A resolution against lists. punishment there was not even the pretext of a judgment to authorize. It was so contrived that Prynn and Burton landed at one point at the same time; and they were conducted to the metropolis by an immense crowd in military triumph *. As monopolists so grossly infringed the law, monopo- they were, as unworthy of legislating for a people whose rights they had violated, banished the house, to which they had been elected by court-influence; and new writs were issued for fresh elections †. Great occasions, as we have frequently remarked, call forth talent to meet them; and when the cause of liberty flourishes, it never wants advocates. Virtuous men may deplore the evil of the times; but they would cease to deserve the character of virtuous, did they encourage resistance to arbitrary power without a prospect of success. When a favourable juncture occurs, however, then they nobly exert themselves in the public cause: Then the wavering are confirmed, and even the former tools of injustice unblushingly pretend to patriotism. The present crisis was one which demanded the exertion of all the human powers; the house of commons afforded a field for the successful development of profound knowledge and solid judgment, conveyed in a stream of masculine eloquence; and the characters unfolded would not suffer by a comparison with the worthies of any • Old Par. Hist. vol. ix. p. 34. Clar. vol. i. p. 199. Whitelocke, p. 39. Baillie, vol. i. p. 222. There were upwards of 100 coaches The prelates were exceedingly galled by this triumph, Ib. Mr. Hume does not do himself justice in his remarks upon this case. + Cobbet's Parliament. History, vol. ii. p. 651. Whitelocke, p. 38. of Hamp age or nation. The individual to whom all men Character looked as the prime leader in the present perilous den. juncture was Hampden; and he did not belie the general opinion either of his understanding or integrity. Regarded as the statesman most qualified to recover, and vindicate, the violated and insulted rights of his country, he was yet sufficiently modest and self-possessed not to abuse his popularity by embracing every opportunity to attract the public notice. Though his judgment privately directed in every question, he reserved his powers as a speaker for the grand emergencies alone. The man who had braved authority might have been expected to be violent in his temper and morose in his manner; but it was his peculiar virtue to unite the mildest and most affable disposition to unshaken firmness, both as a statesman and a soldier. In early life, he had not been altogether free from that licence which commonly accompanies large fortune and eminent station; but no one ever insinuated against him behaviour that indicated a rotten or selfish heart, or even inveterate habits of licentiousness; and early sensible of his error, he corrected it without losing that cheerful affability which had partly seduced him into imprudent indulgence*. As it is great occasions only which afford • There is great ability, and, considering that the author was not only a keen partisan, but undertook his history for the king's vindication, even impartiality, in Clarendon's character of Hampden, vol. i. p. 185. vol. ii. p. 265. As might be expected, the author imputes bad motives, but he does full justice to his many great and estimable qualities; and it would have been well had Mr. Hume studied it.. room for the exertion of popular talents, so the men who figure then are generally such as have scarcely hitherto engaged in public affairs; and yet nothing is more common than the attempt to deny the genius which distinguishes itself in a tempestuous season by remarking its previous want of distinction. Ordinary heads are necessarily the best calculated for ordinary business, since nothing can be well accomplished, which is not zealously undertaken, and small matters, to which they are fully adequate, engross all their vigour; while on the other hand, a great mind, ever forming to itself a lofty standard, is at once conscious of being too far above the business, and yet is naturally dif fident of its own powers: It cannot enter with alacrity into affairs which afford no room for the trial of its strength: It doubts its ability not in comparison of those around-it never measures itself with them, but compared with the model which imagination always presents. When, however, the great juncture occurs, then its vigour is roused, and while other minds sink under, it rises superior to, an inexperienced emergency. This seems to have been the case of Hampden: He was returned to the second and third parliaments of this prince; and yet, though he spoke both with fluency and remarkable precision, he does not appear ever then to have tried his powers: But all men of discernment, who had an opportunity of conversing with him, remarked his extraordinary talents; and as his affability charmed, while his integrity gained him profound respect, his reputation, heightened by his refusal of ship-money, rose high before he distinguished himself in the senate. There, he was at once regarded by all as their sheet-anchor; and none was ever better calculated to improve the favourable impression. His assiduity was indefatigable; his manner bespoke only an anxiety to obtain information, and his adversaries could not withhold their esteem; but his modesty did not prevent him from leading those who were flattered by an appeal to their understanding. The next great character was Pym, who, to a perfect knowledge of forms, which, from the long disuse of parliaments, was extremely valuable, united a clear, vigorous judgment, and profound information, together with the eloquence of a man of business, and a character of uniform upright Pym. Such a speaker could not fail to be listened to. It has been said that his sagacity was more fitted for use than ornament; and a better compliment could not have been paid. Rhetorical flourishes are innocent enough in the absence of real business; but they are impertinent when men are assembled to discuss the deepest concerns of a great nation; and, however an artful speaker may inflame the passions, none will ever be heard with patience on momentous occasions, who have not at least the characters of capacity for affairs.-Sir Sir Harry Harry Vane, the younger, displayed uncommon Vane, the intellectual powers, and a masculine eloquence; together with an ardent enthusiasm of temper, which fervently embraced alike state policy and religion. He was prepared for sharp remedies to younger. St. John. the alarming grievances of the commonwealth; yet he does not appear to have been at any time transported with the passion of vengeance, or to have acted under the influence of selfishness. The temper of St. John was haughty and vehement; but his principles had been consistent, and his talents were universally respected. As a lawyer, his abilities and learning were everywhere admitted; and the old English lawyers, (witness Bacon, Coke, Selden, Whitelocke, Clarendon, Maynward, and others,) united to their professional attainments, general information and accomplishments, which do not appear to have descended to their successors "Some persons," says Mr. Hume, " partial to the patriots of this age, have ventured to put them in balance with the most illustrious characters of antiquity; and mentioned the names of Pym, Hampden, Vane, as a just parallel to those of Cato, Brutus, Cassius. Profound capacity, indeed, undaunted courage, extensive enterprise; in these particulars perhaps the Romans do not much surpass the English worthies; but what a difference when the discourse, conduct, conversation, and private as well as public behaviour of both are inspected! Compare only one circumstance, and consider its consequences: The leisure of those noble ancients was totally employed in the cultivation of polite letters, and civilized society: The whole discourse and language of the moderns were polluted with mysterious jargon, and full of the lowest and most vulgar hypocrisy." It has ever appeared to me, that the works of this celebrated author, with all their genius, and no one is readier than I to allow their merits, betray the occasional rawness of a solitary student, who has not surveyed society with a practical eye, and that he was not devoid of a species of intolerant bigotry, though of a different kind from that he everywhere censures, as well as of an interested predilection for the aristocracy of letters. In this passage, I conceive that we have a proof of it. Polite letters, &c. are only so far worthy of admiration as they enlarge the capacity and improve the heart; and, therefore, in estimating a public character, we have no occasion to inquire into |