Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/98

 82 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 63. bishop said that, rather than he would yield that pri- vate schoolmasters should acknowledge their conformity in religion before justices of the peace, he would say Nay to the whole Bill.' 1 At length, not without bad blood on both sides, the dispute was compromised. The bishops promised amendment. The Commons withdrew the additions which they had meant to attach, and the Bill was passed. A large subsidy was voted for the de- fence of the realm. Another Act was passed also, levelled intentionally against pamphleteers like Stubbs, but made double-edged to strike Papist as well as Puritan, raising into felony the publication of rhyme, book, ballad, letter, or writing to the defamation of her Ma- jesty. 2 The remaining business was hurried over. The Crown had obtained money, and the council their in- creased powers. On the 1 8th the Queen came to the House of Lords, thanked the Parliament for their serv- ices, 'not including such members of the Commons House as had during the session dealt more rashly in some things than was fit for them to do ; ' and declared it prorogued. 3 The passing of the Treason Act obliged the Catho- lics to review their position. Almost all among them who were Catholics by descent were patriotic English- men. They had no desire either to lose their lands or 1 Note of proceedings in Parlia- ment. Mr Norton's defence against Mr Hampton's report, March, 1581 : MSS. Domestic, beth, cap. 2. s D'Ewes' Journals. This Par- liament never met again. It was continued by prorogation till April Statutes of the Realm, 23 Eliza- i 19, 1583, and then dissolved