GEORGE SAVILE, MARQUIS OF HALIFAX, A MAN more remarkable for his wit than his steadiness, and whom an ingenious modern historian has erected into a principal character in the reign of Charles the second." But when old histories are re-written, it is necessary to set persons and facts in new lights from what they were seen by cotemporaries.4 Voltaire, speaking of Dupleix, says", that he was the first who introduced the custom of quoting his authorities in the margin, 2 Mr. Hume; who observes, that "the marquis's variations might be the effects of his integrity, rather than of his ambition." They might; but it is doubtful. [Dryden seemed to be of Hume's opinion, for he is described -of piercing wit and pregnant thought, 3 [How, says sir E. Brydges, could this be? since bishop Burnet had already done so. Did not he and Sunderland and Essex form the triumvirate which at one time governed ?] • In order to which, it is best to omit referring even to those authors that are used in the compilation. 5 Ecrivains du Siecle de Louis XIV. 66 'précaution absolument nécessaire, quand on n'écrit pas l'histoire de son tems." However, the dictator of this sentence, and author of that beautiful Essay on universal History, has totally forgot his own rule; and has indeed left that work a most charming bird'seye landscape, where one views the whole in picturesque confusion, and imagines the objects more delightful than they are in reality, and when examined separately. The marquis wrote, "The Anatomy of an Equivalent.”5 "A Letter to a Dissenter, upon Occasion of his Majesty's late gracious Declaration of Indulgence;" 1687.6 "An Essay upon Taxes, calculated for the present Juncture of Affairs in England." 1693.7 "Advice to a Daughter." s 5 Printed in the Collection of State Tracts, vol. ii. p. 300. 6 Printed among Somers's Tracts, vol. ii. p.364. 7 Ib. vol. iv. p. 63. 8 [Republished under the title of "The Lady's New Year's Gift," in 1705. The thirteenth edition appeared in 1748. Philip, lord Stanhope, son to the earl of Chesterfield, married Elizabeth, daughter of the marquis of Halifax. The marquis and the earl quarrelled, and the latter made his son bring his wife to Lichfield; breaking off all intercourse between the families. Lady Stanhope had always on her toilette her father's "Advice to a "The Character of a Trimmer." "Maxims of State, applicable to all Times." "Character of Bishop Burnet."" "A seasonable Address to both Houses of Parliament, concerning the Succession, the Fears of Popery, and arbitrary Government," 1681.3 "Cautions for Choice of Parliament-men." "A rough Draught of a new Model at Sea." "Lord Halifax's historical Observation upon the Reigns of Edward I. II. III., and Richard II., with Remarks upon their faithful Counsellors and false Favourites ;" 1689. * Seven of these pieces were printed together in 8vo. 1704, under the title of "Miscellanies by the late Marquis of Halifax. A Character of King Charles the Second; and political, moral, and miscellaneous Thoughts and Reflections ;" published by his grand-daughter, the countess of Burlington. Daughter:" her father-in-law took it up one day, and wrote in the title-page," Labour in vain." Walpoliana, vol. ii. p. 9.] 9 Printed among the works of Villiers duke of Buckingham, vol. ii. p. 137. 2 Printed at the end of the bishop's History of his own Times. s Somers's Tracts, second collect. vol. iii. p.346. Harl. Catal. vol. i. p. 438. |