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HISTORY 01? KNGLAXD.

chap, made, except such as were absolutely necessary for the vin-dication of public justice and for the safety of the state. TheCommons unanimously agreed to thank him for this instance ofhis paternal kindness: but they suffered many weeks to passwithout taking any step towards the accomplishment of hiswish. When at length the subject was resumed, it was resumedin such a manner as plainly showed that the majority had noreal intention of putting an end to the suspense which embit-tered the lives of all those Tories who were conscious that, inthen- zeal for prerogative, they had sometimes overstepped theexact line traced by law. Twelve categories were framed, someof which were so extensive as to include tens of thousands ofdelinquents; and the House resolved that, under every' one ofthese categories, some exceptions should be made. Then camethe examination into the cases of individuals. Numerousculprits and witnesses were summoned to the bar. The debateswere long and sharp; and it soon became evident that the workwas interminable. The summer glided away: the autumn wasapproaching: the session could not last much longer; and ofthe twelve distinct inquisitions, which the Commons had re-solved to institute, only three had been brought to a close. Itwas necessary to let the bill drop for that year.*

Last days Among the many offenders whose names were mentioned in

of Jet- ° , . . . , , , ,

Crcys. the course of these inquiries, was one who stood alone andunapproached in guilt and infamy, and whom Whigs and Torieswere equally willing to leave to the extreme rigour of the law.On that terrible day which was succeeded by the Irish Night,the roar of a great city disappointed of its revenge had followedJeffreys to the drawbridge of the Tower. His imprisonment wasnot strictly legal: but he at first accepted with thanks and

* Sco Grey’s Debates and the Commons’ Journals from March to July.The twelve categories will bo found in the Journals of the 23d and 29tli ofMay and of the 8th of June.