The elections went on rapidly and smoothly.

There were scarcely any contests.

For the nation had, during more than a year, been kept in constant expectation of a Parliament.

Writs, indeed, had been twice issued, and twice recalled.
Some constituent bodies had, under those writs, actually proceeded to the choice of representatives.

There was scarcely a county in which the gentry and yeomanry had not, many months before, fixed upon candidates, good Protestants, whom no exertions must be spared to carry, in defiance of the King and of the Lord Lieutenant; and these candidates were now generally returned without opposition.
The Prince gave strict orders that no person in the public service should, on this occasion, practise those arts which had brought so much obloquy on the late government.