CHARLES II.

249

the war against Holland, must have been founded011 projects the most dangerous to his people;and as the fame union was still secretly maintain-ed , it might justly be feared, chat the same pro-jects were not yet entirely abandoned. That hecould not seriously intend to prosecute vigorousmeasures against France; since he had so longremained entirely unconcerned during such obviousdangers; and, till prompted by his parliament,whose proper business it was not to take the leadin those parts of administration , had suspendedall his activity. That if he really meant to enterinto a cordial union with his people, he wouldhave taken the first step, and have endeavoured,by putting trust in them, to restore that con-fidence, which he himself, by his rash conduct,had first violated. That it was in vain to askso small a sum as 600,000 pounds, in order tosecure him against the future attempts of theparliament; since that sum must soon be exhaustedby a war with France , and he must again fallinto that dependence, which was become, insome degree, essential to the constitution. Thatif he would form the necessary alliances, thatsum, or a greater, would instantly be voted;nor could there be any reason to dread, that theparliament would immediately desert measures,in which they were engaged by their honor,their inclination, and the public interest. Thatthe real ground, therefore, of the king’s refusalwas neither apprehension of danger from foreignenemies, nor jealousy of parliamentary encroach-

H A p.lxvi.1677.