ture than the other branches of that illustrious and princely family, was not delighted with the softnesses of the court, but had dedicated himself to the profession of arms, when he did not think the scene should have been in his own country. His courage was so signal that day, that too much could not be expected from it, if he had outlived it; and he was so generally beloved, that he could not but be very generally lamented. The other, Sir John Smith, had been trained up from his youth in the war of Flanders; being of an ancient roman-catholic family; and had long the reputation of one of the best officers of horse. As soon as the first troubles appeared in Scotland, he betook himself to the service of his own prince; and from the beginning of the war to his own end, performed many signal actions of courage. The death of these two eminent officers, made the names of many who perished that day the less inquired into and mentioned. II. 475.

PATRICK RUTHEN, GENERAL OF THE KING'S ARMY; CR. EARL OF BRENTFORD-DIED MDCLI.

THOUGH he had been, without doubt, a very good officer, and had great experience, and was still a man of unquestionable courage and integrity; yet he was now (1644) much decayed in his parts, and, with the long continued custom of immoderate drinking, dozed in his understanding, which had been never quick and vigorous; he having been always illiterate to the greatest degree that can be imagined. He was now become very deaf, yet often pretended not to have heard what he did not then contradict, and thought fit afterwards to disclaim. He was a man of few words, and of great compliance, and usually delivered that as his opinion, which he foresaw would be grateful to the king. II. 481.

PRINCE RUPERT

-DIED MDCLXXXII.

HE was rough and passionate, and loved not debate; liked what was proposed, as he liked the persons who proposed it; and was so great an enemy to Digby and Colepepper, who were only present in the debates of the war with the officers, that he crossed all they proposed. The truth is, all the army had been disposed, from the first raising it, to a neglect and contempt of the council; and the king himself had not been solicitous enough to preserve the respect due to it, in which he lessened his own dignity. II. 554.

*

HENRY VISCOUNT WILMOT, GENERAL OF THE

HORSE, COMPARED WITH HIS RIVAL AND SUC-
CESSOR, GEORGE LORD GORING. †

WILMOT loved debauchery, but shut it out from his business; never neglected that, and rarely

* He was created earl of Rochester, and died 1659. + Eldest son of the earl of Norwich; he assumed the habit of a dominican friar in Spain, where he died.

miscarried in it. Goring had a much better understanding, and a sharper wit (except in the very exercise of debauchery, and then the other was inspired), a much keener courage, and presentness of mind in danger: Wilmot discerned it farther off, and because he could not behave himself so well in it, commonly prevented, or warily declined it; and never drank when he was within distance of an enemy: Goring was not able to resist the temptation when he was in the middle of them, nor would decline it to obtain a victory.

Neither of them valued their promises, professions, or friendships, according to any rules of honour or integrity; but Wilmot violated them the less willingly, and never but for some great benefit or convenience to himself: Goring without scruple, out of humour, or for wit's sake; and loved no man so well but that he would cozen him, and then expose him to public mirth for having been cozened: therefore he had always fewer friends than the other, but more company; for no man had a wit that pleased the company better. The ambition of both was unlimited, and so equally incapable of being contented; and both unrestrained by any respect to good nature or jus

tice, from pursuing the satisfaction thereof: yet Wilmot had more scruples from religion to startle him, and would not have attained his end by any gross or foul act of wickedness; Goring could have passed through those pleasantly; and would, without hesitation, have broken any trust, or done any act of treachery, to have satisfied an ordinary passion or appetite; and in truth, wanted nothing but industry (for he had wit, and courage, and understanding, and ambition, uncontrouled by any fear of God or man) to have been as eminent and successful in the highest attempt of wickedness, as any man in the age he lived in, or before. Of all his qualifications, dissimulation was his master-piece; in which he so much excelled, that men were not ordinarily ashamed or out of countenance, with being deceived but twice by him. II. 481. 554.