C H ALXV.isro.

140 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN .

Ti of earl of Shaftefbury, was one of the moft re-markable characters of the age, and the chieffpring of all the fucceeding movements. DuringIris early youth , he had engaged in the lateking’s party ; but being difgufted with fomemeafures of prince Maurice, he foon deferted tothe parliament. He infinuated himfelf into theconfidence of Cromwel; and as he had greatinfluence with the prefbyterians, he was fervice-able in fupporting, with his party, the authorityof that ufurper. He employed the fame creditin promoting the reftoration; and on that accountboth deferved and acquired favor with the king.In all his changes, he ftill maintained the charadterof never betraying thofe friends whom he defert-ed ; and which-ever party he joined , his greatcapacity and lingular talents foon gained himtheir confidence, and enabled him to take thelead among them. No ftation could fatisfy hisambition , no fatigues were infuperable to hisinduAry, Well acquainted with the blind attach-ment of fadtion, he furmounted all fenfe of fliame:And relying on the fubtilty of his contrivances,he was not Aartled with enterprifes, the mofthazardous and moft criminal. His talents, bothof public fpeaking and private infinuation, flboneout in an eminent degree; and amidft all hisfurious paflions , he pofleffed a found judgmentof bulinefs , and ftill more of men. Thoughfitted by nature for beginning and pufliing thegreateft undertakings , he was never able to•condudt any to a happy period; and his eminent