JAMES THE SECOND.

379

proved of the policy which he was employed to carry into c ”j' p -effect.* In great anguish of mind he wrote to defend him- - Tgielself; but he was sternly told that his defence was not satis-factory. He then, in the most abject terms, declared that hewould not attempt to justify himself, that he acquiesced in theroyal judgment, be it what it might, that he prostrated him-self in the dust, that he implored pardon, that of all penitentslie was the most sincere, that he should think it glorious to diein his Sovereign’s cause, but found it impossible to live underhis Sovereign’s displeasure. Nor was this mere interestedhypocrisy, but, at least in part, unaffected slavishness andpoverty of spirit; for in confidential letters, not meant for theroyal eye, he bemoaned himself to his family in the samestrain. He was miserable; he was crushed; the wrath of theKing was insupportable; if that wrath could not be mitigated,life would not be worth having.** The poor man’s terror in-creased when he learned that it had been determined atWhitehall to recall him, and to appoint, as his successor, hisrival and calumniator, Tyrconnel.*** Then for a time theprospect seemed to clear; the King was in better humour;and during a few days Clarendon flattered himself that hisbrother’s intercession had prevailed, and that the crisis waspassed, f

In truth the crisis was only beginning. While Clarendon *“^4 1was trying to lean on Rochester, Rochester was unable longerto support himself. As in Ireland the elder brother, though cabal,retaining the guard of honour, the sword of state, and thetitle of Excellency, had really been superseded by the Com-mander of the Forces, so in England, the younger brother,though holding the white staff, and walking, by virtue of hishigh office, before the greatest hereditary nobles, was fast

* Clarendon to Rochester, Oct. 6. 1686.

** Clarendon to the King and to Rochester, Oct. 23. 1686.

Clarendon to Rochester, Oct. 29, 30, 16S6.

+ ll)id. Nov. 27.1680.