The health of the King of England (James II.), which had for some time been very languishing, grew weaker towards the middle of August of this year, and by the 8th of September completely gave way.  There was no longer any hope.  The King, Madame de Maintenon, and all the royal persons, visited him often.  He received the last sacrament with a piety in keeping with his past life, and his death was expected every instant.  In this conjuncture the King made a resolve more worthy of Louis XII., or Francis I., than of his own wisdom.  On Tuesday, the 13th of September, he went from Marly to Saint Germain.  The King of England was so ill that when the King was announced to him he scarcely opened his eyes for an instant.  The King told him that he might die in peace respecting the Prince of Wales, whom he would recognise as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The few English who were there threw themselves upon their knees, but the King of England gave no signs of life.  The gratitude of the Prince of Wales and of his mother, when they heard what the King had said, may be imagined.  Returned to Marly, the King repeated to all the Court what he had said.  Nothing was heard but praises and applause.

Yet reflections did not fail to be made promptly, if not publicly.  It was seen, that to recognise the Prince of Wales was to act in direct opposition to the recognition of the Prince of Orange as King of England, that the King had declared at the Peace of Ryswick.  It was to wound the Prince of Orange in the tenderest point, and to invite England and Holland to become allies of the Emperor against France.  As for the Prince of Wales, this recognition was no solid advantage to him, but was calculated to make the party opposed to him in England only more bitter and vigilant in their opposition.

The King of England, in the few intervals of intelligence he had, appeared much impressed by what the King had done.  He died about three o’clock in the afternoon of the 16th September of this year, 1701.  He had requested that there might he no display at his funeral, and his wish was faithfully observed.  He was buried on the Saturday, at seven o’clock in the evening, in the church of the English Benedictines at Paris, Rue St. Jacques, without pomp, and attended by but few mourners.  His body rests in the chapel, like that of the simplest private person, until the time, apparently very distant, when it shall be transported to England.  His heart is at the Filles de Sainte Marie, of Chaillot.

Immediately afterwards, the Prince of Wales was received by the King as King of England, with all the formalities and state with which his father before him had been received.  Soon afterwards he was recognised by the new King of Spain.