But he announced another design which he was fully determined not to give up.

Since he was still to remain at the head of the English administration, he would go himself to Ireland.

He would try whether the whole royal authority strenuously exerted on the spot where the fate of the empire was to be decided, would suffice to prevent peculation and to maintain discipline, [562] That he had seriously meditated a retreat to Holland long continued to be a secret, not only to the multitude, but even to the Queen, [563] That he had resolved to take the command of his army in Ireland was soon rumoured all over London.

It was known that his camp furniture was making, and that Sir Christopher Wren was busied in constructing a house of wood which was to travel about, packed in two waggons, and to be set up wherever His Majesty might fix his quarters, [564] The Whigs raised a violent outcry against the whole scheme.

Not knowing, or affecting not to know, that it had been formed by William and by William alone, and that none of his ministers had dared to advise him to encounter the Irish swords and the Irish atmosphere, the whole party confidently affirmed that it had been suggested by some traitor in the cabinet, by some Tory who hated the Revolution and all that had sprung from the Revolution.