Spanish ambassadors, wrought so much on him, that he mused much in silence, and entertained the prince and duke with mystical broken speeches. The duke now began to be alarmed, as well as the prince; but by the advice of Dr. Williams, lord-keeper, (who had, with great dexterity found out the instruments of raising the king's fears and suspicions, and had also revealed '

not authority, or the least direction from him, and a great part whereof himself knew to be untrue, and that he had advised an utter breach of the treaty, and to enter on a war with Spain; he was infinitely offended, so that he wanted only a resolute and brisk counsellor to assist him in destroying the duke: and such a one he promised himself in the arrival of the earl of Bristol, whom he expected every day? Bristol soon arrived, and as soon was committed; for Buckingham ruled father and son, nor was there a man could bear up against him. So vain a thing is it for ministers to rely on the favour or justice of those masters, who have meanness enough to submit to the rule of favourites, especially when destitute of sense, virtue and learning.

5 Williams, with great dexterity, found out the instruments of raising the king's fears, &c.] Williams was devoted to the duke of Buckingham, though the duke was far enough from being pleased with him; and on this occasion he did him great service, as we learn by the following story. 'While the king was at Windsor with prince Charles, and Buckingham left

them) he followed the king to Windsor, where he had gone without him, and kept

behind, the lord-keeper, (who spared for no cost to get intelligence of every hour's occurrences at court) having received some information, went to the duke at Wallingford-house, whom he found lying on a couch, and would not rise up nor speak, though twice or thrice moved thereunto by the lord-keeper; who protested to his grace, that he came there only to prevent more harm, and to bring him out of that sorrow into the king's favour: and besought the duke to make haste to Windsor, and shew himself to the king before supper were ended; to deport himself with all amicable address, and not stir from him day or night. For the danger was, that some would push on the king to break with the parliament, and, upon that dissolution, they hoped to see his grace in the Tower; and then God knows what would follow. The keeper adjured the duke to secresy, as to what he had told him, and to lose no time. And the duke parted with many thanks, and came to Windsor before he was expected, and waited on his majesty with a constant attendance. This happened on Saturday, and on Monday morning the prince came to the lord's house, and told the keeper privately, how well he was pleased that he had given the duke such faithful warning for his safety, desiring him farther, to explain the cause which had got the duke and himself the king's ill-will. The keeper said, that all he could gain to know was, that some in the Spanish ambassador's house had been preparing mischief, and four days since had infused it into the king; and that this he had discovered from Don Francisco Carondelet, who, being a scholar, and Archdeacon of Cambray, took a liking to converse

VOL, II,

so near him, that no one had an opportunity to press any thing to his disadvan

with his lordship, who had discovered him to be a lover of our English beauties, and particularly of one in Mark-lane, a witty woman, and one who must be courted with news and occurrences. This woman the keeper had bribed to send him word of all that Carondelet had told her: and thus he came by his news, thinking it lawful (now the devil had made her a sinner) for him to make use of her sin. Yea, says the prince, do you deal in such ware? Faith, sir, said the keeper, I never saw her face.

"But the keeper being willing to search further into the matter, contrived how he might gain some intelligence from Carondelet himself, who was forbidden to come to his house for the space of a month, all communication between the Spaniards and the court being forbidden by his majesty. Yet he found out a way, by ordering a pursuivant at arms to seize a popish priest who was dear to Carondelet, whereby to bring him to break through the prohibition. And accordingly Carondelet sent for leave to wait on the keeper upon that occasion, and was admitted to come privately at eleven o'clock at night, when he interceded earnestly for the liberty of the priest: but was told by the keeper, that it would be too great a hazard to set a priest at liberty, who was a dead man in law, during the session of a parliament which was vigilant upon the breach of justice, especially in that point. My lord, says Francisco, let not this parliament trouble you; for I can tell you, if you have not heard of it, that it is upon expiration. And from this hint, the keeper proceeded to get out farther intelligence: to gratify which, he released the priest, with a charge

4

tage. In the mean time, the prince, having received proper instructions from Williams, waited on his father with thẻ duke, and they were both received into their former favour, at least as to outward appearance,

The Spanish match being now entirely brøken off, and a war with that nation determined, a match was proposed with 4: France, and the lords Kensington (afterwards well known by the title of earl of

that he should presently depart beyond sea. The copy of the main paper, scratched in some places bý Don Colonna's hand, (known to the lord-keeper) was not brought to him till four nights after. But all that had passed between him and Carondelet that night, he wrote down then, and gave on the morrów to the prince, desiring that he might not be discovered in this intelligence to the king, which the prince promised; and then went chearfully to Windsor, and shewed the papers (which were not written in the keeper's hand) to the duke, and both of them presently desired a private audience, and gave the papers to the king, who read them with great satisfaction; and told the prince and duke, that he was sorry that he had grieved them by a jealousy fomented by no better than traitors; and told them, that their innocency shone as bright as noon-day; and asked who it was that made this discovery. The prince stood mute, and the duke vowed he did not know. But the king guessed that it was the keeper, to which the prince assented. And God do him good for it, said the king: I need not tell you both what you owe to him' for this service; and

Holland) and Carlisle were appointed to negotiate it.

In a short time, every thing was agreed on, and great rejoicings were made, both at Paris and London, on account of the conclusion of the marriage-treaty, which contained articles equally as favourable to the English catholics as that sworn to with Spain. But the death of James, which happened March 27, 1625, (not without

he hath done himself this right with me, that I discern his sufficiency more and more."-" The delicacy of the keeper's wit", says a certain writer, "in unriddling this mystery, came not short of that of Cicero, in finding out the bottom of Catiline's conspiracy b." I will not at all detract from the wit and dexterity of Williams, in unravelling this affair to the prince and duke; (though how consistent this correspondence with a courtezan was with the character of a bishop and a lord-keeper, the reader will determine :) but I cannot let this piece of history pass without observing, 1. The obsequiousness of this right reverend and right honourable father in God, Williams, towards the duke of Buckingham; and how solicitous to curry favour with him, though remarkable for vile behaviour, both political and moral. Doubtless, he must have been very mindful of the duties of both his functions, who spared no cost to get intelligence of every hour's occurrences

Bishop Hacket's Memoirs of the Life of Archbishop Williams abridged, p. 72, 73, 74. Lond. 8vo. 1715. Lives of the Lord Chancellors, vol. II. p. 117. Lond. 8vo. 1712.