374

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

X.

1688.

Messagefrom thePrincedeliveredto James.

Jamessets outfor Ro-chester.

Guards had withdrawn; and Dutch sentinels were pacing therounds on every side of the palace. Some of the King’sattendants asked whether he would venture to lie down sur-rounded by enemies. He answered that they could hardlyuse him worse than his own subjects had done, and, with theapathy of a man stupified by disasters, went to bed and tosleep.*

Scarcely was the palace again quiet when it was againroused. A little after midnight the three Lords arrived fromWindsor. Middleton was called up to receive them. Theyinformed him that they were charged with an errand which didnot admit of delay. The King was awakened from his firstslumber; and they were ushered into his bedchamber. Theydelivered into his hand the letter with which they had beenentrusted, and informed him that the Prince would be atWestminster in a few hours, and that His Majesty would dowell to set out for Ham before ten in the morning. Jamesmade some difficulties. He did not like Ham. It was apleasant place in the summer, but cold and comfortless atChristmas, and was moreover unfurnished. Halifax answeredthat furniture should be instantly sent in. The three mes-sengers retired, but were speedily followed by Middleton,who told them that the King would greatly prefer Rochesterto Ham. They answered that they had not authority to accedeto His Majesty’s wish, but that they would instantly send offan express to the Prince, who was to lodge that night atSion House. A courier started immediately, and' returnedbefore daybreak with William’s consent. That consent, in-deed, was most gladly given: for there could be no doubtthat Rochester had been named because it afforded facilitiesfor flight; and that James might fly was the first wish of hisnephew.**

On the morning of the eighteenth of December, a rainyand stormy morning, the royal barge was early at Whitehall

* Clarke's Life of James, ii. 2G4. mostly from Orig. Mem.; Mul-grave’s Account of the Revolution; ltapin de Thoyras. It must be re-membered that in these events Rapin was himself an actor.

** Clarke’s Life of James, ii. 265. Orig. Mem.; Mulgrave’s Accountof the Revolution; Burnet, i. 801.; Citters, Dec. if. 1688.