CHAP. XI - Union of Parliament with the Prince of Orange

Summary

Charles II, against whom these exertions were directed, and from whom these results had been wrung, was not on that account absolutely hated; the great majority forgave him even his moral faults, for he was easily accessible and affable; a thousand witty sayings of his were passed from mouth to mouth, which won for him a reputation of superior intellect; however much his Dutch undertakings might be objected to, still with one interest of the nation they were in accordance; in their ultimate results they were not disadvantageous, and in other points he at least did not proceed to extremities; he always knew how to give in at the last. What above all secured for him men's esteem and consideration, was apprehension of his successor, who, as regards moral conduct was no better than the King, but was at the same time inflexible and obstinate. Whilst Charles II allowed merely an inclination towards Catholicism to appear, the Duke of York had gone over finally with all due form. This had occurred immediately before the outbreak of the war against Holland in the spring of 1672; under the direction of Father Bedingfield, a Jesuit, the Duke observed in the strictest manner the ordinances of the Church; he might be seen to accompany the King to the door of the chapel, where the sacrament was to be administered according to the Anglican ritual, and then, in the eyes of all, leave the procession and go away.