and measures had to be taken for settling the revenue. Lord Essex went to London to offer his advice, and we find from Carte's Life of the Duke of Ormonde, that Ormonde was there too. Essex had already written to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland to inform him that the revenue had been placed in the hands of Mr. Pett, Sir John Baber, and Sir William Petty, when an extraordinary scene occurred. Mr. Pett vehemently declared before the council that the Lord Treasurer Danby had accepted a bribe from some of those who treated for the farm. Essex, who apparently did not believe in the charge, thought that designing people had worked upon Mr. Pett. Mr. Pett, however, and Sir John Baber withdrew from the farm. But the business did not end here. According to Burnet, Danby was charged at the council table with favouring particular persons. Lord Widdrington admitted that he had offered Danby a large sum of money, but that Danby had civilly declined it. Halifax then observed that Danby had rejected the offer very mildly; but not so as to discourage a second attempt. It would be somewhat strange, he remarked, if a man should propose to run away with another man's wife, and if the other should indeed object, but with great civility. The taunt so nettled Danby, that he got Halifax dismissed from the council board. The above notes seem to show how very far the corruption extended, and a reference to the impeachment of Danby, as Duke of Leeds, in 1695 bears still further testimony to his corruption in this matter. The Sir James Shaen mentioned in the notes was a great capitalist, and Dr. Gorge became apparently some years afterwards a Commissioner of the Irish Revenue.

"Bolton Duke said that Ld Monmouth and Montague had told him I was the occasion of Ld Russell's death. Made me great professions. Said he was satisfyed of the falsenesse of imputing Lord Russell's death to me.'

This is a considerable increase over its former value. At the Restoration, the salary of the Lord Treasurer, Lord Southampton, was fixed at 8,000l. a year, and the appointment to subordinate offices was left in the hands of the King. After the death of Lord Southampton in 1667, the Lord Treasurer obtained the patronage of the subordinate offices, and kept the 8,000l. a year as well.

"Caermarthen La told mee it had been happy if the King would have been content with the Regency."

This is an allusion to a proposal made by Rochester, Nottingham, and Clarendon, on the flight of James II., that a regent should be appointed. What makes the passage interesting is that Danby (Marquis of Caermarthen) voted against the motion, which was only lost by two votes.

"Caermarthen La said openly at his table, that the Ch. of England was divided into two parties, of which one was for bringing in K. James, and by God hee believed they would do it. Hee told the Spanish Emb. that King William was a weak man, and spoyled his own business. Told Sir J. Reresby that if K. James would quit his papists it might not yet be too late for him."

In his memoirs, Sir J. Reresby states, that Danby had said that if King James would but give the country some satisfaction about religion, which he might easily do, it would be very hard to make head against him.

"Caermarthen La said that K. James sent to offer to put himselfe into his hands before hee went away, that his answer was by Ch Berty who was sent, that his own force which hee had in the North was not sufficient to trust to; but if his Majesty would bring a considerable party with him, and come without the papists, hee would sooner lose his life than his Majesty should be injured."

This passage, which is certainly a curious one, has already been substantially given by Sir John Reresby. Lord Caermarthen, then Lord Danby, had not only heartily entered into the scheme for bringing over the Prince of Orange, but he had actually drawn up

the heads of the Declaration to be proclaimed by the Prince to the English people. Danby had undertaken the task of raising the North, and he had written strong advices to the Prince to effect his landing in Yorkshire with a small army instead of making a descent in the West. This plan was violently opposed by Admiral Herbert, who declared that the coast of Yorkshire was so dangerous, that to disembark there would be to imperil the safety of the fleet. Had the Prince of Orange landed in Yorkshire with a small army, and in such a position as to prevent the co-operation of the fleet, it is very probable that Danby might have made his own terms with either the King or the Prince.

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Caermarthen La complained to him (Sir John Reresby), that I insisted upon the words Rightfull King in the Oath."

When the form of a new oath of allegiance to William had to be decided on, the words rightful and lawful King were violently objected to, and a new form, to bear faith and true allegiance, successfully substituted. Many argued that under this new oath they were only bound to support William while in possession, but could, without violating their consciences, assist in the return of James. The substance of the above note is to be found in Reresby's memoirs. In fact it is obvious that Halifax must have seen these memoirs.

"Capell Sir Henry told mee that the King was as certainly marryed to the D. of Monmouth's mother, as hee was to his wife."

King Charles, however, upon the Duke of York's going abroad in 1679, made a solemn declaration in council, and both signed and sealed it, that he was never married to Monmouth's mother.

"Clarendon La said at the Cabinet Councell to K. James: Sr, you are Master of the presse, I hope you will be so of the pulpit."

"Dartmouth Ld at K's first coming pretended to his pension of 1000lb per an. hee had from K. James. Sir W. Booth told L. P. that La Dartmouth did certainly connive at the Prince of Orange his passing by. Said

his first falling out with La Churchill was that hee found out Ld Churchill told what was resolved in secret with La Hide. Told mee it just after the sea-fight, when Torrington was put out, if they had offered him the command of the fleet, hee would have taken it. May 27th, '89. K. said he had some thoughts of allowing La Dartm. a pension, but hee would see how hee behaved himself."

It will be recollected that Dartmouth commanded King James's fleet at the time of the invasion of the Prince of Orange, and that he has often been charged with intentionally permitting the Prince to sail past him. This charge is repeated here by Sir W. Booth. Burnet, however, declares that Dartmouth, though disapproving of the general policy of King James, was determined to act loyally to him, as admiral of his fleet, and that his apparent apathy was owing to unfavourable winds. Dartmouth informed Burnet, that whatever stories had been told to the contrary, he intended to fight, and that both officers and men fought very heartily. would have fought, and When Dartmouth told Halifax that he would have accepted the command of the fleet had it been offered to him after Torrington was put out, he alludes to the Battle of Beachy Head, and the disgrace of Torrington. Had he received the command, he would have probably betrayed it. Almost at the moment of the battle, he was engaged in an intrigue with the French to surrender Portsmouth, and in 1691 died in the Tower.

To move assemblies; who but only try'd The worse a while then chose the better side,

Nor chose alone, but turn'd the balance too, So much the weight of one brave man can do."

"Dec. 3rd, '90.—Ambassadour Dutch told mee hee had not for a great while been in the K's confidence; that Deickfielt (Dykvelt) was not his friend. That Deickfielt put the King upon arbitrary councels. Said that the late mutinies at Harlem and Rotterdam arose in part from jealousies of that kind. Said that he had the same coldnesse when in Holland, as here."

"Essex La told mee Lady Portsmouth said to him, my Ld the King must be absolute else hee is not King."

Such was the language of the court in the reign of Charles II. Charles on one occasion told Lord Essex, that he did not think he was a king, as long as a company of fellows (so he styled the House of Commons) were looking into all his actions, and examining his ministers, as well as his accounts.

"Essex La said at councell that the apprehension of Popery made him imagine he saw his children frying in Smithfield. Said his brother had but little understanding, and the worst was hee thought hee had a great deal. Told mee with anger and surprize that some were for setting up the Duke of Monmouthafterwards hee was for it."

This is the Lord Essex who was charged with treason at the same time as Russell and Algernon Sydney, and who committed suicide in the Tower. His brother was Sir Henry Capel, afterwards Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. As will be seen from the letters of Lord Essex, there had been a misunderstanding between the two brothers.

"Fitzpatrick Coll. bragged hee had put Father Peters and Ld Powis into the Cabinet Councell with Ld Sunderland. Told mee that out of ill-will to my L Sunderland, who was not his friend, hee got Father Peters and La Castlemaine joyned in the secret Cabinet."

We cannot discover who Colonel Fitzpatrick was, and his story does not agree with the account given by Burnet. Lord Castlemaine, the husband of the Duchess of Cleveland, had been sent by James to Rome upon a pompous mission to the Pope.

On his return there is nothing in Burnet to show that he was ever admitted to the secret council. Father Petre, on the other hand, through the influence of Sunderland, and much in opposition to the wishes of the queen, became a privy councillor. Everything was managed by Sunderland and Petre, "he, only, and Petre being of the secret Council."

Grafton Duke told mee that if the fleet had fought, they had been all destroyed. Said La Torrington would justly throw the blame upon the Councellours if hee was pushed. Said hee would never serve if Ld Monmouth had anything to do in the fleet. Said La Monmouth was mad."

These remarks allude to the proceedings of Torrington before the Battle of Beachy Head. William was in Ireland, and the government was left in the hands of Mary, and a council of nine. Tourville issued out of Brest with a very large French fleet. Torrington, under the impression that he was not strong enough to withstand an attack, retreated, and all England. was thrown into the greatest alarm. The council met in London, and had an anxious session. Various propositions were made, among which was one by Monmouth, that he might be immediately allowed to join the fleet. At length it was determined to send strict orders to Torrington to fight, and there ensued the Battle of Beachy Head, the destruction of the Dutch contingent, and the subsequent trial and disgrace of Torrington.

"How. Aug. 8, '89. K. said hee had said those words concerning him in the house that if he was not king hee must either fight with him or cudgell him. Resolved to dismiss him. The question only was of the manner.

John Howe was vice chamberlain to the queen, and one of the bitterest speakers in the House of Commons. Lord Macaulay mentioning his acrimony says it once inflicted a wound which changed even the stern composure of William, and constrained him to utter a wish that he were a private gentleman, and could invite

Mr. Howe to a short interview behind Montague House.

"James K. told mee some years since when hee was on shipboard that sure La Feversham was the best servant that ever man had. When hee sent to interrogate the Lds upon occasion offered, hee confessed hee could not imagine that the aversion to his religion had been so great. When it was told that there were but 2 things to do, either to make a great condiscention without reserve, or to venture at the head of those troops which had not revolted,-hee said the last was not to be done, for no brave man would ever engage himselfe against all reason &c. Note, hee would not do the first neither."

"Jeffrey L upon occasion of Govt to be settled in New England; I arguing for the liberty of the people he replyed-whosoever capitulateth rebelleth.-This at the Cabinet Councell."

Fox, in his history of the reign of James II., tells us that Halifax had proposed in council a plan for modelling the charters of the American plantations upon a basis of English rights and liberties. The scheme was defeated, chiefly through the machinations of the French Court.

"King. June 24th '89, said hee was so tired hee thought hee must leave us."

This, doubtless, alludes to the wellknown intention of William to abandon England and retire to Holland.

"K. told D. Hamilton once; do you know I am your King? I believe you have a mind to be King of Scotland; I would you were.'

This story has been told in various ways, none of which are flattering either to the Scotch or to the Duke of Hamilton. In Lord Macaulay it is"I wish to Heaven that Scotland were a thousand miles off, and that the Duke of Hamilton was King of it. Then I should be rid of them both." Burnet's version is very similar.

"Monmouth La proposed to L. P. to trust him with the present possession of the estate, and hee would give him security to pay the rent of it, for his life, where he pleased-L. P. said L. Mon. got Gibs to be made a Welsh judge, that he might swear agt him. Gibs was once L. P.'s servant. He was to swear about his being reconciled to the Ch. of Rome-L. P. sayeth L. Mon. offered money to severall persons to swear agt him.-L. P. said L. Mon. employed the Bp. of Salisbury

to perswade the K. to have him left out of the act of Grace, but the K. would not—Aug. 29. '89. K. laughed at the small appearance of La Monmouth's regt, said it was raised for a Commonwealth.--Monmouth Ld told mee at the K's first coming in that if hee did not use him well, hee should find hee had a sword agt him as well as for him-Told La Falkland some years since, that they two must governe the world, rout the old fellowes in businesse-that they would drink a bottle, and bee good company with the King-said at his first entrance into the commission of Treasury, that hee would understand the businesse of it as well as Ld Godolphin in a fortnight. Told Rochester hee ought not to be my friend for I was the greatest enemy to him in the world-L. P. told me La Monmouth would have perswaded him to escape, to make him criminall."

The above notes are very characteristic of Lord Monmouth, afterwards the famous Earl of Peterborough. The letters L. P. occur frequently in the MS., and we are inclined to think they refer to Lord Peterborough. Peterborough had turned Roman Catholic in the reign of James II., and was the uncle of Monmouth, who was his heir, and who eventually succeeded to his earldom. The relationship would also account for Monmouth's desire to get rid of Peterborough, that he might at once succeed to the estates. On the other hand, there is no mention of such a circumstance in Warburton's life of Lord Monmouth, nor was Lord Peterborough's property large enough to offer a great prize to his cupidity. As to the other notes it will be remembered that Monmouth was made first commissioner of the Treasury in 1689, and that much to his vexation he found Goldolphin placed at the same board. The enmity which Monmouth alludes to between Rochester and Halifax had been of long standing. Halifax had in the reign of Charles II. accused Rochester of misappropriating the revenue, and had driven him from the influential post of Lord Treasurer to the more dignified but less important one of Lord President. Halifax pursued his unfortunate enemy with the taunt, that he had often before heard of a man being kicked down stairs but never of his having been kicked up.

"Marleborough-Earle told mee the beginning of August '90 that he had in his own mind made a scheme of a Cabinet Council, viz. P. myselfe, if I would come in, 2 secretaries, La Steward-La P.-Lords Mountrath and Drumlanrick were to have given 600 guineas to Lady Marleborough for the place La Faulkland had in the Princes family.Made a bargaine with a Jew for 4a a loafe, and sold it to the soldiers for 5d."

"Nottingham La June 24. '89. K. said the worst of La Nottingham was his caballing with La President (Caermarthen). Ingaged with the P. of Orange and then flew back upon which they were in consultation to pistoll him. K. often told mee he was a weak man."

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That it was the intention of some of those who were engaged with the Prince of Orange to shoot Nottingham is confirmed by Lord Dartmouth in a note to Burnet. Dartmouth says:"The Duke of Shrewsbury told me, that upon this declaration of Lord Nottingham (that he would not go further in the business), one of the lords said he thought things were brought to short point, either Lord Nottingham or they must die, and proposed shooting of him on Kensington Road, which he should undertake to do in such a manner that it should appear to have been done by highwaymen." Lord Danby, however, considered there was more danger in killing Nottingham than in leaving him alone; he was therefore left unmolested. Lord Macaulay varies the story. He says that Nottingham, when he informed the conspirators that he could go no further with them said his life was fair forfeit, and if they chose to distrust him they might stab him.

"Peterborough La told mee that K. James was offered to have La Marleborough, Grafton, Kirk, killed, but could not resolve it."

Lord Peterborough, as has been said, was a Roman Catholic, and most likely in some of the secrets of the party. The above proposition was probably made when it was discovered that these officers were corresponding with the Prince of Orange. It has been told on various authorities that Lord Marlborough had a design of

seizing the person of James and of carrying him a prisoner to the Prince, and that he had determined if the attempt failed to assassinate him. The latter part of this report rests upon very poor authority, but even if the first part is true it affords a strong motive for the proposition made in the MS.

"Rochester La told me in March 1690 that hee could have a place at Court if he would. Told mee if K. James came back, hee would do just as hee did. K. said Aug. 4. '89. hee would never imploy La Rochester. K. said April 4. '89. hee would never agree to spare my La Rochester and to condemne my La Moulgrave."

"Russell La spoke against La Shaftesbury, and said hee would spoyle everything hee had to do with. Told mee once that if Ch the 2nd should dy, there should be 100,000 swords drawn, of which his should be one."

Though united in the popular cause, there was very little in common between Russell and Shaftesbury. Russell was upright, constant, and, for the times in which he lived, of stainless character. Shaftesbury was unscrupulous, fickle, and one of the "I begreatest libertines of the age. lieve, Shaftesbury," said Charles II. to him, "thou art the wickedest dog in England." "May it please your Majesty," retorted Shaftesbury, "of a subject I believe I am." Nevertheless, both their paths led them to

a similar fate-Russell to die on the scaffold, and Shaftesbury to breathe his last as an exile. The latter part of the note seems to refer to King Charles's illness in 1679. Had he died, the succession of James would probably have been disputed. Henry Savile, brother of Lord Halifax, writing to Henry Sidney, says: "The news of our master's illness has so frighted me, that I expect this day's letters with great impatience, as well as with fear and trembling. Good God! what a change would such an incident make. The very thought puts me out of my wits. God bless you,

and deliver us all from that damnable curse."