Such is the fascination of bigotry and prejudice, and such, in innumerable instances, the intolerant spirit of those who have every thing to dread from the intolerance of others!

The act of uniformity passed by a vast majority of voices in the new parliament, with circumstances of even wanton cruelty and aggravation; and the non-conformists for a long series of years suffered under every species of persecution short of burning at the stake; and, indeed, to perish slowly and silently in prison, as hundreds and probably thousands of them did in the course of this profligate reign, is the worst and most detestable mode of torture.

518

REMARKS

ON THE CHARACTER OF

THE EARL OF SUNDERLAND.

A. D. 1688.

THOUGH no direct or positive evidence can perhaps be produced in proof of the earl of Sunderland's treachery to king James, and of the correspondence mediate or immediate which he maintained with the prince of Orange, yet the presumptions against him are so numerous, and so strong, as to have excited an almost universal belief of his systematic deceit and hypocrisy.

The political character of this nobleman appears indeed to have been, from his first entrance into public life, very profligate. From a violent exclusionist he had suddenly become a most servile and obsequious courtier; and at the very commencement of the reign of James II. he was found the most willing and able instrument in carrying on the schemes and projects of the court. So early as the month of July 1685, M. Barillon wrote to Louis XIV. that lord Sunderland had avowed to him the king's design of "establishing the catholic religion; and that he could not, consistently with good sense and right reason, have any other end in view:" adding, "that another thing was equally certain, namely, that this project could not succeed but by maintaining the strictest confidence and connection with France."

*July 16, 1685. "Milord Sunderland m'a dit, je ne sçais pas si on voit en France les choses comme elles sont ici, mais je défie ceux qui les voyent de prés, de ne pas connoitre que le roi mon maitre n'a rien dans le cœur si avant que d'établir la religion catho

Conformably to this declaration, M. Barillon informs his sovereign that lord Sunderland held frequent conferences at his own house with the earl of Powis and other catholic lords, in relation to this subject. The king of France was convinced, by the representations of his ambassador, that Sunderland was really attached to his interest, as inseparably combined with that of his own sovereign, and in consequence of his good services he allowed him a very considerable pension.

It appears indeed probable, that for the first two years of the reign of king James, lord Sunderland, foreseeing no likelihood of a change in affairs, was faithful to his trust, and it will easily be admitted, that from his superior political sagacity he would use his influence for the most part to moderate the violence of those counsels by which the king was habitually guided. It is certain, however, that if his opinions were adverse to the system of violence, his practices were conformable to it; and that he was an active and principal agent in carrying into execution, so long as he remained in power, the most obnoxious measures of the court. A remarkable anecdote related by lord Dartmouth, in his notes on Bishop Burnet's History, seems to indicate at one period a degree of elation on the part of the earl of Sunderland which could result only from the firmest confidence in the ultimate success of the court projects. After the open violence practised on the corporate boroughs with

lique; qu'il ne peut même selon le bons sens et la droit raison avoir d'autre but. Il y une autre chose certaine, c'est que ce plan là ne peut réussir que par un concert et une liaison étroite avec le roi votre maitre."

Dalrymple's Appendix, part I.

a view to secure the majority of votes in a new parliament, lord Sunderland declared publicly at his own table that they were Now sure of their game, for it would be an easy matter to have a house of commons to their minds, and there was nothing else to resist them. Lord Bradford asked him if they were as sure of the house of lords, for he believed they would meet with more opposi tion there than they expected? Lord Sunderland turning to lord Churchill, who sat next him, in a ludicrously contemptuous tone, exclaimed, "O Cilly! why your troop of guards shall be called to the house of lords."

The suspicion of insincerity, and much less of absolute treachery, does not seem to attach to this nobleman till the spring of the year 1687, when the nation was thrown into a high ferment by the declaration of indulgence published April 4th; the same Gazette also containing a prorogation of parliament to a distant period. The test laws being virtually abolished by the declaration, the mask was thrown off, and the design of introducing popery almost openly avowed. This was a situation of affairs which might well awaken the apprehensions of a minister, much less wary than Sunderland, for his own safety. At this crisis, Dykvelt, a man of great capacity and address, and high in the confidence of the prince of Orange, was sent as envoy to England, entrusted with the secret sentiments of the prince, and he entered, as appears, into an immediate and unreserved intercourse with persons of the most distinguished rank and reputation; many of whom, as the earls of Danby, Nottingham, Shrewsbury, &c. wrote letters to the prince, expressive of their reliance upon his efforts to

rescue the nation from the dangers, civil and religious, which impended over it. Among the rest, M. Dykvelt was admitted to a confidential intercourse with the Earl of Sunderland, and that minister wrote as the result of it (May 28, 1687) a short letter to the Prince of Orange, in which much more appears to be meant than at first meets the ear. "I received," says his lordship, "the honor your highness was pleased to do me by M. Dykvelt, with all the respect I owe and will ever pay to your commands, which I shall on all occasions exactly obey. He is too well informed of every thing here to pretend to give you any account of what has passed since his coming, and if he does me right, as I doubt not he will, he must assure your highness that no man in the world is with more respect and submission," &c.

Without straining the inferences deducible from this letter too far, it seems sufficiently clear, notwithstanding the very guarded manner in which it is expressed, 1st, That lord Sunderland had, at the suggestion of the prince, opened his mind very freely to M. Dykvelt. 2dly, That he was well aware of the purpose for which Dykvelt was sent into England, and of the accurate information which he was qualified to give to the prince. And 3dly. That lord Sunderland had made such avowals and declarations to the Dutch ambassador, as he was confident would be satisfactory to the prince. Had lord Sunderland determined at all events to maintain his fidelity to the king, knowing the very ill terms on which the king and the prince at this time were, he never could have chosen to express himself in language of such high and unnecessary compliment, as to assure the prince," that he would on all occasions exactly obey