CHARLES II.

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to the inclination as well as interests of the chap*public. Could we suppose, that Charles, in his txv*alliance against Holland , really meant the good lC7 --of his people, that measure must pass for an ex-traordinary, nay, a romantic j strain of patriotism*which could lead him* in spite of all difficulties,and even in spite of themselves , to seek thewelfare of the nation. But every step, whichhe took in this affair* became a proof to all menof penetration, that the present war was intendedagainst the religion and liberties of his own sub-jects, even more than against the Dutch them-selves. He now acted in every thing, as if hewere already an absolute monarch , and wasnever more to lie under the controul of nationalassemblies.

The long prorogations of parliament, if theyfreed the king from the importunate remonstrances '

of that assembly , were however attended withthis inconvenience , that no money could bsprocured to carry on the military preparationsagainst Holland. Under pretence of maintainingthe triple league, which, at that very time, hshad firmly resolved to break, Charles had ob-tained a large supply from the commons; but thismoney was soon exhausted by debts and expenses.-France had stipulated to pay two hundred thou-sand pounds a year during the war; but thafesupply was inconsiderable, compared to the im-»mense charge of the English navy. It seemed asyet premature to venture on levying money *without consent of parliament; since the poyye#

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