this understande that the secluded members, by the assistance of Gen' Monck, were readmitted this day into the house in which place he was voted Cap Gen' of all the forces of Eng' Scot' & Ire' under the Parl*, Lawson to continue vice-Admirall.' 1660 Dr. Denton writes the next day: 'Monke brought Feb. 22, in the secluded members who act & vote as formally as before, & take noe notice of anythinge. Our Cozen Greenvile hath lost himselfe most wonderfully amongst his countrymen in refusinge to doe as other neighbours did, noe man dissentinge but himselfe. Sir R. Piggott hath done little lesse. Sir R. T[emple] carries it plum on all sides; he writt to Dick Winwood by coach yesterday, he havinge notice over night that it would be. We knewe nothinge till about 9 A clock. I have sent to hasten Dick W. to his duty, they are all earnestly desired. I wish my Lord Wenman were in a condicion to come up.' 6 Penelope rejoices above all that by this new & great chang' she has lived to see her brother one. more in a Capacitie to sarve the Country.' 'It would vex me to the hart to have us both out,' writes Dr. Denton, eager in the general excitement to add to the duties of his over-busy life; but if Cavaliers are to be excluded we shall be mumpt.' There is also a talk of Sir Ralph standing for Westbury or Bedwin. He at first fights shy of election expenses, specially as the Parliament is expected to be a very short one. 'You say you will not stand, nor be at any charge,' writes Dr. Denton; there is no great feare of my Feb. 23, 1660 Feb. 23, 1660 being qualified, & then I misse of my ayme if you are not chosen at Malton, where I ghesse the charge will be none or inconsiderable; if there should come a dispute, a charge might arise but sure not much. My sister [Sherard] is sollicited for others, but she intends you or me, & you know I cannot be qualified, therefore you must.' Kind congratulations pour in from Ditchley. Sir Henry Lee has just heard of the great news at London': 'I assure you,' he writes to Sir Ralph, 'it is the best wee have had this many years & trewly I am very glad Sir R. Var entends to serve his Country & friends in that Honble imployment.' He offers to use his interest on Sir Ralph's behalf, and desires to see him at Ditchley, though I confesse it has nothing that deserves an invitation from Cladon, though I can promise no person to be more wellcome then yourselfe.' His mother, Lady Rochester, at once sets her agents to work, and writes to Mr. Thomas Yates to secure seats for Sir Ralph and her son in the elections for what was emphatically called a Free Parliament, though the electors seemed to be amiably ready to submit to the Countess's dictation, and to acknowledge it as their duty to their Country & their younge Lande Ladyes to serve Sir Ralph therein.' Lady Rochester writes: This day I received a letter from you, with all the good newes in it, for which I give you thanks, and also for the care you tell me you have taken for my sonne Lee's being chosen a Parliament man, in the next election. I was formerly spoken to |