Hehadhadthisinhismindsometime:whetherbecausehethoughtthattheEnglishpeople,beingmoreusedtothetitle,weremorelikelytoobeyit;orwhetherbecausehereallywishedtobeakinghimself,andtoleavethesuccessiontothattitleinhisfamily,isfarfromclear.Hewasalreadyashigh,inEnglandandinalltheworld,ashewouldeverbe,andIdoubtifhecaredforthemerename.However,apaper,calledthe\'HumblePetitionandAdvice,\'waspresentedtohimbytheHouseofCommons,prayinghimtotakeahightitleandtoappointhissuccessor.ThathewouldhavetakenthetitleofKingthereisnodoubt,butforthestrongoppositionofthearmy.Thisinducedhimtoforbear,andtoassentonlytotheotherpointsofthepetition.UponwhichoccasiontherewasanothergrandshowinWestminsterHall,whentheSpeakeroftheHouseofCommonsformallyinvestedhimwithapurplerobelinedwithermine,andpresentedhimwithasplendidlyboundBible,andputagoldensceptreinhishand.ThenexttimetheParliamentmet,hecalledaHouseofLordsofsixtymembers,asthepetitiongavehimpowertodo;butasthatParliamentdidnotpleasehimeither,andwouldnotproceedtothebusinessofthecountry,hejumpedintoacoachonemorning,tooksixGuardswithhim,andsentthemtotheright-about.IwishthishadbeenawarningtoParliamentstoavoidlongspeeches,anddomorework.
ItwasthemonthofAugust,onethousandsixhundredandfifty-
eight,whenOliverCromwell\'sfavouritedaughter,ELIZABETH
CLAYPOLE(whohadlatelylostheryoungestson),layveryill,andhismindwasgreatlytroubled,becausehelovedherdearly.
AnotherofhisdaughterswasmarriedtoLORDFALCONBERG,anothertothegrandsonoftheEarlofWarwick,andhehadmadehissonRICHARDoneoftheMembersoftheUpperHouse.Hewasverykindandlovingtothemall,beingagoodfatherandagoodhusband;buthelovedthisdaughterthebestofthefamily,andwentdowntoHamptonCourttoseeher,andcouldhardlybeinducedtostirfromhersickroomuntilshedied.Althoughhisreligionhadbeenofagloomykind,hisdispositionhadbeenalwayscheerful.Hehadbeenfondofmusicinhishome,andhadkeptopentableonceaweekforallofficersofthearmynotbelowtherankofcaptain,andhadalwayspreservedinhishouseaquiet,sensibledignity.Heencouragedmenofgeniusandlearning,andlovedtohavethemabouthim.MILTONwasoneofhisgreatfriends.Hewasgoodhumouredtoo,withthenobility,whosedressesandmannerswereverydifferentfromhis;andtoshowthemwhatgoodinformationhehad,hewouldsometimesjokinglytellthemwhentheywerehisguests,wheretheyhadlastdrunkthehealthofthe\'Kingoverthewater,\'
andwouldrecommendthemtobemoreprivate(iftheycould)anothertime.Buthehadlivedinbusytimes,hadbornetheweightofheavyStateaffairs,andhadoftengoneinfearofhislife.Hewasillofthegoutandague;andwhenthedeathofhisbelovedchildcameuponhiminaddition,hesank,nevertoraisehisheadagain.Hetoldhisphysiciansonthetwenty-fourthofAugustthattheLordhadassuredhimthathewasnottodieinthatillness,andthathewouldcertainlygetbetter.Thiswasonlyhissickfancy,foronthethirdofSeptember,whichwastheanniversaryofthegreatbattleofWorcester,andthedayoftheyearwhichhecalledhisfortunateday,hedied,inthesixtiethyearofhisage.
Hehadbeendelirious,andhadlaininsensiblesomehours,buthehadbeenoverheardtomurmuraverygoodprayerthedaybefore.
Thewholecountrylamentedhisdeath.IfyouwanttoknowtherealworthofOliverCromwell,andhisrealservicestohiscountry,youcanhardlydobetterthancompareEnglandunderhim,withEnglandunderCHARLESTHESECOND.
HehadappointedhissonRichardtosucceedhim,andaftertherehadbeen,atSomersetHouseintheStrand,alyinginstatemoresplendidthansensible-asallsuchvanitiesafterdeathare,I
think-RichardbecameLordProtector.Hewasanamiablecountrygentleman,buthadnoneofhisfather\'sgreatgenius,andwasquiteunfitforsuchapostinsuchastormofparties.Richard\'sProtectorate,whichonlylastedayearandahalf,isahistoryofquarrelsbetweentheofficersofthearmyandtheParliament,andbetweentheofficersamongthemselves;andofagrowingdiscontentamongthepeople,whohadfartoomanylongsermonsandfartoofewamusements,andwantedachange.Atlast,GeneralMonkgotthearmywellintohisownhands,andtheninpursuanceofasecretplanheseemstohaveentertainedfromthetimeofOliver\'sdeath,declaredfortheKing\'scause.Hedidnotdothisopenly;but,inhisplaceintheHouseofCommons,asoneofthemembersforDevonshire,stronglyadvocatedtheproposalsofoneSIRJOHN
GREENVILLE,whocametotheHousewithaletterfromCharles,datedfromBreda,andwithwhomhehadpreviouslybeeninsecretcommunication.Therehadbeenplotsandcounterplots,andarecallofthelastmembersoftheLongParliament,andanendoftheLongParliament,andrisingsoftheRoyaliststhatweremadetoosoon;
andmostmenbeingtiredout,andtherebeingnoonetoheadthecountrynowgreatOliverwasdead,itwasreadilyagreedtowelcomeCharlesStuart.Someofthewiserandbettermemberssaid-whatwasmosttrue-thatintheletterfromBreda,hegavenorealpromisetogovernwell,andthatitwouldbebesttomakehimpledgehimselfbeforehandastowhatheshouldbeboundtodoforthebenefitofthekingdom.Monksaid,however,itwouldbeallrightwhenhecame,andhecouldnotcometoosoon.
So,everybodyfoundoutallinamomentthatthecountryMUSTbeprosperousandhappy,havinganotherStuarttocondescendtoreignoverit;andtherewasaprodigiousfiringoffofguns,lightingofbonfires,ringingofbells,andthrowingupofcaps.ThepeopledranktheKing\'shealthbythousandsintheopenstreets,andeverybodyrejoiced.DowncametheArmsoftheCommonwealth,upwenttheRoyalArmsinstead,andoutcamethepublicmoney.FiftythousandpoundsfortheKing,tenthousandpoundsforhisbrothertheDukeofYork,fivethousandpoundsforhisbrothertheDukeofGloucester.PrayersforthesegraciousStuartswereputupinallthechurches;commissionersweresenttoHolland(whichsuddenlyfoundoutthatCharleswasagreatman,andthatitlovedhim)toinvitetheKinghome;MonkandtheKentishgrandeeswenttoDover,tokneeldownbeforehimashelanded.HekissedandembracedMonk,madehimrideinthecoachwithhimselfandhisbrothers,cameontoLondonamidwonderfulshoutings,andpassedthroughthearmyatBlackheathonthetwenty-ninthofMay(hisbirthday),intheyearonethousandsixhundredandsixty.Greetedbysplendiddinnersundertents,byflagsandtapestrystreamingfromallthehouses,bydelightedcrowdsinallthestreets,bytroopsofnoblemenandgentlemeninrichdresses,byCitycompanies,train-
bands,drummers,trumpeters,thegreatLordMayor,andthemajesticAldermen,theKingwentontoWhitehall.Onenteringit,hecommemoratedhisRestorationwiththejokethatitreallywouldseemtohavebeenhisownfaultthathehadnotcomelongago,sinceeverybodytoldhimthathehadalwayswishedforhimwithallhisheart.
CHAPTERXXXV-ENGLANDUNDERCHARLESTHESECOND,CALLEDTHEMERRY
MONARCH
THEREneverweresuchprofligatetimesinEnglandasunderCharlestheSecond.Wheneveryouseehisportrait,withhisswarthy,ill-
lookingfaceandgreatnose,youmayfancyhiminhisCourtatWhitehall,surroundedbysomeoftheveryworstvagabondsinthekingdom(thoughtheywerelordsandladies),drinking,gambling,indulginginviciousconversation,andcommittingeverykindofprofligateexcess.IthasbeenafashiontocallCharlestheSecond\'TheMerryMonarch.\'Letmetrytogiveyouageneralideaofsomeofthemerrythingsthatweredone,inthemerrydayswhenthismerrygentlemansatuponhismerrythrone,inmerryEngland.
Thefirstmerryproceedingwas-ofcourse-todeclarethathewasoneofthegreatest,thewisest,andthenoblestkingsthatevershone,liketheblessedsunitself,onthisbenightedearth.Thenextmerryandpleasantpieceofbusinesswas,fortheParliament,inthehumblestmanner,togivehimonemilliontwohundredthousandpoundsayear,andtosettleuponhimforlifethatolddisputedtonnageandpoundagewhichhadbeensobravelyfoughtfor.
Then,GeneralMonkbeingmadeEARLOFALBEMARLE,andafewotherRoyalistssimilarlyrewarded,thelawwenttoworktoseewhatwastobedonetothosepersons(theywerecalledRegicides)whohadbeenconcernedinmakingamartyrofthelateKing.Tenoftheseweremerrilyexecuted;thatistosay,sixofthejudges,oneofthecouncil,ColonelHackerandanotherofficerwhohadcommandedtheGuards,andHUGHPETERS,apreacherwhohadpreachedagainstthemartyrwithallhisheart.Theseexecutionsweresoextremelymerry,thateveryhorriblecircumstancewhichCromwellhadabandonedwasrevivedwithappallingcruelty.Theheartsofthesufferersweretornoutoftheirlivingbodies;theirbowelswereburnedbeforetheirfaces;theexecutionercutjokestothenextvictim,asherubbedhisfilthyhandstogether,thatwerereekingwiththebloodofthelast;andtheheadsofthedeadweredrawnonsledgeswiththelivingtotheplaceofsuffering.Still,evensomerryamonarchcouldnotforceoneofthesedyingmentosaythathewassorryforwhathehaddone.Nay,themostmemorablethingsaidamongthemwas,thatifthethingweretodoagaintheywoulddoit.
SirHarryVane,whohadfurnishedtheevidenceagainstStrafford,andwasoneofthemoststaunchoftheRepublicans,wasalsotried,foundguilty,andorderedforexecution.WhenhecameuponthescaffoldonTowerHill,afterconductinghisowndefencewithgreatpower,hisnotesofwhathehadmeanttosaytothepeopleweretornawayfromhim,andthedrumsandtrumpetswereorderedtosoundlustilyanddrownhisvoice;for,thepeoplehadbeensomuchimpressedbywhattheRegicideshadcalmlysaidwiththeirlastbreath,thatitwasthecustomnow,tohavethedrumsandtrumpetsalwaysunderthescaffold,readytostrikeup.Vanesaidnomorethanthis:\'Itisabadcausewhichcannotbearthewordsofadyingman:\'andbravelydied.
Thesemerryscenesweresucceededbyanother,perhapsevenmerrier.
OntheanniversaryofthelateKing\'sdeath,thebodiesofOliverCromwell,Ireton,andBradshaw,weretornoutoftheirgravesinWestminsterAbbey,draggedtoTyburn,hangedthereonagallowsalldaylong,andthenbeheaded.ImaginetheheadofOliverCromwellsetuponapoletobestaredatbyabrutalcrowd,notoneofwhomwouldhavedaredtolookthelivingOliverinthefaceforhalfamoment!Think,afteryouhavereadthisreign,whatEnglandwasunderOliverCromwellwhowastornoutofhisgrave,andwhatitwasunderthismerrymonarchwhosoldit,likeamerryJudas,overandoveragain.
Ofcourse,theremainsofOliver\'swifeanddaughterwerenottobesparedeither,thoughtheyhadbeenmostexcellentwomen.Thebaseclergyofthattimegaveuptheirbodies,whichhadbeenburiedintheAbbey,and-totheeternaldisgraceofEngland-theywerethrownintoapit,togetherwiththemoulderingbonesofPymandofthebraveandboldoldAdmiralBlake.
Theclergyactedthisdisgracefulpartbecausetheyhopedtogetthenonconformists,ordissenters,thoroughlyputdowninthisreign,andtohavebutoneprayer-bookandoneserviceforallkindsofpeople,nomatterwhattheirprivateopinionswere.Thiswasprettywell,Ithink,foraProtestantChurch,whichhaddisplacedtheRomishChurchbecausepeoplehadarighttotheirownopinionsinreligiousmatters.However,theycarrieditwithahighhand,andaprayer-bookwasagreedupon,inwhichtheextremestopinionsofArchbishopLaudwerenotforgotten.AnActwaspassed,too,preventinganydissenterfromholdinganyofficeunderanycorporation.So,theregularclergyintheirtriumphweresoonasmerryastheKing.Thearmybeingbythistimedisbanded,andtheKingcrowned,everythingwastogooneasilyforevermore.
ImustsayawordhereabouttheKing\'sfamily.HehadnotbeenlonguponthethronewhenhisbrothertheDukeofGloucester,andhissisterthePRINCESSOFORANGE,diedwithinafewmonthsofeachother,ofsmall-pox.Hisremainingsister,thePRINCESSHENRIETTA,marriedtheDUKEOFORLEANS,thebrotherofLOUISTHEFOURTEENTH,KingofFrance.HisbrotherJAMES,DUKEOFYORK,wasmadeHighAdmiral,andby-and-bybecameaCatholic.Hewasagloomy,sullen,bilioussortofman,witharemarkablepartialityfortheugliestwomeninthecountry.Hemarried,underverydiscreditablecircumstances,ANNEHYDE,thedaughterofLORDCLARENDON,thentheKing\'sprincipalMinister-notatalladelicateministereither,butdoingmuchofthedirtyworkofaverydirtypalace.ItbecameimportantnowthattheKinghimselfshouldbemarried;anddiversforeignMonarchs,notveryparticularaboutthecharacteroftheirson-in-law,proposedtheirdaughterstohim.TheKINGOFPORTUGAL
offeredhisdaughter,CATHERINEOFBRAGANZA,andfiftythousandpounds:inadditiontowhich,theFrenchKing,whowasfavourabletothatmatch,offeredaloanofanotherfiftythousand.TheKingofSpain,ontheotherhand,offeredanyoneoutofadozenofPrincesses,andotherhopesofgain.Butthereadymoneycarriedtheday,andCatherinecameoverinstatetohermerrymarriage.
ThewholeCourtwasagreatflauntingcrowdofdebauchedmenandshamelesswomen;andCatherine\'smerryhusbandinsultedandoutragedherineverypossibleway,untilsheconsentedtoreceivethoseworthlesscreaturesasherverygoodfriends,andtodegradeherselfbytheircompanionship.AMRS.PALMER,whomtheKingmadeLADYCASTLEMAINE,andafterwardsDUCHESSOFCLEVELAND,wasoneofthemostpowerfulofthebadwomenabouttheCourt,andhadgreatinfluencewiththeKingnearlyallthroughhisreign.AnothermerryladynamedMOLLDAVIES,adanceratthetheatre,wasafterwardsherrival.SowasNELLGWYN,firstanorangegirlandthenanactress,whoreallyhadgoodinher,andofwhomoneoftheworstthingsIknowis,thatactuallyshedoesseemtohavebeenfondoftheKing.ThefirstDUKEOFST.ALBANSwasthisorangegirl\'schild.Inlikemannerthesonofamerrywaiting-lady,whomtheKingcreatedDUCHESSOFPORTSMOUTH,becametheDUKEOF
RICHMOND.Uponthewholeitisnotsobadathingtobeacommoner.
TheMerryMonarchwassoexceedinglymerryamongthesemerryladies,andsomeequallymerry(andequallyinfamous)lordsandgentlemen,thathesoongotthroughhishundredthousandpounds,andthen,bywayofraisingalittlepocket-money,madeamerrybargain.HesoldDunkirktotheFrenchKingforfivemillionsoflivres.WhenIthinkofthedignitytowhichOliverCromwellraisedEnglandintheeyesofforeignpowers,andwhenIthinkofthemannerinwhichhegainedforEnglandthisveryDunkirk,IammuchinclinedtoconsiderthatiftheMerryMonarchhadbeenmadetofollowhisfatherforthisaction,hewouldhavereceivedhisjustdeserts.
Thoughhewaslikehisfatherinnoneofthatfather\'sgreaterqualities,hewaslikehiminbeingworthyofnotrust.WhenhesentthatlettertotheParliament,fromBreda,hedidexpresslypromisethatallsincerereligiousopinionsshouldberespected.
YethewasnosoonerfirminhispowerthanheconsentedtooneoftheworstActsofParliamenteverpassed.Underthislaw,everyministerwhoshouldnotgivehissolemnassenttothePrayer-Bookbyacertainday,wasdeclaredtobeaministernolonger,andtobedeprivedofhischurch.Theconsequenceofthiswasthatsometwothousandhonestmenweretakenfromtheircongregations,andreducedtodirepovertyanddistress.Itwasfollowedbyanotheroutrageouslaw,calledtheConventicleAct,bywhichanypersonabovetheageofsixteenwhowaspresentatanyreligiousservicenotaccordingtothePrayer-Book,wastobeimprisonedthreemonthsforthefirstoffence,sixforthesecond,andtobetransportedforthethird.ThisActalonefilledtheprisons,whichwerethenmostdreadfuldungeons,tooverflowing.
TheCovenantersinScotlandhadalreadyfarednobetter.AbaseParliament,usuallyknownastheDrunkenParliament,inconsequenceofitsprincipalmembersbeingseldomsober,hadbeengottogethertomakelawsagainsttheCovenanters,andtoforceallmentobeofonemindinreligiousmatters.TheMARQUISOFARGYLE,relyingontheKing\'shonour,hadgivenhimselfuptohim;but,hewaswealthy,andhisenemieswantedhiswealth.Hewastriedfortreason,ontheevidenceofsomeprivatelettersinwhichhehadexpressedopinions-aswellhemight-morefavourabletothegovernmentofthelateLordProtectorthanofthepresentmerryandreligiousKing.Hewasexecuted,asweretwomenofmarkamongtheCovenanters;andSHARP,atraitorwhohadoncebeenthefriendofthePresbyteriansandbetrayedthem,wasmadeArchbishopofSt.
Andrew\'s,toteachtheScotchhowtolikebishops.
Thingsbeinginthismerrystateathome,theMerryMonarchundertookawarwiththeDutch;principallybecausetheyinterferedwithanAfricancompany,establishedwiththetwoobjectsofbuyinggold-dustandslaves,ofwhichtheDukeofYorkwasaleadingmember.Aftersomepreliminaryhostilities,thesaidDukesailedtothecoastofHollandwithafleetofninety-eightvesselsofwar,andfourfire-ships.ThisengagedwiththeDutchfleet,ofnofewerthanonehundredandthirteenships.Inthegreatbattlebetweenthetwoforces,theDutchlosteighteenships,fouradmirals,andseventhousandmen.But,theEnglishonshorewereinnomoodofexultationwhentheyheardthenews.
For,thiswastheyearandthetimeoftheGreatPlagueinLondon.
Duringthewinterofonethousandsixhundredandsixty-fourithadbeenwhisperedabout,thatsomefewpeoplehaddiedhereandthereofthediseasecalledthePlague,insomeoftheunwholesomesuburbsaroundLondon.Newswasnotpublishedatthattimeasitisnow,andsomepeoplebelievedtheserumours,andsomedisbelievedthem,andtheyweresoonforgotten.But,inthemonthofMay,onethousandsixhundredandsixty-five,itbegantobesaidalloverthetownthatthediseasehadburstoutwithgreatviolenceinSt.Giles\'s,andthatthepeopleweredyingingreatnumbers.Thissoonturnedouttobeawfullytrue.TheroadsoutofLondonwerechokedupbypeopleendeavouringtoescapefromtheinfectedcity,andlargesumswerepaidforanykindofconveyance.
Thediseasesoonspreadsofast,thatitwasnecessarytoshutupthehousesinwhichsickpeoplewere,andtocutthemofffromcommunicationwiththeliving.Everyoneofthesehouseswasmarkedontheoutsideofthedoorwitharedcross,andthewords,Lord,havemercyuponus!Thestreetswerealldeserted,grassgrewinthepublicways,andtherewasadreadfulsilenceintheair.Whennightcameon,dismalrumblingsusedtobeheard,andthesewerethewheelsofthedeath-carts,attendedbymenwithveiledfacesandholdingclothstotheirmouths,whorangdolefulbellsandcriedinaloudandsolemnvoice,\'Bringoutyourdead!\'
Thecorpsesputintothesecartswereburiedbytorchlightingreatpits;noservicebeingperformedoverthem;allmenbeingafraidtostayforamomentonthebrinkoftheghastlygraves.Inthegeneralfear,childrenranawayfromtheirparents,andparentsfromtheirchildren.Somewhoweretakenill,diedalone,andwithoutanyhelp.Somewerestabbedorstrangledbyhirednurseswhorobbedthemofalltheirmoney,andstoletheverybedsonwhichtheylay.Somewentmad,droppedfromthewindows,ranthroughthestreets,andintheirpainandfrenzyflungthemselvesintotheriver.
Thesewerenotallthehorrorsofthetime.Thewickedanddissolute,inwilddesperation,satinthetavernssingingroaringsongs,andwerestrickenastheydrank,andwentoutanddied.Thefearfulandsuperstitiouspersuadedthemselvesthattheysawsupernaturalsights-burningswordsinthesky,giganticarmsanddarts.Otherspretendedthatatnightsvastcrowdsofghostswalkedroundandroundthedismalpits.Onemadman,naked,andcarryingabrazierfullofburningcoalsuponhishead,stalkedthroughthestreets,cryingoutthathewasaProphet,commissionedtodenouncethevengeanceoftheLordonwickedLondon.Anotheralwayswenttoandfro,exclaiming,\'Yetfortydays,andLondonshallbedestroyed!\'Athirdawoketheechoesinthedismalstreets,bynightandbyday,andmadethebloodofthesickruncold,bycallingoutincessantly,inadeephoarsevoice,\'O,thegreatanddreadfulGod!\'
ThroughthemonthsofJulyandAugustandSeptember,theGreatPlagueragedmoreandmore.Greatfireswerelightedinthestreets,inthehopeofstoppingtheinfection;buttherewasaplagueofraintoo,anditbeatthefiresout.Atlast,thewindswhichusuallyariseatthattimeoftheyearwhichiscalledtheequinox,whendayandnightareofequallengthallovertheworld,begantoblow,andtopurifythewretchedtown.Thedeathsbegantodecrease,theredcrossesslowlytodisappear,thefugitivestoreturn,theshopstoopen,palefrightenedfacestobeseeninthestreets.ThePlaguehadbeenineverypartofEngland,butincloseandunwholesomeLondonithadkilledonehundredthousandpeople.
Allthistime,theMerryMonarchwasasmerryasever,andasworthlessasever.Allthistime,thedebauchedlordsandgentlemenandtheshamelessladiesdancedandgamedanddrank,andlovedandhatedoneanother,accordingtotheirmerryways.
Solittlehumanitydidthegovernmentlearnfromthelateaffliction,thatoneofthefirstthingstheParliamentdidwhenitmetatOxford(beingasyetafraidtocometoLondon),wastomakealaw,calledtheFiveMileAct,expresslydirectedagainstthosepoorministerswho,inthetimeofthePlague,hadmanfullycomebacktocomforttheunhappypeople.Thisinfamouslaw,byforbiddingthemtoteachinanyschool,ortocomewithinfivemilesofanycity,town,orvillage,doomedthemtostarvationanddeath.
Thefleethadbeenatsea,andhealthy.TheKingofFrancewasnowinalliancewiththeDutch,thoughhisnavywaschieflyemployedinlookingonwhiletheEnglishandDutchfought.TheDutchgainedonevictory;andtheEnglishgainedanotherandagreater;andPrinceRupert,oneoftheEnglishadmirals,wasoutintheChannelonewindynight,lookingfortheFrenchAdmiral,withtheintentionofgivinghimsomethingmoretodothanhehadhadyet,whenthegaleincreasedtoastorm,andblewhimintoSaintHelen\'s.ThatnightwasthethirdofSeptember,onethousandsixhundredandsixty-six,andthatwindfannedtheGreatFireofLondon.
Itbrokeoutatabaker\'sshopnearLondonBridge,onthespotonwhichtheMonumentnowstandsasaremembranceofthoseragingflames.Itspreadandspread,andburnedandburned,forthreedays.Thenightswerelighterthanthedays;inthedaytimetherewasanimmensecloudofsmoke,andinthenight-timetherewasagreattoweroffiremountingupintothesky,whichlightedthewholecountrylandscapefortenmilesround.Showersofhotashesroseintotheairandfellondistantplaces;flyingsparkscarriedtheconflagrationtogreatdistances,andkindleditintwentynewspotsatatime;churchsteeplesfelldownwithtremendouscrashes;
housescrumbledintocindersbythehundredandthethousand.Thesummerhadbeenintenselyhotanddry,thestreetswereverynarrow,andthehousesmostlybuiltofwoodandplaster.Nothingcouldstopthetremendousfire,butthewantofmorehousestoburn;nordiditstopuntilthewholewayfromtheTowertoTempleBarwasadesert,composedoftheashesofthirteenthousandhousesandeighty-ninechurches.
Thiswasaterriblevisitationatthetime,andoccasionedgreatlossandsufferingtothetwohundredthousandburnt-outpeople,whowereobligedtolieinthefieldsundertheopennightsky,orinhastily-madehutsofmudandstraw,whilethelanesandroadswererenderedimpassablebycartswhichhadbrokendownastheytriedtosavetheirgoods.ButtheFirewasagreatblessingtotheCityafterwards,foritarosefromitsruinsverymuchimproved-builtmoreregularly,morewidely,morecleanlyandcarefully,andthereforemuchmorehealthily.Itmightbefarmorehealthythanitis,buttherearesomepeopleinitstill-evennow,atthistime,nearlytwohundredyearslater-soselfish,sopig-
headed,andsoignorant,thatIdoubtifevenanotherGreatFirewouldwarmthemuptodotheirduty.
TheCatholicswereaccusedofhavingwilfullysetLondoninflames;
onepoorFrenchman,whohadbeenmadforyears,evenaccusedhimselfofhavingwithhisownhandfiredthefirsthouse.Thereisnoreasonabledoubt,however,thatthefirewasaccidental.AninscriptionontheMonumentlongattributedittotheCatholics;
butitisremovednow,andwasalwaysamaliciousandstupiduntruth.
SECONDPART
THATtheMerryMonarchmightbeverymerryindeed,inthemerrytimeswhenhispeopleweresufferingunderpestilenceandfire,hedrankandgambledandflungawayamonghisfavouritesthemoneywhichtheParliamenthadvotedforthewar.Theconsequenceofthiswasthatthestout-heartedEnglishsailorsweremerrilystarvingofwant,anddyinginthestreets;whiletheDutch,undertheiradmiralsDEWITTandDERUYTER,cameintotheRiverThames,anduptheRiverMedwayasfarasUpnor,burnedtheguard-ships,silencedtheweakbatteries,anddidwhattheywouldtotheEnglishcoastforsixwholeweeks.MostoftheEnglishshipsthatcouldhavepreventedthemhadneitherpowdernorshotonboard;inthismerryreign,publicofficersmadethemselvesasmerryastheKingdidwiththepublicmoney;andwhenitwasentrustedtothemtospendinnationaldefencesorpreparations,theyputitintotheirownpocketswiththemerriestgraceintheworld.
LordClarendonhad,bythistime,runaslongacourseasisusuallyallottedtotheunscrupulousministersofbadkings.Hewasimpeachedbyhispoliticalopponents,butunsuccessfully.TheKingthencommandedhimtowithdrawfromEnglandandretiretoFrance,whichhedid,afterdefendinghimselfinwriting.Hewasnogreatlossathome,anddiedabroadsomesevenyearsafterwards.
TherethencameintopoweraministrycalledtheCabalMinistry,becauseitwascomposedofLORDCLIFFORD,theEARLOFARLINGTON,theDUKEOFBUCKINGHAM(agreatrascal,andtheKing\'smostpowerfulfavourite),LORDASHLEY,andtheDUKEOFLAUDERDALE,C.A.
B.A.L.AstheFrenchweremakingconquestsinFlanders,thefirstCabalproceedingwastomakeatreatywiththeDutch,forunitingwithSpaintoopposetheFrench.ItwasnosoonermadethantheMerryMonarch,whoalwayswantedtogetmoneywithoutbeingaccountabletoaParliamentforhisexpenditure,apologisedtotheKingofFranceforhavinghadanythingtodowithit,andconcludedasecrettreatywithhim,makinghimselfhisinfamouspensionertotheamountoftwomillionsoflivresdown,andthreemillionsmoreayear;andengagingtodesertthatverySpain,tomakewaragainstthoseveryDutch,andtodeclarehimselfaCatholicwhenaconvenienttimeshouldarrive.ThisreligiouskinghadlatelybeencryingtohisCatholicbrotheronthesubjectofhisstrongdesiretobeaCatholic;andnowhemerrilyconcludedthistreasonableconspiracyagainstthecountryhegoverned,byundertakingtobecomeoneassoonashesafelycould.Forallofwhich,thoughhehadhadtenmerryheadsinsteadofone,herichlydeservedtolosethembytheheadsman\'saxe.
Ashisonemerryheadmighthavebeenfarfromsafe,ifthesethingshadbeenknown,theywerekeptveryquiet,andwarwasdeclaredbyFranceandEnglandagainsttheDutch.But,averyuncommonman,afterwardsmostimportanttoEnglishhistoryandtothereligionandlibertyofthisland,aroseamongthem,andformanylongyearsdefeatedthewholeprojectsofFrance.ThiswasWILLIAMOFNASSAU,PRINCEOFORANGE,sonofthelastPrinceofOrangeofthesamename,whomarriedthedaughterofCharlestheFirstofEngland.Hewasayoungmanatthistime,onlyjustofage;buthewasbrave,cool,intrepid,andwise.Hisfatherhadbeensodetestedthat,uponhisdeath,theDutchhadabolishedtheauthoritytowhichthissonwouldhaveotherwisesucceeded(Stadtholderitwascalled),andplacedthechiefpowerinthehandsofJOHNDEWITT,whoeducatedthisyoungprince.Now,thePrincebecameverypopular,andJohndeWitt\'sbrotherCORNELIUS
wassentencedtobanishmentonafalseaccusationofconspiringtokillhim.Johnwenttotheprisonwherehewas,totakehimawaytoexile,inhiscoach;andagreatmobwhocollectedontheoccasion,thenandtherecruellymurderedboththebrothers.ThisleftthegovernmentinthehandsofthePrince,whowasreallythechoiceofthenation;andfromthistimeheexerciseditwiththegreatestvigour,againstthewholepowerofFrance,underitsfamousgeneralsCONDEandTURENNE,andinsupportoftheProtestantreligion.ItwasfullsevenyearsbeforethiswarendedinatreatyofpeacemadeatNimeguen,anditsdetailswouldoccupyaveryconsiderablespace.ItisenoughtosaythatWilliamofOrangeestablishedafamouscharacterwiththewholeworld;andthattheMerryMonarch,addingtoandimprovingonhisformerbaseness,boundhimselftodoeverythingtheKingofFranceliked,andnothingtheKingofFrancedidnotlike,forapensionofonehundredthousandpoundsayear,whichwasafterwardsdoubled.
Besidesthis,theKingofFrance,bymeansofhiscorruptambassador-whowroteaccountsofhisproceedingsinEngland,whicharenotalwaystobebelieved,Ithink-boughtourEnglishmembersofParliament,ashewantedthem.So,inpointoffact,duringaconsiderableportionofthismerryreign,theKingofFrancewastherealKingofthiscountry.
Buttherewasabettertimetocome,anditwastocome(thoughhisroyalunclelittlethoughtso)throughthatveryWilliam,PrinceofOrange.HecameovertoEngland,sawMary,theelderdaughteroftheDukeofYork,andmarriedher.Weshallseeby-and-bywhatcameofthatmarriage,andwhyitisnevertobeforgotten.
ThisdaughterwasaProtestant,buthermotherdiedaCatholic.
SheandhersisterANNE,alsoaProtestant,weretheonlysurvivorsofeightchildren.AnneafterwardsmarriedGEORGE,PRINCEOF
DENMARK,brothertotheKingofthatcountry.
LestyoushoulddotheMerryMonarchtheinjusticeofsupposingthathewasevengoodhumoured(exceptwhenhehadeverythinghisownway),orthathewashighspiritedandhonourable,IwillmentionherewhatwasdonetoamemberoftheHouseofCommons,SIR
JOHNCOVENTRY.Hemadearemarkinadebateabouttaxingthetheatres,whichgavetheKingoffence.TheKingagreedwithhisillegitimateson,whohadbeenbornabroad,andwhomhehadmadeDUKEOFMONMOUTH,totakethefollowingmerryvengeance.Towaylayhimatnight,fifteenarmedmentoone,andtoslithisnosewithapenknife.Likemaster,likeman.TheKing\'sfavourite,theDukeofBuckingham,wasstronglysuspectedofsettingonanassassintomurdertheDUKEOFORMONDashewasreturninghomefromadinner;
andthatDuke\'sspiritedson,LORDOSSORY,wassopersuadedofhisguilt,thathesaidtohimatCourt,evenashestoodbesidetheKing,\'Mylord,Iknowverywellthatyouareatthebottomofthislateattemptuponmyfather.ButIgiveyouwarning,ifheevercometoaviolentend,hisbloodshallbeuponyou,andwhereverI
meetyouIwillpistolyou!Iwilldoso,thoughIfindyoustandingbehindtheKing\'schair;andItellyouthisinhisMajesty\'spresence,thatyoumaybequitesureofmydoingwhatI
threaten.\'Thoseweremerrytimesindeed.
TherewasafellownamedBLOOD,whowasseizedformaking,withtwocompanions,anaudaciousattempttostealthecrown,theglobe,andsceptre,fromtheplacewherethejewelswerekeptintheTower.
Thisrobber,whowasaswaggeringruffian,beingtaken,declaredthathewasthemanwhohadendeavouredtokilltheDukeofOrmond,andthathehadmeanttokilltheKingtoo,butwasoverawedbythemajestyofhisappearance,whenhemightotherwisehavedoneit,ashewasbathingatBattersea.TheKingbeingbutanill-lookingfellow,Idon\'tbelieveawordofthis.Whetherhewasflattered,orwhetherheknewthatBuckinghamhadreallysetBloodontomurdertheDuke,isuncertain.Butitisquitecertainthathepardonedthisthief,gavehimanestateoffivehundredayearinIreland(whichhadhadthehonourofgivinghimbirth),andpresentedhimatCourttothedebauchedlordsandtheshamelessladies,whomadeagreatdealofhim-asIhavenodoubttheywouldhavemadeoftheDevilhimself,iftheKinghadintroducedhim.
Infamouslypensionedashewas,theKingstillwantedmoney,andconsequentlywasobligedtocallParliaments.Inthese,thegreatobjectoftheProtestantswastothwarttheCatholicDukeofYork,whomarriedasecondtime;hisnewwifebeingayoungladyonlyfifteenyearsold,theCatholicsisteroftheDUKEOFMODENA.InthistheyweresecondedbytheProtestantDissenters,thoughtotheirowndisadvantage:since,toexcludeCatholicsfrompower,theywereevenwillingtoexcludethemselves.TheKing\'sobjectwastopretendtobeaProtestant,whilehewasreallyaCatholic;
tosweartothebishopsthathewasdevoutlyattachedtotheEnglishChurch,whileheknewhehadbargaineditawaytotheKingofFrance;andbycheatinganddeceivingthem,andallwhowereattachedtoroyalty,tobecomedespoticandbepowerfulenoughtoconfesswhatarascalhewas.Meantime,theKingofFrance,knowinghismerrypensionerwell,intriguedwiththeKing\'sopponentsinParliament,aswellaswiththeKingandhisfriends.
ThefearsthatthecountryhadoftheCatholicreligionbeingrestored,iftheDukeofYorkshouldcometothethrone,andthelowcunningoftheKinginpretendingtosharetheiralarms,ledtosomeveryterribleresults.AcertainDR.TONGE,adullclergymanintheCity,fellintothehandsofacertainTITUSOATES,amostinfamouscharacter,whopretendedtohaveacquiredamongtheJesuitsabroadaknowledgeofagreatplotforthemurderoftheKing,andthere-establishmentiftheCatholicreligion.TitusOates,beingproducedbythisunluckyDr.Tongeandsolemnlyexaminedbeforethecouncil,contradictedhimselfinathousandways,toldthemostridiculousandimprobablestories,andimplicatedCOLEMAN,theSecretaryoftheDuchessofYork.Now,althoughwhathechargedagainstColemanwasnottrue,andalthoughyouandIknowverywellthattherealdangerousCatholicplotwasthatonewiththeKingofFranceofwhichtheMerryMonarchwashimselfthehead,therehappenedtobefoundamongColeman\'spapers,someletters,inwhichhedidpraisethedaysofBloodyQueenMary,andabusetheProtestantreligion.ThiswasgreatgoodfortuneforTitus,asitseemedtoconfirmhim;butbetterstillwasinstore.SIREDMUNDBURYGODFREY,themagistratewhohadfirstexaminedhim,beingunexpectedlyfounddeadnearPrimroseHill,wasconfidentlybelievedtohavebeenkilledbytheCatholics.Ithinkthereisnodoubtthathehadbeenmelancholymad,andthathekilledhimself;buthehadagreatProtestantfuneral,andTituswascalledtheSaveroftheNation,andreceivedapensionoftwelvehundredpoundsayear.
AssoonasOates\'swickednesshadmetwiththissuccess,upstartedanothervillain,namedWILLIAMBEDLOE,who,attractedbyarewardoffivehundredpoundsofferedfortheapprehensionofthemurderersofGodfrey,cameforwardandchargedtwoJesuitsandsomeotherpersonswithhavingcommitteditattheQueen\'sdesire.
Oates,goingintopartnershipwiththisnewinformer,hadtheaudacitytoaccusethepoorQueenherselfofhightreason.Thenappearedathirdinformer,asbadaseitherofthetwo,andaccusedaCatholicbankernamedSTAYLEYofhavingsaidthattheKingwasthegreatestrogueintheworld(whichwouldnothavebeenfarfromthetruth),andthathewouldkillhimwithhisownhand.Thisbanker,beingatoncetriedandexecuted,Colemanandtwoothersweretriedandexecuted.Then,amiserablewretchnamedPRANCE,aCatholicsilversmith,beingaccusedbyBedloe,wastorturedintoconfessingthathehadtakenpartinGodfrey\'smurder,andintoaccusingthreeothermenofhavingcommittedit.Then,fiveJesuitswereaccusedbyOates,Bedloe,andPrancetogether,andwereallfoundguilty,andexecutedonthesamekindofcontradictoryandabsurdevidence.TheQueen\'sphysicianandthreemonkswerenextputontheirtrial;butOatesandBedloehadforthetimegonefarenoughandthesefourwereacquitted.Thepublicmind,however,wassofullofaCatholicplot,andsostrongagainsttheDukeofYork,thatJamesconsentedtoobeyawrittenorderfromhisbrother,andtogowithhisfamilytoBrussels,providedthathisrightsshouldneverbesacrificedinhisabsencetotheDukeofMonmouth.TheHouseofCommons,notsatisfiedwiththisastheKinghoped,passedabilltoexcludetheDukefromeversucceedingtothethrone.Inreturn,theKingdissolvedtheParliament.Hehaddesertedhisoldfavourite,theDukeofBuckingham,whowasnowintheopposition.
TogiveanysufficientideaofthemiseriesofScotlandinthismerryreign,wouldoccupyahundredpages.Becausethepeoplewouldnothavebishops,andwereresolvedtostandbytheirsolemnLeagueandCovenant,suchcrueltieswereinflicteduponthemasmakethebloodruncold.Ferociousdragoonsgallopedthroughthecountrytopunishthepeasantsfordesertingthechurches;sonswerehangedupattheirfathers\'doorsforrefusingtodisclosewheretheirfatherswereconcealed;wivesweretorturedtodeathfornotbetrayingtheirhusbands;peopleweretakenoutoftheirfieldsandgardens,andshotonthepublicroadswithouttrial;
lightedmatchesweretiedtothefingersofprisoners,andamosthorribletormentcalledtheBootwasinvented,andconstantlyapplied,whichgroundandmashedthevictims\'legswithironwedges.Witnessesweretorturedaswellasprisoners.Alltheprisonswerefull;allthegibbetswereheavywithbodies;murderandplunderdevastatedthewholecountry.Inspiteofall,theCovenanterswerebynomeanstobedraggedintothechurches,andpersistedinworshippingGodastheythoughtright.AbodyofferociousHighlanders,turneduponthemfromthemountainsoftheirowncountry,hadnogreatereffectthantheEnglishdragoonsunderGRAHAMEOFCLAVERHOUSE,themostcruelandrapaciousofalltheirenemies,whosenamewilleverbecursedthroughthelengthandbreadthofScotland.ArchbishopSharphadeveraidedandabettedalltheseoutrages.Buthefellatlast;for,whentheinjuriesoftheScottishpeoplewereattheirheight,hewasseen,inhiscoach-and-sixcomingacrossamoor,byabodyofmen,headedbyoneJOHNBALFOUR,whowerewaitingforanotheroftheiroppressors.
UponthistheycriedoutthatHeavenhaddeliveredhimintotheirhands,andkilledhimwithmanywounds.Ifeveramandeservedsuchadeath,IthinkArchbishopSharpdid.
Itmadeagreatnoisedirectly,andtheMerryMonarch-stronglysuspectedofhavinggoadedtheScottishpeopleon,thathemighthaveanexcuseforagreaterarmythantheParliamentwerewillingtogivehim-sentdownhisson,theDukeofMonmouth,ascommander-in-chief,withinstructionstoattacktheScottishrebels,orWhigsastheywerecalled,wheneverhecameupwiththem.MarchingwithtenthousandmenfromEdinburgh,hefoundthem,innumberfourorfivethousand,drawnupatBothwellBridge,bytheClyde.Theyweresoondispersed;andMonmouthshowedamorehumanecharactertowardsthem,thanhehadshowntowardsthatMemberofParliamentwhosenosehehadcausedtobeslitwithapenknife.ButtheDukeofLauderdalewastheirbitterfoe,andsentClaverhousetofinishthem.
AstheDukeofYorkbecamemoreandmoreunpopular,theDukeofMonmouthbecamemoreandmorepopular.ItwouldhavebeendecentinthelatternottohavevotedinfavouroftherenewedbillfortheexclusionofJamesfromthethrone;buthedidso,muchtotheKing\'samusement,whousedtositintheHouseofLordsbythefire,hearingthedebates,whichhesaidwereasgoodasaplay.
TheHouseofCommonspassedthebillbyalargemajority,anditwascarrieduptotheHouseofLordsbyLORDRUSSELL,oneofthebestoftheleadersontheProtestantside.Itwasrejectedthere,chieflybecausethebishopshelpedtheKingtogetridofit;andthefearofCatholicplotsrevivedagain.Therehadbeenanothergotup,byafellowoutofNewgate,namedDANGERFIELD,whichismorefamousthanitdeservestobe,underthenameoftheMEAL-TUB
PLOT.Thisjail-birdhavingbeengotoutofNewgatebyaMRS.
CELLIER,aCatholicnurse,hadturnedCatholichimself,andpretendedthatheknewofaplotamongthePresbyteriansagainsttheKing\'slife.ThiswasverypleasanttotheDukeofYork,whohatedthePresbyterians,whoreturnedthecompliment.HegaveDangerfieldtwentyguineas,andsenthimtotheKinghisbrother.
ButDangerfield,breakingdownaltogetherinhischarge,andbeingsentbacktoNewgate,almostastonishedtheDukeoutofhisfivesensesbysuddenlyswearingthattheCatholicnursehadputthatfalsedesignintohishead,andthatwhathereallyknewabout,was,aCatholicplotagainsttheKing;theevidenceofwhichwouldbefoundinsomepapers,concealedinameal-tubinMrs.Cellier\'shouse.Theretheywere,ofcourse-forhehadputthemtherehimself-andsothetubgavethenametotheplot.But,thenursewasacquittedonhertrial,anditcametonothing.
LordAshley,oftheCabal,wasnowLordShaftesbury,andwasstrongagainstthesuccessionoftheDukeofYork.TheHouseofCommons,aggravatedtotheutmostextent,aswemaywellsuppose,bysuspicionsoftheKing\'sconspiracywiththeKingofFrance,madeadesperatepointoftheexclusion,still,andwerebitteragainsttheCatholicsgenerally.Sounjustlybitterwerethey,Igrievetosay,thattheyimpeachedthevenerableLordStafford,aCatholicnoblemanseventyyearsold,ofadesigntokilltheKing.ThewitnesseswerethatatrociousOatesandtwootherbirdsofthesamefeather.Hewasfoundguilty,onevidencequiteasfoolishasitwasfalse,andwasbeheadedonTowerHill.Thepeoplewereopposedtohimwhenhefirstappeareduponthescaffold;but,whenhehadaddressedthemandshownthemhowinnocenthewasandhowwickedlyhewassentthere,theirbetternaturewasaroused,andtheysaid,\'Webelieveyou,myLord.Godblessyou,myLord!\'
TheHouseofCommonsrefusedtolettheKinghaveanymoneyuntilheshouldconsenttotheExclusionBill;but,ashecouldgetitanddidgetitfromhismastertheKingofFrance,hecouldaffordtoholdthemverycheap.HecalledaParliamentatOxford,towhichhewentdownwithagreatshowofbeingarmedandprotectedasifhewereindangerofhislife,andtowhichtheoppositionmembersalsowentarmedandprotected,allegingthattheywereinfearofthePapists,whowerenumerousamongtheKing\'sguards.
However,theywentonwiththeExclusionBill,andweresoearnestuponitthattheywouldhavecarrieditagain,iftheKinghadnotpoppedhiscrownandstaterobesintoasedan-chair,bundledhimselfintoitalongwiththem,hurrieddowntothechamberwheretheHouseofLordsmet,anddissolvedtheParliament.Afterwhichhescamperedhome,andthemembersofParliamentscamperedhometoo,asfastastheirlegscouldcarrythem.
TheDukeofYork,thenresidinginScotland,had,underthelawwhichexcludedCatholicsfrompublictrust,norightwhatevertopublicemployment.Nevertheless,hewasopenlyemployedastheKing\'srepresentativeinScotland,andtheregratifiedhissullenandcruelnaturetohisheart\'scontentbydirectingthedreadfulcrueltiesagainsttheCovenanters.ThereweretwoministersnamedCARGILLandCAMERONwhohadescapedfromthebattleofBothwellBridge,andwhoreturnedtoScotland,andraisedthemiserablebutstillbraveandunsubduedCovenantersafresh,underthenameofCameronians.AsCameronpubliclypostedadeclarationthattheKingwasaforsworntyrant,nomercywasshowntohisunhappyfollowersafterhewasslaininbattle.TheDukeofYork,whowasparticularlyfondoftheBootandderivedgreatpleasurefromhavingitapplied,offeredtheirlivestosomeofthesepeople,iftheywouldcryonthescaffold\'GodsavetheKing!\'Buttheirrelations,friends,andcountrymen,hadbeensobarbarouslytorturedandmurderedinthismerryreign,thattheypreferredtodie,anddiddie.TheDukethenobtainedhismerrybrother\'spermissiontoholdaParliamentinScotland,whichfirst,withmostshamelessdeceit,confirmedthelawsforsecuringtheProtestantreligionagainstPopery,andthendeclaredthatnothingmustorshouldpreventthesuccessionofthePopishDuke.Afterthisdouble-facedbeginning,itestablishedanoathwhichnohumanbeingcouldunderstand,butwhicheverybodywastotake,asaproofthathisreligionwasthelawfulreligion.TheEarlofArgyle,takingitwiththeexplanationthathedidnotconsiderittopreventhimfromfavouringanyalterationeitherintheChurchorStatewhichwasnotinconsistentwiththeProtestantreligionorwithhisloyalty,wastriedforhightreasonbeforeaScottishjuryofwhichtheMARQUISOFMONTROSEwasforeman,andwasfoundguilty.Heescapedthescaffold,forthattime,bygettingaway,inthedisguiseofapage,inthetrainofhisdaughter,LADYSOPHIA
LINDSAY.Itwasabsolutelyproposed,bycertainmembersoftheScottishCouncil,thatthisladyshouldbewhippedthroughthestreetsofEdinburgh.ButthiswastoomuchevenfortheDuke,whohadthemanlinessthen(hehadverylittleatmosttimes)toremarkthatEnglishmenwerenotaccustomedtotreatladiesinthatmanner.
InthosemerrytimesnothingcouldequalthebrutalservilityoftheScottishfawners,buttheconductofsimilardegradedbeingsinEngland.
Afterthesettlementoftheselittleaffairs,theDukereturnedtoEngland,andsoonresumedhisplaceattheCouncil,andhisofficeofHighAdmiral-allthisbyhisbrother\'sfavour,andinopendefianceofthelaw.Itwouldhavebeennolosstothecountry,ifhehadbeendrownedwhenhisship,ingoingtoScotlandtofetchhisfamily,struckonasand-bank,andwaslostwithtwohundredsoulsonboard.Butheescapedinaboatwithsomefriends;andthesailorsweresobraveandunselfish,that,whentheysawhimrowingaway,theygavethreecheers,whiletheythemselvesweregoingdownforever.
TheMerryMonarch,havinggotridofhisParliament,wenttoworktomakehimselfdespotic,withallspeed.HavinghadthevillainytoordertheexecutionofOLIVERPLUNKET,BISHOPOFARMAGH,falselyaccusedofaplottoestablishPoperyinthatcountrybymeansofaFrencharmy-theverythingthisroyaltraitorwashimselftryingtodoathome-andhavingtriedtoruinLordShaftesbury,andfailed-heturnedhishandtocontrollingthecorporationsalloverthecountry;because,ifhecouldonlydothat,hecouldgetwhatjurieshechose,tobringinperjuredverdicts,andcouldgetwhatmembershechosereturnedtoParliament.Thesemerrytimesproduced,andmadeChiefJusticeoftheCourtofKing\'sBench,adrunkenruffianofthenameofJEFFREYS;ared-faced,swollen,bloated,horriblecreature,withabullying,roaringvoice,andamoresavagenatureperhapsthanwaseverlodgedinanyhumanbreast.ThismonsterwastheMerryMonarch\'sespecialfavourite,andhetestifiedhisadmirationofhimbygivinghimaringfromhisownfinger,whichthepeopleusedtocallJudgeJeffreys\'sBloodstone.HimtheKingemployedtogoaboutandbullythecorporations,beginningwithLondon;or,asJeffreyshimselfelegantlycalledit,\'togivethemalickwiththeroughsideofhistongue.\'Andhediditsothoroughly,thattheysoonbecamethebasestandmostsycophanticbodiesinthekingdom-excepttheUniversityofOxford,which,inthatrespect,wasquitepre-eminentandunapproachable.
LordShaftesbury(whodiedsoonaftertheKing\'sfailureagainsthim),LORDWILLIAMRUSSELL,theDukeofMonmouth,LORDHOWARD,LORD
JERSEY,ALGERNONSIDNEY,JOHNHAMPDEN(grandsonofthegreatHampden),andsomeothers,usedtoholdacounciltogetherafterthedissolutionoftheParliament,arrangingwhatitmightbenecessarytodo,iftheKingcarriedhisPopishplottotheutmostheight.LordShaftesburyhavingbeenmuchthemostviolentofthisparty,broughttwoviolentmenintotheirsecrets-RUMSEY,whohadbeenasoldierintheRepublicanarmy;andWEST,alawyer.ThesetwoknewanoldofficerofCROMWELL\'S,calledRUMBOLD,whohadmarriedamaltster\'swidow,andsohadcomeintopossessionofasolitarydwellingcalledtheRyeHouse,nearHoddesdon,inHertfordshire.RumboldsaidtothemwhatacapitalplacethishouseofhiswouldbefromwhichtoshootattheKing,whooftenpassedtheregoingtoandfrofromNewmarket.Theylikedtheidea,andentertainedit.But,oneoftheirbodygaveinformation;andthey,togetherwithSHEPHERDawinemerchant,LordRussell,AlgernonSidney,LORDESSEX,LORDHOWARD,andHampden,wereallarrested.
