James II
number of the northern boroughs, which were in the hands of the insurgents, sending no representatives.75 The University of Dublin, which appears to have retained its essentially Protestant character in spite of the alleged encroachments of the government, was represented by Sir John Mead and Mr. Joseph Coghlan, both zealous partisans of the Protestant interest, who are said to have taken their seats with great reluctance, "as thinking it scandalous to be in so ill company." They carried on an active opposition to the repeal of the Act of Settlement, "but withdrew before the Act of Attainder came to be concluded, not enduring to be present at the passing of that and some other barbarous Acts, against which they found their votes signified nothing while they staid. There were four more Protestants returned, of whose behaviour (says King) I can give no account, or how they came to be returned. The generality of the Houses consisted of the sons and descendants of the forfeiting persons of 1641."76 Of the House of Commons thus constituted Sir Richard Nagle, Attorney-General and member for the county of Cork, was elected Speaker.77
After a speech from the throne, in which James expressed his gratitude for the "exemplary loyalty" which the Irish nation had dis-
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