least once in three years; and that the sheriffs should themselves issue writs, provided the period elapsed without a parliament *. The passing of this bill by the king gave great satisfaction.

Goodman

In one instance, the commons cannot be acquit-Case of ted of intolerance, though they proceeded accord- the Jesuit. ing to law. The statutes against Jesuits and seminary priests, who endeavoured to withdraw the people equally from their religion and allegiance, had never been executed capitally against any who had not likewise been engaged directly in a plot against the state; but parliament, having heard that one Goodman had been convicted, and dreading lest the suspension of the law in his case should pave the way for the pardon of Strafforde, insisted upon his execution: Charles at first endeavoured to save the accused, but the convict having himself petitioned for death, that his life might not be a ground of contention, he yielded him up a victim to the parliament, who, having gained their object, permitted the priest to live forgotten f.

The select and secret committee for drawing the Strafforde. charge against Strafforde, devoted themselves indefatigably to the business, and, at last brought it forward in twenty-eight different articles. It was presented to the Lords by Pym, and as it

*Cobett's Parl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 702-716. Journ.

+ Old Parliament History, vol. ix. p. 168, 171, 174, 176. Cobbet, vol. ii. p. 710, 712, et seq. See Baillie's Let. vol. i. p. 237, 238, 240, 241. This Jesuit, whose manly offering himself a sacrifice for peace, is so creditable to him, had been condemned before and sent away with an assurance that he would be hanged if he returned, p.

filled two hundred sheets of paper, and involved the conduct of the accused for fourteen years, he requested to be allowed three months to prepare his answer. This was deemed too long, but he was allowed from the 30th of January till the 24th of February. A question was agitated whether counsel should be assigned to him in a case of treason; and, after a debate, he was allowed to have counsel in points of law, but not of fact. He selected Sir Richard Lane, Gardiner, and others, who likewise drew his answers *.

In order to save the life of this devoted individual, Charles appointed Mr. St. John, solicitor-general; and meant to bestow the high offices on the Earl of Bedford, Lord Say, Messrs. Pym, Hollis, Hampden, and others; but though, with this view, Juxon resigned his treasurer's staff, and Cottington his office of master of the wards, the arrangement failed. Indeed, it could not possibly have succeeded according to the royal expectations; for it was intended to unite these men in administration with the very individual whom they were so hotly pursuing, from an idea that their popularity both with the English and Scots would enable them to accommodate all matters agreeably to the king. Policy, as well as duty to his people, ought to have dictated the choice of popular ministers; but no mistake is more fatal to a prince, whose misgovernment is so universally condemned,

* Clarendon is very disengenuous on this subject, vol. i. p. 224. et seq. See Whitelocke, p. 41. Old Parl. Hist. vol. ix. p. 186-7. Cobb. vol. ii. p. 740.

than the notion, that by changing his ministers he may yet gain the hearts of his people, and continue his misrule. The popularity of individuals arises from the confidence reposed in their principles, and the instant they turn apostates they lose their characters. The tergiversation of statesmen is no doubt useful to bad rulers, by sickening the general mind at all professions, and by the opportunity which it affords them of ridiculing every thing like public spirit: But, in the present temper of the kingdom, Charles, had he succeeded in seducing those individuals, would have soon discovered that he had only rendered them the greatest objects of public hate, and roused others to take their place, perhaps on higher ground *.

Trial of

The trial of Strafforde commenced on the 22d of. March, and a more imposing spectacle never was Strafforde begins 22d exhibited. It was held in Westminster Hall; and March, the king and queen, with a vast concourse of la-1641. dies attended. The lords in their robes, and with the Earl of Arundel, as Lord High Stewart of England, at their head, sat in the middle of the hall, on forms covered with red cloth. The Earl of Lindsay, who was created High Constable of England for the occason, was director of the place. Scaffolds were erected on either side of the hall, and at the lower end of these were seated the mem

* Clar. vol. i. p. p. 210. et seq. Whitelocke, p. 41. Sidney Papers, vol. ii. p. 664, and 666. It is curious that the Earl of Northumberland, on the 3d December, writes to the Earl of Leicester, that if Bedford got the Treasurer's place, it was not by the favour of the parliament," who is unsatisfied with him, believing him to be gained by the king." Id. p. 664.

bers of the commons as a committee, with hundreds of gentlemen whom they accommodated with places. At the upper end there was a chair, with a cloth of state for the king, and a private gallery on each side for himself, his consort, and the prince. At the lower end, there was a place for ladies of quality, who, as we have said, resorted to the trial in vast numbers, and soon enlisted themselves on the side of the prisoner. The prelates did not attend, as the canons of the church forbade their interfering in cases of blood or death t.

Strafforde had some advantages of person, and he knew the value of exterior on so momentous an occasion, when, as the subject of this grandly impressive scene, he was necessarily surveyed with the deepest interest and curiosity. His countenance was black and manly; his figure tall, and in some respects well formed. He naturally stooped much, which would, at another time, have detracted greatly from his appearance; but being now attributed to his late bodily infirmities, it excited sympathy. He appeared in blacks, the solemnity of which corresponded with his present fortune; and his carriage was at once modest and dignified. Nothing, indeed, could smooth the contraction of his brows; but as it no longer indicated the stern haughtiness which had raised against him so many personal enemies, it imposed something like a mys

• Whitelocke, p. 46. Clarendon, vol. i. p. 217. Harl. MSS. British Museum, No. 1769. Scott's Somers' Tracts, vol. iv. p. 230. May, p. 91, 92. Introd. to the Trial, by Rush. vol. viii. Baillie's Letters, vol. i. p. 257.

Clar. vol. i. p. 216. Whitelocke, p. 41. Sanderson, p. 376.

terious awe, by inspiring the idea of calm reflection and self collectedness, becoming in a man who had fallen from such a height of power, while his unwonted affability stole upon those who approached him*.

of Straf

peachment.

The substance of the twenty-eight articles of the Substance impeachment was, that he had traitorously endea- forde's imvoured to subvert the fundamental laws and con-t stitution, both of England and Ireland, and to in-. troduce an arbitrary government in their place; a project which he had developed by traitorous counsels and actions, having even advised his majesty to reduce the people to submission by mili. tary force: That he had traitorously assumed regal power over the lives and persons of the subjects in both kingdoms: That to enrich himself, and to enable him to carry through his trai torous designs, he had, in spite of the king's necessities, diverted the public money from the state to his own private emolument: That he had traitorously abused the power and authority of his office, by encouraging papists, that they might assist him in turn: That he had maliciously tried to stir up enmity betwixt the subjects of England and Scotland, and had thus caused the effusion of blood and the loss of Newcastle: And that, to

Whitelocke, p. 42. Rush. vol. viii. p. 772. Clar. vol. i. p. 218, Baillie, vol. i. p. 259. War. Mem. p. 112. Scott's Somers' Tracts, vol. iv. p. 231. Harl. MSS. Brit. Mus. No. 1769. Mem. par Motteville, tome i. p. 251. "Il étoit laid, mais assez agreable de sa personne, et la Reine me contant toutes ces choses, s'arrêta pour me dire qu'il avoit les plus belles mains du monde.”