Ormonde left London early in August 1677, and paid his first visit to Oxford as Chancellor by the way. He entered the town from the east with at least fourteen coaches and accompanied by the Duchess and several ladies. Anglesey was one of those who travelled with him. It was market day and the High Street was crowded with butchers' stalls, but the Chancellor halted at St. Mary's and heard a speech from South, who had long been public orator. From Carfax to Christ Church the street was lined by the undergraduates, more speeches being delivered at various points, and there was a dinner at Magdalen. The next day being Sunday the Lord Lieutenant heard two sermons at St. Mary's and dined with Bishop Fell at Christ Church. Next day twenty-two degrees were conferred at the Chancellor's request. Fell had begged him to be merciful, as plenty of unworthy persons might take advantage of such an opportunity, but Ormonde said he would be responsible for his men. They were nearly all more or less connected with Ireland, among them being Lord Longford, Sir Robert Southwell, and Robert Fitzgerald, who played a distinguished part in 1690. Then there was another speech from South, and Ormonde set out at once for Holyhead by the Banbury road. He had to time the journey so that all his coaches could pass by the beach round Penmaenmawr, over which there was no road. At Dublin he was received with great honour. To show his sense of the Duke's friendly behaviour, Essex had not applied for Lords Justices as he had leave to do, but handed over the sword himself. There was not to be another change as long as Charles II. lived.[116] FOOTNOTES: [100] Arlington to Essex, January 6, 1671-2, _Stowe MSS._, vol. cc. Orrery to Essex, February 3, _ib._ Burnet's _Own Times_, i. 396, 476. The King to Berkeley, April 30, 1672, State Papers, _Domestic_. [101] Essex to Arlington, August 24, 1672, _Essex Papers_. The King to Essex, August 31, _ib._ [102] The rules under the 82nd clause of the Act of Explanation are printed in _Irish Statutes_, iii. 205 _sqq._, under 25 Car. II. The slight difference in the case of Drogheda seems to arise from the fact that rules had been made for that town by Ossory in 1668, see Essex's letter of August 17 and D'Alton's _Hist. of Drogheda_, i. 191. Essex to Arlington, January 20, 1672-3, and July 19, _Essex Papers_. Proceedings in the English Privy Council reported by Southwell, _ib._ July 26. The King to Essex, November 5, 1672, and January 14, 1672-3, State Papers, _Domestic_.