Partiality: of w^{ch} I would willingly be free: and think I truly
am so in this I now send you. But I fear least this (such as it is) should
come too late, and therefore hasten to conclude with repeated Assurances of
my being your Oblig'd Friend and humble Servant

"SHAFTESBURY.

"P.S. If after what I have said I dare venture a Word to you as to my
Grandfather's Apology for the one and only thing I repine at in his whole
Life (I mean the unhappy Words you mention _delenda est Carthago_), It must
be this: That the Publick would not insist on this as so ill, and
injuriouse; if they considered the English Constitution and manner of those
times in w^{ch} the Prince more lofty in Prorogative and at greater
distance from his People than now of days, used but a few Words to his
Parlement; and committed the rest to his Keepers or Chancellor, to speak
his sence for him (as he expresses it in y^e conclusion of his own speech)
upon w^{ch} my Grandfather, the then Chancellor, and in his Chancellor's
Place[4], spoke of King's sence, as the King's mouth; in y^e same manner as
the Speaker of the House of Peers or Commons, speaks the House's sence, as
_the House's mouth_ (for so he is esteemd and calld) whatsoever may be his
own private sence; or tho' he may have deliver'd his own Opinion far
contrary.

"Such was my Grandfather's Call: who was far from delivering his Vote or
Opinion in this manner, either as a Councillor or Peer, or in his Place in
Parlement: where he carryed on a direct opposite Interest: he being
allready in open Enmity with the Duke of York and his Party that carryed on
that Warr, in so much that he was at that very time suspected of holding a
Correspondence with Holland in favour of the Commonwealth-Party in England.
However it be, it is no small Comfort to me that that wise Commonwealth of
Holland, the Parent and Nursing-Mother of Liberty, thought him worthy of
their Protection when he was a sufferer for the common Cause of Religion
and Liberty: and he must ever remain a noble Instance of the Generosity of
that State, and of that potent Head of it, y^e City of Amsterdam; where
yourself and other Great Men have met with a Reception y^t will redound to
their Honour.

"My Grandfather's _turning short upon the Court_ (as[5] Sir William Temple
expresses it) had only this plain reason for it; that he discoverd the King
to be a Papist, through that disguise of an _Esprit fort_, w^{ch} was a
character his Vices and o