174

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

XII.

16S9.

Discon-tent inEngland.

southern part of the city. Every exertion had been made to■ give an air of festivity and splendour to the district which hewas to traverse. The streets, which were generally deep inmud, were strewn with gravel. Boughs and flowers v'ere scat-tered over the path. Tapestry and arras hung from the windowsof those who could afford to exhibit such finery. The poorsupplied the place of rich stuffs wdth blankets and coverlids. Inone place was stationed a troop of friars with a cross; in anothera company of forty girls dressed in white and carrying nosegays.Pipers and harpers played “The King shall enjoy his ownagain.” The Lord Deputy carried the sword of state before hismaster. The Judges, the Heralds, the Lord Mayor and Al-dermen, appeared in all the pomp of office. Soldiers were drawnup on the right and left to keep the passages clear. A proces-sion of twenty coaches belonging to public functionaries wasmustered. Before the Castle gate, the King was met by thehost under a canopy borne by four bishops of his church. Atthe sight he fell on his knees, and passed some time in devotion.He then rose and was conducted to the chapel of his palace,once — such are the vicissitudes of human things — the ridinghouse of Henry Cromwell. A TeDoum was performed in honourof his Majesty’s arrival. The next morning he held a PrivyCouncil, discharged Chief Justice Keating from any furtherattendance at the hoard, ordered Avaux and Bishop Cartwrightto be sworn in, and issued a proclamation convoking a Parlia-ment to meet at Dublin on the seventh of May.*

When the news that James had arrived in Ireland reachedLondon, the sorrow and alarm were general, and were mingledwith serious discontent. The multitude, not making sufficientallowancefor the difficulties by which William was encompassedon every side, loudly blamed his neglect. To all the invectives

* Clarke’s Life of James II., ii. 330.; Full and true Account of theLanding and Reception, Ac.; Ireland’s Lamentation.