And so, through November, while Monk was consolidating his forces in Scotland, the discussion of the new Constitution had been straggling on in the Sub-Committee and Committee at Whitehall, and in less authorized assemblies in the same neighbourhood.

Among these, besides a clerical conclave of Independent ministers, such as Owen and Nye, meeting at the Savoy and advising Whitlocke on the Church-question, one must specially remember Harrington's Rota Club at the Turk's Head in New Palace Yard.

That institution was now in its full nightly glory, discussing all the questions that were discussed in Whitehall and many more.

It had won by this time the crowning distinction of being a subject of daily jokes and witticisms.

In a London squib of Nov.