disorder and confusion that it should seem to be past all hope of recovery without a miracle; but yet, when all people were in despaire of happy days againe, the kingdome should suddenly be reduced and resettled again in a most happy condition. "At this time my father Pym was in trouble, and committed to the Gatehouse by the Lords of the Councill, about a quarrel between him and the Lord Pawlett, upon which one night I sayd unto my cousin Towse, by way of jest, _I pray you ask your Apparition what shall become of my father Pym’s business_?--which he promised to doe; and the next day told me that my father Pym’s enemies were ashamed of their malicious prosecution, and that he would be at liberty within a weeke, or some few days, which happened accordingly. "Mr. Towse’s wife (since his death) told me that her husband and she, living in Windsor Castle, where he had an office, that summer the Duke of Buckingham was killed, told her the very day that the Duke was set upon by the mutinous mariners in Portsmouth, saying the ... would be his death, which accordingly fell out--and that at the very instant the Duke was killed (as upon strict enquiry they found afterwards) Mr. Towse, sitting amongst some company, suddenly started up and said, _The Duke of Buckingham is slain_. Mr. Towse lived not long after; which is as much as I can remember of this Apparition, which, according to your desire, is written by, “Sir, yours, &c., “EDMUND WINDHAM. “Boulogne, Aug. 5, 1652.” ---------- The following letter has been adduced as a proof that Villiers owed his favour with Charles to an incident in the Monarch’s early life--his sole dereliction from propriety, as it is said. Buckingham, it is said, was Charles’s confidant, and mediator between him and King James:-- "Steenie, I have nothing now to wryte to you, but to give you thankes bothe for the good counsell ye gave me, and for the event of it. The King gave mee a good sharpe potion, but you took away the working of it by the well-relished comfites ye sent after. I have met with the partie that must not be named, once alreddie, and the cullor of wryting this letter shall make mee meete with her on Saturday, although it is written the day being Thursday. So assuring you that this business goes safelie on, I rest “Your constant loving friend, “CHARLES."[246] “I hope ye will not shew the King this letter, but put it in the safe custodie of Mister Vulcan.” Footnote 246: “Historia et vitae et regni Ricardi II.,” p. 104, by Mr. T. Hearne, who tells us the letter is said to have once belonged to Archbishop Sancroft, and observes it is the only intrigue he had ever heard this Prince was concerned in. THE END.