were married by the law of the land, and therefore his children might inherit, if the King pleased. But he did not consider what he did when he married her. He confest that he had lived many years in all sorts of debauchery, but said he had repented of it, askt pardon, and doubted not that God had forgiven him. He said, that since that time he had an affection for Lady Harriot, and prayed that if it were pleasing to God, it might continue, otherwise that it might cease; and God heard his prayer. The affection did continue, and therefore he doubted not it was pleasing to God; and that this was a marriage, their choice of one another being guided not by lust, but by judgement upon due consideration.

They endevord to shew him the falshood and mischievousness of this enthusiasticall principle. But he told them it was his opinion, and he was fully satisfied in it. After all, he desired them to give him the communion next morning. They told him they could not do it, while he was in that error and sin. He said he was sorry for it.

The next morning, he told them he had prayed that if he was in an error in that matter God would convince him of it; but God had not convinced him, and therefore he believed it was

no error.

When he was upon the scaffold, he profest himself a Protestant of the church of England. They told him he could not be so, if he did not

owne the doctrine of the church of England in the point of non-resistance, and if he persisted in that enthusiastic persuasion. He said he could not help it, but yet he approved the doctrine of the church in all other things. He then spoke to the people, in vindication of the lady Harriot, saying she was a woman of great honor and virtue, a religious godly lady (those were his words.) They told him of his living in adultery with her. He said, no. For these 2 yeers last past he had not lived in any sin that he knew of; and that he had never wronged any person, and that he was sure when he died to go to God, and therefore he did not fear death, which (he said) they might see in his face. Then they prayd for him, and he kneeld down and joind with them. After all they had a short prayer for the King, at which he paused, but at last said Amen. He spoke to the headsman to see he did his business well, and not use him as he did the Lord Russell, to give him 2 or 3 strokes; for if he did, he should not be able to lie still without turning. Then he gave the executioner 6 ginnies, and 4 to one Marshall, a servant of Sir T. Armstrong's, that attended him with the King's leave: desiring Marshall to give them the executioner if he did his work well, and not otherwise. He gave this Marshall overnight his ring and watch; and now he gave him his case of pickteeth: all for Lady Harriot. Then he laid himself down; and

upon the signe given, the headsman gave a light stroke, at which he lookt him in the face; then he laid him down again, and the headsman gave him 2 strokes more, and then layd down the ax, saying, he could not finish his work; till being threatened by the Sheriff and others then present, he took up the ax again, and at 2 strokes more cut off his head.

All this is true as to matter of fact, and it needs no comment to your Lordship. I desire your prayers, and remain,

Your Lordship's most affectionate,

W. ASAPH.

LETTER XVI.

Dr. SYKES to Dr. CHARLETT.*

Curious Account of James the Second's Visit to Oxford, and the Affairs of Magdalen College.

SIR,

Sept. 4, [16]87.

THIS Comes to convey the enclosed, which I suppose will be welcome, and you must

*Dr. Arthur Charlett was the son of the Rev. Arthur Charlett, rector of Collingbourne Ducis, in the County of Wilts. He was sent to the University at thirteen years of age, and was admitted into Trinity College, under Mr. John Wolley, in the year 1669, caution money £5. He was fellow of the college in 1680, and so continued till the year 1692, when

not expect that I should enlarge. The King on Friday was received at the utmost bounds of the county by my Lord Abbington, and the Sheriff and gentlemen of the county, and yesterday by the Vice Chancellor and twenty-four Doctors, the Proctors, and nineteen Masters, all in Proctor's

he was elected master of University college. He was bursar of the college in the year 1691 and 1692. Mr. Henry Gandy and himself were elected proctors for the University 18th April, 1683. He was Bachelor of Arts in 1674, M.A. Nov. 23, 1676, B.D. Dec. 17, 1684, D.D. July 8, 1692. He died Nov. 18, 1722, aged about 67. He was created a chaplain in ordinary to King William, by warrant of the Earl of Dorset, in 1696, and so continued till March 1717, and then he was struck out of the list of King's chaplains. In Nov. 1713, Queen Anne gave him a prebendship in the Cathedral Church of Worcester. He had a spirit much beyond his income, which could not be restrained within. prudent bounds, for from the year 1692, when he came first to University College, till June 1707, he had no more than £80 a year to support his headship, which was a trifle in respect to his generous spirit, by which means he run behind hand and never recovered it to his dying day, but if it had pleased God he had lived three years longer he would have satisfied all his creditors. In short, he died £300 insolvent, though the books were not managed so well as they should have been in respect to the sale of them. I have a list of near 2000 of his correspondents, and I intended to publish a short account of his life, together with a list of them, or at least the chief of them." Dr. Rawlinson's MSS. in the Bodleian Library.

habits, at the farther end of St. Giles's field, and nearer to the town, by the Mayor and Aldermen and all the Common Council, on horse-back, and by all the Companies on foot. Mr. Vice Chancellor made a speech to him, at his meeting him, in Latin, for which he gave him thanks. And at the Dean of Christ Church's lodgings, where he lies, all the scholars who rode out kissed his hand, and so did Mr. Hunt, though he was not of the number. Of our College, Dr. Fry and Mr. How rode out. This morning the King touches in Ch. Ch. Quire; hears one Father Hall this morning at the new Popish Chapel there; but whether he will be there in the afternoon, or at University College, I know not. Dr. Brady is well arrived, and has the use of your chamber, and lies in Mr. Napier's. We drank your health last night. He tells me he thinks the Progress does not turn to account. The Bishop of Oxford had a grant of Mrs. Houghton for our President's lodgings, but his indisposition suffers him not to come as yet. This is all trivial, I know; but you must take such as I have. If there be any news, it will be to-morrow. I thank you most heartily for your letter by Mr. Marshall, and take the small acquaintance I have with him for a great favour both