Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/106

xciv to believe not only that he was not acquainted with the Prince's intentions, but that he was one of the last people that believed it; nor could his son obtain his father's permission to meet him on his landing. Upon the abdication of James, be considered himself relieved from the obligation of this promise, and they both waited upon the Prince at Windsor, where he was again pressed to enter into his service as Secretary of State, which, however, be consistently declined.

A sad domestic calamity awaited him: his son was appointed to the office of Secretary at War; within a week after his appointment, be committed suicide, by throwing himself into the Thames, leaving this writing behind him: "My folly in undertaking what I was not able to perform has done the king and kingdom a great deal of prejudice. I wish him all happiness and abler servants than John Temple." The circumstance alluded to is supposed to be his having engaged for the fidelity of General Hamilton, who, being employed to negotiate with Tyrconnel, the Governor in Ireland, betrayed the trust reposed in him.

William, though he could not persuade Temple to take any office, frequently advised with him upon matters of importance; and it is known that