It was observed that all his own relations of his name and family condemned him, except his nephew, the Earl of Arundel, son to the Duke of Norfolk. And it must be acknowledged that the whole trial was carried on with exceeding gravity: so stately and august appearance I had never seen before; for besides the innumerable spectators of gentlemen and foreign ministers, who saw and heard all the proceedings, the prisoner had the consciences of all the Commons of England for his accusers, and all the Peers to be his Judges and Jury. He had likewise the assistance of what counsel he would, to direct him in his plea, who stood by him. And yet I can hardly think that a person of his age and experience should engage men whom he never saw before (and one of them that came to visit him as a stranger at Paris) _point blank_ to murder the King: God only who searches hearts, can discover the truth. Lord Stafford was not a man beloved, especially of his own family. * * * * * _22nd._ A solemn public Fast that God would prevent all Popish plots, avert his judgments, and give a blessing to the proceedings of parliament now assembled, and which struck at the succession of the Duke of York. _29th._ The Viscount Stafford was beheaded on Tower-hill. CHARACTER OF SHAFTESBURY (1681). +Source.+--Dryden's _Absalom and Achitophel_. ... The false Achitophel[12] was ... A name to all succeeding ages curst. For close designs and crooked counsels fit, Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit, Restless, unfixed in principles and place, In power unpleased, impatient of disgrace; A fiery soul, which working out its way, Fretted the pigmy body to decay, And o'er-informed the tenement of clay. A daring pilot in extremity, Pleased with the danger, when the wave went high, He sought the storms; but, for a calm unfit, Would steer too nigh the sands to boast his wit. Great wits are sure to madness near allied, And thin partitions do their bounds divide. Else, why should he, with wealth and honour blest, Refuse his age the needful hours of rest? Punish a body which he could not please, Bankrupt of life, yet prodigal of ease? And all to leave what with his toil he won To that unfeathered two-legged thing, a son Got while his soul did huddled notions try, And born a shapeless lump, like anarchy. In friendship false, implacable in hate Resolved to ruin or to rule the State. To compass this the triple bond he broke, The pillars of the public safety shook, And fitted Israel[13] for a foreign yoke. Then, seized with fear, yet still affecting fame, Usurped a patriot's all atoning name. So easy still it proves in factious times With public zeal to cancel private crimes. How safe is treason and how sacred ill, Where none can sin against the people's will; Where none can wink and no offence be known, Since in another's guilt they find their own!