12

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

XVI.

1690 .

Walker,now Bi-shop ofDerry,accompa-nies thearmy.

“Advance” on the day of Newton Butler. Sir Albert Conyng-ham, the ancestor of the noble family whose seat now over-looks the Boyne, had brought from the neighbourhood ofLough Erne a gallant regiment of dragoons which still gloriesin the name of Enniskillen, and which has proved on the shoresof the Euxine that it has not degenerated since the day of theBoyne.*

Walker, notwithstanding his advanced age and his peacefulprofession, accompanied the men of Londonderry, and tried toanimate their zeal by exhortation and by example. He was nowa great prelate. Ezekiel Hopkins had taken refuge from Popishpersecutors and Presbyterian rebels in the city of London, hadbrought himself to swear allegiance to the government, hadobtained a cure, and had died in the performance of the humbleduties of a parish priest.** William, on his march throughLouth, learned that the rich see of Derry w-as at his disposal.He instantly made choice of Walker to be the new Bishop. Thebrave old man, during the few hours of life which remained tohim, w-as overwhelmed with salutations and congratulations.Unhappily he had, during the siege in which he had so highlydistinguished himself, contracted a passion for war; and heeasily persuaded himself that, in indulging this passion, hewas discharging a duty to his country and his religion. lieought to have remembered that the peculiar circumstanceswhich had justified him in becoming a combatant had ceased toexist, and that, in a disciplined army led by generals of longexperience and great fame, a fighting divine was likely to giveless help than scandal. The Bishop elect was determined to bewherever danger was; and the way in which he exposed himself

* Sec the Historical records of the Regiments of the British army, andStory’s list of the army of William as it passed in review at Finglass, aweek after the battle.

** See his Funeral Sermon preached at the church of Saint Mary Aldcr-mary on the 24th of June 1090.