Page 39 - Hampdens Monument Unveiled

the Lords in maintenance of the political power of an order who
had in those days, formed themselves into an obstinate faction
to impede and punish the efforts which were making for public
freedom. His death left no man on the Parliament's side who had
influence enough to command, or, perhaps, discretion enough to
direct, terms of accommodation. To Falkland no man remained in
the party opposed to the court, with whom to treat as an equal
in virtue, wisdom and moderation of purpose.

Final Eulogy

What might have been the result if these two great men, over
both of whom the grave closed in the course of the same
campaign, had lived, must be matter of mere speculation. But
the remarkable coincidence, in one important respect, of
Falkland's views, as described by Lord Clarendon, with
Hampden's as witnessed by his comportment, and by the sorrow
with which the King received the news of his fate, leaves it
matter of probability that this design at least they had in
common, that, on whichever side the victory had fallen, a final
settlement should be secured by that year's conflict. 'Et, in
luctu, Bellum inter remedia fuit, says Lord Clarendon, in his
immortal character of his friend.

To his own party, the loss of Hampden was irreparable. It
left Lord Essex uncontrolled, unexcited by the example and
ascendancy of a greater mind than his own. The events which
followed justified Hampden's prognostics, his policy, and
advice. Essex failed to advance the great object of the war one
step. Fairfax wanted firmness as a statesman to improve his
military successes. Cromwell pursued in his wars the active
course which Hampden had recommended : but Cromwell's ambition,
or the varied circumstances under which he was left to act, had
changed the stake for which he controlled, and overthrew that
monarchy which Hampden only laboured to bring back within the
measured limits of the English constitution.

Of Hampden's character it would be presumptuous to say more
than what his acts tell. The words are good in which it is
shortly comprised in an inscription remembered by me on many
accounts, with many feelings of affection. 'With great courage
and consummate abilities, he began a noble opposition to an
arbitrary court, in defence of the liberties of his country;
supported them in Parliament, and died for them in the field.'

If, says Lord Nugent, in the imperfect outline now
concluded, of the principal passages of Hampden's life, it has
been shown that his motives and conduct have been by the
passions of some writers unfairly traduced, and that his great
qualities were never exerted but in such manner as may beseem a
virtuous and honourable man labouring for a great public end, I
have done all that I proposed, and the object of these
Memorials has been answered.