Identifier: illustratedbiogr00sava (find matches)
Title: Illustrated biography; or, Memoirs of the great and the good of all nations and all times; comprising sketches of eminent statesmen, philosophers, heroes, artists, reformers, philanthropists, mechanics, navigators, authors, poets, divines, soldiers, savans, etc
Year: 1856 (1850s)
Authors: Savage, Charles C., 1820-1907
Subjects: Biography
Publisher: Buffalo, Phinney & Co.
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
ions, and struck terror into his enemies, after fifty-six battles by sea andland, in a*ll of which he was personally engaged. But the warlike exploitsof Alfred formed, perhaps, the least of the services he rendered his country.He composed a body of statutes, instituted the trial by jury, and divided thekingdom into shires and hundreds ; was so exact in his government, that rob-bery was unheard of, and valuable goods might be left on the highway. Hisgreat council, consisting of bishops, earls, aldermen, and thanes, was, by anexpress law, called together twice a year in London, for the better governmentof the realm. The state of learning in his time was so low, that, from theThames to the Humber, scarcely a man could be found who understood theservice of the church, or could translate a single sentence of Latin into En-glish. To remedy this evil, he invited men of learning from all quarters, andplaced them at the head of seminaries in various parts of his kingdom * and ALFRED THE GREAT.
Text Appearing After Image:
56 CANUTE. if lie was not the founder of the University of Oxford, it is certain he raisedit to a reputation which it had never before enjoyed. Alfred wrote severalworks, and translated others from the Latin, particularly Orosiuss History ofthe Pagans, and Boethiuss Consolatious of Philosophy. He divided thetwenty-four hours into three equal parts, one devoted to the service of God,another to public affairs, and the third to rest and refreshment; his revenue,also, was divided into two equal moieties, one dedicated to sacred, the otherto civil uses. To Alfred, England is indebted for the foundation of her navalestablishment, and he was the first who sent out ships to make the discoveryof a northeast passage. To crown his great public character, Alfred is describ-ed as one of the most mild and amiable men in private life ; of a temper se-rene and cheerful, affable, kind, and merciful, and not averse to society, or toinnocent recreation ; he was also personally well-favored, possessing a

Note About Images