172

HISTORY OP ENGLAND,

CHAP.

II.

GeneralelectionOf 1661.

between bishops and synods. The Liturgy should be revisedby a body of learned divines, one half of whom should bePresbyterians. The questions respecting the surplice, theposture at the Eucharist, and the sign of the cross in baptism,should be settled in a way which would set tender consciencesat ease. When the King had thus laid asleep the vigilance ofthose whom he most feared, he dissolved the Parliament. Hehad already given his assent to an act by which an amnestywas granted, with few exceptions, to all who, during the latetroubles, had been guilty of political offences. He had alsoobtained from the Commons a grant for life of taxes, theannual produce ot which was estimated at twelve hundredthousand pounds. The actual income, indeed, during someyears, amounted to little more than a million: but this sum,together with the hereditary revenue of the crown, was thensufficient to defray the expenses of the government in time ofpeace. Nothing was allowed for a standing army. Thenation was sick of the very name; and the least mention ofsuch a force would have incensed and alarmed all parties.

Early in 1661 took place a general election. The peoplewere mad with loyal enthusiasm. The capital was excited bypreparations for the most splendid coronation that had everbeen known. The result was that a body of representativeswas returned, such as England had never yet seen. A largeproportion of the successful candidates were men who hadfought for the crown and the Church, and whose minds hadbeen exasperated by many injuries and insults suffered at thehands of the Roundheads. When the members met, thepassions which animated each individually acquired newstrength from sympathy. The House of Commons was,during some years, more zealous for royalty than the King,more zealous for Episcopacy than the Bishops. Charles andClarendon were almost terrified at the completeness of theirown success. They found themselves in a situation not unlike