And here it may be worth observing how unanimous a concurrence there is between some persons once in great power, and a French Papist; both agreeing in the great end of taking away Mr. Harley’s life, though differing in their methods:  the first proceeding by subornation, the other by violence; wherein Guiscard seems to have the advantage, as aiming no further than his life; while the others designed to destroy at once both that and his reputation.  The malice of both against this gentleman seems to have risen from the same cause, his discovering designs against the government.  It was Mr. Harley who detected the treasonable correspondence of Gregg, and secured him betimes; when a certain great man who shall be nameless, had, out of the depth of his politics, sent him a caution to make his escape; which would certainly have fixed the appearance of guilt[14] upon Mr. Harley:  but when that was prevented, they would have enticed the condemned criminal with promise of a pardon, to write and sign an accusation against the secretary.  But to use Gregg’s own expression, “His death was nothing near so ignominious, as would have been such a life that must be saved by prostituting his conscience.”  The same gentleman lies now stabbed by his other enemy, a Popish spy, whose treason he has discovered.  God preserve the rest of her Majesty’s ministers from such Protestants, and from such Papists!

I shall take occasion to hint at some particularities in this surprising fact, for the sake of those at distance, or who may not be thoroughly informed.[15] The murderer confessed in Newgate, that his chief design was against Mr. Secretary St. John, who happened to change seats with Mr. Harley, for more convenience of examining the criminal:[16] and being asked what provoked him to stab the chancellor? he said, that not being able to come at the secretary, as he intended, it was some satisfaction to murder the person whom he thought Mr. St. John loved best.[17]

And here, if Mr. Harley has still any enemies left, whom his blood spilt in the public service cannot reconcile, I hope they will at least admire his magnanimity, which is a quality esteemed even in an enemy:  and I think there are few greater instances of it to be found in story.  After the wound was given, he was observed neither to change his countenance, nor discover any concern or disorder in his speech:  he rose up, and walked along the room while he was able, with the greatest tranquillity, during the midst of the confusion.  When the surgeon came, he took him aside, and desired he would inform him freely whether the wound were mortal, because in that case, he said, he had some affairs to settle, relating to his family.  The blade of the penknife, broken by the violence of the blow against a rib, within a quarter of an inch of the handle, was dropt out (I know not whether from the wound, or his clothes) as the surgeon was going to dress him; he ordered it to be taken up, and wiping it himself, gave it some body to keep, saying, he thought “it now properly belonging to him.”  He shewed no sort of resentment, or spoke one violent word against Guiscard, but appeared all the while the least concerned of any in the company—­a state of mind, which in such an exigency, nothing but innocence can give, and is truly worthy of a Christian philosopher.