Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

he is to be brought off, so as to save the honour of his prosecutors? I think it will be by an act of grace. Others say, it will be by the commons asking more time, and the lords of their party agreeing to refuse it. But as we are wholly ignorant of their intentions, it is possible neither of these guesses may be right, and that they may keep him yet another year in prison; which my Lord Marlborough seems passionately to desire.

We labour here under all the disadvantages in the world in every respect; for the tide of party runs still very strong everywhere, but in no place more than in Westminster Hall. Those on this side, whose honour and interest both require that all people, who pay obedience, should be protected, seem to want a capacity to govern; and the similitude of circumstances between the king and the regent, render the latter a firm ally, contrary to the natural interest of France. Thus we are secure from any foreign enemy.

I agree with you, that Snape's letter is really but a letter, and that it is much too short and too slight for such a subject. However, his merit was great, in being the first to give the alarm to his brethren, and setting himself in the front of the battle against his adversaries. In those respects, his letter has had its full effect.

I desire you will be as quick as you can in the assistance you intend Prior; for those who subscribed here are impatient to have their books; and

* To the Bishop of Bangor, Dr Hoadley, occasioned by his lordship's sermon preached before the king on March 31, 1717, "concerning the nature of the kingdom and church of Christ,' in which that prelate had expressed his low-church sentiments very strongly.

we cannot keep it off much longer, without passing for common cheats. Dr Arbuthnot and Mr Charleton and I, remember you often. Lady Masham always asks for you very affectionately. By the way, I am perfectly restored to grace there, and am invited to their house in the country. * As soon as Lord Oxford's affair is over, I intend to go amongst my friends in the country, not to return hither till about Michaelmas. But if you will direct to me at my house in town, your letters will be conveyed to me, wherever I am. Mr Rochfort † seems to have a great many good qualities, and I am heartily glad he has met with success. Adieu.

FROM THE SAME.

London, June 18, 1717.

HAVING acquainted you in my letter of last post, that it was the universal opinion the commons would not proceed to the trial of my Lord Oxford, I think myself obliged to tell you, that we begin now to be something doubtful; for the managers, who are twenty-seven in number, strenuously give out, that they shall be ready to proceed on Monday next. Therefore, if you have any thoughts of coming over,

*From the preceding letters it appears, that in the schism which broke up Queen Anne's administration, Lewis was steady in adherence to Oxford, and so incurred for a time the dislike of Masham and Bolingbroke.

+ Lord chief-baron of the exchequer in Queen Anne's reign. See Vol. XIV. p. 168, for an humorous account of a visit paid to his son's house at Gallstown, by Dean Swift and a party of his friends.

let not any thing, which I have said in my last, have any weight with you to alter that resolution. I am wholly taken up with the men of the law, and therefore have nothing to say to you at present upon any public matters. I shall only just trouble you with one word relating to a private affair. My brother is chaplain to Sir Charles Hotham's regiment, which is now ordered to Ireland. If you could find any young fellow, who would buy that commission, my brother thinks his patron (my Lord Carlisle) will easily prevail with my Lord Duke of Bolton for leave to dispose of it. I should be very glad you could find him a chapman.

FROM THE SAME.

London, July 2, 1717.

I HAVE the pleasure to inform you, that Lord Oxford's impeachment was discharged last night, by the unanimous consent of all the lords present; and, as nearly as I could count, their number was one hundred and six, the Duke of Marlborough, my Lord Cadogan, Lord Coningsby, and a few others of the most violent, having withdrawn themselves before the lords came into Westminster Hall. The acclamations were as great as upon any occasion; and our friend, who seems more formed for adversity than prosperity, has at present many more friends than ever he had before, in any part of his life. I believe he will not have the fewer, from a message he received this morning from the king, by my lordchamberlain, to forbid him the court. You know the prosecution was at first the resentment of a party;

but it became at last a ridiculous business, weakly carried on by the impotent rage of a woman (I mean of my Lady Marlborough), who is almost distracted that she could not obtain her revenge.

* Yet a story has been told, bearing the safety of Harley to have been extorted from the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough at the price of his concealing some secret of importance.

"After the accession of King George the First, when the Earl of Oxford was impeached and committed to the Tower, and preparations were made for his trial, it is well known that a stop was suddenly put to it, to the great disappointment of a large part of the nation. There is a traditional story relative to this event, in which the Duke of Marlborough is concerned. It is said, that at that time Mr Auditor Harley waited upon the Duchess of Marlborough, and shewed her a letter formerly written by the Duke, which proved his correspondence with the pretender. Mr Harley, after having read the letter, threatened that it should be produced at his brother the Earl of Oxford's trial, unless the proceedings against him were stopped. The duchess watching her opportunity, seized the letter out of Mr Harley's hand, threw it instantly into the fire, and then defied his malice. Upon this he replied, Madam, I knew your grace too well to trust you. The letter you have burnt is only a copy: the original is safe in my possession.' A similar anecdote, the original for which we are able to assign, has been communicated to us by a worthy friend. * Before the Earl of Oxford's intended trial, he sent his son, Lord Harley, together with Serjeant Comyns, (afterwards chief-baron of the exchequer) to the Duke of Marlborough, requesting his grace's attendance at the trial. The duke, in some concern, inquired what the earl wanted with him. Mr Serjeant Comyns replied, it was only to ask his grace a question or two. The duke walked about the room for about a quar ter of an hour without giving any answer, and seemed greatly disturbed; after which he asked for what purpose his attendance was required. Lord Harley said it was only as to his hand. What,' said his grace, has your father any letters of mine?" Yes,' replied Lord Harley, all the letters your grace ever wrote to him since the revolution.' Upon this, the duke conti

* Timothy Hollis, Esq. of Great Ormond Street,

I am now going out of town, with an intention to roll about from place to place, till about Michaelmas ext. If you write to me, direct to me hither, as usual, and your letter will be conveyed to me, wherever I am.

Dr Arbuthnot, Mr Charleton, and Mr Currey, have dined with me to-day, and you have not been forgot. I was in hopes we should have seen you ere this. The doctor says, you wait for the act of Is it so? I hope to see you by next winter,

grace.

SIR,

TO MR COPE. *

Dublin, July 9, 1717.

I RECEIVED the favour of your letter before I came to town: for I stayed three weeks at Trim after I left you, out of perfect hatred to this place, where at length business dragged me against my will. The archdeacon, who delivers you this, will let you know I am but an ill solicitor for him.

nued to walk about the room in the greatest uneasiness, and even flung his wig off in his passion. Mr Serjeant Comyns interrogating him what answer they should return to the unfortunate lord, he said, I will certainly be there.' This was the true reason why the Earl of Oxford was never brought to a trial. The late James West, Esq. member for St Albans, and president of the Royal Society, gave the account of the fact to the late Counsellor Gregg, in whose hand-writing it is now preserved. Mr West assured Mr Gregg that he received it from Serjeant Comyns's own mouth."-Biogr. Brit. Lond. 1784, Vol. III. 562. *Robert Cope, Esq. a gentleman of learning, good family, and fortune, and a great admirer of Dr Swift.-F.

« ZurückWeiter »