other prisoners. Soon after ROBERT's return home, he was himself imprisoned: but he was so far indulged as to be put into a better, or more properly, a less disgusting, prison than the rest.f

His commitment was on the 7th of the 9th month (November), 1676; and in the following month the news of his confinement reached his friend the princess-palatine, probably with some circumstances of exaggeration, as appears from the following letter to her brother, the prince Rupert.

Dear Brother,

Herford, December 19th, 1676.

I wrote to you some months ago, by ROBERT BARCLAY, who passed this way, and hearing I was your sister, desired to speak with me. I knew him to be a Quaker by

*Besse's Collection of the Sufferings of the people called Quakers, Vol, 2. Article Scotland.

The Tolbooth at Aberdeen seems to have been divided into the upper and lower prisons. The upper was the worse.

◄his hat, and took occasion to inform myself of all their opinions: and finding they were [accustomed to submit to magistrates in real things, omitting the ceremonial, I wished in my heart, the king might have many such

subjects. And since, I have heard, that, * notwithstanding his majesty's most gracious letters in his behalf to the Council of Scotland, he has been clapped up in prison with 'the rest of his friends, and they threaten to

hang them, at least those they call preachers

among them, unless they subscribe their own " banishment; and this upon a law made

against other sects that appeared armed for the maintenance of their heresy; which goes directly against the principles of those which are ready to suffer all that can be inflicted, ⚫ and still love and pray for their enemies.

Therefore, dear brother, if you can do any thing to prevent their destruction, I doubt not

* This word seems wanting to make sense,

but you will do an action acceptable to God Almighty, and conducive to the service of your royal master: for the Presbyterians are their violent enemies, to whom they are an

f

eye-sore, as being witnesses against all their violent ways. I care not, though his majesty see my letter. It is written out of no less an • humble affection for him, than most sensible < compassion of the innocent sufferers. You

will act herein according to your own disstill consider me as

❝cretion, and I beseech

you

• Yours,

A

• ELIZABETH."

Whilst ROBERT BARCLAY lay in the Tolbooth at Aberdeen, his father was again

*

com

mitted to prison, and lodged in the lower gaol.

It is not clear how David Barclay was released from his former imprisonment. Several of his fellow-prisoners were set at liberty on distraints having been made to answer the sums, in which they had been fined. Yet it appears, from Besse, Vol, 2. p. 518, that David Barclay was at home when the distress was levied, viz. tem working oxen, two cows, a bull, and a quantity of corn.

He was committed the 6th of the rst month (March) 1677, about four months after his son's imprisonment; and on the 17th, they were both removed, with three others, to a place out of the town, called the Chapel. In this Chapel the five prisoners were confined in a small room, which allowed them little more space than was necessary to hold their beds. It had a large door which was not opened except when the keeper brought them food; and when it was shut, the prisoners had not sufficient light to serve them at their meals. It was usual when the door was opened, for a servant to come and sweep out the room; and because, to make way for him the prisoners occasionally stepped a few paces out of the door, induced also by the desire of breathing for a few minutes a purer air, the magistrate of Aberdeen reprimanded their keeper for allowing so much indulgence. The same magistrate also chid the person who kept the key of their cell, for pro

posing to let them have a small place under their room, for the purpose of stowing fuel; and rejected with indignation a proposal to make another window to their darksome place of confinement. Such was then the treatment of a man who had lately been well received at courts; who had then published a work, which will long render his name eminent in the religious world; and, it may not be uninstructive to add, many of whose numerous descendants are now surrounded with most of the accommodations that opulence can bestow, and with much more than the simplicity of the Christian life requires.

On the 3d of the 2d month (April,) an order of the commissioners of the Scottish council was made for removing David from the Chapel, for confining him at his country house, and prohibiting him to hold meetings, or to go to them. He was therefore released, but he informed the bearers of the conditions, that he accepted his liberty, but that, as to the restric