condition, and express their confidence in his BOOK IV. majesty's consummate wisdom, and the good in- 1701. tentions of the English parliament, to rescue them from that ruin with which they are threatened; and which the interests of his majesty's kingdoms, inseparable from those of the republic, are so deeply concerned to prevent." The commons, with a warmth of expression not to be found in their former addresses, assured his majesty, "that they would effectually assist him to support his allies in maintaining the LIBERTY of EUROPE." And the king in reply declared, "that it would be a particular satisfaction to him, in his time to revive the glory which the English nation had formerly acquired, of maintaining the liberty and balance of Europe." Still the disposition of the house of commons was apparent, to engage in the war as auxiliaries only, and not as principals. The lords indeed presented an address of a very different complexion, requesting his majesty "not only to make good all the articles of any former treaty to the States General, but that he will enter into a strict league, offensive and defensive, with them, for our common preservation, and invite into it all other princes and states who are concerned in the present visible danger arising from the union of France and Spain." But on this topic the sen

11

BOOK IV. timents of the house of peers were of very infe rior importance.

-1701.

Proceed

Towards the conclusion of the session, however, the commons, sensible of the reputation they had lost, and anxious to recover their credit with the nation, which was extremely displeased with their cold and dilatory proceedings, presented an address, assuring his majesty, "that the house would assist him in supporting those alliances his majesty should think fit to make, in conjunction with the emperor and the States General, for the preservation of the liberties of Europe, the property and peace of England, and for reducing the exorbitant power of France.” This extraordinary and interesting session of parliament was at length terminated on the 24th of June, 1701, by a gracious speech from the throne, in which the king expressed his hope, that what measures he might adopt during the recess, for the advancement of the common cause, would receive the approbation of parliament at their meeting again in the winter.

Upon the king's putting the government into ings of the the hands of the tories, the new ministry made it

Convoca

tion.

one of their demands, that a convocation should be permitted to sit; which was accordingly summoned February 10th, 1701. Like almost all other clerical synods, their proceedings and de

1701

bates were characterised by inexpressible malig- BOOK IV. nity and folly; but, being happily divested of every degree of civil power, they knit their darkened brows and gnashed their teeth in vain. They began by asserting in a lofty tone their right to sit whenever the parliament sat, as being an essential branch of that body, and denying that they could lawfully be prorogued except when parliament was prorogued. They disputed the authority of the archbishop to adjourn or determine the session-They returned their solemn thanks to Atterbury, archdeacon of Totness, for his learned treatise on the Rights of Convocations-They passed heavy censures on a certain book called "Christianity not mysterious," written by Mr. Toland; and likewise on a recent publication of the bishop of Sarum, styled "An Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England." And they engaged in hot and eager disputes with the bishops respecting various points of privilege; insomuch that the right reverend fathers were compelled to complain," that they had risen to higher degrees of disrespect and invasion of the metropolitan and episcopal rights, than ever was attempted by any lower house of convocation before: and that they had thereby given the greatest blow to the church that had been given to it since the presbyterian assembly that sat at Westminster in the

1

1701.

BOOK IV. late times of confusion." The convocation was at length prorogued, by the archbishop, at the termination of the session of parliament, in the midst of these contentions at once so fierce and frivolous.

King De

parts for the

The king left Hampton-court on the last day, Continent. of June, attended by the lords Romney, Albemarle, &c. and on the 3d July arrived in Holland. The next day he took his seat in the assembly of the States General, where he was received with the most cordial congratulations, as the protector, friend, and father of his country. " I was in hopes," said this great monarch, "and desired to have passed the rest of my days in repose and peace, and at the end of them to have left this State in a quiet and flourishing condition. To which purpose I have always labored, particularly since the conclusion of the last peace; but there have since happened such great alterations in the affairs of Europe, that I know not what will be the disposal of Divine Providence concerning them. Nevertheless I can sincerely assure your high mightinesses, that, whether af fairs can be accommodated without coming to farther embroilments, or whether we must be obliged to take arms again, I persist in the same affection and the same zeal which I ever had for the service and prosperity of these provinces." The States in reply declared themselves "sen

1701.

sible how much his majesty's presence was neces- BOOK IV. sary in this dangerous conjuncture-the whole nation placing their confidence, from the highest to the lowest, in his majesty's prudence and surpassing abilities." The command of the troops destined for the relief of Holland was, by an happy choice, confided to the earl of Marlborough, at the same time appointed plenipoten→ tiary to the States; and whom the king well knew to be equally qualified for the council or the field: " uniting," as he declared with generous applause, "the coolest head with the warmest heart."

On the departure of the king to visit the frontier garrisons, M. d'Avaux delivered to the States General a letter from his Most Christian majesty, notifying the recall of his ambassador. This was accompanied by a memorial from the ambassador, stating in very eloquent and forcible terms the regret rather than the resentment felt by the king his master at the extraordinary system of policy adopted by their high mighti

nesses.

He said, " that his Most Christian majestly earnestly wished to dissipate the vain terrors excited by the accession of his grandson to the throne of Spain-That the conference had been opened to treat of the interests of Holland solely; and, if the States had so pleased, had soon terminated to the security of the provinces,