JAMES THE SECOND.

65

even went thither, in the hope that his eloquence, of which hehad a high opinion, would prove irresistible. But, though -he harangued on his favourite theme with a copiousness whichtired his hearers out, and though he assured them that the ap-proach of a golden age of religious liberty had been revealedto him by a man who was permitted to converse with angels,no impression was made on the Prince.* “You ask me,”said William to one of the King’s agents, “to countenance anattack on my own religion. I cannot with a safe consciencedo it, and I will not, no, not for the crown of England, norfor the empire of the world.” These words were reported tothe King and disturbed him greatly.** He wrote urgent letterswith his own hand. Sometimes he took the tone of an injuredman. He was the head of the royal family; he was as suchentitled to expect the obedience of the yoynger branches; andit was very hard that he was to be crossed in a matter on whichhis heart was set. At other times a bait which was thoughtirresistible was offered. If William would but give way onthis one point, the English government would, in return, co-operate with him strenuously against France. He was not tobe so deluded. He knew that James, without the support of aParliament, would, even if not unwilling, be unable to rendereffectual service to the common cause of Europe; and therecould be no doubt that, if a Parliament were assembled, thefirst demand of both Houses would be that the Declarationshould be cancelled.

The Princess assented to all that was suggested by herhusband. Their joint opinion was conveyed to the King infirm but temperate terms. They declared that they deeplyregretted the course which His Majesty had adopted. Theywere convinced that he had usurped a prerogative which did

* Burnet, i. 093, 694.

** “Le Prince d’Orange, qni avoit dludd jusqu’alors de faire une

rdponse positive, dil.qu'il ne consenlira jamais a la suppression

de ces loix qui avoient did elablies pour le mainlien et la suretd de lareligion Protestanle, et que sa conscience ne le lui permelloit point,non seulement pour la succession du royaunie d’Angleterre, mais memepour l’empire du monde; en sorte que le roi d'Angletcrre est plus aigricontre lui qu’il n’a jamais did.” — Bonrepaux, June ij. 1087.

Macaulay, History. III. 5

CHAP.

VII.

1687.