ts, was affectionately cherished by the Tories. There were some
very intelligible allusions to Charles's dealings with the Court of
Versailles, and to the foreign woman whom that Court had sent to lie
like a snake in his bosom. The House was with good reason dissatisfied.
The address was recommitted, and, having been made more concise, and
less declamatory and acrimonious, was approved and presented, [112]
William's attention was called to the wrongs which France had done to
him and to his kingdom; and he was assured that, whenever he should
resort to arms for the redress of those wrongs, he should be heartily
supported by his people. He thanked the Commons warmly. Ambition, he
said, should never induce him to draw the sword: but he had no choice:
France had already attacked England; and it was necessary to exercise
the right of selfdefence. A few days later war was proclaimed, [113]

Of the grounds of quarrel alleged by the Commons in their address, and
by the King in his manifesto, the most serious was the interference
of Lewis in the affairs of Ireland. In that country great events had,
during several months, followed one another in rapid succession. Of
those events it is now time to relate the history, a history dark with
crime and sorrow, yet full of interest and instruction.

CHAPTER XII

State of Ireland at the Time of the Revolution; the Civil Power in the
Hands of the Roman Catholics--The Military Power in the Hands of the
Roman Catholics--Mutual Enmity between the Englishry and
Irishry--Panic among the Englishry--History of the Town of
Kenmare--Enniskillen--Londonderry--Closing of the Gates of
Londonderry--Mountjoy sent to pacify Ulster--William opens a Negotiation
with Tyrconnel--The Temples consulted--Richard Hamilton sent to Ireland
on his Parole--Tyrconnel sends Mountjoy and Rice to France--Tyrconnel
calls the Irish People to Arms--Devastation of the Country--The
Protestants in the South unable to resist--Enniskillen and Londonderry
hold out; Richard Hamilton marches into Ulster with an Army--James
determines to go to Ireland--Assistance furnished by Lewis to
James--Choice of a French Ambassador to accompany James--The Count of
Avaux--James lands at Kinsale--James enters Cork--Journey of James from
Cork to Dublin--Discontent in England--Factions at Dublin Castle--James
determines to go to Ulster--Journey of James to Ulster--The Fall of
Londonderry expected--Succours arrive from Eng