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HISTOKT OF ENGLAND,

CHAP.

II.

evidence. Against it there was the solemn asseveration ofthe King, made before his Council, and by his order com-municated to his people. But the multitude, always fond ofromantic adventures, drank in eagerly the tale of the secretespousals and the black box. Some chiefs of the oppositionacted on this occasion as they acted with respect to the moreodious fable of Oates, and countenanced a story which theymust have despised. The interest which the populace tookin him whom they regarded as the champion of the true reli-gion , and the rightful heir of the British throne, was kept upby every artifice. When Monmouth arrived in London atmidnight, the watchmen were ordered by the magistrates toproclaim the joyful event through the streets of the City: thepeople left their beds: bonfires were lighted: the windowswere illuminated: the churches were opened; and a merrypeal rose from all the steeples. When he travelled, lie waseverywhere received with not less pomp, and with far moreenthusiasm, than had been displayed when Kings had madeprogresses through the realm. He was escorted from mansionto mansion by long cavalcades of armed gentlemen andyeomen. Cities poured forth their whole population to receivehim. Electors thronged round him, to assure him that theirvotes were at his disposal. To such a height were his pre-tensions carried, that he not only exhibited on his escutcheonthe lions of England and the lilies of France without thebaton sinister under which, according to the law of heraldry,they were debruised in token of his illegitimate birth, butventured to touch for the king’s evil. At the same time, heneglected no art of condescension by which the love of themultitude could be conciliated. He stood godfather to thechildren of the peasantry, mingled in every rustic sporl,wrestled, played at quarterstaff, and won foot-races in h:sboots against fleet runners in shoes.

It is a curious circumstance that, at two of the greatest con-