The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

JOHN EVELYN

loth June, 1688. A YOUNG PRINCE born, which will cause
disputes.

About two o'clock, we heard the Tower ordnance dis-
charged, and the bells ring for the birth of a Prince of
Wales. This was very surprising, it having been univer-
sally given out that her Majesty did not look till the next
month.

13th June, 1688. I went to the Tower to see the
Bishops, visited the Archbishop and the Bishops of Ely, St.
Asaph, and Batli and Wells.

i4th June, 1688. Dined with the Lord Chancellor.

15th June, 1688. Being the first day of term, the
Bishops were brought to Westminster on habeas corpus,
when the indictment was read, and they were called on to
plead; their counsel objected that the warrant was illegal;
but, after long debate, it was overruled, and they pleaded.
The Court then offered to take bail for their appearance;
but this they refused, and at last were dismissed on their
own recognizances to appear that day fortnight; the
Archbishop in ^200, the Bishops in ^100 each.

17 June, 1688. Was a day of thanksgiving in London
and ten miles about for the young Prince's birth; a form
of prayer made for the purpose by the Bishop of
Rochester.

29th June, 1688. They appeared; the trial lasted from
nine in the morning to past six in the evening, when the
jury retired to consider of their verdict, and the-,Court
adjourned to nine the next morning. The jury were
locked up till that time, eleven of them being for an ac-
quittal; but one (Arnold, a brewer) would not consent.
At length he agreed with the others. The Chief Justice,
Wright, behaved with great moderation and civility to the
Bishops. Alibone, a Papist, was strongly against them;
but Holloway and Powell being of opinion in their favor,
they were acquitted. When this was heard, there was
great rejoicing; and there was a lane of people from the
King's Bench to the water side, on their knees, as the
Bishops passed and repassed, to beg their blessing. Bon-
fires were made that night, and bells rung, which was
taken very ill at Court, and an appearance of nearly sixty
Earls and Lords, etc., on the bench, did not a little com-
fort them; but indeed they were all along full of comfort
and cheerful.ees begging their blessing, and praying for