1646-7.] OF THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 183 



without the consent and approbation of the most illus 

 trious Nuncio ; and if I shall happen to do anything 

 imprudently, which shall not be approved by him, I 

 will correct my error upon the first intimation of his 

 pleasure, and obey his commands. If it should be more 

 conducive to the praise and glory of God, the splendour 

 of the Catholic Church, and the happiness of this king 

 dom, that the post of Lord Lieutenant be conferred 

 upon another person rather than myself; I swear, that 

 I will readily and without reluctance resign it, at the 

 command of the most illustrious Nuncio. And in all 

 things I vow a perfect, voluntary, and religious obedi 

 ence to his Holiness, saving any secular obligations 

 towards my most serene King. And if I fail in any 

 part of the oath taken by me, I consent, that the said 

 oath be published, and myself exposed ; otherwise the 

 said oath shall be communicated only to the Bishop of 

 Femes, Chancellor of the Congregation, and Father 

 Eobert Nugent, Superior of the Jesuits in Ireland. In 

 confirmation of this oath voluntarily taken by me, I 

 have written all this with my own hand, subscribed iny 

 name, and affixed my seal, the 28th of September, 1646. 



&quot; GLAMORGAN.&quot; 



These various letters and documents make us fami 

 liar with the Earl of Glamorgan s Irish treaties,* and 

 to a great extent with the cause of their failure : a most 

 happy and provident circumstance for himself, his 

 ^imily, and above all for his country. His conduct 

 throughout, notwithstanding the many temptations in 

 his way, and his own naturally enthusiastic conduct in 

 every enterprise in which he engaged, bears none of the 

 distinguishing traits of intolerant bigotry. The King 



* Sec his own explanations, given in a letter to the Earl of Clarendon, dated 1 1 th 

 June, 1660. 



