s-general; and the earl of Argyle was honoured
with the title of duke, as a recompence for having concurred with the
commissioners in managing this session of parliament.

{WILLIAM, 1688--1701.}

DEATH OF THE KING OF SPAIN.

King William had returned to England on the eighteenth day of October,
not a little chagrined at the perplexities in which he found himself
involved; and in the beginning of the next month, he received advice
that the king of Spain was actually dead. He could not be surprised at
this event, which had been so long-expected; but it was attended with a
circumstance which he had not foreseen. Charles, by his last will, had
declared the duke of Anjou, second son of the dauphin, the sole heir of
the Spanish monarchy. In case this prince should die without issue, or
inherit the crown of France, he willed that Spain should devolve to the
duke of Berry: in default of him, and children, to the archduke Charles
and his heirs; failing of whom, to the duke of Savoy and his posterity.
He likewise recommended a match between the duke of Anjou and one of
the archduchesses. When this testament was first notified to the French
court, Louis seemed to hesitate between his inclination and engagements
to William and the states-general. Madame de Maintenon is said to have
joined her influence to that of the dauphin, in persuading the king to
accept of the will; and Pontchartrain was engaged to support the same
measure. A cabinet-council was called in her apartment. The rest of the
ministry declared for the treaty of partition; the king affected a kind
of neutrality. The dauphin spoke for his son with an air of resolution
he had never assumed before; Pontchartain seconded his argument; madame
de Main-tenon asked, what the duke of Anjou had done to provoke the
king, that he should be barred of his right to that succession? Then the
rest of the members espoused the dauphin's opinion; and the king owned
himself convinced by their reasons. In all probability the decision
of this council was previously settled in private. After the will was
accepted, Louis closeted the duke of Anjou, to whom he said in presence
of the marquis des Rois, "Sir, the king of Spain has made you a king.
The grandees demand you; the people wish for you, and I give my consent,
remember only, you are a prince of France. I recommend to you to love
your people, to gain their affection by the lenity of your government,
and to render yourself worthy