advantage of the slightest turn in his master's favour, and to keep him informed of all that was going on.1 William made many attempts to gain him over, but he refused all his offers, and in consequence was frequently imprisoned.2

In May, 1692, tidings of James's intention to invade England during William's absence in Holland, with a force of thirty thousand men to be embarked at La Hogue, coming to Queen Mary's ears (then Regent), she gave orders on the 24th that several suspicious persons should be arrested; amongst others, Charles, Earl of Middleton. All those against whom warrants had been issued left their homes, and sought various places of concealment. Middleton, the Earl of Dunmore, and Sir Andrew Forrester, took refuge in a Quaker's house, but were discovered and committed to prison.*

Middleton seems soon, however, to have regained his liberty, and to have gone to St. Germains; for in the August following Macpherson speaks of his being sent again to England, and of his remaining there until January, 1693, “carrying on successful negotiations with the discontented."

The Countess of Middleton was probably present with the other noble ladies of the Court at the birth of

1 Macpherson's History of England.

3 Charles Murray, first Earl of Dunmore.

2 Middleton's contemporary.

4 Oldmixon; Hume.

her royal pupil, the Princess Louisa Mary, June 21st, 1692. James received this, his youngest child, born a little more than a month after the disastrous battle of La Hogue, with joy. "She was his comforter," he said, "sent by God to be a consolation in his exilethe one daughter who had not sinned against him." Lady Middleton was appointed her state governess.1

The malcontents had by this time become so disgusted with William, that Lord Middleton found them. ready to receive with ardour the assurances of James, which he conveyed to them. The last Declaration, however, which had been circulated before the battle of La Hogue, had displeased many friends even by the imperiousness of its language, and the many exceptions mentioned to the promised Act of Indemnity. In order to obtain a more conciliatory one, Lord Middleton repaired to St. Germains in January, 1693, carrying with him eight proposals from those who wished to restore the late king, as he was now called, upon conditions.2

He gives an account of his reception at that Court in the following letter to a correspondent in London. The letter is deciphered by Colonel Sackville's cipher :

"Though, dear cousin, I am pressed in time, yet I cannot forbear complying with the earnest desire (my 1 MS. Memorials of Mary Beatrice. 2 Macpherson.

own earnest desire) of 78 in assuring 45 (you) that she has (I have) and will do her (you) all the service she (I) can, which is indeed but common justice; and that she (I) was overjoyed to find 215 (the king) and 55 (queen) fully convinced how kind and useful she (I) had been to them.

"She (I) can only tell you, in general, that the indenture is signed, which you may see at the place you used to go to in the morning, where you have often met 540 (me, Lord M.), to whose letter she (I) must likewise refer. You will not be surprised to hear that lies have been already started at 7 (St. Germains) concerning 78 (Middleton). But, perhaps, you may, too, hear that from 3 (London) cautions have been given of her (me) as a 579 (Presbyterian) and 581 (Republican). Excuse my not writing to 39 (Lord Churchill). But let her (him) know that by the next she (he) shall hear from 540 (Middleton), and that her affairs are in as good a posture as we could wish. Post haste. Adieu."

James had, indeed, in accordance with Lord Middleton's advice, drawn up a new Declaration, here called an indenture, based upon the eight Articles he had transmitted to him. It bore date April 17th. At the end of May, two men, named Canning and

Dormer, were apprehended for dispersing copies of it.1

The calumnies to which Lord Middleton refers were doubtless circulated by his enemies, the noncompounders. By this time the courtiers at St. Germains had become divided into two factions, called compounders and non-compounders. The former, headed by Middleton himself, insisted upon receiving security from King James, before furthering his restoration, that the religion and liberties of England should be preserved; while the non-compounders were for restoring him unconditionally, casting themselves entirely upon his honour and generosity. The Earl of The Earl of Melfort1 (the Prime Minister), who supported this party, was a man of violent temper, deficient judgment, and headlong zeal for the Church of Rome. His conduct proved indeed so hurtful to the royal cause that it was found necessary to dismiss him from his office. Middleton succeeded him, and took up his residence henceforth entirely at St. Germains. He was not styled Prime Minister, however, but remained as before, Secretary of State.2

1 John Drummond, second son of James, third Earl of Perth, created Viscount Melfort, 1685, and earl of the same, 1686.

2 Oldmixon; Hume.

CHAPTER II.

Description of the Chateau of St. Germains--James has some confidence in Middleton-Proceedings against the latter in Scotland for high treason--His letters from June 15th, 1693, until May 1st, 1696, chiefly concerning Queen Mary's death, and a proposed invasion of England, which proves a failure.

THE Castle of St. Germains, now the home of the Earl and Countess of Middleton, as well as that of the other families of the exiled Court, was one of the most beautiful and healthiest of the palaces of France. It was situated on the verge of a forest abounding with beasts of chase, and on the brow of a hill which commanded a view of the windings of the Seine. "The huge size and venerable age of the trees, the beauty of the gardens, and abundance of the springs, were widely famed." Francis I. had built the castle, and Henry IV. had added a noble terrace. It had been the birthplace of Louis XIV., who had resided. here when a young man, at which time he had com