fancy; the
other was subservient to his ambition. He at the same time was the
distinguished encourager of the liberal arts, and the professed patron
of projectors. In his private deportment he was liberal, easy, and
entertaining; as a statesman, bold, dogmatical, and aspiring.

THE NUMBER OF STANDING FORCES REDUCED TO TEN THOUSAND.

The terrors of a standing army had produced such an universal ferment
in the nation, that the dependents of the court in the house of commons
durst not openly oppose the reduction of the forces; but they shifted
the battery, and employed all their address in persuading the house
to agree that a very small number should be retained. When the commons
voted, That all the forces raised since the year one thousand six
hundred and eighty should be disbanded, the courtiers desired the vote
might be re-committed, on pretence that it restrained the king to the
old tory regiments, on whose fidelity he could not rely. This motion
however was overruled by a considerable majority. Then they proposed
an amendment, which was rejected, and afterwards moved, That the sum
of five hundred thousand pounds per annum should be granted for
the maintenance of guards and garrisons. This provision would have
maintained a very considerable number; but they were again disappointed,
and fain to embrace a composition with the other party, by which three
hundred and fifty thousand pounds were allotted for the maintenance
of ten thousand men; and they afterwards obtained an addition of three
thousand marines. The king was extremely mortified at these resolutions
of the commons; and even declared to his particular friends, that he
would never have intermeddled with the affairs of the nation had he
foreseen they would make such returns of ingratitude and distrust. His
displeasure was aggravated by the resentment against Sunderland, who was
supposed to have advised the unpopular measure of retaining a standing
army. This nobleman dreading the vengeance of the commons, resolved
to avert the fury of the impending storm, by resigning his office and
retiring from court, contrary to the entreaties of his friends, and the
earnest desire of his majesty.

CIVIL LIST ESTABLISHED, &c.

The house of commons, in order to sweeten the unpalatable cup they had
presented to the king, voted the sum of seven hundred thousand pounds
per annum for the support of the civil list, distinct from all other
services. Then they passed a