His Conversation was certainly of the most excellent kind; for it was such as was rather admired by his familiar Friends, than by Strangers at first sight.  He surpriz’d no man at first with any extraordinary appearance:  he never thrust himself violently into the good opinion of his company.  He was content to be known by leisure and by degrees:  and so the esteem that was conceiv’d of him, was better grounded and more lasting.

In his Speech, neither the pleasantness excluded gravity, nor was the sobriety of it inconsistent with delight.  No man parted willingly from his Discourse:  for he so ordered it, that every man was satisfied that he had his share.  He govern’d his Passions with great moderation.  His Virtues were never troublesome or uneasy to any.  Whatever he disliked in others, he only corrected it, by the silent reproof of a better practise.

His Wit was so temper’d, that no man had ever reason to wish it had been less:  he prevented other mens severity upon it by his own:  he never willingly recited any of his Writings.  None but his intimate friends ever discovered he was a great Poet, by his discourse.  His Learning was large and profound, well compos’d of all Antient and Modern Knowledge.  But it sat exceeding close and handsomly upon him:  it was not imbossed on his mind, but enamelled.

He never guided his life by the whispers, or opinions of the World.  Yet he had a great reverence for a good reputation.  He hearkened to Fame when it was a just Censurer:  But not when an extravagant Babler.  He was a passionate lover of Liberty and Freedom from restraint both in Actions and Words.  But what honesty others receive from the direction of Laws, he had by native Inclination:  And he was not beholding to other mens wills, but to his own for his Innocence.

62.

CHARLES II.

Born 1630.  Died 1685.

By HALIFAX.

His DISSIMULATION.

One great Objection made to him was the concealing himself, and disguising his Thoughts.  In this there ought a Latitude to be given; it is a Defect not to have it at all, and a Fault to have it too much.  Human Nature will not allow the Mean:  like all other things, as soon as ever Men get to do them well, they cannot easily hold from doing them too much.  ’Tis the case even in the least things, as singing, &c.

In France, he was to dissemble Injuries and Neglects, from one reason; in England, he was to dissemble too, though for other Causes; A King upon the Throne hath as great Temptations (though of another kind) to dissemble, as a King in Exile.  The King of France might have his Times of Dissembling as much with him, as he could have to do it with the King of France:  So he was in a School.