Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/387

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THE TIMES OF CHARLES THE SECOND.
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and that the dark hopes of a Parliament sitting makes men under my circumstances to lend little support to the Government. I thought it most modesty with those fellow Commissioners who came in together, humbly to beg leave to retire. In short, I preserve the same principles as when last we parted, and 'tis neither honour nor profit can make me desert them.

To be in a station where exercised, they prove ill-timed, and if forborne, a reproach to my honour and conscience suits not with my temper. Pardon this long scribble from him who truly is

Yours for ever,

Hen. Capel.

MR. GODOLPHIN TO MR. SIDNEY.

February 3rd, 1680.

I am very glad to be able to tell you that your quarter is paid, and I take it to be no small proof of my zeal to serve you, considering how hard it is with us; but you are such an Englishman, that one makes one's-self popular by soliciting for you, so that the merit is quite taken from me on that account. My Lord Sunderland will write to you of many things that I will not trouble you with.