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HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

X.

1688 .

Williamand Marypro-claimed.

Peculiarcharacterof theEnglishRevolu-tion.

claration of Right. When he had concluded, Halifax, in thename of all the Estates of the Realm, requested the Princeand Princess to accept the crown.

William, in his own name and in that of his wife, answeredthat the crown was, in their estimation, the more valuablebecause it was presented to them as a token of the confidenceofthenation. “We thankfully accept,” hesaid, “what youhave offered us.” Then, for himself, he assured them thatthe laws of England, which he had once already vindicated,should be the rules of his conduct, that it should be his studyto promote the welfare of the kingdom, and that, as to themeans of doing so, he should constantly recur to the adviceof the Houses, and should be disposed to trust their judgmentrather than his own.* These words were received with ashout of joy which was heard in the streets below, and was in-stantly answered by huzzas from many thousands of voices.The Lords and Commons then reverently retired from theBanqueting House and went in procession to the great gate ofWhitehall, where the heralds and pursuivants were waiting intheir gorgeous tabards. All the space as far as Charing Crosswas one sea of heads. The kettle drums struck up; thetrumpets pealed: and Garter King at arms, in a loud voice,proclaimed the Prince and Princess of Orange King andQueen of England, charged all Englishmen to pay, from thatmoment, faith and true allegiance to the new sovereigns, andbesought God, who had already wrought so signal a de-liverance for our Church and nation, to bless William andMary with a long and happy reign.**

Thus waB consummated the English Revolution. Whenwe compare it with those revolutions which have, during thelast sixty years, overthrown so many ancient governments,we cannot but be struck by its peculiar character. Why that

* Lords’ and Commons’ Journals, Feb. 14. 168jj; Citters, Feb. 1|.Citters puts into William’s mouth stronger expressions of respect forthe authority of Parliament than appear in the journals; but it is clearfrom what Powle said that the report in the journals was not strictlyaccurate.

•* London Gazette, Feb. 14. 1683; Lords’ and Commons’ Journals,Feb. 13.; Cillers, Feb. ; Evelyn, Feb. 21.