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LADY NITHSDALE.]

ESCAPE OF LORD NITHSDALE,

ceeding as it should think fit to be observed in all causes that fall under its cogniz-
ance; the commons demanded a free conference, which was refused; the dispute
grew more and more warm. The lords sent a message to the lower house importing
that they intended presently to proceed on the trial of the earl of Oxford; the
commons paid no regard to this intimation, but adjourned to the 3rd of July. The
Having
lords, repairing to Westminster hall, took their places, ordered the earl to be
brought to the bar, and made proclamation for his accusers to appear.
waited a quarter of an hour, they adjourned to their own house, where, after some
debate, the earl was acquitted on a division; then returning to the hall, they voted
that he should be set at liberty.

Oxford owed his safety to the dissensions among the ministers, and to the late change in the administration: in consequence of this he was delivered from the persecutions of Walpole, and numbered among his friends the dukes of Devonshire and Argyle, the earls of Nottingham and Hay, and lord Townshend.

The commons, in order to express their sense of his demerits, presented an address to the king desiring he might be excepted out of the intended act of grace; the king promised to comply with their request, and in the meantime forbade the earl to On the 15th of July the earl of Sunderland delivered in the house appear at court. of peers the act of grace, which passed through both houses with great expedition. From this indulgence were excepted the earl of Oxford, Mr. Prior, Mr. Thomas Harley, Mr. Arthur Moore; Crisp, Nodes, O'Bryan, Redmarne the printer, and Thompson; as also the assassinators in Newgate, and the clan of Macgregor in Scotland. By virtue of this act, the earl of Carnwath, the lords Widdrington and Nairn, were immediately discharged; together with all the gentlemen under sentence of death at Newgate, and those that were confined on account of the rebellion in the Fleet, the Marshalsea, and other prisons of the kingdom.

ESCAPE OF LORD NITHSDALE.

FROM LADY NITHSDALE-TO HER SISTER THE COUNTESS OF TRAQUAIR,

(From Lord Mahon's History and the Percy Anecdotes.)

My lord was very anxious that a petition might be presented, hoping that it I was in my own mind convinced that it would, at least, be serviceable to me. would answer no purpose; but as I wished to please my lord I desired him to have it drawn up, and I undertook to make it come to the king's hand; notwithstanding all the precautions he had taken to avoid it. So the first day I heard that the king was to go to the drawing-room, I dressed myself in black, as if I were in mourning, and sent for Mrs. Morgan (the same who accompanied me to the Tower), because as I did not know his majesty personally I might have mistaken some other person for him. She stayed by me and told me when he was coming. I had also another lady with me; and we three remained in a room between the king's apartments and the drawing-room, so that he was obliged to go through it; and as there were three windows in it we sat in the middle one that I might have time enough to meet him before he could pass. I threw myself at his feet, and told him in French that I was the unfortunate countess of Nithsdale, that he might not pretend to be ignorant of But perceiving that he wanted to go off without receiving my petition, He endea my person. I caught hold of the skirt of his coat, that he might stop and hear me. voured to escape out of my hands; but I kept such strong hold that he dragged me upon my knees from the middle of the room to the very door of the drawing-room.

At last one of the blue ribbons who attended his majesty took me round the waist while another wrested the coat out of my hands. The petition which I had endeavoured to thrust into his pocket fell down in the scuffle, and I almost fainted away through grief and disappointment.

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Upon this I formed the resolution to attempt his escape, but opened my intention to nobody but my dear Evans. In order to concoct measures I strongly solicited to be permitted to see my lord, which they refused to grant me unless I would remain confined with him in the Tower. This I would not submit to, and alleged for excuse that my health would not permit me to undergo the confinement. The real reason

How

of my refusal was, not to put it out of my power to accomplish my design. ever, by bribing the guards, I often contrived to see my lord, till the day upon which the prisoners were condemned; after that, we were allowed for the last week to see and take our leave of them. By the help of Evans I had prepared everything necessary to disguise my lord, but had the utmost difficulty to prevail on him to make use of them. However, I at length succeeded by the help of Almighty God. On the 22nd of February, which fell on a Thursday, our petition was to be presented to the house of lords; the purport of which was to entreat the lords to intercede with his majesty to pardon the prisoners. We were, however, disappointed the day before the petition was to be presented; for the duke of St. Albans, who had promised my lady Derwentwater to present it, when it came to the point, failed in his word. However, as she was the only English countess concerned, it was incumbent upon her to have it presented. We had but one day left before the execution, and the duke still promised to present the petition; but for fear he should fail, I engaged the duke of Montrose to secure its being done by one or the other. I then went in company of most of the ladies of quality who were then in town, to solicit the interest of the lords as they were going to the house. They all behaved to me with great civility but particularly my lord Pembroke, who, though he desired me not to speak to him, yet promised to employ his interest in our favour and honourably kept his word, for he spoke in the house very strongly in our behalf. The subject of the debate was whether the king had power to pardon those who had been condemned by the parliament; and it was chiefly owing to lord Pembroke's speech that it passed in the affirmative. However, one of the lords stood up and said, that the house would only intercede for those of the prisoners who should approve themselves worthy of their intercession, but not for all of them indiscriminately. This salvo quite blasted all my hopes, for I was assured it aimed at the exclusion of those who should refuse to subscribe to the petition, which was a thing I knew my lord would never submit to; nor, in fact, could I wish to preserve his life on such terms. As the motion had passed generally I thought I could draw some advantage in favour of my design. Accordingly I immediately left the house of lords and hastened to the Tower, where, affecting an air of joy and satisfaction, I told all the guards I passed by that I came to bring joyful tidings to the prisoners. I desired them to lay aside their fears, for the petition had passed the house in their favour. I then gave them some money to drink to the lords and his majesty, though it was but trifling, for I thought that if I were too liberal on the occasion they might suspect my designs, and that giving them something would gain their good humour and services for the next day, which was the eve of the execution.

The next morning I could not go to the Tower, having so many things in my hands to put in readiness; but in the evening, when all was ready, I sent for Mrs. Mills, with whom I lodged, and acquainted her with my design of attempting my lord's escape, as there was no prospect of his being pardoned; and this was the last night before the execution. I told her I had everything in readiness, and that I trusted

LADY NITHSDALE.]

same manner.

ESCAPE OF LORD NITHSDALE.

I pressed

At the same time I sent for a

she would not refuse to accompany me, that my lord might pass for her. her to come immediately, as we had no time to lose. Mrs. Morgan, then usually known by the name of Hilton, to whose acquaintance my dear Evans had introduced me, which I look on as a very singular happiness. I immediately communicated my resolution. She was of a very tall and slender make, so I begged her to put under her own riding-hood one that I had prepared for Mrs. Mills, as she was to lend hers to my lord that in coming out he might be taken for her. Mrs. Mills was not only of the same height, but nearly of the same size as my lord. When we were in the coach I never ceased talking, that they might have no On Their surprise and astonishment when I first opened my design leisure to reflect. to them, had made them consent without ever thinking of the consequences. our arrival at the Tower, the first I introduced was Mrs. Morgan, for I was only allowed to take one in at a time. She brought in the clothes that were to serve When Mrs. Morgan had taken off Mrs. Mills, when she left her own behind her. what she had brought for my purpose, I conducted her back to the staircase, and, in going, I begged her to send me in my maid to dress me; that I was afraid of being too late to present my last petition that night if she did not come immediately. I dispatched her safe, and went partly downstairs to meet Mrs. Mills, who had the precaution to hold her handkerchief to her face, as was very natural for a woman to do when she was going to bid her last farewell to a friend on the eve of his execution. I had, indeed, desired her to do it, that my lord might go out in the Her eyebrows were rather inclined to be sandy, and my lord's were dark and very thick; however, I had prepared some paint of the colour of hers to I also bought an artificial head-dress of the same coloured hair disguise his with. as hers, and I painted his face with white, and his cheeks with rouge to hide his All this provision I had before left in long beard, which he had not time to shave. the Tower. The poor guards, whom my slight liberality the day before had endeared me to, let me go quietly with my company, and were not so strictly on the watch as they usually had been; and the more so as from what I had told them the day before, they were persuaded that the prisoners would obtain their pardon. I made Mrs. Mills take off her own hood and put on that which I had brought for her. I then took her by the hand, and led her out of my lord's chamber; and in passing through the next room, in which there were several people, with all the concern imaginable I said, "My dear Mrs. Catherine, go in all haste, and send me my waiting-maid; she certainly cannot reflect how late it is; she forgets that I am to present a petition to-night, and if I let slip this opportunity I am undone, for to-morrow will be too late. Hasten her as much as possible, for I shall be on thorns till she comes." Everybody in the room, who were chiefly the guards' wives and daughters, seemed to compassionate me exceedingly; and the sentinel officiously When I had seen her out I returned back to my lord and finished opened the door. I had taken care that Mrs. Mills did not go out crying as she came When I had in, that my lord might the better pass for the lady who came in crying and afflicted; and the more so because he had the same dress on which she wore. almost finished dressing my lord in all my petticoats excepting one, I perceived that it was growing dark, and was afraid that the light of the candles might betray us, I went out leading him by the hand, and he held his so I resolved to set off. I spoke to him in the most piteous and afflicting tone of handkerchief to his eyes. voice, bewailing bitterly the negligence of Evans, who had ruined me by her delay. "Then," said I, "my dear Mrs. Betty, for the love of God, run quickly and bring her with you. You know my lodging; and if ever you made dispatch in your life, do it at present; I am almost distracted with this disappointment." The guards opened the doors, and I went downstairs with him, still conjuring him to make all

dressing him.

possible dispatch. As soon as he had cleared the door I made him walk before me for fear the sentinel should take notice of his walk; but I still continued to press him to make all the haste he possibly could. At the bottom of the stairs I met my dear Evans, into whose hands I confided him. I had before engaged Mrs. Mills to be in readiness before the Tower to conduct him to some place of safety, in case we succeeded. He looked upon the affair as so very improbable to succeed that his astonishment when he saw us threw him into such consternation that he was almost out of himself, which Evans perceiving, with the greatest presence of mind, without telling him anything lest he should mistrust them, conducted my lord to some of her own friends, on whom she could rely; and so secured him, without which we should have been undone. When she had conducted him, and left him with them, she returned to find Mr. Mills, who by this time had recovered himself from his astonishment. They went home together, and having found a place of security, they conducted him to it.

In the meanwhile, as I had pretended to send the young lady on a message, I was obliged to return upstairs and go back to my lord's room, in the same feigned anxiety of being too late, so that everyone seemed sincerely to sympathise with my distress. When I was in the room I talked to him as if he had been really present, and answered my own questions in my lord's voice as nearly as I could imitate it. I walked up and down, as if we were conversing together, till I thought they had had time enough to clear themselves of the guards. I then thought proper to make off also. I opened the door and stood half in it, that those in the outer chamber might hear what I said, but held it so close that they could not look in. I bid my lord a formal farewell for that night, and added that something more than usual must have happened to make Evans negligent on this important occasion who had always been so punctual in the smallest trifles, that I saw no other remedy than to go in person; that if the Tower were still open when I had finished my business, I would return that night; but that he might be assured that I would be with him as early in the morning as I could gain admittance to the Tower; and I flattered myself that I should bring favourable news. Then, before I shut the door, I pulled through I then shut it I said to the

the string of the latch so that it could only be opened on the inside. with some degree of force, that I might be sure of its being well shut. servant as I passed by, who was ignorant of the whole transaction, that he need not carry in candles to his master till my lord sent for him as he desired to finish some prayers first. I went down stairs and called a coach, as there were several on the stand; I drove home to my lodgings, where poor Mr. Mackenzie had been waiting to carry the petition, in case my attempt had failed.

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Her grace of Montrose said she would go to court to see how the news of my lord's escape was received. When the news was brought to the king he flew into an excess of passion and said he was betrayed; for it could not have been done without some confederacy. He instantly dispatched two persons to the Tower to see that the other prisoners were well secured.

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When I left the duchess I went to a house which Evans had found out for me, and where she promised to acquaint me where my lord was. She got thither some few minutes after me, and told me that when she had seen him secure, she went in search of Mr. Mills, who by the time had recovered himself from his astonishment, that he had returned to her house, and that he had removed my lord from the first place where she had desired him to wait, to the house of a poor woman directly opposite to the guard-house. She had but one very small room up one pair of stairs, and a very small bed in it. We threw ourselves upon the bed that we might

not be heard walking up and down. She left us a bottle of wine and some bread, and Mrs. Mills brought us some more in her pocket the next day. We subsisted upon this provision from Thursday to Saturday night, when Mrs. Mills came and conducted my lord to the Venetian ambassador's. We did not communicate the affair to his excellency; but one of his servants concealed my lord in his own room till Wednesday, on which day the ambassador's coach and six was to go down to meet his brother. My lord put on a livery and went down in the retinue without the least suspicion, to Dover, where Mr. Mitchell (which was the name of the ambassador's servant) hired a small vessel and immediately set sail for Calais. The passage was so remarkably short that the captain threw out his reflection, that the wind could not have served better if his passengers had been flying for their lives, little thinking it to be really the case. Mr. Mitchell might have easily returned without being suspected of being concerned in my lord's escape: but my lord seemed inclined to have him continue with him, which he did, and has at present a good place under our young master.

Lady Nithsdale rejoined her husband and lived with him till his death twentyeight years afterwards. She died in 1749.

EPISTLE TO ROBERT EARL OF OXFORD AND EARL MORTIMER.*

Such were the notes thy once-lov'd poet sung,
Till death untimely stopp'd his tuneful tongue.
Oh just beheld, and lost! † admir'd and mourn'd!
With softest manners, gentlest arts adorn'd!
Blest in each science, blest in ev'ry strain!
Dear to the Muse! to Harley dear-in vain!

For him, thou oft hast bid the world attend,
Fond to forget the statesman in the friend;
For Swift and him despis'd the farce of state,
The sober follies of the wise and great;
Dext'rous the craving, fawning crowd to quit,
And pleas'd to 'scape from flattery to wit.

Absent or dead, still let a friend be dear
(A sigh the absent claims, the dead a tear);

POPE.

Epist. to Robert Earl of Oxford.] This Epistle was sent to the earl of Oxford with Dr. Parnell's Poems published by our Author, after the said earl's imprisonment in the Tower, and retreat into the country, in the year 1721. Pope.

None

Thomas Parnell, an Irish poet, was born 1679 and died 1717. He was the friend and correspondent of Swift, Gay, Arbuthnot, and Pope. With the latter he was especially intimate, writing for him the life of Homer to be prefixed to Pope's translations of the Greek poet. of Parnell's poems have survived, except the "Hermit," the beautiful story of which is taken from the Gesta Romanorum. After Parnell's death Pope edited and published his poems, in the year 1721. Lord Oxford was Parnell's patron, as well as that of all the other literary men of the period. After the earl's acquittal from the charge of high treason in 1717, lord Oxford retired into private life, and employed himself in making the magnificent collection of MSS. known as the Harleian manuscripts, which were purchased for the British Museum for £10,000, and contain information on almost every subject, especially historical ones. Lord Macaulay constantly refers

to them in his History of England. Lord Oxford died in 1724.

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HH

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