THE BOOK

OF

GOOD EXAMPLES.

BEAUTY OF CLEMENCY.

LPHONSUS, King of Naples and Sicily, so celebrated in history for his clemency, was once asked why he was so favourable to all men, even to those most notoriously wicked? "Because," answered he, "good men are won by justice; the bad by clemency." When some of his ministers complained to him on another occasion of his lenity, which they were pleased to say was more than became a prince: "What, then," exclaimed he, "would you have lions and tigers reign over you? Know you not that cruelty is the attribute of wild beasts-Clemency that of MAN ?"

HENRY IV. OF FRANCE.

When Henry IV. of France was advised to attempt taking Paris by an assault before the King of Spain's troops arrived to succour the leaguers, he absolutely protested against the

measure on the principle of humanity. "I will not," said he, " 'expose the capital to the miseries and horrors which must follow such an event. I am the father of my people, and will follow the example of the true mother who presented herself before Solomon. I would much rather not have Paris, than obtain it at the expense of humanity, and by the blood and death of so many innocent persons."

Henry reduced the city to obedience without the loss of more than two or three burgesses, who were killed. “If it was in my power," said this humane monarch, "I would give fifty thousand crowns to redeem those citizens, to have the satisfaction of informing posterity, that I had subdued Paris without spilling a drop of blood."

SWEARING NOBLY REPROVED.

Prince Henry, the son of James II., had a particular aversion to the vice of swearing, and profanation of the name of God. When at play, he was never heard to do so; and on being asked why he did not swear at play as well as others? he answered, that he knew no game worthy of an oath. The same answer he is said to have given at a hunting match. The stag, almost quite spent, crossed a road where a butcher was passing with his dog. The stag was instantly killed by the dog, at which the huntsmen were greatly offended, and endeavoured to irritate the Prince against the butcher; but his highness answered, coolly, "True, the butcher's dog has killed the stag, and how could the butcher help it?" They replied, "that if his father had been so served, he would have sworn so as no man could have endured.” "Away!" cried the prince, "All the pleasure in the world is not worth an oath."

SIR PHILIP SYDNEY.

EMPRESS CATHERINE.

The Empress Catherine I. of Russia carried humanity to a degree seldom equalled in the history of nations. She had promised, that during her reign nobody should be put to death; and she kept her word. She was the first sovereign in modern times that ever showed this regard to the human species. Malefactors were now condemned to serve in the mines, and other public works; a regulation not less prudent than humane, since it renders their punishment of some service to the state. In other countries, they only know how to put a malefactor to death with the apparatus of an execution: but are not able to prevent the execution of crimes.

SIR PHILIP SYDNEY.

Paradise Regained.

"When I was yet a child, no childish play To me was pleasing; all my mind was set Serious to learn and know, and thence to do, What might be public good: myself I thought Born to that end; born to promote all truth, All righteous things." Sir Philip Sydney was one of the brightest ornaments of Queen Elizabeth's court. In early youth he discovered the strongest marks of genius and understanding. Sir Fulk Greville, Lord Brook, who was his intimate friend, says of him, "Though I lived with him and knew him from a child, yet I never knew him other than a man, with such steadiness of mind, lovely and familiar gravity, as carried grace and reverence above greater years. His talk was ever of knowledge; and his very play tended to enrich his mind."