JOHN PRINCE. 361 
labourers’ cottages, on the borders of Berry parish, still called 
Parliament House. Another story describes the meeting-place as 
near a hill, now called Parliament Hill; but wherever it may have 
been, it is said that it was at this meeting arranged that Seymour 
should declare his adhesion to the Prince’s cause at Exeter, which 
he did, and was made governor of the city. At the time this 
meeting is said to have taken place Sir Edward the elder was 
dying, and he was buried by Prince on the 7th December, 1688. 
In common with many of his brother clergy, Prince evidently 
looked with sorrow on the changes which were taking place; and 
in almost the only reference to William, which occurs in a de- 
scription of Torbay, he is spoken of respectfully, but with none of 
the enthusiasm Prince always evinced for the Stuarts. Still Prince 
did not altogether admire James II.; and among his published 
works are a series of sermons, entitled The best Refuge in the Worst 
of Times, sermons which were preached at Berry Pomeroy on 
Whit-Sunday and Trinity Sunday, when James II.’s declaration 
for toleration was required to be published in parish churches. 
It was the year following Monmouth’s rebellion that the first 
intimation on Prince’s part appears of his intention to print for 
the good of the country sketches of worthy Devonians, though it 
is evident that he had been for some time collecting materials for 
such a work. There is preserved among the papers of Mr. 
Pine-Coffin, of Portledge, a letter written by Prince in 1686 to 
Richard Coffin, of Portledge, in which he mentions the idea he 
had had; but offers to resign it in Mr. Coffin’s favour, The letter 
appears in the appendix to the Fifth Report of the Historical 
Manuscripts Commission, and is as follows: 
‘““ Hon? Srr,—According to my promise and your manifold obligations 
on me, I have sent you Mr. Hooker’s Chorography and History of the 
Province of Devon, as he calls it. I should desire it may be carefully 
preserved, and, as soon as conveniently you may, return’d. There are 
many things of good note in it, which, with other collections I have made, 
and further intended to have procured, I had sometimes the vanity to have 
thoughts of printing for the good of our country. But I am glad, sir, that 
the undertaking is like to be the province of one soe excellently qualefyed 
both with learning, judgment, manuscripts, and estate as yourself, which 
T hope you fully purpose and intend...... It is all at present from him 
who is, kind sir, 
“ Your most obliged and affectionate friend and servant, 
‘“‘ JoHn PRINCE. 
‘“‘Berry Pomeroy, March 20th, 1686.” 
