8. He answered by Sir Walter Mauny, that they all de-. served capital punishment, as obstinate traitors to him, their true and notable sovereign: that, however, in his wonted clemency, he consented to pardon the bulk of the Piebians, provided they would deliver up to him six of their principal citizens, with halters about their necks, as victims of due atonement for that spirit of rebellion with which they had inflamed the common people. 9. All the remains of this desolate city were convened in the great square, and like men arraigned at a tribunal from whence there was no appeal, expected with throbbing hearts the sentence of their conqueror. When Sir Walter had declared his message, consternation and pale dismay were impressed on every face, each looked upon death as his own inevitable lot; for how should they desire to be saved at the price proposed? Whom had they to deliver up, save parents, brothers, kindred or valient neighbors, who had so of-.. ten exposed their lives in their defence? 10. To a long and dead silence, deep sighs and groans succeeded, till Eustace Saint Pierre, ascending a little eminence, thus addressed the assembly: "My friends and fellow-citizens, you see the condition to which we are reduced; we must either submit to the terms of our cruel and ensnaring conqueror, or yield up our tender infants, our wives, and chaste daughters, to the bloody and brutal lusts of the vï-lating soldiery." 11. "We well know what the tyrant intends by his specious offers of mercy. It does not satiate his vengeance to make us merely miserable, he would also make us criminal -he would make us contemptible: he will grant us life on no condition, save that of our being unworthy of it. Look about you, my friends, and fix your eyes on the persons whom you wish to deliver up as the victims of your own safety." 12. "Which of these would you appoint to the rack, the ax, or the halter? Is there any here who has not watched for you, who has not fought for you, who has not bled for you? Who, through the length of this inveterate siege, has not suffered fatigues and miseries a thousand times worse than death; that you and yours might survive to days of peace and prosperity? Is it your preservers, then, whom you would destine to destruction ?" 13. "You will not, you cannot do it. Justice, honor, hu manity, make such a treason impossible. Where, then, is our resource? Is there any expedient left whereby we may avoid guilt and infamy on one hand, or the desolation and horrors of a sacked city on the other?" 14. "There is, my friends, there is one expedient left ; a gracious, an excellent, a god-like expedient! Is there any hero to whom virtue is dearer than life? Let him offer himself an oblation for the safety of his people. He shall not fail of a blessed approbation from that power who offered up his only Son for the salvation of mankind.” 15. He spoke, but an universal silence ensued. Each man looked around for his example of that virtue and magnanimity in others, which all wished to approve in themselves, though they wanted the resolution. At length Saint Pierre resumed. 16. It had been base in me, my fellow-citizens, to propose any matter of damage to others, which I myself had not been willing to undergo in my own person. But I held it ungenerous to deprive any man of that preference and estimation, which might attend a first offer on so signal an occasion; for I doubt not but there are many here as ready, nay more zealous for this martyrdom than I can be, however modesty and the fear of reputed ostentation may withhold them from being foremost in exhibiting their merits." !" ex 17. Indeed, the station to which the captivity of count Vienne, has unhappily raised me, imports a right to be the first in giving my life for your sakes. I give it freely: I give it cheerfully. Who comes next?" "Your son claimed a youth not yet come to maturity. "Ah, my child! (cried St. Pierre) I am then twice sacrificed.-But no-I have rather begotten thee a second time: thy years are few, but full, my son; the victim of virtue has reached the utmost purpose and goal of mortality.” roes 18. Who next, my friends? This is the hour of he“Your kinsman,” cried John de Aire ! "Your kinsman," cried James Wissant! "Your kinsman," cried Peter Wissant! "Ah!" exclaimed Sir Walter Mauny, bursting into tears," why was I not a citizen of Calais ?” 19. The sixth victim was still wanting, but was quickly supplied by lot, from numbers who were now emulous of so ennobling an example. The keys of the city were then delivered to Sir Walter. He took the six prisoners, into his custody. He ordered the gates to be opened, and gave charge to his attendants to conduct the remaining cit izens, with their families, thro' the camp of the English, 20. Before they departed, however, they desired permission to take their last adieu of their deliverers-What a parting! what a scene! they crouded with their wives and children about St. Pierre and his fellow prisoners. They embraced, they clung around, they fell prostrate before them. They groaned; they wept aloud; and the joint clamor of their mourning passed the gates of the city, and was heard through the camp. 21. At length, Saint Pierre and his fellow victims appeared under the conduct of Sir Walter and his guard. All the tents of the English were instantly emptied. The soldiers poured from all parts, and arranged themselves on each side to behold, to contemplate, to admire this little band of patriots as they passed. 22. They murmured their applause of that virtue which they could not but revere even in enemies; and they regarded those ropes which they had voluntarily tied about their necks, as ensigns of greater dignity than that of the British Garter. 23. As soon as they had reached the royal presence, Mauny," says the king, "are these the principal inhabitants of Calais?" "They are," says Mauny; "they are not only the principal men of Calais: They are the principal men of France, my lord, if virtue has any share in the act of ennobling." 24. "Were they delivered peaceably?" says Edward; "was there no resistance, no commotion among the people?" "Not in the least, my lord. They are self-delivered, self-devoted, and come to offer up their inestimable heads as an ample equivalent for the ransom of thousands.” 25. The king, who was highly incensed at the length and difficulty of the siege, ordered them to be carried away to immediate execution: nor could all the remonstrances and entreaties of his courtiers divert him from his cruel purpose. But what neither a regard to his own interest and honor, what neither the dictates of justice, nor the feelings of humanity could effect, was happily accomplished by the more powerful influence of conjugal affection. 26. The queen who was then pregnant, being informed of the particulars respecting the six victims, flew into her husband's presence, threw herself on her knees before him, and with tears in her eyes besought him not to stain his character with an indelible mark of infamy, by committing such a horrid and barbarous deed. 27. Edward could refuse nothing to a wife whom he so tenderly loved, and especially in her condition; and the queen not satisfied with having saved the lives of the six burghers, conducted them to her tent, where she applauded their virtue, regaled them with a plentiful repast and having made them a present of money and clothes, sent thenr back to their fellow-citizens.. EXTRACT FROM DR. BELKNAP'S ADDRESS TO THE ì. OF HIS HISTORY OF THAT STATE. Citizens of New-Hampshire, H AVING, spent above twenty years of my life with you, and passed thro various scenes of peace and war within that time; being personally acquainted with many of you, both in your public and private characters; and having an earnest desire to promote your true interest, P trust you will not think me altogether unqualified to give you a few hints by way of advice. 2. You are certainly a rising state; your numbers are rapidly increasing; and your importance in the political scale will be augmented in proportion to your improving the natural advantages which your situation affords you, and to your cultivating the intellectual and moral powers of yourselves and your children. 3. The first article on which I would open my mind to you is that of Education. Nature has been as bounifu to you as to any other people, in giving your children genius and capacity; it is then your duty and your interest to cultivate their capacities, and render them serviceable to them selves and the community. 4 It was the saying of a great orator and statesman of antiquity, that "The loss which the commonwealth sustains, by a want of education, is like the loss which the year would suffer by the destruction of the spring." 5. If the bud be blasted, the tree will yield no fruit. If the springing corn be cut down, there will be no harvests So if the youth be ruined through a fault in their educa tion, the community sustains a loss which cannot be repaired; "for it is too late to correct them when they are spoiled." 6. Notwithstanding the care of your legislators in enacting laws, and enforcing them by severe penalties; notwithstanding the wise and liberal provision which is made by some towns and some private gentlemen in the state; yet there is still in many places, "a great and criminal neglect of education." 7. You are indeed a very considerable degree better in this respect, than in the time of the late war; but yet much remains to be done. Great care ought to be taken, not only to provide a support for instructors of children and youth; but to be attentive in the choice of instructors; tę see that they be men of good understanding, learning and morals; that they teach by their example as well as their precepts; that they govern themselves, and teach their pupils the art of self government. 8. Another source of improvement, which I beg leave to recommend, is the establishment of social libraries. This is the easiest, the cheapest and most effectual mode of diffusing knowledge among the people. For the sum of six or eight dollars at once, and a small annual payment be sides, a man may be supplied with the means of literary improvement, during his life, and his children may inherit the blessing. 9. A few neighbors joined together in setting up a library, and placing it under the care of some suitable person, with a very few regulations, to prevent carelessness and waste, may render the most essential service to themselves and the community. 10. Books may be much better preserved in this way, than if they belonged to individuals; and there is an advant age in the social intercourse of persons who have read the same books, by their conversing on the subjects which have occured in their reading, and communicating their observations one to another. 11. From this mutual intercourse, another advantage may arise; for the persons who are thus associated may not only acquire, but originate knowledge. By studying nature and the sciences, by practising arts, agriculture and manufactures, at the same time that they improve the |