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BOYLE. 183 and with a truly noble spirit preferred the benefit of his country at large to the gratification of his private inclina- tions. In private life, his virtues were as great as his talents in public; he was beloved by his servants and his tenants, and regretted by all. His generosity was unbounded; and although he might be conceived, from the difficulties under which he at one time laboured, to have justly incurred the charge of imprudence, we cannot but feel inclined to pardon this weakness, when we consider the cause of his distress,-that it was occasioned by re- lieving the wants of those, who, deprived of their all from their attachment to their prince, had none but him to look up to for assistance. ROGER BOYLE THis celebrated individual, who united the greatest abi- lities in the field, with the most consummate judgment in the cabinet, and whose reputation as an author was equal- led but by few of his contemporaries, was born on the 26th of April, 16ei. He was the third son of Richard, the first Earl of Cork. When seven years of age, he was invested with the title of Baron Broghill, of the kingdom of Ire- land, and at the age of fifteen was sent to Trinity College, where he remained for some time in the pursuit of his stu- dies. He afterwards travelled under the care of Mr. Mar- combes, visiting the court of France, and then proceeded to Italy. In this country he remained under thei care of his learned and friendly preceptor, and imbibed an incli- nation for poetry, which he afterwards cultivated with great success. On bis return to England, the reputation of his father procured him an introduction at court, and his personal merits and cultivated talents ensured him the approbation of all who were acquainted with him Such abilities as he possessed soon attracted general attention, and his friendship and assistance were earnestly courted by the Earl of Strafford and the Earl of Northumberland. In