liam Temple had the happinefs to escape both thefe inconveniencies; and, as his retiring from bufinefs was in all appearance voluntary, fo his contempt of greatnefs and fplendor was the refult of a thorough knowledge of the emptiness and vanity of thofe glaring objects. He was fenfible, that there was little in a court but a perpetual exchange of falfe friendship, pretended honefty, feeming confidence, and defigning gratitude fo that thofe, who, as Sir William, acted upon a fincere bottom, and gave realities inflead of fhews, profeffed themfelves as great bubbles as fuch as gave good money when counterfeit coin paffed for current payment.

He had, by long experience, made the estimate of the advantages of a private life above thofe of a public; and was thoroughly convinced, That the bleflings of innocence, fecurity, meditation, good air, health, and found fleep, were clearly preferable to the fplendor of courts; confidering the flavish attendance, the invidious competitions, fervile flattery, and the mortal difappointments that ufually attend them. He fet the frowns of princes, the envy of thofe that judge by hearfay, and the innumerable temptations, vices, and exceffes of a life of pomp and pleasure, in ballance against the fmiles of bounteous nature, the diverfion of healthful exercises for the body, and the folid and lafting entertainments of the mind; and concluded, That he

that

that is a flave in the town, is a kind of pettyprince in the country.

To be very particular in annalyzing his. works, would be foreign to our purpofe; yet we must not omit mentioning his Memoirs, which have not been equalled by any that have writ fince him. They are the more useful. because they take in the principal parts of the reign of Charles II. and without them we. fhould have but an imperfect account of many particulars in that unequal adminiftration. The fecond part flipt firft into the world, without the knowledge, as it was faid, though most believe without the connivance, of the author. They confift not only of many domeftic affairs relating to the court of England, but of the principal foreign negotiations began in 1673, and ended in 1678, in the treaty of Nimeguen, and with the general peace of Eu-. rope; all laid open with firmnefs and impartiality, as well as clearness and fimplicity.

The first part was never published at all, but is very well fupplied by a great number of letters and public papers; which fufficiently fhews what a vigorous actor Sir William Temple was, how great a statesman he proved, and how much a mafter of bufinefs and poli

ticks.

The third part appeared fome years after his death; which, though complained of as being published without confent of relations, was never charged with being the least spurious. This, though fhorteft in compafs, both

E. 4

as

liam Temple had the happiness to escape both thefe inconveniencies; and, as his retiring from bufinefs was in all appearance voluntary, fo his contempt of greatnefs and fplendor was the refult of a thorough knowledge of the emptinefs and vanity of thofe glaring objects. He was fenfible, that there was little in a court but a perpetual exchange of falfe friendship, pretended honefly, feeming confidence, and defigning gratitude fo that thofe, who, as Sir William, acted upon a fincere bottom, and gave realities inflead of fhews, profeffed themfelves as great bubbles as fuch as gave good money when counterfeit coin paffed for current payment.

He had, by long experience, made the estimate of the advantages of a private life above thofe of a public; and was thoroughly convinced, That the bleflings of innocence, fecurity, meditation, good air, health, and found fleep, were clearly preferable to the fplendor of courts; confidering the flavish attendance, the invidious competitions, fervile flattery, and the mortal difappointments that ufually attend them. He fet the frowns of princes, the envy of thofe that judge by hearfay, and the innumerable temptations, vices, and exceffes of a life of pomp and pleafure, in ballance against the fmiles of bounteous nature, the diverfion of healthful exercifes for the body, and the folid and lafting entertainments of the mind; and concluded, That he

that

that is a flave in the town, is a kind of pettyprince in the country.

To be very particular in annalyzing his works, would be foreign to our purpose; yet we must not omit mentioning his Memoirs, which have not been equalled by any that have writ fince him. They are the more useful. because they take in the principal parts of the reign of Charles II. and without them we fhould have but an imperfect account of many particulars in that unequal adminiftration. The fecond part flipt first into the world, without the knowledge, as it was faid, though most. believe without the connivance, of the author.: They confist not only of many domeftic affairs relating to the court of England, but of the principal foreign negotiations began in 1673, and ended in 1678, in the treaty of Nimeguen, and with the general peace of Europe; all laid open with firmnefs and impartiality, as well as clearness and fimplicity.

The first part was never published at all, but is very well fupplied by a great number of letters and public papers; which fufficiently fhews what a vigorous actor Sir William Temple was, how great a statesman he proved, and how much a mafter of bufinefs and poli-. ticks.

The third part appeared fome years after his death; which, though complained of as being published without confent of relations, was never charged with being the leaft fpurious. This, though fhorteft in compafs, both.

E. 4

Mas

as to time and matters, yet, keeping close to English adminiftration at home, and discovering greater depths of thofe affairs, we take it to be the moft ufeful and enlightning of the three.

Here are laid open, not only the secret fprings of many actions which were generally unknown before, but all the subtle arts and projections of minifters of state, with those various windings and turnings with which ftrangers are fo often perplexed and confounded in court. Here the difpofitions and aims of fome great men, as the lord Shaftsbury, Effex, &c. are fo effectually, as well as handfomely expofed, that many of one party are willing to have the credit of it called in queftion: but, as it has long ftood, so no doubt but it will continue to ftand, the test against all opponents.

We fhall fay nothing further of his writings, but only observe, that, when the reader comes to perufe the whole, he will readily form to himfelf the general character of an accomplished gentleman, a penetrating politician, a wife patriot, and a learned man: and, if this great idea fhould be really fhaded by fome touches of vanity and the fpleen, he may easily confider that the greatest and wifeft men have not always been exempt from those very failings and imperfections; and that the former might arife from fome peculiar excellencies in his character; and the latter from fome uncommon provocations of those who differed

from