PREFACE

TO THE NINTH AND TENTH VOLUMES.

I have thought it right to publish that portion ofthe continuation of the “History of England” whichwas fairly transcribed and revised by Lord Macaulay.It is given to the world precisely as it was left: noconnecting link has been added; no reference veri-fied; no authority sought for or examined. It wouldindeed have been possible, with the help I mighthave obtained from his friends, to have suppliedmuch that is wanting; but I preferred, and I believethe public will prefer, that the last thoughts of thegreat mind passed away from among us should bepreserved sacred from any touch but his own. Be-sides the revised manuscript, a few pages containingthe first rough sketch of the last two months of Wil-liam’s reign are all that is left. From this I havewith some difficulty deciphered the account of thedeath of William. No, attempt has been made to