Thomas Widdrington, who had been appointed to that office. During the remainder of Oliver Cromwell's protectorate, Whitelocke appears to have been in and out of favour with him, as he more or less supported his measures. The last instance of Oliver's favour to him, was his signing a warrant for a patent to make him a viscount, but Whitelocke did not think it convenient to accept of this honour, although he had received his writ of summons as one of the lords of the "other house," by the title of Bulstrode lord Whitelocke. Richard, the new protector, made him one of the keepers of the great seal, but this ceased when the council of officers had determined to displace Richard, on which ọccasion Whitelocke became one of their council of state, During this confusion, he was accused of holding a correspondence with sir Edward Hyde, and other friends of Charles II. which he positively denied, and by joining in the votes for renouncing the pretended title of Charles Stuart, and the whole line of king James, and of every other person as a single person pretending to the government of these realms, as well as by other measures, he endeavoured to prove his attachment to the republican cause. In the rest of his conduct he seems, even by his own account, to have been irresolute, and inconsistent, or if consistent in any thing, it was in so yielding to circumstances as not to appear very obnoxious to either party. As he had, however, attached himself so long to the enemies of the king, the utmost he could expect was to be allowed to sink into obscurity. Yet it was by a small majority only that he was included in the act of pardon and oblivion which passed after the restoration. When he had obtained this, he was admitted into the presence of Charles II. who received him very graciously, and dismissed him in these extraordinary words; "Mr. Whitelocke, go into the country; don't trouble yourself any more about state affairs; and take care of your wife and your sixteen chil dren." This must have mortified a man who had acted so conspicuous a part in state affairs. He took his majesty's advice, however, and spent the remaining fifteen years of his life at Chilton-park in Wiltshire, and died there January 28, 1676. He was interred in the church of Fawley in Buckinghamshire. Mr. Whitelocke was thrice married, first to Miss Bennet, of the city of London, by whom he had a son James, who was settled at Trumpington near Cambridge, and left two sons, both of whom died unmarried. His second wife was Frances, daughter of lord Willoughby of Parham, by whom he had nine children. His third wife was Mrs. Wilson, a widow, whose maiden name was Carletou. She survived him, and by her also he had several children. The eldest of this last marriage inherited Chilton Park. The editor of his "Memorials" gives him this character. "He not only served the state in several stations and places of the highest trust and importance both at home and in foreign countries, and acquitted himself with success and reputation answerable to each respective character; but likewise conversed with books, and made himself a large provision from his studies and contemplation. Like that noble Roman, Portius Cato, as described by Nepos, he was Reipublicæ peritus, et jurisconsultus, et magnus imperator, et probabilis orator, cupidissimus literarum à statesman and learned in the law, a great commander, an eminent speaker in parliament, and an exquisite scholar. He had all along so much business, one would not imagine he ever had leisure for books; yet who considers his studies might believe he had been always shut up with his friend Selden, and the dust of action never fallen on his gown. His relation to the public was such throughout all the revolutions, that few mysteries of state could be to him any secret. Nor was the felicity of his pen less considerable than his knowledge of affairs, or did less service to the cause he espoused. So we find the words apt and proper for the occasion; the style clear, easy, and without the least force or affectation of any kind, as is shewn in his speeches, his narratives, his descriptions, and in every place where the subject deserves the least care or consideration." Lord Clarendon has left this testimony in favour of Whitelocke: whom, numbering among his early friends in life, he calls, a man of eminent parts and great learning out of his profession, and in his profession of signal reputation. "And though," says the noble historian, "he did afterwards bow his knee to Baal, and so swerved from his allegiance, it was with less raucour and malice than other men. He never led, but followed; and was rather carried away with the torrent than swam with the stream; and failed through those infirmities, which less than a general defection and a prosperous rebellion could never have discovered." Lord Clarendon has elsewhere described him, as "from the beginning concurring with the parliament, without any inclinations to their persons or principles; and," says he, "he had the same reasons afterwards not to separate from them. All his estate was in their quarters; and he had a nature, that could not bear or submit to be undone though to his friends, who were commissioners for the king, he used his old openness, and professed his detestation of all the proceedings of his party, yet could not leave them." The first edition of his "Memorials of the English Affairs," was published in 1682, and the second, with many additions and a better Index, in 1732: called "An historical Account of what passed from the beginning of the reign of king Charles the First to king Charles the Second his happy Restauration; containing the public transactions civil and military, together with the private consultations and secrets of the Cabinet," in folio. Besides these memorials, he wrote also "Memorials of the English Affairs, from the supposed expedition of Brute to this island, to the end of the reign of king James the First. Published from his original manuscript, with some account of his life and writings, by William Penn, esq. governor of Pennsylvania; and a preface by James Welwood, M. D. 1709," folio. There are many speeches and discourses of Mr. Whitelocke to be found in his "Memorials of English Affairs," and in other collections. Oldmixon, who stands at the head of infamous historians, has drawn a comparison between Whitelocke and Clarendon; there is also an anonymous pamphlet entitled "Clarendon and Whitelocke farther compared," which was written by Mr. John Davys, some time of Harthall, Oxford. It ought to be remarked that our author's "Memorials" are his Diary, and that be occasionally entered facts in it when they came to his knowledge: but not always on those days in which they were transacted. This has led his readers into some anachronisms. It has been remarked also that his "Memorials" would have been much more valuable, if his wife had not burnt many of his papers. As they are, they contain a vast mass of curious information, and are written with impartiality. ' Biog. Brit. His "Memorials" and Swedish Embassy. |