WILLIAM AND MARY.

135

for which their own indiscretion had perhaps furnished some ciiap.ground, had continued to repose confidence in their loyalty.* ■ 1(i9[ y-

Even those who were undoubtedly criminal were generally Lenilytreated with great lenity. Clarendon lay in the Tower aboutsix months. ITis guilt was fully established; and a party spiraiors.among the Whigs called loudly and importunately for his head. JJ,™ 1 'But he was saved by the pathetic entreaties of his brotherRochester, by the good offices of the humane and generousBurnet, and by Mary’s respect for the memory of her mother.

The prisoner’s confinement was not strict. He was allowed toentertain his friends at dinner. When at length his healthbegan to suffer from restraint, he was permitted to go into thecountry under the care of a warder: the warder was soon re-moved; and Clarendon was informed that, while he led a quietrural life, he should not be molested.**

The treason of Dartmouth was of no common dye. He wasan English seaman; and he had laid a plan for betraying Ports-mouth to the French, and had offered to take the commandof a French squadron against his country. It was a seriousaggravation of his guilt that he had been one of the very firstpersons who took the oaths to William and Mary. He wasarrested and brought to the Council Chamber. A narrativeof what passed there, written by himself, has been preserved.

In that narrative he admits that he was treated with greatcourtesy and delicacy. He vehemently asserted his innocence. •

He declared that he had never corresponded with Saint Ger-mains, that he was no favourite there, and that Mary of Modena

* The success of William’s “seeming clemency” is admitted by thecompiler of the Life of James. The Prince of Orange’s method, it isacknowledged, “succeeded so well that, whatever sentiments those Lordswhich Mr. Penn had named might have had at that lime, they proved ineffect most bitter enemies to Ilis Majesty’s cause afterwards.” — ii« 443.

** See his Diary; Evelyn’s Diary, Mar. 25., April 22., July 11. 1691;

Burnet, ii. 71.; Letters of Rochester to Burnet, March 21. and April 2*