JAMES THE SECOND.

117

the Charterhouse, men of the first rank and consideration inthe kingdom, to admit a Roman Catholic named Popham intothe hospital which was under their care. The Master of thehouse, Thomas Burnet, a clergyman of distinguished genius,learning, and virtue, had the courage to represent to them,though the ferocious Jeffreys sate at the board, that what wasrequired of them was contrary both to the will of the founderand to an Act of Parliament. “ What is that to the purpose? ”said a courtier who was one of the governors. “It is verymuch to the purpose, I think,” answered a voice, feeblewith age and sorrow, yet not to be heard without respect byany assembly, the voice of the venerable Ormond. “An Actof Parliament,” continued the patriarch of the Cavalier party,“is, in my judgment, no light thing.” The question was putwhether Popham should be admitted, and it was determinedto reject him. The Chancellor, who could not well ease him-self by cursing and swearing at Ormond, flung away in a rage,and was followed by some of the minority. The consequencewas that there was not a quorum left, and that no formal replycould be made to the royal mandate.

The next meeting took place only two days after the HighCommission had pronounced sentence of deprivation againstHough, and of suspension against Fairfax. A second man-date under the Great Seal was laid before the trustees: butthe tyrannical manner in which Magdalene College had beentreated had roused instead of subduing their spirit. Theydrew up a letter to Sunderland in which they requested himto inform the King that they could not, in this matter, obeyHisMajesty without breaking the law and betraying their trust.

There can be little doubt that, had ordinary signaturesbeen appended to this document, the King would have takensome violent course. But even he was daunted by the greatnames of Ormond, Halifax, Danby, and Nottingham, thechiefs of all the sections of that great party to which he owedhis crown. He therefore contented himself with directingJeffreys to consider what course ought to be taken. It wasannounced at one time that a proceeding would be institutedin the King’s Bench, at another that the Ecclesiastical Com-

CHAP.

VIII.

1687 .