quadrangle, and raised it entirely new, in conformity to the south, and seemed then content to say, "that he had gone half way through, and would leave the rest for his heir." In this resolution he stopped about seven years, and then began to lay the foundation for two other sides, to complete the noble square; and these last, as far as uniformity admits, do exceed the others by a west front, of most excellent strength and elegance, and a capitol on the north side, that is of singular ornament and service. And though such a vast pile (of materials entirely new) required a prodigious expense, yet the building was his least charge, if regard be had to his gardens, water-works, statues, pictures, and other the finest pieces of art, and of nature, that could be obtained abroad, or at home. One of the first rooms he finished, was the chapel, which he made not only as decent, but as splendid, as any in a protestant country. This, with the apartments, and all the other glories of the house, are a subject of surprize and admiration. It will bear the report, that when the Marshal Tallard came hither, with some of his fellow prisoners, by invitation of the Duke, and was nobly entertained for several days, he is said to have parted with this compliment: "my Lord, when I come hereafter to compute the time of my captivity in England, I shall leave out the days of my enjoyment at Chatsworth."

At this place the Earl kept himself retired for the most part of the few years of King James, thinking the farthest retreat from the court to be, at that time, the fittest place for a good subject, Here was his refuge from Westminster and Hounslow, from a set of judges, and a standing army. He heard, with indignation, of the proceedings above, and the great advances made towards a French monarchy, and a Roman religion. He was satisfied in his judgment, that a Prince, governing by law, deserved allegiance, and the utmost assistance of his people; but he could never digest the hard notions of a passive obedience to tyrants, i. e. to any monarch, or their ministers, who should bend a legal constitution to their own will and pleasure, till they broke up, and changed the foundation of it. His care was, if possible, to preserve a legal monarchy in the protestant line, upon the true establishment of laws and fundamental constitution. He had no other view of safety, but from the Prince of Orange; and therefore he helped to draw the eyes of the nobility and gentry the same way. He writ his mind freely to an English friend at the court of the Hague, that their last and only hopes were from thence; and therefore he was very much in those deep and secret

measures, which were taken to invite over that prince. But while he was waiting, with impatience, the effects of it, he found dangers and difficulties big enough to try a noble spirit.

The King, upon the first alarm from Holland, or rather from France, had a jealousy of this Earl, above any other peer, and sent for him to court, that he might have the stricter guard upon him. His Lordship excused his attendance, because he knew the meaning of it. After this, his kinsman, the Duke of Newcastle, was desired to go down to Chatsworth, to invite the Earl into the King's service but his Lordship heard the Duke's discourse of the fatality of civil war, and of the loyalty of their family the Cavendishes, and some other suggestions of interest and honour, with seeming attention, and all civilities, without making any return or answer, but in general expressions. When his noble guest was gone, he concerted other measures with the Earl of Danby, the Lord Delamere, Sir Scroop How, and some few others of greatest quality and interest in those parts. They had, at first, an eye upon the Prince's landing in the north, and, when disappointed of those hopes, they still continued their preparations, and waited for him with impatience. In the mean time, the Earl treated with many of his friends and neighbours; but he found them reflecting on the Duke of Monmouth's attempt, and bearing in mind the western inquisition. He had the hearts and wishes of many who dared not to stir their hands. Some expectances were not answered, and even some promises were evaded. When the Prince was driven back by a storm, and the King was doing some fair things to please the people, his Lordship was then in danger of being delivered up, or, at least, of being left alone. He did, however, keep himself and servants, and some few of his fastest friends, in a readiness and silent preparation. They talked over the scene they had laid in feigned words and phrases; and when any suspected company seemed to understand them, they fell into other inventions of secresy and

reserve.

cause.

As soon as he heard of the Prince's landing in the west, he began to move, and resolved to run the utmost hazards for his He marched first, with a small retinue, to the county town of Derby, and invited many of the gentry, and entertained those who adventured to come, at his open table, with freedom of discourse. He called out the mayor and commonalty, and read to them the Prince's declaration, and made a favourable comment on it; and delivered to them a copy of the declaration made

by himself, and the nobility and gentry with him, "that they would, to their utmost, defend the protestant religion, the laws of the kingdom, and the rights and liberties of the subject.

While his Lordship was in town, a messenger came from London, with a letter in the heel of his boot, so much soaked in water and dirt, that it could hardly be made legible: the contents were to signify the return of King James from Salisbury, and the advance of the Prince's army towards London. This occasioned great joy; but, in the midst of it, another courier arrived, with an account directly contrary, and left the wisest of them in suspence, and the rest in consternation. The King's party made their advantage of it, and began to form a plot of securing the Earl and his company, if they had not left the place with greater expedition.

From thence his Lordship marched to Nottingham, where the people were well affected; and the nobility and gentry soon made a number and figure very considerable. The Earl, at the head of thern, thought fit to unite them in a declaration of their sense and resolution; which was accordingly made, and (on November 22d, 1688) unanimously subscribed on this professed principle; we own it rebellion to resist a King that governs by law; but he was always accounted a tyrant that made his will the law; and, to resist such a one, we justly esteem no rebellion, but a necessary and just defence." This declaration was thought to be so equitable and honourable, that many others came daily into it, and were formed into regular troops, and made the appearance of a confederate army. A regiment of horse (the fourth) was formed, whereof his Lordship was colonel, and was one of the first that went to Ireland, in 1689. When her royal highness the Princess Anne was persuaded to forsake her father's palace, she went from London with the Lord Bishop, the Earl of Dorset, and a small train of ladies, on Sunday night, November 25th, determining to go directly to Nottingham. In her journey a rumour was industriously spread, that a party of the enemies would intercept her; upon which the Earl marched out, with a good body of horse, and, at some miles distance from the town, met her royal highness, with great respect and joy, and conducted her to the castle (from whence the noble owner, the Duke of Newcastle, had withdrawn) and kept tables at his own expence, and provided all the other accommodations of a court, and a standing council. When his stock failed, he accepted of some contributions, and, at last, borrowed the public money in such a manner,

as to satisfy the collectors, and please the country. When a copy of the association came, he readily went into it, and was followed by those who were most hearty in the cause. When some were so cautious as to decline it, he waved their refusal with great temper: but when they afterwards, on a nearer prospect of success, offered to subscribe, he then checked them for their former wariness, and said, there was now no need of their doing it.

The Princess was extremely satisfied with her reception; but desiring to be nearer to his royal highness Prince George, proposed to go toward Oxford: whereupon the Earl of Devonshire, and his noble train, were a guard to her royal highness, and, by easy and most convenient stages, conducted her safe to Oxford, where she was soon after met by her most affectionate consort, the Prince. When the Earl of Devon had delivered up his royal trust at Christchurch, he was solicitous to do more, that the important work might be finished, and the fruits of it remain to posterity: so, with a private friend or two, he hastened early next day to London; and hearing the Prince of Orange was come as far as Sion House, he resolved to meet him the next morning, and came thither to the Prince, as he was taking coach, and was received by him with all the marks of affection and esteem.

He was among the lords spiritual and temporal, assembled in their house at Westminster, on December 25th, and was forward and leading in the address to the prince, to take upon him the administration, till the meeting of a convention then summoned. At the opening of that convention on January 22d, 1688-9, he was one of the first peers in the order, for "a day of public thanksgiving to Almighty God, for having made his highness, 'he Prince of Orange, the glorious instrument of the great deliverance of this kingdom from popery and arbitrary power." And again, in the address of the lords and commons, "to desire the Prince to continue in the administration of public affairs, civil and mili tary, and the disposal of the public revenue, for the preservation of our religion, rights, laws, liberties, and properties." In the following debates, he was for completing and securing the wonderful revolution. He argued boldly for the sense of the commons of England, "that King James had not only endeavoured to subvert the constitution of the kingdom, by breaking the original contract between King and people; but, having violated the fundamental laws, and withdrawn himself out of the kingdom, had abdicated the government; and the throne was thereby

vacant." When a majority of lords were at first against this vote, he entered his protestation with about forty other peers ; and, after a free conference, he encouraged the leading commons, and helped to convince some lords, how reasonable it was to agree with them. When this point was at last carried, he had the pleasure to see a greater majority with him in the final resolution, "that the Prince and Princess of Orange should be declared King and Queen of England, &c." He was zealous in the declaration of the lords and commons, for vindicating their antient rights and liberties; and distinguished himself in every vote to fix the throne, and prevent a relapse into slavery.

:

For these eminent and faithful services, he was admitted one of the privy-council, on February 14th, and, on March 16th, 1688-9, was constituted lord lieutenant of Derbyshire, Also, for a nearer relation to the court, was made lord steward of their Majesties houshold and it must be remembered to his honour, that when a person offered him a very large sum for the liberty of filling up the places in his gift, and would have brought a list of three names for each place, that his Lordship might choose any one, he rejected the offer, justly scorning a bribe, and hating the tempter. He was, indeed, averse to any act that had the least appearance of dishonour, and so nice a regard to every thing that was just, that when, for the entertainment of his friends, he had an assembly at his house, he sent for the groom porter, and his servants, that those who were disposed to play, might have no suspicion of being ill treated. On April 3d, 1689, he was elected a knight companion of the most noble order of the garter, and, on May 14th following, installed, with great splendor.

At the coronation, on April 11th, 1689, he was made lord high steward of England for that day, and carried the regal crown next to the bible and the King's person; his daughter assisting in bearing up her Majesty's train. In this solemnity, his person, port, and habit, were so very graceful, that they really adorned the procession, and made the regalia more illustrious.

In the following parliament, his Lordship complained of his grievance, and had it referred to a committee, who, on April 22d, came to this report, & "their lordships are of opinion, that the proceedings against the Earl of Devonshire, in the court of King's Bench, in Easter term, in the 3d of King James II. upon an in◄ formation for an assault upon Mr. Culpepper, wherein his Lord

Journal of the House of Lords.