his "Memoirs of Grammont," exaggerates
this to L40,000 a year, and attributes Miss Jennings' affection to
its attractions. But besides that, by his statement, Tyrconnell had
been a rival of Grammont with Miss Hamilton, there is enough in
Grammont to account for it otherwise. Hamilton, an Irishman, and a
Jacobite, seems to have sympathised with Tyrconnell. He describes
him as "one of the largest and most powerful looking men in
England," "with a brilliant and handsome appearance, and something
of nobility, not to say haughtiness in his manners." He mentions
circumstances, showing him bold, free, amorous, and, strange for a
courtier, punctual in payment of debts. Yet this man, so full of
refinement, and so trained, is described by King as addressing the
Irish Privy Council thus:--"I have put the sword into your hands,
and God damn you all if ever you part with it."

[22] Clarendon's "State Letters," vol. i. and the Diary.

[23] Hallam's "Constitutional History," v. iii., p. 530.

[24] State Tracts, Will. III.'s reign, H. R.'s App. to Cox.

[25] "Memoirs of James II.," by the Rev. ---- Clarke, Chaplain to
George IV. These memoirs seem to have been copies of memoirs
written under James II.'s inspection, and deposited in the Scotch
College in Paris. The originals perished at the French Revolution,
and their copies came to Rome, from whence they were procured for
the English government in 1805. See Mr. Clarke's preface, and
Guizot's preface to his translation of them in the "Memoires de la
Revolution."

CHAPTER III.

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The number of members in the Commons, as the complement was made up
under the monstrous charters of James I., Charles I., and Charles II.,
far outdoing in their unconstitutional nature any of the stretchings of
prerogative in the reign of James II., amounted to 300. The number
actually returned was 224. Of the deficiencies, no less than 28 were
caused by the places being the seats of the war.

The character of this assembly must be chiefly judged by its acts, and
we shall presently resume the consideration of them; but there are some
things in the composition of the Commons whereby their character has
been judged.

They have been denounced by King: but before we examine his statements,
let us inquire who he was, lest we underrate or overrate his testimony;
lest we unjustly requi