On the Evening of the 2ud Instant, a Lecture upon the Times of Charles the Fifth, of Spain and Germany, was delivered by the Rev. J. A. Leyenberger to a large and attentive audience.
Lord, Esq., U. 8. Consul, occupied the chair. The Lecturer remarked that he offered no apology for his choice of subject. A single chapter from the great volume of the past, would, he thought, afford abundant material for an evening's reflection.
Among the several epochs of the world's history which had left their impress upon succeeding ages, a8 the Persian invasion of Greece, the Macedonian conquest of Asia; the influx of the Northern barbarians and others of equal moment, must be placed also the epoch of Charles V.
The Lecturer could not of course do more than trace the outlines of the history of that period, the revolution in politics; the revival of learning. and the. Reformation of the Church. The reign of Charles V, was the boundary line between modern and medieval times, Prior to that time federations or combinations, were unknown, save in some such instance as when Europe massed together in enthusiastic efforts to expel the Saracens from the Holy Land. From that time dates the origin of the European balance of power, which has still a controlling influence in cabinets and councils.
ion in concert was unknown; no regular system of pi security was desired; conferences would have yen impracticable.
From the time of Charles V. more enlightened action dates. The changes were due, the Lecturer thought, to the overthrow of the feudal aristocracy and the establishment of standing armies The Lecturer then gave a sketch of the monarchs in whose hauls the destinies of the great European wwers were lodged. Tlonry VII of England, Francis L of France, Charles V. of Spain, Loo X. who then occupied the Papal Chair, and Solyman, the magnificent, Sultan of Turkey.
'The warfare between Charles and Francis; in which, thanks to the invincible character of the Spanish infantry, Charles was victorious; the battle of Ps lowed by Francis' famous despatch toriis mother, dame all is lost except our honour'; his captivity and the ungenerous treatment'to which he was subjected Charles; his release,-and the revival of the French power, were narrated in a manner at once so lucid and 80 interesting as to enchain the attention of the au-
The power of Charles, his dominions, projects, onterprises; the revival of learning which distinguished his reign, under the patronage of Leo and Francis the intellectual supremacy of Erasmus, his power of satire and his literary genius were then pointed out. 'The progress of the Iteformation; its rise and success in England; the nature of the support it received these preceded a vivid description of Charles' rotirement to the monastery of St, Justo, with which the Lecture was brought to a close.
Mr. Frice proposed a vote of thanks, which was duly carried by acclamation, and after afew remarks from the Chairman, congratulating the Lecturer on having 2 a subject ay interesting to all in reviving past studies and stimulating to uew ones, the meeting broke
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.