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 to experience the attentions of Sir Henry Wallop, 'who,' says Boyle, 'being conscious in his own heart that I had sundry papers and collections of Michael Kittlewell, his late treasurer, which might discover a great deal of wrong and abuse done to the queen in his late accounts ... he renewed his former complaints against me to the queen's majesty.' In consequence of this Boyle was conveyed a close prisoner to the Gatehouse, and at the end of two months underwent examination before the Star-chamber. Boyle does not state that the complaints were in any way modified or altered, but if they were not his account of them in his 'True Remembrances' is not only inadequate but misleading. His examination before the Star-chamber had no reference whatever to his being in the pay of the king of Spain or a pervert to Catholicism—the accusations he specially instances as 'formerly' made against him by Sir Henry Wallop—but bore chiefly on the causes of his previous imprisonments, and on several asserted instances of trafficking in forfeited estates (see Articles wherein Richard Boyle, prisoner, is to be examined, Add. MS. 19832, f. 8, and Articles to be proved against Richard Boyle, Add. MS. 19832, f. 9). It can scarcely be affirmed that he came out of the ordeal of examination with a reputation utterly unsullied, but the unsatisfactory character of his explanations was condoned by the revelations he made regarding the malversations of his accuser as treasurer of Ireland, and according to his own account he had no sooner done speaking than the queen broke out 'By G—'s death, these are but inventions against the young man, and all his sufferings are but for being able to do us service.' Sir Henry Wallop was at once superseded in the treasurership by Sir George Carew [q. v.],and a few days afterwards Boyle received the office of clerk of the council of Munster. He was chosen by Sir George Carew, who was also lord president of Munster, to convey to Elizabeth tidings of the victory near Kinsale in December 1601, and after the final reduction of the province he was, on 15 Oct. 1602, sent over to England to give information in reference to the condition of the country. On the latter occasion he came provided by Sir George Carew with a letter of introduction to Sir Walter Raleigh, recommending him as a proper purchaser for all his lands in Ireland 'if he was disposed to part with them.' Through the mediation of Cecil, terms were speedily adjusted, and for the paltry sum of 1,000l. Boyle saw himself the possessor of 12,000 acres in Cork, Waterford, and Tipperary, exceptionally fertile, and presenting unusual natural advantages for the development of trade. All, it is true, depended on his own energy and skill in making proper use of his purchase. Raleigh had found it such a bad bargain that he was glad to be rid of it. In the disturbed condition of the country it was even possible that no amount of enterprise and skill might be rewarded with immediate success. Boyle, however, possessed the advantage of being always on the spot, and of dogged perseverance in the one aim of acquiring wealth and power. Before the purchase could be completed Raleigh was attainted of high treason, but in 1604 Boyle obtained a patent for the property from the crown, and paid the purchase-money to Raleigh. There can indeed be no doubt whatever as to the honourable character of his dealings with Raleigh, who throughout life remained on friendly terms with him. The attempt of Raleigh's widow and son to obtain possession of the property was even morally without justification. It had become to its possessor a source of immense wealth, but the change was the result solely of his marvellous energy and enterprise. Cromwell, when he afterwards beheld the prodigious improvements Boyle had effected, is said to have affirmed that, if there had been one like him in every province, it would have been impossible for the Irish to raise a rebellion (, Hist. Ireland, vol. ii.) One of the chief causes of his success was the introduction of manufactures and mechanical arts by settlers from England. From his ironworks alone, according to Boate, he made a clear gain of 100,000l. (Ireland's Nat. Hist. (1652), p. 112). At enormous expense he built bridges, constructed harbours, and founded towns, prosperity springing up at his behest as if by a magician's wand. All mutinous manifestations among the native population were kept in check by the thirteen strong castles erected in different districts, and defended by well-armed bands of retainers. At the same time, for all willing to work, immunity from the worst evils of poverty was guaranteed. On his vast plantations he kept no fewer than 4,000 labourers maintained by his money. His administration was despotic, but enlightened and beneficent except as regarded the papists. For his zeal in putting into execution the laws against the papists he received from the government special commendation—a zeal which, if it arose from a mistaken sense of duty, would deserve at least no special blame; but probably self-interest rather than duty was what chiefly inspired it, for by the possession of popish houses he obtained a considerable addition to his wealth.

The services rendered by Boyle to the