Preface

PREFACE.

The present volume includes the period from the beginning of October, 1672, to the end of February, 1673.

The approach of winter put an end to naval operations on a large scale.

The French fleet at the beginning of October was at St. Helens, returning to France (p. 3). After being driven back to St. Helens by bad weather (p. 21) they finally sailed on the 11th (p. 45), touching at Torbay on the 14th (p. 52). During their stay at Portsmouth they received a present of wines for beverage by the King's orders (p. 26).

The English fleet had also returned to harbour, though there had been an alarm at the Brill of an intended attack (pp. 2, 35), and by the 11th Sir E. Spragg's squadron had returned to the Nore after its raid on the Dutch fishing boats on the Dogger Bank (p. 38). The King had promised to bestow most of the captured doggers to set up the Irish fishery (p. 31), but apparently this was not done.

On 18 November, the Gottenburg fleet sailed from the Nore, convoyed by Capt. Wetwang (p. 182). They reached the Thames on their return on 23 January, two of their captains, Ball and Montagu, having died on the voyage (p. 631).

On 29 November (p. 233), Captain Narbrough sailed from the Downs for the Straits with a convoy of about 90 sail (p. 248), which at Spithead was increased to about 250 (p. 249). A long delay at Plymouth was caused by the continuance of southerly winds (pp. 303, 452), so that he did not sail till 16 January. In the meantime the most valuable ship in the convoy, the Constantinople Merchant, bound for Leghorn, and valued at 120,000l., was taken by two privateers, through the ignorance of her captain, who lost himself in St. George's Channel (pp. 446, 630).

A second Straits fleet, convoyed by Capt. Robinson's squadron, sailed from the Downs on 15 January (pp. 448, 630). After touching at Plymouth to land their sick and to get men, if possible, to water the ships, and to wait for the Bristol, which had been separated from them (p. 448), they reached Cadiz the beginning of February (p. 511), and after meeting Capt. Narbrough's squadron arrived at Malaga on the 8th (p. 533).

On the return home of the main body of their fleet, the Dutch manned out swarms of privateers, which infested all parts of the English and Irish coasts. On 11 February sixteen Newfoundland ships from the Western ports, which, after selling their fish in Spain, were returning from Alicante with cargoes of fruit, were attacked 20 leagues west of Scilly by six privateers. Twelve or thirteen were taken (pp. 571, 573, 586). This disaster was caused by their rashness in refusing to stop for a convoy (p. 591), and by the cowardice of Capt. Nowell, the commander of the fleet, who declined to make any resistance (p. 602). One of the captured ships was afterwards retaken (p. 602), and another was driven by a storm into Clovelly (p. 595). On the other hand, in some cases English ships repulsed their assailants. On Christmas Day Capt. Fowles had a fight for six hours with a caper off Scilly, and finally beat her off, after firing away all his powder and shot and two bags of stones (p. 318). In November the St. Lucas, from Zante, was attacked in the Channel by a privateer, which boarded him, "with trumpets sounding and other music playing, being sure of their prize." But the English drove them off, taking prisoners some of their men who had boarded the St. Lucas (p. 201). In the same month, a Dutch caper came prowling at night into a light collier fleet, near Flamborough Head, but was rammed and sunk by a vessel of Stockton or Yarmouth (pp. 162, 168, 173, 190, 203). Two privateers were forced into Falmouth through stress of weather and taken (pp. 305, 327, 381). In two instances the prize crews' fondness for drink proved disastrous to them. Four Dutchmen were put on board a vessel of Looe, two Englishmen being left on board. Two of the Dutch having fallen sick, the English sat "and fuddled with the other two, and at last made them so drunk that they bound them hand and foot, the others being too sick to help them" (p. 291), and in another case, five English mastered seven Dutch who were drunk, took their arms and carried the ship into Poole (p. 594).

On Tuesday, 16 October, the Kent, when cruising, struck in a fog on the Leomanore Sands, off the coast of Norfolk and Lincolnshire (p. 60). She had been refitted and had sailed from the Thames only the previous month. The disaster was caused by the headstrong conduct of the captain, who took the charge of the ship away from the master and pilot and refused to listen to the warnings of the latter (pp. 81, 169). He abandoned the ship, which was full of water, with her rudder off, and her keel broken, and reached the coast of Lincolnshire in the pinnace with nine or ten others (pp. 60, 63), leaving nearly 200 men on board, who were without fresh water or victuals and were obliged to kill their dogs and eat them (p. 85). Though a vessel from Boston and the Deptford ketch were sent for their relief (pp. 63, 76) they could not find the ship, and returned supposing she had gone to pieces and that all her men were lost (p. 75). However, on the following Monday, the survivors were taken off by Capt. Direchst, of the Geeldseer privateer (pp. 85, 171), who treated them with the greatest kindness and intended to put them ashore at Yarmouth, but on his way there was taken by the Portsmouth (p. 85). He was rewarded by a payment of 140l. from the Commissioners of Prizes. When Capt. Wood left the Kent, some of the men who remained endeavoured to save themselves on rafts (p. 63), one of which was picked up by the Antelope with the pilot and seven others (p. 84). Capt. Wood and the pilot were committed to the Marshalsea (pp. 169, 247).

An affidavit (p. 455) by Capt. Stout, the commander of the Forester, gives an account of her loss. Being in Leghorn Road, on the morning of 18 November, he went ashore, having ordered his lieutenant, if the Dutch privateer, then riding in the Road, should offer to make ready to sail out, to get the ship ready to sail, and to give him notice of her motion by firing a gun, and making a waft with the ancient. He continues:—"I had not been above a quarter of an hour ashore, till I heard a great report, which shook the place, and immediately one came in and told how the English man-of-war was on fire, whereupon I ran down to the waterside as fast as I could, and took my pinnace to go off, and when I got without the bar I could see no ship but the wreck swimming on the water, the lieutenant, gunner, and chief mate on it, whom I took into the pinnace. How she came to be so unfortunately destroyed I am unable to say."

The Resolution (p. 451) nearly shared the same fate. "As a yeoman of the powder-room was going to clear the small powder-room with a candle in his hand, in con- fidence that there was no powder, as he was looking into the powder chest, a cat leaped at a rat, and struck the candle out of his hand into the chest, where some loose powder remained and took fire, and some wads, being there, burnt. The ship's company being thereat amazed, took to the boats and water, and hung about in ropes, insomuch as it had like to have lost the ship, had not the courage and great readiness of the commander prevented, by staving beer at that instant between decks, to throw down and quench it."

A bundle of Admiralty Papers of various dates from March to September, 1672, was mislaid, and was not found in time to allow them to be calendared in the last two volumes, to which they properly belong. They have, therefore, been calendared at the end of 1672. Most of them relate merely to ordinary matters of business. A few contain notices of the movements of the Dutch and allied fleets. Capt. Lovell, the commander of the Henrietta yacht, after transporting the Ambassadors, wrote on 26 June (p. 365) that at several places where he had been "the general cry was 'Live the Prince of Orange and the King of England, and the Devil take the French, and the States-General,' showing great joy at the receipt of the Ambassadors." It was reported that 6,000 soldiers had been drawn from the fleet to reinforce the Prince, and that their fleet was expected to come in, it being more important to fortify their land.

Several letters from Capt. Narbrough, who was on board the Prince (pp. 366, 367, 370, 376, 377), give news of the fleet. In one he mentions that the Cambridge and Bristol met with the Holland East India fleet, but could not do anything to them for weather, and that they had got into the Ems, having passed by the fleet and scouts in the bad weather, unseen but by these two. Commissioner Middleton wrote several long letters from Chatham on the dockyard business (pp. 368, 369, 371, 375). Of the men turned over from the Fairfax to the Gloucester he wrote that he never saw such a parcel of pitiful men. Out of 180 odd Capt. Coleman took 115, of whom about 10 or 15 looked like seamen, the rest naked, pitiful souls, such as he would not give bread and water to for their labour. Several passages relate to the waste or embezzlement of stores. The captain of the Ruby demanded a new cable of 105 fathoms and returned but 45 of the old one. All the account given was that the rest was spent. A new maintopsail was also demanded. Though the old one had only been split, but 60 yards of it were sent ashore, the captain having ordered the boatswain to give the carpenter enough of it to make four or six cabins. A new foresail was also demanded for the Constant Warwick, the boatswain saying that the old one was cut out for weather sails by the captain's orders, and that the former captain cut out a mainsail for an awning. "Now," wrote Middleton, " if a mainsail can be cut in an awning, and a foresail for a weathersail, I leave some of you to judge, yet these things the captains can and do take liberty to do" (p. 375). In another letter he declared, "Were it in my power, I would make that captain (of the Ruby) an example to all . . . for, albeit when they are at sea they are independent, if alone, and may do what they please with stores, yet in port, in my opinion, they should not dare to alter the property of any one thing, small or great, without licence, but they generally think they may convert the King's goods to any use they please" (p. 369). Another abuse he noticed was the claim of Mr. Wilson, the storekeeper, to have the fag-ends of cables as his perquisite, as an ancient custom. He asked if customary uses should be continued, why do not the Comptroller and Surveyor claim their ancient perquisite, which is all the worn sails and cables and broken anchors and all unserviceable cordage? which was of more ancient standing than the fag-ends to the storekeeper, yet was looked on as exorbitant, and so taken from them (p. 374).

The draft reply of the Navy Commissioners to a letter of Sir Robert Howard of 1 October, inquiring why certain payments to Sir W. Warren and Mr. Wood had not been made, shows their chronic difficulties about money. " If their bills not yet signed were now signed, there are at present bills to the value of 13,000l. ready to be assigned, which in course are to be paid before them, whereof some belong to themselves. The reason whereof is our want of money, arising:— 1, from the disappointment of the money appointed to complete the pay of Deptford and Woolwich yards for Lady-day quarter last, for the supply whereof we were forced to borrow 6,000l. of the victuallers and repay them out of our weekly money, though demanded in our paper of 17 Aug. 2, from the late applying of 10,000l. to the last pay of Chatham yard, and afterwards accounting it as part of our weekly money, and from the total failing of one week's money before, besides this last not yet received. 3, from the vast number of tickets of late daily brought to the Office, which, if not restrained to a certain weekly sum, or otherwise provided for, will exhaust most of our weekly money, and disable us from answering the many other occasions of the Office, as bills of exchange, for pilotage, for widows and orphans, for the victualling, &c., which are often very pressing and can't be deferred" (p. 5).

A few days later (p. 18) Sir R. Howard, in the name of the Lords of the Treasury, wrote again, on the complaints of the victuallers that of late the 1,000l. per week they should receive from the weekly money had been detained from them, commanding them to take order for the payment of the arrears, and for the future payment to them of the said 1,000l.

John Evelyn, in a letter of 7 Oct. (p. 23), mentioned that he owed at Chatham on account of the sick and wounded near 4,000l., besides what was owing at five or six other places.

Ladbroke, a ropemaker at Woolwich yard, informed the Commissioners (p. 258) that several tradesmen there had got considerable estates very lately, no one knows how, unless by dealing in ironwork and other stores which may be embezzled from ships or stolen out of the yards, it being generally thought they might be the receivers, adding, that one night last week certain men laden with cordage went through the street with a light carried before them by a man like a boatswain, but, before the beholder could get his clothes on, they were housed, he knows not where, he having no authority himself nor time to call a constable, and fearing to have his brains beaten out, and offering to try to discover the actors of such abuses.

There are numerous complaints of the badness of the beer and other victuals supplied to the Navy. For instance, the officers of the Mary and Martha certified (p. 92) that on survey no less than 58 out of 65 tuns of her beer were found stinking and undrinkable, and that of her crew 16 were sick on board and 80 ashore, and that three died in the little time she was at sea, which they conceived was occasioned by the defectiveness of the beer.

Sir J. Smyth, writing to the Navy Commissioners, stated, as the result of a survey, that much of the beer was small and stinking, and the rest ill-tasted and unfit for the sea, though Mr. Child and Mr. Papillon averred, notwithstanding, that it was sound, sweet and serviceable, and fit for a six months' voyage (p. 264).

Complaints were also made of the meat, it being alleged that dead hogs (not killed), and measly pigs, and lean oxen were supplied to the Navy by the victuallers (pp. 377, 490).

The pressed workmen at Chatham, about 200 in number, complained that their board wages were nine weeks behind, and seemed to be in very great want (pp. 388, 421).

Papers calendared on pp. 396, 397, 461, 477, illustrate the abuses arising from the system of paying the seamen by ticket.

Complaints were made in Essex that the officers of ships in the Thames pressed men who were not seamen, those of the Barnaby, for instance, having pressed farmers and teamsters, some of whom they carried to an alehouse, and released on paying their reckoning, while others they carried on board and detained for several days (p. 376). At Falmouth certain men ingeniously induced the constables who were pressing to take the two boatmen of the collector of customs, and, before he could get them free to go on board a ship laden with French wine, much of it was taken out, causing the loss of much of the customs (pp. 442, 447).

The newly appointed Commissioners for the King's bounty to widows and orphans desired the advice of the Navy Commissioners on certain points relating to the execution of their office (pp. 523, 599).

In February the Navy Board wrote to various ports to inquire what facilities for watering ships existed at them. The replies are noticed in the Calendar, and in particular there is a full account of the facilities at Portsmouth, with a map of the harbour and dock (p. 610).

It is to be hoped that Capt. Humble, of the Ann and Christopher fireship, was not a fair specimen of the officers. Leaving his voyage on pretence of the leakiness of his ship he came into Portsmouth, put the men on half allowance, sold quantities of the ship's provisions, and lay on board but four nights since he was in harbour, during which were mutinies and all manner of disorders, leading a merry life the most of the time at the Blue Anchor on the Point (pp. 492, 553, 593, 603). It appears by a letter calendared in the next volume that he was tried by court martial for these offences, cashiered, and sentenced to four months' imprisonment.

The Navy Office in Seething Lane was burnt down on the morning of 29 January (pp. 499, 508, 517, 541). A part of the office of the sub-commissioners for prizes in Mark Lane was assigned to the Navy Commissioners (p. 498), but they appear to have met generally at the Trinity House in Thames Street (pp. 507, 516, 523, 531, 543, 552, 578, 591, 599). It may be noticed that from the beginning of 1673 the minutes of the business transacted at the Board meetings are preserved among the State Papers. The first of these is calendared as a specimen (p. 384), but it has not been considered necessary to give the others in extenso, as they mostly consist of abstracts of letters already calendared and of warrants relating to ordinary business.

There are several letters from Sir J. B. Duteil about the equipment of the galleys built at Leghorn and Genoa and about his disagreements with Sir T. Clutterbuck. The ketch which had been sent to Malta to buy slaves returned with only 21 (pp. 16, 81, 92, 139). He requested that money might be sent to Mr. Legat at Genoa in order to get buonavogli, who were people who sold themselves for slaves, winter being the best season for the purpose, and the expected conclusion of the war between Genoa and the Duke of Savoy being likely to offer a favourable opportunity of getting men from their disbanded troops. A ship belonging to Clutterbuck was sent to Cagliari to look for Turks who were for sale there (p. 82), but returned without any. It was alleged that Clutterbuck had never intended that any should be bought, but had designed the voyage only for his own profit, taking on board a cargo of wheat and salt meat (p. 298). There are several complaints of Clutterbuck's interference with the officers appointed by Duteil, and of his claiming to have the right of appointing them, and of equipping the galleys (pp. 124, 132, 133). Complaints were also made that Clutterbuck had refused to pay for things ordered for the galley, and had provided the crew with inferior clothing (pp. 123, 283, 294). In November Duteil left Leghorn on his return to London (p. 92).

In January, eight new regiments were raised, of which the colonels were Lord Belasyse, the Earls of Ogle, Carlisle, and Peterborough, the Marquis of Worcester, the Earl of Mulgrave, the Duke of Albemarle, and Lord Vaughan. The calendar for January and February contains lists of the officers of the new regiments and numerous letters and papers relating to their appointment.

There are but few notices of the war on land. Early in October the Prince of Orange was defeated at Worden, with a loss of 3,000 men (pp. 52, 628). He then formed the design of effecting a junction with the army of Imperialists and Brandenburgers under the Great Elector, which was advancing from Germany, thus cutting the French communications, and making it impossible for them to supply or reinforce their army in Holland. Amusing the French with reports of a design on Utrecht (p. 63), Worden, or Crèvecœur, he collected every man he could, and embarking them on schuits, landed at Wilhelmstadt with an army of 35,000 horse and foot and a proper complement of artillery (p. 72), and on 13 November (N.S.) began his march from Rosendael towards Maestricht (p. 629). The 13th (O.S.) news was received in London of his arrival at Maestricht (p. 629), after taking a small town in the neighbourhood (p. 240). Finding the army from Germany was held in check by Turenne's strategy, he advanced on Charleroi, notwithstanding the sickness in his army and the scarcity of provisions (p. 215), in hopes of thus breaking the French communications, and besieged it on 15 December (N.S.). The town, however, held out, and on the 20th (O.S.) it was known in London that the siege had been raised (p. 630). The Governor of the Spanish Netherlands had sent 10,000 men to his assistance, which was one of the causes of the war next year between France and Spain. The French King sent immediately to demand aid from England against Spain (p. 630). As a counter stroke, the Duc de Luxembourg attacked and took Bodengrave, which caused great alarm in Holland (p. 630), and it was reported that Leyden itself had been taken (p. 386), but his further advance was stopped by a thaw (p. 382). From the same cause a design of the Prince of Orange on Utrecht failed (pp. 482, 512, 550). The Dutch were said to be almost at their wits' end, some placing their hopes in the King of England (pp. 393, 505), while others argued it would be better to submit to France, as thus they would be under one king, and would be still one people. If the French captured towns by force, they reasoned that want of consent on their part left them free to vindicate their liberties, when an opportunity should offer (p. 470). They were, however, somewhat encouraged by the capture of Coverden (pp. 428, 630), and the report of the taking of Münster, and of the narrow escape of its militant Bishop (pp. 618, 631). It appears, however, from papers calendared in the next volume that this report was unfounded.

Early in November, the Dutch sent out a squadron of 20 ships under Admiral Van Ness (p. 629). There were various rumours of the object intended, some saying that they were designed to convoy the Dutch corn ships from the Sound (pp. 133, 162, 188), others to burn the French in their harbours (p. 182), while a third report was they intended to attack the collier fleet to London (p. 240), in hopes of thereby causing a mutiny there. They returned to Holland the beginning of December (p. 237).

At the end of January, an Englishman and a Scotchman were taken at Amsterdam. The last was said to have confessed that he was ordered there to burn their ships, and was hanged. He was said to have described two or three more that were to come from England on account of some exploit (pp. 521, 558, 597). Probably in consequence, a placaat was published prohibiting anyone from lodging French, English or Scotch in their houses without certifying the magistrates.

There are one or two notices of Marshal Turenne's operations against the Army of the Imperialists and the Elector of Brandenburg, which tried to advance on the French line of communications. There were reports of a battle between them in November (pp. 218, 233, 250) apparently the same as the defeat of the Brandenburgers at the bridge at Andernach, mentioned on p. 630. Towards the end of November the allied army crossed the Rhine near Mentz, and advanced through the Electorate of Trier, but finding their progress blocked by Turenne, they were obliged, in the middle of December, to recross the Rhine, followed by the Marshal. At the end of the period the French and allied armies were close to each other at Soest in the Mark (p. 631).

In October it was reported that the Duke of Lorraine had been engaged by the Dutch to enter Lorraine by way of [the Free County of] Burgundy (Franche Comté) with 16,000 men, of whom 10,000 were paid and main- tained by the Dutch in order to create a diversion (p. 21), and that he had actually entered Lorraine and retaken a great part of it (p. 55).

On the other hand a report of a rising against the Spaniards in Franche Comté was contradicted (p. 530).

The mediation of the King of Sweden was accepted by France (p. 21), and ambassadors were sent to England to offer it to the King (p. 630). When they crossed to Holland they were rudely received at Rotterdam, and with but little courtesy at the Hague (pp. 233, 240).

The Prince of Orange declined the proposals made to him. Lord Arlington in October informed Williamson "how cold a letter the King had received from" him, "not one word to the point, therefore" he continued, "the King has nothing to do but provide himself as well as he can for the war next year, unless the auxiliary troops" (probably the Brandenburgers and other Germans already mentioned) "meet with some blow, or the invasion of the Turk prospers so as to call home the Emperor" (p. 37). An answer however was sent to the "cold letter" (p. 44). It was nevertheless generally believed in Holland that some agreement had been made between the King and the Prince (p. 215). Attempts were made to induce towns and individuals to come over to the English side. In December, Lord Arlington wrote approving of a design for inducing Dutch fishermen to settle in England (p. 245). In February, an Englishmen, who formerly resided in Flushing, wrote to a minister and another person there to point out, that, if that town came over to the English, they would still have the reformed religion, and their ministers would remain as they were. The laws and magistrates would be unchanged, and they would enjoy their property without disturbance. They would be privileged about the fishery, and would be as free as born Englishmen, and would be allowed free trade to the English plantations with other immunities (p. 506).

On the other hand, in October a Dutchman, Van Overscheldt, of St. Michael's Lane, Eastcheap; Isabel Dawson, his housekeeper; Thomas Paine, one of the postmasters at the Brill; and Thomas Ellis, of Longacre, were arrested on charges of holding treasonable correspondence with the Dutch. The first three were committed to the Tower (p. 90) and apparently were still there at the end of February. Ellis, who was in the custody of a messenger, was released on bail early in December (p. 249). Examinations and papers relating to this affair will be found on pp. 135, 164, 165. On 11 January, warrants were issued for the arrest of all passengers coming from Holland or Flanders on pretence of public business or negotiations, excepting persons coming over to settle on the terms of the declaration of 12 June (p. 417). Further warrants of 23 January extended the exception to persons coming only for purposes of trade (p. 471).

In February warrants were issued for seizing seditious papers and pamphlets printed in Holland, and intended for dispersion in England (p. 595), Col. Blood having given information they might be expected the following week, some sent over by the seamen of the packet-boats, but most of them to the Spanish ambassador (p. 595).

In December Gerbrandt Zas, an advocate, was sent over to Sir G. Sylvius "on a sleeveless errand from Holland." The King ordered him to be gone (p. 630) and he went back to Holland (pp. 270, 286). He returned notwithstanding, and landing on 14 January at Harwich was arrested by virtue of the above warrant for detaining persons coming on pretence of public business (p. 428). In a letter of the same date to Sir G. Sylvius he stated that he had returned in no public character, but yet as well instructed and authorised as was necessary for treat- ing underhand affairs of that nature, of which he had spoken to the Earl and himself (p. 428). With him were arrested Col. Marin, who had come over to buy horses for the Prince of Orange, and William Arton, another advocate, the bearer of a letter from Peter du Moulin to Lord Shaftesbury (which letter is calendared on p. 325). (fn. 1) A fourth passenger by the same boat was Abraham Blotelingh, an engraver, whom Prince Rupert had sent for, and who was removing with his family to England. The other three were sent to Landguard Fort (pp. 440, 446), and thence in a coach to London, escorted by a party of horse (pp. 458, 470). Zas and Arton were committed close prisoners in the Tower (480, 483, 631), but Col. Marin was allowed to return to Holland with the horses he had bought (p. 578). Zas and Arton were examined by the Duke of Lauderdale and Secretary Coventry, orders being previously given to have the rack ready (pp. 483, 484), and a commission was issued for their trial as spies and emissaries (pp. 557, 588, 605), with powers even by pains inflicted (so as the said pains be not extended to the laming, disjointing or dismembering of their bodies) to compel them to answer interrogatories for discovering the design they came over about, and with whom, and the matter they were to treat upon, with a proviso that no sentence of death be executed without the King's further order. It does not appear that torture was actually used, but it is remarkable to find so late an instance of the use of it being at least contemplated. Mr. Pike, in his History of Crime, Vol. II. p. 285, observes that torture for the purpose of extracting confession was one of the abuses which, in England at least, did not survive the Commonwealth. It should be noticed, however, that Zas and Arton were not Englishmen, but alien enemies, and that the tribunal was more of the nature of a court martial than of an ordinary criminal court.

Translations of certain intercepted letters to Zas will be found on pp. 612, 613, but they are very obscure, and throw no light on the real object of his mission.

It may be noticed that letters were frequently intercepted in the post. Oldenburg, the secretary of the Royal Society, for whom Williamson's good offices had been solicited by Sir Robert Moray and the well-known Robert Boyle (p. 61), was employed to translate those in German. Of one in Danish from the Danish Envoy to the King of Denmark he could give but a rough abstract, not being skilled in that tongue, to the effect that it mostly related to what had passed between the King and the Parliament (p. 569). One of these intercepted packets contained the curious diagrams of worms and insects, which fell 10 Nov. 1672 in Hungary in a great snow, specimens of which were sent to Vienna for the Emperor to see (pp. 145, 611).

Measures were taken not only to check the importation of seditious pamphlets from abroad, but to regulate the press at home. The Stationers' Company were ordered to attend the Chief Justices with certain bylaws which Roger L'Estrange, the Surveyor of the Press, had informed the King they had agreed on with an oath to be taken by their members for the observance thereof, for the approbation thereof by the Chief Justices, and to apply themselves to the suppressing of all printing-houses erected contrary to law, and not to permit such to be erected in future (p. 114), and the Wardens of the Company were ordered to attend Lord Arlington with the account of ten printers who had been summoned before the Company concerning their claims to the printing-houses then in their use and possession (p. 433).

One of the productions of these unlicensed presses was no doubt "the Christmas Gamball or a Dream of the Grand Caball," satirizing the principal Ministers, especially Lauderdale (p. 335). On the other hand, among the State Papers are several poems and pamphlets against the Dutch, among them Marvell's " Character of Holland," revised and brought up to date (pp. 341). One of the pamphlets described the cruelties of the Dutch at Amboyna, of which a representation was also given daily, with the humours of the valiant Welshman, at the booth at Charing Cross, by Anthony Devo (p. 148).

There is a curious story in a letter from a Professor of Divinity at Sedan to Monsieur Herault, minister of the French Church in London, relating that a public officer goes from church to church, "with letters of credit signed by Louis and Colbert, empowering the bearer to see the ministers of the pretended reformed religion in France and to declare, on the King's behalf, his design to re-unite the Christians of his kingdom in one and the same religion, yet so as not in the interim to do any prejudice to the edicts and declarations he made in favour of those of the said religion. The messenger invites the ministers to give their signatures that they are willing to consent to a re-union (their consciences being safe), and tells them verbally that 42 bishops have told the King that for the good of this design a retrenchment be made of:— The service of images, the Invocation of Saints, the Doctrine of Purgatory, Prayers for the Dead, and that Divine Service be established in the vulgar tongue, and Communion in both species, and that for the Real Presence it be determined as divines of either side shall agree, and that if the Pope should oppose, he should be over-ruled therein, and that a patriarch in France should be consequently made" (p. 68).

A stranger story is contradicted on p. 243, namely, that the King of France had turned Protestant.

Early in October the King and the Duke of York went to Newmarket (p. 628), and, after a visit to Lord Arlington at Euston (pp. 37, 44), accompanied by the Duchess of Cleveland (p. 60), returned to London, the former on the 19th, and the latter on the 15th (p. 628).

On the 29th, being Lord Mayor's Day, the King dined at the Guildhall (p. 628).

On a complaint that his guards and liveries, by being admitted to his playhouse without paying, prejudiced the company, he declared his pleasure that no person should enter without paying the usual price, and particularly that no attendants of the nobility and gentry take a place in the house without paying (p. 131).

A pass was granted for transporting from Cologne to Bremen or Antwerp 100 great vats of Rhenish wine, purchased for the King's use (p. 413).

A warrant was ordered for payment to Sir Samuel Morland of 1,200l. for defraying the charge of 500 lookingglasses set in olive wood, provided for the King, and of 300l. a year for maintaining the King's private printingpress, and other instruments (p. 241).

In February a plot against the King was hinted to Col. Russell, and he was told to desire his Majesty to be very careful of his person about the beginning of March (p. 538).

In January Humphrey Pendrell petitioned the King (p. 496), stating that he was the only man that told his Majesty that 1,000l. was bid for him that should discover his Majesty when he was in his and his brother's keeping; that he carried his Majesty from Boscobel to Mr. Whitgrove's, and said to him that his horse carried a very great trade, for he had the price of three kingdoms on his back, and that his Majesty had promised they should all have pensions alike, but he has only 50 marks, and two of his brothers 100l. per annum; and that he had been forced to borrow 200l., and praying for a grant of that sum to satisfy his creditors. This differs from the account of the King's escape dictated by him to Mr. Pepys, published in 1766 from the manuscript in the Pepysian Library, where the brother who conducted the King is said to have been Richard, not Humphrey. However, the petition was particularly recommended to the Lord Treasurer, and on 4 Feb. a warrant was issued for payment of 200l. to Pendrell (p. 516).

An odd story shows that Macaulay might have omitted the qualifications in his statement that hardly any gentleman had any difficulty in making his way to the royal presence. One Kys, an Hungarian, formerly a slave in Turkey, who had formerly got letters patent authorising him to beg in 21 counties, got his Majesty's letters of recommendation to go begging through France with Conrad Gleshinski for his interpreter. Gleshinski stole the letters, and started on a begging tour on his own account (pp. 343, 549). On Kys' complaint he was arrested and imprisoned at Winchester (p. 558), and wrote to Williamson to ask for his release, mentioning that Secretary Coventry once helped him from his Majesty to 20l., when he came to see his return from a progress. The King, seeing him in his royal chamber, asked the secretary about him, who presently told him his Majesty had ordered him something. The following day he received 20l. from the Keeper of the Privy Purse (p. 570).

The Duke of Monmouth received a grant of the lands, &c., which had reverted to the Crown by the death of the Earl of Northumberland without issue male (p. 171). He was also appointed Chief Justice in Eyre on this side Trent (p. 201), and Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland (pp. 508, 634). In December he returned to France (pp. 286, 312).

The Earl of Southampton, the eldest son of the King by the Duchess of Cleveland, was given the Garter, and arms were granted to him and his brothers and sisters, the Earl of Euston and Lord George and Ladies Anne and Charlotte Fitzroy (pp. 263, 621). An Entry Book contains a minute of a grant of the remainder of the Dukedom of Cleveland to the Earl of Euston after the decease, without heirs male of their bodies, of the Earl of Southampton and Lord George Palmer (or Fitzroy) (p. 41). Apparently this grant was never perfected, otherwise the Dukedom of Cleveland would, on the death of the last heir male of the body of the Earl of Southampton in 1774, have passed to the Duke of Grafton, Lord George Palmer having left no children. There was a rumour of a marriage intended between Lady Charlotte Fitzroy and the eldest son of Lord Henry Howard (p. 29). Lord Henry Howard in October was created Earl of Norwich and Earl Marshal (pp. 20, 61), receiving his truncheon on the 20th (p. 628).

In November the revenue from wine licences was settled upon trusts for the Duchess of Cleveland and her three sons in the proportions therein mentioned (p. 228). She had previously obtained a grant of all reversions to the Crown in Ireland (pp. 355, 633), and was now endeavouring to obtain a grant of the Phœnix Park to herself and her children (p. 617). This grant was prevented from passing only by the opposition of the Earl of Essex.

Another of the King's mistresses, Mademoiselle de Queroualle, petitioned for a grant of nine or ten thousand pounds out of certain expired leases and out of waste, retrenched, and concealed lands in various counties, cities, and towns in Ireland (p. 632). Papers relating to this business will be found on pp. 310, 632, 633. It does not appear that the grant was actually made.

A marriage was contemplated between the Duke of York and the daughter of the Duchess of Innsbruck (pp. 29, 87, 628, 631), and the Earl of Peterborough was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary to espouse and conduct her on the part of the Duke (p. 137).

In October the Parliament was further prorogued to 4 Feb. on the ground that the King was hoping that the Dutch would be better disposed to come to a treaty, and did not doubt that in two or three months he would know certainly whether he was to rely on peace or war, and therefore had decided to defer their meeting till he could be certain either of an honourable and advantageous peace, or, if forced to continue the war, till he could show them and the world it was against his will and contrary to his endeavours, and so apply to them for aids proportionable (p. 107). Early in the month there were reports of alterations at Court, "that is, in places, every place being now exposed, as is said, to the best procurer" (p. 17). These reports soon came true.

On 16 Nov. the Lord Keeper resigned the Seals (p. 629), and was granted a pension of 2,000l. a year (p. 184), and the following day they were delivered to the Earl of Shaftesbury as Lord Chancellor (p. 629), Sir John Duncombe succeeding him in the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer (p. 171).

On 21 Nov. Williamson noted in his Journal, " Great speeches of a new Treasurer. Earl of Arlington some, Lord Clifford others. Upon which large and free discourse with Earl of Arlington. Sir R. Carr to be Comptroller [of the Household]. In that case Williamson to be the Chancellor of the Duchy" (p. 629). The choice fell on Lord Clifford, who on the 28th had the white staff given him and was sworn (p. 629). He was succeeded in his office of Treasurer of the Household by Lord Newport, the Comptroller, and Lord Maynard was appointed Comptroller in his place (p. 219).

On 4 December, a proclamation was issued for prevention of disorders from the newly raised soldiers, directing that the officers repair to and abide with their regiments, that all officers and soldiers take care that no violence be offered to the person or estate of anyone, or suffer any disorder in their quarters, that all complaints of violence be made to the officer and redressed, or the offender given up to the civil magistrate to be proceeded against according to law, or in case of failure of redress that complaint be made through a Justice to a Secretary of State (p. 243). This proclamation was mentioned as a grievance by the House of Commons in their Remonstrance of 25 March following, on the ground that the soldiers were thereby in a manner exempted from the ordinary course of justice (Commons' Journals, Vol. IX., p. 276). An instance of another grievance mentioned in the same Remonstrance, viz.:—the quartering of soldiers in private houses, which certainly infringed the Petition of Right, as the former grievance probably did, will be found in a letter of 9 October, describing the reception of Lord Power's regiment at Coventry (p. 32).

On 11 December, a declaration by the King in Council was issued prolonging the stop in the Exchequer to 31 May (p. 266).

After the meeting of Parliament there are several accounts of the proceedings in the House of Commons, of the King's speeches, of addresses to him, &c., but all these are merely copies or abstracts of what is recorded in the Journals.

Notices of several elections occur. Those during the prorogation were declared void by the House of Commons, and new writs were issued. At Melcombe Regis there was a contest between John Man, who was recommended by the Lord Chancellor and Capt. Strangewayes, the son of Colonel Strangewayes, (pp. 300, 304, 322, 493, 510), the latter being also a candidate for Poole (p. 511). At the second election Mr. Man was returned unopposed by an arrangement that Capt. Strangewayes, who had been defeated at Poole also, should be returned for the latter place, the Lord Chancellor's brother withdrawing in his favour (p. 572). At Dover the candidates were Sir E. Spragg and Mr. Papillon. Lawson Carlile wrote to Williamson that the former " had carried the day by 40 votes, but, if my father and the rest of the Jurats, and Common Council men had not made about 50 freemen the day before the election, the fanatic party had been too much for us, but we hope to have done them down, but still they threaten to have the Jurats up to London for making those freemen" (p. 510). Carlile wrote again that " the election was very fair and legal, and the freemen chosen the day before were made by the Mayor and the major part of the Jurats and Common Council men, so we hope they will stand, and if they do, and another writ be issued, we are well enough, but if nulled the fanatic party will carry it" (p. 522). At the second election Sir Edward was again returned by a majority of 14, but Mr. Papillon threatened to petition the House against it (p. 542).

At Dartmouth Josiah Child was elected by 44 votes against Nathaniel Herne's 28 (p. 551). At the second election Child was again returned by a majority of 15 (p. 559). Herne petitioned against the return, alleging that eight of Child's voters had actually received money, that eight more had had money lent them gratis, or had been promised other advantages, and that two more had been promised to have a ship cleared without charge, and that 500l. had been offered the Corporation if they should choose Child, and that money had been offered to others to prevent them from voting for Herne. It appears that Williamson wrote himself to the deputy at the Custom House there to ask him to vote for Child, which he refused to do, having already engaged himself to Herne (p. 488).

Sir Francis North was returned unopposed for Lynn the first election (p. 485), but the second time had "much opposition from some of the commonalty, who stickled hard for Alderman Taylor of this place." But Sir Francis was successful owing to the zeal and activity of the mayor, aldermen, and common-council men (p. 555).

At Wycombe, where Sir William Egerton and Sir John Borlace were candidates, there was a double return. There were two Mayors, Lucas, elected by the fanatic party, and Gibbons by the other, and Egerton had a majority of the old burgesses, while Borlace had been brought in by the usurping Mayor, Lucas, who had created 100 burgesses to hinder Egerton's election (p. 576). This may be considered a set-off to the above-mentioned proceedings at Dover of the opposite party.

The liveliest election was at Chester. There the candidates originally were Col. Sir John Werden, the Duke of York's secretary, the Recorder, William Williams, and James Bradshaw, of whom the last apparently withdrew. The city was considered to be two-thirds of the Royal party and one-third fanatics, and it was apprehended that as the Colonel and Recorder were both of the former party, the division might make way for the candidate of the latter (p. 505). On 15 Feb. Matthew Anderton wrote:—" After three days' polling Col. Werden is elected for this city. He had 601 votes, and the Recorder 551. The Recorder is an obstinate competitor. By his policy he withdrew the under sheriff from the Court, so that the return of the writ is only by the King's sheriff. The Mayor was a great stickler for the Recorder, and made many freemen to vote for him after the writ was opened and the election going on, near 30 as I am informed. Now the Recorder having 17 more freemen's votes than the Colonel, makes him bustle and make the under sheriff certify for him, but if the freemen the Mayor made during the election were withdrawn, as they ought to be, the Colonel would have major votes of freemen, but it has been always practicable here for all inhabitants that pay duties to King and Church to vote" (p. 559). And on the 18th:— "We have since found 18 persons, who, we believe, were made free since the opening of the writ, and nine who voted as freemen and were not, so Col. Werden exceeded the Recorder ten in the number of freemen. Both the Mayor and the Clerk of the Pentice have refused to give us a copy of the record of the persons made free on this occasion. 'Twas thus the persons lost their lives in the tumult. The writ was opened the 10th, a poll desired, and the court adjourned from the hall to a field called the Roodee. The Recorder immediately after the adjournment threw off his gown, leaped on men's shoulders, and commanded his party to carry him to the field, doing this without commanding the multitude to avoid the hall, which is usual on such occasions, which caused such a crowd that nine men were smothered going down the stairs, and many others crushed, some of whom are since dead. All this while the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and Col. Werden stayed on the bench. The colonel leaving the bench after a certain time was carried to the stairs' head, where he was forced to stay a long time till the poor smothered and crushed men were removed, and then went regularly and quietly with his party to the field after the Recorder. It is believed the Recorder's overhastiness was the occasion of these men's lives, all but one being of his own friends. The jury found they died by accident" (p. 587).

In Norfolk, where Sir John Hobart was a candidate, there was a report that the son of the Earl of Norwich was also going to stand. Thereupon the Yarmouth Nonconformists "began to bustle and muster their people for Sir John." The day before the election "they met very early at their meeting-house, broke off before 10 and returned before 11 and broke off by one, and forthwith took wherries for Norwich, about 200. The following day went several troops of horse of them, and had it not proved a violent storm many more had gone. "However, Sir John was returned without opposition (p. 572).

At the Suffolk election the candidates were Lord Huntingtower and Sir Samuel Barnardiston. The Nonconformists were zealous for the latter, and really or colourably purchased qualifications (p. 597). " The gentry were for Lord Huntingtower, and the commonalty for Sir Samuel. The country appearance was very great, most on horseback. About ten yesterday morning, the writ being read, the competitors in chairs were carried on men's shoulders about the Cross and Market-place at Ipswich. Betwixt eleven and twelve (because it was alleged that several not qualified appeared and gave their voices) the poll was desired, which presently began, and so they continued when they came away in the evening, and believe it may continue these two days longer" (p. 608). Sir Samuel was said to have been returned by a majority of 72 (p. 613), but it appears from Commons' Journals, Vol. IX., pp. 261, 262, that a double return was made.

In the City Sir Thomas Player, junior, was elected Chamberlain on the surrender of his father, who had held the office for 21 years. 5,000 people assembled in Guildhall. There were four candidates besides Sir Thomas, Mr. Jekyll and three others. The last three had not ten hands apiece, and Jekyll not 50. All were laughed at by the Hall, and the last hissed, and, when he went out, hands were clapped at him (p. 159).

In December the Lord Mayor and Aldermen were directed to see that the Corporation Act was enforced, and that none be admitted to the Common Council without taking the prescribed oaths and declaration (p. 257).

On p. 522 is a return of all the uninhabited and unbuilt houses in the City, viz., 3,423 of the former, and 961 of the latter, with the proportion of former assessments charged in the City to the total in all England and Wales. This return was probably prepared for the deputation sent to the Lord Chancellor and Lord Treasurer to request their favour in the assessment then being granted, who reported that his Majesty had signified his kindness and his intention to make some abatement in their proportions, but that he apprehended his affairs might be prejudiced by any application to Parliament for the purpose. The Mayor and Aldermen resolved in consequence to make no further applications to Parliament for abatement, but to throw themselves wholly on his Majesty's grace and favour (p. 589).

A letter of Sir R. Vyner to Williamson illustrates the character of Jeffreys, then Common Serjeant. " At an extraordinary Court of Aldermen to-day, I moved for Mr. Seigneur (Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge) in your name, and as a worthy friend of yours, and also from the common fame I had of his being an excellent preacher, and that his Majesty understood him so, on which, as I thought, the Court were inclinable enough, when up starts our impertinent Common Serjeant, as though feed against him, and says he knew him of a schoolfellow, and he was no such worthy person, and I know not what more, so now it lies on you to make it out further that he is one that deserves so well as I hope he did." (p. 428).

Hardly anything occurs in the volume relating to the University of Cambridge, and not much about Oxford. A deputation from the Stationers' Company visited the latter in October to treat with Dr. Fell and Dr. Yates on behalf of themselves and their partners, Williamson and Sir L. Jenkins, who were lessees of the University Press, about their privileged books (pp. 22, 49). The company finally agreed to buy the books already printed at a satisfactory price, and to add 10l. a year to their previous rent, which terms were accepted by Dr. Fell and Dr. Yates subject to the approbation of their partners (p. 56). An arrangement was also made with Roger Norton (p. 65).

In November Dr. Fell wrote that "we push forward our printing as fast as we can, having constantly above 20 hands at work, that is, so many men in pay, for to make them always attend their work is, I think, beyond any skill, printers having a peculiar obligation to be idle as being paid for it" (p. 148).

The same month Dr. Hyde, the librarian, sent Williamson a sheet of the new catalogue of the library, and requested that some sinecure might be annexed to his office, of which the whole revenue was but 50l. per annum (p. 171).

A renewal of former troubles at Queen's was apprehended if Mr. Halton accepted the living of Headley, vacant by Dr. Beebee's death, but the living was finally accepted by Mr. Skelton (pp. 65, 145, 214).

Some difference between the University and the carriers to Oxford came before the Privy Council (p. 249).

A report of sickness at Oxford was contradicted (p. 252). In January small-pox, calenture, and pestilential fevers were very prevalent at Deal, caught from the sick landed from ships and quartered in poor people's houses (p. 493). A report at the end of January of an outbreak of plague at Lynn was caused by small-pox having been very rife the previous summer. Though then much abated, the town was not yet quite free from it (p. 497), and in December and early in January it had been still very prevalent, with an unusually high mortality (pp. 319, 413).

Dr. Pritchett, or Prichard, was appointed to the Bishopric of Bath and Wells (p. 66), Dr. Pearson to that of Chester, being succeeded in the Mastership of Trinity by the famous Isaac Barrow (pp. 234, 398), and Dr. Mews to that of Bath and Wells (pp. 196, 394). Dr. Tillotson was appointed to the Deanery of Canterbury, of which he was afterwards Archbishop (p. 71). In November the Lord Mayor and Aldermen were directed by the King to present Beveridge, afterwards Bishop of St. Asaph, to the living of St. Peter's, Cornhill (p. 160).

From various notices the weather this winter seems to have been unusually stormy and bad. The chimneys of the King's house at Harwich were blown down (p. 579), and there are numerous accounts of shipwrecks on all the coasts. In November the Greyhound frigate was blown from her moorings at the Nore, and after a dangerous passage through the Swin managed to get into Harwich (pp. 192, 195). The Monmouth, after convoying the Duke of Monmouth to Calais, had a narrow escape of being cast on the banks of Flanders (pp. 312, 313). In the North on 20 December a great fall of snow was succeeded by a warm south wind and rain, which caused great floods. At least nine colliers were sunk in the narrow part of the Tyne, blocking the channel. An account of the successful attempt to blow them up will be found in the next volume. Great quantities of coal were washed away and lost, and the losses of cattle were very considerable (pp. 299, 310). Much damage was also done on the Tees, along which much cattle and household goods were carried down, among them, it was reported, part of a house with a live cat thereon, and a cradle with a child in it. A great part of the town of Yarm was under water (p. 380). On New Year's Day the same town suffered from a second flood, which rose so high that people had to go about in boats (p. 383).

The floods between Boroughbridge and York and Tadcaster and Doncaster were impassable for many hours, and the mails were consequently delayed (p. 386).

A great part of the Fens was also flooded, many cattle were drowned, stacks of hay and corn were washed away, or were standing a yard deep in water, the houses were flooded, the cattle were driven to small banks, and many people had to save themselves in boats. The worst damage was about Thorney Fen (pp. 319, 380). These excessive rains probably caused the great landslip at Whitby described on p. 495.

In January a large comet was seen at Portsmouth (p. 488).

A dispute about a pew ended fatally. Henry Bulstrode, having obtained a grant of part of a pew in Petworth church from the Bishop, repaired it. One John Dawtrey, after giving his consent, broke it down in Bulstrode's presence, whose only answer was to show him the Bishop's grant. Dawtrey declared he cared not, but would down it again, as often as it was repaired. When Bulstrode set it up again he beat it down the next day, and abused Bulstrode and his wife and relations by scurrilous libels all over the town, calling him coward everywhere, and saying he dared not fight. They finally met and fought, when Bulstrode received seven wounds, but Dawtrey was killed (p. 50).

A letter from Coventry (p. 112) describes the Mayor's feast, for which above 20 does, amongst other things, were sent as presents, besides what the Mayor provided himself. The same letter mentions the closing of the colliery mentioned in the last volume but one of the Calendar. The works " were thrown up by Sir John Wintour, after spending, as is said, above 8,000l. Though their takings this summer have been pretty brisk, yet as the money came in, it went to pay off the many debts contracted, which caused a want of a full and ready pay, without which those damned fiends, the colliers, will not budge."

The same letter gives an account of one Elizabeth Tibbots, a girl of about 18, who lived at Stoneleigh, about two miles from Coventry.— "For about three weeks past she had been taken with strange fits, in which she has vomited up several things incredible, as several pebble stones near as big as eggs, knives, &c. All this is imputed to the diabolical practices of Watson, a strange kind of empiric, to whom she was sometime a patient, who had so far wrought with her, that she had promised him marriage, and to go with him, though she knew not whither, but afterwards refused it, and immediately fell into those fits. Yet she has respites, during which she appears reasonably well, and I have heard her discourse very rationally of herself and her condition. 'Tis said these four or five days past, during which I have not seen her, some- what appears to her in the shape of a dog. Now' whether she is bewitched, or whether she be a witch, or whether the devil be in her, as well as some others of her sex, I know not, but what I have told you seemed to the most vigilant eyes to be infallibly true. If it be not really so, I can only say the devil is in it, who, you may perhaps fancy to be in him that gives this seemingly incredible relation."

In December Tristram Berwick and two other highwaymen were arrested at York in possession of the church plate stolen from Chester Cathedral on the 15th, most of which had been melted down (pp. 322, 380, 393). He was the ringleader of the gang who had robbed Sir Christopher Wandesford in Ireland the previous August, of which there is an account in the last volume.

At York a serious riot occurred on Shrove Tuesday. A Canon, Dr. Lake, afterwards as Bishop of Chichester one of the seven bishops, had made himself unpopular by his attempts to restrain disorderly conduct in the Minster, where on Sundays and holidays 400 or 500 would walk, talk, and do much worse things to the so great disturbance of the service (not to mention other aggravations), that nothing could be heard. though he asserted that nothing had been done against any of them beyond causing them either to go in to prayers or to go out of the church, unless that sometimes he had caught at a rude boy's hat, and returned it to him at the end of prayers with a chiding. Exasperated at this, the youth of the town during the service broke open the doors which Lake had caused to be shut, and as he was returning home after service, they so affronted and abused him that the officers of the garrison, who were walking in the Minster, were forced not only to come, but to send for two files of musketeers, to his rescue. Lake thus got safe home, but, when the soldiers retired, the rioters reassembled, and broke all the windows, pulled down their frames, and broke down 57 yards of pales, doing about 40l. worth of damage. They might have gone on to set fire to the house, to which they often excited each other, or to enter by the breaches they had made, and do further violence to Lake, had they not been prevented by the return of the soldiers, some of whom they knocked down, and, when they were driven out of the Minster Yard, they braved the guard before the gates for nearly an hour, striving to break in again. The Lord Mayor, in the meantime, contented himself with saying it was not, as indeed the churchyard was not, within his liberty, though they continued the riot nearly an hour within his limits, and all belonged to his jurisdiction (pp. 546, 547).

On the night of 30 November Lieutenant Paine was accidentally shot at Portsmouth. When going the rounds he asked a sentinel if he was asleep. He answered no, and took hold of his musket and cocked it. The trigger fell, and the lieutenant was shot through the body. The sentinel had never been on duty before, and the gun went off without shouldering or presenting (pp. 234, 240).

On 7 February John Meyricke, of an Anglesey family, ensign to Captain Barton's Irish company, committed suicide by stabbing himself with a poniard. He left a paper to say that he found, by the officers' discourse, he had said something amiss of the King when drunk on board the Greyhound. He knew not if this was so or not, but declared he was sure he had no such thoughts in his heart, which he would now pierce for his tongue's fault (pp. 534, 542).

Among the prisoners sentenced to death at the Old Bailey appears the name of Maria Carleton, alias the German Princess, of whom there is an account in the Dictionary of National Biography (p. 433). Thomas Dangerfield, afterwards the notorious informer, was convicted of robbery, and, pleading his clergy, was burnt in the hand (p. 611).

In November the French workers of thread petitioned for leave to establish themselves in London (p. 183). There is a petition for a patent to examine and mark all hats made in England, to ensure their being made of good material (p. 108). Patents were granted to Lewis Bayley for a mill for grinding rape seed, and also hard woods, working in a new way without stones, and also for an engine for cleansing and digging rivers and harbours to any depth under 25 feet at low water, a model of which had been approved by the King (pp. 445, 619). A patent was also granted for an engine, "teaching by artificial horses the usual exercise of a complete horseman generally taught in academies" (p. 476).

Col. Blood requested a licence for a writ of error to reverse his outlawry in Ireland, which outlawry was the only bar to his recovering his former lands in Ireland, which had been forfeited, and leased to Capt. Toby Barnes (p. 295). The Lord Lieutenant was accordingly directed to grant the licence as requested (p. 409). Blood wrote in January that he was very busy, meeting with friends with a view to the approaching session, and that he was put to considerable expense in treats and in maintaining persons to look to the main chance, and requested an immediate supply (p. 416).

In February an envoy from Russia arrived at Harwich, and astonished people there by his frugality (pp. 613, 618).

There are several papers by John Cressett, of the Inner Temple, arguing that stage coaches should be suppressed altogether, or should at least be limited to one to each shire town, should be allowed to run but once a week each way, and should not be allowed to travel more than 30 miles a day in summer and 25 in winter, and that all should be suppressed within 40 or 50 miles of London. Of one of these, a printed pamphlet, of which there is a copy in the British Museum, a summary is given in Macaulay's third chapter. A statement of some of Cressett's reasons will be found on p. 64. He also argued that they took away the trade of shoemakers, spurriers, and others; that it was both faster and cheaper to travel on horseback, with calculations to support his contention, from which it appears the fare from Northampton to London was 16s., from Bristol 25s., from Bath 20s., from Reading 7s., and from Salisbury 20s. or 25s., and that the coaches were advantageous to neither health nor business (pp. 346, 347), "for what advantage to health is it to be called to the coach an hour before daylight and to be kept after dark an hour or two in winter, shaking with cold, choked with fogs, freezing for want of stirring, brought in so late that he cannot get supper, called up so early that he cannot eat, hurried along all day so that he can get nothing? What convenience is it for a man to stay at great charges, when his business is done, for a week or fortnight for a passage in one of these coaches? And on the day he is to go to be forced to an hour, or be left behind, and so to be compelled to leave business undone that might have been done in an hour or two? and never to be able to go out of the road on any occasion, or to stay anywhere but where these coachmen please, and as little time as they please? What conveniency is it to be shut up in a coach with strangers, old sickly people, or crying children, with whose humours a man is forced to bear, and be crowded with their bundles and boxes, and almost poisoned sometimes with their nasty scents?"

Innholders also complained that all trade was utterly taken away by the multitude of stage coaches, which prevented travelling on horseback (p. 64).

A letter from Ferrybridge shows the pleasures of travelling in winter. " Never a day till yesterday but I was forced to hire guides, for in the roads no chariot could pass. The chariot wheels, both great and little, broke in the road. I have not had much sleep since I parted from you" (p. 242).

Several letters relate to the serious illness of Williamson's elder brother, George (pp. 9, 12, 34, 221). Williamson gave 100l. to augment the stipend of the master of his old school at Dovenby in Cumberland (p. 9). He was presented by one of his French literary friends, Monsieur Justel, with a genealogy of the house of Aubusson (p. 61). On behalf of the learned Benedictine editor, Dom Luc d'Achery, he had a search made in the Cottonian Library for MSS. of the Penitential of Theodore of Tarsus, and of the Canons of Archbishop Ælfric. Gale, who made the search, which was unsuccessful, suggested that transcripts might be procured from the Parker Library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (p. 126).

Licences to Nonconformist ministers and places of worship were issued down to 3 February. Owing to the action of Parliament the declaration of indulgence was withdrawn on the 7th of the following month, the King breaking with his own hand the Great Seal appended to it. The time has therefore come to fulfil the promise made in former prefaces of reviewing the numbers of persons and places licensed, and their geographical distribution. Absolute accuracy is unattainable from various causes. In a few cases the denomination of the person is not given, and in many that of the place. Sometimes in different licences to the same person or place or in the licence and the application for it the denomination is given differently. For instance several of the persons for whom licences were requested in the paper given in Vol. I. p. 507 (fn. 2), supposed by some to be in John Bunyan's hand, who are therein described as Congregational, are described in the Entry Book as Presbyterians. A few were licensed for more than one county, and finally it is sometimes doubtful, when two licences were issued to persons of the same name, whether the same person is intended, or whether there were two persons of the same name, of which some undoubted instances occur, such as the two John Bryans and the two Henry Wilkinsons. Such cases are noticed at the end of the tables. Mistakes also occur in the spelling of the place-names, and in the counties. Some I have been able to correct, but not others, which I suspect to be wrong. For instance I suspect that Sharpnowend, described as in Cambridgeshire, is really in Cumberland.

The following table shows the distribution by counties of the ministers of the three denominations. Under London are included, besides the City, Westminster, the Tower Hamlets, and Southwark. When the same person is licensed in two counties he is counted under each.

[Tables of ministers by counties]

England

WALES.

There were also three Presbyterians licensed in Guernsey, and three, Robert Chambre, (fn. 3) John Frankland, perhaps the same as the John Frankland whose house in Preston was licensed, and Timothy Hall, whose localities are not given, and the celebrated Richard Baxter, who received a general licence as a Nonconforming minister. Also Francis Bampfield, of Dorset, is described merely as a Nonconforming minister. Of two who received licences, the denomination is not stated—Jerome Gregorie, in Buckinghamshire, and John Axford, in Wiltshire—and I have been unable to discover it.

In addition, in some cases, the denomination of the same person is given differently in different places, and in such cases the person has not been counted. Therefore, the following should be added to the above numbers:—In Derbyshire, Daniel Shelmerdine, described as Presbyterian and Congregational; in Hampshire, Nathaniel Robinson and John Smith, described as Presbyterian and Congregational; in Leicestershire, Thomas and William Smith, described as Presbyterian and Congregational, and Richard Farmer, described as Baptist and Congregational; in Norfolk, Thomas Worts, described as Presbyterian and Congregational; in Suffolk, Thomas Holborough, described as Presbyterian and Congregational; in Wiltshire, Thomas Collier, described as Baptist and Congregational, and John Crofts, described as Presbyterian and Congregational; in Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, Hugh Rogers and Maurice Griffiths, described as Presbyterian and Congregational, making ten about whom it is uncertain whether they were Presbyterian or Congregational, and two about whom it is uncertain whether they were Baptist or Congregational. Austin Plumstead is described as Presbyterian under Norfolk and Congregational under Suffolk, and is counted under each. One person, Richard Coore, of Tonge, in Yorkshire, who stated he was of the true Christian persuasion not against Episcopal, Presbyterian, or Independent, but called an Antinomian (Vol. II. p. 10), is so described in his licence (Vol. II., p. 99). Therefore, adding to the above list the three Presbyterians in Guernsey, the three Presbyterians of unspecified locality, and the two ministers whose denomination is not stated, the twelve who are differently described, the Antinomian, and Bampfield and Baxter, and substracting Plumstead, the total number of persons licensed is 1,481, of whom counting only those whose denomination is stated distinctly, 864 or 865 were Presbyterians, 394 or 395 Congregational or Independent (according as Plumstead is considered a Presbyterian or Congregational) and 205 Baptist.

The following tables show the distribution by counties:—

[Denominational distribution of ministers by counties]

PRESBYTERIAN.

Wales.

CONGREGATIONAL AND INDEPENDENT.

Wales.

BAPTIST.

Wales.

[Licensed ministers in each county]

The following table shows the number licensed in each county. In it the undefined or uncertain ministers are added to those whose denomination is stated, and the Antinomian is added to the Yorkshire total.

England

WALES.

[Places with licensed or resident ministers.]

The following table shows the places in which buildings for Nonconformist worship were licensed, or where Nonconformist ministers resided, arranged by counties:—

BEDFORDSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Cardington; Deane; Leighton Buzzard; Little Odell; Potton.

Congregational.—Bedford; Beeston; Blunham; Biggleswade; Bolnehurst; Cardington; Carlton; Cranfield; Clifton; Deane; Edworth; Elstow; Fleethaven; Ford End; Goldington; Great Barford; Hawnes; Kempston; Keysoe; Maulden; Milton Ernest; Okeley; Pavenham; Radwell; Ridgemont; Southall; Stagsden; Stevington; Thorncott at North-hill; Turvey; Wilden.

Baptist.—Shefford.

BERKSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Abingdon; Cholsey; East Ilsey; Frogmore; Hagbourne; Hungerford; Lamborne or Lamborne Woodlands; Maidenhead; Newbury; Pusey; Reading; Sandhurst; Shalbourn; Shilton; Shippon; Tubney; Wantage; Windsor; Wokingham.

Congregational—Hinton; South Moreton; Upton; Wallingford.

Baptist.—Abingdon; Appleton; Cookham; Longworth; Maidenhead; Reading; Wallingford.

Presbyterian and Independent.—Reading.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Aston; Aylesbury; Haversham; High Wycombe; Stony Stratford; Waddesdon; Wedred near Amersham; Westbury; Whaddon; Winchendon; Wolverton; Wycombe.

Congregational.—Astwood; Chalfont St. Giles; Newport Pagnell; Old Buckingham; Olney; West Wycombe; Wycombe.

Baptist.—Wycombe.

Undefined.—Castle Thorpe; Foscott; Little Marlow; Tingewick.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Barrington; Chatteris; Chippenham; Eversden; Fen Drayton; Kennet; March; Orwell; Sharpnowend; Sutton Wentworth.

Congregational.—Burwell Hightown; Cambridge; Chippenham; Croydon; Gamlingay; Haddenham; Hinxton; Litlington; March; Meldreth; Oakington; Stow; Stretham; Toft; Triplow; Willingham; Wisbech.

Baptist.—Ely; Harston; March; Melbourne; Over; Parsons Drove; Stretham; Swaffham Prior; Trumpington; Whittlesey; Wilbraham Magna; Wisbech.

Presbyterian and Congregational.—Cambridge.

Undefined.—Soham; Swaffham Prior.

CHESHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Astbury; Barthomley; Castlehill, Bosden parish; Chester; Falshaw in Wilcaston; Gawsworth; Glostre (? Goostrey); Knutsford; Lower Withington; Macclesfield; Malpas; Marksfield; Mottram Longdendale; Nantwich; Neston; Northbury (Norbury); Northenden; Over; Over Peover; Rainow; Rostherne; Sandbach; Stockport; Upton; Wallasey; Weaverham; Wibunbury; new meetinghouse at Wincle in Prestbury.

Congregational.—Astbury; Bidston; Chester; Monks Coppenhall; Nantwich; Sandbach; Stockport; Utkinson, Tarporley; Wenslow; Wrenbury.

Baptist.—Stockport.

Undefined.—Macclesfield.

CORNWALL.

Presbyterian.—Bodmin; East Looe; Enidor; Falmouth; Foy (Fowey); Goonrowson; Grampound; Guendron; Helligan, near Bodmin; Helston; Kennington, St. Ives; Kenwyn; Landrake; Landulph; Lostwithiel; Lower Trevethan, St. Mervin; Merther; Morval; Mylor; Nancarrow, parish of St. Michael, Penkevil; Padstow; Penkevil; Penryn; Probus; Redruth; St. Breock, Wadebridge; St. Eval; St. Germans; St. Ives; Saltash; South Petherwin.

Baptist.—Park Hellen.

Undefined.—Eathe in St. Winnow.

CUMBERLAND.

Presbyterian.—Allonby; Brampton; Bridekirk; Carlisle; Cockermouth; Embleton; Greystock; Torpenhow.

Congregational.—Alston Moor; Carlisle; Crosthwaite; Dearham; Heskett; Holme Cultram; Kirk Oswald; Penrith; Whitehaven.

Undefined.—Crosfield; Kirk Oswald.

DERBYSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Appleby; Armescraft; Ashbourne; Ashford; Ashover; Aston; Atbolton; Bellisford; Belper; Bigging; Butterley; Carsington; Cauldwell; Chaddesden; Chapel-en-le-Frith; Chesterfield; Cloughead; Coldmer; Compton; Cromford; Cutthorpe; Derby; Dronfield; Duffield; Edlaston; Ford; Hallows; Hazlewood; Heanor; Hognaston; Hollington; Hoonhouse; Hopton; Langley; Little Eaton; Little Ireton; Little Over; Loscoe; Marehay; Morylease; Newton; Norton; Osmaston; Over; Repton; Ripley; Roadnook; Sandiacre; Smithsby; Stenson; Stephenson; Ticknall; Tideswell; Twyford; Wirksworth; Wold.

Congregational.—Alfreton; Chesterfield; Dale; Derby; Heartshay; Pentridge; Ranson; South Winfield; Stapenhill; Twyford.

Baptist.—Dronfield; Glossop.

Undefined.—Chaddesden; New built meeting-house, Delp, Duffield parish.

DEVON.

Presbyterian.—Appledore; Artington; Ashburton; Aveton Gifford; Barnstaple; Bideford; Boudon; Bradninch; Bridgrule; Brixham; Brixton; Broadhembury; Buckerell; Buckfastleigh; Bucklye in Sidbury; Chittlehampton; Christow; Chudleigh; Chulmleigh; Collumpton; Crediton; Credy; Cruse Morchard; Culliton (Collaton or Colyton); Culmstock; Dartington; Dartmouth; Dawlish; Denbury; Dinscombe in Salcombe; Dunkeswell; Dunsford; East Down; Ermington; Exeter; Farndon; Ford in Chivelstone; Gittisham; Halberton; Hartland; Hatherleigh; Hemiocke; Holsworthy; Honiton; Kenn; Kentisbeare; Kingsbridge; Lapford; Little Modbury; Littleham; Loxbeer; Luppit; Lyfton; Manaton; Marldon; Membury; Milton in Harberton; Molland; Moreton; Musbury; Nether Exe; Newton Abbott; Northam; Ogwell; Olliscombe; Otterton; Ottery St. Mary; Plott near Thorncombe; Plymouth; Plympton; Powderham; Pyworthy; Romansleigh; Rose Ash; Salcombe; Sampford; Satterleigh; Shaugh; Shebbeare; Sheldon; Shobrook; Sidmouth; Silverton; South Molton; Staverton; Stokenham; Stonehouse; Talaton; Tavistock; Teignmouth; Tettcott; Thorncombe; Thornton; Tiverton; Topsham; Totnes; Trusham; Ugborough; Uffculme; Uplowman; Werrington; Wolborough; Woodbury; Woodley; Woolfardisworthy.

Congregational.— Ashburton; Axminster; Barnstaple; Bideford; Bishops Clift; Bowood in Harpford; Brent; Buckfastleigh; Collumpton; Crediton; Dartmouth; Exeter; Fordington; Frithelstock; Sampford Peverell; Shute; South Molton; Tavistock; Tiverton; Topsham; meeting-house at Totnes; Uplowman.

Baptist. — Bampton; Dartmouth; Exeter; Honiton; Tiverton.

Presbyterian and Congregational. — Sidmouth.

DORSET.

Presbyterian. — Beaminster; Bettiscombe; Bothenhampton; Bradford Abbas; Bradpols; Broadwindsor; Burstock; Cerne; Chideock; Dalwood; Dorchester; Folke; Gillingham; Haselbury; Hawkchurch; Holton; Leigh; Lewestone; Lyme; Maiden Newton; Marshwood; Marveyhall; Milton Abbas; Morden; Motcombe; Netherbury; Over Compton; Poole; Pulham; Shaftesbury; Sherborne; Stalbridge; Stour Provost; Sturminster Marshall; Sturminster Newton; Swillcots, Abbotstoke; Tarrant Muncton; Thornhill; Wareham; West Morden; Weymouth; Whitechurch; Wimborne; Winterbourne Kingston; Winterbourne Zelston; Wootton Fitzpaine.

Congregational. — Abbotsbury; Blandford; Bridport; Chaldon; Chideock; Dorchester; East Morden; Fordington; Hermitage; Horton; Over Compton; Ower; Poole; Puddleton; Quarleston, Stickland; Shaftesbury; Weymouth; Winfrith; Winterbourne Kingston.

Baptist. — Blandford; Chideockford; Corfe; Dorchester; Farringdon; Hushe; South Perrott; Tarrant Keynston; Wimborne.

Undefined. — Milton Abbas; Sherborne.

DURHAM.

Presbyterian. — Bishop Auckland; Brancepeth; Darlington; Durham; Lamesley; Stanhope in Wear Dale; Sunderland.

Congregational.—Stanhope in Wear Dale; Stockton; West Pans, near South Shields.

ESSEX.

Presbyterian.—Aldborough Hatch; Barking; Billericay; Birch Magna; Black Notley; Boyles; Boyshall near Halstead; Braintree; Brentwood; Chelmsford; Childerditch; Coggeshall; Colchester; Coopersale; Copford; Coyles; Cranham; Danbury; Dedham; Elmstead; Epping; Finchingfield; Gosfield; Great Dunmow; Great Easton; Great Sampford; Great Warley; Greenstead; Ham; Handon (? Horndon); Hanvill (? Haverhill); Havering; High Laver; Hornchurch; Leytonstone; Little Baddow; Little Coggeshall; Little Waltham; Littlebury; Loughton; Maldon; Margaretting; Marks Tey; Monis; Nether Chishall; North Weald; Pebmarsh; Piddleworth; Prittlewell; Rayne; Ridgewell; Romford; Shentills, Shenmills, or Shendfields, Margaretting parish; Sible Hedingham; South Weald; Springfield; Stamborne; Stapleford Abbot; Stebbing; Stratford; Thaxted; Theobalds; Upminster; Walthamstow; Weald; Wethersfield; White Colne; Wickham; Wivenhoe; Writtle.

Congregational.—Boxted; Brantery (? Braintree); Coggeshall; Colchester; Dunmow; Epping; Great Tey; Hatfield Regis; High Ongar; Little Hallingbury; Manningtree; Matching.

Baptist.—Matching.

Presbyterian and Congregational.—Dedham.

Undefined.—Debdon; Hutton.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—House of John Wilsebye; Beckford; Berkeley; Bitton; Bristol; Cirencester; Dymock; Glastry, Bristol; Horfield; Huntley; Kings Stanley; Little Dean; Longhope; Marshfield; Nailsworth; Ruardean; Shipton; Tedbury; Uley; Westerby; Wickwar; Winchcombe; Woodland; Wotton-under-Edge.

Congregational.—Ashchurch; Ashton; Bourton-on-the-Water; Bristol; Campden; Cleeve; Clonwell; Deerhurst; Dursley; Elington; Gloucester; Hope; Horsley; Longford; Oddington; Painswick; Ruardean; Stinchcombe; Stretton; Tedbury; Tewkesbury; Wickham; Winchcombe.

Baptist.—Chipping Sodbury; Cirencester; Horton; Nymphsfield.

Undefined.—Farmcoate.

HAMPSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Alton; Andover; Ashmansworth; Bredland; Brockenhurst; Christchurch; Crundall; East Woodhay; Easton near Andover; Eling; Emsworth; Farnborough; Fordingbridge; Gosport; Havant; Hayling Island; Heeth (? Hythe); Hursley; Kingsclere; Longstock; Lower Clatford; Lymington; Moyles Court; Newport, Isle of Wight; North Hayling; Odiham; Portsmouth; Ringwood; Romsey; Roude, Godshill parish, Isle of Wight; Ropley; Southampton; Stanton; Upper Clatford; Winchester.

Congregational.—Andover; Binsted; Castlehold, Isle of Wight; Clatford; Droxford; Fareham; Gosport; Heeth (? Hythe); Longparish; Lymington; Nether Wallop; Romsey; St. Nicholas parish, Newport; South Stoneham; Southampton; Southwick; Swanwick; Titchfield; West Court; Weston, near Southampton; Wherwell; Yarmouth.

Baptist.—Bishops Waltham; Broughton; Carisbrooke; Over Wallop; St. Mary Bourne; West Cowes; Whitchurch.

Undefined.—Sutton.

HEREFORDSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Billfield; Bromyard; Colwall; Eyton; Hereford; Ledbury; Leintwardine; Leominster; Orleton; Pencombe; Ross; Tedston Delamere; Thornbury; Upper Sapey.

Congregational.—Hereford; Ross; Weston-under-Penyard.

Baptist.—Clifford Priory; Hereford; Leominster; Moccas; Wharton.

Undefined.—Kington.

HERTFORDSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Abbots Langley; Bishop Stortford; Chipping Barnet; Garston; Hatfield; Hitchin; Little Berkhampstead; Little Hadham; Paul's Walden; Punsborne House, Hatfield; Sawbridgeworth; Ware; Watford.

Congregational.—Ashwell; Cheshunt; Flamstead; Harpenden; Hertford; Hitchin; Preston; Royston; St. Albans.

Baptist.—Cheston (? Cheshunt); Pirton.

HUNTINGDONSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Bury; Fen Stanton; Hemingford; Long Overton; Old Weston; Rardy (? Ravely); Woodhurst.

Congregational.—Abbotsley; Kimbolton; Midlow; Molesworth; Upthorpe; Wornditch.

Baptist.—Ellington; Fen Stanton; Godmanchester; St. Ives; Warboys.

Undefined.—Ramsey.

KENT.

Presbyterian.—Beckenham; Bekesbourne; Canterbury; Cranbrook; Darington; Dover; Goudhurst; Horsmonden; Hythe; Lenham; Margate; Mistoll House, Chartham; Molash; Ramsgate; Rochester; Rolvenden; St. Faith's Green, Maidstone; Sandwich; Sevenoaks; Staplehurst; Tenterden; Town Malling; Westerham; Wittersham; Woolwich; Wootton Court; Wye.

Congregational.—Adisham; Ashe; Almnery Hall, Langport, Canterbury; Canterbury; Fairlawns; Greenwich; Lamberhurst; Sandwich; Sutton; Tenterden,

Baptist.—Biddenden; Boughton; Charing; Chatham; Cranbrook; Dover; Frittenden; Hawkhurst; Headcorn; Isle of Oxney; Lenham; Lower Deal; Marden; Mersham; Midleton (? Milton); Norgame (?); Rolvenden; St. Mary Cray; Smarden; Staplehurst; Tenterden; Wye.

Presbyterian and Congregational.—Ash parish, near Sandwich; Canterbury; Deal; Lower Deal.

Undefined.—Ashford; Beckenham; Cockainhill (? Crockenhill); Goudhurst; Wingham.

LANCASHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Ashton; Bent or Chowbent; Berks; Blackburn; Blacklie; Bolton; Bolton-by-the-Sands; Bury; Chishull; Chorlton, Manchester; Cockerham; Coppull; Dean; Eccles; Ellel; Elston; Farnworth; Garstang; Golbourn; Hardshaw; Heaside near Oldham; Hindley; Hoghton; Holcombe; Holcombe, Tottington, Courthouse at; Horwich; Lancaster; Little Hilton; Liverpool; Longridge; Lower Kellett; Manchester; Mellor; Middleton; Newton, Manchester; Oldham; Ormskirk; Pilkington; Prescott; Preston; Prestwich; Rivington; Rochdale; Salford; Samslebury; Sankey; Standish; Tottington; Toxteth Park; Upper Darwen; Waldenmore, Eccles; Warrington; Whiston; Wigan; Winwick; Withnell; Woolton; Yate Bank.

Congregational.—Altington, Salford; Blackburn Hundred; Cartmell or Furness Fell; Dedminclough; Elswick Lees, St. Michael's parish; Entwisle; Farington; Hoddesden, Blackburn; Rochdale; Sharples; Singleton Grange, Kirkham parish; Toxteth Park; Turton; Ulverston; Warrington; Wigan; Wymondhouses, Blackburn Hundred.

Baptist.—Manchester.

Meeting-houses. Presbyterian:—Chewbent; Cockey Moor; Coppull; Goosenard; Hardshaw; Hindley; Longridge; Ormskirk; Rainford; Rivington; Sankey; Tockholes, Blackburn Hundred.

Congregational:—Bolton; Langoe Green, Blackburn.

Undefined:—Blackburn; Blacklie; Ellel.

LEICESTERSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Ashby de la Zouch; Ashby Magna; Bagworth; Barwell; Bitteswell; Blaby; Burbage; Cadeby; Castle Donington; Church Langton; Cottesbach; Desford; Drayton; Enderby; Glenfield; Great Bowden; Hacklestat; Harborough; Higham; Hinckley; Horninghold; Ibstock; Kegworth; Leicester; Littleworth (? Lutterworth); Loughborough; Lubenham; Market Harborough; Misterton; Mowsley; Narborough; Nether Claybrook; Normanton; Orton-on-the-Hill; Osgathorpe; Pickwell; Ratcliff Culey; Rearsby; Rothley; Sapcote; Saxby; Shawell; Sketchley; Stapleton; Stoke; Stokegolden; Swinford; Thorne- ton; Ullesthorpe; Upper Kibworth; Walcote; Walton; West Langton; Westerby; Wigston; Witherley.

Congregational.—Leicestershire (no particular place); Castle Donington; Dyesworth Grange; Fleckney; Great Bowden; Husbands Bosworth; Kilby; Mount Sorrel; Tonge in Breedon; Tur Langton; Wanliff Grange; Wigston Magna.

Baptist.—Barwell; Bosworth; Earl Shilton; Fleckney; Kilby; Leicester; Lubenham; Lutterworth; Mowsley; Ratby; Rolleston; West Langton.

Presbyterian or Congregational.—Theddingworth.

Undefined.—Barlestone; Little Wigston; Ratby; Stretton Parva; Thorneton.

LINCOLNSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Ashby de la Launde; Boston; Frieston in Caythorpe; Fulbeck; Gainsborough; Glanford Bridge; Grantham; Leasingham; Lincoln; Linwood; Little Grimsby; North Ferryby; Osgodby; Spalding; Stamford; Stickford; Swinderby.

Congregational.—Great Grimsby; Kirton; Leasingham; Little Grimsby; Somercoate; Spalding; Tetney.

Baptist.—Bassingham; Boston; Brattleby; Brent (Brant) Broughton; Carleton Moorland; Cherry Willingham; Easton; Frampton; Hackthorn; Higham; Ingoldsby; Lincoln; Manthorpe; Moorland; North Willingham; Pinchbeck; Scotter; Stamford; Stickford; Stragglethorpe; Sutton St. Edmund's; Thirlby; Wierell.

Undefined.—Skirbeck.

LONDON.

Presbyterian.—Curriers' Hall, St. Alphege; Countess of Exeter's House, Little Britain; Westmoreland House, Bartholomew Close; the George, Smithfield; the Old Theatre, Vere Street; houses in:— Bartholomew Lane; Basinghall Street; Blue Anchor Alley, White Cross Street; Broad Street; Bunhill Fields; Buky Lane, Wapping; Cheapside; Cherry Tree Alley, St. Giles' Cripplegate; Court Yard, Bermondsey; Covent Garden; Cow Lane; Cripplegate; Deadman's Place, Southwark; Dowgate; Farthing Alley, St. Olave's, Southwark; Globe Alley, Wapping; Gracechurch Street; Gray's Inn Lane, St. Andrew's, Holborn; Great Queen Street; Hand Alley, Bishopgate within; Hatton Garden; Horne Alley, Aldersgate Street; Horsleydown, Southwark; Jerusalem Alley, Gracechurch Street; Jewin Street; King's Head Court, Beach Lane; Lime Street; Maid Lane; St. Saviour's, Southwark; Middle Moorfields; Mugwell Street; Philpot Lane; Ropemakers' Alley, Little Moorfields; St. Anne's Lane, Westminster; St. Botolph, Bishopsgate; St. Giles', Cripplegate; St. John's Close; St. John's Court, Cow Lane; St. Mary Abchurch; St. Mary Somerset; St. Olave's, Southwark; Salisbury Street, Ber mondsey; Southwark; Spitalfields; the Spital; the Strand; Talbot Court, Gracechurch Street; Tower Hill; Whitechapel; Whitefriars; Westminster; Wood Street. Houses near:— Blackfriars Church; Fetter Lane. New-built meeting-house, the New Way, Westminster. Places where Presbyterian ministers lived:—Austin Friars; Coleman Street; Cornhill; Fenchurch Street; Finsbury; Grub Street; Little Britain; St. Martin's, Westminster; Southwark; Spitalfields; Thames Street; Whitechapel; Whitecross Street.

Congregational.—Addle Street; Aldersgate Street; Bethnal Green; Cherry Tree Alley; Bunhill, Cripplegate; Cripplegate; Dowgate; Duke's Place; Exchange Alley; the Golden Still, Holborn; Hog Lane, St. Leonard's Shoreditch; Horse-shoe Alley, Little Moorfields; Leadenhall Street; Lime Street; London Bridge; Old Street, St. Giles', Cripplegate; Queenhithe; Red Cross Street; St. Clement's, Eastcheap; St. Giles', Cripplegate; St. Martin Orgars; St. Mary Aldermary; St. Olave's, Southwark; St. Sepulchre's; Stepney; Spital Yard; Thames Street; Upper Deptford; White's Alley, Little Moorfields; Winchester Street; Winchester Yard, Southwark. Houses near:—Miles Lane; The Hermitage, Wapping. Place where Congregational Minister lived:—Grub Street.

Baptist.—Aldersgate Street; Bell Lane, Stepney; Cornhill; East Smithfield; Little Moorfields; Cripplegate; Petty France; Southwark.

Places for which licences were refused. Presbyterian:—The Glass House, Broad Street; Haberdashers' Hall. Congregational:— Loriners' Hall. Baptist:—John Martin's House, White's Alley, for the Anabaptist meeting, Coleman Street.

MIDDLESEX.

Presbyterian.—Brentford; Chiswick; Clapton in Hackney; Enfield; Hackney; Hammersmith; Hayes; Highgate; Hornsey; Hounslow; Isleworth; Islington; Kingsland; Newington Green in Islington; Old Brentford; Staines; Stoke Newington; Twickenham; Uxbridge; Willesden.

Congregational.—Child's Hill, Hampstead; Hammersmith; Pinner; Uxbridge; Willesden.

Undefined.—Hackney.

MONMOUTHSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Bettws; Caldicot; Mynyddyslwyn.

Congregational.—Aberystruth; Caerwent; Caldicot; Christchurch Parish; Henllys; Llangibby; Llangwm; Llantarnam; Llantrissant; Llanwenarth; Magor; Marshfield; Mynyddyslwyn; Newport; Raglan; Shirenewton; Undy.

Baptist.—Abergavenny; Bedwellty; Llantiliopertholey.

NORFOLK.

Presbyterian.—Banwell (Bunwell); Cawston; Diss; Fersfield; Holt; Kenninghall; King's Lynn; North Repps; Norwich; Pulham Mary; South Lopham; South Repps; Tharston; Tibenham; Wymondham.

Congregational.—Alburgh; Barford; Cawston; Denton; Dickleburgh; Dilham; Diss; East Dereham; Foxley; Guestwick; Hanworth; Ingham; King's Lynn; Lammas; Norwich; Oulton; Overstrand; Oxwick; Pulham; Redenhall cum Harleston; Rushall; Stratton St. Michael; Trunch; Tunstead; Walsoken; Wellingham; Witton; Wortwell cum Alburgh; Wymondham; Yarmouth.

Baptist.—East Ruston; Hedenham; Ingham; Mundham; North Walsham; Norwich; Yarmouth.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Adston; Ashley; Castle Garth; Cransley; Daventry; Dogsthorpe; Eybury; Great Addington; Green's Norton; Higham Ferrers; Islip; Kettering; Kilsby; Little Bowden; Meares Ashby; Nassington; Newton; Northampton; Oakley Magna; Oundle; Peterborough; Polebrooke; Ringstead; Sibbertoft; Sulgrave; Titchmarsh; Wappenham; Warmington; Weedon; Welford.

Congregational.—Brafield in the Green; Brigstock; Cranford; Denton; Duncott; Geddington; Isham; Kettering; Kingscliffe; Meares Ashby; Newton; Northampton; Oundle; Rothwell; Rus[h]den; Thorp Malsor; Titchmarsh; Twywell; Wellingborough; Wilbarston; Wollaston; Woodford; Yardley.

Baptist.—Eye; Peterborough; Sibbertoft.

Undefined.—Little Bowden.

NORTHUMBERLAND.

Presbyterian.—Alnwick; Belsay; Berwick; Bolam; Bowlorne (? Bowsden); Dalton; Fallowlees; Harrop; Newcastle; North Shields; Scarby Castle; Wolsington.

Congregational.—Kirkley; Morpeth; Newcastle; Ovingham; Ponte land.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Adbolton; Beeston; Bingham; Blyth; Bole; Carburton; Clipston Ironwood; Eastwood; Greasley; Halam; Mansfield; Newthorpe; Nottingham; Thrumpton; Watnall.

Congregational.—Arnold; Ashfield; Barton; Cotgrave; Flintham Kersall; Mardman (? Markham); Morton; North Collingham; Nottingham; Skegby; Woodburgh.

Baptist.—Carlton; Collingham; Muskham; Norwell; Scarle; Sutton.

Undefined.—Greasley.

OXFORDSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Adderbury; Banbury; Bicester; Caversfield; Dedd ington; Henley; Latchford; Maple Durham; Milton; Minsterworth; Nettlebed; Oxford; Radcot; Sandford; Stanton Harcourt; Witney; Woodstock.

Congregational.—Chipping Norton; Dorchester; Henley; Launton; Oxford; Radcot; Shiplake; Thame; Watlington; Worton.

Baptist.—Finstock; Oxford; Watlington; Witney; Wolvercot.

RUTLAND.

Presbyterian.—Caldecott; Exton; Kellthorpe; Kenton; North Luffenham; Oakham; Seaton; Uppingham.

Congregational.—Caldecott; Oakham; Stretton.

SHROPSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Alkinton, Whitchurch parish; Baschurch; Bettws; Bolas; Braginton; Bridgnorth; Cold Weston; Drexhill; Drayton; Hardwick; High Ercall; Hodnet; Hopton; Ludlow; the Moor; Oswestry; Prees; Presbury (?); Sheriff Hales; Shrewsbury; Stoke; Stoke upon Tearne; Wem; Whitchurch.

Congregational.—Ellesmere; Ludford; Marton; Milford; Much Wenlock; Oswestry; Round Acton; St. Martin's parish; Shrewsbury; Stretton; Sweeney; West Felton; Weston.

Undefined.—Albrington; Bovinghall; Newport; the Nant, Oswestry.

SOMERSET.

Presbyterian.—Abbotscombe; Abliscombe (?); Alcombe; Ashill; Ashpriors; Barrington; Barton Farm, near Bath; Batcombe; Bath; Bathford; Beckington; Bicknoller; Brewham; Bridgwater; Broadway; Broomfield; Buckland; Chard; Chenstock (Chew Stoke); Coat; Coombe Abbey (Combe Abbas); Crewkerne; Crickett; Curry Mallet; Doulting; Dulverton; Dunkerton; East Chinnock; Farnicombe; Fivehead; Freshford; Frome; Glastonbury; Hide in West Monkton parish; Hill Bishop; Hinton St. George; Ilchester; Ilminster; Keynsham; Kilmersdon; Kingston; Kingsbury; Langport; Lavington (? Laverton); Load; Lydiard St. Lawrence; Martock; Masson (? Marston); Merriott. Middlezoy; Milborne Port; Minehead; Monckton Combe; Monk Silver; Montacute; Nether Stowey; North Cadbury; North Petherton; Norton; Oaks; Otterford; Pensford; Pitminster; Priston; Shepton Mallet; Somerton; South Petherton; Southarp; Spargrove; Staplegrove; Stockland; Stogumber; Stoke Lane; Stoke Mary; Stoke Trister; Taunton; Templecombe; Thornfalcon; Thurloxton; Trull; Weeke; Wellington; Wells; West Monkton; Westbury; White Lackington. Whitehill; Whotley, Winsham parish; Wincanton; Winsham; Withypoole; Wiveliscombe; Woodford, Wells parish; Yatton.

Congregational.—Bruton; Kingston; Lotterford; Montacute; North Cheriton; Pikney (? Pitney); Taunton; Templecombe; Stoke; Yeovil.

Baptist.—Ashbrittle; Axbridge; Bridgwater; Cheddar; Croscombe; Frome Selwood; Glastonbury; Horrington; Kilmington; Little Whatley; Minehead; North Perrott; Pitminster; Wells; Whatley; Wincanton; Witham Friary.

Presbyterian or Congregational.—Bruton.

Undefined.—Curry Rivell; Shepton Mallet; St. Mary Stoke.

STAFFORDSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Balham; Betley; Burton; Cannock; Darlaston; Ecclesall; Fisherwick; Handsworth; Horninglow; Kingswinford; Leek; Lichfield; Longdon; Newcastle; Northall; Oaken; Over Markfield; Ronton Town: Rowley Regis; Rugeley; Seabridge; Sedgley; Stafford; Stoke; Tatenhill; Walsall; West Bromwich; Weston-on-Trent; Wolverhampton.

Congregational.—Copley; Dudley; Fauld; Ingodsell (Codsall); Morton (Moreton or Moorton); Oaken; Orton; Patshull; Supton; Tamworth; Thornilane; Wednesbury.

Baptist.—Audley; Burton.

Undefined.—King's Bromley; Lichfield; Rowley Regis; Wednesbury.

SUFFOLK.

Presbyterian.— Aldeburgh; Assington; Barking; Battisford; Bury; Clare; Coombes; Cowlinge; Creating; East Bergholt; Geesings in Wickham; Great Cornard; Hadleigh; Haughley; Haverhill; Hessett; Higham; Hundon; Hunston; Ipswich; Kelshall; Little Waldingfield; Nayland or Stoke Nayland; Nedging; Needham Market; Ousden; Ovington; Rattlesden; Reed; Rendham; Southwold; Spexhall; Stowmarket; Sudbury; Walpole; Walsham-le-Willows; Wattisfield; West Creating.

Congregational.—Ashfield; Beccles; Bury; Cookley; Debenham; Denham; Dunwich; Eye; Framlingham; Fressingfield; Gislingham; Hopton; Ipswich: Kessingland; Knodishall; Lowestoft; Middleton; Peasenhall; Rattlesden; Rickinghall; Sibton; Sileham; Spexhall; Sudbury; Sweffling; Walpole; Waybread; Westleton; Winkfield; Winston; Woodbridge.

Baptist.—Bungay.

Congregational and Baptist.—Bungay.

Undefined.—Brockford; Bury; Stowmarket; Weatheringsett.

Presbyterian.—Meeting-house at Wrentham.

SURREY.

Presbyterian.—Bagshot Park; Battersea; Bletchingley; Clapham; Cobham; Croydon; Dorking; Egham; Farnham; Frimley; Godalming; Guildford; Kennington, Lambeth; Kingston; Limpsfield; Oxstead; Pirbright; St. Mary Magdalen parish; Sandplace, Dorking; Stonestreet in Ockley; Walton on Thames.

Congregational.—Croydon; Dorking.

Baptist.—Chertsey; Croydon; Effingham; Elstead; Gadbrook. Presbyterian and Congregational. — Mortlake.

SUSSEX.

Presbyterian.— Arundel; Ashington; Balcombe; Billinghurst; Birdham; Brightling; Burwash; Chichester; Ditchling; East Dean; East Grinstead; East Wittering; Funtington; Goring Lee in Shipley; Hartfield; Hastings; Hellingly; Horsham; Kingston; Lewes; Lindfield; Little Horsted; Lurgashall; the Manhood; Mayfield; New Shoreham; Pagham; Petworth; Plumpton; Preston; Sedlescombe; Siddlesham; Street; Thakeham; Waldron; West Horley; Westminton (? Westmeston); Wivelsfield.

Congregational.—Arundel; Balcombe; Brighthelmstone; Chichester; Hailsham; Isfield; Lewes; Mayfield; Midhurst; Sedlescombe; Shipley; Thakeham; West Stoke.

Baptist.—Chichester; Hastings; Mountfield.

WARWICKSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Anstey, Coventry; Atherstone; Austrey; Birmingham; Borsewell Heath; Coleshill; Copston Magna; Coventry; Fillongley; Great Coughton; Hartshill; Kenilworth; Kingsbury; Mancetter; Merevale; Nether Whitacre; Newnham Regis; Rugby; Shiltington; Southam; Stonleigh; Sutton Coldfield; Tanworth; Warwick; Weddington; Whitacre; Withybrook; Wolvey.

Congregational.—Birmingham; Coventry.

Baptist.—Atherstone; Brandon; Burton; Long Lawford; Nuneaton; Shilton; Whittington.

WESTMORELAND.

Presbyterian.— Heversham; Kendal; Whinfell.

Undefined.— Kendal.

WILTSHIRE.

Presbyterian.— Aldbourne; Bower Chalk; Bradford; Bromham; Calne; Castlecombe; Chippenham; Clack; Damerham; Donhead; Downton; Durrington; Enford; Ferne; Figheldean; Great Durnford; Horningsham; Idminston; Knoyle; Martin; Netheravon; Nettleton; Newton Toney; Nunton; Poulshot; Ramsbury; Salisbury; Seend; Sherstone; Stoke; Stowford in Winkfield; Sutton Mandeville; Teffont; Trowbridge; Upavon; Warminster; Westbury; Westport parish, Marlborough (Malmesbury).

Congregational.— Alton in Barnes; Chilton Lodge; Devizes; Maiden Bradley; Marlborough; Salisbury; Southwick; Westbury.

Baptist.— Bedford (? Bulford); Birdlime's Farm, Idmiston; Bradford; Broadchalk; Cockerton, Deverill Longbridge; Deverill Longbridge; Devizes; Earl Stoke; Little Amesbury; Malmesbury; North Bradley; Salisbury; Stowford, parish of South Newton; Trowbridge; Weeke; Westport, Malmesbury; Whitley.

Presbyterian or Congregational.—Newton Toney.

WORCESTERSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Bewdley; Bromsgrove; Eastham: Hagley; Honeybourne; Kidderminster; King's Norton; Old Swinford; Oldbury, Halesowen; Stambridge (? Stourbridge); Suckley; Weathercock or Weatherock Hill; Withall; Worcester.

Congregational.—Birlington; Broadway; Bromsgroove; Evesham; Ombersley; Worcester.

Baptist.—Kyrewood.

Undefined.—Cropthorn; Dudley.

Presbyterian.—Meeting-house, King's Norton.

YORKSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Ackworth; Alne; Attercliffe; Badsworth; Beverley Bingley; Birstall; Bradford; Bremely near Leeds; Bridlington; Broadsworth; Calverley; Cawood; Cawthorne; Denby; Denton; Ellenthorpe; Trinity House, Greasebrooke; Halifax; Hazlehead, Peniston; Healy Manor; Holbeck; Hopton; Hull; Hunsley; Kirkburton; Kirkby Malzeard; Lartington; Layton; Leeds; Little Askham; Mount Grace; Newland, near Hull; Northallerton; Nunmonckton; Osgoodby Grange; Peniston; Pontefract; Poppleton; Pudsey; Rotheram; Rushmilne; Sandal Magna; Selby; Sheffield; Shellove; Sherburn; Shercliffe Hall; Stonegrave; Tadcaster; Tanshelfe; Thurnesco Grange; Thurscoe; Wakefield; Wath Hall house upon Derne; West Tanfield; Wistow; York.

Congregational.—Anlaby; Morley in Batley parish; Birstall; Bradford; Clapwell; Guiseley; Fishlake; West Hall in Hatfield; Haughton; Helaugh; Horbury; Hull; Kildwicke in Craven; Leeds; Newland; Sheffield; Sherburn; Swath; Tadcaster; Thornton, Bradford parish; Topcliffe; the Kilnhouse, Flanshaw Lane, Wakefield; West Ardsley; York.

Baptist.—Horton, near Bradford; York.

Antinomian.—Tonge.

Presbyterian and Congregational.—Kirk Sandall Hall.

Undefined.—Ecclesall, Bradford.

Presbyterian.—New-built meeting-houses at Hull. and at Quarrel Hill, Sowerby.

Congregational.—New-built meeting-house at Idle.

BRECONSHIRE.

Congregational.—Kaingon; Llanvigan; Talgarth.

Baptist.—Llanafanfawr.

CARDIGANSHIRE.

Congregational.—Cardigan; Cellan; Dickewede (? Dihewid); Lampeter; Llanbadarn Odwyn; Llandewi Brefi; Llandysilio; Llanfair Treflygen.

CARMARTHENSHIRE.

Congregational.—Kenarth; Llanstephen; Penkader.

Baptist.—Llangenne&ceedil;h; Llannon.

CARNARVONSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Carnarvon; Llangybi.

Congregational.—Pentarich, near Pwllheli; Tuyn-y-coied; Yin-y-crye.

DENBIGHSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Wrexham.

Congregational.—Christionydd; Glimmin; Llanfair, Penyralt; Plas Teg; Ruabon; Ruthin; Wimllinglyn; Wrexham.

Undefined.—Kensfroid.

FLINTSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Broadoak near Hanmer; Bryn; Hanmer; Malpas.

GLAMORGAN.

Presbyterian.—Cardiff; Coitrehen; Cowbridge; Kildaudey; Neath; Swansea; Wenvoe.

Congregational.—Bishopston; Eglwysilan; Gelligaer; Kenfig; Llanfabon; Margam; Merthyr; Nicholaston; Roscilly; Swansea.

Baptist.—Bridgend; Llangewyth (? Llangenydd); Newton; St. Bride Swansea.

MERIONETH.

Congregational.—Bodvegny; Cynwyd; Errowgoyed; Llanegryn.

MONTGOMERY.

Presbyterian.—Newtown; Welshpool.

Congregational.—Bryng; Gwynly; Peniarth.

PEMBROKESHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Langynwyd; Uzmaston.

Congregational.—Haverfordwest; Kilgerran.

RADNORSHIRE.

Presbyterian.—Beguildy; Llangunllo.

Congregational.—Glascwm; Llanbister; New Radnor.

Baptist.—Llandrindod.

Undefined.—Llanfihangel, Nant Melan.

Some of the most remarkable facts that appear by the preceding tables are (1) the great strength of the Nonconformists in and about London and in the West. Deducting duplicates, London, Middlesex, Surrey, Essex, and Kent contain 272 ministers, and the four Western counties, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and Cornwall, 263, being respectively a little over and a little under 18 per cent. of the total number. (2) Their weakness in the four Northern counties and in Wales. In the former there were only 31, and in the latter only 45.

The results are different, however, when the different denominations are considered separately. The Presbyterians again, indeed, are strongest in the London and Western districts, but the position of each district is reversed, the Western counties having 192 ministers, or 23½ per cent. of the total, and London and the four adjacent counties 169, or about 19½ per cent. In the four Northern counties 22 out of the 31 ministers were Presbyterians, but in Wales only 11 of the 45 (fn. 4). They are the only denomination represented in every English county, and are fairly strong everywhere, having over 20 each in ten counties besides those mentioned above, and in only twelve do their numbers fall below 10. In Lancashire and Yorkshire they were strong, their numbers being just over 100 in the two counties.

The Congregationals or Independents are very differently distributed, though, like the Presbyterians, they are strongest in London and the four neighbouring counties, where 65 ministers, or about one-sixth of the whole, were licensed. On the other hand, in the other stronghold of the Presbyterians, the four Western counties, they are weak, mustering only 37, of whom 19 were in Devon. In Cornwall they were entirely unrepresented. Outside the London district they were strongest in Norfolk and Suffolk, being 23 in each, and in Gloucestershire, where they comprised nearly half of the number licensed, or 21 out of 43. In proportion to the size of the county, perhaps they were strongest in Bedfordshire, probably in consequence of Bunyan's influence, numbering no less than 20. In the Northern counties they were still weaker than the Presbyterians, being but nine, but in Wales the position was reversed, as they numbered 27 to the Presbyterian 11 (fn. 5), and were represented in every county except Anglesey and Flint. While in Yorkshire they were to the Presbyterians as 2 to 5, being 22 to 55, in Lancashire they were but 6 to the 46 of the Presbyterians, and in only 16 counties did their number exceed 10, while in 13 it was under 5.

The distribution of the Baptists is curiously local. Taking the London and the Western districts as wholes, the percentage of Baptists in them to the whole does not indeed strikingly differ from the percentage of Presbyterians in the same districts, being about 19 and 16 per cent. respectively, but the numbers are distributed very differently. In the former district no fewer than 24 out of 38 are in Kent, which is the only county in which they are more numerous than the other denominations, while in the latter 22 out of 33 are in Somerset. In Kent, again, more than half belong to a small district in the south-east, extending from what is now the line of railway from Headcorn to Ashford to the Sussex boundary, where nearly every village had a Baptist minister and meeting-place. In like manner in Somerset 15 out of the 22 were licensed for places situated in a strip along the Mendips from Axbridge in the west to Frome, Kilmington, and Wincanton in the east. The strong Baptist district in the west was, however, not the four Western counties, but Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset, which three counties contained nearly a quarter of the Baptist ministers. The other region where they were strong was Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire, where they numbered 40.

Thus in the six counties of Kent, Somerset, Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, 103 ministers were licensed, being one more than half of the total number in England and Wales. In the six Northern counties they had but two representatives in Yorkshire and but one in Lancashire, while seven other counties had none, and five only one apiece. In Wales there were but five, distributed over four counties. A peculiarity of their organization was that in numerous instances two or more ministers were licensed for the same place. For instance, in Somerset, Ashbrittle had three, and Bridgwater, Frome, and North Perrott two each.

The places licensed were for the most part dwellinghouses, but barns, outhouses, lofts, kiln-houses, and malthouses appear in the lists. In some cases, particularly in Lancashire, new meeting-houses were specially erected. In that county no less than twelve for Presbyterians and two for Congregationals are mentioned, besides three of which the denomination is not specified. In the adjacent county of Yorkshire two were licensed for Presbyterians and one for Congregationals. In London but one was licensed, Thomas Cawton's in Westminster for Presbyterians. In Cheshire and Suffolk and Worcestershire one each was licensed for Presbyterians and in Devon one for Congregationals.

A letter of 22 Jan. (Vol. III. p. 462) from Yarmouth mentions that "the Independents there go about for subscriptions towards building a new meeting-place, their old one having become too little for them. They have bought the ground of Major Burton, and, the writer is informed, have already got subscriptions for 800l."

At first, at any rate, the policy of the Government seems to have been to refuse licences for buildings of a public character. Thus licences, though granted to the Curriers' Hall (Vol. I. p. 274), were not granted to the Haberdashers' and Loriners' Halls (Vol. I. pp. 326, 327), the Town and County Halls at Nottingham, the Moot Hall at Newcastle (Vol. I. p. 333), the Guildhall at Salisbury, the New Hall at Chard, the schoolhouse and tolbooth at Berwick (Vol. I. pp. 313, 355), the West Hall at Hatfield, Yorkshire (Vol. I. p. 387), and the Shirehouse at Bury (Vol. I. p. 410).

Sometimes licensed persons tried to use consecrated chapels. E. Warren and Dr. Stratford, the Dean of Man chester (Vol. III. pp. 484, 504), describe the proceedings of John Jolly, a Presbyterian, who was licensed for Mr. Hyde's house at Norbury, Cheshire (Vol. III. p. 260), but who had broken into Norbury Chapel.

A warrant (Vol. III. p. 516) was in consequence issued to bring Jolly before the King. It appears from Calamy, Account of Ejected or Silenced Ministers, Vol. II, p. 124, that Lord Shaftesbury on Lord Delamere's intercession got Jolly off and procured his discharge.

Dr. Stratford also stated that Mr. Pike had lately obtained a licence to preach in Blakely Chapel in Manchester parish, on pretence that it was not consecrated, and that it was void of a minister, both of which allegations were false.

Regarding the general behaviour of the Nonconformists in Cheshire, Sir G. Shakerley wrote (Vol. III. p. 300) that the new licensed teachers there are so numerous and pretend to have so many licences that it is much to be doubted that they stretch, if not outgo, the commissions, by not only keeping the meetings at the very times, and, as it were, in contempt of the Church's Divine service, but by presuming to administer the Sacrament, but not according to the Liturgy. Their assemblies are already grown so full that the episcopal congregations look very thin.

On the declaration of the House of Commons that the Declaration of Indulgence was illegal, the informers set to work again, thus placing the magistrates in a dilemma. One of them wrote to Williamson that an informer had demanded of him a warrant against some conventicles. On the magistrate's telling him he had made one too lately, he answered he would sue him for his 100l., according to the Act. The magistrate therefore desired Williamson's advice, being very unwilling to offend the King, yet loth to venture the knave (p. 613).

The Irish papers are numerous and important, including many letters from Lord Essex, the Lord Lieutenant. Selections from these were edited in 1890 for the Camden Society by Mr. Airy from the Essex Papers in the Stowe collection in the British Museum. Such letters are not calendared in full, but only a reference is given to them as printed in Camden.

Early in October Lady Essex, the wife of the Lord Lieutenant, had a serious feverish attack (pp. 11, 20), but recovered (pp. 29, 86, 98). This was followed by the much more serious illness of the Lord Lieutenant (pp. 43, 59). A temporary improvement (pp. 86, 98) was succeeded by a relapse (pp. 143, 158). The disease was apparently a fever, but both he and his physicians concluded that the spleen was the principal part affected, with which he had been once before very grievously afflicted. With very much patience he endured the repetition of the methods of physic, of purging, vomiting, blistering, and scarifying (p. 158). In consequence of, or perhaps in spite of this treatment he recovered (pp. 170, 183, 186, 205, 226), though he was too weak to transact business till December. At one time there had been actually a report of his death (p. 186). Lady Essex's kinswoman, the fair Mistress Hammon, also fell ill, and died. She was buried privately in Christchurch, on 8th Oct. (pp. 20, 30). Lady Capel, the Lord Lieutenant's daughter, died in February. It was feared her death would cause her father's resignation (p. 601).

A modus vivendi was arranged between the Bishop of Derry and the leaders of the Londonderry Presbyterians in the riotous proceedings described in the last volume, on the terms of their holding no meetings in their house within the walls, unless they might do so without offence to the King and the Lord Lieutenant (p. 29). The Lord Lieutenant, in forwarding the Bishop's letter, complained that almost all the seditious preachers in Scotland, when banished, came over to Ireland, and suggested that notice should be given to the Chief Governors of Ireland by the authorities in Scotland when any of these seditious preachers were sentenced in Scotland, with their names, to prevent their harbouring in Ireland. The newly-appointed Bishop of Down thought it his duty to have personal interviews with the Presbyterians of his diocese, and prevailed so far that they were not afraid to appear before a bishop and discourse with him. He reported that "they speak honestlier than they are spoken of, and profess great loyalty to his Majesty and no opposition to his commands; wherein they cannot obey, flying to suffering. They deny any revilings of our Church, but a desire of serving in their own, declining all secular advantage or interest" (p. 632).

The rules for regulating Corporations, calendared in the last volume, were transmitted to England in October (p. 11). Objections were raised there by some pretended friends of the Roman Catholics on the ground that they were inconsistent with the King's letter of 26 Feb. (calendared in S.P. Dom., 1671–72, p. 166), which allowed Roman Catholics to inhabit and trade in corporate towns, and restored them to the privileges and immunities they had enjoyed in the reign of Charles I. To this it was answered that the rules had been submitted to the King, who referred them to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, by whom they were returned with several alterations. The Lord Lieutenant then passed them without any further changes. It was also pointed out that the proclamation, in accordance with the King's letter, extended only to freedom in Corporations and immunities for trade, while the rules related only to magistrates. Lord Conway wrote:—"If we had made no rules the Catholics could not be magistrates till they were elected, and we have not debarred that. The whole tenor of the King's letter expressly declared his intention was not to admit them into magistracy in Corporations, yet we left it as we found it, and made it neither better nor worse for them. As to making the Council here coordinate with the Lord Lieutenant in the approbation of those magistracies, this was first approved in England, next we did not think it unreasonable that those whom an Act of Parliament had made co-ordinate for regulation should be continued so for approbation, thirdly we of the Council must take this wholly on ourselves, for we were tenacious upon an odd accident. It happened at that instant debate there came in the horridest complaints against Lord Berkeley and Sir E. Leighton, about the election, alteration, and compulsion of men to sheriffs that ever were heard, and if the approbation had rested solely in the Lord Lieutenant we thought all the Corporations in Ireland might be sold at the pleasure of another Sir E. Leighton" (p. 75).

While the rules were under debate the Lord Lieutenant sent for Sir Nicholas Plunket and Col. Fitzpatrick, two prominent Roman Catholics, and acquainted them with them and with his plan for dispensing with the oath of supremacy for such Roman Catholics as should be thought fit for employ- ment in the corporations, and desired them to procure him a list of such men (pp. 64, 75).

The Lord Lieutenant asserted truly that there was nothing in the rules but what he had given an account of in his letter of 24 Aug., which the King had approved of, giving particular directions about the clause relating to the oath, to all which he had exactly conformed (p. 117).

Notwithstanding, on 5 November the execution of the rules was suspended, till the King with the Privy Council had deliberated thereon (p. 129).

The Lord Chancellor on 30 Nov. wrote (p. 226) that the only intention of some at least of the Privy Council had been to render the Roman Catholics more dependent on the king and his representatives, which they understood was the principal object of the liberty given to the Lord Lieutenant by the Act for regulating corporations, especially because it was much more agreeable to the late English Act for the same purpose. As to the oath of supremacy he inquired "whether some such oath were not requisite while we have a variety of people that scruple that oath as much as the Roman Catholics, and perhaps are more dangerous in their principles, in their numbers, and dependencies than they are. Besides this oath is to be dispensed with by the Lord Lieutenant, as he pleases, and in my opinion, his Majesty may dispense with it as to all persons if he shall think fit, so for what time he shall hold most convenient, and if so, I offer for your consideration, whether he does not keep all persons in a more strict dependence on himself and in a more continued sense of his favour by allowing a temporary dispensation he may recall at his pleasure, than by opening the gate of freedom to all at once, which perhaps he cannot so easily shut again, when occasion shall require it."

On 21 Dec. the Lord Lieutenant sent his answers to the objections, but requested that the King would defer his decision till Sir A. Forbes' arrival, except as regarded the rule about the Common Council of Dublin, which was pressing, as neither the old Council, which was chosen for life, could meet on account of the election of the new, nor the new on account of the suspension (p. 301).

On 14 Jan., the King wrote that he approved of all the elections made at Michaelmas (except such as the Lord Lieutenant had not thought fit to confirm), and in particular of the election of nine or ten Roman Catholics to the Common Council of Dublin, at the same time directing the Lord Lieutenant, till the question about the rules was decided, not to renew or grant any new charters to any corporate towns, and disclaiming any intention to infringe or weaken the Acts of Settlement and Explanation either by the late Commission of inspection, or by the indulgence to Roman Catholics (p. 432).

In several Corporations, disputed returns and disturbances at elections occurred. The Lord Lieutenant observed that they seemed to be influenced by some ill stars, which made them disorderly and tumultuous in their election of magistrates (p. 29). At Kinsale, there was a disturbance headed by Thomas Gookin, one of the well known family of that place, at the installation of John Suxbury, the Sovereign (p. 354). The matter eventually came before the Privy Council. At Limerick, John Halpin, a Roman Catholic, asserted that he had been elected second Sheriff, but that the Mayor, Sir G. Ingoldesby, and the Recorder, Standish Hartstonge, refused to recognize him. From the answer of the Mayor and Recorder it appears that Halpin's election was disputed by Phillipps, who had polled within one vote of him, that several Irish Roman Catholics, who had voted for Halpin, had been improperly put on the panel, and that they with the Common Council had accordingly declared Phillipps to be the true elected Sheriff. A full account of the matter is given in the papers calendared on pp. 545, 563–568, 581.

At Clonmel, one John Power, an inhabitant, demanded not only his freedom, but to be admitted as a burgess. On his refusing to produce documents to prove his rights, the Mayor declined to admit him, and he then instructed a friend, James Lee, to write to Sir Edward Scott, in England, to complain of the Mayor (pp. 568, 569). At the same place, the Mayor was insulted on his way to or from church on 5 Nov. (pp. 205, 581).

From these papers it appears that Daniel Arthur, a merchant of London, had money in his hands to defray the expenses of prosecuting the grievances of the Irish Roman Catholics in England (pp. 569, 581).

These proceedings caused the Lord Lieutenant to repeat the request he had made in his letter of 29 Oct. (p. 98), that the rule should be observed that no particular complaint of any injustice or oppression be admitted, unless it appeared the party first made his address to the Lord Lieutenant (p. 581). In the same letter he described "the irregular actings of some of the Romish persuasion, their forcibly seizing their lands and ousting the new proprietors," among others Col. Cary Dillon being forcibly dispossessed of the castle of Killymer, when above four-score Romanists refused to come to the Sheriff's assistance for giving possession according to law, the party in the castle being so strong that he could not do his duty. He also mentioned how Anthony Egan, a priest lately turned Protestant, had been assaulted by those of the Romish party, particularly by one calling himself Lord Castle Connell's son, and had been in danger of his life. A proclamation had been issued commanding all magistrates, justices, and others, to apprehend any who assaulted Egan or his servant, and to bring them before the Lord Mayor or a justice (p. 518). The Romish party had been encouraged by the proclamation of 21 Oct. (p. 71), issued in pursuance of the King's letter calendared in the last volume (p. 665), forbidding any civil proceedings for anything done during the late rebellion and war. The Earl of Orrery remarked in December (p. 329), "I do not doubt but too many would make the Protestant interest not only a drowning but also a drowned interest, but I will never believe they will be able to effect it, but, if for our sins they should, I desire to sink with it, for 'twill not be worth keeping above water when that is under it." The English interest was correspondingly encouraged (pp. 481, 584) by the King's declaration (pp. 432, 477) that he had no intention of weakening the Acts of Settlement.

Numerous papers relate to the alleged conspiracy of Capt. Thomas Walcott, who was afterwards executed for the part he took in the Rye-house plot. He was born in Warwickshire (next volume of the Calendar, p. 116), but his family had removed to Ireland. Irish Papists in 1641 had murdered his father, and turned all his children a-begging (p. 152). He had been Ludlow's captain-lieutenant (p. 152), and had estates in Clare and Limerick of the value of 700l. or 800l. per annum (p. 143). He had been looked upon as a man of much severe sense in his own way, was a very considerable person under Cromwell, and was a bigot in his persuasions (p. 144). Though reputed an Anabaptist (pp. 132, 143, 198), by his own account he belonged to the Congregational way (p. 153).

On 31 Oct. Walcott visited Capt. Thomas Cullen at his house at Ballynaclochy in Clare to speak to him on behalf of Mr. Watts, the clerk of the assessments of the county, whose place one Cornelius O'Molony was trying to get, and on other business. According to Cullen's account, Walcott desired to speak with him privately. They went into the garden where Walcott "bewailed the condition of the English in general, for the Irish were like to have all again, and wished himself out of the kingdom, for the King had given the Irish an Act of Indemnity. I said: Who can help it, if it be the King's pleasure ? He replied: If the English should stick together, their condition was not so desperate, but they may do well enough, and then said he would undertake to secure Limerick and the Castle, though he did not know how Dublin or any other place could be secured, but would secure Limerick with the help of the Militia. If they could keep it for one month, that would do the business. It being winter-time, they could not be besieged, and they would seize on the revenue, whether of Limerick or the kingdom he did not say. He said that the Tuesday before he discoursed with Capt. Maunsell of the condition of the English, and the Act of Indemnity, and further, that he, Walcott had expended 200l. of his own money to bring it to this pass, and that there was a great store of wool in Limerick, which they would send for Holland, and bring arms and ammunition from thence. That there were several thousands of Scots come into England by the King's command, and that the people were overawed with an army, and that I should hear further of this by another hand by to-morrow night" (p. 199, see also p. 121). To avoid O'Molony, whom Cullen spied eavesdropping in an arbour (pp. 153, 528), they went into the house, when Walcott read Cullen a paper "of the nature of a declaration, mentioning several grievances. That the King should establish Presbytery, according to his Coronation oath in Scotland, and that Popery and Prelacy should be suppressed; that the hearth-money should be put down; that in regard the privileges of Parliament and Magna Charta were not maintained, the people may dispense with the Oath of Allegiance; that the Duke of Buckingham and the Earl of Arlington should be called to account for making this war with the Dutch; that Sir G. Carteret should be called to account for some money that belonged to the soldiers of the Navy in the last Dutch war; that the Duchess of Cleveland should refund what she got out of the revenue; that the perpetual Parliament should be re-established, and what members are wanting should be elected; that the King employed the Earl of Inchiquin and his brother, being Papists, to command the English in Portugal, by which many of the Protestants were there lost" (p. 199, see also p. 121). Walcott's version was that on declaring his apprehensions of the Irish Papists, Cullen said, "We are well able to deal with them." Walcott replied, that "if the King would stand neuter, he doubted not but we were able to beat them into the sea." They immediately went into the house, where, on Cullen's recurring to the present state of affairs, Walcott said he hoped Limerick was and would be secure, and then he drew out a letter of news which he had copied from one sent to Lady Roscommon by Col. Jeffreys, late Registrar of the Court of Claims, which according to his recollection contained foreign news only. Walcott then observed that he was informed that the Duke of Lauderdale had raised 25,000 men in Scotland for the King's service, and that he heard 1,200 of them were on the English borders. Walcott utterly denied that he said anything about securing Limerick with a wet finger, or about Dublin Castle or any other castles or towns, or of holding out a month, and that he made any complaint against the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Arlington, Sir G. Carteret, or any other minister, and that there was any such thing in the said paper, and further denied that he had said anything about re-establishing the perpetual or Long Parliament, or of putting down Popery and Prelacy, and setting up Presbytery, arguing that, he being himself of the Congregational way, none would think he should be for the Presbyterian. He asserted that he understood he had adversaries that informed against him very falsely and maliciously, who had given out that they aimed at his life and fortune (pp. 152–154).

The next day Cullen told Capt. Edward FitzGerald of the above conversation, and Walcott having promised he should hear more from him they thought it better to wait, but not hearing anything they went early on the 2nd to the Earl of Thomond (pp. 126, 199). The Earl then wrote by FitzGerald to Sir F. Foulkes, the deputy governor of Limerick, to secure Walcott, who, finding he had left Limerick, sent four parties of horse in pursuit of him (pp. 121, 151, 199), and FitzGerald and Cullen the next, day gave information to the Earl of Inchiquin (pp. 120, 121, 200). Sir F. Foulkes by Lord Orrery's orders searched Walcott's house for papers, but nothing of consequence was found. The parties of horse could not find Walcott, but on the 8th he surrendered himself to Sir F. Foulkes, who sent him to the Earl of Thomond, to be examined (p. 151). Sir F. Foulkes was informed by Mr. Clignett, a naturalized Dutchman, that the paper mentioned in the information had been given, as Cullen had assured him, to Walcott by a Scotch minister, and that it was drawn up by some thousands of people there, and that Cullen had told him that Walcott had said the Scotch had reason to remonstrate what they did, and that he wondered the English did not do the like (p. 151).

Walcott was also accused of having on 3 Nov., at Sir N. Purdon's house at Ballyclogh, co. Cork, made inquiries of Richard Purdon, one of Lord Shannon's troop, about the strength of the garrison of Cork (p. 164), a conversation which Walcott denied, though he admitted being at Sir N. Purdon's (p. 406).

A further charge against Walcott was, that four or five years previously, being pleased at the courage one Westroppe had shewn in a fight at a tavern at Limerick, he said he would make him his cornet, if the King gave him a troop (pp. 200, 227, 277).

Walcott admitted that he had spoken a few words to Capt. Maunsell about the Irish, and that on his asking the news Maunsell said "Worse and worse," and that there was a proclamation for indemnifying the Irish (p. 406), words which Maunsell denied having any recollection of (p. 409).

It is hardly necessary to point out that the last three stories (if true) are quite compatible with Walcott's innocence.

A long paper calendared on pp. 336–337 points out the numerous improbabilities in Cullen's charge, such as the unlikehood of his choosing Cullen, with whom he had no intimacy, for a confidant, of his shewing him the alleged paper when he was in Cullen's power, and when Cullen had authority as a justice to seize both him and it, that no accessories to the alleged plot had been discovered, that Walcott had neither men, arms, nor money, for securing Limerick, that as to securing the revenue, it was principally in the Exchequer and under the control of the Government, and that no rational man could have conceived the project of sending wool to Holland for arms, considering the dangers of the seas, the season of the year, and the time before anything could be got from Holland. It is truly observed that there is nothing about these means in the original information to the Earl of Thomond (p. 132), though Cullen then declared he had nothing more to accuse Walcott of, and it is inferred they had been since invented. Some considerations are added to show that the accusation was maliciously brought. Walcott was further informed that Cullen and FitzGerald frequently conversed with Col. Talbot and some of the Irish titular bishops and clergy, who would be contented, as he believed, to cast any scandal on the English and Protestants in Ireland.

In a letter to the Earl of Thomond (p. 473), Walcott charges Cullen of designing by his perjured information to excuse his declining the King's service when called on duty, as after having 12 years' pay for staying at home when ordered on service he had laid down his commission, Lord O'Brien, too, considered Cullen a trepanner, and told him he was a base rascal, when Cullen asked him, if he had, before his information, seen or heard of Walcott's declaration (p. 528).

However, the matter was considered serious by the Lord Lieutenant and Council, a proclamation was issued commanding all officers and soldiers absent from their commands to repair forthwith to their respective quarters (pp. 193, 198, 205), and directions were given for a speedy and particular account of all the officers of the militia in Munster, with special orders for an extraordinary care of the citadels in Limerick (p. 198), and Walcott was ordered to be sent up under a strong guard to Dublin, where he was committed to close prison, and on 22 Jan. was shipped to England (p. 481), where he was committed to the Tower (p. 531).

Some of the English in Munster reported that Lord Broghill had a hand in the alleged plot (p. 432).

The case of Major William Low is an illustration of the danger men were exposed to by perjured witnesses. He had been a major in the Parliamentary army, and because he would not permit one of his neighbours to trespass on his grass, the man brought a charge of murder against him (p. 473). However, by Col. Blood's intervention, he was introduced to the King, who directed he should be pardoned (p. 111), which was done (pp. 137, 229).

The state of the finances continued to be unsatisfactory. The farmers of the revenue claimed defalcations or abatement of their rent on account of the war, and therefore detained part of the money they received on account of the Customs (pp. 28, 31). The Attorney-General of England thought that in the lease to them the words "foreign war" were designedly omitted, but that a clause in the demise of the Customs would reasonably entitle them to a defalcation, but reserved giving a positive opinion (p. 31). On 26 Nov. the farmers were permitted, on condition of immediately paying, out of the 21,000l. detained by them, 10,000l. to the Commissioners of the Treasury, half in Dublin, and half by good assignments in the country, to retain the balance till their claims to defalcations were heard, proceedings against them to be stayed in the meantime (p. 210). On 30 Nov. another King's letter declared that the claim of the farmers to 90 days' grace in payment of their quarterly rents was unwarranted, but directed that advantage should not be taken of their breach of covenant, if they paid the rents of each quarter within 31 days of each quarter day, and that the Commissioners of the Treasury should accept good assignments in the country for so much of the rents as they could not pay in Dublin (p. 228).

On the petition of the farmers for liberty to deduct out of the rents accruing after Christmas, 1672, the 70,000l. formerly advanced by them as security for payment of their rent, it was ordered (14 Dec.) that they might deduct and reimburse themselves 29,000l. out of the said 70,000l. by deducting 1,500l. out of the 3,000l. due from them on 30 Jan. for customs and imported excise, and by deducting 1,100l. out of the next 25 succeeding payments on the same account, that interest on the amount of the advance from time to time remaining unpaid at 10 per cent. per annum, be likewise allowed them by way of retainer, and that the balance of 41,000l. remain as security for the accruing rents to Michaelmas, 1675, when the farmers might retain the rent for that quarter, and all rents accruing due thereafter till they should be fully reimbursed the said advance and interest (p. 281).

They were, notwithstanding, on 18 Jan., 17,000l. in arrear besides various other sums unascertainable till their accounts were stated (p. 449). On 31 Jan. the Lord Lieuten- ant was directed to give effectual orders for stating what was due from the farmers from 15 March to 15 Jan. last, including the 11,000l., the balance of the 21,000l. mentioned in the letter of 26 Nov., and to cause the balance to be forthwith paid into the Treasury, except such part as he should think reasonable for the Treasury Commissioners to accept by good assignments into the country, and it was ordered that, till such balance be fully paid, no proceedings be taken about their claims for defalcations, and that he should take care that the rents accruing after 15 Jan. be constantly paid in, except such parts as they were allowed by the letter of 14 Dec. to retain, and, if they should delay to pay in their rents, not only those in arrear but those accruing, he was not only to cause proceedings to be taken against them in Ireland, but also, because most and the chief of the farmers resided in England, to certify what remained unpaid from time to time to the Lord High Treasurer, that further proceedings might be taken against those in England (p. 500). On the receipt of the last letter the Lord Lieutenant feared that the farmers would in consequence be pressed so hard by Lord Ranelagh's partners as would endanger the breaking of the farm, the inconveniences whereof, he feared, were not yet sufficiently apprehended in England (p. 545), and a few days later he wrote that the Commissioners of the Revenue had petitioned him to respite proceedings thereon till they had a return from the farmers in England. He had, nevertheless, ordered the Exchequer to proceed to the stating of their accounts, that so Lord Ranelagh and his partners might be in a capacity to recover the money against them. He wished that before such letters were dispatched, the farmers, as well as Lord Ranelagh, were acquainted with them, for often on second thoughts such orders had been revoked (p. 562).

Complaints were made of the rigour with which the Treasury Commissioners collected the quit-rents (p. 290), and that double, treble, and undue charges had been demanded from several persons (p. 329, 467). For instance, Viscount Clare wrote to Lord Brouncker, one of the Navy Commissioners, that, on his return to Ireland, he found his estate altogether waste, and not a person dwelling on it, by reason of a quit-rent the farmers of the revenue charged on it, so he could get none to draw the timber from the woods which he had bargained for (p. 480). In consequence, orders were given that, where double or undue process had been issued the parties concerned should be discharged without delay, and without payment of any fees (p. 450).

The farmers, to retaliate on Lord Ranelagh and his partners, sent over to England William Muschamp, one of their number, with a letter of recommendation from Col. Fitzpatrick (p. 134), who presented in January a long paper entitled Observations on the revenue at the time Lord Ranelagh and his partners contracted with the King, and concerning their proceedings, and what may be reasonably expected from their undertaking, in which various charges were made against them, and it was suggested that the King should determine the contract and re-assume the management of the Treasury (pp. 463–469). This paper contains much valuable information about the finances of Ireland. However, Lord Ranelagh's influence was strong enough to procure Muschamp's committal to prison (p. 483).

A paper calendared on p. 352 gives the numbers of the Army in Ireland according to the muster at the end of March, 1672, showing a total of horse, 61 officers, 66 trumpeters, 1,435 privates, and of foot, 143 officers, 162 sergeants, 219 corporals, 86 drummers, and 4,900 privates.

The Lord Lieutenant in October had made a list for putting the Army into regiments, but postponed issuing commissions till he heard what regiment the King intended Lord Roscommon to have (p. 98).

A King's letter of 26 Nov. (p. 211) after reciting that Lord Ranelagh and his partners had contracted to pay the arrears due to the Army on 25 Dec., 1670, by equal proportions, directed that the said arrears be discharged by twelve equal quarterly payments, the first to be paid at or before next Christmas (p. 211). Lord Ranelagh and his partners were accused of taking advantage of the necessities of the officers to make them compound for their arrears (p. 467), a practice forbidden by a proclamation of 18 Feb. (p. 584). The same proclamation directed that every person claiming any debt from officers or soldiers contracted between 28 July, 1662, and 25 March, 1670, for necessaries for themselves or their horses in their quarters, should prove the same as therein specified.

To provide for the pay of the regiments serving out of Ireland, it was ordered that the farmers should punctually pay into the Exchequer the money due to such regiments on the quarter days on which their rent was payable, not allowing any pretence of defalcation or days of grace to obstruct the punctual payments of so much of their rent (p. 77). The Lord Lieutenant, in reply, represented that the farmers were very bare of money, and that he feared they would daily grow more and more so. He promised, however, to be as instant as he could with them to make payment, but asked how, considering the covenant in their grant, that all provisions therein contained on the King's behalf shall be most largely construed against the King, and most largely and beneficially for the benefit of the farmers, they could be obliged to pay before the expiration of the days of grace. He added that if they failed in paying, none of them was in Ireland except the above mentioned Muschamp, a man of no wealth, so that the Treasury Commissioners would be forced to prosecute those in England. He feared their money would fall short, and that the King would be forced to use the law against them (p. 117). On 1 Feb. orders were repeated for the punctual payment by the farmers of the sums required for the pay of the Irish forces in England, amounting to 7,500l. a quarter, which was to be paid into the Exchequer on each quarter day or within 6 days after, but as to the balance leaving them the benefit of the 31 days of grace (p. 509).

The coasts being much infested by privateers, as no men-of-war could be conveniently spared for convoy, the Lord Lieutenant was directed to contract for the hire or purchase of the fittest ships to be had there, to be set out as men-of-war for convoying merchantmen, and to equip and employ the same as he thought best (p. 329). The Lord Lieutenant on receipt of the letter issued a commission to Lord Conway and others to consider and report on the business and to treat with the owners of suitable ships. They reported that there was only one fit ship on the Irish coasts, whose owners were already agreed with, being probably that offered by two shipowners of Belfast (p. 510). They also proposed ten ships for guarding the coasts, which the Lord Lieutenant thought were necessary to do it thoroughly, but if they got four or five, it would do very well, and be a great encouragement to trade (pp. 563, 564).

In a letter of 26 Oct. (p. 86) the Lord Lieutenant spoke of the general decay of trade, occasioned chiefly by the late Act, which strictly prohibited all trade between Ireland and the West Indian Plantations, to which there was formerly a considerable trade in beef, butter, and tallow, and other commodities, which now they had no place to vend. Lord Ranelagh, therefore, suggested that an estimate be made of the quantities of sugar and other West Indian commodities ordinarily consumed in a year in Ireland, and how many ships were ordinarily employed in bringing them, and that liberty to trade might be requested for such a number of ships, they paying besides the Irish customs what the duties in England would amount to (p. 31). Such a liberty of unlading at Cork was actually granted to a ship from Antigua which was too unseaworthy to continue her voyage to England (p. 83). Owing to the opposition of the English Commissioners of Customs (see Camden, p. 54) the project was abandoned.

The Lord Lieutenant was directed to ascertain the remainders and reversions in the Crown expectant on the reversion of estates tail, which prevented the proprietors from disposing of their estates to the best advantage, and to make grants thereof to such of the present proprietors of the present estates tail as were in being and not determined, or to such other persons as the Earl of Orrery and others should from time to time desire (p. 161), and such a grant was directed to William Sarsfield, of Lucan (p. 309).

In November James Shirley, whose trial is frequently mentioned in former volumes of the Calendar, was acquitted (p. 201).

On 5 Nov. the Privy Council of Scotland was ordered to make strict inquiry about certain tumultuary proceedings relating to a protestation against the election of the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and about the great convocation made about 4 or 5 Oct. of the meaner sort of people round the Town Council House, in the Parliament Court, and in the streets, and also to inquire who had been the stirrers up of the people to such unlawful practices and to report the same (p. 129).

Commissioners were appointed for visiting the four Universities, and the Treasury Commissioners were directed to have fortifications built at Stirling Castle according to the design of Slezer, the King's engineer in Scotland, and to provide a train of twelve brass guns (p. 224).

New liveries at the rate of 58l. 3s. 6d. sterling the suit were ordered for the trumpeters and kettledrummers of the Guards (p. 225).

On p. 338 is calendared the resolution of the Parliament in June or July offering the King 20,000 foot and 2,000 horse sufficiently armed, with provisions for 40 days, to march where he pleased within the three kingdoms for suppression of invasion or insurrection.

In February the Privy Council cited before them those of the Nonconformist ministers who had been indulged to vacant churches, and had not gone to them, to answer for their disobedience. They likewise requested the King, after the example of his grandfather, to grant a joint commission under the great Seals of both kingdoms for the trial and punishment of thefts and robberies on the Borders according to the Border laws (p. 529).

The Duke of Richmond and Lenox, ambassador to Denmark, when leaving an English frigate after dinner slipped and fell between the side of the ship and the boat, and was drowned (p. 248). The King, being informed that the estate of Lenox after the death of the Duke without issue male belonged to him as heir to Matthew, late Earl of Lenox, and that, when his grandfather, King James, gave the earldom of Lenox to M. d'Aubigny, whom he created the first Duke of Lenox, he did so on condition that, failing heirs male of his body, the estate should return to the King, and that there now remained no issue male of the body of the first Duke, directed the Treasury Commissioners to take possession of the charter-kists and evidents of the Lenox family and to open them, that inventories might be made of the same, and to send him a copy thereof with their opinion of his interest. If the original gift of the lordship of Aubigny or copies of it were found, a copy thereof was to be also transmitted (p. 431). The deceased Duke's offices of High Admiral and Lord Chamberlain of Scotland were conferred on the Duke of York and the Duke of Monmouth respectively (pp. 508, 634).

A memorial presented by the Swedish envoy relating to the procedures in Scotland against some ships alleged to be Swedish was transmitted to the Privy Council with orders to send it to the Court of Admiralty, who were to give a full and clear answer thereto (p. 185).

An abstract of a letter from Sir T. Lynch (pp. 478480) gives an account of the condition of Jamaica. On 5 Oct. there was a great hurricane at Barbados, in which many ships were lost (pp. 171, 233), while on the 17th Lord Willoughby of Parham, the new Governor, arrived from England (p. 628). In December a successful expedition started from Barbados against the Dutch island of Tobago, Capt. William Poole in the St. David escorting seven small vessels, which carried Sir Tobias Bridge and 600 men (p. 307).

On the other hand a report came of the capture of New York "in the West Indies" by the Dutch (p. 400).

A grant of Virginia was made to Lords Arlington and Culpeper (p. 591).

The fishery at Newfoundland was very bad, and three Dartmouth ships going there were cast away on the ice (pp. 15, 41).

An order in Council on the petition of the Royal African Company, which stated that persons attempting to invade the trade of themselves and the East India Company had laden ships with commodities vendible in no other parts of the world than those to which the said companies had exclusive rights of trading for the purchase of negroes, directed that the ships be stopped forthwith (p. 295). The two ships in question were discharged, on giving security not to trade between Sallee and the Cape, or eastward of the Cape (p. 321.)

The agent and Council at Fort St. George (Madras) complained of the conduct of their neighbours, the French at St. Thome (p. 381).

At Guernsey, Castle Cornet was struck by lightning on 30 Dec. By the explosion of the magazine eight persons were killed, and several dangerously wounded, among them Lord Hatton, the Governor of the island. His wife and mother were among those killed. Their bodies were brought over to England (p. 404). All the buildings were levelled, and scarce a foot of wall or timber was fit to be used again. The castle, however, remained very defensible, its outward precincts, batteries and platforms being entire, and the inward wall not impaired so much as to tempt an enemy (p. 462).

F. H. BLACKBURNE DANIELL.