It appears, by the following note of Dr. Burnet, that a copy was sent to the King before Lord Russell's death, with the hope of inclining him to mercy. Yet so strangely are things misrepresented, that one writer* blames Burnet for having a copy of Lord Russell's letter sent to the King after his death, instead of the original; and another is still more severe on Lord Russell, for going out of the world with an insult to his sovereign.

Dr. Burnet to Lady Russell.

Endorsed by Lady Russell :--" Dr. Burnet to me, upon a note I sent to him, for my Lord's leave to show his letter to the King."

“Madam,

from those

But I will

shall send

You may

My lord is in so wonderful a temper, that I dare not attempt diverting him thoughts with which he is so full. presume to offer my advice, that you your copy of his letter to the King. say you dare not send the original, because it were the transgressing his orders; but by the copy, that is more in your power, the King will see what it is; and if it has no effect, upon

* Dalrymple.

+ See article RUSSELL, in the Biographia Britannica. "

sending back your copy, you will send the original. I think you may do this; and it is the last thing.

"I am,

"Your faithfullest servant,

"G. BURNET."

Lord Cavendish having sent him a proposition, by Sir James Forbes, to change clothes with him, and remain in prison, whilst he made his escape, he, in a smiling way, sent his thanks to him, but said he would make no escape. He probably thought that flight would look like a confession of guilt, and might prejudice his associates, and injure the great cause to which his whole life had been devoted. He said he was very glad he had not fled, for he could not have lived from his children, and wife, and friends that was all the happiness he saw in life. He was glad that some (probably alluding to Lord Grey) who had not lived so as to be fit to die, had escaped. Of Lord Essex, he said, he was the worthiest, the justest, the sincerest, and the most concerned for the public of any man he ever knew. He ascribed his last fatal act, in great part, to Lord Essex's regret for having introduced Lord Howard to him.

When he spoke of his wife, the tears would sometimes come into his eyes, and he would

suddenly change the discourse. Once, he said he wished she would give over beating every bush for his preservation: but when he consi dered that it would be some mitigation of her sorrow afterwards, to reflect she had left nothing undone, he acquiesced. He expressed great joy in the magnanimity of spirit he saw in her, and said, the parting with her was the greatest thing he had to do; for he was afraid she would hardly be able to bear it. The concern about preserving him filled her mind at the time; but when that should be over, he feared the quickness of her spirit would act too powerfully within her. In general, he kept up his cheerfulness undiminished. One of the sheriffs was Rich, who, though he had now changed sides, had formerly voted for the Exclusion Bill in the House of Commons. When he came, with the other sheriff, with the warrant for the execution, Lord' Russell' told Burnet, that it was not decent to be merry with such a matter, otherwise he had been near telling Rich that they should never sit together again, to vote for the Exclu sion Bill. Tressam And a Mrs. having come to see him, after the trial, he said to her, " Mrs.

97

* Dalrymple says, "recollecting that Rich might feel pain from the innocent pleasantry, he checked himself."

Tressam, you always find me out in a new place."

In such discourse Lord Russell spent his time, till the day previous to his execution. At the hours of meals he talked of the news of the day, and the politics of Europe, in the style he had usually done. But Friday being the day he had fixed for receiving the sacrament, he determined to pass the day as he would have done the Sunday, had he lived so long. The sacrament was given him early in the morning (his servant receiving it with him) by the Dean of Canterbury (Tillotson.) After he had received it, the Dean asked him if he believed all the articles of the Christian religion, as taught by the church of England. He answered, "Yes, truly." Then he asked him if he forgave all persons.

That, he

said, he did from his heart. Then the Dean told him, he hoped he would discharge his conscience in full and free confession. He said that he had done it. Upon which the Dean left him ; and Dr. Burnet, in the course of the morning, preached two sermons to him. In the interval he told him, he could not pretend to such high joys and longings as Dr. B. had spoken of, but on an entire resignation of himself to the will of God, and a perfect serenity of mind. He said he was sometimes troubled because he had not those

longings which were felt by Mr. Hampden, a friend for whom he had great kindness and esteem. Mr. Hampden had, a few days before, given him, from Mr. Baxter, his book of Dying Thoughts, then lately published, from which he derived great comfort. He said he was much concerned at the cloud which seemed to be over his country; but he hoped his death would do more service than his life could have done. After dinner, he signed the copies of his paper, and desired it might be sent to the press. He then received a few of his friends, and took his last leave of his children. On this occasion, the fondness of a father did not prevent him from maintaining the constancy of his temper. A little before he went to eat his supper, he said to Lady Russell," Stay and sup with me; let us eat our last earthly food together." He talked very cheerfully during supper on various subjects, and particularly of his two daughters. He mentioned several passages of dying men with great freedom of spirit; and when a note was sent to his wife, containing a new project for his preservation, he turned it into ridicule, in such a manner, that those who were with him, and were not themselves able to contain their griefs, were amazed. They could not conceive how his heart, naturally so tender, could resist the impression of their sorrow. In the day time he