IV. THE MOTHER OF ALFRED THE GREAT. THE subject of hereditary influences might not unsuitably occupy a place here, did not such considerations involve more than it might be desirable to introduce into these necessarily slight sketches of character. The subject is, without question, one of deep and farextending interest; but it belongs more appropriately to a different line of investigation and thought. It embraces too, so many elements of human character in its threefold nature-physical, intellectual, and moral -and all these so closely yet so delicately blended, and interwoven as it were into that complex fabric of Laotive and action which constitutes our being, that a more philosophical mode of treatment would be required than is either necessary or desirable in the present instance. Respecting the transmission of certain tendencies of character through hereditary channels, we find some persons much more credulous than others; and unless we could be made acquainted with all the transactions of the nursery, and know exactly what has taken place between the mother and the child during the earliest It is stated by Milner, that " Augustine, after his conversion, returned with some friends to Africa, and lived for some time upon his own estate, retired from the world. Being invited to give instruction to a person of some consequence in Hippo, he was there appointed presbyter to Valerius, Bishop of that city. Here his ministry was useful in the instruction and edification of the brethren, and also in the defeat of various heresies. Heretics vied with the members of the general Church in their attention to the pastoral labours of Augustine, whose fame began gradually to spread over the Western world. Valerius, desirous to preserve such a treasure to his Church, took care to have Augustine elected Bishop of Hippo, in conjunction with himself; the duties of which office he continued to discharge after the death of Valerius. His zeal and laboriousness increased with his authority. The monastery of his institution became renowned in Africa; and about ten Bishops of undoubted piety were sent out from this seminary. These instituted monasteries after the same pattern, and from them other Churches were supplied with pastors; and the doctrines of faith, hope, and charity, by these means, and also by Augustine's writings, which were translated into the Greek tongue, were diffused and enforced with increasing vigour through the Christian world." IV. THE MOTHER OF ALFRED THE GREAT. THE subject of hereditary influences might not unsuitably occupy a place here, did not such considerations involve more than it might be desirable to introduce into these necessarily slight sketches of character. The subject is, without question, one of deep and farextending interest; but it belongs more appropriately to a different line of investigation and thought. It embraces too, so many elements of human character in its threefold nature-physical, intellectual, and moral —and all these so closely yet so delicately blended, and interwoven as it were into that complex fabric of Lotive and action which constitutes our being, that a more philosophical mode of treatment would be required than is either necessary or desirable in the present instance. Respecting the transmission of certain tendencies. of character through hereditary channels, we find some persons much more credulous than others; and unless we could be made acquainted with all the transactions of the nursery, and know exactly what has taken place between the mother and the child during the earliest duct, too, appears so entangled in a maze of conflicting interests, based upon treachery and wrong, that to separate the good from the evil would be impossible, ́nor would it be much more easy to discover through what channel any particular bias of character had been imparted. Much has been said about the mother of Alfred the Great, who, however, was no relation by birth; and pleasant pictures are painted even to this day, of her instructions conveyed to his youthful mind through the medium of music and poetry. There is no reason to doubt that such teaching possessed a peculiar charm to a nature so constituted as Alfred's, especially when his instructess was a beautiful princess, only a few years older than himself; but in the characteristics subsequently exhibited by this illustrious prince, there is much more which appears justly traceable to his father's influence, than to that of his step-mother; and perhaps still more which is attributable to the peculiar circumstances operating upon his early life. Still the picture is very beautiful, of the young mother imparting instruction to a mind so finely toned as that of her husband's youngest son; and as the after-life of King Alfred affords such unquestionable evidence of good influence having been derived from some source or other, it is but fair to allow the young queen Ler full share in the education both of head and heart. Ethelwolf, the father of Alfred, a man of retired and studious habits, preferring the monotonous and peaceful existence of a monastery to the conflict of battles or the publicity of courts, would seem to have perceived some peculiar qualifications in his youngest son which induced the father to select him as his successor. In order the better to fit him for the responsibilities of this position, he determined to afford him advantages in the way of mental cultivation, which at that time were extremely rare, and by the generality of men but little valued. Alfred's own mother, a pious and peaceful woman, was dead, and the burden of his son's education and training might be too much for the father alone. He therefore made a journey to Rome with his boy, and by the way became fascinated with the charms of Judith, the daughter of the King of France, herself at that time a mere child. Unobtrusive and quiet in his personal habits, as Ethelwolf is described, he took care to make himself observed and respected at foreign courts; and for this purpose he travelled like a king, accompanied, during the time of his residence in Rome, with such pomp and splendour as the circumstances of the times afforded. After a residence of twelve months in that city, and having obtained universal, favour by the bestowment of rich gifts, and of various benefits to the city, the king returned with his son, then about eight years old, travelling again to the French court, from whence he took with him as his bride the fair Judith, whose charms he had been unable to forget. It is easy to imagine how this visit to Rome, with all its accompaniments-the means of information it afforded, the converse of learned men, the pomp of ceremonial, and, not least, the respectful and flattering attention with which the visitors were regarded, would affect the mind of the young traveller, and perhaps inspire within his breast a higher appreciation of the |