A TRUE NARRATIVE OF THE Duke of Monmouth's Late JOURNEY into the WEST, IN A LETTER FROM AN Eye-witness thereof, to his Correspondent in London.  
SIR,  
THAT branch of our contest (which these unhappy times have occasioned betwixt yourself and me, privately) concerning the present temper of the people of England, as to the reception of Popery, hath now (I think) so fully been decided, that I shall no longer differ from you in that point, but with joy acknowledge to you, that I am perfectly convinced, nay sure, that not only the Principles, but even the very Genius of the people of England will never endure to be again rid like a Hackney of Rome, to both the temporal and eternal destruction of the poor Creature. Of this my eyes as well as my understanding saw the demonstration, when I saw that incredible (if not universal) confluence of people of all Qualities, Sexes, and Ages, meet to welcome a Protestant Duke into these Countries. Now that I have not miscalled this a Demonstration, pray observe this Journal of the Duke's progress, and the people's joy.  
On the 24 th' of August he came from Esq Thyn's in Wiltshire to Esq Speaks in Sommersetshire, in which Progress he had all the way been caressed with the joyful Welcomes and Acclamations of the people, who came from all parts, 20 miles about, filling and lining the Hedges with Men, Women and Children, some going before, some following after for some miles in the High ways, all the way, and incessantly with hearty and great shouts crying, God bless our King Charles, and God bless the Protestant Duke. Some Towns and Paridies expressed also their Country▪ respects in strewing their streets and ways through which he passed, with herbs and flowers, as was seen at Ilchester, and Pithyton, etc. In some places where no other better present could be expected or made, the honest kind Goodwomen with rustic sincerity presented to him bottles of Wine, which he courteously accepted and tasted. Some of these good Dames could not restrain their joys, but in their homely phrase called out to him thus, Master, we are glad to see you, and you are welcome into our Country. And then some caught hold of his Feet, some took him by the Hand, some by the Coat, but all cried, Welcome, welcome, no Popery, no Popery, etc. When he drew near to Esq Speaks by 10 miles, he was met by 2000 persons on Horse back, who were so increased before they arrived at Mr. Speaks, that some conjectured they were in number near 20000, others said, they were many more. At his arrival the Esq; set out several Hogsheads and Vessels of Beer, Ale, and Cider, to entertain the people, notwithstanding that they (to enlarge their passage to the house) had broke down several perch of his Park-pales; and though the hooping, shoutings, and acclamations of the people had so affrighted the Deer out of the Park, that as yet they cannot be got in again (it's conceived that the people did get Venison as well as the Duke) yet true, loyal protestant, and English Gentleman thus received the Duke and the people. May he be an Example to all the Gentry for his Loyalty to his King, and love to his Country, for being an Orthodox Protestant, and a true hospitable lover of our dear true Protestant Englishmen.  
On the 26 of August he dined with Sir J. Sydenham at Brempton, where he met such an abundance of people, and such a splendid entertainment, that it was difficult to determine which deserved the greater wonder.  
On the 27 th' of August he dined with that true Patriot William Stroud, Esq; at Barrington, whose noble Treat to this Illustrious Prince and Protestant Duke, suited those high qualities. Nor was this Dinner without that best of Music, the joyful shouts of thousands.  
After Dinner he went to Chard, where was presented to him a Collation of great variety and excellency, the second Course was the hearts and tongues of very numerous people. He arrived there about five in the Afternoon, followed by a Train of 500 Horsemen; but when entered, he was met by a Crowd of Men, Women and Children, not a Mute amongst them all, but all almost made deaf with their own Cries and Acclamations; scarce was there one that drank not the King's Health, and the Dukes, to which still succeeded their loud Volleys of God bless the King with long Life, God bless the Protestant Duke his Son, etc.  
That Evening he was most acceptably received and lodged by that worthy English Gentleman, Esq Prideaux.  
The next day, viz. 28 th' of August, after a great and sumptuous Dinner, he road to Ilminster, where he accepted of a Collation as at Chard; from thence to Whitlackindon, where was his stated Lodgings  
On the 29 th' of August (being Sunday) he observed it with a due Protestant and Christian respect, and went to Ilminster-Church, etc.  
On the 30 th' of August, he removed to Calliton, and lodged with the most ingenious, loyal, and generous Sir Walter Young.  
On the 31 he lodged with that English Worthy Esq Dukes, at Otterton, in which and all the other parts, his Treatments were rich and great, and every where his rejoicing admirers numberless.  
But on the first of Septemb. he journied to Exeter, where he was magnificently entertained at the Dean's house by that Gentleman of unspotted Loyalty, Sir William Courtney. The Citizens, together with the people of all the adjacent parts, (verily believed to exceed 20000 persons) came all forth to meet the Duke with their Souls and Mouths filled with love and joy, trumpetting forth his welcome, and shouting out thus, God bless our Gracious Sovereign King Charles, God bless the Protestant Duke, God bless the Protestant Prince, etc. But that which most deserves remark, was the appearance of a company of brave stout young men, all clothed in linen Waistcoats and Drawers, white and harmless, having not so much as a stick in their hand, but joining hands, their number was reputed to be 10 or 1200 (the least conjecture of them was 800) these met the Duke within 3 miles of the City, being put into order on a small round hill, and divided into two parts, and so attended the coming of the Duke, who when arrived road up between them, and after road round each company, who then united, and went hand in hand in their order, before the Duke into the City. Where when arrived, the great concourse of people, the amazing shouts, the universal joys were such, as are more easily related than can be credited by the absent Reader. I shall only say of it, that it suited (at this time) the reception that a Protestant people was willing to give to an illustrious Protestant Prince.  
Sept. 2. he returned to Esq Speaks, where again flocked in to meet and see him the whole neighbouring Country, as not yet enough satisfied, unless thus extraordinarily to caresse him in his return.  
Sept. 3. he dined at the worthy Esq Harvy's near Yeovil, and after road to Esq Thyn's, the Country still waiting in great shoals to expect him on Howden hill, from Crookhorn, Yeovil, and all other circumjacent parts to the number of 4 or 5000 to take their leaves of him, and to present him their thanks for his kind visit, and his acceptance of their English truehearted respects.  
Sir, you cannot but with difficulty imagine (except you had been both an eye and an earwitness, as I was) with what earnestness the people of all sorts, all sexes, all ages and degrees came forth to express their Loyalty to their King and Sovereign in praying for his long life and happy reign, and in heartily drinking his Health every where, but especially also in manifesting their true English hearty love to this Protestant Duke, having never since his Majesty's happy Restauration, had the good occasion to see amongst them their King, or any of his Royal Family until now. The Country esteeming it a great glory and happiness to see one of that stock to appear amongst them.  
Lastly, let us remark, that in all this progress were divers persons of noble as well as gentile quality, viz. Lords, Knights, Esquires and Gentlemen, who together with the Duke made a Constellation of English Protestants glorious in their beams derived from the Sun of great Britain.  
God bless and save the King.   

Printed, and are to be Sold by Richard Janeway in Queens-Head-Alley in Pater-Noster-Row, 1680.