which men of all conditions have since undergone."

William, the father of Lord Russell, succeeded to the earldom. The situation of affairs at this time might have disturbed the resolutions of the wisest heads. On the one hand, the King had provoked a civil war, and had he gained the victory, would undoubtedly have crushed for ever the rights and privileges of the people. On the other side, the parliament was becoming more and more averse to the kingly form of government. Between the two dangers with which the constitution was threatened, the Earl of Bedford seems to have steered a wavering and unsteady course.

He was at first Master of the Horse to the Parliament, and was greatly instrumental in gaining the battle of Edgehill, where he commanded the reserve.

But in 1643, being desirous of peace, he agreed with the Earl of Essex, the Earl of Clare, and the Earl of Holland, to make an effort for that purpose. They obtained a vote of the House of Lords, desiring a conference with the Commons, and declaring they were resolved to send propositions to the King. But the Commons refused to agree to their propositions, and such tumults were raised, that they did not consider it safe to remain in London. Upon

this, the Earls of Bedford and Holland went to the King's garrison at Wallingford, but it was some time before they were allowed to go to Oxford. The Earl of Bedford then joined the army, and fought in the King's regiment of horse at the battle of Newbury. Being disgusted, however, with the treatment he received at Court, he returned with Lord Clare to the Earl of Essex, on Christmas-day 1643, having been only four months with the King's army. He was ordered into custody by the Parliament, and his estate sequestered. The estate was restored to him, however, after a few months, when the success of the Parliament had put them in good humour. He never afterwards sat in the Long Parliament, or concurred in any of their councils. He assisted in the conferences previous to the restoration, and at the coronation of Charles II., bore St. Edward's sceptre.

In early life he formed an attachment to Lady Anne Carr, daughter of the Countess of Somerset, so well known in history for her participation in the infamous murder of Sir Thomas Overbury.

The daughter, it is said, never heard of her mother's crime till she read of it by chance in a pamphlet, and was then so affected with horror, that she fell down, and was found sense.

less with the book open before her. But though the guilt of her mother was not likely to influence her conduct in any other way, than by inspiring her with a more serious attention to the duties of morality, the Earl of Bedford with a natural feeling opposed their union, and it was said, that his son had leave and liberty to choose in any family but that. But as a strong mutual attachment subsisted, and Lord Somerset made great sacrifices to promote the marriage, every obstacle was finally vanquished, and Lord Russell, in the summer of 1637, received the hand of Lady Anné Carr. *

By her he had seven sons, and three daughters: viz.

1. John, who died an infant.

2. Francis Lord Russell, who seems to have been affected all his life with hypochondriacal malady, and never took any active interest in life. He died in 1678.

3. William, who became Lord Russell after his brother's death.

two.

4. Edward, who lived to the age of seventyHe represented the county of Bedford in seven successive parliaments, and in the year 1700 was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the

Strafford's State Papers, v. ii. p. 2. 58. 86.

county of Middlesex, during the minority of Wriothesly Duke of Bedford.

5. Robert.

6. James.

7. George.

The daughters were :

1. Lady Anne, who died unmarried.

2. Lady Diana, married at the age of fifteen to Sir Grevil Verney, of Compton Verney, in the county of Warwick, and secondly to William Lord Allington, Constable of the Tower.

3. Lady Margaret, who married Edward Russell, Earl of Orford, her first cousin.

CHAP. II.

BIRTH AND EDUCATION

OF WILLIAM

RUSSELL.

LET

TERS WRITTEN ON HIS TRAVELS.- LETTER TO HIS BROTHER. FIGHTS A DUEL.

HIS MARRIAGE.

WIL

ILLIAM RUSSELL, the subject of this work, was born September 29. 1639. He is said to have been educated at the school of one Lewis; and a foolish story is told that this man, dressing up a dog, and calling him by the name of Charles Stuart, set the boys to try him in a mock court of judicature.

*

Mr. Russell was sent with his elder brother to Cambridge, where they were put under the tuition of Mr. Nidd. A letter of this gentleman, dated in 1654, gives an account of their progress in logic, the Roman historians, and natural philosophy. When their university education was completed, the brothers were sent abroad, and appear to have resided some time at Augsburg. The two following letters, the one from Mr. Russell to some person unknown,

*Kennet's Chronicle.