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the Greek empire in form, he was suddenly forced to defend himself against Tamerlane.

Tamerlane, or Timer-bek was a prince of the Usbek Tartars, and a descendant from Gengiskan. Having conquered Persia and most of the East, he was invited by the enemies of Bajazet, to protect them against the Ottoman power.

He gladly accepted the invitation, and having met the Turk, he totally defeated him, and made him prisoner. The Battle of Angoria was a famous one in the annals of war. Bajazet was shut up in an iron cage, in which he destroyed himself.

6. The Recovery of France from the power of the English was nearly completed 1450 years A. C. This change was produced by slow degrees. After a struggle of many years, the possessions of the English, except Calais and Guignes, were wrested from their hands.

The English had triumphed repeatedly over the French, and by the battle of Agincourt particularly, they opened the way for the occupation of the capital itself. But when the heroic English king, (Henry V.) had reached the period of his triumphs, the French in their turn won the field.

Under Charles VII. the war prospered. Joan of Arc, the maid of Orleans, was of signal service to the French cause. She raised the siege of Orleans, and defeated the English; but being taken prisoner by the latter, she was cruelly burnt for alleged sorcery.

Her death, however, was of service to her countrymen, inasmuch as it increased their aversion to the English dominion, and inspirited their efforts for freedom.

Distinguished Characters in Period VXX. classic Italian Poets.

1. Dante' and 2. Petrarch,

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3. Wickliffe, an English theologian and reformer.

4. Froissart, an entertaining French chronicler.

5. Gow'er and fathers of English poetry.

6. Chau'cer,

1. Dante' was born at Florence in 1265. He discovered an early capacity for poetry, but his ambition and advancement in civil life involved him in the ruin of the party to which he belonged. He died in exile at Ravenna, in 1321.

2. Petrarch was eminent for his great parts and learning, and has been styled the father of modern poetry. At Vaucluse, near Avignon, he fell in love with a young lady named Laura, whom he has rendered famous by his poetry. He died in 1374.

3. Wickliffe was professor of divinity in the university of Oxford, and father of the reformation of the English Church from popery. He was one of those "of whom the world was not worthy." He died in 1384.

4. Frois'sart was born about 1337. His chief work is a history which comprises what happened in France, Spain, and England, from 1326 to 1400. He was also a poet, as well as historian-on the whole a highly interesting writer. He died in 1402.

5. Gow'er was born sooner, though he died later than Chaucer. The year of his birth was 1320. He was eminent as a lawyer. His principal production as a poet is "Confessio Amantis." Some one styles him "gentle Gower." He died in 1402.

6. Chaucer was a Londoner by birth, which took place in 1328. He was one of the greatest of the English poets. His "Canterbury Tales" are the most considerable of his works. He died in 1400, and was buried at Westminster Abbey.

Miscellaneous Observations on

Period VX.

1. Poetry attained, in these ages, a degree of splendour; yet there was little advancement in general literature and science. Miracles and fables were woven

too much into the texture of history. Nevertheless, we find much curious information in the writings of Walsingham, Everard, Duysburg, and particularly Froissart.

But the ages of darkness were beginning to pass away. A taste for classical learning led to the discovery of many of the ancient authors. France and England however did not, at this time, exhibit any of the taste which was beginning to prevail. Few books, and scarcely any classics were found in 'either of these countries.

On the fall of the Eastern empire, an event soon to be mentioned, the face of things, in regard to literature and science, was entirely changed.

2. The invention during this period, of the Mariner's Compass, that of gunpowder, and especially the art of printing, gave a new direction to human affairs, and will continue to affect the destinies of all future ages. With the art of printing, the revival and extension of learning were intimately connected.

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Fire arms were invented but a few years previous to the battle of Cressy, and in that battle the English are said to have used artillery for the first time.

The condition of society, and of the arts, notwithstanding these illustrious efforts of human ingenuity, was low in comparison with modern times. Even in the large cities of England and France, the houses were roofed with thatch, and had no chimneys.

Glass windows were almost unknown, and floors had only straw for covering. The luxury of linen for shirts could be afforded only by the most wealthy.— Public robbing was almost a profession.

3. Trade and manufactures in Europe continued to make progress during this period. They were particularly encouraged by Edward III. of England, as appears by laws passed in his reign. He was bountiful in the encouragement of artisans from abroad.

In some of the succeeding reigns they were less encouraged. In this interval of their decay in England, commerce and the mechanical arts were encouraged in Scotland by James I. and his successors.

The

rudeness and turbulence of the kingdom, however, prevented their flourishing much.

To Scotland the fisheries began to be a source of wealth, but no foreign trade was carried on by that country, till after the discovery of America. In the south of Europe, and in the East, commerce flourished as usual.

4. During this period Christianity greatly declined in the East. Indeed it became almost extinct. The Turks and Tartars, who extended their dominion with astonishing rapidity, substituted the imposture of Mahommed for the religion of Christ.

Tamerlane compelled multitudes, by his cruelties, to apostatize from the faith. Asiatic Tartary, Mogul, Tangul, and the adjacent provinces, where Christianity had long flourished, were now become the seats of superstition. In China some faint remains of religion as planted by the Nestorians were visible, but they soon entirely disappeared.

The profession of Christianity was retained in the contracted empire of Constantinople. The violent methods formerly commenced, to promulgate this holy religion in the north of Europe, were continued during this period, and most of the pagans in those regions were, in this way, converted to the faith.

The Jews, in considerable numbers, were compelled to embrace Christianity. France and Germany led the way in this infamous and useless method of extending the influence of a religion whose very nature is opposed to violence.

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Emportant Events in Period VXXX.

The principal events of this period may be 'reduced to seven in number.

First, the Taking of Constantinople by the Turks:

Second, the Union of the Houses of York and Lancaster, in England:

Third, the Discovery of the Continent of America by Columbus :

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