Charles having applied large sums out of that revenue, was unwilling that the inquiry should proceed, and he consequently failed in his endeavours to procure it.
The ministry of England, which was now principally directed by Sir Thomas Clifford, apprehensive that they should not be able to succeed in their designs in Ireland, while Lord Orrery continued president of Munster, prevailed on his majesty to direct him to discontinue his residential court, in which he sat as judge for that province, as a compensation for which, he received 8000. But soon after, they procured articles of impeachment for treason and high misdemeanours to be exhibited against him in the English house of commons; on which occasion his lordship in his place, delivered so candid, ingenuous, and satisfactory a defence, that the proceedings were dropped. He was, however, so incensed against the ministry who had thus attempted to destroy him, that when Charles I1. who felt a real attachment to him, offered him the post of lord high treasurer to induce him to remain in England, he u it; plainly telling him that he was guided by unsteady counsellors with whom he could not act.
Having been long a martyr to the, gout, the frequent returns of which had induced an ill state of health for some time previous, he expired on the 16th of October, 1679, at the age of fifty-eight, leaving behind him the character of an able general, statesman, and writer. In all these capacities we have already had occasion to consider him, and have seen that he was deserving of high estimation in each of them. But the most distinguishing part of his conduct is that happy presence of mind which he possessed, and his peculiar dexterity in extricating himself from the perplexities in which he was so frequently involved. His generosity was great, but it was regulated by prudence; and his charities, as we are informed by his chaplain, Mr. Morrice, were extensive, and uninfluenced by any narrow illiberality of party or religion. He possessed an undeviating integrity and rectitude of principle
