the other, and his ambidexter services seem to have been rewarded
   by the sincere hatred of both.  In 1688 was published a vindication
   of this party, entitled, “the Character of a Trimmer;” and his
   opinion of,—­I.  The laws of government.  II.  Protestant Religion. 
   III.  Foreign affairs.  By the Hon. Sir William Coventry.

THE

VINDICATION: 

OR, THE

PARALLEL

OF THE

FRENCH HOLY LEAGUE,

AND THE

ENGLISH LEAGUE AND COVENANT,

TURNED INTO A SEDITIOUS LIBEL AGAINST THE KING

AND HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS,

BY

THOMAS HUNT,

AND THE AUTHORS OF THE REFLECTIONS UPON THE

PRETENDED PARALLEL IN THE PLAY CALLED

THE DUKE OF GUISE.

Turno tempus erit magno cum optaverit emptum
Intactum Pallanta:  et cum spolia ista, diemque
Oderit.—­

VINDICATION OF THE DUKE OF GUISE.

It was easy to foresee, that a play, which professed to be a broadside discharged at the whole popular party, would not long remain uncensured.  The satire being derived from a historical parallel of some delicacy, offered certain facilities of attack to the critics.  It was only stretching the resemblance beyond the bounds to which Dryden had limited it, and the comparison became odious, if not dangerous.  The whig writers did not neglect this obvious mode of attack, now rendered more popular by the encroachment lately attempted by the court upon the freedom of the city, whose magistrates had been exposed to ridicule in the play.

Our readers cannot but remember, that, in order to break the spirit of the city of London, a writ of quo warranto was issued against the incorporation, by which was instituted a vexatious and captious inquiry into the validity of the charter of London.  The purpose of this process was to compel the city to resign their freedom and immunities into the king’s hands, and to receive a new grant of them, so limited, as might be consistent with the views of the crown, or otherwise to declare them forfeited.  One Thomas Hunt, a lawyer of some eminence, who had been solicitor for the Viscount Stafford when that unfortunate nobleman was tried for high treason, and had written upon the side of the tories, but had now altered his principles, stepped forward upon this occasion as the champion of the immunities of the city of London[1].  The ludicrous light in which the sheriffs are placed, during the scene with Grillon in the third act, gave great offence to this active partizan; and he gives vent to his displeasure in the following attack upon the author, and the performance.