ral; fince fuch works must be the effect of fupe-rior abilities, industry, and frugality, and are more to be commended, as they were efforts when the arts were little cultivated, artificers fcarce, and consequently fuch enterprizes lefs common, and more difficult to execute, than in modern. times.

HENRY I.

CHARACTER OF HENRY I. KING OF ENGLAND.

THIS prince was one of the most accomplished that has filled the English throne; and poffeffed all the qualities both of body and mind, natural and acquired, which could fit him for the high ftation to which he attained his perfon was manly; his countenance engaging; his eyes clear, ferene, and penetrating. The affability of his address encouraged those who might be overawed by the fenfe of his dignity or his wisdom; and though he often indulged his facetious humour, he knew how to temper it with difcretion, and ever kept at a distance from all indecent familiarities with his courtiers. His fuperior eloquence

1

eloquence and judgement would have given him an ascendant, even if he had been born in a private station; and his perfonal bravery would have procured him refpect, even though it had been lefs fupported by art and policy. By his great progrefs in literature, he acquired the name of Beau Clerc, or the Scholar; but his application to fedentary purfuits abated nothing of the activity and vigilance of his government: and though the learning of that age was better fitted to corrupt than improve the understanding; his natural good fenfe preserved itself untainted both from the pedantry and fuperftition which were then fo prevalent among men of letters. His temper was very fufceptible of the fentiments as well of friendship as refentment; and his ambition, though high, might be esteemed moderate, had not his conduct towards his brother shewed, that

4

that he was too much difpofed to facrifice to it all the maxims of justice and equity. Died December 1, 1 135, aged 67, having reigned 35 years.

HUME.

ANOTHER CHARACTER OF HENRY I.

HENRY was of a middle ftature and robust make, with dark brown hair, and blue ferene eyes. He was facetious, fluent, and affable to his favourites. His capacity, naturally good, was im`proved and cultivated in fuch a manner, that he acquired the name of Beau Clerc by his learning. He was cool, cautious, politic, and penetrating; his courage was unquestioned, and his fortitude invincible. He was vindictive, cruel, and implacable, inexorable to offenders, rigid and fevere in the exe

cution of justice; and, though temperate in his diet, a voluptuary in his amours, which produced a numerous family of illegitimate issue. His Norman descent and connections with the Continent inspired him with a contempt for the English, whom he oppreffed in the most tyrannical manner. SMOLLET.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHARACTER OF HENRY I.

How amiable are bodily accomplishments, when embellished with cultivated intellects! and how useful these talents, when properly regulated! "Henry "had all the qualities both of body and "mind, natural and acquired, which "could fit him for the high station " which he attained *."

* Huine.

7

A leffon