The abilities of Strafford were far above mediocrity, and his eloquence was very considerable. In point of personal courage, and those accomplishments which befit the gentleman, he deserved high praise: but at the same time it must be confessed that he was inordinately ambitious, arrogant, and passionate. In his manner of living he practised habitual temperance, and his application to business was extreme, In private life he is represented as a warm and generous friend; and had he lived in a more tranquil age, or figured in a less public theatre, he might have descended to a peaceful grave, not only without censure, but with applause.

After the restoration, the bill of attainder was reversed as a stigma on the national justice, and his son inherited his titles and estates.

To

JOHN HAMPDEN.

Born 1594.-Died 1643.

From 36th Elizabeth, to 18th Charles I.

appreciate the real merits of political men from the history of our own times, is a most difficult task. The best intention is too often sullied by the event; and prejudice, or partiality, sees with distorted eyes the series of causes which lead to an important catastrophe. But an impartial posterity removes the glare of false colouring; and estimates character from its obvious tendency to good or evil, its innate propensity to virtue or vice.

While the long-exploded doctrines of passive obedience and non-resistance were in vogue, Hampden was pourtrayed as the Catiline of his age; but no sooner did con stitutional liberty assume its proper form, and the interest and the glory of the sovereign become intimately and indissolubly united with those of the people, than he was regarded as the champion of his country's rights, and a martyr for her independence.

John Hampden was descended from a long line of an

cestors settled at Great Hampden in Buckinghamshire, and by the maternal side was nearly related to Oliver Cromwell. London claims the honour of his birth; but this unimportant point rests only on tradition, and indeed a dark veil is thrown over his early years.

There are no

traces of the future patriot in his juvenile days; no indications of the character which he was about to assume, or the part which he was destined to perform. Actions are frequently the result of fortuitous circumstances, aud talents are elicited by the pressure of the moment. Had Hampden been born at any other period, or met with less urgent occasions for a display of his patriotism, it is probable that his name might now have been unknown to fame. Thousands are carried down the stream of oblivion, without ever having an opportunity of disclosing their virtues or their vices; and join their kindred dust, unnoticed and unregarded.

-Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid

Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire:
Hands that the rod of empire might have sway'd,
Or wak'd to ecstacy the living lyre.

The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear;
Full many a flow'r is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.

Some village HAMPDEN, that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood;
Some mute inglorious MILTON, here may rest;

Some CROMWELL, guiltless of his country's blood.
GRAY'S ELEGY.

About the fifteenth year of his age, he was admitted a gentleman commoner of Magdalen college, Oxford; whence he removed, without taking any degree, to the inns of court... His progress in the study of the laws appears to have been considerable; and he might perhaps have made a distinguished figure at the bar, had not the death of his father early put him into possession of a splendid fortune,

In the bosom of affluence, without a check on his youthful passions, it is said that he gave way to the natural consequences of such a situation, and ran into the usual dissipations of young men of fortune; but without that degradation of character and probity which some incur. His reason soon recalled him from every excess; and he began to associate with persons of more austere and correct manners, while his natural vivacity of temper remained the same..

Though undeviating wisdom may hot always attend the young, in every sensible mind there is a germ of reflection; and happy is it for those who early arrive at the stationary point of moderation. Hampden's views seem to have expanded with his change of manners; and he qualified himself in the shade for the public part which he was afterwards called to perform.

Having married a lady of considerable fortune and connexions, he was returned to parliament in 1626; and, espousing the popular cause, was strenuous in promoting an inquiry into the national grievances. His shrewdness and talents for oratory recommended him to the leading men of his party, and his resolution soon made him conspicuous. He protested against levying the duties of tonnage and poundage, with peculiar vehemence; and was taken into custody for refusing to advance money on loans not sanctioned by the voice of parliament.

The applause which this conduct agained him from the people, fixed his principles; for it appears to have been the character of Hampden to advance with caution, but never to recede with wavering steps. It was not, however, till 1636 that his energy and fortitude distinguished him from the rest of his fellow-patriots. At that time, when arbitrary power was making continual encroachments on the liberty of the subject, and had almost reached its height of violence, Charles, by one stroke of impolicy ommitted himself with an individual, and eventually with

the nation. Hampden had been assessed the small sum of twenty shillings, in aid of what was called shipmoney; which was attempted to be raised by a writ under the great seal, without the concurrence of parliament. He singly resisted this illegal exaction; unawed by authority, undaunted by menaces, unabashed by calumny, and incorruptible by bribes. The cause was brought to trial in the court of exchequer, and solemnly argued by the collective abilities of the bar for twelve days successively; but, as might naturally be expected, judgment went against him. According to Clarendon, however, who was not one of his panegyrists, he conducted himself in this great trial with such temper and modesty, that he actually obtained more credit by losing, than the king did himself service by gaining it. What had been hitherto yielded from affection, was now paid with murmuring reluctance; and the eyes of all men were turned on Hampden, as the pilot who was to conduct them through the storm, the champion who was to contend for the legal rights of all.

His popularity now became so great, that he was regarded as the father of his country, and the intrepid assertor of its liberties. He received the glorious appellation of the PATRIOT HAMPDEN, and this title be never forfeited. He watched every measure of the court with jea lous circumspection; and defeated every attempt against civil liberty, with a prudence that entitled him to respect even from his opponents, and with a zeal that nothing could withstand. As the depositary of the national confidence, he held his trust most sacred; yet he appears to have been actuated by no motives of personal hostility to his sovereign, nor views of aggrandizement for himself.

If he resisted arbitrary power, it was to preserve the constitution inviolate; and on the meeting of the Long Parliament in 1640, his power and interest to do good or harm, in the opinion of lord Clarendon, were greater than any man's in the kingdom, or than any man of his rank

had possessed at any time. His reputation for honesty was universal: and he appeared to be guided by such public principles, that no private or sinister ends could give them an improper bias.

Having taken an active part in the prosecution of Strafford and Laud, it is said that Hampden, after the removal of those obnoxions persons, was unwilling to proceed further to extremities; and in consequence projected a union of parties, aspiring to none of the splendid and lucrative offices of the state for himself, but merely to the appointment of being tutor to the prince of Wales. He was sensible that the misfortunes of the nation arose from the mistaken principles of the sovereign, and anxious to correct rather than to overthrow the constitution, he rationally concluded that he could not perform a more essential service to his country, than by forming the young prince's mind to legitimate sentiments of govern ment. At first it appears that Charles listened to proposals of accommodation: but he afterwards retracted his concessions: and this apparent want of sincerity determined the part that Hampden was to act.

The parliament now saw there was no alternative but implicit submission or open resistance; and the scene began to unfold which gradually deluged the country in blood, and opened the flood-gates of anarchy. As Charles levied forces by his prerogative, the parliament, foreseeing against whom these troops were to be directed, raised an army for the defence of the state, and Hampden accepted the command of a regiment of foot in their service.

As he had been instrumental in bringing matters to this crisis, so he was one of the first that commenced the civil war. The king had placed a garrison at Brill in Buckinghamshire, a few miles from Oxford, the situa tion of which gave it considerable importance. This station Hampden attacked, and displayed the same cou rage in the field as eloquence in the senate. But his