...troublous year of the Test Act,—"that this year the government" (meaning of course himself) "thrives marvellous well, for it eats and drinks and sleeps as heartily as I have ever known it, nor does it vex and disquiet itself with that foolish, idle and impertinent thing called...

...troublous year of the Test Act — " that this year the government " (meaning of course himself) " thrives marvellous well, for it eats and drinks and sleeps as heartily as I have ever known it, nor does it vex and disquiet itself with that foolish, idle and impertinent thing called...

...much more effective, is Sir Thomas Player's humorous description of the English Government in 1673: The truth is, this yeare the Government begins to...with that foolish, idle, impertinent thing called businesse.4 This image evidently pleased the writer for in his next letter six weeks later he carries...

...continue me in your esteeme, being with a perfect resignation, may it please your ExT, Your Exc?es most obedient and faithfull servant, HENRY BALLE....returns, I hope it will be awake and fitt to receive your belpe. The people cry out for peace, and that with some earnestnesse, but I doe not perceive they would...