ページの画像
PDF
ePub

PENNY READINGS

IN

PROSE AND VERSE.

SELECTED AND EDITED BY

J. E. CARPENTER,

EDITOR OF "SUNDAY READINGS," "SONGS: SACRED AND DEVOTIONAL,"

[merged small][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small]

FREDERICK WARNE AND CO.,

BEDFORD STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

LONDON:

SAVILL AND EDWARDS, PRINTERS, CHANDOS-STREET,

COVENT-GARDEN.

CONTENTS.

[blocks in formation]

PENNY READINGS.

THE BATTLE OF PRESTON-PANS.

SIR WALTER SCOTT.

In the year 1745 Charles Edward, son of the Pretender
James Francis, made his great attempt to recover the
crown of Great Britain. James himself had fallen into
obscurity ever since the attempt of 1715, and was now
sinking into old age; but his son, who was born 1721,
seemed to have all the popular merits that his father
wanted. In person he was tall, well-formed, and
active; his face was handsome, his complexion fair, his
eyes blue; his hair fell in natural ringlets on his neck.
His address, at once dignified and affable, was calculated
to win attachment; yet his misfortunes had rendered
him somewhat jealous of his dignity. He possessed
courage, and a romantic sense of honour; he was
decisive and resolute, yet, it is generally agreed, with-
out much ability as a leader. In politics and religion,
he retained all the bigoted notions of the Stuarts.

His first attempt was made in 1774, with the support
of a large French fleet and army, under Marshal Saxe;
but the expedition was wrecked by a great storm off
Dungeness, and the French Government abandoned the
enterprise. Deprived of their support, and even with-
out his father's knowledge, Charles Edward pawned his
jewels and borrowed from his father's friends, to pur-
chase arms and ammunition, which he put on board a
French ship of war, and embarking himself in a brig,
sailed from Belleisle July 2nd, 1745. The ship was

« 前へ次へ »