destruction of ther master; And after all this, when a man might reasonably believe, that lesse then a universall defection of three nations, could not have reduced a greate kinge to so ugly a fate, it is most certayne that in that very howre when he was thus wickedly murthered in the sight of the sunn, he had as greate a share in the heartes and affections of his subjects in generall, was as much beloved, esteemed and longed for by the people in generall of the three nations, as any of his predecessors had ever bene.  To conclude, he was the worthyest gentleman, the best master, the best frende, the best husbande, the best father, and the best Christian, that the Age in which he lyved had produced, and if he was not the best kinge, if he was without some parts and qualityes which have made some kings greate and happy, no other Prince was ever unhappy, who was possessed of half his virtues and indowments, and so much without any kinde of vice.

[Footnote 1:  ‘he was’ altered to ‘being’ in ed. 1792.]

16.

By SIR PHILIP WARWICK.

He was a person, tho’ born sickly, yet who came thro’ temperance and exercise, to have as firm and strong a body, as most persons I ever knew, and throughout all the fatigues of the warr, or during his imprisonment, never sick.  His appetite was to plain meats, and tho’ he took a good quantity thereof, yet it was suitable to an easy digestion.  He seldom eat of above three dishes at most, nor drank above thrice:  a glasse of small beer, another of claret wine, and the last of water; he eat suppers as well as dinners heartily; but betwixt meales, he never medled with any thing.  Fruit he would eat plentifully, and with this regularity, he moved as steddily, as a star follows its course.  His deportment was very majestick; for he would not let fall his dignity, no not to the greatest Forraigners, that came to visit him and his Court; for tho’ he was farr from pride, yet he was carefull of majestie, and would be approacht with respect and reverence.  His conversation was free, and the subject matter of it (on his own side of the Court) was most commonly rational; or if facetious, not light.  With any Artist or good Mechanick, Traveller, or Scholar he would discourse freely; and as he was commonly improved by them, so he often gave light to them in their own art or knowledge.  For there were few Gentlemen in the world, that knew more of useful or necessary learning, than this Prince did:  and yet his proportion of books was but small, having like Francis the first of France, learnt more by the ear, than by study.  His way of arguing was very civil and patient; for he seldom contradicted another by his authority, but by his reason:  nor did he by any petulant dislike quash another’s arguments; and he offered his exception by this civill introduction, By your favour, Sir, I think otherwise on this or that ground:  yet he would discountenance any bold or forward addresse unto him.  And in suits or discourse of busines