this volume we find all his letters which had then been discovered,*-the paper containing his defence, which he delivered to the sheriff on Tower Hill-his admirable "Apology," written just before his execution, and a minute and circumstantial account of his trial and condemnation. From these papers, together with the account of such writers and historians as have made mention of him, we are to gather the facts necessary to present a connected account of his life and public career, and which will enable us the better to appreciate the character of his genius, the constancy and heroism of his nature, and the singular inflexibility of his purpose and opinions.

*The two works above mentioned contain extracts from other letters of Sidney, discovered subsequently to the publication of the edition of 1772.

CHAPTER I.

Family of Sidney-His Birth and Early Education-Travels with his Father on the Continent-Goes to France-Returns to England in 1641-Commencement of the Civil War-Appointed to the Command of a Troop in Ireland-Serves in Ireland-Returns to England in 1643 -His Political Sentiments at this Time-Enters into the Service of Parliament-Appointed a Colonel under Manchester-Battle of Naseby-Sidney Wounded, and sent to London-Appointed Governor of Chichester-Retires from Active Service-Progress of the Civil War-The Independents get Control of the Army-Sidney appointed Colonel under Fairfax-Elected Member of Long Parliament -Goes with his Brother to Ireland-Appointed Lieutenant-General and Governor of Dublin-Service in Ireland-His Return-Receives the Thanks of Parliament-Appointed Governor of Dover CastleReflections on his Military Career.

THE family of ALGERNON SIDNEY* was one of the most ancient and honorable in England. It was a branch. of the old Norman aristocracy. His ancestor, Sir William Sidney, in the reign of Henry II., had accompanied the king from Anjou, as his chamberlain. A

The name is "Sydney" as found subscribed to his published letters. It is so also subscribed by Sir Philip Sidney to his will. Sir Philip, as a correspondent, wrote it "Sidney" or "Sydney," as the fancy of the moment prevailed with him. The former appears to be the modern orthography, which I have preferred to retain.

lineal descendant of this Sir William Sidney, of the same name, was tutor to Edward VI., who, in the year 1552, rewarded his services with the forfeited. park and manor of Penshurst in Kent. This was the family seat of the Sidneys. Here resided Sir Henry Sidney, the son and heir of the last Sir William, for many years Governor of Ireland, and a name honorably mentioned in history. His eldest son was the celebrated Sir Philip Sidney, author of the pastoral romance of Arcadia, the favorite of Queen Elizabeth, and nephew to Dudley the powerful Earl of Leicester, who feasted the Queen in his castle of Kenilworth, and, it said, aspired to the hand of his royal mistress.

Sir Philip Sidney was mortally wounded at the battle of Zutphen, and dying a few days afterwards, the family estate passed to his brother Robert, who was created by James I. Baron Sidney of Penshurst, and subsequently Viscount Lisle and Earl of Leicester. This nobleman was succeeded in 1626 by his son Robert, the second Earl of Leicester of this family, and the father of Algernon Sidney. Lord Leicester was married in the year 1618 to Dorothy, eldest daughter of the Earl of Northumberland. He was a nobleman of great distinction, and much employed in diplomatic and other public business during the reign of Charles I.

Algernon Sidney, born in the year 1622, was the second son of this nobleman. He was named after his maternal uncle, Algernon,* Lord Percy. His

* The name seems originally to have been written Algernoon.

early education, the best and most accomplished that the times afforded, was carefully conducted by his father, who himself was a man of extensive and varied acquirements. In 1632, the Earl of Leicester was He took with him his two eldest sons, Philip, Lord Lisle, and Algernon, in order that he might the more carefully superintend their education. After an absence of three months, during which time he visited various courts and cities on the continent, he returned to England. In the year 1636 he was appointed ambassador extraordinary to France. Still pursuing his design of personally superintending the education of his sons, and of giving them every advantage of study and travel, he again permitted them to accompany him on his mission. The mind of young Sidney was rapidly maturing, and the progress he made in his studies repaid the utmost care and attention of his father. He was distinguished, even at this early period of life for his placid and manly temper and his sprightly wit. In a letter written about this time by his mother to her husband, she mentions with evident pride the favorable reports that some friends who had lately returned from Paris brought with them concerning her son, that "he had a huge deal of wit, and much sweetness of temper." The serenity of temper and the calm and placid disposition which characterized Sidney in his later as well as his earlier years, are said to have been strikingly exhibited in the features of his portrait at Pens

sent ambassador to Denmark.

hurst, painted at Brussels, in 1663, and forwarded thence by him to his father.

The Earl of Leicester remained several years in France. During this time Algernon visited Rome, then under the government of the Pontiff Urban VII., where he resided some time. In 1639, the earl returned to England on a temporary visit, and was present at the marriage of his eldest daughter Dorothy, the Sacharissa of the poet Waller. This lady was married to Lord Spencer, afterwards Earl of Sunderland, who was killed in the civil wars at the battle of Newbury. His son, the nephew of Sidney, was that Earl of Sunderland who was distinguished in the councils of Charles II. The celebrated Marquis of Halifax, whose name is so well known as a statesman and politician of the same reign, was also a nephew of Sidney by marriage.

The Earl soon after returned to Paris, where it seems his son Algernon remained, closely engaged in the prosecution of his studies. Being designed for the army, an application was now made on his behalf by his uncle, the Earl of Northumberland, to the Prince of Orange, for a commission in the Dutch service, but the commission having been previously disposed of, young Sidney was obliged to remain without employ

* Dr. Johnson states that Waller's verses did not subdue the highborn and beautiful lady, who rejected the addresses of the humble poet with disdain. In her old age, meeting somewhere with Waller, she asked him when he would again write such verses upon her. "When

you are as young, Madame," said he, "and as handsome as you were then."