they were discovered. "The family being ruined upon the death of Sir
Kenelm's son, when the executors were looking out for writings to make
out the titles of the estates they were to sell, they were directed by
an old servant to a cupboard that was very artificially hid, in which
some papers lay that she had observed _Sir Kenelm_ was oft reading.
They, looking into it, found a velvet bag, within which, there were two
other silk bags, (so carefully were those relics kept) and there was
within these a collection of all the letters that _Sir Everard_ writ
during his imprisonment."

A few extracts will show what his sentiments were concerning the plot.

"Now, for my intention let me tell you, that if I had thought there had
been the least sin in the plot, I would not have been of it for all the
world; and no other cause drew me to hazard my fortune and life, but
zeal to God's religion. For my keeping it secret, it was caused by
certain belief, that those which were best able to judge of the
lawfulness of it, had been acquainted with it, and given way unto it."

"Now, let me tell you, what a grief it hath been to me, to hear that so
much condemned, which I did believe would have been otherwise thought on
by Catholics."

"Oh! how full of joy should I die, if I could do any thing for the cause
which I love more than my life."

On the proceedings which were to have been adopted in the event of the
success of the plot, Sir Everard remarks:

"There was also a course taken to have given present notice to all
princes, and to associate them with an oath, answerable to the league in
France."

Respecting the pope's concurrence he has the following passage:

"Before that I knew any thing of the plot, I did ask Mr. Farmer, what
the meaning of the pope's brief was: he told me that they were not
(meaning priests) to undertake or procure stirs; but yet they would not
hinder any, neither was it the pope's mind they should, that should be
undertaken for Catholic good. I did never utter thus much, nor would not
but to you; and this answer, with Mr. Catesby's proceedings with him and
me, gave me absolute belief that the matter in general was approved,
though every particular was not known."

Then alluding to the presence of some Romanist peers at the opening of
parliament, he adds:

"I do not think there would have been three worth saving that should
have been lost."

In another letter he observes:

"I could give unanswerable r