1050, having gained the high esteem and favor of various successive monarchs. He was appointed captain-general of the royal forces by Canute, after whose death he became attached to the interests of Harold, (son of Canute,) the unfortunate antagonist of William, duke of Normandy, styled " The Conqueror. He was also instrumental in placing Edward the Confessor upon the throne.

Early historians pass great eulogiums on earl Leofric for his zealous piety. But he exercised tyrannical sway over his people. He laid grievous taxes and penalties upon them, so that petitions and supplications disturbed his devout vespers and morning meditations. However these worldly matters thus intruding themselves into the sanctuary, provoked him to augment, instead of alleviating, the oppressive burdens.

The Kindness and Perseverance of Woman.

Under such circumstances, confidence in the more tender sympathies of the female heart prompted the poor inhabitants to apply to Godiva for her compassionate intercession in their behalf. The angelic woman, though well acquainted with her husband's churlish disposition, freely espoused their cause, and began to plead for their relief. Her humane entreaties were answered only by harsh repulses, and angry requests, that she would have more regard to their own interest, and cease her disagreeable importunities; for it was highly unbecoming her sex to be meddling with political affairs. He even forbade her mentioning the subject to him any more.

Still Godiva did not despair. She, however, prudently desisted entreating, and waited for a more favorable opportunity. Months passed away. The earl was strenuously engaged in suppressing disturbances at the north, and his subjects continued to groan under their cruel burdens. At length his efforts being crowned with success, he returned home with a joyful heart to greet his beloved wife.

The amiable lady received him with the most tender ex

pressions of affection. In his transport of love, clasping her to his bosom, he anxiously inquired if there were aught wanting to complete her happiness. "Only make known your wishes," said he," my fairest, best Godiva, and they shall be instantly complied with."

"I deeply appreciate your kindness, my excellent lord, and the warm breath of gratitude enlivens that flame of conjugal love long since kindled upon the altar of my heart. I have no request to make, but one; which is of such a nature, I know you would deem it impertinent."

"Oh! no; banish all scruples at once, my dear countess Let not your divine modesty impede the word. Speak, and I promise the fulfilment of the command, though at the sacrifice of half my earldom."

It is sometimes fortunate for humanity that old caprices and precedents, both of realms and rulers, escape from the recesses of memory. The earl had doubtless forgotten the circumstance of having formerly forbidden his wife to prefer petitions for the redress of popular grievances. And he could have no idea, that a light-hearted young woman would forego the blandishments of personal array, for the sake of aiding contemptible plebeian classes.

The countess falling upon her knees, and gazing in her husband's face with gushing tears, replied: "Forgive me, but oh! do free our poor, industrious people from the heavy rates, which bear them down to the dust and therefore destroy my peace. For how can I enjoy the superfluous luxuries of every clime, while others around me are compelled to quench their burning thirst at the pools of misery, eating the bread of sorrow? While innocent little children are shivering and moaning at my threshold, how can I recline at ease amid soft robes of comfort and sleep sweetly in the perfumed, soothing air of heaven! We do not need their tribute. We are rich enough without it. But, if we did, I would rather descend from our exalted position nay, I would rather earn my bread by

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honest toil, than wrest it from these worthy fellow-beings whose necessity is so great."

Leofric turned away in a passionate mood, and would not listen to her pleading. He answered with severe reprimands and hard reproaches. But on further reflection he added: "I regret very sincerely, that you should thus, at a moment of sunshine, have broached this unpleasant subject to stir up my feelings. I had determined not to heed the inconsistent, the uncalled-for petitions of the beggars; nevertheless, I will keep my word, and you shall have your magnificent wish.

The countess would have fallen at his feet to manifest the thankfulness of her overflowing heart, had he not prevented it and continued “on this condition, on THIS condition.”

"No matter what the condition may be. I'll abide by it. I promise"

you promise."

"Listen first, and then see if "On this condition; that you make yourself a public spectacle, for the amusement of the whining people, whom you respect so peculiarly, by riding entirely naked through the whole city."

"Ay, my lord, I promise even that. I could never perform such an exploit, except in the cause of humanity. Heaven lend me strength and courage to accomplish this pilgrimage of mercy. And," said she to herself, musing, "after all, it is a little thing to do, in comparison with the deeds of many sainted female martyrs of the olden time. Our first parents are always portrayed naked. The heathen goddesses are represented dishabille. Are not the glorious angels of Paradise without raiment? But is not Leofric trifling with me, to test the sincerity of my pity for our good people?" Then approaching the earl, who could not help admiring her spirit, she ear-nestly asked: "will you give me leave to do as you proposed ?”

"Yes," said he, "if you will thus demean yourself, and bring down the hisses of respectability upon our house."

"Oh, if that were all, I should be quite unconcerned, and free from any emotions of timidity. For the voice of compassion completely drowns all such sounds. But should they perchance invade our ears, we may call to mind that none, save those who lack sober arguments, assail with derision. Only the silly fowls and reptiles of the human species hiss at virtue."

Godiva's Sacrifice of Modesty.

Leofric informing the inhabitants of the sacrifice his lady was about to make on their account, the appointed day they shut themselves within their houses, and darkened every window.

The fair, young countess mounting a beautiful white charger, loosened her long tresses which floated over her snowy body like the shade of a willow over a bed of pale roses, away she rode on her errand of love.

Along the echoing streets she passed,

A fairy vision of light,

Enrobed in innocence alone,

And wavy locks of night.

No one appeared through all the principal thoroughfares of the silent town, until she came down Hertford street, towards St. Michael's church. Here the steed suddenly halted, loudly snuffed the air, and neighed three times.

Startled at the singular occurrence, Godiva glanced around, a modest blush mantling her radiant cheek and neck. What should meet her sight but a poor, little, thimble-headed, patcheared tailor at a window, twisting his eyes round every point of the needle to get an impression of the lady, as she threaded the street. But, lament for the unfortunate peeper; for both his eyes dropped out on the instant! and the young eagles no, turkeys. swallowed them. Still worse, unlucky "Tom" has been forced to stand there grinning, down to this day.

With this exception, the heroine's journey was uninterrupted, and she blithely galloped home to claim the promised boon.

A charter of freedom was granted to the citizens, which never has been lost. In memory of the event, a picture was placed in the south window of Trinity church about the time of Richard II., 1390, representing Godiva and Leofric, holding in their hands a charter, inscribed with this couplet in OldEnglish text:

"I Luriche, for love of thee,

Doe make Coventre Tol-free."

And ever since, the inhabitants celebrate the beautiful sacrifice of their guardian angel, with an occasional procession, in which a maiden of symmetrical person appears, laced in light drapery, riding upon a milk-white steed.

WARWICK, Eng., Dec. 21, 1849.

Appearance of Warwick Castle.

BEFORE me the great castle rears its lofty battlements above the primeval oaks and cedars, like a dark mound in a New England forest. It seems as if planted here by nature on a solid rock-foundation near the channel of fair Avon, its main body towering a hundred feet above the water's edge.

The buildings and walls are perfect, but tapestried and festooned with creeping plants of various fading hues. The oblong blocks of stone are lined with coats of moss. Entering the slowly-unfolding gates, I find myself in a deep excavation of the huge rock.

The ground rings below, and old oaks are bending over to embrace each other above.

I advance, and soon the majestic pile appears based on a