WILLIAM AMD MART.

295

him as a man of extreme opinions and of bitter spirit. He had ciiap.been a chief of the Covenanters: he had been prosecuted at one 1689time for holding conventicles, and at another time for harbour-ing rebels: he had been fined: he had been imprisoned: hehad been almost driven to take refuge from his enemies beyondthe Atlantic in the infant settlement of New Jersey. It wasapprehended that, if he were now armed with the whole powerof the Crown, he would exact a terrible retribution for what hehad suffered* William therefore preferred Melville, who, nieiviiie.though not a man of eminent talents, was regarded by the^Presbyterians as a thoroughgoing friend, and yet not regardedby the Episcopalians as an implacable enemy. Melville fixedhis residence at the English Court, and became the regularorgan of communication between Kensington and the authori-ties at Edinburgh.

William had, however, one Scottish adviser who deservedand possessed more influence than any of the ostensible mi-nisters. This was Carstairs, one of the most remarkable men Carsiairs.of that age. He united great scholastic attainments with greataptitude for civil business, and the firm faith and ardent zeal ofa martyr with the shrewdness and suppleness of a consummatepolitician. In courage and fidelity he resembled Burnet; buthe had, what Burnet wanted, judgment, selfcommand, and asingular power of keeping secrets. There was no post to whichhe might not have aspired if he had been a layman, or a priestof the Church of England. But a Presbyterian clergyman couldnot hope to attain any high dignity either in the north or in thesouth of the island. Carstairs was forced to content himselfwith the substance of power, and to leave the semblance toothers. He was named Chaplain to their Majesties for Scotland;

* Burnet, ii. 23, 24.; Fountainhall Papers, 13. Aug. 1684; 14. and 15.

Oct. 1684; 3. May, 1685; Montgomery to Melville, June 23. 1689, in theLcven and Melville Papers; Pretences of the French Invasion Examined;licensed May 25. 1692.