--The Test Act introduced.--Agitation
of the nation.--The Duke of York marries again.--Lord
Shaftesbury's schemes.--The Duke of Monmouth.--William of Orange
and the Princess Mary.--Their marriage and departure from
England.
Whilst the surface life of the merry monarch sped onward in its
careless course, watchful eyes took heed of potent signs boding
storms and strife. The storm which shook the kingdom to its
centre came anon; the strife which dethroned a monarch was
reserved for the succeeding reign. These were not effected by
the king's profligacy, indolence, or extravagance, but because of
a change in the religious belief of the heir-apparent to the
crown.
The cloud, no bigger than a man's hand, which presently spread
and overcast the political horizon, was first observed towards
the beginning of the year 1669. The Rev. J. S. Clarke,
historiographer to George III., chaplain to the royal household,
and librarian to the Prince Regent, in his "Life of James II.,
collected out of Memoirs writ of his own hand," tells us that
about this time the Duke of York "was sensibly touched in his
conscience, and began to think seriously of his salvation."
Accordingly, the historian states, "he sent for one Father
Simons, a Jesuit, who had the reputation of a very learned man,
to discourse with him upon that subject; and when he came, he
told him the good intentions he had of being a catholic, and
treated with him concerning his being reconciled to the church.
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