late Tory administration had strengthened, rather than injured, their
cause. Mobs were gathered together on the slightest possible pretext;
and these tumultuous assemblages, while committing the most outrageous
excesses, loudly proclaimed their hatred to the house of Hanover, and
their determination to cut off the Protestant succession. The
proceedings of this faction were narrowly watched by a vigilant and
sagacious administration. The government was not deceived (indeed, every
opportunity was sought by the Jacobites of parading their numbers,) as
to the force of its enemies; and precautionary measures were taken to
defeat their designs. On the very day of which we write, namely, the
10th of June 1715, Bolingbroke and Oxford were impeached of high
treason. The Committee of Secrecy--that English Council of Ten--were
sitting, with Walpole at their head; and the most extraordinary
discoveries were reported to be made. On the same day, moreover, which,
by a curious coincidence, was the birthday of the Chevalier de Saint
George, mobs were collected together in the streets, and the health of
that prince was publicly drunk under the title of James the Third;
while, in many country towns, the bells were rung, and rejoicings held,
as if for a reigning monarch:--the cry of the populace almost
universally being, "No King George, but a Stuart!"

The adherents of the Chevalier de Saint George, we have said, were
lavish in promises to their proselytes. Posts were offered to all who
chose to accept them. Blank commissions, signed by the prince, to be
filled up by the name of the person, who could raise a troop for his
service, were liberally bestowed. Amongst others, Mr. Kneebone, whose
interest was not inconsiderable with the leaders of his faction,
obtained an appointment as captain in a regiment of infantry, on the
conditions above specified. With a view to raise recruits for his corps,
the warlike woollen-draper started for Lancashire, under the colour of a