ThehistoryofFrancesincetheRevolutionaffordssomestrikingillustrationsoftheseremarks。ThesamemanwasaservantoftheRepublic，ofBonaparte，ofLewistheEighteenth，ofBonaparteagainafterhisreturnfromElba，ofLewisagainafterhisreturnfromGhent。Yetallthesemanifoldtreasonsbynomeansseemedtodestroyhisinfluence，oreventofixanypeculiarstainofinfamyonhischaracter。We，tobesure，didnotknowwhattomakeofhim；buthiscountrymendidnotseemtobeshocked；andintruththeyhadlittlerighttobeshocked:fortherewasscarcelyoneFrenchmandistinguishedinthestateorinthearmy，whohadnot，accordingtothebestofhistalentsandopportunities，emulatedtheexample。Itwasnatural，too，thatthisshouldbethecase。TherapidityandviolencewithwhichchangefollowedchangeintheaffairsofFrancetowardsthecloseofthelastcenturyhadtakenawaythereproachofinconsistency，unfixedtheprinciplesofpublicmen，andproducedinmanymindsageneralscepticismandindifferenceaboutprinciplesofgovernment。

NoEnglishmanwhohasstudiedattentivelythereignofCharlestheSecond，willthinkhimselfentitledtoindulgeinanyfeelingsofnationalsuperiorityovertheDictionnairedesGirouttes。ShaftesburywassurelyafarlessrespectablemanthanTalleyrand；anditwouldbeinjusticeeventoFouchetocomparehimwithLauderdale。Nothing，indeed，canmoreclearlyshowhowlowthestandardofpoliticalmoralityhadfalleninthiscountrythanthefortunesofthetwoBritishstatesmenwhomwehavenamed。Thegovernmentwantedaruffiantocarryonthemostatrocioussystemofmisgovernmentwithwhichanynationwasevercursed，toextirpatePresbyterianismbyfireandsword，bythedrowningofwomen，bythefrightfultortureoftheboot。AndtheyfoundhimamongthechiefsoftherebellionandthesubscribersoftheCovenant。Theoppositionlookedforachieftoheadtheminthemostdesperateattacksevermade，undertheformsoftheConstitution，onanyEnglishadministration；andtheyselectedtheministerwhohadthedeepestshareintheworstactsoftheCourt，thesouloftheCabal，thecounsellorwhohadshutuptheExchequerandurgedontheDutchwar。Thewholepoliticaldramawasofthesamecast。Nounityofplan，nodecentproprietyofcharacterandcostume，couldbefoundinthatwildandmonstrousharlequinade。Thewholewasmadeupofextravaganttransformationsandburlesquecontrasts；AtheiststurnedPuritans；PuritansturnedAtheists；republicansdefendingthedivinerightofkings；prostitutecourtiersclamouringforthelibertiesofthepeople；judgesinflamingtherageofmobs；

patriotspocketingbribesfromforeignpowers；aPopishprincetorturingPresbyteriansintoEpiscopacyinonepartoftheisland；PresbyterianscuttingofftheheadsofPopishnoblemenandgentlemenintheother。Publicopinionhasitsnaturalfluxandreflux。Afteraviolentburst，thereiscommonlyareaction。

ButvicissitudessoextraordinaryasthosewhichmarkedthereignofCharlestheSecondcanonlybeexplainedbysupposinganutterwantofprincipleinthepoliticalworld。Onneithersidewastherefidelityenoughtofaceareverse。Thosehonourableretreatsfrompowerwhich，inlaterdays，partieshaveoftenmade，withloss，butstillingoodorder，infirmunion，withunbrokenspiritandformidablemeansofannoyance，wereutterlyunknown。Assoonasachecktookplaceatotalroutfollowed:

armsandcolourswerethrownaway。Thevanquishedtroops，liketheItalianmercenariesofthefourteenthandfifteenthcenturies，enlistedontheveryfieldofbattle，intheserviceoftheconquerors。Inanationproudofitssturdyjusticeandplaingoodsense，nopartycouldbefoundtotakeafirmmiddlestandbetweentheworstofoppositionsandtheworstofcourts。

WhenonchargesaswildasMotherGoose’stales，onthetestimonyofwretcheswhoproclaimedthemselvestobespiesandtraitors，andwhomeverybodynowbelievestohavebeenalsoliarsandmurderers，theoffalofgaolsandbrothels，theleavingsofthehangman’swhipandshears，CatholicsguiltyofnothingbuttheirreligionwereledlikesheeptotheProtestantshambles，whereweretheloyalTorygentryandthepassivelyobedientclergy？Andwhere，whenthetimeofretributioncame，whenlawswerestrainedandjuriespackedtodestroytheleadersoftheWhigs，whencharterswereinvaded，whenJeffreysandKirkeweremakingSomersetshirewhatLauderdaleandGrahamhadmadeScotland，wherewerethetenthousandbriskboysofShaftesbury，themembersofignoramusjuries，thewearersofthePolishmedal？

All—powerfultodestroyothers，unabletosavethemselves，themembersofthetwopartiesoppressedandwereoppressed，murderedandweremurdered，intheirturn。Nolucidintervaloccurredbetweenthefranticparoxysmsoftwocontradictoryillusions。

TothefrequentchangesofthegovernmentduringthetwentyyearswhichhadprecededtheRestoration，thisunsteadinessisinagreatmeasuretobeattributed。Othercauseshadalsobeenatwork。EvenifthecountryhadbeengovernedbythehouseofCromwellorbytheremainsoftheLongParliament，theextremeausterityofthePuritanswouldnecessarilyhaveproducedarevulsion。TowardsthecloseoftheProtectoratemanysignsindicatedthatatimeoflicencewasathand。ButtherestorationofCharlestheSecondrenderedthechangewonderfullyrapidandviolent。Profligacybecameatestoforthodoxy，andloyaltyaqualificationforrankandoffice。Adeepandgeneraltaintinfectedthemoralsofthemostinfluentialclasses，andspreaditselfthrougheveryprovinceofletters。Poetryinflamedthepassions；philosophyunderminedtheprinciples；divinityitself，inculcatinganabjectreverencefortheCourt，gaveadditionaleffecttothelicentiousexampleoftheCourt。Welookinvainforthosequalitieswhichlendacharmtotheerrorsofhighandardentnatures，forthegenerosity，thetenderness，thechivalrousdelicacy，whichennobleappetitesintopassions，andimparttoviceitselfaportionofthemajestyofvirtue。Theexcessesofthatageremindusofthehumoursofagangoffootpads，revellingwiththeirfavouritebeautiesataflash—

house。Inthefashionablelibertinismthereisahard，coldferocity，animpudence，alowness，adirtiness，whichcanbeparalleledonlyamongtheheroesandheroinesofthatfilthyandheartlessliteraturewhichencouragedit。OnenoblemanofgreatabilitieswandersaboutasaMerry—Andrew。Anotherharanguesthemobstarknakedfromawindow。Athirdlaysanambushtocudgelamanwhohasoffendedhim。AknotofgentlemenofhighrankandinfluencecombinetopushtheirfortunesatCourtbycirculatingstoriesintendedtoruinaninnocentgirl，stoneswhichhadnofoundation，andwhich，iftheyhadbeentrue，wouldneverhavepassedthelipsofamanofhonour。Adeadchildisfoundinthepalace，theoffspringofsomemaidofhonourbysomecourtier，orperhapsbyCharleshimself。Thewholeflightofpandarsandbuffoonspounceuponit，andcarryitintriumphtotheroyallaboratory，wherehisMajesty，afterabrutaljest，dissectsitfortheamusementoftheassembly，andprobablyofitsfatheramongtherest。ThefavouriteDuchessstampsaboutWhitehall，cursingandswearing。Theministersemploytheirtimeatthecouncil—boardinmakingmouthsateachotherandtakingoffeachother’sgesturesfortheamusementoftheKing。ThePeersataconferencebegintopommeleachotherandtotearcollarsandperiwigs。AspeakerintheHouseofCommonsgivesoffencetotheCourt。Heiswaylaidbyagangofbullies，andhisnoseiscuttothebone。Thisignominiousdissoluteness，orrather，ifwemayventuretodesignateitbytheonlyproperword，blackguardismoffeelingandmanners，couldnotbutspreadfromprivatetopubliclife。Thecynicalsneers，andepicureansophistry，whichhaddrivenhonourandvirtuefromonepartofthecharacter，extendedtheirinfluenceovereveryother。Thesecondgenerationofthestatesmenofthisreignwereworthypupilsoftheschoolsinwhichtheyhadbeentrained，ofthegaming—tableofGrammont，andthetiring—roomofNell。InnootheragecouldsuchatriflerasBuckinghamhaveexercisedanypoliticalinfluence。InnootheragecouldthepathtopowerandgloryhavebeenthrownopentothemanifoldinfamiesofChurchill。

ThehistoryofChurchillshows，moreclearlyperhapsthanthatofanyotherindividual，themalignityandextentofthecorruptionwhichhadeatenintotheheartofthepublicmorality。AnEnglishgentlemanofgoodfamilyattacheshimselftoaPrincewhohasseducedhissister，andacceptsrankandwealthasthepriceofhershameandhisown。Hethenrepaysbyingratitudethebenefitswhichhehaspurchasedbyignominy，betrayshispatroninamannerwhichthebestcausecannotexcuse，andcommitsanact，notonlyofprivatetreachery，butofdistinctmilitarydesertion。TohisconductatthecrisisofthefateofJames，noserviceinmoderntimeshas，asfarasweremember，furnishedanyparallel。TheconductofNey，scandalousenoughnodoubt，istheveryfastidiousnessofhonourincomparisonofit。TheperfidyofArnoldapproachesitmostnearly。Inourageandcountrynotalents，noservices，nopartyattachments，couldbearanymanupundersuchmountainsofinfamy。Yet，evenbeforeChurchillhadperformedthosegreatactionswhichinsomedegreeredeemhischaracterwithposterity，theloadlayverylightlyonhim。Hehadothersinabundancetokeephimincountenance。Godolphin，Orford，Danby，thetrimmerHalifax，therenegadeSunderland，wereallmenofthesameclass。

Wheresuchwasthepoliticalmoralityofthenobleandthewealthy，itmayeasilybeconceivedthatthoseprofessionswhich，eveninthebesttimes，arepeculiarlyliabletocorruption，wereinafrightfulstate。SuchabenchandsuchabarEnglandhasneverseen。Jones，Scroggs，Jeffreys，North，Wright，Sawyer，Williams，aretothisdaythespotsandblemishesofourlegalchronicles。Differinginconstitutionandinsituation，whetherblusteringorcringing，whetherpersecutingProtestantorCatholics，theywereequallyunprincipledandinhuman。ThepartwhichtheChurchplayedwasnotequallyatrocious；butitmusthavebeenexquisitelydivertingtoascoffer。Neverwereprinciplessoloudlyprofessed，andsoshamelesslyabandoned。TheRoyalprerogativehadbeenmagnifiedtotheskiesintheologicalworks。Thedoctrineofpassiveobediencehadbeenpreachedfrominnumerablepulpits。TheUniversityofOxfordhadsentencedtheworksofthemostmoderateconstitutionaliststotheflames。TheaccessionofaCatholicKing，thefrightfulcrueltiescommittedinthewestofEngland，nevershookthesteadyloyaltyoftheclergy。ButdidtheyservetheKingfornought？Helaidhishandonthem，andtheycursedhimtohisface。Hetouchedtherevenueofacollegeandthelibertyofsomeprelates；andthewholeprofessionsetupayellworthyofHughPetershimself。OxfordsentherplatetoaninvaderwithmorealacritythanshehadshownwhenCharlestheFirstrequestedit。Nothingwassaidaboutthewickednessofresistancetillresistancehaddoneitswork，tilltheanointedvicegerentofHeavenhadbeendrivenaway，andtillithadbecomeplainthathewouldneverberestored，orwouldberestoredatleastunderstrictlimitations。Theclergywentback，itmustbeowned，totheiroldtheory，assoonastheyfoundthatitwoulddothemnoharm。

ItisprincipallytothegeneralbasenessandprofligacyofthetimesthatClarendonisindebtedforhishighreputation。Hewas，ineveryrespect，amanunfitforhisage，atoncetoogoodforitandtoobadforit。HeseemedtobeoneoftheministersofElizabeth，transplantedatoncetoastateofsocietywidelydifferentfromthatinwhichtheabilitiesofsuchministershadbeenserviceable。Inthesixteenthcentury，theRoyalprerogativehadscarcelybeencalledinquestion。AMinisterwhoheldithighwasinnodanger，solongasheuseditwell。ThatattachmenttotheCrown，thatextremejealousyofpopularencroachments，thatlove，halfreligioushalfpolitical，fortheChurch，which，fromthebeginningofthesecondsessionoftheLongParliament，showeditselfinClarendon，andwhichhissufferings，hislongresidenceinFrance，andhishighstationinthegovernment，servedtostrengthen，wouldahundredyearsearlier，havesecuredtohimthefavourofhissovereignwithoutrenderinghimodioustothepeople。Hisprobity，hiscorrectnessinprivatelife，hisdecencyofdeportment，andhisgeneralability，wouldnothavemisbecomeacolleagueofWalsinghamandBurleigh。But，inthetimesonwhichhewascast，hiserrorsandhisvirtueswerealikeoutofplace。Heimprisonedmenwithouttrial。Hewasaccusedofraisingunlawfulcontributionsonthepeopleforthesupportofthearmy。TheabolitionoftheactwhichensuredthefrequentholdingofParliamentswasoneofhisfavouriteobjects。HeseemstohavemeditatedtherevivaloftheStar—ChamberandtheHighCommissionCourt。Hiszealfortheprerogativemadehimunpopular；butitcouldnotsecuretohimthefavourofamasterfarmoredesirousofeaseandpleasurethanofpower。Charleswouldratherhavelivedinexileandprivacy，withabundanceofmoney，acrowdofmimicstoamusehim，andascoreofmistresses，thanhavepurchasedtheabsolutedominionoftheworldbytheprivationsandexertionstowhichClarendonwasconstantlyurginghim。Acouncillorwhowasalwaysbringinghimpapersandgivinghimadvice，andwhostoutlyrefusedtocomplimentLadyCastlemaineandtocarrymessagestoMistressStewart，soonbecamemorehatefultohimthaneverCromwellhadbeen。Thus，consideredbythepeopleasanoppressor，bytheCourtasacensor，theMinisterfellfromhishighofficewitharuinmoreviolentanddestructivethancouldeverhavebeenhisfate，ifhehadeitherrespectedtheprinciplesoftheConstitutionorflatteredthevicesoftheKing。

Mr。Hallamhasformed，wethink，amostcorrectestimateofthecharacterandadministrationofClarendon。Buthescarcelymakesasufficientallowanceforthewearandtearwhichhonestyalmostnecessarilysustainsinthefrictionofpoliticallife，andwhich，intimessoroughasthosethroughwhichClarendonpassed，mustbeveryconsiderable。Whenthesearefairlyestimated，wethinkthathisintegritymaybeallowedtopassmuster。Ahigh—

mindedmanhecertainlywasnot，eitherinpublicorinprivateaffairs。Hisownaccountofhisconductintheaffairofhisdaughteristhemostextraordinarypassageinautobiography。WeexceptnothingevenintheConfessionsofRousseau。Severalwritershavetakenapervertedandabsurdprideinrepresentingthemselvesasdetestable；butnoothereverlabouredhardtomakehimselfdespicableandridiculous。InoneimportantparticularClarendonshowedaslittleregardtothehonourofhiscountryashehadshowntothatofhisfamily。HeacceptedasubsidyfromFranceforthereliefofPortugal。Butthismethodofobtainingmoneywasafterwardspractisedtoamuchgreaterextentandforobjectsmuchlessrespectable，bothbytheCourtandbytheOpposition。

Thesepecuniarytransactionsarecommonlyconsideredasthemostdisgracefulpartofthehistoryofthosetimes:andtheywerenodoubthighlyreprehensible。Yet，injusticetotheWhigsandtoCharleshimself，wemustadmitthattheywerenotsoshamefuloratrociousasatthepresentdaytheyappear。TheeffectofviolentanimositiesbetweenpartieshasalwaysbeenanindifferencetothegeneralwelfareandhonouroftheState。A

politician，wherefactionsrunhigh，isinterestednotforthewholepeople，butforhisownsectionofit。Therestare，inhisview，strangers，enemies，orratherpirates。Thestrongestaversionwhichhecanfeeltoanyforeignpoweristheardouroffriendship，whencomparedwiththeloathingwhichheentertainstowardsthosedomesticfoeswithwhomheiscoopedupinanarrowspace，withwhomhelivesinaconstantinterchangeofpettyinjuriesandinsults，andfromwhom，inthedayoftheirsuccess，hehastoexpectseveritiesfarbeyondanythataconquerorfromadistantcountrywouldinflict。Thus，inGreece，itwasapointofhonourforamantocleavetohispartyagainsthiscountry。

NoaristocraticalcitizenofSamosorCorcyrawouldhavehesitatedtocallintheaidofLacedaemon。Themultitude，onthecontrary，lookedeverywheretoAthens。IntheItalianstatesofthethirteenthandfourteenthcenturies，fromthesamecause，nomanwassomuchaPisanoraFlorentineasaGhibelineoraGuelf。Itmaybedoubtedwhethertherewasasingleindividualwhowouldhavescrupledtoraisehispartyfromastateofdepression，byopeningthegatesofhisnativecitytoaFrenchoranArragoneseforce。TheReformation，dividingalmosteveryEuropeancountryintotwoparts，producedsimilareffects。TheCatholicwastoostrongfortheEnglishman，theHuguenotfortheFrenchman。TheProtestantstatesmenofScotlandandFrancecalledintheaidofElizabeth；andthePapistsoftheLeaguebroughtaSpanisharmyintotheveryheartofFrance。ThecommotionstowhichtheFrenchRevolutiongaverisewerefollowedbythesameconsequences。TheRepublicansineverypartofEuropewereeagertoseethearmiesoftheNationalConventionandtheDirectoryappearamongthem，andexaltedindefeatswhichdistressedandhumbledthosewhomtheyconsideredastheirworstenemies，theirownrulers。TheprincesandnoblesofFrance，ontheotherhand，didtheirutmosttobringforeigninvaderstoParis。AveryshorttimehaselapsedsincetheApostolicalpartyinSpaininvoked，toosuccessfully，thesupportofstrangers。

ThegreatcontestwhichragedinEnglandduringtheseventeenthcenturyextinguished，notindeedinthebodyofthepeople，butinthoseclasseswhichweremostactivelyengagedinpolitics，almostallnationalfeelings。CharlestheSecondandmanyofhiscourtiershadpassedalargepartoftheirlivesinbanishment，livingonthebountyofforeigntreasuries，solicitingforeignaidtore—establishmonarchyintheirnativecountry。TheKing’sownbrotherhadfoughtinFlanders，underthebannersofSpain，againsttheEnglisharmies。TheoppressedCavaliersinEnglandconstantlylookedtotheLouvreandtheEscurialfordeliveranceandrevenge。Clarendoncensuresthecontinentalgovernmentswithgreatbitternessfornotinterferinginourinternaldissensions。

Itisnotstrange，therefore，that，amidstthefuriouscontestswhichfollowedtheRestoration，theviolenceofpartyfeelingshouldproduceeffectswhichwouldprobablyhaveattendediteveninanagelessdistinguishedbylaxityofprincipleandindelicacyofsentiment。ItwasnottillanaturaldeathhadterminatedtheparalyticoldageoftheJacobitepartythattheevilwascompletelyatanend。TheWhigslonglookedtoHolland，theHighToriestoFrance。TheformerconcludedtheBarrierTreaty；thelatterentreatedtheCourtofVersaillestosendanexpeditiontoEngland。Manymen，who，howevererroneoustheirpoliticalnotionsmightbe，wereunquestionablyhonourableinprivatelife，acceptedmoneywithoutscruplefromtheforeignpowersfavourabletothePretender。

NeverwastherelessofnationalfeelingamongthehigherordersthanduringthereignofCharlestheSecond。ThatPrince，ontheoneside，thoughtitbettertobethedeputyofanabsolutekingthantheKingofafreepeople。AlgernonSydney，ontheotherhand，wouldgladlyhaveaidedFranceinallherambitiousschemes，andhaveseenEnglandreducedtotheconditionofaprovince，inthewildhopethataforeigndespotwouldassisthimtoestablishhisdarlingrepublic。TheKingtookthemoneyofFrancetoassisthimintheenterprisewhichhemeditatedagainstthelibertyofhissubjects，withaslittlescrupleasFredericofPrussiaorAlexanderofRussiaacceptedoursubsidiesintimeofwar。TheleadersoftheOppositionnomorethoughtthemselvesdisgracedbythepresentsofLewis，thanagentlemanofourowntimethinkshimselfdisgracedbytheliberalityofpowerfulandwealthymembersofhispartywhopayhiselectionbill。ThemoneywhichtheKingreceivedfromFrancehadbeenlargelyemployedtocorruptmembersofParliament。Theenemiesofthecourtmightthinkitfair，orevenabsolutelynecessary，toencounterbriberywithbribery。ThustheytooktheFrenchgratuities，theneedyamongthemfortheirownuse，therichprobablyforthegeneralpurposesoftheparty，withoutanyscruple。IfwecomparetheirconductnotwiththatofEnglishstatesmeninourowntime，butwiththatofpersonsinthoseforeigncountrieswhicharenowsituatedasEnglandthenwas，weshallprobablyseereasontoabatesomethingoftheseverityofcensurewithwhichithasbeenthefashiontovisitthoseproceedings。Yetwheneveryallowanceismade，thetransactionissufficientlyoffensive。ItissatisfactorytofindthatLordRussellstandsfreefromanyimputationofpersonalparticipationinthespoil。Anagesomiserablypoorinallthemoralqualitieswhichrenderpubliccharactersrespectablecanillsparethecreditwhichitderivesfromaman，notindeedconspicuousfortalentsorknowledge，buthonesteveninhiserrors，respectableineveryrelationoflife，rationallypious，steadilyandplacidlybrave。

ThegreatimprovementwhichtookplaceinourbreedofpublicmenisprincipallytobeascribedtotheRevolution。Yetthatmemorableevent，inagreatmeasure，tookitscharacterfromtheveryviceswhichitwasthemeansofreforming。Itwasassuredlyahappyrevolution，andausefulrevolution；butitwasnot，whatithasoftenbeencalled，agloriousrevolution。William，andWilliamalone，derivedgloryfromit。Thetransactionwas，inalmosteverypart，discreditabletoEngland。Thatatyrantwhohadviolatedthefundamentallawsofthecountry，whohadattackedtherightsofitsgreatestcorporations，whohadbeguntopersecutetheestablishedreligionofthestate，whohadneverrespectedthelaweitherinhissuperstitionorinhisrevenge，couldnotbepulleddownwithouttheaidofaforeignarmy，isacircumstancenotverygratefultoournationalpride。Yetthisistheleastdegradingpartofthestory。Theshamelessinsincerityofthegreatandnoble，thewarmassurancesofgeneralsupportwhichJamesreceived，downtothemomentofgeneraldesertion，indicateameannessofspiritandaloosenessofmoralitymostdisgracefultotheage。Thattheenterprisesucceeded，atleastthatitsucceededwithoutbloodshedorcommotion，wasprincipallyowingtoanactofungratefulperfidy，suchasnosoldierhadeverbeforecommitted，andtothosemonstrousfictionsrespectingthebirthofthePrinceofWaleswhichpersonsofthehighestrankwerenotashamedtocirculate。Inalltheproceedingsoftheconvention，intheconferenceparticularly，weseethatlittlenessofmindwhichisthechiefcharacteristicofthetimes。TheresolutionsonwhichthetwoHousesatlastagreedwereasbadasanyresolutionsforsoexcellentapurposecouldbe。TheirfeebleandcontradictorylanguagewasevidentlyintendedtosavethecreditoftheTories，whowereashamedtonamewhattheywerenotashamedtodo。ThroughthewholetransactionnocommandingtalentsweredisplayedbyanyEnglishman；noextraordinaryriskswererun；nosacrificesweremadeforthedeliveranceofthenation，exceptthesacrificewhichChurchillmadeofhonour，andAnneofnaturalaffection。

Itwasinsomesensefortunate，aswehavealreadysaid，fortheChurchofEngland，thattheReformationinthiscountrywaseffectedbymenwhocaredlittleaboutreligion。And，inthesamemanner，itwasfortunateforourcivilgovernmentthattheRevolutionwasinagreatmeasureeffectedbymenwhocaredlittleabouttheirpoliticalprinciples。Atsuchacrisis，splendidtalentsandstrongpassionsmighthavedonemoreharmthangood。Therewasfargreaterreasontofearthattoomuchwouldbeattempted，andthatviolentmovementswouldproduceanequallyviolentreaction，thanthattoolittlewouldbedoneinthewayofchange。Butnarrownessofintellect，andflexibilityofprinciple，thoughtheymaybeserviceable，canneverberespectable。

IfintheRevolutionitself，therewaslittlethatcanproperlybecalledglorious，therewasstilllessintheeventswhichfollowed。Inachurchwhichhadasonemandeclaredthedoctrineofresistanceunchristian，onlyfourhundredpersonsrefusedtotaketheoathofallegiancetoagovernmentfoundedonresistance。Intheprecedinggeneration，boththeEpiscopalandthePresbyterianclergy，ratherthanconcedepointsofconsciencenotmoreimportant，hadresignedtheirlivingsbythousands。

Thechurchmen，atthetimeoftheRevolution，justifiedtheirconductbyallthoseprofligatesophismswhicharecalledJesuitical，andwhicharecommonlyreckonedamongthepeculiarsinsofPopery，butwhich，infact，areeverywheretheanodynesemployedbymindsrathersubtlethanstrong，toquietthoseinternaltwingeswhichtheycannotbutfeelandwhichtheywillnotobey。Astheoathtakenbytheclergywasintheteethoftheirprinciples，sowastheirconductintheteethoftheiroath。TheirconstantmachinationsagainsttheGovernmenttowhichtheyhadswornfidelitybroughtareproachontheirorderandonChristianityitself。Adistinguishedprelatehasnotscrupledtosaythattherapidincreaseofinfidelityatthattimewasprincipallyproducedbythedisgustwhichthefaithlessconductofhisbrethrenexcitedinmennotsufficientlycandidorjudicioustodiscernthebeautiesofthesystemamidstthevicesofitsministers。

ButthereproachwasnotconfinedtotheChurch。IneverypoliticalpartyintheCabinetitself，duplicityandperfidyabounded。TheverymenwhomWilliamloadedwithbenefitsandinwhomhereposedmostconfidence，withhissealsofofficeintheirhands，keptupacorrespondencewiththeexiledfamily。

Orford，Leeds，andShrewsburywereguiltyofthisodioustreachery。EvenDevonshireisnotaltogetherfreefromsuspicion。

Itmaywellbeconceivedthat，atsuchatime，suchanatureasthatofMarlboroughwouldriotintheveryluxuryofbaseness。

Hisformertreason，thoroughlyfurnishedwithallthatmakesinfamyexquisite，placedhimunderthedisadvantagewhichattendseveryartistfromthetimethatheproducesamasterpiece。Yethissecondgreatstrokemayexcitewonder，eveninthosewhoappreciateallthemeritofthefirst。LesthisadmirersshouldbeabletosaythatatthetimeoftheRevolutionhehadbetrayedhisKingfromanyotherthanselfishmotives，heproceededtobetrayhiscountry。HesentintelligencetotheFrenchCourtofasecretexpeditionintendedtoattackBrest。Theconsequencewasthattheexpeditionfailed，andthateighthundredBritishsoldierslosttheirlivesfromtheabandonedvillainyofaBritishgeneral。Yetthismanhasbeencanonizedbysomanyeminentwritersthattospeakofhimashedeservesmayseemscarcelydecent。

ThereignofWilliamtheThird，asMr。Hallamhappilysays，wastheNadirofthenationalprosperity。ItwasalsotheNadirofthenationalcharacter。Itwasthetimewhentherankharvestofvicessownduringthirtyyearsoflicentiousnessandconfusionwasgatheredin；butitwasalsotheseed—timeofgreatvirtues。

ThepresswasemancipatedfromthecensorshipsoonaftertheRevolution；andtheGovernmentimmediatelyfellunderthecensorshipofthepress。Statesmenhadascrutinytoendurewhichwaseverydaybecomingmoreandmoresevere。Theextremeviolenceofopinionsabated。TheWhigslearnedmoderationinoffice；theTorieslearnedtheprinciplesoflibertyinopposition。Thepartiesalmostconstantlyapproximated，oftenmet，sometimes，crossedeachother。Therewereoccasionalburstsofviolence；

but，fromthetimeoftheRevolution，thoseburstswereconstantlybecominglessandlessterrible。TheseveritywithwhichtheTories，atthecloseofthereignofAnne，treatedsomeofthosewhohaddirectedthepublicaffairsduringthewaroftheGrandAlliance，andtheretaliatorymeasuresoftheWhigs，aftertheaccessionoftheHouseofHanover，cannotbejustified；

buttheywerebynomeansinthestyleoftheinfuriatedparties，whosealternatemurdershaddisgracedourhistorytowardsthecloseofthereignofCharlestheSecond。AtthefallofWalpolefargreatermoderationwasdisplayed。Andfromthattimeithasbeenthepractice，apracticenotstrictlyaccordingtothetheoryofourConstitution，butstillmostsalutary，toconsiderthelossofoffice，andthepublicdisapprobation，aspunishmentssufficientforerrorsintheadministrationnotimputabletopersonalcorruption。Nothing，webelieve，hascontributedmorethanthislenitytoraisethecharacterofpublicmen。Ambitionisofitselfagamesufficientlyhazardousandsufficientlydeeptoinflamethepassionswithoutaddingproperty，life，andlibertytothestake。Wheretheplayrunssodesperatelyhighasintheseventeenthcentury，honourisatanend。Statesmeninsteadofbeing，astheyshouldbe，atoncemildandsteady，areatonceferociousandinconsistent。Theaxeisforeverbeforetheireyes。Apopularoutcrysometimesunnervesthem，andsometimesmakesthemdesperate；itdrivesthemtounworthycompliances，ortomeasuresofvengeanceascruelasthosewhichtheyhavereasontoexpect。AMinisterinourtimesneednotfeareithertobefirmortobemerciful。OuroldpolicyinthisrespectwasasabsurdasthatofthekingintheEasterntalewhoproclaimedthatanyphysicianwhopleasedmightcometocourtandprescribeforhisdiseases，butthatiftheremediesfailedtheadventurershouldlosehishead。Itiseasytoconceivehowmanyablemenwouldrefusetoundertakethecureonsuchconditions；

howmuchthesenseofextremedangerwouldconfusetheperceptions，andcloudtheintellectofthepractitioner，attheverycrisiswhichmostcalledforself—possession，andhowstronghistemptationwouldbe，ifhefoundthathehadcommittedablunder，toescapetheconsequencesofitbypoisoninghispatient。

Butinfactitwouldhavebeenimpossible，sincetheRevolution，topunishanyMinisterforthegeneralcourseofhispolicy，withtheslightestsemblanceofjustice；forsincethattimenoMinisterhasbeenabletopursueanygeneralcourseofpolicywithouttheapprobationoftheParliament。Themostimportanteffectsofthatgreatchangewere，asMr。Hallamhasmosttrulysaid，andmostablyshown，thosewhichitindirectlyproduced。

Thenceforwarditbecametheinterestoftheexecutivegovernmenttoprotectthoseverydoctrineswhichanexecutivegovernmentisingeneralinclinedtopersecute。Thesovereign，theministers，thecourtiers，atlasteventheuniversitiesandtheclergy，werechangedintoadvocatesoftherightofresistance。InthetheoryoftheWhigs，inthesituationoftheTories，inthecommoninterestofallpublicmen，theParliamentaryconstitutionofthecountryfoundperfectsecurity。ThepoweroftheHouseofCommons，inparticular，hasbeensteadilyontheincrease。Sincesupplieshavebeengrantedforshorttermsandappropriatedtoparticularservices，theapprobationofthatHousehasbeenasnecessaryinpracticetotheexecutiveadministrationasithasalwaysbeenintheorytotaxesandtolaws。

Mr。HallamappearstohavebegunwiththereignofHenrytheSeventh，astheperiodatwhichwhatiscalledmodernhistory，incontradistinctiontothehistoryofthemiddleages，isgenerallysupposedtocommence。HehasstoppedattheaccessionofGeorgetheThird，"fromunwillingness"ashesays，"toexcitetheprejudicesofmodernpolitics，especiallythoseconnectedwithpersonalcharacter。"Thesetwoeras，wethink，deservedthedistinctiononothergrounds。Ourremoteposterity，whenlookingbackonourhistoryinthatcomprehensivemannerinwhichremoteposterityalonecan，withoutmuchdangeroferror，lookbackonit，willprobablyobservethosepointswithpeculiarinterest。

Theyare，ifwemistakenot，thebeginningandtheendofanentireandseparatechapterinourannals。Theperiodwhichliesbetweenthemisaperfectcycle，agreatyearofthepublicmind。

InthereignofHenrytheSeventh，allthepoliticaldifferenceswhichhadagitatedEnglandsincetheNormanconquestseemedtobesetatrest。ThelongandfiercestrugglebetweentheCrownandtheBaronshadterminated。ThegrievanceswhichhadproducedtherebellionsofTylerandCadehaddisappeared。Villanagewasscarcelyknown。Thetworoyalhouses，whoseconflictingclaimshadlongconvulsedthekingdom，wereatlengthunited。Theclaimantswhosepretensions，justorunjust，haddisturbedthenewsettlement，wereoverthrown。Inreligiontherewasnoopendissent，andprobablyverylittlesecretheresy。Theoldsubjectsofcontention，inshort，hadvanished；thosewhichweretosucceedhadnotyetappeared。

Soon，however，newprincipleswereannounced；principleswhichweredestinedtokeepEnglandduringtwocenturiesandahalfinastateofcommotion。TheReformationdividedthepeopleintotwogreatparties。TheProtestantswerevictorious。Theyagainsubdividedthemselves。Politicalfactionswereengraftedontheologicalsects。Themutualanimositiesofthetwopartiesgraduallyemergedintothelightofpubliclife。FirstcameconflictsinParliament；thencivilwar；thenrevolutionsuponrevolutions，eachattendedbyitsappurtenanceofproscriptions，andpersecutions，andtests；eachfollowedbyseveremeasuresonthepartoftheconquerors；eachexcitingadeadlyandfesteringhatredintheconquered。DuringthereignofGeorgetheSecond，thingswereevidentlytendingtorepose。Atthecloseofthatreign，thenationhadcompletedthegreatrevolutionwhichcommencedintheearlypartofthesixteenthcentury，andwasagainatrest，Thefuryofsectshaddiedaway。TheCatholicsthemselvespracticallyenjoyedtoleration；andmorethantolerationtheydidnotyetventureeventodesire。Jacobitismwasamerename。Nobodywaslefttofightforthatwretchedcause，andveryfewtodrinkforit。TheConstitution，purchasedsodearly，wasoneverysideextolledandworshipped。Eventhosedistinctionsofpartywhichmustalmostalwaysbefoundinafreestatecouldscarcelybetraced。Thetwogreatbodieswhich，fromthetimeoftheRevolution，hadbeengraduallytendingtoapproximation，werenowunitedinemuloussupportofthatsplendidAdministrationwhichsmotetothedustboththebranchesoftheHouseofBourbon。Thegreatbattleforourecclesiasticalandcivilpolityhadbeenfoughtandwon。Thewoundshadbeenhealed。Thevictorsandthevanquishedwererejoicingtogether。

Everypersonacquaintedwiththepoliticalwritersofthelastgenerationwillrecollectthetermsinwhichtheygenerallyspeakofthattime。Itwasaglimpseofagoldenageofunionandglory，ashortintervalofrest，whichhadbeenprecededbycenturiesofagitation，andwhichcenturiesofagitationweredestinedtofollow。

Howsoonfactionagainbegantofermentiswellknown。TheLettersofJunius，inBurke’sThoughtsontheCauseoftheDiscontents，andinmanyotherwritingsoflessmerit，theviolentdissensionswhichspeedilyconvulsedthecountryareimputedtothesystemoffavouritismwhichGeorgetheThirdintroduced，totheinfluenceofBute，ortotheprofligacyofthosewhocalledthemselvestheKing’sfriends。Withalldeferencetotheeminentwriterstowhomwehavereferred，wewayventuretosaythattheylivedtooneartheeventsofwhichtheytreatedtojudgecorrectly。Theschismwhichwasthenappearinginthenation，andwhichhasbeenfromthattimealmostconstantlywidening，hadlittleincommonwiththoseschismswhichhaddivideditduringthereignsoftheTudorsandtheStuarts。Thesymptomsofpopularfeeling，indeed，willalwaysbeinagreatmeasurethesame；buttheprinciplewhichexcitedthatfeelingwasherenew。ThesupportwhichwasgiventoWilkes，theclamourforreformduringtheAmericanwar，thedisaffectedconductoflargeclassesofpeopleatthetimeoftheFrenchRevolution，nomoreresembledtheoppositionwhichhadbeenofferedtothegovernmentofCharlestheSecond，thanthatoppositionresembledthecontestbetweentheRoses。

Inthepoliticalasinthenaturalbody，asensationisoftenreferredtoapartwidelydifferentfromthatinwhichitreallyresides。Amanwhoselegiscutofffanciesthathefeelsapaininhistoe。Andinthesamemannerthepeople，intheearlierpartofthelatereign，sincerelyattributedtheirdiscontenttogrievanceswhichhadbeeneffectuallyloppedoff。TheyimaginedthattheprerogativewastoostrongfortheConstitution，thattheprinciplesoftheRevolutionwereabandoned，thatthesystemoftheStuartswasrestored。Everyimpartialmanmustnowacknowledgethatthesechargesweregroundless。TheconductoftheGovernmentwithrespecttotheMiddlesexelectionwouldhavebeencontemplatedwithdelightbythefirstgenerationofWhigs。

TheywouldhavethoughtitasplendidtriumphofthecauseoflibertythattheKingandtheLordsshouldresigntothelowerHouseaportionofthelegislativepower，andallowittoincapacitatewithouttheirconsent。This，indeed，Mr。Burkeclearlyperceived。"WhentheHouseofCommons，"sayshe，"inanendeavourtoobtainnewadvantagesattheexpenseoftheotherordersofthestate，forthebenefitofthecommonsatlarge，havepursuedstrongmeasures，ifitwerenotjust，itwasatleastnatural，thattheconstituentsshouldconniveatalltheirproceedings；becauseweourselveswereultimatelytoprofit。Butwhenthissubmissionisurgedtousinacontestbetweentherepresentativesandourselves，andwherenothingcanbeputintotheirscalewhichisnottakenfromours，theyfancyustobechildrenwhentheytellusthattheyareourrepresentatives，ourownfleshandblood，andthatallthestripestheygiveusareforourgood。"Thesesentencescontain，infact，thewholeexplanationofthemystery。TheconflictoftheseventeenthcenturywasmaintainedbytheParliamentagainsttheCrown。Theconflictwhichcommencedinthemiddleoftheeighteenthcentury，whichstillremainsundecided，andinwhichourchildrenandgrandchildrenwillprobablybecalledtoactortosuffer，isbetweenalargeportionofthepeopleontheoneside，andtheCrownandtheParliamentunitedontheother。

TheprivilegesoftheHouseofCommons，thoseprivilegeswhich，in1642，allLondonroseinarmstodefend，whichthepeopleconsideredassynonymouswiththeirownliberties，andincomparisonofwhichtheytooknoaccountofthemostpreciousandsacredprinciplesofEnglishjurisprudence，havenowbecomenearlyasodiousastherigoursofmartiallaw。ThatpowerofcommittingwhichthepeopleancientlylovedtoseetheHouseofCommonsexercise，isnow，atleastwhenemployedagainstlibellers，themostunpopularpowerintheConstitution。IftheCommonsweretosuffertheLordstoamendmoney—bills，wedonotbelievethatthepeoplewouldcareonestrawaboutthematter。IftheyweretosuffertheLordseventooriginatemoney—bills，wedoubtwhethersuchasurrenderoftheirconstitutionalrightswouldexcitehalfsomuchdissatisfactionastheexclusionofstrangersfromasingleimportantdiscussion。Thegalleryinwhichthereporterssithasbecomeafourthestateoftherealm。

Thepublicationofthedebates，apracticewhichseemedtothemostliberalstatesmenoftheoldschoolfullofdangertothegreatsafeguardsofpublicliberty，isnowregardedbymanypersonsasasafeguardtantamount，andmorethantantamount，toalltheresttogether。

Burke，inaspeechonparliamentaryreformwhichisthemoreremarkablebecauseitwasdeliveredlongbeforetheFrenchRevolution，hasdescribed，instrikinglanguage，thechangeinpublicfeelingofwhichwespeak。"Itsuggestsmelancholyreflections，"sayshe，"inconsequenceofthestrangecoursewehavelongheld，thatwearenownolongerquarrellingaboutthecharacter，orabouttheconductofmen，orthetenorofmeasures；butwearegrownoutofhumourwiththeEnglishConstitutionitself；thisisbecometheobjectoftheanimosityofEnglishmen。Thisconstitutioninformerdaysusedtohetheenvyoftheworld；itwasthepatternforpoliticians；thethemeoftheeloquent；themeditationofthephilosopherineverypartoftheworld。AstoEnglishmen，itwastheirpride，theirconsolation。Byittheylived，andforittheywerereadytodie。

Itsdefects，ifithadany，werepartlycoveredbypartiality，andpartlybornebyprudence。Nowallitsexcellenciesareforgot，itsfaultsareforciblydraggedintoday，exaggeratedbyeveryartificeofmisrepresentation。Itisdespisedandrejectedofmen；andeverydeviceandinventionofingenuityoridlenessissetupinopposition，orinpreferencetoit。"Weneitheradoptnorcondemnthelanguageofreprobationwhichthegreatoratorhereemploys。Wecallhimonlyasawitnesstothefact。

Thattherevolutionofpublicfeelingwhichhedescribedwastheninprogressisindisputable；anditisequallyindisputable，wethink，thatitisinprogressstill。

Toinvestigateandclassifythecausesofsogreatachangewouldrequirefarmorethought，andfarmorespace，thanweatpresenthavetobestow。Butsomeofthemareobvious。DuringthecontestwhichtheParliamentcarriedonagainsttheStuarts，ithadonlytocheekandcomplain。Ithassincehadtogovern。Asanattackingbody，itcouldselectitspointsofattack，anditnaturallychosethoseonwhichitwaslikelytoreceivepublicsupport。Asarulingbody，ithasneitherthesamelibertyofchoice，northesamemotivestogratifythepeople。Withthepowerofanexecutivegovernment，ithasdrawntoitselfsomeofthevices，andalltheunpopularityofanexecutivegovernment。

OntheHouseofCommonsaboveall，possessedasitisofthepublicpurse，andconsequentlyofthepublicsword，thenationthrowsalltheblameofanill—conductedwar，ofablunderingnegotiation，ofadisgracefultreaty，ofanembarrassingcommercialcrisis。ThedelaysoftheCourtofChancery，themisconductofajudgeatVanDiemen’sLand，anything，inshort，whichinanypartoftheadministrationanypersonfeelsasagrievance，isattributedtothetyranny，oratleasttothenegligence，ofthatall—powerfulbody。Privateindividualspesteritwiththeirwrongsandclaims。AmerchantappealstoitfromtheCourtsofRioJaneiroorSt。Petersburg。Ahistoricalpaintercomplainstoitthathisdepartmentofartfindsnoencouragement。AncientlytheParliamentresembledamemberofopposition，fromwhomnoplacesareexpected，whoisnotexpectedtoconferfavoursandproposemeasures，butmerelytowatchandcensure，andwhomay，therefore，unlessheisgrosslyinjudicious，bepopularwiththegreatbodyofthecommunity。TheParliamentnowresemblesthesamepersonputintooffice，surroundedbypetitionerswhomtwentytimeshispatronagewouldnotsatisfy，stunnedwithcomplaints，buriedinmemorials，compelledbythedutiesofhisstationtobringforwardmeasuressimilartothosewhichhewasformerlyaccustomedtoobserveandtocheck，andperpetuallyencounteredbyobjectionssimilartothosewhichitwasformerlyhisbusinesstoraise。

Perhapsitmaybelaiddownasageneralrulethatalegislativeassembly，notconstitutedondemocraticalprinciples，cannotbepopularlongafteritceasestobeweak。Itszealforwhatthepeople，rightlyorwrongly，conceivetobetheirinterests，itssympathywiththeirmutableandviolentpassions，aremerelytheeffectsoftheparticularcircumstancesinwhichitisplaced。Aslongasitdependsforexistenceonthepublicfavour，itwillemployallthemeansinitspowertoconciliatethatfavour。

Whilethisisthecase，defectsinitsconstitutionareoflittleconsequence。But，asthecloseunionofsuchabodywiththenationistheeffectofanidentityofinterestsnotessentialbutaccidental，itisinsomemeasuredissolvedfromthetimeatwhichthedangerwhichproduceditceasestoexist。

Hence，beforetheRevolution，thequestionofParliamentaryreformwasofverylittleimportance。Thefriendsoflibertyhadnoveryardentwishforreform。ThestrongestToriessawnoobjectionstoit。ItisremarkablethatClarendonloudlyapplaudsthechangeswhichCromwellintroduced，changesfarstrongerthantheWhigsofthepresentdaywouldingeneralapprove。Thereisnoreasontothink，however，thatthereformeffectedbyCromwellmadeanygreatdifferenceintheconductoftheParliament。Indeed，iftheHouseofCommonshad，duringthereignofCharlestheSecond，beenelectedbyuniversalsuffrage，orifalltheseatshadbeenputuptosale，asintheFrenchParliaments，itwould，wesuspect，haveactedverymuchasitdid。WeknowhowstronglytheParliamentofParisexerteditselfinfavourofthepeopleonmanyimportantoccasions；andthereasonisevident。Thoughitdidnotemanatefromthepeople，itswholeconsequencedependedonthesupportofthepeople。

FromthetimeoftheRevolutiontheHouseofCommonshasbeengraduallybecomingwhatitnowis，agreatcouncilofstate，containingmanymemberschosenfreelybythepeople，andmanyothersanxioustoacquirethefavourofthepeople；but，onthewhole，aristocraticalinitstemperandinterest。Itisveryfarfrombeinganilliberalandstupidoligarchy；butitisequallyfarfrombeinganexpressimageofthegeneralfeeling。Itisinfluencedbytheopinionofthepeople，andinfluencedpowerfully，butslowlyandcircuitously。Insteadofoutrunningthepublicmind，asbeforetheRevolutionitfrequentlydid，itnowfollowswithslowstepsandatawidedistance。Itisthereforenecessarilyunpopular；andthemoresobecausethegoodwhichitproducesismuchlessevidenttocommonperceptionthantheevilwhichitinflicts。Itbearstheblameofallthemischiefwhichisdone，orsupposedtobedone，byitsauthorityorbyitsconnivance。Itdoenotgetthecredit，ontheotherhand，ofhavingpreventedthoseinnumerableabuseswhichdonotexistsolelybecausetheHouseofCommonsexists。

Alargepartofthenationiscertainlydesirousofareformintherepresentativesystem。Howlargethatpartmaybe，andhowstrongitsdesiresonthesubjectmaybe，itisdifficulttosay。

Itisonlyatintervalsthattheclamouronthesubjectisloudandvehement。Butitseemstousthat，duringtheremissions，thefeelinggathersstrength，andthateverysuccessiveburstismoreviolentthanthatwhichprecededit。ThepublicattentionmaybeforatimedivertedtotheCatholicclaimsortheMercantilecodebutitisprobablethatatnoverydistantperiod，perhapsinthelifetimeofthepresentgeneration，allotherquestionswillmergeinthatwhichis，inacertaindegree，connectedwiththemall。

Alreadyweseemtoourselvestoperceivethesignsofunquiettimesthevaguepresentimentofsomethinggreatandstrangewhichpervadesthecommunity，therestlessandturbidhopesofthosewhohaveeverythingtogain，thedimlyhintedforebodingsofthosewhohaveeverythingtolose。Manyindicationsmightbementioned，inthemselvesindeedasinsignificantasstraws；buteventhedirectionofastraw，toborrowtheillustrationofBacon，willshowfromwhatquarterthestorminsettingin。

Agreatstatesmanmight，byjudiciousandtimelyreformationsbyreconcilingthetwogreatbranchesofthenaturalaristocracy，thecapitalistsandthelandowners，andbysowideningthebaseofthegovernmentastointerestinitsdefencethewholeofthemiddleclassthatbrave，honest，andsound—heartedclass，whichisasanxiousforthemaintenanceoforderandthesecurityofproperty，asitishostiletocorruptionandoppression，succeedinavertingastruggletowhichnorationalfriendoflibertyoroflawcanlookforwardwithoutgreatapprehensions。

Therearethosewhowillbecontentedwithnothingbutdemolition；

andtherearethosewhoshrinkfromallrepair。ThereareinnovatorswholongforaPresidentandaNationalConvention；

andtherearebigotswho，whilecitieslargerandricherthanthecapitalsofmanygreatkingdomsarecallingoutforrepresentativestowatchovertheirinterests，selectsomehackneyedjobberinboroughs，somepeerofthenarrowestandsmallestmind，asthefittestdepositoryofaforfeitedfranchise。Betweentheseextremesthereliesamoreexcellentway。Timeisbringingroundanothercrisisanalogoustothatwhichoccurredintheseventeenthcentury。WestandinasituationsimilartothatinwhichourancestorsstoodunderthereignofJamestheFirst。Itwillsoonagainbenecessarytoreformthatwemaypreserve，tosavethefundamentalprinciplesoftheConstitutionbyalterationsinthesubordinateparts。Itwillthenbepossible，asitwaspossibletwohundredyearsago，toprotectvestedrights，tosecureeveryusefulinstitution，everyinstitutionendearedbyantiquityandnobleassociations，and，atthesametime，tointroduceintothesystemimprovementsharmonizingwiththeoriginalplan。Itremainstobeseenwhethertwohundredyearshavemadeuswiser。

Weknowofnogreatrevolutionwhichmightnothavebeenpreventedbycompromiseearlyandgraciouslymade。Firmnessisagreatvirtueinpublicaffairs；butithasitspropersphere。

Conspiraciesandinsurrectionsinwhichsmallminoritiesareengaged，theoutbreakingsofpopularviolenceunconnectedwithanyextensiveprojectoranydurableprinciple，arebestrepressedbyvigouranddecision。Toshrinkfromthemistomakethemformidable。Butnowiserulerwillconfoundthepervadingtaintwiththeslightlocalirritation。Nowiserulerwilltreatthedeeplyseateddiscontentsofagreatparty，ashetreatsthefuryofamobwhichdestroysmillsandpower—looms。Theneglectofthisdistinctionhasbeenfataleventogovernmentsstronginthepowerofthesword。Thepresenttimeisindeedatimeofpeaceandorder。Butitisatsuchatimethatfoolsaremostthoughtlessandwisemenmostthoughtful。Thatthediscontentswhichhaveagitatedthecountryduringthelateandthepresentreign，andwhich，thoughnotalwaysnoisy，areneverwhollydormant，willagainbreakforthwithaggravatedsymptoms，isalmostascertainasthatthetidesandseasonswillfollowtheirappointedcourse。Butinallmovementsofthehumanmindwhichtendtogreatrevolutionsthereisacrisisatwhichmoderateconcessionmayamend，conciliate，andpreserve。HappywillitheforEnglandif，atthatcrisisherinterestsbeconfidedtomenforwhomhistoryhasnotrecordedthelongseriesofhumancrimesandfolliesinvain。

BURLEIGHANDHISTIMES

（April1832）

MemoirsoftheLifeandAdministrationoftheRightHonourableWilliamCecilLordBurghley，SecretaryofStateintheReignofKingEdwardtheSixth，andLordHighTreasurer，ofEnglandintheReignofQueenElizabeth。ContaininganhistoricalViewoftheTimesinwhichhelived，andofthemanyeminentandillustriousPersonswithwhomhewasconnected；withExtractsfromhisPrivateandOfficialCorrespondenceandotherPapers，nowfirstpublishedfromtheOriginals。BytheReverendEDWARDNARES，D。D。，RegiusProfessorofModernHistoryintheUniversityofOxford。3

vols。4to。London:1828，1832。

THEworkofDr。NareshasfilleduswithastonishmentsimilartothatwhichCaptainLemuelGulliverfeltwhenfirsthelandedinBrobdingnag，andsawcornashighastheoaksintheNewForest，thimblesaslargeasbuckets，andwrensofthebulkofturkeys。

Thewholebook，andeverycomponentpartofit，isonagiganticscale。Thetitleisaslongasanordinarypreface:theprefatorymatterwouldfurnishoutanordinarybook；andthebookcontainsasmuchreadingasanordinarylibrary。Wecannotsumupthemeritsofthestupendousmassofpaperwhichliesbeforeusbetterthanbysayingthatitconsistsofabouttwothousandcloselyprintedquartopages，thatitoccupiesfifteenhundredinchescubicmeasure，andthatitweighssixtypoundsavoirdupois。Suchabookmight，beforethedeluge，havebeenconsideredaslightreadingbyHilpaandShallum。Butunhappilythe，lifeofmanisnowthree—scoreyearsandten；andwecannotbutthinkitsomewhatunfairinDr。Narestodemandfromussolargeaportionofsoshortanexistence。

Comparedwiththelabourofreadingthroughthesevolumes，allotherlabour，thelabourofthievesonthetreadmill，ofchildreninfactories，ofnegroesinsugarplantations，isanagreeablerecreation。Therewas，itissaid，acriminalinItaly，whowassufferedtomakehischoicebetweenGuicciardiniandthegalleys。

Hechosethehistory。ButthewarofPisawastoomuchforhim。

Hechangedhismind，andwenttotheoar。Guicciardini，thoughcertainlynotthemostamusingofwriters，isaHerodotusoraFroissart，whencomparedwithDr。Nares，Itisnotmerelyinbulk，butinspecificgravityalso，thatthesememoirsexceedallotherhumancompositions。OneverysubjectwhichtheProfessordiscusses，heproducesthreetimesasmanypagesasanotherman；

andoneofhispagesisastediousasanotherman’sthree。Hisbookisswelledtoitsvastdimensionsbyendlessrepetitions，byepisodeswhichhavenothingtodowiththemainaction，byquotationsfrombookswhichareineverycirculatinglibrary，andbyreflectionswhich，whentheyhappentobejust，aresoobviousthattheymustnecessarilyoccurtothemindofeveryreader。Heemploysmorewordsinexpoundinganddefendingatruismthananyotherwriterwouldemployinsupportingaparadox。Oftherulesofhistoricalperspective，hehasnotthefaintestnotion。Thereisneitherforegroundnorbackgroundinhisdelineation。ThewarsofCharlestheFifthinGermanyaredetailedatalmostasmuchlengthasinRobertson’slifeofthatprince。ThetroublesofScotlandarerelatedasfullyasinM’Crie’sLifeofJohnKnox。

ItwouldbemostunjusttodenythatDr。Naresisamanofgreatindustryandresearch；butheissoutterlyincompetentto，arrangethematerialswhichhehascollectedthathemightaswellhaveleftthemintheiroriginalrepositories。

NeitherthefactswhichDr。Nareshasdiscovered，northeargumentswhichheurges，will，weapprehend，materiallyaltertheopiniongenerallyentertainedbyjudiciousreadersofhistoryconcerninghishero。LordBurleighcanhardlybecalledagreatman。Hewasnotoneofthosewhosegeniusandenergychangethefateofempires。Hewasbynatureandhabitoneofthosewhofollow，notoneofthosewholead。Nothingthatisrecorded，eitherofhiswordsorofhisactions，indicatesintellectualormoralelevation。Buthistalents，thoughnotbrilliant，wereofaneminentlyusefulkind；andhisprinciples，thoughnotinflexible，werenotmorerelaxedthanthoseofhisassociatesandcompetitors。Hehadacooltemper，asoundjudgement，greatpowersofapplication，andaconstanteyetothemainchance。Inhisyouthhewas，itseems，fondofpracticaljokes。Yetevenoutofthesehecontrivedtoextractsomepecuniaryprofit。WhenhewasstudyingthelawatGray’sInn，helostallhisfurnitureandbooksatthegamingtabletooneofhisfriends。Heaccordinglyboredaholeinthewallwhichseparatedhischambersfromthoseofhisassociate，andatmidnightbellowedthroughthispassagethreatsofdamnationandcallstorepentanceintheearsofthevictoriousgambler，wholaysweatingwithfearallnight，andrefundedhiswinningsonhiskneesnextday。"Manyotherthelikemerryjest，"sayshisoldbiographer，"Ihaveheardhimtell，toolongtobeherenoted。"Tothelast，Burleighwassomewhatjocose；andsomeofhissportivesayingshavebeenrecordedbyBacon。Theyshowmuchmoreshrewdnessthangenerosity，andare，indeed，neatlyexpressedreasonsforexactingmoneyrigorously，andforkeepingitcarefully。Itmust，however，beacknowledgedthathewasrigorousandcarefulforthepublicadvantageaswellasforhisown。ToextolhismoralcharacterasDr。Nareshasextolleditisabsurd。Itwouldbeequallyabsurdtorepresenthimasacorrupt，rapacious，andbad—heartedman。Hepaidgreatattentiontotheinterestsofthestate，andgreatattentionalsototheinterestofhisownfamily。Heneverdesertedhisfriendstillitwasveryinconvenienttostandbythem，wasanexcellentProtestant，whenitwasnotveryadvantageoustobeaPapist，recommendedatolerantpolicytohismistressasstronglyashecouldrecommenditwithouthazardingherfavour，neverputtotherackanypersonfromwhomitdidnotseemprobablethatusefulinformationmightbederived，andwassomoderateinhisdesiresthatheleftonlythreehundreddistinctlandedestates，thoughhemight，ashishonestservantassuresus，haveleftmuchmore，"ifhewouldhavetakenmoneyoutoftheExchequerforhisownuse，asmanyTreasurershavedone。"

Burleigh，liketheoldMarquessofWinchester，whoprecededhiminthecustodyoftheWhiteStaff，wasofthewillow，andnotoftheoak。HefirstroseintonoticebydefendingthesupremacyofHenrytheEighth。HewassubsequentlyfavouredandpromotedbytheDukeofSomerset。Henotonlycontrivedtoescapeunhurtwhenhispatronfell，butbecameanimportantmemberoftheadministrationofNorthumberland。Dr。NaresassuresusoverandoveragainthattherecouldhavebeennothingbaseinCecil’sconductonthisoccasion；for，sayshe，CecilcontinuedtostandwellwithCranmer。This，weconfess，hardlysatisfiesus。WearemuchofthemindofFalstaff’stailor。WemusthavebetterassuranceforSirJohnthanBardolph’s。Welikenotthesecurity。

ThroughthewholecourseofthatmiserableintriguewhichwascarriedonroundthedyingbedofEdwardtheSixth，Cecilsobemeanedhimselfastoavoid，first，thedispleasureofNorthumberland，andafterwardsthedispleasureofMary。Hewasprudentlyunwillingtoputhishandtotheinstrumentwhichchangedthecourseofthesuccession。ButthefuriousDudleywasmasterofthepalace。Cecil，therefore，accordingtohisownaccount，excusedhimselffromsigningasaparty，butconsentedtosignasawitness。ItisnoteasytodescribehisdexterousconductatthismostperplexingcrisisinlanguagemoreappropriatethanthatwhichisemployedbyoldFuller。"Hishandwroteitassecretaryofstate，"saysthatquaintwriter；

"buthisheartconsentednotthereto。Yea，heopenlyopposedit；

thoughatlastyieldingtothegreatnessofNorthumberland，inanagewhenitwaspresentdrowningnottoswimwiththestream。Butasthephilosophertellsus，thatthoughtheplanetsbewhirledaboutdailyfromeasttowest，bythemotionoftheprimummobile，yethavetheyalsoacontrarypropermotionoftheirownfromwesttoeast，whichtheyslowly，thoughsurely，move，attheirleisure；soCecilhadsecretcounter—endeavoursagainstthestrainofthecourtherein，andprivatelyadvancedhisrightfulintentions，againsttheforesaidduke’sambition。"

ThiswasundoubtedlythemostperilousconjunctureofCecil’slife。Wherevertherewasasafecourse，hewassafe。Buthereeverycoursewasfullofdanger。Hissituationrendereditimpossibleforhimtobeneutral。Ifheactedoneitherside，ifherefusedtoactatall，heranafearfulrisk。Hesawallthedifficultiesofhisposition。HesenthismoneyandplateoutofLondon，madeoverhisestatestohisson，andcarriedarmsabouthisperson。Hisbestarms，however，werehissagacityandhisself—command。Theplotinwhichhehadbeenanunwillingaccompliceended，asitwasnaturalthatsoodiousandabsurdaplotshouldend，intheruinofitscontrivers。Inthemeantime，Cecilquietlyextricatedhimselfand，havingbeensuccessivelypatronisedbyHenry，bySomerset，andbyNorthumberland，continuedtoflourishundertheprotectionofMary。

Hehadnoaspirationsafterthecrownofmartyrdom。Heconfessedhimself，therefore，withgreatdecorum，heardmassinWimbledonChurchatEaster，and，forthebetterorderingofhisspiritualconcerns，tookapriestintohishouse。Dr。Nares，whosesimplicitypassesthatofanycasuistwithwhomweareacquainted，vindicateshisherobyassuringusthatthiswasnotsuperstition，butpureunmixedhypocrisy。"Thathedidinsomemannerconform，weshallnotbeable，inthefaceofexistingdocuments，todeny；whilewefeelinourownmindsabundantlysatisfied，that，duringthisverytryingreign，heneverabandonedtheprospectofanotherrevolutioninfavourofProtestantism。"Inanotherplace，theDoctortellsus，thatCecilwenttomass"withnoidolatrousintention。"Nobody，webelieve，everaccusedhimofidolatrousintentions。Theverygroundofthechargeagainsthimisthathehadnoidolatrousintentions。WenevershouldhaveblamedhimifhehadreallygonetoWimbledonChurch，withthefeelingsofagoodCatholic，toworshipthehost。Dr。NaresspeaksinseveralplaceswithjustseverityofthesophistryoftheJesuits，andwithjustadmirationoftheincomparablelettersofPascal。Itissomewhatstrange，therefore，thatheshouldadopt，tothefullextent，thejesuiticaldoctrineofthedirectionofintentions。

WedonotblameCecilfornotchoosingtobeburned。Thedeepstainuponhismemoryisthat，fordifferencesofopinionforwhichhewouldrisknothinghimself，he，inthedayofhispower，tookawaywithoutscruplethelivesofothers。OneoftheexcusessuggestedintheseMemoirsforhisconforming，duringthereignofMarytotheChurchofRome，isthathemayhavebeenofthesamemindwiththoseGermanProtestantswhowerecalledAdiaphorists，andwhoconsideredthepopishritesasmattersindifferent。Melanchthonwasoneofthesemoderatepersons，and"appears，"saysDr。Nares，"tohavegonegreaterlengthsthananyimputedtoLordBurleigh。"Weshouldhavethoughtthisnotonlyanexcuse，butacompletevindication，ifCecilhadbeenanAdiaphoristforthebenefitofothersaswellasforhisown。IfthepopishritesweremattersofsolittlemomentthatagoodProtestantmightlawfullypractisethemforhissafety，howcoulditbejustorhumanethataPapistshouldbehanged，drawn，andquartered，forpractisingthemfromasenseofduty？Unhappilythesenon—essentialssoonbecamemattersoflifeanddeathjustattheverytimeatwhichCecilattainedthehighestpointofpowerandfavour，anActofParliamentwaspassedbywhichthepenaltiesofhightreasonweredenouncedagainstpersonswhoshoulddoinsinceritywhathehaddonefromcowardice。

EarlyinthereignofMary，CecilwasemployedinamissionscarcelyconsistentwiththecharacterofazealousProtestant。

HewassenttoescortthePapalLegate，CardinalPole，fromBrusselstoLondon。ThatgreatbodyofmoderatepersonswhocaredmoreforthequietoftherealmthanforthecontrovertedpointswhichwereinissuebetweentheChurchesseemtohaveplacedtheirchiefhopeinthewisdomandhumanityofthegentleCardinal。Cecil，itisclear，cultivatedthefriendshipofPolewithgreatassiduity，andreceivedgreatadvantagefromtheLegate’sprotection。

ButthebestprotectionofCecil，duringthegloomyanddisastrousreignofMary，wasthatwhichhederivedfromhisownprudenceandfromhisowntemper，aprudencewhichcouldneverbelulledintocarelessness，atemperwhichcouldneverbeirritatedintorashness。ThePapistscouldfindnooccasionagainsthim。

YethedidnotlosetheesteemevenofthosesternerProtestantswhohadpreferredexiletorecantation。Heattachedhimselftothepersecutedheiressofthethrone，andentitledhimselftohergratitudeandconfidence。YethecontinuedtoreceivemarksoffavourfromtheQueen。IntheHouseofCommons，heputhimselfattheheadofthepartyopposedtotheCourt。Yet，soguardedwashislanguagethat，evenwhensomeofthosewhoactedwithhimwereimprisonedbythePrivyCouncil，heescapedwithimpunity。

AtlengthMarydied:Elizabethsucceeded；andCecilroseatoncetogreatness。HewassworninPrivy—councillorandSecretaryofStatetothenewsovereignbeforeheleftherprisonofHatfield；

andhecontinuedtoserveherduringfortyyears，withoutintermission，inthehighestemployments。Hisabilitieswerepreciselythosewhichkeepmenlonginpower。HebelongedtotheclassoftheWalpoles，thePelhams，andtheLiverpools，nottothatoftheSt。Johns，theCarterets，theChathams，andtheCannings。Ifhehadbeenamanoforiginalgeniusandofanenterprisingspirit，itwouldhavebeenscarcelypossibleforhimtokeephispowerorevenhishead。TherewasnotroominonegovernmentforanElizabethandaRichelieu。WhatthehaughtydaughterofHenryneeded，wasamoderate，cautious，flexibleminister，skilledinthedetailsofbusiness，competenttoadvise，butnotaspiringtocommand。AndsuchaministershefoundinBurleigh。Noartscouldshaketheconfidencewhichshereposedinheroldandtrustyservant。ThecourtlygracesofLeicester，thebrillianttalentsandaccomplishmentsofEssex，touchedthefancy，perhapstheheart，ofthewoman；butnorivalcoulddeprivetheTreasureroftheplacewhichhepossessedinthefavouroftheQueen。Shesometimeschidhimsharply；buthewasthemanwhomshedelightedtohonour。ForBurleigh，sheforgotherusualparsimonybothofwealthandofdignities。ForBurleigh，sherelaxedthatsevereetiquettetowhichshewasunreasonablyattached。Everyotherpersontowhomsheaddressedherspeech，oronwhomtheglanceofhereagleeyefell，instantlysankonhisknee。ForBurleighalone，achairwassetinherpresence；andtheretheoldminister，bybirthonlyaplainLincolnshireesquire，tookhisease，whilethehaughtyheirsoftheFitzalansandtheDeVereshumbledthemselvestothedustaroundhim。Atlength，having，survivedallhisearlycoadjutorsandrivals，hediedfullofyearsandhonours。Hisroyalmistressvisitedhimonhisdeathbed，andcheeredhimwithassurancesofheraffectionandesteem；andhispowerpassed，withlittlediminution，toasonwhoinheritedhisabilities，andwhosemindhadbeenformedbyhiscounsels。

ThelifeofBurleighwascommensuratewithoneofthemostimportantperiodsinthehistoryoftheworld。ItexactlymeasuresthetimeduringwhichtheHouseofAustriahelddecidedsuperiorityandaspiredtouniversaldominion。IntheyearinwhichBurleighwasborn，CharlestheFifthobtainedtheimperialcrown。IntheyearinwhichBurleighdied，thevastdesignswhichhad，duringnearacentury，keptEuropeinconstantagitation，wereburiedinthesamegravewiththeproudandsullenPhilip。

ThelifeofBurleighwascommensuratealsowiththeperiodduringwhichagreatmoralrevolutionwaseffected，arevolutiontheconsequencesofwhichwerefelt，notonlyinthecabinetsofprinces，butathalfthefiresidesinChristendom。Hewasbornwhenthegreatreligiousschismwasjustcommencing。Helivedtoseethatschismcomplete，andtoseealineofdemarcation，which，sincehisdeath，hasbeenverylittlealtered，stronglydrawnbetweenProtestantandCatholicEurope。

TheonlyeventofmoderntimeswhichcanbeproperlycomparedwiththeReformationistheFrenchRevolution，or，tospeakmoreaccurately，thatgreatrevolutionofpoliticalfeelingwhichtookplaceinalmosteverypartofthecivilisedworldduringtheeighteenthcentury，andwhichobtainedinFranceitsmostterribleandsignaltriumph。EachofthesememorableeventsmaybedescribedasarisingupofthehumanreasonagainstaCaste。

Theonewasastruggleofthelaityagainsttheclergyforintellectualliberty；theotherwasastruggleofthepeopleagainstprincesandnoblesforpoliticalliberty。Inbothcases，thespiritofinnovationwasatfirstencouragedbytheclasstowhichitwaslikelytobemostprejudicial。ItwasunderthepatronageofFrederic，ofCatherine，ofJoseph，andofthegrandeesofFrance，thatthephilosophywhichafterwardsthreatenedallthethronesandaristocraciesofEuropewithdestructionfirstbecameformidable。Theardourwithwhichmenbetookthemselvestoliberalstudies，atthecloseofthefifteenthandthebeginningofthesixteenthcentury，waszealouslyencouragedbytheheadsofthatverychurchtowhichliberalstudiesweredestinedtobefatal。Inbothcases，whentheexplosioncame，itcamewithaviolencewhichappalledanddisgustedmanyofthosewhohadpreviouslybeendistinguishedbythefreedomoftheiropinions。TheviolenceofthedemocraticpartyinFrancemadeBurkeaToryandAlfieriacourtier。TheviolenceofthechiefsoftheGermanschismmadeErasmusadefenderofabuses，andturnedtheauthorofUtopiaintoapersecutor。Inbothcases，theconvulsionwhichhadoverthrowndeeplyseatederrors，shookalltheprinciplesonwhichsocietyreststotheirveryfoundations。Themindsofmenwereunsettled。

Itseemedforatimethatallorderandmoralitywereabouttoperishwiththeprejudiceswithwhichtheyhadbeenlongandintimatelyassociated。Frightfulcrueltieswerecommitted。

Immensemassesofpropertywereconfiscated。EverypartofEuropeswarmedwithexiles。Inmoodyandturbulentspiritszealsouredintomalignity，orfoamedintomadness。FromthepoliticalagitationoftheeighteenthcenturysprangtheJacobins。FromthereligiousagitationofthesixteenthcenturysprangtheAnabaptists。ThepartisansofRobespierrerobbedandmurderedinthenameoffraternityandequality。ThefollowersofKniperdolingrobbedandmurderedinthenameofChristianliberty。ThefeelingofpatriotismwasinmanypartsofEurope，almostwhollyextinguished。Alltheoldmaximsofforeignpolicywerechanged。Physicalboundariesweresupersededbymoralboundaries。Nationsmadewaroneachotherwithnewarms，witharmswhichnofortifications，howeverstrongbynatureor，byart，couldresist，witharmsbeforewhichriverspartedliketheJordan，andrampartsfelldownlikethewallsofJericho。Thegreatmastersoffleetsandarmieswereoftenreducedtoconfess，likeMilton’swarlikeangel，howhardtheyfoundit"——ToexcludeSpiritualsubstancewithcorporealbar。"

Europewasdivided，asGreecehadbeendividedduringtheperiodconcerningwhichThucydideswrote。Theconflictwasnot，asitisinordinarytimes，betweenstateandstate，butbetweentwoomnipresentfactions，eachofwhichwasinsomeplacesdominantandinotherplacesoppressed，butwhich，openlyorcovertly，carriedontheirstrifeinthebosomofeverysociety。Nomanaskedwhetheranotherbelongedtothesamecountrywithhimself，butwhetherhebelongedtothesamesect。Party—spiritseemedtojustifyandconsecrateactswhich，inanyothertimes，wouldhavebeenconsideredasthefoulestoftreasons。TheFrenchemigrantsawnothingdisgracefulinbringingAustrianandPrussianhussarstoParis。TheIrishorItaliandemocratsawnoimproprietyinservingtheFrenchDirectoryagainsthisownnativegovernment。

So，inthesixteenthcentury，thefuryoftheologicalfactionssuspendedallnationalanimositiesandjealousies。TheSpaniardswereinvitedintoFrancebytheLeague；theEnglishwereinvitedintoFrancebytheHuguenots。

Webynomeansintendtounderrateortopalliatethecrimesandexcesseswhich，duringthelastgeneration，wereproducedbythespiritofdemocracy。But，whenwehearmenzealousfortheProtestantreligion，constantlyrepresenttheFrenchRevolutionasradicallyandessentiallyevilonaccountofthosecrimesandexcesses，wecannotbutrememberthatthedeliveranceofourancestorsfromthehouseoftheirspiritualbondagewaseffected"byplaguesandbysigns，bywondersandbywar。"Wecannotbutrememberthat，asinthecaseoftheFrenchRevolution，soalsointhecaseoftheReformation，thosewhoroseupagainsttyrannywerethemselvesdeeplytaintedwiththeviceswhichtyrannyengenders。WecannotbutrememberthatlibelsscarcelylessscandalousthanthoseofHebert，mummeriesscarcelylessabsurdthanthoseofClootz，andcrimesscarcelylessatrociousthanthoseofMarat，disgracetheearlyhistoryofProtestantism。TheReformationisaneventlongpast。Thatvolcanohasspentitsrage。Thewidewasteproducedbyitsoutbreakisforgotten。Thelandmarkswhichweresweptawayhavebeenreplaced。Theruinededificeshavebeenrepaired。Thelavahascoveredwitharichincrustationthefieldswhichitoncedevastated，and，afterhavingturnedabeautifulandfruitfulgardenintoadesert，hasagainturnedthedesertintoastillmorebeautifulandfruitfulgarden。Thesecondgreateruptionisnotyetover。Themarksofitsravagesarestillallaroundus。Theashesarestillhotbeneathourfeet。Insomedirectionsthedelugeoffirestillcontinuestospread。Yetexperiencesurelyentitlesustobelievethatthisexplosion，likethatwhichprecededit，willfertilisethesoilwhichithasdevastated。Already，inthosepartswhichhavesufferedmostseverely，richcultivationandsecuredwellingshavebeguntoappearamidstthewaste。Themorewereadofthehistoryofpastages，themoreweobservethesignsofourowntimes，themoredowefeelourheartsfilledandswelledupbyagoodhopeforthefuturedestiniesofthehumanrace。

ThehistoryoftheReformationinEnglandisfullofstrangeproblems。Themostprominentandextraordinaryphaenomenonwhichitpresentstousisthegiganticstrengthofthegovernmentcontrastedwiththefeeblenessofthereligiousparties。DuringthetwelveorthirteenyearswhichfollowedthedeathofHenrytheEighth，thereligionofthestatewasthricechanged。ProtestantismwasestablishedbyEdward；theCatholicChurchwasrestoredbyMary；ProtestantismwasagainestablishedbyElizabeth。Thefaithofthenationseemedtodependonthepersonalinclinationsofthesovereign。Norwasthisall。Anestablishedchurchwasthen，asamatterofcourse，apersecutingchurch。EdwardpersecutedCatholics。MarypersecutedProtestants。

ElizabethpersecutedCatholicsagain。Thefatherofthosethreesovereignshadenjoyedthepleasureofpersecutingbothsectsatonce，andhadsenttodeath，onthesamehurdle，thehereticwhodeniedtherealpresence，andthetraitorwhodeniedtheroyalsupremacy。TherewasnothinginEnglandlikethatfierceandbloodyoppositionwhich，inFrance，eachofthereligiousfactionsinitsturnofferedtothegovernment。WehadneitheraColignynoraMayenne，neitheraMoncontournoranIvry。NoEnglishcitybravedswordandfamineforthereformeddoctrineswiththespiritofRochelle，orfortheCatholicdoctrineswiththespiritofParis。NeithersectinEnglandformedaLeague。

Neithersectextortedarecantationfromthesovereign。Neithersectcouldobtainfromanadversesovereignevenatoleration。

TheEnglishProtestants，afterseveralyearsofdomination，sankdownwithscarcelyastruggleunderthetyrannyofMary。TheCatholics，afterhavingregainedandabusedtheiroldascendencysubmittedpatientlytothesevereruleofElizabeth。NeitherProtestantsnorCatholicsengagedinanygreatandwell—organizedschemeofresistance。Afewwildandtumultuousrisings，suppressedassoonastheyappeared，afewdarkconspiraciesinwhichonlyasmallnumberofdesperatemenengaged，suchweretheutmosteffortsmadebythesetwopartiestoassertthemostsacredofhumanrights，attackedbythemostodioustyranny。

Theexplanationofthesecircumstanceswhichhasgenerallybeengivenisverysimplebutbynomeanssatisfactory。Thepowerofthecrown，itissaid，wasthenatitsheight，andwasinfactdespotic。Thissolution，weown，seemstoustobenosolutionatall。Ithaslongbeenthefashion，afashionintroducedbyMr。

Hume，todescribetheEnglishmonarchyinthesixteenthcenturyasanabsolutemonarchy。Andsuchundoubtedlyitappearstoasuperficialobserver。Elizabeth，itistrue，oftenspoketoherparliamentsinlanguageashaughtyandimperiousasthatwhichtheGreatTurkwouldusetohisdivan。ShepunishedwithgreatseveritymembersoftheHouseofCommonswho，inheropinion，carriedthefreedomofdebatetoofar。Sheassumedthepoweroflegislatingbymeansofproclamations。Sheimprisonedhersubjectswithoutbringingthemtoalegaltrial。Torturewasoftenemployed，indefianceofthelawsofEngland，forthepurposeofextortingconfessionsfromthosewhowereshutupinherdungeons。TheauthorityoftheStar—ChamberandoftheEcclesiasticalCommissionwasatitshighestpoint。Severerestraintswereimposedonpoliticalandreligiousdiscussion。

Thenumberofpresseswasatonetimelimited。Nomancouldprintwithoutalicence；andeveryworkhadtoundergothescrutinyofthePrimate，ortheBishopofLondon。PersonswhosewritingsweredispleasingtotheCourt，werecruellymutilated，likeStubbs，orputtodeath，likePenry。Nonconformitywasseverelypunished。

TheQueenprescribedtheexactruleofreligiousfaithanddiscipline；andwhoeverdepartedfromthatrule，eithertotherightortotheleft，wasindangerofseverepenalties。

Suchwasthisgovernment。Yetweknowthatitwaslovedbythegreatbodyofthosewholivedunderit。Weknowthat，duringthefiercecontestsoftheseventeenthcentury，boththehostilepartiesspokeofthetimeofElizabethasofagoldenage。ThatgreatQueenhasnowbeenlyingtwohundredandthirtyyearsinHenrytheSeventh’schapel。Yethermemoryisstilldeartotheheartsofafreepeople。

【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