Note 91 — ESSAYS.
Reading edition
Henry III. of France was assassinated in 1599, by Jacques Clement, a Jacobin monk, in the frenzy of fanaticism. Although Clement justly suffered punishment, the end of this bloodthirsty and bigoted tyrant may be justly deemed a retribution dealt by the hand of an offended Providence; so truly does the Poet say:—
“neque enim lex æquior ulla Quam necis artifices arte perire suâ.”