It prevented, in some degree, the extinction of families; for, instead of younger branches becoming the votaries of a monastic life, they became the votaries of hymen:  Hence the kingdom was enriched by population.  It eased the people of a set of masters, who had for ages ruled them with a rod of iron.

The hands of superstition were also weakened, for the important sciences of astrology, miracle, and divination, supported by the cell, have been losing ground ever since.

It likewise recovered vast tracts of land out of dead hands, and gave an additional vigor to agriculture, unknown to former ages.  The monk, who had only a temporary tenancy, could not give a permanant one; therefore, the lands were neglected, and the produce was small:  But these lands falling into the hands of the gentry, acquired an hereditary title.  It was their interest; to grant leases, for a superior rent; and it was the tenant’s interest to give that rent, for the sake of security:  Hence the produce of land is become one of the most advantageous branches of British commerce.

Henry, by this seisure, had more property to give away, than any King of England since William the Conqueror, and he generously gave away that which was never his own.  It is curious to survey the foundation of some of the principal religions that have taken the lead among men.

Moses founded a religion upon morals and ceremonies, one half of which continues with his people to this day.

Christ founded one upon love and purity; words of the simplest import, yet we sometimes mistake their meaning.

The Bishop of Rome erected his, upon deceit and oppression; hence the treasures of knowledge were locked up, an inundation of riches and power flowed into the church, with destructive tendency.

And Henry the Eighth, built his reformation upon revenge and plunder:  He deprived the head of the Romish see, of an unjust power, for pronouncing a just decision; and robbed the members, for being annexed to that head.  Henry wished the world to believe, what he believed himself, that he acted from a religious principle; but his motive seems to have been savage love.

Had equity directed when Henry divided this vast property, he would have restored it to the descendants of those persons, whose mistaken zeal had injured their families; but his disposal of it was ludicrous—­sometimes he made a free gift, at others he exchanged a better estate for a a worse, and then gave that worse to another.

I have met with a little anecdote which says, “That Henry being upon a tour in Devonshire, two men waited on him to beg certain lands in that county; while they attended in the anti-room for the royal presence, a stranger approached, and asked them a trifling question; they answered, they wished to be alone—­at that moment the King entered:  They fell at his feet:  The stranger seeing them kneel, kneelt with