laws of England Mary would ascend to the throne after her father, while William would have no influence on the governement. Considering William's character it was very unlikely that he should be content with a position inferior to that of his wife. Mary, at the same time, was quite ignorant of her futural position in English political life. This was due to her education. She had been carefully instructed in religion, but the English eonstitution had remained unknown to her. She was, therefore, quite unable to understand William's feelings, and she had not the slightest suspicion of the thoughts, which preyed upon her husband's mind, and which prevented him from entering into any confident relation to her. William himself would never have informed her of the matter. His reserved nature made him inclined rather to brood over his thoughts than to remove every doubt by openly speaking his mind.

Then a complete reconciliation was brought about by Gilbert Burnet, William's and Mary's spiritual adviser. He plainly told Mary that her husband was displeased, because she one day would hold a position superior to his own. Mary was much surprised and warmly declared that it was her duty to obey her husband, and she conld, therefore, never be his superior. As soon as she became Queen of England, she would render all her authority to William. Burnet asked her to cousider this resolution well, before she made it known, but she exclaimed that she wanted no time for consideration. Then an interview took place between her and William, and she told him her intention. This act was a decisive proof of her sincere devotion to him, and she completely gained William's heart. Now all causes of misconception were removed, ad complete confidence was established betwen husband and wife.

This confidence soon became of the greatest importance. The English revolution of 1688 had deprived James the Second of his crown, and an election of king had to be

undertaken. On this question opinions were divided. Some people wanted William to be King, because he, by his invasion, had saved the country from James's tyranny others wished to make Mary Queen, because she was James's daughte, wrhereas William was to receive such a share in the government, as Mary might be pleased to grant him. This question was soon settled. According to her previous resolution Mary declared that, even if she was chosen Queen of England, she would render all her power into the hands of William. After this unity of opinion was arrived at in the Convention, which had to fix the constitution and the succession. William and Mary were proclaimed King and Queen, but William only was to be the leader of the government.

M.tf.

4.

William's choice of a wife had been determineid chiefly by political considerations. They were very different natures. Mary was only a handsome, simple and sensitive girl, who did not at all understand politics. William, on the contrary, was the best politician of his time, and his manners were often chilling. During the first nine years of their mar, riage the relations between these two persons were not, what they ougth to be. William loved another lady named Elisabeth Villiers, and he was therefore a very negligent husband. But although spies and talebearers who were sent from her father did their best to excite Mary against William, her soft and generous character would never let any misliking word escape her lips.

But there was also another cause of estrangement. Mary was the heir of the English crown, but when she became Queen of England William would only be regarded as a private person and have no political power but what his wife was pleased to give hein. The proud and ambitious

William did not like the prospect of being the subject of the simple Mary, and therefore he treated her coldly and negligently. Mary, whose education regarding English state affairs had been wholly neglegted did not know the laws of England, but when through Burnet, her spiritual adviser, she learned the chief ground of her husband's discontent she warmly declared that when she became Quen of England he should always bear the rule. Now a wholly reconciliation took place between William and Mary and from that day they lived very happily and loved each other to their death.

The agrument between these two persons was soon to be of great importance.

When after William's invasion King James II had fled from England the party of William and the party of Mary held a great meeting at the Earl of Devonshire's House. Halifax was the chief speaker for William, Danby for Mary. But none of them knew the minds of William or Mary. William maintained a perfect silence as he had promised not to influence the Convention. One of his countrymen, who enjoyed a great share of his confidence was urged on by the peers to give them some information. „I know nothing", he said „but I only guess that His Highness will not be the Gentleman Usher of his wife“. „But I know something now", said Danby and parted. At this great crisis Burnet thought it necessary to publish the great secret between William and Mary. He did so and Mary confirmed it. Now William thought is was time to explain himself. He sent for the political leaders and made a speech to them in which he said that he would not be Regent. He told them also that he would not be the Gentleman Usher of his wife but he would only play such a part in English affairs, which he could usefully and honourably accept. If the Estates offered him the crown he would accept it, if not he would return to his native country.

That William and Mary must be King and Queen was now clear; but in order that the old contests between the Stuarts and the people never again should arise the new sovereigns were engaged to sign the Declaration of Right.

This declaration began by recapitulating the crimes and errors of James, which had made a revolution necessary. Thereupon it asserted the old laws of England. The King was always to profess the Protestant religion. The electors must freely choose their representatives. The administration of justice must be pure and merciful. The privileges of the Parliament were never to be violated. The King must never levy taxes witbout the consent of Parliament and never keep any standing army in time of peace. He was always to reign after the old laws of the realm. The declaration finished by settling the succession on the throne.

Some days after the gorgeous Banqueting House was made ready for a great ceremony. The Lords and Commons were present. When William and Mary had entered and sat down Halifax in the name of the Convention stood forth and asked Their Highnesses to listen to the reading of a declaration they had agreed in. They consented and thereupon the Clerk of the House of Lords read the Declaration of Right. Now Halifay stood forth once more and offered William and Mary to be King and Queen of England. Thereupon William made a speech in which he said, that he in his name and that of his wife thankfully accepted what they had offered them. He went on saying that he would always govern according to the Declaration of Right and always listen to the meaning of the Parliament. Thereupon the Convention retired.

Meanwhile the Garter-King-at-Arms had proclaimed William and Mary King and Queen to the people. Thus ended the English Revolution.

Tf.

5.

William and Mary, who became king and queen of England in 1688, were of different character.

William often was in low spirits which was due to his bad health and his thoughts were occupied by public affairs or by field sports. Mary was a handsome, young lady, well disposed and naturally delicate, but ignorant and simple. In consequence of this difference of character their domestic life did not at first promise much happiness. For a time William was a negligent husband. He was drawn away by other women especially one of Mary's ladies, Elizabeth Villiers, who, though disfigured by a hideous squint, possessed talents which well fitted her to partake his cares. William was ashamed of his errors and spared no pains to conceal them. But in spite of all his precautions Mary well knew that he was not stricly faithful to her. Spies and tale-bearers encouraged by her father did their best to inflame her resentment. She, however, bore her injuries with a meekness and patience which deserved and gradually obtained the sympathy of William. Yet there still remained a political cause of estrangement. A time would probably come when she would be queen of England and hold the balance of Europe, while her husband would get power only from her bounty and during her pleasure. Mary was quite ignorant about the intention of William when she became queen. Nor would she have learnt it from himself. Burnet, her teacher in religion, knew William's intention and he told Mary what the feeling was which prayed upon her husband's mind. She declared that there was no proof of conjugal submission which she was not ready to give. Burnet told her that she could, when the crown devolved on her, induce her Parliament to transfer to William the administration. Mari was a once willing to act in conformity with the wishes of his husband and she sent for him that he might hear it from her own lips.