horse at the mouth, he himself sat down on a stone, ljeered at him, and bade him not come to torment ever expecting that the clouds would clear away, them before their time, but leave them in that dark and the sun shine forth. And as he there sat, he cave, which was better than the gnawings of hell. heard, from the recesses of the cave, strange sounds, Seeing, therefore, that their chains were too fast like stifled sobs and groans of men in sorrow. There to be riven by human power, and that the captives fore, drawing his sword, he walked onward further || themselves would have none of his aid, he hastened in that darksome cavern, until the light of the day to flee from that hideous place; and quickly mountno longer guided his steps; still he went onward, || ing the narrow stair, though sore bruised, he escaped stumbling over stones and broken rocks, until at to the mouth of the cave. And when he felt the length he fell suddenly down into a deep pit, and warm breeze of heaven, and again saw the light of was sorely bruised and stunned, and his good sword the glorious sun, no longer shrouded in clouds, bis fell from his hand. Then he heard a fiendish laugh, heart was filled with joy and thankfulness. as fronı many voices, ring through the caverned recesses; yet nought could he see for the gloom and

8. How Sir Fiducio encounters a strange knight at darkness. And he heard a voice of one speaking

the outposts of the camp. to his fellow, “Here is another wight fallen into After that, Sir Fiducio loosed his horse ; and rethe pit!" and with that they lauglied again in hi | mounting, he travelled many leagues without ad. deous glee.

venture, until about noon he came to where a fair Then said Sir Fiducio, “ How sayest thou ? pavilion was pitched in the forest-glade, and near What pit is this ? and who are ye?"

thereto a shield was hanging on a tree, the device “ Thou hast fallen, sir knight,” answered the whereof he understood not. Then Sir Fiducio voice, “into the pit of the foul fiend Miscredente, || struck the shield lightly with his lance; and there who will come ere long and bind thee prisoner, as came from the pavilion an armed knight, fair to we are bound."

look on, who did him courtesy, and desired to know When Sir Fiducio heard this, he grieved exceed- his errand. ingly, and blamed himself for entering at all into "I am even now bound," said Sir Fiducio, " to the dark cave. Then said the other, “There is no | the army of the great King, and would fain know hope for thee. Nought remains but to submit, and || whether I be not approaching nigh thereto." curse thy fate."

Then answered the other, “ It is even close at Sir Fiducio, however, would not thus give him- hand; I also am fighting under the banner of the self up for lost, but fell on his knees and prayed | great King, and occupy, as it were, the outpost.” earnestly to Heaven for succour and deliverance. When Sir Fiducio heard this he was well pleased,

Then, even as he prayed, he spied a light spark- || and his spirit yearned towards his brother in arms, ling before him, and perceived that it was the ruby || who was fighting under the same banner, which was set in the handle of his good sword. | Then said he, “Right glad am I to meet with a Therefore he eagerly caught it to him; and when comrade in arms. 'Tis fitting we should know each he felt it again in his grasp, he became exceedingly other. I am Sir Fiducio, the Knight of the Ruby joyful, and no longer doubted of his safety. And Cross. And now, sir knight, I crave, if it be not it seemed to him as though the darkness gradually presumptuous, to know what is thy name?" became less thick, so that he could discern the ob “My name," said the knight, “is Sir Mavesyn; jects around him; and there, in that dismal cave, and glad am I to enter into friendship with so stout he saw many men bound with iron chains to the a knight as thou art. And now, I pray thee, tarry stony walls; some with sullen looks, others like with me, that we may together fight against the madmen grinning: and the iron ate into their || enemies of the great King." flesh; and on the ground strewn around were the “Nay,” said Sir Fiducio; “I haste to put mybones of those who had perished miserably; and || self under the leadership of the general of the pro. the cave stretched onward-far onward — neither || vince, even as the great King commanded, and to did there appear any end thereof. Presently Sir | receive from him my orders." Fiducio was aware of a foul, mis-shapen fiend | Then Sir Mavesyn bit his lip, and looked ascreeping stealthily towards him, and bearing chains | kance. "I see," said he, “that thou art not well wherewith to bind him. But when the knight raised informed in these matters; nor is it likely that thou his sword, and the fiend saw the bright ruby flash shouldst be, seeing that thou art but newly arrived. ing, he shrank back into the darkness, and was no Know, therefore, that the service under the King's where to be seen. Then Sir Fiducio saw in one generals is over strict and severe — yea rather, a corner some rude steps which led into the upper | heavy bondage to a knight like thee; and they who air. But before ascending, he assayed to loose the so serve win but half the glory which those do who chains of those wretched men who were bound in || fight as free adventurers under their own banner. the cave of Miscredente. But they scoffed and if thou art willing to take my counsel, thou wilt join my band; and be assured that thou mayest do | lence of the steed, and binding the false knight's the King better service than if thou wert hampered hands behind him with his scarf, so caused him to by the orders of any general.”

| follow him as prisoner. Thereupon the young knight much marvelled,

9. How Sir Fiducio arrives at the camp of the great and misliked the speech and manner of his new friend. Also he perceived that, though his features

King, and of the conclusion of his adventure with were fair, yet that his glance was sideways and

Sir Mavesyn. unseemly, bespeaking little confidence. Therefore Then, after a short time, when the knight, thus Sir Fiducio resolved to guard himself against treach- || accompanied, had reached the crown of an emiery, and grasped his ruby sword more firmly. nence, he spied before him the tents of the King's

"I pray thee, Sir Mavesyn,” said he, "since | army, like a garden planted by the river-side, or that is thy name, hast thou not promised, when || like the lign-aloes or the goodly cedar-trees; and thou wert washed in the sacred bath, that thou || he heard the sound of music ascending continually, wouldst fight under the King's banner? and did | and a smoke went up as from a perpetual incense ; not thy sponsors also promise for thee? and hast and the sentinels paced to and fro around the outnot thou thyself confirmed their promise ?"

skirts of the camp. And when Sir Fiducio told “What rede I,” said Sir Mavesyn, "of baths and them his errand, they led him straightway through sponsors, and vows and promises? I have never the midst of the camp to the presence of the King's bound myself by any; and if I had, would cast | general; whom when Sir Mavesyn bebeld, he cried them from me."

| aloud, or ever Sir Fiducio could speak a word, sayThen said Sir Fiducio, “I fear me that thou art || ing, “Help, help! justice, most puissant general, no true knight, but a pretender and recreant; it against this coward knight, who, with twenty others, may be, for aught I know, an enemy to the great || set on me as I was reclining unarmed in my tent, King."

and hath evil entreated and led me hither." Upon this Sir Mavesyn waxed exceedingly wroth, || Then Sir Fiducio told how the captive knight and said, “ If thou sayest that I am no true knight, I had declared himself not to be under the command thou liest to thy teeth; and I will prove it on thy | of the King's general, and had spoken scornfully body."

of him; and how that he (Sir Fiduciv) had fought But Sir Fiducio was the more persuaded that be with him in a fair field, knight to knight, and had was no true knight, and so prepared to do battle. | made him cry mercy. Sir Mavesyn also loosed his horse from the tree, || Then said the general to Sir Mavesyn, “I fear and took his lance and shield. And the two knights | me greatly that thou art a false knight. Howbeit, withdrew apart, as it were a stone's throw, and to prove thee, if thou wilt give sureties for thy then, turning round, spurred their horses forward conduct, and take the oaths of allegiance to the against each other at full speed. And Sir Mavesyn, great King, thou shalt be enrolled amongst his with his spear, struck the Knight of the Ruby Cross || servants, and such advancement given thee as, a fair stroke on the shield : howbeit his spear was | after due probation, thou art found to deserve. shivered into a thousand fragments. But the spear || When Sir Mavesyn heard this, he waxed full of of Sir Fiducio struck the other on the helm, and | ire and scorn, and defied the general to his face, bare down knight and horse to the ground. saying that he would not serve him, nor be under

When Sir Fiducio saw that his enemy was dis- || the orders of any man, but would fight under his comfited, he thanked God in his heart, and dis- || own banner. mounted, that he might render aid to his fallen foe. “I perceive now," said the general, “that thou And Sir Mavesyn feigned as though he were dead; || art, as I suspected, one of those knights, falsely so but when Sir Fiducio drew near, he plucked a dag- || calling themselves, who hover about the outskirts ger from his belt, and aimed at him a grievous blow || of our camp, pretending to fight for the great King, in the neck, so that the knight staggered and well || but, in truth, rather consorting with his enemies nigh fell.

when occasion serves." Thereupon he drew his ruby sword, and Sir Ma- || Then he bade his servants place Sir Mavesyn on vesyn also drew his weapon; and the two knights | an ass, with his hands tied behind him, and his face dealt many blows either at other ; but the false towards the ass's croup, and his shield to be reknight was soon discomfited, and craved for mercy. || versed, and a legend be written on bis back, “ This So Sir Fiducio bade him render up his sword and | is a false knight : let all men avoid him." So when dagger; and then he caused him to mount upon they had led him through, they forthwith brought his horse, that he might lead him prisoner to the him beyond the camp, and sent him forth, warning King's army. Thereupon Sir Mavesyn cursed bit- || him that thenceforth he came not thither with his terly, and spurred his horse, and struggled vehe- || false guile. mently to escape; but Sir Fiducio curbed the vio- || And the general greatly commended Sir Fiducio for that he had not yielded to the counsel of the to be made ; so that the wall rocked, and fell with false knight, who had heretofore deceived many a great noise. Then said he aloud,“ Now is the soldiers of the great King, who had forgotten their time for the assault. I would there were a knight instructions.

here would pluck down yon ensign which waves on After that, Sir Fiducio besought the general that the enemy's walls." he might have permission to pass through the camp, Thereupon Sir Fiducio cried out to Sir Braganand see its order and arrangement. And the gene- || tino, “ Now, sir knight, shall it be seen whether of ral sent with him a trusty pursuivant, who led him us two be the braver and stouter knight. I chala through the camp, and explained to him the mean- || lenge thee to a contest of arms, which shall pluck ing of all he saw.

down yon ensign." So the trumpets sounded, and “This,” said he, " which thou hast first seen is the knights, with their company, rushed onward to the pavilion of the general whom the great King | the breach, and the enemy poured their arrows like hath ordained as chief over the province. Here he hail against the assailants; but they ever advanced abideth in the centre of the camp, with his princi. onward: and when they came nigh to the breach, pal officers and councillors, and directeth the move they dismounted from their horses, and marched ments of the whole; and, lo, in every part of the on foot. Then the enemy formed themselves in camp thou seest ensigns flying here and there. thick array within the breach, and the knights were These designate the posts of the knights - elders, || not able to break through their rank; and many who have been ordained by the chief to take over-| fell, being wounded from the towers adjoining, and sight of the separate divisions ; and, to aid them in the King's troops began to fall back. Then Sir their duties, certain knights-lieutenants have been | Fiducio waved his sword on high, and cried aloud, appointed. But all are under the strict discipline “Let it not be said that the King's troops were of the chief, who himself rules according to the driven back. On, comrades on, in the name of the written orders of the great King."

great King, whose sworn soldiers we are !” So Sir Fiducio greatly marvelled at the order and they were encouraged by the words of Sir Fiducio, discipline which was established; and he was right and charged onward, and brake down all before well content to serve under the command of so good them; and Sir Fiducio smote down the standarda general. On the morrow he received his orders bearer, and seized the enemy's standard ; and so to what company it behoved him to belong : so he the city was taken. served in his appointed station, and approved him- || Then all men greatly praised Sir Fiducio ; and self a good knight and true. And the knight-elder some said, “Where is Sir Bragantino ?" But none in whose company he served took counsel with him, I wist whither he was gone ; certain it was that he and they became sworn friends and brothers. had not entered the breach with the rest, though

he was found that night whole in limb in his own 10. How Sir Bragantino rails at Sir Fiducio, and

tent. Therefore, from that day, Sir Bragantino no how he fares.

more ventured to boast himself against braver men. And it fell out that on a certain day there was l! And when the general saw that there was in Sir a great feast kept throughout the whole army; and Fiducio not only a spirit of obedience, but also a as many were feasting at the pavilion of the gene- || noble determination and enterprise, he advanced ral, a certain knight, named Sir Bragantino, being | || him to honour, and sent him forth on many weighty somewhat inflamed with wine, took opportunity achievements; all which he conducted with pruto taunt Sir Fiducio for that he contented himselfdence and vigour. Moreover, a messenger arrived with obeying the orders of his chief, and imperilled at the camp, bearing a letter from the sage Divoto, not himself in hardy adventures. Howbeit Sir | wherein he greatly commended the knight, not Fiducio answered mildly, and would not contend only for his courage in the field, but still more for in speech. But the bold knight seeing this, called | his self-discipline and obedience to orders, which Sir Fiducio coward, and scorned him.

were yet rarer qualities than valour; also he added, Then all men thought that Sir Fiducio would | that the Lady Sophia spake often of him, greatly have challenged Sir Bragantino to mortal combat; || praising his devotion. Therefore was Sir Fiducio and when he did not, many looked coldly on him, | full of hope and joy. as though he were craven-hearted. All this he bore patiently.

11. How Sir Fiducio is taken captive, and suffers Then on a day it happened that the King's

much affliction, and by whom he is released. troops were investing a certain fortress, and the It chanced on a day that as Sir Fiducio was leadbattle was hot, the besieged hurling large stones || ing his band in battle against the enemy, the fight from catapults, and shooting arrows from the walls, ll waxed sore, and many were wounded or slain, and and the King's troops, on their part, answering others played the coward, and fell from him, so that them. But the general had privily caused a mine | he was surrounded by the enemy; and after many

deeds of valour, he was made captive, and cast into forth without some allusion to the recent death of a foul dungeon. So the brave knight endured for one of the most diligent labourers in the cause of a term sore adversity, and his hair grew shaggy, || Christian education. He is known to our readers and eyes sunken, and his flesh wasted away. Then as the author of two articles, “ On Attaching the his enemies dealt subtly with him, and essayed to Middle and Lower Orders to the Church," which draw him from his allegiance to the great King, || appeared in this journal with the signature of who, said they, was not able to give him aid, pro- || S. F. W. The initials are those of the late Samuel mising that if he would join himself to them, they Francis Wood, M.A., of Oriel, Oxford, and Barwould advance him to great honour, and give him rister-at-law. It must be noticed here, with pecuthe fairest province in the land. But Sir Fiducio | liar interest, that the last of those papers was one refused to listen to their evil counsel, and declared of his latest compositions. Just before it appeared that, whether in adversity or prosperity, he would in our April number, he had retired to the seat of still continue faithful to his Sovereign.

his father, Sir Francis Wood, Bart. of Hickleton, When his enemies heard these words, they were | in Yorkshire, where he passed into rest on Saturexceeding wroth, and threatened the captive knight day, the 22d of April, after two years of slowly with cruel torments, and they denied him his daily | // wasting health and strength. food, so that his spirit sunk within him, and he was | It is not in the pages of a magazine that the well-nigh brought to death; and damp clammy Il memory of what we must venture to call his saintly sweat started on his brow, and fearful visions fitted character can be fitly preserved. Something in before him in the darkness of his dungeon. the way of silence is due to that unaffected reserve,

So, as he lay, devoutly praying, as was his wont. Il wherewith he seemed to withdraw himself from behold the same bright form again appeared unto observation, and to be wounded by praise. Yet him which he had seen in the hermit's cell. The something in the way of utterance is due to the door of the prison was opened, and the Lady Sophia friends who loved him, and to the Church which entered, her countenance beaming with a heavenly reaped the fruit of his willing service. Even here, brightness ; and she approached the poor pallet | therefore, without trenching on the province and where Sir Fiducio lay unable to move, and said, privilege of near and dear friends, who, we trust, with compassionate voice, " See, sir knight, what I will speak of his more private life for the instrucI have brought thee !"

tion of others, it may not be presumptuous to note Then Sir Fiducio raised his languid eyes, and be- | down a few particulars of those good works, the held in his lady's hands the goodly sword which the ll unwearied discharge of which, even to the last, great King had given him at the first, and the ruby || causes him to be missed in so many quarters. shone with a brighter lustre than ever, so as to il During his college life he was, as he has been lumine the walls of the prison. But the knight was ever since, an example to many. He was formed unable to raise himself to grasp it for very feebleness. to make and retain friendships of no common Then the lady, full of pity, kneeled down, and placed | warmth, by animated kindness of manner, affecthe sword in Sir Fiducio's hand; and when he again || tionate and tender sympathy, and an unvarying grasped his trusty weapon, and pressed the ruby to || charity of judgment which was most remarkable. his lips, his strength revived, and he sprang upon || He took his degree in May 1831, and was in the his feet and waved the sword on high; whereupon | first class in classics, a distinction which he fully there was a great earthquake, and the prison-walls || deserved, by an unusual union of elegant schowere riven asunder, and the roof fell with a terrible || larship, historical knowledge, and philosophical crash. Then Sir Fiducio was cast into a trance, thought, with a sound and discriminating judgand strange thoughts flitted through his mind, and ment. He was always remarkable for accuracy of he felt as though he were borne onward many thou- || knowledge and independence of mind, as well as sand leagues through a mighty void; and, lo, when for the freshness of interest with which he apprehe awoke, he found himself in the palace of his | hended the merits of the different schools of liteSovereign; and the great King smiled on him | rature to which this century has given birth, both graciously, for that he had borne himself as a good || at home and abroad. and faithful knight, and bade him take the hand of With these qualities, so given by nature, so imhis preserver, and declared that she should be his || proved by cultivation, and sanctified by purity of for ever.

intention and deep devotion, it is not surprising

that he took a vivid interest in the struggle which NOTICE OF THE LATE S. F. WOOD, ESQ. these times bave witnessed for the maintenance of AN ENGLISH LAYMAN.'

ancient principles and the restoration of life to the

institutions of the Church. With clearness of inThe present number of this journal cannot go

tellect to apprehend distinctly the points at issue, 1 From “The English Journal of Education" for June. Il and with that earnestness of heart which gives one

man power over others, he exercised an important || to the judgment of those on whom their adoption influence, though with such retiring modesty, that depended. he seemed himself unconscious of it; yet sometimes | In how many ways he advanced the cause of by his pen, sometimes by his counsel, and at all education both in London and in the country, cantimes by the example of his meekness, and by the || not now be told; but it may be interesting to an sweetness of his society, he drew men on to holy important, and we hope a numerous, class of the thoughts, and to deeper views of what was passing readers of this journal, to know that they are in a around them.

great measure indebted to him for the arrangements In this place, however, we must speak of him by which the comfort and improvement of the adult only in one point of view, namely, in reference to masters in training at Westminster have been prothe service rendered by him to the various societies | vided for. The rising institution at Stanley Grove which in our day supply in some measure the lack also engaged his peculiar interest and watchful care. of a more adequate ecclesiastical organisation. He It owes to his happy suggestion the name of St. was early called to this work, by gaining the confi Mark's College, which so well indicates the true dence of that revered layman, whose retirement position of the schoolmaster in the church.' from the treasurership of the National Society was He had taken particular interest in the erection so affectionately commemorated at the last annual || and adorning of the chapel, to which he gave a meeting. As that venerable person seemed to per- || window of stained glass; but he was not permitted form the part of Robert Nelson in this century, so to live till divine service was performed within its did he of whom we are writing seem destined one | walls. He was, however, fresh in the memory of day to follow in the same track; indeed, he once the friends who there knelt together on the third was heard to observe, that it seemed as if he was Sunday after Easter, but one week after his funeral; called to take up the routine of the work of his aged and along with his name, doubtless, were rememfriend ;' and therefore, though few were more || bered those of W. M. Praed and H. N. Coleridge, painfully alive to the faults of our religious societies, | fellow-workers in the same cause-like him acor longed more earnestly for deeper principles of complished in mind and gentle in spirit, and like united action, he was content, day by day, to do the him called hence in the prime of life. good which seemed appointed to be done in his | May the remembrance of such animate the hearts time by means of the existing machinery. Accord- || of those who remain, that they slacken not in the ingly, he would spend many a patient hour, even || work to which they stand pledged; and may God, during exhausting illness, in sifting applications | in His mercy, increase the number of those who for aid, whether for the building of churches or of labour in His Church, and grant them a like spirit schools, or for the employment of additional clergy. Il of patience, humility, and perseverance !

In the various committees of which he was a member, he was ever diligent in his attendance to

Poetry. the ordinary routine of business, as well as ready to devise plans of extended utility; there was no

THE STRENGTH OF ENGLAND. one more clear-sighted to discern what was prac Not to her armies, though her pride, ticable from what was fanciful, no one more fertile And crown'd with trophies glorious ; in expedients to reconcile conflicting opinions, and Nor to her navies, though they ride to bring various minds to bear on the execution of On every sea victorious, the common object. In all his communications Does England owe th' imperial dower there was a peculiar suavity of manner, a consider Of boundless sway, the strength and power ation for the feelings of others; and especially in By which she rises in this hour his dealings with those in authority or in advanced

A queen amongst the nations. life, there was an unaffected deference and delicacy

To her is given a throne of dread, of manner which cannot easily be forgotten.

An undefied dominion, He was among the first promoters of the ex

In worlds where Rome's old eagle spread tended diocesan operations engrafted on the parent stock of the National Society, and, in the opera

A fearful, falt'ring pinion:

Wide as the circling waters run tions of the committee of inquiry and correspond

Her name is fear'd, her fiat done; ence, his was the clear pen to sketch some of the

And the broad heaven's all-searching sun most important documents; his the zeal and the

Ne'er sees her empire's ending. discretion which commended the plans proposed