and flattering. It was their office to unarm the knights, to cure their wounds, and to perform for them all the offices of hospitality: for the liberal spirit of chivalry sanctified even menial services-deeming no actiondeg rading which was performed for a worthy object.. By this reciprocation of kind offices-of mutual respect and affection, operating on occasions of interest frequently occurring, the heart was touched with the magic of feeling; and imagination, the purifier of the affections, the refiner of the soul, at length awoke from the long and dreary night of ignorance. By contemplating the fancied images of perfection in the characters of a valorous knight, and of an all accomplished woman, the passions were gradually sublimed from the grossness of mere sensual appetite; and though they were still too frequently indulged at the expence of virtue, gratification now began to be ennobled by the grace of sentiment. The objects which men delight to contemplate, they will soon learn to paint or describe; and this admiration of excellence first called forth those enthusiastic and heroic songs, which distinguished and adorned the age of chivalry. Inspired by this flattering applause, the hero of Ro

mance was encouraged to still higher achievements, to more daring enterprize; and his mistress participating in his wild enthusiasm, was more and more intent to heighten those personal and mental charms, which she conceived most likely to gain and to fix his love. The state of manners now underwent a total change, and the intercourse between the sexes was marked by a degree of refinement and delicacy hitherto unknown.

Such were some of the principal effects which chivalry produced upon the ages in which it florished; and regarded simply as a cause operating on the general progress of society, by first rousing the nations from barbarism, its influence was undoubtedly great. But this influence ceased not with the practice of chivalry. It is still discoverable in the principle of modern honour, and in other peculiar manners and prejudices, which distinguish the modern from the ancient world.

There is yet a point of view in which Romance may be regarded, I think, to advantage, even in the present age. The most interesting qualities in a chivalrous knight, are his high toned enthusiasm and disinterested spirit of adventure-qualities to which, when properly mo

dified and directed, society owes its highest im provements. Such are the feelings of benevolent genius yearning to diffuse love and peace and happiness among the human race. The gorgeous visions of the imagination, familiar to the enthusiastic soul, purify the heart from selfish pollutions, and animate to great and beneficent action. Indeed, nothing great or eminently beneficial ever has been, or can be effected without enthusiasm-without feelings more exalted than the consideration of simple matter of fact can produce. That Romances have a tendency to excite the enthusiastic spirit, we have the evidence of fact in numerous instances. Hereafter, we shall hear the great Milton indirectly bearing his testimony of admiration and gratitude for their inspiring influence. It is of little consequence, comparatively speaking, whether all the impressions made, be founded in strict philosophical truth. If the imagination be awakened and the heart warmed, we need give ourselves little concern about the final result. The first object is to elicit power. Without power nothing can be accomplished. Should the heroic spirit chance to be excited by reading Romances, we have, alas! too much occasion for that spirit even

in modern times, to wish to repress its generation. Since the Gallic hero has cast his malign aspect over the nations, it is become almost as necessary to social security, as during the barbarism of the feudal times. There is now little danger of its being directed to an unintelligible purpose.

Romances then, not only merit attention, as enabling us to enter into the feelings and sentiments of our ancestors a circumstance in itself curious, and even necessary to a complete knowledge of the history of past ages; they may still be successfully employed to awaken the mind-to inspire genius : and when this effect is produced, the power thus created may be easily made to bear on any point desired*.

* Those who have the taste to be interested in Romantic li terature, are under considerable obligations to Mr. Southey, for his translation of Amadis de Gaul, the most celebrated of all the old Romances.-This is perhaps one of the most beautiful books that ever was written; and the translation is certainly as faithful a one as ever appeared. The Romances are all translated either from French or Italian translation; the costume corrupted; the morals rendered still worse, and the true cha

It is now time to close the account of books printed by Caxton. The few from which I have given extracts, together with the accompanying remarks, will serve to assist the uninformed reader to some idea of the literature of this period. Caxton began to print, as we have seen, in 1471; but it is remarkable, that from that year to 1540, during which period the English press was in a very florishing state, under many ingenious, learned, and industrious artists, only the few following classics, (if they merit that title,) were printed in England, viz. Boethius de Consolatione, both Latin and English, for Caxton, without date.

racter of language utterly lost. In the Amadis de Gaul of Southey, these faults are corrected; in particular, that half of Roger Ascham's objection to such compositions which respects their indelicacy, is completely obviated, either by the total rejection of the objectionable passages, or by veiling their grossness; and the chastest ears may now listen without a blush to the tales of chivalrous heros, and their intercourses with their adored fair ones. The Palmerin of England, just published, is another of the admired productions of chivalry. It is about 150 years later than Amadis; it is inferior also in merit, yet it possesses much interest, and is likewise edited with great care. We have heard also, that the subject of Romance is about to receive full illustration from the antiquarian and classical pen of Mr. Walter Scot; and we may be permitted to hope, that the public curiosity will not be disappointed.