Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/387

Rh and that the dark hopes of a Parliament sitting makes men under my circumstances to lend little support to the Government. I thought it most modesty with those fellow Commissioners who came in together, humbly to beg leave to retire. In short, I preserve the same principles as when last we parted, and 'tis neither honour nor profit can make me desert them.

To be in a station where exercised, they prove ill-timed, and if forborne, a reproach to my honour and conscience suits not with my temper. Pardon this long scribble from him who truly is

I am very glad to be able to tell you that your quarter is paid, and I take it to be no small proof of my zeal to serve you, considering how hard it is with us; but you are such an Englishman, that one makes one's-self popular by soliciting for you, so that the merit is quite taken from me on that account. My Lord Sunderland will write to you of many things that I will not trouble you with.