CHAP. VI. Complexion of the new parliament-Subfiance of the king's Speech-Alarm given by the chancellor—Address from both houfes-Eradication of anti-monarchical Principles-Grants to the crown-Tardiness of the commons in confirming the Act of IndemnityVote for reftoring the bishops to their feats in parliament-Intrigue to obftruct this bill in the houfe of Lords-Adjournment-Proceedings of the convocation-Spies encouraged-The king's apology for an unusual vifit to parliament at its re-meeting-Order to difbanded foldiers, and vote of fresh SuppliesCorporation-act-Additions made to the liturgyNumberless claims, and petitions from the royalifts -The commons fent for to the Banqueting-houseAct of Uniformity-The diffenters infnared by the promife of a difpenfation-Militia and revenue bills -Reftraints on the right of petitioning, and on the liberty of the prefs-Parliament prorogued-Embaffy to bring the infanta to England-Her arrival and marriage-New intrigues at court in favour of Barbara Villiers-The king's fon by Lucy Walters brought over from France-Effects of Charles's fondnefs for him-Circumfantial account of the fale بحره CHAP. 1661. Complexion of the new parliament. of Dunkirk-Dread of plots and infurrections kept up-Scheme to obtain a complete toleration of popery. THE HE effects of the hint given by the chancellor at the diffolution of the late parliament *, and of the powerful exertions used by the court party in the interval, were manifested in the temper and conftitution of the new house of commons, which met on the eighth of May, the very day twelvemonth that his majesty had been proclaimed the year before. Few members were returned, who had not given proofs of their zeal for the royal caufe, and of their affection for the old eftablishments in both church and ftate. The tide of popularity ran fo strongly against the independents and fanatics, that fcarcely any of them had the leaft chance of carrying an election. Even the prefbyterians, before fo powerful, feemed in moft places to have shrunk from an useless conteft, so that a very small number were chofen upon that interest. The king now hoped to be relieved from trouble by finding an eafy compliance with all his wishes; and the duke of York exulted at the profpect of affured fuccefs in the profecution of his more fecret, and more pernicious defigns. * See page 171. + There were only fifty-fix members of that party returned, notwithstanding their great interest in almost all the corporations. CHAP. VI. 1661. Subftance of the king's His majefty, having gone to the house of lords*, fent for the commons, and told them, "that he had deferred calling them together for a week, that they might meet upon that day, for the memory of the former day, on which he was pro- fpeech. claimed." He added fome gracious expreffions of his confidence in them, obferving, "that the greater part of the members, who compofed that affembly, were perfonally known to him, and that there were very few, of whom he had not heard much good." After this introduction, and fome remarks on his own affection for parliaments †, he told them, that they would find what method he thought best for their proceeding, by two bills which he had caused to be provided for them, which were for confirmation of all that had been enacted in the laft meeting." He now repeated what he had faid when laft there, that next to the miraculous bleffing of God Almighty, and indeed as an immediate effect of that bleffing, he did impute the * He went there with almost as much pomp and fplendor as had been displayed on the coronation-day, and for the fame reasons, to dazzle the mob, and to impress on the minds of the people very exalted notions of the dignity of regal government. † Those remarks were in fact artful compliments to himself on the punctual obfervance of his word, in calling together, at fo early a period of his reign, a fecond national affembly. His very patriotic intentions have been already pointed out, and will be farther illuftrated in the courfe of the above work. good difpofition and fecurity they were all in to the happy act of indemnity and oblivion: that was the principal corner-ftone, 'which fupported the whole building, and created kindnefs in them to each other; and confidence was their joint and common fecurity." But though his majesty declared himself ftill of the fame opinion, and more fo," he said, "if it were poffible, from the experience he had of the benefit of that act, and from the unreasonableness of what fome men faid against it; yet he defired parliament to provide full remedies for FUTURE mifchiefs; to be as fevere as they would against NEW offenders, especially if they were fo upon OLD PRINCIPLES; and to PULL UP THOSE PRINCIPLES BY THE ROOTS." When his majefty had spoken all that he intended on those fubjects, he told both houses, “ that he could not conclude without imparting to them fome news, which he believed would be very acceptable; and therefore he fhould think himself unkind and ill-natured, if he did not mention it. He had," he said, " been often put in mind by his friends that it was high time to marry, and he had thought fo himself ever fince he came into England; but there appeared difficulties enough in the choice, though many overtures had been made to him; and, if he should never marry till he could make fuch a choice, against which there could be no forefight of forefight of any inconvenience that might enfue, they would live to fee him an old 66 CHAP. VI. 1661. * Heaven, no doubt, muft have approved of a treaty begun in avarice, carried on with falfehood, interrupted by levity and intrigue, renewed by corruption, and concluded with perfidy. A little cant may be allowed in fuch men as Charles I. and Crom-` well, who kept up at least the fhew of religion, and both of whom had probably a ftrong tincture of enthusiasm. But frequent boafts of the divine bleffing in the mouth of fuch a notoriously debauched, unprincipled, impious profligate as Charles II. cannot but excite the strongest indignation. queen |