BEFORE THE RESTORATION.

145

free Parliament; and there could be no doubt that aParlia- chap.

xnent really free would instantly restore the exiled family.-

The Rump and the soldiers were still hostile to the House ofStuart. But the Rump was universally detested and despised.

The power of the soldiers was indeed still formidable, buthad been greatly diminished by discord. They had no head.

They had Recently been, in many parts of the country, ar-rayed against each other. On the very day before Monkreached London, there was a fight in the Strand between thecavalry and the infantry. An united army had long kept downa divided nation: but the nation was now united, and thearmy was divided.

During a short time, the dissimulation or irresolution ofMonk kept all parties in a state of painful suspense. At length monk de-he broke silence, and declared for a free Parliament. a'froe f ° r

As soon as his declaration was known, the whole nationwas wild with delight. Wherever he appeared thousandsthronged round him, shouting and blessing his name. Thebells of all England rang joyously: the gutters ran with ale:and, night after night, the sky five miles round London wasreddened by innumerable bonfires. Those Presbyterian mem-bers of the House of Commons who had many years beforebeen expelled by the army, returned to their seats, and werehailed with acclamations by great multitudes, which filledWestminster Hall and Palace Yard. The Independent leadersno longer dared to show their faces in the streets, and werescarcely safe within their own dwellings. Temporary pro-vision was made for the government: writs were issued for ageneral election; and then that memorable Parliament, whichhad, during twenty eventful years, experienced every varietyof fortune, which had triumphed over its sovereign, whichhad been enslaved and degraded by its servants, which hadbeen twice ejected and twice restored, solemnly decreed itsown dissolution.

Macaulay. History. 1.

10