one witnefs, was not fufficient to condemn the prifoner, aid for that purpofe was derived from the pretended libel found in his clofet. The axiom, that' to write was to act,' was inculcated with vehemence; and general obfervations upon government were strained to make them apply to the present times.

Though much was expected from the fpirit and abilities of Sidney, men were disappointed when he came to his defence. He infifted, that the confpiring to levy war, and to compafs the death of the King were two diftinct crimes; and that the firft did not fall within the ftatute of Edward the Third, upon which he was tried. He argued against the credibility of the Lord Howard's evidence: and in that point only he feems not to have been fincere. The profligacy of Howard, his ingratitude to Sidney himself, the point of view in which he flood,as an evidence against his friends, were all favourable to the prifoner. But his adhering, without any material deviations, to the great line of facts already proved, left little room to doubt of the truth of his teftimony. Sidney argued with mrft vehemence and justice, against the ufe made against him by the court of the pretended libel. Though it was connected by the Attorney General, and fuftained by the judges, as a part of the late confpiracy, it appeared, by undoubted proofs, to have been written many years before. Befides, being upon the general fubject of government, the pofitions which it contained could not, without the most glaring injuftice, be conftrued into a feditious and dangerous libel. They might ferve as inttances of the principles of the author; but as they never had been publithed, and probably never feen by a fecond perfon, they could not poffibly have done any mischief, to justify the animadverfion of the law.

"The arguments of Sidney, and the legal defects in the evidence, were but feeble pleas where the court had refolved to condemn. The known republican principles of the prifoner, the certainty of his being in fome degree concerned in the late confpiracy, his uncomplying (pirit, and even his abilities, had already prejudged him in the minds of the royal party. A partial charge by Jefferys induced a prejudiced jury to bring him in guilty. The informality in the proceedings, and the defects in the evidence, were dangerous precedents, and general ly condemned. But thefe inftances of N O TE. Kennet, vol. iii.

injuftice regard only the judges and jury. Sidney afked a pardon in a manner calculated to have it refused. Charles may be excufed for not granting it to one who was an avowed enemy to monarchy, and who was undoubtedly guilty of defigns against his government, if not ultimately against his life. A fortnight after his receiving his fentence, Sidney was beheaded on Tower-hill; the King having remitted the ignominious part of his fentence, on account of the high quality of his family. His behaviour at his execution, though firm and undaunted, was more enthusiastic than dignified and fedate. In a fpeech from the scaffold he repeated the fubitance of his defence at his trial in a manly, concife, but paffionate manner; and when he was ready to lay his head on the block, he gloried to die for the good old caufe in which he had been engaged from his youth.

"The fuppofed injuftice which attended his death, rendered Sidney more famous than any ftriking circumstances in his life. Being a republican from opinion, he had been active against the late King and from the fame principle he opposed Cromwell, when his conduct became fubverfive of public liberty. When the parliament had established a fhew of freedom, upon the refignation of Richard Cromwell, he entered into the service of his country, but at the rettoration he preferred a voluntary exile to a submission to kingly government. When the connection of the court with France, the popery of the Duke of York, and the artifices of the oppofing party in parliament, feemed to promife troubles in England, he solicited and obtained a pardon from the King. He herded afterwards with the popular party; but he never had influence fufficient to obtain an undisputed feat in parliament, even when most of the elections were carried against the court. In his political opinions he was harsh and auftere; and even in his private converfation commanding and haughty. He was admired by many for his integrity and abilities; but he never was an object of love. His principles suited neither a people accustomed to the government of a single person, nor the pro fligacy of the times. In Rome or Athens, in the days of their limplicity and freedom, he might have arrived at the fame of their first patriots; but he was a vifionary politician, and even a dangerous citizen under a monarchy. In the extravagance of his views feems to confilt the NOT E.

Kennet. His laft Speech, &c. grea'

greatest defect in his judgment. He dreamed perpetually of an ideal fabric of a republic, without confidering the wretched materials of which it was to have been framed."

In aid of the above circumstances, that fo powerfully tended to put a period to the vifionary theory and reftlefs practices of Sidney, our author mentions, as being fatally contributing" the unfettled and puerile behaviour of the Duke of Monmouth."-Sidney's life, fays he, "could not have been spared, without convincing the world, that Monmouth had fatisfied the King that there had not been a real confpiracy, a circumstance which that mif. guided nobleman was folicitous to prove to his party." Our Author should rather have faid," of which he was folicitous to perfuade his party," as it was incapable of proof, being directly contrary to

the truth.

Plan of the Bon Ton. A new petite Comedy of three As.

Perfons of the Drama.

Sir John Trottey,

Lord Minikin,

Col. Tivy,

Davy,

Jellamy,

Ruffle,

Lady Minikin,

Lucretia Tittuf, Peggy,

T

Mr. King. Mr. Dodd. Mr. Brereton. Mr. Parfons. Mr. Baddeley. Mr. Lamah. Mifs Pope. Mrs. Abington. Mifs Platt, HE plan of this comedy alludes to the Fribbles and Flirts in genteel life, who file themselves the Ton, and after having made the little or great tour of Europe, fancy that, by having pick ed up the vices and follies of our neighbours upon the continent, they have extracted the effence of virtu, and all the polite knowledge which conftitutes the accomplished gentleman, and the elegant fine lady. In thefe ridiculous purfuits, however, they only expose the effects of a vitiated appetite, and a broken conftitution. Upon this footing lord and Tady Minikin most amicably hate each other. Colonel Tivy proposes his hand to Mifs Tittup, whofe fortune has more charms

Shocked at the conduct of the family in which he is introduced, he cannot help expreffing his difpleasure at a combination of vice and folly, whilst he applauds the ancient hofpitality and fimplicity of our forefathers.

During his vifit he makes a difcovery of lord Minikin paying his devoirs to Lucretia, on his bended knees, and inftantly the colonel offers himself in the fame posture to her ladyship. His lordfhip, emboldened by travel, and knowledge of the world, laughs at him, and Lucretia, knowing his taste and virtu, joins with him. Her ladyfhip, however, ftill retains fome delicacy, and cannot fupprefs the effufion of her tears; whilft the colonel, who is quite a la militaire, bullies him like a gentleman. Davy enters, a profeffed Macaroni-admires the fashions of high life, defpifes that of the country, and refolves to be upon the Ton. Lucretia and his ludfhip now re

-turn from a masked ball, to have a little private converfation. The colonel and my lady are not far behind them; and it becomes neceflary for the noble gallant and his pretty mittress to make a retreat, when a dark scene enfues, in which the concealed lovers endeavour to find one another by their dreffes, but make a double mistake. Honeft Sir John hearing a noise, appears with a fword and a candle, and finds lady Minikin incircled in the arms of his ludfbip, and Lucretia in those of the colonel. A denouement ensues; the knight rebukes them, and the piece concludes.

This performance was introduced by an ingenious prologue, wittily defining the various ideas that are entertained of the Bon Ton, and which is afcribed to Mr. Colman. This piece is faid to be written by the author of the Maid of the Oaks, and moft probably received a very advantageous clipping from the fame hand as rendered thofe Oaks fuch an agreeable retreat.

Anecdote.

Barber who was the head

while he has a fnug intrigue with his lordship, while the colonel retaliates the favour upon her ladyship. Mr. Jeffamy is a very useful Mercury, who profits by his matter's vices. Sir John is a plain, unpolished baronet, whofe curiofity has excited him to vifit the metropolis, to fee his noble relations, and make a match for his niece Lucretia, to whom he deas bequeathing his whole fortune.

"Your's is an odd-shaped head, fir-'tis fo THICK. D-n your impudence, (faid the juftice) what d'ye mean:"-I mean, fir, 'tis not a LONG head, your worship."

"Curfe the rafcal, (cried the reprefentative of equity) d'ye infinuate that I'm a fool, with your long and thick heads?"

"No, your worship, I only mean that your head is SHALLOW."

Memoirs

fuch a number of Nobility, Gentry, Citizens, nay, Priests, not one should falfify his word, though their intereft in the event were very different, but they all feemed as impatient for the important moment, as if each there had been the contriver of the fcheme, or at the head of the enterprize. Several Ladies alfo made themselves famous on that day. But the noble behaviour of Dorina Philippa de Villenes ought never to be forgotten, who with her own hands armed both her fons; and, giving them their fwords, "Go, my children,” said he, put an end to a Tyrant's power, revenge yourselves on your enemies, free your country, and be affured, that, if fuccefs does not crown your undertaking, your mother will never live to fee the cruel fate of so many brave and deserving Patriots."

Every one being armed, they made the best of their way towards the Palace, most of them in litters, that they might conceal their number and their arms, There they divided into four companies, and waited with impatience till the Palace-clock ftruck eight, that, and the firing of a pistol, being the appointed fignal. Never did time feem fo long; they feared that their being at the place fo early, and in fuch a number, might make the Secretary jealous of their defign: But at last the long expected hour ftruck, and, Pinto firing a piftol, they rushed foward to execute their bold de fign.

Don Miguel d'Almeida, with thofe that accompanied him, fell upon the German guard, who were fo far from expecting any attack, that they were fitting very carelessly, few of them have ing their arms in hand; fo that they were cut to pieces without scarce making any refiftance.

The Lord Ranger, with his brother Millo, and Don Eltevan d'Acugna, fell on the Spaniards, who kept guard at a place before the Palace, called the Fort. Thefe nobles, followed by most of the citizens who were engaged in the confpiracy, fell upon the Caftilians fword in hand, and fought moft refolutely; but no one behaved himself more bravely than one of the city Priests. This reverend man, with a crucifix in one hand, and a fword in the other, appeared at the head of his party, and encouraged the people, both by his words and his example, to cut their enemies to pieces. The Spaniards, awed at the fight of fo awful an object, neither durft offend him, nor defend themselves, but fled before

him. In fhort, after fome small resistance, the Officer of the guards willing to fave his own life, was forced to cry out with the reft, Long live the Duke of Braganza, King of Portugal!”

Pinto, having forced his way into the Palace, marched at the head of those who were to enter Vafconcellos's apartment, fo undauntedly, and with fo little concern, that meeting with an acquaintance, who, furprised and frighted, afked him whither he was going with fuch a number of armed men, and what they defigned to do: Nothing," faid he, fmiling, "but to change our Mafter, rid you of a tyrant, and give Portugal their rightful King."

Two of Vafconcellos's Officers were killed in the outward apartments, and, when the infurgents came to his chamberdoor, they were oppofed by a Spanish Captain for fome time, who was at length obliged to escape out at one of the windows.

Upon this, all the company that were with Pinto entered the chamber at once, and fought Vafconcellos: They overturned the bed and tables, broke open the trunks, and every one was defirous of giving him the first blow; yet, spite of their endeavours, they could not find him, and they began to fear that he had made his efcape; but at last an old maid fervant, being threatened with death, unless fhe would tell where her master was, and feeing the uplifted fwords, pointed to a preis which was made within the wall, and in which they found the Secretary buried under a heap of papers.

So great was his fear of death which he faw furrounding him on every fide, that it prevented his fpeech. Don Roderigo de Saa, Lord Chamberlain, was the man who killed him, by fhooting him through the head with a pistol; after which feveral of the confpirators stabbed hin, then threw him out of the window, crying," Liberty! Liberty! The Tyrant is dead! Long live Don John, King of Portugal!

The noife which all this had made had drawn a yaft number of people to the Palace- Court, who, feeeing the Secretary's body thrown out, fhouted in a moft joyful manner; then, rufhing upon the carcafe, they mangled it, every one being eager to give him a ftab, thinking that through his fides they wounded tyranny.

Thus perifhed Miguel Vafconcellos a Portuguese by birth, but by inclination a Spaniard, and a sworn enemy to his coun

try,

try. He had an excellent genius for bufinefs, was crafty and politic. He was always inventing new ways of extorting money from the people, was unmerciful, inexorable, and cruel, without the leaft regard to friend or relation; fo fixed, that, after he had taken a refolution, no one could biafs his temper, and fo hardened, that it is afferted he never knew what the ftings of confcience were; he had a foul that was not capable of relishing any pleasure, but that of hoarding up money; fo that he left vaft fums behind him, part of which the people plundered, being willing to repay themselves, in fome measure, for that which had been extorted from them.

Pinto, without lofs of time, marched directly to join the other confpirators, who were to make themselves masters of the palace, and to feize the Vice-Queen; he found that the business was already done, and that fuccess had every where crowned their undertakings. Those who were appointed for that expedition came directly up to her chamber, and, the furious mob who followed them threatening to fet her apartment on fire if the door was not immediately opened, the ViceQueen, thinking by her prefence to pacify the nobility, and awe the people, came out attended by her maids of honour and the archbishop of Braga; and addreffing herself to the chief confpirators, I own, Gentlemen,' faid the, that the Secretary juftly deserved your hatred and indignation; his cruelty and his haughty infolence were intolerable; nor can his death be charged upon you as a crime, fince you have only delivered yourselves from an oppreffing minifter: But cannot his blood fatisfy you, or what other vic. tim would you facrifice to your refentment? Think ferioufly, that, although his illegal conduct may excufe this infurrection, yet, fhould you any longer continue in arms, rebellion will be laid at your doors, and you will put it out of my power to make your peace with the king.'

Don Antonio de Menezes anfwered, and affured her, That fo many perfons of quality had not taken up arms to mur der a wretch who ought to have loft his life by the hands of the common hangman, but that their defign was to restore the crown to the Duke of Braganza to whom it lawfully belonged, and which the King of Spain had unjustly ufurped, and that they were all ready to facrifice their lives in fo glorious a caufe.' She was about to reply, and to interpose the King's authority; but D'Almeida, who

feared that fuch a speech might have a dangerous effect upon the people, or at leat cool their courage, interrupted her, faying, That Portugal acknowledged no other King but the Duke of Braganza. Upon which the people shouted again, crying, Long live Don John, King of Portugal.'

·

The Vice-Queen, believing that her prefence might be of fervice in the city, and have a good effect upon the people every where, where the confpirators were not prefent, was going in hatte down ftairs; but Don Carlos Narogna ftopped her, defiring that she would retire to her own apartment, affuring her, that the fhould be treated with as much respect as if he had till the fupreme command in the kingdom; but he told her, that it would be dangerous for fo great a princefs to expofe herself to the infults of a furious people, who were jealous of their liberties, and inflamed with thirst of revenge. The Queen easily underflood the meaning of his words, and found that fhe was their prifoner: Enraged at this, And what can the people do to me," faid the. Nothing, Madam,' replied Narogna in a paffion, but fling your Highnefs out of the window.'

The reft of the Spaniards who were in the palace were made prifoners by the other confpirators. All this was done as regularly and quietly, as if they had been taken up by an order from the King of Spain, nobody ftirring to their affiftance, and they not being able to defend themfelves, most of them being feized in their beds.

During thefe tranfactions, the Dukė of Braganza, according to the plan fettled by the confpirators, continued at his country-feat, and did not make his public entry into Lifbon till the fixth of December following, where he was received with the greatest demonftrations of joy. Almost every town followed the example of the capital. Frefu couriers every day arrived, who brought news of cities, and fometimes of whole provinces, which had driven the Caflilians out, and proclaimed the Duke of Braganza.

He acceded to the throne foon after by the title of John the Fourth, and the Dutchefs was crowned at the fame time. They were fo unanimously chofen by the people, that there is no general revolution recorded in ancient or modern hiftory which has been more eff &tually or more fecretly brought about, or with lefs effu-' fion of blood, than this. His fubjects. were no lefs fteady and conftant in, fupporting him upon the throne, than they

Hh 2

had