activity, his affability, and every popular quality, found himself so
much possessed of public favor, that, elated with the spirit natural to
his age, he resolved no longer to confine himself within those narrow
limits which his father had prescribed to himself, and which had been
found by experience so prejudicial to his cause. He determined to
assume the name and dignity of king; to insist openly on his claim; and
thenceforth to treat the opposite party as traitors and rebels to his
lawful authority. But as a national consent, or the appearance of it,
still seemed, notwithstanding his plausible title, requisite to precede
this bold measure, and as the assembling of a parliament might occasion
too many delays, and be attended with other inconveniences, he ventured
to proceed in a less regular manner, and to put it out of the power of
his enemies to throw obstacles in the way of his elevation. His army
was ordered to assemble in St. John's Fields; great numbers of people
surrounded them; an harangue was pronounced to this mixed multitude,
setting forth the title of Edward, and inveighing against the tyranny
and usurpation of the rival family; and the people were then asked
whether they would have Henry of Lancaster for king. They unanimously
exclaimed against the proposal. It was then demanded whether they would
accept of Edward, eldest son of the late duke of York. They expressed
their assent by loud and joyful acclamations.[*] A great number of
bishops, lords, magistrates, and other persons of distinction were next
assembled at Baynard's Castle, who ratified the popular election; and
the new king was on the subsequent day proclaimed in London, by the
title of Edward IV.[**]

In this manner ended the reign of Henry VI., a monarch, who, while in
his cradle, had been proclaimed king both of France and England, and
who began his life with the most splendid prospects that any prince in
Europe had ever enjoyed. The revolution was unhappy for his people, as
it was the source of civil wars; but was almost entirely indifferent to
Henry himself, who was utterly incapable of exercising his authority,
and who, provided he personally met with good usage, was equally easy,
as he was equally enslaved, in the hands of his enemies and of his
friends. His weakness and his disputed title were the chief causes of
the public calamities: but whether his queen and his ministers were not
also guilty of some great abuses of power, it is not e