the internal, derived from the style and composition, there is no comparison. These meditations resemble in elegance, purity, neatness and simplicity the genius of those performances, which we know, with certainty, to have flowed from the royal pen; but are so unlike the bombast, perplexed, rhetorical and corrupt style of Dr. Gauden, to whom they are ascribed, that no human testimony seems sufficient to convince us that he was the author." This certainly is excellent; exhibiting the most exact poise with one greatly preponderating scale; the most delicate and tremulous reserve with the most determined preference; the most specious affectation of candour with the most injurious violation and contempt of it.

On the internal evidence from the style and composition of this contested work, the opinion, which is here so authoritatively given, is at direct variance with that of Milton: but we might safely refer the cause at issue, together with the credit of our author's judgment to the sentence of any reader of common taste and erudition. Having passed, as it is said, through fifty editions,“ in the

Forty-seven impressions of the Icon were circulated in England alone; and 48,500 copies sold.

Lord Clarendon's silence respecting this work is admitted

space of one year, the Icon must still be in many hands; and we must consequently stand under the correction of numbers when we affirm, in opposition to the northern historian, that the composition of this little volume is radically different from that of the writings which unquestionably came from the pen of Charles—that its pages are sometimes strewn with false flowers and the glitter of fanciful conceits; that its style is antithetical and artificially constructed, and that it is, to avail myself of the words of the acute and spirited Toland, infinitely more like to that of a doctor than to that of a king. Its authenticity, indeed, was questioned by many, before the production of those tesmonies which we have noticed against it, in consequence alone of that internal evidence, adduced by Mr. Hume, with so much sanguine assurance, in its support.

by Mr. Hume as an argument against its authenticity. The duke of York declared to bishop Burnet, in 1673, that it was written by Dr. Gauden and not by the King. Bishop Burnet's Life, p. 51.

• The acute and able historian, whom I have already had more than one occasion to cite, has drawn up the evidence on this subject with a very masterly hand. I had written my account of the literary imposture in question, before I read Mr. Laing's; and it gave me particular satisfaction to find my opinions so fully confirmed by his. He refers the reader

In this short pause of the principal ac

for a specimen of Gauden's style, and for a proof of its resemblance to that of the Icon, to that pielate's Life of Hooker and the preceding dedication. The dedication with which I am acquainted, fully justifies this reference, and flatly contradicts the testimony of Hume respecting the perplexed and bombast composition, which he imputes to Dr. Gauden. Laing's Hist. of Scot, vol. iii. p. 405, &c.--That my readers may form some judgment for themselves on this point of taste, I will present them with an extract from the Icon Basilikè, and with one of Charles's papers written in reply to Mr. Henderson.

"But here honour and justice, due to my successors, forbid me to yield to such a totall alienation of that power from them, which civility and duty (no lesse than justice and honour) should have forbad them to have asked of me. For, although I can be content to eclypse my owne beames, to satisfie their feares, who think they must needs be scorched or blinded, if I should shine in the full lusture of kingly power, wherewith God and the lawes have invested me; yet I will never consent to put out the sun of soveraignty to all posterity, and succeeding kings; whose just recovery of their rights, from unjust usurpations and extortions, shall never be prejudiced or obstructed by any act of mine; which indeed would not be more injurious to succeeding kings, than to my subjects; whom I desire to leave in a condition not wholly desperate for the future; so as by law to be ever subjected to those many factious distractions, which must needs follow the many-headed Hydra of government: which, as it makes a shew to the people to have more eyes to foresee, so they will find it hath more mouths too, which must be satisfied: and (at best) it hath rather a monstrosity, than any thing of perfection, beyond that of right monarchy; where counsell may be in many as the senses, but the supreame power can be but in one as the head. Happily, when men have tried the horrours and malignant influence which will certainly follow my enforced darknesse and eclypse, (occasioned by the interposition and shad

tion, let me mention that, on his appoint

dow of that body, which as the moon receiveth its chiefest light from me) they will at length more esteem and welcome the restored glory and blessing of the sun's light." Icon Bas. p. 63, 64.

His Majesty's First Paper.

"Mr. HENDERSON,

"I know very well what a great disadvantage it is for me to maintaine an argument of divinity with so able and learned a man as your self, it being your, not my profession; which really was the cause that made me desire to heare some learned man argue my opinion with you, of whose abilities I might be confident, that I should not be led into an errour, for want of having all which could be said, layed open unto me: for, indeed, my humour is such, that I am still partiall for that side which I imagine suffers for the weaknesse of those that maintaine it; alwaies thinking that equall champions would cast the ballance on the other part; yet since that you (thinking that it will save time) desire to goe another way, I shall not contest with you in it, but treating you as my physitian, give you leave to take your owne way of cure; onely I thought fit to warne you, lest if you (not I) should be mistaken in this, you would be faine (in a manner) to begin anew.

"Then know that from my infancy I was blest with the King my father's love, which, I thank God, was an unvaluable happinesse to me, all his daies, and among all his cares for my education, his chief was, to settle me right in religion; in the true knowledge of which, he made himself so eminent to all the world, that, I am sure, none can call in question the brightnesse of his fame in that particular, without shewing their own ignorant base malice: he it was, who laid in me the grounds of christianity, which to this day I have been constant in; so that whether the worthinesse of my instructor be considered, or the not few yeares that I have been settled in my principles, it ought to be no strange thing, if it be found no easie worke,

ment to the office of Latin Secretary, Mil

to make me alter them: and the rather, that hitherto, I have (according to Saint Paul's rule, Rom. xiv. 22) been happy in 'Not condemning my selfe, in that thing which I allow: thus having shewed you how, it remaines, to tell you what, I believe, in relation to these present miserable distractions.

"No one thing made me more reverence the reformation of my mother, the Church of England, than that it was done (according to the Apostle's defence, Acts xxiv. 18) Neither with multitude, nor with tumult,' but legally and orderly; and by those, whom I conceive to have onely the reforming power; which with many other inducements, made me alwayes confident that the worke was very perfect, as to essentials, of which number church government being undoubtedly one, I put no question, but that would have been likewise altered, if there had been cause; which opinion of mine was soone turned into inore than a confidence, which I perceived that in this particular (as I must say of all the rest) we retained nothing but according as it was deduced from the apostles to be the constant universall custome of the primitive church; and that it was of such consequence, as by the alteration of it, we should deprive our selves of a lawful priesthood, and then, how the sacraments can be duly administered, is easie to judge: these are the principall reasons, which make me believe that bishops are necessary for a church, and, I think, sufficient for me (if [ had no more) not to give my consent for their expulsion out of England; but I have another obligation, that to my particular, is a no lesse tie of conscience, which is, my coronation oath: now if (as S. Paul saith, Rom. xiv. 23.) He that doubteth is damned if he eat,' what can I expect, if I should, not onely give way knowingly to my people's sinning, but likewise be perjured my selfe?

"Now consider, onght I not to keep my selfe from presumptuous sinnes?' and you know who sayes, What doth it profit a man, though he should gaine the whole world, and lose his owne soule? Wherefore my constant maintenance of