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HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

chap, cuting, Presbyterians, Independents, Anabaptists, old soldiers-jjjjj—of Cromwell, brisk boys of Shaftesbury, accomplices in theRye House Plot, captains of the Western Insurrection. Henaturally wished to find out some salvo which might sooth hisconscience, which might vindicate his consistency, and whichmight put a distinction between him and the crew of schisma-tical rebels whom he had always despised and abhorred, butwith whom he was now in danger of being confounded. Hetherefore disclaimed with vehemence all thought of taking thecrown from that anointed head which the ordinance of heavenand the fundamental laws of the realm had made sacred. Hisdearest wish was to see a reconciliation effected on termswhich would not lower the royal dignity. He was no traitor.He was not, in truth, resisting the kingly authority. He was inarms only becausehewas convinced that the best service whichcould be rendered to the throne was to rescue His Majesty,by a little gentle coercion, from the hands of wicked counsellors.

The evils which the mutual animosity of these factionstended to produce were, to a great extent, averted by theascendency and by the wisdom of the Prince. Surroundedby eager disputants, officious advisers, abject flatterers,vigilant spies, malicious talebearers, he remained serene andinscrutable. He preserved silence while silence was possible.When he was forced to speak, the earnest and peremptorytone in which he uttered his well weighed opinions soonsilenced everybody else. Whatever some of his too zealousadherents might say, he uttered not a word indicating anydesign on the English crown. He was doubtless well awarethat between him and that crown were still interposed ob-stacles which no prudence might be able to surmount, andwhich a single false step would make insurmountable. Hisonly chance of obtaining the splendid prize was not to seize itrudely, but to wait till, without any appearance of exertionor stratagem on his part, his secret wish should be accom-plished by the force of circumstances, by the blunders of hisopponents, and by the free choice of the Estates of the Realm.Those who ventured to interrogate him learned nothing, andyet could not accuse him of shuffling. He quietly referred