Already a large section of the English nation turned their eyes
towards him as one whom they might elect some day to weald the
sceptre of Great Britain. Subtle, ambitious, and determined, a
silent student of humanity, a grave observer of politics, a
sagacious leader in warfare, he had likewise begun to look
forward towards the chances of succeeding his uncle in the
government of England--in hopes of which he had been strengthened
by the private overtures made him by Shaftesbury, and sustained
by the public prejudices exhibited against the Duke of York.
The proposed union between him and the heiress presumptive to the
crown was regarded by the nation with satisfaction, and by the
prince as an act strongly favouring the realization of his
desires for sovereignty. Cold and grave in temperament, sickly
and repulsive in appearance, blunt and graceless in manner, he
was by no means an ideal bridegroom for a fair princess; but
neither she nor her father had any choice given them in a concern
so important to the pacification of the nation. She, it was
whispered at court, had previously given her heart to a brave
young Scottish laird; and her father, it was known, had already
taken an instinctive dislike to the man destined to usurp his
throne. In October, 1677, the Prince of Orange came to England,
ostensibly to consult with King Charles regarding the
establishment of peace between France and the Confederates; but
the chief motive of his visit was to promote his marriage, which
had some time before been proposed, and owing to political causes
had been coolly received by him.
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