264

HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

' cnAP. But the rage and mortification were confined to a very small- ™ r ' ' minority. Never, since the year of the Restoration, had thereGeneral ^ een suc ^ s *S ns °f public gladness. In every part of the king-rejoicing, dom where the peace was proclaimed, the general sentimentwas manifested by banquets, pageants, loyal healths, salutes,heating of drums, blowing of trumpets, breaking up of hogs-heads. At some places the whole population, of its own ac-cord, repaired to the churches to give thanks. At others pro-cessions of girls, clad all in white, and crowned with laurels,carried banners inscribed with “ God bless King William.” Atevery county town a long cavalcade of the principal gentlemen,from a circle of many miles, escorted the mayor to the marketcross. Nor was one holiday enough for the expression of somuch joy. On the fourth of November, the anniversary of theKing’s birth, and on the fifth, the anniversary of his landing atTorbay, the bellringing, the shouting, and the illuminationswere renewed both in London and all over the country.* Onthe day on which he returned to his capital no work was done,no shop was opened, in the two thousand streets of that im-mense mart. For that day the chief streets had, mile after mile,been covered with gravel: all the Companies had provided newbanners; all the magistrates new robes. Twelve thousandpounds had been expended in preparing fireworks. Great mul-titudes of people from all the neighbouring shires had corn.e upto see the show. Never had the City been in a more loyal ormore joyous mood. The evil days were past. The guinea hadfallen to twenty one shillings and sixpence. The bank note hadrisen to par. The Dew crowns and halfcrowns, broad, heavy

Were Job alive, and banter’d by such shufflers,

He’d outrail Oates, and curse both thee and Boufflers.

For thee I’ve lost, if I can rightly scan ’em.

Two livings, worth full eightscore pounds per annum,

Bonce et legalis Anglice Monetce.

But now I’m clearly routed by the treaty.”

* London Gazettes; Postboy of Nov. 18. 16-97; LTIermitagc, Nov.