bles were killed, and scarcely a single soldier remained unwounded.. "On this defeat the Duke of Albany sent a large army, headed by his son Murdoc, and some of the chief nobility of the kingdom, to join the Earl of Douglas. The Scots were again imprudent, and having penetrated too far into England were intercepted on their return, and obliged to engage at a place called Homeldon, under great disadvantage, the consequence of which was, that they were utterly defeated. "On gaining this victory, Henry Hotspur entered Scotland, and laid siege to a castle on the borders of Tiviot-dale. For some time it was bravely defended, but the governor was at length obliged to enter into a treaty to surrender it up in six weeks, unless fresh succours arrived, and during which stipulated period no additional fortifications were to be made. In consequence of this agreement, the English were on the point of withdrawing them selves, selves, when one of Percy's soldiers pretended that the Scots had broken the treaty by carrying a pick-axe into the fortress.The governor, exasperated at the charge, offered to fight any Englishman who should engage to make it good, and a champion was accordingly singled out, but was defeated by the governor. "The English army then retired, according to agreement, and speedily after, the Duke of Albany, with a large force, came to the relief of the castle; but on his way received intelligence of the death of Hotspur, who, in the interval, had repaired to Shrewsbury, where he was slain in a contest with Henry the Fourth, which originated respecting the ransom of the Scottish prisoners, as you may recollect I related to you in the History of England. "In the mean time, 1404, hostilities continued, and King Robert being informed of the lamentable death of his eldest son, the Duke of Rothsay, gave way to the most poignant grief; and which was doubtless doubtless the more severe, as he was unable to execute justice on so powerful a murderer. Trembling for the safety of his second son, James, he resolved to send him to France, unknown to the Duke of Albany, and accordingly made him embark with the utmost secresy, under the care of the Earl of Orkney. They had reached Flamborough-head when they were chased by an English privateer and taken. The rank of the prisoners being soon known, they were brought before the King of England, who questioning the attendants, they replied that they were taking the prince to France for his education. Henry answered, that care should then devolve on him, as he was well acquainted with the French tongue, and immediately committed both the prince and his attendants, close prisoners to the Tower." "Poor Robert," interrupted Frances, "I sincerely pity him. Prince James was young and able to bear sorrow, but the poor old king had already lost his queen. and and his eldest son;-this last blow was sufficient to sink him into the grave." "You have judged truly, my dear girl,' replied her father. "The news of this misfortune reached King Robert one evening while at supper, and threw him intosuch an agony of grief that he died in three days, on the 29th of March, 1405, having reigned near fifteen years.' "Papa," said John, "had I been in the King of England's place, I should have been very unhappy, and have considered myself as bound in duty to supply to the prince the loss he had sustained by the death of his father." Uncorrupted by greatness, Henry, at your age, would perhaps have thought the same; but you doubtless recollect that he had gained the throne of England by usurpation, and preserved it at the expence of great bloodshed. From such a man, therefore, you are not to expect those tender feelings that are nurtured in the quiet bosom of domestic life. Henry was |