King's Measures..... The Commons resolve to
wreak their Vengeance on the old Ministry..... The earls of
Portland and Oxford, the Lords Sotners and Halifax, are
impeached..... Disputes between the two Houses..... The
House of Peers acquits the impeached Lords ..... Petition of
Kent..... Favourable end of the Session..... Progress of
Prince Eugene in Italy..... Sketch of the Situation of
Affairs in Europe..... Treaty of Alliance between the
Emperor and the maritime Powers..... Death of King
James..... The French King owns the pretended Prince of
Wales as King of England..... Addresses to King William on
that subject..... New Parliament..... The King's last Speech
to both Houses received with great Applause..... Great
Harmony between the King and Parliament..... The two Houses
pass the Bill of Abjuration..... The Lower House justifies
the Proceedings of the Commons in the preceding
Parliament..... Affairs of Ireland ..... The King recommends
an Union of the two Kingdoms..... He falls from his
Horse..... His Death..... And Character._

{WILLIAM, 1688--1701.}

WHEN the king opened the session of parliament on the third day of
December, he told them the war was brought to the end they all proposed,
namely, an honourable peace. He gave them to understand there was a
considerable debt on account of the fleet and army; that the revenues
of the crown had been anticipated. He expressed his hope that they would
provide for him during his life, in such a manner as would conduce
to his own honour and that of the government. He recommended the
maintenance of a considerable navy; and gave it as his opinion, that
for the present England could not be safe without a standing army. He
promised to rectify such corruptions and abuses as might have crept
into any part of the administration during the war; and effectually to
discourage profaneness and immorality. Finally, he assured them that as
he had rescued their religion, laws, and liberties, when they were in
the extremest danger, so he should place the glory of his reign in
preserving and leaving them entire to latest posterity. To this speech
the commons replied in an address, by a compliment of congratulation
upon the peace, and an assurance, that they would be ever ready to
assist and support his majesty, who had confirmed them in the quiet
possession of their rights and liberties, and by p