"his father's fate should have warned him against the causes that produced it; his wandering life, by giving him experience, might have taught him wisdom; * the good sense, that is not

*That such was the opinion of his contemporaries, will be seen by the following extracts from the tract in the British Museum, of which mention has already been made; while they prove, at the same time, the base sycophancy and adulation with which the restored Monarch was assailed. "And, indeed, those great opportunities I which he hath had by his being so long abroad, of diving into the great councils of foreign princes and states, must necessarily make him a person of a very perspicuous understanding, and endowed him with all those qualities which may deservedly attain the name of great, and render him as well an able statist as a king; he having, during his expulsion, travelled through and lived in the countries of three the most potent princes in Christendom: viz. the emperor of Germany, and the kings of Spain and France, &c. So that both nature and industry have seemed to use their utmost endeavours to make him a perfect prince, his very afflictions turning in this to his benefit, and making him in knowledge and sufferings, (the refiner of knowledge), unparalleled. Neither is his piety less than his justice, they are both in the superlative degree; he hates wickedness, not because the world should see him glory, (that would make him an hypocrite,) but because God abhors it. To conclude-he is the pattern of patience and piety, the most righteous and justest of

proof against the grossest flattery, cannot be rated very high; and surely Charles the Second is the last man that can be allowed to talk of treachery and ingratitude, when we recollect, that for many years, the support of his cause deluged the country in blood; that even in his most desperate circumstances, there were neve wanting gallant noblemen and Cavaliers to sacrifice their lives and fortunes in his behalf; and that, finally, the whole nation threw itself into his arms without reserve or stipulation. But I forget myself, I have already been cautioned against falling into this error! It becomes not Here he was interrupted by the appearance of the Duke of Monmouth, who embraced him with the utmost cordiality, and

me

kings, the most knowing and experienced of princes, the holiest and the best of men: the severest punisher of vice, the strictest rewarder of virtue: the constantest preserver of religion, and the truest lover of his subjects." Here the author breaks off from a fear, as he informs us, that he should fall short of the King's virtues, though he still takes occasion to add that he is remarkable for his abhorrence of debauchery!

expressed his hopes that their former friendship would be not only renewed, but cemented by the temporary interruption it had sustained; "I should rather say separation," added the duke, "for my good wishes and good offices suffered no diminution in your absence. I have a thousand things to tell you, but I will defer the relation till you sup with me to-morrow night. It is the fast day, and as there will be no public entertainment I shall have company in my own rooms. Fail not, for I have tidings for you which I care not to utter in the presence of others." He cast a look at Walton as he spoke, which presently sent that accommodating personage out of the room, and then continued : "Beware of that fellow; he is ever seeking to advance himself, by entrapping others, and though he has hitherto gained nothing but a pretty general contempt, there are circumstances in the present situation of the court, which may render him dangerous. And here comes another, who, without any of the sordid motives of

Bagot, is equally to be dreaded from his mere love of mischief; so I will leave you to encounter him alone, and adjourn our colloquy until we can season it with sack. I have some, flavoured with apricot, which you will pronounce inimitable.”

As he left the room, Lord Rochester entered it, singing a part of Matthew Lock's glee; "Never trouble thyself about times or their turnings," after which he ejaculated, "Ha! my Faunus, my sylvan, my man of the woods, my quondam brother in disgrace and exile, let us embrace, for bold as may be the word, I flatter myself we are as arrant a couple of scapegraces as any in the court. You have been in banishment, I have been in the tower; and here we are both in high favour, until another freak of fortune orders us to the right-about. Brother culprit, you are welcome to the learned and religious (and therefore to King Charles the most appropriate) city of Oxford."

"A favour, for which I understand that I am

mainly indebted to your Lordship,” said Jocelyn, "and I can assure you that I entertain a most grateful sense

"Nay, nay, prythee be not so common-place," cried Rochester; "have any other sense that you like no sense, if you will; but prythee, while you live, ever eschew a grateful sense.-Foh! it savours of the Puritan. Indebted to me, my Faunus? no such thing. Not to serve you, but to plague Lady Castlemaine, did I condition for your pardon; and if I have conferred a benefit, depend upon it I shall exact more than its value in return. I told you so in the outset of our acquaintance. Do ut des, is my motto. Where godliness can be made a great gain, and charity be put out to usurious interest, who so pious, who so charitable, as the profligate Jack Wilmot ?"

"It is peculiar to your Lordship to be more ashamed of your good actions, than others are of their bad ones,” said Jocelyn.

"Because I had rather wear a worthless cam