His case was like to that of Christopher Columbus, when he sailed forth on an unknown ocean, and found that the compass, whereby he shaped his course, had shifted from the north pole whereto before it had constantly pointed.

So it was with Charles.

His compass varied; and therefore he could not tack aright.

If he had been an absolute king he would doubtless, like Titus Vespasian, have been called the delight of the human race.

If he had been a Doge of Venice, or a Stadtholder of Holland, he would never have outstepped the laws.