If we may believe Lord Grey, there existed an intention, on the part of the Whig leaders, to resist the dissolution at Oxford, and remain sitting in defiance of the King's authority; but, by his own account, no preparation seems to have been made for supporting by force this act of rebellion; and the whole story seems to be got up for the purpose of justifying the execution of Colledge, which soon afterwards took place. We may more readily trust the same authority, when he tells us, that, after the dissolution, all thoughts of resistance were given up, and every thing remained quiet amongst the party for a long time.

July,

It is not well known how far the Prince 1681. of Orange was connected with the popular party during the reign of Charles the Second; but the occurrence I am going to relate will show that he was, at this time, on good terms with Lord Russell and the Whigs. He paid a visit to England, for the purpose of doing away a misunderstanding he had had with the King, and with the hope of raising in the court a jealousy against France, and a desire to try once more a reconciliation with Parliaments. For both these reasons, the Duke of York was much averse to

* Dal. Appendix.

his coming *: but leave having been given before the Duke could prevent it, he arrived in London, where he was waited upon by Lord Russell, and the two sheriffs, who gave him an invitation to dine in the city, which he readily accepted. Lord Halifax, Lord Hide, and Mr. Seymour endeavoured to dissuade him from going; but. he answered, that he had been in England twice before, and had dined both times in the city; and, upon their representing to him that the city was now in opposition to the King, which it had not been before, he grew angry, and said he had promised, and he would go. Upon this reply, Mr. Seymour immediately posted to Windsor, and got an order from the King for the Prince of Orange to join him immediately. The Prince obeyed, but did not conceal his trouble at being obliged to break his word.

He was unsuccessful in his negociations with the King, but he persuaded the Opposition to offer the King, after his own departure, a parliamentary supply for the relief of Flanders, without the Exclusion Bill, the limitations, or the displacing of any minister. † But the King was now fully resolved not to meet his parliament. ‡

* Life, p. 690.

+ James's Life, p. 692. Dal. App. 301.

Life of James, 693.

It appears, from the dispatches of Barillon, that during this visit the Prince of Orange was often locked up with Lord Russell and Sir W. Jones, and that he became very popular by his journey. *

The death of Fitzharris afforded another occasion for the manifestation of party feeling. This vile wretch hoped, by making a sudden turn against the Opposition, to obtain a pardon from the King; but he was left to die the victim of his own impostures.

Dal. App. to Part First, p. 9.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

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