would do me kindnesse to exchange offices with me, for I would willingly be Vice Chancellour a month, provided you would be Bursar! In regard to the death of my colleague ye present account of the whole yeare lies on me. Read to B. what follows: Dr. Clutterbuck desires me to send to you for a scholar who is prudent and welle-behaved, to live with a Knight at Greenwich, of his owne name, and of kin to him. His employment will be only to read prayers, and to have a young gentleman's company, who is about 17 yeares of age, but, having lived in Italy, scarcely knows the customes of England, and to reade some parts of learning which are most suitable to him. I doubt not but you are able to recommend several fitt for him, but if I might guide your choice I would wish you would propose it to Mr. Bampton. I know very welle that you have not any reason to be kind to him, but I am of opinion, as they soon go abroad for some time, you would soon learne to like him better at his returne than before; besides, he told me the other day that he was desirous of a schoole, and soome friends did recommend him to Mr. Nowell for a Chaplaine; but I am afraide he will not suit him, and though his behaviour to you has made me much less concern'd for him than, I own to you, I should have bene, yett I like him so welle, that if he has a mind to this employement I desire you to recommend him, for without your recommendation I shall be able to doo him no good. Dr. Clutterbuck is now in London, lodging att Mr. Roger Newton's, in Little Brittaine. Send your resolution by ye nexte post to him, for he expects it. Excuse this very longe letter. Deare Sir,

Yours most affectionately,

For ye Reverend Dr. John Nicholas, Vice Chansellor of ye University of Oxford.

TKen.*

* Communicated by Dr. Shutleworth, Warden of New

College.

CHAPTER III.

KEN AT THE COURT OF THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF ORANGE, AFTERWARDS KING WILLIAM AND QUEEN MARY

MARRIED

SINGULAR AND AFFECTING INCIDENT, SLIGHTLY SPOKEN OF BY HAWKINS AND ALL OTHER BIOGRAPHERS -NAME AND STATION OF THE PARTIES THROUGH THE INFLUENCE OF KEN-AVERSION OF KING WILLIAM TO KEN IN CONSEQUENCE-RESOLVES TO LEAVE THE COURT OF THE HAGUE INSTANTLY-INTREATED BY THE PRINCESS TO STAY A TWELVEMONTH-RETURNS TO HIS MINISTERIAL LABOURS AND SOCIETY OF HIS FRIENDS AT WINCHESTER-YOUNG ISAAC WALTON-CANON RESI

DENTIARY OF SARUM.

Justum et tenacem propositi virum.

HORACE.

"KEN in 1679," says Wood, "proceeded in divinity," that is, took his doctor's degree, "and about that time was made chaplain to the king." Hawkins now calls him "the Doctor," and, as such, he embarks for Holland. The Princess of Orange naturally wished to have near her, in a foreign country, an English clergyman, as chaplain and confidential friend. Ken was fixed on, probably by the king, with the concurrence of James his brother, as the most conciliatory and proper person, from his good sense and mildness of character, as well as his unaffected piety.

We shall see, in every station, the dignity which

firm principles and christian feelings give to the uncompromising possessor. We now therefore follow the fortunes of Ken, in this next step in life, to the court of the Prince and Princess of Orange-to the court of that Prince by whom he was eventually deprived of all he had in the world.

The circumstances which led to this engagement with the court of the Hague, may be traced, I think, with a sufficient degree of probability.

The Duke of York thought Ken in his heart a papist, and therefore the more readily consented to his proceeding as chaplain to his daughter at the Hague.

It is related incidentally by Burnet, that Morley had been "father confessor to the Duchess of York, mother of the Princess of Orange. He (Morley) told me that she had practised secret confession to him from the time she had been twelve years old."

·

This is a remarkable fact, showing the turn of mind in Clarendon's daughter at that early age, it being well-known she afterwards became a convert, and died in that communion for which her husband lost a throne.

Though her daughter, the young Princess Mary of Orange, was well-grounded and immoveably settled in Protestant principles, yet in her hours of occasional anxiety and dejection, among strangers, she would naturally feel the want of a spiritual friend, on whose judgment she might repose. She

would miss those instructors of the Church of England from whom she derived her knowledge and firm principles; particularly when now among Calvinistic burgomasters and Synod-of-Dort-Doctors. Hooper, afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells, and Chaplain at this time, with Ken, to Morley, was first recommended by that Prelate. Hooper remained but a short time, disagreeing with the cold Prince. Ken, it was thought, would be more conciliating but Mrs. Prouse says, agreed worse."* The reasons we shall see.

:

"he

Burnet, speaking of this exemplary Princess, says, "The Princess possessed all those who conversed with her with admiration. Her person was majestic, and created respect. She had a great knowledge, with true understanding and a noble expression. There was a sweetness in her deportment that charmed, and an exactness in piety and of virtue, that made her a pattern to all that saw her."

This amiable and most interesting lady was evidently, as appears from the letter to her father on Religion, which Burnet has preserved, most thoroughly grounded in the principles of the Protestant faith. She says, "Those of the CHURCH OF ENGLAND who had instructed her, freely laid before her

* From Memoranda by Mrs. Prouse, Hooper's daughter, in possession of Sir John Mordaunt.

+ Compton, Bishop of London, Hooper, Ken.

that which was good in the Romish religion, that seeing the bad and good both, she might judge impartially, according to the apostle's rule of proving all things, and holding fast that which was good.' Though she had come young out of England, yet she had not left behind her either the desire of being well informed, or the means for it. She had furnished herself with books, and had THOSE ABOUT her who might clear any DOUBTS for her."-Burnet.

It seems to me that so clear, so definite a view of the question between her father's religion and the Protestant which this admirable letter contains, must prove, not only that she had "books" about her when she left England, but must have had "those" who had rendered her so well versed in the subject. The arguments are concise as unanswerable. In conclusion she says, religion she professed taught her her duty to him, so that she shall ever be his most obedient daughter.” Ken was her third instructor and chaplain; and this singular letter* shows how well-grounded he had left her.

"the

We now enter on a more domestic scene, and I flatter myself, as I have before thrown some light on the historical circumstances of the times, particularly on the character and fortunes of Bishop Morley, I shall be able to give a more circumstantial

* See Burnet, vol. iii. edit. Routh. The letter is in answer to a letter from her father, 1687.