to whose kindness she has been indebted for the loan of valuable manuscripts or rare publications, for active researches into original documents, or for learned information on the more difficult or technical points of inquiry connected with her subject. She desires in an especial manner to record her obligations and express her acknowledgements to the marquis of Lansdowne; to viscount Eliot; to Benjamin H. Bright, Esq.; to the Messrs. Merivale, father and son; to David Jardine, to Samuel Duckworth, and Thomas Coltman, Esquires, and to the rev. W. Shepherd; to whose united contributions. she is conscious that her work will owe a large share of whatever merit or interest it may acquire, with the well informed reader, as a source of novel information or correct statement respecting the characters and events of the most remarkable period in the annals of Great Britain. CONTENTS. Birth of Charles-His weakly infancy-Deformity of his legs-Impediment in his utterance.-Is brought to En- gland and created duke of York. His early faults of temper. Good qualities-Acquirements-Taste for ob- jects of art. Is created Prince of Wales.-Attended by Scotchmen. His religious instruction.-Dr. Hakewill- Treachery of the prince towards him.-Attends his mo- ther's funeral and his father's. His unpleasant position. at his father's court.-Buckingham's insolence.-He con- ciliates the prince-Attends him to Madrid-Treatment and behaviour of the prince there-Jealousy of the king of Spain. Return of the prince and duke.-False state- ments of Buckingham vouched by the prince, who shares in his measures against the earl of Middlesex and the earl of Bristol.-Anecdote of his pertinacity. His professions against popery.-Marriage treaty with France.-Holland sent ambassador.-Intrigues of Mary of Medicis.-Cha- racter of Holland-His letters to the prince.-Earl of CHAPTER II. 1625. State of England at the accession of Charles.-Voyages of discovery and extension of commerce.-Colonies founded in North America.-Commerce ill protected by king James.-Englishmen made captive by Barbary corsairs. -Dunkirk pirates.-Low state of the navy.-Rapid progress of luxury.-Court entertainments.-Country hospitality.-Luxury in furniture.-Tapestry.-Paintings.Rich materials of furniture.-Inigo Jones's architecture. -Taste for sculpture revived.-Collections of the earl of Arundel and duke of Buckingham.-Researches of sir Thomas Roe for antiques at Constantinople.-State of literature. Translations.-Books of voyages and travels. -Hackluyt.-Purchas's Pilgrimage.—Sandys's Travels. -History.--Camden.-Speed.-Daniel.-Biography. Page. Lord Herbert of Cherbury.-Bacon.-Antiquities.-Spelman.-Cotton.-Selden and Usher.-Theology.-Donne. -Hall.—Bishop Andrews.-State of Poetry.-Donne.-Waller. Suckling.-Carew.-Ben Jonson.-His criticisms on contemporary poets.-Massinger.-Shirley.— Decline of the drama.-Extended plans of education.Peacham's Complete Gentleman.-Lord Herbert's plan of study. Female accomplishments.-Sir M. Hale on education of daughters-of sons.-Condition of younger brothers.-Art of Thriving.-Disuse of tilts and tournaments.-Duelling.-Effects of wearing weapons.-Ladies cudgel their maids.-Court diversions.-Strict separation of ranks, broken down by king James.-Effects of increasing the number of peers.--Concluding remarks . . 26 CHAPTER III. Expectation of change of measures disappointed.-Buckingham retains his power.-Lord keeper Williams disgraced by his influence.-Marriage treaty hastened.-Parliament summoned.-Funeral of king James preceded by his son's marriage.-Embassy of Buckingham to conduct the bride. -His splendid appearance and intrigue with the French queen.--Letter of Mary de' Medici to her daughter.Meeting of the king and queen.-Description and anecdotes of her. Plague in London.Meeting of Parliament. -King's speech demanding supply.-Commons though dissatisfied grant two subsidies.-King's ungracious carriage. Fears of popery.-Montague's book censured in parliament.-King's interference.-Parliament adjourned to Oxford. Ships lent to the king of France.-Parliament incensed.-King demands supply.-Buckingham attacked by the commons.-Parliament dissolved.--Accounts of the plague.-Loan imposed.-Cadiz expedition. -Embassy of Buckingham to the Hague.-Earl Holland dissuades him from visiting France.-Williams deprived of the seals and banished to his diocese.-King in want of money.-Writs for a new parliament. CHAPTER IV. 1625. 1626. Page. .. 63 Disagreement of king and queen.-French attendants. Letter of king to Buckingham.-Intrigues of Blainvilleof English catholics.-Order to disarm them.-Letter of court news.-Wentworth and others compelled to serve as sheriffs. Coronation.-Williams forbidden to attend.Laud directs the ceremony.-Particulars of it.—Queen not crowned nor ambassadors present.-French ambassador in disfavor.—Parliament opened.-Servile speeches of the lord keeper and the speaker.-Grievances considered.-Charges against Buckingham.-Interposition of the peers.-King presses for supplies.-Disputes between king and commons.-Adjournment.-Measures of Buckingham against peers.-Oppressive treatment of Williams -of earl of Bristol.-Countercharges of Buckingham and of Bristol who is protected by parliament.-Committal of earl of Arundel.-House of lords obtains his liberation. -Impeachment of Buckingham.-Members sent to the Tower.-Buckingham chancellor of Cambridge.-King demands supply.-Commons complain respecting recusants,-Require the removal of Buckingham.-Dissolution of parliament.-Remonstrance of the house of commons,-King's proclamation against it. Page. 98 CHAPTER V. 1626-1628. Arbitrary measures.-Illegal levy of tonnage and poundage. --Loan.-Benevolence.-Composition with recusants.Conduct of Charles as head of the church.-Influence of Laud.-Favor shown to Arminians.-Opposite notions of Abbot and Laud respecting the church of Rome.-Government unpopular in church and state.-Dismissal of the queen's French servants.-Embassy of Bassompierre. -Buckingham the cause of war with France.-Bassompierre's description of the English court.-A loan imposed by the council.-Gentlemen imprisoned for refusing to contribute. Sir Thomas Wentworth.-Chief-justice Crew displaced.-Abbot commanded to his country seat.—Sibthorpe's sermon.-Catholics contribute to the loan.-Toleration of them in Ireland opposed by the bishops.Loan-refusers denied their habeas corpus.-Expedition to the Isle of Rhé.-Affectionate letters of Charles to Buckingham. Necessity of calling a parliament.-Liberation of state prisoners.-Writs sent to Williams, Abbot and the earl of Bristol, but no change in the king's designs.— Commission of excise.-Troops and arms prepared in the Low Countries. 146 |