Review of the conduct of Charles the First, from his accession to the throne to the dissolution of the parliament, March 10, 1628-9 49 Review of King Charles's conduct continued, from the disso- lution of the parliament, March 10, 1628-9, to the meeting of Account of the life of Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, and of the The conduct of Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper in public affairs from the death of Oliver Cromwell to the Restoration; and a Sir Anthony made one of the new Privy Council.-Advanced to the Peerage. His generosity. Conduct of Charles. Dissolution of Parliament.-[Sir Anthony sits at the trial of Obsequiousness of the Parliament.-Effects of the Uniformity Act.-Lord Ashley appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer.- His zeal and exertions in the execution of the duties of his new office. War declared against Holland.—[Bill for granting Indulgences to Nonconformists.]-Severe measures against the Nonconformists.- Five-mile Act.- Policy of France.- Shaftesbury's perception of character-useful to him as a Fall of the Earl of Clarendon.—Decline of the French interest at Court.-Domestic measures.-Satisfaction of the Parlia- ment.-Triple Alliance negotiated. - Permanent Committees of the Privy Council established. Care for the Navy.- Peace with Spain.-Conduct of the French King.-Terms of the Triple Alliance.-State of the English Council.-In- [Intrigues with France. The two Secret Treaties.-Corrup- -tion of the members of the Cabal Administration.]-Temper of the Court.-Account of the Cabal.-Lord Ashley's advice to the King.-Discovers the King's conversion to Popery.-Lord Rochester.-Proceedings of the Parliament.-Shutting up of the Exchequer opposed by Lord Ashley.-His reasons against ADDENDA. Mr. Malone, in his Life of Dryden, is very angry with Stringer for relating the anecdote inserted in p. 20, and with Martyn for copying from him. He has clearly proved that it is untrue. Erasmus-Henry, the poet's youngest son, and the only one educated at the Charter-house, was not admitted until February 5, 1682-3, a few days after Shaftesbury's death. He was admitted upon the nomination of Charles the Second. Malone only knew this work from the quotations from it in Kippis's article in the Biographia Britannica. The refutation is equally honourable to the Earl and the poet : to the Earl, as affording the highest proof of his judicial integrity, since it drew such admiration from an enemy; to the poet, as releasing him from that imputation of ingratitude which must have rested upon him had he written his poem of the Medal against a man from whom he had received so important an obligation. The following paragraph was omitted in Vol. I. page 320, after line 13: "The original article has since been published by Lord John Russell, in his Life of Lord William Russell, and the treaty at length by Dr. Lingard, in the Appendix to the seventh volume of his History of England: but although the sums stipulated to be paid by Louis were considerably less than those stated in the draft, the scope of the treaty was precisely the same." THE LIFE OF THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY. INTRODUCTION. HISTORIES of former ages are allowed to be useful, by bringing down their most illustrious persons to our acquaintance, and giving us the benefit of their conduct. But the examples of excellent men of our own country must have a more lively and extensive influence; because we are engaged in the same interest, have the same constitution to preserve, and, perhaps, ought to pursue the same measures which they have espoused, and with steadiness and vigour maintained. The true spirit of liberty is cultivated by observing the lives of its assertors; and an impartial review of the principles and proceedings of our most eminent patriots may probably raise up and animate new ones. If to oppose a growing arbitrary VOL. I. B |