e put an end to the civil wars with which
the nation had long been harassed, he maintained peace and order in the
state, he depressed the former exorbitant power of the nobility, and,
together with the friendship of some foreign princes, he acquired the
consideration and regard of all. He loved peace without fearing war
though agitated with continual suspicions of his servants and ministers,
he discovered no timidity, either in the conduct of his affairs, or in
the day of battle; and though often severe in his punishments, he was
commonly less actuated by revenge than by maxims of policy. The services
which he rendered the people were derived from his views of private
advantage, rather than the motives of public spirit; and where he
deviated from interested regards, it was unknown to himself, and ever
from the malignant prejudices of faction, or the mean projects of
avarice; not from the sallies of passion, or allurements of pleasure;
still less from the benign motives of friendship and generosity. His
capacity was excellent, but somewhat contracted by the narrowness of his
heart; he possessed insinuation and address, but never employed these
talents, except where some great point of interest was to be gained; and
while he neglected to conciliate the affections of his people, he often
felt the danger of resting his authority on their fear and reverence
alone. He was always extremely attentive to his affairs; but possessed
not the faculty of seeing far into futurity; and was more expert at
providing a remedy for his mistakes than judicious in avoiding them.
Avarice was, on the whole, his ruling passion;[*] and he remains an
instance, almost singular, of a man placed hi a high station,
and possessed of talents for great affairs, in whom that passion
pre-dominated above ambition. Even among private persons, avarice is
commonly nothing but a species of ambition, and is chiefly incited
by the prospect of that regard, distinction, and consideration, which
attend on riches.

* As a proof of Henry's attention to the smallest profits,
Bacon tells us, that he had seen a book of accounts kept by
Empson, and subscribed in almost every leaf by the king's
own hand. Among other articles was the following: "Item.
Received of such a one five marks for a pardon, which if it
do not pass, the money to be repaid, or the party otherwise
satisfied." Opposite to the memorandum, the king had writ
with hi