_ Before my heart it was a good answer; I hope he won
his monies?--_Will._ So he did; but it was put into a waterman's
hands, and when it was demanded, says the beaten boy, Sirrah, give
it him, if you dare; if his master be the king of France, I'll make
you answer it before the House of Commons. The waterman durst do no
other, but gave either their own monies. There's no contending with
parliament men, or parliament men's men, nor boys."
Some occasion was given for these reproaches by the summary and
arbitrary commitment of many individuals, who had addressed the
king in terms expressing their abhorrence of the vehement petitions
presented by the other party for the sitting of parliament, and
were thence distinguished by the name of Abhorrers. This course was
ended by the sturdy resistance of one Stowell, who had, as foreman
of the grand jury at Exeter, presented an _abhorring_ address to
the king. A serjeant at arms having been sent to apprehend him, he
refused to submit, and bid the officer take his course, adding, he
knew no law which made him accountable for what he did as a grand
juryman. The House were so much embarrassed by his obstinacy, that
they hushed up the matter by voting that he was indisposed, and
adjourning the debate _sine dic._
19. This famous interview betwixt Grillon and the king deserved to
have been brought on the stage, in a nobler strain, and free from
the buffoonery, by which the veteran's character is degraded.
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