Thousands of those Protestants who were the most industrious and intelligent part of the population had emigrated to England.

Thousands had taken refuge in the places which still held out for William and Mary.

Of the Roman Catholic peasantry who were in the vigour of life the majority had enlisted in the army or had joined gangs of plunderers.

The poverty of the treasury was the necessary effect of the poverty of the country: public prosperity could be restored only by the restoration of private prosperity; and private prosperity could be restored only by years of peace and security.

James was absurd enough to imagine that there was a more speedy and efficacious remedy.