Norwich bulletin., 1922-01-25
Famous Trials
JAMES HARRINGTON

Sooner than rhss his life away in one prison or another, Sir James liar rington, when in prison at Plymouth for endeavoring to change the form of government, at the advice of a Dr.. Dunstan, drank guiacum in such quan- titles it is said, as to injure his health and finally disorder his brain. He was released and allowed to go to London for medical advice, but he was never quit cured.
 On a dark December morning in the year of the Restoration, a certain Capt. Short knocked at the door of a cob bier named Dugard. He demanded a man within who gave his name as Edwards" and who Short said was Sir James Harrington. The cobbler gave bail and guaranteed that the pris- oner would be at his home within call but in the morningN when the Royal ists returned the birds were flown.
 From this time on nothing was seen of either; HarringtQn's property was confiscated and he himself sank from public view But only for a time, for one year later he blossomed forth as plain James Harrington supposed to be a second cousin to Sir James. He wrote a good many books, one "Ocea- na' a satire on the ruling of the Com monwealth of England by Cromwell Some of the dignitaries at London sup pressed it, but Cromwell after reading it, said he saw nothing wrong in ii and so it was published. During the confusion following the death of Crom- well, Harrington formed a club called the. Rota, to discuss the introduction of his political schemes.
 When Charles II came into power the Rota was suppressed and once more Harrington began to write. A the suggestion of his friends he wrote a paper of Instructions showing his | Majesty how he could govern "witl 1 satisfaction to the people and safety ! to himself Charles, less tolerant thar | Oliver Cromwell, gave orders for hi instant arrest and imprisonment in tn, Tower of London. Despite the plead i ings of his sisted Lady Ashton, liar rington was thrown into prison, but a her suggestion, Charles granted an ear ly examination and thereupon sen three of his ministers: John, Earl o Lauderdale, Sir George Carteret, an; Sir Edward Walker, to examine tn philosopher.
 After a rigorous cross examination which consisted mainly of definin with whom Harrington was friend; with whom he associated the counci lors knew just as much as when the began. and it was with a sense c failure at not having implicated hir in some outbreak or plot that they re turned to Charles. For five months tn
 poor ideahst lay prisoner ere h thought of askin for his right of tris from the High Court of Parliament In the meanwhile, Lady Ashton wa . trying in every way to regain Har
 ringtons freedom. The King referre her to his Council and the council 1 the King. She then applied to the coul of law and asked for a writ of habes
 corpus, forcing the Council either 1 relax their grip or prove him guilt ? of some crime. The judges yielde the writ went out, and then poor Lac
 Ashton thought her work was dor
 and her brother saved. but in u morning news was brought to her tn . her brother had been spirited aws n in the deep of the night and carrie t off in warship. She went all arou1 trying to gain information as to u
 whereabouts of her brother-to the T - wer, to the Secretary of State, to | s lieutenant of the Tower. She herst n called it treason, treason to snatch
 man from justice to insult His Majes 
 in the person of his judge, break t " covenant of law. Treason of the hig :. est class! The poor lady had st P to learn that law is not for men Ii Harrington. Four weeks later she T ceived note sent byfhin from a lit
 rock near Plymouth at the Chapel Ie St. Nicholas.
 n Here it was that he took the poist 10 for he was fast whitening away, .g he was unable to walk and forced : drink brackish water. Yet he neS
 ceased to dream of the great Ocea
 of which he had written. He fina . gained his point at such cost and U IL der security of fb5000 he was releas 1e At London he partook of Epson " ly ters, but it was too late and fail
 His emaciated form was laid to r
 at the lit1e Church of St. Marga ga at the side of the grave of Sir Wal ct Raleigh.