The Portland daily press., 1899-05-27


under leader named Hastings, and In
numbers and equipments II was the most
formidable that his reign had witnessed
And to add to the difficulties he was
called upon TO meet some Of his own peo-
pls The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and East
Anglians deserted him and his standard
and the golden dragon was again at times
forced to retire before the northern raven.
But not often. Alfred WAS better pre-
pared for the invaders than at any time
before. and although they overran con-
siderable portion of his dominions and
committed many depredations, he was
generally successful against them, and
after struggle of three years he had
completely vanquished them and driven
them out of his kingdom.
. But 1t was not only as great captain
on land that he proved his genius and
capacity. Alfred also showed his powers
on the sea, the native element of the
marauding Vikings. While the waters
surrounding England were open to them
and unvexed by hostile ships, Alfred saw
that 1t would be impossible to successfully
cope with them or prevent periodical
plundering inoursions. Therefore he, fit
ted out naval force and made it SO effec-
tive that in several engagements the
enemy were defeated, and in one battle
causing their destruction and the loss OF
all on board.
"To Alfred" says an authority, "may
be attributed the glory of laying tho
foundation of highlands naval greatness
aud of building England fleet Of effec-
tive power. BY means of vessels formed
after a model of his own, of uuusua.
length and speed, he succeeded In curbing
his Danish foes and inflicted great dam.
age on them in S97 on the south coast. +"
FOUNDED ENGLISH INSTITUTIONS.
There is no name in English history
more glorious or dearer to the people. than
that of King Alfred, ana many were the
fascinating stories told of him and which
He has, through popular feeling and
veneration, been given credit thatibelongs
to many men both earlier and later.
From King of the West Saxons he has
grown into King of all England. and Is
made the founder of all English institu-
tions. Yet the legendary reputation OF
Alfred is hardly too great for his merits,
for few men in history seem.to have unit
ed SO many great and good qualities. He
was at once general, lawyer, saint and
scholar. Such is the estimate Of one
discerning writer, and Gibbon is no less
eulogistic when he says: amidst the
deepest darkness OF barbarism the virtues
OF an Antoninus, the learning and valor
of q Caesar, and the legislative spirit Of
a Lycurgus were manifested in this
patriotic King" And with one consent
all English historians agree In Character
izing him ms the wisest best and greatest
King that ever reigned in England.
In the times of Norman oppression the
common people .fondly called him the
Darling of the English" His devotion
to learning and his efforts to give the
blessings of education to the people. when
popular ignorance was dense, because of
the destruction of monasteries and schools
during the wars Of the Danes, are among
the, brightest and most benefcent features
of his reign. He translated fmaDy. books
into the language Of the people for their
instruction. gave form TO old laws, and
had many wise ones enacted.
Alfred, 1t seems, was poet. too, as
we'll as scholar. The venerable Beds
tells US that he passed sometime in study
in Ireland, and when leaving it wrote
poem in the Irish language and meter
upon what he had ssen there. This poem
Clarence Mangan has translated as fol-
lows:
ALFRED AS A POET.
| found in Innisfaih the fair,
In Ireland. while in exile there,
Women uf worth, both grave and tgay
men,
Many clerics and many laymen.
Travelled its fruitful provinces round,
And in every one of the f1ve found
Alike in church and in palace hall
Abundant apparel and food for all
Gold and silver l found, and money.
Plenty of wheat and plenty of honey
l found Gods people rich In pity;
Found many Ieast anu many ID oiuy.
l also found in Armagh. the splendid.
Meekness, wisdom, and prudence blended;
Fasting as Christ had recommended.
And noble councillors untranscendeu.
found in each great church, more>'er,
Whether on island or on shore,
Piety, learning, fond affection;
Holy welcome and kind protection.
l found the good lay monks and brothers
Ever beseeching help for others,
And in their keeping the holy word,
Pure as 1t came from; Jesus the Lord.
| found in Munster, unfettered OF any,
Kings and Queens and poets a-many;
Poets we'll skilled in music and meas
ure;
Prosperous doings, mirth and pleasure.
I found in Connacht, the just. redundance
or riches, milk in lavish abundance;
Hospitality, vigor, fame,
In Cruachan's s land of heroic name.
T found in Ulster, from hill to glen,
Hardy warriors, resolute men;
Raautv that bloomed when youth was