, to release Wroth and Lake, who were two of the
actors, and taken. But the night before the House met they
surrendered them again. The House being but sullen the next day, the
Court did not oppose adjourning for some days longer till it was
filled. Then the House went upon Coventry's busyness, and voted that
they would go upon nothing else whatever till they had passed a
Bill, as they did, for Sands, O'Brian, Parry, and Reeves, to come in
by the sixteenth of February, or else be condemned, and never to be
pardoned, but by an express Act of Parliament, and their names
therein inserted, for fear of being pardoned in some general act of
grace. Farther of all such actions, for the future on any man,
felony, without clergy; and who shall otherwise strike or wound any
parliament-man, during his attendance, or going or coming,
imprisonment for a year, treble damages, and incapacity. This Bill
having in some few days been dispatched to the Lords, the House has
since gone on in grand Committee upon the first eight hundred
thousand pounds Bill, but are not yet half way. But now the Lords,
instead of the sixteenth of February, put twenty-five days after the
King's royal assent, and that registered in their journal; they
disagree in several other things, but adhere in that first, which is
most material. Adhere, in this place, signifies not to be retracted,
and excludes a free conference. So that this week the Houses will be
in danger of splitting, without much wisdom or force. For
considering that Sir Thomas Sands was the very person sent to
Clarges and Pultney, that O'Brian was concealed in the Duke of
Monmouth's lodgings, that Wroth and Lake were bayled at the sessions
by order from Mr. Attorney, and that all persons and things are
perfectly discovered, that act will not be passed without great
consequence. George's father obliges you much in Tangier. Prince
Edgar is dying. The Court is at the highest pitch of want and
luxury, and the people full of discontent, Remember me to
yourselves."

_To William Ramsden, Esq._
(Undated.)

"DEAR WILL,--I think I have not told you that, on our Bill of
Subsidy, the Lord Lucas made a fervent bold speech against our
prodigality in giving, and the weak looseness of the government, the
King being present; and the Lord Clare ano