I think it will please you to read a description of the public rejoicings on that occasion, as it was given by a person who himself witnessed them. So I will here copy for you an extract from the account of John Evelyn, a gentleman who wrote a very entertaining Diary of the events of those days, from which, I dare say, we shall soon have to borrow again. On this celebrated 29th of May, he wrote thus in his journal." This day his majesty Charles II came to London, after a long and sad exile, and calamitous suffering both of the king and church, being seventeen years. This was also his birthday, and with a triumph of about 20,000 horse and foot, brandishing their swords, and shouting with inexpressible joy; the ways strewed with flowers, the bells ringing, the streets hung with tapestry, fountains running with wine; the mayor, aldermen, and all their companions, in their liveries, chains of gold, and banners; lords and nobles, clad in cloth of silver, gold, and velvet; the windows and balconies all set with ladies; trumpets, music, and myriads of people flocking even so far as from Rochester, so as they were seven hours in passing the city, even from two o'clock in the afternoon till nine at night. I stood in the Strand, and beheld it, and blessed God; and all this was done without one drop of bloodshed, and by that very army which rebelled against him! But it was the Lord's doing; for such a rebellion was never mentioned in any history, ancient or modern, since the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity; nor so joyful a day, or so bright, ever seen in this nation; this happening when to expect or effect it was beyond all human policy. The eagerness of men, women, and children to see his majesty, and kiss his hands, was so great, that he had scarce leisure to eat for some days, coming as they did from all parts of the nation; and the king, being as willing to give them that satisfaction, would have none kept out, but gave free access to all sorts of people." This will give you some idea of the state of people's minds in general at that period. And here we will, for the present, leave Charles, and reserve the history of his reign for the next chapter. XXXII. SCENES IN THE PLAGUE AND FIRE. A.D. 1660-1666. There is no flock, however watched or tended, There is no household, howsoe'er defended, The air is full of farewells to the dying, And wailing for the dead; The heart of Rachel, for her children crying, Let us be patient; these severe afflictions But oftentimes, celestial benedictions Assume this dark disguise.-Longfellow. You will, no doubt, think this a singularly inappropriate opening to the history of a reign which commenced under such bright auspices! As you read on, however, you will find something sad in this reign, as you have in most of the previous reigns. A tale, not indeed of battle and bloodshed, of war and murder; but yet one which will induce you to think, that these pretty and affecting lines are not misplaced, even as a heading to the joyous period of the Restoration. Charles was just thirty years of age when his reign began; for his return to England happened, as you have already heard, on his birthday, the 29th of May. He was so gay and lively, that he became at once very popular with the people; and then the recollection of his former adventures, and dangers, and sufferings, made them all the more ready to receive him with congratulations and affection, now that new and different prospects were before him. But in the midst of the rejoicings, which followed his accession, there were some things which took place of a very grave and serious kind. Though an act of indemnity was passed in the beginning of the reign, yet some persons were excepted from it. These were the regicides, who had been chiefly concerned in the execution of the late king. Several of these misguided men were brought to trial, condemned, and executed. Sir Henry Vane was another who suffered death; not indeed for this crime, but for his conduct during the time he was member of the council of state, and Secretary of the navy. You will remember, that it was he who formerly had taken so conspicuous a part in the unjust condemnation of the Earl of Strafford; and it is remarkable, that as Strafford was the first, so Vane was the last who suffered execution in the contentions between the king and the Parliament. But you will be glad to hear something of a more pleasing kind. Charles, when he was restored to the kingdom, did not forget to reward those who had shown him kindness during the time of his exile. General Monk was made Duke of Albemarle, and was always treated, as he deserved to be, with honour and respect. And those generous protectors of the king, Mr. Lane, and the family of the Penderells, were also gratefully remembered by him, and received a pension, and liberal pre sents. There is not, I think, very much that will interest you in the earlier years of Charles II. I must mention, however, his marriage to Catherine of Portugal, with whom he received from the Portuguese king not only a large sum of money, but also the fortresses of Tangiers, in the North of Africa, and Bombay, in the East Indies. I may tell you too, of a negotiation between Charles and the king of France, in which the town of Dunkirk was sold to the French sovereign for £500,000. And I must not forget to say, that war broke out |