CHAP

LII.

I«3C*

Characterof the(juten.

8 HISTORY OF GRF.AT BRITAIN.

- operation of every motive, which usually influencessociety.

But the misfortunes , arising from these causes ,were yet remote. Charles now enjoyed himselfia the full exercise of his authority , in a socialintercourse with his friends and courtiers, and ina moderate use of those pleafbr.es , which he mostaffected.

After the death of Buckingham, who hadsomewhat alienated Charles from the queen, sheis to be considered as his chief friend and favorite.That rustic contempt of the fair sex , which Jamesaffected, and which. banishing them from hiscourt, made it resemble more a fair or an ex-change, than the seat of a great prince, was verywide of the disposition of this monarch. Butthough full of complaisance to the whole sex ,Charles reserved all his passion for his consort,to whom he attached himself with unshakenfidelity and confidence. By her sense and spirit,as well as by her beauty , Ihe justified the fond-ness of her husband ; though it is allowed , that,being somewhat of a passionate temper, she pre-cipitated him into hasty and imprudent measures.Her religion, likewise, to which she was muchaddicted, must be regarded as a great misfortune;since it augmented the jealousy, which prevailedagainst the court, and engaged her to procurefor the catholics some indulgences, which weregenerally distasteful to the nation s .

s May, p. 2 r.*