as not remarkably
popular in his administration. He had bestowed one place of considerable
importance upon a gentleman whose person was obnoxious to many people
in that kingdom, and perhaps failed in that affability and condescension
which a free and ferocious nation expects to find in the character of
him to whose rule they are subjected. Whether the offence taken at his
deportment had created enemies to his person, or the nation in general
began to entertain doubts and jealousies of the government's designs,
certain it is, great pains were taken to propagate a belief among the
lower sort of people, that an union would soon be effected between Great
Britain and Ireland; in which case this last kingdom would be deprived
of its parliament and independency, and be subjected to the same taxes
that are levied upon the people of England. This notion inflamed
the populace to such a degree, that they assembled in a prodigious
multitude, broke into the house of lords, insulted the peers, seated an
old woman on the throne, and searched for the journals, which, had they
been found, they would have committed to the flames. Not content with
this outrage, they compelled the members of both houses, whom they met
in the streets, to take an oath that they never would consent to such an
union, or give any vote contrary to the true interest of Ireland. Divers
coaches belonging to obnoxious persons were destroyed, and their horses
killed; and a gibbet was erected for one gentleman in particular, who
narrowly escaped the ungovernable rage of those riotous insurgents. A
body of horse and infantry were drawn out on this occasion, in order
to overawe the multitude, which at night dispersed of itself. Next
day addresses to the lord-lieutenant were agreed to by both houses of
parliament, and a committee of inquiry appointed, that the ringleaders
of the tumult might be discovered and brought to condign punishment.

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

ALARM OF A DESCENT IN SCOTLAND.

When the ministry of England received the first advice, that M. Thurot
had escaped from Dunkirk with a small squadron of armed ships, having
on board a body of land-troops, designed for a private expedition on the
coast of Scotland or Ireland, expresses were immediately despatched to
the commanding officers of the forces in North Britain, with orders to
put the forts along the coast of that kingdom in the best posture of
defence; and to hold every thing in readiness to r