141
abilities, by reafon of bis infatiable defires, wereequally dangerous to himfelf, to the prince, andto the people.
The duke of Buckingham pofTelfed all theadvantages, which a graceful perfon, a highrank, a fplendid fortune, and a lively wit couldbellow; but by his wild condudl, unrellrainedeither by prudence or principle, he found meansto render himfelf in the end odious and eveninfignificant. The Ieall intereft could make himabandon his honor; the fmalleft pleafure couldfeduce him from his intereft; the moft frivolouscaprice was fufficient to counterbalance his plea-fure. By his want of fecrecy and conftancy, hedeftroyed his character in public life ; by hiscontempt of order and ceconomy, he diflipatedhis private fortune; by riot and debauchery, heruined his health ; and he remained at laft asincapable of doing hurt, as he had ever beenlittle defirous of doing good, to mankind.
The earl, foon after created duke of Lauder-dale, was not defective in natural, and ftill lefs (in acquired, talents; but neither was his addrefsgraceful, nor his underftanding juft. His princi-ples, or, more properly fpeaking, his prejudices,were obftinate, but unable to reftrain his ambi-tion; His ambition was ftill lefs dangerous thanthe tyranny and violence of his temper. Animplacable enemy , but a lukewarm friend; in-folent to his inferiors, but abjedt to his fuperiors;though in his whole character and deportment,he v/as almoft diametrically oppofite to the king,
II A P.LXV.1670.