for Holland, repaired to his government
of Ireland, in which he now remained exerting all his endeavours to
acquire popularity. William foreseeing nothing but opposition from the
present spirit of the house of commons, closeted some of their leaders
with a view to bespeak their compliance; but finding them determined to
pursue their former principles, and to insist upon their impeachments,
he resolved, with the advice of his friends, to dissolve the parliament.
This step he was the more easily induced to take, as the commons were
become extremely odious to the nation in general, which breathed nothing
but war and defiance against the French monarch. The parliament was
accordingly dissolved by proclamation, and another summoned to meet on
the thirtieth day of December.

THE KING'S LAST SPEECH TO BOTH HOUSES.

Never did the two parties proceed with such heat and violence against
each other, as in their endeavours to influence the new elections.
The whigs, however, obtained the victory, as they included the
monied-interest, which will always prevail among the borough electors.
Corruption was now reduced into an open and avowed commerce; and, had
not the people been so universally venal and profligate that no sense of
shame remained, the victors must have blushed for their success. Though
the majority thus obtained was staunch to the measures of the court, the
choice of speaker fell upon Mr. Harley, contrary to the inclination of
the king, who favoured sir Thomas Lyttleton; but his majesty's speech
was received with universal applause. It was so much admired by the
well-wishers to the revolution, that they printed it with decorations
in the English, Dutch, and French languages. It appeared as a piece of
furniture in all their houses, and as the king's last legacy to his own
and all protestant people. In this celebrated harangue, he expatiated
upon the indignity offered to the nation by the French king's
acknowledging the pretended prince of Wales; he explained the dangers to
which it was exposed by his placing his grandson on the throne of Spain;
he gave them to understand he had concluded several alliances according
to the encouragement given him by both houses of parliament, which
alliances should be laid before them, together with other treaties
still depending. He observed, that the eyes of all Europe were upon this
parliament; and all matters at a stand until their resolution should be
known: therefore no time o