tural propensity to that measure, except the
views of his own elevation, and the prospect of usurping the same
grandeur and authority which had been assumed by Cromwell. But from such
exorbitant, if not impossible projects, the natural tranquillity and
moderation of his temper, the calmness and solidity of his genius, not
to mention his age, now upon the decline, seem to have set him at a
distance. Cromwell himself, he always asserted,[*] could not long have
maintained his usurpation; and any other person, even equal to him in
genius, it was obvious, would now find it more difficult to practise
arts of which every one from experience was sufficiently aware. It is
more agreeable, therefore, to reason as well as candor, to suppose,
that Monk, as soon as he put himself in motion, had entertained views of
effecting the king's restoration; nor ought any objections, derived
from his profound silence even to Charles himself, to be regarded as
considerable. His temper was naturally reserved; his circumstances
required dissimulation; the king, he knew, was surrounded with spies and
traitors; and, upon the whole, it seems hard to interpret that conduct
which ought to exalt our idea of his prudence, as a disparagement of his
probity.

* Gumble's Life of Monk, p. 93.

Sir John Granville, hoping that the general would engage in the king's
service, sent into Scotland his younger brother, a clergyman, Dr. Monk,
who carried him a letter and invitation from the king. When the doctor
arrived, he found that his brother was then holding a council of
officers, and was not to be seen for some hours. In the mean time, he
was received and entertained by Price, the general's chaplain, a man
of probity, as well as a partisan of the king's. The doctor, having an
entire confidence in the chaplain, talked very freely to him about the
object of his journey, and engaged him, if there should be occasion,
to second his applications. At last, the general arrives; the brothers
embrace; and after some preliminary conversation, the doctor opens his
business. Monk interrupted him, to know whether he had ever before to
any body mentioned the subject. "To nobody," replied his brother, "but
to Price, whom I know to be entirely in your confidence." The general,
altering his countenance, turned the discourse; and would enter into
no further confidence with him, but sent him away with the first
opportunity. He would not trust his own brother the moment he k