The historical fact in this story are gathered chiefly from Burnet"History of his own time,the life of Archbishop Tillot ,published with the complete edition of his sermons in 1752.The life of William Lord Russell,by Lord John Russell,and Mr Cave Browne's Lambeth Palace and its Association.published in 1882,The scenes in the home live of Rachel Lady Russell at Stratton and Southampton house,are taken from letters,published in 1832,In this letter her children are often lovingly mentioned and the picture of her happiness as a devoted wife and tender mother,is drawn by her own hand in glowing colours.These scenes are woven into this story-as they afford a touching,contrast to other with followed them when the husband whom Lady Russell so passionetely loved and by whom she stood with noble steadfastness in his hour of trial was taken from her by a cruel death in the very prime of his manhood.It is hardly necessary to say that the De Massue family and other connected with it,in the course of the narrative are wholly imaginary character
