In adopting the rash policy represented by Tyrconnel, James parted with his two brothers-in-law, in whom the Church of England trusted. Rochester was dismissed from the Treasury, though with a large pension, and Belasyse, a Roman Catholic who had suffered by Oates's plot, was made First Lord. The Privy Seal was not restored to Clarendon, but given to Lord Arundel of Wardour, who had signed the secret treaty of Dover. Clarendon had been a painstaking governor, but he did not deserve much sympathy, for he was ready to support his master's arbitrary policy though he did not approve of it. That the King should be dissatisfied with one of his letters was, he said, a 'mortification beyond anything that can befall me in this world ... to live under your Majesty's displeasure is impossible for me.... I have made it the study of my life to practise obedience ... you will find a most resigned obedience in me.' This was very shortly before his dismissal, and after the blow had fallen he goes on in the same strain, talks of casting himself as quickly as possible at His Majesty's feet, and of obedience to him having been the business of his life. The same flavour of servility permeates his letters to his brother and to Sunderland. Short of changing his religion, there seems to have been no degree of compliance at which he would have stopped.[156] [Sidenote: He leaves Ireland.] When taking leave of his Council, Clarendon defended the English in Ireland from the charge of fanaticism. They were, he said, good Church of England men, and had been the first of the late King's subjects to restore him. They had also been against the Exclusion Bill, and were most ready to acknowledge royal authority. He pointed with some pride to the Irish Exchequer. Under Ormonde the annual revenue had risen to over 300,000_l._ a year without subsidies, and his successor had made it cover the expenses. All charges had been defrayed as they became due, and the army was paid up to the last month of his reign. James had indeed no fault to find with him but his religion. Having personally delivered the sword to Tyrconnel, Clarendon returned to England, and on March 3 Evelyn drove out of London to meet him. He was received at Court very soon after.[157] FOOTNOTES: [139] Proclamations of February 10 and 11, 1684-5, Carte's _Ormonde_, ii. 543. Ormonde's letters of February 22, March 1 and 4, in Singer's _Correspondence_ of Clarendon and Rochester. Luttrell's _Diary_, March 27. The story of the officers' dinner is in _Secret Consults of the Romish Party_, 1690. Ormonde's arms were placed over the entrance to the new hospital.