New England, whither they proposed to transport themselves, when the excesses of the court threatened destruction to the freedom of their country. In 1635, the two lords sent over Mr. George Fenwicke to prepare a retreat for them and their friends; in consequence of which a little town was built, and called by their joint names Saybrooke. But a nobler spirit arising, the two lords refused to the king's face to enter into the engagement which he proposed to the peers at York, of professions of loyalty, and abhorrence of those he called rebels. Their lordships were active in all the patriot measures in the house of lords; and the lord Brooke exerted the utmost spirit and gallantry in the war that followed, though he was one of the first victims in the cause of his country, being shot in the eye in 1643, as he was storming the Church-close at Litchfield. It is lamentable that lord Clarendon should relate gravely my many remarks of the populace on his death, in their language called judgments. Lord Brooke, it seems, had prayed aloud that very morning, "that if the cause he was engaged in were not just and right, he might instantly be cut off3."

• Vol. iii. p. 149.

2

⚫ [It is observable, says Granger, that the same man who was by one party looked upon as a monument of divine venge

Had lord Clarendon mentioned this as an instance of lord Brooke's sincerity, it had been commendable: but did the noble historian suppose that the Ruler of the Universe inflicts sudden destruction, as the way to set right a conscientious man? Alas! the historian was not thinking of the Ruler of Heaven, but of those trumpery vicegerents, who would indeed be more proper avengers of a royal cause! He says, "It was observed that the day of lord Brooke's death was St. Chadd's day, to whom

ance, was by the other reverenced as a saint. Baxter has placed lord Brooke in heaven, together with White, Pym, and Hampden. Biog. Hist. vol. ii. p. 144.]

4

• [The anonymous author of Remarks on Mr. Walpole's Catalogue, has the following critical observations on this pas sage: "Now lord Brooke either believed a particular providence, or he did not. If not, were not such prayers hypocritical and profane? If he did, may not others reasonably believe so too, and that this was an instance of it? I know neither divine or Christian layman but who allows of particular providences; and I never yet heard sir Henry Spelman's History of Sacrilege condemned as weak or foolish, though it contains many things of this kind. However, I shall here insert the thoughts of Dr. Sherlock, on the subject of Providence Natural religion is founded on the belief of a God and a Providence; for if there be no God, there is no object of 'worship; if there be no Providence, there is no reason for our worship: and without particular application of Providence to 'particular events, the general belief of a Providence will and can have no effect upon us.""]

Litchfield cathedral was formerly dedicated." My lord Clarendon, with the majesty of Livy, was not without his superstition.-The Roman had his holy chickens, and lord Clarendon his St. Chadd5!

Lord Brooke's works are,

"The Nature of Truth: its Union and Unity with the Soule, which is one in its Essence, Faculties, Acts; one with Truth." Lond. 1640. 12mo.

This was addressed in a letter to his friend J. S. who published it with a preface. It was answered in 1643, by John Wallis, a minister in London, afterwards professor of geometry at Oxford.

"A Discourse opening the Nature of that Episcopacie which is exercised in England.” Lond. 1641. 4to.

• There are many of these ominous reflections in the Athenæ Oxonienses: party could lower my lord Clarendon's understanding to a level with Anthony Wood's. Vide Athen. vol. i. p. 523. God's vengeance against the profaners of St. Chadd's day is largely treated of by Dr. South, in one of his sermons, though decently avoiding all mention of lord Brooke, and. paying that respect to a noble family which he did not pay to his own common sense. ["It was the fate of Clarendon," says Mr. Cole, "to be abused by whigs and tories, patriots or republicans, and the church-party. Is it not a proof of his integrity?" MS. note.]

"["Wherein, with all humility, are represented some con