RICHARD THE SECOND.

URING the rebellion of Wat Tyler, in the reign of Richard the Second, the king passing along Smithfield, very slenderly guarded, met with Wat Tyler, at the head of the rioters, and entered into a conference with him. Tyler, having ordered his companions to retire till he should give them a signal, feared not to come into the midst of the royal retinue. He there behaved himself in such a manner, that Walworth, the mayor of London, not able to bear his insolence, drew his sword, and struck him so violent a blow as brought him to the ground, where he was instantly despatched by others of the king's attendants. The mob, seeing their leader fall, prepared themselves for revenge; and this whole company, with the king himself, had undoubtedly perished on the spot, had it not been for the extraordinary presence of mind which the young king, then only sixteen years of age, discovered on the occasion. He ordered his company to stop; advanced alone towards the enraged multitude; and accosting them with an affable and intrepid countenance, said to them: "What is the meaning of this disorder, my good people? Are you angry that you have lost your leader? I am your king: I will be your leader." The populace, overawed by his presence,

mechanically followed him. He led them into the fields, to prevent any disorder that might have arisen by their continuing in the city, and after granting them the charters that they demanded, he peaceably dismissed them.

MARGARET OF ANJOU, AND HER SON.

FTER the signal defeat of the Lancastrians at Hexham, Margaret of Anjou fled with her son into a forest, where she endeavoured to conceal her self, but was beset, during the darkness of the night, by robbers, who either ignorant of her quality, or regardless of it, despoiled her of her rings and jewels, and treated her with the utmost indignity. The partition of this rich booty raised a quarrel among them, and while their attention was thus engaged, she took the opportunity of making her escape with her son into the thickest of the forest, where she wandered some time, spent with hunger, fatigue, and affliction. While in this wretched condition, she saw a robber approach with a naked sword; and perceiving that she had no means of escape, she suddenly embraced the resolution of trusting entirely for protection, to his faith and generosity. She advanced towards him,