buildings are masoned and wrought of divers stones; and all great rivers are gurged' and assembled of divers surges and springs of water. In likewise all sciences are extraught and compiled of divers clerks. Of that one writeth, another peradventure is ignorant. But by the famous writing of ancient authors, all things ben knowen in one place or other.

Then to attain to the matter that I have enprized. I will begin first, by the grace of God, and of the blessed virgin, our lady, St. Mary, from whom all comfort and consolation proceedeth; and will take my foundation out of the Chronicles, sometime compiled by the right reverend, discreet, and sage master John la Bele, sometime canon in St. Lanbartis, of Liege, who with good heart and due diligence did his true devoier in writing this noble Chronicle, and did continue it all his life days, in following the truth as near as he might, to his great charge and cost, in seeking to have the perfect knowledge thereof.

He was also in his life days well-beloved, and of the secret council with the lord sir John of Hainault, who is often remembered (as reason requireth,) hereafter in this book: for of many fair and noble aventures, he was chief causer; and by whose means the said sir John la Bele, might well know and hear of

many divers noble deeds, the which hereafter shall be declared. Truth it is, that I who have enterprized this book to ordain for pleasure and pastaunce, to the which always I have been inclined, and for that intent I have followed and frequented the company of divers noble and great lords, as well in France, England, and Scotland, as in divers other countries, and have had knowledge by them. And always to my power justly have enquired for the truth of the deeds of war, and aventures that have fallen ; and specially since the great battle of Poitiers, whereas1 the noble king John of France was taken prisoner; as before that time I was but of a young age or understanding. Howbeit, I took on me as soon as I came from school, to write and receive the said book, and bare the same compiled into England, and presented the volume thereof to my lady Philippa, of Hainault, noble queen of England, who right amiably received it, to my great profit and avancement. And it may be so, that the same book is not as yet examined nor corrected, so justly as such a case requireth: for feats of arms dearly bought and atchieved, the honour thereof ought to be given and truly divided to them that by prowess and hard travail have deserved it. Therefore to acquit me in that behalf, and in following the truth as near as I can, I John Froissart, have enterprised this history, on the foresaid

' whereat.

ordinance and true foundation, at the instance and request of a dear lord of mine, sir Robert of Namur, knight, lord of Beaufort; to whom entirely I owe love and obeisance. And God grant me to do that thing that may be to his pleasure. Amen.

Of the Manners of the Scots in the 14th century, particularly in War.-Chap. 17.

These Scotsmen are right hardy, and sore travailing in harness and in wars: for when they will enter into England, within a day and a night, they will drive their whole host twenty-four mile: for they are all a horseback, without it be the truandals1 and laggered of the host, who follow after a foot. The knights and squires are well horsed; and the common people and others on little hackneys and geldings; and they carry with them no carts nor charytes for the diversities of the mountains that they must pass thro' in the county of Northumberland. They tokes with them no purveyance of bread nor of wine: for their usage and soberness is such in time of war, that they will pass in the journey a great long time with flesh half sodden, without bread, and drink of the river water, without wine; and they nother

2

care for pots

truants, stragglers. 2 chariots. 3 take.

4 neither.

nor pans: for they seeth beasts in their own skins. They are ever sure to find plenty of beasts in the county that they will pass thro', therefore they carry with them none other purveyance; but on their horse, between the saddle and the pannel, they trusse1 a broad plate of metal, and behind the saddle, they will have a little sack full of oatmeal, to the intent that when they have eaten of the sodden flesh, then they lay their plate on the fire, and temper a little of the oatmeal; and when the plate is hot, they cast off the thin

paste thereon; and so

manner of a crakenell,

make a little cake, in or biscuit; and that they eat to comfort withal their stomachs. Wherefore it is no great maryel though they make greater journeys than other people do.

I would willingly have given a much longer extract from Froissart, and one more characteristic of his peculiar manner; but the literary world is aware that a new translation of him was given to the public, in 1805, by Mr. Thomas Johnes, in which the names of persons and

thrust.

places, disfigured in the original, are corrected. This ancient historian may now be read with all the facility of a modern author, as the ordinary reader is no longer repelled either by inconvenient bulk of volume, or by antique peculiarities of language. For this edition, which is in four volumes 4to. several MSS. in the translator's own library, as well as in the British Museum, were collated with the printed copies; many improved readings adopted, and even some chapters added, which were not in any of the printed editions. -Another edition was published last year, in 12 vols. 8vo.

Froissart was a well informed historian. That period of English history of which he treats, is much indebted to him. He spared no pains in collecting his materials, and visited the courts of princes, that he might avail himself of the best sources of information, both by the collection of memoirs, and by [the conversa tion of those who had the management of affairs. He resided for a long time at the court of the princess Philippa, daughter of the earl of Hainault, and wife of Edward III. king of England. His narrative is very copious, though Jively and interesting, He has been accused