the thirty-first day of January, 1707,
and William Augustus, born at London on the fifteenth day of
April, 1721. She had likewise borne four princesses, namely,
Anne, Amelia, Caroline, Mary, and was afterwards delivered
of Louisa, married in the sequel to the king of Denmark.

NEW PARLIAMENT.

The elections in England and Scotland for the parliament having
succeeded on the new system, according to the wishes of the ministry,
the two houses met on the twenty-third day of January, when the commons
unanimously chose for their speaker Arthur Onslow, esquire, knight of
the shire for Surrey, a gentleman of extensive knowledge, worth, and
probity; grave, eloquent, venerable, and every way qualified for the
discharge of that honourable and important office. The king, in his
speech to this new parliament, declared, that by the last advices
from abroad, he had reason to hope the difficulties which had hitherto
retarded the execution of the preliminaries, and the opening of
the congress, would soon be entirely removed; in the meantime, he
represented the absolute necessity of continuing the preparation which
had hitherto secured the nation, and prevented an open rupture in
Europe. He promised, that his first care should be to reduce, from
time to time, the expense of the public, as often, and as soon as
the interest and safety of his people would permit such reduction.
He expressed an earnest desire of seeing the foundation laid of an
effectual scheme for the increase and encouragement of seamen in
general, that they might be invited rather than compelled into the
service of their country. Finally, he recommended unanimity, zeal, and
despatch of the public business. Those speeches, penned by the minister,
were composed with a view to soothe the minds of the people into an
immediate concurrence with the measures of the government; but without
any intention of performing those promises of economy, reformation,
and national advantage. The two houses seemed to vie with each other
in expressions of applause and affection to his majesty. The lords, in
their address, hailed him as the best of kings, and the true father of
his country. The commons expressed the warmest sense of gratitude for
the blessings they enjoyed in his reign, though it was not yet eight
months old. They approved of all his transactions; they promised to
support him in all his undertakings; and declared they would cheerfully
grant whatever