第19章

LordRussellmighthaveeasilyescaped,butscornedtodoso,beinginnocentofanywrong;LordEssexmighthaveeasilyescaped,butscornedtodoso,lesthisflightshouldprejudiceLordRussell.

Butitweigheduponhismindthathehadbroughtintotheircouncil,LordHoward-whonowturnedamiserabletraitor-againstagreatdislikeLordRussellhadalwayshadofhim.Hecouldnotbearthereflection,anddestroyedhimselfbeforeLordRussellwasbroughttotrialattheOldBailey.

Heknewverywellthathehadnothingtohope,havingalwaysbeenmanfulintheProtestantcauseagainstthetwofalsebrothers,theoneonthethrone,andtheotherstandingnexttoit.Hehadawife,oneofthenoblestandbestofwomen,whoactedashissecretaryonhistrial,whocomfortedhiminhisprison,whosuppedwithhimonthenightbeforehedied,andwhoseloveandvirtueanddevotionhavemadehernameimperishable.Ofcourse,hewasfoundguilty,andwassentencedtobebeheadedinLincoln"sInn-fields,notmanyyardsfromhisownhouse.Whenhehadpartedfromhischildrenontheeveningbeforehisdeath,hiswifestillstayedwithhimuntilteno"clockatnight;andwhentheirfinalseparationinthisworldwasover,andhehadkissedhermanytimes,hestillsatforalongwhileinhisprison,talkingofhergoodness.Hearingtherainfallfastatthattime,hecalmlysaid,"Sucharainto-morrowwillspoilagreatshow,whichisadullthingonarainyday."Atmidnighthewenttobed,andslepttillfour;evenwhenhisservantcalledhim,hefellasleepagainwhilehisclotheswerebeingmadeready.Herodetothescaffoldinhisowncarriage,attendedbytwofamousclergymen,TILLOTSONandBURNET,andsangapsalmtohimselfverysoftly,ashewentalong.

Hewasasquietandassteadyasifhehadbeengoingoutforanordinaryride.Aftersayingthathewassurprisedtoseesogreatacrowd,helaiddownhisheadupontheblock,asifuponthepillowofhisbed,andhaditstruckoffatthesecondblow.Hisnoblewifewasbusyforhimeventhen;forthattrue-heartedladyprintedandwidelycirculatedhislastwords,ofwhichhehadgivenheracopy.TheymadethebloodofallthehonestmeninEnglandboil.

TheUniversityofOxforddistinguisheditselfontheverysamedaybypretendingtobelievethattheaccusationagainstLordRussellwastrue,andbycallingtheKing,inawrittenpaper,theBreathoftheirNostrilsandtheAnointedoftheLord.ThispapertheParliamentafterwardscausedtobeburnedbythecommonhangman;

whichIamsorryfor,asIwishithadbeenframedandglazedandhungupinsomepublicplace,asamonumentofbasenessforthescornofmankind.

Next,camethetrialofAlgernonSidney,atwhichJeffreyspresided,likeagreatcrimsontoad,swelteringandswellingwithrage."IprayGod,Mr.Sidney,"saidthisChiefJusticeofamerryreign,afterpassingsentence,"toworkinyouatemperfittogototheotherworld,forIseeyouarenotfitforthis.""Mylord,"saidtheprisoner,composedlyholdingouthisarm,"feelmypulse,andseeifIbedisordered.IthankHeavenIneverwasinbettertemperthanIamnow."AlgernonSidneywasexecutedonTowerHill,ontheseventhofDecember,onethousandsixhundredandeighty-three.Hediedahero,anddied,inhisownwords,"Forthatgoodoldcauseinwhichhehadbeenengagedfromhisyouth,andforwhichGodhadsooftenandsowonderfullydeclaredhimself."

TheDukeofMonmouthhadbeenmakinghisuncle,theDukeofYork,veryjealous,bygoingaboutthecountryinaroyalsortofway,playingatthepeople"sgames,becominggodfathertotheirchildren,andeventouchingfortheKing"sevil,orstrokingthefacesofthesicktocurethem-though,forthematterofthat,I

shouldsayhedidthemaboutasmuchgoodasanycrownedkingcouldhavedone.Hisfatherhadgothimtowritealetter,confessinghishavinghadapartintheconspiracy,forwhichLordRussellhadbeenbeheaded;buthewaseveraweakman,andassoonashehadwrittenit,hewasashamedofitandgotitbackagain.Forthis,hewasbanishedtotheNetherlands;buthesoonreturnedandhadaninterviewwithhisfather,unknowntohisuncle.ItwouldseemthathewascomingintotheMerryMonarch"sfavouragain,andthattheDukeofYorkwasslidingoutofit,whenDeathappearedtothemerrygalleriesatWhitehall,andastonishedthedebauchedlordsandgentlemen,andtheshamelessladies,veryconsiderably.

OnMonday,thesecondofFebruary,onethousandsixhundredandeighty-five,themerrypensionerandservantoftheKingofFrancefelldowninafitofapoplexy.BytheWednesdayhiscasewashopeless,andontheThursdayhewastoldso.AshemadeadifficultyabouttakingthesacramentfromtheProtestantBishopofBath,theDukeofYorkgotallwhowerepresentawayfromthebed,andaskedhisbrother,inawhisper,ifheshouldsendforaCatholicpriest?TheKingreplied,"ForGod"ssake,brother,do!"

TheDukesmuggledin,upthebackstairs,disguisedinawigandgown,apriestnamedHUDDLESTON,whohadsavedtheKing"slifeafterthebattleofWorcester:tellinghimthatthisworthymaninthewighadoncesavedhisbody,andwasnowcometosavehissoul.

TheMerryMonarchlivedthroughthatnight,anddiedbeforenoononthenextday,whichwasFriday,thesixth.Twoofthelastthingshesaidwereofahumansort,andyourremembrancewillgivehimthefullbenefitofthem.WhentheQueensenttosayshewastoounwelltoattendhimandtoaskhispardon,hesaid,"Alas!poorwoman,SHEbegMYpardon!Ibegherswithallmyheart.Takebackthatanswertoher."Andhealsosaid,inreferencetoNellGwyn,"DonotletpoorNellystarve."

Hediedinthefifty-fifthyearofhisage,andthetwenty-fifthofhisreign.

CHAPTERXXXVI-ENGLANDUNDERJAMESTHESECOND

KINGJAMESTHESECONDwasamansoverydisagreeable,thateventhebestofhistorianshasfavouredhisbrotherCharles,asbecoming,bycomparison,quiteapleasantcharacter.Theoneobjectofhisshortreignwastore-establishtheCatholicreligioninEngland;

andthishedoggedlypursuedwithsuchastupidobstinacy,thathiscareerverysooncametoaclose.

Thefirstthinghedid,was,toassurehiscouncilthathewouldmakeithisendeavourtopreservetheGovernment,bothinChurchandState,asitwasbylawestablished;andthathewouldalwaystakecaretodefendandsupporttheChurch.Greatpublicacclamationswereraisedoverthisfairspeech,andagreatdealwassaid,fromthepulpitsandelsewhere,aboutthewordofaKingwhichwasneverbroken,bycredulouspeoplewholittlesupposedthathehadformedasecretcouncilforCatholicaffairs,ofwhichamischievousJesuit,calledFATHERPETRE,wasoneofthechiefmembers.Withtearsofjoyinhiseyes,hereceived,asthebeginningofHISpensionfromtheKingofFrance,fivehundredthousandlivres;yet,withamixtureofmeannessandarrogancethatbelongedtohiscontemptiblecharacter,hewasalwaysjealousofmakingsomeshowofbeingindependentoftheKingofFrance,whilehepocketedhismoney.As-notwithstandinghispublishingtwopapersinfavourofPopery(andnotlikelytodoitmuchservice,I

shouldthink)writtenbytheKing,hisbrother,andfoundinhisstrong-box;andhisopendisplayofhimselfattendingmass-theParliamentwasveryobsequious,andgrantedhimalargesumofmoney,hebeganhisreignwithabeliefthathecoulddowhathepleased,andwithadeterminationtodoit.

Beforeweproceedtoitsprincipalevents,letusdisposeofTitusOates.Hewastriedforperjury,afortnightafterthecoronation,andbesidesbeingveryheavilyfined,wassentencedtostandtwiceinthepillory,tobewhippedfromAldgatetoNewgateoneday,andfromNewgatetoTyburntwodaysafterwards,andtostandinthepilloryfivetimesayearaslongashelived.Thisfearfulsentencewasactuallyinflictedontherascal.Beingunabletostandafterhisfirstflogging,hewasdraggedonasledgefromNewgatetoTyburn,andfloggedashewasdrawnalong.Hewassostrongavillainthathedidnotdieunderthetorture,butlivedtobeafterwardspardonedandrewarded,thoughnottobeeverbelievedinanymore.Dangerfield,theonlyotheroneofthatcrewleftalive,wasnotsofortunate.HewasalmostkilledbyawhippingfromNewgatetoTyburn,and,asifthatwerenotpunishmentenough,aferociousbarristerofGray"sInngavehimapokeintheeyewithhiscane,whichcausedhisdeath;forwhichtheferociousbarristerwasdeservedlytriedandexecuted.

AssoonasJameswasonthethrone,ArgyleandMonmouthwentfromBrusselstoRotterdam,andattendedameetingofScottishexilesheldthere,toconcertmeasuresforarisinginEngland.ItwasagreedthatArgyleshouldeffectalandinginScotland,andMonmouthinEngland;andthattwoEnglishmenshouldbesentwithArgyletobeinhisconfidence,andtwoScotchmenwiththeDukeofMonmouth.

Argylewasthefirsttoactuponthiscontract.But,twoofhismenbeingtakenprisonersattheOrkneyIslands,theGovernmentbecameawareofhisintention,andwasabletoactagainsthimwithsuchvigourastopreventhisraisingmorethantwoorthreethousandHighlanders,althoughhesentafierycross,bytrustymessengers,fromclantoclanandfromglentoglen,asthecustomthenwaswhenthosewildpeopleweretobeexcitedbytheirchiefs.

AshewasmovingtowardsGlasgowwithhissmallforce,hewasbetrayedbysomeofhisfollowers,taken,andcarried,withhishandstiedbehindhisback,tohisoldprisoninEdinburghCastle.

Jamesorderedhimtobeexecuted,onhisoldshamefullyunjustsentence,withinthreedays;andheappearstohavebeenanxiousthathislegsshouldhavebeenpoundedwithhisoldfavouritetheboot.However,thebootwasnotapplied;hewassimplybeheaded,andhisheadwassetuponthetopofEdinburghJail.OneofthoseEnglishmenwhohadbeenassignedtohimwasthatoldsoldierRumbold,themasteroftheRyeHouse.Hewassorelywounded,andwithinaweekafterArgylehadsufferedwithgreatcourage,wasbroughtupfortrial,lestheshoulddieanddisappointtheKing.

He,too,wasexecuted,afterdefendinghimselfwithgreatspirit,andsayingthathedidnotbelievethatGodhadmadethegreaterpartofmankindtocarrysaddlesontheirbacksandbridlesintheirmouths,andtoberiddenbyafew,bootedandspurredforthepurpose-inwhichIthoroughlyagreewithRumbold.

TheDukeofMonmouth,partlythroughbeingdetainedandpartlythroughidlinghistimeaway,wasfiveorsixweeksbehindhisfriendwhenhelandedatLyme,inDorset:havingathisrighthandanunluckynoblemancalledLORDGREYOFWERK,whoofhimselfwouldhaveruinedafarmorepromisingexpedition.Heimmediatelysetuphisstandardinthemarket-place,andproclaimedtheKingatyrant,andaPopishusurper,andIknownotwhatelse;charginghim,notonlywithwhathehaddone,whichwasbadenough,butwithwhatneitherhenoranybodyelsehaddone,suchassettingfiretoLondon,andpoisoningthelateKing.Raisingsomefourthousandmenbythesemeans,hemarchedontoTaunton,wherethereweremanyProtestantdissenterswhowerestronglyopposedtotheCatholics.

Here,boththerichandpoorturnedouttoreceivehim,ladieswavedawelcometohimfromallthewindowsashepassedalongthestreets,flowerswerestrewninhisway,andeverycomplimentandhonourthatcouldbedevisedwasshowereduponhim.Amongtherest,twentyyoungladiescameforward,intheirbestclothes,andintheirbrightestbeauty,andgavehimaBibleornamentedwiththeirownfairhands,togetherwithotherpresents.

Encouragedbythishomage,heproclaimedhimselfKing,andwentontoBridgewater.But,heretheGovernmenttroops,undertheEARLOF

FEVERSHAM,werecloseathand;andhewassodispiritedatfindingthathemadebutfewpowerfulfriendsafterall,thatitwasaquestionwhetherheshoulddisbandhisarmyandendeavourtoescape.Itwasresolved,attheinstanceofthatunluckyLordGrey,tomakeanightattackontheKing"sarmy,asitlayencampedontheedgeofamorasscalledSedgemoor.Thehorsemenwerecommandedbythesameunluckylord,whowasnotabraveman.Hegaveupthebattlealmostatthefirstobstacle-whichwasadeepdrain;andalthoughthepoorcountrymen,whohadturnedoutforMonmouth,foughtbravelywithscythes,poles,pitchforks,andsuchpoorweaponsastheyhad,theyweresoondispersedbythetrainedsoldiers,andfledinalldirections.WhentheDukeofMonmouthhimselffled,wasnotknownintheconfusion;buttheunluckyLordGreywastakenearlynextday,andthenanotherofthepartywastaken,whoconfessedthathehadpartedfromtheDukeonlyfourhoursbefore.Strictsearchbeingmade,hewasfounddisguisedasapeasant,hiddeninaditchunderfernandnettles,withafewpeasinhispocketwhichhehadgatheredinthefieldstoeat.Theonlyotherarticleshehaduponhimwereafewpapersandlittlebooks:oneofthelatterbeingastrangejumble,inhisownwriting,ofcharms,songs,recipes,andprayers.Hewascompletelybroken.HewroteamiserablelettertotheKing,beseechingandentreatingtobeallowedtoseehim.WhenhewastakentoLondon,andconveyedboundintotheKing"spresence,hecrawledtohimonhisknees,andmadeamostdegradingexhibition.AsJamesneverforgaveorrelentedtowardsanybody,hewasnotlikelytosoftentowardstheissueroftheLymeproclamation,sohetoldthesupplianttopreparefordeath.

OnthefifteenthofJuly,onethousandsixhundredandeighty-five,thisunfortunatefavouriteofthepeoplewasbroughtouttodieonTowerHill.Thecrowdwasimmense,andthetopsofallthehouseswerecoveredwithgazers.Hehadseenhiswife,thedaughteroftheDukeofBuccleuch,intheTower,andhadtalkedmuchofaladywhomhelovedfarbetter-theLADYHARRIETWENTWORTH-whowasoneofthelastpersonsherememberedinthislife.Beforelayingdownhisheadupontheblockhefelttheedgeoftheaxe,andtoldtheexecutionerthathefeareditwasnotsharpenough,andthattheaxewasnotheavyenough.Ontheexecutionerreplyingthatitwasoftheproperkind,theDukesaid,"Iprayyouhaveacare,anddonotusemesoawkwardlyasyouusedmyLordRussell."Theexecutioner,madenervousbythis,andtrembling,struckonceandmerelygashedhimintheneck.Uponthis,theDukeofMonmouthraisedhisheadandlookedthemanreproachfullyintheface.Thenhestrucktwice,andthenthrice,andthenthrewdowntheaxe,andcriedoutinavoiceofhorrorthathecouldnotfinishthatwork.

Thesheriffs,however,threateninghimwithwhatshouldbedonetohimselfifhedidnot,hetookitupagainandstruckafourthtimeandafifthtime.Thenthewretchedheadatlastfelloff,andJames,DukeofMonmouth,wasdead,inthethirty-sixthyearofhisage.Hewasashowy,gracefulman,withmanypopularqualities,andhadfoundmuchfavourintheopenheartsoftheEnglish.

Theatrocities,committedbytheGovernment,whichfollowedthisMonmouthrebellion,formtheblackestandmostlamentablepageinEnglishhistory.Thepoorpeasants,havingbeendispersedwithgreatloss,andtheirleadershavingbeentaken,onewouldthinkthattheimplacableKingmighthavebeensatisfied.Butno;heletlooseuponthem,amongotherintolerablemonsters,aCOLONELKIRK,whohadservedagainsttheMoors,andwhosesoldiers-calledbythepeopleKirk"slambs,becausetheyborealambupontheirflag,astheemblemofChristianity-wereworthyoftheirleader.Theatrocitiescommittedbythesedemonsinhumanshapearefartoohorribletoberelatedhere.Itisenoughtosay,thatbesidesmostruthlesslymurderingandrobbingthem,andruiningthembymakingthembuytheirpardonsatthepriceofalltheypossessed,itwasoneofKirk"sfavouriteamusements,asheandhisofficerssatdrinkingafterdinner,andtoastingtheKing,tohavebatchesofprisonershangedoutsidethewindowsforthecompany"sdiversion;andthatwhentheirfeetquiveredintheconvulsionsofdeath,heusedtoswearthattheyshouldhavemusictotheirdancing,andwouldorderthedrumstobeatandthetrumpetstoplay.ThedetestableKinginformedhim,asanacknowledgmentoftheseservices,thathewas"verywellsatisfiedwithhisproceedings."ButtheKing"sgreatdelightwasintheproceedingsofJeffreys,nowapeer,whowentdownintothewest,withfourotherjudges,totrypersonsaccusedofhavinghadanyshareintherebellion.TheKingpleasantlycalledthis"Jeffreys"scampaign."

ThepeopledowninthatpartofthecountryrememberittothisdayasTheBloodyAssize.

ItbeganatWinchester,whereapoordeafoldlady,MRS.ALICIA

LISLE,thewidowofoneofthejudgesofCharlestheFirst(whohadbeenmurderedabroadbysomeRoyalistassassins),waschargedwithhavinggivenshelterinherhousetotwofugitivesfromSedgemoor.

Threetimesthejuryrefusedtofindherguilty,untilJeffreysbulliedandfrightenedthemintothatfalseverdict.Whenhehadextorteditfromthem,hesaid,"Gentlemen,ifIhadbeenoneofyou,andshehadbeenmyownmother,Iwouldhavefoundherguilty;"-asIdaresayhewould.Hesentencedhertobeburnedalive,thatveryafternoon.Theclergyofthecathedralandsomeothersinterferedinherfavour,andshewasbeheadedwithinaweek.Asahighmarkofhisapprobation,theKingmadeJeffreysLordChancellor;andhethenwentontoDorchester,toExeter,toTaunton,andtoWells.Itisastonishing,whenwereadoftheenormousinjusticeandbarbarityofthisbeast,toknowthatnoonestruckhimdeadonthejudgment-seat.Itwasenoughforanymanorwomantobeaccusedbyanenemy,beforeJeffreys,tobefoundguiltyofhightreason.Onemanwhopleadednotguilty,heorderedtobetakenoutofcourtupontheinstant,andhanged;andthissoterrifiedtheprisonersingeneralthattheymostlypleadedguiltyatonce.AtDorchesteralone,inthecourseofafewdays,Jeffreyshangedeightypeople;besideswhipping,transporting,imprisoning,andsellingasslaves,greatnumbers.Heexecuted,inall,twohundredandfifty,orthreehundred.

Theseexecutionstookplace,amongtheneighboursandfriendsofthesentenced,inthirty-sixtownsandvillages.Theirbodiesweremangled,steepedincaldronsofboilingpitchandtar,andhungupbytheroadsides,inthestreets,overtheverychurches.Thesightandsmellofheadsandlimbs,thehissingandbubblingoftheinfernalcaldrons,andthetearsandterrorsofthepeople,weredreadfulbeyondalldescription.Onerustic,whowasforcedtosteeptheremainsintheblackpot,waseverafterwardscalled"TomBoilman."ThehangmanhaseversincebeencalledJackKetch,becauseamanofthatnamewenthangingandhanging,alldaylong,inthetrainofJeffreys.YouwillhearmuchofthehorrorsofthegreatFrenchRevolution.Manyandterribletheywere,thereisnodoubt;butIknowofnothingworse,donebythemaddenedpeopleofFranceinthatawfultime,thanwasdonebythehighestjudgeinEngland,withtheexpressapprovaloftheKingofEngland,inTheBloodyAssize.

Norwaseventhisall.Jeffreyswasasfondofmoneyforhimselfasofmiseryforothers,andhesoldpardonswholesaletofillhispockets.TheKingordered,atonetime,athousandprisonerstobegiventocertainofhisfavourites,inorderthattheymightbargainwiththemfortheirpardons.TheyoungladiesofTauntonwhohadpresentedtheBible,werebestoweduponthemaidsofhonouratcourt;andthosepreciousladiesmadeveryhardbargainswiththemindeed.WhenTheBloodyAssizewasatitsmostdismalheight,theKingwasdivertinghimselfwithhorse-racesintheveryplacewhereMrs.Lislehadbeenexecuted.WhenJeffreyshaddonehisworst,andcamehomeagain,hewasparticularlycomplimentedintheRoyalGazette;andwhentheKingheardthatthroughdrunkennessandraginghewasveryill,hisodiousMajestyremarkedthatsuchanothermancouldnoteasilybefoundinEngland.Besidesallthis,aformersheriffofLondon,namedCORNISH,washangedwithinsightofhisownhouse,afteranabominablyconductedtrial,forhavinghadashareintheRyeHousePlot,onevidencegivenbyRumsey,whichthatvillainwasobligedtoconfesswasdirectlyopposedtotheevidencehehadgivenonthetrialofLordRussell.

Andontheverysameday,aworthywidow,namedELIZABETHGAUNT,wasburnedaliveatTyburn,forhavingshelteredawretchwhohimselfgaveevidenceagainsther.Shesettledthefuelaboutherselfwithherownhands,sothattheflamesshouldreachherquickly:andnoblysaid,withherlastbreath,thatshehadobeyedthesacredcommandofGod,togiverefugetotheoutcast,andnottobetraythewanderer.

Afterallthishanging,beheading,burning,boiling,mutilating,exposing,robbing,transporting,andsellingintoslavery,ofhisunhappysubjects,theKingnotunnaturallythoughtthathecoulddowhateverhewould.So,hewenttoworktochangethereligionofthecountrywithallpossiblespeed;andwhathedidwasthis.

HefirstofalltriedtogetridofwhatwascalledtheTestAct-

whichpreventedtheCatholicsfromholdingpublicemployments-byhisownpowerofdispensingwiththepenalties.Hetrieditinonecase,and,elevenofthetwelvejudgesdecidinginhisfavour,heexerciseditinthreeothers,beingthoseofthreedignitariesofUniversityCollege,Oxford,whohadbecomePapists,andwhomhekeptintheirplacesandsanctioned.HerevivedthehatedEcclesiasticalCommission,togetridofCOMPTON,BishopofLondon,whomanfullyopposedhim.HesolicitedthePopetofavourEnglandwithanambassador,whichthePope(whowasasensiblemanthen)

ratherunwillinglydid.HeflourishedFatherPetrebeforetheeyesofthepeopleonallpossibleoccasions.HefavouredtheestablishmentofconventsinseveralpartsofLondon.Hewasdelightedtohavethestreets,andeventhecourtitself,filledwithMonksandFriarsinthehabitsoftheirorders.HeconstantlyendeavouredtomakeCatholicsoftheProtestantsabouthim.Heheldprivateinterviews,whichhecalled"closetings,"withthoseMembersofParliamentwhoheldoffices,topersuadethemtoconsenttothedesignhehadinview.Whentheydidnotconsent,theywereremoved,orresignedofthemselves,andtheirplacesweregiventoCatholics.HedisplacedProtestantofficersfromthearmy,byeverymeansinhispower,andgotCatholicsintotheirplacestoo.

Hetriedthesamethingwiththecorporations,andalso(thoughnotsosuccessfully)withtheLordLieutenantsofcounties.Toterrifythepeopleintotheenduranceofallthesemeasures,hekeptanarmyoffifteenthousandmenencampedonHounslowHeath,wheremasswasopenlyperformedintheGeneral"stent,andwherepriestswentamongthesoldiersendeavouringtopersuadethemtobecomeCatholics.Forcirculatingapaperamongthosemenadvisingthemtobetruetotheirreligion,aProtestantclergyman,namedJOHNSON,thechaplainofthelateLordRussell,wasactuallysentencedtostandthreetimesinthepillory,andwasactuallywhippedfromNewgatetoTyburn.Hedismissedhisownbrother-in-

lawfromhisCouncilbecausehewasaProtestant,andmadeaPrivyCouncillorofthebefore-mentionedFatherPetre.HehandedIrelandovertoRICHARDTALBOT,EARLOFTYRCONNELL,aworthless,dissoluteknave,whoplayedthesamegamethereforhismaster,andwhoplayedthedeepergameforhimselfofonedayputtingitundertheprotectionoftheFrenchKing.Ingoingtotheseextremities,everymanofsenseandjudgmentamongtheCatholics,fromthePopetoaporter,knewthattheKingwasamerebigotedfool,whowouldundohimselfandthecausehesoughttoadvance;buthewasdeaftoallreason,and,happilyforEnglandeverafterwards,wenttumblingoffhisthroneinhisownblindway.

Aspiritbegantoariseinthecountry,whichthebesottedblundererlittleexpected.HefirstfounditoutintheUniversityofCambridge.HavingmadeaCatholicadeanatOxfordwithoutanyopposition,hetriedtomakeamonkamasterofartsatCambridge:

whichattempttheUniversityresisted,anddefeatedhim.HethenwentbacktohisfavouriteOxford.OnthedeathofthePresidentofMagdalenCollege,hecommandedthatthereshouldbeelectedtosucceedhim,oneMR.ANTHONYFARMER,whoseonlyrecommendationwas,thathewasoftheKing"sreligion.TheUniversitypluckedupcourageatlast,andrefused.TheKingsubstitutedanotherman,anditstillrefused,resolvingtostandbyitsownelectionofaMR.HOUGH.Thedulltyrant,uponthis,punishedMr.Hough,andfive-and-twentymore,bycausingthemtobeexpelledanddeclaredincapableofholdinganychurchpreferment;thenheproceededtowhathesupposedtobehishigheststep,buttowhatwas,infact,hislastplungehead-foremostinhistumbleoffhisthrone.

Hehadissuedadeclarationthatthereshouldbenoreligioustestsorpenallaws,inordertoletintheCatholicsmoreeasily;buttheProtestantdissenters,unmindfulofthemselves,hadgallantlyjoinedtheregularchurchinopposingittoothandnail.TheKingandFatherPetrenowresolvedtohavethisread,onacertainSunday,inallthechurches,andtoorderittobecirculatedforthatpurposebythebishops.ThelattertookcounselwiththeArchbishopofCanterbury,whowasindisgrace;andtheyresolvedthatthedeclarationshouldnotberead,andthattheywouldpetitiontheKingagainstit.TheArchbishophimselfwroteoutthepetition,andsixbishopswentintotheKing"sbedchamberthesamenighttopresentit,tohisinfiniteastonishment.NextdaywastheSundayfixedforthereading,anditwasonlyreadbytwohundredclergymenoutoftenthousand.TheKingresolvedagainstalladvicetoprosecutethebishopsintheCourtofKing"sBench,andwithinthreeweekstheyweresummonedbeforethePrivyCouncil,andcommittedtotheTower.Asthesixbishopsweretakentothatdismalplace,bywater,thepeoplewhowereassembledinimmensenumbersfellupontheirknees,andweptforthem,andprayedforthem.WhentheygottotheTower,theofficersandsoldiersonguardbesoughtthemfortheirblessing.Whiletheywereconfinedthere,thesoldierseverydaydranktotheirreleasewithloudshouts.WhentheywerebroughtuptotheCourtofKing"sBenchfortheirtrial,whichtheAttorney-GeneralsaidwasforthehighoffenceofcensuringtheGovernment,andgivingtheiropinionaboutaffairsofstate,theywereattendedbysimilarmultitudes,andsurroundedbyathrongofnoblemenandgentlemen.Whenthejurywentoutatseveno"clockatnighttoconsideroftheirverdict,everybody(excepttheKing)knewthattheywouldratherstarvethanyieldtotheKing"sbrewer,whowasoneofthem,andwantedaverdictforhiscustomer.Whentheycameintocourtnextmorning,afterresistingthebrewerallnight,andgaveaverdictofnotguilty,suchashoutroseupinWestminsterHallasithadneverheardbefore;anditwaspassedonamongthepeopleawaytoTempleBar,andawayagaintotheTower.Itdidnotpassonlytotheeast,butpassedtothewesttoo,untilitreachedthecampatHounslow,wherethefifteenthousandsoldierstookitupandechoedit.Andstill,whenthedullKing,whowasthenwithLordFeversham,heardthemightyroar,askedinalarmwhatitwas,andwastoldthatitwas"nothingbuttheacquittalofthebishops,"hesaid,inhisdoggedway,"Callyouthatnothing?Itissomuchtheworseforthem."

Betweenthepetitionandthetrial,theQueenhadgivenbirthtoason,whichFatherPetreratherthoughtwasowingtoSaintWinifred.

ButIdoubtifSaintWinifredhadmuchtodowithitastheKing"sfriend,inasmuchastheentirelynewprospectofaCatholicsuccessor(forboththeKing"sdaughterswereProtestants)

determinedtheEARLSOFSHREWSBURY,DANBY,andDEVONSHIRE,LORD

LUMLEY,theBISHOPOFLONDON,ADMIRALRUSSELL,andCOLONELSIDNEY,toinvitethePrinceofOrangeovertoEngland.TheRoyalMole,seeinghisdangeratlast,made,inhisfright,manygreatconcessions,besidesraisinganarmyoffortythousandmen;butthePrinceofOrangewasnotamanforJamestheSecondtocopewith.

Hispreparationswereextraordinarilyvigorous,andhismindwasresolved.

ForafortnightafterthePrincewasreadytosailforEngland,agreatwindfromthewestpreventedthedepartureofhisfleet.

Evenwhenthewindlulled,anditdidsail,itwasdispersedbyastorm,andwasobligedtoputbacktorefit.Atlast,onthefirstofNovember,onethousandsixhundredandeighty-eight,theProtestanteastwind,asitwaslongcalled,begantoblow;andonthethird,thepeopleofDoverandthepeopleofCalaissawafleettwentymileslongsailinggallantlyby,betweenthetwoplaces.OnMonday,thefifth,itanchoredatTorbayinDevonshire,andthePrince,withasplendidretinueofofficersandmen,marchedintoExeter.ButthepeopleinthatwesternpartofthecountryhadsufferedsomuchinTheBloodyAssize,thattheyhadlostheart.

Fewpeoplejoinedhim;andhebegantothinkofreturning,andpublishingtheinvitationhehadreceivedfromthoselords,ashisjustificationforhavingcomeatall.Atthiscrisis,someofthegentryjoinedhim;theRoyalarmybegantofalter;anengagementwassigned,bywhichallwhosettheirhandtoitdeclaredthattheywouldsupportoneanotherindefenceofthelawsandlibertiesofthethreeKingdoms,oftheProtestantreligion,andofthePrinceofOrange.Fromthattime,thecausereceivednocheck;thegreatesttownsinEnglandbegan,oneafteranother,todeclareforthePrince;andheknewthatitwasallsafewithhimwhentheUniversityofOxfordofferedtomeltdownitsplate,ifhewantedanymoney.

BythistimetheKingwasrunningaboutinapitiableway,touchingpeoplefortheKing"sevilinoneplace,reviewinghistroopsinanother,andbleedingfromthenoseinathird.TheyoungPrincewassenttoPortsmouth,FatherPetrewentofflikeashottoFrance,andtherewasageneralandswiftdispersalofallthepriestsandfriars.Oneafteranother,theKing"smostimportantofficersandfriendsdesertedhimandwentovertothePrince.Inthenight,hisdaughterAnnefledfromWhitehallPalace;andtheBishopofLondon,whohadoncebeenasoldier,rodebeforeherwithadrawnswordinhishand,andpistolsathissaddle."Godhelpme,"criedthemiserableKing:"myverychildrenhaveforsakenme!"Inhiswildness,afterdebatingwithsuchlordsaswereinLondon,whetherheshouldorshouldnotcallaParliament,andafternamingthreeofthemtonegotiatewiththePrince,heresolvedtoflytoFrance.HehadthelittlePrinceofWalesbroughtbackfromPortsmouth;andthechildandtheQueencrossedtherivertoLambethinanopenboat,onamiserablewetnight,andgotsafelyaway.ThiswasonthenightoftheninthofDecember.

Atoneo"clockonthemorningoftheeleventh,theKing,whohad,inthemeantime,receivedaletterfromthePrinceofOrange,statinghisobjects,gotoutofbed,toldLORDNORTHUMBERLANDwholayinhisroomnottoopenthedooruntiltheusualhourinthemorning,andwentdownthebackstairs(thesame,Isuppose,bywhichthepriestinthewigandgownhadcomeuptohisbrother)

andcrossedtheriverinasmallboat:sinkingthegreatsealofEnglandbytheway.Horseshavingbeenprovided,herode,accompaniedbySIREDWARDHALES,toFeversham,whereheembarkedinaCustomHouseHoy.ThemasterofthisHoy,wantingmoreballast,ranintotheIsleofSheppytogetit,wherethefishermenandsmugglerscrowdedabouttheboat,andinformedtheKingoftheirsuspicionsthathewasa"hatchet-facedJesuit."Astheytookhismoneyandwouldnotlethimgo,hetoldthemwhohewas,andthatthePrinceofOrangewantedtotakehislife;andhebegantoscreamforaboat-andthentocry,becausehehadlostapieceofwoodonhisridewhichhecalledafragmentofOurSaviour"scross.

HeputhimselfintothehandsoftheLordLieutenantofthecounty,andhisdetentionwasmadeknowntothePrinceofOrangeatWindsor-who,onlywantingtogetridofhim,andnotcaringwherehewent,sothathewentaway,wasverymuchdisconcertedthattheydidnotlethimgo.However,therewasnothingforitbuttohavehimbroughtback,withsomestateinthewayofLifeGuards,toWhitehall.Andassoonashegotthere,inhisinfatuation,heheardmass,andsetaJesuittosaygraceathispublicdinner.

Thepeoplehadbeenthrownintothestrangeststateofconfusionbyhisflight,andhadtakenitintotheirheadsthattheIrishpartofthearmyweregoingtomurdertheProtestants.Therefore,theysetthebellsaringing,andlightedwatch-fires,andburnedCatholicChapels,andlookedaboutinalldirectionsforFatherPetreandtheJesuits,whilethePope"sambassadorwasrunningawayinthedressofafootman.TheyfoundnoJesuits;butaman,whohadoncebeenafrightenedwitnessbeforeJeffreysincourt,sawaswollen,drunkenfacelookingthroughawindowdownatWapping,whichhewellremembered.Thefacewasinasailor"sdress,butheknewittobethefaceofthataccursedjudge,andheseizedhim.

Thepeople,totheirlastinghonour,didnottearhimtopieces.

Afterknockinghimaboutalittle,theytookhim,inthebasestagoniesofterror,totheLordMayor,whosenthim,athisownshriekingpetition,totheTowerforsafety.There,hedied.

Theirbewildermentcontinuing,thepeoplenowlightedbonfiresandmaderejoicings,asiftheyhadanyreasontobegladtohavetheKingbackagain.But,hisstaywasveryshort,fortheEnglishguardswereremovedfromWhitehall,Dutchguardsweremarcheduptoit,andhewastoldbyoneofhislateministersthatthePrincewouldenterLondon,nextday,andhehadbettergotoHam.Hesaid,Hamwasacold,dampplace,andhewouldrathergotoRochester.Hethoughthimselfverycunninginthis,ashemeanttoescapefromRochestertoFrance.ThePrinceofOrangeandhisfriendsknewthat,perfectlywell,anddesirednothingmore.So,hewenttoGravesend,inhisroyalbarge,attendedbycertainlords,andwatchedbyDutchtroops,andpitiedbythegenerouspeople,whowerefarmoreforgivingthanhehadeverbeen,whentheysawhiminhishumiliation.Onthenightofthetwenty-thirdofDecember,noteventhenunderstandingthateverybodywantedtogetridofhim,hewentout,absurdly,throughhisRochestergarden,downtotheMedway,andgotawaytoFrance,whereherejoinedtheQueen.

Therehadbeenacouncilinhisabsence,ofthelords,andtheauthoritiesofLondon.WhenthePrincecame,onthedayaftertheKing"sdeparture,hesummonedtheLordstomeethim,andsoonafterwards,allthosewhohadservedinanyoftheParliamentsofKingCharlestheSecond.ItwasfinallyresolvedbytheseauthoritiesthatthethronewasvacantbytheconductofKingJamestheSecond;thatitwasinconsistentwiththesafetyandwelfareofthisProtestantkingdom,tobegovernedbyaPopishprince;thatthePrinceandPrincessofOrangeshouldbeKingandQueenduringtheirlivesandthelifeofthesurvivorofthem;andthattheirchildrenshouldsucceedthem,iftheyhadany.Thatiftheyhadnone,thePrincessAnneandherchildrenshouldsucceed;thatifshehadnone,theheirsofthePrinceofOrangeshouldsucceed.

OnthethirteenthofJanuary,onethousandsixhundredandeighty-

nine,thePrinceandPrincess,sittingonathroneinWhitehall,boundthemselvestotheseconditions.TheProtestantreligionwasestablishedinEngland,andEngland"sgreatandgloriousRevolutionwascomplete.

CHAPTERXXXVII

IHAVEnowarrivedatthecloseofmylittlehistory.TheeventswhichsucceededthefamousRevolutionofonethousandsixhundredandeighty-eight,wouldneitherbeeasilyrelatednoreasilyunderstoodinsuchabookasthis.

WilliamandMaryreignedtogether,fiveyears.Afterthedeathofhisgoodwife,Williamoccupiedthethrone,alone,forsevenyearslonger.Duringhisreign,onthesixteenthofSeptember,onethousandsevenhundredandone,thepoorweakcreaturewhohadoncebeenJamestheSecondofEngland,diedinFrance.Inthemeantimehehaddonehisutmost(whichwasnotmuch)tocauseWilliamtobeassassinated,andtoregainhislostdominions.James"ssonwasdeclared,bytheFrenchKing,therightfulKingofEngland;andwascalledinFranceTHECHEVALIERSAINTGEORGE,andinEnglandTHE

PRETENDER.SomeinfatuatedpeopleinEngland,andparticularlyinScotland,tookupthePretender"scausefromtimetotime-asifthecountryhadnothadStuartsenough!-andmanylivesweresacrificed,andmuchmiserywasoccasioned.KingWilliamdiedonSunday,theseventhofMarch,onethousandsevenhundredandtwo,oftheconsequencesofanaccidentoccasionedbyhishorsestumblingwithhim.Hewasalwaysabrave,patrioticPrince,andamanofremarkableabilities.Hismannerwascold,andhemadebutfewfriends;buthehadtrulylovedhisqueen.Whenhewasdead,alockofherhair,inaring,wasfoundtiedwithablackribbonroundhisleftarm.

HewassucceededbythePRINCESSANNE,apopularQueen,whoreignedtwelveyears.Inherreign,inthemonthofMay,onethousandsevenhundredandseven,theUnionbetweenEnglandandScotlandwaseffected,andthetwocountrieswereincorporatedunderthenameofGREATBRITAIN.Then,fromtheyearonethousandsevenhundredandfourteentotheyearonethousand,eighthundredandthirty,reignedthefourGEORGES.

ItwasinthereignofGeorgetheSecond,onethousandsevenhundredandforty-five,thatthePretenderdidhislastmischief,andmadehislastappearance.Beinganoldmanbythattime,heandtheJacobites-ashisfriendswerecalled-putforwardhisson,CHARLESEDWARD,knownastheyoungChevalier.TheHighlandersofScotland,anextremelytroublesomeandwrong-headedraceonthesubjectoftheStuarts,espousedhiscause,andhejoinedthem,andtherewasaScottishrebelliontomakehimking,inwhichmanygallantanddevotedgentlemenlosttheirlives.ItwasahardmatterforCharlesEdwardtoescapeabroadagain,withahighpriceonhishead;buttheScottishpeoplewereextraordinarilyfaithfultohim,and,afterundergoingmanyromanticadventures,notunlikethoseofCharlestheSecond,heescapedtoFrance.AnumberofcharmingstoriesanddelightfulsongsaroseoutoftheJacobitefeelings,andbelongtotheJacobitetimes.OtherwiseIthinktheStuartswereapublicnuisancealtogether.

ItwasinthereignofGeorgetheThirdthatEnglandlostNorthAmerica,bypersistingintaxingherwithoutherownconsent.Thatimmensecountry,madeindependentunderWASHINGTON,andlefttoitself,becametheUnitedStates;oneofthegreatestnationsoftheearth.InthesetimesinwhichIwrite,itishonourablyremarkableforprotectingitssubjects,wherevertheymaytravel,withadignityandadeterminationwhichisamodelforEngland.

Betweenyouandme,EnglandhasratherlostgroundinthisrespectsincethedaysofOliverCromwell.

TheUnionofGreatBritainwithIreland-whichhadbeengettingonveryillbyitself-tookplaceinthereignofGeorgetheThird,onthesecondofJuly,onethousandsevenhundredandninety-eight.

WILLIAMTHEFOURTHsucceededGeorgetheFourth,intheyearonethousandeighthundredandthirty,andreignedsevenyears.QUEEN

VICTORIA,hisniece,theonlychildoftheDukeofKent,thefourthsonofGeorgetheThird,cametothethroneonthetwentiethofJune,onethousandeighthundredandthirty-seven.ShewasmarriedtoPRINCEALBERTofSaxeGothaonthetenthofFebruary,onethousandeighthundredandforty.Sheisverygood,andmuchbeloved.SoIend,likethecrier,withGODSAVETHEQUEEN!