ror at that sad spectacle, in sighs, tears, and lamentations ; the tide of their duty and affection began to return, and each blamed himself either with active disloyalty to his king, or a passive compliance with his destroyers.

10. Charles was executed January 30, 1649, in the fortyninth year of his age, and the twenty-fourth of his reign. He was of middling stature, robust, and well proportioned. His visage was pleasing, but melancholy; and it is probable that the continual troubles in which he was involved might have made that impression on his countenance. As for his character, the reader will deduce it with more precision and satisfaction to himself from the detail of his conduct than from any summary given of it by the historian.

THE RUINS.

I've seen, in twilight's pensive hour,
The moss-clad dome, the mouldering tower,
In awful ruin stand;

That dome, where grateful voices sung,
That tower, whose chiming music rung
Majestically grand!

I've seen, 'mid sculptur'd pride, the tomb
Where heroes slept, in silent gloom,
Unconscious of their fame;

Those who, with laurell'd honors crown'd,
Among their foes spread terror round,
And gain'd-an empty name!

I've seen, in death's dark palace laid,
The ruins of a beauteous maid,
Cadaverous and pale!

That maiden who, while life remain'd,
O'er rival charms in triumph reign'd
The mistress of the vale.

I've seen, where dungeon damps abide,
A youth, admir'd in manhood's pride,

At what time was king Charles executed?-How old was ha (hon-How long had he reigned ?

In morbid fancy rave;
He, who, in reason's happier day,
Was virtuous, witty, nobly gay,

Learn'd, generous, and brave.

Nor dome, nor tower, in twilight shade,
Nor hero fallen, nor beauteous maid,
To ruin all consign'd-

Can with such pathos touch my breast,
As (on the maniac's form impress'd)
The ruins of the MIND!

GUN-POWDER TREASON.

1. THE Roman catholics had expected great favor and indulgence on the accession of James I., both as a descendant of Mary, a rigid catholic, and also as having shown some partiality to that religion in his youth. But they soon discovered their mistake; and were at once surprised and enraged to find James, on all occasions, express his resolution of strictly executing the laws enacted against them, and of persevering in the conduct of his predecessor. This declaration determined them upon more desperate measures; and they at length formed the resolution of destroying the king and both houses of parliament at a blow. The scheme was first broached by Robert Catesby, a gentleman of good parts and ancient family, who conceived that a train of gun-powder might be so placed under the parliament-house, as to blow up the king and all the members at once.

2. How horrid soever this contrivance might appear, yet every member seemed faithful and secret in the league; and about two months before the sitting of parliament, they hired a house in Percy's name, adjoining to that in which the parliament was to assemble. Their first intention was to bore a way under the parliament-house, from that which they occupied; and they set themselves laboriously to the task; but when they had pierced the wall, which was three yards in

On what account did the catholics expect the favor and indulgence of James I.? Were their expectations realized?What measure of revenge did they attempt ?-How was the plan formed to destroy the king and parliament ?

thickness, on approaching the other side, they were surprised to find that the house was vaulted underneath, and that a quantity of coals was usually deposited there. From their disappointment on this account they were soon relieved by information that the coals were then selling off, and that the vaults would then be let to the highest bidder. They, therefore, seized the opportunity of hiring the place, and bought the remaining quantity of coals with which it was stored, as if for their own use.

3. The next thing done was to convey thither thirty-six barrels of gun-powder, which had been purchased in Holland, and the whole was covered with the coals, and with fagots, brought for that purpose. Then the doors of the cellar were boldly flung open, and every body admitted, as if it contained nothing dangerous. Confident of success, they proceeded to plan the remaining part of their project. The king, the queen, and prince Henry, the king's eldest son, were all expected to be present at the opening of parliament. The king's second son, by reason of his tender age, would be absent, and it was resolved that Percy should seize or assassinate him. The princess Elizabeth, a child likewise, was kept at lord Harrington's house, in Warwickshire; and sir Edward Digby was to seize her, and immediately proclaim her queen.

4. The day for the sitting of parliament now approached. Never was treason more secret, or ruin more apparently inevitable; the hour was expected with impatience, and the conspirators gloried in their meditated guilt. The dreadful secret, though communicated to above twenty persons, had been religiously kept during the space of nearly a year and a half; but when all the motives of pity, justice, and safety, were too weak to induce a disclosure, a remorse of private friendship saved the kingdom. Sir Henry Percy, one of the conspirators, conceived a design of saving the life of lord Mounteagle, his intimate friend and companion, who was also a decided catholic. Accordingly about ten days before the meeting of parliament, this nobleman, without himself knowing the writer, received the following letter

5. "My lord, out of the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care of your preservation. Therefore I

How was the gun-powder treason discovered?

would advise you, as you value your life, to devise some ex cuse to shift off your attendance in this parliament. For God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of the times. And think not lightly of this advertisement; but retire yourself into the country, where you may expect the event in safety. For, though there be no appearance of any stir, yet, I say they will receive a terrible blow this parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them. This counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good, and can do you no hurt-for the danger is past, as soon as you have burnt this letter. And I hope God will give you grace to make a good use of it, unto whose holy protection I commend you.'

6. The contents of this mysterious letter surprised and puzzled the nobleman to whom it was addressed; and though inclined to think it a foolish attempt to affright and ridicule him, yet he judged it safest to carry it to lord Salisbury, secretary of state. Lord Salisbury too was inclined to give little attention to it, yet thought to lay it before the king in council, who came to town a few days after. None of the council were able to make any thing of it, although it ap peared rather serious and alarming. In this universal agitation, between doubt and apprehension, the king was the first who penetrated the meaning of this dark epistle. He concluded that some sudden danger was preparing with gun-powder; and it was thought advisable to inspect all the vaults below the houses of parliament. This care belonged to the earl of Suffolk, lord chamberlain, who purposely delayed the search till the day before the meeting of parliament.

7. He now discovered and seized Guy Fawkes, actually engaged in the terrible enterprise, having just disposed every part of the train for its taking fire next morning, the matches and other combustibles being found in his pockets. The whole of the design was now discovered; but the atrociousness of his guilt, and the despair of pardon, inspiring him with resolution, he told the officers of justice, with an undaunted air, that had he blown them and himself up together, he had been happy. Before the council, he displayed the same intrepid firmness, mixed even with scorn and disdain,

Which one of the conspirators was seen and seized in preparing the train of powder?

refusing to discover his associates, and showing no concern but for the failure of his enterprise. But his bold spirit was at length subdued; being confined to the Tower for two or three days, and the rack just shown him, his courage, fatigued with so long an effort, at last failed him, and he made a full discovery of all his accomplices.

8. Catesby, Percy, and the conspirators who were in London, hearing that Fawkes was arrested, fled with all speed to Warwickshire, where sir Edward Digby, relying on the success of the plot, was already in arms. But the country soon began to take the alarm, and wherever they turned, they found a superior force ready to oppose them. In this exigence, beset on all sides, they resolved, to about the number of eighty persons, to fly no further, but made a stand at a house in Warwickshire, to defend it to the last, and sell their lives as dearly as possible.

9. But even this miserable consolation was denied them; a spark of fire happening to fall among some gun-powder that was laid to dry, it blew up, and so maimed the principal conspirators, that the survivors resolved to open the gate, and sally out against the multitude that surrounded the house. Some were instantly cut to pieces. Catesby, Percy, and Winter, standing back to back, fought long and desperately, till in the end the two first fell covered with wounds, and Winter was taken alive. Those that Survived the slaughter were tried and convicted; several fell by the hands of the executioner, and others experienced the king's mercy. The Jesuits, Garnet and Oldcorn, who were privy to the plot, suffered with the rest; and notwithstanding the atrociousness. of their treason, Garnet was considered by his party as a martyr, and miracles were said to have been wrought by his blood.

DISAPPOINTED AMBITION.

IN full blown dignity, see Wolsey stand, Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand;

What induced Guy Fawkes to reveal the names of his accomplices?