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ment, that Conrad's hesitation vanished. "I know what I owe to Christ," he said, approaching, with tears in his eyes to receive the cross; "and I swear to go where his service calls me."-" This is a miracle!" exclaimed the peers and princes present, as they followed their sovereign's example, and vowed to attend his steps.

Having gained over Conrad, the eloquent Saint pursued his triumphs, and soon fired Germany with zeal. When he returned to France, and reported his success, preparations began in both countries. Enthusiasm was general; men of all ranks assumed the cross; and even women vowed to arm themselves with sword and lance, and took an oath to fight for the Holy Sepulchre.

It was arranged that Louis and Conrad should depart in the spring of 1147, and that the French and German armies should unite at Constantinople. When the time approached, all rushed eastward, with the cry of "God wills it!" and every road was covered with pilgrims on their way to the camps. Bernard must almost have felt some dismay at the effect of his eloquence. "Villages and castles, are deserted," he wrote to the Pope, "and there are none left but widows and orphans, whose parents are still living."

Early in the spring of 1147, Europe was in commotion. Everywhere in Germany and France men were seen with the cross on their shoulders. Shepherds flung down their crooks, husbandmen abandoned their teams, traders quitted their booths, barons left their castles, and bishops deserted their bishoprics, to arm for the defence of the Holy Sepulchre. From England, exhausted by dynastic war, and Italy, agitated by ecclesiastical strife, bands of warriors issued to swell the armies of Conrad and Louis. Many ladies armed themselves for the crusade, and prepared to signalize their prowess under the leadership of a female warrior whose dress excited much admiration, and whose gilded boots procured for her the name of "Golden-legs."

At Ratisbon, about Easter, the Emperor of Germany assembled his warriors. Accompanied by a host of nobles-among whom were his brother Otho, Bishop of Frisigen; his nephew, Frederick Barbarossa, Duke of Suabia; the Marquis of Montferrat, and the Duke of

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Bohemia-Conrad commenced his march eastward, at the head of a hundred thousand men, and sent messengers to announce to the Emperor of the East the intention of the crusaders to cross the Greek territories.

At this period, Emanuel Comnenus reigned at Constantinople. On receiving Conrad's message he returned an answer highly complimentary. But while professing great friendship for the new crusaders, he made all their movements known to the Saracens, and so managed matters that their march was frequently interrupted. The elements appeared not less hostile to Conrad's army than the Greeks. While the Germans encamped to keep the Feast of the Assumption in a valley on the river Melas, a storm suddenly arose, and swelled so violently that horses, baggage, and tents were carried away. The crusaders, amazed and terrified, gathered themselves up; and deploring their mishaps, pursued their way to Constantinople.-The Crusades and the Crusaders.

EDGEWORTH, MARIA, a British novelist, born at Black Bourton, Oxfordshire, January 1, 1767; died at Edgeworthstown, Longford, Ireland, May 22, 1849. She was the daughter of Richard Lovell Edgeworth and his first wife. She was

educated by her father, who, when she was fifteen years of age, removed to Ireland with his family. In 1798 Practical Education, the joint work of father and daughter, was published. Two years later appeared Castle Rackrent, the sole work of the daughter, which at once established her reputation as a novelist. This was followed by another novel, Belinda, and by an Essay on Irish Bulls; the latter, however, was written in partnership with her father. In 1804 appeared Popular Tales; in 1809-12 Tales of Fashionable Life, including Ennui, The Dun, Manœuvring, Almeira, Vivian, The Absentee, Madame de Fleury, and Emile de Coulanges. These works contain several fine character studies. They were followed by Patronage (1814), and Harrington, Ormond, and Comic Dramas (1817). Mr. Edgeworth died in this year, and his daughter devoted herself to the completion of his Memoirs, which had been commenced by him. They were published in 1820. In 1822 appeared Rosamond, a Sequel to Early Lessons, to which Mr. Edgeworth had contributed; in 1825 Harry and Lucy, and in 1834 Helen, one of her best novels. Miss Edge

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