[11] While the nation, agitated by many strong emotions, looked anxiously forward to the reassembling of the Houses, tidings, which increased the prevailing excitement, arrived from France.
The long and heroic struggle which the Huguenots had maintained against the French government had been brought to a final close by the ability and vigour of Richelieu.

That great statesman vanquished them; but he confirmed to them the liberty of conscience which had been bestowed on them by the edict of Nantes.

They were suffered, under some restraints of no galling kind, to worship God according to their own ritual, and to write in defence of their own doctrine.

They were admissible to political and military employment; nor did their heresy, during a considerable time, practically impede their rise in the world.

Some of them commanded the armies of the state; and others presided over important departments of the civil administration.