in it. But I hope, when you have taken a view of the forces, and put such officers over them whose discretion and moderation will more sweeten than exasperate the spirits of men, and find out the real offenders, rather than suppose them, these distempers will soon blow over, and bring those offenders to light which now escape away clear, under the shadow of some innocents, but suspected criminals. There cannot be too much care, I confess, in preventing these mischiefs; and I know nothing will do it better, than to have discreet and sober officers; as they are likest to do their own duty, so no honest and sober man but will be ready to do his in giving intelligence, advice, and assistance to them on all occasions, when those destroy unity by keeping up distinctions which both the King and the Parliament in great wisdom have thought fit to bury in oblivion, and this I doubt not hath caused many to seem enemies which are real friends. But I shall plead for no man, but leave such to clear their own integrity, which, if they do, your lordship will do a great act of justice, service to his Majesty, and honour to yourself, not to let them be destroyed and ruined by some men's private passions, under colour of doing public service. Your lordship may be a good instrument in accommodating many things by your presence here, which your own observations will best direct you in; and though I had not a talent, I could not withhold my mite from offering it for the peace of my country; and that your lordship might be a happy instrument of it, is the desire of, my lord,

Your Grace's most affectionate and humble servant,
THO. FAIRFAX.

October 14th, 1663.

There is but one letter more; it is addressed to a lady (supposed to be Lady Clinton); and refers chiefly to the Duchess of Buckingham, who had now been upwards of three years a widow. She doubtless was not handsome, but she was distinguished for her virtue and piety, and bore the profligacy of her husband with such sweetness of disposition, that he is said to have conducted himself towards her with a civility amounting almost to tenderness.

GENERAL FAIRFAX TO

MADAM,

WHEN I received your ladyship's letter, being then in the gout, and long time after lame in my hands, hath caused this late return of my humble thanks, in which you were pleased to let me know my daughter could not conveniently make a journey down this summer, which I did partly believe, though I should have been glad to have seen her; yet the disappointment of my expectation was with less trouble, receiving the intimation of it from so gentle a hand as your ladyship's. And now, Madam, having been obliged to you for so favourable a care as your ladyship has always expressed of me, I shall beg once more you would be so charitable to deliver me from some trouble I am in, to let me know whither my daughter is gone, for I have not heard one word from any but what your ladyship was pleased to write to Mr. Streeton, and it seems so strange to me she

* This letter is the last in the handwriting of Lord Fairfax. A letter published in the Memoir (p. 149) is mentioned as the last record of his hand; but this (addressed probably to the same person) has been discovered since.

should go to Calais, a garrison only of soldiers, as I cannot apprehend a reason for it; neither can I think she would be so forgetful of me, without giving me some notice of her going out of the kingdom, since it was no secret to others, but that some sudden resolution occasioned it. However, in her more composed thoughts, she could not think me so unnatural a father. I should not be in doubts and trouble if I knew where and what condition she was in; therefore I beseech you, Madam, if you have heard any more certainly how they have proceeded in that journey, your ladyship will do me that favour to let me know it, not that I can desire it from your own hand, it would be too great a trouble,—but by any other's you think fit. I did not think to put your ladyship to this trouble; but hoping you will pardon this digression, I shall return to my first intention, which was to express my hearty acknowledgment of your ladyship's favours, and the great reason I have ever to be,

Your ladyship's most affectionate and humble servant,

August 6th, 1670.

T. FAIRFAX.

Madam; I pray you present my affectionate service to my sister Worsman. My Lady Penelope Langham is early every morning drinking the waters. I wish her much good in them, and have hope, since I cannot write to her, to have the honour to see her at Appleton.

Lord Fairfax died on the 2nd November, 1671, little more than twelve months after the date of this letter, at the age of sixty. Hard service had done its full work upon him, and the last seven years of his life were years of physical suffering: old wounds, racking his

frame with torture at all changes of the weather, and rheumatism, gout, and the complicated infirmities that grow upon incessant pain, depriving him latterly of the power of moving abroad. But his mind was clear and healthy to the last.

He was buried in the south aisle, close to the chancel, of Bidburgh Church, near York; and the following simple epitaph was inscribed over his grave :

HERE LYE THE BODIES OF THE RIGHT HONORABLE THOMAS LORD FAIRFAX OF DENTON, BARON CAMERONE, WHO DIED NOVEMBER 2nd, 1671, IN THE SIXTIETH YEAR OF HIS AGE. AND OF ANNE HIS WIFE, DAUGHTER AND COHEIR OF HORATIO LORD VERE, BARON OF TILBURY. HE HAD ISSUE, MARY, DUCHESS OF BUCKINGHAM, AND ELIZABETH.

VOL. II.