158 ) the arrival of Charles in Spain, the enemies of Ximenes used every possible effort to preventa meeting between them. Ximénes on his way to join the king, fell ill, but wrote to Charles earnestly soliciting an interview. Under the plea of multiplicity of business, Charles delayed from time to time to comply with his request. Ximenes, whose high spirit had during a long life of eighty years been proof against all the attacks of fortune, sunk under this unexpected neglect. Charles at length wrote him a short letter to express his approbation of his fidelity ; it contained a formal dismissal from his important offices, under the pretence that it was time he should retire from the fatigues of a public station. The great soul of Ximenes could not brook this; he perused the cruel epistle, and a few hours after expired. 65. Dr. Mead. In 1722, Atterbury's plot for the restorati
