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and cultivated an acquaintance with the most celebrated officers of Upper and Lower Germany, and indeed throughout Europe.

When he was about fifteen years old, his Highness, not only for his own recreation, but likewise from a laudable ambition of shewing the world what might be expected from him, under the name of Moliades, * Lord of the Isles, (an ancient title, due to the first born of Scotland,) did by some persons appointed for that purpose, in the chamber of presence before the King, Queen, and whole court, deliver a challenge to all knights of Great Britain, and on the appointed day, the great feat of arms was performed at the palace of Whitehall, in the presence of the King and Queen, the Ambassadors of Spain and Venice, and of all the Peers and great ladies of the kingdom, with a multitude of others of inferior rank. His Highness maintained the barriers against all adventurers, assisted only by six young noblemen. Against these challengers came six and fifty defendants, consisting of Earls, Barons, Knights, and Esquires. Every challenger fought with eight several defendants, two combats at

* The prince was wont to use that name in the challenges of his martial sports and masquerades, which in anagram maketh a word most worthy of such a knight as he was, Miles à Deo.

two different weapons, push of pike and single sword. The prince himself gave and received thirty two pushes of pike, and about three hundred and sixty strokes of swords, and performed his part very well and gracefully, and to the admiration of all the spec

tators.

EDWARD, THE BLACK PRINCE.

'DWARD, the Black Prince, then about sixteen years age, made his first essay in arms at the battle of Crecy. He led his line to the charge with so much bravery, that the Earl of Warwick, apprehensive of the event, from the superior number of the French, despatched a messenger to the king, and entreated him to send succours to the relief of the prince. Edward had chosen his station on the top of a hill, and surveyed in tranquillity the scene of action. When the messenger accosted him, his first question was, whether the prince was slain or wounded. On receiving an answer in the negative, "Return," said he, “to my son, and tell him that I reserve the honour of this day to him: I am confident that he will shew himself worthy of the honour of knighthood, which I so lately conferred upon him: he will be able, without my assistance, to repel the enemy." This speech

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being reported to the prince and his attendants, inspired them with fresh courage: they made an attack with redoubled vigour on the French, and soon entirely routed them.

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THE CHEVALIER BAYARD.

AYARD, afterwards surnamed Le Chevalier sans peur et sans reproche, had scarcely attained his thirteenth year, when his father, oppressed with years and with wounds, and feeling his end approach, sent for his four sons, and in presence of their mother, asked them what mode of life they would embrace. The eldest said, he would live with his parents, as long as Heaven should preserve them to him, and would then live in tranquillity upon his paternal estates. Bayard, the second, spoke after his brother, and said with a decision and vivacity beyond his age, that inheriting from his father and a long line of ancestors, a name illustrious in arms, and great examples of warlike virtues, he entreated him to approve of his imitating them: that this was his inclination, and that he hoped, by God's help, not to derogate from the glory of those of his house, whose great acts he had often heard cited. At this discourse, his father could not restrain his tears, and said to him, "My son, may

God give you his grace: you have already the face and figure of your grandfather, who was one of the most accomplished gentlemen of his time: your resolution delights me, and in a short time I shall second it, by placing you in the house of some prince, where you may make your apprenticeship in arms.'

THE

THE CHEVALIER DE BOUFFLERS.

HE Chevalier de Boufflers was destined from his infancy to be a soldier. His grandfather, the Duke de Boufflers, governor of Flanders, full of the noble deeds of his ancestors, was anxious that his grandson should resemble them, and support the honour of the family. Such an education was therefore given to him, as was likely to inspire his infant mind with courage, and a love of glory: he was set to read the History of Cyrus, the battles of Alexander and Hannibal, the Lives of Duguesclin, of the Chevalier Bayard, and of Henry the Fourth, the histories of the Great Condé, of Louis the Fourteenth, and of Marshal Villars. At seven years old, the little Ambrose was not only acquainted with the lives of the greatest warriors, but could perform his exercise with the precision of an old soldier, and in his ninth year he had also acquired a knowledge of tactics, and the art of

attack and defence. He could give the word of command for the different evolutions, and drew up with skill a little army; for one of the favourite amusements of his childhood, was to place and move in different directions, little pasteboard models of cavalry, infantry, and pieces of artillery. As a military man is likely to travel in foreign countries, the parents of young Boufflers spared no pains to make him acquainted with the modern languages, particularly the German, English, and Italian, which he learned in a few months, by means of conversation.

He had scarcely attained his tenth year, when his father received orders to join the French army which was acting in Germany, against the Empress Maria Theresa, and her ally, George the Second of England: the child entreated to be allowed to accompany him, and his father consented, proud to see his son so early desirous of entering the career, in which his ancestors had so nobly distinguished themselves.

Arrived at the camp, Ambrose de Boufflers, notwithstanding his rank, asked and obtained leave from his father, to partake the lodgings, the rations, and the severe duties of the private soldiers, till he should by his own merit earn promotion. He soon learned to sleep soundly on the bare ground, and when his father, after the first night of this trial, went to inquire

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