Page 38 - Hampdens Monument Unveiled

qualities which had, even more than his great abilities, drawn

to him the confidence and affections of his own party, and the

respect of all. Never, in the memory of these times had there

been so general a consternation and any sorrow at one man's

death as that with which the tidings were received in London,

and by the friends of the Parliament all over the land. Well it

was said, in the Weekly Intelligencer of the next week. 'The

loss of Colonel Hampden goeth near the heart of every man that

loves the good of his King and country, and makes some conceive

little content to be at the army now that he is gone The

memory of this deceased colonel is such that in no age to come

but it will more and more be had in honour and esteem : a man

so religious, and of that prudence, judgement, temper, valour

and integrity, that he hath left few his like behind him. '

All the troops that could be spared from the quarters round

joined to escort the honoured corpse to its last resting place,

once his beloved abode, among the hills and woods of the

Chilterns. They followed him to his grave in the parish church

close adjoining his mansion, their arms reversed, their drums

and ensigns muffled, and their heads uncovered. Thus they

marched, singing the 90th psalm as they proceeded to the

funeral, and the 43rd as they returned.

Nor was it the Parliament and its army, and the friends of

its cause, only, that deplored his fall. 'The King,' says Sir

Philip Warwick, 'being informed of Mr. Hampden's being wounded,

would have sent him over any chirurgeon of his, if he had been

wanting; for he looked upon his interest, if he could gain his

affection, as a powerful means of begetting a right

understanding between him and the two Houses.'

The rancour, with which, after his death, his name and

character were instantly assailed by the heat and servile

diurnals of the Court party, was the appropriate tribute of the

base memory of the great and good. But Charles and such of his

public servants as were better acquainted with the probable

motives of Hampden, and the objects which he pursued, were

silent. 'While Hampden lived, the King had in the camp of his

enemies the most powerful and popular man in the country, whose

views were bounded by an honourable and public minded object;

which, gained, would at any time, though his influence, have

concluded the war. To this the King always looked with

confidence, in the event of his being himself obliged by some

reverse of fortune to make terms with his Parliament. Hampden's

counsels and conduct as a soldier, tended, through vigorous

measures, to a decisive issue. But the object was peace, and

security for liberty, and the restoration of monarchy under

such limitations as might be a guarantee for both. His demand

for the militia to be placed for a time at the disposal of a

popular body was as a provision which had been made necessary

for protecting the Houses in their debates; not as a final

scheme of settled government. His measures for the putting down

of Episcopacy were the immediate consequences of a rash vote of