SUPPLEMENTARY NUMBER 
TO THE SEVENTEENTH VOLUME oF THE 
MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
Wore tf. oe lz. | 
JuLy 28, 1804. 
[Price Is. 6d. 
ee 
HALF-YEARLY RETROSPECT OF DOMESTIC LITERATURE. 
S there is no department of litera- 
ture which more merits cultivation, 
we are happy to remark that there is no 
-one more affiduoufly cultivated than Hif- 
tory. As ufual; we fhall commence our 
periodical furvey of the advancement of 
Jetters, with a brief notice of the many 
and valuable publications which have re- 
cently appeared under this head. 
\ 
HISTORY. 
In a third volume, Mr. Turner has 
brought down his ‘* Hiffory of the Angio- 
Saxons,’ to the period of the Norman 
conqueft. Often has every one had occa- 
fion to remark, that, in the profecation of 
a long and laborious work, the author 
grows tired of his tafk, and, in the in- 
dulgence of his laflitude, becomes care- 
lefs and uninterefting. Mr. Turner, on 
the contrary, has progreflively improved : 
his firft volume was far lefs carefully exe- 
cuted than his fecond—his fecond le(s 
carefully than his third. As he has 
-proceeded, he has been more judicious 
and difcriminate in the fele&tion of his 
authorities, which are more valuable and 
numerous. In a future edition, Mr. 
Turner will doubtlefs revife the eariier 
periods of his hiftcry, aud render it al. 
together more worthy of that general 
and lafting approbation which, after fuch 
revifion, it cannot fail to enjoy. 
The praétice of duelling, which rofe 
from the afhes of judicial combat, is ge- 
nerally fuppofed to have been brought in- 
to fathion by that high-{pirired and ge- 
nerous monarch, Francis I. of France, who 
invited his cold-blooded rival, Charles V. 
to fingle combat. It was a clum{y com- 
pliment to the Emperor, however, who 
declined the challenge, to contemn, his 
prudent example, acd follow the ra(ffne 
ot his ill-fortuned foe. They who would 
fanction the a€tual pra&tice by royal au- 
thority, muft refer to more ancient times, 
Mr. Turner, in his interefting account 
ef that period of Anglo-Saxon hiftory 
which embraces the reigns of Edmund 
Ironfide and Canute, relates fome parti- 
culars of a combat between thefe princes, 
Montuiy Mac. No. 117. 
The forces of Canute had been baffled 
before the walls of London, and the va- 
liant Edmund had raifed the fiege.. Va- 
rious conflicts tucceeded, but the repeated 
treachery of Edric had at laft prevailed. 
Edmund retired’ to- Gioucetter, afer a 
defperate and difattrous engagement, ih 
which almof all the moft valued nobility 
of England perithed; yet, fuch was his 
activity and eloquence that he had af 
fembled a frefa army before the Dine 
could overtake him.  ‘* It was then 
(fays Mr. Turner) that the greatnefs of. 
Eedmund’s foul appeared: he coud not 
endure that the bldod of, his beft tubjeis 
fhould be fo lavifhed for his perfonal pro- 
fit, and he challenged Canute to decide 
their quarrel ot ambition by a ficgle com. 
bat. He intimated the glory which. the 
conqueror would giin, whofe dignity 
would be the purchale of his own peril 
and merit. Canute accepted the propo- 
fal. The ifle of Olney was the place of 
meeting, around which the two armies 
aflembied. The kings received each 
other’s {pears upom their fhields. Their 
{words were brandifhed, and the combat 
became clofe. Long the weapons found- 
ed upon their helms and armour. Their 
dexterity was equal; their fpirits emu. 
lous. At laft, the ftrength of Canute be- 
gan to fail before the impetuofity of Ed- 
mund. He felt his powers taf ebbing, 
and, in @n interval of the combat, he ex- 
claimed to the Anglo-Saxon, ¢ Bravett of 
youths, why fhould our ambition covet 
each other’s life? Let us be brothers, 
and fhare the kingdom for which we con- , 
tend.” Edmund, with generous prudence, 
agreed to the new idea; the duel- ceafed, 
and England was divided between them. 
Canute was to reign in the north, and 
Edmund in the fouth. The rival princes 
exchanged armé and garments, the money 
for the fleet was agreed upon, and the 
army feparated.”” 
Mr. Roperrts has given us a *¢ Sketch 
of the early Hiftory of the Cymri, or An- 
cient Britons, from the Year 700 before 
Chrifl, to A. D. 500.” : 
lt is a curious hittorical morceau. 
40 | Wht Tbe 
