s of the House of Commons. Some Roman Catholics, however,
had contrived so to interpret this oath that they could take it without
scruple. A more stringent test was now added: every member of Parliament
was required to make the Declaration against Transubstantiation; and
thus the Roman Catholic Lords were for the first time excluded from
their seats. Strong resolutions were adopted against the Queen. The
Commons threw one of the Secretaries of State into prison for having
countersigned commissions directed to gentlemen who were not good
Protestants. They impeached the Lord Treasurer of high treason. Nay,
they so far forgot the doctrine which, while the memory of the civil war
was still recent, they had loudly professed, that they even attempted
to wrest the command of the militia out of the King's hands. To such
a temper had eighteen years of misgovernment brought the most loyal
Parliament that had ever met in England.

Yet it may seem strange that, even in that extremity, the King should
have ventured to appeal to the people; for the people were more excited
than their representatives. The Lower House, discontented as it was,
contained a larger number of Cavaliers than were likely to find seats
again. But it was thought that a dissolution would put a stop to the
prosecution of the Lord Treasurer, a prosecution which might probably
bring to light all the guilty mysteries of the French alliance, and
might thus cause extreme personal annoyance and embarrassment to
Charles. Accordingly, in January, 1679, the Parliament, which had been
in existence ever since the beginning of the year 1661, was dissolved;
and writs were issued for a general election.

During some weeks the contention over the whole country was fierce and
obstinate beyond example. Unprecedented sums were expended. New tactics
were employed. It was remarked by the pamphleteers of that time as
something extraordinary that horses were hired at a great charge for
the conveyance of electors. The practice of splitting freeholds for
the purpose of multiplying votes dates from this memorable struggle.
Dissenting preachers, who had long hidden themselves in quiet nooks from
persecution, now emerged from their retreats, and rode from village to
village, for the purpose of rekindling the zeal of the scattered people
of God. The tide ran strong against the government. Most of the new
members came up to Westminster in a mood little differing from that of
their predecess