Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Melfort to his brother, the Earl of Perth,1 governor to the young prince, was intercepted and delivered by William to the Parliament, which did much mischief to the Jacobite cause. It contained a scheme for another invasion of England. "A powerful party in Scotland was," said Melfort, "ready to rise in favour of the exiled sovereign." It was also, he declared, James's intention to re-establish the Roman Catholic religion in England. The letter likewise contained some reflections upon Middleton's character. His chief object in writing it is indeed thought to have been to bring his rival into disgrace, and to recommend himself to James. The French ministry, in order to show that they had no connection with Melfort, banished him to Angers.

1

1 James Drummond, fourth earl, created by James II. Duke of Perth; died at St. Germains, 1716.

CHAPTER IV.

Illness and death of James II.—Middleton one of the Council appointed in his will to aid the queen--Letters concerning the queen's manifesto to the English-The Scotch wish the young king to go to Scotland-Middleton persuades the queen to refuse her consent - Falls under her Majesty's displeasure - Turns Roman Catholic, and retires into a convent for a year-Returns hastily to Court on learning of the promise extracted by Lovat from the queen-Persuades her to appoint a trustworthy person to watch Lovat-Lovat's return to France, and false account of his proceedings Queen receives him favourably, and distrusts MiddletonHurt feelings of the latter-Lovat's treachery discovered, and his imprisonment--Young king attains his majority-Middleton praises his industry-Life at St. Germains-Princess Louisa and her ladies-La belle Middleton-Hamilton's songs upon her.

KING JAMES'S health was far from being in the favourable state supposed by Middleton. In the midst of the vexation caused by the annoying business mentioned in the last chapter, he was seized with another attack of apoplexy, whilst attending divine service at the Chapel Royal at St. Germains, March 4th, 1701.1 During his absence with the

Somer's Tracts; St. Simon.

queen at Bourbon, whither he was ordered by the physicians, the royal children were left under the entire charge of the Earl of Perth and the Countess of Middleton. The character and disposition of the sweet young Princess Louisa does great credit to her governess's system of education. Both children wrote daily to their parents, and a packet of their letters has been preserved.2

The temporary improvement in James's health was not lasting. Soon after his return to St. Germains he had a relapse, and died in the following September. While on his deathbed, he sent Lord Middleton to Marli, to thank Louis XIV. for his promise to recognize his son as King of England. He exhorted his servants to forsake sin, and lead holy and Christian lives; and these words of his dying master are said to have made a serious impression upon Middleton."

So soon as he had breathed his last, the whole Court went to the Prince of Wales, now a boy of thirteen, and saluted him as king. The same hour he was proclaimed at the gates of the chateau, by the titles of James III., King of England, Ireland,

3

1 Despatches of the Earl of Manchester; St. Simon.

2 In the archives of France.

Macpherson; Duke of Marlborough's Biographical Notes; Miss Strickland's Mary of Modena; Life of James II., from Stuart Papers.

Scotland, and France.1

"What was done in the

town," says the Earl of Manchester, "was done in a tumultuous manner. Some say there was a herald, an Irishman. Lord Middleton, etc., did not appear, because they could not tell how the title of France would be taken here, had they done it in form. Lord Middleton brought the Seals to him, which he gave him again. Others did the like." 2

After the proclamation, John Anderson (Lord Middleton) consults Mr. Appleby, a correspondent in England, about the measures that were to be taken :

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][merged small]

Though I am sure you have heard what has happened to the owner of the ship in which were loaded the bales No. 369 (the King James), yet I cannot forbear telling you of it, that you may let his executors know what your opinion is, and whether his debitors (people) should not have formal notice of it by the account No. 1017, whereby the heir may assert his right, claim what is due to him, and promise them all the ease and security they can reasonably expect, which is expressly enjoined by the last will of the deceased. this you will consult the learnedest counsel and ablest traders, and give advice thereof to yours," etc.3

1 Duke of Berwick.

2 Earl of Manchester's Despatches. Original Papers.

S

In

Middleton was one of the Council appointed by James in his will to assist the queen in her office of guardian of his son. Her first step in this new capacity was to publish a manifesto in her son's name, setting forth his claims to the crown of Great Britain.

The Earl of Middleton to the Marquis de Torcy.

[Translation.]

"October 7th, 1701.

"I send you, by the queen's order, the French translation of the manifesto addressed to the English. You will be pleased to remark that there is not a word in it which can be considered to regard the king; and the queen begs of you, sir, to mark precisely the changes which the king will judge proper to be made, and to obtain a permission to print it in English and Latin, in order that foreigners may be informed of the truth, and that false reports may be prevented."

The same to the same.

"October 11th, 1701.

"The order is sent to Liege for printing the manifesto, and everything shall be executed according to his Majesty's intentions." 1

1 Original Documents.

« AnteriorContinuar »