CHARLES II.

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one way or other, with the popish plot. Anyman, especially so active a magistrate as Godfrey,might, in filch a city as London, have manyenemies , of whom his friends and family hadno suspicion. He was a melancholy man; andthere is some reason , notwithstanding the pre-tended appearances to the contrary, to suspectthat he fell by his own hands. The affair wasnever examined with tranquillity, or even with-common fense, during the time ; and it is impos-sible for us, at this distance, certainly to accountfor it.

No one doubted but the papists had assassinated:Godfrey ; but still the particular actors wereunknown. A proclamation was issued by theking, offering a pardon and a reward of fivehundred pounds to any one who should discoverthem. As it was afterwards surmised , that theterror of a like assassination would prevent disco-very, a new proclamation was issued, promisingabsolute protection to any one who should revealthe secret. Thus were indemnity, money, andsecurity offered to the fairest bidder: And no oneneeded to fear , during the present fury of thepeople, that his evidence would undergo toosevere a scrutiny.

While the nation was in this ferment, theparliament was assembled. In his speech the kingtold them, that, though they had given moneyfor disbanding the army 8 , he had found Flanders

They had granted him 600,000 pounds for disbanding

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CHAP.

I.XV1I.

167S.

ust oaob.Tlie parlia-ment.