tion. After taking the accustomed oaths to his sovereign, or feudal chief, he was invested by the attendant knights and ladies with the various parts of his armor. The sovereign then rising from the throne, conferred upon him, while kneeling, the honor of knighthood, by giving him three strokes with the flat part of a drawn sword upon his shoulders or neck. He then saluted the young warrior, and pronounced these words " In the name of God, of St. Michael, and St. George, I make thee a knight-be brave, bold, and loyal."

3. Chivalry, though considered, commonly, as a wild institution, the effect of caprice, and the source of extravagance, certainly had a very serious influence in refining the manners of European nations. The feudal state was a state of almost perpetual war, rapine, and anarchy; during which, the weak and unarmed were exposed to insults or injuries. The power of the sovereign was too limited to prevent these wrongs, and the administration of justice too feeble to redress them. The most effectual protection against violence and oppression was often found to be that which the valor and generosity of private persons afforded. The same spirit of enterprise which had prompted so many gentlemen to take up arms in defence of the oppressed pilgrims in Palestine, incited others to declare themselves the patrons and avengers of injured innocence at home.

4. When, too, the final reduction of the Holy Land under the dominion of infidels put an end to these foreign expeditions, the latter was the only employment left for the activity and courage of adventurers. To check the insolence of overgrown oppressors; to rescue the helpless from captivity; to protect, or to avenge women, orphans, or ecclesiastics, who could not bear arms in their own defence; to redress wrongs, and to remove grievances, were deemed acts of the highest prowess and merit. Valor, humanity, courage, justice, honor, were the characteristic qualities of chivalry. To these was added religion, which mingled itself with every passion and institution during the middle ages, and by infusing a large portion of enthusiastic zeal, gave them such force as carried them to romantic excess.

5. This singular institution, in which valor, gallantry, and

How has the institution of chivalry commonly been considered ?What were the characteristic qualities of chivalry?

religion, were so strangely blended, was wonderfully adapted to the taste and genius of martial nobles; and its effects were soon visible in their manners. War was carried on with less ferocity, when humanity came to be deemed the ornament of knighthood, no less than courage. More gentle and polished manners were introduced, when courtesy was recommended as the most amiable of knightly virtues. Violence and oppression decreased, when it was reckoned meritorious to check and punish them. A scrupulous adherence to truth, with the most religious attention to fulfil every engagement, became the distinguishing characteristic of a gentleman, because chivalry was regarded as the school of honor, and inculcated the most delicate sensibility with regard to these points. The admiration of these qualities, together with the high distinctions and prerogatives conferred on knighthood in every part of Europe, inspired persons of noble birth, on some occasions, with a species of military fanaticism, and led them to the most extravagant enterprises.

6. But even in these enterprises, they deeply imprinted on their minds the principles of generosity and honor. These principles too were strengthened by every consideration that can affect the senses or touch the heart. The wild exploits of those romantic knights, who sallied forth in quest of adventures, are well known, and have been treated with proper ridicule; but it is a fact, that the political and permanent effects of the spirit of chivalry have been less observed. Perhaps the humanity which accompanies all the operations of war, the refinements of gallantry, and the point of honor, the three chief circumstances which distinguish modern from ancient manners, may be ascribed in a great measure to this institution, which has appeared whimsical to superficial observers, but by its effects has proved of great benefit to mankind.

7. The sentiments which chivalry inspired had a wonderful influence on manners and conduct, during the twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries. They were so deeply rooted that they continued to operate after the vigor and reputation of the institution itself began to decline.

What effect did chivalry have on war?-Has chivalry given rise to great extravagances ?-Have these extravagances received the ridicule which they justly deserve?-Have the advantages of chival ry been as much known as its extravagances ?

Some considerable transactions recorded in history resemble the adventurous exploits of chivalry, rather than the well regulated operations of sound policy. Some of the most eminent personages whose characters are therein delineated were strongly tinctured with this romantic spirit. Francis I. was ambitious to distinguish himself by all the qualities of an accomplished knight, and endeavored to imitate the enterprising genius of chivalry in war, as well as its pomp and courtesy during peace. The fame which the French monarch acquired by these splendid actions, so far dazzled his more temperate rival, that he departed, on some occasions, from his usual prudence and moderation, and emulated Francis in deeds of prowess, or of gallantry.

8. Important and numerous were the privileges attached to this profession of arms, and its duties were at once ardent and indispensable. To protect the ladies was an essential part of them. Incapable of taking arms for the preservation of their property, and destitute of the means to prove the purity of their characters, if attacked by malevolence or slander, they would frequently, in those uncivilized times, when law and justice were silenced by violence and force, have seen their lands become a prey to some tyrannical neighbor, or had their reputation blasted by the breath of calumny, if some knight had not come forward in their defence. To the succor of the distressed, the protection of orphans, the emancipation of captives, and the chastisement of oppression, he likewise dedicated his sword, and his life. If he failed in a scrupulous attention to these benevolent offices, he was looked upon as deserting the most solemn obligations, and was degraded from his rank with public marks of disgrace. If he performed them with activity and spirit, he was regarded as an honor to his profession, and his renown was spread over every part of Europe.

9. The treatment of women in Greece and Rome was harsh and degrading. They were confined to a state of seclusion from the world, had but few attentions paid them, and were allowed to take little share in the general intercourse of life. The northern nations, on the contrary, paid a kind of religious veneration to the female sex, considered them as

What may be considered the most important duties of chivalry? (See sec. 8.)—What was the treatment of women in Greece and Rome?

endowed with superior, and even divine qualities, gave them a seat in their public councils, and followed their standard to battle. These fierce barbarians, in the course of their ravages in the Roman empire, when they involved the monuments of ancient art in destruction, and pursued their enemies in arms with the most bloody severity, always forbore to offer violence to women. They introduced into the west of Europe the respectful gallantry of the north; and this benevo lence of sentiment was cherished and matured by the institution of chivalry.

10. Thus has a great change of manners been effected by following up a leading principle of the institution of chivalry, and giving a conspicuous place to the female sex in the ranks of society. The passion of love, purified by delicacy, has been heightened by the pleasures of sentiment and imagination; the sphere of conversation has been enlarged and meliorated; it has gained more propriety, more vivacity, more wit, and more vanity; social intercourse has been divested of formality, and is regulated by the laws of true politeness. It has opened new sources of satisfaction to the understanding, and afforded new delights to the heart. The merit of the sexes has been raised, they having a better title to the esteem of each other; the characters both of men and women have been marked by more amiable qualities, and the stock of refined pleasures and social happiness has been considerably increased.

11. A knight was always known by a device on his shield, and the peculiarities of his blazonry, which were allusive to some of his martial exploits. Great honors were paid to him after his decease, particularly if he was slain in battle. His funeral was most solemn, and fully attended. His sword, helmet, spurs, gauntlets, and armorial ensigns, were suspended over the hallowed spot of his interment, or his cenotaph. His splendid tomb, graced with his effigy, and marked with a suitable inscription, was considered as a tribute of the justest respect to his virtues, and as a powerful incentive to inflame the youthful warrior to tread the same path of valor and renown.

12. The following, among many other anecdotes, have been

What treatment were they accustomed to receive among the northern nations ?-How was a knight always to be known?

related, as specimens of the influence of chivalry in those rude ages. Edward, the black prince, was accomplished, valiant, and amiable. Soon after the battle of Poictiers, in 1356, he landed at Southwark, and was met by a great concourse of people, of all ranks and stations. His prisoner, John, king of France, was clad in royal apparel, and mounted on a white steed, distinguished by its size and beauty, and by the richness of its furniture. The conqueror rode by his side, in meaner attire, and carried by a black palfry. In this situation, more honorable than all the insolent parade of a Roman triumph, he passed through the streets of London, and presented the king of France to his father, who received him with the same courtesy as if he had been a neighboring potentate that had voluntarily come to pay him a friendly visit. It is impossible, on reflecting on this noble conduct, not to perceive the advantages which resulted from the otherwise whimsical principles of chivalry, and which gave, even in those rude times, some superiority even over people of a more cultivated age and nation.

13. The chevalier Bayard was quartered, one winter, at Grenoble, near a young lady of good family, but of indigent circumstances; her beauty inflamed his love, and her situation gave him hopes of being able to gratify it. Her mother, urged by poverty, accepted his proposals, and compelled her reluctant daughter to visit him. As soon as she was introduced into his presence, she threw herself at his feet, and with streaming eyes besought him not to dishonor an unfortunate damsel, whom it was more consistent with a person of his virtuous character to protect. "Rise," exclaimed the

chevalier, " you shall quit this place as innocent as you entered it, but more fortunate." He instantly conducted her home, reproved the mother, and gave the daughter a marriage portion of 600 pistoles.

What anecdote is related of Edward the black prince, to illustrate the advantages of chivalry?-What one is related of the chevalier Bayard?