and internally many
features of interest. The family was last represented by a maid
lady who died a few years since.]

One or two old buildings in the desolate marsh district of Elmley,
claim the distinction of having received a visit of the deposed
monarch prior to the mishaps which were shortly to follow. King's
Hill Farm, once a house of some importance, preserves this tradition,
as does also an ancient cottage, in the last stage of decay,
known as "Rats' Castle."

[Illustration: "RATS' CASTLE," ELMLEY, KENT]

[Illustration: KING'S HILL FARM, ELMLEY, KENT]

At Elmley Ferry, which crosses the river Swale, the king got
aboard, but scarcely had the moorings been cast than further
progress was arrested by a party of over-zealous fishermen on
the look out for fugitive Jesuit priests. The story of the rough
handling to which the poor king was subjected is a somewhat hackneyed
school-book anecdote, but some interesting details have been handed
down by one Captain Marsh, by James's natural son the Duke of
Berwick, and by the Earl of Ailesbury.

From these accounts we gather that in the disturbance that ensued
a blow was aimed at the King, but that a Canterbury innkeeper named
Platt threw himself in the way and received the blow himself. It
is recorded, to James II.'s credit, that when he was recognised
and his stolen money and jewels offered back to him, he declined
the former, desiring that his health might be drunk by the mob.
Among the valuables were the King's watch, his coronation ring,
and medals commemorating the births of his son the Chevalier
St. George and of his brother Charles II.

The King was taken ashore at a spot called "the Stool," close
to the little village of Oare, to the north-west of Faversham,
to which town he was conveyed by coach, attended by a score of
Kentish gentlemen on horseback. The royal prisoner was first
carried to the "Queen's Arms Inn," which still exists under the
name of the "Ship Hotel." From here he was taken to the mayor's
house in Court Street (an old building recently pulled down to
make way for a new brewery) and placed under a strict guard, and
from the window of his prison the unfortunate King had to listen
to the proclamation of the Prince of Orange, read by order of the
mayor, who subsequently was rewarded for the zeal he displayed
upon the occasion.

The hardships of the last twenty-four hours had told severely upon
James. He was sick and feeble and weakened by prof