WILLIAM THE THIRD.

177

old usage which has descended to our times, voting in the chap.

XXIV.

minority. Three days later, he was presented and ap'-pras —proved.

The King then spoke from the throne. He declaredhis firm conviction that the Houses were disposed to dowhatever was necessary for the safety, honour and hap-piness of the kingdom; and he asked them for nothingmore. When they came to consider the military andnaval establishments, they would remember that, unlessEngland were secure from attack, she could not con-tinue to hold the high place which she had won for her-self among European powers: her trade would lan-guish; her credit would fail; and even her internaltranquillity would be in danger. He also expressed ahope that some progress would be made in the dischargeof the debts contracted during the War. “I think,”he said, “an English Parliament can never make sucha mistake as not to hold sacred all Parliamentary en-gagements.”

The speech appeared to be well received; and during proceed-

° ings relal-

a short time William flattered himself that the great in s 101,10

° amount of

fault, as he considered it, of the preceding session would }Jj® c j, andbe repaired, that the army would be augmented, andthat he should be able, at the important conjuncturewhich was approaching, to speak to foreign powers intones of authority, and especially to keep France steadyto her engagements. The Whigs of the Junto, betteracquainted with the temper of the country and of theMacaulay, History . IX, 12