character into that of lord Plausible' in the Plain Dealer. The founder of this noble family is said to have been a younger son to one of the Danish kings who attended the duke of Normandy, and settled in England after the conquest." 8 The earl of Berkeley's scarce little book, entitled, "Historical Applications," had passed to a third edition in 1680, and was then reprinted, as the title-page announces, "with additions." It serves to confirm the account of his lordship's amiable character which was given by Mr. Fenton; and, though much enriched by selected passages from other writers, has many valuable sentiments intermingled by the noble moralist. The following instances may be adduced: "A title to honour and honourable actions, is to be preferred before a title of honour, unaccompanied with just and noble deeds. For though it be a happiness and a blessing to be descended of a vertuous and ancient family, yet if they who are thus descended, shall degenerate from the worth of their ancestours, their faults are aggravated by not following so good and great examples; and they are generally more despised than the vulgar and ignoble vicious persons. For (as Boëtius says) if there be any good in nobility, I judge it to be only, or chiefly this, that it seems there is a necessity imposed upon those that are nobly born, not to degenerate from the vertue of • Obs, on Waller's Poems, p. cxliii. For a copy of which I am under obligation to Mr. Brand, their ancestours. Lords and nobles, who stand on the higher ground for doing good, should endeavour to excell others more in generous and just actions, than they do in high and honourable dignities. The examples of such men will have great influence upon the places and countries where they live. "It was well and truly said, by the late lord-chancellour 2 in his speech to the lords, in the presence of the king, lords, and commons: I hope you, my lords, will, for the king's sake, as well as your own, shew great and good examples to your countrymen. 'Your examples will be very prevalent with them, ' and by your actions they will judge of the actions of his majesty, whom they suppose you imitate, having so near an access to his person.' 6 "Neither the ambitious nor covetous man can ever be satisfied; for their thirsty desires after honour and wealth increase, by their obtaining what at present they so greedily covet; like one in a burning fever, the giving him drink does but increase in him a desire still to have more, and his thirst is but little quenched. He that will not religiously frame his mind to content himself, in whatever station God has placed him, will scarcely be satisfied and easy in any condition: for if we cannot proportion our fortunes to our minds, we should suit our minds to our fortunes; rendering thanks to God Almighty, who has done such great things for us; and then we are happy, as to this world. To make our felicity here the more 2 The earl of Clarendon. conspicuous, we ought to compare our temporal state to those beneath us, our inferiours, and not to our superiours." 3] 3 The philosophy of this passage has been beautifully recommended by the admirable author of the Task: "In such a world; so thorny, and where none Book iv. JOHN LOWTHER, VISCOUNT LONSDALE. 3 [SIR John Lowther, of Lowther-hall, one of the early promoters of the revolution, was constituted vice-chamberlain to king William and queen Mary, on their advancement to the English throne2; and was twice appointed one of the regency, while the king went to Holland. According to Bolton, he was also a commissioner of the treasury. In 1696 he was created baron Lowther, of Lowther; and viscount Lonsdale, in Westmorland. In 1699 he was made lord privy-seal, and died July 10. 1700, aged fortyfive. His brief introduction here arises from the belief of his having written "A Treatise on Economics," addressed to his son, which may still remain in manuscript among some of his descendants. 2 Nichols's Selection of Poems, vol. v. p. 33. 3 Bolton's Extinct Peerage, p. 178. ♦ Tickell inscribed his poem of Oxford, in 1707, to the son of this peer, and thus introduced a compliment to both: "Whilst you inhabit Lowther's awful pile, There has been printed for private presentation, "A Memoir of the Reign of James II. by John, Lord Viscount Lonsdale." York, 1808. This information was imparted to me by Octavius Gilchrist, Esq.] But most transported and surpriz'd we view His ancient glories all reviv'd in you, Where charms and virtues join their equal grace, Your father's godlike soul, your mother's lovely face." |