duced to soften the turbulent disposition of the Hungarians. Stephen also founded several schools.

Stephen's Queen was not backward in assisting her liege and lord in his arduous duties. She and her ladies busied themselves in making vestments for the Church; and the coronation cloak worn by the kings of Hungary was made by her industrious hands. The domestic life of this good and great King and Queen was embittered by the loss of all their children, with the exception of one, whose name was Emerich. The growing beauty and talents of this, their only child, appeared as if he had been sent to console them for the severe afflictions which they had endured; the young prince was beloved by all who surrounded him, and under the care of the Bishop Gerhard grew into manhood. When Emerich reached his 24th year, Stephen determined to have him crowned King of Hungary. For this purpose he called the States together, and the coronation was to take place on the 8th September 1031; but six days before that fixed for the event, this promising prince was swept from the midst of his family and future people by the hand of death. The demise of his royal son placed Stephen in a most unfortunate position with reference to his successor, as amongst Arpád's descendants there were none capable of filling his place. The next in succession to the crown was his cousin Vazul, who on account of the disorderly life which he led had been several times in prison. Next to him were Andreas, Bela, and Levente, nephews of Vazul, who were known to be opposed to the Christian religion. Another heir was Peter, son of one of Stephen's sisters, who had married the Doge of Venice, Otto Urseolo. After his father's downfall, Peter had sought refuge at the court of his uncle, and Stephen had made him lieutenant in his body guard. The Queen appears to have taken a great fancy to him, and advised her husband to

designate the young lieutenant as his successor; but to do this was out of Stephen's power, as he would have to break the oath which his great ancestor had so solemnly sworn to keep, and had ratified by his own blood. He declined to accede to her entreaties, and hearing better accounts of the mode of life of his cousin Vazul, the good King forgave him, and sent messengers to Neutra bidding him to appear at court. Hungarian writers would lead their readers to believe that Gisela joined in a conspiracy for the purpose of preventing the nomination of Vazul, who was on his way attacked by the friends of Peter: his eyes were put out, and molten lead poured into his ears. With regard to the criminality of the Queen, her former life, and the affectionate terms on which she lived with her husband, lead us to discredit the above statement.

The news of this barbarous tragedy seems to have been a death-blow to the health of the rapidly sinking King, who, enfeebled by years and illness, had not sufficient strength of mind to have the abettors and perpetrators of this shameful crime brought to trial and punished. All that he seems to have done was to advise Vazul's nephews to seek safety in flight. It is also related that shortly before the King closed his eyes in his last sleep a conspirator attempted to assassinate him. This wretch, favoured by the coming darkness of night, crept stealthily to the couch of the dying benefactor of Hungary; but that all-seeing Providence which protects the lowest to the highest prevented Hungary being the executioner of the man whose name will remain dear to the memory of every Hungarian as long as there exists one of that nation; for the moment the cowardly assassin was about to commit this hideous crime, he started back as if struck by the lightning of the Almighty, threw away his dagger, and, falling on his knees, called aloud for mercy. This last shock was too much for the venerable Stephen:

F

he died a few days after, on August 15, 1038. He was buried in a marble sarcophagus, on which rested a crown of gold, in the church of Stuhlweissemburg. Thus passed away from the world the spirit of a man who can be rightly classed amongst the first sovereigns of the middle ages. He possessed all the brilliant qualities of his great ancestor Arpád, and had but one failing, if it can be so called, which was his zeal for the Catholic religion; but those who can understand the state of the people over whom he ruled, and the time in which he lived, will agree with us when we say that the introduction of Christianity into Hungary was a case of life or death as regards its existence as an independent kingdom.

Religion brought into Stephen's dominions industry, learning, and unity.

CHAPTER V.

JOHN HUNYAD Y.

Ir is indeed a pleasure to relate the life of this founder of the celebrated family of Hunyady. John Hunyady, a descendant of the lower class of nobility, was one of the bravest and most patriotic sons of Hungary. In his boyish days he displayed all those qualities which in after-years rendered him the darling of the people, and already, as a youth, he showed great military abilities. We find him at a very early age commanding a considerable force against the Hussites, and protecting the frontiers from the inroads of the Turks. In his engagements with the former he displayed great moderation, and always did his best to prevent fanatical zeal interfering with the treatment of his prisoners. It is stated that night or day he was always ready to assist the humblest peasant in rescuing his small flock from the hands of the Turkish freebooter. In a short time Hunyady became known as one of the first military leaders. As a reward for his services, Albrecht made him bannus of Serbia, and in the year 1441 Vladislaus I., as a mark of his special favour, made him lord-lieutenant of Temese, and commandant of the important town and citadel of Belgrade, at the same time raising him to the high position of woiwode of Transylvania, and confiding into his hands by this promotion the defence of the entire Hungarian frontier. In this post Hunyady so repeatedly defeated the Turkish bands, who were con

stantly in the habit of entering the country and spreading terror and devastation, that they for a short time altogether ceased; but in the year 1442 a large body, who had managed to escape his vigilance, broke into Transylvania, under the command of Medschid Bey, and at once set about plundering and sacking all the houses and villages through which they passed. The brave Bishop of Transylvania, George Lepes, put himself at the head of all the available forces he could collect, and led them valiantly against their inveterate enemies; but the Crescent triumphed over the Cross, and the worthy bishop and his forces were nearly all killed or taken prisoners. The Mahomedan leader now advanced without opposition to the walls of Hermannstadt, which he expected would fall into his hands before Hunyady could come to its aid. Although the place and garrison were not in any way prepared to hold out, yet such was the influence of the name of their woiwode, who they knew would hasten to their relief, that the inhabitants resolved to hold the town to the last; and they were right, for that valiant soldier, as soon as he had discovered the way which the Turks had taken, followed it as a bloodhound tracks the scent of blood. The victory which the Turkish leader had gained induced him to believe that he could measure his forces with those of Hunyady; and raising the siege of Hermannstadt, he courageously fronted his opponent. He instructed his soldiers to capture, if possible, the Hungarian commander, dead or alive, and gave a minute description of Hunyady's personal appearance, and that of his horse and trappings. The Hungarians having become acquainted with the enemy's design, Simon Kemeny adroitly persuaded his general to exchange horse and armour. The fight was a desperate one; poor Kemeny and five hundred picked Hungarian horsemen were cut to pieces by the Turkish cavalry, who thought