88 CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR SABBATH HOURS.

 eldest son, Edward, was under the care
 THE BOY-KING.
 THE BOY-KING. of his uncle, lord Rivers, and his half
 HEN we think of kings and brother, lord Grey, in the castleofLudlow.
 .i,-,ens, we are apt, perhaps, to But he and his younger brother, Richard,
 S I lik only of the honor and duke of York, were then left in charge
 wealth, and fame and glory, of another uncle, Richard, duke of Glou-
connected with that high position. We cester, a prince of great bravery and
think of thrones all resplendent, and ability, but a man also great in selfishness,
crowns sparkling with the richest gems, deceitfulness and cruelty. He had long
and costly robes, and chains of gold, and been planning to usurp the crown. He
mansions filled with everything wealth soon managed to have lord Rivers and
can procure to gratify the eye and ear lord Grey beheaded, so that they might
and taste; of chariots adorned with gold not interfere with any of his plans.
and silk and purple, of horses richly ca- He pretended to be very fond of his
parisoned, liveried attendants and the nephews, though he had made up his
shouting multitudes. mind to kill the young king, and be king
 Who," perhaps, we are ready to ex- himself
claim, would not be a king or queen ?" He went forth with a numerous train
 Have not some of our young friends, to meet the king, who was on his way
sometimes, wished they were? from Ludlow to be crowned at London,
 But have you stopped to think how He dismissed all the attendants of young
 much care and anxiety and peril are usu- Edward and forbade them on pain of
 ally connected with this envied place on death to come near the court. The poor
 a throne ? The proverb says, "Uneasy boy was alone in the power of his uncle,
 lies the head that wears a crown." whom his mother had early taught him
 We have in our picture a king and a to dread, and he was struck with grief
duke. The king is but thirteen years old and terror. But his uncle fell on his
and his brother, who is a duke, is younger, knees and assured him of his loyalty and
 Do any of our young friends envy affection, and that what he had done was
 them their honors ? Do these honors for his protection. So he was soothed
 make the sleep of these fair-faced boys and went with his uncle to London.
 sweeter and safer than the sleep that The uncle brought the young king in
 every night comes to your pillows ? great state, riding before him through the
 As they lie here in each other's arms, streets of the city, bowing to him, and
 how little they dream of their danger! saying to the people, Behold your king;
 This boy of thirteen was king of Eng- this is Edward the Fifth."
 land, but he reigned not quite three This deceitful and wicked man artfully
 months. managed to get himself appointed Pro-
 When Edward IV. died in 1483, his tector of the king and the kingdom.