On the eighth of January Dykvelt and Witsen made their appearance at Westminster.

William talked to them with a frankness and an effusion of heart which seldom appeared in his conversations with Englishmen.

His first words were, "Well, and what do our friends at home say now ?" In truth, the only applause by which his stoical nature seems to have been strongly moved was the applause of his dear native country.

Of his immense popularity in England he spoke with cold disdain, and predicted, too truly, the reaction which followed.
"Here," said he, "the cry is all Hosannah today, and will, perhaps, be Crucify him tomorrow." [627] On the following day the first members of the Convention were chosen.
The City of London led the way, and elected, without any contest, four great merchants who were zealous Whigs.

The King and his adherents had hoped that many returning officers would treat the Prince's letter as a nullity; but the hope was disappointed.