ANECDOTE OF ONE OF THE DUKE'S FOLLOWERS. 111

From the stormy region of politics, De Foe now diverted his attention to the more peaceful occupation of trade. The nature of his business has been variously represented in

in the Green Dragon Inn, then the principal one in the town; where, being pursued by the soldiers, the daughter of the landlord, a fine spirited, clearheaded girl, perceiving his dilemma, took him up stairs, and with great promptitude as well as presence of mind, concealed him between the feather bed and the sacking of the bedstead, adjusting the bed-clothes with great order and adroitness. The men entered the room, searched the closets, looked under the bedstead, and departed. Still persuaded that he was in the house, they returned and made a second search, but owing to the lady's management, with no better success than before. That so remarkable a preservation should excite in the object of it feelings of gratitude and admiration towards his fair deliverer, is not at all surprising; and ripening by degrees into a more tender passion, when the times became somewhat settled, he made her his wife. Her name was Elizabeth Grey or Gray. It was not very long after this event, that they had an opportunity of giving a fresh testimony of their zeal in the cause of liberty. Coaxden was surrounded by rookeries, and a grove of trees conducted from the Chard road to the house. When they had notice of the Prince of Orange's arrival, they caused tables to be placed in the avenues, and had them well covered with provisions for the entertainment of the Prince and his army, who were

to pass that way in their march from Exeter to Crewkerne. This Richard

Cogan had a numerous family of daughters; and it may be mentioned as a mark of the simplicity of the times, that, although his own estate was considerable, yet, unable to give large fortunes with so many, and at the same time to cut off any expectations of the kind from their suitors, he had the tiling removed from his house, and replaced it with thatch, the former then denoting a degree of wealth in the owner which, upon their account, it was not desirable for the public to suppose.

Of the parents of Richard Cogan, an anecdote still more remarkable is handed down by the family. They were originally from Ireland, where they possessed good property, which was much injured in the wars of Charles I. Upon the Irish massacre, they took refuge in England, and with the wreck of their fortune purchased Coaxden and Lodge, two estates situated between Chard and Axminster, the former of which is still possessed by one of their descendants. Here they were seated at the time of the battle of Worcester, when the royalists being entirely defeated, Prince Charles, afterwards King Charles II., escaped in disguise, and for some weeks eluded his pursuers, until he found means to depart the country. Having gone to Lyme for that purpose, the people, who were mostly disaffected to him, soon got scent of it, which obliged him to make a hasty retreat. Closely pursued on all sides, he took refuge at Coaxden, and entering the parlour

112

ANECDOTE OF PRINCE CHARLES.

several publications of the time, he is styled "a hosier”; but if we may believe his own account he never was a hosier. The truth of the matter seems to be that he was a hose-factor, or the middle man between the manufacturer and the retail dealer. This agency concern he carried on for some years in Freeman's Court, Cornhill; Mr. Chalmers says, from 1685 to 1695. When he had been in business about two years, he judged it expedient to link himself more closely with his fellow-citizens, and was admitted a liveryman of London upon the 26th of January, 1687-8, having claimed his free

where Mrs. Cogan was sitting alone, threw himself upon her protection. It was then the fashion, as it was long afterwards, for ladies to wear large hoops; and as no time was to be lost, the soldiers being at his heels, she hastily concealed him under this capacious article of her dress. Mrs. Cogan was in her affections a loyalist, but her husband belonged to the opposite party, and was then out upon his estate. Observing the approach of the soldiers, he made towards his house, and entering with them, they all walked into the room where the lady was sitting. Affecting surprise at the intrusion, the men immediately announced their business, stating that Prince Charles had been traced very near to the house, and as he must be concealed upon the premises, they were authorized to make a strict search for him. Assenting with apparent readiness to their object, Mrs. Cogan kept her seat, whilst her husband accompanied the men into every room; and having searched the premises in vain, they took their departure, Mr. Cogan going out with them. Being now released from their singular and perilous situation, the lady provided for the security of the fugitive, until it was prudent for him to depart; and having furnished him with provisions and a change of apparel, he proceeded on his journey to Trent, and from thence to Brighthelmstone, then a poor fishing town, from whence he embarked for France. Clarendon, who has given an interesting narrative of his peregrinations, has omitted the above adventure, but it is well authenticated. After he had reached the continent, Charles rewarded the lady's fidelity by sending her a handsome gold chain and locket, having his arms on the reverse. relic was long preserved in the family, until the last possessor unfortunately exchanged it away for plate with a jew at Exeter. Repenting of this step, an attempt was made a few days afterwards to recover it back again, but it was then too late; the purchaser having reported, whether truly or other wise, that he had melted it down for the gold. The chain was long and massy, and is within the recollection of some of the family.

Life before the Hist. of the Union.

This

DE FOE'S ENGAGEMENT IN TRADE.

113

dom by birth. In the chamberlain's book, his name was written Daniel Foe. Mr. Chalmers, to whom the public is indebted for the knowledge of these facts, says, "I was led to these discoveries by observing that De Foe had voted at an election for a representative of London, whence I inferred that he must have been a citizen either by birth or service."* In his Review for July 21, 1711, he mentions his having been born a freeman, and says, he had been nearly thirty years a liveryman of the city.

VOL. I.

Life of De Foe, p. 6, n.

CHAPTER VIII.

De Foe embarks in the Controversy upon the Dispensing Power.-Advances of the Catholic Religion.-Anecdote of the Earl of Perth.-Reflections upon the Rivalry of Sects.-Fashionable Doctrines of the Times.-The Clergy abettors of Tyranny.-Locke's Account of their Politics.-De Foe's Testimony.-Bishop Cartwright's Politics.-Altered Tone of Parliament.-Anecdote of Colonel Fox.-The King governs by his Prerogative.-Pliancy of the Judges.-Exercise of the Dispensing Power.— Discussion of Controversial Subjects in the Pulpit prohibited.—Disregarded by the Clergy.-Their Inconsistency.-Kettlewell a Passive-preacher.— Ecclesiastical Commission.-University of Oxford practises Resistance.— The King declares for Universal Toleration.-Issues a Declaration of Indulgence.-De Foe's Reflections upon it.-Use made of it by the Catholics. And the Dissenters.—Addresses promoted.-Sentiments of Kettlewell and others upon the Toleration.—Publications upon the Dispensing Power.-De Foe writes upon it.- Distinctions of Tyranny.—Commanding Attitude of Dissenters.-De Foe's Remarks upon it.-And upon their Forbearance. And their Short-sighted Policy.—Their Moderation exemplified in the case of Jeremiah White. They are courted by Churchmen.- Who make an ungrateful Return.-The Clergy become Advocates for Resistance.-Causes of it explained.-De Foe reprobates their Dishonesty. New Test of Church of England Loyalty.-The King renews his Declaration, and orders it to be read in the Churches.-Opposed by the Clergy.-James forewarned of their Resistance.-The Bishops petition the King.―Their curious Interview.-Committed to the Tower.Reflections upon that Proceeding.-Sensation produced by it.-Good Conduct of the Bishops.-Tried and Acquitted.-Expressions of Joy upon the occasion.-James grows Sullen and Exasperated.-Reflections upon his Conduct.

1685-1688.

IN the feverish state of the nation at this time, the mind of De Foe was of too active a nature to be chained down to the quiet pursuits of trade; and he felt too keenly for the

ADVANCES OF THE CATHOLIC RELIGION.

115 liberties of his country to allow of his remaining neuter upon a subject that occupied so large a portion of the public attention. He accordingly wrote upon the dispensing power at a time when all minds were engaged upon it; but in order to render the subject intelligible, it will be necessary to look into the conduct of the king, and of the different parties that were affected.

The removal of a dangerous rival by the death of Monmouth, and the success of his troops in putting down the rebellion, had so elated the king, that he immediately dropped the mask, and ventured upon those arbitrary measures which, if they had been pursued with less precipitancy, might have been attended with better success. His first scheme was to raise some new regiments; and he gave commissions to Popish officers, dispensing with the tests. The justice of these acts, as they affected the Catholics, was also called in question; and the king declared openly that he would be served by none but those who would vote for their repeal in the next session of parliament. By way of example, the Marquis of Halifax, for avowing his opposition, was removed from office; many Protestant officers were also deprived of their commissions; and the spirit of religious bigotry pervaded every measure of the government. Animated by a zeal untempered by discretion, the king pushed forward his favorite project in a manner too barefaced to be mistaken. Shoals of Catholic priests were imported from foreign countries; mass-houses were erected, seminaries instituted, and they were frequented by a numerous host of courtly or superstitious proselytes. (D) As a further demonstration of his intentions, a Popish bishop was consecrated in his own chapel at Windsor; laymen of the same religion

(D) Amongst the converts to the royal religion was the Earl of Perth, who having reason to fear the displeasure of the court, by the discovery of some intrigues, the Marquis of Halifax smartly told him he had nothing to fear, for "his faith would make him whole." Burnet, ii. 341.