*

one Mr. Radcliffe, a gentleman of great estate in the North, and ancient family; a papist.

Sir John Talbot is to be made a Lord presently: the King says he finds him to be a gentleman of better understanding than almost any he knows in England, and judges him to be a person of integrity; which is more than can be pronounced of Mr. Jenkyns+ of the North, heir to an estate of 1200 pounds per annum.

He was accused as the author of Lady Mary Pawlet's grievous misfortune, but with great asse verations he denied it to persons of the best quality that were concern'd for her; yet now owns himself her husband more than a year past. Enough of so bad a story. Lord Northampton on Monday last presented, on the Bishop's behalf, a petition to the King, to which there is yet no answer. The petition contained no more than expressing a deep

* Sir Francis Ratcliff, of Dilston, Northumberland, married the Lady Mary Tudor, natural daughter to Charles II. by Mary Davis. He was created Earl of Derwentwater, March, 1687-8.

+ Toby Jenkins, Esq. of Grimston, Yorkshire, married Lady Elizabeth Pawlet, youngest daughter of Charles Marquis of Winchester (afterwards Duke of Bolton). Lady Mary died unmarried.-Brit. Comp.

George Compton, Earl of Northampton, nephew to Henry Bishop of London, a family eminently distinguished for their courage and loyalty to Charles I. and II. The Bishop (Burnet says) applied himself more to his function than Bishops had commonly done; he was an humble and modest man (a friend

a deep sense of lying under the King's displeasure, and begging that might be taken off. They say a declaration will presently come out, to shew the King's dispensing power.* Mr. Savil was yesterday morning in the King's closet.-The event is expected. Many are persuaded the French King is bent for action this spring; my French friends will not allow it. If my paper did not put me in mind, I know not how long I should have rambled Room must be left for all my good things: the best turkey, the best pork and cheese that can be eat the last bit of pork eat last night. This is not lent-fare, Doctor.

on.

25 February, 1686-7.

R. RUSSELL.

to the Revolution;) he was suspended ab officio 26 September, 1686, by the High Commission, for refusing to suspend Dr. John Sharpe, as directed by the King, the Doctor having preached on controversial points contrary to the King's letter prohibiting it. The Bishop's petition was ineffectual; his suspension not being taken off till 30 September, 1688. Sharpe, whom Burnet calls a very pious man, and says he read his sermons with much life and zeal, was, in 1691, consecrated Archbishop of York.

February 12, 1686-7, a proclamation for liberty of conscience in Scotland. April 4, 1687, King James II.'s declaration suspending the penal laws and test.

LET

LETTER XLV.

LADY RUSSELL TO DR. FITZWILLIAM.

ALTHO' I take your life, good Doctor, to be a continual doing good to souls, and am very certain you would not exclude mine from the best benefits you can help it with ; and therefore from the general course of your actions do rely upon being profited by your precepts, examples, and pious prayers; yet I know myself to owe you, as one you have distinguished from others by your particular labours, to make my sorrowful soul find comfort in what true joys are only to be found. Therefore, if I knew how, I would both in my actions and words, make my acknowledgments distinguisht from others. I know of what sort they are you would like best; to preserve myself with better care to receive those comforts you can but externally administer, with prayer, that God by his good spirit would deal inwardly in our hearts, and work his work of grace upon us; then we should do mighty things. I am sorry for my unaptness, and sometimes think, that certainly in my more pleasant days, I lived as if I knew no higher delight, and 'tis that makes my separation still so bitter to me, that, to my shame and sorrow, I must confess to you my heart

seems

seems so bound down to a perpetual sadness, that even the solemnity of this blessed time, wihch calls for our most exalted praises, could not stir it, nor yet does it melt at the meditations of my dear Sa'viour's suffering for sinners; but a flood of tears are ever ready, when I permit the least thought of my calamity. This is matter of great humiliation, and, I hope, I make it such; and must rest in doing the duty, till God sees it fit to let me know better refreshments, and taste of those joys in which his servants are often so transported; but I will wait with a quiet submission.

Here has appeared no great changes since you went; the liberty of conscience is so notorious a matter, I meddle not with it, confining myself to lower matters, as I may tell you. He who was Admiral Herbert* is forbid to go out of England. Mr. Forester, who has been in Holland some considerable time, is sent for by a privy seal.

There is a sheet of paper writ, as the King has said, by Doctor Burnet, to give reasons against

*Arthur Herbert, created Earl of Torrington, 1689, by King William for his great services; being pressed by King James II. to vote the repeal of the Test, he told the King that he could not do it in honour or in conscience; and though he was poor and had much to lose (having places to the value of 40001. a year) yet he would chuse to lose them all, rather than comply. He was accordingly deprived of his commission, and went to Holland to the Prince of Orange.

taking away the test. It is hard to get; when I have it you shall see it. Some think it is not Burnet's.*

The Prince and Princess have consented to see him no more. Lady Rochester+ lyes still in a languishing condition. Lord Peterborough is declared a Roman Catholic: the report is, two more, the Chancellors and Lord President|| will next Sunday. I remember no more, so leave you to the Gazette, ever continuing

1 April, 1687.

Your real friend and servant,

R. RUSSELL.

LETTER XLVI.

LADY RUSSELL TO DR. FITZWILLIAM.

BY Doctor Fitzwilliam's letter

from Windsor, I have a demonstration to add to many others, that he remembers me wherever he is. A piece of paper which I scribbled out to you, lies, I believe, at your house at Cotenham. However foolish a thing it may be to say, the head-ach has hindered me again writing to you, since I

* Burnet wrote the reasons against repealing the Test. + Henrietta, daughter of Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington and Corke, wife of Lawrence Hide, Earl of Rochester.

Henry Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough; he died without issue male, 1697. Jefferies.

Earl of Sunderland.

knew