WILLIAM AND MART.

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As for me, but for one thing, I should enjoy the prospect of chap.being on horseback and under canvass again. Fori am sure I 163 j_ ■am fitter to direct a campaign than to manage your Houses ofLords and Commons. But, though I know that I am in thepath of duty, it is hard on my wife that her father and I must heopposed to each other in the field. God send that no harm mayhappen to him. Let me have your prayers, Doctor.” Burnetretired greatly moved, and doubtless put up, with no commonfervour, those prayers for which his master had asked.*

On the following day, the fourth of June, the King set out williamfor Ireland. Prince George had offered liis services, had for ire-equipped himself at great charge, and fully expected to he com-plimented with a seat in the royal coach. But William, whopromised himself little pleasure or advantage from His lloyalHighness’s conversation, and who seldom stood on ceremony,took Portland for a travelling companion, and never once,during the whole of that eventful campaign, seemed to heaware of the Prince’s existence.** George, if left to himself,would hardly have noticed the affront. But, though he wastoo dull to feel, his wife felt for him; and her resentment wasstudiously kept alive by mischiefmakers of no common dexter-ity. On this, as on many other occasions, the infirmities ofWilliam’s temper proved seriously detrimental to the greatinterests of which he was the guardian. Ilis reign would havebeen far more prosperous if, with his own courage, capacityand elevation of mind, he had had a little of the easy goodhumour and politeness of his uncle Charles.

In four days the King arrived at Chester, where a fleet oftransports was awaiting the signal for sailing. He embarked onthe eleventh of June, and was convoyed across Saint George’s

* Burnet, ii. 46.

** The Duchess of Marlborough’s Vindication.