WewillpassbytheinstancesofoppressionandfalsehoodwhichdisgracedtheearlypartofthereignofCharles。WewillleaveoutofthequestionthewholehistoryofhisthirdParliament，thepricewhichheexactedforassentingtothePetitionofRight，theperfidywithwhichheviolatedhisengagements，thedeathofEliot，thebarbarouspunishmentsinflictedbytheStar—

Chamber，theship—money，andallthemeasuresnowuniversallycondemned，whichdisgracedhisadministrationfrom1630to1640。

WewilladmitthatitmightbethedutyoftheParliamentafterpunishingthemostguiltyofhiscreatures，afterabolishingtheinquisitorialtribunalswhichhadbeentheinstrumentsofhistyranny，afterreversingtheunjustsentencesofhisvictimstopauseinitscourse。Theconcessionswhichhadbeenmadeweregreat，theevilofcivilwarobvious，theadvantagesevenofvictorydoubtful。TheformererrorsoftheKingmightbeimputedtoyouth，tothepressureofcircumstances，totheinfluenceofevilcounsel，totheundefinedstateofthelaw。Wefirmlybelievethatif，evenatthiseleventhhour，Charleshadactedfairlytowardshispeople，ifhehadevenactedfairlytowardshisownpartisans，theHouseofCommonswouldhavegivenhimafairchanceofretrievingthepublicconfidence。SuchwastheopinionofClarendon。Hedistinctlystatesthatthefuryofoppositionhadabated，thatareactionhadbeguntotakeplace，thatthemajorityofthosewhohadtakenpartagainsttheKingweredesirousofanhonourableandcompletereconciliationandthatthemoreviolentor，asitsoonappeared，themorejudiciousmembersofthepopularpartywerefastdecliningincredit。TheRemonstrancehadbeencarriedwithgreatdifficulty。TheuncompromisingantagonistsofthecourtsuchasCromwell，hadbeguntotalkofsellingtheirestatesandleavingEngland。TheeventsoonshowedthattheyweretheonlymenwhoreallyunderstoodhowmuchinhumanityandfraudlayhidundertheconstitutionallanguageandgraciousdemeanouroftheKing。

Theattempttoseizethefivememberswasundoubtedlytherealcauseofthewar。Fromthatmoment，theloyalconfidencewithwhichmostofthepopularpartywerebeginningtoregardtheKingwasturnedintohatredandincurablesuspicion。Fromthatmoment，theParliamentwascompelledtosurrounditselfwithdefensivearms。Fromthatmoment，thecityassumedtheappearanceofagarrison。Fromthatmoment，inthephraseofClarendon，thecarriageofHampdenbecamefiercer，thathedrewtheswordandthrewawaythescabbard。For，fromthatmoment，itmusthavebeenevidenttoeveryimpartialobserver，that，inthemidstofprofessions，oaths，andsmiles，thetyrantwasconstantlylookingforwardtoanabsolutesway，andtoabloodyrevenge。

TheadvocatesofCharleshaveverydexterouslycontrivedtoconcealfromtheirreaderstherealnatureofthistransaction。

Bymakingconcessionsapparentlycandidandample，theyeludethegreataccusation。Theyallowthatthemeasurewasweakandevenfrantic，anabsurdcapriceofLordDigby，absurdlyadoptedbytheKing。Andthustheysavetheirclientfromthefullpenaltyofhistransgression，byenteringapleaofguiltytotheminoroffence。ToushisconductappearsatthisdayasatthetimeitappearedtotheParliamentandthecity。Wethinkitbynomeanssofoolishasitpleaseshisfriendstorepresentit，andfarmorewicked。

Inthefirstplace，thetransactionwasillegalfrombeginningtoend。Theimpeachmentwasillegal。Theprocesswasillegal。Theservicewasillegal。IfCharleswishedtoprosecutethefivemembersfortreason，abillagainstthemshouldhavebeensenttoagrandjury。ThatacommonercannotbetriedforhightreasonbytheLordsatthesuitoftheCrown，ispartoftheveryalphabetofourlaw。ThatnomancanbearrestedbytheKinginpersonisequallyclear。ThiswasanestablishedmaximofourjurisprudenceeveninthetimeofEdwardtheFourth。"Asubject，"saidChiefJusticeMarkhamtothatPrince，"mayarrestfortreason:theKingcannot；for，ifthearrestbeillegal，thepartyhasnoremedyagainsttheKing。"

ThetimeatwhichCharlestookhisstepalsodeservesconsideration。WehavealreadysaidthattheardourwhichtheParliamenthaddisplayedatthetimeofitsfirstmeetinghadconsiderablyabated，thattheleadingopponentsofthecourtweredesponding，andthattheirfollowerswereingeneralinclinedtomilderandmoretemperatemeasuresthanthosewhichhadhithertobeenpursued。Ineverycountry，andinnonemorethaninEngland，thereisadispositiontotakethepartofthosewhoareunmercifullyrundown，andwhoseemdestituteofallmeansofdefence。Everymanwhohasobservedtheebbandflowofpublicfeelinginourowntimewilleasilyrecallexamplestoillustratethisremark。AnEnglishstatesmanoughttopayassiduousworshiptoNemesis，tobemostapprehensiveofruinwhenheisattheheightofpowerandpopularity，andtodreadhisenemymostwhenmostcompletelyprostrated。ThefateoftheCoalitionMinistryin1784isperhapsthestrongestinstanceinourhistoryoftheoperationofthisprinciple。AfewweeksturnedtheablestandmostextendedMinistrythateverexistedintoafeebleOpposition，andraisedaKingwhowastalkingofretiringtoHanovertoaheightofpowerwhichnoneofhispredecessorshadenjoyedsincetheRevolution。Acrisisofthisdescriptionwasevidentlyapproachingin1642。Atsuchacrisis，aPrinceofareallyhonestandgenerousnature，whohaderred，whohadseenhiserror，whohadregrettedthelostaffectionsofhispeople，whorejoicedinthedawninghopeofregainingthem，wouldbepeculiarlycarefultotakenostepwhichcouldgiveoccasionofoffence，eventotheunreasonable。Ontheotherhand，atyrant，whosewholelifewasalie，whohatedtheConstitutionthemorebecausehehadbeencompelledtofeignrespectforit，andtowhomhisownhonourandtheloveofhispeoplewereasnothing，wouldselectsuchacrisisforsomeappallingviolationofthelaw，forsomestrokewhichmightremovethechiefsofanOpposition，andintimidatetheherd。ThisCharlesattempted。Hemissedhisblow；butsonarrowly，thatitwouldhavebeenmeremadnessinthoseatwhomitwasaimedtotrusthimagain。

ItdeservestoberemarkedthattheKinghad，ashorttimebefore，promisedthemostrespectableRoyalistsintheHouseofCommons，Falkland，Colepepper，andHyde，thathewouldtakenomeasureinwhichthatHousewasconcerned，withoutconsultingthem。Onthisoccasionhedidnotconsultthem。HisconductastonishedthemmorethananyothermembersoftheAssembly。

Clarendonsaysthattheyweredeeplyhurtbythiswantofconfidence，andthemorehurt，because，iftheyhadbeenconsulted，theywouldhavedonetheirutmosttodissuadeCharlesfromsoimproperaproceeding。DiditneveroccurtoClarendon，willitnotatleastoccurtomenlesspartial，thattherewasgoodreasonforthis？Whenthedangertothethroneseemedimminent，theKingwasreadytoputhimselfforatimeintothehandsofthosewho，thoughtheydisapprovedofhispastconduct，thoughtthattheremedieshadnowbecomeworsethanthedistempers。ButwebelievethatinhisheartheregardedboththepartiesintheParliamentwithfeelingsofaversionwhichdifferedonlyinthedegreeoftheirintensity，andthattheawfulwarningwhichheproposedtogive，byimmolatingtheprincipalsupportersoftheRemonstrance，waspartlyintendedfortheinstructionofthosewhohadconcurredincensuringtheship—

moneyandinabolishingtheStar—Chamber。

TheCommonsinformedtheKingthattheirmembersshouldbeforthcomingtoansweranychargelegallybroughtagainstthem。

TheLordsrefusedtoassumetheunconstitutionalofficewithwhichheattemptedtoinvestthem。Andwhatwasthenhisconduct？

Hewent，attendedbyhundredsofarmedmen，toseizetheobjectsofhishatredintheHouseitself。Thepartyopposedtohimmorethaninsinuatedthathispurposewasofthemostatrociouskind。

Wewillnotcondemnhimmerelyontheirsuspicions。Wewillnotholdhimanswerableforthesanguinaryexpressionsoftheloosebrawlerswhocomposedhistrain。Wewilljudgeofhisactbyitselfalone。Andwesay，withouthesitation，thatitisimpossibletoacquithimofhavingmeditatedviolence，andviolencewhichmightprobablyendinblood。Heknewthatthelegalityofhisproceedingswasdenied。Hemusthaveknownthatsomeoftheaccusedmembersweremennotlikelytosubmitpeaceablytoanillegalarrest。Therewaseveryreasontoexpectthathewouldfindthemintheirplaces，thattheywouldrefusetoobeyhissummons，andthattheHousewouldsupportthemintheirrefusal。Whatcoursewouldthenhavebeenlefttohim？

Unlesswesupposethathewentonthisexpeditionforthesolepurposeofmakinghimselfridiculous，wemustbelievethathewouldhavehadrecoursetoforce。Therewouldhavebeenascuffle；anditmightnot，undersuchcircumstances，havebeeninhispower，evenifithadbeeninhisinclination，topreventascufflefromendinginamassacre。Fortunatelyforhisfame，unfortunatelyperhapsforwhatheprizedfarmore，theinterestsofhishatredandhisambition，theaffairendeddifferently。Thebirds，ashesaid，wereflown，andhisplanwasdisconcerted。

Posterityisnotextremetomarkabortivecrimes；andthustheKing’sadvocateshavefounditeasytorepresentastep，which，butforatrivialaccident，mighthavefilledEnglandwithmourninganddismay，asamereerrorofjudgment，wildandfoolish，butperfectlyinnocent。Suchwasnot，however，atthetime，theopinionofanyparty。ThemostzealousRoyalistsweresomuchdisgustedandashamedthattheysuspendedtheiroppositiontothepopularparty，and，silentlyatleast，concurredinmeasuresofprecautionsostrongasalmosttoamounttoresistance。

Fromthatday，whateverofconfidenceandloyalattachmenthadsurvivedthemisruleofseventeenyearswas，inthegreatbodyofthepeople，extinguished，andextinguishedforever。Assoonastheoutragehadfailed，thehypocrisyrecommenced。DowntotheveryeveofthisflagitiousattemptCharleshadbeentalkingofhisrespectfortheprivilegesofParliamentandthelibertiesofhispeople。Hebeganagaininthesamestyleonthemorrow；butitwastoolate。Totrusthimnowwouldhavebeen，notmoderation，butinsanity。WhatcommonsecuritywouldsufficeagainstaPrincewhowasevidentlywatchinghisseasonwiththatcoldandpatienthatredwhich，inthelong—run，tiresouteveryotherpassion？

ItiscertainlyfromnoadmirationofCharlesthatMr。HallamdisapprovesoftheconductoftheHousesinresortingtoarms。

ButhethinksthatanyattemptonthepartofthatPrincetoestablishadespotismwouldhavebeenasstronglyopposedbyhisadherentsasbyhisenemies，andthatthereforetheConstitutionmightbeconsideredasoutofdanger，or，atleastthatithadmoretoapprehendfromthewarthanfromtheKing。OnthissubjectMr。Hallamdilatesatlength，andwithconspicuousability。Wewillofferafewconsiderationswhichleadustoinclinetoadifferentopinion。

TheConstitutionofEnglandwasonlyoneofalargefamily。InallthemonarchiesofWesternEurope，duringthemiddleages，thereexistedrestraintsontheroyalauthority，fundamentallaws，andrepresentativeassemblies。Inthefifteenthcentury，thegovernmentofCastileseemstohavebeenasfreeasthatofourowncountry。ThatofArragonwasbeyondallquestionmoreso。

InFrance，thesovereignwasmoreabsolute。YeteveninFrance，theStates—Generalalonecouldconstitutionallyimposetaxes；

and，attheverytimewhentheauthorityofthoseassemblieswasbeginningtolanguish，theParliamentofParisreceivedsuchanaccessionofstrengthasenabledit，insomemeasure，toperformthefunctionsofalegislativeassembly。SwedenandDenmarkhadconstitutionsofasimilardescription。

Letusoverleaptwoorthreehundredyears，andcontemplateEuropeatthecommencementoftheeighteenthcentury。Everyfreeconstitution，saveone，hadgonedown。ThatofEnglandhadweatheredthedanger，andwasridinginfullsecurity。InDenmarkandSweden，thekingshadavailedthemselvesofthedisputeswhichragedbetweenthenoblesandthecommons，touniteallthepowersofgovernmentintheirownhands。InFrancetheinstitutionoftheStateswasonlymentionedbylawyersasapartoftheancienttheoryoftheirgovernment。Itsleptadeepsleep，destinedtobebrokenbyatremendouswaking。Nopersonrememberedthesittingsofthethreeorders，orexpectedevertoseethemrenewed。LouistheFourteenthhadimposedonhisparliamentapatientsilenceofsixtyyears。Hisgrandson，aftertheWaroftheSpanishSuccession，assimilatedtheconstitutionofArragontothatofCastile，andextinguishedthelastfeebleremainsoflibertyinthePeninsula。InEngland，ontheotherhand，theParliamentwasinfinitelymorepowerfulthanithadeverbeen。Notonlywasitslegislativeauthorityfullyestablished；butitsrighttointerfere，byadvicealmostequivalenttocommand，ineverydepartmentoftheexecutivegovernment，wasrecognised。Theappointmentofministers，therelationswithforeignpowers，theconductofawaroranegotiation，dependedlessonthepleasureofthePrincethanonthatofthetwoHouses。

Whatthenmadeustodiffer？Whywasitthat，inthatepidemicmaladyofconstitutions，oursescapedthedestroyinginfluence；

orratherthat，attheverycrisisofthedisease，afavourableturntookplaceinEngland，andinEnglandalone？Itwasnotsurelywithoutacausethatsomanykindredsystemsofgovernment，havingflourishedtogethersolong，languishedandexpiredatalmostthesametime。

Itisthefashiontosaythattheprogressofcivilisationisfavourabletoliberty。Themaxim，thoughinsomesensetrue，mustbelimitedbymanyqualificationsandexceptions。Whereverapoorandrudenation，inwhichtheformofgovernmentisalimitedmonarchy，receivesagreataccessionofwealthandknowledge，itisinimminentdangeroffallingunderarbitrarypower。

InsuchastateofsocietyasthatwhichexistedalloverEuropeduringthemiddleages，veryslightcheckssufficedtokeepthesovereigninorder。Hismeansofcorruptionandintimidationwereveryscanty。Hehadlittlemoney，littlepatronage，nomilitaryestablishment。Hisarmiesresembledjuries。Theyweredrawnoutofthemassofthepeople:theysoonreturnedtoitagain:andthecharacterwhichwashabitualprevailedoverthatwhichwasoccasional。Acampaignoffortydayswastooshort，thedisciplineofanationalmilitiatoolax，toeffacefromtheirmindsthefeelingsofcivillife。Astheycarriedtothecampthesentimentsandinterestsofthefarmandtheshop，sotheycarriedbacktothefarmandtheshopthemilitaryaccomplishmentswhichtheyhadacquiredinthecamp。Athomethesoldierlearnedhowtovaluehisrights，abroadhowtodefendthem。

Suchamilitaryforceasthiswasafarstrongerrestraintontheregalpowerthananylegislativeassembly。Thearmy，nowthemostformidableinstrumentoftheexecutivepower，wasthenthemostformidablecheckonthatpower。Resistancetoanestablished，government，inmodemtimessodifficultandperilousanenterprise，wasinthefourteenthandfifteenthcenturiesthesimplestandeasiestmatterintheworld。Indeed，itwasfartoosimpleandeasy。Aninsurrectionwasgotupthenalmostaseasilyasapetitionisgotupnow。Inapopularcause，oreveninanunpopularcausefavouredbyafewgreatnobles，aforceoftenthousandarmedmenwasraisedinaweek。IftheKingwere，likeourEdwardtheSecondandRichardtheSecond，generallyodious，hecouldnotprocureasingleboworhalbert。Hefellatonceandwithoutaneffort。InsuchtimesasovereignlikeLouistheFifteenthortheEmperorPaulwouldhavebeenpulleddownbeforehismisgovernmenthadlastedforamonth。WefindthatallthefameandinfluenceofourEdwardtheThirdcouldnotsavehisMadamedePompadourfromtheeffectsofthepublichatred。

Humeandmanyotherwritershavehastilyconcluded，that，inthefifteenthcentury，theEnglishParliamentwasaltogetherservile，becauseitrecognised，withoutopposition，everysuccessfulusurper。Thatitwasnotservileitsconductonmanyoccasionsofinferiorimportanceissufficienttoprove。Butsurelyitwasnotstrangethatthemajorityofthenobles，andofthedeputieschosenbythecommons，shouldapproveofrevolutionswhichthenoblesandcommonshadeffected。TheParliamentdidnotblindlyfollowtheeventofwar，butparticipatedinthosechangesofpublicsentimentonwhichtheeventofwardepended。Thelegalcheckwassecondaryandauxiliarytothatwhichthenationheldinitsownhands。

TherehavealwaysbeenmonarchiesinAsia，inwhichtheroyalauthorityhasbeentemperedbyfundamentallaws，thoughnolegislativebodyexiststowatchoverthem。Theguaranteeistheopinionofacommunityofwhicheveryindividualisasoldier。

Thus，thekingofCabul，asMr。Elphinstoneinformsus，cannotaugmentthelandrevenue，orinterferewiththejurisdictionoftheordinarytribunals。

IntheEuropeankingdomsofthisdescriptiontherewererepresentativeassemblies。Butitwasnotnecessarythatthoseassembliesshouldmeetveryfrequently，thattheyshouldinterferewithalltheoperationsoftheexecutivegovernment，thattheyshouldwatchwithjealousy，andresentwithpromptindignation，everyviolationofthelawswhichthesovereignmightcommit。Theyweresostrongthattheymightsafelybecareless。Hewassofeeblethathemightsafelybesufferedtoencroach。Ifheventuredtoofar，chastisementandruinwereathand。Infact，thepeoplegenerallysufferedmorefromhisweaknessthanfromhisauthority。Thetyrannyofwealthyandpowerfulsubjectswasthecharacteristicevilofthetimes。Theroyalprerogativeswerenotevensufficientforthedefenceofpropertyandthemaintenanceofpolice。

Theprogressofcivilisationintroducedagreatchange。Warbecameascience，and，asanecessaryconsequence，atrade。Thegreatbodyofthepeoplegreweverydaymorereluctanttoundergotheinconveniencesofmilitaryservice，andbetterabletopayothersforundergoingthem。Anewclassofmen，therefore，dependentontheCrownalone，naturalenemiesofthosepopularrightswhicharetothemasthedewtothefleeceofGideon，slavesamongfreemen，freemenamongslaves，grewintoimportance。

Thatphysicalforcewhichinthedarkageshadbelongedtothenoblesandthecommons，andhad，farmorethananycharter，oranyassembly，beenthesafeguardoftheirprivileges，wastransferredentiretotheKing。Monarchygainedintwoways。Thesovereignwasstrengthened，thesubjectsweakened。Thegreatmassofthepopulation，destituteofallmilitarydisciplineandorganisation，ceasedtoexerciseanyinfluencebyforceonpoliticaltransactions。Therehave，indeed，duringthelasthundredandfiftyyears，beenmanypopularinsurrectionsinEurope:butallhavefailedexceptthoseinwhichtheregulararmyhasbeeninducedtojointhedisaffected。

Thoselegalcheckswhich，whilethesovereignremaineddependentonhissubjects，hadbeenadequatetothepurposeforwhichtheyweredesigned，werenowfoundwanting。Thedikeswhichhadbeensufficientwhilethewaterswerelowwerenothighenoughtokeepoutthespringtide。Thedelugepassedoverthemand，accordingtotheexquisiteillustrationofButler，theformalboundaries，whichhadexcludedit，nowhelditin。Theoldconstitutionsfaredliketheoldshieldsandcoatsofmail。Theywerethedefencesofarudeage；andtheydidwellenoughagainsttheweaponsofarudeage。Butnewandmoreformidablemeansofdestructionwereinvented。Theancientpanoplybecameuseless；

anditwasthrownaside，torustinlumber—rooms，orexhibitedonlyaspartofanidlepageant。

ThusabsolutemonarchywasestablishedontheContinent。Englandescaped；butsheescapedverynarrowly。Happilyourinsularsituation，andthepacificpolicyofJames，renderedstandingarmiesunnecessaryhere，tilltheyhadbeenforsometimekeptupintheneighbouringkingdoms。Ourpublicmen，hadthereforeanopportunityofwatchingtheeffectsproducedbythismomentouschangeongovernmentswhichboreacloseanalogytothatestablishedinEngland。Everywheretheysawthepowerofthemonarchincreasing，theresistanceofassemblieswhichwerenolongersupportedbyanationalforcegraduallybecomingmoreandmorefeeble，andatlengthaltogetherceasing。Thefriendsandtheenemiesoflibertyperceivedwithequalclearnessthecausesofthisgeneraldecay。ItisthefavouritethemeofStrafford。HeadvisestheKingtoprocurefromthejudgesarecognitionofhisrighttoraiseanarmyathispleasure。"Thisplacewellfortified，"sayshe，"forevervindicatesthemonarchyathomefromundertheconditionsandrestraintsofsubjects。"Wefirmlybelievethathewasintheright。Nay；webelievethat，evenifnodeliberatescheme，ofarbitrarygovernmenthadbeenformed，bythesovereignandhisministers，therewasgreatreasontoapprehendanaturalextinctionoftheConstitution。If，forexample，CharleshadplayedthepartofGustavusAdolphus，ifhehadcarriedonapopularwarforthedefenceoftheProtestantcauseinGermany，ifhehadgratifiedthenationalpridebyaseriesofvictories，ifhehadformedanarmyoffortyorfiftythousanddevotedsoldiers，wedonotseewhatchancethenationwouldhavehadofescapingfromdespotism。Thejudgeswouldhavegivenasstrongadecisioninfavourofcamp—moneyastheygaveinfavourofship—money。Iftheyhadbeenscrupulous，itwouldhavemadelittledifference。AnindividualwhoresistedwouldhavebeentreatedasCharlestreatedEliot，andasStraffordwishedtotreatHampden。TheParliamentmighthavebeensummonedonceintwentyyears，tocongratulateaKingonhisaccession，ortogivesolemnitytosomegreatmeasureofstate。Suchhadbeenthefateoflegislativeassembliesaspowerful，asmuchrespected，ashigh—spirited，astheEnglishLordsandCommons。

ThetwoHouses，surroundedbytheruinsofsomanyfreeconstitutionsoverthrownorsappedbythenewmilitarysystem，wererequiredtointrustthecommandofanarmyandtheconductoftheIrishwartoaKingwhohadproposedtohimselfthedestructionoflibertyasthegreatendofhispolicy。Wearedecidedlyofopinionthatitwouldhavebeenfataltocomply。

ManyofthosewhotookthesideoftheKingonthisquestionwouldhavecursedtheirownloyalty，iftheyhadseenhimreturnfromwar；attheheadoftwentythousandtroops，accustomedtocarriageandfreequartersinIreland。

WethinkwithMr。HallamthatmanyoftheRoyalistnobilityandgentryweretruefriendstotheConstitution，andthat，butforthesolemnprotestationsbywhichtheKingboundhimselftogovernaccordingtothelawforthefuture，theyneverwouldhavejoinedhisstandard。Butsurelytheyunderratedthepublicdanger。Falklandiscommonlyselectedasthemostrespectablespecimenofthisclass。Hewasindeedamanofgreattalentsandofgreatvirtuesbut，weapprehend，infinitelytoofastidiousforpubliclife。Hedidnotperceivethat，insuchtimesasthoseonwhichhislothadfallen，thedutyofastatesmanistochoosethebettercauseandtostandbyit，inspiteofthoseexcessesbywhicheverycause，howevergoodinitself，willhedisgraced。

Thepresentevilalwaysseemedtohimtheworst。Hewasalwaysgoingbackwardandforward；butitshouldberememberedtohishonourthatitwasalwaysfromthestrongertotheweakersidethathedeserted。WhileCharleswasoppressingthepeople，Falklandwasaresolutechampionofliberty。HeattackedStrafford。HeevenconcurredinstrongmeasuresagainstEpiscopacy。Buttheviolenceofhispartyannoyedhim，anddrovehimtotheotherparty，tobeequallyannoyedthere。Dreadingthesuccessofthecausewhichhehadespoused，disgustedbythecourtiersofOxford，ashehadbeendisgustedbythepatriotsofWestminster，yetboundbyhonournottoabandonthecause，forwhichhewasinarms，hepinedaway，neglectedhisperson，wentaboutmoaningforpeace，andatlastrusheddesperatelyondeath，asthebestrefugeinsuchmiserabletimes。Ifhehadlivedthroughthescenesthatfollowed，wehavelittledoubtthathewouldhavecondemnedhimselftosharetheexileandbeggaryoftheroyalfamily；thathewouldthenhavereturnedtoopposealltheirmeasures；thathewouldhavebeensenttotheTowerbytheCommonsasastiflerofthePopishPlot，andbytheKingasanaccompliceintheRye—HousePlot；andthat，ifhehadescapedbeinghanged，firstbyScroggs，andthenbyJeffreys，hewould，aftermanfullyopposingJamestheSecondthroughyearsoftyranny，havebeenseizedwithafitofcompassion，attheverymomentoftheRevolution，havevotedforaregency，anddiedanon—juror。

Wedonotdisputethattheroyalpartycontainedmanyexcellentmenandexcellentcitizens。Butthiswesay，thattheydidnotdiscernthosetimes。ThepeculiargloryoftheHousesofParliamentisthat，inthegreatplagueandmortalityofconstitutions，theytooktheirstandbetweenthelivingandthedead。Attheverycrisisofourdestiny，attheverymomentwhenthefatewhichhadpassedoneveryothernationwasabouttopassonEngland，theyarrestedthedanger。

Thosewhoconceivethattheparliamentaryleadersweredesirousmerelytomaintaintheoldconstitution，andthosewhorepresentthemasconspiringtosubvertit，areequallyinerror。Theoldconstitution，aswehaveattemptedtoshow，couldnotbemaintained。Theprogressoftime，theincreaseofwealth，thediffusionofknowledge，thegreatchangeintheEuropeansystemofwar，rendereditimpossiblethatanyofthemonarchiesofthemiddleagesshouldcontinuetoexistontheoldfooting。Theprerogativeofthecrownwasconstantlyadvancing。Iftheprivilegesofthepeopleweretoremainabsolutelystationary，theywouldrelativelyretrograde。ThemonarchicalanddemocraticalpartsofthegovernmentwereplacedinasituationnotunlikethatofthetwobrothersintheFairyQueen，oneofwhomsawthesoilofhisinheritancedaily，washedawaybythetideandjoinedtothatofhisrival。Theportionshadatfirstbeenfairlymetedout。Byanaturalandconstanttransfer，theonehadbeenextended；theotherhaddwindledtonothing。Anewpartition，oracompensation，wasnecessarytorestoretheoriginalequality。

Itwasnow，therefore，absolutelynecessarytoviolatetheformalpartoftheconstitution，inordertopreserveitsspirit。Thismighthavebeendone，asitwasdoneattheRevolution，byexpellingthereigningfamily，andcallingtothethroneprinceswho，relyingsolelyonanelectivetitle，wouldfinditnecessarytorespecttheprivilegesandfollowtheadviceoftheassembliestowhichtheyowedeverything，topasseverybillwhichtheLegislaturestronglypresseduponthem，andtofilltheofficesofstatewithmeninwhomtheLegislatureconfided。But，asthetwoHousesdidnotchoosetochangethedynasty，itwasnecessarythattheyshoulddodirectlywhatattheRevolutionwasdoneindirectly。Nothingismoreusualthantohearitsaidthat，iftheHouseshadcontentedthemselveswithmakingsuchareforminthegovernmentunderCharlesaswasafterwardsmadeunderWilliam，theywouldhavehadthehighestclaimtonationalgratitude；andthatintheirviolencetheyovershotthemark。ButhowwasitpossibletomakesuchasettlementunderCharles？

Charleswasnot，likeWilliamandtheprincesoftheHanoverianline，boundbycommunityofinterestsanddangerstotheParliament。Itwasthereforenecessarythatheshouldbeboundbytreatyandstatute。

Mr。Hallamreprobates，inlanguagewhichhasalittlesurprisedus，thenineteenpropositionsintowhichtheParliamentdigesteditsscheme。Isitpossibletodoubtthat，ifJamestheSecondhadremainedintheisland，andhadbeensuffered，asheprobablywouldinthatcasehavebeensuffered，tokeephiscrown，conditionstothefullashardwouldhavebeenimposedonhim？Ontheotherhand，wefullyadmitthat，iftheLongParliamenthadpronouncedthedepartureofCharlesfromLondonanabdication，andhadcalledEssexorNorthumberlandtothethrone，thenewprincemighthavesafelybeensufferedtoreignwithoutsuchrestrictions。Hissituationwouldhavebeenasufficientguarantee。

InthenineteenpropositionsweseeverylittletoblameexceptthearticlesagainsttheCatholics。These，however，wereinthespiritofthatage；andtosomesturdychurchmeninourown，theymayseemtopalliateeventhegoodwhichtheLongParliamenteffected。TheregulationwithrespecttonewcreationsofPeersistheonlyotherarticleaboutwhichweentertainanydoubt。Oneofthepropositionsisthatthejudgesshallholdtheirofficesduringgoodbehaviour。Tothissurelynoexceptionwillbetaken。

TherightofdirectingtheeducationandmarriageoftheprinceswasmostproperlyclaimedbytheParliament，onthesamegroundonwhich，aftertheRevolution，itwasenacted，thatnoking，onpainofforfeiting，histhrone，shouldespouseaPapist。UnlesswecondemnthestatesmenoftheRevolution，whoconceivedthatEnglandcouldnotsafelybegovernedbyasovereignmarriedtoaCatholicqueen，wecanscarcelycondemntheLongParliamentbecause，havingasovereignsosituated，theythoughtitnecessarytoplacehimunderstrictrestraints。TheinfluenceofHenriettaMariahadalreadybeendeeplyfeltinpoliticalaffairs。Intheregulationofherfamily，intheeducationandmarriageofherchildren，itwasstillmorelikelytobefelt；

TheremightbeanotherCatholicqueen；possiblyaCatholicking。

Little，aswearedisposedtojoininthevulgarclamouronthissubject，wethinkthatsuchaneventoughttobe，ifpossible，averted；andthiscouldonlybedone，ifCharleswastobeleftonthethrone，byplacinghisdomesticarrangementsunderthecontrolofParliament。

Avetoontheappointmentofministerswasdemanded。ButthisvetoParliamenthasvirtuallypossessedeversincetheRevolution。ItisnodoubtveryfarbetterthatthispoweroftheLegislatureshouldbeexercisedasitisnowexercised，whenanygreatoccasioncallsforinterference，thanthatateverychangetheCommonsshouldhavetosignifytheirapprobationordisapprobationinform。But，unlessanewfamilyhadbeenplacedonthethrone，wedonotseehowthispowercouldhavebeenexercisedasitisnowexercised。WeagainrepeatthatnorestraintswhichcouldbeimposedontheprinceswhoreignedaftertheRevolutioncouldhaveaddedtothesecurity，whichtheirtitleafforded。Theywerecompelledtocourttheirparliaments。ButfromCharlesnothingwastobeexpectedwhichwasnotsetdowninthebond。

ItwasnotstipulatedthattheKingshouldgiveuphisnegativeonactsofParliament。ButtheCommons，hadcertainlyshownastrongdispositiontoexactthissecurityalso。"Suchadoctrine，"saysMr。Hallam，"wasinthiscountryasrepugnanttothewholehistoryofourlaws，asitwasincompatiblewiththesubsistenceofthemonarchyinanythingmorethananominalpreeminence。"NowthisarticlehasbeenascompletelycarriedintoelectbytheRevolutionasifithadbeenformallyinsertedintheBillofRightsandtheActofSettlement。Wearesurprised，weconfess，thatMr。Hallamshouldattachsomuchimportancetoaprerogativewhichhasnotbeenexercisedforahundredandthirtyyears，whichprobablywillnever，beexercisedagain，andwhichcanscarcely，inanyconceivablecase，beexercisedforasalutarypurpose。

Butthegreatsecurity，thesecuritywithoutwhicheveryotherwouldhavebeeninsufficient，wasthepowerofthesword。Thisbothpartiesthoroughlyunderstood。TheParliamentinsistedonhavingthecommandofthemilitiaandthedirectionoftheIrishwar。"ByGod，notforanhour！"exclaimedtheKing。"Keepthemilitia，"saidtheQueen，afterthedefeatoftheroyalparty。

"Keepthemilitia；thatwillbringbackeverything。"That，bytheoldconstitution，nomilitaryauthoritywaslodgedintheParliament，Mr。Hallamhasclearlyshown。Thatitisaspeciesofauthoritywhichought，nottobepermanentlylodgedinlargeanddividedassemblies，must，wethinkinfairnessbeconceded。

Opposition，publicity，longdiscussion，frequentcompromise；

thesearethecharacteristicsoftheproceedingsofsuchassemblies。Unity，secrecy，decision，arethequalitieswhichmilitaryarrangementsrequire。Therewere，therefore，seriousobjectionstothepropositionoftheHousesonthissubject。But，ontheotherhand，totrustsuchaKing，atsuchacrisis，withtheveryweaponwhich，inhandslessdangerous，haddestroyedsomanyfreeconstitutions，wouldhavebeentheextremeofrashness。

ThejealousywithwhichtheoligarchyofVeniceandtheStatesofHollandregardedtheirgeneralsandarmiesinducedthemperpetuallytointerfereinmattersofwhichtheywereincompetenttojudge。Thispolicysecuredthemagainstmilitaryusurpation，butplacedthem，undergreatdisadvantagesinwar。

TheuncontrolledpowerwhichtheKingofFranceexercisedoverhistroopsenabledhimtoconquerhisenemies，butenabledhimalsotooppresshispeople。Wasthereanyintermediatecourse？

None，weconfessaltogetherfreefromobjection。Butonthewhole，weconceivethatthebestmeasurewouldhavebeenthatwhichtheParliamentoverandoverproposed，namely，thatforalimitedtimethepoweroftheswordshouldbelefttothetwoHouses，andthatitshouldreverttotheCrownwhentheconstitutionshouldbefirmlyestablished，andwhenthenewsecuritiesoffreedomshouldbesofarstrengthenedbyprescriptionthatitwouldbedifficulttoemployevenastandingarmyforthepurposeofsubvertingthem。

Mr。Hallamthinksthatthedisputemighteasilyhavebeencompromised，byenactingthat，theKingshouldhavenopowertokeepastandingarmyonfootwithouttheconsentofParliament。

Hereasonsasifthequestionhadbeenmerelytheoretical，andasifatthattimenoarmyhadbeenwanted。"Thekingdom，"hesays，"mighthavewelldispensed，inthatage，withanymilitaryorganisation"Now，wethinkthatMr。Hallamoverlooksthemostimportantcircumstanceinthewholecase。Irelandwasactuallyinrebellion；andagreatexpeditionwouldobviouslybenecessarytoreducethatkingdomtoobedience。TheHouseshadthereforetoconsider，notatabstractquestionoflaw，butanurgentpracticalquestion，directlyinvolvingthesafetyofthestate。

TheyhadtoconsidertheexpediencyofimmediatelygivingagreatarmytoaKingwhowas，atleast，asdesiroustoputdowntheParliamentofEnglandastoconquertheinsurgentsofIreland。

OfcoursewedonotmeantodefendallthemeasuresoftheHouses。Farfromit。Thereneverwasaperfectman。Itwould，therefore，betheheightofabsurditytoexpectaperfectpartyoraperfectassembly。Forlargebodiesarefarmorelikelytoerrthanindividuals。Thepassionsareinflamedbysympathy；thefearofpunishmentandthesenseofshamearediminishedbypartition。Everydayweseemendofortheirfactionwhattheywoulddieratherthandoforthemselves。

Scarcelyanyprivatequarreleverhappens，inwhichtherightandwrongaresoexquisitelydividedthatalltherightliesononeside，andallthewrongontheother。Butherewasaschismwhichseparatedagreatnationintotwoparties。Oftheseparties，eachwascomposedofmanysmallerparties。Eachcontainedmanymembers，whodifferedfarlessfromtheirmoderateopponentsthanfromtheirviolentallies。Eachreckonedamongitssupportersmanywhoweredeterminedintheirchoicebysomeaccidentofbirth，ofconnection，oroflocalsituation。Eachofthemattractedtoitselfinmultitudesthosefierceandturbidspirits，towhomthecloudsandwhirlwindsofthepoliticalhurricanearetheatmosphereoflife。Aparty，likeacamp，hasitssutlersandcamp—followers，aswellasitssoldiers。Initsprogressitcollectsrounditavastretinue，composedofpeoplewhothrivebyitscustomorareamusedbyitsdisplay，whomaybesometimesreckoned，inanostentatiousenumeration，asformingapartofit，butwhogivenoaidtoitsoperations，andtakebutalanguidinterestinitssuccess，whorelaxitsdisciplineanddishonouritsflagbytheirirregularities，andwho，afteradisaster，areperfectlyreadytocutthethroatsandriflethebaggageoftheircompanions。

Thusitisineverygreatdivision；andthusitwasinourcivilwar。Onbothsidestherewas，undoubtedly，enoughofcrimeandenoughoferrortodisgustanymanwhodidnotreflectthatthewholehistoryofthespeciesismadeupoflittleexceptcrimesanderrors。Misanthropyisnotthetemperwhichqualifiesamantoactingreataffairs，ortojudgeofthem。

"OftheParliament，"saysMr。Hallam，"itmaybesaidIthink，withnotgreaterseveritythantruth，thatscarcetwoorthreepublicactsofjustice，humanity，orgenerosity，andveryfewofpoliticalwisdomorcourage，arerecordedofthem，fromtheirquarrelwiththeKing，totheirexpulsionbyCromwell。"ThosewhomayagreewithusintheopinionwhichwehaveexpressedastotheoriginaldemandsoftheParliamentwillscarcelyconcurinthisstrongcensure。ThepropositionswhichtheHousesmadeatOxford，atUxbridge，andatNewcastle，wereinstrictaccordancewiththesedemands。Inthedarkestperiodofthewar，theyshowednodispositiontoconcedeanyvitalprinciple。Inthefulnessoftheirsuccess，theyshowednodispositiontoencroachbeyondtheselimits。Inthisrespectwecannotbutthinkthattheyshowedjusticeandgenerosity，aswellaspoliticalwisdomandcourage。

TheParliamentwascertainlyfarfromfaultless。WefullyagreewithMr。HallaminreprobatingtheirtreatmentofLaud。Fortheindividual，indeed，weentertainamoreunmitigatedcontemptthan，foranyothercharacterinourhistory。Thefondnesswithwhichaportionofthechurchregardshismemory，canbecomparedonlytothatperversityofaffectionwhichsometimesleadsamothertoselectthemonsterortheidiotofthefamilyastheobjectofherespecialfavour，Mr。Hallamhasincidentallyobserved，that，inthecorrespondenceofLaudwithStrafford，therearenoindicationsofasenseofdutytowardsGodorman。

TheadmirersoftheArchbishophave，inconsequence，inflicteduponthepublicacrowdofextractsdesignedtoprovethecontrary。Now，inallthosepassages，weseenothing，whichaprelateaswickedasPopeAlexanderorCardinalDuboismightnothavewritten。ThosepassagesindicatenosenseofdutytoGodorman，butsimplyastronginterestintheprosperityanddignityoftheordertowhichthewriterbelonged；aninterestwhich，whenkeptwithincertainlimits，doesnotdeservecensure，butwhichcanneverbeconsideredasavirtue。LaudisanxioustoaccommodatesatisfactorilythedisputesintheUniversityofDublin。Heregretstohearthatachurchisusedasastable，andthatthebeneficesofIrelandareverypoor。Heisdesirousthat，howeversmallacongregationmaybe，serviceshouldberegularlyperformed。Heexpressesawishthatthejudgesofthecourtbeforewhichquestionsoftithearegenerallybroughtshouldbeselectedwithaviewtotheinterestoftheclergy。Allthismaybeveryproper；anditmaybeveryproperthatanaldermanshouldstandupforthetollsofhisborough，andanEastIndiadirectorforthecharterofhisCompany。Butitisridiculoustosaythatthesethingsindicatepietyandbenevolence。Noprimate，thoughhewerethemostabandonedofmankind，couldwishtoseethebody，withtheinfluenceofwhichhisowninfluencewasidentical，degradedinthepublicestimationbyinternaldissensions，bytheruinousstateofitsedifices，andbytheslovenlyperformanceofitsrites。Wewillinglyacknowledgethattheparticularlettersinquestionhaveverylittleharminthem；

acomplimentwhichcannotoftenbepaideithertothewritingsortotheactionsofLaud。

BadastheArchbishopwas，however，hewasnotatraitorwithinthestatute。Norwashebyanymeanssoformidableastobeapropersubjectforaretrospectiveordinanceofthelegislature。

Hismindhadnotexpansionenoughtocomprehendagreatscheme，goodorbad。Hisoppressiveactswerenot，likethoseofthe，EarlofStrafford，partsofanextensivesystem。Theyweretheluxuriesinwhichameanandirritabledispositionindulgesitselffromdaytoday，theexcessesnaturaltoalittlemindinagreatplace。TheseverestpunishmentwhichthetwoHousescouldhaveinflictedonhimwouldhavebeentosethimatlibertyandsendhimtoOxford。Therehemighthavestayed，torturedbyhisowndiabolicaltemper，hungeringforPuritanstopilloryandmangle，plaguingtheCavaliers，forwantofsomebodyelsetoplaguewithhispeevishnessandabsurdity，performinggrimacesandanticsinthecathedral，continuingthatincomparablediary，whichweneverseewithoutforgettingthevicesofhisheartIntheimbecilityofhisintellectminutingdownhisdreams，countingthedropsofbloodwhichfellfromhisnose，watchingthedirectionofthesalt，andlisteningforthenoteofthescreech—owls。ContemptuousmercywastheonlyvengeancewhichitbecametheParliamenttotakeonsucharidiculousoldbigot。

TheHouses，itmustbeacknowledged，committedgreaterrorsintheconductofthewar，orratheronegreaterror，whichbroughttheiraffairsintoaconditionrequiringthemostperilousexpedients。Theparliamentaryleadersofwhatmaybecalledthefirstgeneration，Essex，Manchester，Northumberland，Hollis，evenPym，allthemosteminentmeninshort，Hampdenexcepted，wereinclinedtohalfmeasures。Theydreadedadecisivevictoryalmostasmuchasadecisiveoverthrow。TheywishedtobringtheKingintoasituationwhichmightrenderitnecessaryforhimtogranttheirjustandwisedemands，butnottosubverttheconstitutionortochangethedynasty。Theywereafraidofservingthepurposesofthosefierceanddeterminedenemiesofmonarchy，whonowbegantoshowthemselvesinthelowerranksoftheparty。Thewarwas，therefore，conductedinalanguidandinefficientmanner。Aresoluteleadermighthavebroughtittoacloseinamonth。Attheendofthreecampaigns，however，theeventwasstilldubious；andthatithadnotbeendecidedlyunfavourabletothecauseoflibertywasprincipallyowingtotheskillandenergywhichthemoreviolentroundheadshaddisplayedinsubordinatesituations。TheconductofFairfaxandCromwellatMarstonhad，exhibitedaremarkablecontrasttothatofEssexatEdgehill，andtothatofWalleratLansdowne。

Iftherebeanytruthestablishedbytheuniversalexperienceofnations，itisthis；thattocarrythespiritofpeaceintowarisweakandcruelpolicy。Thetimefornegotiationisthetimefordeliberationanddelay。Butwhenanextremecasecallsforthatremedywhichisinitsownnaturemostviolent，andwhich，insuchcases，isaremedyonlybecauseitisviolent，itisidletothinkofmitigatinganddiluting。Languidwarcandonothingwhichnegotiationorsubmissionwillnotdobetter:andtoactonanyotherprincipleis，nottosavebloodandmoney，buttosquanderthem。

Thistheparliamentaryleadersfound。Thethirdyearofhostilitieswasdrawingtoaclose；andtheyhadnotconqueredtheKing。Theyhadnotobtainedeventhoseadvantageswhichtheyhadexpectedfromapolicyobviouslyerroneousinamilitarypointofview。Theyhadwishedtohusbandtheirresources。Theynowfoundthatinenterprisesliketheirs，parsimonyistheworstprofusion。Theyhadhopedtoeffectareconciliation。Theeventtaughtthemthatthebestwaytoconciliateistobringtheworkofdestructiontoaspeedytermination。Bytheirmoderationmanylivesandmuchpropertyhadbeenwasted。Theangrypassionswhich，ifthecontesthadbeenshort，wouldhavediedawayalmostassoonastheyappeared，hadfixedthemselvesintheformofdeepandlastinghatred。Amilitarycastehadgrownup。Thosewhohadbeeninducedtotakeuparmsbythepatrioticfeelingsofcitizenshadbeguntoentertaintheprofessionalfeelingsofsoldiers。Aboveall，theleadersofthepartyhadforfeiteditsconfidence，Iftheyhad，bytheirvalourandabilities，gainedacompletevictory，theirinfluencemighthavebeensufficienttopreventtheirassociatesfromabusingit。Itwasnownecessarytochoosemoreresoluteanduncompromisingcommanders。Unhappilytheillustriousmanwhoaloneunitedinhimselfallthetalentsandvirtueswhichthecrisisrequired，whoalonecouldhavesavedhiscountryfromthepresentdangerswithoutplungingherintoothers，whoalonecouldhaveunitedallthefriendsoflibertyinobediencetohiscommandinggeniusandhisvenerablename，wasnomore。Somethingmightstillbedone。TheHousesmightstillavertthatworstofallevils，thetriumphantreturnofanimperiousandunprincipledmaster。TheymightstillpreserveLondonfromallthehorrorsofrapine，massacre，andlust。Buttheirhopesofavictoryasspotlessastheircause，ofareconciliationwhichmightknittogethertheheartsofallhonestEnglishmenforthedefenceofthepublicgood，ofdurabletranquillity，oftemperatefreedom，wereburiedinthegraveofHampden。

Theself—denyingordinancewaspassed，andthearmywasremodelled。Thesemeasureswereundoubtedlyfullofdanger。ButallthatwaslefttotheParliamentwastotakethelessoftwodangers。Andwethinkthat，eveniftheycouldhaveaccuratelyforeseenallthatfollowed，theirdecisionoughttohavebeenthesame。Underanycircumstances，weshouldhavepreferredCromwelltoCharles。ButtherecouldbenocomparisonbetweenCromwellandCharlesvictorious，Charlesrestored，Charlesenabledtofeedfatallthehungrygrudgesofhissmilingrancourandhiscringingpride。ThenextvisitofhisMajestytohisfaithfulCommonswouldhavebeenmoreseriousthanthatwithwhichhelasthonouredthem；moreseriousthanthatwhichtheirownGeneralpaidthemsomeyearsafter。TheKingwouldscarcehavebeencontentwithprayingthattheLordwoulddeliverhimfromVane，orwithpullingMartenbythecloak。If，byfatalmismanagement，nothingwaslefttoEnglandbutachoiceoftyrants，thelasttyrantwhomsheshouldhavechosenwasCharles。

FromtheapprehensionofthisworsteviltheHousesweresoondeliveredbytheirnewleaders。ThearmiesofCharleswereeverywhererouted，hisfastnessesstormed，hispartyhumbledandsubjugated。TheKinghimselffellintothehandsoftheParliament；andboththeKingandtheParliamentsoonfellintothehandsofthearmy。Thefateofboththecaptiveswasthesame。Bothweretreatedalternatelywithrespectandwithinsult。

Atlengththenaturallifeofone，andthepoliticallifeoftheother，wereterminatedbyviolence；andthepowerforwhichbothhadstruggledwasunitedinasinglehand。Mennaturallysympathisewiththecalamitiesofindividuals；buttheyareinclinedtolookonafallenpartywithcontemptratherthanwithpity。ThusmisfortuneturnedthegreatestofParliamentsintothedespisedRump，andtheworstofKingsintotheBlessedMartyr。

Mr。HallamdecidedlycondemnstheexecutionofCharles；andinallthathesaysonthatsubjectweheartilyagree。Wefullyconcurwithhiminthinkingthatagreatsocialschism，suchasthecivilwar，isnottobeconfoundedwithanordinarytreason，andthatthevanquishedoughttobetreatedaccordingtotherules，notofmunicipal，butofinternationallaw。Inthiscasethedistinctionisofthelessimportance，becausebothinternationalandmunicipallawwereinfavourofCharles。Hewasaprisonerofwarbytheformer，aKingbythelatter。Byneitherwasheatraitor。Ifhehadbeensuccessful，andhadputhisleadingopponentstodeath，hewouldhavedeservedseverecensure；andthiswithoutreferencetothejusticeorinjusticeofhiscause。YettheopponentsofCharles，itmustbeadmitted，weretechnicallyguiltyoftreason。Hemighthavesentthemtothescaffoldwithoutviolatinganyestablishedprincipleofjurisprudence。Hewouldnothavebeencompelledtooverturnthewholeconstitutioninordertoreachthem。Herehisowncasedifferedwidelyfromtheirs。Notonlywashiscondemnationinitselfameasurewhichonlythestrongestnecessitycouldvindicate；butitcouldnotbeprocuredwithouttakingseveralprevioussteps，everyoneofwhichwouldhaverequiredthestrongestnecessitytovindicateit。ItcouldnotbeprocuredwithoutdissolvingtheGovernmentbymilitaryforce，withoutestablishingprecedentsofthemostdangerousdescription，withoutcreatingdifficultieswhichthenexttenyearswerespentinremoving，withoutpullingdowninstitutionswhichitsoonbecamenecessarytoreconstruct，andsettingupotherswhichalmosteverymanwassoonimpatienttodestroy。ItwasnecessarytostriketheHouseofLordsoutoftheconstitution，toexcludemembersoftheHouseofCommonsbyforce，tomakeanewcrime，anewtribunal，anewmodeofprocedure。Thewholelegislativeandjudicialsystemsweretrampleddownforthepurposeoftakingasinglehead。Notonlythosepartsoftheconstitutionwhichtherepublicansweredesiroustodestroy，butthosewhichtheywishedtoretainandexalt，weredeeplyinjuredbythesetransactions。

HighCourtsofjusticebegantousurpthefunctionsofjuries。

Theremainingdelegatesofthepeopleweresoondrivenfromtheirseatsbythesamemilitaryviolencewhichhadenabledthemtoexcludetheircolleagues。

IfCharleshadbeenthelastofhisline，therewouldhavebeenanintelligiblereasonforputtinghimtodeath。ButtheblowwhichterminatedhislifeatoncetransferredtheallegianceofeveryRoyalisttoanheir，andanheirwhowasatliberty。Tokilltheindividualwas，undersuchcircumstances，nottodestroy，buttoreleasetheKing。

WedetestthecharacterofCharles；butamanoughtnottoberemovedbyalawexpostfacto，evenconstitutionallyprocured，merelybecauseheisdetestable。Hemustalsobeverydangerous。

Wecanscarcelyconceivethatanydangerwhichastatecanapprehendfromanyindividualcouldjustifytheviolent，measureswhichwerenecessarytoprocureasentenceagainstCharles。Butinfactthedangeramountedtonothing。Therewasindeed，dangerfromtheattachmentofalargepartytohisoffice。Butthisdangerhisexecutiononlyincreased。Hispersonalinfluencewaslittleindeed。Hehadlosttheconfidenceofeveryparty。

Churchmen，Catholics，Presbyterians，Independents，hisenemies，hisfriends，histools，English，Scotch，Irish，alldivisionsandsubdivisionsofhispeoplehadbeendeceivedbyhim。Hismostattachedcouncillorsturnedawaywithshameandanguishfromhisfalseandhollowpolicy，plotintertwinedwithplot，minesprungbeneathmine，agentsdisowned，promisesevaded，onepledgegiveninprivate，anotherinpublic。"Oh，Mr。Secretary，"saysClarendon，inalettertoNicholas，"thosestratagemshavegivenmemoresadhoursthanallthemisfortunesinwarwhichhavebefallentheKing，andlookliketheeffectsofGod’sangertowardsus。"

TheabilitiesofCharleswerenotformidable。Histasteinthefineartswasindeedexquisite；andfewmodernsovereignshavewrittenorspokenbetter。Buthewasnotfitforactivelife。Innegotiationhewasalwaystryingtodupeothers，anddupingonlyhimself。Asasoldier，hewasfeeble，dilatory，andmiserablywanting，notinpersonalcourage，butinthepresenceofmindwhichhisstationrequired。HisdelayatGloucestersavedtheparliamentarypartyfromdestruction。AtNaseby，intheverycrisisofhisfortune，hiswantofself—possessionspreadafatalpanicthroughhisarmy。ThestorywhichClarendontellsofthataffairremindsusoftheexcusesbywhichBessusandBobadilexplaintheircudgellings。AScotchnobleman，itseems，beggedtheKingnottorunuponhisdeath，tookholdofhisbridle，andturnedhishorseround。NomanwhohadmuchvalueforhislifewouldhavetriedtoperformthesamefriendlyofficeonthatdayforOliverCromwell。

Onething，andonealone，couldmakeCharlesdangerous——aviolentdeath。HistyrannycouldnotbreakthehighspiritoftheEnglishpeople。Hisarmscouldnotconquer，hisartscouldnotdeceivethem；buthishumiliationandhisexecutionmeltedthemintoagenerouscompassion。Menwhodieonascaffoldforpoliticaloffencesalmostalwaysdiewell。Theeyesofthousandsarefixeduponthem。Enemiesandadmirersarewatchingtheirdemeanour。Everytoneofvoice，everychangeofcolour，istogodowntoposterity。Escapeisimpossible。Supplicationisvain。Insuchasituationprideanddespairhaveoftenbeenknowntonervetheweakestmindswithfortitudeadequatetotheoccasion。

Charlesdiedpatientlyandbravely；notmorepatientlyorbravely，indeed，thanmanyothervictimsofpoliticalrage；notmorepatientlyorbravelythanhisownjudges，whowerenotonlykilled，buttortured；orthanVane，whohadalwaysbeenconsideredasatimidman。However，theking’sconductduringhistrialandathisexecutionmadeaprodigiousimpression。Hissubjectsbegantolovehismemoryasheartilyastheyhadhatedhisperson；andposterityhasestimatedhischaracterfromhisdeathratherthanfromhislife。

TorepresentCharlesasamartyrinthecauseofEpiscopacyisabsurd。ThosewhoputhimtodeathcaredaslittlefortheAssemblyofDivines，asfortheConvocation，andwould，inallprobability，onlyhavehatedhimthemoreifhehadagreedtosetupthePresbyteriandiscipline。Indeed，inspiteoftheopinionofMr。Hallam，weareinclinedtothinkthattheattachmentofCharlestotheChurchofEnglandwasaltogetherpolitical。Humannatureis，weadmit，socapriciousthattheremaybeasingle，sensitivepoint，inaconsciencewhicheverywhereelseiscallous。Amanwithouttruthorhumanitymayhavesomestrangescruplesaboutatrifle。TherewasonedevoutwarriorintheroyalcampwhosepietyboreagreatresemblancetothatwhichisascribedtotheKing。WemeanColonelTurner。ThatgallantCavalierwashanged，aftertheRestoration，foraflagitiousburglary。Atthegallowshetoldthecrowdthathismindreceivedgreatconsolationfromonereflection:hehadalwaystakenoffhishatwhenhewentintoachurch。ThecharacterofCharleswouldscarcelyriseinourestimation，ifwebelievedthathewasprickedinconscienceafterthemannerofthisworthyloyalist，andthatwhileviolatingallthefirstrulesofChristianmorality，hewassincerelyscrupulousaboutchurch—government。

Butweacquithimofsuchweakness。In1641hedeliberatelyconfirmedtheScotchDeclarationwhichstatedthatthegovernmentofthechurchbyarchbishopsandbishopswascontrarytothewordofGod。In1645，heappearstohaveofferedtosetupPoperyinIreland。ThataKingwhohadestablishedthePresbyterianreligioninonekingdom，andwhowaswillingtoestablishtheCatholicreligioninanother，shouldhaveinsurmountablescruplesabouttheecclesiasticalconstitutionofthethird，isaltogetherincredible。HehimselfsaysinhislettersthathelooksonEpiscopacyasastrongersupportofmonarchicalpowerthaneventhearmy。Fromcauseswhichwehavealreadyconsidered，theEstablishedChurchhadbeen，sincetheReformation，thegreatbulwarkoftheprerogative。Charleswished，therefore，topreserveit。HethoughthimselfnecessarybothtotheParliamentandtothearmy。Hedidnotforesee，tilltoolate，thatbypalteringwiththePresbyterians，heshouldputboththemandhimselfintothepowerofafiercerandmoredaringparty。Ifhehadforeseenit，wesuspectthattheroyalbloodwhichstillcriestoHeaveneverythirtiethofJanuary，forjudgmentsonlytobeavertedbysalt—fishandegg—sauce，wouldneverhavebeenshed。OnewhohadswallowedtheScotchDeclarationwouldscarcelystrainattheCovenant。

ThedeathofCharlesandthestrongmeasureswhichledtoitraisedCromwelltoaheightofpowerfataltotheinfantCommonwealth。Nomenoccupysosplendidaplaceinhistoryasthosewhohavefoundedmonarchiesontheruinsofrepublicaninstitutions。Theirglory，ifnotofthepurest，isassuredlyofthemostseductiveanddazzlingkind。Innationsbrokentothecurb，innationslongaccustomedtobetransferredfromonetyranttoanother，amanwithouteminentqualitiesmayeasilygainsupremepower。Thedefectionofatroopofguards，aconspiracyofeunuchs，apopulartumult，mightplaceanindolentsenatororabrutalsoldieronthethroneoftheRomanworld。

SimilarrevolutionshaveoftenoccurredinthedespoticstatesofAsia。Butacommunitywhichhasheardthevoiceoftruthandexperiencedthepleasuresofliberty，inwhichthemeritsofstatesmenandofsystemsarefreelycanvassed，inwhichobedienceispaid，nottopersons，buttolaws，inwhichmagistratesareregarded，notasthelords，butastheservantsofthepublic，inwhichtheexcitementofapartyisanecessaryoflife，inwhichpoliticalwarfareisreducedtoasystemoftactics；suchacommunityisnoteasilyreducedtoservitude。Beastsofburdenmayeasilybemanagedbyanewmaster。Butwillthewildasssubmittothebonds？Willtheunicornserveandabidebythecrib？Willleviathanholdouthisnostrilstothebook？ThemythologicalconqueroroftheEast，whoseenchantmentsreducedwildbeaststothetamenessofdomesticcattle，andwhoharnessedlionsandtigerstohischariot，isbutanimperfecttypeofthoseextraordinarymindswhichhavethrownaspellonthefiercespiritsofnationsunaccustomedtocontrol，andhavecompelledragingfactionstoobeytheirreinsandswelltheirtriumph。Theenterprise，beitgoodorbad，isonewhichrequiresatrulygreatman。Itdemandscourage，activity，energy，wisdom，firmness，conspicuousvirtues，orvicessosplendidandalluringastoresemblevirtues。

Thosewhohavesucceededinthisarduousundertakingformaverysmallandaveryremarkableclass。Parentsoftyranny，heirsoffreedom，kingsamongcitizens，citizensamongkings，theyuniteinthemselvesthecharacteristicsofthesystemwhichspringsfromthem，andthoseofthesystemfromwhichtheyhavesprung。

Theirreignsshinewithadoublelight，thelastanddearestraysofdepartingfreedommingledwiththefirstandbrightestgloriesofempireinitsdawn。Thehighqualitiesofsuchaprincelendtodespotismitselfacharmdrawnfromthelibertyunderwhichtheywereformed，andwhichtheyhavedestroyed。HeresemblesanEuropeanwhosettleswithintheTropics，andcarriesthitherthestrengthandtheenergetichabitsacquiredinregionsmorepropitioustotheconstitution。Hediffersaswidelyfromprincesnursedinthepurpleofimperialcradles，asthecompanionsofGamafromtheirdwarfishandimbecileprogeny，which，borninaclimateunfavourabletoitsgrowthandbeauty，degeneratesmoreandmore，ateverydescent，fromthequalitiesoftheoriginalconquerors。

Inthisclassthreemenstandpre—eminent，Caesar，Cromwell，andBonaparte。ThehighestplaceinthisremarkabletriumviratebelongsundoubtedlytoCaesar。HeunitedthetalentsofBonapartetothoseofCromwell；andhepossessedalso，whatneitherCromwellnorBonapartepossessed，learning，taste，wit，eloquence，thesentimentsandthemannersofanaccomplishedgentleman。

BetweenCromwellandNapoleonMr。Hallamhasinstitutedaparallel，scarcelylessingeniousthanthatwhichBurkehasdrawnbetweenRichardCoeurdeLionandCharlestheTwelfthofSweden。

Inthisparallel，however，andindeedthroughouthiswork，wethinkthathehardlygivesCromwellfairmeasure。"Cromwell，"

sayshe，"farunlikehisantitype，nevershowedanysignsofalegislativemind，oranydesiretoplacehisrenownonthatnoblestbasis，theameliorationofsocialinstitutions。"Thedifferenceinthisrespect，weconceive，wasnotinthecharacterofthemen，butinthecharacteroftherevolutionsbymeansofwhichtheyrosetopower。ThecivilwarinEnglandhadbeenundertakentodefendandrestore；therepublicansofFrancesetthemselvestodestroy。InEngland，theprinciplesofthecommonlawhadneverbeendisturbed，andmostevenofitsformshadbeenheldsacred。InFrance，thelawanditsministershadbeensweptawaytogether。InFrance，therefore，legislationnecessarilybecamethefirstbusinessofthefirstsettledgovernmentwhichroseontheruinsoftheoldsystem。TheadmirersofInigoJoneshavealwaysmaintainedthathisworksareinferiortothoseofSirChristopherWren，onlybecausethegreatfireofLondongaveWrensuchafieldforthedisplayofhispowersasnoarchitectinthehistoryoftheworldeverpossessed。SimilarallowancemustbemadeforCromwell。Ifheerectedlittlethatwasnew，itwasbecausetherehadbeennogeneraldevastationtoclearaspaceforhim。Asitwas，hereformedtherepresentativesysteminamostjudiciousmanner。Herenderedtheadministrationofjusticeuniformthroughouttheisland。WewillquoteapassagefromhisspeechtotheParliamentinSeptember1656，whichcontains，wethink，simpleandrudeasthedictionis，strongerindicationsofalegislativemind，thanaretobefoundinthewholerangeoforationsdeliveredonsuchoccasionsbeforeorsince。

"Thereisonegeneralgrievanceinthenation。Itisthelaw。I

think，Imaysayit，Ihaveaseminentjudgesinthislandashavebeenhad，orthatthenationhashadforthesemanyyears。

Truly，Icouldbeparticularastotheexecutivepart，totheadministration；butthatwouldtroubleyou。Butthetruthofitis，therearewickedandabominablelawsthatwillbeinyourpowertoalter。Tohangamanforsixpence，threepence，Iknownotwhat，——tohangforatrifle，andpardonmurder，isintheministrationofthelawthroughtheillframingofit。Ihaveknowninmyexperienceabominablemurdersquitted；andtoseemenlosetheirlivesforpettymatters！ThisisathingthatGodwillreckonfor；andIwishitmaynotlieuponthisnationadaylongerthanyouhaveanopportunitytogivearemedy；andIhopeIshallcheerfullyjoinwithyouinit。"

Mr。Hallamtrulysaysthat，thoughitisimpossibletorankCromwellwithNapoleonasageneral，"yethisexploitswereasmuchabovethelevelofhiscontemporaries，andmoretheeffectsofanoriginaluneducatedcapacity。"Bonapartewastrainedinthebestmilitaryschools；thearmywhichheledtoItalywasoneofthefinestthateverexisted。Cromwellpassedhisyouthandtheprimeofhismanhoodinacivilsituation。Heneverlookedonwartillhewasmorethanfortyyearsold。Hehadfirsttoformhimself，andthentoformhistroops。Outofrawlevieshecreatedanarmy，thebravestandthebestdisciplined，themostorderlyinpeace，andthemostterribleinwar，thatEuropehadseen。Hecalledthisbodyintoexistence。Heledittoconquest。

Heneverfoughtabattlewithoutgainingit。Henevergainedabattlewithoutannihilatingtheforceopposedtohim。Yethisvictorieswerenotthehighestgloryofhismilitarysystem。Therespectwhichhistroopspaidtoproperty，theirattachmenttothelawsandreligionoftheircountry，theirsubmissiontothecivilpower，theirtemperance，theirintelligence，theirindustry，arewithoutparallel。ItwasaftertheRestorationthatthespiritwhichtheirgreatleaderhadinfusedintothemwasmostsignallydisplayed。Atthecommandoftheestablishedgovernment，anestablishedgovernmentwhichhadnomeansofenforcingobedience，fiftythousandsoldierswhosebacksnoenemyhadeverseen，eitherindomesticorincontinentalwar，laiddowntheirarms，andretiredintothemassofthepeople，thenceforwardtobedistinguishedonlybysuperiordiligence，sobriety，andregularityinthepursuits，ofpeace，fromtheothermembersofthecommunitywhichtheyhadsaved。

Inthegeneralspiritandcharacterofhisadministration，wethinkCromwellfarsuperiortoNapoleon。"Inthecivilgovernment，"saysMr。Hallam，"therecanbenoadequateparallelbetweenonewhohadsuckedonlythedregsofabesottedfanaticism，andonetowhomthestoresofreasonandphilosophywereopen。"Theseexpressions，itseemstous，conveythehighesteulogiumonourgreatcountryman。ReasonandphilosophydidnotteachtheconquerorofEuropetocommandhispassions，ortopursue，asafirstobject，thehappinessofhispeople。Theydidnotpreventhimfromriskinghisfameandhispowerinafranticcontestagainsttheprinciplesofhumannatureandthelawsofthephysicalworld，againsttherageofthewinterandthelibertyofthesea。Theydidnotexempthimfromtheinfluenceofthatmostperniciousofsuperstitions，apresumptuousfatalism。Theydidnotpreservehintfromtheinebriationofprosperity，orrestrainhimfromindecentquerulousnessinadversity。Ontheotherhand，thefanaticismofCromwellneverurgedhimonimpracticableundertakings，orconfusedhisperceptionofthepublicgood。Ourcountryman，inferiortoBonaparteininvention，wasfarsuperiortohiminwisdom。TheFrenchEmperorisamongconquerorswhatVoltaireisamongwriters，amiraculouschild。Hissplendidgeniuswasfrequentlycloudedbyfitsofhumourasabsurdlyperverseasthoseofthepetofthenursery，whoquarrelswithhisfood，anddasheshisplaythingstopieces。Cromwellwasemphaticallyaman。

Hepossessed，inaneminentdegree，thatmasculineandfull—grownrobustnessofmind，thatequallydiffusedintellectualhealth，which，ifournationalpartialitydoesnotmisleadus，haspeculiarlycharacterisedthegreatmenofEngland。Neverwasanyrulersoconspicuouslybornforsovereignty。Thecupwhichhasintoxicatedalmostallothers，soberedhim。Hisspirit，restlessfromitsownbuoyancyinalowersphere，reposedinmajesticplacidityassoonasithadreachedthelevelcongenialtoit。Hehadnothingincommonwiththatlargeclassofmenwhodistinguishthemselvesinsubordinateposts，andwhoseincapacitybecomesobviousassoonasthepublicvoicesummonsthemtotakethelead。Rapidlyashisfortunesgrew，hismindexpandedmorerapidlystill。Insignificantasaprivatecitizen，hewasagreatgeneral；hewasastillgreaterprince。Napoleonhadatheatricalmanner，inwhichthecoarsenessofarevolutionaryguard—roomwasblendedwiththeceremonyoftheoldCourtofVersailles。

Cromwell，bytheconfessionevenofhisenemies，exhibitedinhisdemeanourthesimpleandnaturalnoblenessofamanneitherashamedofhisoriginnorvainofhiselevation，ofamanwhohadfoundhisproperplaceinsociety，andwhofeltsecurethathewascompetenttofillit。Easy，eventofamiliarity，wherehisowndignitywasconcerned，hewaspunctiliousonlyforhiscountry。Hisowncharacterhelefttotakecareofitself；heleftittobedefendedbyhisvictoriesinwar，andhisreformsinpeace。Buthewasajealousandimplacableguardianofthepublichonour。HesufferedacrazyQuakertoinsulthiminthegalleryofWhitehall，andrevengedhimselfonlybyliberatinghimandgivinghimadinner。ButhewaspreparedtoriskthechancesofwartoavengethebloodofaprivateEnglishman。

Nosovereignevercarriedtothethronesolargeaportionofthebestqualitiesofthemiddlingorders，sostrongasympathywiththefeelingsandinterestsofhispeople。Hewassometimesdriventoarbitrarymeasures；buthehadahigh，stout，honest，Englishheart。HenceitwasthathelovedtosurroundhisthronewithsuchmenasHaleandBlake。Henceitwasthatheallowedsolargeashareofpoliticallibertytohissubjects，andthat，evenwhenanoppositiondangeroustohispowerandtohispersonalmostcompelledhimtogovernbythesword，hewasstillanxioustoleaveagermfromwhich，atamorefavourableseason，freeinstitutionsmightspring。Wefirmlybelievethat，ifhisfirstParliamenthadnotcommenceditsdebatesbydisputinghistitle，hisgovernmentwouldhavebeenasmildathomeasitwasenergeticandableabroad。Hewasasoldier；hehadrisenbywar。

Hadhisambitionbeenofanimpureorselfishkind，itwouldhavebeeneasyforhimtoplungehiscountryintocontinentalhostilitiesonalargescale，andtodazzletherestlessfactionswhichheruled，bythe，splendourofhisvictories。Someofhisenemieshavesneeringlyremarked，thatinthesuccessesobtainedunderhisadministrationhehadnopersonalshare；asifamanwhohadraisedhimselffromobscuritytoempiresolelybyhismilitarytalentscouldhaveanyunworthyreasonforshrinkingfrommilitaryenterprise。Thisreproachishishighestglory。InthesuccessoftheEnglishnavyhecouldhavenoselfishinterest。Itstriumphsaddednothingtohisfame；itsincreaseaddednothingtohismeansofoverawinghisenemies；itsgreatleaderwasnothisfriend。Yethetookapeculiarpleasureinencouragingthatnobleservicewhich，ofalltheinstrumentsemployedbyanEnglishgovernment，isthemostimpotentformischief，andthemostpowerfulforgood。Hisadministrationwasglorious，butwithnovulgarglory。Itwasnotoneofthoseperiodsofoverstrainedandconvulsiveexertionwhichnecessarilyproducedebilityandlanguor。Itsenergywasnatural，healthful，temperate。HeplacedEnglandattheheadoftheProtestantinterest，andinthefirstrankofChristianpowers。Hetaughteverynationtovalueherfriendshipandtodreadherenmity。Buthedidnotsquanderherresourcesinavainattempttoinvestherwiththatsupremacywhichnopower，inthemodernsystemofEurope，cansafelyaffect，orcanlongretain。

Thisnobleandsoberwisdomhaditsreward。IfhedidnotcarrythebannersoftheCommonwealthintriumphtodistantcapitals，ifhedidnotadornWhitehallwiththespoilsoftheStadthouseandtheLouvre，ifhedidnotportionoutFlandersandGermanyintoprincipalitiesforhiskinsmenandhisgenerals，hedidnot，ontheotherhand，seehiscountryoverrunbythearmiesofnationswhichhisambitionhadprovoked。Hedidnotdragoutthelastyearsofhislifeanexileandaprisoner，inanunhealthyclimateandunderanungenerousgaoler，ragingwiththeimpotentdesireofvengeance，andbroodingovervisionsofdepartedglory。

Hewentdowntohisgraveinthefulnessofpowerandfame；andhelefttohissonanauthoritywhichanymanofordinaryfirmnessandprudencewouldhaveretained。

ButfortheweaknessofthatfoolishIshbosheth，theopinionswhichwehavebeenexpressingwould，webelieve，nowhaveformedtheorthodoxcreedofgoodEnglishmen。WemightnowbewritingunderthegovernmentofhisHighnessOlivertheFifthorRichardtheFourth，Protector，bythegraceofGod，oftheCommonwealthofEngland，Scotland，andIreland，andthedominionstheretobelonging。Theformofthegreatfounderofthedynasty，onhorseback，aswhenheledthechargeatNasebyoronfoot，aswhenhetookthemacefromthetableoftheCommons，wouldadornoursquaresandoverlookourpublicofficesfromCharingCross；andsermonsinhispraisewouldbedulypreachedonhisluckyday，thethirdofSeptember，bycourt—chaplains，guiltlessoftheabominationofthesurplice。

But，thoughhismemoryhasnotbeentakenunderthepatronageofanyparty，thougheverydevicehasbeenusedtoblackenit，thoughtopraisehimwouldlonghavebeenapunishablecrime，truthandmeritatlastprevail。Cowardswhohadtrembledattheverysoundofhisname，toolsofoffice，who，likeDowning，hadbeenproudofthehonouroflacqueyinghiscoach，mightinsulthiminloyalspeechesandaddresses。Venalpoetsmighttransfertothekingthesameeulogieslittletheworseforwear，whichtheyhadbestowedontheProtector。AficklemultitudemightcrowdtoshoutandscoffroundthegibbetedremainsofthegreatestPrinceandSoldieroftheage。ButwhentheDutchcannonstartledaneffeminatetyrantinhisownpalace，whentheconquestswhichhadbeenwonbythearmiesofCromwellweresoldtopampertheharlotsofCharles，whenEnglishmenweresenttofightunderforeignbanners，againsttheindependenceofEuropeandtheProtestantreligion，manyhonestheartsswelledinsecretatthethoughtofonewhohadneversufferedhiscountrytobeill—usedbyanybuthimself。ItmustindeedhavebeendifficultforanyEnglishmantoseethesalariedviceroyofFrance，atthemostimportantcrisisofhisfate，saunteringthroughhisharam，yawningandtalkingnonsenseoveradespatch，orbeslobberinghisbrotherandhiscourtiersinafitofmaudlinaffection，withoutarespectfulandtenderremembranceofhimbeforewhosegeniustheyoungprideofLouisandtheveterancraftofMazarinehadstoodrebuked，whohadhumbledSpainonthelandandHollandonthesea，andwhoseimperialvoicehadarrestedthesailsoftheLibyanpiratesandthepersecutingfiresofRome。Eventohepresentdayhischaracter，thoughconstantlyattacked，andscarcelyeverdefended，ispopularwiththegreatbodyofourcountrymen。

ThemostblameableactofhislifewastheexecutionofCharles。

Wehavealreadystronglycondemnedthatproceeding；butwebynomeansconsideritasonewhichattachesanypeculiarstigmaofinfamytothenamesofthosewhoparticipatedinit。Itwasanunjustandinjudiciousdisplayofviolentpartyspirit；butitwasnotacruelorperfidiousmeasure。Ithadallthosefeatureswhichdistinguishtheerrorsofmagnanimousandintrepidspiritsfrombaseandmalignantcrimes。

FromthemomentthatCromwellisdeadandburied，wegooninalmostperfectharmonywithMr。Hallamtotheendofhisbook。

ThetimeswhichfollowedtheRestorationpeculiarlyrequirethatunsparingimpartialitywhichishismostdistinguishingvirtue。

Nopartofourhistory，duringthelastthreecenturies，presentsaspectacleofsuchgeneraldreariness。Thewholebreedofourstatesmenseemstohavedegenerated；andtheirmoralandintellectuallittlenessstrikesuswiththemoredisgust，becauseweseeitplacedinimmediatecontrastwiththehighandmajesticqualitiesoftheracewhichtheysucceeded。Inthegreatcivilwar，eventhebadcausehadbeenrenderedrespectableandamiablebythepurityandelevationofmindwhichmanyofitsfriendsdisplayed。UnderCharlestheSecond，thebestandnoblestofendswasdisgracedbymeansthemostcruelandsordid。Therageoffactionsucceededtotheloveofliberty。Loyaltydiedawayintoservility。Welookinvainamongtheleadingpoliticiansofeithersideforsteadinessofprinciple，orevenforthatvulgarfidelitytopartywhich，inourtime，itisesteemedinfamoustoviolate。Theinconsistency，perfidy，andbaseness，whichtheleadersconstantlypractised，whichtheirfollowersdefended，andwhichthegreatbodyofthepeopleregarded，asitseems，withlittledisapprobation，appearinthepresentagealmostincredible。IntheageofCharlestheFirst，theywould，webelieve，haveexcitedasmuchastonishment。

Man，however，isalwaysthesame。Andwhensomarkedadifferenceappearsbetweentwogenerations，itiscertainthatthesolutionmaybefoundintheirrespectivecircumstances。TheprincipalstatesmenofthereignofCharlestheSecondweretrainedduringthecivilwarandtherevolutionswhichfollowedit。Suchaperiodiseminentlyfavourabletothegrowthofquickandactivetalents。Itformsaclassofmen，shrewd，vigilant，inventive；ofmenwhosedexteritytriumphsoverthemostperplexingcombinationsofcircumstances，whosepresaginginstinctnosignofthetimescanelude。Butitisanunpropitiousseasonforthefirmandmasculinevirtues。Thestatesmanwhoentersonhiscareeratsuchatime，canformnopermanentconnections，canmakenoaccurateobservationsonthehigherpartsofpoliticalscience。Beforehecanattachhimselftoaparty，itisscattered。Beforehecanstudythenatureofagovernment，itisoverturned。Theoathofabjurationcomescloseontheoathofallegiance。Theassociationwhichwassubscribedyesterdayisburnedbythehangmanto—day。Inthemidstoftheconstanteddyandchange，self—preservationbecomesthefirstobjectoftheadventurer。Itisatasktoohardforthestrongestheadtokeepitselffrombecominggiddyintheeternalwhirl。Publicspiritisoutofthequestion。Alaxityofprinciple，withoutwhichnopublicmancanbeeminentorevensafe，becomestoocommontobescandalous；andthewholenationlookscoollyoninstancesofapostasywhichwouldstartlethefoulestturncoatofmoresettledtimes。

【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