor Otli, 10S8, aged 63. Hi'KiKi) at Cacii, Fiance. See Diokens' acioiiiit of the J)attle of Hastings. Curfew, Couvre-feu, ok Fire Extinguisher. WILLIAM TIIK SECOND. CALLKD "RUFUS."' H(.KN 106(». Ckownku Sopteinltor 27tli, 10H8. Never luarried. KiN(i lluFUS came next, and was sliot hy an arrow, A-hunting in the forest with his merry men ; He fell where his father caused curses and sorrow, And died like a stag in a wild lonely glen. England's bachelor king, whom the clergy detested, A rough and bold man, without scruple or fear, Who, when others trembled, laughed loudly, and jested, His wild spirits rising when danger was near. Died August 1st, 1100, aged 40. Buried in Winchester Cathedral. For further study see Dickena' "Child's History, N D. AN(;l,(t-N(ii;M.\.N Cai's aM' S lldKS. r an arrow, ' men ; id sorrow, jlen. y detested, le or fear, idly, and jested, as near. History. AN(;I,(t-N(»K.MAN DliKSSES. ; t lTi:\K»V THK FIRST. CALLKl) "I'.KArCLKHC." lioUN HKi7. ChownkI) Au^^usi 5tli, IIOo. Makuiki) KiiHt, til Matilda, ilaii>{lit('i' KST. I of the White iin. STEniEN, THE USURPER. HOUSK OF liLOIS. Son , Ai»(l s|)il(» of hattlcs, i-ursos, frowns and tears, Sturdily held that which was not liis own, And ruK'd Old England nearly twenty years. Weai-in^ the crown with i^^allantry and grace, Lawless, but courteous, in his strength and might. And s(>eniing most in [ilace when out of place, Tn keeping poor Matilda from her right. Sole king of all his ivice, he stands alone ; And when liis stormy life was almost done, Consented at the last to leave the throne, Not to King Henry's daughter, but her son. STEPHEN, THE USURPER. ^^5 He planted a i-oyal oak — King Stephen's tree A forest veteran still green at the crown ; And as for the Empress Maud, his rival, slie Built the first stone bridge ever seen in an English town. »M Died October 25th, 1154, aged 49. I if HI ED— Supposed to he buried in Fevershain, Kent. '■m Fur fuitlier study see Dickens' "History" and Miss Vouni/'s ^ " History for Cliil.hen." w Hknkv the .Skcom). t ^ ;3 . i I HEXKY THE .SECOND. FIRST OF THK HOUSE OF PLANTACiENET. (■fnuuhon of Jhnnj ihe First. BoKN 1133. Makkiei) to Eleanor of Fiance, May Day, IhVJ. Crownkd December 10th, ll.j-l, in London. L'miappy in liis priest, his sons, his liride, Henry the first Plantagenet appeal's ; A noble nature, free from ^reed and pride, A sad life, closed in gloom and wrcngs and tears. lie loved a lady more than all his j.ower, Called by the English "Rosam..n July (jth, 1189, aged .',6. BiKtKi) at FcHiterand Al.hey, France. Vov further study of this reign see Dickens' "Child's History and M.ss Young's, also ancient hallad calle.l " Hosan.ond the Fair. ^ KKHARD THE FIKST. CALLED " CVEUR-DE-LION.'" BciKN at Oxfonl September 10th, 1157. Ckuwnki) St'pteinljer *{i(l, 11S9. Makriki) to Bt'ieiigaria of Navune, in the Lsland of Cypius, May I'Jth, 11<)1. Imphisonkm l»y the Duke of Austiia for two years. The Kiiglish paiil three Imndred thousaml pounds for his larisoni. Thh wlu'd of foitune now once mote i^'oos louiul And Hicliard of the Lion heart iidvanccs, I'hicased in iron, mounted, armed and crownt d. The princely head of many tiiousand hmces. r)Ound for tlie Holy Land in proud array, To wrest our Saviour's tomb fnnn heathen hand ; Not any other sovereign of his day Appears so martial, splendid, brave and grand. He drained the wealth of the land for foreign war, Which brought Old England neither gain nor glory, And died in a petty fight while still afar — A sudden end to his most brilliant story. ■t d RirUAKI» THK FlKST, RICHARD THE FIRST, 81 Yet 'tis not ended — tliou shall live ffn-ever, "Oh! Richard, oh I my King," in Blondel's song ; Tliy great, rash, mighty heart shall perish never While the world love^ the generous and the strong. Thy ponderous battle-axe rings through the ages, With the name of Solden, thy most noble foe ; ►Sweet Berengaria still our love engages. With golden tresses and with robe of snow. With all thy faults great was thy people's sorrow ; Noble and serf alike thy memory cherishefl ; Powerless to slay thee quite, that poisoned arrow. All that was fine in thee has never perished. Killed by a poisoned arrow at the Castle of Chain/, near Limoges, Fiance, April 6th, 1199, aged 42. Bi'RiED at Fonterand Al)bey. Scott's novels of " Ivanhoe " and " Tiie Talisman" would he ))leasant and instructive reading for tlie pupil, as showing the mode of living at that period. I T John. H JO TIN CALLED "LACKLAND." lioRN IHK). SicrKKOKi) his Itrother Kichanl, and was ( r()\vneTMINSTER AbBKY. IIKNKV TIIK TIIIKI). I T?<)RN Octol)cr 1st, 1-207. CuuWNKl) October -JStli, 1210, at Gloucester. M.VKKIKI) to HU'iinor of I'lovcuci-, Jiituiary 4tli, 1236. But seven years of age when he came to tlie throne ; The Jirtit child acknowledged hy Enghmd as King; Wlio had, as a nation, preferred a man grown, Now consented to take this weak, pale-faced young thing. The son of King John, who reigned fifty-four years, And married a French girl both bright and gay hearted ; A dull, muddled man, who excited some fears, But did f/ro things for England before he departed. He strengthened tlie freedom his fatlier had given. And his wife taught politeness. Sweet rose of Provence, And proved a most human and civilized leaven, Touching all minor morals before she went hence. 8he introduced handkerchiefs for the court noses, Loved romances and music through all her long day ; Brought peacocks to England, and carpets, and roses. And was brilliant and merry and bonnie and gay, w^ 30 HENRY THE TUHy mutual consent Took the reins from the haml which could not hold its own. And to prison at Berkeley this silly king sent, Taking from him forever, crown, sceptre and throne. I: " ' w 40 EDWARD THE SECOND. There were not many months betwixt prison and deatli, And the poor king was cruelly ill-used and shamed ; Suffering horrors untold ere he yielded his breath, And murdered with torture too vile to be n i. MuKDEKKi) at Berkeley Castle, Sei)teinl:)er 21st, 1327, aged aO. BcRTKl) at ( Jloucester. For further study see Miss Young's " History of England," COSTIMKS, UKKiN OF EUWARI) THE SECOND. EDWAKI) THE THIRD. ROKN LSI 2. Ck<»\\nki) wliilf yet a minoi', January I.'Jtli, 1.S-J7. Makkii.!) U) I'liilippa (.f llainault, l.S-J(i. E^* A SFiKiTED, manly, int('lli«font oroature, With a helmet and tall crest of feathers, turns out Most stately in form, neaily perfect in feature, The finest Plantagent't without a doubt. Rich brown eyes, silver tongue, with a face of connnanlendor, W^ith courtesy, luxury, and every respect. And tried from her own evil heart to defend her By ceaseless attention and never neglect. He paid her state visits till the (uid of her days. But no little child's foot ever crossed that dark life. His children, he said, should know naught of her ways, And the same said his gracious and sensible wife, Who ne'er saw her face, by his solemn request. Oh ! if you could see hin at this moment, my dears ; The handsomest king England evoi- possessed. Who reigned in his splendor for fifty long years. For hivix fine old Wykeham began Windsor Castle, Saying " Wykeham made this,' having built one great tower. 44 EDWARD THE THIRD. "No, this tower made Wykeliaui ," said the king to his vassal ; But it beai s Wykeham's name, not the king's. to this hour. William of Wykeiiam. Gunpowder, chough made in an earlier reign, Wasy?rs< used by Edward j and his fair and wise bride Set the cloth weavers going — a much greater gain To my mind. I leave it for the wise to decide. IS IS EDWARD THE THIRD. 45 It was he who in stately rebuke and half jest Made an untidy garter an order of merit With a very fine moral ; an " Turn a},'aiii, \VI)ittin<,aon, Thrice Lord M;i\ or of London." I 'I HENRY THE FIFTH. 57 In tlii.s reign Dick Wh[U[nnth his cat, A silk mercer of London, and a very fi.ie man' Who wore gold chains and velvet-but never mind that, He left homes for the poor on the noblest plan. Kichard Wliittington's Alms Houses stand to this day. And many a one beaten in the battle of life Has gone there for shelter and comfort and stay, While no good remains from King Henry's life strife. But a rich stately burial was made for the king— An astonishing, royal, funereal display ; And they crowned his wee baby, the poor little thing. King of England ami France when his sire passed away. BiKO at Rouen, France, August .31st, 1422, aged 34. BrKir:i) in Westminster Abhey. */. >srrnd„lfrom the srrond s.n of m,ru,d tl.r Third. ]>oK.\ Sc'ptenil)t"r, 1442. CjiowNKi) J,„„. 2!)tli, I4(j|, Makk.kd to Eli/.alH.(l. U'oo.lvilIo (Lady (;n-y), 1404. "Edward, too .sensual for a kindly thought," Says one recorder, and when we look over «"t, The murders and the mischief this man wrou^h We do not envy poor Jane Shore her lov Or the fair queen her husband. False and Wicked and without cruel, coiiscience, this white rose Poor crazy Henry's beads, and prayers and school Shme clear and pure by contrast with his foes. i; ? William Caxton. 1) Oft obitmn & apon x^ixiii U Diuete cuia IJOilllclmt &(«weir thxce jjoetft to? Specimen ok Caxton 's Tvpk. EDWARD THE l-OlRrn. ''•^^^•"'•'' '"'"'J '•'"^'lan.lnraHytw.ntvy.ars, Ol.l I..n,l.,M s d.oson kin^s a.ul ...un of nu'n • (^'aMMoMs wnv nwule t,. <,uu.t K,hvanl s f..,trs, Am.I hooks were printed fi,.st l.y Caxton th.-n. And Kdward passed, first kin^ of an evil nt... SlunvM,. ,t the ve.y last some signs of .race. ' ()') I>M.:natW.st,ninst..r, April mh, 14S3, ,,go.Ul. Bnc.,.;,. in St. (;eorgo-s Chapel, Wimlsor. IMI cuia i H p:i)WAJli) THE ITl 111. BoKN N()venil)or Ist, 1470. Succep:i)i;i> Ins tailior Aj)!'!! 9tli, 148.'{. Nkvki; crf)\vn('(l. Two pretty and fresh little f(jlks you now see, Who played, laughed and sang, and did wo evil work ; Two withered white rose-huds that dropped from the tree, The sweetest of all the White lloscs of Yoi'k. Two ]>oor little })riiices shut u\) in tlu; Tower, And sniothei'ed in Ix'd, as ["m sure you ha\(> heai'd, l>y their wicked old uiu-le, who misused his power, Anfl was crowiKMl shortly after as lilchard the Thirfl. MiHiiKiiKi) witli his lirdllicf Miclianl in tlic Tov cr of Lnndoii, sonictiine in .liiiif, I4S.'{, agnl lU CosTiMEs, Kh;i<;N y her charms and woes, Was brought to fight by the late King Edward's daughter. 8he promised to wed him if he slew her foes, And he did rout them in a mighty slaughter JiL KlCIIAICh TIIK 'rillUD. reign. At Bosworth Heath, lust battU' of the Hoses, Fierce ending of a dreadful ci\ il strife. In Leicester Abbey Richard now reposes, Not far from the field in wliich he lost his life. Henry, a miser and churl, though he could fight For the crown and the lady who gave all to him, As the king lay dead at his feet in soriy plight. Was picturesijue for once in the twilight dim. I H II m pKKSSKS (»K TIIK I'KKIOD. f^ICHARl) THE THIRn. When gallant Stanley sei.ed the happy chance (AVhile Henry Tudor garni upon the dead) Lifted the crown of England with his lance And placed the battered gold on Hen ry'.s' head. Wounded with n.any wounds, scorned, naked, torn, The corpse of Riehanl lay till the next .norn • And thus in gloon. and darkness the sun set ' On the warlike race of great Phtntagenet • Keigning three centuries in strength and nd-d.t Closed with disgrace and hlood in Bosuortirtig^., Kxu.n i„ the hattle of IWortI, A.,,ust -.1. US.. ag..a ... See .Shake.s,,eure\s ,,lay of " Richanl the Thi..|- , ^^■ Voungs account of the •' Lady Bessee."' an oM ha,';;i' "" '''^^ 71 n i: li ! I i t Hknry the Skvkntti. irEXllY THE SJ:\ KXTir. FIRST OF THE IIQU.SK OF TL'DOR. f'^'ni of nirlu„on.l, descendnlfnnn Edn-anl th. Third thro,u,h the />"/.-!/ hmrnsl.;-; oU, drs.mdrd fru.„ Qurm Cntharin. ^'■'dn,r of Ilrnn, fhr Fifth, and her sero„d h»,b„nd, Ourn Tudor, a Wdshman. JJoKN Juno 2r)tli, 145(5. CiiowNKi) O(;tol»('i;{(»tli, I4,s-,. MAKurK.. January iSth, 148(5, to ElizalM-th ,.f York el.I.st "laughter of Ivhvanl the F.H.rtli. if Hexuv Tudor, of Ricluno.ul, first king of l.is na.ne, Slirewd lover of money and hoarder of pelf ; Thinking far less of glory than getting of gain', And caring for nothing so much as himself.' He married Elizabeth, heiress of York ; Thus flourished together the red and 'white roses; And building a chapel was his principal work, In which now his old royal body reposes. ^1 iii » . ! COSTUMKS, RFI(!\ OF HknHY THK SkvEXTIT. ///w\A'j- riiF. .s/tTitwyy/. 75 C.^u„..n,» ,.k,.,l ..,,„« ,,, x,., ,v,„,., t„ .sail . «l.ruggo,l his ,,„„ ■, an.l lurn,.,l a ,lo,.f ,,.„. , I., Ami e,.„,„„.,..„ „„, ,,,„„,,„ ^,„,.^^. ^^^^ . _ He was Lett,, ,„a„ „,., ,, ,.,^ „„,; ^,^^ ^^^^^ "'• !!™"" "^'■'■"' "■■"-■• A,.. il -,.,,, „-„.„, „,,.„,, P Pkinck Kuwahd. From the paintitig bii Holbein. * One historian of Hampton Court sa.vs that the queen shown in tliis painting is Catherine Parr. But another autliority states that the portrait is one of Jane Seymour, added to the picture after her death. IIKMJV TFIK KKJHTir. lioUN June 2Stli, 14!ll. C'Jtou NKD JuiH' 2Uli, ir)<»!>. Makkiki) ti> CiitliciiiiL' of Aragofi, liis Iddllin's wiilow, .Tmit' :{r.l, ir)(>!>. 'i(> Anne Moleyn, May •-':?r.l, ir.lU. To .lane Seymour, May 20lli, \'i'M]. To I'limess Anne of Cleves, DeeemlHT, 15.'{!). To CatlnTine Howanl, Au-^ust Stii, ir»40. To Catherine Pair, widow ( f Lord Latiinei', .hily i'2th, irA:\. i ' Id. •iiie Pair, lure after And now for a kini,' wlio was 1)otli lo\«'(l and ft-arod ; Who was treaeluTous and j^iveii to very liar.sh nH'asui'cs. All self to the core was this liritish Bluehcard, A man of some learning, l)ut gross in his pleasures. I don't want your hair to stand straight up on end, I will tell you a little, and that is enough ; Some day you will thank me for being your friend When you see at full length old King Harry the Ulufl'. Some time you will hear of the great Rf]formation, More, Fisher, and other fine men of renown, And the *' Cloth of Gold" field, and the sports of the nation, And how the Great Hurnj^ a big ship, went down ; tl i m t'ATllKKlNK Ml' AliAditN. Hekry the Eighth. HEXRV THE EIGHTH. 79 Ami of Wol.scy, wlx) saw all the si;,'ns of tiio limrs, A friend of the pcoph-, a man of ^^rcat leaniinm', Who was j'uiiiod, and falsely accused (tf ^'feat crimes, Meeting failure and lieaitache for* all his discerning. 2lf Asm; IJolkyn. Queen Catherine of Aragon was Henry's first wife, Most devoted and faithful for twenty long years. He divorced her and made her unhappy for life, Indifferent alike to entreaties and tears. Then he married Anne Boleyn, a beauty and flirt, And took her young life in its full tlush and pride ; Her grace and her loveliness turned to her hurt, And he wedded again the day after she died. s i g HENRY rUE EIGHTH. 81 The feast was preparing, the wed(Hng gown made, He heard the announcement witliout any shock ; With foot in the stirrup this cruel king stayed, Till he knew the faii" neck had l)een laid on the hlock. Then he galloped away to receive his new bride Through all the bright verdure of lOngland in May, With his lords at his heels, for a fifty mile ride, And he (piite as heartless and jolly as they. He had three other wives, the last one very fair, Catherine Parr, number .s/.v, and I say she was brave. With bcN'iutiful featui'es and long golden hair ; She flourished, and saw tlie old king in his gra\c. He died in great pain, in sore trouble and sti'ife, Crying out "here be monks," again and again ; And Lord Surrey, the poet, laid down his 3'oung life — Fit end to this strange and tvrannical reii^n. " lUulV Hal," as t'ley callecl him, although gi'eatly fcai'cd. Was not Juitrd in his day, as we might suppose ; Whepe\'cr he went abroad he was elieetvd, From the \erv beginning of his i-eign to ifs close. He was thoroughly English, .uid lo\-ed English spoits And a broad jest, and well uudei'stood his own nation ; Kn(nv how far he peoj)h> would bi'ook, And they understood, and a})proved on the whole. .'.;- A. FlKI'.-l'l.ACK AM) AnDIKONS AT StoKK. We may study King Henry again and again, And feel much disgust and distaste and more wonder; There are crimes upon crimes in his wicked reign, But scarcely through all a political blunder. l)ii;ii Janu;u'\ 'iHlli, 1547, agcil .IS. BruiKi) in St. (!eorgo"s C'luip;;!, Windsor. For f lilt her siudy see Sliukcspeair's play of " Henry t!if Eighth ■' and Miss Young's " Child's History of England. "' 6 if^WtHBP^ l» l']i)\\ AKi) Tin: Siviii. /•'/•'!//( (/ i>i(iiiiiiiii in (lir Ciiiirl liimi.t 11/ Clii .•'' .■< Ilii.--jiil(i/, \ ^1 i:i)\VAi;i> Till'. SIXTH. Son (if Ili'linj Ihf I'Jiilhlli (I nil Jdili' Sn/iilinir t B(»KN Octolicr iL'lli, la.ST. SiccKEDKli liis fiUlicr, January "JSlli, \r>i~. Nk\ i;ii iiiai TU'il. A (^uiET sick ])oy with liis old fatlier's face Manaifed ill l)v a council mIio ruled in his name ; His religion was bigotry rathei' than grace; He coniniitted few acts that were worthy of hlanic. Determined to set all religious wrongs right In his own way; and urge(l on hy men who were had, He brought the land into a l<'i'iil)le jtliglit In liis zeal for religion, this jiodr littli' lad. IJi' Jnuiiih'd the llluc Codf ScIkk^I it still bears his n;iine- .Vnd he made a strange will ere his life [lassed away, '^Uiite illegal —in which there were others to blame - Hy leaving the crown to the Lady -lane (!rey. i 8G ED WARD THE SJ.XT//. But the I5il»l(' w.is I'cveroncod aiid prized hy the kiiii,', l'ji,t,'lit(MMi schools for at fJicciiwich Paluce, July Otli, 1503, aged Hi. Christ's Hospitai, If MAEY. Ih(\i(ihtc.r (if ITcnni tin' EiiflifJi (oul Cntlurnii' of Arini her l)r()tlK'r, July lOtli, l.").").'}. Makkiki) to her cousin, Phili|) of Spain. .laiinarv lOtli, l.",')!. Hi A TERHiFiLY oanicst, harsh, fit'tco, trutlit'ul woman, Going straight to the [xtint through l)lo(»(l and tlirough fire ; With two priests for hanl-hcartofhicss out of the common, Who used lier to work out their e\ il desire. Poor miseraljle queen and most unhapjn' wife. When she died every lieart in tiie kingdom fch glad ; Tiiough kind and well-meaning as a daughter and wif(>, They hated he ■ Ijoth for her good points and l)a(J. Unhappy in every relation of life ; Port Calais, in France, was lost in her reign. And gave the last pang to her sorrowful life. And the countries were never united figain. .^-Li^ U I? (i>rij;N Maky. JA/A') Ml A i-fi^ri full of iiii.siniinai,'(Mn('nt, hhiiuici', inistiiko, Uringin,!,' miiiiy \nnn; luiniilcss, good folks io tlic stiikc ; JJut ujoud knitted Ktuckini/s were iiiiult' in lliis I'ciLTM, And so royulty iicxcr wore cloth lio.s»» ;iL,'iiiM. DiKl) Novciiilicf I Till, I'>.'»S, agi'cl 4-J. llii{ii;i) in Wesliiiiiislt r Alilicy. For fiiillu-r study, scenes fidiii 'i'eiinyson's ]iluy nf •'(,tiieen Maiy " t(i Ite read aloud to the |Hi|)il. ■ Lauv .Iank . Nkver niarrieil Till.: ^Meatest of English.non lived in her d.-iv, CV.voring all hor defects and .,uite doul.lin^^ her fanu- Ar.d n.ade this <|ueen's rei,i.n a nu.st ,i,d o /a ^ iV ^ :\ \ ^<^ ^ '^ o'^ <. ^ ^ ^ ^ '. 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY 14580 (716) 873-4503 % V t^ C/j A Si LuKi> Bacon. . i I'.LI/.AIiETll. Shakespoare and Bacon and lialeigh and Drake Gave a glory to England to gild ho,- long day, And many another stout heart in their wake Lived on when the <,ld lion (,ueen passed away. 9;i A Cul KTIKIl. Brilliant things happened when she reigned in her str:. Specimen of Wood Carving— Ciiimnev-piece at Kenilworth. ; ELlZAIiETH. Her prosperous rule had (,n« very dark I,lot,, A (lis^rnice to the council, a shame to tlie queen, In the death of Queen Mary, the In^autiful Scot, The romance of wh(.se Hfe seems a tra^ncal (h'e 95 am. V .1,/ -.V ' .^-'I'^v''- • ■ Ql'KKN EU/.\UETH AT THK A(iK OK F( »KTV. King Philip of Spain fitted out a great fleet To punish Queen Bess for the deed she had done. But all that he gained was disgrace and defeat- He found that tlie queen and the people were one. 96 ELIZA liETH. " Distrust every Papist," cried many in dread, But Elizaljeth's answei was noble and mild : "I'll Ijelieve no more ill of my subjects," she said, "Than a most loving mother would think of her child." i LoKi) RrssEi,!.. i:l When the Spanish Armada first came into view, The fire signals leaped up on each peak and tower ; O'er hill and o'er valley the little lights flew. And all England was up and in arms in one Iiour. A great storm came down, nature fought for the land. It thundered and blew as the gale rose and spread ; The queen gave God the glory in a speech terse and grand, ** He blew with his wind, they were scattered," she said. Lantkrns— Siiakksi'eark's TrMK, i! i Chimney Cornkk in Shakksfkakk's Hoisk. 98 ELI/.AIiETU. ^r * . i The Spaniards irere scattered, were brok(;n, were lost, But they fought with the elements rather than men, And Philip was Iwrnten with terrible cost ; No such fleet ever came against England again. In pain, loneliness, wretchedness came the last scene To Queen Bess with her farthingale, ruffs, pearls and lace ; And so passed this dominant, great English cjueen, The noblest of Tudors, the last of her race. DiKD at Richinoinl Palace, March 24th, 1603, aged 72, having reigned forty-five years. BrKiKi> in Westminster Abbey. For further study see Macaulay's ballad of the Spanish Armada (read carefidly with geography in hand) and Kingsley's " West- ward, Ho I" winch breathes the spirit of the age. There are many lives of Queen Klizabeth, and over twenty histories of this reign, but I would advise at first the ballad and novel I have mentioned, and also Tennyson's " Revenge." Hats— Shakespeare's Time. JAMES THE FIRST OF ENGLAND AND SIXTH OF SCOTLAND. Son of Mary Queen <»/ Scots and Henrti Stuart (Lord Darnley). BoKN in Kdinluirgli, June 19th, 1566. Makuied to the Princess Anne of Denmark, November 24th, 15H9. SncKKDED to the Crown of Knglaml, 1603, as King of Great Britain and Ireland. Had a register made in each pariah church. Called in derision " the British Solomon." A MAX of great learning, but no conunon sense, Not at all pictures<|ue for a painting or rhyme ; A pedant, who gave many subjects offence, And was nicknamed " the wisest old fool of his time.' A Scotchman who lectured both merchant and lord, And meddled with nearly all things in the nation ; Who scolded and pottered and oft broke his word, Hatching mischief untold for tli(; next generation. A conspiracy known as " the Gunpowder Plot " Was found out in his reign and he punished severely, For Papists were feared by this timid old Scot, And all Presbyterians he hated sincerely. 7 ClI 100 JAMES THE FIRST, U 1 . 11 ' II ' ^ { An En^'lish translation of (iod'H Holy Word Was printed and duly approved by the king, The noblest translation that e'er went abroad, And we must not forget that we owe him this thing. Jamkjs thk First. In our own tongue, that Scripture which comforts the soul And gives to the poorest true help and advice. Went out to his people, complete, clear and whole ; In this matter " the foolish confounded the wise." QUKKN AnNK ami IIKU M.\1I). I m I' vl i I Itlie soul n'?j Earl and Countess of Somerset. Hi I\ 102 JAMES THE FIRST. In private he much enjoyed practical joking, HjmI favorites on whom he poured lionors and gold, And he wrote an (elaborate tract against smoking ; His .statesman might bhune hut his tlattert^s consoled. — -^rv, COSTL'MKS, RKHi.N OK .I.VMKS TIIK FlIiST. Old England will never see h'lA lik(^ again : He was less like a king than an old clucking hen ; He beheaded brave llaleigh, and made peace with Spain, This pawkiest, silliest, queerest of men. With some kindly thoughts, yet with more fiddle-faddle, A Kmg-winded speaker when once he began ; Talking " statecraft " and " kingcraft," which now we dub " twjiddle," An unkingly king and a silly wise man. JAMES THE FIRST. 103 I, Spain, If addle, we dub The crown was n'VJTwI in tin' last generation ; In the niindu of his .suhjeets he created suspicion. And loosened that hond 'twixt the throne and the nation, Being looked on with secret contempt and derision. Like a parent Eli/alM>th ruled her r(»ugh Citnunons ; Her interest was theirs ; thev hjwl never distrust. "She was more than a man," his sense less than a woman's, Who raised in his subjects both fear ami disgust. Died Maruh 27th, lO'J'), ugctl .'lO. HrKiKi) in NVcHtininster Ahln-y. The Htiideiit is atlvised to read Scott's " FortimeH of Nigel," as containing the hest an. M.xuitlKi) to Hcmii'tta Maiia. ilauuliti'i' of Ifi-iiiv tin- I'ttiiith of Franco, June I'Jth, 1(12'). Cronvnei* KelMuary 2ntl, Kiid. r>r,.\rTY Jiiid j^r.ioc uiid diiiiiity of carii.iiff' DistiiisfuislnMl Chailcs the First ; n»>auty Jitnl <^i'Jie<; cam*' to him in his maniaL;*', Yet of all Kns^lish lulcs his is the worst ; Couiitiii!^ his opportunities and chanc(>s, His people's love, his talents and j^reat state, His manner and appearance, his brave lances, All in his favor ; and vet such a fate I ■i If he had promised less and kept his \v()rd His ship would never have driven upon the rock. Respect for the throne in Connn(»ns and in Lord Would have kept that stately presence from the block. F r 1 1 1 106 CHARLES THE FIRST. But he played fast and loose year after year, Saying and not doing, no matter what the cost. No promise lM)und him, love gave place to fear, And confidence in king and crown was lost. Chari.ks tiik Fikst's Childkkn. From thf painting hij Vamhike. if) m He ruled without a Parliament (trelce long years, And when he issued writs for it again There came to front him, full of wrongs and fears, A host of angry and most earnest men. CHARLES THE FIRST. lor They (luarieled with their king and he with them For " right" and ''■ privilege "; neither would give way. From angry words they came to blows, and then Each buckled on his armor for the fray. Old Ijondon took up arms .. ..- ^ .■-'*^.. n'm:-'^ ■. i ri f I' ft.. *■---■■ r - - - "^ . ':;:^^-^:^^-l WBBBiii'"i 'IB 1 1 III 1 1'Ti -..- ■■?™^- -■■■J-',,,. *.;:;.'!!^'^niit^T^^ p,^ — -^.--'-. !!rr!^"-=^ ^^ :,,..'i -•^^.ishisiJ'...,™,.^,^ Kl'ISODK OK THK HaI'I'IKK DaVS OK ChAKI>ES THK KiRST. Toying with the lion, he found out too late, When that mighty paw was turned against the crown, That to trifle here meant death. Left to his fate He was tried within his own once loyal town, CHARLES THE FIRST. 10}) And met his death Ix^fore liis palace windows ; and the throng, With a generous pity, English to the core, Forgave him all his sins, and their deep wrong Expressed in cries and wails when all was o'er. This king was energetic, hright and brave, A man of much relinement and good taste, Jlut false to the people to his very grave, Wliit'h made his nohh' talents all a wasto. m He lives in Vandyke's paintings of his face, Brilliant and life-like ; so does his hiight (jueen And little tots of children. All this grace And beauty throws a glamour o'er the scene Of England's wrongs and sorrows, England's woes, England's distresses, England's struggling might And cries for liberty. This burns and glows On each fierce bloody siege and desperate fight. l'\ Hundreds of verses, pictures, poems, songs. Tell of this war of England with her king. Most noble deeds to this old time belongs ; Historians write of them, and poets sing. M i f i 111 i Cavalikks — LoKU Falkland and Lord (Jkandison. CHARLES THE FIRST. Ill y It was a time of bright romance and glory- Men wrestled and grew strong the island through ; It bears a moral, too, this quaint old story, For each and every one of us— //e trne. i "1 .O49!';;;":;™ ''*"'"' ''^■'°"' "'"'''■"» ••'"'-• •!»"-■>• .•»... UrKlKr. in St. (ieoii-c-, Clmpel »t \Vin.,8or. h..los „f ,1,0 Sc.,," an,l .S„„if» .. u.j,„,„| „f .m„,„,,J, ■,' """' LiSi ^11 A KiN(is Rviiv, H *'l THE C0MM()XWP:ALTH OLIVER CROMWKLL, PKOTKCTOK. Born at Huntingdon, April 2r»th, 1599. Made (ieneral of the Army, Juno "Jlst, lUoO, anll fought hy lan Hoiuaii Catholic (hMiiaiid Cruinwell was harsh, aixl not entirely fair. lie turned the house of Parliament out of d(M)r8 — "The Lord has done with you, anedft)rd jail, despised and poor. He feasted, and laughed, and sang, and told gay lies. And hunted, and spoj-ted the finest wigs and clothes; He fed his ducks and chased his butter tlies, While the Dutch burned Chatham under his very nose. 120 CHAkLES THE SECOND. Ml The ladies of his court dressed in bad taste ; The morals of his court were a disgrace ; Men wore their hair in ringlets down to their waist, And pantelettes to the knee, trimmed with rich lace. A Court Dandv, reion of Charles the Second. Charles sold himself to France for a certain sum Paid annually. He had no public spirit, No love for England, no pride in hearth and home ; His gracious manners were his only merit. CHARLES THE SECOND. He was n<,t found out in his day, and ,liod polit<>ly. He was not qniu the wornt man of his uge, But much in his life is hateful and unsightly-,' And gross and nasty. Let us turn th.- pa'^e On h>ve-)ocks and rohgious persecution And the English king who sang and laughed an.l Kept twenty little dogs and on. resolution-^ To turn his face to Rome before he died. 127 lied U.«. in VVhi.,.h„n Pal,-,,,, Frf„,„„;v (HI,, l6So, „ge,l 55. Buried in Westminster Abbey. "The Miraculous Rscune of Kintr rin,I..« " i m JAMES THE SECOND. S hastened on his fate, hlind "^o the consjMjuenci! of broken faith. The nation rose and set King James aside Onc(; and forever, and his leligion too ; The poor king's folly, bigotry and pride Brought evils which the wise could not undo. An ope)i Catholic, not masked, like his brother, He might have done more good than any other, Bringing a tolerance glorious and new. He tied to France, and the great king received him With open arms. He dwelt there till his death, And Louis coddled, pensioned and relieved him With princely generosity and good faith. Old England never swerved in her rejection, King Louis never failed in his protection, Until poor foolish James drew his last breath. Died at the Palace of St. German's, France, August 6th, 1701, aged 68. For further study, portions of Macaulay's History might be read to the pupil, especially the account of the battle of Sedgemoor. % WILLIAM AND MARY. WILLIAM, PRINCE OF ORANGE AND NASSAU. IJoKN November 4th, 1650. (Maky was born April 30th, 1662.) Ckkatki) Sladhoi.deh, or First Magistrate of Holland, July Snl, 1672. MakrikI) to his cousin, Mary Stuart, daughter of James the Second and Ann Hyde, October 23rd, 1677. Pho("Laimki» King and Queen of England, February 13th, 1689. The Bank of England was founded in this reign, anf\' Tk.mplk Bak. And she was praised through every town and county For providing a noble fund for the church she loved. 'Twas Bishop Burnett's thought, this " Queen Anne's Bounty " ; That she had few thoughts is pretty clearly proved. She moved in heavy drapery, Anne the Good, The nation's figurehead, with blessings on her. In head-dress high, and pearls and velvet liood ; While others fought and thought, she had the honor. 11 fV ■ 1 Mi 140 Anne. Fond of good eating, a stolid British matron, Borne reverently abroad in her sedan. Of valor and of learning the gre:it patron, See meek and stupid, kindly, dull Queen Anne. Quietly and suddenly she slipped from life, Last of the Stuarts to fill an English throne ; We think of Marlborough and his vixen wife, And never of the "Good Queen Anne" alone. Died August 1st, 1714, aged 50. Bi'RiEi) in Westminster Abbey. :|l Wl ;i. |f|i ;i ! \lv GEOKGE THE FIliST. OV THK HOUSK OF JiRUxNSWICK, FAMILY OF iiUKLVU, ELKCTOR OF HANOVER. Desmiiled from Elhahdh, Queen of Bohemia, dninjhtei' of James the Fiist. BOHN l(i60. Married to Sopliia Dorothea, of Zell, November 28th, 1682. SiT(;oKEi.Ki, to the tlirono of (ireat Britain, August 2n.l, 1714. A German who could not speak one English word, And who had to converse with his lords in bad Latin, A gross elderly man. It seems really absurd To reject young St. George in his velvet and satin, man. And take this coarse, commonplace, honest old But 'twas better for England to rule her own self And manage the government on her own plan. With a king who cared only for pocket and pelf. w OBKBB 142 GEOkGE THE FlkSt, Than to have a young Stuart, witli his lies and his graces, His wigs and his wine, and his vices and jewels. But there icere those who still loved the Stuarts' fair faces, False words and good manners — the brave, honest fo(iIs. I iij m ili! CoSTL'MKS, KEKiN OK (iE(»K(!K THE FlKST. ;i ■ i 1 ^ Such were Wintown and Kenmare, and Nithsdale, and more, Who raised a rebellion for James the Pretender ; Who were thwarted and sorted and beaten right sore, And were all taken prisoners, and had to surrender. .1. i GEORGE THE FIRST. 143 These bravo, honest .[acohites wore tried most unfairly, And lodged in tli«^ Tower— many came to the l>lock ; But Nithsdale escaju'd, foi* his wife planned it rarely, And gav(; king and country an electiical shock. FiRI'M'l.At'K OK ()IJ> KN(iLIS11 CoTTACK. and He marched by his enemies calmly, serenely, Through thick walls, oak doors, double guards, bolts and bars, Dressed up as a lady, tall, stately and (jueenly, And a petticoat rescued this brave son of Mars, pr 144 GPIORCE THE FIRST. King George diiul abroad, and his son (Jeorge succeeded, And nobody can'd much that I ever heard. Or drew a h»ng visage, or mourned, grieved or heedcul, And of his i)rivate life I will not say one word. i 'M i Died Huddonly at OHimltrook, .luno lltli, 1727, agod G7. IJruiEi) in Hanover. .Sc(3tt'H novel of " Red ({auntlet," and Tlia<;keiay'H " Kstnond " contain descriptions of James the old Pretender. I X A COL'KT Lady, KEKiN of (iKORllK THE FlKST. ' t I (loci, 1(1, Hinond " OMOIKJK TIIK SKCOM). BoKN Octoher i;nii, um. Crow NKi) June I5tli, 17l>7. Makhik. to Caroline Wili„.ena of Anspasch, August 2-Jn.I. 1704. A KING with a clever, luindsomo lady mated, A king who hravely fought at Dettingen,' A king who -boetry and bainting" hated, Most practical and connnoni)Iace of men. T.ittle enough we care about the nia.,, But n.uch of interest marks King George's reign- Walpole's corruption, Chatham's nobler plan. Lord Olive in India, and the war with Spain ; The South Sea scheme, the British credit shaken, The rising of the gahant young Pretender The death of Wolfe, when strong Quebec was taken, I he whole of Lower Canada's surrender; Flora Macdonald's bravery and devotion (Dear Scottish lassie with a heart of gold), Who crossed in an open boat the stormy oceln ; Loyal through all adversity, and bold. '4 I ■:r5s?" miiiitikiihii'i w"i /irr •:l! m GEORGE THE SECOND. 147 Sorrow for those who perished in this cause, Who fought and fell on wild Culloden Moor, Or died by axe and block through the harsh laws, Or by the " Butcher"* when the fight was o'er. m Lord Chesterfield lived then and wrote his ''letters," Whitfield and Wesley preached on the hillside, Charles Wesley wrote his hymns and sang the fetters From hard hearts bound in sin and locked in pri-'p. * The Duke of Cumberland'B nickname. 10 ]48 GEORGE THE SECOND. II • i fn Goldsmith composed what millions since have prized, Good Dr. Watts preached sermons and wrote hymns, And "little Mr. Pope," whom George despised, Lived then, and Sterne, a man of wit and whims. Costumes, REUiN of Geoikje the Second. From Iliigarth, And Hannah INIore and her sisteis in that day Wrestled with vice and ignorance near tiieir home ; Garrick and Johnson, Arbuthnot and Gay, Acted and talked and wrote for years to come. Ignorance was the inheritance of the poor. And only the gentry had a chance of learning. While in New England schools at every door Showed the far-sighted how the tide was turning. 1 DREssEis, REIGN OF Geor«;e THE Second. •' M m\ 150 GEORGE THE SECOND. ! As for the English Church, may we never see A Church so dead alive as this again. There was no teaching, kindly, sound and free ; The Church was ruled by evil, selfish men. nii Pitt, Earl of Chatham, the " great Commoner," Was the grandest soul throughout King George's reign; The one who roused the sleeping lion ; the summoner Of Englishmen to nobler deeds again. King George, he died, for *'all things have an end," And certainly a royal change was needed. The nation hoped that things would now amend Wlien his young grandson to the throne succeeded. Died siuUlcnly at Kensington Palace, October 25th, 1700, aged 77. Bi'KiKU in Westminster Al)l>ey. For further study of this and preceding reign see the elianning old novels of "Evilena'' and "Cecilia," by Miss Burney, a eon- temporary, showing the morals and manners of the gentry ; also, parts of Thackeray's "Virginians," and the " Life of Flora Mac- donald " ; the novels of Jane Austin, "Pride and Prejudice' and " Sense and Sensibility," and Scott's " Heart of Midlothian " and " Waverley," as all relate to this period. GEOEGE TPTE THIRD. CALLED "FARMER (JEOROE." Son of Frederick Prince of Wulvs. BoKx June 4tli, 17.SS. Maurikd to Charlotte of MeckltMilniig-Strelitz, Sot)tcinl)er 8th 176L Crowned with liis Queen September 22n(l, ITfJL America declared her independence, July 4tli, 1770. He meant well always, and tried to be a king According to his idea of the thing, With all his heart, this honest, stub])orn man, A dull, good, moral English gentleman. The poor king l^rought about the very acts He most disliked. 'Twould take too long a time To tell of all his blunders, battles, facts, Follies and struggles in a jingling rhyme. Wilkes stood fur liberty wliether lie would or no. Had "greatness thiust upon him " bv the kin« Who hated and persecuted this man so That he roused old London to resist the thin<^ I I if (jiEOKdK TIIK TllIKI) AM) QUKEN CHARLOTTE. GEORGE THE THIRD, Tlie king would have mado tlie water run up hill Had it been possible. In the first twejity years Of liis poor policy and unbridled will A wondrous change in everything appears. 1 58 l^dNiKi.; Sii'j-.KT Ijciri's, 17()(). America is an independent nation CJuided by a moderate and mighty hand. There is discontent in men of every station, Uneasiness and war by sea and land. I ii I! ;^ I Ifpi 11 ;r J I n ) ■fi li George Washington. GEORGE THE THIRD. I .)0 We fought against the French, hated and blamed them, And wrestled with them many long, long years; Beat them at Waterloo at last, and shamed them. And carried hack their king with guns and spears. RoniCKT BlKNS. A king they did not want, and sent their choice To prison for life on a lone)}' island rock ; King, Connnons, Lords, all willed it with one voice. The day being past for the Tower, axe and block. ^ !• 156 GEORGE THE THIRD. Il I' At last King (Joorge the Third ])ecfiiiio insaiio, And his son was regent years before he died. So ill was he that he never ruled again ; The little old (jueen never left his side. t A CoUKT Lady, iikkin oi' (iKctKcK thk Tiiird. America might rebel, his sons provoke, London resist, his enemies d(;ride him, But the hard little (jueen, with her red cloak, Was soft to him, and true, and kept beside him. Sad was his end, we cannot but deplore him. Sorrowful, lonely, aged, deaf and blind, With intervals of reason breaking o'er him, Rising of the clouds and clearing of the mind. : ■ I !■ i GEORGE THE THIRD. 157 lie pnn/t'tl for E in/In nd tlu>n, fnid for tlio wit't^ Wlio lovt'tl, uikI kept her" wcafy watdi l»csi(l(> liiin ; And for his children. And so passed his life, A splendid failure. l»ut let none deride him. Who lias not blundered 1 Heaven help us all When thrust hy fortune into awkward places; Wiser than he may fail too, aye, and fall ; Dwell rather on liis kindly acts and graces. DiKn at Windsor Castle, January "iTth, 1S20, aged S-J. Rkionkd go years. liruiEl) in St. (Jeorge's Cliapol, Windsor. Soe Thackeiay's "Four (Jeorgcs '" and Miss liurnoy's account of Queen Cliailottc's court. Kelsluun's " Memoirs of the Keign of (ieorgo the Tliird " gives a spirited and faitliful account of the struggle against France. SCKNE IN EncLAND. '" GEORGE THE l-OUinir. ('ALLKD IN THOSE T)AY8 "THK FTllST (iKNTI.KMAN IN EUROl'K." II ^i, j il 1 ' ► i ' 1 1 ' Born August 12th, ITCj'i. MAHiirKi) to Ciiroliuo of Brunswick, Aj)iil Stli, 1793. M.XDK Rk(!KNT Novt'nil)or, ISIO. CuowNKD King July lOtli, 1821. And now comes George the Fourth, tlie Brighton beau, Who wore high stocks, strapped boots, and tightened waist ; Who set the fashion for many years, you know, And was the oracle of British taste. His reign is marked by a bright and shining host Of writers of great merit, wit and worth ; He put lieigh Hunt in jail, gave Houthey the Laureate's post. And knighted Scott, "the wizard of the north." CKOA'CJi THE roVRTH. Ife ni/ulo state tours, and all the land recoivetl him With much j^ood humor and with loyal cheers. Ho lost his only dau^'hter— it scarce grieved him— And reigned in I'^igland nearly twenty years, 150 KMAX [)5. beau, ghtened n Georck the Fourth. :e's post, Counting his regency. I'll say no more. I could if I would, for you know he ruled the nation Not s very long ago ; but his day is o'er. Wl revive it ? My father saw his coronation, Sir Walter Scott, Bart. !■■■■■■ GEORGE THE EOURTH. IGl And hoard the f^'ivat bell of St. Paul's toll out at night, And sadly echo back from many a ste('i)le The grief for Chai-lotte, young, strong, fair and bright, Snatched in her early promise from her people. }lis Majesty's Cottac;!;, \Vim>s(ik. He heard the king's voice and saw his injurccl wife, And his coflin and his funeral ; let him be, We are coming to a later and a lovolitM' life, Why waste our precious time on such ;is he ? ^ li 5 i Thomas Mookk. z:*'-^. 4 ' Loud lJvi;iiN. II 1G4 GEORGE THE FOURTH. Old England cai'ried out her king's endeavor, Followed his lead and nothing did by halves ; Let truth sink into her well. He has gone forever, With his well-cut features and his handsome calves. Died June 26th, 1830, aged 68. BuRlEU in St. George's Clia))el, Windsor. '' 1 Dover Cli. s. U Ives. ( ---11 ^^*L^__>i.' BeaI- BkUMMKJ^L, KlNi; r;E()ROE's RiVAL, William the Fouktii. ill> WILLIAM THE FOIIKTH. Third son of George the Third. Born August 21st, ITGo. Markied to tlie Princess Adeluido of Saxe-Meiningen, July 18th 1818. ■^ Crowned 1830. He was "our sailor king," and in his day The great ''Reform Bill" passed and pleased the nation. Being old when crowned his reign soon sped away To flags half-mast, and a funeral oration. Queen Adelaide was a gentle, worthy lady, Generous and kind, and thoughtful of the poor; And if King William's life was somewhat shady, She was a queen indeed, and something more— A Christian soul, a liberal-minded woman, Who in her will remembered those in need, And thought upon the sad, the sick, the common- A flower of womanhood and not a weed. [;- i I __j __„ Queen Adelaide. I WILLIAM rilE FOURTH. Borne to her grave by twelve stout British seamen, In love for the king and tlie navy where he served, A farewell compliment from this sweet woman, A compliment, I think, he scarce deserved. But it pleased the sailors, and perhaps she knew It would glad and warm the heart of good Jack Tar- Brave sea-dog, he has compliments so few, Though he l)ravely bears the brunt in every war. But one great glory anrl gain Marks Sailor William's rei<:n Through the perseverance of a saint of God- Good Wilherforce, who righted a great wrong And freed the slaves, eight hundred thousand strong— Our brethren, not in color but in blood. IGO TuK King (lied June 20tli, 18:^7, agetl 72. Ii ,i Ql-eex Vk tokia in iiKK Coronation Robks. liV VK'TOIUA. B(.k.N May 24tli, J.sH>. Cr()\vm.;i) Juno i>oth, 18.S7 AXD now I'll tellyouof alivini queen, Great Britain's tigmehead, her nation's v.ice • I'll tell you what I've heard of her and .seen, And wliat she likes and what she does by' choice Oui- Queen ! I' m sure a person foreicrn hum Can hardly understand our heart's whol When Ave sing "Gods e mii;ht save the Queen " in early morn Or in the still and solemn hour of ni-di t, Or at any hour of the day when that anthem rolls Through broad cathedral or through public s.uan Ihe Jitting up of many million souls To the Infinite, who hears and answers prayer 172 VICTORIA. 8he came to a weary and a waiting nation Like the dawn of a new day ; a widening scope For nobler thouglit and grander aspiration Came then, and she has answered (jur great hope. Princk Alukkt and tiik (^ikkn. [We know (for hjve has insight), royal woman. The loneliness and hardness of thy duty, And we rejoice that one so truly '* human " (In Carlyle's words) gave counsel sweet, and beaut}'. I f^fifi ii And bright romance, and true and holy love, In the early years of thy long glorious reign. He shared thy cares ; his whole life went to prove That a royal home may be pure and without stain.] VrCTORlA. Well, to begin, this good queen loves her horses, And sees that they nre cared for, well and hale ; And I am told the royal heart n^joices In everything with four legs and a tail. 17M ,/ O.K QrKEN's FmsT Chim.-Tme Vhjsvkss Roya.. /Vom a painting by Winterhatter. ty, .] Her dogs are special pets. I know that 8pot (And Marco, too) is a highly-favored f.-iend (Perhaps she thinks of the fair, frail royal Scot, And how hpr doggie loved her to the end). She likes to see them comfortable and jolly ; She knows their faithful hearts, their love, their loyalty ; She calls them -friends," and does not think it folly Or any derogation from her royalty. Pip V hr VICTORIA. 175 Then she loves little children and poor women, Feels for their woes, their sorrows, wants and wrongs • She loves her colliers, fisiior folk and seamen ; She loves good music and old Scottish son-1 She loves her soldiers. It has been her fate To receive all kinds of souls and prize them all In their variance, from the statesman wise and great Down to wee tots, wh<, are very, very small. She has kept her people's good in lu.- heart forever, Nor turned her back on despised and naked trutli, But welcomed each imj.rovement and endeavor. From honest Shaftesbury to General Booth. ' Her heart warms to the workers of the earth, For she is a worker. She makes lovely lace. She can spin flax and knit. Her household worth Makes her quick to feel each touch of homely grace And she keeps all appoint.nents to the minute. She never let her lowest su])ject wait When she said she would see him. There's a great deal in it ; It is not a common virtue, let me state, F .-3P^ 176 VICTORIA. She loves a christening or a wedding feast, And takes an interest in both maid and lover ; Prizes old servants, down to the very least (Would every mistress did the wide world over). She gave a peerage to her greatest poet, And pensions to worthy workers of all kinds ; And she appreciates, we feel and know it, The greatest thoughts of men of many minds. Her life from youth is l)y far the noblest story Of royal womanhood we have ever seen. In her "the hoary head is a crown of gl<»ry " Above the royal crown. "God save the Queen." ^i Prince Albert when a Child. r THE END. I Little pitdiors with lon;^,' ears All hrimful of kings and queens; ^V'ise and learned little dears Knowing well what history means ; Lads and lassies, now good-l)ye, , For the best ni friends must part. If you ai-e weaiy, so am I ; Fare-you-\Nell, with all niy heart.