the asthma he had had for several years.  He felt his condition, and his powerful genius did not disavow it.  Under forged names he consulted the most eminent physicians of Europe, among others, Fagon; who, having to do, as he thought, with a cure, replied in all sincerity, and with out dissimulation, that he must prepare for a speedy death.  His illness increasing, William consulted Fagon, anew, but this time openly.  The physician recognised the malady of the cure—­he did not change his opinion, but expressed it in a less decided manner, and prescribed with much feeling the remedies most likely if not to cure, at least to prolong.  These remedies were followed and gave relief; but at last the time had arrived when William was to feel that the greatest men finish like the humblest and to see the nothingness of what the world calls great destinies.

He rode out as often as he could; but no longer having the strength to hold himself on horseback, received a fall, which hastened his end by the shock it gave him.  He occupied himself with religion as little as he had all his life.  He ordered everything, and spoke to his ministers and his familiars with a surprising tranquillity, which did not abandon him until the last moment.  Although crushed with pain, he had the satisfaction of thinking that he had consummated a great alliance, which would last after his death, and that it would strike the great blow against France, which he had projected.  This thought, which flattered him even in the hour of death, stood in place of all other consolation,—­a consolation frivolous and cruelly deceitful, which left him soon the prey to eternal truths!  For two days he was sustained by strong waters and spirituous liquors.  His last nourishment was a cup of chocolate.  He died the 19th March, 1702, at ten o’clock in the morning.

The Princess Anne, his sister-in-law, wife of Prince George of Denmark, was at the same time proclaimed queen.  A few days after, she declared her husband Grand Admiral and Commander-in-Chief (generalissimo), recalled the Earl of Rochester, her maternal uncle, and the Earl of Sunderland, and sent the Count of Marlborough, afterwards so well known, to Holland to follow out there all the plans of his predecessor.

The King did not learn this death until the Saturday morning following, by a courier from Calais.  A boat had escaped, in spite of the vigilance which had closed the ports.  The King was silent upon the news, except to Monseigneur and to Madame de Maintenon.  On the next day confirmation of the intelligence arrived from all parts.  The King no longer made a secret of it, but spoke little on the subject, and affected much indifference respecting it.  With the recollection of all the indecent follies committed in Paris during the last war, when it was believed that William had been killed at the battle of the Boyne in Ireland, the necessary precautions against falling into the same error were taken by the King’s orders.