one of the sheriffs, who of the
two was thought the least inclined to his service, that he would dine
with him. He departed the hall without receiving the applause which he
expected. In passing through the streets, he heard the cry, "Privilege
of parliament! privilege of parliament!" resounding from all quarters.
One of the populace, more insolent than the rest drew nigh to his coach,
and called out with a loud voice, "To your tents, O Israel!" the words
employed by the mutinous Israelites when they abandoned Rehoboam, their
rash and ill-counselled sovereign,[*]

When the house of commons met, they affected the greatest dismay; and
adjourning themselves for some days, ordered a committee to sit in
Merchant Tailors Hall in the city. The committee made an exact inquiry
into all circumstances attending the king's entry into the house: every
passionate speech, every menacing gesture of any, even the meanest of
his attendants, was recorded and aggravated. An intention of offering
violence to the parliament, of seizing the accused members in the very
house, and of murdering all who should make resistance, was inferred.
And that unparalleled breach of privilege--so it was called--was still
ascribed to the counsel of Papists and their adherents. This expression,
which then recurred every moment in speeches and memorials, and which at
present is so apt to excite laughter in the reader, begat at that time
the deepest and most real consternation throughout the kingdom.

A letter was pretended to be intercepted, and was communicated to the
committee, who pretended to lay great stress upon it. One Catholic there
congratulates another on the accusation of the members; and represents
that incident as a branch of the same pious contrivance which had
excited the Irish insurrection, and by which the profane heretics would
soon be exterminated in England.[**]

* Rush. vol. v. p. 479. Clarendon, vol. ii. p. 301.

** Nalson, vol. ii. p. 836.

The house again met; and, after confirming the votes of their committee,
instantly adjourned, as if exposed to the most imminent perils from the
violence of their enemies. This practice they continued for some
time. When the people, by these affected panics, were wrought up to a
sufficient degree of rage and terror, it was thought proper that the
accused members should, with a triumphant and military procession, take
their seats in the house. The river was covered with boats and other
ve