P. 256. Burnet, speaking of the Earl of Clarendon’s banishment:—­It seemed against the common course of justice, to make all corresponding with him treason, when he himself was not attainted of treason.—­Swift. Bishop of Rochester’s case.

P. 257. Burnet. Thus the Lord Clarendon fell under the common fate of great ministers, whose employment exposes them to envy, and draws upon them the indignation of all who are disappointed in their pretensions.  Their friends turning as violently against them, as they formerly fawned abjectly upon them.—­Swift. Stupid moralist.

Ibid. Burnet, speaking of the Earl of Clarendon’s eldest son, who afterwards succeeded him, says:—­His judgement was not to be much depended on, for he was much carried by vulgar prejudices, and false notions.  He was much in the Queen’s favour. Swift. Much, much, much.

P. 258. Burnet, speaking of the Earl of Rochester, second son of Lord Clarendon:—­[He] is a man of far greater parts [than his brother].  He has a very good pen, but speaks not gracefully.—­Swift. I suppose it was of gold or silver.

Ibid. Burnet. [The King] told me, he had a chaplain, that was a very honest man, but a very great blockhead, to whom he had given a living in Suffolk, that was full of that sort of people [Nonconformists].  He had gone about among them from house to house, though he could not imagine what he could say to them, for he said he was a very silly fellow.  But that, he believed, his nonsense suited their nonsense, for he had brought them all to church.  And, in reward of his diligence, he had given him a bishopric in Ireland.—­Swift. Bishop Wolley, of Clonfert.

P. 259. Burnet. If the sectaries were humble and modest, and would tell what would satisfy them, there might be some colour for granting some concessions.—­Swift. I think so too.

P. 260. Burnet. The three volumes of the “Friendly Debate,” though writ by a very good man.—­Swift. Writ by Bishop Patrick.

Ibid. Burnet. After he [Samuel Parker, afterwards Bishop of Oxford] had for some years entertained the nation with several virulent books, writ with much life, he was attacked by the liveliest droll of the age, etc.—­Swift. What is a droll? Burnet. That not only humbled Parker, but the whole party.  For the author of “The Rehearsal Transposed,” etc.—­Swift. Andrew Marvel.

P. 263. Burnet, speaking of the King’s attachment to Nell Gwyn, says:—­But after all he never treated her with the decencies of a mistress.—­Swift. Pray what decencies are those?