s beasts of
chase or as beasts of burden. But it will be for some other historian to
relate the vicissitudes of that great conflict, and the late triumph of
reason and humanity. Unhappily such a historian will have to relate that
the triumph won by such exertions and by such sacrifices was immediately
followed by disappointment; that it proved far less easy to eradicate
evil passions than to repeal evil laws; and that, long after every
trace of national and religious animosity had been obliterated from the
Statute Book, national and religious animosities continued to rankle
in the bosoms of millions. May he be able also to relate that wisdom,
justice and time gradually did in Ireland what they had done in
Scotland, and that all the races which inhabit the British isles were at
length indissolubly blended into one people!

CHAPTER XVIII

Opening of the Parliament--Debates on the Salaries and Fees of Official
Men--Act excluding Papists from Public Trust in Ireland--Debates on the
East India Trade--Debates on the Bill for regulating Trials in Cases
of High Treason--Plot formed by Marlborough against the Government of
William--Marlborough's Plot disclosed by the Jacobites--Disgrace
of Marlborough; Various Reports touching the Cause of Marlborough's
Disgrace.--Rupture between Mary and Anne--Fuller's Plot--Close of
the Session; Bill for ascertaining the Salaries of the Judges
rejected--Misterial Changes in England--Ministerial Changes in
Scotland--State of the Highlands--Breadalbane employed to negotiate
with the Rebel Clans--Glencoe--William goes to the Continent; Death of
Louvois--The French Government determines to send an Expedition
against England--James believes that the English Fleet is friendly to
him--Conduct of Russell--A Daughter born to James--Preparations made
in England to repel Invasion--James goes down to his Army at La
Hogue--James's Declaration--Effect produced by James's Declaration--The
English and Dutch Fleets join; Temper of the English Fleet--Battle of La
Hogue--Rejoicings in England--Young's Plot

ON the nineteenth of October 1691, William arrived at Kensington from
the Netherlands. [144] Three days later he opened the Parliament. The
aspect of affairs was, on the whole, cheering. By land there had been
gains and losses; but the balance was in favour of England. Against the
fall of Mons might well be set off the taking of Athlone, the victory
of Aghrim, the surrender of Limer