four millions. Nevertheless, such was the number of the constant courtiers, increased by the apostate patriots, who were bought off for that turn, some at six, others at ten, one at fifteen thousand pounds, in money; besides what offices, lands, and reversions, to others, that it is a mercy they gave not away the whole land and liberty of England. The DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM is again £140,000. pounds in debt, and, by this prorogation, his creditors have time to tear all his lands in pieces. The House of Commons has run almost to the end of their time, and are grown extremely chargeable to the King, and odious to the people. They have signed and sealed £10,000. a year more to the DUTCHESS OF CLEVELAND, who has likewise near £10,000. out of the excise of beer and ale; £5,000. a year out of the post-office; and, they say, the reversion of all the King's leases; the reversion of all places in the custom-house: and, indeed, what not? All promotions, spiritual and temporal, pass under her cognizance."

I

In November, 1675, Marvell again commences his correspondence with the Mayor and Corporation of Hull: he says, "I am here in good health and vigour, ready to take that station in the House which I obtain by your favour, and have so many years continued; and therefore desire that you will consider whether there be any thing that particularly relates to the state of your town. shall strive to promote it to the best of my duty; and in the more general concerns of the nation, shall maintain the same uncorrupt mind, and clear conscience, free from faction, or any self ends, which, by the grace of God, I have hitherto preserved." There are not many men at the present day who would obtain credit with their constituents, were they to speak thus of themselves; but

MARVELL had for many years given such convincing proofs of the purity of his mind, that his words were an oracle to all who knew him.

Upon the assembling of Parliament on February 15, 1677, he writes :—“ "I think it befits me to acquaint you, that this day the Parliament assembled, in obedience to his Majesty, he being pleased, in a most gracious manner, to proffer, on his part, all things that might tend to the libertyes of the subject, and the safety of the nation; mentioning also his debts: but most of all he recommended a good agreement between the two Houses, calling heaven and earth to witness, that nothing on his part should be wanting to make this a happy session.”

February 17:-"Yesterday the House of Lords ordered the EARL OF SALISBURY and LORD WHARTON to the Tower, during his Majesty's and their House's pleasure. The DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM had retired before his sentence, but, appearing the day afterwards, was also sent to the Tower. The warrant bears for their high contempt of the House, for they refused to ask pardon as ordered. To-day I hear they are made close prisoners."

March 3:-" SIR HARBOTTLE GRIMSTON, Master of the Rolls, moved for a bill to be brought in, to indemnify all Countyes, Cityes, and Burrows, for the Wages due to their Members for the time past, which was introduced by him upon very good reason, both because of the poverty of many people not being able to supply so long an arreare, especially new taxes now coming upon them; and also, because SIR JOHN SHAW, the Recorder of Colchester, had sued the town for his Wages; several other Members also having, it seems, threatened their Burrows to do the same, unless they should chuse them

upon another election to Parliament.* This day had been appointed for grievances: but, it being grown near two o'clock, and the day being, indeed, extraordinary cold, to which the breaking of one of the House windows contributed, it was put off till next Tuesday."

March 13, 1677:-"To-day was read the bill against transporting Wool out of England or Scotland, into forain parts, and ordered a second reading. Then the bill for indemnifying Countyes, Cityes, and Burrows from the Parliament Wages now due, until the first day of this session, was read the first time, and indured a long argument, insomuch, that when the question was put for a second reading, a gentleman, who had disapproved of the bill, deceiving himself by the noise of the negative vote, required the division of the House; but so considerable a number of the affirmatives went out for it, that all the rest in a manner followed after them, notwithstanding their own votes; and there were scarce either tellers, or men to be told left behind, so that it will have a second reading."

March 17:—“I must beg your pardon for paper, pens, writing, and every thing; for really I have, by ill chance, neither eat nor drank, from yesterday at noon, till six o'clock to-night, when the House rose: and by good chance I have now met with Mr. Skyner, so that betwixt both, you may easily guesse I have but little time, and write but at adventure."

April 12:-"We sit again to-morrow, being Good

It is said, that Marvell was the last person in this country that received Wages from his constituents; two shillings a day being allowed for a burgess, and four shillings for a knight of the shire. This was thought so considerable a sum in ancient times, that there are many instances where boroughs petitioned to be excused from sending Members to Parliament, representing, that they were engaged in building bridges, or other public works, and therefore unable to bear such an extraordinary expense.-Blackstone's Commentaries, 1st vol.

Friday, at two o'clock, and hope may rise by Saturday night."

January 29, 1678:-"It was ordered, that the House will, to-morrow in the afternoone, turn itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the interring of his late martyred Majesty."

January 31:-"The House met yesterday at two o'clock; after sermon, sate in Committee of the whole House, and ordered that a bill be brought in for £70,000. for the more decent interring of his late martyred Majesty, and raising a monument for him."

We have now followed Marvell through his regular correspondence with the Corporation of Hull for upwards of twenty years, and have selected a few passages for the purpose of elucidating his history, yet a very insufficient part to give an idea of the excellent matter contained in his letters, which possess considerable strength and clearness of style, though the expressions occasionally appear quaint. The orthography also, of that period was overcharged with letters, as the present is, perhaps, too much divested of them. They, however, throw considerable light on the character of Marvell, and are of importance in showing the sense which so able a man, and so illustrious a patriot, entertained of the duty he owed his constituents, and of the relation he bore to them in Parliament. He expresses himself upon the several matters on which he writes, with that spirit and freedom which distinguished his character, and which drew upon him the notice of persons in power. Not content with discharging the duty his station required, he appears to have been an active friend to the town of Hull, in all affairs that concerned its interest. By this attention Marvell gained the affections of his constitu

ents. He had no private views to gratify: the welfare of Hull, and the love of his country, were all his study and pursuit.

We cannot find, however, by any writings, that he ever spoke in Parliament: the Journals of that time make no mention of such speeches; but by his own account, he always took notes of what passed; and by his indefatigable conduct otherwise, he obtained a great ascendancy over the minds of the Members. He preserved the respect of the Court, even when he was most determined in his hostility to its measures. The good sense of PRINCE RUPERT was conspicuous in making him his friend; for when Marvell's name became the hatred of the Court party, and it was dangerous for him to appear abroad, Prince Rupert would privately go to his lodgings; so that, whenever his Royal Highness voted on the side of Marvell, which he often did, it was the observation of the adverse faction, "that he had been with his tutor."

The severe tracts which he was frequently publishing against the profligate Court, and the inflammatory literary fight which he had with PARKER and others, often made his life in danger; but no bribes, no offers of situation could make him swerve from the virtuous path in which he continued to walk invariably to the last. A man of such excellent parts, and facetious converse, as Marvell, could not be unknown to CHARLES II. who loved the company of wits so much, that he would suffer the severest jokes, even upon himself, rather than not enjoy them.

Marvell having once been honoured with an evening's entertainment, by his Majesty, the latter was so charmed with the ease of his manners, the soundness of