Margaret was kept prisoner in the Tower for five years, when she was ransomed by the king of France. Miss Agnes Strickland thus eloquently records her death:-"The last tie that bound Margaret to the world was severed by the death of her father, and she wished to end her days in 25profound 26retirement. Her efforts to obtain the bodies of her murdered husband and son were 27ineffectual; but till the last day of her life she employed some faithful 28 ecclesiastics in England to perform at the humble graves of her loved and lost ones, those offices deemed needful for the repose of their souls. On her death-bed she divided among her faithful attendants the few valuables that remained from the wreck of her fortunes; and worn out with the pressure of her sore afflictions of mind and body, she closed her troublous pilgrimage at the 29chateau of Damprierre, in the fifty-first year of her age." From the experiences of Margaret of Anjou we may see that a life of ambition is a life of sorrow, and that great qualities in man or woman too often bring unhappiness to their possessors. Describe the character of Henry the Sixth. Tell the evils that arose from his weakness and inability to govern. What effect did it have upon the nobles? Upon the country? Why were the people displeased with Henry's marriage with Margaret of Anjou? Describe the character of this queen. What opposition did she meet with when she began to govern? What was the result? How did Margaret behave under reverses? Relate the adventure with the robber. What became of Henry the Sixth and his son? Relate Miss Strickland's account of the closing circumstances of Margaret's life. What lesson may we learn from her sad story? 16 6 4 10 chroniclers, enterprising, 1 shuttlecock: this refers to the game of battledore and shuttlecock, in which the shuttlecock is tossed in various directions by the battledore, and it expresses the thorough helplessness of Henry in the hands of the noblemen. prelate, a clergyman of a superior order, as a bishop, etc. 3 thwarting, opposing; defeating; crossing. Anjou, a province in central France. 5 dowry, the estate or money which a woman brings to her husband in marriage. contemporary, living at the same time. historians. rare, uncommon; not often found. bold in undertaking anything. reflective, capable of exercising thought or judgment. "1 dominion, sovereignty; rule; government. 12 reverses, changes, especially changes from better to worse; misfortunes. 13 quailed, lost spirit; shrank with fear. 1estate, rank; position. 15 heroine, a distinguished and high-spirited woman. intrigues, secret plots. "Richard Duke of York was descended from Edward the Third, so also was Henry the Sixth; but the people had accepted the House of Lancaster for their rulers, and therefore they had a better claim than the House of York. 18 partisans, those who took his part; adherents. 19 Wars of the Roses, so called because the House of Lancaster wore a red rose for its badge, and the House of York a white rose. 20 St. Albans, Herts: named after Alban, the first British martyr, who was put to death there in the year 303. 21 singularity, strangeness ; uncommonness; peculiarity. 2 gauntlet, a large glove with plates of metal on the back, worn as part of the armour in ancient times. It was the custom to use the gauntlet in challenging people to fight. To throw down the gauntlet was to offer or send a challenge; to take up the gauntlet was to accept a challenge. 23 his brothers: Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who became Richard the Third in 1483; and the Duke of Clarence, who was afterwards put to death by Edward the Fourth, the king mentioned here. 21 Miss Agnes Strickland, a lady who has written a very large work entitled "The Queens of Eugland." It is a work of great merit, for not only has it required much labour to gather all the information together, but it is written in a pleasant style, and is as charming as a story book. 25 profound, very close; very deep. 26 retirement, seclusion; privacy; withdrawal from public notice. 27 ineffectual, without success. 28 ecclesiastics, priests; clergymen. 29 chateau (French), castle; a country seat. periences, that which befel or happened, THE SUNBEAM. THOU art no' lingerer in monarch's hall, Sunbeam! what gift hath the world like thee? Thou art walking the billows, and Ocean smiles; Thou hast touched with glory 'his thousand isles ; Thou hast lit up the ships and the feathery foam, And gladdened the sailor like words from home. To the 'solemn depths of the forest shades Thou art streaming on through their green 'arcades, I looked on the mountains,-a 'vapour lay I looked on the peasant's lowly cot,- To the earth's 'wild places a guest thou art, Thou tak'st through the dim church-aisle thy way, And thou turnest not from the humblest grave, 6 Thou scatterest its gloom like the dreams of rest, Sunbeam of summer! oh what is like thee? Hope of the wilderness, joy of the sea! The faith touching all things with hues of heaven. 4 1lingerer, one who lingers, loiters, or hangs about. 2 his thousand isles, the isles of the ocean. solemn depths, quiet secret places, far from the outside. arcades, walks arched overhead; in this instance, by trees meeting. 5 vapour, cloud; mist. array, dress. living flame, bright shining light as of a flame. 8 lattice, any work made by crossing laths, rods, or bars, and so forming a network; here means a window with tiny diamondshaped panes of glass. wild places, deserts. 10 church-aisle, a passage in the church, into which the pews or seats open. 11 trophies, arms, etc., taken from an enemy, and preserved as a memorial of victory. It is not uncommon to place the gun, sword, etc., or representations of them, over the tombs of men who have been successful in fighting. 12 molten, melted. here means covering. 13 breast, LEAVING Bombay, the royal steamer proceeded southwards, along the 'Malabar coast to Goa. Groves of cocoa-nut trees grow along this coast close to the shore, giving it a very pretty appearance. belongs to the Portuguese; it is in fact the only remnant left to them of their once extensive Indian possessions. Old Goa is situated some distance up a river, and when the Prince landed, he was received by the Portuguese Governor, who 'escorted him to this city to see the ruins of many fine buildings. The Prince was so charmed with the scenery, that "On account of the surf, passengers and goods are conveyed by a boat high at the bow and stern, especially adapted for the purpose." (p. 206.) he requested to be taken a few miles further up the stream. The next place visited by the Prince was 3Ceylon. The inhabitants gave His Royal Highness a most hearty reception, and showed the fertility of their island by loading the 'triumphal arches with fruit, and making pyramids of the same on every side. |