d when he learned that it had been determined at
Whitehall to recall him, and to appoint, as his successor, his rival
and calumniator, Tyrconnel. [189] Then for a time the prospect seemed
to clear; the King was in better humour; and during a few days Clarendon
flattered himself that his brother's intercession had prevailed, and
that the crisis was passed. [190]

In truth the crisis was only beginning. While Clarendon was trying to
lean on Rochester, Rochester was unable longer to support himself. As
in Ireland the elder brother, though retaining the guard of honour, the
sword of state, and the title of Excellency, had really been superseded
by the Commander of the Forces, so in England, the younger brother,
though holding the white staff, and walking, by virtue of his high
office, before the greatest hereditary nobles, was fast sinking into a
mere financial clerk. The Parliament was again prorogued to a distant
day, in opposition to the Treasurer's known wishes. He was not even told
that there was to be another prorogation, but was left to learn the news
from the Gazette. The real direction of affairs had passed to the cabal
which dined with Sunderland on Fridays. The cabinet met only to hear the
despatches from foreign courts read: nor did those despatches contain
anything which was not known on the Royal Exchange; for all the English
Envoys had received orders to put into the official letters only the
common talk of antechambers, and to reserve important secrets for
private communications which were addressed to James himself, to
Sunderland, or to Petre. [191] Yet the victorious faction was not
content. The King was assured by those whom he most trusted that the
obstinacy with which the nation opposed his designs was really to be
imputed to Rochester. How could the people believe that their Sovereign
was unalterably resolved to persevere in the course on which he had
entered, when they saw at his right hand, ostensibly first in power and
trust among his counsellors, a man who notoriously regarded that course
with strong disapprobation? Every step which had been taken with the
object of humbling the Church of England, and of elevating the Church of
Rome, had been opposed by the Treasurer. True it was that, when he
had found opposition vain, he had gloomily submitted, nay, that he had
sometimes even assisted in carrying into effect the very plans against
which he had most earnestly contended. True it was that, though he