with a view of retaking it from Robert d'Artois. He forced the gates, and pressed the felon knight so closely, that, severely wounded, he was glad to avoid capture by going out at the postern. This was the last battle in which Robert took a part. His life had been rendered wretched by ambition and a thirst for vengeance, and now, when transported to Hennebon, he wished to be placed under the care of English doctors. Being sent to England, on his voyage he was so much shaken by sea sickness, that he rapidly grew worse and died. On his arrival in London (1342) Edward swore to avenge him, and came himself into Brittany with that purpose; but he soon discovered that in that country he had nothing to gain. The cities taken and retaken by each party were rifled without profit, and the whole country had been so wasted that neither food nor forage could be obtained. Such being the state of things, the two kings withdrew as by common consent, and left the savage population to tear each other to pieces as they pleased. They reserved their soldiers for a contest of shorter duration, but more important, and quitted Brittany in January, 1343.

HE human mind ever eager in the pursuit of facts upon which to build its mental structures, is often hindered in its progress by circumstances of apparently small importance. And when it attempts to fathom the waters of oblivion, in whose unlighted depths such a store of the actions of man are buried, it signally fails, and in its retreat supplies the place of truth by fiction. Nor is this strange. Fiction, when it is supported by a shadow of reality, is far more pleasing to the majority of our species than the reality alone. That there was a war of the Greeks against Troy is generally

acknowledged; that there was among its leaders such a warrior as Achilles is also granted. This was about all the truth that remained. But the hand of the poet then took up the subject, and gave to truth that splendid garb of fancy which she wears in the Iliad. England had in like manner her King Arthur, and Spain her Cid Campeador. We do not by any means intend to intimate that the history of the Cid is so fabulous as that of Achilles or Arthur, for such is not the case. But still around his history such a veil of romance is thrown, that we scarcely can depend upon any of it with confidence. Those facts, or what are most commonly received as such, we will briefly detail.

Don Rodrigo Diaz was born at Burgos in Castile, about the middle of the eleventh century. Ferdinand I. king of Jeon, Gallicia, and Castile, died in 1065, leaving five children, Sancho, Alfonso, Garcia, and two daughters, Uraca and Elvira. By his will, Sancho became king of Castile, Alfonso f Leon, and Garcia of Gallicia, while the two Infantas reeived as their portion, Toro and Zamora. The result of such a division might have been apparent to a much less sagacious mind than that of Ferdinand: yet guided by his affection he could not forbear letting each of his children taste of royalty. In a very short time Sancho had dethroned his brother Alfonso. In 1065, Rodrigo Diaz having lost his father, was committed to Sancho's charge, to be educated for a military life; and in a very few years, by a succession of daring and astonishing exploits became the highest officer of Sancho's forces. At this period the king commenced his attack upon his brother Alfonso, and being the greatest com mander of his time, and leading one of the best armies, he defeated Alfonso in several well contested fights. But gifted with a large share of perseverance, and eager for vengeance, Alfonso again raised an army and encountered Sancho at Carrion. The Castilians, unable to withstand the impetaosity and suddenness of the attack, were routed on all sides. But one of their number did not despair. Young Diaz hastened to advise the king to collect his flying troops, and by

attacking the victors while unprepared for such a movement, to regain the lost honours of the day. The counsel was adopted, and in a short time Sancho defeated his brother, banished him to the Moorish city of Toledo, and was left in quiet possession of Leon.

Discord in Gallicia rendered it an easy acquisition to the conqueror of Leon. His brother Garcia, by an unjust system of taxation, had totally estranged all parties of the state from his interest and when the Castilian troops entered his dominions, he was forced to fly into Portugal. With the few forces, however, that remained true to him, and with others who were daily flocking to his standard, he determined to await his brother at Santarem; and accordingly the hostile armies met there, and a fierce battle was the result. The army of Garcia, actuated by every feeling that love of country can excite, fought desperately, and it was not long, ere the division of the king was defeated and the king himself a prisoner. Garcia, overjoyed with his success, immediately set out to pursue the flying troops, leaving his captive in the hands. of a detachment on the field. The troops of the Cid were still unbroken, and taking advantage of Garcia's departure, he attacked his remaining division, and setting Sancho at liberty, proceeded in search of Garcia. Unprepared for such a reverse, the latter fought with desperate bravery, but unable to recover his success, was defeated, taken and sent prisoner to the castle of Luna, while Sancho was proclaimed king of Gallicia.

But the blackest part of that ambitious career was yet to come. Although sovereign of Castile, Leon and Gallicia, Sancho was resolved to tear away from his sisters their meagre portions. He was soon master of Toro, and was laying siege to Zamora, when death interfered and defeated the conqueror. While before that city, a pretended deserter from the enemy entered the camp, and under pretence of showing an unguarded part of the fortifications to the king, led him away from his attendants, and slew him with a javelin. Of course the result was the immediate abandonment of the siege; the

Gallicians and Leonese disbanding, leaving the Castilians to bury their king.

Alfonso, upon receiving intelligence of the king's death, immediately left Toledo, and proceeding to Gallicia, was crowned king there notwithstanding his brother's right. Then taking possession of Leon, he began to conciliate the Castilians, who attributed to him the murder of their king. They insisted upon his taking a solemn oath that he had no part in that transaction; and as he consented to take the oath, it was necessary to find some one of high rank to administer it. The nobility were fearful of incurring their future king's displeasure, and no one had courage enough to perform the office, save Don Rodrigo Diaz. He performed the task at Burgos, in 1072.

Although there was no immediate display of ill feeling on the part of the king towards Rodrigo, the feeling of hatred was deeply seated in his breast. Yet Rodrigo was apparently the king's greatest favourite, executing all his edicts, disposing of all his offices, and acting as his champion on all occasions. At this period the Moorish king of Seville who paid tribute to Alfonso, was attacked by the king of Granada. Rodrigo warned the latter against attacking one of his sovereign's allies; but notwithstanding this they ravaged the country, and were retiring with their booty and prisoners, when Don Rodrigo, who was in Seville, put himself at the head of a body of troops, sallied out, attacked and routed the invaders, at Cabia. Upon returning to Seville presents were showered upon him by the king, and he returned home loaded with riches and honour.

At this time the king was obliged to undertake an expedition into Andalusia to quell an insurrection there, Rodrigo being unable to accompany him from illness. The Moors taking advantage of these circumstances entered Castile, sacking and plundering in all directions. Ill as he was, the Cid raised a few troops, attacked them, and returned home with an immense amount of plunder, and seven thousand prisoners.