Volume1

byThomasBabingtonMacaulayCONTENTSOFVOL。1

ENGLISHHISTORY

EDITOR’SNOTE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

HALLAM’SHISTORY

BURLEIGHANDHISTIMES

JOHNHAMPDEN

MILTON

SIRWILLIAMTEMPLE

SIRJAMESMACKINTOSH

HORACEWALPOLE

WILLIAMPITT

THEEARLOFCHATHAM

CLIVE

WARRENHASTINGS

LORDHOLLAND

INDEX

EDITOR’SNOTE

ByAJGrieveAFrenchstudentofEnglishletters（M。PaulOursel）haswrittenthefollowinglines:

"DepuisdeuxsiecleslesEssaisformentunebrancheimportantedelalitteratureanglaise；pourdesignerunecrivaindecetteclasse，nosvoisonsemploientunmotquin’apasd’equivalentenfrancais；ilsdisent:unessayist。Qu’est—cequ’unessayist？

L’essayistsedistinguedumoraliste，del’historien，ducritiquelitteraire，dubiographe，del’ecrivainpolitique；etpourtantilempruntequelquetraitachacund’eux；ilressembletouratoural’unoual’autre；ilestaussiphilosophe，ilestsatirique，humoristeasesheures；ilreunitensapersonnedesqualitiesmultiples；iloffredanssesecritsunspecimendetouslesgenres。Onvoitqu’iln’estpasfacilededefinirl’essayist；

maisl’exemplesuppleeraaladefinition。Onconnaitraexactementlesensdumotquandonauraetudiel’ecrivainqui，d’apreslejugementdecescompatriotes，estl’essayistparexcellence，ou，commeondisaitdanslesancienscoursdelitterature，lePrincedesessayists。"

Macaulayisindeedtheprinceofessayists，andhisreignisunchallenged。"Istillthink——saysProfessorSaintsbury（CorrectedImpressions，p。89f。）——thatonanysubjectwhichMacaulayhastouched，hissurveyisunsurpassableforgivingafirstbird’s—

eyeview，andforcreatinginterestinthematter……Andhecertainlyhasnothisequalanywhereforcoveringhissubjectinthepointing—stickfashion。Youneednot——youhadmuchbetternot——pinyourfaithonhisdetails，buthisPisgahsightsareadmirable。Holeafterholehasbeenpickedinthe"Clive"andthe"Hastings，"the"Johnson"andthe"Addison，"the"Frederick"andthe"HoraceWalpole，"yeteveryoneofthesepaperscontainssketches，summaries，precis，whichhavenotbeenmadeobsoleteorvaluelessbyalltheworkofcorrectionindetail。"

TwootherappreciationsfromamongthemassofcriticalliteraturethathasaccumulatedroundMacaulay’sworkmaybefitlycited，ThisfromMr。FredericHarrison:—

"HowmanymenhasMacaulaysucceededinreaching，towhomallotherhistoryandcriticismisasealedbook，orabookinanunknowntongue！Ifhewereasciolistorawrongheadedfanatic，thiswouldbeaseriousevil。But，asheissubstantiallyrightinhisjudgments，brimfulofsayingcommon—senseandgenerousfeeling，andprofoundlywellreadinhisownperiodsandhisfavouriteliterature，MacaulayhasconferredmostmemorableservicesonthereadersofEnglishthroughouttheworld。Hestandsbetweenphilosophichistoriansandthepublicverymuchasjournalsandperiodicalsstandbetweenthemassesandgreatlibraries。Macaulayisaglorifiedjournalistandreviewer，whobringsthematuredresultsofscholarstothemaninthestreetinaformthathecanrememberandenjoy，whenhecouldnotmakeuseofamerelylearnedbook。Heperformstheofficeoftheballad—makerorstory—tellerinanagebeforebookswereknownorwerecommon。Anditislargelyduetohisinfluencethatthebestjournalsandperiodicalsofourdayarewritteninastylesoclear，sodirect，soresonant。"

AndthisfromMr。CotterMorison"MacaulaydidforthehistoricalessaywhatHaydndidforthesonata，andWattforthesteamengine；hefounditrudimentaryandunimportant，andleftitcompleteandathingofpower……

Totakeabrightperiodorpersonageofhistory，toframeitinafirmoutline，toconceiveitatonceinarticle—size，andthentofillinthislimitedcanvaswithsparklinganecdote，tellingbitsofcolour，andfacts，allfusedtogetherbyarealgeniusfornarrative，wasthesortofgenre—paintingwhichMacaulayappliedtohistory……Andtothisdayhisessaysremainthebestoftheirclass，notonlyinEngland，butinEurope……Thebestwouldadornanyliterature，andeventhelesssuccessfulhaveapicturesqueanimation，andconveyanimpressionofpowerthatwillnoteasilybematched。And，again，weneedtobearinmindthattheyweretheproductionsofawriterimmersedinbusiness，writteninhisscantymomentsofleisure，whenmostmenwouldhaverestedorsoughtrecreation。Macaulayhimselfwasmostmodestinhisestimateoftheirvalue……Itwasthepublicthatinsistedontheirre—issue，andfewwouldbeboldenoughtodenythatthepublicwasright。"

ItistoMr。MorisonthattheplanfollowedinthepresenteditionoftheEssaysisdue。InhismonographonMacaulay（EnglishMenofLettersseries）hedevotesachaptertotheEssaysand"withtheobjectofgivingasmuchunityaspossibletoasubjectnecessarilywantingit，"classifiestheEssaysintofourgroups，（1）Englishhistory，（2）Foreignhistory，（3）Controversial，（4）CriticalandMiscellaneous。Thearticlesinthefirstgroupareequalinbulktothoseofthethreeothergroupsputtogether，andarecontainedinthefirstvolumeofthisissue。@"TheyformafairlycompletesurveyofEnglishhistoryfromthetimeofElizabethtothelateryearsofthereignofGeorgeIII，andarefitlyintroducedbytheEssayonHallam’sHistory，whichformsakindofsummaryormicrocosmofthewholeperiod。

Theschememightbemadestillmorecompletebyincludingcertainarticles（andespeciallytheexquisitebiographiescontributedbyMacaulaytotheEncyclopaediaBritannica）whicharepublishedinthevolumeof"MiscellaneousWritingsandSpeeches。"Exigenciesofspacehave，however，compelledthelimitationofthepresenteditiontothe"Essays"usuallyso—called。Thesehavealsobeenreprintedinthechronologicalarrangementordinarilyfollowed（seebelow）inTheTempleClassics（5vols。1900），whereanexhaustivebibliography，etc。，hasbeenappendedtoeachEssay。

ChiefdatesinthelifeofThomasBabingtonMacaulay，afterwardsBaronMacaulay:——

1800（Oct。25）。BirthatRothleyTemple，Leicestershire。

1818—1825。LifeatCambridge（FellowofTrinity，1824）。

1825。EssayonMiltoncontributedtoEdinburghReview。

1826。JoinedtheNorthernCircuit。

1830@M。P。forCalne（giftoftheMarquisofLansdowne）。

1833。M。P。forLeeds。

1834—38。LegalAdvisertotheSupremeCouncilofIndia。WorkattheIndianPenalCode。

1839。M。P。forEdinburgh，andSecretaryatWarInMelbourne’sCabinet。

1842。LaysofAncientRome。

1843。CollectededitionoftheEssays。

1847。RejectedattheElectionofM。P。forEdinburgh。

1848。EnglandfromtheAccessionofJamesII。vols。

i。andii。

1852。M。P。forEdinburgh；seriousillness。

1855。HistoryofEngland，vols。iii。andiv。

1857。Raisedtothepeerage。

1859（Dec。28）。DeathatHollyLodge，Kensington。（BuriedinWestminsterAbbey，9thJanuary1860。）

ThefollowingaretheworksofThomasBabingtonMacaulay:

Pompeii（Prizepoem），1819；Evening（prizepoem），1821；LaysofAncientRome（1842）；IvryandtheArmada（QuarterlyMagazine），addedtoEditionof1848；CriticalandHistoricalEssays（EdinburghReview），1843。

TheEssaysoriginallyappearedasfollows:

Milton，August1825；Machiavelli，March1827；Hallam’s"ConstitutionalHistory，"September1828；Southey’s"Colloquies，"

January1830；R。Montgomery’sPoems，April1830；CivilDisabilitiesofJews，January1831；Byron，June1831；Croker’s"Boswell，"September1831；Pilgrim’sProgress，December1831；

Hampden，December1831；Burleigh，April1832；WarofSuccessioninSpain，January1833；HoraceWalpole，October1833；LordChatham，January1834；Mackintosh’s"HistoryofRevolution，"July1835；Bacon，July1837；SirWilliamTemple，October1838；

"GladstoneonChurchandState，"April1839；Clive，January1840；

Ranke’s"HistoryofthePopes，"October1840；ComicDramatists，January1841；LordHolland，July1841；WarrenHastings，October1841；FredericktheGreat，April1842；MadameD’Arblay，January1843；Addison，July1843；LordChatham（2ndArt。），October1844。

HistoryofEngland，vols。i。andii。，1848；vols。iii。andiv。，1855；vol。v。，Ed。LadyTrevelyan，1861；Ed。8vols。，1858—62

（LifebyDeanMilman）；Ed。4vols。，People’sEdition，withLifebyDeanMilman，1863—4；InauguralAddress（Glasgow），1849；

Speechescorrectedbyhimself，1854（unauthorizedversion，1853，byVizetelly）；MiscellaneousWritings，2vols。1860（Ed。T。F。

Ellis）。Theseincludepoems，lives（Encyclo。Britt。8thed。），andcontributionstoQuarterlyMagazine，andthefollowingfromEdinburghReview:

Dryden，January1828；History，May1828；MillonGovernment，March1829；WestminsterReviewer’sDefenceofMill，June1829；

UtilitarianTheoryofGovernment，October1829；Sadler’s"LawofPopulation，"July1830；Sadler’s"RefutationRefuted，"January1831Mirabeau，July1832；Barere，April1844。

CompleteWorks（Ed。LadyTrevelyan），8vols。，1866。

BOOKSOFREFERENCE

SirG。0。Trevelyan:TheLifeandLettersOfLordMacaulay（2

vols。8vo。，1876，2nded。withadditions，1877，subsequenteditions1878and1881）。

J。CotterMorison:Macaulay[EnglishMenofLetters]，（1882）。

MarkPattison:Art。"Macaulay"inEncyclopaediaBritannica。

LeslieStephen:HoursinaLibrary[newed。1892]，ii。243—376。

Art。"Macaulay"inDictionaryofNationalBiography。

FredericHarrison:Macaulay’sPlaceinLiterature（1894）。

StudiesinEarlyVictorianLiterature，chap。iii。（1895）。

G。Saintsbury:CorrectedImpressions，chaps。ix。x。（189，5）。

AHistoryofNineteenthCenturyLiterature，pp。224—232（1896）。

P。Oursel:LesEssaisdeLordMacaulay（1882）。

D。H。Macgregor:LordMacaulay（1901）。

SirR。C。Jebb:Macaulay（1900）。

F。C。Montague。Macaulay’sEssays（3vols。1901）。

A。J。G。August1907。

HALLAM

（September1828）

TheConstitutionalHistoryofEngland，fromtheAccessionofHenryVII。totheDeathofGeorgeII。ByHENRYHALLAM。In2vols。

1827

History，atleastinitsstateofidealperfection，isacompoundofpoetryandphilosophy。Itimpressesgeneraltruthsonthemindbyavividrepresentationofparticularcharactersandincidents。

But，infact，thetwohostileelementsofwhichitconsistshaveneverbeenknowntoformaperfectamalgamation；andatlength，inourowntime，theyhavebeencompletelyandprofessedlyseparated。Goodhistories，inthepropersenseoftheword，wehavenot。Butwehavegoodhistoricalromances，andgoodhistoricalessays。Theimaginationandthereason，ifwemayusealegalmetaphor，havemadepartitionofaprovinceofliteratureofwhichtheywereformerlyseizedpermyetpertout；andnowtheyholdtheirrespectiveportionsinseveralty，insteadofholdingthewholeincommon。

Tomakethepastpresent，tobringthedistantnear，toplaceusinthesocietyofagreatmanorontheeminencewhichoverlooksthefieldofamightybattle，toinvestwiththerealityofhumanfleshandbloodbeingswhomwearetoomuchinclinedtoconsideraspersonifiedqualitiesinanallegory，tocallupourancestorsbeforeuswithalltheirpeculiaritiesoflanguage，manners，andgarb，toshowusovertheirhouses，toseatusattheirtables，torummagetheirold—fashionedward—robes，toexplaintheusesoftheirponderousfurniture，thesepartsofthedutywhichproperlybelongstothehistorianhavebeenappropriatedbythehistoricalnovelist。Ontheotherhand，toextractthephilosophyofhistory，todirectonjudgmentofeventsandmen，totracetheconnectionofcauseandeffects，andtodrawfromtheoccurrencesofformertimegenerallessonsofmoralandpoliticalwisdom，hasbecomethebusinessofadistinctclassofwriters。

Ofthetwokindsofcompositionintowhichhistoryhasbeenthusdivided，theonemayhecomparedtoamap，theothertoapaintedlandscape。Thepicture，thoughitplacesthecountrybeforeus，doesnotenableustoascertainwithaccuracythedimensions，thedistances，andtheangles。Themapisnotaworkofimitativeart。Itpresentsnoscenetotheimagination；butitgivesusexactinformationastothebearingsofthevariouspoints，andisamoreusefulcompaniontothetravellerorthegeneralthanthepaintedlandscapecouldbe，thoughitwerethegrandestthateverRosapeopledwithoutlaws，orthesweetestoverwhichClaudeeverpouredthemelloweffulgenceofasettingsun。

ItisremarkablethatthepracticeofseparatingthetwoingredientsofwhichhistoryiscomposedhasbecomeprevalentontheContinentaswellasinthiscountry。Italyhasalreadyproducedahistoricalnovel，ofhighmeritandofstillhigherpromise。InFrance，thepracticehasbeencarriedtoalengthsomewhatwhimsical。M。SismondipublishesagraveandstatelyhistoryoftheMerovingianKings，veryvaluable，andalittletedious。Hethensendsforthasacompaniontoitanovel，inwhichheattemptstogivealivelyrepresentationofcharactersandmanners。Thiscourse，asitseemstous，hasallthedisadvantagesofadivisionoflabour，andnoneofitsadvantages。Weunderstandtheexpediencyofkeepingthefunctionsofcookandcoachmandistinct。Thedinnerwillhebetterdressed，andthehorsesbettermanaged。Butwherethetwosituationsareunited，asintheMaitreJacquesofMoliere，wedonotseethatthematterismuchmendedbythesolemnformwithwhichthepluralistpassesfromoneofhisemploymentstotheother。

WemanagethesethingsbetterinEngland。SirWaiterScottgivesusanovel；Mr。Hallamacriticalandargumentativehistory。Bothareoccupiedwiththesamematter。Buttheformerlooksatitwiththeeyeofasculptor。Hisintentionistogiveanexpressandlivelyimageofitsexternalform。Thelatterisananatomist。Histaskistodissectthesubjecttoitsinmostrecesses，andtolaybarebeforeusallthespringsofmotionandallthecausesofdecay。

Mr。Hallamis，onthewhole，farbetterqualifiedthananyotherwriterofourtimefortheofficewhichhehasundertaken。Hehasgreatindustryandgreatacuteness。Hisknowledgeisextensive，various，andprofound。Hismindisequallydistinguishedbytheamplitudeofitsgrasp，andbythedelicacyofitstact。Hisspeculationshavenoneofthatvaguenesswhichisthecommonfaultofpoliticalphilosophy。Onthecontrary，theyarestrikinglypractical，andteachusnotonlythegeneralrule，butthemodeofapplyingittosolveparticularcases。InthisrespecttheyoftenremindusoftheDiscoursesofMachiavelli。

Thestyleissometimesopentothechargeofharshness。Wehavealsohereandthereremarkedalittleofthatunpleasanttrick，whichGibbonbroughtintofashion，thetrick，wemean，oftellingastorybyimplicationandallusion。Mr。Hallamhowever，hasanexcusewhichGibbonhadnot。HisworkisdesignedforreaderswhoarealreadyacquaintedwiththeordinarybooksonEnglishhistory，andwhocanthereforeunriddletheselittleenigmaswithoutdifficulty。Themannerofthebookis，onthewhole，notunworthyofthematter。Thelanguage，evenwheremostfaulty，isweightyandmassive，andindicatesstrongsenseineveryline。Itoftenrisestoaneloquence，notfloridorimpassioned，buthigh，grave，andsober；suchaswouldbecomeastatepaper，orajudgmentdeliveredbyagreatmagistrate，aSomersoraD’Aguesseau。

InthisrespectthecharacterofMr。Hallam’smindcorrespondsstrikinglywiththatofhisstyle。Hisworkiseminentlyjudicial。Itswholespiritisthatofthebench，notthatofthebar。Hesumsupwithacalm，steadyimpartiality，turningneithertotherightnortotheleft，glossingovernothing，exaggeratingnothing，whiletheadvocatesonbothsidesarealternatelybitingtheirlipstoheartheirconflictingmisstatementsandsophismsexposed。Onageneralsurvey，wedonotscrupletopronouncetheConstitutionalHistorythemostimpartialbookthatweeverread。

Wethinkitthemoreincumbentonustobearthistestimonystronglyatfirstsettingout，because，inthecourseofourremarks，weshallthinkitrighttodwellprincipallyonthosepartsofitfromwhichwedissent。

ThereisonepeculiarityaboutMr。Hallamwhich，whileitaddstothevalueofhiswritings，will，wefear，takeawaysomethingfromtheirpopularity。Heislessofaworshipperthananyhistorianwhomwecancalltomind。Everypoliticalsecthasitsesotericanditsexotericschool，itsabstractdoctrinesfortheinitiated，itsvisiblesymbols，itsimposingforms，itsmythologicalfablesforthevulgar。ItassiststhedevotionofthosewhoareunabletoraisethemselvestothecontemplationofpuretruthbyallthedevicesofPaganorPapalsuperstition。Ithasitsaltarsanditsdeifiedheroes，itsrelicsandpilgrimages，itscanonizedmartyrsandconfessors，itsfestivalsanditslegendarymiracles。Ourpiousancestors，wearetold，desertedtheHighAltarofCanterbury，tolayalltheiroblationsontheshrineofSt。Thomas。InthesamemannerthegreatandcomfortabledoctrinesoftheTorycreed，thoseparticularlywhichrelatetorestrictionsonworshipandontrade，areadoredbysquiresandrectorsinPittClubs，underthenameofaministerwhowasasbadarepresentativeofthesystemwhichhasbeenchristenedafterhimasBecketofthespiritoftheGospel。Ontheotherhand，thecauseforwhichHampdenbledonthefieldandSidneyonthescaffoldisenthusiasticallytoastedbymanyanhonestradicalwhowouldbepuzzledtoexplainthedifferencebetweenShip—moneyandtheHabeasCorpusAct。Itmaybeaddedthat，asinreligion，soinpolitics，fewevenofthosewhoareenlightenedenoughtocomprehendthemeaninglatentundertheemblemsoftheirfaithcanresistthecontagionofthepopularsuperstition。Often，whentheyflatterthemselvesthattheyaremerelyfeigningacompliancewiththeprejudicesofthevulgar，theyarethemselvesundertheinfluenceofthoseveryprejudices。

ItprobablywasnotaltogetherongroundsofexpediencythatSocratestaughthisfollowerstohonourthegodswhomthestatehonoured，andbequeathedacocktoEsculapiuswithhisdyingbreath。Sothereisoftenaportionofwillingcredulityandenthusiasminthevenerationwhichthemostdiscerningmenpaytotheirpoliticalidols。Fromtheverynatureofmanitmustbeso。

Thefacultybywhichweinseparablyassociateideaswhichhaveoftenbeenpresentedtousinconjunctionisnotundertheabsolutecontrolofthewill。Itmaybequickenedintomorbidactivity。Itmaybereasonedintosluggishness。Butinacertaindegreeitwillalwaysexist。ThealmostabsolutemasterywhichMr。Hallamhasobtainedoverfeelingsofthisclassisperfectlyastonishingtous，andwill，webelieve，benotonlyastonishingbutoffensivetomanyofhisreaders。Itmustparticularlydisgustthosepeoplewho，intheirspeculationsonpolitics，arenotreasonersbutfanciers；whoseopinions，evenwhensincere，arenotproduced，accordingtotheordinarylawofintellectualbirths，byinductionorinference，butareequivocallygeneratedbytheheatoffervidtempersoutoftheoverflowingoftumidimaginations。Amanofthisclassisalwaysinextremes。Hecannotbeafriendtolibertywithoutcallingforacommunityofgoods，orafriendtoorderwithouttakingunderhisprotectionthefoulestexcessesoftyranny。Hisadmirationoscillatesbetweenthemostworthlessofrebelsandthemostworthlessofoppressors，betweenMarten，thedisgraceoftheHighCourtofjustice，andLaud，thedisgraceoftheStar—Chamber。Hecanforgiveanythingbuttemperanceandimpartiality。Hehasacertainsympathywiththeviolenceofhisopponents，aswellaswiththatofhisassociates。Ineveryfuriouspartisanheseeseitherhispresentselforhisformerself，thepensionerthatis，ortheJacobinthathasbeen。Butheisunabletocomprehendawriterwho，steadilyattachedtoprinciples，isindifferentaboutnamesandbadges，andwhojudgesofcharacterswithequableseverity，notaltogetheruntincturedwithcynicism，butfreefromtheslightesttouchofpassion，partyspirit，orcaprice。

WeshouldprobablylikeMr。Hallam’sbookmoreif，insteadofpointingoutwithstrictfidelitythebrightpointsandthedarkspotsofbothparties，hehadexertedhimselftowhitewashtheoneandtoblackentheother。Butweshouldcertainlyprizeitfarless。Eulogyandinvectivemaybehadfortheasking。Butforcoldrigidjustice，theoneweightandtheonemeasure，weknownotwhereelsewecanlook。

NoportionofourannalshasbeenmoreperplexedandmisrepresentedbywritersofdifferentpartiesthanthehistoryoftheReformation。Inthislabyrinthoffalsehoodandsophistry，theguidanceofMr。Hallamispeculiarlyvaluable。Itisimpossiblenottoadmiretheeven—handedjusticewithwhichhedealsoutcastigationtorightandleftontherivalpersecutors。

ItisvehementlymaintainedbysomewritersofthepresentdaythatElizabethpersecutedneitherPapistsnorPuritansassuch，andthattheseveremeasureswhichsheoccasionallyadoptedweredictated，notbyreligiousintolerance，butbypoliticalnecessity。EventheexcellentaccountofthosetimeswhichMr。

Hallamhasgivenhasnotaltogetherimposedsilenceontheauthorsofthisfallacy。ThetitleoftheQueen，theysay，wasannulledbythePope；herthronewasgiventoanother；hersubjectswereincitedtorebellion；herlifewasmenaced；everyCatholicwasboundinconsciencetobeatraitor；itwasthereforeagainsttraitors，notagainstCatholics，thatthepenallawswereenacted。

Inorderthatourreadersmaybefullycompetenttoappreciatethemeritsofthisdefence，wewillstate，asconciselyaspossible，thesubstanceofsomeoftheselaws。

AssoonasElizabethascendedthethrone，andbeforetheleasthostilitytohergovernmenthadbeenshownbytheCatholicpopulation，anactpassedprohibitingthecelebrationoftheritesoftheRomishChurchonpainofforfeitureforthefirstoffence，ofayear’simprisonmentforthesecond，andofperpetualimprisonmentforthethird。

Alawwasnextmadein1562，enacting，thatallwhohadevergraduatedattheUniversitiesorreceivedholyorders，alllawyers，andallmagistrates，shouldtaketheoathofsupremacywhentenderedtothem，onpainofforfeitureandimprisonmentduringtheroyalpleasure。Afterthelapseofthreemouths，theoathmightagainbetenderedtothem；andifitwereagainrefused，therecusantwasguiltyofhightreason。Aprospectivelaw，howeversevere，framedtoexcludeCatholicsfromtheliberalprofessions，wouldhavebeenmercyitselfcomparedwiththisodiousact。Itisaretrospectivestatute；itisaretrospectivepenalstatute；itisaretrospectivepenalstatuteagainstalargeclass。Wewillnotpositivelyaffirmthatalawofthisdescriptionmustalways，andunderallcircumstances，beunjustifiable。Butthepresumptionagainstitismostviolent；

nordowerememberanycrisiseitherinourownhistory，orinthehistoryofanyothercountry，whichwouldhaverenderedsuchaprovisionnecessary。Inthepresentcase，whatcircumstancescalledforextraordinaryrigour？TheremightbedisaffectionamongtheCatholics。Theprohibitionoftheirworshipwouldnaturallyproduceit。Butitisfromtheirsituation，notfromtheirconduct，fromthewrongswhichtheyhadsuffered，notfromthosewhichtheyhadcommitted，thattheexistenceofdiscontentamongthemmustbeinferred。Therewerelibels，nodoubt，andprophecies，andrumoursandsuspicions，strangegroundsforalawinflictingcapitalpenalties，expostfacto，onalargebodyofmen。

Eightyearslater，thebullofPiusdeposingElizabethproducedathirdlaw。Thislaw，towhichalone，asweconceive，thedefencenowunderourconsiderationcanapply，providesthat，ifanyCatholicshallconvertaProtestanttotheRomishChurch，theyshallbothsufferdeathasforhightreason。

Webelievethatwemightsafelycontentourselveswithstatingthefact，andleavingittothejudgmentofeveryplainEnglishman。Recentcontroversieshave，however，givensomuchimportancetothissubject，thatwewillofferafewremarksonit。

Inthefirstplace，theargumentswhichareurgedinfavourofElizabethapplywithmuchgreaterforcetothecaseofhersisterMary。TheCatholicsdidnot，atthetimeofElizabeth’saccession，riseinarmstoseataPretenderonherthrone。ButbeforeMaryhadgiven，orcouldgive，provocation，themostdistinguishedProtestantsattemptedtosetasideherrightsinfavouroftheLadyJane。Thatattempt，andthesubsequentinsurrectionofWyatt，furnishedatleastasgoodapleafortheburningofProtestants，astheconspiraciesagainstElizabethfurnishforthehangingandembowellingofPapists。

Thefactisthatbothpleasareworthlessalike。Ifsuchargumentsaretopasscurrent，itwillbeeasytoprovethattherewasneversuchathingasreligiouspersecutionsincethecreation。Forthereneverwasareligiouspersecutioninwhichsomeodiouscrimewasnot，justlyorunjustly，saidtobeobviouslydeduciblefromthedoctrinesofthepersecutedparty。

Wemightsay，thattheCaesarsdidnotpersecutetheChristians；

thattheyonlypunishedmenwhowerecharged，rightlyorwrongly，withburningRome，andwithcommittingthefoulestabominationsinsecretassemblies；andthattherefusaltothrowfrankincenseonthealtarofJupiterwasnotthecrime，butonlyevidenceofthecrime。Wemightsay，thatthemassacreofSt。Bartholomewwasintendedtoextirpate，notareligioussect，butapoliticalparty。For，beyondalldoubt，theproceedingsoftheHuguenots，fromtheconspiracyofAmboisetothebattleofMoncontour，hadgivenmuchmoretroubletotheFrenchmonarchythantheCatholicshaveevergiventotheEnglishmonarchysincetheReformation；

andthattoowithmuchlessexcuse。

Thetruedistinctionisperfectlyobvious。Topunishamanbecausehehascommittedacrime，orbecauseheisbelieved，thoughunjustly，tohavecommittedacrime，isnotpersecution。

Topunishaman，becauseweinferfromthenatureofsomedoctrinewhichheholds，orfromtheconductofotherpersonswhoholdthesamedoctrineswithhim，thathewillcommitacrimeispersecution，andis，ineverycase，foolishandwicked。

WhenElizabethputBallardandBabingtontodeath，shewasnotpersecuting。Norshouldwehaveaccusedhergovernmentofpersecutionforpassinganylaw，howeversevere，againstovertactsofsedition。Buttoarguethat，becauseamanisaCatholic，hemustthinkitrighttomurderahereticalsovereign，andthatbecausehethinksitright，hewillattempttodoit，andthen，tofoundonthisconclusionalawforpunishinghimasifhehaddoneit，isplainpersecution。

If，indeed，allmenreasonedinthesamemanneronthesamedata，andalwaysdidwhattheythoughtittheirdutytodo，thismodeofdispensingpunishmentmightbeextremelyjudicious。Butaspeoplewhoagreeaboutpremisesoftendisagreeaboutconclusions，andasnomanintheworldactsuptohisownstandardofright，therearetwoenormousgapsinthelogicbywhichalonepenaltiesforopinionscanbedefended。Thedoctrineofreprobation，inthejudgmentofmanyveryablemen，followsbysyllogisticnecessityfromthedoctrineofelection。OthersconceivethattheAntinomianheresydirectlyfollowsfromthedoctrineofreprobation；anditisverygenerallythoughtthatlicentiousnessandcrueltyoftheworstdescriptionarelikelytobethefruits，astheyoftenhavebeenthefruits，ofAntinomianopinions。Thischainofreasoning，wethink，isasperfectinallitspartsasthatwhichmakesoutaPapisttobenecessarilyatraitor。YetitwouldberatherastrongmeasuretohangalltheCalvinists，onthegroundthatiftheywerespared，theywouldinfalliblycommitalltheatrocitiesofMatthiasandKnipperdoling。For，reasonthematteraswemay，experienceshowsusthatamanmaybelieveinelectionwithoutbelievinginreprobation，thathemaybelieveinreprobationwithoutbeinganAntinomian，andthathemaybeanAntinomianwithoutbeingabadcitizen。Man，inshort，issoinconsistentacreaturethatitisimpossibletoreasonfromhisbelieftohisconduct，orfromonepartofhisbelieftoanother。

WedonotbelievethateveryEnglishmanwhowasreconciledtotheCatholicChurchwould，asanecessaryconsequence，havethoughthimselfjustifiedindeposingorassassinatingElizabeth。ItisnotsufficienttosaythattheconvertmusthaveacknowledgedtheauthorityofthePope，andthatthePopehadissuedabullagainsttheQueen。Weknowthroughwhatstrangeloopholesthehumanmindcontrivestoescape，whenitwishestoavoidadisagreeableinferencefromanadmittedproposition。WeknowhowlongtheJansenistscontrivedtobelievethePopeinfallibleinmattersofdoctrine，andatthesametimetobelievedoctrineswhichhepronouncedtobeheretical。Letitpass，however，thateveryCatholicinthekingdomthoughtthatElizabethmighthelawfullymurdered。Stilltheoldmaxim，thatwhatisthebusinessofeverybodyisthebusinessofnobody，isparticularlylikelytoholdgoodinacaseinwhichacrueldeathisthealmostinevitableconsequenceofmakinganyattempt。

OfthetenthousandclergymenoftheChurchofEngland，thereisscarcelyonewhowouldnotsaythatamanwhoshouldleavehiscountryandfriendstopreachtheGospelamongsavages，andwhoshould，afterlabouringindefatigablywithoutanyhopeofreward，terminatehislifebymartyrdom，woulddeservethewarmestadmiration。Yetwecandoubtwhethertenofthetenthousandeverthoughtofgoingonsuchanexpedition。Whyshouldwesupposethatconscientiousmotives，feebleastheyareconstantlyfoundtobeinagoodcause，shouldbeomnipotentforevil？DoubtlesstherewasmanyajollyPopishpriestintheoldmanor—housesofthenortherncounties，whowouldhaveadmitted，intheory，thedeposingpowerofthePope，butwhowouldnothavebeenambitioustobestretchedontherack，eventhoughitweretobeused，accordingtothebenevolentprovisoofLordBurleigh，"ascharitablyassuchathingcanbe，"ortobehanged，drawn，andquartered，eventhough，bythatrareindulgencewhichtheQueen，ofherspecialgrace，certainknowledge，andmeremotion，sometimesextendedtoverymitigatedcases，hewereallowedafairtimetochokebeforethehangmanbegantograbbleinhisentrails。

ButthelawspassedagainstthePuritanshadnoteventhewretchedexcusewhichwehavebeenconsidering。Inthiscase，thecrueltywasequal，thedanger，infinitelyless。Infact，thedangerwascreatedsolelybythecruelty。Butitissuperfluoustopresstheargument。Bynoartificeofingenuitycanthestigmaofpersecution，theworstblemishoftheEnglishChurch，beeffacedorpatchedover。Herdoctrines，wewellknow，donottendtointolerance。Sheadmitsthepossibilityofsalvationoutofherownpale。Butthiscircumstance，initselfhonourabletoher，aggravatesthesinandtheshameofthosewhopersecutedinhername。DominicandDeMontfortdidnot，atleast，murderandtorturefordifferencesofopinionwhichtheyconsideredastrifling。Itwastostopaninfectionwhich，astheybelieved，hurriedtocertainperditioneverysoulwhichitseized，thattheyemployedtheirfireandsteel。ThemeasuresoftheEnglishgovernmentwithrespecttothePapistsandPuritanssprangfromawidelydifferentprinciple。IfthosewhodenythatthefoundersoftheChurchwereguiltyofreligiouspersecutionmeanonlythatthefoundersoftheChurchwerenotinfluencedbyanyreligiousmotive，weperfectlyagreewiththem。NeitherthepenalcodeofElizabeth，northemorehatefulsystembywhichCharlestheSecondattemptedtoforceEpiscopacyontheScotch，hadanoriginsonoble。ThecauseistobesoughtinsomecircumstanceswhichattendedtheReformationinEngland，circumstancesofwhichtheeffectslongcontinuedtobefelt，andmayinsomedegreebetracedevenatthepresentday。

InGermany，inFrance，inSwitzerland，andinScotland，thecontestagainstthePapalpowerwasessentiallyareligiouscontest。Inallthosecountries，indeed，thecauseoftheReformation，likeeveryothergreatcause，attractedtoitselfmanysupportersinfluencedbynoconscientiousprinciple，manywhoquittedtheEstablishedChurchonlybecausetheythoughtherindanger，manywhowerewearyofherrestraints，andmanywhoweregreedyforherspoils。Butitwasnotbytheseadherentsthattheseparationwasthereconducted。Theywerewelcomeauxiliaries；theirsupportwastoooftenpurchasedbyunworthycompliances；but，howeverexaltedinrankorpower，theywerenottheleadersintheenterprise。Menofawidelydifferentdescription，menwhoredeemedgreatinfirmitiesanderrorsbysincerity，disinterestedness，energyandcourage，menwho，withmanyofthevicesofrevolutionarychiefsandofpolemicdivines，unitedsomeofthehighestqualitiesofapostles，weretherealdirectors。Theymightbeviolentininnovationandscurrilousincontroversy。Theymightsometimesactwithinexcusableseveritytowardsopponents，andsometimesconnivedisreputablyatthevicesofpowerfulallies。Butfearwasnotinthem，norhypocrisy，noravarice，noranypettyselfishness。Theironegreatobjectwasthedemolitionoftheidolsandthepurificationofthesanctuary。Iftheyweretooindulgenttothefailingsofeminentmenfromwhosepatronagetheyexpectedadvantagetothechurch，theyneverflinchedbeforepersecutingtyrantsandhostilearmies。Forthattheologicalsystemtowhichtheysacrificedthelivesofotherswithoutscruple，theywerereadytothrowawaytheirownliveswithoutfear。SuchweretheauthorsofthegreatschismontheContinentandinthenorthernpartofthisisland。TheElectorofSaxonyandtheLandgraveofHesse，thePrinceofCondeandtheKingofNavarre，theEarlofMorayandtheEarlofMorton，mightespousetheProtestantopinions，ormightpretendtoespousethem；butitwasfromLuther，fromCalvin，fromKnox，thattheReformationtookitscharacter。

Englandhasnosuchnamestoshow；notthatshewantedmenofsincerepiety，ofdeeplearning，ofsteadyandadventurouscourage。Butthesewerethrownintothebackground。Elsewheremenofthischaracterweretheprincipals。Heretheyactedasecondarypart。Elsewhereworldlinesswasthetoolofzeal。Herezealwasthetoolofworldliness。AKing，whosecharactermaybebestdescribedbysayingthathewasdespotismitselfpersonified，unprincipledministers，arapacious，aristocracy，aservileParliament，suchweretheinstrumentsbywhichEnglandwasdeliveredfromtheyokeofRome。TheworkwhichhadbeenbegunbyHenry，themurdererofhiswives，wascontinuedbySomerset，themurdererofhisbrother，andcompletedbyElizabeth，themurdererofherguest。Sprungfrombrutalpassion，nurturedbyselfishpolicy，theReformationinEnglanddisplayedlittleofwhathad，inothercountries，distinguishedit；

unflinchingandunsparingdevotion，boldnessofspeech，andsinglenessofeye。Thesewereindeedtobefound；butitwasinthelowerranksofthepartywhichopposedtheauthorityofRome，insuchmenasHooper，Latimer，Rogers，andTaylor。OfthosewhohadanyimportantshareinbringingtheReformationabout，Ridleywasperhapstheonlypersonwhodidnotconsideritasamerepoliticaljob。EvenRidleydidnotplayaveryprominentpart。

Amongthestatesmenandprelateswhoprincipallygavethetonetothereligiouschanges，thereisone，andoneonly，whoseconductpartialityitselfcanattributetoanyotherthaninterestedmotives。Itisnotstrange，therefore，thathischaractershouldhavebeenthesubjectoffiercecontroversy。WeneednotsaythatwespeakofCranmer。

Mr。Hallamhasbeenseverelycensuredforsayingwithhisusualplacidseverity，that，"ifweweighthecharacterofthisprelateinanequalbalance，hewillappearfarindeedremovedfromtheturpitudeimputedtohim，byhisenemies；yetnotentitledtoanyextraordinaryveneration。"WewillventuretoexpandthesenseofMr。Hallam，andtocommentonitthus:——IfweconsiderCranmermerelyasastatesman，hewillnotappearamuchworsemanthanWolsey，Gardiner，Cromwell，orSomerset。But，whenanattemptismadetosethimupasasaint，itisscarcelypossibleforanymanofsensewhoknowsthehistoryofthetimestopreservehisgravity。Ifthememoryofthearchbishophadbeenlefttofinditsownplace，hewouldhavesoonbeenlostamongthecrowdwhichismingled"AquelcattivocoroDegliangeli，chenonfuronribelli，NefurfedeliaDio，perseforo。"

Andtheonlynoticewhichitwouldhavebeennecessarytotakeofhisnamewouldhavebeen"Nonragioniamdilui；maguarda，epassa。"

But，sincehisadmirerschallengeforhimaplaceinthenoblearmyofmartyrs，hisclaimsrequirefullerdiscussion。

Theoriginofhisgreatness，commonenoughinthescandalouschroniclesofcourts，seemsstrangelyoutofplaceinahagiology。CranmerroseintofavourbyservingHenryinthedisgracefulaffairofhisfirstdivorce。HepromotedthemarriageofAnneBoleynwiththeKing。Onafrivolouspretencehepronouncedthatmarriagenullandvoid。Onapretence，ifpossiblestillmorefrivolous，hedissolvedthetieswhichboundtheshamelesstyranttoAnneofCleves。HeattachedhimselftoCromwellwhilethefortunesofCromwellflourished。

HevotedforcuttingoffCromwell’sheadwithoutatrial，whenthetideofroyalfavourturned。HeconformedbackwardsandforwardsastheKingchangedhismind。Heassisted，whileHenrylived，incondemningtotheflamesthosewhodeniedthedoctrineoftransubstantiation。Hefoundout，assoonasHenrywasdead，thatthedoctrinewasfalse。

Hewas，however，notatalossforpeopletoburn。Theauthorityofhisstationandofhisgreyhairswasemployedtoovercomethedisgustwithwhichanintelligentandvirtuouschildregardedpersecution。Intoleranceisalwaysbad。Butthesanguinaryintoleranceofamanwhothuswaveredinhiscreedexcitesaloathing，towhichitisdifficulttogiveventwithoutcallingfoulnames。Equallyfalsetopoliticalandtoreligiousobligations，theprimatewasfirstthetoolofSomerset，andthenthetoolofNorthumberland。WhentheProtectorwishedtoputhisownbrothertodeath，withouteventhesemblanceofatrial，hefoundareadyinstrumentinCranmer。Inspiteofthecanonlaw，whichforbadeachurchmantotakeanypartinmattersofblood，thearchbishopsignedthewarrantfortheatrocioussentence。

WhenSomersethadbeeninhisturndestroyed，hisdestroyerreceivedthesupportofCranmerinawickedattempttochangethecourseofthesuccession。

Theapologymadeforhimbyhisadmirersonlyrendershisconductmorecontemptible。Hecomplied，itissaid，againsthisbetterjudgment，becausehecouldnotresisttheentreatiesofEdward。A

holyprelateofsixty，onewouldthink，mightbebetteremployedbythebedsideofadyingchild，thanincommittingcrimesattherequestoftheyoungdisciple。IfCranmerhadshownhalfasmuchfirmnesswhenEdwardrequestedhimtocommittreasonashehadbeforeshownwhenEdwardrequestedhimnottocommitmurder，hemighthavesavedthecountryfromoneofthegreatestmisfortunesthatiteverunderwent。Hebecame，fromwhatevermotive，theaccompliceoftheworthlessDudley。Thevirtuousscruplesofanotheryoungandamiablemindweretobeovercome。AsEdwardhadbeenforcedintopersecution，Janewastobeseducedintotreason。Notransactioninourannalsismoreunjustifiablethanthis。Ifahereditarytitleweretoberespected，Marypossessedit。Ifaparliamentarytitlewerepreferable，Marypossessedthatalso。IftheinterestoftheProtestantreligionrequiredadeparturefromtheordinaryruleofsuccession，thatinterestwouldhavebeenbestservedbyraisingElizabethtothethrone。

Iftheforeignrelationsofthekingdomwereconsidered，stillstrongerreasonsmightbefoundforpreferringElizabethtoJane。

TherewasgreatdoubtwhetherJaneortheQueenofScotlandhadthebetterclaim；andthatdoubtwould，inallprobability，haveproducedawarbothwithScotlandandwithFrance，iftheprojectofNorthumberlandhadnotbeenblastedinitsinfancy。ThatElizabethhadabetterclaimthantheQueenofScotlandwasindisputable。TothepartwhichCranmer，andunfortunatelysomebettermenthanCranmer，tookinthismostreprehensiblescheme，muchoftheseveritywithwhichtheProtestantswereafterwardstreatedmustinfairnessbeascribed。

Theplotfailed；Poperytriumphed；andCranmerrecanted。Mostpeoplelookonhisrecantationasasingleblemishonanhonourablelife，thefrailtyofanunguardedmoment。But，infact，hisrecantationwasinstrictaccordancewiththesystemonwhichhehadconstantlyacted。Itwaspartofaregularhabit。Itwasnotthefirstrecantationthathehadmade；and，inallprobability，ifithadanswereditspurpose，itwouldnothavebeenthelast。Wedonotblamehimfornotchoosingtobeburnedalive。Itisnoveryseverereproachtoanypersonthathedoesnotpossessheroicfortitude。Butsurelyamanwholikedthefiresolittleshouldhavehadsomesympathyforothers。Apersecutorwhoinflictsnothingwhichheisnotreadytoenduredeservessomerespect。Butwhenamanwholoveshisdoctrinesmorethanthelivesofhisneighbours，loveshisownlittlefingerbetterthanhisdoctrines，averysimpleargumentafortioriwillenableustoestimatetheamountofhisbenevolence。

Buthismartyrdom，itissaid，redeemedeverything。ItisextraordinarythatsomuchignoranceshouldexistonthissubjectThefactisthat，ifamartyrbeamanwhochoosestodieratherthantorenouncehisopinions，CranmerwasnomoreamartyrthanDr。Dodd。Hediedsolelybecausehecouldnothelpit。Heneverretractedhisrecantationtillhefoundhehadmadeitinvain。

TheQueenwasfullyresolvedthat，CatholicorProtestant，heshouldburn。Thenhespokeout，aspeoplegenerallyspeakoutwhentheyareatthepointofdeathandhavenothingtohopeortofearonearth。IfMaryhadsufferedhimtolive，wesuspectthathewouldhaveheardmassandreceivedabsolution，likeagoodCatholic，tilltheaccessionofElizabeth，andthathewouldthenhavepurchased，byanotherapostasy，thepowerofburningmenbetterandbraverthanhimself。

Wedonotmean，however，torepresenthimasamonsterofwickedness。Hewasnotwantonlycruelortreacherous，Hewasmerelyasupple，timid，interestedcourtier，intimesoffrequentandviolentchange。Thatwhichhasalwaysbeenrepresentedashisdistinguishingvirtue，thefacilitywithwhichheforgavehisenemies，belongstothecharacter。Slavesofhisclassarenevervindictive，andnevergrateful。Apresentinteresteffacespastservicesandpastinjuriesfromtheirmindstogether。Theironlyobjectisself—preservation；andforthistheyconciliatethosewhowrongthem，justastheyabandonthosewhoservethem。Beforeweextolamanforhisforgivingtemper，weshouldinquirewhetherheisaboverevenge，orbelowit。

Somersethadaslittleprincipleashiscoadjutor。OfHenry，anorthodoxCatholic，exceptthathechosetobehisownPope，andofElizabeth，whocertainlyhadnoobjectiontothetheologyofRome，weneedsaynothing。ThesefourpersonswerethegreatauthorsoftheEnglishReformation。Threeofthemhadadirectinterestintheextensionoftheroyalprerogative。Thefourthwasthereadytoolofanywhocouldfrightenhim。Itisnotdifficulttoseefromwhatmotives，andonwhatplan，suchpersonswouldbeinclinedtoremodeltheChurch。TheschemewasmerelytotransferthefullcupofsorceriesfromtheBabylonianenchantresstootherhands，spillingaslittleaspossiblebytheway。TheCatholicdoctrinesandritesweretoberetainedintheChurchofEngland。ButtheKingwastoexercisethecontrolwhichhadformerlybelongedtotheRomanPontiff。InthisHenryforatimesucceeded。Theextraordinaryforceofhischaracter，thefortunatesituationinwhichhestoodwithrespecttoforeignpowers，andthevastresourceswhichthesuppressionofthemonasteriesplacedathisdisposal，enabledhimtooppressboththereligiousfactionsequally。HepunishedwithimpartialseveritythosewhorenouncedthedoctrinesofRome，andthosewhoacknowledgedherjurisdiction。Thebasis，however，onwhichheattemptedtoestablishhispowerwastoonarrowtobedurable。Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleevenforhimlongtopersecutebothpersuasions。EvenunderhisreigntherehadbeeninsurrectionsonthepartoftheCatholics，andsignsofaspiritwhichwaslikelysoontoproduceinsurrectiononthepartoftheProtestants。Itwasplainlynecessary，therefore，thattheCrownshouldformanalliancewithoneorwiththeotherside。TorecognisethePapalsupremacy，wouldhavebeentoabandonthewholedesign。

ReluctantlyandsullenlythegovernmentatlastjoinedtheProtestants。Informingthisjunction，itsobjectwastoprocureasmuchaidaspossibleforitsselfishundertaking，andtomakethesmallestpossibleconcessionstothespiritofreligiousinnovation。

FromthiscompromisetheChurchofEnglandsprang。Inmanyrespects，indeed，ithasbeenwellforherthat，inanageofexuberantzeal，herprincipalfoundersweremerepoliticians。Tothiscircumstancesheoweshermoderatearticles，herdecentceremonies，hernobleandpatheticliturgy。Herworshipisnotdisfiguredbymummery。Yetshehaspreserved，inafargreaterdegreethananyofherProtestantsisters，thatartofstrikingthesensesandfillingtheimaginationinwhichtheCatholicChurchsoeminentlyexcels。But，ontheotherhand，shecontinuedtobe，formorethanahundredandfiftyyears，theservilehandmaidofmonarchy，thesteadyenemyofpublicliberty。Thedivinerightofkings，andthedutyofpassivelyobeyingalltheircommands，wereherfavouritetenets。Sheheldthosetenetsfirmlythroughtimesofoppression，persecution，andlicentiousness；whilelawwastrampleddown；whilejudgmentwasperverted；whilethepeoplewereeatenasthoughtheywerebread。

Once，andbutonce，foramoment，andbutforamoment，whenherowndignityandpropertyweretouched，sheforgottopractisethesubmissionwhichshehadtaught。

Elizabethclearlydiscernedtheadvantageswhichweretobederivedfromacloseconnectionbetweenthemonarchyandthepriesthood。Atthetimeofheraccession，indeed，sheevidentlymeditatedapartialreconciliationwithRome；and，throughoutherwholelife，sheleanedstronglytosomeofthemostobnoxiouspartsoftheCatholicsystem。Butherimperioustemper，herkeensagacity，andherpeculiarsituation，soonledhertoattachherselfcompletelytoachurchwhichwasallherown。Onthesameprincipleonwhichshejoinedit，sheattemptedtodriveallherpeoplewithinitspalebypersecution。Shesupporteditbyseverepenallaws，notbecauseshethoughtconformitytoitsdisciplinenecessarytosalvation；butbecauseitwasthefastnesswhicharbitrarypowerwasmakingstrongforitself，becausesheexpectedamoreprofoundobediencefromthosewhosawinherboththeircivilandtheirecclesiasticalchiefthanfromthosewho，likethePapists，ascribedspiritualauthoritytothePope，orfromthosewho，likesomeofthePuritans，ascribeditonlytoHeaven。Todissentfromherestablishmentwastodissentfromaninstitutionfoundedwithanexpressviewtothemaintenanceandextensionoftheroyalprerogative。

ThisgreatQueenandhersuccessors，byconsideringconformityandloyaltyasidenticalatlengthmadethemso。WithrespecttotheCatholics，indeed，therigourofpersecutionabatedafterherdeath。Jamessoonfoundthattheywereunabletoinjurehim，andthattheanimositywhichthePuritanpartyfelttowardsthemdrovethemofnecessitytotakerefugeunderhisthrone。Duringthesubsequentconflict，theirfaultwasanythingbutdisloyalty。

Ontheotherhand，JameshatedthePuritanswithmorethanthehatredofElizabeth。Heraversiontothemwaspolitical；hiswaspersonal。ThesecthadplaguedhiminScotland，wherehewasweak；andhewasdeterminedtobeevenwiththeminEngland，wherehewaspowerful。Persecutiongraduallychangedasectintoafaction。ThattherewasanythinginthereligiousopinionsofthePuritanswhichrenderedthemhostiletomonarchyhasneverbeenprovedtooursatisfaction。Afterourcivilcontests，itbecamethefashiontosaythatPresbyterianismwasconnectedwithRepublicanism；justasithasbeenthefashiontosay，sincethetimeoftheFrenchRevolution，thatInfidelityisconnectedwithRepublicanism。ItisperfectlytruethatachurchconstitutedontheCalvinisticmodelwillnotstrengthenthehandsofthesovereignsomuchasahierarchywhichconsistsofseveralranks，differingindignityandemolument，andofwhichallthemembersareconstantlylookingtotheGovernmentforpromotion。ButexperiencehasclearlyshownthataCalvinisticchurch，likeeveryotherchurch，isdisaffectedwhenitispersecuted，quietwhenitistolerated，andactivelyloyalwhenitisfavouredandcherished。ScotlandhashadaPresbyterianestablishmentduringacenturyandahalf。YetherGeneralAssemblyhasnot，duringthatperiod，givenhalfsomuchtroubletothegovernmentastheConvocationoftheChurchofEnglandgaveduringthethirtyyearswhichfollowedtheRevolution。ThatJamesandCharlesshouldhavebeenmistakeninthispointisnotsurprising。Butweareastonished，wemustconfess，thatmenofourowntime，menwhohavebeforethemtheproofofwhattolerationcaneffect，menwhomayseewiththeirowneyesthatthePresbyteriansarenosuchmonsterswhengovernmentiswiseenoughtoletthemalone，shoulddefendthepersecutionsofthesixteenthandseventeenthcenturiesasindispensabletothesafetyofthechurchandthethrone。

Howpersecutionprotectschurchesandthroneswassoonmademanifest。Asystematicpoliticalopposition，vehement，daring，andinflexible，sprangfromaschismabouttrifles，altogetherunconnectedwiththerealinterestsofreligionorofthestate。

BeforethecloseofthereignofElizabeththisoppositionbegantoshowitself。Itbrokeforthonthequestionofthemonopolies。

EventheimperialLionesswascompelledtoabandonherprey，andslowlyandfiercelytorecedebeforetheassailants。Thespiritoflibertygrewwiththegrowingwealthandintelligenceofthepeople。ThefeeblestrugglesandinsultsofJamesirritatedinsteadofsuppressingit；andtheeventswhichimmediatelyfollowedtheaccessionofhissonportendedacontestofnocommonseverity，betweenakingresolvedtobeabsolute，andapeopleresolvedtobefree。

ThefamousproceedingsofthethirdParliamentofCharles，andthetyrannicalmeasureswhichfolloweditsdissolution，areextremelywelldescribedbyMr。Hallam。Nowriter，wethink，hasshown，insoclearandsatisfactoryamanner，thattheGovernmentthenentertainedafixedpurposeofdestroyingtheoldparliamentaryconstitutionofEngland，oratleastofreducingittoamereshadow。Wehasten，however，toapartofhisworkwhich，thoughitaboundsinvaluableinformationandinremarkswelldeservingtobeattentivelyconsidered，andthoughitis，liketherest，evidentlywritteninaspiritofperfectimpartiality，appearstous，inmanypoints，objectionable。

Wepasstotheyear1640。ThefateoftheshortParliamentheldinthatyearclearlyindicatedtheviewsoftheking。ThataParliamentsomoderateinfeelingshouldhavemetaftersomanyyearsofoppressionistrulywonderful。Hydeextolsitsloyalandconciliatoryspirit。Itsconduct，wearetold，madetheexcellentFalklandinlovewiththeverynameofParliament。Wethink，indeed，withOliverSt。John，thatitsmoderationwascarriedtoofar，andthatthetimesrequiredsharperandmoredecidedcouncils。Itwasfortunate，however，thatthekinghadanotheropportunityofshowingthathatredofthelibertiesofhissubjectswhichwastherulingprincipleofallhisconduct。ThesolecrimeoftheCommonswasthat，meetingafteralongintermissionofparliaments，andafteralongseriesofcrueltiesandillegalimposts，theyseemedinclinedtoexaminegrievancesbeforetheywouldvotesupplies。Forthisinsolencetheyweredissolvedalmostassoonastheymet。

Defeat，universalagitation，financialembarrassments，disorganisationineverypartofthegovernment，compelledCharlesagaintoconvenetheHousesbeforethecloseofthesameyear。Theirmeetingwasoneofthegreaterasinthehistoryofthecivilisedworld。WhateverofpoliticalfreedomexistseitherinEuropeorinAmericahassprung，directlyorindirectly，fromthoseinstitutionswhichtheysecuredandreformed。Weneverturntotheannalsofthosetimeswithoutfeelingincreasedadmirationofthepatriotism，theenergy，thedecision，theconsummatewisdom，whichmarkedthemeasuresofthatgreatParliament，fromthedayonwhichitmettothecommencementofcivilhostilities。

TheimpeachmentofStraffordwasthefirst，andperhapsthegreatestblow。ThewholeconductofthatcelebratedmanprovedthathehadformedadeliberateschemetosubvertthefundamentallawsofEngland。Thosepartsofhiscorrespondencewhichhavebeenbroughttolightsincehisdeath，placethematterbeyondadoubt。Oneofhisadmirershas，indeed，offeredtoshow"thatthepassageswhichMr。HallamhasinvidiouslyextractedfromthecorrespondencebetweenLaudandStrafford，asprovingtheirdesigntointroduceathoroughtyranny，refernottoanysuchdesign，buttoathoroughreformintheaffairsofstate，andthethoroughmaintenanceofjustauthority。"Wewillrecommendtwoorthreeofthesepassagestotheespecialnoticeofourreaders。

Allwhoknowanythingofthosetimes，knowthattheconductofHampdenintheaffairoftheship—moneymetwiththewarmapprobationofeveryrespectableRoyalistinEngland。ItdrewforththeardenteulogiesofthechampionsoftheprerogativeandevenoftheCrownlawyersthemselves。ClarendonallowsHampden’sdemeanourthroughthewholeproceedingtohavebeensuch，thateventhosewhowatchedforanoccasionagainstthedefenderofthepeople，werecompelledtoacknowledgethemselvesunabletofindanyfaultinhim。Thathewasrightinthepointoflawisnowuniversallyadmitted。Evenhaditbeenotherwise，hehadafaircase。Fiveofthejudges，servileasourCourtsthenwere，pronouncedinhisfavour。Themajorityagainsthimwasthesmallestpossible。Innocountryretainingtheslightestvestigeofconstitutionallibertycanamodestanddecentappealtothelawsbetreatedasacrime。Strafford，however，recommendsthat，fortakingthesenseofalegaltribunalonalegalquestion，Hampdenshouldbepunished，andpunishedseverely，"whipt，"saystheinsolentapostate，"whiptintohissenses。Iftherod，"headds，"besousedthatitsmartsnot，Iamthemoresorry。"Thisisthemaintenanceofjustauthority。

Incivilisednations，themostarbitrarygovernmentshavegenerallysufferedjusticetohaveafreecourseinprivatesuits。Stratfordwishedtomakeeverycauseineverycourtsubjecttotheroyalprerogative。HecomplainedthatinIrelandhewasnotpermittedtomeddleincasesbetweenpartyandparty。

"Iknowverywell，"sayshe，"thatthecommonlawyerswillbepassionatelyagainstit，whoarewonttoputsuchaprejudiceuponallotherprofessions，asifnoneweretobetrusted，orcapabletoadministerjustice，butthemselves:yethowwellthissuitswithmonarchy，whentheymonopolisealltobegovernedbytheiryear—books，youinEnglandhaveacostlyexample。"Wearereallycurioustoknowbywhatargumentsitistobeproved，thatthepowerofinterferinginthelaw—suitsofindividualsispartofthejustauthorityoftheexecutivegovernment。

Itisnotstrangethatamansocarelessofthecommoncivilrights，whichevendespotshavegenerallyrespected，shouldtreatwithscornthelimitationswhichtheconstitutionimposesontheroyalprerogative。Wemightquotepages:butwewillcontentourselveswithasinglespecimen:"ThedebtsoftheCrownbeingtakenoff，youmaygovernasyouplease:andmostresoluteIamthatmaybedonewithoutborrowinganyhelpforthoftheKing’slodgings。"

SuchwasthetheoryofthatthoroughreforminthestatewhichStraffordmeditated。Hiswholepractice，fromthedayonwhichhesoldhimselftothecourt，wasinstrictconformitytohistheory。Forhisaccomplicesvariousexcusesmaybeurged；

ignorance，imbecility，religiousbigotry。ButWentworthhadnosuchplea。Hisintellectwascapacious。Hisearlyprepossessionswereonthesideofpopularrights。Heknewthewholebeautyandvalueofthesystemwhichheattemptedtodeface。HewasthefirstoftheRats，thefirstofthosestatesmenwhosepatriotismhasbeenonlythecoquetryofpoliticalprostitution，andwhoseprofligacyhastaughtgovernmentstoadopttheoldmaximoftheslave—market，thatitischeapertobuythantobreed，toimportdefendersfromanOppositionthantoreartheminaMinistry。HewasthefirstEnglishmantowhomapeeragewasasacramentofinfamy，abaptismintothecommunionofcorruption。Ashewastheearliestofthehatefullist，sowashealsobyfarthegreatest；

eloquent，sagacious，adventurous，intrepid，readyofinvention，immutableofpurpose，ineverytalentwhichexaltsordestroysnationspre—eminent，thelostArchangel，theSatanoftheapostasy。Thetitleforwhich，atthetimeofhisdesertion，heexchangedanamehonourablydistinguishedinthecauseofthepeople，remindsusoftheappellationwhich，fromthemomentofthefirsttreason，fixeditselfonthefallenSonoftheMorning，"Satan；——socallhimnow——HisformernameIsheardnomoreinheaven。"

ThedefectionofStraffordfromthepopularpartycontributedmainlytodrawonhimthehatredofhiscontemporaries。Ithassincemadehimanobjectofpeculiarinteresttothosewhoseliveshavebeenspent，likehis，inprovingthatthereisnomalicelikethemaliceofarenegade；Nothingcanbemorenaturalorbecomingthanthatoneturncoatshouldeulogizeanother。

Manyenemiesofpubliclibertyhavebeendistinguishedbytheirprivatevirtues。ButStraffordwasthesamethroughout。Aswasthestatesman，suchwasthekinsmanandsuchthelover。HisconducttowardsLordMountmorrisisrecordedbyClarendon。Forawordwhichcanscarcelybecalledrash，whichcouldnothavebeenmadethesubjectofanordinarycivilaction，theLordLieutenantdraggedamanofhighrank，marriedtoarelativeofthatsaintaboutwhomhewhimperedtothepeers，beforeatribunalofslaves。Sentenceofdeathwaspassed。Everythingbutdeathwasinflicted。YetthetreatmentwhichLordElyexperiencedwasstillmorescandalous。Thatnoblemanwasthrownintoprison，inordertocompelhimtosettlehisestateinamanneragreeabletohisdaughter—in—law，whom，asthereiseveryreasontobelieve，Straffordhaddebauched。Thesestoriesdonotrestonvaguereport。Thehistoriansmostpartialtotheministeradmittheirtruth，andcensurethemintermswhich，thoughtoolenientfortheoccasion，axestillsevere。ThesefactsarealonesufficienttojustifytheappellationwithwhichPymbrandedhim"thewickedEarl。"

InspiteofallStrafford’svices，inspiteofallhisdangerousprojects，hewascertainlyentitledtothebenefitofthelaw；

butofthelawinallitsrigour；ofthelawaccordingtotheutmoststrictnessoftheletter，whichkilleth。Hewasnottobetorninpiecesbyamob，orstabbedinthebackbyanassassin。

Hewasnottohavepunishmentmetedouttohimfromhisowniniquitousmeasure。Butifjustice，inthewholerangeofitswidearmoury，containedoneweaponwhichcouldpiercehim，thatweaponhispursuerswerebound，beforeGodandman，toemploy。

"IfhemayFindmercyinthelaw，’tishis:ifnone，Lethimnotseek’tofus。"

SuchwasthelanguagewhichtheCommonsmightjustlyuse。

DidthenthearticlesagainstStraffordstrictlyamounttohightreason？Manypeople，whoknowneitherwhatthearticleswere，norwhathightreasonis，willanswerinthenegative，simplybecausetheaccusedperson，speakingforhislife，tookthatgroundofdefence。ThejournalsoftheLordsshowthatthejudgeswereconsulted。Theyanswered，withoneaccord，thatthearticlesonwhichtheearlwasconvictedamountedtohightreason。Thisjudicialopinion，evenifwesupposeittohavebeenerroneous，goesfartojustifytheParliament。ThejudgmentpronouncedintheExchequerChamberhasalwaysbeenurgedbytheapologistsofCharlesindefenceofhisconductrespectingship—money。Yetonthatoccasiontherewasbutabaremajorityinfavourofthepartyatwhosepleasureallthemagistratescomposingthetribunalwereremovable。ThedecisioninthecaseofStraffordwasunanimous；asfaraswecanjudge，itwasunbiassed；and，thoughtheremayberoomforhesitation，wethink，onthewhole，thatitwasreasonable。"Itmayberemarked，"saysMr。Hallam，"thatthefifteentharticleoftheimpeachment，chargingStraffordwithraisingmoneybyhisownauthority，andquarteringtroopsonthepeopleofIreland，inordertocompeltheirobediencetohisunlawfulrequisitions，uponwhich，andupononeotherarticle，notuponthewholematter，thePeersvotedhimguilty，does，atleast，approachverynearly，ifwemaynotsaymore，toasubstantivetreasonwithinthestatuteofEdwardtheThird，asalevyingofwaragainsttheKing。"Thismostsoundandjustexpositionhasprovokedaveryridiculousreply。"ItshouldseemtobeanIrishconstructionthis，"says，anassailantofMr。

Hallam，"whichmakestheraisingmoneyfortheKing’sservice，withhisknowledge，andbyhisapprobation，tocomeundertheheadoflevyingwarontheKing，andthereforetobehightreason。"Now，peoplewhoundertaketowriteonpointsofconstitutionallawshouldknow，whateveryattorney’sclerkandeveryforwardschoolboyonanupperformknows，that，byafundamentalmaximofourpolity，theKingcandonowrong；thateverycourtisboundtosupposehisconductandhissentimentstobe，oneveryoccasion，suchastheyoughttobe；andthatnoevidencecanbereceivedforthepurposeofsettingasidethisloyalandsalutarypresumption。TheLordstherefore，wereboundtotakeitforgrantedthattheKingconsideredarmswhichwereunlawfullydirectedagainsthispeopleasdirectedagainsthisownthrone。

TheremarksofMr。Hallamonthebillofattainder，though，asusual，weightyandacute，donotperfectlysatisfyus。Hedefendstheprinciple，butobjectstotheseverityofthepunishment。

That，ongreatemergencies，theStatemayjustifiablypassaretrospectiveactagainstanoffender，wehavenodoubtwhatever。

Weareacquaintedwithonlyoneargumentontheotherside，whichhasinitenoughofreasontobearananswer。Warning，itissaid，istheendofpunishment。Butapunishmentinflicted，notbyageneralrule，butbyanarbitrarydiscretion，cannotservethepurposeofawarning。Itisthereforeuseless；anduselesspainoughtnottobeinflicted。Thissophismhasfounditswayintoseveralbooksonpenallegislation。Itadmitshoweverofaverysimplerefutation。Inthefirstplace，punishmentsexpostfactoarenotaltogetheruselessevenaswarnings。Theyarewarningstoaparticularclasswhichstandingreatneedofwarningstofavouritesandministers。Theyremindpersonsofthisdescriptionthattheremaybeadayofreckoningforthosewhoruinandenslavetheircountryinallformsofthelaw。Butthisisnotall。Warningis，inordinarycases，theprincipalendofpunishment；butitisnottheonlyend。Toremovetheoffender，topreservesocietyfromthosedangerswhicharetobeapprehendedfromhisincorrigibledepravity，isoftenoneoftheends。InthecaseofsuchaknaveasWild，orsucharuffianasThurtell，itisaveryimportantend。Inthecaseofapowerfulandwickedstatesman，itisinfinitelymoreimportant；soimportant，asalonetojustifytheutmostseverity，eventhoughitwerecertainthathisfatewouldnotdeterothersfromimitatinghisexample。Atpresent，indeed，weshouldthinkitextremelypernicioustotakesuchacourse，evenwithaworseministerthanStrafford，ifaworsecouldexist；for，atpresent，ParliamenthasonlytowithholditssupportfromaCabinettoproduceanimmediatechangeofhands。ThecasewaswidelydifferentinthereignofCharlestheFirst。ThatPrincehadgovernedduringelevenyearswithoutanyParliament；and，evenwhenParliamentwassitting，hadsupportedBuckinghamagainstitsmostviolentremonstrances。

Mr。Hallamisofopinionthatabillofpainsandpenaltiesoughttohavebeenpassed；buthedrawsadistinctionlessjust，wethink，thanhisdistinctionsusuallyare。Hisopinion，sofaraswecancollectit，isthis，thattherearealmostinsurmountableobjectionstoretrospectivelawsforcapitalpunishment，butthat，wherethepunishmentstopsshortofdeath，theobjectionsarecomparativelytrifling。Nowthepracticeoftakingtheseverityofthepenaltyintoconsideration，whenthequestionisaboutthemodeofprocedureandtherulesofevidence，isnodoubtsufficientlycommon。Weoftenseeamanconvictedofasimplelarcenyonevidenceonwhichhewouldnotbeconvictedofaburglary。Itsometimeshappensthatajury，whenthereisstrongsuspicion，butnotabsolutedemonstration，thatanact，unquestionablyamountingtomurder，wascommittedbytheprisonerbeforethem，willfindhimguiltyofmanslaughter。Butthisissurelyveryirrational。Therulesofevidencenomoredependonthemagnitudeoftheinterestsatstakethantherulesofarithmetic。Wemightaswellsaythatwehaveagreaterchanceofthrowingasizewhenweareplayingforapennythanwhenweareplayingforathousandpounds，asthataformoftrialwhichissufficientforthepurposesofjustice，inamatteraffectinglibertyandproperty，isinsufficientinamatteraffectinglife。

Nay，ifamodeofproceedingbetoolaxforcapitalcases，itis，afortiori，toolaxforallothers；forincapitalcases，theprinciplesofhumannaturewillalwaysaffordconsiderablesecurity。Nojudgeissocruelashewhoindemnifieshimselfforscrupulosityincasesofblood，bylicenceinaffairsofsmallerimportance。Thedifferenceintaleontheonesidefarmorethanmakesupforthedifferenceinweightontheother。

Iftherebeanyuniversalobjectiontoretrospectivepunishment，thereisnomoretobesaid。ButsuchisnottheopinionofMr。

Hallam。Heapprovesofthemodeofproceeding。Hethinksthatapunishment，notpreviouslyaffixedbylawtotheoffencesofStrafford，shouldhavebeeninflicted；thatStraffordshouldhavebeen，byactofParliament，degradedfromhisrank，andcondemnedtoperpetualbanishment。Ourdifficultywouldhavebeenatthefirststep，andthereonly。Indeedwecanscarcelyconceivethatanycasewhichdoesnotcallforcapitalpunishmentcancallforpunishmentbyaretrospectiveact。Wecanscarcelyconceiveamansowickedandsodangerousthatthewholecourseoflawmustbedisturbedinordertoreachhim，yetnotsowickedastodeservetheseverestsentence，norsodangerousastorequirethelastandsurestcustody，thatofthegrave。IfwehadthoughtthatStraffordmightbesafelysufferedtoliveinFrance，weshouldhavethoughtitbetterthatheshouldcontinuetoliveinEngland，thanthatheshouldbeexiledbyaspecialact。Astodegradation，itwasnottheEarl，butthegeneralandthestatesman，whomthepeoplehadtofear。Essexsaid，onthatoccasion，withmoretruththanelegance，"Stonedeadhathnofellow。"AndoftenduringthecivilwarstheParliamenthadreasontorejoicethatanirreversiblelawandanimpassablebarrierprotectedthemfromthevalourandcapacityofWentworth。

ItisremarkablethatneitherHydenorFalklandvotedagainstthebillofattainder。Thereis，indeed，reasontobelievethatFalklandspokeinfavourofit。Inonerespect，asMr。Hallamhasobserved，theproceedingwashonourablydistinguishedfromothersofthesamekind。AnactwaspassedtorelievethechildrenofStraffordfromtheforfeitureandcorruptionofbloodwhichwerethelegalconsequencesofthesentence。TheCrownhadnevershownequalgenerosityinacaseoftreason。TheliberalconductoftheCommonshasbeenfullyandmostappropriatelyrepaid。TheHouseofWentworthhassincethattimebeenasmuchdistinguishedbypublicspiritasbypowerandsplendour，andmayatthepresentmomentboastofmemberswithwhomSayandHampdenwouldhavebeenproudtoact。

ItissomewhatcuriousthattheadmirersofStraffordshouldalsobe，withoutasingleexception，theadmirersofCharles；for，whateverwemaythinkoftheconductoftheParliamenttowardstheunhappyfavourite，therecanbenodoubtthatthetreatmentwhichhereceivedfromhismasterwasdisgraceful。Faithlessaliketohispeopleandtohistools，theKingdidnotscrupletoplaythepartofthecowardlyapprover，whohangshisaccomplice。

ItisgoodthatthereshouldbesuchmenasCharlesineveryleagueofvillainy。Itisforsuchmenthattheofferofpardonandrewardwhichappearsafteramurderisintended。Theyareindemnified，remuneratedanddespised。Theverymagistratewhoavailshimselfoftheirassistancelooksonthemasmorecontemptiblethanthecriminalwhomtheybetray。WasStraffordinnocent？WasheameritoriousservantoftheCrown？Ifso，whatshallwethinkofthePrince，whohavingsolemnlypromisedhimthatnotahairofhisheadshouldbehurt，andpossessinganunquestionedconstitutionalrighttosavehim，gavehimuptothevengeanceofhisenemies？ThereweresomepointswhichweknowthatCharleswouldnotconcede，andforwhichhewaswillingtoriskthechancesofthecivilwar。OughtnotaKing，whowillmakeastandforanything，tomakeastandfortheinnocentblood？WasStraffordguilty？Evenonthissupposition，itisdifficultnottofeeldisdainforthepartnerofhisguilt，thetempterturnedpunisher。If，indeed，fromthattimeforth，theconductofCharleshadbeenblameless，itmighthavebeensaidthathiseyeswereatlastopenedtotheerrorsofhisformerconduct，andthat，insacrificingtothewishesofhisParliamentaministerwhosecrimehadbeenadevotiontoozealoustotheinterestsofhisprerogative，hegaveapainfulanddeeplyhumiliatingproofofthesincerityofhisrepentance。WemaydescribetheKing’sbehaviouronthisoccasionintermsresemblingthosewhichHumehasemployedwhenspeakingoftheconductofChurchillattheRevolution。ItrequiredeverafterthemostrigidjusticeandsincerityinthedealingsofCharleswithhispeopletovindicatehisconducttowardshisfriend。Hissubsequentdealingswithhispeople，however，clearlyshowed，thatitwasnotfromanyrespectfortheConstitution，orfromanysenseofthedeepcriminalityoftheplansinwhichStraffordandhimselfhadbeenengaged，thathegaveuphisministertotheaxe。Itbecameevidentthathehadabandonedaservantwho，deeplyguiltyastoallothers，wasguiltlesstohimalone，solelyinordertogaintimeformaturingotherschemesoftyranny，andpurchasingtheaidoftheotherWentworths。He，whowouldnotavailhimselfofthepowerwhichthelawsgavehimtosaveanadherenttowhomhishonourwaspledged，soonshowedthathedidnotscrupletobreakeverylawandforfeiteverypledge，inordertoworktheruinofhisopponents。

"Putnotyourtrustinprinces！"wastheexpressionofthefallenminister，whenheheardthatCharleshadconsentedtohisdeath。

Thewholehistoryofthetimesisasermononthatbittertext。

ThedefenceoftheLongParliamentiscomprisedinthedyingwordsofitsvictim。

TheearlymeasuresofthatParliamentMr。Hallamingeneralapproves。Butheconsiderstheproceedingswhichtookplaceaftertherecessinthesummerof1641asmischievousandviolent。Hethinksthat，fromthattime，thedemandsoftheHouseswerenotwarrantedbyanyimminentdangertotheConstitutionandthatinthewarwhichensuedtheywereclearlytheaggressors。Asthisisoneofthemostinterestingquestionsinourhistory，wewillventuretostate，atsomelength，thereasonswhichhaveledustoformanopiniononitcontrarytothatofawriterwhosejudgmentwesohighlyrespect。

WewillpremisethatwethinkworseofKingCharlestheFirstthanevenMr。Hallamappearstodo。ThefixedhatredoflibertywhichwastheprincipleoftheKing’spublicconducttheunscrupulousnesswithwhichheadoptedanymeanswhichmightenablehimtoattainhisends，thereadinesswithwhichhegavepromises，theimpudencewithwhichhebrokethem，thecruelindifferencewithwhichhethrewawayhisuselessordamagedtools，madehim，atleasttillhischaracterwasfullyexposed，andhispowershakentoitsfoundations，amoredangerousenemytotheConstitutionthanamanoffargreatertalentsandresolutionmighthavebeen。Suchprincesmaystillbeseen，thescandalsofthesouthernthronesofEurope，princesfalsealiketotheaccompliceswhohaveservedthemandtotheopponentswhohavesparedthem，princeswho，inthehourofdanger，concedeeverything，sweareverything，holdouttheircheekstoeverysmiter，giveuptopunishmenteveryinstrumentoftheirtyranny，andawaitwithmeekandsmilingimplacabilitytheblesseddayofperjuryandrevenge。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读