Page:The child's pictorial history of England; (IA childspictorialh00corn).pdf/165

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having taken part against him, or his father, before.

40. He returned to England, and entered London in great state, on the 29th of May, 1660, on which day, every year, you may always hear the bells ringing, to commemorate the restoration of Charles the Second.

41. But the rejoicing is because the old form of government was restored; for Charles was not, by any means, a good sovereign, nor had he one quality to be admired, except that he was good natured to those about him, and liked to make fun of every thing. However, I must not forget to say that he rewarded the Penderels, who had been so kind to him in his misfortunes.

42. England was now quite a different place from what it had been. Every body might be as merry as they chose; the theatres were re-*opened; holidays kept; the villagers danced round their may-poles as they used to do, and were not afraid to laugh and sing; while the towns-people had their pleasant social meetings, and the London citizens their grand feasts, and fine shows, as in the days of Elizabeth.

43. During the Commonwealth, there were no bishops, nor any music allowed in the churches; but now, the bishops were restored to their for-