178

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

XV.

16S!).

dominant party in the House of Commons; and yet he was oneof the most unhappy beings on the face of the earth. Therecollection of the pitiable figure which he had made at the barof the Old Bailey embittered his temper, and impelled him toavenge himself without mercy on those who had directly or in-directly contributed to his humiliation. Of all the Whigs hewas the most intolerant and the most obstinately hostile to allplans of amnesty. The consciousness that he had disgracedhimself made him jealous of his dignity and quick to takeoffence. He constantly paraded his services and his sufferings,as if he hoped that this ostentatious display would hide fromothers the stain which nothing could hide from himself. Havingduring many months harangued vehemently against Halifax inthe House of Commons, he now came to swear against Halifaxbefore the Lords. The scene was curious. The witness re-presented himself as having saved his country, as havingplanned the Revolution, as having placed their Majesties onthe throne. He then gave evidence intended to show that hislife had been endangered by the machinations of the Lord PrivySeal: but that evidence missed the mark at which it was aimed,and recoiled on him from whom it proceeded. Hampden wasforced to acknowledge that he had sent his wife to implore theintercession of the man whom he w r as now persecuting. “Is itnot strange,” asked Halifax, “that you should have requestedthe good offices of one whose arts had brought your head intoperil?” “Not at all,” said Hampden; “to whom ivas I to applyexcept to the men who Were in power? I applied to LordJeffreys: I applied to Father Petre; and I paid them six thou-sand pounds for their services.” “But did Lord Halifax takeany money?” “No: I cannot say that he did.” “And, Mr.Hampden, did not you afterwards send your wife to thank himfor his kindness?” “Yes: I believe I did,” ansivered Hamp-den; “but I know of no solid effects of that kindness. If there