"WILLIAM AND MABX".

o

been raised to a throne. On the very day of his accession he ctiAp.had written to assure the States General that the change in hissituation had made no change in the affection which he bore tohis native land, and that his new dignity would, he hoped,enable him to discharge his old duties more efficientlythan ever.

That oligarchical party, which had always been hostile to thedoctrines of Calvin and to the House of Orange, mutteredfaintly that His Majesty ought to resign the Stadtholdership.

But all such mutterings were drowned by the acclamations ofa people proud of the genius and success of their great country-man. A day of thanksgiving was appointed. In all the cities ofthe SevenProvinces the public joy manifested itself by festivitiesof "which the expense was chiefly defrayed by voluntary gifts.

Every class assisted. The poorest labourer could help to setup an arch of triumph, or to bring sedge to a bonfire. Eventhe ruined Huguenots of France could contribute the aid of theiringenuity. One artwhich they had carried with them intobanish-ment was the art of making fireworks; and they now, in honourof the victorious champion of their faith, lighted up the canals ofAmsterdam with showers of splendid constellations. *

To superficial observers it might well seem that William was,at this time, one of the most enviable of human beings. He wasin truth one of the most anxious and unhappy. He well knewthat the difficulties of his task were only beginning. Alreadythat dawn which had lately been so bright was overcast; andmany signs portended a dark and stormy day.

It was observed that two important classes took little or no Discon-part in the festivities by which, all over England, the inaugura- }hSc?er g ytion of the new government was celebrated. Very seldom could t lheeither a priest or a soldier be seen in the assemblages which

* Wagenaar, lxi. lie quotes the proceedings of the States of the 2ndof March, 1689. Loudon Gazette, April II. 1689; Monthly Mercury forApril, 1689.