UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND.

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his polished wit and his various accomplishments had madehim so agreeable to his master, that the design failed. *

Halifax was not content with standing on the defensive.He openly accused Rochester of malversation. An inquirytook place. It appeared that forty thousand pounds had beenlost to the public by the mismanagement of the First Lord ofthe Treasury. In consequence of this discovery he was notonly forced to relinquish his hopes of the white staff, but wasremoved from the direction of the finances to the more digni-fied but less lucrative and important post of Lord President.“I have seen people kicked down stairs before,” said Halifax;“but my Lord Rochester is the first person that I ever sawkicked up stairs. ” Godolphin, now a peer, became FirstCommissioner of the Treasury.

' Still, however, the contest continued. The event de-pended wholly on the will of Charles; and Charles could notcome to a decision. In his perplexity he promised everythingto everybody. He would stand by France: he would breakwith France: he would never meet another Parliament: hewould order writs for a Parliament to be issued without delay.He assured the Duke of York that Halifax should be dismissedfrom office, and Halifax that the Duke should be sent to Scot-land. In public he affected implacable resentment againstMonmouth, and in private conveyed to Monmouth assurancesof unalterable affection. How long, if the King’s life hadbeen protracted, his hesitation might have lasted, and what

* Lord Preston, who was envoy at Paris, wrote thence to Halifax asfollows: — “I find that your lordship lies still under the same misfor-tune of being no favourite to this court; and Monsieur Barillon dare notdo you the honour to shine upon you, since his master frowneth. Theyknow very well your lordship’s qualifications, which make them fear andconsequently hate you: and be assured, my lord, if all their strength cansend you toRulford, it shall be employed for that end. Two things, Ihear, they particularly object against you, your secrecy, and your beingincapable of being corrupted. Against these two things I know they havedeclared.” The date of the letter is October 5. rj. s. 1683.

Macaulay, History. 1. 18

cnAP.

a.

Slato offactionsin thecourt ofCharlesat thetime ofhisdeath,