WILLIAM AND MAHY.

185

distinguished Taunton. He had, in the days of Popeburningsand of Protestant flails, been one of the renowned Green Ri-band Club: he had been an active member of several stormyParliaments: he had brought in the first Exclusion Bill: hehad been deeply concerned in the plots formed by the chiefs ofthe opposition: he had fled to the Continent: he had been longan exile; and he had been excepted by name from the generalpardon of 1686 . Though his life had been passed in turmoil,his temper was naturally calm: but he was closely connectedwith a set of men whose passions were far fiercer than his own.He had married the sister of Hugh Speke, one' of the falsestand most malignant of the libellers who brought disgrace onthe cause of constitutional freedom. Aaron Smith, the solici-tor of the Treasury, a man in whom the fanatic and the petti-fogger were strangely united, possessed too much influenceover the new Secretary, with whom he had, ten years before,discussed plans of rebellion at the Hose. Why Trenchard wasselected in preference to many men of higher rank and greaterability for a post of the first dignity and importance, it is difficultto say. It seems however that, though he bore the title anddrew the salary of Secretary of State, he was not trusted withany of the graver secrets of State, and that he was little morethan a superintendent of police, charged to look after theprinters of unlicensed books, the pastors of nonjuring congre-gations , and the haunters of treason taverns. *

Another Whig of far higher character was called at the sametime to a far higher place in the administration. The GreatSeal had now been four years in commission. Since Maynard’sretirement, the constitution of the Court of Chancery had com-manded little respect. Trevor, who was the First Commis-sioner, w'anted neither parts nor learning: hut his integrity

* Burnet, ii. 108., and Speaker Onslow’s Note; Sprat’s True Account ofthe Horrid Conspiracy; Letter to Trenchard, 1694.

CHAP,XIX.Hi <137