The present state of London: or, Memorials comprehending a full and succinct account of the ancient and modern state thereof. By Tho. De-Laune, Gent

Of the High Court of PARLIAMENT.

Sir Richard Baker tell us in his Chronicle that King Henry the I. instituted the Form of the High Court of Parliament: and that the first Council of this sort was held at Salisbury, on the 19th of April, and the 16th of his Reign, which is 560 and odd Years ago. Before the Conquest, the great Coun∣cil of the King, consisting only of the Great Men of the Kingdom, was called Magnatum Conventus, the Convention or Meeting of the Grandees, or Great Men, or else Prelatorum Procerumque Con∣cilium, and by the Saxons in their own Tongue, Michel Gemot, the great Assembly. After the Con∣quest it was called Parlementum, a French word derived of Parler, to talk together, consisting still only of the great Men of the Nation, till the afore∣said King's Reign.

None but the King hath Authority to Summon a Parliament: In the King's absence out of the Realm, the Custos Regni in the King's Name, doth Summon a Parliament; and During the King's Mi∣nority within the Realm, the Protector Regni doth the same.

When the King of England is with His Parlia∣ment, in time of peace, He is then said to be in the height of His Royal Dignity, as well as when He is at the head of His Army in time of War.

He can with the concurrence of his Lords and Commons then do any thing in point of Enacting or Repealing Laws, Legitimate one that is born 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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Illegitimate, Bastardize one that is born Legitimate. He can make an Infant of full Age, make an Alien or Foreigner an English Man, can Attaint a Man of Treason when he is Dead, and when he is no more a Man, &c.

A Parliament is Summoned in manner follow∣ing: About fourty Days before the Parliament doth Assemble, the King Issues out His Writ out of the Chancery, cum advisamento Consilii sui, with the advice of His Council, and the Warrant is, per ip∣sum Regem & Consilium, by the King Himself and His Council.

The King's Writ (which is a short Letter or Epi∣stle) is directed and sent to every particular Person of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, commanding the Lords Spiritual, in Fide & Dilectione, in Faith and Love; and the Lords Temporal, per fidem & allegantiam, by their Faith and Allegiance, to ap∣pear at a certain time, and place, to Treat and give their Advice in some certain Important Affairs, con∣cerning the Church and State, &c.

Other Writs are sent to the High Sheriff of each County, to Summon the People to Elect two Knights for each County, two Citizens for each City, and one or two Burgesses for each Burrough, accord∣ing to Statute, Charter, or Custom.

In these Elections, antiently all the People had their Votes, and most Votes carried it, but for avoid∣ing of Tumults and Trouble, it was Enacted by Henry the VI. that none should have any suffrage in the Election of Knights of the Shire, but such as were Free-holders, did Reside in the County, and had of Yearly Revenue 40 s. which till the disco∣very of Gold and Silver in America, was as much as 30 or 40 l. now.

The Persons Elected for each County, are to be Milites Notabiles, or at least Esqs. or Gentlemen, fit to be made Knights, as it is in the Statutes of

Henry the VI. they ought to be de discretionibus Militibus & ad laborandum potentioribus, of the discreetest Knights, and most able to endure La∣bour, of age, (viz. 21 Years at least,) and Expe∣rience, without Rancor, Malice, Heat and Envy to be constant so as not to be swerved from Right, by Fear, Reward, or Favour, and in Judgment no re∣specters of Persons; of a ripe and good Memory, that remembring Perils past, they may prevent Dan∣gers to come. They are to be Vigorous, Active and Temperate, and content to give their Attend∣ance for Publick Good, with which they are In∣trusted, Men of Noble Spirits and good Estates, to prevent their being Mercenary or Bribed, to betray their great Trust; Men well verst in National and Political Affairs, and of Capacious Understandings, that so they might not be imposed upon' by the Sub∣tilty of such as would over-reach them. They ought also to be well acquainted with the Laws of the Land, and the Transactions of former Parliaments, in order to the Repeal of Old Laws; which though fit for the times they were made, may not be so for the present times, (the Circumstances of things be∣ing varyed much from what they were, by divers Revolutions,) and to Enact New Laws for general Good. And indeed we have had of late Parlia∣ments of this Character, Men of such brave Spirits, such Sagacity, Prudence, and Integrity, to promote the General Welfare of that Great Body Politick, whose Worthy Representatives they were, as have exceeded their Predecessors, and will hardly be out∣done in succeeding times.

They ought to be Native English Men, or at least such as have been Naturalized by Act of Parliament. No Alien or Denizen, none of the twelve Judges, no Sheriff of a County, no Ecclesi∣astical Person that hath curam animarum, the cure (or care) of Souls, may be chosen to Serve for any County, City, or Burrough.

This Grand and Illustrious Senate, Consists of the three great Estates of the Kingdom, (the King's most Excellent Majesty being the head,) viz. The Prelates and the Peers of the Realm, and the Com∣mons; in which is such a Co-ordination of Power, such a Wholsom mixture betwixt Prince and Com∣monalty, during the time of Consultation, that they make but one Body Politique, their Results when they concur, being as so many Harmonious Diapa∣sons, arising from the Touch of different Strings. This Great Council is the great Bulwark of the En∣glish Liberty, Property, and Religion, and the great Bank that keeps them from Slavery, and the Inun∣dations of Tyrannical Incroachments, and unbound∣ed Will-Government.

The People are lyable to no Laws but what they themselves make, and are subject to no Contribu∣tion, Tax, Assessment, or Pecuniary Leveys what∣soever, but what they themselves Vote, and Volun∣tarily yield to. For there all Degrees of People be Represented, the Yeoman, Merchant, Tradesman, Mechanick, &c. have their inclusive Votes, as well as the Gentry, and Free-holders, their Burgesses, and Knights.

The House of Lords consists of Eleven Dukes, whereof two are of the Royal Family, viz. the Duke of York, and Prince Rupert, then the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, the Lord Treasurer, and the Lord Privy Seal, takes Place before all Dukes not of the Royal Blood.

There are two Marquesses, the Lord High Cham∣berlain of England, the Lord Steward of the King's Houshold, and the Lord Chamberlain of the King's Houshould (in respect of their Offices) takes place of all Earls, who at present are in Number, (viz. such as may Sit in the House of Lords) 64. Then there are 7 Viscounts, and 60 Barons, (according to the Printed List of the last Parliament that met at

Oxford March 21. this present Year 1681.) Then there are two Archbishops, and twenty four Bishops, so that the whole Number may be about 176, some of which Lords are under Age, some Employed abroad by the King, some Sick or Infirm: so that the ordinary Number that Sits, (besides the Peers in the Tower, and such as are Excluded by Act of Parliament for Recusancy, &c.) may be about one hundred.

The House of Commons consists of two Knights for each of the 40 Shires in England, being 80. One for each County in Wales, being 12 Knights. Two for each of the 25 Cities in England, and four for London, in all 52. Sixteen Barons for the Cinque-Ports. Two Burgesses for each of the two Ʋniversities. About 330 Burgesses, for 168 Bur∣roughs in England, of which, some few send but one Burgess a piece. Lastly, of twelve Burgesses, (viz. one for one Burrough in each County of Wales, so that the Total, according to the aforesaid List, is 513. Of which many are absent, som∣times by permission of the House upon business, or because of Sickness, &c.

The Number of the Parliament Men, that each County sends, are as followeth:

• 1. Bedfordshire. 4
• 2. Berkshire. 9
• 3. Buckinghamshire. 14
• 4. Cambridgeshire. 6
• 5. Cheshire. 4
• 6. Cornwall. 44
• 7. Cumberland. 6
• 8. Derbyshire. 4
• 9. Devonshire. 26
• 10. Dorsershire. 20
• 11. Durham. 4
• 12. Essex. 8
• 13. Glocestershire. 8
• 14. Herefordshire. 8
• 15. Hartfordshire. 6
• 16. Huntingtonshire. 4
• 17. Kent. 10
• 18. Lancashire. 14
• 19. Leicestershire. 4
• 20. Lincolnshire. 12
• 21. Middlesex. 8
• 22. Monmouthshire. 3.
• ...

• 23. Norfolk. 12
• 24. Northamptonshire. 9
• 25. Northumberland. 8
• 26. Nottinghamshire. 8
• 27. Oxfordshire. 9
• 28. Rutland. 2
• 29. Shropshire. 12
• 30. Somersetshire. 18
• 31. Southampton, Or, Southamptonshire. 26
• 32. Staffordshire. 10
• 33. Suffolk. 16
• 34. Surrey. 14
• 35. Sussex. 20
• 36. Warwickshire. 6
• 37. Westmorland. 4
• 38. Wiltshire. 34
• 39. Worcestershire. 9
• 40. Yorkshire. 30

BARONS of the CINQUE-PORTS.

• Port of Hastings. 2
• Town of Winchelsey. 2
• Town of Rye. 2
• Port of new Rumney. 2
• Port of Hieth. 2
• Port of Dover. 2
• Port of Sandwich. 2
• Port of Seaford. 2

WALES.

• 1. Anglesey. 1
• Bewmaris. 1
• 2. Brecon. 1
• Town of Brecon. 1
• 3. Cardigan. 1
• Town of Cardigan. 1
• 4. Carmarthen. 1
• Town of Carmarthen. 1
• 5. Carnarvan. 1
• Town of Carnarvan. 1
• 6. Denbigh. 1
• Town of Denbigh. 1
• 7. Flint. 1
• Town of Flint. 1
• 8. Glamorgan. 1
• Town of Cardiff. 1
• 9. Merioneth. 1
• 10. Pembrook. 1
• Town of Haverford-west. 1
• Town of Pembrook. 1
• 11. Montgomery. 1
• Town of Montgome∣ry. 1
• 12. Radnor. 1
• Town of Radnor. 1

The Barons of the Cinque-Ports, are at this Day, only as Burgesses in Parliament, yet they are still cal∣led Barons, after the antient manner, because here∣tofore they got Renown by their Exploits at Sea, in

defending the Kingdom, in Memory whereof, they have yet the priviledge to send Burgesses, to bear the Cloth of State over the King's Head on the day of His Coronation, and to Dine that Day in the King's presence.

The Writ or Summons to the Sheriff, for Ele∣ction of Members to Serve in the House of Com∣mons, runs to this purpose:

The KING to the Sheriff, &c. Greeting.

WHereas by the Advice and Assent of our Council, for certain arduous and ur∣gent Affairs concerning Ʋs, the State and Defence of our Kingdom of England, and the Church of England, We have Ordamed a certain Parliament of Ours, to be held at this Our City of—the—Day of—next Ensuing, and there to have Conference, and to Treat with the Prelates, Great Men and Peers of Our said King∣dom; We command and strictly enjoyn you, that making Proclamation at Our next County Court, after the Receipt of this Our Writ, to be holden the day and Place aforesaid, you cause two Knights girt with Swords, the most fit and discreet of the County aforesaid, and of every City of that County two Citizens; of every Burrough, two Burgesses, of the discreetest and most sufficient, to be freely and indifferently chosen, by them who shall be pre∣sent at such Proclamation, according to the Tenor of the Statutes in that Case made and provided; and the Names of the said Knights, Citizens and Burgesses so ch••sen, to be inserted in certain In∣dentures, to be then made between you and those that shall be present at such Election, whether the Parties so Elected be present or absent, and shall make them to come at the said Day and Place; so that the said Knights for themselves, and the

County aforesaid, and the Citizens and the Bur∣gesses for themselves and the Commonalty of the said Cities and Boroughs may have severally from them, full and sufficient Power, to do, and to con∣sent to those things, which then by the Favour of GOD, shall happen to be Ordained by the Common Councel of Our said Kingdom, concerning the bu∣sinesses aforesaid, so that the business may not by any means remain undone for want of such Pow∣er, or by reason of the improvident Election of the foresaid Knights, Citizens and Burgesses: But we will not in any Case that you, or any other She∣riff of Our said Kingdom, shall be Elected, and at the Day and Place aforesaid, the said Election being made in a full County Court, you shall cer∣tify without Delay unto Ʋs, in Our Chancery un∣der your Seal, and the Seals of them who shall be present at the Election, sending back unto Ʋs the other part of the Indenture aforesaid, affixed to these presents, together with the Writ. Witness Our Self at, &c.

The King is in the sence of Law the Fountain of Justice, He is Lord Chief Justice of England, and therefore all the Laws of the Realm are called His Laws; for He is Caput, principium, & finis Par∣liamenti, (that is, the head, beginning, and end of Parliament,) and nothing can have the Force of a Law, but what has His Royal Assent.

The highest Court of Judicature in England, is the House of Lords in Parliament, who are assisted with the most Grave and Eminent Lawyers of England, both in Common and Civil Law, who are only Ministerial there, and have no Voices; but to give their Opinions in matters of Law which become doubtful.

To the Judicature of this Supreme and most Honorable Court, all other Courts and Persons that

are Subjects of England, are accountable for all Crimes not properly Tryable, Remediable, or Pun∣ishable in other inferiours Courts of Justice, and to this Court all last Appeals are made, from whose Sentence there lies no Appeal, but to a succeeding Parliament; and this Supreme Judicatory, or Judicial Power, lies only in the King and House of Lords, and at the Bar of this High Court may the House of Com∣mons, as the Grand Inquest of the Nation, Impeach the Highest Subject of England, whether of the Clergy or of the Laity, and prosecute them till it come to a Sentence.

All Members of Parliament, both Lords and Commons, that they may attend the publick Ser∣vice of their Country, are priviledged with their Menial Servants attending on their Persons, together with all their necessary Goods brought along with them, from all Attachments and Imprisonments, for Debts, Trespasses, Account, or Covenant, all the time that they are on the way to the Place of Par∣liament, all the time that they tarry there, and re∣turn Eundo, Morando, & ad propria redeundo, but not from Arrests for Treason, Felony, or breach of the Peace.

The place of Meeting for this High and Hono∣rable Assembly, is in whatsoever City, Town, or House, the King pleaseth; but most usually at West∣minster. All the Lords Sit in a fair Room by them∣selves, and the Commons not far from them in ano∣ther Fair Room, heretofore the antient Free Chap∣pel of St. Stephen.

The King, as oft as he comes, (which is usually at the opening of Parliaments, passing of Bills, or Solemn Debates) is placed at the upper end of the Room in a Chair of State, under a Cloth of State, under which, on either hand, sit none but the King's Children.

On the King's right hand is a Seat for the Prince

of Wales, on His left hand is a Seat for the Duke of York.

On the King's right hand next the Wall, are placed on a Form, the two Archbishops, next below on another Form, the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester.

Upon other Forms, on the same side, the rest of the Bishops sit, according to the Priority of their Con∣secration.

On the King's left hand, upon Forms are placed the Lord Chancellor, Treasurer, President of the King's Council, the Lord Privy Seal, if they are Barons, above all Dukes, except those of the Royal Family; if they are not Barons, then they Sit up∣permost on the Wool-sacks.

On the same side Sit the Dukes, Marquesses, and Earls, according to their Creations. Upon the first Form, across the House below the Woolsacks, sit the Viscounts, and upon the next Forms the Barons, all in Order.

The Lord Chancellor or Keeper (if the King be present,) stands behind the Cloth of Estate, other∣wise sits on the first Woolsack, thwart the Chair of State, his Great Seal and Mace by him, he is Lord Speaker of the Lords House. Upon other Woolsacks sit the Judges, the Privy Counsellors, and Secretaris of State, the King's Council at Law, the Masters of Chancery; who being not Barons, have no suffrage by Vo••ce in Parliament, but only sit (as was said,) to give Advice when required.

The Reason of their sitting upon Woolsacks, is thought to be to put them in mind of the Great Im∣portance of our Woollen Manufactories, which is the Grand Staple Commodity of England, and so not to be by any means neglected.

On the Lowermost Woolsack are placed the Clerk of the Crown, and Clerk of the Parliament, whereof the former is concern'd in all Writs of

Parliament, and Pardons in Parliament. The other Recordeth all things done in Parliament, and keepeth the Records of the same. This Clerk hath also two Clerks under him, who kneel behind the same Woolsack, and write thereon.

Without the Bar of the Lords House, sits the King's first Gentleman Usher, called the Black-Rod, from a Black-staff he carries in his hand, under whom is a Yeoman Usher that waits at the Door within, a Cryer without, and a Serjeant at Mace, al∣ways attending the Lord Chancellor.

When the King is present with His Crown on his Head, none of the Lords are covered. The Judges stand till the King gives them leave to sit. When the King is absent, the Lords at their entrance do Reverence to the Chair of State, as is or should be done by all that enter into the King's Presence Chamber.

The Judges then may sit, but may not be cover∣ed, till the Chancellor or Keeper signifies unto them the leave of the Lords. The King's Council, and Masters of Chancery sit also, but may not be cover∣ed at all.

The Commons in their House sit Promiscuously, only the Speaker hath a Chair placed in the mid∣dle, and the Clerk of that House near him at the Table. They never had any Robes, (as the Lords ever had,) but wear every one what he fancyeth most.

The time of Sitting in Parliament, is on any day in the Morning, or before Dinner. When the day pre∣fixt by the King in His Writs of Summons is come, the KING usually in his Royal Robes, with His Crown on His Head, declares the cause of their be∣ing Assembled, in a short Speech, leaving the rest to the Lord Chancellor, who then stands behind His MAJESTY; the Commons in the mean time standing bare at the Bar of the Lords House, who are Commanded to chuse then a Speaker, which

without the KING's Command they may not do; whereupon they Return to their own House, and choose one of their own Members, whom they pre∣sent on another Day to the KING; and being ap∣proved of by His MAJESTY, sitting in His Chair, and all the Lords in their Scarlet Robes, he makes a modest refusal, which not allowed, he Petitioneth His Majesty, That the Commons may have, during their Sitting,

• 1. A free Access to His Majesty.
• 2. A freedom of Speech in their own House.
• 3. Freedom from Arrests.
• Which the King Grants.

Before they enter upon Affairs, all the Members of the House of Commons take the Oaths of Alle∣giance and Supremacy, in the presence of an Of∣ficer, appointed by the KING. And since the Pa∣pists have been found (by the Wisdom of the KING and Parliament) to be Plotting and Con∣triving to introduce the pretended Supremacy of their Pope, and inslave the Nation to their Tyran∣nical Anti-spiritual Jurisdiction, by Horrid Projecti∣ons, Plots, Intrigues, &c. to prevent any such from Voting in either House, it was thought meet, (though no Oaths can bind such who profess the Impious Doctrine of Equivocation,) that all are to declare their Opinion against the Doctrines of Transub∣stantiation, Invocation and Adoration of Saints, the Sacrifice of the Mass: which Test, the Lords also are Obliged to take in their House, before they can Sit and Debate upon any Affair.

The Lords House hath a power not only in Ma∣king and Repealing Laws, but also in tractando & Consilium impendendo, (that is, in Treating and Counselling, &c.) as the words of the Writ are; also in Judging of Controversies, Judging in the Ar∣raignment

of any Peer of the Realm, putting Men to their Oaths, especially in matters of Importance, as the Corruption of Judges and Magistrates in Illegal proceeding in other Courts, in Appeals from Decrees in Chancery. No Papist is to Sit, or have Suffrage in the Lords House.

The Lords, in case of necessary or unavoidable absence, may make their Proxies to Vote in their place, after License obtained under the KING's Signet.

The Commons (as was said,) have a power in Making and Repealing Laws: they have a Negative Voice, as the KING and Lords have; for nothing can pass into a Law without the joint concurrence of the King and both Houses. Bills for Levying of Mony upon the Subject, begin in the House of Commons, because the greater part of the same arises from them. The Commons have a power to Supplicate and pro∣pose Laws, and (as before,) to Impeach publick De∣linquents of the Highest Quality that are Subjects; for they are the Grand Inquest of the Nation, and are to present Publick Grievances to be Redressed, and Delinquents to be punished.

To this end the Lords sit in their Robes on the Bench covered, they Swear and Examine Wit∣nesses, and at last pass Sentence; the Members of the House of Commons stand bare at the Bar of the Lords House, produce Witnesses, manage Evidences, &c.

Though every Member of the House of Commons is chosen to Serve for one particular County, City, or Borough, yet he Serves for the whole Kingdom, and his Voice is equal to any other; his power is absolute to consent or dissent.

They are to make it their special care to promote the good of that County, City, or Borough, for which they Serve; so as that, no particular benefit may interfere with, or be prejudicial to the Good of the whole Kingdom.

The Lords are to bear their own Charges, because they Represent only themselves. The Commons usually had their Reasonable expences. In the 17 of Ed. II. they had Ten Groats for Knights, and Five Groats for Burgesses a day, and not long af∣ter, Four s. a day for Dubbed Knights, and Two s. for all others, which in those days, as appears by the Prices of all things, was a considerable Sum, above Twenty times more than it is now. So that some decayed Boroughs finding the expence heavy, Peti∣tioned that they might not be obliged to send Bur∣gesses to Parliament, and so were Ʋnburgessed, &c.

It is the Practice of each House to debate all publick Affairs, relating to the general or particular Welfare, of the Kingdom or Subject. And every Parliament may get a Bill drawn, and give it to the Speaker, or Clerk of the Parliament, to be pre∣sented in convenient time. Whatsoever is propo∣sed for a Law, is first put in Writing and called a Bill, which being read in a full Assembly, it is either unanimously rejected, or else allowed to be Debated, and then it is Committed to a certain Number of the House, presently Nominated, and called a Com∣mittee. After it hath been Amended, and twice Read two several Days in the House, it is Ingrossed, that is, Written Fair in a Parchment, and Read the Third time another day, and then (if in the Lords House) the Chancellor, or (if in the House of Com∣mons,) the Speaker demands if they will have it put to the question, whether, a Law or no Law? If the Major part be for it, there is Written on the Bill by the Clerk (of the Lords House,) Soit baille aux Seigneurs,—or (of the House of Commons,) Soit baille aux Communes, retaining the Antient Custom, which was to speak in French.

When the Speaker finds divers Bills prepared to be put to the Question, he gives Notice the day be••

before, that to morrow he intends to put such Bills to the passing, or third Reading, and desires the spe∣cial attendance of all the Members.

If a Bill be rejected, it cannot be any more pro∣posed during that Session. All Bills sent by the Commons to the Lords House, are usually attended (to shew their respect) with several of their Mem∣bers, and as they come up to the Lords Bar, the Member that's to present the Bill maketh three profound Reverences, and delivers it to the Lord Chancellor, who comes down to the Bar to receive it.

A Bill sent by the Lords to the Commons is usu∣ally by some of the Masters of Chancery, or some o∣ther whose seat is on the Wool-sacks (and by none of the Members) who coming up to the Speaker, bow thrice, and deliver it to him, after one of them hath read the Title, and desired it might be taken into Consideration. If it pass that House, then is Written on it, Les Communes ont assentez.

When any Member of the House of Commons speaks to a Bill, he stands up uncovered, and di∣rects his Speech only to the Speaker; then if what he Delivers be confuted by another, yet he is not allowed to Answer again the same day, lest the whole time should be spent in a Dispute between two talkative persons.

Also if a Bill be debating in the House, no man may speak to it in one day, above once. If any one speak words of offence which the House takes cognizance of as such, he is called to the Bar, and sometimes sent to the Tower. The Speaker is not allowed to persuade or dissuade in passing of a Bill, but only to make a short and plain Narrative, nor to Vote, except the House be equally Divided. In Committees, though of the whole House, it is al∣lowed to Speak and Reply as often as they please.

In the House of Lords they give their Suffrages or Votes, beginning at the lowest Baron, and so to

the highest Peer in order, every one Answering apart [Content, or Not content.]

In the House of Commons, they Vote by Yea's, and No's, and if it be doubtful which is the greater Number, then the Yea's are to go forth, and the No's sit still, because these are content with their present condition, without any addition or altera∣tion of Laws, as the other desire; and then some are appointed to Number them: But at a Commit∣tee, though it be of the whole House, (as it is some∣times) the Yea's go on one side, and the No's on the other, whereby they may be discerned.

If a Bill pass in one House, and being sent to the other House, they of the other House Demur upon it, then a Conference is demanded in the Painted Chamber, where certain deputed Members of each House Meet, the Lords sitting covered at a Table, and the Commons standing bare: the business is then debated; If they agree not, it is Nulled; if they do agree, it Passes.

When Bills have past both Houses, they are pre∣sented to his Majesty for his Royal assent, who comes in his Robes with the Crown on his Head, and being Seated in his Chair of State, (the Lords being all in their Robes,) the Clerk of the Crown reads the Ti••∣tle of each Bill, and as he reads, the Clerk of the Parliament, according to his Instructions from the King (who before hath maturely considered each Bill) pronounceth the Royal assent. If it be a Pub∣lick Bill, the Answer is (Le Roy le veut,) and then that Bill becomes a Law. If a Private Bill, the Answer is (Soit fait comms el est desire.) If it be a Pubblick Bill which the King likes not, then the Answer is, (Le Roy s'avisera) which is taken for an absolute Denial, in a more Civil way, and that Bill wholly nulled. So that nothing but what the King confirms by his Royal Assent, hath the force of a Law.

The King can by Commission granted to some of His Nobles, give His Royal Assent to any Bill that requires haste.

If it be a Bill for Monies given to His Majesty, then the Answer is, (Le Roy remercie ses Loyaux Sujets, accepte leur Benevolence, & aussi le veut) which is an ancient Ceremony of Thanking the Subjects for parting with their Money.

The Bill for the King's General Pardon hath but one Reading in either House, because they must take it, as the King will please to give it; so the Bill of Subsidies granted by the Clergy Assembled in Con∣vocation for the same Reason. When the Bill for the General Pardon is passed by the King, the An∣swer is thus, (Les Prelates, Seigneurs & Commu∣nes en ce Parliament Assemblez au nom de tous vos autre Sujects, remercient tres humblement vo∣tre Majeste & prient Dieu vous donner en sante bonne vie & Congue.

All Acts of Parliament before the Reign of Hen∣ry 7. were Passed and Enrolled in French, now in English. The stile runs thus; Be it Enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Tem∣poral, and Commons, &c.

When it pleases the King, the Parliament is Ad∣journed, Prorogued, or Dissolved, thus:

Adjournments are usually made in the Lords House, by the Lord Chancellor in the King's name, to what other day and place the King pleases; and then all things already Debated and Read in one or both Houses, may be resumed, because they conti∣nue in the same State they were in before, to the next Meeting.

When the Parliament is Prorogued there is a Session, and then all Bills and Debates must begin anew, at the re-assembling of the Parliament.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, upon notice given that it is the King's pleasure, that that House shall also Adjourn, doth say with the Assent of the House, This House is Adjourned.

When the King Prorogues or Dissolves the Par∣liament, He commonly comes in Person to the House of Lords in his Robes, with the Crown on his Head, and sends (by the Ʋsher of the Black-Rod) for all the House of Commons, to the Bar of that House, and after the King's Answer to each Bill sig∣nified as aforesaid, his Majesty usually makes a So∣lemn Speech, the Lord Chancellor another, and the Speaker of the House of Commons a Third. Then the Lord Chancellor by the special Command of the King, doth pronounce the Parliament Pro∣rogued or Dissolved.

The King being Head of the Parliament, if his Death doth happen, during the Sitting of the Par∣liament, it is ipso facto Dissolved.

IV. Sommerset-House in the Strand is the Queens Palace. In the Year 1549. Edward Duke of Som∣merset Uncle to Edward the 6th, and Lord Pro∣tector, pulled down several adjoyning Buildings to make him a Mansion-House there, the Stones of which Houses, and some other more remote Build∣ings which he demollished, were converted to this Spatious and Beautiful Palace; of which we cannot add much more, but that it was the Fatal place, where the wicked Romish Assassinates (prompted by Hell and their accursed Principles,) most barba∣rously Murdered that Noble Patriot and never to be forgotten Knight, Sir EDMOND-BERRY GOD∣FREY, on Saturday the 12th of October, 1678. The Bloody Villains being enraged at the Discovery of their Execrable Plot, in which this brave Gentle∣man was very active, made him a Sacrifice to their Revenge, so that he may be truly stiled the Mar∣tyr of the English Protestant Interest, and deserves

a Memorial in all Loyal Christian Hearts. The Nar∣rative is published at large, to which we refer our Reader; only we cannot omit his Majesties Royal act, who so resented this Abominable Villany, that he issued his Proclamation the 20th of October, pro∣mising 500 l. to the Discoverer, and a Pardon if one of the Malefactors; and another soon after pro∣mising on the word of a King, not only the said Reward of 500 l, but such care for the Security of the Discoverer as he could in Reason propose; up∣on which Captain William Bedlow (since Dead,) and Mr. Miles Praunce, a Silver-smith in Princes∣street, (which last confessed to have been in the Fact,) made the Discovery; and upon their clear and un∣doubted Evidence, three of the Wretches were Exe∣cuted, viz. Green, Berry, and Hill, the rest fled from Justice, but cannot escape Divine Vengeance.

Having spoken of these principal Palaces, it may be expected that we should speak something of the Great and Famous Houses of the Nobility, which are very many and Magnificent, not yielding to any in Europe; as Clarendon-House, which for Si∣tuation, stately Architecture, spacious solid uniform Structure, is admirable; Berkley-House, Wallingford-House, Northumberland-House, Salisbury and Wor∣cester Houses, Bedford, Leicester, Newport, Moun∣tague and Southampton Houses, and indeed most Houses of the great Peers: But the brevity of our Volume will not admit a large Description, only in General we shall say something of them in the Section that Treats of the Fire, Anno 1666. and the Rebuilding of the City.