EDGAR.

167

all the vices of their respective countries, and ccontributed to corrupt the simple manners of thenatives : But as this simplicity of manners, sohighly and often so injudiciously extolled, did notpreserve them from barbarity and treachery , thegreatest of all vices, and the most incident to arude uncultivated people , we ought perhaps todeem their acquaintance with foreigners ratheran advantage; as it tended to enlarge their views,and to cure them of those illiberal prejudices andrustic manners , to which islanders are oftensubject.

Ano i her remarkable incident of this reign wasthe extirpation of wolves from England. Thisadvantage was attained by the industrious policyof Edgar. He took great pains in hunting andpursuing those ravenous animals ; and when hefound , that all that escaped him had taken shelter inthe mountains and forests of Wales, he changed thetribute of money imposed on the Welsh princesby Athelstan , his predecessor I! *, into an annualtribute of three hundred heads of wolves; whichproduced such diligence in hunting them, that theanimal has been no more seen in this island.

Edgar died, after a reign of sixteen years, andin the thirty-third of his age. He was succeededby Edward , whom he had by his first marriagewith the daughter of earl Ordmer.

W. Malmef. lib. 2. cap. 8.

W'. Malmef lib. 2. cap. 6. Bronipton, p. 838.

IYI 4

HAT

II.

15 *