Nor were his
subjects satisfied by the glimpses obtained of him on such
occasions; they must needs behold their king surrounded by the
insignia of royalty in the palace of his ancestors, and flocked
thither in numbers. "The eagerness of men, women, and children
to see his majesty, and kisse his hands was so greate," says
Evelyn, "that he had scarce leisure to eate for some dayes,
coming as they did from all parts of the nation: and the king
being as willing to give them that satisfaction, would have none
kept out, but gave free access to all sorts of people." Indeed
his loyal subjects were no less pleased with him than he with
them; and in faith he was sorry, he declared, in that delicate
strain of irony that ran like a bright thread throughout the
whole pattern of his speech, he had not come over before, for
every man he encountered was glad to see him.
Day after day, week after week, the Palace of Whitehall presented
a scene of ceaseless bustle. Courtiers, ambassadors,
politicians, soldiers, and citizens crowded the antechambers,
flocked through the galleries, and tarried in the courtyards.
Deputations from all the shires and chief towns in the three
kingdoms, bearing messages of congratulation and loyalty, were
presented to the king. First of all came the worshipful lord
mayor, aldermen and council of the city of London, in great pomp
and state; when the common-sergeant made a speech to his majesty
respecting the affection of the city towards him, and the lord
mayor, on hospitable thoughts intent, besought the honour of his
company to dinner, the which Charles promised him most readily.
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