Henry to see his children eager to seize his possessions, even in his life-time, and leaguing with his most bitter foes, for a powerful confederacy was entered into on the continent in their favour.

"In this dilemma Henry, who well knew the influence which superstition held in the minds of the people, resolved to do penance at the shrine of St. Thomas of Canterbury, for that appellation had been given to Becket, and accordingly put his design into execution-as soon as he came within sight of the church he alighted from his horse, and walked barefoot until he reached the shrine, before which he prostrated himself; the following day he received absolution, and returned to London.

"This step was so conciliatory to the people, that the barons, who had revolted, immediately made submission, and in a short time all within the kingdom was reduced to quiet and obedience.

"Prince Henry, the king's eldest son, by this general pacification, was disap

pointed in his intention of seconding the discontented nobles, and soon after died at Martel, in his last hours expressing the utmost compunction for his undutiful conduct towards his father.

"Richard, the second son, now became heir apparent, and soon shewed the same unwarrantable ambition that had misled his brother; for he entered into a league with the King of France, and waged an unnatural war against his father. A treaty was, however, at length concluded, in which Henry was obliged to submit to many mortifying concessions; but what wounded him most deeply was, that on demanding a list of the barons it was stipulated he should pardon, he found among the number the name of his son John, the most beloved of all his children. He had long borne an infirm state of health with resignation: he had struggled to appear calm under the rebellious conduct of his other sons, but when he found the child he had so highly prized, and considered the staff of his age, leagued against him,

he could no longer contain his indignation, but giving way to despair, cursed the day on which he had received his miserable being; bestowing at the same time a malediction on his ungrateful sons, which he could never be prevailed on to retract. From this time he lost his vivacity, his heart became a void, no object appeared to give him comfort; the barbarous return he had met with from his son John incessantly preyed upon him, and a lingering fever, occasioned by a broken heart, speedily terminated his miseries and life together. He died at the castle of Chinon, in the fifty-eighth year of his age, and the thirty-fifth of his reign.

"Such, my children, was the life of Henry the Second, who, possessed of power to command, and gifted with a superior understanding, was yet unhappy; for the life of man in this state of probation can never be free from care. In the character of Becket we have an example of what perseverance may effect, and which, from the common rank, exalted him to the highest dignities of the church.”

"He would indeed have been praiseworthy," replied Mrs. Wilmot," had he borne his advancement with the meekness befitting his sacred vocation; and though I cannot decidedly adopt Charles's opinion, yet I must allow his humility appears but as a thin veil to cover his pride. In drawing the impious contrast between himself and our blessed Redeemer, he forgot that no affected austerities, nor gaudy pomp signalized the Saviour of mankind, butgreat in real humility, he recommended by his own example love and peace to all men. Meekness and forgiveness of injuries Becket also appeared unacquainted with; for it was no sooner in his power than he sought revenge on all who had offended him."

"Your mother, Charles," said Mr., Wilmot, "takes your side of the argument against Becket, I must therefore give him up. But should not the example of Henry, when he spoke in hasty anger against the prelate, be a lesson for us to restrain our words and sentiments before

those whose interest it may be to assist us in worldly views, even to the more material cost of everlasting happiness; in which case surely the most heavy part of the sin will rest on our own heads?"

"Poor Henry," replied Anne, "he might utter the words against Becket without any criminal intention, and was, in effect, no happier for his death. The conduct of the queen, and the unnatural behaviour of his children, inspires me with pity and sorrow for him,"

"True, sister," answered John. "Yet I am glad that Prince Henry, his eldest son, expressed compunction for his conduct before his death; it was then all the expiation he could make."

"Justly observed," said Mr. Wilmot. "At the hour of death, at least, if we have time for thought, we see things as they really are; the gloss which worldly objects throw over them is dispersed, and the feeling which must naturally ensue, that we are on the point of appearing before an impartial Judge, whom we can