near relation; thefe were fuch enormities, as drew on him the hatred of his fubjects, fanctified all the rebellions against him, and made the executions, though not remarkably fevere, which he found neceffary for the maintenance of his authority, appear cruel as well as iniquitous to his people. Yet, without pretending to apologize for thefe crimes, which muft ever be held in deteftation, it may be remarkable, that he was infenfibly led into this blameable conduct, by a train of incidents, which few men poffefs virtue enough to withfland. The injuftice with which his predeceffor had treated him, in firft condemning him to banishment, and then defpoiling him of his patrimony, made him naturally think of revenge, and of recovering his loft rights; the headftrong zeal of the people hurried him into the throne, the care of his own fecurity, as well as his C 6 ambition,

ambition, made him an ufurper; and the steps have always been fo few between the prifons of princes and their graves, that we need not wonder that Richard's fate was no exception to the general rule. All these confiderations made the king's fituation, if he retained any fenfe of virtue, very much to be lamented; and the inquietudes, with which he poffeffed his envied greatness, and the remorfes by which, it is faid, he was continually haunted, rendered him an object of our pity, even when feated upon the throne. But it must be owned, that his prudence, vigilance, and forefight, in maintaining his power, were admirable; his command of temper remarkable; his courage, both military and political, without blemish: and he poffeffed many qualities, which fitted him for his high station, and which rendered his ufurpation of it, though

per

pernicious in after-times, rather falutary during his own reign, to the Eng

lish nation.

Died 1413. Aged 43.

HUME.

ANOTHER CHARACTER OF HENERY IV.

HENRY IV. was of a middle ftature, well proportioned, and perfect in all the exercises of arms and chivalry: his countenance was fevere, rather than ferene, and his difpofition, four, fullen, and reserved; he poffeffed a great share of courage, fortitude, and penetration; was naturally imperious, though he bridled his temper with a great deal of caution; fuperftitious, though without the least tincture of virtue and true religion; and meanly parfimonious, though justly cenfured for want of economy, and ill-judged profufion. He was tame

from

from caution, humble from fear, cruel from policy, and rapacious from indigence. He rofe to the throne by perfidy and treafon; and established his authority in the blood of his fubjects, and died a penitent for his fins, because he could no longer enjoy the fruit of his

tranfgreffions.

SMOLLETT.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHARACTER OF HENRY IV.

The character of this prince affords us an example, how important this truth, that "the commiffion of one "crime may be the introduction to 66 many others."--And hence we may learn, how neceffary it is that young. perfons especially, fhould be conftantly on their guard against the first deviation from the paths of virtue. Who

can,

can, with certainty, fay, "fo far will I 66 go and no farther ?"" Henry was "infenfibly led into this blameable con

duct by a train of incidents, which "few men poffefs virtue enough to "withstand."

To enable those who are entering upon active life, to avoid being infenfibly led into these errors, we will make fome brief obfervations..

It is but feldom that men, in their common transactions, think at all; and, probably, fewer ftill deliberately think of the rectitude, or depravity, of what they are about. We are often impelled by paffion or habit. "Henry was tame "from caution, humble from fear, "cruel from policy, and rapacious from "indigence. Whilst any one yields himself to be governed by these, or fuch like propenfities, there is little use made of reflection; therefore, we cannot probably do better than accustom

our