The Roundhead stalked in at one door, whilst
the Cavalier was hurried out at the other.
"The _Confessions_ of a man so variously consulted and trusted,
if written with the candour of a Cardan or a Rousseau, would
indeed be invaluable. The _Memoirs of William Lilly_, though
deficient in this essential ingredient, yet contain a variety of
curious and interesting anecdotes of himself and his
cotemporaries, which, where the vanity of the writer, or the
truth of his art, is not concerned, may be received with
implicit credence.
"The simplicity and apparent candour of his narrative might
induce a hasty reader of this book to believe him a well-meaning
but somewhat silly personage, the dupe of his own
speculations--the deceiver of himself as well as of others. But
an attentive examination of the events of his life, even as
recorded by himself, will not warrant so favourable an
interpretation. His systematic and successful attention to his
own interest--his dexterity in keeping on 'the windy side of the
law'--his perfect political pliability--and his presence of mind
and fertility of resources when entangled in
difficulties--indicate an accomplished impostor, not a crazy
enthusiast.
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