SECTION XIV.

SALMASIUS.

SALMASIUS, of an ancient and noble family in France, was born in the year 1596. He was a man of very extraordinary abilities, and profound crudition. He was knowing in almost every thing; in school divinity, in law, in philosophy, in criticism; and he was so consummate a linguist, that there was scarcely a language in which he had not attained a considerable proficiency. He was perfect in Greek and Latin: he understood the Hebrew, Arabic, Persic, Egyptian, Chinese, &c., and he was well acquainted with all the European languages.

His works are very numerous, and on various subjects. They gained him as much fame as strong powers and vast erudition can procure. His name was sounded throughout Europe; and he had great offers from foreign princes, and universities. The Venetians thought his residence among them would be such an honour, that they offered him a prodigious stipend: the university of Oxford made some attempts to get him into England; and the pope invited him to settle at Rome. Cardinal Richelieu used all possible

means to detain him in France, even desiring him to make his own terms; and Christina, queen of Sweden, showed him extraordinary marks of esteem and regard.

When this celebrated man arrived at the evening of life, and found leisure to reflect seriously on the great end of his being, he acknowledged that he had too much, and too earnestly, engaged in literary pursuits; and had greatly overlooked those objects in which true and solid happiness consists. "Oh !" said he, "I have lost an immense portion of time; time, that most precious thing in the world! Had I but one year more, it should be spent in studying David's psalms, and Paul's epistles." "Oh! sirs," said he to those about him, "mind the world less, and God more "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil, that is understanding.' ”

11

CHAPTER IV.

Cardinal Mazarine-Bulstrode Whitelocke-Anna Maria Schurman-Sir Matthew Hale-Du Renti-Princess Elizabeth-William Mompesson--Admiral Penn.

SECTION. I.

CARDINAL MAZARINE.

JULIUS MAZARINE, a famous cardinal and prime minister of France, was born in the kingdom of Naples, in the year 1602. The greatness of his abilities was conspicuous, even in his early years; and he had the advantage of being instructed by a very able tutor. He studied the interests of the various states in Italy, and of the kingdoms of France and Spain; and became profoundly skilled in politics. It was through the interest of Cardinal Richelieu, that he was introduced into the French cabinet. That cardinal made him one of the executors of his will; and during the minority of Louis XIV. he had the charge of public affairs. His high station and great abilities, excited the envy of the nobility of France; and this occa sioned a civil war that continued several years. Mazarine was, at last, forced to retire; a price

was set on his head; and even his fine library was sold. But this disgrace did not long continue. Mazarine returned to the court with more honour than he had ever enjoyed; and conducted the affairs of the kingdom with so much ability and success, that he obtained the French king's most unreserved confidence. He possessed, in an eminent degree, the power of discovering the dispositions and views of men; and of assuming a character adapted to circumstances.

He was a man of great ambition, and pursued with ardour the chase of worldly honours. But, a short time before his death, he perceived the vanity of his pursuit, and lamented the misapplication of his time and talents. He was greatly affected with the prospect of his dissolution, and the uncertainty of his future condition. This made him cry out: "Oh, my poor soul! what will become of thee? Whither wilt thou go?"

To the queen dowager of France, who came to visit him in his illness, and who had been his friend at court, he expressed himself in these terms "Madam, your favours have undone me. Were I to live again, I would be a capuchin, rather than a courtier."

SECTION II.

BULSTRODE WHITELOCKE.

BULSTRODE WHITELOCKE was descended from a good family in Berkshire, and born in the year 1605. He possessed strong mental powers, which were highly improved by education, study, and business. He was advanced to several stations of the greatest trust and importance, both at home and abroad, and acquitted himself in them all to the satisfaction of his employers. Whilst he was ambassador at the court of Sweden, he was particularly honoured by Queen Christina.

In the latter part of his life, he withdrew from public affairs, and resided in the country till his death. In his retirement, he was visited by a friend, to whom, after making many serious ob servations, he expressed himself in the following manner: “I have ever thought there has been one true religion in the world: and that is the work of the Spirit of God in the hearts and souls of men. There have been, indeed, many dispensations of God, suited to his own wise ends, and adapted to the low and uncertain state of man in the world. But the old world had the Spirit