how he was employed in the year 1659, and is a proof of his consideration for those who had been attached to his person. "Most Deare Brother, "When I left you at Augsburg out of vexation to stay there soe long; I thought good to leave you the letter you find here, to bee given you in case I should miscarry, for to make myself known not to be ungrateful. I was moved to't, because I intended as then to have made a far longer journey from you then I did, as it fell out; for having heard that there were Commanders of Consideration of the King of Sweden's at Ulm, a leaging men, I thought I might have had a fine occasion by their meanes to make a voiage unto that armie, and afterwards give an account of it to my lord (who as I thought would not have been much against it when 'twas done), excusing it upon a distaste of Mr. Hainkofer's proceedings, and my inclination to the warres. But my designe succeeded quite otherwise: for when I came to Ulm, instead of finding the King of Sweden's officers, I found none but the Emperour's, wherefore it pleased God to make me take the resolution of staying there for your comeing till to by the tender love I bore you, which by the way let me assure you is still the same. The reason of my writing this for you at present is to let you know, that now since my coming over out of France I have opened and viewed these two letters, and altered them in some places as I have thought fit; and having reduced the quantitie of what I desire should be givin to 801. sterling a year, the which summe I desire you, and moreover conjure you by the love that has ever bin between us, to see duely paid every year to Mr. John Thornton our tutor, and Fox Gregory our servant, during their lives according as I have divided it between them. Written by mee, your most loving and affectionate Brother, "Woburne Abbey, the 5 Dec 1659. "WILLIAM RUSSELL. "The night before I went up to London." Upon the Restoration he was elected member of parliament for Tavistock. But the Court, which was then the scene of magnificence and gaiety, seems to have attracted his first attention, and, according to Bishop Burnet, drew him into some irregularities. Thus entangled in a Court life, he appears, by the two following letters to his father, to have been engaged in duels, the common practice of the age. As a mark of respect, these letters are sealed in the old fashion with silk-thread as well as sealing "Although I think I have courage enough to fight with any body without despairing of the victory, yet neverthelesse knowing that the issue of combats depends upon fortune, and that it is not allwayes hee that has most courage and the justest cause who overcomes, but hee that is luckiest; and having found myself very unluckie in several things, I have thought fitt to leave these few lines behind mee for to expresse (in case I should miscarry) some kind of acknowledgement for the goodness Your Lordship has had in shewing mee soe much kindnesse above what I have deserved. I have the deepest sense of it in the world, and shall alwayes (during life) make it in my businesse to expresse it by my life and actions. really, my Lord, I think myself the happiest man in the world in a father, and I hope (if I have not allready) I should at least for the For Your Lordship think yourself unhappy in a sonne. My Lord, in case I miscarry (for without it I suppose this will not come to your hands), let me beg it of you to remember mee in the persons of those who have served me well. Pray let not my friend Taaffe suffer for his generous readinesse to serve mee, not only on this occasion but in severall other wherein he has shewed himselfe a very generous and kind frind to mee, therefore pray bring him off cleare, and let him not suffer for my sake. For my men, I doubt not but your Lordship will reward them well. For Robin, my footman, because hee has served me faithfully, carefully, and with great affection, and has lost a great deal of time with mee, I desire that 20 pounds a year may be settled on him during his life and the French man I hope you'll reward very well, having served with care and affection. For my debts, I hope Your Lordship will see them paid, and therefore I shall set them down to prevent mistakes. I owe one hundred pounds, forty pounds, and I think some 4 or 5 more to my Lord Brook: this is all I owe which I can call to mind at present, except for the. cloaths and some other things I have had this winter, of which my man can give an account. I have not time to write any longer, therefore I shall conclude with assuring Your Lordship that I am as much as it is possible for one to be, "My Lord, "Your Lordship's "Most dutifull Son and humble servant " WILLIAM RUSSELL." "I have here inclosed a letter which I writ not long agoe upon the like occasion, and therefore shall say little now, being in hast, but only to assure you that I am of the same mind still, and think myselfe the happiest man alive in a father, and shall alwayes make it my businesse to be a dutifull sonne, tho' now I am forced to 66 slip away without your Lordship's privitie, but I hope you will not take it ill when it shall appear upon what account it is, and that honour commands me not to stay nor aske leave to goe. My Lord, I know it is not impossible for mee to miscarry, though I do not at all feare it, and therefore shall reiterate my supplications which I made in the inclosed, which is, that you will provide for my servants and see my debts paid, which are something increased since |