can ever read without emotion. These he committed to writing when on his death-bed. Ducange speaks of a manuscript which appears to have been the original of these Instructions: the writing is large, but shews the weakness of the hand which expressed the sentiments of so strong a mind.

And

My dear son, the first thing which I instruct and command thee to keep, is to love God with all thy heart; for without this, no man can be saved. beware of doing what is displeasing to him; for thou shouldst rather desire to undergo all sorts of torments than commit a mortal sin.

"If God sends thee adversity, receive it with resignation, and thank him for it; and think that thou hast amply deserved it, and that every thing will turn out for thy profit. If he gives thee prosperity, return him thy most humble thanks, and take care that thou art made no worse for it, either by pride or otherwise. For we ought not to make war upon God with his gifts.

"Take care to have about thee prudent and upright men, who are not full of covetousness, whether ecclesiastics, seculars, or others. Shun the society of the wicked; listen to the words of God, and treasure them in thy heart.

"Administer justice and equity to each, as well to the poor as to the rich. And to thy servants be honorable, liberal, and frugal of words, that they may fear and love thee as their master. And if any controversy or quarrel arise, enquire into the very truth, whether it be for or against thyself. If

thou findest for certain that thou hast any thing rightfully belonging to another, acquired either by thyself or thy predecessors, immediately restore it.

"Take care, with all diligence, that the people and subjects live in peace and happiness under thee, especially in the good cities and towns, and elsewhere. Maintain thy franchises and privileges, which thy forefathers have maintained and preserved, and keep them in favor and love.

"Beware of engaging in war against Christian men without mature deliberation, and unless thou canst not possibly avoid it. If war and disputes arise among thy subjects, pacify them as speedily as thou canst.

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Keep a watchful eye over thy governors, bailiffs, and other officers, and frequently enquire into their conduct, that, if need be to reprove them, thou mayst do it.

"And I entreat thee, my son, after my death, to keep me in remembrance, and my poor soul; and assist me with masses, prayers, alms, and benefactions, throughout all the kingdom. And allow me a share and portion in all the charities which thou bestowest.

"And I give thee every benediction that ever father can give his child, praying to all the Trinity of paradise, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to keep thee and to protect thee from all evil; that we may once, after this mortal life, be together in the presence of God, and thank and praise him to all eternity."

Every man at the point of death, and undeceived in regard to the things of the world, may give prudent instructions to his children: but when these instructions are enforced by the example of a whole life of innocence; when they issue from the lips of a great sovereign and an intrepid soldier, from a heart fraught with a simplicity that never was surpassed; when they are the last expressions of a divine spirit, ready to speed its flight to the celestial mansions; then happy is that people who, with honest pride, can exclaim: "The man who penned these instructions was the king of my fathers!"

The disease growing more violent, Louis demanded extreme unction. He pronounced the responses to the prayers for the dying in as firm a tone as if he had been giving orders on the field of battle. He raised himself upon his knees at the foot of his bed, to receive the eucharist, and his attendants were obliged to support in their arms this second Jerome, during his last communion. From that moment he banished all earthly thoughts and conceived that he stood acquitted towards his subjects. What monarch, indeed, ever fulfilled his duties in so exemplary a manner! His charity now embraced all mankind: he prayed for the Infidels, who were at once the glory and the misery of his life; he invoked the patron saints of France, of that France which was so dear to his royal heart. the morning of Monday, the 25th of August, feeling his end approaching, he desired to be placed

On

upon a bed of ashes, where he lay with his hands folded upon his bosom, and his eyes raised towards heaven.

Never was such a spectacle beheld but once, and never will it be again exhibited. The fleet of the Sicilian monarch appeared on the horizon; while the plain and hills were covered with the army of the Moors. Amid the wreck of Carthage, the Christian camp presented the image of the profoundest grief: a death-like silence pervaded it, and the expiring soldiers, leaving the hospitals, crawled over the ruins to approach their dying monarch. Louis was surrounded by his weeping family, the dismayed princes, and their fainting consorts. The deputies of the emperor of Constantinople were present at this scene: they had it in their power to relate to Greece the particulars of an end which Socrates would have admired. From the bed of ashes on which St. Louis heaved his last sigh, could be seen the shore of Utica : each spectator might draw a comparison between the death of the stoic and that of the Christian philosopher. More happy than Cato, St. Louis was not obliged to read a treatise on the immortality of the soul, to convince himself of the existence of a future life: of this, he found an irrefragable proof in his religion, his virtues, and his misfortunes. At length about three in the afternoon, the king fetched a deep sigh, and having distinctly repeated these words: "Lord, I will go into thy house, and I will adore thee in thy holy temple"

his soul took its flight to that temple in which it was worthy to dwell.

The trumpets of the Sicilian Crusaders sounded, and their fleet arrived full of joy, and bringing useless succours. Their signal was not answered. Charles of Anjou was astonished, and began to apprehend some disaster. He landed; he beheld the sentinels with pikes reversed, while the dejection visible in their faces expressed their grief much more strongly than this mark of military mourning. He flew to the tent of his brother, and found him extended lifeless on a bed of ashes. He threw himself on his sacred remains, he bathed them with his tears, he respectfully kissed the feet of the saint, and shewed marks of affection and sorrow that would not have been expected from so haughty a spirit. The face of Louis was yet tinged with all the colours of life, and his lips even retained their vermilion hue.

Charles obtained the bowels of his brother, which he deposited at Montreal, near Salerno. The heart and body of the prince were destined for the abbey of St. Denis; but the soldiers would not suffer these venerated relics to depart before them, saying that the remains of their sovereign were the safeguard of the army. France, inconsolable for the loss of

such a monarch upon earth, declared him her protector in heaven; and Louis, placed in the rank of saints, might be considered as the everlasting king of his country. His people vied with each other in erecting to his memory churches and chapels