the people generally wished for the king, and believed that without him there could be no firm and settled peace in the nation. In a conference at Northumberland's house, the king's restoration was proposed in direct terms as absolutely necessary for the interest and satisfaction of the people; and the question seemed only to be upon what terms they should admit him. In the whole debate, Monk insisted on the most severe conditions, in such a manner that the lords suspected very much his inclinations, and thought it prudent to postpone any farther debate on the subject till the parliament met, and that they could form an opinion of the temper of that new assembly.

From a cool and unbiassed consideration of all the principal circumstances at that period, and of all the particulars of general Monk's conduct, it is difficult not to conclude, that though rather inclined in favour of the king's interest, he also waited till he knew the temper of the new parliament, to make up his mind about his majesty's restoration; and that, had he found them resolved to establish a well regulated commonwealth, he would not have declared against them.

The elections were now going on; and in all the counties many of the chosen members were known to be attached to the king, and very few of them who did not abhor the murder of his father, and detest the government that succeeded. This circumstance more than any thing else wrought upon the general's mind. Mr. Morrice, a member of the new parliament, and attached to the royal cause, was one of the most intimate friends of general Monk, and gave him the most satisfactory information about the prevailing inclination in all the counties in favour of the king. Upon the whole, Monk consulted with him, how he might manage the matter before the meeting of the parliament, so as

what would follow might be ascribed to his counsels and contrivance. He accordingly consented that Mr. Morrice should introduce, secretly, to him in a private lodging he had in St. James's, sir John Greenvile, a servant of eminent trust to the king. When he came to him, after he had required and obtained from him a solemn promise of secresy upon the peril of his life, he told him he meant to send him to the king with a verbal message, for he was resolved not to give him any thing in writing, but wished him to confer with Mr. Morrice, and take a short memorandum in his own hand of what he would tell him, and that afterwards he would himself confer with him again at an hour he should appoint.

The instructions which Greenvile received from Morrice, were in substance, that the general was in great perplexity on account of the several humours and factions which prevailed, that he durst not trust any officer of his own army, or any friend but himself, with his own secret purposes. He advised that the king should write to the general, and inclose in it a letter and a declaration to the parliament, the purport of which was to satisfy all interests, and to comply with every man's humour. The general added only to these instructions, that he would keep in his hands the letter and declaration till he found a fit time to deliver it, or should think of another way to serve the king. He also earnestly insisted on the king removing immediately from Flanders to Breda, from whence should be dated whatsoever he would send in writing.

The king did not hesitate to adopt, without any exception, all that was proposed by Monk. By his majesty's declaration, "a free and general pardon was

granted to all his subjects of any condition who "should return to the loyalty and obedience of good "subjects, excepting only such persons as should

"hereafter be excepted by parliament, by whom he "promised, upon the word of a king, he would be "advised. It was also declared, that no man should "be disquieted or called in question for difference "of opinion in matters of religion; and because ' many grants and purchases of estates had been "made to and by many officers, soldiers, and others, "who were now possessed of them, and might be "liable to actions at law, it was declared that all "such differences should be determined in parlia"ment."

Sir John Greenvile returned to London full a week before the meeting of the new parliament, and brought to general Monk not only the letters and the declaration he had demanded, but three other letters of his majesty, one to the house of lords, one to the commanders of the fleet, and another to the lord mayor and common council of London. Monk, who was to deliver these letters when he should think proper, approved them very much. But nothing produced more favourable effect than a declaration published at that period by the king's party, and by which they sincerely professed, "that they reflected on their past sufferings, as

coming from the hand of God, and therefore did "not cherish any violent thoughts or inclinations "against any person whatsoever who had been any

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way instrumental in them; and that if the indis"cretion of any particular persons should transport "them to expressions contrary to this their general "sense, they utterly disclaimed them. They far"ther promised, by their quiet and peaceable beha"viour, to testify their submission to the council "of state, in expectation of the future parliament,

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on whose wisdom they trusted God would give "such a blessing as might produce a perfect set"tlement both in church and state. They lastly "declared, that it was their hope and prayer that

"all might speak one language and be of one name; "that all mention of parties and factions, and all "rancour and animosities might be buried in obli"vion."

The parliament met on the 25th day of May, and Monk was returned a member as knight of the shire for the county of Devon. After he had well surveyed the temper of the assembly, he came into the house on the 1st of May, and told them one sir John Greenvile, who was a servant of the king, had brought him a letter from his majesty, which he had in his hand, but would not presume to open it without their direction; and that the same gentleman was at the door, and had a letter to the house, which was no sooner heard, than he was called for with a general acclamation, and being brought to the bar, delivered the king's letter and withdrew.

The house immediately called to have both letters read; the declaration was as greedily called for. As soon as the reading was over, the house burst out all at once into a universal assent to the king's proposal. It was unanimously voted amidst the liveliest transports of joy, that the letter and the declaration should immediately be published, and a committee. was appointed to prepare an answer. The king's declaration was no less relished by every class of the people. Traditions remain of men, particularly of Oughtred, the mathematician, who died of pleasure when informed of this happy event.

The lords perceiving that the commons were animated by the same spirit as the whole kingdom, hastened to reinstate themselves in their ancient authority, and to take their share in the settlement of the nation; they found the doors of their house open, and all were admitted.

The king was proclaimed May 8th with great solemnity in Palace-yard, at Whitehall, and at Temple-bar, and the ceremony was attended by the two,

houses. The commons voted five hundred pounds to buy a jewel for Greenvile, who had brought them the king's gracious message. A present of fifty thousand pounds was conferred on the king, ten thousand pounds on the duke of York, five thousand pounds on the duke of Gloucester. On the 11th of May a deputation of lords and commons was dispatched to invite his majesty to return, and take possession of the government. Both France and Spain sent him invitations to embark from their dominions. A few weeks before Monk had not finally adopted any plan, and when his inclinations were still unsettled, or at least concealed under the thickest veil, cardinal Mazarin had directed Mr. de Bourdeaux, the French ambassador, to offer to him the assistance of France, whatever might be his views.

Charles having received from the States General the same offer which had been made to him by the courts of France and Spain, accepted it, and embarked, May 23d, at Scheveling, where admiral Montague was just arrived with the English fleet. The duke of York went on board, and took the command as high admiral. On the 26th the king landed at Dover, embraced general Monk, and conferred on him the order of the garter. On the 29th of May, which was the king's birth-day, his majesty entered London, and was attended to Whitehall by immense crowds of his loyal subjects, who by incessant acclamations of the most unfeigned joy, celebrated the double festivity of the birth and return of their beloved monarch, and the happy issue of the interregnum.

It would be almost impossible to enumerate all the religious sects which prevailed in England during the civil commotions. The quakers, though not the most considerable, deserve to be noticed, at least, for their singularity, and because no occasion to mention them has hitherto occurred, as they