The History of England, from the Accession of James II

Updated: 2024-4-18

Status: Completed

The History of England, from the Accession of James II Novel Chapters

List of most recent chapters published for the The History of England, from the Accession of James II novel. A total of 171 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024

Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The History of England from the Accession of James II.by Thomas Babington Macaulay.Volum
The History of England from the Accession of James II.by Thomas Babington Macaulay.Volume 1.CHAPTER I.I PURPOSE to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living. I sh

1 The History of England from the Accession of James II.by Thomas Babington Macaulay.Volume 1.CHAPTER I.I PURPOSE to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living. I sh 2024-4-23
2 Since these men could not be convinced, it was determined that they should be persecuted. Persecution produced its natural effect on them.It found them a sect: it made them a faction. To their hatred of the Church was now added hatred of the Crown. The tw 2024-4-23
3 The ecclesiastical administration was, in the meantime, princ.i.p.ally directed by William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury. Of all the prelates of the Anglican Church, Laud had departed farthest from the principles of the Reformation, and had drawn nearest 2024-4-23
4 The change which the Houses proposed to make in our inst.i.tutions, though it seems exorbitant, when distinctly set forth and digested into articles of capitulation, really amounts to little more than the change which, in the next generation, was effected 2024-4-23
5 To create a House of Lords was a less easy task. Democracy does not require the support of prescription. Monarchy has often stood without that support. But a patrician order is the work of time. Oliver found already existing a n.o.bility, opulent, highly 2024-4-23
6 With the fear and hatred inspired by such a tyranny contempt was largely mingled. The peculiarities of the Puritan, his look, his dress, his dialect, his strange scruples, had been, ever since the time of Elizabeth, favourite subjects with mockers. But th 2024-4-23
7 Our ancestors naturally looked with serious alarm on the growing power of France. This feeling, in itself perfectly reasonable, was mingled with other feelings less praiseworthy. France was our old enemy. It was against France that the most glorious battl 2024-4-23
8 Hitherto the Commons had not declared against the Dutch war. But, when the King had, in return for money cautiously doled out, relinquished his whole plan of domestic policy, they fell impetuously on his foreign policy. They requested him to dismiss Bucki 2024-4-23
9 Shortly after the prorogation came a dissolution and another general election. The zeal and strength of the opposition were at the height.The cry for the Exclusion Bill was louder than ever, and with this cry was mingled another cry, which fired the blood 2024-4-23
10 While the two factions were struggling, G.o.dolphin, cautious, silent, and laborious, observed a neutrality between them. Sunderland, with his usual restless perfidy, intrigued against them both. He had been turned out of office in disgrace for having vot 2024-4-23
11 Such was the ordinary character of those who were then called gentlemen Captains. Mingled with them were to be found, happily for our country, naval commanders of a very different description, men whose whole life had been pa.s.sed on the deep, and who ha 2024-4-23
12 The most eminent of these towns were indeed known in the seventeenth century as respectable seats of industry. Nay, their rapid progress and their vast opulence were then sometimes described in language which seems ludicrous to a man who has seen their pr 2024-4-23
13 The chief cause which made the fusion of the different elements of society so imperfect was the extreme difficulty which our ancestors found in pa.s.sing from place to place. Of all inventions, the alphabet and the printing press alone excepted, those inv 2024-4-23
14 [182] In a few months experimental science became all the mode. The transfusion of blood, the ponderation of air, the fixation of mercury, succeeded to that place in the public mind which had been lately occupied by the controversies of the Rota. Dreams o 2024-4-23
15 Barillon hastened to the bedchamber, took the Duke aside, and delivered the message of the mistress. The conscience of James smote him. He started as if roused from sleep, and declared that nothing should prevent him from discharging the sacred duty which 2024-4-23
16 The turpitude of these transactions is universally acknowledged: but their real nature seems to be often misunderstood: for though the foreign policy of the last two Kings of the House of Stuart has never, since the correspondence of Barillon was exposed 2024-4-23
17 He would have nothing but longwinded cant without book;" and then his Lords.h.i.+p turned up his eyes, clasped his hands, and began to sing through his nose, in imitation of what he supposed to be Baxter's style of praying "Lord, we are thy people, thy 2024-4-23
18 Not a cheer was heard. Not a member ventured to second the motion.Indeed, Seymour had said much that no other man could have said with impunity. The proposition fell to the ground, and was not even entered on the journals. But a mighty effect had been pro 2024-4-23
19 By the English exiles he was joyfully welcomed, and unanimously acknowledged as their head. But there was another cla.s.s of emigrants who were not disposed to recognise his supremacy. Misgovernment, such as had never been known in the southern part of ou 2024-4-23
20 All thought of prosecuting the war was at an end: and it was plain that the chiefs of the expedition would have sufficient difficulty in escaping with their lives. They fled in different directions. Hume reached the Continent in safety. Cochrane was taken 2024-4-23
21 The Court and the Parliament had been greatly moved by the news from the West. At five in the morning of Sat.u.r.day the thirteenth of June, the King had received the letter which the Mayor of Lyme had despatched from Honiton. The Privy Council was instan 2024-4-23
25 [Footnote 18: I am happy to say, that, since this pa.s.sage was written, the territories both of the Rajah of Nagpore and of the King of Oude have been added to the British dominions. (1857.)][Footnote 19: The most sensible thing said in the House of Comm 2024-4-23
26 [Footnote 55: Pepys's Diary, Feb. 14, 1668-9.][Footnote 56: See the Report of the Bath and Montague case, which was decided by Lord Keeper Somers, in December, 1693.][Footnote 57: During three quarters of a year, beginning from Christmas, 1689, the reven 2024-4-23
27 [Footnote 99: Magna Britannia; Grose's Antiquities; New Brighthelmstone Directory.][Footnote 100: Tour in Derbys.h.i.+re, by Thomas Browne, son of Sir Thomas.][Footnote 101: Memoires de Grammont; Hasted's History of Kent; Tunbridge Wells, a Comedy, 1678 2024-4-23
28 [Footnote 145: Loidis and Elmete; Marshall's Rural Economy of England, In 1739 Roderic Random came from Scotland to Newcastle on a packhorse.][Footnote 146: Cotton's Epistle to J. Bradshaw.][Footnote 147: Anthony a Wood's Life of himself.][Footnote 148 2024-4-23
29 [Footnote 190: Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting, London Gazette, May 31, 1683; North's Life of Guildford.][Footnote 191: The great prices paid to Varelst and Verrio are mentioned in Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting.][Footnote 192: Petty's Political Arit 2024-4-23
30 [Footnote 233: The chief sources of information concerning Jeffreys are the State Trials and North's Life of Lord Guildford. Some touches of minor importance I owe to contemporary pamphlets in verse and prose.Such are the b.l.o.o.d.y a.s.sizes the life a 2024-4-23
31 "At Doctor fictus non fictos pertulit ictus A tortore datos haud molli in corpore gratos, Disceret ut vere scelera ob commissa rubere."The anagram of his name, "Testis Ovat," may be found on many prints published in different countries.][Footnote 276: 2024-4-23
22 While he was thus wavering between projects equally hopeless, the King's forces came in sight. They consisted of about two thousand five hundred regular troops, and of about fifteen hundred of the Wilts.h.i.+re militia.Early on the morning of Sunday, the 2024-4-23
23 Monmouth was obstinate. He had prayed, he said, for the divine direction. His sentiments remained unchanged; and he could not doubt that they were correct. Tenison's exhortations were in milder tone than those of the Bishops. But he, like them, thought t 2024-4-23
24 The misery of the exiles fully equalled that of the negroes who are now carried from Congo to Brazil. It appears from the best information which is at present accessible that more than one fifth of those who were s.h.i.+pped were flung to the sharks befor 2024-4-23
32 [Footnote 320: London Gazette, January, 4, 1684-5; Ferguson MS. in Eachard's History, iii. 764; Grey's Narratives; Sprat's True Account, Danvers's Treatise on Baptism; Danvers's Innocency and Truth vindicated; Crosby's History of the English Baptist 2024-4-23
33 [Footnote 366: London Gazette, June 18, 1685; Wade's Confession, Hardwicke Papers.][Footnote 367: Lords' Journals, June 13,1685.][Footnote 368: Wade's Confession; Ferguson MS.; Axe Papers, Harl. MS.6845, Oldmixon, 701, 702. Oldmixon, who was then a boy 2024-4-23
34 Edward Dummer, Dryden's Hind and Panther, part II. The lines of Dryden are remarkable: "Such were the pleasing triumphs of the sky For James's late nocturnal victory.The fireworks which his angels made above.The pledge of his almighty patron's love, I 2024-4-23
35 [Footnote 447: This I can attest from my own childish recollections.][Footnote 448: Lord Lonsdale says seven hundred; Burnet six hundred. I have followed the list which the Judges sent to the Treasury, and which may still be seen there in the letter book 2024-4-23
36 The History of England from the Accession of James II.by Thomas Babington Macaulay.CHAPTER VI The Power of James at the Height--His Foreign Policy--His Plans of Domestic Government; the Habeas Corpus Act--The Standing Army--Designs in favour of the Roman 2024-4-23
37 That at this conjuncture these two great spiritual powers, once, as it seemed, inseparably allied, should have been opposed to each other, is a most important and remarkable circ.u.mstance. During a period of little less than a thousand years the regular 2024-4-23
38 Scarcely less infamous was the conduct of Obadiah Walker. He was an aged priest of the Church of England, and was well known in the University of Oxford as a man of learning. He had in the late reign been suspected of leaning towards Popery, but had outwa 2024-4-23
39 The answer was so unpleasing to James that he did not suffer it to be printed in the Gazette. Soon he learned that a law, such as he wished to see pa.s.sed, would not even be brought in. The Lords of Articles, whose business was to draw up the acts on whi 2024-4-23
40 Patrick and Jane said little; nor was it necessary that they should say much; for the Earl himself undertook to defend the doctrine of his Church, and, as was his habit, soon warmed with conflict, lost his temper, and asked with great vehemence whether it 2024-4-23
41 The chief object of his care was not our island, not even his native Holland, but the great community of nations threatened with subjugation by one too powerful member. Those who commit the error of considering him as an English statesman must necessarily 2024-4-23
42 Of the numerous pamphlets in which the cause of the Court and the cause of the Church were at this time eagerly and anxiously pleaded before the Puritan, now, by a strange turn of fortune, the arbiter of the fate of his persecutors, one only is still reme 2024-4-23
43 The Earl of Bedford had never recovered from the effects of the great calamity which, four years before, had almost broken his heart. From private as well as from public feelings he was adverse to the court: but he was not active in concerting measures ag 2024-4-23
44 When the appointed day arrived, a great concourse filled the Council chamber. Jeffreys sate at the head of the board. Rochester, since the white staff had been taken from him, was no longer a member. In his stead appeared the Lord Chamberlain, John Sheffi 2024-4-23
45 The nature of the academical system of England is such that no event which seriously affects the interests and honour of either University can fail to excite a strong feeling throughout the country. Every successive blow, therefore, which fell on Magdalen 2024-4-23
46 Peterborough was induced, by royal mediation, to compromise his action.Sawyer was dismissed. Powis became Attorney General. Williams was made Solicitor, received the honour of knighthood, and was soon a favourite.Though in rank he was only the second law 2024-4-23
47 Before the day of trial the agitation had spread to the farthest corners of the island. From Scotland the Bishops received letters a.s.suring them of the sympathy of the Presbyterians of that country, so long and so bitterly hostile to prelacy. [386] The 2024-4-23
48 Actuated by these sentiments our ancestors arrayed themselves against the government in one huge and compact ma.s.s. All ranks, all parties, all Protestant sects, made up that vast phalanx. In the van were the Lords Spiritual and Temporal. Then came the l 2024-4-23
49 The violence and audacity which the apostate Williams had exhibited throughout the trial of the Bishops had made him hateful to the whole nation. [433] He was recompensed with a baronetcy. Holloway and Powell had raised their character by declaring that, 2024-4-23
50 Avaux, in conformity with his instructions, demanded an audience of the States. It was readily granted. The a.s.sembly was unusually large. The general belief was that some overture respecting commerce was about to be made; and the President brought a wri 2024-4-23
51 Nevertheless it would, in his judgment, be for his service and for their own honour that they should publicly vindicate themselves. He therefore required them to draw up a paper setting forth their abhorrence of the Prince's design. They remained silent: 2024-4-23
52 Cornbury was soon kept in countenance by a crowd of deserters superior to him in rank and capacity: but during a few days he stood alone in his shame, and was bitterly reviled by many who afterwards imitated his example and envied his dishonourable preced 2024-4-23
53 "I must make examples, Churchill above all; Churchill whom I raised so high. He and he alone has done all this. He has corrupted my army.He has corrupted my child. He would have put me into the hands of the Prince of Orange, but for G.o.d's special prov 2024-4-23
54 NORTHUMBERLAND strictly obeyed the injunction which had been laid on him, and did not open the door of the royal apartment till it was broad day. The antechamber was filled with courtiers who came to make their morning bow and with Lords who had been summ 2024-4-23
55 The resolution of the Lords appeared to be unanimous. But there were in the a.s.sembly those who by no means approved of the decision in which they affected to concur, and who wished to see the King treated with a severity which they did not venture openl 2024-4-23
56 [628] His admirers were able to boast, and his enemies seem not to have been able to deny, that the sense of the const.i.tuent bodies was fairly taken. It is true that he risked little. The party which was attached to him was triumphant, enthusiastic, ful 2024-4-23
57 No prelate voted in the majority except Compton and Trelawney. [649]It was near nine in the evening before the House rose. The following day was the thirtieth of January, the anniversary of the death of Charles the First. The great body of the Anglican cl 2024-4-23
58 Some questions of great moment were still open to dispute. Our const.i.tution had begun to exist in times when statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact definitions. Anomalies, therefore, inconsistent with its principles and dangerous to its very 2024-4-23
59 And again "They talk of his hectoring and proud carriage; what could be more humble than for a man in his great post to cry and sob?" In the answer to the Panegyric it is said that "his having no command of his tears spoiled him for a hypocrite."][Foo 2024-4-23
60 [Footnote 77: Account of the commissioners, dated March 15. 1688.][Footnote 78: "Le Roi d'Angleterre connait bien que les gens mal intentionnes pour lui sont les plus prompts et les plus disposes a donner considerablement.... Sa Majeste Britannique conn 2024-4-23
61 Another Roman Catholic treatise, ent.i.tled "The Church of England truly represented," begins by informing us that "the ignis fatuus of reformation, which had grown to a comet by many acts of spoil and rapine, had been ushered into England, purified of 2024-4-23
62 [Footnote 164: Sheridan MS. among the Stuart Papers. I ought to acknowledge the courtesy with which Mr. Glover a.s.sisted me in my search for this valuable ma.n.u.script. James appears, from the instructions which he drew up for his son in 1692, to have r 2024-4-23
63 [Footnote 214: Sept. 6. 1679.][Footnote 215: See Swift's account of her in the Journal to Stella.][Footnote 216: Henry Sidney's Journal of March 31. 1680, in Mr.Blencowe's interesting collection.][Footnote 217: Speaker Onslow's note on Burnet, i. 596. 2024-4-23
64 [Footnote 260: "Le Prince d'Orange, qui avoit elude jusqu'alors de faire une reponse positive, dit qu'il ne consentira jamais a la suppression du ces loix qui avoient ete etablies pour le maintien et la surete de la religion Protestante, et que sa con 2024-4-23
65 [Footnote 303: Bonrepaux, July 11/21. 1687.][Footnote 304: Bonrepaux to Seignelay, Aug 25/Sept 4 1687. I will quote a few words from this most remarkable despatch: "je scay bien certainement que l'intention du Roy d'Angleterre est de faire perdre ce ro 2024-4-23
66 [Footnote 345: Ibid. Feb. 21. 1688.][Footnote 346: Johnstone, Feb. 21. 1688.][Footnote 347: Citters, March 20/30 1688.][Footnote 348: Ibid. May 1/11 1688.][Footnote 349: Citters, May 22/June 1 1688.][Footnote 350: Ibid. May 1/11 1688.][Footnote 351: Ibid. 2024-4-23
67 [Footnote 395: Ibid.][Footnote 396: Johnstone, July 2. 1688. The editor of Levinz's reports expresses great wonder that, after the Revolution, Levinz was not replaced on the bench. The facts related by Johnstone may perhaps explain the seeming injustice. 2024-4-23
68 [Footnote 442: Luttrell's Diary, Aug. 8. 1688.][Footnote 443: This is told us by three writers who could well remember that time, Kennet, Eachard, and Oldmixon. See also the Caveat against the Whigs.][Footnote 444: Barillon, Aug 24/Sept 1 1688; Sept. 3/1 2024-4-23
69 [Footnote 490: London Gazette, Oct. 18. 1688.][Footnote 491: "Vento Papista." says Adda Oct 24/Nov 3 1688. The expression Protestant wind seems to have been first applied to the wind which kept Tyrconnel, during some time, from taking possession of the 2024-4-23
70 [Footnote 535: Reresby's Memoirs; Clarke's. Life of James, ii. 231.Orig. Mem.][Footnote 536: Cibber's Apology History of the Desertion; Luttrell's Diary; Second Collection of Papers, 1688.][Footnote 537: Whittle's Diary; History of the Desertion; Lut 2024-4-23
71 [Footnote 580: North's Life of Guildford, 220.; Jeffreys' Elegy; Luttrell's Diary; Oldmixon, 762. Oldmixon was in the crowd, and was, I doubt not, one of the most furious there. He tells the story well. Ellis Correspondence; Barnet, i. 797. and Onslow 2024-4-23
72 [Footnote 626: Albeville to Preston, Nov 23/Dec 3 1688, in the Mackintosh Collection.][Footnote 627: "'Tis hier nu Hosanna: maar 't zal, veelligt, haast Kruist hem kruist hem, zyn." Witsen, MS. in Wagenaar, book lxi. It is an odd coinc 2024-4-23
73 [Footnote 669: Commons Journals, Feb, 2. 1683.] [Footnote 670: Greys Debates; Burnet, i. 822.] [Footnote 671: Commons Journals, Feb. 4. 8. 11, 12.; Lords Journals, Feb. 9. 11. 12, 1688/9] [Footnote 672: London Gazette, Feb. 14. 1688/9; Citters, Feb. 12/22 2024-4-23
74 The History of England from the Accession of James II.by Thomas Babington Macaulay.Volume 3.CHAPTER XI William and Mary proclaimed in London--Rejoicings throughout England; Rejoicings in Holland--Discontent of the Clergy and of the Army--Reaction of Publi 2024-4-23
75 There was indeed one department of which the business was well conducted; and that was the department of Foreign Affairs. There William directed every thing, and, on important occasions, neither asked the advice nor employed the agency of any English poli 2024-4-23
76 Just at the moment when the question of the Test and the question of the Comprehension became complicated together in a manner which might well perplex an enlightened and honest politician, both questions became complicated with a third question of grave 2024-4-23
77 Others had been servants to Protestants; and the Protestants added, with bitter scorn, that it was fortunate for the country when this was the case; for that a menial who had cleaned the plate and rubbed down the horse of an English gentleman might pa.s.s 2024-4-23
78 Meanwhile Mountjoy and Rice had arrived in France. Mountjoy was instantly put under arrest and thrown into the Bastile. James determined to comply with the invitation which Rice had brought, and applied to Lewis for the help of a French army. But Lewis, t 2024-4-23
79 Lundy, therefore, from the time when the Irish army entered Ulster, seems to have given up all thought of serious resistance, He talked so despondingly that the citizens and his own soldiers murmured against him. He seemed, they said, to be bent on discou 2024-4-23
80 That James would give his a.s.sent to a bill which took from him the power of pardoning, seemed to many persons impossible. He had, four years before, quarrelled with the most loyal of parliaments rather than cede a prerogative which did not belong to him 2024-4-23
81 William saw that he must not think of paying to the laws of Scotland that scrupulous respect which he had wisely and righteously paid to the laws of England. It was absolutely necessary that he should determine by his own authority how that Convention whi 2024-4-23
82 The Monday came. The Jacobite lords and gentlemen were actually taking horse for Stirling, when Athol asked for a delay of twenty-four hours.He had no personal reason to be in haste. By staying he ran no risk of being a.s.sa.s.sinated. By going he incurre 2024-4-23
83 The Macleans remembered that, only fourteen years before, their lands had been invaded and the seat of their chief taken and garrisoned by the Campbells, [327] Even before William and Mary had been proclaimed at Edinburgh, a Maclean, deputed doubtless by 2024-4-23
84 While they were waiting for some indication of his wishes, they were called to arms at once by two leaders, either of whom might, with some show of reason, claim to be considered as the representative of the absent chief. Lord Murray, the Marquess's 2024-4-23
85 His place was supplied by Captain Munro, and the contest went on with undiminished fury. A party of the Cameronians sallied forth, set fire to the houses from which the fatal shots had come, and turned the keys in the doors. In one single dwelling sixteen 2024-4-23
86 The fall of this man, once so great and so much dreaded, the horror with which he was regarded by all the respectable members of his own party, the manner in which the least respectable members of that party renounced fellows.h.i.+p with him in his distre 2024-4-23
87 The testimony which Waldeck in his despatch bore to the gallant conduct of the islanders was read with delight by their countrymen. The fight indeed was no more than a skirmish: but it was a sharp and b.l.o.o.d.y skirmish. There had within living memory b 2024-4-23
88 It mattered little, however, whether the recommendations of the Commission were good or bad. They were all doomed before they were known. The writs summoning the Convocation of the province of Canterbury had been issued; and the clergy were every where in 2024-4-23
89 More than once he had been invited by the enemies of the House of Stuart to leave his asylum, to become their captain, and to give the signal for rebellion: but he had wisely refused to take any part in the desperate enterprises which the Wildmans and Fer 2024-4-23
90 The King meanwhile was making, in almost every department of the executive government, a change corresponding to the change which the general election was making in the composition of the legislature.Still, however, he did not think of forming what is now 2024-4-23
91 The severity of this last provision was generally and most justly blamed. To turn every ignorant meddling magistrate into a state inquisitor, to insist that a plain man, who lived peaceably, who obeyed the laws, who paid his taxes, who had never held and 2024-4-23
92 But, before the King set out for Ireland, he spoke seriously to Rochester. "Your brother has been plotting against me. I am sure of it.I have the proofs under his own hand. I was urged to leave him out of the Act of Grace; but I would not do what wou 2024-4-23
93 Walker, notwithstanding his advanced age and his peaceful profession, accompanied the men of Londonderry, and tried to animate their zeal by exhortation and by example. He was now a great prelate. Ezekiel Hopkins had taken refuge from Popish persecutors a 2024-4-23
94 The outcry against those who were, with good reason, suspected of having invited the enemy to make a descent on our sh.o.r.es was vehement and general, and was swollen by many voices which had recently been loud in clamour against the government of Willia 2024-4-23
95 This event put an end to all thoughts of civil war. The gathering which had been planned for the summer never took place. Lochiel, even if he had been willing, was not able to sustain any longer the falling cause.He had been laid on his bed by a mishap wh 2024-4-23
96 Though the royal word seemed to be pledged to this unfortunate man, the Commons resolved, by a hundred and nineteen votes to a hundred and twelve, that his property should not be exempted from the general confiscation.The bill went up to the Peers, but th 2024-4-23
97 3., and Boyer's History of William, 1702. Narcissus Luttrell repeatedly, and even as late as the close of 1692, speaks of Nottingham as likely to be Chancellor.][Footnote 22: Roger North relates an amusing story about Shaftesbury's embarra.s.sme 2024-4-23
98 says Ronquillo. "Il est absolument mal propre pour le role qu'il a a jouer a l'heure qu'il est," says Avaux. "Slothful and sickly," says Evelyn. March 29. 1689.][Footnote 61: See Harris's description of Loo, 1699.][ 2024-4-23
99 [Footnote 103: The sermon deserves to be read. See the London Gazette of April 14. 1689; Evelyn's Diary; Narcissus Luttrell's Diary; and the despatch of the Dutch Amba.s.sadors to the States General.][Footnote 104: A specimen of the prose which 2024-4-23
100 [Footnote 142: The Orange Gazette, Jan. 10 1688/9.][Footnote 143: Memoires de Madame de la Fayette.][Footnote 144: Burnet, i. 808; Life of James, ii. 320.; Commons'Journals, July 29. 1689.][Footnote 145: Avaux to Lewis, Mar 25/April 4 1659.][Footnote 2024-4-23