When Lady Mary Howard was received into the Church in 1685, the wits (as was often the case on these conversions) seized the opportunity to flood the town with their pasquils, e.g. _The Ladies March_. p. 397 _an Urban Throng_ (_as Mr._ Bayes _calls it_). cf. _The Rehearsal_, iii, v, the scene of Prince Volscius ‘going out of Town’. _Vols._ _Harry_, my Boots; for I’l go rage among My Blades encamp’d, and quit this _Urban_ throng. p. 398 _Prologue to Romulus._ _vide_ Vol. I, pp. xlii-iii. p. 399 _Green-Ribbon-Brother._ The green ribbon was the badge of Shaftesbury’s party, as a red ribbon was of the Tories. North (_Examen_) gives the following account of the green ribbon fraternity: ’.his was the club originally called the King’s Head Club. The gentlemen of that worthy society held their evening sessions continually at the King’s Head Tavern, over against the Inner Temple Gate. But upon occasion of the signal of a green ribbon agreed to be worn in their hats, in the days of street-engagements, like the coats of arms of valiant knights of old, whereby all the warriors of that society might be distinguished, and not mistake friends for enemies; they were called also the Green Ribbon Club. Their seat was in a sort of car-four at Chancery-lane-end; a centre of business and company most proper for such anglers of fools. The house was double balconied in the front, as may be yet seen, for the clubsters to issue forth in _fresco_, with hats and no perruques; pipes in their mouths, merry faces, and diluted throats, for the vocal encouragement of the _canaglia_ below, at bonfires, on usual and unusual occasions.’ The Green Ribbon is frequently alluded to. cf. Otway, _The Poet’s Complaint of His Muse_ (4to, 1680), xv:-- He gain’d authority and place: By many for preferments was thought fit, For talking treason without fear or wit: For opening failings in the state: } For loving noisy and unsound debate, } And wearing of a mystical green ribband in his hat. }