Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

age," says Bishop King, "can parallel so dreadful a
catastrophe among all ages and sexes, as if the clay
of doom was come, every one lamenting their
condition, and almost all that could abandoning the
kingdom."[2] Animated by a furious zeal,
Tyrconnel hastened to the coast, eager to cross the
channel, and enter on his work of overthrow in
Ireland. But the winds were contrary. The
Protestants accounted them merciful winds, for
while Tyrconnel was chafing and fuming at the
delay, the Earl of Clarendon, who meanwhile held
the Lord Lieutenancy, was arranging affairs, and
providing, so far as he could, for the safety of the
Protestants in prospect of the tempest which all
saw was sure to burst as soon as Tyrconnel had set
foot in Ireland.[3]
Arrived at last, Clarendon put the sword of
state into the hand of Tyrconnel, who lost not a
moment in beginning the work for which he had
been so eager to grasp that symbol of power. The
first change effected was in the important
department of justice. The Protestant judges were
mostly dismissed, and the weakest and most
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