patched his commission in a very short time, (in less than an hour,) was no sooner returned to the King, who he found in the room where he had left him, and where he had been still alone, than an unknown person came and asked of the landlord, if two Frenchmen had not alighted at his house that morning. The landlord replied, that indeed two men had come, but of what country he knew not. The stranger desired him to tell them that he wanted to speak with them; which he having done, the King was much surprised, but withal inclined to see the person. Fleming opposed it, but the King being positive, the person was intro duced, being an old reverend-like man, with a long grey-beard, and ordinary grey clothes, who looking and speaking to the King, told him he was the person he wanted to speak to, and that alone on matters of importance. The King, believing it might be perhaps a return from his sister, or being curious to know the result of such an adventure, desired Fleming to withdraw, which he refused, till the King taking him aside, told him there could be no hazard from such an old man, for whom he was too much, and commanded him to retire. They were no sooner alone than the stranger bolted the door, (which brought the King to think on what might or would happen,) and at the same time falling down on his knees, pulled off his very nice and artificial mask, and discovered himself to be Mr. Downing, (afterwards well known by the name of Sir George, and ambassador from the

King to the States after his restoration,) then envoy or ambassador from Cromwell to the States; being the son of one Downing, an independent minister, who attended some of the Parliament-men, who were once sent to Scotland to treat with the Scots to join against the King, and was a very active virulent enemy to the Royal Family, as appears from Lord Clarendon's History. The King, you may easily imagine, was a little surprised at the discovery; but Downing gave him no time for reflection, having immediately spoken to him in the following manner:-That he hoped his Majesty would pardon him for any share he had acted during the rebellion against his royal interest, and assured him, that though he was just now in the service of the usurper, he wished his Majesty as well as any of his subjects, and would, when an occasion offered, venture all for his service, and was hopeful what he was about to say, would convince his Majesty of his sincerity. But before he mentioned the cause of his coming to him, he must insist that his Majesty would solemnly promise him, not to mention what had happened, either to Fleming, or any other person whatsoever, till it pleased God to restore his Majesty to his crown, when he said he should not desire it to be concealed, though even then he must likewise have his Majesty's promise not to ask him, or expect he should discover, how or when he came to know of his being there. The King having solemnly protested, and

engaged on the terms required, Downing proceeded and told him, That his master, the usurper, being now at peace with the Dutch, and the States so dependant and obsequious to him, that they refused nothing he desired, had, with the greatest secrecy, in order to make it more effectual, entered into a treaty, by which, among other trifling matters agreed to, hinc inde, the chief and indeed main end of the negociation was, that the States stood engaged to seize and deliver up to the usurper the person of his Majesty, if so be at any time he should happen by chance to design to come within their territories, when required thereto by any in his name; and that this treaty having been signed by the States, was sent to London, from whence it had returned but yesterday morning, and totally finished yesterday night, betwixt him and a secret committee of the States. He represented his master's intelligence to be so good, that a discovery would be made even to himself (Downing,) of his Majesty being there; and if he neglected to apply to have him seized, his master would resent it to the highest, which would infallibly cost him his head, and deprive his Majesty of a faithful servant. And being desirous to prevent the miserable consequences of what would follow, if his being there was discovered, he resolved to communicate the danger he was in, and for fear of a discovery he had disguised himself, being resolved to trust no person with the secret. He then proposed

that his Majesty would immediately mount his horses, and make all the dispatch imaginable out of the States' territories; that he himself would return home, and under pretence of sickness, lie longer a-bed than usual, and that when he thought his Majesty was so far off, as to be out of danger to be overtaken, he would go to the States and acquaint them, that he understood his Majesty was in town, and require his being seized on the terms of the late treaty; that he knew they would comply and send to the place directed, but on finding his Majesty was gone off so far as to be safe, he would propose to make no further noise about it, lest it should discover the treaty, and prevent his Majesty falling afterwards into their hands. The King immediately followed his advice, and he returning home, every thing was acted and happened as he proposed and foretold. The King having thus escaped this imminent danger, most religiously performed what he had promised, never mentioning any part of this history till after his restoration, and not then desiring to know how Downing's intelligence came, (which he never discovered,) though he (the King,) often said it was a mystery. For no person knew of his design till he was on horseback, and that he could not think Fleming went and discovered him to Downing; beside, he so soon returned from his sister, he could not have time; Downing having come much about the time Fleming returned.

This story was told by several who frequented King Charles's court, particularly by the Earl of Cromartie, who said the next year after the restoration, he, with the Duke of Rothes, and several other Scots of quality, being one night with the King over a bottle, they all complained of an impertinent speech Downing had made in parliament, reflecting on the Scots nation, which they thought his Majesty should resent, so as to discard him from court, and withdraw his favours from him. The King replied, he did not approve of what he had said, and would reprove him for it; but to go farther he could not well do, because of this story, which he repeated in the terms here narrated, which made such an impression on all present, that they freely forgave what had past; and Rothes asked liberty to begin his health in a bumper.

LETTERS FROM KING JAMES.

(From Nicolas' life of William Davidson, secretary of state, and privy counsellor.)

WILLIAM DAVIDSON, of whose origin nothing is known, and whose name and posterity have vanished from the face of the earth, as if Providence had specially ordered it so to mark the punishment of his guilt, has, after a lapse of two centuries, found an advocate in the author of his life.

Except as connected with the history of Elizabeth, it were worthless to enquire whether this man acted the willing tool, or read-service villein, or