WILLIAM AND MAltr.

337

the silver coin then was, to at least three thousand six hundred chap.pounds. Such a price had never before been given in Englandfor any copyright. About the same timeDryden, whose repu-tation was then in the zenith, received thirteen hundred poundsfor his translation of all the works of Virgil, and was thought tohave been splendidly remunerated. *

It was not easy to fill satisfactorily the high place which Tenia™Tillotson had left vacant. Mary gave her voice for Stillingfleet, shop ofand pressed his claims as earnestly as she ever ventured to press bury,any thing. In abilities and attainments he had few superiorsamong the clergy. But, though he would probably have beenconsidered as a Low Churchman by Jane and South, he wastoo high a Churchman for William; and Tenison was ap-pointed. The new primate was not eminently distinguished byeloquence or learning: but he was honest, prudent, laboriousand benevolent: he had been a good rector of a large parishand a good bishop of a large diocese: detraction had not yetbeen busy with his name; and it might well be thought that aman of plain sense, moderation and integrity, was more likelythan a man of brilliant genius and lofty spirit to succeed in thearduous task of quieting a discontented and distracted Church.

Meanwhile the Commons had entered upon business. Theycheerfully voted about two million four hundred thousandpounds for the army, and as much for the navy. The land taxfor the year was again fixed at four shillings in the pound: theTonnage Act was renewed for a term of five years; and a fundwas established on which the government was authorised toborrow two millions and a half.

Some time was spent by both Houses in discussing the Debate..Manchester trials. If the malecontents had been wise, thev Lnnca-

• shire pro-

* „ sccutions,

* Birch’s Life of Tillotson; the Funeral Sermon preached by Burnet;

William-to llcinsius, 1694.

* Dec. S.

Macaulay, History. VII.

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