able vices, and of more unfashionable virtues. His long exile had made him a stranger in the country of his birth. His mind, heated by conflict and by personal suffering, was far more set against popular and tolerant courses than it had been at the time of the breaking out of the Civil War. He pined for the decorous tyranny of the Old Whitehall; for the days of that sainted king who deprived the people of their money and their ears, but let their wives and their daughters alone; and could scarcely reconcile himself to a court with a mistress and without a Star-Chamber. By taking this course he made himself every day more odious, both to the sovereign, who loved pleasure much more than prerogative, and to the people, who dreaded royal prerogative much more than royal pleasures; and was at last more detested by the court than any chief of the Opposition, and more detested by the Parliament than any pander of the court.

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one for Charles, who thought that the greatest service which could be rendered to a prince was to amuse him. Yet both these were masks, which he laid aside when they had served their turn. Long after, when he had retired to his deer-park and fish-ponds in Suffolk, and had no motive to act the part either of the hidalgo or of the buffoon, Evelyn, who was neither an unpractised nor an undiscerning judge, conversed much with him, and pronounced him to be a man of singularly polished manners, and of great colloquial powers.

Clarendon, proud and imperious by nature, soured by age and disease, and relying on his great talents and services, sought out no new allies. He seems to have taken a sort of morose pleasure in slighting and provoking all the rising talent of the kingdom. His connections were almost entirely confined to the small circle, every day becoming smaller, of old Cavaliers who had been friends of his youth or Temple, whose great maxim was to offend companions of his exile. Arlington, on the no party, was not likely to cling to the falling other hand, beat up everywhere for recruits. fortunes of a minister the study of whose life No man had a greater personal following, and was to offend all parties. Arlington, whose no man exerted himself more to serve his adinfluence was gradually rising as that of Cla-herents. It was a kind of habit with him to rendon diminished, was the most useful patron to whom a young adventurer could attach himself. This statesman, without virtue, wisdom, or strength of mind, had raised himself to greatness by superficial qualities, and was the mere creature of the time, the circumstances, and the company. The dignified reserve of manners which he had acquired during a residence in Spain provoked the ridicule of those who considered the usages of the French court as the only standard of good breeding, but served to impress the crowd with a favourable opinion of his sagacity and gravity. In situations where the solemnity of the Escurial would have been out of place, he threw it aside without difficulty, and conversed with great humour and vivacity. While the multitude were talking of "Bennet's grave looks," his mirth made his presence always welcome in the royal closet. While in the antechamber Buckingham was mimicking the pompous Castilian strut of the Secretary for the diversion of Mistress Stuart, this stately Don was ridiculing Clarendon's sober counsels to the king within, till his majesty cried with laughter and the Chancellor with vexation. There perhaps never was a man whose outward demeanour made such different impressions on different people. Count Hamilton, for example, describes him as a stupid formalist, who had been made Secretary solely on account of his mysterious and important looks. Clarendon, on the other hand, represents him as a man whose "best faculty was raillery," and who was, "for his pleasant and agreeable humour, acceptable unto the king." The truth seems to be that, destitute as he was of all the higher qualifications of a minister, he had a wonderful talent for becoming, in outward semblance, all things to all men. He had two aspects, a busy and serious one for the public, whom he wished to awe into respect, and a gay

push up his dependants to his own level, and then to complain bitterly of their ingratitude because they did not choose to be his dependants any longer. It was thus that he quarrelled with two successive Treasurers, Clifford and Danly. To Arlington, Temple attached himself, and was not sparing of warm professions of affection, or even, we grieve to say, of gross and almost profane adulation. In no long time he obtained his reward.

Bennet's grave looks were a pretence," is a line

in one of the best political poems of that age. VOL. III-45

England was in a very different situation, with respect to foreign powers, from that which she had occupied during the splendid administration of the Protector. She was engaged in war with the United Provinces, then governed with almost regal power by the Grand Pensionary, John De Witt; and though no war had ever cost the kingdom so much, none had ever been more feebly and meanly conducted. France had espoused the interest of the StatesGeneral. Denmark seemed likely to take the same side. Spain, indignant at the close political and matrimonial alliance which Charles had formed with the house of Braganza, was not disposed to lend him any assistance. The Great Plague of London had suspended trade, had scattered the ministers and nobles, had paralyzed every department of the public service, and had increased the gloomy discontent which misgovernment had begun to excite throughout the nation. One continental ally England possessed-the Bishop of Munster; a restless and ambitious prelate, bred a soldier, and still a soldier in all his passions. He hated the Dutch, who had interfered in the affairs of his see, and declared himself willing to risk his little dominions for the chance of revenge. He sent, accordingly, a strange kind of ambas. sador to London-a Benedictine monk, who spake bad English, and looked, says Lord Clarendon, "like a carter." This person brought a letter from the Bishop offering to make an attack by land on the Dutch territory. The English ministers eagerly caught at the proposal, and promised a subsidy of 500,000 riz

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dollars to their new ally. It was determined to send an English agent to Munster; and Arlington, to whose department the business belonged, fixed on Temple for this post.

armies, and covered the British seas with its sails, was at the mercy of every spoiler; and Europe saw with dismay the rapid growth of a new and more formidable power. Men looked Temple accepted the commission, and ac- to Spain, and saw only weakness disguised and quitted himself to the satisfaction of his em- increased by pride,-dominions of vast bulk ployers, though the whole plan ended in nothing; and little strength, tempting, unwieldy, and deand the Bishop, after pocketing an instalment fenceless,--an empty treasury,-a haughty, of his subsidy, made haste to conclude a sepa- sullen, and torpid nation,-a child on the rate peace. Temple, at a later period, looked throne,--factions in the council,--ministers back with no great satisfaction to this part of who served only themselves, and soldiers who his life; and excused himself for undertaking were terrible only to their countrymen. Men a negotiation from which little good could re- looked to France, and saw a large and comsult, by saying that he was then young and pact territory,-a rich soil,-a central situation, very new in business. In truth, he could a bold, alert, and ingenious people,-large hardly have been placed in a situation where revenues,-numerous and disciplined troops, the eminent diplomatic talents which he pos---an active and ambitious prince, in the flower sessed could have appeared to less advantage. He could not bear much wine; and none but a hard drinker had any chance of success in Westphalian society. Under all these disadvantages, however, he gave so much satisfaction that he was created a baronet, and appointed resident at the viceregal court of Brussels.

Brussels suited Temple far better than the palaces of the boar-hunting and wine-bibbing princes of Germany. He now occupied the most important post of observation in which a diplomatist could be stationed. He was placed in the territory of a great neutral power, between the territories of the two great powers which were at war with England. From this excellent school he soon came forth the most accomplished negotiator of his age.

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of his age, surrounded by generals of unrivalled skill. The projects of Louis could be counteracted only by ability, vigour, and union on the part of his neighbours. Ability and vigour had hitherto been found in the councils of Holland alone, and of union there was no appearance in Europe. The question of Portuguese independence separated England from Spain. Old grudges, recent hostilities, maritime pretensions, commercial competition, separated England as widely from the United Provinces.

The great object of Louis, from the beginning to the end of his reign, was the acquisition of those large and valuable provinces of the Spanish monarchy which lay contiguous to the eastern frontier of France. Already, before the conclusion of the treaty of Breda, he had invaded those provinces. He now pushed on his conquests with scarcely any resistance. Fortress after fortress was taken. Brussels itself was in danger; and Temple thought it wise to send his wife and children to England. But his sister, Lady Giffard, who had been some time his inmate, and who seems to have been a more important personage in his family than his wife, still remained with him.

De Witt saw the progress of the French arms with painful anxiety. But it was not in the power of Holland alone to save Flanders; and the difficulty of forming an extensive coalition for that purpose appeared almost insuperable. Louis, indeed, affected moderation. He declared himself willing to agree to a compromise with Spain. But these offers were undoubtedly mere professions, intended to quiet the apprehensions of the neighbouring powers; and, as his position became every day more and more advantageous, it was to be expected that he would rise in his demands.

In the mean time the government of Charles had suffered a succession of humiliating disasThe extravagance of the court had dissipated all the means which Parliament had supplied for the purpose of carrying on offensive hostilities. It was determined to wage only a defensive war; and even for defensive war the vast resources of England, managed ly triflers and public robbers, were found insufficient. The Dutch insulted the British coasts, sailed up the Thames, took Sheerness, and carried their ravages to Chatham. The blaze of the ships burning in the river was seen at London; it was rumoured that a foreign army had landed at Gravesend; and military men seriously proposed to abandon the Tower. To such a depth of infamy had maladministration reduced that proud and victorious nation which a few years before had dictated its pleasure to Mazarin, to the States-General, and to the Vatican. Humbled by the events of the war, and dreading the just anger of Parliament, the English Ministry hastened to huddle up a peace with France and Holland at Breda. But a new scene was now about to open. It had already been for some time apparent to discerning observers, that England and Holland were threatened by a common danger, much more formidable than any which they had opportunity of introducing himself to De Witt. reason to apprehend from each other. The old enemy of their independence and of their religion was no longer to be dreaded. The sceptre had passed away from Spain. That mighty empire, on which the sun never set, which had crushed the liberties of Italy and Germany, which had occupied Paris with its

Such was the state of affairs when Temple obtained from the English Ministry permission to make a tour in Holland incognito. In company with Lady Giffard he arrived at the Hague. He was not charged with any public commission, but he availed himself of this

"My only business, sir," he said, "is to see the things which are most considerable in your country, and I should execute my design very imperfectly if I went away without seeing you." De Witt, who, from report, had formed a high opinion of Temple, was pleased by the compliment, and replied with a frankness and

cordiality which at once led to intimacy. The tions of the Lower House against Clarendon two statesmen talked calmly over the causes could be understood only as a censure of the which had estranged England from Holland, foreign policy of the government, as too facongratulated each other on the peace, and then vourable to France. To these events chiefly began to discuss the new dangers which me- we are inclined to attribute the change which naced Europe. Temple, who had no authority at this crisis took place in the measures of to say any thing on behalf of the English go- England. The Ministry seem to have felt that, vernment, expressed himself very guardedly. if they wished to derive any advantage from De Witt, who was himself the Dutch govern- Clarendon's downfall, it was necessary for ment, had no reason to be reserved. He openly them to abandon what was supposed to be declared that his wish was to see a general Clarendon's system; and by some splendid and coalition formed for the preservation of Flan- popular measure to win the confidence of the ders. His simplicity and openness amazed nation. Accordingly, in December, 1667, TemTemple, who had been accustomed to the af-ple received a despatch containing instructions fected solemnity of his patron, the Secretary, of the highest importance. The plan which he and to the eternal doublings and evasions had so strongly recommended was approved; which passed for great feats of statesmanship and he was directed to visit De Witt as among the Spanish politicians at Brussels. speedily as possible, and to ascertain whether "Whoever," he wrote to Arlington, "deals the States were willing to enter into an offenwith M. De Witt must go the same plain way sive and defensive league with England against that he pretends to in his negotiations, without the projects of France. Temple, accompanied refining or colouring, or offering shadow for by his sister, instantly set out for the Hague, substance." He was scarcely less struck by and laid the propositions of the English gothe modest dwelling and frugal table of the vernment before the Grand Pensionary. The first citizen of the richest state in the world. Dutch statesman answered with his characterWhile Clarendon was amazing London with a istic straightforwardness, that he was fully dwelling more sumptuous than the palace of ready to agree to a defensive alliance, but that his master, while Arlington was lavishing his it was the fundamental principle of the foreign ill-gotten wealth on the decoys and orange- policy of the States to make no offensive league gardens and interminable conservatories of under any circumstances whatsoever. With Euston, the great statesman who had frus- this answer Temple hastened from the Hague trated all their plans of conquest, and the roar to London, had an audience of the king, reof whose guns they had heard with terror even lated what had passed between himself and in the galleries of Whitehall, kept only a single De Witt, exerted himself to remove the unfaservant, walked about the streets in the plain-vourable opinion which had been conceived est garb, and never used a coach except for visits of ceremony.

Temple sent a full account of his interview with De Witt to Arlington, who, in consequence of the fall of the Chancellor, now shared with the Duke of Buckingham the principal direction of affairs. Arlington showed no disposition to meet the advances of the Dutch minister. Indeed, as was amply proved a few years later, both he and his master were perfectly willing to purchase the means of misgoverning England by giving up, not only Flanders, but the whole Continent to France. Temple, who distinctly saw that a moment had arrived at which it was possible to reconcile his country with Holland, -to reconcile Charles with the Parliament, to bridle the power of Louis,--to efface the shame of the late ignominious war,--to restore England to the same place in Europe which she had occupied under Cromwell, became more and more urgent in his representations. Arlington's replies were for some time couched in cold and ambiguous terms. But the events which followed the meeting of the Parliament, in the autumn of 1667, appear to have produced an entire change in his views. The discontent of the nation was deep and general. The administration was attacked in all its parts. The king and the ministers laboured, not unsuccessfully, to throw on Clarendon the blame of past miscarriages; but though the Commons were resolved that the late Chancellor should be the first victim, it was by no means clear that he would be the last. The Secretary was personally attacked with great bitterness in the course of the debates. One of the resolu

of the Grand Pensionary at the English court, and had the satisfaction of succeeding in all his objects. On the evening of the 1st of January, 1668, a council was held, at which Charles declared his resolution to unite with the Dutch on their own terms. Temple and his indefatigable sister immediately sailed again for the Hague, and, after weathering a violent storm in which they were very nearly lost, arrived in safety at the place of their destination.

On this occasion, as on every other, the dealings between Temple and De Witt were singularly fair and open. When they met, Temple began by recapitulating what had passed at their last interview. De Witt, who was as little given to lying with his face as with his tongue, marked his assent by his looks while the recapitulation proceeded; and when it was concluded, answered that Temple's memory was perfectly correct, and thanked him for proceeding in so exact and sincere a manner. Temple then informed the Grand Pensionary that the King of England had determined to close with the proposal of a defensive alliance. De Witt had not expected so speedy a resolution, and his countenance indicated surprise as well as pleasure. But he did not retract; and it was speedily arranged that England and Holland should unite for the purpose of compelling Louis to abide by the compromise which he had formerly offered. The next object of the two statesmen was to induce another government to become a party to their league. The victories of Gustavus and Torstenson, and the political talents of Oxenstiern, had ob

tained for Sweden a consideration in Europe | in biographers, has conceded, in our opinion, disproportioned to her real power. The far too much to Dr. Lingard. Princes of Northern Germany stood in great The reasoning of Dr. Lingard is simply this: awe of her. And De Witt and Temple -The Triple Alliance only compelled Louis agreed that if she could be induced to accede to make peace on the terms on which, before to the league, "it would be too strong a bar for the alliance was formed, he had offered to France to venture on." Temple went that make peace. How can it then be said that same evening to Count Dona, the Swedish this alliance arrested his career, and preserved minister at the Hague; took a seat in the most Europe from his ambition? Now, this reasonunceremonious manner; and, with that air of ing is evidently of no force at all, except on frankness and good-will by which he often suc- the supposition that Louis would have held ceeded in rendering his diplomatic overtures himself bound by his former offers, if the alliacceptable, explained the scheme which was ance had not been formed: and if Dr. Lingard in agitation. Dona was greatly pleased and thinks this a reasonable supposition, we should flattered. He had not powers which would be disposed to say to him, in the words of that authorize him to conclude a treaty of such great politician, Mrs. Western-"Indeed, broimportance. But he strongly advised Temple ther, you would make a fine plenipo to neand De Witt to do their part without delay, and gotiate with the French. They would soon seemed confident that Sweden would accede. persuade you that they take towns out of mere The ordinary course of public business in Hol-defensive principles." Our own impression land was too slow for the present emergency; is, that Louis made his offer only in order to and De Witt appeared to have some scruples avert some such measure as the Triple Alli about breaking through the established forms.ance, and adhered to it only in consequence But the urgency and dexterity of Temple pre- of that alliance. He had refused to consent to vailed. The States-General took the responsi- an armistice. He had made all his arrange bility of executing the treaty with a celerity ments for a winter campaign. In the very unprecedented in the annals of the federation, week in which Temple and the States conand indeed inconsistent with its fundamental cluded their agreement at the Hague, Franche laws. The state of public feeling was, how-Comté was axacked by the French armies; ever, such in all the piovinces, that this irregu- and in three weeks the whole province was larity was not merely pardoned but applauded. conquered. This prey Louis was compelled When the instrument had been formally signed, to disgorge. And what compelled him? Did the Dutch commissioners embraced the Eng- the object seem to him small or contemptible? lish plenipotentiary with the warmest expres- On the contrary, the annexation of Franche sions of kindness and confidence. "At Breda," Comté to his kingdom was one of the favourite exclaimed Temple," we embraced as friends-projects of his life. Was he withheld by rehere as brothers."

This memoralle negotiation occupied only five days. De Witt complimented Temple in high terms on having effected in so short a time what must, under other management, have been the work of months; and Temple, in his despatches, poke in equally high terms of De Witt. "I must add these words to do M. de Witt right, that I found him as plain, as direct and square in the course of this business as any man could be, though often stiff in points where he thought any advantage could accrue to his country; and have all the reason in the world to be satisfied with him; and for his industry, no man had ever more I am sure. For these five days at least, neither of us spent any idle hours, neither day nor night.”

Sweden willingly acceded to the league, which is known in history by the name of the Triple Alliance; and after some signs of illhumour on the part of France, a general pacification was the result.

The Triple Alliance may be viewed in two lights-as a measure of foreign policy, and as a measure of domestic policy-and under both aspects it seems to us deserving of all the praise which has been bestowed upon it.

Dr. Lingard, who is undoubtedly a very able and well-informed writer, but whose great fundamental rule of judging seems to be that the popular opinion on an historical question cannot possibly be correct, speaks very slightingly of that celebrated treaty; and Mr. Courtenay, who by no means regards Temple with that profound veneration which is generally found

gard for his word? Did he, who never in any other transaction of his reign showed the smallest respect for the most solemn obligations of public faith,-who violated the Treaty of the Pyrenees, who violated the Treaty of Aix, who violated the Treaty of Nimeguen, who violated the Partition Treaty, who violated the Treaty of Utrecht,-feel himself restrained by his word on this single occasion? Can any person who is acquainted with his character, and with his whole policy, doubt, that, if the neighbouring powers would have looked quietly on, he would instantly have risen in his demands? How then stands the case? He wished to keep Franche Comté. It was not from regard to his word that he ceded Franche Comté. Why, then, did he cede Franche Comté? We answer, as all Europe answered at the time, from fear of the Triple Alliance.

But grant that Louis was not really stopped in his progress by this famous league, still it is certain that the world then, and long after, believed that he was so stopped; and this was the prevailing impression in France as well as in other countries. Temple, therefore, at the very least, succeeded in raising the credit of his country, and lowering the credit of a rival power. Here there is no room for controversy. No grubbing among old state-papers will ever bring to light any document which will shake these facts-that Europe believed the ambition of France to have been curbed by the three powers; that England, a few months before the least among the nations.

forced to abandon her own seas, unable to defend the mouths of her own rivers, regained almost as high a place in the estimation of her neighbours as she had held in the times of Elizabeth and Oliver;-and that all this change of opinion was produced in five days by wise and resolute counsels, without the firing of a single gun. That the Triple Alliance effected this will hardly be disputed; and if it effected nothing else, it must still be regarded as a masterpiece of diplomacy.

Temple's next mission was to Aix-la-Chapelle, where a general congress met for the purpose of perfecting the work of the Triple Alliance. On his road he received abundant proofs of the estimation in which he was held. Salutes were fired from the walls of the towns through which he passed; the population poured forth into the streets to see him; and the magistrates entertained him with speeches and banquets. After the close of the negotiations of Aix, he was appointed ambassador at Considered as a measure of domestic policy, the Hague. But in both these missions he exthis treaty seems to be equally deserving of perienced much vexation from the rigid, and, approbation. It did much to allay discontents, indeed, unjust parsimony of the government. to reconcile the sovereign with a people who Profuse to many unworthy applicants, the had, under his wretched administration, be- ministers were niggardly to him alone. They come ashamed of him and of themselves. It secretly disliked his politics; and they seem was a kind of pledge for internal good govern- to have indemnified themselves for the humiment. The foreign relations of the kingdom liation of adopting his measures by cutting had at that time the closest connection with down his salary and delaying the settlement our domestic policy. From the Restoration, of his outfit. to the accession of the house of Hanover, Holland and France were to England what the right-hand horseman and the left-hand horseman in Bürger's fine ballad were to Wildgraf,-the good and the evil counsellor,the angel of light and the angel of darkness. The ascendency of France was inseparably connected with the prevalence of tyranny in domestic affairs. The ascendency of Holland was as inseparably connected with the prevalence of political liberty, and of mutual toleration among Protestant sects. How fatal and degrading an influence Louis was destined to exercise on the British counsels, how great a deliverance our country was destined to owe In the main, the years which he spent at the to the States, could not be foreseen when the Hague seem, in spite of some pecuniary diffiTriple Alliance was concluded. Yet even then culties, occasioned by the ill-will of the English all discerning men considered it as a good ministers, to have passed very agreeably. He omen for the English constitution and the re-enjoyed the highest personal consideration. formed religion, that the government had attached itself to Holland, and had assumed a firm and somewhat hostile attitude towards France. The fame of this measure was the greater, because it stood so entirely alone. It was the single eminently good act performed by the government during the interval between the Restoration and the Revolution. Every person who had the smallest part in it, and some who had no part in it at all, battled for a share of the credit. The most close-fisted republicans were ready to grant money for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this popular alliance; and the great Tory poet of that age, in his finest satires, repeatedly spoke with reverence of the "triple bond."

This negotiation raised the fame of Temple both at home and abroad to a great height,-to such a height, indeed, as seems to have excited the jealousy of his friend Arlington. While London and Amsterdam resounded with acclamations of joy, the Secretary, in very cold official language, communicated to his friend the approbation of the king; and lavish as the government was of titles and of money, its ablest servant was neither ennobled nor en

riched.

At the Hague he was received with cordiality by De Witt, and with the most signal marks of respect by the States-General. His situa tion was in one point extremely delicate. The Prince of Orange, the hereditary chief of the faction opposed to the administration of De Witt, was the nephew of Charles. To preserve the confidence of the ruling party without showing any want of respect to so near a relation of his own master was no easy task. But Temple acquitted himself so well, that he appears to have been in great favour, both with the Grand Pensionary and with the prince.

He was surrounded by objects interesting in the highest degree to a man of his observant turn of mind. He had no wearing labour, no heavy responsibility, and if he had no oppor tunity of adding to his high reputation, he ran no risk of impairing it.

But evil times were at hand. Though Charles had for a moment deviated into a wise and dignified policy, his heart had always been with France; and France employed every means of seduction to lure him back. His

impatience of control, his greediness for money, his passion for beauty, his family affections, all his tastes, all his feelings, were practised on with the utmost dexterity. His interior cabinet was now composed of men such as that generation, and that generation alone, produced; of men at whose audacious profligacy the rats of our own time look with the same sort of admiring despair with which our sculptors contemplate the Theseus, and our painters the Cartoons. To be a real, hearty, deadly enemy of the liberties and religion of the nation was, in that dark con clave, an honourable distinction; a distinction which belonged only to the daring and impetuous Clifford. His associates were men to whom all creeds and all constitutions were alike; who were equally ready to profess and and of Rome; who were equally ready to be to persecute the faith of Geneva, of Lambeth,