Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/113

Rh public questions, such as the exclusion of the Duke of York, &c.), the three Lords and I continued our constant meetings and consultations; and with so much union and so disinterested endeavours for the general good of his Majesty's service and the kingdoms, that I could not but say to them, at the end of one of our meetings, that we four were either the honestest men in England, or the greatest knaves, for we all made one another at least believe that we were the honestest in the world."

"The three Lords and I went on unanimous in our consultations, considering how to make way for a calmer and better tempered session of Parliament, after the short prorogation which had been made. To which purpose we again endeavoured the removal of the Duke of Lauderdale, or at least the admission of other nobles of Scotland in those affairs. We concluded the measures with Holland in all points to the satisfaction of their Ambassadors, and thought of such arts of council as might express his Majesty's care for the suppression of popery, even in the intervals of Parliament."

Such is the description given by Sir William Temple of the happy state of this self-constituted cabinet council, when Henry Sidney, the uncle of