Last April I was to be hanged.

This April I am to have a free pardon.

I cannot imagine what I have done during the past year to deserve such goodness." The general opinion was that a snare was hidden under this unwonted clemency, this unwonted respect for law.

The Declaration, it was said, was excellent; and so was the Coronation oath.

Every body knew how King James had observed his Coronation oath; and every body might guess how he would observe his Declaration.