nt regiments met with the strongest opposition. “No man of
English blood,” says Macaulay, “then regarded the aboriginal Irish as
his countrymen; the very language spoken by the Irish was different
from their own.” No wonder, therefore, that there was friction, such as
found its full expression in the resignation of their commissions by
the colonel and five captains of the 8th Foot--resignations which were
not accepted, the offenders being tried by court martial and cashiered.
It is curious to note that Churchill, afterwards Duke of Marlborough,
thought the sentence inadequate.

So the army as a whole proved but a rotten reed to the second James.
An increase to the standing army, which all feared, an oppressive
use of the billeting law, and an evident desire to employ martial
law, cost him his crown. So that when the Prince of Orange landed in
Tor Bay there was little active opposition. The Dutch troops won the
admiration of the invaded by their discipline, admirable equipment, and
good behaviour; and so, to the tune of what at the time was a popular
air, “Lillibulero bullen a la,” William marched on through Windsor
to London, and became king. Still there was a considerable number of
men in the ranks who were but lukewarm adherents to the Dutch-born
sovereign, and all Ireland was still openly and avowedly hostile. The
army by this time had been increased by six regiments of horse (now
the 1st to the 6th Dragoon Guards): the 1st Royal Dragoons (brought
on the English Establishment in 1683); the 2nd Dragoons (at first on
the Scotch Establishment in 1681); the 3rd and 4th Light Dragoons (now
Hussars); the 4th to the 14th Regiments of the line; the 15th (on the
Scotch Establishment apparently), and the 16th, which was created,
disbanded and re-formed later. The 18th Regiment had been formed in
Ireland before this, out of a number of independent Irish companies,
and was on the Irish Establishment, but did not receive its numerical
seniority until later.

Peace, with such conflicting elements as Irish Romani