A REVENGE is the usual sequel of revolution, it
seemed likely and even natural that, once William
had displaced James, punishment would be meted out
to those who had shared in the misdeeds of the Stuarts,
particularly as there was the recent precedent of the
Restoration, when vindictiveness had been shown to
both the living and the dead. " Nothing washes away
blood but blood " was the expressed opinion of those
who wished to repeat the discreditable orgies which
had accompanied the reinstatement of Charles II.
But--and here is the most significant thing in the
Revolution--there was no bloodshed in England, nor
did anyone suffer more than a short term of imprison-
ment for his share in Stuart rule. This was unique.
It can be attributed to the initiative of William himself.
When it appeared that the Convention Parliament was
concerning itself mainly with revenge, he dissolved it
( 6th February, 1690), and in the succeeding parliament
he took upon himself the introduction into the legisla-

-45-