122 TWO CHAPTERS ILLUSTRATIVE OF 



whipped, fined, and imprisoned for life. The Lords, however, con- 

 ceiving that it would be a surrender of their constitutional rights to 

 allow the lower House the power of adjudicating and committing, so 

 effectually interfered as to succeed in checking this encroachment 

 upon their privileges,* although, to their unspeakable disgrace be it 

 added, they partly acquiesced in the violent and arbitrary resolutions 

 of the Commons. As a still more striking instance to what a depth 

 and intensity of feeling the cause of the Palatine had possessed the 

 judgment and conscience of the Commons, just before their adjourn- 

 ment by the king, says an eye-witness of the enthusiastic scene, 

 " with the voices of them all, withal lifting up their hats in their 

 hands so high as they could hold' them, as a visible testimony of their 

 unanimous consent, in such sort that the like had scarce ever been 

 seen in parliament," they in this manner resolved to support the Pa- 

 latinate with their lives and fortunes.f 



Another anecdote manifests the warm sympathy that was felt in 

 behalf of the ill-starred and much admired Elizabeth : — " The lieu- 

 tenant of the Middle Temple played a game this Christmas time, 

 whereat his majestie was highly displeased. He made choice of some 

 thirty of the civillest and best fashioned gentlemen of the House to 

 sup with him ; and, being at supper, took a cup of wine in one hand 

 and held his sword drawn in the other, and so began a health to the 

 distressed Lady Elizabeth, and, having drunk, kissed his sword, and 

 laying his hand upon it, took an oath to live and die in her service ; 

 then delivered the cup and sword to the next, and so the health and 

 ceremonie went round.":}: Seldom has royal misery been depicted in 

 more vivid and affecting details than in the following letter of the 

 Ex-Q.ueen to her father : — 



Sire, — I do not wish to importune your majesty with a very long 

 letter. The Baron De Dona will not fail to inform your majesty of 

 the misfortune that has befallen us, and which has compelled us to 

 leave Prague, and to come to this place, where God knows how long 

 we shall be able to remain. I therefore most humbly entreat your 

 majesty to protect the king and myself, by sending us succour; other- 

 wise, we shall be brought to utter ruin. It is your majesty alone, 

 next to Almighty God, from whom we expect assistance. I most 

 humbly thank your majesty for the favourable declaration you have 



* Parliamentary History, vol. v, p. 418 — 429. 



+ See Hallam, Const. Hist., vol. i, p. 302. 



$ See Ellis's Letters on English History, vol. iii, p. 118, 119. 



