he succeeded him in the dukedom of Cornwall; and at the age of sixteen he was created prince of Wales, and had a court formed for him.

Though he had had a great aversion towards Villiers, duke of Buckingham, whose insolence was great, yet a friendship inviolable succeeded, contrary to the expectations of many. At his instigation, and in his company, this prince went into Spain, in order

great advantages for our commerce, and who had paid the public debts without farther charge to the nation : so that he could see no reason there was to suppress those academies, unless it were an apprehension that they might still produce greater geniuses, that should drown the merits and abilities of those great men a. But, however, in justice to many great men educated among the puritans, it must be said that they were not ingrateful, though they continued not with them. Whichcot, Wilkins, and Tillotson, among the clergy; the earl of Wharton, the lord-chancellor King, among the laity, with several others, who from time to time have had seats in both houses, have shewed their esteem and friendship for them, by defending them against their adversaries, and bearing testimony to their innocency, loyalty, and learning.-Which behaviour, as it manifests more gratitude, so likewise does it proceed from truer patriotism than its opposite. For the puritans have been hated, reviled, and oppressed, chiefly on account of their firm attachment to civil liberty,

* Torbuck's Parliamentary Debates, vol. VI. p. 216. 8vo. Lond. 1741.

to conclude the match that had been so long negotiating with the Infanta *; where he behaved with great politeness, and was re

and the constitution of their country. By the bills for preventing occasional conformity and the growth of schism, it was hoped that their [the dissenters] sting would be taken away,' says Bolingbroke. And again, says he, 'These bills were thought necessary for our party-interest.' What that party-interest was, is but too well known; as likewise what he and his coadjutors aimed at and therefore it cannot but be esteemed an honour to any body of men to be ill treated by such as were ready to sacrifice their country to their own ambition and lust of power.

* At Buckingham's instigation, and in his company, he went into Spain, &c.] The negotiations for a match with the Infanta of Spain began about the year 1616. The Spaniards at first intended only to amuse king James, and hinder him from interfering in the affairs of Germany. At length they seem to have been sincere, and determined to conclude it. The duke of. Buckingham then, out of envy to the earl of Bristol, (who had the sole management of the affair) one day insinuated to the prince the common misfortune of princes, that in so substantial a part of their happiness in this world as depended upon their marriage, themselves had never any part; but must receive only an account from others of the nature and humour, and beauty of the ladies they were to marry; and those reports, seldom proceeded from persons totally uninterested, by reason of the parts they had acted towards such preparations. From hence he discoursed, how gallant and how brave a thing it would be for his high

* Letter to Wyndham, p. 22.

ceived with much respect: though, through the means of his favourite, the match was broke off, and a quarrel ensued between the two nations.

ness to make a journey into Spain, and to fetch home his mistress; that it would put an end presently to all those formalities, which, (though all substantial matters were agreed upon already) according to the style of that court, and the slow progress in all things of ceremony, might yet retard the Infanta's voyage into England many months, all which would in a moment be removed by his highness's own presence; that it would be such an obligation to the Infanta herself, as she could never enough value or requite, and, being a respect rarely paid by any other prince, upon the like addresses, could proceed only from the high regard 'and reverence he had for her person; that in the great affair, that only remained undetermined, and was not entirely yielded to, though under a very friendly deliberation, which was the restoring the Palatinate, it was very probable that the king of Spain himself might chuse, in the instant, to gratify his personal interposition, which, in a treaty with an ambassador, might be drawn out in length, or attended with overtures of recompence by some new concessions, which would create new difficulties; however, that the mediation could not but be frankly undertaken by the Infanta herself, who would ambitiously make it her work, to pay a part of her great debt to the prince; and that he might, with her, and by her, present to his majesty the entire peace and restitution of his family, which by no other human means could be brought to pass.'

These discourses made so deep an impression on the mind and spirit of the prince, (whose nature was

Some things being dropped by the duke in his narrative of the transactions in Spain, which were thought to reflect highly on the honour of his catholic majesty, by his am

inclined to adventures) that he was transported with the thought of it, and most impatiently solicitous to bring it to pass *.?

Thus having, with much difficulty, gained the king's consent, his highness, with Buckingham, set out with very few attendants, unknown to the court, and through France travelled into Spain incognito. His arrival being notified to that court, he was treated with all imaginable civility and respect, and had part of the royal palace fitted up for him.

Whilst in Spain, he shewed his gallantry; for understanding that the Infanta was used to go some mornings to the Casa da Campo, a summer-house of the king's on the other side of the river, to gather Maydew, he rose early, and, accompanied with one gentleman, went thither, and was let into the house and into the garden; but the Infanta was in the orchard, and there being a high partition-wall between, and the door double-bolted, the prince got on the top of the wall, and sprung down a great height, and so made towards her; but she spying him first of all the rest, gave a shriek, and ran back. The old marquis, that was then her guardian, came towards the prince, and fell on his knees, conjuring his highness to retire, in regard he hazarded his head if he admitted any to her company; so the door was opened and he came out under that wall over which he got in". This adventure, so

* Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, vol. I. p. 11. 8vo. Oxon. 1712. b Howell's Letters, p. 119. 8vo. Lond. 1705.

bassadors, Buckingham's head was demanded by them; but he had the good fortune to be justified by the lords, and praised by the king, though as will appear in the note*,

much in the taste of the Spaniards, with his watching an hour together in a close coach in the open street to see her as she went abroad, the bravery of his journey, and his discreet comportment, made them much taken with him, and say, that never princess was courted with more gallantry. But the Infanta was not destined for Charles; for notwithstanding the favour with which he was treated by the catholic king, notwithstanding the preparations made for a marriage, the wishes of his father, and his own fond desire and affection, Buckingham (such is the power of a favourite!) found means to prevent it. For his pride and haughtiness were disagreeable to the Spaniards, proud as they themselves were: his carriage was scandalously indecent; he disgusted the conde d'Olivares, and, in re

Note 4 towards the end.

b Howel's Letters, p. 20, 21.

In the Cabala there is a letter, ab ignoto to the king, highly reflecting on Buckingham; and, among other things, his majesty is requested to 'enquire of those that come out of Spain, whether the duke of Buckingham did not many things against the authority and reverence due to the most illustrious prince [Charles]? Whether he was not wont to be sitting whilst the prince stood, and was in presence, and also having his feet rest. ing upon another seat, after an indecent manner? Whether, when the prince was uncovered, whilst the queen and infanta looked out at the windows, he uncovered his head or no? Whether he were not wont to come into the prince's chamber with his clothes half on, so that the doors could not be opened to them that came to visit the prince from the king of Spain, the door-keepers refusing to go in for modesty's sake? Whether he did not call the prince by ridiculous names? Whether he did not dishonour and profane the king's palace with base and contemptible women? Whether he did not divers obscene things, and used not immodest gesticulations, and wanton tricks with players, in the presence of the prince?' &c. &c. Cabala, p. 276.