having with great success fought many battles against the Persians, Goths, and Vandals, in his old age, by the malice and cruelty of the empress had his eyes put out, and fell into such extreme want, that he was forced to beg by the highway side; Date obolum Belisario: "Give a halfpenny to poor Belisarius, whom virtue raised, and envy hath thus made blind." 23. King William the Second, on the morrow after Lammas day, hunting in the New Forest of Hampshire, in a place called Chorengham, was unhappily slain in the midst of his sport. For Sir Walter Tyrrel shooting at a deer, his arrow glanced upon a tree, and hit the king full in the breast, who hastily taking hold of so much of the arrow as stuck out of his body. broke it off, and with one only groan fell down, and died: whereupon the knight, and most of the king's followers, hasted away; and those few that remained, laid his body in a collier's cart; which being drawn by one poor beast, in a foul and filthy way the cart broke: where lay the spectcle of worldly glory, both pitifully gored and filthily bemired; till thus drawn into the city of Winchester, on the morrow after his death he was buried under a plain marble stone. 24. King Edward II. surnamed Caernarvon, being deprived of his royal crown and dignity, remained with Henry earl of Leicester his kinsman: but the queen suspecting his escape, wrought so with her son king Edward the Third, that by his commandment the king was delivered thenee into the hands of Thomas of Gurney, and John Maltravers, knights, who brought him from Kenelworth to the castle of Corffe, from thence to Bristol, and thence to Berkeley. Many cruelties they exercised upon this poor prince; they permitted him not to ride but by night, neither to see any man, nor to be seen by any; when he rode, they forced him to be bare-headed; when he desired to sleep, they would not suffer him; neither when he was hungry, would they give him such meat as he desired, but only such as he loathed: every word that he spake was misrepresented by them, and they gave out that he was mad. All this was done, that either by cold, watching, unwholesome food, me lancholy, or some other infirmity, he might languish and die: but in vain was their expectation; yea even the poisons they gave him were dispatched away by the benefit of nature. In their journey to Berkeley from Bristol, thewicked Gurney making a crown of hay, put it on his head, and the soldiers that was present scoffed, and mocked him beyond measure. Fearing to be known as they tra velled, they devised to disfigure him, by shaving his head and beard; wherefore, by a little water that ran into a ditch, they commanded him to alight from his horse to be shaven; to whom, being set on a mole-hill, a barber came with a ba son of cold water, taken out of a ditch, saying to the king, "that water should serve for that time." To whom Edward answered, that "in spite of them he would have warm water for his beard;" and thereupon began to weep and shed tears plentifully. At length they came to Berkley castle, where Edward was shut up close as an anchorite, in a room where dead carcases were laid on purpose in the cellar under it, that the stench might suffocate him: but this being per ceived not sufficient, one night, being the twenty-second of September, they came rushing in upon him suddenly, as he lay in his bed, and with great and heavy feather-beds, being in weight as much as fifteen strong men could bear, they op pressed and strangled him. Also they thrust a plumber's soldering-iron (being made red-hot) into his bowels, through a certain instrument, like to the end of a trumpet or clystering-pipe, put in at the fundament; burning thereby his in ward parts, lest any outward wound should be found. His cries were heard within and without the castle, and known to be the cries of one that suffered a violent death. And this was the sorrowful and tragic end of Edward of Caernarvon. 25. Dionysius the younger had his kingdom in good condition and sufficients ly fortified: he had no less than 400 ships of five or six oars in a seat ; he had (22.) Fulgos. Ex. 1. 5. c. 3. p. 612. Clark's Mir. c. 131. p. 677.-(23.) Speed's Chron. p. 449. Stowe's An. p. 134.-- (24.) Stuwe's Annals, p. 225, 226, Baker's Chronicle, p. 109, 164, 165, one One hundred thousand foot, and nine thousand horse; his city of Syracuse had strong gates, and was encompassed with high walls; he had in readiness all man nerof warlike provisions to furnish out500 more ships: he had granaries wherein were laid up 100 myriads of that measure which contains six bushels of bread-corn; he had a magazine replete with all sorts of arms offensive and defensive; he was also well fortified with confederates and allies, so that he himself thought that the government was fastened to him with chains of adamant. But being invaded by Dion (in his absence) his people revolted, and behold what a fatal revolution fell out in his family; himself had before slain his brother, and in this insurrection against him his sons were cruelly put to death; his daughters were first ravished, then stript naked, and in that manner slain; and in short, none of his progeny obtained so much as a decent burial: for some were burnt, others cut in pieces, and some cast into the sea; and he himself died oid, in extreme poverty. Theopompus saith," that by the immoderate use of wine he was become purblind; that his manner was to sit in barbers' shops, and as a jester to move men unto laughter: living in the midst of Greece in a mean and low fashion, he wore out the miserable remainder of a wretched life." 26. King Edward the Third, that glorious conqueror, after he had reigned fifty years and four months, being in the 56th year of his age, an. Dom. 1377, fell into his last sickness at his manor of Richmond, where, when he was observed to be drawing on towards his end, his concubine Alice Peirce came to his bed-side, and took the rings from his fingers, which for the royalty of his majesty he used to wear, and having left him gasping for breath, fled away. The knights a desquires, and officers of his court, each of them fell to rifle and make prey of all they could meet with, and also hasted away, leaving the king alone in this sorrowful state and condition. It happened, that a priest lamenting the king's misery, that amongst all his counsellors and servants there was none to assist him in his last moments, entered his chamber, exhorting the king to lift up his eyes and heart unto God, to repent him of his sins, and to implore the mercy of Heaven, and its forgiveness. The king had before quite lost his speech; but at these words (taking strength uttered his mind (though imperfectly) in those matters, and made signs of contrition, wherein his voice and speech failed him, and scarce pronouncing this word Jesu, he yielded up the ghost. 27. Gilimer was king of the Vandals in Afric: long had he lived happy, increasing his riches and dominions by his victories; when his felicity began to alter. Belisarius, sent by the emperor Justinian against him, overthrew him; he fled out of the battle unto Pappus, a high mountain in Numidia, whither he was pursued and besieged: he had endured the siege a while, when he sent word that he would yield up himself, only desired there might be sent him a piece of bread, a sponge, and a harp; the bread to relieve his hunger, the sponge to dry his eyes, and the harp to ease his afflicted mind: they were sent him, and he yielded. Being brought into the psesence of Belisarius, he did nothing but laugh; being led in triumph to Constantinople, and presented to Justinianus and Theodora his empress, he cried out, “ Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." He afterwards died private in a corner of Gaul. 28. Croesus, that rich king of Lydia, showed Solon all his riches and treasures: "And what thinkest thou," said he, "is there any man thou knowest more happy than myself?" "There is," said he, and named one Tellus, "a man of mean for tune but content with it." And then he named two others, who having lived well, were now dead. Craesus laughed: And," said he, "what state take you me to be in?" "I cannot tell," said Solon; "nor can we reasonably account that man happy who is tossed in the waves of this life, till he is arrived at the haven, seeing a tempest may come, that may overturn all." Croesus made little of this at the time; but being overcome by Cyrus, bound, and laid upon a pile, (25.) Elian. Var. Hist. 1. 6. c. 12. p. 194. — (26.) Bak. Chron. p. 192. Stowe's Annals, p. 269.-27.) Lips. Monit. 1. 2. c. 14. p.344. - to to be burnt alive, Croesus cried out, "O Solon! Solon!" Cyrus admiring, caused him to be asked "What God or man it was he invoked in this his extremity?" He replied, "that Solon came into his mind, who had wisely admonished him not to trust to his present for tune, nor to think himself happy before he came to his end. "I laughed," said he, " at that time; but now I approve and admire that saying.' So did Cyrus also, who commanded Croesus to be freed, and made him one of his friends. ga, 29. In 1612 Achmet, emperor of of the Turks, raised his favourite Nassouf Bacha to the dignity of grand vizier. Nassouf was the son of a Greek priest, who was married, and when a child had -been given instead of tribute, and carried to Constantinople in the time of the sultan Amurath III. Having entered in the seraglio into the service of the Kisle Aga, that is to say, the governor of the daughters of the grand signior, he acquired the esteem of Roustein Ag or intendant of the sultana's household, to whom he was often sent with messages; this princess obtained for him the government of Aleppo, and afterwards that of Diarbekir, whence he was recalled to become grand vizier, and to marry one of Achmet's daughters. But soon after, the emperor being informed of his extortion and crimes, sent the Boslangi Basha to demand from him the seal of the empire, along with his head. Nassouf's throat being cut, because the executioners were not able to strangle him, the grand signior caused him to be conveyed into his presence in an old carpet; and as soon as he beheld him, he gave orders that his head should be cut off entirely, for fear, as he said, "lest the dog should come to life again." The body was then thrown into the sea from the seraglio; but the emperor, in compliance with a request made by the sultana his daughter, allowed it soon after to be taken up and to be buried, but without any pomp, in the public burying ground. 30. Francis Carmagnole, so called from the town of Carmagnole in Piedmont, was the son of a peasant, and in his youth had been employed in keeping pigs; but having a turn for a military life, he became a soldier, and rose by degrees to the rank of general, which, on account of his courage and good behaviour, was conferred on him by Philip Viscenti, duke of Milan. As he distinguished himself in this situation by several splendid actions, the duke gave him one of his relations in marriage, and honoured him with a considerable government; but this elevation excited the envy of some great men, who, by misrepresentation, made the duke conceive a bad opinion of him, so that be was obliged to retire for safety to the states of Venice, where he met with a favourable reception. The Venetians having appointed him commander in chief of their army against the duke of Milan, he defeated his troops in several battles; but not wishing to take advantage of his victories, he resolved to enter into a reconciliation with the duke; which coming to the knowledge of the Venetians, they caused him to be carried to Venice, where he was beheaded in 1422. 31. In 1475 Pierre Landais, a native of Vitré, in Brittany, brought up to the business of a tailor, entered into the service of the tailor of Francis II. duke of Brittany: by these means he got access to the presence of the duke, with whom he became so great a favourite, that he intrusted him with his greatest secrets. Having passed through the offices of valet and master of the wardrobe, he rose to be grand treasurer, which was the first office in Britanny; but suffering himself to be blinded by his good fortune, he abused the power intrusted to him, oppressed the innocent, persecuted the barons, betrayed the interests of the state, and enriched himself by every species of oppression. crimes incensed the people and the barons so much, that the duke, in order to ap pease them, was obliged to deliver Lan dais to the chancellor, Christian, who These (28.) Herod. 1. 3. p. 11, 12, 36. Lips. Monit. 1. 2. c. 14. p. 342.- (29.) Dupuy Hist. des Favoris. De Levau Recueil de Diverses Histoires, vol. 1. part 1. p. 147.-(30.) Ibid p. 56. condemned condemned him to be hung. This sentence was carried into execution at Nantes in 1485, and the duke was not informed of it till after it was past; for, as he had a strong attachment to this favourite, it was apprehended that he might be induced to pardon him, The body was conveyed to the church of Notre Dame at Nantes, and interred in a chapel which he had caused to be built. 32. Peter La Brosse was born in Touraine of low parents; but he possessed considerable talents, and acquired great skill in surgery. He went to the court of St. Louis, where he was first surgeon to Philip of France, afterwards king under the name of Philip III. sur named the Bold. As soon as this prince mounted the throne, he made La Brosse his chamberlain, and suffered himself to be governed by this favourite, who was rendered so insolent in consequence of his elevation, that he attempted the lives of several of the princes and great lords of the kingdom. In 1276 he poisoned Louis of France, the eldest son of Philip 1II. and Isabel of Arragon, his first consort, and then endeavoured to persuade the king that this crime had been committed by Mary of Brabant, his second spouse, in order to secure the crown to some of her own children. His ambition led him to the commission of several other crimes, which coming to the knowledge of the king, his majesty assembled his council at Vincennes, in which it was resolved that La Brosse should be arrested. He was first conveyed to Paris, then to Javaille, and thence brought back to the capital, where he was, tried in the presence of some of the barons, and condemned to be hung, and to have his property confiscated to the king. This sentence was carried into execution in 1276. The duke of Burgundy, the duke of Brabant, the count d'Artois, and several other lords, were desirous to ee this execution; and there was present also a great number of gentlemen, who were much gratified by the death of this wicked man, on account of the (31.) Dupuy, Hist. des Favoris. De Lavau P. 174.-32.) Ibid. vol. 2 part 2. p. 32. VOL. II. injury he had done to them in consequence of his influence with the king. 33. Charlotte Christina Sophia de Woofenbuttel, wife of the Czarowitz Alexis, son of Peter the First, czar of Muscovy, and sister to the wife of the Emperor Charles VI. was born the 25th August, 1694. This princess, who possessed beauty, wit, virtue, and the graces, was the object of her husband's aversion, who was the most brutal of mankind. He attempted many times to poison her, but she was saved by counter-poisons; at last, his inhumanity carried him so far as to strike her violently on the stomach, when she was eight months gone with child; in consequence of which she fainted, and continued in great agony. Peter the First was then on one of his journies. His son, persuaded that this unfortunate princess could not recover, set out immediately for his country-house. The countess of Coningsmark, mother of marshal Saxe, was with the princess when she was delivered of a dead child, and took every possible care of her: but foreseeing, if she recovered, that she would sooner or later fall a victim to the brutality of the czarowitz, she thought of the means to save her, by gaining over her women, and by them informing the husband that both wife and child were dead; on which the czarowitz directed that they should be immediately interred without ceremony. They dispatched couriers to the czar and all the courts of Europe, who went into mourning; mean time, the princess, being carried into a detached chamber, recovered by degrees her health and strength; then furnished with some jewels and gold which the countess procured her, clothed as a common woman, she departed with an old trusty German servant, who passed for her father, and repaired to Paris. She remained there a short time, took a woman to attend her, went to one of the ports, and embarked for Louisiana. Her figure immediately drew the attention of the inhabitants, among which was an officer of the colony, named Daubaad, who having been in Russia, knew her. He could, how ever, scarcely persuade himself that a woman in her situation could be the grand-daughter of the czar Peter: to be the better assured of it, he offered his service to the pretended father; a closer connection was formed by degrees, and they afterwards joined to keep a house together at a joint expense: sometime after she learned by the newspapers, the death of the czarowitz; Dauband then declared to the princess that he knew her, and was willing to abandon every thing and conduct her to Rusia. The widow of the czarowitz, finding herself happier than on a throne, refused to sacrifice the tranquillity of her obscure state to any thing ambition could afford her: she only exacted from Dauband a promise of the most inviolable secrecy, and to conduct himself towards her as he had hitherto done. He swore to comply with her request; and interest secured his compliance. The beauty, wit, and virtue of that princess had made the most lively impression on him; and a habit of living together had strengthened it: he was amiable, and yet young; he had paid her the most flattering attention, she was not insensible of it; and continuing to live together, they became every day more dear to each other; and the old domestic dying, she and Dauband could not any longer live together without reproach. Dauband took advantage of this incident, and represented it to her, that having now renounced every idea of greatness, she might, if he was not disagreeable to her, with propriety espouse him; she consented; and the woman, who had once been destined to rule over Russia, and whose sister reigned at Vienna, became the wife of an officer of infantry. She had a daughter by him, and they lived ten years very happily; when Dauband being troubled with a fistula, they returned to Paris, where she carefully attended him while under the care of the surgeon and on his recovery, he solicited from the India company an employment in the island of Bourbon, and obtained a majority. While the husband was pursuing his business, the wife and daughter one day went to walk in the Thuilleries, where they conversed in German, that they might not be understood by those who were near them: marshal Saxe passing, and hearing them speak in that language, stopped to con sider them. The mother saw and knew him; and her embarrassment betrayed her; he exclaimed, "What, madam, is it possible!" She drew him aside, and made him promise secrecy. Next day the marshal called to visit her; she informed him further of her adventures, and he afterwards visited her and her daughter at times incognito. She soon after departed with her husband for the isle of Bourbon; the marshal then informed the king, who sent orders to the isle of Bourbon to have the greatest respect paid them. He wrote also to the king of Hungary, to acquaint him with the situation of his aunt; who sent her a letter, inviting her to come to him, but on condition of quitting her husband; this she refused, and continued with him until 1747, when he died. Her daughter being also dead, she returned to Paris with a design to retire to a convent, but afterwards retired to Vitu, about a league from Paris, and was alive in 1772. CHAP. XVI. Of such as have left Places of highest Ho nour and Employment for a private and retired Condition. GREAT travellers, who have fed their eyes with variety of prospects, and pleased themselves with the conversation of persons of different countries, are oftentimes observed upon their return to retire themselves, and more to delight in solitude than other men. The like sometimes befalls men of great honours and employments: they retreat unto a private life, as men that are full, and have taken a kind of surfeit of the world; and when they have done so, have enjoyed more of contentment and satisfaction of mind, than all their former noise and splendour could afford them. (33.) Anecdotes from Piéces Intéressantes, published at Paris, 1789. 1. Doris |