CHARLES I.

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more open, some more disguised , of the privi- chap.leges of the nation. Though humane and gentle LI1 *in his temper , he gave way to a few severities lS3 °*in the star-chamber and high-commission, whichseemed necessary, in order to support the presentmode of administration , and repress the risingspirit of liberty throughout the kingdom. Underthese two heads may be reduced all the remark-able transactions of this reign, during some years:

For, in peaceable and prosperous times, wherea neutrality in foreign affairs is observed, scarcelyany thing is remarkable, but what is, in somedegree , blamed, or blameable. And , lest thehope of relief or protection from parliament mightencourage opposition, Charles issued a proclama-tion in which he declared, “That, whereas,

“ for several ill ends , the calling again of a“ parliament is divulged ; though his majesty has“ shown, by frequent meetings with his people,

" his love to the use bf parliaments: Yet the“ late abuse having, for the present, driven him“ unwillingly out of that course; he will account“ it presumption for any one to prescribe to him" any time for the calling of that assembly "

This was generally construed as a declaration,that , during this reign , no more parliamentswere intended to be summoned And everymeasure of the king’s confirmed a suspicion , sodisagreeable to the generality of the people.

Parl. Hist. vol. viii. p. ;8y- Rush. vol. ii. p.

" Clarendon , vol. i. p. 4. May, p. 14.

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