JAMES THE SECOND.

17

inmost knot of the Prince’s private friends. When theDoctor c ^ p -took liberties, which was not seldom the case, his patron ]68T>became more than usually cold and sullen, and sometimesuttered a short dry sarcasm which would have struck dumbany person of ordinary assurance. In spite of such occurren-ces, however, the amity between this singular pair continued,with some temporary interruptions, till it was dissolved bydeath. Indeed, it was not easy to wound Burnet’s feelings.

His self-complacency, his animal spirits, and his want of tact,were such that, though he frequently gave offence, he nevertook it.

All the peculiarities of his character fitted him to be thepeacemaker between William and Mary. When persons who good un-ought to esteem and love each other are kept asunder, as f n e g rS i|“ d "often happens, by some cause which three-words of frank ex-jweentheplanation would remove, they are fortunate if they possess an andindiscreet friend who blurts out the whole truth. Burnet PnnceM-plainly told the Princess what the feeling was which preyedupon her husband’s mind. She learned for the first time,with no small astonishment, that, when she became Queen ofEngland, William would not share her throne. She warmlydeclared that there was no proof of conjugal submission andaffection which she was not ready to give. Burnet, with manyapologies and with solemn protestations that no human beinghad put words into his mouth, informed her that the remedywas in her own hands. She might easily, when the crowndevolved on her, induce her Parliament not only to give theregal title to her husband, but even to transfer to him by alegislative act the administration of the government. “But,”he added, “your Royal Highness ought to consider wellbefore you announce any such resolution. For it is a resolu-■j tion which, having once been announced, cannot safely oreasily be retracted.” “I want no time for consideration,”

I answered Mary. “It is enough that I have an opportunity of1 showing my regard for the Prince. Tell him what I say; and$?. bring him to me that he may hear it from my own lips.”

“ Burnet went in quest of William; but William was manymiles off after a stag. It was not till the next day that the\ Macaulay, History. III. J>