upon

all the finer and more amiable sentiments of humanity. The very virtues which are justly lauded in our fathers serve to prove and demonstrate the lesson, which it becomes us to draw from this passage of their history. Indeed no excellence of nature or of principle, no strength or refinement of character, is proof against the debasing power of intolerance. To be bigoted is to be cruel. To persecute another is to barbarize one's self,

CHAPTER VII.

Vane's Arrival in England. - Married.- Elected by Kingston upon Hull to Parliament.Long Parliament. - Made Treasurer of the Navy. Knighted. Quarrel between his Father and the Earl of Strafford. - Characters given of Vane by Anthony Wood, by Clarendon, by Ludlow, and by Hallam.

UPON returning to his own country, Mr. Vane found himself, in consequence of his opinions, in such relations towards the government and the church, his own father and family, and the circles of society in which they moved, that a private station was then regarded by him not only as the post of honor, but as the only one, which, with any consistency, satisfaction, or peace of mind, he could possibly occupy. It seemed proper too, that, after the strange, and turbulent, and trying scenes through which he had passed in America, there should be a pause, and a season of preparation, to fit him to enter upon the career of glorious service and suffering which awaited him at home. Having connected himself in marriage with a lady of distinguished family, he continued for some time, in the quiet and happy retreats of

domestic life, and in the pursuit of those lofty studies of religion and politics of which he was already so eminent a master, to replenish and invigorate his spirit for a strenuous and effectual action in those struggles for the liberty and happiness of his country, to which Providence was soon to summon him.

At length, however, his friends prevailed upon him to relinquish his retirement; and he was again brought into public life, as representative in Parliament of Kingston upon Hull. He took his seat on the 13th of April, 1640.

So great was the reputation he had previously acquired, and the impression produced by his appearance and conduct in the House during the brief continuance of this Parliament, that it became an object of some importance to secure his favor and influence to the government. He was accordingly signalized by the expressions of royal regard. The important and lucrative office of Treasurer of the Navy was conferred upon him jointly with Sir William Russell; and in the following June he received from King Charles the honors of knighthood, and was, thereafter, until the death of his father, in 1655, distinguished by the title, either of Sir Henry Vane the Younger, or Sir Henry Vane of Raby Castle, Knight.

When we consider his known opinions, in reference to the government in church and state,

we can appreciate the value of these honors. Nothing but the highest estimate of his talents, influence, and character could have drawn down upon the enthusiastic Puritan such marks of the royal favor.

While these splendid distinctions were entirely unavailing to weaken or corrupt his principles, or silence the utterance of them on proper occasions, they served to increase, to a considerable extent, the embarrassments of his situation, which at this period were peculiarly perplexing. His own views and feelings, in matters of religion and politics, were such as to permit him to have but little sympathy with the government. But the official station of his father could not but render it very disagreeable and difficult for him to take any step in opposition to the administration. The particular instances of their good will and kind feeling towards him personally, rendered it still more repugnant to his feelings to do any thing that would wound or disturb the King or his ministers. A train of events, however, was already in course, which were soon to release him from the trammels in which he was thus confined.

The two most powerful men in the government, and, perhaps it might be said, the two principal subjects in the realm, at that time, were Sir Thomas Wentworth, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Sir Henry Vane, his Majesty's Prin

cipal Secretary of State. It is not unusual for persons situated as they were, to cherish towards each other feelings not of the most agreeable kind. An equal eminence, particularly when it is so great, is apt to beget sentiments of rivalry, jealousy, and ill-will. Such was the result in this case. And it happened to come to light, as such things often do, that Sir Thomas Wentworth had formed an intrigue, and been most active in conducting it, the object of which was to prevent Sir Henry Vane's elevation to the office of Secretary of State. The attempt proved ineffectual, that office having been conferred upon him in September, 1639. The circumstance that they were unavailing did not in the least diminish the resentment which Vane naturally experienced, when the machinations of Wentworth were discovered; and from this time an open and irreconcilable enmity existed between them.

If Charles had possessed the skill, which is necessary in conducting a cabinet with success, he would either have insisted upon a reconciliation between his ministers, or have dismissed one or both of them from his councils. But he did not; and this unfortunate quarrel became the fruitful source of infinite evil to him and to his government. The discovery of Wentworth's plot to prevent the elevation of Vane was the signal for an open rupture, not only between them, but