Bill

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Second Reading

About Thursday 10 May 1660

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Mountagu is taking his pre-teen heir along on the big trip to pick up the King. Must be nice to be in charge.

About Friday 25 May 1660

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We are reminded of this dog-love on looking over files of the London Gazettes of the later years of Charles II. In the first number for 1682, there are no less than three rewards for lost dogs—' spaniels,' and ' little shock dogs.' The offered rewards vary from ten shillings to twenty. These advertisements continue throughout the year. The lost dog is sometimes stated to be the property of his majesty. The reader will remember the picture of the king in Peveril of the Peat, attended by his six or seven little curly-haired spaniels, 'whose gambols seemed to afford him much amusement.' Charles's ladies seem also to have shared in this dog-love of their sultan and master, and to have suffered also occasionally from the like loss or theft of their canine pets. In No. 1841 of the London Gazette (July 9th to 12th, 1683), 'her Grace the Duchess of Portsmouth' advertises an offer of two guineas for the recovery of 'a young little black bitch.' The finder is requested to 'bring her to the porter at Whitehall Gate.' This dog-fancying descended apparently to the Stuarts of illegitimate birth. In 1682, the Gazette advertises 'a black, grisly dog, cropped ear, bobed [sic] tail,' which 'belongs to' the affable, generous, and handsome 'Duke of Monmouth.' On turning over the Gazettes for the very next year, I find a proclamation for the apprehending of the Duke himself.

---Chambers's Journal, 1863

About Sir Charles Sedley

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SEDLEY, (Sir Charles) a poet of mediocrity, whose works display no ingenuity, but have, as the duke of Buckingham says, "the art of insinuating loose principles in decent language." Charles II, and the earl of Rochester have greatly over-rated this gentleman's talents: the former having said, "That Nature had given him a patent to be Apollo's viceroy," and the latter, making him "an oracle among the poets." He sat in several parliaments, and James II. conferred on him many favours; he nevertheless took a part in the Revolution, which was out of resentment at the king's having an amour with his daughter, whom he created countess of Dorchester. When Sir Charles was asked why he appeared so warm in the Revolution, he answered, "from a principle of gratitude: for since his majesty has made my daughter a countess, it is fit I should do all I can to make his daughter a queen." Sedley, though possessed of pleasing talents, was a very dissolute character. He was born in 1639, and died in 1701.

---Eccentric biography, 1801

About John Felton

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FELTON, (John) an Englishman, in a fit of eccentricity, conceived it would be doing God and the nation service to assassinate George Villiers Duke of Buckingham, which he did at Portsmouth in 1628, as that nobleman was preparing for an expedition to Rochelle. For the murder he was tried, convicted, and executed. No attempt had ever been made to introduce the torture, which in other countries is called "Putting the Question" till James I, when Felton was informed that he should be put to the rack, to compel him to confess his abettors or confederates in the murder he had committed. The culprit replied with great calmness, that, "he did not know which of the judges on the bench he might possibly be induced to mention first." This declaration produced such an effect upon the court, that the intended experiment was entirely set aside, and the pernicious example avoided, so repugnant in its nature to every principle of humanity.

---Eccentric biography, 1801

About Samuel Butler

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BUTLER (Samuel), a poet who possessed much wit and eccentricity, and who was the inimitable author of Hudibras, drew his first breath at Strensham, in Worcestershire, in 1612. From the free-school of Worcester he went to Cambridge, where he remained some years, and afterwards became clerk to a justice of the peace, in which situation he made a considerable progress in general literature. He was then retained in the service of the countess of Kent, where he had the good fortune to be noticed by the great Seldon, who engaged him as an amanuensis. From thence he entered into the service of Sir Samuel Luke, a gentleman of an ancient family in Bedfordshire, and a famous commander under Oliver Cromwell. While he remained in Sir Samuel's service, it is supposed that he planned, if he did not write, the celebrated Hudibras, as he seems to have made sir Samuel the hero of his poem. After the restoration, he became secretary to the earl of Carbury, by whom he was appointed steward of Ludlow castle. About this time he became allied by marriage to a family of respectability and fortune. In 1663 appeared the first part of the work which has almost given him immortality, and the other two parts successively followed. But though the work was generally admired, the author was shamefully neglected. The king quoted it, the courtiers studied it, and the whole party of the loyalists applauded it. A golden shower was daily expected to fall upon Mr. Butler; but praise appears to have been his principal reward. It has been reported, indeed, that the king once gave him 300 guineas; but of this temporary bounty we find no evidence. Certain it is, that this ingenious exposer of disloyally and fanaticism died in extreme indigence on the 25th of September, 1680. His remains were interred in the churchyard of Covent-garden. About 60 years after his death, a monument was erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey, by Mr. Barber, a printer, mayor of London, and a friend to Butler's principles. Three volumes of his posthumous works were published by Mr. Thyer, of Manchester. In the depth of obscurity passed the life of this extraordinary genius—a man whose name can only perish with his language. The mode of his education is imperfectly known, and the events of his life are variously related: all that we certainly know is, that he died very poor.

---Eccentric biography, 1801

About Thomas Betterton

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BETTERTON (Thomas), a celebrated English actor, was born in 1635, and served his apprenticeship to a bookseller. He was usually styled the English Roscius. He made his first appearance on the stage in Sir William Davenant's company. At the restoration he belonged to the king's company at Drury-lane, and was sent by Charles II. to Paris, to observe the French scenery. At length the two companies were united, and Betterton was regarded as the first performer of the age. Mr. Booth, who knew him only in his decline, often declared, that he never saw him off or on the stage but he learned something from him; and frequently asserted, that he was not an actor, but nature itself; that he put on his part with his clothes, and was the very man or character he undertook to be till the play was over; and nothing more. So exact was he in imitating nature, than the look of surprise he assumed in the character of Hamlet (when he first personated the ghost), astonished Booth to such a degree, that he was incapable of proceeding in his part some moments. He published some dramatic pieces, chiefly taken from old authors, and died April 28, 1710. He was buried in Westminster abbey.—For further particulars, see Cibber's Apology, and Tatler, No. 167.

---Eccentric biography, 1801

About George Pinkney

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1661, March? 94. Petition of George Pinckney to the King, for the office of His Majesty's Embroiderer, promised at the Hague when he presented him with a copy of a book dedicated to him by Dr. Thos. Warmestry, the cover of which the petitioner had embroidered with His Majesty's coat of arms.

1661, March Grant to George Pinckney and Wm. Ruttish of the office of King's Embroider; fee, 1s. 6d. a day. [Docquet Book, p. 99.]

--Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, Charles II, 1660-1661

About Secret Love, or The Maiden Queen (John Dryden)

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The Maiden Queen was noteworthy as a vehicle for Nell Gwyn, who played the heroine Florimel. Pepys raved about her performance in his Diary — "so great performance of a comical part was never, I believe, in the world before...." [2 March 1966/67] He returned to see the play eight more times. It was also a special favorite of the King, who reportedly called it "his play."
--Wikipedia, 2013

About Thomas Fuller (b, author)

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FULLER, THOMAS An English historian and divine, was born in 1608. He was educated at Queen's College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in arts. On entering into orders, he was presented to the rectory of Broad Windsor, in Dorsetshire. He successively enjoyed several other preferments in the church, and would, probably, have been raised to a bishopric, had he not been taken off by death, in 1661. He wrote "The History of the Worthies of England," a performance of great merit, and many other valuable works. Astonishing things are reported of his memory. From once hearing a sermon, he could repeat the whole of it verbatim. He undertook, in going from Temple-bar to the farther end of Cheapside, to tell at his return every sign as it stood in order, on both sides of the way, repeating them either backwards or forwards, which he performed exactly. He was a learned, industrious, lively writer, but rather too fond of punning. He was a very corpulent man, and once as he was riding with a gentleman of the name of Sparrowhawk, he could not resist the opportunity of passing a joke upon him: "Pray, what is the difference (said he) between an owl and a sparrowhawk?" The other answered this sarcastic question as follows: "An owl is fuller in the head, fuller in the body, and fuller all over.

---Eccentric biography; or, Sketches of remarkable characters, ancient and modern. 1801.

About Thomas Killigrew

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KILLIGREW, (Thomas) the son of Sir Robert Killigrew, born at Hanworth in Middlesex, in 1611, was distinguished by uncommon natural parts. He was page of honour to Charles I. and groom of the bed-chamber to Charles II. with whom he had been many years in exile. During his absence from his country, he wrote eleven plays, and died in 1692; his remains were interred in Westminster Abbey. Killigrew was a man of a grotesque figure, and infinite wit and humour in conversation, and consequently a favourite with that merry monarch Charles II. into whose presence he was always admitted, even when his favourite ministers were refused access. But though Killigrew was so fascinating in conversation, his writing was not beyond mediocrity.

---Eccentric biography; or, Sketches of remarkable characters, ancient and modern. 1801.

About Sir Thomas Clarges

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The General [Monck] about the same time [1659] gave his Commission to Mr. Clarges to be Commissary-General of the Musters of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
---A Chronicle of the Kings of England. A. Collins, 1741.

Commissary Clarges was knighted by King Charles II in Breda in May,1660.

About Tuesday 8 May 1660

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Upon the same Day (May 8.) which Sir Thomas Clarges presented to the King the Army's Address at Breda, his Majesty was, by a Vote of both Houses, proclaim'd at London with all the usual Ceremonies, but with an Affection that certainly was never so manifested towards any of his Predecessors. In this Solemnity the General [Monck] joyfully assisted, following in his Coach the Coaches of both the Speakers. And such was the publick Festivity of this Day, that it seem'd as the Shadow of the King's Approach, or like the first Light of the Morning that looks over the Mountain's tops, and ushers in the Sun.

---Life of General Monk. T. Skinner, 1773

About Sunday 6 May 1660

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Clarges arrived in Breda on May 8:

This Address from the Army, together with the General's Letter, was sent to his Majesty by Commissary Clarges; and gave a further Assurance of the Army's Obedience and Submission. His Majesty had before receiv'd an Account of this Gentleman, and of the Service he had render'd him, by his constant and faithful Correspondence with General Monk, in order to his Restauration: So that he entertain'd him with a particular Kindness, and presently knighted him, Being the first Person who receiv'd (and deservedly) any Title or Mark of Honour from his Majesty upon this Service.

---Life of General Monk. T. Skinner, 1773

About Sir John Lawson

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Lawson, therefore, once among the foremost supporters of what was called the commonwealth, seeing at length the erroneous principles of his own politics, honestly and wisely came, very early, into the measures taken by Monk for the demolition of that tyranny which he himself had, among others, contributed to erect and aggrandize. On the return of admiral Montague from the Baltic, Lawson was pitched upon, by the parliament, as the fittest person to take the command of the fleet: and from the measures so prudently concerted between admiral Montague, general Monk, and himself, the restoration of monarchy was effected with a tranquillity displeasing to some, and astonishing to all; a tranquillity which added new lustre to the characters of those who had, with such prudence, projected, and with so much firmness executed so great an undertaking. One of the first acts of royalty exercised by Charles, after the parliamentary acknowlegement of his office and authority, was that of conferring knighthood on Lawson, a moderate compensation, perhaps, for the services rendered by him, yet strongly indicative of their intrinsic worth, from the time and manner in which it was bestowed. Charles, however, had scarce taken possession of his throne, when he gave sir John Lawson a more substantial proof of his good opinion, by appointing him a commissioner of the navy. Very soon afterwards he was sent vice-admiral, under the earl of Sandwich, into the Mediterranean, and, after having assisted in the demolition of the Algerine shipping, was left, by the earl, with a squadron to harrass the enemy and protect our own trade. This service he most effectually performed; but, during the time he was engaged in it, a misunderstanding arose between him, and the Dutch admiral, De Ruyter, respecting a naval compliment, a salute, which afforded the latter a pretext for withdrawing himself; and, at a future day, one to king Charles, for declaring war against the States. The conduct of sir John, in this disagreable affair, is, however, to be attributed to its true cause, not to any captious turn in the temper of the admiral himself, but to his positive orders, not to return the salute to the ships of any prince or state whatsoever.

Biographia navalis, v.1. J. Charnock, 1794

About Capt. Roger Cuttance

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CUTTANCE, Sir Roger,—commanded the Royal Charles, a first rate of eighty-two guns, in the year 1660; the Royal James, of the same force, in the following year; and in the year 1665 was removed into the Prince. In this ship sir Roger, though only stiled captain, served as vice-admiral of the blue under the earl of Sandwich. On the 1st of July, 1664, been soon after the duke of York's action with the Dutch, king Charles (among other commanders who had eminently distinguished themselves) knighted captain Cuttings. No such name appears on the list of officers we have already alluded to: the mistake, on one side, or other, has evidently arisen from a corruption in the pronunciation. 'Tis probable he died soon afterwards, or retired from service, as neither public history, nor private information afford us any thing further relative to him.

Biographia navalis, v.1. J. Charnock, 1794

About Capt. Thomas Sparling

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SPARLING, Thomas,- appears to have been employed under the commonwealth: and, among other services, in the year 1653, he took a prize from the Dutch, with twelve hundred thousand pieces of eight on board. He was appointed, by the duke of York, to command the Assistance soon after the restoration.

Biographia navalis, v.1. J. Charnock, 1794

About Saturday 5 May 1660

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dread (adj.) revered, deeply honoured, held in awe. Shakespeare used "dread" in this sense over 20 times.

Rosencrantz to Claudius and Gertude: "your dread pleasures"

About Monday 7 May 1660

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"a noise of trumpets" What a pleasant phrase that is.

Francis. Why, then, cover and set them down; and see if thou
find out Sneak's noise; Mistress Tearsheet would fain hear
music.
---Henry IV, part 2, ii, 4

I hear him coming, and a whole noise of Fidlers at his Heels.
---The Maiden Queen, John Dryden, 1667

(The Maiden Queen was noteworthy as a vehicle for Nell Gwyn, who played the heroine Florimel. Pepys raved about her performance in his Diary — "so great performance of a comical part was never, I believe, in the world before...." He returned to see the play eight more times. It was also a special favorite of the King, who reportedly called it "his play."
--Wikipedia, 2013)