CHARLES II.

iQ3

own ssnvery, and retained no hopes of defendingthemselves, should such a mighty accession bemade to the already exorbitant power of France.The emperor, though he lay at a distance, andwas naturally flow in his undertakings, began toput himself in motion ; Braodenburgh showed adisposition to support the States; Spain had sentsome forces to their assistance; and by the presenteff its of the prince of Orange, and the prospectof relief from their allies , a different face of affairsbegan already to appear. Groniughen was thefirst place that stopped the progress of the enemy:The bishop of [VImister was repulsed from beforethat town , and obliged to raise the siege withloss and dishonor. Naarden was attempted bythe prince of Orange; but marcschal Luxembourg,breaking in upon his entrenchments with a suddenirruption, obliged him to abandon the enterprise.

THtRt was no ally, on whom the Dutchmore relied for assistance, than the parliament ofEngland , which the king's necessities at lastobliged him to assemble. The eyes of all men ,both abroad and at home, were fixed on thissession , which met after prorogatioH continuedfor near two years. It was evident how muchthe king dreaded the assembling of his parliament;and the discontents , universally excited by thebold measures entered into , both in foreign anddomestic administration, had given but too justfoundation for his apprehensions.

Th*, king, however, in hi» speech , addressedthem with all the appearance of cordiality andVol. XI. O

chat.

LXV.

IS7Z.

4tli of Fell*A parlia-ment.