------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transcriber’s Note: This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as ‘_italic_’. The footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced. Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GEORGE VILLIERS DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. FROM ORIGINAL AND AUTHENTIC SOURCES. BY MRS. THOMSON, AUTHOR OF “MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF HENRY THE EIGHTH,” “LIFE OF SIR WALTER RALEGH,” “MEMOIRS OF SARAH, DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH,” &c., &c. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1860. _The right of Translation is reserved._ LONDON: PRINTED BY R. BORN, GLOUCESTER STREET, REGENT’S PARK. CONTENTS OF VOL II. CHAPTER I.