the King's affairs so far declined, as to afford no hopes of a
revival, he judged it necessary to retire into France, where he was
extremely well received by the Queen, into whose confidence he had the
honour to be taken, and was intrusted with the negotiation of matters
of the highest importance, in the summer of the year 1646. Before this
time Sir William had embraced the popish religion, which circumstance
might so far ingratiate him with the queen, as to trust him with the
most important concerns. Lord Clarendon, who had a particular esteem
for him, has given a full account of this affair, though not much to
his advantage, but yet with all the tenderness due to Sir William's
good intentions, and of that long and intimate acquaintance that had
subsisted between them; which is the more worthy the reader's notice,
as it has entirely escaped the observation of all those, who have
undertaken to write this gentleman's Memoirs, though the most
remarkable passage in his whole life.

The King, in retiring to the Scots, had followed the advice of the
French ambassador, who had promised on their behalf, if not more than
he had authority to do, at least, more than they were inclined to
perform; to justify, however, his conduct at home, he was inclined to
throw the weight, in some measure, upon the King, and with this view,
he, by an express, informed cardinal Mazarine, that his Majesty was
too reserved in giving the Parliament satisfaction, and therefore
desired that some person might be sent over, who had a sufficient
degree of credit with the English Monarch, to persuade him to such
compliances, as were necessary for his interest. 'The Queen, says the
noble historian, who was never advised by those, who either
understood, or valued her Husband's interest, consulted those about
her, and sent Sir William Davenant, an honest man, and a witty, but in
all respects unequal to such a trust, with a letter of credit to the