those who were against bringing it in will certainly, now it is brought in, be for it; fo there is no doubt of its paffing the Houfe of Commons, and as little doubt of its stopping in the House of Lords. Sir C. Hedges proposed the referring the bill either to the Grand Committee of Religion, or to the Convocation; which was interpreted only as a defire of deferring it. Nobody feconded him in that point.

We did nothing in Convocation yesterday, but only getting a day to be appointed for the fitting of our two committees of books and grievances. We who met were but few ; about fifteen on our fide, and two or three on the other; all difpirited, and ftaring upon one another not a man from Oxford, but the Prolocutor alone. Our old difpute, about the claim of our right, we cannot move a step in; having, by the admirable conduct of our leader, lodged that fafely in a hand from whence no man will think it decent to withdraw it. And while we are fo few in number, and the Bishops and we are in fuch terms of oppofition, it is impoffible to think of proceeding on bufinefs. So we expect adjournment on Wednesday next, or at most

the

the next feffion after that, till the Chriftmas holidays are over: and indeed we want one, to preserve us from the contempt we are at prefent under, while we meet as a body, and yet can do nothing worthy of the name.

Dr. Edisbury tells me he hath written your Lordship an account of particulars in' the matter of Blackburne*. Dr. Jane's hand had like never to have been put to it; for he hath another fhock, which it was thought would have been fatal: but is now paft all danger. Sir Edward Seymour, in the debate to-day, called Davenant" a profligate fcribbler." Mr. Bromley and St. John's fpeeches were much admired.

I fear what Mr. Lowndes + writes to your Lordship will prove at last but a scanty bounty, notwithstanding the promises made of mighty matters. The delay is laid on the Bishops; not above fix of which have made their returns.

I am your Lordship's ever dutiful, most faithful, and obedient fervant,

# See the note in p. 124.

FR. ATTERBURY.

William Lowndes, efq. Secretary to the

Treafury.

LET

LETTER XLVIII.

To Bp. TRELAWN Y.

Nov 27, 17038

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

THE

HE bill againft occasional conformity was read the first time to-day, and ordered a fecond reading on Tuesday next; which fhews they have fet their hearts upon it.

They addreffed the Queen to-day alfo, that The would interpofe with the States of Holland, for continuing the prohibition of trade with France*; as having confented to the additional 10,000 men only on that condition.

Sir H. Mackworth hath put out a book for the occafional bill, intituled, "Peace at "Home;" and dedicated it to the Queen. I am your Lordship's moft obedient humble fervant, FR. ATTERBURY.

The words of the addrefs were, that the Queen "would pleafe to infift upon it with the "States General, that the ftop of all pofts, and of "all letters, bills, and all other correfpondences, "trade, and commerce, with France and Spain, "be continued."

LET.

LETTER XLIX.

To Bp. TRELAWNY.

Chelsea, Dec. 1, 17034

I

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

WILL not offer at expreffing my thanks

to your Lordship in a letter *; but will do it in the whole courfe of my life, the chief endeavour of which fhall be, to fhew your Lordship my gratitude for those noble favours you have been pleased to confer upon me. Dr. Jane is not dead yet, and may linger out fome time ftill; though all his friends look upon him already as dead, and wifh him fo; for he hath loft all his understanding and fenfes, and is in a very deplorable condition, and it is expected that every day will be his laft. When the news of his

*This feems to have been for an offer of the office of Chancellor of the Church of Exeter. Dr. Jane, however, recovered from the illness here mentioned; and held that office till 1714, when he refigned it on being made Præcentor.

death

your

death is certain, I will obey your Lordship's orders to the Dean, and will alfo go to Archdeacon Drewe, as your Lordship directs. You give me no commands to the Præcentor*, and therefore I fhall take it for granted that Lordship doth not intend I fhould wait upon him. He is now employing his court-interest for a tranflation to Bath and Wells; and, it is faid will furely effect it. There was talk for a day or two of the Dean of Christ Church +; but it is over, and the matter feems to be fixed for the new Bifhop. The Dean is as eafy in it, and as glad of it, as if it were no flur upon him to be thus neglected. He had certainly been the man, but for one objection, which his enemies urged warmly against him; and it hath fucceeded. And the mifchief of it is, that it is fuch an objection as, being entertained, will equally hinder him in his pretenfions to any other Bishoprick whatfoever. I hope, if this tranflation takes place, Dr. Edwards will fucceed in St. A faph.

I am, with all poffible gratitude, réfpect, and duty, your Lordship's ever obliged, and most obedient, faithful fervant, FR. ATTERBURY. * Bp. Hooper. + Dr. Aldrich.

Jonathan, D. D. Proctor in Convocation for the Chapter of Landaff.

What