Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

that Thou, O most merciful Father, hast forgiven all my transgressions, the sins of my 'youth, and all the errors of my past life, and ⚫ that thou wilt not lay my secret sins and ignorances to my charge, but wilt graciously support me, during that small time of life now • before me, and assist me in my last moments, ' and not leave me then to be disordered by fear, or any other temptations, but make the light of thy countenance to shine upon me: Thou art my sun and my shield, and as ⚫ thou supportest me by thy grace, so I hope thou wilt hereafter crown me with glory, and receive me into the fellowship of angels and saints, in that blessed inheritance purchased for me by my most merciful Redeemer, who is, I trust, at thy right hand, preparing a place for me, and is ready to receive me; into whose hands I commend my spirit!'"

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

This paper was so soon printed, that it was selling about the streets an hour after Lord Russell's death. The court were much provoked at this circumstance, and sent for Tillotson and Burnet, to appear before the cabinet council. Tillotson was soon dismissed; but Burnet, who was suspected of writing the paper, underwent a long examination. He told the King he had kept notes of all that Lord Russell had done or said during his attendance upon him; and, on

the King's command, he read his journal to the council. The Duke of York was much incensed when he found this diary tended so much to the honour of Lord Russell; and concluded it was meant as a studied panegyric on his memory. Dr. Burnet offered to take his oath that the speech was written by Lord Russell himself, and not by him.

Lady Russell also contradicted this report, by the following letter to the King:

Endorsed by her, "My letter to the King a

[ocr errors]

few days after my lord's death."

"May it please Your Majesty ;

"I find my husband's enemies are not appeased with his blood, but still continue to misrepresent him to Your Majesty. It is a great addition to my sorrows, to hear Your Majesty is prevailed upon to believe, that the paper he delivered to the sheriff at his death was not his own. I can truly say, and am ready in the solemnest manner to attest, that [during his imprisonment*] I often heard him discourse the chiefest matters contained in that paper, in the same expressions he therein uses, as some of those few relations that were admitted to him can likewise aver. And sure it is an argument of no great force, that there is a phrase or two

*The words included in the brackets are crossed out.

in it another uses, when nothing is more common than to take up such words we like, or are accustomed to in our conversation. I beg leave further to avow to Your Majesty, that all that is set down in the paper read to Your Majesty on Sunday night, to be spoken in my presence, is exactly true, as I doubt not but the rest of the paper is, which was written at my request; and the author of it, in all his conversation with my husband, that I was privy to, showed himself a loyal subject to Your Majesty, a faithful friend to him, and a most tender and conscientious minister to his soul. I do therefore humbly beg Your Majesty would be so charitable to believe, that he who in all his life was observed to act with the greatest clearness and sincerity, would not, at the point of death, do so disingenuous and false a thing, as to deliver for his own what was not properly and expressly So. And if, after the loss, in such a manner, of the best husband in the world, I were capable of any consolation, Your Majesty only could afford it, by having better thoughts of him, which, when I was so importunate to speak - with Your Majesty, I thought I had some reason to believe I should have inclined you to, not from the credit of my word, but upon the evidence of what I had to say. I hope I have writ nothing in this that will displease Your Majesty.

If I have, I humbly beg of you to consider it as coming from a woman amazed with grief; and that you will pardon the daughter of a person who served Your Majesty's father in his greatest extremities, [and Your Majesty in your greatest posts] and one that is not conscious of having ever done any thing to offend you [before.] I shall ever pray for Your Majesty's long life and happy reign.

"Who am, with all humility,

66

May it please Your Majesty, &c." The two following letters give such a picture of Lady Russell's state of mind, after her lord's death, that they properly belong to this narrative. The second, relates, besides, to the favour the King showed her. *

Lady Russell to Dr. Fitzwilliam.

"I need not tell you, good Doctor, how little capable I have been of such an exercise as this. You will soon find how unfit I am still for it, since my yet disordered thoughts can offer me no other than such words as express the deepest sorrows, and confused as my yet amazed mind is. But such men as you, and particularly one so much my friend, will, I know, bear with my weakness, and compassionate my distress, as you

*The first of these letters is from Lady Russell's published letters; the second is in MSS. at Woburn,

have already done by your good letter and excellent prayer. I endeavour to make the best use I can of both; but I am so evil and unworthy a creature, that though I have desires, yet I have no dispositions, or worthiness, towards receiving comfort. You that knew us both, and how we lived, must allow I have just cause to bewail my loss. I know it is common with others to lose a friend; but to have lived with such a one, it may be questioned how few can glory in the like happiness, so, consequently, lament the like loss. Who can but shrink at such a blow, till, by the mighty aids of his Holy Spirit, we will let the gift of God, which he hath put into our hearts, interpose? That reason, which sets a measure to our souls in prosperity, will then suggest many things, which we have seen and heard, to moderate us in such sad circumstances as mine. But, alas! my understanding is clouded, my faith weak, sense strong, and the devil busy to fill my thoughts with false notions, difficulties, and doubts, as of a future condition-* of prayer: but this I hope to make matter of humiliation, not sin. Lord! let me understand the reason of these dark and wounding providences, that I sink not under the discouragements of my own thoughts! I know I have deserved my

Two or three words torn off.

« ПредишнаНапред »