sense of honour, every feeling of honest pride and selfrespect, appear to have deserted his breast. Although at the head of a powerful and devoted army, no sooner was there the least drawback to success, than, with a dastardly ingratitude, he determined to desert his own standard, and, abandoning to their fate the gallant and faithful followers who were risking life and fortune for his sake, to withdraw himself secretly into France. We have heard much of the ingratitude of the Stuarts, but certainly cowardice was not in general their fault. In the mean time the Prince of Orange had advanced by such rapid marches, that he was already in the neighbourhood of the Irish army, before James had received intelligence that the Prince had even landed in Ireland. Although prepared to seek safety in flight, the utter ignominy, the impossibility, indeed, of flying in the immediate hour of danger seem to have impressed themselves on the mind of James, and to have shamed him out of his dastardly resolution.

On the particulars of the famous battle of the Boyne it would be unnecessary to dwell. No sooner did fortune appear to decide against the Irish, than James, who had kept aloof from the danger, and had posted himself on a hill surrounded by some squadrons of horse, was the first to turn his back on the foe. Instead of attempting to rally his followers,-a measure which might easily have been effected, he retreated precipitately towards Dublin, and from thence to Waterford; destroying the bridges in his way, at the suggestion of his French followers, in order to arrest the pursuit of the victors.

At Dublin he had the assurance to complain of the conduct of the gallant troops whom he had recently so ignominiously deserted; observing that he would never again trust his fate to an Irish army. Such a speech was

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naturally commented upon in no measured terms. was justly remarked by his insulted followers, that complaints of cowardice came but ill from the mouth of a coward; that he himself had been the first to hurry from the field of battle; and that, in fact, he was the only combatant, not of foreign birth, who had sought to save his life by flying from the kingdom. Only let the English change kings with them, they said, and they would willingly fight the battle over again. At sea James fortunately fell in with a French squadron under the Sieur de Foran. He was taken on board a swift-sailing frigate, and landed safely on the coast of France, from whence he proceeded to his former residence at St. Germains.

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CHAPTER IV.

Battle of La Hogue-Conduct of James in adversity-His Visit to the Monks of La Trappe-Romantic History of the Abbot, M. De Rancé-The Throne of Poland offered to James-His last Illness -His Dying Interview with Louis XIV.-His Death and Burial -Interesting Inscriptions to his Memory-Miracles believed to have been wrought through his Intercession-Character of James -Children by his two Wives, Anne Hyde and Mary of Modena― His Natural Offspring.

In the year 1692, a second invasion was prepared by James, with the view of re-establishing himself on the throne of England. Louis again stood forth his friend, and again made extensive preparations to forward his views. James had repaired in person to La Hogue, and was ready to embark with his army, consisting of French troops and British refugees, when on the 19th of May, the English fleet under Admiral Russell, appeared in view of the coast. Orders having been given to both fleets to clear for action, an engagement followed, known as the celebrated battle of La Hogue, in which the French fleet, under Admiral de Tourville, was totally defeated. James, who was a witness of the engagement from the sea-shore, appears to have exhibited deeper feelings on the occasion than were commonly supposed to be in his nature. Observing the fearlessness and activity of the British seamen in scaling from their boats the lofty sides of the enemy's ships, his remark was characteristic of the conflict which was passing in his mind. "None," he said, "but my brave English could

perform such acts of gallantry." Again, at the close of the action, some of the spent balls passing close to his person,-"Ah!" he exclaimed, mournfully, "I find that Heaven itself fights against me." Immediately afterwards he retired to the privacy of his own tent.

From this period James became an altered and an improved man. He retired to his little court at St. Germains, where he continued to reside during the few remaining years of his life, reflecting on the vanity of human wishes, devoting his attention to his spiritual welfare, and doing good to his fellow-creatures. He was never heard to speak despondingly of his fortunes, nor virulently of his foes. He ever spoke with enthusiasm of his former subjects; and even among the French, of whom he was a pensioner, dwelt with raptures on the subject of English valour and English glory. According to his biographer Bretonneau, he spoke an ill word of no one; he read, without anger, the scurrilous attacks which were promulgated by his enemies; he reproved those who spoke with bitterness of his persecutors; was severe in his penances and constant at his devotions; was extremely abstemious, and regarded the loss of his kingdom as a just ordination of the Supreme Being, and as a wholesome infliction for the errors of his past life. Watching over the dignity and respectability of his little court, and living on affectionate terms with his family, he took an interest in the happiness of his servants and the economy of his household, and lived frugally on the pension awarded him by the French Court. Were we to estimate the character of James from his mode of life at this period, it would be difficult to draw a more amiable portrait. Harmless in his amusements, kind and considerate to those about him, and strict in his religious duties, what more can be said of the wisest and the best!

One or two visits paid by the exiled King to the rigorous and exemplary monks of La Trappe, in Normandy, appear to have made a deep impression on his mind.According to a curious contemporary account, the first visit of James to La Trappe was on the 20th of November, 1690; on the evening of which day he arrived on horseback at the door of the monastery. As soon as the King had alighted, the Abbot, M. de Rancé, who was in readiness to receive him, prostrated himself at his feet. It was an act of respect, it appears, which the Abbot was in the habit of performing to all strangers. James, shocked at seeing so holy a man in so humiliating a posture, immediately raised him up, and solicited his benediction. The blessing having been solemnly given, they proceeded together to the chapel, and, after the service was over, conversed together for an hour. In the evening, the King again attended evening service, with which he expressed himself much comforted and edified. The writer, in his very interesting narrative, gives a minute account of what followed:

"The King's supper was served by the monks, and consisted of roots, eggs, and vegetables. He seemed much pleased with all he saw. After supper, he went and looked at a collection of maxims of Christian conduct, which were framed and hung up against the wall: he perused them several times, and, expressing how much he admired them, requested a copy.

"Next day the King attended the chapel, and communicated with the monks, which he did with great devotion. He afterwards went to see the community occupied at their labour for an hour and a half. Their occupations chiefly consisted of ploughing, turning, basket-making, brewing, carpentering, washing, transcribing manuscripts, and book-binding.