he
liberties of his native country.

But the barbarous policy of Edward failed of the purpose to which it
was directed. The Scots, already disgusted at the great innovations
introduced by the sword of a conqueror into their laws and government,
were further enraged at the injustice and cruelty exercised upon
Wallace; and all the envy which, during his lifetime, had attended
that gallant chief, being now buried in his grave, he was universally
regarded as the champion of Scotland and the patron of her expiring
independency. The people, inflamed with resentment, were every where
disposed to rise against the English government; and it was not long ere
a new and more fortunate leader presented himself, who conducted them to
liberty, to victory, and to vengeance.

{1306.} Robert Bruce, grandson of that Robert who had been one of the
competitors for the crown, had succeeded, by his grandfather's and
father's death, to all their rights; and the demise of John Baliol,
together with the captivity of Edward, eldest son of that prince, seemed
to open a full career to the genius and ambition of this young nobleman.
He saw that the Scots, when the title to their crown had expired in
the males of their ancient royal family, had been divided into parties
nearly equal between the houses of Bruce and Baliol; and that every
incident which had since happened, had tended to wean them from any
attachment to the latter. The slender capacity of John had proved unable
to defend them against their enemies: he had meanly resigned his crown
into the hands of the conqueror: he had, before his deliverance from
captivity, reiterated that resignation in a manner seemingly voluntary;
and had in that deed thrown out many reflections extremely dishonorable
to his ancient subjects, whom he publicly called traitors, ruffians,
and rebels, and with whom, he declared, he was determined to maintain no
further correspondence;[*] he had, during the time of his exile, adhered
strictly to that resolution; and his son, being a prisoner, seemed ill
qualified to revive the rights, now fully abandoned, of his family.

* Brady's Hist. vol. ii. App. No. 27.

Bruce therefore hoped that the Scots, so long exposed, from the want of
a leader, to the oppressions of their enemies, would unanimously fly
to his standard, and would seat him on the vacant throne, to which he
brought such plausible pretensions. His aspiring spirit, inflamed by
the fervor of youth, and bu