to

Parliament, for you are a conquered nation; and had I been minifter I would have made you fubmit to itI would have done as Cromwell did, I would have burned your cities, and roafted you in the flames.-After this explofion, I perhaps warmly replied-Doctor! your advice treat the Americans in that manner has not fucceeded altogether to your wishes the times are altered. To which he replied, Sir, you fay truly that the times are altered, for power is now no where; our Government is a government of influence, but not of power. Yet had we treated the Americans as we ought, and as they deferved, we fhould have at once Jazed all their towns, and let them

enjoy their forests. But (in a jocular way repeating what he before faid) when we should have roasted the Americans as rebels, we only whipped them as children; and we did not fucceed, because my advice was not taken. As arguments would have but enrag

ed him again, I let him now fettle into perfect calmnefs, when after a long paufe, he, with a smile, faid: Though I hold the Irifh to be rebels, I don't think them altogether wrong; but you know that you compelled our Parliament, by force of arms, to pafs an act in your favour, and that I call rebellion though what you claimed ought to have been granted, as you fay, yet the mode of requifition was rebellious. Well, Doctor, faid I, let me afk you, do you think that Ireland would have recovered her ufurped right by any other means? To which he candidly answered, I believe he would not: however, a wife government should not grant even a claim of justice, if an attempt is made to extort it by force.-We had fome more converfation on the fame fubject, till at length it came to this iffue-Why, Sir, I don't know but I might have acted as you did, had I been an Irishman, but I speak as an Englishman.

H

ENRY determined to advance towards the enemy, and the better to difplay his valour, and how worthy he was of that ftation to which his countrymen had raised him, he faid aloud to the Caftilian lords who furrounded him, "This Prince of Wales is a valiant knight; and that he may know this realm is mine, and that I am ready and willing to fight him in fupport of the right which I have thereto, I will let him know fome part of my intent." Then he caused his fecretary to write to the Prince of Wales as follows:

"Henry, by the grace of God, King of Caftile and Leon, of Galicia, Murcia, Jaen, Algarbe, Algeziras, and Gibraltar, Lord of Bifcay, and

Molina.-To the right puiffant and most honourable lord, Edward Prince of Wales and Aquitaine, duke of Cornwall, earl of Chefter, greeting: Whereas it is given us to understand, that you and your men have passed the Pyrenees, and are marching towards us, having entered into strict alliance with our enemy, and intend to wage war against us; we greatly marvel thereat, fince to our knowledge we never offended you, or ever had the leaft intent fo to do: Wherefore then are you come against us, with fuch mighty force, to deprive us of that fmall inheritance which Providence hath allotted us? You have, we acknowledge, the good fortune to befuccefsful in arms above any prince

now living, and you magnify yourfelf in your puiffance! But fince we know for certain, that you intend to give us battle, we alfo hereby give you to understand as certainly, that when ever you advance into Caftile, fo furely you fhall find us in front, ready to defend and hold this our feignory. Dated at St Domingo de la Calzada."

This letter was delivered to the Prince of Wales at Pampelona, who, when he read it, faid with his ufual fpirit, "I well perceive the baftard Henry is a valiant knight, and fheweth good courage thus to write to us." After a fhort debate it was determined to detain the herald, and not give him any answer for the prefent; however, the Prince perceiving the refolution of Henry, made every preparation for battle.

While the Prince was on his march to Salvatierra, Sir Thomas Felton and his company had taken poft at Navaret, near Henry's camp, and brought word that Henry had moved from St Domingo de la Calzada, and advanced to St Miguel; on which the Prince of Wales eagerly went in queft of the enemy, and advanced with all speed as far as Victoria, where he was joined by Sir Thomas Felton, and got intelligence that Henry was in their neighbourhood, and made a refolute ftand.

Perceiving therefore the courage of the enemy, he loft no time in marching towards them; and having drawn out the army, the Prince conferred the honour of knighthood, at the head of the army, on Peter King of Caftile, and on the lord Thomas Holland, fon to his princefs by her former husband, then about feventeen years of age; a gallant youth, eager to fignalize himself in the field. The fame honour was conferred on many English efquires, as well by the duke of Lancaster, as by the king of Majorca, who alfo made feveral knights, as did the lord John Chandos; fo

that there were no lefs than three hundred new knights made on that occafion.

The English army foon became in want of provifions, and bread was fo fearce, that a loaf fold for a florin. Befides, the troops fuffered much from the inclemency of the weather, independent of the barrenness of the country. The Prince therefore hearing that Henry had broke up his camp at St Miguel, and advanced to Nagera, where he halted, determined to draw towards him, and give battle to the Baftard, and drive him out of the realm.

Finding the entrance difficult on the fide of Caftile, he traverfed Navarre till he came to the town of Viana near the river Ebro, and after refreshing the army for two days, he went forward to Logrono, and paffed the Ebro over the bridge in that city; then entered Caftile, where he found himself in a more plentiful country, with hopes foon to come up with the main army of Henry.

Even before he left his camp near Victoria, Sir Thomas Felton had moved forward, and fallen in with fome of their advanced pofts; and finally was furrounded on a hill, and overpowered by numbers, when Sir Thomas and his brother, with many other gallant Englifhmen, were unfortunately killed at a place called Ariniz, about a league from Victoria; which hill is to this day called Inglesmond, "the mount of the English.”

The Prince of Wales now expecting every moment to engage the enemy, thought proper to difmifs the Spanish herald, and by him he sent to Henry the following anfwer to the letter he had received from him:

"Edward by the grace of God, Prince of Wales and Aquitaine, duke of Cornwall, and earl of Chester. To the right honourable and renowned Henry count of Traftamara, at prefent ftyling himself king of Caftile, greeting: Whereas you have fent

unto

you

unto us your letters by your herald, wherein are contained divers paffages, intimating that you would gladly know why we fupport the cause of our friend and ally, your enemy, our beloved coufin, Don Peter, King of Caftile, and by what title we make war upon you, and enter with our army into Caftile; to which we give this anfwer. Know, for a truth, that it is to fuftain right and justice, and to uphold reafon and equity, as it appertaineth to all kings and princes to do; and also to cultivate and cherish the ftrict alliances which the king of England, our deareft father, and King Don Peter have long time fince held together. However, becaufe you are a renowned and right valiant knight, we are willing, as far as lays in us, to reconcile you and King Don Peter together; and we shall fo perfuade our coufin Don Peter, that he fhall yield unto you a confiderable portion of his realm of Castile: but as for the crown and regal inheritance, that you must renounce for ever; in which cafe, Sir, you may take counfel, and be advised. As to our entrance into the kingdom of Caftile, we will enter, and proceed forward, according as it may beft fuit our own will and pleasure. Dated at Logrono the 30th of March 1367."

This bufinefs being fettled, the Prince began his march from Logrono on the 2d of April. Henry no fooner received this letter, and heard of his approach with King Peter, than he determined to move towards him. For this purpose he drew near to the town of Nagera, and chofe a favourable fituation to pitch his camp, having the little river Nagerillo between him and the road which Peter was to pafs, before he could reach the city of Burgos. Not content with this difpofition, his anxious mind urged him to push forward. He boldly refolved to cross the river, aud drew up his army on a plain, deter

mined to difpute the paffage with the enemy; a measure which was not much approved of by his generals, as he relinquished a very advantageous poft, for one much lefs fo: but the enterprifing Henry declared he was refolved to meet the enemy in the field, and conquer or perish. D. Guefclin had lately joined him with four thousand men from France; and his troops were in fuch high fpirits, that Henry, flushed with the flattering hopes of foon completing his conqueft of Caftile, panted eagerly for battle.

The army of the Prince of Wales now appeared in fight, advancing brifkly, and in fine order, equally defirous to bring on a general engage ment, the English difplaying the banner of St George, and Henry that of Caftile.-The ancient chronicles are fo prolix and minute in the defcription of battles and names of combatants, that it would afford little pleasure at this time of day, when the fyftem of war is fo different, to detain the reader with the various arrangements of thofe feudal troops, which our own hiftorians have fully defcribed. Suffice it to fay, that the van of the English, commanded by. John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, with Sir John Chandos, attacked the divifion of the enemy commanded by Don Sancho, brother to the baftard Henry, and by De Guefclin; who, being ill fupported on the left wing, were foon drove back by the right wing of King Peter's divifion, commanded by the Count de Armagnac and the Count D'Albert.

The battle now became hot and

general on both fides. Henry's army difplayed great courage, and were in excellent order for combat, being armed after the manner of France, which hitherto had not been introduced into Spain. The Spaniards alfo had flings; an ancient cuftom, which they ftill retained from the Romans;

and

and with which they whirled ftones of a large fize, that galled the Englifh exceedingly; however, the English archers were no lefs dexterous with their bows, and made great havock among their opponents.

Henry rode with great ardour through the ranks, animating his men, faying to them, "My valiant friends, I am your king! You have made me fo, and fworn to fupport me. Be mindful of your oath, and fhew yourfelves fteady, for certainly I will not flinch one foot, but ftand by you to the laft."-Again when he found them giving way, he added with great animation, "Where is the courage of thofe noble Spaniards, who, under my father Alfonfo, fo wonderfully vanquished the Moors? Do not difgrace yourselves this day, by turning your backs: a little more perfeverance will crown your brows with victory."

King Peter was not lefs in earneft, courageoufly faying to his fubjects," My brave countrymen, I place all my hopes in your loyalty. Stand firm to defend your king, to whom you have fworn allegiance." Thus in the heat of the battle Peter was feen at the head of his men, much agitated with the violent refiftance he met with, wishing to meet the Baftard, and exclaiming, "Where is this fon of a whore who calls himfelf king of Caftile? Let him face me if he dares."

After a long and dubious conflict, fortune at laft declared in favour of the victorious Prince of Wales; for nothing could withftand the valour and courage of the English, under the banners of their invincible leader. The Baftard's army now gave way on all fides, and fled with the utmost precipitation, though their commander had done every thing to be expected from a courageous and confummate general; but all was in vain; the rout was general, and Peter preffed them clofely with infinite VOL. XI. No. 63.

A a

flaughter, following them into the town of Nagera, which they plundered. Here Henry loft all his equipage and treasure, many were drowned in the river, and the victory complete on the fide of the English, who now hailed King Peter as the victorious fovereign of Caftile and Leon.

The number of prifoners was alfo great; the principal of which were Don Sancho de Caftilla, bafe brother to Peter, with that gallant foldier De Guefelin; alfo the Marfhal d'Audenheim; the Begue de Vilaine; the Count of Denia, of the royal line of Aragon; Philip de Caftro, brotherin-law to Henry; Pero Lope de Ayala the hiftorian, and many other lords. Ayala being a poet, as well as an hiftorian and foldier, has recorded in verfe the melancholy tale of his captivity. Inigo Lope de Orofco, whofe desertion of his mater we have related before, was killed by King Peter on the field of battle, for his treachery, after being taken prifoner by a Gafcon knight. This fignal victory was obtained on Saturday the third of April. The number of prifoners of rank was about two thoufand, whereof about two hundred were French, and not a few Scotch.

The Prince of Wales enquired eagerly after Henry. Two knights with two heralds were fent to fee if he could be found any where on the field, but all was in vain; and no tidings could be had; which made the Prince fay, that "if the Baftard was not killed or taken, the bufinefs was not half completed."

The next day, Sunday, was spent in thanksgiving on the field of battle. King Peter requested permiffion of the Prince of Wales to put all his prifoners to death; which he would have done, if the generous Prince had not interpofed; reprefenting in very ftrong terms, that if he did not relax in the feverity of his temper, and fhew more lenity, all the power of England would be of little fervice.

Peter

Peter urged on his fide, that if he fet all his enemies at liberty, they would raife new disturbances in his kingdom, and the contest as well as bloodfhed would be endless. Thefe differences of opinion caufed much coolnefs between the King and the Prince, who confented that thofe fhould fuffer against whom fentences had already paffed for rebellion in Peter's courts; in confequence of which, Sanchez Mofcofo, Grand Commandeur of St James, and Garci Jofre, fon of the Admiral, were put to death;

as well as Gomez Carillo de Quintana, at whofe rebellious conduct Peter was fo incenfed, that he would accept of no ranfom for his life, and caufed his head to be ftruck off before his tent. However, at the Prince's request, he pardoned all the others, and was reconciled to his bafe brother Don Sancho, and the other lords, his prifoners, on condition of their fwearing allegiance to him, and acknowledging him ever after, the only lawful King of Caftile and Leon.

I

men,

F we confult the hiftory of nations, we cannot entertain a doubt, that who embraced the Gofpel, became reformed from several vices and criminal practices, common amoug Heathens before it was introduced. Bardefanes, the famous Syrian heretic, obferved, that the Chriftian code has been extremely useful in a moral and political view; fince Chriftians

of all nations have retained the virtues, and rejected the vices of the different countries where it was promulgated. In Parthia, where polygamy prevailed, they are not polygamifts; in Perfia, they do not marry their own daughters; in Bactria and Gaul, they do not violate the marriage bed; nor do they, wherefoever they refide, yield to the influence of corrupt laws and wicked cuftoms, familiar to others. By the laws of Zoroafter the Perfians committed inceft until they embraced the gofpel; after which period they abitained from that crime, and observed that temperance and chastity enjoined by its precepts. This people expofed

the bodies of the deceased to be devoured by birds or beafts of prey, but abftained from this custom, and decently interred them after it was promulgated. Eufebius has fur

nifhed a catalogue of abominable cuftoms, fome of which have been abolished by the gofpel; and proves its profeffors to be free from several crimes, not even condemned in the Pagan world. Chriftianity was ufeful not only in its pofitive precepts, and the genius which it infpired, but alfo in delivering men from detestable practices, perfectly repugnant to the feelings of Chriftians. This learned writer affures us, that profelytes to Chriflianity no longer married their own mothers in Perfia; nor in Scythia did they as ufual eat human fleth, and facrifice their children, prompted by fuperftition. The Maffagata ufed to facrifice their relations, and eat their flesh when wora out with age; the Tibareni were wont to fling them down precipices; the Hyrcani and Gafpians expofed them to be devoured by birds and dogs. Thefe and fuch like cruel and inhuman cuftoms prevailed not only among barbarous nations, but even among the Greeks, who were polished and refined. In Salamis a man facrificed to the daughter of Cecrops; and another at Chios was cruelly torn to pieces and facrificed to Bacchus : three were daily facrificed to Juno; and a man was dragged thrice round

was

the