CHARLES II.

373

popish plot was in question , could sometimesprevail. The earl of Castlemaine, husband tothe dutchess of Cleveland , was acquitted aboutthis time , though accused by Oates and Dan-gerfield of an intention to assassinate the king. SirThomas Gascoigne , a very aged gentleman inthe north, being accused by two servants, whomhe had dismissed for dishonesty, received a likeveulict. These trials were great blows to theplot, which now began to stagger, in the judg-ment of most men , except those who wereentirely devoted to the country-partv. But inorder still to keep alive the zeal against popery,the earl of Shaftesbury appeared in Westminster-hall, attended by the earl of Huntingdon, thelords Russel , Cavendish , Grey , Brandon , SirHenry Caverly, Sir Gilbert Gcrrard, Sir WilliamCooper, and other persons of distinction, andpresented to the grand jury of Middlesex reasonsfor indicting the duke of^ork as a popish recu-sant. While the jury were deliberating on thisextraordinary presentment, the chief justice sentfor them , and suddenly , even somewhat irregu-larly, dismissed them. Shaftesbury however ob-tained the end for which he had undertaken thisbold measure : He showed to all his followersthe desperate resolution , which he had embraced,never to admit of any accommodation or compo-sition with the duke. By such daring conduct begave them assurance, that he was fully determinednot to desert their cause ; and he engaged them

Bb 3

: H A PLXVIII.

1630 .

2Zll June;