UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND.

165

reprimanded by the Speaker. The general wish of the House cn *r-

undoubtedly was to settle the ecclesiastical disputes in a-

manner satisfactory to the moderate Puritans. But to such asettlement both the court and the nation were averse.

The restored King was at this time more loved by the Characterpeople than any of his predecessors had ever been. The chariesii.calamities of his house, the heroic death of his father, hisown long sufferings and romantic adventures, made him anobject of tender interest. His return had delivered thecountry from an intolerable bondage. Recalled by the voiceof both the contending factions, he was in a position whichenabled him to arbitrate between them; and in some respectshe was well qualified for the task. He had received fromnature excellent parts and a happy temper. His educationhad been such as might have been expected to develope hisunderstanding, and to form him to the practice of every publicand private virtue. He had passed through all varieties offortune, and had seen both sides of human nature. He had,while very young, been driven forth from a palace to a life ofexile, penury, and danger. He had, at the age when themind and body are in their highest perfection, and when thefirst effervescence of boyish passions should have subsided,been recalled from his wanderings to wear a crown. He hadbeen taught by bitter experience how much baseness, perfidy,and ingratitude may lie hid under the obsequious demeanourof courtiers. He had found, on the other hand, in the hutsof the poorest, true nobility of soul. When wealth wasoffered to any who would betray him, when death was de-nounced against all who should shelter him, cottagers andserving men had kept his secret truly, and had kissed hishand under his mean disguises with as much reverence as if hehad been seated on his ancestral throne. From such a schoolit might have been expected that a young man who wantedneither abilities nor amiable qualities would have come forth