Heinsius. He had hoped to be in England early in October. But
adverse winds detained him three weeks at the Hague. At length,
in the afternoon of the fourth of November, it was known in
London that he had landed early that morning at Margate. Great
preparations were made for welcoming him to his capital on the
following day, the thirteenth anniversary of his landing in
Devonshire. But a journey across the bridge, and along Cornhill
and Cheapside, Fleet Street, and the Strand, would have been too
great an effort for his enfeebled frame. He accordingly slept at
Greenwich, and thence proceeded to Hampton Court without entering
London. His return was, however, celebrated by the populace with
every sign of joy and attachment. The bonfires blazed, and the
gunpowder roared, all night. In every parish from Mile End to
Saint James's was to be seen enthroned on the shoulders of stout
Protestant porters a pope, gorgeous in robes of tinsel and triple
crown of pasteboard; and close to the ear of His Holiness stood a
devil with horns, cloven hoof, and a snaky tail.

Even in his country house the king could find no refuge from the
importunate loyalty of his people. Reputations from cities,
counties, universities, besieged him all day. He was, he wrote to
Heinsius, quite exhausted by the labour of hearing harangues and
returning answers. The whole kingdom meanwhile was looking
anxiously towards Hampton Court. Most of the ministers were
assembled there. The most eminent men of the party which was out
of power had repaired thither, to pay their duty to their
sovereign, and to congratulate him on his safe return. It was
remarked that Somers and Halifax, so malignantly persecuted a few
months ago by the House of Commons, were received with such marks
of esteem and kindness as William was little in the habit of