that
singularity, appeared to be of no party, at the same time when he was
dealing in private with all parties. Son of the illustrious house of
Douglas, married to the heiress of the house of Hamilton, related to the
royal family, and to most of the crowned heads of Europe, in succession
in right of his wife to the crown of Scotland, at a time when the
ancient families of Scotland were of importance in the scale of
government, because they were of importance in their own country, his
pre-eminence was seen by William, and perhaps feared. He had been
entrusted with none of the secrets of the revolution from the ambiguity
of his conduct. Yet he took a violent side against King James upon his
first retreat, but made apologies to that Prince's friends, so soon as
he heard of his return. William, therefore, affected to show him the
highest honours, cajolling him by those arts which the Duke was in use
to employ upon others. From hence, and from the vanity of pre-eminence,
he had consented to preside in the Assembly at London, which offered the
Prince the administration of government. And hence, William gave him all
the influence of the court, to be president of that convention which was
to make the offer of government itself.

The Marquis of Athole was a subject of great consequence, because his
estate and power lay in the heart of the highlands. He had concurred in
all the measures of the two royal brothers, and had been loaded with
favours and honours by both. Yet, upon news of James's retreat, he flew,
from restlessness of temper more than from principle, to London, while
Scotland was yet in disquiet; resolved, amid contending Princes, to make
the best terms for himself. He almost alone, of all those who went to
London to offer their service to the Prince of Orange, returned home
discontented; because his views had been too sanguine, and because he
was ashamed of what he had done. His repentance he made offer of to the
friends of James in Scotland, which was received, and thanked in public,
but in secret distrusted.

Lord Stair had none of the external advantages of the other two. Yet,
from great reach of thought, and through knowledge of men and parties
gained from experience, he came to be a considerable figure in party....
Upon the restoration he attached himself to the Duke of Lauderdale. The
furies of that minister he often moderated, and often opposed, openly
when he could, secretly when he could not; yet still pres