London. Having obeyed the fecond invitation, Catesby disclosed to him his Gunpowder scheme, into which Thomas Winter readily entered, and also drew into the confpiracy his brother Robert.

He immediately fet off for Flanders, to found the inclinations of several perfons towards such a project. Here he was recommended to Guy Fawkes, a gentleman and officer in the Spanish service, as a proper person to overlook the work; he being an approved foldier and skilful engineer. They embarked at Dunkirk and came to England together, foon after which Piercy hired the houfe adjoining the house of Lords, where they first began the mine. Catesby entered with fuch spirit into this bufinefs, that in the course of a few months he was obliged to call in fome monied perfons 1 carry it on with that spirit that was neceffary. Having, with the advice and concurrence of Piercy, Winter, Fawkes, &c. intimated the scheme to Sir Everard Digby, and afterwards to Francis Trefham, the firft, in confequence of his perfuafive manners, promifed 1,500l. and the latter 2000l. to purchase fuch materials as were wanting to carry the plot into execution. When they enlifted any new confpirator, in order to bind him to fecrefy, they always, together with an oath, employed the communion, the most facred rite of their religion. And it is remarkable that no one of these pious devotees ever entertained the least compunction with regard to the cruel maffacre which they projected, of whatever was great or eminent in the nation. Some of them only were startled by the reflection, that of necessity many Catholics must be present as fpectators or attendants on the king, and as having feats in the House of Peers; but Tefmond, a jefuit, and Garnet, fuperior of that order, in England, removed their fcruples, and fhewed them how the interefts of religion required that the innocent fhould be facrifaced with the guilty.

By

THE CONSPIRATORS' HOUSE.

335

By astonishing perfeverance they made confiderable progrefs in their diabolical work: they foon pierced the wall, though three yards in thickness; but on approaching the other fide, they were somewhat startled at hearing a noise, which they knew not how to account for. A difcovery was now apprehended, and the confpirators prepared to defend themselves to the laft extremity. Upon enquiry, they found that it came from the vault below the house of lords, that a magazine of coals had been kept there, and that as the coals were felling off, the vault would be let to the highest bidder. The opportunity was immediately feized, the place was hired by Piercy, 36 barrels of gunpowder lodged in it, the whole covered up with faggots and billets, the doors of the cellar boldly flung open, and every body admitted, as if it contained nothing dangerous.

The house where the confpirators used to meet at was behind St. Clement's Church, without Temple-Bar, lately pulled down in order to make way for the new improvement on that spot. Here the oath was first administered by Catesby, Piercy, and John Wright; who, like Thomas Winter, had alfo allured his brother, Chriftopher Wright. The oath was as follows: "You fhall fwear by the bleffed Trinity, and by the facrament you now purpose to receive, never to disclose, directly or indirectly, by word or circumstance, the matter that shall be proposed to you to keep fecret, nor defift from the execution thereof until the reft fhall give you leave."-Catesby having remarked that his fervant, Thomas Bates, particularly noticed him, as if he fufpected fomething of what he was about, called him to him, at his lodging in Puddle-Wharf, and in the prefence of Thomas Winter, interrogated him with refpect to what he thought they were about. Bates anfwered that he sup pofed it was fome very dangerous bufinefs. Hereupon it was deemed neceffary to admit Bates into their party, and

infure

infure his fecrecy by an oath. The whole train of mischief was now completely laid; for the parliament having been prorogued to the 5th of November, the confpirators had fufficient time to perfect their diabolical plan. James, his queen, and Prince Henry, were all expected to be prefent at the opening of Parliament. The Duke of York, on account of his tender age, they knew would be absent, and it was agreed that Piercy fhould feize or affaffinate him. The Princess Elizabeth, also a child, was at Lord Harrington's, in Warwickshire; but Sir Everard Digby, Rookwood, and Grant, engaged to affemble their friends, under the pretence of a hunting match, and after feizing that princess, to proclaim her queen.

The long wifhed-for time now drew near for carrying this infamous fcheme into execution, and the vile agents waited with impatience for its arrival; but under the providence of God, the royal family, lords, commons, and kingdom, were faved from deftruction.

About ten days before the meeting of parliament, Lord Monteagle, fon of Lord Morley, a catholic peer, received the following letter, delivered to his fervant by an unknown hand:

My Lord,

"OUT of the love I bear to fome of your "friends, I have a care of your prefervation. Therefore I "would advise you, as you tender your life, to devise some "excufe to fhift off your attendance at this parliament. "For God and man have concurred to punish the wicked"nefs of this time. And think not flightly of this adver"tifement; but retire yourfelf into your country, where "you may expect the event in fafety. For, though there "be no appearance of any ftir, yet I fay, they will receive

a terrible blow this parliament; and yet they fhall not

fee