368

HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

chap. Into the midst of a hostile camp, he had, according to the laws

—loasl— °f war, made himself liable to be treated with the utmostseverity. William refused to see him, and ordered him to beput under arrest.* Zulestein was instantly despatched toinform James that the Prince declined the proposed con-ference, and desired that His Majesty would remain atRochester.

Amrai.of But it was too late. James was already in London. He

James in 4 t •>

London, had hesitated about the journey, and had, at one time, deter-mined to make another attempt to reach the Continent. Butat length he yielded to the urgency of friends who were wiserthan himself, and set out for Whitehall. He arrived there onthe afternoon of Sunday, the sixteenth of December. He hadbeen apprehensive that the common people, who, during hisabsence, had given so many proofs of their aversion to Popery,would offer him some affront. But the very violence of therecent outbreak had produced a remission. The storm hadspent itself. Good humour and pity had succeeded to fury.In no quarter was any disposition shown to insult the King.Some cheers were raised as his coach passed through the City.The bells of some churches were rung; and a few bonfireswere lighted in honour of his return.** His feeble mind, whichhad just before been sunk in despondency, was extravagantlyelated by these unexpected signs of popular goodwill andcompassion. He entered his dwelling in high spirits. Itspeedily resumed its old aspect. Roman Catholic priests,who had, during the preceding week, been glad to hide them-

* Clarendon’s Diary, Dec. 16. 1GS8; Burnet, i. 800 .

** Clarke’s Life of James, ii. 262. Orig. Mem.; Burnet, i. 799. In theHistory of the Desertion (1689), it is affirmed that the shouts on this occa-sion were uttered merely by some idle boys, and that the great body ofthe people looked on in silence. Oldmixon, who was in the crowd, saysthe same; and Ralph, whose prejudices were very different from Old-mixon’s, tells us that the information which he had received from arespectable eye witness was to the same effect. The truth probably isthat the signs of joy were in themselves slight, but seemed extraordinarybecause a violent explosion of public indignation had been expected.Barillon mentions that there had been acclamations and some bonfires,but adds, “Le people dans le fond est pour le Prince d’Orange,”Dec. i?. 1688.