much, that she appeared each day of audience in the new habit of some foreign nation.

To so great a pitch did this mighty queen carry her coquetry and love of dress, that at her death were found in her wardrobe, three thousand different habits. No incense was too gross for her vanity: she was willing to be persuaded that she was a Venus; and the romantic gallantry of the age in which she lived, encouraged her darling propensity.

A most sumptuous tournament was celebrated in the tilt-yard of her palace at Whitehall, in honour of the commissioners sent from France, to propose her marriage with the duke d'Anjou. Pennant relates, that a banquetting-house was erected on the occasion, at a great expence. The gallery where the queen was to be, was called the castle or fortress of perfect beauty! Her majesty received every flattering compliment suitable to a girl of eighteen, though then forty-eight years old. This fortress of perfect beauty was assailed by Desire and his four foster-children. The combatants on both sides were persons of the first rank. A regular summons was sent to the possessor of the castle, accompanied with a song, of which this is one stanza:

"Yeeld, yeeld, o yeeld, you that this fort doo hold,

Which seated is in spotless honour's feeld; Desire's great force no forces can withhold:

Then to Desire's desire, o yeeld, o yeeld."

This was followed by the discharge of two cannons, one loaded with sweet powder, the other with scented

water.

A mock assault then took place, with elegant scaling-ladders, and flowers flung against the walls. These weapons of gallantry could not procure success ; and Desire, being repulsed, was obliged to make submission.

It is really surprising, that amusements so puerile and unworthy of a rational mind, could interest a woman, whose abilities were equal to govern a powerful nation, and maintain its consequence in Europe.

Whatever form this pernicious quality assumes, whether it be an affectation of beauty, learning, or gentility, it is equally ridiculous, and exposes its unfortunate possessor to mortification and contempt.`

An old woman who dresses as if she were young; a plain woman, who courts admiration; an ignorant person, who displays a smattering of learning; and one of inferior rank, who mimics the dress and behaviour of her superiors: equally expose their particula defects; and, like the ass in the lion's skin, so far from attaining their object, they excite contempt, when each would have been respected in their proper character.

SMALL CAUSES OFTEN OCCASION GREAT EVENTS.

IT is curious to trace the minute causes from which many of the most important events that have been transacted on the theatre of the world have originated. Some of them are so trivial and obscure, that they elude

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the notice of common observers, and are perceived only by those who investigate things to their sources.

Destructive wars have been occasioned by the resentment of an individual, and nations laid waste from the caprice of a courtezan. Circumstances, apparently the most accidental, have prevented or accelerated the designs of princes, and have produced the most momentous consequences. This remark is by no means confined to public concerns: the prosperity or misfortune of private persons have likewise often hinged upon incidents of a trifling nature, that have given a bias to their character for the remainder of their lives, and influenced the tenour of their future actions.

A few examples, that will confirm the truth of these remarks, shall supply this day's entertainment; from which this instructive lesson may be learnt: That a superintending Providence can overrule the best concert plans; and that, sometimes, those who have formed designs, are the instruments by which their own projects are baffled.

When Vashti refused to obey the commands of her husband, she was not aware that she was raising a rival to the throne, whose influence over the mind of Ahasuerus, enabled her to defeat the malicious designs of Haman, and save the Jewish nation from the destruction he had prepared for her countrymen. Nor did that haughty noble perceive, that his resentment against Mordecai, an obscure, despised captive, should bring him to an ignominious death, and ensure the royal favour to the very people he intended to destroy.

The enterprise of Darius against the Greeks, which laid the foundation for the final overthrow of the Persian empire, arose from the contrivance of Democedes, a physician of Cortona, who had cured Atosa, the wife of Darius, of a dangerous illness; and, from that circumstance, had acquired great influence over her. He burned with an ardent desire to return to his native country, and, finding it impossible to obtain permission to leave the Persian court, persuaded the queen, that it would be an easy and honourable achievement to invade the Grecian states. The queen, fired with ambition, seized a favourable moment to inspire her husband with the desire of becoming a conqueror. Darius assured her that he intended to make war against the Scythians. "The Scythians," replied the queen, "will be an easy conquest, and always within your power. I wish you to turn your arms against Greece, and bring me back female slaves from Lacedemon, Argos, Corint and Athens." The project succeeded: the Pers and Greeks were involved in animosities, that were never long suspended till the Persian empire was destroyed.

An innocent jest fomented a desperate civil war between our Norman conqueror, William, and his eldest son, Robert. The three princes, Robert, William, and Henry, resided at that time with their father, in the castle of L'Aigle, in Normandy. It happened one day, that, as they were amusing themselves with youthful

frolics, the two younger took a fancy of throwing some water on Robert, as he passed through the court, on leaving their apartment; a freedom that he would doubtless have taken in good part, and returned by some jest of a similar nature, had it not been for the suggestions of Alberic de Grentmesnil, whose father had been deprived of his estate by William. The young man took this opportunity of revenge, by persuading the prince that the action was meant as a public affront, which it behoved him in honour to resent; and the choleric Robert, drawing his sword, ran up stairs, with an intention of taking revenge on his brothers. The whole castle was filled with tumult, which the king himself found some difficulty to appease.

But the storm in Robert's breast could not be calmed: jealousy was excited: he accused his father of partiality; and, thinking that no sufficient atonement had been made for the insult he had received, left the court that very evening, and hastened to Rouen, with the design of seizing the citadel of that place. The precaution of the governor disappointed his project, and he fled to Hugh de Neufchatel, a powerful Norman baron, who gave him protection, which encouraged him to openly levy war against his father.

The Norman dominions of William, as well as his family, were, during several years, thrown into convulsions by the consequences of this trifling circumstance; nor could the war be terminated, till the English were called in to assist their sovereign to subdue his son and hereditary subjects.