CHARLES II.

263

between England , Holland , Spain , and sheEmperor.

But these vigorous measures received a suddendamp from a passionate address of the lowerhouse ; in which they justified all their past pro-ceedings , that had given disgust to the king;desired to be acquainted with the measures takenby him; prayed him to dismiss evil counsellors;and named in particular the duke of Lauderdale,'on whose removal they strenuously insisted. Theking told them , that their address was so extra-vagant, that he was not willing speedily to giveit the answer, which it deserved. And he beganagain to lend an ear to the propoials of Lewis,who offered him great sums of money , if hewould consent to France’s making an advantageouspeace with the allies.

TtMPLE, though pressed by the king, refusedto have any concern in so dishonorable a nego-tiation : But he informs us, that the king said,there was one article proposed, which so incensedhim, that, as long as he lived, he should neverforget it. Sir William goes no farther ; but theeditor of his works, the famous Dr. Swift, fays,that the French , before they would agree toany payment, required as a preliminary, thatthe king should engage never to keep above 8000regular troops in Great Britain ". Charles broke

To wit, ;ooo men for Scotland, and the usualguards and garrisons in England , amounting to near ; 000men. Sir J. Dalrymple’s App. p. 161.

S 4

HAP

LXVI.

1678 .

Negoti-

ations.