A.D. 1643. animosity; but they wanted some witness who would give credit to their proceedings. As Mr. Holles's enmity to Sir Anthony was well known, they doubted not but Sir Anthony would readily embrace such an opportunity of avenging himself. He was accordingly summoned to the house, and examined whether he knew or had heard of Mr. Holles's having had any secret transactions with the king; but he could not be induced to make the least discovery," though he was threatened with being sent to the Tower for his contumacy. Mr. Holles was so sensibly affected with Sir Anthony's conduct, that he paid him a visit to express his gratitude; but Sir Anthony said, that he lay under no obligation to him, for what he had done was out of regard to his own charac 34 He told them he could answer nothing at all; for though, possibly, what he had to say would be to the clearing of Mr. Holles, yet he could not allow himself to say anything in the case, since, whatever answer he made, it would be a confession that if he had known anything to the disadvantage of Mr. Holles, he would have taken that dishonourable way of doing him a prejudice, and wreak his revenge on a man that was his enemy.-Locke's Memoirs. The reader will probably be inclined to admire Sir Anthony's conduct upon this occasion much more than the reasons by which he defended it. It is not to Lord Holles's honour that he omits all mention of this circumstance in his memoirs. ter; though, if Mr. Holles should think him A.D. 1643. worthy of his friendship, as he knew his merit, he would with pleasure receive it. Mr. Holles was struck with this generosity and openness of behaviour; and from that time they lived in uninterrupted friendship. on Sir An thony's conduct. This conduct of Sir Anthony towards Mr. Remarks Holles was a proof of that greatness of mind for which he was distinguished through every part of his life; and it is very remarkable that, amongst all the slanders with which venal or prejudiced writers have aspersed his character, no one has ever accused him of betraying any confidence which was reposed in him, even by those who were afterwards his enemies. Now, if it be considered how constantly he was engaged in intrigues of state, and how various those intrigues were, it cannot be doubted but that an after discovery would often have furnished him with abundant opportunity either of private advantage or revenge. If, therefore, he had been either covetous or vindictive, he would have been tempted to betray the secrets entrusted with him; or, if he had been of a fearful temper, he would have been terrified into doing so. Though he laid himself under the restraint of VOL. I. L A.D. 1643. never revealing anything to the prejudice of others, or betraying the secrets of conversation, no man was more observant* of the bias and turn of men's minds, or had a quicker insight into their views and designs. Mr. "Sir Richard Onslow and a him by the experience of many years; in fine, his housekeeper. These gentlemen, who were not strangers to his family, and knew the woman very well, and were, besides, very great friends to his son and daughter grown up and both fit for marriage, to whom they thought this would be a very prejudicial match, were both in their minds to oppose it; and, to that purpose, Sir Richard Onslow began the discourse; wherein, when he came to that part he was entering upon the description of the woman, and going to set her out in her own colours, which were such as could not have pleased any man in his wife, Sir Anthony, seeing whither he was going, to prevent any mischief, begged leave to interrupt him, by asking Sir J. a question; which, in short, was this, whether he were not already married? Sir J. after a little demur, answered, Yes truly, he was married the day thony's transac Sir Anthony entered with zeal into the service A.D. 1644. of the cause which he had now espoused, and his Sir Aninfluence and ability soon procured for him con- tions in the siderable commands. On the 14th of August ment's 1644, he was appointed, by the lords and com before. Well then,' replied Sir Anthony, there is no more need of our advice: pray let us have the honour to see my lady, and wish her joy; and so to dinner.' As they were returning to London in their coach, 'I am obliged to you,' said Sir Richard, for preventing my running into a discourse which could never have been forgiven me if I had spoke out what I was going to say. But, as for Sir J. he, methinks, ought to cut your throat for your civil question. How could it possibly enter into your head to ask a man who had solemnly invited us on purpose to have our advice about a marriage he intended, had gravely proposed the woman to us, and suffered us seriously to enter into the debate, whether he was already married or no?' The man and the manner,' replied Sir Anthony, gave me a suspicion that, having done a foolish thing, he was desirous to cover himself with the authority of our advice. I thought it good to be sure before you went any farther, and you see what comes of it.' This afforded them entertainment till they came to town, and so they parted."-Locke's Memoirs. 35 35 Mr. Locke gives another instance of Shaftesbury's acuteness in drawing conclusions from minute observation. Soon after the Restoration, he and the Earl of Southampton were dining with the Earl of Clarendon; the Lady Anne Hyde, who had been recently privately married to the Duke of York, was present. As Shaftesbury and Southampton were returning home together, the former remarked, “ Yonder Mrs. Anne Hyde is certainly married to one of the brothers." Southampton, parlia army. Takes A.D. 1644. mons, one of the committee of the county of Dorset, &c. for governing the army. He had the command of a brigade, consisting of Colonel Popham's and Colonel Cooke's regiments. At the head of these he marched to Wareham, and, furiously attacking one of the outworks, drove the enemy into the town. Intimidated by this onset, the royalists immediately surrendered, and Sir Anthony granted them terms, which showed how little inclined he was to severity. Three hundred of the garrison undertook to serve the parliament against the rebels in Ireland. Corfe Not long after, he was ordered by the parliament to draw together, out of the several garrisons, a sufficient number of horse and foot to blockade Corfe Castle, which he successfully per who was a confidential friend of the chancellor, but who was quite ignorant of the marriage, thought the idea absurd, and asked him how so wild a fancy could get into his head. "Assure yourself," replied Shaftesbury, "it is so; a concealed respect, however suppressed, showed itself so plainly in the looks, voice, and manner, wherewith her mother carved to her or offered her of every dish, that it is impossible but it must be so." It would appear, from Mr. Locke's manner of telling this story, that he was present at the conversation. It is equally creditable to the earl's penetration, whether we attribute his knowledge to his own observation, or to the accuracy of his private information, one of the first requisites to a statesman. |
