that rises just out of what is said in the History; none writ on purpose by any one that knows matters of fact, or can contradict what he says; or indeed writ by concert of the persons that are attacked. And I reckon any other is not worth your while to . read. * The dragon denies it; but, as I told the governor, it is necessary for him to do that in a very solemn and strong manner, else there will be a rip

The conclusion charges upon Bolingbroke and Atterbury in the most positive terms, their consultations for bringing in James VII. so soon as the Queen had given the treasurer's staff to Shrewsbury.

"It would make up another volume, and be a secret history as full of variety as this, and full as entertaining, to give an account how planet-struck they appeared at this surprising blow; what they said one to another after they had stood looking one upon another speechless and confounded for some hours; at a private assembly of all their confederates, which was held upon the occasion, where they gave vent to their passions, and broke out into all the extravagancies of rage and despair. What desperate measures their chief leader proposed, and what a full consent of treason against both queen and country those desperate measures met with.

"The blast of hell, and the rage of a million of devils be on this cursed staff, said he, flinging the purse, &c. on the ground, It is he that has ruined us and broken all our measures! Did not I warn you from breaking with him? said he; I told you always it was impossible to supplant him with the queen. That she could never hear him speak, such was the magic of his tongue, without being enchanted with his words; and that if he got but the liberty for five words he would undo us all.

"Give away the staff! said the Bis.... By Lucifer I could not have believed she durst have done it! What can we do without it? We have but one way left, France and the lawful heir: it must and shall be done, by God.

"But whether do I launch? This is a scene of such conse quences, filled with such a complication of villany, such a discovery of the black designs of great numbers of men, that it cannot be entered upon here: it must be related in a volume by itself."-Secret History of the White Staff. Lond. 1714, 8. p. 46.

ping answer, as you say. All things go on at the usual rate. I am at uncertainty still as to my little office. I leave them to do just as they please. George Fielding and Brigadier Briton are grooms of the bedchamber, which does not seem altogether the doing of a certain great man. The groom of the stole is still uncertain, lying between two that you know. I am told that the great person of all has spoke more contemptibly of the dragon than of any body, and in very hard terms. Has not he managed finely at last? The princess gives great content to every body. I will add no more, being to write on the other side to the Dean; which pray forward.

I was to wait on you the other day, and was told by your servant that you are not to be seen till toward evening, which, at the distance I am at this time of the year, cannot easily be compassed. My principal business was, to let you know, that since my last return from England many persons have complained to me, that I suffered a conventicle to be kept in my parish, and in a place where there never was any before. I mentioned this to your nephew Rowley in Dublin, when he came to me with this message from you: but I could not prevail with him to write to you about it. I have always looked upon you as an honest gentleman, of great charity and piety in your way; and I hope you will remember at the same time, that it be

t

comes you to be a legal man, and that you will not promote nor encourage, much less give a beginning to a thing directly contrary to the law. You know the dissenters in Ireland are suffered to have their conventicles only by connivance, and that only in places where they formerly used to meet. Whereas this conventicle of yours is a new thing, in a new place entirely of your own erection, and perverted to this ill use from the design you outwardly seemed to have intended it for. It has been the weakness of the dissenters to be too sanguine and assuming upon events in the state which appeared to give them the least encouragement; and this, in other turns of affairs, has proved very much to their disadvantage. The most moderate churchmen may be apt to resent, when they see a sect, without toleration by law, insulting the established religion. Whenever the legislature shall think fit to give them leave to build new conventicles, all good churchmen will submit: but till then we can hardly see it without betraying our church. I hope, therefore, you will not think it hard if I take those methods which my duty obliges me, to prevent this growing evil as far as it lies in my power, unless you shall think fit, from your own prudence, or the advice of some understanding friends, to shut up the doors of that conventicle for the future. I am, with true friendship and esteem, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

FROM ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ.

SIR,

Nov. 4, 1714.

I HAVE one letter from you to acknowledge, which I will do very soon. In the mean time I send this to acquaint you, that if you have not already hid your papers in some private place in the hands of a trusty friend, I fear they will fall into the hands of our enemies. Sure you have already taken care in this matter, by what the public prints told you of the proceedings of the great men toward the Earl of Strafford and Mr Prior. However, for greater caution, this is sent you by

I am, &c.

FROM DR ARBUTHNOT TO MR FORD.*

DEAR FRIEND,

Nov. 1714.

I HOPE this will find you in good health; and I hope in greater tranquillity of mind than when we used to lament together at your office for the eternal faults of our friends. I have seen the dragon thrice since I wrote to you. He is without shadow of change; the greatest example of an unshaken tranquillity of mind, that ever I yet saw, seeming perfectly well satisfied with his own conduct in every

*Endorsed, "Received Dec. 2, 1714."-H.

particular. You know we have often said, that there is but one dragon in rerum naturâ. I do not know what he thinks, but I am perfectly well satisfied, that there will not be that one dragon left, if some people have their will. Haly Bassa, they say, struggles for his son-in-law. It is generous and grateful. There is a prodigious quarrel been him and the president about it.* I have given you the trouble of the adjoined for the Dean, as also a scrap of a letter for him which we had begun at our club, but did not finish; Dr Parnell not going, as he said.

I am not yet out, but expect to be soon. Adieu.

I had almost forgot to tell you of the Pretender's de

claration, in which there are words to this purpose: "That he had no reason to doubt of the good intention of his sister, which was the reason that he sat quiet in her time; but now was disappointed by the deplorable accident of her sudden death."

FROM THE SAME.+

DEAR BROTHER,

Nov. 1714.

I SEND you the scrap of a letter begun to you by the whole society, because I suppose you even value the fragments of your friends. The honest

*Daniel, Earl of Nottingham.-B.

+ Written on the same paper with the last.-N.