The spirit of disaffection was busy throughout the kingdom.

It was on the eve of that memorable rebellion which broke forth, two months later, in Scotland.

Since the accession of George the First to the throne in the preceding year, every effort had been made by the partisans of the Stuarts to shake the credit of the existing government, and to gain supporters to their cause.

Disappointed in their hopes of the restoration of the fallen dynasty after the death of Anne, the adherents of the Chevalier de Saint George endeavoured, by sowing the seeds of dissension far and wide, to produce a general insurrection in his favour.

No means were neglected to accomplish this end.