,42 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

CHAT

LXV,

i6;o.

. of earl of Sliaftesbury, was one of the most re*markable characters of the age, and the chiefspring of all the succeeding movements. Duringhis early youth , he had engaged in the lateking’s party ; but being disgusted with somemeasures of prince Maurice, he soon deserted tothe parliament. He insinuated himself into theconfidence of Cromwel; and as he had greatinfluence with the presbyterians, he was service-able in supporting, with his party, the authorityof that usurper. He employed the same creditin promoting the restoration; and on that accountboth deserved and acquired favor with the king.In all his changes, he still maintained the characterof never betraying those friends whom he desert-ed ; and which ever party he joined , his greatcapacity and singular talents soon gained himtheir confidence, and enabled him to take thelead among them. No station could satisfy hisambition , no fatigues were insuperable to hisindustry. Well acquainted with the blind attach-ment of faction, he surmounted all sense of shame:And relying on the subtilty of his contrivances,he was not startled with enterprises, the mosthazardous and most criminal. His talents , bothof public speaking and private insinuation, shoneout in an eminent degree; and amidst all hisfurious passions, he possessed a sound judgmentof business , and still more of men. Thoughfitted by nature for beginning and pushing thegreatest undertakings , he was never able toconduct any to a happy period ; and his eminent