utting an end to the
war fully completed the work of their deliverance. Notwithstanding these
appearances of good humour, the majority of the house, and indeed the
whole nation, were equally alarmed and exasperated at a project for
maintaining a standing army, which was countenanced at court, and even
recommended by the king in his speech to the parliament. William's
genius was altogether military. He could not bear the thought of being
a king without power. He could not without reluctance dismiss those
officers who had given so many proofs of their courage and fidelity.
He did not think himself safe upon the naked throne, in a kingdom that
swarmed with malcontents who had so often conspired against his person
and government. He dreaded the ambition and known perfidy of the French
king, who still retained a powerful army. He foresaw that a reduction of
the forces would lessen his importance both at home and abroad; diminish
the dependence upon his government; and disperse those foreigners in
whose attachment he chiefly confided. He communicated his sentiments
on this subject to his confidant, the earl of Sunderland, who knew by
experience the aversion of the people to a standing army; nevertheless
he encouraged him with hope of success, on the supposition that the
commons would see the difference between an army raised by the king's
private authority, and a body of veteran troops maintained by consent
of parliament for the security of the kingdom. This was a distinction to
which the people paid no regard. All the jealousy of former parliaments
seemed to be roused by the bare proposal; and this was inflamed by a
national prejudice against the refugees, in whose favour the king had
betrayed repeated marks of partial indulgence. They were submissive,
tractable, and wholly dependent upon his will and generosity. The
Jacobites failed not to cherish the seeds of dissatisfaction, and
reproach the whigs who countenanced this measure. They branded that
party with apostacy from their former principles. They observed that
the very persons who in the late reigns endeavoured to abridge the
prerogative, and deprive the king of that share of power which was
absolutely necessary to actuate the machine of government, were now
become advocates for maintaining a standing army in time of peace; nay,
and impudently avowed, that their complaisance to the court in this
particular was owing to their desire of excluding from all share in the
adm