of the first two was to inform your honour of my arrival here, and of a little motion that I had then made in his highness' affairs: but the sharpness of winter prevented my travel into other colonies. In mid April I took my journey to the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven and unto the magistrates of those colonies declared my business, delivering his highness' letters to Mr Eaton. They all thankfully accepted his great love, manifesting themselves very ready to further the work in the West Indies, which they trust is of God. But as for this place of Jamaica now tendered, the minds of most were adverse at present, forasmuch as at that very season there came divers letters from thence signifying the sore afflicting hand of God in the mortality of the English upon the island, in so much that of 8000 and upward that landed there, there was not living above one half; and those very weak and low, and many of them dying daily. These tidings are a very great discouragement unto the most and best persons, which otherwise would have engaged to remove; only some few families have subscribed, but not considerable. If the Lord please to give the state either Hispaniola, Cuba or any other healthful place, I have good reason to believe that sundry persons of worth, yea and some whole churches would remove from hence into those parts. For the present there are some few godly discreet persons that intend to pass thither in a ship of the States called the Hope, whereof one Martin is commander. These persons leave their families here; and if it shall please God to carry them safe, and that the island be liked by them (as I hope it may) then upon their return and intelligence 'tis probable that

many will remove.

There is one thing, that I desire to mention to your honour, that is an objection I met with from some principal persons that incline to transplant, and indeed the motions of such will draw or hinder many. If his highness can see cause to remove it, 'tis probable it may further the work. They say, there is no encouragement in the propositions for ministers or men of place, but what is equal with other men. Now if a minister and people remove, the people will not be in a capacity until they are settled to maintain their ministers forasmuch as they cannot carry their estates from hence, [as] it principally consists in land and cattle. Now if there were some annual allowance made unto such persons for a few years until the people recruit or other ways be contrived, it would then take off that hindrance.

D. GODKIN to J. THURLOE, Secretary of State

during Commonwealth.

(1) What project is here referred to?

(2) Date the letter accurately.

(3) What difficulties had to be contended and how were they to be met?

(4) Do you know of any similar Cromwellian experiment?

60. The air of England is thick, so it often generates clouds, wind, and rain, but in calm weather the climate is so temperate that the extremes of heat and cold are rarely felt and never last long, so that persons clad in fur may be seen all the year round. Although they have vines they do not make wine of any sort, the plant serving as an ornament for their

gardens rather than anything else, as grapes do not ripen save in a very small quantity because the sun has not much power, but in lieu of wine they make beer. This potion is most palatable to them and all persons drink it, even their sovereign. They have abundance of fish, both from the ocean and the Thames, of the same sort as is common in Venice, but they have also salmon, a fish not found in Italy. The nobility are by nature very courteous especially to foreigners, who however are treated with very great arrogance and enmity by the people.

What conclusions can you draw as to the author of this description of England and the English in the sixteenth century? Show how you arrive at your conclusions.

61. It is now time to speak, or for ever hold the tongue. The important occasion now, is no less than to save a nation, out of a bleeding, nay almost dying condition which the long continuance of war hath already brought it into; so that without a more speedy, vigorous and effectual prosecution of the war,-casting off all lingering proceedings like those of soldiers of fortune beyond sea, to spin out a war, we shall make the kingdom weary of us, and hate the name of a Parliament.

For what do the enemy say? Nay, what do many say that were friends at the beginning of the parliament? Even this, that the members of both houses have got great places and commands, and the sword into their hands; and, what by interest in parliament, what by power in the army, will perpetually continue

themselves in grandeur, and not permit the war speedily to end, lest their own power should determine with it. This that I speak here to our own faces, is but what others do utter abroad behind our backs. I am far from reflecting on any. I know the worth of those commanders, members of both houses who are yet in power: but if I may speak my conscience without reflection upon any, I do conceive if the army be not put into another method, and the war more vigorously prosecuted, the people can bear the war no longer, and will enforce you to a dishonourable peace.

Date as accurately as you can the speech from which this extract is taken. Suggest by whom and about what it was spoken. Give your reasons.

62. 18th September [1688]. I went to London, where I found the Court in the utmost consternation on report of the Prince of Orange's landing; which put Whitehall into so panic a fear, that I could hardly believe it possible to find such a change.

Writs were issued in order to a parliament, and a declaration to back the good order of elections, with great professions of maintaining the Church of England, but without giving any sort of satisfaction to the people, who showed their high discontent at several things in the Government.

7th October. Hourly expectation of the Prince of Orange's invasion heightened to that degree, that his Majesty thought fit to abrogate the Commission for the dispensing power and restore the ejected fellows of Magdalen College, Oxford.

29th October. Lady Sunderland acquainted me with his Majesty's taking away the Seals from Lord Sunderland, and of her being with the Queen to intercede for him. It is conceived that he had of late grown remiss in pursuing the interest of the Jesuitical counsels :

His Majesty since the news of this invasion hath turned out for the present several Popish Lord Lieutenants and put in Protestants.

What light do these quotations throw on the actions of James II and his policy at the end of his reign?

63. A. Recourse must be had to the Catholick and Apostolic Church for the decision of controversies; and therefore all books on the Old and New Testaments in English, being of Tyndal's false translation, or comprising any matter of Christian religion, articles of faith, or Holy Scripture, contrary to the doctrine set forth, or to be set forth by the King, shall be abolished. No printer or bookseller shall utter any of the aforesaid books. No persons shall play in interlude, sing, or rhyme, contrary to the said doctrine. No persons shall retain any English books or writings concerning matter against the holy and blessed sacrament of the altar, or for the maintenance of anabaptists, or other books abolished by the King's proclamation. There shall be no annotations or preambles in Bibles or New Testaments in English. The Bible shall not be read in English in any church. No women or artificers,