present collation however satisfactorily proves that the noble editors have in no one instance added, suppressed, or altered any historical fact. Since the History of the Rebellion was first published, much more than a century has passed away, and with it all those inducements to soften or withhold severe remarks; and as the genuineness of the work has at various times, however rashly, and for party purposes, been called in question, there can be no longer a reason to withhold any portion of the original matter. Accordingly, though the text is given as it was first published by the sons of lord Clarendon 5, it has been carefully collated with the author's original MSS. now in the Bodleian library; and wherever it varies, even in a single word, such variation, as well as all the omitted parts, will be found either in the notes at the foot of the page, or in the Appendix at the end of the volume. The manuscripts are regularly paged. In the eighth book unfortunately there is a chasm of twenty-four pages; excepting this small portion, the whole of what has been and is now made public, is to be found in them; and this collation will, it is hoped, besides satisfying the curious by the insertion of the suppressed passages, establish the genuineness of the History beyond the reach of cavil. g Their transcript of the work is referred to in the notes as MS. A.; the original MS. of the Life is designated as MS. B.; and that of the History as MS. C. Shortly after this edition was put to the press, the dean of Worcester, now bishop of St. David's, informed the Delegates of the Clarendon Press, that a copy of the History, with numerous manuscript notes by bishop Warburton, was preserved in the Episcopal library at Hartlebury, bequeathed to the see of Worcester by the late bishop Hurd. The dean also kindly requested of the bishop of Worcester that these notes might be added to the present edition, which his lordship most readily and courteously permitted, having first consulted Mr. Hurd, the nephew and executor of bishop Hurd. That gentleman stated it to have been his uncle's opinion, that the notes would be published on some future occasion. The public are therefore deeply indebted to the bishops of Worcester and St. David's for much valuable matter subjoined to the seventh volume. With respect to the History of the Rebellion in Ireland, of which some doubts were once entertained, whether it was written by lord Clarendon, a few words must be added. About half of that History in the handwriting of lord Clarendon, and an entire transcript in the handwriting of his secretary, are in the Bodleian library. A marginal correction in the former exactly corresponds with the handwriting of the latter; besides which, on the first leaf of the entire copy is to be seen lord Clarendon's motto, "Ne quid veri" &c. in his lordship's own handwriting. It will be recollected, that this History of the Rebellion in Ireland was written in defence of the duke of Ormonde; and the entire copy is to be found among the Ormonde papers, formerly the property of Carte the historian. It has been thought advisable to compile an entirely new Index, embracing all the additional matter now first published. Dates also have been added in the margin throughout the whole of the work. It is further proposed to publish without delay, as an accompaniment to this History, a new edition of the Life of Lord Clarendon, exactly upon the same plan, inserting all the passages which have been heretofore omitted. Bodleian Library, BULKELEY BANDINEL. Jan. 14, 1826. THE PREFACE ΤΟ THE FIRST EDITION. AT length comes into the world, the first volume of the History of the Rebellion, and Civil Wars in England, begun in the year 1641, with the precedent passages and actions that contributed thereunto, and the happy end and conclusion thereof, by the king's blessed restoration, and return, upon the 29th of May in the year 1660; written by Edward earl of Clarendon, once lord high chancellor of England, and chancellor of the famous university of Oxford. The first of these great dignities king Charles the Second had conferred on him, whilst he was yet in banishment with him; which he held, after the restoration, above seven years, with the universal approbation of the whole kingdom, and the general applause of all good men, for his justice, integrity, sound judgment, and eminent sufficiency in the discharge of that office; a praise, which none of his enemies ever denied him in any time. The other he received from the choice of the university, who, upon the vacancy of that place, by the death |