"Sir John," he said, "it is necessary for the public service that you should take this charge upon you; and I have it in command from His Majesty to say that he can admit of no excuse." Somers submitted.

The seal was delivered to him, with a patent which entitled him to a pension of two thousand a year from the day on which he should quit his office; and he was immediately sworn in a Privy Councillor and Lord Keeper.

[414] The Gazette which announced these changes in the administration, announced also the King's departure.

He set out for Holland on the twenty-fourth of March.
He left orders that the Estates of Scotland should, after a recess of more than two years and a half, be again called together.

Hamilton, who had lived many months in retirement, had, since the fall of Melville, been reconciled to the Court, and now consented to quit his retreat, and to occupy Holyrood House as Lord High Commissioner.