nuncio at
Paris, and determined to persist in his resolution. He here wrote a
letter to the pope, which was conveyed to Cardinal Como; he communicated
his intention to the holy father, and craved his absolution and paternal
benediction. He received an answer from the cardinal, by which he found
that his purpose was extremely applauded; and he came over to England
with a full design of carrying it into execution. So deeply are
the sentiments of morality engraved in the human breast, that it is
difficult even for the prejudices of false religion totally to efface
them; and this bigoted assassin resolved, before he came to extremities,
to try every other expedient for alleviating the persecutions under
which the Catholics at that time labored. He found means of being
introduced to the queen; assured her that many conspiracies were formed
against her; and exhorted her, as she tendered her life, to give the
Romanists some more indulgence in the exercise of their religion: but,
lest he should be tempted by the opportunity to assassinate her, he
always came to court unprovided with every offensive weapon. He even
found means to be elected member of parliament: and having made a
vehement harangue against the severe laws enacted this last session, was
committed to custody for his freedom, and sequestered from the house.
His failure in these attempts confirmed him the more in his former
resolution; and he communicated his intentions to Nevil, who entered
zealously into the design, and was determined to have a share in the
merits of its execution. A book newly published by Dr. Allen, afterwards
created a cardinal, served further to efface all their scruples with
regard to the murder of an heretical prince; and having agreed to
shoot the queen while she should be taking the air on horseback, they
resolved, if they could not make their escape, to sacrifice their lives
in fulfilling a duty so agreeable, as they imagined, to the will of God
and to true religion. But while they were watching an opportunity for
the execution of their purpose, the earl of Westmoreland happened to
die in exile; and as Nevil was next heir to that family, he began to
entertain hopes that, by doing some acceptable service to the queen,
he might recover the estate and honors which had been forfeited by the
rebellion of the last earl. He betrayed the whole conspiracy to the
ministers; and Parry, being thrown into prison, confessed the guilt both
to them and to