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Article HISTORICAL ANECDOTES. ← Page 3 of 3
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Historical Anecdotes.
was suspected to have been contrived by the Duke of Buckingham , ' Ormond himself overlooked it ; but his son , the young Earl of Ossory , who was warm , brave , and spirited , did not preserve so cool a temper upon the occasion . While Buckingham was standing behind the King , this young Earl advanced to him with a stern aspect , " MLord ( said hein a low and sullen voice ) I well know that
y , you was at the bottom of the late attempt of Blood . Take notice : should my father come to an untimely or violent death , 1 shall consider you as the assassin : I shall pistol you , though you stood behind the King : I tell it you in his Majesty ' s presence , that you may he sure I shall keep my word . "
Although the life of Ormond escaped , yet his enemies continued indefatigable in destroying his reputation ; and though all the charges brought against him proved , on examination , to be frivolous , yet the King was obliged to treat him with a mortifying coldness . Such unworthy treatment could neither Jinmble nor provoke the Duke . He took his part in council , he attended daily on the King , without con- . cealing bis sentiments on public affairs , or betraying his resentment ,
without intriguing , or flying to any faction for revenge . Even in the drawing-room his virtues and conciliating address attracted a little circle round him of those who were independent ofthe court . On such an occasion the King , not daring to shew him any civility , was abashed and confounded . On which the profligate Buckingham said to him , " Sir , fwish to know whether it be tlie Duke of Ormond that is out of favour with your Majesty , or your Majesty with the
Duke of Ormond : for , of the two , you seem most out of countenance . ' Yet in this state of disgrace Ormond still continued to speak his sentiments freely , nor was he mortified by opposition . He compared himself to an old clock cast into a comer : " and yet ( said he ) even this rusty machine points sometimes ri ght . " : —When Col . Gary
Dillon solicited his interest in some suit , declaring that he had no friends but God and . his grace-: "Alas , poor Gary ! ( replied the Duke ) thou couldst notJiav ' e named two friends of less interest , or less respected at Court . " .,, . '• ¦ . When Lord Shaftesbury was , declared Lord Chancellor , Charles asked the Duke of Ormond his opinion of " -this ' - ftieasure . "Your Majesty ( answered the Duke ) hath acted very prudently in committing the seals to Lord Shaftesbury , provided you know how to get them from him again . "
After the loss ofthe battle of the Boyne , King James threw out some ungenerous reflections upon the conduct of his Irish troops on that occasion . This provoked the officers , and they retorted it upon him . They contended that their men , though not animated by a princely leader , had taken no inglorious part ; and observed , that while William shared the danger of his army , encouraging them by his presence , by his voice , by his example , James stood at some distance a quiet spectator of the contest for his crown and dignity . They finished with a severe sarcasm : " Exchange Kings ( said they ) and we will once more fi g ht the battle , "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Historical Anecdotes.
was suspected to have been contrived by the Duke of Buckingham , ' Ormond himself overlooked it ; but his son , the young Earl of Ossory , who was warm , brave , and spirited , did not preserve so cool a temper upon the occasion . While Buckingham was standing behind the King , this young Earl advanced to him with a stern aspect , " MLord ( said hein a low and sullen voice ) I well know that
y , you was at the bottom of the late attempt of Blood . Take notice : should my father come to an untimely or violent death , 1 shall consider you as the assassin : I shall pistol you , though you stood behind the King : I tell it you in his Majesty ' s presence , that you may he sure I shall keep my word . "
Although the life of Ormond escaped , yet his enemies continued indefatigable in destroying his reputation ; and though all the charges brought against him proved , on examination , to be frivolous , yet the King was obliged to treat him with a mortifying coldness . Such unworthy treatment could neither Jinmble nor provoke the Duke . He took his part in council , he attended daily on the King , without con- . cealing bis sentiments on public affairs , or betraying his resentment ,
without intriguing , or flying to any faction for revenge . Even in the drawing-room his virtues and conciliating address attracted a little circle round him of those who were independent ofthe court . On such an occasion the King , not daring to shew him any civility , was abashed and confounded . On which the profligate Buckingham said to him , " Sir , fwish to know whether it be tlie Duke of Ormond that is out of favour with your Majesty , or your Majesty with the
Duke of Ormond : for , of the two , you seem most out of countenance . ' Yet in this state of disgrace Ormond still continued to speak his sentiments freely , nor was he mortified by opposition . He compared himself to an old clock cast into a comer : " and yet ( said he ) even this rusty machine points sometimes ri ght . " : —When Col . Gary
Dillon solicited his interest in some suit , declaring that he had no friends but God and . his grace-: "Alas , poor Gary ! ( replied the Duke ) thou couldst notJiav ' e named two friends of less interest , or less respected at Court . " .,, . '• ¦ . When Lord Shaftesbury was , declared Lord Chancellor , Charles asked the Duke of Ormond his opinion of " -this ' - ftieasure . "Your Majesty ( answered the Duke ) hath acted very prudently in committing the seals to Lord Shaftesbury , provided you know how to get them from him again . "
After the loss ofthe battle of the Boyne , King James threw out some ungenerous reflections upon the conduct of his Irish troops on that occasion . This provoked the officers , and they retorted it upon him . They contended that their men , though not animated by a princely leader , had taken no inglorious part ; and observed , that while William shared the danger of his army , encouraging them by his presence , by his voice , by his example , James stood at some distance a quiet spectator of the contest for his crown and dignity . They finished with a severe sarcasm : " Exchange Kings ( said they ) and we will once more fi g ht the battle , "