登陆注册
14195800000103

第103章 CHAPTER XVII.(7)

The handle resembled a farrier's blood stick, and the fall was joined to the end by a strong nervous ligature, that in its swing fell just short of the hand, and was made of LIGNUM VITAE, or rather, as the poet termed it, MORTIS."One day, whilst the town was in this state of consternation, Tonge sent for Dr. Burnet, who hastened to visit him in the apartments allotted him and Oates at Whitehall. The historian says he found Tonge "so lifted up that he seemed to have lost the little sense he had. Oates came in," he continues, "and made me a compliment that I was one that was marked out to be killed. He had before said the same to Stillingfleet of him. But he had made that honour which he did us too cheap, when he said Tonge was to be served in the same manner, because he had translated 'The Jesuits' Morals' into English. He broke out into great fury against the Jesuits, and said he would have their blood. But I, to divert him from that strain, asked him what were the arguments that prevailed on him to change his religion and to go over to the Church of Rome? He upon that stood up, and laid his hands on his breast, and said, 'God and His holy angels knew that he had never changed, but that he had gone among them on purpose to betray them.' This gave me such a character of him, that I could have no regard to anything he said or swore after that."The agitation now besetting the public mind had been adroitly fanned into flame by the evil genius of Lord Shaftesbury.

Eachard states that if he was not the original contriver of this disturbance, "he was at least the grand refiner and improver of all the materials. And so much he seemed to acknowledge to a nobleman of his acquaintance, when he said, 'I will not say who started the game, but I am sure I had the full hunting of it.'"In the general consternation which spread over the land he beheld a means that might help the fulfilment of his strong desires.

Chief among these were the exclusion of the Duke of York from the throne, and the realization of his own inordinate ambition. Adeist in belief, he abhorred catholicism; a worshipper of self, he longed for power. He had boasted Cromwell had wanted to crown him king, and he narrated to Burnet that a Dutch astrologer had predicted he would yet fill a lofty position. He had long schemed and dreamed, and now it seemed the result of the one and fulfilment of the other were at hand. The pretended discovery of this plot threatened to upheave the established form of government, for the king was one at heart with those about to be brought to trial and death. A quarter of a century had not passed since a bold and determined man had risen up and governed Great Britain. Why should not history repeat itself in this respect? the prospect was alluring. Possessing strong influence, great vanity, and an unscrupulous character, Shaftesbury resolved to stir the nation to its centre, at the expense of peace, honour, and bloodshed.

On the 21st of October, Parliament assembled, when Lord Danby, much against his majesty's inclination, brought the subject of the plot before the Commons. This was a movement much appreciated by the House, which, fired by the general indignation, resolved to deal out vengeance with a strong hand.

As befitted such intention, they began by requesting his majesty would order a day of general fasting and prayer, to implore the mercy of Almighty God. The king complying with this desire, they next, "in consideration of the bloody and traitorous designs,"besought him to issue a proclamation "commanding all persons being popish recusants, or so reputed," to depart ten miles from the city. Accordingly, upwards of thirty thousand citizens left London before the 7th of the following month, "with great lamentations leaving their trades and habitations." Many of them in a little while secretly returned again. A few days before this latest petition was presented to the monarch, Oates had been examined before the House for over six hours; and so delighted was he by the unprejudiced manner in which his statements were received, that he added several items to them. These were not only interesting in themselves, but implicated peers and persons of quality to the number of twenty-six. The former, including Lords Stafford, Powis, Petre, Bellasis, and Arundel of Wardour, were committed to the Tower, the latter to Newgate prison.

At the end of his examination he was several times asked if he knew more of the plot, or of those concerned with it, to which he emphatically replied he did not. Three days later he remembered a further incident which involved many persons not previously mentioned by him.

Both Houses now sat in the forenoon and afternoon of each day;excitement was not allowed to flag. Oates seldom appeared before the Commons without having fresh revelations to make; but the fertility of his imagination by no means weakened the strength of his evidence in the opinions of his hearers. "Oates was encouraged," writes John Evelyn, "and everything he affirmed taken for gospel." Indignation against the papists daily increasing in height, the decrees issued regarding them became more rigorous in severity.

On the 2nd of November the king, in obedience to his Parliament, offered a reward of twenty pounds for the discovery of any officer or soldier who, since the passing of the Test Act, "hath been perverted to the Romish religion, or hears mass." Two days later a bill was framed "for more effectually preserving the king's person and government, by disabling papists from sitting in either House of Parliament." As it was feared a clause would be inserted in this, excluding the Duke of York, the enemies of his royal highness more plainly avowed their object by moving that an address be presented to the king, praying his brother should "withdraw himself from his majesty's person and counsels."This was the first step towards the Bill of Exclusion from Succession which they hoped subsequently to obtain. The monarch, however, determined to check such designs whilst there was yet time; and accordingly made a speech to the peers, in which he said to them, "Whatever reasonable bills you shall present to be passed into laws, to make you safe in the reign of my successor, so they tend not to impeach the right of succession, nor the descent of the crown in the true line, shall find from me a ready concurrence."The intended address was therefore abandoned for the present; but the bill for disabling catholics from sitting in either House of Parliament, having a clause which excepted the Duke of York from that indignity, passed on the 30th of November.

同类推荐
  • E021

    E021

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 穴道秘书

    穴道秘书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 还真集

    还真集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 太乙秘书

    太乙秘书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • Menexenus

    Menexenus

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 贫嘴魔斗士日常

    贫嘴魔斗士日常

    每一名正式职业者都需要通过自身的元素小精灵来沟通魔力元素,元素小精灵往往是对人们某种突出的本质的具象化,而魏旭阳小朋友的元素小精灵却是“节操”......
  • 顼阳传说

    顼阳传说

    一个自出身便家破亲绝的孤儿,没有天份,没有奇遇,有的只是与生俱来的灾厄与天罚,杀戮和孤独…看他如何自逆境崛起,超脱芸芸众生,立地称皇。
  • tfboys之因你而美丽

    tfboys之因你而美丽

    命运因你美丽,两个相爱的人在一起是最好的
  • 明朝一哥王阳明

    明朝一哥王阳明

    在汲取中外王学研究的基础上,用通俗幽默的语言将王阳明几起几落的人生历程娓娓道来,力图全景式地展现阳明先生荡气回肠的一生。作者不止步于写一本通俗历史人物传记,而是举重若轻地将阳明心学的三大命题“心即理”、“知行合一”以及“致良知”的形成、发展贯穿其中,使心学思想的脉络有迹可循。
  • 明朝小家教

    明朝小家教

    简介:为了养活妹妹,秦断成了嘉靖年间的一名家教,结果一不小心让自己成了大明朝的全民校长:为了让生活变得更好,秦断当了一名包工头,结果明朝的房地产业除了他再没谁了。有人说他是后党,有人说他是佞巨,但只有他自己知道,他其实就是个穿越来的小苦逼。他无意改变什么,只想做个混吃等死的富家翁,但一切却因为他的到来而改变……
  • 腹黑女神医

    腹黑女神医

    意外重生现代的姬瑄儿,化身成为一代女神医,在她手中就没有治不好的病,只有不愿治的人,凭着超强的医术与不凡的眼力,强势挤身到名流行列......
  • 灵将

    灵将

    世间万物,万物皆有灵魂,灵魂与万物为一体,而灵魂是万物之灵,能量巨大……能使用灵魂的人七或物被称为灵将……
  • 花当阁丛谈

    花当阁丛谈

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 桃花醋

    桃花醋

    晏恣感觉自己人生可以浓缩成一句:蹴鞠改变命运!一场比赛,不但为她赢得了一座山庄,还熟识了几个不容小觑的小伙伴!什么?!青梅竹马成了京城首富,梦中情人变成当朝状元,而那个不打不相识的家伙竟然还是大将军?!晏恣觉得自己都被小伙伴们惊呆了……既然说物以类聚,人以群分,那她应该也会很快走上人生巅峰吧?可没想到这人生巅峰竟然是一夕之间,成为了圣宠在身的当朝公主……
  • The Cruise of the Dolphin

    The Cruise of the Dolphin

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。