He was welcomed back to his capital by a splendid show, which had been prepared at great cost during his absence.  Sidney, now Earl of Romney and Master of the Ordnance, had determined to astonish London by an exhibition which had never been seen in England on so large a scale.  The whole skill of the pyrotechnists of his department was employed to produce a display of fireworks which might vie with any that had been seen in the gardens of Versailles or on the great tank at the Hague.  Saint James’s Square was selected as the place for the spectacle.  All the stately mansions on the northern, eastern and western sides were crowded with people of fashion.  The King appeared at a window of Romney’s drawing room.  The Princess of Denmark, her husband and her court occupied a neighbouring house.  The whole diplomatic body assembled at the dwelling of the minister of the United Provinces.  A huge pyramid of flame in the centre of the area threw out brilliant cascades which were seen by hundreds of thousands who crowded the neighbouring streets and parks.  The States General were informed by their correspondent that, great as the multitude was, the night had passed without the slightest disturbance.621

By this time the elections were almost completed.  In every part of the country it had been manifest that the constituent bodies were generally zealous for the King and for the war.  The City of London, which had returned four Tories in 1690, returned four Whigs in 1695.  Of the proceedings at Westminster an account more than usually circumstantial has come down to us.  In 1690 the electors, disgusted by the Sacheverell Clause, had returned two Tories.  In 1695, as soon as it was known that a new Parliament was likely to be called, a meeting was held, at which it was resolved that a deputation should be sent with an invitation to two Commissioners of the Treasury, Charles Montague and Sir Stephen Fox.  Sir Walter Clarges stood on the Tory interest.  On the day of nomination near five thousand electors paraded the streets on horseback.  They were divided into three bands; and at the head of each band rode one of the candidates.  It was easy to estimate at a glance the comparative strength of the parties.  For the cavalcade which followed Clarges was the least numerous of the three; and it was well known that the followers of Montague would vote for Fox, and the followers of Fox for Montague.  The business of the day was interrupted by loud clamours.  The Whigs cried shame on the Jacobite candidate who wished to make the English go to mass, eat frogs and wear wooden shoes.  The Tories hooted the two placemen who were raising great estates out of the plunder of the poor overburdened nation.  From words the incensed factions proceeded to blows; and there was a riot which was with some difficulty quelled.  The High Bailiff then walked round the three companies of horsemen, and pronounced, on the view, that Montague and Fox were duly elected.  A poll was demanded.