Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-04-06
Macauiay's Description of the Death Of
William HI. of ENGLAND.


The King, meanwhile, was sinking fast
AlbemaIle bad arrived ut Kensington, from
the Hague, exhausted by rapid travelling
HIS master kindly bade him go to rest for
some hours, and then summoned him to
make his report. That report was in all
respects satisfactory. The States General
were in the best temper; the troops, the pro-
visions, and the magazines, were in the best
oder. Everything was in readiness for an
early campaign. William received the in
teligence with the calmness of a man whose
work was done. He was under no illusion
as TO his danger. 81 am fast drawing" he
said, "to my end" His end was worthy of
his life. His intellect was not for a moment
clouded. His fortitude was the more ad-
mirsble because he was not willing to die
He had very lately said TO one of those he
most loved, You know that | never feared
death there have been times when should
have wished it, but now, that this great
new prospect is opening before me, do wish
to stay here a little longer"
Yet no weakness, no querulousness, dis
graced the noble close of that noble career.
To the physicians the king returned his
thanks graciousiy and gently. ~ know that
you have done all that skill and learning
could do for me; but the case is beyond
your art, and l submit" From the words
which escaped him he seemed to be fire.
quently engaged in mental prayer. Burnet
and Tension remained many hours in the
sick room. He professed to them his firm
belief in the truth of the Christian religion,
and received the sacrament from their hands
with great seriousness.
The antechambers were crowded all night
with lords and privy councillors. He or
deIed several of them to be called in, and
exerted himself to take leave of them with a
few kind and cheerful words. Among the
English who were admitted to his bedside
were DeyOnshire and 0rmond.
But there were in the crowd those who
felt as no EDglishman could feel-frieuds of
his youth who had been true to him, and TO
whom he had been true through all the
vieissitudes offortune; who had served him
with upalterable fidelity when his Seereta-
ries Of State, his Treasury, and his Admi-
Talty had betrayed him who had never on
| any field of battle, or in an atmosphere
tainted with loathsome and deadly disease,
sbIunk from placing their own lives in jeop
ardy TO save his, and whose truth he had, al
| the cost Of his own popularity, rewarded with
| his bounteous munifcence.
He strained his feeble voice to thank Au-
verquerque for the affectionate and loyal
services of thirty years. To Albemarle he
gave the keys OF his closet and of his private
drawers. "You know" he said, "what to
do with them" By this time he could
| scarcely respire. "Can this" he said to the
physicians, "last long2" He was told that
The end was approaching. He swallowed 9
cordial and asked for Bentinek. Those were
his last srtieulste words. Bentinek instantly
came TO the bedside, bent down and placed
his ear close to the Kings mouth. The lips
Of the dying man moved, but nothing could
be heard.
The King took the hand of his earliest
friend ard pressed it tenderly to his hesEt
In that moment, no doubt, all that had css
a slight passing cloud over their loag anC
pure friendship was forgotten. II was nov
between seven and eight in the morning
He closed bis eyes and gasped for breath
The bishops kLelt down and read the com
nendatory prayer. When it ended William
wRs no more.
When his remains were laid out, it wa
found that he wore next to his skin a small
piece Of black silk ribbon. The lords i
waiting ordered 1t 70 be taken off. 1t con
tanned a gold ring and lock Of the hair {
, Mary.