WILLIAM RUFUS. CHARACTER OF WILLIAM RUFUS, KING OF ENGLAND. THE memory of this monarch is tranfmitted to us with little advantage by the Churchmen, whom he had offended; and though we may fufpect in general that their account of his vices is fomewhat exaggerated, his conduct affords little reafon for contradicting the character which they have affigned him, or for attributing to him any very ef timable qualities: he feems to have been a violent and tyrannical prince; a perfidious, encroaching, and dangerous neighbour; an unkind and ungenerous relation. He was equally prodigal and rapacious in the management of the treafury; and, if he poffeffed abilities, 110/2 C he he lay fo much under the government of impetuous paffions, that he made little use of them in his administration; and he indulged entirely the domineering policy which fuited his temper, and which, if fupported, as it was in him, with courage and vigour, proves often more fuccessful in disorderly times, than the deepest forefight and most refined artifice. The monuments which remain of this prince in England are, the Tower, Westminster Hall, and London Bridge, which he built. Died Auguft 2, 1100, aged 40. HUME. ANOTHER ANOTHER CHARACTER OF WILLIAM RUFUS, KING OF ENGLAND. THUS fell William *, furnamed Rufus, from his red hair and florid complexion, after he had lived four and forty years, and reigned near thirteen; during which time he oppreffed his people in every form of tyranny and infult. He was equally void of learning, principle, and honour; haughty, paffionate, and ungrateful; a fcoffer at religion, a fcourge to the clergy; vain * By the hand of Tyrrel,. a French gentleman, remarkable for his addrefs in archery, attending him in the recreation of hunting, as William had difmounted after a chace. Tyrrel, impatient to fhew his dexterity, let fly at a stag which fuddenly started before him; the arrow glancing from a tree ftruck the king in his breast, and inftantly few him. glorious, talkative, rapacious, lavish, and diffolute; and an inveterate enemy to the English, though he owed his crown to their valour and fidelity, when the Norman lords intended to expel him from the throne. In return for this inftance of their loyalty, he took all opportunities to fleece and enflave them; and at one time imprisoned fifty of the best families in the kingdom, on pretence of killing his deer; fo that they were compelled to purchase their liberty at the expence of their wealth, though not before they had undergone the fiery ordeal. He lived in a fcandalous commerce with proftitutes, profeffing his contempt for marriage; and, having no legitimate iffue, the crown devolved to his brother Henry, who was fo intent upon the fucceffion, that he paid very little regard to the funeral of the deceased king. SMOLLETT. OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHARACTER OF WILLIAM RUFUS. THE imperious and tyrannical character of this king is a quality fo unbecoming frail creatures, that it never can dignify the fceptered monarch, however ftrong his hand, however extended his power much lefs thofe fons of men in authority, whofe fellow-creatures are miniftering in their fervice to fupply their daily wants. Such characters, therefore, are unworthy our imitation: nevertheless, William's unhappy fate, killed by the ftroke of an arrow, when pursuing his favourite diverfion of staghunting, may become an ufeful leffon to check an immoderate purfuit after pleasure. Yet what young heart does not beat at the name of DIVERSION, and |