3G

HIST OUT OP EKGt.OTD.

ClIAr.

xxi.

J6S5.

no spirit to demand redress even for the foulest wrongs. Eachof the two extreme parties, which were diametrically opposedto each other in general politics, was impelled by a peculiarfeeling to call for inquiry. The Jacobites were delighted by theprospect of being able to make out a case which would bringdiscredit on the usurper, and which might be set off againstthe many offences imputed by the Whigs to Claverhouse andMackenzie. The zealous Presbyterians were not less delightedat the prospect of being able to ruin the Master of Stair. Theyhad never forgotten or forgiven the service which he had ren-dered to the House of Stuart in the time of the persecution.They knew that, though he had cordially concurred in the po-litical revolution which had freed them from the hated dynasty,he had seen with displeasure that ecclesiastical revolutionwhich was, in their view, even more important. They knewthat church government was with him merely an affair of State,and that, looking at it as an affair of State, he preferred theepiscopal to the synodical model. They could not withoutuneasiness see so adroit and eloquent an enemy of pure religionconstantly attending the royal steps and constantly breathingcounsel in the royal ear. They were therefore impatient for aninvestigation, which, if one half of what was rumoured weretrue, must produce revelations fatal to the power and fame, ofthe minister whom they distrusted. Nor could that ministerrely on the cordial support of all who held office under theCrown. His genius and influence had excited the jealousy ofmany less successful courtiers, and especially of his fellow se-cretary, Johnstone.

Thus, on the eve of the meeting of the Scottish Parliament,Glencoe was in the mouths of all Scotchmen of all factions andof all sects. William, who was just about to start for the Con-tinent, learned that, on this subject, the Estates must havetheir way, and that the best thing that he could do would be to