[740] _Mémoires pour les Diocèses de Genève_, &c. par le curé Besson, p. 62. [741] Council Registers of 21st May, 2nd and 22nd June.—Froment, _Gestes de Genève_, p. 62.—Gautier MS. [742] Council Registers of 22nd May, 1533. [743] 'Permettre à chacun de suivre les mouvements de sa conscience, en telle sorte que personne ne soit contraint.'—Council Registers, 27th May. [744] 'Que chacun demeure en sa volonté et en son franc arbitre.'—Council Registers, 27th May. CHAPTER XIX. CATASTROPHE. (BEGINNING OF JULY, 1533.) While these fine liberal theories were being proclaimed at the hôtel de ville and hailed with joy by noble minds, some enemies of the Reform maintained that they were only got up for the occasion, because the reformed were not yet the strongest party, and the bulk of the people, who looked upon them as mere trash, was occupied with other things. The report grew stronger every day that the bishop had made up his mind at last, that his resolution was not to be shaken, and that in obedience to the pope he was about to return to Geneva. The liberty so lately proclaimed was, therefore, seriously endangered. [Sidenote: PREPARATIONS TO RECEIVE THE BISHOP.] Every preparation was made for the reception of the prince, whose approaching arrival began to turn people's heads, as usually happens in such a case. Priests, mamelukes, and ducal partisans believed that the hour of their triumph was at hand, and that independence and Reform would be effectually buried. Every man who owned a horse had him dressed, as no one was permitted to go and meet the bishop on foot.[745] The trumpeters rehearsed, the artillerymen got out their guns. Jacques de Malbuisson, one of the chiefs of the catholic party, thinking that there was nothing too fine for a bishop and prince, especially for one who was bringing to the city, as a token of welcome, submission to the pope in religious matters, and to an ecclesiastical sovereign in temporal matters, hung the walls of the episcopal palace with beautiful tapestry, covered the tables and floors with silk and woollen cloth, and filled the rooms with rich furniture. Pierre de la Baume had appointed him quartermaster, and the good catholic intended that the beauty of the decorations should make the Genevans comprehend the greatness of their prince.