JAMES THE SECOND.

221

heartedness. Part of the disgrace which they incurred falls chap.on their mistress: for it was solely on account of the relation 1685 ,in which they stood to her that they were able to enrich them-selves by so odious a trade; and there can be no question thatshe might with a word or a look have restrained them. But intruth she encouraged them by her evil example, if not by herexpress approbation. She seems to have been one of thatlarge class of persons who bear adversity better than pro-sperity. While her husband was a subject and an exile, shutout from public employment, and in imminent danger ofbeing deprived of his birthright, the suavity and humility ofher manners conciliated the kindness even of those who mostabhorred her religion. But when her good fortune came hergood nature disappeared. The meek and affable Duchessturned out an ungracious and haughty Queen.* The mis-fortunes which she subsequently endured have made her anobject of some interest; but that interest would be^not a littleheightened if it could be shown that, in the season of hergreatness, she saved, or even tried to save, one single victimfrom the most frightful proscription that England has everseen. Unhappily the only request that she is known to havepreferred touching the rebels was that a hundred of thosewho were sentenced to transportation might be given to her.**

The profit which she cleared on the cargo, after making largeallowance for those who died of hunger and fever during thepassage, cannot be estimated at less than a thousand guineas.

We cannot wonder that her attendants should have imitatedher unprincely greediness and her unwomanly cruelty. Theyexacted a thousand pounds from Roger Iloare, a merchant ofBridgewater, who had contributed to the military chest of the

* Burnet, i. 308.; Evelyn’s Diary, Feb. 4.1C8J, July 13. 1686. In oneof the satires of that time are these lines:

“When Duchess, she was gentle. mild, and civil;

When Queen , she proved a raging furious devil."

** Sunderland to Jeffreys, Sept. 14.16S5.