Preston happened to be in
attendance, he had the honour of returning to town in the new king's
coach with the Duke of Buckingham. The doctor's servile adulation of the
minister gave even great offence to the over-zealous puritans. That he
was at length discarded is certain; but this was owing not to any
deficient subserviency on the side of our politician, but to one of
those unlucky circumstances which have often put an end to temporary
political connexions, by enabling one party to discover what the other
thinks of him.

I draw this curious fact from a manuscript narrative in the handwriting
of the learned William Wotton. When the puritanic party foolishly became
jealous of the man who seemed to be working at root and branch for their
purposes, they addressed a letter to Preston, remonstrating with him for
his servile attachment to the minister; on which he confidently returned
an answer, assuring them that he was as fully convinced of the vileness
and profligacy of the Duke of Buckingham's character as any man could
be, but that there was no way to come at him but by the lowest flattery,
and that it was necessary for the glory of God that such instruments
should be made use of as could be had; and for that reason, and that
alone, he showed that respect to the reigning favourite, and not for any
real honour that he had for him. This letter proved fatal; some
officious hand conveyed it to the duke! When Preston came, as usual, the
duke took his opportunity of asking him what he had ever done to
disoblige him, that he should describe him in such black characters to
his own party? Preston, in amazement, denied the fact, and poured forth
professions of honour and gratitude. The duke showed him his own letter.
Dr. Preston instantaneously felt a political apoplexy; the labours of
some years were lost in a single morning. The baffled politician was
turned out of Wallingford House, never more to see the enraged minister!
And from that moment Buckingham wholly abandoned the puritans, and
cultivated the friendship of Laud. This happened soon after James the
First's death. Wotton adds, "This story I had from one who was extremely
well versed in the secret history of the time."[284]

FOOTNOTE:

[284] Wotton delivered this memorandum to the literary antiquary,
Thomas Baker; and Kennet transcribed it in his Manuscript
Collections. Lansdowne MSS. No. 932-88. The life of Dr. Preston, in
Chalmers's Biographical Dic