opinion there will be none in November, neither this, nor a new one, though that is threatened, upon a fuppo fition, that it fhall be made up of Diffenters, and that they will comply with whatever fhall be expected from them. Neither of thefe will be found true, in my opinion, if the trial should be made: there are a great many circumftances which make fuch a scheme impracticable, and the more they confider it, the more they will be discouraged from attempting it; befides, the cafe, in fhort, is this; the great defign cannot be carried on without numbers; numbers cannot be had without converts, the old ftock not being fufficient; converts will not venture till they have such a law to secure them as hath no exception to it; fo that an irregularity, or any other violence of the law, would fo entirely take away the effect of it, that men would as little run the hazard of changing their religion after the making it, as before; this reafon alfo fixeth my opinion; though other arguments are not wanting; and upon this foundation I have no kind of apprehenfion, that the legislative power can ever be brought to pursue the prefent defigns. But our affairs here depend fo much upon what may be done abroad, that our thoughts, though never fo reasonable, may be changed by what we may hear by the next post, A war in Germany, and much more if one nearer to us, will have fuch influence here, that our councils must be fitted to it; and whether or no we fhall have an avowed part in it, it is pretty fure we fhall have a leaning to one of the parties; and our refolutions at home are to be fuited to the interefts abroad, which we fhall happen to espouse. Men's jealoufies here are fo raised, that they can hardly believe the King of France's journey to Luxemburg to have no more in it than bare curiofity to fee it; but your Highness hath your eyes fo open, and your thoughts fo intent upon every thing that that moveth, that, no doubt, you either fee there is no mystery, or, if there is, you have fearched to the bottom of it. Monf. Dickvelt will entertain your Highnefs with all his obfervations, which he hath made with great diligence, having converfed with men of all complexions, and by that means he knoweth a great deal of the present state of our affairs. The opportunities he hath had, will make him the more welcome here again, whenever there fhall be a fair occafion of bringing him.. His free way of converfing, giveth him an easier admittance than he would have, if he was too referved and his being known to be a creature of your Highness, encourageth men to talk with him with lefs reftraint. May your Highness continue well and fafe, and may no ill happen to you, fill I ceafe to be the moft devoted of your fervants." Earl of Devonshire to the Prince of Orange.-Refers to what SIR, PRESUMING that your Highness has heard of an unlucky accident that has happened to me lately, I think myself obliged humbly to befeech your Highness not to believe me capable of intending any rudeness to the King's palace, having, on the contrary, endeavoured all I could to avoid it, and hope no action of my life can render me fufpected of want of refpect to his Majefty, or the Royal Family. I could heartily wifh, Sir, that affairs in England were according to your Highness's fatisfaction. Monf. Dyckvelt has been pleafed to acquaint me with your Highness's intentions as to many things, and among thoufands here that would be glad to receive your orders on any occafion, none can be more cordially, nor with greater refpect, Sir," &c. May the 31ft. Earl ་ Earl of Shrewsbury to the Prince of Orange.-Strong af furances of his fervices. SIR, "IF London, May 30, 1687. FEAR you will think this an unpardonable prefumption in one that is fo inconfiderable, and fo much a ftranger to your Highness; but I was unwilling to let pass the occafion, without assuring you, that though I hope you have a great many fervants and friends in this place, yet there is not one more entirely and faithfully fo than myself. It is fo much every honeft man's interest, not only to fay, but be fo, that I hope you will the easier believe what I speak is not a compliment, but the truth of my heart. heart. The great, and only confolation that we have left is, that you are so generous to countenance us in our misfortunes, Sir, at the fame time we know you approve we here are in the right. Your commands is the rule I have fet myself to conduct the reft of my life; and whenever I fhall be fo happy as to receive them, they fhall be obeyed with that duty that becomes, Sir," &c. Sir George Mackenzie to the Prince of Orange.—A spirited letter. May it please your Highness, "I HAVE adhered to the principles of the Proteftant religion, and the intereft of the royal family, from a due fenfe of duty and honour, and therefore I neither value popularity nor expect rewards. But, Sir, your great virtue and exemplary firmness obliges me to affure your Highness, that there is none in this ifle of Britain more devoted to your service than," &c. Edin. June 9, 1687. The Bishop of London to the Prince of Orange.-The King may come to trouble, and the Prince will be his only Support. SIR, June 16. "I HAVE prefumed to recommend a young French gentleman to you by the hands of Monfieur Bentingk, and beg your pardon for it. I was very glad to receive fo good affurance of your welfare as Monfieur Dickvelt brought over. It is not only for your near relation to the crown, that you are fo much prayed for here, but for your usefulness to it. For if the King fhould have any trouble come upon him, which God forbid, we do not know any fure friend he has to rely upon abroad, besides yourself, whom therefore God long preserve a bleffing to the King and kingdom, which fhall ever be the prayer of," &c. The old Earl of Bedford to the Prince of Orange-Laments his own misfortunes.-Attached with his family to the Prince.-Prays for him. rr May it please your Highness, GREAT and furprifing honours the more joy they give, the more they difable us to express it, and I am not ashamed to own I cannot find words to represent the deep fenfe and juft gratitude with which my heart abounds, for thofe affurances Monfieur Dyckvelt has given me of your Highness's compaffion for my late calamity, and gracious difpofition to comfort an unfortunate family, which I fhould be lefs concerned for than I am, if I could doubt any branch of it would ever fail in any point of duty to your Highness's perfon, which is here univerfally held in the highest veneration for those Christian and princely virtues that make you worthy of whatever your VOL. II. K 73 high birth has given you, or may entitle you to. That it would please God to give you long life, and to continue all his bleffings to you, is the hearty prayer of him that has the utmost devotion to your fervice, and is, with all humility," &c. N° II. Correfpondence conducted by Count Zulestein. King James's Queen to the Prince of Orange.-Notifies the Duchefs of Modena's death. "TH Windfor, August 2, 1687. 'HE friendship you have fhewed me on all occafions, and the part that I have always flattered myself, you took in my concerns, makes me hope I may have a great fhare of your compaffion in the great grief I now lie under, for the death of the Dutchefs of Modena, my mother; in which nothing can comfort me, but the hopes I have of her happiness in the other world. Next to this I think it fome eafe in one's afflictions to have the pity of one's friends, which makes me hope for yours at this time, affuring you that in what condition foever I am, I shall always be with all fincerity truly yours. M. R." King James's Queen to the Prince of Orange.-Thanks for his condolence by Zuleiftein, who returns. Bath, August 21, 1687. "I HAVE fo many thanks to return you for the part which M. Zuliften has affured me you take in my juft grief for the lofs of my mother, and for fending him to |