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THE TIMES OF CHARLES THE SECOND.
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thoughts; he thinks matters go ill; and I find they do with him, for neither the King or the Duke do like him.[1] They think that he puts the Prince upon all those notions and opinions that he writes perpetually about; they would be glad that the Prince would not so much hearken to him; and that he would fall into measures with the King; which is thought the wisest thing he can do, for if the King should take measures with France, he would be in ill condition; and for the present, I do not know what else he can do. The Duke is unsatisfied with him, and thinks he intends to set up for himself. Sir William Temple thinks he hath nothing to do but to be quiet. He told me how my Lady of Essex had writ to him,
- ↑ "I was now in a posture to be admirably pleased with having no part in public affairs. The Duke unsatisfied with me of late; the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Shaftesbury from the first; Lord Essex and Halifax out of all commerce with me upon what had passed; great civility from the other ministers, but no communication; and the King himself, though very gracious, yet very reserved. Upon all this and the melancholy prospect of our distractions at home, and thereupon the disasters threatening abroad, but chiefly upon my own native humours, born for a private life, and particular conversation or general leisure, I resolved to give over all part in public affairs, and came no more either to Court or Council in a month's time, which I spent chiefly in the country."—Temple's Works, ii. 523.
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