X. TO AMWELL. 155 



but being found too hazardous an under- 

 taking, onaccount of the decayed state of the 

 ornamental parts, proper measures were adop- 

 ted to repair this ancient memorial of conjugal 

 affection. On reaching Chcshunt, while din- 

 ner was preparing, they took a ramble through 

 the village and neighbouring grounds . the first 

 object their father pointed out to their notice 

 was Cheshunt-house, rendered celebrated 

 from having been a short time the residence 

 of Cardinal Wolsey. I shall not speak to 

 you, said he, of the character of this un- 

 worthy prelate, which you have perused in 

 the historic annals of his time, and which is 

 so faithfully delineated in the works of your 

 favourite poet; but I am anxious to impress 

 on your minds this awful truth that talents, 

 however eminent, when perverted to the 

 purposes of crimes and ambition, cannot 

 shield their possessor from the hatred of his 

 contemporaries, or the contempt and odium 

 of posterity. 



Cheshunt, likewise, Richard Cromwell, 



whose 



