these enemies of their country, it had not been possible to find legal evidence against a single one of them.  The law of treason might, in theory, be harsh, and had undoubtedly, in times past, been grossly abused.  But a statesman who troubled himself less about theory than about practice, and less about times past than about the time present, would pronounce that law not too stringent but too lax, and would, while the commonwealth remained in extreme jeopardy, refuse to consent to any further relaxation.  In spite of all opposition, however, the principle of the bill was approved by one hundred and seventy-one votes to one hundred and fifty-two.  But in the committee it was moved and carried that the new rules of procedure should not come into operation till after the end of the war with France.  When the report was brought up the House divided on this amendment, and ratified it by a hundred and forty-five votes to a hundred and twenty-five.  The bill was consequently suffered to drop.357 Had it gone up to the Peers it would in all probability have been lost after causing another quarrel between the Houses.  For the Peers were fully determined that no such bill should pass, unless it contained a clause altering the constitution of the Lord High Steward’s Court; and a clause altering the constitution of the Lord High Steward’s Court would have been less likely than ever to find favour with the Commons.  For in the course of this session an event took place which proved that the great were only too well protected by the law as it stood, and which well deserves to be recorded as a striking illustration of the state of manners and morals in that age.

Of all the actors who were then on the English stage the most graceful was William Mountford.  He had every physical qualification for his calling, a noble figure, a handsome face, a melodious voice.  It was not easy to say whether he succeeded better in heroic or in ludicrous parts.  He was allowed to be both the best Alexander and the best Sir Courtly Nice that ever trod the boards.  Queen Mary, whose knowledge was very superficial, but who had naturally a quick perception of what was excellent in art, admired him greatly.  He was a dramatist as well as a player, and has left us one comedy which is not contemptible.358

The most popular actress of the time was Anne Bracegirdle.  There were on the stage many women of more faultless beauty, but none whose features and deportment had such power to fascinate the senses and the hearts of men.  The sight of her bright black eyes and of her rich brown cheek sufficed to put the most turbulent audience into good humour.  It was said of her that in the crowded theatre she had as many lovers as she had male spectators.  Yet no lover, however rich, however high in rank, had prevailed on her to be his mistress.  Those who are acquainted with the parts which she was in the habit of playing, and with the epilogues which it was her especial business