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brother Richard, and his sister Adela, the earl of Chester and his countess, the king's niece, sixteen other noble ladies, and one hundred and forty knights. They spent some hours on deck, in feasting and dancing, and distributed three barrels of wine among the crew: but the riot and intoxication which prevailed about sunset, induced the most prudent to quit the vessel and return to the shore. Henry had set sail as soon as the wind would permit. William, after a long delay, ordered Fitz-Stephen to follow his father. Immediately every sail was unfurled, every oar was plied; but amid the music and revelling the care of the helm was neglected, and "The White Ship" struck against a rock, called the Catteraze. The rapid influx of the water admonished the gay and heedless company of their alarming situation. By Fitz-Stephen, the prince was immediately lowered into a boat, and told to row back to the land; but the shrieks of his sister recalled him to the wreck, and the boat sank under the multitude that poured into it. In a short time the vessel itself went down, and three hundred persons were buried in the waves. A young nobleman, Geoffry de l'Aigle, and Berold, a butcher of Rouen, alone saved themselves by clinging to the top of the mast. After a few minutes, the unfortunate FitzStephen swam towards them, inquired for the prince, and being told that he had perished, plunged under the water. Geoffry, benumbed by the cold of a November night, was soon washed away, and as he sank, uttered a prayer for the

safety of his companion. Berold retained his hold, and was rescued in the morning by a fishing-boat, and related the particulars of this doleful catastrophe. Henry had arrived at Southampton, and frequently expressed his surprise at the tardiness of his son. The first intelligence was conveyed to Theobald of Blois, who communicated it to bis friends, but dared not inform the king. The next morning the fatal secret was revealed by a young page, who threw himself in tears at his feet. At the shock, Henry sank to the ground, but recovering himself, affected a display of fortitude which he did not feel. He talked of submission to the dispensations of Providence; but the wound had penetrated deep into his heart: his grief gradually subsided into a settled melancholy; and it is said, that from that day he was never observed to smile. Matilda, the wife of the prince, by the death of her husband, became a widow at the age of twelve, within six months after their marriage. By Henry she was treated with the affection of a parent; but at the demand of her father, returned to Anjou, and ten years afterwards put on the veil in the convent of Fontevraud.

But Henry, deprived of his only legitimate son, had new plans to form, new precautions to take, against the pretensions and attempt of his nephew. On that prince every eye was fixed: his virtues and misfortunes were the theme of general conversation; and few men doubted that he would ultimately succeed to the throne.

LINGARD.

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THE holy Francis Borgia, who, before the death of his consort, had been Duke of Gandia, and one amongst the proudest of Spain's grandees, was one day, (now a religious), passing through his native city, clothed in the humble habit of his society, when he was met by a nobleman, a friend of his earlier years, who gazed upon him with wonder and compassion, and thus at length addressed him: "How does this new kind of life please you, my friend?"-" Well," answered Francis, with a cheerful smile. "But," continued the other, "how can you endure this long and wearying journey on foot? You have been accustomed to better things. Who now provides for you a becoming apartment, or a wholesome re past ?"—" For all this," replied the saint, "I am well provided. I meet with the best of entertainment and of food, and at night, I always find the softest couch. My servant and my courier attend carefully to these things."-" How so? you are alone."I have sent them onwards before me. But that you may more fully comprehend how this

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preparation is made for me, know, that at the dawn of each morning, when I elevate my heart to God, and think of my actions and omissions during the coming day, I then form the resolution of receiving with resignation all the privations, contradictions, troubles and sufferings, which it may please my God to send me, in the full conviction that I merit them all, and far greater than these, by my sins. This thought is the servant that I send before me, and as I find everything around me better than I deserve, I consider myself entertained and served in the best possible manner.'

Happy is the Christian, who, at the commencement of each day, has such a servant in attendance at his side. "Count it all joy when you shall meet with temptations; knowing, that the trying of your faith worketh patience; and patience hath a perfect work." Trials which are involuntary are much more profitable than humiliations of choice, in which self-love easily insinuates itself. Such, therefore, as Providence sent, the saint most cheerfully embraced. Consequently, he that is true to his faith, and cherishes sincere humility in his heart, beholds the trials of his faith advancing against him: he prepares to meet them, and seeks not, by impatience or pusillanimity, to descend from his cross, but strengthens himself by the contemplation of the great Master of patience, Jesus Christ, upon his cross on Calvary.

BUTLER.

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THE tree which bears the wadding, or that species of fine cotton which is used in cushions, the lining of morning gowns, and for other purposes, grows abundantly in Siam, in the open country, and without culture. Of this tree there are two very different species. The large wadding-tree, (of which there are also two kinds), resembles the walnut-tree in the form and disposition of its branches. The trunk is generally straighter and higher, not unlike that of the oak. The bark is covered in certain parts with a species of thorns, short and thick at the base, which are ranged in files, and set extremely close. The leaves observe a mean between those of the walnut and chesnut. They grow in fives; their stems, which are very short, adhering to a sixth, which they possess in common, and which is often more than a foot in length. The blossom is of the shape and size of an ordinary tulip, but it has thicker leaves, and they are covered with a kind of down, which feels somewhat rough to the touch. The cup is of a clear green, sprinkled with black, and shaped like that

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