thoughts without disguise, I am now so much in love with a retired life, that I am never like to be fond of making a bustle in the world again.”

But, as usual, his evil genius prevailed, and, on the 24th of May, 1685, he sailed from the Texel on his unfortunate expedition. His force was as weak as the undertaking was rash. The expedition consisted only of a frigate of thirty-two guns, three smaller vessels, and a small band consisting of eighty-two devoted but indiscreet followers. He had provided himself, however, with arms for five thousand men. After having been tossed about at sea, encountering stormy weather and contrary winds, for no fewer than nineteen days, he landed at Lyme in Dorsetshire on the 11th of June. His first step was to assemble his few followers around him, when, having commanded silence, he fell on his knees on the beach, and prayed to Heaven to prosper his enterprise. He then drew his sword, and, followed by his men, led the way towards the town. He was received with extraordinary enthusiasm by the inhabitants. As he fixed his blue standard in the market-place, loud cheers for the Protestant religion, and shouts of “A . Monmouth, a Monmouth," rent the air.

Monmouth had trusted that the popularity of his name would speedily fill his ranks; nor was he greatly deceived in his expectations. The common people flocked affectionately around their idol, and accordingly in four days he found himself at the head of two thousand followers. One of his first steps was to issue a printed declaration, addressed entirely to the passions of the bigoted and the vulgar. In this inflammatory appeal, he spoke of James as his "mortal and bloody enemy;" accusing him of every crime which could disgrace humanity, and of every project which was likely

to entail slavery and misery on his subjects. The burning of London, in 1666, the Popish plot, the murder of Sir Edmondsbury Godfrey, the assassination of the Earl of Essex, and even the poisoning of the late King, were indiscriminately laid to his charge. James was styled throughout, the Duke of York, and the people were called upon to defend themselves against his "idolatrous and bloody" designs. Lastly, Monmouth insisted that he himself had been born in lawful wedlock; adding, however, that he would leave his claims to be decided upon by a free Parliament.

In the mean time, James had been far from neglectful of his own interests, and, moreover, he was at this time effectually supported by his Parliament. They presented an address to him, in which they bound themselves to assist and stand by him with their lives and fortunes; a bill was passed attainting Monmouth of high treason; a reward of 5000l. was offered for his capture either alive or dead, and, moreover, the Commons voted a supply of 400,000l. to the King, "for his present extraordinary occasions."

Having quitted Lyme on the fourth day after his landing, Monmouth had proceeded some distance on his way to Axminster, when he was informed that the Duke of Albemarle was in the neighbourhood with about four thousand of the Devonshire militia. This was the second and spendthrift Duke, whom we have formerly seen engaged with Monmouth in a midnight brawl, and who now encountered his old friend under very different circumstances. They had advanced within a quarter of a mile of each other, when Albemarle, perceiving his followers to be disaffected, considered it prudent to order a retreat. That Monmouth neglected to pursue them was a fatal mistake. He would have succeeded in

obtaining arms and followers; the fame of his success would have greatly advanced his cause; many influential persons would no doubt have joined him, and in two days he would probably have found himself at the gates of Exeter. But he intended to wait, he said, till his men were better disciplined, and till his ranks had been swelled into a more formidable force.

Monmouth arrived at Taunton on the 18th of June, a week after his landing; having advanced in the mean time only twenty miles. Here, however, his reception must have exceeded even his most sanguine hopes. The houses were everywhere hung with green boughs and flowers, and so thronged were the streets with his admirers, that he could with difficulty proceed. A standard, woven by the young ladies of the town, was solemnly presented to him by the hands of the fair enthusiasts themselves. The gift was accompanied by a Bible, which their spokeswoman, with a drawn sword in her hand, also publicly delivered to him. The Duke expressed a transport which perhaps he really felt. "I have come into the field," he said, "to defend the truths contained in this book, and, if there be occasion for it, to seal it with my blood." His followers had now amounted to six thousand, and he would even have been more formidable but for the want of arms. Unfortunately, intoxicated with his growing success, he had now the folly to assume the title of King, and even went so far as to touch for the evil and to set a price on the head of King James. It must be remembered, on the other hand, that Monmouth had been taught from his boyhood to believe that the Crown was a prize within his reach. When foreign princes died, he was the only subject, with the exception of the Duke of York, who had been invited to wear the purple cloak which is the exclusive

mourning robe of royalty; and, in the presence-chamber of his father, while the ancient nobility of the land had stood uncovered around, Monmouth and the Duke of York alone wore their hats before the King.

From Taunton, Monmouth proceeded to Bridgewater, Wells, and Frome, in all of which places he was solemnly proclaimed. Another fatal error consisted in these perpetual delays. The time which should have been spent in action was wasted in unprofitable parade.

CHAPTER III.

Monmouth's Affairs decline-His Despondency-Battle of SedgmoorMonmouth's Flight-Terrors of his Mind-His humble Submissions to the King-Conducted to London-Colonel Legge ordered to stab him should his Rescue be attempted-His Interview with James at Whitehall-His extraordinary Superstition-His Interview with his Duchess on the Morning of his Execution-Becomes reconciled to his Fate-Bishop of St. Asaph's Account of his Behaviour-Monmouth's Devotion to Lady Henrietta Wentworth -Distressing Circumstances which attended his Execution-Some Account of the Duchess of Monmouth-Remainder of King Charles's natural Children: The Duke of Southampton-Duke of Grafton -Duke of Northumberland-Duke of St. Alban's-Duke of Richmond-Earl of Plymouth-Countess of Yarmouth-Countess of Sussex - Countess of Litchfield- Countess of Derwentwater Barbara Fitzroy-Mary Walters.

WHILE Monmouth was thus trifling with his fortunes, King James had assembled a considerable force to arrest his hitherto triumphant progress. The advance of this formidable body; the news of his friend Argyle's defeat in Scotland: and his own want of artillery and money, soon completely changed the aspect of Monmouth's affairs. The consequence was that the elation, which the spoiled child of fortune had enjoyed on his first success, was speedily converted into the deepest despondency. He seems at one time to have half made up his mind to take ship at Pool; but unwilling, perhaps, to leave his followers to their fate, he returned to the hospitable town of Bridgewater, with the intention of making a last desperate attempt to retrieve his fortunes.