New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-11
IFor the Sunday Republican,
YOUNG FOLKS. COACMNs
Sketch No. 3.

The next author after CoadmOn was Bede,
who was styled the Venerable" This
writer il Justly entitled to stand ct the head
translators. He was born about the year
60 and led an exemplary life. deyOting
hi N self to his laboIs with little or no cessa-
ton. His works consisted Of twenty-fo
vol umts. He was SO deeirous Of completing
book he had begun that upon the very
day OF death he dictated 70 his secretary
the latter part Of the work. Only few
hours elapsed after his work was per.
formed when he closed his eyes upon the
world. This event occurred during the year
735. His was a good and pious example,
and his name is never uttered save with
res pect. Bede was accustomed to occupy
ce rtain chair. placed in almost the same
SPOT. while engaged upon his duties.
have seen drawings Of this chair, and we
little folks would laugh heartily if such an
ungainly, straight back, uncushiOned piece
of furniture were introduced into our
houses. We would beg mamma to put it
away in the loft, just as l have known some
fashionable people OF the present day put
asi de an old family portrait because it was
too ridiculous to be looked upon by their
9 xquisite trends. Perhaps those same in
divi duals who were SO anxious to rid them
selves of the picture might at that very
III cment be indebted to the original of that
cast of portrait for the Injuries they en-
loved, Just as we are indebted to the au-
thors of Olden times for information re-
ceiv ed. But am depressing, and hasten
on, as distinguished individual awaits my
att ention-in fact, royalty itself, in the per-
son of King Alfred, who was born in S4s.
In this enlightened and brave monarch,
" no was unnamed the Great" we find
highly cultivated taste, combined with
bra;ery and justice. His we'll balanced
! mind enabled him to perform his duties
wit skill and precision, never permitting
his pleasure to interfere with anything cal
culated to promote the welfare Of his sub
jects. As an author hc confined himself to
translation of different writers into the
Anglo Saxon tongue. Among his works We
ind full translation of the Psalms of
David" and to him is also credited trans
lation of "1Esop's Tables His object was
to introduce among the people generally
taste for literature of more civilized ma
tions. Not only was Alfred Intellectually
superior to his feeble companions, but as
warrior and statesman. he had few equals.
During his reign the Danes invaded Eng
land, and he drove them back in every bat
tie, to the number of eight. 1t was also by him
that England was divided into counties,
and the first trial by jury instituted. Be-
fore this, all criminals were tried by pro-
cess called the "ordeal." The means en-
ployed for ascertaining the guilt or innocence
of the prisoner was either cold or hot water
or heated iron. The prisoner was required
to put his hands into vessel containing
bOi ling water and draw from the bottom q
stone, or to carry piece of heated iron
certain distance. Having undergone the
required test, his hands were wrapped up.
and if after three days had elapsed and no
trace Of tho burn remained, he was pro-
nounced innocent and allowed freedom.
The cold water test was performed in a
somewhat different manner. The culprit
being bound hand and foot, was thrown
into pool. If he tioated he was taken out
and punished; if, on tho other hand, he
sank and was drowned, he was pronounced
innocent. Alas for human justice in those
days! Too much praise can not be given
the monarch who freed his people from such
su peEstitious and barbarous practices, and
gave to posterity the trial by jury, which
mode has been generally adopted by civil
lied countries. King Alfred founded the
famous Oxford University, which institu-
ton ranks among the inst in the world.
Like our Washington. he was called the
"father of bis county," and in him We find
tho rare combination Of intellect, bravery,
piety and justiee-quslities which consti
tuse true royalty. He died in the year 9Oi.
The next name Of any importance 10 that
Of "Alfrac." Archbishop of Canterbury.
This learned divine was ambitious of i'm
parti ne knowledge ~ the poorer classes,
and sndeayOred TO introduce among them
. style OF reading So simple that tho most
igno rant might comprehend. To effect this
end he wrote some tales and translated the
first seven books Of tho Bible into Anglo
Sax on for their benefit, leaving out all big
words and making Others easier for them.
Hs was the author Of Q Latin grammar,
and was styled the ''GraMmarian." As
shall soon take leave OF the Saxon writer's
in o rider to introduce their successors, l can
not refrain from giving you an extract from
fhss tnVn sEuy 1ciH
WAS the production Of various authors Of
that period Il5i). have searched in vain
fOr An amusing subject, 90 have come to
the conclusion that the taste Of that period
WAS much more inclined to the seyicus than
the comic. For my part like funny pieces,
ex: racs, and aMuee yourself by spelling it
ont. and psreins it too if you like, thereby
dis playing knowledge for ancient lore:
ION this yoer uoed the King Stephen. ded
m d bedyried there his uif s. dune uaeron
be dyried aaet Taufisfeld. That ministre
hi. Makiden: Tia the King was ded. tina
" AS the earl beionde sic & ns drusfe man
don other but guide for the NIGEL Gle of him
Tina he to England came tina uas he under
fir sgen mid uercipe 4 the meng bletched in
Lu ndiHe in the sursnen dace befOs mid |
wi ter daice.' The literal TRANSLATION OF |
the foregoing il this wis+: I'm this year was !
Kin: Stephen dead and buried where his |
wife and eon were buried at TOurernisfeld.
That minister they made. When the King
wSs dead then was the earl beyond the sea |
and not drust NO man do other than good I