having a graceful way of speaking, and by thinking much on several
arguments (which his temper and complexion, that had much of
melancholic, inclined him to), he seemed often to speak upon the
sudden, when the occasion had only administered the opportunity of
saying what he had thoroughly considered, which gave a great lustre
to all he said; which yet was rather of delight than weight. There
needs no more be said to extol the excellence and power of his wit,
and pleasantness of his conversation, than that it was of magnitude
enough to cover a world of very great faults; that is, so to cover
them, that they were not taken notice of to his reproach, viz., a
narrowness in his nature to the lowest degree; an abjectness and
want of courage to support him in any virtuous undertaking; an
insinuation and servile flattery to the height, the vainest and most
imperious nature could be contented with; that it preserved and won
his life from those who most resolved to take it, and in an occasion
in which he ought to have been ambitious to have lost it; and then
preserved him again from the reproach and the contempt that was due
to him for so preserving it, and for vindicating it at such a price
that it had power to reconcile him to those whom he had most
offended and provoked; and continued to his age with that rare
felicity, that his company was acceptable where his spirit was
odious; and he was at least pitied where he was most detested."

Such is the account of Clarendon; on which it may not be improper to
make some remarks.

"He was very little known till he had obtained a rich wife in the
city."

He obtained a rich wife about the age of three-and-twenty; an age,