1 CHAPTER I. His character-Early life-Appointed Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Vienna-Shipwrecked with the Duke of York-Made Secretary of State for Scotland, afterwards for England-James II. entrusts to him the management of the House of Commons-Disapproves of James's system of Government, but supports the Court party-Expostulates with the king-Resists all James's attempts to convert him to Popery-Directed by the king to disclaim any secret alliance with Louis XIV.-Proves faithful to his sovereign in adversity--Present at Council-James's first attempt at flight—Middleton refuses to obey the summons of the peers— The king detained at Feversham-Middleton and others hasten to him, and entreat him to return to London-Middleton present at his last act of government-James compelled to go to RochesterDetermines on flight-Writes down his reasons for withdrawing, and directs Middleton to get them printed—Queen's ladies obtain permission to join her-Middleton remains in England-Warrant issued by Queen Mary for his apprehension-Escapes to France, but returns to England-Induces James to issue a more conciliatory declaration after the battle of La Hogue-Middleton heads the compounders-Calumnies of his enemies-Succeeds Lord Melfort at St. Germains. CHARLES, the second Earl of Middleton, is described by a contemporary1 as being, in personal appearance, a black man, of moderate stature, and a sanguine complexion." In the swarthiness of his skin, and in 1 Quoted in Douglas's Peerage of Scotland. many other respects, he is said to have borne a strong resemblance to his sovereign and namesake, Charles II., possessing the same gay and lively manners, embellished with wit, united to a sound judgment and a clear understanding. Like the king, he was the pleasantest companion imaginable, owing to a certain easiness of disposition, and to his having seen much of the world. He was considered one of the politest gentlemen in Europe. His temper was generous, his apprehension quick, and he was well learned; but careless in his manner of living, and indifferent in matters of religion. As his father's marriage bears date July, 1639,1 Charles Middleton was born probably about the year 1640. He was brought up from an early age at the exiled Court of Charles II.,2 accompanied his father to Scotland at the age of fourteen, when the rank of captain seems to have been conferred upon him, and probably wrote the letter endorsed as being from Captain M. in the following June, which contains an account of the proceedings of the forces from their landing in the country. He would seem to have escaped to France some time during the disasters which followed. After the Restoration, Charles II. appointed him 1 Search in the Records. 2 Middleton's Contemporary. 3 Whitelocke; Clarendon Papers. |