who should collect or voluntarily pay these taxes, should be considered as an enemy to his country, and a betrayer of the liberties of England."

Meantime the King, being informed of the agitation that had taken place, sent an officer again to order the prorogation in due form; he, however, found the doors of the House locked, at which Charles was so incensed, that he sent for the guard to force the entrance, but before it arrived the House had broken up. On the 10th of March, the King went to the Upper House, and when only a part of the House of Commons had appeared at the Bar, he addressed the Lords as follows: (19) "I have never come here on a more disagreeable business, namely, to dissolve this Parliament; many will, perhaps, wonder why I did not give this commission to another, as it is a principle with Kings to leave everything unpleasant to their Ministers, and to take what is pleasing upon themselves. Considering, however, that justice is executed as much by the punishment of vice, as by the recommendation and reward of virtue, I considered it necessary to come here to day in person, to declare to you, my Lords, and to all the world, that the disobedient conduct of the House of Commons (18) is the only cause for the dissolution of Parliament; and you, my Lords, are so far from being to blame, that, on the contrary, I find in your behaviour towards me as much consolation, as I have cause

for displeasure at that of the House of Commons: nay, in order to be still better understood, I must add, that those entirely misconceive me, who believe that I lay equal blame on all the Members of the House of Commons, for I know among them as many dutiful and loyal subjects as any in the world, and am aware that there are only some vipers among them, who have deceived many but not infected all: in a word, as the evil-minded must expect punishment, the Members of the Upper House may depend on the favour and protection which a good King owes to a faithful and loyal Nobility."

Immediately after the dissolution of Parliament, the King published very circumstantial declarations, in which he endeavoured to prove that the House of Commons had, on many occasions, manifested illwill, had excited unfounded suspicion, raised useless disputes, proposed injurious innovations, and sought to acquire reputation by setting the state in a flame, as Herostratus with the Temple of Diana at Ephesus. "We have," he says, "manifested the utmost patience, for by the disobedience and seditious conduct of some evil minded persons, we and our royal authority have been so offended, and contend that we cannot by any means endure it, and no preceding age affords a similar example. We will continue to govern according to the laws, both in Church and State; will injure no one, will

protect obedient officers, but punish disobedient subjects, and consider as unworthy of our protection, those who refuse to pay the taxes hitherto levied. A false report is spread that a new Parliament will be called. This depends entirely on our will, and the abuses which have taken place have deterred us from this course; yet we shall be inclined to such a step as soon as the people more clearly understand our intentions and actions, when those who have been led astray have become sensible of their error, and those who caused the cessation of Parliaments shall have been punished."

Conformably to this declaration, ten Members of the House of Commons were ordered to be arrested, and their effects to be put under seal, six days before the formal dissolution. Hollis, Elliot, Hobart, and Hayman, were first summoned before the Privy Council. Mr. Hollis, being interrogated, replied, "That if he had seated himself in the Lower House above the Privy Counsellors, it was partly accidental, and partly because he thought they had precedence only in the Privy Council; that he had come tó Parliament animated with the greatest zeal for the Royal service, and if his Majesty were now dissatisfied, he begged him to look upon him rather as an object of his clemency than of his power." On this the Lord Treasurer said, "You mean rather of his clemency than of his justice," but Hollis repeated, I say of his power.

Elliot, being questioned respecting his language in the House, answered, "I am ready to account for my words and actions to the House of Commons if it calls upon me to do so, but here I am only a private man, and need not answer for anything that I did as Member of Parliament."

Hobart spoke to the same effect, and added, "I should like to know by what legal authority I can be examined here, as no power on earth ever has demanded, or has a right to demand, an account of what is done in Parliament. However, I do not hesitate to confess, that by the direction of the House I locked the door and put the key into my pocket."

Hayman likewise did not attempt to deny the words which he had addressed to the Speaker on the 2d of March. Being asked what he would have done if the King had given him, as Speaker, the same commission, he said, "I would have thrown myself at his Majesty's feet, and begged him to give the commission to some other person, as the Speaker was above all others unfit to execute it."

The judges, being questioned by the King respecting the objections of the persons arrested, decided that the question did not relate to the whole Parliament and its rights, but to the offence of individual Members, respecting which the courts of justice had instituted proceedings on former occa

sions.(20) Besides, there were, as in the present instance, such heavy offences that Parliamentary privileges could be no protection from prosecution and punishment. The sentence of the court was, that the accused should be fined from £500 to £2000, and be imprisoned during the King's pleasure, and not liberated till they should give security for their good behaviour, submit and acknowledge their fault. All the judges, except one, agreed in this sentence; some of the persons condemned were liberated, after paying the fine and giving security; others died in prison, because they could not, or would not, comply with the conditions. Elliot, being attacked by severe illness, in consequence of the unhealthiness of the prison, wrote a petition to the King, requesting permission to enjoy fresh air. The King, however, returned it, saying, "Not humble enough." ("1)

In all his sufferings Elliot remained courageous, energetic, and undaunted, and would rather suffer death than deny his opinions.

27th November, 1632.

He died on the

By these declarations and punishments, Charles thought that he had gained all the unprejudiced, and frightened all the ill disposed; but in truth these events were by no means judged of by all alike, and with the difference of opinion, were connected the most opposite wishes and hopes. The Court party, (which liked to be called the legal and