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Coming down to 1671, we must chronicle the visit of the “Merry Monarch,” with his Queen and brother, who were sumptuously entertained by the Duke of Norfolk, as well as by the civic grandees: an animated description of the city at this period—with its ducal palace, its prosperous manufactures, and the priceless cabinet and botanical gardens of the famous Sir Thomas Browne (whose monument may be seen in St. Peter’s church)—is given by Macaulay. Ten years later, James, Duke of York, paid a second visit; but in 1687 he had, as king, forfeited all popularity by his arbitrary interference with the corporation; and the representative of the house of Howard, riding into the market at the head of 300 knights and gentlemen, amid the acclamations of the citizens, declared for a free parliament. It was the son of this duke, who, taking umbrage at the mayor’s forbidding his comedians entering the city with trumpets, demolished the whole of his ancestral palace, said to be the largest town house in the kingdom out of London, and which, from Christmas to Twelfth-night, was wont to be open to all comers.