the King's life been prolonged till the works were completed, a statue of her who was the real foundress of the institution would have had a conspicuous place in that court which presents two lofty domes and two graceful colonnades to the multitudes who are perpetually passing up and down the imperial river. But that part of the plan was never carried into effect; and few of those who now gaze on the noblest of European hospitals are aware that it is a memorial of the virtues of the good Queen Mary, of the love and sorrow of William, and of the great victory of La Hogue.
CHAPTER XXI
Effect of Mary's Death on the Continent--Death of Luxemburg-- Distress of William--Parliamentary Proceedings; Emancipation of the Press--Death of Halifax--Parliamentary Inquiries into the Corruption of the Public Offices--Vote of Censure on the Speaker- -Foley elected Speaker; Inquiry into the Accounts of the East India Company--Suspicious Dealings of Seymour--Bill against Sir Thomas Cook--Inquiry by a joint Committee of Lords and Commons-- Impeachment of Leeds--Disgrace of Leeds--Lords Justices appointed; Reconciliation between William and the Princess Anne-- Jacobite Plots against William's Person--Charnock; Porter-- Goodman; Parkyns--Fenwick--Session of the Scottish Parliament; Inquiry into the Slaughter of Glencoe--War in the Netherlands; Marshal Villeroy--The Duke of Maine--Jacobite Plots against the Government during William's Absence--Siege of Namur--Surrender of the Town of Namur--Surrender of the Castle of Namur--Arrest of Boufflers--Effect of the Emancipation of the English Press-- Return of William to England; Dissolution of the Parliament-- William makes a Progress through the Country--The Elections-- Alarming State of the Currency--Meeting of the Parliament; Loyalty of the House of Commons--Controversy touching the Currency--Parliamentary Proceedings touching the Currency-- Passing of the Act regulating Trials