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!
