ty, and granted him an aid,
payable in four years, of three subsidies and six fifteenths, which, Sir
Francis Bacon said in the house,[**] might amount to about four
hundred thousand pounds; and for once the king and parliament parted
in friendship and good humor. The hatred which the Catholics so visibly
bore him, gave him, at this time, an additional value in the eyes of his
people. The only considerable point in which the commons incurred
his displeasure, was by discovering their constant good will to the
Puritans, in whose favor they desired a conference with the lords;[***]
which was rejected.

The chief affair transacted next session, was the intended union of the
two kingdoms.[****] Nothing could exceed the king's passion and zeal
for this noble enterprise, but the parliament's prejudice and reluctance
against it. There remain two excellent speeches in favor of the union,
which it would not be improper to compare together; that of the king,[v]
and that of Sir Francis Bacon. Those who affect in every thing such
an extreme contempt for James, will be surprised to find that his
discourse, both for good reasoning and elegant composition, approaches
very near that of a man who was undoubtedly, at that time, one of the
greatest geniuses in Europe. A few trivial indiscretions and indecorums
may be said to characterize the harangue of the monarch, and mark it for
his own. And, in general, so open and avowed a declaration in favor of
a measure, while he had taken no care, by any precaution or intrigue, to
insure success, may safely be pronounced an indiscretion. But the art of
managing parliaments by private interest or cabal, being found hitherto
of little use or necessity, had not as yet become a part of English
politics. In the common course of affairs, government could be conducted
without their assistance; and when their concurrence became necessary to
the measures of the crown, it was, generally speaking, except in times
of great faction and discontent, obtained without much difficulty.

* Kennet, p. 696.

** Journ. 20th May, 1606

*** Journ. 5th April, 1606.

**** Kennet, p 676.

v King James's Works, p. 509.

The king's influence seems to have rendered the Scottish parliament
cordial in all the steps which they took towards the union. Though
the advantages which Scotland might hope from that measure were more
considerable, yet were the objections too, with regard to that kingdom
mo