3 io HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

chap. so exposed, that he had thought it necessary slilllxvii, to keep them on foot, and doubted not but thisI° 78 - measure would meet with their approbation. Heinformed them, that his revenue lay under greatanticipations, and at best was never equal to theconstant and necessary expense of government;as would appear from the state of it, which heintended to lay before them. He also mentionedthe plot, formed against his life by Jesuits; butsaid that he would forbear delivering any opinionof the matter , lest he should seem to say toomuch or too little ; and that he would leave thescrutiny of it entirely to the law.

The king was anxious to keep the questionof the popish plot from the parliament; where,he suspected, many designing people would verymuch abuse the present credulity of the nation:ButDanby, who hated the catholics, and courtedpopularity, and perhaps hoped, that the king, ifhis life were believed in danger from the Jesuits,would be more cordially loved by the nation,had entertained opposite designs ; and the veryfirst day of the session, he opened the matter inthe house of peers. The king was extremelydispleased with this temerity, and told his minis-ter, “ Though you do not believe it, you will ,“ find, that you have given the parliament a“ handle to ruin yourself, as well as to disturball my affairs ; and you will surely live to

the army, for reimbursing the charges of his naval arma-ment, and for paying the princess of Orange’s portion.