CHAPTER XI.

O, behold How pomp is followed! mine will now be your's; And should we shift estates, your's would be mine!

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.

We now bring back the reader to the realm of Ireland, which was doomed shortly to be the scene of anarchy and civil war, where disastrous tidings of awful import, posting incessantly onward, hourly arrived, rapidly heralded by rumour's thousand tongues, to afflict the loyal and disconcert the brave.

An official despatch soon followed, which communicated and confirmed to Tyrconnel the sad and dismal event of the flight of his royal master to France, which truly gave him deep and sincere affliction. This voluntary abdication of his throne upon the part of King James II. gave Tyrconnel sorrowful concern for the present, and a sad and mournful foreboding of the future! "Oh, had my royal master only stood his ground," said the duke, "and have firmly held his throne, who would, who could have dared to hurl him from it? No; even with all his political miscalculations, nevertheless his enemies could not have succeeded. The Prince of Orange would still have found it a difficult, perhaps an impossible task, to have ousted his truly royal, accomplished, and brave father-in-law, from his lawful throne; for brave and valiant was the king, and I doubt not but still brave he is. And there was a time, be it not forgotten, while he was Duke of York and Lord High Admiral of England, when nobly he fought beneath the British banner, and gloriously led on his fleet to victory!"

The Duchess of Tyrconnel, whose powerful mind and firm nerves were "albeit unused to the melting mood," yet when her Grace heard the mournful recital of the sufferings and voluntary exile of her afflicted queen; she then indeed was deeply affected, and

"Dropt tears as fast as the Arabian trees Their medicinal gum."

The Duchess was a wife--moreover a mother, and she knew how to pity and compassionate the unfortunate, from the palace of kings down to the cottage of the poor. And equally distressed was our lovely heroine, whose generous bosom ever beat, and felt, and assisted the afflicted.

Some months had now elapsed, when one morning, while the duke was at breakfast with his family, a despatch for his Grace, and in the hand-writing of King James, arrived. The despatch intimated that His Majesty was then on his way to Ireland, and summoning the immediate attendance of Tyrconnel at Kinsale, where the king proposed to land. The despatch was brought over in a fast-sailing French corvette, called "_l'Eclair_," which had been detached from the French fleet which was to escort King James to Kinsale, expressly upon this mission. And his Grace, in obedience to the royal mandate, instantly set off by land for the town of Kinsale.

King James II., upon _abdicating_, or _deserting_ (for great debates in the British parliament ensued upon the proper term to be used) the throne of England, had sought and obtained an asylum in France, generously yielded to him by Louis XIV. King James now fully resolved, as His Majesty expressed himself, "to make one more glorious attempt to recover his throne;" which to effectuate he sailed from the shores of France, attended by fourteen ships of war, six frigates, and three fire-ships, which had been prepared in the port of Brest by the French king. At the same time seven French battalions embarked in the fleet which conveyed King James. The troops were commanded by the Count de Lauzun, the same gallant, generous nobleman who had escorted King James's queen and the Prince of Wales to the court of Versailles. The forces were accompanied with twelve field pieces.

King James was attended in this expedition by several noble personages. His Majesty landed at Kinsale amid the loudest cheers, and was warmly received and welcomed by all descriptions, from the peer to the peasant, with the greatest joy and enthusiasm. Here, in pursuance to the instructions given to Tyrconnel, he was in readiness on the beach to receive his royal master, where he knelt as the king approached; who instantly upraised him, and affectionately embraced his faithful viceroy; and instantly set off in his travelling carriage for his good city of Dublin, accompanied by the Dukes of Berwick, Albemarle, and Tyrconnel.

Sir Patricius Placebo, from the very moment of the announcement of the intended arrival of his much loved sovereign at Kinsale, was constantly on the _qui vive_, considering himself, if not the _locum tenens_, at least the Lord Constable of his vice-regal lord, and spared no pains to make every meet and solemn preparation to receive the right royal Stuart into his loyal city of Dublin.

"Yes, yes, my lady Duchess," observed Sir Patricius Placebo one morning, while at breakfast, "we will indeed receive our king right royally, _more majorum_--ha, ha, ha! _Certes_ we shall, my Lady! with no lack whatever of respect, and albeit with no deficit of heart!--there, in sooth, no failing was ever yet found in an Irishman; although I asseverate it, who, pardie, ought not, my Lady: for

DOSS MOI, TANE STIGMEN!

as indeed the learned, great, and renowned Archimedes said of old. And I will "do a deed"--not "without a name" however; for this moment I shall fly to old Cormac, whom I shall adventure to appoint and depute, in the absence of my superior, as the vice-regal poet laureat. Next I will post to Ulster King at Arms; ay, and shall advise and give him hints and innuendos of far more value and importance than all the gilt tinsel and crimson silk which surround his brow. I shall admonish him, and his tributaries and gallant pursuivants, one and all, decorously to furbish their tabards, and to hire, beg, borrow, or steal stately palfreys, to bear the herald king and suite, to meet and receive their lawful and beloved king upon his honoured entrance into his loyal and ancient city of Eblana, _vulgo dicta_ Dublin. Then will I hie me to the Commander (_pro tempore_) of the Forces, and tell him of the programme which I have planned for the king's _entrè_. And next, noble Lady, returning to this His Majesty's royal Castle, I shall give sage and precautionary hints and instructions to all the state battle-axe guards, state kettle-drums and trumpets, and so forth:--

-------------------------------"trumpeters, With brazen din blast ye the city's ear; Make mingle with our rattling tambourines; That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together, Applauding our approach!"

Ha, ha, ha! I think, my lady Duchess, we shall get on vastly well--vastly well indeed, and not only receive the applause of my vice-regal lord, but perchance that also of my mighty monarch."

The Duchess smiled. "I doubt not," said her Grace, "that all matters shall go on well, _te duce_. But Sir Patricius you are, (it were in vain to deny it,) you are an enthusiast!"

"Well, well, my lady Duchess, I shall not gainsay it. Perchance, your Grace, I am an enthusiast; and after all, my Lady, I do not see, constituted as this cold and phlegmatic planet of ours is, I see, really, after all, no very great harm in this said enthusiasm, if indeed it doth not degenerate into bigotry of politics or religious rancour; and therefore, when my king doth come, my tongue must utter the loyal inditings of my heart."

We must now adventure to describe the triumphant entry of King James into his good city of Dublin. Regiments of foot, stationed in parallel files, lined each side of every street extending from the great gate of Dublin Castle the entire way to Saint James's gate, at the western extremity of St. James's-street, through which the king was to make his _entrè_. That morning all the principal avenues were purposely strewed with fresh gravel, to facilitate the king's approach.

A triumphal arch of living laurel, surmounted by the crown of England, adorned St. James's gate, and the armorial quarterings, richly emblazoned, of England, Scotland, Ireland, and France, were tastefully displayed in the arrangement. Various wreaths, laurel crowns, cordons, and garlands of various living flowers, were suspended across the principal streets through which the royal cavalcade was to pass.--Every window in every avenue was festooned with laurel, oak, and various evergreens, all tastefully contrasted and displayed.--These demonstrations of joy were not confined merely to the city, but extended to all the adjoining villages, towns, and hamlets, for several miles in circuit. The royal flag was hoisted on Bedford Tower, and on the steeples of the different churches. At night the city shone forth in a brilliant blaze of universal illumination, which was vividly reflected in the sparkling and undulating waves of old father Liffey, as he joyously rolled onward to the main.

Various loyal mottoes and devices caught the eye: The harp and crown; "Rejoice, O Erin, for behold thy king cometh unto thee!"

"The king shall have his own again!"

--"Welcome Erin's king!"--"Hibernia hails her noble king!" &c. &c.; with many other mottoes and devices, with which we shall not weary our reader. A large platform was erected without James's gate on the west and county side, on which, under a splendid gonfalon, or canopy, were stationed several friars beneath a large cross, who sang "_Te Deum laudamus_," as King James approached. To the right of the gate, on the city side, was erected a large stage, covered with tapestry, on which were stationed two Irish harpers, in due and proper costume; one of them was no less a person than our old acquaintance, blind Cormac, the sightless harper and minstrel of the Duke of Tyrconnel. Sir Patricius Placebo albeit was fond of comparing the sightless bard to old Tiresias, of prophetic memory, whose ear and recollection nearly supplied the deficiencies of sight.

'Ὀφθαλμῶν μὲν ἄμερσε', &c. &c.

as Sir Patricius was wont to express himself; and then he would say, "Yes, verily, old Cormac doth much resemble, in multiform coincidence and fortune, the wise Tiresias! but then with this sage and discreet difference to boot, that old Cormac will never die the death of old Tiresias, to wit, from drinking cold water! No, no, inasmuch his fond and strong addiction lies in genuine _aqua vitæ_, or the true Drogheda Usquebaugh; so that Cormac will never die from drinking cold water, as he hath "forsworn thin potations," unless, peradventure, he should happen one day or another to be drowned in the Eske or the Liffey, and there can be no doubt then vastly against his choice and determination!"

A shout of universal joy now burst forth: "The King! the King!!" The heavy dragoons came thundering down with an astounding clatter; the trumpets rung a levant, the foot soldiers presented arms; standard, and banner, and pennon, kissed the pavement; while drum, fife, cymbal, French-horn, and trumpet, resounded through the stricken welkin, "God save the King!" The foreign, English, and Scottish nobility, who accompanied the king, were marshalled duly according to their respective rank. And now, amid shouts that rent the air, King James approached. He was mounted on a beautiful long-tailed roan charger, bred in Normandy, which His Majesty right royally and gracefully bestrode; the steed was gorgeously caparisoned; the trappings were of damask gold, bordered and interspersed with the rose, shamrock, thistle, and _fleur de lis_; and fringed withal with a deep pursell of ermine.

From the vast crowd, and the extended length of the pageant, and prolonged procession, King James was obliged to rein up his charger, and to halt. It so did happen that this stoppage occurred just at the stage where the two harpers were stationed to greet, with their native harp and song, the entrance of their king into his capital of the island of poesy and song. They performed several loyal and sprightly airs, which seemed to please the monarch well: among others was

OLD CORMAC'S WELCOME.

All welcome be the royal James, Let all confess his legal claims; While ev'ry loyal heart exclaims, God save the king![36]

From war, dissension, anarchy, Kind heav'n protect this kingdom free! United may it ever be! God save the king!

From exile see the monarch bring The olive round our harp to string! With transport let each patriot sing, God save the king!

Then welcome be the royal James, None shall resist his legal claims; While ev'ry honest heart exclaims, God save the king!

[36] The air of "God save the King" had been a French anthem, and words were appropriated to it, with the chorus of "God save the king," expressly for James the Second. Since which time it has been played and sung as a national anthem.

During this pause the public curiosity had sufficient time for its indulgence by a full view of the royal person. King James looked extremely well; he possessed a manly and animated countenance, illumined by fine penetrating hazel eyes, his eloquent lips, his stately person; his head was enveloped, according to the fashion of the times, in a deep flowing full-dress peruke, surmounted by a large black beaver triangular cocked hat, deeply edged with white ostrich feathers; the peruke descended down freely, even to the richly polished silver corslet[37] which he wore; his neck was adorned with the ribbons and gems of St. George and St. Andrew; and the star of the garter sparkled in diamonds on his breast. His whole deportment was fraught with that attractive grace and commanding elegance of manner and address which he so fully and peculiarly possessed, and which charmed every beholder.

[37] The above description of the person and appearance of King James the Second, is taken from a beautiful oil miniature, painted on copper; it is believed to be from the pencil of Samuel Cooper, when the king was Duke of York. It is in possession of the author.

A number of handsome young women, amounting nearly to the number of fifty, all dressed in white, and with coronals of white roses, now advanced, and preceding the monarch, danced before him the entire way to the gate of Dublin Castle, the Irish dance, called _Rinceadh-Fada_, which delighted the king exceedingly. The same had been performed upon the king's landing at Kinsale, and then too pleased him well, the particulars of which will be found in a succeeding chapter. These young and beautiful nymphs strewed the streets, while they danced along, with _bouquets_ of flowers. The supply for this ceremony was contained in small wicker baskets, which they respectively bore, with much appropriate grace, upon their left arm; and, ever and anon, in sylph-like attitude, they wheeled round and made obeisance to the king; while oft, with the grace of Raphael, the right hand was duly employed in scattering flowers, thus manifesting their unbought homage to majesty. "The rich citizens, to testify their joy upon this occasion, hung their balconies with tapestry and cloth of arras; those who were not so provided displayed silk, or hangings of rich cloth; while the poorer kind were content to sew together the coverings of Turkey-work chairs; while others were obliged to arrange draperies of linen cloth."[38]

[38] Extract from the Life of King James.

At the limits of the Liberty His Majesty was met by the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and common council, the masters, wardens, and brethren of the twenty-five corporations of the city. Ulster King at Arms was in dutiful attendance, accompanied by the Dublin Herald at Arms, the Athlone Pursuivant at Arms, and lastly followed the Cork Herald at Arms. The heralds and pursuivants all mounted upon their grey palfreys, and attired in new and splendid tabards, made expressly for the occasion, and which shone forth in all the blaze of heraldic pomp; while they onward proceeded in accordance to their rank and station. Next onward rode an esquire bearing a royal standard, on which were richly embroidered the initials of

"JACOBUS II. REX."[39]

[39] Life of King James the Second.

The letters were brilliantly surrounded with a garland composed of the rose of England, the shamrock of Erin, the thistle of Caledon, and the lily of France. Next was borne another standard, on which was emblazoned the armorial bearing of the harp, with the motto,

"EX CORDE LÆTUS,"

and encircled with shamrocks. Next, the standard of England waved in the breeze, on which was embroidered the motto,

"NON SIC MILLE COHORTES."[40]

[40] Ibid.

Various other banners and armorial escutcheons were borne in the procession;--namely, the heraldic bearings of England, France, Scotland, and Ireland. Then came on the state trumpeters, no less gorgeously and characteristically attired than their party _per-pale_ cousins at arms, and withal accompanied by the drowsy base of "the Almaine's sullen kettle-drum," which closed the rere of this truly rare and illustrious procession.

So soon as the royal cavalcade had approached the Tholsel, the Recorder of Dublin, Counsellor Dillon, knelt to the king, and presented to him the keys of the city; and loyally and dutifully addressed the king, expressing "the great and unqualified joy of all the loyal citizens of His Majesty's ancient and faithful city of Dublin, to hail their beloved king, and welcome him within their gates; whereby was presented the glorious opportunity of testifying to all the world their untainted loyalty and unshaken affection; and that in defence of their sovereign's throne they were ready and willing to risk, to the uttermost, both their lives and fortunes."[41] The king most graciously and majestically received the keys of the city; and on the instant graciously returned them, while he knighted the Recorder on the spot; saying, with the greatest courtesy and kindness, "I return them to you, Sir Recorder, fully convinced that the keys of my most faithful city of Dublin could not be placed in the custody of honester hearts, or more loyal hands, than those who guard them now." And having thus said, he gracefully bowed, and courteously waved his hand.

[41] Life of King James the Second.

This interesting ceremony and speech having been concluded, the king continued his route to the castle of Dublin, followed by a number of the state-carriages of the nobility, each drawn by six horses; various other vehicles attended--calashes, covered carriages, &c.; these were followed by squadrons of French dragoons. Major Barker, of the Royal Guards, next came onward, clearing the centre of the street, and ordering the troops again to "present arms." Then approached the Grand Prior, (the Duke of Albemarle,) in a coach drawn by six beautiful horses. Next approached several officers of the Guards, mounted on high-mettled chargers, and followed by grooms, each of them adroitly conducting a led horse. Then came on several officers of the army, attended by five trumpets and as many kettle-drums, all arrayed in new state-dresses. Next advanced twenty of the band of gentlemen at large, who were on horseback; they were followed by the messengers, Sergeants at Arms, bearing the maces of the Lords and Commons. Then came on the pursuivants, heralds, and King at Arms.

And now the Duke of Tyrconnel presented himself, mounted on a noble milk-white charger, and martially arrayed in steel armour, highly wrought and polished; the star of the garter glittered on his manly breast; and the magnificent collar, with its splendid and appendant gem, swung from the graceful shoulders of the valiant duke. The Marquis d'Estrades and Lord Drummond were on the right hand of the Duke; the Earl of Melfort and Lord Seaforth supported the left. Then succeeded many troops of dragoons, a numerous list of nobles and gentry, with numerous servants and attendants; a large assemblage of state-carriages of peers, drawn by six horses, some with four, and others with only a pair. Thus was the rear of this princely cavalcade brought up. And the procession was last of all closed by an immense assemblage who rent the air with loud and continued shouts and acclamations of joy.

"In this stately progress King James reached the capital, and made his triumphant entry, followed by a splendid train of French, British, and Irish; and attended by the Count d'Avaux in the character of ambassador of France."[42]

[42] Leland's History of Ireland, vol. III. p. 522.

Meanwhile all the bands of the different regiments joined in playing the then well known air of

"The king shall enjoy his own again!"

When this warlike symphony had ceased the populace with one accord huzzaed, and shouted "God save the King!" They hailed and warmly congratulated His Majesty's arrival at his Castle of Dublin, where, having alighted from his horse, he was met at the portal by the host,[43] which was overshadowed by a gonfalon, or canopy of state, borne by four Roman bishops, and accompanied by a numerous train of friars singing, and attended by other clergy of the same persuasion, along with the titular primate at their head, who wore a triple crown, or tiàra. The king was conducted by them into the chapel-royal, which had been built by the Duke of Tyrconnel,[44] where _Te Deum_ was chanted upon the welcome and happy arrival of His Majesty.

[43] Life of King James.

[44] This is literally true: this chapel was pulled down, and a new one built during the administration of the present Duke of Bedford.

These ceremonies being concluded, His Majesty subsequently retired to the new apartments, which had been recently built and decorated by Tyrconnel, where the king dined.

It having been intimated to the king that upon the following day the triennial perambulation of the liberties and franchises of the city of Dublin was to take place; and His Majesty having been humbly solicited to witness the same, most graciously gave his consent. The riding of the franchises, or "riding the fringes," as popularly called, was in fact a most brilliant and truly imposing public spectacle, not to be equalled, and quite surpassing, every other pageant then or since known in Europe.