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from his habitual treachery, and from the incapacity CHAPTER which men of that character feel, of being open and honest, even when they know it is their interest to be so; or from an apprehension that they might demand for themselves some share of the French money, which he was unwilling to give them, cannot now be determined. But to the want of genuine and reciprocal confidence between him and those ministers, is to be attributed, in a great measure, the escape which the nation at that time experienced; an escape, however,which proved to be only a reprieve from that servitude to which they were afterwards reduced in the latter years of the reign.

The first Dutch war had been undertaken against all Dutch War. maxims of policy, as well as of justice; but the superiour infamy of the second, aggravated by the disappointment of all the hopes entertained by good men, from the triple alliance, and by the treacherous attempt at piracy with which it was commenced, seems to have effaced the impression of it, not only from the minds of men living at the time, but from most of the writers who have treated of this reign. The principle, however, of both was the same, and arbitrary power at home was the object of both. The second Dutch war rendered the King's system and views so apparent to all who were not determined to shut their eyes against conviction, that it is difficult to conceive how persons, who had any

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CHAPTER real care or regard, either for the liberty or honour of the country, could trust him afterwards. And yet even Sir William Temple, who appears to have been one of the most honest, as well as of the most enlightened, statesmen of his time, could not believe his treachery to be quite so deep, as it was in fact; and seems occasionally to have hoped, that he was in earnest in his professed intentions of following the wise and just system that was recommended to him. Great instances of credulity and blindness in wise men are often liable to the suspicion of being pretended, for the purpose of justifying the continuing in situations of power and employment longer than strict honour would allow. But to Temple's sincerity his subsequent conduct gives abundant testimony. When he had reason to think that his services could no longer be useful to his country, he withdrew wholly from publick business, and resolutely adhered to the preference of philosophical retirement, which, in his circumstances, was just, in spite of every temptation which occurred to bring him back to the more active scene. The remainder of his life he seems to have employed in the most noble contemplations, and the most elegant amusements; every enjoyment heightened, no doubt, by reflecting on the honourable part he had acted in publick affairs, and without any regret on his own account, (whatever he might feel for his country,) at having been driven from them.

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De Witt.

Besides the important consequences produced by this CHAPTER second Dutch war in England, it gave birth to two great events in Holland; the one as favourable, as the other was disastrous, to the cause of general liberty. The catastrophe of De Witt, the wisest, best, and most truly patriotick minister that ever appeared upon the publick stage, as it was an act of the most crying injustice and ingratitude, so likewise is it the most completely disencouraging example, that history affords to the lovers of liberty. If Aristides was banished, he was also recalled: If Dion was repaid for his services to the Syracusans by ingratitude, that ingratitude was more than once repented of: if Sidney and Russel died upon the scaffold, they had not the cruel mortification of falling by the hands of the people: ample justice was done to their memory, and the very sound of their names is still animating to every Englishman attached to their glorious cause. But with De Witt fell also his cause and his party; and although a name so respected by all who revere virtue and wisdom, when employed in their noblest sphere, the political service of the publick, must undoubtedly be doubly dear to his countrymen, yet I do not know that, even to this day, any publick honours have been paid by them to his memory.

Orange.

On the other hand, the circumstances attending the Prince of first appearance of the Prince of Orange in publick affairs, were in every respect most fortunate for himself,

CHAPTER for England, for Europe. Of an age to receive the strongest impressions, and of a character to render such impressions durable, he entered the world in a moment when the calamitous situation of the United Provinces, could not but excite, in every Dutchman, the strongest detestation of the insolent ambition of Lewis the Fourteenth, and the greatest contempt of an English government, which could so far mistake, or betray, the interests of the country, as to lend itself to his projects. Accordingly, the circumstances attending his outset seem to have given a lasting bias to his character; and through the whole course of his life, the prevailing sentiments of his mind seem to have been those which he imbibed at this early period. These sentiments were most peculiarly adapted to the positions in which this great man was destined to be placed. The light in which he viewed Lewis rendered him the fittest champion of the independence of Europe; and in England, French influence and arbitrary power were in those times so intimately connected, that he who had not only seen with disapprobation, but had so sensibly felt, the baneful effects of Charles's connection with France, seemed educated, as it were, to be the defender of English liberty. This prince's struggles in defence of his country, his success in rescuing it from a situation to all appearance so desperate, and the consequent failure and mortification of Lewis the Fourteenth, form a scene in history upon which the mind dwells with unceasing delight.

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One never can read Lewis's famous Declaration against CHAPTER the Hollanders, knowing the event which is to follow, without feeling the heart dilate with exultation, and a kind of triumphant contempt, which, though not quite consonant to the principles of pure philosophy, never fails to give the mind inexpressible satisfaction. Did the relation of such events form the sole, or even any considerable part of the historian's task, pleasant indeed would be his labours; but, though far less agreeable, it is not a less useful or necessary part of his business, to relate the triumphs of successful wickedness, and the oppression of truth, justice and liberty.

and designs of

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The interval from the separate peace between Eng- The conduct land and the United Provinces, to the peace of Nime- Charles. guen, was chiefly employed by Charles in attempts to obtain money from France and other foreign powers, in which he was sometimes more, sometimes less successful; and in various false professions, promises, and other devices to deceive his parliament and his people, in which he uniformly failed. Though neither the nature and extent of his connection with France, nor his design of introducing Popery into England, were known at that time, as they now are, yet there were not wanting many indications of the King's disposition, and of the general tendency of his designs. Reasonable persons apprehended that the supplies asked were intended to be used, not for the specious purpose of maintaining