towns. The French are too fubtlé a race, for one misfortune that befals us they would wifli ten, as they can never obtain their ends, or recover their domains, but through ourfelves ; and every day there are examples of the mifery of kingdoms when divided. Such has been the unfortunate lot of France, Caftille, Naples, and the Roman ftate* and the prefent fchifm is the ruin of the contend-ing popes, as well as the church. Flanders is another example which we have feen of felf-de-ftru&ion. Friefland is at this moment in a fimilar fate, opprèffed by the war of the count of Hainault, and ruining themfelves by domeftic quarrels. We fliall be in the fame iituation unlefs God prevent it, from the appearance of the pre-font ftate of affairs. The king has confented that my fon and heir, for 1 have none other by my two firft marriages, fhould be challenged to mortal combat for a mere trifle ; and I, his father, dare not fay a word againft it, in regard to my own and my fon's honour ; for my fon has the feelings of a knight, and is of fufficient ftrength to en-counter the earl marflial. Howbeit, let the beffc be made of it, they will never again love each other as they did before.* Such were the conventions of the duke of Lan-cafter. .The two carls, in the mean time, were making every preparation for their combat. The duke of Lancafter never went near the king, and as foidom faw his fon, ading throughout with great good fenfe. He knew the carl of Derby was very popular with all ranks in England, but VOL. XIL E • more m