Page:The Percy Anecdotes - 1868 - Volume 2.djvu/108



, In his 'History of Spain,' relates that a countryman having killed Lucius Piso, the governor of the kingdom, was subjected to torture, in order to extort from him a confession of his confederates. He endured the first day's torments with invincible courage; but mistrusting himself on the second, he slipped out of the hands of the executioner as he was going to the rack, and dashed his head with such violence against a stone wall, that he died immediately. How honourable thus to sacrifice life, rather than to be forced through extremity of pain to disclose that which he had sworn to conceal!

On the occasion of the earthquake which made such ravages in the Island of St. Domingo in the year 1770, a negress of Port-au-Prince found herself alone in the house of her master and mistress, with their youngest child, whom she nursed. The house shook to its foundation. Every one had taken flight; she alone could not escape, without leaving her infant charge in danger; she flew to the chamber, where it lay in the most profound sleep; at that moment the walls of the house fell in; anxious only for the safety of her foster child, she threw herself over it, and serving as a sort of arch, saved it from destruction. The child was indeed saved; but the unfortunate negress died soon after, the victim of her fidelity.

The founder of the present noble family of Fitzwilliam, was Alderman of Bread Street in the year 1506. Before his death he forgave all his debtors, and wrote upon the erased accounts of each, 'Amore Dei remitto!' Cardinal Wolsey was the chief means of this worthy citizen acquiring his large fortune. After the disgrace of the Cardinal, Mr. Fitzwilliam very hospitably entertained him at Milton, Northamptonshire, one of the fine seats of the present Earl. Henry VIII. was so enraged at this, that he sent for Mr. Fitzwilliam to court, and said, 'How, ha! how comes it, ha! that you dare entertain a traitor?' Fitzwilliam modestly replied, 'Please your highness, I did it not from disloyalty', but gratitude.' The angry monarch here interrupted him by, 'How, ha!' (the usual exclamation of his rage.) Mr. Fitzwilliam, with the tear of gratitude in his eye, and the burst of loyalty in his bosom, continued, 'From gratitude, as he was my old master, and the means of my greatest fortunes. Impetuous Harry was so much pleased with the answer, that he shook him heartily by the hand, and said, 'Such gratitude, ha! shall never want a master. Come into my service, worthy man, and teach my other servants gratitude, for few of them have any.' He then knighted him on the spot, and Mr. F. was immediately sworn in a privy councellor.

The Caliph Haroun Alraschid was undoubtedly one of the greatest princes that ever reigned, and his temper was in general merciful and generous; but one action of dreadful and unrelenting cruelty must ever remain an indelible stain upon his memory. Giafar, his vizir, of the noble family of Bermeki, was esteemed the most eloquent orator, the best writer, and the finest gentleman in the empire. The caliph delighted in his company, and made him a partner in all his amusements. The prince had at the same time an amiable sister, named Abassa, in whose conversation he took uncommon pleasure. The company of his favourites the caliph wished to enjoy together. But this the etiquette of Eastern courts denied, as nothing but an alliance with the royal family could give Giafar the privi-