as to repeat the same story without losing the least circumstance, and yet not remember that he had told it to the same persons the very day before. This made him fond of strangers; for they hearkned to all his often repeated stories, and went away as in a rapture at such an uncommon condescension in a King. His person and temper, his vices as well as his fortunes, resemble the character that we have given us of _Tiberius_ so much, that it were easy to draw the parallel between them. _Tiberius_'s banishment, and his coming afterwards to reign, makes the comparison in that respect come pretty near. His hating of business, and his love of pleasures; his raising of favourites, and trusting them entirely; and his pulling them down, and hating them excessively; his art of covering deep designs, particularly of revenge, with an appearance of softness, brings them so near a likeness, that I did not wonder much to observe the resemblance of their face and person. At _Rome_ I saw one of the last statues made for _Tiberius_, after he had lost his teeth. But, bating the alteration which that made, it was so like King _Charles_, that Prince _Borghese_, and _Signior Dominica_ to whom it belonged, did agree with me in thinking that it looked like a statue made for him. 65. THE EARL OF CLARENDON. _Edward Hyde, knighted 1643, created Baron Hyde 1660, Earl of Clarendon 1661. Lord Chancellor 1658-1667._ _Born 1609. Died 1674._ By BURNET. The Earl of _Clarendon_ was bred to the Law, and was like to grow eminent in his profession when the wars began. He distinguished himself so in the House of Commons, that he became considerable, and was much trusted all the while the King was at _Oxford_. He stayed beyond sea following the King's fortune till the Restoration; and was now an absolute favourite, and the chief or the only Minister, but with too magisterial a way. He was always pressing the King to mind his affairs, but in vain. He was a good Chancellour, only a little too rough, but very impartial in the administration of justice. He never seemed to understand foreign affairs well: And yet he meddled too much in them. He had too much levity in his wit, and did not always observe the decorum of his post. He was high, and was apt to reject those who addressed themselves to him with too much contempt. He had such a regard to the King, that when places were disposed of, even otherwise than as he advised, yet he would justify what the King did, and disparage the pretensions of others, not without much scorn; which created him many enemies. He was indefatigable in business, tho' the gout did often disable him from waiting on the King: Yet, during his credit, the King came constantly to him when he was laid up by it. 66. THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE. _John Maitland, second Earl, created Duke 1672, Secretary of State for Scotland 1660-1680._ _Born 1616. Died 1682._ By CLARENDON.