JAMES THE SECOND.

81

disposed to a compromise. Devonshire was informed that, ifhe would give a bond for the whole fine, and thus precludehimself from the advantage which he might derive from a writof error, he should be set at liberty. Whether the bondshould be enforced or not would depend on his subsequentconduct. If he would support the dispensing power nothingwould be exacted from him. If he was bent on popularity hemust pay thirty thousand pounds for it. He refused, duringsome time, to consent to these terms; but confinement wasinsupportable to him. He signed the bond, and was let outof prison: but, though he consented to lay this heavy burdenon his estate, nothing could induce him to promise that hewould abandon his principles and his party. He was stillentrusted with all the secrets of the opposition: but duringsome months his political friends thought it best for him-self and for the cause that lie should remain in the back-ground.*

The Earl of Bedford had never recovered from the effectsof the great calamity which, four years before, had almostbroken his heart. From private as well as from public feelingshe was adverse to the Court: but he was not active in con-certing, measures against it. His place in the meetings of themalecontents was supplied by his nephew. This was thecelebrated Edward Russell, a man of undoubted courage andcapacity, but of loose principles and turbulent temper. Hewas a sailor, had distinguished himself in his profession, andhad in the late reign held an office in the palace. But all theties which bound him to the royal family had been sunderedby the death of his cousin William. The daring, unquiet,and vindictive seaman now sate in the councils called by theDutch envoy as the representative of the boldest and most

* Kennel's funeral sermon on the Duke of Devonshire, and Memoirsof the family of Cavendish; State Trials; Privy Council Book, March 5.1C8J; Barillon, 1087; Johnstone, Dec. ,v 1087; Lords’ Journals,

May 0. 1689. “ Ses amis el ses prochessays Barillon, “ lui conseillentde prendre le bon parti, mais il persiste jusqu’d present a ne se pointsoumellre. S’il vouloit se bien conduire et renoncer a dire populaire,il ne payeroit pas I'amendo, mais s’il opinifttre, il lui en coutera trentomille pidees, et il demeurera prisonnier jusqu’it l’actuel payement.”Macaulay, History. III. 6

CHAP.

VII.

1687 .

Edward

Bussell.