Causes which render the Theory probable that makes Monmouth the Man with the Iron Mask--Political Position of Monmouth--His Portrait--He is persuaded to revolt against his Uncle James II.--He lands near Lyme Regis--His first Successes--Enthusiasm with which he is received--His premature Discouragement--His Defeat at Sedgemoor--His shameful Flight--He is captured and taken to London--Cowardly Terrors of the Prisoner--His Interview with James II. “It has been asserted,” says M. de Sévelinges, in an article of the _Biographie Universelle_,[148] “that the famous Man with the Iron Mask was no other than the Duke of Monmouth. Of all the conjectures that have been made upon this subject, it is perhaps one of the least unreasonable.” M. de Sévelinges says truly that in favour of this candidate for the honour of being the Man with the Iron Mask, if we cannot invoke one of those decisive proofs which enforce conviction, there are at least several indications which seem to unite in designating him, and in forming what the English call cumulative evidence. The greatness of the crime to be punished, the powerful interest there was to effect the disappearance of this leader of revolt, and carry him off for ever from his partisans, the persistent incredulity of the people respecting his death, his near relationship to James II., which renders the penalty of perpetual imprisonment more probable than that of death, are so many circumstances which, in certain respects, justify the opinion put forth in the last century by Saint-Foix, and explain the obstinacy of this publicist in defending it.