plete romance which he left. Miss Lucy Aikin says of the Arcadia, that "fervour of eloquence," "nice discrimination of character," and "purity of thought," "stamp it for the offspring of a noble mind." "His death," continues Miss Aikin, "was worthy of the best parts of his life he showed himself to the last devout, courageous, and serene. His wife, the beautiful daughter of Walsingham; his brother Robert, to whom he had performed the part rather of an anxious and indulgent parent than of a brother; and many sorrowing friends, surrounded his bed. Their grief was, beyond a doubt, sincere and poignant, as well as that of the many persons of letters and of worth who gloried in his friendship, and flourished by his bountiful patronage." Such a man's name and example should still serve to kindle in the bosom of youth the animating glow of virtuous emulation. Lord Thurlow, a late Lord Chancellor of England, wrote a pretty sonnet on Sidney's picture : "The man that looks, sweet Sidney, in thy face, And musing virtue, prodigal of blood: Divinest Spenser would admiring look; SIR WALTER RALEIGH. Sir Walter Raleigh was born at Hayes Farm in Devonshire, 1552, and was beheaded in London, 1618. He is memorable for his understanding, his knowledge, and his enterprising spirit. During the reign of Elizabeth, Raleigh performed many honorable services in the British navy, and fitted out, and sometimes accompanied, ships of discovery which explored the coasts of North and South America. After the accession of James II, Elizabeth's successor, Raleigh was indicted and tried for treason, upon the charge of attempting to place Lady Arabella Stuart on the throne of England; and though he was not condemed, he suffered fifteen years of imprisonment. When Raleigh was liberated, he obtained a commission from the King, and commanded an expedition against Guiana, in South America. In this enterprise he was unsuccessful, though he committed some depredations upon the Spaniards who were in possession of the country. On his return to England he was tried upon the former accusation, and sentenced to death. The sentence was immediately executed, and a life of singular vicissitudes, in which the prosperity was adorned by eminent accomplishments, and the adversity sustained by admirable fortitude, was thus cruelly terminated. SPENSER. UNA AND THE REDCROSS KNIGHT. "The heavenly Una and her milk-white lamb."—Wordsworth. But on his breast a bloody cross he bore, Riding. † Attired. § Engraved. Contests of skill and arms. Upon a great adventure he was bound, That greatest glorious queen of fairy lond, A lovely lady rode him fair beside, Upon a lowly ass more white than snow; Seemed in heart some hidden care she had, So pure an innocent, as that same lamb, Forewasted all their land and them expelled: Whom to avenge, she had this knight from far compelled. Behind her far away a dwarf did lag, That lazy seemed in being ever last, Of needments at his back. his back. Thus as they past That every wight to shroud it did constrain, And this fair couple eke to shroud themselves were fain." Did spread so broad, they heaven's light did hide, And all within were paths and alleys wide, And forth they pass, with pleasure forward led, Which therein shrouded from the tempest's dread, That which of them to take, in divers doubts they been. These verses are easily comprehended. Every young person should know something of Chivalry. That institution had once great influence upon the manners and happiness of Europe. The situation of Una, and the nature of her protector's character and office, will not be understood without some acquaintance with the meaning of chivalry. CHIVALRY. The origin of Chivalry was briefly this :—France, Spain, England, Germany, Italy and Holland, once belonged to the Roman Empire; but armies from the North of Europe invaded these more southern countries, overthrew the Roman power, and at different times took possession of the places they conquered. When they had made themselves masters of a country, the great leaders of the armies took large tracts of land; and their followers, that is the soldiers they commanded, together with such of the original inhabitants of the countries as they permitted to live, became the vassals of these great men. These subject people were not acquainted with the useful arts or comforts of life which we enjoy, but they could take care of cattle, cultivate the soil in a rude and imperfect manner, could help to erect the castle and church of their master, and could follow him to battle. This latter service, together with a great part of the cattle and corn which they could procure from the cultivation of the soil, they gave to their lords. The lords always kept many of their vassals in their houses or castles, and usually went out with a considerable number of them as attendants. This was partly for show, and partly for safety. These followers were called Retainers, and when they went abroad with their masters formed his Retinue. The more people a great lord had about his person, the better was he guarded, and the more was he feared. In the present happier age of the world, when every man has his own business, and property, and leisure, and enjoyments, no great man has any right to the services of so many of his fellowmen; nor has he any need of them, for he has nothing to fear from the violence of others—he is protected by the laws of his country, and what is better, by the humanity of all men, who have learned in some measure, to respect one another's lives and property, and to know, in order that all may be happy, all must be safe, and protected by each other. But a thousand years ago men lived very differently. The owners of property which lay together often claimed the same; and as there were not courts of justice to inquire into and settle their rights, they and their vassals fought about them. Many of the richer and more powerful lords, wanting to become still more rich and powerful, and having no sense of religion, of justice, or mercy—none of the fear of God or love of man—murdered their neighbours, set fire to their houses, carried off their |