ther to persuade the King
that he ought not to be present. But all this had little
encouragement, not being seconded. Copys going about everywhere, one
of them was brought into the Lords' House, and Lord Lucas was asked
whether it was his. He sayd part was, and part was not. Thereupon
they took advantage, and sayed it was a libel even against Lucas
himself. On this they voted it a libel, and to be burned by the
hangman. Which was done; but the sport was, the hangman burned the
Lords' order with it. I take the last quarrel betwixt us and the
Lords to be as the ashes of that speech. Doubtless you have heard,
before this time, how Monmouth, Albemarle, Dunbane, and seven or
eight gentlemen, fought with the watch, and killed a poor bedle.
They have all got their pardons, for Monmouth's sake; but it is an
act of great scandal. The King of France is at Dunkirke. We have no
fleet out, though we gave the Subsidy Bill, valued at eight hundred
thousand pounds, for that purpose. I believe, indeed, he will
attempt nothing on us, but leave us to dy a natural death. For
indeed never had poor nation so many complicated, mortal, incurable,
diseases. You know the Dutchess of York is dead. All gave her for a
Papist. I think it will be my lot to go on an honest fair employment
into Ireland. Some have smelt the court of Rome at that distance.
There I hope I shall be out of the smell of our.... --Yours," etc.

_To a Friend in Persia._
"_August 9, 1671._

"DEAR SIR,--I have yours of the 12th of October 1670, which was in
all respects most welcome to me, except when I considered that to
write it you endured some pain, for you say your hand is not yet
recovered. If I could say any thing to you towards the advancement
of your affairs, I could, with a better conscience, admit you should
spend so much of your precious time, as you do, upon me. But you
know how far those things are out of my road, tho', otherwise, most
desirous in all things to be serviceable to you. God's good
providence, which hath through so dangerous a disease and so many
difficultys preserved and restored you, will, I doubt not, conduct
you to a prosperous issue, and the perfection of your so laudable
undertakings. And, under that, your own good genius, in conjunction
with your brother here, will, I hope, though at the