envy of the Scottish nobles, he set the first example of submission, by resigning the supreme command into other hands, and volunteering to serve his country even in the humblest station. It were well if Christians learnt from this patriotic chief, to exercise similar virtues-to combine zeal with humility-patient endurance with unwearied diligence-devotedness to the cause of God and truth, with self-denial and submission. These are qualities no less necessary to form a christian hero, than a genuine patriot.

Purity of motive and uprightness of intention, give dignity to a character however unfortunate, and render a cause sacred though unsuccessful. Vain were the attempts of Edward, to brand with perpetual infamy the name and memory of the Scottish patriot, by the temporary disgrace of a public execution. The infamy of that transaction rests not on the victim, who was immolated on the altar of lawless ambition; but on the tyrant who sought to gratify his vengeful passions by this atrocious deed. The former has, by the unanimous consent of posterity, been crowned with unfading honours, though he bled upon a scaffold; while the latter has, on account of this and many similar acts of injustice, been justly held up to universal execration. But how much more will it appear in the day of righteous retribution, that virtue, however despised and depressed for a time, ultimately leads to glory, honour and immortality-while the workers of iniquity, though now successful to the utmost of their wishes, will be covered with shame and everlasting confusion!

Who that acknowledges the authority and credits the testimony of the sacred volume, would feel disposed to envy the last moments of Edward, surrounded as he was at that awful time by all the tumult and confusion of a military encampment, and breathing out revenge and slaughter against his political enemies? Are these the scenes from which it is desirable to pass into eternity, or is this the unhallowed temper with which to appear before the tribunal of the Most High? What a tremendous mockery was that practised by this expiring prince, when he charged his son to convey his heart to the Holy Land,

while it was manifest that his whole soul was intently fixed upon an object of earthly ambition, the prosecution of which he most reluctantly abandoned, and committed with his latest breath to his successor. Such a death may be panegyrized by the antichristian historian, or depicted in flattering colours by the infidel poet; but it is calculated to strike with terror and dismay every one who believes that "the dead, small and great, shall stand before God, and be judged, every man according to his works."

ALTHOUGH the monarch whose reign is now to be sketched, was more unfortunate in his government and more miserable in his end than any other sovereign of this country, few princes have ascended a throne under more auspicious circumstances. Placed at the head of a powerful army, of a prosperous and united kingdom-in the bloom and vigour of youth, having just attained his twenty-third year-and called to succeed a sovereign, whose victories in the field, and wisdom in the cabinet, had acquired him the confidence and admiration of all his subjects it is no wonder that his accession should have caused universal joy, and inspired high anticipations. But this prince had committed in early youth one capital error, which occasioned all the calamities of his future life and reign. He had attached himself to Gavaston, a young foreigner of singular beauty, fascinating manners, and splendid accomplishments, but withal, vain, presumptuous, arrogant, profligate and licentious. The ascendency which this insnaring youth had obtained over the mind of the prince, did not escape the penetrating eye of Edward I.

who imagined he had broken the charm, by banishing Gavaston, and obtaining a promise from the prince, that he would never recall him from exile. This was felt to be a matter of such importance with the late king, that it was one of the three requests which he made in his last moments, in the presence of all his nobles.

The instructions of a dying parent usually make a deep impression, and are not easily forgotten. But, in the present instance, they seem to have been utterly disregarded. The young king marched forward indeed with his army to Dumfries, where he summoned the Scottish nobility to meet him, and perform homage to him as their lawful sovereign. A small number complied with the requisition, and took the oaths of allegiance; while the far greater part joined the standard of Robert Bruce, who only waited for a favourable opportunity of attacking the English army. But that opportunity was not afforded him, for Edward satisfied himself with the partial homage he had received, and returned to England with his army, without having once encountered the enemy.

The first act of this weak and misguided prince, after his return to his own kingdom, was to recall the vicious companion of his youth, to whom he was still most warmly attached. Not content with admitting him into the number of his private friends, he loaded him with dignities and wealth, by conferring on him the title of earl of Cornwall, and granting him the large estates connected with that earldom, which had lately fallen to the crown, in consequence of the death of his cousin Edmund. He next gave him his own niece in marriage, together with a large dowry taken out of the royal treasury. In compliance with the wishes of this worthless minion, he discarded many of those officers of state, who had long and faithfully served his royal father, but who had incurred the displeasure of Gavaston, by having advised his banishment. As a yet more remarkable proof of the weakness of this infatuated sovereign, and the absolute ascendency which this foreigner had acquired over him, it is stated, that when Edward went to France to celebrate his nuptials with the princess Isabella, daughter of Philip the Fair, Cavaston was appointed sole regent of the kingdom,

in preference to all the princes of the blood, and all the ancient nobility of England.

Such distinguished honours could not fail to render the royal favourite an object of general detestation; which was heightened by the insolence with which he treated persons of the first rank and authority, and the treasures which he was known to have accumulated to an almost incredible amount. On the king's return from France with his queen, he lavished on Gavaston the rich presents, which he had received from the king of France and his nobles; in addition to which he allowed him to take one hundred thousand pounds out of the royal treasury, for his private use, besides jewels of great value. These proceedings incensed the whole nation, but especially the higher orders, against both the king and his favourite. At a meeting of the barons and clergy, held at Westminster within a few days after the king's coronation, an earnest petition was drawn up and presented to the sovereign, requiring the immediate dismissal of Gavaston from the royal presence, and his perpetual exile. This petition being disregarded, the barons assembled in parliament, accompanied by an armed force, and repeated the demand in so decided a tone, that the king was compelled, though most reluctantly, to accede to their wishes.

Instead, however, of fulfilling the engagement into which he had entered with his parliament, Edward conferred new honours on Gavaston, by appointing him lordlieutenant of Ireland, where he lived in great state about twelve months, and then returned more haughty and arrogant than before.-Matters at length came to a decided issue. The chief nobility confederated together, with the fixed design either of deposing the king or of expelling his favourite. At the next sitting of parliament, they brought with them so great a number of armed followers, that the king was made in reality their prisoner, and compelled to submit to whatever terms they might dictate. A council of twelve was appointed, armed with supreme power to correct abuses, reform the state, banish evil counsellors and punish the guilty. So long as this council satisfied themselves with political regulations, the king

submitted to them with patience, though their measures tended greatly to limit the royal prerogative; but when they proceeded to banish Gavaston, and despoil him of his vast possessions, Edward resolved rather to risk his crown, than abandon his favourite. He contrived to escape the vigilance of his guards, removed his court to York, and prepared to defend himself against the confederate barons. As a place of security, Gavaston was lodged, with a strong garrison, in Scarborough castle, which was considered an impregnable fortress; while the king proceeded to raise forces in the northern counties. The earls of Lancaster, Pembroke, and Surry, hastened to invest the castle of Scarborough, and pressed the siege so closely, that Gavaston was compelled to capitulate, under a promise of personal safety. It happened, (whether by design or accident, cannot now be determined with certainty,) that the earl of Pembroke, to whom the royal favourite surrendered himself, left his prisoner so weakly guarded, that Guy, earl of Warwick, seized him by force, and carried him to his castle; where the earls of Lancaster, Warwick, Hereford, and Arundel, determined on his immediate execution. The precedents of summary and illegal execution, which had been set during the late reign, were followed up with fatal effect by all parties, during this more sanguinary administration.

When the king first heard of the death of Gavaston, he was enraged beyond measure; but was soon persuaded by his queen, who secretly rejoiced at the event, to listen to milder counsels, and conclude a treaty of peace with the confederate barons. He now began to think seriously of prosecuting the task, which his father had confided to him on his death-bed, and prepared a large army for the invasion of Scotland. But the favourable opportunity was past; Bruce had profited so far by the late dissensions in England, as to have reduced all Scotland into subjection, with the exception of three fortresses which were still garrisoned by English soldiers. Edward marched forward, with an overwhelming army of not less than 100,000 men, and met the Scottish army on the banks of the river Bannock, Bruce had not under his immediate command more than 30,000 warriors; but what was VOL. I.

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