rent parts of the
kingdom, exerted themselves for the relief of the poor, who were greatly
distressed; and a grand council being assembled at St. James' on the
same subject, a proclamation was published, for putting the laws in
speedy and effectual execution against the forestallers and engrossers
of corn.

The fear of an invasion having now subsided, and Hanover being supposed
in greater danger than Great Britain, the auxiliaries of that electorate
were transported from England to their own country. At the latter end of
the season, when the weather became severe, the inn-keepers of England
refused to admit the Hessian soldiers into winter-quarters, as no
provision had been made for that purpose by act of parliament; so that
they were obliged to hut their camp, and remain in the open fields till
January; but the rigour of this uncomfortable situation was softened
by the hand of generous charity, which liberally supplied them with all
manner of refreshment, and other conveniences; a humane interposition,
which rescued the national character from the imputation of cruelty and
ingratitude.

SESSION OPENED.

On the second day of December, his majesty opened the session of
parliament with a speech that seemed to be dictated by the genius of
England. He expressed his confidence, that, under the guidance of Divine
Providence, the union, fortitude, and affection of his people would
enable him to surmount all difficulties, and vindicate the dignity of
his crown against the ancient enemy of Great Britain. He declared, that
the succour and preservation of America constituted a main object of
his attention and solicitude; and observed, that the growing dangers to
which the British colonies might stand exposed, from late losses in
that country, demanded resolutions of vigour and despatch. He said, an
adequate and firm defence at home should maintain the chief place in his
thoughts; and in this great view he had nothing so much at heart as to
remove all grounds of dissatisfaction from his people; for this end, he
recommended to the care and diligence of the parliament the framing of
a national militia, planned and regulated with equal regard to the just
rights of his crown and people; an institution which might become
one good resource in time of general danger. He took notice that the
unnatural union of councils abroad, the calamities which, in consequence
of this unhappy conjunction, might, by irruptions of foreign armies