[265] These abortive negotiations are pretty fully detailed in Fynes Moryson's _Itinerary_, part ii. book i. ch. i. under 1596; Russell's Journal. [266] Clanricarde to Russell, Jan. 15, 1597; Oliver French, mayor of Galway, to Russell, Jan. 19; Bingham to Sir R. Gardiner, Jan. 20 and 27. These four letters are printed in Wright's _Elizabeth_. Russell's Journal; _Four Masters_, 1596 and 1597; the Queen to the Lord Deputy and Council, Dec. 4, 1596, in Morrin's _Patent Rolls_, under 39 Eliz.: 'As to the proceeding for the examination of the complaint against Bingham and the trial thereof, we think it meet that, after the complaints shall be made privy of our hard usage of him here, and the remitting of him to be tried in Connaught, &c.' CHAPTER XLVI. GOVERNMENT OF LORD BURGH, 1597. [Sidenote: Last acts of Russell.] The destruction of Feagh MacHugh enabled Russell to leave Ireland without discredit, but the latter days of his government were darkened by a disaster of a very unusual kind. One hundred and forty barrels of powder which had been drawn from the quay to Wine-tavern Street exploded, accidentally as was supposed, and there was a great destruction of life and property. Men were blown bodily over the housetops, and among the dead were many 'sons of gentlemen who had come from all parts of Ireland to be educated in the city.' [Sidenote: Appointment of Lord Burgh.] The Queen had for some time made up her mind to entrust the civil and military government of Ireland to Thomas, Lord Burgh, though Burghley wished to leave Norris at the head of the army. Considered as general there could be no comparison between the two men; but it is absurd to say, as so many have said, that Burgh was totally ignorant of military matters. He was governor of Brill, and had fought in the Zutphen campaign, where he distinguished himself by gallantry of a rather headlong kind. But he was chiefly known as a diplomatist, and the fact that he was, or had been, a man of fortune may have weighed with the frugal Queen. Russell, who expected his recall daily, retired from Dublin Castle to a small house, and put his train upon board wages; but he need have been in no hurry, for his successor's appointment hung fire. 'The Queen,' says a well-informed news-writer, 'hastens the Lord Burgh's despatch, but by-and-by it is forgotten; it lives some day or two, and lies a-dying twenty days. Many will not believe it till they see him go; but it is very certain that nobody gives it furtherance but the Queen's own resolution; and his standing upon an imprest of 3,000_l._ and a house furnished makes her Majesty let it fall.'[267] [Sidenote: Arrival of Burgh, May.]