n meetings_), than hath been in former
times used or permitted; and although in our own nature and judgment
we do well allow of _convenient freedom of speech_, esteeming any
over-curious or restrained hands carried in that kind rather as a
weakness, or else over-much severity of government than otherwise;
yet for as much as it is come to our ears, by common report, that
there is at this time a more licentious passage of _lavish discourse
and bold censure in matters of state_ than is fit to be suffered: We
give this warning, &c., to take heed _how they intermeddle by pen or
speech with causes of state and secrets of empire_, either at home or
abroad, but contain themselves within that modest and reverent regard
of matters above their reach and calling; nor to give any manner of
applause to such discourse, without acquainting one of our privy
council within the space of twenty-four hours."

It seems that "the bold speakers," as certain persons were then
denominated, practised an old artifice of lauding his majesty, while
they severely arraigned the counsels of the cabinet; on this James
observes, "Neither let any man mistake us so much as to think that by
giving fair and specious attributes to our person, they cover the
scandals which they otherwise lay upon our government, but conceive that
we make no other construction of them but as fine and artificial
glosses, the better to give passage to the rest of their imputations and
scandals."

This was a proclamation in the eighteenth year of his reign; he repeated
it in the nineteenth, and he might have proceeded to "the crack of doom"
with the same effect!

Rushworth, in his second volume of Historical Collections, has preserved
a considerable number of the proclamations of Charles the First, of
which many are remarkable; but latterly they mark the feverish state of
his reign. One regulates access for cure of the king's evil--by which
his majesty, it appears, "hath had good success therein;" but though
ready and willing as any king or queen of this realm ever was to relieve
the distresses of his good subjects, "his majesty commands to change the
seasons for his 'sacred touch' from Easter and Whitsuntide to Easter and
Michaelmas, as times more convenient for the temperature of the season,"
&c. Another against "departure out of the realm without license." One to
erect an office "for the suppression of cursing and swearing," to
receive