JAMES THE SECOND.

135

with laughter if they met with any person simple enough tobelieve that the Queen was really likely to be again a mother.A royal proclamation appeared commanding the clergy toread a form of prayer and thanksgiving which had been pre-pared for this joyful occasion by Crewe and Sprat. The clergyobeyed: but it was observed that the congregations made noresponses and showed no signs of reverence. Soon in all thecoffee-houses was handed about a brutal lampoon on thecourtly prelates whose pens the King had employed. MotherEast had also her full share of abuse. Into that homely mo-nosyllable our ancestors had degraded the name of the greathouse of Este which reigned at Modena.*

The new hope which elated the King’s spirits was mingledWith many fears. Something more than the birth of a Princeof Wales was necessary to the success of the plans formed bythe Jesuitical party. It was not very likely that James wouldlive till his son should be of age to exercise the regal functions.The law had made no provision for the case of a minority.The reigning sovereign was not competent to make provisionfor such a case by will. The legislature only could supply thedefect. If James should die before the defect had been sup-plied, leaving a successor of tender years, the supreme powerwould undoubtedly devolve on Protestants. Those Torieswho held most firmly the doctrine that nothing could justifythem in resisting their liege lord would have no scruple aboutdrawing their swords against a Popish woman who shoulddare to usurp the guardianship of the realm and of the infantsovereign. The result of a contest could scarcely be matterof doubt. The Prince of Orange, or his wife, would be Re-gent. The young King would be placed in the hands of here-tical instructors, whose arts might speedily efface from hismind the impressions which might have been made on it in thenursery. He might prove another Edward the Sixth; andthe blessing granted to the intercession of the Virgin Mother

* Citters, ° ct ‘ 2 °’ , I 1° T ' 1687; (lie Princess Anne lo the Princess ot

Orange, March 14. and 20. 168J; Barillon, Dec. T ' T , 1687; RevolutionPolitics; the song “Two Toms and a Nat;” Johnstone, April 4. 1688;Secret Consults of the Romish Party in Ireland, 1690.

CHAP.

vm.

16S7.