royalty restored-第52章
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this malicious woman； who was now virtually at the head of the kingdom。 For awhile； however； Charles； mindful of the services the chancellor had rendered him； was unwilling to thrust him from his high place。 But as time sped； and the machinations of a clique of courtiers in league with the countess were added to her influence； the chancellor's power wavered。 And finally； when he was suspected of stepping between his majesty and his unlawful pleasuresconcerning which more shall be said anonhe fell。
At the head and front of the body which plotted against Lord Clarendon； pandered to Lady Castlemaine； and； for its own purposespolitically and sociallysought to control the king； was his grace the Duke of Buckingham。 This witty courtier and his friends； when assembled round the pleasant supper table spread in the countess's apartments； and honoured almost nightly by the presence of the king； delighted to vent the force of their humour upon the chancellor； and criticize his influence over the monarch until Charles smarted from their words。 In the height of their mirth； if his majesty declared he would go a journey； walk in a certain direction； or perform some trivial action next day； those around him would lay a wager he would not fulfil his intentions； and when asked why they had arrived at such conclusions； they would reply； because the chancellor would not permit him。 On this another would remark with mock gravity； he thought there were no grounds for such an imputation； though； indeed； he could not deny it was universally believed abroad his majesty was implicitly governed by Lord Clarendon。 The king； being keenly sensitive to remarks doubting his authority； and most desirous of appearing his own master； would exclaim on such occasions that the chancellor 〃had served him long； and understood his business； in which he trusted him； but in any other matter than his business； he had no more credit with him than any other man。〃 And presently the Duke of Buckinghamwho possessed talents of mimicry to a surpassing degreewould arise； and； screwing his face into ridiculous contortions； and shaking his wig in a manner that burlesqued wisdom to perfection； deliver some ludicrous speech brimming with mirth and indecencies； assuming the grave air and stately manner of the chancellor the while。 And finally； to make the caricature perfect； Tom Killigrew； hanging a pair of bellows before him by way of purse； and preceded by a friend carrying a fireshovel to represent a mace； would walk round the room with the slow determined tread peculiar to Lord Clarendon。 At these performances the king； his mistress； and his courtiers would laugh loud and long in chorus； with which was mingled sounds of chinking glasses and flowing wine。 ＇〃Came my lord chancellor （the Earl of Clarendon） and his lady； his purse and mace borne before him； to visit me〃 Evelyn's 〃Diary。〃＇
In this manner was the old man's power undermined； but a circumstance which hastened his fall occurred in the early part of 1667。 In that year Lady Castlemaine had； for a valuable consideration； disposed of a place at court； which ensured the purchaser a goodly salary。 However； before the bargain could finally be ratified； it was necessary the appointment should pass the great seal。 This the chancellor would not permit； and accompanied his refusal by remarking； 〃he thought this woman would sell every thing shortly。〃 His speech being repeated to her； she； in great rage； sent him word she 〃had disposed of this place； and had no doubt in a little time to dispose of his。〃 And so great was the malice she bore him； that she railed against him openly and in all places； nor did she scruple to declare in the queen's chamber； in the presence of much company； 〃that she hoped to see his head upon a stake； to keep company with those of the regicides on Westminster Hall。〃
And some political movements now arising； the history of which lies not within the province of this work； the king seized upon them as an excuse for parting with his chancellor。 The monarch complained that my Lord Clarendon 〃was so imperious that he would endure no contradiction； that he had a faction in the House of Commons that opposed everything that concerned his majesty's service； if it were not recommended to them by him； and that he had given him very ill advice concerning the parliament； which offended him most。〃
Therefore there were rumours in the air that the chancellor's fall was imminent； nor were the efforts of his son…in…law； the Duke of York； able to protect him； for the friends of my Lady Castlemaine openly told his majesty 〃it would not consist with his majesty's honour to be hectored out of his determination to dismiss the chancellor by his brother； who was wrought upon by his wife's crying。〃 It therefore happened on the 26th of August； 1667； as early as ten o'clock in the morning； Lord Clarendon waited at Whitehall on the king； who presently； accompanied by his brother； received him with characteristic graciousness。 Whereon the old man； acknowledging the monarch's courtesy； said he 〃had no suit to make to him； nor the least thought to dispute with him； or to divert him from the resolution he had taken； but only to receive his determination from himself； and most humbly to beseech him to let him know what fault he had committed； that had drawn this severity upon him from his majesty。〃
In answer to this Charles said he must always acknowledge 〃he had served him honestly and faithfully； and that he did believe never king had a better servant； that he had taken this resolution for his good and preservation； as well as for his own convenience and security； that he was sorry the business had taken so much air； and was so publicly spoken of； that he knew not how to change his purpose。〃 To these words of fair seeming the troubled chancellor replied by doubting if the sudden dismissal of an old servant who had served the crown full thirty years； without any suggestion of crime； but rather with a declaration of innocence； would not call his majesty's justice and good nature into question。 He added that men would not know how to serve him； when they should see it was in the power of three or four persons who had never done him any notable service to dispose him to ungracious acts。 And finally； he made bold to cast some reflections upon my Lady Castlemaine； and give his majesty certain warnings regarding her influence。
At this the king； not being well pleased； rose up； and the interview； which had lasted two hours； terminated。 Lord Clarendon tells us so much concerning his memorable visit； to which Pepys adds a vivid vignette picture of his departure。 When my lord passed from his majesty's presence into the privy garden； my Lady Castlemaine； who up to that time had been in bed； 〃ran out in her smock into her aviary looking into Whitehalland thither her woman brought her nightgownand stood joying herself at the old man's going away； and several of the gallants of Whitehall； of which there were many staying to see the chancellor return； did talk to her in her birdcageamong others Blaneford； telling her she was the bird of paradise。〃
A few days after this occurrence the king sent Secretary Morrice to the chancellor's house； with a warrant under a sign manual to require and receive the great seal。 This Lord Clarendon at once delivered him with many expressions of duty which he bade the messenger likewise convey his majesty。 And no sooner had Morrice handed the seals to the king； than Baptist May； keeper of the privy purse； and friend of my Lady Castlemaine； sought the monarch； and falling upon his knees； kissed his hand and congratulated him on his riddance of the chancellor。 〃For now。〃 said he； availing himself of the liberty Charles permitted his friends； 〃you will be kingwhat you have never been before。〃 Finally； the chancellor was； through influence of his enemies； impeached in the House of Commons； and to such length did they pursue him； that he was banished the kingdom by act of parliament。
His grace the Duke of Ormond was the next minister whom my Lady Castlemaine； in the strength of her evil influence； sought to undermine。 By reason of an integrity rendering him too loyal to the king to pan
