severe cures to approaching evils, proceeded from the lenity of his nature, and the tenderness of his conscience, which, in all cases of blood made him choose the softer way, and not hearken to severe counsels, how reasonably soever urged. This only, restrained him from pursuing his advantage in the first Scottish expedition, when, humanly speaking, he might have reduced that nation to the most entire obedience that could have been wished. After all this, a man might reasonably believe that nothing less than an universal defection of three nations could have reduced a great king to so hard a fate; it is most certain, that, in that very hour when he was wickedly murdered in the sight of the sun, he had as great a share in the hearts and affections of his subjects in general, was as much beloved, esteemed, and longed for by the people in general of the three nations as any of his predecessors had ever been.

To conclude, he was the worthiest gentleman, the best master, the best friend, the best husband, the best father, and the best Christian, that the age in which he lived produced. And if he were not the greatest king, if he were without some parts and qualities which have

made some kings great and happy, no other prince was ever unhappy who was possessed of half his virtues and endowments, and so much without any kind of vice. III. 256.

GEORGE VILLIERS; CR. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, THE FAVOURITE OF JAMES AND CHARLES I. -STABBED BY FELTON, MDCXXVIII.

THIS great man was a person of a noble nature, and generous disposition, and of such other endowments, as made him very capable of being a great favourite to a great king. He understood the arts of a court, and all the learning that is professed there, exactly well. By long practice in business under a master that discoursed excellently, and surely knew all things wonderfully, and took much delight in indoctrinating his young unexperienced favourite, who, he knew, would be always looked upon as the workmanship of his own hands, he had obtained a quick conception, and apprehension of business, and had the habit of speaking very gracefully, and pertinently. He was of a most flowing courtesy and affability to all men who made

any address to him; and so desirous to oblige them, that he did not enough consider the value of the obligation, or the merit of the person he chose to oblige; from which, much of his misfortune resulted. He was of a courage not to be daunted, which was manifested in all his actions, and in his contests with particular persons of the greatest reputation; and especially in his whole demeanour at the isle of Rhee, both at the landing, and upon the retreat; in both which no man was more fearless, or more ready to expose himself to the highest dangers. His kindness and affection to his friends was so vehement, that they were as so many marriages for better and worse, and so many leagues offensive and defensive; as if he thought himself obliged to love all his friends, and to make war upon all they were angry with, let the cause be what it would. And it cannot be denied, that he was an enemy in the same excess; and prosecuted those he looked upon as his enemies, with the utmost rigour and animosity; and was not easily induced to reconciliation.

His single misfortune was (which indeed was productive of many greater) that he never made a noble and a worthy friendship with a man so near

his equal, that he would frankly advise him for his honour, and true interest, against the current, or rather the torrent of his impetuous passions. It may reasonably be believed, that if he had been blessed with one faithful friend, who had been qualified with wisdom and integrity, that great person would have committed as few faults, and done as transcendent worthy actions, as any man who shined in such a sphere in that age in Europe. For he was of an excellent disposition, and of a mind very capable of advice and counsel. He was in his nature just and candid, liberal, generous, and bountiful; nor was it ever known, that the temptation of money swayed him to do an unjust, or unkind thing.

If he had an immoderate ambition, with which he was charged, it doth not appear that it was in his nature, or that he brought it with him to the Court, but rather found it there. I. 31.

SIR THOMAS COVENTRY, LORD KEEPER OF THE GREAT SEAL; CR. LORD COVENTRY-DIED

MDCXXXIX.

HE was Recorder of London, Solicitor General, and King's Attorney before he was forty years of age; a rare ascent! all which offices he discharged with great abilities, and singular reputation of integrity. He enjoyed the place of Keeper of the Great Seal with universal reputation (and sure justice was never better administered) for the space of about sixteen years even to his death, which was another important circumstance of his felicity; that great office being so slippery, that no man had died in it before, for near the space of forty years; nor had his successors some time after him much better fortune.

He was a man of wonderful gravity and wisdom; and understood not only the whole science and mystery of the law, at least equally with any man who had ever sat in that place; but had a clear conception of the whole policy of the government both of church and state, which, by the unskilfulness of some well-meaning men, justled each the other too much,