tailed it at considerable length in the Examen. To the extraordinary abilities of Sir Dudley North, who had far preceded his age, in his opinions upon the subject of political economy, full justice has been done by a distinguished writer of our own day, to whose works a reference will be found in the following pages. The Memoir of Dr. John North, with which the present volumes conclude, though it does not possess either that value, as a work of history, which distinguishes the Life of the Lord Keeper, or that lively amusement which the foreign adventures of Sir Dudley North supply, is yet full of its own peculiar interest. It presents an admirable picture of a scholar's life, and a no less afflicting and awful one of the illness and death, to which the habits of studious men too often lead. In compiling these affectionate memorials of his brothers, the writer appears to have been chiefly actuated by his regard and veneration for their memory. Having survived them all, he was distressed to find the names of those whom he had so loved and honoured, passing rapidly into oblivion. During their lives, his happiest moments were spent in their society; and after their death, he found his greatest consolation in recording their history. This he has done with a minute . ness of detail, which to himself appeared to require an apology, but which, in fact, is one of the most attractive qualities of his style. His writings have the effect of introducing the reader, as it were, into the presence of the party, so lively and natural are the touches of his pen. In presenting a new edition of the Lives of the Norths to the public, the party-prejudices of the writer seemed, to the editor, to render some explanatory notes absolutely necessary. To these he has likewise added such occasional illustrations, of an historical and biographical character, as, it appeared to him, might, without impertinence, be introduced. Fig-tree Court, Temple, TO THE RIGHT HON. FRANCIS, LORD NORTH AND GUILFORD, ONE OF THE LORDS OF THE BEDCHAMBER TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES MY LORD, IT is a piece of justice done to the memories of great and good men, who have been active in the service of their country, when their conduct and behaviour is set in a true light, and their characters cleared from all exceptions whatsoever, which may proceed either from ignorance of the truth, or party rage. And it must afford no less encouragement to the present age, to follow their steps, when they shall find it is not often that a man of worth appears upon the great stage of the world, but after he has finished the part he was to act, and made his exit, some one or other rises up, and undertakes to vindicate the character of his departed friend. The performance of this, my Lord, appears to have been one of the principal ends the honourable author had in view, when he composed the following sheets: for though truth in history, and the public good flowing from thence, had ever the greatest share in his inducements, whenever he set pen to paper; yet here there must be something put to the account of gratitude. And how large a debt of this nature must be due, from any one, to him that was the best of brothers and the best of friends, the whole world must be sensible. How well the writer has succeeded in his attempt to discharge it, must be left to the determination of those who shall peruse this work. And the same arguments ought to be no less prevalent with me towards the sending it abroad into the world, and preferring my request unto your Lordship, that it may have leave to pass under your protection. For as my father thought it his duty to leave behind him these papers, not only for the sake of truth, but to make some return for the benefits heaped upon him by this illustrious ancestor of your Lordship's, and his best brother; so I think myself bound to make them public, for the former reason, and to beg they may be honoured with your Lordship's name in the front, as a public acknowledgment of the many favours your Lordship has conferred upon, MY LORD, Your Lordship's most obedient, and obliged humble servant, MOUNTAGU NORTH. THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE. IT It may not be improper to acquaint the reader, in some sort, with what is to be found in the following sheets; the design of which is to make some apology for an officious, I might say unqualified, undertaking to be a life-writer, and, as such, to dress up my remembrances of three honourable brothers and friends, the late Lord Keeper North, Sir Dudley North, and Dr. John North. They were all persons of celebrated worth and ability in their several professions; and whose behaviour upon the public stage, as well as in their retirements, was virtuous, wise, and exemplary. But now, if they are not quite forgot, that little, which is whispered of them, inclines to the sinister, and is wider from truth, than the distance which we are now at from the time when they flourished : and, if we look out for their names in history, all is the same. There is a two-handed one, Mr. Echard, in folio, whose excellency is coming after a worse. The author, among his eulogies, could not find room to drop a good word of any of these, though |