WILLIAM THE THIRD.

91

It was known that the King had but a few hours to live;and the members asked each other anxiously whether it ~was likely that the Abjuration and money bills would bepassed before he died. After sitting long in the expectationof a message, the Commons adjourned till six in the after-noon. By that time William had recovered himself suffi-ciently to put the stamp on the parchment which authorisedhis commissioners to act for him. In the evening, whenthe Houses had assembled, Black Bod knocked. TheCommons were summoned to the bar of the Lords; thecommission was read, the Abjuration Bill and the MaltBill became laws, and both Houses adjourned till nineo’clock in the morning of the following day. The fol-lowing day was Sunday. But there was little chancethat William would live through the night. It was ofthe highest importance that, within the shortest possibletime after his decease, the successor designated by theBill of Bights and the Act of Succession should receivethe homage of the Estates of the Bealm, and be publiclyproclaimed in the Council: and the most rigid Phariseein the Society for the Beformation of Manners could hardlydeny that it was lawful to save the state, even on theSabbath.

The King meanwhile was sinking fast. Albemarlehad arrived at Kensington from the Hague, exhaustedby rapid travelling. His master kindly bade him go torest for some hours, and then summoned him to makehis report. That report was in all respects satisfactory.

CHAP.

xxv.

1702 .