brother, of no account in Europe. "I am in no condition," he said
to the Spanish Ambassador, "to trouble myself about what passes
abroad. It is my resolution to let foreign affairs take their
course, to establish my authority at home, and to do something
for my religion." A few days later he announced the same
intentions to the States General.71 From that time to the close
of his ignominious reign, he made no serious effort to escape
from vassalage, though, to the last, he could never hear, without
transports of rage, that men called him a vassal.

The two events which proved to the public that Sunderland and
Sunderland's party were victorious were the prorogation of the
Parliament from February to May, and the departure of Castelmaine
for Rome with the appointments of an Ambassador of the highest
rank.72

Hitherto all the business of the English government at the papal
court had been transacted by John Caryl. This gentleman was known
to his contemporaries as a man of fortune and fashion, and as the
author of two successful plays, a tragedy in rhyme which had been
made popular by the action and recitation of Betterton, and a
comedy which owes all its value to scenes borrowed from Moliere.
These pieces have long been forgotten; but what Caryl could not
do for himself has been done for him by a more powerful genius.
Half a line in the Rape of the Lock has made his name immortal.

Caryl, who was, like all the other respectable Roman Catholics,
an enemy to violent courses, had acquitted himself of his
delicate errand at Rome with good sense and good feeling. The
business confided to him was well done; but he assumed no public