t of receiving money from the court of Versailles. They were
consulted by James as to the expediency of convoking the legislature.
They acknowledged the importance of keeping Lewis in good humour: but
it seemed to them that the calling of a Parliament was not a matter of
choice. Patient as the nation appeared to be, there were limits to its
patience. The principle, that the money of the subject could not be
lawfully taken by the King without the assent of the Commons, was firmly
rooted in the public mind; and though, on all extraordinary emergency
even Whigs might be willing to pay, during a few weeks, duties not
imposed by statute, it was certain that even Tories would become
refractory if such irregular taxation should continue longer than the
special circumstances which alone justified it. The Houses then must
meet; and since it was so, the sooner they were summoned the better.
Even the short delay which would be occasioned by a reference to
Versailles might produce irreparable mischief. Discontent and suspicion
would spread fast through society. Halifax would complain that the
fundamental principles of the constitution were violated. The Lord
Keeper, like a cowardly pedantic special pleader as he was, would take
the same side. What might have been done with a good grace would at last
be done with a bad grace. Those very ministers whom His Majesty most
wished to lower in the public estimation would gain popularity at his
expense. The ill temper of the nation might seriously affect the result
of the elections. These arguments were unanswerable. The King therefore
notified to the country his intention of holding a Parliament. But he
was painfully anxious to exculpate himself from the guilt of having
acted undutifully and disrespectfully towards France. He led Barillon
into a private room, and there apologised for having dared to take so
important a step without the previous sanction of Lewis. "Assure your
master," said James, "of my gratitude and attachment. I know that
without his protection I can do nothing. I know what troubles my brother
brought on himself by not adhering steadily to France. I will take good
care not to let the Houses meddle with foreign affairs. If I see in them
any disposition to make mischief, I will send them about their business.
Explain this to my good brother. I hope that he will not take it
amiss that I have acted without consulting him. He has a right to be
consulted; and it is my wish to co