Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/Preface

by Henry Sidney

PREFACE.

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Henry Sidney, Earl of Romney, who died in 1704, appointed his nephews, Thomas Pelham, Henry Pelham, and John Sidney, his executors; and, among other things, he bequeathed to Thomas Pelham his cabinets and his papers.

Thomas Pelham, who was the eldest son of Sir John Pelham, married, for his first wife, Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir William Jones. His second wife was Grace, the daughter of Gilbert, Earl of Clare, sister of John Holles, Duke of Newcastle, who died in 1700. Their eldest son was Thomas Pelham, Duke of Newcastle, the minister. He was created Baron Pelham, of Laughton, and died in 1712. Henry Pelham, the second brother, married Frances, daughter and coheir of John Bynde, Esq. He died in 1712; and from him the present Earl of Chichester, the possessor of the Sidney and the Pelham Manuscripts, is directly descended.^[1]

In selecting and preparing these papers for publication, and in searching for cotemporary notices illustrative of facts and persons, I have met with that assistance from my friends which I take this opportunity gratefully to acknowledge. From the Rev. Philip Stanhope Dodd, the rector of Penshurst, who, eighteen years ago, aided and encouraged me in a kindred pursuit, and whose offices of kindness and friendship have never been relaxed, I have again received much valuable information; and to him, to Mr. Serjeant D'Oyly, Mr. Markland,^[2] and Mr. Herman Merivale, I feel grateful, not only for encouragement to proceed, but for matter which has much improved the work.

To Mr. Upcott I beg to offer my best thanks for the liberal manner in which, upon my application to him, he opened to me all those valuable stores of manuscripts from which I have drawn so largely. Nor should I do justice to my feelings, if I did not take this opportunity of testifying my obligation to Lord Stanley of Alderley, Sir Henry Ellis, Mr. Ormerod, and Mr. Brooke, for the trouble they have taken to assist me in my inquiries. For the portrait of the Honourable Henry Sidney prefixed to the first volume of this work, I am indebted to the courtesy of Lord de Lisle, who kindly permitted a copy to be made from the original picture in his possession.

R. W. B.

12, Hereford Street,
May 20, 1843.

1. See Pedigree.
2. The reader will judge how greatly I have been assisted by my friend, Mr. Markland, when I state that I am obliged to him entirely for the valuable note, vol. ii. p. 281, in reference to the Divines recommended by Burnet to William for promotion.