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some intrigues, that the commons renewed theirformer jealousies against the king, and voted thearmy immediately to be disbanded. The kingby a message represented the danger of disarmingbefore peace were finally concluded ; and he re-commended to their consideration , whether hecould honorably recal his forces from those townsin Flanders, which were put under his protection,and which had at present no other means ofdefence. The commons agreed to prolong theterm with regard to these forces. Every thing in-deed in Europe bore the appearance of war. Francehad positively declared, that /he would not eva-cuate the six towns before the requisite cessionwas made to Sweden ; and her honor seemednow engaged to support that declaration. Spainand the Empire disgusted with the terms of peaceimposed by Holland, saw with pleasure the pros-pect of a powerful support from the new resolutionsof Charles. Holland itself, encouraged by theprince of Orange and his party, was not displeasedto find, that the war would be renewed on moreequal terms. The allied army under that princewas approaching towards Mons, then blockaded

king’s pardon, and immediately on his return entering intocabals for rebellion , form a conduct much more criminalthan the taking of French gold : Yet the former circum-stance was always known , and always disregarded. Butevery thing connected with France is supposed, in England,to be polluted beyond all possibility of expiation. Evenlord Russel, whose conduct in this negotiation was onlyfactious, and that in an ordinary degree, is imagined tobe dilhonored by the fame discovery.

HAP

LXVI.

1678 .