dent, as a visit to America, fhould have been left floating in conjectural probability.

From his twenty-eighth to his thirtyfifth year, he wrote his pieces on the Reduction of Sallee; on the Reparation of St. Paul's; to the King on his Navy; the panegyrick on the Queen Mother; the two poems to the earl of Northumberland; and perhaps others, of which the time cannot be difcovered.

When he had loft all hopes of Sachariffa, he looked round him for an easier conqueft, and gained a lady of the family of Breffe, or Breaux. The time of his marriage is not exactly known. It has not been discovered that this wife was won by his poetry; nor is any

thing told of her, but that fhe brought him many children. He doubtless praised many whom he would have been afraid to marry; and perhaps married one whom he would have been afhamed to praife. Many qualities contribute to domeftick happiness, upon which poetry has no colours to bestow; and many airs and fallies may delight imagination, which he who flatters them never can approve. There are charms made only for diftant admiration. No fpcctacle is nobler than a blaze.

Of this wife, his biographers have recorded that she gave him five fons and eight daughters.

During the long interval of parliamcnt, he is reprefented as living among

thofe

those with whom it was most honourable to converfe, and enjoying an exuberant fortune, with that independence and liberty of fpeech and conduct, which wealth ought always to produce. He was however confidered as the kinfman of Hampden, and was therefore fuppofed by the courtiers not to favour them.

When the parliament was called, in 1640, it appeared that Waller's polițical character had not been mistaken. The king's demand of a fupply, produced one of thofe noify fpeeches which difaffection and difcontent regularly dictate; a speech filled with hyperbolical complaints of imaginary grievances. "They, fays he, who think themselves

❝ already

"already undone can never apprehend themfelves in danger, and they who

have nothing left can never give "freely." Political truth is equally in danger from the praises of courtiers, and the exclamations of patriots.

He then proceeds to rail at the clergy, being fure at that time of a favourable audience. His topick is fuch as will always ferve its purpose; an accufation of acting and preaching only for preferment: and he exhorts the Commons carefully to provide for their protection against Pulpit law.

It always gratifies curiofity to tracé a fentiment. Waller has in this fpeech quoted Hooker in one paffage; and in another has copied him, without quoting.

quoting.

66

Religion," fays Waller,

"ought to be the first thing in our pur"pofe and defires; but that which is “first in dignity is not always to pre"cede in order of time; for well

being fuppofes a being; and the first "impediment which men naturally en"deavour to remove, is the want of "thofe things without which they can"not fubfift. God first affigned unto "Adam maintenance of life, and gave "him a title to the reft of the creatures

before he appointed a law to observe.” "God first affigned Adam," fays Hooker, "maintenance of life, and then "appointed him a law to obferve.--True "it is, that the kingdom of God must "be the first thing in our purpofe and "defires;

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