But though Russel was no more, there were not CHAPTER

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wanting, either in the provinces through which 1685.

himself King.

the Duke passed, or in other parts of the king- He declares dom, many noble and wealthy families, who were attached to the principles of the Whigs. To account for their neutrality, and, if possible, to persuade them to a different conduct, was naturally among his principal concerns. Their present coldness might be imputed to the indistinctness of his declarations, with respect to what was intended to be the future government. Men zealous for monarchy, might not choose to embark without some certain pledge that their favourite form should be preserved. They would also expect to be satisfied with respect to the person whom their arms, if successful, were to place upon the throne. To promise, therefore, the continuance of a monarchial establishment, and to designate the future monarch, seemed to be necessary for the purpose of acquiring aristocratical support. Whatever might be the intrinsick weight of this argument, it easily made its way with Monmouth in his present situation. The aspiring temof mind which is the natural consequence of per popular favour and success, produced in him a disposition to listen to any suggestion which tended to his elevation and aggrandisement; and when he

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1685.

CHAPTER could persuade himself upon reasons specious at least, that the measures which would most gratify his aspiring desires, would be, at the same time, a stroke of the soundest policy, it is not to be wondered at, that it was immediately and impatiently. adopted. Urged therefore, by these mixed motives, he declared himself King, and issued divers proclamations in the royal style; assigning to those whose approbation he doubted, the reasons above adverted to, and proscribing, and threatening with the punishment due to rebellion, such as should resist his mandates, and adhere to the usurping Duke

Dissatisfac

tion which it occasions.

of York.

If this measure was in reality taken with views of policy, those views were miserably disappointed; for it does not appear that one proselyte was gained. The threats in the proclamation were received with derision by the King's army, and no other sentiments were excited by the assumption of the royal title, than those of contempt and indignation. The commonwealthsmen were dissatisfied, of course, with the principle of the measure: the favourers of hereditary right held it in abhorrence, and considered

as a kind of sacrilegious profanation; nor even among those who considered monarchy in a more rational light, and as a magistracy instituted for the

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1685.

good of the people, could it be at all agreeable that CHAPTER such a magistrate should be elected by the army that had thronged to his standard, or by the particular partiality of a provincial town. Monmouth's strength therefore, was by no means increased by his new title, and seemed to be still limited to two descriptions of persons; first, those who from thoughtlessness or desperation, were willing to join in any attempt at innovation; secondly, such as directing their views to a single point, considered the destruction of James's tyranny as the object which, at all hazards, and without regard to consequences, they were bound to pursue. On the other hand, his reputation both for moderation and good faith was considerably impaired, inasmuch, as his present conduct was in direct contradiction to that part of his Declaration, wherein he had promised to leave the future adjustment of government, and especially the consideration of his own claims, to a free and independent parliament.

Taunton.

The notion of improving his new levies by Delay at discipline, seems to have taken such possession of Monmouth's mind, that he overlooked the probable, or rather the certain consequences of a delay, by which the enemy would be enabled to bring into the field, forces far better disciplined and appointed

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1685.

CHAPTER than any which, even with the most strenuous and successful exertions, he could hope to oppose to them. Upon this principle, and especially as he had not yet fixed upon any definite object of enterprize, he did not think a stay of a few days at Taunton would be materially, if at all prejudicial to his affairs, and it was not till the twenty-first of June that he proceeded to Bridgewater, where he was received in the most cordial manner. In his march the following day from that town to Glastonbury, he was alarmed by a party of the Earl of Oxford's horse; but all apprehensions of any material interruptions were removed, by an account of the militia having left Wells, and retreated to Bath and Bristol. From Glastonbury he went to Shipton-Mallet, where the project of an attack upon Bristol was first communicated by the Duke to his officers. After some discussion, it was agreed that the attack should be made on the Gloucestershire side of the city, and with that view, to pass the Avon at Keynshambridge, a few miles from Bath. In their march from Shipton-Mallet, the troops were again harassed in their rear by a party of horse and dragoons, but lodged quietly at night at a village called Pensford. A detachment was sent early the next morning to possess itself of Keynsham, and to repair the bridge,

Design to attack Bristol.

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1685.

which might probably be broken down, to prevent CHAPTER a passage. Upon their approach, a troop of the Gloucestershire horse militia immediately abandoned the town in great precipitation, leaving behind them two horses and one man. By break of day, the bridge, which had not been much injured, was repaired, and before noon Monmouth, having passed it with his whole army, was in full march to Bristol, which he determined to attack the ensuing night. But the weather proving rainy and bad, it was deemed expedient to return to Keynsham, a measure from which he expected to reap a double advantage; to procure dry and commodious quarters for the soldiery, and to lull the enemy, by a movement which bore the semblance of a retreat, into a false and delusive security. The event however did not answer his expectation, for the troops had scarcely taken up their quarters, when they were disturbed by two parties of horse, who entered the town at two several places. An engagement ensued, in which Monmouth lost fourteen men, and a captain of horse, though in the end the Royalists were obliged to retire, leaving three prisoners. From these the Duke had information that the King's army was near at hand, and as they said, about four thousand strong.

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