de, which had lately been written by Durfey, and which, though
like all Durfey's writings, utterly contemptible, was, at that time,
almost as popular as Lillibullero became a few years later. [262] Round
the Cross the trainbands were drawn up in order: a bonfire was lighted:
the Exclusion Bill was burned: and the health of King James was drunk
with loud acclamations. The following day was Sunday. In the morning the
militia lined the streets leading to the Cathedral. The two knights of
the shire were escorted with great pomp to their choir by the magistracy
of the city, heard the Dean preach a sermon, probably on the duty of
passive obedience, and were afterwards feasted by the Mayor. [263]

In Northumberland the triumph of Sir John Fenwick, a courtier whose
name afterwards obtained a melancholy celebrity, was attended by
circumstances which excited interest in London, and which were thought
not unworthy of being mentioned in the despatches of foreign ministers.
Newcastle was lighted up with great piles of coal. The steeples sent
forth a joyous peal. A copy of the Exclusion Bill, and a black box,
resembling that which, according to the popular fable, contained the
contract between Charles the Second and Lucy Walters, were publicly
committed to the flames, with loud acclamations. [264]

The general result of the elections exceeded the most sanguine
expectations of the court. James found with delight that it would be
unnecessary for him to expend a farthing in buying votes. He Said that,
with the exception of about forty members, the House of Commons was just
such as he should himself have named. [265] And this House of Commons
it was in his power, as the law then stood, to keep to the end of his
reign.

Secure of parliamentary support, he might now indulge in the luxury of
revenge. His nature was not placable; and, while still a subject, he had
suffered some injuries and indignities which might move even a placable
nature to fierce and lasting resentment. One set of men in particular
had, with a baseness and cruelty beyond all example and all description,
attacked his honour and his life, the witnesses of the plot. He may
well be excused for hating them; since, even at this day, the mention of
their names excites the disgust and horror of all sects and parties.

Some of these wretches were already beyond the reach of human justice.
Bedloe had died in his wickedness, without one sign of remorse or shame.
[266] Dugdale h