WILLIAM AND MAHV.

181

jecting it. It was impossible, however, to remove from hismind the impression that a concession on this point wouldseriously impair his authority. Not relying.on the judgment ofhis ordinary advisers, he sent Portland to ask the opinion ofSir William Temple. Temple had made a retreat for himself ata place called Moor Park, in the neighbourhood of Farnham.The country round his dwelling was almost a wilderness. Hisamusement during some years had been to create in the wastev'hat those Dutch burgomasters, among whom he had passedsome of the best years of his life, would have considered as aparadise. His hermitage had been occasionally honoured bythe presence of the King, who had from a boy known andesteemed the author of the Triple Alliance, and who was wellpleased to find, among the heath and furze of the wilds ofSurrey, a spot which seemed to be part of Holland, a straightcanal, a terrace, rows of clipped trees, and rectangular bedsof flowers and potherbs.

Portland now repaired to this secluded abode and'consultedthe oracle. Temple was decidedly of opinion that thebill ought topass. He was apprehensive that the reasons whichled him to formthis opinion might not be fully and correctly reported to theKingbyPortlandpvho was indeed as brave a soldier and as trusty a friendas ever lived,whose natural abilities were not inconsiderable,andwho, in some departments of business, had great experience, blitwho was very imperfectly acquainted with the history and consti-tution of England. As the state of Sir William’s health made itimpossible for him to go himself to Kensington,he determined tosend his secretary thither. The secretary was a poor scholar offour or five and twenty,under whose plain garb and ungainly de-portment were concealed some of the choicest gifts that have everbeen bestowed on any of the children of men; rare powers of ob-servation, brilliant wit, grotesque invention, humour of the mostaustere flavour, yet exquisitely delicious, eloquence singularly

CHAP.

XIX.

1603.