ween him and the highest nobles had produced
evil consequences. When a boy he had been invited to put on his hat in
the presence chamber, while Howards and Seymours stood uncovered round
him. When foreign princes died, he had mourned for them in the long
purple cloak, which no other subject, except the Duke of York and Prince
Rupert, was permitted to wear. It was natural that these things should
lead him to regard himself as a legitimate prince of the House of
Stuart. Charles, even at a ripe age, was devoted to his pleasures and
regardless of his dignity. It could hardly be thought incredible that he
should at twenty have secretly gone through the form of espousing a lady
whose beauty had fascinated him. While Monmouth was still a child, and
while the Duke of York still passed for a Protestant, it was rumoured
throughout the country, and even in circles which ought to have been
well informed, that the King had made Lucy Walters his wife, and that,
if every one had his right, her son would be Prince of Wales. Much
was said of a certain black box which, according to the vulgar belief,
contained the contract of marriage. When Monmouth had returned from the
Low Countries with a high character for valour and conduct, and when the
Duke of York was known to be a member of a church detested by the great
majority of the nation, this idle story became important. For it
there was not the slightest evidence. Against it there was the solemn
asseveration of the King, made before his Council, and by his order
communicated to his people. But the multitude, always fond of romantic
adventures, drank in eagerly the tale of the secret espousals and the
black box. Some chiefs of the opposition acted on this occasion as they
acted with respect to the more odious fables of Oates, and countenanced
a story which they must have despised. The interest which the populace
took in him whom they regarded as the champion of the true religion, and
the rightful heir of the British throne, was kept up by every artifice.
When Monmouth arrived in London at midnight, the watchmen were ordered
by the magistrates to proclaim the joyful event through the streets of
the City: the people left their beds: bonfires were lighted: the windows
were illuminated: the churches were opened; and a merry peal rose from
all the steeples. When he travelled, he was everywhere received with not
less pomp, and with far more enthusiasm, than had been displayed when
Kings had made