most striking instances in history of genius and talent wasted, and
a life thrown away by want of fixed principle and by an inability
or unwillingness to work with other men. He quarreled in turn with
every party and with almost every individual with whom he came in
contact; and while he himself was constantly changing his opinions,
he was intolerant of all opinions differing from those which he
at the moment held, and was always ready to express in the most
open and offensive manner his contempt and dislike for those who
differed from him. His eccentricities were great; he was haughty
and arrogant, hasty and passionate; he denied his God, quarreled
with his king, and rendered himself utterly obnoxious to every
party in the state.

And yet there was a vast amount of good in this strange man. He
was generous and warm hearted to a fault, kind to those in station
beneath him, thoughtful and considerate for his troops, who adored
him, cool in danger, sagacious in difficulties, and capable at
need of evincing a patience and calmness wholly at variance with
his ordinary impetuous character. Although he did not scruple to
carry deception, in order to mislead an enemy, to a point vastly
beyond what is generally considered admissible in war, he was true
to his word and punctiliously honorable in the ordinary affairs of
life.

For the historical events I have described, and for the details of
Peterborough's conduct and character, I have relied chiefly upon
the memoir of the earl written by Mr. C. Warburton, and published
some thirty years ago.