Insomeoftheirproceedings,thisfamousParliamentpassedtheboundsofpreviouslawandcustom,yieldedtoandfavouredriotousassemblagesofthepeople,andactedtyrannicallyinimprisoningsomewhodifferedfromthepopularleaders.Butagain,youarealwaystorememberthatthetwelveyearsduringwhichtheKinghadhadhisownwilfulway,hadgonebefore;andthatnothingcouldmakethetimeswhattheymight,could,would,orshouldhavebeen,ifthosetwelveyearshadneverrolledaway.
THIRDPART
ISHALLnottrytorelatetheparticularsofthegreatcivilwarbetweenKingCharlestheFirstandtheLongParliament,whichlastednearlyfouryears,andafullaccountofwhichwouldfillmanylargebooks.ItwasasadthingthatEnglishmenshouldoncemorebefightingagainstEnglishmenonEnglishground;but,itissomeconsolationtoknowthatonbothsidestherewasgreathumanity,forbearance,andhonour.ThesoldiersoftheParliamentwerefarmoreremarkableforthesegoodqualitiesthanthesoldiersoftheKingmanyofwhomfoughtformerepaywithoutmuchcaringforthecause;butthoseofthenobilityandgentrywhowereontheKing\'ssideweresobrave,andsofaithfultohim,thattheirconductcannotbutcommandourhighestadmiration.AmongthemweregreatnumbersofCatholics,whotooktheroyalsidebecausetheQueenwassostronglyoftheirpersuasion.
TheKingmighthavedistinguishedsomeofthesegallantspirits,ifhehadbeenasgenerousaspirithimself,bygivingthemthecommandofhisarmy.Insteadofthat,however,truetohisoldhighnotionsofroyalty,heentrustedittohistwonephews,PRINCE
RUPERTandPRINCEMAURICE,whowereofroyalbloodandcameoverfromabroadtohelphim.Itmighthavebeenbetterforhimiftheyhadstayedaway;sincePrinceRupertwasanimpetuous,hot-headedfellow,whoseonlyideawastodashintobattleatalltimesandseasons,andlayabouthim.