He found his kingdom in great confusion, the feudal chieftains
having taken advantage of the troubles and irregularities of a long
interregnum to strengthen themselves in their possessions, and place
themselves above the power of the laws. James sought to found the
basis of his power in the affections of his people. He attached the
lower orders to him by the reformation of abuses, the temperate and
equable administration of justice, the encouragement of the arts of
peace, and the promotion of every thing that could diffuse comfort,
competency, and innocent enjoyment through the humblest ranks of
society. He mingled occasionally among the common people in
disguise; visited their firesides; entered into their cares, their
pursuits, and their amusements; informed himself of the mechanical
arts, and how they could best be patronized and improved; and was thus
an all-pervading spirit, watching with a benevolent eye over the
meanest of his subjects. Having in this generous manner made himself
strong in the hearts of the common people, he turned himself to curb
the power of the factious nobility; to strip them of those dangerous
immunities which they had usurped; to punish such as had been guilty
of flagrant offences; and to bring the whole into proper obedience
to the crown.
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