Of all the bad men in a bad time Buckingham was perhaps the worst, without shame, honour, or decency. He amused Charles and those about him, and his career is disposed of in a single line of Dryden--he had his jest and they had his estate. Ormonde was an offence unto him both for his high character and for the universal respect in which he was held. Nevertheless he made some approaches to Ossory, who refused to be reconciled to him unless he would act a friendly part to his father. In fact he intrigued incessantly against him, trying first to capture his position as Lord Steward, and when that failed, hoping to succeed him as Lord Lieutenant, going so far as to make nominations to offices in Ireland. Arlington, whose wife was Lady Ossory's sister, did not openly oppose Ormonde, though he gave him little help. He had to hold his own against Buckingham, and did in fact secure the weight of business while his rival made a show in public. An attempt was made to prove financial mismanagement in Ireland, and this involved Anglesey, who had lately resigned the Vice-treasurership. The attack failed, and the idea of an impeachment was soon dropped. Ormonde seldom used strong language, but in writing to his son he said that Buckingham was a vile man, that Orrery's gout was the least of his infirmities, and that Lord Meath, upon whose articles it was hoped to found an impeachment, had lost more than he could spare of the sense God gave him. Meath's name was struck off the Irish Privy Council, and Charles repeatedly affirmed his confidence in the Lord Lieutenant. Towards the end of 1668 well-informed people still thought that he would not be removed, and even in February he wrote himself to that effect. Four days later his supersession was finally decided on, which, says Pepys, 'is a great stroke to show the power of Buckingham and the poor spirit of the King; and little hold that any man can have of him.' But to the end Charles continued to speak well of Ormonde, who told the Irish Chancellor that he was much more surprised at the praise than at the recall.[80] FOOTNOTES: [61] _Irish Commons Journal_, January to August, 1666. _Irish Lords Journal_, July 16, and August 3 and 7. Ormonde to Arlington, January 17 and April 4, State Papers, _Ireland_; Leigh to Williamson, _ib._ August 6. Writing to Ormonde, August 14, Arlington regrets that the Bill of Indemnity had not passed--'the persecutions all parties, at least two considerable ones, are exposed to for want of it,' were certain to give trouble.--_Miscellanea Aulica_, p. 413. [62] Ormonde to Arlington, January 20, 1665-6, May 25 and 30, State Papers, _Ireland_; letters, May 25-29, _ib._; G. Warburton to Williamson, June 27, _ib._; a memorandum, July 17, _ib._; Clarendon to Ormonde, July 7, _Carte Transcripts_, vol. xlvii.; Arran's account, May 28, _ib._ vol. xxxiv.