was employed, during his continuance at Herenthals, in
completing the new arrangements in the British cabinet, and
in giving consistency to that system which he and Godolphin
had adopted.

On his departure from England, the intention of Godol-
phin and himself was, to suffer the two parties to struggle
for the new elections, without any interference from the
court, concluding that when thus left to their own strength,
they would be nearly balanced, and the queen would be
enabled to turn the scale to either side. In reply to one of
the importunate letters from the duchess, pressing him to
support the Whigs, he observes: --

"Hague, April. -- You nor any body living can wish more for the
having a good parliament than I do; but we may differ in our notions.
I will own to you very freely mine, which is, that I think at this time it
is for the queen's service, and the good of England, that the choice
might be such as that neither party might have a great majority, so that
her majesty might be able to influence what might be good for the
common interest."

He gives the same advice, and employs the same argu-
ments, in a letter to Godolphin, and appears to calculate
confidently on the success of this scheme.

"July 6-17. - The composition of the parliament seems to be such.
that neither party can carry any point against the other by their own
strength. One sort of gentlemen have behaved themselves so, that there
remains very little room for debate which the queen should make hers.
The care seems to be only, that she may not be in the power of a party;
for there are indifferent and unlisted men enough, who will be content
and zealous to promote the queen's affairs, though they see persons of a
different party from themselves employed; but though they will be con-
tent to see the queen govern, it will be uneasy to them to see a party
govern. But I doubt not care will be taken to satisfy every person that
deserves it."

He found, however, to his surprise, that he had been mis-
taken in his calculations, and that the unpopularity of the
Tories enabled the Whigs to gain a considerable superiority.
Thus circumstanced, he and Godolphin were compelled to
incline still more to that party, whose ascendency they
had hitherto promoted, less from inclination, than from
necessity.

The struggle for the removal of Sir Nathan Wright,
which had continued in suspense since the spring, was now

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