Dec. 10. "We are all, I think, in a mist as yet, and the most refining men do but grope in their poli tics. There are so many subdivisions in our divisions, both in Court and Parliament, that I think, ere long, we shall divide so nicely as to have no factions, which is the best I can hope of it." Dec. 14. "This is certain, that without any invasion from abroad, or insurrection at home, a greater confusion was never seen in any nation." Dec. 28. "We are here in so many disorders, that a volume cannot write it; and whilst His Majesty will use but one clue for the labyrinth, and that so stretched as it now is, I cannot but fear the event." Jan. 4, 1679. Parliament prorogued.-Fleet and army unpaid. In great alarm. Jan. 11. Very few doubt of the plot.-Only the King not afraid for his own person.-Great arming by sea in France. Feb. 11. Hints at a design on Ireland from France, confirmed by letters from Amsterdam. — Brisbane's letter only hearsay to the contrary. Feb. 15. Letter from Mr. Thynne.-Court has not the usual favour in elections; but majority well affected to monarchy and church. April 1. On the entrance of the new Commissioners, only 27s. and 3d. (besides appropriated money) in the Treasury. April 22. "Though they (the new councillors,) have yet done neither good nor evil, I find the bare being preferred, maketh some of them suspected, though not criminal.” April 26. Great debates.-House sits on Sunday. May 5. Four thousand arms freighted from Rotterdam for Ireland.—Enquiries if ordered by the Duke? Acquitting Sir G. Wakeman, rather to be attributed to Judges and Jury, than temper of the people. Nov. 29. "The sudden and unexpected arrival of the Duke of Monmouth yesterday, about two o'clock in the morning, hath given a great alarm: the King hath refused to see him, and by four or five reiterated messages, commanded his return; but he hath refused: so it is said (and I believe it) all his charges will be given away. On the other side, all the acclamations of the rabble as to bonfires, and the like, have been very great, and not a little disorderly. It is said, though hẹ arrived at that dead hour at his lodgings, he had been three days in England; and an argument that his coming was known to some long before, (is that) copies of elaborate verses, by several authors, were published by eight of the clock in the morning, printed, and cried in the streets. Matters seem to grow very ripe, and the confusion great." Feb. 3, 1680. "You will by this time have received the news that four Privy Councillors, Lord Russell, Lord Cavendish, Sir H. Capell, and Mr. Powle, came in a body to the King, to desire to be dismissed from that employment. Their intrat and exit have been both very remarkable, and neither well comprehended by men of my small talent." Feb. 22. Persons accused of assisting French invasion not to be bailed. દ Letters to Sir T. Higgins, at Venice. Windsor, August 9, 1675. "The death of Monsieur de Turenne; the retreat of that army; the ill success of the Swedes; and the defeat of the Marshal de Crequi, seemeth to put the Confederates in a much better posture than they were. Some think into too good a one to be fond of an equitable peace." The Plot." I hope we shall come at last to a perfect discovery, though it be somewhat dif |