JAMES THE SECOND.

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said, “is a pleasant college. Christ Church is a noble place.Magdalene is a fine building. The situation is convenient. —j 687 '~The walks by the river are delightful. If the Roman Catholicsare reasonable they will be satisfied with these.” This ab-surd avowal would alone have made it impossible for Houghand his brethren to yield. The negotiation was broken oil';and the King hastened to make the disobedient know, as hehad threatened, what it was to incur his displeasure.

A special commission was directed to Cartwright, Bishop Spiralof Chester, to Wright, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench, siasticaiand to Sir Thomas Jenner, a Baron of the Exchequer, ap-pointing them to exercise visitatorial jurisdiction over the sent tocollege. On the twentieth of October they arrived at Oxford, 10escorted by three troops of cavalry with drawn swords. Onthe following morning the Commissioners took their seats inthe hall of Magdalene. Cartwright pronounced a loyal ora-tion which, a few years before, would have called forth theacclamations of an Oxonian audience, but which was nowheard with sullen indignation. A long dispute followed.

The President defended his rights with skill, temper, andresolution. He professed great respect for the royal authority.

But he steadily maintained that he had by the laws of Englanda freehold interest in the house and revenues annexed to thepresidency. Of that interest he could not be deprived by anarbitrary mandate of the Sovereign. “Will you submit,”said the Bishop, “to our visitation? ” “I submit to it,” saidHough with great dexterity, “so far as it is consistent withthe laws, and no farther.” “Will you deliver up the keyof your lodgings? ” said Cartwright. Hough remained silent.

The question was repeated; and Hough returned a mild butresolute refusal. The Commissioners pronounced him anintruder, and charged the Fellows no longer to recognise hisauthority, and to assist at the admission of the Bishop ofOxford. Charnock eagerly promised obedience; Smith re-turned an evasive answer: but the great body of the membersof the college firmly declared that they still regarded Houghas their rightful head.