* Clarendon, vol. ii. p. 339.

** Clarendon, vol. ii. p. 336.

*** Dugdale, p. 78.

**** Whitlocke, p. 51. Rush. vol. v. p. 466. Nalson, vol.
ii. p, 794.

v Clarendon, vol. ii. p. 355.

{1642.} A few days after, the king was betrayed into another
indiscretion, much more fatal; an indiscretion to which all the ensuing
disorders and civil wars ought immediately and directly to be ascribed;
this was the impeachment of Lord Kimbolton and the five members.

When the commons employed in their remonstrance language so severe and
indecent, they had not been actuated entirely by insolence and passion;
their views were more solid and profound. They considered that in a
violent attempt, such as an invasion of the ancient constitution, the
more leisure was afforded the people to reflect, the less would they be
inclined to second that rash and dangerous enterprise: that the peers
would certainly refuse their concurrence; nor were there any hopes
of prevailing on them, but by instigating the populace to tumult and
disorder: that the employing of such odious means for so invidious an
end would, at long-run, lose them all their popularity, and turn* the
tide of favor to the contrary party; and that, if the king only remained
in tranquillity, and cautiously eluded the first violence of the tempest
he would in the end certainly prevail, and be able at least to preserve
the ancient laws and constitution. They were therefore resolved, if
possible, to excite him to some violent passion, in hopes that he would
commit indiscretions of which they might make advantage.

It was not long before they succeeded beyond their fondest wishes.
Charles was enraged to find that all his concessions but increased their
demands; that the people who were returning to a sense of duty towards
him, were again roused to sedition and tumults; that the blackest
calumnies were propagated against him, and even the Irish massacre
ascribed to his counsels and machinations; and that a method of address
was adopted not only unsuitable towards so great a prince, but which no
private gentleman could bear without resentment. When he considered all
these increasing acts of insolence in the commons, he was apt to ascribe
them in a great measure to his own indolence and facility. The queen and
the ladies of the court further stimulated his passion, and represented
that, if he exerted the vigor and displayed the majesty of a monarch,
the da