EARL OF CLARENDON 39 



Oxford and Cambridge, from Protestant to 

 Roman Catholic. He had also revoked the 

 Apothecaries' Charter ; and had substituted 

 for the old Livery the names of those who would 

 promise to vote as he wished. For three years 

 the Apothecaries' Company was made a political 

 machine. 



But throughout the land the necessary, blood- 

 less revolution had begun. Even Irish troops 

 quartered at Hounslow, as a warning to the City, 

 could find no excuse for fighting, and the New 

 Year, 1689, saw preparations for the coronation 

 of William and Mary. 



Henry Hyde, 2nd Earl of Clarendon, son of 

 the historian of the Civil War though a 

 Protestant, as his father had been, and openly 

 opposed to James' extravagant despotism 

 remained loyal, and could not bring himself to 

 take the oath of allegiance to William of 

 Orange, and to the Queen who had stepped so 

 lightly into her father's place. 



To ease his troubled mind, and take refuge 

 from all the perplexities of the time, Clarendon 

 made his way to the quiet Chelsea Physic 

 Garden, sat by the growing cedars, and found 

 peace. 



He wrote in his diary : " May 17, 1689, 

 Friday. Being my usual fast day, I was for 

 above two hours at the Apothecaries' Garden 

 at Chelsea, where I was not disturbed by any 

 company." And three days later : " Towards 

 evening" I went to the Apothecaries' Garden." 



The Revd. Dr. Hamilton describes the 

 Garden in 1691 thus : " Chelsea Physick 

 Garden has a great variety of plants both in 



