yet passed. About which time, a post came to advertise the Earl of the King his sudden death. Then,' said Thomas, this is the tempest I foretold; and so it shall prove to Scotland.'Whence, or how, he had this knowledge, can hardly be affirmed; but sure it is, that he did divine and answer truly of many things to

come."

Nor was this pious dignitary of an enlightened Church singular in this belief, for it seems to have pervaded all classes; as well the learned as the vulgar, the wise as the simple, all partook, or affected to partake, in the national delusion. It was not, indeed, until the late Lord Hailes made these compositions the subject of a Dissertation, published in his "Remarks on the History of Scotland," that our Northern countrymen could be persuaded that by far the greater portion of the Prophecies are of a date infinitely more modern than that of the prophetic bard, and subsequent to the events to which they related.

It would be useless to give a specimen of these productions, inasmuch as the original (if, indeed, any portion of it has been preserved) is so mixed up with the interpolations and mo

dernizations of later times, that it is impossible to separate what is really the composition of Thomas the Rhymer, from the additions of his followers and imitators.

In addition to these Prophecies, Sir Walter Scott has attributed to this Thomas, the "Romance of Sir Tristram," which he has published from a MS. copy, with very numerous and valuable illustrative notes and observations. It is, however, to be observed, that the Editor of the new edition of "Warton's History of English Poetry," has brought forward strong grounds for believing that this was the composition of another Thomas than "him of Ercildoun."

PROCLAMATION AGAINST MILTON.

THE biographers of Milton speak highly of the lenity of Charles II. to the immortal bard, but mention an order which was issued to seize two of his political works. It was not, however, until 1797, that a copy of the royal proclamation for that purpose was discovered, when it was found to be much more severe than was generally believed. The following is a copy of this royal order for seizing and burning the works

VOL. II.

D

of a man, whose talents have been the admiration

of ages.

"By the King,

"A Proclamation for calling in and suppressing two books, written by John Milton, the one intituled, "Johannis Miltoni Angli pro Populo Anglicano Defensio contra Claudii Anonymi, alias Salmasii, Defensionem Regiam ;" and the other, in answer to a book intituled, "The Portraiture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings ;" and also to a third book, intituled, "The Obstructors of Justice," written by John Goodwin.

"CHARLES R.

"Whereas John Milton, late of Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, hath published in print two several books, the one intituled, Johannis Miltoni Angli pro Populo Anglicano Defensio contra Claudii Anonymi, alias Salmasii, Defensionem Regiam ;' and the other, in answer to a book intituled, The Portraiture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings.' In both which are contained sundry treasonable passages against us and our government, and impious endeavours to justify the horrid and unmatchable murder of our late dear father of glorious memory.

"And whereas John Goodwin, late of Coleman-street, London, Clerk, hath also published in print

book, in

tituled, 'The Obstructors of Justice,' written in defence of the traitorous sentence against his late Majesty. And

whereas the said John Milton and John Goodwin are both fled, or so obscure themselves, that no endeavours used for their apprehension can take effect, whereby they might be brought to legal trial, and deservedly receive condign punishment for their treasons and offences: Now to the end that our good subjects may not be corrupted in their judgments with such wicked and traitorous principles as are dispersed and scattered throughout the before-mentioned books: We, upon the motion of the Commons in Parliament now assembled, do hereby strictly charge and command all and every person and persons whatsoever, who live in any city, borough, or town incorporate, within this our kingdom of England, the dominion of Wales, and the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in whose hands any of those books are or hereafter shall be, that they, upon pain of our high displeasure, and the consequence thereof, do forthwith, upon publication of this our command, or within ten days immediately following, deliver, or cause the same to be delivered, to the mayor, bailiff, or other chief officer or magistrate in any of the said cities, boroughs, or towns incorporate, where such person or persons so live; or, if living out of any city, borough, or town incorporate, then to the next justice of peace adjoining to his or their dwelling or place of abode: or if living in either of our universities, then to the vice-chancellor of that university where he or they do reside.

"And in default of such voluntary delivery, which we expect in observance of our said command, that then and after the time before limited is expired, the said chief magistrates of all the said cities, boroughs, or towns

incorporate, and the justices of the peace in their several counties, and the vice-chancellors of our said universities respectively, are hereby commanded to seize and take all and every the books aforesaid, in whose hands or possession soever they shall be found, and certify the names of the offenders unto our privy council.

"And we do hereby also give special charge and command to the said chief magistrates, justices of the peace, and vice-chancellors, respectively, that they cause the said books which shall be so brought unto any of their hands, or seized, or taken as aforesaid, by virtue of this our proclamation, to be delivered to the respective sheriffs of those counties where they respectively live, the first and next assizes that shall after happen. And the said sheriffs are hereby also required, in time of holding such assizes, to cause the same to be publicly burnt by the hands of the common hangman.

"And we do further strictly charge and command, that no man hereafter presume to print, vend, sell, or disperse any of the aforesaid books, upon pain of our heavy displeasure, and of such further punishment, as for their presumption in that behalf may any way be inflicted upon them by the laws of this realm.

"Given at our Court at Whitehall, the 13th of August, in the twelfth year of our reign, 1672.”

LOUISE LABE,

a French poetess, of some reputation, as proved by the fact that a new edition of her works has just issued from the press of Lyons, her native