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LESSON 18.

STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY.

VI. BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE.

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This was the name given by the Scotch people to Prince Charles Edward, grandson of James II. ; but the English called him the Young Pretender, to distinguish him from his father, whom they designated the Pretender. He was a tall, handsome youth, of an enduring and brave spirit; but his education had been much neglected. Notwithstanding his father's defeats, he determined to make an attempt to gain the English crown. Assisted by the King of France, he made for the south coast; but a storm drove back most of the ships, and the English fleet chased away the rest, so what was called the 'Dunkirk Expedition' was a complete failure.

The French king then gave up the cause of Charles Edward, and tried to persuade him to go back to Rome, where his family was in exile. But nothing could induce him to abandon his attempt on the crown of England, and no one could persuade him that he would be beaten. He thought Scotland would be the best place to commence

operations. Borrowing some money, and selling his jewels, he raised enough to purchase and fit out a little ship. With only seven followers he landed in Inverness-shire.

In about a month's time he had raised a considerable army of Highlanders. The English sent Sir John Cope to oppose him, and offered thirty thousand pounds for the Young Pretender's head. The first engagement was decidedly in favour of Charles Edward, who then invaded England, and reached as far south as Derby. Discontent breaking out among his troops, coupled with the indifference of the English people to his cause, led him to retreat to Glasgow.

Another army from England, under the Duke of Cumberland, was sent in pursuit of him. The two forces met at Culloden Moor, where the Highland forces under Charles were utterly defeated, April 16, 1746.

In connection with his own escape there is a story of womanly devotion and courage which were worthy of a better cause.

After the disaster at Culloden, Charles aimed at making his escape to France. Through many dangers he made his way to Long Island, where he remained for nearly a month. His position was perilous, for information of his hiding was given to the royal troops. A guard was set at every outlet, and more than a thousand soldiers ranged the island through in search of him, so that his escape seemed impossible. Although hundreds of the poor Highlanders knew of his retreat, not one would betray him, tempting as the reward was.

From this terrible situation he was at last delivered by the tact and heroism of a young lady, named Flora Macdonald. She proposed to conduct

him, in the disguise of her waiting-maid, to the Isle of Skye in the first place, and then to get him out of the country, as opportunity should offer. Her stepfather, who commanded the Macdonald Militia in South Uist, made out passports for herself, a man-servant, and her maid, Betty Burke. So, dressed as Betty Burke, Charles and his fellowtravellers put off in a boat with six oars, and each pulled away anxiously for Skye. They reached the island in safety, where Charles hid himself on the shore, while Flora went to find a place of shelter. Finding the house of her friend filled with soldiers, she was afraid to trust him in the island any longer. Giving him a recommendation to another Macdonald, and directions how to reach the mainland, she took leave of the English prince.

When it became known afterwards that Flora Macdonald had aided in the escape of Charles Edward, she was summoned to London, and imprisoned for a year. Some ladies who sympathized with the Stuarts, and who admired her heroism, raised a large sum of money, and presented it to her. For a time she went to live in North America, but the war there forced her and her husband home to Skye again, where they both died.

After leaving Skye, Charles reached the mainland of Scotland. Here he suffered great hardships, attended by only two faithful adherents. The whole country was alive with troops in search of him, and many times they trod the heather close by his head. For five weeks and three days he lived in a cave with seven robbers, any one of whom had him at his mercy; but bad as these men were, no bribe could induce them to betray him.

At last his friends obtained two French vessels to carry him to France. Fourteen months after he

first landed in Scotland, he stepped into the French vessel which was to bear him away from that land for ever. His subsequent history is pitiable. He became a poor miserable drunkard, and died of paralysis at Rome, where his remains still rest in the Church of St. Peter.

LESSON 19.

LOCHIEL'S WARNING.

Al-bin, ancient name of Scot- ey-ry, nest of a bird of prey

land

a-vaunt, begone

Glen-ul-lin, another name of

Lochiel, taken from an estate

Clan-ran-ald, another High- hav-oc, destruction

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This piece may very appropriately follow our last story, because it is connected with an incident supposed to have happened just before the battle of Culloden. Lochiel was the chief of the warlike Camerons, and on his support depended principally whether the standard of Charles should be raised in the Highlands or not. He was himself against the enterprise, because he saw it was hopeless, and tried to persuade the prince from it. Charles replied, 'I am determined to put all to the hazard. In a few days I will erect the royal standard, and proclaim to the people of Great Britain that Charles Stuart is come over to claim the crown of his an

cestors, and to win it, or perish in the attempt. Lochiel, who my father has often told me was our firmest friend, may stay at home and learn from the newspapers the fate of his prince.' Thus challenged, Lochiel replied, 'No, I will share the fate of my prince, and so shall every man over whom nature or fortune hath given me any power.'

The poet has supposed a meeting, just before the last great battle, between the chieftain and a wizard, who foretells the complete overthrow of the Jacobite forces, as the army of Charles Edward was called. The name of the battle is pronounced, in the poetry, Cul-lo-den, with the accent on the second syllable.

WIZARD.

Lochiel! Lochiel! beware of the day

When the Lowlands shall meet thee in battle array, For a field of the dead rushes red on my sight, And the clans of Culloden are scattered in fight; They rally, they bleed, for their kingdom and crown;

Woe, woe to the riders that trample them down! Proud Cumberland prances, insulting the slain, And their hoof-beaten bosoms are trod to the plain. But hark! through the fast-flashing lightning of war,

What steed to the desert flies frantic and far?
'Tis thine, O Glenullin! whose bride shall await,
Like a love-lighted watchfire, all night at the
gate.

A steed comes at morning, no rider is there;
But its bridle is red with the sign of despair.
Weep, Albin! to death and captivity led!
Oh, weep! but thy tears cannot number the dead;
For a merciless sword on Culloden shall wave,
Culloden! that reeks with the blood of the brave.

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