The fifth of November 1637 was as noisy a day all over England as any fifth of November since 1605. Perhaps it was the most tumultuous of all the anniversaries of the Gunpowder Treason, for reasons which belonged to the year. The main roads leading to London were thronged, and in London, lodgings were scarce and dear. It was something new that a case in the law-courts should so largely increase the population of London in the dampest and dreariest month of the year; but, as some people asked, had there ever been a law case of such public importance before? The trial of Mr. Hampden, for refusing to pay ship-money to the amount of twenty shillings, was to come on in the Exchequer Court on the 6th of November: and the expectation was, that if Mr. Hampden should chance to win his cause, he would be tried again for refusing to pay thirty shillings, in respect of his property in another district. All England was in waiting for the judgment that should be passed; and all England and Scotland were waiting to see what would follow from the punishments in Palace-Yard, which were quite as vehemently talked of as the ship-money. Some gentlemen of character, education, and ability as authors, had been pilloried and mutilated, in accordance with a Star-chamber sentence, procured by Archbishop Laud; and the restraint thus put upon men’s tongues, and the cruelty which showed itself in the temper of the leading Gospel minister of the kingdom, thrilled through the whole heart of the nation. Thus, many as were the travellers from all parts going up to attend Mr. Hampden’s trial, or to learn all particulars on the spot, there were nearly as many more who used that cause as a pretext for meeting and consulting with others who were no more reconciled to the tyranny of Churchmen under a Stuart, than their fathers had been under a Tudor. The occasion was too good not to be seized by Scotch leaders for coming to an understanding with English Puritans; and by men who had not
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