232 LIFE OF MYTTON. 



and truly John Mytton does not give the lie to this. 

 Perhaps no character in modern times can be found as 

 a parallel to his, which is on one side dark and deso- 

 late, yet, if we turn the reverse, it is not difficult to 

 determine to which side the balance inclines. But in 

 human nature beauty and deformity are so closely 

 linked, that, in my opinion, the character of no man 

 can be very nicely weighed. Not only are there vices 

 and virtues which bear so strong a resemblance to 

 each other that it is not easy to determine where the 

 former end and where the latter begin, but the 

 virtues of some men are so obscured by their vices, and 

 the vices of others so softened down by their virtues 

 (as in both respects was the case here), that it is next 

 to impossible to separate the chaff and cockle from 

 the ofood orrain. As for reconcilingf the contradictions 

 and inconsistencies we have now been recounting, it 



" Here lies John Mytton ; his short career is past. 

 The pace was quick, and therefore could not last ; 

 From end to end he went an arrant burst, 

 Determined to be nowhere, or be first. 

 No marble monument proclaims his fate, 

 No pompous emblems of funereal state ; 

 But let this simple tablet say, 

 That, upon a much-lamented day. 

 There went to ground, beneath this mouldering sod. 

 An honest man — the noblest work of God." 



