vated the turbulence and inconsistency of the people. They at length persuaded him to fly from a nation he could no longer govern, and to seek for refuge at the court of France, where he was sure of assistance and protection. The popish courtiers, and above all the priests, were sensible that they would be made the first sacrifice upon the opposite party's prevailing. They were therefore desirous of carrying the king along with them, as his presence would be still their honour and protection abroad.

The prince of Orange was no less desirous of the king's flying over to France than his most zealous counsellors could be. He was determined to use every expedient to intimidate the king, and drive him out of the kingdom. He declined a personal conference with the king's commissioners,and sent the earls of Clarendon and Oxford to treat with them. The terms which he proposed implied almost a present participation of the sovereignty; and to urge his measures, he stopped not a moment in his march towards London.

The king, alarmed every day more and more with the prospect of a general disaffection, was resolved to hearken to those who advised his quitting the kingdom. To prepare for this he first sent away the queen, who arrived safely at Cailais, under the conduct of count Lauzun, an old favourite of the French king. He himself soon after disappeared in the night time, attended only by Sir Edward Hales, a new convert; and disguising himself in a plain dress went down to Feversham, where he embarked on board a small vessel for France. But his misfortunes still continued to pursue him. The vessel in which he had einbarked was detained by the populace, who, not knowing the person of the king, robbed, insulted, and abused him. He was now, therefore, persuaded by the earl of

Winchelsea to return to London, where again the populace, moved by his distresses, and guided by their natural levity, received him contrary to his expectations, with shouts and acclamations.

Nothing could be more disagreeable to the prince of Orange than to hear that James was brought back, and in some measure, triumphantly, to his capital. He had before taken measures to seize upon that authority, which the king's direliction had put in his hands. The bishops and peers, who were now the only authorised magistrates in the state, gave directions, in the present dissolution of government, for keeping the peace of the city. They issued orders, which were readily obeyed, to the fleet, the garrisons, and the army. They made applications to the prince, whose enterprize they highly applauded, and whose success they joyfully congratulated. It was not therefore without extreme mortification that he found the king returned once more to embarrass his proceedings.

The prince of Orange, however, determined to dissemble, and received the news of his return with an haughty air. His aim from the beginning was to push him by threats and severities to reliuquish the throne; and his proceedings argued the refined politician. The king having sent lord Feversham on a civil message to the prince, desiring a conference previous to the settlement of the throne, that nobleman was put under an arrest on pretence of his wanting a passport. The Dutch guards were ordered to take possession of Whitehall, where the king then lodged, and to displace the English. The king was soon after commanded by message, which he received in bed at midnight, to leave his palace next morning, and to depart for Ham, a seat of the duchess of Lauderdale's. He desired permission to retire to Ro

chester,

chester, a town not far from the sea-coast, and opposite France. This was readily granted him; and it was now perceived that the harsh measures of the prince had taken effect, and that James was meditating an escape from the kingdom.

The king while he continued at Rochester,. seemed willing to receive invitations once more to resume the crown; but the prince had not been at all this expence and trouble in taking him from a throne to place him there again. James, therefore, observing that he was entirely neglected by his own subjects, and oppressed by his son-in-law, resolved to seek safety from the king of France, the only friend he had still remaining. He accordingly fled to the sea side, attended by his natural son the duke of Berwick, where he embark-ed for the continent. He arrived in safety at Ambleteuse in.Picardy, from whence he hastened to the court of France, where he still enjoyed the empty title of a king, and the appellation of a saint, which flattered him more.

After this manner, the courage and abilities of the prince of Orange, seconded by surprising fortune, effected the delivery of the kingdom. It now remained that he should reap the rewards of his toil; and obtain that crown for hunself, which. had fallen from the head of his father-in-law.. Previously, therefore, to any regular authority,. he continued in the managenient of all public affairs. By the advice of the house of lords, the only member of the legislature remaining, he was desired to summon a parliament by circular letters; but the prince, unwilling to act upon so imperfect an authority, convened all the members, who had · sat in the house of commons during any parlia ment of Charles the second, and to those were added the mayor, aldermen, and fifty of the com-mon-council. This was the most proper répreB 3 sentative

sentative of the people that could be summoned during the present emergence. They unanimously voted the same address with the lords; and the prince being thus supported by legal authority, wrote eircular letters to the counties and corporations of England to choose a new parliament. His orders were universally complied with; every thing went on in the most regular peaceful manner, and the prince became possessed of all authority, as if he had regularly succeeded to the throne.

When the house met, which was mostly Jan.22, "composed of the Whig party, after thanks

1689. were given to the prince of Orange for the deliverance which he had brought them, they then proceeded to the settlement of the kingdom. In a few days they passed a vote, by a great majority, which was sent up to the house of lords for their concurrence. It was to this effect. That king James the second having endeavoured to subvert the constitution of the kingdom, by breaking the original contract betwixt the king and people, and having by the advice of Jesuits, and other wicked persons, violated the fundamental laws, and withdrawn himself out of the kingdom, had abdicated the government, and that the throne was thereby vacant. This vote readily passed the, house of commons; but it met with some opposition in the house of lords, and was at length carried by a majority of two voices only.

The king being thus deposed, the next consideration was the appointing a successor. Some declared for a regent; others, that the prince of Orange should be invested with regal power, and the young prince considered as supposititious.The debates ran high. A conference was demanded between the lords and commons, while the prince, with his usual prudence, entered into no intrigues

either with the electors or members; but kept a total silence, as if he had been no way concerned in the transaction. At last perceiving that his own name was little mentioned in these disputes, he called together the lords Halifax, Shrewsbury, and Danby, with a few more. He then told them that he had been called over to defend the liberties of the English nation, and that he had happily effected his purpose; that he had heard of several schemes proposed for the establishing the government; that if they chose a regent he thought it, incumbent on him to inform them that he would never accept of that office,the execution of which he knew would be attended with insuperable difficulties; that he would not accept of the crown under the princess his wife, though he was convinced of her merits, that therefore if either of these schemes were adopted, he could give them no assistance in the settlement of the nation; but would return home to his own country, satisfied with his aims to secure the freedom of theirs.-. This declaration produced the intended effect. After a long debate iu both houses a new sovereign was preferred to a regent, by a majority of two voices. It was agreed that the prince and princess of Orange should reign jointly as king. and queen of England, while the administration of government should be placed in the hands of the prince only. The marquis of Halifax, as speaker of the house of lords, made a solemn. tender of the crown to their highnesses, in the name of the peers and commons of England. The prince accepted the offer in terms of acknowledgment; and that very day William and Mary were proclaimed king and queen of England.

CHAP.