Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-08
ENGLISH HISTORY.
BY GLEN AUnD0N.

have interviewed since then, thirty-five
crown-heads have sat upon the
throne of England, making an average
duration of about twenty-three. There
were eight Henrys, six Edwards, four
Georges, four Williams, three Richards,
two Jameses, two Charleses, one
Stephen, one John, one Mary, one Eliz-
abeth, one Anne, one Victoria. Of this
Number, fourteen repose beneath the
spires of Westminster and the re-
mainder lie buried in thirteen different
places The longest reign was that OF
George Ill, who ruled fifty-nine years
three months and five days; the short
est was that of Edward v, two months
and thirteen days. George I'LL reached
the advanced age of 50; Edward V. was
murdered in his 18th year. Ten reached
the age of go. Tho Georges were a
long-hved family; George I. lived to be
81; George II, II; George Ill, 50.
While it has with reason been main
tanned that "the desire for gain is the
strongest impulse Of the human heart, p"
1t is at the same time true that the love
of money is fostered only for the power
which it brings TO its possessor. So, it
may be argued that "the love of fame
is the universal passion Of mankind y
and the qualification of this desire, when
uncontrolled by reason and conscience,
will lead to the Drawing of any danger or
the commission OF any crime.
How like mountain devil in the heart
Rules the unreined ambition! Let it once
But play the monarch, and its naughty brow
CLOVIS with beauty that bewildsrs thought
And unthrones peace forever.
No more striking illustration of this
fact is shown than in the history of En-
glands monarchs. Whatever there may
lie to illuminate the past, England can
point with anything but pride to the
character and conduct Of her sover-
eigns
King John, who murdered Prince Ar
thu in order that his title might be the
more secure, led so wicked and icen-
tious life that historians have seen fit
TO mention the fact : e'He left two Ie-
gitimate sons, Henry and Richard. "
Says one writer: cit is hard to say
whether his conduct to his father, his
brother, his nephew or his subjects was
most culpable. Cowardico. levity, Ii
centiousness, ingratitude, treachery,
tyranny and cruelty characterize his
reign"
The pretended usurpation Of the
crown by Henry VI inaugurated that
fatal quarrel between the "House Of
York and the ''House of Lancaster, :"
which lasted for thirty years, and
which Is computed to have cost the lives
OF eighty Princes of the blood and al
most entirely annihilated the ancient no
bility of England"
Richard III, in order to page his way
to the throne, assisted III the assassina-
ton OF King Henry VT. and his only
son, became accessory to the murder Of
his own brother, Duke of Clarence, and,
after having been intrusted with the
regency of the kingdom, secretly dc
stroyed his two young nephews, Ed
ward, Prince of Wales. and Richard,
Duke OF York.
Being proclaimed King, lac married
Anne, widow of the murdered Prince,
and afterward, finding her an obstacle
to his ambition, he is accredited with
having "carried her off by poison"
The reign of Henry VIII. which be-
gan under the most favorable auspices
and bid fair to be one of wisdom and
justice, degenerated into the blacklist
tyranny.
Mounting the throne at tho age Of Is,
with reputation for talents and learn
ing rare in one SO young, he squandered
the immense treasures Of his prede-
cessor, and turned his attention froB
the pursuits of literature to the ag-
grandizement Of his own glory and the
exercise of an arbitrary and unjust
power. Having become enamored Of
Anne Boleyn, maid of honor to the
Queen, he discarded his wife, Catherine
OF Arragon, and secretly married Anne.
But the unfortunate Anne, having ac-
copied the offers Of royalty upon such
terms, was at the mercy of man who
had no scruples regarding either her
welfare or his own honor. Her life vas
In his hands, and she was secure only SO
long as his tickle mind was not tempted
by new conquests. His affections, or
rather passions, were soon transferred
to Jane Seymour, daughter of Sir John
Seymour and, in order that he might
crafty his new flame, Henry had Anne
Boleyn beheaded, and the day after cele-
brated his nuptials with Jane Jane
Seymour lived but short time, and i'm
mediately after her death tho King
formed an alliance with Anne OF Cloves,
daughter of the Duke Of Gloves. This
was brought about through the instru-