r rather than perform it, unless he had
seen that by such a step he would only have given advantage to the
dominant faction. He was come now, however, to make amends. He had
that morning sent a letter to the House, requiring them to issue out
writs within seven days for the filling up of vacancies in their
ranks, and also, that being done, to dissolve themselves by the 6th
of May at latest, that they might be succeeded by a full and free
Parliament! Till he should receive ample satisfaction in reply to
these demands and otherwise, he meant to remain in the City of London
with his regiments, making common cause with the faithful citizens!
Guildhall rang with acclamations; and, as the news was dispersed
thence through the City, confirmed by the printed copies of Monk's
letter to the Rump that were by this time in circulation, the
dejection of the two last days passed into a phrenzy of joy.
Housewives ran out to Monk's soldiers, who had been standing all day
under arms, carrying them food and drink without stint; crowds of
apprentices danced everywhere like delirious demons; the bells of all
the churches were set a-ringing; the houses of several "fanatics"
were besieged, and the windows in Barebone's all smashed; and far
into the night and into the Sunday morning the streets blazed with
long rows of bonfires. Whatever piece of flesh, in butcher's stall or
in family-safe, bore resemblance to a rump, or could be carved into
something of that shape, was hauled to one of these bonfires to be
flung in and burnt; and for many a day afterwards the 11th of
February 1659-60 was to be famous in London as _The Roasting of the
Rump_.[1]

[Footnote 1: Phillips, 685-687; Skinner, 219-230; Parl. Hist. III.
1578-9; Letter of M. de Bordeaux, Guizot, II. 350-351; Pepys's Diary,
Feb. 11, 1659-60.]

On receiving Monk's letter early in the forenoon of Saturday the
House had temporized. They had sent Messrs. Scott and Robinson into
the City after Monk, to thank him for his faithful service of the two
previous days, and to assure him "that, as to the filling up of the
House, the Parliament were upon the qualifications before the receipt
of the said letter, and the same will be despatched in due time." But
at an evening sitting, with candles brought in, the House, informed
by that time of Monk's proceedings in the City, had shown their
resentment by reconstituting the Commission for regulation of the
Army. They did not dare to turn Monk out; b