this true criterion instead of the crowd of false | universal selections. Proclus is one of the criterion hitherto adopted is that which has great models whom Cousin has studied. produced eclecticism, its whole spirit and the Proclus omitted Christianity, and so failed entire of its results. Thence that conviction to be essentially eclectic; and exactly so, that every opinion is necessarily true and necessarily false; thence that selection of what is we think that Cousin, not so much from true in each; thence that universal tolerance; disbelief in Christianity, as from a disgust thence that historical spirit, conciliatory, ex- at the form under which it has been prepansive, which, issuing forth from home, visits sented to his observation, has excluded it the beliefs of all countries and all ages, com-likewise. The sentence which we have prehends all languages, admits, as observa- above quoted from Jouffroy will explain our tions, all systems, gleans from all quarters without settling down anywhere-because truth is everywhere in part-but truth entire is in no one country, no one age, no one man.

This new spirit, introduced into the natural sciences, has dethroned opinions and substituted observations, and within fifty years has given them an impetus greater than that which they had acquired from the beginning of the

world.

This new spirit, introduced into criticism, is destined to conciliate the romantic and the classic school-as the two different points of view of real beauty...

meaning.

Thanks,' says he, 'to this new spirit, the modern philosophers perceive that there is a philosophy in Christianity, and modern Christians conceive that there is a religion in philosophy.' Then each one has truth and religion as its elements. Then the philosopher can acquire religion by philosophy, without Christianity. In Christianity are enfolded all truths.' But these eternal truths can and ought to be described, disengaged, illustrated by philosophy. In reality, there is but one truth under two forms-the mystery and the scientific development; I revere the one-I am the organ, the interpreter of the other.* This Thanks to this spirit, the French modern we believe to be the fatal defect of French philosophy has ceased to swear by Condillac, eclecticism-this we believe to be the reason and no longer feels the necessity of swearing why Jouffroy died confessing its inadequacy by any one. It publishes Plato, Proches and to satisfy his wants, and to respond to his Descartes; it expounds Locke, Reid, and Kant, desires. reconciles ages and countries, finds 'the true' everywhere, and the false' everywhere, and while investigating human nature, which is philosophical reality, - prepares in silence a treaty of peace between all systems. Perhaps it is among the destinies of France to see it signed one day at Paris.**

Thanks to this new spirit, the modern philosophers perceive that there is a philosophy in Christianity, and modern Christians conceive that there is a religion in philosophy.

Nevertheless, we augur from this philosophical movement the most happy religious consequences to France. The great leaders of whom we have spoken felt the necessity of having a belief. They aspired after the universal, the absolute, the eternal-after principles which never yield, and first truths We have, in this translation, given the which never perish. And, by the confession best statement with which we are acquaint- of one of them, philosophy has failed to reed, of the principle and pretension of French alize those aspirations. Would that he had eclecticism. As we have remarked before, held fast to the revelation of that Great it is not our province, in this article, to Being who has there proclaimed the absocanvass it in detail. We have simply en- lute, the universal, and the eternal to man! deavored to trace its development, and to We believe that these admissions of Joufaccount for that development. Neverthe-froy will work well, and that soon the less, it will not be beyond our purpose to thoughtful and courageous among the eclecstate why we regard it as incomplete. tics will accept Christianity, as destined to be Eclecticism, aiming, as it does, to be uni- to man what philosophy, in its best form, versal-affirming, as it does, that exclusive-never can be. We shall again see times ness is ipso facto untruth-is, nevertheless, such as those of a primitive Christianity, singularly intolerant and partial upon a point when illustrious men, whom the sublime most vital. Were we to brand it with pan- doctrines of Plato and Zeno had inspired theism that would be accounted fanatical; with the desire of truth, and the love of were we to denounce it as anti-christian-virtue, were forced, as it were, to become that would be put down to priestcraft. We Christians, by a despair of finding anywhere must, however, affirm our conviction that else the eternal objects of their desire and it has omitted Christianity in its professedly their love. The establishment of Christian* Jouffroy de l'Eclecticisme en Morale, p. 360-1.

* Œuvres de Cousin, tom. i. p. 109.

ity in the earth followed in the wake of the Alexandrian eclecticism: we believe that in France, after her eclectic effort has done its work, Christianity will again triumph.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SIR SIMONDS

D'EWES.

From the Spectator.

ber for Sudbury; and in 1641 he was made a Baronet, by Charles the First. Notwithstanding this favor, he sided with the Parliament on the breaking out of the civil wars, as was to be expected from his religious views and ideas of civil government; the same consistency included him in the expulsion known by the name of Pride's Purge; and two years afterwards he died.

There is not, apparently, in this outline, enough to fill nearly six hundred octavo pages, especially when we consider that the autobiographer stops short of the most The Autobiography and Correspondence of busy and active fourteen years of his life: Sir Simonds D'Ewes, Bart., during the but D'Ewes was essentially a learned gosReigns of James I. and Charles I. Ed-sip. The history of his family is unfolded ited by James Orchard Halliwell, Esq., with all the minuteness of a herald, the F. R. S., &c. &c. In two volumes. clearness of a logician, and the precision of London. Bentley. a lawyer. And by family we mean his deTHE name of D'Ewes is met with if not scent both on the father's and mother's remembered by the general reader, as a re-side; with a still more elaborate history of ference to statements in the text of other his wife's connexions, who seem to have writers; but his character and merits are had the best blood,-for though the chiefly known to antiquaries or historians D'Ewes were originally ancient and noble, from the information contained in his of the Duchy of Guilderland, yet they left great publication, The Journals of All the Parliaments during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, and his manuscript collections and writings of various kinds, preserved at the British Museum in the Harleian MSS. In exhuming his autobiography from the British Museum, and printing it with a selection from the family correspondence, Mr. Halliwell has performed a useful ser vice; although it exhibits no moving accidents of any kind, and the substance of its historical information has been already conveyed to the public.

it in consequence of civil brawls, and came to England in the time of Henry the Eighth; passing, as D'Ewes expresses it, under a cloud, which also seems to us to break the chain of evidence. These genealogical particulars, however, are not mere dry heraldry: D'Ewes exhibits his own character in narrating the trouble he took to hunt out evidence and establish facts, sometimes from records, sometimes from living witnesses. In like manner, he minutely tells any family circumstance, as the wonderful strength of a man-cook,—and narrates The leading facts in the life of Sir Si- at large any family incident, or paints a monds D'Ewes are few. He was born in family portrait; some of which are inter1602, and died in 1650; though his auto-esting from their domestic character, and biography only comes down to 1636. After the natural feeling of the writer, despite of being sent to various schools, he entered a cold disposition and formal manner. The St. John's College, Cambridge, as a Fellow different persons he encountered-and he Commoner, in 1618; and in 1620 he began encountered many, and some of eminence his studies at the Temple,-having been -are described in a similar way; as well admitted as a member nine years before, as the public sights he saw-and, like a when only nine years old! It was origi- true gossip, he began early to look about nally his intention to practice the law; but, him, and to frequent places where men do having in 1626 married an heiress, and his congregate. He also systematically interfather then settling five hundred a year up- mingles notices of public events and public on him with another six hundred in rever- characters with his own private affairs; and sion, D'Ewes devoted himself to the study although little new light is thrown upon of heraldry, legal and parliamentary archæ- any thing, it is not without interest to read ology, and history; intermixing private and the remarks of a contemporary upon events county business with his studies. In 1639 which now stand out in historical magnihe rose to the dignity of High Sheriff for tude, as the foundation of the colony of Suffolk, where his property was situated; New England, the levy of Ship-money, and in the year following he was elected Mem- the disputes in the Church originated by VOL. VI.-No. II.

15

Laud; the last, by the by, an exact coun- us. Whatever he narrates had an importerpart of the present dissensions. With tance in the author's own mind; he puts the slightest allowance for the age, which down nothing for mere writing's sake. His affects the style, and for circumstances, particulars, too, are often of a general charwhich place the modern Lauds undermost, acter-one of a class, though the class be the following diatribe might be written by small; his comments frequently treat of a D'Ewes of the present day. religion or government largely; and his notices often relate to persons whose very names excite attention. But the most striking feature of The Autobiography of Sir Simonds D' Eives is its domestic picture of a family of the time of the two first Stuarts, or rather the Elizabethan age. The painting, however, relates rather to feelings and practice than to mere manners; for the nature of D'Ewes was not adapted to external accomplishment or frivolities, as his studies raised him above them. Making allowance for the formal and precise character of the ural feelings so much as shape and regulate man,-which, however, did not subdue nattheir exhibition,-this autobiography may be considered as one of the most complete exhibitions of an individual and a family that has ever been written.

"For mine own part, I have ever maintained obedience to the magistrates in all lawful things, and that the conscience ought not to be enforced; nay, I can honor and esteem a virtuous or learned Papist, who, being educated in that religion, supposeth it to be the truth. But for men to call themselves Protestants, as Bishop Laud, Bishop Wren, and their wicked adherents, to swallow up the prefer ments of our Church, to inveigh against Popery in word only, and in the main to project and plot the ruin of the truth and gospel, to maintain and publish the most gross and feculent errors of the Romish synagogue, to cause God's day to be profaned, his public service to be poisoned by idolatry and superstition, his faithful and painful ministers to be censured, suspended, deprived, and exiled, and to threaten a speedy ruin to the power of godliness, this my soul abhors as the highest step of wickedness and of prevarication against God and his honor. I cannot but account the Pope, the Cardinals, and Jesuits themselves, saints in comparison of these men. For as a few traitors within a besieged city are of a greater danger for the ruin of it than a whole army without, so doubtless what Theodore Beza saith of pseudo Lutherans of Germany is true of these men; that they do no less impudently and furiously weaken and undermine the gospel of truth, than if they were hired by the Pope himself at great rates. Besides, the gross heresies and horrible abominations of the Romish synagogue are so many and notorious, as I dare boldly aver, that it is impossible for any true Protestant, that knows but the truth in some indifferent measure, and leads his life in some proportion like a pious Christian, ever willingly and by way of choice and election to turn Papist, either in whole or in part. But I see by daily experience, when divines, scholars, and others, are given up to a profane, vicious, and atheistical life, they so far detest and hate such as be godly, as by a just judgment of God they are at length given up to the hatred of the truth itself also, and readily take in their defence and creed, any Popish, Palagian, or Anabaptistical tenets."

It will be seen from this extract, that the style of D'Ewes possesses a scholarly force and clearness. Mere expression, however, is of little effect unless it convey a true transcript of the author's mind, which alone imparts a character to composition. It is this kind of character which gives its value and attraction to the autobiography before

Some of the most curious portions of the work are those which relate to his own courtships and the second marriage of his father. The system of what is called marrying" young people by their friends was at its height during those days, as it still prevails on the Continent,-although something more of freedom of choice seems to have been generally allowed the parties than we are apt to suppose. But the working of the system appears to have destroyed all the romance of love and courtship-to have made it more a matter of business, and of liking or bearing with, than of affection. A novelist, painting the courtship of a youth not out of his teens, would place all the doubts of the lover on the inconstancy of his mistress; whereas, the fear of Master D'Ewes was on his father.

COURTSHIP IN THE REIGN OF JAMES THE FIRST.

I must now come to speak a little largely of a particular business that concerns my first love; which, because it broke off abruptly and abortively, before the end of the ensuing summer, I will a little anticipate the after passages of it, and finish it here at once. This match was propounded first unto me upon Saturday the 20th day of October in the year 1620; to which, being of itself very worthy of entertainment, I was the rather induced to hearken by reason of my small stipend and inconvenient lodging at the Six Clerk's Office in Chancery Lane, his father was one of the Six Clerks,] whereby my precious time was misspent for want of a private chamber and study wherein

to reside. From that day, for above half a year after, I had many discourses with one Mr. Boldero, a gentleman that first proposed it, how to effect it, and misspent many an hour in the care and thoughts of it, till the 8th day of this instant May, being Tuesday, when Mr. Waldegrave, of Lawford Hall, in the county of Essex, father of the gentlewoman named Jemima, being his younger daughter and co-heir apparent, came to London purposely to treat with my father about it; with whom after thrice meeting and some differences composed, he made a full agreement, so as there seemed nothing to be wanting to make up a full and due consummation but our mutual likings, who were to have matched: so now, had I not feared my father's inconstancy, I should have assured myself of a seasonable accomplishing my present expectation.

*

*

effects it would produce, I kept it two or three days ere I delivered it after I was come to Mr. Waldegrave's; but fearing my father's displeasure if I still kept it, and so an abortive issue of this overture, I at last rather chose to put it to the hazard. Truly, both the father and the young gentlewoman, whose affection I had gained very far, were content for my sake to have passed it over; but the Lady Bingham her mother told me plainly, my father took so early authority upon him as her daughter should never come under his power; and so; after all that cost bestowed by my father, being near upon 801., and all the travel and pains which had been bestowed by myself and others to effect this business, (although it hung in suspense till the 19th day of September next ensuing,) yet all was finally dashed."

The next matchmaking in which our hero engaged was the marriage of his father, a year or two afterwards. It now seems odd to find a young man just of age volunteering his advice upon such a subject, and offering his services as an agent to carry on the suit.

The next day, being Friday, May 25th, I arrived at Colchester between twelve and one; and that afternoon saw Miss Jemima with the Lady Bingham her mother, (whom, having been the widow of Sir Richard Bingham, Knight, Mr. Waldegrave had married to his second wife,) and had some discourse with the old lady, and some short view of the gen- "Though the talk of this princely-intended tlewoman; whom I did not take to be so hand-match [Charles the First with the Infanta] some at this first view as I thought her after- filled the thoughts and discourses of most men, wards. I went not home at this time with the yet did the expectation of another marriage old lady, but lay at a town called Langham, which nearly concerned me take up a great near to Lawford, at one Mr. Littlebury's part of my time in the latter end of the foregohouse; from whence, the next day, I went ing February and the beginning of the ensuwith him to Mr. Waldegrave's in the afternoon, ing March. For my most dear and blessed and had full access in private discourse afford- mother having deceased above four years and ed me with the young gentlewoman. That eight months now past, and my father, since night I returned again with Mr. Littlebury his being a widower, falling into treaty with (who had used a great deal of faithful care to several persons about his second marriage, make up this match) to his house; where some of them being in the prime of their youth, having staid till Monday, May 28th, in the I was almost continually agitated and troubled forenoon we went again to Mr. Walde- lest he should at last pitch upon some young grave's, and dined there. After which ended, person altogether unfit for his age; by which I had several discourses with the young gen- means I should not only reap much discomfort tlewoman, and received from her so many re- in my present life, but it was possible also he monstrances of acceptation and affection, as might thereby be drawn to give away the her own father acknowledged she never had greatest part of his estate to the issue of a done before; and we all thought the business second wife, of which I saw daily experience in fair forwardness for the consummation of like cases, to the utter ruin of many ancient thereof. But I, fearing my father's inconstan- and nobly extracted families. Having, therecy, by reason he was to settle above 1,100l. per fore, no thought or hope to get any estate setannum upon me, and to receive no portion, had led on myself by my own matching, by reason all my expectations even at this present mixed of my late miscarriage in my first treaty, which with doubts; which were the more increased gave me abundant experience of his inconupon my return to him next day to Newplace, stancy, my next votes and wishes were to see (for, his coach-horses going cheerfully, I went him well and happily married to some good the whole thirty-eight miles from Lawford and ancient widow, every way fit for him; and thither in a day,) where having related to accordingly, he fell in treaty this February him my unexpected success, I found him in with Dame Elizabeth Denton, the widow and some strait, as if he knew not well now how to relict of Sir Anthony Denton, Knt., late of break it off, or go back. Tunbridge, in the county of Kent. She was the eldest daughter of Thomas Isham, Esq., of Langport, in Northamptonshire, deceased, and sister of Sir John Isham, Knt., living. Her age was about forty-five; and her estate, both in ready money and jointure, so considerable and fair, as my father had just grounds even

At my next return therefore thither, he wrote a strange letter to the young gentlewo man, and gave it me in charge to bring him an answer from her. It was penned in a good phrase, but mixed with some unseasonable imperious passages; so as, presaging what

divers years.

in that respect, she requiring but a reasonable his letters on the death of his wife, (which jointure, to desire the match. But she was, took place in his absence, some years after besides, very discreet, frugal, and religious; the autobiography closes,) look like those which, added to her estate and extraction, be- of a lawyer inquiring the particulars or ing both without exception, occasioned a gentleman, my father's very good friend, to make dealing with a case, there is no doubt but the motion to him, knowing it to be very sea that he felt it deeply. His morals were sonable for the good of himself and his chil- unimpeachable, partly the result of temperdren, there being little likelihood that she ament; his religion was that of the Church should add to his number he already enjoyed, of England, inclining to the Puritans; but because she never had any issue by her for liberal for his age, although not always free mer husband, although she continued his wife from its persecuting spirit, and he had the "I was first acquainted with this overture censorious cast of mind which often belongs on Tuesday the 18th day of February, by my to men of strict conduct and straitness in father himself; who being naturally marvel- religion. Except his grand-parents and his lously inconstant, and inclining, as I also gath- mother, who died young, he scarcely menered, to some younger woman for his wife, had tions anybody without hitting their weak broken off this treaty before the Tuesday fol- place-if, indeed, he does not report gossip lowing, being the 25th day of the same month: whereupon I went the same day to his office, for fact-and with that mild malignancy and remonstrated to him the convenience and which characterizes his class. Besides genfitness of this match in all respects, and how erally depreciating Bacon, and not perceiv much it was desired by myself and sisters. ing his philosophical merits, he accuses him Whereupon he gave me liberty to repair to of an abominable propensity. His own famithe lady, and to bring on the former treaty ly and father do not escape him; for, though again which had been abortively dissolved; he does not say so in terms, his narrative which I did accordingly the same afternoon; and so having set it on foot again the second charges his father with cheating him out time, I followed it close with my utmost care of the proceeds of his maternal grandfather's and diligence, and by my persuasion with estate, to which he was left heir. Enemies either party cleared many doubts and obsta- or indifferent persons fare ill enough; and cles, amounting well near to a new breach. he handles an old friend, Cotton the antiquary, with little delicacy.

"Yet my father still interposing new matters, did so weary me with the daily experience of his irresolution, and despairing of any well judiciously does no more than is really In editing the autobiography, Mr. Hallifurther good issue, although the marriageconveyance were well near drawn, and our necessary; which many will think is doing Lent reading beginning on Monday the 3d day little. The Correspondence that follows it of March, I engaged myself in the perform- extends from 1600 to 1649; embraces maance of a moot, at New Inn, that day in the ny subjects and many writers; and besides afternoon, where I argued the case with good in a slight degree carrying on the autobiosuccess. The next morning I argued another law-case at another Inn of Chancery, with graphy, contains some curiously characterlike success, though upon very little study; istic epistles. Mr. Halliwell has also addboth which exercises I the rather undertook to ed, from the Harleian MSS., a fragmentary free myself from further journeys and troubles" Secret History of the reign of James I."; in my father's wooing. But it pleased God to give such a blessing to my former endeavors, that all things being agreed on, and the deed of jointure ensealed on Wednesday morning; the 5th day of March, to my great joy and comfort, the marriage was solemnized, in St. Faith's Church, under St. Paul's; and then we dined and spent the residue of the day at the place where the lady had lodged, near Smithfield, all the time my father had been a

suitor to her."

The perusal of these confessions will show that Simonds D'Ewes was not of a very vehement disposition or romantic cast: but something perhaps, should be placed upon the age, and a personal formality or quaintness. His notice of the deaths of his grand-parents, his mother and his children, show feeling if not sensibility; and though

though it is chiefly occupied with the fortunes of Carr Earl of Somerset, and the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury. This is followed by a reprint of Wynne's Relation of the Journey into Spain, when Charles went on his romantic courtship. The latter is a curious tract, and of original authority; the Secret History is twaddling, and too evidently based upon report to have much value. It runs somewhat counter to the received story; but its sources of information are obviously too doubtful, and the author to vulgarly credulous for weight to be attached to what he says, where he deviates, however slightly, from other accounts.