166 NUNN1NGTON. 



from the ancient and illustrious family of the earls 

 of Monteith, in Scotland ; and was married to Lady 

 Ann Howard, daughter of Charles, earl of Carlisle- 

 He enjoyed the favour and esteem of two succeed- 

 ing sovereigns. By Charles II., he was employed 

 as ambassador to the court of Louis XIV". ; and by 

 King James, his successor, he was made secretary 

 of state, master of the horse, &c. Upon the flight 

 of that monarch, and the accession of the prince of 

 Orange to the throne, Lord Preston, who faithfully 

 adhered to the interest of his master, was accused 

 of plotting his return, tried and condemned ; but his 

 life was spared. Thus unsuccessful in serving an 

 earthly prince, he dedicated the remainder of his 

 days to the service of the king of heaven. 



This noble peer was blessed with a genius wor- 

 thy of his descent, adorned with the refinements 

 of learning and policy. He was great in the palace, 

 but greater in the prison ; where, with a Christian 

 patience, and heroic constancy, he stood prepared 

 rather to die for the crown than desert it. He died 

 in 1695, aged 57. 



William, Lord Widdrington^ who is said to be 

 descended from the brave Witherington, celebrated 



land by James 1., to Francis Clifford, Earl of Cumber- 

 land, who sold it to Nicholas Graham. 



Vide Cough's Camden III. p. 452 and 

 Burn II. p. 464 



For an amusing account of this debateable ground, 

 vide Ridpath's history of the borders, p. 706. Burn's 

 Cumberland, 6. XVI. Cough's Camden, HI. p 454, 

 Walter Scott's Lay of the last Minstrel, Canto VI. 

 note 11. 



