CHARLES IT.

333

of the populace, a distinguished valor, an affableaddress , a thoughtless generosity , a gracefulperson. He rose still higher in the public favor,by reason of the universal hatred, to which theduke, on account of his religion, was exposed.Monmouth’s capacity was mean ; his temperpliant: So that, notwithstanding his great popu-larity , he had never been dangerous, had henot implicitly resigned himself to the guidance ofShaftesbury, a man of such a restless temper, suchsubtle wit, and such abandoned principles. Thatdaring politician had flattered Monmouth withthe hopes of succeeding to the crown. The storyof a contract of marriage , passed between theking and Monmouth’s mother, and secretly keptin a certain black box , had been industriouslyspread abroad , and was greedily received bythe multitude. As the horrors of popery stillpressed harder on them, they might be induced,either to adopt that fiction, as they had alreadydone many others more incredible, or to commitopen violation on the right of succession. Andit would not be difficult, it was hoped, to per-suade the king, who was extremely fond of hisson, to give him the preference above a brother,who , by his imprudent bigotry , had involvedhim in such inextricable difficulties: But Charles,in order to cut off all such expectations , as wellas to remove the duke’s apprehensions , tookcare, in full council, to make a declaration ofMonmouth's illegitimacy, and to deny all promise

CHAT.

LXVII.

1675 .