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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2021
In order to sett in a clear Light what I have to say upon this Subject, it will be convenient to examine the State of the Nation with reference to the two contending Partyes; this cannot well be done without some little Retrospection into the five last Years of her late Majesty's Reign.
I have it from unquestionable Authority, that the Dutchess of M—s Favor began to decline very soon after theQueen’sAccession to the Throne, and that the E. of Godolphin's held not much above two years longer; although Her Majesty (no ill Concealer of her Affections) did not think fit to deprive them of their Power till a long time after.
The D. of Marl. and the Earl of Godolophin having fallen early into the Interests of the lower Party, for certain Reasons not seasonable here to be mentioned, (but which may deserve a Place in the History of that Reign) they made larger steps that way upon the Death of the Prince of Denmark, taking in severall among the warmest Leaders of that Side, into the chief Employments of the State. Mr Harley, then Secretary of State, who disliked their Proceedings, and had very near overthrown their whole Scheam was removed with utmost Indignation, and about the same time, Sr Simon Harcourt, and Mr St John with some others voluntarily gave up their Employmts.
But theQueen, who had then a great Esteem for the Person and Abilityes ofMr Harley (and in Proportion of the other two, though at that time not equally known to her) was deprived of his Service with some Regret, and upon that and other Motives, well known at Court, began to think her self hardly used; and severall Storyes ran about, whether true or false, that Her Majesty was not allways treated with that Duty She might expect. Mean time the Church Party were loud in their Complaints, surmising from the Virulence of severall Pamphlets, from certain Bills projected to be brought into Parliamt, from Endeavors to repeal the Sacramentall Test, from the avowed Principles, and free Speeches of some Persons in Power, and other Jealosyes needless to repeat, that ill-designs were forming against the Religion established.
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