•WILLIAM THE THIRD.

S3

old domains of the Crown he did only what he had aright to do, and what all his predecessors had done; -nor could the most factious opposition insist on resuminghis grants of those domains without resuming at thesame time the grants of his uncles. But between thosedomains and the estates recently forfeited in Irelandthere was a distinction, which would not indeed havebeen recognised by the judges, but which to a popularassembly might well seem to be of grave importance.In the year 1690 a Bill had been brought in for applyingthe Irish forfeitures to the public service. That Billpassed the Commons, and would probably, with largeamendments, have passed the Lords, had not the King,who was under the necessity of attending the Congress atthe Hague, put an end to the session. In bidding theHouses farewell on that occasion, he assured them thathe should not dispose of the property about which theyhad been deliberating, till they should have had anotheropportunity of settling that matter. He had, as hethought, strictly kept his word; for he had not disposedof this property till the Houses had repeatedly met andseparated without presenting to him any bill on the sub-ject. They had had the opportunity which he had as-sured them that they should have. They had had morethan one such opportunity. The pledge which he hadgiven had therefore been amply redeemed; and he didnot conceive that he was bound to abstain longer fromexercising his undoubted prerogative. But, though itMacaulay, History. X. 3

CHAP.

xxv.

noo.