of rising,
independent of the favourite, and perhaps shaking his influence. "But
these difficulties, says Clarendon, (for he was deeply plunged in
debt) tho' they put him on the thoughts of retirement, never in the
least prevented him from demonstrating his loyalty when the King's
cause demanded it."

Notwithstanding the earl's interest was not high with the ministers,
yet he found means so to gain and to preserve the affection of his
Majesty, that in the year 1638, when it was thought necessary to take
the Prince of Wales out of the hands of a woman, his Majesty appointed
the earl his governor, and by entrusting to his tuition the heir
apparent of his kingdoms, demonstrated the highest confidence in his
abilities and honour[3].

In the spring of the year 1639, the troubles of Scotland breaking out,
induced the King to assemble an army in the North, soon after which he
went to put himself at the head of it, and in his way was splendidly
entertained by the earl at his seat at Welbeck, as he had been some
years before when he went into Scotland to be crowned, which in
itself, tho' a trivial circumstance, yet such was the magnificence of
this noble peer, that both these entertainments found a place in
general histories, and are computed by the duchess of Newcastle, who
wrote the life of her lord, to have amounted to upwards of ten
thousand pounds. He invited all the neighbouring gentry to pay their
compliments to his Majesty, and partake of the feast, and Ben Johnson
was employed in fitting such scenes and speeches as he could best
devise; and Clarendon after mentioning the sumptuousness of those
entertainments, observes, that they had a tendency to corrupt the
people, and inspire a wantonness, which never fails to prove
detrimental to morals.

As such an expedition as the King's against the Scots required immense
sums, and the King's treasury being very empty, his lordship
contributed ten thousand pounds, and raised a troop of horse,
consisting of about 200 knights and gentlemen, who served at their own
charge, and was honoured with the title of the Prince's troop[4].

Tho' these instances of loyalty advanced him in the esteem of the
King, yet they rather heightened than diminished the resentment of the
ministers, of which the earl of Holland having given a stronger
instance, than his lordship's patience could bear, he took notice of
it in such a way, as contributed equally to sink his rival's
reputation, and raise