IT EDITOR'S PREFACE. T is just 150 years since the Life of the Lord Keeper Guilford was first issued in 4to, followed two years later by the Lives of Sir Dudley and of Dr. John North. A reprint of the former work appeared, in 8vo, in 1808, and an edition of the collected lives was published in three vols., 8vo, in 1826. Mr. Henry Roscoe, a son of Mr. William Roscoe, of Liverpool, saw the book through the press, and added some useful Notes elucidatory of the text, together with an Index, on which he evidently bestowed great pains. All these editions have become scarce, while the great value of the biographies, as contributions to the history of the time with which they are concerned, has become more than ever recognized. It had long been known that Roger North had left a considerable fragment of an autobiography in his own handwriting, and that this had once been kept at Rougham. The original manuscript of this work came into the possession of the late Mr. Crossley, of Manchester, about fifty years ago, and more than one overture for its purchase had been made to that gentleman, but in vain. At his death, in 1883, it was sold by auction; and in 1887 I was privileged to print it for the first time. This volume, too, has already become very scarce; it was published only for subscribers, and no copies have yet come into the market, nor is it likely that it will ever be procurable without difficulty. Meanwhile, there is evidently a growing demand for the Lives of the Norths; and it is believed that the issue of the present edition will be welcomed by the ever-increasing number of students of such history, and by those to whom Roger North is now known only by name as a charming writer with a style of his own, but a writer whose works are accessible to but a comparatively small circle of admirers. Most of Mr. Roscoe's notes have been incorporated in the present edition. It was thought well, however, to remodel the Index entirely. As a Personal Index I believe it will be found exhaustive. A. J. Scarning Rectory, 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, T 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 character 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. B 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. [1740.] THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 1. 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 lifewriter, 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 he hath condescended to adorn the characters of departed quacks, poets, fanatics, and almanack-makers. When he could say no ill of them, it was prudent malice to say nothing. Better to forego the very marrow of history than do right to any of these. And if the consideration of common good, which always flows from the bright examples of good men, were not inducement enough, yet the usage of such poor-spirited |