CHAPTER XXIII

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CHARACTER OF ALFRED THE GREAT.

His boyhood--Early love of poetry--Self-cultivation--Wisdom displayed in his conduct with the Danes--Difficulties under which he pursued his labour--His patronage of literary men --Method of study--Summary of his works--He reforms the Saxon nobles--Divides his time--Various purposes to which he appropriates his revenue--His invention for marking the hours --Cultivates an acquaintance with foreign countries--His severity in the administration of justice--Establishment of a rigid system of police--His laws--Intellectual character of Alfred the Great p. 199

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