Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-02-15
Notes OF Early HIStory-By a Lady.
Alfred the Great.

Alfred the Great laid the foundation
Of the British Monarchy when he as
cended the Throne OF England A. ID.
S7l. The Saxon nation had sunk into
the grossest ignorance aud harbarism'
by continual invasion Of the Danes, who
were an ignorant, superstitious race.
they hated christianity and were hos.
tile TO all religious establishments.
Eight wears after his coronation he
found himself unable to repel their uu
merous and strengthened incursions, his
forces we're discouraged and broken up,
his chieflains and mobiles sought safety
in fight and he reduced TO the last ex.
treme OF destitulion, was obliged to fol.
low their example. He assumed the
dress Of peasant and found shelter in
the hut OF herdsmsn far offamong the
most inaccessible mountain region.
Here he attended the COWS and once.
when he was sitting before the FIRE, the
wife of the peasant told him to watch
the cakes that were baking; his mind
wandering away from this menial EN-
ployment. everything pertaining 10 his
surroundings in forgotten and the
cakes burned. The woman scolded him
for his carelessness aud reminded him
that he could do his share OF eating
them.
Previous to his concealment he found
measures for gathering together few
trusty friends, who whenever 40 oppor
tunity offered harrassed the enemy.
Their success in this undertaking en-.
couraged many more 10 join their band
and when their forces were large enough
they placed their king at its head and
his presence animated and encouraged
the scattered army. Again they met in
battle array In one of these skirmishes
the S,xons captured the sacred banner
Of the Danes, who believing the tide OF
fortune had turned agaisnt them. fed
in dlsmsy. King Allred's forces were
successful in the battles that followed
and instead Of the utter extirpation OF
the enemy, he expelled the armed for.
ces, but extended the hand Of friend.
ship to the Danes, with permission to
settle among his people, on condition Of
their being governed by his laws and
embracing Christianity. This generosity
and kind treatment won for him the
nobleness OF character and associated
With his memory.
He was but twenty-five years Of age
when be was called TO the throne. his
whole reign vas disturbed by constant
invasioDs; he fought fifty.six battles,
but bis wars we're altogether on the de.
fensve. There is no act OF barbarity or
inhumanity recorded against him. lie
did much TO restore the wasted country
he governed and encouraged learning
and art. His ingenuity first gave US the
idea OF lanterns. At that time watches
and clocks were unheard Of and time
was computed by lighted candles. to
protect these from the rough wind,
they we're surrounded by pieces OF
semilransparent horn. lie founded
the University Of Oxford aud formed a
system Of Jurisprudence which.is sup.
posed to be the foundation of English
common Law. lie established a navy,
which was the commencement of tha;
marine power, whose sails whiten the
waters Of every kingdom on the globe.
He was truly Great and of all English
Kings, The hest and most faultless, he
died in the flfty.second year of his age
and left record that stands out clear in
the dim light OF history--blameless and
above reproach. II.