Life of Edward Earl of Clarendon, vol 2 | Page 6

prospect that the two Kings might soon find themselves
with free hands, and with greater power to prosecute the forcible
restoration of Charles II. to his throne. Both had often alleged that only
the poverty of their exchequer and the heavy expenses of the war
prevented any cordial and effective assistance being rendered to the
exiled King. What claim to consideration might Charles not make good,
what sound reasons of policy might it not be possible to suggest, if both
were relieved of the burdens of war?
Hyde, as we have abundant reason to know, placed no confidence in
foreign aid, and looked with suspicion upon the conditions under which
it would be granted. But he could interpose no obstacles to the present
application. He himself remained at Breda, and held the threads of all

the discrepant and varying negotiations; but he did not attempt to
dissuade Charles from making a somewhat venturesome and hopeless
voyage to Fontarabia, where the Treaty was being discussed in
September, 1659. At first Charles attempted to procure a pass from
Cardinal Mazarin. But in the face of opposition by the Queen this was
hopeless, and, accompanied only by Ormonde and Bristol and a small
retinue, he made his way, incognito, through France. Even in the strain
of anxiety Charles's natural disposition showed itself in wasting time in
order to see parts of France which he had not yet visited. The pleasure
of the moment always weighed with him more than the prosecution of
business. Adversity, perhaps happily for himself, made him callous
rather than despondent.
The business of the treaty between France and Spain meanwhile
advanced more quickly than any one had ventured to hope. The
difficulties as to France's pledges to Portugal, and those of Spain to the
Prince of Condé, were somehow settled--or, at least, ignored. If France
had to yield to some pressure on the part of Don Lewis de Haro, she
avenged herself by retaining her hold on those former Spanish
possessions in Flanders which the fortune of war had placed in her
hands. Sir Henry Bennet represented Charles in Spain, and was sorely
perplexed when the final ratification approached, and the King made no
appearance. Ormonde had been sent to Fontarabia, but Charles lingered
at Toulouse, before proceeding from there towards Madrid. His
presence there was not desired, and he found himself compelled, after
roundabout journeys, to put in an appearance at the scene of the treaty.
Both France and Spain held out delusive hopes of aid. Don Lewis
presented him with a dole of seven thousand pistoles, and promised a
good reception on his return to Flanders. There was nothing for it but to
make his way back to Brussels, and join once more in the plans of
Hyde and his council there. He found the prospect no more cheerful
than before.
During the autumn matters had moved forward in England. Lambert
had strengthened his hold upon the army, and now pressed its authority
more urgently upon the discredited Parliament. He demanded that
Fleetwood (whose weakness made him an easy tool) should be General,

and that he himself should be Major-General. The Parliament, under
the leading of Hazlerigg and Vane, still resisted his claims, and
attempted to defy him. Their resistance was easily overcome. Lambert
met Lenthall, the Speaker, on his way to the House, compelled him to
return home, and by main force closed the Parliament. In its place was
established a Committee of Safety of twenty-three members, to which
the administration was entrusted. Besides officers of the army and
some London citizens, certain representatives of the Parliament were
granted seats upon it. Lambert seemed, for the moment, to be
completely master of the situation, and the Royalists conceived hopes
that they might secure for their own cause the assistance of the leaders
of the army. Fleetwood, however, lost his head, and would not act
without the permission of Lambert. In December he escaped from
responsibility by resigning his commission. Lambert would have been a
stouter ally; and overtures seem to have been made that he should
declare for the King, and that his daughter should be the wife of
Charles. Such proposals met with no encouragement from Hyde, and
were quietly dropped. Once more Lenthall, and the remnant of
Parliament which he represented, recovered their courage and showed
some energy. They met again on December 12th, and were able to
assert their authority enough to cashier some of the officers, and
commit Lambert to the Tower. Such was the position when Charles
returned to Brussels with the scanty fruits of his mission to Fontarabia.
It looked as if once more that Rump Parliament, which had crushed the
monarchy and abolished the House of Lords, was master of the
situation. To one watching events from a distance like Hyde,