HENRY VIII. AND HIS PEERS.

When we advert to early parts of the history of this country, we cannot

but be thankful to heaven for the progress of just principles, and the

security we derive from the laws. In the reign of Henry VIII. that

monarch wanted to carry some measure through the house of lords,

contrary to its wishes. The peers hesitated in the morning, but

consented in the afternoon. Some of their body waited on him to inform

him thereof, when the tyrant made reply, “It is well you did it, or by

this time half your heads would have been upon Temple Bar.”