Note 34 — PREFACE.

When James, after his flight from the battle of the Boyne, arrived in Dublin, he had the ingratitude and ungraciousness to reflect upon the cowardice of the Irish. He reached the Castle late at night, and was met at its gates by the Lady Lieutenant, the beautiful Duchess of Tirconnel, “La belle Jennings” of Grammont’s Memoirs. In return for the sympathizing respect which marked her reception, the King is said to have sarcastically complimented her upon the “alertness of her husband’s countrymen.” The high-spirited beauty replied, “In that, however, your Majesty has had the advantage of them all.” The King, in fact, was among the first to arrive in the capital with the news of his own defeat.