Imprisonment seems not much to have disturbed the men of letters in the progress of their studies.

It was in prison that Boethius composed his excellent book on the Consolations of Philosophy.

Grotius wrote, in his confinement, his Commentary on St. Matthew.

Buchanan, in his dungeon of a monastery in Portugal, composed his excellent Paraphrases on the Psalms of David.

Pelisson, during five years' confinement for some state affairs, pursued with ardour his studies in the Greek language, in philosophy, and particularly in theology, and produced several good compositions.

Michael Cervantes composed the best and most agreeable book in the Spanish language, during his captivity in Bar-bary.

Fleta, a well-known and very excellent little law production, was written by a person confined in the fleet prison for debt, but whose name has not been preserved.

Louis XII. when he was Duke of Orleans, being taken prisoner at the battle of St. Aubin, was long confined in the tower of Bourges, and applying himself to his studies, which he had hitherto neglected, he became, in consequence, an able and enlightened monarch.

Margaret, Queen of Henry IV. King of France, confined in the Louvre, pursued very warmly the study of elegant literature, and composed a very skilful apology for the irregularities of her conduct.

Charles I. during his cruel confinement at Holmsby, wrote that excellent book, entitled The Portait of a King, which he addressed to his son, and where the political reflections will be found not unworthy of Tacitus. This work, however, has been attributed, by his enemies, to a Dr. Gowden, who was incapable of writing a single paragraph of it.

Queen Elizabeth, while confined by her sister Mary, wrote some very charming poems, which we do not find she ever could equal after her enlar ement: and Mary Queen of Scots, during her long imprisonment by Elizabeth, produced many beautiful poetic compositions.