and now held in trust for the support of the good cause; and, further, that the collections are still going on with rapidity and success.  From his most Catholic Majesty we have received an order upon the minister for the sum of four thousand louis, which has been duly honoured, and from our blessed father, the Pope, an order for five hundred thousand paolis, amounting to about thirteen thousand pounds in sterling money, together with entire absolution for all sins already committed, and about to be committed, and a secure promise of paradise to those who fall in the maintenance of the true faith and the legitimate king.  I have, further, great expectations from Ireland, and many promises from other quarters, in support of the cause which, with the blessing of God, I trust will yet triumph,”

As soon as Lovell sat down, Collier, the ecclesiastic, rose.

“That we shall find plenty of willing swords, and a sufficient supply of money for our purposes, there can be no doubt; but I wish to propose one question to the company here assembled.  It is an undoubted article of the true faith, that we are bound to uphold it by any and by every means.  All human attempts are justifiable in the service of God.  Many have already been made to get rid of the usurper, but they have not been crowned with success, as we too well know; and the blood of our friends, many of whom were not accessories to the act, has been lavishly spilt by the insatiate heretic.

“But they have, before this, received immortal crowns, in suffering as martyrs in the cause of religion and justice.  I still hold that our attempts to cut off the usurper should be continued; some hand more fortunate may succeed.  But not only is his life to be taken, if possible, but the succession must be cut off root and branch.  You all know that, of the many children born to the heretic William, all but one have been taken away from him in judgment for his manifold crimes.  One only remains, the present Duke of Gloucester, and I do consider that this branch of heresy should be removed, even in preference to his parent, whose conduct is such as to assist our cause, and whose death may weaken the animosity of his Catholic Majesty, whose hostility is well known to be personal.  I have neither men nor money to offer to you, but I have means, I trust, soon to accomplish this point, and I dedicate my useless life to the attempt.”

It would occupy too much of our pages, if we were to narrate all that was said and done at this conference, which we have been obliged to report, as intimately connected with our history.  Many others addressed the meeting, proposals were made, rejected, and acceded to.  Lists of adherents were produced, and of those who might be gained over.  Resolutions were entered into and recorded, and questions debated.  Before the breaking up, the accounts of the sums expended, and the monies still on hand, were brought forward; and in the former items, the name of Vanslyperken appeared rather prominent.  As soon as the accounts were audited, the conference broke up.