citizens of the Republic. He did nothing of the kind."
Again he continues: "The death of John de Witt ought to win him forgiveness for many faults. It is still a problem which history has not solved, What was the part which William had in that catastrophe? The responsibility seems nevertheless to be considerable, if we consider the amnesty granted by the Prince to the assassins, and particularly the liberality with which he pensioned the surgeon, Tichelaar. Such crimes would sully the fairest life, and the death of John de Witt remains an ineffaceable stain on the history of William III."
Take another case. When the peace ot Nimeguen had been signed four days, the Prince, who was strongly adverse to it, attacked Marshal Luxembourg, and a bloody battle took place—the lives lost being thrown away without the slightest gain. The Prince declared in the most solemn manner that he did not hear the news of the peace until the next day. It has, however, been proved that the news of the peace having been absolutely decided upon was known in his camp and by him the day before.
In the matter of Glencoe, probably not many people have been misled by Macaulay's sophistical explanation. It may be well, however, to mention the facts of the case. From the correspondence to which Macaulay himself refers it can be proved that William took the keenest interest in the minute details of the negotiations with the Highlanders. On the 9th of
