ded with such convulsions as were sufficient to warn all
prudent men not lightly to give way to such irregularities. If the will
of Henry VIII., authorized by act of parliament, had tacitly excluded
the Scottish line, the tyranny and caprices of that monarch had been
so signal, that a settlement of this nature, unsupported by any just
reason, had no authority with the people. Queen Elizabeth, too, with her
dying breath, had recognized the undoubted title of her kinsman James;
and the whole nation seemed to dispose themselves with joy and pleasure
for his reception. Though born and educated amidst a foreign and hostile
people, men hoped, from his character of moderation and wisdom, that he
would embrace the maxims of an English monarch; and the prudent
foresaw greater advantages resulting from a union with Scotland, than
disadvantages from submitting to a prince of that nation. The alacrity
with which the English looked towards the successor had appeared so
evident to Elizabeth, that, concurring, with other causes, it affected
her with the deepest melancholy; and that wise princess, whose
penetration and experience had given her the greatest insight into human
affairs, had not yet, sufficiently weighed the ingratitude of courtiers
and levity of the people.

As victory abroad and tranquillity at home had attended this princess,
she left the nation in such flourishing circumstances, that her
successor possessed every advantage, except that of comparison with
her illustrious name, when he mounted the throne of England. The king's
journey from Edinburgh to London immediately afforded to the inquisitive
some circumstances of comparison, which even the natural partiality in
favor of their new sovereign could not interpret to his advantage. As
he passed along, all ranks of men flocked about him from every quarter,
allured by interest or curiosity. Great were the rejoicings, and loud
and hearty the acclamations, which resounded from all sides; and every
one could remember how the affability and popular manners of their
queen displayed themselves amidst such concourse and exultation of her
subjects. But James, though sociable and familiar with his friends and
courtiers, hated the bustle of a mixed multitude; and though far from
disliking flattery, yet was he still fonder of tranquillity and ease. He
issued, therefore, a proclamation, forbidding this resort of people,
on pretence of the scarcity of provisions, and other inconvenien