CHARLES II.

5r

(one of whom too departed from his evidence) chap.had affirmed, that they heard a great noise from lxix.

his window , and that they saw a hand throw J " 3 "

out a bloody razor ; these circumstances were laidhold of, and the murder was ascribed to the kingand the duke , who happened that morning topay a visit to the Tower. Essex was subject to tits ofdeep melancholy, and had been seized with oneimmediately upon his commitment : He was ac-customed to maintain the lawfulness of suicide :

And his countess , upon a strict inquiry , whichwas committed to the care of Dr. Burnet, foundno reason to confirm the suspicion : Yet couldnot all these circumstances , joined to manyothers , entirely remove the imputation. It isno wonder , that faction is so productive of vicesof all kinds : For, besides that it inflames allthe passions, it tends much to remove thosegreat restraints, honor and shame ; when menfind, that no iniquity can lose them the applauseof their own party , and no innocence securethem against the calumnies of the opposite.

But though there is no reason to think, thatEssex had been murdered by any orders fromcourt, it must be acknowledged that an unjusti-fiable use in Russel’s trial was made of that incident.

The king’s counsel mentioned it in their pleadingsas a strong proof of the conspiracy ; and it issaid to have had great weight with the jury. Itwas insisted on in Sidney’s trial for the samepurpose.

Some memorable causes, tried about this time, state 0 s th'

E 3