Some horses had perished: but this loss the Prince with great expedition repaired; and, before the London Gazette had spread the news of his mishap, he was again ready to sail.

[497] His Declaration preceded him only by a few hours.

On the first of November it began to be mentioned in mysterious whispers by the politicians of London, was passed secretly from man to man, and was slipped into the boxes of the post office.

One of the agents was arrested, and the packets of which he was in charge were carried to Whitehall.

The King read, and was greatly troubled.