"The pastime of this meeting, called The Club, was very engaging to young gentlemen; and one who had once tasted the conversation, could scarce ever quit it; for some or others were continually coming and going to import or export news and stories. There it was known, in half an hour, what any member said at the committee of elections, or in the House, if it sate late; and every post conveyed the news and tales legitimated there; as also the malign constructions of all the good actions of the government, especially to places where elections were depending, to shape men's characters into fit qualifications to be chosen or rejected.

"They were carriers up and down of seditious talk all over the town; so that a puisne politician, from the universal harmony of discourse, would think the grossest fablings to be truth in perfection."

THE HE contest between the King and the House of Commons could not continue much longer. Both parties foresaw, and desired a crisis.* The King, on his part, prepared for it by summoning the Parliament to Oxford, where his party was strong, and where he would have nothing to fear from the resentment of the inhabitants. He went there himself eight days before the meeting. He dismissed from his council, Shaftesbury, Sunderland, Essex, and Temple. On the other hand, a general alarm prevailed amongst the Whig party that some violence was intended. There was a rumour at one time that the Parliament was to be blown up by a new gunpowder plot; but the general idea was, that the King would cause the persons of those obnoxious to him to be seized, under pretence of a conspiracy

against his person and government. The Earl of Essex, accompanied by the Duke of Monmouth, and fourteen other peers, presented a petition to the King, that the Parliament might be held in London. Charles frowned, and gave no answer.

Lord Grey pretends, that, after this repulse, a design was entertained of refusing to attend the Parliament at Oxford; but, however this may be, the members of Opposition, in both Houses, finally determined to appear in their places. But several of them took the precaution of being attended by many of their servants and retainers; and the members for London, in particular, entered Oxford with a large body of men on horseback, having blue ribbands on their hats, with the motto, "No Popery! No Slavery!" ominous appearance in such critical times.

Mar. 21.

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The 21st of March being come, the King opened the Parliament with the following remarkable speech, which is certainly drawn up with great art and judgment.

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My Lords and Gentlemen: The unwar"rantable proceedings of the last House of Com"mons were the occasion of my parting with "the last Parliament; for I, who will never use

arbitrary government myself, am resolved not "to suffer it in others. I am unwilling to men"tion particulars, because I am desirous to forget faults; but whosoever shall calmly

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"consider what offers I have formerly made, "and what assurances I renewed to the last Par"liament; how I recommended nothing so "much to them, as the alliances I had made for "the preservation of the general peace in Christ"endom, and the further examination of the Popish Plot; and how I desired their advice "and assistance concerning the preservation of Tangier; and shall then reflect upon the strange "unsuitable returns made to such propositions

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by men that were called together to consult, "perhaps may wonder more that I had patience "so long, than that at last I grew weary of "their proceedings. I have thought it neces

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sary to say thus much to you, that I may not "have any new occasion given me to remember more of the late miscarriages: it is as much my interest, and shall be as much my care, as

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yours, to preserve the liberty of the subject; "because the crown can never be safe when "that is in danger; and I would have you like"wise be convinced, that neither your liberties "nor properties can subsist long, when the

just rights and prerogatives of the crown "are invaded, or the honour of the government

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brought low, and into disreputation. I let "you see, by my calling this Parliament so "soon, that no irregularities in Parliament shall "make me out of love with them; and by this

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"means offer you another opportunity of providing for our security here, by giving that "countenance and protection to our neighbours "and allies, which, you cannot but know, they expect from us, and extremely stand in need of, at this instant; and at the same time give "one evidence more, that I have not neglected my part to give that general satisfaction and security which, by the blessing of God, may "be attained, if you on your parts, bring suit"able dispositions towards it; and that the just "care you ought to have of religion be not so managed and improved into unnecessary fears, as may be made a pretence for changing the foundation of the government. I hope the example of the ill success of former heats "will dispose you to a better temper, and not "so much to inveigh against what is past, as "to consider what is best to be done in the pre"sent conjuncture. The farther prosecution of "the plot, the trial of the Lords in the Tower, "the providing a more speedy conviction of "recusants, and, if it be practicable, the ridding "ourselves quite of that party that have any "considerable authority or interest amongst "them, are things, though of the highest importance, that hardly need to be recommended "to you, they are so obvious to every man's consideration, and so necessary for our

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