70 FORESTRY IN POLAND. 



of unceasingly recurrent wars and revolutions, reminding 

 one of what Beshlam, Methridah, and Tabeel wrote to 

 Artaxerxes in regard to the Jews* ; but unhappily for 

 the credit of the Poles, details are given which cannot be 

 gainsaid. 



In regard to the introduction of Christianity into 

 Poland, the Abbe 7 writes : 



' The northern nations had already begun to embrace 

 Christianity ; Sclavonia and Bohemia had, for some time, 

 renounced the errors of paganism, and Poland was con- 

 verted by a pious princess. Dabrowka, the daughter of 

 Boleflaus, Duke of Bohemia, was the person by whose 

 ministration God accomplished this work. This lady was 

 determined not to espouse Miecflaus, unless he would 

 consent to be baptised. The prince caused himself to be 

 instructed in the truths of her religion ; and when he had 

 declared himself a Christian he was desirous that his people 

 should follow his example. With this view he became 

 their apostle ; all the idols were destroyed, and on the 

 ruins of their altars temples were erected to the true 

 God. 



'Miecflaus, some time after his conversion, sent the 

 Archbishop of Cracow to Rome, to assure the Pope of 

 his obedience, and to demand from him a donation of the 

 regal Crown ; but Benedick VII. gave the preference to 

 Stephen, Duke of Hungary, by whom he had been also 

 solicited for the same gift. This conduct of the Pope 

 either sprung from some prejudice he had entertained 

 against Miecfluas, or perhaps he may have already heard 

 of the death of that prince. 



' He was succeeded by his son, Boleflaus, who was 

 advanced to years of maturity when he ascended the 

 throne. His courage was never abated by any difficulties, 

 and the severest toils of war constituted his pleasures. 

 He had the abilities of a chief and a soldier, and knew 



* Ezra iv. 7-16. 



