r years, inferred; that it is
dangerous for princes, even from the appearance of necessity, to
assume more authority than the laws have allowed them. But it must be
confessed, that these events furnish us with another instruction, no
less natural and no less useful, concerning the madness of the people,
the furies of fanaticism, and the danger of mercenary armies.

In order to close this part of British history, it is also necessary
to relate the dissolution of the monarchy in England: that event soon
followed upon the death of the monarch. When the peers met, on the day
appointed in their adjournment, they entered upon business, and sent
down some votes to the commons, of which the latter deigned not to take
the least notice. In a few days, the lower house passed a vote, that
they would make no more addresses to the house of peers nor receive
any front them; and that that house was useless and dangerous, and
was therefore to be abolished. A like vote passed with regard to the
monarchy; and it is remarkable, that Martin, a zealous republican, in
the debate on this question, confessed, that if they desired a king, the
last was as proper as any gentleman in England.[*] The commons ordered
a new great seal to be engraved, on which that assembly was represented,
with this legend, "On the first year of freedom, by God's blessing,
restored, 1648." The forms of all public business were changed, from the
king's name, to that of the keepers of the liberties of England.[**] And
it was declared high treason to proclaim, or any otherwise acknowledge
Charles Stuart, commonly called prince of Wales.

* Walker's History of Independency, part ii.

* The court of king's bench was called the court of public
bench. So cautious on this head were some of the
republicans, that, it is pretended, in reciting the Lord's
prayer, they would not say, "thy kingdom come," but always,
"thy commonwealth come."

The commons intended, it is said, to bind the princess Elizabeth
apprentice to a button-maker: the duke of Gloucester was to be taught
some other mechanical employment. But the former soon died; of grief, as
is supposed, for her father's tragical end: the latter was, by Cromwell,
sent beyond sea.

The king's statue, in the exchange, was thrown down; and on the pedestal
these words were inscribed: "Exit tyrannus, regum ultimus;" The tyrant
is gone, the last of the kings.

Duke Hamilton was tried by a new high