CHARLES II.

281

the ball, and was much shattered by it. Thishappened in the principal street of the city; butso generally was the archbishop hated , that theassassin was allowed peaceably to wajk off; andhaving turned a street or two , and thrown offa wig, which disguised him, he immediatelyappeared in public , and remained altogether un-suspected. Some years after, Sharpe remarkedone, who seemed to eye him very eagerly; andbeing still anxious, lest an attempt of assassinationshould be renewed, he ordered the man to beseized and examined. Two loaded pistols werefound upon him; and as he was now concludedto be the author of the former attempt, Sharpepromised, that, if he would confess his guilt,he should be dismissed without any punishment.IYlitchel (for the conjecture was just), was socredulous as to believe him; but was immediatelyproduced before the council by the faithless pri-mate. The council, having no proof against him,but hoping to involve the whole body of cove-nanters in this odious crime, solemnly renewedthe promise of pardon, if he would make a fulldiscovery; and it was a great disappointment tothem , when they sound , upon his confession ,that only one person, who was now dead , hadbeen acquainted with his bloody purpose. Mitcheswas then carried before a court of judicature,and required to renew his confession; but beingapprehensive, lest, though a pardon for life hadbeen promised him , other corporal punishmentmight still be inflicted , he refused compliance ;

HAP.

l.XVI.

1678.