and the queen in particular testified her sympathy and con-
cern, in a manner no less gracious than affectionate.

"Windsor, June 12-21. 1705. -- I am very sorry to find by your three
last letters to my lord treasurer, that you have met with so much vexa-
tion and uneasiness; but I hope by this time it is all over. I believe
the last resolution you have taken is best, and if you should not succeed
in what you are now going about, I do not doubt but something or other
will happen to make you very well satisfied with yourself before this
campaign is at an end, and I fancy all reasonable people will be so too.
Whatever fortune may attend you, at least I shall, being very sure nothing
will be wanting on your part. I do not doubt but you will have an
account of all the disagreeable things that happen every day in Scotland,
and therefore will not mention any particulars, only complain of my
misfortune to be obliged, by the circumstances of the times we live in,
to do all the unjust, unreasonable things those strange people desire,
which gives me more uneasiness than you can imagine. As for what
passes I will not give you an account, knowing you have it from other
hands. I wish you may find the restless spirits of both parties quiet
when you come back, but I mightily fear it; every thing, in my opinion,
having a melancholy prospect. I pray God send you good success,
make you easy in every thing, and continue you under his gracious pro-
tection, as he has hitherto done, that your friends may have the satisfac-
tion of seeing you in England again in health, which nobody I am sure
will desire more sincerely than your humble servant.

"The prince desires me to give his service to you, and assure you that
he is extremely concerned that you have been in so much uneasiness.

"I am ashamed to send such a strange scrawl, but I have not time to
write it over again, which I hope will make my excuse."

Even this consolatory letter made but little impression;
and he still maintained the resolution, which he so often
expressed, of withdrawing from the embarrassments of his
great, but uneasy situation.

Reply to the Queen.

"Lens les Beguines, July 16-27. -- Madam, your majesty's letter of
the 12th is a fresh instance of your goodness and partiality for your duti-
ful servant, who would with pleasure venture ten thousand lives, if he
had them, to make you easy and happy.

"Your majesty will have known my desire by lord treasurer, that after
this campaign I might, with your good liking, end my days with some
quiet. I beg your majesty will believe that in what condition soever I
may be, I shall be ready at all times to sacrifice all that is dear to me for
your service; but I think this retirement of mine is not only necessary
for me, but also good for you; for as my principle is, that I would not
have your majesty in either of the parties' hands so I have them both
my enemies, which must be a weight to your business. When I shall
live under your protection and not meddle, neither party will then have

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