CHARLES II.

9

liall, testified their joy by the loudest acclama-tions, which were echoed throughout the wholecity.

About this time a scheme of oppression waslaid in Scotland, after a manner still more flagrant,against a nobleman much less obnoxious thanShaftesbury ; and as that country was reducedto a state of almost total subjection, the projecthad the good fortune to succeed.

The earl of Argyle, from his youth, haddistinguished himself by his loyalty, and his at-tachment to the royal family. Though his fatherwas head of the covenanters, he himself refusedto concur in any of their measures; and when acommission of colonel was given him by the con-vention of states, he forbore to act upon it, tillit should be ratified by the king. By his respect-ful behaviour, as well as by his services, he madehimself acceptable to Charles, when that princewas in Scotland : And even after the battle ofWorcester, all the misfortunes, which attendedthe royal cause, could not engage him to desertit. Under Middleton he obstinately perseveredto harass and infest the victorious English; and itwas not till he received orders from that general,that he would submit to accept of a capitulation.Such jealousy of his loyal attachments was enter-tained by the commonwealth and protector, thata pretence was soon after fallen upon to commithim to prison ; and his confinement was rigorouslyContinued till the restoration. The king, sensibleof his services > had remitted to him his father’s

CHAT.

LXTX.

1681..

Argytc’s

trial.