WILLIAM AND MARY.

335

stantial lie devised by himself and Lunt. Williams threw down chap.his brief; and, in truth, a more honest advocate might well —have done the same. The prisoners who were at the bar wereinstantly acquitted: those who had not yet been tried wereset at liberty: the witnesses for the prosecution were peltedout of Manchester: the Clerk of the Crown narrowly escapedwith life; and the Judges took their departure amidst hisses andexecrations.

A few days after the close of the trials at Manchester Wil- Meetingliam returned to England. On the twelfth of November, only pariu-forty eight hours after his arrival at Kensington, the itouses monl 'met. lie congratulated them on the improved aspect of affairs.

Both by land and by sea the events of the year which was aboutto close had been, on the whole, favourable to the allies: theFrench armies had made no progress: the French fleets had notventured to show themselves: nevertheless, a safe and honour-able peace could be obtained only by a vigorous prosecution ofthe war; and the war could not be vigorously prosecuted withoutlarge supplies. William then reminded the Commons that theAct by which they had settled the tonnage and poundage on theCrown for four years was about to expire, and expressed hishope that it would be renewed.

After the King had spoken, the Commons, for some reason Death ofwhich no writer has explained, adjourned for a week. Beforethey met again, an event took place which caused great sorrowat the palace, and through all the ranks of the Low Churchparty. Tillotson was taken suddenly ill while attending publicworship in the chapel of Whitehall. Prompt remedies mightperhaps have saved him: but he would not interrupt the prayers;and, before the service was over, his malady was beyond thereach of medicine. He was almost speechless: but his friendslong remembered with pleasure a few broken ejaculations whichshowed that he enjoyed peace of mind to the last. He was