Once a Week (magazine)/Series 1/Volume 9/Ana (September 5, 1863)
ANA.
Sir John Cochrane, being engaged in Argyle’s rebellion against James II., was taken prisoner after a desperate resistance, and sentenced to be hanged. His daughter Grizzle having obtained information that the death-warrant was expected from London by the coach, dressed herself up in man’s clothes, and twice attacked and robbed between Belford and Berwick, the mails which conveyed the death-warrants. This gave time to Sir John Cochrane’s father, the Earl of Dundonald, to make interest with Father Peter, a Jesuit priest, and the King’s confessor, who, for the sum of five thousand pounds, agreed to intercede with his royal master in favour of Sir John Cochrane, and to obtain his pardon, which was granted. The great-granddaughter of this lady, Miss Stuart of Allan Bank, was the grandmother of the late eminent banker, Mr. Thomas Coutts, whose grandchild is the present Miss Burdett Coutts.
Charlborough Park.—It may not be generally known that Charlborough Park, near Wareham, Dorsetshire, the seat of Mr. J. S. W. Erle-Drax, is intimately associated with one of the most important events in the history of our country. In the grounds adjoining it is a small building, something above the dignity of a summer-house, with the following inscription: “Under this roof, in the year 1686, a set of patriotic gentlemen of this place concocted the plan of the Glorious Revolution with the immortal King William, to whom we owe our delivery from the tyrant race of the Stuarts, the restoration of our liberties, security of our property, establishment of our national prosperity, honour, and wealth. Englishmen! remember this era, and consider that your liberty, obtained by the virtues of your ancestors, must be maintained by yourselves.”