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HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

ciiap. enterprise -which William meditated appeared not only just,less. holy.

mracui- But, though she carefully abstained from doing or sayingties of ^ anything that could add to his difficulties, those difficultiesenter* were serious indeed. They were in truth but imperfectlyprise. understood even by some of those who invited him over, andhave been but imperfectly described by some of those whohave written the history of his expedition.

The obstacles which he might expect to encounter onEnglish ground, though the least formidable of the obstacleswhich stood in the way of his design, were yet serious. Hefelt that it would be madness in him to imitate the example ofMonmouth, to cross the sea with a few British adventurers,and to trust to a general rising of the population. It wasnecessary, and it was pronounced necessary by all those whoinvited him over, that he should carry an army with him. Yetwho could answer for the effect which the appearance of suchan army might produce? The government was indeed justlyodious. But would the English people, altogether unac-customed to the interference of continental powers in Englishdisputes, be inclined to look with favour on a deliverer whowas surrounded by foreign soldiers? If any part of the royalforces resolutely withstood the invaders, would not that partsoon have on its side the patriotic sympathy of millions? Adefeat would be fatal to the whole undertaking. A bloodyvictory gained in the heart of the island by the mercenaries ofthe States.General over the Coldstream Guards and the Buffswould be almost as great a calamity as a defeat. Such avictory would be the most cruel wound ever inflicted on thenational pride of one of the proudest of nations. The crownso won would never be worn in peace or security. The hatredwith which the High Commission and the Jesuits were re-garded would give place to the more intense hatred whichwould be inspired by the alien conquerors; and many, who hadhitherto contemplated the power of France with dread andloathing, would say that, if a foreign yoke must be borne,there was less ignominy in submitting to France than in sub-mitting to Holland.

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