e King of England, as he had ever been, stupid and perverse: but even
the counsel of the politic King of France was turned into foolishness.
Whatever wisdom and energy could do William did. Those obstacles
which no wisdom or energy could have overcome his enemies themselves
studiously removed.

On the great day on which the Bishops were acquitted, and on which the
invitation was despatched to the Hague, James returned from Hounslow
to Westminster in a gloomy and agitated mood. He made an effort that
afternoon to appear cheerful: [428] but the bonfires, the rockets, and
above all the waxen Popes who were blazing in every quarter of London,
were not likely to soothe him. Those who saw him on the morrow could
easily read in his face and demeanour the violent emotions which
agitated his mind. [429] During some days he appeared so unwilling to
talk about the trial that even Barillon could not venture to introduce
the subject. [430]

Soon it began to be clear that defeat and mortification had only
hardened the King's heart. The first words which he uttered when he
learned that the objects of his revenge had escaped him were, "So much
the worse for them." In a few days these words, which he, according
to his fashion, repeated many times, were fully explained. He blamed
himself; not for having prosecuted the Bishops, but for having
prosecuted them before a tribunal where questions of fact were decided
by juries, and where established principles of law could not be utterly
disregarded even by the most servile Judges. This error he determined to
repair. Not only the seven prelates who had signed the petition, but the
whole Anglican clergy, should have reason to curse the day on which they
had triumphed over their Sovereign. Within a fortnight after the
trial an order was made, enjoining all Chancellors of dioceses and all
Archdeacons to make a strict inquisition throughout their respective
jurisdictions, and to report to the High Commission, within five weeks,
the names of all such rectors, vicars, and curates as had omitted to
read the Declaration. [431] The King anticipated with delight the terror
with which the offenders would learn that they were to be cited before a
court which would give them no quarter. [432] The number of culprits was
little, if at all, short of ten thousand: and, after what had passed
at Magdalene College, every one of them might reasonably expect to be
interdicted from all his spiritual functions, ejec