Cato Street Conspiracy. A plot to murder the Ministers, during Lord Liverpool’s administration in 1820, at a dinner which they were to attend at Lord Harrowby’s house. The plot was discovered by a police agent named Edwards, who posed as one of the conspirators, and Thistlewood, the ringleader, and four others were executed. Caucus. A private meeting of members of a political party to decide upon the adoption of candidates, or the platform of the party. The name is of American origin. Cautionary Towns. The Dutch towns of Flushing, Walcheren, Rammerkins and Briel, which were handed over to Elizabeth in 1585, to be held as security for the payment of the English troops in the Netherlands. They were restored to Holland by James I. Cavalier Parliament. _See_ Pensioned Parliament. Cavaliers. The supporters of Charles I against the Parliament. The name was first applied to them in the course of the frequent disturbances which arose in London between the King’s party and the City party, the “Roundheads,” in 1641. Cave. _See_ Adullamites. Cawnpore, Massacre of. The massacre by Nana Sahib of the English Garrison in Cawnpore, during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. The garrison had surrendered under a pledge of being permitted to retire unharmed. Of those massacred, 560 were women and children. Cecil’s Fast. The name given to an Act passed by Cecil, Lord Burleigh, after the Reformation, enjoining the eating of fish on certain days. Fish had almost ceased to be an article of diet in England, as it was looked upon as a badge of Romanism. Cent Jours. _See_ Hundred Days. Centralists. A party in Mexico, who support the centralized republican government, and are opposed to undue extension of the autonomy of the various states. The party came into existence about 1823. Centralists. A party in Switzerland in 1800, who supported the Helvetic Constitution, which established a uniform republican government, and abolished the old cantonal liberties. Centennial State. Colorado is so called, as having been admitted a State in 1876, the year of the centenary of the Union. Centro-Americana, Confederacion. A league of Nicaragua, Honduras, and Salvador, formed in 1842, with the object of uniting the Central American States into a federal republic. Guatemala opposed the scheme and it fell to the ground. Centrumsfraction. The Centre, or Clerical, party in the first German Reichstag in 1871, under the leadership of Dr. Windhorst. They were strong supporters of the Papal claims in the subsequent Kulturkampf. Centum Gravamina. The list of grievances and charges against the Roman Catholic clergy, drawn up by the Diet of Nuremburg in 1523. Ceorl. In Saxon times, a freeman owning his own land, and independent of any overlord. Chambre Ardente. A court, specially composed of bigoted Catholics, established by Henri II in 1551, for the trial of heretics. Chambre Introuvable.