Evelyn stood in the Strand and watched the procession pass, when
that worthy man thanked God the king had been restored without
bloodshed, and by the very army that had rebelled against him.
"For such a restauration was never mention'd in any history
ancient or modern, since the returne of the Jews from the
Babylonish captivity; nor so joyfull a day and so bright ever
seene in this nation, this hapning when to expect or effect it
was past all human policy."

For full seven hours this "most pompous show that ever was" wound
its way through the city, until at nine of the clock in the
evening it brought his majesty to the palace of Whitehall, where
the late king had "laid down his sacred head to be struck off
upon a block," almost twelve years before. Then the lord mayor
and his aldermen took their goodly leave, and the king entered
into the banquet hall, where the lords and commons awaited him,
and where an address was made to him by the Earl of Manchester,
Speaker to the House of Peers, congratulating him on his
miraculous preservation and happy restoration to his crown and
dignity after so long and so severe a suppression of his just
right and title. Likewise his lordship besought his majesty to
be the upright assertor of the laws and maintainer of the
liberties of his subjects. "So," said the noble earl, "shall
judgment run down like a river, and justice like a mighty stream,
and God, the God of your mercy, who hath so miraculously
preserved you, will establish your throne in righteousness and
peace." Then the king made a just and brief reply, and retired
to supper and to rest.

The worthy citizens, however, were not satisfied that their