Page:Studies in Irish History, 1649-1775 (1903).djvu/166

James II towards Ireland in that age, and probably not without its influence on the subsequent course of Irish history, must, however, be described. In the summer of 1688 James learnt that his son-in-law was contemplating a hostile descent upon his shores. Justly distrusting the fidelity of his English soldiers, and eager for the assistance of troops in whom implicit confidence could be placed, yet unwilling, even in that extremity, to look for protection to foreigners rather than to his own subjects, the King immediately caused a body of three thousand picked men to be sent from Ireland to his assistance, and even attempted to introduce some Irish soldiers into English regiments. "This," says a Williamite writer, "was the single action that conduced most to the preservation of these kingdoms, all other things were but subservient thereunto, or at most concurrent with it; for, whilst other grievances did but disoblige a certain number, or a party, the bringing in of the Irish alarmed everybody." From the moment of their arrival the popular indignation was loudly and widely expressed, and before the close of the year it was inflamed to madness by a skilful and unscrupulous agent. On the evening of the 9th of December a rumour was simultaneously started in London and in the most important provincial towns and spread with 154