CHAP,

LXVI.

Cafftpaignbi 16 i.

2Z2 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

former reigns, would have been grounded entirelyon the prerogative; and before the accession ofthe house of Stuart, no scruple would have beenentertained with regard to that exercise of author-ity. But Charles, finding doubts to arise uponbis proclamation, had-recourse to the judges,Who supplied him with a chicane, and that too afrivolous one , by which he might justify htsproceedings. The law , which settled the excise,enacted , that licences for retailing liquors mightbe refused to such as could not find security forpayment of the dudes. But coffee was not aliquor subjected to excise; and even this powerof refusing licences was very limited, and couldnot reasonably be extended beyond the intentionof the act. The king, therefore, observing thepeople to be much dissatisfied , yielded to apetition of the coffee-men, who promised for thefuture to restrain all seditions discourse in theirhouses ; and the proclamation was recalled.

This campaign proved more fortunate to theconfederates than any other during the wholewar. The French took the field in Flanders witha numerous army ; and Lewis himself served asa volunteer under the prince of Conde. Butnotwithstanding his great preparations, he couldgain no advantages but the taking of Huy andLimbourg, places of small consequence. The princeof Orange with a considerable army opposed himin all his motions; and neither.side was willing,Without a visible advantage, to hazard a generalAction, which might be attended either with the