t
Renewed Attack on Somers
Question of the Irish Forfeitures: Dispute between the Houses
Somers again attacked
Prorogation of Parliament
Death of James the Second
The Pretender recognised as King
Return of the King
General Election
Death of William

PREFACE TO THE FIFTH VOLUME.

I HAVE thought it right to publish that portion of the continuation of
the "History of England" which was fairly transcribed and revised by
Lord Macaulay. It is given to the world precisely as it was left: no
connecting link has been added; no reference verified; no authority
sought for or examined. It would indeed have been possible, with the
help I might have obtained from his friends, to have supplied much that
is wanting; but I preferred, and I believe the public will prefer, that
the last thoughts of the great mind passed away from among us should
be preserved sacred from any touch but his own. Besides the revised
manuscript, a few pages containing the first rough sketch of the last
two months of William's reign are all that is left. From this I have
with some difficulty deciphered the account of the death of William. No
attempt has been made to join it on to the preceding part, or to supply
the corrections which would have been given by the improving hand of the
author. But, imperfect as it must be, I believe it will be received with
pleasure and interest as a fit conclusion to the life of his great hero.

I will only add my grateful thanks for the kind advice and assistance
given me by his most dear and valued friends, Dean Milman and Mr. Ellis.

CHAPTER XXIII

Standing Armies--Sunderland--Lord Spencer--Controversy touching Standing
Armies--Meeting of Parliament--The King's Speech well received; Debate
on a Peace Establishment--Sunderland attacked--The Nation averse to a
Standing Army--Mutiny Act; the Navy Acts concerning High Treason--Earl
of Clancarty--Ways and Means; Rights of the Sovereign in reference
to Crown Lands--Proceedings in Parliament on Grants of Crown
Lands--Montague accused of Peculation--Bill of Pains and Penalties
against Duncombe--Dissension between the houses--Commercial
Questions--Irish Manufactures--East India Companies--Fire at
Whitehall--Visit of the Czar--Portland's Embassy to France--The Spanish
Succession--The Count of Tallard's Embassy--Newmarket Meeting: the
insecure State of the Roads--Further Negotiations relating to the
Spanish Succession--The King goes to Holland--Portlan