582 
he seen during his rambles, with his head and feet un- 
covered. But the corporeal powers and habits of Hen- 
ry were not the sole objects of the care and attention of 
his parents: his mind also was cultivated, but in the 
eame i dent and useful manner as his body. His 
mother, who had avowed herself the protector of the 
Reformed Religion, invited to her all the most distin- 
ished Protestant priests in that part of France, and 
the young Henry, who exhibited early indications that 
he united a solid and clear judgment to a lively and 
quick apprehension, soon made rapid progress. It is 
said that one of the books in which he took the most 
delight ; and which therefore may justly be regarded 
as having materially contributed to form his character, 
was Plutarch, a French translation of which had recent- 
ly been made by Amyot. 
When Henry ascended the throne of France in 1589, 
he was in the 35th year of his age; eloquent in coun- 
cil, intrepid in action, fertile in resources ; and distin- 
gue by wonderful sagacity, the love of glory and 
is country, uncommon frankness, economy, and talents 
for business. And he had ample occasion for the exer- 
cise of all these qualifications ; for his religion prejudi- 
ced nearly one half of the royal army against him. The 
Duke of ieccanan! who was appointed to the command 
of the League, after the d of his brothers, might 
have assumed the title of king; but he chose rather to 
confer it on the old Cardinal of Bourbon. Under these 
circumstances, Henry was under the necessity of sign- 
ing certain propositions favourable to the Catholics, and 
promising to listen with attention and impartiality to 
the arguments of their clergy. Even after these con- 
cessions, he found his force far from numerous ; and he 
was obliged to abandon the siege of Paris, and retire 
into Normandy. The governor of Dieppe opened the 
tes of that city to him; and the governor of Caen 
ollowed his example. He was thus able to preserve a 
free communication with England, the only power from 
which he could expect assistance. 
The Duke of Mayence, sensible of the importance of 
reducing these places, advanced into Normandy at the 
head of 30,000 men; while the army of the king amount- 
ed “a to 7000. H therefore took refuge under 
the walls of Arques, where he was attacked by the 
Duke. Henry's troops, enco by the exhorta- 
* tions and example of their sov , stood firm; and 
the Duke found himself under the necessity of retiring 
from the enterprise. Soon afterwards, the royal army 
was strengthened by 4000 men from England; and the 
Swiss cantons, as well as the republic of Venice, ac- 
knowledged Henry as king. 
Being thus reinforced, he formed the resolution of 
marching to:Paris, in the ape of finding it w led; 
and so rapid and secret was his march, that the Pari- 
sians were astonished and intimidated at his appear- 
ance, at a time when they thought he was far distant, 
and by no means in a-condition to act on the offensive. 
He insulted the suburbs; cut in pieces above 1300 of 
the troops of the ue; and if the Duke of Mayence 
had not arrived, would have made himself master of 
the capital. In consequence of this, he retired to 
Tours ; and the Duke in Paris solemnly imed the 
Cardinal of Bourbon King, by the title of Charles X. 
at this time he was a prisoner to Henry. The 
next object of the king‘was the town of Dreux, before 
which he sat down with an army.of 12,000 men, in 
the year 1590; but being informed that the army of 
FRANCE. 
Netery. and soon became remarkable for the fearless agility 
—y~— with which he clambered- over the rocks, Often was 
the League, which was now reinforced by the Prince 
of Parma, and consisted of 16,000 excellent and ex- 
perienced troops, was advancing towards him, he 
raised the siege, and d for battle. With this 
view, he posted his army at Ivri, on the banks of the 
river Eure, His position here was so strong, that the 
Duke of Mayence would have avoided an en ent; 
but the citizens of Paris him with cowar- 
dice, and ke was farther stimulated by the presump- 
tuous and boasting speeches of the Count Egmont. Ac- 
cording to him, the cavalry which he commanded were 
isha ail to conquer the whole royal army. The Duke, 
thus goaded on, gave orders for battle. The conflict Battle of 
was long, and obstinately contested, But the genius of Ivti, 
t, directing and encoura- “+. 1590 
Henry was everywhere yo moped 
i is troops, preven or remedy mistakes 
of his officers ; rvhile, ‘bye his example, he taught the 
lowest of his followers what. he from them. 
« My Lords,” said he to them, “if you should lose sight 
of your colours, rally round this,—pointing to a aree 
white plume which he wore in his hat,—you will 
ways find it in the road to honour, God is with us!” 
added he emphatically, drawing his sword, and 
pursuit, he cried out, “ Spare my French subjects!” The 
Count Egmont, with the part of his troops, pe- 
rished on the field: 2500 of the troops of the Le al- 
so fell; and the Duke of Mayence himself with 
difficulty. The Swiss alone remained firm; and after 
the offered their services to Henry. © 
ing So ain Re Roe nea, oa rather have secu- 
by arms, 
the 
blockade. The Parisians, notwithstanding the death of 
the Cardinal of Bourbon, were etl most. ohstinately. 
averse to Henry, and resolved to suffer the A cl 
tremities, rather than deliver up the city. | ‘this reso- 
lution they were confirmed by the ecclesiastics, who, 
leaving their cloisters, formed themselves into a 
ment, under the command of the Pope’s oe 
mine and disease soon began to assail the | ts. 
The Duke of Nemours, who had been yw Rape: 
nor ofthe, capital, commanded the aged and infirm to 
leave it. Had Henry refused a passage, it is 
that it must have surrendered; but he rejected. 
counsels of his officers, who advised him to drive them 
back with the sword ; he even permitted the 
ly to the. 
rE 
and his own soldiers to carry provisions 
besieged. “I would rather never possess Paris,” said 
he, * than acquire it by the destruction of its citizens,” 
In the space of the last month of the blockade, famine 
had destroyed above 30,000 of the inhabitants ; 1 
the Duke of Parma, by order of the King of Spain, lef 
the Low Countries, and hastened to its relief. On 
proach, Henry raised the siege and offered him 
cE bat the Toke bavi ¢ plishe: 
which he was sent, refused to : 
endeavoured to force him. to it, and even to attack 
with advantage, during his retreat; but so 
1. 
g 
4 
Para 
age 
