sweet poet of nature," should have so frequently interspersed the brilliant gems of his exhaustless imagination, with the vilest trash of obscenity and moral defilement? O! when will men of genius act as if they believed that they must give an account of their stewardship to Him, who has intrusted them with so many talents, and who will require much, where much has been given? When will the enchanting walks of literature be so purified from all moral contagion, that even the most unguarded may traverse them in every direction with perfect security, assured of gathering thence nothing but the sweetest flowers and most salubrious fruits? How long will these intellectual magicians continue to exercise their enchantments, as those of Egypt did in ancient times, in defiance of the authority of the Most High God? When shall we see inscribed in legible characters, on every work of imagination, and every product of human genius and science, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD?" END OF VOLUME 1. HISTORICAL QUESTIONS. ESSAY PERIOD I. 1. What was the probable origin of the ancient Britons? To whom were they chiefly indebted for their civilization? Who were the Druids, and what their principal tenets? What reflections are suggested by the primitive state of 2. At what period, and by whom, was Britain first invaded? What motives induced that invasion, and what was the reason assigned for the undertaking? What were the principal events of Cæsar's two expeditions ? What moral instruction does the invasion of Britain convey? 3. When did the Roman armies revisit Britain? Py whom were they commanded, and with what success? What occasioned the revolt of the Britons under Boadicea? What Roman general completed the conquest of Britain, and when? What lessons are taught by the gradual subjugation of the Britons? 4. What events took place in Britain during the reigns of Adrian, Antoninus, and Severus? Which of the Roman emperors died in Britain, where, and when? What renders Dioclesian's reign memorable in British history? What caused the Romans to abandon their British provinces ? What reflections are suggested by that event? 5. When is Christianity supposed to have been introduced into Britain? On what circumstances is the opinion of Paul's having preached to the Britons founded? What is the more probable opinion on this subject? ESSAY Who were the first British martyrs, and when did they suffer? In what manner, and when did the corruptions of Christianity begin to prevail? What should we learn from the facts stated in this essay? 6. What evidences are there of the early civilization of the Britons? From whom is it supposed to have been derived? What caused the rapid improvement of the Britons after the What was the state of literature during the Roman do- What impression should the vestiges of British superstition which still remain make on the moral observer? PERIOD II. 1. What was the state of Britain when abandoned by the Romans? To whom did they apply for aid in their distress ? What was the general character of the Saxons? What was the success of their first expedition, and what consequences followed? What moral instruction does the treacherous friendship of the Saxons convey? 2. What was the Saxon heptarchy, and of what kingdoms was it composed? Which of these kingdoms first embraced Christianity, and by what means? What were the characters of Ethelfred, Edwin, Penda, Ina, and Offa? Who reduced the heptarchy to one kingdom, and when? What reflections are suggested by the rise and fall of the Saxon heptarchy? 5. What was the general character of Egbert, and when did he die? Who we were the Danes, and when did they first invade England? Who succeeded Egbert, and what was his character? Who was Alfred the Great, and when did he ascend the throne ? What was the state of England at his accession? What were the principal events of his reign? What was his private and public character? What moral truths are taught by the preceding facts? ESSAY 4. Who succeeded Alfred, and what was his character? Who was Athelstan, and for what is his reign remarkable? Who succeeded Athelstan, and what was the manner of his death? When did Dunstan flourish, and what was his character? What were the circumstances attending the death of Elgiva and Edwi? What reflections are suggested by the priestly domination of the monks? 5. Who succeeded Edwi, and what was his general character? What circumstances attended the death of Edward the Martyr? For what is the reign of Ethelred memorable? What was his conduct to the Danes? Who was his son and successor, and what the manner of his death? How should we contemplate the massacre, invasion, and success of the Danes? 6. Who was the first Anglo-Danish king, and when did he reign? What was his political and religious character? What memorable facts are related of him? Who succeeded him, and what were their characters ? When did the government of the Danes terminate in England? Who was earl Godwin, and what was his character? What moral instruction do the preceding facts convey? 8. How did the Saxon idolaters treat the British christians? When and by whom were the Anglo-Saxons converted to a christian profession? What success attended the first christian missionaries in What was the character of Wilfrid, and when did he live? in that age? How should we regard the superstitions of our forefathers? 9. What was the state of literature among the Anglo-Saxons? At what periods did it revive, and by what means? What men of learning flourished in the seventh century? Who were its first professors, and what their character? ESSAY PERIOD III. 1. When did the Norman conquest take place? What was the previous history of the Conqueror ? What insurrections arose, and by whom were they excited? What do the character and victories of William the Con- 2. What events took place during the absence of king William ? Who were the principal conspirators, and what was their success? What political regulations did William introduce? What events imbittered the latter years of William's reign? What were the crusades, and in what did they originate? When did the first crusade take place, and how was England affected by it? Who was Anselm, and what his character? What were the place and circumstances of William's death? 4. Who succeeded William Rufus, and when? In what manner did he secure to himself the crown? What was his conduct to Robert, duke of Normandy? What caused the controversies between Henry and the pope? When, where, and how did he die? What was his general character, and what does it teach? 5. Who succeeded Henry I., and by what means? How did Stephen secure the support of his clergy and barons? What arrangements were made between Stephen and his What reflections are suggested by Stephen's usurpation? 6. What was the feudal system, and what its influence upon society? What was the state of religion during the Norman dynasty? What circumstances tended to the advancement of learning? VOL. L. X |