vanity, the patient endurance of evil and wrong, the crucifixion of natural and worldly desires, the absorption of all our interests and passions in the enjoyment of God, and the subordination of all we do, and all we feel, to His glory, these form the leading virtues of our pilgrimage, and in the very proportion of their variety, and their painfulness, are they the more effectual tests of our regeneration. One of the main uses of this book is, that while it enforces these spiritual graces in all their extent, it lays open the spiritual enjoyment that springs from them, revealing the hidden charm which lies in godliness, and demonstrating the sure though secret alliance which obtains between the peace of heaven in the soul, and patience under all the adversities of the path that leads to it. It exposes at once the sufferings and delights which attach to a life of sacredness, and its wholesome tendency is to reconcile the aspirant after eternal life to the whole burden of that cross on earth which be must learn to bear with submission and cheerfulness, until he shall exchange it in heaven for a crown of glory."

With a few promiscuous extracts from "The Imitation of Christ," we will close our brief notice of its distinguished Author :—

Nothing but a renovated nature can enter into heaven; for that alone cometh out of heaven."

"Too often do we lose humility, in contentions for faith, and forfeit hope, by forgetting charity."

"An immortal soul held in subjection by the things of this world, is like the royal Nebuchadnezzar eating grass with brutes."

"Better is the humble peasant who serveth God, than the proud philosopher who can describe the course of the planets, but is destitute of the knowledge of himself."

"The Church is but too frequently seen trading with the world, like the ancient Jews selling beasts in the temple."

"All men are frail; but thou shouldest reckon none so frail as thyself.”

"It is more beneficial to live in subjection than in authority—and to obey is safer than to command."

"How can thy patience be crowned in heaven, if thou hast no adversity to struggle with on earth.”

"Wherever thou art, turn everything to an occasion of improvement; if thou beholdest good examples let

chain of sufferings; Why desirest thou a perpetuity of repose and joy? To suffer, is thy portion; to suffer patiently and willingly, is the great testimony of love and allegiance to thy Lord."

"Oh! if man would less anxiously seek after transitory joys, less busy himself with the trifling affairs of a perishing world-if he would but divorce his spirit from its vain solicitudes, and devote it to the contemplation of God, and the truths of his salvation,-if he would but place all his confidence in the Divine mercy in what profound tranquillity and peace might he possess his soul."

1400

WILLIAM DE LA POLE.

WILLIAM DE LA POLE, passed the greater part of his life, in troublous times. The ideas of justice were ill defined in that dark and turbulent era. His early years comprised the reigns of Henry IV. and V.; and the wars of the Roses, under Henry VI., kept in action his energies both as a statesman, and military chieftain.

At the death of his eldest brother, Michael, who fell at the battle of Agincourt, in 1415, he succeeded to the patrimonial estates, and the title of Duke of Suffolk. He married the beautiful Alice, the youthful widow of Lord Montacute, and grand-daughter of the poet Chaucer. Honors thickened around him, and

he withdrew himself from no path of ambition because it was beset with perils.

He overruled the plans of the powerful Duke of Gloucester, with regard to the royal marriage, and was active in placing on the throne of England, a princess of his own selection, the unshrinking and high-spirited Margaret of Anjou. After this union, promotion in various forms rapidly distinguished him. To the dignity of Prime-minister, other munificent gifts were added; and as the horrors of civil war unfolded themselves, his dauntless adherence to the house of Lancaster won the favor of the unfortunate Henry, and his courageous consort. But the flood of royal bounty produced its usual effect the envy of those whom he surpassed, or outshone. A still deeper hostility reigned among the partizans of the rival house of York. Through their influence, he was impeached, and arraigned before Parliament.

The king had neither power to save him from this trial, nor reason to rely on the justice of its decisions. Therefore, he sent the persecuted nobleman to the tower, as the best place of refuge and safety.