There must be a Saint Bartholomew.

A pretext would easily be found.

No doubt, when Schomberg was known to be in Ireland, there would be some excitement in those southern towns of which the population was chiefly English.

Any disturbance, wherever it might take place, would furnish an excuse for a general massacre of the Protestants of Leinster, Munster, and Connaught, [429] As the King did not at first express any horror at this suggestion, [430] the Envoy, a few days later, renewed the subject, and pressed His Majesty to give the necessary orders.

Then James, with a warmth which did him honour, declared that nothing should induce him to commit such a crime.