37
“VARIETY,” The Port Folio, vol. 3 [series 2] (January 1807), p. 27.
Anonymous
See History, vol. 4, pp. 285–6.
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HUME insists with all the force of reason and truth, that the Tudors were more tyrannical in their temper than the Stuarts. The following is a curious picture of the imperiousness of Elizabeth.
When the speaker, Sir Edward Coke, made the three usual requests of freedom from arrest, of access to her person, and of liberty of speech, she replied to him by the mouth of Puckering, Lord Keeper, that liberty of speech was granted to the commons, but they must known what liberty they were entitled to: not a liberty for every one to speak what he listeth, or what cometh in his brain to utter — their privilege extended no farther than a liberty of aye or no. That she enjoined the speaker, if he perceived any idle hands so negligent of their own safety as to attempt reforming the church, or innovating in the commonwealth, that he should refuse the bills exhibited for that purpose, till they were examined by such as were fitter to consider of these things, and could better judge of them: that she would not impeach the freedom of their persons; but they must beware, lest, under colour of this privilege, they imagined that any neglect of their duty could be covered or protected.