at Britain underwent a dangerous convulsion in her own bowels. The
son of the chevalier de St. George, fired with ambition, and animated
with the hope of ascending the throne of his ancestors, resolved to make
an effort for that purpose, which, though it might not be crowned with
success, should at least astonish all Christendom. The Jacobites in
England and Scotland had promised, that if he would land in Britain
at the head of a regular army, they would supply him with provisions,
carriages, and horses, and a great number of them declared they would
take up arms and join his standard; but they disapproved of his coming
over without forces, as a dangerous enterprise, that would in all
probability end in the ruin of himself and all his adherents. This
advice, including an exact detail of his father's interest, with the
dispositions of his particular friends in every town and county, was
transmitted to London in January, in order to be forwarded to prince
Charles; but the person with whom it was intrusted could find no safe
method of conveyance; so that he sent it back to Scotland, from whence
it was despatched to France; but before it reached Paris, Charles had
left that kingdom. Had the paper come to his hands in due time, perhaps
he would not have embarked in the undertaking, though he was stimulated
to the attempt by many concurring motives. Certain it is, he was cajoled
by the sanguine misrepresentations of a few adventurers, who hoped to
profit by the expedition. They assured him that the whole nation was
disaffected to the reigning family; that the people could no longer bear
the immense load of taxes, which was daily increasing; and that the
most considerable persons of the kingdom would gladly seize the first
opportunity of crowding to his standard. On the other hand, he knew
the British government had taken some effectual steps to alienate the
friends of his house from the principles they had hitherto professed.
Some of them had accepted posts and pensions; others were preferred in
the army; and the parliament were so attached to the reigning family,
that he had nothing to hope from their deliberations. He expected no
material succour from the court of France; he foresaw that delay would
diminish the number of his adherents in Great Britain; and, therefore,
resolved to seize the present occasion, which in many respects was
propitious to his design. Without doubt, had he been properly supported,
he could not have f