UNDER CHARLES THE SECOND.

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the fortitude of a Christian, Sidney with the fortitude of a chap.

Stoic. Some active politicians of meaner rank were sent to-

the gallows. Many quitted the country. Numerous prose-cutions for misprision of treason, for libel, and for conspiracywere instituted. Convictions were obtained without difficultyfrom Tpry juries, and rigorous punishments were inflicted bycourtly judges. With these criminal proceedings were joinedcivil proceedings scarcely less formidable. Actions werebrought against persons who had defamed the Duke of York;and damages tantamount to a sentence of perpetual imprison-ment were demanded by the plaintiff, and without difficultyobtained. The Court of King’s Bench pronounced that thefranchises of the City of London were forfeited to the crown.Flushed with this great victory, the government proceeded seizuroto attack the constitutions of other corporations which were charters,governed by Whig officers, and which had been in the habitof returning Whig members to Parliament. Borough afterborough was compelled to surrender its privileges; and newcharters were granted which gave the ascendency everywhereto the Tories.

These proceedings, however reprehensible, had yet thesemblance of legality. They were also accompanied by an actintended to quiet the uneasiness with which many loyal menlooked forward to the accession of a Popish sovereign. TheLady Anne, younger daughter of the Duke of York by his firstwife, was married to George, a prince of the orthodoxHouse ofDenmark. The Tory gentry and clergy might now flatter them-selves that the Church of England had been effectually securedwithout any violation of the order of succession. TheKing andhis heir were nearly of the same age. Both were approachingthe decline of life. The King’s health was good. It was there-fore probable that James, if he ever came to the throne, wouldhave but a short reign. Beyond his reign there was the grati-fying prospect of a long series of Protestant sovereigns.