in spite of some great moral and intellectual
faults, has a just claim to be called a hero, a philosopher, and a
patriot. It is impossible to see without pain such a name in the list of
the pensioners of France. Yet it is some consolation to reflect that, in
our time, a public man would be thought lost to all sense of duty and
of shame, who should not spurn from him a temptation which conquered the
virtue and the pride of Algernon Sydney.

The effect of these intrigues was that England, though she occasionally
took a menacing attitude, remained inactive till the continental
war, having lasted near seven years, was terminated by the treaty of
Nimeguen. The United Provinces, which in 1672 had seemed to be on the
verge of utter ruin, obtained honourable and advantageous terms. This
narrow escape was generally ascribed to the ability and courage of the
young Stadtholder. His fame was great throughout Europe, and especially
among the English, who regarded him as one of their own princes, and
rejoiced to see him the husband of their future Queen. France retained
many important towns in the Low Countries and the great province of
Franche Comte. Almost the whole loss was borne by the decaying monarchy
of Spain.

A few months after the termination of hostilities on the Continent came
a great crisis in English politics. Towards such a crisis things had
been tending during eighteen years. The whole stock of popularity, great
as it was, with which the King had commenced his administration,
had long been expended. To loyal enthusiasm had succeeded profound
disaffection. The public mind had now measured back again the space
over which it had passed between 1640 and 1660, and was once more in the
state in which it had been when the Long Parliament met.

The prevailing discontent was compounded of many feelings. One of these
was wounded national pride. That generation had seen England, during a
few years, allied on equal terms with France, victorious over Holland
and Spain, the mistress of the sea, the terror of Rome, the head of the
Protestant interest. Her resources had not diminished; and it might have
been expected that she would have been at least as highly considered
in Europe under a legitimate King, strong in the affection and willing
obedience of his subjects, as she had been under an usurper whose utmost
vigilance and energy were required to keep down a mutinous people. Yet
she had, in consequence of the imbecility and mea